True Football

Author: D. Ferguson

  • Wrexham: Ambitions Grow as Hollywood FC Hunt Top Striker. Capital City Fan Begrudgingly Wishes Them Well

    Wrexham: Ambitions Grow as Hollywood FC Hunt Top Striker. Capital City Fan Begrudgingly Wishes Them Well

    Now, I need to set this straight from the start. I’ve been to Wrexham away. I’ve crossed my fingers that they wouldn’t go bust. Many of us visiting away fans have encouraged Wrexham supporters to keep up the fight over the years against lousy owners and “modern football”.

    However, as a Cardiff City FC fan, I didn’t want them to survive this well, did I? Not really, but when I sit back and think about Wrexham’s incredible takeover story from start to finish, I am genuinely delighted for them. If it had been Swansea City, then that would have been a whole different story, though, but that is for another day.

    I was happy when the Hollywood bunch took them over as I thought we might lose yet another historic small-town club with heaps of stories behind them (remember Arsenal in the FA Cup and then a certain alleged story about a Welsh international selling fake fivers to the youth team?). Any cash injection would be good for Wales and lower league football, right (Non-league football, as it had unfortunately resulted in our Gogs with the funny Welsh/Scouse hybrid accents)?

    Wrexham AFC are preparing to make a major statement in the January transfer window as they set their sights on signing an experienced Championship striker to help them on their incredible rise from non-league football to League Two, and now League One (Division 3 in old money) and quite possibly another successive promotion to the Championship where my stagnant club, Cardiff City, is stuck, struggling to fight off relegation despite having a billionaire owner Vincent Tan.

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    Backed by their Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the North Wales club is determined to strengthen their squad as they push hard for promotion to The Championship and beyond.

    Speculation suggests that Wrexham have already identified a shortlist of targets, with names like Smallville’s very own superhero, Clark Kent, emerging as potential options (sorry).

    The club’s financial backing and growing international reputation make them an attractive destination, even for players currently plying their trade in higher divisions. Additionally, Wrexham’s recent sponsorship deals are set to inject further funds into their January transfer budget, giving them the freedom to pursue top-quality signings.

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    Should they land a proven Championship-level striker, Wrexham’s promotion push could gather unstoppable momentum. I would happily sell them a couple of our strikers but the owners of Wrexham, and the expertise they have hired off the pitch, will no doubt keep them heading upwards.

    I used to feel sorry for Wrexham visiting their crumbling ground over the years following Cardiff City and hearing from their fans in various boozers about how their owners (at the time) didn’t care about them at all. Now I am jealous. Quite rightly so.

    Whatever their reasons, the American celebrities (and pretty astute businessmen) Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, seem to be doing things the right way and rapidly turning a once dying clwb (sic) into a potential Premiership brand whilst boosting the local economy and bringing pride to a town which was in decline for so many years.

  • Transfer News: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd and More…

    Transfer News: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd and More…

    Liverpool Eyeing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as Salah’s Successor?

    Liverpool are reportedly considering Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, should the Egyptian star depart. Mbeumo has been in scintillating form this season, netting nine goals and providing two assists in the Premier League. His dynamic partnership with Yoane Wissa has been pivotal for Brentford, especially in their recent 4-2 triumph over Newcastle. TalkSPORT pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara have likened Mbeumo to a “mini Mohamed Salah,” suggesting he could seamlessly fill the void if Salah’s future at Anfield becomes uncertain.

    Talksport

    Arsenal’s Surprise Move for Everton’s Calvert-Lewin

    In a bold transfer move, Arsenal are reportedly plotting a £20 million bid for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 27-year-old, who has struggled with form and fitness, scoring just two goals this season, is seen by Mikel Arteta as a potential asset to bolster the Gunners’ attacking options. With Everton facing financial challenges and Calvert-Lewin’s contract nearing its end, a move could be on the horizon. However, Arsenal may face competition from AC Milan, West Ham, and Newcastle, who are also monitoring the striker’s situation.

    The Sun

    Manchester United’s Boardroom Shake-Up: Dan Ashworth Departs

    Turmoil at Old Trafford as Sporting Director Dan Ashworth exits Manchester United after just five months in the role. His departure follows internal disagreements over summer recruitment strategies and managerial appointments. Reports suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe was dissatisfied with the club’s recruitment and data analysis processes, prompting the sudden change. Ashworth’s exit raises questions about the club’s direction, especially after a significant summer spending spree under his guidance.

    The Scottish Sun

    Tottenham Hotspur Courting Irish Prodigy Mason Melia

    Tottenham Hotspur have intensified their pursuit of 17-year-old Irish sensation Mason Melia by inviting him to their London derby against Chelsea. The St Patrick’s Athletic striker has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Everton, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace, as well as Celtic. Melia, who has made a significant impact in the League of Ireland, cannot move to the UK until he turns 18 next September, but Spurs are keen to position themselves at the forefront of the race for his signature.

    The Sun

    Manchester City’s Accidental Bid for Lionel Messi

    A humorous anecdote from 2008 has resurfaced, revealing that Manchester City accidentally made a £35 million bid for Lionel Messi. The blunder occurred when then-CEO Garry Cook misheard a colleague’s remark, leading to an unintended offer for the Barcelona superstar. The bid was swiftly rejected, but it remains a quirky footnote in City’s transfer history.

    Talksport

    Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sané on Liverpool’s Radar

    Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, should the latter leave Anfield. Sané, who has been in impressive form for Bayern, could be offered a new contract by the German giants, which might complicate Liverpool’s pursuit. The Reds are monitoring the situation closely as they plan for the future of their attacking lineup.

    Bavarian Football Works

    Tottenham’s Manager Ange Postecoglou Seeks Attacking Reinforcements

    Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed the need to strengthen the club’s attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. With injuries sidelining key players like Richarlison, Postecoglou emphasized the importance of bolstering the squad to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and Europa League campaigns.

    Reuters

    Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee Eyes Juventus Move

    Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly seeking a move to Juventus to reunite with former manager Thiago Motta. After a challenging stint at Old Trafford, where he struggled to secure a regular starting position, Zirkzee is looking for a fresh start in Serie A. Juventus is interested in a loan deal with an option to buy, which could benefit all parties involved.

    The Sun

    Premier League Fixtures: Key Matches to Watch

    The Premier League schedule is heating up with several high-profile clashes on the horizon. Manchester City’s games against Arsenal and Liverpool are set to be televised in February, promising thrilling encounters that could have significant implications for the title race. Additionally, Manchester United’s trips to Liverpool and Manchester City during the festive period are among the must-watch matches for football fans.

    Sky Sports

    Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the latest updates and rumors from the world of football.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo: Perfect Machine of Football Greatness

    He is the best and too many people slag him off. Messi is amazing but this is why I believe CR7 is right up there with the best. Hear me out lads.

    Few names in the pantheon of football heroes cause as much controversy as Cristiano Ronaldo. Love him or hate him; one cannot dispute that Ronaldo’s path from Madeira’s streets to the top of world football is a masterclass in hard work surpassing natural ability. Although many prodigies fade into obscurity, Ronaldo’s career is a clear monument to what pure will and an intense drive for success can produce.

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    Working Class Son to Worldwide (I Say Humble) Celebrity

    Ronaldo’s early life was anything from glitz, having been born into poverty on the little Portuguese island of Madeira. His family’s financial problems were a continual weight, and he lived in a small room with his siblings. A possibly career-ending heart condition at 15 threatened to ruin his aspirations. But Ronaldo refused to let circumstance define his destiny. Following a triumphant operation, he returned to the pitch with a fury determined to leave his mark on football history.

    Truly Bonkers Obsession with Excellence

    Ronaldo’s work ethic is almost compulsive; this quality has amazed and motivated young players from local parks to pristine pitches.

    Let’s face it, he might annoy some people but he is all in and gives every part of his football life 100%. Usually working extra hours to perfect his physique and skills, he arrives at training first and leaves last. This constant search for excellence is not a behaviour; it is his essence. Ronaldo’s commitment has astounded coaches, who have related tales of him hundreds of times practicing the same move until it was perfect.

    His metamorphosis physically is equally fablelike. Arriving at Manchester United, the skinny teen turned into a powerhouse of speed, strength, and agility. Ronaldo’s exacting dedication to diet, exercise, and recovery sets new benchmarks for professional athletes. Given few football players reach, it’s reasonable he’s still performing at the top level well into his 30s.

    Shut it! IYKYK

    For Ronaldo, critics have never been rare. Shadowing his career have been accusations of conceit, selfish play, and simple showmanship. Still, he has silence critics with almost supernatural performances on time and again. With Real Madrid, he broke La Liga records when critics questioned his adaptation to Spanish football. Questions on his relevance and age? In 2016 he guided Portugal to their first-ever European Championship and kept breaking records in Italy with Juventus.

    Numbers Are Not Wrong Mate!

    Should hard effort have a numerical form, Ronaldo’s stats would be the pinnacle:

    Our Ronnie ranks among the top scorers in football history.
    Five Ballon d’Or honours acknowledging him several times as among the best players in the world.

    Champions League, Maestro: With more than 130 goals, he redefines what is feasible in Europe’s main tournament.

    The top-scoring male international player surpassing icons who appeared untouchable is international record-breaker.

    (Not Enough) Respect Among Football World

    Not only do supporters value Ronaldo’s work ethic; rivals and colleagues also do. Globally, coaches and players have hailed his commitment. Zinedine Zidane, his former Real Madrid coach, has underlined Ronaldo’s professionalism and unrelenting drive. Even his long-time competitor Lionel Messi has seen how Ronaldo’s dedication affects the game.

    Raising the Standard

    Ronaldo’s impact goes beyond his particular career path. In the modern era, he has redefined professionalism for athletes. Younger athletes today understand that natural ability needs to be matched with constant effort—a paradigm change that might change the course of the game going forward.

    The Unstopable Mega Power

    Ronaldo is a constant, a relentless force that defies time, criticism, or competition even in a society ready to discover the next great thing. His narrative teaches universal lessons in the value of relentless self-belief and hard effort, not only about football.

    Finishing Tekkers

    More than just a football player, Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon created by sweat, selflessness, and an unbroken will. His career questions the easy belief that talent is sufficient. Ronaldo shows that even if talent can open the door, it is relentless hard effort that knocks it down and conquers what’s inside. Ultimately, his legacy will be judged not only in goals or medals but in the many people he has motivated to pursue excellence with all they have.

    I love Messi but the simple hard work and determination of Ronaldo is fu**ing legendary.

  • England’s New Coach Loves Set Pieces and Wembley Stadium

    Anthony Barry has been named Thomas Tuchel’s assistant head coach of England after working with the German elite manager at both Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

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    The 38 year old has also with the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Portugal feels excited and honoured with his new role with The Three Lions.

    When asked by England Football how it feels to be named assistant head coach of the England national team he said: “Pretty incredible, really. Quite surreal. It’s been a fantastic process and Thomas and I have loved every minute of it.”

    Barry didn’t hesitate to accept the now job saying: “As soon as I’d seen the project had captured the imagination of Thomas in the way it did, we were back and forward sharing so much energy towards it and imagining what we could do with these players.

    Having worked abroad, the proud Englishman is glad to be back: “Of course there’s the extra layer for me of being an Englishman. I’ve worked for lots of federations around the world and they’ve all been a privilege, but to come home and represent the FA and England is something that’s the proudest moment of my career.”

    “I have been fortunate in the last few years to work for some of the biggest teams in the world, whether that’s in club or international football.

    Barry backs his skills despite his age saying: “For such a young coach I have quite a lot of experience and I hope it can help us. Thomas has already spoken about the fact we want to move quickly and be streamlined with our processes and part of that will hopefully be my experience in international football.”

    Like Tuchel, Barry is in awe of Wembley Stadium and has been there as a fan, a player and a coach: “It feels amazing, it’s an incredible stadium. I read a famous quote from Pele saying that Wembley is the heart, capital and cathedral of football. I think he’s right.

    “This stadium is so celebrated as the home of football and for me it’s amazing to be back. I have memories of EURO ’96, coming down here with my father to watch the games. I have memories not so good, too, of losing a play-off final here. I’ve won and lost here as a coach but I can’t wait to be standing on the sideline wearing the Three Lions.”

    Good luck Anthony. Now bring it home.

  • Haaland vs Núñez vs Jesus. Who’s the Daddy?

    At the start of the 2022/23 English Premier League season, fans of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal were all full of excitement after their clubs signed new centre-forwards.

    These three players weren’t meant to be squad players; they were signed to be the main men of their teams’ attacking lineups – the star attackers.

    Erling Haaland moved from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City in a deal worth £51 million. Practically every club in the world would have liked to have signed this youngster who is being touted as potentially the future best player in the world.

    Luckily for City fans, he chose to work under Pep Guardiola at the club where his father was once a player and, more importantly, for the club that he actually supports.

    City triggered the 21-year-release-old’s clause but reportedly paid a lot more than that after agent fees, a signing bonus, and other costs. The total is said to be around £85m.

    Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica for a club-record £85 million. The Uruguayan forward signed a six-year deal at Anfield. Last season, the 22-year-old scored 34 goals in all competitions for Benfica.

    After narrowly missing out on an incredible quadruple last season, Liverpool fans were desperate to see their team strengthened ahead of the new season with the likes of Spurs, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all spending big in the transfer market.

    Add to the fact that Liverpool lost one of their best players in Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, Liverpool were desperate for a new star centre-forward, and hopes were high after Nunez was announced as the new Liverpool striker.

    Gabriel Jesus signed a long-term deal with Arsenal after leaving Premier League champions Manchester City for £45 million.

    Many football supporters saw this signing as potentially one of the best of the summer transfers in England.

    However, there was a risk as Jesus wasn’t the first-choice striker during his time at City and didn’t start enough games to be classed as their main man.

    It would be quite easy to argue that Jesus becoming the main man in the Arsenal attack would be enough to motivate him to hit an impressive goalscoring target, and so far, he has seriously impressed.

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    Source: WhoScored.com

    So, who is the best between Haaland, Jesus and Nunez? We are only six games in, but we have learned a lot about all three players.

    Haaland has scored a whopping ten league goals in just six matches, which is an incredible tally and, should he continue at this rate, will walk the golden boot this season and score the most goals out of any Premier League striker by far.

    I believe that only Harry Kane has any chance of keeping up with him, but it will be a very tall order.

    Jesus has started really well, scoring three league goals and setting up another three for his team. Arsenal fans and pundits alike have been very impressed with the Brazilian, who is still only 25 years old.

    Nunez, on the other hand, has had a tricky start to his Liverpool career, getting himself sent off against Crystal Palace and showing that he has the potential to explode during a match and lose his head.

    However, on the other hand, this shows that Nunez has heart, passion and aggression and, if controlled, could be beneficial to his game and to Liverpool as a team. He has scored already this season and will be looking to improve his tally and get his team back on track after a rather disappointing start to the season.

    All in all, I think that Halland is the main man of the three. He is just a monster in attack with a ruthless and clinical streak which will put fear into any defence that he will face this season.

    I believe that Jesus is second best, and for me, his aggressive style and the way he harassed defenders is a great way of complimenting his goals and assists. He really is a hit at Arsenal.

    The jury is out on Nunez as he missed three matches for his red card offence. Unfortunately for him, he comes last out of the three strikers but hopefully, he will find his feet quickly and get back on track for what will surely be one of the best Premier League seasons in history.

  • Man Utd Legend Lashes Out At Glazers Failure. It Cannot Continue.

    Gary Neville has hit out at Manchester United’s owners, calling them failures, money wasters, and lacking the knowledge of how to run a successful club.

    The former United legend believes the Glazers’ actions are unforgivable, and change must happen soon to stop the rapid decline of the once incredibly successful football institution that is Manchester United.

    United fans have had enough and want their club to be run better and are eagerly awaiting developments as the UK’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, confirms his interest in buying the club and starting a new successful chapter in the history of one of the biggest clubs on the planet.

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    Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “When a business is failing, and it’s not performing, it’s the owners of that business. It’s really simple. It’s failing miserably.

    “There is a family over there in America who are just literally letting their employees take all the hits for them, and that is unforgivable.

    “But at this moment in time, it is really desperate, really, really desperate. There’s no leadership, there is no voice.

    https://youtu.be/K2dpkX5DZWs

    “You can’t blame the individual player or the manager. You’ve got to look above. You have to look to the very top now.

    “They’ve proved they can’t handle it these players, so they needed to have a good transfer market. They took 24 million quid out of the club about two months ago.

    “We’ve now got a decrepit rotting stadium that is to be fair second rate when it was the best stadium in the world fifteen-twenty years ago.

    “You’ve got a football project where they haven’t got a clue. They’ve put bankers in charge of the football club, not making football decisions. they’re not appointed a sporting director, but there are that many big things that need to be put right first.

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    “They’ve got to show up and basically face the music. now’s the time. You can’t keep hiding it over in Tampa and thinking that nothing’s gonna come back to you.

    “So my point is here now that you’ve had failure for over ten years at Manchester United these owners since Sir Alex Ferguson, have proven in 10 years that they cannot manage a forward-thinking football club It’s been overtaken in every single department, and it’s painful.

    “At this moment in time, there has been a toxic culture and atmosphere in this great football club for ten year period without its leader Sir Alex Ferguson, and David Gill, who were propping up this football club whilst the family, to be fair, was sat there in America glorifying the fact that they were part of it.

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    “We are now seeing what has happened without Sir Alex Ferguson, without David Gill, without leadership. We’re now seeing what’s happening. And it’s a mess, and it cannot continue to go on. It can’t. They’ve only got 40 or 50 million pounds cash left in the bank.

    “They were cash rich three years ago they had £350m cash in the bank. They’ve no longer got that money in the bank. something’s going to have to give soon. Very very soon.

    “Manchester United in the past in the last ten years, have always answered the fans’ anger through money and spending it in the transfer market is now no one wants to take their money.”

    Neville makes a lot of good points, and it seems obvious that new ownership is the only way forward for Manchester United, although unfortunately, I don’t think that the Glazers will want to sell unless any offer from Sir Jim Ratcliffe is huge.

  • United in Crisis: Ronaldo to Reveal Truth

    Manchester United are in crisis and are facing possibly the worst season in recent history after a nightmare start to the season with losses to Brighton and Brentford.

    United fans are furious, worried and seriously concerned about the future of their club as well as the silence of their star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

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    Ronaldo has come in for some stick in recent weeks for not speaking out about the club’s situation and his apparent desire to leave and avoid having the last year or so of his career tainted by the failures at Old Trafford.

    However, Ronaldo has stated that he will soon reveal “the truth” about his future after reading so many “lies” this summer.

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    Despite his desire to leave United, Erik ten Hag, the club’s new manager, has stated that he is “not for sale.”

    “They will know the truth when they interview in a couple of weeks,” Ronaldo said on Instagram.

    “The media is telling lies. “I have a notebook and in the last few months of the 100 news stories I made, only five were right. Imagine how it is. Stick with that tip.”

    It would be such a shame to see Ronaldo go, although it is somewhat understandable that he wouldn’t want to spend any more time in the complete mess that is MUFC.

    United are now reportedly ready to allow the 37-year-old to leave before the transfer window closes on September 1st.

  • £55m Striker Definitely on United’s List : Fabrizio Romano

    Italian transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, isreporting thatBenjamin Sesko is definitely on Man United’s shopping list despite competition from Newcastle, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund.

    It appears Manchester United may be ahead of the pack unless Newcastle fans see the player’s agent’s photograph on social media of him having dinner on Tyneside, is anything to go by.

    The giant 6ft 4″ Slovenian striker is currently playing for Redbull Salzburg and the 19-year-old giant forward is being touted as one of the emerging talents in European football.

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    Benjamin Sesko’s agent met with Manchester United last week, but RB Salzburg don’t want to sell their star striker this window unless they get an offer of more than £55 million, according to The Mail’s Simon Jones and Ash Rose.

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    The 19-year-old did very well against Liverpool last week, and Manchester United were watching carefully as they were already tracking him as they look to add additional attacking options to their squad.

    Sesko started at hometown club Radece before signing a  three-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg. On January 30, 2021, he made his debut against TSV Hartberg.

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    In May of last year, Sesko was called up by senior team manager Matjaz Kek and debuted for Slovenia in a 1–1 friendly with North Macedonia on 1 June 2021. At 18 years and 1 day old, he became the youngest debutant for the national team.


    On 8 October 2021, Sesko scored his first goal for Slovenia in a World Cup qualifier against Malta. He became Slovenia’s youngest ever goalscorer at 18 years, 4 months, and 8 days.

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