Premier League
Arsenal Get Boost Over Insigne Pursuit
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne this summer, and it appears as though they could be handed a boost.
The 25-year-old is enjoying one of his most productive seasons yet as he has scored 13 and assisted 10 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.
In turn, that led to reported interest from Arsenal last month, as noted by The Sun, who claimed that it would take an offer of around £44m to prise him away from the San Paolo.
As the Italian international’s contract talks continue to show no sign of progress with his current deal running until 2019, it has led to further speculation over his future and the kind of comments that Napoli will not want to hear from his representatives.
“Insigne is tired of waiting,” Ciro Venerato told Rai, as reported by Football Italia. “He has four clubs that have offered €4.5m and a sponsorship deal from a multinational company that would pay €2.5m.
“He’s willing to take less to just to stay with Napoli but wants €4m per season. Napoli offered €3.5m and no more, inclusive of commission to agents who will take about 5%.
“An agreement will be reached in May.” Insigne himself spoke out on the situation after his side’s 3-2 win over Empoli on Sunday, insisting that Napoli need “to grow as a club”, which will add to the question marks hanging over his future.
Arsenal will have their work cut out as they will face significant competition, but if Napoli are forced into a situation in which they have to sell Insigne, they will not want to sell to a direct rival.
In turn, whether it’s Arsene Wenger at the helm or not, the Gunners could have a good chance of taking advantage of the problems in Naples, and Insigne would certainly provide them with a major boost in quality and depth in the attacking positions.
Premier League
With call for Hag’s sack becoming louder and louder, Mourinho eyes Man United return
After a devastating 4-0 defeat of Manchester United on Monday night by Crystal Palace, the call for the sacking of the coach, Erik ten Hag expectedly became louder. Former coach, Jose Mourinho has indicated his wish to return to the club.
Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United manager after a mixed two-and-a-half seasons in December 2018 but the Portuguese believes that he has unfinished business at Old Trafford
According to Mirror in the UK, the Portuguese is very keen on a sensational return . He is however aware the club don’t want him back.
Mourinho, 61, has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January and has told confidants of his strong but fanciful desire to be given a second chance as manager of the Red Devils.
The ex-Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss was sacked by United in December 2018, bringing to an end a mixed two-and-a-half-season tenure which saw them win three trophies but fail to seriously challenge for the Premier League title.
That was long before Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at the club and although Mourinho considers the new United co-owner his friend, he doesn’t expect to be approached if the Red Devils sack Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag’s role has come under increasing scrutiny over the past few months, with Monday’s dreadful 4-0 defeat away to 14th-placed Crystal Palace serving as the nadir to a wretched season.
Should Ratcliffe and Co pull the trigger, the Manchester Evening News report that Mourinho would be willing to ‘walk’ back to Old Trafford
The Portuguese, who’s aware that a reappointment isn’t likely, recently claimed that Ten Hag has been given considerably more support than he received during his time at United – comments which irked the current Red Devils boss.
“My relationship with (former United executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward was good,” Mourinho told the Telegraph. “Good as in the personal point of view. Even now we sent an SMS. But from a professional point of view it was not the best.
“I am who I am. I am a football man. Ed comes from a different background and what Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn’t have. I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust.
Premier League
Premier League referee to wear camera for first time in today’s Palace v Man United clash
Referee Jarred Gillett will wear a camera for the first time in Premier League history during Monday’s fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester United as part of filming for a one-off programme promoting match officials, the league said on Monday.
Last year, the Football Association announced it will trial body cameras on referees in grassroots leagues in England in a bid to ascertain whether the technology could help “improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees”.
The Bundesliga also used the ‘RefCam’ for the first time during a 2-2 draw between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg in February.
“Fans will be able to view it later in the year as part of a programme being produced by Premier League Productions aimed at offering further insight and education into the demands of officiating in the Premier League,” the league said in a statement.
“The technology comprises a head-mounted device which is integrated into the usual referee communications system.
“Its one-off use for educational purposes has been approved by the IFAB (International Football Association Board), the Premier League, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and both clubs. We would like to thank Crystal Palace and Manchester United for their support with this project.”
-Reuters
Premier League
Chelsea’s Pochettino cries foul over VAR decision in 2-2 draw with Villa
A VAR decision chalking off what looked to be a late winner for Chelsea at Aston Villa on Saturday has damaged the Premier League, the London club’s manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
His side thought they have completed a remarkable comeback when substitute Axel Disasi netted in second-half stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review penalised a push by Benoit Badiashile in the build-up.
“Me and you and everyone in the stadium watching the game, they didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that’s it,” Pochettino told broadcaster TNT following the 2-2 draw.
“For me, it damaged a little bit the Premier League and English (football). If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision … (it) damaged myself, damaged my team, my players, the fans,” he added.
Chelsea were 2-0 down at the break but goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher put them level before the late goal was overturned.
“The performance was very good and we played really well. It is true in the first half we conceded easy … to play Villa, who are fighting for the top four, I am pleased with the team and the players were good,” Pochettino said.
Villa boss Unai Emery said his side, who are currently in fourth spot and seven points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, still had their sights set on qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Spurs, however, have three games in hand.
“We have to try to keep being consistent with the players we have and I believe in the players … in Premier League we are fighting with Tottenham for fourth position,” he said.
-Reuters
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