Alejandro Moreno and Shaka Hislop believe Alvaro Morata’s regression in a Chelsea uniform cost him his chance at making Spain’s World Cup team.
Few sporting events stir the imagination as fervently as the World Cup. Despite the rampant commercialisation of the tournament, the internet age denying fans the previous thrill of discovering genuine world-class talents and FIFA constantly trying to fix something that isn’t broken, it remains a quadrennial feast of football.
Yet for Chelsea fans there is an air of trepidation as Russia 2018 lurches into view. For almost every club, bar the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid of this world, there…
Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City? Mario Balotelli back to Serie A? Alejandro Moreno rates the day’s biggest transfer links.
With the transfer window open, David Amoyal sorts through the speculation and rates how likely the rumoured moves are to take place.
Alisson to Liverpool: 35 percent
Loris Karius’ shocking performance in the Champions League final has brought more urgency to the Reds’ pursuit of a goalkeeper, and the excellent relationship between their ownership group and Roma makes this a logical match. But after a substantial financial return from their own run in the Champions League, for the first time in years,…
Amid rumours Emre Can could move to Juventus, Jurgen Klopp has no interest in discussing the German’s plans ahead of the UCL final.
Irish golf star and Manchester United fan Rory McIlroy hopes arch rivals Liverpool will win the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum insists Mo Salah must replicate his form for many years to be mentioned with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has claimed that no Liverpool player would get in the current Real Madrid side.
Cristiano Ronaldo says Liverpool remind him of Real Madrid from a couple of years ago.
Juventus’ general manager Beppe Marotta says he expects a decision from Emre Can “within the next 10 days,” and played down the prospect of the club signing another attacker amid speculation linking Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata with a return to the Serie A champions.
Speaking at a book launch in Turin, Marotta discussed the many transfer rumours involving the Italian champions, leading with their already-public pursuit of Can, and the chances of Morata wearing black and white again next season.
“It’s…
The FC crew weigh the pros and cons of PSG’s reported interest in Gianluigi Buffon and ponder whether Financial Fair Play is a factor.
Julien Laurens explains Paul Pogba’s state of mind following a season which occasionally saw strained relationships with manager Jose Mouinho.
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop delves into rumours surrounding Neymar, Willian, Anthony Martial and more in Transfer Rater.
With the transfer window open, David Amoyal sorts through the speculation and rates how likely the rumoured moves are to take place.
Anthony Martial to Chelsea: 35 percent
The young French forward struggled this season under Jose Mourinho, and talk of him leaving the Red Devils is getting louder. Among the many clubs interested in him are Chelsea, in a deal that could involve Willian, who is reported to be unhappy with Antonio Conte’s style of football. Despite the tense relationship between the…
Alejandro Moreno and Shaka Hislop believe Alvaro Morata’s regression in a Chelsea uniform cost him his chance at making Spain’s World Cup team.
It’s debatable which position is the most important in a football team, though there is no doubt where the spotlight is most sharply focussed. Being a striker can bring plenty of glory but the glare can also summon unwanted and sometimes unwarranted attention. Being a new striker at Chelsea is particularly tough due to the stature of your predecessors with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Hernan Crespo, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Diego Costa all setting the bar extremely high since the dawn of the…
Ian Darke leads an expert panel to assess Spain’s World Cup hopes and whether Julen Lopetegui will be able to sort the attack of Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata.
After Andres Iniesta’s last game for Barca, the FC crew assess his place among Spain’s greats and whether he can go out on top at the World Cup.
Spain has shared the goal scoring load quite a bit over the last two years. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has left Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso, as well as Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, out of Spain’s 23-man World Cup squad.
Fabregas, 31, earned his 100th cap for Spain during Euro 2016 and was trying to earn a World Cup call-up for the fourth time after making his debut in 2006. He set up the 116th-minute goal by Andres Iniesta in the 1-0 victory over Netherlands in the final in 2010.
Morata was left out because of inconsistent form in his first season…
Paul Mariner explains how the FA Cup has evolved since his playing days and looks ahead to this weekend’s final between Man United and Chelsea.
Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard has slated Paul Pogba’s progress at Manchester United, although he is worried the midfielder could dominate the FA Cup final.
Phil Jones told ESPN that a club like Manchester United should be winning the league plus another trophy to make the season a success.
ESPN take a look at what Prince William’s journey from the Royal Wedding at Windsor to the FA Cup final at Wembley would’ve looked like, had he decided to do both.
It feels like a distant memory, but last summer’s Premier League transfer window was largely dominated by one debate: Romelu Lukaku or Alvaro Morata?
Manchester United and Chelsea were both in the market for a new centre-forward, a no-nonsense No. 9 to lead the line and bang in goals. Lukaku and Morata were the two options and, while both talented and relatively young centre-forwards, they were different in terms of background. Lukaku, for example, was accustomed to life in the Premier League, but…
Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata were on target for Chelsea, who punched their ticket to a 13th FA Cup final and a showdown with Man United.
Goals from Olivier Giroud, left, and Alvaro Morata carried Chelsea into the FA Cup final.
Chelsea coasted into the FA Cup final with a comfortable 2-0 win over Southampton on Sunday.
Having failed to take their chances in a scoreless first half, the Blues went in front immediately after the break when swashbuckling striker Olivier Giroud muscled his way through the Saints defence and netted with aplomb. Alvaro Morata replaced Giroud with 10 minutes left and sealed victory for Antonio Conte’s side with a fine headed goal. A breathless end to the match saw Charlie Austin hit the post…
Chelsea were just sharp enough to beat Southampton and book their FA Cup final spot.
LONDON — Three thoughts from the FA Cup semifinal as Chelsea edged Southampton 2-0 to set up a date with Manchester United.
1. Giroud the hero but Morata also on target
It still feels strange to see Olivier Giroud in the blue of Chelsea rather than the red of Arsenal. Less than a year ago, he provided a game-changing moment in the FA Cup final here for his former employers against his current employers: a brilliant chipped cross for Aaron Ramsey’s headed winner. Now, his superb goal here gives…
Chelsea made the most of Tottenham’s draw against Brighton and are now five points away from a Champions League position with four games to play.
Chelsea made the most of Tottenham’s draw against Brighton and are now five points away from a Champions League position with four games to play.
With Chelsea on the outside looking in when it comes to the UCL next season, the FC crew examine who’s to blame for their underwhelming campaign.
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has apologised for his furious reaction to being substituted in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Burnley.
Morata was visibly angry when coach Antonio Conte withdrew him on 71 minutes, shouting and gesticulating at Burnley supporters behind the dugout before throwing his boots to the floor.
But Morata took to Twitter to explain after the game, saying he was still frustrated after failing to find the net in a gilt-edged chance shortly before Burnley levelled the score at…