David Ackerman

With Aston Villa's demise the top of the league once again appears calcified, so, like Kim Kardashian crammed into a designer dress, the bulk of the tension will be at the bottom. Here is the first of a series of assessments of this season's relegation candidates. As wretched as Manchester City and Tottenham have been […]

Following Liverpool’s 4-0 dismantling of Real Madrid at Anfield last midweek, France legend Zinedine Zidane described Steven Gerrard as “the best player in the world.” “Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he just might be. “No team will be successful […]

Forgiving the Gaffer’s scheduling criticisms, ESPN mostly has been wonderful for soccer promotion in the U.S.. Top goals are making the top-ten plays. Sportscenter features highlight reels. Yesterday’s Real Madrid-Liverpool match, though it was not the greatest testament, featured on the flagship network. Much has been done, and the burgeoning community of soccer fans is, […]

Arsenal broke their four match scoreless streak on Tuesday, beating West Brom 3-1. Arsene Wenger commented afterward that he never lost faith in his squad. Wenger said: "You are quickly questioned, when you don't score. "There was no open discussion about the problem, but subconsciously it certainly has an influence on the way you think, […]

Apple’s iPod is a magical little device. It has disseminated knowledge, has alleviated boredom, has provided a personal soundtrack and, most crucially, has eliminated virtually the mutually dreaded “stop and chat” with awkward acquaintances. After last weekend’s rocking Carling Cup final, the iPod can help a goalkeeper save penalties. Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster admitted […]

It would be a sane Premier League week if there wasn’t an outlandish Manchester City rumor, but where is the fun in that? This week’s circulation is a doozy. Manchester City reportedly are including Robinho in a cash plus player offer for Chelsea captain John Terry this summer. City would entice Terry by doubling his […]

From an extravagant Russian billionaire to the post-peak stripper living paycheck to paycheck, the economic crisis has affected all. At some point, the recession will even reach the insular world of Premier League footballers. To help these normally fiscally free dandies adjust to these more responsible times, here are four helpful tips. The Pint: Despite […]

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore rejected the notion of a salary cap, suggested by UEFA. "If you say 60% or 50% can be capped on wages, what it really does is absolutely lock in the natural order," he told BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme yesterday. "It would help the big clubs far more than […]

Real Madrid manager Juande Ramos, formerly of Tottenham, criticized Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez for giving up on Robbie Keane after half a season. “You can’t tell me Robbie will not score goals at a top club,” Ramos is quoted as saying in The Sun. “He is a top player and I don’t think he did […]

FC Copenhagen chairman Stale Solbakken suggests that Manchester City’s spending will ruin football. "The amounts of money that have been mentioned are incredible," Solbakken told Ekstra-Bladet. "I think that such incredible sums will take part in destroying football. "They are creating too big a mental distance between what we call reality and then Manchester City." The […]

Chelsea announced a £65.7m loss for last year, a staggering sum, particularly as it marks an improvement over the loose-pursed past. Though the tangible sum is less, the impact will be felt more, after Roman Abramovich as billionaire Roman Abramovich potentially lost the bulk of his fortune. Abramovich’s woes have already affected Chelsea. The Russian […]

The firings of Tony Adams by Portsmouth and Big Phil Scolari by Chelsea brought the total number of clubs that have changed managers this season to seven, and the number of managerial changes to eight. That turnover rate seems quite high and quickly cycling managers seldom leads to success. It would seem that managers […]

It’s two-thirds of the way through the season, and purported big clubs Newcastle and Tottenham remain entrenched in the relegation rumble. Newcastle sputtered amid boardroom confusion, after the departure of manager Kevin Keegan. Tottenham played woefully under Juande Ramos and their squad has flat-lined after an early revival from Harry Redknapp and his magical ketchup. […]

Arsenal’s weaknesses have been prevalent in a season more perilous than any under the Wenger regime. Arsenal have neither an experienced nor a competent holding midfielder. Their central defense has been inconsistent. Incompetent moments at the back have cost them points. As of right now, they are the favorites to drop from the Champions League […]

American billionaire Robert Kraft may make a £270m bid for George Gillett’s 50 percent share of Liverpool. "We haven't ruled it out completely," Kraft told Sky Sports News. "But I'm worried a little bit. I want to be able to win whatever we do. But there are no rules in terms of spending on players. […]