More from PST Latest USMNT news | Premier League season previews | Premier League transfer news

Friday’s Transfer Rumor Roundup: Reus to Manchester United, Montoya to Liverpool

By Joe Prince-WrightNov 29, 2013, 9:40 AM EST
Leave a comment

Manchester United are set to make a shock move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus as the German international could arrive at Old Trafford in January. Reus, 24, is just the type of attacking midfielder United need to help fire their Premier League season and make a charge for the title. Former Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa, who has failed to settle at United, is apparently being offered as part of the deal as David Moyes sent his trusted scouts to watch Reus in action for Dortmund in midweek.

Liverpool are close to signing FC Barcelona defender Martin Montoya, as the 22-year-old Spaniard could arrive at Anfield in January. Montoya can operate at either left or right back and will provide Brendan Rodgers with welcome competition in either full back spot. Regular left back Jose Enrique has missed most of the campaign and Aly Cissokho, on loan from Valencia, has failed to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League. Montoya will be out of contract at the end of the season, so Barca are keen to cash in and grab whatever they can for the full back.

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Dundee United youngster Ryan Gauld, the 17-year-old dubbed as “the Scottish Messi” who we’ve previously mentioned in this column. Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton have also been monitoring Gauld but Arsenal’s scouts will be in place to watch Gauld on Friday night against Kilmarnock. The Tannadice club are said to want $8 million for the teenager after he’s surged into the spotlight in recent weeks with some eye-catching displays in the Scottish Premiership.

Following the news that Andy Carroll is still nowhere near match fitness, West Ham United have switched their search for a new striker to France as Andre-Pierre Gignac is on their wishlist. The powerful Marseille striker has scored six times this season in Ligue 1, that’s just three less than the Hammers total number of goals, and would suit their direct style superbly. The French international, 27, could be snapped in January as he’s on a list of 20 strikers who could arrive at Upton Park. The Hammers are serious about adding more firepower as they aim to surge back up the table after an alarming drop-off that’s seen them not score in five games.

Dimitar Berbatov could be on his way out of Craven Cottage as Turkish side Trabzonspor have inquired about the 32-year-old Bulgarian’s availability. Berbatov has come under criticism from many Fulham fans after several lackluster performances for the Lilywhites this season and move to the Turkish league could be in the cards for the former Tottenham, Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen strike. Would Fulham miss Berba? Who else have they got up front?

Most popular Premier League jerseys in each US state revealed

Getty Images
By Joe Prince-WrightNov 13, 2018, 1:22 PM EST
1 Comment

So, this is interesting.

The folks over at Soccer.com have revealed the top selling jerseys they ship out in each U.S. state and a few of these may surprise you.

[ MORE: Watch full PL match replays ] 

In a nutshell: the USA is red. The red of either Liverpool or Manchester United.

And while the two bitter rivals clearly have plenty of fans Stateside, so too do Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Remarkably, at least according to shirt sales, reigning champs Manchester City are the most popular team in only one state: New Jersey.

Below is a look at the map in full.

Premier League hire new Chief Executive

Premier League
By Joe Prince-WrightNov 13, 2018, 12:45 PM EST
Leave a comment

The Premier League has appointed a new Chief Executive.

Susanna Dinnage will take over from Richard Scudamore who has led the PL for the last 19 years and is stepping down in December.

Dinnage was previously by media outlet Discovery, where she was most recently the global president of the Animal Planet channel. She previously worked for Channel Five and MTV before being with Discovery over the past 10 years.

The PL confirmed that Dinnage will begin her new role in early 2019 after being chosen by the Premier League nominations committee, which is led by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.

Speaking about her new position, Dinnage is excited to led England’s top-flight into a new era.

“I am excited at the prospect of taking on this fantastic role. The Premier League means so much to so many people. It represents the pinnacle of professional sport and the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and inspirational organisation is a great privilege,” Dinnage said. “With the support of clubs and the team, I look forward to extending the success of the League for many years to come.”

Dinnage becomes just the third person to lead the PL since its first season in 1992-93, after Scudamore took over from Rick Parry in 1999.

In its announcement upon hiring Dinnage, the PL also revealed it is now looking for a non-executive Chair as it prepares for Scudamore’s departure by filling two roles.

“The Premier League clubs have already agreed to split his (Scudamore’s) role, with Dinnage becoming Chief Executive, and the search for a non-executive Chair will now commence. The Premier League Nominations Committee comprises: Bruce Buck (Chair), Susan Whelan (Leicester City), Mike Garlick (Burnley), Claudia Arney and Kevin Beeston (both Non-Executive Directors of the Premier League). The Committee is grateful for the assistance provided by Jonathan Smith and colleagues at executive search and leadership advisory firm Spencer Stuart.”

Egypt’s retired star Aboutrika sentenced to prison

Getty Images
Associated PressNov 13, 2018, 11:49 AM EST
Leave a comment

CAIRO (AP) An Egyptian court sentenced Mohamed Aboutrika, one of the country’s greatest all-time soccer players, to a year in prison for tax evasion while also giving him the option to pay a fine of 20,000 Egyptian pounds, or $1,115, to have the sentence suspended.

The verdict, handed down on Monday by the Cairo misdemeanor court, was delivered in absentia.

Aboutrika, who has lived since his 2013 soccer retirement in exile in Qatar, where he works as a sports analyst for the beIN sports network, could not be reached for comment.

Under the law, the verdict can be appealed and if Aboutrika returns to Egypt, he would have to stand a new trial.

The court said Aboutrika failed to pay 710,000 Egyptian pounds – about $39,500 – in taxes on income from advertising deals with carbonated drink and telecommunications companies in 2008 and 2009.

Egypt froze Aboutrika’s assets in 2015 and placed him on a no-fly list in 2017 over allegations of links to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which authorities have labelled a terrorist organization.

The Brotherhood emerged as the country’s dominant political force after Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising but was later purged in 2013, when the army, led by general-turned-president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi overthrew Mohammed Morsi, the country’s first freely elected but divisive president.

Aboutrika played for Cairo’s Al-Ahly club and was central to two of Egypt’s three straight African Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Those triumphs made Egypt Africa’s most successful team with a record seven titles.

Aboutrika was dubbed “Prince of Hearts” and “The Magician” by his soccer fans.

But he also openly sympathized with the Brotherhood and publicly endorsed Morsi in his successful presidential run in 2012, a year after the overthrow of longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian pro-government media now refer to Aboutrika as a traitor but he still enjoys huge support from his soccer fans in the country.

Aboutrika has repeatedly denied ever funding the Islamists, who have been the main target of a fierce government crackdown on dissent led by current President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

How will USMNT line up against England?

Getty Images
By Joe Prince-WrightNov 13, 2018, 10:40 AM EST
Leave a comment

With the U.S. men’s national team currently training in London and the squad for friendly games against England and Italy already having some ins and outs, there are plenty of question marks about who will start at Wembley on Thursday.

[ MORE: Watch full PL match replays ] 

The Stars and Stripes face the no.5 ranked team in the world, with England riding the crest of a wave after their run to the World Cup semifinals in the summer. Gareth Southgate will rotate his team ahead of their crucial UEFA Nations League clash with Croatia on Sunday, and while we know Wayne Rooney will play some part in his final game for England, the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Pickford are set to be rested.

But what about the USMNT? Interim head coach Dave Sarachan largely has his young squad fully together for this game (at last!) with the likes of Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Tim Weah all available in midfield and attack.

Below is a look at a few options for the starting lineup for the USMNT against England.

JPW’s preferred USMNT XI v England (3-4-3)

—- Guzan —-

— Carter-Vickers — Miazga — Brooks —

— Yedlin — Adams — McKennie — Robinson —

— Pulisic — Wood — Weah —

Possible USMNT XI v England (4-2-3-1) 

—- Guzan —-

— Yedlin — Miazga — Brooks — Robinson —

 — Adams — Trapp — 

— Pulisic —McKennie — Weah —

—– Wood —–

Evaluation

If I was Sarachan I’d go with a 3-4-3 formation and match up with England, who struggle defensively down the flanks as Croatia proved at the World Cup. Having Yedlin and Robinson bombing on as wing backs would cause the Three Lions plenty of problems. In goal, Brad Guzan is now the obvious choice as Zack Steffen left the squad due to injury but Evan Horvath has impressed for Club Brugge in recent months. Defensively, the U.S. has looked more solid with a three-man central defense and that suits CCV, Miazga and Brooks well, but that said, would Sarachan really want those three going man-to-man on England’s attackers? Probably not. That is why I think we will see a back four from the USMNT, with Miazga and Brooks probably getting the nod. Having Adams, Trapp and McKennie in midfield gives the U.S. a more solid feel, while Weah and Pulisic could then support Wood and provide flair as well as digging in and doing their defensive work.