Month: October 2019

Home / Month: October 2019

The former Gunners defender believes big-money additions and lucrative contract extensions have led to the Welshman heading towards Juventus

Arsenal’s inability to keep Aaron Ramsey at the club is “staggering” and “astonishing”, claims Martin Keown, but they only have themselves to blame.

The Gunners have found themselves in an all too familiar situation this season when it comes to the future of one of their prized assets.

Having previously faced similar struggles with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere, Wales international Ramsey is now heading towards becoming a free agent.

Those in north London have failed to put suitable terms in place, having taken an offer off the table, and are about to lose the 28-year-old to a leading European rival in Juventus.

Keown considers that to be unacceptable, but believes recent transfer deals, and contract extensions, have contributed to an unfortunate saga in north London.

The former Arsenal defender told the Daily Mail: “If Arsenal are admitting they are only able to sign loan players, then it is staggering that they are happy to let one of their prized assets leave for nothing.

“Juventus looks the most likely destination for Aaron Ramsey when his contract runs out at the end of the season. The Italian champions must be rubbing their hands together.

“Ramsey has conducted himself with great dignity this season but it is astonishing that Arsenal, a powerhouse in the English game, could not put together a package to keep him.

“The team are still formidable going forward. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are good enough to grace any team in the Premier League’s top six.

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“But the £100 million spent to sign those players last season and hefty wages given to other star players has led to this situation.

“Unai Emery must look at his back line – where they are short at centre half – and wish he could bring in reinforcements. After all, Arsenal are only three points off the top four.

“Emery is finding that decisions made before he arrived have left him with his hands tied.”

The Gunners boss has conceded that he has no transfer kitty to work with in the January window, with the club only able to bring in loans.

He is, however, hoping to bring fresh faces on board, with Goal revealing that a loan agreement is close to being completed with Barcelona for midfielder Denis Suarez.

The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, but may not end up in Serie A due to Milan’s Financial Fair Play restrictions

AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that it may not be possible for the Serie A side to sign Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The 31-year-old has played just five Premier League games this season, with most of his appearances for the Blues coming in cup competitions. Fabregas’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer and as a result, he could leave the club after five seasons.

Milan boss Gattuso has repeatedly stated his interest in the World Cup winner, but believes that Financial Fair Play restrictions could stop the club bringing the midfielder to Italy.

“We have stakes. We cannot do what we want,” Gattuso told DAZN. “The club has been clear. Fabregas? There are important figures involved.”

Although he has not signed a new deal at Chelsea, manager Maurizio Sarri would like Fabregas to stay at the club beyond the January transfer window.

“In this position we have only two players, Jorginho and Fabregas, so for me it would be really a problem without Cesc,” Sarri said.

“I want him to stay, I don’t know the final decision of Cesc and the club of course. 

“But for me it’s very important and if Cesc will go I think that we need to buy another player, and it’s not easy because, technically, Cesc is a very important player. 

“And I think that in the market it’s very difficult to find a player with his characteristics.”

Chelsea’s policy is to only offer one-year contracts to players over 30, which could prove a stumbling block in Sarri’s plan to retain the midfielder. Fabregas will be allowed to sign a pre-contract with another club in January, securing a transfer for the 2019-20 season.

In November, Fabregas denied that Milan had made an approach, but indicated that he would consider any offers which may come in January.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone,” Fabregas told reporters. “Obviously, in January I can sign with whoever I want and probably this will attract many clubs. But, so far, from what I can say right now, yes I will stay here until the end of the season.”

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Chelsea do Lampard no favours with Ampadu snub

October 10, 2019 | News | No Comments

The Blues legend had been hoping to see his former club sanction a loan move to Derby for the Wales international, but he has had no joy

Frank Lampard is a Chelsea legend, but his former club have done him no favours in the transfer market by blocking a loan move to Derby for Ethan Ampadu.

A man who spent the most productive period of his career at Stamford Bridge is currently cutting his managerial teeth with Championship promotion hopefuls Derby.

In an effort to aid that cause, Lampard has asked recruitment questions of those in west London.

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Highly-rated teenager Ampadu was the subject of his most recent enquiry, but he was made aware that the Wales international will be going nowhere in January.

Lampard told reporters of his approach for the versatile 18-year-old: “We have asked, but I don’t think he’s leaving Chelsea.

“He can play in a few positions, that’s why he would be so valuable to anybody and why he’s staying at Chelsea.”

Derby already have two youngsters on loan from Chelsea, with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori impressing for the Rams.

Harry Wilson has also been acquired from Liverpool and Lampard believes all of his Premier League loanees will be staying put in a window which is likely to deliver little business at Pride Park.

The ex-England international added: “Mason is staying. Harry, I think, is staying here – but it’s obviously Liverpool’s call and we accept that.

“I was aware of the finances here. We’re not in the same league as some teams that have spent a lot.

“People thought we did a lot of business in the summer, but our actual net spend was very negligible.

“I had to bring in personnel to try to change the style and that’s not a one-window solution, that’s probably two or three-window. This window will be quiet for us.”

Derby are currently sat sixth in the second-tier table, six points adrift of the automatic promotion places and four clear of arch-rivals Nottingham Forest and a congested group of clubs seeking to force their way into the play-off positions.

Stiles stands Higginbotham down from training

October 10, 2019 | News | No Comments

Queensland Reds coach Nick Stiles is “extremely disappointed” and “extremely annoyed” that Scott Higginbotham has been charged with assault police.

Stiles fronted a large media pack this morning following the revelation that Higginbotham will have to front court on February 21 and immediately got on the front foot.
 
“I’m extremely disappointed and extremely annoyed about Scott’s actions over the weekend,” he said.
 
“There is so many good things currently going on with Queensland rugby union and the Reds that I would rather be talking about.”

Higginbotham has been told to steer clear of training with the squad for the next few days but when questioned, Stiles would not be drawn on whether he will suit up for the February 14 trial against the Melbourne Rebels.

 
“Scott obviously had an incident at the weekend, now, as a head coach, you deal in fact – in wins and losses, in stats and clear facts – the facts are the following.”
 
“Something happened on Saturday night resulting in Scott being charged – that’s a fact.
 
“Upon us finding about that on Sunday, we referred it directly down to the ARU Integrity Unit down in Sydney – that’s a fact.
 
“Subsequently, the matter is now in front of the courts and because it is in front of the courts what I can say and what I can’t say is extremely limited because to be honest it is a matter that is out of our hands.”

The Reds will now await the ARU Integrity Unit findings before they take further action.

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“I’m really frustrated – I’ve been looking forward to this day for months because the reality is we have put together an extremely competitive squad,” Stiles said.
 
“Scott is extremely disappointed with what he did on the weekend and it’s meant that it has brought this press conference about rather than talking about the good things going on with Queensland rugby right now.”

New style, new Force

October 10, 2019 | News | No Comments

The Western Force squad knew they had to lift their attacking game after a disappointing 2015 season and halfback Ian Prior says it’s not just the coaching staff who worked to improve things in the off-season.

“There was a lot of player input, a big player input, on how we wanted to play,” he said.

“It’s been a collaborative effort with the coaches. We had a pretty long and tough review after last season that was needed.

“A big focus on player input means you have to buy in and you’re held responsible for it.

“I helped out, engineering the style. It’s good to have that understanding of how it works.”

The West Australian side showed off their new attacking prowess in their opening trial match of 2016 against last year’s minor premiers, the Hurricanes, winning 28-0.

That tally almost doubled their 2015 game average of 15 points and Prior said it was heartening to see the improvement on the field.

“After four or five months practising it was good to see it come to fruition,” he said.

“We’ve still got a bit of work to do, but the signs are there.

“It’s pretty tough on the lungs, there’s a lot more running, but I think everybody enjoyed playing it. Everyone gets involved.”

It’s been an off-season of change for the Force in both game-plan and personnel, adding playmakers such as former Springbok Peter Grant and former Reds and Waratahs utility Jonno Lance to the fold.

 “Getting to know the different guys and how they play has been a focus,” Prior said.

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“We were used to Sias and Zack and how they played now we have to know how the new guys adjust, how they react and see what they are looking for.”

With the new season less than three weeks away, there are still questions around who will be the halves pairing for round one against the Rebels.

“It’s very competitive. We’re three pretty competitive guys and there’s a really good standard from all three, and it just brings out the best in us,” Prior said.

“Depth is important in Super Rugby and it will important moving forward with the long season.”

The newly opened Coogee Wine Room features a marble bar.

Food. It’s everyone’s constant preoccupation and the reason we all want to be on . But some nights you just don’t want to cook. Some nights you want to swan into the city with a friend (ideally someone known for their wonderful conversation) and experience the best and brightest dishes Australia’s biggest city has to offer. Sorry homemade spaghetti bolognaise, but you’re going in the freezer. Now with the warmer weather in full swing, these nine new restaurants have been bumped right to the top of the to-do list.

The Coogee Wine Room scores high on European style.

Coogee Wine Room, Coogee
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Owned by locals Tom Hardwick and Michelle Morales, the Coogee Wine Room is bringing a touch of European style to this beloved, laid-back beach ‘burb. The wine list has over 400 bottles, with more than 25 of them offered by the glass or half-bottle, Euro style. Food is Mediterranean and the menu changes with the seasons.

An image from Totti’s Bondi – a new Totti’s will open in Rozelle in December.

Totti’s, Rozelle
Justin Hemmes, king of the Merivale hospitality group, has just signed the paperwork to acquire 3 Weeds – a landmark pub in Rozelle that’s been in business since 1884. He plans to turn the back section of the building into a new Totti’s Italian restaurant, modeled on the success of Totti’s Bondi (which opened in 2018). All things going to plan, fresh pasta will be on the new tables by December.

A selection of desserts at Kitchens on Kent.

Kitchens on Kent, Millers Point
Yes, it’s a hotel buffet, but not as you know it. Housed in the five-star Langham hotel, Kitchens on Kent is overseen by executive chef Dave Whitting – who has called on his experience in Michelin-star restaurants to deliver an exceptional dining experience. The display of fresh seafood is a study in luxurious excess.

CicciaBella in Bondi.

CicciaBella, Bondi
When talented chef Mitch Orr closed Acme earlier this year, restaurateur Maurice Terzini wasted no time installing him at the helm of his newest project. CicciaBella (on the former site of Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta) will soon open, offering moody lighting and the delicious pasta Orr is famous for. But do not fret, lovers of the Da Orazio pizza – the 2.7-tonne brick pizza oven imported from Naples will be staying on to keep the thin-crust, wood-fired deliciousness coming.

Ester in Chippendale, the award-winning restaurant owned and operated by chef Mat Lindsay, who has just opened Shwarmama in Surry Hills.

Shwarmama, Surry Hills
Just 10 seats are available in Mat Lindsay’s latest project, a Middle Eastern eatery open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks. The twist? There are only four (no doubt very yummy) things on the menu: lamb shawarma (as the restaurant’s name would suggest), pita with falafel, an Israeli breakfast sandwich and Lindsay’s version of the halal snack pack.

The new Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant in Balmoral.

Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral
While certainly not a new building – the art deco Bathers’ Pavilion was constructed in the ‘20s – the restaurant within this architectural jewel has had a revamp. The new Bathers’ will open its outdoor terrace to diners for the first time ever, with head chef Kumiko Endo (formerly of Attica and Testuya’s) in charge of the French-fusion cuisine.

Pippies in XO sauce from Golden Century, the dish that inspired the new restaurant.

XOPP by Golden Century, Haymarket
Pippies in XO sauce from Chinatown’s Golden Century restaurant has been called “the best dish in the world” by none other than David Chang (the American restaurateur behind Momofuku), so it stands to reason that the Golden Century group would name its latest restaurant after the dish that put them on the map. XOPP has a menu that is fresh and modern – with pippies in XO sauce right at the top.

Spinach tortelli from I Maccheroni. Photograph by Will Hartl.

I Maccheroni, Woollahra
If authentic, unpretentious Italian is your style, a visit to I Maccheroni’s new venue in Woollahra is a must. Chef-owner Marcello Farioli (formerly of Otto and Pendolino) makes sure that every piece of pasta on the menu is handmade and teamed with fresh, seasonal produce – just like the dishes in his northern Italian hometown.

A dish from Ragazzi restaurant, located in the financial district.

Ragazzi, Sydney CDB
If you’re into the fine food, wine and atmosphere at Love, Tilly Devine and Dear Saint Eloise, Ragazzi is going to be right up your alley. Operated by the same team behind these beloved small bars, Ragazzi is an Italian restaurant that will serve five or six different pasta dishes, with a menu that changes from day to day.

Share plates at Nomad.

Nomad Up The Road, Surry Hills
After a fire devastated Nomad’s original Foster Street venue, the team has decided to move up the road to 85 Commonwealth Street (Longrain’s old digs) for a three-month residence. Under head chef Jacqui Challinor, the interim venue will seat 140 and serve share plates including signature hummus, ceviche and duck mortadella dishes.

Meet the 2019 Bachelorette Australia contestants

October 9, 2019 | News | No Comments

Shortly after astrophysicist Matt Agnew was named Australia’s 2019 Bachelor earlier this year, Gogglebox and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star Angie Kent was crowned the country’s 2019 Bachelorette. Since then, Agnew has found love with 28-year-old contestant Chelsie McLeod, and Kent has finished filming the fifth season of the hotly-anticipated hit reality television show, which is set to air at 7.30pm on Channel 10, on Wednesday October 9.

“I’ve always been the girl who loves to make everyone laugh, but now I reckon it’s time to have someone to laugh with me, rather than at me,” the 29-year-old told Channel 10 at the time. “So, if 20 or so fellas want to join me, have a laugh and potentially be my perfect partner in life and love, I say let’s give it a red hot go,” she added. 

While viewers may already be familiar with Kent, given that she went from the Gogglebox couch to the jungle during her stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! throughout the course of The Bachelorette Australia, we can guarantee you’re going to see the star like you’ve never seen her before. 

Described as “genuine, funny, lovable and naturally gorgeous,” Kent has confessed that while she is confident in herself and enjoys being independent, she is ready to fall in love.

“As corny and clichéd as this sounds, my dream outcome is to just be happy,” she told Channel 10. “To have a partner who embraces and takes on all [of this] and then I just embrace and take on them and we have our separate lives, but then we have our life together. And we just go on the best adventures ever,” she added.

With 20 men vying for Kent’s attention—including everyone from free-diving instructor Adam and firefighter Haydn, to BMX stunt rider Matt and cabin crew member Tom—we have no doubt the lucky lady is bound to find her one true love on this season of The Bachelorette Australia. To familiarise yourself with the contestants in the running to win her heart, scroll on before tuning into the premiere of the series on October 9. 

Adam, 34, QLD

Occupation: free-diving instructor
Likes: being outdoors, meditating, spending time with his two children

Alex, 26, QLD

Occupation: landscaper
Likes: singer Halsey, being active, women who are comfortable in their skin

Carlin, 30, NSW

Occupation: fitness trainer
Likes: spontaneous road trips, adventures, foodie hotspots

Ciarran, 25, NT

Likes: beaches, fashion, self-care

Glenn, 31, WA

Likes: family, humour, beautiful views

Haydn, 32, NSW

Occupation: firefighter and carpenter
Likes: beaches, adventures, staying in

Jackson, 25, NSW

Occupation: sales manager and psychological science student
Likes: football, animals, family

Jamie, 39, NSW

Occupation: firefighter
Likes: travelling, animals, adventure

Jess, 36, QLD

Occupation: politician
Likes: love, mountain biking, kitesurfing­

Jesse, 31, WA

Occupation: house and land specialist
Likes: confidence, self-improvement, positivity

Josh, 37, VIC

Occupation: mobile zoo owner
Likes: conservation, adventure, David Attenborough 

Kayde, 25, WA

Occupation: luxury car salesman
Likes: positivity, fun, promoting self-acceptance

Matt, 27, QLD

Occupation: BMX stunt rider
Likes: action, adventure, humour

Mitch, 31, QLD

Occupation: apprentice plumber
Likes: humour, fun 

Niranga, 28, QLD

Occupation: aircraft engineer
Likes: rugby, cricket, Mila Kunis

Oliver, 25, NSW

Occupation: heating technician
Likes: being social, humour, health and fitness

Scot, 27, NSW

Occupation: real estate agent
Likes: the beach, motorbike riding, adventure

Timm, 27, VIC

Occupation: fireproofer
Likes: flowers, scuba diving, humour

Tom, 31, QLD

Occupation: cabin crew member
Likes: sun, sand and sea, adventure, positivity 

Warwick, 36, QLD

Occupation: construction supervisor
Likes: adventure, beautiful views, campfires

An Anfield legend is not expecting the Red Devils to head to Merseyside on Sunday looking to play an expansive game against the Premier League leaders

Manchester United will look to “stifle” Liverpool again on Sunday, says John Barnes, with Jose Mourinho aware that he cannot engage in an attacking battle with Jurgen Klopp.

The Red Devils have history under their Portuguese boss of adopting a defensive mindset during trips to Anfield.

They are expected to favour a similar approach on their latest visit to Merseyside, with Mourinho unable to match the creative flair boasted by old adversaries.

Barnes still believes that Premier League leaders Liverpool are capable of stretching their unbeaten run and claiming another positive result, but concedes it will be tough against dogged opponents.

The Reds legend told Sky Sports: “This is the most confident I have seen Liverpool and the most faith I have had in Liverpool in terms of getting results regardless of whether they play well or not.

“However in a game like this, Liverpool against Manchester United is very much like the Liverpool-Everton games, form goes out of the window.

“It’s a complete one-off. It probably means more to Mourinho to put one over Liverpool than the other way round so those tables have been turned.

“While I see Liverpool as being very confident, not just in the way they are playing but the confidence we have in them in not conceding goals and being very consistent in and out of possession, Jose Mourinho and Manchester United will be a very difficult proposition.

“It’s going to be a very difficult game for Liverpool but also for Manchester United and I think it’s going to be very dependent on how Manchester United approach the game.

“If they come, I don’t think they will, and play an open game with players going forward end to end I think Liverpool will win comfortably.

“But Manchester United will try to stifle the game and then it’s going to be difficult for Liverpool.”

Mourinho has never shied away from “parking the bus” during testing away dates, and Barnes expects more of the same from a United side that has gone eight league games without defeat against Liverpool.

He added: “Whatever terminology you want to use in terms of parking the bus. They will come and I am sure Liverpool will have more possession.

“I am sure Manchester United will defend deep and get five midfield players back in front of them and try to catch Liverpool on the counter-attack.

“I think they will play an attacking line-up in terms of Rashford and Lingard and maybe Martial but the onus will be on them to get back and defend and maybe when they have possession to use their pace to counter-attack.

“This is what Manchester United have done, not just against Liverpool but in many games, and I don’t see why it is going to be any different.

“If I was Jose Mourinho against Liverpool I would do the exact same thing.”

The manager is wary of asking too much, too soon of the Frenchman following his long-awaited return from injury

Arsenal’s paucity of defensive options may not be enough to tempt Unai Emery into risking the fit-again Laurent Koscielny in Sunday’s clash with Southampton.

The 33-year-old centre-back made his first appearance since rupturing an Achilles tendon in May as the Gunners beat Qarabag 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Koscielny, who said his season began in earnest on Thursday, completed 72 minutes at Emirates Stadium and would be a valuable inclusion in the weakened squad that will venture to St Mary’s.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi are suspended, Rob Holding has been lost to a season-ending knee injury and Konstantinos Mavropanos has not featured at all this term.

“Today is another step for [Koscielny],” Emery told reporters.

“We need to [find out] tomorrow and Saturday how he is going to feel after this match to see if he can help us on the pitch on Sunday.

“It is good he has recovered and in a good time. Every supporter and player from Arsenal is happy.

“He can take confidence again, take rhythm and then we are going to continue our process. Maybe [he can play] Sunday, but I want to wait to see how he will feel.”

Arsenal’s victory over Qarabag rounded out their successful Group E campaign on a high note as Emery remains in the hunt for a fourth Europa League crown.

The Spaniard handed teenage midfielder Bukayo Saka a first professional start in the straightforward win and was impressed with what he saw.

“We give young players the chance to train with us, we give chances like today when we can and they show us positive things,” the Gunners boss said.

“Saka played with a good performance, with big personality. His personality is very important, [he tries] to take players on and break lines.”

The Red Devils suffered a 3-1 defeat at Anfield in their latest Premier League outing, with that result doing little to lift the mood at Old Trafford

Ashley Young concedes that Manchester United have been left feeling disappointed and deflated after suffering a 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.

The Red Devils headed to Anfield on Sunday seeking a spark to ignite a frustrating 2018-19 campaign.

Jose Mourinho’s side were, however, to hit a new low as they offered little attacking threat during a game which saw Liverpool edge out their old adversaries for the first time in eight meetings.

United never really got going on Merseyside, as they found themselves on the backfoot for long periods, and are now 11 points adrift of the top four and in serious danger of missing out on a Champions League spot.

Young admits the mood around the Red Devils camp is not great, telling MUTV on the back of another humbling reversal: “It’s disappointing. I don’t think there’s much more we can say.

“Obviously there’s two deflections but at times when we got back into the game at 1-1, I think we could have gone on to win the game.

“But it wasn’t meant to be and, like I say, it’s disappointing.”

United fell behind at Anfield to a Sadio Mane strike, before Jesse Lingard was gifted a leveller by Alisson.

They hung on until 17 minutes from time when Xherdan Shaqiri grabbed the first of a dramatic brace, with both of his efforts flicking in off United defenders.

“It is always disappointing to obviously concede,” added Young.

“I think we were containing them. There was a lot of pressure obviously in the second half, which we knew [would come].

“I didn’t think they were going to score, then obviously the two deflected goals, you know, it deflates us and obviously they go on to win the game.

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“Like I say, it’s definitely a disappointment.”

Young feels United had fared okay until a late rally from the hosts, saying: “Yeah, especially in the first half.

“Obviously after their goal we got ourselves back into the game and I think for large parts we had time and space on the ball to play.

“I think at times we done that, I think we could have done that even more. But, like I say, we’ve come off the pitch, we’ve lost the game, so we’re disappointed.”