Stories By Greg Lea

• Sport

  Bernardo Silva back from the brink to become key City player again

  If all the speculation was to be believed, Bernardo Silva had a busy summer. Before and after representing Portugal at Euro 2020, the Manchester City schemer was supposedly in talks with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur over a potential transfer.

• Sport

  Forget the compliments, Leeds need to start earning points

  David Moyes was magnanimous in victory. The West Ham United manager was full of praise for his players after they came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 on Saturday. But Moyes reserved his best compliments for the defeated hosts in his post-match press conference at Elland Road.

• Sport

  Thiago Silva shows that age is just a number

  Experience can be overrated. There is a tendency to attribute a 30-something defender’s every positive action to his longevity in the game. These players are often said to have “used all their experience” when shepherding the ball out for a goal-kick or nudging a striker off-balance.

• Sport

  West Ham should enjoy and embrace the Europa League

  West Ham United are back in the Europa League, and their supporters will be relieved to know that Astra Giurgiu are nowhere to be seen. The Romanian side ended the Hammers’ participation in Europe’s secondary competition in 2015/16 and 2016/17, denying them a place in the group stage on both occasions.

• Sport

  Survival still the priority for Palace despite positive start

  As far as the Premier League summer transfer window went, it is hard to beat Manchester United for star power. The arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now has one of the most talented squads in Europe at his disposal.

• Sport

  Romelu Lukaku taking Chelsea to the next level

  It was a long time coming. Ten years after he initially joined Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku scored his first goal for the club on Sunday. The Belgian’s goal at the Emirates Stadium came as part of a fine all-round display as Thomas Tuchel’s side eased to victory over Arsenal.

• Sport

  Aubameyang dilemma giving Arsenal de ja vu

  Arsenal spent much of last summer trying to find a buyer for Mesut Ozil, but to no avail. The German playmaker was earning £350,000 per week at the Emirates Stadium and was understandably in no hurry to give up such an attractive pay packet.

• Sport

  Leicester not disappearing from top four race anytime soon

  For proof that victory in the Community Shield does not mean a successful season lies ahead, recall that Arsenal lifted the trophy in 2020. Leicester City fans would be wise to not attach undue significance to their 1-0 defeat of an under-strength Manchester City side on Saturday.

• Sport

  Lack of Chelsea transfers so far this summer a surprise

  While many major clubs around Europe kept their powder relatively dry with transfers last summer, Chelsea were highly active. Roman Abramovich backed Frank Lampard to the tune of £226m, as the Blues brought in Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy among others.

• Sport

  Man City transfer too good to resist for Jack Grealish

  On 15 September 2020, all the speculation was brought to a shuddering halt. Jack Grealish had been linked for several weeks with a big-money transfer to Manchester United, who were looking to bolster Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad ahead of a possible Premier League title tilt.

• Sport

  Olympic football 2021 could defy expectations

  Unlike most events at the summer games, Olympic football does not represent the pinnacle of the sport and that will be no different at the 2021 Tokyo games. However, that wasn’t always the case.

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