Stories By Harry De Cosemo

• Sport

  Could Dusan Vlahovic put Juventus back on top?

  For Juventus, defeat in the 2017 Champions League final was a bitter blow. It was their second appearance in the showpiece event in three years, but this one felt different to the last. Against Luis Enrique’s Barcelona in 2015, the Bianconeri were simply outclassed by a better side; a team worthy of a second treble in just six years.

• Sport

  Tough times could follow Bielsa departure

  Marcelo Bielsa was the loveable eccentric who couldn’t be harnessed, stepping into the fire pit of bombastic instability. It was 2018 and the Argentine, known affectionately as ‘El Loco’, turned up in West Yorkshire as the poetically uncharacteristic choice to resurrect Leeds United, English football’s greatest basket case of the 21st century.

• Sport

  Brilliant Jarrod Bowen deserves an England chance

  There are so many reasons to love the current England team. Obviously, and most importantly, their talent is key; this is the first generation of players in many a year that look like they could actually deliver on their incredible potential.

• Sport

  Could Felix decide intriguing Atletico vs. Man Utd clash?

  There are so many similarities between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United this season, and not in a good way. Struggles to match expectation with their league form have called into question the long-term direction of both, but it was a specific difference that made their Champions League last-16 meeting so enticing when the draw was made.

• Sport

  Summer transfer window could be make or break for Spurs

  Angel Di Maria’s words in 2014 cut Tottenham deep. They revealed how, despite years of attempting to become a member of the elite, they have never quite managed to bridge the gap. It was in the aftermath of Madrid’s tenth Champions League triumph, the coveted ‘Decima’.

• Sport

  Newcastle are finally united and should now push on

  Finally, at the third time of asking, it happened for Newcastle United. Since the Saudi Arabian-led takeover in October, everybody has been waiting for a moment where the future could begin, only to be met with a frustrating false dawn.

• Sport

  West Ham must solve their issue with strikers

  West Ham are a curious club who have seldom profited from consistently good strikers. Most of their cult heroes over recent times have been playmakers, or wingers who have converted into centre forwards.

• Sport

  Luiz Diaz signing shows Liverpool remain kings of transfers

  In a world of football transfers, contextualised by social media, where every cough and splutter can be reported before a deal happens, the signing of Luiz Diaz shows exactly why Liverpool are  a power house of the modern game.

• Sport

  Bruno Guimaraes signing begins a new chapter for Newcastle

  It isn’t hard to pinpoint when the panic set in for Newcastle fans. The January transfer window has been fraught with nerves, against the backdrop of a relegation battle that has promised a miserable ending all season.

• Sport

  Everton hoping Lampard is more than just a big reputation

  Everton have appointed Frank Lampard as their new manager but life after Rafael Benitez began with two reminders of why he was so disliked in the first place. Aston Villa, going so well under Steven Gerrard who was Benitez’ former captain at rivals Liverpool, left Goodison Park victorious thanks to a goal assisted by Lucas Digne, the full-back who departed after a rather high profile fall out with the now departed manager.

• Sport

  Enough excuses, Chelsea must manage squad better

  When Thomas Tuchel said his Chelsea players were tired after they slipped out of the title race with a draw at Brighton last week, he was accused of making excuses. Although the statistics do suggest he had a point, Chelsea had played 15 games between the beginning of December and Tuesday night compared to Brighton’s nine, it seems unlikely he’d have made it had the Seagulls not equalised.

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