footbaLLove

Nathan Ake: on Watford, Mourinho and the Chelsea loanees' WhatsApp group

In the lobby of Watford’s training ground sits a familiar figure. On a sofa at the back of the room is Paulo Ferreira, the former Chelsea full-back who works as the reigning league champions’ “assistant loan player technical coach”.

http://gu.com/p/4tca6/stw

Premier League must not become 'NBA of football', says La Liga president

Spain’s top flight must close the financial gap on the Premier League to stop it becoming “the NBA of football”, says La Liga president Javier Tebas. In the 2013-14 season the Premier League generated income of £3.26bn, compared to £1.51bn for La Liga.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36050884

The madness of how Leicester turned from dreamers into dream-makers

This, perhaps, is an opportune moment to recall a line from Graham Chapman – a man born in Leicester even if his unofficial plaque, pointing out he is not the Messiah, is located outside one of his favourite drinking holes in Highgate – when he and John Cleese were writing what turned out to be the Dead Parrot sketch for Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

http://gu.com/p/4tcp8/stw

Diego Simeone v Pep Guardiola. The defensive master faces the great creator | Jonathan Wilson

When Diego Simeone was appointed manager of Atlético Madrid in December 2011, he faced an awkward conversation with his son. Taking over in Madrid meant he would be spending less time with his family in Argentina. His son’s concerns, though, were rather different. “You’re taking on Messi and Ronaldo?”

http://gu.com/p/4tcfc/stw

Premier League clubs' pre-tax profits fall 37% as wage costs reach £2bn

The aggregate pre-tax profits of English Premier League clubs fell nearly 37% last season due to a spike in wages, according to Deloitte. Pre-tax profits for the 2014-15 season went down to around £120m ($169.8m) from £190m in 2013-14, Deloitte said, as wage costs rose 6% to a record £2bn.

http://gu.com/p/4tc5z/stw

Reus makes it 3-1

Watch LordRy4n’s Vine “Reus makes it 3-1” taken on 14 April 2016. It has 0 likes. The entertainment network where videos and personalities get really big, really fast. Download Vine to watch videos, remixes and trends before they blow up.

https://vine.co/v/itMHpBgitFY