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Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City? Hasselbaink names his favourite for Premier League
Chelsea hero Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has picked out Manchester City as his favourites for the Premier League title this season. City's sustained period of dominance came crashing to a halt last term as Liverpool stormed to the top-flight title for an 18th time in Arne Slot's debut year in English football. Having hoisted the trophy aloft in each of the previous four seasons, Pep Guardiola's City eventually had to settle for third place – with 13 points separating them from the eventual champions. But City supporters were able to take some encouragement from their resurgence across a strong end to the campaign, which ensured another year of Champions League football. Etihad bosses have made sure to invest heavily across a free-spending summer transfer window to give Guardiola's men the best possible chance of knocking Liverpool off their perch again this season. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish have made way in recent months, but Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and James Trafford have all been recruited – for a combined fee of around £108million – to bolster a new-look City squad. And after a promising pre-season, the eight-time Premier League champions got the new campaign off to a blistering start, putting four goals past Wolves to clinch top spot ahead of their clash with Tottenham. Sky Sports is going full throttle this Premier League season, airing a record-breaking 215 live matches - that's nearly double the usual dose of drama, goals, and post-match meltdowns. From Friday night clashes to Super Sundays and even all ten final-day fixtures, Sky's new deal means fans won't miss a single nutmeg or last-minute screamer. Whether you're team Sky Q, Sky Glass, or prefer streaming via NOW, you're covered. And with pundits like Jamie Carragher probably already rehearsing their 'I told you so' lines, expect top-tier commentary alongside top-tier football. As Pep might say, 'More games, more problems - for the other teams.' Check out the latest deals from Sky here, starting from £15 a month. Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more . Reijnders, in particular, shone on debut, doubling City's lead before assisting Erling Haaland at Molineux – and Hasselbaink was mightily impressed with what he saw from his fellow Dutchman. 'He's not going to get as many assists as De Bruyne,' Hasselbaink told Sky Sports News of Reijnders' eye-catching start for City. 'He's going to be more available and I think he's going to score more goals than De Bruyne. But assists-wise, I don't think that there are going to be as many. 'But the boy can play and they have found a diamond there.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The former Chelsea and Netherlands striker has seen enough to believe that City are 'the team to beat' again after their disappointing season last term. 'Manchester City is my favourite for the year to win the title,' Hasselbaink added. 'Everyone is talking about Liverpool and I do think it's going to be very close, but Manchester City, for me, is the team to beat.' During an interview with HaytersTV, Hasselbaink's former Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole backed Liverpool to successfully defend their title having won 'at a canter' last season. Cole also revealed his doubts surrounding Arsenal's marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who he feels is yet to prove himself despite his extraordinary goalscoring exploits at Sporting. 'I make them [Liverpool] favourites [for the title]. They've strengthened and they won it at a canter last season,' Cole told Hayters TV. 'I think this might be [Mikel] Arteta's best chance that he's had. He's got a centre-forward in, but there's still a question mark there. 'It's not like you're bringing in a player like… if Arsenal would've gone and signed Osimhen, who I've seen do it in Italy and in Turkey… 'This kid [Gyokeres], there is still a question mark. I think he's going to be alright, I think he'll score goals, but I just think Liverpool are the best side at the moment. 'The best chance the other teams have is if Liverpool have a slow start because there's a lot of change, but by the end of the season I expect them to be motoring.' Are Man City the favourites for the title? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: 'Obvious choice' – Chelsea urged to hijack Liverpool move for £35m transfer target MORE: Chelsea line up future move for Brighton star as transfer deal is agreed MORE: Newcastle star 'likes' post slamming Alexander Isak as Liverpool plot second transfer bid
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Chelsea line up future move for Brighton star as transfer deal is agreed
Brighton midfielder Julio Enciso is being lined up for a future at Stamford Bridge after agreeing a deal with BlueCo – the group that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg. The 21-year-old had been tipped for big things after announcing himself to Premier League fans with a Puskas Award-nominated strike against Manchester City to help Brighton secure a place in the 2023/24 Europa League. But Enciso struggled to nail down a starting spot on the south coast and spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich, where he racked up two goals and three assists in 13 appearances. Following Ipswich's relegation into the Championship, Enciso made it clear he was keen to explore possible opportunities away from the Amex Stadium, with regular first-team minutes seen as an absolute priority. According to The Athletic, BlueCo have now agreed personal terms with Enciso's camp and the Paraguay international is expected to join up with Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg imminently. However, the report claims Enciso is 'viewed as a long-term Chelsea player' by Todd Boehly's BlueCo consortium, who completed a takeover of the west London giants in 2022. After assuming control of Strasbourg 12 months later, Boehly spoke about the multi-club model providing a route for young talent to force their way into the reckoning at Chelsea. Sky Sports is going full throttle this Premier League season, airing a record-breaking 215 live matches - that's nearly double the usual dose of drama, goals, and post-match meltdowns. From Friday night clashes to Super Sundays and even all ten final-day fixtures, Sky's new deal means fans won't miss a single nutmeg or last-minute screamer. Whether you're team Sky Q, Sky Glass, or prefer streaming via NOW, you're covered. And with pundits like Jamie Carragher probably already rehearsing their 'I told you so' lines, expect top-tier commentary alongside top-tier football. As Pep might say, 'More games, more problems - for the other teams.' Check out the latest deals from Sky here, starting from £15 a month. Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more . 'We can show pathways for our young superstars to get onto the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game-time,' the American billionaire said. Enciso will no doubt be desperate to make an impression in French football with Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior, but the youngster first has to work his way back from knee surgery – which has kept him sidelined since May. The injury meant Enciso did not feature in Brighton's pre-season plans or in the side's 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Brighton's hierarchy had been in agreement that Enciso would be surplus to requirements for the new season, with Fabian Hurzeler well stocked in midfield. Enciso had just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Seagulls. Speaking to ABC Paraguay in May, Enciso revealed that he was keen to enjoy the summer with his loved ones before determining his future. 'I'll think about what I'm going to do later,' Enciso said at the time. 'I don't know yet what I will do. 'I want to enjoy time with my family and then I'll think about what I'm going to do.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle star 'likes' post slamming Alexander Isak as Liverpool plot second transfer bid MORE: Eberechi Eze makes decision over Arsenal transfer as Gunners hijack Tottenham move MORE: Alan Shearer tells Alexander Isak to take drastic action amid Liverpool transfer 'mess'
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Bay Area FC aim to break NWSL single-game attendance mark
August 20 - Bay City FC are on pace to set a new NWSL single-game attendance record when they face the Washington Spirit on Saturday night at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Bay City has sold 35,000 tickets at midweek and is in position to surpass the mark of 35,038 set by the Chicago Red Stars when they hosted Bay City last season at iconic Wrigley Field. Bay City's game also is being a held at a baseball venue. The San Francisco Giants call home to the 40,260-seat ballpark. "This is a landmark moment not just for Bay FC or the NWSL, but for the future of women's professional sports in the United States," NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a news release. "Breaking the league's single-match attendance record at a venue as iconic as Oracle Park is a testament to the growing demand, passion and momentum behind our league." Bay City (4-7-5, 17 points) is tied for 11th-place in the 14-team league. The squad is winless in its past five matches (0-3-2). Washington (8-4-4, 28 points) is tied for third place and is led by U.S. Women's National Team standout Trinity Rodman. --Field Level Media
