Barclays Premier League Thread

**beavis** · 26-09-2021 17:17

Nasri announces retirement

Former Manchester City and Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.

Nasri, who won 2 Premier League titles and a League Cup with City during his 5-year stay at the Etihad Stadium, had most recently been playing in Belgium with former team-mate Vincent Kompany's Anderlecht side.

The former France international had previously had spells with FC Sevilla on loan, then Antalyaspor and West Ham after his departure from City, but left the Belgian side when the coronavirus pandemic brought football in the country to a halt in 2020.

In 2018 Nasri was handed an 18-month ban from UEFA after receiving an intravenous treatment at a Los Angeles clinic 2 years earlier in breach of World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

Speaking to French publication Le Journal du Dimanche, Nasri revealed that the ban had played a part in his decision to retire as it had disrupted his career.

Nasri started his career with Olympique Marseille before joining Arsenal in 2008.

He spent 3 years in north London before moving to Manchester City, where he won 2 Premier League titles before joining Sevilla on loan in 2016.

The midfielder reunited with Kompany at Anderlecht in July 2019 but made just 7 appearances for the club and says he did not want to return to Ligue 1, unless it was a move back to Marseille.

**beavis** · 28-09-2021 17:46

Premier League - Team of the Week 6

Jose Sa (Wolverhampton)

Veltman (Brighton) - Hause (Aston Villa) - Pinnock (Brentford) - Cancelo (Man City)

Raphinha (Leeds) - Jones (Liverpool) - Doucoure (Everton) - Smith-Rowe (Arsenal)

Aubameyang (Arsenal) - Antonio (West Ham)

**beavis** · 03-10-2021 16:11

Watford sack Munoz

Watford have sacked head coach Xisco Munoz after less than 10 months in charge, with the club 14th in the Premier League.

The Spaniard replaced Vladimir Ivic in December 2020 and guided the club to automatic promotion from the Championship last season.

Watford have won 7 points from their opening 7 league games, with Munoz's last match in charge a defeat against Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday - described as a "1-0 battering" by goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Amid an overhaul of the club's squad following their promotion, Watford saw captain Troy Deeney leave after an 11-year stay while first-team regulars Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah also left.

**beavis** · 05-10-2021 00:00

Premier League - Team of the Week 7

Krul (Norwich)

Azpilicueta - Chalobah (Chelsea) - Hanley (Norwich) - Reguilon (Tottenham)

Salah (Liverpool) - Hojbjerg (Tottenham) - Normann (Norwich) - Hwang (Wolverhampton)

Jimenez (Wolverhampton) - Mbeumo (Brentford)

**beavis** · 08-10-2021 08:28

Saudi-led group completes purchase of Newcastle

Newcastle United are under new ownership, with a £300 million deal led by a Saudi Arabian consortium being completed as Mike Ashley's 14-year tenure at St. James’ Park comes to a close.

Change behind the scenes on Tyneside had been mooted for some time, with several proposals speculated on down the years as a disgruntled fan base longed for fresh investment.

That has now arrived, amid talk of big-money signings and managerial tweaks, with a new era being welcomed in by Premier League heavyweights.

The Premier League have released an official statement confirming that the takeover has been completed.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) have acquired an 80% controlling stake in the Magpies, with Ashley's controversial ownership coming to an end as a result.

With PIF providing 80% of the funds for a takeover, a deal has passed the Premier League's owners' and directors' test regarding who is calling the shots at St. James' Park.

With a green light given by the English top flight, following a breakdown in discussions back in July 2020, Newcastle can now start planning for what they hope will be a brighter future.

**beavis** · 08-10-2021 21:31

Arteta earns Manager of the Month award

Mikel Arteta has been named the September 2021 Barclays Manager of the Month after guiding Arsenal to an impressive turnaround.

Arteta claims the award for the first time after leading the Gunners to victory in all 3 matches they played in September, following 3 straight defeats in August.

The Spaniard side picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 home success against Norwich City, and a victory at Burnley by the same scoreline followed.

Then Arsenal went 3-0 up in a dazzling first half display on their way to a 3-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at Emirates Stadium.

Ronaldo wins Player of the Month award

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for September 2021 after making an instant impact on his return to Manchester United.

The Portuguese scored 3 goals in as many Premier League matches after re-joining United from Juventus.

It is Ronaldo's fifth Player of the Month award, having won 3 successive league titles in his first spell at Old Trafford before leaving for Real Madrid in July 2009, and it is his first since March 2008.

That gap of more than 13 years between Player of the Month prizes is the longest in Premier League history.

Ronaldo enjoyed a dream first appearance on his return to the club, scoring 2 goals in the 4-1 home victory over Newcastle United.

He also netted the opening goal as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team came from behind to win 2-1 at West Ham United.

**beavis** · 14-10-2021 19:47

Torres faces up to 6 weeks out

Manchester City forward Ferran Torres is facing up to 6 weeks out with a fractured foot, sources close to the player have told Goal.

The Spain international is understood to have picked up the injury in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals victory over Italy, although he went on to play in the Final against France.

Torres could be ruled out of the crucial Champions League matches home and away to Club Brugge as well as the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

**beavis** · 19-10-2021 21:27

Premier League - Team of the Week 8

Mendy (Chelsea)

Manquillo (Newcastle) - Ogbonna (West Ham) - Sarr - Chilwell (Chelsea)

Salah (Liverpool) - McGinn (Aston Villa) - Tielemans (Leicester) - Mane (Liverpool)

Firmino (Liverpool) - Redmond (Southampton)

**beavis** · 25-10-2021 18:38

Premier League - Team of the Week 9

Martinez (Aston Villa)

James - Silva (Chelsea) - Jorgensen (Brentford) - Chilwell (Chelsea)

Salah (Liverpool) - Mount - Kovacic (Chelsea) - Smith-Rowe (Arsenal)

King (Watford) - Foden (Man City)

**beavis** · 01-11-2021 17:43

Tottenham sack Espirito Santo

Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur less than 5 months after being appointed as head coach.

Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who Spurs targeted before appointing Espirito Santo in the summer, has been offered an 18-month deal by Tottenham and arrived in London on Monday for face-to-face talks, according to Sky in Italy.

Negotiations with the Italian, who has been out of work since leaving Inter Milano in the summer, are understood to be in their final stages.

Tottenham are eighth in the Premier League, 10 points off leaders Chelsea, after the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

Espirito Santo, 47-year-old, signed a 2-year contract in June following a protracted search to find Jose Mourinho's successor, with his tenure lasting just beyond 4 months and a total of only 17 games.

The departure of Espirito Santo, who left Wolverhampton in May after 4 seasons in charge, means Tottenham are looking for their 4th permanent manager in the last 3 years.

**beavis** · 02-11-2021 21:29

Premier League - Team of the Week 10

Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Johnson (West Ham) - Kilman (Wolverhampton) - Magalhaes (Arsenal) - Walker-Peters (Southampton)

James (Chelsea) - Gallagher (Crystal Palace) - Rice (West Ham) - Smith-Rowe (Arsenal)

Ronaldo (Man United) - Cornet (Burnley)

**beavis** · 03-11-2021 00:41

Conte appointed Tottenham head coach

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 52-year-old Italian, who Spurs chairman Daniel Levy targeted before appointing Espirito Santo in the summer, has signed an 18-month contract - with an option to extend - following successful talks with the club's hierarchy in London on Monday.

The former Chelsea manager has already overseen his first training session with his new squad on Tuesday afternoon at Hotspur Way.

Conte, who guided the Blues to the 2016-2017 Premier League title and the FA Cup the following season, has taken up his first managerial post since leaving Inter Milano, with whom he won the Serie A title last season.

**beavis** · 08-11-2021 21:02

Premier League - Team of the Week 11

Krul (Norwich)

Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - White (Arsenal) - Pinnock (Brentford) - Cancelo (Man City)

Raphinha (Leeds) - Gallagher - Kouyate (Crystal Palace) - Smith-Rowe (Arsenal)

Silva (Man City) - Armstrong (Southampton)

**beavis** · 17-11-2021 19:23

Tuchel earns Manager of the Month award

Thomas Tuchel has claimed the Barclays Manager of the Month award for October 2021.

The Chelsea manager wins the prize for the second time, having first done so in March 2021, after leading his side to victory in all 4 of their matches in the month.

Tuchel started October with a 3-1 victory at home to Southampton, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 success at Brentford.

He then oversaw a 7-0 triumph over Norwich City, before ending the month with a 3-0 win at Newcastle as they claimed a third successive clean sheet.

The 48-year-old German topped a 4-man shortlist, beating Jurgen Klopp, David Moyes and Patrick Vieira after votes from the public were combined with those of a panel of football experts.

Salah wins Player of the Month award

Mohamed Salah has been named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for October 2021.

Salah scored 5 goals and claimed 4 assists for Liverpool in October, starting with a magnificent individual effort against Manchester City at Anfield which has also earned him the Budweiser Goal of the Month award.

He produced another stunning solo goal in a 5-0 win at Watford, before claiming a hat-trick as Liverpool recorded their biggest away win against Manchester United by the same scoreline.

He registered one assist in each of his 4 October matches, concluding with his pass to set up Jordan Henderson's strike in the 2-2 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

It is the 4th time Salah has earned the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award and his first since March 2018.

**beavis** · 22-11-2021 17:59

Premier League - Team of the Week 12

Lloris (Tottenham)

Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - Tarkowski (Burnley) - Mings (Aston Villa) - Chilwell (Chelsea)

Joelinton (Newcastle) - Hernandez (Man City) - Kante (Chelsea) - Mane (Liverpool)

Benteke (Crystal Palace) - King (Watford)

**beavis** · 03-12-2021 20:36

Premier League - Team of the Week 14

Lloris (Tottenham)

Dallas (Leeds) - Rudiger (Chelsea) - Kilman (Wolverhampton) - Taylor (Burnley)

Salah - Henderson (Liverpool) - Mount (Chelsea) - Sterling (Man City)

Jota (Liverpool) - Ronaldo (Man United)

**beavis** · 07-12-2021 19:20

Premier League - Team of the Week 15

Bachmann (Watford)

Cash - Konsa (Aston Villa) - Sanchez (Tottenham) - Masuaku (West Ham)

Sterling - Silva (Man City) - Moura (Tottenham) - Foden (Man City)

Roberts (Leeds) - Richarlison (Everton)

**beavis** · 14-12-2021 18:01

Premier League - Team of the Week 16

Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Cancelo (Man City) - Janelt (Brentford) - Mee (Burnley) - Robertson (Liverpool)

Maddison - Tielemans (Leicester) - Gallagher (Crystal Palace) - Martinelli (Arsenal)

Lacazette (Arsenal) - Daka (Leicester)

**beavis** · 17-12-2021 17:59

Guardiola named Barclays Manager of the Month

Pep Guardiola has been voted the Barclays Manager of the Month for November 2021.

Guardiola claims the award after a month in which Manchester City won all 3 Premier league matches.

Man City started November with a 2-0 derby victory at Manchester United and followed up by keeping a second consecutive clean sheet in a 3-0 home success against Everton.

Their winning streak continued by beating West Ham United 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

That run of results moved the champions to within one point of the top of the table, before they reached the summit with consecutive wins at the start of December.

Guardiola has now been named Barclays Manager of the Month 10 times, giving him the competition's joint third-highest total alongside West Ham manager David Moyes.

Only Sir Alex Ferguson (27) and Arsene Wenger (15) have claimed the award on more occasions.

Alexander-Arnold voted Player of the Month

Trent Alexander-Arnold has won the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award for November 2021.

The Liverpool right-back earns his second Premier League monthly honour after producing a goal, 4 assists and 2 clean sheets across 3 matches.

Alexander-Arnold began November by scoring with a sublime free-kick and getting an assist in a 3-2 loss at West Ham United.

He followed that up with 2 assists and a clean sheet in an emphatic 4-0 victory over Arsenal at Anfield.

The England international then contributed another assist and clean sheet as the Reds overcame Southampton, once again by a 4-0 scoreline at home.

It is the first time Alexander-Arnold has earned the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award since December 2019.

The 23-year-old's success means it is the second consecutive month in which a Liverpool player has won the award, after Mohamed Salah claimed October's prize.