⚽ The FTBL Index

  Manchester United legend Patrice Evra reveals key reason why Arsenal might not win Premier League title. Manchester United Legend Patrice Evra Speaking to Betfair, Evra shared his thoughts on the Premier League's return after the World Cup. The five-time Premier League winner said: "My worry for Arsenal is the depth of the squad. I’m really excited to see who they are going to buy in January. Some clubs buy players when they are in a crisis, but like Sir Alex Ferguson used to do, you need to buy players when you’re at the top." "Imagine if Saliba got injured, the impact he has on the team if he was to get injured they would be done. So, they need another centre-back." "It’s a big chance for the owner of the club to backup Arteta. I’m sure that Arteta is convinced that Arsenal are going to win the league, and the players are convinced, but they need some backup." "It's an exciting Premier League, and it's been an exciting start. For me, ...

  Barcelona star striker Robert Lewandowski talks to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo With the FIFA World Cup out of the way, La Liga football will resume in Spain in the coming week. And current leaders Barcelona will restart their pursuit of the title with a contest against local rivals RCD Espanyol at Spotify Camp Nou next Saturday. Ahead of the resumption of the season, star striker Robert Lewandowski granted an interview to Mundo Deportivo. Robert Lewandowski: "In the Champions League we didn't know how to win or how to play to win, but in La Liga we have done very well." What's more realistic, Europa or La Liga? Lewandowski: "In the Europa League, maybe it's too early. First you have to think about Manchester United but in La Liga you have to focus a lot on each game. If we go from win to win, we'll be closer to achieving the league title." Does Barca lack knowing how to win in the Champions League? Lewandowski: "We have very young pl...

  With just about everyone on the globe debating whether Messi's achievements cement him as the greatest footballer of all time, the World Cup winner's former Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta has weighed in. Messi scored twice to lead Argentina to World Cup bedlam in Qatar and secure Argentina's third title Andres Iniesta has backed his ex-Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate, insisting he did not need to win the World Cup to prove he is the best Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against The Netherlands to crown Spain as champions, told Marca: 'For me it was not necessary for Messi to win the World Cup to consider him the best. With or without a World Cup, he is the best. I think the people who weren't accepting his supremacy in the sport would continue to find excuses even after Leo won the World Cup.' 'It was a well-deserved title not only for Leo but for Argentina. They started the tournament with a loss and...

FC Barcelona is at a shortfall of 35 million euros, according to the new salary limits set by La Liga. Joan Laporta's board is working to reverse this situation, caused, to a large extent, by the early elimination in the Champions League. Going out in the group stages meant that Barca are 26 million below the budgeted income for the financial year. According to the new regulations on economic control, not all levers are permissible. The levers that generate extraordinary income with the sale of assets that are already profitable can no longer be used to increase the salary margin. However, Barcelona can generate fair-play through activating levers on club departments running on a loss. Barça is studying this possibility. According to Spanish jounrnalist Victor Malo, Barca are considering a partial sale of Barca TV. Barça TV, the official television of the club, managed by Telefonica, is currently running in the red. If Barça manage to sell it and generate a profit with the operatio...

  Haaland's father, Alf-Inge Haaland dropped a bombshell while speaking to France Football: "He could stay at City for 15 years, because he's very comfortable there and it's a great club, but I have the impression that he wants to show that he can win in any League." Alf-Inge Haaland: "I don't think my son will be at the Premier League more than three seasons." "He was in Germany for two and a half years. Three years in the Premier and then in Italy, Spain or France. Nothing has been decided, but it is a possibility." Haaland signed with the Cityzens for five years and, although there has been talk of an exit clause, City have always denied it.

  The France international is a "No. 9.5" who wears the No. 7 jersey, but is playing as a No. 8 at the World Cup. Here's how his World Cup is going so far: 1st for key passes (17) 1st for big chances created (6) 1st for assists (3) Alongside Griezmann, Deschamps also deserves credit for dreaming up the idea, meticulously planning for it and helping make it a success. Deschamps at a breakfast 2 years ago: "You know, you would make a great holding midfielder. I think you have everything to be a great No. 6." They both laughed it off, but the idea never left the manager's mind. How did the idea to play Griezmann as an 8 come about? The idea evolved into playing him as a more dynamic No. 8 when a wave of injuries hit the national team. Without Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante and Corentin Tolisso, Deschamps grew convinced that Griezmann could be the solution. The idea was to mimic the evolution of Bernardo Silva under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Griezmann: ...

  England manager Gareth Southgate against France in the World Cup 2022 quarter-final Southgate has allowed a new generation of England fans to dream. His accomplishments should not be downplayed or ignored. But England can't quite get over the hill when it counts. As was evident last night, and Italy in the final of the Euros, England struggle to turn that firm grip on the game into chances and goals. Deschamps's men were not better than England's. They just had that vital 1 per cent that carried them through. Winners win football matches. England had a better xG. England (2.59) 1-2 (1.32) France. Sure 2 of the chance were penalties which boosted the xG for England, but then its the tiny margins that can decide a World Cup knockout game. Both sides were taking out their opponents strengths, but then their own strength was not coming into play. England were creating chances, but never ones you thought had to be goals. Kyle Walker was stuck blunting Mbappe, and the same was ...