It is generally taken as the club’s prerogative to change its name anytime if it finds necessary for its future goals, but there is always a formal process for this and usually requires seeking the permission of football association. Though, there are different rules for this in different parts of the world, but in England, no club can change its name without formal permission of English FA and this is what itching Hull City owner Assem Allam who apparently wants to change the name his 110-year-old club. Reportedly, he wants new name to be Hull Tigers instead of Hull City and is so desperate for it that has even threatened to sell off the side if he is denied of the permission. According to some insiders, FA’s membership committee has rejected the proposal and advised association to keep the status as it is. However, there is no official information for the English governing body, but there are chances that bosses would look for a middle way so that they could keep both Assem Allam’s … [Read more...]

There are very few moments in soccer when a team faces its own former star player who is still amongst the best for his former team. The fact becomes even more significant when a manager known not to easily praise his opponents does so, yes, we are talking about one of the finest soccer brains in contemporary football, Chelsea’s second term serving Portuguese football manager José Mourinho who has been as attacking these days as a leaguer topper should be. He unexpectedly praised his former teammate Didier Drogba, who now plays for Galatasaray, and calls him as the finest forward in modern era. Yes, he said this considering the age of ace forward and also added that he may not be as fit as he had been at 26, yet, it doesn’t diminish his caliber. Notably, Turkish professional football club will face Blues in the second leg of last 16 at Stamford Bridge tomorrow hence an admiration from opponent means a lot at this time. Generally, ‘intelligent’ managers do so intentionally just to make … [Read more...]

Despite being in the news off late for not so wanted reasons, ace Barca striker Lionel Messi yet again breaks another record and becomes the highest goals scorer for his club. This feat is incredible considering more than a century old history of Spanish giant. The achievement has until been hold by Filipino–Spanish footballer Paulino Alcántara who played for some fifteen years for the Blaugrana and scored 369 goals from 1912 to 1927. In fact, his dream record stood unbeaten for as many as 87 years and now a 26-year-old has broken it with flying colors. Looking at the career graph of Messi, he can still play for another eight to ten years, which means, he would be in the best position to set another record which would remain unbeaten for another 100 years! However, if we look at the strike rate of these legendries, Argentine took 95 more games than his predecessor but this is because of today’s culture of playing more games than fifty years ago and not to forget it takes more fitness … [Read more...]

If we look at the current league table, two teams look to be fighting with each other in and outside the field and that is Manchester City and Chelsea. One of these two would probably be the champion this year and guess what City is not missing any opportunity to pressurize José Mourinho side either. Though, The Blues are on top while City is on the fourth place, but they have three matches in hand and just six points adrift of North London club, which means, they can lead the table anytime if they could win at least two of the next four. Again, all the four placeholders are there on the top for quite some time, and there are not too many matches left this season; hence no other team is likely to replace any of them. City manager Manuel Pellegrini appreciated his team’s fighting spirit and keeping Chelsea top position as misleading as former Everton manager has been describing off late. They just defeated Hull by 2-0 and alive their hopes to replace their Stamford Bridge opponent. … [Read more...]