Sportbiz reports

A Turkish court has sentenced former Ankaragücü president Faruk Koca to over three and a half years in prison for physically assaulting a referee on the field following the conclusion of a league match last season.

Which will it be?
Start one, Bench one, Sell one, & Demote two!!!

What is your best prediction for Premier League match week 🔟?

Ready to be part of the next FC Bayern World Squad? Applications are open from October 18 to November 15! Seize the opportunity and join the Class of ’25.

Congratulations Micheal Essien on your completion of the UEFA Certificate Football Management. "Essien I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. My passion for the beautiful game continues to grow as I embrace new learning opportunities." ⚽️📓🖊

Reece James has retained the Chelsea captaincy under Enzo Maresca, who says the defender must show more personality in leading the team

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has demanded "more" leadership from captain Reece James following his return from injury.

The right-back recovered from hamstring surgery to make his first Chelsea start since December 2023 in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool but Maresca has challenged his skipper to show greater "personality".

"I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room," said Maresca.

"He's on the way, he's doing well, he's progressing but I expect more.

"Most of the time, a player thinks that 'because I am captain I expect that you [the manager] give me more'.

"No, for me because you are the captain you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest.

"I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to give always more in terms of leadership."

James, 24, has progressed from the Chelsea academy to the first team and was appointed captain by Maresca's predecessor Mauricio Pochettino before the 2023-24 season.

The England defender was hampered by injury last season, making 11 appearances, before returning to the side at Anfield in his first competitive game under Maresca, who replaced Pochettino in the summer.

"He's understanding that we're expecting more from him," added Maresca.

"He's our guy from the academy. It's one of the reasons why he has to show more in terms of personality.

"He's a reserved guy. But when you don't have a proper leader, you need to build that. I think we don't have a proper leader. We need to build them.

"Reece is one who is on the way but he's not there. He needs to make an effort."

Source: BBC Sport

Mesut Özil is the only player in football history to be the top assist provider in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Champions League, Europa League, World Cup, and Club World Cup G.O.A.T 🐐💫

Do you know that goalkeeper Petr Cech holds the record for most clean sheets in Premier League history, having registered 202 shutouts in his illustrious career in the English top flight. Among active footballers, Manchester United's David De Gea is the only shot-stopper to make it to the top-10 list.

Gary Lineker on N'Golo Kanté: Kanté is everywhere. In fact, I'm surprised he's not behind me now."

Sir Alex Ferguson: "He's by far the best player in the Premier League. "

Claude Makelele: "I don't want N'Golo Kanté to be compared with me. I want him to be better than me. I love to watch him play."

Claudio Ranieri: "He runs so hard. Once I thought he must have had a packet of batteries in his shorts."

Jamie Redknapp: "When Parents tell their children to watch Messi or Ronaldo, they should point them to Kanté instead."

Happy birthday to the midfield General N'Golo Kanté who turns 32 today! 🌟

He protec but he also attac 🫣