Gulf between Premier League’s big six, others
The Premier League prides itself on being the most competitive in the world and points to Leicester’s 2016 title triumph at preseason odds of 5,000-1 as the ultimate evidence.
It might be time to revisit that opinion.
The end-of-season standings show a worrying development in England’s top division: The chasm between the so-called “Big 6” — Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal — and the rest is bigger than ever.
Just ask the coach of the team that finished seventh.
“We all know where the top six are, and it’s not impossible — as Leicester have shown — but improbable that it is going to radically change,” Burnley manager Sean Dyche said. “That top six is going to be more or less the top six, because of the buying power, because of the power of the clubs. Outside of that, relative chaos.
“The first marker for lots of teams — probably 14, with maybe Everton on the edge of that category — is first things first, let’s collect a team that can stay” in the Premier League.
The top six teams, led by City in record-breaking fashion, all had a goal difference of at least plus-23. City’s was a staggering plus-79. The other 14 teams finished with a negative goal difference.
Neymar on Brazil roster: A recovering Neymar was confirmed and injured leader Dani Alves was left off Brazil’s World Cup squad. Neymar has been recovering from right foot surgery in March, and Brazil Football Confederation doctors believe he will be fit to play on June 3 in a friendly against Croatia in Liverpool.
The only surprises were among the likely reserves for the tournament in Russia, with the inclusion of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and winger Taison.
PSG hires coach: Paris SaintGermain has hired former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel. He has signed a two-year contract with the French champion starting in July. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Oldest Cup player?Essam el-Hadary is on his way to becoming the oldest person to play in a World Cup match. The 45-year-old goalkeeper was chosen by Egypt coach Hector Cuper in a 29-man preliminary World Cup squad.
El-Hadary could eclipse the record set by Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who was 43 when he played at the last World Cup in Brazil.
Peru captain banned: Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has been banned from playing at the World Cup because of a positive doping test. The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has upheld an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency to extend Guerrero’s six-month FIFA ban to 14 months. Russia cuts alleged doper: Russia has cut from its World Cup squad a player who faced a doping investigation. The Russian Football Union says Ruslan Kambolov sustained a calf muscle injury during a game on Sunday.
He has been replaced by the 38-year-old veteran Sergei Ignashevich, who is coming out of international retirement. Writer’s ban: Germany has appealed to the Russian government to let in a journalist who exposed systematic doping in Russian athletics and was denied entry to Russia to report on the upcoming World Cup. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the cancellation of Hajo Seppelt’s Russian visa was “wrong” and called on the global soccer federation FIFA to intervene.
Marseille drought: After a 25-year wait, Marseille could win another European trophy. The French club, which won the inaugural Champions League title, will face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the Europa League final. Both the title and a spot in next season’s Champions League will be on the line in Lyon.
Briefly: The head of Germany’s soccer federation has criticized national team players Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan for having their picture taken with Turkey’s president. The Arsenal and Manchester City players posed for photos in London with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has taken an increasingly authoritarian stance in recent years . ... Roberto Mancini has been confirmed as Italy’s new coach. He replaces Gian Piero Ventura, who was fired in November . ... Defender Rafael Marquez could play in a fifth World Cup after he was picked in Mexico’s 28player preliminary squad.