Soccer Wiretap

Six Clubs In UCL Quarterfinals Rank In Top-8 Player Market Value List

Mar 18, 2024 10:01 AM

Manchester City has the most valuable collection of players in the world with a market value estimated at €1.27 billion, according to Tranfermarkt. City is not surprising one of the final eight clubs in the Champions League quarterfinals and are joined by their peers at the top of the same list.

1. Manchester City: €1.27 billion

2. Arsenal: €1.12 billion

3. Real Madrid: €1.04 billion

4. Paris Saint-Germain: €1.03 billion

5. Bayern Munich: €976.45 million

8. Barcelona: €853.50 million

21. Borussia Dortmund: €464.90 million

22. Atletico Madrid: €454.40 million

The clubs in the top-10 not to reach this stage all play in the Premier League as Chelsea rank sixth, Liverpool rank seventh, Tottenham Hotspur rank ninth and Manchester United at No. 10. 

Manchester United and Newcastle United were the Premier League's other two clubs to qualify for the Champions League this season, but both finished fourth during the group stage.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League

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Madrid/City Headline Champions League Quarterfinal Draw

Mar 15, 2024 10:09 AM

Real Madrid and Manchester City will meet in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The two clubs met in the semifinals in each of the past two seasons with the winner of the tie ultimately winning the Champions League.

Champions League Quarterfinal Draw

• Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

• Atletico Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund

• Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona

Champions League Semifinal Draw

• Atletico Madrid / Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain / Barcelona

• Arsenal / Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid / Manchester City

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League

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Ben White Signs Four-Year Extension With Arsenal

Mar 14, 2024 10:34 AM

Ben White has signed a new four-year contract with Arsenal.

"I think if you do look at the ages [of the players], it's going to get better," White said. "When those sort of players are getting signed, it shows there is a real ambition about the club and it is something I am loving being a part of."

White has made 122 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Brighton for £50 million [$64 million] in July 2021.

James Olley/ESPN

Tags: Arsenal, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Dortmund, Atleti Secure Last Two Spots In Champions League Quarters

Mar 14, 2024 10:30 AM

Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid secured the final two spots in the quarterfinals of the 23-24 Champions League. The draw for the round of eight will be on Friday, March 15th.

Quarterfinalists

• Arsenal

• Atletico Madrid

• Barcelona

• Bayern Munich

• Borussia Dortmund

• Manchester City

• Paris Saint-Germain

• Real Madrid

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League

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Arsenal Ahead Of City, Liverpool In xPTS For 23-24 EPL Season

Mar 12, 2024 2:45 PM

The 23-24 Premier League title chase is coming down to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City with just one point separating the three clubs.

Arsenal currently has the best xPTS mark with 60.26 ahead of City at 59.8 and Liverpool at 55.0, according to data from Understat.

Arsenal has a xG of 61.2 against xGA of 22.9 while City is at 62.0/28.0 and Liverpool is at 65.6/35.2.

Since just January 1st, Arsenal's xPTS  is at 21.0 compared to 19.2 for Liverpool and 19.0 for City. Arsenal has scored 33 goals while allowing just four during their eight Premier League matches during the timeframe. 

Betting markets, however, give City the best odds of winning the league followed by Liverpool and then Arsenal.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City

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Maurizio Sarri Steps Down As Manager Of Lazio

Mar 12, 2024 11:15 AM

Maurizio Sarri has stepped down as manager of Lazio. 

Sarri joined Lazio as manager in 2021 and finished second in Serie A in 2024.

Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

Tags: Lazio, Misc Rumor

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Celta Vigo Fires Rafa Benitez As Manager

Mar 12, 2024 10:44 AM

Celta Vigo have fired Rafael Benitez as manager.

Celta are 17th in the standings with 24 points, two above the relegation zone, after Sunday's 4-0 loss at leaders Real Madrid.

ESPN

Tags: Celta de Vigo, Misc Rumor

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Liverpool Hires Michael Edwards As CEO Of Football

Mar 12, 2024 10:42 AM

Liverpool has been appointed Michael Edwards as CEO of football.

Edwards was previously Liverpool's sporting director and was credited with overhauling the club's recruitment strategy and identifying Jürgen Klopp for the manager's role in 2015.

FSG struggled to replace Edwards after he left, with both Julian Ward and Jorg Schmadtke lasting less than 12 months in the sporting director role.

ESPN

Tags: Liverpool, Misc Rumor

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City Hasn't Lost In Past 60 Matches Played With Rodri

Mar 8, 2024 12:25 PM

A piece in the New York Times by Rory Smith argues that Rodri has become not only the best play on Manchester City but also the best player in the Premier League.

The last time Rodri played and Manchester City lost was in February 2023. Rodri has featured in 60 matches since then and City has not lost any of them.

City's defeats this season, to Wolves and to Arsenal and to Aston Villa, were without Rodri.

As a defensive midfielder, it is challenging to exactly quantify Rodri's impact on matches. Rodri is an excellent passer, controls space and also controls tempo not to mention his impact on stopping the opposing team.

Sportsbooks also show Rodri to be the favorite to win Premier League Player of the Year. 

Rory Smith/New York Times

Tags: Manchester City, IQ

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Chelsea Could Be In FFP Jeopardy With $115M Loss Last Year

Mar 7, 2024 11:12 AM

Chelsea’s ability to comply with profit and sustainability rules is in doubt after it emerged that the club made a pre-tax loss of £90.1 million ($115 million) in the year to 30 June 2023.

The Premier League’s rules permit clubs to make a loss of £105 million over a three-year period.

Chelsea made heavy losses under Roman Abramovich. The Boehly-Clearlake ownership has sought to drive down the wage bill and has a strategy of signing young players on long and heavily incentivized contracts.

The latest loss raises the chances of Chelsea having to raise funds through player sales this summer. They are expected to want to move on homegrown players such as Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen. Money received for academy products goes down as pure profit in FFP terms.

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Tags: Chelsea, Legal, Misc Rumor

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Arsenal Still Plan To Pursue Striker During Summer Transfer Window

James Olley/ESPN

Jude Bellingham Receives Two-Match Suspension From LaLiga

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Dribbling Up 30 Percent In Premier League Since 18-19

John Muller/The Athletic

Paul Pogba Receives Four-Years Doping Ban

Julien Laurens/ESPN

Wayne Rooney Still Aims To Manage United Or Everton Someday

ESPN

Saudi Pro League To Pursue Several Premier League Stars Again

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Thomas Tuchel To Leave Bayern At End Of Season

RealGM Staff Report

Barcelona Has Spending Limit Reduced By $71M

Sam Marsden/ESPN

Kylian Mbappe 'Getting Really Excited' About Transfer To Real Madrid

Julien Laurens/ESPN

Brighton Transfer Head Sam Jewell Leaves For Job With Chelsea

ESPN

Kylian Mbappe Informs PSG He'll Leave Club In Summer

Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

Jude Bellingham Likely Out Three Weeks With Ankle Injury

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

City Agrees To Buy Savio From Girona For $32.2M

Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

2026 World Cup Final Will Be Held At MetLife Stadium In New Jersey

Kyle Bonagura, Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Giovanni Reyna Loaned By Dortmund To Nottingham Forest

Tom Hamilton/ESPN

Mikel Arteta Strongly Denies Links To Barcelona

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Xavi Announces He'll Step Down As Barcelona Manager After Season

Sam Marsden/ESPN

Jurgen Klopp Announces He's Leaving Liverpool After Season

Tom Hamilton/ESPN

Kylian Mbappe Considering Offers From Real Madrid, PSG

Julien Laurens, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

City Signs 18-Year-Old Claudio Echeverri From River Plate

ESPN