It’s the bugbear of every football fan.
A player hits the turf after a collision with an opponent, rolling around in apparent agony before the referee brings the game to a halt.
The stricken “victim” is eventually led from the field, either limping alongside his team’s physio or lying prostrate on a stretcher.
When the player leaves the pitch and the action eventually resumes, something miraculous happens. FULL POST
“Getting back was only the beginning.” Not only the strapline for Hollywood sequel Back to the Future II but also a fitting description of Chelsea’s decision to reappoint Jose Mourinho on a four-year contract.
The return of the self-dubbed “Special One” after a six-year absence has prompted a euphoric response from the Premier League club’s fans, who are delighted owner Roman Abramovich has decided to go “Back to the Future."
Between 2004 and 2007, Mourinho’s Chelsea, for a time, dominated English football. The Portuguese coach guided the west London team to a first league title in 50 years as well as four other major trophies.
But his return is being greeted with caution by some who warn it is never wise to return to the scene of former glories. FULL POST
Owen Hargreaves is a former England midfielder who lifted the Champions League trophy twice during a glittering career.
On Thursday, the former Bayern Munich and Manchester United star made his debut for the CNN Football Club. FULL POST
Brad Friedel has become part of the furniture in the English Premier League, spending 16 years in the division with a host of top clubs.
On Thursday, the formidable Tottenham Hotspur shotstopper made his debut for the CNN Football Club. FULL POST
Stan Collymore forged a reputation as a formidable English Premier League striker before building a career as one of Britain’s most recognizable football broadcasters.
On Thursday, the former Liverpool and England goalscorer made his debut for the CNN Football Club. FULL POST
After taking to the pitch for both Spain and Barcelona, Albert Ferrer knows about performing under pressure.
But how did the former full back fare when he made his debut for the CNN Football Club? FULL POST
A European champion with club and country who was once crowned the continent’s finest player, Ruud Gullit’s pedigree in unquestionable.
Now the midfielder is adding the CNN Football Club to a CV which already boasts AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea.
The mercurial Dutchman was in the studio to assess this week’s European Champions League quarterfinal ties, a competition he won twice as a player. FULL POST
He is the former France winger who made himself a hero in Newcastle and north London. Now David Ginola will be answering your questions as he makes his debut for the CNN Football Club.
A flamboyant attacker who dazzled Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur fans with his gallic flair, Ginola was named the best player in England in 1999. FULL POST
He is the youngest men’s Wimbledon singles champion of all time and a German tennis icon. But this week, Boris Becker is switching his attention from the court to the football pitch.
The Bayern Munich fanatic was Thursday’s guest on the CNN Football Club. The former world No. 1 was in the studio to discuss the week’s Champions League action, including his beloved Bayern’s last-16 second-leg match against Arsenal. FULL POST
His introduction at halftime in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan sparked one of the greatest comebacks sport has ever seen. Now former Liverpool and Germany stalwart Dietmar Hamann has answered your questions after appearing on CNN Football Club.
A holding midfielder who played for Bayern Munich and Newcastle United before spending seven trophy-laden years at Anfield, Hamann knows what it takes to win European club football’s biggest prize.
Hamann, who collected 59 caps for Germany between 1997 and 2005, was live in the studio to assess the week’s Champions League last-16 ties, including the second leg of the colossal clash between Real Madrid and Manchester United. FULL POST