LUHMIE's World

On the face of it, asking if a team could be stronger having lost the most expensive player in the history of football would seem ludicrous, but not according to one Juventus legend. Edgar Davids made well over 200 appearances for the Bianconeri during his seven-year stay in Turin and has been a keen observer of the club ever since his departure in 2004. And the ex- Tottenham Hotspur  midfielder believes his former side have improved since selling Paul Pogba to  Manchester United  for £89.3m last summer. Ten days after Pogba scored in the  Europa League  final, Juventus have the chance to clinch an historic treble as they face Real Madrid in the Champions League final – live on BT Sport. Davids also knows Pogba on a personal level, joining in with his signature ‘dab’ celebration at the 2015 Ballon d'Or ceremony, but still believes Juve have improved without the Frenchman. “Losing Pogba has helped the development of Juventus,” said Davids. “The r...

Barcelona have named Ernesto Valverde as their new head coach. Valverde, who stepped down as Athletic Bilbao boss last week, had been widely expected to be Luis Enrique’s successor at the Nou Camp and his appointment was confirmed following a Barca board meeting on Monday afternoon. The 53-year-old has agreed a deal at the Nou Camp to take charge for the next two seasons. ???? Bartomeu: "Ernesto Valverde will sign for two seasons with an option for a third". More details ????  https://t.co/RVbnSgQ5nc   pic.twitter.com/SYLb0gtd9q — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)  May 29, 2017 Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu told a press conference: “Valverde has the ability, the judgement, the knowledge and the experience. He promotes the youth players and he has a Barca way. “He was not the only name on the table. From the moment Luis Enrique said he was not going to continue (technical secretary) Robert Fernandez began a search. “He spoke to a lot of people and stud...

Huddersfield are back in the top flight after 45 years, clinching Premier League football and a £170million windfall by beating Reading on penalties in the Championship play-off final after the score had finished 0-0 at the end of extra time. The Terriers faced an uphill battle after fans’ favourite Michael Hefele missed his spot-kick, only for Liam Moore to blaze over and Danny Ward – the shootout hero in the semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday – to save Jordan Obita’s penalty. Christopher Schindler stepped up to send Huddersfield into the top flight for the first time since 1972, leading to wild celebrations on the field and in the stands. CONGRATULATIONS, Huddersfield Town!  pic.twitter.com/EPkNPWXBcn — Premier League (@premierleague)  May 29, 2017 Huddersfield manager David Wagner said:  “I told the players before the play-offs that they were heroes. But from hero to zero in football is sometimes only a week, and they had the opportunity to become lege...

Scotland’s hopes of having Kieran Tierney available to face England have improved after he was named in Gordon Strachan’s revised squad for next month’s Hampden showdown. The national team boss has cut the initial 29-man squad he announced for the crucial World Cup qualifier last week down to 24 – but Tierney’s name is not among those crossed out. The Celtic defender had to be rushed to hospital during Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup final after suffering a broken jaw. SCOTLAND | Gordon Strachan has revised his squad following his initial 30 man squad selection. The latest squad:  https://t.co/wsL3iNGktC pic.twitter.com/nV2HZj8Ucb — Scottish FA (@ScottishFA)  May 29, 2017 The 19-year-old also lost two teeth and was left writhing in agony after being caught by the swinging arm of Aberdeen striker Jayden Stockley. But having rushed back to the National Stadium in time to take part in the trophy presentation, Tierney is now set to declare himself fit to fa...

Joe Hart faces an uncertain future with Manchester City after returning from a year with Torino as the Premier League club reportedly negotiate the world-record capture of Benfica goalkeeper Ederson. Media reports in England and across Europe suggest Pep Guardiola’s City, who finished third in the domestic league, are in talks to sign 23-year-old keeper Ederson for £34.9million. On Sunday the Brazilian admitted he had “probably” played his last game for Benfica, hours after clinching a campaign double with victory in the Portuguese Cup, while over in Italy England stopper Hart represented Torino for the last time. After conceding three goals in the final game of his loan spell, a 5-3 home victory over Sassuolo, Hart bid farewell to the Torino fans. He will not return to Turin as the Serie A club cannot afford him. Hart returns to the Etihad Stadium unsure what City boss Guardiola has planned for him. Claudio Bravo endured a shaky start to life in England fol...

Arsene Wenger insists he will head into Tuesday’s board meeting to discuss his Arsenal future perfectly equipped with all he needs to secure a new contract – namely a replay of Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup final win over 10-man Chelsea. It remains unclear whether the 67-year-old will continue as manager of the Gunners, despite capping a disappointing season with a record-breaking victory over the newly crowned Premier League champions. Wenger has come in for criticism from a number of Arsenal fans this season after the club failed to reach the Champions League for the first time in 19 years, with protests calling for the Frenchman to leave when his current deal expires next month. I am pleased for Arsene Wenger he finished the season as FA cup winner.The ungrateful Arsenal fans lead by  @piersmorgan  don't deserve him — Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar)  May 27, 2017 Arsenal finished fifth in the league, having crashed out of the Champions League following a 10-2 aggrega...

Francesco Totti called time on his 24-year career as a Roma player with a well-timed substitute appearance that inspired the Giallorossi to beat Genoa 3-2. The 40-year-old, who will seek a new challenge following this curtain call, basked in the adulation of the Stadio Olimpico crowd for 54 minutes before making his 786th outing for his hometown club. Edin Dzeko had already scored his 29th goal of the season to cancel out Pietro Pellegri’s history-making opener. The 16-year-old is the first player born in 2001 to notch in the Italian top flight. #ThanksTotti  now LIVE on  #ASRoma  Facebook  pic.twitter.com/6EvP0Q6mkB — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN)  May 28, 2017 Totti’s lionised introduction heralded a determined push forward, with direct entry to the Champions League group stage at stake, and, after Daniele De Rossi saw his goal scrubbed out by Darko Lazovic, Diego Perotti ensured a victorious send-off for the veteran by notching near the end. As ...

Diego Costa says Atletico Madrid are the only club he would join if Chelsea decide to sell him this summer, but insists he is not looking to leave the Premier League champions. The Spain international has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in recent months, with a big-money switch to the Chinese Super League touted as a likely destination. However, the 28-year-old has poured cold water on the possibility of a move to the Far East, saying he wants to either stay at Chelsea or return to former club Atletico should Blues boss Antonio Conte deem him surplus to requirements. Diego Costa scores Chelsea’s equaliser against Arsenal in the FA Cup final (Matt Dunham/AP/PA) Speaking after netting Chelsea’s goal in Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal, the Brazil-born Costa told Spanish media: “There is only one team I’d go to if I have to leave here, only one. “I have no intention of leaving, I’m very happy here, I have two years on my contr...

Arsenal upset the odds to beat Premier League champions Chelsea and secure the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday. Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at five things we learned from the all-London final: Football stands together Arsenal and Chelsea players observe a minute’s silence in honour of the victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack (Nick Potts/PA) Supporters of both clubs came together before kick-off to observe an immaculate minute’s silence for the victims of Monday’s terror attack in Manchester. Twenty-two people were killed and many more injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena and they were remembered here. Prince William laid one of four wreaths and, while Chelsea players accidentally left their black armbands behind for the first half, it was another fitting occasion where sport marked the recent tragedy. Near Per-fect return for captain Mertesacker Arsenal skipper Per Mertesacker challenges Chelsea striker Diego Costa (Matt Dunham/AP/...

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker lifted the FA Cup for the Gunners on Saturday before insisting any criticism aimed his way only makes him a better player. No surprise at all with this one… Your  #AFCvCFC  man of the match is Per  @Mertesacker  – and with good reason!  What a performance ????????  #BFG   pic.twitter.com/HKDdTDspeW — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal)  May 28, 2017 The German World Cup winner had not started a game all season but was called upon for the final against Chelsea after suspension and injury decimated Arsenal’s defence. Despite concerns over his fitness having only featured for 37 minutes over the course of the entire campaign, Mertesacker was a man-of-the-match contender as Arsene Wenger’s side secured a 2-1 win at Wembley. Good morning,  @EmiratesFACup  winners ???? #WeAreTheArsenal pic.twitter.com/g78WSN2Udk — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal)  May 28, 2017 It was expected the 32-year-old would endure a to...