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ANDONI IRAOLA ADDRESSES PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE QUESTION WITH UNFLINCHING HONESTY PUBLICLY

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is refusing to call his 2nd-place team Premier League title contenders, despite an 8-game winning streak. He insists the focus is on points, not a Leicester-style miracle.

Andoni Iraola addresses Premier League title question with unflinching honesty publicly
Iraola provides a pragmatic answer regarding the title ambition - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri's script has been followed by Andoni Iraola, who has stated that his second-place Bournemouth team is not a title contender this season. "Let us speak about goals when March and April arrive," the Basque coach added, as he leads an eight-game winning streak against Manchester City on Sunday.

The story of the Premier League season thus far is the ascent of the south coast team and the downfall of champions Liverpool.

The Cherries have improved since selling four of their back five players, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, and Milos Kerkez, for £145 million, while the reigning champions spent over £400 million in the transfer market.

Antoine Semenyo has scored six Premier League goals this season, more than anyone else except Erling Haaland (11). Additionally, Bournemouth, which placed eighth the previous season, is playing with the incredible energy and flair of contenders. They might finish second last season with 76 points if they keep up their present pace of two points per game. Can they, however, pull off an even greater shock than the one in 2016?

After playing down his team's chances till the very end, Ranieri's Leicester won the Premier League at odds of 500-1.

However, Iraola responded, "No, I do not think we can," when asked on Halloween if his team, which can hold 11,307 people at Vitality Stadium, could surprise the big boys and win the championship this year.

Not even if they defeat Pep Guardiola's team in the first-ever match at the Etihad Stadium? "No," he responded. "A single outcome will not change our objective. Furthermore, we have no idea where we will end up.

"Last season, when we finished ninth with 56 points, was our best season ever at this club, and that is all I can think of. We must receive 57 points if we wish to demonstrate our superiority. I still think it is really challenging. We now play in the style of City and Villa.

"We will be in eleventh place if we lose two games. We have to do a lot to win a single game. And we can be ambitious as long as we comprehend this. When March and April come around, we can see if we can make it here, and then we can discuss our goals. However, I think it is too early for us right now.

"I want City to win every game," Iraola continued, who oddly lost none of his first nine Premier League games. Every game should be won by Liverpool. Every game, I want Arsenal to win. Those are not our competitors. Since we know that at the conclusion of the season, we will not be playing with those teams because they will be in other fights, and we will be in another fight, I do not want them to lose any points when they play other teams. Instead, I want them to win every game.

Iraoloa is now being fought for by Bournemouth. Even though they may be in second place, he is now the Premier League's best coach. Additionally, the Spaniard, who arrived from Rayo Vallecano in 2023 when his contract ended, will be in high demand both in the Premier League and at home when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Iraoloa stated that a new contract was not discussed during the visit of billionaire US owner Bill Foley for last weekend's victory over Forest.

No fan had ever inquired about winning the title or about extending his contract, which is now a weekly issue at his news conferences, according to the Spaniard.

He grinned and said, "People are quite respectful." Indeed, far more than you! Some people will want me to stay here, while others will prefer that I find another coach. In football, this is a given. Even when we were not winning, I felt like I was being treated really nicely here. I hope that everyone continues to treat me with such kindness.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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