Ahmed Bilal
Sports Editor
Benitez misses Liverpool, wishes he had 70m to spend back then
Ahmed Bilal • Feb 4 2011“I think last year we were talking about £70m,” – Rafael Benitez. He was speaking about Fernando Torres in an interview with BBC’s Football Focus (where the discussion would invariably…
The Age of Desperation: From Chelsea to Arsenal, via Manchester, Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle
Ahmed Bilal • Feb 2 2011The transfer deadline day madness that resulted in Chelsea spending 70m+ and two new entries on the most expensive football transfers list had people wondering what had happened to the…
Will Torres score for Chelsea against Liverpool on Sunday?
Ahmed Bilal • Nov 8 2021“This isn’t happening…this isn’t happening…this isn’t happening.” – Rochelle, Left 4 Dead 2 Last weekend we had a bit of a laugh at the Soccerlens headquarters when players signed up…
Lies? What Andy Carroll and Newcastle aren’t telling the fans
Ahmed Bilal • Feb 1 2011“Despite getting the best financial deal of the day you suspect Newcastle will end up being the window’s biggest losers.” – Adrian Clarke. In a nutshell, that’s what Liverpool’s record…
Will Blackpool finish above Liverpool in the Premier League this season?
Ahmed Bilal • Jan 14 2011Chelsea, 9 points behind Manchester United, have stopped talking about defending their title and are focusing on winning their next game and ensuring Champions League qualification. A good run of…
SOLD? Russia and Qatar to host World Cup in 2018 & 2022
Ahmed Bilal • Dec 2 2010It’s tempting to claim that bribes, favours, politics and financial opportunity determined the fates of World Cups 2018 and 2022 long before the staged drama of bid presentations yesterday and…
Vote on the 2010 Soccerlens Awards
Ahmed Bilal • Apr 11 2023After three weeks of sifting through hundreds (and thousands) of nominations for the 2010 Soccerlens Awards, we’re proud to announce that the shortlists have been decided and the Awards are…
UEFA to ‘investigate’ Real Madrid quintet for unsporting conduct – but ignore missed penalties
Ahmed Bilal • Nov 25 2010“Uefa has charged Jose Mourinho and four of his Real Madrid players over allegations he ordered Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso to get themselves sent off in a Champions League…
Manchester United can’t win, Manchester City won’t win, and Mourinho never lost at Stamford Bridge
Ahmed Bilal • Nov 15 2010For those fans whose expectations of this year’s Premier League title race were shaped by the English press orgasming over Chelsea’s prowess, I have to burst your bubble – Chelsea…
Van der Vaart – Premier League’s Best Performer This Season?
Ahmed Bilal • Apr 5 2023Castrol Rankings put Tottenham’s Rafael Van der Vaart at an impressive 7th place – that is to say, over the last 12 months, Van der Vaart has been the 7th…
Frank Lampard Reveals Massive Man Crush For Wayne Rooney
Ahmed Bilal • Nov 9 2010In an impassioned appeal to football fans, Frank Lampard has defended Wayne Rooney from “lazy” criticism and said that his fellow England player is cute, sensitive and sharp, and also…
The 2010 Soccerlens Awards
Ahmed Bilal • Apr 5 2023The Soccerlens Awards are all about celebrating the very best in football from around the web from those breaking the news to those making it. A year is a long…
Win the chance to play FIFA 11 against Wayne Rooney
Ahmed Bilal • Nov 15 2011Wayne is on the look-out for goal celebrations that show the fun and passion of the beautiful game. He wants to see you sit down if you love FIFA. You…
Manchester United After Hamsik, Cavani and Bale? Only in Football Manager…
Ahmed Bilal • Jan 12 2022Rooney has signed a new contract but the tongue-wagging continues – everyone from the 3 Up Front team on this week’s show to your friendly neighbourhood rumour mill – think…
Vote Rigging 101: How World Cup Votes Can Be Bought And Sold
Ahmed Bilal • Nov 23 2010The FIFA executive committee that votes on World Cup hosts uses an ‘exhaustive ballot’ system, whereby the candidate receiving the fewest votes in each round is eliminated until a single…