Chelsea could face exclusion from European competition due to a recently banned loophole by UEFA, according to reports. The club is set to qualify for this season’s Europa Conference League if they advance through the play-off round. Enzo Maresca’s side secured a 2-0 victory against Swiss team Servette in the first leg, with the second leg scheduled for Thursday evening. Chelsea’s season has been overshadowed by off-field issues, including managing a first-team squad of 43 players. The situation has improved slightly with recent sales, and Maresca has made it clear that players not in his plans will not feature under…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has urged the club to consider signing Jadon Sancho from Manchester United. Sancho has not yet featured in a competitive match for United this season and is currently being linked to a potential swap deal involving Raheem Sterling. With just three days remaining in the transfer window, Mikel Obi expressed his enthusiasm for the possible move. Speaking on his podcast, he said, “If we can get him through the door at Chelsea, I’d be very, very happy. He’s a fantastic player. I believe we’re already strong on that side of the pitch, but if…
According to El Chiringuito TV, Saudi Arabia is prepared to make a world-record bid to sign Vinicius Junior this summer. The Brazilian forward is attracting interest from clubs in the Middle East during this transfer window. Despite Real Madrid’s stance that Vinicius is not for sale, their resolve could be tested in the final days of the window. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly ready to offer as much as €500 million for the player. If completed, the transfer would surpass the €222 million PSG paid Barcelona for Neymar in 2017. Additionally, Vinicius would be offered a five-year…
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly pushing for the club to sign former Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat during this summer’s transfer window. According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fenerbahce have been in discussions with Fiorentina to acquire the Morocco international. The Turkish club is willing to pay a €2 million loan fee for Amrabat and has offered a mandatory future transfer fee of €12 million. However, Fiorentina is believed to be demanding a higher amount. Mourinho’s side will face competition from Premier League club Everton, who are also interested in signing Amrabat.
Nigeria’s basketball team will depart for South Africa on Friday to participate in the FIBA U-18 African Championship, according to an announcement from the country’s Basketball Federation. A total of 24 players, with 12 on each team, will represent Nigeria in the championship. The men’s team includes Bassey Ekpo Effiong, Ezekiel Oluwatemitope, Sani Samuel, Azeez Sulaimon Olaitan, Daubuna Mutum, John Wilberforce, Precious Jonha, Duru Augustine Chideru, Abraham Boyce Hart, Kpee Favour Komene, Jovan Ojako Chiebuka, and Favour Ibe Ikedinachukwu. The women’s team consists of Pius Beggi, Shehu Khadijat, John Patience, Hembam Wandoo, Idris Maryam, Tewogbade Mololuwa, Umeh Amarachi, Isaac Abigail,…
At this point, the left-back position at Manchester United seems almost cursed. It’s been a long time since Erik ten Hag has had his left-backs fit and ready to play for consecutive matches. Luke Shaw has been in a frustrating cycle of playing a few games and then being sidelined for extended periods. Tyrell Malacia has also been out for so long that fans might have forgotten he’s even on the team. Currently, the most reliable option at left-back for ten Hag is Diogo Dalot, who is naturally a right-back. To address this situation, Manchester United are reportedly looking to…
Liverpool could make a signing this transfer window after receiving a positive signal from the player’s camp. Juventus star Federico Chiesa has reportedly indicated to Liverpool that he is open to an offer from them, as Barcelona hesitates due to their financial difficulties. According to Pulse Sports, Chiesa has been placed on the transfer list by Juventus following a fallout with former manager Massimiliano Allegri and is eager to leave the club. Although he has been linked with a move to Barcelona, their financial struggles have caused delays. Barcelona has been considering Chiesa as an option after realizing they could…
Bruno Labbadia’s appointment as Super Eagles head coach has been met with significant criticism. Here’s why Nigerians are questioning the decision. The 58-year-old was appointed on Tuesday morning as the NFF seeks to salvage their World Cup qualifiers and secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON. Bruno Labbadia’s appointment as Super Eagles head coach has been met with significant criticism, with many questioning the rationale behind the decision. Here are three concerning facts about Labbadia that could indicate potential problems:
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda. The squad includes three goalkeepers, such as AFCON 2023 standout Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Amas Obasogie from Bendel Insurance returns to the squad, alongside South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah and Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been recalled for the first time since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers last November. The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill…
Nojim Maiyegun, Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist and former boxer, has died at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by Rudolfine F. Soultan, a close friend, in a heartfelt Facebook post on Monday. “My Jimmy died. I can’t say more about this right now because it’s just horrible. The day after tomorrow, we would have been together for 17 years,” Soultan wrote, expressing her grief. According to reports from The Cable, Maiyegun passed away on Monday morning at his home in Vienna, Austria, after battling an undisclosed illness for several months. Maiyegun made history in 1964 when, at the…
Currently, only two clubs are in discussions to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli. According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, those clubs are Chelsea and Al Ahli. Romano also mentioned that Paris Saint-Germain is no longer interested in Osimhen. Romano posted on X on Tuesday: “Chelsea and Al Ahli remain the two clubs in active talks for Victor Osimhen. Al Ahli is still trying to convince Osimhen after agreeing on a €65m package with Napoli. Chelsea are still monitoring the situation, with ongoing contacts, separate from the Sancho story. No bid from PSG.”
Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his thoughts on retiring from the Portugal national team. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez recently emphasized that Ronaldo remains a key part of his squad for the Euro Nations League. In an exclusive interview with NOW, scheduled to air on Jornal as 9 later today, Ronaldo revealed that while he is focused on helping the team, he plans to make his retirement decision spontaneously and without prior notice. “I am immensely proud to represent our colors; it is a dream,” Ronaldo said. “When I decide to leave the national team, it will be a very…
The Nigeria Premier Football League has boosted match officials’ salaries by 50 percent. NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye announced the pay increase, aiming to promote fair and credible officiating in the league. Elegbeleye also mentioned ongoing discussions to arrange air travel for referees and players. The new season will kick off on Saturday with defending champions Rangers facing EL-Kanemi Warriors.
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling is reportedly open to a surprising move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. Sterling’s representatives have been exploring options after new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca excluded him from first-team training, signaling that his time at Stamford Bridge might be over. The 29-year-old forward was left out of Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Manchester United last weekend, despite having featured in pre-season matches. Additionally, he did not play in Chelsea’s subsequent games against Manchester City and Wolves this season. With the summer transfer window still open, Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea. According to the Daily Mail,…
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has approved Hannibal Mejbri’s move to Burnley. Mejbri is set to join the recently relegated club on a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy. The Tunisian international has been deemed surplus to requirements by Ten Hag. The midfielder joined Manchester United from Monaco in 2019 in a deal potentially worth £9 million. He has made 13 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, breaking into the senior squad under Ralf Rangnick. Hannibal spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Birmingham City, and later moved to Spanish side Sevilla for the second half of…
Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that it would be challenging for him to transition into a managerial role once he retires from football. Ronaldo, who has won nearly every major accolade in the sport, including five Ballon d’Or awards, is nearing the end of his illustrious career at the age of 39. He has played for some of the world’s top clubs, such as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United. In a recent interview with NOW, Ronaldo admitted that his future might lie outside of football. “It’s very difficult to think that I will be a manager one…
Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino has left the club to join La Liga 2 team Deportivo de La Coruna. The move was confirmed in a statement on Arsenal’s website on Monday: “Charlie Patino has joined La Liga 2 side, Deportivo de La Coruna, in a permanent transfer.” The club added, “We thank Charlie for his contribution during his time with us and wish him all the best in his next chapter with Deportivo de La Coruna.” Patino, who joined Arsenal in 2015 and signed his first professional contract in October 2020, made his first-team debut in December 2021. The 20-year-old spent…
Pep Guardiola has praised Lionel Messi as the most complete center-forward in football history, while downplaying comparisons with Erling Haaland. In an interview with beIN Sports, Guardiola emphasized that, despite Haaland’s impressive form, Messi remains unparalleled. When asked if Haaland was the best center-forward ever, Guardiola responded, “The most complete center forward ever seen is Lionel Messi.” This statement followed Haaland’s spectacular hat-trick in Manchester City’s 4-1 comeback victory over Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town. Ipswich took an early lead with a goal from Sammie Szmodics, but Haaland quickly equalized with a penalty. He then scored again before Kevin De…
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has set conditions before he will consider a move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. According to reports from Pulse Sports, Al-Ahli has made a significant offer of €65 million for the Super Eagles striker. While negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing, Chelsea also remains in the race to sign Osimhen. Despite Napoli’s approval of the deal, Osimhen has not yet agreed to join the Saudi Arabian side. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Nigerian forward is seeking a substantial salary package and a specific release clause in his contract before accepting the move. Romano…
Arsenal enters the 2024/25 Premier League season aiming to surpass their previous two seasons of finishing in 2nd place, having narrowly missed out on the title last year by just two points on the final day. Despite a solid debut season from Kai Havertz, who scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in 51 appearances across all competitions, the key question is whether he can deliver enough goals to propel Arsenal to the title, particularly with Manchester City as a major competitor. In transfer news, Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, ahead of Chelsea. Other…