Manchester United icon Roy Keane has delivered a stark warning to England’s head coach Gareth Southgate regarding the deployment of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield during the 2024 UEFA European Championship. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane voiced apprehensions regarding Alexander-Arnold’s defensive prowess, cautioning against utilizing him in midfield against formidable opponents. He remarked, “Deploying him in midfield against top-tier teams could prove to be a costly error. “In certain group matches, you might get away with it, but against elite nations, particularly in terms of defensive duties, Alexander-Arnold’s vulnerabilities could be exposed. “I believe that against formidable…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Arsenal is on the hunt for a new goalkeeper to step into Aaron Ramsdale’s shoes, and they may have found their ideal replacement. Reports suggest that Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow has caught Arsenal’s eye as they seek to fill the void left by Ramsdale’s imminent departure from the club. According to The Mirror, the 26-year-old Dutch international features prominently on Arsenal’s shortlist, with a decision on whether to pursue a deal expected in the coming days. Ramsdale’s anticipated exit stems from his desire for regular first-team action, having played second fiddle to the impressive David Raya. With Raya firmly entrenched as…
Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick led Atalanta to a resounding 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final. Lookman’s exceptional performance etched his name in history as the first African player to score three goals in the final of a major UEFA competition. The defeat marked Bayer Leverkusen’s first in 52 games across all competitions this season. This triumph signifies Atalanta’s inaugural European title and makes them the first Italian side to clinch the Europa League. Lookman initiated the scoring for Atalanta in the 12th minute, assisted by Davide Zappacosta. He then doubled the lead with a sublime finish just…
Ademola Lookman’s remarkable hat-trick in the Europa League final has propelled him into the spotlight, securing Atalanta their first title in 61 years at the expense of Bayer Leverkusen. Lookman’s performance etched three unprecedented records. He became the first African player to score two or more goals in a European Cup final, a feat unachieved by illustrious predecessors such as George Weah, Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Nwankwo Kanu, Mohamed Salah, or Sadio Mane. His hat-trick against Xabi Alonso’s side marked a historic milestone for African footballers on the European stage. Lookman also etched his name in Atalanta’s history books by…
Officials from San Diego FC, a recent addition to the MLS, and representatives of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne are reportedly in talks regarding a potential transfer. San Diego FC secured their place as the 30th franchise in the MLS last year, triumphing over a competing bid from Las Vegas. Based in southern California, the team is slated to kick off at the 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium in 2025. According to The Athletic, De Bruyne’s camp met with San Diego FC, signaling the playmaker’s openness to relocating to the United States as his contract nears its end next year. Rumors have…
After the culmination of this season’s UEFA Europa League on Wednesday, here’s a rundown of the leading scorers in the tournament. Following Atalanta’s 3-0 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in the final, Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick sealed the victory. Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang clinched the title of the top scorer in this Europa League edition with an impressive tally of 10 goals. The former Arsenal skipper outshines AS Roma’s Romelu Lukaku, who notched up seven goals during the campaign. Top scorers in the Europa League post Atalanta’s win over Bayer Leverkusen in the final: 10 goals – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 7 goals – Romelu…
After two days of intense discussions with the club’s hierarchy, Mauricio Pochettino has departed Chelsea by mutual agreement. Despite facing challenges during the season at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino concluded the campaign positively, securing five consecutive victories to clinch a European berth. Following Sunday’s 2-1 win against Bournemouth, Pochettino refrained from providing assurances about his future and opted out of the customary lap of appreciation. In the past two days, the club conducted a thorough review of his position. According to The Telegraph, they have reached a consensus to terminate his contract prematurely, concluding his tenure after just one season at…
Marcus Rashford has been excluded from Gareth Southgate’s preliminary England squad for Euro 2024. The 26-year-old Manchester United forward has faced challenges in form this season, tallying seven goals and two assists in 33 league appearances. Rashford participated in seven England matches earlier this season but was not selected for the game against Belgium in March. Now, he finds himself absent from Southgate’s training squad, which is expected to consist of around 30 players. There are indications that Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson has also not made the cut, while Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has been left out as well. The…
Finidi George, the head coach of the Super Eagles, has disclosed his sole regret from his playing career. He lamented not signing for Real Madrid, as he had come close to joining the club before opting for Real Betis, their LaLiga rivals, after departing Ajax. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, the former Nigerian international revealed that despite having agreed on personal terms with Real Madrid and having discussions with Coach Capello, the transfer fell through due to financial constraints between Real Madrid and Ajax. “My only regret is not signing for Real Madrid. The Real Madrid you know now is…
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric expressed his sentiments regarding teammate Toni Kroos’ retirement, confirmed by Los Blancos after this year’s Euro 2024. In a lengthy Instagram post, Modric conveyed his sadness at the news, describing Kroos, formerly of Bayern Munich, as a legend of the sport and of Real Madrid. “It’s hard to find the right words,” Modric began. “The football world mourns the departure of a historic player, and I must admit, I am also deeply saddened. You, my friend, are a legend in this sport and a legend at Real Madrid.” Modric continued, reflecting on their time playing…
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has criticized Chelsea for parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino. On Tuesday, Chelsea announced that Pochettino would no longer serve as the manager at Stamford Bridge, with both parties reportedly agreeing to the decision. Merson expressed disbelief at Chelsea’s move, labeling it a significant error. In a video posted on his X account, he voiced his surprise following the club’s announcement. He argued that Pochettino had recently achieved success with the team on the pitch and deserved more time in his role. “Just seen the news about Pochettino. Cannot believe he’s gone. Cannot believe. I mean,…
Nicolas Jackson has voiced his frustration toward Chelsea’s leadership following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Chelsea officially announced Pochettino’s departure from Stamford Bridge by mutual agreement. Despite guiding the team to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League and reaching the Carabao Cup final, where they were defeated by Liverpool, Pochettino’s tenure lasted just one season at Chelsea. The decision to terminate his contract came after an end-of-season review by the club’s board. Several Chelsea players, including Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke, have already expressed gratitude toward Pochettino following the news of his…
Chelsea players have said their goodbyes to Mauricio Pochettino, who parted ways with the Premier League club on Tuesday. Pochettino exits Stamford Bridge less than a year after his arrival, with both sides citing “mutual consent.” His departure follows discussions with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s leading scorer this season, expressed gratitude on Instagram: “Gaffer, thank you for everything you have done for me & making my dreams come true. All the best.” Noni Madueke shared a similar sentiment on his Instagram story, captioning a photo of Pochettino with him: “Thank you.” Defender Marc Cucurella…
Super Eagles trio Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Nathan Tella will set aside their camaraderie as their clubs, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, collide in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday night. Lookman, a standout performer for Atalanta this season, aims to outshine Boniface, Tella, and the rest of the Bayer Leverkusen squad in this highly anticipated showdown at the AVIVA Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Lookman played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s journey to the final, notably contributing a goal and an assist in their 3-0 victory over Olympic Marseille in the semi-finals at the Gewiss Stadium. Boniface, expected to…
The conclusion of the English Premier League last weekend left football fans worldwide reminiscing about the excitement of watching their teams play every weekend. Following the conclusion of the season, the Premier League announced the recipient of the Best Manager of the Season Award via their official Twitter account. The accolade was bestowed upon none other than Pep Guardiola, who clinched his fourth consecutive Premier League title—a remarkable feat that solidifies Manchester City’s status as a dominant force in the competition. As Manchester City prepares for their final match of the season against rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, the…
Manchester United fans were taken aback by a recent report detailing the club’s available funds for summer player acquisitions. Despite finishing in eighth place in the Premier League this season, Erik ten Hag’s team managed to secure two consecutive victories to conclude the campaign. However, this position meant missing out on European qualification, although winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City could secure Europa League football for the upcoming season. Throughout the season, United faced persistent injury woes, including the absence of a natural left-back for the entire latter half and the inability to field any of the five…
Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, known by his artistic alias Olaolu Slawn, has crafted the design for the English FA Cup trophy to be showcased at the 2024 final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. Here’s a glimpse into Olaolu Slawn’s background: 1. Born on October 24, 2000, in Lagos, Nigeria, Olaolu Slawn is a British-Nigerian designer and artist. 2. His portfolio encompasses a diverse array of mediums, including spray paint, large-scale pop art canvases, graffiti, caricatures, and murals. 3. At just 23 years old, Slawn made history as the youngest individual to design the Britannia statuette for the…
Reports suggest that Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, is contemplating a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer. The 30-year-old, who has been with the club for seven seasons, has made a significant impact, amassing 332 appearances and 155 clean sheets. Widely hailed as one of the finest goalkeepers globally, Ederson has been a linchpin for City under Pep Guardiola’s management, contributing to their recent successes. Having secured his sixth Premier League title, Ederson has etched his name in history, surpassing Peter Schmeichel for most titles won by a goalkeeper in the league. Despite having two years left on his…
Arne Slot, the former Feyenoord coach recently confirmed as Liverpool’s manager, is renowned for his passionate leadership, extracting the best from his players while demanding a strong work ethic. A fan of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Slot was a graceful forward in his playing days, celebrated for his precision passing, even having a move named after him. Here are five notable aspects about the 45-year-old who will succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield: 1. Arne Slot Pass: Slot, initially a striker for PEC Zwolle, was recognized more for his finesse than his speed. Coaches and teammates lauded his “silky” and “cultured”…
Arsenal is gearing up for a robust summer transfer window, with plans to reinforce their squad across several positions. Mikel Arteta is eyeing a new center forward, left-back, and central midfielder to bolster his team. Additionally, the Gunners are looking to enhance their wing depth, targeting a new winger. Among their targets is Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, who has caught Arteta’s attention with his creative prowess and set-piece skills. However, recent reports suggest that Olise may have other preferences. He is reportedly interested in a move to Manchester United this summer, with Chelsea dropping out of the race. Interestingly, Arsenal…