Paris Saint-Germain’s forward, Kylian Mbappe, achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday as he equaled the UEFA Champions League goalscoring record of the club’s former striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Mbappe’s feat came after he netted a brace for PSG in the second leg of their quarter-final clash against Barcelona. The French captain converted a penalty in the 61st minute and capitalized on an error by Jules Kounde to score his second goal in the 89th minute, sealing PSG’s 6-4 aggregate win at full-time. With this performance, the 25-year-old now boasts 48 goals in 71 Champions League appearances, matching Ibrahimovic’s tally of 48…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Despite his outstanding goal-scoring prowess this season, Cole Palmer is reportedly facing the prospect of missing out on a goal bonus. Reports suggest that the Chelsea sensation did not secure such terms in his contract negotiations. Palmer’s remarkable performance against Everton, where he netted an impressive four goals, thrust him into contention for the Premier League Golden Boot alongside Erling Haaland. However, according to UK Sun Sport, Palmer’s agreement with Chelsea does not include provisions for a goal bonus, regardless of his goal-scoring exploits. Despite his remarkable season and tally of 23 goals across all competitions, including 20 in the…
Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confidently weighed in on the Premier League title race, predicting Manchester City to emerge victorious this season. After surprising defeats for both Arsenal and Liverpool against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace respectively last Sunday, Manchester City has surged ahead, now leading by a two-point margin in the Premier League standings. With six matches remaining for all three teams, Benitez anticipates further dropped points, but he firmly believes that Pep Guardiola’s squad will clinch the title. Speaking on Sky Sports, Benitez remarked, “Manchester City are brimming with confidence. They possess a strong squad – capable…
Manchester United is reportedly among the clubs vying to secure the services of Benfica’s rising star Joao Neves in the upcoming summer transfer window, as per reports from Record via SportWitness. Despite a lackluster Premier League campaign placing them in 7th position and likely missing out on Champions League qualification, the Red Devils aim to fortify their midfield, particularly in the defensive sector, to address their struggles with control. With a release clause of £103 million in his current contract with Benfica, Neves has garnered attention as one of Europe’s most promising young talents. While Benfica has managed to retain…
According to reports from the Portuguese outlet Jornal de Notícias, Arsenal is gearing up to formally propose signing Sporting CP standout Viktor Gyokeres this summer. The 25-year-old forward, who joined Jose Alvalade Stadium from Coventry City last summer, has enjoyed a remarkable season for the Lions, tallying 36 goals and 16 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions. Under Ruben Amorim’s leadership, Sporting has mounted a strong title challenge this season, with Gyokeres playing a crucial role in the team’s success. Arsenal has been closely monitoring Gyokeres’ performances and, according to Sport Witness, is impressed enough to express a firm…
Ahead of the eagerly awaited Champions League clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid, midfielder Rodri shared his thoughts on the eve of the match in a statement to Sky Sports. During the pre-match conference today, Rodri expressed his admiration for two prominent figures in the footballing world. Unsurprisingly, he hailed his own team’s manager, Pep Guardiola, as the best, while also singling out Real Madrid’s current coach, Carlo Ancelotti, as a close second. The stage was set last week when the two teams engaged in an electrifying encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, resulting in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Now,…
Jamie Carragher, a former Premier League star, has issued a word of caution to Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United regarding the potential signing of Amadou Onana from Everton. Speculations suggest that Manchester United have shown interest in acquiring the Belgian midfielder, with Arsenal and Chelsea also reportedly vying for his signature in the upcoming transfer window. Everton, however, is rumored to be setting a price tag of £50 million. Carragher expressed skepticism about the Belgium international following his performance in Everton’s 6-0 defeat to Chelsea on Monday. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher remarked, “I must say this, Onana may be…
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has acknowledged the impact of being released by Arsenal during his childhood, a memory that remains with him as he prepares to face them in the Champions League. The Bavarian giants are set to host Arsenal in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, having drawn 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium in the previous encounter. Having spent nearly two decades at rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Kane is no stranger to facing Arsenal. His goal from the penalty spot in the first leg brought his tally against the Gunners to 15 in 20 matches, a record surpassed…
Reports indicate that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is poised to eliminate its secondary club tournament, the Confederation Cup. Originally formed in 2004 through the amalgamation of the CAF Cup and the African Cup Winners’ Cup, the Confederation Cup faces extinction. Last year, CAF introduced the African Football League, a new competition initially comprising eight teams. Now, plans are underway to expand its scope, making it the premier club competition across the continent. In this restructuring, the CAF Champions League will assume the role previously held by the Confederation Cup as Africa’s secondary club tournament. Moreover, the victor of…
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has shed light on his team’s victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match on Tuesday. With goals from Dembele, Vitinha, and Kylian Mbappe, the French Ligue 1 side secured a 4-1 triumph over Barcelona in Spain. This win ensures PSG’s advancement to the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Dortmund, following a 6-4 aggregate victory. This comes after a 3-2 win in the first leg tie against Barcelona. In an interview with Canal+ following PSG’s victory, Dembele expressed the team’s collective belief in their ability to qualify despite losing the…
Premier League’s Matchday 33 provided a whirlwind of intense clashes and unexpected twists, delivering a weekend filled with unforgettable football drama. Amidst the excitement, standout players emerged, earning their rightful places in the Team of the Week. Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace): Henderson’s heroics were pivotal in Crystal Palace’s historic 1-0 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield. With an impressive tally of 5 crucial saves, he thwarted Liverpool’s attacks, securing a rare clean sheet against the Reds on their own turf. Defenders: Fabian Schar (Newcastle): Schar’s stalwart presence in defense was instrumental in Newcastle’s commanding 3-0 victory against Tottenham. His adept tackling…
Declan Rice remains steadfast in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title, despite their disappointing loss to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Despite the opportunity to climb to the top of the league table following Liverpool’s defeat by Crystal Palace earlier in the day, both Arsenal and Liverpool stumbled, allowing Manchester City to extend their lead after securing a victory. A late surge from Villa, marked by goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins, secured a win against Mikel Arteta’s side, leaving Arsenal trailing City by two points with six games remaining. Nevertheless, Rice maintains optimism, believing…
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is advocating for a shift in the club’s transfer policy, urging the owners to prioritize the recruitment of experienced players this summer to complement the current youthful squad. Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over at Stamford Bridge, there has been a strong inclination towards signing young talents with significant potential, with substantial investments made in hopes of building a team capable of long-term dominance. However, the immediate results have fallen below expectations, prompting Pochettino to emphasize the need for seasoned players to guide and support the emerging talents. “We can continue with the same…
Reports from Spain indicate that Bayern Munich has initiated contact with Zinedine Zidane to explore the possibility of him assuming the managerial role next season. Thomas Tuchel’s impending departure this summer, following a downturn in form that allowed Bayer Leverkusen to clinch the Bundesliga title, has prompted Bayern officials to actively seek a replacement for several weeks. Initially eyeing Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso as their primary target, Bayern’s pursuit hit a roadblock when Alonso publicly expressed his commitment to his current club, necessitating Bayern to broaden their search. According to MARCA, discussions have commenced with Zidane, who has been without…
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has disclosed his aspiration to transition into a Premier League manager, following a stint coaching in Arsenal’s youth system. After retiring from professional football in 2023, Fabregas is presently serving as an assistant coach for Italian Serie B club Como, where he concluded his illustrious playing career. However, his recent involvement with Arsenal’s youth setup has ignited his desire for a managerial role in the English top-flight. In the summer of 2023, he collaborated with Under-18s manager and former teammate Jack Wilshere. Speaking to the Evening Standard, Fabregas stated, “You never know how…
Cole Palmer continued to shine in an impressive display, netting four times as Chelsea cruised to a resounding 6-0 victory over Everton on Monday night. With this win, Chelsea narrowed the gap to just three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle and seventh-placed Manchester United in the Premier League standings, holding a game in hand over both teams. Sean Dyche’s Everton now find themselves nervously looking over their shoulders after suffering a significant blow to their goal difference, leaving them just two points clear of the relegation zone. Here’s how the match unfolded: Despite Chelsea dominating possession early on, Everton squandered a…
Pep Guardiola acknowledges his team’s fondness for performing under pressure as they prepare to take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. City clinched their inaugural Champions League title last season, securing a historic treble that included winning the Premier League and lifting the FA Cup for the second time under Guardiola. Guardiola aims to become the first manager to lead an English side to consecutive trebles, with City holding a strong chance following recent Premier League results. However, before eyeing domestic success, City must overcome Real Madrid, 14-time Champions League winners, at the…
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced a new policy regarding penalty taking after a dispute arose among players during Monday night’s victory against Everton. The Blues secured a 6-0 win at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer scoring four goals and moving joint-top of the Premier League scoring charts. Palmer’s final goal came from the penalty spot in the second half after being fouled by Abdoulaye Doucoure. However, confusion ensued when Noni Madueke attempted to take the penalty, prompting Nicolas Jackson to argue his case. Captain Conor Gallagher intervened, informing them that Palmer would be taking the spot-kick. Despite having…
Manchester United are eyeing a potential move for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, who possesses a release clause worth €120m (£100m) in his contract. The Red Devils are preparing for the departure of Casemiro this summer. Arsenal remains determined to compete with Bayern Munich, Juventus, Milan, and Napoli for the signature of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. Gunners scouts have been actively monitoring him in recent outings in Italy. Another striker on Arsenal’s radar is Dominic Solanke, who is also attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. Manchester City is engaged in negotiations with Wolves regarding the acquisition of left-back…
Cole Palmer has expressed the Chelsea team’s excitement for Alfie Gilchrist after he scored his debut senior goal during Monday night’s 6-0 thrashing of Everton. Palmer himself netted four times during the game, contributing to Chelsea’s push for European football. Nicolas Jackson also found the back of the net in the first half, while 20-year-old Gilchrist, coming on as a late substitute, sealed the victory with his first-ever Chelsea goal in the last minute. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Palmer shared his joy for Gilchrist’s achievement. “Everyone was buzzing for Alfie Gilchrist. He has been a Chelsea fan…