Turkish midfielder Arda Guler is reportedly growing ‘frustrated’ with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti due to his limited playing time this season. Despite Madrid securing Guler’s signature over Barcelona during the summer, the 19-year-old’s debut was delayed by a serious knee injury that required surgery. Although Guler returned to the pitch in January, he has only accumulated 92 minutes in five appearances. Displaying his frustration, he tossed his bib to the ground when Ancelotti overlooked him against Almeria in January and was also denied the opportunity to play against Sevilla last weekend. Ancelotti dismissed the incident, stating it “did not…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
The spotlight shines on the Manchester derby this Sunday as City and United clash in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium. While the Cityzens appear poised to pursue the title amidst competition from Liverpool and Arsenal, the Red Devils face challenges with key player injuries. Despite a midweek FA Cup victory against Nottingham Forest following a setback against Fulham, Erik ten Hag’s side faces a formidable task against Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten squad. With both teams having much at stake, here are key matchups that could sway the outcome of the City vs. United encounter: 1. John Stones vs Bruno…
Arsenal stands at the threshold of Premier League history as they gear up for a pivotal clash against Sheffield United. A win in the upcoming Monday fixture could see the Gunners etch their name into the league’s annals, boasting the longest winning streak of any team this season. The significance of achieving this remarkable milestone amplifies the anticipation surrounding Arsenal’s showdown with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Currently occupying the third spot on the Premier League table with 58 points garnered from 26 matches in the 2023/24 campaign, the Gunners are in scintillating form as they aim for this record-breaking…
Approximately four months after FIFA, the global football governing body, identified Saudi Arabia as the sole contender, the kingdom officially launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup last Friday. This move comes two years after neighboring Qatar successfully hosted the first-ever Middle East World Cup. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), spearheading the campaign under the slogan “Growing. Together,” revealed its bid website, logo, and an accompanying film showcasing the passion, spirit, and diversity of football in Saudi Arabia. Hammad Albalawi, leader of the SAFF bid unit, emphasized that “the hopes and dreams of 32 million people in…
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has disclosed his efforts to persuade Victor Osimhen to choose Chelsea over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United. Osimhen reportedly inked a new contract with the Italian club in December, extending his stay until 2026. Sky Sports Italy reported that the 25-year-old now has a release clause in his contract, valued at approximately £104 million-£113 million. Various top European clubs, including Chelsea, have shown interest in securing Osimhen’s services. Mikel revealed that he has advised Osimhen to reject offers from PSG and Man United and instead follow in his footsteps by joining the…
Saturday’s Premier League Action: A Guide to Fixtures A delightful array of Premier League matches awaits on Saturday, featuring prominent teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham. Although the customary 12:30 (GMT) fixture is absent, a substantial collection of 15:00 games compensates, concluding with an evening kick-off. Here’s an overview of Saturday’s Premier League fixtures and key details to follow: Brentford vs Chelsea – Location: London, England – Stadium: Gtech Community Stadium – Date: Saturday, March 2 – Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT – Referee: Jarred Gillett – VAR: Michael Salisbury Chelsea faces Brentford in the…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola issued a warning to his Manchester United counterpart, Erik ten Hag, emphasizing the imperative need for victories at a prominent club to secure one’s managerial position. Guardiola conveyed this message during his Friday press conference in anticipation of the upcoming derby at the Etihad Stadium. Since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, Manchester United has struggled to mount a serious title challenge. Meanwhile, City, under Guardiola’s leadership, has claimed the league title six times, including five championships in the last six years, even matching United’s Treble triumph last season. With United trailing 15…
In the wake of Jose Peseiro’s departure, Augustine Owen Eguavoen, the Technical Director of the Super Eagles, has stepped up to fill the coaching role for the Nigerian football team. Peseiro, aged 63, had taken on the head coach position for the Super Eagles following Nigeria’s exit from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon. He assumed the role in May 2022 and guided Nigeria to the AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast. However, despite a commendable effort, Peseiro’s team fell short in the final, with Sebastien Haller’s goal sealing the fate of the exhausted Super Eagles.…
Former Manchester United forward Andy Cole has expressed apprehension about Casemiro’s performance this season. Despite the Brazilian midfielder’s pivotal role in the team’s previous success, highlighted by his contribution in the Carabao Cup final last season, his second season at Man United has been marred by injuries and inconsistency. Even though Casemiro secured a win for the team against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round with a decisive goal, Cole remains unimpressed with the player’s overall performance this term. The former striker suggests that both fans and the football community will be pondering why such a influential player…
In the final leg of their Olympic qualification quest, Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to clash with South Africa’s Bayana Bayana. Both teams are vying for a coveted spot in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games. NIG vs SOU: Previewing the Match, Kickoff Time, and Date for the 2024 Olympic Qualifiers Fresh from a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses, Randy Waldrum’s coached Super Falcons are determined to keep their Olympic aspirations alive. The upcoming showdown against their South African counterparts poses another thrilling challenge as Nigeria aims to break a 16-year Olympic qualification drought. The Super Falcons’ bid for…
Erik ten Hag has dismissed the notion that his team would be apprehensive about facing Manchester City in the upcoming weekend, despite City’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in November and their impressive run of 14 wins in their last 15 games across various competitions since mid-December. While Manchester United has experienced a decent run of results, they are dealing with a squad hampered by injuries. Ten Hag, however, disagreed with the idea that United would have any grounds to “fear” City when questioned during his pre-match press conference. “They have a good team, but there are more good teams,”…
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, in the aftermath of Wednesday’s thrilling triumph over Leeds United, asserted that branding the Blues as “bottlejobs” was unjustified. The term gained traction on social media after Gary Neville labeled Chelsea as “blue billion-pound bottlejobs” following their inability to defeat a youthful Liverpool side in the Carabao Cup final. Pochettino, disappointed with the critique, responded by securing a 3-2 victory with a 90th-minute winner in the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Leeds United. Facing renewed pressure, Pochettino emphasized that the team’s brave performance contradicted Neville’s criticism. He defended the squad’s resilience, stating, “It is not fair…
Erik ten Hag has called for an apology from Fulham regarding a TikTok video that appeared to mock Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes following last weekend’s Premier League clash between the two clubs at Old Trafford. Fulham’s official account posted the content on TikTok, focusing on Fernandes after a challenge from Sasa Lukic. The video, set to comedic music, implied that the Portuguese midfielder was playacting, even though he quickly got up after showing discomfort. The accompanying caption read, “So glad he’s ok…,” accompanied by an eye-rolling emoji. Ten Hag commented on the situation, stating, “I didn’t know this, but…
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year football ban for a doping violation. The 30-year-old French international underwent a random drug test after Juventus’ inaugural match of the season on August 20. Sources indicate that Pogba intends to appeal the decision made by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado). The doping offense was confirmed by Nado in a subsequent sample analysis in October. The anti-doping prosecutor’s office had requested the four-year suspension. This ruling implies that Pogba will be ineligible to play until 2027, at the age of 33, and the ban has been retroactively applied to the date…
7 Football Records That Could Stand the Test of Time From the highest number of own goals in a match to the most clubs played for, football boasts records that may remain unbroken for years to come. Football is a game rich in statistics, and certain numerical milestones have endured for decades, standing as potential monuments in the sport’s history. Take, for example, Lionel Messi’s remarkable feat of scoring 91 goals in 69 games in 2012, setting the record for the most goals in a calendar year. However, before Messi’s extraordinary accomplishment, Gerd Muller held the record with 85 goals…
Sergio Aguero has refuted rumors suggesting his return from retirement to train with Independiente in Argentina. Forced to retire in 2021 due to a diagnosed heart problem shortly after joining Barcelona, Aguero participated in charity friendlies but faced speculation after sharing a conversation with his cardiologist discussing the possibility of a competitive football comeback. Addressing the rumors on Twitch, Aguero dismissed the “lies” surrounding his future, stating, “The news [of a return] will be reaching many. It’s totally a lie. I’m not going to train with Independiente.” Aguero emphasized that although he consulted with a cardiologist who affirmed his good…
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for one game and imposed a fine of 30,000 riyals ($8,000) for a gesture deemed as “provocative” during a match. Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr and former Sporting Lisbon star, violated regulations against provoking the public. The decision, which cannot be appealed, comes in response to an incident that occurred last weekend after Al-Nassr’s 3-2 victory against Al-Shabab. In a video that surfaced post-match, Ronaldo can be seen making a repeated thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to taunts from the crowd chanting the name of his longtime rival, Lionel…
Zulay Pogba is firmly standing by her husband amidst the recent doping ban controversy. Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban for testing positive for DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), a prohibited substance, in August. The decision, issued by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA), adheres to the standard suspension duration outlined by the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA). In response to the verdict, Pogba expressed his shock and disappointment, emphasizing his belief in the decision’s inaccuracy. He stated: “I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect. I am sad, shocked, and…
Premier League outfits Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are closely monitoring the situation of Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika as the summer transfer window approaches. As reported by HITC, Onyedika could potentially become the latest high-profile departure from Club Brugge, a club that has seen significant sales in recent transfer windows, including players like Charles de Ketelaere, Lois Openda, Sofyan Amrabat, and Arnaut Danjuma. Forward Igor Thiago is also set to make a £30 million move to Brentford in the upcoming summer. Should Club Brugge decide to part ways with the Nigerian international at the end of the season,…
Spanish football legend Pep Guardiola’s squad has recently outperformed the Red Devils in their encounters. However, the upcoming Manchester derby on Sunday is set to kick off at an unconventional time, sparking curiosity about the reasons behind this scheduling decision. Manchester Derby: Why Man City vs Man Utd Is Kicking Off Early The spotlight will be on Manchester as City prepares to host United in a crucial derby. Guardiola’s team currently holds a commanding 15-point lead over United in the table, making them favorites to extend their recent dominance. With three victories in the last four derbies, including an all-Manchester…