Bayern Munich’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, expresses his desire to make a return to the Premier League once he departs the Bundesliga club, with Manchester United being his preferred destination in England. Although Tuchel joined Bayern just last year, both parties have confirmed his departure from the Allianz Arena this summer. According to reports from Bild, the 50-year-old is keen on having another stint in the Premier League, marking his second tenure after coaching Chelsea from 2021 to 2022. During his time at Chelsea, Tuchel secured the Champions League title with the Blues. However, his tenure came to an end in…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Thierry Henry, the iconic figure from Arsenal, commended midfielder Declan Rice despite the Gunners’ 1-0 loss to FC Porto in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday. Henry expressed the significance of Rice to Mikel Arteta’s squad, emphasizing a particular aspect he admired during the match – Rice’s willingness to take a yellow card just two minutes into the game. While Porto secured the victory with a late goal from Wenderson Galeno at the Estadio do Dragao, Rice’s commendable performance did not go unnoticed. “He’s addressing things that often go unnoticed,” Henry remarked on CBS…
Romeo Lavia’s path to full recovery continued as he engaged in gym sessions at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Thursday. The £58 million signing has made only one appearance for the club this season, featuring for 32 minutes against Crystal Palace in December. Lavia faced an extended recovery period after joining Stamford Bridge in August, with a setback during his brief on-field stint over the festive period. Despite his progress, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that the Belgian midfielder will not be part of the lineup for the upcoming Carabao Cup final this weekend, as reported by the Mirror. Although Lavia…
Central midfielders (CM) occupy a distinctive role in the realm of football, serving as the linchpin between offense and defense. They orchestrate plays, dictate tempo, and facilitate seamless transitions. In this article, we explore the dynamic world of central midfielders and unveil the top 10 maestros commanding the center of the park in 2024. 1. İlkay Gündoğan (Barcelona) Gündoğan’s exceptional transition from Manchester City to Barcelona has been spectacular. Beyond statistics, his influence on the pitch, rich trophy cabinet, and knack for decisive goals define him as a complete midfielder. 2. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) Bellingham’s remarkable rise to stardom…
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, expressed his desire to lead a national team before concluding his coaching career. While Guardiola is under contract with the Premier League until 2025 and hasn’t ruled out extending his current agreement, the 53-year-old has previously been linked to managerial positions with Brazil, England, and the United States. In a recent interview with ESPN Brasil, Guardiola acknowledged his aspiration to take charge at a major international tournament, stating, “I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.” When questioned about his preference for a…
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who controversially secured his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy a few months ago, has chosen to part with the prestigious individual award. In October of the previous year, Messi was bestowed with the title of the world’s best player for an unprecedented eighth time, following his pivotal role in leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite securing this significant accolade almost seven months after achieving the one major honor that had previously eluded him throughout his career, the decision sparked dissatisfaction among certain fans and pundits. Many argued that Manchester City’s…
Nigerian tycoons are steadily making significant inroads into the European football scene, investing in and outrightly acquiring clubs. Nigerians, known for their fervent passion for sports, particularly football, have found lucrative returns in sporting ventures within Nigeria. Kunle Soname, a Nigerian businessman and entrepreneur, broke new ground in 2015 by becoming the first Nigerian to purchase a European football team. He acquired CD Feirense, a second-division Portuguese club, as the primary shareholder through his firm, Tavistock Global Resource Limited. In addition to CD Feirense, Soname is also the owner and chairman of Remo Stars Football team in Nigeria. Shola Akinlade,…
In Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Napoli on Wednesday, Robert Lewandowski made history by becoming the oldest player for Barcelona to score in a Champions League knockout game. The Poland international found the net in the 60th minute, breaking the record at 35 years and 184 days old. This achievement surpasses Lionel Messi’s previous record, who was 33 years and 259 days old when he scored against Paris Saint-Germain in March 2021. The match against Napoli also marked a significant moment for Barcelona, as winger Lamine Yamal became the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League knockout stages at…
Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in both goals as Inter Miami secured a victory over Real Salt Lake in the Major League Soccer’s season opener on Wednesday. The Argentina forward assisted Robert Taylor for the first goal, with the midfielder’s shot finding the net in the first half. Messi also contributed to Miami’s late second goal, scored by Diego Gomez. Notably, he showcased a strong connection with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who made his MLS debut and registered an assist. Miami coach Gerardo Martino commented on Messi’s performance, stating, “He looked loose, fine, and showed a lot of…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stated that Manchester United will conduct a fresh evaluation of Mason Greenwood’s future, leaving the possibility open for him to play for the club again. Greenwood, who faced charges of assault, attempted rape, and coercive control following his arrest in 2022, was believed to have played his final game for United after being loaned to Getafe towards the end of the last summer transfer window. After an internal investigation by United, prompted by the Crown Prosecution Service dropping the case due to key witness withdrawals and new evidence, there were initial indications of Greenwood’s potential reintroduction.…
Ilkay Gundogan has expressed admiration for departing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, who is reportedly a contender to succeed Xavi at Barcelona. Recently, Barcelona confirmed Xavi’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 season, with the team’s performance falling below expectations compared to the previous season’s La Liga triumph. Despite Barcelona’s recent improvement, earning ten points from the last 12 available, they lag behind Real Madrid by eight points and have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey after a significant defeat to Athletic Club. As speculations swirl about Xavi’s potential successor, Thomas Tuchel, a former Champions League winner set…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attributes Lionel Messi’s individual brilliance as one of the contributing factors to the Gunners’ failure to progress beyond the Champions League last 16 since 2010. During Arteta’s playing career at Arsenal, the team was eliminated in the last 16 in all five seasons he spent at the club. This trend continued in the year before his arrival in 2011 and persisted in the year following his retirement in 2016, resulting in seven consecutive exits in the initial knockout stage. As Arsenal’s current manager, Arteta dismissed the notion of a mental block but emphasized the impact of…
Liverpool delivered a second-half masterclass on Wednesday night, rallying from an early setback to secure a 4-1 victory over Luton Town in the Premier League. The Reds, fielding a depleted squad ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, were caught off guard when Chiedozie Ogbene’s header gave Luton Town a surprising lead. However, a remarkable turnaround ensued after the break, with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Harvey Elliott all finding the net, allowing Jurgen Klopp’s side to extend their lead at the top of the table. Despite Luton’s spirited performance at Anfield, they find themselves still in the…
Arsenal faces an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years after succumbing to a stoppage-time winner from Porto in their last 16 first leg. Galeno, Porto’s winger, scored a remarkable long-range strike with virtually the last kick of the game, deciding a contest that lacked intensity for the preceding 93 minutes. This leaves Arsenal with a 1-0 aggregate deficit to overturn at the Emirates Stadium next month. Game Recap: Following a nervous opening five minutes, Arsenal asserted control over possession, yet Porto’s defensive organization and resilience thwarted their efforts. The Gunners encountered…
Dani Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison by a Spanish court after being found guilty of sexual assault. The former Brazilian right-back faced allegations of ‘sexual assault by penetration’ at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. Prosecutors had sought a nine-year prison term along with ten years of probation and €150,000 in compensation. In January 2023, Alves was incarcerated in a Barcelona prison without bail. During the course of the trial, his testimony changed multiple times, initially denying knowledge of the victim and later asserting consensual relations while admitting concern about the impact on…
Donyell Malen has thrived since his departure from Arsenal and is now being linked with a potential return to the Emirates Stadium. Numerous young players have left clubs to find success elsewhere, a phenomenon observed in various football leagues. In Malen’s case, the 25-year-old Dutchman initially began his football journey at Ajax’s academy before joining Arsenal in 2015 at the age of 16. During his two-year tenure at Arsenal, Malen showcased his talent by scoring in both the quarter-final and semi-final of the FA Youth Cup. Despite being part of the club’s pre-season tour of Australia in 2017, it marked…
Barcelona faced a setback as Napoli held them to a draw in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash. Despite dominating much of the match without reaching exceptional heights, Barcelona took a deserved lead in the 60th minute through Robert Lewandowski. Victor Osimhen, marking his return to Napoli’s lineup, leveled the score 15 minutes later, concluding the game in a 1-1 draw. The upcoming second leg on March 12 remains an open contest for both teams. Game Recap: Napoli supporters anticipated a potential resurgence following Walter Mazzarri’s departure, but their sluggish start established an initially lackluster display…
Bayern Munich has opted to part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the conclusion of the current season. This decision follows the club’s recent poor run of form, experiencing a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Bayern Leverkusen, a 1-0 loss to Lazio in the Champions League, and a 3-2 defeat against VFL Bochum on Sunday. In a statement posted on Bayern’s website on Wednesday, the club’s CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, stated, “In an open, constructive discussion, we reached the mutual decision to conclude our collaboration in the summer.” Tuchel is set to depart from Bayern when the season concludes.
There have been suggestions that Mauricio Pochettino should include Christopher Nkunku in the starting lineup for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this Sunday. However, it would be a mistake for the Argentine manager to opt for the French attacker for several reasons. Despite Nkunku’s noteworthy performance in their recent 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, it doesn’t guarantee success in the final against the Merseyside Red. Nkunku’s limited game time for Chelsea this season, coupled with challenges in settling due to injuries, raises concerns about his readiness for such a crucial match. For the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea requires…
Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs has encouraged British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to prioritize changing the club’s ‘culture.’ Emphasizing that this should be the foremost concern, Giggs, in an interview with The Telegraph, stressed the need for a shift in the club’s ethos. Ratcliffe has recently agreed to acquire a 29% stake in Manchester United, pending approval from the Premier League. Giggs remarked, “That is the number one thing we have to change. The culture of the club. To get players who want to play for United and will do anything to win a game for United. That is something…