Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has conveyed a message to his players, Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, emphasizing the importance of celebrating if they score against Manchester City in the upcoming Premier League clash at Etihad on Saturday evening. Both Sterling and Palmer were former players at Manchester City, and in a previous encounter earlier this season, they scored in a 4-4 draw against Pep Guardiola’s side, opting for subdued celebrations as former City players. However, Pochettino has now urged the English stars to express joy in their celebrations this time if they find the net against the host. In his…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
The Premier League resumes with an enticing fixture this weekend as Manchester City, the reigning champions, face off against Chelsea in a highly anticipated clash at the Etihad Stadium. Both teams enter the match with divergent fortunes, setting the stage for a fixture brimming with intrigue. MNC vs CHE: Match Preview, Kick-Off Time, Team News, And Possible Starting Lineup As the Citizens strive to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, their counterparts from West London aim to bolster their chances of securing a top-seven finish. Match Preview Pep Guardiola’s squad is in formidable form, boasting a 10-game winning streak…
Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas has unveiled that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is poised to join Chelsea during the summer transfer window. Drawing parallels between Osimhen and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, Gallas emphasized that the Nigerian international has the potential to make a considerable impact in the Premier League. Despite Osimhen extending his contract with Napoli until 2026 in December, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed his departure this summer. Osimhen has garnered interest from clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain. “I think they [Chelsea] will sign Victor Osimhen in the summer. I don’t know…
Former Belgium captain, Eden Hazard, has disclosed the reason behind his decision to join Chelsea, despite initially lacking interest in the club. Throughout his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Hazard found the net 110 times and provided 92 assists in 352 appearances over seven seasons. His contributions helped secure two Premier League titles, two Europa League triumphs, and an FA Cup. Interestingly, Hazard could have chosen a different path and played for Manchester United in the Premier League. Reflecting on his options, he revealed, “I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson [then manager of Manchester United]. I spoke with Harry…
Following the Super Eagles’ setback in the Africa Cup of Nations final, Ademola Lookman took to social media to extend congratulations to the Ivory Coast team and striker Sebastien Haller for their victory. The Nigerian forward commended Haller for his outstanding performances throughout the tournament and expressed optimism that Ivory Coast’s success would serve as an inspiration across Africa. Lookman shared his thoughts in a tweet via his X account, stating, “We fell short, but we gave everything, and we will be back. Thank you for all the love and support, always grateful for the fans. Congratulations to the hosts…
[ez-toc]In the recent FIFA men’s rankings released on Thursday morning, the Super Eagles have surged 14 positions, now securing the 28th spot globally. Furthermore, they claim the third position among Africa’s top teams, with Morocco leading the continent’s rankings and Senegal in second place. Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire round out the top five teams in Africa. The next update of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking is scheduled for April 4th.
Paris Saint-Germain’s forward Kylian Mbappé has officially conveyed his intention to leave the club this summer. According to Sky Sports, Mbappé informed the club’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, of his decision on Tuesday. The details of Mbappé’s departure are still being negotiated, with discussions ongoing regarding whether he will depart for a transfer fee or opt for a departure without compensation. PSG expects Mbappé to uphold his commitment not to leave on a free transfer. Once an agreement is reached, both PSG and Mbappé will jointly make an official announcement. Real Madrid has emerged as a strong contender for the 25-year-old,…
Liverpool’s quest for silverware this season takes a hit as star defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss the EFL Cup final against Chelsea. The setback stems from a recurring knee injury, raising concerns for Liverpool’s preparations for the crucial Wembley clash on February 25. Alexander-Arnold, a linchpin in Liverpool’s defensive lineup, exited the Burnley match at half-time due to knee pain, echoing a previous ligament injury that sidelined him in January. While the club hasn’t specified his recovery timeline, a return for the EFL Cup final seems unlikely. Facing pivotal fixtures against Manchester City and Everton in March, Liverpool…
Ex- Chelsea and Arsenal striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, now with Olympique Marseille, has matched the Europa League’s all-time top goalscorer record, previously held by former Manchester United star Radamel Falcao. Aubameyang reached this milestone during Marseille’s 2-2 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk, where he contributed the opening goal. The former Gabonese international has amassed 30 goals in the Europa League over 54 appearances, playing for Borussia Dortmund (8), Arsenal (14), Barcelona (2), and Marseille (6). It’s important to note that this tally doesn’t include goals scored before the Europa League rebrand from the UEFA Cup. If such goals were considered, former Manchester…
Manchester€ United has entered the race to sign Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Red Devils are poised to make a bid, benefiting from a cash influx due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25 percent minority stake in the club. The Premier League has approved the transaction, with the deal expected to be finalized next week. Ratcliffe’s INEOS funds are set to address Manchester United’s Financial Fair Play concerns, allowing them to strengthen their squad. Manager Erik ten Hag has identified Osimhen as a priority signing to ease pressure on young striker Rasmus…
Former AS Roma and Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has made his predictions for this season’s Premier League and Champions League winners. With less than 14 matches left in the Premier League and the Champions League in its last-16 stage, Mourinho stated on the FIVE podcast, “Premier League… City or Liverpool, so I’m not making a mistake. But I think City.” He further expressed his thoughts on the Champions League, saying, “Champions League… I would say City or Real Madrid. If somebody outside wins it, that would be a great surprise for me.”
Super Eagles’ head coach, Jose Peseiro, suggests his desire to continue leading the team, spurred by their climb of 14 places to 28th in the latest FIFA rankings. After a strong showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria is now ranked as the third-best team on the continent, trailing behind Morocco and Senegal. Despite Peseiro being contract-free post-AFCON, he shares on Twitter his ambition for the team to secure the top spot in Africa.
Nigerian artists Omah Lay, Asake, and Rema find a place in Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk’s preferred songs playlist, curated for the EFL Carabao Cup Final 2024 and shared on the EFL’s TikTok page. The playlist features the late American rapper The Notorious B.I.G and Mase as the only non-Nigerian artists. Van Dijk, the Dutch defender, shared that the playlist predominantly embraces Afrobeats because he enjoys uplifting vibes. He highlighted his top five tracks, starting with Omah Lay’s “Holy Ghost,” followed by Mase’s “Feel So Good,” The Notorious B.I.G’s “Mo Money Mo Problems,” Asake’s “Lonely At The Top,” and concluding…
According to a UEFA report on the 2023 financial year, Manchester United boasts the most expensive squad ever assembled, totaling a staggering £1.21 billion in transfer fees. Following closely, Manchester City holds the second spot with a squad cost of €1.286 billion (£1.1 billion), Chelsea ranks third at €1.084 billion (£927 million), and Real Madrid secures the fourth position with a squad cost of €1.031 billion (£882 million). The list continues with PSG in fifth place at £802 million, Liverpool in sixth at £774 million, and Arsenal in seventh at £761 million. Rounding up the top 10 are Juventus at…
Following Djamel Belmadi’s departure after a disappointing AFCON campaign, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is considering Portuguese coach José Peseiro as a potential replacement. This decision is influenced by Peseiro’s impressive performance with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, guiding them to the final in his debut AFCON appearance. While Algeria, the reigning 2019 champions, struggled in the recent tournament and finished at the bottom of their group, FAF President Walid Sadi is reportedly impressed by Peseiro’s coaching credentials. Discussions are anticipated to explore the possibility of Peseiro taking on the prestigious position. According to Algerian publication DZ Foot, the shortlist…
After concluding his contract with Nigeria following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Jose Peseiro is now reportedly in contention for the coaching position with the Algeria national team. Peseiro, who guided the Super Eagles to a second-place finish in AFCON 2023, is being seriously considered to lead the Desert Foxes, according to reports from Algeria. Former South Africa and Egypt coach Carlos Querioz has also emerged as a candidate for the job. The Algeria Football Federation is actively searching for a new coach for the Desert Foxes following the team’s disappointing performance in Cote d’Ivoire. The two-time African champions…
Brentford has officially unveiled the club-record signing of striker Igor Thiago from Club Brugge, a move that signals the potential departure of Ivan Toney from the club in the upcoming summer transfer window. Toney, who has netted three goals in four Premier League appearances following his return from a gambling ban, has been a subject of long-standing transfer speculation, drawing interest from several top Premier League teams. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have expressed admiration for Toney, while Manchester United has recently been linked as a potential suitor for the 27-year-old, whose contract will enter its final 12 months in the…
Enzo Fernandez has unequivocally declared his intention to remain at Chelsea, dismissing persistent rumors linking him to a move to Barcelona. Following speculation that gained momentum last week, suggesting Fernandez’s contemplation of joining the Catalan giants, the Chelsea midfielder swiftly addressed the rumors after his goal-scoring performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Speaking to MD, Fernandez firmly denied any plans of leaving Chelsea, expressing contentment with his current situation. He stated, “I don’t want to leave Chelsea. I’ve been very happy here with my teammates and the coaching staff since the first day I arrived.” Expressing gratitude to…
CAF has unveiled the official Team of the Tournament for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), featuring three Super Eagles players. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the prestigious AFCON Team of the Tournament, following what is acclaimed as the best AFCON in history. Hosts Ivory Coast emerged as champions with a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory over Nigeria in the final. The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 Team of the Tournament is here! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/jfFtjcQzpk – CAF (@CAF_Online) February 14, 2024 Bafana Bafana, finishing third, had a memorable tournament, achieving their best result in 24 years. Ronwen Williams, the captain of Bafana…
Equatorial Guinea has indefinitely suspended Emilio Nsue, the top goalscorer of the recently concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The 34-year-old Intercity striker, who clinched the golden boot in the 2023 AFCON tournament with five goals in four appearances for Equatorial Guinea, will not be participating in any national team duties until further notice. The Equatoguinean Football Federation, in a statement on its official website, cited Nsue’s breach of disciplinary rules as the reason for his suspension. The decision to suspend Nsue was made during a meeting of the country’s federation board at their headquarters in Malabo this week, as…