Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal squad to display more “street-wise” qualities following a moment of naivety that proved costly in their Champions League match against Porto. The Gunners suffered a setback after conceding a late goal in the 93rd minute, prompting Arteta to emphasize the importance of learning from such experiences. As Arsenal shifts focus back to the Premier League, aiming to narrow the gap with leaders Liverpool, Arteta stressed the need to utilize the lessons from the Porto game in a constructive manner. Addressing the upcoming match against Newcastle United, Arteta stated, “What happened in another competition [stays]…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has expressed a strong desire to receive guidance from the club’s iconic figure, Didier Drogba, in his quest to emulate the Ivorian legend. Jackson, who currently dons the number 15 jersey at Chelsea, the same number Drogba wore during his prolific stint at Stamford Bridge, admitted that despite never having spoken to Drogba, he hopes to connect with him for valuable advice. Reflecting on the prospect, Jackson shared his admiration, stating, “It would be amazing because he was a legend, and I was watching him since I was young. But we never talk because he is…
Thomas Tuchel, the former manager of Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, has finally revealed the reasons behind his departure from Bayern Munich. Both the club and the manager confirmed earlier this week that they would be parting ways at the conclusion of the current season. The decision to part ways with Tuchel was officially announced by Bayern Munich, and this move comes in the midst of the club’s recent poor run of form. In a statement to reporters on Saturday, Tuchel explained, “We were unable to consistently elevate the team to a higher level. That’s why we are parting ways in…
Jurgen Klopp, the outgoing manager of Liverpool, has rejected the possibility of considering the coaching position at Bayern Munich after Thomas Tuchel announced his departure from the club at the end of the season. Klopp had previously stated that he would be leaving Liverpool in the summer to take a break from coaching and spend more time with his family. In a surprising announcement, Klopp mentioned that he was ‘running out of energy’ in his managerial role and would be parting ways with the Reds. Despite Bayern Munich’s announcement about parting ways with Tuchel after three consecutive losses, making Klopp…
Nigeria’s senior men’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, has withdrawn from the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers due to financial constraints, as disclosed on D’Tigers’ official communication platform. The team was initially slated to commence the qualifiers on Saturday, 23rd February, facing Libya. Currently, there are reports suggesting that the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is urgently seeking financial support from the Ministry of Sports to enable D’Tigers’ participation in the qualifiers. The AfroBasket 2025 qualification tournament is scheduled to take place from February to November 2024, determining the 16 nations that will advance to the FIBA AfroBasket 2025. D’Tigers were drawn in Group…
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo has lauded Victor Osimhen as “a champion” following the forward’s crucial contribution that secured a draw against Barcelona on Wednesday night. The Serie A champions held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, with Robert Lewandowski scoring for the visitors on the hour mark. Osimhen, playing his first game for Napoli since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, equalized 15 minutes later, marking his first goal in the UEFA Champions League this season. After the game, Di Lorenzo remarked, “Osimhen is a champion, and he returned with the right mindset.…
In a groundbreaking case that has attracted worldwide attention, former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub. He has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison by a Spanish court. The incident occurred in the early hours of December 31, 2022, marking a significant downfall for the 40-year-old, who is renowned as one of the most decorated footballers in history. Alves vehemently denied the allegations of sexual assault, with his defense seeking an acquittal. However, the court’s decision was based on presented evidence, including testimony…
Chelsea is reportedly exploring the possibility of adding Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface to their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window to strengthen their attacking options. SportBILD suggests that Chelsea has identified the 23-year-old as a primary target due to his standout performances for Bayer Leverkusen this season. Boniface has showcased his skills with 10 goals and seven assists in 16 Bundesliga appearances, along with four goals and one assist in five Europa League outings. In other transfer news, Manchester United is rumored to be planning a significant move for Vinicius Junior, with a reported €200 million bid being…
Malo Gusto emphasizes that he is not afraid to compete with Chelsea captain Reece James for playing time at right-back. Chelsea secured the signing of Gusto for £26 million in January, with his arrival intended to provide relief for James, who has faced significant challenges due to injuries in recent seasons. James, now serving as captain, experienced a two-month absence earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury and is on the verge of returning after another three months sidelined with a similar issue. In James’ absence, Gusto has made a notable impact in Mauricio Pochettino’s team, expressing his…
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…
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…