Karim Benzema, currently playing as a striker for Al-Ittihad, expresses a strong desire to return to European football, and Manchester United is reportedly keen on securing his services this month, as per Marca reports. Having concluded a remarkable 14-year stint with Real Madrid last June, Benzema embarked on a new chapter by signing a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League side, reportedly valued at £86 million per season. Despite a noteworthy performance with 12 goals in 20 appearances in the Middle East, challenges have arisen for the 36-year-old in Saudi Arabia. Notably, Benzema failed to appear for the commencement…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Chelsea FC is reportedly poised to acquire the services of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with a willingness to make a substantial €80 million investment in the 23-year-old forward, according to Goal Italia. Chelsea’s interest in the Serie A player stems from Vlahovic’s mixed tenure at Juventus since his transfer from Fiorentina, where he has struggled to consistently reach top form. Despite the challenges, Chelsea sees potential in the Serbian striker and believes that a fresh start at Stamford Bridge could revitalize his career. According to Goal.com, Chelsea’s leadership is prepared to make a significant financial commitment to bring Vlahovic to…
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has drawn a comparison between Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne. Keown made the observation following Palmer’s influential performance in Chelsea’s crucial 1-0 victory against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Impressed by Palmer’s abilities, Keown noted the young England star’s ‘helicopter vision,’ a trait reminiscent of De Bruyne’s playmaking skills. Keown stated via talkSPORT, “Palmer played a De Bruyne-like pass, it’s the kind of pass we hadn’t seen in this game yet. Palmer sees these opportunities on the pitch. We talk about a helicopter vision of the game from De Bruyne, and…
Okocha made a visit to the Super Eagles players following their disappointing start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. After the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A match, the Super Eagles expressed their respect for Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, the former Nigeria captain, who took the time to visit the team. Despite being the favorites, Nigeria faced an unexpected setback as Equatorial Guinea took the lead with a goal from Ivan Salvador. Victor Osimen managed to equalize for the Super Eagles, but they couldn’t secure a victory despite numerous chances. Following the match,…
The Premier League is set to notify Everton and Nottingham Forest of potential breaches of profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR), which may lead to a points deduction, as reported by The Athletic. The formal charges are expected to be communicated to both clubs on Monday, January 15. Subsequently, Everton and Nottingham Forest will be referred to an independent commission to address the alleged violations. If found guilty, potential punishments may include fines or a deduction of points. Premier League clubs are allowed a maximum loss of £105 million over a three-year period, equivalent to £35 million per season. It’s noteworthy…
Throughout football’s rich history, certain players have transcended the ordinary, etching their names in the annals of the sport with exceptional skills. Below is a comprehensive list of the top 10 most skillful footballers of all time, each celebrated for their unique prowess on the field. 10. Garrincha: The Samba Maestro A pivotal figure in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup triumphs, Garrincha not only secured both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in the latter but showcased mesmerizing skills that echo through football history. 9. Jay-Jay Okocha: Nigeria’s Dazzling Virtuoso Twice recognized for his extraordinary skills, Jay-Jay Okocha’s dazzling…
Bayern Munich is contemplating a summer swoop on Bayer Leverkusen’s playing and coaching staff in an effort to reclaim their dominance in German football. Despite securing the Bundesliga title in each of the last 11 seasons, Bayern faced a close call in the 2022/23 campaign, relying on Borussia Dortmund’s final-day stumble to clinch the championship. Currently trailing Leverkusen in the ongoing season, the reigning champions are considering reinforcements. Leverkusen, under the management of former Bayern player Xabi Alonso, has been making waves, remaining unbeaten across all competitions and holding a four-point lead over Bayern at the top of the table.…
Cole Palmer’s debut season at Chelsea has showcased a calm demeanor that belies his limited top-flight experience prior to joining the London club at 21. Despite having only three Premier League starts at Manchester City, where he spent much of his youth, Chelsea invested £42.5m in the promising attacking midfielder, who had fewer league goals and assists than Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson. The gamble has proven successful, with Palmer seamlessly adapting to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, effortlessly navigating games and consistently finding the back of the net. Surpassing the goal tally of any Chelsea player from the previous season before the halfway…
Mikel Arteta, adopting a tone reminiscent of a disheartened Love Island contestant, nonchalantly commented, “It is what it is,” following Arsenal’s third consecutive defeat, sounding resigned after the team’s slump. With one win in seven games across all competitions leading to a drop from the top spot on Christmas Day to five points behind league leaders Liverpool, Arteta faces challenges heading into the second half of the season and the upcoming Champions League knockout stages. Here are five strategies for Arteta to navigate through this tough period: 1. Maintain Composure: Despite a recent goal drought and a challenging run of…
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau voiced his discontent with the Super Eagles following their 1-1 draw against the underdog Equatorial Guinea in the inaugural AFCON Group A match in Abidjan. Despite staging a comeback from a goal down, the Super Eagles’ lackluster performance, characterized by their failure to convert numerous clear-cut chances, fell short of expectations. Gusau, accompanied by the Presidential delegation leader George Akume, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other high-ranking officials, visited the team’s dressing room to convey his disappointment. He criticized the team for not delivering their best on the field, especially considering the significant support from the…
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro expressed disappointment, asserting that his team deserved a victory in the match against Equatorial Guinea. In their opening fixture at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday afternoon, the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional. Despite dominating play, Peseiro’s side struggled with poor marksmanship, with missed opportunities from Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Zaidu Sanusi. Addressing the media in a press conference, the Portuguese coach conveyed his dissatisfaction, stating, “I’m not happy with the draw. I’m sad, and my players are sad. We are all sad…
The Super Eagles of Nigeria jeopardized their qualification prospects from Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a crucial draw against Equatorial Guinea. Commencing their AFCON 2023 campaign with a 1-1 draw at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, Equatorial Guinea took the lead against the run of play through Iban Salvador. Victor Osimhen’s prompt equalizer salvaged a point, but missed opportunities dampened the Super Eagles’ chances of securing a win. Concerns among Nigerians have escalated, fearing the national team’s potential early exit from the group stages. Here’s an analysis of why the Super Eagles might…
In a video shared on the Super Eagles’ official social media handle, it was revealed that Napoli fans have descended upon Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, to show unwavering support for their standout player, Victor Osimhen, in anticipation of Nigeria’s opening match against Equatorial Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday. The tweet accompanying the video states: “Super Eagles @NGSuperEagles Napolitans trace their King, The African King @victorosimhen9 to Abidjan to give him maximum support at #Afcon2023.” Osimhen, the key figure in the Super Eagles’ lineup, will lead the charge as Nigeria strives for a fourth Africa Cup…
In the latest episode of his ObiOne podcast titled “Taking the Mikel: Sunday Oliseh, look away now!” former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi openly criticized Sunday Oliseh, labeling him as “the worst manager ever.” Mikel didn’t hold back as he shared his disappointing experiences during Oliseh’s coaching tenure. The AFCON 2013 winner disclosed that the issues with Oliseh began on the first day of the camp when the coach confronted team leaders. Mikel recounted the incident, stating, “He came straight at me and Vincent Enyeama, the goalkeeper, who also held significant influence back then. He accused us…
In Saturday night’s 3-2 victory against Newcastle United, Kevin De Bruyne not only equalized with Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney but also surpassed Chelsea great Frank Lampard in the all-time Premier League assists charts. The Belgium midfielder, playing his second game since returning from a four-month lay-off due to a hamstring injury, contributed significantly to Manchester City’s win, scoring the equalizer in the 74th minute and providing the game-winning assist to young talent Oscar Bobb. De Bruyne’s 103rd Premier League assist, setting up Bobb’s stylish finish, was his 101st for Manchester City, surpassing Lampard in the process. The 32-year-old midfielder…
Jose Peseiro, the coach of the Super Eagles, acknowledged the pressure he faces to secure victory in the upcoming African Cup of Nations. Peseiro will lead the team to the 34th edition of AFCON in Ivory Coast under the theme “Let’s do it again.” As Nigeria embarks on its AFCON campaign this Sunday against Equatorial Guinea at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, Peseiro spoke about the challenges during a press conference. Admitting the pressure, Peseiro stated, “I agree with you; I am under pressure. The recent results of the team have intensified the pressure; despite creating numerous opportunities in matches,…
Jadon Sancho secured an assist for Borussia Dortmund only 20 minutes into his second debut with the Bundesliga team. The winger, who recently joined Dortmund on loan from Manchester United, marked a swift return to form after his last assist for United in May. Following a public dispute with United’s manager Erik ten Hag that led to his exclusion from the first team, Sancho returned to his former club to reignite his career. In the Saturday victory over Darmstadt, he entered the game in the second half and, within 20 minutes, made a significant impact. Driving down the right flank,…
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has identified four of the most formidable strikers he has encountered throughout his career. Having faced some of the world’s top strikers in both the Premier League and the Champions League, the Dutchman highlighted AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud, retired Sergio Aguero, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus as particularly challenging opponents. When asked about the toughest forward he has played against, Van Dijk remarked, “Olivier Giroud. He always finds a way to score in one manner or another. I can’t overlook Agüero, who was very formidable, along with Haaland, and Gabriel Jesus too.”
Jadon Sancho secured an assist for Borussia Dortmund only 20 minutes into his second debut with the Bundesliga team. The winger, who recently joined Dortmund on loan from Manchester United, marked a swift return to form after his last assist for United in May. Following a public dispute with United’s manager Erik ten Hag that led to his exclusion from the first team, Sancho returned to his former club to reignite his career. In the Saturday victory over Darmstadt, he entered the game in the second half and, within 20 minutes, made a significant impact. Driving down the right flank,…
Liverpool and Egypt sensation, Mohamed Salah, has reportedly made a firm decision regarding his future at Anfield. The three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner is said to be turning down a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, opting to remain with Liverpool for the upcoming season. Despite persistent speculation surrounding his departure since the previous summer, Salah is resolute about staying with the club, especially as he enters the final year of his contract. In the summer transfer window, reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad expressed a strong interest in securing Salah’s services and submitted a bid of £150…