Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag suggests that Antony’s struggles at the club this season can be attributed to off-field issues. Antony, who arrived from Ajax for £82 million in 2022, featured in the first four Premier League games this year before facing allegations of domestic violence. Investigations were initiated in both Brazil and England. United granted Antony leave to address the situation, and upon his return three games later, he has faced a challenging run of form, still awaiting his first goal or assist this season after 21 appearances across all competitions. Facing criticism from fans and rivals, Antony…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has been announced as the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for December 2023. During Villa’s seven matches in December, Emery guided the team to four victories, notably securing significant wins against both Manchester City and Arsenal. These triumphs played a crucial role in quietly positioning Villa as contenders in the Premier League title race. As of the 20-game mark, Villa currently holds the second position in the standings, trailing leaders Liverpool by just three points. Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool, Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, and David Moyes of West Ham United were also contenders for…
Manchester United is set to face Tottenham at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, and the Red Devils could see the return of key players from injury, providing a much-needed boost to their squad. The likes of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are expected to be in contention to start against Spurs, potentially reinforcing the defensive line. Additionally, South American duo Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, who have returned to training, may feature on Sunday, although the decision to rush them back after extended spells out remains uncertain. Taking various factors into consideration, here’s the potential starting lineup that…
Real Madrid sets their sights on claiming the first trophy of the 2023/24 campaign by facing Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final. After defeating city rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-final, a Clásico in Saudi Arabia awaits, with Barcelona securing their spot by triumphing over Osasuna. Despite facing fitness concerns in defense, manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to field a familiar XI, with Jude Bellingham aiming for a standout performance in the Middle East. Leading the La Liga title race with a seven-point advantage over Barcelona, Real Madrid enters the final as favorites. Here’s the predicted starting lineup Ancelotti…
Barcelona stands on the verge of securing their first trophy of the season, but a formidable challenge awaits against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España on Sunday. Xavi’s squad secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over Osasuna, yet the performance left fans unconvinced ahead of the impending Clásico. On the other side, Real Madrid advanced with a chaotic 5-3 win against Atletico Madrid, revealing vulnerabilities that Barcelona aims to exploit. The setback for Barcelona is the injury to Brazilian winger Raphinha, who suffered a hamstring blow and is unavailable for the final. Here is…
Real Madrid recently extended manager Carlo Ancelotti’s contract, providing a clearer vision of the club’s immediate future. Despite advances from Brazil, Ancelotti opted to stay at Santiago Bernabeu, where he is nurturing a promising group of young talents. Now, the focus shifts to the club’s experienced and veteran members, contemplating whether to retain them beyond the current season. 1. Luka Modric: If solely determined by Real Madrid, keeping Luka Modric is a resounding yes. However, the challenge lies in the midfielder’s expressed frustrations over reduced playing time, sparking rumors of a move to MLS or Inter Miami. Despite being 38,…
Former interim manager of Manchester United, Ralf Rangnick, has defended Jadon Sancho, describing him as a ‘calm and pleasant guy’ during his tenure at Old Trafford. Sancho, who had been excluded from the Red Devils’ first-team setup for a significant part of the 2023/24 season, has now returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Erik ten Hag, the United boss, raised concerns about Sancho’s training level in a press conference in September. In response, the winger refuted the claims on social media and did not apologize for his reaction, leading to his subsequent exclusion from…
With the January transfer window now officially open, Manchester United is actively looking to reshape their squad under the management of Erik ten Hag. Despite a somewhat disappointing start to the transfer window, the club has already approved loan moves for Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek. However, indications suggest that Manchester United is not finished making changes to their roster this month. Recent reports hint at the potential departure of young left-winger Alvaro Fernandez from Manchester United before the transfer window concludes in January. The 20-year-old Spanish international, who earned promotion to the first-team squad in 2022, has…
Chelsea has officially announced the return of Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell, and Carney Chukwuemeka to first-team training ahead of their upcoming clash against Fulham this weekend. The Blues are set to face the Cottagers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, with both teams aiming to make advancements in the Premier League standings. Chelsea enters the west London derby on the heels of a frustrating loss to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg. Similarly, Fulham faced disappointment in the League Cup, relinquishing a 1-0 lead against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night. Mauricio Pochettino is eager to bounce back with…
As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, I don’t have specific information about the mentioned decision made by Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino regarding Ian Maatsen’s loan to Borussia Dortmund in January. However, it’s common for football clubs to loan out young players to gain more playing experience and develop their skills. It seems that Mauricio Pochettino believes that the loan move to Borussia Dortmund will be beneficial for both Chelsea and Ian Maatsen. Loan spells can provide young players with valuable playing time, allowing them to mature and develop their abilities in a competitive environment. For the most…
Chelsea’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has expressed his concern regarding star forward Christopher Nkunku’s lingering hip injury. Nkunku, who had already missed the initial four months of the season due to a knee injury sustained in the summer, returned for just four games before encountering a hip issue during training, sidelining him for the last two matches. Initial reports indicated that Nkunku’s recent injury was minor and would entail minimal time away from action. However, as he has yet to return to training, Pochettino admitted uncertainty about the status of Nkunku’s fitness. “I do worry about the situation of Nkunku,”…
Erik ten Hag has extended his well wishes to Jadon Sancho following the winger’s loan departure from Manchester United. Sancho has returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season in a bid to revive his career after a public disagreement with Ten Hag in September. The clash between Ten Hag and Sancho arose when the winger was omitted from the matchday squad against Arsenal. Ten Hag questioned Sancho’s training levels, leading to a social media exchange where Sancho challenged the manager. This refusal to apologize resulted in Sancho being excluded from the first team. Now that…
As the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) unfolds in Ivory Coast, where teams are gearing up for the continent’s premier footballing event, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are poised to make a strong impression in the 34th edition. With an impressive array of attacking talents, the West African nation appears well-positioned to contend for its fourth Cup of Nations trophy. However, as the tournament in Ivory Coast approaches, there are reports suggesting that the Super Eagles might introduce a new captain for their clash against Equatorial Guinea. According to information from media outlet OwnGoalNigeria, the Nigerian national team is anticipated to have…
Kyle Walker is once again facing the disapproval of his wife amid circulating rumors of infidelity. The Manchester City right-back has recently made headlines for his off-the-pitch affairs, resulting in strain on his marriage with childhood sweetheart Annie Kilner. Despite enduring numerous rumors of infidelity throughout their relationship, which began when they met as teenagers in Sheffield, Walker and Kilner seem to have reached a breaking point. Annie Kilner, who has stood by Walker’s side through his football journey from Sheffield United to Tottenham and then to Manchester City, took to social media this week to announce their separation. In…
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has indicated a potential return to action in time for the club’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on January 21. Despite missing Liverpool’s recent cup fixtures due to a hamstring injury, Szoboszlai, who joined from RB Leipzig in the summer, is optimistic about being fit for the trip to the Vitality Stadium. However, he emphasizes the importance of a cautious approach, expressing a preference to miss an additional match if necessary to avoid the risk of exacerbating the injury. “I’m still running without a ball, but soon I will be able to carefully try training with…
Cameroon needs to adopt a strategic approach like this to reclaim the AFCON title from Senegal. Unfortunately, their Football Association has reportedly neglected to arrange proper travel accommodations for their fans. As a result, Ngando Pickett, the iconic supporter and mascot of Cameroon, has been compelled to embark on a challenging journey by land, crossing five countries to reach Ivory Coast. This situation has arisen due to insufficient resources on the part of the Cameroonian government and FECAFOOT, as reported by Derek Katey Caesar. In a distressing turn of events, Ngando, who has passionately supported the Indomitable Lions for “40…
Arsenal’s signing spree continues with the acquisition of United States right-back Emily Fox, who notably started all four games at last year’s Women’s World Cup. The move comes in response to Noelle Maritz’s recent transfer to Aston Villa and Laura Wienroither’s ongoing absence due to an ACL injury sustained in May, leaving Arsenal in need of defensive reinforcements. To address the defensive reshuffling caused by Katie McCabe’s shift to the right flank, Arsenal has secured the services of the 25-year-old Fox. Expressing her enthusiasm for joining the club, Fox highlighted Arsenal’s commitment to excellence, global stature, and familial atmosphere. She…
Manchester United has been linked with a potential move for Crystal Palace standout Michael Olise, but former Red Devil Mikael Silvestre remains skeptical about the likelihood of the transfer. Despite reported interest from Liverpool and Arsenal in the French U21 international, who has made a significant impact with five goals and an assist in nine Premier League games this season, Olise remains a sought-after player. Manchester United sees him as a potential upgrade on Antony, who has faced challenges in his second season, particularly due to a hamstring injury. United holds a negotiation advantage, given Palace’s longstanding interest in bringing…
One might easily perceive Chelsea as exhibiting a sense of greed, a criticism they often face. The Blues already boast a significant share of the sport’s top talent and have dominated much of the domestic silverware in the past five or six years. However, the ongoing season presents their sternest challenge. The pressure is mounting as manager Emma Hayes strives to conclude her decade-long tenure at Chelsea on a triumphant note, with European honors being the sole path to achieve that feat. Complicating matters is the absence of star striker Sam Kerr. Certainly, Chelsea has alternatives in its arsenal. The…
Chelsea’s star striker, Sam Kerr, has put an end to any uncertainties surrounding her immediate future at the club by agreeing to a contract extension, according to sources from 90min. Kerr, a two-time WSL Golden Boot winner and the current FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year, had been sidelined due to an ACL injury suffered during Chelsea’s winter training camp in Morocco. While Kerr’s existing contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, sparking speculations about a potential return to the United States, where she previously played for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL before…