Mauricio Pochettino has affirmed that Christopher Nkunku won’t be participating in Chelsea’s encounter with Newcastle United on Saturday. Pochettino urged fans to manage their immediate expectations for the Frenchman. Nkunku, recovering from a knee injury that necessitated surgery during pre-season, resumed training on the pitch during the international break. Despite growing excitement among Chelsea supporters about Nkunku’s impending debut, Pochettino unfortunately confirmed that the wait for the French international’s return will extend a bit longer. “Still out,” Pochettino stated when questioned about Nkunku’s status. “In the past week’s training sessions, he hasn’t fully recovered to join the tactical sessions. It’s…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has verified that midfielder Mason Mount has encountered another injury, potentially leading to a period of absence. Mount, who previously missed five games this season due to injury, has faced challenges in regaining a spot in Ten Hag’s starting lineup. In the last six Premier League matches, he has come off the bench in four. Since his transfer from Chelsea in the summer, Mount has grappled with consistency, and he finds himself sidelined once again due to a recent injury. Ten Hag commented, “Mason picked up an issue, so we have to assess if…
Reportedly, discussions are underway for Manchester United star Casemiro to potentially make a move to Al-Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the upcoming January transfer window, as per information from TheNassrZone. Following a fallout with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag in January 2023, Ronaldo officially joined the Saudi Pro League (SPL) side. Casemiro, who previously played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid, is now considering a reunion with the Portuguese star. Casemiro made the switch to Manchester United from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, for a transfer fee of £60 million. Since then, he has made 63 appearances across…
UEFA has imposed a one-match suspension on Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford in the Champions League. As a result, Rashford will be unavailable for the Red Devils’ upcoming fixture against Galatasaray next week. The England international received a red card during United’s 4-3 loss to FC Copenhagen earlier this month. Referee Donatas Rumsas, prompted by VAR, reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and subsequently dismissed Rashford for a foul on Elia Jelert. The defeat has left Erik ten Hag’s team on the brink of elimination from the Champions League group stages. Reflecting on the game, Ten Hag expressed his…
Nigeria’s canoeing pair, Bello Ayomide and Otuedo Beauty, secured an automatic qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in the C2 W 500 category. Competing in lane three during the all-African qualifiers, they finished first, outpacing their counterparts from Mozambique, Egypt, and Senegal. The week-long African Olympic qualifying tournament will conclude on Saturday, with 16 countries vying for six available spots. President of the Nigerian Canoeing, Rowing, and Sailing Federation, Admiral Festus Pobeni, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s podium potential in Paris and emphasized the need for focused athlete training. Pobeni highlighted the importance of effective management in optimizing resources…
When news broke that Wesley Fofana had sustained a serious injury even before the preseason tour this summer, pessimistic thoughts naturally crossed our minds. His entire previous season with Chelsea was marred by a broken leg, and his first year with the team was plagued by a severe knee injury and subsequent complications, hindering his consistent presence on the field. Upon learning about his ACL injury this summer, we began planning without Fofana, ceasing to rely on him altogether. However, football’s fast-paced nature unfolded, and astonishingly, recent footage released by the club showcased the defender back on the grass at…
Chelsea is on the brink of a substantial boost as Romeo Lavia’s imminent return is anticipated, as reported by Metro Sport. The talented midfielder, sidelined due to injury since his arrival from Southampton last summer, is poised for a comeback that holds significance for Chelsea’s squad depth and tactical adaptability. Lavia’s absence throughout the season has left Chelsea supporters eager to witness the highly-rated midfielder in action. Encouragingly, he has resumed training with the team, inching closer to a long-awaited return to competitive play. As excitement builds, there is a growing sense that Lavia’s return could introduce a new dimension…
Real Madrid is prepared to offer Carlo Ancelotti a new contract, extending his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite the existence of a preliminary agreement for him to assume the managerial role with Brazil at the end of the season, as reported by 90min. Ancelotti currently has less than a year remaining on his existing contract, and sources have confirmed the existence of a tentative arrangement for him to lead the Selecao after his departure from the Spanish capital. While a deal with Brazil appears imminent, Real Madrid has not ruled out the prospect of Ancelotti staying on and committing…
Everton is gearing up to challenge the recent ten-point penalty imposed by the Premier League, expressing confidence that the sanction will be significantly reduced or entirely overturned, as per information obtained by 90min. The Toffees were previously found in breach of Financial Fair Play regulations for the 2021/22 season, exceeding the maximum spending limit by nearly £20 million. The Premier League’s independent commission delivered their verdict last week, resulting in the largest points deduction ever imposed in Premier League history. Everton, currently engaged in takeover talks with American investment firm 777 Partners, views the punishment as excessive given the circumstances.…
Nigerian standout Samuel Chukwueze is on the verge of securing his first consecutive start for AC Milan, according to reports from Soccernet.ng. Despite joining Milan after the arrival of American international Christian Pulisic, Chukwueze has faced tough competition, often finding Pulisic preferred over him. However, a chance has opened up for Chukwueze due to an injury to Rafael Leao during a 2-2 draw against Lecce. This injury has created an opportunity for the Nigerian winger to potentially earn back-to-back starts for the first time since joining Milan. Leao sustained a first-degree lesion on his right femoral bicep in the match…
Former Barcelona and Brazil legend Dani Alves could potentially face a nine-year prison sentence if convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Spain, according to Sports Mail. Prosecutors are reportedly seeking this sentence along with £130,000 in damages and 10 years of probation as the case advances to the trial stage in Spain. Alves, 40, who was arrested on January 20 and has been held in a prison outside Barcelona, denies any wrongdoing and insists that the encounter was consensual. The former Sevilla, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain defender changed his testimony on four occasions, leading to his…
The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, is anticipated to present a provisional list of 55 players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations no later than December 14. As outlined by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), all 24 participating nations, including Nigeria, are required to submit their provisional lists on this specified date. In a departure from the usual practice of selecting 23 players, CAF has granted permission for all participating countries to name a maximum of 27 players in their squads for the 2023 AFCON finals. The final roster for the tournament is slated to…
Liverpool has received a significant boost on the injury front ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday. Key players, such as Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Ibrahima Konate, have returned to training in preparation for the upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium. This quartet was unavailable for Liverpool’s recent triumph over Brentford before the international break. Gomez dealt with an unspecified issue, Gravenberch was sidelined due to a knee problem, Jones suffered from a thigh injury, and Konate withdrew from the France squad due to a hamstring issue. However, all four players took part…
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has resolved to secure David Raya on a permanent basis for the Premier League club. This decision was disclosed by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Thursday evening. Raya initially joined the Emirates on a loan deal, a move attributed to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. According to Romano, Arsenal is set to activate the £27 million buy option clause in 2024. In a tweet, Romano stated: “Understand Arsenal have decided to seal David Raya deal in 2024 — it’s all guaranteed as buy option clause will be triggered for £27m. Raya already signed a potential…
Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez has designated former Barcelona standout Luis Suarez as the premier striker globally. Nunez made this declaration in response to Suarez’s acknowledgment of him as one of the best No.9s in the world. Suarez had recently lauded Nunez after the Liverpool star scored two goals in Uruguay’s 3-0 victory over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier. Suarez, who is set to turn 37 in January, expressed contentment with his reduced role for Uruguay, acknowledging that he serves as a backup to “one of the best No.9s in the world” in Nunez. Upon learning about Suarez’s praise, Nunez…
Manchester United could face the absence of at least one key player during the Africa Cup of Nations, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka contemplating a switch in his international allegiance. The Manchester United defender is reportedly considering representing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) instead of England. Although Wan-Bissaka has played for England at the Under-21 level and earned a senior squad call-up, he is yet to make his debut for the Three Lions. The 25-year-old qualifies for the DRC through his family and has received an approach to join their team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Wan-Bissaka, born in…
Ex-Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has shared his thoughts on the team’s potential in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. Mikel, a key figure in the Super Eagles squad that triumphed in the 2013 edition held in South Africa, is familiar with the challenges and expectations of the tournament. Under the guidance of coach Jose Peseiro, the team aims to secure a fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire. Mikel has taken the opportunity to compare the current squad with the team that clinched victory in 2013. “There is a lot of difference, isn’t it? Football has changed from…
Nigeria’s chances in AFCON 2023 now appear precarious following the official confirmation that Taiwo Awoniyi, the Nottingham Forest forward, will be absent. Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been ruled out, with Nottingham Forest coach Steve Cooper confirming that the Nigerian forward will undergo surgery and face an extended period of absence, spanning “months.” Cooper provided the unfortunate update on Awoniyi’s condition ahead of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League clash against Brighton, stating, “It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months.” Taiwo…
Ahmed Musa Advocates for Inclusion of Experienced Players like Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, and Victor Moses in Super Eagles Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has expressed concern about the team’s lack of experience and called for the inclusion of players with the caliber of Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, and Victor Moses. Musa attributed the recent challenges faced by the Super Eagles, including two 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, to a dearth of experienced players and other factors affecting the team. Highlighting the departure of seasoned players like Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, and Victor Moses without adequate replacements, Musa emphasized…
Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has provided an explanation for leading his team off the pitch and into the dressing room during their 1-0 victory over Brazil in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The decision to walk off was prompted by an attack on Argentina supporters by the police before the match at the Maracana Stadium. Ugly scenes unfolded as police charged at visiting fans during the Brazilian national anthem, leaving some supporters bloodied and in need of medical assistance. Argentina players, including goalkeeper Emi Martinez, rushed to the away end to alleviate the tension, with Martinez even attempting to…