Harry Maguire has criticized the “ridiculous” criticism directed at England for their Euro 2024 performances. Despite reaching their second consecutive European Championship final in Germany, England lost 2-1 to Spain in Berlin, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring a late winner and securing Spain’s record fourth European title. The team faced significant scrutiny, particularly directed at manager Gareth Southgate, whose tactics and team selection were heavily criticized. This criticism was so intense that plastic pint cups were thrown at Southgate following a goalless draw with Slovenia in the group stages. Southgate has since stepped down from his role, and Maguire, a key…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Chelsea are reportedly closing in on an agreement to sign Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The Blues are seeking a ball-playing goalkeeper for Enzo Maresca’s new system, with doubts lingering over Djordje Petrovic’s suitability. Robert Sanchez has been reinstated as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, but Jorgensen emerged as a prime target for Maresca earlier this week, and negotiations have progressed positively. According to The Athletic, Chelsea and Villarreal are discussing a transfer fee ranging from £17m to £21m for the 22-year-old, who impressed as one of La Liga’s top ball-playing goalkeepers last season. Chelsea appears undeterred by the price range and is…
Frenkie de Jong will miss Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the United States due to an ongoing ankle injury, according to a recent report. The midfielder, who struggled with ankle issues last season and was unable to recover in time for Euro 2024, has decided with Barcelona that traveling would not be conducive to his recovery. Instead, he will remain at home with other sidelined players including Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, and Ansu Fati. Details about De Jong’s condition remain limited, but Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman expressed concerns that the injury might be more serious than publicly acknowledged. “Frenkie played in…
Manchester United, addressing last season’s shortcomings in firepower and other areas, swiftly secured Netherlands starlet Joshua Zirkzee for £36.5 million from Bologna. He joins to bolster the squad, offering competition alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford in wide positions. Looking ahead, United now focuses efforts on fortifying their defense and midfield, with potential departures of players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Jadon Sancho influencing their strategy. The club aims to generate funds through sales, possibly facilitating further signings. With a current attacking lineup featuring Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Zirkzee, the addition of Ivan Toney, linked previously…
UEFA has announced sanctions against seven countries who participated in Euro 2024 due to discriminatory behavior by their fans. Several matches during the tournament were affected by incidents of racism and offensive chanting. In a press statement on Wednesday, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) confirmed charges against seven national federations, involving a total of 17 games. Croatia has been fined £41,978 and prohibited from selling tickets to their away fans for their next UEFA competition match, following racist and discriminatory incidents in all three of their Group B fixtures. The Romanian FA received a £33,583 fine and will…
Antonio Rudiger has made the decision to stay at Real Madrid this summer, despite receiving significant interest from Saudi Arabia. Reports suggested that Al Ittihad made a substantial offer to lure the German defender away, but according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Rudiger did not entertain the proposal. Romano tweeted on Thursday morning: “Despite reports of a large offer from Al Ittihad, Toni Rudiger has no intention of leaving Real Madrid this summer. His focus remains fully on the Real Madrid project, with no plans to join the Saudi Pro League despite the interest. Real Madrid view Rudiger as…
Manchester United’s pursuit of dominance in English and European football hinges on a sturdy defense. To strengthen their backline, the club should contemplate acquiring two more central defenders. This strategic decision is pivotal for several reasons. Injuries: United’s defense has been hampered by injuries and form inconsistencies in recent seasons. Key central defenders like Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof have all faced significant injury setbacks. This has often necessitated makeshift solutions, resulting in erratic defensive displays. Adding two new central defenders would offer crucial depth, ensuring the team remains resilient in the face of injuries or…
Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with his youthful Arsenal side’s performance as they secured a penalty shootout victory over Bournemouth in their first pre-season tour game. With many regular starters still on international duty, Arteta entrusted several young players against a strong Bournemouth squad. Fabio Vieira opened the scoring midway through the first half, but Arsenal were later equalized by Antoine Semenyo. The Gunners maintained their composure and clinched the win from the spot. “I’m very pleased,” Arteta commented post-match. “Today was a very different scenario with so many young players, most of whom were making their debuts for us. It…
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United experienced a withdrawal from their pre-season tour squad as a player prepares to finalize a departure from the club. The Red Devils have confirmed a 29-man squad for their tour to the United States, including new signing Leny Yoro. Young forward Joe Hugill was initially slated to join the tour squad but withdrew. Hugill is on the verge of completing a loan move to League One club Wigan Athletic, prompting his withdrawal to facilitate the transfer. Manchester United are eager for the 20-year-old to gain more regular playing time for his development, following…
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca cautioned fans that his team will “undoubtedly concede goals this season by playing out from the back. ” Maresca’s remarks came in response to Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Wrexham in his debut match in charge. Despite taking an early lead through Christopher Nkunku, defensive lapses allowed Wrexham to score twice in the second half, nearly securing an upset victory in California. Chelsea managed to equalize late in the game through Lesley Ugochukwu. Maresca acknowledged the risks of their playing style, stating, “It’s one of the hazards when you build from the defense. Hopefully, we’ll minimize those…
Transfer News: Manchester City are in talks to sell Yan Couto, expecting around £25m from Dortmund for the 22-year-old who has yet to play for the club (Source: Mail Sport). Noussair Mazraoui to Manchester United: United are eyeing Mazraoui as a right-back target. Bayern Munich may sell him for £20m, contingent on United offloading Aaron Wan-Bissaka first. Ten Hag believes Mazraoui could help Antony realize his potential at the club (Source: hirst class). Ismaïla Sarr: Crystal Palace has agreed on personal terms with the winger for a return to the Premier League. Marseille is willing to accept £12m for the…
The Nigeria Premier Football League is gearing up for an exciting transformation in the upcoming season, introducing game-changing initiatives to enhance refereeing, notably through the implementation of VAR. At their Annual General Meeting in the capital, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unveiled groundbreaking plans aimed at revolutionizing officiating standards across the NPFL and the nation’s football landscape. President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau made a significant announcement, outlining a series of initiatives designed to elevate the league’s standards. Central to these efforts is the introduction of state-of-the-art communication devices that promise to streamline decision-making processes for match officials, thus minimizing the occurrence…
Manchester United is on the brink of a major transfer coup this window, with Matthijs de Ligt emerging as their preferred signing over Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. This decision underscores United’s strategic focus on fortifying their defense with a seasoned and accomplished player. Matthijs de Ligt, currently excelling at Bayern Munich, brings a wealth of international and club experience. His leadership at Ajax, where he captained them to an Eredivisie title, coupled with impactful stints at Juventus and Bayern, highlights his pedigree. De Ligt’s extensive background in top-tier competitions like the UEFA Champions League makes him a dependable choice for immediate…
David de Gea, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, stands at a pivotal moment in his career as he weighs his next steps. After departing Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer of 2023, the Spanish goalkeeper has spent the past year away from professional football. Now 33 years old, De Gea is prepared to return to the field, with several promising opportunities on the horizon. During his time at Manchester United, De Gea showcased his prowess with a string of outstanding performances that cemented his status as one of the world’s top goalkeepers. Over his 12-year tenure at…
Chelsea have reportedly made an initial offer of around €20 million (£16.8m) for Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Recent reports indicated a shift in Chelsea’s transfer strategy under Enzo Maresca, prioritizing a goalkeeper comfortable in possession with strong passing abilities. While Maresca is satisfied to start with Robert Sanchez, backup Djordje Petrovic lacks these qualities and is likely to depart Stamford Bridge after just one season. Maresca has identified Jorgensen as his preferred choice to challenge Sanchez for the starting goalkeeper position. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have now made their first bid for Jorgensen, who is reportedly eager to join…
Manchester United are unlikely to meet Bayern Munich’s asking price for centre-back Matthijs de Ligt this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Red Devils have already finalized deals for Netherlands international Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and young French centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille. Under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, the club aims to recruit players aged 25 and under to rejuvenate the squad and ensure potential resale value for future transactions. Their next target appears to be a defensive midfielder, with Manuel Ugarte reportedly the primary focus as negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain progress. Additionally, Manchester…
David de Gea departed Manchester United last summer amidst prolonged speculation, but reports indicated he was willing to consider a comeback under specific conditions. The Spanish goalkeeper, 33, spent over a decade at Old Trafford after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, but his tenure came to an end during Erik ten Hag’s first season as manager, following protracted contract negotiations. Since then, De Gea has been linked with several clubs and was even rumored to potentially return to United to provide cover during the Africa Cup of Nations for Andre Onana. According to The Athletic, De Gea would have…
Amid ongoing financial uncertainty in this transfer window, Everton might be compelled to sell some of their top players before they can strengthen Sean Dyche’s squad. The departure of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50 million marked a significant move for Everton this summer. His exit follows that of Lewis Dobbin, who joined Villa for around £10 million at the end of June, and Ben Godfrey’s move to Atalanta for a similar fee. Despite these outgoings, Everton could see more players leave before the window closes. The focus is now on whether the club can retain Jarrad Branthwaite, amidst…
Chelsea are contemplating the sale of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic just a year after his arrival at Stamford Bridge. After establishing himself as one of the brightest young talents in MLS, Chelsea signed the Serbian international last summer in a deal initially valued at £12.5 million. During the tumultuous 2023-24 season at Stamford Bridge, Petrovic made his Premier League debut as a substitute in December, filling in for the injured Robert Sanchez. He continued as Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season, keeping five clean sheets. Despite being excluded from Chelsea’s squad for the pre-season tour of the…
Liverpool is set to offload two players this summer following new manager Arne Slot’s decision to exclude them from the first team’s pre-season training, according to Sportskeeda. Central defenders Rhys Williams, 23, and Billy Koumetio, 21, have been training with the Under-21s, indicating they are not part of Slot’s plans for the upcoming season. Williams has made 19 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, while Koumetio has featured twice for the senior team. With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate ahead of them in the pecking order, their chances of breaking into the first team appear slim. Interest…