UEFA revealed the Champions League Team of the Week on Thursday, following the conclusion of the match-day six fixtures on Wednesday night. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise were among those included in the lineup. Saka played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Monaco, scoring twice. Olise also impressed by netting a brace as Bayern Munich triumphed 5-1 over Shakhtar Donetsk. The team was selected by UEFA’s technical observer panel. Here is the full Champions League Team of the Week: Goalkeeper:Marco Bizot (Brest) Defenders:Nordi Mukiele (Bayer Leverkusen), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Andy Robertson…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres has fueled speculation about a potential move to Manchester United after expressing admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović. The Swedish forward has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 25 goals in 22 appearances. However, reports suggest Gyökeres has become unsettled following Sporting’s struggles since head coach Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United. In a recent interview with UEFA, Gyökeres spoke about his footballing idols, expressing a desire to emulate the achievements of two legendary forwards. “The players who inspire me are Zlatan Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said. “They went above and beyond…
Manchester United are reportedly open to offers for Marcus Rashford during the January transfer window. Rashford, 27, has been a key figure at United since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2016, scoring 138 goals for the club. Despite an exceptional 2022-23 season where he netted 30 goals, the forward has struggled to maintain that level of performance. Following his standout campaign, Rashford signed a lucrative five-year contract worth a reported £325,000 per week. However, his output has significantly declined, with just eight goals in the 2023-24 season and four Premier League goals so far this term. According to…
Liverpool have reportedly initiated contract talks with Mohamed Salah as they look to secure the star forward’s future amidst growing interest in Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman as a potential replacement. Salah’s future at Anfield has been a hot topic, with the Egyptian expressing frustration over the club’s initial hesitance to offer him a new deal. However, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool have now tabled a contract proposal for the 32-year-old, who has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing 12 assists in 21 games. Liverpool Eyeing Ademola Lookman As part of their contingency planning,…
Ademola Lookman has described his decision to represent Nigeria as a blessing, according to Daily Post. Born in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents, Lookman initially represented England at the youth level, helping the U-20 team win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017. However, he switched allegiance to Nigeria in February 2022 and made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana the following month. Lookman’s first major tournament appearance for Nigeria came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he made a significant impact by scoring three…
The honeymoon phase for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United appears to be over. After a challenging start to his tenure, the Portuguese manager is making bold moves to overhaul his underperforming squad, with Christian Eriksen and Antony reportedly at the top of his January transfer list. Amorim, renowned for his tactical acumen at Sporting CP, was brought in last month to replace Erik ten Hag, sparking high expectations. However, inconsistent performances, including a 3-2 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, have exposed the difficulties of his new role at Old Trafford. While Amorim has publicly taken responsibility for the team’s…
Chelsea signing Estevao Willian has revealed that he doesn’t have a strong preference for a specific shirt number at Stamford Bridge, though he thinks one number “would be cool.” Estevao, who will join Chelsea next summer after turning 18 in April, will be subject to FIFA regulations preventing him from playing for the club until then. The Brazilian forward is making the move from Palmeiras, with Chelsea agreeing to pay an initial £29m, which could rise to over £50m with add-ons. This transfer reflects Chelsea’s confidence in the 17-year-old, who has already set a record for goal involvements by a…
Dan Ashworth may not be out of football for long after his unexpected departure from Manchester United, where he served as the club’s first-ever sporting director for just five months. Ashworth seems to have been an early casualty of the new regime at Old Trafford, with senior figures like co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and CEO Omar Berrada figuring out how to align their working methods. While Ashworth’s approach didn’t quite fit with their vision, raising questions about why this wasn’t recognized during due diligence, his reputation remains strong. Ashworth first rose to prominence at West Bromwich Albion, before being recruited…
Jermain Defoe has praised Jadon Sancho’s standout performance in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, describing it as the best display from the winger since returning to England in 2021, according to The Mail. At just 24 years old, Sancho endured a challenging three-season spell at Manchester United before securing a loan move to Chelsea in August. The move is set to become permanent at the end of the current season, with United having included an obligation to buy in the agreement. In Sunday’s dramatic match, Sancho, who joined United from Borussia Dortmund for £71 million over three years…
Real Madrid kept their slim hopes of automatic Champions League qualification alive with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Atalanta on Tuesday. A dominant first-half performance saw Madrid take the lead through Kylian Mbappe, but his injury before the break shifted the game’s momentum. Atalanta capitalized on the uncertainty, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring a penalty just before halftime. In the second half, Vinicius Junior took advantage of a fortunate deflection to put Madrid back in front, followed by Jude Bellingham’s quick strike to further extend their lead. However, Atalanta responded through Ademola Lookman, who struck a superb goal from the…
The hearing into Manchester City’s alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules has reportedly concluded, according to The Daily Mail. Closing arguments were completed on Friday, with a verdict expected in the coming months from a three-person panel. The reigning Premier League champions were charged in February 2023 with 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations, accusations they have consistently denied. If found guilty, City could face significant penalties, which might have implications for rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham. Reports suggest a minority of Premier League clubs favor relegation as a punishment if the most severe charges are proven.…
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has revealed he was willing to sacrifice his dream of joining the LaLiga giants to support his younger brother Ethan’s career at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Mbappe ultimately joined Real Madrid last summer as a free agent after leaving PSG, while Ethan also departed the Ligue 1 champions, signing with Lille on a free transfer. In an interview with Canal+, Mbappe shared how he considered extending his stay at PSG to help Ethan remain at the club. “The situation with my brother affected me the most,” Mbappe said. “He didn’t ask for anything. For him, PSG…
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that star goalkeeper Alisson Becker is fit and ready to return for the team’s upcoming clash against Girona. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Slot expressed his delight over the Brazilian’s recovery, stating, “Alisson is back and fit to play tomorrow against Girona.” Alisson’s return is a timely boost for Liverpool, as his leadership, sharp reflexes, and ability to organize the defense are key to the team’s success. His presence is expected to reinforce Liverpool’s backline and instill confidence in the squad. With Liverpool aiming to maintain their momentum in both domestic and international…
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has clarified that no club has approached Napoli about triggering Victor Osimhen’s release clause in January. Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on loan in September, has a clause in his contract that could allow him to leave the Turkish Super Lig champions next month. The release clause is reportedly set at €75 million. Manna confirmed that Osimhen is expected to remain at Galatasaray for the rest of the season. “I’ve said it many times, nobody has contacted us. Victor is a Napoli player currently on loan at Galatasaray. Too much has been said about this, but…
The FIFPRO Men’s World XI for 2024 has been unveiled, marking the first time that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have been included in the team. Selected by over 28,000 footballers worldwide, the result was made public on Monday. Real Madrid leads with six players on the list, while Manchester City has four representatives. Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain each have one. Here is the FIFPRO World XI in a 3-4-3 formation:
The Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into the behavior of Tottenham Hotspur fans during their 4-3 Premier League defeat to Chelsea on Sunday. During the match, some Spurs supporters were seen throwing objects onto the pitch, prompting the FA’s review. Tottenham had taken an early 2-0 lead within 11 minutes through goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski. However, Chelsea staged a remarkable comeback, with Jadon Sancho scoring, Cole Palmer converting two penalties, and Enzo Fernandez adding another goal. Son Heung-min netted a late consolation for Spurs. Before kickoff, Tottenham fans in the South Stand were given pieces…
The PGMOL has terminated referee David Coote’s contract following an investigation into derogatory comments he made about Jurgen Klopp. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees Premier League referees, dismissed Coote after confirming he violated conduct standards. What Happened?A video surfaced from the 2019/20 season in which Coote made disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Klopp. In the video, Coote appeared to be recounting a match in which he served as the fourth official for a game between Liverpool and Burnley. It was revealed that Coote had a heated exchange with Klopp during the match. Later, while out…
Cole Palmer showcased a moment of brilliance in a chaotic, fast-paced match, reflecting on his decision to execute a panenka penalty. “I tried the panenka, and thankfully it went in. The game was frantic and all over the place,” Palmer admitted. The young midfielder explained his bold choice during the pivotal moment. “I thought the keeper was ready to dive, so I chipped it… it worked out well,” he said. The penalty underscored Palmer’s technical skill and his composure under immense pressure. Palmer’s decisive performance became a standout moment in the unpredictable match, demonstrating his confidence and instinct in critical…
Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho has expressed his determination to silence his critics following his standout performance in the Blues’ dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this past weekend. Sancho, who scored in Chelsea’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit, shared his thoughts after the match. “From day one, they’ve made me feel welcome at Chelsea. I know I have a lot of people to prove wrong,” Sancho told SuperSport TV. “I’ve been working very hard. I want to thank the staff and the team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.” Sancho’s comments highlight his…
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has dismissed the idea of Chelsea being underdogs in the Premier League title race, emphasizing their massive spending in recent transfer windows. Carragher made the comments after Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, which saw the Blues climb to second place in the league standings. “This is no underdog story,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “They’ve spent £1.2 billion.” Chelsea’s significant investment over the past few transfer windows finally appears to be paying off as they remain firmly in contention for the title. The win against Tottenham took Chelsea to 31 points, four…