“The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) warns FIFA of potential player strikes aimed at reducing match volume.” Pressure mounts on football’s global governing body to address the grueling schedule faced by elite players, with legal threats looming. The PFA advocates for adjustments to the congested football calendar, particularly with the proposed expansion to a 32-team Club World Cup next summer. At an event in London hosted by the PFA and FIFPRO, the international players’ union, concerns were voiced about players being pushed to their limits. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango recounted discussions with players from an unnamed club, some expressing readiness…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
According to A’Bola, Jose Mourinho has agreed to a two-year contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce. Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on X: “José Mourinho’s verbal agreement with Fenerbahçe is for a two-year contract valid until June 2026. It will also include an option for further seasons. Jorge Mendes has been negotiating the deal, and now it’s time to review and sign all formal documents. Here we go soon!” Mourinho has been out of work since his dismissal from Roma in January this year.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has explained how he got the best out of Ademola Lookman. Lookman struggled during his stint with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. The Nigeria international was loaned to Fulham and Leicester City before joining Atalanta two years ago. Since his arrival in Bergamo, the 26-year-old has transformed into one of the most dangerous wingers in the world. Lookman was La Dea’s top scorer last season and has maintained the same consistent form this term. The winger scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen last week and has registered 16 goals and eight…
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed caution ahead of the UEFA Champions League final, acknowledging that their attempt to secure a record-extending 15th European title “could go wrong” on Saturday. Ancelotti, whose only loss in a final came when AC Milan squandered a 3-0 lead to Liverpool in 2005, has won the Champions League twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid. He also won the tournament twice as a player for the Italian club. Despite his success, the experienced 64-year-old calls the Champions League final the “most dangerous” game in European club football. “It’s a double-edged sword,”…
Kobbie Mainoo is set to sign a lucrative new contract with Manchester United. However, the England midfielder wants to put talks on hold until after the Euros, reports the Daily Star. Mainoo has enjoyed a breakout campaign with United since making his first start in October. He went on to establish himself and scored in the FA Cup final, helping them beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley. The Red Devils are eager to secure Mainoo’s long-term future with a new deal that will see him quadruple his wages to around £80,000 a week. The player has agreed to the deal…
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are aiming to boost their hopes of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they prepare to face South Africa in their next qualifying match. The Finidi George-led Super Eagles enter this high-profile clash following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Lesotho in their last qualifying match. They are determined to secure a crucial victory over South Africa’s Bafana Bafana to get their campaign back on track. **Head-to-Head Summary:** Nigeria and South Africa have met 16 times, with the Super Eagles holding a superior record of 8 wins compared to Bafana Bafana’s 2 wins. Six of their…
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has pointed fingers at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, alleging a lack of empathy in their conflict that led to his departure from the Emirates Stadium in 2022. Aubameyang, who served as team captain during Arteta’s arrival and for two subsequent years, found himself at odds with the coach over a late return to training, resulting in him being stripped of the armband and excluded from the squad. Eventually, he joined Barcelona on a free transfer on the final day of the January transfer window. Speaking to Colinterview, Aubameyang shared his side of the story, assuming partial responsibility while…
Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has pinpointed the current struggles of the club to a significant absence of leadership within the squad, particularly in maintaining high standards. Reflecting on his own experience, Rooney recalls joining United as a teenager in 2004, where he was surrounded by seasoned winners like Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Roy Keane. These stalwarts not only exemplified a winning mentality but also served as mentors whose standards he emulated. As that generation transitioned out, Rooney found himself among a new leadership core, including Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown, John O’Shea, Michael Carrick, and Rio Ferdinand,…
Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has made the tough decision to rule himself out of Saturday’s Champions League final clash against Borussia Dortmund. Unlike the rest of the squad, he didn’t travel to London. Lunin has been a standout player throughout the season, seizing an unexpected opportunity when Thibaut Courtois sustained a long-term injury in August. However, his availability for the final had been uncertain all week. The Ukrainian goalkeeper, who temporarily ceded his La Liga position to the now-fit Courtois but retained his spot in both legs of the Champions League semi-final triumph over Bayern Munich, was absent from…
Barcelona finds themselves in a time-sensitive race to reduce their wage bill and complete the registration of manager Hansi Flick before the upcoming season, as per a recent report. Flick was introduced as Barcelona’s new manager earlier this week, stepping in for former boss Xavi following a disagreement with club president Joan Laporta regarding the team’s squad strength, which led to Xavi’s departure. According to MARCA, Barcelona is currently unable to register Flick’s contract with La Liga due to exceeding their current salary cap. Xavi’s registration only extended until this summer, prompting the club to acknowledge the necessity of lowering…
All eyes are fixed on Saturday as Real Madrid prepares to face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. Los Blancos supporters are not only anticipating their 15th UCL title but also eagerly awaiting the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. The addition of the French World Cup winner would further bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s talented young squad, enhancing their already formidable attacking prowess. However, amidst these prospects, there’s speculation surrounding Rodrygo Goes’ future at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to Fichajes, as reported by Caught Offside, the Brazilian forward, who has…
Chelsea is reportedly prepared to make significant investments, including a hefty sum for Victor Osimhen, to support manager Enzo Maresca despite financial challenges. The club aims to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations, necessitating player sales before the June 30 deadline to finance future signings. Maresca, currently with Leicester City, is expected to be officially announced as Chelsea’s new manager this week. According to The Sun, Chelsea has reignited their interest in Osimhen, who is expected to leave Napoli this summer with a £113 million release clause. Despite not yet formalizing their interest, Chelsea has been monitoring Osimhen for years.…
Barcelona is on the hunt for a midfielder this summer to replace Sergio Busquets after their attempt with Oriol Romeu fell short. Among the names linked to the Blaugrana, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has now put himself on their radar. After losing his spot in the Manchester City squad, Phillips was loaned to West Ham in January, but the move didn’t pan out, leaving him on the bench once more. Barcelona had shown interest in the 28-year-old during the January transfer window but couldn’t offer him a loan deal due to his high salary. Several Premier League clubs are…
After weeks of rumors and speculation, it’s confirmed that Anthony Joshua will return to fight in the United Kingdom this September. The official announcement for the full card is imminent, with ‘AJ’ set to headline Wembley Stadium for the first time since 2018. Joshua’s recent form has shown significant improvement, having knocked out both Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou in his last two contests. This resurgence is attributed to his partnership with Ben Davison, former trainer of Tyson Fury. As a result, the two-time unified heavyweight world champion is now considered one of the top three contenders in the division…
According to one journalist, it would be an “utter joke” if Manchester United decided to sack Erik ten Hag after considering his recommendations for two new signings. The Red Devils remain undecided on Ten Hag’s future following a season where he guided United to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and an early exit from European competitions before Christmas. However, Ten Hag’s position gained unexpected support from the club hierarchy after United won the FA Cup by defeating arch-rivals Manchester City. The lack of a standout candidate to replace Ten Hag could also play in his favor. Transfer expert…
Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy has provided insight into why Jadon Sancho refused to apologize to Erik ten Hag following a fallout with the manager. The relationship between Sancho and Ten Hag deteriorated after the Dutchman publicly criticized Sancho’s training efforts. As a result, Sancho was banished from the first-team squad and eventually loaned to Borussia Dortmund. Speaking to 947 Joburg about the situation, McCarthy said: “I spoke to the manager and explained that Jadon [Sancho] feels that if he apologizes, it would imply that he agrees with the criticisms—that he doesn’t train hard and is lazy. For someone…
Chelsea Women have officially announced the appointment of Sonia Bompastor as the successor to outgoing manager Emma Hayes. At 43 years old, Bompastor has inked a four-year contract in west London following her three-season tenure with French club Lyon, where she clinched three Division 1 Féminine titles consecutively, along with the Women’s Champions League trophy in the 2021/22 campaign. Although Lyon reached the final of this season’s European tournament, they were ultimately defeated 2-0 by Barcelona last Saturday. Expressing her gratitude, Bompastor stated, “I am incredibly grateful to join Chelsea Football Club as the head coach of the women’s team.…
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning a significant shift in the club’s transfer strategy, opting not to allocate Erik ten Hag a substantial budget for player acquisitions, as he aims to reform the club’s recruitment approach. This upcoming transfer window marks Ratcliffe’s maiden opportunity to shape United’s squad since assuming ownership, sparking anticipation among fans for potential changes under the leadership of the INEOS chief, many of whom have been advocating for a thorough squad overhaul. However, as per The Telegraph, Ratcliffe is cautious of the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) and is unwilling to…
Leicester City’s return to the Premier League was significantly aided by the pivotal role played by Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. With Lyon aiming to bolster their midfield ranks, reports from Foot Mercato suggest that they are eyeing Ndidi as a potential addition to their squad. While Nemanja Matić and Maxence Caqueret have provided stability in Lyon’s midfield recently, potential departures necessitate further reinforcements. Caqueret himself may attract attention, and the future of Corentin Tolisso remains uncertain. Despite Orel Mangala’s arrival from Nottingham Forest in January, he has yet to fully establish himself at Lyon. Last summer, Lyon attempted to secure…
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has openly admitted his preference for Manchester City to clinch the Premier League title this year. Palmer made the switch from the Etihad to join the Blues last summer. However, Chelsea’s challenge for the title faltered amidst a three-way battle between City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Ultimately, Pep Guardiola’s side secured the title for a record fourth consecutive year, finishing two points ahead of Arsenal. “I was rooting for Man City to win the title as I have many friends there, so I’m pleased they achieved it,” Palmer shared with The Sun. “Nevertheless, I have no regrets…