Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged his role in Cole Palmer’s departure from the club last summer. Manchester City sold the midfielder for £42.5 million, and since then, the 21-year-old has made a significant impact at Chelsea, scoring 20 Premier League goals in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Ahead of Chelsea’s match against Manchester City, Guardiola addressed Palmer’s departure, particularly highlighting the player’s recent impressive performance, where he scored four goals against Everton. “He expressed his desire to leave Manchester City for two seasons,” Guardiola revealed. “I encouraged him to stay, but ultimately, he wanted to depart. We…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Reports suggest that Manchester City is preparing for the eventual departure of Pep Guardiola from the managerial position. Despite Guardiola being contracted until the end of the next season, there are indications that he might seek a new challenge once his current deal concludes. While Guardiola has overseen City’s most successful era, it’s understood that his tenure will eventually come to an end. Accordingly, the club’s leadership has begun to outline a succession plan, with Girona manager Michel emerging as a prominent candidate. Michel’s impressive achievements with Girona, a club owned by the City Football Group, have caught the attention…
Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool this summer has triggered speculation about his next move, with various opportunities on the horizon. However, one potential avenue has already been shut down. Klopp had been linked with the German national team, especially as Julian Nagelsmann’s impending departure suggested a vacancy after Euro 2024. Yet, Nagelsmann’s decision to extend his contract until the 2026 World Cup has closed that option. Nagelsmann expressed his commitment to the national team, citing the opportunity to work with top talent and the chance to inspire the nation. While Klopp had previously expressed interest in managing Germany, he acknowledged…
Tunde Onakoya, hailing from the humble streets of Lagos, Nigeria, discovered the transformative potential of chess amidst adversity. Starting with modest beginnings, he mastered the game through sheer determination, eventually rising to prominence in Nigerian chess circles. However, Onakoya’s vision extended far beyond personal accolades. He recognized chess as a catalyst for change, particularly for marginalized youth facing economic hardship. This realization ignited his passion to establish Chess in Slums Africa, an organization aimed at harnessing the power of chess to empower underprivileged communities. Through Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya and his team offer more than just chess lessons. They…
Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, faces uncertainty ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea due to a muscle injury. Haaland requested to be substituted at the conclusion of the 90 minutes during Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final match against Real Madrid, which City ultimately lost 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. In a press conference on Friday, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Haaland had “felt something” during the match against Madrid, casting doubt on his availability for the FA Cup fixture against Chelsea and the subsequent league match against Brighton. Guardiola also provided an…
Bayer Leverkusen’s Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match against West Ham United at The London Stadium in east London on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, secured a spot in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, extending their undefeated streak in all competitions this season to 44 matches. In the second leg of their quarter-final tie against West Ham, the German side drew 1-1, progressing 3-1 on aggregate. Michail Antonio put West Ham ahead…
After José Peseiro’s resignation over two months ago, the Super Eagles are still without a permanent coach. With only six weeks until the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic, the Nigeria Football Federation is racing against time to appoint a new head coach. The NFF has vetted over 60 coaches who applied for the vacant position, resulting in a final shortlist that includes Michael Nsien from the USA U20 team, Emmanuel Amunike, and several European coaches. Among the European coaches on the final shortlist are Danny Buijs from the Netherlands, Toni Conceição from Portugal,…
Manchester United is reportedly considering selling Marcus Rashford this summer, as new co-owners INEOS are reportedly unhappy with the size of his contract. Chelsea is gearing up to compete with Napoli for the signing of Lille striker Jonathan David, who has been earmarked as a replacement for Victor Osimhen, a target for the Blues. Arsenal’s summer transfer plans include acquiring a striker and a winger, with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise among their targets. They also have their sights set on Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu, with a bid expected at the end of the season. Tottenham Hotspur…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticized Bayern Munich’s uncharacteristic approach in their Champions League victory that saw the Gunners eliminated on Wednesday night. With the tie finely balanced at 2-2 on aggregate following the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Bayern held a slight advantage heading into the return fixture at home. Despite boasting some of Europe’s best attacking talents, the German giants seemed inhibited, making it difficult for Arsenal to create chances. Ultimately, Joshua Kimmich’s 63rd-minute goal sealed the victory for Bayern. Arteta expressed frustration at Bayern’s defensive tactics, stating, “Credit to the opponent, it’s very difficult to break opponents…
Real Madrid isn’t overly concerned about Vinicius Junior’s condition ahead of the potentially decisive El Clasico clash against Barcelona on Sunday, despite the Brazilian’s early withdrawal from Wednesday’s intense Champions League battle with Manchester City. Vinicius played for 102 minutes in the contest, which eventually saw Real Madrid emerge victorious on penalties in pursuit of their record-extending 15th European Cup. However, he was substituted by Lucas Vazquez during the first half of extra time due to injury, with the match’s outcome still hanging in the balance. With the El Clasico just around the corner, Vinicius’s substitution understandably raised concerns among…
Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night. However, despite their efforts, it wasn’t sufficient to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, resulting in their elimination from the competition. Although Liverpool staged a remarkable comeback against Barcelona en route to winning the Champions League in 2019, they couldn’t replicate that feat this time. With their hopes in the Europa League dashed, Jurgen Klopp’s final farewell as manager will now center solely on the ongoing Premier League title race. The damage for Liverpool was inflicted in the first leg at Anfield, where an…
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on his team to channel all their energy into winning the Premier League following their unexpected exit from the Europa League. Despite defeating Atalanta 1-0 on Thursday, Liverpool’s efforts fell short of overturning the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, resulting in their elimination from the quarter-finals of the competition. With their FA Cup journey also cut short by Manchester United, Klopp emphasized that the Premier League remains the sole opportunity for silverware after clinching the Carabao Cup. He urged his players to give their all in pursuit of the league title. “We won…
Julian Nagelsmann has put an end to speculation surrounding his future by signing a contract extension to continue as Germany’s national team coach until the 2026 World Cup. Nagelsmann’s previous deal with Germany was set to expire after Euro 2024, prompting interest from several clubs, including Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Liverpool, who are parting ways with Jurgen Klopp this summer, explored the option of bringing in Nagelsmann, while Bayern Munich, his former club, also expressed interest in a potential reunion. Despite his agent confirming talks with various interested parties, Nagelsmann has opted to commit to a new two-year contract, fulfilling…
After securing their place in the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid is shifting their focus to the Spanish La Liga title race as they prepare to face off against Barcelona this weekend. Real Madrid, coming off a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Marloca in their last La Liga fixture, aims to continue their success against Barcelona to widen their lead at the top of the league standings. Currently topping the table with 78 points, Real Madrid holds an 8-point advantage over second-placed Barcelona, who have amassed 70 points heading into this weekend’s matches. On the flip side,…
Al-Nassr has opted to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo with 20-year-old striker Meshari Al-Nemer for their upcoming two matches. This decision stems from Ronaldo’s red card in the Saudi Super Cup match against Al-Hilal. Despite Al-Nassr’s appeal being turned down, thereby ruling out the 39-year-old Portuguese superstar for the next two league fixtures, Manager Luis Castro has chosen to field Al-Nemer as Ronaldo’s replacement, as reported by Essentially Sports. Ronaldo’s dismissal occurred during Al-Nassr’s 1-2 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. The incident involved an altercation with defender Ali Al-Bulayhi, resulting in Ronaldo striking him with his elbow during…
Several factors may contribute to Chelsea’s victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal and their advancement to the final: 1. Tactical Mastery: Mauricio Pochettino’s expertise and strategic acumen could grant Chelsea an advantage. His adeptness in devising a game plan to neutralize City’s attacking prowess while capitalizing on their vulnerabilities might prove pivotal in securing a win. 2. Recent Performance Surge: Chelsea has exhibited signs of improvement under Pochettino, garnering momentum with notable victories. Should they sustain this form into the semifinal, they could potentially upset Manchester City. 3. Defensive Resilience: Chelsea’s defense has showcased solidity under Pochettino’s…
Erik ten Hag is advocating for Manchester United to secure the signing of Brazilian winger Willian, who has been recently linked with a move away from Palmeiras. While Palmeiras is reluctant to part ways with their prized prospect immediately, they acknowledge his eventual departure to a bigger club. According to a report from Fichajes, Manchester United is aiming to secure Willian’s services, with manager Erik ten Hag pushing the Premier League club to accelerate negotiations for the promising young winger. Chelsea is poised to enter the fray to compete with Arsenal for the acquisition of Victor Osimhen, as reported by…
Despite Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City in the quarter-final second-leg clash on Wednesday, no Real Madrid player made it into UEFA’s Champions League Fantasy Football Team of the Week. UEFA announced their Champions League Team of the Week on Thursday, following the conclusion of the quarter-final fixtures. Among the notable inclusions was Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, who scored their goal against Madrid in the 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. However, despite the absence of Real Madrid players, the Spanish La Liga leaders advanced to the semi-final stage with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. The team also featured Bayern…
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo has issued a firm declaration directed at Real Madrid ahead of their upcoming La Liga El Clasico clash on Sunday. The Uruguayan defender emphasized that Xavi’s squad is eager for redemption against Real Madrid, particularly after their 4-1 loss earlier this year. The stage is set for a fiery encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium as both teams prepare to battle it out in the league. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid currently leads the La Liga standings with 78 points from 31 matches, while Barcelona trails by eight points in second place. Araujo believes that securing a victory…
Confusion arose during the Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg between Aston Villa and Lille as goalkeeper Emi Martinez escaped a sending off despite receiving a second yellow card. Martinez initially received a yellow card for time-wasting during regular time and was booked again during the penalty shootout, which ended with the tie leveled at 3-3 on aggregate after 120 minutes. Despite this, Martinez remained on the pitch and made two crucial saves as Villa advanced to the semi-finals. Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano clarified the rule that allowed Martinez to stay on. In a tweet, Romano highlighted Martinez’s stellar…