Gareth Southgate has officially announced that Declan Rice will take on the role of captain for England in Tuesday night’s friendly against Belgium at Wembley. Rice, who is set to earn his 50th senior cap for the Three Lions, will lead the team in the absence of regular captain Harry Kane. Kane withdrew from the squad due to a hamstring injury, and his stand-in, Kyle Walker, also sustained a hamstring problem during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil. With Walker sidelined, the captain’s armband passed to Harry Maguire when he left the field. However, Maguire has since withdrawn from the squad…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Nottingham Forest has officially confirmed their decision to appeal the Premier League’s ruling, which docked them four points for violations of the Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR). The Premier League’s announcement last week regarding the deduction prompted Forest to challenge the decision, as per the statement released by the club on Monday. “Nottingham Forest can confirm that it has today lodged an appeal against the four-point sanction imposed by the Commission in relation to the Club’s breach of the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR). The club will not be making any further statement at this time,” the statement…
After Jose Peseiro’s contract expired in February, the Super Eagles have been without a permanent coach. Allen Onyema, CEO of Airpeace, has raised concerns with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding the potential hiring of another foreign coach for the national team. Expressing his views, Onyema stated, “I don’t see why we cannot explore talent within the country for the Super Eagles job. Eguavoen, in my opinion, achieved some success.” He further added, “When a foreign coach exits at the group stage, it often goes unnoticed, but if it were a Nigerian coach reaching the quarterfinals or semi-finals, the narrative…
The 2024 Copa America group stage has been officially announced. This comes after the conclusion of the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday, confirming the participation of Canada, Jamaica, and Costa Rica in the tournament. Scheduled to take place from June 20 to July 14, the competition will feature 10 South American teams alongside six North American guests. Argentina enters as the defending champions. Here are the groups: Group A: – Argentina – Peru – Chile – Canada Group B: – Mexico – Ecuador – Venezuela – Jamaica Group C: – United States – Uruguay – Panama – Bolivia Group D:…
Sergio Agüero, the former Manchester City striker, encountered an injury during his return to the field. Agüero participated in a legends’ match commemorating the 120th anniversary of his childhood club, Independiente. However, he suffered a dislocated shoulder after a heavy fall during the game. The 35-year-old had last played in 2021 before retiring from professional football due to heart issues. Despite this, Agüero has been deemed fit enough to engage in matches, albeit not professionally. Despite the setback, the forward remained composed, informing a reporter during the game, “I think my shoulder came out.”
England defender Kyle Walker has singled out France as the Three Lions’ main obstacle to claiming victory in the Euro 2024 tournament set to take place in Germany during the summer. The Euro 2024 event is scheduled to kick off on June 14 and conclude on July 14. England finds itself placed in Group C alongside teams such as Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia. During an interview with former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand on Vibe with Five, Walker was asked whether France posed the biggest threat to England’s chances of winning Euro 2024. In response, the 33-year-old remarked,…
Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has singled out the club’s ex-player Ashley Cole as the greatest left-back in Premier League history. Wenger, who coached Cole during their time together at Arsenal, described the former England international as a “fighter.” Wenger’s praise for Cole came as the former Chelsea star was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame as its 22nd member on Monday. Reflecting on Cole’s impact, Wenger stated via the Premier League’s official website: “It’s always challenging to rank players, but he is undoubtedly the best. I was fortunate to have outstanding left-backs when I arrived, with Nigel…
According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, there are reports suggesting that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has agreed to personal terms with Chelsea, as the London club aims to secure his signature during the upcoming summer transfer window. The Blues are actively seeking a prolific striker and view Osimhen as a prime candidate to enhance their attacking options. Galetti, sharing insights via his Twitter account, revealed that Chelsea intends to trigger Osimhen’s release clause once the 2023/24 season concludes. This release clause is believed to be in the range of €130 million, and negotiations are underway between Chelsea and Napoli regarding…
Former Barcelona football icon Dani Alves is facing a challenging predicament as he grapples with the inability to meet the €1 million bail requirement set for him. Despite enjoying a substantial wealth, estimated to surpass €50 million accumulated over his illustrious two-decade career, Alves finds himself restricted in accessing the bulk of his funds. The majority of his fortune is tied up in Brazil, where his accounts have been frozen due to outstanding child maintenance payments owed to his ex-wife and two children. Although Alves maintains two bank accounts in Spain, one remains empty, while the other, housing €50,000, is…
Victor Osimhen underwent separate training sessions on Monday as Napoli geared up for their upcoming Serie A encounter against Atalanta. The team commenced their preparations for the game at their Konami Training Centre earlier in the week. Osimhen, who missed international duty last week due to injury, remained absent from regular team training. Having been listed as an unused substitute in Napoli’s recent 1-1 draw with Inter Milan before the international break, efforts have intensified within the club to ensure the star striker’s recovery ahead of Atalanta’s visit to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this Saturday. Anticipating his return to…
Reports indicate that Chelsea, alongside Arsenal and PSG, are contenders to meet Victor Osimhen’s valuation of £77 million. According to Italian sources, Chelsea is gearing up for a significant bid in the upcoming summer transfer window to secure the talents of Super Eagles sensation Victor Osimhen. Italian publication Il Mattino revealed that the Blues are prepared to offer a hefty sum to bolster their striker options ahead of the next season. Chelsea’s pursuit of a striker has been a subject of speculation for some time, with Osimhen consistently appearing as the top target amidst various names linked with the club.…
Raheem Sterling has encouraged Nigerian rising star Hafiz Ibrahim to embrace a two-week trial opportunity at Chelsea. Ibrahim, who hails from Nigerian club Ojodu City, made waves at the Viareggio Cup, netting an impressive tally of 10 goals in six matches, clinching the tournament’s top scorer title. Now, he sets his sights on Chelsea, where he aims to impress during the trial period, hoping to secure a contract with the esteemed London club and fulfill his aspiration of turning professional. Despite previous interest from Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, negotiations reportedly fell through, paving the way for Ibrahim’s venture to Chelsea. Should…
According to reports from Soccernet.ng, Chelsea is exploring alternatives for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, considering the £86 million-rated Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres as a potential option as they prepare for a major overhaul in the summer. While Victor Osimhen showcased impressive goal-scoring prowess last season with 26 league goals, securing both the Serie A golden boot and the CAF Player of the Year award, his form has been hindered this season due to injuries. Despite this setback, the 25-year-old Nigerian forward has managed to score 13 goals in 24 appearances for Napoli across all competitions. Meanwhile, Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has…
Reports indicate that Manchester United have compiled a list of nine potential candidates for the managerial role as they deliberate over the future of current manager Erik ten Hag beyond this season. Despite Ten Hag having another season left on his three-year contract, signed in 2022 upon his arrival from Ajax, mixed results and the possibility of a fresh start following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s co-ownership and a new sporting direction have cast doubt on the Dutchman’s position. Manchester United have faced challenges in maintaining momentum since Ten Hag’s promising debut season in charge. They have suffered 11 defeats in their…
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reaffirmed midfielder Frenkie de Jong’s commitment to the club, stating that he has no intention of leaving ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. Since his €75m transfer from Ajax in 2019, De Jong has been a key figure for Barcelona. However, his significant market value has made him a potential asset for sale amid the club’s financial challenges. Barcelona attempted to offload the Dutchman to Manchester United nearly two years ago. Despite ongoing financial difficulties, De Jong’s future, along with other players like Ronald Araujo and Pedri, has remained uncertain. Nevertheless, the player has…
Zinedine Zidane showcased his enduring brilliance in a charity match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, captivating fans almost two decades after his retirement from professional football. The iconic Ballon d’Or and World Cup-winning midfielder, who hung up his boots shortly after turning 34 following the 2006 World Cup in Germany, remains etched in football history. Despite the controversial end to his career with a red card for headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi, Zidane was revered as one of the finest midfielders of his era and among the greatest footballers of all time. Renowned for his flair and pivotal moments, such…
Joao Cancelo has leveled accusations against Manchester City and their manager, Pep Guardiola, alleging that they propagated falsehoods concerning his departure from the club. A pivotal creative force for the Cityzens, the Portugal international contributed significantly to their success, clinching two Premier League titles before embarking on a loan spell to Bayern Munich midway through the 2022/23 season. Currently on loan at Barcelona, Cancelo refuted assertions implying dissatisfaction at the Etihad Stadium after being relegated from Guardiola’s starting lineup. In a startling revelation to A Bola, he asserted, “Lies were told! I’ve never been a disruptive teammate, as confirmed by…
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has emphasized his desire for Xavi Hernandez to continue as the club’s manager beyond the current season, refuting Xavi’s previous announcement of his intention to depart at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. This decision followed a challenging period for Barcelona, marked by defeats in two El Clasicos and slipping out of contention for the La Liga title. However, Barcelona’s fortunes have taken a positive turn since then, with an impressive ten-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and a recent qualification for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2020, courtesy of a…
The Football Association has officially announced that Harry Maguire from Manchester United, Kyle Walker from Manchester City, and Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace have withdrawn from the England senior squad due to injuries. Walker was substituted just 20 minutes into England’s friendly loss against Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening. Following the match, Gareth Southgate confirmed that the full-back would undergo assessment in the “coming days.” Walker has now returned to Manchester City for this assessment. Similarly, fellow experienced defender Maguire was also substituted during the defeat, exiting the game in the 67th minute. Although the Manchester United center-back…
Following the UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw, Bayern Munich finds itself grappling with numerous unfavorable circumstances. The club has recently endured setbacks with the injuries of two crucial players, Sacha Boey and Manuel Neuer. In the latest update, the reigning German champions disclosed that Boey, the Frenchman who joined Bayern from Galatasaray in the winter, has suffered a ligament tear in his left ankle during a training session. The medical team has projected his recovery to span several weeks, rendering him unavailable for action. Similarly, goalkeeper Neuer was called up by the German head coach, Nagelsmann, for preparations ahead of…