The times have indeed changed indicating how policy shifts can affect the people’s mood and habits and the environment in which we live. Following the removal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of the foreign exchange regime, Nigerians have been compelled to make radical changes in how they live. Has anyone noticed the sharp reduction in the number of vehicles on Lagos roads and the disappearance of traffic gridlock in some parts of the city? With fuel now selling between N488 -N570 per litre across the country, it takes some people on the average up to N40, 000 or more to fill their vehicle’s fuel tanks. Within the same period that the cost of fuel has increased, electricity has also become very expensive, even if the electricity companies are still threatening to hike their tariffs. Inflation is as high as 22.41%, and would most certainly continue to rise.

Vehicle owners have learnt to choose their travels within the city carefully, gone are those days when it was fashionable to drive here and there. We are all going through a season of serious adjustment. In many homes, light is switched on only when it is needed to check the meter from going haywire. And yet in this same country, once upon a time, you could switch on all the lights in your apartment, and even leave those lights on when not at home. Nobody can afford to do that anymore. The street as they say in popular lingo is not smiling. Salaries have not been increased, the price of everything including tomato and onions has gone up, a loaf of bread, which used to be a common man’s favourite is now an expensive item on the family menu. Last week was the annual Eid-el-adha, the festival of sacrifice. Very few families could afford to buy and slaughter rams. A moderate-size ram was about N175, 000- that used to be the price of a very big cow. To buy a cow now, these days, you’d need close to N500, 000.

In those days, around the Eid-el-Kabir festival, it was possible to see young children going to the field with the rams that their parents had bought for the occasion. There was something called ram fight: an exciting game whereby rams are set against each other to head butt one another. The rams had names and there was a prize for the champion ram. It wasn’t all fun, some rams that went up against a tough challenger could simply slump and die. I didn’t see any young men fighting with rams in open fields this year. No parent would even have allowed anybody to gamble with a ram of N175, 000. It was generally a very moderate celebration around town except in Ijebu Ode where the usual post-Ileya Ojude Oba was held as is the tradition, three days after the festival. The Ojude Oba lived up to its reputation as a cavalcade of colour, music, dance, and memorable advertisement of the richness of Yoruba culture and artistry. I noticed though that many of the persons that I know who used to stay behind in Ijebu-Ode for days after the festival, quickly rushed back to Lagos.

One of them confessed that the times have truly changed. His landlord had just served notice that the rent in the building where he lives would go up by 200% by January 2024, due to the rising cost of building materials, and the depreciation of the Naira. He rushed back to Lagos to engage the landlord wondering how the landlord of a house built more than two decades ago can possibly complain about the high cost of building materials. The man told my friend that we are now in the era of market forces, and that rent is also subject to the forces of demand and supply. We have been on that matter since last week!

Fiery Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has paid a visit to the residence of billionaire business-cum-banking, Tony Elumelu.

Upon his arrival in Lagos, the Nigeria international who emerged as one of Europe’s leading marksmen in the 2022-23 campaign after netting a league-high 26 goals in 32 Serie A games during Napoli’s surge to the title visited his primary school in the Oregun area of Ikeja where he met with the head teacher who convinced his late father to allow him play football.

Osimhen, who lived in Olusosun, a small neighborhood near Oregun also visited his hood and was greeted by a large crowd that almost mobbed him.

As he continued to relive precious childhood moments, the Super Eagles striker also made time out to enjoy himself with some associates including entertainers.

Still on a tour of the metropolitan city, Osimhen made his way to the Elumele where he was received by the Chairman, United Bank for Africa Plc, and his wife, Awele Vivian Elumelu.

He bowed his head as a sign of respect as he shook hands with Elumelu who was very much pleased to receive him.

Osimhen also presented his jersey to the stylish 60-year-old Elumelu who expressed immense pride in him.

Captioning shared photos with the Napoli superstar, Elumelu tweeted: “We’re all proud of you Victor @victorosimhen9! #SerieATopScorer #Scudetto #TOEWay.”

Eagle-eyed tennis fans would’ve spotted Iga Swiatek’s mismatched kit as she kicked off her Wimbledon campaign on Monday.

The world No.1 came through in straight sets against Zhu Lin on Court One as she bids to win her fifth grand slam title following a hat-trick of victories at the French Open and her triumph last year in the US. Swiatek's latest victory comes off the back of a new deal off the court as well.

In March, Swiatek signed a money-spinning contract with Swiss brand On Running - the shoe company associated with Roger Federer - after a four-year association with Asics. She announced: "I’m thrilled to announce I am the first female tennis athlete at On. I’m happy the On team believes in me as an athlete and a person. We plan to grow, develop and make an impact together. Big thanks to my team for this amazing achievement in business."

However, the Polish star was spotted still wearing her former sponsor’s Gel Resolution 9 footwear on court almost four months later as she got her trophy tilt underway in SW19 with a 6-1, 6-3 win over her Chinese opponent to book her spot in round two. Wimbledon men's champion Novak Djokovic also wore Asics shoes but has a separate clothing deal with Lacoste.

Swiatek does not have the best pedigree on grass, having never made it past the fourth round, but signs are positive that this will be the year she has a proper crack at winning the title. Zhu - ranked 34th in the world - was no match for her, with a routine victory only slightly delayed by a rain shower that saw the roof closed. 

The all white dress code is a big tradition at the All England Club in SW19 but a recent rule change now permits athletes to wear different colour underwear. The shift has been welcomed by players.

Heather Watson told Sky News: "When Wimbledon announced about the undershorts I was so happy because it makes such a difference. I speak openly about my period, I don't think it's a taboo subject and I would love for people to talk about it more.

"Last year I went on the pill to stop myself bleeding because I knew I had to wear white undershorts and I didn't want any embarrassment. We're running around sweating, doing the splits on court. This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again so I'm very happy I won't have to do the same thing as last year."

[mirror]

And there shouldn't have been. Wimbledon, especially the Centre Court to Djokovic is what Roland Garros is to Rafael Nadal. Although, one may never, or rarely see the Spaniard in such a mood whilst a delay in play. Djokovic, despite only an exhibition match to show as his preparation for the Grand Slam post his record win in French Open last last month, cruised his way through the to Round 2 of Wimbledon as he beat Argentina's Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4).

With the win, Djokovic matched Nadal's monumental feat at the Roland Garros, leaving him only behind Roger Federer now. It was the 18th time Djokovic scripted a round-one win at the SW19, same as Nadal did in French Open. Only Federer at the Australian (21) and US Open (19), and Djokovic himself at the RG (19) have appeared in more singles Majors main draws without ever losing in the opening Round than Djokovic in Wimbledon.

It was also his 29th straight win at the Slam, having never lost a match since 2017 when he had retired from his quarterfinal tie with an elbow injury. It is now the fourth-longest winning streak in men's singles at the SW19 in Open Era after Bjorn Borg (41 wins between 1976 and 1981), Federer (40 wins between 2003 and 2008) and Pete Sampras (31 wins between 1997 and 2001). It’s been 2,183 days, to be precise.

The win also added to Djokovic's staggering streak of 40 straight victories at Centre Court, still the most by any player in the Open Era at the venue. The next-best streak belong to Federer and Helen Wills Moody, who had both won 32 matches in a row on Centre Court. Federer's streak was between 2003 and 2008 and Wills Moody's was from 1927 to 1938.

[Hindustan Time]

Two grand footballing institutions have forged quite the connection over the years.

Contemporary behemoths Chelsea and the historically significant AC Milan have enjoyed the talents of some of the game's all-time greats, some of whom have suited up in both west London and Italy's fashion capital.

While far from an all-timer, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who promised so much before a serious Achilles injury suffered in 2019 tamed his lofty trajectory, will be the latest to suit up for both clubs after he completed a £15m move to the Rossoneri.

Here's a list of all the players to play for Chelsea and Milan.

Players who have played for both Chelsea and AC Milan

Al Nassr have completed the signing of Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic on a three-year contract.

The 30-year-old is the latest high-profile player to move to the riches of the Middle East, where he'll link up with Cristiano Ronaldo.

A number of Premier League players have already departed for Saudi Arabia - Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and N'Golo Kante headlining a mass exodus from Chelsea - while the league's biggest acquisition is perhaps Karim Benzema - he's joined champions Al Ittihad after opting to end an illustrious trophy-laden stint at Real Madrid.

90min revealed that Brozovic had been courted by Barcelona as they looked to replace Sergio Busquets in the anchor role, but the Croatian has been lured to Saudi Arabia on a big-money contract.

"When it comes to a player, many factors take over," Inter CEO Beppe Marotta told Sky Italia about a potential exit for Brozovic earlier in the week. "Clearly the economic one is the most important one.

"The situation is not closed and is not defined. Who decides is the player himself. We are not obligated to give him up. The biggest problem is the contractual relationship between him and the new club.

"If there is a solution we will close the issue, otherwise we will take him off the market."

Inter had been willing to part ways with Brozovic in a bid to raise money this summer, and further outgoings are expected at San Siro in a bid to balance the club's books.

Lautaro Martinez has been interesting Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, while goalkeeper Andre Onana is of particular interest to the latter amid continued uncertainty over the future of David de Gea.

The Nerazzurri are at least hopeful of concluding a deal for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, but their outgoings will need to significantly outweigh any incomings in a bid to be compliant with FFP rules.

Al Nassr have also made an attempt to sign Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha, who is now out of contract, in addition to moving for Hakim Ziyech - his move is on hold though after issues arose in his medical, leading the Saudi side to change the terms of their original offer.

[90mins]

According to Corriere dello Sport (via SportWitness), Chelsea are pressing to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer transfer window.

The London giants recently confirmed the purchase of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, but they are still keen on pursuing a marquee striker over the coming weeks. As per Corriere dello Sport, Vlahovic is the main target for Chelsea, and they are pushing hard to find an agreement with Juventus.

The Italian outlet add that Juventus are prepared to consider his sale for £69 million. Chelsea are currently front-runners in the pursuit of the Serbian, but it is claimed that they could face competition from other English clubs as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Talented striker

Vlahovic was regarded as one of the best strikers in European football during his time at Fiorentina. He was brilliant during the 2021 calendar year, scoring 37 goals for the Serie A outfit. However, he has failed to replicate the same form since his move to Turin in January 2022.

Vlahovic has accumulated only 23 goals and six assists from 63 games for Juventus thus far. A lot more was expected from him, and it appears the Bianconeri are open to selling him for the right price. A move to a new club could change his fortunes, and it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will win the race.

The London giants have the funds to afford his signature. They recently went on a huge selling spree in the transfer market, and are now expected to spend the funds on the purchase of new signings. Jackson was signed recently, but the club may want someone more experienced to be their first-choice striker.

Vlahovic has been identified as the main target, but Chelsea could face competition from the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. United are yearning for a top-class striker ahead of next season while Spurs could make a serious move if they lose Harry Kane to Bayern Munich during the summer.

[football-talk]

Navigating the Deal: Clement Lenglet’s Potential Transfer to Tottenham

In the ever-turbulent world of football transfers, Clement Lenglet, the French defender deemed superfluous at Barcelona, is edging closer to a permanent move to Tottenham Hotspur. The deal, according to Spanish publication Sport, is in its final phase, with a monetary gap of €5 million separating the clubs’ valuation of the player.

A Season of Spurs Experience

Lenglet, who spent the previous season on loan at Tottenham, put up a commendable performance throughout the campaign. Conversations regarding a permanent transfer have been brewing for some time, and negotiations between the two clubs have been gaining momentum.

The Price Standoff: Barcelona and Tottenham

In their effort to facilitate Lenglet’s transfer, Barcelona has set a price tag of €15 million. However, Tottenham has shown a reluctance to meet this valuation. The Spurs have already been stretching their resources to match the defender’s hefty wage bill, making the steep transfer fee a sticking point in the negotiations.

Barcelona’s financial predicament has them seeking to offload Lenglet, whose annual earnings stand at a whopping €16 million. Tottenham, already striving to cover his salary, are reluctant to break the bank for the transfer fee. Subsequently, the London-based club are considering a €10 million bid for the defender.

The Add-ons and Variables: Possible Path to Agreement

Barcelona might consider accepting the proposed €10 million from Tottenham with the inclusion of a few add-ons and variables in the deal. Such a structure could bridge the gap in valuations, bringing the clubs closer to a consensus.

Lenglet’s Preference and Compensation

For Lenglet, the prospect of a permanent move to Tottenham is an attractive one, though not without its complications. A potential financial loss looms if the transfer to London materialises, and he is expected to seek compensation from Barcelona to mitigate this.

Barcelona’s Bid for Financial Equilibrium

Barcelona’s financial imperative to cut down their wage bill could drive them towards a swift resolution with Tottenham and Lenglet. Having recently offloaded Samuel Umtiti by terminating his contract, Barcelona sees Lenglet’s departure as another significant step toward financial stability.

It’s a classic transfer triangle with Barcelona, Tottenham, and Lenglet each having their stakes. The final details, it seems, are ready to be ironed out, painting a clearer picture of Lenglet’s future and Barcelona’s financial health.

[eplindex]

Barcelona have been scraping around for cash for much of the last five years, but they could be in line to save €170m on their budgeted spending.

President Joan Laporta believes that the construction of the new Camp Nou will come in under budget, and has stated that things are going well with regard to the project.

Barcelona members had approved a €1.5b package for the reform of Espai Barca, including a new basketball stadium and the Camp Nou reforms. The budget for the basketball court has been halved from €400m to €200m, and Laporta feels they could make more savings on Camp Nou too.

“I think we are going to reduce the budget for the stadium and for contingencies, in fact it is already happening. We are very close to being able to cut the €1.1b that was stated. I think we are going to be at €960m and maybe €930m if everything goes well,” he told MD.

However Laporta did warn that tough times were ahead next season, as Barcelona move to the Estadi Lluis Companys.

“Next year will not be easy. We are moving to a stadium that has half the capacity of Camp Nou.”

“Going up to the stadium at Montjuic is uncomfortable. Although to me it doesn’t seem as bad as some make out,” Laporta nuanced.

If it were to be the case, then it would be welcome news for the Blaugrana, as their debt continues to heave and grow. However Cules will not want the current board to cut corners either, with these venues set to serve the club for the next 50 years at least.

[football-espana]

Barcelona Femini of Spain striker, Asisat Oshoala, has said that the Super Falcons of Nigeria are highly motivated ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

Oshoala said this while she also expressed her determination and readiness for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in far-away Australia.

The Super Falcons will be travelling from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital to Melbourne, Australia on Sunday.

“Personally, I feel like we have a good team and if everything is being done right, we can go very far at the up-coming World Cup,” Oshoala said.

“This is because regardless of whatever, we are still going to go out there fighting, do our job and see what we can achieve.

“The team is mentally strong as we have been through a lot and even in the hardest moments, we will still go out there to fight.

“The motivation has always been there, although, maybe it has not gone up as expected but we have always been a strong side mentally.”

Also in a video shared on Instagram by Nigerian journalist, Calister Enejele, Oshoala confidently stated her preparedness ahead of the tournament.

“As far as I know, I will be ready before the World Cup kicks off,” Oshoala who has been battling with injury stated.

The Barcelona forward has been out of action since May following a hamstring problem she picked up while in action in Spain.

[Guardian]