Latest News
Chelsea are reportedly considering a transfer move for Girona’s Artem Dovbyk as a short-term alternative for their long-term target, Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen looks highly unlikely to join Chelsea this January transfer window after he recently signed a new deal with Napoli.
According to the Sun (via Teamtalk), the Blues are keen to bring Dovbyk to Stamford Bridge this January.
Dovbyk has been impressive for Girona in the La Liga this season.
He has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 17 games this term.
His contract with the La Liga club will expire in 2028 which would make him costly but not as much as Osimhen.
Chelsea could make do with a player like Dovbyk as they have continued to struggle for goals this season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have also been linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has revealed that his country’s national team will be fine without him during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.
The Liverpool ace spoke after leading Jurgen Klopp’s side to beat Newcastle United 4-2 on Monday night.
Recall that Salah scored a brace for the Reds against Newcastle to give his side all three points at Anfield.
The match was Salah’s last game for Liverpool as he prepared to join the Egypt squad for the 2023 AFCON.
Speaking after Liverpool defeated Newcastle, Salah told Sky Sports: “We believe too much. We have top talents. They just need to work hard.
“Going to AFCON? I want to win it! I love playing for my country. Without me they will be fine. We have fantastic players.”
Egypt are in Group B at the AFCON alongside Ghana, Mozambique and Cape Verde.
[DailyPost]
WAYNE Rooney has been fired by Birmingham City after just three months in charge of the Championship club.
The former England, Everton and Manchester United forward was relieved of his duties after a dismal run of just two victories in 15 matches, which took Birmingham City from sixth to 20th in the English second tier.
“Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson.
Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the Board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club,” the club announced on their official website today.
“The Club’s Board and management are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City into the organisation its fans and community deserve.
“The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts.”
Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, noted: “We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew’s.
“Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.
“The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news.”
Birmingham confirmed that Professional Development Coach, Steve Spooner, will take temporary charge of the first team to be assisted by the remaining coaching staff that were not sacked along with Rooney.
Legendary as a player, with scoring records at both England and Manchester United, Rooney has struggled as a coach, having previously handled Derby County and DC United in the American Major League Soccer.
Rooney, 38, was appointed 82 days ago to replace John Eustace but Birmingham City have gone backwards since then, winning two, drawing four and losing a whopping nine of their games.
[NaijaTimes]
To the excitement and applause of the audience, the Super Eagles forward, who has been freed by his Italian club Napoli for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, pulled up for service.
In the widely shared video on the internet, Osimhen was seen approaching the pulpit as the congregation cheered and whooped.
The pastor gave the microphone to an overjoyed Osimhen after the former Lille striker hugged him.
[TheNation]
Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat, aged 34, has been discovered dead in Kenya, as confirmed by the police on Sunday.
Reports from local media suggested that he may have been murdered.
Kiplagat, who was originally from Kenya, had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, participating in multiple Olympic Games and World Championships.
His lifeless body was found in a car on Saturday night on the outskirts of Eldoret, a town in the Rift Valley known for being home to many athletes.
“An investigation has been launched, and officers are on the ground pursuing leads,” local police commander Stephen Okal told reporters in Eldoret.
The police have reported that Benjamin Kiplagat’s body showed signs of a deep knife wound to his neck, indicating that he may have been stabbed.
Benjamin Kiplagat, specializing in long-distance races, represented Uganda in the Rio Olympics Games in 2016 in Brazil.
Throughout his impressive 17-year career, the 34-year-old athlete earned several accolades, including a World Under 20 Championships Silver medal and an African Championships Bronze medal.
In the World Athletics Rankings, he held the 38th position overall in the Men’s 3,000-meter Steeplechase.
Kiplagat participated in various competitions, including the Shanghai Samsung Diamond League, Lausanne Athletissima in Switzerland, Paris Meeting Areva, and Hengelo Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in the Netherlands.
Notably, in June 2012, Kiplagat made history by securing bronze in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase final, becoming the first Ugandan male athlete to win any kind of medal and breaking the dominion of Kenyan athletes in the event.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has named 25 players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
In the 25-man Super Eagles squad that was confirmed earlier today, December 29, coach Jose Peseiro unexpectedly invited Ahmed Musa, the team’s captain, who has never kicked a ball for the team throughout 2023.
Interestingly, only one domestic player from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Enyimba goalkeeper, Leke Ojo, made the cut.
Ojo will compete with error-prone Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho who is currently contracted to Omonoia FC of Cyprus, and Stanley Nwabili of Chippa United of South Africa, for the Eagles’ first eleven.
Other major additions to the squad are, Victor Osimhen of Napoli, Vice-Captain William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Below is the Super Eagles of Nigeria full squad for the 2023 AFCON:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
Note that the Super Eagles are in Group A and they will begin their 2023 AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14. They will play the hosts, Ivory Coast, on January 18, and end the group stage with a game against Guinea Bissau on January 22.
The Africa Cup of Nations hosts, Ivory Coast, revealed their 27-man squad for the January 11 to February 11 tournament, incorporating a mix of overseas talents, in an announcement made on Thursday.
Under the management of French coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Ivory Coast’s squad includes Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller, Monaco defender Wilfried Singo, along with midfielders Ibrahim Sangare from Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, Seko Fofana from Al Nassr, and Franck Kesslie from Al Ahli.
However, absent from Gasset’s selection are Galatasaray forward Wilfried Zaha and Besiktas defender Eric Bailly.
Drawn in Group A alongside Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast gears up for the challenge ahead.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers/FRA), Charles Folly (Asec Mimosas), Badra Ali (Sekhukhune United/RSA)
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Ismael Diallo (Hajduk Split/CRO), Ousmane Diomandé (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Ghislain Konan (Al-Feiha/KSA), Evans N’dicka (Roma/ITA), Odilon Kossonou (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Wilfried Singo (Monaco/FRA)
Midfielders: Jean-Thierry Amani Lazare (Union Saint-Gilloise/BEL), Idrissa Doumbia (Alanyaspor/TUR), Seko Fofana (Al Nassr/KSA), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli/KSA), Jean-Michael Seri (Hull/ENG)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton/ENG), Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo/ESP), Jérémie Boga (Nice/FRA), Sébastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Karim Konaté (RB Salzburg/AUT), Christian Kouamé (Fiorentina/ITA), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Red Star Belgrade/SRB), Max-Alain Gradel (Gaziantep/TUR), Oumar Diakité (Reims/FRA), Nicolas Pépé (Trabzonspor/TUR)
[Leadership]
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe to begin his rule over Manchester United’s football department by ruthlessly offloading 10 players.
The 10 players are Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Antony, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Scott McTominay, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho.
Saunders believes some of these players are not good enough to play for the Red Devils.
DAILY POST recalls that the chairman of petrochemical conglomerate INEOS last week agreed to a £1.3 billion deal with the Glazer family, giving him a 25 per cent stake in Man United.
It would allow Ratcliffe to take charge of Man United’s football operations.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Saunders said: “Rashford has been there too long. [Anthony] Martial, I will drive him to the airport. Antony, drive him to the airport.
“Luke Shaw has been there too long. [Diogo] Dalot’s not good enough. [Raphael] Varane, he’s a good player, but it’s not worked for him. Ten Hag’s tried to get rid of Varane.
“Jonny Evans is not good enough now, so there’s the back four. [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka, he’s tried to get rid of him. He got rid of Fred. [Scott] McTominay, the manager has obviously shown he doesn’t think he is good enough, but he gets goals.
“He is not good enough to play for Man United, in my opinion. If you play for Man United in midfield, you have got to be one of the best players in the world in midfield. You are not playing for Crystal Palace!”
He added: “I am just thinking off the top of my head. Sancho, Antony, Martial, you are looking at what, £200m or something like that just for them?”
[DailyPost]
Former Premier League star, Clinton Morrison has insisted that William Saliba is just as important to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as Declan Rice.
Morrison said that Rice has been outstanding for Arteta’s side but Saliba’s availability will be a decisive factor in their Premier League title race this term.
According to the former Republic of Ireland international, Saliba and Gabriel’s partnership is rock solid but Arsenal could struggle if the French defender suffers an injury setback.
“We spoke about Declan Rice, he has been outstanding. But another player who has been outstanding and they have to keep fit is Saliba,” Morrison said on Soccer Special on Sky Sports.
“Unbelievable. The partnership between him and Gabriel is brilliant.
“That is a protection (from Rice). But if they were to pick an injury to Saliba, then it is a struggle. You are then looking at who could come in.”
[DailyPost]
The Super Eagles of Nigeria ended the outgoing 2023 as the most financially valuable national team in Africa.
According to the most recent Transfermarket financial rankings of national teams for 2023, the Super Eagles are the 12th most valuable national team globally.
Super Eagles’ squad financial valuation has now hit €465.90 million, which is a €14.3 million increase from their worth in November,r which was €451.60 million.
The players’ recent outstanding season for their respective clubs, alongside the addition of Nathan Tella, a midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen, contributed to a notable increase in the squad’s financial valuation.
Tella, who made his debut for Nigeria against Zimbabwe in November, is reportedly valued at €23 million.
Victor Osimhen (€120 million) is the most expensive player in Nigeria, valued at more than a quarter of the squad, with a transfer value that eclipses any other player in Africa.
Boniface, a sensation from Leverkusen, is the Eagles’ second most expensive player at €40 million.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s squad worth increased dramatically, from €326.05 million to €350.80 million, solidifying their ranking as the continent’s second most valuable and 13th most valuable team in the world.
With a value of €340.58 million, Ivory Coast is ranked third in Africa and 15th overall, down €25.5 million from €315.08 million. With a squad worth €266 million, Senegal holds fourth place on the continent; Ghana, with a value of €285 million, moved up to fifth place.
On the world stage, Brazil moved up to second place with a squad worth €1.09 billion, while England remained the most valuable team in the world with a market value of €1.15 billion, down from their previous €1.37 billion.
Spain (€837 million), Portugal (€922 million), and France (€1.05 billion) round out the top five national teams in the world according to transfermarkt.com.
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RASMUS Hojlund scored his first English Premier League goal in his 15th appearance tonight as Manchester United came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford in a thrilling Boxing Day clash.
The Norway striker netted the winner and celebrated wildly as United recovered from 2-0 down to claim their first win in four games, after Alejandro Garnacho’s brace had pulled United level.
In United’s first game since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent purchase of the club, Erik ten Hag’s side produced their best performance of the season to prevent Aston Villa from going level on points with leaders Liverpool.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker gave the visitors a deserved 2-0 lead at half-time, taking advantage of United’s loose marking at set-pieces in the 21st and 26th minutes.
United created some chances in the first half that they could not convert but they rallied after the break and mounted a stirring comeback
Garnacho thought he had reduced the deficit three minutes into the second half, but his goal was disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside decision.
The 19-year-old Argentine was undaunted and he led the fightback, scoring from close range after breakaways in the 59th and 71st minutes to pull United level.
Villa then almost regained their lead, with the impressive Johnny Evans clearing John McGinn’s goal-bound effort off the line.
Hojlund then had the final say eight minutes from regulation time, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the Villa area and thrashing the ball home after Bruno Fernandes’ corner had struck McGinn and bounced free.
The victory, United’s first since their 2-1 win over Chelsea on December 6, which was also the last time they scored, took them up to sixth in the table.
[NaijaTimes]
The highly anticipated boxing clash between Portable and Charles Okocha. The bout, extensively promoted in the preceding weeks, unfolded on December 26.
In a riveting contest, Portable emerged victorious in the fourth round, demonstrating his prowess with a strategic flurry of punches. Several of these strikes proved decisive, culminating in a notable knockout. Remarkably, Charles Okocha displayed resilience by regaining his footing after absorbing the forceful blows, showcasing tenacity in the face of adversity.
Ultimately, Portable's skill and determination prevailed as the referee announced the final result, declaring Portable the triumphant boxer. With the resounding victory, Portable clinched the coveted belt, solidifying his position as the deserving champion in this hard-fought and compelling encounter.
Media
Guess who won the fight? Portable vs Charles Okocha. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Fwer4YwsJu
— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) December 27, 2023
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta will refuse to sanction a move away for Eddie Nketiah, amid interest from two Premier League clubs.
Nketiah, who has played 23 times in all competitions this season, will not be sold or loaned out in the January transfer window.
The UK Sun reports that Arteta regards the Englishman as a key part of his squad.
Nketiah has drawn interest from Brentford and Crystal Palace in recent times, while Arsenal have been linked with a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
But even if Toney ends up joining Arsenal, they will not allow their 24-year-old player to leave as they would need a strong bench if they want to go all out for the Premier League title in the second half of the season.
[DailyPost]
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has agreed a deal to buy a 25 percent stake in Manchester United for a reported £1.25 billion ($1.6 billion) and will take control of the Premier League club’s football operations.
Ratcliffe, the chairman of petrochemicals giant INEOS, will also provide substantial funds for future investment in the club’s Old Trafford stadium.
A club statement said Ratcliffe “will acquire 25 percent of Manchester United’s Class B shares and up to 25 percent of Manchester United’s Class A shares and provide an additional $300 million intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford”.
“As part of the transaction, INEOS has accepted a request by the board to be delegated responsibility for the management of the club’s football operations,” it added.
Ratcliffe said he wanted to see the struggling 20-time English champions back on top of European football and committed himself for the long term.
“As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club,” he said.
“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.
“We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club.”
The agreement ends more than 12 months of speculation over the ownership situation and heralds a new era at a club that has fallen well behind cross-town rivals Manchester City.
Unpopular owners the Glazers, who bought the club for £790 million in 2005, announced in November 2022 that they were considering “strategic alternatives” to help United grow, sparking a protracted process.
Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani made rival offers in the region of £5 billion for a complete takeover, but that fell short of the Glazers’ valuation.
Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process, while Ratcliffe continued to pursue a minority shareholding.
Commercial experience
Executive co-chairmen and directors Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer said Ratcliffe and INEOS “bring a wealth of commercial experience as well as significant financial commitment into the club.
They added: “Through INEOS Sport, Manchester United will have access to seasoned high-performance professionals, experienced in creating and leading elite teams from both inside and outside the game.”
Ratcliffe’s group have extensive involvement in sport, owning French Ligue 1 club Nice and Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, as well as the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team.
United have not been crowned Premier League champions since Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge, in 2013.
They languish eighth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Arsenal, and have been knocked out of the League Cup and the Champions League.
Manager Erik Ten Hag’s position is also likely to come under close scrutiny after the Dutch coach failed to build on ending United’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last season.
Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said fans would be left with “mixed feelings”, with the Glazers still in overall charge at Old Trafford.
“During 18 years of debt, decay and mismanagement, Manchester United fans have loudly and consistently called for change at our club,” MUST said in a statement.
“When the so-called strategic review was announced nearly a year ago, it finally appeared that the sale of the club was on the horizon, potentially bringing the new investment and new direction MUFC so clearly needs.
“Against that backdrop, fans have very mixed feelings today. We welcome the investment from a boyhood red, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS company, but many will wish his ownership stake was greater.”