England
Fabio Capello: Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard has sunk under weight of expectations
Eden Hazard has struggled to deal with the weight of the Real Madrid shirt following his high-profile move from Chelsea, former Real manager Fabio Capello has said. Hazard joined the Spanish club from Chelsea on a five-year contract for a reported 100 million euros ($116.54 million) ahead of the 2019-20 season. The Belgium international inspired Chelsea to two Premier League trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge but has failed to hit similar heights in Spain, with injuries limiting him to 21 appearances in all competitions this season. “He hasn’t been the player he was at Chelsea and he was injured for a long time, he hasn’t adapted,” Capello told Marca. “I’ve always thought of him as a great player but the Real shirt weighs heavily and Hazard has sunk this year. It’s clear that he’l...
Kevin De Bruyne: David Silva one of the best Premier League imports
David Silva is one of the finest imports to have ever graced the Premier League, says Kevin De Bruyne, with another of Manchester City’s midfield stars hoping to establish the same consistency in his game as the Spanish World Cup winner has enjoyed. After 10 memorable years at the Etihad Stadium, Silva will be dropping into the free agent pool when their 2019-20 campaign comes to a close. The 34-year-old will walk away with over 430 appearances, four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups to his name – with a Champions League crown still up for grabs. He has been a model of consistency throughout his time in Manchester, with the diminutive playmaker proving that the physicality of life in the Premier League can be mastered through talent and hard work. Silva has been showe...
Everton looking to sign São Paulo goalkeeper Lucas Perri
Everton are thought to be keen on signing the Sao Paulo goalkeeper Lucas Perri this summer. As per Joven Pan, the Toffees have made contact with the Brazilian club. It will be interesting to see if they follow up on the enquiry with a formal offer now. Jordan Pickford has been quite error-prone since moving to Goodison Park and it is no surprise that Everton are looking at other keepers. Pickford is a talented player but he needs to work on cutting out his mistakes. Also, he needs more competition for the starting berth. Lucas Perri is highly rated in Brazil and he could push Pickford for the starting berth next season. The 19-year-old has played in England with Crystal Palace (loan) before and he might be tempted to join a big club like Everton. The player has a €40m release clause and th...
England to Allow Indoor Concerts Starting Next Month
Social distancing will be required as the country enters phase 4 of a five-stage reopening plan. Audiences who adhere to social distancing can return to indoor theaters, music and performance venues beginning Aug. 1, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday (July 17). The policy represents the fourth phase in the country’s five-stage reopening plan for live events. In the lead up to the August start date, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will conduct pilots of performances with socially-distanced audiences — including the London Symphony Orchestra at St. Luke’s London — using the findings there to inform final guidance for venues. The announcement notes that “audiences, performers and venues will be expected to maintain social distancing at all tim...
Amaju Pinnick: NFF not ready to make Tammy Abraham mistake with Ovie Ejaria, others
NFF President Amaju Pinick has stated that the football federation is doing everything possible to avoid the mistake they made with Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham as they try to lure more players of Nigerian descent into the Super Eagles. The former Delta State FA chief made a bold statement in 2017 that the Chelsea player would choose Nigeria due to his close ties with his father. However, just hours after Pinnick’s announcement, Abraham himself put out a statement saying he will consider a future with England instead. In an interview on Thursday, the NFF President speaks highly of Ovie Ejaria but revealed that the federation is trying to do the right things and not make a repeat of the Tammy Abraham mistake. “Remember when I made public of Tammy’s allegiance and the player through his age...
Pep Guardiola: Manchester City deserve an apology
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his team deserved an apology, after their two-year UEFA ban from European football was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) — a verdict he called “a good day for football”. Guardiola said the club’s reputation had been damaged by the furore around allegations that they broke Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and fired back at comments from rival managers Jose Mourinho and Juergen Klopp. Mourinho had described the CAS decision to fine City 10 million euros ($11.39 million) for non-cooperation with the investigation as “disgraceful”. “Maybe. The thing about the money, maybe. But Jose and all the managers should know that we were damaged. We should be apologised (to). Because, like I said many times, if we did something wrong, we will...
Liverpool skipper out for the rest of the season
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. The England midfielder limped out of a 3-1 victory at Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday after damaging his left knee in a challenge with Yves Bissouma. At a Friday news conference, Klopp revealed Henderson will play no further part in the champions’ bid to break Manchester City’s record Premier League points tally of 100. The former Sunderland man will not require surgery, however, and his manager is optimistic he will be fit for the start of the 2020-21 season. Klopp said: “Best possible news. It’s a knee injury, but no surgery is required. “He will not play this season, but I’m positive he will start the new season. He’s a quick healer.” Klopp also revealed Dejan Lovr...
Dean Henderson praises David de Gea amidst talk over future
Manchester United star Dean Henderson has addressed the talk surrounding his future and fans will love to hear what he had to say. The young goalkeeper is currently on loan at Sheffield United and has rightfully gained plenty of plaudits for a brilliant season so far. Henderson’s good form has coincided with the time David de Gea has looked the most human he has since arriving at Old Trafford. This has led to some sections of supporters to call for the Spaniard’s head, with some claiming the Englishman would be better off as the club’s number one next season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hasn’t addressed the topic head-on but recently insisted De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world and there’s nothing to worry about in regards to his form. Earlier in the season Solskjaer had said Henderson wil...
Victor Osimhen voted best African player in Ligue 1
Victor Osimhen has picked up the award for the best African Player in Ligue 1 for the year 2020. The award which is named after the late Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien-Foe is organised by Radio France International and France 24. Osimhen beat his international team-mate Moses Simon and eight other African star to the prestigious award. Algerian Islam Slimani (Monaco) and Morrocan Yunis Abdelhamid (Stade de Reims) came second and third respectively. Osimhen, who was also voted Lille player of the season scored 18 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions during the campaign. Six players from the club have won the award in the past. Ivory Coast forward Gervinho won it in 2010 and 2011, Vincent Enyeama picked up the prize in 2014, while Sofiane Boufal was th...
Victor Osimhen voted best African player in Ligue 1
Victor Osimhen has picked up the award for the best African Player in Ligue 1 for the year 2020. The award which is named after the late Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien-Foe is organised by Radio France International and France 24. Osimhen beat his international team-mate Moses Simon and eight other African star to the prestigious award. Algerian Islam Slimani (Monaco) and Morrocan Yunis Abdelhamid (Stade de Reims) came second and third respectively. Osimhen, who was also voted Lille player of the season scored 18 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions during the campaign. Six players from the club have won the award in the past. Ivory Coast forward Gervinho won it in 2010 and 2011, Vincent Enyeama picked up the prize in 2014, while Sofiane Boufal was th...
Newcastle to spend €135 million on Italian striker
Newcastle United are working on becoming one of the biggest club’s in England and are ready to spend €135m in total to snap up Italian international, Ciro Immobile, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Magpies are close to selling the club to a Saudi investor and the Public Investment Fund willing to make a statement signing. Immobile has scored 27 goals in 26 Serie A matches this term and leads more establish goalscorers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Edin Dzeko. Interestingly, Immobile’s contract with Lazio expires in June 2023 but Italian media have claimed that the club is looking at offering him a new bumper new deal at the Olimpico that will scare away potential buyers. Lazio President Claudio Lotito wants the forward’s contract to be extended until 2025 and is prepared to offer €4m...
How music legend Majek Fashek passed on
Legendary reggae artiste, Majekodunmi Fasheke, aka Majek Fashek is dead. The artiste died in a New York hospital after a protracted illness on Monday about 5:45pm. He was aged 71. His manager, Uzoma Omenka, confirmed this in a video uploaded on the late singer’s Instagram handle. “Yes, it is true that the legend has gone to be with the Lord. But this time I want to say we should all celebrate him, his achievements. He has done a lot for Nigeria and for Africa. Whatever the family decides, I will get it to you. This is all I have to say for now.” He said. Fashek, who battled a mysterious protracted illness had been down since 2019 and was at a time on admission at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich in England . Fashek was born in Benin-City, Edo state to an Ijesha father and a Benin mot...
