Maurizio Sarri has insisted that he has accepted the fact that his job as Chelsea head coach is “always at risk” but also said that he will keep trying to implement his style of football at Stamford Bridge. His words, “I think that my job is always at risk, and I love my job for this reason,” he said. “I thrive on pressure. So I love my job for everything, but I know very well the rules. My job is always at risk. You can win against [Manchester] City, but after three days you are at risk.” “It’s not my…
Author: David Folami
Manchester United were notably absent from any signings in the January transfer window. In fairness, the buzz around Old Trafford is so amazing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that the club probably didn’t want to tweak things much right now. But that buzz could get even better at the club in the summer if United can snare one of the best young prospects around — Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund — and a former Man City player at that. Reports have it that United are keeping an eye on the 18-year-old winger, who earned a call-up to the England squad last…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had an amazing start to life as Manchester United manager because he has clicked with the club’s best players, Ander Herrera has said. He told ESPN, “Ole had that click with some players that they are performing at their best,” “He is getting the best from Rashford, he is getting the best from Paul, he is getting the best from Anthony, from Jesse. That’s not easy. “When you are a manager, we sometimes speak too much about tactics. But the most difficult thing for a manager is to get the best from his best players and…
Mauricio Pochettino has said Tottenham’s plan to wrestle the EPL title from wealthier rivals is similar to Fernando Alonso’s attempt to win the Formula One crown with McLaren. His words, “When you work in football, it’s because you want to win,” he said. “It’s easy to be passionate and shout, ‘I’m a winner!’ but no, no, no. You can be a winner, but if you don’t have the tools to win, it’s difficult. “If you have the car to win and you’re good, then you win. If you have the same car as another who is good, then one is…
Jurgen Klopp has said manpower troubles were why only one half of the pitch was free of snow at half-time of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Wednesday. His words, “When we were warming up it started snowing, but the pitch was completely OK,” he told a news conference on Friday. “Then we went in, and when we came out it was like full of hail or wet snow. The pitch was difficult. “The first half we had 80 percent of the ball, so only one team suffered and it was us. It was clear that our groundstaff tried…
Mohamed Salah has been shortlisted for January PFA Premier League Player of the Month award. Salah will fight it out with Manchester United trio of David de Gea, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford as well as Watford’s Troy Deeney, and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane to claim the prize. The Egypt international won the award in December and will be looking to make it back-to-back victories. Liverpool face West Ham United on Monday and will be hoping to return to winning ways after their 1-1 stalemate with Leicester City last time out.
Maurizio Sarri has said he is not bothered by the pressure mounting on him following Chelsea’s slump in form, insisting the the pressure was higher in his previous job with Napoli. His words, “My job is always at risk, and I love my job for this. I thrive on pressure. “I arrived from Napoli and they were in the Champions League for the third time in a row. The level here is very high, but the level there wasn’t so low. “I think there was more pressure at Napoli. Naples is the only city in Italy with only one team,…
Clasico rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to fight it out in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after being drawn together on Friday. The first leg of the tie will happen at Camp Nou on February 6 before the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu in the final week of February. The two giants of Spanish football have held a monopoly over the Copa in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 editions between them. Barca are going in search of their fifth successive domestic cup triumph, but have had to do things the hard way so…
Maurizio Sarri has warned Eden Hazard that he has to step it up because he wants to see more from him from a tactical point of view. His words, “I think that he’s changing. He was used to playing as an individual player. Now he has to play in a particular way. It’s not easy for him because he became Hazard playing in another way, so I think very well it’s not easy. “But I can see that, now, he is more available to play in this way. He needs to improve, of course. That’s normal. He’s fantastic from the…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Anthony Martial to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps and establish himself as one of the world’s best with Manchester United. His words, “He’s a fantastic finisher, great ability, he’s young, he’s intelligent, he knows his football. “He knows that I’d like him to do a couple more runs in behind, but I’ve not seen many players with the quick feet and the skills in the last third as he has so we’re going to build his career and hopefully he’ll grab the chance with both hands.” United’s caretaker coach also highlighted the example of former…
Muhammadu Buhari has said in Kano that his decision to want to re-contest again was is because of his desire and commitment to make right the ills destroying Nigeria. His word, “There is nothing that prompted me to seek re-election beside my desire and commitment to correct the ills of the country. “I was a Governor, Minister and Head of State and now a President. So, I need nothing less than to ensure that Nigeria attains greatness.” “There is nothing new I will tell you but I am here to thank you for taking the pains to wait patiently to…
Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election support group in the South East, the Zikist-Buharist-Movement, ZBM, has said that Atiku Abubakar’s plan for restructuring the country is not a clear one. Secretary of the group, Godwin Onwusi said this recently. His words, “ZBM sincerely thanks the governors, traditional rulers and good people of the South East for the royal and rousing reception they accorded President Muhammadu Buhari during his presidential campaign visit to the geo-political zone in the last seven days. “It is our considered opinion that Ndigbo can do better by producing Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2023. “ZBM will not fail…
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was put on the spot yesterday when he was accused of plotting with the police authorities to establish militia for rigging purposes at the forthcoming general election. Kogi State chapter of Social Democratic Party, SDP, which made the allegation, gave a narrative of recent attacks in Kogi Central allegedly inspired by the militia acting on the governor’s order. The allegations were refuted as soon as possible by the governor’s spokesman, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, who said it was political. Acting chairman of SDP in Kogi State said, “I wish to notify the general public that…
The leaders of Imo State All Progressives Congress, APC, recently said the statement by President Muhammadu Buhari during his Presidential rally in the state was not interpreted the right way. They said that Buhari’s statement at the rally where he urged supporters to “vote across party lines” was actually referring to other parties to choose APC. Martin Agbaso, former national chairman of APGA said: “The President said across party lines, which means down the line of APC for APC candidate. After the President spoke, he presented Uzodimma to Imo people and asked them to vote for him. Mr Fabian Ihekweme’s…
Spokesman of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Simon Ebegbulem has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, is very precise and clear. According to him, this was seen at the presidential rally of the APC in Owerri on Tuesday, January 29, where President Buhari walked straight to Uzodinma, raised his hand and presented him to the large crowd of party faithful as the party’s candidate in the March 2 governorship election. His words, “Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation,…
The President of Liberia, George Weah, is set to be in Lagos to discuss democracy in Africa. Mr Rasheed Adegbenro, Senior Vice President, CVL, revealed this yesterday. His words, “One of our objectives is to make policy interventions. “When we make policy interventions, the government is more likely to listen to us and make policy changes that will benefit the lives of the citizens. “This year, we are taking a look at a very sensitive issue which borders on democracy. “We are asking the big question: Is Democracy making life better for us in Africa?’’ “We were told by the…
Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed to compensate owners of the buildings that were demolished for road construction in Ikorodu. He said if he is governor, his administration would look at how they can compensate owners of buildings brought down for expansion of Ishawo Road. His words, “Also, the Sulaimon Farouq Road will be constructed and linked with Ketu. This is basically to reduce travel time within the axis.” He pledged that his administration would build a stadium in the area to fish out more new talents for the country. The state deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, also said that the…
Kabir Marafa has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for sticking to its earlier position on the rejection of All Progressives Congress’ candidates from Zamfara State. The senator said he would present a letter to Buhari urging him to stay away from the presidential campaign already scheduled for Sunday. His words, “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend his proposed campaign to Zamfara State on Sunday. I will personally hand over a letter on the matter to him. “However, if the President insists on going for the rally in Zamfara on Sunday, there is no problem. Let (Governor Abdulaziz) Yari…
A former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has begged the Independent National Electoral Commission to handle deployment of security personnel during the elections. His words, “As we approach the general elections, there is a need to lend one’s voice to ensuring that a peaceful, free, fair and credible election is conducted by INEC. “Shortly before the former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, left office, I watched a programme where there was an argument about who should be in control of police personnel posted to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission during elections. “Whilst the former IGP was…
The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned voters to stay away from going to polling booths with huge sums of money during the forthcoming general elections. Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, gave the warning recently. Her words, “We are fully prepared for hitch-free polls. “No one should buy or sell votes. Use of mobile phones will not be allowed within the polling area. “Don’t be intimidated, come out and vote. We need you women to assist us in talking to your colleagues. No one should engage in violence before, during or after the polls.”