Chelsea could be set to land a World Cup-winning centre-back in January after approaching Bayern Munich about the availability of Mats Hummels, reports The Sun. It is claimed the Blues asked the Bundesliga champions to name their price for Hummels and were told he would cost in the region of £30 million. But Chelsea were also told they needed to move fast so Bayern had enough time to find a replacement, with The Metro claiming they have until Jan. 14 to submit an offer. Hummels is recognised as one of the world’s best centre-backs and is a five-time Bundesliga champion.…
Author: David Folami
Six of Pep Guardiola’s 11 Premier League defeats have come in the month of December. Manchester City still have “belief” despite falling to third in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats, says manager Pep Guardiola. The reigning champions trail leaders Liverpool by 10 points and were overtaken by Tottenham after losing 2-1 at Leicester on Wednesday. That result made it three defeats in four league games – but Guardiola is adamant there is no cause for concern. “Why should we not believe with these players?” said the Spaniard. “Look what we’ve done in the last 15-16 months. They are absolute…
Paul Pogba has revealed how he kept his late father in mind throughout a triumphant World Cup campaign with France in the summer. The 25-year-old’s father, Fassou Antonine Pogba, passed away on 14 May 2017, just ten days prior to Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Ajax in the Europa League final, during which Pogba scored the opener and produced a ‘Man of the Match’ performance. A year later, following a season without trophies under Jose Mourinho, Pogba scored in the World Cup final against Croatia to secure France’s second ever triumph on the biggest of all stages. The celebrations were…
David Luiz credited his revival under Maurizio Sarri this season to the fact that he is playing without pain for the first time in two years, coupled with the more expansive style of football the Italian has brought. Restored to the heart of defence by Sarri after being frozen out towards the end of Antonio Conte’s time, Luiz has started 18 of 19 Premier League games this season and forged a partnership with Antonio Rudiger. “I am very happy — first about my physical condition, because I was suffering a bit in the last two years,” Luiz said after Wednesday’s…
Pep Guardiola does not intend to change his attacking philosophy despite Manchester City suffering three defeats in their last four matches. His side travel to Southampton on Sunday hoping to close the gap on leaders Liverpool before the teams meet at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. Asked the best way to hold on to a lead, Guardiola told a news conference: “You score another one. And another one. Holding back? Forget about it. That is not going to happen. “I understand it, but if you give me a better solution, and can convince me to think about it — but…
Roberto Firmino netted a hat trick as Liverpool came from behind to hammer Arsenal 5-1 and go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Back-to-back defeats for title rivals Manchester City, as well as a shock 3-1 loss against Wolves for second-place Tottenham on Saturday gave Jurgen Klopp’s men the chance to cement their place as title favourites — and they did so in fashion. The hosts were on top in the opening exchanges, before Arsenal grew into the match and took the lead on 11 minutes. Dejan Lovren gave away possession and Alex Iwobi fed Ainsley…
Unai Emery has admitted his team still has a lot of work to do defensively, but insisted the difference between the Gunners and Liverpool isn’t as big as Saturday’s 5-1 scoreline would suggest. Liverpool tore Arsenal apart in the first half at Arsenal to take a 4-1 lead at the break despite going down to an early goal, with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah taking turns slicing through the Gunt was a humbling defeat for Emery’s side, who held Liverpool to a 1-1 home draw at the Emirates during a 22-game unbeaten run but were handed a harsh…
Jurgen Klopp has said Mohamed Salah letting Roberto Firmino take a penalty kick to secure a hat trick in Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over Arsenal was one of the nicest gestures he has seen in his life. Klopp told a news conference: “2018 ends with a Christmas present from Mo Salah. I love it, the gesture. He gives the ball to Bobby and he can score a hat trick. That’s just a nice thing. “In the moment, I was not too happy because in training Bobby doesn’t finish with penalties too often, to be honest. Obviously today it was his day…
Life Lager is not stopping its Christmas festivities anytime soon. They are set to head to Owerri next, after successfully hosting the “Bridge of Progress” party in Anambra state. Life Beer ambassador, Phyno, headlined the Anambra edition and did well to thrill the audience with his catchy indigenous rap verses. High-life artiste, Flavour has been chosen to grace the stage for the Owerri edition and fans are loving it. Omotunde Adenusi, Portfolio Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc said, “We at Life Beer have had a very strong connection with our consumers in Anambra, Owerri and other parts of Eastern Nigeria. We…
Mauricio Pochettino said his players “are not machines” after their title hopes suffered an unexpected setback thanks to a dramatic comeback win by Wolves at Wembley. Spurs led through Harry Kane’s spectacular 25-yard strike in the first half but Wolves punished a poor second-half performance, scoring three times in the final 18 minutes to end their hosts’ five-game winning run. The north London side would have moved only three points behind leaders Liverpool with a win, but the defeat and the Reds’ 5-1 win over Arsenal means the Merseyside club ended the day nine points clear. “We have had a…
For Ed Woodward, Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, the next six months will make or break his reputation — and possibly his career. He left the Cardiff City Stadium as a happy and relieved man after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game as caretaker manager ended in an emphatic 5-1 victory just four days after Jose Mourinho’s sacking. But Woodward, a former investment banker, will surely know that the hard work has only just begun. First things first, Woodward’s job as the man who runs United on a day-to-day basis will remain the safest at Old Trafford while the Glazer family continue…
Chelsea have submitted a bid “north of €50 million” ($57m) to sign Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund next summer, sources have said. Bundesliga leaders Dortmund have ruled out selling the U.S. attacking midfielder in the January transfer window, but he will be allowed to leave the club in six months’ time subject to an acceptable transfer fee. Pulisic has assured the club he will not run down his existing contract, which expires in 2020, but Dortmund are aware he has his heart set on leaving Germany. Chelsea are in pole position to win the race for the 20-year-old’s signature with…
Cristiano Ronaldo scored either side of a Fabio Quagliarella penalty to earn Juventus a 2-1 win over Sampdoria as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) took centre stage in Turin. The ex-Real Madrid man opened the scoring within three minutes as he cut in from the left and powered an effort past goalkeeper Emil Audero, who is on loan from Juventus. Ronaldo looked rampant and it appeared a question of how many Juve would score as his constant trickery seemed to bamboozle the Samp defence. However, they were pegged back on 33 minutes when, after consulting with VAR, the referee adjudged…
Lionel Messi has said he would love to have Neymar back at Camp Nou, while ruling out the possibility of leaving the Catalan side. Neymar, 26, left Barca to join Paris Saint-Germain in a world record €222 million deal in 2017. Since leaving, he has regularly been linked with a return to the club — as well as a move to rivals Real Madrid. And, while Messi said he believes a reunion for the pair in Spain is unlikely, he would be delighted should it happen. “It would be difficult,” Messi, 31, told Marca when asked about the idea of…
Pep Guardiola has taken some of the blame for Manchester City’s recent poor form and said he has no doubt about the quality of his players. City have slipped to third in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Liverpool, after three defeats in their last four games but Guardiola said he never thought his side were unbeatable. “I think you cannot blame [the players],” he told a news conference. “You are the guys who said we were the perfect team and you said we would make every game without losing and we never thought about [that]. “We spoke last…
Unai Emery has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain passed up the chance to sign Mohamed Salah from Roma — because they doubted the Egyptian was good enough to play for a top team. Emery said he and PSG bosses talked about signing Salah while he was manager of the French club, and admitted they missed out on “one of the top five players in the world” as they weren’t sure he could perform as well for a team of of PSG’s stature. Emery could be made to pay for that mistake when his Arsenal side travel to Anfield on Saturday, with…
Massimiliano Allegri will be considered during Manchester United’s hunt for a new manager, sources have said. Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino is their top choice to replace Jose Mourinho, who was sacked last week, but United are committed to “a thorough and extensive” search before making a permanent appointment ahead of next season. Caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won his first two games after taking the job following Mourinho’s dismissal. The Norwegian, who is still under contract at Molde, has hinted he would also like to be considered for the role full-time but sources have told ESPN FC that United will…
Jurgen Klopp has said Brasil that he introduced an attacking, high-intensity style of football when he first arrived at Liverpool to help get the club out of an atmosphere that felt “like a depression.” After replacing Brendan Rodgers in October 2015, Klopp’s first three seasons on Merseyside saw an entertaining Liverpool secure back-to-back top-four finishes and appearances in the finals of the Champions League, Europa League and League Cup. However, with a more controlled Liverpool currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League, centre-back Dejan Lovren recently said the team had turned into genuine title contenders this…
Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku to prove they belong in his team. The pair are in contention to feature against Bournemouth on Sunday after missing the first two games of Solskjaer’s reign. He said it is up to Sanchez and Lukaku to follow the Frenchman’s example and use the fresh start to get back to their best. “I cannot do anything for their performances on the pitch,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday. “I’m here to give them the path and it’s up to them to do it on the…
Davido has vowed to work towards Governor Nyesom Wike’s re-election as Rivers State governor. Reports have it that he made his promise when he visited Rivers State recently and visited the governor’s house. “I came here to see my God-father, Governor Wike and to support his second term bid. Iam planning a talent hunt show in Port Harcourt, one of the lucky artistes will perform at my show in Lagos in December 27″, he said. Responding to the good news, Governor Wike also promised to support the entertainment industry to create employment for the young ones. Mr Chima Aguma and…