Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told beIN SPORTS that France has the most talented players in the world, making it a “nightmare” for coach Didier Deschamps to choose a squad. Deshamps, who has been in charge of France since 2012, has a number of gifted players at his disposal, including Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann. France finished as runners-up at Euro 2016, are top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group and are currently ranked sixth in FIFA’s World Rankings. Wenger said: “I’m convinced, maybe because I’m French, but at the moment the best…
Author: David Folami
Speaking with Rai Sport, the Italy international said he is happy at Parc des Princes but left the door open to potential future moves to England, Spain or Italy. “I am happy there,” Verratti said of PSG. “Serie A is a great league, just like in Spain or England, so if one day if I were to leave Paris, I would evaluate and see what to do.” Verratti, 23, has been frequently linked with moves away from the French capital for some time, and his agent Donato Di Campli has regularly stoked the flames of transfer speculation. The former Pescara…
Raphael Varane has told L’Equipe that the struggles he had at Real Madrid during Carlo Ancelotti’s management pushed him to become a better player. Varane will play against his former boss, now at Bayern Munich, in the Champions League quarterfinal next month. The France international struggled to convince Ancelotti he was worthy of a place in the starting lineup and said: “Since he left, I’ve improved. “I could have perhaps played more under him if I could have shown him he could count on me in difficult times. “There was less turnover and you really needed to bring the house…
The Daily Express reported last week that both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez could be sold by manager Wenger, with the pair yet to extend their contracts which expire in 2018. However, when asked by Welt am Sonntag about the rumour, Ozil replied: “And you believe that Wenger would go to journalists before telling me? I know him differently.” On Friday, the former Real Madrid playmaker said he is still “very happy” at Arsenal but “something is not working with the team” at the moment. In 2013, Ozil left Real Madrid and joined Arsenal, a year before Los Blancos finally managed…
Mbappe, who has been compared by France head coach Didier Deschamps to Henry, has scored 19 goals this season and became the youngest player to represent France for more than 60 years. Henry said the 18-year-old “has a good head on his shoulders,” adding that he enjoyed watching him play. “I don’t like comparing players — Mbappe has to become Mbappe and that is all,” he said. “But my word, he is good. Ooh la la! l really like watching him play. When you have kid with that much talent, what are you going to teach him apart from a…
Rashford, 19, impressed as a second-half substitute in England’s 2-0 win over Lithuania on Sunday, but former United midfielder Giggs wants to see more from the forward. “He’s a threat, he’s a talent, but one thing I would say is that when he’s not scoring he needs to mix his game up a little bit,” Giggs told ITV. “More one-twos, laying it off, because at the moment he’s getting the ball and taking players on, but you can’t do that every time. “Sometimes you have to keep the defender guessing, just control pass, lay it off, and then next time…
CHELSEA N’Golo Kante’s importance has risen from the start of the season and he is Chelsea’s star man. Eden Hazard has dipped, but only because of how crucial a solid base has been in the Blues’ rise to the top. And one big-money move is missing from the list. — Liam Twomey TOTTENHAM It’s no surprise who remains the key performer for Mauricio Pochettino’s side — and Spurs’ second most important man has risen six places since August. There’s a big rise for one summer signing but another has fallen off the list completely. — Dan Kilpatrick MANCHESTER CITY David…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is convinced that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will bounce back and stronger. The party lost relevance in Nigeria’s political sphere after its shocking loss in the 2015 general elections, followed by the leadership crisis that broke it into two factions – the Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi factions. Frantic reconciliation efforts, which has been ongoing for months, has failed to reunite the aggrieved members of the party. Occasioned by the crisis at the national level, a good number of PDP members across the country have defected to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC)…
Contrary to reports, Filmone Distribution are solidly behind Omoni Oboli. At what was supposed to be the premiere of “Okafor’s Law,” the Group Executive Director of FilmOne, Moses Babatope, said the company is solidly behind the producer and director of the controversial movie, “Okafor’s Law.” “Filmone Distribution and Filmhouse cinemas are firm behind Omoni Oboli and “Okafor’s Law,” he said. “So, continue supporting African cinema,” he added. The movie which was scheduled to premiere on March 24, 2017, at IMAX Cinema, Lekki Phase 1, was halted after Oboli, Dioni Visions and Filmone Distribution were served an injunction to stop the…
Starboy Wizkid drops a remix of his Sarz produced single off his 2014 sophomore album “Ayo”. The international remix version features a British born Grenadian producer and singer Angel.
Following an injunction which was served Omoni Oboli, Dioni Visions and Filmone Distribution, the scheduled screening of “Okafor’s Law” didn’t hold. Addressing the invited guests at the IMAX Cinema, the filmmaker broke down in tears as she stated that the script and movie were created ‘100 %’ by her. She further described the court injunction as bullying and abuse of the law. She was supported on the stage by MO Abudu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Chioma Chukwuka, Ufuoma McDermott among others. “I’m so honoured that you’re all here today, thank you so much. Thank you for honouring me, thank you for…
President Muhammadu Buhari would reportedly insist on his choice of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to The Nation, Buhari is studying the reasons given by the Senate for the rejection of Magu, and that he would make his position known to the upper chamber in the coming week. The report said Buhari prefers and trusts Magu to oversee the affairs of the anti-graft agency and that he is not convinced that the man is not fit for the job. The source said: “Personally, the President prefers Magu and he is…
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu in the spirit of national reconciliation. Kanu, who is in Kuje Prison, is the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking while receiving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Owerri airport on Friday, March 24, Okorocha said there is a need for Nigerians to unite against all odds. The Governor said activities should be seen as youthful exuberance. “What he is agitating for, is what others are agitating for too. But he used the wrong language and insulted leaders including myself. But…
No fewer than 130 underage Nigerian girls are trapped in Mali and Burkina Faso, the Federal Government has said. Speaking to Punch, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said their rescue is a matter of urgency. It was gathered that 90 of the girls, who were trafficked to the two countries, are in Burkina Faso while the remaining 40 are in Mali. She said the Nigerian embassies in the two countries are looking into how to rescue the girls. Dabiri-Erewa also warned Nigerians not to travel to Libya following a death…
Steven Gerrard stole the show as a “Liverpool Legends” team beat their Real Madrid counterparts 4-3 in an entertaining charity match at Anfield on Saturday. Gerrard, who recently took up a role on the Liverpool coaching staff following his retirement, had a hand in all four Reds goals — scoring one, setting up two and winning a penalty while also rattling a shot off the bar for good measure On a sunny afternoon when an adoring crowd urging him to shoot at every opportunity. Gerrard created the game’s opening goal for Michael Owen before also laying on another for John…
Coutinho was asked about the Barcelona forward in a news conference before the game, which takes place on Tuesday. It comes just three days after Neymar said Coutinho would “totally fit” at the Camp Nou, when asked which Premier League player he would like to see at Barca. “Look, Neymar is a outstanding as we can all see,” Coutinho said. “He is a player that decides key games, a guy that is fundamental on our team. “We have been together for a long time, since we played together at youth level. Playing next to him is easy, he can change…
Rooney, of course, is England’s record goalscorer. He is — or was — the team’s captain, and is only six caps away from equalling Peter Shilton’s record of 125. Since his breakthrough in 2003, Rooney has been England’s key man for over a decade and his nation’s chances at every major tournament seem to rest upon his ability to produce his best form. We don’t yet know whether Rooney’s omission from England’s squad is permanent, as it partly owes to fitness problems. “I have talked with Wayne and I think there is a chance he is fit for the weekend,”…
Veteran actor Victor Olaotan is reported to be having both legs amputated. This comes as a result of the car crash he was involved in back in October 2016. Victor Best known for his role as Fred Ade-Williams in the long-running television drama Tinsel, Mr Olaotan’s legs may reportedly be cut off in order to save his life. Sources close to the family say his health status is being closely guarded. Although Victor is stable condition but his legs may have to be cut off to allow him any chance of recovery. The veteran was involved in a car crash…
The excitement continued on day 61 of the Big Brother Naija reality show as the housemates got on to another feisty test. A new week of eviction draws near for contestants, Bassey, TBoss, Debie-Rise and Bally. This is what you have missed. 1. Bassey’s determination for success saw him win the Payporte Friday Night Arena Games, edging out other contestants in the competition. What you might find very interesting is his increased desire to win. 2. A week after his eviction from #BBNaija, ThinTallTony is still a popular topic of discussion for the female housemates. Bisola laid it out in…
Popular Yoruba actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has just revealed he has an estranged son, Moyinoluwa. The actor took to Instagram today, March 24, 2017, in remembrance of his first son’s birthday. Apparently, Fabiyi has not set his eyes on his child for over six years now. He shared the photo above writing, “Happy Survival Day to my first seed MOYINOLUWA JEREMIAH OLUWAMETOMI YOMI FABIYI Jnr. You survived yet another year, you shall survive more. I wait for the day you are going to call me, introduce yourself or walk up to me and call me daddy. My son I can hear…