NEWCASTLE LINKED WITH TWO PLAYERS

Premier League side Newcastle United have been linked with two more players ahead of the transfer deadline.


Austria Wien player OlanrewajuKayode is one of the player linked with Tyneside. The Magpies can conclude the deal in the next few days, according to reports.

The director of the club Franz Wohlfahrttold the club’s official website that the player is in talks with another club over a possible transfer soon. The player netted 17 times last season to win the Golden Boot in the Austrian top flight league.

Newcastle are set to clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as they make their return to top flight football in England. Rafael Benitez is in search for a prolific striker that can get the goals in this summer and Kayode fits the description. Continue reading NEWCASTLE LINKED WITH TWO PLAYERS

POGBA’S GOAL, FIRST AMONG LIST OF JUSTIFICATIONS

After a season of battling with cross bars more than opposition goalies, Paul Labile Pogba on Wednesday scored United’s first goal on route to a 2-0 win over Ajax.


It does not matter if a huge deflection played part in it. The French midfielder had a chance to take a shot, took it and had the ball land at the back of the net.

Apart from playing a huge part in a evening that saw the Red Devils win the only trophy left out of the samples the European and English football had to offer, the French man got a huge relief and bought some time off the ever growingcynical tongue-in-cheek references to his “Most Expensive Player in the World” status.

After joining United last summer from Juventus – a club that scooped him for free from United nonetheless – the 24-year old has been subjected to ridiculous jeers time and again throughout the course of United’s campaign this season.

From the first day he kicked a ball at Old Trafford since returning, harsher metrics have been meted out in judging his performances. It is the prize you pay for making a club to pay that much for you. Everyone wants to see the justification. Continue reading POGBA’S GOAL, FIRST AMONG LIST OF JUSTIFICATIONS

CHELSEA AND SPURS DOMINATE PREMIER LEAGUE XI

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur stars dominated the Premier League Team of the Season, according to the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).


The Blues and Spurs had four players each as evidently the stars took both sides to the zenith of the log.

In between the goal posts is David De Gea of Manchester United. The defensive centre halves of Gary Cahill and David Luiz for Chelsea made the team while Spur stars Kyle Walker and Danny Rose were at the flanks. Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane were the wingers. Dele Alli played behind Harry Hane and Everton’s RomeluLukaku while N’GoloKante was the player ahead of the defence.

At the PFA awards on 23 April in London, the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards would be revealed. Other divisional teams of the year were also announced ahead of the 44th edition of the awards.

In the Championship, four players from the recently promoted Brighton made the cut: The shot stopper David Stockdale, defenders Bruno and Lewis Dunk and midfielder Anthony Knockkaert. Continue reading CHELSEA AND SPURS DOMINATE PREMIER LEAGUE XI

RICHARDS’ FALL FROM STARDOM: WHAT WENT WRONG?

On November 15, 2006 in Amsterdam,   Micah Richards became England’s youngest-ever defender and earned rave reviews for brilliant performances against the Netherlands, neutralizing the threat of then-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.


Much has changed over the decade for Richards, who, after suffering relegation to the Championship with Aston Villa, now finds himself down the pecking order at the Midlands club, behind the likes of Tommy Elphick, James Chester and Nathan Baker. With only three appearances to his name this season, it appears an opportunity will only come for the player should injuries or suspension occurs.

Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Richards made his senior club debut against Arsenal in October 2005, he made quite impression both on and off the pitch, when after scoring a last-minute equalizer in the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Aston Villa in February 2006, he swore on television. But despite the F-bomb blunder, it was refreshing to see a youngster show genuine passion and his youthful exuberance only endeared him further to the city faithful.

The Birmingham-born star would not have to wait long to feature for his country and was picked by Steve McClaren to play against the Netherlands. He featured 11 times scoring once against Israel at Wembley in 2007.

The same season, Richards had cemented himself as a first-choice member of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Manchester City side, becoming the youngest player to captain the club in a match due to the absence of Richard Dunne.

The takeover of City by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008 saw the influx of high-profile players, but it was to be the arrival of Argentina’s Pablo Zabaleta – who signed a day before the change of ownership – that would have the biggest impact on the long-term future of Richards.

Four years on from his England debut, Richards had made just one international appeaerance under Fabio Capello. He suffered ignominy after he was taken-off at half-time as City fell 3-1 to sunderland at the Etihad in March 2012, with their title aspirations under threat, they battled back to draw 3-3. From then on, he was replaced by Zabaleta as The Citizens went on to win the league. Continue reading RICHARDS’ FALL FROM STARDOM: WHAT WENT WRONG?

CHELSEA LIKELY TO WIN EPL

Premier League leaders Chelsea are likely to retain their position in the standings until the New Year.


The Blues could as well win it if they can keep their unbeaten run further. Analyses show that each time Chelsea won the league, they topped the table during Christmas.

Antonio Conte would be pleased with his achievements since taking over as Chelsea manager during the summer. The former Italy national team coach has supervised a ten-game winning streak that would break records if it continues beyond this year. It is quite an achievement for a side that placed 15th around this time last year, even as defending champions.

Premier League records show that half of the teams that lead the table around the end of the year go all the way. Usually, any of the top three teams as at Christmas go on to win the league but Arsenal won the league in 1997 despite placing sixth in December. Continue reading CHELSEA LIKELY TO WIN EPL

Tony Xia reckons the total amount of wealth any owner has got matters little

It’s about the amount he actually puts in for the welfare of the team.


Recently, a chart of the wealthiest Chinese individuals was released by a magazine and the Villa faithful couldn’t believe the position of their chairman in that chart.

Xia’s position was down to 890, while, some of the other Chinese personalities who have bought English clubs of late featured a lot higher.

The worrisome supporters are starting to doubt now whether Xia is wealthy enough to give Villa the kind of maintenance it needs.

But, Xia, through Twitter which is his favourite medium to connect to the world, has assured the Villains that he can pull as much amount out of his locker for the team as any other owner would.

He was quoted saying, “That chart means nothing in the context of Football. What happens if I am lagging towards the bottom there?”
Continue reading Tony Xia reckons the total amount of wealth any owner has got matters little

Mark Warbuton is eager to reach the Champions League

For the past few years, the only Scottish club that has been able to consistently reach the Champions League and compete in the European competition is Celtic FC but the head coach of Rangers FC, Mark Warbuton has recently voiced his desire to push his team to the prestigious tournament just how Celtic has been regularly doing.


“It’s good for Scottish football that they got through to the group stages. At some stage, I want to be involved in the Champions League. Then you have to get the squad to deal with that. The big clubs have the strength in depth to deal with the difficulties thrown up by those types of high-quality games, but getting there has got to be our long-term aim.

“To get into the Champions League you need to win the Premiership title, it’s that simple.Are we ready to win the title is the obvious question because, if you do that, then you’re in the qualifying rounds. We’ve got to make sure we’re highly competitive and I’m very comfortable with what we have in terms of the squad.”Mark Warbuton of Rangers said as he expressed his ambition of competing in the Champions League. Continue reading Mark Warbuton is eager to reach the Champions League

Emmanuel Adebayor has mourned the death of former Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi

Former Crystal Palace striker Emmanuel Adebayor has mourned the death of former Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi.


The 54-year-old surprisingly lost his life due to a heart attack a few days ago. It has come as a major shock to many concerned with African football.Keshi is credited with having improved the Nigerian national team into one of the best in Africa. Even though he left the job after the recent disappointment of the World Cup 2014, he made several stars out of average players as far as the national team is concerned.

Adebayor may have been out of the international focus for quite a while, but he has been abreast of the developments. The Togo international has been in and out of the national team for several years. His future with the national team looked to have been revived only recently, but Togo may reconsider calling him for the upcoming games since he is currently without a club after being released by Crystal Palace. Adebayor had joined the London outfit only in January on a free transfer. The exit may not come as a shock since it had been apparent for quite a while. Keshi is one of the celebrated names in African football after having lifted the African Cup of Nations as a player and as a manager. Continue reading Emmanuel Adebayor has mourned the death of former Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi

Managers On The Exit As Premier League Comes To An End

As the premier League comes to an end, there are several managers who would be looking to exit from their current careers.


There is one match remaining of the current season. Some managers would be looking at exit their jobs end of this season. Others would be prepared as there is still uncertainty in the air as well as dependent on what position others take up.

Among the probable ones in the air, one that is ripe with speculations is Louis van Gaal. His future as being speculated about this year and many critics has talked about his manners and styles that have had an influence on the team. Many are not happy with the idea that Van Gaal would be continuing to have another season at Manchester United. Some state that United’s executive vice chairman might be having second thoughts of replacing Van Gaal before his contract ends. There is rumor that Jose Mourinho is set to be the likely replacement for him. However, it is known that United does not take decisions in haste. Continue reading Managers On The Exit As Premier League Comes To An End

Wenger is not happy with Ozil comments

Arsene Wenger was not happy with comments made by his midfielder, Mesut Ozil. The German international told a German website that if Arsenal finishes the season trophyless, they have themselves to blame.

He told the website that the reason they are trailing Leicester was that they failed to beat the smaller sides. Indeed, a series of poor results at the beginning of the year has seen Arsenal win only three times from 10 matches.

However, the comments were taken out of context and made to appear as if Ozil was giving up on the possibility of catching Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspurs. Instead, Ozil said that it is still possible to catch up with the league leaders if they make mistakes.

Ozil wants Arsenal to continue to win their remaining games so as to take advantage of any potential slip ups by Leicester City and Tottenham.

When asked about these comments, Arsene Wenger was not really happy. He wants each of his players to believe that they can still win the title and that they should be putting in 100% effort on the pitch. He told journalists that he is going to have a chat with Ozil about these comments and ensure that the player stays focus on the remaining matches for the season. Arsene Wenger added that you should always be giving your best on the pitch and only accept if someone is better than you at the end. Continue reading Wenger is not happy with Ozil comments