Palace’s Eze says injury problems have shaped him

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Palace’s Eze says injury problems have shaped him

Eberechi Eze of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on June 13, 2023 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. Eze, 24, was forced to withdraw from England’s provisional Euro 2020 squad in May 2021 with an Achilles injury. “I know without setbacks and difficult moments it’s hard to grow and be the person I am today,” he said. “I look back at those memories fondly because I know it has helped shape who I am. “It’s hard to put into words. I look at things a bit differently. I saw it [potential making Euro 2020] as I was on the right trajectory, even though I was injured, this was the level I could get to. It gave me the motivation to keep going. “I got a message which gave me an inkling I was going to be called up but being injured that was the end of it for a littl...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Brazil to play Spain in support of Vinicius Jr

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid laments during the spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between Real Madrid and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on June 04, 2023, in Madrid, Spain.Brazil will play Spain in a friendly in March next year as part of an anti-racism campaign in support of Vinicius Jr. The game will be played at the Bernabeu – home of Brazil winger Vinicius’ club side Real Madrid. Vinicius was the target of racist abuse multiple times in Spain while playing for Real in the past campaign. “There is no place for racist insults in our football,” said Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales and Brazilian FA (CBF) counterpart Ednaldo Rodrigues launched their anti-racism campaign under the slogan “One skin”. “It is im...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Hakimi’s Morocco draw with Cape Verde

Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates the championship trophy after the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Clermont Foot at Parc Princes on June 03, 2023 in Paris, France.Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi’s Morocco side drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in a friendly at the Prince Moulay-Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on Monday 12 June.MOROCCO – CAPE VERDE: 0-0 (0-0) Friendly Prince Moulay-Abdellah Sporting Complex (Rabat) MOROCCO: Munir – Hakimi, Kandouss (Yamiq, 46’), Aguerd, Mazraoui – Louza (Chair, 76’), Amrabat, Sabiri (Idrissi, 46’) – Ziyech (Tissoudali, 83’), Boufal (Aboukhlal, 59’) – Hamed Allah (En-Nesyri, 46’). Coach: Walid Regragui. CAPE VERDE: Vozinha – W. Semedo (Costa, 79’), Stopira, Diney (Lopes, 57’), Dy. Tavares – Teixeira Jr (Bebé, 57’), Da. T...

13Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG prepared to sell Mbappe this summer

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe reacts after receiving the Best Ligue 1 Player award during the 31th edition of the UNFP (French National Professional Football players Union) trophy ceremony, in Paris May 28, 2023.Paris St-Germain are prepared to sell Kylian Mbappe this summer rather than risk losing him for free in a year’s time, after he told the French club he will not renew his contract. The France forward’s current deal expires at the end of next season, with the option of another year. There was a deadline of 31 July for Mbappe, 24, to tell PSG if he was going to renew until 2025. After months of talks, he has sent the club a letter saying he will not. PSG’s record goalscorer would be free to leave for nothing at the end of next season and the move could be a...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Chelsea star joins England first-team training ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers

Bukayo Saka of England controls the ball under pressure from Levi Colwill of England during a training session at St George's Park on June 12, 2023 in Burton upon Trent, England.Young Chelsea star Levi Colwill is training with the England first-team ahead of the latest round of Euro 2024 qualifiers. Colwill had been training with the Three Lions’ U21 side in preparation for this summer’s Under-21 European Championships and is set to return to them when his stint with the first-team is done. But he could yet feature for Gareth Southgate’s side this weekend as they travel to Malta on Friday and host North Macedonia on Monday. The 20-year-old has not formally been called up to the senior team but is rather taking the place of Brighton captain Lewis Dunk who has been forced to withdraw f...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Uruguay beat Italy to win U20 World Cup

Uruguay's midfielder Fabricio Diaz (C) holds the trophy along with his teammates after defeating Italy and winning the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup at the Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. Luciano Rodriguez scored four minutes from time as Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 to win the Under-20 World Cup. Rodriguez, who plays for Liverpool Montevideo in his homeland, headed in from close range to reward Uruguay’s dominance and end a streak of four consecutive wins from European teams at the tournament. More than 40,000 people — including FIFA president Gianni Infantino — attended the match at the Diego Maradona Stadium in La Plata, Argentina, while Uruguay’s Football Association suspended Sunday’s national championship fixtures so fans co...

12Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Claudio Ranieri guides Cagliari back into Serie A

Claudio Ranieri Mister of Cagliari Calcio during the Italian soccer Serie B match Cagliari Calcio vs Benevento Calcio on February 11, 2023 at the Unipol Domus in Cagliari, Italy.Cagliari’s Leonardo Pavoletti scored in stoppage time to secure their return to Serie A with a 1-0 win at Bari on Sunday in their promotion playoff second leg, depriving their opponents of a place in the Italian top flight with a 2-1 aggregate victory. Cagliari were under pressure at a foggy Stadio San Nicola where only a victory would see them promoted. The first leg ended 1-1 on Thursday as an early goal from Gianluca Lapadula was cancelled out by a late penalty by Bari’s Mirco Antenucci and had the second leg also ended in a draw, Bari would have gone up after finishing higher in the table. Cagliari strugg...

10Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Uncategorized

Rodri the match-winner as Man City secure treble

Players of Manchester City FC celebrate during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match between FC Internazionale and Manchester City FC at Atatuerk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. Manchester City secured a historic treble as Rodri’s 68th minute strike against Inter Milan proved to be the only goal of the Champions League final in Istanbul. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side were strong favourites coming into the decider with the Premier League and FA Cup already in the bag, but were frustrated for large parts by a resoulte Italian side at the Ataturk Stadium. With a little over 20 minutes remaining, City finally broke the deadlock. Akanji played Bernardo Silva into the area and his cut-back was deflected into the path of Rodri, who passed the ball in...

10Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Villa agree deal to sign Leicester midfielder Tielemans

Youri Tielemans of Leicester City reacts during the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Leicester, England.Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans. The Belgium international, 26, will join the club on 1 July, after his Leicester contract expires. Following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, Arsenal, Manchester United and Roma were also rumoured to be interested in Tielemans. Tielemans – expected to be Villa’s first signing of the summer – joined Leicester in 2019 and helped the Foxes win the FA Cup in 2021. The Belgian, who had joined from Monaco two years earlier, scored the only goal in Leicester’s 1-0 victory against Chelsea in the final. Tielemans has also pla...

10Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Official: Real Madrid announce return of Brahim Díaz

Brahim Diaz (AC Milan) during the UEFA Champions League, Semi-finals, 1st leg football match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale on May 10, 2023 at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy.Real Madrid have officially announced the return of Spanish playmaker Brahim Díaz, who spent the last few seasons on a loan deal with AC Milan. Real Madrid C. F. would like to announce that on Tuesday 13 June, at 12pm (CET) at Real Madrid City, the presentation will take place of Brahim Díaz, who returns to play for our club until 30 June 2027, following his three-season loan spell at AC Milan. During this period he has become a central player for the legendary Italian club. Brahim helped AC Milan become Serie A champions once again in 2022 and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League this s...

10Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Man Utd takeover: Al-Khelaifi denies involvement in Sheikh Jassim bid

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the 47th UEFA Ordinary Congress meeting on April 05, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he has had nothing to do with the takeover of Manchester United. Al-Khelaifi was contacted by the Glazer family a month ago as United’s owners tried to get Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to raise his offer. The conversation with Al-Khelaifi has led to suggestions of a wider Qatari involvement in Sheikh Jassim’s bid. Sheikh Jassim has repeatedly said his offer was made in a personal capacity. Man Utd owners spoke to PSG chairman about Sheikh Jassim bid Speaking in Istanbul before the Champions League final after a meeting of the influential European Clubs’ Association ...

9Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi hints at plan to stop Man City striker Erling Haaland

Simone Inzaghi is training ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final in Istanbul, Turkey on June 9, 2023.Inter Milan have worked on a specific plan to try and limit Erling Haaland’s influence in the Champions League final, with the striker seeking to add to his 52 goals for Manchester City this season. The Norwegian is going to be a major threat to Inter, who are underdogs in Istanbul, but Simone Inzaghi has a good record in cup finals and he’s come up with a tactical plan to try and stop Haaland. Inzaghi is well aware that City have more threats than just Haaland, but his goalscoring record this term has been incredible and Inter will have to stay alert to try and keep him out. “We know how strong Manchester City is, we know what a player Haaland is. We’ll have a special eye ...

9Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Winning Champions League a ‘dream’ and an ‘obsession’ for Manchester City

Pep Guardiola the manager of Manchester City FC during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final on June 09, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey.Pep Guardiola said it is his “dream” and “obsession” to win Manchester City’s first Champions League title as the Premier League champions bid to achieve a ‘treble’ by defeating Inter Milan in Saturday’s final in Istanbul. City, who were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in their only preview Champions League final appearance in 2021, face three-time European champions Inter having already won the league and FA Cup this season. Victory at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium would see City emulate Manchester United’s achievement in 1999 as the only English club to date to do the treble. Having been hired by City in 2016 to turn City into Champions...

9Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

S. Korea falls to Italy in FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinals

Simone Pafundi of Italy (L) celebrating his goal with his teammates during FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 Semi Finals match between Italy and Korea Republic at Estadio La Plata on June 8, 2023 in La Plata, Argentina.South Korea lost to Italy 2-1 in the semifinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Thursday, as they fell one win shy of a second straight trip to the championship match. Simone Pafundi scored a free kick goal to break the deadlock in the 86th minute at La Plata Stadium in La Plata, eastern Argentina. South Korean captain Lee Seung-won had the team’s lone goal on a first-half penalty. Coached by Kim Eun-jung, South Korea will take on Israel in the third-place match, back in La Plata, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday local time, or 2:30 a.m. Monday in Seoul. This was South Korea’s secon...

8Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool complete £35m Mac Allister signing

Alexis Mac Allister signing for Liverpool Football Club at AXA Training Centre on June 08, 2023 in Kirkby, England.Liverpool have completed a £35m deal to sign midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton on a five-year contract. The fee could rise to £55m for the Argentina playmaker, who helped Brighton finish sixth in the Premier League this season to qualify for Europe for the first time. The 24-year-old scored 20 goals in 112 appearances for the Seagulls and helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup. “It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait,” said Mac Allister. “I wanted to be in [from] the first day of pre-season, so it’s good that everything is done. I’m looking forward to meeting my team-mates. “It was a fantastic year for me – World Cup, what we achieved with Brighton – but now it’s ...

8Jun

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

West Ham win dramatic Europa Conference League final

Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates with the trophy at the end of the UEFA Europa Conference League 2022/23 final match between ACF Fiorentina and West Ham United FC at Eden Arena on June 7, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic.West Ham ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy as Jarrod Bowen scored a last-minute goal to beat Fiorentina and win the Europa Conference League in Prague. The final seemed to be heading for extra time after Said Benrahma’s second-half penalty was cancelled out just seven minutes later by a well-taken effort from Giacomo Bonaventura. It was a testy and sometimes bad tempered game – and at one point it got downright ugly as Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was struck by a plastic bottle thrown from the West Ham section. The match was settled in the m...

7Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Messi to join Inter Miami after PSG exit

Lionel Messi winner of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2023 award poses during the 2023 Laureus World Sport Awards Paris on May 08, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi will snub a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia and move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champions Paris St Germain, the BBC reported on Wednesday. Messi, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, was also linked with a return to Barcelona but the Spanish club have had their hands tied due to LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. Should the deal with Miami go through, the 35-year-old Argentine will play outside Europe for the first time since he joined Barca’s academy at the age of 13 and became the Spanish club’s all-time record goalscorer with 672 g...

7Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Benzema agrees to join Saudi champions Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid receives Marca Leyenda award at Casino de Madrid in Madrid, Spain on June 01, 2023.Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has agreed terms on a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid. French striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies – including five Champions Leagues and four La Ligas – in 14 years with Madrid but they agreed to let him leave his contract a year early. He scored 354 goals for Real, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, who hit 450 Real goals, plays for another Saudi club, Al-Nassr. “It’s a good league and there are many good players,” said Benzema. “Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend which shows Saudi Arabia is starting to further progress its level. I am here to win, like I did in Europe. “I...

6Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Chelsea transfer target reacts after AC Milan’s shock decision to sack Paolo Maldini

Milan forward Rafael Leao (17) gestures during the Serie A football match n.37 JUVENTUS - MILAN on May 28, 2023 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Piedmont, Italy.Rafael Leao has reacted with shock amid widespread reports that AC Milan have sacked Paolo Maldini.The club legend has been an important figure in the Rossoneri’s renaissance in recent years which saw them win a first Serie A title in a decade last season and reach the semi-finals of this season’s Champions League. Maldini, who has served as Milan’s technical director since 2019, is understood to have been dismissed, along with director of football Ricky Massara, following a tumultuous meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale on Monday. Following talks over how best to take the club forwards, cracks in the relationship between the ...

5Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool set to complete Alexis Mac Allister move this week for bargain fee

Alexis Mac Allister of Brighton & Hove Albion in action during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on May 24, 2023 in Brighton, England. Alexis Mac Allister is expected to complete a move from Brighton to Liverpool in the coming days, with the Reds getting what could prove to be a bargain deal. The 24-year-old has been in high demand thanks to his performances for the Seagulls and for Argentina as he lifted the World Cup with his country in Qatar over the winter. Liverpool appear to have won the race for his signature, beating the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea to the midfielder who is reportedly keen to work with Jurgen Klopp. The exact fee is yet to be confirmed, but the Times reports...