Author: Silver Emmanuel

18Dec By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Maresca believes in Mudryk innocence

COBHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 training and press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on December 18, 2024 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes Mykhailo Mudryk did not knowingly take a banned supplement. The Blues said Tuesday they were notified by the Football Association of an "adverse finding" in a urine sample provided by the 23-year-old Ukrainian winger. Mudryk said in an Instagram post the results of his 'A' sample had come as a "complete shock" and insisted he had not intentionally taken a banned substance. "We trust Misha," said Maresca on Wednesday."When this kind of thing happens you need to support you...

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18Dec By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Juventus keeping tab on Hancko

David Hancko of Feyenoord during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord v Heracles Almelo at the Stadium Feijenoord on December 14, 2024 in Rotterdam Netherlands. Juventus are making waves in their chase of David Hancko and have broken through with the player, who’s keen on joining. They have sort of blocked him for June. They’ll try to convince Feyenoord to let him go in January already, Alfredo Pedullà relays. The Bianconeri plot to shell out €25M plus bonuses for the Slovak. They consider him perfect for Thiago Motta’s style given his skillset, experience, and ability to feature as a left-back in a pinch. He has already spent time in Italy, even though he was a fringe player at Fiorentina. Juventus believe to have done enough to sign Hancko next summer but will attempt to acc...

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18Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barca face significant delays in Camp Nou return

A general view of Camp Nou Stadium as the restoration work continues in Barcelona, Spain. Not more than a few months ago, Barcelona fans were extremely hopeful about the return to Spotify Camp Nou, which was set to re-open around March. The prospect of returning to Camp Nou, after all, promised better revenues, higher seating capacity and an overall better experience for the team. Barcelona face significant hurdles However, in a major blow for Barcelona, it appears the club are facing significant challenges in their bid to re-open Camp Nou in the first quarter of 2025, reports Diario AS. Despite last week’s detailed briefing on the phased return to their iconic stadium, the club have now admitted to having no clear timeline for when they can finally move back. March 2025 has been highli...

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18Dec By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford ready for new challenge amid Man Utd exit rumours

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is ready for a new challenge as he continues to be linked with a move away from the Premier League club. On Sunday, United beat Manchester City 2-1, but Rashford, along with Alejandro Garnacho, was left out of the trip to the Etihad, with new manager Ruben Amorim saying his decision was about holding his players to high standards. This led to media reports that United were looking to sell the England forward, who has been at United since the age of seven, and the 27-year-old spoke on the subject while visiting his old school to hand out Christmas presents. “For me,...

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17Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Vinicius wins FIFA Best Men’s Player 2024

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 17: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, seen with The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, leaves the venue with Florentino Perez, President of Real Madrid, following the The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 at Aspire Academy on December 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Christopher Pike - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior won the FIFA Best Men’s Player 2024 award at a ceremony in Doha. This comes after a stellar season with Real Madrid, where he helped Los Blancos win the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup. He scored a career-high 24 goals, including a crucial one in the Champions League final and a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Super Cup. The award is voted on by national team coaches and captains, journalists, an...

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17Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Bellingham promises title ahead of Intercontinental Cup final

Jude Bellingham central midfield of Real Madrid and England during the Real Madrid training prior to FIFA Intercontinental Cup final match between Real Madrid and C.F. Pachuca at Stadium Lusail Stadium on December 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. Ahead of the Intercontinental Cup, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham spoke to the press about the game in Doha, explaining that “I can’t promise results, but I can promise titles. That we will give our best. Pachuca is a solid opponent and it will be a challenge. It will be a privilege to represent all the Madridistas in Qatar. It doesn’t matter if it’s La Liga, Champions League or another competition, the good thing is that the fans can enjoy their Real Madrid.” Bellingham on the occasion “It’s a pleasure to play another final and we face it as a...

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17Dec By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Galatasaray target Roma star Dybala

Paulo Dybala of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A Enilive match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on December 07, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Galatasaray have set sights on Paulo Dybala in addition to Lorenzo Pellegrini, who are both going through an uncertain time at Roma. Carlos Novel, one of the agents of the Argentine, traveled to Turkey to talk with the board. He watched the match against Trabzonspor from the presidential box, Corriere dello Sport informed. According to the local press, La Joya is seriously considering joining the Cimbom. On the other hand, he’s closing in on an automatic renewal thanks to his recent run of starts. His wages will balloon to €8M annually, add-ons included, once that happens. T...

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17Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter Milan cruise past Lazio

Carlos Augusto of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammates Federico Dimarco (L) and Lautaro Martinez (R) after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on December 16, 2024 in Rome, Italy. Inter Milan cruised to an easy 6-0 win over Lazio in Week 16 of the Italian Serie A on Monday. Hakan Calhanoglu broke the deadlock with a penalty kick in the 41st minute and Federico Dimarco made a close-range finish to double the lead for Inter Milan in the 45th minute. Nicolo Barella struck a stunning long-range effort in the 51st minute to make it 3-0 for Inter Milan at Stadio Olimpico. Just two minutes later, Denzel Dumfries added to the tally with a powerful header, extending the lead to 4-0. Carlos Augusto sealed the domin...

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17Dec By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Jakub Kiwior pushes for Arsenal transfer exit

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England. Arsenal are in the clutches of a defensive injury crisis - so the last thing they need is exits. But that could come to fruition in the January transfer window with one Gunners star expressing his desire to leave the club. Reports in Italy claim that Polish defender Jakub Kiwior wants to leave North London sooner rather than later. It is suggested that he has grown disgruntled with the amount of opportunities that he is receiving at the Emirates Stadium. And Kiwior has even taken evasive action in an effort to seal a move away from Arsenal. As per Il Mattino via Tuttomercatoweb, the defender has instructed his representat...

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17Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Lookman crowned 2024 CAF Player of the Year

Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg football match between Atalanta BC and Sporting CP. Atalanta BC won 2-1 over Sporting CP. Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 CAF African Player of the Year. The 27-year-old Atalanta forward becomes the seventh Nigerian player to win this prestigious award, succeeding his compatriot Victor Osimhen. Lookman’s incredible year included 22 goals, notably a hat trick in the Europa League final that secured Atalanta’s first-ever continental title. He also played a key role in Nigeria’s journey to the AFCON final. His impressive form has continued into the current season, with eight league goals propelling Atalanta to the top of Serie A. This award is a well-deserved recognition of Lookman’s outs...

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16Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lamine Yamal out 3 to 4 weeks with ankle injury

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal will miss the next three to four weeks, including a crucial match against Atletico Madrid, because of ligament damage inside his right ankle, the Spanish La Liga club announced Monday. Lamine Yamal holds the Golden Boy trophy before the match between FC Barcelona and CD Leganes, corresponding to week 17 of LaLiga EA Sports, at the Lluis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Yamal sustained the grade 1 injury to his anterior tibiofibular ligament in the first half of a 1-0 loss to Leganes on Sunday in Barcelona. He remained in the game until being replaced in the 75th minute.The 17-year-old registered six goals and 12 assists through 20 appearances this season. B...

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16Dec By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund’s title hopes dented after draw vs Hoffenheim

(LR) Jacob Bruun Larsen of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Yan Couto of Borussia Dortmund battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park on December 15, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Jacob Bruun Larsen has scored late on his return to former club Borussia Dortmund to earn Hoffenheim a 1-1 draw in the German Bundesliga. Gio Reyna's first goal of the season looked to be enough for Dortmund's seventh league win, but Hoffenheim substitute Bruun Larsen scored in the first minute of added time on Sunday when Dortmund's defence switched off for Haris Tabakovic's cross. The 26-year-old Bruun Larsen – who played for Dortmund between 2015-20 with a five-month stint in Stuttgart – fired the ball inside the left post. He didn't celebrat...

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16Dec By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Ligue 1

PSG beat Lyon 3-1 In Ligue 1

Ousmane Dembele of PSG celebrates his goal with teammates during the Ligue 1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL, Lyon) at Parc des Princes stadium on December 15, 2024 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain beat Olympique Lyon 3-1 in a French Ligue 1 week 15 match Sunday. French winger Ousmane Dembele drew first blood early in the eighth minute at Parc Des Princes. Portuguese midfielder Vitinha made it 2-0 for the hosts with a penalty kick in the 14th minute. Georgian attacker Georges Mikautadze took one back for Lyon in the 40th minute. PSG's Portuguese attacker Goncalo Ramos netted another one for the Parisians in the 88th minute. With the result, PSG now have 37 points and are seven points clear of runners-up Olympique Marseille. Olympique Lyon...

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16Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton dismiss Coach Russell after defeat to Spurs

Southampton manager Russell Martin appears dejected during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Picture date: Sunday December 15, 2024. Southampton, the last-place club in the Premier League, fired manager Russell Martin after an embarrassing 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. The club said in a statement it had taken the "difficult decision to part ways" with Martin after just one win in 16 games. Southampton, promoted last season, is rooted to the bottom of the table, nine points from safety. "We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our men's first team manager Russell Martin," the club said. "Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges that we would face this year as we readjusted to life in the top fl...

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Bologna end Fiorentina’s winning streak

Luca Ranieri of Fiorentina is challenged by Jens Odgaard of Bologna during the Serie A match between Bologna and Fiorentina at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on December 15, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. Bologna ended Fiorentina's eight game winning streak in Serie A on Sunday, beating that Florence side 1-0 at home thanks to a second-half goal by Jens Odgaard. Fiorentina are fourth in the standings with 31 points from 15 games, six points behind leaders Atalanta, who beat Cagliari 1-0 on Saturday. Bologna, coached by former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano, are seventh with 25 points. Hellas Verona boosted their survival hopes with a 3-2 win at the home of fellow strugglers Parma. Parma and Verona both have 15 points and are 15th and 16th respectively.

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Atletico seal 1-0 win vs Getafe

Diego Simeone's side have been in fine form and continued their winning run across all competitions with a deserved home triumph, pulling provisionally level with league leaders Barcelona. Norwegian target man Sorloth came off the bench to head home the winner in the second half for his seventh league goal this season. Atletico, second, lead rivals Real Madrid by a point after Los Blancos drew at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, while Barcelona host Leganes later Sunday. Atletico Madrid controlled the first half but could not put away the chances they created. Two of the most inviting fell to winger Samuel Lino, but he failed to convert on both occasions. Giuliano Simeone crossed for the Brazilian and he poked the ball wide, before firing off-target again after Rodrigo De Paul played him in wit...

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Rayo Vallecano boss admits to fortune vs Madrid

Rayo Valleano head coach Inigo Perez during the La Liga EA Sports match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid played at Vallecas Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid were left very frustrated to have not defeated Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were held to a 3-3 draw at Vallecas, although they believe that they were on the wrong end of refereeing decisions. The big one involved Vinicius Junior and Abdul Mumin. The Rayo defender appeared to catch Vinicius inside the penalty area, but no foul was given on-field or by VAR, much to the chagrin of Real Madrid. As per Marca, Rayo head coach Inigo Perez admitted that he thought his side were fortunate in that moment. “I don’t like to lie, I think it’s Mumin who kicks (Vinicius). I always try to ...

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Wolverhampton sack Manager O’Neil

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Ipswich Town FC at Molineux on December 14, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. Gary O'Neil has been sacked as head coach of struggling Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. The club sit one from bottom in England's top-flight with nine points from 16 games after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Ipswich - Wolves' fourth consecutive loss. A statement from the club on Sunday said: "Wolves have parted company with head coach Gary O'Neil and his backroom staff." Chairman Jeff Shi said: "We're very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future." Emotion...

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Aleix Garcia reflects on failed move to Barca

Aleix Garcia of Leverkusen looks on during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at BayArena on November 23, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia has revealed that he was once a target for Barcelona during Xavi Hernandez’s managerial stint. Garcia, known for his impressive displays last season at Girona, caught the attention of several top European clubs, including Barcelona. The 27-year-old had always been open about his dream of joining Barcelona. However, the departure of Xavi as the Blaugrana manager ultimately derailed any concrete plans for the transfer. With the move falling through, Garcia instead chose to continue his career in Germany, joining Bayer Leverkusen, a club with significant ambitions in European...

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Fiorentina midfielder Bove Discharged from Hospital

Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina collapses to the ground due to an illness and is transported to hospital during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 1, 2024 in Florence, Italy. Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove has reportedly left the Careggi hospital in Florence two weeks after being admitted in critical condition. According to Sky Sport via Calciomercato, the Roma loanee left the hospital on Friday afternoon after recovering from cardiac arrest. Bove underwent surgery on December 10 for the implantation of the removable subcutaneous defibrillator. The subcutaneous defibrillator implanted is removable, and Bove will have the option to keep it or have it removed based on the results of future medical evaluations. The 22-yea...

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