Author: Silver Emmanuel

23Dec By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Barcelona's Jordi Alba set to sign new mega long-term contract

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba plans to sign a new four-year contract at the Camp Nou, to remain with the club until 2023. The defender has been in Barca starting line-up since his switch from Valencia back in 2012 and has managed to win four La Liga titles and the Champions League. The 29-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in European football and he has once again been at the top of his game for Barca this term, contributing a goal and four assists in 17 La Liga appearances. According to report, the Spanish champions are now set to reward Alba after over 200 games of service with a new mega long-term contract worth €9 million per year, after negotiations with the defender were accelerated. Alba told media after Barcelona’s 2-0 home win agains...

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22Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Antoine Griezmann penalty help Atletico Madrid grab a 1-0 win over Espanyol

Antoine Griezmann scored a second-half penalty to help Atletico Madrid grab a 1-0 win at home over Espanyol, lifting Diego Simeone's team level on points with Barcelona atop the Spanish league on Saturday.Griezmann fired in the spot kick in the 56th minute after Jorge  Resurreccion was fouled by Esteban Granero in the area.Atletico is in second place on goal difference.Espanyol started well as Borja Iglesias drew two saves from goalkeeper Jan Oblak before Leo Baptistao hit the post in the 28th.But Atletico then tightened up its defense and got the goal it needed from Griezmann.Espanyol fell into 12th place after a sixth consecutive loss.

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22Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Crystal Palace thrash Manchester city 3-2 through Andros Townsend wonder goal

Liverpool are still four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Crystal Palace thrash Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad, partly thanks to an Andros Townsend wonder goal. Manchester City had led through Ilkay Gundogan but two goals in three minutes overturned the scores as Palace led 2-1 at the break.Jeffery Schlup levelled on 33mins before Townsend put them ahead with a wonder goal. Luka Milivojevic penalty doubled Palace's lead on 51mins.Kelvin De Bruyne gave City hope in 85mins but the visitors held on to stun Man City. 

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20Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Neymar reacts to PSG Champions League draw and Jose Mourinho sacking

United finished second in UCL Group H under Mourinho and also expect a difficult match-up in the round of 16.On Monday, French giants PSG were selected to face United in February. A day later, Mourinho lost his job and has since been replaced by club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on an interim basis.United’s caretaker manager will guide the team against PSG when they visit Old Trafford for the first leg on February 12.Solskjear’s men then go to the Parc des Princes on March 6 for the return fixture.Neymar and his team-mates have big ambitions in the competition this season and are many people’s tip to win the trophy.PSG topped a tough Group C ahead of runners-up Liverpool and Europa League-bound Napoli.Manchester United ultimately decided they could not move forward with Mourinho in cha...

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20Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Napoli plans to make Arsenal loanee David Ospina transfer to Italy permanent

According to report in Italy, Napoli could activate their option-to-buy in the winter window, despite having until the summer to make a decision. The €3.2m option in Ospina’s contract with the club becomes compulsory if the Colombian makes 25 appearances, which means he only has 10 left to go between now and the end of the season before the Serie A side have no choice anyway. Napoli have found Ospina to be absolutely reliable, aside from one mistake against Liverpool. He convinced both the club and the fans to want him beyond the end of this season.

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20Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona target Valencia defender Jeison Murillo

Barcelona are in the process of finalizing a loan deal for Valencia defender Jeison Murillo, according to Catalan radio station RAC1. The deal would be a good one for Barcelona who’ve been looking for a way to fix their defence after Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen injury. Murillo has had some injury problems over the last 12 months and only started 16 games in the league. Being only 26-years-old Murillo could be a great prospect for Barcelona should he remain healthy.The main reason Barcelona seem to be targeting Murillo is that they can’t seem to get a handle on Ajax’s Matthjis de Ligt in the January transfer window. They really need a experienced defender. Murillo might be the top tier player they want .

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19Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Torino plans to make Chelsea loanee Ola Aina deal permanent

Torino have made the permanent signing of defender Ola Aina a top priority ahead of the January transfer window.  According to report, Torino have been impressed with Aina since he joined the club and are eager to tie him down to a long-term deal.The report claims that Torino have an option to sign him for €10m, which they are set to exercise in the coming weeks. Aina impressed at Hull in the Championship last season and made 46 appearances for Nigel Adkins’ side in all competitions.So far this season Aina has played in 14 of Torino’s 16 Serie A matches, starting 10 of them. Maurizio Sarri does not see Aina in his future plans and sanctioned the deal in the summer, with Cesar Azpilicueta Chelsea’s first-choice right back.Despite representing England at five different yo...

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19Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham eyeing January move for Beskitas Midfielder Gary Medel

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini plans to sign Gary Medel from Beskitas in Janaury, according to Sky Sport. The Midfielder Previously played in the Premier League in a one-year spell at Cardiff City who made him their club-record 11million pounds transfer from SevillaAnd now it looks as though the Midfielder could be on his way back to England with the Hammers chasing his signature.It’s reported that officials of the London club are set to travel to Turkey to get negotiations under way.No formal offer is thought to have been made at this stage, but Pellegrini is determined to bring his fellow countryman to the capital.Medel, who has also had spells at Universidad Católica, Boca Juniors and Inter Milan, has played  116 times for Chile.

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19Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Adrien Rabiot agree terms with Barcelona

Adrien Rabiot, who is out of contract in the summer of 2019, has reportedly agreed terms with Barcelona over a potential transfer to the Spanish giants. According to report, Adrien Rabiot contract situation is concerned. The French midfielder has reportedly agreed terms with Barcelona over a move and is likely to leave PSG for the Catalan giants in the near future.Adrien Rabiot emerged from the PSG academy at a time when the French giants had become a cash-rich entity, with the club having a treasury at their disposal to reinforce their squad. But, the midfielder soon became a household name at the club and till date, has 227 senior appearances to his credit.But, for a while now, Rabiot’s contract has been the talk of the transfer window, with the Frenchman not ready to commit to a new dea...

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19Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United confirm Jose Mourinho dismissal

Manchester United announced in a statement this morning that the Portuguese has been sacked after two and half years at the club and the team sitting in sixth in the league after their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the Premier League's inception in 1992.“Manchester United announces that managerMourinho has left the club with immediate effect. The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future," the statement read.“A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.”

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17Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

UCL

UEFA Champions League last 16 Draw, Liverpool face Bayern Munich

Group winners Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Porto, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Man City and Juventus have been given the customary home advantage for the second leg, with group runners-up AS Roma, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Schalke, Tottenham, Ajax, Man Utd and Lyon playing at home first. UEFA Champions League draw for the Last 16 Schalke vs Man City Atletico Madrid vs Juventus Man Utd vs PSG Tottenham vs Borussia Dormund Lyon vs Barcelona As Roma vs FC Porto Ajax vs Real Madrid Bayern Munich vs Liverpool The Round of 16 first leg matches will take place on February 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th, while the second leg ties will be played on March 5th, 6th, 12th and ...

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham eye Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross is reportedly on the radar of West Ham. According to report, West Ham and Liverpool are both interested in the 27-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.But it was reported on Tuesday that Liverpool were already eyeing up a deal for the creative playmaker for January, as Jurgen Klopp plans a potential £15million move. West Ham should step up their interest in Gross and try to match Liverpool for his signature in the New Year.The German is an attacking midfielder that is one of the most technically gifted players at Brighton and would be a good signing for Manuel Pellegrini.Gross made a huge impact at Brighton last season, scoring seven goals and supplying eight assists in the Premier League to save his club from relegation.He’s now back in ...

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15Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real madrid winger Gareth Bale set to miss Rayo Vallecano clash

Bale suffers an ankle injury he picked up during Madrid’s 3-0 defeat by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.Having missed training on Thursday and Friday, coach Santiago Solari intimated that Bale would miss the match against their Madrid neighbours.Solari said:“We will see how ankle improves from yesterday to today and from today to tomorrow. “We will speak to the medical team and with him (Bale).”

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

EPL: Manchester United set for biggest test as they face Liverpool this weekend

Jose Mourinho faces tough test as he prepares Manchester United for a trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool while Manchester City look to get back into  groove after last week's Chelsea defeat.United have an impressive recent record against Liverpool, unbeaten in eight league games, but away fans will travel with a sense of trepidation to Anfield.Unai Emery takes his Arsenal side, unbeaten in 21 matches in all competitions, to face struggling Southampton while Chelsea also travel to the south coast to take on Brighton. Manchester City host seventh-placed Everton while Tottenham, fresh from reaching the Champions League knockout phase, face Burnley at Wembley.

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Sevilla and Villarreal progress in Europa

Sevilla and Villarreal qualified for the knockout rounds of the Europa League yesterday, the final night of group-stage matches.Rapid Vienna, Malmo, Krasnodar, Rennes.Genk and BATE also advanced.Sevilla advanced from Group J after a 3-0 win over Krasnodar, which also advanced. Villarreal defeated Spartak Moscow 2-0 to progress from Group G with Rapid, which scored in the 84th minute to win 1-0 and knock out Rangers.Genk cruised to the next phase with a 4-0 rout of Sarpsborg in Group I, and Malmo also made it with a 1-0 away victory over Besiktas.Rennes' new coach, Julien Stephan, celebrated a 2-0 victory in Group K and a spot in the next round by knocking out Astana.Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Dinamo Zagreb, Dynamo Kiev, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Lazio, Real Betis, Salzburg,...

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Stuttgart eye Galatasaray winger Garry Rodrigues

Stuttgart are reportedly interested in Galatasaray winger Garry Rodrigues, who is a wanted man ahead of the January transfer window.The Cape Verde international has long been linked with a move away from the Turkish giants, however Galatasaray aren’t ready on letting their star asset go.However, according to freport, the Bundesliga side are keen on doing a deal for the 28-year old, and Gala will face an uphill battle to keep hold of the wide-man.Stuttgart are currently in 16th place in the Bundesliga, and could be in search of attacking reinforcements as they look to climb the table in the second half of the season.

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Rangers out of Europa League after Dejan Ljubicic fires late winner for Rapid Vienna

Rangers crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday after falling 1-0 at Rapid Vienna. Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, who had to win in Vienna in their final group game in order to qualify for the last 32, finish third in Group G, two points behind Rapid thanks to Dejan Ljubicic’s 84th-minute winner, which sees the Austrians through to the knockout stages, level on 10 points with group winners Villarreal.The Spaniards ensured top spot by beating bottom club Spartak Moscow 2-0 thanks to goals from Samuel Chukwueze and Karl Toko Ekambi.Rangers came close to breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute of a match with few shots and little incident when Connor Goldson headed the ball against the bar, but Ljubicic rolled home the winner late on to seal Rangers’ fate.

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12Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Manchester City agree to sign US goalkeeper Zack Steffen

Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Zack Steffen from Columbus Crew. Steffen has agreed a four-year deal with the Premier League champions, which will begin in July, for an undisclosed fee.The 23-year-old, who started his career in Germany with Freiburg II, has been capped six times by the United States, and is regarded as one of the most outstanding players in Major League Soccer.He will remain at Columbus Crew until he joins up with Man City in the summer.

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12Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

UCL

Champions League Round-up: Borussia Dortmund grab 2-0 win over Monaco to top their group

Borussia Dortmund beat AS Monaco 2-0 on Tuesday to finished top of Champions League Group A ahead of Atletico Madrid.The victory took Dortmund on to 13 points and meant they won the group thanks to a better head-to-head record against the Spaniards, who drew 0-0 at Club Bruges. Raphael Guerreiro got both goals for the Germans, the first when he tapped in following a fine counter-attack with a quarter of an hour gone and the second two minutes from time when he curled a shot into the top corner from around 10 metres out. It was another fine performance by Dortmund, who even without several of their rested regulars extended their season's record to 17 wins, four draws and just one defeat in all competitions. Monaco, who were destined to finish bottom of the group even before the game, suffer...

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11Dec By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich Sporting director hint at Franck Ribery exit

Franck Ribery will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic indicated on Tuesday.It comes after Arjen Robben said earlier this month that he would leave when his contract expires in the summer after a decade of success with the German champions.Robben, 34, joined in 2009 and formed a formidable attacking partnership with 35-year-old Ribery, whose deal also runs out at the end of the campaign.Salihamidzic told reporters:"The president [Uli Hoeness] talked about it [the possibility of Ribery leaving], and I think it will be like that. It's a year of changes.”Former France international Ribery has made 406 competitive appearances for Bayern, scoring 119 goals, and has featured in 19 games this season."I am pleased that Franck is still playing that wel...

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