Sports Update

[Edoman]

Chelsea unveil Christian Pulisic at Stamford Bridge after completing £58m move from Borussia Dortmund (Photos)



 

 
Christian Pulisic has been officially unveiled as a Chelsea player as he posed with the club's shirt at Stamford Bridge.
 
According to MailOnline - Sports, the 20-year-old American footballer completed his £58million move from Borussia Dortmund last week when the transfer window officially opened.
 
The deal was first struck in January but the youngster stayed with the German club for the rest of the season.

In his first interview for the club, Pulisic revealed he is especially looking forward to playing with N'Golo Kante next season. 
He told Chelsea's official website: 'There's so many good players here. I'm really excited to play with N'Golo Kante.
'I'm excited to meet him, I love him as a player. The backline too, Luiz, Rudiger and those guys.
'It feels amazing I'm super excited. I can’t wait.'

'It’s going to be an amazing experience. To be back in England, to be able to speak English and to meet the guys. I'm thrilled.
'It's one of my biggest dreams to be here and play in the PL. To be a Chelsea player is a huge honour.'
When Pulisic was asked what the Chelsea supporters can expect from him he said: 'They can expect a really good team guy who is going to give everything.
'He's going to bring his attacking style to the team and doing everything he can to win games.'
by Li

[Edoman]

Borussia Dortmund announces £30m signing of Thorgan Hazard on five-year deal from Borussia Monchengladbach



 



German club, Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of Eden Hazard's younger brother Thorgan Hazard on a five-year deal.
 
The attacking midfielder has joined for a fee believed to be in the region of £30million from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Monchengladbach.  
'I'm grateful for the five wonderful years I've spent at Borussia Monchengladbach and the good memories I take with me,' Hazard said on Wednesday.  
 

"Now was exactly the right time to take the next step in my career. I'm proud that I'll be able to play for Borussia Dortmund. It's a top club with amazing fans.'
 
The 26-year-old has won 21 caps and scored three goals for his country. This season he netted 13 goals and picked up 12 assists in 35 games for Monchengladbach.
'He's an experienced Bundesliga and Belgium national player who'll help us with his pace and shooting ability. He has consistently proven his class in recent years', said Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc. 

by Linda

[Edoman]

Diego Maradona ‘arrested’ at airport after ex-girlfriend sued him for $9 million






Argentine football legend, Diego Maradonawas reportedly arrested this week after his ex-girlfriend sued him for a $9 million pay-out.
 
Local media in Buenos Aires claimed the football legend was detained when he flew into the Argentina capital from Mexico.
 
Maradona was returning to his homeland from Mexico where he is manager of club side Dorados de Sinaloa when he was reportedly confronted and then issued formal notice of the proceedings against him from Rocio Oliva.
 
It was also reported that Maradona was spoken to regarding a court action filed by his former partner Rocio Oliva, who he dated for six-year before they broke up in December last year.
 
Oliva recently launched a claim in the San Miguel Family Court for “action of economic compensation” against the 58-year-old.
 
A court date has been listed for June 13, which will be attended by his lawyer Matias Morla.
 
According to the Sun, Maradona was later released  after several hours of interrogation, and negotiation aided by the Argentinian consul Agostin Molin.

by Linda 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Guardiola finally ‘agrees’ €24m deal to join Juventus from Man City next season
[img=46x0]https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7e5ab1a5a998f33fc8d72f29ed5dd175?s=46&d=mm&r=g[/img]
Published
 
on
 May 23, 2019
By
 Don Silas [/url]
[img=317x0]https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/pep-guardiola-manager.jpg[/img]

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has finally agreed on a €24m-a-year with Juventus to become their new manager.

Guardiola has been strongly linked with a move to join the Serie A champions this summer.
The Spaniard was dismissive last Friday when asked about the Turin club following news that [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/17/guardiola-reveals-club-hell-manage-next-season-amid-rumoured-links-barcelona-juventus/]Massimiliano Allegri is to leave the Old Lady this summer.

“How many times do I have to say? I’m not going to go to Juventus, I’m not going to move to Italy.
“I’m satisfied here, I’m not going anywhere. Next season I will be manager of Man City. I said many times,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of their FA Cup final against Watford.
However, on Thursday, Calciomercato is now reporting that the City boss has agreed on a ‘four years contract with a fee of 24 million euros per season’ to become Juventus’ new manager next season.

The Italian newspaper claimed that the 48-year-old former Barcelona coach will sign a deal with the Turin club on June 4 and he will be officially unveiled on June 14.
Guardiola won the English League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League with Man City this season.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Transfer: Conte ready to make Lukaku his first signing
[img=46x0]https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aa2c2e28f470cea3c2fa8d321ca746e8?s=46&d=mm&r=g[/img]
Published
 
on
 May 23, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/23/transfer-conte-ready-make-lukaku-first-signing/dailypostngr][/url]
[img=317x0]https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/lukaku-manchester-united_4533747.jpg[/img]

Former Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte, is set to take over from Luciano Spalletti as Inter Milan manager and will make Manchester United striker, Romelu Lukaku, his first signing, the UK Times reports.

Conte will earn £9million per year and will be tasked with turning Inter back into title contenders and ending Juventus’s eight-year domination in Serie A.
It is believed that the Italian has already signed a preliminary contract with Inter, with an official agreement to be signed on May 28.

Conte will then make Lukaku his first target, after the striker found himself out of favour at Old Trafford.
It is believed United will not stand in the player’s way, if they receive a bid of around £75million for him.

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Solskjaer decides on new Man Utd no. 1 as De Gea rejects final contract offer

Published
 
on
 May 23, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/23/epl-solskjaer-decides-new-man-utd-no-1-de-gea-rejects-final-contract-offer/dailypostngr][/url]
[img=317x0]https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Solskjaer-vs-Burnley-Jan2019.jpg[/img]

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will not raid the transfer market to sign a replacement for David de Gea, should the Spaniard push for a summer exit after rejecting a new contract, the Daily Mail reports.

De Gea only has one year left to run on his current deal, after United triggered an extension.
However, he has turned down a final salary offer, which is significantly below the £350,000-a-week he has been demanding.

Rather than risk losing the 28-year-old for nothing in a year’s time, United could decide to cash for around £60million and put the funds towards this summer’s big rebuild.

However, a new goalkeeper will not be on Solskjaer’s wish list if De Gea leaves and he will instead promote Sergio Romero as the club’s new No.1.
United have had discussions about replacements, with Ajax keeper Andre Onana, Barcelona’s Jasper Cillessen and Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford all considered.

But Solskjaer has decided to stick with Romero and focus on strengthening other areas of the team.

[Edoman]

FIFA shelved a proposed expansion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams on Wednesday, dealing a blow to the world football body’s president Gianni Infantino.

The 2022 tournament in the Gulf state will now be played with 32 nations taking part.

FIFA said it had abandoned the expansion plans “following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process” which led to the conclusion that “under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now”. “(The tournament) will, therefore, remain as originally planned with 32 teams and no proposal will be submitted at the next FIFA Congress on 5 June,” FIFA said in a statement.




Source: https://ngg.ng/2019/05/23/world-cup-fifa-drops-plan-to-expand-qatar-2022-to-48-teams/

[Edoman]

Incoming Inter Milan boss, Antonio Conte reportedly adds Nigerian star Victor Moses to his wishlist ahead of his move to San Siro



 



Italian coach, Antonio Conte has reportedly added Chelsea loanee and Nigerian football star Victor Moses, 28, to his Inter Milanwishlist ahead of his expected move to the San Siro at the end of the season.
 
The 49-year-old former Chelsea manager is set to take charge of the Serie A outfit following their final fixture of the 2018-19 campaign at the weekend. 
 
According to FCInterNews, Conte is lining up targets he hopes to bring in this summer and ex-Blues winger Victor Moses is a player he is keen on having worked with him during his two years at Stamford Bridge from 2016. 
 
Moses played an important role in Chelsea which helped secured the Premier League trophy during the 2016-17 campaign.
 
Moses, whose current contract at Chelsea is set to expire in June 2021 was sent out on an 18-month loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce by Maurizio Sarri and his move to Italy could cost £11million.  
 

by Linda

[Edoman]

SPORT
Lampard warned not to replace Sarri as Chelsea manager

 
on
 May 24, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/24/lampard-warned-not-replace-sarri-chelsea-manager/dailypostngr][/url]
[img=317x0]https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lampard-1126771889.jpg[/img]

Former Charlton Athletic striker, Darren Bent, has warned Frank Lampard not to take the Chelsea job.

Lampard is 90 minutes away from ending Derby County’s 11-year exile from the Premier League and can crown his first season in management, by beating Aston Villa in the £180million Championship play-off final on Monday.

It is believed that Chelsea want their former midfielder to replace under-pressure Maurizio Sarri, after Wednesday’s Europa League final against Arsenal.

But hiss former England team-mate Bent, who played for both Derby and Villa, believes he would be better-served staying at Pride Park for another year, irrespective of whether the Rams go up or not.


“Frank has done a fantastic job, especially the way he’s kept them believing when it looked like they were going to fall short of the towards the end of the season.
“That’s a fine achievement for a first-time ­manager in his first year doing the job. I know there are ­Chelsea fans who would put him in charge at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, and I would agree that Frank is ­destined to manage at the top level.

“But you are talking about a ­different animal at Chelsea – the step up is massive. We’ve seen a lot of managers, who have been around a lot longer than Frank has, go there and fail. And we know it’s not a forgiving club, ­patience wears thin pretty quickly, and if you aren’t winning ­trophies within a year or 18 months, usually you’re out the door.

“I would like to think that whether or not Derby are promoted on ­Monday, another year is not going to do him any harm in the long run,” Bent told the UK Mirror.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Europa League final: Arsenal, Chelsea return tickets to UEFA


 
on
 May 24, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/24/europa-league-final-arsenal-chelsea-return-tickets-uefa/dailypostngr][/url]
[img=317x0]https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/skysports-theo-walcott-arsenal-chelsea-david-luiz-gary-cahill_3883846-1.jpg[/img]

Arsenal and Chelsea will each return 3,000 tickets for the Europa League final back to UEFA, as fans don’t want them, according to the UK Mirror.

The European governing body has come under fire, for the meagre allocation totalling just 12,000 tickets given to the two Premier League clubs.
And with the final taking place miles away in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, supporters are now turning their back on the event.

Fans of both sides have been put off by rising travel costs and the 5000-mile round trip it would take to attend the game.

UEFA could now be left red-faced, at the prospect of not selling out the 69,870 capacity stadium.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Cristiano Ronaldo to be served summons to face rape allegations
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 May 24, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/24/cristiano-ronaldo-served-summons-face-rape-allegations/dailypostngr][/url]
[img=317x0]https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Cristiano-Ronaldo-1613284.jpg[/img]
Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to be summoned to face rape allegations after lawyers for his accuser, Kathryn Mayorga, tracked down his address in Italy.

Ronaldo has emphatically denied claims he attacked Mayorga at a Las Vegas hotel 10 years ago.
US police reopened the case in October and Mayorga’s lawyers have been hunting for the footballer’s address since then.

According to the UK Mirror, Ronaldo’s home address in Turin has been found, after searching through property records held by Italy’s Central Authority.
Now Mayorga’s team have asked the official process servers to deliver the summons and complaint.

The document is expected to be sent in the next couple of weeks once it has been translated.
A US judge last month allowed more time to track down the 34-year-old’s address in order to start court proceedings.

Mayorga claims Ronaldo raped her in his luxury suite, before paying her £295,000 in ‘hush money’, which she accepted because she ‘felt intimidated’.

[Edoman]

Gerard Pique admits Barcelona squad are still suffering psychologically after they were battered and knocked out by Liverpool from Champions League







Spanish footballer, Gerard Pique has admitted Barcelona squad are still suffering psychologically after they were battered and knocked out by Liverpool from Champions League this year.
 
The Spanish giants had 3-0 lead in the first leg but Pique and his teammates squandered their advantage as Liverpool produced one of the greatest European comebacks to win 4-0 and progress to the final against Tottenhamon 4 -3 aggregates.
 
Speaking about the defeat with El Pais, the 32-year-old said: 'It has been hard to get up emotionally because the days passed and you did not forget the defeat, it is a fall that will last over time.'
'But we must take a step forward.
'It was a very difficult situation. The team sees that it is not going, you see that they are squeezing and that it is very recent last year.
'But we must not torture ourselves. Yes that is one of our great defeats. But that's the sport, where sometimes you have to bite the dust.
'It was a nightmare and you have to assume it because it can happen again. But we must understand why it happened and help us in the future because we want to raise the Champions [League] again.' 

The embarrassing defeat against Liverpool was Barcelona's second defeats in the Champions League in two years.
Roma also produced a thrilling performance to come from 4-1 down in the first leg to reach the quarter-finals after knocking out Barcelona in 2017-18.
Pique revealed that night in the Italian capital was on the minds of his team-mates at Anfield.
'When something like this happens, everything or almost everything has gone wrong,' he added. 
'I think that on a mental level, some people were affected by what happened in Rome because we had it very recently.
'With the first goal, which was very fast, unconsciously you see the image of Rome.
'Then two more came very quickly and it looked too much like what happened a year ago. Surely it was a mental block, but football was also missing.
'And they pressed very high, very intense, Anfield also played his role, we were not able. Sometimes happens. It was a very hard day.'

by Linda Ikeji

[Edoman]

JUVENTUS are ready to offer Paulo Dybala and Alex Sandro to Manchester United in a bid to steal a march on Real Madrid in the race to land Paul Pogba.

The controversial French midfielder is set to quit Old Trafford for a second time this summer after struggling for much of last season.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is ready to match United’s £120 million valuation of the World Cup winner but he might need to offload Gareth Bale before he can move.

That could open the door for Juventus who despite struggling to find that kind of money do have one major advantage.

Manchester United have expressed an interest in signing Argentinean striker Dybala, 25, and Brazilian left wing back Sandro, 28, a long-time target of Chelsea.

And they are ready to offer both players in a mega swap deal for Pogba who won four successive Serie A titles with Juve before his record £94.5m return to United.

Dybala who is also attracting the interest of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Juventus side this season.

And he would be a more than ideal replacement for Romelu Lukaku who tops the wanted list of former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte if he takes over at Inter Milan.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told the board that he wants all of their summer business concluded by July 1.

Having missed out on Champions League football for next year, there is plenty of ground that needs to be made up on the top four, particularly champions Manchester City and arch-rivals Liverpool.

Solskjaer said: “We’re going to sit down and go through all the plans.

“And we’ll be ready when 1 July comes. There will be no excuses.

“You never get a break from football. You always think about it.

“Even back home in Norway, I’m watching games analysing what went wrong, what went well.”
Solskjaer has warned his United players they must be fitter if they are to challenge for the title next season.

It’s claimed the United boss was shocked at his side’s fitness levels after replacing Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer is willing to axe any player he feels isn’t fit enough to go on their pre-season tour.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1132124/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Paul-Pogba-Juventus-Paulo-Dybala-Alex-Sandro

[Edoman]

Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri 'agrees to become new Juventus manager on £6m deal' 






Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri has reportedly agreed on terms to take over at Juventus.
 
The Italian club is looking for a new manager following the announcement that Massimiliano Allegri will depart at the end of the season.
 
Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho were also reported options for Juventus, but according to SNAI sportnews, Sarri has already reached an agreement with the club to replace Allegri.
 
They claim that Sarri stands to earn £6.1million a year on a three-year contract but will not be officially announced until after the Europa League final in Baku.
 
According to Daily Mail, the Italian boss will now need to discuss a financial package with Chelsea in efforts to force through his exit and all of this will be clearer after Europa League final with Arsenal on Sunday.

by Linda

[Edoman]

Premiership club, Newcastle United 'set to be sold for £350m' to the cousin of Manchester City's Arab owner Sheikh Mansour



 



Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan, the billionaire half-brother of Manchester Cityowner Sheik Mansour, is on the brink of sealing an extraordinary £350m takeover of Newcastle United.
 
His representatives told Sportsmail on Sunday night that a deal is 'concluded' between Mike Ashley and Sheik Khaled, an Emirati member of the family who governs Abu Dhabi. 
 
The representatives also insisted that the prospective new owner is very keen to keep Rafa Benitez as manager of the club and that the takeover is expected to be done in time for this summer's transfer window.
 
Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan who is a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi and half-brother to Manchester City owner Sheik Mansour is believed to be a billionaire and has interests in the construction, energy and real estate sectors among others.  
 
Both Sheik Khaled and City owner Sheik Mansour are sons of the late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nehayan, President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi. Khaled is the youngest of 19 sons.
 

by Linda Ikeji 

[Edoman]

Real Madrid has offered a financial package 'worth £1.2million (N450m) a week to prize Neymar away from Paris Saint-Germain' this summer.

The Brazilian, who moved to the French capital in 2017 in a world-record £198m move, is far from settled at PSG and could be tempted by a move this summer.

According to AS, Neymar's staggering wage demands would be integral to any move from the Parc des Princes to the Bernabeu with Zinedine Zidane desperate to galvanise his squad with a Galactico signing.

Neymar would 'need to be paid £1.2million a week' to make the move to join Real Madrid. 

Latest accounts released show that Real pay an annual £247.5m on player wages following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

But, AS report that the club boast more than 800 employees and the total salary paid per year stands at closer to £380m.

That means the club would need to move on Gareth Bale in order to free up funds on wages. 

With a mammoth wage bill already filling much of the club's allowance, it is acknowledged in Spanish reports that Zidane needs to shift Gareth Bale if he is to make room for a player such as Neymar.

Bale and Zidane have a tricky relationship with the Welshman firmly out of favour under his management.

He was not given the chance to say a potential goodbye to the club's supporters in the final home game of the season - a 2-0 defeat by Real Betis - as he was forced to watch on from the bench.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane is determined to overhaul his squad this summer to catch rivals up. 

The 29-year-old appears to have no future in a Real Madrid shirt with Zidane in charge and it remains unclear if he intends to see out the remainder of his contract at this stage in his career.

After a disappointing season domestically and in Europe, Zidane is keen to refresh a side that has fallen off the pace of their rivals.

Eden Hazard, out of contract with Chelsea next summer, remains a primary target while the club also monitor the situations of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Christian Eriksen, Paul Pogba and Luka Jovic.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7074531/Real-Madrid-need-pay-Neymar-1-2m-WEEK-bring-PSG-star-Spain.html

[Edoman]

Chelsea's Spain striker Alvaro Morata says he wants to spend the rest of his career at Atletico Madrid.

Morata, 26, joined Atletico in January on an 18-month loan deal, scoring six goals in 17 games for the Spanish side.

He was Chelsea's record signing when he joined for £60m from Real Madrid on a five-year contract in July 2017, and scored 24 goals in 72 games.

"I am very clear that I want to stay here," the former Atletico youth player told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

"Leaving here has not crossed my mind. I want it to be resolved as soon as possible. I'm happy here. I want to be here for all the years I have left as a professional.

"If it was solely down to me, I would have signed my contract with Atletico.

"It's what I want, but there are contract matters. I did everything possible to come here and I will do my best to stay."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48426044

---

[Edoman]

Edinson Cavani 'agrees move from PSG to Atletico Madrid'






Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani has reportedly ' agreed on a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Atletico Madrid'.
 
Cavani, 32, whose contract at PSG expires next summer, has emerged as the No 1 target to replace Diego Costa if he leaves the club when the window opens.
 
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo quote reports on radio station Cadena Ser that Cavani has agreed to the move if Costa leaves.
 
Former Chelsea striker, Costa has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League amid reports that he has fallen out with the management at Atletico.
 

 
Last month, he was handed an eight-game suspension after launching into a foul-mouthed rant at the referee following his dismissal. The Spain international also refused to train with his team-mates after the club opened misconduct proceedings following a red card at Barcelona.

 

by Linda 

[Edoman]

Barcelona legend Xavi appointed manager of Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd after announcing his retirement






Barcelona legend, Xavier Hernández has been appointed as the new manager of Qatari side Al Sadd.
 
The 39-year-old who made 86 appearances as a player for the Qatar Stars League club since 2015, announced his retirement from football earlier this month.
 
The legendary footballer has now penned a two-year deal to take over as manager, and the deal will see him become the boss of his former La Liga rival Gabi, who moved to the Middle East from Atletico Madrid last summer.
 
Al Sadd confirmed Xavi will take charge of the pre-season training camp in Girona from July 14-29. 
 
Xavi, who is still Barcelona's all-time record appearance-holder across all competitions with 769 is also one of the world's best midfielders. He won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns at the Spanish giants before leaving for the Middle East in 2015.
 
 At the international level, Xavi was also key to Spain's World Cup triumph in 2010 and won the European Championships in both 2008 and 2012.  
 

by Linda Ikeji at 2

[Edoman]

Chelsea are on their way to Baku for Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final showdown with London rivals Arsenal.
Having trained one final time at their Cobham base on Monday, the Blues boarded their team coach and headed to the airport for the five-and-a-half hour flight to the capital of Azerbaijan.

Both teams are entering their final preparations ahead of Wednesday night's final at the Olympic Stadium, though Arsenal have already been out in Baku for two days to acclimatise.
Azerbaijan is three hours ahead of London time, meaning the final will not kick-off until 11pm local time, certainly a much later playing time than usual for both sets of players.

There was certainly an intensity about Chelsea's training session on Monday as Maurizio Sarri put his squad through their paces before settling on his final team selection.

Supporters of both sides are beginning to arrive in a trickle to Baku, with most having endured long journeys involving multiple flight connections
See more picture here https://thickmatch.com/chelsea-players-arrive-baku-ahead-europa-final-arsenalpictures/