SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Sport
EPL: Mohammed Salah speaks on leaving Liverpool
 


Liverpool winger, Mohammed Salah, has insisted he is happy at the club, despite Gary Neville suggesting he could leave in 12 months’ time.
Neville had claimed: “Salah’s going to leave in the next 12 months, I can see it already.

“He [Jamie Carragher] knows, he won’t say it. He will [leave], I can absolutely guarantee it.
“I can see it, you can feel it, you can smell it.”
Salah has won the Premier League’s Golden Boot two years in a row, since moving from Roma in 2017.

The Egyptian, who won the Champions League with Jurgen Klopp’s side last campaign, says he is not thinking of leaving any time soon.
“I’m happy at Liverpool. I’m happy in the city – I love the fans and they love me. I’m happy at the club,” Salah told CNN.

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Chelsea right-back Davide Zappacosta is set to join Roma on a season-long loan.

The 27-year-old Italy international arrived in Rome on Tuesday to complete the deal.

Zappacosta joined Chelsea from Torino on a four-year deal for £23m in 2017.

But after 22 appearances in the Premier League in his first season he only played four times in 2018-19. He has not made an appearance for Chelsea this season.

Fellow defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill have already left Stamford Bridge this summer.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49415761


[url=https://www.nairaland.com/5371332/chelseas-davide-zappacosta-set-join#81452256][/url]

[Edoman]

SPORT
PSG fined €2,000 for Neymar abuse

 
on
 August 22, 2019



Paris Saint-Germain have been fined €2,000, after their fans unfurled an offensive banner aimed at Neymar during their Ligue 1 win over Nimes.
Neymar was targeted by fans during the 3-0 victory at Parc des Princes on August 11, amid growing speculation he wants to leave the club.

One banner urged the 27-year-old to leave the Ligue 1 champions, while another expressed dissatisfaction with his behaviour.
Chants of “Son of a b*tch” also rang out in the stands among home fans.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) Disciplinary Committee announced sanctions on Wednesday, said in a statement: “Behaviour of the supporters of Paris Saint-Germain: use of pyrotechnic devices and deployment of an offensive banner.

“€2,000 fine for Paris Saint-Germain.”
Neymar is yet to play for PSG this season, amid reports he will return to Barcelona or join LaLiga giants Real Madrid.

[Edoman]

Ronaldo admits Messi makes him “a better player”



 
on
 August 22, 2019



Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has admitted that both he and Lionel Messi have benefitted from their long-running rivalry.
Ronaldo and Messi have been at the top of world football for more than a decade.

The duo have won 10 straight Ballons d’Or between them, before their run ended by Luka Modric in 2018.
The two supertars were also LaLiga’s headliners for nearly a decade, with Ronaldo starring for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018, before he made his move to Juventus.
That span saw Barcelona claim six league crowns to Madrid’s two, while Ronaldo and company held the edge in Europe with four Champions League crowns to the two won by Messi’s side.

“I really admire the career he has had so far and, for his part, he has already said that he had trouble when I left the Spanish league because it is a rivalry that he appreciates.
“It is a good rivalry that exists in football, but this is no exception. Michael Jordan had rivals in basketball, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were great rivals in Formula 1, the only common point between all the big rivalries in the sport is that they are healthy.
“Messi makes me a better player and vice versa,” Ronaldo told Portuguese channel TVI.

Ronaldo described the rivalry between him and Messi as “excellent” and says he would have no issue having dinner with the Argentina at some point in the future.
“I have an excellent professional relationship with Messi because we have been sharing the same moments for 15 years.
“I have never been to dinner with him but why not in the future? I would have no problem with doing that,” Ronaldo added.

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Man Utd sweating over new deal for De Gea

 
on
 August 22, 2019



David De Gea could keep Manchester United sweating until January over his new contract, the UK Sun reports.
The Spanish goalkeeper is yet to put pen to paper, despite agreeing a £350,000-a-week deal in principle.

Although the 28-year-old’s new six-year contract is in place, it has not been rubber-stamped.
United are now waiting for the green light, to confirm De Gea has committed his future to Old Trafford.
One issue United players have with new contracts, is the club’s policy of reducing wages by 25%, if they fail to reach the Champions League.

It means De Gea’s weekly pay would go down to £263,000 if the Red Devils fail to get United back into the top four or win the Europa League.

[Edoman]

Villarreal Award Samuel Chukwueze As Best Breakout Player


Super Eagles Player, Samuel Chukwueze  presented awards by the club's supporters for their performances in the 2018-19 campaign. The Villarreal fans club has named Samuel Chukwueze the club's breakout star for the 2018-19 season.

The supporters club, also known as Agrupació de Penyes del Villarreal CF(AVP) presented the awards to the African duo alongside Santi Cazorla, who was recognised as the best player.

Chukwueze had a memorable 2018-19 season as he broke into the Yellow Submarines first team.



Source: https://ngg.ng/2019/08/22/villarreal-award-samuel-chukwueze-as-best-breakout-player/

[Edoman]

Former Ghanaian striker Junior Agogo dies in London after long battle with stroke








Former Black Stars striker Junior Agogo has been reported dead at the age of 40.
 
According to GhanaWeb, the former Zamalek FC striker passed on in England at a hospital on Thursday, August 22, 2019.
 
The Ghanaian footballer was first hospitalized in 2015 after suffering stroke which debilitated him. In April 2019, the striker revealed that he could no longer write with his right hand.
 
Agogo who featured for Ghana at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations made 27 appearances for his country and scored 12 goals. The 40-year-old also played for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Zamalek, Sheffield Wednesday, Queens Park Ranger and Chicago Fire among other clubs.
 
 
 

by Linda Ikeji at

[Edoman]

EPL: Lampard to give Chelsea midfielder new role
 
 


Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard is set to give Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek a new role at the club when he returns from injury, according to The Sun.
Loftus-Cheek, who is expected to miss Chelsea’s clash against Norwich City on Saturday in the Premier League, ruptured his Achilles in the Blues’ friendly against the New England Revolution back in May.

The England international is expected to return to full fitness in late November.
However, Lampard is already giving serious considerations to deploying the 23-year-old upfront in the midfield when he returns from injury.
Lampard is a huge admirer of Loftus-Cheek.

The 41-year-old spoke vividly about the midfielder while working as a pundit for the BBC during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Lampard said: “Ruben is someone I know really well from when he was coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea.
“Straight away he made an impression because of his physical attributes, but he knew how to play too – he had great ability and even then he could drift past people on the ball.

“He does that even better now, with his pace and power when he is running at you, which makes him different from a lot of modern-day midfield players – and puts fear into the opposition that they do not usually have.”

[Edoman]

Sport
Champions League ‘group of death’ awaits Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City
 

Premier League clubs could be placed in a Champions League ‘group of death’ when the draws for the group stages are conducted on August 29, the UK Mirror reports.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham will fly the English flag in the competition.
The Reds defeated Spurs in last season’s final and despite finishing as runners-up, Tottenham are the only EPL club not placed in Pot One, leaving them at a greater risk of a nightmare draw.
But defending champions Liverpool, Europa League winners Chelsea and Premier League victors Manchester City could also face a group of death.
There’s a possibility they could end up facing Real Madrid, Inter Milan and RB Leipzig, before they even reach the knockout stages.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Zenit St Petersburg are the only sides that will definitely be avoided, having been confirmed alongside the English clubs in Pot One.
Spurs will however be drawn against one of those clubs.
A side from Pot Three will then be added with Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Salzburg, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Valencia, Inter Milan, Dinamo Zagreb in the mix.
Pot Four sees RB Leipzig stand out as the main team to avoid with Galatasaray, Lokomotiv Moscow, Young Boys/Red Star Belgrade, Genk, Slavia Prague, Atalanta and Lille also in the pot.
The final three pots are all subject to confirmation, with the qualifying rounds still ongoing.

[Edoman]

Franck Ribery is welcomed by 12,000 fans at Stadio Artemio Franchi after completing move to Fiorentina (Photos)




 
Franck Ribery has joined Italian side Fiorentina on a free transfer.
 
The French footballer, 36, became a free agent in the summer after 12 years at Bundesliga club, Bayern Munich, where he made 425 appearances and scored 86 goals in all competitions.

On Wednesday, August 21, Ribery signed a two-year deal with Fiorentina.
 
At his unveiling on Thursday, August 22, at Fiorentina's Stadio Artemio Franchi, the 36-year-old winger who will wear No.7 shirt for the club was given an incredible reception as he was welcomed by 12,000 fans.

"I'm delighted. Let's achieve something together," he told Fiorentina's official website.
 
Ribéry who spent 12 years at Bayern Munich after joining from Marseille in 2007 won nine Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and the Champions League in 2013. The winger has 81 France caps, scoring 16 international goals.
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Paul Onuachu Joins Genk From Midtjylland For €6 Million







The forward has swapped the Danish Superliga for the Belgian First Division A in a deal thought to be worth around €6 million

Paul Onuachu has left FC Midtjylland for Belgian top-flight side Genk in a deal reportedly worth €6 million.
The Nigeria international, who has six caps, left his boyhood club to take up a four-year contract at Luminus Arena.

During his time at MCH Arena, Onuachu played 181 games and was on target 74 times. He played a key role in their Danish Cup triumph last season.


Source: https://ngg.ng/2019/08/23/super-eagle-st...6-million/

[Edoman]

Andy Ruiz Jr Flaunts Title Belt From A ₦163m Rolls-Royce


29-year-old Mexican-American World Boxing Champion Andy Ruiz Jr has agreed for a rematch with British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia on December 7, 2019.

The chubby boxer, who shocked the world two months ago when he defeated Anthony Joshua in one of boxing’s greatest ever upsets, returned to his hometown in California to show off his new belt atop a brand new maroon and grey Rolls Royce Dawn convertible.







He and his wife Julie sat on the back of the luxury ride waving to over one-third of the town's 17500 population, as he showcased just one of his four belts.

Andy Ruiz, who earned himself £6.5 m (₦2.9 billion) from the famous fight with AJ, later took to Instagram to thank the dealership in Rancho Mirage for the $450,000 Rolls Royce Dawn.

Ruiz also revealed the first thing he did with his prizemoney for beating Anthony Joshua was buy his mum a car.

“Well first of all…I bought a car for my mum, that was the first purchase that I made from the money that I got”

“I bought my mum a car because I messed up a lot of her cars when I was young.”

With what he got from his fight, Andy Ruiz can now afford to buy himself a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Cullinan and a Bentley Bentayga, and still keep about £4m change.





The boxer has also shared a picture of himself posing beside a white Rolls-Royce.

Nobody expected the new unified Heavyweight World Champ to overcome the odds and beat Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden two months ago.





Andy Ruiz, who was also felled in the third round of the explosive fight in New York, believes that :

"The rematch is gonna be the same. I'm gonna be more prepared, more ready,"

"I know his flaws, I can do a lot better. I think the only thing he can do is just run around. He's not good at boxing, he's not a good boxer.

"It's going to be a hell of a fight - Ruiz vs Joshua II."

On Thursday, Ruiz received a fresh bout agreement with altered terms that will see him earn a total of around £8.2m ( ₦3.6 billion).

Do You Think Anthony Joshua Would Beat Andy Ruiz In A Rematch, Or Ruiz Would Beat Joshua Again?

See More Pictures Here: 
https://autojosh.com/boxing-champion-andy-ruiz-jr-shows-off-title-belt-from-a-n163m-rolls-royce/

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Joe Cole singles out one Chelsea star for praise in 3-2 win over Norwich

 
on
 August 24, 2019
By
 John Owen Nwachukwu [/url]


Former Chelsea star, Joe Cole has singled out one player in Blues 3-2 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
Nigerian-born Abraham scored twice for Chelsea in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Norwich.

Cole tipped Abraham to build upon his first Blues goal.
Abraham has come under pressure following three starts without a goal in the Chelsea team.
The England U21 star failed to score against Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Leicester City and missed the key penalty in the shootout in the Super Cup.

Abraham broke the deadlock within three minutes at Carrow Road before Todd Cantwell levelled for the hosts three minutes later.
Chelsea FC restored their lead through Mason Mount but Norwich’s in-form striker, Teemu Pukki netted his fifth goal in three games to level the Premier League clash.
Abraham gave Chelsea FC the advantage once more in the 68th minute with a brilliant finish from outside Tim Krul’s penalty area.

Cole said that Abraham can hit the ground running after opening his Chelsea FC account.
“I’m so pleased for Tammy,” Cole told BT Sport.
“We were starting to talk about his goal record. Now he’s off the mark. He’ll be rocking and rolling.”
[url=https://dailypost.ng/sport-news/]PORT

[Edoman]

Sport
EPL: What Man United fans did to Rashford after missing penalty in 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace
 


Marcus Rashford was subjected to racist abuse on social media moments after missing a penalty during Manchester United 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League match on Saturday, according to Four Four Two.
Chelsea forward, Tammy Abraham, Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba and Reading’s Yakou Meite have all been racially abused on Twitter in the past week after failing to score from the spot.

In the build-up to the latest set of domestic games, Premier League managers put the focus on social media companies to monitor abuses dished out to players online.
Representatives of Twitter are planning to meet with officials at Manchester United to discuss the racial abuse aimed at Pogba following his penalty miss against Wolves on Monday night.
Anti-discrimination campaigners, Kick It Out and Twitter have been contacted for comment by the PA news agency following Saturday’s latest incident.

[Edoman]

EPL: Why Crystal Palace defeated Manchester United – Van Aanholt 


Dutch defender, Patrick van Aanholt has said that Crystal Palace were able to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday because they played really well.

Aanholt netted a dramatic stoppage-time winner at Old Trafford, handing the Eagles a first ever win with the Premier League victory over United
The defender also claimed to have known at half-time that his side would not lose to Ole Gunner Solksjaer’s men.
He told BBC Sports, “I think we played really well. I think we deserved the three points.”
“I saw space and as soon as I see space I want to go forwards.

“I know I have the pace. I hit the shot and it went in the back of the net.
“It’s three points. It was a very hard game. We dug in and luck was on our side today.”
Speaking on helping Palace to a maiden Premier League win over United, he said, “There is a first time for everything.
“I think we played really well. I think we deserved the three points.
“I was gutted when that Manchester United goal went in.

“We had worked so hard to get the clean sheet but I am delighted that we could counter and get them back.
“We knew they were going to have the ball, we knew they were going to attack. We have been working on that all week.
“At half time we knew we were not going to lose that game. We wanted the three points.”

[Edoman]

Sport
EPL: What Solskjaer said about Rashford’s penalty miss in Man Utd’s defeat to Crystal Palace
 


Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has insisted that he will not get caught up over the Red Devils’ missed penalties.
Solskjaer said this while reacting to Striker Marcus Rashford’s penalty miss in Man United’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday at Old Trafford.

Rashford missed from the spot against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
With Solskjaer’s men 1-0 down at Old Trafford, Rashford was presented with a perfect opportunity to level the scores.
However, the England international wasted the big chance as he struck the inside of the post after Scott McTominay was brought down in the box.

Solskjaer had during the week stopped Midfielder, Paul Pogba from taking spot-kick for Man United making it a sole responsibility of Rashford.
“Two games, two missed penalties. It’s part and parcel of it,” Solskjaer was quoted by Mirror UK as saying after the match
“Sometimes it happens. I have missed a few myself. If we score them it’s a different story.

“If we keep putting ourselves in those positions we will get more penalties and we will score.
“It is just one of those things. We trust them to score again.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Solskjaer blows hot over abuse of Rashford after 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace 


Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has once again demanded action over racist abuse online, after Marcus Rashford suffered racial slurs on Twitter, following his penalty miss in their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Paul Pogba was also subject of racial abuse, after he missed a spot kick in United’s draw with Wolves on Monday.

A repeat of one of his players being called the N-word on the internet has angered the Norwegian manager and he believes more must be done to stop anonymous abuse on social media.
“We need to stop it, it needs to stop.
“I’m just lost for words if it keeps going. We keep having all these campaigns and they keep hiding behind fake identities.

“It’s crazy that we talk about this in 2019,” the 46-year-old told reporters, after hearing of the treatment of Rashford, soon after Saturday’s final whistle.

[Edoman]

EPL: Why Liverpool defeated Arsenal 3-1 – Jurgen Klopp 


Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp has revealed why the Reds bested Arsenal 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
It was another difficult afternoon for Arsenal at the hands of Liverpool.

Unai Emery’s side has suffered in recent seasons against the Reds, and Saturday’s clash at Arsenal was no different with the home side running out as 3-1 winners.
Mohamed Salah was the Liverpool hero in the second half, adding two goals to Joel Matip’s opener in the first half.
Salah seems to have been given a helping hand by Arsenal defender, David Luiz, who tugged at the Egyptian’s shirt in the box thereby giving away a penalty that Salah converted.

Lucas Torreira came off the bench for the Gunners to score the Arsenal goal.
Klopp told a post-match press conference, “I saw a brilliant game from my team at this early in the season. It was outstanding.
“A performance full of power, full of energy and full of passion. That’s what you need against such a good team.”

[Edoman]

Sport
Transfer: PSG refuses to include Neymar in squad amid Barcelona, Real Madrid links
 


Paris Saint-Germain manager, Thomas Tuchel, has confirmed Neymar will remain unavailable to him, until the player’s future is resolved, even though he is fit to return to action.
The 27-year-old did not play a minute of preseason football with the French champions, amid heavy speculation linking him with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Speaking at a prematch news conference ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash at home to Toulouse, Tuchel clarified the situation surrounding Neymar.
“Neymar is in better shape. He has had a good week with his teammates, working hard with intensity and a good mentality.
“However, the club’s position is clear: while his situation is unclear, he cannot play.

“If Neymar’s situation became clear tomorrow, then he could play,” he said.

[Edoman]

Sport
Transfer: Sergio Ramos names Neymar as one of top three players in the world
 


Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos, has said Neymar is among the “top three in the world”, as the Paris Saint-Germain star continues to be linked with the LaLiga giants.
Neymar wants to leave PSG two years on from his world-record transfer and talk of a Barcelona return has been touted, as well as a shock move to Madrid.

Both side are reportedly in talks with PSG over Neymar and while Ramos rated the Brazilian among the best players in the world, he was quick to add that Los Blancos are ready to move forward with the players already in the side.
“Neymar is a top player, among the top three in the world.
“Talking about signings is a lack of respect for this great team.

“These things are always talked about at Real Madrid and even more so when the transfer window is open.
“Players must be cold with these things,” Ramos told reporters.