SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Football star Mamadou Sakho falls victim to burglary as gang of thieves steal £500,000 of valuables at his home






French and Crystal Palace star, Mamadou Sakho is the latest footballer to be targetted by burglars. 
 
The 29-year-old defender was away with fashion designer wife, Majda and their three children when their home in Wimbledon was hit by a gang of thieves who made away with £500,000 of valuables. 
 
The former Liverpool defender, who earns £100,000 a week at Crystal Palace confirmed the incident to the Evening Standard last night and said: 'Everything is OK. Me and my wife, we're OK'
 
Scotland Yard investigating the burglary at the gated mansion the Sakho family rents from former Arsenal star Nicolas Anelka.
 
Mr. Anelka also commented on the incident saying: 'The house is rented so I do not know what happened to them. Yes, I knew about it, but I have no details. Everything is OK'. 
 
Met detectives said the burglary took place on December 27 while Mr. Sakho was away from home ahead of a match at Southampton for Crystal Palace the following day. His fashion designer wife Majda was also away with their three children for Christmas. 
 
They believe two men carried out the raid and they have released an image of a woman spotted on CCTV near the Wimbledon Park home in an appeal for information.
 
Pc Dean Shaw, who is leading the investigation, said: 'It is believed that two male suspects carried out this burglary but we would like to speak to the woman pictured as she was seen near the address on the day of the incident and may be able to assist us.'  
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Inter Milan confirm signing of Ashley Young from Manchester United in a £1.5million deal






Italian club, Inter Milan have completed the signing of Ashley Young from Manchester United.

The 34-year-old defender joined for £1.5million and signed a six-month deal with an option to extend with the Serie A club. 

After he passed his medical, the Serie A side announced the deal on Twitter with a bizarre hashtag of #NotForEveryone. 

The left-back, who signed for the Red Devils in 2011, said on Twitter: 'To @ManUtd: you gave me the chance to play with legends, to win trophies, to work under the greatest manager in history and to be your captain. Thank you for letting me be part of your story for eight and a half years.

'To the United fans: every time I walked on the pitch wearing your shirt I gave you my all. Thank you for your support during the highs and the lows. I leave as one of you, see you again in an away end soon.'
 

[Edoman]

Moving AFCON back to January slot will make clubs think twice about signing African players - Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp



             


Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to change the African Cup of Nations tournament timing from June-July to January-February is a bad move that will affect African players, saying the club's transfer policy towards African players will be affected in the process.
 
The AFCON will take place next January in the middle of the Premier League season, even though the 2019 edition took place in the summer and  Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Naby Keita for up to six weeks, leading Klopp on Friday during a press conference to warn that the move will make the club think twice before buying Africans.

'I couldn't respect the African Cup of Nations more than I do because I like the competition.
'But it is an obvious problem that you play a tournament in the middle of the season, The African Cup of Nations going back to January is, for us, a catastrophe.
'It doesn't help African players. We will not sell Sadio, Mo or Naby just because they have a tournament in January and February – of course not – but if you have to make a decision about bringing in a player it is a massive one because before the season you know for four weeks you don't have them.
'That's a normal process and as a club you have to think about these things. It doesn't help the players, for sure. But these decisions are made without asking the players, without asking the managers, without asking anyone. It is just a decision.'

[Edoman]

He taught me Spanish and I taught him Portuguese'- Ronaldinho opens up on his close relationship with Lionel Messi at Barcelona



                      


Football legend Ronaldinho has opened up on his close relationship with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, who he played alongside while at the club from 2002-2008.
 
                      
 
Ronaldinho and Messi went on to form a great partnership, helping Barcelona to win several trophies, including two La Ligas and the Champions League before the 2002 World Cup winner departed for AC Milan.

The 39-year-old, who retired in 2015, said;
'When I arrived at Barcelona, there was already talk of a kid who stood out,' Ronaldinho told Panenka magazine.
'Then we were friends; we started playing together and got on very well. He arrived being different to all the others, and we spoke with [Frank] Rijkaard so that he came to train with us - it was all very fast.
'I was lucky enough to give him the pass for his first goal. Over time, it's very nice to see someone who starts out so close to you and then conquers the world.'

He added: 'We were always very close. We learned things, he taught me Spanish and I taught him Portuguese, but with the ball we understood each other perfectly.
'I'd be left amazed by how calm he is. That's something I love about him; he never gets into trouble, he's always with his family and those closest to him. Leo has everything, he didn't need anything from me.'

[Edoman]

£80m defender Harry Maguire crowned new captain of Manchester United after Ashley Young joins Inter Milan



                          


Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has appointed £80m defender Harry Maguire as the new captain of the club following Ashley Young's departure to Inter Milan on Friday.
 
Maguire, an imposing defender signed from Leicester City, has only been in the club for 6 months, but was chosen over the likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Nemanja Matic, and Juan Mata.
 
                   
 
Solskjaer praised Maguire's commanding nature, and stressed that the England international will remain at the forefront of the club's captaincy group. 
 
Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Solskjaer said: 'Harry is wearing the captain's armband and will keep wearing it. He's been a leader in the group, I've been impressed by his leadership skills, so he will continue wearing the armband.


'He's come in and everything about him tells me he's a leader, he's part of a group we've had that have been leading this young group, David (de Gea), Marcus (Rashford), Harry, so Harry will keep on wearing the armband.' 
 
Solskjaer admitted that United couldn't stand in Young's way after he was offered a two-year deal by Inter even though the defender only had four months left on his contract.


'To be fair, Ashley is 35 in the summer and if he gets a two-year contract somewhere I think it's up to him to take that. We weren't ready to offer that,' he said.


'He's been a good servant, captain and won trophies, but we've got players coming through. Ashley's head and mindset was on "so why not now?".'


'Timothy (Fosu-Mensah) is coming back. 
'He's a right back and played for Holland as a right back aged 19, and we want him back, Diogo (Dalot) is back fit so in the full-back position we're quite okay.'

[Edoman]

SPORTS
This may soon happen to Victor Moses

 January 18, 2020

Victor Moses

Facts have emerged that Inter Milan FC is making frantic efforts towards securing the Chelsea’s Victor Moses as a potential target in January.

ROYAL NEWS gathered that the Nigeria international, Moses, is currently on loan at Turkish club 
Galatasaray.Although, it was reported that the Blues have asked for £10million to recall him and then sell him on to Inter.

Moses made 34 Premier League appearances when Chelsea last won the Premier League (2016/17). Inter boss Antonio Conte was in charge of Chelsea then.

However, it’s understood Inter will only go after Moses if they fail to land Roma full-back Leonardo Spinazzola.

[Edoman]

SPORTS
Real Madrid tops La Liga, beats Sevilla 2-1

 January 18, 2020

Following the Saturday defeat of Sevilla 2-1,Real Madrid has climbed above Barcelona to top La Liga on Saturday as Casemiro scored twice in a gritty.

Casemiro’s double proved the difference amid a three-goal flurry early in the second half, with Luuk de Jong briefly drawing Sevilla level.

Madrid was underwhelming at the Santiago Bernabeu, at times reverting back to the stodgy days of last season when the team struggled for goals under Julen Lopetegui, who is now in charge of Sevilla.

Yet with Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Sergio Ramos all missing from their starting line-up, this might be the kind of victory that could prove crucial to their hopes of winning the title in May.
Sevilla stays fourth, eight points off the top.

Barca can reclaim firs place on Sunday when they face Granada at Camp Nou, where Quique Setien will be overseeing his first game since being appointed early last week.

Setien has said he will not be happy if his team win while playing badly but Zinedine Zidane is likely to be less choosy.

His Madrid side are now 17 games unbeaten, a streak that has included them winning the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia last weekend. Ramos, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, paraded the club’s latest trophy on the pitch before kick-off.

Benzema came on in the second half after shaking off a dead leg but Bale’s absence was more mysterious. The Welshman missed the trip to Jeddah through illness but had returned to training on Tuesday.
Lopetegui was back at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time since he was sacked by Madrid last season, 138 days after they appointed him, and his Sevilla side arguably deserved more.

Converting impetus into goals has been their problem all season, and so it proved again.

After an even start, they gradually took charge and as the home crowd grew frustrated, Sevilla grew in confidence too.

De Jong thought he had scored when he was given a suspicious amount of space in the area to head in from a corner and VAR showed his marker Eder Militao had been blocked albeit only by a small, but seemingly deliberate, step from Nemanja Gudelj.
Marcelo was lucky not to concede a penalty for a shirt-pull.

Sevilla were controlling the midfield and denying their opponents routes through to the front three. Yet 12 minutes into the second half, some creative brilliance saw Madrid take the lead.

Sergio Reguilon, bought by Sevilla from Madrid last summer, scuffed his clearance and after Casemiro muscled through on the edge of the area, Jovic found him again with a deft backheel. Casemiro chipped the ball in and pointed at Jovic in celebration.

Sevilla could have wilted but instead, they equalised, only to concede again five minutes later.
First, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, and Marcelo all missed tackles and after Munir El Haddadi stumbled, De Jong took over, banging the ball into the far, bottom corner.

Yet parity was short-lived as Casemiro nodded in Lucas Vazquez’s cross from a standing start after being given too much space by Jules Kounde.

Toni Kroos might have added a third for Madrid late on after a racing run by Vinicius Junior but Vazquez almost gifted Sevilla an equaliser after a dreadful backpass. Youssef En-Nesyri, signed from Leganes on Friday, flashed wide.

[Edoman]

Liverpool 2-0 Man United: Mo Salah and Van Dijk help Klopp’s men defeat Man U. to go 16 points clear at top of league



                   


Two goals from a resilient Mo Salah and captain Virgil Van Dijk was enough to help Liverpool extend their unbeaten run in the season, a result which now leaves them 16 points ahead of Manchester City in second position.
 
On Sunday night, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, coach of Manchester United played with a 3-5-2 formation, preferring to go defensive against Liverpool, and operate on the counter attack. Liverpool played with their usual 4-3-3 formation , pairing Van Dijk with Gomez, who have both formed a solid partnership in the heart of defence.
 
 
             
 
Man United were without their best player this season, Marcus Rashford, due to a back injury and it showed in the first half as Man U. played the first 25 minutes without an attempt on goal. Liverpool were rendered toothless in the first ten minutes as Manchester United won all the aerial duels and second balls and looked the more agile team, but after then Liverpool rained all fire and fury Manchester United’s defence.
 
                       
 
With all of Manchester United’s good efforts on and off the ball in the first fifteen minutes, Solksjaer’s men were given a rude awakening and reminded why they were in 5th position when Virgil Van Dijk strolled into the Manchester 18 yard box uncontested to smash a perfectly drilled cross into the net.
 
Van Dijk’s celebrations were one of defiance, letting the Manchester United fans know that their era of dominance was over and Liverpool, revamped, remodelled and carved under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage, were the new big boys in the country. Liverpool got more morale after scoring the first goal and scored two more goals that were disallowed.
 
          
 
The first was a Firmino curly finish which occurred after Van Dijk dubiously fouled De Gea in the penalty area, while the second was an offside play by Liverpool’s front three. VAR (Video Assistant Referee) ruled out both goals.
Manchester United had their own chance to score before the end of the first half, but Andreas Pereira (active all through the first half) missed an open sitter right in front of the goal line.
 
Half Time at the Merseyside--- Liverpool 1-0 Manchester United
 
Klopp, seeing how his team narrowly escaped conceiving a goal at the end of the first half, motivated his players and Liverpool came out as a different animal in the second half. Liverpool attacked, mesmerized, prodded and prodded but just couldn’t score.
 
No matter what Liverpool did, how many crosses they made or how many through passes that were created, Man U’s defence couldn’t just be breched a second time.
Manchester United introduced Juan Mata, hoping he could break through Liverpool’s defence, and also did a late introduction for Diogo Dalot, a peripheral figure this season, hoping they could sneak in a late goal.
But the unexpected happened! 
 
      
 
Van Dijk rose to clear a corner with his head, after Man United applied pressure in the closing minutes of the game. As the ball was given to goalkeeper Alisson, Allison made a long pass which found the feet of a lurking Mo Salah who brushed off Daniel James and placed the ball into United’s net. Scoreline Liverpool 2- Manchester United.
 
With Salah’s goal, it now means goalkeeper Alisson has an assist more than Manchester United striker Jesse Lingard in the EPL, and Liverpool have now won 21 out of their 22 games in the EPL. Liverpool haven’t also conceded in the last 7 EPL games and are now champions in waiting as they are 16 points clear at the top of the league.
 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Serie A: What Sarri said about Ronaldo after Juventus’ 2-1 win over Parma

 January 20, 2020


Juventus manager, Maurizio Sarri has hailed forward, Cristiano Ronaldo as a ‘champion’, following the 34-year-old’s brilliant display in his side’s Serie A 2-1 victory over Parma on Sunday.

According to Sarri, the Portugal captain can create a problem for Juventus, but solves 100 of them.
Ronaldo scored two goals in either half of the encounter to give Sarri’s men all three points against Parma at the Allianz Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Sarri told Sky Sport Italia: “We have a champion [called Cristiano Ronaldo] who sometimes creates a problem for you but solves 100 of them.
“The rest of the team has to revolve around him.”
“The mental intensity can be improved, even the management of certain moments of the matches.

“I don’t even like dribbling in our own half in the last few minutes.
“I would prefer to concede a goal on the counter-attack than in our own penalty area.
“Putting Higuain on at 2-1 was a clear message to the team: let’s end the game,” Sarri added.

Juventus are now on top of the Serie A table with four points ahead of second-placed Inter Milan.

[Edoman]

SPORT
Serie A: What Cristiano Ronaldo said after Juventus’ 2-1 win over Parma

 January 20, 2020


Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted to his side’s Serie A 2-1 victory over Parma on Sunday.

The 34-year-old admitted that Parma were ‘very organised and difficult to beat’, adding that Juventus fought hard to get all three points against the visitors.

The Portugal captain scored in either half of the encounter to ensure Maurizio Sarri’s men defeated Parma at the Allianz Stadium.

The victory over Parma means, Juventus are now four points ahead of second-placed inter Milan on the Serie A table.
“We knew that Inter drew and Lazio won, so it was important to build an advantage,” Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia.

“They were two important goals, it was a tough game as Parma are very organised and difficult to beat, but we fought hard and got the victory.”

Ronaldo now has 16 Serie A goals so far this season.

The former Real Madrid star is second-placed on the goal chart behind Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, who has 23 goals.

He will now hope to lead Juventus to victory when they take on Napoli in their next Serie A fixture on January 26.

[Edoman]

SPORT
LaLiga: What Setien said about Messi after Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Granada


 January 20, 2020


Barcelona manager, Quique Setien has hailed captain, Lionel Messi for making a difference in his side’s La Liga 1-0 victory over Granada on Sunday.

According to Setien, the Argentina captain did what he has done his entire life against Granada by coming up with something ‘special’ against the visitors.

Messi scored the only goal of the encounter in the 76th minute at Camp Nou to give Setien his first victory in charge of the Catalan club after he took over from Ernesto Valverde last week.

“Messi did what he has done his entire life,” Setien said at his post-match conference as quoted by Reuters.

“He has done this so many times in games like this, games when you cannot find a way through, things aren’t going for you and you are lacking inspiration, but he always conjures up something special.

“We made a few moves like this in the first half but it didn’t come off but when the ball falls to Messi you know there’s a very high chance it will go in.”

He added: “I’m very happy because we only conceded two shots in the game, we did many things well and I hope that little by little we’ll get more fluid and get sharper in front of goal.”

Barcelona are now on top of the La Liga table with 43 points from 20 matches, ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on goal difference.

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Gary Neville names one Man United player who shouldn’t be playing after 2-0 loss to Liverpool


Manchester United legend, Neville has advised the club’s hierarchy to sign wingers of the standard of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez.

Neville pointed out that current winger, Daniel James should only be “third or fourth” in line for a spot on the wing at the club.
The 22-year-old James was signed from Swansea City last summer as a player in the future.

But manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made him one of his regular starters after an electric start to the campaign.

James, who was signed for £15million from the Championship side scored three goals in his first four games and has since chipped in with six assists.

However, Neville believes United need wideman of the standard of Manchester City wingers Sterling and Mahrez.

“Daniel James is more of a work in progress,” said former defender Neville on Sky Sports ahead of United’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

“He’s showed glimpses of what he can be. I see him as being one of three or four wide players at United over a season.”

Neville added: “I think when you look at Sterling, Mahrez and Bernardo Silva, they’re at a far higher level than Daniel James.


“There’s got to be an element of holding back a bit, but in a 22-man squad, you’d want James to be the third or fourth wide man.”

[Edoman]

SPORT
Serie A: Highest goal scorers this season [See top 23]

 January 20, 2020


Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace as Juventus beat Parma 2-1 on Sunday, to stay top of Serie A.

It took Ronaldo’s tally for the season up to 16 goals.
However, Lazio’s Ciro Immobile grabbed a hat-trick in their 5-1 victory over Sampdoria and now has 23 goals, to lead the top scorers’ chat.

Inter Milan ‘s Romelu Lukaku failed to find the back of the net, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leece.
Serie A top scorers:
23 goals: Ciro Immobile (Lazio)

16 goals: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
14 goals: Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
13 goals: João Pedro (Cagliari)

10 goals: Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Luis Muriel (Atalanta)
9 goals: Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Andrea Belotti (Torino), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)
8 goals: Francesco Caputo (Sassuolo), Edin Dzeko (Roma)
7 goals: Arkadiusz Milik (Napoli), Andreas Cornelius (Parma)
6 goals: Duván Zapata (Atalanta), Joaquín Correa (Lazio), Andrea Petagna, (SPAL) Alejandro Gómez (Atalanta), Robin Gosens (Atalanta), Marco Mancosu (Lecce)
5 goals: Gonzalo Higuaín (Juventus) Christian Kouamé (Genoa), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

[Edoman]

EPL: Highest goal scorers in Premier League unveiled [Top 24]

 January 19, 2020


Following the conclusion of the English Premier League, EPL, Match Day 23 fixtures on Sunday, where Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2-0, below are the highest goal scorers chasing the golden boot in the English top-flight league.

Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy is presently the highest goal scorer with 17 goals.
Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero has 15 goals, while Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has 14 goal.

Premier League top scorers:
17 goals: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).
15 goals: Sergio Aguero (Man City).

14 goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal), Danny Ings (Southampton), Marcus Rashford (Man United).
13 goals: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea).
11 goals: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool).

10 goals: Teemu Pukki (Norwich), Raul Jimenez (Wolves).
9 goals: Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Chris Wood (Burnley)
8 goals: Richarlison (Everton), Anthony Martial (Man United).
7 goals: Neal Maupay (Brighton), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Firmino (Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez, (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa).
6 goals: James Maddison (Leicester City), Dele Alli (Tottenham).

[Edoman]

EPL: Rashford out for six weeks

 January 19, 2020


Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has confirmed that Marcus Rashford will be out of action for at least six weeks, following a double stress fracture in his back

The striker was absent as United lost 2-0 to Liverpool on Sunday, having sustained the injury during their FA Cup third-round replay victory against Wolves in midweek.

Although Solskjaer was initially optimistic about the England international featuring this weekend at Anfield, he has now revealed details of a longer lay-off.

“He’s suffered a bad injury,” Solskjaer revealed post-match to Sky Sports.

“It’s a [back] stress fracture, it happened against Wolves.

“It’s not happened before, it happened there and then. He’ll be out for a while. He won’t be back until after the mid-season break.

“[It’s] normally six weeks to heal, but I’m not a doctor, and then he needs rehab after that probably.”

[Edoman]

Transfer: Conte fires back at Mourinho over Eriksen deal

 January 20, 2020


Inter Milan manager, Antonio Conte, has hit back at Jose Mourinho, claiming the Tottenham Hotspur boss twisted his words over Christian Eriksen.

Mourinho earlier this week, criticised Conte for speaking publicly about signing Eriksen from Spurs, stating all coaches “should behave the same way”.

Inter are still in talks with the Danish midfielder over a potential transfer, either this month or when his contract expires in the summer.

And Mourinho’s comments have clearly annoyed Conte, who would not speak further on the discussions with Eriksen.
“I no longer talk about the transfer market,” Conte told reporters on Sunday.

“The last time I did it, someone we all know twisted my words so I won’t say anything anymore.


“I never said anything unusual about the January transfer market making it difficult for all coaches. Every time I say something, it always gets amplified or twisted.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Solskjaer speaks on Man United signing new striker after 2-0 loss to Liverpool

 January 20, 2020


Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that the Red Devils doesn’t desperately need to sign a new striker this January transfer window.

The Norwegian said this following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah ensured the UEFA Champions League holders defeated Solskjaer’s side at Anfield.

Solskjaer did not feature his number one striker, Marcus Rashford against Jurgen Klopp’s men due to injury.

Rashford will be out of action for Solskjaer’s men at least six weeks, after sustaining a double stress fracture in his back during United’s 1-0 victory against Wolves in the FA Cup some days ago.

“We’ve had many injuries for big players this season,” Solskjaer told BBC Sports after the game.

“It’s just an unfortunate situation we’re in. We might look at some short-term deals as well that could take us through to the summer.
“We don’t desperately need a striker. If the right one is there and it fits for us (but) we’ve got players who are champing at the bit.”

[Edoman]

The internet reacts after Inter Milan agree terms with Victor Moses over loan move




                 


Ex-Super Eagles of Nigeria winger Victor Moses has agreed terms with Inter Milan over a loan move and is set to undergo a medical with the Milan based club as soon as possible.

Inter Milan, chasing the Italian scudetto, are revamping their squad this January with the addition of Ashley Young, and the imminent additions of Christian Eriksen and Victor Moses set to give Juventus a run for their money in the Italian league.
Moses has played for Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and Fenerbahce during his career operating majorly as a wingback or winger.
Sky Sports and Gazzetta report that Inter will sign him from Chelsea on a loan with option to buy at €10 million & there's been a total agreement between all parties.

Moses, still under contract with Chelsea, has had a turbulent season since joining Fenerbahce on loan in the summer, scoring only one goal, but Antonio Conte, Inter Milan's coach drew on his experience in working with Moses while at Chelsea to sign the dominating winger.
 
Internet users seem happy with Moses' move to Italy.
Read some reactions below.
            

[Edoman]

Barca and Liverpool linked Victor Osimhen speaks on prospect of becoming Africa's first 100M Euros player



                        


Super Eagles and Lille FC of France striker Victor Osimhen has spoken of how it feels to be linked to the best clubs in the world at such a young age.
 
Osimhen, 21,  joined Lille from Sporting Chaleroi and has scored 15 goals in all competitions this term and produced four assists and could become Africa's most expensive footballer in history if an interested club meet his reported asking price of  €80 million to €100 million .
 
His performances in front of goal this season has linked him with transfers to Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona, but the Lille number 7 feels he deserves all the accolades because he works so hard.
                                
 
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Osimhen said: "It feels great, it shows that I am really, really working hard and I have been trying to improve myself as a player and as a person.
"I think I am happy here at Lille, very good environment for me to develop myself as the player I want to become in the future.
"As I always say every time, I am loyal to Lille and they are in charge of my future and they decide if I stay or if I go".
"For me, I think I deserve it and Lille deserve it also.
"From the start of the season I have been working really quite hard to get to where I am today, to get the recognition in France also.
"I am not in the best position to say I'm worth this or not, Lille will decide anytime they want to sell me".
 

[Edoman]

Ex-Real Madrid and Leeds defender Raul Bravo denies ordering assassination of former team-mate/friend Kovacevic



               


Former Real Madrid player Raul Bravo (pictured left) has denied allegations he ordered the assassination of ex-team-mate Darko Kovacevic after press in Serbia made the strong allegations against the footballer.

Kova?evi? (pictured below) was shot in Athens, Greece just outside his home by assassins on the 7th of January, but only his wrist and knee got injured.
             
 
"I saw a man getting out of a car with a gun in his hand and coming towards me," Kova?evi? said about the shooting according to the Mirror. 
"I instinctively dived to the right and he fired at me. Then he ran, got into the car and disappeared."
 
Greek Police began investigations into the incident and even though no conclusions have been reached and no person arrested yet, a Serbian outlet Telegraf (via La Gazzetta dello Sport) claimed that Kova?evi?'s former teammate Bravo 'ordered' the assassination attempt because Kova?evi? had damaging information about a match fixing scandal that Bravo was heavily involved in.
 
Bravo was among 11 people arrested by police after an investigation by Spanish authorities relating to a possible case of match-fixing in May 2018 and Serbian outlet Telegraf claim Bravo ordered the attack either as an assassination or a warning shot.
 
Bravo, a team-mate of Kovacevic at Olympiacos from 2007 and 2009, has now come out to deny the allegations. claiming it's 'all nonsense'
 
          
 
Speaking to Radio Marca's 'A Diario', Bravo said;
"A magazine in Serbia reported it and I was stunned that it said I ordered the murder of [Darko] Kovacevic,".
"The only thing that matters [to them] is selling [magazines], and saying I wanted to kill Darko sells more. It's a crazy story, it's nonsense."
Bravo went on to claim that he has a good relationship with Kovacevic. "I will say it again, the relationship is great," he said.
"It [the report] is something that has neither legs nor a head. It is a complete invention, madness.
"He hasn't gotten into any trouble and he doesn't know why this has happened. He has earned a lot of money from football... I've told him to stay calm."