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RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
[b]Coutinho Compounds Barcelona Humiliation After He Scores Twice For Bayern [/b]
Philippe Coutinho insisted he was 'happy' after compounding Barcelona's humiliation by scoring twice and recording an assist in Bayern Munich's thrashing of his parent club.
The Brazilian is the Catalan giants' record signing but has spent the year on loan at the Bundesliga champions.
The 28-year-old came off the bench with fifteen minutes remaining but still assisted Robert Lewandowski before adding two strikes himself with five and one minute to go respectively as Bayern ran out 8-2 winners in Lisbon.
And speaking after the game, Coutinho showed no mercy for his parent club after their worst defeat since 1940.
'It was an important match between two of the best clubs of the world ', he said before and assuring that he leaves 'happy' as Bayern reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8629485/amp/Philippe-Coutinho-compounds-Barcelona-humiliation-scores-twice-Bayern-Munich.html
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
Barcelona have ‘already decided’ to sack Quique Setien after disastrous 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich
![[Image: 5f3797a35bc73.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3797a35bc73.jpg)
Quique Setien is on the verge of being sacked by Barcelona after the club's Champions League campaign ended in disastrous defeat to Bayern Munich.
The 61-year-old Spaniard was only appointed in January but is expected to be relieved of his duties after Barcelona finished trophyless first time in 12 years, according to Sky Sport Italia.
Barcelona lost the La Liga title to Real Madrid and Copa del Rey to Valencia.
The decision to sack Setien comes after Barcelona's humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon on Friday night, which ended their Champions League campaign.
A brace from Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho and a goal each from Robert Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry, Ivan Perisic, and Joshua Kimmich, secured the win to take the dominant Bayern side to the Semi-Finals.
Barcelona's first goal came from an own goal by David Alaba before Luiz Suarez got his side’s second goal.
At full-time Setien told reporters: 'Right now we feel enormous frustration and all we can do is make conclusions and think about the future.
'Barca is a club that is so great that this will cause us a lot of damage and obviously some things will have to change.
'The truth is this is a tremendously painful defeat.
'Barcelona want to recover their identity. Right now, it's too soon to think about whether I will stay or not. It doesn't depend on me.
'We have to reflect, taking the situation into account and the importance that such a humiliating and painful defeat means.
'I'm hurt, evidently, by such a hefty defeat.'The way it came about has been tremendously painful.
'I'm not worried about my future right now, but a defeat that is very painful for the club and the fans.'I know what a defeat of this calibre means.
'We have to analyse what happened today from a bigger perspective. I know that the credibility of a coach diminishes when something like this happens. This isn't what worries me at the moment.
'We have to accept the defeat how it is. We were beaten by a very good team.'Apart from the first few minutes, they were clearly better than us for the rest of the game.'
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also had this to say after the humiliating defeat.
He told Spanish press: “It's a really heavy defeat.
“I want to congratulate Bayern, who played a great game. They deserve to go through to the semi-finals.
“We weren't at our best, nor near it. Today was a disaster and now we have to make decisions.
“We've already thought about some of them. Today isn't a day for decisions.
“We want to apologise to the fans, members and Barcelonistas.”
When pressed on who may be involved in those decisions, he refused to give a clearer answer.
“I'm not going to say what [decisions] they are because some of them have already been made and others will be made,” he added.
“Today is a day to reflect. From tomorrow, we'll try to lift the spirits of all the Barcelona fans and we'll make decisions from next week.”
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
Highlights Of Barcelona's 8-2 Loss To Bayern (Video, Photos)
Barcelona Lose 8-2 To Bayern To Record Their Heaviest European Defeat In History
Watch video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdYyHLBLvgg
Bayern Munich sent out an emphatic and ominous message to their Champions League rivals with an absolute demolition of fellow European heavyweights Barcelona in a gloriously chaotic and utterly one-sided quarter-final tie in Lisbon. [/b]
The high-pressing, energetic and ruthless German champions were on a different level to their Spanish rivals, as they have been for pretty much every opponent they have faced in Europe this season and in every competition since football restarted in June.
They scored four times in the first half, added another quartet in the second, and could easily have netted more against a shell-shocked and shambolic Barca side whose defensive errors were too numerous to recount and who now have a new and embarrassing record defeat in European competition to their name.
Bayern were not entirely infallible, though, with Barca's forward players - inevitably led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez - regularly finding space in behind to cause problems and test Manuel Neuer.
In a dizzyingly madcap opening 10 minutes, Thomas Muller fired Bayern ahead following a one-two with Robert Lewandowski and David Alaba wildly sliced a Jordi Alba cross into his own net to restore parity, before Suarez was denied by Neuer and Messi hit the post with a curling cross through a packed box.
The following 22 minutes took the game away from Barca, with Ivan Perisic smashing in a deflected second for Bayern before Serge Gnabry finished off a delightful ball over the top from Leon Goretzka, and Muller poked in his second at the near post.
A neat turn and finish from Suarez after the break gave the Spanish side hope, but this was snuffed out by arguably the pick of the goals - a Joshua Kimmich side-foot finish following some stunning skill and speed and excellent delivery from Alphonso Davies.
Robert Lewandowski headed his 14th Champions League goal in just eight games before salt was poured into Barca's deep wounds as Philippe Coutinho - on loan from the Spanish side - netted a seventh and eighth via close-range finishes after coming off the bench.
Bayern are by far the most decorated side left in the competition, having won the European Cup/Champions League on five occasions, most recently in 2013 and look comfortably the strongest left in this season's tournament.
They will find out their semi-final opponent on Saturday, when England's last remaining challenger Manchester City face French side Lyon.
Bayern hit new heights in stellar season
There is always a danger that knock-out games between two of Europe's most decorated sides become a cagey tactical grapple as opposed to the haymaker-throwing thrill-fest promised by the hype.
Not Barca v Bayern, though. This is a match-up that delivers, even in an empty, neutral stadium.
Four knock-out ties since 2009 have now yielded 36 goals at an average of five goals per game.
This includes the Arjen Robben and Muller-inspired 7-0 aggregate win for Bayern in the semi-finals in 2013 and a Messi and Neymar masterclass in the last four two years later as Barca floored the Germans.
But this game tops the lot and will last long in the memory as a showcase of two sides now operating in different stratospheres.
Bayern's brilliance and risky high line, Barcelona's crippling frailty but still potent attack - it all ensured that a goalscoring chance was never far away and the ball in the net a high possibility from each.
Such has been the quality of these sides in the three previous knock-out ties, the winner of each went on to lift the trophy, and you would not put it past Bayern continuing that trend.
They have ripped through the competition, scoring 39 goals and conceding just eight in the process of winning all 10 of their matches. The eight they scored on Friday is the most a side has scored in a European Cup tie since Real Madrid beat FC Wacker Innsbruck 9-1 in a last-16 tie in 1990-91.
This is on top of the nine they won post-lockdown to claim an eighth straight Bundesliga title and the two that gave them the German Cup.
The hiring of Hansi Flick - initially on an interim basis but now permanently - now looks like a masterstroke by the Bayern hierarchy.
In a short space of time he has built a Bayern side that is every bit the match of their impressive predecessors, constructed around a positivity that makes Jerome Boateng and Alaba playmakers from the back, Davies and Kimmich as much wingers as full-backs and Lewandowski, Muller et al a seamless attacking unit unmatched on the continent.
Whichever of Manchester City or Lyon win on Saturday have a monumental task on their hands next Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53745581
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
Quote:Lionel Messi ‘isolates’ Himself From Teammates After Barca Defeat
Lionel Messi ‘isolated’ himself from other teammates in the dressing room after Barcelona ‘s 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich on Friday night as he couldn’t hide his devastation.
The Argentine was helpless to stop the La Liga giants from being dominated by the Bavarians in a massively one-sided Champions League quarter final.
An image that emerged from the team dressing room shows Messi unable to quite come to terms with what happened, staring blankly into the distance alongside Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Interestingly, this is the first time since 2006/07 that Messi ends a season without a trophy, and the pain of the latest defeat will definitely take some time to get over.
https://www.today.ng/sport/football/lionel-messi-isolates-teammates-barca-defeat-312951/amp?__twitter_impression=true
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
[b]Messi And Ronaldo Won't Be In UCL Semi-Finals For The First Time Since 2005[/b]
The Champions League semi-finals will be devoid of the presence of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2005
The startling statistic was confirmed after Barcelona's humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo's Juventus, meanwhile, were knocked out by Lyon at the last-16 stage.
https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1294385352057204736?s=19
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
Champions League: How much money Barcelona will pay Liverpool if Coutinho wins trophy with Bayern revealed
August 15, 2020
![[Image: Coutinho.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Coutinho.jpg)
It has been revealed that Barcelona will pay Liverpool €5m (£4.5m) if midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, wins this season’s Champions League with Bayern Munich, Mirror UK reports.
Coutinho scored twice against his parent club, Barcelona, for Bayern on Friday night after coming from the bench in the German side’s Champions League quarter-final 8-2 thrashing of the Blaugrana at the Estádio da Luz in Portugal.
Barcelona splashed the cash (€5m) on Coutinho in 2018 in an eye-watering deal worth around £142m, but the Brazilian international failed to impress at the Nou Camp and has spent this season on loan at Bayern.
The deal to sign Coutinho from Liverpool included a number of potential add-on clauses, but incredibly they are player-specific rather than club-specific.
One of those clauses was that Barca would pay Liverpool €5m if the 26-year-old won the Champions League in either the 2018-19 or 2019-20 season, but it does not specify that it had to be while playing for them.
[/url]
Bayern is now arguably the favourites to win the Champions League following their impressive display on Friday against Barcelona.
The Bundesliga champions will now face the winners of Saturday’s Manchester City vs Lyon clash in the semi-final on Wednesday before a potential final on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Coutinho has been strongly linked with [url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/08/13/coutinho-to-arsenal-agent-gives-latest-update-on-midfielders-future/]a move to Premier League side Arsenal in the past few weeks.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-15-2020
John Obi Mikel set for return to English football with Championship side Stoke City
![[Image: 5f37e900bbafe.webp]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f37e900bbafe.webp)
Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel is set to join Stoke City after reportedly agreeing on a one-year deal with the Championship side.
The ex-Nigerian international, 33, became a free agent after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent back in March amid concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mikel is expected to have his medical next week and will sign a one-year deal with the Potters.
The midfielder, who made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell, won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League, and Europa League. He also had a two-year spell at Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda, before joining Championship club Middlesbrough for a brief stint.
![[Image: icon_share.png]](https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/images/icon_share.png){kind=icon}
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-16-2020
Quote:[b]Manchester City Believe They In A Good Position To Sign Messi
Manchester City believe they are in pole position to sign Lionel Messi if the Argentine quits Barcelona in the aftermath of the club’s Champions League humiliation.[/b]
The Blues would pay Messi whatever it takes to lure him to the Etihad and reunite him with Pep Guardiola.
And City’s stance on the 32-year-old remains steadfast that they will be at the front of the queue if the six-time Ballon d’Or winner decides to seek a new challenge.
Barcelona are in crisis after a season in which they surrendered the La Liga title to bitter rivals Real Madrid was ended ignominiously by an 8-2 Champions League demolition by Bayern Munich.
Messi left the pitch in Lisbon looking like a broken man after a year spent battling Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the Nou Camp hierarchy on the direction the club is going.
His current £635million buy-out clause puts him out of the reach of every club, but Barcelona don’t have the money to finance the squad rebuild they so clearly need – and may be forced to sacrifice their most precious asset to make it happen.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-city-lionel-messi-transfer-22527763
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-16-2020
Kevin De Bruyne beats Liverpool trio Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold to win Premier League Player of the Season
![[Image: 5f3904c9296c8.PNG]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3904c9296c8.PNG)
Manchester City midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne has been named Premier League Player of the Season for the 2019/20 campaign.
The Belgian playmaker, 29, saw off competition from Liverpool trio Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Southampton striker Danny Ings, Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and Leicester's Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy to win the honour.
Despite City finishing second for the Premier League 2019/20 campaign, De Bruyne enjoyed a productive season since arriving at the Etihad in 2015. He recorded 20 assists, equalling the league record set by Thierry Henry in 2003 and also scored 13 times to help City finish as the division's highest scorers for the third successive season.
Liverpool's right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold was named Young Player of the Season, while his manager Jurgen Klopp won the award for Premier League Manager of the Season.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Quote:
Barcelona sacks Head Coach, Quique Setien
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has confirmed the sacking of head coach Quique Setien following the club’s humiliation in the Champions League to Bayern Munich. The German giants thrashed Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter-finals, who finish the season without winning any major trophies.
With Lionel Messi reportedly threatening to quit the club, Spanish outlet COPE claim Setien has been axed following a meeting of the Barcelona board. Club president Bartomeu met with director of football Eric Abidal and fellow chief Ramon Planes late on Sunday night and confirmed to reporters afterwards Setien was ‘out’. An official announcement is expected on Monday, with Barcelona scheduling a press conference in the afternoon.
Setien was only appointed in January to replace Ernesto Valverde, but fared little better than his sacked predecessor as Real Madrid beat Barcelona to the La Liga title.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and Barcelona legend Xavi are all in the frame to replace Setien.
Former Everton boss Koeman is thought to be the frontrunner as a former Barcelona player and a manager with plenty of experience.
The news of Setien’s dismissal comes hot on the heels of reports Messi is ready to call time on his incredible career at Barcelona. The club have been forced to deny Messi has told the board he wants to leave unless there is significant changes made. While Messi has demanded action, Barcelona have put almost the entirety of their squad up for sale following the defeat to Bayern. The presidential elections are scheduled in 2021, but may be held this year amid calls for Bartomeu to step down.
https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/16/barcelona-messi-transfer-football-barca-coach-setien-bartomeu-13137387/?ito=newsnow-feed
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Lionel Messi reportedly tells Barcelona he wants transfer out of the club immediately
![[Image: 5f3a3ac8f2673.webp]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a3ac8f2673.webp)
Six time Ballon d'or winner, Lionel Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave the club immediately, according to a new report.
According to the report, Messi is angry at Barca's humiliation out of the Champions League on Friday with an 8-2 thumping by German giants, Bayern Munich.
The report says early this season Messi threatened to leave Barca if there was not a major restructure at the club but after the Bayern game he reportedly informed club bosses he is not willing to wait for the change and wants to leave the club "immediately."
Messi, 33, has grown disillusioned with life at his boyhood club following numerous mounting problems behind the scenes.
His contract expires next summer when he can leave for free but he appears determined to leave right now.
The report was released by Esporte Interativo, the same publication that accurately reported Neymar's move to PSG years back
An inside source close to Messi is quoted as saying: "He has never seen Leo so determined to leave as now."
Graeme Souness writing in the Times, he said: "Lionel Messi looked like a man who has had enough of carrying that team; without him they wouldn’t even be good enough to qualify for the Champions League.
"This would be the perfect week to put a bid in for the 33-year-old Argentinian and I could easily see him playing in Manchester — at either United or City."
by
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Quote:[b]Man United Will Finish The Season Trophyless After Losing To Sevilla In The UEL
Sevilla wrecked Manchester United's hopes of ending the season with silverware as they edged a hard-fought Europa League semi-final in Cologne.[/b]
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lost their third semi-final this season despite taking the lead when Bruno Fernandes scored their 22nd penalty of the season after Marcus Rashford was fouled by Diego Carlos.
Sevilla, Europa League specialists, equalised before the interval when former Liverpool forward Suso swept a finish past David de Gea at the far post.
United's fate was sealed when they missed a succession of chances early in the second half as Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, denying Anthony Martial several times.
And Sevilla, who saw off Wolves in the quarter-final, secured their place in the final when Luuk de Jong swept home a cross from Jesus Navas with 12 minutes left, United punished for poor defending which led to recriminations as Fernandes confronted Victor Lindelof in the aftermath.
Manchester United's long season came to a bitterly disappointing conclusion as they missed out on the chance to lift their first trophy since they won this tournament under Jose Mourinho more than three years ago.
And they have only themselves to blame for a lack of killer instinct in front of goal, especially in that opening phase of the second half when Bounou denied them, especially Martial, but United simply had to take one of those chances.
It left Sevilla in the game and, as this talented side have proved before, they are experts at finding a way to win in the Europa League.
And so it proved with De Jong's late goal, helped by awful United defending as they switched off from Navas' cross, with Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka culpable.
United could not respond as they looked heavy legged, Solskjaer waiting until late on before introducing a raft of chances more in hope than expectation.
Man Utd triple failure shows flaws
Manchester United rescued their season in the second half of the campaign, fuelled by the signing of Fernandes, but losing three semi-finals in a single term is a poor effort.
Solskjaer's season has finished respectability with a third-placed finish in the Premier League but weaknesses were exposed by the loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final, Chelsea in the FA Cup and now this defeat by Sevilla.
It will no doubt strengthen Solskjaer's hand as he demands high-class additions in the transfer window but does nothing to disguise the disappointment or the fact that, when the pressure was really on in the big cup games this season, they failed to deliver.
Man of the match - Yassine Bounou
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53793942
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Barcelona ‘confirm’ coach Quique Setien has been sacked after Bayern humiliation
![[Image: 5f3a614a1a25d.webp]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a614a1a25d.webp)
Barcelona have sacked club coach Quique Setien following the humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich last week, according to reports.
According to reports from Spain, club president Josep Bartomeu spoke with Spanish outlet Cadena COPE on Sunday night following a meeting with the Barca board, including Eric Abidal.
Bartomeu is believed to have said: "He is out," when asked about Setien's position.
Barcelona are yet to make an official announcement with reports saying an official announcement will be made today, Monday August 17 during a press conference.
![[Image: 5f3a617cf3f59.webp]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a617cf3f59.webp)
Setien only replaced Ernesto Valverde in January but his failure to win LaLiga and the 8-2 Bayern Munich humiliation only quickened his sack following a public fall out with Lionel Messi this season.
The 8-2 demolition of Barca by Bayern in the Champions League quarter-final
was one of the most embarrassing in the proud Catalan club's 121-year history.
by
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Manchester City legend, Vincent Kompany retires from professional football at the age of 34
![[Image: 5f3a5a794bd61.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a5a794bd61.jpg)
Former Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany has reportedly retired from professional football to become the full-time manager of Belgian side, Anderlecht.
The 34-year-old first joined the Belgian side in a player-manager role back in May 2019, but has now hung up his boots and will take on the full managerial role at the club
While on his player-manager role, he stepped down from the managerial side and focused on playing after Anderlecht suffered their worst start to a season since 1998-99.
Frank Vercauteren took over as head coach, but reportedly had a fallout with Kompany with the two not sharing the same vision for the club.
Vercauteren has now left Anderlecht, and Kompany has been made the full-time manager of the Belgian side.
Anderlecht will release a statement on August 17, at 5pm to address the new development.
Vincent Kompany who made over 350 appearances at Manchester City, won four Premier League titles, four League Cups and two FA Cups during his time at the Etihad.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Mesut Ozil will regret wasted years at Arsenal if he stays - Former striker Alan Smith warns
![[Image: 5f3a4f7a0cf99.jpeg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a4f7a0cf99.jpeg)
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, has warned Arsenal star player Mesut Ozil that he will live to 'regret wasted years' after the 31 year old midfielder announced last week he will see out the last one year of his lucrative £350,000 per week salary at Arsenal despite not having regular game time.
Last week in a wide ranging interview, Ozil revealed that he will run down a lucrative deal with the Gunners and become a free agent during the summer of 2021 instead of seeking a new challenge outside north London.
But Smith has urged Ozil to reconsider his stance.
![[Image: 5f3a4fc832221.jpeg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a4fc832221.jpeg)
Alan speaking to Sky Sports said: “As for Mesut Ozil, the tiresome saga rolls on. In an interview this week, the German insisted he is staying at Arsenal, even though he obviously does not feature in [Mikel] Arteta's plans.
"This is a funny one. Ozil is well within his rights to see out a four-year contract the club were happy enough to give, but from a purely football aspect, why would you do that if you are not going to play?
“‘This is my profession’, he says. ‘It's what I love doing: being on the pitch, playing matches, showing the people, helping the club and my team’. Ok, so if you love playing so much, why not go somewhere you're actually wanted?
“There's an old saying in football - you are a long time retired. Come the end of his career, he might live to regret these wasted years.”
Smith also had his say on Willian's impending move from Chelsea to Arsenal as a free agent.
“Willian's free transfer from Chelsea looks like the first step, which surprised me at first given the Brazilian's age. Just turned 32 with lots of miles on the clock, Stamford Bridge has surely seen his best days.
“So was this just a convenient move because he has the right agent? Something foisted upon Arteta by Raul Sanllehi, the head of football? Or does Arteta see something in Willian that can improve the team straight away?
“One thing is for sure, as a right-sided attacker, his arrival asks immediate questions of Nicolas Pepe, signed at exorbitant cost this time last year.
“The Ivory Coast winger has blown hot and cold so far, which is not a great quality in Arteta's book. Undoubtedly talented, Pepe has got to kick on if he's going to survive because, in the short term at least, Willian can provide great know-how and quality on that right side.”
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Barcelona Appoints Ronald Koeman As New Manager
Ronald Koeman has been choosen as new Barcelona manager.
He's going to leave Holland National team to join Barça - official statement on this week.
Former Everton boss Koeman emerged as the Catalan side's key target in the wake of the Champions League quarter-final humbling, and the club plan to install him as the new man in the dugout this week after Setien's departure has been confirmed.
![[Image: 32046736-0-image-m-3_1597669609684.jpg]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/17/14/32046736-0-image-m-3_1597669609684.jpg)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8635429/amp/Ronald-Koeman-chosen-Barcelonas-new-manager-quit-Holland-week.html?__twitter_impression=true
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
John Mikel Obi joins Championship side Stoke City (photos)
![[Image: 5f3aa5b32314a.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3aa5b32314a.jpg)
John Mikel Obi has joined Stoke City after reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Championship side.
The ex-Nigerian international, 33, who became a free agent after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent back in March, completed his move to the club on Monday afternoon.
![[Image: 5f3aa69923396.PNG]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3aa69923396.PNG)
After sealing the deal, Stoke boss Michael O'Neill said: "I was really impressed with him when we met for the first time and he outlined what he wants from the next phase of his career.''
"We spent four hours talking and he made it clear he wants to get back into the Premier League and finish his career there and hopefully he can do that with Stoke City."
Quote:?? "If I can bring that experience and winning mentality here, then I will be happy."
? ?????????? ???? ??? ?????#SCFC ??? pic.twitter.com/XlFoqT5SB0
Quote:— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 17, 2020
The midfielder, who made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell, won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League, and Europa League. He also had a two-year spell at Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda, before joining Championship club Middlesbrough for a brief stint.
Mikel also won 89 caps for Nigeria, representing his country in the U17, U20 and U23. He partcipated in two World Cups tournaments and helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, before announcing his retirement from international football last summer.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
WWE star, Sonya Deville targeted by an obsessed fan in terrifying kidnapping plot at her home (photos)
![[Image: 5f3a9decb7296.png]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a9decb7296.png)
An obsessed fan has been arrested on a kidnapping charge at the home of WWE star, Sonya Deville.
The obsessed fan, Phillip A. Thomas was arrested on Sunday, August 16, and charged with three felonies, attempted armed kidnapping, armed burglary, and aggravated stalking at Deville's home in Lutz, Florida, according to police.
Thomas is also being charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and is being held without bond.
![[Image: 5f3a9e3cc55c9.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a9e3cc55c9.jpg)
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the 24-year-old who had been planning his move for a long time. .
Sheriff Chad Chronister said Thomas stalked the alleged victim "on social media for years."
According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release, Thomas entered the home at 2:43 a.m. ET Sunday through a back sliding-glass door after the wristler went to bed.
The entry set off a house alarm, which alerted Deville that there was an intruder. She fled the home with her guest and then called 911 to report the break-in at her home.
When Police arrived at the scene, they found Thomas inside the residence carrying a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, mace, and "other personal items," according to the release.
The release said Thomas cut a hole in a patio screen earlier in the night and remained there for three to four hours, watching and listening to what was happening inside the home through the windows.
![[Image: 5f3a9e6a2bbb9.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5f3a9e6a2bbb9.jpg)
Thomas went to Florida from his home in South Carolina, telling deputies that he planned to take the homeowner hostage, according to the release.
"Our deputies are unveiling the suspect's disturbing obsession with this homeowner who he had never met, but stalked on social media for years," Chronister said in a statement. "It's frightening to think of all the ways this incident could have played out had the home alarm not gone off and alerted the homeowner of an intruder. Our deputies arrived within minutes and arrested this man who was clearly on a mission to inflict harm."
Deville took to social media on Monday August 18, to address the incident, saying it was a "very frightening experience but thankfully everyone is safe."
'Thank you everyone for your love and concern. A very frightening experience but thankfully everyone is safe. A special thank you to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their response and assistance.' she wrote
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Luis Suarez’s next club revealed as Barcelona put up senior players for sale
on
August 17, 2020
![[Image: Luis-Suarez.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Luis-Suarez.jpg)
Barcelona striker, Luis Suarez, could be set for a shock return to Ajax, with the Dutch club planning an ambitious move to sign him, according to Foot Mercato.
Suarez’s future at the Nou Camp is uncertain, following the club’s disastrous 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Senior officials at Barca have now put up most of their ageing stars for sale, as they plan a summer clear out. https://dailypost.ng/2020/08/16/barcelona-puts-up-all-senior-players-for-sale-after-champions-leagues-exit-full-list/
Suarez is one of such players who could be let go as he has just had 12 months left on his current contract.
His former club Ajax are preparing an offer to bring him back.
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The Uruguayan spent three-and-a-half seasons at the Amsterdam club after joining in the summer of 2007. He left to join Liverpool in January 2011.
During his time with the Dutch club, Suarez scored a stunning 111 goals in 159 matches.
RE: Sports Updates - Edoman - 08-17-2020
Barcelona make final decision on Setien’s replacement, set to bring Neymar back
on
August 17, 2020
![[Image: Quique-Setien.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Quique-Setien.jpg)
Ronald Koeman is set to be announced as Barcelona’s new manager, according to Sport.
The LaLiga giants are expected to sack Quique Setien this week and have already picked the Dutchman to replace him.
It is believed that Koeman, who has previously played for Barca, will return to the Nou Camp imminently, with details of his contract being finalized following negotiations with the Dutch Football Association.
Koeman will sign a two-year deal, although any longer-term stay will likely depend on the outcome of the club’s presidential elections next year.
There is also talk of a potential return for Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Neymar has long been linked with a return to Spain and it’s now being suggested that is a possibility as Barcelona look to rebuild their reputation.
In order to afford PSG’s high asking price, Barcelona are prepared to send Antoine Griezmann in the opposite direction, valuing the France striker at around £55million.