Sports Updates

[Edoman]

Cameroon legend, Samuel Eto'o in line for a shock return to football with Spain's third tier Racing Murcia







Cameroon legend, Samuel Eto' is being lined up for a shock return to football in Spain's third tier just a week after he survived a car crash in his country. 
 
The former Barcelona and Chelsea star retired from football in September 2019 following a brief stint with Qatar SC. 
 
Now Spanish third-tier outfit Racing Murcia, that is being funded by Emirates investors, is making a move for the 39-year-old former striker.
 
The club's president, Morris Pagniello, told Radio Marca: 'At this time of the morning I would say that the signing of Samuel Eto'o by our team is at 50-50.'
 
He then added: 'Next week we will know if we can sign Eto'o. If not, we have a Plan B prepared.
 
'We have several investors in Mexico and the Emirates who can financially compensate the operation.'
 
Racing Murcia sealed promotion to the third tier at the end of last season and are hopeful they can land Eto'o, who has played for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton among others. 
 
 

[Edoman]

AFCON 2021 qualifiers: Williams Troost-Ekong calls for total concentration from Super Eagles against Sierra Leone







Super Eagles vice-captain, Williams Troost-Ekong has advised his teammates to comcentrate ahead of their crucial game against the Leone Stars in Freetown on Tuesday evening.
 
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game has become even more crucial after the Super Eagles squandered a 4-0 lead to play out a draw with the Leone Stars at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City last week Friday.
 
On Monday, the Super Eagles arrived in Freetown for the reverse fixture of the encounter and will play this evening against the Leone Stars.
 

 
According to Troost-Ekong, the three-time African champions are battle-ready and must fully concentrate to get all three points in the outing.
”We are ready, we just finished a good practice session and everyone’s ready for the game tomorrow,” Troost-Ekong told journalists on Tuesday.
“We prepare like any other game with this team (Sierra Leone). We don’t underestimate anyone and if we can just bring what we did in the first half of the last game and make sure we keep concentrated and see out the game, I think we have a good chance to do what we need to do.
“They (Nigerian fans) will see a team that is very hungry to get the win here. We want to qualify as soon as possible and it is up to us to do it tomorrow.”
 
Troost-Ekong also commented about the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown, where the match will be played.
“We are used to everything, we are Africans we’ve been to Asana, we’ve been to Benin and Uyo and this pitch is like any other pitch we will get in Africa so it’s no surprise for us, we will be ready to face them,” he added.
 
With the draw on Friday, Nigeria maintain their lead in Group L with seven points from three games and a victory against the Leone Stars in Freetown could seal their place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
 

[Edoman]

Boxing legend, Mike Tyson shows off his ripped body ahead of comeback fight with Roy Jones Jr (photos)








American boxing legend, Mike Tyson has shown off his impressive physique ahead of his comeback fight with Roy Jones Jr on November 28.
 

 
The 54-year-old took to Instagram to share a series of new photos, revealing the results of his rigorous training regime just 11 days before the highly-anticipated exhibition fight that is due to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 
 

 
Speaking of his transformation earlier this summer, Tyson told TMZ Sports: 'At one time I was just 90lbs overweight. I was doing cocaine, I was drinking and I said, "Allah if he can stop me from being this way, I'll change my whole life".'
 

 
'And eventually, I got married, my life started to change, and I started working out.
 
'My brother in law said, "hey listen. I know you don't want to fight, but would you fight Bob Sapp?
 
'Somebody wants to offer you a lot of money to fight him. I said, "get out of here, I told you I don't want to fight anymore."
 

 
'And then I thought about it in my mind and went "ding" - I said I would fight [Sapp under the Marquess of Queensberry rules] and for some reason, it went from Bob Sapp to somebody else, and this guy, and the next thing you know, I'm fighting Roy Jones Jr.
 
'I don't know how this happened. I'm just very grateful that I'm not living the life that I was living before. Allah has blessed for me to be able to do this.' 
 

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi: Javier Tebas 'Ready' For Messi's Departure

La Liga president Javier Tebas says he is "ready" for the exit of Lionel Messi - while criticising Manchester City, a club he believes could sign him.

Messi submitted a transfer request in August at Barcelona - who he joined as a 13-year-old - but backed down after they refused to sanction his release.

The forward had fallen out with Josep Maria Bartomeu, who subsequently resigned as Barca president in October.

Tebas wants Messi to stay in Spain but feels La Liga would cope without him.

He argued that the competition had continued to thrive following Neymar's 2017 departure from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain, and Cristiano Ronaldo's 2018 move from Real Madrid to Juventus.

"We would prefer Messi to stay in La Liga but Ronaldo and Neymar left and we have not noticed any difference," Tebas said. "We are ready."

The Argentina international, 33, would be available on a free transfer at the end of this season.

Tebas indicated that Messi's likeliest Premier League destination, if he went to England, would be Etihad Stadium - although club sources have pointed out that no-one at City has ever spoken about signing Messi.

La Liga's president has repeatedly criticised City, having previously made numerous allegations about their structure, including accusing them of financial doping, before they were cleared of serious FFP breaches by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in July.

He aimed more criticism at them when he spoke on Tuesday.

Tebas said: "It seems the only club in Premier League that talks about registering Messi is Manchester City, who compete outside the rules. I am not the only one saying this.

"I am not too worried about them. I have criticised what they do so many times. Doing it one more time makes no difference. City is neither affected by Covid or pandemics or anything because they are financed differently and it is impossible to fight against that."

City opted not to respond to Tebas' comments, although it is understood they are wrestling with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic - limiting manager Pep Guardiola to a net spend of £31m during the most recent transfer window.

'Barca not considering insolvency proceedings'
Tebas was speaking at the end of an hour-long presentation to outline the financial state of La Liga following the close of the transfer window on 5 October.

Of particular interest was the situation at Barcelona, who he said had reduced their budget by 43%. In July, the club revealed their debt had more than doubled from 217m euros (£194.5m) to 488m euros (£437.4m), amid annual losses of 97m euros (£86.9m).

One journalist questioned whether it was possible Barca might even have to go into administration, although Tebas rejected this.

"Barcelona are not considering insolvency proceedings," he said.

"Their debt might be slightly larger but they were perfectly solvent pre-Covid. But Covid has come along and taken away a lot of revenue. They are not so capable of repaying the debt, so their salary volume has to go down.

"That is the essential factor for most clubs. It is not because they were mismanaged earlier."

Barcelona are eighth in La Liga under new coach Ronald Koeman, having won three of their opening seven games.

Much of the problems at the club have been blamed on Bartomeu, who as he left the club in October, said he had signed them up to a European Super League.

This claim has received no backing from elsewhere, as Tebas pointed out.

"It was a clandestine league for the 10 minutes after Bartomeu said they had joined," he said.

"I feel sorry for Bartomeu. He said it but then no-one else said they were joining. This project is not viable financially for the clubs competing or the other clubs. It would really break the eco-system we have established."

Tebas said he expected transfer spending to remain low in January, but added that the financial limitations being put in place across Spain's top two divisions would make them healthier in the future.

Tebas said that, in reducing transfer spend by 66% to £392.6m, La Liga's clubs were being "much more responsible than the other leagues", citing the Premier League, whose clubs spent more than £1bn on new players.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/football/54975304?__twitter_impression=true

[Edoman]

Five countries qualify for AFCON 2022

Five Countries Qualify For AFCON 2022

Five countries have so far qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the conclusion of matchday four fixtures on Tuesday.

The countries are Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, Mali and Tunisia.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disclosed this in a post via its Twitter handle on Wednesday.

Tunisia booked a place at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations after playing a 1-1 draw with Tanzania on Tuesday, while Mali defeated Namibia 2-1 on Tuesday.

Algeria secured their ticket after playing a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe on Monday, while Senegal won Guinea-Bissau 1-0 on Sunday.

Cameroon have an automatic spot as hosts.

“Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, Mali, Tunisia.

https://dailypost.ng/2020/11/18/five-countries-qualify-for-afcon-2022/
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1. Cameroon qualifies as host of the AFCON. And will use six stadiums across five Cameroon cities: Yaounde, Douala, Garouda, Limbe and Bafoussam.

Paul Biya Stadium and the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in the capital Yaounde, the Japoma Stadium in Douala, the Limbe Stadium in Limbe, the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam and the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua have all been chosen as competition venues.



2.Senegal



3. Algeria



4. Mali



5. Tunisia

[Edoman]

Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny test positive for coronavirus again







The Egyptian FA has confirmed that Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny have tested positive for coronavirus for a second time.

Salah has been in self-isolation since Friday when he first tested positive with mild symptoms, while on International duty for Egypt.  Elneny returned a positive Covid-19 test on Monday after arriving in Togo for the second fixture and has been self-isolating in Egypt's capital city Cairo ever since. 

A statement on the Egyptian FA website on Wednesday confirmed both players were still showing a positive result.
 
"Today, Mohamed Salah made a new swab to detect the Covid-19 virus, but its result was positive," the statement read.
 
"Today, Mohamed Elneny also conducted a second swab, which confirmed its positive results."

The news means the pair will now have to miss their sides' Premier League matches against  Leicester City and Leed City respectively at the weekend. 

[Edoman]

Messi ‘tired’ of being blamed for Barcelona’s problems


 
on
 November 19, 2020



Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has said he is fed up with being blamed for the club’s problems.
This comes after Antoine Griezmann’s former agent, Eric Ohlat, accused him of running a “regime of terror” at the club.


Messi was met by a group of journalists at El Prat airport on Wednesday upon his return from international duty with Argentina.


The 33-year-old was asked what he thought about Olhats’ claim that he had too much control at the Camp Nou.

“I am tired of always being the problem with everything that goes on at this club,” Messi replied.
Griezmann has always insisted that his relationship with Messi is good.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/11/18/african-nations-cup-qualifying-round-up/][/url]
But Messi’s latest remarks will only increase speculation that he could leave the LaLiga giants when his contract ends next summer.

[Edoman]

Fabregas hails Mourinho, disappointed with Guardiola


 
on
 November 19, 2020



Monaco midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, has said he considers his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho a friend, but admitted he has no relationship with ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.


The 33-year-old played only one season under Guardiola at the Camp Nou, before the manager left in 2012 to take a sabbatical.


“No, no, with Pep nothing at all. I don’t know if the disappointment with Pep is mutual.


“Things happened, but I prefer not to talk about it,” Fabregas told Radio Cataluna.

Fabregas however still remains in contact with Mourinho, who is now at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spaniard played under Mourinho for 19 months at Stamford Bridge, before the manager was sacked in December 2015.


“Mourinho inspired me the most when I left Barca. He told me that we had had our issues when he was at Chelsea and I was at Arsenal. And when he was coaching at Real Madrid and I was at Barcelona. But that for him, it all ended there. We turned the page,” Fabregas said.


Fabregas won the Copa del Rey under Guardiola and claimed the Carabao Cup and Premier League under Mourinho.

[Edoman]

Arsenal defender, Sead Kolasinac tests positive for coronavirus while on international duty for Bosnia and Herzegovina







Arsenal defender, Sead Kolasinac has tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
Kolasinac and team-mate Ibrahim Sehic missed Wednesday's game against Italy after returning positive tests, the Bosnia and Herzegovina football federation confirmed.
 
Kolasinac will likely miss Arsenal’s game at Elland Road against Leeds City on Sunday. He is also a major doubt for next week’s Europa League clash against Molde.
 
He becomes the second Arsenal player to be struck down with COVID-19 after midfielder Mohamed Elneny tested positive while on international duty for Egypt.

[Edoman]

Sunday Dare Hints At Sacking Gernot Rohr Over Poor Performance 

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has questioned the "suitability and competences" of coach Gernot Rohr after Super Eagles' back-to-back draws against Sierra Leone in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, IgbereTV reports.

Dare made this known on Twitter and threatened that the 'needful will be done' following the performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches.

Recall Nigeria threw away a four-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Sierra Leone in their first-leg clash at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State last Friday, November 13th.

In the second-leg which took place on Tuesday, November 17th at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown, the game ended in 0 - 0.

The Minister stated in his tweet that 'Nigerian football deserves better' and also tendered an apology to 'football lovers' over the Super Eagles' recent performances.

He wrote,

“The performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches calls to question the suitability and competences of Technical Adviser, Rohr. Nigerian football deserves better. The needful will be done. Apologies to all football lovers.”

https://twitter.com/SundayDareSD/status/1329080598942543873?s=19

https://igberetvnews.com/1372192/minister-sports-hints-sacking-gernot-rohr/

[Edoman]

Pep Guardiola agrees on a two-year contract at Manchester City until 2023










Pep Guardiola has agreed to a new contract with Manchester City.
 
The Spanish manager, 49, whose existing deal was due to expire at the end of this season, has signed a two-year extension at the Etihad, to keep him at the club until 2023.
 
His extension will see him overtake Joe Mercer and put him second on the Club’s list of longest-serving post-war managers.
 
Confirming the news, Chairman Khaldoon Mubarak said: “It is testament to the qualities of the man that Pep Guardiola’s passion and intelligent approach are now woven into the very fabric of the football we play and our culture as Club.
 
"That impact has been central to our success during his tenure and it is why I am delighted that he shares our view that there is so much more to be achieved both on and off the field.
 
“Pep’s contract extension is the natural next step in a journey which has evolved over many years.
 
"It is a product of the mutual trust and respect that exists between him and the entire Club. It also goes to the stability and creativity at the heart of our football operations.
 
"Importantly it is a validation of the football structure and philosophy that has been built over more than a decade and to which he has contributed so much.
 
“I’m sure all City fans share my delight in this new agreement and in anticipating the exciting opportunities that, with continued hard work, are there to be taken.”
 

 
Guardiola said: “Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself - from the players, the staff, the supporters, the people of Manchester and the Chairman and Owner.
 
"Since then we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies, and we are all very proud of that success.
 
“Having that kind of support is the best thing any manager can have. I have everything I could possibly want to do my job well and I am humbled by the confidence the Owner, Chairman, Ferran, and Txiki have shown in me to continue for two more years after this season.
 
“The challenge for us is to continue improving and evolving, and I am very excited and about helping Manchester City do that.”
 
Guardiola, who is now in his fifth year at Manchester City, has won two Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup with the Blues, but wants to desperately add the Champions League to that list.
 
 

[Edoman]

Jose Mourinho has unveiled a new nickname saying he is no longer the 'Special One'







Jose Mourinho has given himself a new nickname stating that he no longer wants to be called the 'Special One'.
 
Jose Mourinho has been managing in the Premier League since 2004, and he admits that his nickname of the 'Special One' is now outdated.
 
The legendary Portuguese tactician has led Tottenham to second in the Premier League this season, and his team is considered as title contenders.

Mourinho became known as the ‘Special One’ after he gave himself the label when he arrived to much hype and fanfare at Chelsea in 2004.
 
The 'special one' tag has stuck with him ever since .
 
But on Thursday November 19,  he revealed he should be called a new name.
"The 'Experienced One.' I am very experienced," Mourinho replied when asked by journalists what he would call himself now.
"Basically everything that happens to me in football now is deja vu, is something that has happened to me before.
"There are jobs that you need a special fitness condition like a football player. A 40-year-old does not have the same potential like a 20-or 30-year old, unless you're Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"Coaching you just need your brain, an accumulation of experiences and knowledge can only make you better."
 
A brilliant partnership between Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min has been crucial to Spurs’ recent good form in the league but Mourinho insists their excellent friendship is the key to their on-pitch success.
 

 
"I think it started with the relationship that they have," Mourinho added.


"They are good friends, they like to play on each other. They just want to win and to perform, there is no space for jealousy.


"Sonny is a very fast player, likes to attack spaces, and Harry is amazing with the ball and when he drops back, he is a player with high quality."
 

[Edoman]

Super Eagles: 3 Coaches Nigerians Want To Take Over From Gernot Rohr 

The super eagles of Nigeria no doubt is one of the power house of African football with great exploits and talented players over the years.
But with the result so far this year the team looks a shadow of itself.

In fact throughout this calendar year 2020 the team has not won a single game. Both in competitive and friendly matches. The worse been the unacceptable 4-4 drew with Sierra Leone a team ranked 120 in the world.

And when a team is not performing in spite of the abundance of talents at its disposal. Then the coach needs to be changed since.

Therefore Gernot Rohr who has served as the second longest coach in Nigeria is yet to maintain a first eleven in more than two games
And worse of, the technical blunders the team makes in critical games is unpardonable.

Yes the argument for Rohr has been he lead us to a 3rd place finish at AFCON and qualified us for world cup. But that's in the past. And that feat has been also achieved by our local coaches. In fact Stephen Keshi exceeded that feat.. He won us the AFCON and even took us the world cup with a commendable performance. Yet when he couldn't performed again he was excused..


So why not if Four has reached his peak. Only one option is left..... Allow him use the exit door.


And the next question is who takes over after Rohr that will be tactically sound enough to lead this team to glory.

Three names comes to mind


Emmanuel Amunike

Sunday Oliseh

Hervé Renard



So guys who should take over as Super Eagles coach.


By : Robosky02

[Edoman]

[b]David Luiz Injures Dani Ceballos During Training Ground Fight

Dani Ceballos with a bloodied nose after a training ground bust-up that saw the pair sent home by manager Mikel Arteta.[/b]

While the majority of the Gunners' first-team represented their nations during the recent international break, Luiz and Ceballos were not part of the Brazil and Spain squads.

Instead, the pair remained in north London where they have continued to train in preparation for this weekend's Premier League clash with Leeds.

But, according to The Athletic, things got a little bit heated between the pair during training last Friday - though Ceballos has taken to Twitter to deny any incident took place.

It is claimed that after Arteta brought a halt to the session, Luiz confronted his team-mate after taking exception to a challenge.

The Brazilian defender is understood to have caught the Spaniard in the face, with Ceballos falling to the floor and left with a scratch which drew blood.

Team-mates and staff then stepped in to diffuse the scuffle before things got out of control, and the pair were sent home before returning to training on Tuesday.

Training is believed to have resumed without incident and the Gunners can now focus on their return to Premier League action.

Ceballos was quick to deny the incident took place and referred to the claim on Twitter as "FAKE".

Meanwhile, Arteta says he is hurt by Mesut Ozil's situation at the Premier League club but is resigned to facing questions about the German midfielder after every defeat.

Ozil, 32, who is under contract with Arsenal until June 2021 and earns £350,000 a week, has not played for Arteta's side this season after being left out of the 25-man Premier League squad.

The playmaker, who last played for Arsenal in March, was also left out of their Europa League squad, leaving him only eligible for Under-23 games.

"I'm hurt because I don't like any player in my squad not to have the possibility to participate, or to compete, for me it is really sad because I don't think anybody deserves that," Arteta said in an interview with beIN SPORTS.

"But at the end of the day I'm sitting here to make decisions, to make the decisions that, in my opinion, are the best for the football club. And this is what I have to do," the Spaniard added.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-luiz-left-dani-ceballos-23037543

[Edoman]

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Koeman names squad for La Liga clash


 
on
 November 20, 2020



Barcelona boss, Ronald Koeman, has named his side’s away La Liga squad to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.


Koeman released a list of twenty-one players to tackle Atletico Madrid in a post via the club’s official Twitter account on Friday.


Barcelona heads to the game after defeating Real Betis 5-2 in their last La Liga encounter before the international break, while Atletico Madrid won 4-0 against Cadiz.


Barcelona’s squad against Atletico Madrid:

Ter Stegen, Dest, Pique, Alena, Griezmann, Pjanic, Braithwaite, Messi, O.Dembele, Riqui Puig, Neto, Coutinho, Lenglet, Pedri, Trincao, Jordi Alba, S.Roberto and F. De Jong.


The kick-off time for the match is 9 pm, Nigerian time.

[Edoman]

Guardiola reveals club he wants Messi to finish his career in


 
on
 November 20, 2020


Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said he wants Lionel Messi to finish his career with Barcelona.
This comes amid increased speculation that Messi could be reunited with him at The Etihad.


The former Barca manager signed a two-year extension with City this week, which will keep him at the club until 2023.


His decision has ramped up speculation that the Premier League side will make a move for Messi either in January or in the summer when he will be available for free.

“What I want is [for Messi] to finish his career there. I would love it, I would wish it. That is what I said I don’t know how many times, maybe a thousand times.


“I would like as a Barcelona fan for Leo to finish there. But he finishes this year his contract and I don’t know what’s going to happen in his mind.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/11/20/liverpool-vs-leicester-city-klopp-reveals-players-to-miss-epl-clash/][/url]
“Right now he is a Barcelona player and the transfer market will be in June and July,” Guardiola told a press conference on Friday.

[Edoman]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic gifts every single AC Milan squad player the new PS5 after scoring eight goals in just five Serie A matches







AC Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly in a good mood off the pitch as he is on the pitch, as he gifted his club teammates the new Sony PlayStation 5 which has just been released.
 
The 39-year-old is defying critics as he has scored eight goals in just five Serie A appearances this season taking Milan to the top of the table after an unbeaten start from their first seven league games.
 
Three of Ibrahimovic’s teammates, Mateo Musacchio, Samu Castillejo and Rafael Leao, took to Instagram to show off their new toys after getting their hands on the most sought-after console in the world which officially hit shelves on Thursday.
 
Uploading a picture of the game on his house to his Instagram story, Muscahhio tagged Zlatan and thanked him for the present.
 
                   
                           
 
Leao, captioned his own post; ‘Thanks GOAT for the gift.’
 

 
Ibrahimovic is one of the most travelled footballers of all time as he has played in France, Holland, England, Spain, Italy and the United States.
 
He fluently speaks Dutch, Spanish, French, English, Italian and the Swedish language.
 

[Edoman]

"John Obi Mikel has made us stronger" - Stoke city manager O'Neill lauds former Chelsea star's impact since joining the club







Stoke city manager, Michael O'Neill, has praises former Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel, saying his presence at the club has made the club stronger .
 
The 33 year old former Chelsea midfielder joined Stoke in the summer after leaving Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor by mutual agreement.
 
The midfielder has continued to showcase his talent in the 11 games he has played for the club so far.
 
He has helped the club keep five clean sheets since his arrival at the club.
 
They currently sit at eighth spot on the Championship table.
 

 
Mikel, signed a one-year deal with Stoke and revealed his desire to help the Championship club gain promotion to the Premier League at the end of the current season.

O'Neill has now lauded the impact of the former Super Eagles captain.
“Our number of clean sheets has been impressive,” O'Neill said in a press conference.


“I think even going back to the start of this calendar year, I think we rank among the best in the division in terms of clean sheets. It’s important how we defend as a team, not just a back four.


“John Obi Mikel has made us stronger in that area as well, we’re stronger in midfield and we’ve been stronger as a unit in how we defend from the front."
 
 

[Edoman]

Man Utd boss Solskjaer: Of course Pogba is unhappy at Old Trafford


21 November 2020, 


Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledged Paul Pogba is unhappy but insisted the midfielder has all the "qualities" to deliver for the struggling Premier League side.


Pogba's future has made headlines again following comments made by France head coach Didier Deschamps, who suggested the star midfielder was not satisfied with his "situation" at Old Trafford after struggling to find his best form.


The Frenchman, who started all three of Les Bleus' internationals over the past fortnight, has started four of United's seven Premier League fixtures this season.


Through three Champions League matchdays, Pogba has only been named in Solskjaer's starting line-up once.


Pogba has created two chances in the Premier League and his passing accuracy stands at 79.9 per cent, while he has three chances created and two assists in the Champions League.


Asked about Pogba amid links with former club Juventus and LaLiga champions Real Madrid, Solskjaer – speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of lowly West Brom – Solskjaer told reporters: "We always get questions and we try to answer as well as we can.


"I think the press sometimes makes more of it and people maybe at home not having the whole interview make more of it. We're all experienced enough to try to avoid big massive headlines.


"I spoke to Paul today about it. Of course he's not been happy when he's not playing, and not playing really well. He's not been happy with his performances. He plays in the same position for France and he does for us, so that's not a different scenario.


"It's about getting momentum and rhythm and, as I said earlier, he felt really strong towards the end against Portugal and towards the end of the game with Sweden which is natural because he had COVID and he needed time. That's the same with all of our players, they look stronger and fitter and he's the same.


"There are always discussions about players who can play in different positions because they have the quality to do so many things and they can play in different positions.

"Paul is the same, he can do the role and he has the qualities to do many things, it's about the balance of the team, that's on the XI you pick that day, that's the key.


"Sometimes it's an eight, sometimes a 10, sometimes in off the left in a diamond, sometimes one of the two, he can do everything. And now, the fitter he gets the more he can do."

[Edoman]

Newcastle United 0-2 Chelsea: Abraham gives Blues a view from the top

21 November 2020, 


Chelsea shrugged off the early Saturday start that Frank Lampard wants scrapped as they cruised to a 2-0 victory at Newcastle United in the Premier League.


An own goal from Federico Fernandez and a second-half finish from Tammy Abraham gave the visitors a comfortable win against opponents who barely threatened.


Victory took Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, as they returned from the international break with a lively display at St James' Park.


A stumbling Fernandez turned in a cross from Mason Mount for the opener in the 10th minute, with the largely quiet Abraham striking midway through the second half.


Karl Darlow made a sharp early save from Timo Werner's low shot and the goalkeeper excelled for a second time when he touched Abraham's powerful header over the bar after an excellent cross from the left by Hakim Ziyech.


The Newcastle goalkeeper did not get near a whipped cross from Mount moments later, though, when the ball came in from the right and Fernandez put the ball into his own net.
Newcastle, weakened by the absence of injured leading scorer Callum Wilson, had won five of their last seven Premier League home games against Chelsea.


But Werner should have doubled Chelsea's lead in the 30th minute only to slip the ball wide and half-chances continued to come the way of the visitors, who had 78.9 per cent of possession in the opening 45 minutes and played 439 passes against a meagre 109 from Newcastle.


Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles took a blow late in the first half and was replaced by Fabian Schar for the second 45 minutes, with the replacement soon caught napping by Werner who yet again ought to have scored.


The Germany international raced in from the left and had only Darlow to beat, but he tried to give Ziyech an easier finish and made a mess of his pass.


Abraham's goal essentially ended the contest, as he rifled home off the inside of the right post from Werner's pass, with Sean Longstaff denied a stunning consolation when his strike bounced off the bar.


Werner was denied by an offside flag after rounding Darlow to net, but two was enough for Chelsea.


What does it mean?

Lampard made the point in his pre-match news conference on Thursday that he is no fan of the early weekend kick-offs, suggesting they were an unnecessary inconvenience. His view is unlikely to have been affected by this stroll on Tyneside, but at least he had no cause for fresh complaint.


 The bulk of his squad have been away with their national teams for the last fortnight, but Chelsea were a cohesive unit again and it is now seven games unbeaten for them in the Premier League. Mid-table Newcastle were not at the races and were thankful for Chelsea's finishing not always being as sharp as it might have been.
Chelsea keep it clean


Former Blues midfielder Joe Cole told BT Sport after the game: "I don't think Frank will thank me, but if you look at that, you’re looking at a team of title contenders.”


Perhaps key to their chances of staying in the frame for silverware will be Chelsea's defending, which has in previous season been as a weak link. The recalled Antonio Rudiger paired up with Kurt Zouma in the centre of the backline, with Thiago Silva rested, and showed he can have a big part to play. Rudiger made two of the three blocks by Chelsea players and also had three clearances, while Zouma stood out with six clearances while also winning nine of his 12 aerial duels.
Goal a tonic for Tammy


Abraham was curiously off the pace and largely a passenger in the first half, when he had just 13 touches, which was 17 fewer than any other outfield Chelsea player.


 He played just six passes in that opening 45 minutes - the lowest total of anyone on the pitch - and only three of those passes were successful. His early header almost gave Chelsea the lead, but he has to offer more than that to be a regular starter for Lampard. The goal helps his cause, no doubt, but this was not Abraham's best day for the Blues.


Key Opta Facts:

- Chelsea have won 26 Premier League games against Newcastle United – only versus Tottenham (30) have they won more games in the competition.


- Timo Werner has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions (8 goals, 3 assists).
- Since the start of last season, Tammy Abraham has scored 23 goals in all competitions, 11 more than any other Chelsea player.


- Since his debut in September 2014, no Premier League player has scored more own goals in the competition than Federico Fernandez (5 – level with Lewis Dunk).


What's next?

Newcastle travel to Crystal Palace on Friday evening for their next Premier League assignment. Chelsea are busy before then, with a trip to French club Rennes for Tuesday's Champions League match.