Daily Archives

January 2, 2018

Former Nigeria defender Okoronkwo urges Musa to leave Leicester

by Brila January 2, 2018

written by Brila

Ex-international , Isaac Okoronkwo has advised Ahmed Musa to follow in John Obi Mikel’s example and leave Leicester City to get regular football chance.

Musa has been frozen out in Leicester and against the back drop of the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup, Okoronkwo who ended his career in Russia, urged the Super Eagles winger to change club.

“Take John Obi Mikel for example. He correctly did that, he left Chelsea for China. It’s better to play there than to sit on the bench.”

Okoronkwo added : “I want to visit at least two matches out of three (at the World Cup). I hope that they will call me, as it was in the recent game in Krasnodar. By the way, I talked with the guys and, in particular, with Ahmed Musa .

“I tried to convince him that returning to Russia would be the right step. In Leicester he sits on the bench, completely lost the game tone.

“Before the World Cup, he needs a team that he knows well, and after the tournament you will be able to think about other options. Especially CSKA Moscow, they need a central striker now.”

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Rostov defender hung up his boots four years ago but remained in Russia because he’s married to a Russian Woman.

January 2, 2018 0 comments

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Man City makes bold statement on Gabriel Jesus’ Long-term Ligament damage

by Brila January 2, 2018

written by Brila

Manchester City have come out to make an official confirmation of a long-term knee ligament damage to attacker, Gabriel Jesus.

In simple and plain language, the Citizens have made a disclosure that the Brazilian has sustained a severe knee injury.

City have further made a revelation that the in-form forward actually “suffered a medial collateral ligament injury” on Sunday evening.

And that was during the Citizens’ barren draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League which held at Selhurst Park.

Jesus had to forcefully leave the field of play in the 23rd minute of the encounter after falling pretty badly.

The 20-year-old also needed a few consolation on the touchline as he feared he had picked up a serious problem.

And a series of medical examinations which the striker underwent have gone on to reveal the gravity of the problem.

“Manchester City can confirm for a fact that our player, Gabriel Jesus has suffered a medial collateral ligament injury.

“And that was during the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday,” a statement on the club’s official website read.

“He will undergo further examinations in the coming days to establish the extent of his lay-off.

“We wish Gabriel a speedy recovery and we will keep you updated on his progress via the club’s official channels.”

There is, however, presently no schedule for when Jesus is likely to make a return to competitive action for City.

Meanwhile, the enterprising player has so far netted 10 goals in 27 outings across all competitions for City this season.

Back in February, Jesus cropped a broken metatarsal during the Citizens’ Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

January 2, 2018 0 comments

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Klopp confirms Egyptian winger Salah will miss Merseyside derby

by Brila January 2, 2018

written by Brila

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has cleared over growing concerns over Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, saying the player was rested because he was injured, and could be a major doubt on Friday.

The 25-year-old was not listed in the Reds’ hard earned 2-1 win over stubborn Burnley on New Year day as he recovered from ankle injury.

The Egyptian international who has been in sensational form since his record move to Anfield from Roma in the summer, suffered a knee injury in the Reds’ come-from-behind win over Leicester and was missing in action in the training in the days that followed.

Klopp was concerned after the match, saying: ‘I don’t know in this moment exactly what it is but he was limping. That’s never a good sign.’

Salah who scored twice against Leicester City on Boxing Day to retake his tally in the league to 17 goals, will likely miss action when Liverpool lock horn with Everton in the Third round of the FA Cup on Friday.

The former Chelsea flop will be expected back to Anfield before Friday as he will be travelling to Ghana to take part in the Confederation of African Football Player of the Year awards, which he is touted to win.

“Phil and Mo are injured, not massively but enough for today [to be] no chance. And [they are] a doubt, at least a doubt, for Everton,” Klopp said.

Salah is just a goal behind Tottenham Hotspur sensation Harry Kane who has scored 18 goals in the EPL so far this season.

January 2, 2018 0 comments

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Iwobi Thankful For Gains Of 2017

by Brila January 2, 2018

written by Brila

Arsenal of England attacker, Alex Iwobi has expressed gratitude over the gains that came his way in the past year, as he believes it was remarkable for him and the club.

Though Iwobi admits he was disappointed to see The Gunners end 2017 with a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion, under controversial circumstances, he is picking positives from what he called a year to be happy about.

Iwobi took to social media in the wake of The Gunners’ 11 draw on Sunday evening, expressed disappointment at Arsenal missing out on all three points in the final Premier League game of 2017.

In 2017, Iwobi made 33 appearances for the first team of Arsenal in all competitions and scored three goals and was happy to be in the starting line-up against The Baggies.

Mostly due to the absence of injured German playmaker, Mesut Ozil, Iwobi returned to the Gunners starting XI after missing out in the 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace three days earlier.

In Saturday’s game, Iwobi nearly broke the deadlock for Arsenal with just 15 minutes played, after carving out space for himself to bend a speculative effort just wide of the top corner.

Into the hour mark, a great chance fell for Alexandre Lacazette after Jack Wilshere had picked out the Frenchman with an incisive pass but West Brom’s Ben Forster was there at the near post to deny him with a terrific save.

Alexis Sanchez’s 83rd-minute free kick looked to have secured maximum points from the encounter for Arsenal, popping up with a vital goal seven minutes from time from a freekick into the back of the net via a deflection.

Jay Rodriguez equalised in the last minute of stoppage time from the spot after Calum Chambers had handled in the area, and Iwobi was replaced by Danny Welbeck with 16 minutes remaining of the game.

He tweeted afterwards: ”Disappointing To Only Get A Point Out Of Today. Thank You For Your Support This Year. Enjoy Your New Year Celebrations! 🔴⚪ #AFC #17.”

January 2, 2018 0 comments

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Moses Raises Ante Against Arsenal In Midweek

by Brila January 2, 2018

written by Brila

Chelsea right-wing-back,Victor Moses is raising the ante for a feisty clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, as he believes his side’s stunning performance against Stoke City last weekend will boost their chances away to The Gunners.

Chelsea whipped Stoke 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, in which Moses was again on the starting list for The Blues and, though he later bowed out towards the final whistle, the Super Eagles star is already looking ahead to more thrills against Arsenal in midweek.

Moses stated as much while admitting how excited he was to be part of Chelsea’s squad that trounced Stoke City at the weekend.

The Super Eagles star got a starting role in the encounter at Stamford Bridge, which he dubbed a fantastic team performance that saw The Blues thrash the visitors in their final league game of 2017.

For the match on Saturday, Moses made his 14th English Premier League start of the season for Chelsea and was paraded for 57 minutes before he was replaced by Davide Zappacosta, who scored one of the team’s goals.

Goals from Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater, Pedro, Willian and Zappacosta sealed a sixth successive home league win for Chelsea and moved the reigning champions to second place in the EPL table.

The win was the highest recorded by Antonio Conte’s side so far this season in the English Premier League.

Next up for Moses and his pals at Chelsea is a London derby against Arsenal on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium, ahead of which he stated on social media that The Blues should get in there and surprise their hosts.

“What a team performance. Get in there,” tweeted the 27-year-old former Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic winger, who has also played on loan from Chelsea at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United.

Moses also reflected on the year 2017, and said he was delighted to be among the centurion class, while adding that they will not give up on the EPL title just yet and will fight till the end.

He stated: ‘We are doing the best that we can and we are not going to give up the Premier League easily, we are still in the race. We are still in the Champions League, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup so we will do the best that we can to try to win something.

‘It really means a lot. It is a lot of games and it is good for me to make 100 appearances for a great club like Chelsea. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am happy to be here and I am enjoying my football, so I am very delighted with everything.

‘The appearances have come quickly since the start of last season. The most important thing is I am enjoying the football, I have a great manager here who is helping every single one of us to improve and we have had a great year this year. We will do our best to finish as high as we can this season’.

January 2, 2018 0 comments