Spanish forward Alvaro Morata has decided to change from No. 9 to No. 29 at Chelsea as a tribute to his twins who were born on July 29.
Alice Campello, Morata’s wife, gave birth to Alessandro and Leonardo last weekend and the striker travelled to Venice to be with his family ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season clash with Arsenal.
However, Morata joined up with his team-mates again in Dublin and started against Maurizio Sarri’s side, missing a host of chances and a first-half penalty at the Aviva Stadium.
While the Spaniard was honoured to take over the No. 9 shirt when he arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer, he has decided to give it up ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Chelsea have reportedly called off Thibaut Courtois’s expected move to Real Madrid after the club failed to sign a replacement.
Courtois has been consistently linked with a move to Los Blancos this summer following a string of impressive performances at the World Cup in Russia.
The Blues have not been successful in their search for a new number one, losing out on Roma keeper Alisson to rivals Liverpool.
According to the Mirror, Chelsea will force their Belgian stopper to see out the final year of his contract, leaving Courtois the option to walk for free next summer.
The 26-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid in 2014.
Alex Iwobi has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a new long-term deal.
Nigerian’s Super Falconets have arrived in France for the FIFA U-2O Women’s World Cup on Thursday evening.
The team land in the host nation from Austria where they underwent a 12-day training programme ahead of the tournament with 21 players and 11 officials.
The Super Falconets have drawn in Group D with Germany, Haiti and China as the Chris Danjuma led side to battle the European side in their opening fixture at the Stade de Marville, Saint-Malo on Monday, August 6.
Their second game is against Haiti at the same venue on Thursday, August 9 before take on China in their final group game four days later at the Stade de Clos Gastel, Lehon Dinah.
The 2018 FIFA U-2O Women’s World Cup will run from August 5 to August 24.
With just 52 days to Nigeria’s World Cup opener against Australia in the FIBA Women’s World Cup, the Nigeria Basketball Federation [NBBF] sacked Head Coach of the team, Sam Vincent citing the handler’s “unprofessional attitude” to the job.
Nigerian-born Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom has joined Greek Super League side PAOK Thessaloniki in a permanent move.
The 22-year-old forward joined our academy at the age of six. He made his debut for our under-18 side when he was 15, before securing his first professional contract at 17.
Since 2013, Chuba has experienced a number of loan spells with Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City and more recently helped Brighton and Hove Albion achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Earlier this year, Chuba joined Belgian First Division side Sint Truiden on loan.
Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can be the man to lead Arsenal on a title challenge this season, according to Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu.
The 29-year old striker scored 10 goals in 13 appearances for the Gunners last season, having signed from Borussia Dortmund in January.
Kanu, who played for Arsenal between 1999 and 2004, is hoping that Aubameyang can build on in his first full season and spearhead the team in their pursuit of the championship.
If he can perform, if it’s a good season for him they have a chance to win the league,” the 42-year-old told Sky Sports News.
“Aubameyang’s very, very good. Last season was his first season; now he has adjusted to the Premier League. He’s been playing well with the new coach and his teammates; this season is going to be his season if he works for it.”
Golden Eaglets Head Coach Manu Garba has cried out for the compulsory MRI test yet to be conducted with less than one month to the west African Zone B qualifiers in Niger Republic.
”We have been clamoring for it for long. The NFF has given approval for the MRI test but unfortunately we are still waiting for money to be released so that the MRI can hold,” Manu Garba said.
”No matter how good or how young a player is, once he doesn’t pass the MRI he cannot take part in the competition.
”When the MRI is conducted we will know who is eligible to participate in the competition so we are worried.
Meanwhile, Assistant Coach Nduka Ugbade has assured Nigerians that they have no fears of losing a handful of their players when the MRI test is finally conducted for the golden eaglets of Nigeria.
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