Author: Olukayode Oke

Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is expected to be out for six weeks after having knee surgery on Monday. Chukwuemeka, 19, sustained the injury in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat by West Ham in which he scored the Blues’ only goal. A £20m summer signing from Aston Villa, he started in Chelsea’s first two Premier League games of the season. “Bitter sweet feeling scoring my first goal for Chelsea but picking up an injury and not coming home with three points,” Chukwuemeka said. “Minor setback but I’ll be back very soon. Thank you Chelsea fans for your love and support.” Confirming Chukwuemeka had undergone surgery, Chelsea…

Roma manager, Jose Mourinho is believed to be keen on Mason Greenwood after Manchester United released a statement on Monday, announcing the 21-year-old will not play for them again. According to Mail Sport, the Serie A side are among a number of teams who have contacted United. Following a five-month internal investigation, the Red Devils deemed that Greenwood had not committed a string of serious offences he had been charged with. But the club, along with the player, decided that it would be best if he continued his career elsewhere. It is unlikely that Greenwood will move to another club…

Sergio Ramos is set to join Besiktas as a free agent. The Spanish defender has been without a club since he left Paris Saint-Germain this summer. However, it seems Ramos is set to continue his career in Turkey. Besiktas are set to beat Galatasaray in the race to sign the defender. Santi Aouna reports that the 37-year-old is now waiting for a final offer from the Turkish club after his move will be finalised. Ramos has also been linked with a move to MLS side Los Angeles FC which would have seen him locking horns against former PSG teammate Lionel…

A penalty from captain Martin Odegaard gave 10-man Arsenal a battling Premier League victory at Crystal Palace. Eddie Nketiah was brought down by Sam Johnstone after Gabriel Martinelli’s quickly taken free-kick, with Odegaard sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot. At that stage Mikel Arteta’s side looked comfortable, but they were left hanging on after left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu was shown a red card for two bookings. The first yellow was for taking too long over a throw-in and the second was harshly awarded for a minor foul on Jordan Ayew in midfield. Palace put on late pressure, with…

Former France forward Thierry Henry has been appointed coach of the country’s under-21s on a two-year contract. The Arsenal legend, who helped France win the World Cup on home soil in 1998, succeeds Sylvain Ripoli. Henry, 46, has had two spells as an assistant coach with Belgium, and managed Monaco and Montreal Impact. He will lead a France Under-23 side at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which the French Football Federation (FFF) described as “a major objective”. Henry will also lead the under-21s’ bid to qualify for the European Championship in 2025. Former Auxerre U19 and Angers coach Gerald Baticle, 53,…

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood will leave the club by mutual agreement after a six-month internal investigation into his conduct. Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material which was published online. Charges against the 21-year-old England international, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped on 2 February 2023. United said in a statement: “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United. “It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to…

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been ranked the 10th best team at the just concluded 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The nine-time African champions were unbeaten in the group stage finishing second behind co-hosts Australia. The West Africans were however eliminated in the Round of 16, losing 4-2 on penalties to the Three Lionesses of England. As released by FIFA, the Super Falcons are ranked ahead of big guns Germany and Brazil. Randy Waldrum’s side are the best ranked African team in the competition. Spain defeated England 1-0 in the final to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time.…

Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has apologised for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup. Rubiales kissed the Spain forward during the presentation ceremony following the team’s 1-0 win over England in Sunday’s final. “I didn’t like it,” Hermoso said on Instagram, but a statement released later on her behalf defended Rubiales. On Monday, Rubiales said: “I was completely wrong, I have to admit it.” He added: “It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement. In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has…

For the first time in her sterling career, Nigeria’s medal hope in the women’s Long Jump event, Ese Brume yesterday finished her event outside the medal range as she placed 4th after her final jump. Brume who won a Bronze medal in the same event at Oregon last year was a shadow of herself as her best was not good enough for a podium finish. Nigeria’s sorry story at the World Championships in Budapest continued with more of her athletes crashing out of their various events. Nigeria’s fastest man, Ushoritse Itshekiri and compatriot Seye Ogunlewe, could not survive their 100m…

Manchester City defender John Stones has been ruled out of action until after the international break, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed. Stones, 29, suffered a muscle injury in pre-season and missed City’s opening two Premier League matches and remained on the bench for their Super Cup win. The next international break is between 4 and 12 September. Stones could miss England’s Euro qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly against Scotland next month. He is set to miss City’s next two Premier League games against Sheffield United on 27 August and Fulham on 2 September. The club are also without key midfielder…

Spain legend, Sergio Ramos has congratulated his female compatriots for winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Sunday. Spain defeated England 1-0 in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, thanks to Olga Carmona’s only goal of the match. Reacting, Ramos, who has won record 180 international caps for Spain and won two European Championships (2008, 2012) and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, wrote (via his Instagram story): “Congratulations CHAMPIONS!! You got it! Thank you for all your work, your effort, your desire. For the strength and passion that you have put into each game. “You have made…

Spain captain Olga Carmona, who scored her country’s winner in the Women’s World Cup final, was told after the game that her father had died. Carmona, 23, scored the only goal as Spain beat England to claim the trophy. The Real Madrid left-back’s father had been fighting a long illness and died on Friday, Reuters reported. “I know you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad,” Carmona wrote on social media. Carmona included a picture of her kissing her winners’ medal along with the message. She added: “And without knowing it, I had…