EPL: Paul Merson predicts Chelsea vs Everton, Man Utd vs Bournemouth, others

Former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry has sent a clear message to Real Madrid regarding their manager, Xabi Alonso.

Henry advised Real Madrid against sacking Alonso following the team’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.

Alonso has been under pressure for the past few weeks due to Real Madrid’s performances.

“I don’t know what the [Real Madrid] board wants to do or not,” Henry told CBS Sports when asked about the speculation surrounding Alonso.

“I find it always ludicrous that a manager can be in trouble after being 6 months in the job. I don’t personally agree with that.

“I don’t think that they should question the coach,” he said.

Alonso was appointed Real Madrid’s coach some months ago after leaving Bayer Leverkusen.

UCL: ‘I don’t agree’ – Thierry Henry sends message to Real Madrid over Alonso

Marseille legend, Mamadou Niang has identified defender Calvin Bassey as the Super Eagles player that should replace William Troost-Ekong at the heart of Nigeria’s defence.

Recall that Troost-Ekong recently shocked football fans when he announced his retirement from international football last week.

The former Watford defender ended a decade-long Super Eagles career after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“With what I see at Fulham, the impact he has in Premier League matches, he is a talented, tough defender who has very good distribution with his left foot, and athletic quality which is above average,” Niang said via Canal+.

“He is a player I think is a leader of the Nigeria defence, who can replace Troost-Ekong, who took this Nigerian team to the AFCON final.

“Calvin Bassey is more than capable of succeeding him in that position.”

AFCON 2025: ‘He’s capable’ – Niang names Super Eagles player that should replace Troost-Ekong

Remo Stars head coach, Sulaiman Folarin, says they are determined to get their confidence back in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Sky Blue Stars have struggled to replicate the form that helped them win the NPFL title last season.

Remo Stars have managed only one win from their last three league games.

They currently occupy ninth position on the NPFL table with 22 points.

Folarin said that the position is not befitting for a defending champion.

“This period what matters to us is to get our confidence back as the defending champion, that position isn’t where we belong,” Folarin told Remo Stars media.

“We want to continue to win games so our confidence can be restored, so that we can go back to where we belong on the league table.”

NPFL: Remo Stars must keep winning momentum – Folarin