Category: Sports

Former Chelsea star, Emmanuel Petit, has named Enzo Fernandez as the player who wants to leave the club as manager Xabi Alonso arrives at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Petit believes the Argentina World Cup winner is ‘fed up’ at Chelsea and should leave the Premier League west London club.

“Enzo Fernandez should go, you cannot keep a player happy if he wants to leave,” Petit told BetVictor.

“He did say that he wanted to leave, and he was fined by the club. Obviously, he wants to leave the club. We are not stupid.

“I think he is fed up and tired with what is going on at Chelsea. It’s been a mess this season. Obviously, he is targeted by Real Madrid. Real Madrid desperately needs to get some strong midfield players.

“I won’t be surprised if he leaves the club and goes to Real Madrid or somewhere else.”

‘He’s fed up’ – Petit names Chelsea player who wants to leave as Alonso arrives

FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has claimed they don’t have control over everything.

Infantino was speaking on the eve of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, while addressing issues around visas into the United States.

When asked if he felt the world football governing body had “lost control of the tournament”.

These accusations came up after Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away at the US border and members of Iran team’s support staff were refused visas.

“We try always to find solutions, but then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces, we are a sports organization,” Infantino said at a press conference.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday, with one of the co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa.

2026 World Cup: FIFA breaks silence on visa issues

Former Liverpool star, Danny Murphy, has picked the player that could leave Chelsea between Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap.

Chelsea signed Garnacho and Delap Chelsea from Manchester United and Ipswich Town, respectively.

However, Murphy believes Garnacho is more likely to leave Chelsea than Delap because he has struggled at the club.

He pointed out that new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will, however, give Delap ‘another crack’ next season.

“I think Alejandro Garnacho has struggled, and the fans have not taken to him. If you look at their front line, it’s only really Joao Pedro who has done well,” Murphy told Metro.

“If one were going to leave, I think it would more likely be Garnacho than Liam Delap.

“Delap brings some characteristics that Chelsea don’t have. He is different from Joao Pedro, so I think Xabi Alonso will give him a crack.”

EPL: He has struggled – Danny Murphy picks player to leave Chelsea between Delap, Garnacho

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has identified France as the frontrunners for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus enter the largest tournament in global football as one of the top contenders.

France has claimed the FIFA World Cup title twice, in 1998 and 2018, and has also been runners-up on two occasions, in 2006 and 2022. The European powerhouse has reached the final four times in the last seven FIFA World Cups.

Wenger has expressed his confidence in his home country to triumph this time after their defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final. He asserts that the remarkable attacking strength of Les Bleus should suffice for them to secure their third FIFA World Cup victory. Wenger stated, as reported by Metro:

“I place them above the rest. France possesses immense talent, and Deschamps brings experience. We have numerous attacking players, which can lead to a slight imbalance offensively.

“However, today’s modern player, even those in attacking roles, understands the importance of contributing defensively. When the score is 0-0 against France with 20 minutes remaining, you are likely to lose the match. Power is what makes the difference.”

He has also highlighted Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the French star has faced undue criticism this season regarding his performances with Real Madrid. He remarked:

“There is one individual who stands at the center of all expectations: Kylian Mbappe. I am willing to wager that he will have an outstanding World Cup. He has been unjustly criticized frequently this season. He joined a mediocre Real Madrid team. Real now has three or four world-class players, whereas previously they had ten. In football, there is always a need for a scapegoat. He has become that [at Real Madrid].”

France is placed in Group I for the FIFA World Cup and is expected to secure the top position.

They will face Senegal, Norway, and Iraq in their group, commencing their campaign against Senegal on June 16.

World Cup 2026: ‘They’re above the rest’ – Arsene Wenger names country to win tournament

Bendel Insurance forward Alex Oweilayefa has signed a new contract that will keep the at the club until 2029.

Oweilayefa penned his new contract with the Benin Arsenals on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old was one of the standout performers for the club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

Oweilayefa scored 10 goals in 21 appearances for Insurance.

The new contract is expected to end speculations surrounding his future.

Insurance will open pre-season training on July 5 following a three-week break.

NPFL: Alex Oweilayefa pens new three-year contract with Bendel Insurance

Holders Bayelsa Queens recorded their first win in the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, Super Six playoff courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Rivers Angels.

The Prosperity Girls showed resilience and character to reclaim the lead after being pegged back in the second half.

Chiamaka Ezekwugo opened the scoring for Bayelsa Queens with a powerful header one minute before the half  hour mark.

Abasiofon Uwah restored parity for Rivers Angels from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.

However, Dorshima Taarnum’s 63rd minute decisive strike proved to be the difference as Bayelsa Queens sealed all three points.

Bayelsa Queens moved to third position  on the standings with four points from three games following the win.

NWFL: Bayelsa Queens beat Rivers Angels to end barren streak

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has named France as the favourites to win the World Cup this year.

Wenger believes Didier Deschamps’ side is above all other teams in the tournament.

“I put them above the others. France have so much talent, and Deschamps has experience,” Wenger told Le Figaro when speaking about the favourites to win the World Cup.

“We have so many attacking players that the danger is being a little unbalanced offensively.

“But today, the modern player, even an attacking one, knows how to do his share of the defensive work.

“When you’re 0-0 against France with 20 minutes to go, you lose the match. Power makes the difference.”

France won the 2018 World Cup, but failed to win it in 2022 after losing the final against Argentina.

World Cup 2026: They’re above others – Wenger names country to win trophy

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina skipper, Lionel Messi, are leading the list of highest-paid players at the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo is number one on the list with estimated pre-tax and pre-agent fee earnings of $295 million over the past 12 months, according to Sportico.

This primarily comes from his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.

The Portugal forward joined Al-Nassr in 2023, earning approximately $230 million on-field in the past season after renewing a two-year contract with the club.

It is widely believed that Ronaldo’s contract arrangement is subsidized by commercial agreements endorsed by the club.

The 41-year-old also earns approximately $65 million annually from a range of partners, including Nike and Herbalife.

Here is the list of the highest-earning players that would be competing at the 2026 World Cup:

1. Ronaldo: $295 million (On-field earnings: $230 million; Off-field earnings: $65 million)

2. Messi: $140 million (On-field earnings: $70 million; Off-field earnings: $70 million)

3. Mbappe: $100 million (On-field earnings: $70 million; Off-field earnings: $30 million)

4. Haaland: $80 million (On-field earnings: $60 million; Off-field earnings: $20 million)

5. Vinicius: $60 million (On-field earnings: $40 million; Off-field earnings: $20 million)

6. Salah: $55 million (On-field earnings: $35 million; Off-field earnings: $20 million)

7. Sadio Mane: $54 million (On-field earnings: $50 million; Off-field earnings: $4 million)

8. Mahrez: $53 million (On-field earnings: $52 million; Off-field earnings: $1 million)

9. Bellingham: $44 million (On-field earnings: $29 million; Off-field earnings)

10. Yamal: $43 million (On-field earnings: $33 million; Off-field earnings: $10 million)

11. Kane: $42 million (On-field earnings: $30 million; Off-field earnings: $12 million)

World Cup 2026: Ronaldo, Messi lead list of highest-paid players [Top 11]

Arsenal are closing in on appointing former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as the Gunners’ new first-team doctor after the sacking of Zafar Iqbal.

The Telegraph reports that Abrantes is now poised for the job.

Abrantes is understood to have left his most recent position as the head of medical services at Aston Villa following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

The 39-year-old has also worked for Nottingham Forest as head of performance in the past.

Meanwhile, in another development,

West Ham United confirmed that defender Axel Disasi is returning to parent club Chelsea after the conclusion of his six-month loan deal at the London Stadium.

Disasi will now hope for a fresh start at Chelsea under new manager Xabi Alonso.

The 27-year-old made 17 appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup, scoring against Leeds in the sixth round.

Arsenal close in on Arnaldo Abrantes, Chelsea defender returns as Alonso arrives

Chelsea have officially confirmed that four players will leave the club at the expiration of their current contracts on June 30.

This was revealed in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

The Stamford Bridge outfit unveiled its retained and released list, following the end of the 2025/26 season.

According to the statement, “Defender Brodi Hughes leaves the Blues after 13 years in our Academy.”

“Hughes joined Chelsea as an Under-8 and progressed through the ranks at Cobham, spending the previous season on loan at League One side AFC Wimbledon.

“Richard Olise also moves on after a decade with the club,” the statement added.

He joined Chelsea as an Under-9 and featured across several youth levels, and was named in the first-team squad for the UEFA Conference League trip to Astana during the 2024/25 season.

Midfielder Sam Rak-Sakyi will also depart the Blues after making four first-team appearances.

He joined the Academy at age eight, rose through the youth system at Cobham, and represented England at youth level.

During the 2024/25 season, Rak-Sakyi made his debut in the UEFA Conference League against Noah and featured three more times in the competition.

Jimi Tauriainen is the fourth player to leave the club.

He joined Chelsea in 2020 and was previously named among the first-team substitutes for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in 2024.

EPL: Chelsea confirm four players to leave club as Xabi Alonso arrives