Category: Sports

Former Chelsea star, Joe Cole, wants his old club to sign Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Manchester City’s John Stones.

Cole argued that both veterans would significantly strengthen Liam Rosenior’s squad by helping the young players at Chelsea.

In an interview with Metro, the Englishman explained that Lewandowski, available on a free transfer when his Barça contract ends, could mentor young forwards Liam Delap and João Pedro.

“We need experience—someone to come in and support the younger players. I’d be looking at Lewandowski. He’s a big name. I think he could really help João Pedro and Liam Delap,” Cole said.

He also floated the idea of signing Stones if City let his deal run down.

“He’s another who could be a major presence in the dressing room—helping and nurturing the excellent young centre-halves we have at Chelsea.”

EPL: They’ll help young players – Joe Cole names two stars Chelsea should sign

Former Chelsea defender, Frank Leboeuf, has predicted the scoreline of Sunday’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal.

Leboeuf shared his thoughts with ESPN FC, pointing to key differences since the two sides last met in the Carabao Cup final back in March, a 2-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s men.

“I think with Saliba and Gabriel together, it is a different defence as well for Arsenal,” Leboeuf said.

“So I think it is going to be harder for Manchester City to beat Arsenal. I would say 2-1 win to City.”

Currently, Mikel Arteta’s side is leading the Premier League table with six points ahead of City.

EPL: Ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf predicts Man City vs Arsenal

Fulham head coach Marco Silva has allayed fears Alex Iwobi sustained a serious injury in the team’s 0-0 draw with Brentford, DAILY POST reports.

Iwobi picked up a hamstring injury in the 43rd minute encounter.

The 29-year-old was replaced by his compatriot Samuel Chukwueze.

There were fears the versatile could miss the rest of the campaign.

Silva however said the injury is not so bad.

“First reaction I got from Alex – it’s not so bad, but in the next 24-48 hours, we will be more clear about it. A big impact when we lost him”, Silva said after the game.

EPL: Silva provides injury update on Iwobi

Alex Iwobi suffered an injury in Fulham’s London derby draw with Brentford on Saturday, DAILY POST reports.

Iwobi limped off feeling his hamstring shortly before half-time.

The versatile midfielder was replaced by his international teammate Samuel Chukwueze.

Iwobi made his 255th Premier League start in the keenly contested encounter.

Fulham manager Marco Silva will be hoping the 29-year-old has not suffered a serious injury, as the Whites continue their push for a place in European competition.

He has contributed four goals and three assists in 27 league appearances for Fulham this season.

EPL: Iwobi suffers injury in Fulham’s draw with Brentford

Falconets head coach, Moses Aduku, has said his team is firmly focused on the clash with Malawi, DAILY POST reports.

The West Africans will battle Malawi for a place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup next month.

Aduku’s side set up camp in Abuja for the qualifiers three weeks ago.

Nigeria will host the South Africans in the first leg at a yet to be named venue on Saturday, 2 May.

The return leg in Lilongwe will take place on Saturday, 9th May,

“We have a full squad on ground and everyone is focused on the task at hand. From now, we will concentrate on team planning and tactical work,” Aduku told thenff.com.

The Falconets defeated Senegal 3-1 on aggregate in the previous round.

Malawi hammered Guinea Bissau 6-2 on aggregate.

U-20 WWCQ: Falconets gearing up for Malawi clash – Aduku

Nasarawa United technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut has commended his team for returning to winning ways with the semi-final victory against Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC FC in the state’s Federation Cup.

The Solid Miners have failed to record a win in their last three games in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Lafia-based side edged out FRSC FC 2-0 at the Lafia City Stadium on Friday.

Nasarawa United will face the winner of the Si14 FC vs WAN Agara FC tie in the final of the competition.

Mangut said his players showed enough improvement in the game.

“It was a hard-earned win against a very organized opponent,” Mangut stated after the game.

“My boys displayed character, defended as a compact, and took their moments clinically, even though we should have scored more.”

Mangut hails Nasarawa United character in win over FRSC FC

Kwara United Queens, head coach Felicia Antony has revealed her clubs ambition to play in the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL.

Antony stated this during one of the pre-season games in Ilorin.

She expressed pride in her team’s performance throughout their preparation for the new season.

Kwara United Queens will participate in the NWFL Championship next season.

“My target is to bring Premier League football back to Ilorin,” Antony told Owosport.

“That was part of the vision when I signed my contract. During my playing days, there was a top-flight team here, but it’s been a long time. By God’s grace, we will bring it back.”

NWFL: Kwara United Queens coach reveals top-flight ambition

Maduka Okoye will look to record his 10th clean sheet of the season when Udinese host Parma at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Okoye has shut out opposition attackers in Udinese’s last three league matches.

It was the first time the goalkeeper has kept three consecutive clean sheets in his career.

Overall, he has amassed nine clean sheets in 24 league matches this season.

Another clean sheet against Parma will also see Okoye equal the personal best he achieved during the 2020/21 season with Sparta Rotterdam.

The 26-year-old recorded 10 clean sheets in 28 matches for the Eredivisie club.

Serie A: Okoye targets 10th clean sheet as Udinese host Parma

The Premier League match-day 33 will commence on Saturday afternoon as Brentford will host Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Premier League match of this weekend is the clash between leaders Arsenal and second-place Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.

However, there are Premier League matches that are likely to produce shock results this weekend.

Tottenham vs Brighton

This match will take place on Saturday evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs are in 18th position in the Premier League table, while Brighton are in 9th place.

The hosts lost 1-0 to Sunderland in their last Premier League game, while Brighton won 2-0 against Burnley.

Tottenham will hope to make use of their home advantage to surprise the visitors and avoid another back-to-back defeat as they have not been playing well so far this season.

2. Chelsea vs Man United

Chelsea will welcome Man United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night. Both teams lost their last Premier League matches against Manchester City and Leeds United, respectively.

The Blues sit in 6th position in the Premier League table, while the Red Devils are in 3rd position.

Liam Rosenior’s side will hope to avoid a defeat at home and could get a good result against United.

Everton vs Liverpool

Everton will host Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees played a 2-2 draw with Brentford in their last game, while the Reds won 2-0 against Fulham.

David Moyes’ side are in 8th position in the Premier League table, while Liverpool are 5th.

The hosts could pull a shock result against Arne Slot’s side as they will hope to build on their last result against the visitors.

EPL: 3 fixtures we could see shock results

Chelsea playmaker, Cole Palmer, has debunked speculations claiming he will leave for Manchester United this summer.

Palmer is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge amid rumours he is now unsettled.

The 23-year-old joined the Blues in 2023 in a £40 million move from Manchester City.

But Palmer, speaking to the UK Guardian, insisted he will stay at Chelsea.

Palmer is confident the club can challenge for “serious trophies” next season if “the right players in the right positions” are signed this summer.

Chelsea currently sit in sixth place on the Premier League table, four points off Liverpool in fifth place.

EPL: Cole Palmer breaks silence of leaving Chelsea for Man Utd