Super Eagles of Nigeria will get $5 million if they become champions at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
The CAF Executive Committee resolved to increase the prize money of this year’s edition.
The decision was taken at Friday’s EXCO meeting chaired by CAF President, Patrice Motsepe in Douala, Cameroon.
The increase is in line with CAF’s commitment to reward merit performance and enhance the status of the AFCON and will be in effect in the upcoming edition.
The new AFCON Prize Monies will see the winner rewarded with $5 million (an increase of $500 000) and runner-up will get $2.75 million (an increase of $250 000).
Semi-finalists, $2.2 million (an increase of $200 000) while quarter-finalists will earn $1.175 million (an increase of $175 000).
This represents a total increase in the AFCON prize money of $1.850m.
Hosts Cameroon and Burkina Faso will kick-off the tournament on Sunday, January 9th.
The Eagles will start their campaign with a tough tie against seven-time champions Egypt.
Meanwhile, the Austine Eguavoen-led side beat Cameroon club Coton Sport in a practice game on Friday.
Pep Guardiola has said he did not intend to upset Manchester City fans with comments about the size of the crowd at the Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.
A crowd of 39,223, well short of the 55,000 capacity, watched the routine 4-0 win over the 10-man Cottagers.
After that game, Guardiola said: “Motivation was right and hopefully in the next game against United, our fans can come and make the stadium full.
“It was not full. I don’t know why. (Wednesday) gives a chance to go back to Wembley. Hopefully, they will support us more.”
When it was put to him the financial demands placed on football fans, Guardiola said on Tuesday: “I understand the fans. It was never my intention to offend them. It’s so nice to have the fans here. I am always grateful for their support.
“Since I arrived here until the last day I want to fight to play as well as possible and see the Etihad full for every game.”
Guardiola remains wary of the threat posed by Manchester United in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg after his side were beaten 2-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League earlier this season.
“It’s Manchester United. They can do it, they have done it,” said the City boss, whose side hold a 3-1 lead from the first game at Old Trafford.
“In these kinds of games against incredible teams with incredible history, they have pride and I know how difficult it will be to reach the final.”
Anthony Joshua seems to have accepted the offer to face Tyson Fury in London. The 30-Year-old recently reclaimed his heavyweight titles after beating Andy Ruiz- Joshua is also expected to face a couple of mandatory challengers if he must keep his belts British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has hinted that he is opened to getting into the rings with his countryman Tyson Fury. Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium could be the venue for their fight which has not been given a date yet.Joshua recently reclaim his WBA, WBO, and IBF belts last December after beating defending champion Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia.The English born boxer of Nigerian descent has however accepted a challenge from Fury who will be facing American fighter Deontay Wilder next month. Newmen reports that Joshua is expected to battle Kubrat Pulev in his next fight, while Bulgarian star Pulev is another mandatory challenger for his IBF crown. Oleksandr Usyk is also waiting in line to fight Joshua for his WBO belt, but the Mirror claims the 30-year-old seems unperturbed by the above-named fighters.The publications further revealed that Joshua is keen on fighting Fury first and then Deontay Wilder next.He was recently questioned about a chance to fight his countryman and he said: "The doors are open. I'm wishing him well in February. Imagine having that fight, at Tottenham? That would be phenomenal. "I'm supporting Fury [against Wilder] because imagine the local kids being able to watch the undisputed championship fight on their doorstep. "I'd love to do it here in the UK."Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, hinted that London is the likely destination for his client's next bout.Legit.ng earlier reported that Anthony Joshua met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, January 18, and presented his heavyweight belts to him in a beautiful scene that sent delight into the hearts of Nigerians across the world. Another Nigerian UFC fighter sends message to fans in Yoruba after recording 4th straight win (video)The world heavyweight champion defeated Mexican star Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia on December 7, to reclaim his heavyweight belts in style. Joshua, whose father hailed from Sagamu, Ogun State, then thanked Nigerians for their supports, promising to present his IBO, IBF, WBO and WBA belts to the president.
Ernesto Valverde has been sacked by Barcelona after two-and-a-
half years at the Nou Camp, with Quique Setien taking over until
June 2022.
Valverde is the first manager to be sacked by Barcelona mid-
season since Louis van Gaal was dismissed in January 2003.
Barcelona are currently ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga
on goal difference and through to the knockout stages of the
Champions League, but they lost 3-2 to Atletico Madrid in the
semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.
Valverde, previously at Athletic Bilbao and Valencia, replaced Luis
Enrique in 2017 and won back-to-back league titles during his
time in charge.
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has claimed he still plans to launch an
Arsenal takeover bid – and hinted it could happen in 2021.
Dangote, 62, is Africa’s richest man and ranks at number 136 on the Forbes
rich list, thanks to his 85% ownership of the publicly-traded Dangote Cement
and stakes in publicly-traded salt, sugar and flour manufacturing companies.
The Arsenal fan has previously discussed his desire to one day buy the club
from Stan Kroenke – and he has now placed a timeline on his plans.
Speaking on the David Rubenstein Show in America, in an interview recorded in
September, Dangote said: “It is a team that yes I would like to buy some day.
“But what I keep saying is we have $20billion worth of projects and that’s what
I really want to concentrate on. I’m trying to finish building the company and
then after we finish, maybe some time in 2021 we can.
“I’m not buying Arsenal right now, I’m buying Arsenal when I finish all these
projects, because I’m trying to take the company to the next level.”
Dangote is in the process of building the Dangote Refinery which, according to
Forbes, will become one of the world’s largest oil refineries once complete
having been in construction for three years.
It seems he may be waiting for that project to be complete before launching a
takeover bid, having earmarked 2020 as the year he would make his move in
an interview back in 2018.
Luis Suarez has undergone surgery on his right knee for the second time in less
than a year Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has been ruled out for approximately
four months after having keyhole surgery on an injury to his right
knee.
Suarez had suffered an injury to the external meniscus of his knee and was operated on by Dr Ramon Cugat yesterday.
The former Liverpool striker, 32, played the entire match as
Barcelona were beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super
Cup semi-final on Friday.
Suarez - who had surgery on the same knee at the end of last
season - has played 23 games for Barcelona this season, scoring
14 goals.
Barcelona legend Xavi has been linked with a return to the club in a coaching
capacity
The Catalans are top of La Liga at the halfway point of the
season, locked on 40 points with second-placed Real Madrid, and
face Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League.
They were knocked out of the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-2
defeat to Athletico Madrid on Thursday, a loss which has added
pressure on manager Ernesto Valverde.
That loss, which came after a surprise 2-2 league draw at
struggling Espanyol, has led to increased speculation over the
manager's position, with AS reporting that club legend Xavi has
been offered a contract to take over from the 55-year-old.
Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez, has decided to turn down the opportunity to
replace Ernesto Valverde as the club’s manager immediately, according to
ESPN.
Following two days of phone calls and meetings, Xavi who is currently in
charge of Al Saad, told Barca sporting director Eric Abidal and CEO Oscar
Grau, that he was open to the possibility of joining the club in the summer.
It is believed that Valverde’s job was not in immediate danger, following a 3-2
defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
But Barca changed their minds and sent Abidal and Grau to hold meetings with
Xavi.
Xavi however prefers to take over from the start and not in the middle of a
season.
Valverde is expected to take training on Monday morning with his squad.
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has confirmed he met with officials of the
Catalan club amid reports he could be set to take over from under-pressure
coach Ernesto Valverde.
Xavi has been linked with a return to Barcelona since they were beaten 3-2 by
Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.
Also Read: Suarez To Undergo Knee Surgery
The loss, which came after a surprise 2-2 league draw at struggling Espanyol,
has heaped pressure on Valverde with AS reporting Xavi has been offered a
contract to take over from the former Atheltic Bilbao boss.
Xavi confirmed media reports that he had spoken to Barcelona’s sporting
director and former teammate Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar Grau over
the weekend.
Athough he did not give details of the meeting, he acknowledged that he would
love to take charge of his former side one day.
“I cannot say anything, they were here to talk to me and we discussed many
things. Sorry I cannot give any more information,” Xavi told a news conference
after his side beat Al Rayyan on Saturday to reach the final of the Prince’s
Cup.
“I cannot hide it’s my dream to coach Barcelona, I’ve said it many times in
many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my
heart.
“But I’m doing my job here, I’m doing my best. I was focused on the semi-final
and now I’m focusing on the final.”
Before the semi-final against Al Rayyan, Al Sadd’s sporting director Muhammad
Ghulam Al Balushi confirmed Xavi had been negotiating a move to Barcelona.
“There are negotiations between Xavi and Barcelona now and we wish him
success wherever he decides to go,” he told Qatari network Al Kass.
During his time at Barcelona, Xavi won the LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Spanish
Super Cup.
He also won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club
World Cup.
11 BUSIN
Inter Milan officials have held talks with Olivier Giroud's agents
and agreed terms for a January transfer, Sky in Italy are reporting.
The France striker, whose Blues deal expires in the summer, has
agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract to join the Italian side.
However, Inter have yet to agree a deal with Chelsea, who are
asking for between £6.8m (€8m) and £8.5m (€10m).
Inter do not want to spend more than £4.3m (€5m) and Giroud
has other offers on the table, including one from Lyon, but he is
keen to move to Inter.
However, Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard insists Giroud's
departure is not a foregone conclusion, saying: "With Oli the
situation is if it's right for everybody - and first and foremost
that's the club because he's under contract - then we'll look at
whether he can leave.
"He's been a great professional here and trained brilliantly even
without getting the opportunities. I hold him in high regard but I
still have to make a decision for the club and nothing's done yet.
"Everyone's talking about it so I'm not going to beat around the
bush; I think his agent has spoken to the club. But until we decide
it's the right thing then it's not done."
Giroud has not featured for Chelsea since the end of November,
with Tammy Abraham the clear No 1 striker at Stamford Bridge
since the arrival of Lampard.
The 33-year-old has scored 19 goals since joining Chelsea in
January 2018, although only five have come in the league where
the majority of his appearances have been as a substitute.
He has only made five Premier League appearances this season,
with four of his five goals for the campaign coming while on
international duty and the fifth in the European Super Cup against
Liverpool.
A move to Inter would reunite Giroud with Antonio Conte, who
initially signed him for Chelsea after his five-and-a-half season
spell with London rivals Arsenal.
Aston Villa have also made an approach to Chelsea to take
Giroud on loan for the rest of the season, but Giroud's preference
is to link up with Conte rather than join a relegation battle with
Villa in the Premier League.
Competition rules dictate that only one loan is allowed between
the same two Premier League clubs, and with the Giroud deal
looking unlikely, Villa opted for midfielder Danny Drinkwater
instead .
Stoke City fans have expressed their disappointment at the Sky Bet Championship side for sending out Oghenekaro Etebo out on loan to Spanish Laliga side Getafe, Completesports.com reports Stoke City club announced on Wednesday that Etebo will spend the remainder of the 2019/20 season with the La Liga outfit.
Etebo joined Stoke at the start Stoke at the start of the previous campaign and featured in 34 Championship league games, scoring two goals. But this season, he made only 11 appearances in Stoke’s 26 league fixtures played so far, before heading to Getafe. Etebo was not not prominent in the game plans of new manager Michael O’Neill, who replaced Nathan Jones in September 2019. And following his loan move to Getafe, some of The Potters’ fans took to the Twitter to express their disappointment. Also Read – Carabao Cup: Iheanacho Gets Leicester’s Highest Rating In Draw vs Aston Villa Commenting on Etebo’s move, Leigh Salmon described it as a joke. “Absolute joke,” he tweeted. Joe Thompson called it a strange decision. “This is a strange one, seemed to want to put in a shift for the shirt. I fear this is just a necessity due to the FFP rules.” Another Stoke City fan Luke Barker, tweeted: “So we’ve just decided we don’t need our best 2 midfielders? “I thought we’d turned a corner with Ndiaye getting game time this season, but the last few days have seen that all undone.” In his reaction, Stuart Mitton mocked the board. “Master stroke. Genius from the board,” his Tweet reads. The Potters fan simply known as Jordan tweeted about Etebo’s loan switch to Getafe: “This is a sickening transfer. Arguably the best player in our entire squad being sent out on loan while the threat of League One hangs over us. Funny how he’s going to a team fighting for a European spot in La Liga… almost like he’s a very good player.”
As we enter the winter months, most supporters are looking ahead to new players to welcome to their clubs – but it’s also time to remember those who hung up their boots during 2019.
All good things must come to an end and the retired players make us realise we really are getting old. Here are some of the football stars that retired in 2019:
* Xavi
A career in which he won it all – including the Qatar lottery – has been drawn to a close. A former Spain and Barcelona Midfielder, He won World Soccer Player of the Year (2010), Ballon d’Or – third place (2009, 2010, 2011), Spanish Sportsman of the Year (2009), World Cup champion (2010) Olympic silver medal (2000). Also Ranked has one of Barcelona all-time best player .
*Robin van Persie
Van Persie retiring at the age of 35 is a shocking reminder of our own mortality, but it’s a testament to the man himself that he has lasted so long after so many injury problems during his early years at Arsenal.
When he was fit and firing, few strikers in the Premier League could match the Dutchman, especially during his final season in north London and debut campaign at Manchester United, when he struck 67 goals in all competitions.
* Petr Cech
The former Czech Republic, Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper who won the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, FA CUP, English Premier League and other major trophies in the EPL before retiring from Soccer and proceeded to Playing Ice Hockey in his country.
By all accounts he’s a great goalkeeper; Cech has set the benchmark for all Premier League stoppers to aspire to with a record 202 clean sheets in 443 appearances in the competition.
Yet the 36-year-old still isn’t done, with the small matter of the Europa League final against his former club Chelsea still to come before the end of the season.
*Andrea Barzagli
Barzagli perhaps attracted fewer plaudits than team-mates and defensive partners Georgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, but having joined Juventus for just €600,000, the centre-back has proved an immense servant to the Italian giants.
Not only did Barzagli help inspire Wolfsburg to their one and only title, the 38-year-old will retire having also won eight Serie A crowns, four Italian Cups and the World Cup.
It’s little wonder Juve chairman Andrea Agnelli dubbed him “the best signing we ever made”.
* Juan Silveira
Seventy-nine caps for Brazil, for whom he appeared at the 2010 World Cup and won two editions of the Copa America with, plus over 300 appearances of top-flight European football with Bayer Leverkusen and Roma, winning honours with the Italian outfit.
Juan has spent the last seven years back in his home country with Internacional and Flamengo, but the defender bowed out at the ripe old age of 40 at the end of April.
*Peter Crouch
The English striker also Known as “Crouchy,” Played for Liverpool, Tottenham, QPR, Portsmouth, Norwich City, Aston Villa, Burnley, Southampton and Stoke City.
He Scored over 167 goals during his time, spent seven-and-a-half years with Stoke, scoring 62 goals before joining Burnley in January 2019. He retired in July 2019.
*Diego Forlan
The Uruguayan football manager and former Athletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Villarreal player, who scored over 252 goals during his time.
Forlán also had a successful international career, scoring 36 times for his country between his debut in 2002 and his retirement in 2015, including six goals at FIFA World Cups. On 12 July 2011, at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, which Uruguay won, Forlán earned his 79th international cap in a match against Mexico, breaking the record held since 1986 by goalkeeper Rodolfo Rodríguez. On 20 June 2013, in a match against Nigeria at the 2013 Confederations Cup, Forlán became the first Uruguayan to win 100 caps.Forlán was Uruguay’s all-time leading top scorer from 2011 until Luis Suárez overtook him two years later.
*Samuel Eto’o
The Former Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid , Chelsea and Everton Striker who won the African Player of the year for Four times : in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.
A precocious talent, Eto’o moved to Real Madrid as a 16 year old. Due to competition in his position with more experienced players, he had several loan spells, before signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals. His impressive form saw him join Barcelona in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and also became the record holder for the most number of appearances by an African player in La Liga.
Winning La Liga three times, he was a key member of the Barcelona attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto’o scoring in the final, and was part of a front three of Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto’o again scoring in the final.
He is the second player in history to score in two UEFA Champions League finals. At Barcelona, He came in third for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2005 and was twice named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, in 2005 and 2006.
He has participated in four World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, with 18 goals, and is Cameroon’s all-time leading scorer and third most capped player, with 56 goals in 118 caps.
Eto’o announced his retirement from international football in August 2014, and finally retired from football in 2019.
*Wesley Sneijder
The former Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Galatasaray Midfielder who was named UEFA midfielder of the season and one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA.
A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, he started his professional career playing for Ajax, with whom he won four trophies and was awarded the Johan Cruyff Trophy in 2004.
With 134 caps, he is the most capped Dutch player of all time. He announced his international retirement in March 2018 and finally retired from football in 2019.
*Fernando Torres
The 35-year-old played for five clubs – Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, AC Milan and Sagan Tosu – in his 18-year career, with Torres attaining legendary status at Atletico.
At club level, Torres was able to lift some important trophies. He won the Europa League with Atletico in 2017/18, along with reaching the Champions League final with Los Rojiblancos in 2015/16, while at Chelsea he lifted the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2011/12, as well as the Europa League in 2012/13.
Internationally, however, Torres will never be forgotten by the Spanish public. His deft chip over Jens Lehmann in the 2008 European Championship final was the start of Spain’s dominance, with La Roja securing their first trophy since 1964. He also scored in the 2012 European Championship final win against Italy, whilst also helping Spain lift the World Cup in 2010. In 110 games for La Roja, Torres scored 38 goals.
*Bastian Schweinsteiger
The Former Bayer Munich Player who spent 17 seasons at Bayern Munich, playing in exactly Bundesliga 500 matches across all competitions and scoring 68 goals.
His honours at the club include eight titles, seven DFB-Pokal titles, a UEFA Champions League title, a FIFA Club World Cup title and a UEFA Super Cup title.
He joined Manchester United in 2015, playing sparingly for 18 months before moving to Chicago Fire.
He played for the German national team from 2004 to 2016. He is Germany’s fourth most-capped player of all time, having earned 121 caps and scored 24 goals, in a 12-year international career starting in 2004. He was selected in their squads for four European Championships and three World Cups, including their victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Following Philipp Lahm’s international retirement on 2 September 2014, Schweinsteiger was named captain of the national team. He played his last match for Germany against Finland on 31 August 2016, after which he retired from international football.
* Arjen Robben
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich winger from football aged 35 following a trophy-laden career at club level and having earned 96 caps for his country, which included playing in a World Cup final.
Robben won 12 league titles – eight with Bayern, two at Chelsea and one each at PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid – and was part of the Netherlands team that lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg.
*Patrice Evra
Evra, 38, has called time on a 20-year career during which he played for Nice, Monaco, Man Utd, Juventus, Marseille, West Ham and the France national side.
The left-back spent eight seasons at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles, the Champions League and three League Cups.
Evra also won two Serie A titles at Juventus and the French League Cup at Monaco. He won 81 international caps for France between 2004 and 2016, and was in their squad for two World Cup and three European Championship tournaments.
*Ashley Cole
The former England defender won 13 major titles during his 20-year career, including the 2012 Champions League with Chelsea, three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup triumphs.
38-year-old Cole, who won 107 caps for England, announced his retirement on Sky Sports, where he was appearing as a pundit for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League games.
Cole made more than 500 club appearances in a career that took in Arsenal, Crystal Palace (on loan), Chelsea, Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby County.
*David Villa
The ex-Barcelona star who won the Golden Boot at the 2008 Euros and finished joint on goals with the Golden Shoe winner from the 2010 World Cup.
Villa’s club achievements include winning La Liga twice, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
After spending a season at Atletico Madrid, he left Spain for America, as he became the first player for MLS expansion side New York City FC.
He scored three goals at the 2006 World Cup, was the top scorer at Euro 2008 and earned the Silver Boot at the 2010 World Cup.
His displays for Spain and Valencia saw him named in the FIFA FIFPro World11 for 2010. He became the first Spanish player to ever reach 50 international goals and, after a brief comeback in 2017,he retired from the national team with 59 goals in 98 matches, making him Spain’s all-time top goal scorer as well as the country’s top scorer in the World Cup, with nine goals.
*Julio Baptista
Julio Baptista
The former Brazil international started out at Sao Paulo before heading to Spain, where he played for Sevilla – scoring 20 goals in the 2003-04 LaLiga season – and Real Madrid. Baptista helped Arsenal win the League Cup during a loan stint in 2006-07, including an astonishing four-goal haul against Liverpool in a 6-3 quarter-final win at Anfield.
There were also spells with Roma and Malaga, as well as a return to his homeland with Cruzeiro in 2013, prior to joining Orlando City in MLS.
Kelechi Iheanacho has been nominated for Leicester City’s Goal of the Month
for December , reports Completesports.com.
Iheanacho’s dramatic late winner against Everton at the King Power Stadium
as well as Jamie Vardy’s composed finish versus Aston Villa are among the
seven strikes shortlisted for Leicester City’s Goal of the Month for December.
Development Squad attacker Callum Wright, meanwhile, has been shortlisted for
his strike against Everton at Holmes Park.
Iheanacho has scored three goals in five league appearances for the Foxes this
season.
Fans have until 11:59pm on Wednesday, January 8, to vote for their December
Goal of the Month, with the winner set to be announced on Thursday , January
9.
Plateau United v Enyimba @New Jos Stadium @4pm on Jan.5
Six points separate Nigeria Professional Football League [NPFL]
leaders, Plateau United and Enyimba, who sit in 10th place, though
the Aba side have two games in hand because of their involvement
in the CAF Confederations Cup. Plateau United have won four of
their five home matches while Enyimba are yet to win away this
season. The Jos-based side will also look for an immediate response
to the 3-0 loss suffered away to Abia Warriors on Matchday 11.
Plateau United’s Abdu Maikaba mentioned fatigue as the main cause
of the defeat having spent two days on the road to Umuahia.
“Halfway to Makurdi, our bus broke down and we stayed for over
seven hours repairing the bus,” Maikaba told the NPFL website. Will
United have rested enough to get all three points off Enyimba or will
the defending league champions have the guile to escape defeat?
Current Form: Plateau [L-W-D-W-L]; Enyimba [L-D-D-L-W]
Head to head
14/02/18 NPF Enyimba 1 – 0 Plateau
04/06/17 NPF Enyimba 1 – 0 Plateau
18/01/17 NPF Plateau 3 – 1 Enyimba
24/07/16 NPF Plateau 2 – 0 Enyimba
24/03/16 NPF Enyimba 1 – 0 Plateau
Prediction: Plateau 2-1 Enyimba
Liverpool v Everton @Anfield @4pm on Jan.5
This is the 235th Merseyside derby with the teams on opposite sides
of achievements. Liverpool are European and world champions and
are on course to rule the league after 30 years while Everton have
started another rebuild with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti.
Everton have not beaten Liverpool in their last 20 meetings, their
last win coming in 2011. We expect Jurgen Klopp to make extensive
changes to his side to keep their freshness. Recruit, Takumi
Minamino should get his debut for Liverpool with Ancelotti expected
to send out a very strong team to gain momentum. The Italian said
at the pre-match press conference his team must be perfect to beat
the runaway league leaders. “You have to produce a great
performance; a normal performance is not enough against them.
Everything has to be perfect – no mistakes, work hard, intensity –
the game has to be complete.” It should be a very lively encounter.
Current Form: Liverpool [W-W-W-W-W]; Everton [L-W-W-D-L]
Head to head
04/12/19 PRL Liverpool 5 – 2 Everton
03/03/19 PRL Everton 0 – 0 Liverpool
02/12/18 PRL Liverpool 1 – 0 Everton
07/04/18 PRL Everton 0 – 0 Liverpool
05/01/18 FAC Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Everton
Napoli v Inter Milan @Stadio San Paolo @7:45pm on Jan.6
The San Paolo has been a tough place to visit for Inter Milan – their
last win on that ground coming in October 1997. Inter, under new
manager, Antonio Conte, have risen to the Serie A summit, scoring
goals and have tasted just one league defeat all season. Napoli sacked
Carlo Ancelotti and employed former AC Milan player and manager,
Gennaro Gattuso, to revive the fortunes of Juventus’ closest
challengers for the past two seasons, having already fallen 18 points
and seven places behind Monday’s visitors. Early signs have been
average, but taking Inter’s scalp could kick off an extended winning
run. Napoli will have to do without the injured Kalidou Koulibaly.
Conte will set up his team for the rapid counter, soaking up all
Napoli possession – sucking them in and hitting at every
opportunity.
Current Form: Napoli [W-L-W-D-L]; Inter Milan [W-D-L-D-W]
Head to head
19/05/19 SEA Napoli 4 – 1 Inter Milan
26/12/18 SEA Inter Milan 1 – 0 Napoli
11/03/18 SEA Inter Milan 0 – 0 Napoli
21/10/17 SEA Napoli 0 – 0 Inter Milan
30/04/17 SEA Inter Milan 0 – 1 Napoli
Prediction: Napoli 2-4 Inter Milan
Getafe v Real Madrid @Coliseum Alfonso Perez @3pm on Jan.4
Real Madrid lost the opportunity to start 2020 at par with Barcelona,
so traveling to face a dangerous team as Getafe needs all the caution
and experience to ensure they snag all three points. Zinedine Zidane
is without the suspended Sergio Ramos, and Eden Hazard is still out
injured. Jose Bordalas’ Getafe team exceeded expectations in the first
half of the season and are just seven points off their visitors, in
sixth place – two points off a Champions League place. Angel Luis
Rodriguez Diaz will lead the Getafe assault, having already scored
eight league goals while Los Blancos have Karim Benzema in good
form though they have drawn their last three league games.
Current Form: Getafe [L-W-W-W-W]; Real Madrid [D-D-D-W-W]
Head to head
25/04/19 LAL Getafe 0 – 0 Real Madrid
19/08/18 LAL Real Madrid 2 – 0 Getafe
03/03/18 LAL Real Madrid 3 – 1 Getafe
14/10/17 LAL Getafe 1 – 2 Real Madrid
16/04/16 LAL Getafe 1 – 5 Real Madrid
Prediction: Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on his retirement plans, expressing a desire to
challenge himself by starting a new career in acting.
The Juventus star is widely revered as one of the finest footballers in history,
having earned five Ballon d’Or awards for his individual brilliance during spells
at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Ronaldo, 34, has won a whole host of major trophies, including five European
Cups and six league titles, while also landing a European Championships
winners’ medal with Portugal.
Ronaldo holds the all-time scoring record for his country and for Madrid, and
continues to set new standards of excellence even as he approaches the latter
stages of his career.
Also Read: Chelsea Plot January Move For Eze
The former United superstar is now on the books at Juventus, and is currently
enjoying another prolific season with 10 goals to his name from 14 Serie A
outings.
The Juve talisman says he will walk away from the game “the moment my
body is no longer responding in the right way”, with one eye on a possible foray
into the film industry.
“Several years ago, the age of playing football was until 30-32, but now, you
find those who are 40 years old playing on the field,” Ronaldo stated at the
Dubai Sports Conference on Saturday.
“The moment my body is no longer responding in the right way on the field,
then it would be the time to leave. My success in my field is the result of hard
work, and a way of living. I work continuously to improve my mental and
physical abilities. I aspire to continue my studies after retiring from football.
“I hope I live more than 50 years to learn new things and face different
challenges and try to find solutions for them. One of the things that I seek to
challenge myself in, for example, is acting in a movie.
“I always recommend learning all that is new. This is what I always strive for. I
always seek to educate myself, because my studies tend to answer many of
the questions on my mind.
“We have to learn the best of others, and this is an important part in helping
me achieve what I have reached now
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi claimed a record sixth Ballon d’Or in Paris last night ahead of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentine moved one clear of Ronaldo after the pair had been locked on five awards each as he reclaimed title he last won in 2015, with the Portuguese claiming the two subsequent gongs and Luka Modric surprisingly picking up the accolade last year to end the 10-year dominance of the two footballing icons.
This year’s victor finished astonishingly fifth in last term’s rankings and has come back with a vengeance this time around, producing a typically outstanding year in front of goal for Barca, hitting 40 strikes this calendar year and registering a further 17 assists to boot.
The forward did so in just 3516 minutes on the field, putting his club tally at slightly better than a goal or assist every 61.7 minutes.
He also claimed a 10th La Liga trophy and a Supercopa de Espana but was denied in the final of the Copa del Rey and was on the wrong end of a 4-0 battering at Anfield that saw Liverpool eventually go on to claim the Champions League title.
Meanwhile, Dutch defender, Matthijs de Ligt beat Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze to win the Kopa Trophy at the 2019 Ballon d’Or going on in Paris, France.
The Spaniard oversaw a disastrous run of form that
saw his side go seven games without a win for the
first time since 1992.
Touted to be the messiah the Gunners wanted,
Emery, 48, was appointed in the summer of 2018
following the departure of Arsene Wenger.
He guided the Gunners to fifth in his debut
campaign, one point adrift of Spurs, before losing
4-1 to Chelsea in the Europa League final.
His side also went 22 games unbeaten combined
with a run of 11 straight defeats.
However, the past weeks have been disappointing
and the final straw was the Europa League defeat
at home to Frankfurt.
Arsenal on their website said Emery and his
coaching team have been told to leave.
Speaking on behalf of the Arsenal board and
owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Josh
Kroenke said: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai
and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their
efforts to get the club back to competing at the level
we all expect and demand. We wish Unai and his
team nothing but future success.”
The club said the decision has been taken due to
results and performances not being at the level
required.
Arsenal have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take
responsibility for the first team as interim head
coach adding that they have full confidence in
Freddie to take the club forward.
Already a couple of names have been brandished
to take over at the London club.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains favourite
to take the role with Mikel Arteta also in the
running.
Former Juventus boss Max Allegri remains on the
shortlist while the club could make a stunning
approach for ex-Spurs manager Mauricio
Anthony Joshua has claimed “sometimes the ones who are calm and chilled
can bark”, when speaking about Andy Ruiz during a press conference in London today.
The Briton also rated Ruiz as “the best heavyweight out there”.
Both boxers went face to face in London, as their three-day press tour ended,
ahead of their December 7 rematch in Saudi Arabia.
Asked about again being a challenger to the world heavyweight championships,
Joshua said: “It’s a great mindset to have and you can’t lose that. The minute
you lose it, you’ve got to retire. You’ve got to be hungry.
“I had a blip. We go again. I’m not shy. No fear.”
Joshua said about his upcoming opponent who took his IBF, WBA and WBO
belts earlier this year: “Ruiz Jr is calm but he can fight. He is not a fake
character who puts on a persona.
“Sometimes the ones who are calm and chilled can bark back, and can
definitely fight.”
Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has hinted he could be ready to hang up
his boots at the end of this season.
Ronaldo only signed a four-year contract with the Serie A champions last
summer, following his £100million transfer from Real Madrid.
But the 34-year-old could be set to retire.
The Portgual captain however suggested he could go on until into his forties.
When quizzed on retirement by TV1, Ronaldo said: “I don’t think about that.
“Maybe I can leave my career next year … but I can also play up to 40 or 41.
“I don’t know. What I always say is to enjoy the moment. The gift is excellent
and I have to continue to enjoy it.”
Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, has claimed that Brazilian forward,
Neymar is willing to take a pay cut to force through a move back to Barcelona.
Neymar is intent on returning to Barcelona this summer, with Real Madrid also
battling to sign the Brazil international.
Balague said that Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez want Neymar
back.
According to reports, Balague said Barcelona will do all they can to bring
back Neymar before the European transfer deadline.
“The player is happy to reduce his wages from 38 million euros net to 23
million euros net,” Balague said.
“It is an interesting situation at Barcelona. They feel they have to try really
hard to get him back.
“Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez want him back but also the
president Josep Maria Bartomeu has two more years in his mandate and he
wants to leave a big legacy. Can you imagine all those players that have been
mentioned and Neymar as well?”
