Done deals: – Eintracht Frankfurt have announced the signing of Omar Mascarell from Real Madrid on a three-year contract. – Inter Milan have signed midfielder Ever Banega on a three-year contract. We can confirm #MkhitaryanIsRed! Read the full statement as @HenrikhMkh completes his move: https://t.co/SAdLmSm4ed pic.twitter.com/dwyJQrO1uU — Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 6, 2016 – Manchester […]
via Newfanzone Football Transfer round up for July 6th 2016 — newfanzoneblog
Never one to miss out on any opportunity to etch his personae in your minds and as a quintessential PR conscious man, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to make a meal of Argentine star Lionel Messi’s hurriedly announced retirement from international football. Speaking with the international media, he described it as the ultimate opportunity to finally […]
via RONALDO PLANS GRANDER RETIREMENT THAN MESSI By Akeem Busari — newfanzoneblog
A man has been charged with murdering his friend after the two had argued over whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo was the world’s best footballer, police in India told AFP.
Officers said the men, both Nigerian nationals, had clashed over the Barcelona and Real Madrid stars.
Inspector Kiran Kabadi said that 21-year-old Michael Chukwuma had been charged over the death of Obina Durumchukwu, 34, in the Mumbai suburb of Nallasopara on Sunday.
They had been celebrating Durumchukwu’s birthday on Saturday night, with the fight breaking out the following day.
“The two were discussing football players. One is a fan of Messi and the other was for Ronaldo,” Inspector Kabadi said.
“The deceased threw a glass into the face of the accused person. The glass broke and caused small injuries.
“After that, the accused took the broken glass and assaulted the deceased person, who died due to heavy bleeding.”
In January, Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a record fifth time. Ronaldo has received the accolade on three occasions.
Paul Ayorinde
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi picked up a “small strain” against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday while Jordi Alba has been ruled out for 10 days with a hamstring injury.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique allayed fears about Messi’s fitness by insisting he took the Ballon d’Or winner off at half-time only as a precaution.
The Barcelona coach withdrew Messi, who scored the first of Barca’s six goals against the Basques by netting from the penalty spot, for Arda Turan at the end of the first half with a right hamstring strain, but he hinted that the forward could still feature against Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarter final first leg at San Mamés stadium.
“Messi will have tests tomorrow, he has a small strain and had a little discomfort so we preferred not to take any risks,” Luis Enrique said in a news conference.
“We spoke about it at half-time and with the scoreline as it was we did not want to take risks. I don’t like taking risks with any player, so imagine what it’s like with Messi.”
However, Barcelona confirmed on their official website that Jordi Alba, who pulled his hamstring in the 69th minute against Athletic Bilbao, is expected to be sidelined for 10 days.
Paul Ayorinde
Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the fifth time, while US midfielder Carli Lloyd claimed her first-ever FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and United States national team coach Jill Ellis have also been named for the first time as FIFA World Coaches of the Year for Men’s and Women’s Football respectively. The winners were chosen by the coaches and captains of the national teams as well as by international media representatives invited by FIFA and France Football. The entire electoral procedure was overseen and monitored by PricewaterhouseCoopers Switzerland (PwC).
• 165 national team coaches, 162 national team captains and 171 media representatives submitted their votes for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award. Lionel Messi won the title with 41.33% of all votes ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76%) and Neymar (7.86%).
• 136 national team coaches, 135 national team captains and 106 media representatives voted for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. Carli Lloyd came out on top with 35.28% of all votes, ahead of German Célia Šašić (12.60%) and Japan’s Aya Miyama (9.88%).
• 167 national team coaches, 161 national team captains and 171 media representatives voted for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award. Luis Enrique won the award with 31.08% of all votes after leading FC Barcelona to four titles (La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup) in 2015. Second and third place were claimed by Pep Guardiola (FC Bayern Munich, 22.97%) and Jorge Sampaoli (Chilean national team, 9.47%) respectively.
• 137 national team coaches, 137 national team captains and 106 media representatives voted for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football award. Jill Ellis won this prize after leading the US women’s national team to glory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. She secured 42.98% of all votes, ahead of Japan coach Norio Sasaki (17.79%) and England women’s national team coach Mark Sampson (10.68%)
2015 FIFA/FIFPRO WORLD XI
Manuel Neuer; Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves; Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba; Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo.
* Women Coach of the Year– Jill Ellis (United States)
* Men Coach of the Year- Luis Enrique (FC Barcelona)
* FIFA Fair Play award– all the football organisations and clubs supporting refugees worldwide
* FIFA Puskas – Wendell Lira (Goianésia of Brazil)
* Women Player of the Year– Carli Lloyd (United States)
* FIFA Ballon d’Or Player of The Year– Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona)
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015 top 20 players ranking (% of total votes);
1. Lionel Messi (41.33)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76)
3. Neymar (7.86)
4. Robert Lewandowski (4.17)
5. Luis Suarez (3.38)
6. Thomas Muller (2.21)
7. Manuel Neuer (1.97)
8. Eden Hazard (1.33)
9. Andres Iniesta (1.24)
10. Alexis Sanchez (1.18)
11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1.13)
12. Yaya Toure (0.89)
13. Sergio Aguero (0.86)
14. Javier Mascherano (0.79)
15. Paul Pogba (0.72)
16. Gareth Bale (0.65)
17. Arturo Vidal (0.58)
18. Kevin De Bruyne (0.47)
19. James Rodriguez (0.45)
20. Karim Benzema (0.40)
Done deals:
– Werder Bremen have signed Thanos Petsos from Rapid Vienna.
– Newcastle sign Senegalese midfielder Henry Saivet from Bordeaux on five-and-a-half-year deal.
– Bournemouth re-sign striker Lewis Grabban from Norwich on a three-and-a-half year deal.
– Bologna have confirmed the signing of striker Sergio Floccari from Sassuolo .
Today’s reports and rumours:
– Rio Ferdinard has urged Manchester United to do everything in their power to sign John Stones and Raphael Varane.
– Chelsea are preparing a £30million offer for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca, according to reports.
– Southampton are interested in Palermo midfielder Oscar Hiljemark, according to reports in Italy.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a move for Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato.
– West Brom, Besiktas and AC Milan are all interested in Lyon’s Henri Bedimo, according to L’Equipe.
– Brazilian defender Dante has vowed to stay at Wolfsburg amid MLS links.
– Mauricio Pochetinno says Andros Townsend remains part of the squad and could be involved in the coming games.
– Steven Pienaar might leave Everton for Ajax Amsterdam, according to his business manager Rob Moore.
– Barcelona have opened talks with Ivan Rakitic over a new deal, the midfielder has revealed.
– Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel says he is not planning to sell reported Liverpool target Neven Subotic, calling him “an important part of the group” despite his lack of game time this season.
– According to reports, Federico Fazio is nearing a Tottenham exit having failed to impress at White Hart Lane, with former club Sevilla a likely destination.
– Zenit St Petersburg and Guangzhou Evergrande are preparing offers for Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin, according to reports.
– Barcelona are interested in Manchester City target Leroy Sane, reports German publication Kicker.
– Chelsea defender Baba Rahman will remain at the club until at least the summer, his advisor has confirmed.
– Inter President Erick Thohir says they have ‘an ample squad’ but ‘it’s possible we’ll make some good buys in the market.’
– Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has insisted that he is not feeling any pressure to sign a new deal with the club.
– Tottenham have emerged as the bookmakers’ favourites to sign Fulham forward Moussa Dembele, ahead of Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
– Lyon have rejected a loan offer from Hellas Verona for the services of Lindsay Rose, according to L’Équipe.
– Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s agent assures it’s “too early” for his client to consider leaving Lazio.
– Fiorentina and Spartak Moscow have agreed terms for on-loan Genoa midfielder Tino Costa, according to reports.
– Torino have reportedly submitted a bid for Sevilla’s Ciro Immobile.
– PSG winger Ezequiel Lavezzi’s move to Inter in January ’is possible’ according to his agent’s associate.
– Swansea manager Alan Curtis has said the club are willing to listen to offers for Jonjo Shelvey.
– Acccording to reports, Aston Villa manager Remi Garde hopes to be handed a large transfer fund to turn around the club’s season after talks with the board.
Football tit bits:
– Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United supporters should be happy their team are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and suggested that traffic around Old Trafford, rather than apathy, was one of the reasons why many supporters left before the end of the 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
– Paris Saint-Germain have become embroiled in a row with the London-born rapper M.I.A after she wore a modified version of the club’s shirt in one of her music videos. Via Twitter, the 40-year-old has revealed a letter sent to her
record company, Universal Music, by Jean Claude Blanc, PSG’s deputy CEO, last month complaining about the fact she
can be seen in the video for Borders, a song about the global migrants crisis, wearing a white PSG shirt with the words ‘Fly Pirates’ across the middle, as opposed to ‘Fly Emirates’, the French club’s sponsor.
– Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for an unprecedented fifth time. The 28-year-old Argentine had 41.33% of the vote, with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76%)second and Barca’s Neymar (7.86%) third. “It’s a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage winning again, after being there in the audience watching as Cristiano won for two years “, Messi said after picking up the award.
– FA CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW
Wycombe or Aston Villa v Man City
Northampton or MK Dons v Chelsea
Bury or Bradford v Hull City
Colchester v Tottenham or Leicester
Ipswich or Portsmouth v Bournemouth
Oxford v Newport or Blackburn
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Carlisle or Yeovil v Everton
Nottingham Forest v Watford
Shrewsbury v Sheffield Wednesday
Exeter or Liverpool v West Ham
Huddersfield or Reading v Walsall
Derby County v Man Utd
Arsenal v Burnley
Eastleigh or Bolton v Leeds
West Brom or Bristol City v Peterborough
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi returned to full training on Monday five days before the first Clasico of the season, the club said.
Messi has not played since tearing a ligament in his left knee back in September.
“The session included Leo Messi, who is continuing his recovery from the left knee injury he picked up on Sept. 26,” Barcelona revealed.
Also back in training is Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic who has been injured since November 4th.
Barcelona go into this weekend’s El Clasico leading Real Madrid by three points, with Atletico Madrid a further point behind in third.
Forwards Luis Suarez and Neymar have held fort for the Catalan giants in the absence of the Argentine and his return will definitely be a welcome development, some doubts still surround his availability for El-Classico.
The prestigious Golden Boy award which is reserved for players under the age of 21 was first established by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport. The award was won by Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling last year and boasts Wayne Rooney (2004), Lionel Messi (2005), Sergio Agüero (2007) and Mario Götze (2011) among its former winners.
The winner of the award, which is voted for by journalists from 30 newspapers around the world, will be announced in
December.
The full shortlist:
Andrija Zivkovic (Partizan Belgrade)
Nathan Ake (Watford; on loan from
Chelsea)
Moses Simon (KAA Gent)
Dele Alli (Tottenham)
Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal)
Jordon Ibe (Liverpool)
Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Divock Origi (Liverpool)
Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Adama Traoré (Aston Villa)
Marco Asensio (Espanyol)
Zakaria Bakkali (Valencia)
Ángel Correa (Atlético Madrid)
Danilo Barbosa (Valencia)
Munir El Haddadi (Barcelona)
Dahoud Mahmoud (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Alen Halilovic (Barcelona)
Francisco Rodríguez (Wolsfburg)
Sandro Ramírez (Barcelona)
Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Pierre-Emile Hojberg (Schalke)
Adnan Januzaj (Borussia Dortmund; on loan from Manchester United)
Max Meyer (Schalke)
Ricardo Kishna (Lazio)
Adama Traoré (Monaco)
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
Alessio Romagnoli (Milan)
Mario Pasalic (Monaco; on loan from Chelsea)
Adrien Rabiot (PSG)
Jason Denayer (Galatasaray; on loan
from Manchester City)
Anwar El Ghazi (Ajax Amsterdam)
Gaston Pereiro (PSV)
Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord)
Goncalo Guedes (Benfica)
Ruben Neves (Porto)
Nemanja Maksimovic (Astana)
Marko Pajca (Dinamo Zagreb)
Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht)
FIFA and France Football have today announced the names of the nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards.
The awards recognise the best in each category, without distinction of championship or nationality, for their respective achievements between 22 November 2014 and 20 November 2015 inclusive.
The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football. The winners of all of the awards will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 11 January 2016.
The list of 23 male candidates has been drawn up by football experts from the FIFA Football Committee and a group of experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and by the FIFA Football Committee, as well as by a group of experts from France Football.
The voting period for the awards commences on 26 October 2015 and closes on 20 November 2015 (midnight CET). In the event that insufficient votes (less than two-thirds of all potential jury members) are cast during the voting period, FIFA and France Football may, at their discretion, extend the voting period by one week to allow only those participating jury members who have not yet cast their vote by 20 November 2015 (midnight CET) to do so.
On 30 November, FIFA and France Football will announce in a web show the names of the three women and three men, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without announcing the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award (honouring the most beautiful goal of the year) will be also unveiled.
Men’s Football shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015
The following 23 players (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015:
Sergio Agüero (Argentina/Manchester City),
Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid),
Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid),
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City),
Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimović
(Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Andrés Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona),
Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid),
Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich),
Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona),
Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona),
Thomas Müller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich),
Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich),
Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus),
Ivan Rakitić (Croatia/FC Barcelona),
Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich),
James Rodríguez (Colombia/Real Madrid),
Alexis Sánchez (Chile/Arsenal),
Luis Suárez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona),
Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire/Manchester City),
Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).
The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2015:
Massimiliano Allegri (Italy/Juventus),
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid),
Laurent Blanc (France/Paris Saint-Germain),
Unai Emery (Spain/Sevilla FC),
Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Bayern Munich),
Luis Enrique Martínez (Spain/FC Barcelona),
José Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea),
Jorge Sampaoli (Argentina/Chilean national team),
Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atlético Madrid),
Arsène Wenger (France/Arsenal).
Source: FIFA.com
Top 5 performers in Europe’s top 5 football leagues (2015/2016) the story so far…,
We have put together a list of Europe’s top 5 leagues top 5 performers, our focus is on a few highlights of the game, mainly goals, assist and discipline for individuals and for teams it’s got to do with their positions on the Log, comments are welcome and hope you find this useful.
Please note that this is based on results as at the 1st of October 2015 and the Leagues are arranged in no particular other.
Serie A Table
R Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Fiorentina 6 5 0 1 11 4 +7 15
2 Inter Milan 6 5 0 1 7 5 +2 15
3 Torino 6 4 1 1 11 6 +5 13
4 Sassuolo 6 3 3 0 9 6 +3 12
5 Lazio 6 4 0 2 8 11 -3 12
Top Scorers
R Player Team Goals
1 C. Eder Sampdoria 6
2 G. Higuain Napoli 5
3 F.Quagliarella Torino 4
4 N. Kalinic Fiorentina 4
5 A. Floro Flores Sassuolo 3
Assists
Player Team Assists
V. Birsa Chievo 3
G. Bonaventura AC Milan 3
F. Vazquez Palermo 3
M. Moralez Atalanta 3
R. Meggiorini Chievo 3
Disciplinary (bad boys)
Player Team Yellow card Red card
M. Pinilla Atalanta 3 1
M. Iturra Udinese 4 0
Fernando Sampdoria 4 0
D. de Rossi Roma 4 0
Mauricio Lazio 2 1
Primera Division Table
R Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. Villarreal 6 5 1 0 12 4 +8 16
2 Barcelona 6 5 0 1 11 7 +4 15
3 Real Madrid 6 4 2 0 14 1 +13 14
4 Celta Vigo 6 4 2 0 15 7 +8 14
5 Atl.Madrid 6 4 0 2 9 3 +6 12
Top Scorers
R Player Team Goals
1 C. Ronaldo R. Madrid 5
K. Benzema R. Madrid 5
Nolito Celta Vigo 5
2 I. Agirretxe R. Sociedad 4
I. Aspas Celta Vigo 4
Assists
Player Team Assists
G. Bale R. Madrid 3
H. Mallo Celta Vigo 3
Nolito Celta Vigo 3
R. Soldado Villarreal 3
L. Messi Barcelona 2
Disciplinary (bad boys)
Player Team Yellow card Red card
G. Escalante Eibar 5 0
E.Bailly Villarreal 4 0
Recio Malaga 4 0
Laure Deportivo 4 0
A. Medran Getafe 3 0
German Bundesliga Table
R Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Bayern Munich 7 7 0 0 23 3 +20 21
2 Borussia Dortmund 7 5 2 0 21 6 +15 17
3 Schalke 04 7 5 1 1 10 5 +5 16
4 Wolfsburg 7 3 3 1 10 8 +2 12
5 Bayer Leverkusen 7 4 0 3 7 8 -1 12
Top Scorers
R Player Team Goals
1 R. Lewandoski B. Munich 10
2 P. Aubameyang B. Dortmund 9
3 T. Muller B. Munich 6
4 B. Dost Wolfsburg 6
5 Y. Malli Mainz 5
Assists
Player Team Assists
D. Costa B. Munich 5
M. Ginter B. Dortmund 4
Raffael B. Monchengladbach 4
S. Kagawa B. Dortmund 3
H. Mkhitaryan B. Dortmund 3
Disciplinary (bad boys)
Player Team Yellow card Red card
G. Xhaka B. Monchengladbach 3 1
Wendell B. Leverkusen 4 0
M. Leckie Ingolstadt 4 0
D. Didavi Stuttgart 4 0
P. Verhaegh Augsburg 4 0
Ligue 1 Table
R Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 PSG 8 6 2 0 17 4 +13 20
2 St Etienne 8 5 1 2 11 9 +2 16
3 Rennes 8 4 3 1 12 7 +5 15
4 Reims 8 4 3 1 11 6 +5 15
5 Angers 8 4 3 1 9 5 +4 15
Top Scorers
R Player Team Goals
1 H. Ben Arfa Nice 6
E. Cavani PSG 6
3 M. Batshuayi Marseille 5
4 G. Sio Rennes 4
W. Khazri Bordeaux 4
Assists
Player Team Assists
W. Khazri Bordeaux 4
J. Briand Guingamp 3
G. Kyei Reims 3
A. Di Maria PSG 3
J. Pastore PSG 3
Disciplinary (bad boys)
Player Team Yellow card Red card
B. Mendy Marseille 3 1
R. Bensebaini Montpellier 4 0
J. Kankava Reims 4 0
S. Boufal Lille 4 0
R. Saiss Angers 4 0
Premier League Table
R Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Manchester United 7 5 1 1 12 5 +7 16
2 Manchester City 7 5 0 2 13 6 +7 15
3 West Ham 7 4 1 2 15 9 +6 13
4 Arsenal 7 4 1 2 10 7 +3 13
5 Everton 7 3 3 1 11 7 +4 12
Top Scorers
R Player Team Goals
1 J.Vardy Leicester 6
2 C.Wilson Bournemouth 5
R.Mahrez Leicester 5
4 G.Pelle Southampton 4
O.Ighalo Watford 4
Assists
Player Team Assists
W. Hoolahan Norwich 5
D. Silva Man City 4
Y. Toure Man City 4
R. Mahrez Leicester 3
M. Albrighton Leicester 3
Disciplinary (bad boys)
Player Team Yellow card Red card
A. Tettey Norwich 5 0
E. Dier Totenham 4 0
J. Colback Newcastle 4 0
B. Jones Sunderland 4 0
A. Mitrovic Newcastle 2 1
Top Goal Scorers in Europe
R Player Team Goals
1 Lewandoski B.Munich 30
2 P. Aubameyang B. Dortmund 9
3 Eder Sampdoria 6
4 Ben Arfa Nice 6
5 Vardy Leicester 6
Most Assist in Europe
R Player Team Assists
1 D. Costa B. Munich 5
2 W. Hoolahan Norwich 5
3 W. Khazri Bordeaux 4
4 D. Silva Man City 4
5 M. Ginter B. Dortmund 4
The question on everyones’ lips would be, why is she thinking about Mikel Obi. Surely, Mikel Obi’s girlfriend Olga’s eyes would pop out at the headline. Seriously, this is all about his dwindling career.
Mikel was that young lad, a delight of the nation when at the age of 12 he made it as a talented player to the prestigious Pepsi Football Academy.
He dazzled us with skills and humility and in no time, big clubs had to battle for his signature. He was prematurely unveiled by Manchester United before being gazumped by Chelsea. Indeed, It was a war between the English football mighty. Mikel was that superb.
Ten years after winning medals with Lionel Messi in the same tournament under different categories, he has not really progressed as Messi has done.
So far as a Chelsea player he has not done so well for his career but done superbly well for his bank accounts.
Truth be told, he has not been productive, his presence has not been felt at club and country. Till date, he is the biggest name and biggest player in the current squad of the super eagles.
Unfortunately, he is one of the less productive with minimal impact or contribution to the team, I wonder what went wrong.
Jose Mourinho recently showed his confidence in Mikel and insisted he will not be leaving. Great News he is staying back at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, every player wants to play under a great Coach like him.
However, he was linked with a move to Fenerbahce and another team in Dubai, so you mean no club in the EPL wants to buy Mikel? That’s a confirmation of his regression.
As a prospective Super Eagles Captain, his leadership skills leaves a lot to be desired. Another super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu once said in an interview that he was inspired by Mikel Obi.
No doubt, Ogu might be one of many others, but how long has he carried on inspiring? Which of the upcoming players want to watch his video to learn, backpass or overlap? Judging by his recent contributions to club and country.
Mikel was suspended in 2007 by Berti Vogts and after apologies he was seen as deemed fit to adorn the Green and white jersey. This same player won the man of the match against Iran at the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil.
Mikel has won the English Premiership twice, FA Cup four times, UEFA, African Cup of Nations amongst others, but can he be proud of his personal contributions to this medals after his retirement?
Not forgetting, he played different roles for Nigeria and Chelsea, maybe he will be better served by playing for a team that can utilize and use him in a position where he is best at which is attacking midfield. Hanging around at Chelsea is not necessarily good for his own career progression or any positive impact he might make in the Nigerian team.
He seems to have lost his zeal/mojo, maybe because of the financial reward he is priviledged to be making at Chelsea which is synonymous with other players. He needs to rediscover what got him to this stage in the first place.
With the generation of new midfielders joining Chelsea and being one of the oldest Chelsea players, he should be celebrated in the team. Coming home now, Can Oliseh build his midfield around Mikel? Can we say he is the next in line to become the Super Eagles captain?
It seems Chelsea can’t wait to sell him off, even this past premier league season he didn’t appear much. Isn’t he worried himself. He is dispensable to Chelsea and looking like a matter of ‘for now’ and I am truly concerned about where he will end up in August.
Moreover, he is yet to be allocated a squad number for the upcoming season in Chelsea. Anything is still possible before the transfer window closes. Victor Moses we know for sure will be staying at Chelsea as he has gotten his squad number.
Mikel should still be on top of his career at age 28. My advise; He should get back his zeal and desire to be the best. It is never too late for him to work harder, The potentials are still there, he can still make more powerful effect in the team.
Nigerians are looking forward to him performing to the best of his abilities which can be better than recent years.
Gerrard at age 35 is still doing well, I picture another 10 years of active football career for Mikel if he wants it. He is certainly too skillful to be “bench-warming”
It is never too late. Mikel Obi should get back in the groove of enjoying his football, start working hard, look back and search for where he has gone wrong and make amends, we miss him.Nigerians missed his on-field skills.
Get back to basics. Please come back our dear Mikel Obi
Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello
Twitter @Aderonkew
Even without playing in the final of the UEFA Champions League In Berlin Last night Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has finished joint Top scorer in the 2014/2015 Season alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar who both played in the final against Juventus.
Messi has however achieved this feat by playing 13 games while Ronaldo and Neymar have played 12 games each.
Messi has also ended the Champions league season with the most assist, he has made six assist two more than former teammate Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea, Koke of Atletico Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo who have all got 4 assist each.
Ronaldo and Messi are also tied at top of the UEFA All Time Goal Scorers Chart with 77 goals. Followed by Raul Gonzalez on 71, Ruud van Nistelrooy 56, and Thierry Henry on 50.
2014/15 UEFA Champions League top assists
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) 6
Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea FC) 4
Koke (Club Atlético de Madrid) 4
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF) 4
2014/15 UEFA Champions League top scorers
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) 10
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF) 10
Neymar (FC Barcelona) 10
Luiz Adriano (FC Shakhtar Donetsk) 9
UEFA Champions League All Time Top Scorers:
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) 77
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF) 77
Raúl González (Real Madrid CF, FC Schalke 04) 71
Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF) 56
Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona) 50
newfanzone 