Transfer: Chelsea decide on Willian’s move to Barcelona, Atletico
Madrid
Chelsea have
finally decided not to allow forward Willian to leave Stamford Bridge in this
summer transfer window, after rejecting a £35million offer from Barcelona and
Atletico Madrid for the winger, Sky Sports reports.
The report claimed
that Chelsea are willing to offer Willian a new two-year deal after declining
bids from Barca and Atletico.
Willian has drawn
interests from both the Spanish La Liga giants in recent months.
The Brazilian
joined the Blues from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 and has made over 250
appearances for the West London club.
His current
contract at Chelsea will expire next year.
The 30-year-old has
helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles, the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL
Cup during his time at the club.
AFCON 2019: Aghahowa sends strong message to Rohr over team selection
Former Nigeria
striker, Julius Aghahowa, has advised head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot
Rohr, to maintain a consistent selection, as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
kicks off this weekend.
Aghahowa also urged
the team to get their acts together in Egypt.
“As we head into
this tournament, a lineup filled with a consistent selection from the coach
will be an integral decision to posing a huge threat of winning the title.
“I know frequent
changes would be made but fielding players who are familiar with playing each
other would be key and will also give us the edge over any team in the African
Cup of Nations,” Aghahowa told AOIfootball.
The former Wigan
Athletic striker also gave a few thoughts on the Gernot Rohr’s final squad
selection.
“I am happy with
the final 23-man list made by the coach. He knows why he dropped others, and we
must respect that.
“They were all good
players but of course, some had to be dropped because you can’t go with
everyone,” he concluded.
Transfer: Real Madrid to unveil Zidane’s fifth signing today
Real Madrid will
unveil their latest summer signing, Rodrygo Goes, on Tuesday after the
18-year-old’s loan deal at Santos was brought to an end, AS reports.
Madrid paid the
Brazilian club 40 million euros for the under-20 international last summer and
then loaned him back for a season as part of the deal.
Santos were keen to
extend the arrangement, but the LaLiga giants want the attacker to join up with
the squad as soon as possible, as Zinedine Zidane continues to overhaul his
squad following the arrivals of Eden Hazard, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and
Luka Jovic.
He will undergo the
obligatory medical, before giving his first press conference as a Madrid player
later in the day.
“It motivates me to
go to Madrid. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“For the sheer size
of them, it is scary, but it’s a good fear. It motivates me even more and it
means I have to show why they have confidence in me to sign me,” Rodrygo said
as he bade farewell to Santos.
Nigeria vs France: How Nigerians reacted to Super Falcons defeat
Different reactions
from Nigerians have trailed Super Falcons of Nigeria 1-0 defeat to France in
their final Group A fixture at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday.
We reported
that Nigeria, on Monday night, was
defeated 1-0 by the host nation at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
The Super Falcons
came into the game, needing at least a point to give themselves a good chance
of qualifying for the Round of 16.
However, having
held on for most of the game, the African champions conceded a penalty in the
75th minute.
Wendie Renard
missed her first kick, but referee Melissa Paola Borjas Pastrana ordered for it
to be retaken, while showing a yellow card to Chiamaka Nnadozie for not keeping
a foot on the line.
Renard made no
mistakes the second time, as the hosts finished top of the group with nine
points.
However, reacting
on social media, some Nigerians lamented about racism against Super Falcons
during their match with France.
Here are some
reactions gathered by Naija Voice from Twitter:
@Akaebube “France 1
– 0 Nigeria that Referee did her youth service in Buhari’s NBC. She was looking
for anything in the rules to gag us. Any small thing, she will say we’ve
crossed the “RED” Line.”
@Lesegodebaks “We
are fighting racism and Injustices” said someone from FIFA, but what happened
to Nigeria it was a clear practice of racism and Injustices activities. Super
Falcons you are the best. Africa the best producer of Sports.”
@JenaaitUtsteeds
“Dear Nigerians, @LMCNPFL Dutch TV discovered that the second French penalty is
INVALID because French player Amandine Henry was too soon into the box. Nigeria
football should LODGE an official protest! It’s an outrage!
@realdanielemeka
“Appreciation Tweet to this Falcon, well done Nnadozie.”
@SirLeoDaSilva “How
can that be a penalty when she didn’t have the ball under control?
@Jibolaojelade
“#NGAFRA,Truly, it is FIFA;
F- Football
I- Isn’t
F- For
A Africa
@Abiodunmatthe18
“Despite the day light robbery against FIFA, referee, VAR, Commentator, they
can only achieve a goal.
Nigerians are very proud of Super falcons. I pray we qualify.”
@ChijokeUchev
“Sadly, the Super Falcons were playing against the French team, the commentator
and the referee. At a point, VAR and FIFA sided with their opponents. It’s a
miracle that we only lost by one goal.”
@Aracb1 “In marxist
terms, I would say the penalties in this world cup are a tool for the big teams
to oppress the poor teams.”
@SlothyST30
“Nigeria’s whole team put up an excellent fight and managed to keep a team like
France 0-0 until The refs ruined it for them. Sorry Nigeria deserved that win.”
@Tonyoboh4 “The
referee for the France Nigerian match was so bad, why red card the Nigerian
player, they both where inside the 18 and struggling for the Ball then the
France player just fell I feel so bad and will not watch FIFA tournament again
never!
@Kedrabrown “Player
of the match is the Goalie from Nigeria! She is incredible at only 18 yrs! They
should make a rule that you can’t STOP mid run and fake out goalie to make her
move early… she made the stop. This rule sucks bc kicker has total advantage.”
@Officilmaxwin “It
been long we saw this kind of passion in the Nigeria football team.”
@communitykeb “So
VAR can see the Nigerian goalkeeper and inch off the line, but can’t see a
French player a meter into the box? #NGAFRA VAR is not for this purpose!
@Chiefowuo “FIFA
rules, it’s such a shame that they couldn’t abide by some of their own rules in
Nigeria vs France.”
@Coolnab2 “FIFA don
show us pepper again, but the girls tried, I wish them a safe best loser
position so that they will have the opportunity to prove themselves to the
world.“
@Temitopeomoniyi
“Great job, Chiamaka!
We’re proud of your spirited performance for Super Falcons and Nigeria as a
whole.You deserve some accolades!
