Victor Osimhen has revealed that nothing makes him happier than seeing his family living comfortably and far away from the life of penury they used to know.
Sports
Super Eagles Striker, Chukwueze Dares Messi With Customized Boot
Super Eagles’ and Villarreal of Spain wonder kid, Samuel Chukwueze has acquired a customized boot ahead Barcelona icon, Lionel Messi in the ongoing Spanish La-Liga season.
The flashy red coloured boots, which was produced by Nike to suit the Nigerian soccer star, was displayed in a thirteen-minute video on his verified instagram page.
Chukwueze the cynosure of all eyes during his club 1-2 victory against host Deportivo Alavez in last weekend Spanish league designed the boot with Nigeria green and white colours after which he stamped his name, “ Chukwueze 11” on boot side of the wears.
Meanwhile, Argentine star, Messi is yet to get one in the ongoing season after he received an Adidas Customized boot two seasons ago. Ever since then, the world soccer star is yet to flaunt a new one on the pitch of play.
Messi’s boot, which is similar to that of the Nigerian star boy, was designed with Argentina flag colour while the caption reads “ Messi 10”.
Read Also: LaLiga: Barcelona Players Banned From Tackling Messi In Training
Surprisingly, Messi tipped Chukwueze for the Under 21 category of the 2019 Balon’d’or award while the Nigerian did same by nominating the Argentine for the prestigious award.
Chukwueze known for his flamboyant lifestyle has netted eight goals in forty-five appearances for the Yellow Submarine.
The 20-years old AFCON Bronze medalist has inspired the club to 8th position on the Spanish log.
Nigerian Footballer And Mom Involved In Car Auto Crash
Ex-Super Eagles Midfielder, Christian Obodo, and his mother had been involved in a ghastly auto accident in Delta State, on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
The accident occurred along the Ozo road in Delta state, leaving the blue saloon car badly damaged, however, they survived the auto crash.
Narrating the ordeal, Obodo revealed the accident was the second he had this year.
“That was two days ago I was coming back from Enugu where I went to bury my Uncle on the 16th,” he said about the car wreckage.
“At about 3 pm along Ozoro, I was driving at about 110 [km/h].
READ ALSO: 5 Nigerian Celebrities Who Killed People In Real Life – Number 4 Will Shock You (Photos)
“The road was a freeway, but then I noticed a pothole and started to pump the brakes to avoid running into it. But as I was trying to avoid running into a ditch in the middle of the road, then I lost control of the car and the next thing I knew, the car flipped as we were thrown off the road into a pillar.
“I had my 65-year-old mum and younger brother with me in the car, we came through without a scratch. When I went back to see the wreckage, I burst into tears because I knew I was lucky to be alive.”
“The first incident happened on the 16th of this month, I was driving to my Community with two relatives when a trailer, crashed into us from behind. The driver said the truck had no brakes and he had lost control at the time.”
Follow us on Facebook
EPL: Has Ndidi Outperformed Kante At Leicester City?
Wilfred Ndidi has probably got a little tired of hearing N’Golo Kante’s name over the past couple of years.
After all, since the 22-year-old defensive midfielder joined Leicester in January 2017 he has regularly found himself compared to the Chelsea midfielder, who was an instrumental part of the Foxes’ title-winning team in 2015-16.
But maybe now is the time for the comparisons to stop.
Ndidi is not just filling the void left by Kante, he has developed into one of the best players in his position and is arguably the fulcrum in a Leicester team that is fighting for a top-four finish in the Premier League and at one stage looked like battling with Liverpool for top spot.
It is also probably no coincidence that Leicester’s title challenge – admittedly unlikely against an imperious Liverpool side – faded when Ndidi suffered an injury in early January.
His return is significant for the Foxes, who beat West Ham 4-1 on his comeback last week to end a three-game winless run, and who face Aston Villa in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday with the tie level at 1-1.
Such is his influence that when he missed three games this month for Leicester through injury, the Foxes failed to win any of them.
He missed two Premier League matches during that spell on the sidelines yet still tops the table for most tackles made in the top flight. And by some distance.
Most tackles in the Premier League (midfielders)
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) 86
Joao Moutinho (Wolves) 65
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) 62
Emiliano Buendia (Norwich) 57
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Southampton) 57
“I think he is the best in the Premier League at tackling and winning the ball back,” Ndidi’s team-mate James Maddison told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.
“Kante is a brilliant player but actually winning the ball back and taking the ball off the opposition I don’t think there is anyone better than Wilfred.
“Sometimes you get a player like that and what he does doesn’t get talked about on the back pages, it doesn’t maybe get talked about on Match of the Day.
“However, us as team-mates know what he does and it lets players like myself and Youri Tielemans do our thing higher up the pitch because we know we have that solidarity behind us.”
So how did Ndidi develop into one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe? It all started with a ball made of Sellotape…
There is something simplistic yet regimented about Ndidi’s role on the pitch – break up attacks, win back possession and pass.
Rinse and repeat.Ndidi Becomes Best Tackler In EPL
The type of footballer he is can perhaps be traced back to his upbringing.
Born in 1996 to a military father, Ndidi grew up in a Lagos barracks. Discipline and education were the priority while football was a passion his father frowned upon.
“Any time my dad went to work I would go and play,” Ndidi said in an interview with BBC World Service.
“I would then get the signal that he was coming and go back to what I was doing, so he didn’t know I’d been playing. I got caught several times but was still going. I love football. I just want to play.”
While many of his Leicester team-mates started their careers in the academies of professional football clubs, Ndidi’s football education came on the roads around the military barracks he grew up in.
“We would wrap sheets of papers up and using Sellotape make it into a ball,” he adds.
“There was no money to buy footballs.
Read Also: EPL: Ndidi Under Fire For Mistake That Led To Chelsea’s Goal In 1-1 Draw
“We played on the main road, using two tyres as goals. The big guys were using the good pitch, we had nothing to use and just played on the road.”
It was during these formative years that Ndidi came across a person who he credits as one of the most influential in his career.
Coaching the army barracks youth team was former Nigeria international Nduka Ugbade, a tough disciplinarian who pushed the young players to their limits both physically and mentally.
“Ugbade is one of the biggest names in African football,” Africa-based sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji tells BBC Sport.
“His opinion is respected and if he speaks to you, you listen. There is no limit with him. No excuses. He is a hard trainer but will not stretch you beyond your ability.”
Still, the tough training was too much for some but, as a skinny teenager who was also smaller than his peers, Ndidi felt such a work ethic would benefit him.
Read Also: Super Eagles Star, Ndidi Enrols In UK University, Gives Reasons
‘Take the ball and pass’ – keeping it simple pays dividends
The discipline he developed from being coached by Ugbade meant he treated every game equally – competitive or friendly – and his big chance to impress the wider world came in a tournament in Nigeria, where international scouts were watching.
“There were about 40 teams that came for the tournament,” says Ndidi. “I got the ball and made a run, a one-two run into the middle. I gave a simple pass to the striker.
No-one had seen him so I just gave it to him between the defenders and he went and scored. That was the only game I played.”
For Roland Janssen, a Genk scout at the tournament, that one game was enough.
Impressed with the teenager’s work rate he invited Ndidi for a trial with the Belgian side.
“When I came to Belgium the coach was Alex McLeish and he was putting me at right-back and left-back,” Ndidi continues.
Read Also: Super Eagles Midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi Shares Lovely Photos From His Wedding
“Then a new coach came in and put me in midfield but it was so strange because the first game I played there I was substituted in the 32nd minute.
“After that I went back to basics – take the ball, look around, pass, take the ball, look around, pass.”
‘Kante is brilliant but there’s no-one better than Ndidi’
Keeping it simple has undoubtedly worked wonders for Ndidi and statistically he is now one of the best players in his position.
Stopping attacks while studying at the University
Ndidi’s statistics are all the more impressive when you consider he is combining being the best defensive midfielder in Europe with studying for a degree.
Having found himself with plenty of spare time after training, Ndidi last year enrolled onto a business management course at De Montfort University in Leicester.
“It is easy to get carried away with the bright lights of the big cities when you move to England, but that’s not Ndidi,” continues Okeleji.
Read Also: Super Eagles Player Rated In The Same Class With CR7, Messi
“He is learning how to invest his money properly. Legends of the game have struggled in Africa after their playing careers have come to an end.
“Instead of going home and watching films he wanted to do something productive with his time.
“He may sometimes play PlayStation with his friends but otherwise it is just about football and studying.”
He wants to be his own man
It takes a lot to frustrate Ndidi, described by those who see him behind the scenes at Leicester as one of the most laid-back players at the club.
At Genk, he was nicknamed Teddy Bear because of his calm demeanour and ability to take being the butt of some of the team’s jokes in good humour.
But comparisons with Kante are one thing he struggles to smile about.
“Any time someone mentions it to him it does upset him a bit,” adds Okeleji.
Read Also: Five Things We Learned From The Premier League Last Weekend
“There is obviously great respect there but now he wants to be his own man. He feels he has established himself in his own right.”
Wilfred Ndidi has probably got a little tired of hearing N’Golo Kante’s name over the past couple of years.
After all, since the 22-year-old defensive midfielder joined Leicester in January 2017 he has regularly found himself compared to the Chelsea midfielder, who was an instrumental part of the Foxes’ title-winning team in 2015-16.
But maybe now is the time for the comparisons to stop.
Ndidi is not just filling the void left by Kante, he has developed into one of the best players in his position and is arguably the fulcrum in a Leicester team that is fighting for a top-four finish in the Premier League and at one stage looked like battling with Liverpool for top spot.
It is also probably no coincidence that Leicester’s title challenge – admittedly unlikely against an imperious Liverpool side – faded when Ndidi suffered an injury in early January.
Read Also: EPL: Pochettino Gives Condition To Replace Solskjaer At Man United
His return is significant for the Foxes, who beat West Ham 4-1 on his comeback last week to end a three-game winless run, and who face Aston Villa in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday with the tie level at 1-1.
Such is his influence that when he missed three games this month for Leicester through injury, the Foxes failed to win any of them.
He missed two Premier League matches during that spell on the sidelines yet still tops the table for most tackles made in the top flight. And by some distance.
Most tackles in the Premier League (midfielders)
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) 86
Joao Moutinho (Wolves) 65
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) 62
Emiliano Buendia (Norwich) 57
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Southampton) 57
“I think he is the best in the Premier League at tackling and winning the ball back,” Ndidi’s team-mate James Maddison told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.
“Kante is a brilliant player but actually winning the ball back and taking the ball off the opposition I don’t think there is anyone better than Wilfred.
“Sometimes you get a player like that and what he does doesn’t get talked about on the back pages, it doesn’t maybe get talked about on Match of the Day.
“However, us as team-mates know what he does and it lets players like myself and Youri Tielemans do our thing higher up the pitch because we know we have that solidarity behind us.”
So how did Ndidi develop into one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe? It all started with a ball made of Sellotape…
There is something simplistic yet regimented about Ndidi’s role on the pitch – break up attacks, win back possession and pass.
Rinse and repeat.
The type of footballer he is can perhaps be traced back to his upbringing.
Born in 1996 to a military father, Ndidi grew up in a Lagos barracks. Discipline and education were the priority while football was a passion his father frowned upon.
“Any time my dad went to work I would go and play,” Ndidi said in an interview with BBC World Service.
“I would then get the signal that he was coming and go back to what I was doing, so he didn’t know I’d been playing. I got caught several times but was still going. I love football. I just want to play.”
While many of his Leicester team-mates started their careers in the academies of professional football clubs, Ndidi’s football education came on the roads around the military barracks he grew up in.
“We would wrap sheets of papers up and using Sellotape make it into a ball,” he adds.
“There was no money to buy footballs.
“We played on the main road, using two tyres as goals. The big guys were using the good pitch, we had nothing to use and just played on the road.”
It was during these formative years that Ndidi came across a person who he credits as one of the most influential in his career.
Coaching the army barracks youth team was former Nigeria international Nduka Ugbade, a tough disciplinarian who pushed the young players to their limits both physically and mentally.
“Ugbade is one of the biggest names in African football,” Africa-based sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji tells BBC Sport.
“His opinion is respected and if he speaks to you, you listen. There is no limit with him. No excuses. He is a hard trainer but will not stretch you beyond your ability.”
Still, the tough training was too much for some but, as a skinny teenager who was also smaller than his peers, Ndidi felt such a work ethic would benefit him.
‘Take the ball and pass’ – keeping it simple pays dividends
The discipline he developed from being coached by Ugbade meant he treated every game equally – competitive or friendly – and his big chance to impress the wider world came in a tournament in Nigeria, where international scouts were watching.
“There were about 40 teams that came for the tournament,” says Ndidi. “I got the ball and made a run, a one-two run into the middle. I gave a simple pass to the striker.
No-one had seen him so I just gave it to him between the defenders and he went and scored. That was the only game I played.”
For Roland Janssen, a Genk scout at the tournament, that one game was enough.
Impressed with the teenager’s work rate he invited Ndidi for a trial with the Belgian side.
“When I came to Belgium the coach was Alex McLeish and he was putting me at right-back and left-back,” Ndidi continues.
“Then a new coach came in and put me in midfield but it was so strange because the first game I played there I was substituted in the 32nd minute.
“After that I went back to basics – take the ball, look around, pass, take the ball, look around, pass.”
‘Kante is brilliant but there’s no-one better than Ndidi’
Keeping it simple has undoubtedly worked wonders for Ndidi and statistically he is now one of the best players in his position.
Stopping attacks while studying at the University
Ndidi’s statistics are all the more impressive when you consider he is combining being the best defensive midfielder in Europe with studying for a degree.
Having found himself with plenty of spare time after training, Ndidi last year enrolled onto a business management course at De Montfort University in Leicester.
“It is easy to get carried away with the bright lights of the big cities when you move to England, but that’s not Ndidi,” continues Okeleji.
“He is learning how to invest his money properly. Legends of the game have struggled in Africa after their playing careers have come to an end.
“Instead of going home and watching films he wanted to do something productive with his time.
“He may sometimes play PlayStation with his friends but otherwise it is just about football and studying.”
He wants to be his own man
It takes a lot to frustrate Ndidi, described by those who see him behind the scenes at Leicester as one of the most laid-back players at the club.
At Genk, he was nicknamed Teddy Bear because of his calm demeanour and ability to take being the butt of some of the team’s jokes in good humour.
But comparisons with Kante are one thing he struggles to smile about.
“Any time someone mentions it to him it does upset him a bit,” adds Okeleji.
“There is obviously great respect there but now he wants to be his own man. He feels he has established himself in his own right.”
New Coaches Will Be Appointed For Nigeria National Teams In February – NFF Reveals
The Nigeria Football Federation says coaches for all the national teams except the Super Eagles will be named in February.
The General Secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, in a chat with journalists said the federation has saddled consultants with the responsibility of selecting coaches for the other men and women’s national teams.
“The consultants saddled with the responsibility of recruiting and recommending are expected to turn in the chosen coaches for the Super Falcons, U-23 Eagles, Flying Eagles, Falconets, Flamingos, Golden Eaglets and Future Eagles for the NFF executive to approve and announce the appointments,” Sanusi said.
“We know we have some qualifying matches starting with the U-17 women’s team early March, and we shall hopefully announce a list of successful coaches for the approval of the Executive Committee of the NFF.
“The consultants are working round the clock, and hopefully, the list of those recruited should be out in February.
Read Also: Nigeria Jump To 31st In The World In The Latest FIFA Ranking
“We expect the consultants to do a thorough job and recruit the best coaches among those who applied. I can assure Nigerians that the NFF will employ the best coaches for our national teams soon.”
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr whose contract with the NFF expired in June, but he is expected to resume negotiations for a new contract in February.
Eden Hazard Might Return To Action Against Manchester City
Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard is set to miss Spanish league derby clash with Atletico but the ex-Chelsea super star is targeting Champions League showdown against Manchester City for his return to action following long spell on the sideline for ankle injury.
The Belgian dazzling winger has been out of action for two months with an ankle injury he sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League back in November.
Hazard has just returned to training but according to Spanish publication AS, he did not participate in Monday’s full session with the rest of the squad and has been ruled out of Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated derby against Atletico.
Hazard is now eyeing up a return to action in the first-leg of Madrid’s Champions League last-16 tie against Premier League outfit City at the Bernabeu on February 26.
The Belgium international has endured a very tough start to life in Madrid following his £150million move from Chelsea in the summer. Injuries have derailed his goals this season, scoring just once and creating four assists in 13 appearances in all competitions.
Hazard is now eyeing up a return to action in the first-leg of Madrid’s Champions League last-16 tie against Premier League outfit City at the Bernabeu on February 26.
The Belgium international has endured a very tough start to life in Madrid following his £150million move from Chelsea in the summer. Injuries have derailed his goals this season, scoring just once and creating four assists in 13 appearances in all competitions.
Micheal Jordan, Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo Mourn Kobe Bryant
NBA legend, Michael Jordan has expressed shock over the death of Kobe Bryant. The former Los Angeles Lakers star described the news of Kobe’s death as ‘painful’ even as he described him as ‘a little brother, fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.”
Jordan’s spokesperson in a statement wrote: “I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe-he was like a little brother to me.
“We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.
“Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply-and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball. Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization and basketball fans around the world.”
Read Also: French Montana hospitalized
Kobe was travelling on Sunday with at least 9 other people in his private helicopter when his helicopter went down and fire broke out.
Kobe’s daughter Gianna was also reported to have been on board the helicopter and died alongside her father in the crash in Calabasas on Sunday.
Kobe who used a helicopter to travel for years was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.
KB is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their three daughters – Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
He won five NBA championships and the 2008 MVP Award with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar, flashed the number “24” with his fingers, during their 2-0 win over Lille on Sunday, in honour of former NBA star, Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash earlier in the day along with his daughter, Gianni.
Read Also: HOW WE SURVIVED HELICOPTER CRASH WITH OSINBAJO — PRESIDENTIAL AIDE
Neymar scored twice to help PSG extend their Ligue 1 lead to 10 points. After the second goal, he made the gesture and pointed to the sky in front of a camera.
After the match, Neymar said “I saw the messages [about Bryant] on social media at half-time. It’s a big sadness for the world of sport and for all of us, not just basketball fans.
“I knew him and I did this celebration for him. I hope he will rest in peace.”
Neymar’s former Barcelona teammate, Lionel Messi, wrote on Instagram: “I have no words. All my love for Kobe’s family and friends. It was a pleasure to meet you and share good times together. We lost a genius like no other.”
Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has mourned the passing of Basketball legend, Kobe Bryant.
In his reaction, Ronaldo, who scored a goal in his side’s Serie A 2-1 defeat against Napoli on Sunday, wrote on his official Twitter page: “So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna.
Read Also: Kanye West Reveals How He Battled Devil And Alcohol
“Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many.
“Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend.”
Serie A: I’m Happy We Lost To Napoli – Juventus Coach
Juventus boss, Maurizio Sarri has said that he was happy for Napoli after they defeated his team in their Serie A clash on Sunday.
Juventus were handed their second defeat in the league this season and also missed the chance to move six points clear of Inter Milan.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted his eighth goal in eight games in a row, but it was not enough to help Juve after Piotr Zielinski and Lorenzo Insigne put Napoli 2-0 ahead.
Sarri told Sky Sports Italia that he was glad to see his former club, Napoli arrest their slump, even against his current club.
“I am happy for the lads, as I will always be fond of them.
“If you have to lose, I guess I’d rather it be here to help Napoli get out of their current problems. I’d rather they started winning next week, of course.
“Clearly, the game takes over and you have to detach yourself from everything around that. Napoli represented a special moment in my life and it’s always pleasing and emotional to be back here.
“We should have felt more motivated to break away [from Inter] rather than less, otherwise this will mean we are weak. I would hope not.
“If that situation weighed on us, even unconsciously, it means we are not ready yet.”
Sarri felt let down by the “passive and extremely bland” Juventus attitude but stated if he had to lose to any team, he’s “glad it was Napoli.”
The Turin-based club had lost only two competitive matches under Sarri leading up to the match, both against Lazio in Serie A and the Italian Supercup.
Read Also: Transfer: Pogba’s Might Leave Manchester United – Agent Hints
It was Sarri’s first time facing his former club Napoli since leaving, as, during the 4-3 result in Turin back in August last year, he was at home recovering from pneumonia.
Basketball Legend, Kobe Bryant Alongside Four Others Dies In Helicopter Crash
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant has been confirmed dead in a helicopter crash in California, aged 41.
The NBA legend who enjoyed an amazing 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers during his prime was travelling in his private helicopter when it crashed on Sunday morning amid foggy conditions in the hills above Calabasas at around 10am local time, killing Bryant and four other people on board.
The chopper is said to have caught fire after going down, as emergency services battled in vain to save those on board.
Read Also: 15 Confirmed Dead in Another Anambra Auto Crash (Photos)
Five people in total have been confirmed dead as the cause of the crash is still under investigation
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
EPL Clubs And The Players They Want To Sign Before January Transfer Closes
The January transfer window is entering its final week and managers are scrambling with their chairman to get those final deals over the line.
Some managers need fresh faces to stave off the threat of relegation, and for others it is a case of finding a diamond in the rough to help achieve a European finish.
TYhese are each club needs, who could be moved on and who they are targeting in the final seven days of the 2020 winter window.
ARSENAL
What they need: Centre back, left-back, midfielder
Who do they like: Upamecano (RB Leipzig), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Glen Kamara (Rangers), Rabiot (Juventus), Matviyenko (Shakhtar), Kurzawa (PSG), Soumare (Lille), Dakonam (Getafe), Bruno Guimaraes (Paranaense)
Who could go: No one
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Smith Rowe (Huddersfield Town, loan), Mavropanos (Nuremburg, loan), Ben Sheaf (Doncaster Rovers, loan), John-Jules (Lincoln City, loan), Iliev (Jagiellonia Bialystok, loan)
Budget: £30m
Mikel Arteta has only just got his feet under the table at the Emirates Stadium but will still be keen to make his own imprint on the squad following a tough few weeks in the hotseat.
Shoring up a shaky back-line will be a priority in the final seven days, with Layvin Kurzawa and Djene Dakonam being mooted as likely options.
Read Also: Transfer: Chelsea Set To Sign David Alaba For £60m
CHELSEA
What they need: Full-back, centre-back, centre forward, winger
Who do they like: Werner (RB Leipzig), Moussa Dembele (Lyon), Zaha (Crystal Palace), Richarlison (Everton), Sancho (Dortmund), Ben White (Brighton), Ake (Bournemouth), Kenny (Everton), Cavani (PSG), Telles (Porto), Soumare (Lille), Ruiz-Atil (PSG)
Who could go: Giroud, Batshuayi, Emerson, Alonso, Pedro, Barkley
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Drinkwater (Aston Villa, loan), Guehi (Swansea, loan), Gallagher (Swansea, loan), Moses (Inter, loan), Blackman (Bristol Rovers, loan)
Budget: £125m
With Chelsea no longer under a transfer ban, everyone thought Frank Lampard would get stuck into the transfer market this month.
However, it’s been quiet at Stamford Bridge until now, with five players leaving the club and no new arrivals.
Tammy Abraham hobbled off in the draw with Arsenal on Wednesday, which is likely to accelerate Lampard’s search for a striker. Edinson Cavani is the one he wants.
LIVERPOOL
What they need: Left-back, midfield, forward
Who do they like: Ben White (Brighton), Ferran Torres (Valencia), Bellingham (Birmingham), McCallum (Coventry), Max Clark (Vitesse), Soumare (Lille), Tonali (Brescia), Havertz (Leverkusen)
Who could go: Curtis Jones, Kelleher (on loan)
Who’s arrived: Minamino (Salzburg, £7.3m)
Who’s left: Brewster (Swansea, loan), Herbie Kane (Hull City, loan), Nathaniel Phillips (Stuttgart, loan), Christie-Davies (Cercle Brugge, loan), Allan Rodrigues (Mineiro, undisclosed), Atherton (Marine, loan)
Budget: £50m – but they are likely to save it until the summer
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was quick out of the blocks when it was announced the club had agreed a deal with Red Bull Salzburg for Takumi Minamino at the start of the window.
However, don’t expect the Reds to be too active in the final week of January. They could well save their funds for the summer window.
MANCHESTER CITY
What they need: Centre-backs, winger
Who do they like: Ake (Bournemouth), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Matviyenko (Shakhtar), Florentino Luis (Benfica), Larios (Barcelona), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Chukwueze (Villarreal), Pantovic (Red Star), Ihatarren (PSV), Bastoni (Inter)
Who could go: Sane, Otamendi, Cancelo, Stones
Who’s arrived: Liam Smith (Kilmarnock, £200,000)
Who’s left: Patrick Roberts (Middlesbrough, loan), Nmecha (Middlesbrough, loan)
Budget: £50m
Pep Guardiola’s men have dropped 16 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, all but confirming that they’ll have to concede the trophy in May. However, the former Barcelona boss may seek new faces to boost their Champions League challenge.
Even with Aymeric Laporte returning from injury, centre defence has proven a major weakness for City in this campaign and new additions at the back are the priority.
MANCHESTER UNITED
What they need: Two midfielders, striker
Who do they like: Cavani (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), Edouard (Celtic), Emre Can (Juventus), Paredes (PSG), Rice (West Ham), Bellingham (Birmingham), Soumare (Lille), Sean Longstaff (Newcastle), Saul (Atletico), Sancho (Dortmund), Grealish (Aston Villa), Maddison (Leicester), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Diop (West Ham), Rabiot (Juventus), Vidal (Barcelona), Vecino (Inter), Van de Beek (Ajax), Tonali (Brescia), Piatek (Milan)
Who could go: Rojo, Angel Gomes, Garner (loan), Chong (loan), Borthwick-Jackson
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Young (Inter, £1.5m), Hamilton (Bolton, loan), Fojticek (Stalybridge Celtic, loan), Max Taylor (Stalybridge Celtic, loan)
Budget: £100m
With the race for the top four so finely balanced, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be desperate to bring in some reinforcements before the end of the January window.
Bruno Fernandes has been a long-term midfield target, although the deal now appears to be off.
Having missed out on Erling Haaland and with Marcus Rashford set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, United are still on the hunt for a new striker.
TOTTENHAM
What they need: Full-back, centre back, striker
Who do they like: Ben White (Brighton), Kenny (Everton), Pereira (Leicester), Nathan Ferguson (WBA), Celik (Lille), Leon King (Rangers), Cyprien (Nice), Cavani (PSG), Soumare (Lille), Lemar (Atletico), Zaha (Crystal Palace), Umtiti (Barcelona), Semedo (Barcelona), Piatek (Milan), Aarons (Norwich), Ze Luis (Porto), Slimani (Leicester), Willian Jose (Real Sociedad)
Who could go: Eriksen, Wanyama, Rose, Vertonghen, Foyth, Kazaiah Sterling (loan), Walker-Peters
Who’s arrived: Gedson Fernandes (Benfica, loan)
Who’s left: Jack Clarke (QPR, loan), Maghoma (Brentford, undisclosed)
Budget: £60m – but are likely to save it until the summer
Jose Mourinho could not have been more complimentary of Tottenham’s squad when he arrived, but the Portuguese’s hand may have been forced after Harry Kane was ruled out for four months with a hamstring injury.
Porto’s Ze Luis and Willian Jose of Real Sociedad are among their options up-front, while full-back remains a desperate area for investment at Spurs.
ASTON VILLA
Who do they like: Josh Maja (Bordeaux), Benrahma (Brentford), Glen Kamara (Rangers), Tavernier (Middlesbrough), Elabdellaoui (Olympiacos), McCallum (Coventry), Giroud (Chelsea), Guirassy (Amiens), Slimani (Leicester), Benteke (Crystal Palace)
Who could go: Chester
Who’s arrived: Samatta (Genk, £10m), Drinkwater (Chelsea, loan), Reina (Milan, loan), Louie Barry (Barcelona, £3m)
Who’s left: Kodija (Al-Gharafam undisclosed), Suliman (Vitoria SC, undisclosed), Andre Green (Charlton, loan), Lovre Kalinic (Toulouse, loan)
BOURNEMOUTH
Who do they like: Joe Rodon (Swansea City), McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Grant (Huddersfield Town), Bowen (Hull), Bertrand Traore (Lyon), Larsen (Dortmund), Rose (Tottenham)
Who could go: Ake, Hyndman, Fraser, Surman
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Begovic (Milan, loan)
BRIGHTON
Who do they like: Tavernier (Rangers), Walker-Peters (Tottenham), Bohinen (Stabaek), Andersson (Union Berlin), Konate (Amiens), Hamilton (Hamilton), Chalov (CSKA Moscow), Guirassy (Amiens)
Who could go: Ben White, Duffy, Dunk, Murray
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Dreyer (Midtjylland, undisclosed), Sanders (Wimbledon, loan), Tilley (Grimsby Town, undisclosed), Baluta (ADO Den Haag, loan)
BURNLEY
Who do they like: Josh Maja (Bordeaux), Bogle (Derby), McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Hamilton (Hamilton), Tameze (Nice), Brownhill (Bristol City), Allen (Stoke), Fry (Middlesbrough)
Who could go: Gibson, Vydra, McNeil, Wells
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Drinkwater (Chelsea, end of loan), N’Guessan (Oldham, loan), Adam Phillips (Morecambe, loan), Cooney (Morecambe, loan), Wilson (Blyth Spartans, loan), Harris (Warrington Town, loan), Bayode (Curzon Ashton, loan), Glennon (Grimsby Town, loan), Benson (Grimsby Town, loan)
CRYSTAL PALACE
Who do they like: Ferguson (West Brom), Walker Peters (Tottenham), Tavernier (Rangers), Josh Maja (Bordeaux), Edouard (Celtic), McNeil (Burnley), Batshuayi (Chelsea), Nikolic (Chicago Fire), Carrasco (Dalian Yifang)
Who could go: McCarthy, Wickham
Who’s arrived: Banks (Dundee United, undisclosed), Tosun (Everton, loan)
Who’s left: Woods (Hamilton, loan), Camarasa (Real Betis, end of loan)
EVERTON
Who do they like: Ruben Dias, Ferro (Benfica), Rodon (Swansea), Rabiot (Juventus), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Walker-Peters (Tottenham), Everton (Gremio), Vecino (Inter), Emre Can (Juventus), Allan (Napoli), Hojbjerg (Southampton)
Who could go: Niasse, Kenny
Who’s arrived: Branthwaite (Carlisle, £1m)
Who’s left: Tosun (Crystal Palace, loan), Dowell (Wigan, loan), Connolly (Fleetwood Town, loan)
LEICESTER CITY
Who do they like: Vestergaard (Southampton), Ben White (Brighton), Tarkowski (Burnley), Buta (Royal Antwerp), Bowen (Hull), Grant (Huddersfield Town), McCallum (Coventry), Guirassy (Amiens)
Who could go: Amartey, Benkovic (loan), Slimani (loan)
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Andy King (Huddersfield, loan), Uche (Real Valladolid, undisclosed), George Thomas (ADO Den Haag, loan)
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Who do they like: Bowen (Hull City), Lewis Smith (Hamilton), Ibrahima Sissoko (Strasbourg), Tavernier (Middlesbrough), Morelos (Rangers), Horta (Braga), Cyprien (Nice), Lookman (RB Leipzig), Rose (Tottenham)
Who could go: Gayle, Ki, Muto, Colback, Saivet, Manquillo, Barlaser
Who’s arrived: Bentaleb (Schalke, loan), Lazaro (Inter)
Who’s left: No one
NORWICH CITY
Who do they like: Bowen (Hull City), Basacikoglu (Free), Glen Kamara (Rangers), Wanyama (Tottenham), Ndayishimiye (NEC)
Who could go: Aarons
Who’s arrived: Rupp (Hoffenheim, £450,000), Duda (Hertha, loan)
Who’s left: Srbeny (Paderborn, undisclosed), Morris (MK Dons, loan), Thompson (MK Dons, loan), Spyrou (Released), Heise (Nuremberg, loan), Bushiri (Sint-Truiden, loan), Famewo (St Mirren, loan), Lomas (Tampa Bay Rowdies, loan), Power (King’s Lynn, loan)
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Who do they like: Campbell (Stoke), Eze (QPR), Watkins (Brentford), Taylor (Charlton), Jordan Jones (Rangers), Woolfenden (Ipswich)
Who could go: Kean Bryan, O’Connell, Freeman
Who’s arrived: Jack Robinson (Nottingham Forest, £1m), Rodwell (Free agent)
Who’s left: Stearman (Huddersfield, free), Sheppeard (SteelPhalt Academy, loan), Heneghan (Blackpool, loan), Tyler Smith (Rochdale, loan)
SOUTHAMPTON
Who do they like: Cash (Nottingham Forest), Walker Peters (Tottenham), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Maehle (Genk), Glen Kamara (Rangers), Tameze (Nice), Joe Bryan (Fulham), Samuel (QPR)
Who could go: Vestegaard, Bertrand, Cedric, Che Adams, Romeu
Who’s arrived: No one
Who’s left: Klarer (SKN St Polten, loan), Sims (New York Red Bulls, loan)
WATFORD
Who do they like: Ricardo Rodriguez (Milan), Mohammadi (Akhmat Grozny), Buta (Royal Antwerp), Kim (Beijing Guoan), Tavernier (Middlesbrough), Wickham (Crystal Palace), Biglia (Milan), Joe Bryan (Fulham), Kamara (Reims), Rose (Tottenham), Fofana (Strasbourg)
Who could go: Kabasele, Zeegelaar
Who’s arrived: Pussetto (Udinese, £7m), Joao Pedro (Fluminense, £2m)
Who’s left: Foulquier (Granada, loan)
WEST HAM
Who do they like: Montiel (River Plate), Cash (Nottingham Forest), Soares (Southampton), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Allen (Stoke City), Abdoulaye Toure (Nantes), Maksimovic (Getafe), Wanyama (Tottenham), Akpom (PAOK), Tavernier (Middlesbrough), Giroud (Chelsea), Barkley (Chelsea), Nzonzi (Roma), Ronaldo Vieira (Sampdoria), Fofana (Udinese), Fraser (Bournemouth)
Who could go: Reid, Wilshere, Ajeti, Rice
Who’s arrived: Randolph (Middlesbrough, £4m)
Who’s left: Powell (Burton, undisclosed), Samuelsen (Hull City, undisclosed), Holland (Oxford, loan), Coventry (Lincoln City, loan), Roberto (Alaves, loan)
WOLVES
Who do they like: Buta (Royal Antwerp), Magalhaes (Lille), Hwang (Red Bull Salzburg), Soumare (Lille), Loiodice (Dijon), Podence (Olympiacos), Oliveira (AEK Athens)
Who could go: Cameron John, Jordan Graham (loan)
Who’s arrived: Campana (Barcelona SC, free)
Who’s left: Cavaleiro (Fulham, £15m), Cutrone (Fiorentina, loan), Mir (Huesca, loan), Watt (Carlisle, loan), Ronan (Blackpool, loan), Vallejo (Granada)