The Nigeria international has not played for the Toffees since walking off in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal last month, and that won’t change ahead of Everton’s home game against Newcastle.
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Kanu Nwankwo Reunites With Former Boss Wenger
It’s been 16 years since Super Eagles icon, Nwankwo Kanu last donned an Arsenal shirt, but his love for the Gunners remains for all to see.
The 6ft 5” striker played a key role in Arsenal’s success under former Gunners chief, Arsene Wenger, who brought him to the club from Inter Milan back in 1999.
Kanu recently bumped into his former manager at the 2019 CAF Awards in Hurghada, Egypt, reminiscing about the old days when he helped the team win two league titles and two FA Cups in his time in North London.
NPFL: FC Ifeanyi Ubah Was Motivated To Beat Enyimba – Ubah
The chairman of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Mr Chukwuma Ubah, has disclosed that the Nnewi based NPFL side were ‘specially motivated’ ahead their incredible 2-0 thrashing of Enyimba in a match day 16 fixture of the 2019/2020 domestic top flight campaign.
Ubah was excitedly thrilled by his players’ performance on the night at the club’s home ground in Nnewi after goals, one in each half, by Sabastin Uche and Ikenna Cooper, ensured victory for the home side. The result meant the People’s Elephant, who are current title holders and 8th time Nigeria champions’ lost in all five visits to FC Ifeanyi Ubah since 2016.
The Anambra Warriors have been clinical all season on home ground. They also put on show their quality on the road. The youngsters were tagged as ‘underdogs’ prior to the visit of the People’s Elephant for the match day 16 Oriental Derby.
But the 2016 Federation Cup winners turned the heat, producing one of their best trademark performances to shock Enyimba and even themselves.
Read Also: CAF: Enyimba Can Reach Final – Anaemena
Speaking to Orient Sports on the outcome of the match, Mr Ubah said, “We run FC Ifeanyi Ubah as a close family. There is no discrimination here, everyone has access to everywhere and any where”, stated a visibly excited FC Ifeanyi Ubah boss.
“Most importantly is the fact that we keep encouraging ourselves that we can do it. Even before this game, yesterday (Saturday) a lot of predictions were going round and against us, most of them not giving us any chance.
“But we kept to ourselves. We were even happy with the negative predictions because that was to our advantage.
“This is because, there wasn’t any much expectation from us, while the pressure was on Enyimba. So, we were like ‘underdogs’ going into the match and we had all the chances to go all out (without pressure).
“You saw the game, we could have won the game 5-0. We lost three scoring opportunities before 10 minutes.
Read More: Anyansi Agwu Explain Why Enyimba Coach Was Sacked
“Talking about motivation, yes, the players are well motivated. The team is well motivated, I must say. The players are very, very proud of their brand and they see themselves as a family and I keep reminding them that this is just a part of the journey and that this is not, and never the destination.
“This is just a journey we are on, we haven’t gotten to where we are headed to”.
Asked if there was any special appreciation for the players following the massive Oriental Derby victory, the young club boss responded positively. “Yes, definitely yes. As usual, one thing that goes for FC Ifeanyi Ubah is that it is a ‘Gbagam’ club.
“Once the match is over, the players get their allowances. In fact, I reminded them that ‘it is here’. And you can see that one of our patrons also ‘encouraged’ them (financially).
“I told them that for my ‘special’ one they are going to have it this evening because, we are going to celebrate it properly”.
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EPL: Mourinho Clash With Danny Rose In Training
Tottenham Hotspur defender, Danny Rose was involved in a heated exchange with Jose Mourinho after being left out of Saturday’s game against Watford.
The left-back, 29, sought an explanation from the Tottenham boss after his team had been announced on Friday and Mourinho reasoned that a back injury meant Rose was not in the best shape to figure.
Tottenham drew 0-0 at Vicarage Road, however, believing he was fit to play, an upset Rose took issue with Mourinho again during Sunday’s warm-down training session. The two clashed with voices becoming raised and onlookers describing ‘a big tension in the air’.
Some players were understood to be unhappy at how Rose’s reaction and behaviour had escalated the situation.
Rose, who was linked with a move to Watford last summer, reported for training as normal on Monday morning where he initially warmed-up with his team-mates in front of TV cameras. Mourinho, though, decided to take him aside as he and Rose had a one-to-one session.
Read Also: Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham All Monitoring Osimhen
Mindful of Rose’s mood, the Portuguese thought it best to use the opportunity to get Rose’s grievances and frustrations out in the air and restore the equilibrium around his squad.
Rose’s absence at Watford, coupled with his omission from the midweek FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough, had prompted questions as to whether the full-back was still in Mourinho’s plans.
‘Yeah, he is part of my plans,’ said Mourinho. ‘Last match, FA Cup match at home, very offensive team. We wanted to give another chance to Sessegnon to play 90 minutes. Today Rose had a little injury in his back, yesterday we made a decision to bring only fit players to a match that we knew was going to be physical.’
Rose, who has made 16 appearances this season, has never been shy to voice his frustrations at Tottenham yet has underlined his determination to see out his contract which runs until 2021. He has been critical of their recruitment policy and last summer was made available for transfer.
However, he underlined his strength of mind to stay at the club in October when he said: ‘It’s pretty obvious what happened [in the summer]. People upstairs at Tottenham were trying to do what they were trying to do. I’ve said [to them] I’ve got 18 months left on my contract and I’m not going anywhere until my contract has finished.
Read Also: English Premier League Top Scores
‘In January, you are probably going to hear something [about my future]. I’m telling you right now that I’m not going anywhere until my contract is finished.’
Indeed, Rose’s blunt approach has sometimes made him difficult for the club to handle. In contrast, Christian Eriksen has preferred not to ruffle feathers as he sees out his contract and awaits a potential move away this week.
Tottenham are awaiting a new bid from Inter Milan for the Dane as they hold out for their £17million valuation. The club also want a new full-back but could see Kyle Walker-Peters depart first with Southampton among the frontrunners for the £12m-rated 22-year-old.
NPFL: Enyimba Coach Insists The Club Don’t Need To Dwell On Self Pity
Enyimba of Aba stand-in coach, Fatai Osho, depicted a look a toddler whose piece of bean cake had been snatched by a vicious looking dog moments after his troop were gunned down 2-0 by FC Ifeanyi Ubah on Sunday at Nnewi.
Osho was down cast after the NPFL match day 16 fixture as the home side recorded their fifth win against the eight time champions, extending their winless run at Nnewi to five games.
The former Remo Stars gaffer however, played down the effect of the defeat on his squad going into this weekend’s CAF Confederation Cup Group D fixture at home to Agadir of Morocco.
“Obviously, we can’t help ourselves if we continue to dwell on self pity”, Osho snapped.
“We just have to pick up our pieces, put ourselves together and dust our faces and brace up for the task ahead of us, which is the Confederation Cup match against Agadir of Morocco.
Read Also: CAF : Enyimba, Rangers know Opponents Tomorrow
“Confederation Cup is a different ball game from the domestic league or what is generally regarded as Oriental Derby. No doubt, it was painful to lose here (against FCIfeanyi Ubah) because, we came here wanting to win, knowing the rivalry and importance of winning, which gives mental strength going into a big game like the continental match”.
Osho paid glowing tribute to his conquerors, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, saying despite the obvious fact that Enyimba were the better side on the night, the team were more adventurous and showed more zeal for victory.
“First of all, I have to congratulate FC Ifeanyi Ubah. They played to win and they got their win. They were so adventurous and there was that obvious zeal in them to win and they did just that, congratulations to them”, Osho said.
“But on our part, we were by far the better side. You could see the way we started the second half which forced them (FCIU) on the back foot.
“We could have capitalised on that to come back into the game with an equaliser. But we missed all the chances. At least, there were about two or three like that. If we had made the most of those opportunities, the result would have been different.
Read Also: NPFL Wrap: Lobi Stars, Enyimba Join Enugu Rangers In Super Six, Insurance Go Down
“Having lost those scoring chances, we got punished when they scored their second goal which, again, was as a result of ‘elementary defending error’ on the part of our defenders.
“As a defender, you don’t mark like that inside your penalty box. It was too elementary defensively and it has cost us some goals, which is most uncalled for. These are ‘soft’goals, if I must put it that way. And you can’t be doing that and expect to get points”.
Enyimba’s defeat in Nnewi highlighted the People’s Elephant third straight losses in the succession. There have been suggestions the two time African champions blip was orchestrated by injuries to key players.
But Osho reasons otherwise. “That Ifeanyi Anaemena and Nelson Ogbonnaya did not playis not the point here. As a matter of fact, we have eight (8) players out on account of injuries.
“Every one of our players is important to us. As we speak, we have about eight (8) key players (out with injuries).
Read Also: Transfer: I Want Cavani At Chelsea – Lampard
“Enyimba, as a team, don’t need to complain about injuries. Even if 10 players are out injured, we can still play as a team. Every player in Enyimba came in on the basis of his performance and quality in his former club before coming over here to Enyimba.
“So, the fact that someone is out is not and should not be an excuse. Any other player can just fill the void. It’s just unfortunate that we lost today and we have put that behind as we brace up for the next game against the Moroccan side, Agadir”, Coach Osho stressed.
EPL: Manchester United Charged By FA Over Players’ Misconduct
United’s players surrounded referee Craig Pawson midway through the first-half on Sunday after Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk challenged goalkeeper David de Gea.
Roberto Firmino subsequently scored, but his goal was ruled out following a VAR review of Van Dijk’s clash with the Spanish goalkeeper.
Read Also: EPL: Manchester United Decision On Solskjaer Revealed
De Gea dropped the ball which the defence failed to clear allowing Firmino to take advantage and score.
“Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20(a),” read the FA statement.
“It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 26th minute of the Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on Sunday (19/01/20).”
A furious De Gea led United protests, rushing over to Pawson to vent his frustration. The Spaniard, who was booked for his actions, was joined by a number of his teammates in surrounding Pawson.
Read Also: De Gea Seals £375,000, Becomes Highest Paid Goalkeeper
Van Dijk had already opened the scoring for Liverpool prior to the incident and Mohamed Salah added a second in time added on to extend Liverpool’s lead over Manchester City to 16 points – United trail by 30 points.
United have until Thursday to respond to the charge.
EPL: Pochettino Gives Condition To Replace Solskjaer At Man United
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino is willing to replace Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the end of the season if the Red Devils’ hierarchy give him full control over transfers at Old Trafford, according to Metro UK.
Pochettino has been long admired by Man United’s board and was thought to be their first choice after sacking Jose Mourinho in December 2018.
Talks have already begun with the Argentine as he wants control over singing of players at the club.
Pochettino has been without a job since he was sacked by Tottenham last November.
He recently refused to rule out the possibility of returning to management in either Spain or England.
Man United have started the season poorly and Solskjaer is under pressure to turn things around quickly.
Read Also: Harry Kane reacts To Pochettino Sacking
Last weekend, United were defeated 2-0 by Liverpool and now sit in 5th place on the Premier League table.
Solskjaer’s side will now face Burnley at home in their Premier League fixture on Wednesday night.
Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard has welcomed Paris Saint-Germain striker, Edinson Cavani to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard, who played against Cavani when the 32-year-old Uruguay was both at PSG and Napoli, believes he would provide some much-needed experience to Chelsea’s young side.
Cavani has drawn interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.
Cavani has started just four games in Ligue 1 this season for PSG, having lost his place to Mauro Icardi who is on loan from Inter Milan.
Read Also: Transfer: Manchester United Sack Two Players
His current contract with the Parisians is set to expire at the end of the season, when he will be available on a free transfer.
Asked if Chelsea were interested in Cavani, Lampard told reporters at his pre-match press conference as quoted by Metro UK: “He’s a great player. I played against him and I always loved his mentality and his attitude and obviously his goalscoring record speaks for itself.
“I’m not absolutely aware of what the situation is, so we’ll see.”
Asked if Cavani would provide some much-needed experience to Chelsea’s young side, Lampard added: “Yeah, he’s an experienced player but so are many other players out there.
Read Also: Transfer: Olivier Giroud Set To Join Inter Milan
“We are young as a squad, and we know about the transitions, so the idea of bringing in experience is certainly not something I’m looking away from because sometimes the younger players need a bit of help and if that’s the case then that may help us.”
Real Madrid have announced the signing of attacking midfielder, Reinier Jesus from Flamengo.
Jesus signed a deal with the Los Blancos that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until June 2026.
Zinedine Zidane’s side made this known in a statement on their official website on Monday.
The statement read: “Real Madrid C. F. and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo have reached an agreement over the transfer of Reinier, who joins the club on a deal that runs until June 2026.
Read Also: La liga: Barca Prepares Fresh Bid For Neymar Jr
“The player will join up with the Real Madrid Castilla squad at the conclusion of his involvement in the Under-23 Pre-Olympic Tournament with Brazil.”
Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, ahead of today’s clash with the blues insist his side has all it takes to win the game.
The gunners boss also claimed Mesut Ozil has been “unlucky” not to score more goals and assists during his time as Gunners boss.
Read Also: EPL: Arsenal, Chelsea Revive Rivalry In London Derby
The 31-year-old’s attacking numbers have dipped since he signed a new three-year deal with the club.
Ozil has just two assists and no goals in all competitions this term, but Arteta believes that the German’s play in the final third has been deserving of better statistics than that.
“The demands that we have to put on him are to make the difference every single game,” Arteta said ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Read Also: EPL: Arsenal Give Arteta Champions League Target
“To do that he needs the right structure and players around him to help him to do that.
“I think he could have had more assists and probably more goals in the games he has played under me which has been a little bit unlucky but overall I think that his performance has improved a lot.”