Author: David Great

Unai Emery claims Aston Villa should not be expected to repeat their surprise top four finish in the Premier League this season. Emery’s side are looking forward to their first Champions League campaign since 1982-83 after unexpectedly finishing fourth in the top-flight last season. But the Spaniard tried to cool expectations of another top four finish this term ahead of Villa’s Premier League opener at West Ham on Saturday. Emery believes seven teams are better placed to battle it out for the top four, naming Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle. “We’re not contenders to be…

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has discussed the possibility of Pedro Neto making his debut in Chelsea’s opener against Manchester City on Sunday. In a statement posted on the club’s website on Friday, Maresca confirmed that Neto could make his Chelsea debut this weekend, although he was tight-lipped on whether this would be from the start or off the bench. Recall that the Portuguese winger completed his move from Wolves last weekend, signing a long-term deal before Chelsea’s match against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge. “Pedro’s physical condition is good; the only issue is that he’s only been here for the…

Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd has released one of the three Nigerian Airbus A330 presidential jets detained in France, following a court order obtained from a Paris judicial court. The company announced the release as a gesture of goodwill, acknowledging that Nigerian President Ahmed Bola Tinubu requires the presidential jet for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. In a statement, the company spokesperson said: “Zhongshan has consistently acted reasonably and fairly in a legal dispute with Nigeria, which it did not initiate. The company has been informed that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France…

New Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has asked for patience ahead of their Premier League opener against reigning champions Manchester City, as the Italian tries to turn around the west London side’s fortunes after a series of underwhelming seasons. Chelsea, who finished sixth last campaign and 12th in the 2022/23 season, hired the 44-year-old Maresca in June after he guided Leicester City to the English Championship title in his first season in charge. Chelsea have gone big again in the transfer window, splashing out around 160 million pounds ($206.50 million) on signing players such as Portuguese winger Pedro Neto, midfielder…

President Bola Tinubu has received widespread praise for appointing Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as the Minister of Interior. The commendations, which have flooded social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the positive impact Tunji-Ojo has had on the ministry in his first year at the helm. Since his appointment, the Minister has been widely commended for his transformative leadership, which has brought about significant changes within the Ministry of Interior and its agencies. X users have shared their appreciation for the President through posts, media, and infographics, highlighting the effectiveness of Hon. Tunji-Ojo in implementing his eight-point agenda. This agenda includes…

More than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, were kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State on Thursday evening. The victims, who are students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were heading to Enugu for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention. Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the abduction, stating that a full investigation has been launched to locate the missing students and bring the perpetrators to justice. Police and security agencies are actively working on the case, urging anyone with information to come forward.…

Israel Adesanya popularly known as the “The Last Stylebender” and Dricus du Plessis set the stage for an intense showdown at UFC 305 during a heated pre-fight press conference on Friday morning in Perth, Australia. Israel Adesanya, a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, aims to make history by reclaiming the title for a third time against the current champion du Plessis. The rivalry between the two fighters has been fueled by discussions of African heritage. Du Plessis, who trains and resides in South Africa, has proclaimed himself as the first true UFC champion from the continent. This stance has provoked…

Atletico Madrid would like to complete the sale of Portugal forward Joao Felix, 24, to Chelsea and sign the Blues’ 24-year-old England midfielder Conor Gallagher by Wednesday. (AS – in Spanish) Aston Villa had previously shown interest in signing Joao Felix but the Portugal forward is not interested. (Chronicle NG) Chelsea have set an asking price of £60m for any clubs interested in signing 22-year-old English winger Noni Madueke. (Athletic – subscription required) Former Chelsea and Spain defender Marcos Alonso, 34, would “love to join” Manchester United after becoming a free agent by leaving Barcelona. (Fabrizio Romano via Givemesport) Manchester United have told Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, 32, that he is…

Erik ten Hag will have newcomers Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui available for Friday’s season opener just days after they signed from Bayern Munich, but the manager lamented that his team is not quite ready for the new Premier League campaign. United kick off their season against Fulham at Old Trafford but have had little time to integrate the new players, Ten Hag said. “It’s true, it’s not the pre-season where in five to six weeks you work on a team, it’s very complicated,” the Dutchman said at a press conference on Thursday. “The USA tour squad, and then…

Burnley manager Scott Parker says he understands the excitement around the expected signing of Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes – but insists the winger will be a “development prospect”, not a first-team regular. The Championship club are reportedly putting the finishing touches to a deal which will see the former Barcelona teenager swap the Nou Camp for Turf Moor on what is expected to be a two-year deal. While the Burnley manager admitted he understood the buzz about the 19-year-old given his father’s achievements in the game, he has urged perspective regarding his prospects. “This is a player we see as…