Strasbourg’s unexpected rise in Ligue 1 could pose a significant challenge for Chelsea, as both clubs are part of the same multi-club ownership model. In 2023, BlueCo, the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, added Strasbourg to their portfolio of sports investments. At the time, the French club was fighting relegation and had only finished in the top half of Ligue 1 twice in the 21st century. However, Strasbourg has had a remarkable season, climbing to fifth place in the league, partly due to the guidance of their English head coach, Liam Rosenior, and their ties with Chelsea.…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has accused UEFA of “deciding” their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Simeone remains angry about Julian Alvarez’s penalty being disallowed for a double touch, claiming his fellow Argentine was unfairly penalized. The incident proved decisive as Simeone’s side was eliminated from the competition. “We performed well in the Champions League; we competed strongly and won the second leg [at home],” Simeone told reporters after a 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Saturday. “We finished as UEFA had decided. We won and were still eliminated. “I don’t see it as a setback. What happened was very…
Arsenal have officially announced Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director, with co-chair Josh Kroenke praising the transfer expert as “an impressive figure.” The appointment comes after the unexpected departure of Edu in November, leaving the club in turmoil. Jason Ayto, Edu’s former deputy, stepped in temporarily but oversaw a disappointing January transfer window. Following an extensive search that considered various candidates, including the recently dismissed Manchester United chief Dan Ashworth, Arsenal opted for Berta, who brings nearly 12 years of experience from Atletico Madrid. “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal at such an exciting time for the…
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has appealed to Nigerians after missing a goal-scoring opportunity against Zimbabwe in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier a few days ago. Ndidi faced criticism from fans after squandering a chance to double Nigeria’s lead during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Victor Osimhen had given Nigeria the lead in the 74th minute, and Ndidi was presented with a golden opportunity to seal the win for the Super Eagles. However, his failure to convert from close range proved costly, as Zimbabwe equalized in the 90th minute through substitute…
Manchester United has faced a significant number of injuries since the start of the season, which has undoubtedly affected their on-field performance. However, things have started to improve, as many players were given a two-week break following their international duties. This time off provided a valuable chance for various team members to recover and focus on regaining their fitness ahead of upcoming challenges. In positive news for the Red Devils’ supporters, five first-team players were seen training at the club’s Carrington training complex today. This is a hopeful sign for the team as they continue to navigate the season’s challenges.…
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, calling him one of the most successful coaches in the world. Ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Girona on Sunday, Flick expressed his respect for Ancelotti. “I respect Real Madrid and Ancelotti. He’s one of the most successful coaches in the world,” Flick said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano. “I recently mentioned that Barça and Madrid are different, and that’s a positive thing. I never have negative thoughts about Madrid.” Ancelotti has won 15 major trophies, including two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles with Real…
Chelsea could face a UEFA investigation if they secure a spot in next season’s Champions League. The Blues will need to prove a clear separation from Strasbourg if both clubs qualify. Strasbourg’s 4-2 win over Lyon has put them just a point away from the Champions League spots. However, if Strasbourg also qualifies for UEFA’s top competition, Chelsea may face challenges if both teams secure places, due to complex multi-club ownership regulations. BlueCo, Chelsea’s parent company, took over Strasbourg last year. UEFA allows both teams to compete in the same competition, but only if they meet specific conditions. UEFA regulations…
Chelsea received a significant boost ahead of next week’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, as Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke returned to first-team training on Friday. Palmer had missed Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal before the March international break, and his absence raised concerns, especially since he had not been seen on the training pitches at Cobham by Thursday. Madueke, on the other hand, has been out for six weeks following a hamstring injury sustained against Brighton on Valentine’s Day. Additionally, Nicolas Jackson has returned to training in recent days after a two-month recovery from a muscular issue, providing another…
Leon captain James Rodriguez has criticized FIFA for their decision to exclude his team from the Club World Cup. Rodriguez called FIFA’s decision a serious injustice, claiming that the governing body has tarnished football. As a reminder, Leon was drawn into Group D alongside Chelsea, Brazil’s Flamengo, and Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis when the tournament draw was made last December. However, FIFA recently removed Leon from the competition, which is set to begin in June. The decision to exclude Leon was based on a breach of FIFA’s regulations regarding multi-club ownership. Both Leon and Liga MX rivals CF Pachuca are…
Real Madrid could have two players return from injury for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal. Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he is hopeful of having Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy available for the match at the Emirates. “We’re in the process of recovering both Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos for the first leg against Arsenal,” Ancelotti said. “We are trying to get both of them back.” Ancelotti is also hoping that Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and Vinicius Jr. will avoid bans from UEFA. The trio has been accused of ‘indecent conduct’ during Real Madrid’s Champions…