Rumour has it that Borussia Dortmund are targeting both Calvin Stengs or Samuel Chukwueze for Jordan Sancho replacement

ChrisKels:


Man you called me a gay? Really? I dun toast you before?

No vex my bro, I t was all in a fit of rage

I forgot you have a harem of West_african beauties from Ivory coast and Senegal

My bad bro

Subzero047:

Fabrizio Romano

He works for Sky Sports, sir.

TheSuperNerd:
Chris my good man, you know you could have taken it easy on our elf. Abeg.

I know you are a hard hitter but you for go soft here especially to celebrate "that thing."

And to be frank, he doesn't even know the guy. So it was an opportunity to educate him but without hitting him as hard as you did. Calm down okay. I will find you more francophone concubines to calm thy nerves.

Hahahahaha no reason am. I go dey take am easy henceforth

seankafor:
that Gucci man..

I love that guy ahswear.. dude is so energetic and power..
Newcastle shopped well last transfer window

When will the Arab money take over?

I honestly can't believe they got a player of that quality with what you hear about the outgoing owner.

I don't think the deal with the new owner has gone through yet.

Samueltemi337:
Rumour has it that Borussia Dortmund are targeting both Calvin Stengs or Samuel Chukwueze for Jordan Sancho replacement

Source

Dortmund would be the perfect place for Chuks

Blueelf:


No vex my bro, I t was all in a fit of rage

I forgot you have a harem of West_african beauties from Ivory coast and Senegal

My bad bro

Hahahaha not anymore, I dun collect title for villa, so e get some kind things wey I no dey do anymore

Did you know that Samuel Chukwueze creates the fourth most goal scoring chances per minutes played in La Liga?
He is behind only Lionel Messi, Santi Cazorla and Joaquin.

Chukwueze is also involved more goals scored (including pre-assist) when he is on the pitch than any La Liga player except Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Takefusa Kubo and Luka Modric.

What. A. Player.

ChrisKels:


Hahahaha not anymore, I dun collect title for villa, so e get some kind things wey I no dey do anymore

No wahala Ogbuefi

TheLoneCitizen:
Did you know that Samuel Chukwueze creates the fourth most goal scoring chances per minutes played in La Liga?
He is behind only Lionel Messi, Santi Cazorla and Joaquin.

Chukwueze is also involved more goals scored (including pre-assist) when he is on the pitch than any La Liga player except Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Takefusa Kubo and Luka Modric.

What. A. Player.

For a truth, his numbers doesn't do him justice

He should keep working hard and aim for a better team

Blueelf:


No wahala Ogbuefi

Lol my lungs never reach that level before person go injure me oo.

A take from one of the other sides. Maybe we can learn one or two things from here.

---

Young, black and Irish - the generation ready to rise
By Anthony Pyne | RTÉ Sport journalist

Chiedoze Ogbene's declaration for the Republic of Ireland is a cause for celebration - and not just because the 23-year-old's career is on an upward curve that looks likely to keep rising.

Ogbene is the third player to publicly air their desire to represent Ireland over Nigeria in the last two years, following in the footsteps of Michael Obafemi and Jonathan Afolabi.

There's a slew of footballers currently blossoming in our underage ranks who have the same ancestry.

Centre-half Andrew Omobamidele, currently at Norwich City, was born in Dublin. His mother is from Cork and his father is Nigerian. He graduated from an excellent Leixlip United side that produced two other Ireland Under-18 internationals - goalkeeper Harry Halwax, currently of Derby County, and winger Josh Giurgi, who's also at Norwich.

At Carrow Road, he can take inspiration from Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker Adam Idah, born in Cork to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father, and currently on the fringes of the Canaries first team.

Ireland Under-19s full-back Festy Ebosele is also making progress at Derby. His dad Fustas moved to Enniscorthy from Nigeria in 2000. He told the Gorey Guardian that his son has been "football mad since he first started playing the Moyne Rangers when he was around eight". Now he's trying to catch the eye of former Barcelona star Philip Cocu.

Gavin Bazunu was a sensation at Shamrock Rovers, his displays enticing Manchester City to make a swoop for the keeper when he was just 16.

When he made his debut for City's Under-18s against Stoke in 2019, Bazunu lined up alongside Timi Sobowale. Both were born and raised here and have played for Ireland Under-19s; both are also eligible to play for Nigeria, with the Golden Eagles particularly keen on Bazunu.

The list goes on and on - a generation of Irishmen whose parents came to this country in the 90s/early noughties for a new life, kids who've grown up here, honed their sporting excellence to now find themselves with extra international options given their heritage.

Not that the players themselves are overcomplicating matters.

They are, as Obafemi put it, "all in".

"I knew that I was going to choose Ireland, but obviously everyone from the outside was bringing England and Nigeria into it, but I don't think I was ever going to choose any of the other ones," the Southampton attacker told RTÉ Sport last year. "I was born in Ireland so I don't see a reason why I should play for England or Nigeria."

Celtic frontman Afolabi was similarly emphatic. "I've grown up in Ireland," he told the42 last summer. "I know where I'm from is Tallaght in Dublin. I’ve spoken to my parents. My ma doesn’t know much about football. She wants me play for Nigeria, because it’s her home country. But I’ve been playing with Ireland for a long time and want to keep that going. That’s the way I see it."

It all seems like much ado about nothing to the footballers themselves and that in itself is a testament to a lot of the work done at grassroots level over the last 15 years.

Des Tomlinson is the FAI's National Co‑ordinator for the Intercultural Structural Programme.

He's been working in the role since 2007, which was, he says, "a period of peak inward migration in Ireland, when it changed from being quite monocultural to one that's more pluralistic in terms of people's background and so on".

Tomlinson classes himself as being London-Jamaican. "That recognises my Jamaican heritage, and I was born in London. My parents migrated to the UK in the 60s. I understand the process [of integration]. When you do have a sense of that it does help."

Over the last 13 years he's seen Ireland change and been at the forefront of efforts to enable black Irish children to embed themselves in their communities through football.

"The strategy that was put together, it was about making a conscious effort to support the process of integration through football," he says when reflecting on the progress made since '07.

"Integration is a two-way thing. It was about reaching out.

"We'd try to establish creative partners or link up with community activists that would have connections into groups. That's one way of doing it. Another way of doing it is through programmes. We have an after-school programme that runs for six weeks, and after that it links people into a club, for the club to run an open day or some action that engages people.

"Some clubs would have been doing that organically themselves. Our role is to try and support that. It's a combination of strategic stuff nationally and some things that are more organic.

"Things happen because of programmes, programmes play a part, but also affiliates on the ground, where they're doing stuff organically. I'd definitely take some pride in the fact programmes have been able to try and help that process.

"At the same time I'm not positioning that as something that's just done by a programme. Our affiliates, the ones who are in diverse areas and can see the value in inclusion, play a massive role as well."

Brian Killoran, CEO Immigrant Council of Ireland, further emphasises that point.

"Integration happens in local communities," he stresses.

"It's the type of thing that happens in housing estates, in towns, in villages across the country. Any opportunity that exists for people in a local community to get to know each other is a massive advantage.

"Sport is one of the biggest things you can do from an integration perspective because it's such a great uniter at local level.

"Young people whose parents were migrants see themselves as being as Irish as the next kid. They're joining sports clubs and coming up the ranks, using sport as a method to get to know their peers, with the parents also using the clubs as an opportunity to get to know the community around them - it's such a residual hub, a brilliant place for integration to happen. It's a crucial element of it."

We are on the precipice of a generation of black Irish sportspeople taking prominence on an international stage - in soccer and track and field particularly.

This generation represents a new Ireland, a cosmopolitan and diverse country. They've also been brave enough to speak out about problems they've encountered along the way...

--RTE Sport

elunico:


When you suggested that I was, how did that make you feel, up?

Seriously I felt like throwing up when I saw that, then, I recalled I once did that to someone here. I just hate that word and act, it nauseates me.

andrewbaba44:

Yeye arsenal would have gotten Zaha

Pepe was the better option.

Is Napoli the right destination for in-demand Osimhen?
Solace Chukwu | Correspondent



It now seems inevitable that the Nigeria international will move to Naples this summer, but it is by no means certain it is the right destination
You would have received long odds on the first real transfer saga of the summer involving a Nigerian player...but here we are.

There is one thing that is known about Victor Osimhen for sure. He will not begin the 2020/21 season with Lille, or in Ligue 1 for that matter. Les Dogues have a model that is hinged on buying low and selling high, and have reportedly begun to plan for a future without their sought-after number nine.

Where will he play then?

At this time, Napoli hold the best hand. They received Osimhen in Naples last week, ostensibly to hammer out personal terms, but as part of a charm offensive. Being a showbiz man, president Aurelio De Laurentiis knows a thing or two about entertaining in style.

And yet, doubts remain. Not least for the player himself, who has previously expressed admiration for Chelsea, and is reportedly holding out for interest from the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur enquired, but were rebuffed in the understanding that, with Harry Kane as club captain and first-choice centre-forward, playing opportunities would be scant. The truth, heartbreaking as it might be for Osimhen, is that none of England's top sides have a pressing need for a starting striker.

As such, it seems only a matter of time before the transfer to Napoli finally gets over the line.

That logically leads to the next consideration: just how good a move is it?

Well, it depends on what the indices are. In terms of history, Napoli is very attractive, both as a home and a launch pad for a number of great players down the years. Diego Maradona is the most obvious one, but even narrowing it down to just strikers – Careca, Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain, Dries Mertens – leads one to conclude there is a fine tradition there into which Osimhen can immerse himself.

The club's profile in Europe is also very respectable. Per Uefa's club coefficient, they are ranked 16th in Europe—just outside the true elite, but still one of the heavyweights. Make no mistake, there will be pressure at a club of this level, but perhaps not the cloying, intrusive kind that is characteristic of the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United, for instance.

Napoli is also a club that has shown a willingness to embrace its own. All the aforementioned forwards mentioned have enjoyed almost godlike adulation in Naples, and Osimhen's earnest play, work rate and humility would no doubt endear him to the Neapolitan crowd. "He will become their superstar," Lille president Gerard Lopez told La Voix De Nord.

That is not to say it is all positive, of course.

Despite a revival under Gennaro Gattuso, the club will not be playing Champions League football in 2020/21. That is far from a deal breaker, but it is an important stage for the very best players in Europe, and one on which Osimhen already excelled with a callow Lille side last year. In that sense, and that sense alone, the Europa League (if they qualify for that) would represent a real step down.

There is also a concern over the continued viability of the Napoli project.

For all his good work so far, it is simply impossible to accurately parse Gattuso's influence on the actual mechanics of the team's play. Sure, he has made them grittier and more solid defensively, and there seems a real calcification of their overall mental approach to the game.

That said, a lot of the play still draws heavily on the influence of former manager Maurizio Sarri. The combinations are not as crisp, of course, but the muscle memory remains, as does the system.

What happens when that wears out?

The timeline for this is short too, as a rebuild is afoot at Stadio San Paolo. The likes of Jose Callejon, Kalidou Koulibaly and Allan are set to depart; all were stalwarts under Sarri, steeped in his ways. Beyond the concomitant instability that is associated with the process of a rebuild, this drain could expose Gattuso's lack of an attacking strategy even more.

A look at the Expected Goals numbers for Serie A is revealing: Napoli have an xG of 49.9, a tally only good enough for sixth in the league. With few(er) chances created comes greater pressure on the centre-forward to be perfect, hardly an optimal situation for a young striker still learning his craft and figuring out how to best utilize his admittedly considerable gifts.

It is a potentially precarious situation into which Osimhen would be walking. However, the 21-year-old is nothing if not resilient; so far in his career, he has shown the capacity to rise to the level required, and the aptitude to learn quickly. As Lopez said, "Victor has the strength to perform under pressure."

It is a strength he will need to summon if he is to succeed in Italy. For all that Napoli are enamored with him now, there are enough caveats that suggest it might not be plain sailing all the way through.

--GOAL

Edopesin:


Source

Dortmund would be the perfect place for Chuks

https://mobile.twitter.com/ivan_i94/status/1280986828225622017

komekn:


I know Burnley very very well, he doesn't have the physicality nor the work ethic to play in thier team and finally he doesn't have blue eyes.

Newcastle, possibly but he look at the pedigree of strikers they buy. The don't buy out of form striker who have not done anything in three seasons. They need a player to move them up not take them down. They already have strikers close to impotency they don't need to add another.

Brighton he brings nothing to the table they don't already have. Neal Maupey is proven and tested. Also thier recruitment is unique, very methodical led simply will not buy him. When Chris Houghton was there he had very limited input in recruitment.

Southampton he is not good enough look at Ings, Long and he is not going to displace Obafemi or Ched Evans.

you can't even hide your hatred for Iheanacho. It is very clear for everyone to see except your hallelujah praise singers. You must be delusional to tag someone with 10 goals, 4 assists in 23 games an impotent. The only impotent person right now is you since you have decided not to use your brain and turn away from hate. Get out of my sight!!!.

mostob:
Pepe was the better option.

He is not

I sure say you be arsenal fan but you no wan talk true

Zaha is better than Pepe

TheLoneCitizen:


Memphis Depay for Manchester United, 33 games and 2 goals.

You have a comprehensive vocabulary sir, keep it up.

Prior to coming to Manchester United he was tearing it up in the Eredivisie then he comes to Manchester United in the EPL and he cannot even start his engine.

Then he leaves to a lower league and less competitive in the French league one. He has been consistently putting in top level performances consecutively season after season. This season 13 games and 9 goals in the French league.

A note of caution to players thinking to replicate thier scoring from lower leagues in the EPL.

Samueltemi337:
Two Italian clubs, West Ham, Everton are reportedly interested in Super Eagles fullback Ola Aina

Old news

Blueelf:


For a truth, his numbers doesn't do him justice

He should keep working hard and aim for a better team

He doesn't need a better team he needs to grow at Villarreal, he just clocked 21 two months ago and has amassed 37 starts over two seasons at the club.

He creates 4.55 chances per game while Messi has 6.79.

He has improved in most aspect of his game but his goals, he even attempts less shots than last season.

He is still young and needs to be patient.

elunico:


I don't like what you're doing. You've been here long enough to be throwing up such ignorant projections regarding KC's future.

Nacho is only good enough for championship teams battling relegation to league1

Jokes apart which Championship team looking for promotion will look at him.

Then the main problem is his wages, who in the Championship will pay £75k a week for an impotent striker. In reality they cannot afford it most clubs under 10 in position.

komekn:


Jokes apart which Championship team looking for promotion will look at him.

Then the main problem is his wages, who in the Championship will pay £75k a week for an impotent striker. In reality they cannot afford it most clubs under 10 the position.

Bro, calling him impotent is rather unfair.

His numbers are better than Gabriel Jesus this season you know

oya give u new news na

komekn:


Old news

andrewbaba44:

He is not

I sure say you be arsenal fan but you no wan talk true

Zaha is better than Pepe

don't mind him...Zaha was the better option.

some one who has proved himself in the EPL already would have hit the ground running but Crystal palace refusal to sell at the terms arsenal was able to get pepe because they obviously paid on installments which Crystal won't even tolerate remember they first refused Everton bid for the player

komekn:


Jokes apart which Championship team looking for promotion will look at him.

Then the main problem is his wages, who in the Championship will pay £75k a week for an impotent striker. In reality they cannot afford it most clubs under 10 in position.

bro...you're not a sincere person.

a man should be truthful and open with the truth at all times...

the lad has done well so far all he needs his play time and drift to play as SS I am so sure dude will bring in goals

JayromWrites:


Pepe alongside Saka and Auba should be the best players at Arsenal this season


He was certainly overpriced!!

But you can't deny the talent and inputs

that's not even impressive a player that could cost a club like arsenal that much should hit the ground running and even light up the league....

komekn:


Jokes apart which Championship team looking for promotion will look at him.

Then the main problem is his wages, who in the Championship will pay £75k a week for an impotent striker. In reality they cannot afford it most clubs under 10 in position.

Between Kelechi and Solanke, who's better?

komekn:


Jokes apart which Championship team looking for promotion will look at him.

Then the main problem is his wages, who in the Championship will pay £75k a week for an impotent striker. In reality they cannot afford it most clubs under 10 in position.

Football is here and now!

Henceforth, judge Kelechi with this season stat not 3 years ago.

Sorry to deviate but this Red Bull guys are in for business
I know Liverpool fans in the house can relate