Sports
Wazupnaija – Naija Entertainment blogs & Forums – Sports
Aston Villa offer Villa Park as alternative venue for Champions League final
Aston Villa have offered up Villa Park as a potential venue for the Champions League final, with doubts surrounding the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. With Manchester City and Chelsea sealing their places in the final this week, attention has turned to the finale. Both English clubs are set to receive 4,000 tickets each, with UEFA targeting a return to normality with fans in stadiums. However, it is not yet guaranteed that English fans will be able to travel to Turkey, with the UK government set to announce their guidelines for the next easing of lockdown. Turkey is also still in a state of lockdown. There are also other logistical problems, with English fans needing to pay for COVID-19 tests before flying to another country. With all the complications surrounding the planned venue, Vil...
Barcelona looking at trio as they aim to find a long-term replacement for club legend
Barcelona have got their eye on three central midfielders as they look for a long-term replacement for club legend Sergio Busquets. Busquets first joined Barcelona in 2005, arriving at the famed La Masia academy. He made his debut for the first team in September 2008 under Pep Guardiola. Since then, he has been a key part of their side. He has made over 600 appearances for the Catalan giants, winning eight La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, and seven Copas del Rey, as well as a World Cup and a European Championship with his national team. Busquets was part of Barcelona’s best side The defensive midfielder is renowned for his class and composure on the ball, controlling things in the middle of the park while offering protection to the back four. However, the time is approaching when B...
Everton given injury boost regarding Jean-Philippe Gbamin
Everton have been handed an injury boost with the news that midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin is on track to return for pre-season training this summer. The Ivorian has had a torrid time with injuries since moving to Goodison Park, with many long-term problems limiting him to just three appearances in as many years. Gbamin’s latest injury return was met with optimism, but following just 11 minutes of action against Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw, the midfielder suffered an injury in training just days after. It was confirmed following the injury that Gbamin would not need surgery, but doubts were still cast about when he would be back. Now, a report from the Liverpool Echo has suggested that the player remains confident he will be available for selection during pre-season training. That w...
Man City plan contract talks with £150,000-a-week star after ‘incredible’ performance vs PSG
Manchester City are planning to renew midfielder Fernandinho’s contract for another season after his impressive run of form in recent months, The Mail reports. The 36-year-old has been a mainstay in the Cityzens squad since he arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, but his playing time has reduced this term. The Brazilian has played over 2,000 minutes of first-team football, but he has managed only 11 starts over the course of the Premier League season. Despite this, he is hugely valued by Pep Guardiola and was recently preferred over Rodrigo for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain. Guardiola described the midfielder’s performance as ‘incredible‘, and it is now reported that the club could extend his contract which expires in June. It was recen...
Leeds could be without three first team stars for this weekend’s clash against Spurs
Leeds United have been handed a triple injury blow ahead of their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. According to the Athletic, winger Helder Costa has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a back injury he picked up against Manchester United on March 25. Costa missed the game against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, and his absence for the remainder of the season will certainly weaken the Leeds attack. The report adds that Brazilian winger Raphinha and midfielder Kalvin Phillips could also miss out on Saturday. Raphinha has been a key attacker for Leeds this season but has been sidelined since the horrendous tackle from Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho. Phillips has a knee problem, and he will be desperate to recover in time to face t...
‘I’d love a manager like him’ – Some NUFC fans react to links with 43-yr-old manager
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Gennaro Gattuso. According to Calciomercato, Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on appointing the Napoli manager. Wolves’ links with the Italian manager certainly make sense as Gattuso is represented by Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has excellent relations with the Premier League club. As per the report, the two Premier League clubs are willing to change managers this summer, with Steve Bruce and Nuno both uncertain of their future. Newcastle have been mediocre under Bruce this season, and the fans have repeatedly called for his sacking in recent months. The Italian manager will be a free agent this summer and could be an inexpensive replacement for Bruce. Gattuso has guided Napoli to fifth place in Serie A, although his team ...
Ed Sheeran to sponsor Ipswich Town’s shirts from next season
Pop star Ed Sheeran is set to sponsor Ipswich Town’s shirts ahead of next season. Sheeran is local to Ipswich and has often declared himself as a supporter of the Tractor Boys. He has often been spotted at Portman Road and donates to charities in Ipswich. 💙#itfc pic.twitter.com/hqXOFlZn2d — Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) May 6, 2021 The singer, who is estimated to be the 22nd highest-selling artist of all time, has agreed to sponsor his local club for the 2021/22 season. The Athletic reports that the titles of his albums will appear on the shirts, reading ‘+-=÷x’. As quoted by the Athletic, Sheeran said: “The football club is a big part of the local community, and this is my way of showing my support. “I have always enjoyed my trips to Portman Road, and I’m looking forward to going...
Everton looking to bring 31-yr-old back to the Premier League this summer
Everton are thought to be looking at a goalkeeper this summer and TuttoJuve are reporting that they could make a move for the Juventus shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny. The former Arsenal keeper would be an upgrade on the likes of Robin Olsen and Jordan Pickford. Both goalkeepers have been quite error-prone under Carlo Ancelotti and the Italian needs to bring in a better goalkeeper if he wants his side to challenge for European football next year. Szczesny has proven himself in the Premier League and in the Italian League. It will be interesting to see if Juventus are willing to sell the 31-year-old this summer. The player has a contract until the summer of 2024 and the Italian outfit are under no pressure to cash in on him. The report from TuttoJuve adds that Everton would have no problem p...
‘World class’, ‘Incredible’: Some Chelsea fans praise £144,000-a-week star after Real Madrid win
A selection of Chelsea fans on Twitter heaped praise on midfielder N’Golo Kante following his man of the match display against Real Madrid in the Champions League last night. The Blues booked their spot in the final of the elite competition after a 3-1 aggregate triumph over the reigning Spanish champions. They had the away-goal advantage after the 1-1 draw in Madrid. They secured a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge last night after goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount. Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy impressed in the opening half with two crucial saves to deny Karim Benzema, and the club controlled the proceedings after the break. They should have won by four or five goals with the chances created but ultimately, they got the job done with comfort against Zinedine Zidane’s side. Kante produced ...
Leeds set to bid for midfielder with 14 goal contributions, looking to sign him before Euros
Leeds United are thought to be interested in signing the Turkish midfielder Ozan Tufan. According to fotomac, the Premier League side are expected to submit a considerable bid for the 26-year-old midfielder once the season is over. The report further states that Leeds are looking to sign the player before the European Championship begins. Tufan has a contract with Fenerbahce until the summer of 2023 and the Turkish outfit will not want to let him leave for cheap. The midfielder has five goals and nine assists to his name in the Turkish League so far this season and he could be a superb addition to Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield. The Whites are lacking someone who can add creativity and goals from the centre of the park and Tufan would be an ideal fit. Leeds have recently been linked with a simi...
West Ham looking to snap up talented 20-yr-old from PL outfit this summer
Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford at the end of this season. According to the Sun, Norwich City are looking to sign the talented young fullback on loan but they are facing competition from Premier League sides Southampton and West Ham United. The 20-year-old defender needs to play regularly at this stage of his career and a loan move away from United would be ideal for him next season. Norwich are expected to lose Max Aarons this summer and Williams would be a superb replacement. Meanwhile, the report adds that David Moyes is looking to use the England under-21 defender as a squad player. Williams is versatile and he can play as a right-back as well as a left-back. The Hammers have recently loaned Jesse Lingard from Manchest...
Bailly and Greenwood start | Expected Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Roma
Manchester United travel to the Stadio Olimpico for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Roma on Thursday. The Red Devils registered a stunning 6-2 triumph over the Giallorossi in the first leg at Old Trafford, and they are in pole position to reach the final. Despite this, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that the tie is far from over, and he may only make a few changes to the line-up from the reverse fixture. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: David de Gea has dropped down the pecking order with Dean Henderson preferred ahead of him in goal for the league games. However, he has started the last three knockout matches in Europe and is expected to feature between the sticks tomorrow. The backline could see a solitary change with Eric Bailly featuring ahead of Vi...
