Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has boldly predicted that his youthful squad will establish dominance in English football within the next five to ten years. Despite Chelsea’s impressive form this season, the Italian tactician has tempered expectations for immediate success, emphasizing the club’s long-term vision. Maresca’s remarks came ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Southampton on Wednesday. Speaking about the club’s future, the 44-year-old expressed confidence in the project spearheaded by the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership group, which has invested over £1.5 billion in transfers since their 2022 takeover. “The first time I met the owners and the…

The Football Association (FA) is set to remind Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and his club of the regulations surrounding religious messaging on football kit following an incident during their recent Premier League match against Newcastle United. Guehi, the England defender, wore a rainbow captain’s armband on Saturday as part of the Premier League’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign, which supports LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. However, the armband bore the message “I love Jesus,” sparking controversy and raising concerns of a breach of FA rules. Under Rule A4 of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations, any religious messaging is prohibited on…

The race for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year 2024 award is officially underway, with six remarkable athletes shortlisted for the honor. Voting is now open for fans to select their favorite, with the winner to be revealed during the live BBC One show on December 17. Here are the contenders for the award: 1. Simone Biles (United States – Gymnastics) Simone Biles continues to prove why she is considered the greatest gymnast of all time. After a challenging few years marked by the “twisties” during the Tokyo Olympics, Biles made a triumphant return to…

As the sun sets over Silverstone, the F1 paddock buzzes with anticipation. It’s 2014, and Susie Wolff, behind the wheel of a Williams car, is about to make history as the first woman to take part in an F1 weekend in 22 years. Although her car would stall in practice and Wolff would not race, the moment still marked a significant milestone in the sport’s history. For Wolff, and many others, it was a dream that seemed just out of reach. Fast-forward a decade, and the race for female participation in Formula 1 continues. Wolff, now the managing director of…

After a glittering 20-year playing career at clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, Michael Essien has transitioned to coaching, a move that has given him new insights into the world of management. Despite being one of the best midfielders of his generation, it wasn’t a desire to follow in the footsteps of renowned managers like Jose Mourinho or Carlo Ancelotti that prompted Essien to enter coaching. Instead, it was a simple realization: “I woke up one day and thought, ‘Let me start doing something.'” Essien’s coaching career began in 2020 when he joined Danish side FC Nordsjaelland as…

After a stellar performance against Erling Haaland in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, Virgil van Dijk’s reputation as one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders continues to soar. The Dutchman’s commanding display, along with his overall career at Liverpool, has led some, like ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher, to declare him “the best centre-back we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.” But with so many legendary centre-backs to have graced the Premier League over the years, where does Van Dijk truly rank? Is he the best of all time? Let’s take a closer look at the contenders and assess where…

Bayern Munich salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling Der Klassiker, but the spotlight was stolen by Harry Kane’s early exit due to injury. Jamie Gittens gave Dortmund the lead in the 27th minute with a sensational solo goal. Picking up a pass from Nico Schlotterbeck near the halfway line, the England Under-21 star breezed past Konrad Laimer and rifled a fierce strike past Manuel Neuer. Gittens became only the second Englishman to score in this fixture after Kane, who famously bagged a hat-trick in last season’s matchup. However, Bayern’s struggles deepened moments later when Kane,…

FIFA has released its long-awaited report on the legacy of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but the governing body has sparked backlash by rejecting its human rights sub-committee’s key recommendation to compensate workers impacted during the tournament’s preparation and delivery. The sub-committee had urged FIFA to use its £39.4m “legacy fund” to provide remedies for migrant workers who suffered harm, including deaths, injuries, unpaid wages, and significant debt. Instead, FIFA allocated the fund to global social initiatives, drawing condemnation from human rights groups. Amnesty International called FIFA’s stance “shameful,” urging the organization to take responsibility for the abuses linked to…

Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert etched his name in Premier League history by scoring a hat-trick of penalties in a thrilling 4-2 victory over Wolves at Molineux, a feat not achieved in English top-flight football since 1957. Kluivert’s clinical display came in a dramatic match where Evanilson won all three spot-kicks, the first player in Premier League history to do so. The result sent Wolves into the relegation zone and intensified scrutiny on manager Gary O’Neil, whose side was booed off the pitch. The game began with controversy as Evanilson was fouled by Toti Gomes after an apparent handball. VAR upheld the…

Victor Torp’s dramatic late penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Frank Lampard in his first game as Coventry City manager against Cardiff City at the CBS Arena. Yakou Meite gave Cardiff the lead just four minutes in, heading home Alex Robertson’s corner, but Coventry responded almost immediately. Ephron Mason-Clark volleyed in Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s precise pass to equalize in the seventh minute, marking an electrifying start to Lampard’s tenure. The visitors regained the lead early in the second half when Robertson unleashed a stunning 25-yard drive that swerved past Brad Collins. Coventry struggled to create clear opportunities as Cardiff sought to…