… Arsenal, Leicester keen on Chukwueze
ENGLAND
Moses set for Chelsea recall
Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri may be forced to include Victor Moses in his side’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday, due to injuries to two squad members.
Sarri will be without the duo of Pedro Rodriguez and Callum Hudson-Odoi for the clash against their London rivals at the Selhurst Park.
Spanish winger, Pedro picked a hamstring injury in the Blues 2-1 away win against Watford at the Vicarage Road on Wednesday and will be out of action for 10 days.
The man who replaced him, Hudson-Odoi was also substituted late in the game due to injury with Emerson Palmieri replacing him.
“We have two problems. The first most serious with Pedro. He has an injury in his hamstring and I think he will have to rest for about 10 days. The second problem is [Hudson-Odoi]. It’s not serious but I don’t think he’ll be able to play in the next match,” Sarri told reporters on Friday.
Moses was a regular during the reign of former Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte but has been frozen out by Sarri.
There are reports that the former Nigeria international will leave the club in January with his former club, Crystal Palace said to be keen on securing his services.
Moses has made just two Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season.
Balogun cherishes Brighton’s recovery efforts
Brighton & Hove Albion of England defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun has disclosed that he is cherishing the club’s recovery efforts in the English Premier League, as he believes they have overcome their struggles.
In the wake of a battling 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Boxing Day, in which he played all 90 minutes of the tie, Balogun stated gleefully that The Seagulls’ ability to fight hard earned them shared points.
The former Fortuna Dusseldorf, Darmstadt and SV Mainz of Germany stopper is also happy with the role played by Brighton’s fans in Wednesday’s draw, which he believes was further confirmation of the club’s revival abilities.
While describing Brighton’s supporters as the 12th man that eke out the draw against Arsenal at Amex Stadium, Balogun also admitted he was happy to start his fifth match of the season for The Seagulls.
Balogun took to social media to state his delight and praise for the squad for their battling efforts halfway through the season, while also heaping plaudits on the fans and one of his colleagues, Jurgen Locadia.
He posted: “Thanks for being the 12th man tonight with your amazing support in what I think was a great team effort after a tough start!
Turkish giant, Galatasaray woos Nmecha
A report out of Turkey claims that Turkish Super Lig powerhouse, Galatasaray is working on a deal to sign talented midfielder, Lukas Nmecha in the January transfer window.
Aksam.com.tr says Galatasaray chairman Mustafa Cengiz has been promised three players after holding talks in England with Manchester City hierarchy.
The remaining two players who could join the Istanbul club on loan are central defender Philippe Sandler and defensive midfielder Claudio Gomes.
Nmecha currently plays for Manchester City’s U-23 team, so it makes sense to loan him out to further his career as he would find it difficult to break into the star-studded Citizens midfield.
The 18-year-old was an unused substitute in recent matches against Hoffenheim (Champions League) and Leicester City (League Cup).
Nmecha has made seven appearances in the Premier League 2 this season, starting four matches and scoring three goals.
Billing on Watford radar
Watford is mulling over a move for Huddersfield Town’s Danish-born Nigerian midfielder, Philip Billing ahead of the opening of the transfer window.
The Hornets will have to sign a replacement for Abdoulaye Doucoure if the Frenchman departs the Vic in the coming months, with Everton cited as a possible destination.
According to The Sun, Watford would be willing to pay around £15 million for Billing but it would be difficult for Terriers boss David Wagner to sanction the sale of the defensive midfielder in January as his team is battling to avoid relegation.
Based on Whoscored’s form rankings, Billing is among the top ten most in-form players in the Premier League in the last six games.
Having struggled with injuries for most part of last season, the 22-year-old has announced his arrival in the Premier League this term, scoring two goals in 17 appearances.
Philip Billing has a contract with Huddersfield Town until the end of the 2019-2020 season.
Abraham named in Championship Team of The Season midway
Nigerian-born striker, Tammy Abraham has been named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season at the midway point by whoscored.com.
Aston Villa have two men in the eleven best players that have caught the eye, Abraham and the highly-rated midfielder, Jack Grealish.
In a 4-4-2 formation, the Chelsea loanee was partnered in attack by Birmingham’s Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Only two players have scored more goals than Abraham in the English second-tier after 23 matches, Nottingham Forest’s Lewis Grabban and Brentford’s Neal Maupay but the Nigerian who scored one goal less was picked ahead of the duo to lead the attack.
There was no Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City), Semi Ajayi (Rotherham Utd), Ebere Eze (Queen Park Rangers), Tosin Adarabioyo (West Brom) and Fikayo Tomori (Derby County) on the list published.
Ex-Arsenal keeper, Idem, joins Macclesfield Town
EFL League Two club Macclesfield Town has completed the signing of promising goalkeeper, Emmanuel Idem.
Previously, Idem was unemployed following his release by Aston Villa at the end of the 2017-2018 season.
The 20-year-old turned out for the youth teams of Arsenal and Stoke City prior to his switch to Aston Villa in 2015.
Idem’s agreement with Macclesfield Town will see him remain at the Cheshire-based outfit until June 30, 2019.
The young goalkeeper is the first player signed by Arsenal legend Sol Campbell since he was appointed coach of the League Two strugglers in November 2018.
For the remainder of this season, Emmanuel Idem will wear the number twenty eight jersey.
TURKEY
Onyekuru eyes 2019 AFCON squad
Galatasaray striker, Henry Onyekuru has set his sight on a place in Nigeria’s squad for next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in either South Africa or Egypt.
Onyekuru has been in and out of the Super Eagles squad under Gernot Rohr and he was called up to replace the injured Odion Ighalo as Nigeria books her place in the 2019 AFCON following the 1-1 draw with South Africa in Johannesburg back in November.
The Everton loanee however believed that a good form in front of goal will be vital if he is to make the team but insists he is happy to end the year on a high with Galatasaray.
“It feels good ending the year with a brace and most of all getting the three points at home for the club and fans.
“The national team is also there for me. Part of my target, if not number one, is to make the team and then make Nigerians proud.
“The target still remains the same; try to score as many goals as I can and also help the team achieve its goals,” he concluded.
Onazi begins recovery process in Seychelles after successful surgery
After having a successful surgery in Istanbul earlier last week, Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has flown to Seychelles Island for the holidays and also starting his recovery process.
With the successful surgery, the midfielder has also taken time to appreciate the fans who wished him the best during his trying period posting a short video on his page also stating that in football there are several stages with long term injuries a part of it.
The highly combative midfielder picked up the injury in Tranzonspor’s 4 – 1 win over Rizespor and was substituted off the match in the 32nd minute for Juraj Kucka. Onazi’s time of return have not been stipulated but the former Lazio of Italy man is at risk of missing out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation.
Onazi on his instagram page wrote “All your goodwill messages are really touching I appreciate the love from each and every one of you… Football life has stages, any level you get to just say Baba God thank you.”
Several Super Eagles stars have joined football fans around the world to wish the 2013 AFCON winner the best in his recovery process. Including; Carl Ikeme, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Sunday, Obinna Nsofor and others.
SPAIN
Arsenal, Leicester keen on Chukwueze
Two of English Premier League clubs, Arsenal and Leicester City have shown a keen interest in signing Super Eagles midfielder, Samuel Chukwueze during the January transfer window.
Chukwueze, who is capable of playing on either flank, has become an integral part of the Villareal club, having made 13 appearances this season, scoring four goals in La Liga.
He made his senior international debut in October where he dazzled with his pace and mesmerizing skills.
Meanwhile, Villareal coach Luis Garcia is quoted as saying Chukwueze, who won the Under-17 World Cup in 2015 with Nigeria, is their “jewel”.
“I was told about Chukwueze. He’s got speed, spark, he can dribble. He’s a jewel we have to take care of,” he said.
NORWAY
U-20 star, Babawo shuns move to Norway
Flying Eagles winger, Abubakar Ibrahim Babawo has rejected a move to a top division team in Norway after his exploits for Nigeria at the recently concluded WAFU U-20 Championship in Togo.
Babawo was one of the stars of the Nigerian team that lost 0-2 to Senegal in the final and despite playing as right full back, the 18-year-old made the list for the Best XI of the championship.
Alongside Effiom Maxwell Michael who also made the team of the tournament, a bid to join a top Norwegian side in January was tabled but while Maxwell is yet to decide, Babawo has rejected the planned move.
Nicknamed the ‘New Ahmed Musa ‘, it was reliably gathered that Babawo’s decision to snub the move is due to interest from clubs in the Netherlands and there is also a proposal for the forward in Belgium.
His focus is now on helping Plateau United do well when the Nigeria league resumes and also on the Africa U20 Cup of Nations early next year before accepting a move.
