SPORTS

• 

NEYMAR TRANSFER SAGA: WILL BARCELONA’S PRODIGAL SON EVER RETURN TO CAMP NOU?

By Sotubo Ayomide

• 

It was first a question of ‘if’ and then it became a question of ‘when’. The existence of Barcelona’s prolific MSN trident was threatened by unending unanticipated transfer rumours of Neymar’s departure Camp Nou.

What was first thought as an impossibility became a reality on the third day of August 2017. Neymar completed his move to French powerhouse, Paris Saint Germain.

In the domestic scene, he has been successful. His contributions to the domestic success of PSG cannot be faulted. He has won three of the league titles he has played in and also has a French league cup and a coupe de France in his trophy collection. For someone with his talents and dexterity, much more is expected of him. Naseer El-khelaifi hoped that a move for him will guarantee champions league success for the team but this becoming a reality remains to be seen.

PSG have not snapped back from the painful shades of the defeat against Barcelona in 2017 inspired by none other than Neymar. Since then, they have capitulated in the round of 16 when it was least expected of them.
Real Madrid proved to be superior in quality in 2018 while Manchester United reminded us of their never say die approach to football, adding more salt to the wounds of the Parisiens and defeating them against all odds in their own yard.

There was also a case of Neymar stepping out of Lionel Messi’s outranking shadow on his departure. Since then, we have seen Luka Modric and Lionel Messi claim the most coveted individual award in football. Fair to say, Neymar has not even come out of Kylian Mbappe’s shadow.

Football has evolved since Neymar made the world record move to the French top flight and there has been an emergence of new talents who could fill the void the Brazilian left at Barcelona.

The question of how and why Barcelona has not found a replacement three years on will also raise eyebrows but it looks increasingly likely that time is running out for Neymar to return ‘home’.

PSG will continue to play hardball with the player they consider as their most prized asset and the financial implications of the global pandemic will prove to be a stumbling block in the way of Barcelona and the player.

Even his ex agent, Wagner Riberio reckons so.
“I think Neymar will stay put at PSG because the market is different,” he told Fox Sports. “The economic world of football will change.”

Brazilian legend Rivaldo, though, believes that there’s only room for one of Neymar or Lautaro Martinez.

“Barcelona’s interest in Lautaro could mean that the club have given up on Neymar’s signing, as I think it is almost impossible to sign both players at the same time,” he added.

“Barcelona need to focus on landing just one of them and seal the deal”.

“Either of them would be a good signing, but the club need to think about the amounts involved and also about their manager’s wishes.”

“What is the position that Quique Setien wants to reinforce now?

“Which player would be better suited to his plans?”

“Only Setien knows.”

Quique Setien has not ruled out the move himself.
“I’d love to be able to coach him someday as he is a top-class player. To be honest, I’ve fulfilled a dream in coaching (Lionel) Messi, but I’d be absolutely delighted if Neymar joined us,” Setien told beIN SPORTS.
For the love of football, we would all love to see the MSN line up together again, but that reunion seems threatened by the day

Would Neymar ever return to Barcelona? Let’s us know your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Saul Niguez: Atletico Madrid midfielder makes new club announcement

By Ayomide Sotubo

• 

The Spanish midfielder has made the new club announcement as he had promised earlier this week- but it turns out that it’s not a transfer move as first premonitioned.

Saul has been subject of transfer speculation recently with Manchester United rumoured to be at the forefront of signing him up to the premier league ahead of next season.

The announcement has proven to be the creation of Costa City Club alongside his brother, Aaron.

The club is based in Alicante, his home region and will recruit boys and girls from the age of four to eighteen. The club will be sponsored by Sporting giants, Nike.

Saul said: “We have been developing this exciting and beautiful project for several years and I am very happy to be able to present it and make it official today.”

Atletico are due to return to La Liga action following the suspension of top-flight football in Spain as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with an away fixture at Athletic Club on June 14.

COVID-19 STRIKES THE WORLD OF SPORTS

By Folami Roqeeb

COVID-19 also referred to as the CORONA VIRUS is a deadly virus that has been causing fear and panic around the Globe. The virus was first reported in Wuhan, China 31 December 2019.

Ever since the discovery of the virus, people have been careful with Europe and Asia recording high number of cases with 144,965 people confirmed infected around the globe.

As an effort to control the spread of the virus, normal life activities have been put on hold including sports. Matches have been postponed with some also played behind closed doors with no fans in the stadium. Several Sportsmen have been tested positive for the virus with Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Utah Jazz All star forward Donovan Mitchel.

As of now, football in England has been postponed till April 30 and players have been advised to train in their homes. This virus is indeed causing a lot of panic, we just have to stay strong and follow the necessary procedure given by the World Health Organisation to handle this threat to humanity.

Steps have been given to protect ourselves against this virus. Washing our hands regularly with soap and water. If water is not available, we can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% Alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home if you’re sick, cover your mouth and nose when you cough, wear a face mask if you’re sick.

Other activities have also been suspended. Schools are being shutdown for now, everyone have been advised to quarantine themselves at their home until this virus has been curbed. If we follow all these safety procedures, we’ll stand a chance to fight this deadly virus. Stay safe and isolate yourself if you feel sick.

“He’s a mix of Scholes and Veron.” Ole Gunnar Solksjaer lauds Bruno Fernandes.

Sotubo Ayomide

“He’s a mix of Scholes and Veron.” Ole Gunnar Solksjaer lauds Bruno Fernandes.

The new Manchester United midfielder played an influential role as he spearheaded an assured home 3-0 victory against relegation fighters, Watford.

The Portugese international was at the heart of everything good for the red devils, playing a significant role in each goal scored at Old Trafford on Sunday Afternoon.

Both teams showed offensive drive in the opening moments of the game, as some lackadaisical United defending almost resulting in Watford grabbing the opener.

With the defeat experienced in the reverse fixture still fresh in the memory, the red devils knew they needed a creative spark and a convincing performance and result to stand any chance of securing a top four finish. They needed a player to step up and Bruno did in emphatic fashion.

Following a good passage of play, Fred found Daniel James in an advanced midfield position who teed up Fernandes. Despite being through on goal, the midfielder still had an onrushing Ben Foster to beat. The goalkeeper brought him down in the box and Fernandes was awarded a penalty.
Fernandes showed high confidence levels and converted the penalty with a composed technique.

Fernandes got involved again early in the second half, putting Anthony Martial through on goal to score his 16th goal of the season. Bruno Fernandes also got involved in the third goal of the game as he gave a simple pass to Mason Greenwood who finished with aplomb.

Right after the game, Solksjaer was full of praise of his new acquisition. He said, “He has come in and given everyone a boost, not just the team, but the supporters too. He felt from the first minute like a big personality in our group. He was confident straight away and is like a mix of Scholes and Veron”

Speaking to BBC after the game, Fernandes said, “This is what I want to do and what I need to do. Everyone knows we want to get into the Champions League places. I am here to help the team conquer this place and keep winning games.”
The Portugese is already proving to be a bargain signing for the club, delivering two assists and a goal in his first three games.

The dressing room will definitely feel happy to have him around as he has also helped in bringing the best out of the team.

The feel good factor is back at the theatre of dreams and the former Sporting Lisbon olayer is at the heart of it.

RESPECT FOR THE CLARIONS CALL: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM JOSEPH YOBO IN NATIONAL TEAM

Sotubo Ayomide

The former veteran defender has been appointed as the assistant coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigerian Football Federation and will be working with coach Gernot Rohr to lead the national team to continental and global success.

Joseph Yobo represented the country in the 1999 U-20 world cup having first been discovered as a talent with immense potentials at Michellin-Harcourt between 1996 and 1997. Yobo also had a remarkable club career as he played for top European club like Marseille, Standard Liege, and most notably, Everton. He also skippered the Super Eagles to Africa Cup of Nations success in South Africa in 2013.

Yobo became the first African to captain Everton in October 2007 and made more than 250 appearances for the Toffees, helping them qualify for the Champions League in 2005 and playing in the side that lost the 2009 FA Cup final to Chelsea.

With so much pedigree both on national, continental and international soil, the former defender will have his work cut out for him, even as the assistant coach of the Super Eagles. With some fans craving to see “one of our own” as the coach, many will believe that Yobo is the coach in waiting for the Super Eagles. Logically, it is expected that he becomes the full time manager of the team when Gernot Rohr’s current contract with the team expires. However, this is subject to the managerial instincts and tactical nous displayed by him in what is his first real coaching experience.

Undoubtedly, Yobo will be expected to play a major role in bringing foreign talents into the team. The fans will love to see talents like Bukayo Saka and Tammy Abraham donning Nigerian colours. Even at that, We all expect to see local talents flourish in the team and it becomes a duty for Yobo to propagate a harmonious team to lead the team to the promised land. Nigerians will expect NPFL stars like Victor Mbaoma, Tasiu Lawal and Ibrahim Mustapha to be integrated into the team under Yobo’s watch. Imperatively, the scouting network of the team will be expected to experience a total overhaul to ensure the country is well represented.

Ultimately, Yobo will be required to instill leadership acquired from his experiences as a captain in the Nigerian Super Eagles and act in the best interest of the team to propel them to greater heights. Nigerians finally have what they crave. Up to you now Joseph Yobo, cometh the man, cometh the moment.