Eden Hazard has warned Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte and Board against bringing in a new striker this January. He has also questioned the idea of adopting a more direct tactical approach this season. Chelsea have been in the market shopping for a striker after Alvaro Morata has failed to find the back of the net in many games, with the Blues drawing record three consecutive matches without a goal.
Watford announced on Sunday they had sacked manager Marco Silva, blaming an “unwarranted approach” by Premier League rivals Everton for a downturn in results and loss of focus. The Portuguese coach was a target for the Merseyside club earlier in the campaign after an excellent start to the season but a run of one win in 11 Premier League matches has cost him his job. Instead, Everton appointed Sam Allardyce to replace the sacked Ronald Koeman.
N’Golo Kante has expressed his happiness at seeing Chelsea FC secure a deal to sign Ross Barkley from Everton in the January transfer window, 90 Minutes Sports reports. Barkley became the first signing for Chelsea since the January transfer window opened. The midfielder is still waiting to make his debut, although he had featured in a closed door match with Queens Park Rangers where he bagged a brace.
Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru is hopeful of being fit in time to be able to fight for a place in the Super Eagles’ 2018 World Cup squad.
The World Cup starts in June in Russia.
The 20-year-old injured his knee in December while playing for Anderlecht against his former club Eupen in the Belgian Pro League and he was told he would be out for several months.
Onyekuru has returned to his parent club Everton for treatment and he believes the “love” he has received from everybody at the Premier League club will help him “recover even more quickly”.
Nigerian Emem Eduok scored twice for Kasimpasa in their 3-2 home win against Alanyaspor in the Turkish top flight on Friday.
Eduok scored in the 22nd minute to make it 1-1 for Kasimpasa in the encounter and in the 71st minute, he once again got on the score sheet to bring scores to 2-2.
Reacting to Eduok’s brace, Nigerian teammate Kenneth Omeruo hailed his compatriots for his current form.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have maintained their 51st position in the latest Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Coca Cola World Ranking released Thursday on FIFA’s official website.
The Eagles retained their ninth position in Africa.
Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D foes, Argentina were non movers as they remain fourth in the world
But the Super Eagles’ two other World Cup group opponents, Croatia and Iceland moved up two places. Croatia stepped up to 15th, while debutant Iceland moved two places to 20th.
