Where is Benatia?

Juventus Medhi Benatia seemingly arrived in Qataf for his Al-Duhail medicals. The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of £7m which may rise by £2m and will be paid in two instalment. One now and the other at 2019 summer window.

Since his move from Bayern Munich, the 31 year old has been a really good player for head coach Allegri. However, with the return of Bonucci and acquisition of Martin Caceres, he fell down the pecking order on the club's list of centre back in the starting eleven. This opened a potential move out for Benatia.

The Moroccan defender leaves Europe for the first time in his footballing career. Despite huge interest from Arsenal and other big European club's, he felt he needed a new challenge.

Diego Simeone reaction over fans protest

As January transfer window is coming to a close, every fan seems excited to see his/her club bring in a new player. Atletico Madrid fans are not an exception. However with rumour linking Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata to the club, most of them seemed to voice their disapproval of a potential deal. They made it clear during their most recent game on Saturday against Getafe when they won 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano with chants of "Less Morata and more Borja Garces"

Reacting to this, head coach Diego Simeone shared his thoughts at the post match conference. Simeone pointed it out that the opinion of Atletico Madrid fans should always be respected. He said he would not criticise Atletico Madrid fans who made it clear they are not keen on the idea of Alvaro Morata joining the club.

Latest on Ander Herrera contract talks

No doubt, many Manchester United fans would love to see Ander Herrera sign a new contract. The 29 year old midfielder has been very vital to the club since his arrival. He always gives his all for the team on the pitch and off the pitch. As a result, Manchester United have gone into talks with the possibility of extending his stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer. Ander Herrera is into his final year of his current contract at the club, and there are many European giants who will be interested in landing the midfielder.

Speaking to reporters a few hours ago, the Spaniard shared his thoughts about the state of things concerning his contract extension:

“We have more important things happening now than my contract. My priority is to beat Burnley, Leicester. If I deserve a new contract, the contract will come. I’m not a selfish guy, I want the team to keep winning games, I don’t go crazy about my contract.”

Manchester United will host Burnley on Tuesday night in the Premier League. It's expected they get all 3 points if they are to keep the battle of finishing top 4 alive.

I nearly bought Liverpool - Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots has revealed in a recent interview with talkSPORT why he turned down the chance to buy Liverpool back in 2005.

The American billionaire said he held talks over a purchase deal for the premier league side before Tom Hicks and George Gillett bought the club.


"We had a chance to buy it before them [Hicks and Gillett] and I came very close to doing it, said Kraft.
“I want to win at everything I do and I think the way that people can spend money there without any limits or do things outside of the UK, it just would be hard to compete.
“I personally believe you don’t go into sport to make money. You go into sport to win.

“Teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or the Patriots, they bring a community together. If you could have seen 36 hours after we won the game on Tuesday in Boston, it was raining and snow drizzle and we had a million-and-a-half people come to the streets on short notice.

“There is nothing else that bonds things together like teams. People like myself that have the privilege of owning a franchise that is important to the community, we are stewards of trusteeship and we have to take it very seriously - and winning is the most important thing to me.”

City request £80m for Sergio Aguero

Manchester City star, Sergio Aguero, is set for a permanent switch to Inter Milan this summer.
Reports suggest that the Serie A giant are keen on landing the netbuster for a record fee of about £80m. And are willing to offer him a £300,000-a-week deal to quit the Etihad.

The Argentine international hinted last week that he will consider his Manchester City future at the end of the season following the arrival of Gabriel Jesus.
Aguero who has scored 18 goals for City this season, has been on the bench for City's last two games as Jesus continues to make an impression following his January arrival from Brazilian side Palmeiras.


Although PSG would be the favourites to sign Aguero due to their financial muscle and their continued search to find a replacement striker for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Football Italia claim Inter have upwards of £340m (€400m) to spend on new players and wages in the next transfer window.

Inter Milan new Chinese owners Suning Group are however desperate to bring success to the club and challenge Juventus for Serie A titles on a regular basis. And Aguero is high on the shopping list at the San Siro.

Arsene out, Allegri in !!!

It's a matter of big debate on who will be Arsenal's manager at the beginning of next season. Arsene Wenger whose contract expires at [the] of season, has been given a 2-year extension as reported by Rumour Mill.

The current Arsenal boss has been a subject of public criticism recently after seeing back-to-back defeats which perhaps have impeded his chances of winning the premier league this season.

However, we have also gotten reports claiming that Arsenal have reached out to Juventus manager Max Allegri.

The Express have claimed less than two weeks ago, “Allegri’s representatives have been locked in talks with Arsenal hierarchy.”
Meanwhile after the Old Ladies 2-0 victory over Crotone on Wednesday night, the Italian press were presented with an opportunity of asking Allegri about the rumour linking him to the North London side.
Here's what the Juventus coach had to say:
I won’t deny or confirm anything. I am in sync with the club, now we have to focus on winning.
At this time of the season the media always says I’m leaving, even when things are going really well.

Why I dribble to the right; Hazard tells Henry

Chelsea star player, Eden Hazard has revealed why he often dribbles to the right hand side on his recent interview with Sky Sports pundit, Thierry Henry.
The Belgium international has put up a quite number of brilliant performances for the Blues so far this season, helping them remain 9-point clear at the top of the league table.


The former Arsenal forward and club legend could not but notice Hazard's dribbling habit. Henry asked the playmaker on Sky Sports why he always makes that run back into traffic and out to the right side from his roaming position on the left whenever he picks up possession while attacking.
Here's what Eden said in response:
“For me it’s easier to play with my right foot.
“It’s simple. If I go right, I see Diego (Costa) and have different solutions.
“I go alone or pass to Diego or the midfield can join in.
“If I go the other way, the cross with my left foot is not good.”

Thierry Henry is a great admirer of the Belgian. And being part of the Belgium national team, firsthand knowledgeable of the playmaker's ability is no strange thing.

Wenger eyeing talented teenager; Can he be the solution Arsenal desperately need?

Arsenal may not have won the Premier League title for over 12 years now, but the North London club have produced some of the finest talents in world football over these years. Inspite of this achievement, the French manager has continually being sacrificed in the altar of criticism by fans and as well the Media.
With his future currently on jeopardy after being seemingly out of this year's title race with back-to-back defeats, Arsene Wenger hasn't stopped looking for fresh talents during his spare time.


The new ‘sensation’, as every starlet linked with Arsenal are often christened, goes by the name of George Hirst and he is currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday.

Only a 17-year-old, the forward has made just two appearances for the club this season but has been tremendously impressive at youth level, which has caught Wenger’s attention. According to reports , Arsenal are tracking his progress and have sent scouts on a regular basis to check him out. Hence, a move for the youngster is somewhere around the corner.


Who is George Hirst?
George is the son of Wednesday legend David Hirst, who currently works as a youth coach at Hillsborough. Hirst made his debut for the Owls in the EFL Cup defeat to Cambridge in August before featuring against Reading in December.
Hirst has also been brilliant in the England U-18 and U-17 teams, scoring four goals in seven appearances.

Mkhitaryan is better than Ozil, Silva and others - Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed that Manchester United's ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is a more dangerous creative player than Mesut Ozil, Juan Mata and David Silva. He said the Armenian's pace makes him a more dangerous No 10 than any other in the league currently.


Henrikh Mkhitaryan has this unique drive when on the ball in the opposition half. This he displayed yet again on Sunday against the Foxes when he showed Leciester City defenders a clean pair of heels as he registered the opening goal in thier 3-0 victory over the reigning Champions.
Reaching the ball on the half-way line ahead of Foxes centre-back Robert Huth, Mkhitaryan burst away from Wes Morgan before beating Kasper Schmeichel in a one-on-one situation.


“He (Mkhitaryan) has got something that very few players in that position have, which is pace," Carragher told Sky Sports.
“You think of Juan Mata, Mesut Ozil, David Silva – great technicians – but they don’t have that pace.
“And I think that was vital in the first goal.”

Mkhitaryan was barely selected by United manager Jose Mourinho at the start of the season but has been a regular in the team since the end of November.

Cameroon crowned 2017 AFCON champions

Despite eight of her top players not honoring their call up before the start of this year's competition, Cameroon came rose highest to clinge the African Cup Of Nation trophy.
Cameroon won its 5th AFCON title with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Pharaohs of Egypt last night at Libreville.


The Egyptians, who had not been beaten in 25 Nations Cup matches dating back to 2004, were looking to win the crown for the first time since 2010.
They took the lead through Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny midway through the first half. However, Cameroon's fighting spirit paid off after a sumptuous equaliser from Nicolas Nkoulou in the hour mark through the game. Nevertheless, both teams continued to press for the winner.
As they say, "you never say it's over until the blast of the final whistle", history was made on the 88th minute after a Vincent Aboubakar's absolute rocket into the roof of the net, sealing victory for the Indomitable Lions.
Cameroon lifted the trophy for the first time in 15 years, having won it last in 2002.


In the light of the victory, Christian Bassogog was named the Player of the tournament. The 21 year old became the first Cameroonian to win the prize since Rigobert Song in 2002 while following the footsteps of some of the game's greats in earning the prize.
Austin Okocha, Abedi Ayew, Christian Chukwu, Benni McCarthy and Rabah Madjer have all gone onto enjoy illustrious careers after winning the award.

Our title defence has been embarrassing - Kasper Schmeichel

The Foxes are yet to register a goal in 2017 and are one point away from the drop zone. They yet again fell to a Manchester United side yesterday by 3 goals, piling more pressure on Claudio Ranieri, the Leciester City manager.

Speaking to the press after the match, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel insisted that it's quite embarrassing for the club to be on the verge of relegation.
"We're the reigning champions but quite frankly it's been terrible," Schmeichel told Sky Sports.
"Every player is hurting. It's not a situation that is comfortable. It's time for everyone to stand up and be counted because if we don't we're going to end up getting relegated."

By this time last year, Leicester won 3-1 at Manchester City to move five points clear at the top of the table and put them on course for an unexpected title.
Now they are 38 points behind leaders Chelsea with reports suggesting manager Claudio Ranieri has lost the support of his players.
Being asked whether the players are still behind Ranieri, Schmeichel would not comment. Instead the manager had something to say:
"We're together. I'm happy with the players and they're happy with me. We have to stay together and keep fighting."

Pogba sets history on Twitter

Manchester United ace, Paul Pogba, marks history on Twitter as he becomes the first premier league player to have his own Twitter emoji. It was made official on Friday and was the top trending topic worldwide in a matter of minutes.


One can unlock the bespoke Pogba emoji by simply hashtagging his name - #Pogba

Speaking on this regard, the French midfielder said: “I am happy and thankful for this opportunity, " he said. "Let's have fun and kick some ass at #pogba.” You can follow him on Twitter by clicking this link @PaulPogba

While commenting on the topic, Manchester United's group managing director, Richard Arnold, said: "Manchester United is the most connected and engaged club in world sport and we continually strive to find new ways to communicate with our global following of 659 million people.
"We are the number one Premier League team on social media with a reach of over 130million total social connections across all platforms. Twitter is one of our most popular channels, last year gaining 3.3 million new followers; more than any other Premier League team.
"This emoji is another great tool for our supporters to connect with the club through a digital environment, particularly as the excitement builds for Sunday’s match against Liverpool.
“Since returning to the club Paul has become an important player. He is an iconic figure for our supporters around the world, one of the best players in the game and a terrific role model.”

Paul Pogba returned to the club at the start of this season after spending 3-year spell in Juventus. He became the world highest signing for a record fee of £89m. Since then, he's been instrumental in Manchester United current scoring 6 goals for the club.

OFFICIAL: Barcelona dismiss director after Leo Messi comment

Spanish football giant, Barcelona, have confirmed the removal of Pere Gratacos as director after certain comments made by him against Lionel Messi at the Copa del Rey quarter final game.

In their official statement, the club said Gratacos had been dismissed for making comments which they do NOT agree with.


While speaking to members of the Press concerning the Copa del Rey result, Pere Gratacos insisted that Barcelona are not where they are only because of Messi:
"He's very important but it was the team who won [against Athletic Bilbao in the last 16]. Without Neymar, Luis Suarez, Iniesta, Pique and the others, he wouldn't be such a good player."

Meanwhile, Messi inspired the Catalans to a 3–1 win to overturn their first leg defeat and progress in the competition with an absolutely stunning free-kick. The 5-time Ballon d'Or award winner's all three goals this new year, has come from 3 direct free-kick attempts.
With Messi’s contract set to expire in 2018 and the Argentine holding out for an improved offer, there is considerable tension among the Barcelona hierarchy regarding both, balancing the books and appeasing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Barca CEO Oscar Grau set the cat among the pigeons (in this case, Barcelona fans) regarding the future of Messi after claiming the contract extension needed to be “analysed with a cool head and common sense” by the club.
Friday’s comments by Gratacos would have done little to soothe nerves either, and their ill-timing may just have been the key to him getting dismissed from the role.

Gratacos was the director of training and education at Barcelona, overseeing key aspects of the famed La Masia youth system which Messi himself came through.
However after his removal from the post of a director, he is set to continue under a diminished role at the club.

REVEALED: The cost of José Mourinho sacking at Chelsea

Chelsea statement of account for 2015/2016 football season revealed that the club paid former manager, Mourinho and his coaching staff a total of about £8.3m as compensation after being fired.


After a miserable start to last year's campaign, Jose Mourinho was finally sacked in December 2015 after a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Leicester City. The 'Special One' had reportedly lost the dressing room at Stamford Bridge as the club statement read that the sacking was caused because of a 'palpable discord' with the players.
Guus Hiddink came in as the interim manager and somehow steadied the ship as Chelsea finished tenth, their worst result in recent years.

This is however not the first time Mourinho and his coaching staff have been compensated with such a huge amount. When he was sacked after his first spell at the London club, he was paid about £23m as compensation.

Despite of a record turnover of £329.1m and player sales profit worth £49m in the financial year, Chelsea incurred a total loss of £70.6m. Indeed, it was a bad year for owner Roman Ambramovich. The loss included the £67m the Blues paid to Adidas to terminate their kit-manufacturing contract six year earlier.

A novel description of Giroud's Scorpion kick goal; MUST READ!

Found this piece of article online and it's absolutely amazing. Would love our readers to go through it too. What's this article about? Simple... It's about Olivier Giroud's scorpion kick goal on New year's day against Crystal Palace. Read and Enjoy


The foundation of this goal began the night before New Year’s Eve. Olivier Giroud and the ball just happened to find themselves at the same party. They spotted each other from across the room. They exchanged timid glances and just before midnight, Giroud worked up the courage to approach the ball.
They discussed how funny it was that they were both there, given that they would be working together the next day. The conversation flowed easy. As the countdown to the new year began, Giroud admitted that he was developing feelings for the ball.

“I don’t have relationships with players,” the ball told him. “I’ve been kicked aside too many times.”

“I’m not like the others,” Giroud insisted, caressing the ball’s high-visibility exterior. “I’ll love you like Theo Walcott loves his coffee machine.”

As the clock struck midnight, the two kissed passionately. Everyone around them disappeared in that moment and the fireworks above were no match for those in their hearts.
In the small hours of the morning, Giroud and the ball went home together, where they explored every smooth, rounded panel of each other’s bodies.

When Giroud was jolted awake by his alarm, the ball was gone and he wondered if their affair was just a fleeting moment of loneliness and desire.
He prepared for the match as he usually does—winking at himself in the mirror and bathing in cocoa butter. When he arrived at the Emirates and stepped onto the pitch for warm-ups, he tried to ignore the ball as it feigned interest in other people.
The match began and this silly game continued. But in the 17th minute, they could no longer resist their attraction.

Alexis Sanchez sent in a cross that put the ball behind Giroud, who flung out his leg in a desperate attempt to make contact with his complicated lover. As he did so, he whispered “Please, my love, go in the net…and wait for me there.”
Just before the ball propelled off the outside of his boot, it replied: “Anything, Giroud…”
With all the strength it could muster, the ball spun itself down off the crossbar and into the soft embrace of the net, leaving all its witnesses gasping in astonishment.

After the match, Giroud tracked down the ball to profess his love and eternal devotion. He said they could retire and live out their days on a deserted island together. Maybe even have children, if such a thing proves to be possible.
“You know this will never last, Olivier,” it told him. “But I will always remember our time together. And this goal will live on as a testament to what true love can achieve.”
With that, the match official took the ball away, leaving a tearful Giroud to be consoled by Gunnersaurus in the tunnel of bittersweet emotion.


SOURCE: Howler
NEMA Sports do not claim authority over this piece. Views expressed here are solely of the writer.

Yannick Bolasie to miss rest of the season with Knee Injury

Everton winger Yannick Bolasie is set to face 12 months on the sidelines. According to statement released by club manager Ronald Koeman, the former Crystal Palace player will miss the remaining part of this season.

"It is a long-term injury - 10, 11, 12 months. He will come back, he has a strong mentality," Koeman said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

Although Yannick Bolasie had an operation last month after damaging his cruciate ligament in the game against Manchester United, Koeman believes he'll come back strongly.

The Merseyside Blue will therefore look forward to fill in the void left by Bolasie this January transfer window. Reports say they are strongly getting set to land Manchester United misfit winger Memphis Depay on a loan deal.

The Toffees are currently seventh in the table, nine points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United but have picked up a bit of steam in their last few games, winning three of their last five matches.

Mikel snubs Valencia for Tainjin TEDA; Pens emotional open letter to fans

Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has snubbed his move to Valencia, opting to join the Chinese Super League side Tainjin TEDA.
Confirming this on Friday, the Nigerian international penned down an emotion-filled open letter to Chelsea fans around the world.

Sources say the Mikel Obi will earn close to £140,000 ponds a week in his 3 year contract.

photo showing John Mikel Obi's open letter to fans


John Mikel Obi ten year reign at Chelsea FC was marked with success as he won trophies at different levels of competition.
He won eleven trophies among them were:
2 Premier League titles
4 FA cup
2 League cup
1 Europa League title
1 UEFA champions league title.

The 29 year old joins Tainjin TEDA who finished 11th on the league table, on a free transfer as his contract at Stamford Bridge was due to end this summer.

What Arsenal must do to win the Premier League title

Former Chelsea striker, Chris Sutton, has revealed what the club must do if they are to ever win the Premier League title again.


Last month, Arsenal saw their title hopes suffer a big blow following a back-to-back premier league defeats to Manchester City and Everton. However with victories over West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace on Boxing day and New Year day respectively, they have managed to maintain course in the turbulent winds of the title race.

The Gunners have NOT won the premier league trophy since 2003-2004 season and Sutton doesn't see the North London club ever winning it until Wenger leaves the club.

Speaking to BBC Radio’s 606 podcast, Chris Sutton said;
“I’m still not convinced by them. If Arsenal want to win a title, get rid of Arsene Wenger,”


DO YOU AGREE WITH SUTTON? Please drop your comments here!

REVEALED: Leaked FIFPro Team Of The Year for 2016

The FIFPro Team of the Year for 2016 appears to have been leaked online a few days to the actual event (January 9).


The allegedly leaked team of 11 players was said to have featured La Liga players heavily including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

9 out of the 11 players are from La Liga, precisely Real Madrid and Barcelona.
While the remaining two players are from Bundesliga and Lique 1. No player from the English Premier League made the list:

ATTACK
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Neymar

MIDFIELD
Toni Kroos
Iniesta
Luka Modric

DEFENCE
Sergio Ramos
Thiago Silva
Pique
Marcelo

GOALKEEPER
Manuel Neuer

Tottenham fans thrown into panic as Real interest in Alli soars

Tottenham Hotspur fans will only but hope the rumours regarding Real Madrid interest in promising midfielder, Dele Alli were false.


Few hours ago, there were reliable reports that the Spanish giant have enlisted Dele Alli as thier prime target in the summer. The Mirror reported that Madrid's interest in the England international was triggered by his superb meteoric development from an ordinary League One player to one of the best midfielder in top flight football.

Spurs fans would have likely ignored the rumour if it was other clubs going for him. PSG - why would he want to go to France now? Chinese Super League - why would he chase money now and abandon his development? Other premier league rival - why leave Spurs? But Real Madrid - Hmmm... When Real come calling, it's hard not to start packing bags!

In recent years, Tottenham have been gotten rid of arguably two of their best players - Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.
Of course Dele Alli is currently enjoying life at the White Hart Lane, but that may not stop him following the footsteps of Bale and Modric if Madrid come knocking at the door. It's speculated that Alli's worth in the transfer market is around £50m.