Author: Gabby

Chelsea are on the verge of naming their next manager, following a crucial discussion with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso. The London club has been on the lookout for a new head coach and recently met with the Spanish tactician, who is now the frontrunner for the position.

Alonso, a former midfield maestro for Spain and Liverpool, is among several candidates being evaluated for the role at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have also considered Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, and Fulham’s Marco Silva as potential options.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea’s board has already held direct talks with Alonso, and a final decision is imminent. The club aims to finalize the appointment before the upcoming World Cup in North America next month, as they look to secure stability ahead of the tournament.

Romano revealed on social media: “Chelsea had a direct meeting with Xabi Alonso, and the final decision is expected very soon. The plan is to announce the new manager before the World Cup, with talks now accelerating. Discussions have also taken place with Iraola, Glasner, and Silva as part of the shortlist.”

The move signals a new era for Chelsea, who are eager to bounce back after a challenging season. Alonso’s tactical acumen and experience in European football make him a compelling choice to lead the team forward.

Scottish giants Rangers are reportedly edging closer to securing the signature of Nigerian defensive prospect Akpe Victory, who currently plies his trade with Hungarian side Zalaegerszegi. The Glasgow club has entered advanced negotiations with the Hungarian outfit, as per sources close to the deal.

However, the Light Blues are not alone in the race for the 19-year-old center-back. Portuguese powerhouse Benfica has also entered the fray, tabling their own offer for the highly sought-after youngster. According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, several clubs from Germany, Spain, and France are keeping a close watch on Victory’s progress.

Rangers are prepared to shell out around €5 million to land the defender, who has been one of the standout performers in the Hungarian top flight this season. The teenager has featured in 15 league matches for Zalaegerszegi, finding the back of the net once.

Nottingham Forest have presented Taiwo Awoniyi with a specially designed shirt to celebrate his century of appearances for the club, as reported by DAILY POST. The Nigerian striker reached the landmark during Forest’s impressive 3-1 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago. Awoniyi made the occasion even more memorable by scoring twice in that fixture. The 28-year-old received the commemorative jersey during Friday’s training session. He joined the City Ground outfit from Bundesliga side Union Berlin in 2022. Despite facing challenges with regular game time this season, the forward has still managed to contribute four goals and one assist across 15 league outings.

For the first time in FA Cup history, Manchester City and Chelsea will meet in the final, with both sides eager to overcome their recent struggles at Wembley.

City have suffered defeat in each of the last two FA Cup finals, falling to Manchester United and then to Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive loss in the competition, a fate that would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have their own Wembley nightmare to end. Although they triumphed against Manchester United in 2018, that victory was sandwiched between a loss to Arsenal in 2017 and six subsequent final defeats at the venue, including four FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals.

City enter the contest as clear favorites, having been in scintillating form as they chase a potential domestic treble. After already lifting the Carabao Cup, Pep Guardiola’s men are also just two points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League with two games remaining.

However, it would be unwise to dismiss Chelsea. The Blues often thrive when seen as underdogs, and a victory over City would salvage something from a disappointing season while also ending their Wembley jinx.

Kelechi Iheanacho is determined to lift the Scottish Premiership trophy when Celtic welcome Hearts to Paradise on Saturday. The Nigerian forward has been in inspired form recently, scoring a crucial late equalizer in midweek against Motherwell that kept Celtic’s title hopes alive.

Iheanacho has netted vital winners against Dundee and Hibernian in recent matches, showcasing his knack for delivering under pressure. This season, he has scored eight goals in 22 appearances across all competitions for the Hoops.

Hearts currently lead Celtic by a single point at the top of the table. A draw would be enough for Hearts to end their 66-year championship drought, while Celtic must secure a victory to defend their league crown.

The stage is set for a dramatic finale at Celtic Park, with Iheanacho eager to add another trophy to his collection and help the club retain the title.

The Premier League’s 37th round commenced on Friday evening with Aston Villa’s surprising 4-2 victory over Liverpool at Villa Park.

The highlight of the round is the postponed Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur fixture, now set for Tuesday. This delay stems from Chelsea’s FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday at Wembley.

Several other matches also have the potential for unexpected outcomes. Here are three fixtures where underdogs might shine.

Bournemouth host Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday at 7:30 PM. Both sides won their previous outings: Bournemouth edged Fulham 1-0, while City cruised past Crystal Palace 3-0. The Cherries sit sixth with 55 points, while City are second. Despite the gulf in class, Bournemouth could unsettle Pep Guardiola’s team and snatch a positive result.

Arsenal welcome Burnley to the Emirates on Monday. The Gunners beat West Ham 1-0 last time out, while Burnley held Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw. Arsenal lead the table, whereas Burnley languish in 19th. However, the Clarets, buoyed by their recent point, might frustrate Mikel Arteta’s side and secure a draw.

Manchester United face Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. United drew 0-0 with Sunderland, while Forest also drew 1-1 with Newcastle. United are third, Forest 16th. But Forest, following a respectable result against Newcastle, could cause problems for Michael Carrick’s men and come away with a positive result.

Real Madrid is reportedly preparing to part ways with either Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Junior during the upcoming summer transfer window, with Jose Mourinho expected to take the helm as manager.

Reports from L’Equipe indicate that the Spanish giants have concluded that the pairing of Mbappe and Vinicius is not yielding the desired results. This comes as a surprise given that Mbappe is only in his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu, having joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French forward had an impressive debut campaign, netting 44 goals in all competitions, though Real Madrid finished the season without any silverware. Meanwhile, Vinicius has been a part of the Madrid setup since 2013 and emerged as a key player for the team.

However, since missing out on the Ballon d’Or in 2024, Vinicius has seen a decline in both his goal contributions and overall performances. Mourinho is expected to have the final say on any major squad changes, and his arrival could signal a significant shake-up at the club.

The Nigeria women’s national team, the Super Falcons, have scheduled two international friendly matches against Senegal next month as part of their buildup to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. According to reports, the games will take place at the Remo Stars International Stadium in Ikenne on June 5 and June 8.

Initially, the team led by coach Justine Madugu was set to face Jamaica in a friendly at the end of this month, but the Jamaicans withdrew due to logistical issues. The Super Falcons last played in March, securing a 3-1 victory over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in Yaounde.

Nigeria, the most successful team in WAFCON history, will aim for their 11th title at the tournament in Morocco this July. They have been placed in Group C alongside debutants Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt. The double-header against Senegal will provide valuable preparation for the West African giants as they seek to dominate the continental stage once again.

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has added another major honor to his career after helping Celtic secure the Scottish Premiership trophy for the 2025/26 season. The Nigerian international came off the bench during the decisive fixture against Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday, which ended with a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory for the home side.

This latest league success marks the 56th time Celtic have claimed the Scottish top-flight title, cementing their status as one of the country’s most decorated clubs. Iheanacho entered the match in the second half, replacing Sebastian Tounekti as Martin O’Neill’s side looked to overturn a deficit. Hearts had taken the lead through Michael Steinwender in the 38th minute, but Celtic responded swiftly with an equalizer from the penalty spot scored by Arne Engels just before halftime. The second half saw Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand both find the net, sealing the win that confirmed Celtic’s championship triumph.

With a final tally of 82 points from the season, Celtic finished two points clear of runners-up Hearts, ensuring the title stayed in Glasgow. Iheanacho’s contribution throughout the campaign, including crucial goals and assists, has been widely praised by fans and teammates alike. The win was celebrated with a huge display of support at Paradise as the team lifted the trophy.