Mpira

Chelsea news: Brendan Rodgers will be without Youri Tielemans for Leicester's clash against the Blues in the Premier League in just over 10 days Leicester star Youri Tielemans is set for at least a month out of action after suffering ankle ligament damage, meaning he will miss the Foxes clash against Chelsea. The two teams will come to blows on March 11 in the Premier League and the Belgian midfielder will be a guaranteed absentee, with his injury meaning he could miss as much as six weeks. Tielemans was tipped for a big move at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract in the summer. Arsenal were the club heavily linked with Tielemans after he revealed that he was not keen on signing an extension at King Power Stadium. The 25-year-old has seen his game time diminish in recent weeks playing just under an hour in Leicester's last three games. After coming on as a sub against Arsenal over the weekend, Tielemans picked up the injury after landing awkwardly in a cha...

Manchester United's takeover is set to be delayed until May with the Glazer family reportedly holding out for a bid of £6billion after initial bids from Qatari investors and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were lodged at a maximum of £4.5bn. An offer from Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, which is for full control, and a bid from British billionaire Ratcliffe to take a majority stake were lodged a fortnight ago but the hopes to conclude a deal by the end of March reportedly appear unlikely. According to the Guardian, there is said to be an indecision between the six Glazer siblings with every member of the family having their own intentions around the sale of Manchester United. However, the report claims that while it is the family's desire to sell the club, a deal being agreed by the end of the month is now in doubt and will be pushed back until after the season finishes. It comes after Sportsmail reported on Monday that those who bidded for the Old Trafford club are expecting to hea...

Roy Keane left ITV presenter Laura Woods stunned as he described Kevin De Bruyne's display against Bristol City as 'sexy' after Manchester City booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Woods was in the chair for coverage of the Fifth Round tie, with Keane alongside Ian Wright on punditry duty as Phil Foden notched twice for Pep Guardiola's men, before De Bruyne wrapped up the 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola's side. Talking about the Belgian's strike after the game, the former Manchester United man was full of compliments for the City playmaker and described his performance by using a somewhat surprising turn of phrase. Keane told ITV: 'I love watching him live. It's the little details he gets right, in terms of his decision making, weight of pass, he's got a goal in him…he is world class. 'Some of the stuff tonight, this goal, Jack does really well here, the weight of the pass is perfect and this is pure quality. I said when we were watc...

Jose Mourinho was sent off for a third time this season as his Roma side were defeated 2-1 by Cremonese. The Portuguese boss saw red just seconds into the second half after clashing with the fourth official. He was shown his marching orders for dissent by referee Marco Piccinini and then proceeded to continue to point at the fourth official and insist 'It's him, it's him' in protest. Mourinho's team were already 1-0 down when he received his marching orders, after Frank Tsadjout had opened the scoring for relegation-threatened Cremonese. Leonardo Spinazzola levelled the game for Roma with just under twenty minutes to go, before a Daniel Ciofani penalty saw the home side take all three points - and record their first Serie A win for 27 years. The former Premier League winning boss had to watch the second half events from the stands, where he joined assistant Salvatore Foti, who himself was serving a touchline ban for using insults from when the two sides met in the C...

Karim Benzema appears to post stats aimed at the FIFA Best decision after Lionel Messi claimed the award. On his Instagram story, Benzema posted his stats and awards in both club and national levels of the past year, seeming to question whether he or the World Cup winner Messi deserves the FIFA best award more. The final voting results of the Best FIFA Men's Player 2022 Award:

BERLIN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - A number of newcomers will feature in the Germany squad for the international matches against Peru and Belgium in March, coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday as the team rebuild with an eye on the Euro 2024 tournament on home soil. The Germans, who suffered their second consecutive group-stage World Cup exit in Qatar in December, will be hoping to lay the foundations this year for a successful tournament in Germany in 2024. "We will make sure to have some new players with us," Flick said. "It will be interesting to see some of the youngsters." "We want to use the team from now until the Euros to test young players," he said. Germany host Peru on March 25 and then Belgium three days later. Several young players have already earned their Germany caps and are almost certain of a spot in the 2024 squad, including Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko among other. Many more are expected to showcase their talen...

After a record-equalling brace in Le Classique for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, Kylian Mbappé (24) was in attendance at The Best ceremony on Monday, where he revealed that if he were to ever play in Italy, he would only play for AC Milan. The France international, now Ligue 1’s best goalscorer with 17 strikes, attended FIFA’s prize-giving night in Paris, where his PSG teammate Lionel Messi (35) received the title of Best Player of the year, closely followed by the Paris-born 24-year-old. During the ceremony, a fan in the audience enquired about Mbappé’s whereabouts in the foreseeable future. The PSG forward is tied with Les Parisiens with a contract set to expire in 2024, but it includes an option for a further year. It is not far-fetched to believe that Real Madrid will try again to persuade Mbappé to put pen to paper with La Casa Blanca, unless PSG’s joint all-time goalscorer takes everyone by surprise and chooses an unlikely destination, like Italy for instance. Mbappé revealed th...

This Thursday will see Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the latest instalment of El Clasico, this time in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie. The meeting is the pair’s third of the season, with Real Madrid winning 3-1 in La Liga back in October and Barcelona defeating Los Blancos in the Spanish Super Cup final in January. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are considered to be favourites for Thursday’s first leg, largely due to the fact that Barcelona will be missing Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele due to injury. Former Real Madrid player Esteban Granero, who started his professional career at the club in 2004, believes that Thursday’s fixture could set the tone for the remaining El Clasico matches this season, as per Sport. “I think the first game of the three they are going to play can affect the other two, because the dynamics have a big impact. My heart tells me that Madrid are favourites, but they are very evenly matched.” Both sides will be desperate to pro...

The Gunners look set to strengthen their midfield options in the summer Emmanuel Petit has backed Arsenal to complete a midfield overhaul in the summer and sign Declan Rice, alongside one of Brighton duo Moises Caicedo or Alexis Mac Allister. Midfield looks set to be a priority position in the upcoming transfer window with West Ham United star Rice reportedly Mikel Arteta's top target. He may not be the only incoming, however, with Arsenal among a host of top clubs linked with a move for Argentina World Cup hero Mac Allister, who could seal a Brighton exit in the summer. His Seagulls midfield partner Caicedo also made his desire to leave clear last month as Arsenal saw two big money offers turned down for the Ecuador international. The Gunners instead completed a £12 million deal for Chelsea's Jorginho to provide cover and competition for first choice duo Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. All three have been impressive performers so far this season but at 31, 29 and 30 respective...

Kylian Mbappe had a stoic reaction as the French star listening to Emiliano Martinez's speech after receiving the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper Award, after the Argentine had taunted him following their World Cup win in Qatar. The Aston Villa shot-stopper claimed FIFA's 'The Best' goalkeeper prize at the ceremony in Paris on Monday. Martinez beat Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Belgium's Thibaut Courtois to the award, and thanked the efforts of his parents in helping him make it to the top. 'They always ask me who my idols are or who I watched when I was a kid… Watching my mum clean buildings for eight or nine hours and watching my dad work. They are my idols,' said Martinez. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi were seen smiling listening to Martinez's speech, along with his former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The cameras eventually panned to Mbappe, who appeared stony-faced as Martinez gave his speech. Martinez received the award...

The Gunners boss has spoken to the press ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. What’s the latest team news and specifically on Thomas Partey? “He hasn’t obviously trained much, only had a session and he will train today. It’s what it is, he was out for a couple of weeks and he needs to get the rhythm. What was the confrontation between Saliba and Gabriel at the end, was there a problem? “They are happy marriage. They love playing with each other but they are really demanding of each other and everything is fine.” Anything to add on the use of VAR at the game? “No.” Is the game against Everton a case of revenge after losing there earlier in the year? “It’s a case of doing things better than we did when we played there a few weeks ago and earn the right to win the game. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll play much better than we did that day.” Have the team looked back at the video of that game and what will you tell them? “Like with any op...

When Ansu Fati’s injury was announced, a bruise to his knee following their tie against Manchester United in the Europa League playoff, it was assumed that he would miss only their fixture against Almeria. However with Real Madrid fast approaching this Thursday, there is growing doubt about whether he will be available. The player is still optimistic that he will be able to play, but on Tuesday he was still training on his own, as per Sport. If he does not train with the full team on Wednesday, the likelihood is that he will miss the first leg altogether. Ansu would only add to the injury woes being suffered by Barcelona, who are currently missing Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele already, although Los Blancos do have some injury issues of their own. If Barcelona cannot call on Ansu, they will likely turn to youngsters Angel Alarcon or Estanis Pedrola for the bench. Ansu was unlikely to start, but the big debate it might settle Xavi Hernandez into the decision to start with...

Chelsea fear Thiago Silva could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines after limping out of their defeat at Tottenham. Chelsea have revealed that Thiago Silva has damaged ligaments in his knee after being substituted in the first half against Tottenham on Sunday. The 38-year-old was landed on by Harry Kane trying to stop a shot. He was treated by the physio before returning to play only to go down again, being replaced by Wesley Fofana. A statement released by the club on Tuesday morning reads: "Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday. "Scan results from those assessments have confirmed damage to Thiago’s knee ligaments and he will now work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible." The injury comes at a bad time for Silva and Chelsea with a crucia...

There's a red mist engulfing LaLiga this season and it’s not coming from the players, it’s coming from the referees. There have been FIVE times as many sendings off in Spain as in England and the match officials were at it again at the weekend. In terms of results Barcelona and Real Madrid, both had hangovers from trips to England in European competition, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side at least managed a point. It came thanks to an 18-year-old Uruguayan whose form suggests Real Madrid might have found the man who can one day replace Karim Benzema. Elsewhere Valencia won at last but, so did everyone else down at the bottom so they stay with one foot in the second tier. Here’s the ten things we learned from La Liga. Refereeing in Spain getting worse ‘He’s up here and our player is down there’ said Diego Simeone gesticulating to the fourth official as Angel Correa was sent off for an elbow into the chest of Antonio Rudiger who towers over the Atletico forward. The size difference was hard...

DILETTA LEOTTA comforted Loris Karius after Newcastle's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United the day before yesterday. The German stopper stepped in for suspended Nick Pope and cup-tied Martin Dubravka at Wembley. Karius, 29, was making his Newcastle debut, and his first appearance for an English side since the 2018 Champions League final. He was subsequently beaten by a Casemiro header and a deflected Marcus Rashford strike, as the Red Devils coasted to a 2-0 victory. But irrespective of the result, his girlfriend Diletta admired his efforts. The Italian TV host took to Instagram to show off her man after the game. She posted a snap of herself kissing Karius' cheek to her Insta story. Diletta captioned it: "Proud of you." Despite the pain of defeat, Karius was able to offer a smile for the camera. Prior to the match, Diletta had penned an open letter to Karius, in which she revealed the traits she admires in him most. Published by The Athletic, she wrote: ...

Harry Maguire insists he doesn't have mixed feelings over Manchester United's success in the Carabao Cup despite only playing a bit-part role in Sunday's final at Wembley. The United captain came on as a substitute in the 88th minute for the closing stages of a 2-0 win over Newcastle, and then lifted the trophy with Bruno Fernandes. Maguire's lack of involvement this season suggests he is unlikely to stay at the club beyond the summer, but the England defender dismissed suggestions that it may have dampened his enjoyment of winning his first trophy at United since a £80million move from Leicester in 2019. 'No, I don't have any mixed emotions,' said Maguire. 'I am club captain and my main job is to move this club forward and to bring success back to the club, and this has been part of it. 'Listen, obviously I am a footballer who wants to play games and I want to lead the boys out of the tunnel at the start of the game. 'I also want to contribute t...

Arsenal are reportedly keeping an eye on Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling with Mikel Arteta a fan of the player from their time together at Manchester City. The high-flying Gunners know they will need to bolster their squad in the summer as they prepare to make their long-awaited return to the Champions League. And 90min claim Sterling is on their radar with Arteta interested in a reunion. Sterling and Arteta worked together for a number of years while the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola's assistant at City. His ability to play across the front three is one of the biggest factors in any potential move. Sterling is believed to be content at Chelsea but the blues will no doubt have to let some players go at the end of the season after their recent big sending. The 28-year-old joined Chelsea from City in a deal worth £50m in the summer. he has contributed six goals and three assists in 25 appearances during his debut campaing. Injuries have been an issue since the World Cup but he has recent...

Argentina ace Lionel Messi has been named the Best FIFA Men's Player 2022. The Argentina and Paris St Germain superstar has been bestowed with the honour following a landmark year in which he inspired his nation to FIFA World Cup glory.  Messi was presented with the prize at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Paris, having come out on top in the voting ahead of finalists Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema. Messi also won 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player award and becomes the third player to receive the accolade twice, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski. Messi produced a series of mesmeric performances during Argentina's triumphant World Cup campaign. The genius number 10 was Argentina’s talisman in Qatar, scoring seven goals – including a brace in that unforgettable final win over France – and providing three assists during the tournament.  His stirring leadership was also frequently cited by team-mates as an integral factor in their success. Messi’s inspirationa...

Roy Keane was pleased to see an argument between Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes after Manchester United's Carabao Cup win, as he felt it 'means they care.' Erik ten Hag's side won at Wembley on Sunday following first half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford, but that didn't stop the five-time-Champions-League-winning Brazilian from calling out one of his teammates. Fernandes had a good opportunity to make it 3-0 in the closing moments, but his shot was palmed away by Loris Karius. The 28-year-old had options on either side of him when he took the shot, including Jadon Sancho in a good position, which Casemiro angrily pointed out to him after the final whistle. For Keane, the incident showed United were in a good place, as he told Sky Sports: 'I like that arguing, whatever they're arguing about, it means they care.' Their argument did not seem to last long, as smiles broke out from both players before they lifted United's first trophy in six years. ...

FIFA's The Best awards ceremony gets underway on Monday - with PSG star Lionel Messi in line to win the coveted trophy for the top men's player. Messi is a huge favourite to win the award after playing a stunning role in helping Argentina claim the World Cup trophy for the first time since 1986 - also winning player of the tournament. Alongside Messi, club team-mate Kylian Mbappe has also made the final shortlist after reaching the final with France in Qatar and finishing as top scorer. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema completes the three finalists nominated having inspired his side to Champions League success. Players who have impressed during the last year have been cut down to three candidates across seven categories. Competing for the women's award is Arsenal and England star Beth Mead - with Spain star Alexia Putellas and USA international Alex Morgan also nominated. Messi's international boss, Lionel Scaloni guided Argentina to their World Cup win and is in content...