Former England striker, Gary Lineker has warned goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford to ditch his water bottle cheat sheet should the Three Lions face another penalty shootout at Euro 2024....Read Full Article

Pickford was England’s hero at the weekend as he made a crucial penalty save against Switzerland to send Gareth Southgate’s side to the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

The Everton shot-stopper denied Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji’s spot kick with a super stop down to his left side.

It emerged after the penalty shootout that Pickford had a helping hand, with photographs capturing a cheat sheet stuck on his water bottle that indicated where each Switzerland player was likely to shoot.

Next to Akanji’s name was the instruction ‘dive left’, which eventually led to Pickford’s vital stop.

However, Lineker has now warned Pickford ahead of England’s semi-final tie that “one player” is going to look at his water bottle.

“One player is going to look at that bottle,” Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast.

“If you are listening do it differently, do it on a different piece of paper or do it on the post.”

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has been warned he is “playing with fire” with his new coaching appointments at Old Trafford....Read Full Article

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake are set to join Man United’s backroom team as part of Ten Hag’s coaching staff.

The pair had agreed a two-year deal to become Ten Hag’s assistant at United.

However, former Dutch footballer Johan Derksen has now sent a warning to Ten Hag, telling Voetbal: “He (Ten Hag) is playing with fire.

“I understand it all. The English staff apparently doesn’t appeal to him, that is why he wants all Dutch people.

“Hake doesn’t make you a champion. (Van Nistelrooy) really is a star there. He will be the first assistant, he must have forced that.”

Renato Veiga is set to undergo his Chelsea medical on Wednesday in a bid to move to Stamford Bridge this summer....Read Full Article

Recall that Chelsea have agreed on a deal to sign Veiga from FC Basel.

However, according to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, all the documents will be signed between Chelsea and Basel for Veiga’s transfer to the Premier League west London club after the medical.

“Renato Veiga’s final part of medical will be done on Wednesday then documents will be signed between Chelsea and Basel,” Romano wrote on X on Monday night.

Veiga is a 2003-born left-footed versatile defender and midfielder.

Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Atlanta United star, Caleb Wiley, this summer....Read Full Article

The Premier League west London club have already made five signings this summer under their new manager Enzo Maresca.

They have signed the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Estevao Willian and Omari Kellyman.

However, according to The Athletic, the Blues are now closing in on signing Wiley.

The 19-year-old United States international is expected to join for a fee of £8.5million.

But the left-back is likely to head straight out on loan to French club, Strasbourg next season.

Manchester United have sent a new bid to Everton as they seek to sign Jarred Branthwaite this summer....Read Full Article

United boss, Erik ten Hag, is a keen admirer of the defender and wants to add him to the squad.

The Red Devils have seen an initial bid rejected, but on Monday returned with an improved offer.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X: “Manchester United have sent a new bid to Everton for Jarred Branthwaite tonight: £45m fixed fee plus £5m add-ons.

“The proposal is formal and official, as @ChrisWheelerDM has reported.

“Everton insist on a £65/70m price for Branthwaite, no deal again at this stage.”

United are also trying to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

The Euro 2024 has reached its climax as Spain, France, England and the Netherlands battle for final spots....Read Full Article

There is anxiety among the four teams as they prepare for their semifinals fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday in a bid to make it to the Euro 2024 final.

The Euro 2024 final will take place at Olympiastadion Berlin, Germany, on Sunday, 14 July.

Spain vs France:

The first semi-final match will take place today, Tuesday, by 8pm, Nigerian time.

Spain progressed to the last-4 after eliminating the host nation Germany from the competition.

La Roja won 2-1 against Germany in the quarter-final encounter to book their place in the semi-final.

France, on the other hand, qualified for the semi-final stage after beating Portugal.

The Les Blues won the quarter-final tie against Portugal 5-3 on penalties after the match ended in a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes.

Speaking with DAILY POST ahead of the Euro 2024 semi-final fixtures, a sports analyst, Stanley Smart, said:

“Well, I expect a very tough and close encounter between these two European giants.

“Spain is the only team that have won all their matches in the competition so far. They are obviously the favourite to win the competition due to their performances.

“But you cannot write off the French team. France have not been convincing with their performances so far, but they have world-class players and individual talents like Mbappe and Dembele who on a good day can break any defense.

“They also have a solid midfield and defense, so I don’t expect many goals in this encounter.

“I think the team that takes good chances in front of goal by converting it will win the match.”

Netherlands vs England:

The second semi-final match will take place on Wednesday by 8pm, Nigerian time.

Netherlands progressed to the last-4 after eliminating Turkey from the tournament.

The Dutch team won 2-1 against Turkey in the quarter-final encounter to book their place in the semi-final.

England, meanwhile, qualified for the semi-final stage after beating Switzerland.

The Three Lions won the quarter-final tie against Switzerland 5-3 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.

Making his prediction, Smart added: “Prior to the competition, England were tipped by many as the favourites to win the Euro 2024. But that has changed as Spain is now widely seen as the number one favourite because of their hundred percent winning record so far.

“They [England] will face Netherlands who a lot of people don’t expect to reach this stage of the competition. I call them the dark horse of this year’s Euros.

“Their coach [Ronald Koeman] is a well-known respected manager who has coached Barcelona before. So I expect them to give England a tough time.

“I think the match, just like Spain versus France, will be very tough and a close affair. Any lapses or little mistakes from any of the teams could lead to a goal.”

When asked to pick two teams that could play in the Euro 2024 final, Smart said: “This is a tough question. To be honest, at this stage of the competition, all the four teams deserve to play in the final. To reach the semi-final of any major tournament is not easy.

“At this stage, any little mistake can cost a team. However, based on performances so far in the competition, I tip Spain to edge France.”

“As for England and the Netherlands, well I see a very close contest. I give the Netherlands 55 percent winning chance and England 45 percent,” he further stated.

Kwara United technical adviser Kabiru Dogo has revealed his target for the 2024–25 Nigeria Premier Football League season....Read Full Article

Dogo said his main objective is for the team to play in the CAF Champions League.

The experienced tactician disclosed this at a media parley in Ilorin on Monday.

Dogo also expressed his aspiration to win the NPFL title.

“Kwara United has what it takes to feature in next season’s CAF Champions League. We have a lot of quality players in the squad capable of making a difference on the African continent,” the former El-Kanemi Warriors tactician stated.

“If you look at the statistics from last season, the difference between the winners (Rangers) is the number of draws we had, which I was not happy with.

“The main objective is to win the title next season and put smiles on the faces of the people of Kwara State.

“The management of Kwara United FC are doing everything possible to retain some quality players who can make a huge difference in the squad and I must thank them for giving free hands to manage the team.”

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is delighted to add former Super Eagles winger Sone Aluko to his coaching crew....Read Full Article

The Premier League new boys confirmed Aluko’s appointment as their first-team head coach on Monday.

Aluko represented the Blues for three seasons, from 2021 to 2024.

The former Rangers star announced his retirement from football earlier this summer.

He has already progressed with his coaching badges.

“We’re delighted to add Sone to our coaching team,” McKenna told the club’s official website.

“His work ethic and values have been important for the club over the last few years, and we know he will continue to bring those qualities to his new role.

“Sone has strong relationships with players and staff at the club, and he will be a big addition for us.”

Philip Otele has moved to United Arab Emirates giants, Al Wehda, DAILY POST reports....Read Full Article

The Nigerian winger joined Al Wehda from Romanian club CFR Cluj.

The 25-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year contract.

Al Wehda paid CFR Cluj €1.5 million for the player.

Otele opted to join Al Wehda despite interest from Premier League club, Brighton and Hove Albion.

“I am extremely happy and excited for the upcoming challenges and competitions with Al Wehda,” he told the club’s official website.

” I am proud to wear this badge and grateful for the warm welcome and confidence from the club’s leadership and management.”

Real Madrid, on Monday, confirmed that the club have reached an agreement to extend the contract of their basketball player, Dzanan Musa....Read Full Article

The Spanish club disclosed this in a statement on their website.

The new contract will see Musa, 25, remain at the club until next season.

“Real Madrid C. F. and Dzanan Musa have reached an agreement to extend the player’s contract, which will see him remain contracted to the club for the next season.

“During the two seasons in which Dzanan Musa has represented our club, he has won 5 trophies: 1 European Cup, 1 Spanish League, 1 Copa del Rey and 2 Spanish Super Cups.

“In this time, Dzanan Musa, has already won the love and admiration of all Madrid fans, and is now gearing up for his third season at Real Madrid after finishing the last campaign with three trophies and the well-deserved MVP award in the Endesa League final,” Real Madrid’s statement read.