The rating Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi enjoys among fans of English clubside Chelsea continues to soar by the day as he is presently in the forefront in the club’s ‘Player of the Season’ polls.
The former FC Lyn of Norway player, when fit, has been a regular feature in the Blues’ line-up and is the catalyst behind the London side’s impressive start to the 2008-09 league campaign.
Last weekend the Nigeria international was yet again in the heart of the Chelsea midfield dictating play to the delight of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and the club’s band of traveling supporters as they handed Stoke City a 2-0 thumping at the Britannia Stadium.
Mikel’s performance against the Potters however only earned him third spot among Chelsea fans who voted the duo of Florent Malouda and Jose Bosingwa respectively as their top two performers last weekend.
Voting took place on a website dedicated to supporters of the Blues,and Mikel grabbed a respectable 12 percent of the vote against Bosingwa’s 27 percent and Malouda’s 38 percent.
Any player who emerges man of the match after every game earns five points while three points and a point are on offer for the second and third-placed player, and Mikel for his effort against Stoke picked up the solitary point on offer.
The point was however enough to push Mikel to the top of the leader board as he now has nine points in the overall table, a point ahead of the duo of Deco and goalkeeper Petr Cech.
In fourth place is Frank Lampard with six points followed by the quartet of Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, Alex and Malouda, who are all on five points.
Meanwhile, Mikel has confirmed that everything went according to plan for the Blues last weekend against Stoke.
Chelsea won yet again on the road against a Potters side expected to take a direct and an athletic approach.
And Mikel believes the homework paid off just as he insists nothing caught his side by surprise at the Britannia.“We knew the game would be physical and we knew their game was about chipping the ball and running. We talked about it a lot before the game. We did exactly what we were told,” said Mikel.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
MAN-CITY DENIES RONALDO,FABREGAS HIJACK PLAN
Manchester City’s new owners have played down a megabucks January spending spree.
The Abu Dhabi United Group, headed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, will take full control of the Eastlands club today.
City had been linked with moves for Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas on the final day of the transfer window last month.
But Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who made the audacious claims, has since been sidelined by the new owners.
And new City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted: “Nothing rash is going to happen, we are not going to do crazy stuff. “We are genuine people and we want to develop this club in a sustainable manner.
“We want to hear from the fans and the community. We want to bring this club back to the community and to the fans. “We are here as long-term investors and it makes sense for us to build a dynasty.
“With our backing, with the commitment we are going to make to the academy in the next 10 years there is going to be a tremendous period for Manchester City and for us.
“And I think we are going to have a blast doing it!” Al Mubarak reiterated that boss Mark Hughes will have the final say on transfer dealings.
He said: “One thing I have made very clear to Mark is that any player he wants comes from him.
“I am not an expert. It is Mark who runs the club and Mark who makes the football decisions. “We are here to support and make financial decisions, but we are not here to teach Mark or Garry what to do.
“They are the professionals, we trust them, we have confidence in them and we are going to support them. “Mark is an honest man, he’s a leader, he’s tough and he is everything you would want in a head coach.
“We trust him, he’s one of the gems we saw in this club once we came here. “He will put a plan together to win trophies, but we will be patient.
“As long as it is being managed properly and the players are doing what they need to do, then it will take whatever it takes.”
The Abu Dhabi United Group, headed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, will take full control of the Eastlands club today.
City had been linked with moves for Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas on the final day of the transfer window last month.
But Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who made the audacious claims, has since been sidelined by the new owners.
And new City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted: “Nothing rash is going to happen, we are not going to do crazy stuff. “We are genuine people and we want to develop this club in a sustainable manner.
“We want to hear from the fans and the community. We want to bring this club back to the community and to the fans. “We are here as long-term investors and it makes sense for us to build a dynasty.
“With our backing, with the commitment we are going to make to the academy in the next 10 years there is going to be a tremendous period for Manchester City and for us.
“And I think we are going to have a blast doing it!” Al Mubarak reiterated that boss Mark Hughes will have the final say on transfer dealings.
He said: “One thing I have made very clear to Mark is that any player he wants comes from him.
“I am not an expert. It is Mark who runs the club and Mark who makes the football decisions. “We are here to support and make financial decisions, but we are not here to teach Mark or Garry what to do.
“They are the professionals, we trust them, we have confidence in them and we are going to support them. “Mark is an honest man, he’s a leader, he’s tough and he is everything you would want in a head coach.
“We trust him, he’s one of the gems we saw in this club once we came here. “He will put a plan together to win trophies, but we will be patient.
“As long as it is being managed properly and the players are doing what they need to do, then it will take whatever it takes.”
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
KANU:WENGER CHANGED MY LIFE
Nigeria's Super Eagles captain,Nwankwo Kanu has hailed Arsene Wenger for offering him the chance to revive his career after his heart operation.
The Nigeria legend is grateful to Arsenal manager Wenger, who signed him from Inter in 1998 and helped him bounce back to form and continue his career at the highest level.
The 32-year-old Kanu feels the Frenchman is the reason why he is still a Premier League star.
“I owe him a lot because he believed in me,” Kanu told Canal+. “He gave me self confidence and faith. And I think I paid him back because I did very well with Arsenal.
“We were all together, like a family during this period, and I scored special goals, especially against Chelsea, three in 15 minutes.
“He gave me the chance to have fun playing football and permitted me to dream on.” Kanu added that his current club Portsmouth have a united group that can be compared to the one he was part of at Highbury.
“I feel great because I have found the same atmosphere than at Arsenal here,” he said. “This state of mind resembles Arsenal’s and helped us win things.”
The Nigeria legend is grateful to Arsenal manager Wenger, who signed him from Inter in 1998 and helped him bounce back to form and continue his career at the highest level.
The 32-year-old Kanu feels the Frenchman is the reason why he is still a Premier League star.
“I owe him a lot because he believed in me,” Kanu told Canal+. “He gave me self confidence and faith. And I think I paid him back because I did very well with Arsenal.
“We were all together, like a family during this period, and I scored special goals, especially against Chelsea, three in 15 minutes.
“He gave me the chance to have fun playing football and permitted me to dream on.” Kanu added that his current club Portsmouth have a united group that can be compared to the one he was part of at Highbury.
“I feel great because I have found the same atmosphere than at Arsenal here,” he said. “This state of mind resembles Arsenal’s and helped us win things.”
Monday, September 15, 2008
SCOLARI HAILS MIKEL OBI
Chelsea boss,Felipe Scolari has hailed come-backing Nigerian Super Eagles midfielder,John Mikel Obi courageous after the Nigerian stayed on for over 90 minutes in the Blues of London’s 3-1 win over the Blues of Manchester (Manchester City) last Saturday at the City of Manchester Stadium. Mikel made a 90 minutes return to action after staying on the sidelines for nearly a month following the injury he copped in the 4-0 rout of Portsmouth on the opening day of the on-going season last month. Scolari admitted he was not sure if the former Lyn Oslo youngster would last for that long and actually pencilled him down for a 60 to 70 minutes appearance. Mikel not only lasted the whole match,his impressive showing especially in the second half delighted his Brazilian boss . ‘My players want to play. They have confidence. They like each other. On Tuesday I will say to [Michael] Ballack you can play 45, 60, 70 minutes but we saw today with Mikel, I say before that he play 60 minutes and he played 93 minutes. All the players when they come in play very well.’said Scolari
Monday, September 8, 2008
PETER ,KLITSCHKO IN WAR OF WORLD
Vitali Klitschko and the manager of Samuel Peter traded verbal jabs Thursday ahead of the two fighters’ WBC heavyweight title bout next month.
The two boxers will fight at the O2 World arena on Oct. 11 for the WBC belt that Klitschko lost in 2005 after withdrawing from a title bout because of a torn right knee ligament.
‘’You look a bit nervous because you go to press conference with big body guards’’ Klitschko said to Peter. ‘’Don’t worry ... We will not fight before the fight. I won’t attack you.’’
Peter maintained a stoic silence and brushed off the remark in his brief statements. The retort came minutes later from Peter’s manager, Ivaylo Gotsev.
‘’Nobody is going to beat you up before the fight,’’ Gotsev said. ‘’All you’ve got to worry about is one match - and that’s coming on Oct. 11, that’s a promise.’’
Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) took the WBC interim title by easily beating Jameel McCline on points in September 2007. Earlier this year, the Nigerian-born, Las Vegas-based fighter took care of Oleg Maskaev with a devastating sixth-round knockout in a Cancun bullfighting ring, a fight that strengthened his grip on the WBC belt.
After that victory, Peter called out for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali’s younger brother and holder of the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts. Wladimir is also responsible for the only loss on Peter’s record.Instead, Peter will fight Vitali, the ‘’champion emeritus’’ of the WBC belt and a powerful, if injury-prone, boxer.Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs) has been out of the ring since an eighth-round win over Danny Williams on Dec. 11, 2004.
Klitschko said the chance to hold a world title along with his brother has been a lifelong
The two boxers will fight at the O2 World arena on Oct. 11 for the WBC belt that Klitschko lost in 2005 after withdrawing from a title bout because of a torn right knee ligament.
‘’You look a bit nervous because you go to press conference with big body guards’’ Klitschko said to Peter. ‘’Don’t worry ... We will not fight before the fight. I won’t attack you.’’
Peter maintained a stoic silence and brushed off the remark in his brief statements. The retort came minutes later from Peter’s manager, Ivaylo Gotsev.
‘’Nobody is going to beat you up before the fight,’’ Gotsev said. ‘’All you’ve got to worry about is one match - and that’s coming on Oct. 11, that’s a promise.’’
Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) took the WBC interim title by easily beating Jameel McCline on points in September 2007. Earlier this year, the Nigerian-born, Las Vegas-based fighter took care of Oleg Maskaev with a devastating sixth-round knockout in a Cancun bullfighting ring, a fight that strengthened his grip on the WBC belt.
After that victory, Peter called out for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali’s younger brother and holder of the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts. Wladimir is also responsible for the only loss on Peter’s record.Instead, Peter will fight Vitali, the ‘’champion emeritus’’ of the WBC belt and a powerful, if injury-prone, boxer.Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs) has been out of the ring since an eighth-round win over Danny Williams on Dec. 11, 2004.
Klitschko said the chance to hold a world title along with his brother has been a lifelong
PETER ,KLITSCHKO IN WAR OF WORLD
Vitali Klitschko and the manager of Samuel Peter traded verbal jabs Thursday ahead of the two fighters’ WBC heavyweight title bout next month.
The two boxers will fight at the O2 World arena on Oct. 11 for the WBC belt that Klitschko lost in 2005 after withdrawing from a title bout because of a torn right knee ligament.
‘’You look a bit nervous because you go to press conference with big body guards’’ Klitschko said to Peter. ‘’Don’t worry ... We will not fight before the fight. I won’t attack you.’’
Peter maintained a stoic silence and brushed off the remark in his brief statements. The retort came minutes later from Peter’s manager, Ivaylo Gotsev.
‘’Nobody is going to beat you up before the fight,’’ Gotsev said. ‘’All you’ve got to worry about is one match - and that’s coming on Oct. 11, that’s a promise.’’
Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) took the WBC interim title by easily beating Jameel McCline on points in September 2007. Earlier this year, the Nigerian-born, Las Vegas-based fighter took care of Oleg Maskaev with a devastating sixth-round knockout in a Cancun bullfighting ring, a fight that strengthened his grip on the WBC belt.
After that victory, Peter called out for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali’s younger brother and holder of the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts. Wladimir is also responsible for the only loss on Peter’s record.Instead, Peter will fight Vitali, the ‘’champion emeritus’’ of the WBC belt and a powerful, if injury-prone, boxer.Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs) has been out of the ring since an eighth-round win over Danny Williams on Dec. 11, 2004.
Klitschko said the chance to hold a world title along with his brother has been a lifelong
The two boxers will fight at the O2 World arena on Oct. 11 for the WBC belt that Klitschko lost in 2005 after withdrawing from a title bout because of a torn right knee ligament.
‘’You look a bit nervous because you go to press conference with big body guards’’ Klitschko said to Peter. ‘’Don’t worry ... We will not fight before the fight. I won’t attack you.’’
Peter maintained a stoic silence and brushed off the remark in his brief statements. The retort came minutes later from Peter’s manager, Ivaylo Gotsev.
‘’Nobody is going to beat you up before the fight,’’ Gotsev said. ‘’All you’ve got to worry about is one match - and that’s coming on Oct. 11, that’s a promise.’’
Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) took the WBC interim title by easily beating Jameel McCline on points in September 2007. Earlier this year, the Nigerian-born, Las Vegas-based fighter took care of Oleg Maskaev with a devastating sixth-round knockout in a Cancun bullfighting ring, a fight that strengthened his grip on the WBC belt.
After that victory, Peter called out for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali’s younger brother and holder of the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts. Wladimir is also responsible for the only loss on Peter’s record.Instead, Peter will fight Vitali, the ‘’champion emeritus’’ of the WBC belt and a powerful, if injury-prone, boxer.Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs) has been out of the ring since an eighth-round win over Danny Williams on Dec. 11, 2004.
Klitschko said the chance to hold a world title along with his brother has been a lifelong
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
CURBISHLEY QUITS WEST-HAM
Alan Curbishley has resigned as manager of West Ham because of a lack of control over transfer policy.
Curbishley tendered his resignation on Wednesday and it was accepted by owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
The final straw for the 50-year-old had been the enforced sales of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney.
Curbishley said decisions had been made "without involving me", amounting to "a breach of trust and confidence meaning I had no option but to leave."
The former West Ham player, who succeeded Alan Pardew as manager at Upton Park in December 2006, added: "The selection of players is critical to the job of manager and I had an agreement with the club that I alone would determine the composition of the squad.
"I started my West Ham career when I left school in 1974 and have remained a lifelong fan.
"I have been incredibly proud to manage such a great club and my decision to resign has been very tough.
"Nevertheless, I wish the club and the players every success in the future."
A West Ham statement said the club had accepted Curbishley's resignation "in the best interests of both parties".
Curbishley tendered his resignation on Wednesday and it was accepted by owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
The final straw for the 50-year-old had been the enforced sales of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney.
Curbishley said decisions had been made "without involving me", amounting to "a breach of trust and confidence meaning I had no option but to leave."
The former West Ham player, who succeeded Alan Pardew as manager at Upton Park in December 2006, added: "The selection of players is critical to the job of manager and I had an agreement with the club that I alone would determine the composition of the squad.
"I started my West Ham career when I left school in 1974 and have remained a lifelong fan.
"I have been incredibly proud to manage such a great club and my decision to resign has been very tough.
"Nevertheless, I wish the club and the players every success in the future."
A West Ham statement said the club had accepted Curbishley's resignation "in the best interests of both parties".
MAN-CITY MOVE DELIGHTS ROBINHO
Brazilian superstar Robinho has expressed his delight at joining Manchester City.
The 24-year-old had been expected to join Chelsea from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day.
However, following City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi Group the club made an audacious attempt to hijack Chelsea’s attempts to land the Brazil international.
City agreed a whopping £32.5million for Robinho’s services and now the talented forward is looking forward to displaying his silky skills at Eastlands for years to come.
“I’m very happy to be here. I hope to show my best football and bring lots of joy to the fans,” Robinho told Sky Sports News.
“I would like to thank the support of the manager as well, which is very important and also to Mr Thaksin (Shinawatra) and the Abu Dhabi Group who made a lot of effort to bring me here.“I hope to bring a lot of joy to the supporters
The 24-year-old had been expected to join Chelsea from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day.
However, following City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi Group the club made an audacious attempt to hijack Chelsea’s attempts to land the Brazil international.
City agreed a whopping £32.5million for Robinho’s services and now the talented forward is looking forward to displaying his silky skills at Eastlands for years to come.
“I’m very happy to be here. I hope to show my best football and bring lots of joy to the fans,” Robinho told Sky Sports News.
“I would like to thank the support of the manager as well, which is very important and also to Mr Thaksin (Shinawatra) and the Abu Dhabi Group who made a lot of effort to bring me here.“I hope to bring a lot of joy to the supporters
YAKUBU SENDS WARNING SIGNAL TO BAFANA-BAFANA
Power-playing Super Eagles forward,Yakubu Aiyegbeni landed in Johannesburg,South Africa’s economic capital Tuesday confident of another victory over their familiar foes,the Bafana Bafana in Saturday’s 2010 Africa Nation Cup/World Cup qualifier at the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
The Yak,as the Everton striker is fondly called in England told South Africa Press Agency (SAPA) on arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg that the Bafana Bafana stars and indeed South African football is not strange to him and the rest of the Eagles stars.
“I know most of the Bafana players, not just those in England or Europe but even those playing here,” said Yakubu who plays alongside Bafana midfielder Steven Pienaar at the English Premiership club.
“I know Steven from our club and we get along fine, and I know a bit about South African players too. There are a few in England and in Europe so we do know them, they’re no strangers to us,” the Everton striker said.
The Yak,as the Everton striker is fondly called in England told South Africa Press Agency (SAPA) on arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg that the Bafana Bafana stars and indeed South African football is not strange to him and the rest of the Eagles stars.
“I know most of the Bafana players, not just those in England or Europe but even those playing here,” said Yakubu who plays alongside Bafana midfielder Steven Pienaar at the English Premiership club.
“I know Steven from our club and we get along fine, and I know a bit about South African players too. There are a few in England and in Europe so we do know them, they’re no strangers to us,” the Everton striker said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)