Paradise News

Category: Sports

  • Manchester United legends assemble for funeral of Denis Law


    Image Credits: Getty Images

    On 17th January 2025, Manchester United fans all over felt the sad passing of club legend Denis Law.

    As the last surviving member of United’s “holy trinity” as depicted in the statue outside of Old Trafford, Law passed away at the age of 84 having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in August 2021.

    The news broke with a statement from his family, reading: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle, but finally, he is now at peace.”

    It continued: “We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently. We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference.”

    Today, nearly a month on, Manchester Cathedral is holding the funeral service for the Ballon d’Or winner, with fellow United legends gathering for the service expected to hold 500 attendees.

    With the service set to begin at 2pm GMT, already former players like Gary Neville, Bryan Robson and Ruud van Nistelrooy have been seen arriving, with Sir Alex Ferguson also in attendance.

    The legendary United manager already posted a touching tribute to his countryman when the news first broke, saying:  “Denis was a fantastic character, one of the great characters you get in football who absolutely loved the game.”

    He continued: “He was a magnificent player. I have always said that he was my hero as a player and he has to be the best Scottish player of all time.

    “I idolised him. When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea afterwards. For me, he epitomised everything a Scotsman is about.

    “He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.”

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Kelechi Iheanacho reflects on key influences in his football career

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has shared insights into the key figures who have shaped his football journey, from his early days at Manchester City to his latest move to Middlesbrough.

    After a difficult spell in Spain with Sevilla, Iheanacho has returned to England, where he will play for Middlesbrough until the end of the season.

    Speaking at his unveiling, the Nigerian international credited several managers and teammates for their impact on his development.

    “Biggest influence on my career? There are quite a few. So many people helped me throughout my career—[Manuel] Pellegrini, Brendan Rodgers, Pep Guardiola. Players as well—Gaël Clichy, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Jamie Vardy.

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    Even in the [Nigerian] national team, John Mikel Obi and many coaches have played a role in my growth,” Iheanacho said.

    Iheanacho burst onto the scene at Manchester City, making his senior debut under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015. He continued his development under Pep Guardiola, learning from seasoned professionals like Kompany, Toure, and Clichy.

    READ MORE:Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre secures big contract extension with Al-Ittihad

    Despite showing promise, limited playing time at City led to his transfer to Leicester City in 2017.

    Joining Leicester, Iheanacho formed a strong partnership with Jamie Vardy but initially struggled for consistency. However, under Brendan Rodgers, he found his best form during the 2020-21 season, finishing as Leicester’s top scorer and helping them secure the FA Cup title.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Dean Huijsen to Manchester United transfer update


    Image Credits: GETTY IMAGES

    Manchester United will have to pay a premium if they want to sign Bournemouth sensation Dean Huijsen this summer.

    The 19-year-old defender has emerged as one of Ruben Amorim’s top targets, with United keen to strengthen their backline.

    Chelsea have also placed Huijsen high on their summer wish list.

    Meanwhile Real Madrid are monitoring him as a long-term solution at centre-back.

    Now, Spanish outlet AS reports that United have joined the race.

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    The Red Devils already beat Madrid to the signing of Leny Yoro last summer and could try to do the same with Huijsen.

    Amorim sees him as a perfect fit for his three-man defence.

    United’s defensive situation is far from ideal.

    Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans could both leave this summer.

    Lisandro Martinez is expected to miss most of the calendar year due to a serious knee injury.

    Adding another young but established centre-back is a priority.

    But United won’t get Huijsen cheaply.

    Bournemouth signed him from Juventus for just €15.2m plus €3m in add-ons last year.

    However, Juve inserted a 10% sell-on clause, meaning Bournemouth will miss out on a chunk of any future sale.

    Because of that, the Cherries are expected to drive up his price.

    Huijsen is currently valued at over €60m, but Bournemouth could push that figure beyond €70m or even €80m.

    United are once again at risk of overpaying for a transfer.

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    Still, it’s easy to see why Huijsen is in such high demand.

    The teenager has been a revelation under Andoni Iraola this season.

    It took him time to settle, but he is now thriving.

    He has delivered crucial goals from set pieces and was named Bournemouth’s Player of the Month in December.

    His performances in January were so impressive that he earned a nomination for Premier League Player of the Month.

    Juventus are regretting letting him go so cheaply.

    They’ve struggled with defensive injuries this season and could have used his quality.

    Born in the Netherlands, Huijsen moved to Spain at the age of five and considers it home.

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    Despite playing for the Netherlands at youth level, he has now committed to Spain’s senior national team.

    The 6ft 5in defender is not just physically imposing—he is also exceptional on the ball.

    He came through Malaga’s academy before joining Juventus at 16.

    After impressing with Juventus Next Gen, he made his senior debut in 2023-24.

    Jose Mourinho signed him on loan for Roma in January 2024, where he gained valuable experience.

    Juventus then sold him to Bournemouth that summer, where he has exploded into one of the Premier League’s top young defenders.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Flying Eagles announce 30-Man squad for U20 AFCON preparations, set for Egypt friendlies

    Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have unveiled a 30-man squad as they step up preparations for the 2024 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in April.

    Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected a mix of home-based talents for a two-match friendly tour against Egypt’s U20 team later this month. Some of the notable names in the squad include Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, Bayelsa United defender Daniel Bameyi, El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Alabi Sulaiman Jojo, and Enyimba forward Clinton Japhet.

    The seven-time African champions will take on Egypt in back-to-back friendly matches scheduled for February 25 and 27 in Cairo. These matches will serve as key preparatory fixtures ahead of the continental tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria will aim to secure an eighth U20 AFCON title.

    The competition, set to run from April 26 to May 18, will also serve as a qualifying event for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year, with the top four teams booking their place at the global tournament.

    The Flying Eagles, one of the most successful teams in African youth football, have previously won the U20 AFCON title in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015. They secured their spot in this year’s edition after triumphing in the WAFU-B U20 Championship in Lomé, Togo, last October, where they defeated Ghana’s Black Satellites 3-1 in the final.

    READ MORE:Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre secures big contract extension with Al-Ittihad

    At the last FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, the team came close to reaching the semi-finals but suffered a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to South Korea in the quarterfinals.

    The full squad list includes:

    Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Light Emerenonye (Diamond Academy), Abubakar Rufai (Mavlon FC).

    Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors), Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United), Kenneth Igbokwe (Enugu Rangers), Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists), Musa Ademu (Wireless FC), Shamsudeen Muhammad (Mavlon FC), Ibrahim Abdullahi, Shamsudeen Ishaq (Grassrunner FC), Steven Jolomi (Mavlon FC).

    Midfielders: Raphael Oyebanji (Shuffle Select FC), Mohammed Ibrahim (Niger Tornadoes), Kizito Opara (Campus Academy), Alabi Sulaiman Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors), Sulaiman Abubakar (Diamond Academy), Shafiu Adamu (Wikki Tourists), Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC).

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    Forwards: Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire Academy), Clinton Japhet (Enyimba FC), Matthew Chukwusa (Morack Academy), Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors), Divine Olisha (Fostar Academy), Jerry Salami (Aspire Academy), Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire Academy), Shola Adelami (Ikorodu City), Abdulrahaman Ishaq (Sport Supply Academy), Ezekiel Anthony (Aspire Academy), Sodiq Olalekan Adewunmi (Jaguar Sports FC).

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Manchester United staff left stunned by BRUTAL sacking of long-serving employee


    Image Credits: Getty Images

    Sir Jim Ratcliffe is at it again, causing controversy with his decisions around staffing at Manchester United.

    The INEOS owner has already dismissed 250 staff, with a further 100 to 200 set to follow in the near future.

    When Ratcliffe’s reign started, United had 1112 employees, with the previous and upcoming cuts culling the number of staff by up to 40%.

    On top of these redundancies, Ratcliffe also removed club legend Sir Alex Ferguson from his role the Manchester United’s Global Ambassador, ending his £2 million per year contract.

    Now, Ratcliffe has made a further dismissal, with another long-serving member of staff getting the boot.

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    Sir Jim Ratcliffe sacks Manchester United stalwart

    The Times has reported that in his recent move, Ratcliffe has sacked Jackie Kay after working for the club for nearly 30 years.

    Kay has been the club’s long-serving head of team operations, and her removal is part of INEOS’ restructuring at Old Trafford.

    Raised in a United-supporting family, Kay joined the club in 1995 as an executive assistant to the chief executive, David Gill.

    After this she moved to take on the role in charge of first-team logistics, sitting in the job for over 10 years based at Carrington.

    Back in 2023 she was appointed as head of team operations, mere months before INEOS became co-owners of the Red Devils.

    As a massively popular figure to managers and players alike, a source referred to Kay as “the oil in the machine” at Old Trafford with staff being upset that someone who has “given her life to the club” is being sacked.

    Last week, Kay was made aware of the decision that came from the performance overhaul currently being led by Sir Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans even more Manchester United redundancies


    Image credits: getty Images

    Manchester United are facing severe financial pressures, as highlighted by the extent of cost-cutting measures that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is taking.

    Since taking over, INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have cut funding to associated groups like the disabled supporters association, as well as cutting Sir Alex Ferguson’s multi-million-pound contract as the club’s global ambassador.

    However, we wasn’t the only one to be cut, with around 250 staff having lost their jobs since the start of Ratcliffe’s reign.

    Now, Ratcliffe is looking to strike again with a further 100 jobs set for the chop.

    The Daily Mail has reported that whilst the full number of redundancies is unknown, it’s expected to be between 100 and 200 staff members.

    Before Ratcliffe took over the football operations at Old Trafford, the club employed 1112 members of staff, significantly higher than the other top English clubs, with their local rivals Manchester City employing 520.

    It’s understood that the cuts are being made to free up funds for spending on Ruben Amorim’s first team in a bid to get better results.

    United’s on-field performances are now risking drastic financial implications with a £10 million penalty from sponsors Adidas if they don’t qualify for the Champions League next season.

    The club could also face a significant drop in funding for their current position in the Premier League if it doesn’t improve by the end of the season.

    Over the last three years, despite record revenues, United have made a loss of £300 million in the last three years.

    The ongoing review is focusing on all areas of the organisation for potential savings in a bid to make the club leaner, redirecting all available funds to strengthening Amorim’s squad.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  • Leon Balogun set for Rangers return after injury layoff

    Rangers head coach Philippe Clement has confirmed that Nigerian defender Leon Balogun will return to training this week, marking a key step in his recovery from injury.

    The 36-year-old has been an important figure for the Gers this season, featuring more regularly than in the previous campaign. However, he has been side-lined since Rangers’ dramatic 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League, where Cyriel Dessers netted a late equalizer before Bruno Fernandes sealed the win in stoppage time.

    Balogun was forced off at halftime in that match and has not played since. Ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Cup clash against Queens Park—which ended in a shock 1-0 loss—Clement provided an update on his squad’s injury situation, including Balogun’s progress.

    “Oscar Cortes will still be a few weeks away. We have some players who will return soon. Danilo should be back next week,” Clement said, as quoted by Rangers Review.

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    “I expect Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun to return the following week. Ridvan is already back in training, and Leon King has also resumed training after his concussion.”

    Despite his recent injury struggles, Balogun remains eager to contribute both for Rangers and the Nigerian national team, keeping the door open for a potential Super Eagles call-up.

    READ MORE:Calvin Bassey smashes Premier League records with jaw-dropping stats

    So far this season, the experienced centre-back has made 19 appearances for Rangers across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • Major decision made surrounding Lisandro Martinez


    Image Credits: Getty Images

    Lisandro Martinez has suffered a massive blow, being ruled out long-term through injury.

    At the start of the month, not only did Manchester United lose 2-0 to Crystal Palace, but United fans watched over as Martinez was stretchered off the Old Trafford pitch.

    It was later revealed that the Argentinian had torn his ACL, ruling him out of action for the rest of the season at the very least, potentially the year.

    However, it’s now been revealed that the United medical team have made a decision around his recovery.

    The Daily Mail has reported that United’s doctors have decided the best course of action is for the centre-back to undergo surgery.

    Unfortunately, this isn’t the first knee injury Martinez has suffered, having damaged the medial ligament in his right knee last season against West Ham, taking only eight games to recover.

    However, the ACL tear in his left knee is much more serious, seeing him head under the knife in the near future.

    When Martinez first sustained the injury, the club took to X to share their love and support for their centre-back, posting:

    “Our hearts break for you, Licha .”

    “We’ll be with you during your recovery and know you’ll be back stronger.”

    Now, Lisandro Martinez faces a long road to recovery, hoping he’ll be ready for the start of next season.

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    Source: Centred Devils

  •  Calvin Bassey smashes Premier League records with jaw-dropping stats

    Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, with statistical data highlighting his exceptional contributions to Marco Silva’s side.

    The Nigerian international has flourished in Fulham’s backline, playing a crucial role in a team that sits ninth in the league after 24 matches. The Cottagers have also advanced to the FA Cup fifth round, where they will face Manchester United after edging past Wigan Athletic.

    Bassey has been a mainstay in the Fulham defence, making 23 Premier League appearances and amassing 2,070 minutes on the pitch. While his performances have been widely praised, deeper statistical analysis reveals just how dominant he has been in key defensive areas.

    Bassey Leads Premier League in Ball Carrying

    According to data from PFF FC, no centre-back in the Premier League has a higher Ball Carry Grade than Bassey, who tops the category with a score of 82.9.

    This metric evaluates a player’s dribbling, carrying ability, and resistance to tackles. It typically favours midfielders, making Bassey’s ranking even more remarkable. His score places him among elite ball carriers, including James Maddison, Moisés Caicedo, and Youri Tielemans.

    His ability to progress the ball out of defence has been crucial for Fulham, allowing them to bypass opposition presses and transition smoothly into attack. His composure under pressure and technical ability make him a vital asset in Silva’s tactical setup.

    Defensive Dominance

    Fulham have conceded 32 goals this season—ranking ninth-best in the league—and Bassey has played a major role in maintaining their defensive solidity.

    The 24-year-old ranks third among centre-backs in tackling, with an impressive grade of 85.0, placing him fifth overall in the league. He has won 37 tackles and successfully defended against 20 dribbles, boasting a 44% tackle success rate (13th overall) and winning 59% of his duels against dribblers (seventh overall).

    Bassey has also been effective in aerial duels, registering a grade of 79.3, ranking him 28th among centre-backs. He has won 48 aerial duels this season, showing his strength in physical battles and dominance in the air.

    READ MORE:Kelechi Iheanacho reflects on key influences in his football career

    A product of Leicester City’s academy, he moved to Rangers in 2020, where he won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup. He played a key role in Rangers’ run to the 2022 UEFA Europa League final, where they narrowly lost to Eintracht Frankfurt.

    His performances in Scotland earned him a big-money move to Ajax in 2022 for a club-record £20 million, making him the most expensive Nigerian defender in history. However, after just one season in the Eredivisie, Fulham secured his services in the summer of 2023 for €21 million.

    Bassey has since adapted seamlessly to the Premier League, proving his quality at the highest level. He scored his first goal for Fulham in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester United in February 2024, marking his 20th league appearance for the London club.

    Super Eagles Key Figure

    Born in Italy, Bassey was eligible to represent Italy, England, or Nigeria at the international level. He ultimately chose Nigeria, making his Super Eagles debut in a World Cup qualifier against Ghana in March 2022.

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    He played a crucial role in Nigeria’s journey to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire last year, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s top defensive talents.

    Source: The Athletic NG

  • INEOS hit back at legal action against Sir Jim Ratcliffe


    Image credits: getty images

    Manchester United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has recently been faced with legal action as New Zealand Rugby seek to sue his company INEOS.

    The All Blacks are starting legal proceedings due to INEOS’ failure to pay the first instalment of 2025’s sponsorship funding.

    INEOS and New Zealand Rugby entered a six-year sponsorship deal in 2021 for the chemical giants to become the performance partners of the international side.

    Now, INEOS are looking to end the deal three years early in a ‘cost-saving measure’.

    A statement from the All Blacks read: “Having learned of Ineos’ decision to walk away three years early, we have moved to protect the interests of New Zealand Rugby and the wider game.

    “We have been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect our commercial position. NZR is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All Blacks and other teams in black remains high.”

    However, now Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have responded, hitting back with an explanation of their actions. and the build up to the fallout.

    The company issued a statement reading: “Ineos has greatly valued our sponsorship of New Zealand Rugby, having contributed over USD $30 million to the teams in recent years.”

    It continued: “However, trading conditions for our European businesses have been severely impacted by high energy costs and extreme carbon taxes, along with much of the chemicals industry in Europe, which is struggling or shutting down. We are witnessing the deindustrialisation of Europe.

    “As a result, we have had to implement cost-saving measures across the business. We sought to reach a sensible agreement with the All Blacks to adjust our sponsorship in light of these challenges.

    “Unfortunately, rather than working towards a managed solution, New Zealand Rugby have chosen to pursue legal action against their sponsor. We remain in ongoing discussion with New Zealand Rugby.”

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    Source: Centred Devils