The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chelsea

  • Rahman to miss rest of the season

    Rahman to miss rest of the season

     

    Baba Rahman faces “several months” on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations clash with Uganda, Schalke have confirmed.

    The defender twisted his knee and left the field on a stretcher during the 1-0 win for the Black Stars, with initial tests showing a bruised meniscus.

    However, on his return to Germany the Chelsea loanee was found to have suffered a complex rupture of his cruciate ligament.

    And the Bundesliga side do not expect the 22-year-old left-back to feature for much of the remainder of the 2016-17 Bundesliga campaign.

    “Baba Rahman’s injury to his left knee was found to be worse than was initially forecasted after his operation in Augsburg yesterday,” a Schalke statement read.

    “It presented a picture of a complex rupture to his cruciate ligament along with tears to his internal and external cartilage.

    “The operation was completed without any complications. The medical team estimate that Baba faces several months on the sidelines.”

  • Costa offered £570,000-a-week pay packet

    Costa offered £570,000-a-week pay packet

     
    The Mirror claims that Diego Costa has been offered a staggering £570,000-a-week pay packet to jet over to the Far East. Costa might leave in the summer, reports The Mirror.
    Following news of the club’s interest, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte dropped Costa from his matchday squad for last weekend’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

    Since then, the striker has been training alone at the club’s Cobham base and it is not yet known when or if he will be welcomed back into the fold.
    He is quoted by The Mirror as saying:

    “I made an appointment with Mendes and he came to my hometown to visit me. At that time, we were interested in signing Costa.

    “PSG told us [Edinson] Cavani would only be allowed to leave in June, even though the player himself was willing to join us.

    “The same can be said for Costa because Chelsea would only let him leave in June. However, the new season of CSL will almost reach the halfway stage in June, we can’t wait so long.”

    However there are reports that the Chinese club may give up on their pursuit of Costa if they cannot clinch a deal this month.

  • Chelsea beat reigning champions Leicester to go 7 points clear

    Marcos Alonso scored twice as Chelsea beat Leicester on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of the English Premier League in spite of Diego Costa’s absence.

    The Blues were without their top scorer after a training ground dispute over his fitness, amid reports he has been offered a lucrative move to China.

    That saga did not affect them at the King Power Stadium however, with Eden Hazard setting up Alonso to fire home after only six minutes.

    The Spanish wing-back added his second early in the second half when his shot from the edge of the area was deflected in.

    Pedro made sure of the points with a deft header from Willian’s cross.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Leicester, lining up in a new-look 3-5-2 formation, struggled to find a way back into the game.

    Ahmed Musa had tested Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois before his side fell behind, but the defending champions did not manage another shot on target.

    Before kick-off, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had played down any row involving Costa, claiming he was not in his squad because of a back injury.

    Whatever the truth behind Costa’s absence, the Blues showed again that they can win without the Spain striker, who has scored 14 goals and provided five assists for them this season.

    Chelsea initially had to work harder for the points than they did when Costa was suspended in their 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Dec. 26.

    NAN reports that it was the only other league game he has missed in 2016/2017.

    Again they used Hazard to lead the line rather than turn to £33 million summer signing Michy Batshuayi, who was left on the bench and still awaits his first league start.

    Alonso, rather than Hazard, will get the headlines on this occasion, but Chelsea’s dominant performance was further evidence it will be hard to dislodge them from top spot.

    This was Chelsea’s 12th clean sheet in 21 games and, even without Costa’s belligerent presence upfront, they remain difficult to break down and dangerous when they come forward.

    Conte’s side had seen their 13-game winning streak ended by Tottenham in their previous Premier League game, but that remains their only defeat since the end of September.

    Spurs’ emphatic win over West Brom earlier on Saturday had reduced the Blues’ lead to four points, but if Chelsea are feeling any pressure in the title race they did not show it here.

    Their form is becoming ominous for the chasing pack, and Liverpool — their nearest rivals before the weekend — can ill afford to lose any more ground.

    They face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

    Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri, named FIFA’s coach of the year this week, attempted to match Chelsea’s formation by playing with wing-backs of his own.

    But his experiment did not pay off as Albrighton and Ben Chilwell failed to make the same impact as their opposite numbers, Alonso and Victor Moses.

    To compound their woes, the Foxes also struggled to create chances.

    England striker Jamie Vardy was back from suspension to lead their attack, but he made little impression apart from playing one dangerous cross and did not manage a single shot.

    Leicester are still six points above the relegation zone in spite of this defeat.

    But, with Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amarty away at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ranieri must find a better blend with the players still at his disposal.

    Chelsea host struggling Hull on Jan. 22, while Leicester travel to Southampton on the same day, hoping for their first away win of a disappointing domestic season.

  • Bournemouth seek loan deal for John Terry

    Bournemouth seek loan deal for John Terry

    Bournemouth have enquired about the possibility of taking Chelsea captain John Terry on loan until the end of the season, according to Sky sources.

    Terry has struggled for game-time under Antonio Conte after an early-season injury and a move by the Italian to play three at the back, with Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta appearing to be his preferred starting defenders.

    Kurt Zouma also returned to first-team duty at the weekend in Chelsea’s 4-1 FA Cup win over Peterborough, while Terry was sent off in the 66th minute of the third-round tie.

    It was his first Blues start since the EFL Cup clash with West Ham on October 26.

    As a result, the 36-year-old is now suspended for Saturday’s Premier League clash away to champions Leicester City after the one-game ban was upheld on Tuesday.

    Bournemouth had Chelsea’s Nathan Ake on loan for the first half of the campaign before he was recalled by the Stamford Bridge side after some impressive performances.

    Terry has spent his entire career at Chelsea apart from a loan spell with Nottingham Forest in 2000 when he was 19.

  • Mikel moves closer to Tianjin TEDA switch

    Mikel moves closer to Tianjin TEDA switch

    Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is set to undergo a medical on Thursday as he moved closer to a switch to Chinese Super League side, Tianjin TEDA.

    The Dailymail  said Mikel, 29, has been offered a package worth around £140,000 per week to become the latest player to swap Europe for the riches of Asia’s emerging football market.

    The Nigeria international has held talks with Valencia, while Marseille and Inter Milan have also shown interest, but Tianjin are now at the front of the queue.

    Antonio Conte has not included the midfielder in his plans this season, with Mikel out of the first-team picture and behind N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah in the pecking order.

    He has continued to train with the rest of the squad but a return to action at Stamford Bridge, where he has spent 11 years, has long-looked unlikely.

    Tianjin, who count former Sporting Lisbon midfielder Fredy Montero and ex-CSKA Moscow forward Wagner among their stars, are now offering a way out.

    A three-year deal is understood to have been offered to Mikel.

    Terms are yet to be finalised but the move is far enough along for a medical check to be undertaken ahead of the potential transfer.

    Mikel is primed to leave Chelsea having won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in his time in West London.

  • Sunderland score 2 penalty kicks to hold visiting Liverpool

    Two Jermain Defoe penalty kicks meant hosts Sunderland twice came from behind on Monday to earn a point against second-placed Liverpool.

    The Reds took a deserved lead when Daniel Sturridge flicked in a header after Dejan Lovren’s mishit shot.

    Sunderland equalised six minutes later as Defoe scored from the spot following Ragnar Klavan’s trip on Didier Ndong, before Sadio Mane put the visitors back ahead with a close-range finish.

    However, Mane then handled in his own 18-yard box and Defoe converted the penalty kick to snatch an unlikely point.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the result leaves Liverpool five points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who play their game in hand on Wednesday at Tottenham.

    However, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will surely see it as two points dropped after his side led twice, had 71 per cent of the possession and had 15 shots on target.

    Only an inspired performance from Black Cats keeper Vito Mannone denied Liverpool further goals, before Mane needlessly stuck out an arm to block Seb Larsson’s free-kick, costing his side dearly.

    To make things worse for Liverpool, Sturridge, who scored only his second Premier League goal of the season, limped off late on after clashing with Papy Djilobodji.

    Meanwhile, 10-man Manchester City moved up to third as they withstood a spirited Burnley fightback in front of a relieved Etihad Stadium.

    Fernandinho was dismissed towards the end of an even first half for a two-footed challenge on Johan Gudmundsson.

    But the hosts improved after the break as Gael Clichy squeezed home a shot before Sergio Aguero, on as a substitute, fired home from a tight angle.

    Ben Mee smashed home via the underside of the bar shortly after, but Burnley could not force a leveller in spite of a fine chance for Andre Gray late on.

    Beginning the day 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, anything less than victory would have prompted some to begin reading the last rites on City’s title challenge.

    As it is, Pep Guardiola’s side will look at the league table with renewed optimism as they closed to within two points of second-place Liverpool.

    In addition, one and possibly both of Chelsea and Tottenham to drop points when they face each other on Wednesday.(NAN)

  • Costa says he wanted to leave Chelsea in summer

    Costa says he wanted to leave Chelsea in summer

    Chelsea FC striker Diego Costa says he had wanted to leave the English Premier League club last summer.

    Costa had joined the Blues for £32 million (about N16 billion) in 2014, and was understood to be close to a return to former club Atletico Madrid after a difficult 2015-16 campaign.

    The Spain international has since scored 14 Premier League goals, as Chelsea have now taken an eight-point lead courtesy of 13 successive victories.

    “Did I want to go? Yes, yes, I was about to leave. But not because of Chelsea,” said the 28-year-old.

    “There was one thing I wanted to change for family reasons but it wasn’t to be, and I continue to be happy here.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Costa scored 20 goals in his first season in England, as Chelsea won the Premier League title under Jose Mourinho.

    But he had netted only four more by the time Mourinho was sacked in December 2015, finishing the season with 12 before being heavily linked with a move.

    Brazil-born Costa says he has also made a conscious effort to curb his aggressive nature on the pitch.

    “I knew I had to improve that aspect, because here in the Premier League there is no mercy,” he said.

    “A lot of the time it seemed [referees] were against me. If they’re not going to change, I had to change.”

    NAN reports that Chelsea will return to action against London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday.(NAN)

  • Costa winner sends Chelsea 9 points clear in EPL

    Chelsea equalled a club record as they beat Crystal Palace to secure their 11th successive Premier League win and move nine points clear at the top of the table.

    Diego Costa put the Blues ahead on Saturday with their first attempt on target as he headed in from Cesar Azpilicueta’s floated cross.

    Marcos Alonso nearly doubled the visitors’ lead as he hit the underside of the crossbar with a curling 25-yard free-kick.

    Palace’s best chances fell to Jason Puncheon, but he headed wide and fired a free-kick narrowly over.

    Antonio Conte’s side, who have 43 points, have played a game more than Liverpool in second and third-placed Arsenal, who are both on 34 points.

    Arsenal meet fourth-placed Manchester City on Sunday, before Liverpool visit Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

    Chelsea also won 11 matches between April and September 2009, with the Premier League record Arsenal’s 14-game winning run in 2002.(NAN)

  • Costa secures Chelsea’s 9th straight league win

    Costa secures Chelsea’s 9th straight league win

    Chelsea moved back to the top of the Premier League on Sunday and made it nine successive league wins as Diego Costa scored the winner against West Brom.

    The Spain striker punished a hesitant Gareth McAuley in the 76th minute to rob the defender of possession and curl a brilliant left-foot shot past Ben Foster.

    West Brom had looked like earning a point after restricting the Blues to just one other shot on target, a 30-yard David Luiz free-kick.

    Chelsea also came close through an N’Golo Kante shot that deflected off Pedro and rolled just wide of the post.

    The Baggies had early chances through a Chris Brunt shot that fizzed wide and Salomon Rondon shooting across goal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chelsea have now moved three points ahead of Arsenal while West Brom stay ninth.(NAN)

  • Moses shines in Chelsea’s crushing defeat of Man City

    Moses shines in Chelsea’s crushing defeat of Man City

    Super Eagles’ in-form striker, Victor Moses was in the thick of action yet again on Saturday as Chelsea handed out a crushing 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium  in the English Premier League
    Though not on the score sheet, Moses’ whiles and guiles were there for all to see throughout the entertaining encounter which saw Chelsea staged an impressive fightback to claim victory over title rivals Manchester City that ended with a bench-clearing melee and two red cards. 
     The influential London tabloid, Daily Mail awarded Moses 6 out of 10 stating inter alia: ‘He(Moses) showed how much he has matured into wing-back role with a fantastic last-ditch challenge to deny Aguero a certain goal.’
    Meanwhile, Aguero was sent off in injury-time for a nasty challenge on David Luiz and Fernandinho also saw red in the scuffle that followed as City lost their cool after a potentially damaging defeat.
    City dominated the first hour, but had only a Gary Cahill own goal to show for it before quick-fire strikes from Diego Costa and impressive substitute Willian transformed the game.
    Eden Hazard wrapped up the Premier League leaders’ eighth successive win in the last minute before controversy erupted.
    Aguero and Luiz had clashed earlier in the game, with the Brazilian perhaps lucky to escape punishment for bringing down the City striker as he looked set to race in on goal.
    In a related development, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola claims Sergio Aguero’s red card challenge on David Luiz in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea was not intentional.
    Aguero is facing a four-match ban after receiving his second red card of the season, but Guardiola defended the Argentine striker.
    “It was not intentional, I don’t think so. If it’s a red card, it’s a red card. We accept that,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference. “It’s a pity it finished like this. It’s the way the referee decided but it’s a pity. I don’t like that, I apologise for what happened. Fernandinho went to defend his team-mate.”