The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EPL

  • Ighalo targets EPL switch

    Ighalo targets EPL switch

    Granada forward, Odion Ighalo, is eyeing a move to the English Premier League at the end of the current season, as former club of Victor Moses Wigan and Swansea are keen on getting the services of the player.

    The 23-year-old is Granada’s top scorer last season, and currently on loan at Spanish side after finding his first-team chances limited at Udinese, Futaa.com reports.

    Swansea and Wigan are both thought to be weighing up moves for the skillful forward and Ighalo believes he is perfectly suited to the style of football in England.

    “I would be very happy to play in England and it is a dream for most players to play in the Premier League,” Futaa.com quoted Ighalo as saying at Sky Sports.

    “It has been one of my dreams to come to England and I hope that can happen this summer.

    “I have heard some clubs are interested in signing me and we will see what happens at the end of the season.

    “I think my style of football would be suited for England and I think I could be a success there.

    “I have played in Italy and Spain, but England is where is want to go and play having heard so many good things about the country.”

    Ighalo failed to add to his tally of three goals scored so far in the Spanish League, as Granada again spurned goal scoring chances in a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao last Monday.

     

     

  • Mikel targets more trophies

    Mikel targets more trophies

    Nigeria star Mikel Obi has said he wishes for more success with club and country as that would make him a more matured player and person.

    “Every big tournament you win seems to take you to another level, both as a player and a person,’ MTNFootball.com quoted Mikel as saying on Chelsea official website.

    “You mature by winning major trophies, that’s what it’s done for me since I’ve been at Chelsea. I’ve won pretty much everything but I’m still hungry for success.”

    Mikel won his first Africa Cup of Nations winners’ medal earlier this month and he has won all the major trophies on offer with Chelsea – UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, English FA Cup and League Cup.

    On Sunday’s high-profile English Premier League clash against champions Manchester City, Mikel said it will be a tough match, but he believes Chelsea can win to close the gap at the top.

    He said, “It is going to be a tough game, it’s an important game for both teams, a win for us will help us close the gap, we can do it but will be a tough match,” he predicted.

    “Yaya Toure is always a key player for Manchester City, especially when he plays slightly further forward and not in a defensive role.

    “When he charges up front that’s when he’s so dangerous. It surprises me he doesn’t play there more often, but when they are struggling Mancini tends to throw him forward.

    “If I’m selected to play I will need to think of how to deal with Yaya. You have to try not to let him run beyond you, if you commit yourself he’s gone.

    “He’s always a threat but so is their whole team. You look up front where they have [Carlos] Tevez and [Sergio] Aguero, whoever plays in attack is dangerous, they are such a good side.”

     

  • Mikel backs Chelsea to lift EPL title

    Mikel backs Chelsea to lift EPL title

    Mikel Obi has restated his belief that Chelsea could reclaim the EPL title this season after they won at London rivals Arsenal on Saturday.

    Chelsea beat Arsenal at The Emirates 2-1 to stay top of the Premier League with 16 points from six matches. They are also unbeaten.

    Nigeria midfielder Mikel has now told MTNFootball.com ‘The Blues’ could reclaim the crown they lost to Manchester United in the 2010/2011 season.

    “We knew that to win such a game, we needed total focus and this we had. We really deserved the victory at The Emirates and we need to win such games to actualise our dream of winning the league,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com

    “To take points off contenders at their home ground was massive for us and we look forward to consolidate our position in our next game.

    “We have a team who can win the EPL and as well defend the Champions League. We have a large squad of quality players in all positions. We have different approaches to games now as we play attractively and do not forget our job defensively.

    “We are getting better and I am sure we will soon be the perfect team that we wish for.”

    Chelsea are also in the hunt for English League Cup and clash with Manchester United in the fourth round.

    Mikel said he expects a tough battle but again expects Chelsea go past ‘The Red Devils’.

    “They are great side and it is going to be a tough game no doubt because Manchester United are a top side. I respect them but we are not scared of them. We have defeated them previously and I believe we are going to defeat them in this one,” Mikel said.

    Chelsea beat Wolves 6-0 to advance to the next stage of the competition, while Manchester United eliminated Newcastle United 2-1.