The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Monaco

  • Echiejile: hard work can propel Monaco to glory

    Echiejile: hard work can propel Monaco to glory

    Injured Super Eagles and Monaco of France defender, Elderson Echiejile has revealed that his side can do well in the Ligue 1 this season as well as in Europe.

    Monaco beat Montpellier 1-0 yesterday evening at La Mosson in a Ligue 1 clash and Echiejile stated that with the amount of talent in the team, all that was left to be done was concentration and hard work.

    “We have great players with great dreams and power,” he said. “We have players with all qualities in every department so I think we just have to work really hard.”

    He added: “If we stick together, what we’ll achieve will really surprise people.”

    Echiejile has featured only once for Monaco this season, disappointingly in a 4-1 mauling by Girondins de Bordeaux earlier in August.

    Monaco have accrued just 10 points this season with the win at La Mosson seeing them climb to the first half of the table.

  • Gaitan should join Monaco, says Moutinho

    The Portugal international has urged his club to move for the Argentine, with Leonardo Jarim hinting that he could try to sign the Benfica star.

    Monaco star Joao Moutinho has told Nico Gaitan to snub reported interest from the Premier League to join him at Stade Louis II.

    Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs to be linked with the 26-year-old Argentine, who has spent the last four years in Portugal with Benfica.

    Moutinho himself swapped the Primeira Liga for the principality outfit last summer and has urged Gaitan to follow suit.

    “He would be a great signing. He’s an excellent player,” he told reporters.

    “I know him well and if he comes here, his quality would help us. If not, we still have a good group.”

    Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, meanwhile, has hinted that he could move for Gaitain, saying he is keen to add an attacking midfielder to his squad.

    “We are seeking an attacking midfielder and Gaitain meets those characteristics. His name is on the table.”

  • Monaco lists Echiejile for Emirates Cup

    Monaco lists Echiejile for Emirates Cup

    Super Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile, is on a 22-man squad named by AS Monaco for this weekend’s Emirates Cup in London, africanFootball.com reports.

    Also on the squad is recuperating Colombia star striker Radamel Falcao, who is expected to make his comeback after a long-term knee injury.

    Other teams that will feature at the invitational pre-season tournament are – hosts Arsenal, Spanish La Liga side Valencia and Benfica of Portugal.

    Echiejile will battle young France defender Layvin Kurzawa for a starting place in Monaco first team this season.

    The France U-21 star Kurzawa is also on the trip to London.

    The principality outfit arrived London on Friday and plays its first match Saturday afternoon against Valencia.

    The team’s second match will be against Arsenal on Sunday.

    Turkish giants Galatasaray won last year’s edition.

     

  • Echiejile: I will work harder at Monaco

    Echiejile: I will work harder at Monaco

    Super Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile, has promised to work harder after joining top French Ligue 1 club, AS Monaco last week.

    Speaking in an interview in Lagos-based Brila FM on Monday, the former Insurance ace revealed that his winter switch will increase his chances of making Stephen Keshi’s squad to Brazil 2014 World Cup. He also spoke on other football issues. Excerpts…

    What influenced your decision to join Monaco?

    I am familiar with France having played there before. Monaco is one of the best teams in Europe, with the best set of players. It was the best decision for my career.

     

    How difficult was it for you making the choice despite other offers?

    It’s the perfect move, a good move for me and so I did not hesitate.

     

    How ready are you to make your debut?

    I am ready and I am looking forward to start playing for such a great team.

     

    Monaco have stars like Eric Abidal, Ricardo Carvalho and Radamel Falcao in their fold, how do you feel having them as teammates?

    They are all great players, its a pleasure to have them as my team mates and I hope to learn from them.

     

    Do you see Monaco winning the title?

    Yes, we are second behind PSG currently. Monaco have the chance to topple them at the top and win the league.

     

    There are other Nigerian players in France, have you contacted them?

    Yes, I have been in touch with Vincent Enyeama, who is happy I’m back in France.

     

    The home-based Eagles beat South Africa on Sunday at the CHAN, what can you say about them?

    All I can tell them is to play together as a team, by so doing they can achieve greatness.

     

    Nigeria are grouped alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the World Cup in June, what are the Eagles chances in Brazil?

    It is the chance for us to do our best. We have a very good chance to advance to the next stage of the competition.

     

    With the current setting in the Eagles, do you see the team soaring high in Brazil 2014?

    Yes, we have talented players and all the qualities to rule the world. All we need is to concentrate fully, work hard and stick to God.

     

    Do you think your move to Monaco will increase your chances to make it to Brazil 2014?

    Yes, but I will work harder to make it.

     

  • Echiejile joins Monaco

    Echiejile joins Monaco

    •Gets jersey No. 21

    Elderson Echiejile has said he is delighted to join a “great” AS Monaco on a four- and-a-half year contract from Portuguese club Sporting Braga.

    “I have signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Monaco. I’m really delighted to join such a great and distinguished club like Monaco. I give God the glory and count on the support and prayers of everyone as I hope for bigger things now back in France, which has remained my second home even after I left in 2010,” Elderson told his official website www.elderson3.com.”

    He praised the Braga fans for making him feel at home in Portugal in the three-and-a-half years he was there.

    “The fans were great for me and the club when I was there. I will miss them,” he said. He tweeted that he is already at home in Monaco.

    “Feeling at home already, good to be back in France. Thank you everyone for the reception#Grateful”, he said on handle @eldersonech.

    The swash-buckling fullback will wear jersey number 21 at Monaco. Elderson, who has won 40 caps and scored two goals for Nigeria, has returned to France, where he began his professional career with Stade Rennes in 2007.

    He has a contract with Sporting Braga till June 2014. He made 108 appearances for Braga and scored eight goals at the Portuguese outfit. He won the Portuguese League Cup with the club last season and also featured in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

    He joins a star-studded Monaco, who have Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, James Rodriquez and Eric Abidal. Monaco are second on the French Ligue 1 with 42 points from 20 matches, five points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

  • Echiejile joins Monaco

    Echiejile joins Monaco

    Super Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile, has joined top French club AS Monaco from Portuguese club Sporting Braga.

    The contract of the 25-year-old left back at Braga was due to run out at the end of this season, according to Abola.

    MTNFootball.com reports that it’s a return to France for Elderson, who started out at another French club Stade Rennes in 2007.

    He made 108 appearances for Braga and scored eight goals in his four years at the Portuguese outfit.

    This move finally ends many months of speculations about the future of the player, who has been linked with several clubs including some from the English Premier League.

    Elderson star is set for his second World Cup with Nigeria in June after he established himself in his country’s first-team last year by winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for Brazil 2014.

    Big-spending Monaco, who parade the likes of Colombia superstar Radamel Falcao and ex-Barcelona star Eric Abidal, is currently second on the French Ligue 1 table with 42 points from 20 matches, five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

    Several Nigeria stars have already played for the club from the Principality including Victor Ikpeba, Lukman Haruna, Sani Keita and Rabiu Afolabi.

     

     

  • Mikel linked with Monaco move

    Mikel linked with Monaco move

    Nigerian international, John Obi Mikel,has been linked with a move to big spending French Ligue 1 side, Monaco.

    The future of the Chelsea midfielder has been the subject of speculation, with the 26-year old heavily linked with a move out of Stamford Bridge.

    Mikel was initially said to be on the radar of two top Turkish clubs, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, with Italian side, Napoli equally in the mix.

    Even there were rumours that Napoli could have offered as much £20m for Mikel, but there was no substance in the claims.

    Galatasaray was the first to show interest in Mikel, with the player confirming at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil, that he is unsure about his future at the Europa Cup winners.

    The Nigerian midfielder was not in the Chelsea squad that defeated Hull City 2-0 on Sunday.

     

     

     

  • Mancini sacked

    Mancini sacked

    The manager of Manchester City Football Club, Roberto Mancini has been sacked by the club exactly one year to the day since Sergio Aguero’s dramatic late goal saw Mancini’s side clinch their first league title for 44 years, with Malaga Coach Manuel Pellegrini expected to be unveiled as his replacement at the Etihad Stadium.

    “This has been a difficult decision for the owner, chairman and board to make and it is the outcome of a planned end of season review process that has been brought forward in light of recent speculation and out of respect for Roberto and his extensive contributions to the club.

    “Despite everyone’s best efforts, the club has failed to achieve any of its stated targets this year, with the exception of qualification for next season’s Champions League. This, combined with an identified need to develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football at the club, has meant that the decision has been taken to find a new manager for the 2013-14 season and beyond.”

    “Roberto’s record speaks for itself and he has the respect and gratitude of Sheikh Mansour, myself and the board for all of his hard work and commitment over the last three-and-a-half years. He has clearly also secured the love and respect of our fans. He has done as he promised and delivered silverware and success, breaking the club’s 35-year trophy drought and securing the title in 2012. I would like to personally and publicly thank him for his dedication to the progress that he has overseen and for his support and continued friendship,” said Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak .

    Mancini’s assistant, Brian Kidd, is to take temporary charge of the team for their final two matches of the Premier League campaign and their post-season friendlies in USA. Mancini is rumoured to be wanted by French club, Monaco.