Chelsea crush Qarabag in UEFA Champions League

Chelsea enjoyed a triumphant return to the UEFA Champions League after a year out on Tuesday, thumping the competition’s debutants Qarabag 6-0, including a stunning, if miscued, strike from new signing Davide Zappacosta.

The Azeri champions were never any match for their English counterparts and it took only five minutes for Pedro to open the scoring with a curling shot from the edge of the area.

Deadline-day signing Zappacosta, apparently looking to cross the ball, produced a swirling screamer of a goal from some 35 metres out on the half hour.

Chelsea ran riot in the second half, with goals from defender Cesar Azpilicueta, new French signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and two from Michy Batshuayi rounding off an impressive display against the Group C underdogs.

In other UEFA Champions League matches also played on Tuesday, Romelu Lukaku opened his Champions League account as Manchester United marked their return to the competition with a 3-0 rout of Basle in their opening Group A match at Old Trafford.

A mesmeric Lionel Messi scored twice and inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Juventus as the Catalans got off to a flying start in Champions League Group D.

It was a sweet revenge for Barcelona following their last season’s quarterfinal elimination by the Italian champions.

Also, Paris Saint Germain flexed their attacking muscles with a 5-0 victory at Celtic in their opening Champions League Group B game on Tuesday as the world’s most expensive frontline produced a potent display of force.

Neymar, making his first European appearance for PSG after his world-record move from Barcelona,scored first in the 19th minute. He was joined on the scoresheet by Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, the other two members of PSG’s expensive forward trio.

September 13, 2017

Why Neymar’s PSG Debut is Delayed

Neymar presented to PSG crowd before opening day Ligue 1 victory

Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, may have to wait until after Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Guingamp on Sunday to make his debut for the club.

Brazil international Neymar’s world-record €222 million move went through last week and he was unveiled at the Parc des Princes before Saturday’s Ligue 1 win over Amiens.

But he was unable to make his PSG debut that day because his international transfer certificate had not been received by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) from Spain’s La Liga.

L’Equipe reported that the LFP had still not received the paperwork on Monday.

That means it is possible it may not arrive in time for Neymar to play at Guingamp, with the 25-year-old postentially having to wait until Toulouse visit Paris the following weekend.

L’Equipe reported that the Spanish FA (RFEF) have 15 days from Aug. 3, when Neymar joined PSG, to send the documentation to Liga officials for forwarding to France.

If that does not happen by midnight on Aug. 18, world football’s governing body FIFA would be required to get involved.

Le Parisien reported that FIFA could be called upon as soon as Thursday — one week after Neymar’s arrival — and that could delay the issue by an extra 10 days.

Reports in both France and Spain have suggested that the delay is coming from the Spanish side.

When contacted by ESPN FC, La Liga said “it is the RFEF’s responsibility to send the papers” before they can be forwarded.

ESPN FC requested comment from the RFEF and the LFP, but neither has so far responded.

August 8, 2017

Neymar plays like me – Okocha

Former Super Eagles and Ex-Nigerian international, Jay Jay Okocha has said that at present, no African player matches the class of newly signed PSG player, Neymar who he described as a world class that plays with Joy, and not just entertain like him.

Jay Jay as fondly called by Nigerians is arguably one of the most talented African footballers of all time. Blessed with sublime footwork and a mesmerising dribble, he was one of the golden generation of Nigeria players and a pillar of the Súper Águilas side that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and graced three successive FIFA World Cups™ between 1994 and 2002.

Eminently qualified to assess the best players in the modern game, Okocha chatted to FIFA.com about this year’s The Best Awards, what it takes to reach that level and his favourites to win the men’s award on 23 October in London.

You were one of those players who managed to dazzle on the pitch while always seeming to enjoy yourself. Are those qualities sufficient to be crowned The Best?

Jay Jay Okocha: Anyone aspiring to be the best or one of the best, needs more than that. You also need to be able to focus, work hard, and be consistent, as natural talent alone is not enough to elevate you to that level. If you understand that, and you have the raw talent, then you can compete at that level.

Anyone aspiring to be the best or one of the best needs more than that. You also need to be able to focus, work hard, and be consistent, as natural talent alone is not enough to elevate you to that level. If you understand that, and you have the raw talent, then you can compete at that level.

Is there anyone today who resembles you as a player?

I’d say the player whose style most resembles mine would be Neymar. That’s because I played with a sense of joy and you can see that he feels the same and really enjoys his own play. He doesn’t play for himself or just to entertain the fans – he plays for his team. He uses his quality and skill for the good of the team.

Okocha at FIFA Tournaments
Games: 38
Goals: 6
World Cups: 3 (USA 1994, France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002)
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1 (Saudi Arabia 1995)
Olympic Football Tournament: 1 (Atlanta 1996, gold medal winner)

Do you see him as a future successor to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

Yes, I think he will be the one to do it. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football for a decade and, given the nature of football, at a certain point, the baton will have to pass to someone else. I think Neymar has a great chance of filling that role.

Ronaldo and Messi have the shared the glory over the last decade, but do you favour one over the other?

I have to be diplomatic here, especially as I’ve a lot of Portuguese friends, but I tend to lean towards Messi. He’s a more natural talent. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, one of the best I’ve ever seen, but he’s been a bit unfortunate to be of the same generation as Messi. Consequently, they have to share the limelight.

Can you think of an African player with a chance of being among the final three for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award?

It’s hard to name one at present. If you’re talking about the top tier of players internationally, we don’t consider ourselves good enough to compete at that level. We have to change that attitude, and then we’ll be able to produce a player of the stature of the other top guys.

August 7, 2017

Neymar watches as Cavani and Pastore seal win

Neymar watched from the stands as Paris Saint-Germain battled to a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Amiens in their Ligue 1 opener at the Parc des Princes.

World-record signing Neymar was presented to supporters prior to the match amid a party atmosphere and sat alongside his father.

Adrien Rabiot headed against the woodwork for PSG, before Edinson Cavani scored the opener shortly before half-time, converting Dani Alves’ cross.

PSG took their time to put the result beyond doubt, but Javier Pastore’s late clincher ensured they joined defending champions Monaco in starting with a victory as Amiens, playing their first-ever Ligue 1 game after winning back-to-back promotions, offered little attacking threat.

The hosts started on top and created good early opportunities without testing away goalkeeper Regis Gurtner.

First, Rabiot and Angel Di Maria combined to set up Cavani, but the striker who netted 49 goals in all competitions last season shot wide of the near post.

Amiens defender Issa Cissokho then escaped punishment after PSG claimed he had handled in the box, before the hosts wasted a glorious chance to take the lead.

From a clever corner routine, Dani Alves’ shot deflected into the path of Rabiot, who could only send his header against the angle of post and bar from a yard out.

After Rabiot had finally tested Gurtner for the first time, PSG moved in front three minutes before the break.

Alves was the creator, crossing for Cavani from the right, with the striker turning defender Prince-Desir Gouano and finding the corner with a low left-footed finish from eight yards, bringing an applauding Neymar to his feet.

After PSG brought on Presnel Kimpembe for an injured Thiago Silva at half-time, Di Maria’s volley was kept out by Gurtner in the first chance of the second half.

Di Maria should have scored soon after, but he chipped wide after being slipped through on goal by Cavani.

Amiens’ only attempt on target came after the hour mark, Seybou Koita forcing a save from Alphonse Areola, but PSG were always looking comfortable despite their narrow lead.

Cavani then shot straight at Gurtner from Pastore’s pass as PSG looked to make sure of the three points.

And victory was finally sealed with 10 minutes remaining, Marco Verratti’s throughball releasing Cavani, who squared for Pastore – the man who vacated the number 10 shirt for Neymar – to fire home.

August 5, 2017

Neymar Breaks 20-year Club Record Signings

Just a year after Manchester United broke the bank to resign Paul Pogba from Juventus, PSG has taken up the mantle of the club that has had to cough up the most amount of money in history to sign a single player.

According to reports, Brazilian star Neymar has made the switch from Barcelona to PSG in a move that has made him richer by at least 190 million pounds. Football transfers have always been expensive affairs but, in the past few years, we have seen these transactions involving utterly ridiculous amounts of money. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most expensive players in football, for now.

Neymar (Barcelona to PSG, €222 million)

Brazilian star Neymar is one step closer of creating history as he is no longer a Barcelona player after the Spanish giants accepted a payment of €222 million. Now, the 25-year old is set to sign for Paris St-Germain for a world record fee.