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EPL: Why Lukaku Is Struggling At Chelsea – Mikel Obi

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Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has revealed why striker, Romelu Lukaku, is struggling at the club.

Lukaku rejoined Chelsea last summer for a club-record £98million after spearheading Inter Milan’s run to the Serie A title.

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The Belgium international has been linked with a move away from Chelsea following a miserable first season back at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old scored just eight English Premier League goals for Thomas Tuchel’s side last season.

But Mikel believes Lukaku is struggling at Chelsea because the Premier League is too powerful and fast compared to the Serie A.

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READ ALSO: EPL: Mikel Obi Names Most Difficult Player He Ever Faced

Asked why Lukaku is struggling at Chelsea, Mikel told Nigerian station Naija FM 102.7 in Lagos: “It is the league, the Premier League is too powerful, too strong, too fast, whereas the Italian League is slow.

“The pace of English football is way too much than the Italian league. In the Italian League, you can play till your 40s, but that hardly happens in the English League.”

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WAFCON: Ihezuo Strikes Late As Nigeria Edge Botswana To Reach Quarter-finals

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Substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo came off the bench to score a dramatic 89th-minute winner as Nigeria sealed a 1-0 win over Botswana in their Group B clash at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Thursday.

Nigeria looked set for a frustrating evening until Ihezuo met a low cross from Esther Okoronkwo and tapped home at the back post for her second goal of the tournament.

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The result, secured at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, confirmed the Super Falcons’ place in the quarter-finals.

READ ALSO:Burna Boy Turns 34, Reveals Plans To Start A Family

Despite being overwhelming favourites, the nine-time champions struggled to break down a resilient Botswana side and their outstanding goalkeeper, Sedilame Boseja.

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The Super Falcons were wasteful in front of goal for much of the contest, with Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne both missing first-half chances. Botswana came close to a shock lead through Balothany Johannes and Laone Moloi, whose efforts tested Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

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Oliseh Urges Osimhen To Choose Premier League Over Galatasaray Return

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Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has issued a strong word of advice to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen amid mounting speculation linking the Napoli forward with a surprise return to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Oliseh warned that the 26-year-old striker is at a pivotal stage in his career and must carefully consider his next move to avoid future regret. He wrote, “Victor Osimhen is at a very delicate crossroad. He needs to find his way to the Premier League in a hurry or he risks so much regret! Man. United and Arsenal need this player if only…..”

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Oliseh’s comments come amid reports that Osimhen is preparing for a permanent switch to Galatasaray, where he previously starred during a loan spell, scoring 26 goals to lead the club to the Turkish Super Lig title. However, the Nigerian legend believes a move to England’s top flight would better suit Osimhen’s development and global standing.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: UAE Imposes Fresh Visa Conditions On Nigerians, Bans Transit Visa

Now 26, Osimhen’s age is reportedly becoming a factor in transfer negotiations, with some Premier League clubs cautious about making a high-value investment. Delaying a move to England any further could reduce his appeal in the competitive Premier League market, insiders suggest.

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Despite being contracted to Napoli until 2026, Osimhen’s future remains uncertain. The striker was expected to return for pre-season training, but reports in Italy claim that new head coach Antonio Conte has no intention of including him in his plans and could relegate him to the youth team.

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Liverpool Return To Training In Wake Of Jota death

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Liverpool’s stars returned to training on Tuesday for the first time since the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota.

The Premier League champions postponed the start of pre-season training after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain last Thursday.

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Manager Arne Slot and a number of the Liverpool squad, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, attended Jota’s funeral in his home town of Gondomar, near Porto, on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo were among the players pictured arriving at the training ground.

READ ALSO: Liverpool, Football World Mourn Diogo Jota As Tributes Pour In

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Salah said in his tribute to the Portuguese international that he was frightened to go back to Liverpool to face the reality of Jota’s passing.

Teammates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back,” Salah posted on Instagram.

A site of remembrance has been set up at the club’s iconic Anfield stadium where hundreds of bouquets of flowers, shirts, scarves and pictures have been left by fans and former players in recent days.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Is Dead

Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly is scheduled for Sunday away at Championship side Preston.

But ticket sales for that match have been suspended pending a final decision on whether the match will go ahead.

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Liverpool are then due to go on an Asian tour, playing AC Milan in Hong Kong and Japanese side Yokohama Marinos before the end of the month.

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