Sports

Haaland Set To Reign Over Europe As Man City Eye Historic Treble

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2023

Editor

Erling Haaland has been backed to dominate the Champions League for years to come as the record-breaking Manchester City striker aims to fire his side to treble glory in Saturday’s final against Inter Milan.

Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm in his first season, scoring 52 goals in all competitions since signing from Borussia Dortmund.

The 22-year-old fuelled City’s successful bid to overhaul Arsenal in the title race before Pep Guardiola’s side completed the second leg of the treble with their FA Cup final victory against Manchester United last Saturday.

City are firm favourites to win the Champions League for the first time when they face Inter in Istanbul this weekend.

That would make City only the second English club after Manchester United in 1999 to lift the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the same season.

Yet, ominously for defenders across Europe, Haaland believes he can only get better as he spends more time in Guardiola’s unique system.

“I’ve been developing in a really positive way and that’s important for me because I’m still really young,” he said.

“I’m 22, I’ve got a long career ahead of me and I still have to develop. That’s also something I was thinking of over one year ago when I was thinking about my next move.”

It is a view shared by Inter striker Romelu Lukaku, who knows all about the ups and downs of life in the Premier League.

Former Manchester United and Everton striker Lukaku, currently on loan at Inter from Chelsea, is a huge fan of Haaland, whose physical approach mirrors the Belgian’s own style of play.

He expects the Norwegian to establish himself as the world’s most feared forward alongside Paris Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

“I think he will dominate, with Mbappe, world football for the next 10 years,” Lukaku told CNN.

“They will be fighting from the new generation. They will really take over from Messi and Ronaldo in the next two years.”

– ‘One more’ –

The awe-inspiring statistics of Haaland’s first season with City are enough to give Inter boss Simone Inzaghi sleepless nights.

Haaland’s 36 Premier League goals set a record for single season in the competition.

Haaland’s 12 goals in 10 Champions League appearances so far this season played a huge role in City’s progress to only their second final in Europe’s elite club competition.

He is the first player to be voted Premier League Player and Young Player of the Year in the same season and was also named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) men’s footballer of the year.

It has been a life-changing year for Haaland, who said: “I’m 196cm tall and have got long blond hair so wherever I go people are going to see me. So that’s how my life is.

“What can I do? There’s nothing I can do, that’s my life. I just have to try to enjoy it as much as I can. Try to relax when I’m home with good people around me, that’s really important.”

It is hard to imagine now, but there was a brief period earlier this year when some critics suggested City were worse off with Haaland.

After winning the title without a recognised striker in the previous two seasons, City had fallen behind Premier League pace-setters Arsenal as Haaland occasionally looked isolated up front.

He has silenced those doubters in emphatic fashion, but Inter will have noted he goes into the final with only one goal in his last seven games.

Haaland’s current four-match goalless run is his longest in a City shirt, and he hasn’t gone as many games without scoring since April 2021.

Yet Haaland had a warning for Inter just seconds after the final whistle blew following the FA Cup final.

While hugging Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva on the Wembley pitch, Haaland exhorted his City team-mates to make one last push in Istanbul.

“Come on, one more,” he roared while pumping his fist.

Few would be surprised if the intensely driven Haaland ends his drought by scoring the goal that makes history for City.

Sports

Pogba Signs For Monaco, Hoping To Revive Career

Published

58 minutes ago

June 28, 2025

Editor

Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco to return to football after a near two-year absence, the club announced on Saturday.

The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, an 18-month doping ban and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year.

The midfielder will now play club football in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career.

“I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time,” the 32-year-old told French television last weekend.

Pogba played in the Le Havre youth team before signing for Manchester United in 2009.

He made only a handful of first-team appearances for the three-time European champions before signing for Juventus in 2012.

Pogba won four consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before rejoining United for a then-world record 105 million euros ($123 million).

He moved back to Juventus three years ago but struggled with a series of injuries.

In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros from Pogba in 2022.

Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the France national team, playing a starring role and scoring in their World Cup final victory over Croatia seven years ago.

His new club Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after finishing third in Ligue 1 last term.

Sports

Chelsea Set To Offload Jackson, Madueke, 8 Others [See list]

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

Chelsea are reportedly planning a major squad overhaul this summer, with as many as 10 players facing the exit door, according to The Athletic.

Among those who could be sold are Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, as the club aims to raise funds for new signings and streamline their squad ahead of the new season.

Also on the list of potential departures are Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, and newly signed Renato Veiga.

Many of these Chelsea players spent last season out on loan and may now be moved on permanently.

The club’s transfer strategy is geared towards meeting key summer objectives, with player sales expected to provide the financial muscle needed to reinforce specific areas of the squad.

Chelsea have already made moves in the transfer market, including the €35.5 million acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

His arrival could push Jackson further down the pecking order, with the striker now being considered for a potential sale.

One of the top targets for the Blues is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who is seen as a potential replacement for Madueke on the wing.

While Chelsea are keen to trim their squad and raise funds, the departures of Jackson, Madueke, and Nkunku will largely depend on the calibre of offers they receive from interested clubs.

As the Blues prepare for a demanding new season, the coming weeks could see a flurry of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge.

Sports

Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of Nigerian international goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on a free transfer from Paris FC.

The 24-year-old will officially join the club on 1 July, following the expiration of her contract with the French side.

Nnadozie brings a wealth of experience to the Seagulls, having earned 55 caps for Nigeria since making her senior debut in 2018.

She also boasts significant European pedigree, having featured in 16 UEFA Women’s Champions League matches for Paris FC between 2022 and 2025.

Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic praised the new arrival, saying: “She’s a talented and commanding goalkeeper who will bring consistency and confidence to our defensive line.”

He added: “We’re confident she’ll add both depth and drive to a squad already full of ambition as we continue to build for next season.”