Connect with us

Sports

Osimhen rules out January move to Chelsea

Published

on

Victor Osimhen has confirmed he will not be joining Chelsea during the January transfer window, stating his commitment to remain with Turkish giants Galatasaray until the end of his loan spell, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 25-year-old striker, who was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window, made his intentions clear after netting his fourth goal for Galatasaray in their 2-1 victory against Besiktas in Monday’s Turkish Super Lig Istanbul Derby.

“Yes, I am here,” Osimhen responded when asked about his plans for the second half of the season, as revealed by Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.

The Nigeria striker has been in scintillating form since joining the Turkish Super Lig leaders on loan from Napoli in September, scoring in three consecutive league games, including a spectacular overhead kick against Antalyaspor last weekend, upon his return from injury.

Advertisement

His latest goal came in the 67th minute against Besiktas, when he expertly headed home Gabriel Sara’s cross to double Galatasaray’s lead before the visitors pulled one back in stoppage time.

Despite Chelsea’s continued interest in securing his services and Nicolas Jackson’s improved form, the Blues are still in the market for a striker that is capable of guaranteeing at least 20 goals per season, with Osimhen viewed as the ideal candidate to fill that void.

The former Lille forward’s performances in Turkey have caught the attention of Chelsea legends John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, who have both endorsed him as an ideal signing for their former club.

Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray have benefitted significantly from Osimhen’s presence, with the striker contributing four goals and four assists in just six appearances. The team currently sit atop the Turkish Super Lig standings with 28 points from 10 matches, maintaining an impressive run of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games across all competitions.

Advertisement

The victory over Besiktas has helped Galatasaray open a six-point gap ahead of second-placed Samsunspor, while the defeated remain fourth with 20 points.

With Osimhen confirming his commitment to Galatasaray until the summer, Chelsea may have to wait until 2025 to secure the services of the former Lille player, who continues to enhance his reputation in Turkish football.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

EPL: Bournemouth stun Manchester City with historic win

Published

on

Antoine Semenyo and Evanlison scored as Bournemouth sealed their first-ever win against Manchester City at Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries, in good form after picking up four points from their last two games against Aston Villa and Arsenal, started quickly and full of positivity.

Ederson was forced into a double save after just two minutes as he denied Semenyo and Justin Kluivert.

With the tone set, Bournemouth continued to press high and they were rewarded in the ninth minute when Milos Kerkez’s cut-back from the byeline was turned in by Semenyo.

Advertisement

City failed to muster an attempt on target during a largely frustrating first half.

Bournemouth came out for the second period full of confidence and were close to doubling their lead in the first minute, but Ederson was sharply off his line to keep Evanlison’s effort out.

Evanlison made sure with his next opportunity, though, sliding to meet Kerkez’s low ball and nestling it into the bottom corner.

The hosts should have made it three moments later but Adam Smith, presented with an open goal, blazed over the bar after Marcus Tavernier’s shot came back off the post.

Advertisement

City finally registered an attempt on target in the 80th minute, albeit a tame one, with Erling Haaland struggling to get any power on his volley.

And two minutes later, Josko Gvardiol headed beyond a despairing Mark Travers to offer hope but the Premier League champions were unable to grab an equaliser.

The defeat means City slip to second after Liverpool came-from-behind to beat Brighton, while Bournemouth climb up to eighth.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

EPL: Salah goal sends Liverpool top of table after 2-1 win over Brighton

Published

on

Liverpool came from behind to beat Brighton at a rocking Anfield and go top of the Premier League on the day their two title rivals both suffered defeat.

Brighton had looked set to move up to third in the table when Ferdi Kadioglu’s fine strike from 16 yards flew in via the inside of the post in a first half they dominated.

But Cody Gakpo’s left-wing cross went straight into the net for Liverpool’s equaliser, his third goal against Albion in four days after his Carabao Cup double.

And Mohamed Salah curled a beauty into the far corner from the right side of the box to completely turn the game around three minutes later.

Advertisement

It was an especially impressive comeback because Brighton had been playing so well – and keeping the home crowd quiet at times.

They could have led by more but Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Georginio Rutter’s effort – before the second-half comeback.

Liverpool, who have won 13 of their 15 games under new manager Arne Slot, are two points above Manchester City after their shock defeat by Bournemouth, while Arsenal were beaten at Newcastle.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Arsenal’s Premier League hopes dashed by Newcastle defeat

Published

on

Newcastle put a huge dent in Arsenal’s title aspirations on Saturday, winning 1-0 to give leaders Manchester City the chance to move eight points clear of the Gunners at the top of the Premier League.

Alexander Isak scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 12th minute, heading home Anthony Gordon’s pinpoint cross from the right.

Arsenal struggled to get out of first gear and although they dominated possession, they produced just one shot on target in the entire game.

Mikel Arteta’s men have now picked up just one point in their past three games as their title push quickly runs out of steam.

Advertisement

If defending champions City win at Bournemouth later on Saturday they will be eight points clear of the Gunners. Liverpool, a point behind City, host Brighton at Anfield.

Arsenal have pushed Pep Guardiola’s City hard in each of the past two seasons and appeared to be well-equipped for another title challenge but the gap already looks alarmingly big.

The injury-hit visitors started brightly in the opening seconds at St James’ Park, with Leandro Trossard dragging the ball wide.

But the home side, who had not won for five matches, quickly settled and Sweden forward Isak got between Gabriel and William Saliba to head home from Gordon’s exquisite first-time cross.

Advertisement

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka lacked penetration but headed just wide in the 18th minute after leaping above his marker.

Newcastle defender Lewis Hall blocked Mikel Merino’s shot on the line after a Declan Rice corner caused chaos but the visitors lacked rhythm and failed to match the intensity shown by the home side.

Arteta opted against making changes at half-time and Newcastle came close to doubling their lead almost immediately, with Joe Willock’s shot saved by David Raya.

The Spanish boss threw on 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Gabriel Martinelli and Merino just after the hour mark.

Advertisement

Isak fired a shot at Raya that the Arsenal goalkeeper pushed away before Rice muscled his way into the Newcastle area and flashed a shot wide.

Arteta made further changes, introducing defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus in the desperate push for an equaliser.

Arsenal struggled to build up a head of steam as the clock ticked down but they squandered a golden chance to equalise when Rice headed just wide from a Saka cross in stoppage time.

The Gunners, still missing captain Martin Odegaard, suffered a shock defeat against Bournemouth last month and drew 2-2 with Liverpool last week.

Advertisement

They have tough games coming up against Inter Milan in the Champions League and Chelsea next week.

The win lifts Eddie Howe’s Newcastle to eighth in the table ahead of the later kick-offs on Saturday.

AFP

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News