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Pablo Zabaleta ruled out for a month due to knee injury

Manchester City’s defender, Pablo Zabaleta has been ruled out for a month as a result of a knee ligament injury he sustained in training.
Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that the player suffered a knee ligament issue in training this week.
He said: “Pablo Zabaleta had yesterday a problem in his knee. I think he will be out for around a month. “Fabian Delph returned this week on Wednesday to work with the whole squad so he doesn’t have have any problem,” he added.
The right-back is set to miss fixtures against Everton, Watford, Palace and West Ham as well as the opening round of Champions League fixtures. Bacary Sagna has impressed this season and should now get more opportunities to stake a claim for regular first-team football.
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Entertainment

WHAT PEDRO'S MOVE MEANS FOR CLUB, COUNTRY AND LEAGUE

After several weeks of speculations and rumors over the future of Pedro Rodriguez and his next destination, he finally completed a move to Chelsea Football Club amidst interest from several other clubs. The movement of Pedro will have impact or consequence on alot of things but most prominently; his former club, new club, home country and the new league he just joined.
FOR BARCELONA: The arrival of Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr at Barca meant less playing time for the likes of Pedro given the amount spent on them, their pedigree and status. Worse still, they formed a lethal combo with Messi and tore apart whatever stands between them and the goal post.
Unarguably, the trio deserves to start every game provided they are fit and eligible but the big question is; what happens when they are not? 
The defeat in the first leg of the Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao after six changes was made to the starting xi portrayed a genuine concern over the depth of the squad and quality of the bench. 
All of these makes the dedication and commitment with which they went about the sale of Pedro shocking. He is one of the few players that has shown time and time again that he can deliver whenever his called upon no matter how big the occasion is.
The poorest reply to having a young side that finished last in the second division, a poor bench and a transfer ban that won’t be lifted until January is selling an established player who may not be good enough to break into the best eleven but good enough to make a mark incase things go awry.  Just like Gab Marcotti put it, Pedro was Barca’s insurance if and when something goes wrong with MSN and the thing about insurance is that – it may seem irrelevant and somewhat needless but they day something goes wrong, one would be glad to have it in place.  It is hard to see how exactly the sale of Pedro profits Barcelona except for the million they got from it.

FOR CHELSEA: A run of three games without a win, shambolic display against city and front line that consists of a striker that has now taken to fighting rather than scoring and disappearing wingers highlights the need for new injection.  Chelsea have not had it easy since the commencement of the season and the side cries for renewed motivation, fresh legs and quality. 
In Pedro, they may have found answers to certain problems. He is a forward-minded player who scores effortlessly, dribbles well and as well plays with the team. Moreso, Pedro isn’t a kind of player that disappears or fits into the pocket of defenders, rather, he is knows to always deliver!

Huge wealth of experience, immense quality, number of European titles and a world Cup medal all at €30Million is sure a good bargain. I mean, we know of someone that only boasts of prospect, few goals /assists and a number of kids but cost £50Million.
FOR THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: The English Premier League is by far the most competitive and glamorous league in the world and this is a result of the stars it parades who inevitably provides premium entertainment in goals, dribbles and style. This doesn’t only increase its fan base but also attracts players from leagues across Europe. The addition of Pedro adds to that and fans of the league may as well be ready for an increased dose of entertainment.
However, the signing of Pedro (and a few others from other leagues) also adds to the growing concern of foreign influx into the league which has led to the dearth of home grown talent.
The home grown rule designed by the England FA to compel clubs to sign or include home grown players in their squad won’t mean much if these players don’t get to play. It forfeits the intention of the rule and in the long run, renders it ineffective.

Just like Biola Kazeem put it in a twitter chat with a blog recently (read it here ), the EPL’s success is a blessing and a CURSE and that sums the consequence or impact of Pedro’s addition to the league.
FOR SPAIN: The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of the Spain National team isn’t the exciting and talent-ridden squad that won the world Cup in South Africa but an ailing, disjointed team that was dumped out in the group stage in Brazil.  There is no gain-saying that Spain needs new, fresh legs with more zeal, motivation and hunger for success. 
Truth be told, there are talent but questions can be raised over experience, exposure and club playing time.  Summarily, the lack of playing time for players like Pedro hurts the National team.  At 28, Pedro doesn’t qualify as a ‘young talent’ but his quality, wealth of experience and knowledge of the tactics and game plan of the squad is priceless and hugely needed. 
His move to Chelsea means less time on the bench and more time on the field of play where he can regain confidence, fitness and form. With Euro 2016 just around the corner, Spain have every reason to smile at this move.

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Adeshina Peter
You can follow him on Twitter via @shina_pitta

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Entertainment, Opinion

Power: The need to stop the continuation of payment of bills after disconnection | By: Nwaorgu Faustinus

The news about the directive or rather order by the senate on the 11th of this month to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the fixed charge of N702.00, which it has been collecting from electricity consumers across the federation following unending complaints against the policy by Nigerians has been greatly applauded as the right step in the right direction, given its anti-people oriented and exploitative coloration.
When this good news filtered into the public domain, many a consumer of power supply heaved a profound sigh of relief having been subjected to the fixed charge without proportionate benefit to show for the money they pay, especially for those who do not make use of pre-paid meters. Again, the Senate in a landmark resolution from a motion entitled:Unfair Trade Practices of Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria, which was sponsored by the duo of Senator Sam Egwu and Senator David Umaru, directed the NERC to urge Discos to discontinue the practice of compulsory bulk metering of villages and communities in the rural areas.
As commendable as these directives are, it is only when the various private power/electricity distribution companies that cut across the geo-political zones of the federation are forced to implement and comply with the order will fairness be restored to the power sector as regards the outrageous, extortionate, slavish and exploitative electricity bills paid by consumers of electricity.
Apart from the issues of bulk metering and fixed charge of N702.00, another issue that is giving the public a great source of concern, anger, and sadness is the continuation of the charge of electricity bills on services not rendered for. For example, there are places and residential homes that have been disconnected for months and the wires used for the connection taken away by the various private power/electricity distribution companies’ electricians for one reason or the other but the end users (electricity consumers) have continued to receive electricity bills for services that have not been offered.
This is a clear case of daily light robbery, thievery, consciencelessness, and man’s insensitivity to man by these exploitative companies and its allies. Had it not been that majority of Nigerians who consume electricity are docile even when pushed to the wall especially on this issue of having one’s source of electricity disconnected and wires taken away by these power supply companies’ electricians or taskforce on disconnection, we would have been inundated with news of untoward actions meted out to those who deliver these undeserving electricity bills to those who do not supposed to pay for the bills.
Similarly, there are homes and places that are connected to power supply but have not had electricity for months but these electricity companies still bill them for services not rendered. I believe the practice of making consumers pay for meters, poles and transformers, which by law, are properties of the electricity companies should not be paid for.
No wonder the senate directed NERC to make a regulation to mandate the Discos to discontinue the practice of making consumers pay for meters, poles and transformers, which by law, are properties of the Discos, adding however that where consumers purchase those items, they should give notice of the purchase to the Discos, and should be entitled to recover their expenses from subsequent consumption of electricity.
This unpalatable situation of things in the power sector should be investigated holistically by the National Assembly with a view to finding permanent remedies to the ripping off of consumers of electricity and to restore sanity in the system. A stitch in time saves nine.
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Nwaorgu Faustinus writes from, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He can be reached via Email [email protected]

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Entertainment

Short Story: Shaking Hands With Death | By: Thandiubani

So they came four in number brandishing guns and threatening our lives.
It was a Saturday night in our beautiful home, Mama and Papa had me as their only child. I was still in my late teens when the tale i am about to tell took place. It has been years yet it has not healed. It is still as if it happened yesterday.

‘Shut your dirty mouth’ shouted the short man with a long gun.

‘You ought to have kept enough money for us,
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N500,000 is chicken change’ he barked at Papa who lay face-down hugging the earth out of fear. Mama wore a silk night-gown still looking beautiful in her late thirties. As fair as a goddess, Mama lay face-down near Papa trembling. Her hands spread and face pointing to the floor.

Papa worked as the General Manager of a top bank and had fleet of cars. He was indeed a rich man.
As they jerked Papa up hitting him with the base of their gun, tears ran down my cheeks.
I began to tremble not knowing the unthinkable was about to happen.
Papa went into the room with two of the four armed-robbers, I prayed in my heart that he should check inside the pillow in my room which had the
N900,000 I was supposed to have paid into his brother’s account for her mother’s sick bills. But I dared not utter a word as I kissed the floor with my face tight-hugging the rug and eyes shut.
Suddenly, I heard Mama shout and scream in pains as Papa rushed out of the room in anger. He rushed under the drawer near the big flat screen TV and pulled his revolver, pointed at the short, dark and ugly armed-robber who sandwiched his bare manhood in between Mama’s legs. The bullet pierced the armed-robber’s back and sent him crashing to the floor with a painful shout as he dropped dead. 
Another bullet went off from the revolver as it caught the other armed-robber who was busy emptying our liquor since they entered the house. He was sitting on the big chair facing the liquor bar. The bullet caught his heart and came out through the other side of his body. The big bottle of Heineken in his hand dropped with a loud boom. He fell to the ground writhing in pain before he gave up the ghost.
It was then that I saw Papa crashing to the floor as the revolver dropped from his hand. With eyes dripping of tears, thoughts incoherent, mind lost to pain and a half closed eyes, Papa’s bullet ridden body gave up the ghost in no time.
The scenario refused to fit into my mind. I was still mouth-agape thinking of what I had just witnessed when I fainted.
Four armed-robbers came to our house, one of them forced his way into Mama, Papa out of anger shot two of them dead, Mama lay on the floor unconscious, Papa shot dead by one of the armed-robbers as they fled our house.
Many years have passed still I have vengeance written all over me. Mama died the next month. She never recovered from the trauma. Each time I remember all these events, I just feel like another walking corpse but one day I will revenge!


Credit: Thandiubani, 
naijastories.com 
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Are you a writer? Interested in sharing your short stories on this
platform? Be our guest on our Short Story Fridays segment.
Email: loladevilleblog@gmail.com/[email protected]
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Entertainment

I've had just one poor game – Rooney

Wayne Rooney has played down criticisms over his performance in the new striking role he has played since the commencement of the season. The England and United captain insists that he has had only one poor game which was Friday’s 1-0 win against Aston Villa.

“It’s early on in the season,” Rooney said. “Three games in, it’s time for me to keep going. I’ve experienced this before and the goals will come, I know that.”

Rooney was disappointed with his display at Villa Park but happier with his performance in United’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge at Old Trafford on Tuesday, when he had a shot cleared off the line.
“I’m an honest guy,” he added. “I know when I don’t play well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards. I know that. I thought I had a good game [on Tuesday], could have had a goal or two, but that’s football. It was a great night for us, obviously, getting the victory and hopefully we’ll kick on from there.”

Rooney was United’s 14-goal top scorer last season, despite spending much of the campaign in midfield, but with Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao at new clubs, he has been installed as the main centre-forward by manager Louis Van Gaal. And the third-highest scorer in United’s history is ready to accept the responsibility for finding the net.

“I understand I have to be the one who’s going to lead that line for us and try and [get] the goals for us,” he said. “My mind’s clear. I know how to play the role. It’s just a case of getting the chances and taking them which I’m hopefully going to do soon.”

While Rooney’s wait for a goal goes on, summer signing Memphis Depay opened his account with a brace against Club Brugge before substitute Marouane Fellaini added an injury-time third. And Rooney believes the whole side have to contribute, explaining: “Memphis has chipped in with two goals and Felli’s came on and got a goal. “It’s important that we all chip in. He [Depay] managed to get off the mark this season. I’ve had one bad game this season and everyone’s all over it. I know, I’ve had that throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark.”

United face Newcastle, who have been favourite opponents of Rooney’s in the past, next, and he added: “I’ve always enjoyed playing against Newcastle, so hopefully on Saturday I can open my scoring.”
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Entertainment

Chelsea complete signing of Pedro

After several weeks of speculations and links with several clubs, Pedro Rodriguez has finally completed a move to Chelsea Fc of England for €30Million. Pedro grew frustrated with a lack of first team football at Barcelona following the arrival of Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr.
A statement on the Barcelona website read: 
“FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Pedro Rodriguez for €30 million, of which €3m are dependent on performance. The club wishes to publicly
express its gratitude to Pedro Rodriguez for his professionalism and dedication while with the club, as well as to wish him all the best in the future.”

Pedro told the Chelsea website:

 “I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles. Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.”

Sources told ESPN FC on Wednesday that conversations with former Barcelona teammates such as Cesc Fabregas and Victor Valdes caused Pedro to reconsider his first preference and United ended their interest in signing the winger despite Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal’s praise for the player earlier this month. Chelsea are now expected to sell winger Juan Cuadadro less than nine months after his £23m move from Fiorentina in February.
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Money, ambition and betrayal: the bitter story of Pedro's walkout on Manchester United |By: Seyi Peters

Like the English and Catalan papers report today, the sports world is buzzing with plenty of detail about how Chelsea hijacked Pedro’s move to Manchester United.
The Spanish international had sought a move from Barcelona, where his opportunities have been limited by the dazzling performance of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Despite the fact that Mourinho had rejected the chance to sign him in January, Pedro was delighted when Chelsea revived their interest. He was said to have been unconvinced about a move to Old Trafford, perhaps detecting Van Gaal’s doubts about his suitability.         
United’s take on the matter on Wednesday night was that they withdrew from the deal on Tuesday when the manager decided he didn’t want the Barcelona player after all. Hmmm!
It seemed a strange explanation, given chief executive Ed Woodward had been in Catalonia as recently as Monday, but Van Gaal has always had reservations about Pedro, as reported in Sportsmail.
According to new reports, Chelsea’s dramatic swoop to sign Pedro was masterminded by manager Jose Mourinho, director Marina Granovskaia, Cesc Fabregas and the midfielder’s girlfriend,Carolina Martin. In this piece, we reveal the reasons why Pedro joined Chelsea over Manchester United, despite the latter seemingly chasing his signature for weeks now.
First, we believe Manchester United delayed in their approach to sign the 28-year-old. This attitude must have convinced the Barcelona forward to join Chelsea, once they made their move on Tuesday.
The main actor behind the transfer coup is Roman Abramovich’s right hand woman, Marina Granovskaia. She has been credited with swiftly securing the Pedro move, for a fee of 28 million euros, plus two in incentives.
It is alleged that he turned his back on a move to Manchester United after reportedly being warned about Louis van Gaal’s tough style of management.
Further revelations reveal that both Jose Mourinho and Cesc Fabregas spoke with Pedro to convince him to sign on at Stamford Bridge. In addition, Cesc’s wife Daniela Seeman’s spoke with Pedro’s other half, Carolina Martin to convince her partner to move to London.
Finally, El Mundo Deportivo add that Pedro and his family preferred to live in London rather than Manchester.
Since Chelsea paid Pedro’s release clause, Barcelona were keen to accept and avoid any tax issues, a fact Manchester United negotiator Ed Woodward did not seem to understand as well.
Now that Pedro has passed his medical at Chelsea and the final negotiations centre on the length of his contract at Stamford Bridge, likely to be three years plus one depending on variables, Mourinho will hope the 5ft 5in forward can inject the required pace, urgency and goals into a team who have opened the season in sluggish style, taking one point from two games.
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Entertainment

Nicolas Otamendi joins Manchester City from Valencia

Manchester City have successfully signed Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia on a five year deal for a reported fee of €45 million. The 27 year-old was earlier linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid but he settled for a move to Manchester City. 
Otamendi joined Valencia from Porto last summer and scored 6 goals in 25 appearances to help the Spanish club finish fourth in the La-Liga last season. He was also a member of the Argentina team that finished runners up to Chile in the Copa America last month. 
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Entertainment

Chelsea hijack Pedro from Manchester United

Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez who Manchester United have targeted and chased for several weeks. Chelsea have agreed to pay a fee of €28 million (£19.7m) with a further €2m (£1.4m) in add-ons to sign the winger, who underwent a medical in London on Wednesday, according to sources.
United had long been expected to close a deal for the 28-year-old, with the Spain international having agreed terms with the Old Trafford club, only for executive vice chairman Ed Woodward to encounter frustration in negotiations with Barca.

Once aware of that, Chelsea decided to immediately act on Jose Mourinho’s own long-held interest in the player, and the green light was given at Stamford Bridge to try to hijack the move in the manner they did to Tottenham Hotspur with Willian two years ago.

On Wednesday, sources said that United have ended their interest in signing the winger, despite Louis van Gaal’s previous praise for the player. Pedro has a £22m release clause in his contract at Camp Nou and United had considered that a reasonable amount.
But although the Spaniard is a player manager Van Gaal liked, the fact he opted not to activate the buyout clause over the past few weeks is a sign the Dutchman harbored doubts about whether to purchase him.
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Entertainment, Sports

Gerard Pique suspended for four games

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has been handed a four-match suspension following his dismissal in the Spanish Super Cup second leg against Athletic Bilbao. Pique protested angrily in the face of a linesman over an offside call during the course of the game and was red-carded by referee Carlos Velasco.
Velasco Carballo’s official report said that the Spain international used foul and abusive language when shouting at the assistant.

“In minute 55 the player [3] Pique Bernabeu, Gerard, was sent off for the following reason: shouting at an assistant referee, “I s— on your f—ing mother,” the report said.
Gerard Pique has apologised for his behaviour in the 1-1 draw, which meant the match finished 5-1 in Athleti’s favour, but denied personally insulting the assistant referee.

However, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said the “video supports” the referee’s report’s claim that Pique did swear at the official.
The centre-back’s suspension means he is set to miss the Liga matches against Athletic (away), Malaga (home), Atletico Madrid (away) and Levante (home).

Pique, who has also been fined €3,005 and his club €1,400, has 10 business days from Thursday to appeal the sanction.
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