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Entertainment

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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Entertainment

Three things from Manchester United Vs Club Brugge

1. THE DEFENCE LOOKS SORTED: Prior to the commencement of the season, alot of fuss and concerns were raised on United’s seemingly shaky defence. However, yesterday’s game against Brugge – like the two others in the league- proved that the concerns are overblown and out of place. 
United started a back four consisting of Mike Smalling, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw – all four of them had an excellent game except for few blips which is largely inevitable. Smalling showed tenacity, doggedness and coordination required of a center back while Darmian and Shaw combined the effort of breaking attacks on the flanks as well as linking up play with United’s wingers seamlessly. It would have been another clean sheet but for Carrick’s unfortunate own goal. 
To put things in a broader context, yesterday’s game was United’s third of the season and they have only conceded once (an own goal). If that’s a bad defence, then we need to look up the definition of ‘bad’.

2. MANCHESTER UNITED MADE GOOD SIGNINGS: Louis Van Gaal voiced the need to make some additions after the end of the previous season, Ed-Woodward got the cue and swinged into action. The result is Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sergio Romero. All five of them were involved in the game and all five of them impressed.  Memphis Depay turned out the hero of the night with two goals and an assist while Bastian Schweinsteiger who came on as a second half substitute controlled the game and gave direction to play through his immense quality and wealth of experience. Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian executed their role excellently and Sergio Romero was decent in goal although the sturdy defence ensured he had little to do.  The signings not only offer a crucial squad depth but immense quality and character which are core features of a winning team – pretty soon, United may get back to being one.

3. LVG THE GENIUS: Louis Van Gaal’s exploit with Holland in the 2014 world Cup played a crucial role in his appointment as the manager of Manchester United. Good formation and tactics, intelligent reading of the game which resulted into effective substitutions and an imposing character are all things LVG consistently displayed.  His first season with United witnessed a bit of that and the game against Brugge suggests that he may have gotten his mojo back. 
The god manager made three substitutions and all three of them contributed greatly to the victory. 
Schweinsteiger came for Carrick in the second half and he immediately proved effective with well-timed passes and control of the game as well as provision of direction and leadership.  Januzaj was submitted for Javier Hernandez who reduced Brugge to ten men (he was the reason Brugge had a man sent off) and he added bite to United’s attack.  Most importantly, Marouane Fellaini came on for Wayne Rooney in the dying minutes and he got the goal that ensured United’s victory with a good goal margin and a less difficult second leg.

–
Adeshina Peter. 
You can follow on Twitter via @shina_pitta
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Entertainment

17 Ways To Know Your Dad Is A Nigerian


1. When he reads newspapers before breakfast 
2. When he reduces your maintenance fee and then says, “You are lucky, in our time we trekked to school, manage it.”
3. When he inserts history into every conversation you have. 
4. When he shows you off before his friends. “This is my son John, he studied Human Understanding at Muhammadu Buhari University, he’s going for his masters abroad soon.”
5. When he turns morning or night prayers into a revival service.
‎6. When he wakes you up in the middle of the night and ask you to prepare tea or food.
7. When the only thing he’s interested in on TV is NTA Network News (9pm.‎)
8. When his reproval instruments are his leather belt, cane, flip-flops, brooms etc.
9. When he starts asking your friends who pay you a visit series of questions.
10. When he scans his daughter(s) outfits before they step out of the house.

11. When he tells you he always comes first in class.

12. When he shouts your name in an angry tone (you always know you are in soup). “A-n-g-e-l-i-n-a, come here right now”
13. ‎When he compares you to his friend’s child just because you refuse to study the course he wants you to study.
14. When he calls your full name when he catches you sneaking into the house late in the night.
15. When as a guy he tries to engage you in a fist fight and ‎boasts of how much of a fighter he was and no matter how grown you are he can still overpower you.
16. When he seizes your items (especially the ones you like most) for disobeying him.
17. When he calls his children and asks them who broke or spoilt an item. And then he goes, “So none of you did it, stool down.”

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Entertainment, Sports

Manchester United secure convincing 3-1 win over Brugge

Goals from Memphis Depay and Marouane fellaini secured a convincing 3-1 over club Brugge in the first leg of champions league play off. An own goal from Micheal Carrick had put Club Brugge ahead in the opening minutes of the game but Manchester United level through a great individual effort from Memphis Depay.
Depay scored another goal to put his team ahead and also provided a cross that was converted by Marouane Fellaini in the dying minutes of the game. The 3-1 win will give Manchester United some cushion ahead of the second leg scheduled for 26th of August, 2015.
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Entertainment

"Maybe I'm not in his plans". Ighalo expresses disappointment at not making Oliseh's list.

I am actually looking forward to Mikel Obi’s reaction. I’m sure he was shocked and disappointed as well. Watford/Nigeria forward has vented his disappointment at not being picked by Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier game against Tanzania coming up in September.‎
Speaking to African Football, Ighalo said, “I am a little bit disappointed not to be in the list, but I am taking it in good faith. Nigeria is blessed with talents. I think the coach is rebuilding, maybe I am not in his plan for now. May be he will call me in future.”
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Entertainment

Mateo Kovacic joins Real Madrid from Inter Milan

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan on a six year contract.
Madrid did not confirm the value of the deal but Kovacic, 21, is reported to have cost around €30 million. A statement on the Spanish club’s official website read:
“Real Madrid C. F. and Inter Milan have agreed to the transfer of Mateo Kovacic, he will remain at the club for the next six seasons. The player will be presented tomorrow, Wednesday 19 August at 1 p.m., in the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabeu, after undergoing a medical. Afterwards, Mateo Kovacic will step out onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time wearing the Real Madrid shirt and talk to the media in the press room.”

Inter boss Roberto Mancini had previously confirmed that his side had accepted Real’s offer for Kovacic as they needed to balance the books. “Unfortunately there are financial fair play rules to respect and I don’t think any of us wanted this, but to respect UEFA’s parameters we had to do something,”  Inter Mancini told Mediaset television.

“That does not mean we won’t build a side capable of being competitive. We’re all sad, from the president down to the players, but given these rules, you have to make sacrifices. I’m sorry if some people can’t understand that.”

The reported fee would mean a healthy profit for Inter on the €11m paid for the then 18-year-old when he arrived from Dinamo Zagreb in January 2013.
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Entertainment

Soccer Kicks Cancer! Attend The Kickoff Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative & Soccer Tournament.

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is a cause I am committed to, I’ve seen people die of breast cancer and No, you have no idea of the excruciating pain they go through before their demise.
Aimed at sensitizing the public on the breast cancer endemic  and how to prevent and take proper medication against it through soccer, the Kickoff Against Breast Cancer awareness initiative/ soccer tournament is scheduled to hold at the INDOOR SPORT HALL, Sport centre, University of Lagos.
Kick Off is going to be a competition between eight female hostels existing in the University of Lagos; Makama Hall, Fagunwa Hall, Madam Tinubu Hall, Queen Amina Hall, Kofo Hall, Honours Hall, Moremi Hall, and Medilag Hall.
The eight (8) teams consisting of fifteen (15) players will be coached by some of Nigerians best celebrities DJ and artistes, each hostels would compete for cash prizes, trophies amongst others. Every member of each team would be presented with a medal for appreciation for participating in KICK OFF.
Also there would be a breast cancer awareness seminar/talk at the end of every match also not forgetting the music and comedy performances.
The BREAST CANCER initiative seminar will include free BREAST CANCER screening test and giveaways.
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