2 days after showing Mike Phelan the exit door, Hull City have unveiled Marco Silva as their new manager.
The club’s vice-chairman, Ehab Allam said: “Marco is a young coach who has impressed us with his philosophy and football style.
“He has a great track record and we feel this is a bold and exciting appointment in our aim to retain the club’s Premier League status.
“Marco will be bringing in his own back-room team who have all played their part in his recent success.
“We are already working hard with Marco and his team to deliver some key additions to our squad during this transfer window.”
Mikel off to China in £140,000-a-week deal
According to reports, Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is set go leave The Blues for Chinese Super League club Tianjin TEDA in £140,000-a-week deal . The Nigeria international who has been at the Stamford Bridge since 2006 is reportedly undergoing a medical today and will sign a 3-year contract in the coming days.
105-year-old Robert Marchand sets cycling record
105-year-old French Robert Marchand has set a world record in cycling in his age division. He rode 14 miles (22.547 kilometres) in 1 hour at the St Quentin-en-Yvelines national velodrome in France.
Three years ago he covered 26.927 kilometres (16.7 miles) in one hour in the over-100s category.
People tell my son there's another player better than your father – Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed his son is also at the receiving end of his rivalry with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. The debate on who is the better player between the two great footballers is longstanding and isn’t ending soon. The Real Madrid star however said he has taught the 6 year-old to ignore such vibes.
He told ON TV. “There are people who sometimes say to him that ‘there is another player who is better than your father’, but he knows how to deal with that, He is a smart boy, like me. I often tell him ‘be yourself and be polite’. I know that he will go through periods of adversity as there are jealous people out there, but I see him as a happy child.”
'You're one of the biggest symbols of Nigeria.' Fan pens emotional note to Mikel Obi
A Ukrainian fan has penned an emotional tribute to Mikel Obi in the wake of the latter’s speculative departure from Chelsea FC. The Blues midfielder has not played in a competitive game for Chelsea since Antonio Conte took over at the Stamford Bridge and has been linked with at least 5 transfers. 1 from Valencia, the other from Chinese clubs namely; Shanghai Shenhua, Guangzhou Evergrande, Hebei China Fortune and Beijing Guoan.
The fan simply identified as Nazar lauded his character and professionalism and also thanked him for his time at the club. The Nigeria international joined the club in 2006. Nazar’s note was tweeted by the player. Read it below.
Patrice Evra rejoining Old Trafford?
Dear Manchester United fans, would you take Patrice Evra back? (Like you have any choice.lol)
An instagram post by Rio Ferdinand is suggesting the French International might be making a return to Old Trafford. The 35 year-old left the Red Devils in 2014 for Juventus where he made 52 appearances and netted 3 goals.
‘Throwing it out there…Patrice Evra I’m hearing thru social media u coming home bro?!? Talk to me!’ Ex England centre-back, Ferdinand wrote.
Former Spain coach weighs in on the Messi/Ronaldo debate
Former Spain coach, Javier Clemente has weighed in on the long-standing debate about who is the better player between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spaniard opined that the Barcelona talisman is better than his Portuguese rival adding that the latter should be “happy and proud to be second.”
Speaking to Cadena Ser (h/t Sacha Pisani of Goal), Clemente claimed, “Messi is ahead of everyone. He does different things and the sum of those parts lifts him to first place. Cristiano should be happy and proud to be second in the word. Cristiano has better abdominals, a height advantage, and he headers better. There are thing that Cristiano does better, but Messi beats him in technique, ability and vision, and that’s that. He should be happy and proud to be second in the word, there’s no more noble thing in sport to recognize the quality of your rivals.”
Leicester sign Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi
Reigning EPL champions, Leicester City have confirmed the signing of Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, for £15m. The former KRC Genk player who has successfully completed his medicals will feature for the team as soon as he secures his work permit.
FA asks Bacary Sagna to explain Instagram post
Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna may have bitten more than he can chew following a cryptic post on his instagram page. The message which read “10 against 12.. but still fighting and winning as a team″ after City’s 2-1 victory against Burnley on Monday is seemingly accusing referee of cheating. The Football Association (FA) has however asked him to explain the deleted post.
He has until 17:00 GMT on Friday to respond to the query.
I wanted to leave Chelsea in the summer – Diego Costa
About six months ago, Chelsea player, Diego Costa was not convinced Chelsea was the right club to be in and almost left the club for Atletico Madrid in the summer. Another factor that influenced his decision to leave England was his family. The 28 year-old said he however changed his mind having seen the amount of affection showered on him by colleagues and fans.
The Spain international said “Could I have gone in the summer? Yes, yes. I was about to leave. I was about to but, well, I am happy here as well and that’s that. I had the possibility to go to Atletico, because of a few things, the family, the life I have there.
“But not because of Chelsea, because, here, there is a lot of love with the supporters, with the people, so I am here very happy, I am very content.
“People love me a lot. There was one thing I wanted to change for family reasons but, well, it was not to be and I continue to be happy here. It was important too that the manager, from the very first minute, said he counted on me.”