Chelsea star, Marc Cucurella, has told his former teammate, Noni Madueke that President of the United States of America, Donald Trump collected his FIFA Club World Cup medal, put it in his pocket and took it to the White House.
The Spaniard said it was strange to him that the England international opted to join Arsenal before playing in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.
ObasEmpire reports that Madueke, born to Nigerian parents but represents England internationally, left the Chelsea team in the United States just hours after the semifinal win over Fluminense.
He returned to London to for his medical and to put finishing touches on his move to Arsenal.
Speaking to Gerard Moreno, Spanish full-back Cucurella, said the England player has missed a golden opportunity to have the FIFA Club World Cup medal
Cucurella wondered why Madueke failed to delay his move to Arsenal by a couple of days.
As quoted by ObasEmpire, the Spain international said, “He[Trump] put it in his pocket. He has it there in the White House, very well placed.
Yes, I think so. I think he missed a good opportunity…
In the end, I think it could have delayed him a couple of days since he left a day early or something like that. ”
The left-back said it would not have cost Madueke anything to wait until the final match of the competition
The Premier League have apologized to clubs for a two-week delay, after it confirmed which games will be televised in September.
Fans had been assured they would be informed of the exact dates and kick-off times for matchweeks four, five and six by July 9.
However, the league body has insisted that the late announcement still falls in line with their commitment to giving fans at least six weeks’ notice.
A statement read: “While the Premier League’s fixture announcement dates advised that September’s fixtures would be released on 9 July, delays in local approvals for fixtures unfortunately meant only August fixtures were announced on this date.
The Premier League would like to apologise for not being able to confirm these fixtures until now. However, today’s announcement is in line with our commitment to give at least six weeks’ notice for fixture announcements before January.”
Some of the changes will see Manchester United travel to Manchester City at 4:30pm on Sunday, September 14.
That Manchester Derby comes after Liverpool’s trip to Burnley, kicking off at 2pm.
Arsenal are also scheduled to host Nottingham Forest at 12:30pm on Saturday, September 13.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria booked a spot in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 2–1 win over holders South Africa.
Nigeria came close to scoring in the opening 12 minutes through Chiwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo. Ihezuo was set up by a superb pass from Ashleigh Plumptre in the 11th minute, but South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini produced a superb save to deny the striker. Dlamini also stopped Okoronkwo’s goal-bound effort one minute later.
South Africa barely tested Chiamaka Nnadozie despite their smooth play in midfield.
The Super Falcons were awarded a penalty one minute before the break after Bomgeka Gamede handled the ball inside the box. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade calmly slotted the ball into the net, with Dlamini getting a hand on it.
Linda Motlhalo equalised for South Africa from another penalty on the hour mark.
The right-back won the game for the Super Falcons with a long-range effort in stoppage time.
Arsenal are open to transfer offers for four of their players in the ongoing summer transfer wi
According to The Athletic, the players on the sale list are Karl Hein, Reiss Nelson, Fábio Vieira, and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The report also states that versatile player Oleksandr Zinchenko could depart, while there are no concrete developments regarding a potential exit for Jakub Kiwior.
Additionally, there is a possibility of a loan move for Maldini Kacurri.
The report also states that versatile player Oleksandr Zinchenko could depart, while there are no concrete developments regarding a potential exit for Jakub Kiwior.
Arsenal have been very active this summer, having secured the signings of Christian Nørgaard, Martín Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also working on deals for Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera, and Noni Madueke.
The Premier League club from North London are looking to strengthen their squad after finishing second in the league table last season.
Arsenal have spent heavily this summer, with big sales expected before the end of the transfer window
Arsenal are looking make sales, to offset the investment they’ve made in the transfer window thus far.
The Gunners have overhauled areas of their squad, bringing in two new midfielders in the shape of Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi, adding a backup goalkeeper in Kepa Arrizabalaga, and agreeing deals for Noni Madueke in attack and Cristhian Mosquera in defence.
But there is still work to be done, as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta adds the finishing touches – and sales will have to be made to finalise the squad ahead of the new season
Assuming that Viktor Gyokeres joins in the next week or so, Arsenal could be looking at having spent £200 million before they go on their preseason to Asia – and they’re still linked with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo in attack.
With the BBC’s senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel recently claiming that “there needs to be at least one significant outgoing to recalibrate after a busy summer of spending” over the next year or so, Arteta and his sporting director, Andrea Berta, may be looking to wield an axe over squad players in the coming weeks in order to balance their heavy spending.
With the likes of Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Albert Sambi Lokonga all linked with exits, Arsenal may be able to generate funds without an A-lister of Gabriel Martinelli’s calibre leaving
One move that may help matters is that of Karl Hein, with Vamos Mi Sevilla reporting that the 23-year-old goalkeeper is a priority target for Sevilla .
Hein spent last season on loan in La Liga and is said to have taken this recent Andalusian interest, with “great enthusiasm and is willing to accept the offer”, with the North Londoners able to bank the entirety of any fee received for the Estonian, thanks to his status as a homegrown product, satisfying Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
FourFourTwounderstands that Hein is no longer in the plans of Arteta or his goalkeeping coach, Inaki Cana, who has David Raya as no.1, Kepa as cup keeper and a contingent of Tommy Setford, Alexei Rojas, Jack Porter and Lucas Nygaard competing in the youth ranks.
Setford is currently Arsenal’s third-choice keeper but with the former Ajax prodigy potentially looking to leave on loan in the next year or two, the Gunners may yet bring in an experienced glovesman to provide depth behind Raya and Kepa.
Sporting striker, Viktor Gyokeres, has accept to give up €2 million of his salary in order to join Arsenal.
The striker, one of the highly sought after in the 2025 summer transfer market, is said to have already reached agreement on contract terms with Arsenal.
He will complete his move to the Premier League giants in the coming days,
Gyokeres wants to leave the Portuguese top flight league and play in higher clubs in Europe and was linked with several top clubs before Arsenal won the race to sign him after he threatened to go on strike following Sporting CP’s refusal to let him go.
Club-to-club negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting are now on over a structure for the transfer fee.
Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, quoting Record, reports that the striker accepted to cut his salary in order to join Arsenal.
Viktor Gyökeres has accepted to give up €2m from his salary in order to facilitate negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting
Sporting insist on higher fee compared to Arsenal proposal.
And Gyökeres tries his best also giving up money to make it happen,” he said.
Mauricio Pochettino has officially distanced himself from speculation linking him with a return to Tottenham Hotspur following the shock dismissal of Ange Postecoglou on Friday.
Despite leading Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years, a historic Europa League triumph, Postecoglou, 59, was relieved of his duties in a decision that has stunned most football enthusiasts.
In the wake of his departure, rumours began swirling that Pochettino, who previously managed the North London club for five years before being sacked in November 2019, was being lined up for a sensational return.
However, the Argentine tactician, currently in charge of the United States men’s national team, has firmly shut down those suggestions.
Today it’s not realistic,” Pochettino, 53, said following the USA’s 2-1 loss to Turkey in Connecticut, the team’s third consecutive defeat. “Look where I am. Look where we [his coaching staff] are. The answer is so clear.”
Appointed USMNT head coach in October 2024, Pochettino emphasised his contentment with his current role, especially as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico
I’ve seen the rumours. We have 100 coaches on the list. Don’t be worried about that,” he said with a smile. “If something happens in the future, you will see. But I am so happy in this moment and we cannot talk about this type of thing.”
During his time at Tottenham, Pochettino built a formidable team that reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019 and finished second in the Premier League in 2016–2017, achievements that cemented his place in the club’s modern history.
As Tottenham begin the search for their next manager, Brentford boss Thomas Frank has emerged as a leading contender. Fulham head coach Marco Silva is also reportedly in the frame
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has defended Russia goalkeeper Matvey Safonov following his error during the two sides’ 1-1 international friendly draw on Friday in Moscow.
Recall that Safonov mistakenly passed the ball to substitute Tolu Arokodare, who slotted home the Super Eagles’ equalising goal in the 71st minute. Semi Ajayi had earlier scored an own goal in the first half of the encounter at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Reacting to the error made by the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, Chelle expressed his support for the 26-year-old by insisting that everyone makes mistakes.
“Everyone makes mistakes – it’s part of the game,” Chelle said at his post-match interview when asked about Safonov’s error.
Goals are scored precisely because of mistakes. I don’t think the goalkeeper is the only one to blame – it’s the result of the entire team’s actions. I follow the French championship and I can say: you’ve a great goalkeeper,” he added.
