Uncategorized

Akor Adams reveals Chidera Ejuke, Kelechi Iheanacho convinced him to join Sevilla

Akor Adams has revealed that it was Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho who played key roles in convincing him to join Sevilla.

Adams made this disclosure during his official unveiling at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Tuesday. The 24-year-old striker signed a contract with the club until 2029 after leaving Montpellier.

Speaking about his move, Adams said: “It has been a very good few days and with many good people. I am very happy to be here. All the negotiations have been with my agent. We know that Sevilla are a great club and I am very happy to have arrived.”

He went on to share how his conversations with Ejuke and Iheanacho influenced his decision: “I spoke to Ejuke and he told me that I had to come here, that I would love it. Kelechi is a great player and he also told me that. I’m very happy that I listened to them.”

Having arrived on Saturday, Adams was able to watch his first match at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán when Sevilla hosted Espanyol. He described the experience: “I think it was fantastic. My first impression I will remember for a long time and I loved it from the anthem till the end. There was a very good atmosphere. The fans are really good. We should have won the game, but Espanyol were very defensive, so hopefully we can win the next one, fingers crossed.”

Adams also spoke about Sevilla’s long history, especially in European competitions: “I’ve been watching the club a long time before I even had the dream of coming here. Mostly the things they have done in Europe, they have conquered Europe basically. I’ve seen many of the finals. For me, it’s a great club and a pleasure to be in such a club.”

The former Flying Eagles striker expressed his desire to make his own mark at Sevilla, following in the footsteps of other great African players: “I think there’s been a lot of history in the club, so I’m just here to play a part in that history and try to write my own. They have made it easier for us to come through, and I want to write my own story with Sevilla as well.”

When discussing his playing style, Adams said: “I like to play in the spaces and I can play alongside another striker or alone. I like to help take the pressure off the team and most importantly I love to score goals.”

He added that his focus is on being fit and mentally ready: “The most important thing is that I am fit and mentally ready. I have had a very warm welcome since I arrived and I will join the group and try to adapt as quickly as possible, getting better with each game. I am ready.”

Adams expressed his hope to replicate his successful form from his time at Norwegian club Lillestrom: “I hope to repeat that here. It would be great to come into a new environment and a new system and see that I continue to do what I’ve always done. In Norway I had a very good career, I was in a good team and so it was a collective achievement. In France, I also achieved the same in my first season, so I hope to repeat the same here and give my best.”

Click to comment

Uncategorized

Wayne Rooney open to returning to football management

England legend Wayne Rooney has expressed his desire to return to football management after leaving Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent in December.

The 39-year-old’s managerial career has seen stints at Derby County, Birmingham City, DC United, and Plymouth Argyle over just two and a half years. Despite these challenges, Rooney remains determined to get back into coaching.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Rooney said, “I would like to go back in, but it would have to be the right club. Certainly the right club.”

Reflecting on his experiences, Rooney added, “I think you always have that ego, don’t you? You always have that confidence you could go in and get the best out of a bad or difficult situation. Obviously, that wasn’t the case at Plymouth.”

For now, Rooney plans to enjoy time with his family but remains open to the right opportunity in the future.

Uncategorized

Napoli rejects Galatasaray’s €65m bid for Victor Osimhen

Corruption: Napoli Offices Raided By Police Over Osimhen Transfer, Details Emerge

Napoli has turned down Galatasaray’s €65 million bid for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

Osimhen, who joined the Turkish Super Lig champions on loan from Napoli last September, has an option to make his move permanent. However, Napoli is firm on their €75 million valuation and unwilling to lower the fee.

The 24-year-old forward has been in impressive form, netting 12 goals in 15 league appearances for Galatasaray this season.

Reports also suggest Osimhen rejected a move to Manchester United earlier this month, signaling his preference to stay in Turkey for the time being.

Uncategorized

Guardiola: I’m Confident We’ll Beat Brugge

Manchester City will host Brugge at the Etihad Stadium in their final UEFA Champions League group game on Wednesday.

As the winners of the tournament in 2023, City can’t afford a loss or a draw at home because winning is their only way to make the playoffs and continue to fight for a place in the round of 16.

Having won only two of their past seven games in the group, City sit 25th in the 36-team table with eight points. In the new Champions League format, the top-eight teams from the group phase will automatically qualify for the round of 16 while, ninth to 24th compete for the other eight spots in the playoffs.

City’s opponents Brugge are five places above them with 11 points. They have to win on the road to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16, but it won’t be easy since the Belgian club has never defeated City in the Champions League. The last time they came to the Etihad Stadium in 2021, the hosts walked over them 4-1.

The good news for City is that they seem to have snapped out of their poor form from the end of last year. From October to December 2024, the club lost 13 games in all competitions. However, they remained undefeated in the past seven Premier League games, making it back to the top-four in the league in impressive fasion. Furthermore, City have not lost any of their 34 home games at the Champions League since 2018.

“Well, the situation that we have, we have no other option – to win the game,” City’s manager Pep Guardiola said. “And if not, we will not continue in this competition. We want to go through to have another chance to play another two games to qualify for the next stage. It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it.”