Kaiserslautern target Chrisantus

Ex - Golden Eaglets striker Macauley Chrisantus is preparing to bid farewell to AEK Athens in the January transfer window.

Greek publication Times Sports says  FC Kaiserslautern are keen to sign the former Hamburg, Karlsruher SC and FSV Frankfurt starlet.

Earlier reports suggested that Elche (Spain) and a mysterious club based in the United States were competing for the signature of Chrisantus.

Despite being under contract with AEK Athens until the summer of 2018, the player’s future with the capital outfit has been the subject of speculation in the last one month after falling out with the management .

The 25-year-old has 8 appearances to his name in the Super League this season, scoring once against Atromitos.

Chibuike hits brace; Ujah nets Eighth Bundesliga goal

John Chibuike notched a brace in Gaziantepspor’s 3-2 loss to Bursaspor on game week 19 in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday afternoon.

His 29th and 82nd minutes goals means the attacking midfielder has scored in two consecutive games in the top division, having found the net in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Kenneth Omeruo’s Kasimpasa.

"I'm disappointed because the goals were not enough," Chibuike told scorelineng.blogspot.com.ng

In Germany, Nigeria international Anthony Ujah had to wait until the 89th minute before scoring in Werder Bremen’s 3-1 away win against Schalke 04.

The 25-year-old has bagged 8 goals in the Bundesliga this term, with six coming in his last nine matches.

In the Belgian Pro League, Anderlecht defeated Sporting Charleroi 2-1, with Stefano Okaka scoring the game - winner in the 54th minute.

Portland Timber sign Eaglets star for $1.5m

Former Golden Eaglets midfielder Akinjide idowu has moved to Major League Soccer (MLS) top team Portland Timbers, but will start their reserve team, (known as T2) in the United States Soccer League (USL), which is the equivalent of the second division of club football in the United States.

The 19-year old defensive midfielder has signed a three-year contract with the club, after they completed his signing from the Nigerian Youth Soccer Academy in Calabar worth around $1.5m.

The deal was completed on Friday, after the player successfully underwent a routine medical and will start training with the club on Saturday.

The player has already been given an apartment, and is expected to get his work permit and social security clearance within the next 10 working days.

Idowu was a member of the 2013 Nigeria U17 squad that won the FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE, and also part of Nigeria’s team to the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Shanghai SIPG offers £6m for Mikel

Sven Goran Eriksson’s club are willing to offer £6million for the Nigerian international star plus wages of £60,000 a week after tax.

The 30-year-old has interest from Inter Milan, Turkey and Napoli but his agents Alessandro Moggi and Alejandro Mazzoni held an initial round of talks in London on Wednesday and have been encouraged by Chelsea‘s interest.

Meanwhile, defender Branislav Ivanovic has signed a one year contract but Papy Djilobodji has joined Werder Bremen on loan.

Letting Mikel go would be a huge mistake in my eyes. Over the last decade he has been Mr Reliable breaking up the opposition and slowing the game down. He is not a flash tricky player, he’s a workhorse that gives the side balance. Without him we would not have won the Champions League.

He has a lot of years left in him yet and a lot of service he can still bring to the club. As I say, he brings balance to the side as evidenced in recent weeks since his recall. I think he is deserving of far more than he is getting from some posters here. The man has been loyal to the club and basically unthanked as the flash players have all the attention. The real key is ‘do the opposition like playing against him’ and the answer is ‘no they don’t’. Because he breaks things up and allows the flashy runners to do their thing. As I say, he is the balance Chelsea need. Definitely should not be sold.

Some of our plastic fans are disgusting. Mikel is a loyal player. He’s no Makelele or Viera. But he’s a good lad. Inconsistent maybe I get it. Best performances against Bayern and Barca when we won the champions league. The guy was amazing even playing left back. Give him a break.

Pinnick calls Giwa 'a bastard' as Minister failed to end crisis

A meeting called by Minister of Youth and Sports Solomaan Dalung, aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute between rival claimants to the position of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa ended in stalemate and came close to descending into fisticuffs according to witnesses. 

The meeting, held on Wednesday at the National Stadium Package B.

was called to settle the leadership crisis. Giwa continues to maintain that the September, 2014 election which put Pinnick in office was faulty. However, Pinnick enjoyed solid support from FIFA's former General Secretary Jerome Valcke who prevented the Nigerian courts deciding the matter in Giwa's favour.

According to live tweets of the meeting by Nneka Ikem, media assistant to the Sports Minister, as well as the reports of journalists outside the room who could hear the raised voices, Pinnick and Giwa nearly came to blows when Pinnick shouted at his rival "You are a bastard'.

The Sports Minister quickly stepped in to calm the situation, asking Pinnick to withdraw his statement, telling him that as a leader he was not supposed to use foul language.

Pinnick then apologised to Giwa saying: "I am very sorry Mr Giwa. I don't know what got over me. I am ashamed of my actions. Please forgive me."

It is not recorded if Giwa accepted the apology, but both side's lawyers made legal submissions regarding the legitimacy of NFF elections, of FIFA's "interference" in NFF affairs and the practical effect of CAS rulings on the dispute.

Unsurprisingly, the meeting ended without a resolution to the legitimacy crisis – although Dalung did manage to secure a commitment to another meeting next Wednesday and the sports minister gave a positive spin to the encounter, saying: "I have the will power and the political power to resolve the issue and I am optimistic that this issue will be resolved. We have decided to hear from them because this is a democracy, if we were in a military dictatorship I may have just decreed and asked one party to step down."

Fenerbache demand £7m for Emenike

Turkish giants Fenerbahce have asked EPL side West Ham United to pay £7 million for Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike.

According to The Sun, West Ham United have held talks with Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike, who has played on loan at UAE club Al Ain.

The British tabloid has claimed that the Nigerian has been in London this week in order to negotiate a deal.

“Hammers boss Slaven Bilic knows Emenike from his time in Turkey as Besiktas manager and the striker has emerged as a possible January signing,” adds the report.

“Fenerbahce want at least £7million for their striker on a permanent deal or thrash out terms for another loan.”

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan confirmed that the club are in talks with a new striker by saying: “There's a possibility that a striker will come in on loan, with the option to buy, within the next seven days. He's an overseas striker.

“If I told you, you wouldn't believe it. I can't tell you which league because then you'll know exactly who it is. We are signing from a very strange league. But he has played in higher leagues.”

Hinting at the summer bid for Bony, Sullivan added: “We are looking, long-term, for a 20-goal-a-season striker.” 

Sunshine reject ‘ridiculous $250,000’ bid for Onobi

Sunshine Stars of Akure has reportedly rejected what it was described as ridiculous $250,000 bid from Tunisian club Esperance in their bid to snap up CHAN Eagles midfielder Paul Onobi.

Esperance recently penciled down the Sunshine Stars midfielder who famously benched Chelsea star Mikel Obi in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Swaziland and even mandated a Nigerian agent to facilitate the deal.

However, the Tunis club were only prepared to spend about $250,000 for the player.

“You do not pay such amount for someone who is already establishing himself in the Nigeria national team,” a source was quoted by africanfootball.com

“It’s far short of the club’s valuation of the player, so there is no meeting ground.”

Musa on target as CSKA destroy Sion

Nigeria international Ahmed Musa has continued his scoring form for his Russian club on Wednesday as CSKA Moscow booked a 4 - 0 victory against FC Sion of Switzerland in an exhibition game at their training camp in Spain.

The former Kano Pillars ace doubled the advantage of the Muscovites in the 43rd minute, a minute after Aleksandr Golovin had opened scoring for the Moscow club.

Ahmed Musa scored more goals than any other CSKA Moscow player in the first half of the season, 13 in total across all competitions, two more than Ivorian international Seydou Doumbia, whose loan deal has expired.

The 23 - year - old was replaced by Makarov in the 70th minute.

CSKA Moscow are scheduled to play another friendly on Thursday, January 21 before they face  Odds BK (Norway), Valerenga (Norway) and Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) at the La Manga Cup, starting from January 25.

BREAKING: Emenike to join West Ham

Emenike (L) in  front of his UK house 

Former Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has told his Chinese suitors to hold on with their mega deal offers as Slaven Bilic in talks to sign the Fenerbahce striker on loan.

According to source closer to the deal in England revealed that Slaven Bilic is a fan of Emenike and has been on the former Spartak Moscow radar before he moves to Al Ain last year.

However, the Hammers manager Slaven Bilic is in the market for a frontman following the injuries to Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll and Emenike is believe to be a perfect replacement.

Emenike spent the first half of this season on loan at Al Ain but a return to Fenerbahce, his parent club, may not be feasible at the point given his lack of first - team opportunities.

The former Karabukspor and Spartak Moscow star has a valid agreement with Fenerbahce until May 31, 2018.

Reports indicate that two Chinese clubs are preparing a mega-deal worth $6m per annum for Emenike who has told their representative to hold on with their offer for a taste of English football in his career.

If the deal goes through, it means the 2013 AFCON top scorer will team up with his former national team mate at Upton Park, East London.

BREAKING: Fanendi Adi to quits MLS

Portland Timbers striker Fanendo Adi is on his way out of Major League Soccer as concrete European offers are pouring in as expected.

Earlier report shows that Rubin Kazan, Cardiff City, Werder Bremen and Sporting Lisbon are ready to snap up the 25-year-old if Timbers agree to do business.

And it seems the striker already knows where his future belong in the next coup of days to the close of transfer window, while a closer pal revealed authoritatively that he’s quitting MLS to Europe.

“He’s leaving MLS, no doubt about that but for now he’s understudying what is on the table,” said source.

“Right now, I can't disclose his interested club among them but in the next couple of days, we will see what will happen but he’s leaving Timbers.”

The former Dynamo Kiev and FC Copenhagen man has seen his stock rise in the last one year after his goals, 18 in total, assisted Portland Timbers win the 2015 MLS Cup.

Fanendo Adi previously represented clubs based in Slovakia, Ukraine and Denmark before joining Portland Timbers in 2014.

REVEALED: Emenike’s multi-million dollars estate

View of Emenike's mini estate in Owerri

Former Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike is blowing higher in real estate investment in Nigeria. 

Having recently built a two-pallet mansion worth N250m for lease where he controls close to N6m per annum on each mansion.

And that’s just two out of many in Lekki. This guy is really building his future on a solid rock of money.

In Owerri, Emenike has joined the league of big investment owner in the eastern zone of Nigeria with a 8 unit terraces estate. It was estimated that the cost of the project is close to $5.7m

Yes, it’s no longer news that Al Ain of United Arab Emirates cancelled his contract but the former Spartak Moscow ace has moved beyond cancellation of contracts in UAE and it was gathered that such termination still means that Emenike will be paid huge sum of money before heading to sign another mega deal offer in China or persuasion from Fenerbahce president and pay rise could force his return to Turkey.

Our source revealed that it was a tasteful building. it was built in form of his personal house located at Chevron, Lagos with all the internal décor was imported from Dubai and Germany.

The mini estate is currently on high demand but the cost of rent was not disclosed.

Eaglets get 1.2m Naira each from President Buhari

Presidency sources have informed AfricanFootball.com that Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will reward each player of the Golden Eaglets Class of 2015 with a cash gift of 1.2 million Naira on Thursday.

China '85 heroes to receive 2 million Naira each

President Buhari will receive a total of 150 athletes and officials who did Nigeria proud on the international scene in the period under review.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, who guided the Eaglets to a fifth U17 World Cup in Chile in November, will receive 900,000 Naira, while his assistants get 600,000 Naira.

Other backroom staff will get 300,000 Naira.

The country’s Olympic team who won the 2015 U23 AFCON in Senegal in December to qualify for this year’s Rio Olympics are also not left out of Buhari’s ‘Naira rain’.

Each player will be rewarded with 600,000 Naira, while coach Samson Siasia will get 500,000 Naira.

His assistants will get 300,000 Naira and other backroom staff will take home 250,000 Naira.

The history-making Eaglets Class of 1985 will each be 2 million Naira richer on Thursday courtesy of the federal  government. 

Egyptian club to break bank for Eto’o

Information filtering through to AfricanFootball.com is that Egyptian giants Smouha SC have tabled an offer for ex-Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o.

According to KingFut.com, the Egyptian Premier League side’s President Farag Amer confirms they have tabled an offer for the Indomitable Lions legend.

Amer claims the former Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid striker may join the Alexandrian club during the winter transfer window.

Speaking to multiple Egyptian news outlets, Smouha president Amer confirmed an offer has been submitted for Antalyaspor forward Eto’o, and the Cameroon legend ‘has no problem’ in joining the Alexandrian outfit.


“We are in advanced negotiations with Samuel Eto’o, and the player has no problem in joining Smouha as he’s considering our offer,” Amer told Yallakora.

“Smouha have sent their offer to Samuel Eto’o’s representatives. The funding of the deal will be outsourced.

“We have given the player a week to respond and it is quite possible he will be arriving to Alexandria soon.”

Meanwhile, Eto’o joined Turkish outfit Antalyaspor after a series of spells at Chelsea, Everton and Sampdoria. The 34-year-old retired from international football two summers ago. 

Ogude joins Amkar Perm in UAE

Super Eagles midfielder, Fegor Ogude will jet out to the United Arab Emirates this weekend from Nigeria to link up with his Amkar Perm teammates at their training camp.

The Nigeria international had been granted compassionate leave by the Russian Premier League club following the kidnap of his wife in Warri, Delta State.

At the start of this week, Ogude’s wife was released from captivity but the central midfielder was unable to rejoin his club because he was emotionally downcast.

“After all that has happened we gave Fegor a few days to recover, now he feels better.  At the weekend Ogude supposed to come to the training camp in UAE,” Executive Director of Amkar Perm, Denis Maslov, said to R-Sport.

Fegor Ogude paid a ransom of =N=1.3 million before his wife was released by her abductors.

EXCLUSIVE: Emenike not going back to Fenerbahce

Contrary to the reports emanating from news portals that Emmanuel Emenike will be heading back to Fenerbahce after quitting United Arabs Emirates this week, facts have emerged that the former Nigeria striker is far interested in returning to the Istanbul club.

Scorelineng gathered that Emenike bemoans the chances of returning to his parent club despite the requests of the Fenerbahce fans pleading to the striker on social media.

Before his contract was terminated by Al Ain, Fenerbahce are already set to go head-to-head with Al Ain for Emenike in the January transfer window as they look to solve their striking problems in the second half of the season.

Emenike has resurrected his career at Al Ain by scoring nine goals in 14 appearances for the Arabian Gulf League leaders and Fenerbahce’s Portuguese manager Vítor Pereira sees him as the perfect solution to his team’s striking problems.

The bottom line is that Emenike has not forget the way he was treated by Fenerbahce fans. The South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner received abuse from fans of the Yellow Canaries due to poor form.

“Emenike will not return to Fenerbahce and it’s mere a speculation,” said source.

“For now, he’s not ready to speak but very soon, everybody will see him in action.”

Ighalo named EPL player of the month

Watford’s Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for December .

The Hornets number 24 beat fellow nominees Mesut Ozil, Marko Arnautovic, Riyad Mahrez, Romelu Lukaku and Dele Alli to win the prestigious accolade for the first time in his career.

Last month, Ighalo found the net five times in games against Norwich City, Sunderland, Liverpool (2) and Tottenham Hotspur and his strike versus Chelsea was later credited as a Gary Cahill own - goal by the Goal Accreditation Panel.

The former Flying Eagles skipper has followed in the footsteps of players of Nigerian descent Austin Okocha ( Bolton wanderers), Peter Odemwingie ( West Brom) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), who have all won the Premier League Player of the Month award in the past.

In 21 appearances in the top - flight so far this season, Odion Ighalo has scored 13 goals.

Blessing Eleke Joins Olimpija Ljubljana

Blessing Eleke has ended speculation about his future by signing a contract with Slovenian PrvaLiga club Olimpija Ljubljana.

Olimpija Ljubljana had been on the trail of the former ND Gorica frontman for more than four months after his blistering to the season but a move to the Stožice Stadium did not materilize in the summer transfer market after they could not meet his transfer fee.

In his first words after the transfer was completed, Eleke said to Olimpija Ljubljana’s official website : “ For me, coming to Olympia is a perfect opportunity . 

“ I am very happy and I would like to thank everyone who made ​​it possible that I became a member of Olympia . 

“ I would also thank God who accompanies me on my way . The club wanted me greatly in their ranks and I  really appreciate it, I am here to make people happy”

The Flying Sport Academy product has registered his name on the score sheet 12 times in the league this season and is credited with 4 assists for ND Gorica.

Inform Nwakaeme voted player of the week in Israel

Hapoel Beer Sheva striker Anthony Nwakaeme has been voted Player of the Week in the Israeli Premier League for the last round of games played last weekend.

The Nigerian, who received 44 percent of the votes, was picked ahead of Tal Ben Haim (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Sagiv Yehezkel (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Mahran Lala (Hapoel Haifa) and Ran Itzhak (Hapoel Kfar Saba) in that order.

“I thank the fans who elected me and it’s very flattering and shows appreciation, ” said Anthony Nwakaeme.

“I know me as an player and we as a group have many more goals to achieve this season and to reach them we will have to continue to be consistent and good.”

The 26 - year - old won the prestigious accolade following his impressive performance in The Camels 3 - 0 thrashing of Hapoel Acre on January 9.

Adegbite happy to complete Sunshine Stars move

Sunshine Stars new signing Razaq Adegbite is delighted to have made a move to the city of Akure.

The sharp shooter has inked a two-year-contract with the Nigeria Professional Football League side and is his arrival is expected to herald a new era for the Owena Waves.

Sunshine Stars beat Warri Wolves to win the signature of the former Enyimba FC striker from Enugu Rangers.

“I knew that one day I will play for Sunshine Stars and thankfully that dream has materialized,” Adegbite said.

“There’s time for everything and I think this is the time God has destined for me to join Sunshine Stars and I am happy it has happened.

Sunshine Stars have also signed Isiaka Oladuntoye, Segun Alebiosu, Benard Ovoke, Azeez Aremu and Abiodun Akande.

Criticism makes me stronger- Efe Ambrose

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose accepts that he is not the best player, but insists that he is still learning. 

The 27-year-old has been guilty of many high profile mistakes in key matches in the past, but has been on an impressive run of form recently, helping the club record back-to-back clean sheets.

The Nigerian defender was at fault for conceding two goals in the Champions League Round of 16 loss against Juventus in 2013 at Celtic Park, which culminated in a 3-0 win for the Old Lady.

The 27-year-old also gifted two goals to Fenerbahce in the 2-2 draw at home in the Europa League, helping the Turkish outfit come back from two goals down back in October. 

Ambrose has been a first team regular this season and has featured in 20 games for the Bhoys so far in all competitions. The defender feels that the criticism he has received has made him stronger and he just wants to focus on the basics.

Speaking in an interview with Celtic’s official website, Ambrose said: “It [criticism] makes you a stronger person.

“I can’t say I’m the best but football is about learning.

“It’s about how the manager wants you to play, so right now I just do what the manager wants me to do.

“I realise that as a defender you need to concentrate first and do the simple things.

“Defend first and then the other things are a bonus.

“Right now I’m just trying to defend, do my job and help the team out and concentrate for the 90 minutes.”

Ronny Deila’s side travel to Tannadice Park on Saturday to take on bottom placed Dundee United.

Onazi set for Bundesliga move

Super Eagles vice - captain Eddy Onazi is one of the Nigerian players strongly linked with a departure from his club in the winter transfer market.

According to Thursday’s edition of Rome - based newspaper Il Tempo , Werder Bremen have come knocking at the door of Lazio to secure the signature of the central midfielder.

But the Bundesliga face competition in Germany, with the likes of Hamburg , Bayer Leverkusen , Hannover and Ingolstadt reportedly monitoring the situation of Onazi.

The My People FC product will link up with his international teammate Anthony Ujah if his transfer to the River Islanders materializes. 

Watford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Everton are rumoured to be among the clubs interested in Eddy Onazi.

Emenike quits Dubai club Al Ain

Former Nigerian international Emmanuel Emenike has left Dubai club Al Ain after his loan deal expired.

The former Karabukspor front man was on loan at Al Ain from Turkish team Fenerbahce and the Dubai club have wasted no time to replace him with a Brazilian, Douglas.

He scored nine goals in 15 games for Al Ain and he is expected to be back in Fenerbahce.

Dutchman Ryan Babel has also departed Al Ain.

Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic has thanked Emmanuel Emenike for his contribution to the team for the six-month he was in Dubai.

“I want to say thank you to Emenike and Babel for the last six months with us,” Dalic said.

“I wish them all the best next season at a new club. This is football, this is life. Also, we did everything that our fans wanted of us. I hope to make them happy. 

“We’ve had a great half season. I’m sure we’ve had great transfer window and did everything our fans expected of us.”

Ighalo: I want Man Utd move

Watford on-form striker Odion Ighalo has given Manchester United the go-ahead to sign him.

The 26-year-old has been one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League this season, with 14 goals already to his name. He is well-known for his partnership with teammate Troy Deeney upfront, something that has propelled the Premier League new-comers to the ninth position in the table.

The Nigerian has also been linked with moves to Atletico Madrid and Italian giants AS Roma, but has recently revealed that he would wish to stay in England, precisely with the Hornets. 

However, he also added that he could reconsider his decision to stay at the Vicarage Road Stadium if Manchester United seeks for his signature.

In an interview with The Sun, he revealed:

"There has been speculation from Spain and Italy but I've played there and now want to play in England.”

"I don't think I will be moving, but I'm not sure I'd say no if United called.”

He added: "They were my team growing up. I loved watching Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke on TV.''

"They were my idols and playing at Old Trafford has always been a dream."

Olayinka adapts to life at Gent

KAA Gent new signing Peter Olayinka is getting into his groove at the Belgian champions after making a winter move from Albanian side KF Skënderbeu Korçë.

The 20-year-old Nigerian was added to the Gent side who already have Nigerian international Moses Simon in their ranks.

Olayinka told Belgian football website voetbalkrant.com that he has settled in nicely and is happy with the help given to him by Simon and Ghanaian defender Nana Asare.

"I knew Moses (Simon) before I got here, at least not personally. But now he is my brother here," Olayinka said.

“Asare also takes care of any African newcomer. He is not a brother, Nana is my daddy.”

Olayinka also spoke about his experience with the team and what he hopes to achieve with the Buffaloes.

"It's a very good team, with great players. Very intelligent, too. I can certainly learn a lot," the former 36 Lion striker enthused.

“I have a big engine, speed, strength and aggressiveness. Also, my technique is not bad. My best position? I play as a second striker, preferrably in support of a bigger attacker. I’m also comfortable with both feet.

“I want to be a champion with this Gent team and of course play games, but I won’t just talk, action speaks louder than words.

"I will have to show it on the field. With my strengths, I am ready to make an impression here."

Clubless Adebayor in fitness race

Emmanuel Adebayor has once again taken to Instagram to remind potential suitors that he will be in fine fettle should they plump for him this January.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur striker hired a personal trainer last month to ensure he maintained a high level of fitness in anticipation of joining a club at the start of 2016.
He was released by Spurs in September 2015 after manager Mauricio Pochettino decided he was not part of his plans at the club. 

But because he was registered as a Tottenham player at the end of the last transfer window, he was powerless to sign for another team until it opened again at this midway stage.
Adebayor will pocket a total of £5.25million by the end of June next year earned from not playing for football clubs, if he does not join another side

Spurs are still paying him £100,000-per-week, which will continue until the end of his contract there, which runs until June 30.
As part of the deal which took him to the club in 2012, Manchester City also agreed to remunerate him for the £75,000-per-week wage cut he took, which the club claim they paid him in a final settlement last year.

However, earlier this week Sportsmail revealed that Crystal Palace have spoken to the 31-year-old about a short term deal, yet Watford are no longer interested in him.

Palace manager Alan Pardew is desperate to add at least one forward to his squad following the departure of Patrick Bamford, and injury to Yannick Bolasie.

Adebayor's journeyman career has also seen him turn out for the likes of Monaco and Real Madrid, and his most prolific goal-return came during the 2007-08 campaign with Arsenal in which he scored 30 goals in all competitions.

The free agent is keen to remain in London when he joins his next club, as he has a house in Golders Green, and so the prospect of joining Palace could be appealing.

Henry interested in coaching Arsenal

Arsenal FC legend Thierry Henry is one person that Gunners’ fans would love to have managing the club after Arsene Wenger retires and the Frenchman has revealed that he has been having a few talks with the Arsenal manager about football management.

The former Arsenal FC forward is now a pundit for Sky Sports but recently opened up about the possibility of becoming a football manager and revealed that he is speaking to his former mentor at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s manager through the ages, Arsene Wenger and taking tips and learning about management.

“[Arsène Wenger and I] sit sometimes, obviously he has a lot on his plate,” the Frenchman told Arsenal Magazine. “We speak about training youngsters and how it’s different to training senior players. We talk about being a manager, we talk about players from the academy. I will ask him questions on how to deal with certain situations.

“I’m obtaining my badges right now with the Welsh FA and looking to gain the A-licence. It goes without saying that I asked Arsenal FC if I could do that with them and be involved with the team. I asked the boss and he said to come, train with the under-18s and 19s and help conduct sessions. I’m just an assistant at the minute, I’m not a coach but it’s great, as you can imagine.”

Thierry Henry was a driving force behind much of the Gunner’s success in the early 2000’s and will be a managerial appointment that will be welcomed with much fanfare by the Arsenal FC fans.

Henry himself said that there is no better place that he would like to start his career at than Arsenal FC.“It’s the place I love, there’s so much emotion for me here so this was always going to be where I wanted to start my coaching.”

Why Zidane is destined to fail in Madrid

Despite a record in the league that would see Real Madrid top of the Premier League and easing into the Champions League, their manager had lost the dressing room with rumours that Ronaldo had told Isco not to join Man City because Rafa would be sacked soon. 

Well Cristiano you got your wish, adios Rafa. The shock came an hour later when the maverick legend Zinedine Zidane was announced as his replacement.

Now it is public knowledge that Perez has been looking to emulate Barcelona in moulding Zidane the way the Catalan club did with Guardiola. Zidane has spent the last few seasons at Real Madrid Castilla carefully managing the youngsters, just as Guardiola took the students of La Masia before taking on the top job. 

However Zidane has immediately claimed he is nothing like Guardiola, and I believe he is spot on to say this., Guardiola won everything there was to win in 

the game with Barcelona and then he won it all again before leaving for Bayern Munich. In my opinion Zidane will last two years at best with a potential Copa Del Ray as his legacy.

There’s the controversy out of the way then let me justify this with a broader statement: Flair players do not make great managers. Think of the best 5 players who have excited fans with skill and ability that are now retired off the top of your head. Most people’s lists will contain Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, 

Zico, Platini, Rivaldo, Zidane, Henry etc, yet of the players I’ve listed only one can be called a successful manager and Cruyff studied the game throughout his career essentially developing a brand of football while playing, the rest have avoided management like the plague, with Maradona having an abysmal spell as Argentina manager.

Now think of the top 5 current managers in the world: Guardiola, Diego Simeone, Jurgen Klopp, José Mourinho (stop sniggering) and Arsene Wenger. What do their playing careers all have in common; they all played in a position where their job was to read the game. Zidane may have spent 3 years preparing for this role as Castilla manager, Guardiola spent 11 years at Barcelona observing the game around him, thinking about the exact position he should be in. Is it any surprise that the unsung hero of the modern Barcelona team is Sergio Busquets. Busquets was a nobody who forced Yaya Touré out of the squad but his reading of the game is superb, he knows exactly where to be to stop the forwards and allows Alba and Alves to go on mazy runs.

What does this have to do with Zidane though? Well think about the role of Zidane on the pitch: receive the ball, ignite the game, do something special with it, see the run. Now players like Ronaldo, Bale and Rodriguez don’t need coaching on how to produce something special. Take the Rodriguez volley at the World Cup against Uruguay, that’s as close to art as football can achieve, that cannot be coached. What can be coached and drilled into players is defensive positioning, how to counter from a corner, runs to make from throw ins, attacking set pieces etc you get the point, and this is why flair players do not glide into management the way for example Klopp went from captain at Mainz to manager at Mainz in Germany.

On the pitch flair players don’t have to read how their opponents are going to set up, Lionel Messi doesn’t need to know who he’s playing, the full back is still going to get nutmegged. Whereas the defensive leaders who marshal the team have to know exactly what they’re facing and focus for 90 minutes, they have to live and breathe the game.

Before I conclude I’ll use an example closer to home, the good old English Premier League. Now at this point you might be thinking surely there are some flair players out there who’ve made it as managers but you’re scratching your head to get to 5. Looking at the “Prem”, 19 of the current managers played the 

defensive enforcer role as a player, be that in midfield or in defence. The one who bucks the trend? Mark Hughes at Stoke – a target man throughout his career playing with his back to goal again observing always what was going on throughout the match. Furthermore none of these managers will be remembered for having illustrious careers except one or two, Ronald Koeman immediately springs to mind as a legend on the pitch, but without the aid of Wikipedia could you tell me who Steve McClaren or Mauricio Pochettino played for?

Contrast this to the Sky Sports Studio, the shining beacon to the retiring moths of football, on a Saturday you can listen to Paul Merson and Matt Le Tissier squeal with delight as Bradford equalise at Colchester United, both exquisite footballers in their day, particularly Le Tiss who did unimaginable things from free kicks. On a Monday you can watch Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry debate the finer points of the game, the same Henry who terrified defences for years. 

Not fancy a role in the dugout Thierry? To top it all off we have Michael Owen commentating (if you’re awake to watch) a brilliant attacker in his day but no desire whatsoever to go into management.

Therefore to succeed Zidane isn’t just going to have to succeed where no other has, he’s going to have to succeed where many haven’t even bothered to try in the first place. Why don’t the flair players need coaching though? Well Henry said it better than ever I could on Monday Night Football: “Guardiola told us: 

My job is to get you to the final third, your job is to finish it”. Therefore I wish you luck Zizou, you were a fantastic player to watch but for now I’ll keep that slice of humble pie chilled for if/when you can prove me wrong and lift the Champions League with Real Madrid, and with Perez presiding even that might not be enough.

by Hugh Van de L’Isle

Luis Suarez faces Copa ban

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez faces a ban of up to three Copa del Rey matches after being cited in the referee's report for calling Espanyol players "a waste of space" at the end of a heated Catalan derby.

Barca won the first leg of the Copa de Rey last-16 tie between the sides 4-1 on Wednesday as Espanyol had two players sent-off and were lucky to escape further punishment as goalkeeper Pau Lopez's violent stamp on Lionel Messi went unseen.

However, it is Suarez, who was also booked for a clash with Lopez, who is expected to receive a one to three-game Cup ban for sparking a brawl in the tunnel after the game that security personnel had to break up.

"While all the Espanyol players climbed the stairs in the tunnel towards the dressing rooms, he (Suarez) waited for them and confronted them saying on various occasions: "Here I am waiting for you, come here; you are a waste of space," referee Juan Martinez Munuera wrote in his report.

"That provoked a clash between players from both clubs forcing security personnel present and the managerial staff from both teams to intervene."

Espanyol's physical approach had frustrated Barca in an equally fiery clash between the two in La Liga on Saturday which finished 0-0.

And Barcelona boss Luis Enrique praised the referee's more strict approach to Espanyol's roughhouse tactics in midweek, comparing the visitors' style to American football.

Suarez's controversial career has seen him receive four long bans; three for biting opponents and once for allegedly racially abusing French defender Patrice Evra during his time at Liverpool.

Yet, the Uruguayan's behaviour since joining Barcelona 18 months ago has been exemplary and a suspension would be his first since the four-month ban he received for his latest bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

Fear of Ighalo gripped Man City

The fear of Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has gripped Manchester City ahead of Saturday’s EPL game as Côte d'Ivoire star Wilfried Bony has warned his teammates to be wary of the threat Ighalo and Troy Deeney pose.

Bony said Ighalo and his strike partner are on form and capable of doing anything.

"Ighalo and Deeney are both in good form now and as a striker when you are in good form everything can happen," Bony said.

"In six months, you can score 20 to 25 goals. We have to be careful of what they can do and know that they are in great form and can score at any moment.

“We have to be ready and be prepared for this game."

Ighalo has scored 14 goals this season and he is third leading scorer in the EPL.