The 31-year-old says he has no problem with his former manager and would return to the England team at the first chance
Joe Hart says he respected Pep Guardiola's honesty when he dropped him from the Manchester City team, but feels criticism of his playing style overlooks "what actually counts".
The England international had been first choice at City until Guardiola took charge and sent him on loan to Torino and West Ham, then brought in Claudio Bravo and Ederson because of their superior distribution.
Hart, 31, joined Burnley in the close season and is enjoying first-team football in the Premier League again and says he holds no bad feelings towards the coach, even if he does not respect his opinion on his ability.
"I'm cool with Pep, I think he's a top manager,"
"He came in and was dead honest with me. I looked him in the eye and shook his hand, I thanked him for his honesty. I didn't thank him for his opinion, but his honesty was second to none. We tried to make the best of a bad situation for both of us."It is what it is. I moved on, worked hard, trained with City, I was welcomed back the last couple of pre-seasons. It could have easily been awkward, but it wasn't."
The 31-year-old does not pay attention to criticism of his playing style and technical ability, even though it has been a big talking point surrounding him over the last two years.
"I do what the manager asks of me, to the best of my ability. I'm not saying I'm brilliant or saying I'm perfect," he added.
"That's probably the most high-profile thing to happen to me over the last couple of years, comments like that, rather than what actually counts." Joe Hart Burnley Europa League 2018-19
Hart hasn't featured for England since November 2017, having missed out on a place at the World Cup, but he would jump at the chance to return to Gareth Southgate's team.
"If I was asked to play for England tomorrow I'd be ready," he said. "But at the moment, managers are always going to have opinions. I can only get myself as I can, to the highest of my level, and then it's up to everyone else.
"Stuff out of my hands is out of my hands, how people want to play it is up to them. I am going to continue to push, Burnley is obviously my priority, and whatever happens, happens.
"I could have had a long summer where I felt sorry for myself, but I love it too much, I love challenges. The summer was amazing, I was absolutely gutted and other words that I wasn't in the World Cup squad, but you've got to make the best. I had a fantastic summer, I enjoyed it, I bounced into this pre-season, and I'm ready to go."

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/4623/hart-i-respect-guardiolas-honesty-but-not-his-opinion#latest

Ex-Manchester United man Gary Neville feels the suggestion that Jose Mourinho is finished at the top of the game is "nonsense".
The Old Trafford side have endured a testing start to the season under the Portuguese, losing two of four matches in the Premier League amid reported unrest within the club.
An alleged breakdown in the relationship between Mourinho and Paul Pogba has been the topic of much debate, while the manager is also said to be at odds with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over transfers.
The current drama surrounding the club has led to questions – including from club legend Eric Cantona – as to whether Mourinho is the right man for the job, but Neville feels that it is far too early to write off such a decorated figure.
“He's having a difficult time, but finished? I genuinely think that's a nonsense,” he told The Times.
“Even Sir Alex Ferguson, from 2003 to 2006 when we didn’t win the league and people said he had lost it, end of an era, he’s finished. “I think Jose is a brilliant manager and, in a 25-year career, young managers will emerge, people will ask questions if you aren't successful.
“Believe it or not I liked the Tottenham game (United lost 3-0), certainly the first 40 minutes. I watched the win over Burnley and thought it was really good. “I think they've turned a corner.”
Having ended the 2017-18 season in second place, 19 points behind cross-town rivals City, the pressure is on the Old Trafford side to mount a serious title challenge this campaign.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/4621/nonsense-to-think-mourinho-is-finished-neville#latest

Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara has been linked to a move to Manchester United.
Although recent reports say that Bayern do NOT want to sell him and therefore will put a very high price tag on him.
But infonews reports says, Manchester United have been making inquiry on signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2461/transfer-update-bayern-thiago-alcantara-linked-to-a-manchester-united-move#latest

Manchester City face Liverpool on thursday, 26 of July, 2018. kick off time, 1:05am. In the second match of their pre-season tour of the US.
Manchester City are searching for their first win of pre-season as they face a tricky test against Liverpool in New York.
Pep Guardiola's youthful side will be looking to build upon a positive performance in their narrow loss against Borussia Dortmund last week.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2452/manchester-city-still-searching-for-pre-season-their-first-win#latest

Humchi:


it is really tough, but i give it to modric

is it because of d wonderful play he displayed at d world cup

Humchi:
I don't think ronaldo will win this year ballon d'or.

Only one trophy . Which is champions league.

It can't be overran with someone who won the cl trophy and world cup runner up, probably world cup best player.

then who do u think will win the balon d'or

Tampa6246:
How did Raphael varane make the list? CR7 all the way

he played well during the world cup and champions league

ronaldo all the way

udoka55555:
zidane all the way

Arsenal remain interested in Steven N'Zonzi but are reluctant to meet his £35million release clause, reports French Football.
The gunners are currently not able to meet the french world cup winner's release clause. N'zonzi who is a very important member of the sevilla squad has attracted the interest of the premier league side.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2426/arsenal-nzonzis-move-delayed-by-his-35million-release-clause#latest

Julen Lopetegui is going to have to find 50 goals a season from somewhere now that Ronaldo has gone but he wouldn't get them from the Chelsea attacker. No player in the world can simply replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whatever happens from here, Real Madrid have got to reconcile themselves to the fact that they’ve just kissed goodbye an average of 50 goals a season that Ronaldo got throughout his nine campaigns at Santiago Bernabeu.
Under Zinedine Zidane the team was structured to extract goals from Ronaldo. In all competitions he scored 44 times last season. He may well have been named on the left side of the Madrid attack but he certainly didn’t play there.
The days when Ronaldo gallops at his full-back and whips in a cross or a shot as his primary attacking moves are long gone. He’s a striker and a pretty good one at that.
His game has become about first-time instinctive finishes, clever runs into the box and anticipation. What’s more, it requires the rest of the individuals set within the attacking formation to cater for him.
Madrid have lost that crucial decoy in their attack. Among the players they currently employ, there is nobody who can do what Ronaldo did – either in front of goal or simply to alarm an opposition defence by his very presence.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2371/no-player-in-the-world-can-simply-replace-ronaldo-at-real-madrid#latest

Super Eagles defender Shehu Abdullahi is delighted to return to training with Turkish club, Bursaspor.
Abdullahi was granted an extended break by the club after representing Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
He made one appearance for the Super Eagles at the competition playing the entire 90 minutes in their 2-0 loss to Croatia.
“Feels great to be back training with my teammates ahead of the new season! Preseason in full effect.
The 25-year-old who linked up with Bursaspor in January from Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta, made 14 league appearances in the Turkish top flight last season.
Bursaspor will kick-off their campaign in the new season with an away game against Fenerbahce on August 11.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2365/abdullahi-happy-to-join-bursaspor-s-pre-season-programme-after-world-cup-break#latest

Euro Giants Barcelona fear Manchester United are ready to use their financial muscle to beat them to the signature of £55m Chelsea attacker Willian this summer.
Willian has been at Chelsea for five years since arriving from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 and he’s provided 44 goals and 39 assists in 236 games to help the West Londoners win a number of trophies including 2 Premier League titles and 3 domestic cups. However, the Brazilian international’s future at Stamford Bridge is in serious doubt as he endured a bit-part role under Antonio Conte last season and has reportedly decided to leave despite the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea’s new manager this summer.
Barcelona are pushing hard to get a £55m agreement in place after seeing their opening £53m offer rejected last week.
However, Barca are concerned Manchester United will use their financial muscle and Jose Mourinho’s relationship with Willian to hijack their proposed deal.
Mourinho was the man who signed Willian during his time at Chelsea and the South American attacker has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford ever since Mourinho took charge two years ago.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2358/barcelona-fear-man-utd-will-use-financial-strength-to-sign-55m-willian#latest

Liverpool star Van Dijk scored his first goal of pre-season yesterday with a thumping header against Borussia Dortmund
Although it didn't end well for Liverpool, with Borussia Dortmund dismantly the reds with a 3-1 massive victory over Liverpool. Christian Pulisic scoring a brace which includes a penalty and also a last minute goal from Jacob Bruun Larsen.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2352/van-dijk-scored-his-first-goal-of-pre-season#latest

The Ligue 1 side are determined to keep their star man despite constant links to Real Madrid and Liverpool as well as his World Cup success.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has reiterated that Nabil Fekir will not be leaving the club this season, suggesting he could extend his contract.
The France international became the subject of interest from Liverpool, who looked set to seal a £60 million ($80m) transfer before Lyon confirmed the deal fell through, even though France FA president Noel Le Graet said a medical had already been completed.
The 25 years old has since been linked with a switch to Real Madrid and Lyon coach Bruno Genesio admitted the star player was still considering offers.
Aulas said earlier this month that he still expects Fekir to remain in Ligue 1 for the time being, and the club chief now insists they will keep the newly crowned World Cup winner.
"In football, nothing is ever stopped," Aulas. "Nabil will be here this season, we need him. He is one of the best French players.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2349/fekir-urged-to-stay-at-lyon-by-aulas#latest

The 2018 edition of the annual Diamond Cup kicked off in Umuahia, in the presence of the president of Portuguese side Nacional Madeira, Macedo Alvarez Rui Antonio, and a host of other foreign scouts.
In the opening match, Future Stars of Port Harcourt defeated Redemption Academy of Aba by a lone goal before Diamond Academy team A lit up the arena with their breathtaking football in a 3-0 thrashing of another Umuahia -based club Ahunanya FC.
In the last match of the day, Emewal Soccer Enterprise of Uyo fired a warning shot to the high-flying Diamond team A as they easily dispatched Israel Hunting Academy of Aba 3-0 in a pulsating encounter.
The three-day invitational tournament which is being organized by the president of Diamond Football Academy Hon. Martin Apugo have teams from across the country battling for honours, with the winner goinghome with a cash prize, while top performers will also get individual awards.
More matches are slated also before trophy and award presentations to deserving players and academies.
Diamond Academy is one of the foremost amateur clubs in Nigeria and is reputed to have produced players who have made the country proud, like Kelechi Nwakali of Arsenal and Villarreal teenage sensation Samuel Chukwueze, who won the MVP award in the 2016 edition of Diamond Cup. The duo won top awards as Nigeria claimed the 2015 U-17 FIFA World Cup
trophy in Chile. While Nwakali who picked up the golden boot secured a dream move to Arsenal, Chukwueze was snapped up by Villarreal.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2020/fireworks-as-2018-diamond-cup-kicks-off#latest

Tianjin TEDA captain, Mikel Obi, will be eyeing his 12th start for Tianjin TEDA when they face home side, Shanghai Shenhua at the Kongkou Stadium.
The game will also be Mikel’s 25th Chinese Super League start in 25 games since he joined the club last season.
The former Chelsea star has scored only once in 11 league games for the club this term and will hope to add another today and lead Tianjin TEDA to victory which will lift them from their current 10th position in the table, and topple their hosts who are eighth. A goal for the Nigerian will also increase his overall haul since 2017 to three, two more than the lone goal he scored in 249 premier league appearances for Chelsea in 10 years.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2019/mikel-ready-for-12th-csl-start-for-tianjin-teda#latest

A player in a pickup basketball game in Loudoun County called 911 to report being fouled hard. At LA Fitness in the Dulles Town Center, during a spirited game between friends and acquaintances without a referee present — one player sought the help of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. A sheriff’s deputy responded, and, the crowd
Thomas Mulabah was one of the players in the game, who said. “It was like 12-12, the game is on the line — everything is high emotions.”
One player, after getting fouled, said he was going to call police. “Everybody started laughing, we’re looking around, we’re like, ‘He’s not gonna call the cops,” Mulabah said. “He’s usually a tough guy, so I expect him to get up. He got up, but he walked outside,”
Within minutes, a sheriff’s deputy arrived at the gym, to investigate what the sheriff’s incident report described as an assault. Both players admitted fouling each other, and said they didn’t want to file reports.
“Management gave subjects one more chance to keep the game civil, if not they will both be removed from the gym for the day,” the incident report concluded.
Mulabah said the player who called 911 was likely caught up in the emotion of the game.
“He’s a good guy — I know him very well,” Mulabah said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re getting paid to play sports, people play basketball in any rec center like they’re getting paid for it.”

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/2017/man-calls-911-to-report-foul-in-loudoun-co-pickup-basketball-game#latest

Lagos State Government appreciate residents for their good conduct at the eight World Cup Viewing Centres throughout the period of the just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup. Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, said throughout the one month period the Centres were up and running, residents conducted themselves orderly and enjoyed the 64 games.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1932/lagos-appreciate-residents-conduct-at-world-cup-viewing-centres#latest

Ajax have completed the £14 million ($19m) signing of Daley Blind from Manchester United, the Premier League club have confirmed.
The Netherlands international moved to Old Trafford from the Dutch side in 2014 and went on to make 141 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Europa League.
He has now returned to his homeland and will be hoping to add to the four Eredivisie titles he won during his initial stay at the club.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1925/ajax-completes-14-million-19m-signing-of-daley-blind-from-manchester-united?new=1

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Alisson from Roma, but have not yet met the Serie A side's valuation of the goalkeeper.
The report suggests the Reds have made a bid of €70 million (£62m/$82m) but have seen that rejected as the Giallorossi hold out for somewhere in the region of €75m (£66m/$88m) and €80m (£70m/$93m).
It is also said that Roma are hopeful that Chelsea will make their interest official in order to drive up the price of the much coveted Brazilian.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1924/transfer-update-liverpool-leading-alisson-chase?new=1

Chelsea should sell Eden Hazard and they could raise in excess of £150million for him.
The Belgian playmaker even admitted he may even have to leave the Blues after six years at the club to ‘try something different’.
While Hazard has been instrumental for the west London outfit over the past few seasons, Collymore doesn’t think he’s indispensable. And he thinks that if Maurizio Sarri is to reshape the squad the way he wants, Hazard might have to go.
“Chelsea seems a bit chaotic and we haven’t even mentioned the futures of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois,” Collymore
“I’d cash in on Hazard, particularly if I could get £150million-odd for him, because his best days are behind him at Chelsea, even though he had a very good World Cup

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1903/transfer-update-eden-hazard-message#latest

They should buy mbappe instead of harzard

Real Madrid have offered €225m (£198.5m) for Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois. The offer includes €170m (£150m) for Hazard alone and €55m (£48.5m) for the Belgian No.1.
The Blues will be reluctant to lose both stars after hiring Maurizio Sarri to replace Antonio Conte.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1869/real-madrid-bid-198-5m-for-hazard-and-courtois#latest

jonathanOz:
Not every offence can be revenged. This is a clear example

So much has happened since, but it was only two weeks ago that England and Belgium met in the Group Stage in Kaliningrad.
With both teams having already qualified to the knock-out stages, the two sides featured 17 team changes from their previous game, with Adnan Januzaj's superb strike for Belgium the only goal.
Saturday's match provides England with a chance to gain a modicum of revenge for that defeat and claim themselves a bronze medal to boot.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1668/world-cup-2018-england-set-to-make-their-revenge-on-belgium?new=1

Everton striker Wayne Rooney is on the verge of completing his move to Major League Soccer outfit DC United.
Manchester United and England's record goalscorer agreed a deal in principle last month but was undecided about leaving Everton halfway through his two-year contract.
However, the 32-year-old is expected be in the United States later this week to complete the transfer.
"Talks are progressing," said Ian Monk, a spokesman for Rooney.
Rooney cannot sign for DC United until the US mid-season transfer window opens on 10 July.
Provided there are no unexpected developments, he will make his debut on 14 July, the day before the World Cup final, when DC United open their new 20,000-capacity Audi Field stadium against Vancouver.
Rooney will leave the Premier League as its second highest goalscorer with 208 goals, bettered only by Alan Shearer (260).
He has won five league titles, three League Cups, an FA Cup and the Champions League in 2008.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1419/everton-striker-wayne-rooney-on-verge-of-dc-united-move#latest

Nigeria ready to battle Argentina in their group stage final match tomorrow June 23, 2018. Starting 7:00PM. At the Saint Petersburg Stadium. After a massive 2-0 victory against Iceland with Ahmed Musa scoring a brace.
Four of the eight games between Nigeria Argentina have come at World Cup finals - Argentina winning all four contests.
Nigeria have faced Argentina in the group stages in each of their last three World Cups (2002, 2010, 2014).
Nigeria most recent encounter with Argentina came in November 2017, with Super Eagles winning 4-2 in Krasnodar, thanks in part to a brace from Alex Iwobi.
Argentina are currently enduring their longest winless run in World Cup finals history, (W0, D2, L2). Argentina have never gone through a first round World Cup group stage without at least one victory before.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1407/nigeria-vs-argentina-nigeria-prepared-to-battle-argentina?new=1

France are ready to dismantle Denmark tomorrow June 26, 2018. Starting 3:00PM. At the Luzhniki Stadium.
Denmark and France have met twice in the world cup, both in the final of game of the group stages, France won 2-1 in 1998 and Denmark won 2-0 in 2002.
Denmark and France are meeting at a sixth major tournament after Euro 1984, Euro 1992, World Cup 1998, Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002. France went on to win three of those five previous tournaments.
France have won six of their last seven games against Denmark (L1), with the only defeat in that run coming in 2002 World Cup.
Olivier Giroud has scored each of France's last three goals against the Danes, most recently a brace in a 2-1 victory in October 2015.
Denmark have lost four of their five last World Cup games against fellow European nations, with the exception in that run being a 2-0 win against France in 2002.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1406/france-vs-denmark-france-prepared-for-final-victory-at-the-group-stage?new=1

Neymar, Firmino, G. Jesus and Coutinho are currently training and ready to face Costa Rica on friday June 22, 2018 at the Saint Peters burg Stadium.

Brazil draw their last match against Switzerland with Philippe Coutinho’s goal which was his 11th for Brazil – five of those have come from outside the box.

Brazil have won nine of their 10 previous internationals against Costa Rica, losing only in a friendly in March 1960. This is the third meeting between Brazil and Costa Rica at the World Cup, with the former inflicting Costa Rica’s first ever defeat on them at the tournament in 1990 (1-0), before a 5-2 victory in 2002. Costa Rica’s only previous World Cup victory against South American opposition came in the 2014 tournament (3-1 vs Uruguay). They’d lost their previous three against CONMEBOL sides beforehand.

Costa Rica lost their first match against Serbia, ending a five-game unbeaten run at the World Cup finals – they haven’t lost back to back World Cup games since June 2006, when they lost four in a row.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1289/brazil-vs-costa-rica-neymar-coutinho-ready-to-face-costa-rica#latest

Argentina will play Croatia tomorrow June 21, 2018. At the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. This will be the fifth meeting between Argentina and Croatia, with the South Americans winning twice to Croatia one (D1).
Just one of the previous four meetings between Argentina and Croatia was at a World Cup, with Argentina winning 1-0 in a group stage game in 1998, courtesy of Mauricio Pineda’s strike.
Croatia have lost all four of their World Cup meetings with South American sides, once in each of the four tournaments they’ve played in. Lionel Messi has scored in each of his two previous appearances against Croatia, including his first ever goal for Argentina (March 2006).
Argentina forward Lionel Messi attempted 11 shots including a penalty in his first game at the 2018 World Cup finals; the most he has attempted in a single match at a World Cup tournament – he failed to score, however. He is set to break the yoke tomorrow against Croatia at the nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1286/argentina-vs-croatia-argentina-ready-to-battle-croatia?new=1

honeric01, semid4lyfe, lalasticlala, Fynestboi, MissyB3, Mynd44, OAM4J, do the needful

Argentina will play Croatia tomorrow June 21, 2018. At the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. This will be the fifth meeting between Argentina and Croatia, with the South Americans winning twice to Croatia one (D1).
Just one of the previous four meetings between Argentina and Croatia was at a World Cup, with Argentina winning 1-0 in a group stage game in 1998, courtesy of Mauricio Pineda’s strike.
Croatia have lost all four of their World Cup meetings with South American sides, once in each of the four tournaments they’ve played in. Lionel Messi has scored in each of his two previous appearances against Croatia, including his first ever goal for Argentina (March 2006).
Argentina forward Lionel Messi attempted 11 shots including a penalty in his first game at the 2018 World Cup finals; the most he has attempted in a single match at a World Cup tournament – he failed to score, however. He is set to break the yoke tomorrow against Croatia at the nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

source: https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/1286/argentina-vs-croatia-argentina-ready-to-battle-croatia?new=1

honeric01, semid4lyfe, lalasticlala, Fynestboi, MissyB3, Mynd44, OAM4J, do the needful