Sports
Cole Palmer Commits to Chelsea with New Nine-Year Deal

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has extended his stay at Stamford Bridge by signing a new two-year contract extension, securing his future with the club until 2033. This update comes from journalist David Ornstein, who reported on the 22-year-old’s extended commitment.
Palmer, who made the switch to Chelsea from Manchester City last summer for a £40 million fee, has quickly risen to prominence in the Premier League. His debut season with Chelsea was nothing short of remarkable, with the young forward scoring 25 goals and providing 15 assists across all competitions.
Ornstein shared the news on X, stating, “Cole Palmer commits future to Chelsea by signing a 2-year contract extension. The 22-year-old England attacker, originally tied until 2031, is now contracted through June 2033. This extension comes as a reward for his outstanding debut season after joining from Manchester City.”
Palmer’s performances not only impressed at the club level but also earned him a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024. During the tournament, he made a significant impact, assisting Ollie Watkins’ winning goal in the semi-final and scoring the equalizer in the final against Spain, although England eventually lost.
Chelsea’s decision to extend Palmer’s contract reflects their confidence in his potential, despite the club’s recent scrutiny over its transfer strategies following Clearlake Capital’s takeover from Roman Abramovich. Palmer has been a notable success story in this context.
The forward was recently featured in Chelsea’s last pre-season match against Inter Milan under new manager Enzo Maresca and is expected to play in the season opener against his former club, Manchester City, on Sunday.
While Chelsea celebrates Palmer’s contract extension, uncertainty surrounds another England international, Conor Gallagher. Gallagher had agreed to a £33.7 million transfer to Atletico Madrid and even completed a medical with the La Liga club. However, issues related to Samu Omorodion’s move in the opposite direction have stalled the deal.
Chelsea has asked Gallagher to return to London as negotiations continue, with Tottenham reportedly still interested in the 24-year-old midfielder. Talks between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are ongoing to finalize the transfer.
Sports
Super Eagles World Cup squad: Which players will face the axe?

Super Eagles Squad Selection: Players Likely to Miss Out
With the March 21 and March 25 fixtures approaching, Super Eagles head coach Finidi George is set to trim the squad to 23 players. Ahead of the March 17 announcement, here are the players who might miss out.
The squad features NPFL standouts, including Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Enugu Rangers’ defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, and Niger Tornadoes’ forward Papa Daniel Mustapha. Despite their domestic performances, they might not make the final cut due to stiff competition from overseas-based players.
Several players are battling injuries, making their selection unlikely. Maduka Okoye (Udinese) underwent wrist surgery in December and isn’t expected back until April. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio) suffered an ankle sprain on February 25, and while reports suggest he could return early, his chances remain slim. Akor Adams (Sevilla) has yet to make his Super Eagles debut and remains out with a training injury from February.
Some players may be excluded due to lack of form or irregular playing time. Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough) struggled at Sevilla before moving to the Championship in January, raising match fitness concerns. Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars) may lose his spot due to limited game time and rising competition. Paul Onuachu (Southampton) has struggled for consistency in England, while Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) has had mixed performances, making his selection uncertain.
Others who may miss out include Umar Sadiq, Joe Aribo, Chidera Ejuke, Alhassan Yusuf, Christantus Uche, and Igoh Ogbu.
With a talent-packed squad, Chelle faces tough decisions before finalizing his 23-man squad for the crucial fixtures.
Sports
Guardiola Vows to Rebuild Man City After Narrow Win Over Spurs

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pledged to restore the club’s dominance after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
A 12th-minute goal by Erling Haaland proved decisive as City moved into fourth place in the Premier League standings, strengthening their bid for a Champions League spot. However, the narrow win highlighted the club’s struggles this season, as they remain far from the dominant force that has won four consecutive league titles under Guardiola.
Despite their recent success, Manchester City has endured an underwhelming campaign, currently 20 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Their hopes of retaining the Champions League title were dashed following elimination by Real Madrid, leaving the FA Cup as their only shot at silverware this season.
Guardiola acknowledged the decline but expressed confidence in his team’s resurgence.
“Never will be this season the old City. Old City were too good, but we will be back,” he stated.
City controlled the first half, creating several chances to extend their lead, but missed opportunities kept Spurs in the game. Tottenham, struggling in 13th place, grew into the match and dominated possession in the second half, but failed to break through City’s defense.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou admitted his team’s early struggles cost them the game.
“We were too wasteful in the first half. Against City, that lets them get into a rhythm,” he said.
Despite another defeat, Postecoglou was encouraged by his side’s second-half display.
“It’s disappointing to lose again, but it did look more like us today,” he added.
With City still fighting for a top-four finish, Guardiola is expected to make significant squad changes in the summer to strengthen the team. Addressing defensive vulnerabilities and regaining consistency will be key to City’s ambitions next season.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will shift their focus to the Europa League, as their chances of a strong league finish remain slim. The club is expected to make key reinforcements in the summer transfer window to improve their squad for the next campaign.
As both teams enter the final stretch of the season, City will look to secure Champions League qualification while Spurs aim to salvage their season through European competition.
Sports
Guardiola Regrets Not Strengthening Squad in Summer Transfer Window

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed regret over his decision not to strengthen his squad during the summer transfer window. In hindsight, he believes that rejecting the opportunity to revamp his team was a mistake, especially given the impact of injuries on their disappointing start to the season.
Guardiola had initially decided against making new signings, relying on his existing players, with only Savinho and a returning Ilkay Gündogan joining the team. However, the club has since moved to refresh their squad, agreeing a deal for Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov and negotiating with Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.
Reflecting on his summer decision, Guardiola said, “I relied on the team and thought we could do it again with the same players. But after the injuries, wow, maybe we should have done it differently.”
-
Foreign13 hours ago
Judge blocks Trump from deporting non-citizens using wartime law
-
News14 hours ago
Obasanjo bemoans selection process of traditional rulers in Nigeria
-
News13 hours ago
SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’
-
Metro14 hours ago
4 abducted victims rescued as police neutralise wanted kidnap kingpin
-
News14 hours ago
Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani