Joshua Oha, Author at Matchplug Blog

Bayern players surprised by Julian Nagelsmann’s sack

Bayern Munich players Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich have stated that the club’s players were shocked about the sacking of former head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The 35-year-old German tactician was relieved of his duties by Bayern on Friday, despite what appears to be a successful season with the Bavarians still in the title race and the Champions League quarter-finals.

In his place, former Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel have been hired, with club CEO Oliver Kahn claiming that a change was needed after Bayern began playing less successfully and less attractively.

Following Naglesmann’s sacking, there were widespread rumours that the Bavarians sacked him because of a rift between the manager and board and several players seemingly losing faith.

However, midfielder Joshua Kimmich has rubbished those claims, insisting that Nagelsmann is one of the three best coaches he has worked under.

“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Kimmich said.

“‘The reasons are that we didn’t win enough games and weren’t successful enough.

“Of course, we are represented in all competitions. You could see that we didn’t perform properly in the Bundesliga. We only won five out of ten games.

“But I can say that the coach has not lost the dressing room. I’ve already been through a couple of coaching changes: it wasn’t the case that it was indicated internally in the dressing room because the players were dissatisfied. We were surprised.”

Fellow Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka echoed Kimmich’s sentiments, revealing that he and several players were shocked about the news.

“I didn’t have any problems with Nagelsmann. I don’t know how it was with others — but I can say that he didn’t lose the dressing room. The news of Julian being sacked was a shock! We (players) were all surprised.

“I would be lying if I said the last few days hadn’t affected me. It was extremely difficult. We’ve had a very close relationship with Julian. I probably saw him more than my family.”

Scotland vs Spain: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Scotland and Spain will square at Hampden Park this Tuesday for the second leg of the 2024 European Championship qualifiers.

The hosts began their quest for a place in Germany next year with a positive result, beating FIFA’s #110-ranked side Cyprus 3-0, courtesy of two late goals from Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

The win extended their unbeaten run in competitive games to five games (W4, D1). They kept three clean sheets in those five games and failed to score in only one game. So they will fancy their chances in this game in front of their supporters.

A seven-match winning run in major tournament qualification matches (excluding play-offs) for Steve Clark’s men also shows they can rub shoulders with the bigger teams.

Nevertheless, Spain will provide a far sterner test for them, with three-time European champions and #10 ranked looking to make it two wins in two qualifier games. La Roja began life under new manager Luis de la Fuente with a 3-0 win over Norway in their first game.

So they will travel to Glasgow looking for a win that will give them total control of Group A, ahead of Scotland. They will feel confident about getting a win, given their record in head-to-head games, as they are unbeaten in their last five games against the Scots (W3, D2).

Also, they have lost just once in their last 18 away Euro qualifiers (W14, D3), so they will fancy their chances against a nation that is ranked 37 placed below them on the FIFA rankings.

Click here to get the best expert football predictions.

Kante and Chelsea close to an agreement

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is reportedly closing in on an agreement that will see the France midfielder remain at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer.

The defensive midfielder has been a big hit in London when he moved from Leicester City in 2016, shortly after helping the Foxes win the Premier League title. He also helped Chelsea to win the UEFA Champions League title under Thomas Tuchel in 2021, producing a Man-of-the-Match performance in two semi-final legs over Real Madrid.

However, injuries have limited his involvement with Chelsea this season, leading to speculations that the Blues will allow him to leave when his contract expires this summer. But that doesn’t seem to be the case, as Chelsea are happy to keep the player beyond this summer.

They have opened contract talks with his entourage and are reportedly close to an agreement. According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, contract discussions are reportedly in their ‘final stages’, with the French World Cup-winning midfielder expected to commit his future to the club. The deal is expected to keep Kante at Stamford Bridge for at least two seasons, with an option for a third year also discussed.

“N’Golo Kanté was back on the pitch for a friendly game earlier this week… and the negotiations over a new contract are still ongoing and progressing well to final stages”, Romano tweeted.

“Discussions on last details as a new deal could be valid for the next two years plus one season club option,” he added.

Romano also claimed that Kante’s positive feelings toward Chelsea were a crucial factor in the negotiation, with the midfielder also keen to stay in west London.

The 31-year-old was attracting interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Reports also linked him to Bayern Munich, where former boss Thomas Tuchel has just taken over.

But he will remain at Stamford Bridge, where he will hope to regain the trust of manager Graham Potter having not played a competitive game for the Englishman since his arrival early in the season. The midfielder has been injured since August and has not featured in any game for Chelsea since then. But he was an unused sub last time out when Chelsea played Everton at Stamford Bridge, while he stepped up his fitness by playing one hour in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Charlton last week.

Man City make move to keep Haaland

Manchester City are reportedly looking to fend off interest from Real Madrid over the signature of star striker Erling Haaland by offering him a new deal.

The Norwegian striker is currently one of the hottest players in Europe, having scored eight times in two matches before the international break.

He leads the Premier League and Champions League scoring charts this season and is already on 42 goals in just 39 appearances in all competitions.

Despite only joining Manchester City last summer from Borussia Dortmund, Haaland’s form has attracted interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid who are ready to sign him this summer.

However, to stop any interest from Madrid, Pep Guardiola’s are looking to offer the 22-year-old a bumper new deal. According to a report by The Sun, the Cityzens want to hand the Norwegian a massive £500,000-a-week wage to tie him down at the Etihad.

The striker’s current contract at Manchester runs till 2027 and sees him earn £375,000 a week, making him the joint-highest wage earner in the Premier League, along with team-mate Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

However, City wants to add a substantial amount to that sum and an extra year to Haaland’s contract to keep him at the club.

Ireland vs France: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

The Republic of Ireland will begin their quest for a place in the 2024 European Championship with a visit from World Cup finalists France this Monday.

The hosts are yet to kick off their Euro qualifiers but had a great outing last time when they beat Latvia 3-2 in an international friendly.

Goals from Callum O’Dowd, Chiedozie Ogbene and 18-year-old Evan Ferguson secured the win for Stephen Kenny’s young side–their second win in a row.

The Boys in Green now return to Aviva Stadium, where they beat Latvia, looking for another massive win in front of an expectant fans base. However, they haven’t beaten France in any game since October 1981, so this will be a tough challenge.

Les Bleus began their European Championship qualifiers with a massive 4-0 win over the Netherlands, so they are easily the favourites here.

Didier Deschamps’ side are supposedly on a rebuilding journey, but they didn’t look like a team missing their veterans when they dispatched the Dutch. A brace from newly-appointed captain Kylian Mbappe, which came after Antoine Greizmann and Dayot Upamecano had given France a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes, ensured the World Cup finalists made a positive return to competitive action after their tragic end to the World Cup.

Another win will see them set the right pace for the rest of the qualifiers. However, the visitors haven’t won any of their last three matches as the away side (D2, L1), while each of their last four such games produced exactly two goals. So they will have to tread carefully here and not become too confident.

Click here to get the best prediction for this game.

England vs Ukraine: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

England will welcome Ukraine to London this Sunday for their second Euro 2024 qualifier match.

After a disappointing ending to their last two tournaments, the Three Lions are looking to rebuild again under long-serving coach Gareth Southgate. The Englishman is looking to secure a place for his side in the European Championship for the fourth consecutive time.

And his side have started on a strong note, beating holders Italy 2-1 in the first game at Naples. Goals from Declan Rice and record-breaker Harry Kane sealed the win and ended a miserable run of results against Roberto Mancini’s side.

Their target will be solidifying their top position with another dominant display in front of their fans at Wembley. Given their record in Euro qualifiers, they will fancy their chances against a Ukraine side that England have lost to only once (W5, D2, L1).

After narrowly missing out on a place in Qatar last summer, Ukraine are looking to go above the challenges facing them collectively as a war-torn nation. Like their hosts, they are targeting a fourth straight European Championship outing.

But unlike England, this is the visitor’s first Euro qualifiers match in this cycle. They did not play in midweek but warmed up for this game with a 2-0 win against Brentford’s second team.

With England and North Macedonia already on three points apiece, Ukraine will be desperate to put some points on the board to give them a chance to qualify from Group C.

The visitors were the only side in their group to avoid defeat in all their away games in the previous cycle (W2, D2), including both games entered as outsiders in Serbia and Portugal. So they will be confident of getting a good result.

However, their last competitive outing was a heartbreaking defeat to another British side Scotland, which denied them UEFA Nations League qualification.

Meanwhile, England have led 1-0 at half-time in four of the previous eight H2H encounters. So a goal in the first half is expected in this game.

Julian Nagelsmann could land Tottenham job after Bayern Munich sacking

Recently axed Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann could soon be on his way to the Premier League, according to reports.

The German tactician was sacked on Friday by Bundesliga giants Bayern following a loss to Bayer Leverkusen that had left the Bavarians trailing Borussia Dortmund by two points in the title race.

But it seems the 35-year-old would not be out of work for long if Tottenham sack under-fire manager Antonio Conte.

The Italian could be sacked anytime soon by Spurs following a recent run of poor results, which culminated in Conte labelling his players as ‘selfish’ and questioning the owners over the club’s record of one trophy in 20 years.

It appeared that the 53-year-old was looking to be given his marching orders during the international break by Daniel Levy. But seven days later, he remains in his role as head coach.

He has spent the week in Italy visiting his family due to the international break and has left assistant coaches Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason with the training duties.

But should Levy and the club board finally pull the trigger, they will be interested in speaking to Nagelsmann to take the vacant role. Spurs previously targeted Nagelsmann when they sacked Jose Mourinho in 2021, only for the young German to agree to take charge at the Allianz Arena instead.

Should he be contacted, the German might want to wait for a few months to take up the role. That will mean he will sit out the rest of the season while Mason takes interim charge as he did following Mourinho’s dismissal in 2021.

Manchester United keen on signing Nice midfielder

Manchester United are reportedly leading the race for the signature of Nice youngster Khephren Thuram.

According to a report by 90min, the Old Trafford side are keen on bringing the midfield star to England this summer.

However, they aren’t alone in their pursuit of the Frenchman, with Liverpool and Newcastle United also in the Nice player.

The 21-year-old is aware of the growing interest in him at home and abroad, with Paris Saint Germain, Inter and Juventus all tracking him too.

Speaking before France’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland, Thuram was asked about the clubs on his tail.

“I hear, but I don’t concentrate on it,”

“I am with Nice. I am very happy where I am.

“I am trying to get bigger with the club. I am trying to grow up with the club. So, yeah, obviously, I hear it [the interest], but it’s not the most important.

Messi edging closer to Barcelona return

It is more likely that Lionel Messi will be back in Barcelona this summer, according to a 90min report.

The football news website claims that the Argentina international is edging closer to a sensational return to Barcelona after growing dissatisfied in Paris.

Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain from the Catalan club in 2021 after Barca’s precarious financial position left them unable to negotiate a new contract. His departure, after a 21-year association with the club, sent shockwaves around the world, with club officials, supporters and the player himself believing that he would only ever play for Barcelona in his career.

His arrival at Parc des Princes was expected to usher the club into a new phase of dominance in Europe, helping them to win the Champions League. However, two seasons after his arrival, the Parisians are far from achieving that objective after crashing out of this season’s competition to Bayern Munich at the round of 16 stage.

With Messi’s contract officially up in the summer, PSG could lose the player this summer. Although the French side can extend the contract for another 12 months, the player must also agree to it. They have opened negotiations with Messi but are far from an agreement.

Talks between both sides have been amicable, but PSG’s hopes of tying Messi down have quickly disappeared, and discussions have been held with other interested parties.

Messi is considering his options and is angling towards an emotional return to Barcelona, with the Catalan giants desperate to return Messi to where they feel his home.

Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad have also tabled an offer, while David Beckham-owned Inter Miami have also proposed proposals to the 35-year-old.

Manchester City to include Kalvin Phillips in the deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes

Manchester City reportedly want to add out-of-favour midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the deal to bring Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães to the Etihad.

According to the Mirror, the Cityzens are keen on the Newcastle United star and will do everything possible to land him this summer. That includes adding Kalvin Phillips to the deal, hoping Newcastle will soften their stance on selling the player.

Guimarães joined the Magpies in January 2022 from French side Lyon for a reported €42.10 million deal. He has become a key member of Eddie Howe’s side and has made 28 appearances this season. He has contributed to seven goals in all competitions this season (four goals and three assists) and is seen as a long-term fixture in the Newcastle midfield.

As such, the Tyneside club have slapped an €80m price tag on the 25-year-old, who still has at least three years in his contract at St. James Park. They do not want to sell him any time soon.

However, Manchester City do not mind bidding for the player and are looking to include out-of-favour midfielder Phillips in a deal for the Newcastle United star. Phillips joined the Etihad side last summer from Leeds United. But he has not enjoyed his time at City, with a lack of fitness and form restricting him to just 345 minutes of competitive action this season.

Joshua Oha

Bayern players surprised by Julian Nagelsmann’s sack

Scotland vs Spain: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Kante and Chelsea close to an agreement

Man City make move to keep Haaland

Ireland vs France: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

England vs Ukraine: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Julian Nagelsmann could land Tottenham job after Bayern Munich sacking

Manchester United keen on signing Nice midfielder

Messi edging closer to Barcelona return

Manchester City to include Kalvin Phillips in the deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes

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