Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Declan Rice takes a look behind him at the mountainous Californian landscape in a quiet corner of Arsenal’s team hotel in Los Angeles and says, “It’s mad, the whole thing is mad.” The 24-year-old’s circumstances certainly have changed. Rice has always been hugely respectful of West Ham United, the club where he transformed himself from Chelsea reject to club captain and England international over a 10-year period. Released by the Blues aged 14 amid concerns over his physicality, Rice was snapped up by the Hammers and rose through the ranks to captain the side at the age of 20 and lift the club’s first trophy in 43…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said the talent at the club’s academy is “exceptional” after his side beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in Tokyo. Midfielder James McAtee, 20, opened the scoring in the first half following good work from 18-year-old Rico Lewis. Mathys Tel equalised for Bayern on 81 minutes before Aymeric Laporte restored City’s lead five minutes later. “It’s unbelievable – the guys who are in charge and the recruitment,” Guardiola told the club’s website. “The new generation is coming and they told me it is really good. There are three or four players that are exceptional.” City secured their…

Samuel Chukwueze has arrived at La Madonnina clinic to undergo his medicals ahead of his move to AC Milan. Chukwueze, according to Football Italia, arrived at the clinic on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old will sign a five-year contract after completing his medicals. AC Milan will pay €28m including add-ons for the player. Chukwueze will become Milan’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window, following Marco Sportiello, Luka Romero, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor. He spent four years at Villarreal.

Canada fought back from a goal down to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 and knock the debutants out of the Women’s World Cup. Irish captain Katie McCabe scored the Republic’s first World Cup goal when her superb corner flew into the net after just four minutes. The Irish had chances to add a second against the Olympic champions, but they were undone in first-half injury time as Julia Grosso’s cross took a touch off defender Megan Connolly and nestled in the bottom corner in torrential conditions. Adriana Leon poked Canada into the lead eight minutes into the second half…

Spain coach Jorge Vilda warned there is more to come from his side after they thrashed Zambia to progress to the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a game to spare. Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo both scored twice as the Spanish secured a second successive win at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Spain have scored eight goals so far without reply, underlining their credentials as potential World Cup winners, but Vilda insists his side can play even better. Spain play Japan on Monday, 31 July in a game that will decide the Group C…

Japan are on the verge of qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup round of 16 after a routine win over Costa Rica. Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino both scored in the space of three first-half minutes to ease the 2011 champions to three points. Japan will be the first side to secure their place in knockout stages, if Spain earn at least a point against Zambia later. Costa Rica will be eliminated from the World Cup if Spain avoid defeat. Since stunning the football world by beating the United States in the 2011 final, Japan have underwhelmed on the…

Inter-Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has one lasting memory from Lionel Messi’s debut: the image of Messi running to embrace his family after delivering the game-winning free kick and cementing a new era for the club and Major League Soccer. “That was for the fans. This community is hungry,” Mas said. Messi’s follow-up performance Tuesday night against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup showed the impact that one player – the right player – can have on an entire club. Messi scored twice and had an assist in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games. Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by…

Wrexham beat a youthful Manchester United side 3-1 at Snapdragon Stadium in front of watching co-owner Rob McElhenney. Fellow owner Ryan Reynolds is in the UK because of filming commitments, but McElhenney was among a crowd of nearly 35,000 in San Diego as Eliott Lee, Aaron Hayden and Sam Dalby got the goals for Wrexham. While United’s senior squad travelled to Houston ahead of their game against Real Madrid on Wednesday, an academy XI took on the League Two side. They started brightly but after just 12 minutes they were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch after goalkeeper Nathan Bishop was only shown a…

Australia forward Mary Fowler has been ruled out of her side’s second Women’s World Cup match on Thursday in the latest injury blow for the co-hosts. Fowler suffered concussion in training on Tuesday and will not be available to face Nigeria, while defender Aivi Luik is also out with the same injury. Manchester City striker Fowler started Australia’s opening win over the Republic of Ireland, which captain Sam Kerr missed with a calf injury. Kerr remains out for the Nigeria match. Australia face the African side in Brisbane on 27 July knowing a win would guarantee them progression from Group B…

Bronny, one of the sons of NBA legend LeBron James, suffered a cardiac arrest during training at the University of Southern California (USC) on Monday. However, the 18-year-old is now said to be in stable condition. Yesterday, while practising, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff were able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. “He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU,” a family representative said on Tuesday. A 6’3″ combo guard, Bronny is ranked the fifth-best player at his position. According to the 247Sports Composite, he is also the No. 22 overall…

Fulham have signed Mexico striker Raul Jimenez from fellow Premier League side Wolves for a fee of about £5m. The 32-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Fulham, with the club having the option for a third year. Jimenez scored 57 goals in 166 games during his five seasons at Molineux following a club record £30m move from Benfica. The Cottagers moved for Jimenez  with the future of their star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in doubt. The Serbia international is pushing for a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal after Fulham rejected a £25m bid. Jimenez said: “It’s really important…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says the Premier League champions will not let England defender Kyle Walker leave this summer without a fight. Walker said he was hurt after losing his spot in Guardiola’s starting XI towards the end of 2022-23. The right-back, 33, was on the bench for the Champions League final win against Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are keen to sign him. “We will fight for him, like I’m pretty sure Bayern [will],” said Guardiola. “I don’t know how it is going to finish.” City are preparing to face Bundesliga champions Bayern in a pre-season friendly at Japan…