Sylvia Ikeji's Blog

​Arsenal seem to have identified their first choice replacement for long-serving manager Arsene Wenger when his managerial service finally comes to an end, apparently, soon.

Cristiano Ronaldo rounded a remarkable 2016 with yet another individual accolade at the 2016 Globe Soccer Award with the Best Player of the Year award.

Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg has been named the best referee in the world. The English official received the accolade just hours ago in Dubai during the 2016 Globe Soccer Awards.

On Tuesday, ex-Super Eagles international and coach, Sunday Oliseh, was appointed as head coach of the Dutch second division side, Fortuna Sittard.

Welsh club, ​Swansea City have pulled the trigger on manager Bob Bradley, less than three months after the American was hired.

Who can relate? Lol...

Well...

It's game day! It's the return of the Premier League & its going to be a bloody marathon!

​Rio Mavuba, a former teammate of Chelsea star Eden Hazard has made a startling claim, suggesting that the Blues number 10 was drunk during his final game for Ligue 1 side, Lille.

Lol... Funny how the one that had a little 'hair deficiency' is now Becky with the FULL hair. Late blooming, good hair transplant surgeon or good attachments? Lol...

Even though 2013 winners, Nigeria, won't be participating having performed abysmally in the qualifiers, here is all you need to know ahead of next month's mega continental tournament.

These Chinese guys aren't fooling around! Carlos Tevez is set to overtake yet-to-be-signed Oscar to become highest paid footballer in the world.

I have been vocal on how much of a non-fan of Nigeria's Minister for Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung. However, while I may still 'hate the messenger', after going through his opening speech at the 2016 NFF Annual General Assembly, 'I don't hate the message'.

Lool... Some good humour I must say.

​Chelsea winger and close friend to out going Oscar, Willian, has suggested why his compatriot is leaving for Chinese money. According to last season's Chelsea player of the year, the 'career of a player is a race' and in this case an opportunity his friend could not turn down.

Manchester United recorded a third consecutive win in the premier league, their first since the first three fixtures of this season. The fact that these came all in one week says a lot about the improvement the team has made, both tactically and mentally.

Ahead of Arsenal's trip to Manchester City at the Etihad, Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger who is aware that his star player Alexis Sanchez is on the wish list of his Sunday counterpart Pep Guardiola has likened the play to one third of the world's most potent strike force in Luis Suarez.

Lol... 3rd place Arsenal are six points behind league leaders Chelsea, one above their opponents this weekend, Manchester City.

Will Chelsea make it an 11th consecutive Premier League win when they take the battle to Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park in the lunchtime kick-off?

Just last Friday, he was named the NigerianSports Awards Footballer of the Year. With his golden boot contribution in their title winning season, Enugu Rangers striker Chisom Egbuchulam has continued his streak.

Perhaps the biggest shock of the night was seeing Real Madrid sensationally loose a 2-goal lead with just 3 minute left. Effectively handing Borussia Dortmund the top spot in the group.

Michael Ballack advised his former teammate just shortly after Didier Drogba tweeted the news that after seven months of investigation, he had been cleared as 'no funds have been misapplied by my foundation'

Notice the set up? Never mind what it will look like once the players step in. Smh

So the final games across groups A-D have finally come to an end after a goal fest night from across Europe.

With Football Leaks always at the heart of leaked football information, another shocking wave is making the rounds.

How the hell is Klopp the normal one? More normal than Conte? Lol

The Football Association has dished out a number of charges to clubs and players following fracases that occurred in two venues in Saturday's Premier League contests at the Etihad and Hawthorns stadiums.

Brazilian club Chapecoense who lost 19 players out of 81 lives that were lost in the ill-fated plane crash that took place on November 28 have been awarded the Copa Sudamericana title by the Soth American Football Federation CONMEBOL.

Why does this always happen to the women's team, even at this level?! Nigeria's Super Falcons defeated hosts Cameroon on Saturday to win the 2016 Women's African Cup of Nations, a record 8th time.

A couple of big games lined up for today but the two biggest will be taking place in the Premier League and La Liga.

Here are all Saturday fixtures across Europe's top 5 leagues... A brief analysis and prediction for the two big ones in my next post...

On Friday, allegations of tax fraud by Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo and his former boss Jose Mourinho were making the news.

The EFL Cup semi-finals draws were completed last night after the last set of games. Southampton have been pitted against Liverpool while Manchester United will face Hull City.

  Since the sad news of the plane crash that wipped out Brazilian team, Chapecoense, - leaving just 3 survivors and 3 players that didn't make the trip - tributes and well wishes have poured in from all over the world of football and beyond.

He was one of 76 people on board the plane that died just days afterwards, on their way to Colombia for the very same final! "If I died today, I'd die happy". Caio Jr made the statement just after his side secured a place in the Copa Sudamerica final in Colombia on Wednesday when it crashed down in remote mountains. .

It was billed to be Nigeria's toughest game yet, and it did live up to expectations. Backed by a stadium that was filled to capacity with fans in loud voices, the atmosphere was brilliant.

What a legend!

It is a sad day in football as plane carrying top Brazilian team crashes in Colombian mountains.

Well... Something that strikes me though is that despite all the claims of selfishness and all that, his teammates, club and country, tend to really love him and are loyal, doing whatever suits him, with all willingness.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct by the FA. The Old Trafford boss was dismissed from the dugout in the first half of his side's home 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday.

It was only two summers ago that the Nigerian international extended his Chelsea contract on the final day of the transfer window and was immediately loaned to West Ham just moments later. Social media had a field day.

Across the pond and hours apart in time difference but LA Galaxy's Ashley Cole, formerly of Chelsea, could not resist the urge to watch a London derby of his former side against rivals Tottenham.

Omeruo extended his contract at Chelsea in the summer until 2019, before being sent out on loan to Turkish Super Lig side, Alanyaspor. Over the weekend, he was honoured with the Sports Personality award in the African Entertainment Awards, Turkey. Congratulations to him!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic who signed a 1-year contract and an option of a second at Manchester United last summer was addressing his future after the current season when he made the very Zlatanic statement during the week, while suggesting he would take up his next laying challenge in the MLS.

There is always that extra feeling the weekend brings with it when league football is on and am feeling it!

Lol...

With dozens of games lined up for the day across Europe's top 5 leagues, the highlight is that which is set to take place at Stamford Bridge in what has been dubbed "The Battle of the Bridge II"

Recent results have shown a resurgence in the once greatest African footballing country and FIFA has taken notice.

Football, Money, Lots of Money. Celebrity status. It would simply defy nature for sex not to be in the mix. People in this category, especially in the premier league may find it somewhat easier to get their hands on whoever they want. Indeed, the premier league has found most of its stars, committed to their partners or not, in hot water over their love interests.

Cristiano:"After the Euro final when I was on holiday in Miami,I met Griezmann in a restaurant. He came over & said: 'Cristiano,I hate you!'