Sylvia Ikeji's Blog

Southampton have confirmed Claude Puel as their new manager. The Frenchman takes over at St. Mary's on a three-year deal following Ronald Koeman's departure to Everton a little over two weeks ago. Puel arrives on the South Coast with great pedigree in Ligue 1, after leaving Nice earlier this summer. He led Monaco to the title in 2000, and also took Lyon to a first-ever Champions League semi-final in 2010. He faces a rebuilding task at St. Mary's after the recent sales of Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane. Eric Black, who had been at Aston Villa last term, comes in as his assistant.

The UEFA Champions League finalists have commenced with Chelsea over a £35million deal to re-sign striker Diego Costa. The Spanish club are desperate to buy back their former striker who has enjoyed a highly controversial 2-year career in England since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2014.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken to Instagram and Twitter to confirm that he will be joining Manchester United for the coming premier league season. The 34-year-old former Sweden skipper who will become new United boss, Jose Mourinho's second signing is expected to pen a one-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months.

English players especially the national team members have been hugely slated with former international Jamie Carragher describing them as ‘pampered’in the light of their recent Euro exit in the hands of Iceland. The Liverpool legend claimed the culture of England’s footballers is in doubt as their players are 'Too soft'.

What social media has done to us. Lol. As he shared on Instagram...

How much more similar can they be? That was during Spain and Gerrard Pique's Euro elimination in the hands of Italy earlier this week. Like mother like son. She shared the photo on Insta. He looks so busy being sad. Lol

They have really been a tight unit and it has really helped them Italy in their Euro run so far. By the way, their fashion sense going by the picture is really tight. Lol. The club have decided to upgrade from BBC to BBBC, so in what order would you name them?

​Premier League champions Leicester City have agreed to sign Spanish striker Raul Uche Rubio from Rayo Vallecano on a four-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.

Neymar, Rafinha and Douglas Costa have been named in Brazil's squad for their home Olympics. As expected after he sat out the Copa America Centenario, Barcelona attacker Neymar is one of the Selecao's three overage players for the Under-23 tournament.

​Chelsea youngster Nathan Ake has joined Bournemouth a season-long loan, the club announced, via their  ​official website . The 21-year-old - who could play both in defence and in midfield - will be a part of Eddie Howe's set-up for the upcoming season.

He shared on Insta...

Ligue 1 champions have announced former Sevilla boss Unai Emery as its new boss. According to a statement from the club, the Spanish manager who guided Sevilla to its third successive Europa League title last month has signed a two-year deal, with the option for an extra year.

Serie A club AC Milan have appointed Sampdoria manager Vincenzo Montella as their new boss. The 42-year-old former Italy striker has signed a two-year contract and replaces Cristian Brocchi at the San Siro.

Sam Allardyce once wanted the job and was so confident of getting it until Roy Hodgson was announced in 2012. Speaking publicly for the first time after England's shambolic end to Euro 2016, he decided to express his thoughts on the game by ignoring the game entirely and acting as Beyonce’s hype-man for Tuesday night's gig at the Stadium of Light. Lol...I love this man!

The Germans have been paired with Italy in the quarter-finals of the Euros after defeating Slovakia by three goals to nil in the round of 16 stage. And despite Germany's dismal record against Italy in major tournaments, the Die deutsche boss has insisted the tie is not a source of trauma for him.

Southampton's Sadio Mane has completed his £30million move to Liverpool after initially travelling to Merseyside on Monday to undergo a medical and sort out personal terms with chief executive Ian Ayre. The Senegalese has since penned a five-year contract with the Reds and will wear the No 19 shirt.

Iceland President has decided to honour its heroic players with an equivalent of a knighthood following their victory over England.

Who woulda thought this?! The manager of the biggest flop team of the tournament received the most pay than any other manager at the Euros.

England have been sent packing from France at the hands of an Iceland team made up of journeymen and led by an unfancied coach who's day job is as a dentist. Their media has really done them good. Making them seem very relevant as one of the top teams in the game. I mean, how are they ranked 11th in the latest FIFA ranking? By the time you are done with this article, you would understand why I ask.

Well, someone from the Brexit camp enjoyed seeing England go out last night at least. England are out of Euro 2016. Booted out unceremoniously by 'little' Iceland on Monday night. They are the smallest team left in the competition and came from behind to shock Roy Hodgson's team. Winning 2:1 to kick them out only in the second round. This is truly huge especially as their manager's day job is as a dentist!

​England manager Roy Hodgson has resigned from his position following his team's shock elimination from Euro 2016 in the round of 16 at the hands of tournament newcomers Iceland. The announcement was made within minutes of the final whistle in Nice.

Zaharo Tsekouras said “Spain’s away kits look like they were pegged by a Starburst cannon,” and that was exactly what it was for most of the game against Italy this evening as Vincente del Bosque's Spain side were knocked out of Euro 2016 to progress to the quarter-final stage.

The 50-year-old who just in February signed a 2-year extension which he described as a ‘show of faith’ from PSG’s owners, has now resigned from his position. The extension then ended speculations linking José Mourinho with job.

Argentina lost to Chile for the second consecutive year running. The Albiceleste lost to Sanchez and co through penalty shoot out after regular and extra time ended in goalless draws. Both teams had seen their sides reduced to 10 men each in the first-half after Diaz 29' [two yellows] and Marcos Rojo 43' [straight red] had been booked. The crazy game saw at least 10 cards handed out by Brazilian referee Heber Lopes.

First it was his hands down his pants, front and then his backside, he has also been captured doing same in training now despite apologizing after the debut embarrassing incident, the Germany boss has been caught by the ever watchful cameras scratching and sniffing AGAIN. Perfect hattrick by the world cup winner.

USA finish their Copa America campaign on a losing note, after Carlos Bacca’s first-half goal gives Colombia a 1-0 win in Phoenix.

I can't agree any less...twas as boring as a game can ever be. Despite being second best on the night, Portugal progressed at the end of the day through a 117th minute goal by Ricardo Quaresma. Portugal have now won all 4 of their encounters with Croatia, scoring 7 times and conceding none.

Well...I would have thought buying jerseys and branded items was IT. Things have obviously changed. Or could it be they wore these maybe to work with their plain clothes and all??? Maybe...

To imagine that this is their first appearance in a major tournament since 1958 and now they have gotten to the quarter final stage! Northern Ireland's Gareth McAuley scored a 75th minute own goal to see Wales go throw. They have now improved a step further on their other appearance in a major tournament which was in the 1958 world cup, 58 years ago. They were knocked out then by eventual winners Brazil.

If you didn't see the game, you won't believe Switzerland international, Shaqiri Xherdan scored with that audacious hook. It was the perfect bicycle kick from the edge of the area into the bottom left of Poland's goalkeeper on Saturday. It was an equalizer. Unfortunately, they still lost out on penalty kicks. It ended 5:6 to Poland with Arsenal new boy, Granit Xhaka missed the target entirely while taking his. Can you caption the photo?

​ Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas is embracing the chance to go head-to-head with his new club head coach Antonio Conte, reports  ​Gazetta World .

The memorable clash happened at Anfield in May 1999 when the rivalry between the two sides was its fiercest as both teams fought for supremacy. To understand how significant that game is in Manchester United's history, here is how it was described by the peoplesperson.com whose author happens to be a United fan. I just hope you get the picture...

The Napoli midfielder who got married last weeked in Lagos is currently on vacation in Lagos. Here he is pictured with his agent Makinwa Ago and his family in Omole Estate, Ojodu Berger.

Spain and Italy square up perhaps too early in the ongoing Euro 2016, the round of 16 were one side must end their journey. Making the Monday encounter all the more highly anticipated especially by neutrals - many making their predictions that have left the balance fairly positioned.

The football governing body shared a video of the former Eagles captain on their official website. with the caption: "Join FIFA TV in saluting former Nigerian international and national team coach Stephen Keshi who died in June of 2016."

On Thursday, citizens of Great Britain cast their votes to make the momentous decision to leave the European Union. This huge decision will have a magnanimous impact not just on the British pounds amongst others but also on sports in Europe. This impact will be felt massively in football, rugby, cricket, tennis and elsewhere.

​Speaking with Sporza while on Euro duty with Belgium, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has announced that he does not intend to end his career at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps to make it very clear to Stamford Bridge faithfuls and way more clear than new Blues boss Antonio Conte would have liked, the Belgium international claimed: ''I will never finish my career at Chelsea.''

Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been given a target by the London club ahead of next season. His first mission will be to drag Chelsea back into the Champions League places.

Ahead of the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia, Nigeria's Super Eagles have been drawn for the African qualifier in the group of death against Zambia, Algeria and longtime bitter rivals Cameroon.

His facial expression though...lol

Tottenham Football Club have announced the £11million signing of Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton.

The Manchester United striker's kids, Kai and Klay Rooney.

​Chelsea have opened talks with Real Madrid over a deal to sign Alvaro Morata this summer, reported the ​Independent.

Premier League transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to turn down interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal and pen a new deal with Borussia Dortmund. City were said to be closing in on the player earlier this month, while Arsenal have been linked with the pacy forward on a number of occasions. However,  ​AS  report that the Gabon man is ready to commit his future to Dortmund and get a bumper pay rise in the process. Arsenal have been let down in their pursuit of Jamie Vardy, as he's ready to sign a new deal to stay a Leicester.

​The Toffees are thought to be keen on bringing in an experienced shot-stopper after Tim Howard left the club as concerns having been raised as to whether Joel Robles is a suitable long-term successor to the American.

Gareth Bale has again stoked the fire between Wales and England by hailing the "moral victory" that saw them despite being in a first finals in over 5 decades, top Group B ahead of Roy Hodgson's men.  Bale hit the headlines in the build-up to the sides' encounter in Lens last Thursday by suggesting that no England player would get in the Wales team. 

Jose Mourinho seems to have found a new love with Instagram. The new Manchester United boss was not on the social media platform until after he signed for the Old Trafford club. He has since been sharing pictures of his free time ahead of  the 2016/17 Premier League starter against Bournemouth on August 13th.

Jamie Vardy has signed a new four-year contract and confirming reports he had turned down the offer to join Arsenal. The striker has been deliberating a move since Arsene Wenger triggered his £20million release clause on June 3 but has now decided to remain at the King Power Stadium after emotional pleas from his teammates.

Perhaps rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo's demise were way premature. He has been heavily criticised by fans around the world for his apparently sarcastic comments  after drawing 1-1 with Iceland, taunted and jeered when ineffectual against Austria, Portugal's captain has now issued a devastating response, one that will remain in the record books until another with as much "balls" comes around.

It seems men have become more and more creative in ways to get them ladies...at least some hardwork is finally going into that. Lol...