Ghost of Ratgate at Newcastle United as Alexander Isak’s saga threatens team’s harmony, while the club maintain its stance to force an unhealthy relationship. History rarely repeats itself word for word, but echoes of its like often return. For Newcastle United, the noise around Alexander Isak’s future has dragged the club into a familiar narrative—division, distrust, and the slow erosion of togetherness. For those who lived through the storm of Ratgate in the 1990s, the parallels are hard to ignore. The ghost of Ratgate has returned to Tyneside, and this time, attracted by the desires of one man, which do…
Author: Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
Ruben Amorim suffered his 15th Premier League defeat as Manchester United manager in the opening loss to Arsenal, but the performance showed promise, new signings impressed, and fans have reasons to believe brighter days are ahead. Manchester United hit another low under Ruben Amorim following their Premier League curtain raiser loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. The hosts fell to a Riccardo Calafiori header 14 minutes into the contest, as Mikel Arteta earned his third win in six league visits to the Theatre of Dreams, matching the total Arsenal had recorded in the Premier League era before…
Sunderland marked their first Premier League game in eight years in explosive fashion, beating West Ham United by three goals to nothing at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening. The Black Cats had lost 10 and won just one of their previous 14 top-flight matches leading to relegation in 2017, but they showed clear intent in the summer, aiming to avoid the fate that has befallen recent newcomers. After a first half where the visitors looked more dangerous, Sunderland pounced after the interval. Goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard, and Wilson Isidor sealed a commanding 3-0 victory. STATISTICS |…
Reasons why Arsenal may win the Premier League title in 2025-26 Could it be their turn? Arsenal isn’t getting the favourite shouts like they had at the start of last season, and maybe that is just what they need to finally pull off what has always eluded them. The Gunners head into the first prime year of their project after the completion of their five-year rebuild process led by Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar, the latter having left the club earlier in the year and now replaced by Andrea Berta. Berta, in his first window at the club, appears to…
Premier League 2025-26 Power Rankings title favorites, Top Five, and European hopefuls as well as relegation battles. The long summer is coming to an end and every Premier League team would believe they are prepared for what is coming—even those that have had difficult weeks wouldn’t count themselves out. The race will kick off again, with each team already familiar with their priorities, while not ruling out surprises, both the good and the not-so-good. The heavyweights resume the race for the title again, with new challengers set to join the established favourites, while some heavyweights have lost their swagger, the…
Crystal Palace are enjoying their best run since the foundation of the club 119 years ago in 1905, following victories in each of their previous two competitive games, which won them the FA Cup and the Community Shield titles. The Eagles have enjoyed unprecedented success under Oliver Glasner despite a considerably modest investment. Still, they will now face a daunting challenge of keeping their best players in the final weeks of the transfer window. Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keen on Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi respectively, and the two England internationals are reportedly open to the moves. The good…
Who should win 2025 Ballon d’Or is a trending question after France football revealed the list of the 30 nominees, which a few standout players already tagged as leading contenders for the prize. The attention garnered by women’s football has drawn even more focus to the individual prizes involved, and ahead of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, speculation is rife about who deserves the crown. Previous winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí remain frontrunners, but this year promises to be tougher than ever, with former club teammate Mariona Caldentey also tipped for the prize following a stellar debut campaign with Arsenal…
Manchester United and Newcastle have submitted opening bids to RB Leipzig as they vie for the signature of highly rated striker Benjamin Sesko this summer. The Premier League duo are set to battle for the Slovenian forward to bolster their respective attacking options ahead of the new season, although their motivations differ. For Newcastle United, securing the services of Sesko is seen as a priority move, paving the way for the sale of Alexander Isak, who has already informed the club of his desire to leave this summer, with Liverpool lurking. At Manchester United, Ruben Amorim is plotting a restructured…
Ademola Lookman has handed in a transfer request at Atalanta, claiming the club is blocking his exit after turning down offers from Inter Milan, Oltsport reports. The reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year has been clear in his decision to leave the club this summer following a row with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the course of last season. Atalanta placed a price tag of between €40 and €50 million on the forward in May, with Juventus and Inter initially interested in securing his services. That list of suitors has now been narrowed down to one—Inter. Lookman, who…
Shooting Stars, otherwise known as 3SC, once a dominant force in Nigerian football, with success and their fierce style earning them the nickname Oluyole Warriors, had become a shadow of their glorious past. For more than two decades, the Ibadan-based club struggled to find direction, battling both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Their identity had faded, and a sense of disillusionment crept into the stands. Long gone was the club that earned the nickname ‘Warriors’, one that was consistent both in the league and on the continent, winning 12 silverwares, including five league titles and two CAF Cups,…