Connect with us

Sports

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola sensationally claims he was offered chance to sign Paul Pogba in January

Published

on

PEP GUARDIOLA has sensationally revealed he was offered the chance to land Paul Pogba in January.

The explosive claim comes on the eve of the Manchester derby, with City able to wrap up the Premier League title with six games to spare if they beat Jose Mourinho’s side.

 Pep Guardiola says that he was offered Paul Pogba in January

GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Pep Guardiola says that he was offered Paul Pogba in January

Manchester City boss Gaurdiola has lobbed a grenade into the build-up to the Etihad clash by saying Mino Raiola, Pogba’s agent, touted both the Manchester United midfielder and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in his direction.

Pep said: “Two months ago he (Raiola) offered me (Henrikh) Mhikitaryan and Pogba to play with us. Why?

“He was interested in Mhikitaryan and Pogba to play with us. Pogba is an incredible player. A top, top player.”

The £89million United signing has since appeared to respond by posting a snap on Instagram, with the cryptic caption: “Say what?”

 Mino Raiola is claimed to have offered City both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba

INSTAGRAM @MICKI_TARYAN: Mino Raiola is claimed to have offered City both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba

Pogba’s relationship with Mourinho has appeared at breaking point in recent weeks, despite the France ace claiming there is no issue with his manager.

He was dropped for a league win over Huddersfield at the start of February and was only named as a substitute in both legs of United’s chastening Champions League exit at the hands of Sevilla.

ALSO READ  Chelsea beat Manchester United & Manchester City to agree deal for PSV striker Jayden Braaf

Mourinho is believed to be frustrated with Raiola’s regular trips to check up on clients Romelu Lukaku and Pogba at United’s Carrington training base.

Playmaker Mkhitaryan, another player in his stable, departed for Arsenal in straight swap deal that brought Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford in January.

City boss Guardiola went on to make a stinging attack on the superagent, who branded him a “coward” and “a dog” last month.

Pep sarcastically blasted: “He (Raiola) has to protect his players and he has to know he cannot bring the players to a guy like me, like a dog.

 Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba's relationship has looked strained in recent weeks

EPA: Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba’s relationship has looked strained in recent weeks

“Comparing (me to) a dog is bad. It’s not good. He has to respect the dogs. Finally, the people discover my secrets, I am a bad guy. I’m a coward.

“I am not a good guy. He deserves his players to play with better guys. But, he said as well that I am a top manager. Thank you!”

The feud between the duo dates back to Guardiola’s handling of Zlatan Ibrahimovic during their single season together at Barcelona in 2009-10.

 Guardiola's feud with Raiola dates back to the Catan's time managing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barcelona

REUTERS: Guardiola’s feud with Raiola dates back to the Catan’s time managing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barcelona

Pep believes his time at the Nou Camp showed him that, whenever City clinch the title, becoming champions will only make next season more difficult.

ALSO READ  Lucas Torreira's possible Arsenal shirt number as midfielder prepares for Gunners switch

He explained: “Never is it going to happen again that. Never. Eighteen games won in a row? No way. It’s impossible.

“The opponents want to beat you, you’re a little bit more relaxed, the big achievement is already done so your intensity is sometimes [lower].

“I have experience of that. I was in Barcelona four years and handled when you win, you win, you win – it’s so more demanding. Next season will be so, so complicated for us. That is not going to happen again. It’s impossible.”

 

 

 

Advertisement
Comments

Sports

Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

Published

on

By

Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

ALSO READ  Thiago Silva extends chelsea contract to 2023

Continue Reading

Sports

Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

Published

on

By

 

Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

ALSO READ  Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus turns down new £90,000-a-week deal to wait until summer for negotiations

His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

Continue Reading

Sports

“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

Published

on

By

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

ALSO READ  Iwobi reveals best Nigerian player in EPL

In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

ALSO READ  Odegaard leads Arsenal to top of the premier league

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Tweets by ‎@megaiconmagg

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Trending