Sports
Guardiola Urges Swift Resolution For City’s Financial Allegations
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, expressed his desire for the swift resolution of the over 100 Premier League charges leveled against the club for suspected financial irregularities.
City who recently clinched their third consecutive English top-flight title, were referred to an independent commission in February to face accusations of 115 rule breaches spanning from 2009 to 2018.
In addition to the allegations of financial irregularities, Manchester City has also been accused by the Premier League of lacking cooperation since the investigation commenced in December 2018.
The charges leveled against the club are vehemently denied by City, but due to the substantial nature of the accusations and the potential consequences if found guilty, it is anticipated that the case may endure an extended duration.
Pep Guardiola, who is currently leading Manchester City’s pursuit of a trophy treble this season, is eager to prevent any lingering uncertainty from overshadowing their accomplishments.
Guardiola is adamant about resolving the investigation into the club’s alleged financial irregularities swiftly in order to ensure that their achievements are not tarnished.
But the Catalan, who has a contract until 2025, stressed he would not walk away from the club while the charges remain unresolved.
“What I would like is if the Premier League and judges could make something as soon as possible, then if we have done something wrong everybody will know it,” he said on the eve of Wednesday’s match against Brighton.
“And if we are like we believe as a club for many years, in the right way, then the people will stop talking about that..We would love it tomorrow, this afternoon better than tomorrow.
“Hopefully, they are not so busy and the judges can see both sides and decide what is the best because, in the end, I know what we won, we won fairly on the pitch and we don’t have any doubts.”
Manchester City, since their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, have faced previous scrutiny regarding financial matters. In 2014, the club was fined 60 million euros ($64 million) for violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Subsequently, in February 2020, they received a two-year ban from UEFA competitions due to “serious breaches” of the financial fair play regulations.
However, the sanction was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that same year. Despite the overturning of the ban, CAS did find City guilty of impeding investigations and imposed a fine of 10 million euros on the club.
Sports
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.
Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.
READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.
Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.
After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.
Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.
Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Sports
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.
This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.
Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.
Sports
Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.
This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.
READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release
The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.
Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.
With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.