Sports
Sterling, Chilwell not training with Chelsea first team, Maresca says
England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are training apart from Chelsea’s first team, manager Enzo Maresca said on Wednesday as British media reports linked them with moves away from the Premier League club.
Sterling and Chilwell, who missed Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League loss to champions Manchester City, may struggle to get playing time if they choose to remain at Chelsea, Maresca said.
“In this moment, they are training apart,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League playoff tie against Swiss side Servette.
“We have a big squad, for me it’s impossible to give everyone minutes. So if they’re looking for minutes, probably it is better to leave.”
Maresca said Sterling, who has played 59 league games for Chelsea since joining in 2022, was not the kind of winger he wanted.
“I’m not saying he’s not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers.
“I spoke with Raheem before Manchester City, I said that he is going to struggle to get minutes with us. With (Chilwell), I said he is a lovely guy but with his position, he’s going to struggle with us. It’s not brutal, it’s honest.
“It’s not a comfortable situation… I think it is good to know that if you want to stay, you will struggle to get minutes… but in a few days or weeks it can be a better situation because you move and you join a club where you will get more minutes,” he added.
The manager said he did not meet Sterling after the match against City.
“In case I sit with Raheem I will tell him exactly the same things that I already told him,” he said.
Maresca said Captain Reece James will miss Thursday’s match due to a hamstring injury.
“We try to win every game we play. Against Man City, I don’t think the intention was to win the game, but we tried to win that game… and tomorrow is a game, that we will try to win, and hopefully we can win,” he added. (Reuters/NAN)
The Flying Eagles will come up against the firepower of the Junior Atlas Lions of Morocco after the North Africans fought from a goal down to beat Kenya 3-2 in their Group B game of the 2025 U20 AFCON.
The Flying Eagles have expressed confidence of flying high at the U20 AFCON in Egypt after they opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Tunisia.
On Thursday, Akwa United youngster Auwal Ibrahim ‘Germany’ was Man of the Match, gave Nigeria the maximum points against the Junior Cartage Eagles, who gave as much as they got from their Nigerian counterparts.
Captain Daniel Bameyi said after the win that they are now looking forward to another win against Morocco on Sunday night.
“It is on to the next game. We hope to win and go top of our group on our way to qualifying for the World Cup and winning the tournament,” the Bayelsa United central defender said.
Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu said the win over Tunisia is great for team’s confidence.
“The first game of a competition is often difficult and to get the three points was very important,” he said.
“This will help with our confidence. Nigerians should continue to support and pray for the team and we promise not to let them down.”
The Flying Eagles are seeking a record-extending eighth U20 AFCON title in Egypt.
Morocco fell behind to the Rising Stars of Kenya in the second match in Group B, before they rallied back to win despite missing a penalty and losing two players to injury
Othmane Maamma was Man of the Match for Morocco to go top of the standings by virtue of having scored more goals than the Flying Eagles.
The Super Eagles forward will be one of the main transfer attractions when top European clubs whip out their purses for purchases in the summer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is poised for a high-profile summer transfer, with Spanish giants Atlético Madrid among the clubs vying for his signature.
Despite having a contract with Atalanta that runs until June 2027, the Nigerian international is expected to depart Bergamo at the end of the season.
The Serie A club are reportedly willing to sell the 27-year-old if their €60 million (£51.5m) valuation is met, with several European powerhouses monitoring the situation.
According to Spanish outlet Marca via Les-transferts, Atlético Madrid have already opened discussions with Lookman’s representatives.
While Diego Simeone’s side reportedly believes Atalanta’s asking price is steep, they are seriously considering a move after being impressed by Lookman’s prolific campaign.
An all-English Europa League final is looming after Manchester United defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 and Tottenham Hotspur prevailed 3-1 against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday.
Casemiro’s header and Bruno Fernandes’ brace led United to a dominant victory in Spain, leaving them in a comfortable position for the semi-final return leg next Thursday at their Old Trafford stadium.
Bilbao were down to 10 men in the 35th minute as Dani Vivian was sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund in the box.
The foul resulted in a penalty converted by Fernandes for his first goal.
Tottenham also didn’t have trouble to take the home win against Bodø/Glimt.
First-half goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison secured them a 2-0 lead and Dominic Solanke added a third from the spot after the break.
Ulrik Saltnes’ late goal, however, will keep Bodø/Glimt’s hopes of a comeback alive for the second leg at home.
United have won the Europa League once, in 2017, while Tottenham have won the trophy twice when the competition was known as UEFA Cup.(NAN)