John Mikel Obi: The Boy that Never Became a Man

All these attempts to pass off Mikel as a legend is just laughable. Mikel is neither a legend at club level or at national team level. At club and national level, he could be missing and the show would still go on. Whatever legendary status he almost had perished with his performance as one of Siasia's young talents. After that, his career never really picked up.
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When he joined Chelsea, we all had high hopes for him. But he never grew up. He became that benchwarmer who was only used when a player was injured or when a new signing was taking too long to adapt to the style of play. That's not a legend.

What Sir Alex Ferguson Said About New ManU Boss Jose Mourinho

JOSE MOURINHO has always seen Sir Alex Ferguson as a mentor and something of an idol.

Mourinho and Ferguson during
the Portuguese's first spell at Chelsea

The Portuguese, who was officially announced as the new Manchester United manager after months of speculation, has often called the Scottish great ‘boss’ as a sign of respect.

In his first interview as Manchester United manager, Mourinho said he was ready to take over a “giant club” and said he preferred to forget the past three years and instead look at the great years - a reference to Ferguson’s trophy-laden 27 years.

But the pair didn’t always see eye-to-eye.

In fact their relationship was downright frosty when Mourinho first arrived at Chelsea and proclaimed himself as the ‘Special One’.

Here, SunSport looks back to pick out the best - and worst - things Ferguson has had to say about the new Manchester United boss....

Jan 2005, after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg

Liverpool 1 - Chelsea 1: Benteke header cancels out Hazard wonder goal

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE fired in a late equaliser as Liverpool came from behind to salvage a point against Chelsea.

Benteke headed beyond Asmir Begovic in injury time from Sheyi Ojo's delivery.

Begovic flapped at the cross putting it into Benteke's path as he canceled out Eden Hazard's brilliant opener.

The Chelsea star had scored after 32 minutes.

LEICESTER CITY ARE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS - Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham

The Tottenham players look broken, distraught. At half-time they must have had real belief but Chelsea showed their class in the end

With Tottenham's draw, 5,000-1 underdog Leicester City clinches stunning Premier League title.

Chelsea goalscorer Eden Hazard, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's always good to score in front of our fans. This game was very important for Chelsea. We deserved the draw. I don't care who is champions. Leicester deserve to be champions. It's good for the Premier League."

Chelsea captain John Terry: "Players are fighting for league titles, it’s emotions. Congratulations to Leicester because they have been superb this year.

"It still hurts us tonight losing the league after winning it last year. We weren’t here to beat Tottenham and stop them doing it, it hurts us conceding it to Leicester but we will be back next year.

TIME FOR CHANGE: Wenger protesters clash during Arsenal game

Arsenal fans opposed to long-serving manager Arsene Wenger were drowned out by supporters backing him during the north London club's Premier League home game with Norwich City on Saturday.

In a pre-planned protest, hundreds of fans held up A4 posters bearing the words "TIME FOR CHANGE" in the 12th minute of the game at the Emirates Stadium, in a nod to Arsenal's 12-year league title drought.

But in response thousands of fans chanted "There's only one Arsene Wenger!", with some holding aloft placards in support of the under-fire Frenchman.

No Deal Between United And Mourinho - Sky Sources

No agreement has been reached between Manchester United and Jose Mourinho over the manager's job at Old Trafford reports Sky Sports News HQ. 

Jos Mourinho is reportedly keen on the post should United look to replace Louis van Gaal in the summer.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss reportedly signed agreement with the Manchester United as speculation continues to surround Van Gaal's future despite the Dutchman leading United to their first FA Cup final for nine years and with them still in contention for a place in next season's Champions League.

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Laurent Blanc is another linked with the post but Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino is out of the running after agreeing a new five-year deal with the Londoners.

Champions League: #ManCity need leap of faith against Real Madrid

Until this season Manchester City's progression in the Champions League could be measured in baby steps but on Tuesday they can make a huge leap forward when they host Real Madrid in their first European semi-final for 45 years.

The Abu Dhabi-backed English club have already broken new ground this season, moving past the last 16 stage that proved their limit for the past two seasons having failed even to survive the group stage prior to that.

In seeing off Paris St Germain, who have similar financial muscle, in the quarter-finals they delivered a powerful statement of intent to reach their first semi-final since a European Cup Winners' Cup defeat by Chelsea in 1971.

Musa Poised To Break Transfer Record as Leicenster City ready to pay more

The Nigerian Super Eagles and CSKA Moscow star Ahmed Musa is poised to break the transfer record if his transfer to the English Premier League materializes this summer.

“CSKA are in talks with two clubs from the English Premier League Leicester City and Tottenham,” a source confirmed from Russia.  

It has been reported that Leicester City are willing to splash €30 million to sign the pacy striker from the Muscovites, while Tottenham Hotspur have made a bid in the region of €25 million.

“For Ahmed it is a priority to transfer to the London team. However, in this situation, not everything will depend on the willingness of the player.

Man Utd are suffering, says Louis van Gaal

LOUISE VAN GAAL

Manchester United are "suffering" after six matches in 18 days, said boss Louis van Gaal following his side's 2-1 Champions League win over Wolfsburg.

Juan Mata's first-half penalty and Chris Smalling's 53rd-minute goal gave United their first Group B victory.

The Premier League leaders, who visit Arsenal on Sunday, had to hold on as Wolfsburg pressed for an equaliser.

Van Gaal admits he is not the same type of manager as Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, having required different challenges throughout his 24-year career. While Ferguson led Manchester United for 26 years and Wenger celebrated his 19th anniversary at Arsenal on Thursday, the Dutchman’s longest tenure at any club is six years.

BREAKING: Diego Costa on Tuesday to fly to London for contract signature and medical tests with Chelsea

Diego Costa on Tuesday to fly to London for contract signature and medical tests with Chelsea FC. Chelsea already have agreed deal to sign Diego Costa.

Ahmed Musa Impresses Reds Scout

According to British Tabloid, The Metro, Ahmed Musa's two goals against Argentina might earn him a move to Liverpool after impressing the Merseyside outfit scout who watched the Super Eagles lose 3-2 to Argentina.

Aside from the team's scout watching Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly a fan of Musa, and he’ll definitely be an even bigger admirer when he sees the manner in which Musa took his goals. Liverpool Scouts Fernando Troiani and Stephen Aptroot watched Musa draw Nigeria level twice with two well taken strike in the fourth minute and 47th minute respectively to match Lionel Messi before Marcos Rojo scored what ended up being Argentina's winner three minutes later.

Vincent Enyeama: We are ready for Iran and that is what is on our minds at the moment; bonus issue is sorted out, Brazilians mob Mikel, Osaze, Moses

Riod de Janeiro — Nigeria's World Cup players, the Super Eagles were each offered a $102,500 incentive to win the World Cup, with the NFF saying it had reached an agreement with the squad over their traditionally troublesome bonus payments.

The Nigeria Football Federation claimed that the latest World Cup bonuses had been sorted out, but only announced it on the eve of Monday's opening game against Iran. Adding that each player will get $10,000 each for every group stage win at the World Cup, $12,500 for winning in the round of 16, another $15,000 for winning a quarterfinal, $20,000 for the semifinals and $25,000 for lifting the trophy.

There had been signs of discontent among the squad this week and David Mark, senate president, visited the squad at its base in the city of Campinas, north of Sao Paulo to mediate.

U.S beats African Champions 2-1

Jozy Altidore insists his six-month scoreless streak never bothered him. No sleepless nights. No feelings of frustration. Not even a bit of worry it would stretch into the World Cup. His coach believes otherwise. Whatever the case, Altidore and the United States won't have to deal with that story line in Brazil.

Altidore scored a pair of goals to lead the United States over Nigeria 2-1 Saturday night in the Americans' World Cup send-off match.

Brazil 2014: Why Jose Mourinho tips Eagles and Elephants

Chelsea Boss, Jose Mourinho, has tipped the Super Eagles of  Nigeria and the Elephants of Ivory Coast as the African countries to reach the second round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. The African champions, Nigeria, are in Group D alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Portuguese coach expects the Super Eagles to finish in second position behind the South Americans.

He opted to pick Nigeria to qualify behind Argentina and ahead of Bosnia and Iran based on the fact that they have a Chelsea player in John Obi Mikel. "I'll do the same I did in Group A. I'll have to say Argentina has to be the group winner. What makes me decide in favour of Nigeria is the fact that I have one player there (John Obi Mikel). I'll pick Nigeria as the runner-up," Mourinho said on Yahoo's Dirty Tackle.

Full list: Keshi releases Nigeria’s final 23-man team for Brazil 2014 World Cup

Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has released his list of 23 players for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Find the list below:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille/FRA), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United), Austin Ejide

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco/FRA), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC/SCO), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor/TUR), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough/ENG), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC/ISR), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City/ENG)

Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG),Ogenyi Onazi, Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Gabriel Reuben (Beveren/BEL), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis/SPA), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia/FRA), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge/BEL)

Brazil 2014: Cameroon fight back to draw Germany

Germany Senior National Team were held to a 2-2 draw by Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Sunday evening in their penultimate warm-up match before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

Thomas Muller and Andre Schurrle looked to have put Joachim Low's side on course for victory when they struck to swiftly overturn Samuel Eto'o's 62nd-minute opener in Monchengladbach.

However, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalised 12 minutes from time to send the visitors away with a positive result after an equally positive performance, which raised more questions about the strength of the Germany defense. Germany face Armenia in their final pre-World Cup friendly on Friday before flying out to Brazil next Saturday, and Low must decide today which 23 players he will be taking with him on that trip. Low gave Erik Durm his international debut at left-back in a defensive like which would otherwise be a good bet for Germany's Group G opener against Portugal.

Super Eagles will Break Records in Brazil - Kenneth Omeruo

Super Eagles' defender Kenneth Omeruo sees no reason why the Eagles cannot become the first African side to progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Speaking during an exclusive chat with FIFA.com said: "I'm hoping we'll get to the final. But I think at least the semi-finals."

Nigeria Eagles are the current African Champions. That continental win means Nigeria will head into a World Cup as champions of Africa, just as they did 20 years ago. As at USA 1994, and 2002 and 2010, they were drawn in a group with South American heavyweights Argentina, along with Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Omeruo Told FIFA.COM : “I remember watching the World Cup in South Africa,  it was disappointing that we didn't come out of the group in 2010. We’ll have to play for the Nigerian fans because it was a massive welcome when we won the African Cup of Nations. They showed us how much they love football and how much they are behind us, so we have to play for them.

BRAZIL 2014: This is Mikel's World Cup - Jay Jay Okocha

With exactly 28 days to the kick off of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, Nigeria's most talented footballer ever, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, yesterday insisted that Chelsea stalwart, John Mikel Obi, now has an opportunity to take his rightful place in the country's football hall of Fame.
Okocha made the statement at the launching of Super Eagles' World Cup theme song at the Globacom Headquarters, Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, Lagos yesterday, the former Bolton Wanderer mercurial playmaker said Mikel must prove to Nigerian football fans he truly deserve to lead the team.

Champions League: Chelsea 1- 3 Atletico Madrid (LIVE)

GOAL! Diego Costa keeps his cool from the spot. @chelseafc 1-2 @Atleti (agg: 1-2) #UCL
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 30, 2014

GOAL: Chelsea 1 Atletico 1. #CFCLive
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) April 30, 2014

Chelsea 1 Atletico 0 on 35 mins. Great work by Ivanovic, Willian and Azpilicueta and a crisp, low first-time finish from Fernando! #CFCLive
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) April 30, 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo Emerges Highest Goal Scorer ever in Champions League

Real Madrid Star and World football best, Cristiano Ronaldo has broken Lionel Messi's goals record for a single Champions League season following his double in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old's two goals in his side's superb second-leg victory at the Allianz Arena took his tally for the 2013-14 season to 16. He has now netted one more than Messi's previous record, with the Argentine registering 14 times in 11 games during the 2011-12 tournament.