Category: Sport

Chelsea summer signing Jadon Sancho has been accused of “falling back into his old ways” following his move from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The England international failed to live up to expectations at Man Utd and had a major fallout with former boss Erik ten Hag at the start of last season.

Following this clash, Sancho was banished from the first team and sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund during this year’s winter transfer window.

Sancho returned to Man Utd in the summer and featured for Ten Hag’s side during pre-season, but he joined Chelsea on loan towards the end of the window.

The 24-year-old made a strong start to this season as he grabbed an assist in each of his first three Premier League games for Chelsea.

Sancho did not feature in Chelsea’s last three Premier League games before the international break as it’s understood that he had fitness issues. Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara has subsequently accused the winger of “falling back into his own ways”.

“Jadon Sancho’s been given an opportunity at Chelsea to prove people wrong, but it hasn’t happened yet,” O’Hara said in an interview with Grosvenor Sport.

READ: Top 10 all-time Premier League managers list has Guardiola at 2)

“Manchester United spent a lot of money on him and it didn’t work out, so he’s gone to Chelsea and showed signs of brilliance and confidence at the start, but he seems to have fallen back into his old ways since then.

“I think the problem with Sancho at Chelsea is that there are better players than him in that squad – Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke are more influential than him. He needs to try and produce moments when he gets the chance to impress, or he’ll stay where he is in the pecking order.

“It’s always going to be difficult when there’s a big group of attacking players in the same squad, but I think Enzo Maresca has worked out that Sancho isn’t as good as a lot of them.”

O’Hara has also hit out at France international Christopher Nkunku, who has been linked with Man Utd amid his lack of game time in recent weeks.

The pundit has explained why the forward needs to stop “moaning” and “deal with it” so he can earn a spot in Enzo Maresca’s team.

“Chelsea should absolutely not be selling Christopher Nkunku,” O’Hara added.

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“He’s a top player and they can’t be getting rid of him in January. I don’t know what he’s moaning about to be honest – I know he’s not playing week in and week out in the Premier League, but that’s fair play to the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer.

“Nkunku just has to deal with it – he was injured all of last season and has come back this year, so he needs to fight his way back into the team.

“Chelsea are doing well and are in a good place at the moment, so Nkunku just needs to accept it and fight for his position. Big clubs need top players in every position, so I can’t see Chelsea cashing in on him.

“Manchester City have top players in every area twice over, so if Chelsea want to get to that kind of level, then stuff like this is just part and parcel of being successful.”

A football finance expert has predicted when the public will “hear” an update regarding Manchester City’s ongoing Financial Fair Play case.

At the start of 2023, the Premier League holders were charged with breaching over 100 FFP rules. They were referred to an independent commission following a four-year probe into their conduct between 2009 and 2018.

Man City have insisted on their innocence. However, if they are found guilty they could be given a huge fine, transfer ban, points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola‘s side have consistently butted heads with the Premier League while this situation has been ongoing and fought back earlier this year.

This came as they launched an unprecedented legal battle against the Premier League as they campaigned for the removal of Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.

If Man City were successful, this had the potential to dramatically alter their FFP situation.

READ: Ruben Amorim already above Mikel Arteta in Premier League manager rankings

City’s APT hearing has already concluded. While the verdict has not forced the rules to be removed, it was deemed that a couple of components of the regulations were unlawful.

The Premier League have proposed new rules, but Man City remain adamant that these regulations are unlawful and they are attempting to block a ‘crucial vote’, which is scheduled for Friday.

It has been revealed that Man City have been ‘backed up’ by Aston Villa. A report from The Telegraph explained.

‘Aston Villa have rallied behind Manchester City in the intensifying associated-party transaction (APT) row by writing to Premier League clubs “strongly recommending” Friday’s vote is postponed.

‘Telegraph Sport has previously reported how Villa’s ownership has grown increasingly sympathetic towards the Abu Dhabi-owned club’s cause, but a written intervention ahead of the crunch vote is seen by rivals as significant.

‘Three arguments are understood to have been raised by Villa as the club suggest a postponement: fresh potential legal challenges, ongoing uncertainties around the tribunal’s findings and also further changes to the rule book after the introduction of the independent regulator.’

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In an interview with Football Insider, former Everton chairman Keith Wyness provided a ‘major update’ on Man City, claiming ‘the public may not hear anything about the 115 charges case until Easter in 2025’.

Wyness said: “I’ve looked in my diary and we’re coming into the 10th week of the hearing now.

“They’d always thought it could take around 12 weeks, so we’re looking at the end of the month or the start of December for it to finish.

“There is then Christmas, deliberations, examining witness statements, etc. So I don’t think we’ll get anywhere close to hearing anything until Easter.

“That will be around March, and that’s when I expect to hear about some movement.

“It certainly seems to be dragging on forever. It’s a lot of evidence, a lot of examination – but we’re getting towards the end.”

Ukraine defeated Albania 2-1 in the final match of the Nations League. Goals by Zinchenko and Yaremchuk early in the game brought the victory and second place in the group, which gives the right to play in the playoffs.

Yesterday, the national team of Ukraine narrowly defeated the Albanian national team in the final 6th round of the 2020-2025 Nations League. This victory allowed Ukraine to overtake the national teams of Albania and Georgia in the standings, which allowed the Ukrainian team to take second place in the group, which allows them to play in the playoffs for the exit to League A, with the team that took third place in League A, reports UNN.

Details

Preliminarily, Ukraine's rivals for promotion may be the national teams of Belgium, Scotland, Hungary and Serbia. The playoff draw will take place on November 22 (starting at 13:00 Kyiv time) in Nyon, Switzerland. The matches are scheduled for March 20 and 23, 2025.

Ukraine scored against Albania in the 4th minute of the match. Vitaliy Mykolenko went down the flank, passed to Roman Yaremchuk, who played with Georgiy Sudakov, and received a pass back. The forward shot on goal, but the ball hit the Albanian defender, but the leather successfully flew to the foot of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who scored exactly in the corner. After scoring the goal, which became Zinchenko's 10th, the footballer showed off a T-shirt with the number “1000”.

The moment with the T-shirt? It was an initiative of the entire team, because we realize what a day it is today. Our heroes have been defending our country for 1000 days, 1000 days of unbreakable Ukraine. I can't describe the feelings I have inside me. I can't imagine, even when I'm in England, how hard it is for our people all the time. I hope that the peaceful sky will come soon enough. The game. The result came first and we achieved it, we will fight for the A League. Of course, we had a lot of responsibility, first of all because of the game against Georgia. We felt the pressure, but the main thing is that we won

– commented on the episode after the fight.

Within 3 minutes Roman Yaremchuk scored his 17th goal for the national team, after Yukhym Konoplya's header was cleared off the line.

We started the game quite actively, played our football and forced Albania to make mistakes. I can't say that Albania wasn't determined, no. It was us who demonstrated that we have a completely different level. This made us play well, and we were able to win today

– Yaremchuk commented on the game.

Head coach Serhiy Rebrov said after the match that the game was very hard.

“We had a very tough group, all the teams played at Euro 2024. I'm grateful to the players for making it to the playoffs, it was very difficult. The Albanian national team, with the support of the fans, showed its strength in the second half.

It is very good that we kept this score. We had a very even group, all the teams were of a high level. That's why we fought until the last round. I don't think all our failures were due to the game.

It was an equal fight, even the first match against Albania. Both we and the opponent had their moments. It is very important that today the guys came out for the decisive game with a completely different attitude and showed our strength,” said Rebrov.

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In the middle of the first half, right back Yukhym Konoplya landed badly on his leg, but was able to continue playing after being treated by doctors. But in the 76th minute, Rebrov replaced Konoplya. Rukh defender Oleksiy Sych made his debut instead of the Shakhtar Donetsk defender.

If you saw, today Oleksiy Sych, who was not preparing to play for the national team, came on the field and was called up later. But he came on the field and played at a very high level

– Rebrov commented on Sych's debut.

Sych himself said that his appearance on the field was quite unexpected for him.

“Going out on the field? It happened quite unexpectedly for me. The emotions are just incredible. I think it is a dream for every player to make his debut for the first team. This dream has come true for me – thanks to the coach and the team for trusting me. It was a tough game. With the score 2-1, we had to keep this victory. The guys, the whole team, gave their all to win,” said Sych.

Recall

Earlier, UNN told you everything you need to know about the decisive match of the Nations League.

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Premier League giants Arsenal have been backed to “cash in” on three players “not in” head coach Mikel Arteta’s “plans” in the coming months.

The Gunners are under pressure to pick up positive results in the coming weeks as they are winless in four Premier League games. This places them 11th in the form table.

Several Arsenal stars are underperforming and need to step up if they are to close the gap on table-toppers Liverpool, who are nine points clear of Mikel Arteta‘s side.

Arteta will likely be looking to tinker with his squad in the upcoming transfer windows. In an interview with Football Insider, former Premier League scout Mick Brown claims Arsenal are ‘ready to sell’ Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney.

“There are three players at the club they’d be looking to sell,” Brown told Football Insider.

“And that’s Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney. They’re not in the manager’s plans. When it comes to sales, you have to look at who your assets are.”

READ: Arsenal invincible ‘wishes’ Arteta would sign Liverpool star after ‘exciting’ summer links – exclusive

“We know there’s been interest in Saliba, for example, but I think he’s one of the last players they’d ever consider selling for any sort of money.

“If they feel they need to raise money, they’ve got these players who they’re far more likely to turn to. That’ll take a big chunk off of the wage bill and help them to reinvest in strengthening their squad.

“Sometimes the way it works is you’ve got to let some fringe players leave, raise a bit of money from them, and then refresh the squad with new backup options.

“It seems counterproductive, but it helps to keep the squad fresh and provide new options. Especially if you don’t think they’re good enough to play a role any more, or if you’ve got better options in their positions. So first are foremost, these are the players I expect they’ll cash in on.“

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Martin Odegaard’s recent injury seriously hampered Arsenal and Gunners expert Charles Watts thinks Lyon star Rayan Cherki – who is a target of Liverpool – would be a suitable replacement for the talented midfielder.

“Lyon’s plight is a sad one. Obviously, there is an Arsenal connection there with Alexandre Lacazette and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, so you hope they come through it.” Watts said.

“Should the worst happen and they do get punished with relegation then you would imagine some of their best players would come onto the market, with Rayan Cherki at the top of that list.

“I’ve not been told of any Arsenal interest when it comes to Cherki, but you would think that top clubs across Europe would be open to him as a market opportunity should it arise.

“He fits the type of profile Arsenal like to go for when it comes to new signings and there is a need to add another playmaker to the squad, as has been highlighted by Martin Odegaard’s absence.

“So it might be one to keep an eye on. Although the rumours are right now that Liverpool could be the club to watch when it comes to Cherki.”

According to reports, Manchester City snubbed Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim while they were “succession planning” for Pep Guardiola’s exit.

Guardiola‘s future has been in doubt of late as his current contract is due to expire at the end of this season.

The Man City boss has been in charge since 2016. He has helped them win the Premier League six times and the Champions League once.

The Spaniard has been linked with several jobs in recent months as he ponders his next move but it was revealed on Tuesday night that he has ‘agreed to sign’ a new contract.

The Athletic‘s Sam Lee revealed: ‘Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has agreed a new one-year contract extension with the option of an additional year.

‘The 53-year-old’s existing City deal was due to expire at the end of this season and, if the new terms are fulfilled, it would take Guardiola to over a decade in charge of the club.

‘An official announcement confirming the new contract is expected in the coming days.’

READ: Man City ‘priority’ target prefers Man Utd after ‘speaking with Ruben Amorim’ in ‘major coup’

The uncertainty surrounding Guardiola came at a difficult time for Man City. They are still facing alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules as their case against the Premier League is ongoing.

City have also had to deal with director of football Txiki Begiristain announcing that he would be leaving at the end of this season.

Guardiola is close with Begiristain and it was feared that the head coach would follow his compatriot in leaving Man City at the end of this season, but this will not be happening.

Man City moved quickly to replace Begiristain as they have appointed Hugo Viana, who has left Sporting Lisbon to join the Premier League side.

Viana’s move to Man City fuelled speculation surrounding Amorim being the manager chosen to replace Guardiola.

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Amorim exited the Man City picture earlier this month as was appointed to replace Erik ten Hag at Man Utd.

After the reveal on Tuesday evening concerning Guardiola, a report from journalist Ben Jacobs revealed why Man City did not consider Amorim a top target to replace their beloved head coach.

Jacobs said: “City confident since October that Pep would stay. As reported, all parties have been working since then towards Pep signing in November.

“Hugo Viana also aware of this before accepting the sporting director role. Was not under the impression from interview or talks that an imminent manager change would occur.

“Pep was coy on his future over the summer, but #MCFC always calm he would extend.

“Although City have succession planning in place, like all well-run clubs, there was no outreach to other managers, including Ruben Amorim, who City sources insist is not a stylistic fit. Official confirmation expected this week.”

The Ukrainian national soccer team defeated Albania 2-1 in a Nations League match. Thanks to this victory and the Czech Republic's win over Georgia, Ukraine took second place in the group and qualified for the playoffs for a place in Division A.

Ukraine's men's national football team defeated Albania in the group stage of the Nations League, which allowed it to qualify for the playoffs for a place in the top division. This was reported by the Ukrainian Football Association, UNN reports.

Details

In order to keep their chances of promotion, the Ukrainians had to win, as a defeat would automatically send the team to Division C. And they fulfilled the task perfectly, opening the scoring in the 7th minute thanks to a goal by Oleksandr Zinchenko. Three minutes later, Roman Yaremchuk doubled the Ukrainians' lead.

Albania was able to respond in the 75th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick and cut the deficit to 1-2.

The match ended in a victory for Ukraine.

Thanks to this success and the Czech Republic's parallel victory over Georgia, the Ukrainian national team climbed to second place in the group, giving it a chance to continue its fight for the playoffs to reach Division A of the Nations League.

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According to reports, Manchester City have been ‘joined’ by rivals Aston Villa as the Associated Party Transaction ‘row is intensifying’.

At the start of 2023, Man City were charged with breaching over 100 of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules.

This followed a four-year probe into their conduct between 2009 and 2018. If they are found guilty, they could be given a huge fine, points deduction, transfer ban or expulsion from the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola‘s side have insisted on their innocence and fought back against the Premier League in the summer as they campaigned for the removal of APT rules.

While City’s FFP case remains ongoing, their APT hearing has already concluded. They did not force the rules to be removed, but a couple of components of the current regulations were deemed unlawful.

In response, the Premier League have ‘proposed changes to sponsorship rules’. However, Man City subsequently ‘launched another stinging attack’, insisting these rules are also ‘unlawful’.

READ: Man City stars reassigned after FFP ‘expulsion’: Foden to Chelsea as Arsenal land centre-back

The tension between Man City and the Premier League is unlikely to ease anytime soon and a report from The Telegraph revealed Aston Villa have ‘backed’ their rivals.

It is claimed that they have ‘urged the Premier League to postpone Friday’s crucial APT vote’.

‘Aston Villa have rallied behind Manchester City in the intensifying associated-party transaction (APT) row by writing to Premier League clubs “strongly recommending” Friday’s vote is postponed.

‘Telegraph Sport has previously reported how Villa’s ownership has grown increasingly sympathetic towards the Abu Dhabi-owned club’s cause, but a written intervention ahead of the crunch vote is seen by rivals as significant.

‘Three arguments are understood to have been raised by Villa as the club suggest a postponement: fresh potential legal challenges, ongoing uncertainties around the tribunal’s findings and also further changes to the rule book after the introduction of the independent regulator.’

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The Times have backed up this report, saying Aston Villa have ‘joined’ Man City in ‘calling’ for Friday’s ‘watershed moment’ to be ‘postponed’.

‘The Premier League intends to press ahead with a vote on Associated Party Transactions (APT) despite Villa joining City in calling for it to be postponed.

‘City are understood to have been in touch with other clubs to try to get the necessary seven votes needed to block it.

‘Villa have written to the Premier League and the other 19 clubs in England’s top flight urging for the vote at Friday’s shareholders’ meeting to be put on hold.

‘However other clubs are determined that it should go ahead and one source said the outcome was “critical to the future of the Premier League”.

‘The row follows the legal challenge by Manchester City against APTs — brought after the league rejected a huge new Etihad sponsorship deal as being not of fair market value — in which the club claimed victory on some key points.

‘The independent tribunal has yet to provide full clarification on the status of the league’s APT rules after its judgment.’

Rafael Nadal ended his professional career with a defeat to Botik van de Zandshulp in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. The Spaniard lost to the Dutch tennis player 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Rafael Nadal ended his career with a defeat in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. This was reported by NUR.KZ, according to UNN.

Details

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal was defeated in the last match of his professional career, opening the Davis Cup quarterfinal match between Spain and the Netherlands. Nadal's opponent was Dutch tennis player Botik van de Zandshulp, who is ranked 80th in the world rankings.

The match ended with a 6-4, 6-4 victory for van de Zandshulp. The match lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes.

For the 38-year-old Nadal, this match was his last at the professional level, as he had previously announced the end of his career.

It has been suggested that Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has “definitely” had “conversations” about leaving the Premier League holders.

Guardiola‘s long-term future is in doubt as he has entered the final year of his Man City contract.

In the summer, the Man City boss was mooted as a potential replacement for former England boss Gareth Southgate, but the FA opted to appoint Thomas Tuchel.

The Spaniard has also been mentioned as a candidate for the Brazil job and it remains to be seen whether he will commit his future to Man City.

The 53-year-old has been with Man City since 2016. He has helped them win the Premier League six times and the Champions League once.

Before this international break, Man City endured a rare rough patch under Guardiola as they lost four games in a row across all competitions. They were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur, AFC Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton. This run places them sixth in the Premier League form table.

READ: F36Skive: Can you name all 51 Premier League clubs since 1992?

Despite this, last week, a report from Football Insider claimed Guardiola has ‘reached an agreement in principle’ with Man City over a new contract.

‘The legendary Catalan boss is set to put pen to paper on a new one-year extension running until the summer of 2026.

‘Sources say the deal is “99% done” after new talks, with an official announcement expected soon.

‘Guardiola’s future has been the subject of widespread speculation but he insisted last month that he had not made a final decision.

‘City fans are now set to get clarity with the 53-year-old set to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium to ten years.’

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However, nothing has been confirmed and former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson says Guardiola has “definitely spoken to Brazil”.

“We know he has had conversations with them before,” Borson told Football Insider.

“I think [Brazil] are one of the options should he end up leaving City.

“Clearly, being out of contract will make things easier in that there will be no compensation to pay, so it would just be a negotiation between him and Brazil.

“I think it’s slightly surprising that we haven’t heard anything so far during this international break.

“This would be the time when you would expect Guardiola if he was going to stay at City, I think this would be the week that you would expect it to happen.

“We will have to see, but he definitely has spoken to Brazil, so we know that it is a possible option after City.

“The question is whether it will be now or at some other point in the future, but I definitely think the story is true.”

Today at 21:45, the Ukrainian national team will play Albania in the last match of the Nations League. A victory could put the team in second place in the group and give them a chance to be promoted to League A.

Today, at 21:45 Kyiv time, the Ukrainian national team will play its final Nations League match of the year against Albania in Tirana at the Air Albania Stadium. UNN decided to tell you where to watch the match, the starting lineups, and who is the bookmakers' favorite.

Ukraine has never played in this arena, but back in 2005, at the Kemal Stafa Stadium, where Air Albania was built, the Ukrainian national team played its only match on Albanian soil, defeating the hosts in the qualifiers for the historic 2006 World Cup 2-0.

The match can be watched live on the Megogo platform, and the Ukrainian national team will be broadcast live on T2 digital broadcasting by regional Suspilne TV channels. It is already known that Ukraine will play the match in a yellow kit. The Albanians will play in red.

For the match against the Albanians, the head coach of the national team made 4 substitutions: Anatoliy Trubin in goal, Ilya Zabarny and Mykola Matvienko in the center of defense, Vitaliy Mykolenko and Yukhym Konoplya on the flanks of defense. Ivan Kalyuzhnyi will play in the support area instead of Volodymyr Brazhko, Heorhiy Sudakov and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who replaces Mykola Shaparenko, will start in the center of midfield. Mykhailo Mudryk and Oleksiy Hutsulyak, who replaces Oleksandr Zubkov, will start on the attacking flanks. Roman Yaremchuk will play at the center of the attack instead of Artem Dovbyk.

Forward Vladyslav Vanat, who missed the previous match against Georgia due to injury, was not included in the squad.

The day before, the national team coach Serhiy Rebrov said that Vanat was recovering, but did not say for sure whether he would be able to take part in the match.

"Vanat is recovering. We will see. There are still 24 hours. Vlad came to the national team with a desire to play. We did not understand how long it would take him to recover from the injury. He wants to play for our country. There is still time, and I hope he will be ready," Rebrov said.

Ukraine, at the very least, needs to beat the Albanians to overtake them in the standings, which will allow it to take third place, which will allow it to play a match for retaining its League B registration with the team that took second place in League C.

Also, if the Czech Republic defeats Georgia and Ukraine defeats Albania, our team will take the second place, which will allow us to play in the butt matches for the A League against the team that took third place in the A League.

In the previous match, the Albanian national team narrowly defeated Ukraine (2:1). This victory was the first in the history of Albania in a confrontation with the Ukrainians. In total, Ukraine and Albania played 7 games, in which, as already mentioned, the Albanians won once, one was a draw, and Ukraine won the rest.

In this confrontation, bookmakers give a slight advantage to Ukraine – 2.3 odds. Albania's odds are 3.2, and the draw is 3.25.

The day before, the national team's forward Roman Yaremchuk emphasized that the Albanian national team is a pretty powerful team, but the players will focus on winning.

"We are playing away from home, and such matches are always different from home matches. Albania is a pretty powerful team. They have a good striker, a good defense line, and discipline in defense. We also have enough skilled players who can decide the fate of the match. We will focus on the fact that we need to win. We hope that we will have scoring chances to realize them. We want it to have a good psychological impact on us, so that each player relieves a little stress, feels confident and shows his best game," Yaremchuk said.

Portuguese João Pinheiro, who has already worked with Ukraine and Ukrainian teams, has been appointed as the main referee for the match. In particular, in September 2022, he officiated at the Armenia-Ukraine Nations League match, in which Ukraine recorded a 5-0 victory.

In early October of this year, the Portuguese refereed the Champions League group stage match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Italian side Atalanta, in which the Donetsk team suffered a crushing 0-3 defeat. In total, the Portuguese has already refereed six matches involving Ukrainian teams.

Recall

Ukraine's national team drew with Georgia in the fifth round of the UEFA Nations League group stage match. The match took place at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi.