Wednesday, June 11, 2025

What We Know: Latest English Premier League and German Bundesliga Signings

The summer 2025 transfer window has officially kicked off, and both the English Premier League (EPL) and German Bundesliga are buzzing with activity as clubs look to bolster their squads ahead of the 2025-26 season. With the FIFA Club World Cup adding an early registration period from June 1 to June 10, followed by the main window from June 16 to September 1, Premier League clubs have been particularly active, while Bundesliga sides are also making strategic moves to maintain their competitive edge. This blog post delves into the latest confirmed player signings, loans, and departures across various teams in both leagues, providing detailed insights into the transfers shaping the upcoming season.

Some Big Moves and Strategic Signings in the Premier League

The Premier League, known for its financial muscle and global appeal, has seen a flurry of activity as clubs aim to strengthen their squads following the 2024-25 season. Liverpool, fresh off their title-winning campaign, and other giants like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United have made headlines with high-profile signings, while newly promoted sides like Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland are also active. Below is a detailed look at some of the most notable transfers.

Liverpool: Replacing Legends and Building for the Future

Liverpool, under the stewardship of Arne Slot, have made significant moves to maintain their dominance after clinching the 2024-25 Premier League title. The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid for the Club World Cup was a blow, but the Reds have responded decisively.

Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen, £29.5m): Liverpool triggered the release clause for the Dutch right-back, who has signed a five-year contract. Frimpong’s pace, attacking flair, and versatility make him an ideal replacement for Alexander-Arnold. His 2024-25 Bundesliga campaign with Leverkusen, where he contributed to their Europa League qualification, showcased his ability to bomb forward and create chances. This signing has been widely praised as a coup for Liverpool, with fans excited about his potential to shine at Anfield.

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen, ~£115m): In a potential British transfer record-breaking move, Liverpool have reportedly secured the services of the German wonderkid Florian Wirtz. The attacking midfielder, long coveted by Europe’s elite, brings creativity and goal-scoring prowess to Liverpool’s midfield. His performances in the Bundesliga, where he was instrumental in Leverkusen’s 2023-24 title win, make this a statement signing. While the exact fee is still being finalized, it could surpass the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo.

 

Manchester City: Reinforcing for the Club World Cup

Manchester City, preparing for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and aiming to reclaim the Premier League title, have been strategic in their recruitment, focusing on depth and quality.

Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolves, undisclosed): The left-back’s move to City was confirmed early in the window, providing cover and competition for Josko Gvardiol. Aït-Nouri’s ability to play as a wing-back or traditional full-back adds tactical flexibility to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt, undisclosed transfer fee): City secured the signature of the Egyptian striker in January 2025, and he’s now set to feature prominently in their Club World Cup campaign. Marmoush’s pace and finishing could complement Erling Haaland, offering a different dynamic in attack.

Rayan Cherki (Lyon, undisclosed): The young French playmaker, known for his flair and vision, completed his move to Manchester City, fulfilling what he described as a “dream” transfer. Cherki’s versatility across attacking midfield and wide positions adds depth to City’s squad.

Chelsea: Youthful Ambition and Big Spending As Always

Chelsea’s transfer strategy continues to focus on young talent, with Todd Boehly’s ownership maintaining their reputation for splashing the cash. The Blues, who qualified for the Champions League after a top-five finish, have made several high-profile signings.

Liam Delap (Ipswich Town, £30m): Chelsea activated the release clause for the young striker after his impressive 12-goal season with relegated Ipswich. Delap’s physicality and goal-scoring instincts make him a long-term investment for the Blues, who see him as a potential star.

Kendry Paez (Independiente del Valle, £17.3m): Signed in June 2023 but joining this summer due to age restrictions, the Ecuadorian attacking midfielder has arrived with high expectations. Paez’s 13 goals in 70 games for Independiente highlight his potential as a future star.

Dario Essugo (Sporting Lisbon, £18.5m): The Portuguese midfielder, signed after a loan spell at Las Palmas, adds steel and dynamism to Chelsea’s midfield. His eligibility for the Club World Cup was a key factor in the timing of the transfer.

Mike Penders (Genk, £17m): The young goalkeeper, signed after a breakthrough season with Genk, is seen as a long-term successor to Chelsea’s current options. His contract runs until 2032, signaling the club’s faith in his potential.

Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, undisclosed): Chelsea beat out Manchester City for the signature of the French striker, whose pace and finishing could bolster their attack. This move reflects Chelsea’s ambition to compete on multiple fronts.

Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund, undisclosed): The young English winger, who impressed in the Bundesliga, joins Chelsea to add flair and depth to their wide options.

Manchester United: A New Era Under Amorim

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are undergoing a squad overhaul, with a focus on players who fit his high-intensity, possession-based system.

Matheus Cunha (Wolves, undisclosed): United activated Cunha’s release clause, bringing the Brazilian striker to Old Trafford. With 33 goals in 92 appearances for Wolves, Cunha’s versatility and work rate make him a perfect fit for Amorim’s system.

Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich, undisclosed): The Moroccan full-back, previously signed from Bayern, has proven to be a shrewd addition. His versatility and attacking output have earned praise, with many calling it one of United’s best recent transfer decisions.

Other Notable Premier League Signings

Arsenal: The Gunners have targeted RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, with talks ongoing for the Slovenian striker. Šeško’s 2024-25 Bundesliga campaign, where he was a standout for Leipzig, makes him a prime target to bolster Arsenal’s attack.

 

West Ham: The Hammers made Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan from Nice permanent for €40m after a successful 2024-25 season where he featured in 29 matches.

 

Sunderland: The promoted side triggered an obligation to buy Enzo Le Fee from Roma after his loan spell, adding creativity to their midfield as they aim to stay in the Premier League.

 

AFC Bournemouth: Dean Huijsen, the young centre-back, moved to Real Madrid, but Bournemouth’s recruitment has been bolstered by other signings to maintain their mid-table push.

 

Nottingham Forest: Murillo, the 22-year-old defender, has been a revelation, with his performances earning him accolades as a key difference-maker for the surprise package of the 2024-25 season.

Departures and Loans

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool to Real Madrid): The Liverpool vice-captain’s move to Real Madrid for the Club World Cup was a major talking point. His departure leaves a void at right-back, though Frimpong’s arrival softens the blow.

 

João Félix (Chelsea to AC Milan, loan): Despite his technical brilliance, Félix struggled for consistency at Chelsea, managing just one goal and one assist in the Premier League. His loan move to Milan aims to reignite his career.

 

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea): The midfielder, who shone under Enzo Maresca at Leicester, has seen limited minutes at Chelsea, logging just 259 Premier League minutes in 2024-25. His future remains uncertain.

 

Some Strategic Signings and Talent Retainership in the Bundesliga

The Bundesliga, while not matching the Premier League’s financial firepower, remains a hub for developing talent and making savvy signings. Bayern Munich, the 2024-25 champions, and other clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt have been active, though some key players have departed for the Premier League.

Bayern Munich: Building on Title Success

Bayern, crowned champions on May 4, 2025, after a dominant season, are preparing for the Club World Cup and the 2025-26 campaign with targeted signings.

New Faces for the Club World Cup: Bayern have agreed deals with Leverkusen and Hoffenheim to ensure new signings can feature in their tournament opener against Auckland City on June 15. While specific names are yet to be confirmed, Bayern’s focus is on reinforcing their attack and midfield to complement Harry Kane, the 2024-25 Bundesliga Player of the Season.

 

Departures: Noussair Mazraoui’s move to Manchester United and Omar Marmoush’s transfer to Manchester City in January 2025 have depleted Bayern’s squad, but the club is expected to reinvest in young talent to maintain Genesee County the damage.

 

 

Bayer Leverkusen: Losing Stars but Staying Competitive

Leverkusen, the 2023-24 champions, have lost key players but are rebuilding to remain competitive.

Departures: Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz moved to Liverpool, significant blows given their contributions to Leverkusen’s recent success. Frimpong’s £29.5m transfer and Wirtz’s potential £115m move highlight their value.

New Signings: Leverkusen have been linked with deals to bolster their squad for the Club World Cup, though specific names remain undisclosed. Their focus is on young, dynamic players to maintain their high-pressing style.

Borussia Dortmund: Preparing for the Future

Dortmund, set to face Fluminense in the Club World Cup, are focusing on squad depth.

Departures: Jamie Gittens, the young English winger, moved to Chelsea, leaving a gap in Dortmund’s attack.

New Faces: Dortmund are reportedly targeting versatile attackers to replace Gittens and support their Club World Cup campaign. No confirmed signings have been announced, but their recruitment strategy emphasizes youth and potential.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Losing Key Players

Departures: Omar Marmoush (to Manchester City) and Hugo Ekitike (to Chelsea) were significant losses. Both players were integral to Frankfurt’s attack, and their exits highlight the Bundesliga’s role as a feeder league for the Premier League.

New Signings: Frankfurt are expected to reinvest in attacking talent, with a focus on players who can replicate Marmoush and Ekitike’s output.

RB Leipzig: Šeško’s Potential Exit

Departures: Benjamin Šeško is heavily linked with Arsenal, with talks scheduled for his potential move. His departure would be a blow, given his standout performances in 2024-25.

New Signings: Leipzig are scouting replacements, with a focus on young strikers to maintain their attacking threat.

Trends and Analysis

Premier League’s Bundesliga Raids

The 2025 summer window has seen a notable trend of Premier League clubs targeting Bundesliga talent. Players like Frimpong, Wirtz, Šeško, Ekitike, Gittens, and Marmoush reflect the growing reputation of the Bundesliga as a breeding ground for top talent. However, the “Bundesliga tax” debate persists, with some signings like Timo Werner and Jean-Kevin Augustin struggling to adapt to the Premier League’s physicality, while others like Kai Havertz and Erling Haaland have thrived.

What FFP risks are being Considered

Premier League clubs are navigating Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, with Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim noting the constraints on their transfer activity due to missing out on the Champions League. This has led to a focus on strategic signings like Cunha and Mazraoui, who offer immediate impact within budget constraints.

Club World Cup Influence

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup has shaped the early transfer window, with clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich prioritizing signings eligible for the tournament. The June 1-10 registration period has accelerated deals, such as Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid and Liverpool’s acquisition of Frimpong.

To wrap up the forgoing, I will definitely say that the 2025 summer transfer window is shaping up to be a transformative period for both the Premier League and Bundesliga. Liverpool’s blockbuster signings of Frimpong and Wirtz signal their intent to dominate, while Manchester City and Chelsea are building versatile, youthful squads for the Club World Cup and beyond. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich remain a powerhouse, but the loss of key players to the Premier League underscores the competitive gap between the leagues. As the window progresses, expect more high-profile moves, with clubs balancing immediate needs with long-term ambitions. Stay tuned for more updates as the transfer market heats up in the coming days.

These transfer news was verified from Sky Sports, ESPN, and the official Premier League and Bundesliga websites

Images are google sourced!

Monday, June 9, 2025

NATIONS LEAGUE 2024: A Fun and Thrilling Display of Footballing Heroism and gallantry

It was a sweet journey of football experience as the 2024 UEFA Nations League came to a close on the 8th of June, 2025. It left fans worldwide in awe of the exceptional talent on display. As always, this edition of the prestigious tournament did not disappoint. It showcased electrifying matches, stunning upsets, and remarkable individual performances.

Some key moments to note about Key Players from the Finalists:

Spain's Emergence: Yamal and Pedri Shine

Spain's national team, under the guidance of their seasoned coach, demonstrated significant growth and cohesion throughout the tournament. Two players stood out, captivating audiences with their exceptional skill and vision on the pitch: Lamine Yamal and Pedri.

Yamal, the young and dynamic winger, consistently delivered outstanding performances, leaving defenders in his wake with his lightning-fast speed and razor-sharp footwork. His ability to create scoring opportunities and find space on the flanks made him a nightmare for opposing teams to deal with. Yamal's impact was felt throughout the tournament, and his star continues to rise on the international stage.

Pedri, the creative force behind Spain's midfield, showcased his remarkable talent with a series of match-winning displays. His exceptional passing range, vision, and control allowed him to dictate the tempo of games, often leaving opponents bewildered. Pedri's understanding with Yamal and other teammates was seamless, and their partnership played a significant role in Spain's success.

Portugal's Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes: Experience and Youth Combine

Portugal's campaign was marked by the perfect blend of experience and youthful exuberance, led by the inimitable Cristiano Ronaldo and the talented Nuno Mendes. Ronaldo, despite being one of the oldest players in the tournament, continued to defy expectations with his clinical finishing and leadership. His ability to score crucial goals and motivate his teammates was invaluable to Portugal's progression.

Nuno Mendes, the energetic and attack-minded left-back, brought a new dimension to Portugal's play. His overlapping runs, precise crosses, and defensive solidity made him a vital component of the team. Mendes' understanding with Ronaldo and other forwards was impressive, and his pace down the flank often caught opponents off guard.

Tourney's Key Moments

The 2024 UEFA Nations League was filled with unforgettable moments that will be etched in the memories of football fans for years to come. Some of the most notable include:

Spain's Thrilling Comeback: In a group stage match, Spain came from behind to defeat Germany 3-2 in a thrilling encounter that showcased the tournament's high standard.

Portugal's Dramatic Win: Portugal edged out France 2-1 in the semi-finals, with Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal in the dying minutes of the match.

The Final Showdown: Spain and Portugal clashed in the final, with Portugal emerging victorious through a 5:3 score on penalties. The penalties happened after a 2 all draw between them after a game that ended in extra time.


Other Standout Performances

While Yamal, Pedri, Ronaldo, and Nuno Mendes stole the headlines, other players also made significant contributions to their teams' success. Some notable mentions include:

Kevin De Bruyne also was once again a driving force behind Belgium's midfield, showcasing his exceptional passing range and vision.

Mbappe continued to terrorize defences with his speed and finishing ability, scoring crucial goals for France.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was instrumental in Italy's campaign, making several match-saving saves to keep his team in contention.

We can then conclude that the 2024 UEFA Nations League was an exhilarating display of footballing talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Portugal's emergence as champions was a testament to their growth and cohesion as a team, while individual performances from players like Yamal, Pedri, Ronaldo, and Nuno Mendes left fans in awe. As the football world looks forward to the next edition of the tournament, one thing is certain – the stage is set for more thrilling encounters and outstanding displays of skill.


Images are google sourced!

Sunday, June 8, 2025

2024/25 UEFA Champions League Recap and PSG Historic Win

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League was the 70th season of Europe’s elite club competition. It was historic with its introduction of the 36-team league phase format and a record 189 matches. The winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) claimed their first-ever title, defeating Inter Milan 5–0 in the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025 that most fans , marking the largest victory margin in a UCL final.

PSG, under Luis Enrique, finished 15th in the league phase (W4, D1, L3, 14 goals scored, 9 conceded) but shone in the knockouts, beating Brest (10–0 agg), Liverpool (4–1 pens), Aston Villa (5–4 agg), and Arsenal (3–1 agg) before the final rout.

Key Individual Performance Records

Top Scorers: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) led with 8 goals, including a hat-trick vs. Stuttgart and key strikes against Liverpool and Arsenal. Raphinha (Barcelona) also starred with 7 goals.

Top Assists: Raphinha and Dembélé tied with 6 assists each, with Raphinha leading big chances created.

Player of the Season: Ousmane Dembélé, pivotal for PSG with 8 goals, 6 assists, and 1,163 minutes played.

Young Player: Désiré Doué (PSG) earned the award for his breakout performances.

Goal of the Season: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) won for his dazzling dribble and curled finish in a 3–3 semi-final draw vs. Inter.

Key Moments in the Season:

New format: 36 teams played 8 matches each, with top 8 advancing directly to the round of 16, 9th–24th to playoffs, and 25th–36th eliminated.

Barcelona’s epic 7–6 semi-final loss to Inter (agg).

Aston Villa’s 1–0 upset over Bayern, echoing their 1982 final win.

Real Madrid’s 500th UCL match and 300th victory.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

2024/25 Serie A Season Review

The 2024/25 Serie A season kept followers on the edge with the league being decided on last match day. It was very intense and suspenseful with Napoli coming up good edging out their fourth title on the final matchday.

Below are some official stats to guide analysis:

Napoli, led by Antonio Conte, clinched their second title in three seasons with a 2–0 win over Cagliari on May 23, 2025, finishing with 82 points from 38 matches (24 wins, 10 draws, 4 losses). They scored 73 goals and conceded 28.

Top Four finish: Inter Milan 81 points was second to Napoli who were just one point above them to lift the league trophy, Atalanta, and Juventus secured UEFA Champions League spots. Roma and Bologna (Coppa Italia winners) earned Europa League spots, with Fiorentina qualifying for the Conference League.

Relegation battle: Empoli, Venezia, and Monza dropped to Serie B. Frosinone and Salernitana were also relegated after brief top-flight appearance.

Individual Achievements

Top Scorer: Mateo Retegui (Atalanta) led with 25 goals, showcasing his flair.

Top Assists: Romelu Lukaku (Napoli) topped the charts with 10 assists, driving Napoli’s attack.

Clean Sheets: Alex Meret (Napoli) and Mile Svilar (Roma) shared the honors with 16 clean sheets each.

Dominating Figures:

Scott McTominay (Napoli) was pivotal in midfield, complementing Lukaku’s playmaking.

Lautaro Martínez (Inter) scored 22 goals across all competitions, though he trailed Retegui in league goals.

Atalanta’s attacking prowess shone brightly with Ademola Lookman, Mateo Retegui, with 79 goals scored, second only to Napoli.

Dramatic Moments:

Napoli’s dramatic title win, decided by a single point over Inter Milan.

Inter’s 5–0 Champions League final loss to PSG, leading to Simone Inzaghi’s departure.

AC Milan embracing their disappointing season, failing to qualify for Europe and resulting in Sergio Conceicao’s eventual sacking.

Goal stats: 973 goals were scored across 380 matches, with an average of 2.56 goals per game. Inter led possession at 59.8%, while Napoli topped shots per game (16.2).

Friday, June 6, 2025

The Spanish La Liga 2024/2025 Season Review with Barcelona's Dominance

The 2024/25 La Liga season, came to us like a delivery man. It delivered drama and flair culminating with Barcelona claiming their 28th title.

Some stats you want to consider:

Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, secured the crown with two games to spare after a 2–0 win over Espanyol, finishing with 102 goals scored and a 4-0 record in El Clasicos.

UEFA earlier confirmed additional spot for La Liga with Real Madrid coming second in the league table, followed by Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao and the fifth spot clinched by Villareal, all earning UEFA Champions League spots. Celta Vigo and Real Betis grabbed Europa League places. Rayo Vallecano will be playing in the conference league next season.

Relegation friendship was shared albeit sadly between Almería, Leganés, and Real Valladolid were relegated to La Liga 2, with Almería’s fate sealed after a 1–3 loss to Getafe.

Top Scorer: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) clinched the Golden Boot with 31 goals.

Top Assists: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) led with 13 assists, shining as a young star.

Zamora Trophy: Jan Oblak (Atlético Madrid) set a record with 15 clean sheets, earning the award for the lowest goals-to-games ratio.

Key Players in the concluded season:

Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao) anchored the league’s stingiest defence (29 goals conceded), recovering the ball 364 times.

Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona) led defenders with 514 progressive carries and 4 assists.

Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) impressed, scoring in upsets against Real Madrid and Girona.

Some Jaw dropping Moments:

Barcelona’s thrilling 4–3 El Clasico win after trailing 2-0.

Athletic Bilbao’s fourth-place finish, their best since 1997/98.

Girona’s surprising drop from third to near-relegation.


Next season, we await the magic.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

The Premier League 2024/2025 Season Review

Today I want to take a dive into what we witnessed in the just concluded season of the English Premier League. The 2024/25 Premier League season was a fun ride, no doubt.  with Liverpool clinching their second PL title and 20th English top-flight crown under Arne Slot.

Official stats that showcases the beauty of the league:

League Winners - Liverpool dominated, finishing with 80 goals scored (league-high), 75.50 xG, and the fewest xG conceded (28.94). They lost just twice, sealing the title with four games to spare.

With the UEFA coefficient coming into play this season, the premier league was guaranteed additional spot for the UEFA Champions League.

And with thats And with the forgoing, Arsenal secured second, followed by Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle United, all qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. They also got a sixth team representing the league at the tourney next season with Tottenham Hotspur, Europa League winners, also earning a spot.

Relegation battle was fierce but came to an end with Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton going down after one season. Marking the first time since 1997/98 that all promoted teams were relegated.

Top Scorer: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) led with 29 goals, also topping assists with 18, breaking records with 47 goal involvements in a 38-game season.

Golden Glove: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) and David Raya (Arsenal) shared the honour with 13 clean sheets each.

 

Notable  Players:

Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) won Hublot Young Player of the Season, leading midfielders with 59 interceptions.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle) scored 23 goals, second only to Salah.

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) had 25 goal involvements (18 goals, 7 assists).

 

Key events that caught our attention:

Nottingham Forest’s surprising European qualification, driven by Morgan Gibbs-White (6 goals, 8 assists).

Cole Palmer’s standout games for Chelsea, including a 4-goal haul vs. Brighton.

Manchester City’s mid-season slump, winning just once in 13 matches.

GoaGoal statistics

A total of 1,115 goals were scored across all the 380 matches, with Liverpool leading shots per game (17.4) and big chances created (136).


Posted stats are official stats gotten from Premier League and other sources such as ESPN and Goal.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Is Eric Chelle saving the Super Eagles?

 A seemingly good start for Head Coach Eric Chelle following their two nil win over Rwanda on Friday 21st March, 2025 in their world cup qualifying group stage match. He was praised for a very good start winning his first match in charge of the Super Eagles.

Victor Osimhen opened scoring at the 11th minute of the game and completed his double and the only goals to be scored in the match at the 45+3 minutes of the first half. 

They were cheered despite missing numerous chances in the game. The sixth match of the group stage game was a game a home against the Zimbabwe national team. It was a game that maximum points were required to give the Eagles a hope of progressing and making to the world cup next year.

They were leading with a goal to nil till the eighty-ninth minute through a goal scored by Victor Osimhen at the seventy-fourth minute. They lost the lead at the ninetieth minute when the Zimbabwean team equalized through a mistake at the Nigerian defense. The game ended in a one all draw and see the Nigerian team on the edge of crashing out of the next world cup tournament.


Eric Chelle and his team were seeing to be visibly frustrated at the end of the match as they had expected more. But it seems that the expectation and the effort did not match at the end of ninety minutes.

Nigeria is however down to popular mathematical calculations and permutation on how to reach qualification. This is highly disgraceful for the giant of Africa. With the abundance of talent in the country, one would have expected a smooth qualification.

The new man in charge will be praying for miracle now as well as all Nigerians and lovers of the Super Eagles.

A sad day it is.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Loosing half of Your Wealth as a Sportsman Starts with a Step in the Name of Love

The mesmerizing show of skills of some talented sportsmen especially footballers will most certainly convince their fans and the general audience that their out of the sports life is almost perfect. As much as this is what the average spectator will think, this is not really, really the reality for most of them. Going through notable names names that have accomplished certain feats in the football, we will discover that they have a certain 'demon' outside of the pitch that they are trying to curtail and kick behind.

In 2019, Daniel Sturridge, A senior team player and striker for Liverpool FC in the English premier league was banned from involvement in football related activities for the club and also fined seventy-five thousand pounds (75,000) after being investigated and found guilty of breaching betting rules.

In a similar situation, Brentford player and also a prolific striker, Ivan Toney was charged with a Two hundred and thirty two (232) counts of breaching English FA's soccer betting rules. He admitted to gambling addiction and thereafter handed an eight months ban from football related activity.

If we are not contending with the foregoing unfortunate news about athletes, we have will be dealing with sexual addiction, promiscuity and bad adventures of sports men such as having, multiple sex partners, secret lovers, rape allegations, hard drugs abuse and reckless behaviour that should not be common place in the life of public figures such as footballers.

In 2023, the world was left shook about a revelation that emanated from Hiba Abouk's legal proceedings. It was a court proceeding that should have her half as rich as her estranged husband. Following alleged rape allegations against former PSG star boy, Achraf Hakimi, his wife Hiba filed for divorce at a French a court seeking half of his properties and wealth in what could have been a devastating outcome to the young footballer.

But the case was quickly turned around as the court declares that the young footballer has no properties in his names that could possibly be shared as all his wealth accumulations were legally registered to his mother's name and therefore not his. And that was how Hakimi wealth acquisitions remained intact to date.

The step in the name of love that many men athletes take have recently been seen as a scary part for them as their partners and love counterparts always see these engagements as a means to an end. If this is not the case, then how come everyone of these so called love partners are filing for divorce from their rich football or athlete husbands and laying claim to half of their monies and properties. And so, one begins to wonder if these love that are being professed are genuine.

The latest in this love/marriage hitting rock bottoms is the case of the super manager Pep Guardiola. The manager that have taken the world by storm as one of the best with great tactics and accolades laced with sweet trophies to his name. His side, Manchester City have been seen to be having a very poor run of form since October 2024 to end of same year.

It has been revealed that the manager himself have been involved in the latest round of divorce with his wife of thirty years. The partners have been together for the past thirty, 30, years and married for 10 of those years. The wife filed for divorce with claims that the Manchester City manager has neglected his family - his wife and kids. He has been focused mainly with his coaching career and abandoned his fatherly roles.

The married currently stands dissolved with Serra having to get half of his totally of his wealth and properties worth roughly around $126 million. That is quit something. This can only happen after a step in the name of love has been initiated. Why can't this step lead to forever?

Does it really have to end?