EPL
Michael Essien Backs Nicolas Jackson Amid War of Words With Mikel Obi
Ghanaian football icon Michael Essien has stepped in to support Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson after a tense exchange between Jackson and his former Chelsea teammate, John Obi Mikel.
The incident unfolded when Mikel criticized Jackson’s performance at Chelsea, sparking a fiery response from the 22-year-old forward.
Jackson, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer of 2023, struggled with consistency during his debut season.
Despite scoring 14 league goals, he missed 24 clear-cut chances and fell short of his expected goals (xG) statistics, drawing criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Mikel, a key figure in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph, was among those urging Jackson to step up his game if he wanted to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
In response, Jackson took to Instagram with a blunt retort aimed at Mikel, writing, “Shut your mouth, don’t talk sh*t; we are killing ourselves for Africa.”
The post sparked mixed reactions, with some fans criticizing Jackson’s tone while others empathized with his frustration.
Michael Essien, who played alongside Mikel at Chelsea, addressed the controversy during an interview with Joy Sports, offering a balanced defense of Jackson. Essien explained that criticism from former players can sting and often leads to emotional responses from current players.
“Everyone has their own personality. Some would speak out, but for me, I’d probably just ignore it,” said Essien. “Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but it hits harder when the criticism comes from ex-players. That’s why you see reactions like Jackson’s.”
Essien acknowledged that while he might have handled things differently, Jackson’s outburst likely stemmed from the pressure of hearing such remarks from a respected figure like Mikel, who holds a significant place in Chelsea’s history.
Mikel, on the other hand, responded to Jackson’s comments with diplomacy, standing firm on his initial criticism. He reiterated that Jackson must prove himself on the pitch and silence critics by performing consistently, stating, “He should shut me up by scoring every week.”
The situation highlights the pressures young players face and how even constructive criticism from former stars can provoke strong emotions, especially when expectations are high at a club like Chelsea.
BUNDESLIGA
Alphonso Davies’ Agent Sets Up Talks With Real Madrid And Man Utd After Bayern Fallout
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has been reinvigorated after a series of developments that suggest the Canadian defender’s future remains undecided. While Bayern had recently shown confidence in retaining Davies, Real Madrid has been given fresh hope of securing his signature.
Davies is unlikely to commit to any decision before January, allowing Real Madrid time to prepare an official contract offer.
According to Christian Falk via The Daily Briefing, Davies’ agent, Nedal Huoseh, was supposed to meet with Bayern officials in Munich.
However, the meeting was shifted to a virtual call, and Bayern’s Director of Football, Max Eberl, did not attend, reportedly frustrating Huoseh. This isn’t the first instance of strained relations between Bayern and Davies’ representative.
The next set of negotiations is now expected to happen in January. Although Bayern remains hopeful that Davies will sign a contract extension, Huoseh has scheduled meetings with both Manchester United and Real Madrid to review their offers.
Real Madrid’s current proposal is similar to Bayern’s, which could give Manchester United an edge if they table a significantly better offer. Despite Bayern’s push for a swift resolution, it appears the situation will extend into the new year.
EPL
OFFICIAL: Mohamed Salah Is The EPL Player Of The Month For November
Mo Salah has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top performers.
The Liverpool star outshone rivals Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Ryan Gravenberch, Martin Ødegaard, João Pedro, Bukayo Saka, and Yoane Wissa to clinch the award.
In November, Salah played a crucial role in Liverpool’s success, contributing to five of the team’s seven goals through either scoring or assisting.
His contributions helped the Reds secure victories in all three matches, keeping them at the top of the Premier League table.
This marks the sixth time in his career that Salah has claimed the Player of the Month honor.
He now stands alongside football icons Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time rankings. Salah is just one award away from matching the joint record of seven, currently held by Harry Kane and Sergio Agüero.
EPL
William Saliba Delivers Huge Arsenal Boost With Clear Message On His Future
William Saliba has significantly boosted Arsenal by committing his future to the club. The French defender has been pivotal to Mikel Arteta’s squad since cementing his place in the starting lineup during the 2022-23 season.
At just 23 years old, Saliba has already surpassed 100 appearances for the Gunners and has featured in 13 Premier League matches this season as Arsenal chase the title.
His standout performances have reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants identifying him as a key transfer target.
Despite the speculation, Saliba, who is under contract until 2027, made it clear that he feels “at home” at Arsenal and has no intention of leaving.
When asked about his future, he told The Mirror: “Yeah, of course, I feel at home. I signed for the club five years ago, but this is only my third season, and I’m enjoying everything — the players, the staff, and the fans. I feel at home, so of course, why not?”
Saliba’s consistent form has earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for the past two seasons.
His defensive contributions have been crucial to Arsenal’s success, helping the team maintain the second-best defensive record in the league with just 14 goals conceded in 14 games. Only league leaders Liverpool have a better record, with 11 goals conceded.
Even though Arsenal trail Liverpool by seven points, Saliba remains confident that the gap can be closed. “Everything is possible,” he said. “The season is very long, and we’ve experienced that in the past two years. We just have to focus on ourselves. It’s still only December, so a lot of things can happen.”
Saliba was instrumental in Arsenal’s recent 2-0 win over Manchester United, scoring a crucial second goal that helped narrow the gap to Liverpool.
The Gunners now aim to build on that momentum when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, seeking to avenge last season’s defeat at the same venue.
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