Sports
Reece James chosen as new Chelsea captain
Chelsea FC manager Mauricio Pochetino has appointed England right-back Reece James as the club’s new captain.
Cesar Azpilicueta, who departed the club after 11 years, has been formally replaced by the 23-year-old.
James has been a vital player for the Blues since joining the club at the age of six and finally making his first-team debut in 2018. Under Pochetino, he is now anticipated to lead the squad in the next years, aided by his compatriot Ben Chilwell.
“This is a decision taken by me and the club. We are very pleased Reece will captain the side this season. He leads by example and his attitude and dedication to Chelsea has been clear throughout pre-season,” stated Pochettino.
James acknowledged the new task and committed to leading with zeal, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of John Terry and Frank Lampard.
“I’m so happy to take on the role and responsibility,’ he told the club’s website. ‘I know I’ve got big shoes to fill because we have had huge captains here in the past, but I am excited.
“I have been at Chelsea pretty much my whole life. I started here when I was six and to come through the Academy is tough. But to go on and become captain, it’s a great feeling for me and my family,” he added.
James has won the UEFA Champions League, Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea and would like to win more as captain.
On Sunday, Chelsea will kick off their season with a critical match against Liverpool.
Sports
Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead
Romeo Ricky Roy, the fitness coach for Ghana’s senior national team, has died.
According to Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku’s Facebook post, he died in Accra on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Roy joined the Black Stars’ backroom staff in 2021, during Milovan Rajevac’s second spell as coach.
He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.
Sports
Veteran Sports Commentator Joe Lartey dies at 96
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has reported the death of Joe Lartey, a veteran Ghanaian football pundit and sports writer.
He passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 96.
Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as “Over to You,” was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG’s founding president.
Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961.
He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana’s sports community.
He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.
In appreciation of his achievements in sports journalism, Lartey received the coveted “A Life in Sport” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) during the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.
Lartey’s impact stretched well beyond Ghana, with numerous Ghanaian football analysts praising him for moulding their careers.
Fans and colleagues alike will remember him warmly for his pioneering work in sports broadcasting.
Sports
Xavi to stay as Barcelona’s coach until at least June 2025
Barcelona coach Xavi will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025, having changed his mind about this being his final season.
The 44-year-old stated in January that he will stand down as manager this summer.
However, with president Joan Laporta desperate for him to stay, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has made a U-turn.
Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23.
However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season.
Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to PSG in the quarterfinals.
Xavi, who won 25 honours during his brilliant playing career at Barcelona, said he felt “liberated” with the revelation that he would leave the position at the conclusion of the season.
When he announced his departure following the defeat to Villarreal, he felt he was not being safeguarded by the club and there was no clear direction.
However, the team’s fortunes have improved since Xavi felt comfortable taking a more casual attitude.
They went ten games undefeated in the league before falling 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday.
On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Laporta’s residence, and the club’s desire for him to stay was clear.
If Xavi is unable to strengthen the squad before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona will attempt to persuade one of the high-profile managers out of contract, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.
-
Relationship5 days ago
13 indicators that your wife is about to leave you and you have no idea
-
Politics7 days ago
Opoku-Agyemang will be a superb complement in many ways—Mahama
-
General News7 days ago
Gov’t settles on blue and white as new paint for basic schools
-
Ghana Football3 days ago
Samartex coach hints on readiness for Africa next season
-
Business5 days ago
Preserving the Past, Restoring the Future: The Role of Historic Homes Restoration Companies
-
Politics7 days ago
Bawumia has already settled on a running mate – Miracles Aboagye
-
Politics7 days ago
Dr Bawumia is unable to find a match for Opoku-Agyemang – Srem-Sai
-
Business7 days ago
Seaside Serenity: Exploring the Allure of Luxury Waterfront Homes for Sale