John Obi Mikel: Incredible Chelsea Didn't Sign a £26 Million Contract Donnarumma is the best goalkeeper in the world.

According to a report by Metro on Friday, September 12, 2025, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has claimed that the club missed out on a golden opportunity to sign a world-class goalkeeper in the summer transfer window.

The Blues were among the most active Premier League clubs once again, splashing out more than £284 million on 10 new arrivals as they attempt to build on last season’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph and mount a serious challenge for domestic glory under new manager Enzo Maresca. Reinforcements came in across defence, midfield, and attack, but the goalkeeping department remained untouched, with Robert Sanchez retaining the No.1 spot and youngster Filip Jorgensen providing backup.

Sanchez, who has conceded just one goal in Chelsea’s opening three league matches, has delivered steady performances so far this campaign. However, the Spaniard has often been highlighted by pundits and supporters as the weakest link in Maresca’s evolving team.

Mikel, who made over 370 appearances for Chelsea during an 11-year spell and won multiple trophies including the Champions League, has previously questioned whether Sanchez is capable of leading the Blues to silverware. Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, the Nigerian icon stressed that Chelsea should have targeted a different solution in the market.

“I thought we could have gone out and brought in another top goalkeeper,” Mikel said.

“There was a certain goalkeeper that was available in the market, the best goalkeeper in the world: [Gianluigi] Donnarumma. He could have just gone out and got him for £26million — 26-years-old. Mind-blowing. I don’t understand why the club didn’t go out and get him. He is one of the best goalkeepers right now in the world.”

Donnarumma, who won the Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament award with Italy and has since established himself as Paris Saint-Germain’s No.1, has often been linked with moves to the Premier League. Despite concerns about his ball-playing ability, Mikel dismissed those doubts, insisting that his shot-stopping qualities far outweigh any shortcomings.

“I know a lot of people say he’s not so good with his feet, but what’s the goalkeeper’s job? Keep the ball out of the net and Donnarumma is the best at doing that. So, I don’t understand why the club didn’t do that,” Mikel added.

The Chelsea great, however, acknowledged that Maresca has shown faith in Sanchez and urged supporters to back the manager’s judgment for now.

“But again, Enzo Maresca thinks he’s comfortable with Sanchez. So, we have to support the manager in his decisions.”

Mikel’s comments come at a time when Chelsea are under pressure to translate their heavy spending into consistent results. With the club aiming to return to the Champions League spots, questions over Sanchez’s long-term suitability as the club’s No.1 are likely to persist if performances dip later in the season.

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2026 World Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles Defeat Rwanda

Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a crucial victory over Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, defeating the Amavubi 2-0 in Kigali on Friday night. A firs half brace from Victor Osimhen sealed the win for Nigeria, strengthening their position in Group C of the African qualifiers. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a powerful shot from an Ademola Lookman free kick,silencing the home crowd. Osimhen doubled the lead just before the end of the first half capitalizing on a defensive error to slot the ball past the Rwandan goalkeeper. Despite Rwanda’s spirited performance, the Nigerian defence held firm to secure a clean sheet. Nigeria’s next qualifier will be against Zimbawe on Monday 24th March at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

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Messi's Bodyguard Banned From Touchline During Inter Miami Games

Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has been banned from protecting the Argentine forward in the touchline during Inter Miami matches. The former Navy SEAL gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to stop potential pitch invaders from harming the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner. Major League Soccer has now decided to take full control of matchday security and Cheuko will only be permitted in the locker room and mixed zones. “They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore,” the bodyguard told Spanish media. “I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the USA and in just 20 months 16 people have already done so. There’s a huge problem here, let me help Messi.”

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Barca never had financial room to register Olmo -La Liga

La Liga said Wednesday Barcelona did not have the financial capacity to register players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and still lack it, ahead of a decision by Spain’s sports council (CSD) over the duo’s eligibility to play. In January Barcelona announced a deal had been reached to sell VIP boxes at the club’s Camp Nou stadium, currently being rebuilt, worth a reported 100 million euros ($108 million), which gave them the financial fair play room for new licences for the players. La Liga said Barcelona used an unnamed auditor between December 31 and January 3 which recorded the deal on the club’s books, but their current auditor no longer includes it in the club’s interim financial statements for the first part of the 2024-25 season. “No amount from the (VIP box deal) is ultimately recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to what had been certified by the club and the auditor at the time of said transaction,” said La Liga in a statement. La Liga said they were reporting the ...

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How to acquire the BVN number?

To obtain your Bank Verification Number (BVN), you can either visit a bank branch to enroll or check your BVN using the USSD code 5650# on the phone number registered for your BVN. Here's a breakdown of the methods: 1. Enrolling for a BVN: Visit a Bank Branch: Go to any branch of the bank where you have an account, fill out the BVN enrollment form, and present yourself for data capturing (fingerprint, facial image, etc.). Required Documents: You'll need a valid means of identification (e.g., International Passport, Driver's License, Voter's Card, National ID Card) and a recent passport photograph. Enrolment Fee: There may be an enrolment fee, so ensure you have evidence of payment or the fee itself. Acknowledgement Slip: After submitting your application, you'll receive an acknowledgment slip with a transaction ID. BVN Generation: Within 24 hours, the system confirms your application, generates your BVN, and you'll receive an SMS for pickup. Diaspora ...

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Kylian Mbappe suspension: Will the Real Madrid attacker play against Arsenal and in the Copa del Rey final following his red card?

Kylian Mbappe was sent off for the first time in his Real Madrid career as the reigning LaLiga champions held on to win 1-0 at Alaves on April 13. Madrid’s busy run-in includes a Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to Arsenal and the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, as well as their attempt to retain the Spanish title. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were four points behind Barca with seven league games remaining for each team, helped by 22 goals and three assists by Mbappe in their first 29 top-flight matches of the season. How long is Mbappe’s suspension and which games is the Real Madrid top scorer set to miss? Here’s the latest on his punishment.The good news for Madrid is that Mbappe will be available to face Arsenal on Wednesday (20:00 BST) because his suspension will only apply domestically. Only four players still involved in the competition had outscored Mbappe’s total of seven goals before the second legs of the quarter-finals. Madrid vs Barcelona:...

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CAS Acknowledges Operatives' Commitment to National Security

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A former striker for Arsenal was given a four-year prison sentence.

👇 More Photos And New Video's 👇 🔥 https://spoo.me/Wibk11 An ex-Arsenal academy footballer has been jailed for four years for his involvement in a £600,000 drug smuggling plot after a court heard his financial difficulties after a period out of contract led to a “catastrophic error of judgment”. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested after officers from the National Crime Agency seized an estimated £600,000 of cannabis as it was being brought through Stansted Airport by two women he had recruited – his girlfriend and her friend. An earlier hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex was told the women believed they were importing gold. But Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg (132lb) of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived in the UK from Bangkok, Thailand, via Dubai. The 34-year-old striker, of Cardwell Road in Gourock, Inverclyde, was arrested in the town in September 2024. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importatio...

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Amidst r@pe allegations, Thomas Partey, an ex-Arsenal midfielder, joins Villarreal.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has joined La Liga club Villarreal following his release from Arsenal. The 32-year-old, who signed for Arsenal in a £45m deal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, left the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June. Four days later, Partey was charged with five counts of rape against two women and a charge of s£xual assult against a third woman. Partey, who denies the charges, was granted conditional bail on Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Under the conditions of the bail, Partey must not contact any of the three women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel. In a statement, Villarreal said: "The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. "The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him. "The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judi...

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Does Jordan Henderson have anything to offer England other than 'card tricks and quizzes'? Inside Thomas Tuchel's controversial recall of the much-maligned Ajax midfielder

The decision to bring the ex-Liverpool captain back into the Three Lions fold has taken everyone by surprise, but maybe there's method to the madness Four years have passed since Roy Keane questioned Jordan Henderson's presence in the England squad for Euro 2020. "I've heard people say they want him around the place - but for what?" the Irishman asked on ITV. "Does he do card tricks? Does he have a sing-song? Does he do quizzes in the evenings?" Does Jordan Henderson have anything to offer England other than 'card tricks and quizzes'? Inside Thomas Tuchel's controversial recall of the much-maligned Ajax midfielder Analysis England England vs Albania World Cup Qualification UEFA The decision to bring the ex-Liverpool captain back into the Three Lions fold has taken everyone by surprise, but maybe there's method to the madness Four years have passed since Roy Keane questioned Jordan Henderson's presence in the England squad for Euro 2...

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In Nigeria, a "bandit" gang attack claimed at least nine lives and kidnapped numerous others.

The country bid farewell to Buhari with military honours and honorific chants of ‘Sai Baba’. Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari salutes during an inspection of guards on parade to mark Democracy Day in Abuja, on June 12, 2019 [File: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP] Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari was buried in the backyard of his home in Daura, a town in the northern Katsina state, as supporters climbed trees and shouted “Sai Baba” to bid farewell to the 82-year-old. A military parade and 21-gun salute honoured the former president on Tuesday at the airport before his body was transported 80km (50 miles) to Daura, where crowds surged to catch a final glimpse as the casket was lowered into the ground. Buhari died on Sunday in a London hospital following an undisclosed illness. His coffin, wrapped in Nigeria’s green and white flag, was flown into Katsina and met by President Bola Tinubu, senior government officials, and mourners. Buhari, who first seized power in a 1983 mil...

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