Midfielder · #0 · England · 39 yrs
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Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha, one of the best dribblers in history, placed Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo for one particular reason. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s dominance over the last two decades has defined modern soccer, sparking endless debates over who holds the title of the greatest of all time. Weighing in on the rivalry, Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha sided with the Argentine icon, citing one fundamental distinction between the two superstars. Born in Enugu, Okocha featured prominently in Nigeria‘s greatest football triumphs, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title and the 1996 Olympic gold medal, while carving out an unforgettable career in Europe. Highlighted by his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain and his surprise free-agent move to Bolton Wanderers, the Nigerian built a lasting legacy as one of the most gifted dribblers in soccer history. Speaking with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy on The Obi One Podcast on YouTube, Okocha was asked by the former Chelsea midfielder to settle the debate between the two legends, and he offered an emphatic response: “Messi, Messi. Ronaldo is a special player, but he is for me a goal scorer. He can score 10 million goals. He is a goal scorer. It’s like (Erling) Haaland. Haaland is a goal scorer.“ The Nigerian icon expanded on his view by highlighting the underlying artistic quality that sways the balance toward the Argentine. “But Messi, Messi is on another planet. Messi is an art. Messi was born to play football. He’ll get ill if he doesn’t play football. He’s a genius. I mean, you have to give it to him,” he said. Okocha also praised the remarkable consistency achieved by both icons throughout their careers, noting that while Cristiano Ronaldo’s success stems from relentless work ethic because “he’s not the most gifted player,” Messi operates on pure instinct. “But when it comes to natural gifted player, someone that is born to play football, someone that plays with ease, that doens’t force anything, like it’s his playground, is Messi,” the legend added. One ‘maverick’ placed just above Okocha In an era defined by classic playmakers like Rui Costa, Juan Roman Riquelme, Dennis Bergkamp, and Paul Scholes, Jay-Jay Okocha stood out as an exceptionally skilled midfielder who dismantled defenders with body feints, step-overs, and sudden bursts of acceleration. His flair and creativity earned him lasting status as an icon of individual artistry, a level of reverence few players ever achieve. When asked whether any fellow maverick possessed superior skill to his own, Okocha passed over a distinguished list of names including Gheorghe Hagi, Guti, Roberto Baggio, Nwankwo Kanu, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane. However, he singled out one former teammate above everyone else. Okocha acknowledged that Brazilian legend Ronaldinho stands as the lone player superior to him in raw dribbling ability and ball mastery. “Maybe because I had the privilege to play with him, to really see his talent and appreciate it,” Okocha stated.
Paul Scholes has questioned Chelsea’s transfer strategy this summer (Picture: The Overlap) Paul Scholes has accused Chelsea of going from one extreme to the other with their transfer strategy during the summer window. Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Liam Rosenior’s permanent successor has coincided with a significant change in direction for a club that endured another chaotic season last term that saw the Blues fail to qualify for Europe. As such, Chelsea have largely relented from signing untried youngsters from Europe and South America, instead focusing their recruitment drive on Premier League proven players. The arrivals of Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix typify that new approach, driven by Alonso whose job description as manager, rather than head coach, is no coincidence. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Indeed, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder made it clear he would only accept his new role on the proviso he would have a greater say on incomings and outgoings. Having been forced to abandon his pursuit of Granit Xhaka, Alonso has had a major hand in the shock signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, who will both be expected to assume senior leadership roles in a dressing room that has sorely missed those qualities, particularly since the departure of Thiago Silva. Chelsea collected a record eight red cards last season and regularly threw away leads, but Scholes has questioned how much of an impact their two new veterans will have if they aren’t on the pitch regularly. Chelsea tried to sign Granit Xhaka earlier this summer (Picture: Getty) He told The Overlap Fan Debate: ‘Those two older players, it feels you’ve gone from one extreme to another, I can’t get my head around it. ‘You’ve got a load of 21-year-olds, alright get some more experience at 28 or 29 but they’re like 37 or 38. ‘I get the Xhaka one, he’s still a good player and he was brilliant in the World Cup. ‘I think that’s where he’ll expect the most and that’s where they’re going to have most influence on the training pitch because they’re not going to be playing all the time, especially Henderson. ‘Welbeck will still come on but that’s where they’re going to be most valuable. Look if Chelsea have got money to waste doing that then it’s down to them isn’t it.’ Jordan Henderson joined Chelsea from Brentford (Picture: Getty) Those sentiments were echoed by Jamie Carragher who was particularly puzzled by the signing of his former Liverpool teammate Henderson. The ex-Liverpool captain, now 36, has endured something of a nomadic career since leaving Anfield three years ago with his career taking in brief spells at Al-Ettifaq, Ajax and Brentford. ‘I find it strange because I think the signing from Crystal Palace is really good,’ said Carragher of Chelsea’s decision to bring Henderson and Welbeck to the club. ‘You’ve got a lot of young centre backs, he comes in, he knows the league and he’s an experienced player. ‘But you’re talking about the issue on the pitch in terms of red cards and losing leads, throwing leads away. How much are they going to be on the pitch, Henderson and Welbeck? ‘That’s my point, if they were 28 or 29 say like Tielemans in that age bracket. I know they’re going to be great on the training pitch and we’ll be getting hit with those stories if Chelsea make a great start it’ll be Henderson and Welbeck are great in the dressing room. Danny Welbeck joined Chelsea from Brighton (Picture: Getty) ‘In terms of helping Chelsea with discipline which Chelsea need or helping see games out they could come on the last 10 or 15 minutes of games. But what Chelsea need help with is that experience on the pitch. ‘I understood Henderson going to the World Cup. People said he’s not going to play that much, but it’s only a six-week tournament, there’s going to be players who don’t play but when you’ve
Scholes says Arsenal must keep their young star this summer (Picture: The Overlap Fan Debate) Paul Scholes believes Arsenal would be better off ‘getting rid’ of Martin Zubimendi and handing Myles Lewis-Skelly a more prominent role in the team this season. After a breakout campaign for the Gunners and for England during the 2024-25 season, Lewis-Skelly endured a frustrating campaign last term before finally forcing his way back into the side for the title run-in. The 20-year-old started just one Premier League game before April but with other members of the squad tiring, started in midfield in big wins over Fulham and West Ham United in May. Lewis-Skelly also shone in the Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, keeping his place in the side in the final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. With Mikel Arteta preferring Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie at left-back, Lewis-Skelly’s resurgence came in central midfield. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But the addition of Bruno Guimaraes to an area of the pitch that already includes Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Zubimendi has raised doubts over his future again. Zubimendi enjoyed an impressive first season in England last term but struggled towards the back end of a draining campaign with only David Raya and Rice racking up more minutes. Lewis-Skelly has been offered to other clubs (Picture: Getty Images Europe) Lewis-Skelly replaced the Spain international in the side in those key fixtures with Manchester United legend Scholes believing he should be the one to make way to ensure the Arsenal youngster gets more opportunities. ‘I prefer Myles Lewis-Skelly in centre midfield to Zubimendi,’ Scholes said in the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate with Sky Bet. ‘I think Zubimendi struggled last year. If there’s one player you are going to get rid of, it would be him [Martin Zubimendi]. The problem I’ve got with this left back role is that [Mikel] Arteta last year basically played four centre-halves last season.’ Zubimendi joined from Real Sociedad last year (Picture: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) There have been conflicting reports over Lewis-Skelly’s future with it suggested he has been offered to both Chelsea and Manchester United. United were first credited with interest back in January with Michael Carrick still eager to sign a left-back and a midfielder – two positions Lewis-Skelly can cover. Lewis-Skelly, who is under contract until 2030, scored during Arsenal’s friendly win over Como on Wednesday and celebrated by making the shape of a heart with his hands towards the crowd at the Emirates. But Arteta remained tight-lipped about the midfielder’s future after the game, insisting: ‘I’m not going to talk about any speculation. ‘If there is a speculation about our players, that’s a good sign. That means that we attract attention and they’re doing a good job.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
The 41-year-old has been remarkably consistent with his look down the years but, with his fresh trim, it would now be hard to tell him apart from his old Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes.
Manchester United signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa last month (Picture: Getty) Youri Tielemans has issued a heartfelt apology to Aston Villa fans after suggesting Manchester United were a level ‘above’ his former team. After wrapping up a deal with Chelsea for Andrey Santos, United further strengthened their midfield by triggering a £35million release clause in Tielemans’ contract at Villa Park. Tielemans enjoyed three years with the Villains after joining the club from Leicester City back in 2023, racking up ten goals and 25 assists in 134 appearances across all competitions. The 29-year-old made sure to depart Villa on good terms after helping Unai Emery’s side get their hands on the Europa League trophy – the club’s first European title in 44 years. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. However, some seemingly innocuous remarks he made in the week managed to rub many up the wrong way, prompting an online backlash from those supporters who had been singing his name not so long ago. ‘I am very thankful to Aston Villa. I owe them the world,’ Tielemans said. ‘It is a great club, we did amazing things, and they have put me back to my best level. But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them. Tielemans made his second United appearance versus Leeds on Wednesday (Picture: Getty) The Belgian scored in the shootout in Dublin (Picture: Getty) ‘It is a great achievement for any footballer to end up here. It means you have done well in your career. But it does not end there. I want to be successful.’ Tielemans made his unofficial United debut last weekend as Michael Carrick’s men draw 1-1 with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg. United fans got a second look at Tielemans as the Belgian featured again versus Leeds on Wednesday night, coming onto the field with half an hour remaining at Dublin’s Croke Park. Tielemans finished the match on a high, making no mistake from the spot as United beat their bitter rivals 5-4 on penalties. Tielemans apologised on his social media pages (Picture: Instagram) But less than 24 hours on, Tielemans felt the need to reach out to those Villa supporters who he may have upset with his comments prior to the friendly. ‘Never meant for my words in the press yesterday to offend anyone or undermine the institution of Aston Villa Football Club which I massively respect and I’m grateful to for the past three years,’ he wrote. ‘I must however admit my mistake and apologise for my choice of words, will be more careful in the future.’ Tielemans put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty) Tielemans took the opportunity to send his best wishes to his former club, who begin their Premier League campaign away to Brighton in just over a week’s time. ‘Wishing the club the best in the future. Youri,’ he added. Tielemans could be in line to make his Premier League debut for United against newly promoted Hull City on August 22. The former Villa, Leicester and Monaco man will no doubt be desperate to hit the ground running in the No.18 shirt, previously worn by the likes of Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Scholes. The midfielder won the Europa League with Villa last season (Picture: Getty) Featuring as a guest on talkSPORT this week, Ben Foster applauded United on their transfer business thus far – and branded Tielemans the ‘signing of the summer’ in the Premier League. ‘I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing so far. What a bit of business,’ the ex-United and England goalkeeper said. ‘I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far. ‘For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go sta
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