Sports
When EPL turns into ‘Billionaires Club’
The English Premier League (EPL) threatens to see more competition and attraction from another emerging force backed by another “Arab Money” gradually marking the turn of the teams in the League into “Billionaires’ Club.”
Before the turn of the millennium, now well-known clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City were considered underdogs in every Premier League campaign. Their classification as one of the biggest clubs in England became evident due to their takeover by billionaires.
The emergence of billionaires in the league over the past decade has grounded the complete dominance of heavyweights such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Chelsea and Manchester City have become testaments that big money produces trophies; following the propose takeover of Newcastle United by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, the English topflight campaign will be expected to see at least six clubs (Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Newcastle United) competing for the title with lot of respect to other clubs.
Chelsea
The owner of the Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 for 140 million pounds from Kent Bates, and immediately invested over two billion pounds into club.
The success revolution began in 2005 when Chelsea its first premier league during Abramovich’s era.
They would go to win 16 major trophies in the past 17 years making them the most successful in England since the Russian’s take over. The Stamford Bridge has celebrated the following titles in quantum; 1 Champions League, a pair of Europa League, 5 EPL, 5 FA Cups, and 3 League Cups. The club has attracted fine stars including Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, Glen Johnson, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, etc as well as top managers in the world of football including; Jose Mourinho, Carlo Anceloti, Antonio Conte, Filipe Scolari, Roberto Di Mateo (won the UCL), and Maurizio Sarri.
Manchester City
Another scenario of the movement of the “Billionnaires Club” empire in the EPL is the emergence the Arab billionaire from Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan in 2008. He took over City Football Group of which Manchester City is a part for a whooping 265 million pounds from then owner Thaksin Shinawatra. According to reports from The Sun Sport in February this year, the Etihad owner has forked 1.5 billion pounds worth of investment over the past decade.
Though the Club has never tasted glories in Europe, they have become a buttress root in the English topflight and other domestic trophies. Their 10 trophies haul including last season’s domestic treble during the Mansour era include; 4 EPL, 2 FA Cups, and 4 League Cups.
The Etihad Stadium has welcomed great players such as; Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Joe Hart, Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Eden Dzeko, Vincent Kompany, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Kevin De Bryne. The best of managers including current coach Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Mark Hughes have been at the helm of affairs.
Newcastle United
Following the proposed 80 per cent shares takeover of the St. James Park by the PCP Capital partners backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Aradia, the EPL as well as Newcastle United fans are preparing to welcome a new owner.
The PIF headed by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman is expected to pay a mammoth 300 million pounds to current owner, Mike Ashley to complete the takeover. The PIF is reported to be worth 260 billion pounds.
Albeit, drawing references from Chelsea and Manchester City who also have billionaires investing in them, many Newcastle United fans are very excited and optimistic that they will become a force to reckon with due to the investment expected to be made by the Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.
The investment is expected to translate into several trophies in the year to come for the St. James Park that has not tasted any trophies for the past two decades and over. It is imperative to note that Newcastle United will have the richest club in the EPL as well as in Europe.
BY BENEDICTA NUAMAH TAKYI
Sports
Otto Addo names squad for Angola, Niger Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
Otto Addo has announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The squad features three home-based players who have impressed in the ongoing 2024/25 Ghana Premier League: Isaac Afful (FC Samartex 1996), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), and Emmanuel Antwi (Asante Kotoko) are the home based players.
Also in the squad is France-based Nathaniel Adjei who plays for Ligue 2 side FC Lorient. KAS Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, is returning to the team after over a year’s absence.
To qualify for the Morocco 2025 tournament, Ghana must secure victories against Angola and Niger and hope Sudan drops points in their final matches.
The Black Stars face Angola in Luanda on Friday, November 15, before hosting Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, 2024.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
Sports
Premier League: Hearts of Oak lock horns with Vision FC in pivotal capital derby on Friday
Hearts of Oak lock horns with Vision FC in the capital derby in match day 10 of the Premier League on Friday November 8, 2024, at the University of Ghana Stadium, in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
With Hearts of Oak aiming to record their second successive Premier League win and Vision FC aiming to turn around their inconsistent campaign, this encounter is poised to deliver high stakes and intense competition.
The Phobians are boosted ahead of their clash against their opponents after their remarkable 2-0 win at Medeama SC last weekend.
Hearts have won 3, drawn 3 and suffered 3 defeats, having scored 6 and conceded 5 in nine outings. They will aim for their second successive win of the season when they entertain Vision FC at home. Hearts are the second weakest home team in the league ahead of the clash.
Vision FC have been inconsistent lately as they are winless in their last four consecutive games. They are currently occupying the 11th position in the table with 11 points. They’ve won 2, drawn 5 and suffered 2 defeats, having scored 6 and conceded 7.
The newly promoted side head into this fixture with a defeat in their previous away encounter. They will be eager to secure the maximum points against a Heart of Oak side that are also winless in their last two home league games.
Both sides are meeting in the league for the first time since Vision FC gained promotion into the Premiership this season.
GFA Communications