Trendbrio.com

News and Entertainment Update

Live
Soccer
Sports
Mac Allister Header Gives Liverpool 1-0 Win Over Real Madrid In Champions League Clash 01
02
News
Who Am I To Reply Trump? Akpabio Says Senate Will Wait For Government Briefing On Genocide Claims
03
Soccer
Sports
Arsenal Thrash Slavia Prague 3–0 To Maintain Perfect Champions League Record
04
News
DSS Sacks 115 Officers In Major Cleanup
05
Entertainment
Regina Daniels’ Brother Claims Ned Nwoko Detaining Their Sibling Until Actress Returns Home

Tag: Premier League

Premier League Rookie of the Year: Ranking the Best U19 Breakthrough Stars

Fola Badmus08 mins

The PFA Young Player of the Year award, while once a fair celebration of emerging talent, no longer accurately reflects the spirit of breakthrough success. Its eligibility threshold—21 years old at the start of the season—has allowed seasoned stars like Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer to dominate the honor. The Premier League’s own version pushes the limit further, permitting players up to 23, leading to Erling Haaland lifting the award in 2022-23 at age 22. And while that’s still an improvement on 2010’s winner—24-year-old James Milner—it fails to spotlight the genuine rookies: teenagers in their first full top-flight campaign, taking their first major steps in professional football. Borrowing a page from the NBA, we’ve reimagined the award as Premier League Rookie of the Year, recognizing players who started the 2024-25 season as teenagers (under 20 on Aug. 16, 2024) and are in their first full campaign in the Premier League. Let’s rank the best of this exciting class. ❌ Who Just Missed Out Some standout young players weren’t eligible: The Top 10 Premier League Rookies of 2024-25 10. Oliver Scarles – LB, West Ham United At just 18, Scarles filled a major void in West Ham’s back line as Aaron Cresswell winds down and Emerson struggles for consistency. He shone in a defensive masterclass at the Emirates, making four tackles and seven interceptions in a memorable 1-0 win over Arsenal. Closing in on 600 league minutes, he’s a player to watch. 9. Patrick Dorgu – LB, Manchester United Thrown into a turbulent Manchester United side after a £25m January switch from Lecce, the Danish left-back quickly adapted. Amid poor team performances, his athleticism and poise offered a glimmer of hope, particularly in United’s promising Europa League run. 8. Leny Yoro – CB, Manchester United A €62m summer arrival from Lille, Yoro’s season began with a broken foot but still saw him rack up nearly 2,000 minutes. His composure, passing range, and defensive anticipation mark him as a long-term anchor in United’s backline under manager Ruben Amorim. 7. Nico O’Reilly – CM/LB, Manchester City Manchester City’s £150m January splurge made headlines, but it was academy graduate O’Reilly—deployed out of position at left-back—who quietly proved invaluable. His versatility, work rate, and attacking thrust helped City reach the FA Cup final and stay in top-five contention. 6. Archie Gray – CB/RB/CM, Tottenham Hotspur Already experienced from his Leeds United stint, Gray was tested in all areas of Spurs’ struggling side—central midfield, right-back, and even centre-back. Though he endured difficult moments, the £40m teenager showed courage and adaptability that belied his age. The Top Five 5. Tyler Dibling – FW, Southampton Despite Southampton’s relegation woes, Dibling lit up the league with fearless dribbling and dynamism. He led all rookies in metres gained per carry (7.8) and ranked second in long carries (100). Though his end product (2 goals) could improve, he stood out in a weak squad—and is now on Manchester United’s radar. 4. Ethan Nwaneri – CM/FW, Arsenal At 18, Nwaneri finally broke through after debuting at age 15. Filling in for Bukayo Saka, he tallied 9 goals and 2 assists while showcasing strength, aggression, and a lethal left foot from the right wing. With more minutes in central midfield expected next season, his future looks bright. 3. Lucas Bergvall – CM, Tottenham Hotspur Following his £8.5m transfer from Djurgården, Bergvall gradually earned his place in Spurs’ XI. His engine, intelligent passing, and composure provided a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season. A key figure in the rebuild under Ange Postecoglou. 2. Myles Lewis-Skelly – LB, Arsenal Initially a central midfielder, Lewis-Skelly reinvented himself as Arsenal’s go-to left-back, displacing senior options like Zinchenko and Tierney. Logging over 2,000 minutes—including starts against Real Madrid and PSG in the Champions League—the 18-year-old thrived in a demanding hybrid role. He also scored on his England senior debut. Simply exceptional. 1. Dean Huijsen – CB, Bournemouth The clear winner. Huijsen joined Bournemouth from Juventus for just £15m and has blossomed into one of the league’s most composed ball-playing centre-backs. Ranking in the 93rd percentile for progressive carries and 87th for progressive passes among top-five league defenders, the Spain international has become a £50m-rated asset—earning interest from Real Madrid. Smartly nurtured by manager Andoni Iraola, Huijsen has made the leap from talent to transformative player. A true Rookie of the Year. This reimagined award offers a clearer lens through which to view the stars of tomorrow, today. These U19s didn’t just arrive—they adapted, excelled, and in some cases, redefined their clubs’ seasons. In a league dominated by stars, these rookies have carved out their place.

Read More
Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Taiwo Awoniyi to Stay in Hospital For Another Five Days

Fola Badmus02 mins

Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to stay in the hospital for another five days after having emergency surgery on an abdominal injury, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said Friday. The Nigeria striker had two operations to repair internal damage after he collided with a post during the 2-2 draw with Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday. He was placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery but is now awake and talking with his family, Britain’s Press Association reported. Espirito Santo said he hopes Awoniyi will be able to attend the final game of the season – against Chelsea on May 25. “He went to surgery – surgery went well,” Espirito Santo said. “He is under observation now, but he is recovering. We still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits. We are concerned but it is positive. It has been very difficult because of the concern of the injury, the situation he went through.” “I hope,” he added, “that next week he can join us and be around because he´s a wonderful boy.” Seventh-place Forest is one point off the top five in its bid for Champions League qualification and travels to West Ham on Sunday.

Read More

Ola Aina: Offside Flag Could Have Prevented Awoniyi Injury

Fola Badmus03 mins

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has said the injury that saw teammate Taiwo Awoniyi placed in an induced coma could have been avoided if the the offside flag had gone up in time. The incident in question took place in the closing stages of Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City, where Awoniyi clattered against the post. The forward finished the game despite being in significant pain and sources told ESPN he later underwent “urgent” surgery on an abdominal injury and was placed in a coma to aid recovery. Awoniyi collided with the post in an attempt to get on the end of a cross from Anthony Elanga. The winger had strayed offside in the buildup but as per protocol, the assistant referee only raised his flag once the play was done. “Anthony was miles offside. The whole world could see and so could I from where I was,” Aina told the Daily Mail. “You think ‘offside’ straight away. Surely you could just lift the flag up? Personally I liked how it was back in the day when for offside they just put it up straight away. “A simple decision and get on with the game. Having to see it out and then just see this happen … well none of this would have happened to T [Awoniyi] if the flag had just gone up would it?” In the aftermath of the game, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch and remonstrated with manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Forest later released a statement explaining that the owner’s emotional reaction was due to seeing Awoniyi in immense pain and his frustration at the medical staff for letting him continue the game.

Read More

Nottingham Forest to Review Taiwo Awoniyi Injury

Fola Badmus02 mins

Nottingham Forest are said to be preparing to launch an internal investigation into Sunday’s incident involving Taiwo Awoniyi. The Reds striker sustained a serious abdominal injury when he collided with a post in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the City Ground. He received treatment before returning to the pitch for the final minutes of the match. Awoniyi was taken to hospital on Monday and underwent surgery, then was placed into an induced coma before undergoing another operation on Wednesday. It is understood he was woken from the induced coma on Wednesday evening. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had been given the thumbs up by Forest’s medical team for Awoniyi to continue playing against Leicester. Owner Evangelos Marinakis was unhappy about the situation, calling it a “misjudgement” from the medical staff in a statement on Sunday night. According to The BBC , Forest are set to open an internal review into the incident to determine why Awoniyi was allowed to continue playing. Nottingham Forest have not confirmed or denied that there will be an internal investigation.

Read More

Taiwo Awoniyi Out of Coma After Abdominal Injury

Fola Badmus03 mins

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after he underwent surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury. The Nigerian was brought on as a late substitute when his side faced Leicester City in the Premier League last Sunday, but after colliding with the post in the closing minutes, the forward suffered a ruptured intestine. Despite the serious nature of the injury and footage showing the 27-year-old in discomfort, he played on for the remainder of the match, though he was later taken to hospital. Awoniyi had the first part of the surgery on Monday and spent Tuesday in an induced coma, before the second stage of the operation was completed on Wednesday. The striker was subsequently woken from the induced coma in the early evening after the second stage of the surgery, and Nottingham Forest will reportedly look to establish the key details around why Awoniyi was allowed back on to the field of play. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was criticised for coming onto the pitch against Leicester following the full-time whistle, but he later clarified that he only did so to express concern to manager Nuno Espirito Santo over how Awoniyi’s injury was handled. The injury that Awoniyi suffered is extremely serious, with mortality rates even in the event of surgery standing at 9%, so it is perhaps understandable that Marinakis was deeply concerned. Officials have faced criticism for allowing the passage of play that led up to Awoniyi’s injury to occur given Anthony Elanga was in a clear offside position in the buildup. The rules regarding offsides state that when a clear goalscoring opportunity is likely, assistant referees must delay raising their flag until the phase of play has concluded. While the rule would in principle prevent players from missing out on golden chances in the final third, many pundits have suggested that allowing such passages of play to develop and relying on the intervention of VAR could lead to serious injury. Perhaps the serious nature of Awoniyi’s injury will cause football’s lawmakers to reconsider their stance on when officials should flag for offside.

Read More

Taiwo Awoniyi Set To Be Brought Out of Induced Coma After Surgery

Fola Badmus03 mins

Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to be brought out of an induced coma on Wednesday after urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in Sunday’s match against Leicester. The Nigeria striker was injured after colliding with a post during the 2-2 draw at the City Ground, after which the Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, stormed on to the pitch. Forest anticipate Awoniyi will make a full recovery, though it remains unclear when he will be discharged from hospital. He underwent surgery on Monday. It was a medical decision to place Awoniyi into an induced coma to stabilise his condition and for the 27-year-old’s own comfort. Awoniyi returned to the pitch on Sunday after lengthy treatment after the incident in the 88th minute. Awoniyi clattered against a post in an attempt to meet Anthony Elanga’s cross. Elanga was in an offside position when he collected the ball but the assistant referee did not raise their flag until after Awoniyi’s collision, in line with International Football Association Board (Ifab) guidance. In a statement on Tuesday, Forest said Marinakis’s decision to go on the pitch stemmed from his frustration at the incident, which left Forest, who had used all of their permitted substitutes, with 10 men for the closing stages. A draw dented their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. “His [Marinakis’s] deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go on the pitch,” it read. “He would do the same if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.” Forest also disputed suggestions that Marinakis had a confrontation with the head coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, after entering the pitch. “There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the statement said.

Read More
Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Fola Badmus05 mins

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester. Awoniyi had surgery on Monday evening and while there is no suggestion his condition is life-threatening, it could have been if left untreated. The coma has been induced to restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate in order to aid his recovery, with further treatment expected on Tuesday. The 27-year-old slid into the post late in Sunday’s match, in a passage of play after Anthony Elanga had been clearly offside, before continuing to play after several minutes of treatment. This injury has placed renewed scrutiny on the Premier League’s regulation to continue play in the case of goalscoring opportunities even if a player is noticeably offside in the build-up. Owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the game, which the club have claimed was regarding the medical team’s treatment of Awoniyi. In a statement released on Monday, Forest said: “The seriousness of Awoniyi’s injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first. “This principle is not just policy for us, it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Marinakis, this isn’t just a club, it’s family, and he instils that message in all of us. “That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility and emotional investment in one of our own. “He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.” The club then went on to praise their owner’s character and behaviour, saying: “In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.“When he saw our player clearly in discomfort it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. “It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur. “There was no confrontation, with Nuno or others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.” The statement finished with a plea which appeared to target Gary Neville, who had called for Nuno to resign on Sunday after Marinakis’s on-pitch outburst. They said: “In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context. “Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social-media traction serves no one, least of all the injured player. We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.”

Read More

Guinness Brings Premier League Trophy to Nigeria

Fola Badmus02 mins

As part of its commitment to provide its consumers and Nigerian football fans with unmatched experiences and memories, Guinness Nigeria, in partnership with the Premier League, today announced that it is bringing the prestigious English Premier League trophy to Nigeria. This visit will see the trophy visit Enugu on May 16th and Lagos on May 17th and 18th; providing football fans the opportunity to interact up close and personal, with the ultimate prize of the best football league in the world. The three-day, two-city tour will provide football fans around the world with a chance to be in proximity of the iconic Premier League™ Trophy and the heroes of the game. Both iconic cities- will also host Guinness MatchDay events; an elevated football viewing experience featuring multiple viewing screens to ensure fans don’t miss a moment, a replay and highlight corners with noise cancellation headsets, an iconic 360-degree Guinness ar serving an array of Guinness nspired cocktails, on-site customization of football jerseys, and other wonderful experiences that puts fans at the center of the football action. Marketing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Olayinka Bakare, further reiterated this: ”Our association with Football is a key platform to engage & elevate the experiences of our consumers. This is more than a tour. It is an iconic, unmissable experience. Besides the unique excitement of seeing the Premier League silverware in Nigeria, it’s about celebrating football’s power to unite us, whilst delivering unmatched football moments that only Guinness can offer.”

Read More