Welcome to another year forward and Talking Point promises to keep you updated on everything sport.

Let’s get started;

• John Obi Mikel has being nominated for a Top English Premier League award. According to All Africa, Mikel Obi will battle Swansea striker Wilfried Bony,
Sadio Mane of Southampton as well as Alex Song from West Ham for the best African performer in the EPL for the month of December.

• Champions Kano Pillars have released Nazifi Ammani and nine other players ahead of the new season. The team will be representing in the CAF Champions League alongside Eyinmba United…(clean-up). African Football

•Nigeria: Daniel Amokachi (Da Bull) says the team choice will be on merit and current form no sentiments involved. All Africa

• President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has insisted that coach Stephen Keshi must be ready to work with the terms of the football federation were he to keep his Super Eagles job. This Day reports.

TRANSFER WINDOW

• Ahmed Musa on Tottenham Hots Spur radar. The Nigerian striker could make a move to the London side from Russia this new year.

• According to the Daily Mail, Everton midfielder James McCarthy could abandon his 2018 expiry date of contract with the Toffees to join either Arsenal or Tottenham, he claims his frustrating form with the club is the reason for the move.

• Steven Gerrad decides to leave at the end of the season. A decision he called “the toughest”, BBC Sport has full details.

• Having played in midfield for Palace
from 1987-91, Alan Pardew will start work as Crystal Palace boss on Friday, according to caretaker boss Keith Millen.
Millen says the 53-year-old will help prepare the team for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Conference side Dover Athletic.

• Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has dismissed speculation linking striker Peter Crouch with a move to West Brom.
Newspaper reports have suggested the 33-year-old, whose deal at the Britannia Stadium expires at the end of the season, could join former Stoke boss Tony Pulis at The Hawthorns.

” Did you know Stephen Gerrad have been with Liverpool since he was Nine?”