December 2018 – Football Flame

31Dec

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Rajiv van La Parra set to join Middlesbrough on loan

Hudderfield Town have confirmed that winger Rajiv van La Parra will join Middlebrough on loan when the transfer window opens on 1 January 2019.The Dutchman, who joined the Hudderfield from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016, has made just five starts in the Premier League this season, the most recent of which came at Burnley on 6 October 2018.Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner explained:“Rajiv is 27 and understandably wants to play regular football, which is not something I can offer him at Huddersfield Town right now.“We wish him the best of luck at Middlesbrough for the rest of the season.”Rajiv’s contract at Huddersfield Town runs until the summer of 2020, with the Club having an option on a further season.

31Dec

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TRANSFERS

Valencia eye West Ham United forward Javier Hernandez

Valencia plans to make a move for West Ham United striker Javier Hernandez in January transfer window, and believe the Mexican international wants to return to La Liga.The Spanish club are eager to change their goal-shy attack due to the struggles of Kevin Gameiro and Michy Batshuayi, with the latter set to return to Chelsea after an unsatisfactory loan move.Valencia’s financial situation means they would favour a similar temporary move for Hernandez, but that is seen as the main obstacle to any deal. It is understood the striker wants to return to Spain after an enjoyable time there with Real Madrid in 2014-15, and there is a feeling from the Mestalla that West Ham might be willing to do a deal. While Hernandez has played in the majority of matches this season, he hasn’t been ab...

31Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

N’Golo Kante delight in new attacking role with Chelsea

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante has revealed the pleasure he is taking from his new attacking midfield role after scoring the game’s only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.The Frenchman’s recent change from the world’s leading defensive midfielder, it was from that position he was so influential as France became world champions to a more offensive position has consistently divided opinion.Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri has also occasionally been criticised for the decision taken to accommodate summer signing Jorginho, but at Selhurst Park amid Palace’s negativity it was Kante’s forward run and finish that was needed to secure victory.Despite their ability Chelsea had rarely looked like scoring, and the 27-year-old Kante told the club’s official website: “(This role) is somet...

29Dec

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SERIE A

Josip Ilicic score hat-trick to help Atalanta grab 6-2 win over Sassuolo

Atalanta forward Josip Ilicic came off the bench to score a hat-trick in the last 20 minutes to give his side 6-2 rout away victory over Sassuolo on Saturday.Duvan Zapata headed Atalanta in front from an Alejandro Gomez free kick in the 19th minute and Gomez himself added the second with a deflected shot three minutes before halftime.There were three goals in a seven-minute spell early in the second half as Alfred Duncan pulled one back for Sassuolo, Gianluca Mancini restored Atalanta's two-goal lead and then Duncan struck again.Ilicic was brought on in the 63rd minute and the Slovenian became the first player to score a hat-trick in Serie A from the substitutes' bench since 2011.He opened his account with an angled shot in the 74th minute, added a second with three minutes left following ...

29Dec

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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Sampodoria to seal new record for Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals for Italian champions Juventus to end 2018 with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria giving the Italian champions a new record of 53 points before the winter break. Ronaldo curled in the opener after just two minutes in Turin adding a second from the penalty spot after 66 minutes, putting the Portuguese top of Serie A's scoring charts with 14 goals. Fabio Quagliarella pulled Sampdoria level with a penalty after 33 minutes, with the visitors having a late Riccardo Saponara goal ruled offside after consultation with the VAR (video assistant referee).Juventus open up a 12-point lead at the top of Serie A ahead of Napoli who can reduce the gap when they host Bologna later on Saturday.The seven-time reigning champions also have a record number of points before the three-w...

28Dec

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LALIGA

Eric Abidal disclose Barcelona plans for January transfer window

Barcelona technical secretary Eric Abidal spoke about the club’s plans for the January transfer window during Jeison Murillo’s unveiling on Thursday.The Spanish champions are being linked with several players, most notably Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, but Abidal played down talk of further signings.“We are always monitoring the market,” he said. ”In theory, there is nothing planned in terms of arrivals.“As for exits, there are certainly some players who will want more.”Everything will be put on the table and decisions will be taken.” &nbs...

28Dec

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TRANSFERS

Real Madrid set to sign Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz

Real Madrid has reached an agreement with Manchester City and talented forward Brahim Diaz. The Spanish prospect will join Los Blancos when the transfer window opens in just a few days.Madrid President Florentino Perez and sticking with his transfer market plan of signing young, promising players and building them up within club.After being known for over a decade as the club that signs the biggest names in Europe, Los Blancos are now signing players 22 and younger who have shown glimpses of brilliance.Brahim Diaz will be the next up-and-coming player to put on the white kit and he will make his switch to the Spanish capital in just a weeks time according to Marca.The fee will be in the area of €15 million but could be more due to add-ons and stipulations in the agreement. Diaz has agreed ...

28Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Bournemouth captain Simon Francis ruled out for the rest of the season with injury

Bournemouth captain Simon Francis will be sidelines for nine month with a cruciate ligament injury.The 33-year-old defender ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 5-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham at Wembley on Boxing Day.He was carried from the field on a stretcher and after being assessed by the Cherries' medical staff, underwent a scan in London on Wednesday evening which revealed the extent of the damage.Manager Eddie Howe told the club’s official website: “We are devastated to have lost Simon to a serious knee injury.“It is a huge blow for us to lose our captain and someone who has performed so well and consistently for the team over a long period of time.“There is a long road ahead, but Simon is a model professional who has a positive mindset and is...

26Dec

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brighton held 1-1 draw against Arsenal

Brighton & Hove Albion came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday and arrest a run of three straight defeats.Their poor run looked like continuing as Arsenal took the lead after seven minutes, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang producing a fine side-foot finish wide in the box for his 13th league goal of the season.However, the Gunners have only kept three clean sheets in 19 league games and were pegged back just after the half hour mark.A long ball up the field came off the head of Stephan Lichtsteiner and fell to Jurgen Locadia who had sprinted up the pitch and did well to poke it past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.Brighton midfielder Davy Propper headed just wide shortly after halftime, while Solly March later got on the end of another long ball but his...

26Dec

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SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo shines in Serie A as he help Juventus maintain their unbeaten run

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo has stepped up when his team required him the most and delivered against all odds. And after years of popping up for his team at the much needed hour, And he does it again to salvage a 2-2 draw for his new team against Atalanta.It was a rare occasion as Ronaldo was rested as Juventus went on to face Atalanta. With Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, Juventus struggled to put the ball into the net as Atlanta were leading the match 2-1 for major halves of the game and Juventus were with a man less on the pitch after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off. It was in the 65th minute when a 10-men Juventus finally turned to the saviour.And with 13 minutes to go, Cristiano repaid their faith to salvage a 2-2 draw. It was from a corner which was going into...