May 2019 – Page 3 – Football Flame    
Latest Football News

Month: May 2019

No Comments
NEWS

Marcelo Lippi Named China Coach Again

Marcello Lippi has been named coach of China for a second stint as they prepare for 2022 World Cup qualifying.The former Italy and Juventus boss was at the helm of China for more than two years before leaving the post in January following a quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup.He was replaced by Fabio Cannavaro, who stepped down last month to focus on coaching Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.The Chinese Football Association (CFA) confirmed on Friday it had once again appointed Lippi.Lippi led Juventus to five Serie A titles in two stints with the club, also claiming the 1995-96 Champions League during his time with the Italian club.He also led Italy to the team's 2006 World Cup triumph, becoming the first coach to win both a World Cup and a Champions League title as a manager.
Read More
No Comments
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich confirm interest in Leroy Sane

Bayern Munich’s pursuit of German international Leroy Sane has passed from rumor to reality: club president Uli Hoeness confirmed to the Suddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday, “We are working on this personnel matter.”Kicker  reported Bayern’s interest in Sane on Monday. Bild reported on Tuesday that Hoeness wants to sign Sane to make Bayern’s wingers the same as the German national team’s — a new FC Deutschland. And just yesterday Robert Lewandowski praised Sane as a “super player with great qualities and great potential... a player who can immediately take us higher, who improves the team.”Hoeness’ comment all but guarantees that Bayern’s interest in Sane is very, very serious. It is reported that Pep Guardiola would like to move on from Sane, and Sane’s only other interest, besides ...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Reports: Inter Want Lukaku, Moses After Conte Joins

Inter Milan want to sign Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses this summer; once they have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach, as per reports. The former Chelsea boss is expected to replace Luciano Spalletti at Inter next week, according to reports in Italy, and both players are believed to be on his wishlist.Conte tried to sign Lukaku in the summer of 2017 when he was still at Stamford Bridge, but the striker opted to move to Manchester United from Everton instead.The Belgium international has scored 42 goals in 96 games for United, but failed to score in his last eight games this season and often found Marcus Rashford chosen ahead of him as the team's central striker after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became manager.
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Ter Stegen Ruled Out of Copa del Rey Final

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out of the Copa del Rey final due to a knee problem.The Germany international missed the final three La Liga games of the season while undergoing treatment for an issue in his right knee.The club confirmed on Wednesday that Ter Stegen "still has discomfort" and is therefore unavailable for the match with Valencia at the Benito Villamarin on Saturday.It means Jasper Cillessen is likely to start, despite reports stating that he has agreed to leave the club to join Benfica in the coming transfer window.The deal is yet to be completed, however, with the Blaugrana demanding €25 million (£22m/$28m) for the Netherlands international.
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Report: Man Utd, Spurs & Everton Offered Strootman

Manchester United, Everton and West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Marseille and Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman on loan.Strootman, 29, was linked with moves to United when David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal were in charge at Old Trafford.He signed for French club Marseille from Roma for £23m last summer and has been a mainstay in central midfield throughout the season.But Marseille need to cut costs after disappointing season in which they are sat sixth in Ligue 1 with one round of fixtures left to play.Manchester United are expected to undergo a massive overhaul this summer, but the emphasis will be on securing home-grown young players of potential.
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Borussia Dortmund signs Thorgan Hazard

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach winger Thorgan Hazard.The Belgium international has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga runners-up having spent five years with Gladbach.He becomes Dortmund's second summer signing after Germany left-back Nico Schulz completed his move from Hoffenheim on Tuesday.The final fee for Hazard has not been disclosed by either club, with reports suggesting it could be anywhere from €25 million (£22m/$28m) to €40m (£35.2m/$44.7m).Hazard has had an agreement in place to join Dortmund for some time, with only the technicalities of the deal between the two clubs required to get it over the line.The 26-year-old leaves Gladbach having made 182 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 46 goals and laying on 44 a...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Varane Wants to Continue at Real Madrid

Raphael Varane confirmed that he will remain with Real Madrid next season as he will look to help the club recover from a season that was far below their usual standards.Real Madrid finished third in La Liga this season, as the club moved from Julen Lopetegui to Santiago Solari to, ultimately, Zinedine Zidane as manager.The club also saw a run of three consecutive Champions League titles snapped with a last-16 loss to Ajax.Varane has been linked with a move away from the club several times, with Manchester United linked to the French defender in the past.But the World Cup winner insists that he will not be leaving the Spanish capital this summer."I'm going to continue here next year, I'm sure we're going to relive strong emotions," he told Marca.
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Van Persie: Solskjaer Right Choice for Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man to lead Manchester United and must be given a fair chance to reverse their decline, former striker Robin van Persie told BBC Sport.After impressing as interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, ex-United forward Solskjaer oversaw a dismal end to the season as they missed out on a top-four finish.But Van Persie said: "I think it's the perfect match, it's just they're having a bad spell."He added: "Back in the day it was normal for a manager to get time. Nowadays if you lose six games, you're out. Is that the solution?"Give someone time, especially if it's a kid from the club."United dismissed Mourinho on 18 December and planned to make a temporary appointment until the summer before filling the managerial vacancy permanently.A day later, 46...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Petr Cech Denies Chelsea – Sporting Director Links For Now

Petr Cech has denied reports that he is set for a new role with Chelsea, insisting that he is still solely focused on the Europa League final against his former club.Cech has been with Arsenal since 2015 following a decade-long stay with the Blues.The 37-year-old goalkeeper has won the FA up and two Community Shields since making the move across London to join the Gunners.But reports have stated that Cech is in line for a front office role with Chelsea as he prepares to end his playing career following next week's Europa League final between the Gunners and the Blues.Cech, though, says that decision has not been finalized and that he has not thought of any possibilities that don't involve that Europa League finale."Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before, I’ll make...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Daniel James reportedly agree terms with Man Utd

Swansea winger Daniel James has agreed personal terms with Manchester United, as per reports.The two clubs are yet to agree a deal, contrary to reports, but talks are continuing and James is set to become United's first signing of the summer.It is understood United are close to agreeing a £15m fee with the Championship club for James, who has one year left on his contract.James was named in Ryan Giggs' Wales squad for their Portugal training camp ahead of next month's Euro 2020 qualifying round matches against Croatia and Hungary.
Read More
No Comments
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman wins france recall

Kingsley Coman has been rewarded for his strong late-season form with Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich by earning a recall for world champions France.Bayern winger Coman had not featured for his country since November 2017, after which an ankle injury ended his chance of taking part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in all competitions since February, however, helping Bayern to become German champions for the seventh year running and to reach this Saturday’s DFB Cup final against RB Leipzig.As  a result, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus wide man has been included in a 24-man squad for France’s friendly against Bolivia  (2 June) as well as their UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Turkey and Andorra (8 and 11 June).Coman missed 17...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Giroud sign one year contract extension with Chelsea

Olivier Giroud has committed his immediate future to Chelsea by signing a one-year contract extension.The World Cup winner has told the Blues’ official website: “I am very happy to sign a new contract.“I really wanted to stay at least one more year - I have felt a part of the team, the family, since the beginning and hopefully there will be more trophies to come.”Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added on seeing fresh terms agreed with an experienced frontman: “We are very pleased that Olivier will be a Chelsea player for another season.“Since joining us 18 months ago, he has at times had to be patient and wait for opportunities, but has still been able to make a positive contribution to the team.“Whether it is his unselfish link-up play or his 10 Europa League goals this season, he has ...
Read More
No Comments
UCL

Liverpool forward Firmino returns to training ahead Champions League final

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has returned to training ahead of the Champions League final.The Brazil international missed Liverpool’s last three matches because of a thigh injury but was able to take part in the first session of the squad’s pre-final camp in Marbella, Spain.Firmino was the first player to arrive on the south coast of Spain so he could carry out some individual sessions with strength and rehabilitation staff.Liverpool says his reintroduction to full training “will be carefully managed under their supervision, with specialized programs planned over the coming days.”The 26-man squad is spending six days in Marbella before returning to England to finalize preparations for the match against Tottenham on June 1 in Madrid.
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Dortmund signs Germany defender Nico Schulz

Borussia Dortmund signed Germany defender Nico Schulz from Bundesliga rival Hoffenheim on Tuesday.Dortmund, which finished runner-up in the league, said the 26-year-old Schulz signed a deal through June 2024.“We will benefit greatly from his physicality, his tempo and his extreme dynamism,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said. “A player like him with his fighting spirit and his desire to be successful would help any team.”Schulz, who will be familiar to Dortmund coach Lucien Favre from their time together at Borussia Moenchengladbach, scored one goal and set up six more for Hoffenheim last season.Kicker magazine reported that Dortmund was paying 27 million euros ($30 million) for the player, making Schulz Dortmund's second most expensive signing after Andre Schuerrle.Schulz h...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos signs new four year deal

Toni Kroos has reached an agreement with Real Madrid over a deal that will see him remain at the Bernabeu till 2023, the club announced on Monday.Real Madrid have made an official statement to announce that they have reached an agreement with Toni Kroos to extend his stay with the club. The German international has signed a new four-year deal with Los Blancos that will see him remain at the Bernabeu till June 30, 2023.Kroos joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014, having already achieved considerable success in his career. In fact, the German international had experienced success at both club and international levels, including winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup before the switch to the Bernabeu.At Real Madrid, Kroos has gone on to achieve further success whilst ...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea loanee Alvaro Morata makes decision about his future

Alvaro Morata has revealed that he wants to spend the rest of his career at Atletico Madrid and make his move from Chelsea FC permanent.The striker left Chelsea FC to join Atletico Madrid on loan in the January transfer window and the Spanish club have the option to make his move permanent.According to The Evening Standard, with Antoine Griezmann leaving the club, Atletico Madrid will look to exercise their option to buy Morata sooner rather than later.The 26-year-old Spain international has scored six goals and made one assist in 15 La Liga games for the Spanish club so far this season.Before his move in January, Morata had scored five goals in 16 Premier League games under Maurizio Sarri for Chelsea FC.Now, the player himself has made it clear that he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid bey...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Alexis Sanchez eager to seal transfer away from Old Trafford

Alexis Sanchez is ready to return to pre-season early to secure a move away from Manchester United .The Chilean has endured a nightmare spell at Old Trafford since arriving from Arsenal in January 2018.Sanchez managed just one Premier League goal this term and barely featured under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the final months of the season.United are willing to listen to offers for Sanchez, although they face a struggle in persuading a club to take on his staggering wages.Inter Milan are believed to be weighing up a move for the Arsenal man, who is ready to quit United.The Sun reports Sanchez has made his mind on his future and is eager to leave England this summer.He has travelled to Chile to see family and friends but is ready to return to pre-season training early to prove his fitness.
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Barcelona 2- 2 Eibar: Ernesto Valverde want more from Barcelona in cup final

Ernesto Valverde hopes Barcelona's 2-2 draw at Eibar will serve as a wake-up call ahead of the Copa del Rey final.Lionel Messi scored a quick-fire double after Marc Cucurella's opener, but the champions were pegged back in the last game of their LaLiga campaign by Pablo De Blasis' equaliser.Barca head to Seville to face Valencia next Saturday as they look to win a record fifth straight Copa del Rey.And manager Valverde knows his side will have to improve if they are to complete another domestic double."All the matches serve (as tests), but Saturday's match will be different because the teams are different and because this was marked by the fact that Eibar didn't play for anything," Valverde said at his press conference, according to Marca."We tried to gauge the intensity of the game and we...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Zinedine Zidane accepts responsibility for Real Madrid poor season

Zinedine Zidane has accepted his share of the blame for Real Madrid's disastrous season.Speaking after watching his side slip to a 2-0 home defeat by Real Betis in their final LaLiga fixture, Zidane, who returned to the Bernabeu to replace Santiago Solari in March, pulled no punches in his assessment of the campaign.He told a press conference: "What happened this year has to be accepted. I'm to blame – we've had 11 games and won just 5. That is what it is."When a season starts off badly and then you are not playing for a trophy, I think it is hard to play well if there is nothing to play for. Motivation is a strange thing, it is part of our reality."During the week, it always seems like we are going to have a good match but in the end, it just doesn't happen due to many circumstances."Now ...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Juve striker Cristiano Ronaldo named Serie A MVP

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Serie A MVP award for the 2018-19 season, his first in the Italian top division.Per Football Italia, he won the award calculated via statistics, thanks to his 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 matches across all domestic competitions. The award is an official distinction from the league, with Ernst & Young putting the list together using data from Opta Sports and Netco Sports.Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Inter Milan's Samir Handanovic, Sampdoria's Fabio Quagliarella and AS Roma's Nicolo Zaniolo were the other winners, the latter being voted Best Young Player and the others picking up the positional awards.
Read More
Like Us
Follow Us
Follow us
Follow us
Blogarama - Blog Directory