July 2019 – Page 5 – Football Flame

Month: July 2019

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Solskjaer : Pogba Never a Problem and There's Agenda Against Him

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba has "never been a problem" and there is an "agenda" against the France midfielder.Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has said the 26-year-old wants to leave United and hopes "there will soon be a satisfying solution for all parties".In his first news conference of pre-season in Perth, Australia, Solskjaer referenced a video of £89m record-signing Pogba and team-mate Jesse Lingard that was reported as a bust-up between the pair."It's an agenda against Paul, he's a great, great professional, never been any problems, he has a heart of gold," said the Norwegian."Jesse and Paul yesterday walking around and it's portrayed as a fight between the two boys and I know you're here to sell players and stories but they're all professional."Solskjaer ad...
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NEWS

Wilfried Zaha Sends Ivory Coast into AFCON last Eight

Wilfried Zaha scored the winner as the Ivory Coast beat Mali 1-0 to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.The Crystal Palace forward, who has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal, raced on to Sylvain Gbohouo’s deep free-kick and got to the ball before Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.Mali had been wasteful with Moussa Marega and Moussa Djenepo both missing good opportunities when well placed.The Ivory Coast play Algeria in the last eight on Thursday.The Elephants have won the competition twice – in 1992 and 2015 – but only advanced through this year’s opening phase as runners-up after losing 1-0 to group winners Morocco.The Ivory Coast struggled in the first half against Group E winners Mali and failed to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.Mali’s Moussa Djenepo,...
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TRANSFERS

Burnley set to re-sign West Brom striker Rodriguez

Burnley are set to re-sign West Bromwich Albion striker Jay Rodriguez after triggering his release clause.The Clarets have agreed to pay an initial fee of £5m, with another £5m guaranteed in 12 months.Burnley-born Rodriguez, 29, has not gone on West Brom's pre-season trip to Spain and will instead have a medical at his former club.He began his professional career at Turf Moor in 2007 before signing for Southampton in 2012.West Brom signed Rodriguez from Southampton for a fee of about £12m in 2017, after he had scored 32 goals in 126 appearances for Saints.He made his only England appearance against Chile in November 2013.
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NEWS

USA Defend Women's World Cup Crown in Style

Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle scored for world No.1s USA as they defeated the Netherlands to claim the Women's World Cup in Lyon.Powerhouses USA have defended their Women's World Cup crown, claiming another title after a heated 2-0 defeat over Netherlands.Captain and provocateur Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring in Lyon with a 61st-minute penalty before Rose Lavelle danced through the midfield eight minutes later to secure the win.The Americans' success is their fourth World Cup success, follows their 2015 triumph and confirms their irrefutable status as the best side in the women's game.That much was clear all month in France, where the world No.1s began their campaign with a 13-0 walloping of Thailand and ended it with a determined and deserved victory in the showpiece match.Rapinoe was ...
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NEWS

Brazil beats Peru to win Copa America title

Brazil finally claimed their ninth Copa America title -to Messi's dismay- with a good performance against Peru in a tougher match than initially anticipated.Peru made A Canarinha battle for the trophy after scoring an equalizer right before the halftime break, but a good strike by Gabriel Jesus moments later paved the way for the second half.Just when things seemed to be rolling for the Brazilian side, Gabriel Jesus was sent off due to a midfield clash. The footballer was baffled by the decision, and went to the locker room throwing punches and nearly destroying the booth where the VAR technology is located.In fact, the footballer became the first player in Copa America history to be involved in such antics during the tournament's final. He was the first player to assist for the first...
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NEWS

Riyad Mahrez Fires Algeria to AFCON last eight

Riyad Mahrez scored a wonderful goal as Algeria underlined their status as one of the favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 win over Guinea which booked their place in the quarter-finals.The Manchester City winger’s superb control and composed finish in the 57th minute put his side two goals up after Youcef Belaili’s 24th-minute opener in Cairo.And Algeria sealed their progression as substitute Adam Ounas added a late third.Djamel Belmadi’s side had cruised through group stages without dropping a point or conceding a goal and they were untroubled as they set up a last-eight meeting with Mali or Ivory Coast.Belaili set them on their way, bursting into the area from the left and sliding a low finish into the far corner from a tight angle.Mahrez’s goal was the pick of the bunch ...
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TRANSFERS

Chelsea confirm permanent Morata departure to Atletico Madrid

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement over the permanent transfer of Spanish striker Alvaro Morata.Spanish international Alvaro Morata has joined La Liga runners-up Atletico Madrid from Premier League giants Chelsea on a permanent deal, the Blues have announced on their official website.Morata joined Chelsea in the summer of 2017 from Real Madrid in a then club-record deal of £60 million. After a blazing start to life in England, the striker found himself struggling for form and fitness, finishing his debut campaign with the West Londoners with a return of 15 goals and 6 assists from 48 matches.The 2018-19 season saw Morata’s struggles in front of goal compound further. The 26-year-old managed just 5 goals in 16 Premier League outings in the first half of the campaign, whic...
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SERIE A

Torino eyeing Move for Inter Striker George Puscas

Torino are on the lookout for a new striker to help them improve for the coming season and have identified Inter’s George Puscas as a potential addition according to a report from Tuttosport.The Romanian forward was on loan at Palermo this past season and the Rosanero were due to turn the move permanent but with them now being on the brink of extinction, they were forced to default on the payment which meant Puscas has now returned to Inter.Last season Puscas, who has also drawn interest from the likes of recently relegated Empoli, managed nine goals in 33 appearances for Palermo but as per the report from the Turin news outlet, he is not the only player being considered by bosses at the Granata.Genoa’s Ivorian forward Christian Kouame is also understood to be on their radar. The 21-year-o...
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NEWS

Lionel Messi Refuses Medal, Citing Corruption in Copa America

Lionel Messi didn't just make noise during Saturday's Copa America third-place game -- he also made noise after it. Following Argentina's 2-1 win over Chile in which he received a red card in the first half after a physical incident with Gary Medel, Messi was furious and did not hold back. He refused to accept the third-place medal by not even coming back out of the locker room, he said the tournament was corrupt and added that he believes the tournament was set up for Brazil to win. The hosts play Peru in the final on Sunday. "I feel lot of anger because I think I did not deserve that red card because I think we were playing a very good game," Messi told the media after the game. "We were ahead but, as I said recently, unfortunately there is a lot of corruption, the referees. ... We ...
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NEWS

Mourinho Rejects Huge Offer from China

Jose Mourinho has turned down the chance to manage Guangzhou Evergrande for family reasons despite a lucrative offer from the Chinese Super League club.The Portuguese has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in mid-December. At Old Trafford he earned around £15m a year and his proposed salary at Guangzhou would have been far greater.Following talks with representatives of the club, whose majority owners are the Evergrande Real Estate Group, Mourinho rejected the job because it is understood he did not wish to cause upheaval to his family by moving to China.Mourinho is also not interested in international management, preferring a return to the club game when the right opportunity arises.
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NEWS

AFCON : Mane Sends Senegal to the Quarter-finals

Sadio Mane fired Senegal through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they saw off Uganda 1-0 in Cairo.The Liverpool striker is targeting more silverware after helping his club side land Champions League glory, and Mane's first-half strike carried his nation past awkward opposition.Mane missed a second-half penalty after he had been clattered, but his earlier clinical finish proved enough.Senegal, for whom this was an eighth win in their last nine games, will next face Benin who earned a shock 4-1 penalties win against Morocco following a 1-1 draw earlier on Friday.
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LALIGA

Frenkie de Jong Wants De Ligt at Barcelona

New Barcelona recruit Frenkie de Jong says he would like to see his ex-teammate from Ajax Matthijs de Ligt join him at Camp Nou, but that he cannot make up the defender’s mind for him.Ajax skipper De Ligt has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since he led the Dutch champions to an unlikely semi-final appearance in the Champions League, where only a stoppage-time comeback from Tottenham prevented them from reaching the final.Barca had been favourite to land the 19-year-old’s signature earlier in the summer, but it now looks like Juventus will win the race to sign Europe’s most sought-after defender after the Serie A champions reportedly agreed a fee with Ajax.And De Jong, who was finally unveiled on Friday as a Barcelona player having agreed to join the club six months previo...
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TRANSFERS

Juventus sign Demiral from Sassuolo for €18m

Juventus completed the signing of Turkey defender Merih Demiral for €18million from Sassuolo on Friday.Demiral, 21, joined Sassuolo from Alanyaspor in January – initially on loan with an obligation to buy – before making 14 Serie A appearances.The centre-back, a four-time Turkey international, has now joined the Serie A champions, signing a five-year deal."Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the agreement with U.S. Sassuolo Calcio S.r.l. for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Merih Demiral has been finalised for a consideration of €18million payable in four financial years," a Juve statement read."Juventus and the player have signed a five-year contract of employment until 30 June 2024."Demiral also scored two Serie A goals in his 14 matches as Sas...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham Set to Sell Arnautovic to China

West Ham have decided to cut their losses on Marko Arnautovic and sell him for €25m (£22.4m) to a Chinese Super League club, believed to be Shanghai SIPG, after Manuel Pellegrini told the board to let the Austrian forward leave.Arnautovic informed West Ham this week that he wanted to be allowed to move to China and, although the club initially told him to honour the contract extension he signed in January, they have since come to the conclusion that keeping him would have a negative effect on squad morale. Pellegrini is furious with the 30-year-old and the player’s teammates believe it would be better if he were sold as soon as possible.West Ham rejected a bid in the region of £19m for Arnautovic on Tuesday, deeming that figure insulting, and initially hoped to take a hard line with a...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal's Ospina Seals Permanent Napoli Switch

Arsenal and Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina has completed a permanent move to Serie A with Napoli, the English club confirmed on Thursday.Ospina, 30, joined Napoli on a loan deal at the start of the 2018-19 season after finding his first-team opportunities with the Gunners further limited by the arrival of Bernd Leno.And after making 24 appearances for the Italians in his first campaign Ospina, who represented his nation in this summer's Copa America before being eliminated by Chile in the quarter-finals, will remain at San Paolo in a transfer reportedly worth £5 million ($6.3m).Ospina played the role of understudy to Petr Cech for most of his time at the Emirates Stadium, and was restricted to fewer than 10 Premier League appearances for each of his final three seasons before swapping no...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd Offer Contract Extension to De Gea

Manchester United have made an improved contract offer to David de Gea which would make him the highest paid goalkeeper in the world.Marcus Rashford this week committed his long-term future at Old Trafford and the club are attempting to persuade the Spain goalkeeper to do similar.Negotiations with De Gea dragged along all last season, with demands around the deal holding things up despite the goalkeeper's apparent desire to remain at a club he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011.The situation is becoming more pressing as the 28-year-old is out of contract next summer.De Gea has been strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, while links to Real Madrid are never far from the surface after going so close to moving to the Bernabeu in 2015.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

CONFIRMED: Former Everton Captain goes back home

After a dozen years with Everton, captain Phil Jagielka left the club this summer and will be returning to where it all started for him, for one more year.The soon-to-be 37-year-old has signed a one-year deal with his boyhood club Sheffield United as they make their return to the Premier League. While the central defender has lost a step or three over the years, he will provide valuable veteran savvy, leadership and experience to a side that will be fighting against the odds to remain in the top flight after having clawed their way back.Jagielka made 385 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 19 times and picking up 11 assists as well. Of the twelve years at Everton, he served as captain for half of those. The veteran was linked with a move back to the Blades back in the summer of ...
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TRANSFERS

Rodri completes Manchester City move from Atletico Madrid

Manchester City have signed midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid in a club-record deal after paying his £62.5m ($112m) release clause.The La Liga side confirmed on Wednesday that City’s representatives had paid the fee for Rodri at La Liga’s headquarters, despite interest from Bayern Munich.Rodri - who has signed a five-year deal with City - informed Atletico last month of his desire to leave the club this summer.After completing his move, Rodri told City’s official website: “What City have achieved in the last two years has been amazing and I’m looking forward to being part of such a talented squad.“It’s not just the titles they have won, but the way they have managed it, playing attacking football at all times. It’s a style that excites me, as do the club’s ambitions.“I can’t wait to st...
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SERIE A

Italy Legend Buffon Returns to Juventus

Ex-Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has returned to Juventus on a one-year contract after a season spent at Paris Saint-Germain, AFP reports.The 41-year-old, who will be number two to Polish ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny, previously spent 17 season with the Turin club, winning nine Serie A titles and playing three Champions League finals.“Welcome home, Gigi!” Juve said in a statement.“It was 19 May 2018. That was the day when there were tears in everyone’s eyes: when Gigi said goodbye to Juventus, its fans and vice-versa. It was the bidding of a farewell to someone who was more than just a captain, but a legend and a symbol of the club.“Probably each of us hoped, and in the end, knew that the yarn that united us for so many years was not destined to break. And that was the case.”The veteran g...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea appoint Lampard as Head Coach

Frank Lampard was appointed Chelsea head coach on Thursday, confirming a dramatic return for one of the club's greatest ever players.Lampard has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea, where he spent 13 years and became the team's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals.The former England midfielder succeeds Maurizio Sarri after just one season in management, having led Derby County to the Championship play-off final in May, when they were beaten by Aston Villa."I am immensely proud to be returning to Chelsea as head coach," Lampard said in a club statement."Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead."I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get ...
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