August 2019 – Page 3 – Football Flame    
Latest Football News

Month: August 2019

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City opens Premier League title defense with 5-0 win over West Ham

Manchester City kicked off their title defence in style with a 5-0 win on the road to West Ham United, moving level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.Both sides took their time to find their rhythm, and while West Ham enjoyed more of the ball in dangerous areas, it was City who threatened with long-range efforts from Riyad Mahrez and David Silva.As the first-half started to liven up, Kyle Walker showed off his athleticism to create space on the right-wing and the England international teed up Gabriel Jesus, who sneaked in front of Fabian Balbuena to break the deadlock at London Stadium.Chances were few and far between throughout the rest of the first-half, but shortly after the break a surging run from Kevin De Bruyne opened up space for Raheem Sterling on the...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid in talks with PSG to sign Neymar

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have engaged in talks over the potential transfer of Brazilian attacker Neymar Jr. to Madrid, according to a report from AS. The French club simply don’t want to sell Neymar to Barcelona and even offered the player to Real Madrid, knowing that the attacker just doesn’t want to stay in Paris.A year-long loan deal could be a possibility, per that same report, although a regular transfer seems more likely given the quality and reputation of the player.Real Madrid have almost ruled out the signing of Paul Pogba after the transfer window in the Premier League closed without Manchester United securing the arrival of a replacement for the French midfielder. Los Blancos seem ready to sign Van de Beek this summer.While Neymar is definitely a quality player w...
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NEWS

Cesc Fabregas sent off as Monaco lose to Lyon

Monaco suffered a disastrous start to the new Ligue 1 season against Lyon.After their narrow brush with relegation last term, Les Monegasques will hope for much better this time around but this 3-0 defeat was an inauspicious beginning.Monaco found themselves behind in only the fifth minute when Bertrand Traore's cross was headed in by Moussa Dembele.Worse was to follow on the half-hour mark when Cesc Fabregas was sent off.The midfielder had originally been shown a yellow card for a foul on Leo Dubois but the decision was referred to VAR.Replays showed Fabregas had raked his studs down the back of Dubois' leg and the card was upgraded to red.Six minutes later more calamity befell the hosts, this time goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, making his debut after signing from Montpellier, letting a lon...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool score four in first half to Ease past Norwich

Liverpool made an emphatic start to their 2019-20 Premier League campaign with a ruthless 4-1 demolition of newly-promoted Norwich City at Anfield.Jurgen Klopp's European champions did not need to hit top gear to see off the Canaries, who were punished for some naive defending despite showing promise in attack.Grant Hanley gave the hosts the perfect start when he miscued an attempted clearance into his own net, with Mo Salah adding a composed second soon after.Virgil van Dijk was then given too much room to nod home a left-wing corner before Divock Origi was left in acres of space to head in a fourth prior to half time.Liverpool's biggest concern came when goalkeeper Alisson was forced off injured, with former West Ham stopper Adrian coming on to make his debut for the Merseysiders.The Red...
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TRANSFERS

Ilkay Gundogan Signs Contract Extension with Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has signed a three-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2023, the Premier League champions said on Friday.Gundogan, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for 25 million pounds, had one more year on his existing deal before he put pen to paper on the extension.The Germany international made 50 appearances in all competitions for City last season, grabbing six goals and eight assists as the club achieved the domestic treble of the league, FA Cup and League Cup.“I have hugely enjoyed the last three years here at City and everyone at the club has helped make me feel at home from my very first day,” Gundogan said in a statement.“I think we have played some great football over the past few seasons and have enjoyed a lot o...
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TRANSFERS

Everton Confirm the Signing of Arsenal Winger Alex Iwobi

Everton have confirmed the signing of Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi on a five-year deal, after the Nigeria international agreed personal terms with the club. Iwobi, who rose through the youth ranks at the Emirates and joined the first team squad in 2015, played 149 times for the Gunners, scoring 15 goals and contributing 27 assists largely from the flank.And, in a statement on their official website, the Merseyside club confirmed: "Alex Iwobi has signed for Everton from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a five-year deal until the end of June 2024."Meanwhile, Everton boss Marco Silva explained: “Alex was one of our main targets for this window and I believe he is a fantastic signing for Everton. He is a direct and skilful winger and attacking midfielder who always works very h...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wilfried Zaha staying at Crystal Palace despite transfer request, confirms Roy Hodgson

Wilfried Zaha is set to stay at Crystal Palace this summer despite handing in a transfer request amid interest from Everton.The winger, who said towards the end of last season that he wanted to play Champions League football, was the subject of offers from Arsenal earlier in the window, though they fell well below Palace's valuation of more than £80million.Everton saw an offer of £70million plus James McCarthy on a permanent and Cenk Tosun on loan knocked back on Wednesday, which prompted a frustrated and disillusioned Zaha, who did not train with his teammates on deadline day, hand in a transfer request.The Toffees did not return with an offer and Zaha, who could well have left the club up to September 2 with European windows still open, looks set to stay."Yes he is staying," manager Roy ...
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TRANSFERS

Inter Milan confirm Romelu Lukaku signing

Inter Milan have confirmed the signing of Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.The clubs agreed a £74m fee for the Belgium international last night and the deal has now been completed ahead of today’s 5pm transfer deadline.Lukaku, aged 26, had been pushing for a move away from Old Trafford. He had not appeared in any of United’s pre-season friendlies, and had spent this work training with former club Anderlecht in Belgium.United have nearly recouped the £75m fee they paid to sign Lukaku from Everton in July 2017. He leaves Old Trafford having scored 42 goals in 96 games for the Red Devils.At one stage, he had looked set to join Serie A champions Juventus. But ultimately he has joined their domestic rivals Inter, who first bid for him in July.United’s decision to turn down a £54m bid at ...
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LALIGA

Zinedine Zidane furious with Real Madrid over Paul Pogba move

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is on collision course with club president Florentino Perez over a move for Manchester United star Paul Pogba. The Frenchman returned to the club at the end of last season after Perez promised to fund a rebuild at the Bernabeu.The likes of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic have arrived in a £250m spending spree but they’ve been offset with sales of Theo Hernandez and Mateo Kovacic. After the initial outlay, Zidane wanted Madrid to focus their efforts in the remainder of the window in signing Pogba.Zidane made it clear to Madrid on his return last season that Pogba was a crucial part of his rebuild.However, a move for Pogba was dependent on Gareth Bale’s departure and the club have failed to get the Welshman’s £600,000-a-week wages off the books. Another man s...
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LALIGA

Neymar must speak out – Pique hopes star returns to Barcelona

Gerard Pique says Neymar must speak out if he wants to push through his "complicated" return to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.Sources have told Football Flame that Barca have looked into a deal for Neymar, while PSG sporting director Leonardo has confirmed the club would sell the Brazilian forward for the right price.Neymar, 27, left Barca for PSG in a world record €222 million transfer two years ago and the way he forced through his exit angered some people at the Catalan club.However, Pique says he would be delighted to welcome him back to Camp Nou but added the caveat that it will not be easy to come up with a formula to satisfy the French champions."I think Neymar's a great player that knows the dressing room, the city and the club," the defender said in a news confere...
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NEWS

Dani Alves eyes 2022 World Cup in return to Brazil

The former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves said the move aims to keep him in shape for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he will be 39 years old.The captain of Brazil’s title-winning Copa America team signed a contract that runs to December 2022. He left PSG on a free transfer after his contract expired in July.Alves has lifted 40 trophies in his professional career and is looking for more.“I have the dream of playing the next World Cup and I need a team that believes in me, in my history in soccer,” Alves said. “I am coming to Sao Paulo to bring results, I don’t want anyone thinking I have come to end my career. I still have many goals.”Alves did not play in last year’s World Cup because of a knee injury. He was on Brazil’s squad for the 2010 and 2014 editi...
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TRANSFERS

Bournemouth sign Liverpool midfielder Wilson on loan

Bournemouth have brought in Liverpool’s versatile 22-year-old Wales midfielder Harry Wilson on a season-long loan, the two Premier League clubs announced on Tuesday.Wilson, who came through the ranks at Anfield and can play wide or centrally, scored 17 goals in 46 games on loan at Derby County last season as they reached the Championship playoff final.He is Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe’s fifth signing of the close season.The highly-rated Wilson, who made his Liverpool debut in an FA Cup tie at Plymouth in January 2017, has also had loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Hull City as well as Derby.“When Liverpool informed me it was a possibility to come here I was keen to get it sorted. I want to play Premier League football and with a great team like Bournemouth,” he was quoted as telling af...
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LALIGA

Lionel Messi to miss Barcelona's US trip due to calf strain

Argentine star Lionel Messi strained his right calf in his first training session on Monday, forcing him to extend his break and miss the upcoming matches against Serie A side Napoli."Messi withdrew from the session due to discomfort in his right leg," Barcelona said in a club statement. Barca confirmed that Messi was diagnosed with a grade 1 calf strain. The club did not say when Messi could return to the field.Messi also expressed his disappointment on social media: "I wanted to be with the team and the fans that follow us in the U.S. This time its not to be but we will see each other soon," he wrote.Barcelona will play on Thursday at Miami Gardens, Florida, and on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Barcelona faces Napoli on both Aug. 7th and 10th, before opening their league schedule on t...
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Crystal Palace Sign Former Chelsea Defender Gary Cahill

Former England defender Gary Cahill has joined Crystal Palace on a two-year deal.The 33-year-old was a free agent after leaving Chelsea this summer.He could make his Eagles debut in Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to Everton.Cahill told the club’s official site: “I’m glad to be here. I think it’s a good opportunity for me to continue my career in the Premier League and to play in a good, exciting team.“There are some very exciting, talented players here. I’m looking forward to the challenge.“I’m hungry to prolong my career as long as I possibly can.“I feel like I’m in great shape and whoever I play for, I’d like to think that I give it 110 per cent and leave everything out there, so hopefully that will be good enough for the manager, my team-mates and also the fans.”Cahill has 61 ...
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SERIE A

Juventus 'to offer three players' for Real Madrid target Paul Pogba

Juventus are hoping to make a late attempt to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United, and are willing to offer three players to make a deal happen, reports say.Real Madrid had been favourites to sign Pogba - if he was to leave United this summer - but The Times say United have quickly rejected their initial proposal of £27.4million plus James Rodriguez.That has prompted Juve to try and move ahead of Real in the queue for Pogba, with Tuttosport reporting the Italian champions have sent sporting director Fabio Paratici, vice-chairman Pavel Nedved and super agent Mino Raiola to Manchester to force a deal.The report says they will offer Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Blaise Matuidi to try and persuade United to part with Pogba, but the club have already called off talks with Dybala in a swa...
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Brighton Sign Brentford Striker Maupay

Brighton have completed the signing of striker Neal Maupay from Brentford for an undisclosed fee.The 22-year-old has agreed a four-year contract after passing a medical on Monday.Head coach Graham Potter said: “Neal is a talented striker, with good strength and pace, and he is a goalscorer. He will add an extra dimension to our existing forward options, and we are delighted to have completed the transfer.”Maupay scored 28 goals for Brentfordin all competitions last season and had been interesting Aston Villa.Potter added: “The club has been monitoring Neal and has been aware of his ability for some time. Separately I was also aware of his obvious ability at Swansea, and came up against him in the Championship last season.“His record in the Championship has been exceptional, with 41 goals a...
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TRANSFERS

Barcelona Complete the Signing of Junior Firpo From Real Betis

Barcelona have completed the signing of Spain Under-21 left-back Junior Firpo on a five-year contract from Real Betis for a fee which could rise to £27.5m.The Spanish champions have included a £183m buy-out clause in the Dominican-born 22-year-old's contract.Firpo featured in 29 games last season and was part of Spain's U21 European Championship-winning side in June.Barcelona previously signed France forward Antoine Griezmann from rivals Atletico Madrid for £107m in July.Ernesto Valverde's side have also been bolstered by the additions of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax for £65m, goalkeeper Neto from Valencia and defender Emerson from Brazilian side Atletico-MG.On Tuesday, the club sold Brazilian winger Malcom to Zenit St Petersburgfor £36.5m after one season at the club.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Frank Lampard says Chelsea youngster has 'given him a problem' ahead of new season

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says that Mason Mount has 'given him a problem' ahead of Chelsea's opening Premier League game against Manchester United .The 20-year-old has put in a number of impressive performances for the Blues during pre-season after spending last season on loan at Derby County, where he played under Lampard.Following his brace against Reading last weekend, the midfielder once again showed his potential as the Premier League club came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.After seeing Tammy Abraham score one penalty, Mount won his team a second spot-kick, which was converted by Ross Barkley.Although Mount has yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea , Lampard admitted that the midfielder could force his way into his plans for th...
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BUNDESLIGA

Sancho leads Dortmund to German Supercup win over Bayern

England forward Jadon Sancho scored a goal and set-up another as Borussia Dortmund beat Bayern Munich 2-0 on Saturday to deny the German league and cup champions a fourth straight Supercup title. Jadon Sancho, 19, fed Spain forward Paco Alcacer for Dortmund's opener just after the break before clinching the victory and his side's first trophy since 2017 with a clinical finish within the final half an hour of play. "We absolutely wanted to win this match, it was very difficult," said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre."Bayern were very strong and had a lot of possession but we defended well and stayed very compact."We knew that we had to go on the counter-attack and we did that very well."Bayern, who pipped Favre's side to the Bundesliga title last season and lifted the German Cup, were ...
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NEWS

Messi banned from Internationals for three months after ‘corruption’ outburst

Argentina's Lionel Messi has been banned from international duty for three months and fined $50,000 after levelling accusations of “corruption” at South American soccer chiefs during the Copa America.Messi was sent off against in the Copa America third-place play-off and afterwards alleged that the tournament had been fixed in favour of hosts Brazil, who beat Argentina in a controversial semi-final on their way to the title.The Argentina captain called the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) “corrupt” and did not attend the ceremony to pick up his medal. He was handed a one-match ban and a $1,500 fine for his sending off last month. CONMEBOL had said that the Barcelona forward's comments were “unacceptable”.“The player is suspended to play official and friendly matches with hi...
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