March 2020 – Football Flame

Month: March 2020

No Comments
TRANSFERS

Man United Loanee Alexis Sanchez set to leave Milan in summer

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between FC Internazionale and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Milan, Italy.Alexis Sanchez is reportedly set to return to parent club Manchester United in the summer after failing to make an impact at Inter Milan.The former Arsenal man has struggled to make a lasting impression during his loan spell at the San Siro, making just 10 league appearances in a campaign plagued with injuries.Indeed, Sanchez has only managed one goal and two assists in Italy's top flight this term, and Antonio Conte reportedly has zero intention of keeping him at Inter.According to The Daily Mail, Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta shares Conte's concerns over the at...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Leicester City in talks with Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho

William Carvalho of Real Betis during the Liga match between Real Betis and RCD Mallorca at Benito Villamarin Stadium on February 21, 2020 in Sevilla, Spain.Leicester City have held "conversations" with Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho, according to reports.And the 27-year-old is in "a good position" to sign for the Foxes, reports Coliseo Verdi Blanco.Defensive midfielder Carvalho, who is valued at £18m, notably won Euro 2016 with Portugal, playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo - and the inaugural UEFA Nations League last year as they beat Holland 1-0 in the final.He joined Betis from Sporting Lisbon on a five-year contract in July 2018, having spent six years with the Portuguese giants.He has played almost 40 times for Betis in La Liga, but has been restricted to just nine appearances...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Asensio will train with Real Madrid squad when quarantine ends

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio (20) dribbles the ball during the International Champions Cup soccer match between FC Bayern and Real Madrid on July 20, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio will train with the rest of the squad as soon as the club ends their quarantine due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a report from Spanish newspaper AS. There’s no date for Madrid’s return to action yet and it looks like the confinement could last at least two more weeks.Asensio picked up a worrying ACL injury during Madrid’s pre-season stage in North America last summer. The winger seemed destined to be a key starter for Zidane this season but he has spent the last seven months recovering from surgery and now he’s ready to begin the last part of his reh...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford helps feed children during virus shutdown

Marcus Rashford of Man Utd looks on from the stands before the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on January 29, 2020 in Manchester, England.Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is working to get food to children who rely on free school meals after the coronavirus shutdown.The 22-year-old England international has teamed up with charity FareShare to help children in the Manchester area after schools were closed.And he revealed that his own childhood had inspired him to want to make a difference to the next generation."In the past I have done a lot of work in regards to children and when I heard about the schools shutting down, I knew that meant free meals for some kids that they are not getting at school," Rashford told the...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Serie A chiefs to discuss cancelling season on Monday

(LtoR)Demetrio Albertini, Manuela Ronchi and Damiano Tommasi arrive at the "Gran Gala del Calcio" Italian Football Association (Associazione Italiana Calciatori - IAC) awards ceremony on December 2, 2019, in Milan.President of the Italian Footballers’ Association Damiano Tommasi fears the Serie A season could be cancelled due to the outbreak of coronavirus.Italy has been hit hardest in Europe by the virus and on Sunday had over 10,000 confirmed deaths from Covid-19.Serie A has been suspended since March 9 and sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora revealed last week a blanket ban on all sport could continue until May.Spadafora’s words have alerted the attention of the Italian FA, who are due to meet on Monday via a conference call when the topic of Serie A being cancelled will be discussed.&nb...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Juventus, Ronaldo agree to wage reduction that will save club €90 million

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and his partner Georgina Rodriguez push two strollers as they have a walk with their children in Funchal on March 28, 2020.Cristiano Ronaldo and his Juventus team-mates along with coach Maurizio sarri agreed to forgo 90 million euros ($100 million) in the wages on the Saturday to help the club during the coronavirus crisis.The club said the money amounted to four months worth of wages, a third of the players’ salaries.The first agreement of its kind in Serie A since play was halted three weeks ago means Ronaldo, the highest-paid player in the Italian league, will give up 10 million euros (more than $11 million).Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini, who has an economics degree, led the negotiations with the club and fellow players.The agreement comes at a time when many ...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Report suggests Spurs' Jan Vertonghen is a player Barcelona have always liked

Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on March 7, 2020 in Burnley, United Kingdom.Barcelona could reportedly attempt to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen this summer.The 32-year-old will see his current deal with Spurs expire on June 30, and it is widely thought that he will leave Jose Mourinho’s side on a free transfer in search of pastures new.Vertonghen recently revealed that he was weighing up "the pros and cons" of staying at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as his contract continues to run down.According to Sport, Barca 'have always liked' the versatile defender, who could be 'a magnificent option' for Quique Setien’s side ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Harry Kane sets limit for Premier League season to finish or 'consider other options'

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 19, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Harry Kane fears the Premier League season may not be completed following the coronavirus pandemic unless it has reached a conclusion by the end of June.UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin admitted this weekend the European football season "would probably be lost" if it won't restart by the end of June at the latest.The governing body of European football has set up a task force to draft up a potential calendar for federations to follow after the coronavirus pandemic forced all of its major leagues to halt.Speaking to Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp, Tottenham and England striker Kane hopes...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Report : Real Madrid could swoop for Man City Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, England.Belgian magazine Sport/Foot reports that Kevin De Bruyne is considering his future at Manchester City and is in fact exploring a move to Real Madrid.With City facing a potential suspension from European football after having been adjudged to have violated Financial Fair Play rules, the Belgian title suggests that De Bruyne isn't keen on waiting for European nights to return to the Etihad, and instead fancies a move, with the Bernabeu his preferred destination.De Bruyne would cost Real around €150 million.City are objecting to UEFA's suspension and if they can get it overturned, or at least delayed for another year, it might have a k...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Spain boss Luis Enrique hints at Barcelona return in Q&A with fans

Luis Enrique, head coach of Spain meets press members after the UEFA Euro 2020 Final Draw Ceremony on November 30, 2019 in Bucharest, Romania.Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has not ruled out a return to the Camp Nou dugout.Enrique, who is currently managing the Spain national team, won two La Liga titles and one Champions League with the Catalan giants between 2014 and 2017.The Spaniard netted 109 times for Barcelona during his playing days, and is refusing to rule out a return to La Blaugrana in the future.Speaking to fans during a Q&A session, Enrique said: "I think I can coach anywhere I have been [before]."I have left the doors open at all of them. My time at Barcelona was marvellous and I will always be grateful. I am very lucky to have been at a club for so many years that...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

COVID-19 : Real Madrid open up Bernabeu as medical supplies centre

General view of the football stadium of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, that will be used as a sanitary products stock and distribution centre on March 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 20,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more.Real Madrid's stadium will be used to store medical supplies needed in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the Spanish club announced on Thursday.“Real Madrid Club de Futbol, in collaboration with the High Council for Sport, has launched a project in Madrid to supply and distribute strategic medical supplies to be used in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the club said in a statement.“As a result of the close collaboration between the two instituti...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Chelsea loanee Bakayoko 'dreams' of Milan return

Tiemoue Bakayoko #6 of Monaco during the Nimes V Monaco, French Ligue 1, regular season match at Stade des Costieres on February 1st 2020, Nimes, France.Chelsea owned midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is keen for a return to AC Milan in the summer, after almost returning to the Rossoneri in the January transfer window, according to a report from Italian media outlet Calciomercato.com today.The report details how the 25-year-old Frenchman, who is currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Monaco, is expecting to return to London in the summer, as Monaco don’t look likely to make his move to the Principality permanent. He knows that Chelsea coach Frank Lampard doesn’t consider him involved in the future and so is hoping for a dream return to AC Milan.Bakayoko was close to returning in January, the rep...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann #17 of Barcelona during team warm up before the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona are reportedly ready to sell Antoine Griezmann despite splashing out £108million (A$216m) on the Frenchman last summer.The Catalan giants look ready to cut their losses on the former Atletico Madrid man and a Premier League move could be on the cards.The Nou Camp giants are reportedly looking to raise cash in a bit to reduce the financial impact of coronavirus.Manchester United failed to replace Romelu Lukaku after he left for Inter Milan in the summer, leaving the club without a recognised frontman.Marcus Rashford tried to fill the void before he got injured and the Red Devils were forced to bring on O...
Read More
No Comments
NEWS

Pele crowns Cristiano Ronaldo as world's best

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale played behind closed doors at Allianz Stadium after the Italian Government has issued a list of new guidelines to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 on March 8, 2020 in Turin, Italy.Brazilian football great Pele has described Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's best contemporary footballer, rating the Juventus forward ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.But the 79-year-old believes neither Ronaldo nor Messi are as good as he was during a celebrated career with Santos, the New York Cosmos and Brazil."Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best, because he is the most consistent over the past 10 years, although Messi should not be forgotten," Pele said in an interview on the Pilhado ...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Kane set for Spurs return along with EPL

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane during a training session at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground, Enfield.Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is on course to return from a hamstring injury whenever the Premier League resumes following the enforced break due to the coronavirus, he said on Tuesday.England captain Kane had an operation to repair the damage following the injury suffered at Southampton on New Year’s Day and was expected to return to training in April.“From a rehab point of view and personal point of view, I’m doing really well,” Kane told the Spurs website. “I’m at a good stage now and just working hard, doing a lot of recovery, a lot of rehab and just waiting to see what happens to the season.“I’m not too far away, I’d normally hope to be back with the team in two or three w...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal donate £100k to fight COVID-19 pandemic

Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 7, 2020.Arsenal have pledged a £100,000 donation to local charities supporting the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.The Premier League club announced their latest contributions on Tuesday, which also includes using company cars – driven by Arsenal in the Community staff – to transport NHS workers and help deliver supplies.“Arsenal Football Club has never shied away from responding to the needs of its community. In these uncertain times we are taking a series of steps to ensure our local and global communities receive our full support,” an official statement read.“T...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Juventus to end Isolation tomorrow

Juventus Under 23 players during a Juventus U23 Training Session at Juventus Center Vinovo on March 9, 2020 in Vinovo, Italy.Juventus players and staff are expected to end their voluntary quarantine tomorrow but self-isolation will continue afterwards.The Bianconeri underwent voluntary isolation after Daniele Rugani tested positive for the Coronavirus while some players remained at the Juventus Hotel for two weeks.A total of 121 players and staff have been self-isolating since shortly after Juve’s 2-0 win over Inter but the two week isolation period is due to end.The entirety of the squad reportedly underwent swab testing with only three players testing positive: Paulo Dybala, Blaise Matuidi and Rugani.Matuidi tested positive 17 March meaning his self-isolation will end 31 March – Dybala’s...
Read More
No Comments
TRANSFERS

Bologna eye signing of Everton's Kean on loan

Moise Kean during the Everton Training Session at USM Finch Farm on March 11 2020 in Halewood, England.According to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, Bologna could make a move for Moise Kean this summer with Sinisa Mihajlovic wanting the 20-year-old on loan next season. Despite Kean only joining Everton from Juventus last summer, his short-term future at Goodison Park is uncertain after a slow start to life on Merseyside.The Italian international has 26 appearances to his name for the Toffees, scoring only one goal and making just two assists. As per WhoScored, Kean has racked up less than 700 minutes of Premier League football, created seven chances, won nine aerial duels (32%), made 19 successful dribbles (54%), had 24 shots with 37.5% accuracy and whipped in 10 crosses.He fin...
Read More
No Comments
NEWS

​FIFA President Gianni Infantino Suggests Reducing Squads and Number of Games

This tv grab from from World Health Organization (WHO) website shows FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking during a virtual news briefing to launch a WHO and FIFA joint awareness campaign led by world-renowned footballers to follow five key steps to stop the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on March 23, 2020.FIFA president Gianni Infantino says football should consider reducing squad sizes and the number of games played as part of post-coronavirus reforms to the beautiful game.COVID-19 has seen domestic seasons suspended across the globe, while the Champions League and Europa League finals have both been postponed.The 2020 European Championships have also been delayed until 2021, as have the Tokyo Olympics.The current situation has left footba...
Read More
No Comments
NEWS

Cesc Fabregas has opened up on his failed attempt to return to Arsenal

Cesc FABREGAS of Monaco during the French Cup soccer match between Monaco and Saint-Etienne at Stade Louis II on January 28, 2020 in Monaco, Monaco.Cesc Fabregas has opened up on his failed attempt to return to Arsenal after he left them to join Barcelona.Fabregas came through the ranks at Barcelona but he was plucked away by Arsenal as a 17-year-old. He took just one year to break into the Arsenal senior team and helped them win the FA Cup soon after.He, however, became desperate to return to Barcelona in 2010 but he was denied the chance to make that move.He would eventually join the Catalans a year later, however, after just three years at the Camp Nou, he wanted a return to the Premier League.His preferred choice was Arsenal but the Gunners rejected the chance to re-sign him and he joi...
Read More
Blogarama - Blog Directory