August 2020 – Page 2 – Football Flame

30Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Weston McKennie: Juventus sign US midfielder from Schalke

Weston McKennie of FC Schalke 04 controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Veltins-Arena on March 7, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Juventus have signed US international midfielder Weston McKennie from Schalke for a loan fee of £4m. The Italian champions have the option to make McKennie's move permanent for a fee of up to £22.7m, while the 21-year-old's switch will automatically become permanent if certain unspecified clauses are met. McKennie's signing is Juventus' third of the summer, after the arrivals of Arthur from Barcelona and Felix Correia from Manchester City, and the first since Andrea Pirlo replaced Maurizio Sarri as head coach. Schalke's head of sport, Jochen Schneider, said: "The agreement we have made with Juvent...

30Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Senior Barcelona figures ‘expect Lionel Messi to join Manchester City’

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona reportedly expect Lionel Messi to eventually join Manchester City during the summer transfer window. Despite the 33-year-old expressing a desire to leave Camp Nou, it remains unclear whether the Catalan giants are prepared to negotiate a deal with any one of a number of interested parties. However, with doubts emerging over the validity of a previous release clause and Messi's contract expiring in 2021, the La Liga runners-up may have to take any offers into consideration. According to The Telegraph, senior figures at Barcelona would be surprised if the Argentine did not link up with Pep Guardiola at...

30Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

James Rodriguez and Allan to have Everton medicals next week as Toffees close in on double swoop

James Rodriguez of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes on September 18, 2019 in Paris, France. Everton are closing in on two signings with James Rodriguez and Allan set to complete moves to the club. Everton emerged as a surprise destination for Real Madrid’s Rodriguez earlier this week and now the Merseysiders are on the verge of securing a season-long loan deal, with a medical scheduled in for early next week. The Colombian, 29, is not wanted by boss Zinedine Zidane and the Spanish giants are eager to ship him out this summer. Rodriguez made just eight LaLiga appearances last season, having spent the previous two campaigns out on loan at Bayern Munich. He is out of contract next s...

30Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Report: Everton and Aston Villa have asked about £40m Odsonne Edouard

Celtics Odsonne Edouard celebrates his opening goal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Celtic and CFR Cluj at Celtic Park on October 03, 2019, in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic boss Neil Lennon has made it clear that he doesn’t want to sell any of his star players this summer. However, Odsonne Edouard’s future has come under speculation once again following Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Ferencvaros on Wednesday in the Champions League qualifier. Edouard’s representatives are due to hold talks over his future with Celtic. According to reports from the Daily Mail,the Bhoys are ready to offer a new contract to the 22-year-old striker to convince him to stay for one more season as they look to win their 10th SPL title in a row. However, a host of Premier League clubs are vyin...

30Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Chelsea make £18m bid for Rennes keeper as search for Kepa replacement continues

Edouard Mendy of Rennes during the Ligue 1 match between Rennes and OGC Nice on September 1, 2019 in Rennes, France. Chelsea have reportedly made an improved £18million bid for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Frank Lampard is searching for a new keeper after dropping Kepa Arrizabalaga towards the end of last season, preferring to use his stand-in Willy Caballero. And Senegal international Mendy has been identified as the ideal signing after he helped Rennes to a third-placed finish in Ligue 1 and the club's first ever Champions League placing. The 28-year-old would be brought in either to provide Arrizabalaga with competition or to be Chelsea's No1 should they manage to offload the Spain international. Earlier this week it was reported that Rennes had turned down a £15m bid f...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Messi will not attend Barcelona training on Monday, reports La Vanguardia

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Lionel Messi will not take a planned coronavirus test on Sunday or attend training on Monday after his shock announcement earlier this week that he wants to leave Barcelona, La Vanguardia newspaper reported on Saturday. The paper reported Messi will send another burofax, the method by which he told the club he wanted to leave, to inform them of his decision not to attend training. A burofax is a service used in Spain to urgently dispatch a document through a certified email, which issues a digital certificate with legal validity.

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Timo Werner scores his first Chelsea goal vs Brighton after four minutes

Timo Werner of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the pre-season friendly between Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on August 29, 2020 in Brighton, England. Timo Werner has scored his first goal for Chelsea just four minutes into his debut against Brighton. Werner was named in Frank Lampard's starting lineup for the Blues' pre-season friendly at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, with fans given a chance to see the Germany international in a Chelsea shirt for the first time. Brighton made 2,500 tickets available to home fans following the green light from the Government, with social distancing guidelines in place in the stands. It didn't take long for Werner to make his mark for his new club, with the former RB Leipzig star taking advant...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Arsenal beat Liverpool to win Community Shield as Aubameyang scores penalty shootout winner

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal lifts the Community Shield Trophy following his team's victory in during the FA Community Shield final between Arsenal and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 29, 2020 in London, England. Arsenal picked up where they left off last season as they beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield at Wembley. Less than a month after the Gunners beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final on the same ground, they were back in action, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the hero of that game, opened the scoring with a wonderful first-half strike before Takumi Minamino’s first goal for Liverpool levelled 17 minutes from time. That forced spot-kicks and Rhian Brewster, brought on in stoppage time to take one, clipped the bar with his effort as Arsenal scored a...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Borja Valero Confirms Inter Departure: “An Honor To Wear This Shirt”

Borja Valero of FC Internazionale in action during a FC Internazionale training session on August 11, 2020 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Inter have decided not to extent Spanish midfielder Borja Valero’s contract and the player has confirmed that he has left the club in a post on his Instagram page today. The 35-year-old Spaniard, who joined the club in 2017, was one of coach Antonio Conte’s heroes in the season restart, often being the first choice to play behind the strikers in a 3-4-1-2, starting ahead of former Tottenham man Christian Eriksen. Rumours suggested that the Milanese club were happy to offer the player a one-year extension due to his strong season finish, but it never materialised. Valero made 25 appearances across all competitions last season for the Nerazzurri, ...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

I’d give myself the Ballon d’Or – Bayern Munich ace Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. After a blistering season both individually and collectively, the 32-year-old Pole believes he would have been a deserving winner of the prize. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has said that if he were in charge of handing out the Ballon d’Or this year, he would award it to himself. The Pole helped Bayern to win the Bundesliga DFB Pokal and Champions League, with the hitman the leading scorer in each of those competitions. It was the best season of his career to date as he found the net on 55 occasions in just 47 matches, notably scoring in every Champions...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Leeds United confirm club-record Rodrigo Moreno signing

Rodrigo Moreno of Valencia CF controls the ball during the Liga match between Getafe CF and Valencia CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on February 08, 2020 in Getafe, Spain. Leeds United have confirmed the club-record signing of striker Rodrigo Moreno from Valencia. Valencia revealed earlier this week that the two clubs had agreed a deal in principle for the Spain international, thought to be worth around £27m. Personal terms have now been agreed, with Rodrigo signing a four-year contract which will keep him at Elland Road until 2024. The 29-year-old becomes Leeds' seventh summer signing as they prepare for their first top-flight campaign since 2003-04 following promotion from the Championship last season. The £27m fee makes Rodrigo their most expensive ever signing - a title previ...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus ‘make contact’ with Lionel Messi as they eye stunning Cristiano Ronaldo link-up

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona warms up prior to the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Juventus have reportedly made contact with Lionel Messi in a bid to try and lure the Argentine to Turin and form a stunning strike partnership with great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi and Ronaldo have battled for the coveted status as the world's best footballer for more than a decade and had some titanic Clasico tussles during the Portuguese's time at Real Madrid. Ronaldo left Los Blancos to move to the Old Lady two summers ago, and the Italian champions and new boss Andrea Pirlo now want Messi to join him, according to L'Equipe. The report says the Bianconeri have made a 'discreet approach' to Messi's father to so...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona target Memphis Depay drops hint of Lyon exit

Memphis Depay of Olympique Lyonnais reacts after a missed chance during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final match between Olympique Lyonnais and Bayern Munich at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 19, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Memphis Depay has given the clearest indication yet that he could be about to call time on his Lyon career. The Dutchman returned to domestic action in blistering form on Friday night, as the Ligue 1 season recommenced with Lyon facing Dijon just nine days after their Champions League campaign ended. And, after the match in which Depay rifled home a hat-trick and also forced an own-goal in a 4-1 victory, he admitted his future was still very much up in the air. When quizzed on the talk of a transfer away, Depay told reporters: “I do not see the future, ...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Thiago Silva: I joined Chelsea to challenge for titles

Thiago Silva of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during warmup before the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Pierre Mauroy on January 26, 2020 in Lille, France. Thiago Silva says he joined Chelsea to “challenge for honours” as Frank Lampard continued his summer spree with the capture of the former Paris Saint-Germain man. The Brazil centre-back has completed his free transfer move to Stamford Bridge just days after falling narrowly short in the Champions League Final. He has signed a one-year contract with the Blues, with the club holding the option of adding another 12 months. Silva’s addition will help manager Frank Lampard restructure his defence and follows Wednesday’s £45million capture of England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester. The 35-year-...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta explains how Willian has already impressed since Arsenal transfer

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. Mikel Arteta says he has already been impressed by Willian's mentality since the winger joined Arsenal on a free transfer. Willian signed a three-year-deal with the Gunners worth around £100,000 a week after leaving Chelsea as a free agent. The 32-year-old could make his competitive debut for Arsenal in Saturday's Community Shield clash against Liverpool. Willian said last week one of the factors that helped persuade him to switch to the Emirates was Arteta's plan to win the Champions League within three seasons. And the Arsenal manager is pleased that Willian still has a hunger for silverwar...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mohamed Salah admits Liverpool ‘panic’ over Premier League claims

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session on August 16, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. Mohamed Salah admits some inside the Liverpool squad started to "panic" when cancelling the Premier League season was a genuine prospect. The Reds were 25 points clear at the top and just a half-dozen more from a first title in 30 years when football was placed on pause in mid-March because of the outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK. It wasn't until the first week of June that it was confirmed that the Premier League would return to give Jurgen Klopp's side the chance to finish what they had started back in August 2019. Liverpool eventually wrapped up their maiden Premier League title and first since 1990 in a record-setting 31 games after Manchester City were beaten by Chelsea 24 hour...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona Willing To Loan Unwanted Star To Arsenal, Report Says

Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona gestures during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Camp Nou on February 15, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. After not being able to maximize Samuel Umtiti on the defensive end last season due to a series of recurring injuries, Barcelona has put the defender up for sale and loan this summer, with Arsenal being mentioned as a top suitor, a report said. Upon the arrival of new Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, the club began its major rebuilding processes. At this point, only a few players are believed to be untouchable at Barca. In fact, one of the outcasts heavily linked to a move away from Camp Nou is once-phenomenal signing Umtiti. With no proper contract extension offers from Barca yet, Umtiti’s time at Camp Nou could be over. The Catalans ar...

28Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool evening headlines as Luis Suarez speaks out over future plans

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool in action during a training session during a Liverpool training session on August 24, 2020 in Saalfelden, Austria. Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool ‘not living in dreamland’ over transfers Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says the Anfield club won’t change their transfer transfer and are “not living in dreamland” over who they could sign this summer. The Premier League champions have made just one signing so far this summer, with Greek left back Kostas Tsimikas arriving from Olympiacos for £11.7million, and Klopp has urged calm over speculation linking the Reds with numerous targets. “I don't know what will happen to be honest, but there is a long time go until October 6 (the day after the window closes),” he told reporters . “We have brought in Kostas ...

28Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Bayern Munich Chairman Predicts PSG Will Soon Win the Champions League

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of FC Bayern Muenchen, speaks during the banquet after winning the UEFA Champions League Final match against Paris Saint-Germain on August 23, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Paris Saint-Germain achieved a long-awaited goal this past season when it reached its first-ever UEFA Champions League final. Even though the club came up short against FC Bayern Munich, many predict that PSG may soon return to the final. One rival executive agrees that PSG has what it takes to make another Champions League final run. Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge watched as his side lifted up the prestigious Champions League trophy in Lisbon. Still, he knows that this was not a one-hit-wonder run from PSG. In speaking to the Italian-based outlet Tuttosport(via...

28Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

President Bartomeu insists: Lionel Messi is NOT for sale

Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu removes his facemask during his official presentation at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 19, 2020. Reportedly, President Bartomeu won’t negotiate for the sale of Lionel Messi. He refers to the Argentine’s 700 million euros release clause. Messi and his entourage believe that the player can leave on a free transfer. Even though the Argentine was supposed to inform the club about a potential departure before June 10, due to the Covid-19 situation which forced the postponement of La Liga and Champions League, Messi believes that he still has the right to terminate his contract. Koeman has returned to Barcelona. He intends to speak to Leo and Bartomeu in the next few days, but it is unknown whether Messi is willing to participate in...