June 2021 – Page 3 – Football Flame    

Month: June 2021

TRANSFERS

Chelsea striker could be set to leave, despite signing new contract

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) greets Chelsea's French striker Olivier Giroud during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea at the Arena Nationala stadium in Bucharest on February 23, 2021.The ‘false nine’ has been used sparingly in football for many years; however, this season the fascinating position’s influence has been shot into the football mainstream. A typical false nine is deployed as a means to control the midfield, with the striker dropping between the opposition midfield and defensive lines to create overloads in the final third of the pitch, also creating space in the middle and in behind for the wingers to exploit.Lionel Messi played this position spectacularly for Barcelona during their gl...
NEWS

Italy cruise past Turkey as Euro 2020 kicks off

Ciro Immobile of Italy celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Turkey and Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on June 11, 2021 in Rome, Italy.Euro 2020 opened in spectacular fashion as Italy got their campaign off to an impressive start in front of their own fans with a comfortable victory against Turkey.In the first game of the rescheduled tournament, played at at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, an own goal by Merih Demiral and strikes by Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne settled a one-sided Group A contest.The Azzurri dominated the first half but could not find the net, Giorgio Chiellini going closest with a header from a corner which brought a fine save from Ugurcan Çakir.They broke the deadlock when Demiral turned the ball past hi...
NEWS

Kroos ready to prove Germany’s doubters wrong against France

Toni Kroos of Germany plays the ball with team mate Thomas Müller during a training session of the German national team at Tivoli Stadion on June 01, 2021 in Innsbruck, Austria.Toni  Kroos aims to prove Germany's doubters wrong in their Euro 2020 opener against world champions France on Tuesday.Germany have their work cut out in Group F at the European Championship with holders Portugal and Hungary to come after the mouth-watering tie against the French in Munich.Kroos has bounced back after testing positive for Covid-19 last month and played in Germany's 7-1 thrashing of minnows Latvia on Monday in their final friendly warm-up.Yet the Germans have struggled to recover from the humiliation of crashing out of the group stages at the 2018 World Cup and Kroos knows they have a point to p...
NEWS

Italy and Turkey get ball rolling as Euro 2020 begins under Covid cloud

Head coach Italy Roberto Mancini looks on during training session at Stadio Ennio Tardini on March 24, 2021 in Parma, Italy.PARIS: An in-form Italy face Turkey in Rome on Friday as Euro 2020 finally gets underway a year behind schedule and with the coronavirus continuing to cast a shadow over the tournament.Postponed 12 months ago because of the pandemic, the European Championship -- with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal the holders -- is being played for the first time all across the continent, with 11 cities from as far apart as Seville to Baku hosting matches.The idea was first mooted by Michel Platini almost a decade ago when he was president of UEFA and has survived the Covid-19 crisis, but matches are being played in front of limited crowds and with onerous health restrictions in place.I...
NEWS

Wales star Aaron Ramsey issues fitness update after missing Euro 2020 training session

Gareth Bales, Aaron Ramsey and Kieffer Moore warm up during the Wales squad training session on June 04, 2021 in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom. Wales play Albania at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday June 05 as part of their warm up for the UEFA EURO 2021 competition.Wales' Aaron Ramsey has allayed fitness fears after he missed a training session on Thursday in Baku.Just two days before Wales' Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland on Saturday, Ramsey sat out the squad's open training session at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium but has insisted it was planned and he is fully fit."All good," the 30-year-old midfielder said."It was planned. It was a very light session for the boys today. It was planned that I stayed off my feet. All good and looking forward to Saturday."Juve...
TRANSFERS

Man United face pressure to make Jesse Lingard transfer decision

Jesse Lingard of West Ham United celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England.Few would have envied Gareth Southgate this week as he was forced to make a huge call on his England squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament. After an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold forced the Liverpool full-back to withdraw from the squad, Southgate was left with a decision to make in regard to who would replace him.After impressing in the friendly win over Ukraine on Sunday evening, Brighton’s Ben White was eventually chosen and will not travel with the squad for the opener against Croatia on Sunday afternoon, much to the disappointment of James Ward-Prowse and ...
TRANSFERS

PSG announce shock signing of Liverpool Euro 2020

Gini Wijnaldum of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 20, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.French giants Paris Saint-Germain have announced the surprise signing of former Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum.The midfielder, who will captain the Netherlands at Euro 2020 in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, had been widely expected to join Barcelona, but the Ligue 1 side have hijacked the deal.The Dutch international had been quoted as saying that a potential transfer to Barcelona was something of ‘a dream’, but it appears that he has had a change of heart as his move to the French capital has now been confirmed.Wijnaldum will leave Liverpool at the end of this month when his contract expires, ending a five year stay at the club during which...
SERIE A

Lazio find perfect way to announce Sarri as former Juventus and Chelsea boss returns to the dugout

Juventus FC coach Maurizio Sarri watches the action during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore on July 15, 2020 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy.Lazio have announced the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as the club’s new manager – and the Roman giants had the perfect social media post to inform fans of the appointment.Sarri, 62, was confirmed as the new boss of the Stadio Olimpico outfit on Wednesday, marking a return to football after spending last season on the sidelines following his departure from Juventus in the summer of 2020.The Italian left Turin despite guiding the Bianconeri to the Serie A title – a decision that Juve were perhaps left ruing after replacement Andrea Pirlo only managed to steer them to fourth spot before being sent ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Wolves Appoint Ex-Benfica Boss Bruno Lage As New Manager

Bruno Lage poses for his first portraits as the new manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) at Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on June 09, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England.Wolves have appointed former Benfica boss Bruno Lage as their new head coach.The ex-Swansea assistant replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who left Molineux at the end of the season.Wolves targeted Lage, a free agent, as they look to change direction following Nuno’s four years in charge.The 45-year-old initially failed to get through post-Brexit regulations but, at a hearing earlier this month, Wolves won their case and he was given the green light to move to the midlands club.“First of all, I’m very happy,” Lage told the club’s website. “It’s a big opportunity. I’m very happy because I’ve returned to this country, and to b...
TRANSFERS

Emi Buendia Completes Aston Villa Move

Emi Buendia of Norwich City celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Barnsley at Carrow Road on January 02, 2021 in Norwich, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution.Aston Villa have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Emi Buendia from Norwich City for an initial fee of £30 million.The 24-year-old is currently with Argentina on international duty but will complete a medical following their game against Colombia on Tuesday.The creative midfielder joins having endured an incredible season in the Championship, taking the Canaries to promotion and a title win. The Argentine was at the centre of Daniel Farke’s unstoppable side, scoring 15 and assisting a furth...
NEWS

Euro 2020 warm-ups: England booed by fans before beating Romania; Belgium, Netherlands also win

Marcus Rashford of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Romania at Riverside Stadium on June 6, 2021 in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.Captaining England for the first time on Sunday, Marcus Rashford heard boos from home fans when leading his team in taking a knee before a warm-up game against Romania ahead of the European Championship.In contrast, Rashford was cheered around the stadium in Middlesbrough when he scored the 68th-minute penalty that settled a 1-0 victory.The insistence of some England fans to boo their players for making the anti-racism gesture has been as strong a feature of the team's Euro 2020 preparations in the northeast town this week as the pair of 1-0 wins.The scattered disapproval was quickly countered by other fans applauding...
NEWS

Mbappe will never leave PSG, says president Al-Khelaifi

long snouted fish 3 letters Kylian Mbappe of France warms up ahead of the international friendly match between France and Wales at Allianz Riviera on June 02, 2021 in Nice, France.Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted Kylian Mbappe will never be sold or leave on a free transfer amid ongoing links with Real Madrid.Mbappe has long been tipped to swap Ligue 1 giants PSG for La Liga powerhouse Madrid, while Premier League outfit Liverpool have also been linked previously.The 22-year-old star is out of contract at the end of 2021-22, but PSG have remained defiant over Mbappe's future in the French capital.Al-Khelaifi reiterated that stance as speculation grows heading into Euro 2020 and the off-season."I will be clear," Al-Khelaifi told L'Equipe. "Mbappe is going to stay in ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Sean Dyche poised to sign new contract to stay as Burnley manager

Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Fulham at Turf Moor on February 17, 2021 in Burnley, England.Sean Dyche is poised to sign a new contract at Burnley this week as four Premier League clubs seek to fill managerial vacancies. Dyche is ready to commit his future at Turf Moor in the next 72 hours unless there is an unexpected late approach and the 49-year-old will remain the longest-serving manager in the top flight having been appointed in 2012. His new deal is a coup for Clarets owner Alan Pace who bought the club last season and will include an increased buy-out clause to ward off suitors.With Dyche effectively about to be taken off the market, Nuno Espirito Santo has emerged as the key figure as to who will be appointed else...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham ‘revive interest in Ajax manager Erik ten Hag’

Coach Erik ten Hag of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax and AZ at Johan Cruijff Arena on April 25, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly revived their interest in Ajax manager Erik ten Hag after talks with Antonio Conte broke down.The Lilywhites were expected to appoint former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Conte as Jose Mourinho's permanent successor, but Spurs have now been forced to look elsewhere as the Italian was supposedly concerned over the club's silverware ambitions.Spurs have already failed in their pursuits of Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers, and their hopes of prising Ten Hag away from Ajax took a hit when the 51-year-old penned a new two-year deal with the Eredivisie giants earlier this year.However, The Mirror claims that Spur...
LALIGA

Barcelona begin Ilaix Moriba contract extension talks

Ilaix Moriba of FC Barcelona Celebrates 0-2 during the La Liga Santander match between Osasuna v FC Barcelona at the Estadio El Sadar on March 6, 2021 in Pamplona Spain.Barcelona are set to hold emergency contract extension talks with rising star Ilaix Moriba next week.The 18-year-old enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season with Ronald Koeman‘s side in 2020/21 with 14 La Liga appearances and 18 overall.However, despite emerging as a first team player, his contract situation has sparked transfer interest in recent week.The Spanish U17 international is out of contract at the Camp Nou in 2022 and Premier League sides Manchester City and Manchester United are both rumoured to be tracking him.According to reports from Marca, Moriba and his agent, and father, will sit down to talks with the cl...
NEWS

Euro 2020: Jordan Henderson back in full training with England ahead of Romania

Jordan Henderson of England controls the ball during the England training session on June 03, 2021 in Middlesbrough, England.Jordan Henderson trained with the England squad ahead of Sunday's final Euro 2020 warm-up friendly against Romania.Gareth Southgate's Three Lions kicked-off their Euro preparations with a 1-0 win against fellow finalists Austria at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday.That friendly was set to be Liverpool skipper Henderson's first appearance for club or country since undergoing groin surgery in February, only to miss out after complaining of discomfort on the morning of the match.But the 30-year-old trained with the squad ahead of taking on Romania at style="text-alignMiddlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training ground on Saturday. The #ThreeLions are out at training this m...
NEWS

Spain and Portugal share spoils in Euros warm up

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the international friendly match between Spain and Portugal at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on June 04, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.Spain and Portugal drew 0-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday in an engaging warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020.The previous two champions of Europe could not be separated in Madrid as Alvaro Morata and Diogo Jota missed the pick of the chances.Luis Enrique and Fernando Santos named strong starting line-ups for an energetic first half, with Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte winning his first cap at the heart of the Spanish defence.Laporte was a little fortunate not to be punished with 21 minutes left as Cristiano Ronaldo got free in the box before heading wide from one of the quieter second half's few good openings.Af...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Thiago Silva, Giroud extend Chelsea deal

Olivier Giroud, Marcos Alonso and Thiago Silva of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on May 4, 2021 in Cobham, England.Chelsea have triggered the option to extend Thiago Silva and Olivier Giroud's contracts at the club for a further year.The Brazil defender and France striker were both out of contract in the summer but the club have exercised their option to keep them at the club for another season. The decision has gone down well!https://t.co/z9raIUQvPP— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) June 4, 2021 Earlier on Friday, the newly-crowned European champions announced they have also extended head coach Thomas Tuchel's deal, with his new contract running through to June 2024.Silva, 36, joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and impressed in...
NEWS

Ronald Koeman edging closer to staying at Barcelona – report

Ronald Koeman, head coach of Barcelona reacts during the La Liga Santander match between SD Eibar and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on May 22, 2021 in Eibar, Spain.This week, club president Joan Laporta will affirm that Ronald Koeman will remain in charge as FC Barcelona’s manager, according to a new report.Laporta had refused to publicly commit to Koeman, who was hired by Josep Maria Bartomeu, the previous president. Koeman still has a contract with a significant buy-out clause.There is talk of a meeting between the president and manager in which Laporta insisted Koeman should play a more attractive and more attacking style of play. Laporta reportedly brought up Barcelona’s women’s section, which recently won the treble while playing a very stylish brand of football. Esto es...
NEWS

Gareth Southgate announces England squad for Euro 2020

Gareth Southgate, Manager of England talks during a Press Conference after announcing his Squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020 on June 01, 2021 in Middlesbrough, England.Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins were among the six names cut from Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad as Trent Alexander-Arnold got the nod.The Three Lions boss last week made the decision to name a provisional 33-man squad rather than his final 26-strong selection due to players’ injury concerns and continental cup final commitments.Southgate has now finalised his Euro 2020 selection, trimming six players after Mason Greenwood withdrew through injury on the morning of the announcement.Lingard, Ward-Prowse and Watkins missed out along with the uncapped trio of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey and Ben White.Euro 2...
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