Month: July 2022

18Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

PSG arrives in Japan for three-game tour

 (L-R) Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier and Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr and Marquinhos attend and Japanese fun the Paris Saint-Germain Japan Tour Kids Clinic at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on July 18, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. Paris Saint-Germain’s star-studded squad landed in Japan on Sunday for a three-game tour against local teams, with new manager Christophe Galtier hoping to make a strong start. PSG, featuring attacking trio Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, will take on the J. League’s Kawasaki Frontale, Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka during a 10-day stay in Japan. The French champions will then head to Israel to face Nantes in the French Super Cup in Tel Aviv on August 31. Galthier will lead PSG for the first time ...

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18Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Gareth Bale makes instant impression on Los Angeles FC debut

 Welsh soccer player Gareth Bale is welcomed to Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) during a press conference at the Banc of California Stadium, in Los Angeles, California, on July 11, 2022. Gareth Bale has made his debut for his new Major League team, Los Angeles Football Club, as the side triumphed over Nashville Soccer Club 2-1. Bale was unveiled by Los Angeles FC earlier in the month, having agreed to a one-year deal, which will help his preparations for Wales’ World Cup finals appearance in Qatar. The former Real Madrid ace was brought on for the final 20 minutes and impressed with his first touch for his new club after only five minutes, pulling off a stunning backheel pass. Also making his debut for Steve Cherundolo’s side was Italian legend Giorgio Ch...

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18Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Man Utd agree deal with Ajax for Argentina’s Martinez

 Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, Edson Alvarez of Ajax celebrating the championship with the trophy dish during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v SC Heerenveen at the Johan Cruijff Arena on May 11, 2022 in Amsterdam Netherlands.Argentine international defender Lisandro Martinez is set to become Manchester United's third signing of the transfer window after the English giants agreed a deal with Ajax on Sunday. Ajax confirmed United will pay an initial 57 million euros ($57 million, £48 million) with a further 10 million euros in performance-related bonuses. "Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Argentine international defender Lisandro Martinez, subject to medical, to player terms being finalised, and to UK visa re...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Juventus and Bayern agree deal for Matthijs De Ligt

 Matthijs de Ligt during Juventus medical tests at JMedical on July 10, 2022 in Turin, Italy. Juventus and Bayern Munich have agreed a deal for defender Matthijs de Ligt to join the Bundesliga champions, according to reports in Italy. The Netherlands international has agreed terms with Bavarians, earlier reports in Italy on Saturday had suggested. And Goal now claim the two clubs have also reached an agreement, which means the transfer can no go through. De Ligt joined Juve in 2019 following his role in helping Ajax reach an improbable Champions League semi-final – a run which also included victory over the Bianconeri in the last eight. At the time, he had been a reported target for Bayern, as well as some of the leading Premier League teams, but opted for a mo...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Belgium game ‘not the most important’ – Italy boss

 Milena Bertolini, Head Coach of Italy speaks to the media during the UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 Italy Press Conference And Training Session at Manchester City Academy Stadium on July 13, 2022 in Manchester, England.Italy's crucial European Championship clash against Belgium is "not the most important night of our career", says Azzurre coach Milena Bertolini. Italy are bottom of Group D and must beat Belgium and hope Iceland fail to beat France to reach the last eight. At the World Cup in 2019 they reached the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by the Netherlands. "We had some big nights at the World Cup. But it's an important night, a decisive game," said Bertolini.She added: "It's not the most important night of our careers. It's much harder to confirm oneself at a certai...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Thomas Tuchel backs Conor Gallagher to establish himself at Chelsea

Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour of Chelsea during a training session at Drake Stadium UCLA Campus on July 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel recognised Conor Gallagher for his 'outstanding work rate' after the Blues' pre season clash in Nevada on Sunday.They beat Club America 2-1 thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Timo Werner, but it was the 22-year-old midfielder that Tuchel was most impressed by.'It was a very good start and a good match for him,' the manager said after the game. 'Now it's important he gets used to our principles of the game, to understand when to move and when not to move, and his work rate is outstanding. 'He can be a big asset for us. Conor trains at a really high level. You can clearly see it was the right decision to let him go o...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal beat Everton as Chelsea win first friendly

Abdoulaye Doucouré #16 of Everton of Everton and Gabriel Jesus #9 of Arsenal go after the ball in the first half during a preseason friendly at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said new signing Gabriel Jesus "creates chaos" after the Brazil forward scored in a 2-0 friendly win over Everton.The £45m signing continued his impressive pre-season form by firing home from a 33rd-minute corner at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.Jesus, who scored twice against Nuremberg this month, helped set up Bukayo Saka for Arsenal's second."He creates uncertainty and he's always on your shoulder," said Arteta."He's a real threat and this is what we need. He's very versatile, but obviously the way we would like to develop him is in that [number nin...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta provides positive update on Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal contract

Bukayo Saka of England, David Raum of Germany during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Germany and England at Allianz Arena on June 7, 2022 in Munich, Germany.Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on Bukayo Saka's contract situation at Arsenal. The England international scored as Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore in their first friendly of their US preseason tour, but there is still uncertainty over his future.He only signed an extension as recently as 2020, but that deal is set to expire in 2024, meaning that the Gunners could risk losing Saka for a reduced fee next summer if they don't get a deal done soon.footballflame understands that renewing the Hale Ender's deal is a priority for Edu this summer and now Arteta has provi...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

PSG confirm signing of Hugo Ekitike from Reims on loan

 Reims' forward Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and OGC Nice at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on May 21, 2022.Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the arrival of young striker Hugo Ekitike from Stade Reims on a season-long loan. The 20-year-old was close to joining Newcastle United both in January and earlier in the summer, but talks ultimately collapsed and PSG quickly swooped in to get a deal over the line. Ekitike has now moved to Parc des Princes on a 12-month loan which also includes an option for the Ligue 1 champions to make his signing permanent. "It's a choice made by my heart," Ekitike said of his move to PSG. "I'm French too, it's the club of my country. "And then it's a club wh...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Bayern Munich loan Malik Tillman to Rangers

Malik Tillman #17 of the United States during a Concacaf Nations League game between Grenada and USMNT at Q2 Stadium on June 10, 2022 in Austin, Texas.Bayern Munich and United States international Malik Tillman was loaned Friday to Scotland's Glasgow Rangers for the 2022-23 season.Rangers said the agreement with Bayern includes a provision allowing it to buy Tillman's rights.Tillman was born in Germany to a father in the U.S military and a German mother. He played for the U.S. under-15 team in 2016 and for Germany at several youth levels.FIFA approved his change of association from Germany to the United States in May, and Tillman made his U.S. senior national team debut in a June 1 exhibition against Morocco.Tillman made his Bundesliga debut with Bayern Munich on Dec. 14 and played in four...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Ex-Juventus winger Bernardeschi joins Toronto FC

Federico Bernardeschi of Juventus controls the ball during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 11, 2021 in Naples, Italy.Toronto FC has completed the signing of free agent winger Federico Bernardeschi to a Designated Player contract through 2026, the club announced on Friday.Bernardeschi is the third Serie A veteran to join up with TFC in recent months, joining winger Lorenzo Insigne and defender Domenico Criscito."We are thrilled to add Federico to our team," said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. "As a player and a person, we believe he's exactly what we need right now, both on the field and in the locker room. Federico has proven himself to be a champion and a leader at Juventus and for the Italian national team and brings ...

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15Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Man United signs Christian Eriksen to 3-year contract

 Christian Eriksen of Denmark Controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between Denmark and Austria at Parken Stadium on June 13, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark.Manchester United signed Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen to a three-year contract on Friday. The 30-year-old Eriksen played for Brentford in the second half of last season, joining the London club almost eight months after collapsing from cardiac arrest at the European Championship. The former Tottenham player is United´s second major signing under manager Erik ten Hag following the arrival of left back Tyrell Malacia from Dutch club Feyenoord. "Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started," said Eriksen, who has also played for Inter Milan.Eriksen said he has spoken w...

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15Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

England boss Sarina Wiegman tests positive for Covid

 Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England looks on during an England training session at The Lensbury on July 13, 2022 in Teddington, England.England Women’s coach Sarina Wiegman has tested positive for Covid just hours before her side’s Euro 2022 game against Northern Ireland. Having led the Lionesses to a 1-0 win against Austria and an 8-0 demolition of Norway over the past 10 days, the Dutchwoman is now set to miss the tournament hosts’ final group-stage match. A statement released by the FA on Friday morning read: “England Head Coach Sarina Wiegman has tested positive for Covid and will undertake a period of recovery at the squad’s base camp.“Assistant coach Arjan Veurink will lead the team for tonight’s fixture against Northern Ireland.“Wiegman...

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15Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Romelu Lukaku finally admits leaving Inter Milan for Chelsea was a ‘mistake’

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale smiles during the presentation of the new 2022/2023 Nike jersey at the Nike store in piazza Gae Aulenti 6 on July 14, 2022 in Milan, Italy.Romelu Lukaku has finally admitted that leaving Inter Milan for Chelsea last summer was a mistake.The former Chelsea striker returned to Stamford Bridge for a club-record £97million, but the homecoming proved to be a disaster, with Lukaku scoring just eight Premier League goals in 26 appearances.Infamously, the 29-year-old earned the wrath of Thomas Tuchel, his teammates, and Blues fans after giving an explosive interview last December, where he expressed regret at moving to the West London club.Earlier in July, Lukaku returned to Inter on loan, and while Tuchel says there is a chance he could play for Chelsea again, i...

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15Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Ajax are eyeing up a move for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey

  Calvin Bassey of Rangers (R) defends the ball from Ansgar Knauff of Frankfurt (L) during the UEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain.Ajax want to invest some of their sizeable transfer profits in a move for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey. But the Dutch giants face competition from Brighton as the chase for the 22-year-old Ibrox star intensifies. Sportsmail understands both clubs have already made approaches but are yet to put forward offers that would be deemed acceptable. Rangers are keen to retain Bassey in the wake of his excellent breakout season and have placed a £25million price tag on the player. Ajax want to test that resolve as they prep...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Italy salvages draw with Iceland at Women’s Euros

  Barbara Bonansea of Italy goes down in the penalty area as she passes between Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Elisa Vidarsdottir of Iceland during the UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 group D match between Italy and Iceland at Manchester City Academy Stadium on July 14, 2022 in Manchester, England. Valentina Bergamaschi's second-half goal recovered a point for Italy against Iceland at the Women's European Championship, clinching a 1-1 draw on Thursday that left both teams still able from advance to the quarterfinals. Italy remains last in Group C with only one point with Belgium, which was playing France in the late game. Iceland, which has two points, took the lead through Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir inside three minutes with the first chance of the game at Manchester City's Ac...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona tell Frenkie de Jong to leave and join Manchester United

 Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona in action with Andrés Guardado of Real Betis during the La Liga Santader match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at Benito Villamarin in Seville, Spain, on May 07, 2022.Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong they want him to leave the club to join Manchester United, The Athletic understands. It is understood that Barcelona’s hierarchy have informed De Jong that they need to sell him in order to balance their excessive wage bill, which has led to complications in registering their new signings like Raphinha. Barcelona are trying to convince De Jong that a transfer to United would be the best move for his career and while they believe he is a talented player, it has come down to an economically related decision rather than a sporting one. At present, i...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Gattuso wants Bakayoko reunion at Valencia

Tiémoué Bakayoko of AC Milan in action during a training session at Milanello on July 07, 2022 in Cairate, Italy.Gennaro Gattuso is trying to recreate his old Milan squad at Valencia, as after Samu Castillejo, he now wants another reunion with Tiemoue Bakayoko.The new coach at the Mestalla is rebuilding the team in his own image and that means reuniting with players he has worked with before.Castillejo completed his transfer for a minimal fee this week and could soon be followed by Bakayoko, according to Calciomercato.com.It would be the third time that Gattuso has requested Bakayoko in his squad, after Milan in 2018-19 and then Napoli in 2020-21.Both times, he was allowed to leave Chelsea on loan with an option to buy, and in both occasions the club refused to make the move permanent, als...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Napoli want Chelsea striker after agreeing deal to send Koulibaly the other way

Armando Broja of Southampton ahead of the Premier League match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on May 22, 2022 in Leicester, England. Napoli are interested in Chelsea striker Armando Broja and asked for him to be part of the deal that took Kalidou Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge, according to reports in Italy.The Blues have agreed a fee of €40m (£33.8m) to sign Koulibaly from Napoli as they look to rebuild a defence that has been shredded by the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.The move for Koulibaly is yet to be announced, but with the fee agreed it appears that Napoli have not got their wish to include Broja as part of the deal.Italian newspaper based in Naples Il Mattino reports that club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is a big fa...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ousmane Dembele and Joan Laporta speak after the Frenchman re-signs with Barcelona

 Joan Laporta and Ousmane Dembele during the signing of the player's contract renewal by FC Barcelona until June 30, 2024, in Barcelona, on 14th July 2022.After a long-running soap opera that went on for months together, Ousmane Dembele has finally signed a new contract with Barcelona. The 25-year-old had become a free agent when his previous deal expired on June 30. But, with no major European club taking an interest in signing him on a Bosman deal, the French ace was left with little choice but to renew with the Blaugrana. Dembele has signed a two-year contract with Barcelona, which will run until the summer of 2024. Reports in France suggest that he will be pocketing an €11 million per year net salary, but Spanish sources claim that those figures are inaccurate, w...

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