August 2022 – Football Flame        

Month: August 2022

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal stay top of Premier League after fifth win on the trot

 Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal speaks with Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2022 in London, England.Arsenal edged to a fifth successive Premier League victory of the season as Gabriel Martinelli hit the winner against Aston Villa on a night of questionable goalkeeping at the Emirates Stadium. A deserved 2-1 win meant the Gunners remained top of the table with a perfect record, with Martinelli settling the game after Douglas Luiz had levelled direct from a corner. Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had earlier gifted Gabriel Jesus the opener as Steven Gerrard’s side slipped to a fourth defeat, heaping the pressure on the former England captain.  “We are delighted with ...
TRANSFERS

Chelsea sign Fofana from Leicester for £70m

New Chelsea signing Wesley Fofana poses for a photograph with Todd Boehly, Chairman of Chelsea as he signs for Chelsea at Chelsea Training Ground on August 31, 2022 in Cobham, England.Chelsea have signed French centre-back Wesley Fofana from Leicester City on a seven-year deal for a fee in the region of £70m. France Under-21 international Fofana has made 37 Premier League appearance since joining Leicester from French side Saint-Etienne in 2020. He was restricted to just seven league games during the 2021-22 campaign after breaking his leg in pre-season. "The two last days have been really big for me and I'm very happy," he said. "I trained this morning with the team and it's a dream for me. I'm very excited to start playing games for the fans and the club. "I'm here to win trophies - the ...
BUNDESLIGA

Werner scores hat trick for Leipzig in win in German Cup

Emil Forsberg of RB Leipzig celebrates with teammate Timo Werner after scoring their team's sixth goal during the DFB Cup first round match between FC Teutonia 05 Ottensen and RB Leipzig at Red Bull Arena on August 30, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. Timo Werner scored a first-half hat trick as Leipzig started its defense of the German Cup with an 8-0 rout of amateur team Teutonia Ottensen on Tuesday. The Germany striker also had a hand in the other goal before the break, scored by André Silva, as Leipzig went into halftime leading 4-0. Silva added a second before further strikes by Emil Forsberg, Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo at Red Bull Arena. Hamburg-based Ottensen, which plays in Germany’s fourth tier, was originally supposed to host the match but was forced to look for an alternativ...
TRANSFERS

Wolves complete £15m signing of striker Kalajdzic

Wolverhampton Wanderers unveil new signing Sasa Kalajdzic at The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on August 30, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England.Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Austria striker Sasa Kalajdzic from Stuttgart. The 25-year-old has signed a five-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, after the clubs agreed a fee of 18m euros (£15.4m) plus add-ons. The move is subject to a visa and work permit being obtained. "I'm really thankful and happy to be here. It was the club that wanted me the most in the end," said Kalajdzic, who has 15 caps for his country. "In my career, at my age, it's important to feel where the next step is and, in the end, I had the feeling Wolverhampton is the best step for my development. "I had good talks with the coaches, and I...
TRANSFERS

Wilfried Zaha responds to transfer speculation amid Arsenal and Chelsea link

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brentford FC at Selhurst Park on August 30, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has revealed that his focus is solely on Crystal Palace amid speculation that Arsenal and Chelsea are preparing bids for him ahead of transfer deadline day. Zaha has been in impressive form during the opening stages of the season – scoring four goals in as many games in the Premier League for the Eagles. The 29-year-old netted a career-high of 14 goals in the English top-flight as Palace finished 12th in Patrick Vieira’s first season at the helm last term. The Ivory Coast international scored the opening goal against London rivals Brentford just before the hour...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton inflict fresh misery on “Soft” Chelsea with 2-1 win

 Romain Perraud of Southampton closes down Raheem Sterling of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on August 30, 2022 in Southampton, England. Thomas Tuchel urged "soft" Chelsea to toughen up after a shock 2-1 defeat against Southampton plunged his spluttering team into Premier League turmoil on Tuesday. Tuchel's side blew the lead at St Mary's after Raheem Sterling put them ahead midway through the first half. England forward Sterling bagged his third goal in two games with a close-range strike in the 23rd minute. But Chelsea had squandered a host of chances before Sterling's opener and, not for the first time in Tuchel's reign, their profligate finishing came back to haunt them. Rom...
SERIE A

Dybala double brings the joy as Roma go top with win over Monza

 Paulo Dybala of AS Roma greets Jose Mourinho head coach of AS Roma and kisses his hand during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Monza at Stadio Olimpico on August 30, 2022 in Rome, Italy.Paulo Dybala put on a show for a packed Stadio Olimpico crowd on Tuesday night as La Joya scored his first two goals for the capital club in a 3-0 win over struggling Monza that sent the Giallorossi to the top of the Serie A table. Dybala’s double, which took his overall haul to 100 Serie A goals, was followed by a Roger Ibanez header as Jose Mourinho’s side cruised past the rock-bottom visitors, who are yet to pick up a point. The Argentina international raced onto a Tammy Abraham nod-on for the opener, taking the ball in his stride before finishing clinically by dispatching a sho...
TRANSFERS

Barcelona on the verge of signing Chelsea defender

 Marcos Alonso of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on August 2, 2022 in Cobham, England. Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly edging closer to securing the services of Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso before the summer transfer window shuts down. According to reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, as relayed by Barca Universal, Marcos Alonso is closing in on ending his stint with Chelsea before the summer transfer window shuts down. The Spanish defender will finally complete his desired move to Barcelona ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Marcos Alonso has been with Chelsea for nearly six years but has never managed to win over the Blues’ entire fanbase due to his tendency to blow hot and cold. The 31-year-old made over 200 appearances for C...
TRANSFERS

Man City in talks with Borussia Dortmund for Manuel Akanji

 17 July 2022, Switzerland, Bad Ragaz: Soccer, Borussia Dortmund training camp, day 3: Manuel Akanji plays the ball back with his shoulder.Manchester City are in discussions with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for Manuel Akanji. The Switzerland international has less than a year left to run on his contract at Signal-Iduna Park and has not made an appearance so far this season. He has been linked with moves to Leicester and Manchester United in recent times, but 90min understands talks are ongoing with Man City over a move instead. John Stones' poor start to the season and the need for Nathan Ake to cover at left-back following Oleksandr Zinchenko's departure means Pep Guardiola is looking towards the transfer market to find a solution. A deal for Akanji is expec...
TRANSFERS

Aston Villa ‘turned down’ by West Ham after transfer approach

 Craig Dawson of West Ham United controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final Leg One match between West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympic Stadium on April 28, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.Aston Villa are reportedly being rivalled by Leicester City in a move for West Ham defender Craig Dawson. The centre-back played 50 times for the Hammers last season as they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League. His impressive performances for David Moyes’ side has seen the 32-year-old become a cult figure at the London Stadium. Villa have been looking for a new centre-half since Diego Carlos ruptured his Achilles' against Everton. Last week it was claimed that the club were “trying to tie up” a deal for the West Ham man but now look set to face c...
TRANSFERS

Chelsea hold talks with Crystal Palace over Wilfried Zaha

 Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring 1st goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on August 20, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. Chelsea have held talks with Crystal Palace over a potential deal for Wilfried Zaha.The Blues have identified Zaha as a possible target for the remainder of the transfer window as part of their search to add more firepower to their attacking line. Chelsea's focus has been on Everton's Anthony Gordon, for whom a bid worth up to £60m was submitted. But sources have told footballflame that the two sides remain some way apart from reaching an agreement. Talks remain ongoing over Gordon but Chelsea have also reached out to Palace over Zaha, who is seen as an alter...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arteta provides Zinchenko and Partey injury updates

(L-R) Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on August 09, 2022 in St Albans, England.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not confident that Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey will be back for Wednesday’s match against Aston Villa. The pair missed Saturday’s win over Fulham due to injury, with Partey struggling with a thigh issue and Zinchenko a knee problem. Arsenal are continuing to assess the duo and Arteta believes Partey’s thigh injury is similar to the one that forced him to miss the last six weeks of last season, although hopefully not as severe. Zinchenko, meanwhile, was at Emirates Stadium on Saturday in a knee brace yet he was still able to run down the touchline to celebrate Gabriel’s late winner. Asked on Saturday if Partey or...
TRANSFERS

Lucas Paqueta ‘extremely happy’ after signing for West Ham for club record fee

Lucas Paquetá of Lyon getting into the field during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and ESTAC Troyes at Groupama Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Lyon, France. West Ham United have completed the signing of Brazil international Lucas Paqueta from Lyon for a club record fee, the Premier League club said. The financials of the deal were not disclosed, but Sky Sports and other UK media were reporting that the fee the Hammers have agreed with the French club is around £60 million ($70.2m). One detail of the deal not up for debate is the five-year contract Paqueta has signed to join the East London club with a one-year option to extend. The creative midfielder, 25, is the eighth new recruit to join David Moyes’ squad this summer. “I am extremely happy to be here. I hope ...
TRANSFERS

Callum Hudson-Odoi set for Bayer Leverkusen medical

 Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England.Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is due for a medical with Bayer Leverkusen after agreeing a loan switch for the duration of the 2022/23 season. Hudson-Odoi was seen as the future when he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old, even commanding strong interest from Bayern Munich that saw Chelsea reject multiple big bids. The England international suffered a devastating Achilles injury in April 2019 but later went on to sign a new long-term contract with Chelsea. But he struggled to establish himself once fit and Thomas Tuchel informed him this summer he was happy for him to leave. The Stamford Bridge hier...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Wesley Fofana to undergo Chelsea medical in the United States

Wesley Fofana of Leicester City warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 13, 2022 in London, England.Chelsea have reportedly flown Wesley Fofana out to the US to complete his medical as his move to Stamford Bridge edges closer. However, the Foxes finally accepted a fee in the region of £70m on Friday, and the 21-year-old centre back arrived Stateside on Sunday to undergo his medical checks, according to The Athletic. It is understood that Fofana has gone to the east coast of the US to finalise his move to give the club’s owner Todd Boehly further peace of mind after the Frenchman missed seven months of last season with a broken leg and dislocated ankle. He returned to Leicester’s starting XI in the final weeks of the cam...
SERIE A

Napoli held, lose perfect Serie A record

 Victor James Osimhen of SSC Napoli in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on August 28, 2022 in Florence, Italy.Three rounds into Serie A and parity is again the theme of the Italian league. After last season's title was decided on the final day of the season, there are already no longer any clubs with perfect records in this campaign. Napoli, the last squad who remained perfect, were held to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Sunday. Napoli still remained atop the standings on goal differential, but are level on seven points with five other clubs: defending champions AC Milan, Lazio, Atalanta, Torino and Roma. After producing five and then four goals in their first two matches, Napoli were off target against the Viola. Irving...
BUNDESLIGA

Frankfurt edge 4-3 thriller at Bremen

 Mario Goetze of Frankfurt controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Wohninvest Weserstadion on August 28, 2022 in Bremen, Germany. Germany's World Cup-winning hero Mario Gotze has scored his first Bundesliga goal since late 2019 as his Eintracht Frankfurt side won 4-3 at Werder Bremen in a frantic game. Sunday's victory moved Frankfurt up to 11th with their first league win of the campaign, one spot behind promoted Bremen after four games. Gotze, who scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, has returned to the Bundesliga after two years at PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie, and netted with his first shot on target of the season after just two minutes. But Bremen, who were 3-2 winners at Boruss...
LALIGA

Lewandowski scores twice for Barca, Real back on top

 Roque Mesa of Real Valladolid clears the ball away from Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid CF at Camp Nou on August 28, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.Veteran star strikers Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema both hit doubles on Sunday in contrasting victories for Barcelona and La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Lewandowski scored twice for the second game in a row as Jules Kounde made his debut as Barcelona cruised past Valladolid 4-0. In the late game on Sunday, Real Madrid struggled for 88 minutes at Espanyol. With the scores tied and time running out, Benzema put Real ahead before sealing a 3-1 victory after 10 eventful added minutes. Real saved their perfect start to the season and climbed back to the top of the table ...
NEWS

Ligue 1: PSG perfect record ended by Monaco, Alexis Sanchez on target in Marseille win

 Neymar Jr of PSG, Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco (left) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco (ASM) at Parc des Princes stadium on August 28, 2022 in Paris, France.Neymar scored from the penalty spot but Paris Saint-Germain’s perfect start to the French campaign was ended in a 1-1 draw with Monaco on Sunday, while Alexis Sanchez scored his first goals for Marseille in a 3-0 win at Nice. In Paris, Neymar rolled in his eighth goal in five matches this season from a penalty awarded when the VAR alerted the on-pitch referee to a foul on the Brazilian by Monaco defender Guillermo Maripan midway through the second half. Monaco had taken the lead when Kevin Volland burst forward, holding off Presnel Kimpembe, before firing past Gianluigi Donnarumm...
PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham beat Villa to earn first win of season

 Pablo Fornals of West Ham United scores their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on August 28, 2022 in Birmingham, England. West Ham earned their first win of the season as Pablo Fornals' deflected second-half strike gave them victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park. Villa had a first-half goal disallowed with Lucas Digne's corner having gone out of play before Ezri Konsa tapped the ball home. West Ham improved in the second half and could have opened the scoring when Jarrod Bowen broke away on the counter, but the winger was denied by a well-timed Digne tackle. But 16 minutes from time, Fornals' shot struck Konsa and looped over Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and proved enough to kick-start the Hammers' ...
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