August 2022 – Page 5 – Football Flame

Month: August 2022

PREMIER LEAGUE

Conte issues injury update on Tottenham defender Romero

 Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 6, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has moved to allay fears of weeks-long injury layoff for Cristian Romero. Reports emerged on Wednesday evening that the Argentine could face up to a month on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. As reported by Standard Sport on Thursday morning, the player was hopeful of a quicker return to action, a view Conte appears to agree with. "He had a little problem during the game against Chelsea, in the final part of the game," Conte explained to reporters on Thursday afternoon."But it's a little problem....
PREMIER LEAGUE

Marc Cucurella: I will never cut my hair

Marc Cucurella of Chelsea in action with Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has vowed to never cut his distinctive long hair despite it being bizarrely and controversially pulled by Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero in Sunday’s fiery draw at Stamford Bridge. Cucurella insisted he has “no problem” with Romero, who escaped punishment despite grabbing the Chelsea defender by the hair and pulling him to the ground in the final minutes of Sunday’s game. Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea head coach, was incensed by the fact that Var took no action over the incident, which came just moments before Harry Kane struck a late eq...
SERIE A

Mourinho pushes Roma to renew Cristante

Bryan Cristante of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on September 12, 2021 in Rome, Italy.Jose Mourinho has reportedly made it clear to Roma that he wants Bryan Cristante to receive a new contract.The 27-year-old Italian midfielder was the protagonist in the Giallorossi’s season opener against Salernitana, scoring the winning goal to secure all three points for his club. Cristante is a favourite of Mourinho and he only missed five games last season, all of which were due to injury or suspension.As reported by Calciomercato.com, Cristante’s current contract expires with Roma in 2024 and Mourinho has pushed the club’s management to begin work on a new deal. In recent months the 27-year-old’s agent was in contact with both Juventus an...
TRANSFERS

German defender Thilo Kehrer joins West Ham United

 31 August 2021, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Stuttgart: Football, national team, training, GAZI Stadium: Thilo Kehrer in action.German defender Thilo Kehrer has joined West Ham United, the English Premier League club announced on Wednesday. According to an official statement, the 25-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain to join the East London club on a four-year contract, with an option to extend it for two years. West Ham United Manager David Moyes described Kehrer as a player who is "young, talented, driven and with the peak years of his career ahead of him." “I am really pleased to welcome Thilo to West Ham United,” said Moyes. “He’s a talented player, who can play in a number of defensive positions, adding strength and depth to our current options.”"I’m very excited to sign for West Ham U...
NEWS

Ligue 1 club interested in out-of-favour Arsenal star

Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on August 12, 2022 in St Albans, England.According to reports, French club OGC Nice are interested in pursuing a loan deal for out-of-favour Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe. Foot Mercato have reported that talks between the Ligue 1 side and the player’s agents have taken place, with the Ivory Coast international said to be open to the move. Pepe signed for Arsenal in 2019 from LOSC Lille under Unai Emery, breaking the club-record transfer fee of £72million (Transfermarkt). The forward still hasn’t made an appearance this season, with Bukayo Saka favoured over the Ivorian on the right-wing. However, Pepe had made early appearances during the Gunner’s pre-season camp, although it soon became apparent that he was not Mikel Arteta’s f...
TRANSFERS

Brighton sign full-back Estupinan from Villarreal

Pervis Estupiñán at the end of the Pre-season Friendly match between FC Internazionale (Inter) and Villarreal Club de Fútbol, at Giovanni Cornacchia Stadium (Stadio Adriatico) on August 6, 2022 in Pescara, Italy. Brighton have signed Ecuador full-back Pervis Estupinan on a contract until June 2027. The 24-year-old arrives from LaLiga side Villarreal, for undisclosed terms and subject to international clearance. His arrival comes after Brighton sold left-back Marc Cucurella to Chelsea. Head coach Graham Potter told the club website: “We’re excited by what Pervis brings us and he fills a position to which we’ve been looking to add depth. “In addition to his international experience, he has played for Villarreal in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as gaining plenty of expe...
NEWS

Elon Musk tells Twitter ‘I’m buying Manchester United’

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., appears via video link during the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.Billionaire Elon Musk has admitted a tweet about buying Manchester United was part of a “long-running joke.” The Tesla founder made reference to United in a late-night tweet. Musk wrote: “To be clear, I support the left half of the Republican Party and the right half of the Democratic Party! “Also, I’m buying Manchester United ur (sic) welcome.” His post quickly garnered a lot of attention, receiving more than 36,000 retweets and almost 200,000 likes within a couple of hours. But, responding to Tesla owners asking if he was serious, Musk tweeted in reply: “No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter. I’m not buying any sports teams.” United have ...
UCL

Rangers 2-2 PSV Eindhoven: Hosts held in Champions League play-off first leg

Antonio-Mirko Colak of Rangers is tackled by Armando Obispo of PSV Eindhoven during the UEFA Champions League Play-Off First Leg match between Rangers FC and PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox Stadium on August 16, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland.Rangers and PSV Eindhoven played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Ibrox on Tuesday to leave their Champions League play-off tie hanging in the balance.The visitors went in front in the 37th minute after Rangers failed to clear a corner, with the ball dropping to Ibrahim Sangare to fire home. However, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men hit back three minutes later as Antonio Colak finished off a well-worked move. Both sides searched for the crucial third goal of the game after the break, and it was Rangers who got it as PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez somehow allowed Tom ...
TRANSFERS

Matheus Nunes travels to England to complete wolves move

 Matheus Nunes of Sporting CP during the Liga Bwin match between Sporting CP and FC Pacos de Ferreira at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 3, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.Matheus Nunes has made the trip to England to put the finishing touches to his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers from Sporting Lisbon. Wolves have an agreement in place for a club record fee of €45m, plus €5m in add-ons, with the Lions for the midfielder. Nunes will put pen to paper on a five-year contract, with Wolves insistent on having him registered in time for their next Premier League game on Saturday. The 23-year-old is currently in England to finalise the remaining details of his move, according to Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte. Nunes made 50 appearances in all competitions for the Lisbon giants duri...
TRANSFERS

Tottenham complete signing of Destiny Udogie

 Tottenham Hotspur new signing Destiny Udogie poses for a photo at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on August 15, 2022 in Enfield, England.Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Destiny Udogie from Udinese. Udogie has signed a five-year deal with Spurs and will return to Udinese on loan for the 2022-23 campaign. The Athletic reported last week that Spurs had agreed an initial fee of an initial £15million ($18.14m) for the 19-year-old, which could rise to almost £20million. Udogie, a natural left wing-back, was not included in Udinese’s squad for their first Serie A match of the season, a 4-2 defeat by AC Milan on Saturday. Spurs’ current squad has strong depth in Udogie’s position after the summer arrival of Ivan Perisic ...
TRANSFERS

Everton have agreement with Besiktas for Dele Alli loan deal

  Dele Alli of Everton is challenged by Ngolo Kante of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England.Everton had used some very creative accounting and flexible payment package to bring in Dele Alli from Tottenham a day after Frank Lampard was announced as the new Toffees manager during the January transfer window, but the former England international has flattered to deceive and now the Blues have a team to take him off their hands too, on loan at least. Dele had moved to Merseyside on what was virtually a free transfer with Everton paying nothing upfront, but escalators in the terms with Spurs mean the Blues will have to make a £10 million payment when player makes 20 appe...
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich back on top of Bundesliga

 Thomas Mueller of Bayern Muenchen celebrates their team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on August 14, 2022 in Munich, Germany. First-half goals from Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller have taken Bayern Munich back to the top of the Bundesliga, thanks to a routine 2-0 victory over visiting Wolfsburg. The 19-year-old Musiala fired home the opener in the 33rd minute on Sunday before the ever-alert Muller deflected in a second shortly before the interval. The 19-year-old Musiala became the first German player under the age of 20 to score 14 Bundesliga goals Bayern survived a lucky escape early on when Alphonso Davies turned the ball onto his own post but soon took control and were denied further goals by the offs...
SERIE A

Napoli new man Kvaratskhelia stars in win

 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli looks at the ball during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on August 15, 2022 in Verona, Italy.New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could help Napoli forget about all the players that left in the off-season. The 21-year-old Kvaratskhelia, who was signed from Georgian club Dinamo Batumi last month, provided a goal and an assist to help Napoli win 5-2 at Verona in their opening match of the new Serie A season. The victory was marred by reports of racist chanting directed at Napoli's Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. Later Juventus cruised past Sassuolo 3-0 with a Dusan Vlahovic double meaning all the likely title contenders have begun with a win. Napoli finished third last season, but there were qu...
LALIGA

Morata nets double on return to LaLiga

  Djene of Getafe CF battles for the ball with Alvaro Morata of Atletico de Madrid during the LaLiga Santander match between Getafe CF and Atletico de Madrid at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on August 15, 2022 in Getafe, Spain.Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has made a triumphant return to La Liga, scoring twice to help the visitors win 3-0 at Getafe in their opening match of the season. Substitute Antoine Griezmann scored the third goal late on and Atletico had enough chances to make the result even more comprehensive in scorching heat on Monday. Their inspired Portugal forward Joao Felix roamed all over the field and collected three assists. He slipped a precise pass through for Morata, who drilled a perfectly placed shot from the edge of the box into the bottom left-hand cor...
TRANSFERS

Chelsea set to land Inter Milan youngster in £12m deal

 Cesare Casadei of FC Internazionale in action during the FC Internazionale training session at the club's training ground Suning Training Center at Appiano Gentile on August 10, 2022 in Como, Italy.Chelsea are set to land Inter Milan youngster Cesare Casadei in a £12m deal, according to reports. Chelsea have held extensive talks to sign the 19-year-old this summer and two offers have already been rejected by Inter but the third, worth £12m, is likely to be accepted. It had been thought that Chelsea might miss out due to interest from French club Nice, who would be more likely to offer Casadei regular playing time, but The Guardian are now reporting that the Blues are set to win the race for his signature. Casadei is yet to make his senior debut for Inter but th...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Conte & Tuchel sent off as Chelsea and Spurs draw

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur heads in and scores a goal to make it 2-2 during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, England. Harry Kane's equaliser six minutes into stoppage time earned Tottenham a dramatic draw as a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge ended in an angry confrontation between Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte that resulted in red cards for both managers. Tempers were running high throughout as Chelsea twice led before Kane's glancing header seconds from the end gave Spurs a point. Chelsea dominated the first half and fully deserved the 19th minute lead they earned when their two summer signings combined, Kalidou Koulibaly flashing home a powerful volley from Marc Cucurella's corner. Spurs strugg...
PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham United fall to Nottingham Forest

Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United at City Ground on August 14, 2022 in Nottingham, England.  Nottingham Forest secured a famous win as Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal to beat West Ham as Premier League football returned to the City Ground after a 23-year absence.Awoniyi, Forest’s £17m record signing this summer, applied the first-time finish after Jesse Lingard’s effort had been deflected into his path off Hammers defender Ben Johnson. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was Forest’s other hero, denying Declan Rice with a second-half penalty save. The Hammers could also reflect on two strikes from distance that hit the crossbar and another excellent Henderson save fr...
SERIE A

Milan confident Tonali will be fit to face Atalanta – report

Sandro Tonali of AC Milan controls the ball during the Pre-season Friendly match between Vicenza and AC Milan at Stadio Romeo Menti on August 6, 2022 in Vicenza, Italy. Sandro Tonali was forced to miss Milan’s season opener against Udinese due to a muscle injury but he’s reportedly set to be fit in time to face Atalanta next week. The 22-year-old Italian midfielder, who played a key role for Stefano Pioli in last season’s Scudetto run, suffered the issue in a pre-season friendly against Vicenza earlier this month, causing the club concern. Tests confirmed that Tonali hadn’t suffered a muscle-tendon tear, allowing Milan to breath a sigh of relief. As reported by MilanNews.it, Tonali is continuing his personalised training work in Milanello and things are moving forward positively, despite t...
SERIE A

Juve need to work hard and stay humble in title quest, says Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus during a training session at JTC on August 10, 2022 in Turin, Italy. Juventus are always expected to aim for the Scudetto but will need to be humble and improve on all fronts if Serie A’s most successful side want to return to being title winners, manager Massimiliano Allegri said today. Allegri took charge of the Turin-based club for the second time last year and is looking to improve on last season’s result, their second fourth-placed finish in a row after winning nine consecutive titles. Juve’s pre-season form, with a 2-0 win over Guadalajara and a 2-2 draw with Barcelona followed by a 2-0 defeat by Real Madrid and a shocking 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, has cast doubts over their ability to return to the summit of Italian football. “This big loss (to At...
LALIGA

Carlo Ancelotti confirms he will quit soccer after Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti saludates to the fans during the celebration of Real Madrid as winners of the 14th UEFA Champions League against Liverpool FC at Santiago Bernabeu on may 29, 2022, in Madrid, Spain. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Saturday that he will quit soccer management when he eventually leaves Real Madrid, ending one of the most glorious careers of the sport’s modern era. Ancelotti had said in May that he would “probably” quit once he left Madrid, but he removed all doubt in an interview with Italian daily Il Messaggero. “This time at Real will end my career, after Los Blancos I will quit,” the 63-year-old said. “Real are the very top of football. It makes sense to call it quits after my experience here.” Ancelotti became the first-ever coach to win all five of Europe’s top leagues when...
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