2023 – Page 60 – Football Flame

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Julian Araujo, LALIGA, TRANSFERS

Julian Araujo signing still pending further verification

Julian Araujo #2 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates his game winning goal during the MLS Cup Round of 16 match against Nashville SC at the Dignity Health Sports Park on October 15, 2022 in Carson, California.Mexican International and LA Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo was a major objective for FC Barcelona on deadline day. According to numerous trusted reports, the deal for his arrival at Barcelona was completed between the Catalan giants and the MLS club where he currently plays. As per trusted transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, “There is a complete agreement between the clubs on a €4m fee. He’d sign until June 2026”, showcasing that on the end of club negotiations and even player negotiations, the deal bears no obstacles. However, as per similar trusted reports, the actual obstacle in te...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Paul Onuachu, Southampton FC, TRANSFERS

Southampton agree Paul Onuachu deal

Genk's Paul Onuachu celebrates after scoring a goal during the Belgian Pro League football match between KRC Genk and RFC Seraing on January 29, 2023 in Genk.Southampton’s search to bring in a new striker is set to see them land Paul Onuachu. The Saints have been targeting new forwards in order to finally replace the gaping hole left by Danny Ings’ departure in 2021. According to 90min, Southampton were hopeful of signing Braga striker Vitinha, only for Marseille to swoop in and snatch him from under their noses on deadline day. But the south coast club have acted quickly in order to bring in another body up front, agreeing to a €20m deal with Genk to sign Onuachu. Onuachu had his medical with Southampton and then sign a three-and-a-half-year deal with his new club. The Nigeria internation...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, PSG

Messi says World Cup trophy ‘called out’ to him

Lionel Messi of Argentina holds the World Cup trophy during a ceremony after the FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, Qatar on December 18, 2022Lionel Messi won the World Cup because the sparkling solid gold trophy picked him to lift it, the Argentine star said in a radio interview aired on Monday. The 35-year-old inspired his country to World Cup glory last month by scoring two goals and a penalty in the South Americans’ shoot-out triumph over previous holders France following a thrilling 3-3 draw in Qatar. “The cup called out to me, it told me: come and grab me, now you can touch me,” Messi told the Argentine Urbana Play radio station in his first interview since lifting the trophy in December. “I saw it sparkling in that beautifu...

31Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BAYERN MUNICH, Joao Cancelo, Manchester City, TRANSFERS

Bayern Munich sign Portuguese right-back Cancelo on loan from Man City

Board member sports Hasan Salihamidzic of FC Bayern Muenchen and Joao Cancelo of FC Bayern Muenchen at the official press conference on January 31, 2023 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich signed Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City on Tuesday, the transfer window deadline day. “FC Bayern have signed Portugal international Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City. The 28-year-old full-back moves to Munich on an initial deal through to the end of the current season,” Bayern Munich said in a statement. Cancelo said he cannot wait to play for alongside many skillful players at the German powerhouse and he vowed to do his best in his new club. “I know that this club, this team lives for titles and wins titles every year. I’m also driven by the hunger for success. I’ll ...

31Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

FA Cup, Michail Antonio, NEWS

Antonio scores as West Ham ease past Derby to earn Man Utd clash in FA Cup

David Moyes the manager / head coach of West Ham United and Michail Antonio of West Ham United during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round game between Derby County and West Ham United at Pride Park on January 30, 2023 in Derby, England.David Moyes cannot wait to take on his former club Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio sealed West Ham’s 2-0 victory at third tier Derby on Monday. Bowen put West Ham ahead early in the first half and Antonio doubled the lead soon after the interval in the fourth round tie. Moyes’ side will head to Old Trafford in late February as they continue their bid to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 2006. It will be Moyes’ latest return to United, who sacked the Scot in 2014 only 10 months after he ...

31Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Gennaro Gattuso, LALIGA, Valencia FC

Gattuso leaves Valencia job after seven months

Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Valencia CF, looks on prior to the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on January 29, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain.Valencia manager Gennaro Gattuso has left the La Liga club after just seven months in charge at the Mestalla. Former AC Milan and Napoli boss Gattuso, 45, signed a two-year deal when he was unveiled last summer. But Valencia have lost eight of his 18 league matches in charge and sit 14th, just a point above the bottom three, after Sunday’s loss at Real Valladolid. Valencia said former Italy midfielder Gattuso’s departure had been “decided by mutual agreement”. His exit leaves Los Ches searching for a fifth manager in less than three years. Valencia stalwart Voro Gonzalez will take char...

30Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EVERTON FC, PREMIER LEAGUE, Sean Dyche

Dyche wants to help his Everton squad ‘shine’

Sean Dyche poses for a photograph after becoming manager of Everton FC at Finch Farm on January 30, 2023 in Halewood, England. Sean Dyche says it is his job to make the quality players in Everton’s squad “shine” after being appointed manager. The Toffees sacked Frank Lampard last week with the club 19th in the Premier League and two points from safety. Dyche, 51, who joins on a two-and-a-half-year contract until June 2025, had been out of work since being dismissed by Burnley last April. “Our aim is to put out a team that works, that fights and wears the badge with pride,” said Dyche. “The connection with the fans can then grow very quickly because they’re so passionate. “There is quality in this squad. But we have to make them shine. That’s the job of me and my staff.” Dyche is Evert...

29Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Borussia Dortmund, BUNDESLIGA, Sebastien Haller

Dortmund beat Leverkusen as Haller makes first start

Sebastien Haller of Borussia Dortmund is challenged by Robert Andrich of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena on January 29, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany.Borussia Dortmund surged to within three points of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday as Sebastien Haller made his first start since undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. Haller, making his third Dortmund appearance since returning to the team earlier this month, was crucial in both goals. The Ivory Coast striker let the ball run through his legs for Karim Adeyemi’s first-half goal, before pressuring Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba into an own goal in the second period. Leverkusen started the match by consistently finding s...

29Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

CHELSEA FC, Malo Gusto, TRANSFERS

Chelsea sign Gusto from Lyon in £31m deal

27 Malo GUSTO (ol) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Racing Club de Strasbourg at Groupama Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Lyon, France.Chelsea have signed 19-year-old French right-back Malo Gusto from Lyon for 35m euro (£30.7m). Gusto has signed a deal with the Blues until summer 2030 but will complete the current season at Lyon. Lyon said the deal includes 5m euro (£4.4m) in add-ons. “The defender will now continue his impressive progress on loan [at Lyon] before joining up with the Blues in the summer ahead of the new campaign,” Chelsea said in a statement. Gusto came through the ranks at Lyon before making his first team debut in January 2021. He has made 15 appearances this season for the French club, who are ninth in Ligue 1. Lyon said the club “regrets...

28Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

ARSENAL FC, FA Cup, Manchester City, Nathan Ake

‘Exceptional guy’ Ake edges Man City past Arsenal in FA Cup

Nathan Ake of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023 in Manchester, England. Manager Pep Guardiola called Nathan Ake an “exceptional guy” after he sent Manchester City into the FA Cup fifth round with the winning goal in a narrow victory over Premier League title rivals Arsenal. The Gunners have established an impressive lead in the league but it was City who shaded a tight contest thanks to Ake’s precise 64th-minute finish after good work from Jack Grealish. Arsenal had chances of their own, especially in the first half when City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, deputising for Ederson, saved well from Takehiro Tomiyasu and new signing...

27Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EVERTON FC, Marcelo Bielsa, NEWS

Bielsa arrives in London for further Everton talks

Former Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa shouts instructions to his team from the technical area during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on January 22, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom.Marcelo Bielsa has arrived in London for further talks with Everton’s hierarchy as they search for a successor to Frank Lampard. The 67-year-old former Leeds United manager is a favoured choice of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri. Sean Dyche, who has been out of work since being dismissed by Burnley in April, is the other main contender to take over at Goodison Park. The Toffees hope to have someone in place by the weekend. Bielsa is believed to have reservations about the composition of Everton’s squad and its ability to play his trademark high-tempo styl...

27Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Copa del Rey, NEWS, Vinicius Junior

Vinicius scores, Real Madrid beat Atletico in extra time in Copa del Rey

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Pablo Barrios Atletico de Madrid during Copa del Rey Quarter Final match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 26, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Vinicius scored late in extra time to seal a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Vinicius Junior’s day started with him being the target of an apparent hate crime. It ended with the Brazil forward scoring a goal to help Real Madrid secure a spot in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Vinicius scored late in extra time to seal a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The buildup to the game between the two fierce rivals was marred after a dummy of Vinicius was hanged ...

26Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Copa del Rey, Ousmane Dembele

Dembele shines as Barcelona beat 10-man Sociedad 1-0 to reach Copa semifinals

Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona is tackled by Aihen Munoz of Real Sociedad during the Copa Del Rey Quarter Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on January 25, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Dembele scored the winning goal early in the second half as Barcelona defeated 10-man Real Sociedad 1-0 to return to the last four after a one-year absence. The days of Barcelona fans jeering Ousmane Dembele are long gone. There were only cheers from the crowd at the Camp Nou after the France forward led the hosts to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.The result ended a nine-game winning streak for Sociedad, which played a man down from the 40th minute after Brais Méndez was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. It was Soc...

25Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Leeds United, TRANSFERS, Weston McKennie

Leeds United plot move for 24-year-old Serie A midfielder

Weston McKennie (#8 Juventus FC) during FC Juventus against AC Monza, Coppa Italia, at Allianz Stadium on January 19th, 2023.Leeds United are reportedly locked in talks with Juventus over the possibility of a winter move for American midfielder Weston McKennie, who is open to a move to Elland Road. According to Daily Mail, Leeds United have contacted Juventus over a potential transfer for energetic midfielder Weston McKennie this month. The Whites’ faithful are witnessing a full-fledged American revolution at Elland Road. A significant stake in the club is owned by 49ers Enterprises, who have links with San Francisco’s NFL team and are continuing to edge their way closer to a majority stake in Leeds. Jesse Marsch currently holds the position of head coach at Leeds, in addition to the two f...

25Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lyle Foster, PREMIER LEAGUE, TRANSFERS

Burnley sign South Africa forward Foster

Foster Lyle forward of KVC Westerlo during the Jupiler Pro League match between KVC Westerlo and KRC Genk on January 17, 2023 in Westerlo, Belgium.Burnley have signed South Africa forward Lyle Foster from Belgian side KVC Westerlo on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old moves to England after playing in South Africa for Orlando Pirates, France with Monaco, Portugal with Vitoria Guimaraes and Belgium with Cercle Brugge and Westerlo. He scored eight goals in 22 games for Westerlo this season. Foster said joining Vincent Kompany’s Clarets is “a dream”. Talking to the club website, he added: “From the moment I heard that there was interest from Burnley, my heart and my head were set on the club.” Foster joins a Burnley side that are five points clear at the top o...

24Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Justin Kluivert, LALIGA, Valencia FC

Valencia’s woes continue with La Liga draw

Justin Kluivert of Valencia CF competes for the ball with Alex Pozo of UD Almeria during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and UD Almeria at Estadio Mestalla on January 23, 2023 in Valencia, Spain.Valencia have struggled again in Spain’s La Liga, twice relinquishing the lead in a 2-2 home draw against fellow relegation battlers Almeria. Valencia have only won once in their last nine league games. Gennaro Gattuso’s team is in 12th place, three points above the relegation zone. Dutchman Justin Kluivert put the hosts ahead in the 48th minute at Mestalla Stadium, and Chumi equalised for Almeria in the 54th. Spanish international left-back Jose Luis Gaya gave Valencia the lead again in the 65th before substitute Francisco Portillo scored in the 74th. Almeria forward Largie Ramazani...

24Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Fulham FC, Harry Kane, PREMIER LEAGUE, Tottenham Hotspur

Kane equals Greaves goal record as Tottenham top Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach Antonio Conte embraces Harry Kane during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage on January 23, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.Harry Kane’s record-equalling first-half strike earned Tottenham in a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The England captain’s 266th goal for Spurs moved him level with Jimmy Greaves as the club’s all-time joint highest scorer. Greaves’ tally had stood alone since 1970. Tottenham had been slightly off the pace before Kane created space on the edge of the area and fired past Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal in first-half stoppage time. Tottenham had gone into the game with an unenviable record of 21 goals conceded in their last 10 Premier League matches, but Monday’s win lifted them to within t...

23Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EVERTON FC, Frank Lampard, PREMIER LEAGUE

Lampard sacked as Everton manager

Everton manager Frank Lampard during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 21, 2023 in London, England.Everton have sacked manager Frank Lampard after less than a year in charge at Goodison Park. Defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham United on Saturday was Everton’s ninth loss in 12 Premier League games. They are second from bottom of the table with 15 points from 20 matches, above Southampton on goal difference. Former England midfielder Lampard, 44, replaced Rafael Benitez in January 2022 with the team 16th in the table and helped Everton avoid relegation. Everton are now looking for their sixth permanent manager in five years. After a 1-1 draw at reigning champions Manchester City on 31 December, Everton have lost 4-1 to Brighton at ...

23Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Borussia Dortmund, BUNDESLIGA, Sebastien Haller

Dortmund beat Augsburg on Haller’s return

Sebastien Haller of Borussia Dortmund is challenged by Arne Engels of FC Augsburg during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park on January 22, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. Borussia Dortmund clinched a 4-3 thriller at home against Augsburg on Sunday as Sebastien Haller returned to the team after battling testicular cancer.Dortmund took the lead three times, only for Augsburg to equalise, exploiting the home side´s disorganised defence.Dortmund manager Edin Terzic brought on Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Gio Reyna in the 70th minute, with both wingers scoring goals to help carry their team to victory.The home side had the better of the early proceedings before Jude Bellingham broke through in the 29th minute.The 19-year-old Englishman collected the b...

23Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri, SERIE A

Juve held by Atalanta in Serie A thriller

Juventus' Italian forward Federico Chiesa (C) fights for the ball with Atalanta's Italian defender Rafael Toloi (R) during the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Atalanta at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, on January 22, 2023.Juventus put aside their off-field troubles to rescue a 3-3 draw with Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegri’s side were playing their first match since being docked 15 points on Friday by an Italian soccer court investigating the club’s transfer dealings, leaving the former third-placed club marooned in mid-table. Sunday’s result left Juventus in ninth place with 23 points, while Atalanta are fifth with 35 points. “We have to keep doing our work, which is on the pitch. We must thank the players for what they did this evening, because I re...