Barcelona respond to Jurgen Klopp link as Xavi’s replacement

5Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona respond to Jurgen Klopp link as Xavi’s replacement

Jurgen Klopp Manager of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on February 04, 2024 in London, England.Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has described Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a ‘great coach’ as the Spanish champions begin their search to replace Xavi.Last month, Xavi announced that he will step down as Barcelona’s head coach at the end of the season, giving the club several months to find his successor.Klopp, meanwhile, has also confirmed he will be leaving Liverpool this summer after nine years at Anfield.Despite insisting that he will take a year out of football, Klopp has already been linked with a move to Camp Nou this summer.When asked about a potential move for the Liverpool manager, Deco told La Vanguardia...

5Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Report: Kylian Mbappe move to Real Madrid hits snag over wage demands

Kylian Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain controls the ball during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between RC Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de la Meinau on February 2, 2024 in Strasbourg, France.Kylian Mbappe's proposed move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid has reportedly stalled due to the Frenchman's extortionate wage demands.Last week, the prolonged saga surrounding the 25-year-old's future saw its biggest development yet, as it was reported that he had finally agreed a switch to the Bernabeu for the 2024-25 season.Mbappe is in the final six months of his PSG deal - meaning that the French champions stand to lose him for nothing at the end of the season - and is therefore allowed to talk to foreign clubs to negotiate a pre-contract agreement.PSG have supposedly not ...

5Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barca ease past Alaves despite ‘unfair’ Roque red

Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on February 03, 2024 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The champions, third, took the lead through Robert Lewandowski in the first half and doubled their advantage when Ilkay Gundogan volleyed home soon after the break.Samu Omorodion pulled a goal back for the hosts before 18-year-old striker Roque pounced and a few minutes later was harshly dismissed.Barcelona´s victory helps them cut the gap on league leaders Real Madrid to seven points before Los Blancos face Atletico Madrid in a derby clash Sunday.They have won both of their matches since Xavi announced last weekend he would leave the club at the end of th...

5Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter Milan secure narrow win over Juventus in Serie A

Federico Gatti of Juventus during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 4, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Inter Milan claimed a narrow win over Juventus on matchday 23 of the Italian Serie A on Sunday.Juventus defender Federico Gatti's 37th-minute own goal brought victory to the Nerazzurri, while neither team was able to produce a goal in the second half at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, are atop the Serie A table, four points ahead of second-place Juventus, who have collected 53 points.Want to know more about football flame check out our article

4Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Hudson-Odoi earns Forest draw at Bournemouth

Neto of AFC Bournemouth fails to save a shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi of Nottingham Forest (not pictured), resulting in Nottingham Forest's first goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest at Vitality Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. Callum Hudson-Odoi's sublime strike earned Nottingham Forest a much-needed Premier League point at Bournemouth.The hosts took the lead after five minutes when Justin Kluivert prodded in at the near post from a corner.But Hudson-Odoi equalised just before the break, beating Ryan Christie and Illia Zabarnyi before bending a right-footed effort into the bottom corner.Bournemouth ended with 10 men as Philip Billing was shown a straight red in the 83rd minute for fouling Hudson-Odoi.The draw mea...

4Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Ivan Rakitic: I want to give back to the people here

Ivan Rakitic of Sevilla FC al during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Granada CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 08, 2022 in Seville, Spain.Ivan Rakitic says he cannot wait to get on the pitch for Al Shabab after joining the Roshn Saudi League side earlier this week.The former Barcelona midfielder moves to the Kingdom having spent 13 hugely successful years in Spain’s La Liga.Rakitic, a FIFA World Cup finalist with Croatia in 2018, moves to Al Shabab from Sevilla – highlighting his second stint with the Andalusian club by guiding them to last season’s UEFA Europa League title.Rakitic, 35, was an integral component at Barcelona from 2014-2020, helping the Nou Camp side to the treble – the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey – in the 2014-15 ...

3Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton deny Spurs as Newcastle rescue Luton draw

Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on February 3, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Former Everton striker Richarlison had scored just one league goal for Tottenham between August 2022 and December 2023.But he has now struck nine times in Tottenham's last eight league games after putting the visitors ahead in the fourth minute and restoring their lead with a superb strike from the edge of the area in the 41st minute.However, Everton rallied after a poor start and their tactic to target Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario from corners paid off with a 30th-minute equaliser.Jack Harrison was backing into Vicario before turning in Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header towards goal.And in the fourth minute of stoppag...

2Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Cape Verde ‘a tougher game than against Morocco’: Bafana’s 1996 captain Tovey

South Africa's defender #20 Khuliso Johnson Mudau, South Africa's forward #10 Percy Tau, South Africa's midfielder #4 Teboho Mokoena and South Africa's goalkeeper #1 Ronwen Williams leave the field after South Africa won the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group E football match between South Africa and Namibia at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on January 21, 2024.Verde are not even ranked as high as Bafana Bafana, but former South Africa internationals have cautioned that the islanders, in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal, could on form be a tougher prospect than Morocco.On paper, in pedigree and national strength of football Africa’s top-ranked and the word’s 13-ranked team Morocco, who Bafana shocked 2-0 in the last 16 in San Pedro, Ivory Coast on Tuesday ni...

2Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter and Juve face off in Serie A title showdown

Simone Inzaghi manager of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale - Serie A TIM at Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 28, 2024 in Florence, Italy.Inter Milan and Juventus' Serie A title credentials will on the line on Sunday as two giants of Italian football face off in a San Siro showdown.Holding a one-point lead and a game in hand, Inter will have more than 70,000 fans roaring them on at a “Derby of Italy” which could define their season.Simone Inzaghi´s side have been the country´s best since the start of the season and are rightly looking down on the rest of the league with comfortably the best attack and best defence.Inter have collected 54 points from their 21 matches, just two fewer than reigning champions Napoli had at...

2Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mainoo scores sensational winner as Man Utd beat Wolves in seven-goal thriller

Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his side's fourth and winning goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on February 01, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. Kobbie Mainoo scored a 97th-minute winner as Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 at Molineux in a Premier League classic.Mainoo curled his first Premier League goal past Jose Sa, just seconds after Pedro Neto appeared to have snatched a point for Wolves.Wolves pulled themselves level having been 2-0 down at half-time and 3-1 behind on 85 minutes, but United took the three points thanks to 18-year-old Mainoo, who picked the ball up on the left, nutmegged Max Kilman and cut inside before bending the ball into the bottom corner.Ma...

2Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Joselu double takes Real Madrid top of La Liga

Joselu of Real Madrid celebrates with teammate Vinicius Junior scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on February 01, 2024 in Getafe, Spain.Joselu scored a goal in each half as Real Madrid beat local rivals Getafe to return to the top of La Liga.The former Stoke striker headed home Lucas Vazquez's cross to put Carlo Ancelotti's side in front after 14 minutes and a clinical finish early in the second half secured the win.Mason Greenwood and Borja Mayoral hit the post for Getafe but Real held on to move two points clear of Girona.The loss leaves Getafe 10th in the table.Madrid, buoyed by the return of Jude Bellingham after suspension, started well and were deservedly in front when Joselu planted his...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Report: Fulham agree loan deal for Chelsea’s Armando Broja

Armando Broja of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2024 in London, England. Fulham have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja on loan for the remainder of the campaign.The Albania international's future has been one of the headline stories on transfer deadline day, with both Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers battling to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.Wolves are said to have had an approach for Broja rebuffed earlier in the month, and Chelsea were after an extortionate £50m to let the 22-year-old depart on a permanent deal in the last knockings of the window.With neither Fulham nor Wolves bowing to those demands, Chelsea made Broja available for loan, and th...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

West Ham’s Fornals set to join Real Betis for £6.8m

Pablo Fornals of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 21, 2024 in Sheffield, England.West Ham have agreed to sell Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals to La Liga side Real Betis for 8m euros (£6.8m).The 27-year-old has made 202 appearances since his arrival from Villarreal in 2019.However, he has struggled to gain a regular starting spot this season following the arrival of Mohammed Kudus and James Ward-Prowse in the summer.Fornals has only started four Premier League games for David Moyes' side in 2023/24.Although West Ham triggered a one-year option on Fornals' contract in December, it was always likely they would let him leave if the right bid was received.Want to know more about football flame check ou...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Villa sign forward Rogers from Middlesbrough

Morgan Rogers of Middlesbrough during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2024 in London, England.Aston Villa have signed forward Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough.The fee for the 21-year-old, who plays predominantly as a winger, is £8m plus add-ons which may, in time, rise to £15m.Rogers has scored seven goals and made nine assists in 33 games for Championship club Boro this season.The England Under-20 international moved to Riverside Stadium from Manchester City for £1.5m on a four-year deal last July.Middlesbrough rejected three bids from Aston Villa before agreeing on a price for Rogers.Manchester City will receive a proportion of that money, having negotiated a 25% sell-on fee from any Boro profit.Speakin...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Bradley shines as leaders Liverpool beat Chelsea

Conor Bradley of Liverpool is challenged by Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on January 31, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Conor Bradley produced a memorable display by scoring his first Liverpool goal and grabbing two assists as the Reds beat Chelsea to maintain their grip on first place in Premier League.Jurgen Klopp's side went into this round of fixtures five points clear at the top and, with Arsenal and Manchester City winning their games against Nottingham Forest and Burnley respectively, the Anfield club needed to do likewise against the Blues.Having beaten Bournemouth 4-0 in their previous league outing, they once again put in a confident and dominant display to sweep Chelsea aside.Darwin Nunez twice hit ...

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Alvarez nets twice on birthday as Man City beat Burnley

Julian Alvarez of Manchester City celebrates scoring their second goal with Jeremy Doku during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley FC at Etihad Stadium on January 31, 2024 in Manchester, England.Erling Haaland was upstaged on his return from injury by fellow striker Julian Alvarez as Manchester City strolled to victory against Burnley.Haaland made his first appearance since fracturing his foot in the defeat at Aston Villa on 6 December when he was introduced as a 71st-minute substitute at Etihad Stadium.However, while the Norwegian's major involvement was to draw laughs from team-mates Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic on the bench when he mis-kicked what was intended to be a shot on the turn, Alvarez turned 24 in style.The Argentine took the man-of-the-match ...

31Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

‘Confident Arsenal are right in Premier League title race’

Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates his goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024 in Nottingham, England. Arsenal's scenes of celebration at the final whistle at the City Ground were in the sharpest contrast to their last visit to Nottingham Forest, when defeat brought the curtain down on a season-long Premier League title quest.It was Forest celebrating back in May when Taiwo Awoniyi's goal not only assured their survival but completed Arsenal's misery as a late collapse made Manchester City champions.Here, on a cold night beside the Trent, Arsenal's title ambitions were not on the line but defeat was unthinkable, especially with Premier League leaders Liverpool the visitors to Emirates Stadium on Sunday.And...

30Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Xavi confirms date for Ter Stegen’s return

Marc -Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona seen in action during UEFA Champions League 2023/2024 football match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Barcelona at Volksparkstadion (Hamburg). Final score; FC Shakhtar 1:0 FC Barcelona.Barcelona have struggled to repeat the same level of defensive solidity as they did last season, and one of the biggest reasons for the Blaugrana’s leaky defense has been the extended absence of Marc-André ter Stegen, who has missed almost three months after undergoing back surgery.The German returned to training last week, and now the date for his comeback has been confirmed. That’s according to manager Xavi Hernández, who was asked about Ter Stegen in a press conference on Tuesday and said that if everything goes according to plan, his number one goalkeeper wi...

30Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

De Rossi’s Roma revival continues with Salernitana win

Daniele De Rossi manager of AS Roma during the Serie A TIM match between US Salernitana and AS Roma - Serie A TIM at Stadio Arechi on January 29, 2024 in Salerno, Italy. Daniele De Rossi's dream start as Roma boss goes on, with his side earning a second successive win with a 2-1 triumph over Salernitana in Serie A.De Rossi took over from previous coach Jose Mourinho on January 16, winning his first game in charge against Verona four days later.His second victory came thanks to second-half goals from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with the capital club rising three places to fifth on the table.Dybala put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute from the penalty spot after Giulio Maggiore fouled Gianluca Mancini.Pellegrini doubled Roma's lead 15 minutes later when he took advan...

30Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Ivory Coast stun AFCON holders Senegal, Cape Verde into quarter-finals

Ivory Coast's midfielder #8 Franck Kessie (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Senegal and Ivory Coast at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro on January 29, 2024.Hosts Ivory Coast stunned Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, knocking out the reigning champions on penalties in the last 16 to keep their hopes of winning the title on home soil alive. A week ago it looked as if the Ivorians were set for a humiliating group-stage exit from their own AFCON, but now they are into the quarter-finals after beating Senegal 5-4 on penalties following a tie that finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.The Elephants scraped into the knockout phase with the worst re...