Author: Silver Emmanuel

14Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Hansi Flick ‘shows Barcelona star the exit door’

Hansi Flick holds a press conference for the match against Betis, corresponding to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, in Barcelona, Spain, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has begun ushering a member of his attacking ranks towards the exit door at the club.That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Ansu Fati as the player in question.The name of winger Ansu has of course returned to the forefront of the headlines in Catalunya’s capital over the course of the last week. This comes after the Barcelona coaching staff made clear once more their lack of faith when it comes to the 22-year-old’s readiness to contribute moving forward.After first being left out of the Blaugrana’s starting XI for a C...

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14Jan By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

TRANSFERS

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to complete $72m move to PSG

NAPLES, ITALY - JANUARY 08: SSC Napoli Player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia attends the morning training session at SSC Napoli Training Center on January 08, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to finalize a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, where he will sign a five-year contract this month. Liverpool emerged as an interested party last week but PSG was always the firm favorite to land the Georgia international, with talks between Napoli and the French champions progressing positively. French outlet RMC Sport reports that PSG will pay a total transfer fee in excess of $72million for Kvaratskhelia, who made it clear to Napoli manager Antonio Conte last week that he wanted to leave the club. The Athletic reported last week...

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13Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Napoli eyeing Man Utd’s Garnacho as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Replacement

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images) Napoli are actively pursuing Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho as they prepare for the anticipated departure of star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is reportedly set to join Paris Saint-Germain. According to recent reports from Alfredo Pedulla, Napoli have already made an initial offer of €45 million, including bonuses, for the talented 20-year-old Argentine forward. Garnacho has emerged as a top target for Napoli head coach Antonio Conte, who views him as the ideal replacement for Kvaratskhelia. The ...

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13Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Maresca ‘completely happy’ with Nicolas Jackson

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images) It may have been a month since Nicolas Jackson last scored for Chelsea, but Enzo Maresca says he is 'completely happy' with the striker and his performances. Our four-game run without a win in the Premier League has coincided with Jackson’s relatively lean spell in front of goal. Prior to that, he had netted nine goals in 15 league appearances, a figure Maresca notes would have been higher if he took spot-kicks for the Blues, like strikers often do at other clubs. The head coach offered encouragement to Jac...

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13Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona thrash Real Madrid to clinch Spanish Super Cup

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 12: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates with the Supercopa de Espana winners' trophy during the trophy presentation after the Spanish Super Cup Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at King Abdullah Sports City on January 12, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Barcelona hammered rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in a wild Spanish Super Cup Clasico final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the first trophy of the Hansi Flick era. Kylian Mbappé put Madrid ahead but a dominant Barcelona hit five in response before their goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the second half. Madrid were hoping to avenge their 4-0 home defeat by Barcelona in October's La Liga Clasico but instead were left battered and bruised by their arc...

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12Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug sustains hamstring injury

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Niclas Fuellkrug of West Ham United leaves the field after receiving medical treatment to an injury during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on January 10, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) West Ham announced on Sunday that Niclas Fullkrug sustained a hamstring injury. "West Ham United can confirm striker Niclas Füllkrug sustained a hamstring injury in Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa," West Ham said in a statement. The club added that the German striker will be sidelined for several weeks. Niclas Fullkrug, 31, has previously played for clubs such as Werder Bremen, Nurnberg, Hannover, and Borussia Dortmund. The forward has an impressive internationa...

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12Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Aston Villa want to sign Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza

Oscar Mingueza of RC Celta de Vigo during the LaLiga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad at Estadio Balaidos on December 21, 2024 in Vigo, Spain. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on the services of Celta Vigo defensive sensation Oscar Mingueza. Aston Villa are looking to add more quality to their defensive unit in the ongoing transfer window and according to a report from Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Unai Emery’s team are looking to raid Celta Vigo for the services of Oscar Mingueza. The Premier League outfit wants to strengthen the backline amidst concerns regarding Matty Cash and uncertainty around the future of Diego Carlos. Mingueza could be just the perfect fit for them as he is versatile in nature and can feature anywhere across the backline. Aston...

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11Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid must avoid El Clasico ‘mistakes’ in Supercopa final

Carlo Ancelotti head coach of Real Madrid during press conference prior the Spanish Super Cup final match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at King Abdullah Sports City on January 11, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his players can avenge their thrashing earlier this season by Barcelona by winning the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, but only if they avoided making the same mistakes. Hansi Flick’s Barcelona routed Los Blancos 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in October in LaLiga, although a slump before the winter break helped Real Madrid overtake them at the top of the table. “We have to think about that game obviously, they beat us, we had a clear evaluation of what happened,” Ancelotti told a ...

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11Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Atalanta held to a goalless draw at Udinese

UDINE, ITALY - JANUARY 11: Ederson of Atalanta keeps possession under pressure from Alexis Sanchez and Martin Payero of Udines during the Serie A match between Udinese and Atalanta at Stadio Friuli on January 11, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images) Atalanta missed the chance to move provisionally top of Serie A on Saturday after being held to a goalless draw at Udinese which left them two points behind league leaders Napoli. Gian Piero Gasperini's side would have moved above Napoli, who host Verona on Sunday, on goal difference with a win in Udine but were a long way from their brilliant best. "They were better than us, more intense than us. We struggled the whole first half and were lucky," said Gasperini to DAZN. "We were a bit better in the second half but in ...

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11Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona needs to pay €6.5m to sign Marcus Rashford

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. Barcelona are said to be eyeing a move for Marcus Rashford, who looks set to leave Manchester United this month. A deal would be difficult, but not impossible, given that the Catalans are back within La Liga’s 1:1 rule. It would be a loan deal that Barcelona would want, and according to Sport, they would need to assume 100% of Rashford’s wages for the remainder of the season, as this is the condition set by Man United. As such, they would be required to free up €6.5m in salary space. Raising these funds is possible, given that there are at least four players (Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati and Frenki...

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11Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton to make David Moyes manager after Sean Dyche dismissal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 4: Former West Ham United manager David Moyes during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and West Ham United FC at Etihad Stadium on January 4, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) Premier League strugglers Everton have agreed to bring David Moyes back to Goodison Park as their manager following Sean Dyche's sacking, according to reports on Friday. The club's new owners, the Friedkin Group, moved for Moyes after dismissing Dyche just hours before Thursday's 2-0 win against Peterborough in the FA Cup third-round. Moyes is reported to have agreed a two-and-a-half year contract to return to Everton 12 years after leaving for an unsuccessful spell in charge of Manchester United. The 61-year-old Scot has bee...

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10Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Milan’s Loftus-Cheek to miss Girona clash due to hamstring injury

Ruben Loftus-Cheek central midfield of AC Milan and England prior the EA Sports FC Supercup 24/25 semifinal match between AC Milan and Juventus at Kingdom Arena on January 3, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) In a statement, Milan said that Loftus-Cheek "will be re-assessed in about a week due to the recurrence of a hamstring problem in his right thigh". England international midfielder Loftus-Cheek, 28, has only made a substitute appearance in Milan's thrilling Super Cup final win over Inter Milan in the last month. Milan host Como on Saturday before travelling to Cagliari on Tuesday, the latter fixture one of the two games that Sergio Conceicao's new team have in hand. Loftus-Cheek is also at risk of missing Milan's clash with r...

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10Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Napoli target Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images) Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte has reportedly identified Federico Chiesa as a prime target should Khvicha Kvaratskhelia depart the club. The Italian winger’s brief stint at Liverpool appears to be nearing its end, with the player struggling to find playing time in a high-performing squad. Calciomercato report how Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus last summer, has found it challenging to break into a formidable attacking lineup featuring the likes of Salah, Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Jones, and Darwin Nunez. This lack of opportunity has led ...

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9Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton Sacks Coach Sean Dyche

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14:Everton manager Sean Dyche during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images) Everton have sacked Sean Dyche as their manager just three hours before their FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough United on Thursday night. The Toffees are in another fight against relegation but the timing of dismissal will raise eyebrows with it being so close to kick-off. They are playing at 7.45pm with the news breaking at 4.25pm.Club legend Leighton Baines and current captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of first-team duties against The Posh. In a short statement, the Merseyside outfit wrote: 'Everton Football Club can conf...

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8Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Didier Deschamps set to leave France

Lyon , France - September 9: head coach Didier Deschamps of France gestures during the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 League A - Group 2 match between France and Belgium at Groupama-Stadion on September 9, 2024 in Lyon , France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) Didier Deschamps, France's longest serving national team coach, will not seek to renew his contract which expires in 2026, the French soccer federation (FFF) told Reuters. Deschamps' deal runs until after the next World Cup, for which Les Bleus have yet to qualify. The 56-year-old took over from fellow 1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led Les Bleus to the World Cup title in 2018, two years after reaching the European Championship final on home soil. The former France captain, one of only three p...

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8Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Walcott disclose what worries him most about Arsenal

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - JULY 06: Former footballer Theo Walcott looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) Theo Walcott has highlighted what concerned him most with Arsenal's defeat by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. Mikel Arteta's side have been left with a mammoth task if they want to reach the final of the competition after losing 2-0 at the Emirates in their semi-final first leg tie on Tuesday night. Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon mean the Gunners must go to St James' Park and overturn a two-goal deficit to set up a final against either Tottenham or Liverpool. But the cup is not the only competition Arsenal have had issues i...

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7Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arne Slot believes Alexander-Arnold form not affected by contract situation

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) Liverpool head coach Arne Slot attempted to place a protective arm around Trent Alexander-Arnold by suggesting no-one mentions the effect of contract issues when the team are winning. The England defender was criticised for a poor performance in Sunday's 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United, just days after Real Madrid made an approach for the 26-year-old whose current deal expires in the summer. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are in similar positions but Alexander-Arnold, an academy graduate and one of their most valuable assets, has found th...

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7Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno refusing to look at table

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 6: Nuno Espirito Santo Head Coach of Nottingham Forest on the side line during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Molineux on January 6, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says he will not look at the Premier League table until the end of the season despite his side opening the door to a surprise title challenge with a 3-0 win at Wolves. Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi earned a sixth successive Premier League win and moved them six points behind leaders Liverpool. Arne Slot's men visit the City Ground next week in a clash which is likely to decide whether Forest could ...

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7Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Abraham scores late to win Italian Super Cup for AC Milan

(D) Rafael Leao left winger of AC Milan and Portugal and (L) Tammy Abraham centre-forward of AC Milan and England celebrates with the trophy after winning the EA SPORTS FC SUPERCUP 24/25 final match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 6, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) AC Milan completed a comeback victory against Inter Milan to claim the Italian Super Cup on Monday, with Tammy Abraham scoring a stoppage-time goal. Inter Milan took the lead with a close-range finish from Lautaro Martinez in first-half stoppage time, followed by Mehdi Taremi doubling the advantage in the 47th minute. AC Milan responded with a free-kick goal by Theo Hernandez in the 52nd minute and Christian Pulisic equalized i...

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6Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Lopetegui ‘tells Tim Steidten to stay away from training ground’

New West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui (right) with West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten during a press conference at the London Stadium. Picture date: Monday July 1, 2024. (Photo by Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images) West Ham sporting director Tim Steidten has been told to stay away from the club's training ground by under-fire boss Julen Lopetegui, according to a report. The German's relationship with the Hammers boss has reportedly deteriorated amid the side's dismal form, which has seen them fall to within just seven points of the relegation zone in 14th place. West Ham have won only one of their past five Premier League games, a run that includes a 4-1 defeat by Manchester City and 5-0 defeat by Liverpool in their most recent fixtures. Steidten was ...

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