Blog – Page 401 – Football Flame

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool urged to sign Leed United top rated Midfielder Kalvin Phillip

Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United celebrates after the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Leeds United at KCOM Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Hull, England.Liverpool have been urged to make a move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.The 24-year-old has played a key role as the Whites have put themselves in pole position to win promotion from the Championship this season.However, former Tottenham Hotspur star Darren Bent believes Phillips is capable of playing at the top end of the Premier League.He told Football Insider that Phillips would find it difficult to turn down Liverpool if they came calling this summer.“If that move comes about and it’s there on the table, you’ve got to take it,” he said.How much he’d play I don’t know, but people are talking about Fabinho an...
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NEWS

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman underwent heart surgery

Head coach Ronald Koeman of Netherlands looks on prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between The Netherlands and Estonia on November 19, 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman underwent a heart surgery Sunday at a hospital in Amsterdam after feeling pain in his chest, his management company said in a statement.The 57-year-old coach, who has also managed Premier League clubs Southampton and Everton, underwent a successful "heart catheterization" and will return home Monday, his management company Wasserman said. It did not elaborate on the nature of the procedure and nor did the Dutch soccer association.Dutch national broadcaster NOS cited Koeman's business manager, Rob Jansen, as saying that the former Barcelona player was hospitalized after feeling chest pain aft...
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BUNDESLIGA

German Minister supports Bundesliga restart

Horst Seehofer (CSU), Minister of the Interior, arrives at the Bundestag on April 23, 2020 in Berlin, Germany.German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer yesterday supported a possible restart for the Bundesliga season this month without spectators as the government prepares for a key meeting next week.Although Bundesliga clubs have returned to training in small groups, the league has been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic and the government is to decide next week on a potential resumption of sports activities.The German Football League (DFL), eager for a quick restart, has submitted a health safety plan for games without spectators which includes regular testing of players but no quarantine for entire squads in cases of positive tests."I find the time frame of the Germ...
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LALIGA

Marcelo says he does not want to leave Real Madrid

Marcelo of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 8, 2020 in Sevilla Spain.Real Madrid left-back Marcelo talked to former club defender Fabio Cannavaro in an Instagram Live and shared some thoughts about his future now that it seems that he’s lost the starting spot to Ferland Mendy.“I don’t want to leave and I don’t think Real Madrid would let me go. I’m fine here. I have an amazing story since I joined the club with my family and I don’t even know if it’s true that Juventus want me. I’ve heard for the last two years that I have signed for them, that I couldn’t live without Cristiano... People make stuff up. I have to say it’s nice that some Juve fans said they liked me,” revealed Marcelo.The defende...
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SERIE A

Ancelotti: 'Milan 2005 Squad was even better than the 2003 version'

Carlo Ancelotti of Everton before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on March 8, 2020 in London, England.Although they failed to take home the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti believes his 2005 AC Milan squad was better than the sides that won in 2003 and 2007.The Rossoneri famously saw a 3-0 lead evaporate in just six minutes, as Liverpool fought back to claim an unlikely triumph in Istanbul in 2005.Ancelotti believes that star-studded squad was the best he coached while at the San Siro, as they were technically superior in his eyes.“The 2007 side was technically inferior to the 2005 one, which remains the best team with the best performance in a final,” he said during an Instagram Live video. “That 2005 side was even better than the 2003 version.“We ...
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LALIGA

Ter Stegen 'very happy' at Barcelona despite halting contract talks

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen #1 of Barcelona during team warm up before the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen says he’s very happy at the club but has confirmed talks over a new contract have been put on hold.Contract extensions for Ter Stegen and Lionel Messi are reportedly at the top of Barcelona’s to-do list for 2020 as they aim to secure the futures of the duo.Ter Stegen says the club have been in touch but things have stalled for the time being in an Instagram Live chat with his former club Borussia Monchengladbach.“We have already had the first conversations,” he said.“But as I said, we have parked it. There are much more important things.“I am very happy her...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne hint he could seek exit if European ban is upheld

Kevin De Bruyne (17) of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, London on Sunday 1st March 2020.Manchester City are facing a two-year European football ban.The ban was imposed by UEFA after Man City were found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play rules.Currently, Man City’s ban will come into effect from the 2020-21 season.This weekend, during an interview with HLN, Kevin De Bruyne has suggested he could leave Man City if the European ban isn’t dispelled.De Bruyne stated his belief that he can’t wait two years before he plays Champions League football again. KDB said:“I’m just waiting a little bit. The club has told us that they will appeal the decision. And they are 100 per cent convinced that they are in the right.“I hav...
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TRANSFERS

AC Milan Reportedly plotting move for Juventus Star Daniele Rugani

Daniele Rugani of Juventus FC looks on before the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Brescia Calcio. Juventus FC won 2-0 over Brescia Calcio, at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy.For many years now, AC Milan have been looking for the ideal partner for Alessio Romagnoli, the captain. However, no centre-back has been able to live up his standards, forcing the Rossoneri to act. Just last summer, Milan brought in Leo Duarte and Simon Kjaer to solve the issue. The year before that, they signed Mattia Caldara from Juventus and many thought he would be the man, although that wasn’t the case.According to the newspaper Corriere di Torino (via MilanNews24.it), the Rossoneri could do business with the Bianconeri once again, having set their sights on Daniele Rugani. The defender is out...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs boss Mourinho reveals the only loss that made him cry

Head coach Jose Mourinho of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur at Red Bull Arena on March 10, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany.Jose Mourinho has revealed he was reduced to tears following Real Madrid’s emotional Champions League semi-final defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich. The current Tottenham manager had built a star-studded side which briefly interrupted Barcelona’s dominance of La Liga under Pep Guardiola, ending the 2011/12 season as champions amassing 100 points and scoring an astonishing 121 goals in the process. Mourinho’s team were considered favourites to double up and become kings of Europe too, particularly after Barcelona succumbed to a shock defeat against Chelsea who were m...
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BUNDESLIGA

Hertha Berlin Star Salomon Kalou believes 'It will be awkward to return to Football'

Salomon Kalou of Hertha BSC during the training on november 19, 2019 in Berlin, Germany.Any return to playing top-level football while coronavirus remains an issue "will be awkward" because the game is contact sport, Hertha Berlin's Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou has said.A number of players have been sharing their thoughts regarding the resumption of football in Europe as the leagues begin to plot their return to action behind closed doors.Manchester City's Sergio Aguero has said that "the majority of players are scared because they have children and families."Kalou told BBC Sport Africa, “I'm not afraid, but I think it will be a little bit awkward that we're going to play and not have contact with other teams, because you’ve got to."How are you going to play against opponents and expe...
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NEWS

Ex-Watford star Marvin Sordell appointed as FA board member

Watford's Marvin Sordell celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the npower Championship match at Ashton Gate, Bristol.Former Watford player Marvin Sordell has been appointed to the FA's Inclusion Advisory Board [IAB].Sordell was one of seven new appointments to the board, along with other former professional Liam Rosenior.The former Hornets striker retired last year, aged just 28, citing his mental health as the main reason.The IAB is a sub-committee of, and reports into, the main FA Board and was formed in 2013 following the introduction of the cross-football inclusion and anti discrimination programme.Its targets include increasing diversity at the FA, having the smallest gender pay gap of any major sports governing body in England and providing support for the LGBT+ community, a...
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TRANSFERS

Barcelona reportedly join race to sign Man United target Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Sport-Club Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on February 29, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany.Barcelona have joined the race to sign Jadon Sancho, according to SportBild, the Spanish champions have joined Manchester United and Real Madrid in the hunt for the England international who is expected to depart this summer.The report also mentions the possibility of a swap deal with 17-year-old Ansu Fati.The youngster was on the front page of Mundo Deportivo on Thursday with a report the German team are keen on on the youngster.Barcelona would surely struggle to afford Sancho, who is valued at €130m, particularly as they are also keen on Lautaro Martinez and Neymar.A swap deal may be a different st...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bundesliga resumption delayed by German Government

Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland of Dortmund stretch during a training session behind closed doors after rules to limit the spread of Coronavirus Covid-19 have been put in place at Parc des Princes on March 10, 2020 in Paris, France. Borussia Dortmund will face Paris Saint-Germain in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match on March 11, 2020.The German Bundesliga will not return on May 9 as previously hoped after the German government delayed a decision on the league's return until next week.Chancellor Angela Merkel and the heads of the federal states held a video summit on Thursday to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the country.The head of chancellery, Helge Braun, and the federal state chancelleries are now set to bring in a draft resolution for the next "Bund and...
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NEWS

Paris Saint-Germain to be declared Ligue 1 champions

Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate victory 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. The match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).Paris Saint-Germain are set to be awarded the Ligue 1 title, according to reports in France, in a move that could pave the way for Liverpool to lift their first ever Premier League title - even if they do not play their last nine games.The Premier League and Ligue 1 were both suspended on 13 March due to the coronavirus outbreak. French clubs had hoped to return to training in May when president Emmanuel Macron is aiming to reopen ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Rio Ferdinand Reveals Man United's Paul Pogba best position

Paul Pogba of Manchester United applauds fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on December 26, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United haven't seen the best of Paul Pogba because he's not been played in his best position regularly enough.Pogba's position has been a debate at Old Trafford ever since he sealed a return to the club in summer 2016.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has often picked Pogba in a two-man midfield, but Ferdinand thinks the player's attacking skills are not best utilised in deeper positions. The former England centre-back believes Pogba can still salvage his United career, but only if Solskjaer gets his selections right."I don’t feel he’s been played in his best position a lot of the ...
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TRANSFERS

Leipzig Striker Timo Werner turned down move to Bayern Munich

Leipzig's player Timo Werner talks to his teammates before a throw-in from the sidelines.Timo Werner has turned down the chance to sign for Bayern Munich this summer, as he wants to join Liverpool instead due to Jurgen Klopp. That's according to a report in German outlet BILD, claiming Bayern will now turn all their attentions towards Leroy Sane.Werner has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool all season.The young striker has a release clause of £51million, and the Reds are set to trigger that fee.However, a host of other teams were also interested, including Chelsea and Manchester United.Bayern were reportedly ready to make a move for him ahead of the window, but have now pulled out of the race.Instead, they have decided to target Sane, who is expected to leave Manchester City for ...
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TRANSFERS

Arsenal eye Summer move for Real Madrid Loanee Sergio Reguilon

Sergio Reguilon of Sevilla FC controls the ball during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Wanda Metropolitano on March 7, 2020 in Madrid, Spain.Arsenal are reportedly interested in a summer deal for Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon.The 23-year-old made 22 appearances for Madrid last season but was deemed surplus to requirements for the current campaign and subsequently joined Sevilla on loan last summer.Reguilon has been a regular for Julen Lopetegui's side this season - making 25 appearances in all competitions - although he is due to return to the Bernabeu ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.Paris Saint-Germain are said to have identified the former Spain Under-21 international as a potential signing during this summer's transfer window.However, according to A...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Star Alphonso Davies disclose how he grew up supporting Chelsea

Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern Muenchen runs during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground on April 21, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has said he grew up supporting Chelsea because of his dad’s influence.Chelsea fans do not had fond memories of the Canada international, thanks to his performance when Bayern Munich visited Stamford Bridge in February.Davies’ electric pace caused so much trouble for Chelsea defenders in the Champions League’s round of 16.His assist to Robert Lewandowski after Serge Gnabry’s brace earlier left Chelsea trailing by three goals ahead of the suspended second leg at Allianz Arena.But the 19-year-old who has just signed a new contract with Bayern has admitted having a soft spot for Chelsea as he grew up supporting the...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid Reportedly Demand £44m For Arsenal to make Dani Ceballos Move Permanent

Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on March 10, 2020 in St Albans, England.Arsenal will have to pay £44million to seal the permanent transfer of Dani Ceballos, according to reports in Spain. Real Madrid expect the midfielder to return to the club at the end of his loan spell and have not ruled out the possibility of promoting Ceballos to the first-team. Eager to keep hold of his place in the Spain national side, Ceballos has prioritised regular football ahead of next season and managed to win the trust of Mikel Arteta after initially falling down the pecking order at the Emirates.Arsenal are keen to sign Ceballos permanently or bring him back to the club on another season-long loan following his performances this term.AS claim Real are only prepared to...
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NEWS

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says Ligue 1 Season will not resume Until September

Juan Bernat, Idrissa Gueye, Neymar Jr, Presnel Kimpembe and Mauro Icardi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate victory 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. The match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).The French football season is over after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe declared no team sports will be played before September. It means Ligue 1 follows the Netherlands as the second league to end their season due to the pandemic.The French Professional Football League had been hopeful teams could resume training within a fortnight after plans emerged earlier this month for the le...
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