Blog – Page 67 – Football Flame

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Jude Bellingham gets Ballon d’Or nomination, but no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo
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Jude Bellingham gets Ballon d’Or nomination, but no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo

For the first time since 2003 neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi have been included in the nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or award, which were announced on Wednesday, with England's Jude Bellingham among the 30 players named. Portugal's Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, also failed to receive a nomination last year, while Messi, who won for a record eighth time in 2023 and has been nominated 16 times, misses out despite Argentina's Copa America win this year. Spain, winners of Euro 2024, have six players nominated including 17-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, along with Nico Williams, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Dani Carvajal who also won the Champions League with Real Madrid. Real have a total of seven players nominated, including Kylian Mbap...
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Transfer: Napoli okay Osimhen for Galatasaray loan spell
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Transfer: Napoli okay Osimhen for Galatasaray loan spell

Various reports out of Italy said on Monday evening that Napoli have approved a loan transfer of Victor Osimhen to Turkish giants Galatasaray. Both Napoli and Galatasaray have approved the transfer and officials from Turkey were due to arrive in Naples to meet Osimhen last night. Transfer negotiations are going ahead at fast pace.Top Transfer Expert, Fabrizio Romano, reported that there is even now an agreement in principle between the two clubs. It will be a season-long dry loan, meaning there will not be a loan fee paid, but Galatasaray will cover the enormous annual salary of Osimhen, which is put at between 10 and 12 Million Euros. However, according to Corriere dello Sportthis will only be possible if he agrees to extend his contract with the Italian club by a further year...
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Southampton player on the verge signing for newly promoted club
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Southampton player on the verge signing for newly promoted club

There’s a claim in the Turkish media that Southampton forward Paul Onuachu is on the verge of signing for Goztepe. The 30-year-old was linked with a return to Trabzonspor throughout the summer transfer window, but it now looks like he’ll be joining the newly promoted Super Lig side. Aksam today report on the latest development regarding the future of Onuachu with Southampton, and they say he will be loaned out to Goztepe for the season. With the Super Lig transfer window remaining open until the 13th of September, the Turkish side have time on their side to get a deal finalised, but it’s expected his arrival will be announced by the end of the week. Both Southampton and Goztepe are owned by the Sports Republic group and due to his situation this could be the ideal solution for ...
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Manolas shuts down Roma return rumours: “Thanks for the support, but it’s not true”
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SERIE A

Manolas shuts down Roma return rumours: “Thanks for the support, but it’s not true”

Kostas Manolas has put an end to rumors of a potential return to AS Roma. Despite recent speculation, the Greek defender has made it clear that there are no plans for him to rejoin the Giallorossi. Currently a free agent after his stint with Salernitana, Manolas addressed the rumors through a post on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support from Roma fans but denying any truth to the reports. In his message, Manolas stated, “I have received many messages since yesterday, and I thank all the Roma fans for their affection. There’s nothing true about what I’m reading. Forza Roma!” This statement effectively closes the door on any immediate prospects of him returning to the Italian capital.Meanwhile, Roma have been actively seeking to strengthen their defense with free agents...
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Ollie Watkins pulls out of England squad ahead of UEFA Nations League fixtures
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Ollie Watkins pulls out of England squad ahead of UEFA Nations League fixtures

The England squad has been announced for the upcoming Nations League fixtures but ex-Weston striker Ollie Watkins has decided to pull out of the squad after his initial selection. England’s interim manager Lee Carsley named his squad last weekend for the upcoming games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. The initial squad included ex-Weston star Ollie Watkins along with Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.However, since the squad announcement Watkins, Palmer, and Foden have decided to pull out of the squad. In a statement, the Football Association said: “Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden will play no part in England’s forthcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. “The Three Lions squad reported to St George’s Park on Tuesday but, following assessment, both Palmer and Watkin...
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola talks admiration for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola talks admiration for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently took some time to talk about why he thinks Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller is so special. “No other player is like Thomas Müller! He’s one of the greatest players in the history of FC Bayern and of football. Not only because of his many titles but also because he’s fully focused when his team needs him,” Guardiola, who coached Müller in more games (148) than anyone else told FCBayern.com. “Football fans from all over the world know how important he is on the pitch. He’s a clever, unpredictable player who always knows where he has to go.” Guardiola reflected back on why he thinks Müller is so special.“My start in Munich wasn’t easy. Jupp Heynckes had done an incredible job, winning the treble. We travelled a lot and I tried to introd...
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Iraola: Everton victory a ‘key win’ in lead up to international break
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Iraola: Everton victory a ‘key win’ in lead up to international break

Bournemouth's extraordinary comeback win over Everton was vital in the lead-up to the international break, Andoni Iraola said. Cherries came from 2-0 down with just three minutes to play to win 3-2, with three goals in nine minutes stunning the home side. The Basque boss felt the result was a reward after the opening games did not produce the results that performances deserved. Iraola told the Daily Echo: “For us, it was a key win because I think we didn't get the rewards we deserved the previous games and also after the break we have games against Chelsea, against Liverpool. “In theory at least, they are very difficult.“So for us to get this win, I think is very important and also is fair considering everything, how we started the season, because I feel like the players have done...
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What to look out for in the UEFA Nations League
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What to look out for in the UEFA Nations League

International football returns across Europe this week, less than eight weeks after Spain edged out England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. Football Flame picks out five storylines to follow around the continent ahead of two rounds of fixtures over six days starting Thursday: Will Spain pick up where they left off?Spain are on a high after their magnificent triumph at the Euros and their gold medal success at the Olympics. Luis de la Fuente's side are quickly back in action and have another title to defend, having won the last edition of the Nations League. La Roja are in Group 4 of League A and begin with an awkward double-header, a trip to Serbia being followed by a meeting with Switzerland in Geneva. Denmark complete the group. Their squad does not feature the injured ...
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Jarrad Branthwaite transfer ‘stance’ emerges as Liverpool ‘scout’ defender
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Jarrad Branthwaite transfer ‘stance’ emerges as Liverpool ‘scout’ defender

Liverpool will be looking ahead to a return to Premier League action after the international break. The Reds went into the first hiatus of the season on the back of a convincing win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arne Slot's team next have Nottingham Forest at Anfield before travelling to face AC Milan in the Champions League when club football returns later this month. Before then, though, several members of the Liverpool squad will be travelling across the globe representing their respective national teams. When Liverpool return to action, they will be hoping to build on the 100 percent start to the Premier League season with three wins from three so far. The Reds will also have new signing Federico Chiesa at their disposal following his arrival from Juventus before the tr...
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Pique gives his verdict on Hansi Flick’s Barcelona
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Pique gives his verdict on Hansi Flick’s Barcelona

Former Barcelona star Gerard Pique has offered his verdict on Hansi Flick’s team after a great start to the 2024-25 season. Barcelona remain perfect after enjoying four straight wins under their new boss, including an emphatic 7-0 thrashing of Valladolid last time out.Pique says the team is looking good and he thinks they can fight for silverware this season in a new interview with Mundo Deportivo. “At the moment things are going very well and they are playing well, the new players like Olmo the other day are already giving good performances, as are the youngsters, who have already shown a lot in the pre-season, but also in the first ones I think they have played a lot of games, they have participated a lot and I think they have put up a fight. I think that the team has enough le...
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Arsenal news: Kai Havertz handed new job as late transfer announcement hit with delay
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Arsenal news: Kai Havertz handed new job as late transfer announcement hit with delay

Arsenal are in a good place heading into the first international break of the campaign.The Gunners are undefeated in the Premier League having won two and drawn one of their opening three games. Their latest outing saw them draw 1-1 with Brighton, while they were also reduced to ten men following Declan Rice’s controversial sending off. For the time being, Arsenal’s on-pitch commitments take a back seat for this month’s upcoming international fixtures. A whole host of stars will be in action over the coming weeks having jetted off to all corners of the globe. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta will be keen to get remaining players into training to work on tactics for the forthcoming campaign. Take a look at all of the headlines coming out of the Emirates Stadium over the past 24 hours: H...
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Manuel Ugarte reveals why he joined Manchester United
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Manuel Ugarte reveals why he joined Manchester United

Manuel Ugarte has explained his reasons for joining Manchester United this summer from PSG. Ugarte, 23, finally completed his move to the Red Devils on deadline day from the French giants for a fee rising to £51million.He was paraded on the pitch to United fans at Old Trafford ahead of their 3-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday and has since joined up with Uruguay for the international break. And, the 23-year-old - who was a target all summer for the Red Devils - revealed why he made the move to England and opened up on his excitement for the challenge ahead.'First and foremost, it is history, because we all know what a massive club United is - one of the best teams in the world,' Ugarte told the club's website. 'I also spoke a lot with Facu Pellistri and he told me all about everyth...
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Chelsea sell winger to Al-Nassr for £6m profit despite never playing for them
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Chelsea sell winger to Al-Nassr for £6m profit despite never playing for them

Chelsea have sold Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel, who never made a competitive appearance for the club, to Saudi Arabia for a £6 million profit. The Premier League side paid around £13 million to sign Angelo from Santos in July 2023 and then loaned him to Strasbourg, the French club which was bought by Chelsea’s owners last year. Angelo went on to make 24 appearances for Strasbourg in all competitions last season but failed to score a single goal for the French side. The 19-year-old has now been sold to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in a deal worth around £19 million. He will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane at his new club. Angelo’s departure means that Chelsea have generated around £175 million through sales in this summer window, including the exits of Ian Maa...
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Merle Frohms retires from international duty
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Merle Frohms retires from international duty

Merle Frohms has announced her retirement from the women’s national team. The DFB-Pokal-winning goalkeeper with VfL Wolfsburg shared the news on Tuesday that she would no longer be available for international selection. “Since the World Cup last year, I already knew that the Paris Olympics would be my final tournament with the national side,” explained the 29-year-old. “I can now reflect on six unforgettable years packed with so many experiences, encompassing all the highs and lows. It was an honour to represent my country as first-choice keeper at two major tournaments, but it was also very challenging, both physically and mentally. I am now only looking ahead at what’s to come and I’m excited to have time for friends and family again, after full-on years with two sporting comm...
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FC Barcelona star admits he considered leaving the club
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LALIGA

FC Barcelona star admits he considered leaving the club

FC Barcelona star Raphinha admitted to RAC1 that he considered leaving the club at one point of his two-year tenure in Catalonia. The Brazilian is the man of the hour with three goals and two assists thus far, which have helped Barca maintain a 100% record across four games in 2024/2025 under Hansi Flick. He appears to be a new player on Flick's watch, who is finally starting to live up to his reported $66 million (€60 million) price tag which Barca met to snatch him away from Leeds United in 2022. Things weren't always so rosy, however, and Raphinha admitted that he once considered calling it a day with the Blaugrana."Did I consider leaving? Yes," Raphinha confessed to RAC1. "The first six months were complicated for me and my family. After the World Cup I improved and I was able...
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Man Utd make decision on sacking Erik ten Hag after Liverpool loss as chiefs speak out
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Man Utd make decision on sacking Erik ten Hag after Liverpool loss as chiefs speak out

Manchester United reportedly have no plans to sack manager Erik ten Hag despite Sunday’s harrowing 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. The defeat leaves United 14th in the Premier League with just three points from their opening three games, with the pressure already piling on the Dutchman.Ten Hag had been widely expected to leave this role at the end of 2023/24 campaign, only for the club to trigger a one-year clause in his contract, extending his deal until 2026. That followed United’s surprise win over neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but Ten Hag himself has admitted the club did hold talks with Thomas Tuchel before deciding to stick with him. And Express Sport understands the 54-year-old will be given time to address his side’s poor form. Having spent more than £175million on...
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Real Madrid suffer triple injury blow to add to Bellingham woes
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Real Madrid suffer triple injury blow to add to Bellingham woes

Things are going from bad to worse this season for Real Madrid, who were already reeling from an injury to their talisman, Jude Bellingham. The Englishman is expected to be out for another few weeks at least, and with La Liga rivals, Barcelona, already four points ahead of them after just three games, the last thing Carlo Ancelotti needed was more injury concerns to deal with. Ceballos, Mendy and Tchouameni all out alongside Bellingham for Real Madrid According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, all of Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy and Aurelien Tchouameni are injured, with perhaps the only saving grace being that for the next couple of weeks there’s an international break. In exactly two week’s time, Los Blancos play Stuttgart in the opening match of their defence of the Champ...
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Chris Smalling makes surprise career decision with one year still left on his Roma contract
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SERIE A

Chris Smalling makes surprise career decision with one year still left on his Roma contract

After serving Serie A giants, Roma, so well over the past few seasons, centre-back, Chris Smalling, has decided that it’s time to move on, even though it’s understood that he still had a year left on his contract with the Giallorossi. It isn’t clear at this stage if the decision to leave was a mutual one, though Daniele De Rossi has moved quickly to bring in a replacement in the form of Mario Hermoso. Smalling, 34, has seemingly enjoyed a reasonable career in Italy, but has now made a decision, ahead of his thirty-fifth birthday in November, to see out his playing days, like so many of his contemporaries, in the Saudi Pro League. Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, noted on X (formerly Twitter) late on Monday night that a two-year deal with Al-Fayha has been signed by him and his ag...
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Uruguay star Luis Suarez announces retirement from international football
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Uruguay star Luis Suarez announces retirement from international football

Uruguay's forward Luis Suarez confirms he will retire from international football after Friday's clash with Paraguay. "Friday will be my last match for my country," an emotional Suarez, 37, told a press conference."It was not an easy decision to make, but I do it with the peace of mind that I will give my maximum until the very last game of my (Uruguay) career." The former Barcelona and Liverpool striker is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and will retire from international football as Uruguay's top scorer with 69 goals from 142 appearances. Suarez, who was infamously kicked out of the 2014 World Cup after being handed a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, made his debut for Uruguay in 2007. The Inter Miami forward helped Uruguay...
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Southampton star defender could feature for England in the international break
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PREMIER LEAGUE, Uncategorized

Southampton star defender could feature for England in the international break

The international break is coming and the club football will resume after that this month. Southampton have faced three defeats in this Premier League season and now will need to improve their performance in the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, some Southampton stars will be representing their nation in international fixtures for the next two weeks. One of them is left back Kyle Walker Peters, who can feature for the England national team in their upcoming international matches. Kyle Walker Peters made his England debut in March 2022 under former manager Gareth Southgate after his impressive displays for the Saints. Last season, the versatile fullback was in fine form again, as he made a total of six goal contributions and helped the Saints in keeping eleven clean sheets in the Champio...
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