PREMIER LEAGUE

27Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea injury boost ahead of Brighton as star returns

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed a major injury boost ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Brighton.The Blues will welcome Romeo Lavia back into the fold after missing the last five weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up in training. BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca shouts instructions to his team from the technical area during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea FC at Vitality Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images) The 20-year-old - who joined Chelsea from Southampton in an initial £53million transfer- made just one substitute appearance last season after suffering from a number of injury issues. However, Lavia was one of the...

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26Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag – Man Utd didn’t give 100 percent in Twente draw

Erik ten Hag questioned his players' mentality after Manchester United's 1-1 draw with FC Twente in the Europa League by saying that the Dutch side "fought for every yard and we didn't." United led through Christian Eriksen's first-half goal, but were pegged back in the second half when Sam Lammers took advantage of Eriksen's mistake to score the equaliser. Eriksen said afterwards that FC Twente "wanted it more" and when the assessment was put to Ten Hag, the United manager agreed. "Yes, you saw it was the game of their life," said Ten Hag. "They fought for every yard and we didn't and 99 percent is not enough, you have to give 100 percent. "You have to kill the game, you have to finish it off. You have to go for the second goal and then you kill the game. "We are very ambitious and when y...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Vincent Kompany vs. Xabi Alonso: Battle of the coaches as Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen

New Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany will face his biggest challenge yet as his side host reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: head coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen gestures during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-Final second leg match between West Ham United FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Olympic Stadium on April 18, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) In the opposite dugout will be Xabi Alonso, the former Bayern player who has already made the transition from world-class player to title-winning manager, and someone Kompany is trying to emulate.It has been a fantastic start to life at the Bayern helm for Kompany. In fact, the Belg...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Raheem Sterling is expected to make first Arsenal start for tonight

Raheem Sterling is expected to make his first Arsenal start since his shock arrival from Chelsea against Bolton in the Carabao Cup tonight. The experienced attacker joined the Gunners on loan on transfer deadline day but is yet to start a match for his new club. Sterling, though, is in line to play at the Emirates Stadium this evening in a clash that will see Mikel Arteta make a host of changes following the weekend's exhausting visit to Manchester City which saw the Gunners play the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. The 29-year-old has made two substitute appearances since arriving from Stamford Bridge, one in the Premier League win over Tottenham and another in last week's European draw against Atalanta. But Ster...

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25Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Milan’s San Siro loses 2027 Champions League final

UEFA has said that it has revoked the decision for Milan's San Siro stadium to host the 2027 Champions League final and reopened the bidding process for the right to stage the event due to uncertainty about the iconic ground's future. The ground could be set to undergo a major renovation after it hosts the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. There is uncertainty because Serie A giants Inter and AC Milan have not yet decided whether to continue to use the facility owned by the city council, amid bureaucratic problems regarding a renovation, or build new stadiums of their own.

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City issue Rodri injury statement as Pep Guardiola faces ‘problem’

Manchester City have revealed Rodri has suffered ligament damage to his right knee - although the full extent of the injury remains unclear. The midfielder has been in Spain this week consulting specialists after limping off during the first half of City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. A statement on mancity.com read: "Manchester City can confirm that Rodri has suffered a ligament injury to his right knee. The injury was sustained during the first half of this weekend's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League. "The midfielder travelled to Spain to seek specialist consultation this week, following initial tests in Manchester. Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and mancity.com ...

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25Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Raphael Varane, former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender, retires from football at 31

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has retired from professional football at the age of 31 after suffering a knee injury. Varane had joined Serie A club Como earlier this season after his contract at Man United ended. However, after suffering a knee injury recently the former World Cup winner decided to retire from football. He played just one match for Como in the Coppa Itali but was substituted after just 20 minutes. Varane’s most successful tenure at the club level came at Real Madrid where he played for 10 seasons and won 18 trophies including three La Liga titles and four Champions League top prizes. He won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup with Man United and the World Cup in 2018 with his national team France. He made the retirement announcement through I...

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24Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United ‘considering’ another Bayern Munich transfer as Liverpool battle emerges

Manchester United are being linked with two new defenders, according to the latest transfer rumour mill. United had a busy summer transfer window with five new signings in total. Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte were all signed by the Reds to strengthen Erik ten Hag's squad. With the exception of Yoro, who is currently sidelined through injury, all of United's summer signings have earned regular minutes in the early weeks of the season. The next test for Ten Hag's side will be on Wednesday night when United face FC Twente in their opening fixture of the Europa League. Football flame takes a look at some of the latest United transfer news and rumours that have circulated over the last 24 hours. United are being linked with a move for Bayern Mu...

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23Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Rodri out for the season with ACL injury sustained in Man City’s draw against Arsenal

Rodri will miss the rest of Manchester City's season with an ACL injury he suffered against Arsenal, talkSPORT understands. The midfielder was substituted in the 21st minute of the 2-2 draw on Sunday after planting his foot in an awkward position on the pitch. He was able to hobble off the pitch but the Spaniard is said to have torn cruciate ligaments as per initial tests. It means it's very likely that this will spell the end of his season in what is a huge blow to City after initial optimism he wouldn't be out for a lengthy period. The extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed by City, who are bidding for an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title. Speaking after the match, City boss Pep Guardiola revealed he didn't know how bad the 28-year-old's injury was. Guardiola said: "...

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23Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold hails Arne Slot advice

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has said he welcomes critcism from manager Arne Slot in order to become a feared defender in Europe. The 25-year-old has garnered a reputation for his attacking prowess but has also been plagued by a less glittering narrative over the defensive side of his game. However, speaking after Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, he said he wants Slot to help him turn that around. "I said to him [Slot] that I would like to be the defender that no one wants to come up against in Europe," Alexander-Arnold said. "We agreed that he will be harsh on me," he added. "If any time an attacker gets by me and gets past me, he will call it out in meetings, and individual meetings, and say this cannot happen. We go through every game together and h...

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23Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Paul Pogba makes feelings clear on Jadon Sancho after miserable Man Utd spell

Paul Pogba has been impressed by Jadon Sancho's early contributions at Chelsea after the winger's loan switch from Manchester United. Sancho endured a tough tme at Old Trafford after joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, and ended last season back at the German club after a falling-out with United manager Erik ten Hag. Another loan followed in August, with Chelsea bringing him to West London for a season with an obligation to buy for up to £25m next summer if conditions are met. A boyhood Chelsea fan, Sancho has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge. He came off the bench to set up Christopher Nkunku's winner at Bournemouth on his debut, while his first start brought another assist in a 3-0 win at West Ham. Pogba and Sancho were briefly team-mates at Old Trafford, spending the 2021-...

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23Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City rise above Arsenal’s tactics to salvage a point

Manchester City and Arsenal played out an entertaining 2-all draw at the Etihad yesterday. The Premier League encounter between the two teams had no shortage of talking points across the 90 minutes. But come the final whistle City had risen above Arsenal’s tactics to salvage a point from the match. But in doing so they showed the mettle that has served them so well in previous seasons to claim the past four Premier League titles. One talking point to come out of the game was the tactical approach employed by Mikel Arteta and his team. Arsenal were determined to frustrate Manchester City across the full 90 minutes. Even when the game was 11 versus 11 Arsenal employed tactics that were designed to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side. When they could Arsenal would disrupt the rhythm of...

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22Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool injury list and return dates for West Ham: Alisson, Elliott latest

The defence of Liverpool's EFL Cup crown begins on Wednesday evening, as the Reds welcome West Ham United to Anfield for their third-round showdown. The tournament was the last one that Jurgen Klopp conquered during his glittering spell in the hotseat, as Liverpool triumphed 1-0 over Chelsea in the 2023-24 final, having previously demolished West Ham 5-1 in the quarter-finals. Arne Slot's side head into their EFL Cup opener on the back of another emphatic home victory, sweeping aside Bournemouth 3-0 courtesy of a Luis Diaz brace and a terrific Darwin Nunez effort to go top of the Premier League table. Here, Football Flame rounds up all of Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with the Irons, who coincidentally fell to a three-goal defeat against Chelsea on Satu...

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22Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Diaz moves Liverpool to top spot, United held at Palace

Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League with a resounding 3-0 win over Bournemouth as Manchester United were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace on Saturday. Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win at West Ham, while Aston Villa are level on points at the top after coming from behind to beat Wolves 3-1. Liverpool suffered the first setback of Arne Slot’s early days in charge when Nottingham Forest shocked Anfield seven days ago. But the Reds responded in style to blow Bournemouth away before half-time. Luis Diaz was rested for an impressive 3-1 win at AC Milan to start Liverpool’s Champions League campaign in midweek. Restored to the starting line-up, the Colombian struck twice inside two minutes. Diaz pounced on a misjudgement from Kepa Arriz...

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21Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Jackson double fires Chelsea to victory at woeful West Ham

Nicolas Jackson fired Chelsea to a 3-0 win against West Ham as the Senegal striker repaid his manager's faith with a decisive double at the London Stadium on Saturday. Jackson struck twice in the first half before Cole Palmer wrapped up Chelsea's third win in five Premier League games under new boss Enzo Maresca. It was a well-timed brace from Jackson, who was Chelsea's first choice striker by Maresca on Friday, despite Christopher Nkunku's match-winning impact against Bournemouth last weekend. Although Jackson signed a contract extension earlier in September that will keep the Senegal star at Stamford Bridge until 2033, there were calls for Nkunku to start after the French forward came off the bench to net in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth. Jackson scored 17 goals in an inconsistent debut sea...

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21Sep By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Marco Silva confirms Fulham star will miss Newcastle United clash

Marco Silva has confirmed he will be without one of his strikers this afternoon when his side takes on Newcastle United at Craven Cottage. Fulham will be without Carlos Vinicius when they welcome Newcastle United to Craven Cottage this afternoon. Vinicius, who spent the second half of last season on-loan at Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray, has not featured for the Cottagers this season after picking up a calf injury. The 29-year-old scored twice under Silva last year but will not add to his total against the Magpies later today. Speaking about the latest injury situation at the club, Silva said: "There's not really any changes from the last game. “Carlos Vinicius is still out but will start running from next week. Apart from that, all our other players are available." Newcastle Unite...

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21Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Blow for Pep: “Unique” Man City star now in danger of missing Arsenal game after injury news

As Manchester City gear up for a game that could prove to make all the difference in the Premier League title race, they could be forced to fight for three points without one of their most influential players. Man City injury news Ask any previous title winner and they'll say that injury luck certainly plays its part where the silverware ends up come the end of the campaign. It is a lesson centred around squad depth that so many sides have learned in the past and one Manchester City took on board the last time they missed out on Premier League glory in the 2019/20 season. Unlike that campaign four years ago, Manchester City have so far not skipped a beat in pursuit of a fifth Premier League title win in a row to extend an unprecedented record and further cement themselves among the very b...

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21Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Confirmed: Chelsea trio ruled out v West Ham due to injury, Enzo Fernandez update emerges

Chelsea are set to be without the services of Reece James, Malo Gusto and Omari Kellyman for the game against West Ham on Saturday, 21 September, according to the Blues’ official website. Enzo Maresca confirmed that Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be available for selection after returning to training following an illness. Football London reported on 2 September that Kellyman could miss over two months with his hamstring injury. West Ham can get their season going with a win against Chelsea The Hammers have not started the season in the best shape but things could turn around quickly with a win against their cross-town rivals. The Blues have faced struggles of their own and while they are above the Irons on the table, there are still plenty of issues in their squad. Julen Lop...

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19Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard faces lengthy injury absence

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will be out "for a while" with an ankle injury he suffered on international duty with Norway, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday. Odegaard twisted his ankle in Norway's Nations League match against Austria earlier this month. His national team doctor had suggested he would be sidelined for a "minimum of three weeks". "After everything was scanned, they showed that there was some damage, especially in one of the ligaments in the ankle so we're going to miss him," Arteta told reporters ahead of Arsenal's Champions League opener against Atalanta on Thursday. "I don't want to (put a timeframe on it) because I am not a doctor but it is something quite significant so we're going to lose him for a while -- hopefully not months, but let's see." Arsenal, ...

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18Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Erik ten Hag hails ‘ruthless’ Marcus Rashford as Manchester United ease to biggest win in Carabao Cup

Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Marcus Rashford after his two goals helped Manchester United to cruise past Barnsley and into the Carabao Cup fourth round. Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen all scored twice with Antony also netting a penalty in a resounding 7-0 win over League One opposition at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring the fourth United goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Barnsley at Old Trafford on September 17, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) And Ten Hag was pleased with Rashford after his performance leading the line for ruthless United as he made it three g...

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