PREMIER LEAGUE

29Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle United issue Joe Willock injury update – and it ‘doesn’t look good’

Eddie Howe fears Joe Willock is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he limped off against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. Willock put Newcastle United in front at the City Ground after just 18 seconds but had to be replaced in the 15th minute because of a thigh injury. The 25-year-old looked devastated as he left the pitch. The midfielder was making his first start since April after an Achilles injury restricted him to just 14 appearances last season. Howe admits Willock’s latest injury “doesn’t look good”. “A huge blow for him and for us,” said Howe. “He scored the goal and we looked in that moment. His absence meant we had to reshuffle our midfield which is something we didn't want to do in that moment at all. “We just hope it's not serious. It doesn't look good, he's...

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28Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Aaron Ramsdale To Travel For Southampton Medical

Aaron Ramsdale is to travel to Southampton to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of his switch from Arsenal, according to talkSPORT. Saints have been trying to bring in a top-quality goalkeeper this summer and they thought they had Justin Bijlow through the door after a deal with Feyenoord was agreed. However, they did not like the results of the Dutchman’s medical and pulled out of a deal to sign him. Now a fee has been agreed between Arsenal and Ramsdale for the goalkeeper to head to St Mary’s. All parties involved in the deal are confident that the deal will go through and Ramsdale will head to Southampton for his medical on Thursday. It has been suggested that Arsenal will receive a fixed £18m fee for Ramsdale which could rise to £25m if Saints survive. The England internat...

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28Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United might have found their perfect midfield partnership

Manuel Ugarte is set to become Man Utd's fifth signing of the summer transfer window. It was no secret Manchester United wanted to sign a midfielder before transfer deadline day and they deserve real credit for managing to get a deal for Manuel Ugarte done. During Erik ten Hag's first summer in charge, they failed in their prolonged pursuit of Frenkie de Jong and opted to change tact entirely for the opportunistic chance to sign Casemiro. It is well-documented the Brazilian brought an added quality to the United side, but it was also clear he was not the perfect fit. He has still been good more than bad for the club, though it is obvious his stock is on the decline. United learned from the transfer this summer. Ugarte was identified as their top target at the start of the window and th...

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28Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Brighton’s Matt O’Riley injured on debut, emerges as a doubt for Arsenal clash

Matt O'Riley suffered a painful start to life at Brighton & Hove Albion as he was forced off with an injury just nine minutes into his full debut against Crawley Town on Tuesday night. The 23-year-old was only unveiled as a new Seagulls signing on Monday, joining the Premier League club from Scottish giants Celtic for a fee which could rise to around £30m. O'Riley was immediately thrown into Fabian Hurzeler's starting lineup as one of 11 Brighton changes from last weekend's last-gasp 2-1 Premier League win against Manchester United. However, the midfielder ha his debut ended early by a late, crunching tackle from Crawley captain Jay Williams, and he required lengthy treatment on his left ankle before he was helped off the pitch by a pair of Brighton medics. Hurzeler was lef...

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27Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United open talks over Raheem Sterling deal

Manchester United have opened talks over a deal for Raheem Sterling but will only progress in a swap for Jadon Sancho on their own terms. It is understood that United sporting director Dan Ashworth was in dialogue with Chelsea earlier on Tuesday over a sensational package that would see the two England forwards move in opposite directions. With Sterling frozen out of the first-team squad, United are determined to make his situation at Stamford Bridge work to their advantage by paying no outlay to land the Premier League’s third-highest scorer among those currently playing in the competition. Chelsea have been expected to pay part of Sterling’s wages, more than £300,000 per week, at his next club as they look for departure options. Sancho is wanted at Chelsea to add to Enzo Maresca’s att...

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27Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Paris Saint-Germain To Send Bid Tonight For Chelsea Target

French giants Paris Saint-Germain are set to submit a bid tonight for Chelsea-linked striker Victor Osimhen. Enzo Maresca’s side have been consistently busy in this summer’s transfer market and they are have yet to bring the shutters down with just days left in the window. The Blues do want to bring a new goal-getter in this summer and they have been linked with Napoli talisman Osimhen. The Nigerian star has been widely expected to leave Napoli this summer, but he is still at the club as the clock ticks down. Antonio Conte’s side are set to secure Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on a permanent deal and Osimhen’s departure is more likely following that development. The Stamford Bridge outfit are interested in him, but according to French outlet PSGInside-Actus Ligue 1 giants PSG...

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27Aug By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ancelotti insists Mbappe does not need to play on the left

Carlo Ancelotti is adamant that Kylian Mbappe will find his feet leading the line at Real Madrid after the forward failed to find the net against Real Valladolid. The 25-year-old made the mega switch to the Spanish capital this summer upon the conclusion of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.While at PSG, Mbappe was stationed predominantly on the left wing and became one of football's most prolific players. MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 25: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 25, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) However, since arriving in Spain, the superstar forward has started as a striker in all three of his appearances for Los Blancos and is...

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27Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City agree fee with Al Hilal for Cancelo

Manchester City have agreed to sell full-back Joao Cancelo to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal for £21.2m. The Portugal international is expected to agree personal terms and finalise his departure from City, 19 months after he last played for them. Cancelo spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Bayern Munich and was then borrowed by Barcelona last season. HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 5: Joao Cancelo of Portugal looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 5, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images) The 30-year-old fell out of favour quickly at City after being named in the Premier League team of the year for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, with the Premier League champions fee...

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27Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham confirm loan exit for young midfielder

West Ham United have announced young midfielder Freddie Potts has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan. The Hammers announced the move on their official website [26 August] that will see the 20-year-old spend the 2024/25 season at Fratton Park. TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 03: West Ham's Freddie Potts (62) controls the ball during the The Stateside Cup match between West Ham United vs Crystal Palace on Augusts 03, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Potts will continue his development in the Championship after a successful spell in League One last season with Wycombe Wanderers.West Ham United loan out Freddie PottsJulen Lopetegui has bolstered his midfield options this summer and, as the club pursues a deal for Paris ...

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27Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool also want to sign ‘outstanding’ winger after declaring Federico Chiesa interest

Liverpool’s transfer window seems to have sprung to life as we edge closer to deadline day. Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move to Anfield as the Reds contacted Juventus yesterday to test the waters about a potential transfer. TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 8: Federico Chiesa of Juventus during a training session at JTC on August 8, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) With less than a year left on his current deal, Chiesa is available for around £15m, making him a low-cost option.However, the Italian is not the only attacker on Liverpool’s radar, with Kingsley Coman also linked with a move to Arne Slot’s side before the deadline. Liverpool want Kingsley Coman to strengthen attack Coman has decided to leave Bayern Muni...

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26Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Madueke nets hat trick as Chelsea thump Wolves 6-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers conceded six goals at home for the first time since 2007 on Sunday, losing 6-2 to Chelsea at the Molineux in Wolverhampton, England. After being constantly booed by the home crowd for a disparaging social media post about Wolverhampton, Noni Madueke responded with a second-half hat trick to give Chelsea its first Premier League win under manager Enzo Maresca. Madueke netted three goals in a 14-minute span — all of them assisted by Cole Palmer — to spark a 6-2 win over Wolves on Sunday that at times had the same kind of chaotic feel that envelops most things at Chelsea these days. But the emphatic second-half performance also indicated that Maresca may already be figuring out how to use the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal — and overshadowed a more rou...

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25Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Wolves vs Chelsea: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea are on the road this weekend as they travel to the West Midlands to face Gary O'Neil's Wolverhampton Wanderers. It's been a busy start to Enzo Maresca's reign. After succumbing to Manchester City on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season, the Blues toppled Servette 2-0 in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday. There have been bright sparks in west London, but Maresca has a huge task on his hands in year one if he's to appease a wildly inflated Chelsea squad. The Italian will hope his squad dwindles in size considerably over the next week. Wolves are aiming to inflict another Premier League defeat upon the new Chelsea boss while securing their first triumph of 2024/25 themselves. O'Neil's side certainly weren't overwhelmed at Arsenal last weekend and we...

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25Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Liverpool to compete with Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa for 26-goal star

Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Jonathan David from French outfit LOSC Lille. The Canadian international striker is a man in demand this summer and a report from CaughtOffside claims that the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa are keen on the player as well. The French outfit are holding out for a fee of around €45-50 million, and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal done. Liverpool are prepared to offer him a long-term contract of around four to five years. David will be attracted to the idea of playing for a big club and Liverpool are certainly one of the biggest in the world. They could certainly use more quality and depth in the attacking unit and the Canadian international would be a useful acquisition. He will add goals and creativity to the...

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25Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Haaland hat-trick as Man City, Brighton, Arsenal share top spot

Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick to fire Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday and lift the champions to the top of the Premier League table. They lead on goal difference from Brighton & Hove Albion, who defeated Manchester United 2-1 with a last-gasp goal, and Arsenal who struck twice late on to earn a gritty 2-0 win at Aston Villa. Tottenham Hotspur handed last-placed Everton more misery with a 4-0 victory and West Ham earned their first win of the season, 2-0 over Crystal Palace. Manchester City scored three times in less than four minutes after conceding a shock early goal to crush Ipswich and remain perfect in their quest for a fifth consecutive league title. Haaland kicked off City’s trio of goals in 191 seconds with a penalty in the 12th minu...

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24Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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‘No doubts’ – Pep talks Gundogan’s return from Barca

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he had no doubts about bringing Ilkay Gundogan back to the club from Barcelona. Gundogan is back with the Premier League champions after just one season in Barcelona, and Guardiola is delighted to be working with the German star once again.“We know him quite well – me personally, but the staff and the players and everyone. You know the quality that he played last season in Barcelona, he played at a high, high level, consistency, playing a lot of minutes games and producing a lot. We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility was open and absolutely delighted he’s back,” he told reporters.Guardiola also revealed he said “yes” straight away to Gundogan after the midfielder got on the phone. “I got the message from Txiki that Ilkay wan...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Chelsea now ‘Even more likely’ to sign striker

Chelsea are now ‘even more likely’ to sign another striker before the transfer window closes due to Romelu Lukaku’s impending switch to Napoli, according to Sky Sports News. Napoli have been working on a deal to sign Lukaku and now have a verbal agreement in place with Chelsea. The deal on the table will see Lukaku head to Napoli on a permanent move and Chelsea will bank just over £25m, while add-ons could see the total amount swell to over £38m. The Italian side are now pushing to complete the deal and it is suggested that the development makes it ‘even more likely’ that Chelsea will sign another striker this summer. Chelsea have a number of targets they are looking at and they are keen on Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. Napoli’s asking price is an issue though and the Italians are unwi...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City received Erling Haaland transfer recommendation as medical ‘booked’

Manchester City were reportedly recommended the signing of Fulham's new midfielder Sander Berge by Erling Haaland before his switch to Craven Cottage. The Blues have been on the lookout for a central midfielder this summer after deciding to allow Kalvin Phillips to join Ipswich Town on loan. In an extraordinary move, Football Flame understands former captain Ilkay Gundogan will be returning on a one-year deal with the option for a further 12-month extension. Before that deal became a reality though, it appears Haaland was pushing for his international teammate Berge to move to City. According to Duncan Castles on The Transfers Podcast, the Blues had received recommendations from Haaland and Vincent Kompany for Berge and it was thought the 26-year-old would fit into Pep Guardiola's syst...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update after Servette win

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has downplayed injury concerns regarding Cole Palmer, who left the pitch in apparent discomfort following their Europa Conference League match against Servette. The 22-year-old attacker was listed as a substitute for Thursday's first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge but joined the group warming up at half-time after a poor first-half performance from the Blues. Christopher Nkunku helped calm Chelsea fans' nerves by converting a penalty in the 50th minute before Enzo Fernandez set up Noni Madueke for the winner. Palmer was one of three substitutions made after 58 minutes, replacing Marc Guiu, while Madueke and Fernandez were the other two players brought on. The England international was spotted feeling his hamstring as he made his way off the pitch and straight do...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Report: Man City have already found their Julian Alvarez replacement in shock transfer move

The reigning Premier League champions, are currently contemplating a strategic move into the transfer market following Julian Alvarez’s significant £82 million transfer to Atletico Madrid. Reports from Sky Sports suggest that City’s search has led them to Celtic’s forward Kyogo Furuhashi. This development underscores City’s prudent approach to recruitment, reflecting their willingness to pursue only the right fit to bolster their squad. Kyogo, who has been impressive since his move to Celtic in 2021, has proven his prowess on the field by netting 73 goals in 135 appearances. His potential availability has sparked interest from Pep Guardiola’s side, who are keen on adding a dynamic forward to their lineup. The Japanese international’s current form was highlighted during a pre-seaso...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Tottenham in battle with Arsenal over swoop to sign £26m international star – report

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in a battle with Arsenal over a deal to sign Brighton and Hove Albion star Simon Adingra before the end of this transfer window, as per Football London. The Lilywhites have strengthened the midfield department and the frontline by signing Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke this summer. However, it has been reported that Spurs aren’t finished yet in this transfer window and could look to sign a new wide forward as well. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and Pedro Neto were previously suggested as serious targets. However, while Neto has already joined Chelsea, purchasing Eze wouldn’t be easy as Crystal Palace wouldn’t want to let their star man leave late in this window. So, Tottenham may have decided to explore alternative options and now Football London s...

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