PREMIER LEAGUE – Page 96 – Football Flame

PREMIER LEAGUE

No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City would win title with Messi, says Crouch

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona at Stadio San Paolo on February 25, 2020 in Naples, Italy. The former Liverpool striker admits the arrival of the Argentine at the Etihad would nudge Pep Guardiola's side ahead of the Reds. The arrival of Lionel Messi at Manchester City “would be the difference between them winning the title and not”, claims Peter Crouch, with the former Liverpool striker considering the defending champions to be favourites in 2020-21. Pep Guardiola has already started reshaping his squad ahead of the new season, with deals done for Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres. There is the promise of more arrivals to come at the Etihad Stadium, with there a chance that six...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Van de Beek honours Nouri with Man United number choice

Donny van de Beek riding on a bike before training session for the Dutch national team on September 1, 2020 in Zeist, The Netherlands. Van de Beek completed a transfer from the Dutch giants on Wednesday in a deal that could eventually cost United £39.1million (€44m). Soon after his move was confirmed, the Red Devils announced Van de Beek's choice of shirt number, as the 23-year-old made a classy gesture. Nouri, with whom Van de Beek came through the Ajax academy, had worn 34 during his time with the senior side before a tragedy cut short his burgeoning career in 2017. Then just 20, Nouri collapsed during a pre-season match and suffered a cardiac arrhythmia attack that left him with permanent brain damage and in a coma, from which he only awoke in March after nearly two years and ...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal fans may be allowed to attend Sheffield United fixture in October

Players of Arsenal FC pose for a tea photot prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Arsenal fans could be allowed inside the Emirates Stadium for the Gunners’ Premier League fixture against Sheffield United on October 3. The club are hopeful that some fans will be allowed in on a reduced capacity basis and in line with UK government guidelines. To begin with, it is thought that only gold season ticket holders and premium members will get priority access to tickets. But the hope will be that if initial trial runs go as planned, then more fans will be allowed into matches as the months progress. Fans returned to football on Saturday when 2,500 attended th...
Read More
1 Comment
PREMIER LEAGUE

Napoli want Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos without paying transfer fee

Sokratis of Arsenal poses for photos with the trophy after the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Arsenal centre-back Sokratis is attracting interest from Napoli, according to reports in Italy.  The Greek defender has entered the final year of his contract and has fallen down the pecking order in Mikel Arteta’a side.  Sokratis didn’t feature once for the Gunners after the restart, with Arteta preferring to use David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Kieran Tierney in a back three. With the arrival of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille, the Gunners now have nine centre-backs on their books, including Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has been sent out on a season-long loan to VfB Stuttgart.  Arsenal may need to ...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

New Mikel Arteta signing Gabriel explains why he admires Arsenal star David Luiz ‘very much’

Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes of Lille during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon, OL) at Stade Pierre Mauroy on March 8, 2020 in Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, France. Mikel Arteta’s latest signing Gabriel has revealed his admiration for new Arsenal team-mate David Luiz and says it is a ‘dream come true’ to join his compatriot at the Emirates.  Arsenal officially confirmed the transfer of Lille defender Gabriel on Tuesday, with the 22-year-old completing a £27million move to the Emirates and signing a long-term deal with the club.  The Gunners beat off competition from the likes of Manchester United and Napoli to sign the centre-back, who started all six of Lille’s Champions League games last season.  Gabriel became Arteta’s secon...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal executive director Friar steps down from board after 70 years

Arsenal Director Ken Friar who joined the club 70 years ago to the day before the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Arsenal's executive director Ken Friar has stepped down from the board after 70 years at the club. Friar, 86, joined Arsenal in 1950 working in the club's box office before progressing to become managing director and played a key role in helping them move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium. "Society, football and the club have all changed radically over the years but Arsenal has remained a constant force," he told the club's official website on Tuesday. "We've won and lost many football matches but we have always recognised that as a club we play a really important role in our local community ...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United won’t give up on £100m Sancho

Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park on March 7, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. Manchester United will not give up on Jadon Sancho until the England star publicly admits he wants to stay at Borussia Dortmund. Sancho, 20, has remained tight-lipped about his future while Dortmund chiefs have insisted he will spend this season in Germany. United had put all their efforts into landing Sancho this summer with an offer of £70million up front rising to £110m. Personal wage demands had been sorted and the player was ready to make the move back to Manchester where he started his career at The Etihad with City. But the Bundesliga side wanted more money up front and Uni...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Anthony Gordon: Everton midfielder signs new five-year deal

Anthony Gordon poses for a photo with Marcel Brands after signing a new contract with Everton at USM Finch Farm on August 31 2020 in Halewood, England. Everton attacking midfielder Anthony Gordon has signed a new five-year contract with the club. The 19-year-old made 11 league outings last season, starting four times. Gordon made his senior debut for Everton as a 16-year-old when he played in a Europa League tie against Apollon Limassol in December 2017. "The contract shows the club's faith in me and how much confidence they have in me. That is going to come out in my performances on the pitch," he said. "Everton is looking like it is on the up. We are coming together as players, staff and fans."
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Donny van de Beek to Man Utd ‘almost done’ as Holland boss offers update

Donny van de Beek of Ajax seen during the pre season match Ajax v RKC Waalwijk on August 8, 2020 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Donny van de Beek’s £40million move to Manchester United is “almost done”, according to interim Netherlands boss Dwight Lodeweges. The Ajax midfielder is set to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing of the summer, with reports suggesting he has already put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford. Real Madrid and Barcelona were also circling, but the Premier League club look to have won the race for his signature this summer. Red Devils fans are now eagerly awaiting confirmation of Van de Beek’s move, with just under three weeks to go until they kick off the new season at home to Crystal Palace. The 23-year-old is currently on internatio...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Middle East interest won’t tempt Ozil

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar have expressed interest in signing Mesut Ozil this summer, but the playmaker still insists that he has no intention of leaving Arsenal. A team in Saudi Arabia, thought to be Al-Nassr, and an unnamed club in Qatar are understood to be keen on signing Ozil and are prepared to offer him huge wages. Reports in Turkey have said that Al-Nassr are prepared to pay Ozil around €17 million per year, and it is understood a Qatari club have also made their interest known to the player. Ozil's departure would be welcomed by Arsenal, who are desperate to offl...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea set N’Golo Kante price tag amid Antonio Conte and Inter Milan interest

N'Golo Kante of Chelsea FC controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Valencia CF and Chelsea FC at Estadio Mestalla on November 27, 2019 in Valencia, Spain. Chelsea have reportedly placed an £80million price-tag on midfielder N’Golo Kante amid rumoured interest from Inter Milan. Inter boss Antonio Conte signed Kante from Leicester City when he was Blues manager and the pair won the Premier League title and the FA Cup together. And, according to The Express, he wants to reunite with the Frenchman at the San Siro ahead of next season. It has been suggested that Conte would like the midfielder on loan with a view to a permanent deal further down thpe line. The report claims Frank Lampard and Blues chiefs are not keen to sell Kante and have placed a ...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Dani Ceballos to make Arsenal return for second loan from Real Madrid

Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal , Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal and Dani Ceballos of Arsenal pose with the FA Cup Trophy after their teams victory in the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Dani Cebollas is set to rejoin Arsenal on a season-long loan from Real Madrid this week after spending the 2019-20 campaign at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta called to the 24-year-old to convince him it would be best for him to return to the Premier League for another year.  The Gunners put in three bids with La Liga champions Real Madrid before coming to an agreement with the club. Ceballos has happy memories from his time in England, having been a key component in the Arsenal team which defe...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City will move for Napoli centre-back once deal for Barcelona star is completed

Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli gestures during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio San Paolo on August 1, 2020 in Naples, Italy. For several months, Pep Guardiola's side have been heavily linked with 29-year-old Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly.  It was the biggest transfer story of the summer at the Etihad - that is, until last week, when Lionel Messi announced his intention to leave Barcelona.  Since then, the Argentine wonder has overshadowed everything else in world football, and news about Koulibaly has run dry for City fans.  Now, though, journalist Alfredo Pedulla is reporting that the defender will move to Manchester - once there's more clarity regarding Messi's situation. Koulibaly, who made the Serie A Team of the Season in four c...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool Star Sadio Mane Lauded Could Replace Barcelona Captain, Reports Say

Sadio Mane of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Liverpool star Sadio Mane has become the new favorite to replace Lionel Messi in Barcelona as the Argentine’s exit looms, reports from Spain said. The Catalan club is already preparing for a future without its longtime superstar, and the names of several highly-rated players have emerged as candidates to fill his shoes. But although replacing Messi is indeed difficult, Mane could be up for the challenge of filling the massive void the Barca captain would leave behind.  In fact, the Liverpool star has already been “offered to Barca,” Mundo Deportivo reported. Following a successful...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arteta’s youngsters encapsulate new mentality

Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta lifts the FA Community Shield with Kieran Tierney after the FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 29, 2020 in London, England. The Arsenal of Mikel Arteta appears increasingly like a team unencumbered by fear.  For all their developments in a tactical sense under Arteta, it is this change of mentality that feels most significant at the start of the Spaniard's first full season as a head coach. Unai Emery, in his own words, tried to fix the mentality problem he inherited from Arsene Wenger.  He was unable to do so, with the final months of his reign best summarised by the terror and panic in the eyes of his defenders every time the opposition had the ball. So far at least, Arteta is succeed...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

James Rodriguez and Allan to have Everton medicals next week as Toffees close in on double swoop

James Rodriguez of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes on September 18, 2019 in Paris, France. Everton are closing in on two signings with James Rodriguez and Allan set to complete moves to the club. Everton emerged as a surprise destination for Real Madrid’s Rodriguez earlier this week and now the Merseysiders are on the verge of securing a season-long loan deal, with a medical scheduled in for early next week. The Colombian, 29, is not wanted by boss Zinedine Zidane and the Spanish giants are eager to ship him out this summer. Rodriguez made just eight LaLiga appearances last season, having spent the previous two campaigns out on loan at Bayern Munich. He is out of contract next s...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Thiago Silva: I joined Chelsea to challenge for titles

Thiago Silva of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during warmup before the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Pierre Mauroy on January 26, 2020 in Lille, France. Thiago Silva says he joined Chelsea to “challenge for honours” as Frank Lampard continued his summer spree with the capture of the former Paris Saint-Germain man. The Brazil centre-back has completed his free transfer move to Stamford Bridge just days after falling narrowly short in the Champions League Final. He has signed a one-year contract with the Blues, with the club holding the option of adding another 12 months. Silva’s addition will help manager Frank Lampard restructure his defence and follows Wednesday’s £45million capture of England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester. The 35-year-...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta explains how Willian has already impressed since Arsenal transfer

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. Mikel Arteta says he has already been impressed by Willian's mentality since the winger joined Arsenal on a free transfer. Willian signed a three-year-deal with the Gunners worth around £100,000 a week after leaving Chelsea as a free agent. The 32-year-old could make his competitive debut for Arsenal in Saturday's Community Shield clash against Liverpool. Willian said last week one of the factors that helped persuade him to switch to the Emirates was Arteta's plan to win the Champions League within three seasons. And the Arsenal manager is pleased that Willian still has a hunger for silverwar...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Mohamed Salah admits Liverpool ‘panic’ over Premier League claims

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session on August 16, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. Mohamed Salah admits some inside the Liverpool squad started to "panic" when cancelling the Premier League season was a genuine prospect. The Reds were 25 points clear at the top and just a half-dozen more from a first title in 30 years when football was placed on pause in mid-March because of the outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK. It wasn't until the first week of June that it was confirmed that the Premier League would return to give Jurgen Klopp's side the chance to finish what they had started back in August 2019. Liverpool eventually wrapped up their maiden Premier League title and first since 1990 in a record-setting 31 games after Manchester City were beaten by Chelsea 24 hour...
Read More
No Comments
PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp: ‘No chance’ Liverpool signing Messi

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona gestures during the UEFA Champions League group F match between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund at Camp Nou on November 27, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool have ‘no chance’ of signing Lionel Messi. Several elite European clubs are in the hunt for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner after he intimated a desire to leave Barcelona earlier this week. Manchester City currently appear favourites to land the Argentina captain due to a good relationship with Pep Guardiola during his time at the Nou Camp. But Klopp has discounted the prospect of the Reds joining the race for Messi, 33, due to the financial demands associated with signing the coveted player. He said: “Interest? Yeah, who doesn’t want to have Messi in their team?! “...
Read More
Blogarama - Blog Directory