Month: July 2021

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DORTMUND SIGNS MALEN FROM PSV TO REPLACE SANCHO

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven on a five-year contract, it was announced on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old arrives following the departure of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United for €85 million.

“Borussia Dortmund is a top European club that is always at the top of the Bundesliga and also has high demands on itself in the Champions League,” Malen said.

“I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with my new teammates, to be able to measure myself against the best. And of course I’m looking forward to the fans and the stadium that all of Europe raves about.”

Malen, who played for Ajax and Arsenal at youth level, moved to PSV in 2017 and played for Jong PSV in the second tier. He won Player of the Year in his first season. He made four first-team appearances for the side which won the Eredivisie title in 2017-18.

The following campaign, he was promoted to the senior side and scored 10 league goals. In 2020-21, he finished the season with 27 in all competitions — his best-ever single season tally.

Malen has 13 Netherlands caps and was part of the Euro 2020 squad, starting two matches, including the surprise round of 16 defeat to Czech Republic.

“Donyell is a player with great offensive potential, who exudes goal danger, brings his creativity to the table and has a high speed,” BVB director Michael Zorc added.

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OLYMPICS 2020: GERMANY ELIMINATED IN GROUP STAGE AFTER DRAW WITH IVORY COAST

Germany have been eliminated in the group stage of the men’s Olympic football tournament after a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast at the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu on Wednesday.

Stefan Kuntz’s side, who won silver at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, came into the match a point behind Ivory Coast and knowing anything less than a victory would mean they were knocked out.

After a bright start by Germany, Ivory Coast grew into the game and took a deserve lead on 67 minutes when Benjamin Heinrichs bundled into his own goal.

Germany equalised six minutes later through Eduard Lowen’s stunning free kick to set up a tense finish but they were unable to find a winner.

Ivory Coast, unbeaten in the group, finished second to Brazil while third-place Germany joined Saudi Arabia in exiting the competition at the first hurdle.

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MAHREZ STUNNER GIVES MANCITY PRESEASON WIN OVER PRESTON

A stunning free kick from Riyad Mahrez helped a depleted Manchester City side beat Preston North End 2-0 in their first preseason friendly of the summer.

Mahrez, one of only a handful of senior players available to Pep Guardiola following the European Championships and the Copa America, opened the scoring in the first half against the Championship side before 18-year-old Sam Edozie added a second after the break.

Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Nathan Ake only returned to training on Monday, but were immediately thrown back into action by Guardiola as part of a back four which also included Benjamin Mendy.

Fernandinho and Mahrez also started at City’s academy stadium alongside a host of youngsters including exciting winger Morgan Rogers. Mahrez gave City the lead in the 25th minute with a curling free-kick from 25 yards which was too good for Preston goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

Edozie, on as a substitute at half-time as Guardiola made 10 changes, doubled City’s advantage after a slick move after 64 minutes. An otherwise comfortable evening for City was soured late on when 18-year-old goalkeeper Cieran Slicker was forced off on a stretcher after a collision with Tom Bayliss.

City are set to play Barnsley at the CFA on Saturday after a planned trip to France to face Troyes had to be cancelled because of quarantine issues surrounding their return to the UK.

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TOBY ALDERWEREILD LEAVES TOTTENHAM FOR QATARI GIANTS AL DUHAIL

Toby Alderweireld has left Tottenham after six seasons with the Premier League outfit to join Qatari giants Al Duhail.

The move was confirmed by all parties on Tuesday, with Alderweireld stating it had been “an honour” to play for the North London outfit.

The Belgium international has won 113 caps for his national team and was part of the side that finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

In his six seasons with Spurs, Alderweireld made 243 appearances and was largely a mainstay in the heart of defence.

Now 32, Alderweireld has put pen to paper to a three-year deal with Al Duhail and will be a like-for-like replacement for Medhi Benatia, the former Bayern Munich and Juventus centre-back who spent the last two seasons in Qatar.

Al Duhail manager Sabri Lamouchi appears to be looking to rejuvenate his squad after a disappointing campaign, which saw them finish 13 points behind champions Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League title race, while they also suffered an embarrassing group-stage exit in the AFC Champions League back in April.

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RAPHAEL VARANE SET FOR MAN UNITED MEDICALS AFTER REAL AGREE DEAL FOR FRENCH DEFENDER

Raphael Varane will reportedly undergo his medical tests in a couple of days, which will then make his move from Real Madrid to Manchester United a formality.

According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester United are moving closer and closer to secure the services of Raphael Varane in the summer transfer window. The Real Madrid defender is pencilled in for his medical with the Premier League heavyweights, which will be conducted in two days.

Raphael Varane is bringing a glittering decade-long stint with Real Madrid to a close, with the Frenchman winning every single trophy at club level with Los Blancos. During his stint, the 28-year-old has turned out 360 times for the Merengues while chipping in with 17 goals and seven assists.

However, it had been speculated for a long time that Varane was keen on embarking on a new challenge this summer while he was still at the peak of his powers. To that end, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, with the Red Devils prevailing in the race to sign him.

At Manchester United, the need of the hour has been to sign a reliable long-term partner for captain Harry Maguire following the blow hot blow cold displays of Victor Lindelof. With the Swede also struggling with a niggling back issue last term, in addition to the fitness issues that have plagued Eric Bailly, it became imperative that the English giants signed a centre-back.

To that end, Manchester United were heavily linked with a gamut of central defenders early in the summer before they zeroed in on Varane after sensing there was a real opportunity to sign him. And in the week gone by, Manchester United have come within whiskers of securing the services of the Real Madrid defender.

The much sought-after “Here We Go” was delivered by Fabrizio Romano on Monday and Gianluca Di Marzio has further revealed that Varane’s medical with Manchester United is set to be conducted in two days. Further, it has been revealed that a €50 million fee has been agreed between the Red Devils and Real Madrid.

In some additional information from the reliable David Ornstein, the Premier League heavyweights have agreed a four-year deal with Varane. The deal is nothing short of a coup for Manchester United, who are signing a world class defender while he is still at his peak. What now remains to be seen is if Varane can continue to garner success at club level after leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United.

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JOHN TERRY LEAVES ROLE AS ASTON VILLA ASSISTANT MANAGER

John Terry has left his role as Aston Villa’s assistant boss, the club have announced.

The 40-year-old former England and Chelsea skipper signed for Villa in the summer of 2017, taking on the captaincy and going on to play 32 times for the midlands outfit in the season that followed.

He then returned as assistant head coach when Dean Smith took charge at Villa Park in October 2018.

Terry told Villa’s official website: “It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to have spent these last three years at Aston Villa, but I feel now is the right time to make the extremely difficult decision to move on.

“I want to be as respectful to the manager and everyone at Aston Villa as I can and, having given my future serious consideration over the summer, I genuinely don’t feel it is fair to move into a new season without being certain of seeing that through.

“My immediate plan is to spend some quality time with my family and, thereafter, hopefully take up some invitations to visit clubs and managers around Europe to develop my aim and objective of becoming a manager.

“It has always been my ambition to move into football management and, providing the right opportunity presents itself, I feel ready to take up such a challenge.”

Terry said he “will forever be indebted to the gaffer (Smith) for giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career at such a wonderful club”, adding: “I have loved every minute of it and learnt so much.

“I can’t thank Dean enough for the support and guidance he has provided me with and I’m sure he will continue to lead the club from strength to strength.”

During the former centre-back’s time coaching at Villa, the club secured promotion to the Premier League in 2019, followed by top-flight finishes of 17th and then 11th last term.

Smith said: “I’m disappointed to lose John as part of my coaching staff but fully understand and respect his decision.

“John has played a huge role in the success the club has enjoyed over the last few years and has been very supportive of myself throughout that period.

“I have no doubts he will go on to be a first-class manager in his own right and wish him well for the future.”

Terry, holder of 78 England caps, had the final games of his playing career with Villa after making 717 appearances for Chelsea and winning 15 major trophies with the club.

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SPURS SIGN SPAIN YOUNGSTER BRYAN GIL FROM SEVILLA AS LAMELA JOINS SPANISH SIDE IN SWAP DEAL

Tottenham have signed winger Bryan Gil from Sevilla on a five-year contract, the club announced on Monday.

The transfer also sees Erik Lamela leave the north London club to join Sevilla on a three-year deal.

Gil enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Eibar last season and is on international duty with Spain at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 20-year-old has also enjoyed success in his short career, helping the Spain Under-19 side win the 2019 European Championship.

Gil’s arrival means that Lamela ends his eight-year spell at the Premier League club after making 257 appearances and scoring 37 goals.

The Argentina international will remembered for his outstanding rabona strikes against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League (2014) and against bitter rivals Arsenal last season.

Foillowing the announcement of the deal, Spurs tweeted: “A player who gave everything for the badge. Thank you, @ErikLamela.”

Gil becomes Nuno Espirito Santo’s second signing of the summer after the club agreed a loan deal for goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta.

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13-YEAR-OLD MOMIJI NISHIYA WINS FIRST OLYMPIC WOMEN’S SKATEBOARDING GOLD MEDAL

Momiji Nishiya made history at the age of just 13 on Monday as she became the first women’s Olympic street skateboarding champion.

A day after Yuto Horigome won the men’s competition for Japan, Nishiya doubled up for Japan as she triumphed ahead of Brazil’s Rayssa Leal, also 13.

The sport, making its Olympic debut, has already taken these Games by storm and the sight of these two youngster battling it out for gold only added to the drama at the Ariake Urban Sports Park.

Nishiya finished with a score of 15.26 compared to 14.64 for Leal, who was looking to become the youngest ever Olympic champion but instead had to settle for being the youngest medallist in 85 years.

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I DIDN’T FEEL LOVED AND APPRECIATED – GINI WIJNALDUM SPEAKS ON LIVERPOOL EXIT.

Georginio Wijnaldum has opened up about the reasons for his departure from Liverpool this summer and said he didn’t “feel loved and appreciated” by some at the club.

Wijnaldum, 30, joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after his contract at Anfield expired following five years with the Premier League club.

The midfielder played a key role in helping Liverpool win the 2019 Champions League as well as the club’s first ever Premier League title the following year but said he didn’t feel valued by some members.

“There was a moment when I didn’t feel loved and appreciated,” he told reporters. “Not my teammates, not the people at Melwood [training ground].

“From them I know, I can say they all love me and I love them. It was not from that side. More the other side.”

Wijnaldum was given a guard of honour in his final game at Liverpool after they claimed a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace to secure a top four finish last season.

He was applauded by the playing and coaching staff and received a huge ovation from the Liverpool supporters but said he didn’t feel appreciated by some fans online.

“I have to say also there was social media,” he added. “When it went bad, I was the player who they blamed — that I wanted to leave. Every day in training and in the games, I gave everything I had to bring it to a good end because, during the years, Liverpool meant so much to me and because of the way the fans in the stadium were treating me.

“My feeling was that the fans in the stadium and the fans on social media were two different kinds. The fans in the stadium always supported me. Even when they came back [after the COVID-19 break], already knowing that I was going to leave, they still supported me and, in the end, they gave me a great farewell.

“On social media, if we lost, I was the one who got the blame. There was a moment when I was like: ‘Wow. If they only knew what I was doing to stay fit and play every game.’

“Other players might have said: ‘OK, I am not fit.’ You get players in their last year who are like: ‘I’m not playing because it is a risk.’ I did the opposite.”

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REAL MADRID BEGINS PRESEASON WITH DEFEAT AT RANGERS

Real Madrid began their preseason campaign with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard’s side came back from a goal behind to win the game through second-half goals from Fashion Sakala and Cedric Itten.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team took the lead after eight minutes through a Rodrygo strike but struggled to find form throughout the 90 minutes without their star players available.

Madrid also finished the game with 10 men after defender Nacho was shown a straight red card in 75th minute, moments before Rangers took the lead.

The Spanish giants were without new signing David Alaba, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Toni Kroos and Raphael Varane who stayed back in Madrid to train.

Madrid will be hopeful of a better performance when they face AC Milan in their next friendly on Aug. 8.