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Ecuador vs Peru – Copa America 2021 Preview, Head To Head, Players to Watch & Predicted Line-ups
Ecuador’s hopes of reaching the Copa America 2021 knock-outs are on the line as they meet Peru at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico. CONMEBOL’s second-lowest FIFA ranked nation dropped the lead twice against Venezuela to enter this round winless in their opening two Copa America matches. Meanwhile, the Peruvians are very much in contention for a knock-out finish after putting together a spectacular display against Colombia last time out. Ecuador Preview Ecuador’s Copa America 2021 campaign has started with a whimper rather than a bang. After failing to win their opening two Group B fixtures (D1, L1), the Ecuadorians stare at the prospect of exiting the tournament in the group stage for the second time in a row. La Tri will have to improve their recent Copa America record if they want to ...
Brazil vs Colombia – Copa America 2021 Preview, Head To Head, Players to Watch & Predicted Line-ups
Brazil’s imperious Copa America 2021 charge continues on Thursday as they take on out-of-sorts Colombia at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos. Saying the Brazilians have impressed at the tournament would be an understatement, given their +7 goal difference from their opening two Group B matches are off the charts. Meanwhile, Colombia will surpass Brazil in the standings with a win here despite enduring a torrid Copa America 2021 campaign so far. Brazil Preview Reigning Copa America champions Brazil have become the first nation to qualify for the 2021 knock-out stages following a perfect start to their Group B campaign. After dismantling Covid-hit Venezuela 3-0 in their Copa America 2021 opener, the Brazilians put four unanswered goals past Peru to claim a place in the quarter-finals. Despi...
Euro giants aiming to sign three Chelsea players including 28-year-old star – report
Serie A giants AC Milan are looking to raid Chelsea this summer. The Rossoneri already signed Fikayo Tomori from the Blues on a permanent deal, after enjoying a successful loan spell last season. According to reports from Sky Sports, the Serie A giants are looking to sign three more players from Chelsea this summer. Milan are heavily interested in signing Olivier Giroud, Hakim Ziyech, and Tiémoué Bakayoko, and they are emerging as leading targets for them. The report claims that of the three main targets, Giroud is close to leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, after his agent has already agreed on a two-year deal for the striker at the San Siro, worth 3.5m euros per season plus bonuses. Sky Sports claim that Milan could also turn to defensive midfielder Bakayoko, who previou...
Tottenham Hotspur could rival Everton to sign in-demand £30m defender – report
Tottenham Hotspur could compete with Everton and Manchester United to sign Norwich City defender Max Aarons this summer, Sky Sports reports. The north London club are braced for the departure of Serge Aurier, and they are actively looking for a quality young replacement. A move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tariq Lamptey was recently touted, but a deal seems unlikely due to the hefty £50 million price tag. Spurs appear to have revived the pursuit of Aarons, who could be available for £30m. They could face competition from Everton and United. Sportslens view: Aside from Aurier, Spurs have Matt Doherty and Japhet Tanganga, who can operate in the right-back role, but the latter is naturally a central defender. Doherty has had a tough time with Spurs, having had to cope with more defen...
Glazers’ lead Tottenham and Newcastle owners in taking the most money from their clubs – report
As famously quoted by Sir Matt Busby, ‘football is nothing without fans’. In England, the sport has always been ingrained with tradition and rivalry. The authenticity and competitiveness of the English top-flight have made it stand out from the rest of the leagues around the world. With the advent of globalisation, many Premier League clubs have been subject to takeovers from foreign owners. Investment in training facilities, stadium development and the possibility of a greater budget in the transfer market can be a fruitful proposition. However, many of these owners have used the clubs as cash cows, extract...
€20m Everton star offered to top European clubs, possible move to AC Milan?
Atletico Madrid and AC Milan have been offered the opportunity to sign Everton playmaker James Rodriguez through his agent, Spanish journalist Pipe Sierra claims. Rodriguez joined the Toffees in a surprise move from Real Madrid last summer after getting the chance to reunite with manager Carlo Ancelotti. He had an injury-plagued campaign for the club but still impressed with six goals and nine assists from 26 appearances across all competitions. Earlier this month, Ancelotti left the Toffees to secure a return to Real Madrid, and this has led to serious doubts over Rodriguez’s future at the club. It is now reported that Atletico, Milan and Napoli have been offered his services by his agent. A return to Madrid with Ancelotti is deemed difficult. Rodriguez reportedly arrived on a free transf...
‘Best news’, ‘Missed the bus’: Some Villa fans react as 24-year-old joins PL rival
A section of Aston Villa fans have reacted on Twitter after Norwich City confirmed the signing of Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen. The 24-year-old was heavily linked with Villa last summer, but the threat of relegation may have contributed to his decision to stay with Bremen. Ironically, Bremen have now been relegated from the Bundesliga, and Rashica has joined the Canaries, who could face a tough relegation fight next term. Norwich are back in the Premier League after a solitary season down, and they have already shown better transfer ambition than last time around. Their deal for Rashica came out of the blue. Some Villa fans believe the Kosovo international could have a tough season with the Canaries. Twitter reactions: Watch him score against us 😂 — Joe (@Joe43097071) June 22, ...
West Ham face competition from another PL club in their pursuit of 28-yr-old ace
Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are keen on signing Burnley defender James Tarkowski this summer. The 28-year-old has been one of the most reliable centre-backs in the Premier League over the last few years. According to The Telegraph, the defender has just one year left on his deal, and the Clarets may be under pressure to cash in. West Ham are hoping to snap up the defender for a bargain fee and will be keen to fend off the competition from Wolves. SL View: Tarkowski could transform West Ham’s defence The Hammers must improve defensively if they want to do well in Europe and the Premier League next season. Tarkowski could be a superb addition alongside Issa Diop or Angelo Ogbonna, but West Ham face strong competition to secure his services. Wolves need defensive reinforc...
Everton remain keen on former PL ace, player will cost around €15m plus bonuses
Everton were linked with a move for Roma defender Chris Smalling earlier this month, and it seems that their interest is still alive. According to Calciomercato, Roma are open to selling Smalling due to his injury record for around €15 million. SL View: Ideal squad option for a reasonable price The 31-year-old could prove to be a quality squad player for Everton next season. The Toffees need more depth in defence, and Smalling could fight for a starting berth alongside Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey. The former Manchester United star knows the Premier League well from his time at Old Trafford and Fulham. Everton are yet to submit an offer and may need to wait for their managerial situation to be resolved before making a formal offer. The Toffees also need to sign a quality ...
Newcastle United handed boost in signing two of Arsenal’s promising stars this summer – report
Newcastle United have been handed a boost in signing Arsenal duo William Saliba and Joe Willock, Football Insider reports. The Gunners are keen on signing a new centre-back this summer, and they are in advanced negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion for Ben White. Their opening bid worth £40 million was rejected by the Seagulls, but they are expected to come in with an improved offer for the Englishman. If they are successful in landing White, Saliba could be free to leave on loan. It is reported that the Magpies are keen on signing the Saint-Etienne graduate. Meanwhile, Joe Willock was excellent for the Magpies on loan last term, netting in seven successive Premier League appearances at the end of the campaign. The Gunners are open to parting ways with Willock permanently....
Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion favourites to sign 24-year-old Premier League defender – report
Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion are the leading contenders to sign Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips this summer, Goal.com. The 24-year-old impressed for the Reds during the second half of last season after long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. His future with the club remains uncertain as the trio are expected to return next season while Ibrahima Konate has been added to the defensive ranks. Burnley and Brighton are deemed favourites to sign him. The former are on the cusp of landing Nathan Collins, but they are still interested in Phillips. He was linked with a £4 million move to Swansea City last summer. The Reds could reportedly demand three times the figure amid his progress. Sportslens view: Phillips played a key role for the Reds during t...
Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers want highly-rated defensive midfielder from Premier League giants
Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan next season, The Athletic reports. The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the Blues’ best young players, but he has yet to cement a regular role with the senior squad due to stiff competition. He is likely to be loaned out for the 2021/22 campaign, and it is claimed that the Canaries and Wolves could fight it out to land his signature. The Canaries are optimistic about winning the race with manager Daniel Farke having a close relationship with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel. Farke had previously coached the reverse side at Borussia Dortmund when Tuchel was the first-team head coach. Sportslens view: The Scotland international has made a big impression in his short career with his ex...
