Sports update

[Edoman]

Chelsea claim Super Cup but shoot-out success shows why Lukaku is needed



Chelsea celebrate their Super Cup win

Romelu Lukaku's final kick of his first spell at Chelsea came in a Super Cup.


On August 30, 2013, the Belgian – then 20, still young, albeit with the physical stature of a player much further on in his career – missed the decisive penalty as Chelsea became the first team to lose successive Super Cup fixtures, going down in a shoot-out to Bayern Munich.


Not long after that game, Lukaku headed to Everton, initially on a loan deal before he made a permanent move to Goodison Park a year later. A return to Chelsea, however, has always seemed a possibility for the striker who stormed onto the scene with Anderlecht in his teens.


Whereas a Super Cup marked the end of his first spell in London, Wednesday's meeting with Villarreal showed just why the Blues are set to break their transfer record to sign the 28-year-old, who arrives back at the club a Serie A winner and one of Europe's leading forwards.


This time, Lukaku watched on from afar as Chelsea, defeated on penalties by Liverpool in the 2019 edition, clinched victory in the shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in Belfast – Kepa Arrizabalaga coming on to be the hero.


ROM THE REMEDY

It seems wrong to be too critical of Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea, given their remarkable success in his short time at the club. They went unbeaten in their first 14 games under the German, secured a top-four finish, reached the FA Cup final and, of course, won the Champions League.


Yet from Tuchel's appointment until the end of last season, Chelsea scored only 38 goals in all competitions.


The chances were being created - it would be difficult for players such as Mason Mount, who crafted the second-most opportunities in the Premier League last season, Hakim Ziyech, who opened the scoring in Belfast before going off injured, Christian Pulisic and Champions League final goalscorer Kai Havertz not to fashion their fair share.


Much was made of Timo Werner's first season at the club too, as the former RB Leipzig forward fluffed his lines time after time. He finished with six league goals but from 79 attempts, registering a shot conversion rate of just 7.59 per cent, while he only netted five of the 23 'big' chances, as defined by Opta, that came his way.
Up until the 27th minute at Windsor Park, when Ziyech tucked in from Havertz's centre, it was all Chelsea, but the same issues which had plagued their frontline last season were present once more.


In the sixth minute, Marcos Alonso's brilliant cross caught Werner on his heels. It would have been a gift for Lukaku. Werner forced a great save from the resulting corner, though that was the only shot he managed in his 65 minutes on the field.


More issues came after Ziyech's opener, as Chelsea (who had 67.9 per cent possession before the break) failed to add to their lead and let Villarreal – who levelled through Gerard Moreno – claim control.


Lukaku's imminent arrival, however, should ensure this profligacy, demonstrated again by Pulisic's 100th-minute miss from close range, is not repeated throughout the coming campaign.


Chelsea ended the game against Villarreal with 20 attempts, of which seven were on target. Had Lukaku's signing come in time, it is hard to imagine penalties would have been required at all to decide the outcome.


KEPA THE HERO

While Chelsea's forwards toiled, it was forgotten man Kepa who came on to be the difference.


In the 119th minute, Edouard Mendy made way for the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper – just over 17 minutes after that change, Kepa dived low to his right to keep out Raul Albiol's weak effort and ensure the Champions League holders have now lifted the Super Cup in eight of the past nine seasons.


It was a brave call by Tuchel, who follows in the footsteps of compatriots Jurgen Klopp and Hansi Flick in winning the Super Cup – German coaches having triumphed in the last three editions.


With Lukaku soon to be back on board, it could – and perhaps should – be the first trophy of many for the Blues this term.
For now, though, this was just a nice story for Kepa, the keeper who once refused to be taken off in a cup final had come on late to help decide the outcome in his team's favour.

[Edoman]

.Chelsea beat Villarreal 6-5 in a penalty
Chelsea had lost their previous three Uefa Super Cups
Chelsea beat Villarreal 6-5 in a penalty shootout to lift the Uefa Super Cup for a second time after a draining 120 minutes in Belfast.

Substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved captain Raul Albiol's spot-kick at Windsor Park on a night that began superbly for the Blues with an excellent first-half performance before the Spaniards stormed back into the contest after the break.


Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring midway through the opening 45 minutes but was then forced off with what looked like a worrying shoulder injury before half-time.
The Spaniards hit the woodwork either side of the break before Gerard Moreno equalised in the 73rd minute to force extra time.


Chelsea, who look set to complete a deal to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku for a club record fee of £97.5m from Inter Milan, failed to rediscover their first-half vigour in extra time but did come close to a winner through Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount.


It was the first time the Super Cup was played in Northern Ireland and 13,000 spectators generated a fantastic atmosphere in the south Belfast stadium, the highest attendance at any sports event in the country since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Kepa goes from Chelsea villain to shootout hero
  
  
• Ziyech injury 'serious' - Tuchel
  
  
• Relive the action in Belfast
  

Chelsea captain joins César Azpilicueta in celebrating with Kepa after his penalty save
Kepa was brought off the bench by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel just a few minutes before the end of extra time and dived low to his right to save from Albiol - his second save of the shootout having also denied Aissa Mandi - and spark mass scenes of celebration among the Chelsea players and supporters.


Ziyech's goal arrived in the 27th minute when the lively Kai Havertz ran on to a ball into the left channel and delivered a precise pull-back, with Ziyech directing his shot in despite not getting a clean connection.
Villarreal's equaliser was the result of a poor clearance out of defence by Kurt Zouma, with Gerard Moreno feeding Boulaye Dia, whose clever flick-return to the Spaniard was clinically swept past Edouard Mendy.
It was an equaliser that looked like coming after Alberto Moreno crashed a volley off the underside of the crossbar in first-half injury time and Mendy had dived superbly to tip a Gerard Moreno shot on to the post after the keeper had initially given the ball away.


Ziyech injury a concern for Chelsea after commanding start
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said Ziyech's injury looked like a serious one

The opening 40 minutes were something of a stroll for Chelsea as they imposed themselves on Villarreal, not giving their Spanish opponents a glimmer of hope until just before the break.


The contrasting styles of captain-for-the-night N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in midfield provided a base from which to apply pressure on the Europa League winners, with Kovacic's diagonal balls to Callum Hudson-Odoi on the right particularly penetrating.


Timo Werner had their first chance in the sixth minute, having his close-range volley well saved by Sergio Asenjo, while Kante flashed just wide from 20 yards before Zouma volleyed an excellent chance over the bar.
Ziyech then clashed with Juan Foyth and went down, requiring oxygen treatment and going off the pitch with his right shoulder having to be supported amid a chaotic closing few minutes to the first half.


Tuchel's side looked flat as the second half got under way and were not helped when the inevitable host of substitutions began being made, though Villarreal deserve credit for taking advantage and giving their enthusiastic supporters something to cheer on their first Super Cup appearance.

[Edoman]

Chelsea Players Celebrate UEFA Super Cup Win In Dressing Room (Photos)


Chelsea Players Celebrate in the dressing room after winning the UEFA Super Cup final.

Chelsea won the UEFA Super Cup after defeating Villarreal on penalties.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizebalaga helped Chelsea with two penalty saves after extra time in the final.

Chelsea can now start the new season with a trophy already.

After the trophy presentation, Chelsea Players continued their celebrations in the dressing room.

Kurt Zouma and Rudiger showed off their dance moves to a tekno song.

Video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH53a4UYWZw

[Edoman]

Romelu Lukaku touches down in London ahead of £98m return to Chelsea (Photo)







Romelu Lukaku has arrived in London as he gets set to complete his £98million move to Chelsea from Inter Milan.
 
The 28-year-old Belgian landed at Biggin Hill airport on Wednesday evening, August 11, ahead of his move back to Stamford Bridge, after leaving the club back in 2014.
 

 
Lukaku passed the main part of his medical in Milan on Monday before flying to Nice for meetings with his agent Federico Pastorello in Monaco on Tuesday. 
 
As reported by Sky Sports, the paperwork is now with club lawyers and once everything is agreed, Lukaku is expected to sign a five-year contract worth £200,000 a week. 

 
After moving to Everton on a permanent deal, he later joined Manchester United and then Inter Milan in 2019.

 
Lukaku scored 64 goals in 95 appearances for the Serie A side and led them to the league title last season.  

[Edoman]

Chelsea finally confirm Romelu Lukaku signing from Inter Milan for £98m (photos)










 Belgian striker, Romelu Lukaku has returned to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £98million, Chelsea FC has confirmed.


Lukaku struggled at Chelsea in his first spell and left permanently back in 2014 but his success at Inter Milan, where he helped them win the Italian Serie A, made Chelsea complete a £98million deal to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the Premier League.

 




Talks with Inter Milan reached a conclusion on Saturday after days of negotiations over the fee and structure of the transfer. 


The 28-year-old landed at Biggin Hill airport on Wednesday evening ahead of his move back to Stamford Bridge, having passed the main part of his medical in Milan on Monday.

 




He then flew to Nice for meetings with his agent Federico Pastorello in Monaco on Tuesday and has now put pen to paper on an emotional return to west London. 


Posting in their website and social media handles, Chelsea FC wrote; "Welcome home, @RomeluLukaku9."




Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel had been desperate to bolster his attacking options on the eve of the new season as the German coach eyes a shot at the Premier League title in 2021-22. 

 


The deal to bring him back to Chelssa sees Manchester United - where Lukaku played for two years before heading to Serie A to join Inter - receive £3.8m as a sell-on clause. 




The Blues kick their season off with a clash against London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday.




Lukau netted 87 goals in 166 matches for Everton, 42 goals in 96 games for Manchester United and 64 goals in 95 appearances for Inter. 


"I'm happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club," Lukaku told the club's website. "It's been a long journey for me: I came here as a kid who had a lot to learn, now I'm coming back with a lot of experience and more mature.

 

"The relationship I have with this club means so much to me, as you know. I have supported Chelsea as a kid and now to be back and try to help them win more titles is an amazing feeling.


"The way the club is going fits my ambitions perfectly at 28 and just coming off winning Serie A. I think this opportunity comes at the right time and hopefully we can have a lot of success together.

 

"Since I left Chelsea, it's been a long journey with a lot of ups and downs, but these experiences made me strong and the challenge is to try to help the team win some more trophies. I can't wait to get started and to help the club achieve more success."

 

 

[Edoman]

Barcelona 'must pay Lionel Messi £33m in loyalty bonuses' despite the Argentine switching to Paris Saint-Germain 







The free transfer of Lionel Messi from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain has since been completed, but it still doesn't mean that the Spanish side have been relieved of its financial obligations to the Argentine.

Barcelona must pay their former captain a €39 million loyalty bonus, according to El Mundo, as reported by Colin Millar, as disclosed in the leak of Messi’s contract with the club last January. He played with Barcelona for 17 years, scoring over 700 goals and collecting numerous trophies. He became a Blaugrana legend and a footballing icon during that time.


Messi's former deal at Barcelona, worth a whopping £492m, included a loyalty bonus for the star man worth £66m. He received half of that figure in February, with the remaining £33m due this summer.

This latest development further adds to Barca's financial woes, with president Joan Laporta ruing the 'criminal' acts of his predecessor, Josep Bartomeu, in allowing the club's finances to run out of control.


'The base of everything is the previous administration's disastrous management which we inherited,' he said in explaining Messi's departure last week.

'Some decisions might even have been criminal. I'm not talking about signings. Some are hard to understand. They must have been under pressure but it led to this situation now.' 
 

[Edoman]

Chelsea bags five nominations for Champions League Player of the Year, with N'Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger up for the top prize 






Nominees for the Champions League Player of the Year award have been revealed. 

The list was dominated by five Chelsea stars after they beat Manchester City in the final of the Champions League last season.


Five Chelsea players, Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Antonio Rudiger, and N'Golo Kante made the cut, while three Manchester City men, Ederson,  Rúben Dias, and Kevin De Bruyne take the Premier League contingent to eight. Real Madrid, Dortmund, Bayern, and Paris Saint-Germain are also represented.
 
See the full list below. 
 

 

Positional award nominees for the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League

 
Defender of the Season nominees
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Ederson (Manchester City), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Defenders: César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Jorginho (Chelsea), N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Dortmund), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern), Kylian Mbappé (Paris)

[Edoman]

Brentford celebrate their return to premier league after 74 year absence with 2-0 win over Arsenal







Brentford F.C celebrated their return to the English premier league after a 74-year absence with a memorable 2-0 victory over Arsenal as the 2021/2022 EPL season kicked off today, August 13.
 
Brentford were vibrant and energetic at the Brentford Community Stadium, teaching the Gunners the art of football in a  90 minutes game of football that was heartbreaking for any Arsenal fan.

 
Brentford deserved the lead they got after 22 minutes when Sergi Canos drove low past keeper Bernd Leno at the near post, even though Arsenal players claimed that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to the goal..
 

Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal youngster and the club's best player in the game tested Brentford keeper David Raya and was denied a goal.


Raya also denied Nicolas Pepe late on - before the home fans celebrated when they scored a second goal with 17 minutes left through Christian Norgaard his first goal in English football, after trying over 50 times.
 


Arsenal, were without strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang while new £50m defender Ben White was responsible for Christian Norgaard's header.
 

 
Even though Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta was missing strikers Lacazette and Aubameyang, while Saka only started on the bench,  the team's lack of pace, panache, resolve, and a coherent plan when they needed to fight their way back into contention was alarming.
 
Brentford's supporters celebrated wildly at the final whistle, and though it's early days for them in the premier league, they can celebrate being top of the league for the next 12 hours - a big deal for a club that's been away for 74 years!
 

[Edoman]

Manchester United And Leeds Fans Clash Before EPL Match (Photos, Video)

Manchester United and Leeds United fans clashed in Manchester city centre before the Premier League match today.

The two clubs start their new Premier League season this afternoon with a 12:30pm kick off.

One hour before the match 12.30pm kick off, fans of United and Leeds clashed around the Spinningfields area of Manchester.

A police officer immediately arrived at the scene and tried to disperse the fans.

Manchester United Vs Leeds United is a Premier League match with historic rivalry.

Video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC4jbr6rne8

[Edoman]

Chelsea begin hunt for premier league title with 3-0 win over Crystal Palace








Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea started off the 2021/22 Premier League campaign with a blistering 3-0 home win over London club, Crystal Palace on Saturday, August 14.
 
Chelsea which bouyed by the signing of Romelu Lukaku, with premier league glory their ultimate mission this season, were dominant and controlled proceedings right from the begining.

 
Tuchel opted to start both Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho in midfield. From minute one, the pair were a real threat in the heart of the pitch. Jorginho was able to quickly control the play and cause real problems for Palace's backline. As for Kovacic, his bursting runs caused havoc for Crystal Palace throughout the game in what was an impressive display from the pair.
 
On the 26th minute, a free kick just outside the 18 yard presented itself for Chelsea.
 

 
Mount and Marcos Alonso positioned to play it but it was Alonso who curled a left footed  excellent free-kick to give Chelsea the lead.
 
Just five minutes before halftime, Christian Pulisic doubled the Blues' lead making it 2-0 at halftime.

 
Trevoh Chalobah, an academy product, was making his first debut for the club's first team this season, and in a surprising turn of events in  the second half, Chalobah scored a rocketing shot to ensure all three points for the Blues.
 


With Lukaku yet to make his debut, the Blues' fans can only dream of what the possibilities are going forward with such a team that last season won the UEFA Champions league against a highly favored Manchester City side.
 

[Edoman]

English Premier League: Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba make headlines as Manchester United rout Leeds United 5-1







Bruno Fernandes scored an opening-day hat-trick while Paul Pogba proved why he's one of the best midfielders by supplying four assists as Manchester United swept Leeds aside in a 5-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 14.

On a day when £75m new signing Jordan Sancho made his debut and new signing Raphael Varane was revealed to the fans in the stadium, United players knew they just had to turn up - and they did in style.

 
Portugal midfielder, Fernandes opened the scoring on the half-hour after receiving a wonderful pass from Paul Pogba.
 


 
Just two minutes into the second half, Luke Ayling's thunderous strike after enjoying space 30 yards away from goal, drew Leeds level.

Two minutes later, Mason Greenwood who started as the main striker, restored Manchester United's lead after another superb pass from Paul Pogba, before Fernandes' low shot was ruled to have crossed the line by referee Paul Tierney after a check of goal line technology - following another pass from Paul Pogba.


3-1... This was surely turning into the Pogba-Fernandes show.

 
Fernandez quickly completed his hat-trick with a thumping finish after a nice pass from Victor Lindelof, before Fred added United's fifth goal in 14 minutes from Paul Pogba's cross.
 

 
This was  Pogba's fourth assist of the afternoon, and if he keeps up with such performances, a new bumper contract won't be far off.
 
Leeds' manager, Marcelo Bielsa was fuming on the sidelines but there was nothing he could do about it. His side were prepared for the match but United, ready for an assault on the premier league title and coaches by Ole Solskjaer were just too good for them.
 

 
It was Fernandes' first hat-trick since he moved to Old Trafford in January 2020 and only the second by a Red Devils player since Robin van Persie's title-winning effort against Aston Villa in 2013.
 
Fernandes now follows Anthony Martial as the only Manchester United player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Van Persie - and the first to do it in front of fans.
 
Fernandes' last hat-trick was for Sporting Lisbon in an 8-1 hammering of Belenenses in front of just over 5,000 in May 2019.

[Edoman]

Former Chelsea striker, Diego Costa signs for Atletico Mineiro on free transfer








Former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea striker, Diego Costa has signed for Brazilian Serie A side Atletico Mineiro after eight months without a club.
 
Costa, 32, has been a free agent since Atletico Madrid terminated his contract six months before its expiration date last December, with the Spaniards citing 'personal reasons' for the move. 

 
Following the termination of his contract, Costa was allowed to join any side as a free agent and was linked with several clubs.

 
On Sunday, Atletico Mineiro confirmed the striker's arrival in an official statement on their website, which reads: "Diego Costa is a Galo player.
 
"The athletic board and the player reached an agreement today. Galo will be his first club as a professional athlete in Brazil."
 

 
The Spain International rejoined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea on a permanent three-and-a-half-year contract in January 2018, but left Wanda Metropolitano six months before the end of the agreement.

[Edoman]

EPL: Harry Kane is gone – Neville says after Tottenham 1-0 win over Man City


 
on
 August 15, 2021





Manchester United legend, Gary Neville, has said that Tottenham striker, Harry Kane, has left the London club.


Nevile said it was surprising that England forward was nowhere around the stadium as Spurs defeated Manchester City 1-0 in their opening game of the season.


Harry Kane wants to leave the Tottenham Stadium with Manchester City a possible destination and Neville said for the England captain not to even be in the stadium today was a sign that he’s set to leave Spurs.


He told Sky Sports, “Every other England player that’s been part of the Euros have been involved on the bench or in the squad. Harry Kane would be here today if there was no doubt over his future.

“I took into it that he’s gone, I did. Just not being here today, not being visible in the stadium.


“A prominent player, Tottenham’s most prominent player, not being visible in the stadium – We (Sky) have a lot of cameras around and I suspect we were looking for him everywhere.

“To not see him today was a surprise.

[Edoman]

EPL: ‘Teams are waiting to punish us’ – Guardiola gives reason for Man City 1-0 lost to Tottenham

on
 August 15, 2021





Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola’s has reacted to his side’s Premier League opening game loss to Tottenham.


A second-half strike from Son was enough for Tottenham to beat the Premier League title holders at the Tottenham Stadium.


Pep Guardiola noted that his side lost the game because they were not clinical enough and couldn’t find the net.


“In general, we showed a good spirit and good intention and we arrived in the final third many times, but we could not be clinical enough,” he told a post-match press conference.


“It’s the first game, we knew we need time. Two days ago we were together all of us for the first time.

“Sometimes we could not control it. But we need to be more precise – teams are waiting to punish us. But I see in the game many, many good things.

[Edoman]

Thibaut Courtois renews Real Madrid contract until 2026







Thibaut Courtois has signed a new five-year contract at Real Madrid until 2026.
 
The Belgian goalkeeper has been at the club since making the move from Chelsea in the summer of 2018, and has proved to be one of the best goalkeepers in world football. 

 
Real Madrid released a statement on Monday August 16, to confirm the news of Courtois' new contract, which will see him stay at the club until the age of 34.

 
"Real Madrid and Thibaut Courtois have agreed to extend the player's contract for five more seasons, until June 30, 2026," read the club's statement.
 
This summer Courtois featured for Belgium at Euro 2020 as they reached the quarter-finals and he has now represented his country on 89 occasions.
 

[Edoman]

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Tuchel gives update on Lukaku


 
on
 August 16, 2021





Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has provided the latest update on Romelu Lukaku ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday.


Tuchel said Chelsea will prepare Lukaku to play against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Tuchel’s men head to the game following a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace last weekend.


Lukaku did not feature for Chelsea against Palace at Stamford Bridge, having newly joined the Blues from Inter Milan this summer.


“We expect Romelu to finish quarantine in time to be able to join team training on Tuesday, because Monday is our day off,” Tuchel was quoted by Chelsea’s official website as saying on Monday.

“So we will try to prepare him to play against Arsenal and hopefully he can be on the pitch.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Tuchel names three Chelsea players he’s very happy with

 
on
 August 16, 2021





Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, has named three Blues players he’s very happy with.


Tuchel said he is very happy with Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz because the trio has put a lot of effort and intensity in the Chelsea squad.


The former Paris Saint-Germain coach stated this ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League tie against Arsenal on Sunday.
“I’m very happy with Timo, Christian and Kai because they have put a lot of effort and intensity into the team,” Tuchel was quoted by Chelsea’s official website as saying.


“With the addition of Romelu. We get the number-one striker and we want to have him on the pitch.

“If you do this kind of transfer, we are absolutely sure we want to have him on the pitch, but I think he’ll lift the pressure off the shoulders of the young guys, from Kai, Timo and Christian, because Romelu is the kind of personality who loves responsibility.

“I think we’ve now with Romelu the chance also to play with two strikers, like they did at Inter with him, or to continue with three strikers.


“We will see now how this works out and we’ll find a solution for the players around him.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Lukaku reveals how Drogba influenced his return to Chelsea

 
on
 August 16, 2021





Romelu Lukaku has admitted that Didier Drogba played a role in his return to Chelsea.


The 28-year-old says he has a close friendship with Drogba, who prepared him for a return to Stamford Bridge.
The two men were team-mates at Chelsea for one season following Lukaku’s arrival from Anderlecht in 2011.
Lukaku and Drogba are still close and stay in touch regularly.

“Our relationship means the world to me. It’s not like we talk once a month. I talk to the guy every few days!


“We have a group chat, we are constantly communicating and I’ve been on the phone with him a bit more in the past two weeks.

“I had a lot of questions to ask and he still knows a lot of people here so he really prepared me well with the last details,” Lukaku told the club’s official website.

[Edoman]

Galatasaray defender Marcao facing a 10-game ban for headbutting and punching his own teammate (photos)







??????Galatasaray defender, Marcao is reportedly facing a 10-game ban for headbutting and punching his own teammate in a 2-0 win over Giresunspor.

The Brazilian footballer lost his cool in the Turkish league game when he furiously approached his teammate Kerem Akturkoglu and landed a nasty headbutt on the winger. He then later followed it up with two punches before the pair were separated by their Galatasaray team-mates.
 


Marcao was shown a straight red card following a VAR review of his action that will also likely see him a lengthy ban for his actions.
 

 
The incident occurred in the 61st minute of the Super Lig clash on Monday,  August 16, with Galatasaray already leading the encounter by two goals before seeing out to seal all three points.
 
According to Turkish League regulations, the incident classifies as an 'assault' and could result in a five to 10 game ban for Marcao.
 

 
After the match, Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim said would be dealing with the defender before insisting that Marcao will apologise for his behaviour

Terim said: 'The club will do what is necessary in their own way. 'Marcao will apologize to Kerem and the rest of the team for his behaviour.'

[Edoman]

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham joins Roma on five-year contract for £34m







Tammy Abraham has completed his £34million move to Roma after putting pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Italian club and taking their No 9 shirt.

Abraham arrived in the Italian capital on Sunday August 15, to complete his medical, where he will now play under former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.


His departure comes days after Romelu Lukaku sealed a sensational return to Chelsea in a £98million club transfer fee record, which pushed England forward down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

'You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately,' said Abraham.

'Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I've had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
 

 
'It's a massive honour to be the No. 9 at this club and I just can't wait to get started and to help the team.'

The deal with Roma is understood to include a buy-back clause of around £68m and Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said that Abraham will always be a welcome presence at the club. 


'Tammy will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as one of our own,' she said. 'We have all enjoyed watching his progress through our academy and into the first-team squad, and are grateful for his contribution to our successes at senior and youth level.
 

 
'His many goals in a Chelsea shirt and, of course, his part in our Champions League triumph last season will never be forgotten. I'm sure all Chelsea supporters will join me in wishing Tammy a long and successful career.' 

Mourinho is expected to deploy Abraham as his main striker for the coming season, having allowed Edin Dzeko to leave to join Inter Milan last week.