Tag: transfers

Premier League
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Koulibaly completes transfer to Chelsea.

by marina

Kalidou Koulibaly has completed his move from Italian side Napoli to recent club world cup winners, Chelsea. The Senegalese defender has just completed his medicals at Stamford Bridge and is looking forward to jet to the USA. He will be joining the rest of Chelsea’s players on their pre-season tour in the States.

The defender has signed a forty million Euros (€ 40 m) contract deal to represent the London side until 2026. Moreover, he will receive a net salary of around ten million Euros (€ 10 m). Chelsea had initially made contact and tried unsuccessfully signing the player back in 2016. The player cited that a conversation with his Senegalese teammate, Edouard Mendy, and former Napoli teammate, Jorginho, influenced his decision.

Good Bye Rudiger

Left, Antonio Rudiger in his first Real Madrid training. He left Chelsea on a free transfer to Real Madrid. Image Credits: Real Madrid

 At the end of the 21/22 Premier League season, Chelsea parted ways with German defender Antonio Rudiger. Rudiger was a crucial piece on Tuchel’s side in previous games. His partnership at the back with Brazilian defender Thiago Silva provided solid protection at the back for the Blues. Moreover, the two had good communication and offered great aerial options at the front in case of set pieces. Silva and Rudiger scored eight (8) goals for Chelsea during the 21/22 Premier League season.

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The departure of Rudiger has necessitated Koulibaly’s transfer to Chelsea. The player is now Chelsea’s second signing this transfer window.

Koulibaly has represented the Italian side since 2014, making it a total of eight (8) years at Naples. Todd Boehly,  Chelsea’s new owner, praised Kalidou Koulibaly upon his signing and said, “Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the world’s elite defenders, and I am delighted to welcome him to Chelsea. A great leader and an exemplary team player. Kalidou brings a wealth of experience and attributes that will benefit the squad and the club as a whole.”

Kalidou Koulibaly in a Napoli shirt last season. The Senegal defender has transfered from Napoli to Chelsea on a four-year contract. Image Credits: Napoli FC

Chelsea’s financially ability this transfer period

Chelsea has been quite active during this transfer period. The new owners, including Tedd Boehly, seem to have a different take on some things compared to the former owner, Abramovich. They have approached several clubs to purchase players. Still, They have only been successful in two instances: the transfer of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City and the transfer of Kalidou Koulibaly from the Italian side Napoli. At one point, Chelsea hijacked Arsenal’s move for Raphinha from Leeds but unexpectedly lost the race for Raphinha’s signature. Raphinha, a former Leeds player, chose Barcelona over Chelsea. ‘Broke Barcelona’ indeed.

Bundesliga/Europe
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Bundesliga Giant, Leipzig FC, Signs Norwegian Striker Sorloth

by Lawrence Juma
Leipzig signs Alexander Sorloth from Crystal Palace for 20 million Euros. After selling Werner to Chelsea ...

Leipzig signs Alexander Sorloth from Crystal Palace for 20 million Euros. After selling Werner to Chelsea the Bundesliga giant has been looking for a striker replacement. The team is seeking to strengthen their attacking power to remain competitive in their division.

Norwegian Alexander Sorloth has been enlisted to join his countryman Erling Braut Haaland at the Bundesliga. This comes after signing for RB Leipzig on Tuesday. He replaces German striker Timo Werner who left for the EPL.

Alexander Sorloth and Haaland celebrate goal in Norway shirt
Haaland and Sorloth celebrate goal while playing fopr Norway.

Player quality

The German club reportedly paid Crystal Palace 20 million euros ($23 million) for the 24-year-old.  Sorloth scored 33 goals and set up 11 more in 49 competitive games last season. He was on loan to the Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Furthermore, Jan Age Fjortoft, former Norway striker and Sky Sports pundit, asserted that Sorloth would light up the Bundesliga.

“The offensive football played under (head coach) Julian Nagelsmann ideally suits his style of play”, Jan said. On the other hand, Sorloth said that he is looking forward to the challenge in the Bundesliga.

The Bundesliga is arguably the fastest league in the world where only the best talents can be absorbed. RB Leipzig, the fans, and the whole of Bundesliga are looking forward to Alexander Sorloth. Read more about the transfers here.

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His massive physique, at 1.94m, as well as a strong left foot combined with excellent header game will be put to German style soccer test.

However, Fjortoft said that Sorloth could have the same impact as 19-year-old Haaland.  Haaland scored 18 goals in his first 20 games for Dortmund, another major club in German Football.

Manchester United, Tottenham Spurs, and other top tier European clubs had also been eyeing Sorloth. As a result of his stellar performance in English and Turkish football.

Editor's Pick/Europe/Main Stories/Primera División
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Messi bids farewell to Suarez

by marina
Messi coined an emotional message to his six-year-long teammate Luis Suarez. Recently, Luis Suarez officially joined Atletico Madrid from Barcelona. In his Instagram post, he expressed how much he would miss his friend Luis Suarez.

“Adios, mate!”

Messi coined an emotional farewell message to his six-year-long teammate Luis Suarez. Recently, Luis Suarez officially joined Atletico Madrid from Barcelona. In his Instagram post, he expressed how much he would miss his friend Luis Suarez.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFjb7KrCMBg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Moreover, he expresses his disbelief that he will have to play against Suarez, that is vs Atletico Madrid. It is not always that players leave a team to join their rivals. However, Griezmann did the same, so did Robin Van Persie. On the other hand, we have some loyal club players who have stuck by their team throughout a good part of their careers. Totti comes to mind.

Luis Suarez and Messi have, in the past, severally went out on vacations together. Such interactions signify the bond between the two families. These players have spent time together, not just on the pitch but outside the Nou Camp. As a result, Messi, in his farewell message to Suarez, he expressed how much he would miss Suarez’s family and also the moments they shared. Indeed, strong bonds!

Suarez and Messi families chilling. Photo Credits: Lionel Messi
Photo Credits: Lionel Messi

Moreover, Suarez, in a presser, said that he would miss his friends. They made him happy. About Messi, he expressed a lot of admiration and respect for him. Both for his prowess in the field and their interactions outside the pitch. Moreover, he said that since he was not in the coach’s plans, he decided to leave the club. Furthermore, he rebuked the management for, in a way, not respecting his choice to leave. His transfer to Atletico was not that smooth.

During his run in Barcelona, Luis Suarez made 283 appearances for Barcelona. He scored 198 goals and made 109 assists.

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Messi bids farewell to Luiz Suarez, as the Uruguayan joins Atletico Madrid officially.
Luis Suarez and teammates posing with trophies they have won together. Photo Credits: Lionel Messi

Trophies

  • La Liga titles – 4
  • Copa del Rey – 4
  • Champions League – 1
  • Club World Cup – 1
  • UEFA Super Cup – 1
  • Spanish Super Cup – 2

Personal Awards

  • Golden Boot – 1
  • Pichichi – 1
  • Club World Cup Golden Ball – 1
  • 3rd highest club goalscorer

From the stats, he has undoubtedly had a good run. Indeed, if Messi’s farewell message to Suarez is anything to go by, the Argentine will miss his fellow South American. “Adios, mate!”

Messi coined an emotional message to his six

Premier League/Serie A
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Inter Milan to sign Alexis Sanchez on a permanent deal

by Quincy Charles
Inter Milan to sign ALexis Sanchez on a permanent deal

Alexis Sanchez has had a good run at Inter Milan in his last eight appearances for the club scoring three goals.

It is for this reason that Inter has decided to sign the Man United forward permanently.

Sanchez earns around £400,000 a week. This is beyond Inter Milan’s reach. It is evident that Ole Gunnar has no plans of keeping the Chilean for the next season. As a result, he will have to sell him.

United’s contract with Sanchez will expire in 2022. Moreover, Manchester United has been paying him his wages during his time in Italy. If Alexis Sanchez agrees to sign for Inter Milan, then he will have to accept a wage cut and Man Utd will have to pay him for the remaining years on his contract.

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The former Barcelona forward was involved in Inter’s game against Napoli on Tuesday night where they won 2-0 to maintain their push to finish 2nd in the Serie A league.

The last time Inter finished in top three in the Serie A league was in 2011.

Featured Image Credit: The United Stand