Ireland winger Mikey Johnston set for shock move to Brazilian giants Flamengo
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Marc Cucurella reveals text from Chelsea ‘legend of football' standing in way of Blues and Club World Cup final
MARC CUCURELLA has hailed Thiago Silva as a 'legend of football' as Chelsea's emotional reunion with their much-loved Brazilian looms. The veteran defender will be part of the Fluminense team taking on 3 Thiago Silva has been hailed by Marc Cucurella ahead of Chelsea's clash against Fluminense Credit: Alamy 3 Cucurella knows Silva will be a tough opponent as Chelsea eye the Club World Cup final Credit: Getty 3 They played with each other for two years at Stamford Bridge Credit: AFP Cucurella said: 'He's a legend of football, a top player. He's only played for big clubs and texted me before the game saying 'let's go, hopefully we can see you in a couple of days'. 'I texted him saying 'let's go'. We have the opportunity to play against him again and hopefully we can do good things and win this game and play in the final which is what we want to do. 'We've watched some of their games. They have very good players. They are very determined, they have Thiago. They're in the semi-final because they've done the right things. It will be a very equal game." READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Chelsea fans back home in London still sing about Silva and how he came to them from PSG to win the Champions League as he did in 2021. With more than 100 caps for Brazil he is regarded as one of the finest defenders of all time. Cucurella has already tasted life playing alongside the next generation of South American stars in Estevao Willian - the new £29m forward who will be joining Chelsea later this summer. Most read in Football Estevao played against Cucurella in his final game for Palmeiras on Friday - the Club World Cup quarter final which Chelsea won 2-1 to set up a dream date with Silva. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Cucurella, 26, and teenager Estevao got up close with a bit of rough stuff to spice up the game. Spaniard Cucurella said: 'It's football, he tried to do his job, I tried to do my job. The most important thing is that we won and are going through. He had the chance to score a good goal so now hopefully he enjoys his holidays, can rest and will come back strong. 'He didn't understand a single word' - Cole Palmer reveals what he told Willian Estevao after Chelsea's win vs Palmeiras Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge 'It was a tough game, we played against a tough opponent with a lot of good players and a lot of quality. 'He gives all his best in every action. I think he's a good player with a lot of talent. For sure, we want to help him. We try to help him in all the things that we can to settle in. 'But he needs to do whatever he wants. I think we have a top group of players. I think the human side we have is very good. We have a group that is very close. 'Hopefully, he can understand this and hopefully he can be one of us very soon. In the dressing room, there's been quite a lot of turnover of players in and out. Lots of changes within the squad.' Cucurella is impressed with the way Chelsea fought back from conceding against Palmeiras through a stunning goal by incoming team-mate Estevao. He said: 'We showed the team was ready. We played very good in the first half and the second half we needed to suffer a little bit but we stayed together and gave everything and we won the game. "Brazilian teams have a very high level. They have showed in this tournament that they are going right until the final stages. Now we have another tough match against Fluminense. Club World Cup 2025 Guide SOME of the world's biggest clubs are in action at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States! Chelsea are keeping Premier League hopes alive in the big tournament which is on until the final at New Jersey's Metlife Stadium July 13. Though Manchester City have been knocked out by Saudi Pro side Al-Hilal after losing in a 4-3 thriller. INFO Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup LATEST NEWS & FEATURES Club World Cup top scorers 'We will play against Thiago Silva and I think that will be very nice. But now we will try to rest, prepare well for the match and face it in the best way possible. 'We've played against two Brazilian teams so far and now we will face a third. They fight until the end. 'We're happy to be in the next round and to have this experience of playing against the South American teams which isn't very common. Overall, we're enjoying this tournament." Chelsea imploded in their group game against Flamengo - from leading they crumbled to a 3-1 defeat and had striker Nicolas Jackson sent off. But Malo Gusto believes the mentality of the team is improving. It has been a long standing criticism of Chelsea but the Frenchman is convinced they are toughening up. He said: 'During this competition, our mental strength has been the most important thing. That's what we are in these semi final because we've shown that on the pitch during all the games that we have had. 'I think it's the key, 100 per cent. We know the weather is tough, the pitch too, all the teams are very good, many things are around the game and we have to deal with it. 'That's why this competition is so hard to play and that's why we are so happy to get this far. 'If we can overcome those hurdles we can do anything and that's why we must believe in ourselves, give our best and see what goes after.'
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Irish winger Mikey Johnston on brink of historic move to Brazilian giants
For most of history Irish players have rarely ventured past the British Isles for their football. With the proximity and similar sporting culture, Irish footballers have always assimilated well into British football, but in recent years that's begun to change. However with the current Brexit rules making it more difficult for Irish players to move to Britain at a young age, we've started to see more move across Europe. Mikey Johnston of Republic of Ireland Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile Some noteworthy examples are the likes of Troy Parrott in The Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar, Matt Doherty's brief spell at Atletico Madrid and Gavin Bazunu in Belgium at Standard Liège last season. We've even seen Irishmen take managerial jobs in Europe like Robbie Keane in Hungary. However it's even rarer to see an Irish player in South America, but that could be about to change. We've even seen Irishmen take managerial jobs in Europe like Robbie Keane in Hungary. However it's even rarer to see an Irish player in South America, but that could be about to change. Pic: Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images Mikey Johnston is a tricky winger who has 15 caps with the Republic of Ireland National team. Born in Glasgow, Johnston came up through the Celtic academy and chose to declare his allegiance with Ireland back in 2023. His skills and exciting play made him an instant favourite among fans and after struggling to find regular game time at Celtic, Johnston made the move to England to play for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship in 2024 after he made his Ireland debut. He too became a fan favourite at The Hawthorns and has bagged 10 goals in just over 60 games for the Baggies before one of the most sensational transfer rumours in Irish football history popped up over the weekend. Per @LewisCox_star Ireland International Mikey Johnson looks to be closing on a move to Flamengo! 🤯The Brazilain Giants look set to seal a deal around £5m Flamingo were recently knocked out of the Club World Cup in the Round of the 16 stage 2-4 against Bayern
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Al-Nassr ‘approach Rodrygo' in sensational bid to hijack Arsenal transfer – after Gabriel Martinelli links
AL NASSR have launched a massive bid to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid - and they're willing to break the bank to get him. The Saudi club, backed by a whopping transfer kitty, have contacted the Brazilian winger's representatives to discuss a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. 4 Rodrygo has seen his minutes reduced since Mbappe arrived in Madrid Credit: Getty 4 Gabriel Martinelli has also been linked to Al Nassr And it's not just any offer, they've reportedly approached target this summer. However, Rodrygo has made it clear he's not ready to swap Madrid for Riyadh just yet. The report further adds that the winger has set his sights on the Premier League, with sources saying he's only interested in moving to England if he leaves Spain . READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS The Brazilian forward is with Madrid at the Club World Cup but he's only played 23 minutes in four games as reports of an exit intensify. If he decides he wants a new challenge, his first choice would be to stay in Europe with England's top flight being his preferred destination. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Inside Arsenal's frustrating striker transfer saga By Jordan Davies ARSENAL'S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall. The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta. But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen's agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated. Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit. But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money. While the players' camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them. So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike? Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season. So, Al Nassr know they have a chance and aren't backing down. The Saudi Pro League side are also reportedly eyeing Arsenal's Trent Alexander-Arnold pays back Real Madrid's transfer fee to Liverpool with just one cross at Club World Cup Mikel Arteta looks to shake things up at the Emirates. The Gunners have been strongly linked to Chelsea winger Madueke's direct style of play is said to have caught the eye of Arteta who is determined to challenge for the Premier League title again next season. SunSport understands that Arsenal have made firm contact with Madueke's camp and are pushing to get the deal across the line. 4 Noni Madueke is a man in demand in north London 4 Madueke is with Chelsea at the Club World Cup Credit: Getty Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
