## **115 goals for Portugal - Which country has Cristiano Ronaldo scored the most goals against?**


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#### The Portuguese superstar scored his 10th international hat-trick against Luxembourg...

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 5-0 in a 2022 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday at the Estádio Algarve in Portugal.

This was Ronaldo's 10th international hat-trick which helped increase his goalscoring tally to a record 115 goals in international football for Portugal in 182 matches.

With the three points against Luxembourg, Portugal remained at the second position in Group A with 16 points from six matches. Serbia are currently topping the group with 17 points from seven matches.

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#### **Which country has Ronaldo scored the most goals against?**

Ronaldo has scored against 45 countries in his career. The country against whom Ronaldo has scored the most goals against Is Luxembourg, eight goals.


The next two countries on this list are Lithuania and Sweden, against whom Ronaldo has seven goals each. Here is a detailed breakdown of Ronaldo's goals.



115 goals for Portugal - Which country has Cristiano Ronaldo scored the most goals against?

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Cr7 breaking and setting new records

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#### **The Germany international netted a match-winning effort in an all-Premier League encounter, but his nerve held when presented with a golden chance**

Kai Havertz has admitted that he feared becoming a meme when presented with an open goal in Chelsea’s Champions League final clash with Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The Germany international was able to hold his nerve in a European showpiece, with a match-winning effort recorded in the 42nd minute of a heavyweight continental clash.

Havertz did, however, have a few scary thoughts going through his head after bundling the ball beyond City goalkeeper Ederson, with the 22-year-old treading a fine line between hero and villain.

Quizzed by Chelsea’s official website on whether he experienced a few nerves when seeing the goal gaping against City, Havertz said: “Yeah, 100 per cent.

“These moments, they are always the worst, because you think if I miss this one then of course you are on YouTube, on Instagram and in every meme, so I was just thinking: ‘Please, I have to score now’.

“Then, of course, it happened and then these are the best moments in football.”




The Germany international netted a match-winning effort in an all-Premier League encounter, but his nerve held when presented with a golden chance



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Havertz feared becoming open goal meme in Champions League final as he helped Chelsea down Man City.

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#### **Chelsea secured their second title after beating Manchester City in May 2021, but who has won the competition the most times?**

Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 in an all-English Champions League final in the 2020-21 season, and both sides are contenders for the trophy once again now that the 2021-22 competition is underway.

A first-half goal from Kai Havertz was enough for the Blues to see off the reigning Premier League champions, whose wait for their first-ever continental crown was extended for another year.

Chelsea now boast two Champions Leagues in their trophy cabinet, but which clubs have won it the most in the history of football? Goal takes a look.

#### **Who has won the Champions League & European Cup the most times?**

Real Madrid have won 13 European Cups and Champions Leagues, winning their first in 1956 and their most recent in 2018. 

AC Milan are second in the list with seven victories, while Bayern Munich and Liverpool both have six and Barcelona have five to their name.

A total of 22 teams have won the competition since its inception in the 1955-56 season.

Listed: Every Champions League winner & the teams that have won the trophy the most times in history

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#### **The halftimers takes a look at what doping entails, how severe of a problem it is within the sport and the punishment footballers can face**

Cases of doping are infrequently reported or discovered in association football, unlike other sports such as cycling and athletics that have been rocked by major scandals over the years.

There have only been a handful of high-profile cases involving players who have been alleged to use illegal substances for doping purposes.

But what exactly is doping in football, how prominent is it within the sport and how is it different from recreational drug activity? How severe is the punishment for players who have been found guilty of consumption of performance-enhancing materials? Thehalftimers takes a look.

#### **What is doping in football, and what are its effects?t**

Doping is the consumption of performance-enhancing materials and banned substances that are designed to improve sporting performance.

In football, that could mean increased stamina or strength. A player who is doping may have the edge in extra time, or be able to increase their sprint speed for crucial matches thanks to their use.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defines doping as "the intentional or unintentional use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods on the current doping list".

Since 2004, the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) definition in the World Anti-Doping Code has been accepted as the international standard.

#### **Doping has been banned in sport by FIFA**

Athletes who consume banned stimulants are risking their emotional, mental and physical health with long-lasting damage. Several doping substances not only negatively impact the physicality of the athlete, but can also impair the mental state of the player – with side-effects including anxiety, hallucinations and psychosis.

Many athletes will feel under considerable pressure to constantly perform at the highest levels – both by themselves and their peers – and, as shown by cases across sports, some will be tempted to resort to doping to enhance their chances of winning. Young athletes at the start of their career are especially prone to this pressure.

Athletes who have suffered substantial injuries will be tempted to dope in the hopes of accelerating their healing process. Doping testing out of competition - when an athlete is injured and not training - is a challenge for some sports.

Ignorance, peer pressure and a lack of insight about the negative effects of doping leads to some athletes taking substances that they don't know are banned. They may not be aware that the substances that they have chosen to take are forbidden, leading to positive doping tests through wrong diet or food supplements, but ignorance often doesn't prevent lengthy bans.

The halftimers takes a look at what doping entails, how severe of a problem it is within the sport and the punishment footballers can face

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Doping in football: What is it, why do players do it & famous allegations

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#### **With Qatar qualifying for World Cup 2022 automatically as hosts, here is the full list of teams who are confirmed to be joining them in the tournament**

The road to World Cup 2022 is well and truly under way, with the qualification stages hotting up ahead of the tournament proper which takes place in December of next year.

And as the map to the finals continues, the identities of the teams participating in the tournament is steadily getting clearer.

Goal has what you need to know about which teams have qualified for World Cup 2022 so far, and this page will continue to be updated as the qualification stages take place.

#### **What teams have qualified for the World Cup 2022?**

**Qatar** became the first nation to qualify for the 2022 World Cup automatically as hosts when they won the bid to host the tournament. It is their first appearance in the competition, never having qualified for the finals in the history of the World Cup.

**Germany** were the second team to qualify for the tournament after defeating North Macedonia in October 2021 and topping Group J.

**Denmark** also qualified in October after their 1-0 victory over Austria, cementing their status as Group F winners.

#### **How many teams from each association can qualify for World Cup 2022?**

**AFC** (Asia) have an allocation of four or five teams* competing in the World Cup finals.

**CAF** (Africa) are allocated five teams, with **CONCACAF** (North, Central America and Caribbean) having three or four.

**CONEMBOL** (South America) have four or five teams competing.

**UEFA** (Europe) have the most teams able to qualify, with 13 spots.

**OFC** (Oceania) have zero or one spot.**bold text**

*Inter-confederation play-offs are contested at the end of the qualification phase to determine how many teams from each confederation will end up competing in the 2022 finals.

A total of 32 teams will be participating in the tournament.

#### **What dates are World Cup 2022?**
World Cup 2022 is set to take place in Qatar from November 21, 2022–December 18, 2022.

With Qatar qualifying for World Cup 2022 automatically as hosts, here is the full list of teams who are confirmed to be joining them in the tournament

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World Cup 2022: Which teams have qualified for Qatar finals?

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#### **The Brazilian winger emerged on the radar of the Reds after an impressive debut season at Elland Road**

Liverpool expressed an interest in signing Raphinha during the summer transfer window, the Leeds United winger's agent Deco has confirmed.

Raphinha completed a £17 million ($23m) move to Leeds from Rennes in October 2020, and quickly proved to be a bargain buy as he nailed down a regular spot in Marcelo Bielsa's starting XI.

The Brazilian's stellar performances helped the Whites secure a ninth-place Premier League finish in their first season back in the top-flight, with the winger attracting attention from a number of top clubs in the process.

#### **What's been said?**

Raphinha is represented by former Barcelona and Chelsea star Deco, who has now revealed that Liverpool were among those to make an approach for the Leeds talisman in the summer.

"Raphinha has become an important player in the Premier League, the club knows he has grown and things will happen naturally," Deco has told Globo Esporte.

"He's young, he has many challenges ahead, there are certainly several clubs that like him, and Liverpool do like him, there were approaches, but nothing official. 

"Leeds wanted to keep him for another season."

Could Raphinha leave Leeds in 2022?
Raphinha is contracted to remain at Elland Road until 2024, but it has been suggested that he could move on to pastures new next year if he continues on his current trajectory.

Deco admits that the Brazil international is on course to outgrow Leeds, and says that they will be open to selling a prized asset if they receive a lucrative offer at some point in the near future.

"Raphinha is happy at Leeds and for sure the time will come to take the biggest leap in her career, to take a step forward," Raphinha's agent added. "He has three more years of contract, but it is not the contract that defines the length of stay or prevents transfer. 

"Leeds is aware, they will want to make an important sale, and Raphinha will end up growing in his career."

Article continues below

How has Raphinha performed so far this season?
Raphinha has appeared in all seven of Leeds' Premier League games at the start of the 2021-22 campaign, scoring three goals.

He has also earned a place in Brazil's national team set-up, and recorded two assists during their 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela last week.


The Brazilian winger emerged on the radar of the Reds after an impressive debut season at Elland Road

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Liverpool expressed interest in Raphinha during summer transfer window,

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#### **The Brazilian youngster has made just two Premier League appearances this season, but his manager’s says he is still part of his long-term plans**

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has no intention of sending Gabriel Martinelli on loan in the January transfer window, with the Brazilian part of his plans despite a lack of game time this season.

The 20-year-old forward has played just 150 minutes of Premier League football across two games in 2021-22, while making just four appearances in total.

Three of those came in August, with the South American failing to feature at all since being replaced in the second half of the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon on September 22.

#### **What has been said?**

Asked to explain why the South American, who scored 10 goals in his debut campaign with the Gunners before suffering injuries last season, is not featuring more prominently, Arteta told reporters: “Because of the amount of players that we have in those positions, first of all.

“He had some games that he played, he started against Brentford and he started against Chelsea as well.

“Unfortunately he got injured last week, it is a minor injury but we don't know if he is going to be available for Monday but we have a lot of trust with Gabby and we need to find the right space for him to grow within the squad.

“If you look at the number of games that he's played obviously the injuries that he suffered have been big setbacks on that with him.

“We sometimes forget his age, what he's done and where he is and we need to try to help him as well to maintain that balance because you can generate frustration that comes out of, in my opinion, an unrealistic diagnosis and you need time to do that.”

#### **Does Martinelli need a move?**
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Martinelli looked destined for the top when adjusting to life in England during the 2019-20 campaign, but he has gone off the boil since.

Fitness setbacks have done his cause few favours while he is competing with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe for attacking places in Arteta’s side.

However, Arsenal have no plans of allowing a hot prospect to head out of Emirates Stadium in the new year. Quizzed on whether loan approaches would be listened to, Arteta said: “No, I'm very happy with him and we aren't thinking about anything like that.”

Arsenal, with Martinelli nursing another knock, will return to Premier League action on Monday when they host Crystal Palace, who are managed by former Gunners star Patrick Vieira.

Arteta explains Martinelli transfer plan as Arsenal forward struggles for game time

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Arteta martinelli transfer plan arsenal game time

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#### **The teenager has committed his long-term future to the Liga giants, with the Blaugrana moving to ensure any future interest is fended off**

Pedri has committed to a new contract at Barcelona, with the 18-year-old agreeing fresh terms at Camp Nou through to the summer of 2026 - plus a release clause of €1 billion.

Goal were able to confirm on Wednesday that talks with the teenager had been stepped up in a bid to get an agreement over the line.

That has now been done, with the Liga giants retaining the services of such a hot prospect for the next five years.

#### **What has been said?**

A statement confirming the deal on Barca’s official website reads: “FC Barcelona and the player, Pedro Gonzalez 'Pedri',have agreed a contract extension to 30 June 2026. The release clause is set at €1 billon.

“The new contract ties down the player from the Canary Islands for the rest of this season and a further four years.”

#### **Why has Pedri been handed a new contract?**

Barcelona only snapped Pedri up from Las Palmas in the summer of 2020, with an initial €5 million all that was required.

The highly-rated youngster hit the ground running at Camp Nou and made 52 appearances during his debut campaign. Four goals were scored, while senior international recognition with Spain came his way in March.

Pedri was then included in Luis Enrique’s squad for Euro 2020 and landed the Young Player of the Tournament prize.

Spain were then helped to the gold medal match at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, but a 2-1 defeat was suffered to Brazil in Pedri’s 74th game of 2020-21.

With his stock soaring, transfer talk began to materialise with German giants Bayern Munich among those to be credited with interest.

Barca had no intention of parting with another prized asset after being forced to watch six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi depart the club.

They have put fresh terms in place, with Pedri’s release clause raised to over €1 billion (£846m/$1.16bn) in a bid to fend off admirers.

The teenager has committed his long-term future to the Liga giants, with the Blaugrana moving to ensure any future interest is fended off

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Pedri pens new Barcelona contract until 2026 with €1 billion release clause

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**The deal will make the ex-academy star one of the best-paid young players in world football**

Phil Foden has agreed a new six-year contract that will keep him at Manchester City until 2027, Goal understands.

The 21-year-old has three years left on his current deal, but has been rewarded with a significant new contract to reflect his status as a crucial player under Pep Guardiola and for the club's future.

City are expected to announce the deal in the coming days with Foden back at the club's Etihad Campus after appearing in England's two World Cup qualifiers during the international break.

#### **What's been said?**

Stockport-born Foden has been a lifelong City fan, having joined the club as a six-year-old and has suggested he could not imagine joining another club.

"I can only see myself playing for Manchester City, considering how much I've supported them from a young age," he said earlier this year.

"It always helps when you play for a club you support."

#### **The bigger picture**

Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration for Foden ever since his first start in a pre-season friendly in Houston against Manchester United in 2017.

But Foden has had to be patient for his opportunities with the City boss believing he would gain more experience from being around the first team and learning from Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva rather than going out on loan.

He has now made 130 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 33 goals, and has already won three Premier League winner's medals as well as making a start in a Champions League final.

Foden's growing impact was further underlined last week when he was named on the 30-man shortlist for the men’s Ballon d’Or alongside De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez.

His early start to the season was disrupted by a foot injury that he picked up helping England to the final of Euro 2020 in the summer.

But he is set to be a key part of Guardiola's plans this season with his flexibility meaning he can play as a left winger, a No.10 or as a false nine as he did in the impressive victory away to Chelsea in September.

The deal will make the ex-academy star one of the best-paid young players in world football

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Manchester City star Foden set to sign six-year contract extension

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**The former Citizens midfielder was stunned to see the Catalan coach name a line-up for the showpiece game without a holding midfielder**

Former Manchester City star Dietmar Hamann says Pep Guardiola has to shoulder a large portion of blame for the club’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.

Man City, who have invested heavily in pursuit of an elusive European crown, came within touching distance in 2020-21 only to suffer a 1-0 defeat to domestic rivals in Porto.

Kai Havertz got the only goal of the game, but Hamann says it was “madness” for City to line up without a specialist player in the holding midfield role.

####** What has been said?**

Hamann told Goal and SPOX: "In the final, Thomas Tuchel benefited from the madness that Pep Guardiola produced without playing a defensive midfielder, but in the league they were 25 points behind City last season and they recently gave them a lesson."

#### **Who lined up for Man City?**

Guardiola has at least two defensive midfielders on his books at Etihad Stadium, but Fernandinho and Rodri were both named on the bench against Chelsea.

Ilkay Gundogan was charged with controlling proceedings in the middle of the park, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva alongside him.

That tactical approach did not pay off, but Guardiola has not made too many mistakes over the course of his coaching career.

He gained some revenge during the trip to Stamford Bridge on September 25, with a Gabriel Jesus effort enough to land City three Premier League points in west London.

####** Can Man City defend their Premier League title?**

While Guardiola’s men missed out on Champions League glory last season, they did recapture the Premier League title. They are among the favourites to defend that crown in 2021-22, but Liverpool appear to be back in the mix after an injury-ravaged campaign last time out.

City and the Reds played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield prior to the international break, and Hamann expects one of his former clubs to emerge victorious come May.

The ex-Germany international said: “You saw at 2-2 in the last match that Liverpool and Man City are the best teams in England. So I would be surprised if one of the two teams doesn't become champions. My heart beats for Liverpool, because that's where I've spent the longest and most successful time in England.”



The former Citizens midfielder was stunned to see the Catalan coach name a line-up for the showpiece game without a holding midfielder

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Guardiola slammed for madness Champions League decision

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#### **The England international has opened the door to a move amid a lack of regular minutes at Etihad Stadium**

Raheem Sterling has admitted he's "open" to a transfer away from Manchester City while also revealing that he'd "love to play abroad".

Sterling has spent the last six years of his career on City's books, having initially been snapped up from Liverpool for £50 million ($68m) back in the summer of 2015.

The talented winger has helped Pep Guardiola's side win three Premier League titles among a whole host of other domestic trophies, but has gradually fallen down the squad pecking order this year, and is now pondering his future ahead of the January transfer window.


##### **What's been said?**

Sterling said during an interview at the Financial Times Business of Sport US summit in New York: "If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it. As I said football is the most important thing to me. 

"Challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well. As an English player all I know is the Premier League and I’ve always thought, you know, maybe one day I’d love to play abroad. See how I would come up against that challenge."

Asked how he has dealt with a lack of regular minutes at Etihad Stadium in recent months, the 26-year-old added: "I’m not a person that’s going to complain. I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is. I get on with my work. Do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go. Playing football matches regularly. Scoring goals regularly. 

"From a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life. When I play football that is where I get my happiness from. And, of course, with family as well but football for me has a special place in my heart.

"With everything that comes with football, money, being able to do nice things … at the end of the day, if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not really at my happiest. If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself."

##### **Sterling's recent struggles at City**

Sterling was once a fixture in Guardiola's starting XI, but has only made his line-up in 16 of City's last 33 matches across all competitions - a sequence that dates back to February.

Indeed, seven of the England international's 10 appearances for the Premier League champions this season have come from the bench, and he has only managed to contribute one goal and one assist.

##### **Who has been linked with Sterling?**

Sterling is unlikely to be short on options if he does decide to move on when the transfer window reopens, with the former Liverpool starlet already a proven player on the elite stage at both club and international level.

Spanish giants Barcelona have been credited with an interest in Sterling recently, but will reportedly only be able to afford a loan deal due to their current financial problems, and Real Madrid has also been touted as a possible next destination for the City attacker.

Sterling could also be given another opportunity in the Premier League amid links with Arsenal and Newcastle - the latter of whom have just been given a major cash injection following a £300m ($410m) Saudi-backed takeover.

Sterling admits he's 'open' to transfer away from Man City & reveals he'd 'love to play abroad'

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Sterling admits he is open to move away from manchester city

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#### Former Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero has finally found a new club after signing for Serie A side Venezia on a free transfer.

Romero had been without a club since being released by United at the start of June, having not been offered the chance to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

The 34-year-old fell way down the pecking order at Old Trafford towards the end of his six-year spell in Manchester, but could now get the chance to take in regular minutes with Serie A side Venezia.

#### **What's been said?**

The Italian side have confirmed Romero's arrival in an official statement, which reads: "Venezia FC is pleased to announce the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 34, on a free transfer.

"Welcome, Sergio."


#### **Romero's career journey**

Romero began his career in Argentina with Racing Club back in 2016, and spent one year on their books before joining AZ Alkmaar.

The shot-stopper became an Eredivisie winner on his way to making over 100 appearances for AZ, attracting attention from Sampdoria in the process.

The Italian side snapped him up for €2.1 million in 2011 and he established himself among the most consistent keepers in Serie A before leaving the club in 2015, with United then snapping him up on a free transfer.

Romero went on to make 61 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, winning FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup honours, but never managed to establish himself as a regular between the sticks ahead of No.1 David de Gea.

#### **When could Romero make his Venezia debut?**

Romero hasn't played a competitive game since featuring for United in a Europa League quarter-final clash with Copenhagen in August 2020, but could make his long-awaited return to action when Venezia resume their Serie A campaign next week.

Paolo Zanetti's side are due to face Fiorentina on Monday, but it remains to be seen whether he will start ahead of the club's current first-choice keeper Niki Maenpaa.



The Argentine shot-stopper has taken up a new challenge in Italy after a long search for new employers over the summer

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Ex-Man Utd goalkeeper Romero finally finds new club as he joins Serie A side Venezia

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#### Albert Botines, CEO of Goal Management, talks exclusively to Halftimers about how he secured his client a move to Betis before the transfer window closed

From the moment the 2020-21 season came to an end, Hector Bellerin knew the time had come for a change of scenery.

After more than a decade in England with Arsenal, he wanted to try something new. Arsenal were aware of his wishes and were not going to stand in his way providing a deal could be found. 

So, it was down to Bellerin’s agent to find his client a move.

And for Albert Botines, who is the CEO of Goal Management and has represented the right-back since he was just 14, that was a task he was determined to get right.

It was far from easy, with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic complicating the market and Bellerin’s high wages proving problematic for interested clubs across Europe.

However, with just hours of the window remaining, a season-long loan move to Real Betis was agreed.

For Bellerin, it meant a return to Spain 10 years after leaving Barcelona as a teenager and, for his father, a boyhood Betis fan, it meant the realisation of a lifelong dream.

Now, nearly six weeks after finalising the move for Bellerin, Botines speaks exclusively to Goal about what went on during the summer and why the defender wanted to try something new.

“After 10 years, Hector had in his mind that it was the right time to change,” Botines said. “But it wasn’t only about Arsenal, it was also about the Premier League, about the country, about everything.

“He moved when he was 16 from Barca to Arsenal, from Spain to England. During the Covid-19 time without his family, he was so alone in north London. Only training, then going home. He had more time to think about it and he thought this was the right time to move on.”

Bellerin’s desire to find a new club during the summer was not a secret. It was widely expected that he would leave and that Arsenal were prioritising finding a new right-back for the 2021-22 campaign.


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Botines spent the summer looking at options across Europe. There was interest from clubs in France but Bellerin’s preference was to either go home or try his luck in Serie A.

“He was more focused on going to Italy or Spain because he felt like it was the right time to go to those leagues,” Botines explained. “There were many opportunities during the market.

"Sometimes, it seemed like something could get agreed, but then it changed. It was a really long market.”

As the window edged towards a conclusion, Bellerin was still at Arsenal and he was an unused substitute during the defeat at Brentford on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

But attempts to find him a move away were intensifying behind scenes, with Inter a potential destination.

The Italian champions held talks with Arsenal over a possible deal for the 26-year-old before ultimately deciding to move for Dutch international Denzel Dumfries.

With Inter out of the running, discussions were continuing over a move to La Liga, with Barcelona and Real Betis the two main contenders.

Both were appealing options for the defender and it looked for a time that a return to Camp Nou was on the cards.

Arsenal went as far as making an offer for Emerson Royal, which involved Bellerin going the other way, but a larger offer from Tottenham ultimately saw the 22-year-old Brazilian right-back move to the opposite end of north London.



'It wasn’t only about Arsenal' - The inside story of Bellerin's Gunners exit

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The inside story of Bellerin Gunners exit

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#### Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly one of the most consistent players in the Premier League at the moment but his first stint in the Premier League was not a rosy one. 

He came to England in January 2014 as a Chelsea player but after only a year with the Blues, the Egytian attacker was loaned out to Fiorentina in February 2015. In the 2015/16 season, Salah once again plied his trade in the Serie A with AS Roma on loan from Chelsea. In 2016, he was permanently off-loaded to the Giallorossi.

But a season later, Salah returned to the Premier League, this time joining Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, thus becoming the first Egyptian player to don the club's famous red jersey. He made his Premier League debut for the Reds on August 12 against Watford.

Salah found the back of the net in his debut match as Liverpool were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by The Hornets.

Here, we take a look at the players who played alongside Salah in his Premier League debut for Liverpool and where are they now?

Mohamed Salah's Premier League debut for Liverpool - Who were his teammates and where are they now?

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Mohamed Salah's Premier League debut for Liverpool

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#### A Champions League winner at Stamford Bridge has been likened to an illustrious countryman, but he still has much to prove at the highest level

Kai Havertz is not in the Michael Ballack mould just yet, says Robert Huth, but a Champions League-winning star at Chelsea has been told that he can hit those heights if he becomes “Mr Consistent”.

Comparisons between Germany international playmakers of past and present have been drawn ever since a suitable heir to Ballack’s crown burst onto the scene at Bayer Leverkusen.

Havertz has bettered the efforts of an illustrious countryman in elite European competition, scoring the decisive goal for Chelsea in the 2021 showpiece, but he is still working on becoming the reliable source of end product that the former Leverkusen and Chelsea star once was.


#### What has been said?

Ex-Blues defender Huth, speaking in association with BonusCodeBets, told Goal: “The comparison between Kai Havertz and Michael Ballack is rife both in England and Germany!

“Michael Ballack had success with Chelsea but didn’t quite manage to get over the line with a Champions League win, which obviously Kai Havertz has done.

“However, he’s very young and has 10 years at the top to show his worth. But I don’t like comparing players as everyone’s an individual and has their own talent.

“Ballack was Mr Consistent throughout his career as a pro and turned up in big games and scored lots of goals. But Kai is at the start of his career and I’m sure he’ll be looking to improve on that.”

#### Where can Havertz improve?

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Chelsea invested £70 million ($96m) in Havertz when luring him away from Leverkusen in the summer of 2020.

He made a slow start to his time in England, but ended his debut campaign with nine goals and six assists – including a memorable effort to seal Champions League glory.

Consistency is proving to be elusive again this season, but Havertz is only 22 years of age and time remains on his side when it comes to fine-tuning the faults that still exist in his game.

Asked about where the youngster needs to improve, Huth said: “Consistency is what Kai Havertz will be looking for.

“He’s had some good games for Chelsea and some games where he’s struggled, which is normal. But now he’s in his second year, he knows the physicality of the league and the pace of the game and fans being back in the stadiums will have a massive effect on the pace of the game.

“For someone with his talent and pace and his ability, he has to score goals. It’s nothing to worry about, it’s clearly a long-term project for Chelsea after spending so much money on him.”

Chelsea will be back in action on Saturday when they make a short trip to neighbours Brentford looking to cement a standing at the top of the Premier League table.

A Champions League winner at Stamford Bridge has been likened to an illustrious countryman, but he still has much to prove at the highest level

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Havertz told how to justify Ballack comparisons by former Chelsea and Germany defender Huth

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#### The Gunners legend has put space between him and the failed attempt to buy out Stan Kroenke's ownership of the club earlier this year

Patrick Vieira has distanced himself from Arsenal's prospective takeover bid by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, stating that he is "in a different position" after being appointed as Crystal Palace manager.

The Gunners legend will face his old club for the first time since his return to the Premier League to take the reins of their London rivals on Monday, after a solid start to life at Selhurst Park.

Before his arrival at the Eagles, though, the Frenchman was a strong supporter of Swedish billionaire Ek's move to buy his old side - but now he feels that current owner Stan Kroenke will not sell.

#### What has been said?

"I was just expressing myself as Patrick, ex-Arsenal football player," Vieira stated when asked about his previous support. "That comment was based on how the direction (of the club) was going.

"I was talking to somebody who had a different view and a different way of taking (forward) Arsenal. I am in a different position than a couple of months ago. So I'm not going to express myself in the same way than when I was just an ex-Arsenal football player.

"​When you were looking at the situation at the time it was clear that the Kroenke family was making the statement that the club is not for sale. Then I think everything was over. You can't buy a football club if it is not for sale."

#### What happened with the takeover bid?

Alongside fellow club legends Thierry Henry and Denis Bergkamp, Vieira offered his support to Ek's bid in the wake of Arsenal's failed involvement in the European Super League.

Yet Kroenke, who also owns NFL franchise the Los Angeles Rams among other sporting teams, has remained adamant that he would not part ways with the Gunners.

Last month, Henry assured supporters that Ek remained committed to the project of purchasing the club, however, suggesting that a long-running saga may be in store for fans.

The bigger picture
While the saga of Arsenal's off-field future rumbles on, Vieira will hope to hand them a blow on it when his Palace side make the trip to the Emirates Stadium next.

With both sides returning to action from the international break, the Gunners will be wary of a slip-up against the Eagles, having now gone five games unbeaten across all competitions following a rough start to the season.

Palace, meanwhile, know that a win would see them match Arsenal in the table and move ahead of them on goal difference, as they look to rule themselves out of any relegation dogfight early in the course of the campaign.



The Gunners legend has put space between him and the failed attempt to buy out Stan Kroenke's ownership of the club earlier this year

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Vieira distances himself from possible Arsenal takeover bid by Spotify founder Ek

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#### The current manager says this isn't the first time he's disagreed with his former coach, but he isn't concerned

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he's "relaxed" about Sir Alex Ferguson's recent criticism of his lineup decisions, adding that it isn't the first time he's disagreed with his former manager.

Ferguson was caught criticising Solskjaer during a conversation with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, saying that the Manchester United manager should not have rested Cristiano Ronaldo in the club's 1-1 draw with Everton.

Solskjaer, though, has taken the criticism in stride, reiterating that Ronaldo is a player that will occasionally need rest to be at his best.

The current manager says this isn't the first time he's disagreed with his former coach, but he isn't concerned

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