Football News: Review Of The Day 9th May 2018

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Review of the Day

Vale Release 10

League Two's Port Vale have released ten players after finishing a point above safety. Ryan Boot, Joe Slinn, Charlie Walford, Luke Dennis, Harry Middleton, Graham Kelly, Billy Reeves, Anton Forrester, Chris Regis and Kjell Knops are the 10 released though Knops will continue to train at the club.

Cobblers Let Trio Go

Leon Lobjoit, Raheem Hanley and Kevin Luckassen have been released by Northampton Town following their relegation from League One. Goalkeeper David Cornell has signed a new two year deal with the Cobblers. Out of contract defender Aaron Philips, who is injured, has been offered the use of the club's facilities to complete his rehabilitation from a groin injury.

Russia Fined For Racist Chants

With the World Cup in Russia on the horizon, the Russian Football Union has once again been fined (though a ridiculously low amount which tells you how little importance FIFA places on the problem) for racist chants. Their friendly with France in St Petersbury in March, a World Cup venue, was marred by the chants which were clearly heard by photographers when players went to take corners. FIFA decided it was was only worthy of a fine of £22,000, described as pitiful by the chair of Kick It Out. FIFA said: "Following a thorough investigation including the review of video evidence, after analysing all the specific circumstances of the case, in particular the gravity of the incident but also the limited number of fans involved, (Fifa has) decided that the Russian Football Union was liable for a breach of article 58."

Stoke To Undergo Overhaul

The owners of Stoke City have told supporters there will be a major overhaul of the club. The Coates family said: "It is right that supporters will question whether we should have made a managerial change sooner. We will always give people that little bit longer than most to prove themselves and this will continue. However, this does not mean that we always make the correct call and again with hindsight, we perhaps should have made an earlier change. It is absolutely clear that a major overhaul is required. We need to regain our identity and focus and the summer will be spent doing this. Hindsight is a wonderful vantage point, however, it is clear that significant errors were made in the transfer market. Unfortunately the squad became unbalanced and perhaps we lost some of the core values that have served us so well and are so crucial when you have a bad spell."

Moore Wins Manager Of The Month Award

West Bromwich Albion's caretaker boss Darren Moore has shown exactly why he deserved the award for manager of the month in the Premier League as he refused to take the glory on his own, despite the possiblity he will never again have the chance to win it again. Moore chose to take a picture with the entire staff of the club, from admin to players to groundsmen, as the publicity shot for the award saying: "It's been a wonderful joint-effort by everybody here. We've just brought some unity here and it's helped the players put the performances together on the pitch." Despite the Baggies now having had their relegation confirmed by last night's result, Moore has done his chances of another management no harm with his performance as caretaker.

Atletico Hit Out At Barca Over Griezmann Pursuit

Following Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitting on Monday that he had met with Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann's agent earlier this season, Atleti have once more admitted their displeasure with the Catalan side. Barca were reported to FIFA over an alleged illegal approach for Griezmann in December and now Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has said that "we're fed up with Barcelona's attitude". That they have shown an "absolute lack of respect" by "continuously pressuring" the player throughout the season and that he had told Bartomeu a few months ago that his "inappropriate conduct was against the integrity" of La Liga.

Koscielny Set For 6 Month Injury Lay-Off

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny's ruptured Achilles tendon has required surgery which will leave the French international sidelined for 6 months. Arsene Wenger said: "You will not see him until December at best. Koscielny is devastated. People have always inflamed tendons but they don't rupture but in his case it went. I don't know why. The recovery will be full because the advantage of surgery is that it heals the inflammation."

Gomez Misses Out

Koscielny is not the only international defender set to miss out on the World Cup as Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez has gone under the knife for ankle surgery. The 20 year old has been struggling with the injury since March, when he was injured playing for England against Netherlands in a friendly. He is now sidelined for the Champions League final, as well as the World Cup. Gomez said: "Gutted to confirm that my season for both club and country is over having undergone successful ankle surgery. Been a tough few weeks trying everything possible to be available on the pitch to help the team. I'm going to do all I can to get back and be in the best possible shape for pre-season. The focus now is to support the team in the two biggest games of the season."

Bayer Make Signing

Former Bayern Munich youngster Mitchell Weiser will swap Hertha Berlin for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. He has agreed a five year contract, which will seem him there until 2023.

Napoli Move Ruled Out For Leno

The agent of Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has revealed that a move to Napoli has fallen through but the German international has other options for the summer. Uli Ferber said: "I can confirm that there were negotiations with Napoli, which we cancelled. Napoli is not an option. There are more options, we'll get together after the season ends."

Agent Claims Napoli Interest In Iran Winger

AZ Alkmaar's Iranian international winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is being tracked by Napoli according to his agent. His agent, Amir Hashemi, told Radio CRC: "Jahanbakhsh is a right-sided winger, but can play on both flanks and is very good both when attacking and defending. He is extraordinary when taking men on, in dribbling and providing assists, but despite all these characteristics as a winger, he is also a great goal-scorer too. I can't say anything officially, but I know that Napoli are interested and have been tracking him for some time. I heard that two or three Napoli scouts have come to view him play for AZ Alkmaar, but I cannot say more than that right now. Jahanbakhsh is very ambitions and it'll be important for him to know he's important for his new team. Napoli are a great club and many players would be honoured to wear their jersey."

Koulibaly Waiting On Sarri

Kalidou Koulibaly is waiting to see what happens with Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri before he decides on his future. The Senegal international's agent Bruno Satin has said: "It's too early to talk about the future. The lad will play until the end of the season to try and get as many points as possible. Clearly this is a World Cup year, so it's a particular year and we'll have to see how the Sarri issue will end, that could definitely have an impact. Kalidou at Juve? He's at a level where he could play anywhere..." The agent of Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj has also made similar comments re his client. Mario Giuffredi said: "A lot will depend on Sarri, as confirming him on the bench could bring to unexpected developments on the market. We'll see how the situation goes relative to Sarri. I hope the coach will stay, as I consider him one of the best in the world, even with a few defects."

Written by Tris Burke May 09 2018 06:50:28