Football News: Review Of The Day 1st June 2018

Image from: imgflip.com

Review of the Day

Transfers

Notts County have paid what they describe as a "significant undisclosed fee" for striker Kristian Dennis from Chesterfield. They have also picked up free agent Andy Kellett who had also been with the Spireites last season, on loan from Wigan Athletic.

Rochdale have completed the signing of midfielder Stephen Dooley from the Northern Irish Premiership club Coleraine.

Cheltenham Town have lost their captain to local rivals Forest Green Rovers. 25 year old midfielder Carl Winchester has agreed a two year deal to make a free transfer to the vegan club.

Will Wood has signed for Accrington Stanley following his release from Southampton.

Midfielder Josh Wright has left Southend United on a free transfer to join Bradford City on a 2 year deal.

Despite losing their manager, Livingston, newly arrived in the Scottish Premiership, have signed Steven Saunders from Welsh side The New Saints.

Getafe have been busy, releasing former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, while brining in five players. Jaime Mata has come in on a free from Real Vallodolid, Leandro Chichizola was also a free signing, this time from Las Palmas. Their other free signing was Markel Bergara from Real Sociedad. Vitorino Antunes from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv and Mauro Arambarri from Uruguayan side Boston River, have also both been signed.

Roma have completed the free signing of Spanish defender Ivan Marcano from Porto.

Celtic youngster Sam Wardop has moved to Dundee United. The Celtic Academy product has agreed a two year deal.

Southampton are to release Jeremy Pied when his contract expires next month. Injuries have restricted his chances since he arrived in 2016. Romanian central defender Florin Gardos will also leave the Saints.

Thistle Appoint New Chief Exec

Former Partick Thistle player and coach Gerry Britton is taking on his fifth role with the club after being appointed their new chief executive. Britton replaces Ian Maxwell who left to take up the same role with the Scottish FA. Britton told the club's website: "Having been a player, coach, assistant manager, manager and academy director at the club, Partick Thistle means a huge amount to me and has played a massive part in my life. To say I am happy to be taking over as the new chief executive is an understatement. I have always been proud to be part of this club and, even at this testing time, there is nowhere else I would rather be than Firhill."

Hopkin Leaves Livi

After leading Livingston to back-to-back promotions from League One to the SPFL David Hopkin has decided to leave the club, despite being offered a new deal. The 47 year old is now considering his options. Hopkins said: "After a great three and a half seasons at Livingston FC and after much deliberation, I feel it is now time for me to seek a new challenge in football. The players have improved each season and been willing to take on new information and believe in my football philosophy. It gives me great satisfaction when I see a player improve and instilling that winning mentality I have always had as a player and a coach. The team spirit and togetherness created by the players and staff will always be special to me. The squad of players the next manager will inherit will be a strong unit that I am sure will help push the club even further."

Xhaka Suffers Injury Scare

Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka feared his World Cup was over before it began after a clash in training with a team-mate left him suffering suspected knee ligament damage. The Arsenal player was taken to hospital where he was said to be "very relieved" after tests showed he had only suffered bruising and would be fit to start the World Cup. He will, however, miss their friendly with Spain on Sunday.

Ramsey Gets New Contract Offer

Welsh international Aaron Ramsey has been offered a new contract at Arsenal. The Gunners midfielder has just one year left on his current deal and the club are keen to keep him at the club in the long term.

Guerrero Gets World Cup Reprieve

Peru's talismanic captain Paulo Guerrero has been given leave to play in the World Cup, despite being under a current suspension for failing a drugs test. A Swiss tribunal has temporarily lifted his 14 month suspension while they consider his appeal. It is the first time Peru have appeared in a World Cup since 1982.

Lampard Gets Derby Job

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has launched his management career with Championship side Derby County. The 39 year old has replaced Gary Rowett, who left to take over at Stoke City. Lampard said: "The last week has been very quick, a bit of a whirlwind. It sold itself to me as a club and the players were very close to promotion last year. I have had a great year in the media. It's been great because I have had one foot in and one foot out and I needed that after playing. But the pull of management has always been great for me and it was only a matter of time with the right opportunity. This feels right and the rest is up to me. I don't have a management CV and don't proclaim to. I have worked very hard on my coaching over the past 18 months."

Grobs Backs Karius

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar has given his backing to current keeper Loris Karius after his errors handed the Champions League to Real Madrid. Grobbelaar told the BBC: "They gave me two years of second chances, so why can't they give him a second chance after one game? They should keep him in the spotlight from next season. First game back, get him back as soon as possible."

Silva Finally Announced As Everton Boss

After a more than six month wait, Everton have finally been able to announce the appointment of Marco Silva as their manager. The Toffees tried to get him from Watford after Ronald Koeman was sacked, but a messy public spat with the Hornets led to them turning to Sam Allardyce instead. When Allardyce was sacked at the end of the season, they finally went and got their chosen one. Silva said: "I know what our fans expect - they expect results but not only results. I want our fans to be proud when they see our team on the pitch. We want to build a great connection between the squad and the fans, and I'm sure that with our attitude and demands of commitment then our style of play will see that, I believe. Everton is a really ambitious club and that is what I want. What we are seeing now are good changes at the club. The club is changing its approach. But one thing we cannot change and nobody wants to change is the huge history and ambition of the club. Everybody knows Everton's history. When you are a club like Everton, you only have one solution - to aim to win. In football it is impossible to win every match but we must do everything to show in every game that we have ambition. I'm excited and I'm really happy to take this big challenge for us as a club and for me as a manager."

Chelsea Put Hold On Stadium Plans

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has recently been struggling to get his UK visa renewed, amid tensions between the UK and Russia. That has led to repercussions as his football club, Chelsea, have now put their £1bn stadium plans on hold. Chelsea's statement read: "No further pre-construction design and planning work will occur. The club does not have a time frame set for reconsideration of its decision." It also stated that "current unfavourable investment climate" was the reason for the delay.

Whistleblower Claims Russian World Cup Player Is Drugs Cheat

The man who fled to the US in 2016 to reveal all about Russia's doping program, Grigory Rodchenkov, has claimed that one of the footballers chosen for Russia's World Cup squad was on a list of 34 footballers that he had helped cover up positive drugs tests for. Last week FIFA announced it had ended a doping investigation into Russian footballers because of insufficient evidence.

Madrid Shock As Zidane Quits

Real Madrid have been hit by news that boss Zinedine Zidane has quit just days after leading the club to a third successive Champions League title. Zidane said: "I love this club. What I think is that this team needs to continue winning but I think it needs a change, a different voice, another methodology. This is the right moment for all involved - for me, for the squad, for the club."

Hammers Announce New Airline Partner

West Ham United have announced a partnership agreement with an airline called Eva Air. Eva Air are an independent (of what?) Taiwanese airline which offers daily flights to and from London. Clay Sun, Eva Air president, said: "EVA Air is a proud supporter of sports and we are delighted to be partnering with West Ham United. For years we have actively supported and sponsored sports such as golf, tennis, badminton and baseball and this cooperation with the Premier League football club further extends this across our route network."

Written by Tris Burke June 01 2018 06:33:33