Football News: Review Of The Day 13th January 2019

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Review of the Day

Transfers

Ligue 1's Montpellier have signed left-back Mihailo Ristic from FK Krasnodar of the Russian Premier Liga.

Young Brazilian forward Felipe Vizeu has been loaned to Gremio from Udinese.

AS Monaco continue their panic buying (or should that be signing?) spree under Thierry Henry with the loan signing of midfielder William Vainqueur from Antalyaspor.

Young Inter Milan midfielder Andrea Palazzi has moved on loan to Monza.

Contracts

Veteran former Arsenal midfielder Aleksandr Hleb has extended his contract with BATE Borisov until the end of the year. The 37 year old Belarussian, who has played for the likes of Stuttgart, Wolfsburg and Barcelona in the past, as well as Birmingham City, joined Borisov in March last year after being released by Russian club KS Samara in the summer of 2017.

Chilean midfielder Erick Pulgar has signed a new contract with Serie A side Bologna. His new deal runs until 2022.

Mauritania coach Corentin Martins has been given a 2 year contract extension after being the first man to lead the country into the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The 49 year old took charge back in 2014 and is now contracted until 2021.

Bielsa To Be Reminded Of Leeds' 'Moral Code'

Despite actually breaking no rules and no one getting hurt, Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has faced a storm of negative publicity and faux moral outrage from pundits who made a career out of cheating, such as Martin Keown. Keown, who was nicknamed 'The Rash' due to his pulling of shirts, rugby tackling and other tactics that do break the laws of the game, has, as usual in UK media, jumped on the foreigner as a target. Bielsa, who freely admitted he sent a member of staff to watch Derby County's training session, is now to be "reminded of the integrity and honesty" of Leeds United, who have "formally apologised" for the non-incident, which has somehow become big news. Apparently it is ok to ask your players to dive, time-waste and other methods of cheating that actually break laws of the game, but this is out of order! Storm in a tea cup much?

Rafa Has Rejected Other Clubs

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that he has rejected a number of other clubs, despite Newcastle's struggles and lack of spending power. Benitez said: "I had teams, agents, talking with more money than here. The reality is we have to compete in a division when we cannot compete against Bournemouth, who are spending money." Newcastle's defeat to Chelsea yesterday saw them drop into the relegation zone with little hope of current owner Mike Ashley spending money on them while he is pretending to sell the club.

Killie Consider Dumping Plastic Pitch

SPFL side Kilmarnock are to consider reverting to a proper grass pitch from their current artificial one. Opposing clubs constantly complain about the surface, which reacts differently from grass, with even the ball bouncing slightly differently. There have also been complaints about the pitch causing injuries, which Killie boss Steve Clarke has dismissed. Now the club are investigating the financial feasibility of replacing a pitch which brings in revenue.

Written by Tris Burke January 13 2019 06:05:47