Football News: Review Of The Day 1st April 2019

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Review of the Day

Welbeck May Get New Deal

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is considering a new deal for Danny Welbeck, when he recovers from injury (so probably never then). Emery said: "He's progressing very well. He is working and starting to touch the ball and to work on the pitch. His progress with such a big injury is going very well. It's difficult for him to play matches this season but he is progressing very well and maybe the doctor will tell us he can come train with us in the last weeks of this season. After, his individual thing is to speak with the club (about his future). Every (English) team needs English players. Danny has his injury now. He was going with the national team and we were happy for him and the national team. (Promising English players) are now in (Arsenal's) under-18s, under-19s, under-20s and under-21s teams. We have a lot of players with the possibility to grow up with us and be part of our future, and also with the national team." So, in essence, Emery is saying he is English or he would not get a deal.

Taarabt Finally Makes Benfica Debut

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Adel Taarabt has made his first-team debut as a substitute for Benfica against Tondela. Taarabt signed for the Portugese giants in June 2015, after QPR terminated his contract, but has been relegated to the reserves or sent out on loan.

Balogun Looking To Win Starting Spot

Nigerian international Leon Balogun is looking to break into the Brighton & Hove Albion side to earn a spot for his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations in the summer. The 30 year old centre back has made just 7 starts since joining the Seagulls on a free in May 2018 and is one of the few footballers with the decency to sign up for the Common Goal campaign and pledge 1% of his wages to charity. Balogun said: "It's been difficult but that's the manager's call, I've just got to get on with it and hope for a chance. I really hope to play a significant role in my first Nations Cup for Nigeria, but firstly I want to keep working hard to make a strong case for regular games at Brighton. It's very frustrating not to be involved but you can only keep your head up by focusing on helping the club when called upon. What is important is to always put myself in the right place as usual. If I am needed anytime to start a game or come in, I'll be ready for that, it's all I can do."

Checkatrade Trophy Draws Record Crowd

The Checkatrade Trophy final, played between Portsmouth and Sunderland at Wembley on Sunday, has created a new record for the tournament. 85021 people trekked to the game to see Pompey lift the cup with a 5-4 win on penalties.

Colin Calls Officials Worst In The World

Neil Warnock has described Premier League officials as the "worst in the world" after they failed to spot an obvious offside on Chelsea's equaliser against his Cardiff City side. Cesar Azpilicueta was clearly offside when he headed the goal but the linesman had managed to get his view completely blocked by the corner taker. Warnock said: "The biggest and best league in the world but probably the worst officials at the minute. What can I say about my lads? They were brilliant and it made for a great game. It kicks you in the teeth. We've had enough of them this year. I am deflated because we have worked hard for this game and felt we could win it. Against the big teams, you have to have VAR because you don't get the big decisions. The equalising goal is the winning goal really, and if you can't see across the line and see offside I don't know why we are in the game."

Zizou And Pogba Flirt

Zinedine Zidane has started on Real Madrid's usual tapping up via the media of Paul Pogba, after the French midfielder fluttered his eyelashes in Madrid's direction while on international duty last week. Pogba had described Madrid as "a dream club for every player" when asked about interest in signing him. Now Zidane has responded in kind with the offer of a date, saying: "I know him personally. He brings so much and there are few players who bring as much as he does. He's a midfielder who knows how to defend and how to attack. But he is not my player, he is at Manchester. He has always said that, after Manchester, Madrid has always interested him. So when his experience at Manchester ends, why not come here to Madrid?"

Rennes Fined

Rennes have been fined 44,000 euros for pitch invasions, setting off fireworks and blocked stairways in their match against Arsenal in the Europa League.

Admitted Man Utd Fan Causes Internet Storm By Liking United Social Media Post

The internet went wild with speculation after Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier liked an Instabook post by Manchester United's official social media account. Apparently that means he will sign for Man Utd in the summer. Not so sure what can be read into him asking the internet for a streaming link to watch the Checkatrade Trophy final though. Perhaps it is a toss up between United and Sunderland? And someone who looks mildly like Adrien Rabiot was spotted wearing a PSG baseball cap at the Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur game, so he must be set to sign for one of them? Though, as Rabiot has said he is a Liverpool fan in the past and no one but a PSG employee would surely be sad enough to wear a PSG cap, it is possible he was just there to watch the game on his time off. Unlikely though, as we have yet to hear any kind of official condemnation or blame from the club directed at him, when anything else he does immediately draws lots of bile from the fashion brand's HQ.

Written by Tris Burke April 01 2019 06:46:01