Football News: Berahino A Baggies Disappointment And Nine Other Stories
Image from: walesonline.co.uk
1. Olyroos suffer another setback
Football Federation Australia have been hit with yet another withdrawal from their potential list of players to choose for the Olympic qualifiers. Following last week's disappointment, when Liverpool's young left back Brad Smith was blocked from inclusion in their squad, they have now lost another Europe based player, as Roda JC have blocked attacking midfielder Daniel De Silva from being picked. The qualification tournament is set to take place next month in Qatar, and coach Aurelio Vidmar has chosen Sydney FC's Brandon O'Neill to replace him.
2. Canaries complete Jarvis signing
Matt Jarvis has been on loan at Norwich City this season from West Ham United, but the two clubs have now agreed to make the deal permanent. The 29 year old winger will sign a three and a half year contract on 2nd January when the transfer window opens. The fee that Norwich are paying is undisclosed, though it is believed that the Hammers will have to take a big loss on the amount they paid to get Jarvis from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012.
3. Santos hit out at Barcelona once again over Neymar Jr move
Neymar Jr made a big money move to the Spanish champions from Brazilian club Santos back in 2012, but the move has been mired in controversy ever since. Added to a tax payment controversy with the Spanish government, Barcelona have also been disputing the payments with Santos in a long running saga. The latest argument has started over a 2m Euro payment that Santos claim was owed to them after Neymar was included on the Ballon d'Or shortlist. Barca are refusing to make the payment, according to Santos, due to the complaint Santos made to FIFA over the transfer.
4. Collins gets new Hammers deal
Wales international defender James Collins has signed a new two year deal with West Ham United. The big centre back, known as 'Ginge' despite losing the red hair that gave him the nickname, is now contracted to the Hammers until 2018, after impressing Slaven Bilic in the first half of the season. Collins is in his second spell at the club, and the 32 year old admitted he feared he would have to leave again until the contract extension was agreed. "I'm obviously delighted to sign, as it was worrying me a bit that I'd have to leave again!" he told the official West Ham site. "To be signing for another two years, I can't explain how happy I am to be part of a Club that is moving forward and getting bigger and bigger, so to be part of that is unbelievable. I try to be professional, as I've been in teams where players make a negative effect when they're not playing, so I am just proud to be part of such an amazing Club. I'm happy coming in every morning, whether I'm playing or not playing, and I train hard and try to keep myself fit. Like I said, to be part of such a big club for such a long time, I'm a very lucky boy. To sign for another two years is something that, to be honest, looked doubtful at the start of the season, so I got my head down and trained hard and tried to show what I could do."
5. Napoli agree Jorginho deal
In an attempt to ward off interest in the Brazilian midfielder Jorginho, Napoli have handed him a new contract, tying him to the club until 2020. The 24 year old had been the subject of many reports linking him to a move to England to join Premier League side Arsenal. Jorginho has made 17 appearances for the first team this season and provided four assists.
6. More problems for FIFA
Another FIFA high roller has been arrested and jailed pending trial, as ex-FIFA vice president Eugenio Figueredo has been locked up in his home country of Uruguay. Figueredo is also a previous president of CONMEBOL, the South American football federation and was one of the seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich back when the whole corruption scandal kicked off. He is currently fighting extradition to the US.
7. Wolves sign winger
23 year old Polish international winger Michal Zyro has left Legia Warsaw to sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Championship. The left footer has signed a three and a half year deal with the Midlands club. He will be eligible to play for Wolves in the new year, when the transfer window reopens.
8. Pulis disappointed by Berahino performance
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has expressed his disappointment with young striker Saido Berahino for his performances since his summer move to Tottenham Hotspur fell through. "It is the first time I have had to manage this situation," Pulis said. "I have been in management a long time but it is the first time someone has faded as badly as Saido has after a move fell through. But you can't condemn people. We have to accept what has happened and try and get the best out of him. Some people listen first time and others take a little bit more time to listen. People react differently - we are not all the same. You have to accept, today more than ever, that when you are managing young people they are a different breed to what we were. He is a young lad and he has been given everything. He has everything at his feet really. You have to try and work him through that minefield. He has got to make sure that he gets his head in gear and performs well. If something comes up it comes up, if it doesn't he has to perform. He has to recognise he has to play football and do his best for West Bromwich Albion. Saido at his best should be in our team. He has been a really big disappointment for us this season."
9. Curtis bringing back Swansea way
Alan Curtis has revealed that he believes the best chance for Swansea City to avoid relegation this season is by playing the 'Swansea Way'. Despite his reign so far showing no sign of stopping the rot, with the Swans sinking into the bottom three and to the bottom of the form table, Curtis is hoping his back to basics approach will lift the South Wales outfit up the table to safety. He admitted it was an attempt to return to the style that brought Swansea so much success in recent years, that saw him bring back Leon Britton and Angel Rangel. Both players climbed through the leagues and are well versed in the style that saw Swansea do so well.
10. Dynamo close to sale
Anschutz Entertainment Group are close to selling their stake in Houston Dynamo. AEG already owns LA Galaxy and MLS commissioner Don Garber is looking for the league to move away from owners holding stakes in multiple teams. AEG's 50% stake has come close to being sold before, but the sale, three years ago, fell through at the last moment as Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander walked away from the negotiations abruptly. Alexander is not involved in the group currently attempting to buy the AEG stake. The other 50% stake in Dynamo is split 50-50 between former boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya and Mexican billionaire Gabriel Brener.
Written by Tris Burke December 26 2015 08:44:37
