Football News: Review Of The Day 20th March 2018
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Review of the Day
Zlatan Believes He Is Better Than A King
Former team-mate Benjamin Stambouli has recalled playing alongside 'crazy' Zlatan Ibrahimovic in an interview. Stambouli said: "We were at physiotherapy and news was on TV. Zlatan asked me to translate it because there was something about him on. So I explained that they said that Zlatan is the King of Paris. I thought he would be happy about it, because it's great that the people love him so much. But he was different. He was very angry and shouted at me: 'What the f***? I'm not the king, I'm god'. This guy is totally crazy. He is an incredible person that reads situations faster than everybody else. Zlatan is very clever and tests you in every situation, only to analyse you. He loves to play things with you and is able to control some people this way. Zlatan wants to win every single time. It doesn't matter if it's on the pitch or when we try to throw plastic bottles into the bin. Zlatan would do everything to win. When he was at PSG he was the king of Paris and had already won a lot of trophies, but he was still hungry to win. He wants to win every day and wants to win everything you can win."
Lens Fans And Watford Loanee Do Not See Eye To Eye
Brice Dja Djedje was frozen out at Watford by then-manager Marco Silva and told his future was elsewhere, leading to the Ivory Coast international moving on loan, with a view to a permanent deal, to Ligue 2 side Racing Lens. Off field issues have caused a rift between the player and Lens fans after he was accused of hitting his wife last month, which sees him facing a court case in September. A large banner was displayed in the stands which read: 'Beat your opponents, not your wife'. Dja Djedje was complained about his treatment: "I don't beat my wife. We had an argument in the street, and a few passers by called the police to make things worse. That doesn't mean I beat her. It's because I'm a professional footballer that it escalated. I've been with my wife for years, and she's always in the stands. That's why I'm not bothered. Only my family know. The problem is that my wife has never wanted to press charges. These things make you think. I always wanted to come back here despite having two years left on my Watford contract. Today I'm thinking about what was said Monday about my family. I find that quite nasty. After, as players, we're just here for a bit. They'll always be there and will be behind the team. What's important is to support the players regardless of the club's situation."
Gregory Wins League Title
Former Aston Villa manager has finally won a league title to add to his 2001 Intertoto Cup he won with the Birmingham club, as his Chennaiyin FC won the Indian Super League. The 63 year old is the first Englishman to have won the ISL. Gregory said: "If I'm still the only Englishman to have won it in 20 years' time I'll be happy. It is enormously satisfying. I've never been to India before and trying to acclimatise ourselves to the way people live, the way people drive, the way people treat you with respect. From a professional point of view, there's a lot of red tape that we have to adhere to here. Obviously, some of that is frustrating, but you have to get used to it. The travelling is also different and a bit long." Gregory has signed an extended contract with Chennaiyin.
Romario Runs For Governorship
Already a senator in his home country of Brazil, now Romario de Souza has announced his intention to stand for election as governor of Rio de Janeiro. Even as a player he was widely known for his political views and his constant railing against the widespread corruption of the game in Brazil. Romario said: "In these chaotic times, change is necessary, change is urgent... Rio always had safety problems, but never like now. I don't have experience of being in charge. It will be, God willing, the first time that I've had the opportunity to demonstrate all I have learned in my life."
Ravel Discussing Jamaican International Future
Considered by Alex Ferguson as the most naturally gifted player to come through the Manchester United youth system while he was in charge, Ravel Morrison has not had the career that was expected of him. Sadly the blame for that has to be laid at his own door as attitude problems have plagued him. Now 25 years old, he is playing in Mexican football for Atlas and has been called up by Jamaica for a training camp. Morrison has played for England at youth level up to the under-21s, but remains eligible for Jamaica.
Young Gets One Year Contract Extension
Man Utd have triggered a one year extension clause to keep Ashley Young at the club for next season as well. The 32 year old has played most of this season at full back and even returned to the England reckoning, though that probably says more about the paucity of options available to Gareth Southgate than it does about Young's quality.
Fiorentina Rename Training Ground In Astori's Honour
Italian side Fiorentina are set to rename their training ground 'Centro Davide Astori' after their former captain who sadly passed away this month at the age of just 31.
Lyon Facing European Ban
Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais currently have a suspended ban hanging over their head after trouble at a Europa League quarter final last year and now they have been charged by UEFA after crowd trouble during their Europa League defeat at the hands of CSKA Moscow. UEFA rules state: 'If a further offence is committed during the probationary period, the original disciplinary measure {must} be enforced. This may be added to the disciplinary measure imposed for the new offence.' Lyon have been charged with racist behaviour, crowd disturbances, throwing objects and blocking stairways. Police have said that officers outside the stadium were attacked by up to 150 ultras and the club themselves condemned the "intolerable and premeditated attacks".
Transfers
Al Ahly forward Amr Gamal has returned to the Egyptian club after his loan spell with South Africa's Bidvest Wits ended.
Uruguayan midfielder Alejandro Silva has left Argentina's CA Lanus to join Canadian side Montreal Impact who play in the USA's MLS.
Agent Dismisses Rumours Jorginho Is In Man Utd Talks
Joao Santos, the agent of Napoli midfielder Jorginho, has denied that his client is in talks over a move to Manchester United. Santos said: "With [head coach Maurizio] Sarri, he has the privilege to play the football he prefers and, in the dressing room, he has become an important element after more than four years. My client is a good kid, he is focused on fighting for the Scudetto with his club and plays for one of the top national teams in the world. If a player like that isn't on the radar of big clubs like Manchester United, then something is wrong. I don't know if Napoli are talking with Torreira's agent. I have spoken to [Napoli sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli three times in the last month and he hasn't said anything. I can say that no manager of Manchester United has done what Napoli are doing on the Torreira front."
Rojo Reveals His Reaction After United Sign Sanchez
Marcus Rojo admits he endured a fraught relationship with Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez prior to his arrival at the Red Devils and that he was not keen on the Chilean being signed initially. Rojo said: "Alexis is a great player, but we didn't used to get on out on the pitch. Every time we came up against one another, whether in internationals or when United played Arsenal, I would give him a good kicking - and he did the same to me. On top of that I used to insult him, and he would reply in kind. So when I learned that he was going to join United I said: 'Oh, f****** hell, no, now this guy's going to be here'. We were in Dubai at the time Alexis' transfer went through. I was calmly sitting in a chair watching a film when Jose Mourinho came up and gave me a tap on the shoulder. He told me: 'We're going to sign Alexis. I don't want you smashing him up in training tomorrow'. He burst out laughing."
Puma Release Identi-Kits
Puma have unveiled a bunch of new away kits that will be worn by ten different nations during the international break. There is just one problem as the countries concerned have been given the same plain white kit with just a slight variation in collar colours, plus the differing national badges. Maybe they are leading the way towards returning the game to its basics, with just two kits that everyone has, one home and one away, to avoid all the bizarre colour clashes that have occurred lately, such as when both Chelsea and Leicester City faced off in the FA Cup at the weekend both in what looked like dark blue kits. It certainly confused Chelsea players, who kept passing to the referee by mistake!
Schuster Takes On Chinese Adventure
Former Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster has joined the Chinese Super League after being appointed to take charge of Dalian Yifang. The 58 year old has been out of management since 2014 when he left Malaga.
Verratti Denies PSG Exit Talk
Paris Saint-Germain midfield general Marco Verratti has dismissed claims Mino Raiola has offered him to Barcelona. Verratti said: "I've read that Raiola has offered me to Barcelona - it's false. I talked to my managers, they know what I think, things are clear. I have decided to stay at PSG."
Written by Tris Burke March 20 2018 04:43:10