Football News: Review Of The Day 5th April 2018
Image from: talkingbaws.com
Review of the Day
Transfers
Brazilian goalkeeper Vagner returns to parent club Palmeiras after a loan spell with Ituano and is then immediately sent back out on loan, this time to Londrina.
Londrina also signed centre forward Dagoberto on a free transfer from San Francisco Deltas.
Brazilian Serie B club Londrina completed a trio of deals by taking defender Leandro Almelda on loan, also from Brazilian Serie A club Palmeiras.
Young Norwegian winger Rafik Zekhnini has been sent out on loan from Fiorentina to Rosenborg.
Finnish second tier side FF Jaro have signed free agent Mexican Darvin Chavez.
Idiots Take Gloss Off Liverpool's Victory Over City
Liverpool fans lined the streets to 'welcome' Manchester City's bus as it headed to Anfield for last night's Champions League Quarter-Final first leg with LFC asking their supporters "to gather to show their passion and support for the team... in a friendly, respectful and considerate manner." Sadly the plea from the club fell on deaf ears and a large crowd gathered outside and cans, bottles and flares were thrown at the City team bus damaging it to the point that it was considered undriveable for the return journey. Liverpool apologised in a statement which read: "We apologise unreservedly to Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident. The priority now is to establish the facts and offer Manchester City whatever support is necessary." Pep had questioned why it was allowed to happen in light of the bomb which had hit Borussia Dortmund's team bus only last season. All I know is that the morons have ruined what should have been a great night for Liverpool.
Shanghai Hit By Martins Injury
Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua have confirmed that Nigerian international Obafemi Martins hopes of making it to the summer's World Cup have ended after the 33 year old striker was ruled out for between 6 and 7 months with a torn hamstring. Martins was stretchered off midway through the first half of an Asian Champions League clash with Japanese side Kashima Antlers.
Charlton Extend Bowyer's Time
In England's League One, South London side Charlton Athletic have announced that caretaker boss Lee Bowyer will stay in charge for the rest of the season, with the team having achieved maximum points in his three games leading the team. With a takeover ongoing, Bowyer will stay on to see the club through until new owners come in. Charlton director Richard Murray said: "Lee has done a fantastic job and the results demonstrate the players have really responded to him. The takeover hasn't moved as quickly as we had envisaged and it was important for players and fans to know that whatever happens there will be stability. A date for a takeover is not something I am able to put a timeline on because these things can take longer than expected."
Carvalhal Talks Begin
When Swansea City appointed a manager recently sacked by Sheffield Wednesday, it caught everyone by surprise, but Carlos Carvalhal has proven to be a breath of fresh air, lifting the Swans from bottom up to 15th. With Carvalhal's contract only running until the end of the season, talks have begun aimed at extending the Portugese's time in South Wales.
RIP Butch
Ray 'Butch' Wilkins has passed away at the age of 61 following a heart attack. The former England international was a much loved and very well respected man, lauded as a gentleman by those who knew him. It speaks volumes of the respect he was held in that he was appointed captain of Chelsea at just 18 years old, after coming through the youth ranks there and went on to captain England as well as playing for giants of the game such as Manchester United, AC Milan, PSG and Rangers. Following his retirement as a player he had a mainly successful time as a coach but is probably better remembered for his voice, which was unforgettably heard alongside numerous commentators and made the Tango 'orangeman' adverts one of the most successful of all time. He will be much missed.
Burnley To Continue On As They Are
Chairman of Burnley, Mike Garlick, has told the press that the club will not change what they are doing and will continue to focus on long-term stability and sustainability. The Clarets have maintained a fairly even level of player wages throughout the squad, something they intend to maintain, according to Garlick: "We look to keep a relative parity, we think that's helpful in terms of squad unity. Our strength is the team, not individuals. That's what we're looking to achieve. We want to bring players in who can improve what we've got, but they've got to fit into our structure. It's really important." He also expects recruitment to slow down from previous years: "We brought in the summer gone five or six new signings, the summer before that five or six as well. Maybe one or two more? For the summer going forward, will we see that many new players coming in? I doubt it to be honest. Twos and threes rather than fives and sixes. We're always looking to upgrade the quality of the side, so anyone we bring in has got to add something, if they don't, we won't sign them, it's as simple as that. We'd look for them to bring something to the side. (Planning) has already started. Specifically recruitment, who the targets are. We've already got a list that we're going through, so we like to think we're ahead of the game. We want players here that want to be here first and foremost. Money aside they've got to want to play for us and we've got to want to keep them. Assuming that's the case I think the longer we stay in the league we'd look to be competitive."
Bayer Leverkusen Delight As Brandt Extends Stay
Last summer Julian Brandt was a major target for Liverpool, but a move could not be set up for the young German and the Reds ended up turning to Mohamed Salah as well. Now it appears that Liverpool were not the only ones pleased with how it turned out as Brandt has signed a contract extension with Leverkusen, despite interest from AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. His new deal runs until 2021. Brandt said in a statement: "I see that something really big is growing here The recent contract extensions of Jonathan Tah and Lars Bender (both Germany internationals) have shown that. We want to win titles."
Mkhitaryan In Dig At Jose Mourinho
Arsenal's January signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan has told 442 magazine that he was glad to swap Manchester United for the Gunners to play attacking football. Mkhitaryan said: "When I heard I could swap Man United for Arsenal, I said, 'yes, I want to do that', I didn't think twice. It's important for me to play in an offensive team. I couldn't have imagined a better start. I'd missed playing offensively. I joined Arsenal because Wenger wanted me, not because he wanted to replace Sanchez. We are different players and characters, with different abilities and skills, so I'll try my best to do everything for the club."
Written by Tris Burke April 05 2018 07:21:50