Football News: Review Of The Day 22nd May 2018

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Review of the Day

Rowett Asks To Talk To Stoke

Despite signing a new 3 year contract with Derby County after being unable to join Stoke City in January, Gary Rowett has now asked for permission to talk to the Potters about becoming their new manager. A Derby statement read: "Derby County Football Club can confirm that Gary Rowett has asked for permission to speak with Stoke City regarding the vacant manager's position. The club is now in discussion with Stoke regarding the matter and will update our supporters in due course."

Wigan Takeover Agreed

League One champions Wigan Athletic are set for a £22m takeover by Chinese investors, International Entertainment Corporation, who have paid a £1.5m deposit on the deal. The deal is awaiting approval from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and EFL.

Scotland Hit By Withdrawals

Scotland have lost Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong and defender John Souttar from their friendly matches with Peru and Mexico.
Revised Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Archer (Millwall), Scott Bain (Celtic), Jon McLaughlin (Hearts).
Defenders: Jack Hendry (Celtic), Scott McKenna (Aberdeen), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen O'Donnell (Kilmarnock), Callum Paterson (Cardiff City), Lewis Stevenson (Hibernian).
Midfielders: Chris Cadden (Motherwell), Dylan McGeouch (Hibernian), John McGinn (Hibernian), Kenny McLean (Aberdeen), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Jamie Murphy (Rangers), Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen), Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Forwards: Oli McBurnie (Swansea City), Lewis Morgan (Celtic), Matt Phillips (West Bromwich Albion), Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City).

Nainggolan Left Out Of Belgium Squad

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has reacted to Roberto Martinez's decision to leave him out of the Belgium squad for the World Cup by announcing his international retirement. Despite Martinez initially naming as 28 man provisional squad, he could find no place in it for Nainggolan, saying: "Radja Nainggolan is a top player. The reason is tactical. In the past two years the team has worked in a specific manner. Other players had those roles. We know Radja has a very important role in his club and we cannot give him that role in our squad." Understandable Nainggolan retired when Christian 'can't score, won't score' Benteke can get into a squad but he is left out!
Belgium squad:
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Matz Sels (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles FC), Christian Kabasele (Watford), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Jordan Lukaku (Lazio), Thomas Meunier (Paris St-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian).
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Nacer Chadli (West Brom), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).

Chelsea Trio Miss Out On World Cup

Chelsea trio Alvaro Morata, Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas have all missed out on going to the 2018 World Cup as Spain coach Julen Lopetegui names his 23 man squad for the tournament.
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao).
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).

Cazorla To Leave Arsenal

Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla is set to leave Arsenal when his contract ends in the summer. Cazorla has not played, due to injury, since 2016. Cazorla said: "I am very sad to be leaving after so many great times. I have loved my time with the club. I will always remember the special moments we had together. The FA Cup in 2014 is something we will never forget. I am very proud to be part of this club's history."

Argentina Name Squad With No Place For Icardi

While Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain made the cut, Serie A joint-top scorer Mauro Icardi has been left out of Argentina's final 23 man squad for Russia. Icardi had 29 goals in 34 games during the season.
Argentina squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Willy Caballero (Chelsea), Franco Armani (River Plate).
Defenders: Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Federico Fazio (Roma), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Nicolas Taglafico (Ajax), Javier Mascherano (Hebei Fortune), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon), Cristian Ansaldi (Torino).
Midfielders: Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan), Angel Di Maria, Giovani Lo Celso (both Paris St-Germain), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors), Maximiliano Meza (Independiente), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala (both Juventus), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City).

Arsenal Set To Appoint Emery

Just a few weeks after leaving his role as head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Unai Emery is set to take charge of Arsenal. The Gunners have taken their time to find a manager willing to work within their new set up, but Emery has now emerged as the chosen man. Emery had won three consecutive Europa Leagues with Sevilla before going on to win one Ligue 1 title and 4 domestic cups with PSG in his two seasons there.

Transfer Round Up

Northampton Town have moved in to pick up free agent striker Andy Williams from Doncaster Rovers. Williams is new Cobblers' boss Dean Austin's first signing since being confirmed as permanent manager.

Striker Olufela Olomola has left Southampton to join Scunthorpe United on a free transfer.

Salford City defender Michael Nottingham has signed a two-year contract with Blackpool.

League Two side Cambridge United have signed Louis John from Sutton United on a free transfer.

No Fekir Deal Says Aulas

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has dismissed the rumours swirling around Nabil Fekir having agreed a deal to move in the summer. Aulas told SFR Sport: "There has been no contact with Liverpool or any other club so we haven't discussed the future. I know that Nabil, now that we have qualified for the Champions League, would really like to stay, so we will discuss things calmly. He has magnificently won the right to go to Russia with France, which gives him an even higher standing. For the moment, nothing is done. You will have to be very, very rich to sign Nabil Fekir this year."

FIFPro Submit Letter Asking For Guerrero To Play

Remember when you were children and a group of you would call round someone's house asking if he could come and play, only to be told he was grounded and could not come out to play today? That is exactly what this reminds me of. The union of international footballers, FIFPro, has submitted a letter to FIFA asking if Paulo Guerrero could come out to play in the World Cup, despite the Peruvian being banned after failing a drugs test.

Reina To Undergo FIGC Hearing

Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina is set to have an Italian football federation hearing over his alleged links with the owners of a Naples-based betting agency. The FIGC have alleged, in a statement, that Reina has maintained a relationship of friendship and acquaintance, which involved the exchange of favours, with the company owners. Paolo Cannavaro have also been summoned to face the same hearing.

Holt Turns To Wrestling

Not quite Ronda Rousey joining WWE after leaving the UFC, but former Norwich City and Hibs striker Grant Holt has signed up for British wrestling promotion 'World Association of Wrestling' to appear in a few of their shows in 2019.

Written by Tris Burke May 23 2018 11:09:10