Football News: Review Of The Day 31st March 2020
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Review of the Day
Transfers
Tottenham Hotspur's talisman Harry Kane has told Jamie Redknapp in an online interview that he would consider leaving Spurs. Kane said when asked if he would leave Spurs: "Obviously I get asked this question a lot. It's one of those things - I couldn't say yes and I couldn't say no. I love Spurs, I'll always love Spurs but I've always said if I don't feel we're progressing as a team or going in the right direction, I'm not someone to stay there for the sake of it. We have got a fantastic team, but for one reason or another we haven't been able to get those trophies, that you look from the outside and think we've got the team to get. It's a hard thing to take as a player. I want to win everything we do. (...) For one reason or another we haven't quite got there yet. If we do finish the season, we've got to try to get back into the Champions League spots. And next year would be the first chance for the gaffer to have a pre-season, and bed his values into the team. So we'll see what happens. Of course, I want to win trophies, and to do that sooner rather than later."
Managerial Changes
Xavi has told La Vanguardia that he wants to return to Barcelona as manager, despite turning down the role after Ernesto Valverde was sacked. Xavi said: "I am clear that I want to return to Barcelona, I am very excited. Now that I have seen myself coaching, I think I can bring things to the players. But I made it clear to them that I saw myself in a project that started from zero and in which the decision-making was mine. I have no problem: I don't hide, I don't take it back. I would like to work together with people in whom I have confidence, with whom there is loyalty and who are very valid people. There can't be anyone toxic around the dressing room. I don't know if Neymar would fit in due to the social issue, but in football terms I have no doubts it would be a spectacular signing. They don't need many new players: maybe Jadon Sancho, Serge Gnabry."
Coronavirus Latest
Barcelona players have finally accepted a pay cut of 70%, with Lionel Messi claiming they were always going to accept one. Messi stated: "Before going any further, we want to make it clear that we were always willing to reduce our salaries because we understand perfectly that we are in an exceptional situation. We, as players, are always here to help the the club when they ask. It does not cease to surprise us that from within the club there were those who tried to put us under the magnifying glass and tried to add pressure to do something that we always knew we would do. If we didn't speak until now, it's because the priority was to to find solutions to help the club and to see who the most affected were during this situation. For our party, the moment has arrived that, the cut will be 70% of our wage during the state of alarm. We will also help out the club in order for the workers to be paid 100% of their wages."
Bolton Wanderers have placed a number of staff on furlough and senior management have all taken pay cuts. They were taken over by Football Ventures in August and the consortium released a statement which read: "We have faced a multitude of problems since the takeover last year. This present crisis represents the hardest task that we have faced. However, unlike the previous issues, this is one which is being felt across the entirety of the football and hospitality industries and indeed over every business, large and small." Bolton's hotel has been closed "to all but key workers of the emergency services".
Juventus' players and their manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to have their pay stopped for four months, which will save the club an estimated £80m. Juventus said: "Juventus would like to thank the players and the coach for their commitment at a difficult time for everyone."
Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has followed through on his promise to buy tablets so that isolated people can communicate with their loved one. Alderweireld said: "We are already getting messages from people who can now speak to their families and it has been a real help. I didn't do it for a reaction, just to help but it has been so positive. In the UK we are a little bit behind Europe, I was getting news from across Europe so I was in a coronavirus state of mind. I called my dad and said we have to do something, we have to try to help. We were brainstorming, my dad contacted some hospitals and they said we need some tablets for people who are isolated, especially older people who don't have a phone. It keeps a visual connection with loved ones, which was impossible otherwise. It makes me very happy and makes me sad that I can't help everyone but I am trying the best I can. If it can bring just a little bit of joy to their lives it is great."
66 non-league clubs have sent an open letter to the Football Association to register their disagreement with the decision to expunge the seasons of all the leagues below the National League. The decision has yet to be ratified by the FA Council. The clubs wrote: "Our concern is grounded primarily in the needless and inexplicable haste exercised in reaching the decision, coupled with a total lack of substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs. The decision also disregards the millions of pounds invested and countless hours expended collectively by clubs, and so has critical financial implications. In writing this joint letter, we recognise that the decision to expunge results for the 2019-20 season still pends official ratification from the FA Council. However, we believe it is unacceptable that such a decision has been handed down to us in this manner. We urgently seek constructive dialogue with the FA with the aim to have the decision reconsidered." The letter also suggests they will "embark on potential legal recourse" if the FA fail to reach a consensus with clubs.
Turkey legend, and most capped player, Rustu Recber is in a "critical period" in hospital with coronavirus. Rustu won 120 caps and played for Barcelona and Fenerbahce, as well as being the keeper when Turkey reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals.
UEFA have defended their decision to play the Champions League tie between Atalanta and Valencia, which is being blamed for spreading coronavirus from Italy to Spain. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: "On February 19, no one knew that Lombardy would be the centre of the epidemic. Who were we to say it shouldn't go ahead? We followed the advice of the authorities at all times and we couldn't do anything. Decisions can't be taken in a day. There are contracts and agreements. [Football] was still being played across Europe then. The borders were still open when Valencia and Atalanta played. Gatherings of fans outside the stadium was the responsibility of the Spanish authorities."
Tottenham Hotspur have offered their stadium to the NHS. Chairman Daniel Levy said: "As a club, we have always been clear about our commitment to the wider community - never has this been more important than it is now. We are immensely proud of the efforts of everybody involved in the fight against COVID-19 and see today as just the start of what we can do as a club to assist." The basement car park is already being used as a storage base by the London Food Alliance.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has apologised after breaking curfew and was caught looking heavily inebriated by the scene of a car crash which is being blamed on the 25 year old. Villa stated: "Aston Villa is deeply disappointed that one of our players ignored the Government's guidance on staying at home during the Coronavirus crisis. Club Captain Jack Grealish has accepted that his decision to leave his house was wrong and entirely unnecessary. It breached the government guidelines which are clear and should be adhered to by everybody. The player will be disciplined and fined with the proceeds donated to The University Hospitals Charity in Birmingham." Grealish himself said: "Hi everybody. I just want to do a quick video message about how deeply embarrassed I am by everything that has happened this weekend. I know it is a tough time for everyone at the moment being locked in doors for so long and I got a call off a friend asking to go round to his. I know for a fact I'll be doing that in the near future now. Obviously, I urge everybody to do the same. I hope everyone can accept my apology and we can move on from this and in the near future we can be out enjoying ourselves again once this has all boiled over." Just hours before, Grealish had uploaded a message on social media urging people to stay indoors and obey the curfew. Police are looking in to an incident involving a white Range Rover, which had hit several cars before the driver left the scene. It is believed that Grealish had been to a party at former team-mate Ross McCormack's flat, and he was pictured afterwards with Tony Capaldi, another former team-mate of McCormack's.
Wolverhampton Wanderers owners Fosun have flown over 12 tons of medical supplies in to Europe. Fosun have already donated over 2,000 pieces of medical equipment to health teams in Wolverhampton. Fosun chairman Guo Guangchang wrote on social media: "The chartered flight carrying over 12 tons of medical supplies just arrived at Lisbon! It brings Fosun's support, and also a sincere gratitude for the timely assistance from Portuguese people 2 months ago. Ao lado dos teus passos caminhei. Força Portugal! #portugal #WeAreOne".
Newcastle United have been reported by the PA news agency to have placed all of their non-playing staff on furlough.
And Another List
Transfermarkt are running out of years now as they have reached 2010 in their review of most valuable players of the year.
Player - Team - Value in Euros
1. Lionel Messi Barcelona 100m
2. Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 90m
3. Xavi Barcelona 65m
4. Andres Iniesta Barcelona 60m
5. Kaka Real Madrid 60m
6. Cesc Fabregas Arsenal 55m
7. Wayne Rooney Manchester United 55m
8. David Villa Barcelona 50m
9. Fernando Torres Liverpool 50m
10. Franck Ribery Bayern Munich 50m
11. Steven Gerrard Liverpool 50m
12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Barcelona 46m
13. Frank Lampard Chelsea 45m
14. Wesley Sneijder Inter Milan 45m
15. Arjen Robben Bayern Munich 40m
16. Samuel Eto'o Inter Milan 40m
17. Didier Drogba Chelsea 38m
18. Gonzalo Higuain Real Madrid 38m
19. Daniele de Rossi AS Roma 38m
20. Michael Essien Chelsea 38m
21. Sergio Aguero Atletico Madrid 36m
22. Gerard Pique Barcelona 35m
23. Xabi Alonso Real Madrid 35m
24. John Terry Chelsea 35m
25. Karim Benzema Real Madrid 35m
Benzema Slags Off Giroud
French striker Karim Benzema has been left out of the national squad since 2015, when he was involved in a sex tape blackmail plot involving a France team-mate, but it has not stopped him believing he should be in the team. The Real Madrid forward has heavily criticised the man who usually leads the line in his stead, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud. Benzema said of Giroud: "I know I'm a Formula 1 car. It works because he's there, that's it. It's not going to be spectacular. [Antoine] Griezmann and [Kylian] Mbappe get seen more while he rolls his sleeves up and does the dirty work. But does everyone like his game? I don't know. You can't confuse an F1 car with a go-kart and I'm being kind." Benzema later added on social media: "About Giroud, I simply told the truth. But we didn't remember what I said about him, especially about what he brings to the French national team. We just remembered the moment when I said I was F1 and he was karting. That's what I think, that's the truth, and that's how it is. Because now, if you ask me with R9 (Ronaldo): R9 is F1, and I am karting. That's the way it is. We're going to move on."
Di Maria Ripped Up Madrid Letter
Angel Di Maria, now at Paris Saint-Germain, has revealed that Real Madrid sent him a letter asking him not to play in the World Cup final. The Argentinian had suffered an injury in the quarter-final against Belgium and was not fully fit. Di Maria told Telefe: "The only three who know the truth are doctor Daniel Martinez, [coach] Alejandro Sabella and me. I had a [muscle] tear in the game against Belgium, I was at about 90 per cent. The leg wasn't totally right, but I wanted to play and I didn't care at all if I never played football again. It was one of the things I was told could happen, but for me it was the World Cup final, it was my final. I knew they wanted to sell me. And so the letter arrived. Daniel told me it was from Real Madrid, but I didn't even want to look at it and I tore it up. I went to talk to Alejandro and I told him, crying, that I wasn't at 100%. I knew he loved me and that he wanted me to play, but he sought the best for the team. I was going to have an injection. I wanted to try. But after the meeting, he decided to play Enzo Perez in my place."
Written by Tris Burke March 30 2020 22:18:07
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