Football News: Review Of The Day 18th October 2020

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Cambridge United striker Harvey Knibbs has extended his contract until 2023.

Transfers

Reading striker Sam Smith has joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January.

Arsenal youngster James Olayinka has joined Southend United on loan until the 27th January.

Cardiff City managed to complete the signing of Leicester City central defender Filip Benkovic on loan before the window closed.

Former Wales international centre-back James Collins has retired at the age of 37.

Guillermo Varela, the former Manchester United full-back, has moved to Dynamo Moscow on loan from FC Copenhagen.

Amiens Norwegian left-back Haitam Aleesami has joined FK Rostov on a free transfer.

Santos have released former Manchester City and Real Madrid forward Robinho just days after signing him for the 4th time. This followed a backlash against the re-signing of the 36 year old who was sentenced to 9 years in prison by an Italian court for his part in the gang rape of a 22 year old woman at a nightclub in 2013. Robinho is appealing the decision and the case is ongoing, however one of Santos's sponsors, an orthodontic company called Orthopride, withdrew their sponsorship "out of respect for women" due to Robinho's signing. A Santos statement tried to paint the player's release as a mutual decision: "Santos and Robinho have by mutual agreement resolved to suspend the contract signed on 10 October so that player can concentrate exclusively on his court defence in Italy."

Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has told Dutch newspaper AD that Barca will be looking to complete the signings of Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay in January. Koeman said: "Our interest in Wijnaldum was separate [to Lionel Messi's future]. I think our squad could use some depth, especially when we haven't got the ball. Gini has a great sense of space, he can get to the goal fantastically well from midfield, he could really add something to the team. But the financial situation was known by the club, his position was ultimately less of a priority than, for example, the right-back or the striker position. We wanted Memphis because he is a great player and because he has qualities that we lacked in my opinion: especially depth in our attack. Most attackers at Barcelona want the ball to their feet. Memphis can be used as a target man, but he can also come deep. He is strong, dynamic, and can play centrally as well as from the left. In principle everything was ready, but due to the rules of La Liga we knew that we had to sell a player first. In the end it did not happen. Too bad, but Memphis also knew what the situation was. [Trying to sign him in January] is certainly a possibility, yes. I will try, because I would like to have him here. But I cannot estimate now what the financial situation of the club is like in January."

Injury Round-Up

St Mirren v Motherwell was postponed after 3 positive CV tests left St Mirren with just 8 available outfield players due to "a number of additional players" being required to self-isolate.

Liverpool duo Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk are awaiting scans after a bruising encounter with Everton. It is feared that van Dijk's injury is the dreaded ACL injury and the Dutchman left hospital on crutches.

Paris Saint-Germain's head coach Thomas Tuchel has ruled Leandro Paredes out of the Champions League match against Manchester United on Tuesday night. Paredes was taken off early in PSG's 4-0 win over Nimes on Friday night with a hamstring injury. Paredes joins Thilo Kehrer, Mauro Icardi, Marquinhos and Juan Bernat on the injury tables. Marco Verratti's fitness is also being assessed ahead of the game but Neymar has been passed fit to play.

Diego Costa is a doubt for the Champions League clash between Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich with a muscle problem. The Spanish international pulled up just after half-time when he stretched to make a pass to new Atleti strike partner Luis Suarez.

RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara is the latest to test positive for CV.

South African teenager Bradley Cross has signed for Newcastle United after a trial period. The 19 year old had been on loan with Schalke 04 for the last 2 years from South African side Bidvest Wits before his contract expired in June.

Arsenal defender Rob Holding withdrew from the team to face Manchester City after the central defender picked up a hamstring problem in the warm up.

Managerial Changes

Disciplinary Charges

Liverpool Request VAR Review

After controversial decisions in the Merseyside derby saw Everton hang on to a draw with ten men, Liverpool have asked the Premier League to investigate. The Reds were angered by two key decisions involving an offside that did not actually look to be offside on the pictures given to TV companies. The first decision of offside led to a lunging scissors challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which ended Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk's game, and potentially his season, in the 11th minute. VAR decided the challenge was not worthy of review because they decided van Dijk's arm was offside when the ball was played. Liverpool's ire only increased when, what would have been a winning goal for the Reds was chalked off due to Mane being adjudged to be offside, despite the pictures given to the TV showing the line drawn to offside not actually touching Mane. Liverpool are also questioning the timing of the frame chosen as the ball had not been played in the frame shown to TV channels. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also questioned VAR's decision not to review a potential penalty for his side against Manchester City.

Benrahma's Parting Gift To Bees

Said Benrahma's last-minute transfer to West Ham United from Brentford was held up by a loyalty bonus he had been led to believe he was to receive from the Bees. However the clause was not in his contract, which led to his move being held up just as it looked to be all completed. Benrahma managed to come up with a solution to end an impasse by suggesting that the money he was expecting to get would instead be used as a bonus to staff at Brentford. Over 100 staff members at the club will now be receiving a bonus in their wages.

Puel Criticises Arsenal Over Saliba

Saint-Etienne boss Claude Puel has criticised Arsenal for leaving William Saliba out of their Europa League squad after a loan move back to his Ligue 1 club broke down late in the day. The Gunners paid £27m for the teenage centre-back from Saint-Etienne ahead of the 2019-20 season, with the deal requiring a loan back to Les Verts meaning he stayed in France for the season. Since the deal was completed, Mikel Arteta has come in to replace Unai Emery and the new Spaniard decided he has no place in the team for Saliba, so talks were held with a view to him returning to France for this season, which fell through. Attempts to sort out a deal for him to join a Championship club on loan also came to nowt, leaving the youngster out on the sidelines. Puel told L'Equipe: "It was short-term [thinking], even for a young player. A superb player like William, to whom I wish the best, has not even made it to Arsenal's Europa League squad. Where is the logic, if not financial? He had a great desire to join us. The club are a bit like family and friends [to him]. His adaptation would have been instant. This would have happened if all the conditions had met. It had to remain consistent with our finances and his contract, particularly for the management."

Bayern Reform Youth Academy Following Racism Allegations

After sacking a youth coach in August following allegations of racism, Bayern Munich have announced a program of reforms to their youth performance centre. Bayern's legal and human resources departments had conducted an investigation and found that actions in a subdivision of the centre "violated labour law obligations and did not match the attitude of FC Bayern." The club's statement also explained that they would be taking power from the hands of one person, who was unable to be held accountable for his behaviour, and split it among a number of people. The club are embroiled in a legal battle with the coach they dismissed, who has not yet been named.

Written by Tris Burke October 17 2020 22:14:45