Football News: Review Of The Day 17th December 2020

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Burnley's former Arsenal youth player Josh Benson has extended his contract with the Clarets until 2023.

Scottish international defender Andy Considine has signed a new deal with Aberdeen which runs out in 2022.

Transfers

Veteran defender Greg Halford has joined Southend United on a one-month deal, after offering to play for free.

Minnesota United striker Kevin Molino has said his goodbyes to the club on social media, to the surprise of the club itself, who are still waiting to hear back from the Trinidad & Tobago international, who scored 13 goals in 22 games for them last season.

Injury Round-Up

Benfica's Belgium international defender Jan Vertonghen has revealed that he spent nine months suffering after he sustained concussion while playing for Tottenham Hotspur against Ajax in the Champions League semi-final in April 2019. Vertonghen said: "I suffered a lot from that - dizziness and headaches. I should not have continued playing, it affected me in total for nine months and that's why I couldn't bring what I wanted to on the field. I still had a year left on my contract, so I had to play, but when I played, I played badly. The fact I got benched had nothing to do with him [manager Jose Mourinho]. I was in a period [when] I could not bring what I should have. I even thought he played me a lot, compared to how I performed."

Vissel Kobe's former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is out for four months after thigh surgery.

Veteran Derby County defender Curtis Davies is expected to be out "long term" as the 35 year old needs surgery on an Achilles injury.

Sunderland's next 3 games have been postponed due to a CV outbreak at the club. Their games with Shrewsbury Town, Blackpool and Hull City are all off.

Managerial Changes

Despite not being given any money to add new players to his squad, only being allowed to make a couple of loan deals permanent and some free signings, West Bromwich Albion have sacked manager Slaven Bilic in the aftermatch of a 1-1 draw with Manchester City. The bizarre decision was always looking likely after Bilic publicly stated his unhappiness with the board over the sale of Ahmed Hegazy. Hegazy was in the team Bilic had prepared for a game only to find out the night before the game that the Egyptian defender had flown out of the country to sign elsewhere. Just to showcase how badly run the club is, they have now thrown money Sam Allardyce's way to replace him.

Bolton Wanderers have promoted head coach Ian Evatt to manager and Peter Atherton has joined the League Two club as his assistant. Evatt has taken on the responsibilities of the club's former head of football operations Tobias Phoenix, who left the club last week.

Disciplinary Charges

Ajax winger Quincy Promes has been released from police custody but will not be in the Ajax squad for now. The forward was accused of involvement in the stabbing of his nephew at a family party in July.

IFAB Approve Concussion Subs

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have approved trials for concussion substitutes from January, which any league can apply. The rule allows teams to make a permanent substitution if a player suffers a head injury, even if they have already made their allotted substitutions. To avoid teams gaming the system, their opponents will be allowed to make a change at the same time if they wish.

Written by Tris Burke December 17 2020 05:45:21