Football News: Chelsea Keeper On Trial In Belgium And 9 Other News Stories
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1. Stats may be meaningless, but Ozil's are still impressive
Arsenal's 2-1 win over Manchester City saw German playmaker Mesut Ozil add two more assists for the season, taking him to 15 in the Premier League. With the record standing at 20 assists, by another superlative Arsenal player, Thierry Henry, and still half a season to play, there is every chance that Ozil can add that record to his resume. Since August 2008 Ozil has posted the most assists in Europe:
1. 101 - Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid/Arsenal)
2. 100 - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
3. 84 - Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona/Chelsea)
4. 75 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
5. 68 - Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid/Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain)
In fact, Ozil has racked up 29 Premier League assists since signing for the Gooners, the same number as Chelsea forward Eden Hazard but in 59 less games. This season Ozil has racked up more assists than the entire Manchester United and Chelsea squads, who have racked up 12 and 11 respectively between them.
2. Want to see Ronaldo's pad?
Not sure why he has done this, but Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to show off his home in a video.
3. Chelsea keeper goes on trial in Belgium
Not to worry Chelsea fans, it is simply a footballing trial, as back up Jamal Blackman has headed to Standard Liege for a trial with a view to a loan more. With Thibaut Courtois, Asmir Begovic and Marco Amelia ahead of him, the 22 year old is looking to get some first team football by heading to Belgium.
4. McClean gets a three match ban
There are times when a three match ban just does not seem enough, this is one of those times, but West Bromwich Albion's James McClean, and his team mate Salomon Rondon, receive that ban after their sending off against Bournemouth. Both were deservedly sent off, but while Rondon's was just stupid and petulant, McClean's was also extremely nasty and dangerous. It was a deliberate attempt to hurt his opponent, and it was lucky that the Cherries right back, Adam Smith, had his foot off the ground at the moment of contact, or he is likely to have suffered a serious injury. Once again Tony Pulis and his rough house tactics are under the spotlight, I wonder how much longer the British media can continue to support him?
5. Martinez shows he still has a good touch
Everton manager shows some skills as he takes part in a charity football match:
6. Klopp's first signing done according to Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade's sporting director Zvezdan Terzic has claimed that Liverpool have completed Jurgen Klopp's first signing. Terzic, speaking to Serbian TV, said that Marko Grujic will sign a contract this week and will be awarded the number 8 jersey on Merseyside. "We will, in the next three days, sign a contract with Liverpool," Terzic said. "Marko Grujic will sign a five-year contract with Liverpool where he will have a 1.2m annual net income, which means that he will have 6m from Liverpool. He'll get No. 8 on the back." The 19 year old Serbian is a box to box midfielder who has often been compared to Steven Gerrard, who made Liverpool's number 8 jersey famous. So no pressure there then!
7. Materazzi tips Mourinho for Man Utd job
Former Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi, who lifted the Champions League under Jose Mourinho, has hit out at Chelsea for being ungrateful towards Mourinho. With Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal under pressure and looking likely to be fired in the near future, Materazzi was asked whether he thought Mourinho could be the next Man Utd manager, by Italian news outlet Tutto Mercato. The former Italian international said that he thinks so. Materazzi had a very close relationship with Mourinho when the two worked together at Inter.
8. Blatter appeals ban
Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter has appealed against his 8 year ban from world football, his legal team have confirmed. Blatter was given the ban by FIFA's ethics committee following an investigation into a payment made to UEFA president Michel Platini. While the ethics committee cleared both Blatter and Platini of corruption charges (try not to laugh, but it is true they did clear them of corruption charges. Honestly. No really. I know difficult to believe!), the pair were still banned for eight years for a 'disloyal payment'. Blatter has branded the ban "unjust" and has been clear about his willingness to fight the ban.
9. Platini's ban appeal hits hitch
Michel Platini has been informed by FIFA that he cannot bypass their appeals process and challenge his eight year ban directly at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Platini had been hoping to speed up his challenge to the eight year ban in order to still be able to take part in the FIFA presidential election on the 26th February. FIFA said it wrote to Platini's lawyers on Tuesday to confirm that the UEFA leader can only go to CAS if the governing body's appeals committee first rejects his request. FIFA rules state a list of candidates must be finalized one month before the election in Zurich.
10. Leicester's owners give out free beer
Premier League leaders Leicester City have reason to celebrate this year and the club's Thai owners have once again determined to see in the new year in style. Each home fan at the King Power Stadium will receive a free bottle of beer at their final home game of the year on 29th December, when they face Manchester City. The owners did this last year, to celebrate promotion to the Premier League, but then the club were glued to the bottom of the table, rather than heading it up. Added to the clappers that are given out each home game, the owners are certainly willing to invest heavily in the fans.
Written by Tris Burke December 22 2015 18:17:50
