Football News: Transfers Abound As Arsene Backs Arsenal To Outplay Everyone And Other News
Image from: zimbio.com
1. Rangers sign new keeper
Following a trial period with the Glasgow giants last year, Polish goalkeeper Maciej Gostomski has signed a 6 month deal. The 27 year old was formerly with Lech Posnan, making 44 appearances for them, and will now be able to face Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Cup on 10th January. Gostomski said: "This is a great opportunity for me and with my experience I think I can bring something to Rangers. They are a huge club with a great history and I am delighted to be here." The Pole has become Rangers second signing of the January window, joining Harry Forrester, who has signed from Doncaster Rovers.
2. Leicester hit by Vardy blow
Leicester City are flying high right now, with the goals of Jamie Vardy a big part of their ongoing success this season. Now they will have to see if they can manage without their England star as he undergoes an operation to cure a long standing groin issue. The Foxes will have to cope without him for about ten days, which will mean he will miss the FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur. The 28 year old is currently joint top of the Premier League top scorers list with Everton's Romelu Lukaku, both having scored 15 goals so far. Leicester will now be looking to Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki to cover for him.
3. Wenger believes Arsenal can play anyone off the park
Following a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United, who played Arsenal off the park themselves for long periods of the game, Arsene Wenger is getting excited about his team's chances of winning the Premier League title. The Gooners last won the league in 2004, prior to the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, but Wenger is beginning to believe this could be their year. "I think we are more experienced than the teams I had when I moved into the stadium here," the Frenchman told the club's website. "On our day we could play everybody off the park and when you had to dig deep you experienced it was a bit more difficult. It was different. We were more questioned on that aspect than the way we played football. Now, (in terms of) the experience, the quality of their attitude, the team always has the charisma. If you look at the team as a unit, it is like a person. If you look at your team like a person and the vibes that are coming out - you can sense in this job if you feel it or not. I must say (you see) another aspect of your team in a game like (against Newcastle). It is more the mental aspect - you fight, don't panic and wait for your chance."
4. German journalist claims Sunderland have made their first January signing
German journalist Christian Falk has claimed that Sunderland have signed Bayern Munich fringe player Jan Kirchhoff. The 25 year old has struggled to get first team football with the Bavarian giants, with just one appearance this season, despite being able to play in midfield or defence.
Goodbye @FCBayern! Jan Kirchhoff (25) will go to @SunderlandAFC (contract til 2018) @SPORTBILD
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) January 4, 2016
5. Barca can finally play summer signings
Barcelona duo Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan are available to play for the Catalonians, after signing for them in the midst of a transfer ban during the summer transfer window. An appeal to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) to allow Barca to register Turan early, following a serious injury to Rafinha, failed and they were forced to wait for the ban to expire. Now the ban has expired, both players will be available to face Espanyol in the Copa del Rey. Aleix Vidal has not played since arriving from Sevilla in June, while Turan has made six appearances for Turkey since he joined from Atletico Madrid.
6. Lavezzi wants Serie A return
Ezequiel Lavezzi is looking for a return to Serie A according to his agent, Alejandro Mazzoni. The Argentina international joined Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli back in 2012, but has been out of favour since fellow Argentinian Angel Di Maria joined in the summer. With Lavezzi's contract up in June, the 30 year old is hoping for a move back to Italian football. "Inter and Juventus? We don't know anything yet, but it could all happen very quickly," Mazzoni told Le10Sport. "Italy is his preferred destination, but there is absolutely no hurry. The interest of big clubs is normal when they can get a player like Lavezzi for free."
7. Adidas chief exec makes a dig at van Gaal
Herbert Hainer has joined the chorus of disapproval at the style of play that Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is choosing to utilise. With United having only just broken an eight game run of games without a win, by beating struggling and managerless Swansea City at the weekend, Hainer was critical over the way the Red Devils are playing, though confirmed the companies happiness with higher than expected kit sales. "We are happy even though Manchester United is currently playing in a way that we do not really want to see," stated Hainer in an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung. "Things are running smoothly with United. We are selling more (United kit) than expected, with 60 per-cent of sales being in the overseas market outside of England."
8. Charlton not for sale
Charlton Athletic owner Roland Duchatelet has ruled out selling the London club, despite facing demonstrations against his ownership of the club. The Belgian owner bought the club in January 2014, and has been responsible for upsetting the fans with his decisions in that period. First he fired fan favourite Chris Powell, who had led the club to promotion from League One, then 3 other permanent managers have come and gone, as well as a pairing of caretaker managers, who bizarrely were in co-charge last January. Current interim boss, Karel Fraeye, has been in charge since October, with no sign of a permanent appointment to replace him any time soon, as the Addicks sit second bottom in the Championship. Despite the off field protests and on field struggles, as well as an approach by a former chief executive Richard Varney with a potential investor, Duchatelet is dismissive of the idea of selling his stake.
9. Stoke appeal red card
Stoke City have lodged an appeal against Geoff Cameron's red card, which he received in their defeat to former manager Tony Pulis's West Bromwich Albion side at the weekend. The versatile American, who has played right back, centre back and central midfield for the Potters, was sent off towards the end of the defeat, after he was adjudged to have struck Claudio Yacob on the back of the head. Referee Lee Mason showed the 30 year old a straight red which could possibly lead to a 3 match ban, on top of the early bath.
10. Saints recall Stephens
Southampton have moved to end the Middlesbrough loan spell of defender Jack Stephens, as the 21 year old has struggled to break into their team. The youngster has only managed to make 5 appearances for Boro since joining them in July, so the loan spell was ended prematurely, with Ronald Koeman seeming frustrated. "Jack is back from Middlesbrough, Koeman told the official Southampton website. "He wasn't playing there and then why is he on loan if he doesn't play? It's better for him to come back." This comes at the same time as Saints look to end the loan of Steven Caulker, who joined them in the summer on a season long deal from Championship side QPR. The defender has failed to impress Koeman and the Saints are looking to end the deal.
Written by Tris Burke January 04 2016 15:55:53