Football News: News Round Up As Football Manager Maker Claims Credit For Harry Kane's Success

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1. Galaxy make new signing
MLS side LA Galaxy, the former team of David Beckham, have confirmed the signing of midfielder/defender Jeff Larentowicz. The 32 year old can play in the centre of midfield or defence, filling a gap in the squad left by Omar Gonzalez and Juninho. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena has developed a reputation for rebuilding the careers of veterans, and is now hoping to give Larentowicz's career after he made 29 appearances for Chicago Fire last season. "Jeff is an experienced and proven midfielder in our league," Arena said in a news release. "He gives our team another veteran presence on the field and in the locker room."

2. Football Manager stats drove Kane on
Football Manager boss Miles Jacobson is claiming some of the credit for Harry Kane's success in the last couple of years. The 22 year old is now seen as one of the best forwards in the Premier League, but it was not always so, as he struggled in early loan spells with Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City. At that time his stats in the Football Manager game were not very good, which Jacobson claims drove Kane on to be better. "I met him at the London Football Awards and he is known for playing a lot of computer games and I said 'we get 0.5 percent wrong, you were one that we got wrong', and he said to me one of the reasons he was trying so hard was to make sure his stats were better in the game," Jacobson told the Daily Mirror.

3. Pennant in Singapore for a trial
Former Arsenal, Liverpool, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic winger Jermaine Pennant has headed to Singapore for a week long trial with S. League side Tampines Rovers. Pennant has had a career marred with controversy, with various convictions for alcohol-related offences, such as drink driving, then drink driving while disqualified twice, but he says he has matured thanks to his wife's influence. "You make many mistakes but you just have to pick yourself up and learn from them and you've got to deal with the consequences," Pennant told ESPN FC. "I've certainly done that. But now it's all about playing football, enjoying it, doing the right things, having the right attitude, professionalism and taking care of your family too. I think my wife's done that ... she's made me mature," he said. "I've come on leaps and bounds but you do ... everyone does from a young age." Pennant is remembered best for his time at Real Zaragoza because he left his Porsche at a train station in Spain after he forgot he owned it. To make matters worse, the car had a personalised numberplate on it that read 'P33NNT' - somewhat narrowing down its potential list of owners. It was left sat at the station for a staggering five months before Pennant's old club Real Zaragoza contacted him at his new club Stoke City.

4. Nigerian striker believes he is closing in on dream move to Arsenal
Austin Amutu, currently plying his trade at Israeli side Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona, has claimed that Arsene Wenger is tracking his career and is closing in on completing a deal for him. He also believes that money is all that has stopped him joining the Gunners already. The 22-year-old, who has played for Nigeria's Under-23 side, said: "It has been my dream to play for Arsenal, they came for my while I was at Warri Wolves and I think it was money that truncated the whole thing. By now I should be playing for Arsenal or any team in England. I am happy that a coach like Wenger has interest in me for long, still keeps his eyes on me and has not lost interest. He recommended me to Angers. The French team watched me score in Toto Cup semi-finals. I believe I am not far away from my dream of playing for Arsenal."

5. United cut short Januzaj loan spell
Belgian forward Adnan Januzaj has struggled out on loan at Borussia Dortmund, failing to force his way into the first team on a regular basis. Due to the lack of first team action, Manchester United have recalled the 20 year old, to rejoin the first team squad. The youngster joins Will Keane in being recalled by United in January. Januzaj will need to recover his match fitness before he can return to first team action, with his lack of action holding him back. It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils will search for another loan for him this season.

6. Whitecaps add Costa Rican winger
Costan Rican international Christian Bolanos has joined Vancouver Whitecaps from his hometown side Saprissa. The 31 year old has appeared for his country in World Cup matches, both in the 2006 and 2014 World Cups. The Caps have also added a 25 year old Japanese striker, Masato Kudo, one of the top scorers in the J League to their roster. The main excitement has been regarding the re-signing of Cristian Techera on a permanent deal, following his loan last season using TAM money (target allocation money) to pay for the transfer from River Plate Montevideo. Left winger Kekuta Manneh is also set to return for the forthcoming season.

7. Potters facing Arnautovic problem
Stoke City are facing up the possibility of losing star winger Marko Arnautovic after the 26 year old rejected a contract extension. With just 18 months left on his current deal, and reported interest from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, Stoke now have to decide whether to cash in on the Austrian, who has been in excellent form this season. Arnautovic is the Potteries club's leading scorer with 7 goals, and this has led to claims that PSG have been tracking him, as he excelled in victories over both Manchester United and Manchester City. He was originally signed from Werder Bremen in 2013 with a reputation for being difficult to deal with, but has become established as a top talent for Stoke.

8. Ighalo hoping for Man Utd move
Watford have been turning heads this season with their performances, at the centre of it all is striker Odion Ighalo. Last season Ighalo notched 20 goals in the English Championship to help Watford win promotion to the Premier League. This season the Nigerian has already added 14 more league goals to his tally, which has created a lot of speculation about his future. Ighalo himself has now said he wants to stay in England and play for Manchester United. "There has been speculation from Spain and Italy but I've played there and now want to play in England," Ighalo said. "I don't think I will be moving but I'm not sure I'd say no if United called. They were my team growing up. I loved watching Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke on TV. They were my idols and playing at Old Trafford has always been a dream."

9. Costly victory for Toffees
Roberto Martinez led his Everton side to a 1-0 first leg League Cup semi final victory over Manchester City that has proven to be extremely costly. While the Toffees impressed as they got a slim lead to take into the second leg, they lost three players to injury during the game, which saw them forced to fight on with 10 men at the end of the game, as Seamus Coleman's injury happened after all three substitutions had been made. Now they will have to manage without Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Tom Cleverley at the weekend. Lukaku has taken an ankle knock that needs assessing before the club will know the severity. Coleman is expected to be out for three to four weeks according to Martinez, while Cleverley suffered a recurrence of a previous injury.

10. Galliani rules out Fellaini signing
Manchester United's hirsute midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been linked with a move to Serie A giants AC Milan in recent weeks, but now their CEO, Adriano Galliani, has dismissed the chances of it happening. "Fellaini is a player I like, I have always liked him, but there is no way he is joining Milan," Galliani told Mediaset. "I can only deny that Fellaini is close to Milan. We already have seven players in midfield. If nobody leaves in that area, we will not sign anyone." Fellaini is believed to be surplus at the Red Devils, as this season has seen his chances limited by under fire boss Louis van Gaal.

Written by Tris Burke January 07 2016 09:11:01