Football News: Eto'o Breaks Up Fan Protest, Leicester Dismiss Schmeichel Talk, Massa Lets The Duck Out Of The Bag And More
Image from: f1fanatic.co.uk
1. Former Everton and Liverpool player takes over Mozambique
Mozambican-born Abel Xavier has returned to his roots to become the new head coach of Mozambique. The former Portugal international, famed more for his wacky hair and beard combo, is one of the few players to join Liverpool direct from Everton, in a move I can still remember the Toffees fans laughing about when it happened. Xavier has also played for Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, AS Roma and Galatasaray in a well travelled career. He was also out of the game for a lengthy period after failing a drugs test. Since retiring, after a year with LA Galaxy, he has been coaching at lower division clubs in Portugal.
2. Transfer round up
Maic Sema, AEL Limassol to Orebro SK, undisclosed fee
Tobias Hysen, Shanghai SIPG to IFK Gothenburg, free
Robin Olsen, PAOK Salonika to FC Compenhagen, on loan
David Timor, released by Real Vallodolid
Bogdan Gavrila, Dinamo Bucharest to Petrolul Ploiesti, on loan
Eldin Hadzic, UD Almeria to Elche CF, free
Angel Montoro, UD Almeria to UD Las Palmas, free
Simone Benedetti, Cagliari to Virtus Entella, on loan
Orlando Sa, Reading to Maccabi Tel Aviv, undisclosed fee
Borja Lopez, AS Monaco to Barcelona, free
Mathieu Dossevi, Olympiacos to Standard Liege, £910,000
Andrei Ivan, Universitatea Craiova to Espanyol, on loan
Josue, FC Porto to Braga, on loan
Pieter Gerkens, KRC Genk to Sint-Truiden, undisclosed fee
Gaston Ramirez, Southampton to Middlesbrough, on loan
Gervinho, AS Roma to Hebei China Fortun, £10.5m
Assani Lukimya, Werder Bremen to Liaoning FC, £1.4m
Andrea Petagna, Atalanta to Ascoli, on loan
Foxi Kethevoama, FC Astana to Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediyespor, free
Filip Kasalica, NK Istra 1961 to Ordabasy, undisclosed fee
Tonia Tisdell, Osmanlispor to Karsiyaka, on loan
Emre Ozturk, released by Kayseri Erciyesspor
Albert Rafetraniaina, OGC Nice to Red Star 93, on loan
Gregory Bourillon, Reims to SCO Angers, free
3. Leicester player dismisses Schmeichel move talk
The son of Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, Leicester City's Kasper, is being linked with a move to Liverpool in the media, but back up veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer has dismissed the suggestion. Schwarzer believes Schmeichel will see out the season with the Foxes, at the very least. Schwarzer told talkSport: "I can't see Leicester allowing him to leave, particularly at this time of the season. I just see it as impossible. Maybe at the end of the season we'll see what happens at the club, but I just can't see Leicester letting Kasper go." With the Foxes top of the league and chasing the title, it really does not seem a likely move for the keeper to make.
4. Felipe Massa lets the Duck out of the bag
Brazilian F1 driver Felipe Massa has confirmed Alexandre Pato's move to Chelsea on instagram:
5. Blues and Baggies get an FA fine
Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion have been punished with a fine after admitting failure to keep their players under control. As this was not the first time the pair have been punished under FA Rule E20(a), the case was heard by an independent regulatory commission. Chelsea received a fine of £65,000, while the Baggies were fined £35,000.
6. Hammers hit by injury blow
It seems the Arsenal injury curse even affects those out on loan from the North London club as Carl Jenkinson, on a season long loan with West Ham United, has suffered a season ending injury. The 23 year old right back had to be taken off early on during the 2-2 draw with Manchester City and scans have shown a serious knee injury which will rule him out for the rest of the season. "Unfortunately, it appears that Carl has suffered a significant injury and he will be assessed by a specialist in central London on Wednesday," West Ham said in a statement on their website. "Carl Jenkinson's injury is far more serious than we thought," the co-owner's said on Twitter. The blow has been lessened to the Hammers, by their recent acquisition of Sam Byram from Leeds United.
7. Former England striker passes away
Former Burnley and England striker Ray Pointer has passed away at the age of 79. Pointer was born in Northumberland in 1936, joining Burnley in 1955. He went on to become the Clarets' second-highest scorer of all time as an integral part of their title winning team of 1960. Only George Beel, with 178, has bettered his total of 132 goals in 270 appearances. After Burnley he spent time with Bury, Coventry City and Portsmouth, winning 3 England caps during his career and scoring 2 international goals. A statement on Burnley's official website read: 'All of us at Burnley Football Club extend our sympathies to Ray's family and friends at this very sad time.'
8. Bale links to Red Devils rubbished by agent
The agent of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has dismissed talk of a big money move for his client to Manchester United. Jonathan Barnett has called the links "complete rubbish". The Welsh international, who has fired his country to the European Championships this summer, joined Madrid in 2013 from Tottenham Hotspur for a world record fee. Barnett said: "the story is complete rubbish. We have never even discussed it." With Bale finally winning over the supporters of Los Blancos this season, it was always an extremely unlikely transfer, to say the least.
9. Freedman praise for Mancienne
Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman has been effusive in his praise of utility man Michael Mancienne. The former Chelsea and Hamburg SV player is more usually used in a central defensive role, but lately he has played at full back and now he has impressed in a defensive midfield role protecting the back four. Forest have now gone 12 games unbeaten, following a weekend win over Middlesbrough courtesy of a Jamie Ward goal, and Freedman has praised the contribution of Mancienne. Freedman said: "Michael Mancienne, sat in front of the back-four, not only stopped (Stewart) Downing getting on the ball and Adam Forshaw, wonderful player he is, creating opportunities. But when a cross came in he was in front of that back-four and headed it out. He was, today, one of 16 players who played their part."
10. Eto'o breaks up fan protest
Fans of Antalyaspor headed to the training ground on Tuesday to hold a protest against the team after a dire campaign. With boos ringing round it fell to one man, legendary Cameroon striker and team captain Samuel Eto'o, to fix it. Eto'o's arrival turned the boos into cheers as he mingled with the fans and began taking selfies and chatting with them. By the end of it they were all smiling for photographs, cheering and singing songs in support of the team.
Written by Tris Burke January 26 2016 20:46:43
