Picture from: wsj.com
Review of the day
Vale 10
League Two side Port Vale have sacked ten players after finishing a point above safety. Ryan Butt, Joe Slim, Charlie Wolford, Luke Dennis, Harry Middleton, Graham Kelly, Billy Reeves, Anton Forrest, Chris Regis and Sher Knops are the 10 players who have been released, but Knops will continue to train at the club.
The cobbler lets the trio go
Leon Lobjot, Raheem Hanley and Kevin Lucassen were sacked by Northampton Town following their relegation from League One. Goalkeeper David Connell has signed a new two-year deal with the Cobblers. Injured defender Aaron Phillips is out of contract and will be able to use the club’s facilities to complete his recovery from a groin injury.
Russia fined for singing racist slogans
As the World Cup in Russia approaches, the Russian Football Federation has once again been fined for racist chants (albeit a ridiculously low amount, which shows how little attention FIFA takes this issue). In March, their friendly against France at World Cup host St Petersbury was marred by chants clearly heard by photographers as the players fought for a corner kick. FIFA believed it was only worth a fine of £22,000, which the Kick It Out chairman said was pitiful. FIFA said: “After a thorough investigation, including review of video evidence and analysis of all the specific circumstances of the case, in particular the seriousness of the incident and the limited number of fans involved, FIFA has decided that the Russian Football Association is responsible for the violation of Article 58.”
Stoke City to undergo overhaul
Stoke City’s boss has told supporters that the club will undergo major changes. The Coates family said: “Supporters do question whether we should have made management changes earlier. We have always given people longer than most to prove themselves and that will continue to be the case. However, that does not mean we always made the right decisions and in hindsight we perhaps should have made the changes earlier. “It is clear that significant reform is needed. We need to regain our identity and focus and the summer will be spent on that.
Moore wins manager of the month award
West Bromwich Albion caretaker boss Darren Moore showed exactly why he deserves the Premier League Manager of the Month award as he refused to take the accolade on his own despite the fact he may never get the chance to win it again. Moore chose to pose with all members of the club’s staff, from administrators to players to groundskeepers, and as the promotional photo for the award said: “It’s a joint effort from everyone here. We’ve just brought some unity here and it’s helped the players perform well on the pitch.” Although last night’s result had confirmed the Lightbags’ relegation, Moore’s performance as a caretaker, which has given him the chance to step into another managerial post, has done no harm.
Atletico slams Barcelona for pursuing Griezmann
Atletico Madrid have once again admitted their dissatisfaction with the Catalan side, after Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted on Monday that he met with Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann’s agent earlier this season. Barca reported him to FIFA in December for allegedly illegally approaching Griezmann, and now Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Marin has said “we are fed up with Barcelona’s attitude”. They showed an “absolute lack of respect” by “constantly pressuring” players throughout the season, and he told Bartomeu months ago that his “inappropriate behavior violated the integrity of La Liga”.
Koscielny out for 6 months due to injury
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will be sidelined for six months after a ruptured Achilles tendon required surgery. Wenger said: “You won’t see him until December at the most. Koscielny is sad. People always get tendon inflammation but they don’t rupture, but in his case it went away. I don’t know why. The recovery will be comprehensive because the benefit of surgery is that it cures the inflammation.”
Gomez missed opportunity
Koscielny is not the only international defender to miss the World Cup, with Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez undergoing ankle surgery. The 20-year-old has been battling injuries since picking up the injury in a friendly match for England against the Netherlands in March. He is currently missing the Champions League final and the World Cup. Gomez said: “I am happy to confirm that my season for club and country has come to an end, having successfully completed ankle surgery. It has been a difficult few weeks and I did everything I could on the pitch to help the team. I will do my best to be in the best shape for pre-season. The focus now is to support the team in the two most important games of the season.”
Bayer brand signing
Former Bayern Munich youngster Mitchell Weiser is set to join Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin this summer. He has agreed to a five-year contract that is expected to run until 2023.
Leno’s move to Napoli ruled out
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s agent has revealed that a move to Napoli has fallen through, but the Germany international has other options in the summer. Uli Faber said: “I can confirm that there were talks with Napoli but we canceled it. Napoli is not an option. There are more options and we will reunite at the end of the season.”
Agent claims Napoli are interested in Iran winger
Napoli are tracking Alkmaar’s Iran international winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, according to Alkmaar’s agent. His agent Amir Hashemi told CRC Radio: “Jahanbakhsh is a right-winger but can play on both flanks and is very good both offensively and defensively. He is very good at dribbling, dribbling and assisting, but despite these characteristics as a winger, he is also a good goalscorer. “I can’t reveal anything officially, but I know Napoli are interested in him and have been following him for some time.
Koulibaly awaits Sarri
Kalidou Koulibaly is waiting to see what happens with Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri before making a decision on his future. Bruno Satine, the Senegal international’s agent, said: “It’s too early to talk about the future. The lad will play until the end of the season and try to get as many points as possible. Obviously, this is a World Cup year, so it is a special year and we have to see how Sarri’s problems will end, which will definitely have an impact. Kalidou at Juventus? He has a level that can play anywhere…” Clients at Napoli have also made similar comments about his level Clients of Else also expressed similar opinions about his level and even local defenders in Naples expressed similar opinions about his level. Mario Giuffredi said: “A lot depends on Sarri, because confirming him on the bench may bring unexpected developments in the market. We will see how things go with Sarri. I hope the coach stays because I think he is one of the best coaches in the world, even with some flaws.”
Written by Tris Burke May 9, 2018 06:50:28