Football News: Review Of The Day 21st May 2018

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Review of the Day

Giggs Trims Squad

New Wales manager Ryan Giggs has trimmed his 32 man squad down to 23, dropping Hal Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion) and Adam Matthews (Sunderland) amongst others. Giggs has also had to make do without the Fulham, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Aston Villa players that are eligible for their finals at the weekend.
Wales squad:
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Chris Maxwell (Preston North End), Adam Davies (Barnsley).
Defenders: Ashley Williams (Everton), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Gunter (Reading), Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers), Declan John (Rangers), Connor Roberts (Swansea City), Christopher Mepham (Brentford), Ashley Richards (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Lee Evans (Sheffield United), Andy King (Leicester City), Ryan Hedges (Barnsley), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Matthew Smith (Manchester City), Joe Ledley (Derby County), George Thomas (Leicester City),
Forwards: Sam Vokes (Burnley), Tom Bradshaw (Barnsley), Tom Lawrence (Derby County), David Brooks (Sheffield United), Harry Wilson (Liverpool).

Tuchel Says Neymar Needs Special Treatment

New Paris Saint-Germain head coach, Thomas Tuchel, has told the media that Neymar is an 'artist' and needs special treatment. Tuchel said, in his first press conference since being named PSG boss: "Artists are special players, they need special treatment, it's common sense. I met him last Sunday and it was a very good meeting. He's an artist, an exceptional player, one of the best in the world. I met a very friendly, very open guy for the first time. We started talking about soccer and I saw a smile on his face and that is what I want to see. If we find a way to build a structure around him, so he can show all his talent on the pitch, I think we have a key player to win our games."

Transfer Round Up

Wolverhampton Wanderers have released 12 players as the club prepares for its return to the Premier League. Jordan Allan, Dan Armstrong, Anthony Breslin, Nicu Carnat, Ross Finnie, Jon Flatt, Conor Levingston, Tomas Nogueira, Hakeem Odoffin, Adam Osbourne, Ryan Rainey and Jose Xavier have all come to the end of their contract and will be released.

Leicester City have completed the signing of Porto fullback Ricardo Pereira, matching the player's release clause with the club, though it has been reported that 12% of the fee will be going to the player's agent, Pedro Falcao. Porto's looming FFP issues forced them to look to sell a player who was about to enter the final year of his contract.

Willian Blocks Conte Out Of Cup Winners Pic

Chelsea winger Willian has been at the centre of an internet storm after posting pictures on one of his social media accounts showing a celebratory picture of the team and staff following the FA Cup final 1-0 win over Manchester United. His posted picture had not-so-subtlely blocked manager Antonio Conte out with trophies, a clear dig at a man he has had a strained relationship with in recent times. The Brazilian also refused to take part in any interviews after the game.

Parks Gets USA Call

The US national team has called up 20 year old Benfica midfielder Keaton Parks for its forthcoming friendly matches with Bolivia, Ireland and France. Parks is just one of a number of players who have yet to be capped who are in the squad, Alex Bono, Matthew Olosunde, Erik Palmer-Brown, Antonee Robinson, Josh Sargent and Alejandro Guido are the others hoping to follow Timothy Weah in picking up their first cap for the US this season.
USA squad:
Goalkeepers: Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 0/0), Bill Hamid (Midtjylland/DEN; 5/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG; 2/0), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 14/1), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 5/1), Matthew Olosunde (Manchester United/ENG; 0/0), Erik Palmer-Brown (Manchester City/ENG; 0/0), Antonee Robinson (Everton/ENG; 0/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX; 16/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 2/0)
Midfielders: Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX; 20/3), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland/ENG; 3/0), Julian Green (Stuttgart/GER; 8/3), Alejandro Guido (Club Tijuana/MEX; 0/0), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 1/1), Keaton Parks (Benfica/POR; 0/0), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 20/9), Rubio Rubin (Club Tijuana/MEX; 5/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA; 1/0)
Forwards: Andrija Novakovich (Reading/ENG; 1/0), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 0/0)

Rivaldo Joins Chorus Criticising Neymar's PSG Move

Since joining Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona, there have been a succession of former Barca players who have been trotted out in the media to tell him what a mistake he has made in choosing to leave the Catalans for the French capital. The latest in a long list is Rivaldo, the Brazilian legend saying: "If you want to be the best in the world, PSG are strong, but they don't have tradition in the Champions League, they're not the strongest in Europe. The French league isn't like the English, Spanish or German leagues, either. For that reason, I think he made a mistake, but financially it was good for him and his family. You have to win the Champions League, achieve something different, to win the Ballon d'Or. His team will always win the league and the cup but, like I say, it's not the strongest championship." While I agree it is all about the money that he moved, would he have won the Ballon d'Or with Barca if he had stayed, or would he have always been just supporting cast to Lionel Messi?

Torres' Final Atleti Game Marred By Griezmann Reaction

Fernando Torres played his final game for Atletico Madrid, scoring the Atleti goals in a 2-2 draw in what should have been a celebration of his career, but was instead ruined by boos and jeers for Antoine Griezmann, just a few days after his brace secured the Europa League trophy. French forward Griezmann came on in the 59th minute to replace Koke and his every touch was greeted with whistles and boos from Atletico Madrid fans, as he closes in on a move to Barcelona. Diego Godin ran over to one section of the fans to plead with them not to boo Griezmann in bizarre scenes at the Wanda Metropolitana.

Madrid Want Alaba According To Agent

David Alaba's agent (and father) has claimed that Real Madrid want to sign the Bayern Munich left-back. George Alaba told AS: "Everyone knows that Real Madrid are really interested in David, but we can't say anything right now. We'll see what happens in the summer. Now isn't the moment to discuss who is interested in him. Everyone already knows of Madrid's interest, it's no secret. But right now there's nothing to say. He has to wait and see at the end of the season."

Dembele's World Cup Hopes Suffer A Blow

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has suffered a badly injury-hit season which has just taken another blow as it ended. The French international was taken off early in the second half after he suffered a sprained right ankle, which could potentially affect his hopes of World Cup glory next month.

Written by Tris Burke May 23 2018 11:10:03