Football News: Review Of The Day 3rd November 2018

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Review of the Day

Wickham Injury Setback

I am beginning to wonder if he should be listed as former footballer, the way it is going, as forward Connor Wickham suffers yet another setback in his attempts to return to full fitness. The 25 year old has not played for 2 years after an ACL injury, but was nearing a return when a thigh strain ruled him out for a few more weeks. Crystal Palace are already having somewhat of a striker crisis, with Alexander Sorloth struggling to impress, Jordan Ayew struggling to do anything and Christian Benteke struggling to move. Though they have had some good news on the injury front as Benteke is still out with a knee problem.

Teen Signs Sunderland Deal

England youth international Bali Mumba has signed his first professional contract at the age of 17. The youngster made his first team debut for the Black Cats last season and is an under-18 international with England.

Bolt Leaves Mariners

After Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners have failed to attract an outside partner to enable them to match Usain Bolt's clearly insane wage demands, the 32 year old has left the club. Despite his claim that it his dream merely to play professional football, the Jamaican sprinter has rejected a number of offers, as none met the financial demands of the already extremely wealthy man, who actually has more than enough money to live on for the rest of his life. Makes you wonder how much of a dream it actually is really.

Bendtner Jailed

It almost feels a bit like the way they got Al Capone as, after years of escaping justice for impersonating a footballer, Nicklas Bendtner has finally been sentenced to jail time. The 30 year old was sentenced to 50 days in jail in Denmark for hitting a taxi driver, because the Denmark international (how is he an international footballer? I mean Denmark make great bacon, why not just stick a slab of that up front, it would be more effective than Bendtner surely?) claims he felt threatened after he left the cab without paying. Bendtner's current club Rosenborg, who obviously do not pay him enough if he cannot afford a cab ride, have said they will not be terminating his contract, despite it being just the latest in a string of idiotic incidents involving the man who somehow conned his way into 171 line ups for Arsenal over a 9 year spell at the club.

Istanbul Derby Descends Into Farce

The final whistle in a 2-2 draw between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce was the catalyst for a 30 man brawl involving players and staff that saw 3 men sent off after the whistle had gone. Galatasaray's on-loan Stoke City clogger Badou Ndiaye, Fener's former Tottenham Hotspur forward Roberto Soldado (who no doubt missed with all his punches) and Jailson were shown a red after the centre circle clashes.

City Hit By Fresh De Bruyne Blow

Manchester City will have to do without their Belgian international playmaker Kevin de Bruyne for a little longer after he limped off during Thursday's League Cup win over Fulham. Scans showed the 27 year old had suffered a knee ligament injury which will rule him out for 5 to 6 weeks.

United Want To Keep Martial

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said Anthony Martial is closer to being a top player and that the club wants him to stay. Mourinho said: "I know the club wants him very much to stay, so hopefully he is going to stay. One thing is that he's a talented player that everybody knows he is - since he was in Monaco, everybody knows he was a talented player. Another thing is, a talented player with consistency and understanding of what a football match is in the globality. So, when you reach that level or when you are almost reaching that level, it's when you become a player - what I say, a top player. Because one thing is top talent, another is top player. So, when he is now much closer to being a top player, obviously I would like him to stay."

PSG Set New European Record

Paris Saint-Germain have broken a record that has stood since the start of the 1961-62 season when Tottenham Hotspur recorded 11 consecutive wins. PSG increased their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 11 points with their 12th consecutive win to set a new record for a winning start in Europe's top 5 leagues.

Messi's Foundation Under Investigation Again

For the second time in a few years, Barcelona star Lionel Messi's foundation is being investigated over alleged money laundering involving his father. The foundation was investigated previously in Spain over Messi's involvement in a number of friendly games around the world, labelled "Messi and Friends", with proceeds supposedly intended for the foundation. The whereabouts of the money was never clarified.

Croatia Name Squad

Croatia have named their squad ready for the games against Spain and England later this month:
Croatia squad:
Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic, Karlo Letica.
Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivaric, Tin Jedvaj, Matej Mitrovic, Duje Caleta-Car, Antonio Milic
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Marko Rog, Mario Pasalic, Filip Bradaric
Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Rebic, Marko Pjaca, Nikola Vlasic, Josip Brekalo

Mertens Sets New Serie A Record

Napoli forward Dries Mertens has become the highest scoring Belgian in Serie A history after surpassing Luis Oliveria's 72 goals with a het-trick against Empoli. His 73rd goal also moved him to joint-6th in Napoli's all-time scoring charts, level with Brazilian star Careca.

Veratti To Be Fined By PSG

After Marco Veratti was caught with a blood alcohol limit over double the legal limit, Italian midfielder Marco Veratti will be fined by his club. A PSG statement read: "On the night of 30 to 31 October, Marco Verratti was subjected to a roadside check in his car, which showed a blood alcohol level higher than the limit allowed for drivers who are on probation after recently obtaining their licence. The next day, our player made a spontaneous apology to the coach and the management of Paris Saint-Germain. Under the rules stipulated in the contracts in our players, Marco Verratti will be deprived of a portion of his monthly ethics bonus, which reminds players of the exemplary behaviour they must show in all circumstances, as befitting their status as a Paris Saint-Germain player."

Written by Tris Burke November 03 2018 05:38:11