Football News: Monaco Show Some Love While PSG Admit To Cavani Troubles And More News

1. Sanchez closing on return
Arsenal have received a huge boost with the news that star winger Alexis Sanchez is close to return. Arsene Wenger revealed that the Chilean star could even make his return at the weekend, when the Gunners line up against Stoke City on Sunday. Sanchez has been absent for six weeks, after suffering a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw with Norwich City on 29th November. Wenger intends to give Sanchez a fitness test ahead of the clash at the Britannia Stadium. "I will be cautious now. There is an opportunity that he will be in the squad for Sunday," Wenger said at a news conference. "He will have a definite test on Saturday. Friday and Saturday will be two important days for him. It is not impossible that he will be involved."

2. Vagner Love returns to European football
Brazilian forward Vagner Love has returned to Europe to join As Monaco of France's Ligue 1 on an 18 month contract. Love had previously spent time in Russia with CSKA Moscow, but returned to his homeland to play for Corinthians. "Arriving from Corinthians, with whom he won the 2015 Brazilian Serie A title last month, the Brazil international (20 caps) has also made over 80 appearances in European competition (Champions League and UEFA Cup) with CSKA Moscow, winning the UEFA Cup in 2005," read the official statement of the club. "The 31-year-old striker is now set for his first taste of Ligue 1 with AS Monaco, where he has been handed the No. 9 shirt." "Vagner Love is a striker who has shown all his value in his European career and more recently with Corinthians," commented Monaco club vice president Vadim Vasilyev. "We have had problems scoring goals since the start of the season, and we are convinced Vagner Love can provide us with all his quality in that department. He was very motivated to join us, which bodes well for AS Monaco meeting its targets for the second half of the season."

 

3. Galatasaray sign Norwegian international
Turkish Super Lig outfit Galatasaray have swooped in to pick up Norwegian international right back Martin Linnes from Molde. Gala are the defending champions in Turkey, but have struggled this season, recently changing coach Hamza Hamzaoglu for Mustafa Denizli. While still third in the standings, they are 10 points behind second placed Fenerbahce and a further point behind the leaders Besiktas, despite international stars such as Wesley Sneijder in their side.

4. Lovely finish with his weaker foot
Sunderland left back Patrick van Aanholt scores a cracker with his right foot to level the scores in last night's match against Swansea City.

 

5. Braithwaite goal against Marseille
Martin Braithwaite scores a lovely solo goal for Toulouse against Olympique Marseille

6. Charlton make surprise manager choice
Charlton Athletic are becoming more and more unpredictable as the days go by. Manager after manager is tried and discarded under owner Roland Duchatelet, and now he has returned to hire Jose Riga. Riga is the Addicks third manager of the season, as the London club is beginning to descend into the realm of a farce with their actions. The Charlton owner, Roland Duchâtelet, told the club website: "This has been a disappointing season for everyone connected with Charlton and the board take responsibility for that. Some things, like an unprecedented number of injuries, we could not have foreseen. But we have also made errors in recruitment, mistakes we have immediately tried to address in January. It was also crucial we dealt with the position of the head coach. José did an excellent job in his short period with Charlton two seasons ago. He was very popular with supporters and I believe that he will get us back on track. There are 20 matches of the season still to play and it's vital that we battle for every point." It really is no wonder the fans have taken to protesting against the running of the club, one that was always known for being a well run family club in its days in the Premier League. Now it is fast becoming a laughing stock under the current owner.

 

7. Carroll suffers injury setback
Just for a change West Ham United striker Andy Carroll is back on the injured list, this time manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed that the England striker is facing six weeks out. Just a few days after Bilic warned Carroll that he needs to sort his lifestyle out and stay fit, the Hammers striker suffered a hamstring injury just 12 minutes into the match against AFC Bournemouth. "He's having a scan but it's another one of those, four to six weeks," said Bilic. "He's a positive lad, but of course he is gutted for several reasons. He felt he was back and enjoying his football. It's not the end of the world, though. If everything goes well he will be back very soon so there is no reason to be negative. If it goes as we expect then he will be back for a significant part of the season, the last 10-15 games, with enough time to make a huge impact on our season." At least he will feel at home on the treatment table, as he has only managed to make 31 appearances in his 3 years at Upton Park.

8. Villa appoint new chairman
Aston Villa have appointed a new chairman to work alongside chief executive Tom Fox in the Villa Park boardroom, as owner Randy Lerner admits the club is unstable. Steven Hollis is a former chairman of auditors KPMG's Midland practice, and will work to improve the infrastructure at the Premier League's bottom dwellers. Lerner said: "That Aston Villa can and should operate in a far more stable and on a far more successful level, both in terms of football as well as commercially, is plainly clear. It is similarly clear that this great club has not been on stable footing for at least five years. In May of 2015 I again reiterated my intention to sell the club or, in the alternative, to shift to a Board governance structure that begins with the appointment of a new chairman; a chairman with a proven track record for getting into the thick of troubled organisations, working with embattled executives and getting results. Steve has taken the last six weeks to become familiar with the deeply serious predicament in which the club has found itself and has my total support to address the issues we face."

We're delighted to announce Steven Hollis as our new Chairman. Club statement here: https://t.co/18HD4YL0Vt #AVFC pic.twitter.com/fsF8kcRep0

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 14, 2016

 

9. Blanc admits Cavani problems
Paris Saint-Germain forward Edison Cavani has managed to notch 13 goals in 24 appearances this season, but the Argentinian is getting increasingly disillusioned with playing out wide to accommodate Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. PSG boss Laurent Blanc has confirmed that his future is now up in the air and that he is becoming a problem for him to deal with. Blanc said: "There is a problem with Cavani's behaviour but my job is to think of the entire squad as a collective. We did hold a staff meeting and among the various issues we discussed were Cavani and his complaints. The desires of the individual can't affect the rest of the team. I believe that he can score here but I understand if he wants to consider other career opportunities."

10. Atkinson heads out on loan
Crewe Alexandra midfielder Chris Atkinson has headed out to League Two Crawley Town on loan. Atkinson has struggled with a groin injury in recent months, keeping him out of the Crewe side since 14th November. It is a surprise from the Alex's side as they just lost one midfielder when Adam King's loan from Swansea City was not extended. Crawley manager Mark Yates told the club's official website: "With Jimmy Smith out for a while we needed another option in midfield and Chris is a player who's been on our radar for a while. He's energetic and gets around the pitch well and he's also composed on the ball. He needs to play first-team football and we're hoping this loan will suit both ourselves and Chris. We're looking forward to him being part of the group."

Written by Tris Burke January 14 2016 16:22:48