Football News: Review Of The Day 6th April 2020

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Guingamp midfielder Youssouf M'Changama has signed a deal running until 2022.

Axel Bamba has signed a deal until 2023 with Paris FC.

Managerial Changes

The Football Association of Ireland have replaced their national manager Mick McCarthy with Stephen Kenny immediately. Kenny was set to replace McCarthy after Euro 2020. FAI's statement read: "The Football Association of Ireland announces that Mick McCarthy is to be succeeded as national team manager by Stephen Kenny with immediate effect. The handover has been agreed with both men in light of the delay to the European Championship play-offs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Mick's contract was due to expire on 31 July after the Euro 2020 finals, with Stephen initially scheduled to step up from his Under-21 role on 1 August. This move allows Stephen time to plan for the European Championship play-off semi-final against Slovakia later in the year."

Denamrk's national coach Age Hareide has also been replaced by the man lined up to take over after the Euros. Kasper Hjulmand has taken charge with immediate effect.

Ireland's new manager Stephen Kenny has acted quickly to bring in Damien Duff, Keith Andrews and Alan Kelly to join his backroom staff.

Disciplinary Charges

Manchester City and England right-back Kyle Walker is facing action from the club after hosting a party with hookers, while supposedly in self-isolation like the rest of the UK. A Man City statement read: "Manchester City FC are aware of a story in a tabloid newspaper regarding the private life of Kyle Walker in relation to a breach of the UK lockdown and social distancing rules. Footballers are global role models, and our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS and other key workers in fighting the effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus in any way we can. Kyle's actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts. We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle's swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days." Walker was one of those Premier League players posting to tell members of the public to follow government guidelines, as he shows the same lack of shame that Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish did just a few days ago.

Coronavirus Latest

Cardiff City forward Josh Murphy has joined volunteers delivering food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable in his local community. Murphy came through the Norwich youth academy and still lives in the Norfolk area and has been helping to deliver goods in the Downham Market region.

UEFA has lifted the ban on games being shown live on TV when they start at 3pm on a Saturday in England and Scotland. UEFA's statement read: "Uefa has lifted the 'blocked hours' protection granted to England and Scotland for the remainder of the 2019-20 season following requests from the relevant national associations as a result of measures taken in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic." The intention is to make it possible for the league seasons to be completed behind closed doors.

Aberdeen have announced £2m of investment into the club. They have also stated that higher-paid non-football staff at the club, as well as the manager, Derek McInnes, his staff and players have agreed a wages deferral of between 10 and 30% for four months. Chairman Dave MCormack said: "Everybody has been completely supportive of what we've done. In particular, Derek and the players wanted to make sure that the lesser earners - academy players, club staff - were protected with a plan that made sense. I've heard of other chairmen dealing directly with agents and players, but Derek has 100% dealt with Joe Lewis - our captain - and the players, which has taken a massive burden off me. Derek himself has made a signification contribution to this deferment. In these crisis situations, it's actually a process that couldn't have gone any better." Cormack also revealed that plans for a new stadium are on hold indefinitely.

Norwich City have begun to furlough staff. The Canaries said: "The club will top up the money received from the scheme to ensure that all furloughed staff receive their usual salary in full. The furloughing of staff will safeguard future jobs and help sustain the club throughout this period."

Liverpool have become the latest Premier League club to place some non-playing staff on furlough, making them the 5th team to do so. A Liverpool statement read: "Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club - on and off the pitch - with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis. There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule. These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing."

West Bromwich Albion's chief executive Mark Jenkins is not receiving any pay during the coronavirus crisis. Jenkins said on the club website: "Making any long-term plans is now almost impossible, with the entire focus of the management team in guiding the club through this difficult time. What we are determined to do is to support our wonderful friends in the emergency services and in particular the NHS, which continues to help us all through this crisis. We are in a crisis which peace-time football has never had to face before and there is no way of knowing precisely what we will have to tackle further along the road. All I can promise is that everything we do in the weeks to come will be designed to ensure our club is in as strong a position as it has been possible to secure when football resumes."

And Yet Another List

Transfermarkt have gone back to the most valuable players and this time it is 2013's most valuable players.
Player - Club - Value in Euros
1. Lionel Messi Barcelona 120m
2. Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 100m
3. Gareth Bale Real Madrid 80m
4. Andres Iniesta Barcelona 70m
5. Wayne Rooney Manchester United 65m
6. Falcao Atletico Madrid 60m
7. Edinson Cavani Paris Saint-Germain 60m
8. Cesc Fabregas Barcelona 55m
9. Sergio Aguero Manchester City 51m
10. David Silva Manchester City 50m
11. Neymar Barcelona 50m
12. Mesut Ozil Arsenal 50m
13. Robin van Persie Manchester United 45m
14. Mario Gotze Bayern Munich 45m
15. Thomas Muller Bayern Munich 45m
16. Hulk Zenit St Petersburg 45m
17. Juan Mata Chelsea 45m
18. Sergio Busquets Barcelona 45m
19. Eden Hazard Chelsea 42m
20. Luis Suarez Liverpool 42m
21. Mario Gomez Bayern Munich 42m
22. Franck Ribery Bayern Munich 42m
23. Arturo Vidal Juventus 40m
24. Sergio Ramos Real Madrid 40m
25. Angel di Maria Real Madrid 40m

The Lists Just Keep Coming

Transfermarkt have also released a list of the most valuable players in the MLS in 2011.
Player - Club - Value in US$
1. Robbie Keane Los Angeles Galaxy 6.05m
2. David Beckham Los Angeles Galaxy 3.85m
3. Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy 3.3m
4. Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls 3.3m
5. Rafael Marquez New York Red Bulls 3.3m
6. Torsten Frings Toronto FC 2.75m
7. Jay Demerit Vancouver Whitecaps 2.2m
8. Branko Boskovic DC United 1.98m
9. Julian De Guzman Toronto FC 1.93m
10. Danny Koevermans Toronto FC 1.93m
11. Charlie Davies DC United 1.76m
12. Milton Caraglio New England Revolution 1.65m
13. Benny Feilhaber New England Revolution 1.65m
14. Frank Rost New York Red Bulls 1.65m
15. Teemu Tainio New York Red Bulls 1.65m
16. Omar Bravo Sporting Kansas City 1.65m
17. David Ferreira FC Dallas 1.54m
18. Carlos Valdes Philadelphia Union 1.38m
19. Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders 1.38m
20. Andres Mendoza Columbus Crew 1.32m
21. Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders 1.32m
22. Carlos Costly Houston Dynamo 1.21m
23. Juan Pablo Angel Chivas USA 1.1m
24. Jamie Smith Colorado Rapids 1.1m
25. Andre Luis San Jose Earthquakes 1.1m

They Just Can't Help Themselves

Yes, it is another list! It seems everyone is bored during this quarantine period, well other than Kyle Walker, who seems to be able to keep himself busy. This list is of the highest pass completion rates by players in the top 5 European leagues. Before you ask, no that does not include Scotland...
Player - Club - Pass Completion Rate
1. Thiago Silva Paris Saint-Germain 95.5%
2. Presnel Kimpembe Paris Saint-Germain 95%
3. Marlon Santos Sassuolo 94.2%
4. Axel Witsel Borussia Dortmund 94.1%
5. Jason Denayer Olympique Lyonnais 94%
6. Toni Kroos Real Madrid 93.6%
7. Marquinhos Paris Saint-Germain 93.5%
8. Leandro Paredes Paris Saint-Germain 93.4%
9. Filippo Romagna Sassuolo 93.1%
10. Idrissa Gueye Paris Saint-Germain 92.7%
11. Abdou Diallo Paris Saint-Germain 92.6%
12. Marco Verratti Paris Saint-Germain 92.5%
13. Nicolas Otamendi Manchester City 92.4%
14. Milan Skriniar Inter Milan 92.3%
15. Rodri Manchester City 92.1%
16. Frenkie de Jong Barcelona 92%
17. Clement Lenglet Barcelona 91.7%
18. Stefan de Vrij Inter Milan 91.6%
19. Kostas Manolas Napoli 91.5%
19. Ilkay Gundogan Manchester City 91.5%

Written by Tris Burke April 05 2020 22:43:29