The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 13 (Week of July 3-July 9, 2018)

Note:

The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.

We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.

I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.

I.  England

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-After scoring against Colombia, Harry Kane has become the first player to score in six consecutive England National Team matches since Tommy Lawton in 1939. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Sunderland have signed Scottish midfielder Dylan McGeouch (from Wigan) and Reece James (from Wigan).  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Chelsea have turned down a bid for Willian from Barcelona.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Joe Bennett extended his contract with Cardiff City until 2021. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Nottingham Forest have signed goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Watford on permanent basis.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Mesut Ozil will wear the number 10 jersey at Arsenal for this coming season.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Goalkeeper Lee Grant is has joined Manchester United from Stoke City. For their part Stoke City have sigend goalkeeper Adam Federici from Bournemouth. (Source vi.nl online)

-French defender Yohann Cabaye has left Crystal Palce and joined Al-Nasr in Dubai. (Source vi.nl online)

-WBA have signed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Manchester United.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

- New Father Fabian Delph is on his way to join his England teammates in Russia.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

- Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has extended his contract with Crystal Palace by three years  (Source Sky Sports Online)

- Watford are set to sign Swedish midfielder Ken Sema from Ostersunds.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Chelsea have offered a professional contract to Franco-Ivorian goalkeeper Nicoals Tie. (Source L’Equipe online)

 -Scott Parker has been named as the Manager of Fulham. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Hull City have signed Jordy De Wijs from PSV Eindhoven. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-West Ham have offered a professional contract to 17-year-old defender Ajibola Alese. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Sevilla’s Ever Banega has rejected a move to Arsenal. (Source Vivaronews Online)

-Bournemouth are to pay  £4.75 Million to the Football League to settle a Financial Fair Play dispute stemming from the 2014-15 season.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Chelsea have offered a professional contract to 17-year-old Scottish player Billy Gilmour. (Source BBC Football Online)

-England’s John Stones has called Colombia, ‘the dirtiest team’ that he has played against. He called into question their language, violence on the field as well as discreetly trying to damage the penalty spot before Harry Kane was to take hic kick. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Goalkeeper Julian Speroni has extended his contract with Crystal Palace by one year.  (Source Reuters UK Online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

-According to Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp, goalkeeper Loris Karius was suffering from concussion in the CL Final vs. Real Madrid. According to Klopp he had ’26 out of 30 markers for a concussion’. He also revealed that Franz Beckenbauer had called him and told him about this after consulting with a specialist. (Source Sky Sports / Daily Mail  online)

-Everton have rejected a bid from RB Leipzig for Ademola Lookman. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Callum Wilson has extended his contract with Bournemouth until 2022. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Jamie Vardy missed England’s training session and is unlikely to play against Sweden after suffering a groin strain. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Goalkeeper Ben Foster has signed for Watford from WBA . (Source Sky Sports online)

-Tom Cairney has extended his contract with Fulham until 2023. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Brighton have signed Brazilian defender Bernardo from RB Leipzig.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Former CSKA Moscow Manager Valery Gazzayev stated that Russia’s Aleksandr Golovin had already signed with Chelsea. (Source AS.com online)

-Andrew Surman has extended his contract with Bournemouth until 2022. (Source vi.nl Online)

-Mauro Zarate has left Watford and joined Boca Juniors. (Source vi.nl Online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Goalkeeper Will Norris has extended his contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers until 2021. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Tim Ream has extended his contract with Fulham until 2020. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Swansea have signed Jordi Govea on a free (released from Real Madrid).  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Gareth Southgate has kept faith with the same eleven that started against Colombia for their match vs. Sweden . (Source L’Equipe Online)

-West Ham United are to sign Paraguayan Fabian Balbuena from Corinthians.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-England have reached the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Former Tottenham and Scotland striker Alan Gilzean has passed away aged 79.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-West Ham United are on the verge of signing Andiy Yarmolenko (from Dortmund) and Jack Wilshere (from Arsenal).  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Everton have rejected a second bid from RB Leipzig for Ademola Lookman. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-The previously reported news of former Arsenal player Eammnuel Eboue’s arrest due to arson in London are false. (Source Calciomercato online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

-West Ham United have officiallly Jack Wilshere from Arsenal. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Lucas Torreira and French player Matteo Guendouzi are to have their medicals prior to joining Arsenal. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Cardiff’s Icelandic Aron Gunnarsson has extended his contract for one more year. (Source BBC Football Online)

-All 23 England players trained today. There had been some injury concersn over Vardy and Henderson. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Southampton have reached an agreement to sign Danish defender Jannik Vestergaard from Moenchengladbach. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Despite the fact that Maurizio Sarri has been linked with the Chelsea Management post, Antonio Conte took charge of training as the coaching position has not been resolved. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Manchester United have extended the contracts of Callum Whlena and Zak Dearnley. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Hull City have signed midfielder David Milinkovic from Genoa. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Photo From: L’Equipe, July 4, 2018

(July 3, 1018, England 1-Colombia 1)

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-Sassuolo have signed midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng from Eintracht Frankfurt.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Sampdoria have signed striker Idir Boutrif from Standard Liege.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Lazio have officially signed Valon Berisha from Salzburg.  (Source Reuters UK online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

- Rangers Glasgow’s Portuguese defender Bruno Alves is set to have his medical at Parma. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Inter have officially signed Argentinean striker Lautaro Martinez from Racing Club. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Torino have signed defender Armando Izzo from Genoa. (Source L’Equipe com)

-Lazio have signed Belgian goalkeeper Silvio Proto from Olympiakos. (Source L’Equipe com)

-AC Milan have signed Alexandro Cavagnera from Standard Liege. (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Sassuolo have signed Federico Di Francesco from Bologna. Diego Falcinelli also comes back from his loan at Sassuolo to rejoin Bologna. (Source France Football com)

-Carpi have signed Dennis van der Heijden from Almere City. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Chievo Verona have signed Emanuele Giaccherini from Napoli on permanent basis. (Source L’Equipe com)

-Napoli have signed Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz from Betis. They have also signed goalkeeper Alex Meret from Udinese.  In addition, theyr have signed another goalkeeper, the Greek Orestos Karnezis (also from Udiense). (Source L’Equipe com)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

-AS Roma’s Brazilian defender Bruno Peres has left to Sao Paulo on loan. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Fronsione have signed on loan goalkeeper Marco Sportiello from Atalanta. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-New AS Roma striker Justin Kluivert will wear the number 34 jersey in hommage to former Ajax teammate Abdelhak Nouri. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Sampdoria have signed on loan (with obligation to buy) Jakub Jankto from Udinese. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-New Inter signing Radja Naingholan was involved in a car accident near Arezzo (car struck a guardrail). No injurues were reported and he continued to drive towards Milan with a replacement car . (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Benevento have signed Christian Maggio and Antonio Nocerino. (Source Calciomercato Online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Torino have extended the contract of goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu until 2022.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Cristiano Ronaldo has apparently turned down a lucrative offrer from a Chinese club and is closer than before to join Juventus. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly sought the council of former Manager Carlo Ancelotti prior to joining Juventus. Ancelotti has apparently told him that Massimilano Allegri is ‘the perfect coach for you.’. (Source AS.com online)

-Lazio’s Ciro Immobile was threatened with a knife from a violent fan on a beach in Italy. (Source Sport Bild Online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

-Roma have signed Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel Fuzato from Palmeiras. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Mauro Icardi announced that he would stay at Inter. (Source Calciomercato Online)

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-Real Madrid have denied reports that they are attempting to acquire Neymar from PSG . (Source BBC Football online)

-Leganes have signed striker Guido Carrillo on loan from Southampton. (Source Sky Sports online)

-There are reports linking Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.  (Source AS.com online)

-Betis have signed midfielder Sergio Canales from Real Sociead. (Source Kicker.de online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Real Madrid have denied reports that they have agreed to sign Kylin Mbappe from PSG . (Source BBC Football online)

-Barcelona have denied reports that their former President Sandro Rosell illegally bought a liver for French defender Eric Abidal. (Source BBC Football online)

-Atletico Madrid have signed Argentinean defender Nehuen Perez from Argentinos Juniors . (Source L’Equipe online)

-Leganes have signed on loan midfielder Mikel Vesga from Athletic Bilbao. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik is having his medical at Sevilla. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Atletico Madrid have signed goalkeeper Antonio Adnan from Betis. (Source AS.com online)

 Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has called a special meeting with Agent Jorge Mendes to sort out Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Juventus .  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Chilean midfielder Pablo Hernandez has left Celta Vigo to join Independiente. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Betis have signed goalkeeper Pau Lopez from Espanyol . (Source L’Equipe online)

-Serb defender Antonio Rukavina has left Villareal to join Astana in Kazakhstan. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Osasuna have signed goalkeeper Ruben Martinez Deportivo La Coruna. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign defender Alvaro Odriozola from Real Sociedad. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Guti is set to become an Assistant Manager at Besiktas . (Source Reuter UK online)

-Getafe have signed Mexican Oswaldo Alanis from Chivas. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Betis have signed goalkeeper Joel Robles from Everton . (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

-Leganes have signed Fede Vico from Lugo. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Valencia have signed French striker Kevin Gameiro from Atletico Madrid. (Source AS.com online)

-AC Milan’s Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic has been linked to Atletico Madrid. (Source Kicker.de  online)

-Brazilian midfielder Arthur from Gremio will join Barcelona this summer and not in January. (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Valencia are to offload Nani to Sporting CP and sign Daniel Wass from Celta Vigo. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Fernando Hierro has stepped down as Spain Manager. (Source BBC Fotball Online)

-Leganes have signed on loan Guido Carrillo from Southampton. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Sporting CP’s Gelson Martins has been linked to Atletico Madrid. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Luka Modric stated that he would like his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to stay. (Source AS.com online)

-After just one season Brazilian midfielder Paulinho leaves Barcelona to rejoin Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande. (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

-Luis Enrique has been appointed as the new National Team Manager of Spain. Jose Molina has also been appointed as the team’s new Sporting Director. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Manchester City have loaned Aleix Garcia to Girona for another seaon. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Espanyol have signed striker Borja Iglesias from Celta Vigo. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Barcelona have extended the contracts of midfielder Monchu (until 2021) and defender Oscar. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey has been named as the Ghanaian player of the year. (Source AS.com Online)

-Getafe have signed striker Robert Ibanez from Osasuna. (Source Maisfutebol Online)

IV.  Germany

Diary:

 Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-Joachim Low is to remain as Germany manager. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Striker Kenan Kodro has left Mainz to join FC Copenhagen. (Source Sport Bild online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Werder Bremen have signed defender Jan-Niklas Beste from Dortmund.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Werder Bremen have offered a professional contract to Luc Ihorst.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Jurgen Klinsmann has been linked with the Japan National team Manager Post.  (Source Sport Bild online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Eintracht Frankfurt have signed Lucas Torro (from Osasuna) and Evan Obite N’Dicka (from Auxerre).  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Nuremberg have signed on loan defender Robert Bauer from Werder Bremen.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Dortmund have signed on loan Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid.  (Source Sport Bild online)

- Phillip Kohn has left RB Leipzig to join Salzburg.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Jaroslav Drobny has extended his contract with Werder Bremen by one year. (Source Kicker.de online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

-Germany Team Manager Oliver Bierhoff stated that perhaps it had been a mistake to select Mesut Ozil following the Erdogan photo controversy.  (Source Daily Mail online)

-Stuttgart teammates of France’s Benjamon Pavard in a viral video wished good luck to him ahead of France’s Quarterfinal match vs. Uruguay. They sang the song dedicated to him by Stuttgart fans.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Bayern Munich have offered a professional contract to 19-yea-old midfielder Adrian Fein.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Zsolt Kalmar has left RB Leipzig and joined Slovakia’s DAC Dunajska Streda.  (Source Sport Bild online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Mainz have signed French defender Moussa Niakhate from Metz. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Mesut Ozil’s father has urged his son to quit the German National Team as he is ‘made the scapegoat.’ (Source Sky Sports online)

-DfB President Reinhard Grindel stated that Mesut Ozil owes Germay supporters an explanation over the photos with Erdogan. (Source AS.com online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

-RB Leipzig’s Technical Director Ralf Rangnick will be their Manager in the upcoming season only before Julian Nageksmann takes charge in 2019. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Hanpoer have signed on loan American striker Bobby Wood from SV Hmaburg. (Source L’Equipe online)

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-RC Lens have signed defender Massadio Haidara from Newcastle.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Montpellier have signed midfielder Florian Mollet from Metz.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Goalkeeper Yohann Pele has extended his contract with OM until, 2019. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Reims are on the verge of signing Gambian striker Yusupha Njie from Boavista.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Red Star FC have signed Emmanuel Bouyrgaud from Amiens.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Rennes Manager Sabri Lamouchi has extended his contract until 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

-OGC Nice’s Alassane Plea has resumed training with the club. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Caen have signed Chad striker Casimir Ninga from Montpellier.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Toulouse have signed John Bostock (from Bursaspor) and Manuel Garcia Alonso (on loan from Manchester City).  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Amiens have signed goalkeeper Mathieu Dreyer from Caen.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Valenciennes have signed on loan midfielder eden Massouema from Dijon.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Yassin Fekir (brother of Nabil) has extended his contract with Lyon until 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Lyon Manager Bruno Genesio that Dutch striker Memphis Depay (who has faield to show up to training) will be fined. (Source L’Equipe online)

-France’s Benjamin Mendy (who had been injured) started running today. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Dijon have offered professional contracts to 17-year-olds Levi Ntumba and Enzo Loiodice. (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-PSG have extended the contract of Kevin Rimane until 2020 and offered a professional contract to Timothee Pembele.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-OGC Nice have signed striker Maxime Pelican from Toulouse . (Source L’Equipe online)

-Hungarian defender Adam Lang has left Nancy and joined Cluj. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Thomas Monconduit has extended his contract with Amiens by three years.  Defender Khaled Adenon has also extended his contract until 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Lille have offered a professional contract to 19-year-old Charles-Andreas Brym. (Source L’Equipe online)

-The entire French squad with the exception of Benjamin Mnedy were able to train today. (Source L’Equipe com)

-Lyon have extended the contract of defender Ferland Mendy until 2023.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Lille have signed 18-year-old Serbian midfielder Arton Zekaj from FK Sopot Belgrade.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Saint Etienne have loaned Portuguese winger Jorginho to CSKA Sofia.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Benjamin Mendy missed France training today due to injury.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Paris FC have signed on loan striker Yannick Mamilonne from Amiens.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

-Monaco have signed 17-year-old English defender Jonathan Panzo from Chelsea.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Bordeaux have loaned goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni to Nimes.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Defender Jeremy Sorbon has extended his contract with Guingamp until 2020. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Corentin Tolisso replaced the suspended Blaise Matuidi in France’s linup against Uruguay.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale has extended his contract with OGC Nice.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Former Guingamp player Alassane Sow has been fined and sentenced to prison for fraud when he was managing Louhans-Cuiseaux.  His lawyer plans to appeal. (Source L’Equipe online)

-PSG officially announced the signing of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from Juventus.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Monaco have signed Guinea-Bissau Midfielder Pele from Rio Ave.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-France’s Antoine Griezmann did not celebrate after scoring against Uruguay. He said this was due to respect for Uruguay and he has friends on the other side (Atletico Madrid teammates like Godin (the godfather of his daughter)). (Source Sport Bild online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Gilles Sunu has left Angers and joined Erzurumspor. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Benjamin Mendy missed France training again today due to injury.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Lille have signed defender Zeki Celik from Istanbulspor.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Neymar has allegedly asked PSG to transfer Edinson Cavani out and replace him with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. (Source Sport Bild Online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

-Pedro Rebocho and Jeremy Loivolant have extended his contracts with Guingamp until 2022. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Lens have signed Algerian defender Mehdi Tahrat from Angers. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Angers have signed defender Ibrahim Cisse from Tours. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Reims have signed Aksel Aktas on a free (formerly from Sochaux). (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Paris FC have signed Swiss defender Vincent Rufli from Dijon. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-France’s Mbappe, Pavard and Kante missed the team training today to recuperate. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Monaco have signed Ronael-Pierre Gabriel from Saint Etienne. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Barcelona’s Phillipe Coutinho has been linked with a transfer to PSG. (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Metz have signed Gambian defender Stoppila Sunzi from Lille. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Photo From: L’Equipe, July 7, 2018

(2018, France 2-Uruguay 0)

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-Twente Enschede have signed on loan Matthew Smith from Manchester City. (Source vi.nl online)

-Vitesse have signed midfielder Matus Bero from Trabzonspor. (Source vi.nl online)

-PSV Eindhoven have offered a professional contract to 19-year-old Moroccan Charaf Taoualy. (Source vi.nl online)

-Roda JC Kerkrade have signed defender Niels Verburgh from Club Brugge. (Source vi.nl online)

-AZ Alkmaar have signed German defender Henri Weigelt from Arminia Bielfeld. (Source vi.nl online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Testar have signed Senne Lynen from Club Brugge. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Vitesse have signed Danilho Doekhi from Ajax. (Source vi.nl online)

-Almere City have signed Edward Francis from Manchester City. (Source vi.nl online)

-Willem II have signed on loan the Greek Dimitrios Kolovos from Mechelen. (Source vi.nl online)

-Trevor David has extended his contract with ADO Den Haag. (Source vi.nl online)

-Gadton Salasiwa has left Almere City and joined Notodden FK in Norway. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Vitesse have signed Nigerian Hilary Gong from Trencin. (Source vi.nl online)

-VVV Venlo have signed Tino Susuc from Antwerp. They have also signed on loan Jay-Roy Cave from NEC. (Source vi.nl online)

-Fortuna Sittard have signed 18-year-old Hungarian striker Aron Dobos. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

- Ajax have extended the contract of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar until 2019. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Vitesse have signed on loan Portuguese goalkeeper Eduardo dos Reis Carvalho from Chelsea. (Source L’Equipe online)

-ADO Den Haag have signed goalkeeper Mike Havekotte on a free (formerly at Excelsior). (Source vi.nl online)

- Goalkeeper Nigel Bertrams has left NAC Breda to join FC Nordsjaelland. (Source vi.nl online)

-Royston Drenthe has officially sigend for Sparta. Sparta have also signed Adil Auassar from Roda JC Kerkrade.  (Source vi.nl online)

-Former Feyenoord player Karim El Ahmadi has signed wih Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-FC Eindhoven have signed goalkeeper Meno Bergsen (from FC Dordecht) and Colin Seedorf (from Inverness). (Source vi.nl online)

-Go Ahead Eagles have signed striker Jaroslav Navratil from Heracles Almelo. (Source vi.nl online)

-NEC have signed midfielde Tom Overtoom from Almere City. (Source vi.nl online)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Fred Grim has been appointed as Manager of RKC Walwijk. (Source vi.nl  online)

-Feyenoord have signed Colombian striker Luis Fernando Sinisterra from Once Caldas. (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

- SC Heerenveen have extended the contract of goalkeeper Jan Bekkema. (Source vi.nl online)

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-Steven Nasimith will once again be loaned to Heats from Norwich (Source BBC Football online)

- Hibernian have rejected a bid for midfielder John McGinn from Celtic. (Source Sky Sports online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Kilmarnock have signed on loan striker Mikael Ndjoli from Bournemouth as well as signing on permnent basis Stuart Finlay from Newcastle. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

- Hibernian have sigend midfielder Stevie Mallan from Barnsley. (Source Sky Sports online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

- St Johnstone have signed Tony Watt on a free (formerly from OH Leuven). (Source BBC Football online)

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Estoril have signed midfielder Filipe Soares from Benfica. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Brazilian defender Luisao has extended his contract with Benfica for one more season. He has been with the club since 2003/04 season. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

- Porto have signed Brazilian midfielder Emerson Souza from Rio Branco. (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

-Daniel Podence (having ended his contract with Sporting CP) has signed for Olympiakos. (Source L’Equipe Online)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-Anderlecht have signed Croatian striker Ivan Santini from Caen.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Anderlecht have loaned Alexandru Chipciu to Sparta Pargue. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Anderlecht have signed Zakaria Bakkali from Valencia. (Source Footnews.be online)

- Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen’s header vs. Japan yesterday set a new record as the longest distance for a header (18.6 meters).  (Source Sky Sports Online)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Standard Liege have signed defender Luis Pedro Cavanda on permanent basis from Galatasaray. (Source Footnews.be online)

-As much as ten Belgian players missed training today, these included Hazard, Mertens, Lukaku, Witsel, Meunier, Vertonghen, alderweireld, Carrasco, Kompany and Januzaj. (Source L’Equipe com)

-Former Belgian International Hneri Diricx has passed away aged 90. (Source RTBF.be online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Zulte Waregem have signed Theo Bongonda from Celta Vigo. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Cercle Brugge have signed on loan striker Irvin Cardona from Monaco. They have also signed on loan Arnaud Lusamba from OGC Nice. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku stated that Neymar is ‘no actor’ and ‘has more qualities than anyone else’ . (Source Sport Bild online)

-Edinson Cavani missed today’s match vs. France due to injury. Stuani replaced him in the Uruguay lineup. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Thanks to Twitter, Belgium Substitute goalkeeper Simon Mignolet tracked down a fan in the stands (from their match vs. Japan) that was holding a sign asking foe his jersey. The fan had traveled from Krghyzistan. He met up with the fan and gave him a jesrey . (Source L’Equipe online)

-Belgium Thomas Meunier was booked in the match vs. Brazil and will now miss the Semifinal vs. France due to accumulation of yellow cards. (Source BBC Football online)

-Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated that he never mocked England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s height as previously reported. Courtois had said that Pickford was 10 cm shorter than him and he would have caught Adnan Januzaj’s winner when the two sides had met in the first round. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Stephane Badji has left Anderlecht to join Bursaspor.  (Source Footnews.be Online)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-Belgium’s Hazard, Lukaku, Meunier, Kompany and Witsel were rested and did not train today.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

- Toby Alderweireld is assumed to be the suspended Thomas Meunier’s replacement in the Belgian defense ahead of their match vs. France.  (Source L’Equipe online)

- Dylan Lambrecth is set to leave Anderlecht. (Source Footnews.be online)

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, July 3, 2018:

-The South Korean Federation has decided not to press charges against the people who threw eggs at the returning South Korean squad. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Poland Manager Adam Nawalka will step down at the end of the month. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Nigeria Captain John Obi Mikel has revealed that his father had been kidnapped just hours prior to their match vs. Argentina. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-The Danish Federation stated that death threats had been made against Nicolai Jorgensen (who missed his spot attempt vs. Croatia). This has been reported to the Police. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Japan’s Keisuke Honda and Makoto Hasebe have retired from the National Team following their elimination against Belgium. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Russia’s Alexander Samedov trained individually today. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Diego Maradona has proposed to manage the Argentina National Team for free. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Swiss Manager Vladimir Petkovic has made four changes for today’s match vs. Sweden. Johan Djourou and Michale Lang are in for the suspended pair of Lichsteiner and Schar. Steven Zuber and Josip Drmic are also in for Embolo and Seferovic. (Source L’Equipe online)

-After his booking vs. Switzerland, Sweden’s Mikael Lustig will be suspended for Sweden’s next match in the World Cup due to accumulation of yellow cards. (Source L’Equipe online)

-After his booking vs. Sweden, Switzerland’s Valon Behrami would have been suspended for Swinterland’s next match in the World Cup (had they qualified) due to accumulation of yellow cards. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Azeri club Qarabag have signed Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson  from Randers. (Source L’Equipe online)

-James Rodriguez was still injured and did not play in Colombia’s match vs. England. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Brazil’s Douglas Costa has resumed training. (Source L’Equipe Online)

- The Men of the Match for today:

Sweden’s Emil Forsberg (Sweden 1-Switzerkand 0)

England’s Harry Kane (England 1-Colombia 1)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018:

-Diego Maradona has stated that Colombia were robbed in their match vs. England yesterday. According to him, Harry Kane’s penalty kick should not have been awarded. (Source BBC Football online)

-Colombia Manager Jose Pekerman accused the English players of diving in their match yesterday . (Source Sky Sports online)

-Colombia’ Radamel falcao has called into question the refereeing in their match vs. England. Most notably the choice of American Referee Mark Geiger whom he claims favored England and that he only spoke English on the field. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-For the first time since arriving in Russia, Brazil Manager Tite has all his players at his disposal .  (Source AS.com online)

-Sweden Captain Andreas Granqvist stated that he would not miss the match vs. England even if it meant he would not be present for the birth of child (his wife is due to give birth in days). (Source Daily Telegraph online)

-Former Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri threatened to walk off a Television Show when the Spanish Pep Guardiola was mentioned as one of the prospective choices. Ruggeri said ‘why doesn’t he coach Spain?…we have coaches in Argentina…so why Guardiola?’. (Source AS.com online)

Thursday, July 5, 2018:

-Costa Rica Manager Oscar Ramirez is to leave his post as his contract will not be renewed. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-FIFA stated that they ‘strongly rebuke’ Diego Maradona’s criticism of American Referee Mark Geiger for his handling of the England-Colombia match. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Diego Maradona has apologized to FIFA for his recent accusations concerning the England-Cololmbia match. He said that some of his comments were ‘unacceptbale’.  (Source BBC Football online)

-Japan Manager Akira Nishino is to leave his post. The Japanese Federation announced that they will be looking for a new Manager. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Edinson Cavani participated in Uruguay’s trioning session today. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Miranda will be Brazil’s Captain in their match vs. Belgium. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Friday, July 6, 2018:

-Brazil defender Danilo has sustained ankle ligament damage and is ruled out of the rest of the World Cup. (Source Sky Sports online)

- Sweden’s Andreas Granqvist became a father but remained in Russia to prepare for the match vs. England.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Former Brazil Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari stated that Neymar will never equal Pele. He went on to say a player may be spectacular but will never replace Pele. He also said that Neymar will be on the same level as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a year or two.  (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Mario Kempes has offered himself as a potential Argentina National Team Manager.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Mexico’s Andres Guadrado took the opportunity to hit back at Neymar by twitting ‘And who goes home now?’. This was in reference to Neymar’s comments following their win over Mexico. (Source Sport Bild online)

Saturday, July 7, 2018:

-Sweden’s hotel had to be evacuated after a false fire alarm at 8:30 AM before their match vs. England. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Emil Krafth replaced the suspended Mikael Lustig in Sweden’s lineup vs. England. (Source L’Equipe online)

- Croatia are the first team since Argentina in 1990 to advance with two consecutive penalty kick shoot-outs.

-The Men of the Match for today:

England’s Jordan Pickford (England 2-Sweden 0)

Croatia’s Luka Modric (Russia 2-Croatia 2)

Sunday, July 8, 2018:

-FIFA has sent a letter of warning to Croatia’s Domagoj Vida after being filmed (with former Croatian player Ognjen Vukojevic) praising Ukraine following Croatia’s win over Russia. The pair played at Dinamo Kiev in the past. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Russia defender Sergei Ignashevich and midfielder Alexnder Samedov have announced their retirement from the National Team. (Source L’Equipe / Walffot.be Online)

-The majority of Brazilian players are supportive of the Federation’s decision to maintain Tite as Manager until 2022 World Cup. Tite has asked for a few days of reflection before responding. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Russia Manager Stanislav Cherchesov has likened their position as Military Conscripts who are demobilized too soon. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic paid for the beer at the main squre of his native Slavonski Brod who had gone to watch the match vs. Russia. The bill came out to nealy 3,377 Euros. (Source AS.com online)

Monday, July 9, 2018:

- Croatia have dismissed Ognjen Vukojevic from its technical staff after his viral video with Domagoj Vida where he prasied Ukraine. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Following his own goal vs. Belgium, Brazil’s Fernandinho has been the subject of racist remarks online. (Source AS.com Online)

-Croatia’s Sime Vrsaljko has been ruled out of the semifinal vs. England due to injury. Vedran Corluka is expected to replace him in the lineup. (Source Daily Mail Online)