The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 59 (Week of May 21-May 27, 2019)

Photo From: L'Equipe, May 26, 2019

(May 25, 2019, Copa Del Rey, Valencia 2-Barcelona 1)

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, May 21, 2019:

-Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Arsenal) will not travel to Baku for the Europa League Final as he feared for his safety. (Source BBC Football online)

-Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)’s goal vs. Manchester City in December was named as the goal of the season. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Petr Cech is set to return to Chelsea as Sporting Director.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Chelsea have been ordered to pay compensation to former Manager Antonio Conte.  (Source Football Italia online)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri stated that his future with the club should not rely on the Europa League Final and if that were the case then he would leave immediately. (Source BBC Football online)

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) is set to miss the Europa League Final due to injury. (Source The Guardian online)

-Manchester United have reportedly ruled themselves out of the running to sign Ajax’s Matthijs De Ligt. (Source Football Espana online)

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-England U-21 Manager Aidy Boothroyd named his squad for the U-21 Euro next month. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Southampton), Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Jay Dasilva (Chelsea), Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Ezri Konsa (Brentford), Fikayo Tomori (Derby County, loan from Chelsea), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)

Midfielders: Harvey Barnes (Leicester City), Hamza Choudhury (Leicester City), Kieran Dowell (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolves), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Derby County, loan from Chelsea), Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa, loan from Chelsea), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Demarai Gray (Leicester City), Reiss Nelson (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

-Eden Hazard (Chelsea) was named by the fans as the Premier League’s Player of the year in a vote organized by the PFA (Players’ Football Association). (Source RTBF.be online)

-Aston Villa have been promoted to the Premier League after defeating Derby County (2-1) in a play-off.

-England Manager Gareth Southgate named his Final squad for the Nations League next month. (Source Sky Sports online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland (Stoke), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Leicester), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders

Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham)

Forwards

Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 24, 2019	Jonas Lossl (Denmark)	Goalkeeper	Huddersfield	Everton	Next Season	Sky Sports

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Olivier Giroud (France)	Striker	Chelsea	2020	BBC Football
May 21, 2019	Connor Wickam	Striker	Crystal Palace	2021	BBC Football
May 22, 2019	Willy Caballero	Goalkeeper	Chelsea	2020	vi.nl
May 25, 2019	Nick Pope	Goalkeeper	Burnley	2023	Sky Sports

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

- Atalanta have turned down Napoli’s offer for Josip Ilicic. (Source Tuttosport online)

-Andre Silva has confirmed that he is to leave Sevilla and return to parent club AC Milan. (Source Football Italia online)

-Fiorentina Manager Vincenzo Montella has been suspended for two matches. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Alessandro Nesta has left his post as Perugai Manager. (Source Football Italia online)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

- Torino’s Emiliano Moretti announced his retirement from the game. (Source Transfer Market Web online)

-Marcello Lippi has returned to manage the Chinese National Team. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Antonio Conte is set to become the new Inter Manager. (Source BBC Football online)

-Former Italian defender from the 50 and 60s, Gianfranco Bozzao passed away aged 82. (Source Wikipedia online)

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Paulo Dybala has indicated that he has told Juventus Management that he would like to remain with the club.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Daniele De Rossi played his last match for AS Roma.

-In the last round of matches, Atalanta and Inter qualified for the UCL, while AC Milan qualified for the Europa League. Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria) finished as top goalscorer. Empoli, Frosinone and Chievo were relegated.

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Upon receiving the coaching award named after Enzo Bearzot, Roberto Mancini recounted that Bearzot had dropped him in 1984 because he had behaved badly and thanked him for that. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

-Samir Handanovic (Inter) was named as Serie A’s best goalkeeper of the season. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Mario Balotelli (OM) stated that his exclusion from the Italian National Team is ‘not his fault’. (Source Football Italia online)

-Italy Manager Roberto Mancini named his Final squad for Euro qualifiers next month vs. Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Source 13football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta); Salvatore Sirigu (Torino), Antonio Mirante (Roma)

Defenders : Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Armando Izzo (Torino), Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), Leonardo Spinazzola (Juventus)

Midfielders : Nicolò Barella (Cagliari), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Frello Filho Jorge Luiz Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma)

Strikers : Andrea Belotti (Torino), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Vincenzo Grifo (Friburgo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Moise Kean (Juventus), Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari), Matteo Politano (Inter), Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 23, 2019	Jeffrey Chabot	Defender	Groningen	Sampdoria	Next Season	vi.nl
May 23, 2019	Merih Demiral (Turkey)	Defender	Sassuolo	Juventus	Next Season	Football Italia

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 217, 2019	Alessio Cragno	-	Cagliari	2024	Football Italia

Italian Serie A Matchday (May 25-26, 2019):

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Frosinone 0-Chievo 0 (-)

Bologna 3-Napoli 2 (Federico Santander 43, 88, Blerim Dzemaili 45 / Faouzi Ghoulam 57, Dries Mertens 77)

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

Torino 3-Lazio 1 (Iago Falque 51, Sasa Lukic 53 / Ciro Immobile 68)

Sampdoria 2-Juventus 0 (Gregoire Defrel 84, Gianluca Caprari 90)

Fiorentina 0-Genoa 0 (-)

Roma 2-Parma 1 (Lorenzo Pellegrini 35, Diego Perotti 89 / Gervinho 86)

Atalanta 3-Sassuolo 1 (Duvan Zapata 35, Papu Gomez 53, Mario Pasalic 65 / Domenico Berardi 19)

Cagliari 1-Udinese 2 (Leonardo Pavoletti 17 / Emil Halfredsson 59, Sebastien De Maio 69)

Inter 2-Empoli 1 (Keita Balde 51, Radja Nainggolan 81 / H.Junior Traore 76)

SPAL 2-AC Milan 3  (Francesco Vicari 28, Mohamed Fares 53 / Hakan Calhanoglu 18, Franck Kessie 23, 66 pen)

Top Goalscorer:

Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria) 25 goals

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa and AC Milan) 23 goals

Duvan Zapata (Atalanta) 23 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 21 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	38	28	6	4	70	30	40	90
2	Napoli	38	24	7	7	74	36	38	79
3	Atalanta	38	20	9	9	77	46	31	69
4	Inter	38	20	9	9	57	33	24	69
5	AC Milan	38	19	11	8	55	36	19	68
6	Roma	38	18	12	8	66	48	18	66

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-Asier Garitano was named as the new Alaves Manager. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Raphael Varane announced that he would remain with Real Madrid next season. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Adidas have vowed to keep their agreement with the Spanish National Team in place and believe the Spanish Federation have no grounds to terminate their contract. (Source Fox Sports online)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-Joaquin Caparros is set to leave his post as Sevilla Manager.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-Juanfran is set to leave Atletico Madrid. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen will miss the Copa Del Rey Final due to injury. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Real Madrid have denied claims by Tottenham Manager Mauricio Pocchettino that they had turned down his request for his club to stay at their training ground next week ahead of the UCL Final. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Sergio Ramos stated that he is considering leaving Real Madrid. (Source Marca online)

-Former Spanish goalkeeper from the 50 into the 70s, Manuel Pazos Gonzalez passed away aged 89. (Source Wikipedia online)

-Lionel Messi (Barcelona) won his sixth Golden Shoe as Kylian Mbappe (PSG) failed to overtake him in PSG’s last match of the season. This is Messi’s third consecutive win as well. (Source L’Equipe online)

 Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Valencia won the Copa Del Rey after defeating Barcelona (2-1).

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Napoli have reportedly rejected a bid from Real Madrid for Kalidou Koulibaly. (Source Football Espana online)

-Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu is keeping faith with under-fire Manager Ernesto Valverde. (Source Football Espana online)

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-According to reports, Sergio Ramos is persuading Real Madrid to let him leave to join the Chinese League. However, Zinedine Zidane wants him to remain with the club.  (Source AS.com online)

-Barcelona have rejected West Ham’s offer for midfielder Andre Gomes.  (Source Sky Sports online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 22, 2019	Brandon Thomas	Midfielder	Rennes	Osasuna	Permanent signing (previously on loan)	L’Equipe
May 23, 2019	Ludovit Reis (Holland)	Midfielder	Groningen	Barcelona	Next Season	L’Equipe
May 27, 2019	Marc Cucurella	-	Barcelona	Eibar	Permanent signing (previously on loan)	Football Espana

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 22, 2019	Adria Pedrosa	Defender	Espanyol	2023	L’Equipe
May 22, 2019	Aritz Aduriz	Striker	Bilbao	2020	L’Equipe
May 22, 2019	Nacho	Defender	Real Madrid	2022	Marca
May 22, 2019	Fran Escriba	Manager	Celta	2021	L’Equipe

Professional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
May 23, 2019	Theo Barbet	Defender	Dijon	L’Equipe

Copa Del Rey- Final (May 25, 2019):

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Barcelona 1-Valencia 2 (Lionel Messi 73 / Kevin Gameiro 21, Rodrigo 33)

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

- Germany Manager Joachim Low named his preliminary squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers vs. Belarus and Estonia in June.

Toni Kroos and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have withdrawn from the Germany squad due to injuries. (Source Sky Sports / RTBF.be online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Kevin Trapp (Francfort)

Defenders: Matthias Ginter (Mönchengladbach), Marcel Halstenberg (Leipzig), Jonas Hector(Cologne), Thilo Kehrer (Paris SG), Lukas Klostermann (Leipzig), Nico Schulz (Hoffenheim), Niklas Stark (Hertha Berlin), Niklas Süle (Bayern), Jonathan Tah (Leverkusen)

Midfielders : Julian Brandt (Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris SG), Serge Gnabry (Bayern), Leon Goretzka (Bayern), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz(Leverkusen), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), Marco Reus (Dortmund), Leroy Sané (Manchester City)

Strikers : Timo Werner (Leipzig)

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-Uli Hoeness confirmed Bayern Munich’s interest on Leroy Sane (Manchester City). (Source Sport Bild online)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

- Bayern Munich have reportedly made a bid for Leroy Sane (Manchester City).  (Source Bulinews online)

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Bayern Munich clinched the Double after defeating RB Leipzig (3-0). 

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Uli Hoeness has advised Jerome Boateng to leave Bayern Munich for a new challenge. (Source Sky Sports online)

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Union Berlin were promoted for the first time to the Bundesliga as Stuttgart were relegated.

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Nico Schulz	Defender	Hoffenheim	Dortmund	Next Season	Sky Sports
May 21, 2019	Mandela Egbo	Defender	Moenchengladbach	Darmstadt	Next Season	Sport Bild
May 21, 2019	Oliver Sorg	Defender	Hannover	Nuremberg	Next Season	Sport Bild
May 21, 2019	Timothy Tillman	Midfielder	Nuremberg	Bayern Munich	End of Loan	Kicker.de
May 22, 2019	Thorgan Hazard (Belgium)	Midfielder	Moenchengladbach	Dortmund	Next Season	L’Equipe
May 22, 2019	Felix Lohkemper	Striker	Magdeburg	Nuremberg	Next Season	Sport Bild
May 22, 2019	Julian Brandt	-	Leverkusen	Dortmund	Next Season	A Bola
May 23, 2019	Streli Mamba	-	Energie Cottbus	Paderborn	Next Season	Maisfutebol
May 24, 2019	Chris Lowe	Defender	Huddersfield	Dynamo Dresden	Next Season	-
May 24, 2019	Luca Kilian	Defender	Dortmund	Paderborn	Next Season	Kicker.de
May 25, 2019	Bernard Tekpetey (Ghana)	Striker	Paderborn	Schalke	Re-Purchase clause	Sport Bild
May 25, 2019	Jannik Huth	Goalkeeper	Mainz	Paderborn	Next Season	Sport Bild
May 27, 2019	Johannes Dorfler	-	Uerdingen	Paderborn	Next Season	Sport Bild

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Patric Klandt	Goalkeeper	Nuremberg	2021	Kicker.de
May 21, 2019	Christian Mathenia	Goalkeeper	Nuremberg	2024	Kicker.de
May 25, 2019	Thomas Kessler	Goalkeeper	Koln	2020	Kicker.de
May 26, 2019	Wout Weghorst (Holland)	Striker	Wolfsburg	2023	Kicker.de

Professional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Jonas Wendlinger (18 years old)	Goalkeeper	Nuremberg	Kicker.de
May 21, 2019	Simon Straudl (20 years old)	Midfielder	Werder Bremen	Kicker.de

German Bundesliga-Promtoion/Relegation playoff (May 23, 27, 2019):

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

Stuttgart 2-Union Berlin 2 (Christian Gentner 42, Mario Gomez 51 / Suleiman Abdullahi 43, Marvin Friedrich 68)

Monday, May 27, 2019:

Union Berlin 0- Stuttgart 0 (-)

DfB Pokal Final (May 25, 2019):

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

RB Leipzig 0-Bayern Munich 3 (Robert Lewandowski 29, 85, Kingsley Coman 78)

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-France Manager Didier Deschamps named his squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers vs. Turkey and Andorra and a friendly vs. Bolivia in June. (Source extra.ie online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (PSG) - Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) - Benjamin Lecomte (Montpellier) - Mike Maignan (Lille)

Defenders : Lucas Digne (Everton) - Léo Dubois (Lyon) - Clément Lenglet (Barcelone) - Ferland Mendy (Lyon) - Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart) - Samuel Umtiti (Barcelone) - Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid) - Kurt Zouma (Everton)

Midfielders : N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) - Blaise Matuidi (Juventus Turin) - Tanguy Ndombele (OL) - Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)

Strikers : Wissam Ben Yedder (Séville) - Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) - Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) - Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid) - Thomas Lemar (Atlético de Madrid) - Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - Florian Thauvin (OM)

-Didier Deschamps has ruled himself out of the running as Juventus Manager and intends to stay on as France Manager.  (Source Football Italia online)

-Kylian Mbappe is reportedly furious with PSG Manager Thomas Tuchel for stopping him from winning the Goden Shoe.  (Source Daily Mail online)

-Dominique Rocheteau has left his post as Technical Director at St Etienne.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-Jocelyon Gourvennec has left his post as Guingamp Manager.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Rudi Garcia is set to leave his post as OM Manager.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Nantes will not lift the purchase option on Waris and he is to return to parent club Porto.  (Source A Bola online)

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi is under investigarion for corruption. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Arsene Wenger announced that he wants to return to Football but not necessarily in Management. (Source BBC Football online)

- Dani Alves (PSG) stated that he had been ‘cheated’ and lied to in his one season at Juventus. (Source Football Italia online)

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-39 year-old Florent Balmont (Dijon) will still play for the club next season. (Source L’Equipe online)

-In the final round of matches, Caen were relegated while Dijon are set to play in the Promotion-Relegation playoffs. (Source Wikipedia online)

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Olivier Dall’Oglio was appointed as the new Manager of Brest. (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Portuguese Manager Andre Villas Boas has been linked with OM. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Rolland Courbis is to leave his position at Caen. (Source L’Équipe online)

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Stephane Moulin	Manager	Amiens	2022	L’Equipe
May 25, 2019	Thomas Tuchel (Germnay)	Manager	PSG	2021	BBC Football

French Ligue 1 Matchday (May 24, 2019):

Friday, May 24, 2019:

Angers 1-St Etienne 1 (Jessy Moulin (own goal) 70 / Arnaud Nordin 64)

Dijon 2-Toulouse 1 (Naim Sliti 58, Julio Tavares 62 / Bafode Diakite 33)

Nantes 0-Strasbourg 1 (Lebo Mothiba 60 pen)

Rennes 3-Lille 1 (Mbaye Niang 16 pen, 71, Ismaila Sarr 59 / Loic Remy 35)

Nice 2-Monaco 0 (Benoit Badiashile (own goal) 36, Michale Lr Bihan 67 pen)

OM 1-Montpellier 0 (Florian Thauvin 56)

Nimes 2-Lyon 3 (Renaud Ripart 11, Antonin Bobichon 45 / Maxwell Corent 6, 89, Tanguy Ndombele 90)

Amiens 2-Guingamp 1 (Sehrou Guirassy 14, Saman Ghoddos 47 / Alexandre Mendy 66)

Caen 0-Bordeaux 1 (Younousse Sankhare 19)

Reims 3-PSG 1 (Rahman baba 36, Mathieu Cafaro 56, Pablo Chavarria 90 / Kylian Mbappe 59)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 33 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 20 goals

Edinson Cavani (PSG) 18 goals

Final Standings:

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	38	29	4	5	105	35	70	91
2	Lille	38	22	9	7	68	33	35	75
3	Lyon	38	21	9	9	70	47	23	72
4	St Etienne	38	19	9	10	60	42	18	66
5	OM	38	18	7	13	61	52	9	61
6	Montpellier	38	15	14	9	53	42	11	59

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Holland Manager Ronald Koeman named his Final squad for the Nations League next month. (Source 13football online)

Squad:

Goakeepers: Marco Bizot (AZ Alkmaar), Jasper Cillessen (FC Barcelone) et Kenneth Vermeer (Feyenoord)

Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Nathan Aké (Bournemouth), Daley Blind (Ajax Amsterdam), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (PSV Eindhoven), Hans Hateboer (Ajax Amsterdam), Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax Amsterdam) et Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale)

Midfielders: Donny van de Beek (Ajax Amsterdam), Frenkie de Jong (Ajax Amsterdam), Davy Pröpper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kevin Strootman (Olympique de Marseille), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord) et Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)

Strikers : Quincy Promes (Séville FC), Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyonnais), Luuk de Jong (PSV Eindhoven), Steven Bergwijn (Feyenoord) et Ryan Babel (Fulham)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Julio Pleguezuelo	Defender	Arsenal	Twente	Next Season	vi.nl
May 21, 2019	Elia Soriano	Striker	Korona Kielce	VVV	Next Season	vi.nl
May 22, 2019	Younes Namli	-	PEC	Krasnodar	Next Season	vi.nl
May 23, 2019	Navajo Bakboord	Defender	Ajax	Heracles	Next Season	vi.nl
May 23, 2019	Azor Matusiwa	-	Ajax (was on loan at De Graafschap)	Groningen	Next Season	vi.nl
May 23, 2019	Kenneth Paal	Defender	PSV	PEC	Permanent signing (previously on loan)	vi.nl
May 24, 2019	Steffen Schaefer (Germany)	Defender	-	VVV	Next Season	vi.nl
May 24, 2019	Aziz Behich	-	PSV	Basaksehir	Next Season	vi.nl
May 27, 2019	Thorsten Kirschbaum	-	Leverkusen	VVV	Next Season	Kicker.de

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 27, 2019	Amir Absalam	-	Groningen	-	vi.nl

Professional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
May 24, 2019	Richie Musaba	-	Vitesse	vi.nl
May 24, 2019	Joost de Schutter	-	PSV	vi.nl
May 24, 2019	Naci Unuvar	-	Ajax	vi.nl
May 25, 2019	Kyan van Dorp (19 years old)	Goalkeeper	PSV	vi.nl
May 25, 2019	Maarten Rieder (19 years old)	-	Den Haag	vi.nl
May 25, 2019	Hugo Wentges (17 years old)	-	Den Haag	vi.nl
May 27, 2019	Jonathan Meier (19 years old)	Defender	Mainz	Kicker.de
May 27, 2019	Rodney Huijgen	-	Feyenoord	vi.nl

Dutch Eredivisie-Europa League Playoff (May 21, 24, 2019):

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

Utrecht 3-Heracles 0 (Simon Gustafson 57 pen, J.C.Bahebeck 80, 90)

Vitesse 3-Groningen 1 (Martin Odegaard 2, Tim Matavz 28, 31 / Kaj Sierhuis 81)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

Utrecht 1-Vitesse 1 (S. Van de Streek 18 / Tim Matavz 31)

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-James Forrest (Celtic) was named as the Scottish Premiership Player of the season. (Source BBC Football online)

-Graham Dorrans (Rangers) was assaulted outside a bar in Ibiza. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Darren O’Dea was named as the new Motherwell U-18 Manager. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Neil Lennon was offered the full time Celtic Manager position after guiding Celtic in winning the FA Cup and thus clinching the treble treble. (Source BBC Football online)

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Former Scottish striker from the 60 and 70s, Henry Anthony ‘Harry’ Hood passed away aged 74. (Source BBC Football online)

-St Mirren remain in the premiership after defeating Dundee United in a play-off on a penalty kick shoot-out.

  

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 22, 2019	Casper Sloth (Denmark)	Midfielder	Silkeborg	Motherwell	Next Season	BBC Football

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Shay Logan	Defender	Aberdeen	2021	Sky Sports
May 23, 2019	Adam Frizzell	-	Kilmarnock	2020	Four Four two

Scottish Premier League -Promtoion/Relegation playoff (May 23, 26, 2019):

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

Dundee United 0-St Mirren 0 (-)

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

St Mirren 1-Dundee United 1 (Daniel Mullen 26 / Nicky Clark 23 pen) (St Miren won (2-0) in a penalty kick shoot-out)

Scottish FA Cup (May 25, 2019):

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Hearts 1-Celtic 2 (Ryan Edwards 52 / Odsonne Edouard 62 pen, 82)

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-Portugal Manager Fernando Santos named his preliminary squad for the Nations League next month. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Wolverhampton Wanders), Jose Sa (Olympiakos)

Defenders: Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Mario Rui (Napoli), Ruben Dias (Benfica), Jose Fonte (Lille), Pepe (Porto), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona), Joao Cancelo (Juventus)

Midfielders: Danilo Pereira (Porto), William Carvalho (Betis), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bruno Fernandes (Porto), Pizzi (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers),

Forwards: Rafa Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Joao Felix (Benfica), Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Dyego Sousa (Braga)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Pepa is no longer Tondela’s Manager. (Source A Bola online)

-By mutual consent, Costinha is no longer Manager of Nacional. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Sporting CP clinched the cup title by defeating Porto in a penalty kick shoot-out in the Final.

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Carlos Carvahal was appointed as the new Manager of Rio Ave. (Source MaisFutebol online)

-Vitor Campelos has been appointed as the new Manager of Moreirense. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Ruben Fernandes	Defender	Portimonense	Gil Vicente	Next Season	Maisfutebol
May 22, 2019	Joao Afonso	-	Guimaraes	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	A Bola
May 22, 2019	Rodrigo (Brazil)	-	Aves	Gremio Anapolis	Loan Return	A Bola
May 22, 2019	Leo Jardim	-	Gremio Porto Alegre	Rio Ave	Permanent signing (previously on loan)	A Bola
May 23, 2019	Dieguinho (Brazil)	Striker	Cova da Piedade	Belenenses	Next Season	Maisfutebol
May 24, 2019	Luis Martins	Defender	Chaves	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Maisfutebol
May 26, 2019	Reuben Micael	Midfielder	Setubal	Nacional	Next Season	Maisfutebol

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
May 21, 2019	Marco Pereira	Goalkeeper	Santa Clara	2021	Maisfutebol
May 21, 2019	Jeremy Mathieu (France)	Defender	Sporting CP	2020	L’Equipe
May 22, 2019	Adel Taarabt (Morocco)	Midfielder	Benfica	2022	A Bola
May 22, 2019	Joao Jaquite (Guinea)	Midfielder	Tondela	2022	Maisfutebol

Professional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
May 23, 2019	Diogo Motty	-	Santa Clara	Maisfutebol
May 23, 2019	Rodrigo Simao	-	Santa Clara	Maisfutebol
May 23, 2019	Ruben Fonseca (19 years old)	-	Tondela	Maisfutebol

Portugal Cup Final (May 25, 2019):

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

Sporting CP 2-Porto 2 (Bruno Fernandes 45, Bas Dost 101 / Soares 40, Felipe 120) (Sporting CP won 5-4 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-Lenadro Trossard has been warned and received a fine for his homophobic words during Genk’s title celebrations. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Ivan Leko has left his post as Club Brugge Manager. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Belgium Manager Roberto Martinez named his squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers vs. Kazakhstan and Scotland in June. (Source 13football.com online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Matz Sels (Strasbourg), Hendrik van Crombrugge (KAS Eupen).

Defenders : Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Brandon Mechele (Club Bruges), Thomas Vermaelen (FC Barcelone), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Timothy Castagne (Atalanta Bergame), Nacer Chadli (AS Monaco), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Thomas Meunier (PSG), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Dennis Praet (Sampdoria), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Naples), Leandro Trossard (Genk), Hans Vanaken (Club Bruges).

Strikers : Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Divock Origi (Liverpool).

-Yannick Bolasie is set to leave Anderlecht.  (Source Jupiler League App online)

-Former USA International DaMarcus Beasley announced his retirement from the game.  (Source vi.nl online)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-Bernd Hollerbach was appointed as the new Mouscron Manager. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Marc Wilmots has officially signed on as Iran National Team Manager. (Source RTBF.be online)

Thursday,  May 23, 2019:

-Mechelen’s demand for the suspension of legal procedure against them (made by the Belgian Federation) over alleged fixed matches has bene rejected. (Source RTBF.be online)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Philippe Clement has left as Genk Manager and appointed as the new Club Brugge Manager. (Source RTBF.be online)

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Welshman Simon Davies is Vicnent Kompany’s new Assistant at Anderlecht. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Thomas Buffel announced his retirement from the game at the age of 38 (Source RTBF.be online)

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Victor Osimhen (Charleroi) has scored after 9 seconds (vs. Antwerp) the fastest goal in the history of the Belgian League. (Source RTBf.be online)

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Benjamin Nicaise was appointed by Standard Liege to be in charge of the recruitment. Emilio Ferrara has left his post as Assistant Manager at Standard Liege. (Source Footnews.be online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
May 24, 2019	Jonas Baeger (Denmark)	Defender	Randers	Union St Gilloise	Next Season	RTBF.be
May 24, 2019	Oscar Threlkeld (England)	Defender	Waasland-Beveren	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Walfoot.be
May 27, 2019	Mergim Vojvoda	Defender	Mouscron	Standard	Next Season	RTBF.be

Professional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
May 24, 2019	Boris Lambert (19 years old)	Defender	Eupen	Walfoot.be

First Division A- EL Play-offs (May 26, 2019):

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

Antwerp 3-Charleroi 2 (Dieumerci Mbokani 16, 67, Lior Refaleov 22 pen / Victor Osimhen (9 seconds), Dorian Dessoleil 13)

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, May 21, 2019:

-Egypt Manager Javier Aguirre named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyarmids), Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Abdel Rehem "Genesh" (Zamalek)

Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, England), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich Albion, England) Omar Gaber (Pyramids FC), Ali Gazal (Feirense, Portugal), Ayman Ahsraf (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek), Baher Elmohamady (Ismaily), Ahmed Ayman Mansour (Pyramids FC), Mahmoud Alaa (Zamalek), Ahmed Abou-Elfotouh (Smouha)

Midfielders: Walid Soliman (Al Ahly), Abdallah El-Said (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Amr Warda (Atromitos, Greece), Nabil Emad (Pyramids FC)

Forwards: Ahmed Ali (Arab Contractors), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan (Olympiakos, Greece)

-Mauritania Manager Corentin Martins named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Suleiman Brahim (FC Nouadhibou), Namori Diaw (ASC Kedia), Babacar Diop (AS Police)

Defenders: Abdoul Ba (AJ Auxerre, France), Bakary Ndiaye (Difaâ Hassani of El Jadida, Morocco), Sally Sarr (Servette FC, Switzerland), Diadié Diarra (CS Sedan Ardennes, France), Harouna Sy (Grenoble Foot 38, France), El Mostapha Diaw (Nouakchott Kings), Aly Abeid (Agrupación Deportiva Alcorcón, Spain), Abdoul Kader Thiam (US Orleans, France)

Midfielders: Mohamed Dellah Yaly (DRB Tadjenanet, Algeria), Ibréhima Coulibaly (Grenoble Foot 38, France), Dialo Guidileye (Elazığspor Kulübü, Turkey), Khassa Camara (Xanthi FC, Greece), Alassane Diop (Hajer FC, Saudi Arabia), Abdoulaye Gaye (Nouadhibou FC), El Hacen EL Id (Real Valladolid, Spain)

Forwards: Adama Ba (Giresunspor Kulübü, Turkey), Ismail Diakhite (US Tataouine, Tunisia), Moulaye Ahmed Khalil "Bessam" (AS Gabès, Tunisia), Souleymane Anne (FC Aurillac Arpajon CA, France), Hemeya Tanjy (FC Nouadhibou)

Sandby players:

Goalkeeper: Assane Aly (Red Star FC, France)

Defenders: Hamza Jawar (USON Mondeville, France), Ousmane Samba (JA Drancy, France)

Midfielders: Abdallahi Mahmoud (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Idrissa Thiam (ASAC Concorde)

Forwards: Amadou Niass (Salam Zgharta, Lebanon), Mohamed Abdallahi Soudani (DRB Tedjenanet, Algeria)

-Wales Manager Ryan Giggs named his squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of Euro qualifiers vs. Hungary and Croatia in June. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Wales training squad: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Owen Evans (Wigan Athletic), Adam Davies (Barnsley), Connor Roberts (Swansea City), Chris Gunter (Reading), Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth), James Lawrence (Anderlecht), Ashley Williams (Everton), Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers), Joe Rodon (Swansea City), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Ben Williams (Barnsley), Joe Allen (Stoke City), Matthew Smith (Manchester City), Will Vaulks (Rotherham United), Rabbi Matondo (Schalke 04), Dan James (Swansea City), David Brooks (AFC Bournemouth), George Thomas (Leicester City), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Sam Vokes (Stoke City), Kieffer Moore (Barnsley), Nathan Broadhead (Everton), Louis Thompson (Norwich City), Terry Taylor (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ryan Hedges (Barnsley)

-South Africa Manager Stuart Baxter named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source 13football.com online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers : Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Rowen Williams (SuperSport United), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs).

Defenders: Daniel Cardoso (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits), Buhle Mkhawanazi (Bidvest Wits), Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City).

Midfielders : Bongani Zungu (Amiens, France), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford, Angleterre), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Vitesse Arnhem, Pays-Bas), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fortune Makaringe (Maritzburg United), Ben Motshwari (Orlando Pirates), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France).

Strikers : Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg, France), Percy Tau (Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgique), Lars Veldwijk (Sparta Rotterdam, Pays-Bas), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town City).

-Angola Manager Srdjan Vasiljevic named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source ahram online online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Tony Cabaça  (1º de Agosto), Landu ( Inter-club), Ndulu ( Desportivo da Huila)

Defenders: Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), Wilson Gaspar ( Petro de Luanda), Dani Massunguna  (1º de Agosto), Paizo (1º de Agosto), Isaac  (1º de Agosto), Jonathan Buatu (Rio Aves,Portugal), Clinton da Mata (Club Brugge, Belgium), Bastos Quissanga (Lazio ,Italy), Jonas Ramalho (Girona, Spain), Bruno Gaspar (Sporting Club, Portugal)

Midfielders: Herenilsno do Carmo (Petro de Luanda), Macaia  (1º de Agosto), Show (1º de Agosto), Stelvio da Cruz ( F91 Dudelange, Belgium),

strikers: Mabululu (1º de Agosto), Chico (FC Bravos do Maquis, Moxico), Gelson Dala (Rio Ave, Portugal), Mateus (Galiano  Boavista ,Portugal), Freddy ( Antalyaspor ,Turkey), Djalma Campos (Alanyaspor ,Turkey), Geraldo ( Ahly,Egypt), Wilson Eduardo (Sporting de Braga,Portugal), Jeremie Bela (Albacete ,Spain)  

-Ghana’s Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo) has been ruled out of the upcoming African Cup of Nations due to injury. (Source - online)

-Canada Manager Jon Herdman named his provisional squad for the Gold Cup next month. (Source mlssoccer.com online)

Squad:

Pos.   Player          Club

GK          Borjan, Milan          Red Star Belgrade

GK    Busti, Alessandro          Juventus U23

GK          Crepeau, Maxime          Vancouver Whitecaps

GK          Leutwiler, Jayson          Blackburn Rovers

GK          Pantemis, James          Montreal Impact

GK          Thomas, Simon          KFUM-Kameratene Oslo

D          Adekugbe, Samuel          Vålerenga Fotball

D          Brault-Guillard, Zachary          Montreal Impact

D          Cornelius, Derek          Vancouver Whitecaps

D       Edgar, David          Hartlepool United

D          Edwards, Raheem          Chicago Fire

D          Godinho, Marcus          Heart of Midlothian FC

D          Hainault, Andre          1. FC Kaiserslautern

D          Henry, Doneil          Vancouver Whitecaps

D          Jakovic, Dejan          LAFC

D          James, Manjrekar          Midtjylland

D       Kaye, Mark-Anthony          LAFC

D       Levis, Brett          Vancouver Whitecaps

D          Morgan, Ashtone          Toronto FC

D          Straith, Adam          Sportfreunde Lotte

M          Arfield, Scott          Rangers FC

M          Cordova, Juan          CD Huachipato

M          Hutchinson, Atiba          Beşiktaş J.K.

M          Johnson, Will          Orlando City SC

M      Millar, Liam          Kilmarnock FC

M      Miller, Kamal          Orlando City SC

M          Okello, Noble          Toronto FC

M          Osorio, Jonathan          Toronto FC

M      Piette, Samuel          Montreal Impact

M      Tabla, Ballou          Albacete Balompie

M          Teibert, Russell          Vancouver Whitecaps

M          Wotherspoon, David St. Johnstone FC

F          Akindele, Tesho          Orlando City SC

F          Cavallini, Lucas          Club Puebla

F        David, Jonathan          Gent

F          Davies, Alphonso          Bayern Munich

F          Hoilett, Junior          Cardiff City FC

F          Jackson-Hamel, Anthony          Montreal Impact

F        Larin, Cyle          Beşiktaş J.K.

F          Ricketts, Tosaint          FK Sūduva

-Theodor Gebre Selassie (Werder Bremen) has announced his retirement from the Czech Republic National Team. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Argentina Manager Lionel Scaloni named his squad for the Copa America. (Source La Nacion online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Esteban Andrada (Boca), Franco Armani (River) y Agustín Marchesín (América).

Defenders: Juan Foyth (Tottenham), Ramiro Funes Mori (Villarreal), Milton Casco (River), Nicolás Tagliafico (Ajax), Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City), Germán Pezzella (Fiorentina) y Renzo Saravia (Racing).

Midfielders: Guido Rodríguez (América, de México), Marcos Acuña (Sporting de Lisboa), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis), Leandro Paredes (PSG), Roberto Pereyra (Watford), Exequiel Palacios (River), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese), Angel Di María (PGS) y Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

Strikers: Lautaro Martínez (Inter), Matías Suárez (River), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) y Paulo Dybala (Juventus).

-RD Congo Manager Florent Ibenge named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source 13football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: 

Auguy KALAMBAY (SANGA BALENDE/RD Congo)

Parfait MANDANDA (FC DINAMO BUCAREST/ Roumanie)

Anthony MOSSI (CHIASSO FC/ Suisse)

Ley MATAMPI VUMI (AL ANSAR CLUB MEDINA/Arabie Saoudite)

Defenders: 

Padoue BOMPUNGA BOTULI (AS VU.CLUB/ RD Congo)

DJUMA SHABANI (AS V.CLUB/ RD Congo)

Djos ISSAMA (TP MAZEMBE/RD Congo)

Christian LUYINDAMA NEKADIO/ GALATASARAY/ Turquie)

Arthur MASUAKU (WESTHAM/ Angleterre)

Wilfried MOKE ABRO (MKA ANKARAGÚCÚ/ Turquie)

Glody NGONDA MUJINGA (AS V.CLUB/RD Congo)

Fabrice N’SAKALA (ALANYASPOR/ Turquie)

Marcel TISSERAND (WOLFSBOURG/ Allemagne)

Bobo UNGENDA (PRIMEIRO DI AGOSTO/Angola)

Midfielders: 

Chadrac AKOLO (VfB STUTTGART/ Allemagne)

Merveille BOPE BOKADI (STANDARD DE LIEGE/ Belgique)

Gianneli IMBULA (RAYO VALLACANO/ Espagne)

Chancel MBEMBA MANGULU (PORTO FC/ Portugal)

Paul-José MPOKU (STANDARD DE LIEGE/ Belgique)

Trésor MPUTU (TP MAZEMBE/ RD Congo)

Youssouf MULUMBU (KILMARNOCK/ Ecosse)

Jacques MAGHOMA (BIRMINGHAM/ Angleterre)

Nelson MUNGANGA OMBA (AS V.CLUB/ RD Congo)

Fabrice NGOMA LWAMBA (AS V.CLUB/ RD Congo)

Aaron TSHIBOLA (KILMARNOCK/ Ecosse)

Strikers: 

Britt ASSOMBALANGA ( MIDDLESBROUGH FC/ Angleterre)

Cédric BAKAMBU (BEIJING GUAON/ Chine)

Yannick YALA BOLASIE (ANDERLECHT/ Belgique)

Jonathan BOLINGI MPANGI (ANTWERP/ Belgique)

Elia Lina MESCHACK (TP MAZEMBE/RD Congo)

KABONGO KASONGO (WEDHA CLUB/ Arabie Saoudite)

Jackson MULEKA (TP MAZEMBE/ RD Congo)

-Mali Manager Mohamed Magassouba named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source 13football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Stade malien de Bamako/Mali ),Mamadou Samassa (Troyes/ France), Adama Keïta (Djoliba/Mali).

Defenders: Molla Wagué (Nottingham Forest, Angleterre), Hamari Traoré (Rennes, France), Falaye Sacko (Vitoria Guimares, Portugal), Massadio Haïdara (Lens, France), Youssouf Koné (Lille, France), Mamadou Fofana (FC Metz, France), Boubacar Kiki Kouyaté (Troyes, France)

Midfielders: : Diadié Samassékou (RB Salzbourg, Autriche), Amadou Haïdara (R.B Leipzig, Allemagne), Cheick Doucouré (Lens, D2 France), Yves Bissouma (Brighton, Angleterre), Lassana Coulibaly (Glasgow Rangers, Ecosse), Adama Traoré (Cercle de Bruges, Belgique), Souleymane Diarra (Lens, France), Idrissa Traoré (Shabab Al Jabal, Libye).

Strikers: Moussa Djénépo (Standard Liège), Moussa Doumbia (Stade de Reims, France), Abdoulaye Diaby (Sporting CP, Portugal), Moussa Maréga (FC Porto, Portugal), Kalifa Coulibaly (Nantes, France), Hadi Sacko (Ankaragucu, Turquie), Adama Niane (Charleroi, Belgique), Adama Traoré (Orléans, D2 France), Sékou Koïta (Wolfsberg, Autriche).

-Ollie Norwood (Sheffield United) will be unavailable for the Northern Ireland’s upcoming matches as he is to have hernia surgery. (Source Sky Sports online)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019:

-Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan reversed his decision to retire from the National Team after a call from the Nation’s President. (Source BBC Football online)

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide named his squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers vs. Ireland and Georgia in June. (Source nodschlesswiger.dk online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Frederik Rønnow (Frankfurt), Jesper Hansen (FC Midtjylland)

Defenders:Andreas Bjelland FC København), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Mathias "Zanka" Jørgensen (Huddersfield), Peter Ankersen (FC København), Riza Durmisi (Lazio), Simon Kjær (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Daniel Wass (Valencia), Lasse Schöne (Ajax), Lukas Lerager (Genua), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton), Thomas Delaney (Dortmund)

Strikers: Kasper Dolberg (Ajax), Martin C. Braithwaite (Leganes), Nicolai Jørgensen (Feyenoord), Robert Skov (FC København), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig).

-The proposed plan to expand the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams has been abandoned by FIFA. (Source BBC Football online)

-Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 43. (Source Yahoo Sports online)

-A statue of George Best was unveiled at Windsor Park. (Source BBC Football online)

-Former Norwegian Footballer from the 50 and 60s, Joar Hoff passed away aged 80. (Source Wikipedia online)

Thursday, May 23, 2019:

-Ghana Manager Kwasi Appiah named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa, Lawrence Ati- Zigi (Sochaux, Montbeliard, France), and Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko).

Defenders: John Boye (Metz, France), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England), Abdul Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Lumor Agbenyenu (Goztepe A.S, Turkey), Kassim Nuhu, (Hoffeinham, Germany,) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC, USA), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belguim), Nuhu Musa (St Gallen, Switzerland), Joseph Attamah (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak)

Midfielders: Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan), Ebenezer Ofori (New York FC, USA), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Andre Ayew (Fenerbache, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Samuel Owusu (Cukaricki, Serbia), Thomas Agyepong (Manchester City, England), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain), Abdul Fatawu (Asante Kotoko)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan Spain). (Kayserispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Abdul Majeed Waris (Nantes, France), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor, Turkey) Kwabena Owusu (Leganes, Spain)

-Daniel James (Swansea) has withdrawn from the Wales squad due to the passing of his father. (Source BBC Football online)

-Australia Manager Graham Arnold named his squad for an upcoming friendly vs. South Korea. (Source socceroos.com online)

Squad:

Name                   Club, CountryA-International Caps (Goals)

Mustafa Amini                   Aarhus Gymnastikforening, Denmark 5 (0)

Terry Antonis                   Melbourne Victory, Australia                   3 (0)

Aziz Behich                   PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands                   35 (2)

Brandon Borrello                   SC Freiberg, Germany                   0 (0)

Joshua Brillante                   Sydney FC, Australia                   5 (0)

Thomas Deng                   Melbourne Victory, Australia                   1 (0)

Craig Goodwin                   Adelaide United, Australia                   3 (0)

Rhyan Grant                   Sydney FC, Australia                   7 (0)

Chris Ikonomidis                   Perth Glory, Australia                   12 (2)

James Jeggo                   Austria Wien, Austria                   1 (0)

Matthew Jurman                   Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia                   7 (0)

Mitch Langerak                   Nagoya Grampus, Japan                   8 (0)

Awer Mabil                   FC Midtjylland, Denmark                   9 (4)

Brandon O’Neill                   Sydney FC, Australia                   0 (0)

Dimitri Petratos                   Newcastle Jets, Australia                   2 (0)

Andrew Redmayne                   Sydney FC, Australia                   0 (0)

Brad Smith                   Seattle Sounders FC, USA                   19 (0)

Harry Souttar                   Stoke City FC, England                   0 (0)

Matthew Spiranovic                   Perth Glory, Australia                   35 (0)

Adam Taggart                   Suwon Bluewings, Korea Republic 8 (4)

Lawrence Thomas                   Melbourne Victory, Australia                   0 (0)

Rhys Williams                   Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia                   14 (0)

Ryan Williams                   Rotherham United, England                   0 (0)

Bailey Wright                   Bristol City FC, England                   23 (1)

-Former Yugoslavia goalkeeper from the 60 and 70s, Zlatko Skoric passed away aged 77. (Source Wikipedia online)

-Russia President Vladimir Putin has awarded FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the Friendship Order in Kremlin. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Former Brazilian International Julio Baptista has announced his retirement from the game. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Montenegro’s appeal to overturn having its next match behind closed doors (for racial abuse of its fans on England Players) has failed. (Source BBC Football online)

Friday, May 24, 2019:

-Goakeeper Mark Travers has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad due to a fractured thumb. (Source BBC Football online)

-French Manager Patrice Neveu was named as Gabon National Manager replacing Daniel Cousin. (Source BBC Football online)

-Andre Ayew was named as Ghana Captain. (Source Goal.com online)

-Japan Manager Hajime Moriyasu named his squad for the Copa America. (Source thejapantimes online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg), Ryosuke Kojima (Oita Trinita), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima).

Defenders: Naomichi Ueda (Cercle Brugge), Ko Itakura (Groningen), Tomoki Iwata (Oita Trinita), Yugo Tatsuta (Shimizu S-Pulse), Teruki Hara (Sagan Tosu), Daiki Sugioka (Shonan Bellmare), Daiki Suga (Consadole Sapporo), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Sint-Truiden).

Midfielders: Gaku Shibasaki (Getafe), Shoya Nakajima (Al-Duhail), Yuta Nakayama (PEC Zwolle), Koji Miyoshi (Yokohama F Marinos), Tatsuya Ito (Hamburger SV), Taishi Matsumoto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kota Watanabe (Tokyo Verdy), Hiroki Abe (Kashima Antlers), Takefusa Kubo (FC Tokyo).

Forwards: Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City), Daizen Maeda (Matsumoto Yamaga), Ayase Ueda (Hosei University).

Saturday, May 25, 2019:

-Guinea Manager Paul Put named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source Goal.com online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Naby Yattara (Excelsior, Reunion Island), Ibrahima Kone (Pau, France), Moussa Camara (AC Horoya), Aly Keita (Ostersunds, Sweden). 

Defenders: Fode Camara (Gazelec Ajaccio, France ), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Ernest Seka (Nancy, France), Simon Falette (Eintract Frankfurt, Germany), Ousmane Sidibe (Beziers, France), Baissama Sankoh (Caen, France), Mikael Dyrestream (Xanthi FC, Greece), Julian Jeanvier (Brentford, England). 

Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Napoli, Italy), Ibrahima Cisse (Fulham, England), Boubacar Fofana (Gaz Metan, Romania), Abdoulaye Paye Camara (Horoya AC), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England), Mady Camara (Olympiacos, Greece). 

Attackers: Francois Kamano (Bordeaux, France), Mohamed Yattara (Auxerre, France), Ibrahima Traore (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), Jose Kante (Nastic Tarragona, Spain), Idrissa Sylla (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Fode Koita (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Sory Kaba (Dijon, France). 

Sunday, May 26, 2019:

-Republic of Ireland Manager Mick McCarthy has called up goalkeeper James Talbot (Bohemians) to replace the injured Mark Travers . (Source extra.ie online)

-Moroccan Marouane Chamakh (who last played in 2016) has officially announced his retirement from the game aged 35. (Source vi.nl online)

-Chile Manager Reinaldo Rueda named his squad for the Copa America. (Source elcomercio.pe online)

Squad:

Porteros: Gabriel Arias (Racing Club-ARG), Brayan Cortés (Colo Colo), Yerko Urra (Huachipato).

Defensas: Mauricio Isla (Fenerbahçe-TUR), Paulo Díaz (Al-Ahli-EMI), Guillermo Maripán (Alavés-ESP), Gonzalo Jara (Estudiantes de La Plata-ARG), Gary Medel (Besiktas-TUR), Igor Lichnovsky (Cruz Azul-MEX), Óscar Opazo (Colo Colo), Jean Beausejour (Universidad de Chile).

Mediocampistas: Arturo Vidal (Barcelona-ESP), Esteban Paez (Colo Colo), Charles Aránguiz (Bayer Leverkusen-ALE), Erick Pulgar (Bolonia-ITA), Pedro Pablo Hernández (Independiente-ARG), Diego Valdés (Santos Laguna-MEX).

Delanteros: Alexis Sánchez (Manchester United-ING), Nicolás Castillo (América-MEX), Eduardo Vargas (Tigres-MEX), Junior Fernándes (Alanyaspor-TUR), Ángelo Sagal (Pachuca-MEX), José Pedro Fuenzalida (Universidad Católica).

Monday, May 27, 2019:

-Morocco Manager Herve Renard named his provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations next month. (Source BBC Football online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: El Kajoui (Malaga, Spain), Yassine Bounou (Girona, Spain), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad Casablanca), Abdelali Mhamdi (RS Berkane)

Defenders: Marouane Da Costa (Al Ittihad Saudi Arabia), Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Mehdi Benatia (Al Duhail Sports, Qatar), Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Abdelhamid Yunis (Reims, France), Noussair Mazroaui (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbache, Turkey)

Midfielders: Karim El Ahmadi Arroussi (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Youssef Aït Bennasser (St Etienne, France), Mbark Boussoufa (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray, Turkey), Fayçal Fajr (Caen, France), Abdelkrim Baadi (Hassania Agadir) Mehdi Bourabia (Sassuolo, Italy), Amine Harit (Schalke 04, Germany)

Forwards: Nordin Amrabat (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hebei China Fortune FC, China), Khalid Boutaib (Zamalek, Egypt), Youssef En-Nesyri (Leganes , Spain), Soufiane Boufal (Celta Vigo, Spain), Osama Idrissi (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Abderazzak Hamdallah (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia)

-Midfielder Alan Browne has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad due to injury. (Source Sky Sports online)