The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 14 (Week of July 10-July 16, 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 10, 2018:

-Arsenal have officially signed Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Newcastle have turned down a bid for Jamaal Lascelles from West Ham.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Newcastle have signed on loan for another season midfielder Kenedy from Chelsea.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Wolverhampton Wanderers Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has extended his contract with the club until 2021.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Southampton are set to sign goalkeeper Angus Gunn from Manchester City.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Hull City have signed defender Reece Burke from West Ham. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Manchester City have signed Riyad Mahrez from Leicetser City. (Source Daily Mail Online)

-Liverpool have extended the contract of Welsh forward Harry Wilson by five years. (Source Daily Telegraph Online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-West Ham have officially signed Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko from Dortmund.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

- The Thai Youth Football Team that was rescued from a cave have been invited to Old Trafford by Manchester United.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Arsenal have officially signed French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lorient.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-England and Uruguay have been fined 70,000 Swiss Francs and 50,000 Swiss Francs respectively, for breaking ‘media and marketing rules by displaying commercial branding, etc . Apparently Dele Alli, Dier and Sterling had worn unauthorized socks. (Source Reuters UK / BBC Football online)

-Scunthorpe United have signed Jonathan Flatt from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free. (Source The Guardian online)

-Shrewsbury Town have signed Alex Gilliead from Newcastleg on a free. (Source The Guardian online)

- Wolverhampton Wanderers have loaned defender Roderick to Olympiakos. (Source Goal online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

- Wolverhampton Wanderers and its new goalkeeper Rui Patricio have been reported to FIFA by Sporting CP over the transfer. Sporting sre demanding a compensation fee. (Source BB Football online)

-Fulham have signed Ivory Coast midfielder Jean-Michel Seri and Maxime Le Marchand from OGC Nice.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Antonio Conte was officially sacked as Chelsea Manager.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-England’s Tripper, Walker and Henderson may miss the third place match vs. Belgium due to injuries. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-England’s Gary Cahill is to hold talke with Manager Garetn Southagte regarding his Internatioanl future and possible retirement.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Everton have loaned Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru to Galatasaray. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-It was revealed that during yesterday’s match vs, Croatia, England players had attempted to quickly restart while Croatians were celebrating their winner, which as obviously called back.  (Source SportsJoint online)

-West Ham will be missing Andy Carroll and Winston Reid for up to three months each due to injurues.  (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Maurizio Sarri is the new Chelsea Manager with Gianfranco Zola as his assistant. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-England’s Kieran Tripper trained today and is fit to play tomorrow vs. Belgium. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Cardiff defender Greg Halford announced that he would be leaving the club.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Liverpool have officially signed Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City. (Source Daily Mail Online)

-Huddersfield Town have signed German defender Erik Durm from Dortmund.  (Source German Football News Online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-Chelsea have signed Italian midfielder Jorginho from Napoli.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-West Ham have signed Paraguay defender Fabian Balbuena from Corinthians.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-FIFA have warned England for the political chants of their fans in the match vs. Croatia.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Leeds United have signed on loan goalkeeper Jamal Blackman from Chelsea. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Kieran Trippier will start for England against Belgium, however, the injured Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker are out. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Eric Dier, Phil Jones, Danny Rose and Fabian Delph will come into the England starting lineup vs. Belgium. They replace: Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young, Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Leicester have signed Ryan Loft on a free (released from Tottenham).  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Chelsea’s Belgian star Eden Hazard hinted that he was to leave the club.  (Source Daily Mail online)

Sunday, July 15, 2018:

-West Ham have signed Lazio’s Felipe Anderson. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Chelsea’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hinted at his own departure from the club by saying, ‘wherever I go, Eden must follow…we will not let each other go’ (both are linked to Real Madrid).  (Source Daily Mail online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Fulham’s Singaporean 17-year-old player Benjamin Davis was denied military deferment by his Governmnet. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Nordin Amrabat has left Watford and joined Al Nassr. (Source vi.nl online)

-Alexis Sanchez did not depart with his Manchester United teammates on tour on USA as he was attending to a personal administrative issue. He will join the squad at a later date. (Source The Guardian Online)

Photo From: L’Equipe, July 12, 2018

(July 11, 2018, Croatia 2-England 1)

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Torino have signed midfielder Soualihi Meite from Monaco. They have also signed Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer from Atletico Mineiro. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for about  £105 Million.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Sergio Pellissier has extended his contract with Chievo Verona.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Carpi have signed on loan Alessandro Piu from Empoli. (Source The Guardian online)

-Fronsione have signed on loan Lorenzo Crisetig from Bologna. (Source The Guardian online)

-Napoli have loaned Leandrinho to Atletico Mineiro. (Source The Guardian online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Lazio have signed defender Francesco Acerbi from Sassuolo. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited have officially taken over AC Milan from Yonghong Li. (Source Calciomercato com)

-Genoa have signed Romulo from Verona on a free. (Source The Guardian online)

-Sasa Lukic has returned to Torino from his loan at Levante. (Source Kicker.de online)

-A strike is scheduled on July 15-17 from the Unione Sindicale di Base (USB) for the FIAT workers in protest for the sum spent by Juventus on Cristiano Ronaldo. (Source AS.comcom)

-Godred Donsah has extended his contract with Bologna until 2022. (Source Transfer Market Web online)

-Newly signed Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret fractured his arm in training. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Udinese have signed Argentinean goalkeeper Juan Musso from Racing Club. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Brescia have signed Leonardo Morosini from Genoa. (Source The Guardian Online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-Parma have signed confirmed the signing of Bruno Alves from  Rangers (Source Sky Sports com)

-Atalanta have signed Colombian striker Duvan Zapata from Sampdoria. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Brescia have signed on loan Ales Mateju from Brighton. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado has relinquished his number 7 jersey for Cristiano Ronaldo, saying ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’. (Source Daily Mail Online)

-Silvan Widmer has left Udinese to join Basel. (Source The Guardian Online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Fiorentina have signed defender Federico Ceccherini from Crotone. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Eder is to leave Inter and join China’s Jiangsu Suning.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Cagliari have signed on loan Alberto Cerri from Juventus. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Torino have signed goalkeeper Antonio Rosati from Perugia. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Fiorentina are set to sign Marko Pjaca from Juventus. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Inter have told Napoli that Danilo D’Ambrosio is not for sale. (Source Transfer Market Web Online)

-Fronsione have signed defender Cristian Molinaro from Torino. (Source Transfer Market Web Online)

-Inter Manager Luciano Spaletti has issued an apology for not signing on permannt basis Joao Cancelo and Rafinha at the end of the season (The pair left as Inter could not afford to pay the buy option).  (Source Calciomercato online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-Parma have signed defender Massimo Gobbi from Chievo Verona. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Alessandro Bastoni has returned to Inter from his loan at Atalanta. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Benevento have signed Andres Tello from Juventus. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Genoa have signed Argentinean striker Claudio Spinelli from Tigre. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Maxi Lopez has joined Vasco da Gama on a free (released by Udinese). (Source The Guardian Online)

Sunday, July 15, 2018:

-Juventus have rejected Dortmund’s bid for Mario Mandzukic. Juventus have also rejected a swp deal with Chelsea involving Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Udinese have signed Nicholas Opoku from Club Africain. (Source The Guardian Online)

-It was revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo could have joined Napoli upon his departure from Real Madrid, but Napoli had to back out as his signing would have financially crippled them. (Source Sport Bild Online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Cristiano Ronaldo was officially unveiled at Juventus. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Padova have signed Federico Bonazzoli from Sampdoria. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Fronsione have signed Edoardo Goldaniga from Sassuolo. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Torino have signed Moldovan striker Vitalie Damascan from Sheriff Tiraspol on permanent basis. (Source Transfer Market Web Online)

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Fernando Torres has signed for Japanese side Sagan Tosu . (Source BBC Football online)

-Valencia have signed Danish midfielder Daniel Wass from Celta. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Barcelona have extended the contracts of Alejandro Orellana and Juan Miranda until 2021. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Valencia have rejected an offer from Sporting CP for Nani.  (Source AS.com online)

-Sevilla have condemned the Federation’s decision to stage the Super Cup per one match only (and most likely in Morocco). (Source AS.com online)

-Atletico Madrid have signed goalkeeper Antonio Adan from Betis. (Source The Guardian online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Villareal have signed Mexican defender Miguel Layun from Porto . (Source L’Equipe online)

- The Thai Youth Football Team that was rescued from a cave have been invited to a La Liga match in the upcoming season.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Celta have signed Iban Salvador from Real Valladolid. (Source The Guardian online)

- Huesca have signed on loan goalkeeper Axel Werner from Atletico Madrid. (Source vi.nl online)

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

-Alexander Katai has joijed Chicago Fire on loan from Alaves. (Source The Guardian Online)

 Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-Barcelona have signed defender Clement Lenglet from Sevilla . (Source BBC Football online)

-Barcelona have made a second bid for Chelsea’s Willian. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Real Sociedad have signed Mikel Merino from Newcastle on permanent basis . (Source Sky Sports online)

-Getafe have signed Serb midfielder Nemnja Maksimovic from Valencia. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Real Madrid have asked for the naturalization process of Casemiro to begin. (Source Marca.com online)

-Sporting Gijon have signed Francisco Molinero from Getafe. (Source The Guardian online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Jailed former Vilareal defender Ruben Semedo has been released after five months as he paid his 30,000 Euros bail. He is suspected of attempted homocide among other charges. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Levante have loaned Shaquell Moore to Reus. (Source The Guardian online)

-Osasuna have signed Nacho Vidal from Valencia. (Source The Guardian online)

-James Rodriguez apparently would like to return to Real Madrid from his loan at Bayern Munich. (Source Marca.com  online)

-Las Palmas have signed Ruben Castro from Betis. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Sporting Gijon have signed Andre Geraldes from Sporting CP.  (Source The Guardian online)

-Betis have signed William Carvalho from Sporting CP.  (Source Football Transfer News online)

-Real Madrid have denied any attempt to try to sign Neymar from PSG.  (Source Walfoot.com online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-Enzo Zidane has been loaned to Rayo Majadahonda from Lausanne-Sport. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Villareal have signed Argentinean midfielder Santiago Caseres from Velez Sarsfield. (Source France Football online)

-Rayo Vallecano have signed Gael Kakuta from Hebei China Fortune. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Leganes have signed Juanfran from Deportivo La Coruna. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Getafe have signed David Soria from Sevilla. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Huesca have signed on loan Argentinean midfielder Damian Musto from Club Tijuana. (Source The Guardian Online)

Sunday, July 15, 2018:

-Atletico Madrid have rejected Inter’s bid for Some Vrsaljko. (Source Calciomercato  Online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Getafe have signed goalkeeper David Soria from Sevilla. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Former Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon expressed disappointment for Real Madrid to have sold Cristiano Ronaldo. (Source AS.com Online)

-Gareth Bale seems set to stay at Real Madrid to be their number one asset now that Cristiano Ronaldo has departed. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Alaves have signed Borja Baston from Swansea City. (Source The Guardian Online)

IV.  Germany

Diary:

 Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong has left Mainz to join Al Ahli in Qatar. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Holger Badstuber has extended his contract with Stuttgart until 2021. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Stuttgart have signed Nicolas Gonzalez from Argentinos Juniors.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Bayern Munich have signed 18-year-old American Chris Richards from FC Dallas.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Hoffenheim have signed 16-year-old Melayro Bogarde from Feyenoord.  (Source vi.nl online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Dortmund have officially signed on a two season loan Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former German International Per Mertesacker has criticized German Hierarchy’s treatment of Mesut Ozil for making him the scapegoat for the World Cup failure.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-RB Leipzig have signed 16-year-old defender Matthew Bondswell from Nottingham Forest.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Idrissa Toure has returned to Werder Bremen following his trial at VVV Venlo.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Fortuna Dusseldorf have signed Davor Lovren from Dinamo Zagreb on permanent basis. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Augsburg have offered a professional contract to 19-year-old defender Jozo Stanic.  (Source Kicker.de online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-Eintracht Frankfurt have signed Portuguese striker Goncalo Paciencia from Porto. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Augsburg have sanctioned Brazilian Caiuby who had been nine days late to pre-seaosn training.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Hoffenheim have extended the contract of Brazilian Bruno Nazario and loaned him to Atletico Paranaense.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Dortmund have signed Kamal Bafounta from Nantes. (Source The Guardian online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Moenchengladbach have signed Alassane Plea from OGC Nice. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Weder Bremen have extended the contract of Niklas Moisander.  (Source vi.nl online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Fortuna Duseldorf have signed Matthias Zimmermann from Stuttgart. (Source The Guardian online)

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Monaco have signed Italian defender Antonio Barreca from Torino.  (Source L’Equipe online)

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

-Midfielder Lucas Deaux has extended his contract with Guingamp until, 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Caen have signed striker Malik Tchokounte from Paris FC.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Metz have signed on loan midfielder Habib Maiga from Saint Etienne.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Lille have signed on loan midfielder Lina Boussaha from PSG.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Togo striker Serge Gakpe has left Amiens. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Paul Pogba dedicated France’s victory over Belgium to the rescued Thailand youth Football Team. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-RC Lens have signed Mehdi Tahrat from Angers. (Source The Guardian online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Monaco have extended the contract of defender Julien Serrano until 2022.  (Source L’Equipe online)

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

-Bordeaux are to loan Serb defender Vukasin Jovanovic to Antalyaspor. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Kevin Monnet-Paquet has extended his contract with Saint Etienne until 2021. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Nimes have signed midfielder Moustapha Diallo from Guingamp. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Kylian Mbappe was booked in yesterday’s match vs. Belgium after an unsportsmanlike attempt to waste time late in the game. He said that if he had offended them he was sorry but had to give it all to defende a lead. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-France’s Umtiti, Pavard, Varane, Giroud and Mbappe did not train today to recuperate.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Caen have signed Congo midfielder Prince Oniangue from Wolverhampton Wanderers.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Dijon have signed Guinea striker Jules Keita on a free (formerly of  Bastia).  (Source L’Equipe online)

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

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Angers have signed midfielder Harrison Manzala from Amiens.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Amiens have extended the contract of defender Bakaye Dibassy until 2021.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-New OGC Nice Manager Patrick Vieira has criticized Mario Balotelli’s decision to move away from the club in a forceful manner. He stated that he was ruining the goodwill that he had earned in two seasons at the club.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Antoine Griezmann responded to Thibaut Courtois’ criticism in France’s manner of winning. He said ‘He (Courtois) has played at Atletico Madrid, he plays at Chelsea, does he think he’s playing like at Barcelona’. He added that he does not care of the manner sued to win. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-France President Emmanuel Macron has invited Dmitri Payet and Laurent Koscielny for the Final. The pair appeared to be certainties in the French squad until late injurues deprived them of the World Cup.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-Aissa Laidouni has left Angers and joined Romanian club FC Voluntari. (Source L’Equipe online)

-PSG have offered a professional contract to 17-year-old Loic Mbe Soh.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-OM are opening a process to sack Henri Bedimo after it was discovered he had started an academy in Cameroon in partnership with his former club Montpellier. Montpellier President Laurent Nicollin has denounced this. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Lille have signed striker Loic Remy from Las Palmas.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Caen have signed defender Jonathan Gradit from Tours. (Source France Football online)

-Lille have offered a professional contract to Teddy Lia Okou.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, July 15, 2018:

-France Captain Hugo Lloris has tied Michel Platini’s number of matches in a World Cup with his 14^th match. He is still behind Thierry Henry and Fabien barthez (17 matches each).  (Source L’Equipe online)

-France’s Kylian Mbappe has become the third youngest player to play in a World Cup Final after Pele (17 years in 1958) and Giuseppe Bergomi (18 years in 1982).  (Source L’Equipe online)

-France have won their second World Cup in twenty years. Didier Descjamps became the third player (after Mario Zagalo and Franz Beckenbauer) to play and manage a World Cup winning side. He became the second after Franz Beckenbauer to captain and manage a World Cup winning side.

-France’s Raphael Varane has now won the World Cup and Champions League in the same season.

-Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player since Pele in 1958 to score in a World Cup Final.

-France’s Adil Rami announced his retirement from the National Team following the World Cup Final.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Didier Deschamps confirmed that he would stay on as France Manager as his contract runs until 2020. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Subway stations in Paris will be renamed to honor the World Cup win. The station ‘Notre-Dame Des Champs’ will be called ‘Notre Didier Deschamps’. ‘Victor Hugo’ station will be renamed ‘Victor Hugo Lloris’ and Bercy station will be renamed ‘Bercy les bleus’. Finally ‘Charles de Gaulle-Etoile’ will be renamed ‘on a 2 etoiles’. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Portuguese Eder, scorer of 2016 Euros winning goal, has left Lille and joined Lokomotiv Moscow. (Source The Guardian Online)

-Dijon have signed on loan Lindsey Thomas from Montpellier. (Source The Guardian Online)

Photo From: L’Equipe, July 11, 2018

(July 10, 2018, France 1-Belgium 0)

Photo From: L’Equipe, July 16, 2018

(World Cup winners)

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-NEC have signed defender Terry Lartey Sanniez from Ajax. (Source vi.nl online)

-PSC Eindhoven have signed 16-year-old striker Djenairo Daniels from Almere City. (Source vi.nl online)

-Fortuna Sittard have signed Moldovan goalkeeper Alexei Koselev. (Source vi.nl online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Sander Fischer has left Sparta and joined Denmark’s Vendyssel FF. (Source vi.nl online)

-Willem II have signed defender James McGarry from Wellington Phoenix. (Source vi.nl online)

-Ajax have signed 16-year-old striker Damjan Dostanic from Excelsior. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-AZ Alkmaar have extended the contract of Ron Vlaar by one year. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-MVV have signed on loan Dimitri Lavalee from Standard Liege. (Source RTBF.be Online)

- PSV Eindhoven are set to offer a professional contract to 16-year-old Belgian defender Heritier Deyonge. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Willem II have signed New Zealand goalkeeper Michael Woud from Sunderland. (Source L’Equipe online)

-PEC Zwolle have signed Vito van Crooij and Clint Leemans from VVV. (Source vi.nl online)

-Almere City have signed midfielder Niek Vosebelt from Den Bosch. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-Ajax have signed Daley Blind from Manchester United. (Source BBC Football Online)

-MVV have signed on loan Jerome Deom from Standard Liege. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Ferdi Kadioglu has left NEC to join Fenerbahce. (Source vi.nl online)

-Telstar have signed on loan Ryan Seager (from Southampton) and Kyle Scott (from Cheslea). (Source vi.nl online)

-Excelsior have signed defender Herve Matthys from FC Eindhoven. (Source vi.nl online)

-PSV Eindhoven have extended the contract of Luuk De Jong until 2021.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Groningen have signed Julian Chabot from Sparta. (Source vi.nl online)

-Go Ahead Eagles have signed Thomas Verheydt. (Source vi.nl online)

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Rangers have signed on loan midfielder Lassanan Coulibaly from Angers. (Source BBC Football online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Livingston have signed goalkeeper Ross Stewart from St Mirren. (Source BBC Football online)

-Antonio Rojano has ended his contract with Hamilton Academical by mutual consent. (Source BBC Football online)

-Peter Hartley has been appointed as the new Captain of Motherwell after Car Hugh’s decision to give up the role. (Source BBC Football online)

-Portuguese defender Bruno Alves has been released from his contract at Rangers by mutual consent . (Source BBC Football online)

-Hibernian have rejected a second bid for John McGinn from Celtic. (Source BBC Football online)

-Rangers have made a bid for Milwall defeder Jake Cooper. (Source Sky Sports online)

- Rangers have signed on loan striker Umar Sadiq from Roma. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-Two Celtic players were involved in a car accident in North Lanarkshire. (Source BBC Football online)

-Hibernian Manager Neil Lennon has crircized the Scottish FA for playing defender Ryan Porteous in the Toulon Tournament while injured. (Source BBC Football online)

-St Mirren have signed on loan goalkeeper Danny Rogers from Aberdeen. (Source BBC Football online)

- Dunfermline have signed on loan striker Faisal El Bakhtaoui from Dundee. (Source BBC Football online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

- Dunfermline have signed striker Myles Hippolyte from St Mirren. (Source BBC Football online)

- Kilmarnock have signed defender Ross Millen (Formerly of Queen’s Park). (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

- Dundee United have signed midfielder Adam Barton from Patrick Thistle. (Source BBC Football online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

- Motherwell have rejected a bid from Grimsby Town for Ryan Bowman. (Source BBC Football online)

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Bruno Fernandes has signed with Sporting CP once more after leaving the team last month. (Source Sky Sports online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Rio Ave have signed on loan Galeno from Porto. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-2016 Euros goalscorer Eder stated that his winner’s medal has been stolen. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Costa Rica Captain Bryan Ruiz has left Sporting CP to join Santos in Brazil. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Former Porto player, the Brazilian Toninho Metralha has passed away aged 64. (Source Maisfutebol Online)

-Sporting CP have after all signed Nani from Valencia. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Benfica have loaned Oscar Benitez to Argentinos Juniors (Source Maisfutebol online)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-Waasland-Beveren have signed Dino Sula from Lommel.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Kortrijk have signed striker Imoh Ezekiel from Las Palmas.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois accused France of being ‘anti-football’ for their approach in the game. Belgium Caprain Eden Hazard also stated that he would rather lose with this Belgian team than win with this French team . (Source The Guardian Online)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Kortrijk have signed striker Ilombe Mboyo from Sion. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht have signed 17-year-old midfielder Samy Louknine from Genk. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-St Truiden have signed Hamza Massoudi from Standard Liege. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht have signed Mo Bouchoauri from Zulte Waregem. (Source Footnews.be online)

-14 of the Belgian squad trained as Manager Roberto Martinez chose to rest the starters who had played vs. France (with the exception of Courtois). Those present included: Mertens, Chadli, Thorgan Hazard, Batshuayi, Vermaelen, Boyata, Carrasco, Meunier, Dendoncker, Tielemans, Januzaj and the three goalkeepers . (Source Walfoot.be online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Kortrijk have signed Iranian defender Mohammad Naderi from Tractor Sazi. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Farouk Miya has left Standard Liege and joined Croatian club NHK Gorica. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Anderlecht have broken off negotiations with Midtjylland over the transfer of Boubacarr Sanneh as the price is too high for them. (Source Footnews.be Online)

- Cercle Brugge have signed Japanese defender Naomichi Ueda from Kashima Antlers. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Antwerp have signed Daniel Opare from Augsburg. (Source Kicker.de online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-Belgium Manager Roberto Martinez has made two changes from his last squad. Youri Tielemans starts in place of Moussa Dembele. Thomas Meunier is back from suspension. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-After his match vs. England, Thibaut Courtois has become Belgium’s most capped goalkeeper by earning his 64^th cap and overtaking Jean-Marie Pfaff.  (Source RTBF.be Online)

-This third place is Belgium’s best place in its World Cup history.

-Cercle Brugge have signed 18-year-old Brazilian Vitinho from Cruzeiro. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Sunday, July 15, 2018:

-Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated that he did not watch the final on Television as he had no desire to watch the French celebrate. (Source RTBF.be online)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

-Standard Liege have signed 16-year-old Swiss striker Alan Rodriguez from Lausanne. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Gent have signed Georgian striker Giorgi Kvilitaia from Rapid Vienna. (Source Footnews.be online)

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, July 10, 2018:

-FIFA is looking into another video of Croatia’s Domagoj Vida that has resurfaced shere he is once again making political statements and saying ‘Belgrade Burn’. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Ognjen Vukojevic who was dismissed as part of the Croatian staff following a viral video with Domagoj Vida that showed him praising Ukraine, may get a job in the Ukrainian Football Federation as well as proposing to pay for his fine. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Russia’s Team Doctor Eduard Bezuglov has confirmed that Russian players had sniffed ammonia before their matches, which he added is a common practice among athlethes for decades. (Source Daily Mail Online)

-The Man of the Match for today:

France’s Samuel Umtiti (France 1-Belgium 0)

Wednesday, July 11, 2018:

-Yuri Zhirkov has announced his retirement from the Russian National Team. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Croatia’s Ivan Strinic was substituted off in ovetitme after an injury. He was replaced by Josip Pivaric. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Croatia have reached the Final of a World Cup for the first time in their history.

-Ronaldo has stated that the country expected more of Neymar. He did also stress the fact that he had been injured for a lengthy spell before and that may have affected his form. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Marcelo Brozovic is back in Croatia’s starting lineup in the match vs, England. He replaced Kramaric from the previous match. (Source L’Equipe online)

-The Man of the Match for today:

Croatia’s Ivan Perisic (England 1-Croatia 2)

Thursday, July 12, 2018:

-Croatian defender Dejan Lovren stated that he should be considered as one of the best defenders in the World after helping Croatia eliminate England. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Croatia’s Luka Modric stated that he felt the English media had underestimated Croatia and that was used as a motivation for their win. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Jerzy Brzeczek has been appointed as the new National Team Manager of Poland.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Every World Cup Final squad since 1982 has contained at least a member of either Bayern Munich or Internazionale Milano. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Dutch Legend Marco van Basten, as part of FIFA Technical study group, criticized the behavior of Neymra during the World Cup. He added that all the ‘theater’ is not going to help him. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Croatia’s Domagoj Vida has apologized to the Russian People for his recent politically charged viral videos. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-El Salvador Photographer Yuri Cortez who was crushed under the celebrating Croatia players following their winner vs. England released his photographs. (Source AS.com Online)

-Statues of Ricardo Gareca and Paolo Guerrero are to be erected in Lima’s Argentine Park in recognition of their service to Peru’s National Team. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-The Croatian Federation is to invite all members of their 1998 World Cup squad to attned the Final match. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Friday, July 13, 2018:

-Shandong Luneng have signed Brazilian striker Roger Guedes from Palmeiras. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Krasnodar have signed Peru’s Christian Cueva from Sao Paulo. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Tunisia National Team Manager Nabil Maaloul has left his post and become the new Manager of Qatari side Al-Duhail. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus has selected his team of the World Cup for Sport Bild.

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Benjamin Pavard (France), Yerry Mina (Colombia), Samuel Umtiti (France), Laxalt (Uruguay), N’Golo Kante (France), Kylian Mbappe (France), Luka Modric (Croatia), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Eden Hazard (Belgium), Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) (Source Footnews.be online)

-FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the 2018 World Cup as ‘the best ever’. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Croatia’s Ivan Perisic and Strincic are carrying injuries and their particpation in the Final is in doubt.  (Source Onze-Mondial online)

Saturday, July 14, 2018:

-The Man of the Match for today:

Belgium’s Eden Hazard (Belgium 2-England 0)

Sunday, July 15, 2018:

-Russia President Vladimir Putin handed over the mantle of World Cup host to the emir of Qatar (2022 hosts).  (Source Reuters UK online)

-According to a number of sources, Jorge Sampaoli is about to be dismissed as Argentina Manager.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Croatia’s Ivan Perisic, who was an injury doubt, did after all play in the Final.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic played in his 71st match of the season.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Former German International Stefan Effenberg stated that he preferred Mario Mandzukic to Neymar and has he been younger would have been worth 200 Million Euros. (Source AS.com online)

-France’s Kylian Mbappe was awarded the Young Player award, England’s Harry Kane won the Golden Boot with six goals, Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was awarded the Golden Glove and Croatia’s Luka Modric was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup.

-Mario Mandzukic is the first player since Dutchman Ernei Brandts (1978, Holland 2-Italy 1) to score a goal and an own in a World Cup match. (Source BBC Football)

-Mario Mandzukic is in fact the first player ever to score an own in a World Cup Final. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Croatia's Dejan Lovren stated that his side 'played mauch better football'. (Source BBC Football online)

-The punk rock band 'Pussy Riot' have claimed responsibility for the protesters that ran onto the field wearing police unifroms. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Pele sent a number of complimentary tweets to Kylian Mbappe. In ne he tells him 'welcome to the club' and in another he stated 'if Kylian continues to tie my records i will have to dust off my boots..'.

-Croatia Manager Zlato Dalic stated that it was wrong to award a penalty like that in a World Cup Final. (Source AS.com Online)

-The Man of the Match for today:

France’s Antoine Griezmann (France 4-Croatia 2)

Monday, July 16, 2018:

- Jorge Sampaoli has been dismissed as Argentina Manager. (Source L’Equipe Online)