January 18, 2017 - A Different League

Chelsea forward seals move, Costa returns and more

January 18, 2017 Ricci Rox

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of striker Patrick Bamford in a £5.5m deal from Chelsea. The 23-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Boro. He previously had a very successful loan spell with the Boro during the 2014-15 season. However, that spell was followed by disastrous loan spells at Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley. He had recently cut short his loan spell with the Clarets and returned to Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, unsettled Chelsea striker Diego Costa has joined training with the first team for the first time…

Plymouth player charged with rape, set to be dropped for Liverpool’s visit

January 18, 2017 Sanket Kumar

David Goodwillie, who was an unused substitute when the Pilgrims took away an FA Cup 3rd round replay from Anfield earlier in January, is set to be dropped following a civil court ruling that found him and his former Dundee teammate David Roberton guilty of raping a woman. Goodwillie, 27 is a former Scotland International who joined Plymouth last year. David Goodwillie and David Roberton have been ordered to pay £100,000 compensation to the mother of one, Denise Clair. The Plymouth forward was accused of serious sexual assault way back in 2011,…

Joel Matip dropped from Liverpool squad amid FIFA fears

January 18, 2017 Sanket Kumar

Klopp decides to leave behind fit-again Joel Matip for the trip down south to Plymouth Argyle for the FA Cup 3rd round replay at Home Park. Joel Matip was in contention to start against Mourinho’s Red Devils in the North-West derby earlier this week. The summer arrival could not be selected for the crucial fixture as confusion persisted concerning the former Cameroon defender’s eligibility to play. Matip, 25 refused to play for his national side in the going AFCON after being named in the preliminary squad. Confusion persists regarding a clearance…

Four bizarre ways Dutch legend Marco Van Basten intends to revolutionize football

January 18, 2017 Sanket Kumar

The former AC Milan and Netherlands forward who won the Ballon d’Or thrice was appointed the technical director of FIFA in September 2016 to oversee innovations in the ‘beautiful game’. Here are the four most bizarre (read ludicrous) suggestions from the former World Player of the Year to make football more ‘honest, dynamic, interesting and attractive.’: ICE-HOCKEY STYLE SHOOTOUT Marco van Basten’s proposed PK change: “Maybe the player should start 25 meters from goal.” Hmm. https://t.co/9LAoW4wVKB — Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 18, 2017 Basten’s suggestion puts an end to…

Spurs eye United defender as midfielder completes move to Swansea

January 18, 2017 Ricci Rox

Tom Carroll completed a move to Swansea City from Tottenham yesterday. The 24-year-old English man is said to have signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, with Swansea having to shell out a sum in the region of £5M for him. We’re pleased to announce the signing of @tom_carroll92 from @SpursOffcial. ✍️#WelcomeBackTomhttps://t.co/ah2ZOLjG3L — Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) January 17, 2017 While a product of Tottenham’s lauded academy, Carroll is no stranger to the Welsh club as he spent the entirety of the 2014/2015 on loan there. Carroll had found game time hard…

United agreed deal for Memphis, starlet goes on loan

January 18, 2017 Ricci Rox

Olympique Lyon have agreed on personal terms with Manchester United winger Memphis Depay, according to the French paper, L’Equipe. Memphis made a move to United during the summer months of 2015 under heavy expectations from millions of fans around the world, with him being labelled as the ‘New Ronaldo’. He has; however, failed to impress, his performances blowing hot and cold with a significant lean towards the latter. While the Netherlands international may not have lived up to expectations at Old Trafford, he is only still 22, and his talent…