England’s Joe Root celebrates winning the Ashes with the urn. (Reuters)
Agencies/London
Arsenal’s England striker Danny Welbeck willl be out of action for several months after undergoing a knee operation. The 24-year-old, signed from Manchester United on deadline day in September 2014, last played in April, missing both the FA Cup final and end-of-season internationals.
Despite hopes Welbeck would be able to recover from bone bruising around the knee, Arsenal announced yesterday the player had needed an operation and was now set for an extended spell of rehabilitation.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had hoped Welbeck would be available soon after the international break. However, following an increased training schedule, it was decided surgery would be needed.
A statement from Arsenal read: “Danny Welbeck has undergone surgery on his left knee after being unable to sufficiently step up his rehabilitation work.”
It concluded: “Danny is now expected to be out for a period of months and everyone at Arsenal wishes him well.”
Adebayor dropped from
Tottenham squad
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been left out of his club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the rest of the year. Adebayor had been expected to leave White Hart Lane before the transfer window closed on Tuesday, but Tottenham were unable to find a buyer for the Togo international.
The 31-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester City star, who reportedly earns £100,000-a-week ($152,000, EUR137,000), has also been left out of Tottenham’s Europa League squad. Adebayor has rarely been selected by Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who opted to axe the player from his squad despite missing out on a deal for West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino this week. Adebayor has been a peripheral figure at White Hart Lane since the departure of manager Harry Redknapp in 2012.
Redknapp brought Adebayor to Tottenham during his last season at the club but his successor Andre Villas-Boas quickly dropped the erratic striker. He was again a regular while Tim Sherwood was caretaker manager, but Pochettino’s appointment and Harry Kane’s fine form last season meant his chances were limited.
Reported interest from both West Ham and Aston Villa came to nothing before the conclusion of the transfer window, leaving Adebayor to wait until January for his next opportunity to secure a move.
PFA chief urges West Brom’s Berahino not to go on strike
Professional Footballers’ Association Chief Executive Gordon Taylor has advised West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino not to go on strike after missing out on a move to Tottenham Hotspur during the transfer window.
The PFA has offered to mediate between West Brom and Berahino after the 22-year-old suggested on Twitter that he would not play for the Baggies again under chairman Jeremy Peace, who reportedly rejected four bids from Spurs for the player, including two on deadline day.
“Players know if they come to the end of a contract they have that right to move but if it’s during a contract there are other factors involved and it can’t be taken for granted,” said Taylor, who is keen to see the matter resolved without Berahino following through on his strike threat.
“It’s always better for players to be playing. Things can be said in the heat of the moment and contracts work both ways but players need to play and keep fit,” he added. “Hopefully he has an international future as well, so just for the sake of the lad as well as the club we’re hopeful it can be resolved.”
Berahino, who had a transfer request turned down last month, has been given time off until Monday to consider his position and is expected to hold talks with head coach Tony Pulis when he returns.
He was dropped for the Baggies’ last three games by manager Tony Pulis.
Bilic delighted with deadline day business at West Ham
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is thrilled with the business done by the Hammers on transfer deadline day after the Croatian welcomed four new faces to the club on Tuesday. Alex Song, Victor Moses, Nikica Jelavic and Michail Antonio were all brought in on a busy day of activity for the Hammers, with Matt Jarvis’ loan move to Norwich City the only departure.
“I think we’ve done a good job—that’s what we wanted and it looks like the last day was a hectic day, but really the deals were done a few days ago and we just needed the papers (finalised),” the 46-year-old Bilic told the club’s website.
Chelsea new boy Djilobodji left out of Champions League squad
Chelsea’s new signing Papy Djilobodji has been left out of the club’s Champions League squad. Djilobodji was signed from French side Nantes on Tuesday after the Premier League champions were repeatedly turned down by Everton in their pursuit of John Stones.
The Senegal defender will wear Chelsea’s number 15 shirt, but he has been omitted from the squad submitted to UEFA for Europe’s elite club competition. Eight locally-trained players must be submitted in the 25-man A List squad, or the squad size be reduced. Chelsea have a Champions League A List squad of 22 players, which includes summer signings Asmir Begovic, Radamel Falcao, Pedro, Baba Rahman and Kenedy. Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore has also been included.
Jose Mourinho’s side play Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their opening Group G game on September 16.
