July 8, 2022
The brief from today:
Wilshere calls it a day
Former Arsenal midfielder, Jack Wilshere, announced his retirement today. He had struggled with injuries in the past four years since his departure from Arsenal, and the constant disruptions seem to have forced him into the decision. Still only 30, Wilshere was once heralded as the next big English talent after making his debut for Arsenal when he was just 16. He came up through the youth team, and would later make almost 200 appearances for the Gunners. After winning two FA Cups with the North London side, Wilshere moved to West Ham in 2018, and that was when his injury woes truly began. Eventually he would leave West Ham in 2020 after his contract was mutually terminated. His lack of fitness only allowed him to make 19 appearances from 2018-20, and once he left the Hammers he was without a club for the first half of the 2020/21 season. A brief six-month spell at Bournemouth ended with him being released in June 2021. Wilshere was also able to represent England at senior level, making 34 appearances, even being part of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euro squads. In the end Wilshere understood the reality he faced saying, “In truth it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give.” The once young prospect unfortunately now becomes the young retiree.
Shopping for “free”
Juventus are on the verge of completing two big transfers in back-to-back days. First, Angel Di Maria arrived in Turin late last night and completed his signing today. Now Paul Pogba has also landed in the city, and will sign his contract tomorrow. The two players faced varied circumstances at their previous clubs, but the parallel between both is that their contracts at PSG, for Di Maria, and Manchester United, for Pogba, had both expired. With both being free agents, Juventus didn’t have to pay any transfer fees to acquire the two influential players, but of course their salaries won’t come cheap. That said, they now get an experienced and dynamic winger/forward in Di Maria, who, despite being 34, can still contribute greatly. Meanwhile, Pogba, 29, has history with Juventus, having played for them from 2012-16, and was a key part of the Scudetto winning teams under both Conte, and later, Allegri. Juventus are notorious for their dealings when it comes to free agents having signed: Emre Can, Sami Khedira, Dani Alves, Andrea Pirlo, and of course Pogba himself in 2012, amongst others. They can now add the latter and Di Maria to their list of “free” purchases.
Di Maria joins Juventus today, Pogba to follow tomorrow
El Trafico
Los Angeles FC versus Los Angeles Galaxy, dubbed El Trafico, takes place tonight with a little more intrigue than previous editions. LAFC, top of the Western Conference in MLS, have made two massive signings in Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale. The Italian defender, Chiellini, and Welshman, Bale, are both eligible to play after their recent transfers, and will be hoping to add some presence in the local derby. Of course there’s the Mexican rivalry as well with LAFC's Carlos Vela, and Galaxy’s Chicharito, both planning to outscore each other as they lead each team’s attack. LA Galaxy are currently fourth in the Western Conference, but they have been in good form with a recent 4-0 win over Montreal FC. The last time the two teams played was in May, at the US Open Cup, which LA Galaxy won 3-1, and they will be hoping to repeat that, while LAFC will look to cement their status as conference leaders with a victory of their own.