Footy Talk: Football news and rumours - 30th December 2016

Football News and Rumours - Updated throughout the day!

Updated: 30 December 2016 17:45 IST - Published: 30 December 2016 09:19 IST

That's it from Footy Talk today. We'll be back tomorrow with the news, views and rumours from the world of football. Until then, this is Aaditya Narayan signing off. Cheers!

Moment a Uruguayan football match is abandoned following mass brawlhttps://t.co/Cod6d2J3AV pic.twitter.com/X6VAGpBxYO
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 30, 2016

China for this man? https://t.co/gdkIxyuehf pic.twitter.com/RIyu3G0VmD
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 30, 2016

Clattenburg will consider China offer

The English referee Mark Clattenburg, who was recently named the best referee in the world in 2016, has said that he will not rul eout a move to the Chinese Super League. He said, "There is no offer on the table but if they made an offer it would be under consideration. But at the moment I still enjoy working for the Premier League and UEFA."

Adam Lallana has recorded an assist on average once per every 3 chances created in the league this season (6 from 18)

High-quality service. pic.twitter.com/XGFegX7qnG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 30, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo is not going anywhere!

Despite a £250 million bid being lodged.

Full story ➡️ https://t.co/EuojvffcOr pic.twitter.com/dnLb91AlpA
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 30, 2016

Most long passes completed by midfielders in Europe's top 5 leagues 2016/17:

Jordan Henderson (111)
Toni Kroos (102)
Thiago Alcántara (101) pic.twitter.com/mOBxkVxdxG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 30, 2016

McClean signs new West Brom deal

McClean has been an integral part of Tony Pulis's West Brom side

James McClean has signed a new deal to keep him at West Bromwich Albion since 2019. The Republic of Ireland international has been an important player for Tony Pulis this season.

The manager said, "James’s attitude and commitment to the group is first class and I’m delighted to see that approach rewarded in this way.”

Shkodran Mustafi returns to Arsenal squad for Crystal Palace but Theo Walcott misses out https://t.co/BPJreK06Gm #afc pic.twitter.com/A7JOcQcZog
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 30, 2016

West Ham hope to sign Defoe

David Moyes is determined to keep his star striker until the end of the season

West Ham United are confident that they can sign Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe in January, according to the Daily Mirror.

Slaven Bilic has told the Hammers' hierarchy that West Ham need a striker in the summer. Their need for a striker will be accentuated by Diafra Sakho's injury and Andre Ayew's commitments with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Sevilla midfielder Samir Nasri is being investigated by the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency.https://t.co/9G5hn7mfqo pic.twitter.com/9YuMBTWEYM
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 30, 2016

Man United target Victor Lindelof not even named on the bench for Benfica's League Cup win tonight https://t.co/2zXHwBQ1Dl pic.twitter.com/WBn3UDveio
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 29, 2016

Jurgen Klopp on Man City: "The Barcelona style is not possible for each team to play. It depends on the players you have." pic.twitter.com/5BV1bLCR0v
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) December 29, 2016

Honda prefers MLS move over China

Honda has barely featured for Milan this season

Keisuke Honda’s agent confirmed that the AC Milan midfielder rejected offers from Chinese clubs saying, “we definitely prefer MLS”.

The Japanese has made just one Serie A start so far this season, playing only 96 minutes in all, and is expected to leave the San Siro in January.

David Moyes on Jordan Pickford's injury:

"The good news is he hasn't ruptured his ACL, the bad news is he's strained it." pic.twitter.com/4WdYVzYYeY
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) December 29, 2016

Bob Bradley was nicknamed 'Ronald Reagan' by members of the Swansea staff

Bob Bradley was sacked by Swansea after just 11 games in charge

Swansea's coaching staff nicknamed their sacked manager after the former US President towards the end of his time at the Liberty Stadium. It is understood that the name came about because of his archaic training methods.

The Daily Mail reported that towards the end, Swansea's players were not responding to Bradley's training methods. It was reported that the players had no problem with the manager on a personal level.

Meanwhile, Bradley has claimed that he found the club in 'turmoil' off the field with fans frustrated at a takeover by Americans Steve Kaplan and Jason Levein.

The Kante effect

N'Golo Kante has lost to only Arsenal and Liverpool since he arrived in the Premier League. Last season, Leicester lost 5-2 and 2-1 to Arsenal and 1-0 to Liverpool. This season, Chelsea have lost 2-1 to Liverpool and 3-0 to Arsenal.

The Premier League table since N'Golo Kante arrived in England in the summer of 2015

Chapecoense have officially turned down the offer of immunity from relegation for the Brasileirão 2017. Huge respect!
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) December 29, 2016