Tuesday cannon fodder: lucky sporting bastard

Premier League/England

Luck Index 2019-20: Arsenal uncovered as the Premier League’s unluckiest team
It is my contention there is no such thing as luck, but if luck is something you believe in, here you go.

Pepe Reina: Former Liverpool keeper joins Aston Villa on loan - BBC Sport
Aston Villa sign former Liverpool and Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina on loan from AC Milan for the rest of the season.

The conflict of Daniel Levy: why Tottenham need a sporting director | FourFourTwo
Daniel Levy must relieve himself of the footballing duties he isn’t qualified to do.

Adam Lallana’s cameo shows how he’s become the b*stard Jurgen Klopp loves - Planet Football
One of the big factors in Jurgen Klopp’s success at Liverpool has been the manager’s ability to transform a struggling player’s reputation.

Anger over use of facial recognition at south Wales football derby | The Guardian
Protest held before Cardiff v Swansea as fans say technology is taking away their rights.

Spurs fans should fear four years of Mourinho’s small-minded cynicism | The Guardian
The desperate negativity and cynicism of José Mourinho’s approach to playing Liverpool at home is his management style in microcosm.

Europe

Barcelona sack Ernesto Valverde and appoint Quique Setien - BBC Sport
Why any sane person would want to manage Barcelona is beyond me.

How Barcelona made a right mess of sacking Ernesto Valverde | The Guardian
Late on Monday Ernesto Valverde was still Barcelona’s manager, with the world waiting for an end to a public pantomime.

Federico Valverde makes the most cynical tackle of all time... then wins Man of the Match award | FourFourTwo
The Uruguay international was determined not to let Alvaro Morata pass on Sunday.

MLS/Americas

Ranking the USMNT Talent Pool: Left Backs
Now’s a good time to take stock of the U.S. Men’s National Team talent pool heading into 2020.

Javier Hernandez: LA Galaxy in talks with ex-Manchester United striker - BBC Sport
Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy are in talks with former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.

2026 World Cup: U.S. Soccer outlines its plans to select host cities
U.S. Soccer has outlined its plans to pick the 10 American cities that will host matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Brian McBride named USMNT General Manager - Stars and Stripes FC
The all-time great striker is headed towards the administrative side.

The NWSL says it has a ‘Rooney Rule,’ but no one seems to know much about it – Equalizer Soccer
After starting in 2013 with three women in head coaching roles, the NWSL only had one for the next four seasons.

Other

Hakan Sukur: ‘I’m an Uber driver now’ | Football Italia
Former Inter, Torino, Parma and Galatasaray forward Hakan Sukur confessed he is now an Uber driver to make ends meet after he was exiled from Turkey.

Punishment for Astros’ Sign-Stealing Scandal Announced - The Crawfish Boxes
Who knew a sports league could punish a team for something? Soccer doesn’t think it can!

This decade, let’s let female athletes be jerks - Power Plays
A resolution for us all.