Reading Football Club News: July 2019

What Reading fans can expect this season

24 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Following last year's narrow, three-point survival, Reading are in a difficult situation as they look to distance themselves from a relegation battle in the Championship next season.

The Royals were handed a transfer embargo by the EFL for breaking Profit and Sustainability rules. Consequently, the club will have to offload a great deal of players to balance the books, which could affect their ambition to attain a higher league position for the forthcoming campaign.

Reading have faced relegation battles in the past two seasons, and the embargo makes it difficult to move away from that predicament, but there are positives to take from the limitations put in place.

There are players at the club who are on hefty wages but are merely fringe players and outside options. Whether the Royals had an embargo placed on them or not, selling players would have been the plan, regardless. However, the emphasis must now shift towards selling fringe players as opposed to key, valuable assets, for example; David Meyler. He is someone who finds first-team football something of a rarity at Madejski Stadium and this could be an opportunity to part ways with the club, suiting both parties.

It will be a stern test for Reading manager Jose Gomes - the Championship is an extremely competitive league, and the Royals are currently third favourites to be relegated at 11/4 after the newly-promoted Charlton and Barnsley. If you fancy a bet on who will get relegated, check out bettingapps.org to get the best apps for betting on football markets.

Reading have made one signing this summer, bringing goalkeeper Joao Virginia to Berkshire on a season-long loan from Everton. However, the 19-year-old is unlikely to make an overwhelming contribution with such little experience, and being a goalkeeper, you can only make so much of an impact.

Despite the transfer embargo, Gomes expressed his frustration with the lack of signings so far following defeat to Sevilla in a friendly. He said: “It was very important for us because these games showed us we need new players.

"I'm still very happy to try to increase the level of the quality, but if we want to achieve higher targets we need to make something happen in the next few days.

"So I expect I can play some of the four games [left of pre-season] with new players, otherwise it will be difficult to fight for something that everyone wants."

The Reading boss is yet to make a permanent signing during his tenure in Berkshire and selling a large portion of fringe players would make room for signings to be made and improve the squad. It is difficult for a manager to implement his style and philosophy into a team if he does not have the correct players at his disposal.

The Royals recruitment policy has been disastrous over the years - often targeting players with excessive wage demands and hefty transfer fees - which has had a damaging affect on the club. Former CEO Ron Gourlay was mainly responsible for that, and the introduction of Nigel Howe (current CEO) is steering Reading in a different, more sustainable direction.

Keeping the heart and soul of a club alive is essential in modern football, especially with the money being passed around like hot chips. With this transfer embargo, it is a chance to bring through some raw, rich talent from the youth system - a strategy that could reconnect and repair the identity of Reading Football Club. The next few weeks are crucial to the Royals success next season, and if they can find a way of selling enough players to allow Gomes to make signings he wants to fit his philosophy and beliefs, Reading fans have every reason to go into the 2019/20 with an optimistic mindset.

Miazga Returns For The Season

24 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Chelsea defender Matt Miazga will be back in a Reading shirt for the new season after the clubs agreed to start a new season long loan. Miazga arrived at Reading in January this year and went on to make a big impression, playing a key part in Reading's up turn in form to avoid relegation. He went on to make 18 league starts for the Royals before the end of the season. After a brief return to Chelsea he immediately returns to Reading and will be set to be first choice in defence as Reading look to build on last season's finish.

Players Signed

  • Joao Virginia (Everton - Loan)
  • Michael Morrison (Released by Birmingham - Free)
  • Charlie Adam (Released by Stoke City - Free)
  • Matt Miazga (Chelsea - Loan)

Departing Players

  • Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Millwall)
  • Liam Kelly (Feyenoord)
  • Joey van den Berg (NEC Nijmegen)
  • Anssi Jaakkola (Bristol Rovers)
  • Danzell Gravenberch (released)
  • Paul McShane (released)
  • John O'Shea (retired)
  • Callum Harriott (released)
  • George Legg (released)
  • Matt Miazga (end of loan)
  • Lewis Baker (end of loan)
  • Saeid Ezatolahi (end of loan)

Charlie Adam Signing Confirmed

22 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have added some experience to their squad with the signing of Charlie Adam who was out of contract after being released by Stoke City. Adam, a 33 year old midfielder, has signed a one year contract with Reading and was almost certainly happy to take a cut in wages to come to Reading after Blackburn failed to sign him after a trial with the club during the summer. As Adam attracts no transfer fee he will be seen a cheap replacement for Liam Kelly to enable Reading to reduce costs and maintain a squad to attempt to compete in the Championship this season.

After starting his career with Rangers in Scotland, Adam was a much wanted player eight years ago and Liverpool paid 6.75 million pounds to Blackpool for his services in the summer of 2011. He made 27 Premier League starts for Liverpool before a move the following year to Stoke City for 5 million. At Stoke City he made 179 appearances and scored 21 goals before gradually falling out of favour. His last three appearances were a couple of minutes each and he spent most of last season on the bench as he struggled to make an impact. He may well be set for a similar role at Reading this season.

Reading Get Win In Spain

17 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading followed up a 0-0 morning draw with Malaga B to beat second tier Spanish side Extremadura in the evening. Danny Loader scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the second half after winning the penalty following a tricky run into the box. Reading used the second half of their squad out in Spain after the morning game, but some players from the morning also got extra game time as substitutes. Walker impressed in goal making some vital saves to enable the Royals to pick up their second clean sheet of the game. Yiadom was back in action after returning from International duty, while Howe and McIntryre also made further starts for Reading in defence.

Virginia Makes Debut In Malaga B Draw

16 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Goalkeeper Joao Virginia, who signed on a season long loan from Everton last week, made his debut as a Reading side drew 0-0 with Malaga B this morning. Virginia was reported as making some saves as he kept a clean sheet during his first game for his new side. Against Malaga's B team, a fourth tier Spanish league side, the Royals effectively also fielded their B team with some exceptions. The Reading side did feature John Swift and Sam Baldock. Omar Richards also played in an eleven that also included Watson, Odimayo, Osho, Boadu, East, Frost and Holsgrove.

The other half of Reading's squad are due to play second tier Extremadura UD this evening.

Virginia remains Reading's only incoming player so far this summer, but Gomes is reporting to be looking at other players that he can bring in on season long loans in order to avoid transfer fees and long term wage bills. One player that Gomes is reported to be interested in is Chelsea's Ethan Ampadu after Chelsea managed Frank Lampard confirmed that Ampadu will be going out on loan this season. Welsh International defender Ampadu may well attract interested from other Championship clubs so it will be interesting if Gomes can tempt him to Berkshire.

Spanish Pre-Season Friendlies Continue

15 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading will face Malaga B and Extremadura UD next in their pre-season build up in Spain. The Royals will play both sides in friendlies on Tuesday with half the team playing Malaga B in the morning and the second half of the squad lining up against Extremadura. Malaga B and in the fourth tier of Spanish football with Extremadura, who Reading will play in the evening with a 18:30 kick-off, in the second tier.

The games follow Reading's 1-2 friendly defeat against Sevilla on Saturday evening. After no goals in the first half Novakovich put the Royals ahead before a penalty was scored by the home side with three quarters of the game played. Sevilla then went on to score a late winner.

Reading did well against a strong Sevilla side and again chose to play two different teams in each half, with the second half dedicated to younger members of the squad and those yet to make a real impression on the Reading starting eleven. The first half saw Walker in goal with Moore, McIntyre, Blackett and Howe in defence. Rinomhota, Swift, Olise, Barrow, Loader and Meite made up the rest of the team. The main talking point of the first half was assistant manager Jorge Mendonca getting sent off after protesting to the referee about the treatment of Danny Loader who was subject to some heavy challenges. In the second half Reading's team included Andresson, Watson, Osho, Richards, East, Holsgrove, Frost, Baldock, and Novakovich.

Novakovich was also on the score sheet last week in Reading's 10-0 friendly win over Gibraltar United.

Meanwhile, Reading fans are still waiting to hear if any further players will be added to the squad before the new season. We look set to rely on a much smaller squad with younger players needing to have an impact after the departure of several experienced players. As a result Reading remain one of the favourites for relegation next season, however if Gomes can carry the form through it might be worth betting against - try some lucky 31 tips.

Nelson Oliveira now seems unlikely to sign for Reading after his release by Norwich City. Oliveira had been a strong possibility signing after training with Reading throughout the summer. That followed a successful loan spell at the end of the last season. Instead it is being reported he is set to sign for Greek side AEK Athens.

Bodvarsson Leaves For Millwall

12 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's mission to reduce the squad, reduce the wages and also get some much needed money into the club continued today with the sale of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson to Championship side Millwall. Bodvarsson had a year left to run on his contract with the Royals after signing from Wolves in the summer of 2017, and the club took the decision to cash in while there was still some value left in the player. It is reported that the Royals received 750,000 pounds from the sale of Bodvarsson - a significant amount of money as we fight financial issues.

Bodvarsson's time at Reading was hampered by injury and not always being given a place in the starting eleven. Out of his 56 appearances for the Royals 25 were from the bench - but he still came up with the goods. When he did get minutes on the pitch he worked hard, impressed, and scored goals - a total of 17 during his time at the club. Reading fans will be sorry to see him leave.

The first team squad is already much smaller with a long list of players that have already left this summer and just the one incoming loan signing so far. The departing players list is still expected to grow before the new season kicks-off next month:

Players Signed

  • Joao Virginia (Everton - Loan)

Departing Players

  • Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Millwall)
  • Liam Kelly (Feyenoord)
  • Joey van den Berg (NEC Nijmegen)
  • Anssi Jaakkola (Bristol Rovers)
  • Danzell Gravenberch (released)
  • Paul McShane (released)
  • John O'Shea (retired)
  • Callum Harriott (released)
  • George Legg (released)
  • Matt Miazga (end of loan)
  • Lewis Baker (end of loan)
  • Saeid Ezatolahi (end of loan)

Goalkeeper Virginia Signs On Season Long Loan

11 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have signed Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia on a season long loan. Portuguese Virginia is just 19 years old and comes to Reading without making an appearance for Everton so far after a year at the club. Last season he spent the season in goal for the Everton Under 23 side who won the league with Virginia keeping some vital clean sheets.

Virginia has played for Portugal's Under 17s, Under 19s, and Under 21s. His time playing club youth football was spent at Benfica before a move to Arsenal's youth set-up in 2015. He appears to be well known to Reading boss Jose Gomes who is expecting the young keeper to compete for the position of first choice goalkeeper. He comes to Reading fully expecting to play the first senior football of his career and it should be a great opportunity to both Reading and the player, after learning his trade at some of the biggest clubs in the game.

Loader Gets Three In Friendly Win

10 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's pre-season preparations out in Spain continued as they crossed the border to play Gibraltar Premier Division side Gibraltar United. The Royals ran out clear winners, hitting ten goals with no reply. Danny Loader scored a second half hat-trick as The Royals fielded two different sides, swapping all eleven players at half time with the score at 3-0. The game was used to give most of the squad players a run out and as result gave a chance to a lot of young academy graduates.

Holsgrove scored two goals with Novakovich getting the other before the half time break. Reading fielded a stronger side in the second half with senior players Walker, Moore, Blackett, Swift and Barrow joining McIntyre, Rinomhota, Barrett, Meite and Loader in a line-up which Gibraltar struggled to contain. Loader won a penalty for Meite to score from the spot before getting on the scoresheet himself. After a second Loader goal defender McIntrye scored from close range. Meite, Barrett and a third Loader goal completed a very comfortable win.

Jordan Obita, who continues to make a return from his long term injury, failed to make an appearance but is still expected to be available to Gomes when the season kicks off next month.

Reading travel to Sevilla on Saturday night in what will be much tougher pre-season fixture for the Royals. Sevilla finished sixth in La Liga last season with former Reading player Daniel Carrico making 38 appearances during the season after becoming a vital player for the side after his short and uneventful spell in Berkshire.

Kelly Departure Confirmed

09 July 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Midfielder Liam Kelly has left the club as Reading continue to shrink their wage bill due to financial concerns. Former Reading manager Jaap Stam, now manager of Dutch side Feyenoord, has signed Kelly on a two year contract in a deal expected to be worth up to £500,000 in transfer fees to the Royals. Money remains tight at Reading so the deal should be beneficial to both clubs with the transfer fee perhaps lower than it might have been for a young player that still has plenty of potential for the future.

Kelly perhaps under performed last season and could prove a real asset to Feyenoord. Reading fans will be hoping a good sell on clause was included in the transfer with Reading due to receive a big payment from the four million pounds selling on of Jack Stacey from Luton to Bournemouth this week. Kelly played 94 times, scoring nine goals, for the Royals after signing professional terms in the summer of 2014. He had his best spell at the club under his new manager Jaap Stam before gradually falling out of favour over the last season.

Meanwhile Reading continue to look for a buyer for striker Sam Baldock who has been told he is surplus to requirements at Reading. Gomes is looking to remove the wages of another perhaps over-paid player after Baldock failed to impress last season. Like other players the club are looking to off-load he may be difficult to shift as he will be sitting on a very nice contract at Reading and other clubs are unlikely to want to meet demands for similar wages at their new clubs. Garath McCleary and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson are in similar positions after being told they are not in Gomes' plans for the new season. Transfer fees will not be a issue as Reading will accept almost any offer to cut their losses and take the wages down to enable new, lesser paid, players the chance to join the squad.