Latest news with #ValerienIsmael
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
It's never quiet at Ewood Park
"I'm going to have a quiet summer..." The famous last words I uttered whilst wiping away tears as yet another play-off dream came to an end at Bramall Lane back in May. But I've been a Rovers fan long enough to know there isn't such a thing as a quiet day, never mind a quiet days of the season ending came the decision from the club to withdraw the women's team from the Championship and relegate themselves to National League Division One North (tier four).Then came the announcement in a 35-word statement that CEO of seven years, Steve Waggott, had left the club. It's a position that remains had leaked kits (the green third kit is a thing of beauty!) season ticket price debates and rumours aplenty about who is leaving and who is coming through the the XI which started the last game of the season, Danny Batth has been reunited with our old gaffer at Derby and Tyrhys Dolan is now a free agent as he continues the hunt for his big incomings of De Neve, Taveres, Alebiosu and McLoughlin offer reassurance business is being done early for a change and some funds are available. However we definitely need more, a stance on which Valerien Ismael seems to agree. With Andi Weimann also making a move to the Rams, his nine goals last season will be down our key players is something we have historically failed to do and remains at the forefront of many of our minds. With rumours swirling of Callum Brittain going to Middlesbrough, the club must decide whether to cash in if a new deal is not accepted or allow players to run their contracts the pitch, wins against Accrington Stanley and Everton (see photo) in our first two pre-season friendlies have offered us a chance to see the new lads in action. We have also seen the return of Scott Wharton, a fan favourite, after an extensive squad - and many Rovers fans - are now in Spain for some warm weather training. For the boys, it is friendlies against Qatar SC and Elche. For the fans, it is a chance for some sun, sea, and shenanigans. So much for that quiet can find more of Lindsey's Rovers views on X here., external
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Brittain can go but only for right price'
Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael says defender Callum Brittain will be allowed to run out his contract if the club do not receive an offer for him that meets their 27-year-old's deal expires at the end of the 2025-26 season and while Rovers are hoping to extend his stay, he could end up leaving for has rejected the offer of a new Rovers contract amid reported interest from other clubs."If he has to leave, he will leave, but he will only leave if the price is right for the club," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire."We are happy with Callum and if we have to go until the end of the season and risk that Callum goes for free, we'll do it. We are clear within the club."We made a strong offer to extend his contract and, at some point, maybe the thing can change."Brittain had refused to play in Rovers' friendly against Accrington Stanley but did make an appearance during their 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blackburn Rovers player ratings with 9/10 in impressive performance
Blackburn Rovers made it back-to-back wins in pre-season as Dion De Neve's first goal gave them a 1-0 win over Everton. Valerien Ismael's side were impressive in the first half. They showed good intensity off the ball and looked a threat when they had it. De Neve scored the winner after just eight minutes, rounding off a brilliant team move. Ryan Hedges played the pass which sprung Callum Brittain in-behind and he crossed for the new arrival to finish at the back post. Both goalkeepers made good saves to prevent any more goals. Balazs Toth denied Iliman Ndiaye whilst Mark Travers impressively picked Harry Pickering's free-kick out of the top corner. Here's how The Lancashire Telegraph scored the players' performances, with a six representing par for the course. (Remember, they're just friendlies!) Balazs Toth - 8 A quiet opening half but a string of saves after the break. The most notable was to deny Ndiaye, low down to his left. Strong in commanding his area. Callum Brittain - 8 No sign of downing tools this week. A really strong performance from the right-back against Premier League talent. Set up De Neve's goal with a great burst down the flank. Dom Hyam - 7 Rock-solid as ever at the back. Kept the ball well and defended strongly. Scott Wharton - 9 Didn't put a foot wrong on his first start of pre-season. Gave Beto very little change and was clever with his distribution. Looked very sharp. Yuri Ribeiro - 6 A few misplaced passes but that's what pre-season is for. Lewis Travis - 7 A little bit of afters in the middle, ensuring there was still some bite to this friendly clash. Strong and competitive in the middle. Sondre Tronstad - 6 Still finding his sharpness in some moments but a good showing in the middle. Ryan Hedges - 7 Really bright in the first half. Played the decisive pass to spring Brittain, which created the goal. Looks far more comfortable on the right. Todd Cantwell - 8 First of all, the work rate and intensity was most notable. Really bought in to the pressing and harrying. Some nice touches on the ball too, including the dummy for the goal. Dion De Neve - 7 Took his goal nicely at the back post, making sure he was in the right position to take advantage. Yuki Ohashi - 7 Must be a nightmare to play against; constantly buzzing around. Some nice link-up play but no real sight of goal. Substitutions (Made on the hour unless stated otherwise) Nick Michalski - 6 Quick of his line and alert to a few situations but not tested in the final half hour. Harry Pickering - 7 Beautiful free-kick looked destined for the top corner but for a brilliant save from Travers. Kristi Montgomery - 6 Started at right-back and then moved into midfield after 10 minutes. Looked comfortable in the middle which is where he's played most recently in the 21s. George Pratt - 7 Did well with a few situations where he read the danger early and snuffed it out. Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews - 6 Worked hard but didn't see much of the ball. Augustus Kargbo - 6 As direct as ever, running at players whenever he got the chance. That final ball just needs some refinement. Igor Tyjon - 6 Picked up some nice positions playing off the front but didn't have the final action. Makhtar Gueye - 6 Battled with the centre-backs and put himself about. Tom Atcheson (71') - 6 Solid when he came on after looking a little shaky at Accrington. Matty Litherland (71') - 6 Slotted in at right-back with little issue. John Buckley (71)' - 6 One of the most senior heads on the pitch by the time he was on. Controlled an increasingly stretched game. Unused substitutes: Goddard, Batty. Attendance: 11,339
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brittain's contract situation is nothing new
Callum Brittain's contract situation at Blackburn Rovers has taken a number of twists and turns since the final match of last season at Sheffield with moves away have been followed by reports of positive talks about a new deal. But, following my conversation with Valerien Ismael on Saturday, it's pretty clear that he, right-back Brittain, sees his future somewhere else."Callum decided not to play today, on his own," the Frenchman said."I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week."Let's see what happens in the next few days, but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum."Ismael could have kept his cards close to his chest, but his communication couldn't have been clearer as to what was happening. He wants a resolution as soon as situation isn't anything new. Blackburn Rovers have form for key players running down their deals and walking away for nothing. Tyrhys Dolan is currently a free agent after severing ties with the club this summer. Compensation will be the fee for him if he stays on these Hyam, Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad – three key players are going into their final season under contract and simply can't be allowed to do the same as Dolan, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan have since question is… could Blackburn be more proactive when a player has 18 months to two years remaining? They probably could. But the player holds the cards with a year to go. Callum Brittain will be 28 by the end of next season; can anyone begrudge him the opportunity of a bumper contract for his peak years?Ruling himself out of last weekend's friendly at Accrington hasn't gone down particularly well with some supporters who believe that while he's on the payroll, he should be available. But surely every supporter would prefer a fully committed player to be selected, and an asset who wants away should be protected from injury while the clubs thrash out a fee.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We are going to lose one of the best full-backs'
Former Blackburn Rovers winger Kevin Gallacher has praised Rovers boss Valerien Ismael for his honesty regarding the future of defender Callum confirmed that Brittain has not signed a new contract and is being courted by other clubs after the 27-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday."[Ismael] is telling everyone what it's all about. There's a contract there; it's not been signed, it's possibly been rejected," Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire."He doesn't want to play in the [pre-season friendly], it tells me he wants to move away from the football club and the manager being honest has said, 'fair play then you're not playing, get yourself a club'."It looks like Callum Brittain could be moving somewhere else now."Finances may also influence Blackburn's decision to sell may potentially take a financial hit on striker Tyrhys Dolan, who was offered a new deal upon the completion of his contract at the end of last season but is now being linked with a number of other clubs."Unfortunately today's Blackburn need money, we need the money from the players," Gallacher added."If we can extract a club to come in and pay what we are asking then unfortunately we are going to lose probably, for me, one of the best full-backs in the league, but we have to move on."Listen to Gallacher's full thoughts on X via @BBCLancsSport., external
