Lion Links: 4/4/20

Hello Mane Landers, I hope you all are healthy and staying safe at home as we enter April with no sports. How is everyone holding up so far? I got word this week that I will get furloughed from my job in two weeks and will have to seek unemployment for a while but I’m keeping my spirits up.

I’m still trying to get used to being home and have worked on indoor exercises, online school work, and am watching movies with my roommates. We’ll get through it together. Now, on to the links.

Lions News on Social Media

Kyle Smith shared his thoughts on social media to fans explaining his recommendations on shows to watch while you are at home. His first choice is Schitt’s Creek. I have watched this show on Netflix and it’s really funny, so I would agree with Kyle on this one. His second recommendation is Ozark, also a Netflix series. I haven’t seen this show but all my friends have told me it’s really good so I hope to watch it soon. Kyle’s last recommendation is The Night Of on HBO. What do you guys think of his watch list? Any shows you recommend we should watch?

Another Lion busy on social media was Daryl Dike. He spent some time with season ticket members answering questions and also did a Zoom workout session.

Speaking of Zoom, you can also download Orlando Pride backgrounds for your Zoom meetings. There are Orlando City ones available as well.

Coman Rumors Still Swirling but Don’t Expect Him in Orlando

Gigi Becali, owner of Romanian side FCSB, has lowered the asking price for Florinel Coman, who has been rumored to leave for MLS this summer. Despite the rumors and the level of detail given in the linked story, The Mane Land is hearing that the Lions are not in discussions for his services. Orlando definitely isn’t in the market for a €9 million player right now.

Big Money Transfers Over?

According to ESPN, FIFAPro has warned clubs that they won’t be able to bank on big money transfers in the future related to the coronavirus pandemic. Jonas Baur-Hoffman, the general secretary of FIFAPro, has said clubs are going to have to look at their financial model. I think many clubs have relied on selling players to bigger clubs for a bigger sum in transfer fees. It will be interesting to see if more clubs would rather trade players to reduce financial stresses. Many clubs, such as Dortmund, Juventus, and Barcelona have asked players to take pay cuts. There will be more than 500 players out of contract in Europe’s top five leagues as FIFAPro is looking at extending player contracts beyond June 30.

COVID-19 Soccer Update

Borussia Dortmund‘s stadium, Signal-Iduna-Park, will be used as a medical center during the coronavirus outbreak. European soccer leaders have written to clubs to provide clarity on when soccer would return to play. It is looking more likely that a July or August restart is in the cards. They also issued a warning that there would be consequences should leagues abandon their seasons unilaterally.

The English Premier League announced yesterday that it will suspend play indefinitely and cancel the May restart. The league clubs are still focused on a combined objective to finish the current season when it’s safe to do so but will discuss with players the possibility of taking a 30% pay cut. Serie A has also announced an indefinite break and abandoned plans to resume league play by late May, electing to wait until health conditions allow for a return.

Finally, with FIFA recommending all men’s and women’s international matches in June be postponed, one event that will be postponed is the Concacaf Nations League Finals this summer due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Free Kicks

• Carli Lloyd shared her thoughts on the best attributes for creating the perfect USWNT player.

• FC Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick, has signed an extension to remain with the club until 2023.
• Manchester United players are donating 30% of their wages to help local hospitals.

That will do it for me today Mane Landers. Take care of yourselves, stay safe, and enjoy your Saturday.