All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton failed in their quest for points today, as West Ham United got the better of them in a 2-1 affair that saw a Michael Keane red card as a result of two yellows.

The loss means that Lampard’s side have taken just three points from a possible 15, with their form potentially leaving them relegation-bound if they continue down this path.

The loss leaves them in 17th place and, although they are just three points away from the relegation zone, they do at least have two games in hand on Watford and Norwich respectively.

It is worth noting that whilst the Toffees find themselves four points above 19th place Burnley, the Clarets also have two games in hand on relegation rivals Watford and Norwich and could close the gap between themselves and Everton to just one point with a win when the two sides meet in three days time.

The next game against Burnley is crucial for Lampard’s men, and with the performance that he saw today, he will be no doubt be worried over the Toffees’ chances of ensuring their Premier League status, come next season.

Calvert-Lewin’s lacklustre display

Whilst it seemed like an odd decision from Lampard to bring off a player who has proven himself as an out-and-out goalscorer throughout the season prior, he had valid reason to do so.

Although he was replaced by Anthony Gordon with 22 minutes to go, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had plenty of time to assert his authority on the game.

But unfortunately for Lampard, he failed to repay his faith in starting him.

With just 23 touches, he failed to get into the game to the extent that both goalkeepers, Lukasz Fabianski and Jordan Pickford, alarmingly each had more touches than the 25-year-old.

Calvert-Lewin came close as he hit the woodwork, though it is worth noting that the shot had an xG total of 0.09 due to the crowded position that the Englishman struck it from.

Although they were in and around the same position, Richarlison had a much more positive impact on the game and registered 56 touches and 24 passes, as opposed to Calvert-Lewin’s measly 11 passes.

With Calvert-Lewin failing to score in yet another game, it means he is still yet to grab a goal in 2022.

Another disappointing display from Lampard’s Everton side, with the £72k-per-week forward offering very little.

In other news – Lamps can finally axe £30m “liability” as Everton plot bid for colossal 6ft6 ”monster”

Celtic are enjoying a busy summer on the transfer front as Ange Postecoglou desperately tries to repair the disarray the Hoops found themselves in last term.

The Bhoys ended the 2020/21 campaign without a trophy to their name, being completely embarrassed by the fiercest rivals.

What’s the word?

The new manager has already welcomed Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide to Paradise from the same club but he is now keen to press on with strengthening the goalkeeper position.

It’s been a great topic of debate during the ongoing market with Benjamin Siegrist linked with a move to Parkhead.

However, it’s not the Dundee United stopper who forms their next target.

According to the Daily Record, Brighton ‘keeper Mat Ryan is now a top priority for Dominic McKay and co as they look to bolster their backline.

Unfortunately, he could be heading back to Spain with Real Sociedad are closing in on a move to lure him away from the south coast of England.

A fantastic signing

It’s no secret but Celtic’s biggest weakness last season was undoubtedly their defence.

That’s despite having Kristoffer Ajer in their ranks, a man now linked with Premier League and Bundesliga moves.

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If he departs then you have to fear the worst for their backline.

However, Postecoglou and the supporters could rest easy if they land Ryan this summer. The Australian has worked under the new Celtic boss before and they appear to get on like a house on fire.

Speaking about the 55-year-old manager back in 2017, the Seagulls gem said: “I’ve always loved Ange’s approach, the way he doesn’t see Australia as an underdog and how he asks the question, ‘Why can’t Australia do great things in the football world?’”

The 60-cap international became Brighton’s second choice last term but moved on loan to Arsenal.

He didn’t earn much football but impressed whenever he played, particularly with his communication skills. Ryan was regularly seen barking orders at his defence and was even heard speaking Spanish to members of the Gunners’ team who found English difficult.

Communicating wasn’t one of Celtic’s stronger points last term so this could help Postecoglou’s side greatly as they aim to get back to the top of Scottish football.

Ryan was also a big presence on the training field. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta once remarked: “He trains like a beast.”

Scott Bain, Vasilis Barkas and Conor Hazard all made their own individual mistakes last season which makes this signing a particularly good idea.

He ranks in the 77th percentile for crosses stopped across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year while his save percentage from three Premier League outings was a whopping 88.9%.

That made him the best in the division last term for goalkeepers to have started more than one match.

Commanding, vocal and full of experience, this would be an ideal way for Postecoglou to continue his summer spending. They must make a late dart to beat Sociedad to his signature.

AND in other news, Forget Soro: Ange can find Celtic’s new Scott Brown by signing “very exciting” £4m gem…

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he expects Roy Hodgson to take a break from football after his Crystal Palace departure, following reports from The Sun that he could be a contender to replace Sam Allardyce at West Bromwich Albion.

Following just under four years in the Selhurst Park dugout, the 73-year-old made the decision to stand down from his role at his boyhood club earlier this week.

Palace have endured a poor end to Hodgson’s reign, winning just three times in their final 11 Premier League games, and whilst they could finish as low as 16th depending on final-day results, he’s continued the good work from those before him to make the Eagles an established top-flight club.

They never finished lower than 14th in Hodgson’s, showing that he’s clearly still more than good enough to manage at Premier League level despite this being his 45th year as a manager.

Hodgson’s previous club job before Palace was West Brom, with Jeremy Peace labelling him as “outstanding” following his appointment in the west Midlands in 2011. And following the departure of Sam Allardyce, does Windass believe he could make a sensational return to the Hawthorns?

He told Football FanCast:

“I think he needs to take a break; he’s getting on now. I’m aware that he’s hands on, on the training ground, but take a bit of time out, do a bit of media work, watch a lot of games.

“I think he will sit off now, enjoy your life. He’s been remarkable. I’ve never met him but he looks like a gentleman, but I think he will walk away.”

Having broken through into the Celtic first-team as a result of the Hoops’ injury crisis in the heart of defence last season, Stephen Welsh is a player who there is a great deal of excitement about at Parkhead.

It is easy to see why, as, despite being just 20 years of age at the time, the centre-back highly impressed over his 16 Scottish Premiership appearances last term, helping his side keep seven clean sheets and scoring one goal, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 3.6 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per game.

These returns saw the defender earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.04, ranking him as the Bhoys’ 12th-best performer in the league – a rather extraordinary feat considering the youngster’s lack of first-team experience and the rather toxic atmosphere surrounding Celtic last year.

Indeed, Welsh was one of the few bright sparks in a season that saw the Hoops fail to secure their fabled 10 in a row Premiership titles, with the 21-year-old looking to have been continuing his upward trajectory under the new management of Ange Postecoglou in the current campaign.

Over the £1.08m-rated man’s four league appearances this season, he has helped the Bhoys keep two clean sheets and has provided one assist, in addition to making an average of 0.8 interceptions, one tackle, 2.5 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per fixture.

These metrics have seen the £720-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 7.17, ranking him as the club’s 10th-best player in the Scottish top flight.

Although, despite these impressive displays, Welsh has now not featured in four consecutive league fixtures, something that would appear largely down to the budding partnership of summer signings Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt in the heart of Celtic’s backline.

However, should Postecoglou wish to continue the development of a player who Martin Millar dubbed a “phenomenal” talent most efficiently, it would seem a very wise move for the 56-year-old to unleash Welsh in the league once again sooner rather than later, or else the Hoops boss risks putting the brakes on the remarkable rise of the 21-year-old – who very much appears to be destined for the top.

In other news: Major blow: Celtic dealt injury setback on “brave” £18k-p/w beast, fans surely gutted

According to a report by transfer guru and reliable source Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy ‘will’ make a decision regarding the goalkeeping department at the end of the season – with club mainstay Hugo Lloris ‘waiting’. 

Lloris has been at the centre of reports linking him with a move away this summer, and former Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino is allegedly a big admirer.

Tottenham set for goalkeeping decision

Some suggestions have also emerged recently that Pochettino could mount a swoop for the Tottenham shot stopper (Football Insider), with his future up in the air as he becomes touted as one of the players who could make way.

As well as Lloris, the likes of Serge Aurier, Dele Alli, Harry Winks and Erik Lamela have been mentioned as nominees for possible summer exits (The Daily Mail).

Now, Romano brings the latest on Lloris and Spurs’ goalkeeping situation, with the Italian explaining that Levy is set for a potentially big decision on the matter at the end of 2020/2021.

“Tottenham will take a decision regarding the goalkeeper situation at the end of the season,” explained the journalist on Twitter.

“Lloris is waiting and nothing has been decided.

“Despite some rumours, Wojciech Szczesny has *never* been an option. No talks with Juventus, no contacts with his agent. No chance.”

Transfer Tavern take

If Lloris does leave this summer, there are no shortage of goalkeeping candidates.

Of all the names that have been linked with a move to north London, we believe Dean Henderson stands out despite his lack of game time for Manchester United overall this season.

At just 24-years-old, the shot stopper impressed for Sheffield United last year under Chris Wilder, starting 36 Premier League matches and earning plenty of praise. 

This is all dependent on Levy’s call, however, with an interesting decision now awaiting.

In other news: Tottenham could hold a meeting with this ‘extraordinary’ boss next week, find out more here.

Liverpool have reportedly begun laying the groundwork for a move for Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski. 

According to Corriere Mezzogiorno journalist Ciro Troise (via AreaNapoli), the Reds have made contact with the player’s entourage.

But they face could face competition from their arch-rivals Manchester United, who have also been in touch with his representatives.

The Reds actually tried to sign Zielinski back in 2016 when he was at Udinese.

They submitted an £11.7million bid for the Pole ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s first full season at Anfield, but it was rejected.

Mighty creator Zielinski wows Fernandes

Zielinski featured for his country at this summer’s European Championships, creating 2.3 chances per 90 minutes across their Group E fixtures. That put him in the tournament’s top 10.

United star Bruno Fernandes admitted earlier this year that, ‘technically’, former team-mate Zielinski was ‘better trained’ than him.

He has three years left on his contract in Naples and is valued at £45million by Transfermarkt.

Fan feed LFC Transfer Room relayed the report, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Liverpool fans weigh in on fresh Zielinski links 

“I remember he was coming to us after Klopp’s first season then at the last he’s gone to Napoli. Hope he comes this time”

Credit: @Ahmad_A_Abusada

“It wouldn’t be a transfer window without this one”

Credit: @SoLockedIn

“6 years ago, would have been decent”

Credit: @NikaBochorishv3

“Is this an annual event?”

Credit: @Kopbappe

“GIVE HIM UP, IT’S NOT 2016”

Credit: @JakeFutbol_

“Back to 2016 it is”

Credit: @Stephen_LFC__

In other news, fans were buzzing as links to another midfielder emerged.

Tottenham Hotspur are just two weeks away from the start of the 2021/22 Premier League season and Nuno Santo will be looking to vastly improve on their seventh-place finish last term.

The North London outfit have made some moves in the transfer market, signing two new players, and they still have plenty of time to make further additions before the start of the campaign, whilst some loan players have returned to give the Portuguese plenty of options.

Spurs begin with a tough fixture as defending champions Manchester City come to the capital to kickstart their Premier League title defence on August 15th.

But what will life under Nuno look like? Football FanCast predicts the XI we could see line up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for that game…

It’s believed that Nuno will deploy a back four, rather than his tried and tested three-man defence which had so much success at Molineux, and that could be bolstered by two defensive additions.

Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has been one main target for sporting director Fabio Paratici and his possible arrival would substantially aid Nuno’s ideal system.

“The logic, I understand, in going for Tomiyasu is that he will tuck in to allow [Nuno] Espirito Santo’s system to quickly flip from a back four to a back three, and allow Sergio Reguilon to bomb on like an attacking left wing-back, which we know will get the best out of him,” claimed football.london reporter Alasdair Gold.

Another signing could be Atalanta centre-back Cristian Romero, who seems likely to follow his former teammate Pierluigi Gollini, to Spurs.

He’s said to be the new no.1 central defensive target and personal terms have already been agreed with the player, according to The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare.

Both Romero and Tomiyasu should slot in ahead of club captain Hugo Lloris and alongside Sergio Reguilon and ball-playing defender Eric Dier in the backline.

In midfield, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele are likely to remain as first-choice options but they could be joined by the returning Oliver Skipp, who impressed during a loan spell at Championship winners Norwich City last season.

With the futures of Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks in doubt, there could well be an easy route into the starting XI for the 20-year-old gem, who has been tipped as a future captain of the club.

There could be a third and final debutant in the starting XI following the arrival of Bryan Gil from Sevilla, who arrived in a swap deal for Erik Lamela. That right-wing place is up for grabs, with Gareth Bale back at Real Madrid.

The young Spaniard could be favoured over Steven Bergwijn in an attack which should contain the potent Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

AND in other news, Nuno can save Levy millions by unleashing 20 y/o “machine” who is “Tottenham’s future”…

A journalist has dropped a promising transfer claim involving Newcastle United and their pursuit of Kristoffer Ajer.

Replying to a fan in a Q&A session with the Eastern Daily Press, Norwich City reporter Paddy Davitt was asked about their interest but claimed that the St. James’ Park faithful have been ‘touted’ for the potential signing of the Celtic central defender, and also added that ‘if it comes down to shoot outs’ with rivals from the Premier League, then the Canaries ‘won’t compete on financial terms’.

The Magpies have been heavily linked with Ajer in recent times, via Football Insider.

Newcastle must sign Ajer

Given that NCFC will be in the top flight with them in the 2021/22 term, assuming that the North East club do not get relegated this season of course, the Magpies will not be abel to blow Norwich away with the added incentive of Premier League football that they can offer to Ajer.

However, given the history and stature of the Tyneside club, as well as being financially better off as Davitt has claimed, the Toon should hold all of the cards for his signature if they want to follow through on their interest.

Standing at a mammoth six-feet-six-inches tall, Ajer could be a menace in both boxes for Steve Bruce’s team – winning over three aerial duels per game this term –  and at just 23 years of age, he will only get better.

Former Toon star Lee Clark, who managed the Norway international during a loan spell at Kilmarnock, described him as an ‘outstanding’ player back in March, which is very high praise.

Nonetheless, NUFC may not get a better chance to sign Ajer than this summer as his contract is ticking down (expires May 2022) and the Hoops could be forced to cash in, and it is one that they should take with open arms.

In other news, find out who has been named as a potential Bruce successor here!

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has name-dropped James Ward-Prowse as the kind of signing he’d love to see at Leeds United.

What’s the story?

The Southampton captain was linked with a move away from St Mary’s in the summer transfer window when reports emerged of interest from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, but the England international stayed put.

Hay has now suggested that Ward-Prowse could be a great fit at Elland Road instead.

He said in a Q&A for The Athletic: “Ward-Prowse is a terrific player who will surely move on from Southampton eventually. The sort of player I’d like to see at Leeds. From what I’m told, Leeds don’t intend to go back for Nketiah.”

Imagine him and Kalvin Phillips

While Kalvin Phillips might currently be out injured, the prospect of seeing him line up with his England colleague in the Leeds engine room is surely mouth-watering.

Dubbed a “machine” by his teammates at Southampton, the £42m-rated Ward-Prowse had a fine season in the Premier League last year.

The £100k-per-week ace would offer something that Leeds really missed last season – goals from midfield. The Saints star managed eight goals in the Premier League, as well as chipping in with seven assists, numbers which are far better than anything that Bielsa’s current options produced (Mateusz Klich was the closest with four strikes to his name).

As per FBRef.com, Ward-Prowse’s passes in the Premier League last season progressed for more than 10,000 yards, a real indication of how he is always looking to move things forward rather than keeping things simple.

That figure ranks him 49th in the entire division for 2020/21, a pretty impressive achievement considering that most of the players above him are goalkeepers and defenders – in terms of midfielders, only Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ashley Westwood, Rodri and Granit Xhaka exceeded the 26-year-old’s tally.

Having him alongside a deeper-lying playmaker like Phillips could see Leeds have the perfect blend of control and dynamism in midfield, with the former protecting the back four and setting up attacks, and Ward-Prowse getting further forward to offer a goal threat.

It would be a real dream midfield duo for Bielsa.

Meanwhile, Leeds could finally axe one flop by signing this Championship sensation…

Leeds United are reportedly showing an interest in Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma, sending scouts to watch him in action earlier this week.

The Lowdown: Danjuma impresses against Man United

Danjuma played in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as they lost in the dying seconds at Old Trafford.

Despite the result, the wide man caught the eye for Villarreal, injecting pace and directness as well as providing an assist for Paco Alcacer.

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The Latest: Leeds eye up winger

According to Football Insider, Leeds had scouts present at the game, in order to keep an eye on Danjuma’s performance.

A Whites source has claimed that they are ‘monitoring’ the former Bournemouth man, ahead of a potential move for him in the future.

Liverpool are also believed to be keen on signing the 24-year-old, who has scored three times already this season.

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The Verdict: Shrewd potential signing

Danjuma could be an excellent buy for Leeds, providing more squad depth and potentially coming in to replace Helder Costa in the long-term, with the Portuguese on loan at Valencia currently.

He scored 17 goals in 31 starts for Bournemouth last season, which shows how prolific he can be, and at 24, his peak years should still be ahead of him.

His youth, pace with the ball and end product suggest he could be the perfect man to come in and compete with the likes of Raphinha, Dan James and Jack Harrison.

In other news, a pundit has claimed Leeds United would accept a big-money offer for one player. Read more here.