All posts by n8rngtd.top

A number of Everton fans were livid with the performance of Mason Holgate during their 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday night.

The Toffees had been in with a chance of qualifying for European competition next term prior to this match and, although it is still mathematically possible for them to do so (Sky Sports), they are now rank outsiders. Daniel Jebbison scored his first-ever goal for the Blades (Transfermarkt), who are already relegated to the Championship, to give his side the three points.

The performance of Holgate will have been particularly disappointing for Carlo Ancelotti. He was partly at fault for the goal and, having won just two duels, he was taken off at half-time for Gylfi Sigurdsson as Everton tried to salvage something from the match. Performances such as this from some usually reliable players have cost the Goodison Park outfit throughout the season.

These fans were far from happy with what they saw from the £16.2m-valued Holgate (Transfermarkt), and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts on his “atrocious” performance.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Holgate below

“So drop the shockingly useless Holgate?”

Credit: @lesterverton80

“Holgate is atrocious mate”

Credit: @fergolos

“Holgate is a liability and wouldn’t be in our best side, and our midfield has been out for majority of the season, I get what you’re saying about best side, but it’s hardly fully fit and firing on all cylinders is it. It’s a lot easier for Sheff Utd playing with no pressure.”

Credit: @efctoffee77

“Get rid of Holgate”

Credit: @OfficialDaraKev

“It’s worrying that this new team under Carlo can’t even beat Sheffield and can’t even get Europe. Mason Holgate obviously doesn’t care after that mistake yesterday not even a sorry to the players just strolled back in the end. Not the attitude I want at my club”

Credit: @JayWilloEfc

“Holgate’s back pass last night……again…..never learns”

Credit: @Byrdsman75

In other news, Everton are monitoring this 12-goal Premier League striker.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has just been handed a huge boost at Manchester United, as Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Edinson Cavani will sign a new deal at Old Trafford that will keep him at the club for the 2021/22 campaign.

The Uruguayan forward joined United on a free transfer in October on a one-year deal, although some superb recent displays have clearly proved enough to convince Solskjaer that he is deserving of another year at Old Trafford.

After rumours in recent weeks, Romano has today confirmed on Twitter that the negotiations are complete and Cavani will be a Manchester United player next season, which is undoubtedly a huge boost for Solskjaer.

The 34-year-old’s recent form has been nothing short of sensational, as he has contributed eight goals and two assists in just seven appearances, demonstrating that he still possesses his deadly instincts in front of goal.

In total, the former PSG man has managed 15 goals and four assists in his first season with the Red Devils, which is even more impressive when you consider that he had to build up match fitness in his first few months with the club.

He also brings a wealth of experience with him into the United dressing room and even if he doesn’t maintain this form next season, he will surely still be a great mentor to younger forwards such as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

Although the Premier League title looks out of reach, United have sealed a top-four finish and a spot in the Europa League final during Cavani’s first season at the club and given that he has averaged a superb 7.93 rating for his performances in the Europa League this season, he has clearly been a huge part of United reaching the final in Gdansk.

Therefore, he definitely warranted a new deal at Old Trafford and Solskjaer will surely be buzzing that he has committed to staying, as earlier in the season, it had seemed likely that he would leave at the end of the current campaign, but his and United’s recent strong form was clearly a factor in convincing him to extend his stay.

And, in other news… United dealt huge injury blow to Solskjaer favourite

Leicester City have potentially been handed a huge blow in their pursuit of Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard with a fellow Premier League club having jumped up the queue for his signature.

According to Football Insider, West Ham United are now in pole position to capture the Frenchman and are confident of signing him during the transfer window.

The Foxes have long been linked with a move for Edouard, with The Telegraph recently revealing that the East-Midlanders are set to battle with Arsenal for his signing ahead of the 2021/22 season with the striker having expressed an intention to leave his current employers.

However, with West Ham now having elbowed their way to the front of the queue for Edouard, it is a big blow for Leicester.

Rated at £13.5m, the former Paris Saint Germain man would have been excellent competition for current Foxes’ forwards Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Whilst the Nigerian has been in hot form in recent months, Vardy has been drastically off-form having scored just once in his last 14 Premier League appearances.

A failed move would also be a huge disappointment particularly for current Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, who worked with the 23-year-old during his tenure at Celtic Park.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leicester-city-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-mcgregor-iheanacho-soyuncu-dewsbury-hall-rodgers” title=” Latest Leicester City news, transfer rumours and more… “]

Bringing him to the club initially on-loan before agreeing a permanent deal a year later, Edouard plundered a huge 27 goals in 68 appearances under the Northern-Irishman, helping the Hoops to two Scottish Premiership titles during Rodgers’ time at Celtic.

In all, Edouard’s record at the club is hugely impressive having netted 81 goals in just 163 appearances.

However, it is now looking like Leicester and Rodgers will not be able to call upon that eye for goal with West Ham now reportedly taken a huge step towards signing Edouard in the summer in what is certainly a huge blow for the Foxes.

AND in more news, remind yourself of a bargain transfer that has gone bad for Leicester…

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Steve Howey, who made 278 appearances during his career, has claimed that Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse will never want to leave the club.

In March, Garth Crooks claimed that there would be no better replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum at Liverpool than Ward-Prowse, who is currently the club’s fifth top Premier League scorer of all time with 29 goals.

The 26-year old has had a standout season for Southampton, despite their form falling off a cliff since the turn of the year, which has earned him a regular place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Speaking on why Ward-Prowse won’t see his future away from Southampton and how he has become the main man, Howey told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s the main man there basically. I mean, he’s the captain and he takes the free kicks, the penalties, throw-ins, corners and he just does everything, basically.

“I think if he was to move then it would be great financially for him but at Southampton, he will be settled with his family and he is their main man.”

Ward-Prowse has played every single minute for Southampton in the Premier League this season which has been his best in front of goal scoring seven goals and registering six assists.

The £75,000 per week midfielder only signed a new deal last August which is not set to expire until 2025 giving the Saints security over his long term future.

[ad_pod ]Newcastle United have identified two potential replacements for Rafael Benitez, per The Times.The Magpies are, per the aforementioned report, aware that Benitez could leave the club at the end of the season, when his contract expires.Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been placed on a shortlist to replace the Spaniard if he does choose to depart, along with former Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…Wagner left the club last month as the Terriers languished in the relegation zone, while Rodgers has a contract with the Scottish giants until 2021 and is chasing yet another domestic treble.Newcastle, meanwhile, have spent this season fighting off relegation. The Magpies face Wolves on Monday evening as they look to pull away from the drop zone.And fans are not happy with the links to Rodgers and Wagner, insisting that the club should do everything they can to ensure that Benitez stays at St. James’ Park for the foreseeable future.

Many Everton fans have been left to fume as the Goodison Park faithful have announced a kick off time for their game at home to Wolves.

As per the official website of the Merseyside club, the match, which is set to take place on Wednesday 19th May, will kick off at 6pm.

This will be the only fixture of the 2020/21 term that Toffees will be allowed into their stadium to watch Carlo Ancelotti’s team, but several supporters have voiced their rage at the decision to make it a 6pm kick off.

The ground may be a struggle to get to given fans’ situations with work and their families, and so it has come as a big disappointment given Blues have not been able to go to Goodison Park for a long time.

Everton fans on Wolves kick off time

These EFC supporters fumed as the update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘absolutely ridiculous’:

“First game back with fans and it’s been moved it 6pm proper thinking of the fans there”

Credit: @Fordy1EFC

“Awful times again….”

Credit: @nickgartland

“All these stupid kick-off times best binned when grounds can be full again.”

Credit: @IanG1878

“Allow supporters back then schedule a match for 6pm on a weekday. Absolutely ridiculous @premierleague”

Credit: @NeilSolan

“6pm kick off. How the hell are fans getting to that game midweek? Joke.”

Credit: @80sEFC

“6pm midweek kick off when fans are allowed back is a poor decision. TV before fans again”

Credit: @kev83mav

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Toffees buzzing here!

Everton are expected to sanction the sale of Jonjoe Kenny this summer, according to a report from the Daily Mail.

The report claimed that Carlo Ancelotti is unconvinced by the young right-back, who has spent the second half of the season on loan at Celtic

Burnley apparently ‘retain an interest’ in Kenny, who is valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt.

Reflecting on Kenny’s Everton career

Kenny has made almost 50 appearances for Everton after coming through their academy, 35 of which have come in the Premier League.

When the defender made his breakthrough in 2018, Jamie Carragher hailed him as ‘your typical Scouse full-back – very aggressive, takes no prisoners, but he also has quality going forward’. The Sky Sports pundit added the ‘traditions of Everton are that they always have those types of players’.

Kenny’s tackling average of 2.1 per game in that season would appear to back up Carragher’s compliment about his controlled aggression.

Aarons is the right-back Everton really want

The Daily Mail claimed that the Blues want competition for an eventual right-back successor to current captain Seamus Coleman.

However, rather placing their faith in Kenny, they have their eyes on Norwich City’s Max Aarons, who could cost £30m. England international Kieran Trippier is also named as an alternative.

Transfer Tavern verdict

The fact that the Daily Mail’s report makes no mention of interest from Celtic in a permanent transfer speaks volumes for Kenny’s future.

The 24-year-old has failed to kick on in the manner that Everton would have hoped, with some of his performances in Scotland drawing the ire of the Parkhead faithful.

He could still go on to forge a good career for himself in the lower reaches of the Premier League, but the Toffees are right to look elsewhere for their heir to Coleman, with his current backup seemingly having no future under Ancelotti.

In other news, Alan Myers delivered this update on Everton’s pursuit of Max Aarons. 

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane believes Harry Kane’s future could have played a part in Tottenham’s decision to sack Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach’s dismissal on Monday morning comes after weeks of speculation about Kane wanting to leave the club this summer.

Currently seventh in the Premier League, Tottenham face an uphill battle to secure Champions League qualification for next season. And, according to Sky Sports, failure to turn things around and make it into Europe’s premier competition will likely see the 27-year-old ask for a transfer.

It is not just Tottenham’s league position that has been an issue this term, though, with the team’s pragmatic approach to games under Mourinho being something that has been heavily criticised. And Deane has suggested Kane may not have been happy playing that way, hence why Daniel Levy had to make a decision.

On Mourinho’s exit, Deane told FFC:

“As it’s unfolding, you have to think about things like a lot of people talking about Harry Kane leaving. Was that a factor in Jose Mourinho getting the sack? Perhaps Harry Kane feels as though, you know, we need to be playing a certain type of football to satisfy his needs, for example.

“Or [perhaps] Tottenham want to be playing a certain type of football that’s going to be able to attract players. I mean, it’s crazy. It’s changing all the time and it’s not that I’m a traditionalist, but I just see that a lot of the changes that have been made at the moment in football, they’re more about commerciality and business.”

According to BBC Sport, Manchester City are one club who could try to move for Kane when the transfer window opens.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Jack Grealish would be an “exciting” signing for Liverpool.

A shin injury is currently keeping the midfielder on the sidelines, forcing him to miss the last eight Premier League games, but the Aston Villa ace is enjoying an incredible campaign which has put Aston Villa on course for a top-half finish.

Grealish has scored six times and added 12 assists, bettered only by Bruno Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne and Harry Kane, with his excellent form leaving him on course for a place in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man England squad for this summer’s European Championships.

But beyond this summer, Grealish might have a major decision on his hands, with the £100m-rated midfielder already on Manchester City’s radar, but Windass believes he’d be an excellent addition for Jurgen Klopp should the Reds sell one of Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane.

“If Jurgen Klopp went for someone like Jack Grealish, who can play on the left, although his mentality would have to change off the ball. But those are the players that I would like to see Liverpool signing – young, English lads. 

But what are the chances of Grealish moving to Anfield?

Windass told FFC:

“If [Jurgen] Klopp wanted him, he would get him. But depending on Mane and Salah, because if you buy Grealish, who are you going to leave out? If I was Jurgen Klopp, a young English, exciting footballer.

“Jack’s a god at Villa. But does he want to win medals? He might win a League Cup or FA Cup, but that’s as far as it goes. Does he want to stay a Villa for the rest of his career? I don’t think he will.”

Rangers youngster Stephen Kelly has spent this season on loan at Ross County and is winning a lot of plaudits for his displays, so Steven Gerrard should consider unleashing him at Ibrox next season.

The 20-year-old joined John Hughes’ side on loan for the season last summer and has been a regular in the side throughout the 2020/21 campaign, making 25 appearances in all competitions, contributing two assists in that time.

The Scotland under-21 international, who is a product of Rangers’ youth academy, has previously spent time on loan with Ayr United in the Championship, where he also impressed, managing six goals and four assists in 33 appearances.

The young midfielder has shown this season that he can cut it at the top level of Scottish football and he could prove to be an important part of Gerrard’s squad next season, especially if we see fellow midfielder Glen Kamara depart as a result of the interest being shown in him by several Premier League clubs.

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell recently sat down with Ross County manager John Hughes, who waxed lyrical about Kelly’s talent, comparing him to Rangers regular Steven Davis.

The Staggies boss said: “He’s as brave as a lion and has the courage to get on the ball. He’s my type of player: someone who wants the ball and keeps it ticking over. He understands the game. He’ll look at you and say, ‘I don’t quite get that’. He knows if he grasps and implements it, he’ll be better for it.”

Meanwhile, former Ayr manager Mark Kerr was also full of praise for the young midfielder after his excellent performances last season, saying: “I love him to bits. He’s a manager’s dream and (was) one of the best professionals at the club. He wants to be the best that he can be.”

Therefore, after proving himself in both the Championship and the Premiership on loan in the past two seasons, the next natural step for Kelly would surely be to build on the one senior appearance he has managed at Rangers so far in his career by establishing himself in Gerrard’s first team next season.

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Certainly, if his performances over the last two seasons are anything to go by, it looks as if Kelly could have a bright future at Ibrox.

In other news… Rangers could sign their ideal Kamara heir in 20 y/o wonderkid