All posts by z3u9t.icu

Some Liverpool fans have been left fuming by claims that funds will be limited ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Reds managed to end a difficult season on a positive note, sealing an unlikely third-place finish last month with a run of eight wins in their final 10 Premier League games. Before that run, there was a fear that Jurgen Klopp’s side would miss out on a place in the Champions League, which would significantly hamper them both financially and in terms of attracting top players.

Liverpool finishing in the top four seemingly acted as a major boost, and Klopp is expected to delve into the transfer market this summer, having already acquired the services of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

However, according to The Mirror, the Reds have ‘limited finances to rebuild’, with a focus on selling fringe players in order to generate more funds.

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Liverpool fans left angry at transfer update

It is an update which has not gone down well with a number of Liverpool fans, with some taking Twitter to show their frustration at the club’s FSG ownership, under whom the Reds have had some rather frugal transfer windows.

“#FSGOut”

Credit: @NbPatrick

“Useless club @LFC”

Credit: @nicky_fizzy

“Meltdown FC in full effect I see…keep falling for it every summer”

Credit: @LfcSiddhant

“I hate this club”

Credit: @NSMisAverage

“In other news, water is wet”

Credit: @amanariti88

“We actually need to do something about these owners man they stink so bad”

Credit: @fugazinoah

In other news, some Liverpool fans are excited after a transfer update emerged regarding a potential Reds target. Find out who it is here.

A number of Celtic supporters have hit out at Jonjoe Kenny on social media for his first half display against Hibernian on Saturday lunchtime.

Interim boss John Kennedy made two changes from the side which beat St Johnstone 4-0 on Wednesday, with Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor coming in for Adam Montgomery and James Forrest respectively.

It looks set to be Kennedy’s final game in temporary charge, with recent reports suggesting that Eddie Howe is in line to take over as manager for the 2021/22 season.

However, it was Kenny‘s performance in the opening stages at Easter Road which had a number of Celtic fans talking online, and not for the right reasons. The 24-year-old was making his 10th Scottish Premiership start since joining on loan from Everton and 16th appearance in all competitions.

He was coming up against Hibs winger Jamie Murphy in Edinburgh, but some fans clearly think he is struggling on what is his final appearance of his temporary Parkhead stay. He went into the referee’s notebook after just 10 minutes, being yellow-carded for an early foul on Murphy, and failed to win a first half duel.

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Celtic fans react

Here is what these Hoops supporters had to say about Kenny, with one describing his display as ‘so bad’ and another calling him a ‘donkey’, with this not being the first time that he has come under fire from the Parkhead faithful:

“Kenny has got to be one of the worst right-backs I’ve ever seen”

Credit: @NorthKoreaCSC

“JJ Kenny is still the worst player I’ve saw in a Celtic top”

Credit: @BrianMc81

“Man Jonjoe Kenny is a terrible player”

Credit: @paulandrewmart2

“Jonjoe Kenny is so bad”

Credit: @GlasgowFIFA_

“He’s had less impact than Marvin Compper.”

Credit: @KierenLaverty

“Get him out my club”

Credit: @DylanIsOnFire

In other news: Celtic looking at two big-money transfers; presented targets to Howe, find out more here. 

Tottenham Hotspur are leading the charge for one manager, if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to Corriere Fiorentino Sport, Spurs are the front-runners to secure Lazio boss Simeone Inzaghi, who is out of contract at the Stadio Olimpico this summer.

He’s due to meet the club’s hierarchy this week to discuss his future and is keen to remain at the club he once played for, though he has been waiting since January 2020 to sign a new deal and interest from the Premier League outfit could throw a spanner into the works.

Fiorentina have also been mooted with interest in the report but they announced Genarro Gattuso as their new manager, which only paves the way for Spurs to make their move even more.

Shades of Klopp

As Daniel Levy’s pursuit to find Jose Mourinho’s successor rumbles on, it would not be too much of a surprise to see him return to a manager he clearly admires in Inzaghi.

Before appointing the Portuguese in November 2019, the Spurs chairman was said to have made a “desperate attempt” to secure the 45-year-old, according to Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito (via the Daily Star).

Inzaghi fits a lot of the criteria that Spurs are seeking in their next head coach – that being primarily one that is ‘attack-minded’ in his tactics and has a record in developing young players, as per the Guardian.

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At Lazio, the Italian has won 53% of his matches in charge since his appointment in July 2016, whilst also averaging 1.88 goals per game. His system has allowed striker Ciro Immobile to thrive as under his stewardship the forward has bagged 149 goals in just 217 appearances.

Furthermore, Inzaghi has earned a glowing comparison to one of the Premier League’s current best, Jurgen Klopp.

Immobile has worked under both coaches, and told Football Italia:

“Klopp is a great expert in football and I always said that I’d have liked to work with him when I was in my best form. He is a complete coach, he has everything.

“Having said that, he really reminds me of Simone Inzaghi, as they are very similar in their motivational skills, albeit in slightly different ways.”

The former striker has also received high acclaim from others from in and around football.

BT Sport commentator Adam Summerton believes the 45-year-old is “pound for pound the best coach in Serie A over last five years” after delivering “outstanding” progress whilst FIFA agent Claudio Anellucci dubbed him “one of the best coaches in Europe” as he “makes the difference” and “makes the players grow.”

That final part ticks yet another box for Levy.

Inzaghi could well bring a Klopp-like presence to North London, so if he does become available for free this week, then perhaps the Lilywhites should try and tempt him into coming to the Premier League.

AND in other news, Spurs heading for summer transfer disaster over £26m-rated “freak of a talent”…

Ilias Chair would benefit from remaining at Queens Park Rangers for a further season.

What’s been said?

That’s according to John Eustace, who, as cited by West London Sport, stated his belief that the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium is the perfect environment for the £3.6 million-rated attacking midfielder to continue his development as a footballer, rather than making a move away from the club this summer.

He said: “This is an environment where the players can flourish. It’s a fantastic learning environment as well. We’ve got some really good coaches here and what we do is geared to develop players and make them better.

“The longer the players are in this environment I can only see them flourishing and getting better. So it’s about picking the time when they need to move. You can see the progression with Ilias and at least one more season with us will benefit him again.”

“It’s a really good place for the younger players to come and work. You can see our players are getting good moves and interest from top clubs because we do things right here.”

Bhatia must retain Chair

So far this season, Chair has been in excellent form over his 44 appearances for Mark Warburton’s side, with the 23-year-old scoring eight goals, providing three assists and creating six big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making 1.6 key passes per match.

These metrics have seen the £7,100-per-week midfielder earn a highly impressive average SofaScore match rating of 7.05 across QPR’s Championship campaign, ranking him as the club’s fourth-best performer in the second tier.

As such, it is unsurprising to read that Warburton’s assistant manager is eager to keep the Morocco U23 international at the club beyond the summer, especially after losing two of the club’s most promising talents, Eberechi Eze and Bright Osayi-Samuel, over the course of the last year.

And, should the Rs wish to maintain their impressive form of late – the club have picked up 19 points from their last 10 matches, ranking them fourth in the Championship form table – at the beginning of next season, with the ultimate aim of mounting a promotion push, it would indeed appear crucial that Amit Bhatia does not cash in on a player with Chair’s goalscoring and creative ability.

And, with the young midfielder – whom the Second Tier podcast host, Ryan Dilks, dubbed a “quality” player – seeing the likes of Eze and Osayi-Samuel earning big moves following their own exceptional seasons at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, perhaps the carrot dangled by Eustace could light a fire under Chair, one that helps QPR in securing a top-six finish next season.

In other news: “No doubt” – QPR man drops claim on £8k-p/w ace amid exit links, fans could be gutted – opinion

Crystal Palace could land a dream partner for Wilfried Zaha in RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Telegraph, Roy Hodgson’s side have their sights set on signing the South Korea forward this summer, but are set to face significant competition from the likes of fellow Premier League outfit West Ham.

Imagine him and Zaha

An article on Bundesliga.com raved about his Roberto Firmino-esque ability to be the sole striker or having players alongside him, and that should be music to the ears of Zaha.

It said: “Hwang is not dissimilar to Liverpool’s former Hoffenheim striker Firmino. Happy leading the line as part of either a duo or a front three, Leipzig’s first summer signing likes to get on the ball and has a trick or two up his sleeve to shake off a defender.

“Comfortable with both feet, with the strength to hold off an opponent and the pace to exploit space, he could cause problems for many a Bundesliga defence – just like Brazil international Firmino did before him.”

Meanwhile, former Salzburg boss Peter Zeidler added: “He’s exceptional, has a brutal dynamism. I’ve rarely seen anything like it.”

With 63 goals and 41 assists over his career thus far, Hwang has proven before that he can be effective at both finding the net himself and setting up his teammates to score.

What Zaha desperately needs at Selhurst Park is someone who can really ease both the goal-scoring and creative burden on his shoulders – once again, he tops the charts for the Eagles in terms of most goal contributions this season.

Having Hwang in the team alongside him would give him someone to both feed and combine with, and that could prove to be the kind of lethal strike duo which gives Palace a much-needed cutting edge outside of just relying on Zaha to conjure a bit of magic.

Hwang is everything that Palace need, and he is someone Steve Parish should be looking to land this summer.

In other news, read more on the latest twist in the reported search for Hodgson’s successor at Selhurst Park.

If rumours are to be believed, Leicester City are looking to strengthen their forward line this summer.

The Foxes have been linked with a number of attacking recruits but the most prominent names appear to be that of Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard and Raul de Tomas of Espanyol.

Brendan Rodgers has been rumoured to be considering a move for the Frenchman currently at his former club for some time, meanwhile Fichajes indicate that the East-Midlanders are eyeing a move for the Spaniard instead.

Edouard though should be right at the top of the club’s shopping list.

On paper, the two forwards are enjoying extremely prolific campaigns in their respective leagues.

Edouard, who Rodgers brought to Celtic Park, has found the net 20 times in all competitions for the Bhoys. As a matter of fact, former manager Neil Lennon praised the former Paris Saint Germain man for his “magnificent” performances before he departed the club.

Meanwhile, former Real Madrid man De Tomas has hit 16 of his own in the Segunda Division.

Judging by those records, either of them would be fantastic rivals to the likes of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho at the King Power Stadium.

Their statistics are also markedly similar, but Edouard just continues to edge ahead.

According to SofaScore, the two strikers average 0.6 goals per game this season but Edouard has netted them more frequently, scoring every 125 minutes in the Scottish Premiership whilst de Tomas finds the net every 148 minutes.

Meanwhile, Edouard tends to get more involved in general play, averaging 40.3 touches per game and 1.2 key passes. The 26-year-old Spaniard sits marginally lower once again at 32.1 and 1.1.

Away from their skillsets though, the much younger Edouard would also ironically bring much more experience. He has made 36 appearances in UEFA competitions, an aspect that would be key to Leicester as they potentially embark on a second-consecutive European campaign.

de Tomas has only been afforded four appearances in the UEFA Champions League with Benfica.

So, should Leicester be looking for a forward to bolster their frontline, the £13.5m-rated Edouard makes a lot more sense than de Tomas. And, given the fact that he worked with him before, the Leicester boss will know how to get the best out of him.

It’s exactly why Jon Rudkin should be all over a potential deal for the Frenchman.

AND in more news, the Foxes must not sign a midfielder who has been likened to Yaya Toure…

Manchester United could be handed considerable encouragement in their pursuit of Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga this summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with a swoop for the Frenchman in the past, with AS reporting that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested in the player but would have to beat competition from the likes of Real Madrid in which to secure him.

Now, The Athletic indicate that the 18-year-old is set to reject a new contract at his current club in the aim of forcing through a move in the near future.

With his current deal at Rennes set to expire in the summer of 2022, this could see Camavinga sold by the club this year or indeed released on a free transfer at the end of next season, which may give the Red Devils considerable encouragement over whether a deal can be conducted sooner rather than later.

The £54m-rated midfielder would certainly be an excellent addition for United should they decide to profit from Camavinga’s decision.

Even in his tender years, the youngster has racked up a number of appearances for Rennes, appearing a total of 77 times for the club and harnessing a reputation as one of the most dominant defensive midfielders in world football – hence the interest in his signature from the likes of United and Real Madrid.

Whilst to be expected, even the player’s agent has been talking Camavinga up, predicting that the midfielder is going to be a “superstar” in the future.

With just one year left on his deal, signing the Frenchman could also well end up being considerably cheaper than his £54m transfer rating.

It goes without saying then that his preference to leave the Roazhon Park within the next couple of years has handed United and Solskjaer a big boost in their respective transfer plans.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-old-trafford-macheda-solskjaer-lingard-ousmane-dembele-anthony-martial-injury-rabiot-van-de-beek” title=” The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

AND in more news, Dean Windass has suggested that David De Gea’s Manchester United career is “over”…

Ben Godfrey issued a rallying cry in the wake of Everton’s FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Manchester City.

The Blues held out for 83 minutes against Pep Guardiola’s quadruple-chasers before Ilkay Gundogan broke their resistance. Kevin de Bruyne added another goal to extend Everton’s 26-year wait for silverware.

However, the Toffees could still forge a success out of their season by qualifying for Europe. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are five points off the Champions League places and only two points off of the top six.

Godfrey spoke to the club’s official Twitter channel after the game as to what would be required to secure one of the European spots.

“Sticking together, character and desire,” he said. “You could see how much it meant to us. We’re going to need that for the rest of the season if we’re going to finish where we hope to.”

The £25m summer signing looks poised to be an Everton regular for years to come. In his first season at Goodison Park, the 23-year-old is averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 3.2 clearances per game (via WhoScored) – all of which are among the best figures for those respective metrics among Ancelotti’s squad.

These Everton fans loved Godfrey’s comments

“Well, I could see how much Ben wanted it. Sadly the rest of the team seem to be lacking in desire or belief in their own ability. Thus resulting in pretty negative performances.”

Credit: @howiseeit4

“If half the team had the mentality and passion Ben Godfrey shows in all games Everton would be far in their progress by now. Even when he doesn’t have his best game the drive and determination he shows he does his best. We need more players like him”

Credit: @gersonselema

“You can listen to this fella & know he means what he says as he gives the exact same on the pitch but there’s others that give rallying cries & don’t back it up. Big end to the season for us after the international break but if we don’t beat Palace when we get back, forget Europe!”

Credit: @AidyDews

“It isn’t Ben or really any of our defence it’s our atrocious midfield. If all 11 of our players put in the shift that Ben did every game we would be top 4.”

Credit: @bobmarl03974950

“Ten times Ben and we would have a world beating team.”

Credit: @1878G2

“Leader”

Credit: @Jamie_Foster18

“He’s a machine”

Credit: @JayTommo99

In other news, some Everton fans blasted this player’s performance against Man City.

According to a report by Voetbal 24, Belgian Pro League leaders Club Brugge are willing to make a ‘significant effort’ to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Toby Alderweireld this summer and have already established ‘first contacts’ – with Jose Mourinho facing the possibility of potentially losing him depending on what the defender decides for his future.

Alderweireld, who has started 18 Premier League games over 2020/2021, enjoyed a rich vein of form earlier this campaign but has been rotated in and out of Spurs’ starting eleven in recent weeks alongside the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon.

Alderweireld attracting serious interest

For most of the season, however, he has been a regular in the Lilywhites’ backline – prompting serious interest from Club Brugge as they allegedly establish first contacts over a potential summer move.

Indeed, it has apparently been ‘known for some time’ that Brugge are really keen on the 32-year-old – and Voetbal 24 claim that they are ready to make a ‘significant effort’ to sign him in the summer.

It will of course depend on what the international decides for his future, with Alderweireld previously indicating ‘several times’ he would like to live in his native Belgium again.

Club Brugge are apparently ‘ready to strike’ if the centre-back decides to leave Spurs this summer and would welcome him with open arms.

The centre-back position has been a weak point in Tottenham’s side since the beginning of the season, and losing Alderweireld this summer could come as a setback.

Transfer Tavern take

Speaking to Football Insider earlier this season, pundit Noel Whelan described him as a ‘phenomenal player’ and the ‘best defender at the club’. Even though Spurs may need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy this summer, it’s arguable the likes of Sanchez or Dier are more expendable candidates for the chop.

Time will tell whether he does opt to leave for a return to Belgium at the end of the season, but it could be one to keep an eye on.

In other news: Tottenham are set to battle for this centre-forward, find out more here.

David Moyes must push West Ham United to sign Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill as he prepares to lose captain Mark Noble this summer.

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Clarets are facing a fight to retain Brownhill at the end of the season as interest continues to build in the highly-impressive 25-year-old.

Brownhill has established himself as a key player under Sean Dyche after a slow start to life at Turf Moor, with the central midfielder not starting a Premier League game until five months after a £9m winter transfer from Championship side Bristol City last year.

The Warrington-born talent has been a regular fixture of the Burnley unit this term with 22 starts in 23 top-flight appearances, only sitting out five games to date of which three came as a result of an ankle injury.

Premier League rivals are now taking a keen interest in the dynamic maestro’s efforts in Lancashire ahead of the next transfer window, with several carrying out scouting checks in recent months.

Along with West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are each said to be monitoring the £35k-per-week Preston North End product’s situation.

Brownhill scored his sole goal for Burnley to date during the Clarets’ Carabao Cup third round win over Millwall in September, but is yet to register a single assist over 36 outings across all competitions.

Should West Ham sign Brownhill?

Burnley will no doubt be loath to lose a player so pivotal to Dyche’s plans should the Turf Moor outfit remain in the Premier League next season, but Moyes should urge West Ham to test the Clarets’ resolve as Brownhill could prove to be a solid replacement for Noble.

Mr West Ham, Noble, is nearing the end of his £50,000-per-week deal with his terms set to expire in June and he has featured extremely infrequently in the Irons line-up this season, outside of the FA Cup.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has also voiced that this season could be the £4m-rated veteran’s final at the London Stadium, as Noble will still have the fire in his belly to go out and secure a regular playing role elsewhere as he enters the twilight years of his career.

Should Noble go, it would leave Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek as Moyes’ only recognised senior central midfielders, and the Irons boss can ill-afford to not bring in cover having relied on Rice and Soucek to feature more than all bar Aaron Cresswell across all competitions this season.

Brownhill may be a solid pick-up for the back-up role in the Irons engine room, having been lauded by Dyche for his “boundless energy, will and desire”.

The 5 ft 10 Burnley star has also provided a similar impact to Rice and Soucek in the Premier League this season, with Brownhill seeing the ball for an average 48.7 touches a game and playing 29 accurate passes with an 80% success rate, per SofaScore.

He further wins the ball back frequently with 2.4 interceptions, 1.4 successful tackles and dominates in the duel by winning 4.9 of his total contests (2.7 ground, 2.2 aerial) per game.

Brownhill’s success in the duel is marginally superior to Rice overall but he’s better than the England international in the air, while offering comparable numbers for successful tackles and interceptions albeit seeing less of the ball than the Hammers’ engine room conductor.

Soucek also averages a similar defensive impact at the London Stadium and volume of accurate passes, but would not be expected to fall to the side to make way for Brownhill having emerged as one of Moyes’ most important goalscoring options this term.

So, while Brownhill would not be likely to emerge as the first or second-choice midfielder at West Ham next season, he could easily fill the void that Noble is expected to create in a few months’ time.

AND in other news, West Ham are monitoring a nine-goal 21-year-old but face a huge hurdle to strike a deal…