All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur: Alex Bruce backs Jose Mourinho to bench Spurs duo vs Sheffield United

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Alex Bruce has backed Jose Mourinho to bench Steven Bergwijn and Erik Lamela when Tottenham face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hull City playerfeels that Mourinho won’t want to make any changes to the team that defeated West Ham 2-0 at home last week. Lamela and Bergwijn both featured in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United but dropped to the bench as Dele Alli and Lucas Moura took their places in the London derby.

Bruce believes that the Spurs duo will stay on the bench as Alli and Moura looked lively in Tottenham’s first victory since the Premier League restart.

The pundit told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He’s got some good options, hasn’t he? When you can leave two players out and bring two players like that into the team, it gives everyone a boost.

“Competition for places is healthy, I’m sure that’s what Jose wants. I don’t believe you change a winning team so I’d be very, very surprised if he changes it.

“However, Jose will have one eye on the games coming up. To play two games in a week might be difficult for a few, with injuries and what have you. You always try and keep a winning team and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t do that.”

It is difficult to disagree with Bruce here, as it is unlikely that Mourinho will want to mess around with his winning team.

Spurs are currently eighth in the Premier League, a point clear of the Blades, and nine points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. The Lilywhites know that they face an uphill struggle if they are to qualify for the Champions League.

Although he missed the match with Man United due to suspension, Alli is still the club’s third-highest goalscorer this season behind Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, as he has netted nine goals in all competitions so far (BBC).

Meanwhile, Bergwijn has bagged three goals in seven league games, including scoring on his home debut against Manchester City.

Mourinho’s side started well after he opened the scoring against Manchester United, until the Red Devils managed to claw their way back into the game after Eric Dier’s blunder (BBC). However, Bergwijn has only recently recovered from injury and the manager might be reluctant to take any more risks.

While squad rotation is always important, Spurs will know they must pick up as many points as possible, and Mourinho may opt for an unchanged side to build on their momentum.

Tottenham fans, do you think this is how Mourinho will start against Sheffield United? Let us know in the comments below!

Chelsea: Predicted XI to face Liverpool at Anfield

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Chelsea are just hours away from their penultimate league game of the season, one they will view as a must-win.

It will be a tall ask for Frank Lampard’s side to snatch three points from the champions of England right before they lift the Premier League trophy. But the Blues simply cannot afford to slip up if they want to keep their hopes of Champions League football alive.

Manchester United are lurking just outside the top four, one point behind Chelsea. If the Red Devils beat West Ham and Lampard’s men fall to Liverpool, they will drop a place going into the final day.

The Blues will need to field their strongest team to push for a win at Anfield – Transfer Tavern has predicted how the West London side might lineup against the Reds…

It’s likely Lampard will switch back to a 4-3-3 formation over his decision to field a 3-4-3 against Man United in the FA Cup. Kepa Arrizabalaga could return in between the sticks to keep with this season’s Premier League trend, despite Willy Caballero putting in a solid shift at the weekend.

Mason Mount will return to midfield with Christian Pulisic resuming business as usual on the left-wing. Mount’s goal against United will have Lampard hoping he can score or create some dangerous opportunities to test the Liverpool defence. The England international could be supported by Jorginho and Ross Barkley in the engine room, who will take over from Mateo Kovacic.

The last time these two sides met, Barkley hammered the final nail in the coffin with his second half strike to dump Liverpool out of the FA Cup. Starting him against a team he has a lot of history in the Merseyside derby with would be a smart choice from Lampard.

Olivier Giroud should and most likely will remain untouched as Chelsea’s man up front. The France international found the back of the net for the fifth time since the restart with his opener against Man United. He will want to make it difficult for Liverpool’s centre-backs to contain him, and could use his height to his advantage.

How do you think Chelsea should lineup against Liverpool, Blues? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Arsenal news: Gunners open talks with Philippe Coutinho’s agent

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

According to Express, Arsenal have started the talks with Kia Joorabchian, Philippe Coutinho’s agent, in hopes of potentially sealing that deal in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Barcelona man is now once again on the market after spending a season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Of course, he will first aim to finish the Champions League campaign with the Bavarian giants and will then start thinking about a potential transfer away from the Catalans.

However, there are other teams also willing to sink their teeth into this deal and the Gunners just might face stern competition from the Premier League as the likes of Tottenham Hotspur were also previously linked, albeit to the major dissatisfaction of their fans.

Express also explain that Arsenal are not exactly sitting on heaps of money and Barcelona currently value their flopped playmaker at around £73m, which would, as it seems, be out of reach for the London team. But, in that case, Arsenal could potentially offer some of their own players in an attempt to lower the asking price.

Matteo Guendouzi, for instance, is a name that often pops out in those conversations. Mundo Deportivo, however, claim the Catalans are not interested in anything like that, preferring a loan with a big fee if a permanent transfer can’t be negotiated.

One positive for Arsenal would be the fact Joorabchian mentioned Coutinho is open to a return to the Premier League, as per Express’ report, and this could indeed throw a lifeline to the Gunners.

Verdict

Even though he’s had a couple of rough spells ever since his big-money transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona, Coutinho is still quite an impactful player on his day. Landing him could seriously boost Mikel Arteta’s squad.

However, as is the case with most big-name players on today’s market, the Brazilian would come with a hefty price tag above his head. But the report mentions the Catalans would be open for a loan deal as well and maybe this is an avenue the Gunners could potentially explore.

Arteta has slowly but surely been improving the team and maybe they already have what it takes to attract Coutinho back to the Premier League.

Sunderland: Ipswich Town join in race to sign Danny Graham

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Sunderland have been joined by League One rivals Ipswich Town in the race to make a summer move for Danny Graham.

As Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson looks to bounce back following a poor league finish in the League One table and a failure to gain promotion to the Championship, numerous transfer rumours are starting to emerge.

One area in particular that Parkinson could look to improve is in attack having seen the likes of Charlie Wyke and Will Grigg struggle to find the back of the net on a consistent basis last season.

Linked with a potential move for Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre, the Wearsiders are also looking towards former Watford, Swansea, and Blackburn man Graham.

Graham, valued at £428,000 by Transfermarkt, is available on a free transfer having recently left Blackburn, ending a four-and-a-half year stay at Ewood Park.

Joining Sunderland with interest in the 34-year-old striker are Ipswich, who like Sunderland, will be keen to improve on missing out on the chance to gain promotion last term.

East Anglian Daily Times report the news, claiming Paul Lambert is keen on the striker who has amassed 169 goals during his career in English football.

Graham would be a good addition for either Sunderland or Ipswich but he may have a better offer on the table given his experience.

Deciding between Ipswich and Sunderland does not hand the striker too many differences, but what could tempt him to join either, is the task of gaining promotion.

Where do you think Danny Graham will play football next season? Let us know in the comments section below…

Profit Players: Steven Naismith signing worked out very well for Everton

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

Before Farhad Moshiri arrived at Goodison Park, Everton were forced to be far more frugal in the transfer market and looked to bring in bargain signings.

Whilst the Toffees did spend £28m on Romelu Lukaku in 2014, he was the only player on which they spent more than £20m before Moshiri’s investment. As such, deals like the one for Steven Naismith helped the Toffees remain competitive in the Premier League.

Before making the switch to Merseyside, Naismith made his name as a versatile forward for Glasgow Rangers, scoring 33 goals and recording 30 assists in 132 matches. He departed during the 2011/12 campaign, when the Gers’ financial worries started, meaning that the Toffees were able to sign him on a free transfer.

He would end up spending four years with Everton, scoring 26 times and providing 12 assists in 123 matches. He also provided some fantastic moments, such as a hattrick against Chelsea at Goodison.

Whilst he may have contributed to the Toffees, he was never a guaranteed starter, and when Norwich City offered £8.5m to take him to Carrow Road, they could hardly turn it down. Eight goals in 48 appearances indicated that he wasn’t really missed, and although he has 23 strikes in 64 games for current club Hearts, Everton have progressed since then.

Naismith, in the end, proved to be a valuable player both on and off the pitch.

Let us know what you think!

Manchester United: Club very interested in Ansu Fati

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

As it stands, Manchester United look to have lost out on signing Jadon Sancho as Borussia Dortmund seem to feel like they will be able to keep hold of the winger this summer.

The Red Devils now seem to be looking at other transfer targets and this has now seen them linked with a young attacker from Spain.

According to Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, FC Barcelona player Ansu Fati is a winger that United are keen on signing and apparently they are tempted to pay his €170 million release clause.

However the 17 year-old is admired massively by those at the La Liga side, and they are willing offer him a new contract with a €400 million release clause.

The young star shone in the UEFA Youth League, playing nine times and scoring four goals whilst picking up three assists, per Transfermarkt. He also has already made 33 appearances for the senior side, scoring eight goals and picking up one assist.

For someone so young to already be producing goals at a very high level shows the potential he has, however this reported interest from United makes absolutely no sense.

The Red Devils currently have a frightening attacking trio in Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, who have scored 64 goals in all competitions this season, and therefore Fati would probably become an expensive substitute if he was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Signing of Sancho makes more sense as he has a lot more experience in a top division in Germany as well as the Champions League and he also has a great goal contribution record as he scored 34 goals and picked up 43 assists in 99 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Hopefully the club do not look to make this signing as no matter the potential of Fati, it would be far too much to spend on one player when they could use that money on improving several other positions.

United fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Let us know down below!

Glasgow Rangers: Gers prepare to unveil Adrian Segecic

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

According to leaked photos on Twitter, Glasgow Rangers have signed 17-year-old midfielder Adrian Segecic.

The teenager comes in from Sydney FC’s U21s.

Whilst there has as of yet been no confirmation from the club about the signing, the photos show a graphic on the big screen at Ibrox, as well as preparations being made for his unveiling.

The youngster is a highly-rated player in his homeland – he has previously been on trial with Ajax, whilst he also spent time in Croatia as he looked to secure a deal in European football. He has appeared for his country at youth level.

He will unlikely be a big part of Steven Gerrard’s squad in the immediate future – after all, he is just 17 – but he will instead join up for Craig Mulholland’s academy squad that has already seen a number of new recruits this summer with the likes of James Graham, Charlie Lindsay and Tony Weston all making the move to Glasgow. The Gers will be hoping that Segecic and the rest of these players can be part of a hugely successful future at the 54-time Scottish champions.

Let us know what you think below!

Grealish dropped, Traore debut: Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Bristol City

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Aston Villa’s congested schedule continues with a midweek trip to the south-west as Dean Smith’s side look to advance in the EFL Cup.

They’ll face in-form Championship outfit Bristol City later this evening at Ashton Gate but will the 49-year-old make any changes for the game?

The Midlanders head into this one on the back of a 1-0 victory over ten-man Sheffield United on Monday night.

Here’s the lineup we think Smith could run with tonight…

We’re expecting there to be pretty much an entirely different XI now that the Premier League is fully underway with Tyrone Mings the only player keeping his place from earlier in the week.

Penalty-saving hero Emi Martinez is rested with Orjan Nyland being handed the ‘cup’ keeper gig whilst Tom Heaton is out through injury.

In defence, we could see a return for Frederic Guilbert at right-back with Kourtney Hause partnering the 6 foot 5 English colossus in the middle. Neil Taylor played in the Burton victory and should feature here again.

Marvelous Nakamba is also in line for a start in favour of Douglas Luiz in that defensive midfield position. Smith has solid depth options to rotate here.

Just like the last round, he could be joined by Henri Lansbury and young academy starlet Jacob Ramsey, who is very highly-rated at Villa.

Sean Kimberley believes “he will have a bright future in the game” but only “if he continues to match his undoubted technical ability and eye for a goal with the desire and energy to reach the next level.”

Skipper Jack Grealish won’t be featuring this time around. The home-grown playmaker signed a new £140k-per-week contract earlier this month but will earn a rest in Bristol.

Instead, Anwar El Ghazi is gifted a rare start whilst there could even be a debut for latest summer signing Bertrand Traore.

In attack, 22-year-old striker Keinan Davis could be handed the reigns with Ollie Watkins also being rested.

It means there’s no place for Trezeguet, Conor Hourihane or Ahmed Elmohamady.

AND in other news, Aston Villa could land a speed demon in £36.5m talent…

Three signings start, no Sawyers: How West Brom’s XI may look after the window

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

West Bromwich Albion will surely be looking to the end of the domestic transfer window to secure a new striker and if they do, we’ve predicted how Slaven Bilic could line up his starting XI from there on out.

The Baggies have made new fewer than six new additions this summer but they have started the Premier League season with just one point from their opening four matches.

It leaves the Croatian with plenty to think about over this international break, so if he gets his reported top target, this is how Albion could look against Burnley…

Sam Johnstone is one man who will certainly keep his place as West Brom’s first-choice goalkeeper but will Bilic stick or twist with a back three?

It’s likely that he reverts back to the formation that won them promotion from the Championship, so Kieran Gibbs comes in at left-back with Darnell Furlong taking up a place on the other flank.

Whilst through the middle is likely to be first-choice pairing of Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi.

The changes started to begin in midfield where skipper Jake Livermore holds an anchorman role with summer arrivals Filip Krovinovic and Conor Gallagher taking up a slightly advanced position.

It means Matheus Pereira is pushed out wide with Grady Diangana also played out wide.

Then it comes down to Albion pushing through a deal for Huddersfield Town striker Karlan Grant – the Express & Star believe he could join on a £5m loan which would only be made permanent for an additional £13m if they stave off relegation.

AND in other news, West Brom must sanction £10m move to finally end striker headache…

Newcastle: Key stat shows Steve Bruce’s side heading for Premier League disaster

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Whilst they may have been holding Manchester United to 1-1 until the dying stages of the game, it almost felt inevitable that Newcastle were eventually going to succumb to defeat in the Premier League on Saturday night.

The Magpies took the lead thanks to an own goal from Luke Shaw in the opening few minutes of the contest, but their passive approach invited Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to keep pressing, and in the end, the defence crumbled under the pressure – by the end of the game, they had been out-shot at a ratio of four to one (28 to 7).

But if you’ve been watching Newcastle throughout this season, then the fact United were peppering Karl Darlow’s goal with effort after effort was hardly surprising.

Think you’re a big Magpies fan? Can you name these former players by looking at their careers? Go on, give it a go…

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The Tyneside club’s reliance on trying to soak up the pressure before being clinical on any counter-attacks or set-pieces has earned them a couple of notable results, but there has been elements of good fortune to them as well – not least being the beneficiaries of a hugely contentious VAR call that saw them earn a point away at Tottenham.

In fact, as per WhoScored, Steve Bruce’s side have faced, on average, 17.2 shots per game this season in the Premier League, which is by far the worst in the division.

Despite the fact the actual table shows them in 13th place with seven points from their opening five league games, it’s an approach that is completely unsustainable in the long-term.

You simply cannot rely on Darlow to pull off blinders week-in and week-out to keep a clean sheet, and the negative approach will end up taking its toll on a talented forward-line that boasts the likes of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Unless Bruce finds a way to help plug a leaky defence, and prevent Darlow from having to work double-time every game he steps on to the field, then Newcastle are heading for an unmitigated disaster.