All posts by h716a5.icu

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Tim Sherwood believes that Son Heung-Min can make the difference when Tottenham Hotspur face Ajax in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, per Sky Sports’ The Debate.

What’s he said?

Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat against the Dutch giants at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Donny van de Beek scored the only goal of the game, crowning a dazzling passing move with an ice-cool finish in the first half.

The result means that Spurs will have to win in Amsterdam to have any chance of qualifying for the final, where they could face either Liverpool or Barcelona.

But Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be boosted by the return of Son next week, with the South Korea international having missed the first leg through suspension.

And Sherwood feels that the 26-year-old could hold the keys to any potential success in the Netherlands, with his directness likely to provoke panic in Ajax’s backline, such is the club’s desire to keep the ball.

Speaking to The Debate (03:45), he said: “Son’s going to be a massive plus for them in the return leg, hopefully, he gets through the next game in the Premier League, which is a vital game as well, they need to keep winning and getting maximum points in their league campaign.

“But there is space in behind, he can use his pace to get in behind. He’ll be looking at that game there, we saw him in the stand, he’ll be licking his lips, thinking they’re a fantastic side on the ball, out of possession they do give you chances and I think that he will capitalise on that.

“It’s not dead, the game is certainly not dead, Tottenham can go over there and they can score.”

Ace in the pack

Next week’s game is going to be a completely different kettle of fish.

One feels that Spurs did well to escape the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with only a one-goal deficit, such was the dominance of the Dutch side in the first half.

But with both Moussa Sissoko and Son fit to start next week, Pochettino has far more attacking weapons at his disposal than he had on Tuesday.

Son has been in excellent form this season, too, and has scored 20 goals in all competitions.

With the club likely to set up to play on the counter next week, his pace going forward will be vital and will offer a completely different threat to the one posed by Fernando Llorente, the lumbering striker who huffed and puffed his way through the first leg.

Ajax, then, dare not underestimate the Premier League giants.

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Speaking on Quest’s EFL highlights show Dean Ashton tipped Leeds United for success, but not in the way many Whites fans would have wanted.

The former West Ham striker gave a bittersweet prediction on the Yorkshire club’s future.

What’s been said then?

The former England striker stated that he expects Aston Villa to win the playoffs this season, but he thinks Leeds won’t be far behind them in terms of promotion to the Premier League as he tipped Marcelo Bielsa’s side to win the Championship next season.

While doing punditry on EFL on Quest, Ashton Said: (Via HITC) “Well, I think Aston Villa will get promoted this season, so Leeds will be champions next season.

“And Middlesbrough I fancy as well. And Huddersfield to go up via the playoffs.”

The 35-year-old’s forecast will not go down well with Leeds supporters as they expect the club to go up via the playoffs this year.

Been figured out

There are so many variables that had to come together at the right time to brew up a perfect storm for Leeds to challenge for promotion this season. It’s hard to see that happening again, especially considering their recent run.

Bielsa’s style of play was revolutionary when he first arrived in the Championship. No team could deal with the intense pressing style that the Argentine brought to Elland Road, meaning that the Yorkshire club topped the table for several weeks.

The reality is that the Argentine has been figured out in this division, as shown by the form table since the midway point.

They have only been the ninth best team in the league during the second half of the season, and as more and more teams figure out how to deal with their style, they will continue to become unstuck.

There are many teams more likely to win the league than Leeds next season, and the trauma of losing in the playoffs may damage their chances of going up in the 2019/20 campaign.

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According to Sky Sports, Everton are ‘very interested’ in signing Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic as they ramp up their search for a new frontman this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Toffees are keen to sign a new striker to compete with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun, whilst Brazilian international Richarlison can also operate as a centre-forward despite being used out wide.

Mitrovic scored 11 goals and recorded three assists as Fulham suffered relegation in just their first season back in the top-flight, although the Serbian’s performances were a bright light throughout the campaign.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Marco Silva top scorers from the season just gone were Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison on 14 goals each, with Calvert-Lewin behind them on eight.

The general feeling is that, whilst Calvert-Lewin runs his socks off, and works hard for the team, he isn’t finding the back of the net enough to be untouchable in the Everton first-team.

Mitrovic and Calvert-Lewin could be dangerous together

As aforesaid, the Toffees academy graduate works so hard for the team, chasing lost causes, contesting headers and putting in a truly dedicated shift.

However, whilst he is doing all of this, he isn’t focused on finding the back of the net.

24-year-old Mitrovic is also a pragmatic, workmanlike forward who enjoys putting himself about, and his hold-up play is particularly impressive – he lacks pace though, whilst Calvert-Lewin is full of it.

In that respect, the two could be the perfect foil for each other. The former Anderlecht man would do all the dirty work in battering the opposition backline, leaving Calvert-Lewin to exploit the space in behind with his pace, something that he has been unable to do whilst playing as a lone striker.

If he lined up as a second-striker playing slightly off Mitrovic, that would be a real problem for the opposition and could see Calvert-Lewin finally start to hit a hot streak in front of goal.

Celtic fans have got something of an affiliation with young French forwards it seems. First, it was Moussa Dembele who shone in Glasgow before leaving for Lyon, second, and still, it’s Odsonne Edouard who continues to bang in the goals at Parkhead. Now, it could be time for a third, as Lys Mousset is linked with a Celtic move by The Daily Mail.

Mousset is the type of striker that looks like he could thrive at Parkhead. Seeing how both Edouard and Dembele turned themselves from bit-part players to lethal goal machines is obviously something that the Cherries’ star is eyeing up at the moment, and with one of the biggest summers in recent history on the horizon for the Hoops, bringing in the added goals that Mousset has at his feet would be a welcome move.

The report from the Mail claims that Bournemouth value the Frenchman at a fee of around £10 million and that Celtic are reluctant to pay that kind of fee for the striker, who has a Transfermarkt valuation of just £3.15 million. That £10 million fee would see Bournemouth make a tidy profit on Mousset after his three years of service to the club, as they signed him back in 2016 from Le Havre.

Whatever happens, Celtic need to sign some reinforcements, and if the man they poach to add goals to their pursuit of nine in a row next season is Lys Mousset then they’ll be in very safe hands. The 23-year-old forward is reportedly interested in this move as he’s been impressed with the progression of his countrymen Dembele and Edouard, and sees Parkhead as an ideal place to ply his trade.

This Bournemouth move, in all truth, hasn’t been what the Frenchman would have wanted. Eddie Howe has mostly used Mousset as an impact sub and even when game time has come thick and fast, goals haven’t. English football looks to have been a step too far for the front-man, and if he can star in Scotland than he could set himself up for a big money move back south of the border in years to come.

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been revving up the Nabil Fekir hype train again, after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed the World Cup winner will be allowed to leave this summer.

As reported by Sky Sports’ Pete O’Rourke, Aulas has confirmed that Fekir could depart Lyon.

“We have an understanding that he can go. Thanks Nabil for bringing what he brought, we have an understanding to let him go,” he said, and those three key words that “he can go” have sent Liverpool Twitter into meltdown.

Liverpool of course agreed a fee for Fekir back in July 2018, per BBC, but the deal eventually fell through.

Although there is no official word on the reason for the collapse, it is thought to be due to issues that arose in the medical over the player’s surgically repaired knee.

The fee at that time totalled £52.75m, per the BBC’s report, and any concerns over his knee will surely have been eased this season as the 25 year-old played 39 games in all competitions, scoring 12 and assisting nine more.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The Reds are still lacking goals and assists from midfield, leading to fans once again gearing up for a summer saga over the Frenchman.

Just have a look at the Twitter reactions down below…

Nervous?

As you’ll know and probably be trying not to think about right now, Aston Villa’s fate will be sealed in a number of days and the tension is becoming unbearable. Why, oh why, is football so stressful?

Indeed, it could be Villa’s second successive play-off final loss, or their greatest day in recent memory (probably not just that recent, anymore) that grants them access back into the Premier League for the first time since 2016. Still, whatever happens, the turnaround that Dean Smith and his team managed to produce was sensational and they will surely feel that alone could see them past Derby.

On the day of a final, anything is possible but after, attention straight away must turn to the transfer window and who could strengthen their team for either the Premier League or Championship. So, reports from the Daily Mail earlier this week already suggesting that Aston Villa could conduct some shrewd, early business with the capture of Luton’s left-back James Justin hit the right notes, we believe.

The 19-year-old, (who is valued at £23k on Transfermarkt) was sensational for the Hatters as they gained promotion to the Championship as League One champions this season. Indeed, he amassed 43 appearances in the league and had a hand in eleven goals, 3 himself whilst setting up eight others.

That’s pretty good going for a youngster in such a physically demanding league and the kind of dynamic vibrancy he showed all season long would easily translate to a step (or two) up in division, should he be given the time. Obviously, full-backs are HUGELY important to the modern game and securing one of such promise would be both a major statement in the market (considering the fact Leicester are also linked in the same report) and a sensible move.

The EFL Young Player of the Year has the potential to get much better and would already be considered an upgrade on Neil Taylor, judging purely on the season he has just endured. While it could be a costly deal and there will be a lot of competition to sign him but Dean Smith would love to finally have James Justin in his squad for next season.

Would you like to see the Luton man in a Villa shirt? If not, why not? Let us know!

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Rangers legend Mark Hateley is hopeful about the club’s future after Steven Gerrard’s debut season as manager, as reported by The Daily Record.

What’s the story?

After yet another trophyless season, Rangers have a lot to prove to supporters when it comes to challenging for the major honours in Scottish football, but there is certainly optimism at Ibrox after visible improvement under Gerrard.

With a better league points total, derby victories, a European run and a more attractive style of football on offer, it’s undeniable that Gerrard has improved on where they are compared to the failed reigns of Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha.

Hateley believes it’s the basis of a successful season next term, telling The Daily Record:

Steven’s in a good space on the back of two Old Firm wins at Ibrox where they played very well. They have set the level now and that’s how you develop as a team. You keep moving the bar up.

In top teams, once that bar is set then you never drop below it for a long period of time. Steven did that as a player and I’m sure he’ll do it as a manager.

I am optimistic after what we have done this year. If we can achieve that again we will not be far behind. We are in a good place on and off the field – we’ve built strong foundations and I like what Steven’s done.

We are probably two wins in front of where I thought we’d be right now when you consider the big changes in a short space of time. I’m really pleased with what’s happened.

Can Rangers get close?

The 2019/20 season is certainly shaping up to be one of the most competitive in Scottish football in recent years.

With Rangers improving and finding stability under Gerrard, while Celtic switch managers, there’s a bit of uncertainty heading into the summer despite the Hoops’ incredible treble success.

Neil Lennon is no pushover though and although the perception is he is a step down in manager compared to Brendan Rodgers, his trophy winning record at Celtic is exceptional as both a player and a boss, so nothing will come easy for the Gers.

The recruitment of both clubs this summer will play a big role, so the predictions are better off waiting until the end of August.

Progress for Rangers though is definitely winning one of the three trophies on offer. Fans will dream of the league, but perhaps bagging the League Cup or Scottish Cup is more realistic, ending the Hoops’ consecutive run of clean sweeps.

Manchester City are looking likely to be the dominant force in English football for some time yet, with Pep Guardiola’s men seeing off  the challenge of Liverpool last season.

After cementing a League and Cup double, City and Guardiola will be looking to this summer to try and further improve their squad as they seek to continue their dominance of the English game going forward.

New signings are bound to be the talk of the fans in the coming weeks, with City not averse to splashing the cash when needed.

This weekend has seen the club linked with a move for Leicester City and England defender Ben Chilwell, and we here in the Tavern feel that this would be one of the smartest moves Guardiola could make.

Not only because Benjamin Mendy has struggled with injuries ever since he made the move to City, but because Chilwell has in the last 12 months demonstrate the sort of form and consistency which sets apart the big players who make it right at the top of the game.

Guardiola has always been a fan of full-backs who bomb on down the wings, and Chilwell fits that mould perfectly, with the stats suggesting Chilwell averages 1.4 successful dribbles per game, something which will have helped with his impressive four assists from left back for the Foxes.

Chilwell’s form for Leicester has rightly drawn the attention of the likes of City, and at just 22-years-old, the England man could go on to become the number one option down the left hand side for City for years to come.

Last season was probably one to forget for Jean Michael Seri, with the 27-year-old having really struggled as Fulham went on to see relegation back to the Championship.

Even so, Seri is still a very good technical player, as he showed at Nice prior to his move to Craven Cottage. Based on that, the Ivory Coast international is probably one of the more exciting names currently being linked with Crystal Palace.

In contrast, Eintracht Frankfurt loanee Martin Hinteregger is likely to be a name that has left some supporters feeling pretty underwhelmed. He is currently attracting interest from the south London club, according to SportBild (via Sport Witness), and is not expected to cost a fortune.

Indeed, the Augsburg-owned player is not the most exciting of potential signings. However, he could prove to be a useful addition if his second-leg performance against Chelsea in the Europa League semi-final is anything to go by, with the Austrian’s sturdy defending on the night earning him a 7.17 match rating on WhoScored.

That alone, though, will not be enough to convince Crystal Palace supporters of Hinteregger’s quality. But for now, that is arguably not the most important thing.

Rather, it is the fact that the Eagles seem to be looking for a new central defender. As well as up front, it is an area of Roy Hodgson’s squad that could do with some fine-tuning.

Both James Tomkins and Scott Dann are in their 30s while Mamadou Sakho, who will also be 30 next year, has had trouble with injuries. Last season, the Frenchman picked up a serious knee injury in a 4-1 win over Leicester City having damaged his calf and ligaments prior.

When you consider all of that, targeting a new centre-half this summer is a smart move.

Crystal Palace fans, do you want to see Hodgson add a new defender to the squad? Would you be happy with Hinteregger? Let us know in the comment section below!

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According to The Northern Echo, QPR are one of a number of clubs interested in Doncaster Rovers’ John Marquis, with the forward having enjoyed a stellar scoring campaign with Donny on their ill-fated journey to the League One play-offs in 2018/19.

The 27-year-old notched 26 goals and chalked up six assists in 56 appearances in all competitions – a return that has seen him garner interest from the Championship, where boss Grant McCann feels he should be playing.

Rangers will surely be hoping that Marquis can be part of their revolution under Mark Warburton and that his goals can fire them to a much more respectable finish next term, after an extremely disappointing 2018/19.

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The R’s will have to compete with Doncaster’s fellow promotion hopefuls of last season, Sunderland, for the red-hot hitman’s signature, while Millwall are also keen on bringing him back to The Den – Marquis left the Lions in 2016.

With Tomer Hemed and Nakhi Wells having departed, a new striker is a must for the Hoops, but is Marquis the right man? Here’s what the Loftus Road faithful had to say about the reported interest on Twitter…