All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle could be terrorised by ex-transfer target Facundo Pellistri tonight

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Having seen rumoured summer transfer target, Facundo Pellistri, join Manchester United, Newcastle may get a first-hand look at the winger in the Premier League on Saturday night.

What was the story?

The Daily Mail claimed back in May that both Manchester City and Newcastle were hot on the trail of the 18-year-old, with his break-out performances for Uruguay side Penarol seeing him emerge on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

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The report added that Steve Bruce’s side had received glowing reports about the wide-man, and that whilst they were keen on bringing him to the Premier League straight away, the delay over the takeover – which of course didn’t happen ultimately – meant that their pitch to Pellistri’s family and representatives were put on hold.

In the end, it was City’s local rivals United who swooped in at the last moment, sealing a £10m deal on deadline day.

Could come back to haunt Steve Bruce

As is now the case, no young talent in football ever really escapes the spotlight, with scouts from the top clubs stationed everywhere. The fact that Pellistri was on the Magpies’ radar, and that they seemed to have a pitch ready for his representatives too, makes it even more galling that they eventually missed out on his signature.

Former United striker Diego Forlan, who was the youngster’s former manager at Penarol, said: “Pellistri has huge potential. There is still a lot to work on. He is growing and he makes a difference. We know it will be difficult to keep him for a long time. He has great pace and that is hard to handle.”

And speaking ahead of the clash against Newcastle, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that Pellistri has already impressed him. He said: “Facundo he’s been in training with us for two days. Very exciting, young, enthusiastic player with some attributes that we don’t have.”

If Solskjaer decides to unleash him at St James’ Park on Saturday night, then Bruce may well be watching through gritted teeth.

And in other news, this Newcastle star has won major trophies since leaving St James’ Park in 2016.

Newcastle interested in Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle are very much interested in a big-money move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.

What’s the word?

Despite the club’s proposed takeover still in the process of being confirmed and given the green light by the Premier League, it appears as though the Saudi consortium have already drawn up plans to spark a revolution at St James’ Park.

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Foot Mercato claim that despite Napoli’s valuation of around €100m (£89.5m), “contacts have intensified in recent times”. The report adds that the Magpies’ prospective new owners want Koulibaly to be the “cornerstone” of their new project, and that “the Saudis informed Naples that they were ready to get as close as possible to the price claimed by President Aurelio De Laurentiis”.

Elite defender

Make no mistake about it, Koulibaly is one of the elite defenders in the world.

His former boss at Napoli, Carlo Ancelotti, waxed lyrical about the Senegal international, and delivered an incredible comparison. He said: “Koulibaly belongs in the category of Maldini, Thuram, Thiago Silva, and Sergio Ramos. He’s very clever, usually he’s so fast and strong he thinks it’s no use to solve problems. He knows that it’s not enough to have a strong personality.”

Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and former teammate of Koulibaly back in Naples, even described him as “extraordinary”, and that high level of praise is just a snapshot of the kind of ability the giant centre-back possesses.

If the report is true, and the Magpies are willing to spend an incredible sum of money to get him if and when their takeover is complete, then it would be the kind of statement-making move that could send shock-waves across Europe.

Phil Hay tips Kiko Casilla to leave Leeds

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Leeds United will be a lot more focused on incomings than outgoings this summer after their return to the Premier League, but there is one player’s future that still needs sorting.

There have previously been calls for Kiko Casilla to be sacked in the wake of his racism charge, but that doesn’t seem all that likely, considering he’s since come back into the first team, starting Leeds’ game against Derby towards the end of the season.

However, despite Casilla looking unlikely to be sacked by the club, Phil Hay believes his days at Elland Road could still be numbered.

What’s been said then?

The journalist answered a number of fans’ questions in a Q&A on The Athletic this week, and as expected, one supporter queried about Casilla’s future, to which Hay responded:

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“We’re waiting to find out with Casilla. It was interesting that Bielsa decided to use him at Derby because it suggested that, in his mind, Casilla is not necessarily done. But I still think there’s a chance he’ll go,” Hay wrote.

“Casilla’s reputation has taken a big hit in England. I know that Leeds have long been interested in Emiliano Martinez but sadly he’s flavour of the month at Arsenal. They’ve also looked at Angus Gunn (Southampton) before and that was a name which cropped up again last week. Whatever happens, there’s a very good chance Illan Meslier will start as No 1.”

Has to go

It’s understandable that fans wanted him sacked after his racism charge as there is no place for that sort of behaviour in football, but even when you put that to one side, it may still be time for Casilla to move on.

He made a string of errors this season, notably against Wigan, Nottingham Forest and Brentford, and with Illan Meslier keeping seven clean sheets in 10 league appearances, you have to wonder if he’d even get a game.

Add into this that Casilla is one of Leeds’ top earners, with only Helder Costa and Patrick Bamford being on a higher weekly wage at the start of the season, and his departure begins to make a lot of sense.

Man Utd fans react to Bruno Fernandes’ post with Paul Pogba

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Despite only arriving in the final week of the January transfer window, Bruno Fernandes has already made an instant impression in his short time at Manchester United.

The Portugal international has settled into life at Old Trafford with ease, scoring three goals and providing a further three assists in just nine games across all competitions – in fact, since signing, United have remained unbeaten.

But whilst there has been a major upturn in results for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the one thing the Norwegian hasn’t been able to see out on the pitch, is both Fernandes and Paul Pogba playing together.

The latter has had an injury-riddled campaign, but with football postponed, has been able to recover. And on his Instagram story (via utdreport on Twitter), Fernandes posted a snap of both him and Pogba out on the training pitch, and after seeing the footage, United fans delivered their reactions on social media.

A couple of United fans suggested that the rest of the teams in the Premier League will be quaking in their boots, and that they “ain’t ready” for Bruno and Pogba to join forces together.

Understandably, United fans appear to be incredibly excited at the prospect of seeing Fernandes and Pogba wreak havoc on the Premier League.

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Up until now, the two attacking midfielders have yet to take to the pitch together, so there is a real air of mystery about what they could potentially do as a partnership.

And with football perhaps coming back next month, United fans may not have to wait too long to see it in action.

Profit Players: Ederson has left Claudio Bravo trailing in his wake ever since joining Manchester City

by z3u9t.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.

Joe Hart was quickly jettisoned by Pep Guardiola in favour of Claudio Bravo when the Spaniard took the reins at Manchester City four years ago but their title hopes in that 2016/17 season, when they were well fancied in the football betting markets, were undermined by some poor performances from the Chilean. An alarming debut display against Manchester United and the Premier League’s second lowest save percentage that term hammered home to Guardiola that an upgrade was needed.

Enter another South American ‘keeper in Brazil international Ederson, a £34.7m signing from Benfica who came to the Etihad Stadium three years ago this week. At the time he was the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in sterling, so the microscope would be firmly on him to see if he would be an improvement on Bravo.

It soon became clear that Guardiola had righted his wrong from the previous summer. Ederson and Bravo both conceded 26 goals in their respective first seasons in the Premier League, but the Brazilian played 15 more games than his team-mate. Manchester City not only had by far the league’s best attack statistically as they racked up 100 points in winning the title; they also had its best defensive record (as per TransferMarkt) with Ederson between the sticks for all but two of those games.

After managing 17 clean sheets in the Premier League that season, he upped that figure to 20 the following term, as well as conceding three fewer goals (as per TransferMarkt). Another 10 shutouts have followed in the current league campaign so far, the joint-second highest number in the division.

Bravo was signed by Guardiola for Manchester City with a reputation for being astute with the ball at his feet, yet his passing success rate of 72.6% in his first season at the club was notably inferior to Ederson’s 85.3% in his debut campaign in England. Furthermore, the Brazilian even has two assists to his name at the Etihad, his goal kick towards Sergio Aguero immediately preceding a goal for the striker against Huddersfield in August 2018 before repeating the trick to set up Raheem Sterling in a Champions League win at Schalke 04 six months later.

Ederson has played 131 times so far for the club, conceding 101 goals (0.77 per game) and recording 62 clean sheets (47.3% of games). In Bravo’s 60 Manchester City appearances, he has shipped 60 goals and managed only 19 shutouts (31.67% of games).

It hardly seems coincidental that Guardiola went from winning no silverware in his first year at the club when Bravo was their main goalkeeper to lifting eight trophies in the subsequent three seasons with Ederson between the sticks for the majority of those games.

Three years into his Manchester City career, the 26-year-old has essentially cost £11.57m per season. Considering the enormous improvement he has brought compared to Bravo, that fee represents chickenfeed in terms of what has been gained versus what was spent.

Man City fans, was the signing of Ederson key to winning the last two Premier League titles? Comment below with your views!

Liverpool fans react to Simon Mignolet news

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League are eagerly waiting to find out if the season will eventually be concluded.

The global pandemic has induced uncertainty across society and the footballing world is no exception to the rule.

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As it stands, the Reds are agonisingly close to clinching the title but a return to action does not appear to be looming on the imminent horizon.

For now all supporters can do is wait for an official announcement from the authorities, but the situation is looking altogether different in Belgium.

Indeed, the Belgian Premier League has been cancelled and Club Brugge, who Simon Mignolet joined last summer, have been crowned champions, though there was only one regular fixture remaining before the playoffs.

In what could prove to be the first domino to fall on the continent, the news is bound to prompt plenty of speculation concerning whether other leagues will soon follow suit.

And following reports emerging from Belgium, plenty of Liverpool fans offered their thoughts.

Some suggested that the Premier League should follow suit while another claimed a similar arrangement would be “the worst outcome for the Prem”.

Here’s what the Liverpool fans had to say in response to reports…

Rangers: Fans laud Jorg Albertz

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Rangers were a fantastic side during the late nineties, and Jorg Albertz was at the heart of that in the middle of the park.

The German was signed for £4m in 1996 and would end up having a stunning career at the club. He played over 140 matches, scoring more than 80 goals from the middle of the park, and those contributions helped Rangers win three league titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

The club’s supporters are clearly still massive fans of the 49-year-old if a tweet shared by Rangers account Glasgow is Blue is anything to go by. They have posted a compilation of some of the best goals he scored for the club with his wand of a left-foot, and the supporters have enjoyed it.

They have taken to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the clip, and you can see some of the best comments below.

Let us know what you think!

Everton’s Lewis Dobbin is one to watch at Finch Farm

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

Everton’s youth sides have flourished over the past couple of years and seen some fantastic players make a strong case for a first-team argument. Over the past three seasons, the club’s youngsters have won two U21 Premier League titles and witnessed stars like Anthony Gordon and Ellis Simms flourish.

However, it seems the abilities run even deeper with the Blues’ young goal-getters, with 16-year-old Lewis Dobbin beginning to make waves. This season, Dobbin has four goals and one assist in nine appearances for the U18s, as Everton sit three points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

The youngster also has three goals in seven games for England U16s and has started to establish himself as a name to watch for the future.

U23s boss David Unsworth has been keeping an eye on him and has clearly become a big fan of the striker.

“I’ve been champing at the bit to get him involved,” Unsworth told the Liverpool Echo last month.

“Him, and there’s probably one other under-18s player, who has done really well.

“I think it is important that we allow them to bed in, in their first year scholarship to get used to the amount of training they do, the intensity of it.

“He’s going to be a top player, there’s absolutely no doubt about that and the great thing tonight was that we had seven subs so it was great to get him involved.

“I was desperate to throw him on and he showed little glimpses of his pace and movement and there is an awful lot to work with there. I think he’s got a very bright future.”

There will be strong competition for Dobbin moving forward in Everton’s ranks with Simms scoring 41 goals in 44 appearances for the U18s.

The Guardian also named Dobbin in their ‘next generation’ of players to watch, stating he is a “quick, intelligent forward with a sharp eye for goal”.

Over the years, as he racks up more goals, Unsworth will have no choice but to promote him to the U23s.

At just 16 years old, he is certainly a player to keep a keen eye on.

Liverpool are interested in signing Peterborough’s Ricky-Jade Jones

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to The Daily Mail, Liverpool are interested in signing Ricky-Jade Jones from Peterborough United.

What’s the story?

With the January transfer window just around the corner, the rumours are beginning to gather speed. Among the players the Reds are being linked with is the 18-year-old.

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Spurs are already said to have bid £2m for the forward, but they were knocked back. Posh are believed to be hoping that starts off a bidding war, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal amongst the other sides pursuing the youngster. In an earlier report, The Sun said that Peterborough could demand a fee of up to £10m for their starlet.

Perfect fit for the Reds

Of course, Jones is still vastly inexperienced. Yet there must be a reason why a whole host of clubs are interested in his services. Peterborough do have a history of producing quality attacking talent, with the likes of Dwight Gayle and Britt Assombalonga coming through their ranks.

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This season, he has made three appearances for Darren Ferguson’s side, and scored both on his full debut and in his first FA Cup appearance. Clearly possessing ability in front of goal, there is one particular aspect of his game that should attract Liverpool’s attention: his pace.

When the League One club signed the youngster to a three-year professional contract earlier this month, Ferguson spoke glowingly about the teenager. He said: “Ricky’s family were very excited when I met them. They are a great group and very close and Ricky is an outstanding young man. He deserves the professional contract. We feel he has real potential. He has a great attitude and work ethic.”

“It is just the start, but he has a desire to work hard and that is vitally important. He has real quality, is a big lad, has unbelievable pace and is the quickest player that I have worked with.”

The quickest player he has ever worked with? That should be music to Jurgen Klopp’s ears. In Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, the former Borussia Dortmund manager already has bags of speed up front. By adding Jones to the squad, he would have another player with the same attribute in his arsenal, one that can’t be taught.

Given that £2m bid from Tottenham was quickly turned down, it is unlikely that Peterborough will let one of their star assets leave so easily. But considering the list of clubs pursuing him, as well as his lightning pace, he would be a perfect fit for the Anfield outfit in the long-term.

In other news, Liverpool fans are disgusted as one key man misses out on a UEFA award nomination.

Crystal Palace: The XI that Roy Hodgson should use against Arsenal on Sunday

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates on Sunday, where the Gunners will be hoping to get back on track in the Premier League.

Unai Emery’s men suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in their last Premier League outing, and needed Nicolas Pepe’s magic against Vitoria in the Europa League to overturn a 2-1 deficit with just ten minutes remaining.

Roy Hodgson’s side are just a point behind Arsenal in 6th as things stand, and got one over on the north Londoners at the Emirates towards the end of last season with an impressive 3-2 win – another three points on Sunday will take them above their London rivals.

Let’s take a look at the XI Hodgson should put out against the Gunners…

Only a couple of changes from the 2-0 loss to Manchester City, but two that Hodgson really should make.

We’ll start with Benteke.

The 36-cap Belgium international was the star of the show in that aforementioned 3-2 win from last season, winning the WhoScored Man of the Match award after grabbing a goal and an assist.

The 6 foot 3 striker won seven aerial duels that day, and we feel that the former Liverpool man would be better suited to do a job against David Luiz and Sokratis rather than the less aerially dominant figure of Jordan Ayew.

Elsewhere, the only other change would see Andros Townsend come in for Jeffrey Schlupp. The 13-cap England international’s pace on the break and solid defensive contribution ahead of his full-back, Joel Ward, may prove significant on the day – especially if the tricky Bukayo Saka lines up down that flank as he did against the Blades.

Both Townsend and Wilfried Zaha may not see much of the ball given Arsenal’s usual dominance of possession, so getting them close to Benteke where the Belgian can win knock downs is crucial to Palace – it was a Benteke flick-on that saw Zaha score his goal at the Emirates last season.

With these two changes, Palace could surprise their hosts with some brilliant counter-attacks and give themselves a great chance of getting a result.