All posts by z3u9t.icu

In an interview this week, Rafa Benitez was asking a poignant question. Would Everton supporters afford him less time because of his connections to the red corner of Merseyside?

After labelling the Toffees a ‘small club’ during his stint in charge of Liverpool the emphatic should have been an emphatic, ‘yes.’

Instead, the Spaniard disagreed with the statement, suggesting that they’d actually afford him more time at Goodison Park because they appreciate what he’s already done in the city.

However, after a catastrophic 4-1 defeat to their local rivals on Wednesday, it marked the nadir of Benitez’s short tenure at Everton so far.

The pressure is ramping up on his job and according to some outlets, he will be facing the axe in the not too distant future. However, owner Farhad Moshiri has rejected any speculation, claiming that he will be given time to sort out this mess.

As some may remember, though, that isn’t necessarily a bad sign. As Sky Sports reporter Alan Myers reminded us on Thursday afternoon, Moshiri said similar things about Ronald Koeman before sacking him just 21 days later.

If the same eventuality befalls Benitez then there will surely be no shortage of candidates for the role. Frank Lampard and Kasper Hjulmand have already been touted as potential replacements, while Nuno Santo, a man linked with the job in the summer, is also thought to be on their radar still.

The man who should be front and centre of the boardroom’s thoughts if they do get rid of the current head coach, however, is Graham Potter.

The 46-year-old was naturally touted with the Goodison outfit a few months ago after Carlo Ancelotti exited and should he still be on Everton’s radar, he’d be the perfect replacement.

After all, there is a reason he and his style of play have been described as “exceptional” by Jurgen Klopp.

He took Ostersunds in Sweden from a club languishing in the lower tiers, built them up and subsequently steered them to European football, eventuality beating Arsenal on a famous night at the Emirates in the Europa League.

Since then, he has gained experience in England with Swansea and Brighton, earning a reputation for possession-based football.

The Athletic understands that some figures at Everton are currently growing tired of the “ugly football” on display from their team but Potter would undoubtedly be able to correct that mantra.

His Brighton side have seen 56.7% of the ball on average this term, the fifth-highest tally in the whole division. The trouble is, they don’t have a genuine goal-scorer in the team. The Seagulls have only found the net on 13 occasions in 14 matches this season.

They have no issue creating chances and thus, if Potter arrives at Goodison in the coming weeks or months, he could finally have the answer to his woes in 2021/22.

Everton have plenty of players capable of fashioning chances, namely in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. Fortunately, they also have a player capable of scoring goals on a regular basis; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He has been out injured since the fourth match of the campaign but would surely relish playing under a possession-orientated coach in Potter.

If Benitez goes then the Brighton manager simply has to be the man they turn to. He has revolutionised the south coast side as they sat 7th in the Premier League prior to Thursday’s fixtures, a position that Everton should be aiming for themselves.

AND in other news, Forget Coleman: Everton lightweight who lost 91% duels may have just cost Rafa his job…

Tanguy Ndombele’s days are surely numbered at Tottenham Hotspur after another disastrous outing resulted in a torrent of boos from the crowd on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs edged into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory over League One minnows Morecambe but that was after the Frenchman was withdrawn by manager Antonio Conte.

The introduction of Harry Kane and Lucas Moura changed the game and spared the Lilywhites their blushes.

Ndombele, who was graded as SofaScore’s lowest-rated outfield player for either side, was withdrawn in the 69th minute to a raucous reaction from the home supporters. He trudged off slowly as the volume of the boos increased and went straight down the tunnel – that will surely anger the Italian head coach.

Considering the £34m-rated midfielder cost a club-record £55m over two-and-a-half years ago, the 24-year-old should be picking apart a side of the Shrimpers’ quality – with all due respect.

Indeed, the expensive flop, who ex-goalkeeper Joe Hart once dubbed “unplayable” cut an uninterested figure throughout the game and that drew criticism from the press box.

‘Booed off by his own fans after trudging towards the touchline when he was replaced by Kane. It felt terminal and you wonder if that’s the last we’ll see of him in a Spurs shirt. Followed an ineffective display,’ wrote the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick in his post-match column.

Ndombele won just one of his six duels (16%), a rather weak effort up against a team two divisions below. Elsewhere, he failed to register a single shot on target, key pass, tackle or interception, via SofaScore.

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are “looking for a solution to sell or loan out” the former Lyon dynamo, so after these latest antics, it could well be the beginning of the end for Ndombele at the club.

That, at the very least, should be the last time that he gets to put on a Tottenham shirt.

AND in other news, Spurs dealt major injury blow ahead of  Chelsea clash…

In the end, Leeds United’s late equaliser was a win for football, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side rescued a point in their Premier League clash against Merseyside Reds (Liverpool).

With all the pre-match talk dominated by the European Super League – you only had to look at Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage to see that – it was easy to forget that Leeds v Liverpool was a coming together of two of English football’s biggest clubs.

The Whites looked off the pace in the first half with Jurgen Klopp’s men dominating proceedings, and the visitors eventually got their reward when Sadio Mane netted to open the scoring.

However, Leeds kicked back into the gear after the break, and after spurning several opportunities to haul things level, they managed to find a way past Alisson thanks to a superb header from Diego Llorente.

In truth, the Whites could have, and probably should have, ended up with more than just their solitary point, and much of that has to do with Patrick Bamford’s woeful night in front of goal. As per Sofascore, he failed to find the back of the net with five of his attempts on goal, including missing three official big chances, not least a one-on-one chance in the first half.

The striker also struggled to just get involved in the game, managing just eight passes in total over the course of the 90 minutes, and his radar went awry at frustrating times too, misplacing seven of his 15 attempted passes as he desperately tried to make things happen (Sofascore).

It all led to Andy Hinchcliffe to remark on co-commentary duty for the game (72.20): “Patrick Bamford is going absolute crackers here. He made a couple of really intelligent runs, spinning in behind Fabinho, but his teammates at the back just haven’t seen the runs that he had made. It’s so frustrating for a striker, you’re trying your best but no-one’s helping you out. He’s just got to keep believing that they’ll see him, and he’ll eventually get that golden chance to get that equaliser.”

Well, Bamford did get picked out by a wonderful pass over the top by Luke Ayling straight after, and after a glorious first touch, he proceeded to see his shot come off the crossbar – perhaps slightly unfortunate, but again just another game where a gilt-edged opportunity went begging.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a lowly six, explaining: “A horrible, near anonymous first half from the striker, but improved in the second half and even hit the crossbar. Never stopped asking for the ball, but very few proper sights of goal. Looked flat-footed and sluggish in the first period.”

In fact, Bamford had a far better night off the pitch, where once again he spoke eloquently in his post-match press conference and spoke for football fans across the world in pointing out the complete nonsense of the European Super League’s plans.

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Bielsa would have been very proud of his striker for the way he spoke, but for his woeful performance on the pitch, he no doubt would have been less than pleased with what the 27-year-old produced..

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a summer swoop for this star who’s faster than Lionel Messi…

Everton have had an awful 2021/22 campaign thus far – with the Toffees embroiled in a tough relegation battle, and Frank Lampard trying everything he can to keep the club from dropping into the Championship next season.

Many players have already been linked with moves away from Goodison Park following their disappointing campaign in the Premier League, with Richarlison, in particular, heavily speculated to leave the club this summer.

With that being said, the Toffees boss must exercise some damage control when it comes to keeping the team together – no matter the outcome at the end of the season – and now another player is reportedly being lined up for a move away from the club.

The Daily Mail reported this week that Manchester United are targeting the Everton centre-back for a move to Old Trafford, with the youngster catching the eye of the 20-time Premier League title winners.

The 19-year-old has made just six appearances for the senior team across all competitions this term, with his most notable performance coming in his first Premier League outing of 2021/22 – scoring in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge under Rafa Benitez.

Branthwaite was hailed “fabulous” by Glen Hoddle following this display, and Benitez was also full of praise for the young defender, stating: “He showed character and he’s a player who has potential. Always with the young players, you have to be careful but you have to give them a chance if it is possible.”

Since Frank Lampard has taken over from the Spaniard, Branthwaite has been given three opportunities to prove he has what it takes to compete for a spot in the Everton backline, and his defensive statistics speak for themselves.

The 6ft5 tank has understandably used his height to impose himself on opponents, winning 67% of his aerial duels, as well as making an average of 3.3 clearances and 0.8 tackles per game.

He has also averaged an 81% pass accuracy inside his half, proving he can be a threat and offer presence for the Toffees.

Ultimately, Lampard must avoid a disaster in losing the £5.1k-per-week defender this summer, as sanctioning the sale of one of the club’s most promising up and coming talents may well be a decision that the Goodison Parkfaith never forgive the 43-year-old for.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Everton dealt fresh injury setback ahead of Liverpool, Lamps will be gutted

Southampton centre-back Jannik Vestergaard is reportedly attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the summer and if Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to keep him on the South Coast, then the club should consider offering him a new deal as soon as possible.

The Danish international’s contract with the Saints is set to expire at the end of next season, meaning that if Spurs did make an approach for the six-foot-six defender in the summer, then it is unlikely that Southampton would be able to demand a significant fee, despite his impressive performances this season.

In fact, Hasenhuttl could potentially lose him on a free transfer next year, with foreign clubs free to approach him with the view to signing him on a Bosman transfer in January 2022.

Considering how important the 28-year-old has been in the Austrian’s side this season, the club should surely be looking to tie him down to a longer deal to ensure that he isn’t prised away from them too easily in the future.

In 21 appearances this season, the former Borussia Monchengladbach man has averaged an impressive 7.09 rating for his performances, which is second to only James Ward-Prowse in the Southampton squad.

Therefore, he is clearly a key figure in this Southampton side and should be rewarded with a new deal, as his current deal sees him earn £60k per week at the South Coast club.

Arguably, the club should be focusing on the Dane more than Danny Ings, with the club currently in ongoing negotiations with the England international over a new deal, with his contract also set to expire at the end of next season.

However, despite his impressive performances in recent seasons, the former Liverpool man has suggested that he sees his future with a Champions League side, so it is difficult to see his long-term future with Southampton.

Although Vestergaard will likely share the same dream, he hasn’t openly admitted to it, so there’s no reason to think he can’t finish his career at the top with Southampton by signing a new long-term contract.

Therefore, Martin Semmens should perhaps forget about Ings and instead focus on delivering a new contract to the Danish international, as his performances this season certainly warrant him earning a new deal.

And, in other news… Semmens can deliver Saints’ Ings replacement with swoop for in-demand 24 y/o

A major update has emerged regarding Rangers dud George Edmundson, it could lead to Ross Wilson needing to make a strong decision. 

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Rangers have received and rejected several offers for centre-back Edmundson following the end of the defender’s loan spell with English Championship side Derby County. The report claims that a number of English clubs are keen on signing Edmundson and have tested Rangers’ resolve with opening salvos.

Edmundson spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan to Derby after being slapped with a seven-game ban by the Scottish FA for breaking Covid-19 regulations. The 23-year-old attended a party alongside teammate Jordan Jones during lockdown and was punished for his actions with the ban, leading to his exit from Rangers on loan during the January window.

After Edmundson was found guilty of breaking the protocols, former Scotland international Gary Caldwell suggested that Steven Gerrard “can’t trust” the defender on or off the pitch. He told BBC Sportsound, as transcribed by the Daily Record:

“If you can’t trust the players to adhere to Covid regulations, how can he trust them on the football park? To mark a man from a set piece?

“It’s disappointing for Rangers but also disappointing for Scottish football.

“The situation clubs find themselves in financially, they’re going to need help at some point so we need to be showing Scottish football in the best light and unfortunately, we didn’t do that.”

Wilson must axe him

The time is up for Edmundson at Ibrox and director of football Ross Wilson must now ruthlessly axe him from the club this summer. He has shown, as Caldwell explained, that he cannot be trusted off the pitch and the trust between himself and Gerrard may have been affected in terms of his on the pitch responsibilities as well. The fact Gerrard wanted to send him out on loan to Derby suggests that Edmundson is not part of his immediate plans and Rangers could benefit from moving him on as swiftly as possible.

Wilson needs to take advantage of the interest in Edmundson to bring in a respectable transfer fee for the defender, which could then bolster his own transfer plans. If Rangers can get a six or seven-figure offer for Edmundson then they could use that to bring in Gerrard’s targets to bolster the squad ahead of next season.

The £3.7k-per-week dud also failed to catch the eye on loan at Derby. In 10 Championship appearances for Wayne Rooney’s side, Edmundson averaged an unimpressive WhoScored rating of 6.62 at centre-back. Meanwhile, Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Leon Balogun all averaged WhoScored ratings of 7.06 or higher in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers at centre-back. This suggests that Edmundson is not even close to Gerrard’s other centre-back options in terms of quality before you even take his off-field issues into considerations. So, Wilson now needs to facilitate an exit for Edmundson and send him back to England this summer.

AND in other news, Wilson must seal deal for £720k-rated ace likened to Pogba, Rangers fans would love it…

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Josh Windass could exit the club and join Millwall this summer, according to a fresh report which emerged on Friday.

The Lowdown: Windass shines for Owls

Though unable to keep the Owls in the Championship last season, the 27 year-old proved to be an impressive figure for Darren Moore’s side and was hailed as a ‘constant threat’ by pundit Sue Smith.

Windass chipped in with nine goals and five assists in 41 league games in 2020/21, outscoring the rest of his Wednesday teammates.

With Moore’s team now in League One, however, he could look for a way out this summer, eyeing up a return to the second tier of English football.

The Latest: Midfielder could join Millwall

According to Sky Sports [10:02am, Friday 18th June], Millwall are keen on signing Windass this summer and are ‘preparing to make a bid’ for him.

Preston North End and Birmingham City are both believed to be interested, too, as the battle to acquire his signature hots up.

The Verdict: Blow for Wednesday

In an ideal world, Windass would stay put with the Owls, helping them push for promotion back into the Championship under Moore.

Given his production last term, one would have to assume he would be a constant threat for defences in the third tier.

The harsh reality is that he will believe he belongs in the Championship, though, making it likely that he will return there in the near future.

Windass’ contract expires next summer, so Wednesday are in a tricky spot if they try keep hold of him, risking losing the former Rangers youngster on a free transfer next year.

In other news, Sheff Wed have suffered a blow in their quest to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former Wolves striker Steve Bull has exclusively told Football FanCast that he would welcome the potential return of Matt Doherty with open arms.

Republic of Ireland right-back Doherty left Wolves to join Tottenham last summer, but his time in north London has been difficult to say the least.

He started six of Spurs’ opening eight Premier League games ahead of Serge Aurier, who looked set to leave after his arrival, but ended up staying and has established himself as the club’s first-choice right-back ahead of Doherty, rated at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

The-28-year-old won his place back earlier this month, but a wretched afternoon in the north London derby led to him being dropped from the squad for Tottenham’s win at Aston Villa.

And reports have circulated in recent weeks that Wolves would be open to re-signing Doherty this summer, regardless of whether current right-back Nelson Semedo leaves.

Doherty was regarded as one of the Premier League’s most feared full-back’s prior to his Spurs move, and Bull has urged his former side to bring the defender back to Molineux.

He told Football FanCast:

“I don’t get why you sell someone who you think is a great asset to a club that might hardly use him. He’s been a bit injured, but he’s a talented player.

“If Wolves did go back for him, I would chop your arm off tomorrow.”

Many Everton fans have been revelling in delight as some early team news emerged ahead of their clash against Sheffield United in the Premier League tonight.

As per the Toffees’ official website, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that James Rodriguez is set to be fit and available to play against the Blades at Goodison Park.

The former Real Madrid star would likely add that extra bit of creativity needed against what could be a stubborn defence, and his six goals and nine assists in 25 games over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt) shows how important he has been to the team.

Based on those figures, will no doubt be a welcome boost for the Toffees if the Colombia international is on the pitch tonight.

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Everton fans on Rodriguez update

These Everton fans were delighted as the update was shared on Twitter, with one supporter claiming that the possible return of Rodriguez could be ‘huge’ as they chase a European finish:

“This is huge. Will be the difference of getting Europe.”

Credit: @siewakes20

“Thank the lord”

Credit: @Lj9Liam

“Great news: hope we will secure a place at Europe next season”

Credit: @Jesudian15

“Hallelujah we may win a game”

Credit: @efcdoyley

“Best news I’ve seen all week”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

“Get in!!”

Credit: @Toffeegirl13

In other news, find out which £34.2m-rated star Everton are keen on signing!

West Ham United have finally completed the signing of Chelsea central defender Kurt Zouma in a transfer worth around £29.8 million [Sky Sports].

Enjoying a productive 2020/21 campaign, the 26-year-old registered five goals in 36 appearances as he helped his side win the UEFA Champions League [Transfermarkt].

Now, he has finalised his move across London after a long-drawn-out negotiation process and medical.

West Ham were known to be attracted to his situation as far back as the start of August. However, it has taken until the final weekend of the window for David Moyes to get his man.

Zouma will link up with the Irons on a four-year-deal, and one would presume he is arriving to be a sure-fire starter given the price tag.

In light of this news, no wonder loads of West Ham United diehards took to social media to celebrate the news.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to the official West Ham United Twitter account, here is what the supporters had to say about what one fan called a ‘phenomenal’ transfer:

“Phenomenal signing Welcome to the mighty Hammers @KurtZouma”

Credit: @hashman88″YESSSSSS”Credit: @WestHam_Way

“WE SIGNED SOMEONE”

Credit: @westhamtransfer”Loving this Bloke already @KurtZoumaWill fit right in in the @WestHam Dressing Room!! Get Jesse back & the Band is Back on the Road!!!”Credit: @SXHammer”Welcome to the west ham family zouma. Hope you have a great season with for us COYIS”Credit: @49whufc_smh”Brilliant Signing”Credit: @Max_DinnellIn other news, West Ham United fans react to their Europa League fixtures conformation. Find out who they play first here.