All posts by n8rngtd.top

Liverpool’s scramble for a centre-back in January was certainly well broadcast following injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Eventually, Michael Edwards managed to get two defenders through the door in the form of Ozan Kabak of Schalke 04 and Preston North End’s Ben Davies.

The two have had completely differing fortunes at Anfield; the former establishing himself in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI but the latter having not yet been afforded even a minute of first-team action.

Meanwhile, the club could reflect on another failed transfer bid for SC Braga’s David Carmo.

According to the Portuguese club’s President António Salvador, the 21-year-old was almost a Liverpool player, apparently having “a foot and a half in Liverpool”.

Despite the youngster having sustained serious injury in the time since, the £7.65m-rated defender could certainly have been a useful addition.

[snack-amp-story url=” https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-asensio-vlahovic-van-dijk-alberto-pedri” title=” Read the latest Liverpool news, transfer rumours and more… “]

Even in his tender years, Carmo has already managed to accumulate plenty of experience in his home country having made 40 appearances for Braga in all competitions which includes back-to-back seasons in the UEFA Europa League.

Whilst that is not comparable to Kabak’s 89 appearances in all competitions at the same age, it could be argued that the Portuguese has outperformed his opposite number so far this campaign.

According to WhoScored, Carmo has made more interceptions and blocks per game compared to Kabak this season; 1.6 and 0.6 to 1.3 and 0.3. Meanwhile, the two players are also even on clearances.

The current Liverpool defender can only just outperform Carmo in tackles, with him edging ahead on just 1.8 compared to 1.6.

Surprisingly, Reds’ stalwart Van Dijk cannot get anywhere near those numbers, only managing to overcome the Portuguese on clearances, even during his peak of the 2019/20 campaign.

So with Liverpool having had defensive issues this season, Edwards should be regretting the failed move for Carmo, he’d have surely been a better option than Davies, who hasn’t been able to even get on the field for the Reds.

Had he been signed and given time to develop, he could have had the chance to become a Liverpool stalwart like Van Dijk, but alas, that wasn’t to be and as such, the Reds missed out on a very, very good player.

AND in more news, take a look at Liverpool fans’ thoughts on the failed European Super League…

Many Manchester United fans have been left to fume as utdreport relayed the news that Jonathan Moss has been appointed as the referee versus Burnley.

Moss was the official when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team lost 2-0 at home to the Clarets in the 2019/20 term and has also sent Marcus Rashford off before in a game against Sean Dyche’s men (World Football), so there is certainly some bad blood between the supporters and the official going into the match on Sunday afternoon.

Nonetheless, the Red Devils will be looking to grab all three points and thus cement their place in the top four of the table in the Premier League, coming off the back of a very impressive comeback away at Tottenham Hotspur.

If Solskjaer’s men can grab another impressive result this time around, finishing in the top two could start to look like something of a formality.

Manchester United fans on Moss appointment

These MUFC fans fumed upon reading that Moss has officially been appointed on Twitter, with one fan claiming that it is ‘frustrating’:

“Oh why”

Credit: @Helle66221114

“Advantage Burnley”

Credit: @the_WISH_utd

“Why does the worst PL ref constantly officiate our games?”

Credit: @sani_atk

“That’s a game spoiled then. Absolutely useless, the worse ref I’ve ever seen in the top flight.”

Credit: @YendoleCharlie

“They’ve planned a frustrating weekend for United”

Credit: @its_wilsy

“We are done”

Credit: @ManUtdVIPer

In other news, find out whose display versus Granada was slammed here!

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are ‘laying the groundwork’ to sign Marcel Sabitzer in swoop for Spurs this summer. 

It is said that the midfielder is likely to leave current club RB Leipzig in the next transfer window after talks stalled over a new deal in the Bundesliga – with Spurs apparently preparing to take full advantage.

Tottenham laying ground work for Sabitzer

A Spurs source has told the outlet that Daniel Levy and co have Sabitzer ‘firmly’ on the radar as a result – coming after they made contact over a possible swoop in January.

Jose Mourinho has apparently earmarked the Austrian as a personal summer target alongside Inter Milan colossus Milan Skriniar, who Football Insider relay is also on his list of potential signings.

As a result, Tottenham are ‘laying the foundations’ for a summer bid – and this report explains it could also be a big hint in regards to Mourinho’s future in north London.

They explain that the Portuguese’s control over who Tottenham are targeting this summer indicates that he is likely to remain as Spurs boss next season.

Transfer Tavern take

Speaking to Football Insider recently, pundit and former Spurs shot stopper Paul Robinson lauded Sabitzer as a ‘sensational’ player – leaving little wonder why he is on Levy and Mourinho’s radar. His stats back up that comment – he has grabbed six Bundesliga goals this term while averaging over two shots and over one tackle, interception and key pass per game (Whoscored).

Time will tell whether the Lilywhites to manage to sign him ahead of other clubs, but the interest is certainly there as Tottenham allegedly prepare a swoop.

In other news: Tottenham confirm injury for barely-seen prospect, find out more here.

Recent reports by Calcio Napoli 24 have claimed that Chelsea will demand €18m (£15.5m) for rumoured West Ham United target Tiemoue Bakayoko this summer, but David Sullivan must prevent David Moyes from reviving any hopes of a deal.

The Irons were heavily linked with interest in the French midfielder last summer before he sealed a last-ditch season-long loan with SSC Napoli, with Transfer20 claiming in June that the London Stadium natives were favourites after pushing hardest for a move.

West Ham ultimately did not strengthen the engine room beyond the permanent arrival of Tomas Soucek, and could again strive to add depth behind the Czech Republic star and Declan Rice this year despite Mark Noble’s recent one-year contract extension.

Bakayoko may emerge as an option for the Hammers once again at the end of the season, as Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is noted to be opposed to paying Chelsea’s £15.5m asking price to purchase the 26-year-old.

The Serie A side ‘will never accept’ paying the Blues a fee in that region and could return to the negotiating table at some stage, as Bakayoko has started 17 of his 23 league games under Gennaro Gattuso this term and only failed to feature twice in 25 available fixtures.

Bakayoko’s preference would be a return to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for the 2021/22 campaign if the option presents itself, but is not opposed to taking on a new adventure in hopes of finding a regular role.

He has not featured for Chelsea in a competitive game since his maiden year at Stamford Bridge in 2017/18, having been sent on loan to AC Milan and a temporary return to AS Monaco before joining Napoli in October.

Chelsea paid Monaco £40m to sign Bakayoko in 2017 under Antonio Conte against rival interest from Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, and handed him a £110,000-per-week contract that is due to expire next year.

West Ham could strive to capitalise on Bakayoko entering the final 12-months of his deal in June to add depth to Moyes’ engine room, but Sullivan must block any efforts to revive the east London outfit’s previous interest.

Bakayoko flopped heavily in the Premier League when signed for more than the £30m that Chelsea paid Leicester for their title-winning hero N’Golo Kante, and has now been passed on by four managers with Thomas Tuchel seemingly opposed to offering a second chance.

It took Maurizio Sarri less than a month of seeing Bakayoko in training before he sanctioned a loan with AC Milan, and it was no wonder that the Italian’s successor Frank Lampard chose against bringing the one-time international back.

Before taking the step into management at Derby County, Lampard was highly critical of Bakayoko after seeing the Frenchman struggle in big games for his former side.

“He sleeps,” Lampard said, via quotes by the Independent, after Bakayoko lost sight of Saul Niguez as the Atletico Madrid midfielder scored in a 1-1 Champions League Group Stage draw with Chelsea in December 2017. “His concentration goes and at this level, if you sleep for a second, and it’s an easy goal for Atletico.

“I don’t know with Bakayoko. I think it’s well documented that he hasn’t settled quickly at Chelsea and English football in the Premier League as well, and he has to come to grips with that.”

Days earlier, Rio Ferdinand had also slammed Bakayoko after offering nothing to protect Chelsea’s backline in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool and instead caused problems for the Blues.

“If I was Gary Cahill out there, I would be screaming at Bakayoko,” Ferdinand said, via quotes by the Daily Star. “I think, defensively, he’s been an absolute disgrace today. He’s doing nothing, he’s letting people run off him [and] he’s leaving Gary Cahill isolated.”

With four Chelsea managers now seemingly passing on offering Bakayoko a chance to show himself in a better light than his initial efforts, it is clear that he has not proven he can improve and Sullivan must block West Ham from reviving their interest this summer.

AND in other news, a £70k-p/w dud with “wonderful feet” intends to quit West Ham this summer…

In a recent interview with Football FanCast, former Southampton striker Kevin Phillips has claimed that he expects Danny Ings to leave the Saints this summer.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, when asked if he could see the 28-year-old departing, he said:

“Yes I can, as much as Southampton fans won’t thank me for it. I think he even came out at one point and said he wants to play Champions League football, so that suggests to me he would like to move on.”

“So I possibly could see him moving on. It’s just a case of, he is a little bit injury prone. We have seen what he can do, I’m not doubting that. I think he’s a fantastic striker, scores great goals, good movement, but he is a little bit injury prone, so I think ‘who would take him who would finish in the Champions League spots?’.

“But I do think that he’ll probably be angling for a move come the summer.”

Whilst Phillips’ claim does seem to be a fair one, with the former Liverpool man having reportedly expressed an interest in playing European football again in the near future, recent injury setbacks for the England international might just put some clubs off signing him this summer.

The striker enjoyed an injury-free campaign last season and scored a superb 22 goals in 38 Premier League appearances and looked set to repeat that feat with a superb start to the 2020/21 campaign.

However, he has struggled with minor injury problems since the New Year, which has, unsurprisingly, coincided with Southampton’s awful run of form, and he has just three goals in 12 appearances in 2021.

He suffered another setback in the 2-0 win against Sheffield United recently, which will keep him sidelined for another couple of weeks, and you feel that, given his injury history, top four clubs may well feel that it is too big a risk to bring him in for the sort of money that Southampton would likely demand this summer.

His last big move to Liverpool, unfortunately, didn’t go to plan because of significant injury problems and after his recent Issues, despite being minor in comparison to those he suffered at Anfield, might just prove to be a key factor in whether or not a club playing in Europe comes knocking during the summer transfer window, which might just work in Southampton’s favour.

However, all signs suggest that Phillips is right and that Ings will push for a move this summer, which won’t go down well with Saints fans. Whether he gets his move, or not, remains to be seen.

And, in other news… Semmens must avoid VVD repeat with £13.5m-rated “role model” Hasenhuttl loves

According to a report by TEAMtalk, via West Ham Central, GSB fancy signing Orlando City striker Daryl Dike this summer, who is currently on loan at Barnsley – prompting these Irons supporters to erupt on social media.

Dike, who has scored nine goals in 12 Championship starts since joining the club on a temporary basis in January, has also managed an impressive 5.8 aerial duels won per game (WhoScored).

The 20-year-old, as a result, is attracting interest from West Ham and GSB – with these supporters raving over the claims of their club’s interest.

As well as some supporters calling him ‘massive’, with the forward standing at an imposing 6 foot 2, a section of these Irons fans have likened him to star striker Michail Antonio.

One supporter even claimed Dike could take Antonio’s place in the side as Hammers plead for GSB to potentially sign the striker this summer from Orlando.

Find all of their best verdicts on the forward down below.

West Ham fans erupt over Dike claim

“Would be the best day of my life.”

Credit: @AndrewKane221

“Under Antonio’s tutelage this lad could be different gravy”

Credit: @Dylan_Rudisill_

“Oh my dayssssss”

Credit: @FromTheAnvilWHU

“We totally should. Think he could be a good option off the bench. Antonio style work rate. He’s massive as well”

Credit: @jordan_smith510

“MAKE THIS HAPPEN”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“His link up play is improving & his flick ons & link up play since joining Barnsley are always improving!

I think he could bench Antonio”

Credit: @WhufcSloth

In other news: West Ham fans react as club confirm ‘great news’, find out more here.

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed Sam Wallace’s claim that the Cityzens, as well as the other five Premier League breakaway clubs, are “committed” to the European Super League.

On a day which has the potential to go down as one of the most important in the history of modern football, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal announcing that they intend to join the newly-formed European Super League, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the sport.

As a result, The Telegraph journalist Wallace has been attempting to keep fans up to date on the latest developments regarding the new competition, and he claimed late on Sunday evening that he was “sad” to report that sources have confirmed the clubs are “committed” to the breakaway.

After City Xtra relayed Wallace’s claim on Twitter, numerous fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with many venting their fury at their club’s involvement in the “horrific” new plans.

What exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to Sam Wallace’s claim?

“Disgusting.”

@Ethan73918517

“This can’t be real”

@EnzoKrieger7

“Please no.”

@FPL_Ben_

“Absolutely disgusting.”

@Jason_RN99

“Absolutely horrific.”

@mik8000

“Disgraceful.”

@Calvin9820

In other news: ‘Scenes’, ‘Wow’, ‘Special’ – Lots of MCFC fans ecstatic as ‘ridiculous’ transfer news emerges – find out more here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 280 Premier League appearances, has urged Manchester United to sell David de Gea for £50million, following the emergence of Dean Henderson at Old Trafford.

Lee has spoken openly about the need for Man United to sell de Gea because of how good Henderson is, and he told FFC last month that the Red Devils should cash in for whatever they can this summer.

Since de Gea went to Spain for the birth of his child, the former number one has failed to win his spot back from Henderson, who has impressed mostly since being thrust into the spotlight at Old Trafford.

Speaking on why Henderson is good enough for Man United and how much they should be looking to sell de Gea for, Lee told FFC:

“He’s been under pressure and the spotlight at Man United, I think he’s done well and hasn’t put a foot wrong yet for them.

“I would sell de Gea, get him off the wage bill and sell him for £50 million or whatever you can get for him, and make Dean Henderson the number one.”

The £375,000-per-week shot-stopper was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and he has been a mainstay between the sticks from almost the minute he joined the club.

It has been reported that Man United may look to move de Gea on this summer because of his huge wages not warranting a backup keeper role.

Celtic’s hunt for a new manager embodies a circus right now. There are more twists and turns than a helter-skelter as the Bhoys ramp up their progress in the search for Neil Lennon’s successor.

There have been a number of names in the hat but at the moment it’s former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe who has emerged as the favourite.

What’s the word?

Last week it was revealed that Howe was in advanced discussions with Celtic to become their new manager.

The 43-year-old has spoken to Dermot Desmond and has even performed due diligence on behind-the-scenes matters at Parkhead.

However, there have been a number of twists to the tale this week. It’s been revealed that the Englishman is reluctant to return to management until the summer, putting Celtic’s immediate pursuit in doubt.

A report from The Sun detailed this news before sharing why exactly it was that Howe hadn’t signed on the dotted line.

In a new twist, they claim that Howe is seeking assurances over his backroom staff; namely the appointment of Richard Hughes.

The ex-Cherries manager wants Hughes as his director of football but that would mean Celtic having to rip up a reported agreement with Fergal Harkin.

Time to worry?

Every week it feels like Celtic are dealt a setback in their quest to find a new manager. The longer it goes on the more the worry will grow amongst supporters.

A few weeks ago it looked as though Roy Keane was about to head through the door before he came unlikely to move within a matter of days.

The same eventuality is now occurring with Howe. One minute they look in the box seat to become the new manager and then the next, they’re moving out of the frame.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-roy-keane-nicky-butt-jesse-marsch-scott-brown” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

It’s understandable that Howe wants familiar faces with him in Glasgow but Hughes hasn’t exactly set the world alight with his recruitment in the past.

He may have a great relationship with the potential incoming Celtic boss but he has splashed out high sums on fairly average players.

He spent £19m on Dominic Solanke, a player who has only netted 16 goals in 83 games for Bournemouth. He also forked out £15m for Jordan Ibe. The winger was subsequently released last summer after finding the net just five times in 92 outings.

Clearly, Desmond could create a better operation than this. He just needs to work out whether Howe is worth sacrificing Harkin for.

Couple Hughes’ record with the amount of time it’s taking to find a new boss and supporter concerns should be growing.

AND in other news, Left for £0, now worth £63m: Celtic will rue rash call on “unbelievable” £100k-p/w gem…

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to the news that Roberto Firmino is back in training after injury.

The Reds will be approaching almost three weeks without a game by the time they visit Arsenal on Saturday night as they make a welcome return to action.

It may not have been the season that Jurgen Klopp and his players envisaged back in the summer, but there is still plenty to fight for, with a top four finish and Champions League glory not out of the question.

Liverpool’s struggles in 2020/21 have been mainly down to injuries, with an endless list of players absent at different times and centre-back trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out until the summer.

The Reds’ woes have been easing slightly in recent weeks, however, and they have now been given a further boost.

Firmino was back in training on Monday after missing the last three matches with a knee problem, putting him in contention to start against Arsenal.

Liverpool fans react to Firmino update

While the Brazilian may not have been in the best of form this season, these supporters took to Twitter to express their happiness at Liverpool’s number nine returning to the fold.

“Yessssss Bobbinho, glad you’re back from injury, let’s beat Arsenal and get our revenge on Madrid once and for all”

Credit: @Runisheen02

“Man I got time for Bobby. Squad is getting back to its normal level with so many fit players. Timing is perfect for the next few matches as well”

Credit: @BamzTindo

“Need a no look goal the weekend please Bobby”

Credit: @MrChadZA1

“Arsenal ain’t ready for this sauce”

Credit: @Zweli_Energy

“There is something that the kop want you to know…”

Credit: @danrumfa1

“Our number 9. Nuff said”

Credit: @janrye72

In other news, Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing a fellow ‘big six’ Premier League player – find out who it is here.