All posts by z3u9t.icu

According to a report by Claret & Hugh, West Ham United manager David Moyes is set for a decision over striker Joshua King this summer as the Norwegian looks likely to become a free agent at the end of the season. 

King was reportedly at the centre of intense Hammers interest before his move to Everton in January, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook claiming Moyes was working on a deal ‘behind the scenes’.

Moyes set for West Ham call over King

The 29-year-old was also ‘desperate’ to join the east Londoners according to Crook, but Moyes now looks set to pass on the international striker as he turns his attention to younger and more talented targets, according to Claret & Hugh.

Despite being lauded as an ‘exciting player’ by pundit Noel Whelan before the new year (Football Insider), King hasn’t managed to replicate that tag for the Toffees since signing for them from Bournemouth on a six-month contract (Sky Sports).

This has resulted in Moyes withdrawing his West Ham interest despite being heavily linked both before and during January, with the King saga looking set to end this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Premier League suitors for the forward are apparently in short supply, and West Ham have now chalked their name off the list with Moyes set for this transfer call.

Despite his possibly soon-to-be free agent status, this could be a good move by Moyes – with the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri and Abdallah Sima debatably better options.

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this 6 foot 3 powerhouse, find out more here.

After tasting back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, Leeds United got back to winning ways with a superb 3-0 win over Southampton on Tuesday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side sealed all three points thanks to goals from Patrick Bamford, Raphinha and Stuart Dallas, and it was arguably the latter who stole the show for the Argentine.

While Raphinha may take most of the headlines for his wonderful free-kick, Dallas’ energetic contributions set the tone for the contest, and once again reaffirmed why Bielsa seems to be such a massive fan of his – he’s played the full 90 minutes in every single Premier League this season, bar one, and even in that he only came off with ten minutes to go.

As per Sofascore, Dallas completed both of his attempted dribbles – the best success rate of any Leeds player versus the Saints – while he was one of only two players to provide at least one key pass and create one official big chance.

His fine attacking work was eventually rewarded when he scored (toe-poked) with just less than 15 minutes to go, arriving on the scene to take a touch from a Helder Costa cross and then firing into the bottom corner.

But it wasn’t just offensively that the 29-year-old really caused problems for Southampton. Defensively, he was a beast too. He made a game-high five tackles (more than double his season average of 2.3 in the top-flight), while he also won seven of his nine total duels (again, far more than his season average of 4.7).

In their post-match player ratings, Leeds Live gave Dallas the joint-highest of eight, writing: “Yet another goal to add to his tally. Was one of the best outlets United had in the first half with his link-ups with Raphinha down the left. So dependable in every position and always an option arriving on the edge of the box from deep.”

And, after the game, The Athletic’s Phil Hay delivered his verdict on Leeds’ Mr Reliable, saying: “Had Dallas down as player of the year last season (granted, Hernandez ambushed proceedings at the death). I’d say Dallas has been even better this season. It’s like constant evolution for so many in this squad.”

Though Leeds’ sparkling Brazilian, Raphinha, may be the name on everybody’s lips after another goal-scoring display, it was Dallas who really proved himself to be Bielsa’s key man on the night.

TalkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has admitted he was wrong to suggest Glasgow Rangers were not a huge side after their status as Scottish champions was confirmed.

O’Hara makes U-turn

O’Hara had previously suggested the Gers would be relegated if they were playing in the Premier League.

However, after seeing the celebrations from the club’s supporters after they clinched their 55th league title, the former Tottenham midfielder changed his mind. He said:

“Well I got it completely wrong.

“When you’re down here and down south you don’t realise how big Rangers are until something like that happens.

“When you see that and the atmosphere and the fans…they are a ginormous football club.

“In terms of what they’ve achieved and what they’ve done it’s unbelievable, when you’re down south you’re a bit naive to it.”

Humility

It was a laughable take from O’Hara in the first place, but he has at least mustered up the humility to admit he was wrong. While the Premier League is a lot more competitive than the Scottish Premiership, Rangers have dominated north of the border and remain unbeaten in the top tier (BBC). They have some real quality amongst their ranks in the form of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi and others, and their performances in the Europa League – they face Slavia Prague in the round of 16 on Thursday and are yet to lose in this season’s competition (Sky Sports) – show they can mix it with top sides.

Initially, they would struggle to compete financially, but as soon as they could reap the benefits of the large increase in T.V money, they would be a force to be reckoned with. O’Hara, finally, seems to realise that.

In other news, Rangers fans slam comments from this politician.

Tottenham Hotspur star Heung-min Son endured an uncharacteristically underwhelming game as the north London outfit drew to relegation-threatened Fulham last night.

Jose Mourinho’s men were punished for their complacency once again, just like in games against Crystal Palace and Wolves, they let the opposition snatch something late on.

Harry Kane had opened the scoring for Spurs by rounding off a sublime piece of play which saw Sergio Reguilon serve the ball on a plate for him before Cottagers winger Ivan Cavaleiro beat Eric Dier in the air to head home the equaliser in the 74th minute.

Fingers may well be pointed in the direction of his central defensive partner, though, as Davinson Sanchez was beaten all ends up by substitute Ademola Lookman, who delivered the all-important cross for the former Wolves man to score.

However, do not be quick to judge as the Colombian colossus ranked fourth-best in terms of SofaScore ratings having been graded a 7.2, which was higher than the goalscoring Kane.

Indeed, Sanchez was a rock defensively aside from that one moment – he made five clearances and four tackles, which exceeded his average per game for the season so far, meaning he was playing better than usual from a defensive standpoint.

He also successfully made 91% of his 64 passing attempts, so it was not as if he was gifting the ball back to the visiting team.

Instead, the fault must lie at the feet of the South Korean, even if he can be forgiven considering his impact this term.

Yes, he has contributed towards 17 goals in as many games in the top-flight, but on Wednesday evening, he was hugely wasteful to the point of it costing them dearly.

Son recorded four big chances missed and had four shooting attempts, via SofaScore, so perhaps it’s a complete surprise to see him come away without a goal. He also delivered just 20% of his crosses successfully, which only goes to show how little Kane had to feed off.

Another of those opportunities came at 1-0 with Spurs in dire need of killing Fulham off, but Son found himself offside as he played in Reguilon to score.

No other Spurs player recorded a worse rating than his 6.0, and quite rightly as he summed up Spurs’ profligacy to a tee.

Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard was less than impressed in his post-match ratings, claiming Son was ‘not his usual self in front of goal’ and that ‘it proved costly.’

The £81m-rated winger, who earns a reported £140k-per-week in N17, only had 44 touches of the ball, which was his lowest in over a month in the top-flight.

That only adds further fuel to why he was so ineffective against a side that sits third-from-bottom. It wasn’t too long ago that Spurs were sitting pretty atop the Premier League standings.

Recently dubbed a “revelation” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, the impotent attacker should have done far better with his chances and had he done so, then the result may have been very different on the night.

AND in other news, Daniel Levy can seal Spurs’ BEST signing since Son in “remarkable” £30m beast…

Simon Jordan has revealed a quite shocking claim on Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.

Speaking on talkSPORT (via The Chronicle), the former owner of Crystal Palace claimed that the chief executive of Sports Direct bought the Tyneside club to win a bet:

“Mike Ashley has done a lot of things wrong at that football club and I think he was stupid to have bought it in the first place, and I told him so at the time.

“I think the idea of buying it was a bet between him and Paul Kemsley, the ex-vice-chairman at Spurs, that he wouldn’t do it.

“Mike was in a different state of mind at the time. He didn’t realise what the landscape of football can be like.”

Shocking

Since Ashley launched his takeover in the North East back in 2007, the highest that the Magpies have finished in the Premier League is 5th, while they have also been relegated twice down to the EFL Championship (Transfermarkt).

In Ashley’s reign, the Toon Army have also only managed to go as far as the quarter-finals in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup (Transfermarkt), in what has been a pretty dismal period for NUFC fans.

If what Jordan says is true, it suggests that Ashley’s lack of ambition during his tenure is easily explainable – why would someone invest heavily into something they only bought for a laugh in the first place?

It really is a quite shocking claim, and yet more reason why Newcastle fans are desperate for the proposed takeover which was blocked last year.

In other news, find out what transfer blow the Toon have been dealt here!

When Leeds United signed Adam Forshaw for around £4.5m from Middlesbrough back in January 2018, they thought they were getting an experienced campaigner with plenty of Championship experience.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Forshaw himself made it clear just how much of an attractive proposition the Whites were, saying: “I wasn’t playing enough and as soon as I knew Leeds were interested I knew this was the club for me.

“I was attracted by the history and the size of the club but I can see the project and what the club is trying to do now. There’s a lot of excitement around the place and the crowds are phenomenal. I can feel the vibe about the place and I can’t wait to get going.”

Fast forward almost three years later, and things haven’t quite gone to plan for the midfielder. He’s made just 52 appearances in total for the club, with a hip injury picked up in late 2019 ruling him out of action ever since.

Now, reports claim that the club may be looking to shift him out the door in the January transfer window when it opens next week, but that whilst Marcelo Bielsa has given the green light for his exit, it is only expected to be a loan move.

Whilst it may be very ruthless to simply wield the axe on a player who’s been on the shelf with injury for more than a year, Leeds just have to look at protecting their own interests.

The Whites are playing at Premier League level now, and it’s a massive if of whether Forshaw could be a force in Bielsa’s line-up were he to make his return to full fitness.

Couple that with his £20k-a-week wages, and he’s cost Leeds £7.5m in total fees since joining, and Andrea Radrizzani must be wondering where on earth his money has gone.

It’s been an absolute nightmare for both player and club, but it just makes sense that Leeds cut their ties with Forshaw permanently rather than on loan.

Meanwhile, Leeds could Bielsa’s dream signing in this “unplayable” £40m star.

After a difficult first season at Tottenham, Tanguy Ndombele has started to show just why the north London side spent big money to sign him from Lyon last summer.

The Frenchman is slowly winning Jose Mourinho over with his performances, and has featured in 12 out of Spurs’ first 14 Premier League games of the season.

But after playing just 45 minutes against Leicester, Ndombele was missing from the Lilywhites’ Carabao Cup quarter-final triumph in midweek, and Mourinho delivered a huge update on his fitness ahead of the Premier League clash against Wolves on Sunday.

He said: “Gio (Lo Celso) no, he will not be fit. Tanguy is fit but he didn’t come to Stoke. My decision, but he is fit.”

And with Lo Celso ruled out, Ndombele surely has to come straight back into the starting line-up against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Sunday afternoon.

The Frenchman’s ability to do the unpredictable gives Spurs a much-needed cutting edge that helps get the best out of the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

And that creativity is something his childhood friend, Nordine Baaroun told The Athletic, saying: “He is a very explosive player over three or four metres, that is his strength. He was the same player as a youngster: the same percussiveness, the same vision, the same quality and intent in the pass. He has a gift, God gave it to him.”

With Spurs without a win in the Premier League since their north London derby win against Arsenal a few weeks ago, Ndombele’s return could be the kind of game-changer that helps Mourinho’s side end this brief blip and get them back to winning ways.

The £40.5m-rated ace can add to his growing reputation by leading his team to victory on Sunday, and prove once again Mourinho has that magic touch.

Celtic were unable to make a 2-0 lead over Lille count on Thursday after Neil Lennon’s defensive frailties cost them another three points. The Hoops struggled to keep their composure and conceded two deep into the second half, forcing them to settle for a draw.

As it stands, the Scottish side are seriously struggling and are looking likely to crash out of the Europa League early this season. They currently sit third in their group, having banked just one point so far. AC Milan top the group with a maximum of six points, whilst Lille aren’t far behind on four.

There will be a huge feeling of deflation in the Celtic camp, but one positive Lennon can take away is the performance that loanee Diego Laxalt put in for his team.

Diego Laxalt stats vs Lille

In the dying moments of the transfer window, the Hoops signed the Uruguay international on loan from AC Milan. Already he has proven he is a solid choice for Lennon’s backline and he didn’t disappoint against Lille on Thursday evening.

According to Sofascore, the 27-year-old contributed four interceptions and two clearances as well as an impressive 17 ground duels won. Laxalt also put in an astonishing 13 tackles, a huge improvement on just the one he managed against Aberdeen in the Premiership.

Additionally, the Uruguayan completed 4/5 attempted dribbles and was successful in 4/5 of his attempted long balls. His influence from the left flank is something Lennon should be looking to bring to the team permanently.

Laxalt could be the difference for the Hoops this season and his standard of performances is something Celtic could really benefit from long-term. It was very good business from Nick Hammond to swoop for the Milan ace, but he must now step things up a notch and look to bring the defender in permanently.

Lennon recently lauded Laxalt’s quality and admitted that both he and the player are already fully aware that he will play an “integral” part in the squad this season (via Daily Record).

Particularly with Celtic’s poor run of form since the Old Firm derby, planning for the future would be a wise choice for Lennon and co, considering their hopes for this season continue to look bleak.

In other news, Odsonne Edouard admission will only add to Celtic’s worries unless things change…

Thanks to goals from Odsonne Edouard and Diego Laxalt, Celtic managed to scrape a point from their recent meeting with Hibernian in the Premiership. The former’s penalty pulled a goal back when the home side were 2-0 up, but the left-back popped up with a last gasp goal to split the spoils.

However, a draw isn’t good enough for the Hoops. As it stands, they trail to Rangers by eight points and Steven Gerrard’s side are still to play Aberdeen this weekend. Celtic’s inconsistent run of form only continues to suggest that they will lose out on the title this season.

A lot of Neil Lennon’s players were poor on Saturday, with Scott Brown receiving some personal criticism from his manager, but one man who had a surprisingly lacklustre game was Mohamed Elyounoussi.

Elyounoussi stats vs Hibs

The Southampton loanee has been one of Celtic’s best performers this campaign. He has been unstoppable in front of goal and a real thorn in the side of oppositions defenders, tallying ten goals and four assists across all competitions so far and pulling the Bhoys through some tough fixtures.

But Hibernian on the road just wasn’t his day. According to Sofascore, the 26-year-old only managed to complete 21 passes before he was hauled off the pitch after 72 minutes. Elyounoussi struggled to find his usual attacking form and lost the ball 21 times as well as failing to complete 58% of his attempted duels.

Additionally, he was unable to muster up a single shot on target or key pass. He looked a shadow of his usual fiery self and whilst it might just be a blip on the radar, it won’t be helping Lennon’s nerves. There’s been a lot of talk over whether the Northern Irishman will be given the sack from the club.

Chris Sutton thinks that whilst dismissing Lennon after the Hibs draw would be too rash, the decision could be coming if the Bhoys continue to struggle in Europe.

This is where the boss will need key players like Elyounoussi to step up their game. Not just to give Celtic a better chance at winning the league, but giving Lennon a better chance to keep himself in a job.

In other news, Ryan Christie was Neil Lennon’s only positive in Hibernian draw…

David Moyes is eyeing an incomparable duo to solve one key issue in his West Ham United squad, by considering late swoops to sign Championship stalwart Josh Da Silva from Brentford or Matt Grimes from Swansea City.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, Moyes is keen to sign one additional midfielder before the domestic transfer window closes between Premier League and EFL clubs on October 16, and put to good use the circa-£30million budget the Hammers are said to have remaining.

Moyes has considered swoops for both Da Silva and Grimes following the conclusion of the international market, but was dealt a major blow to hopes of signing Da Silva when the 21-year-old penned a new four-year contract on Tuesday.

Da Silva stood out in the Championship last season as an offensive midfielder with 10 goals and four assists, while having five further big chances created go to waste and spurning three himself.

Grimes remains an option after impressing last season, with the 25-year-old boasting seven assists from 10 big chances created while averaging 1.7 key balls, 0.5 shots, 51.0 accurate passes and 2.8 tackles each second-tier appearance, per SofaScore.

Incomparable options

While Grimes would be the only one of the two that Moyes would have a reasonable expectation of signing, the West Ham manager would be foolish to consider the duo to be comparable options.

Grimes stood out for Swansea in a more defensive position focused on the left-hand side of the Jacks’ unit, where he started all 46 of his league appearances, took 79.0 touches, made 23.8 of his average 51.0 accurate passes in his own half and recorded 4.1 accurate long balls last season.

The £3.6m-rated midfielder also registered an average 1.5 interceptions, 1.3 clearances and just 0.8 successful dribbles, whereas Da Silva only recorded 13.9 of his 33.6 accurate passes in Brentford’s territory, and made 0.4 interceptions, 0.9 tackles and 0.5 clearances to his 1.4 successful dribbles, 3.2 duels won, 1.1 shots and 1.6 key balls, per SofaScore.

If Moyes is indeed targeting one additional midfielder in the coming week, the Scot would be well advised to decide quickly which role the new arrival will actually be taking at the London Stadium, rather than shoe-horning the wrong type into his plans.

AND in other news, West Ham United are sounding out a potential late defensive addition in a Championship ace relegated last season.