All posts by n8rngtd.top

Some Liverpool fans have been bemoaning the news that Sepp van den Berg and Marko Grujic could be used as squad players next season.

The Reds have had an extremely difficult campaign, failing to defend their Premier League title and now desperately battling to finish in the top four.

Key players have under-performed, such as Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino – they have scored just 13 league goals between them – while Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all long-term injury absentees.

The hope from these fans is clearly that Jurgen Klopp delves into the transfer market this summer, freshening up his squad and adding quality in the process.

According to the Liverpool Echo [via The Anfield Buzz], however, Liverpool could show faith in Van den Berg and Grujic next season, with the pair currently on loan at Preston North End and Porto, respectively.

Liverpool fans bemoan Van den Berg and Grujic update

It isn’t exactly a piece of news that will get Reds supporters too excited and some took to Twitter to voice their disapproval at the update.

“Delete or get blocked this is offensive”

Credit: @lfc_tim

“If these start next season, we deserve everything we get”

Credit: @JackAndrewWeb1

“Another 30 plus years without a league”

Credit: @jaketay88907204

“Another 2-3 decades before we win anything again. A signing of natural winger and natural striker would be nice, add in a creative midfielder”

Credit: @guyjinsama

“This club is dusted”

Credit: @GL1240

“We won the CL and signed Van Den Berg and Adrian. This club man. The highest highs and the lowest lows”

Credit: @Welshlfcfan98

In other news, one popular Liverpool player has come in for criticism from some Reds supporters. Read more here.

Marcel Brands would be making a major mistake by awarding Everton prospect Kyle John a new contract.

What’s the word?

According to David Unsworth, while speaking with the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees are hopeful of retaining John’s services.

The 20-year-old is due to be out of contract this June and was considered to be one of 13 senior and Under 23 players facing uncertain futures.

But the club intend to present John with a new deal before securing a suitable loan transfer for next season, after he was promoted to Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team fold.

“Hopefully, we want to keep him,” Unsworth said. “He’s a great kid with great pace and I’m sure at some point next season we will look to give him the experience of going out on loan.”

John is currently training with Everton’s first-team and has been named in four matchday squads by Ancelotti this season, having impressed with his form at junior level and due to a mounting injury crisis.

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The Englishman has started 12 of Everton’s Premier League 2 ties this term, including Monday’s 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers, but is yet to make his senior debut.

Should Everton retain John?

While John has been given a seat on the bench for three Premier League games and last month’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, his promotion came out of necessity more than form with Ancelotti seeing his squad ravished by injuries.

The Toffees boss was down to only one natural central midfield option in Tom Davies at Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday with Abdoulaye Doucoure (foot), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (knee), Fabian Delph (tendon), Allan and Andre Gomes (hamstring) all missing.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (abductor), Jordan Pickford (abdominal) and Bernard were also out, forcing Ancelotti to name several youngsters on the bench – including John, Harry Tyrer, Reece Welch and Isaac Price, who are yet to make their senior debuts – and have Alex Iwobi as his only proven senior impact player.

Had the injury crisis not been so severe at Goodison Park, John would likely still be waiting for his first-team promotion, and it would be a major mistake by Brands to now retain the youngster with Everton on the search for Seamus Coleman’s long-term successor.

John has proven unable to break into Ancelotti’s plans ahead of Coleman or Mason Holgate, and reports continue to link Everton with a summer swoop for Norwich City’s £30m right-back Max Aarons – who is said to be keen on a move.

Spending that sort of money on a 21-year-old Aarons would raise serious question marks over John being considered a long-term option on Merseyside, even if Unsworth has previously claimed “we expect a lot from him”.

Instead, Brands would be delaying the inevitable by locking down John’s services for at least another season, when the 20-year-old could be getting a head start on his inevitable search for a permanent home for the future.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti his own Dayot Upamecano with £7m Everton transfer…

Plenty of Crystal Palace supporters have been giving their thoughts to a report linking Burnley’s Sean Dyche with a move to Selhurst Park.

According to the Daily Mail, Dyche is attracting interest from Palace, with the future of current manager Roy Hodgson uncertain.

Hodgson’s deal in the capital expires at the end of the current campaign and Palace aren’t expected to make a decision on the 73-year-old until the closing weeks of the season.

The report adds that any club wanting Dyche, who has also been linked to Newcastle, will need to pay a £3.5m compensation fee for the 49-year-old.

Should Dyche end his nine-year association at Turf Moor, the Daily Mail claim that former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is a contender to take the Clarets job.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared the Daily Mail’s report on social media regarding Dyche on Wednesday morning.

These Eagles fans were all excited by the update, with some seemingly keen for Dyche to take over from Hodgson.

“3.5 mil is a no brainer if true”

Credit: @OutYanks

“This is content we need to see on a Wednesday morning”

Credit: @Kevbartleyy

“OMG PLEASE”

Credit: @CPFC_Cal

“Wilder to Burnley and Dyche to us, solid.”

Credit: @matthew_poole30

“Dyche is a far better manager than Roy but isn’t gonna be an exciting move”

Credit: @amancpfc

“omg omg omg pleeeaaaaase”

Credit: @SigmondCPFC

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz over official club post on 27 y/o, find out more here. 

With a potential 12-man exodus on the cards at Celtic this summer, it could be all change at Parkhead.

The likes of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer are regularly linked with the exit door and thus, the new manager will likely have his work cut out in the transfer market.

On the chalkboard

Another player who could depart Parkhead in a few months time is Ryan Christie. The Scot has scored just twice in his last 25 outings and has been regularly tipped to leave by Frank McAvennie.

That comes after substantial interest in the winger throughout the winter. Leeds United were linked with making a move for Christie, while it was also reported that Arsenal were interested in his services.

It would be a timely departure when you consider his significant downfall in recent months.

Last term, Christie was one of the stars of the Celtic side. He scored 20 goals and supplied 16 assists in the process. However, in 2020/21, he has been nothing short of abysmal.

The Scotland international has netted five times and has regularly struggled to beat the goalkeeper. The nadir of his season was undoubtedly when Celtic lost 1-0 to Ross County.

Christie was selected up front on that occasion but spurned four chances and even blasted the ball over the bar from a matter of yards out. It was a moment that perfectly summed up his timid season.

The solution

With Moi Elyounoussi set to head back to Southampton at the conclusion of his loan spell, the Hoops will likely have to search for internal solutions.

One such option could be James Forrest. The attacker has only played once since September after a very lengthy injury lay-off. Though, there is a controversial figure in their midst who could just be given a second chance to prove himself; that’s especially if Christie does leave.

That happens to divisive winger Marian Shved. The Ukrainian has only played for the Bhoys on three occasions and has had a rather difficult few years in Scotland.

Shved admitted over the winter that he has an ounce of regret about his move to Celtic and you can understand why based on the limited opportunities he’s received.

The 23-year-old’s loan spell at Mechelen in Belgium was hardly going to plan either. He was turning up late for training and showing a diabolical attitude. For many players, there would be no way back from that.

Mechelen boss Wouter Vrancken initially said: “Let’s be honest here, Marian Shved is an outstanding talent who would not normally choose to play for a club like Mechelen. We are very lucky to have him.”

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That was before he unleashed a rather remarkable assault on Shved: “The players and staff have done everything they can to include Shved in the squad, but he puts himself above the group.”

“Well, it stops now,” he added. “If he wants to be a loner, he can. Go play billiards for the rest of his life or something.”

Fortunately, Shved has since turned his season around. The Ukraine international has worked to get back in the side and has provided promising results in recent months.

He assisted Mechelen’s goal in an impressive 1-1 draw with Anderlecht last weekend, taking his tally of goal involvements for the season to seven in 16 games.

Before Vrancken’s brutal assessment of Shved, he had not scored all season. It would appear that the penny has finally dropped with the hot-headed winger.

If he applies the same attitude on his return to Celtic, there’s no reason why he can’t work himself back into their long-term plans. With the club in disarray and players potentially leaving, there will be openings for him to exploit.

AND in other news, Soro should be fuming if Celtic sign £50k-p/w brute this summer, he’s a “class player”…

With suggestions that Tammy Abraham is still on Aston Villa’s radar, Wesley may well be looking over his shoulder about his own long-term future at the club.

Reports in recent days have claimed that Chelsea striker Abraham has “admirers” at Aston Villa with his own future at Stamford Bridge unclear, amid the Blues potentially signing Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

If Dean Smith’s side were to pull off a deal for the £43m-rated Abraham, then that could spell big trouble for how Wesley begins to fit into his manager’s plans next season.

Both have got a similar style of play in terms of having the physical profile to hold things up, but also run the channels, and having both of them in the squad would be surely unnecessary.

The 6 foot 4 Abraham has the edge on Wesley when it comes to proven Premier League experience, with the England international having scored 15 goals in the competition just last season.

And, speaking after he delivered a superb display in the Champions League against Lille, Rio Ferdinand said: “I saw elements in Tammy’s game that I haven’t seen as much as I would have liked to before.

“His hold-up play, coming to the ball, bringing others into play. There were some balls that came into him that were Didier Drogba-esque. I think he’s developing nicely, he’s scoring goals, he’s scoring different types of goals and I think he’s a threat.

“This touch here (for his goal), when this ball comes to him, it’s a magnificent touch because it’s not the perfect ball. He adjusts his feet beautifully and the finish, the calmness to do it like that.”

With Abraham’s way of playing clashing with what Wesley brings to the table, Johan Lange has got a big decision to make on whether he goes forward with a move for the Chelsea man.

If he does, then it may spell bad news for the £90k-a-week earning Wesley.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa struck a dream transfer deal with this star…

According to The Sun, Manchester United are reportedly ready to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona and Real Madrid in pursuit of Sevilla star Jules Kounde.

What’s the word?

It’s probably one of the worst kept secrets in football that the Red Devils are looking for a new centre-back, with Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof both struggling to nail down a place alongside club captain Harry Maguire.

Reports in recent weeks have revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Kounde his top summer target when the transfer window re-opens in a few months’ time, and now The Sun claim that United are set to fight both Barcelona and Madrid for his signature.

The £60m-rated Sevilla defender, 22, has emerged as one of La Liga’s surprise standouts in 2020-21 after his arrival from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, so it’s no surprise a whole host of clubs across Europe have taken an interest in the player.

Barcelona, United and Madrid have been named as three contenders, with the European giants set to do battle to secure the signing of Julen Lopetegui’s star defender in the summer.

Imagine him and Harry Maguire

In 71 appearances for Sevilla, he has notched five goals and one assist, including a superb solo effort against Barca in the Copa del Rey semi-final as Lopetegui’s side won the first leg 2-0 last week.

But that’s not all, as the French centre-back has caught the eye with his mix of physicality, athleticism and tactical acumen, as he boasts a WhoScored strength of ‘concentration’ together with his strong ability in the air, suggesting that he could be the perfect foil for Solskjaer’s skipper Maguire.

In the last season alone in the Champions League, Kounde has made 1.6 clearances per 90, that figure rising to 3.2 in La Liga, which also matches Maguire’s average in the Premier League this season.

It seems like attackers also struggle to get the better of the youngster as he averages 1.3 interceptions per game in La Liga, which suggests he reads the game well – for context, that’s more interceptions than Lindelof has managed in the Premier League this season, as per WhoScored.

In any case, it’s surely a no-brainer right now. Signing Kounde would not only strengthen an underlying weakness in the side, but the level of quality he evidently possesses would help to take them to the next level.

United are currently second in the Premier League, but having conceded 31 goals in 24 games this season, they should be doing better than that, and need to bring an elite central defender to Old Trafford at the earliest opportunity.

Ed Woodward would do well to bring in Kounde this summer and have him become Maguire’s long-term partner at the back.

AND in other Man Utd news, Victor Lindelof endures Man Utd nightmare in Premier League draw with West Brom…

Liverpool are on the verge of signing Preston defender Ben Davies on deadline day but it doesn’t look as though they are done there.

What’s the word?

Paul Joyce revealed late last night that Liverpool were in fact targeting two central defenders on transfer deadline day.

A move for Marseille defender Duje Ćaleta-Car now looks off the table but one move that could still happen is for someone plying their trade in the Premier League.

The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe claimed in the last few hours that irons were in the fire and that Michael Edwards was spinning a few plates.

As a result of that, he noted it “could bring Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal.”

The Reds have already been linked with a move for the £90-per-week centre-back in the window already in what would be a rather surprising move.

Edwards mistake

Liverpool may want two centre-backs on deadline day but it would be nothing short of a big error from Edwards to bring Mustafi to Merseyside.

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The fact of the matter is that the German is far too error-prone and for a defence that has relied on Virgil van Dijk – one of the best in the world – it would be like swapping The Ritz-Carlton for a Premier Inn on the side of a motorway!

According to the Premier League’s official statistics, Mustafi has made three individual errors leading to a goal but if you reflect upon his actual performances, they are far worse than that number indicates.

In fact, Football.London noted in April 2019 that the German had made as many as six errors that cost Arsenal during that particular campaign. He is a clumsy centre-back, one who has never been able to eradicate a moment of madness from his game, hence why he’s not in Arsenal’s plans.

The Germany international is about as error-prone as they come and judging by that, Liverpool are probably better off maintaining Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips at the back than picking him. After all, they shipped just once against in-form West Ham on Sunday evening.

AND in other news, Deadline day Liverpool move for centre-back in jeopardy, Edwards should find a Plan B

Carlo Ancelotti should consider sending Everton defender Niels Nkounkou out on loan in the January transfer window.

Nkounkou joined the Toffees last summer with the intentions of building his reputation in David Unsworth’s Under 23s, yet was swiftly made a first-team player with roles in the Merseyside outfit’s Carabao Cup fixtures.

A Premier League debut soon followed at Newcastle United following an injury for Lucas Digne, yet has only been given 25 minutes of senior action since after being called on as an extra-time substitute in Everton’s FA Cup third round win over Rotherham.

Everton supporters have rarely seen Nkounkou turn out in the youth ranks, either, with Monday’s start in the junior derby with Liverpool only the 20-year-old’s second outing in the Premier League 2 and first appearance since facing Chelsea in November.

Nkounkou is finding himself very much in limbo, midway between being a first-team player and the understudy of Digne to being a youth player looking to cut their teeth with regular football in the U23s.

But the youngster has admitted that he expects the picture to remain as it currently is for the time being, and will have to wait for his chance should he remain at Goodison Park in January.

“Over the next few months, they’ll stay just the same, to keep learning and developing. Looking further ahead, of course I have objectives that I’m aiming to achieve in the future,” he told Everton’s Official Matchday Programme for their FA Cup tie with Rotherham.

“I have to be patient and show the manager in training I’m working even harder and he can count on me to deliver. Once I get the opportunity to play, it will be all about showing him I’m ready to perform whenever a position in the team opens up.”

Nkounkou has also admitted to finding his Premier League debut at Newcastle a more challenging affair than he expected it to be, adding: “I put in some good performances in the Carabao Cup, but the league game against Newcastle was a bit tougher for me.

“But, as we stand right now, I wasn’t expecting all that so soon, so I’m very happy to have already made those initial small steps.”

Monday’s clash with Liverpool in the Premier League 2 did not go entirely to plan, either, as the Liverpool Echo note that his performance was rather laid back and lacked the level of ability shown in his Carabao Cup exploits.

Nkounkou’s shortcomings were also well documented before joining Everton, with French football journalist Jeremy Smith citing a handful of key issues with the defender’s game.

“He’s a potential Benjamin Mendy type — strong, solid, good engine and can cover the whole flank all match,” Smith told The Athletic. “He has a good cross on him too. He’s seen as having lots of potential but his concentration still seems to wander. He needs to work on positioning as well.”

Training with Everton’s first-team and Ancelotti’s coaching staff will no doubt have helped Nkounkou’s development, but the Italian tactician should be open to sending him out on loan this month like the Toffees have done with Jarrad Branthwaite.

The centre-half has already made his Blackburn Rovers debut with an impressive display at the weekend, as he looks to play week-in, week-out after featuring just once in Everton’s first-team all season.

Branthwaite’s progress should only continue now that he is at a club where chances are more regular, and that ought to be the same for Nkounkou with Ancelotti able to rest easy knowing Ben Godfrey can deputise for Digne following his efforts in the role of late.

AND in other news, Everton must end the 14-year club association of a player completely frozen out by Carlo Ancelotti…

Pundit Kevin Campbell has recently talked about Kiko Casilla’s future at Leeds United and has talked about interest from other clubs.

Casilla had joined Leeds from Real Madrid in January of 2019 on a free transfer, when the goalkeeper had penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Whites. Campbell though, seems to have provided an update about his future.

Spanish clubs could be interested in Casilla

Campbell was recently talking to Football Insider and he talked about Casilla’s situation. Campbell believes that the Spaniard is still a ‘good goalkeeper’ but things ended up going ‘sour’ when an incident involving him had seen the veteran get banned from playing football temporarily.

Campbell also believes that moving back to Spain could be the right move for the former Los Blancos man, as there are clubs who are looking at him there.

He said:

“I am sure there are clubs in Spain interested in signing Kiko Casilla.  He is a good goalkeeper but I things went sour with what happened last year, the situation and the issue for which he was reprimanded.

“I just think it is the right move for him, to go back to Spain, and I am sure there are clubs there that would take him.”

Casilla hasn’t played too much for Marcelo Bielsa’s men this season and has made just one senior-team appearance in the League Cup. He has even been relegated to playing with the Under-23s in Premier League 2 and in the EFL Trophy (as per Transfermarkt).

Last season in the Championship though, the 34-year-old had made 36 appearances for the Whites while keeping 15 clean sheets.

Following a win over Hull last season, journalist Phil Hay had praised Casilla and even said the shot-stopper showed his “Champions League credentials.”

Replacement might be needed for Casilla

Considering how often Casilla had played last season and the fact that he was a regular for the Whites before that, he perhaps still carries some influence in the club’s first-team and could yet step in if an injury issue arises.

Having said that, the veteran may need first-team football and that is something that Leeds can’t quite offer. So while it may be time to let him leave, the club absolutely must replace him.

In other news, a Premier League star has been tipped to sign for Leeds – read more here.

Manchester United are back in action this afternoon, as they host Premier League newcomers Leeds United at Old Trafford on Sunday for the first time in over 16 years.

The Red Devils edged past Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Thursday night, but it’s back to the Theatre of Dreams today as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tries to make up ground on the top four.

Solskjaer made a couple of changes for the trip to Yorkshire, which means some key players should be fresh to face Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who put five past Newcastle United at Elland Road last time out.

With games coming thick and fast this month, it’s likely the club legend will take the opportunity to rotate his squad, with Leicester City and Wolves on the agenda.

Here is our predicted starting lineup for this afternoon’s action, which sees Solskjaer make four changes to the the team that beat the Blades.

Dean Henderson started against Sheffield United, but David de Gea will most likely be back in goal today, which means the 23-year-old will have to settle for a place on the bench, as he didn’t cover himself in glory whatsoever.

Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also started on Thursday night, and we’re backing the duo to start in the defence again this afternoon.

Alex Telles offered very little against Chris Wilder’s side, having lost possession a staggering 24 times, so bringing fit-again Luke Shaw in at left-back to join Maguire and Wan-Bissaka makes sense, whilst the same goes for Axel Tuanzebe replacing Victor Lindelof, with Solskjaer recently admitting he will have to break up the back four at some point.

Fred was absent against the Blades, but we reckon he could be back in today, replacing Nemanja Matic alongside Paul Pogba in the United engine room.

Edinson Cavani could be in contention to start with Anthony Martial still seeking his best form, but the Frenchman recently ended his recent goal drought and will likely lead the line, with Mason Greenwood on the right wing and Marcus Rashford on the opposite flank.

AND in other news, Ed Woodward must sanction Manchester United swoop for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba…