All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester United’s transfer plans have suffered a major blow after it was revealed that Ajax appear to have beaten them to the signing of FC Nordsjælland forward Kamaldeen Sulemana.

What’s the story?

According to De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij (as reported by Soccer News), the Eredivisie champions have seen off competition from the Red Devils for Sulemana’s signature.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is attempted to assemble a title-winning squad after finishing second in the Premier League last season, but he’ll have to do so without the 19-year-old sensation.

Solskjaer will be gutted

The Old Trafford outfit made decent progress in the recently concluded campaign, achieving consecutive top-four finishes for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

However, there is still a lot of work left to be done if the 20-time English champions want to return to their former glories.

A big summer is, therefore, expected in the red half of Manchester, with the likes of Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane regularly being linked in recent weeks.

Another name that has reportedly attracted strong interest from the United hierarchy is Sulemana. The Ghana international had an impressive 2020/21 campaign, bagging 10 goals and providing eight assists in just 30 appearances for Flemming Pedersen’s side.

Trusting young players in the starting XI and rewarding them with regular game time is part of United’s identity, and under Solskjaer, that characteristic of the club has come back to the fore.

Several academy graduates such as Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and Dean Henderson have made their senior debuts under the Norwegian’s reign, but it seems as though Sulemana has opted for Amsterdam instead.

His decision is likely to leave Solskjaer gutted as the £8.1 million rated prodigy could have added some strength in depth at a very reasonable price.

With the pandemic limiting the club’s transfer kitty, picking up any potential bargains could be crucial to United’s success next season, and they’ve already missed out on the first one of the window.

Bringing in Sancho would more than compensate for this particular disappointment, although it’s possible Sulemana could develop into a superstar with similar status at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

And, in other news…Major revelation emerges over MUFC target with an “amazing future”, Ole will be gutted 

Everton head into their final three matches needing maximum points to guarantee themselves a place in Europe next term.

Ancelotti’s men have come close to Champions League football but they will ultimately fall short on that front.

Though, their end to the season is set to be brightened by the return of James Rodriguez to the matchday squad on Sunday evening.

The Colombian has missed the last three games after picking up an unfortunate calf injury in the warm-up ahead of Everton’s clash at Villa Park.

James has struggled for fitness ever since but Ancelotti will welcome him back into the side when they face Sheffield United – that’s according to the Liverpool Echo.

The former Real Madrid star faces a late fitness test but should be fit enough to make the bench at the very least.

The Everton boss commented in midweek: “If the training is good on Friday and Saturday, he will play vs Sheffield United. He is pain-free now, he has no problem.”

With James already missing 11 league matches through injury this term, it will delight Ancelotti to have him back in contention to play.

No player has more assists (9) than the Colombia international for Everton this term while he’s also a player who can provide moments of magic from nowhere.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-everton-transfer-news-lukaku-leao-bissouma-berge-antony” title=”Read the latest Everton transfer news!”]

Any team would miss a player of his calibre so it will be a massive boost to have him back for the run-in.

FFC has already spoken about the need to start him from the off on Sunday but the Toffees must be careful with his fitness. After all, James has a busy summer ahead of him with the Copa America taking place.

Fortunately, the Everton manager has already factored this in as they plan his usage over the course of the year.

Speaking earlier in the week, Ancelotti said: “We have to do a specific programme we are doing right now, in the last period, to avoid this kind of problem.

“His history said that he had a lot of problems with his calf in the past, when he was in Bayern, we had to work hard to do more prevention on this.”

Having had a hand in 15 goals this term, his numbers are impressive for someone playing out their first campaign in English football.

Without him, they have been devoid of creativity. Gylfi Sigurdsson has managed just three key passes in the last four matches and hasn’t registered an assist since the beginning of March.

Therefore, to have a player who simply oozes creative class back in the side will please Ancelotti no end.

AND in other news, Everton could find their very own TAA by signing £3.5k-p/w gem with “enormous ability”…

Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United were unable to back up their 1-0 win against Everton with another away triumph on Wednesday night, as the Blades fell to a 1-0 defeat.

On-loan Arsenal man Joe Willock scored the only goal of the game for Steve Bruce’s Newcastle side, his sixth Premier League goal in six games, to consign the Blades to defeat.

Heckingbottom’s side had chances, mainly through David McGoldrick who should have done better when fed through by Enda Stevens in the first half, whilst he hit the bar from an excellent effort in the second 45.

One man who disappointed in the defeat against the Toon was Oliver Norwood.

As per SofaScore, the 30-year-old midfielder would earn a shocking 6.2/10 rating for his display, which was joint with Chris Basham as the worst of any player to feature in the game.

During the 90 minutes, the Northern Ireland international would complete 53/65 of his passes, resulting in an 82% pass accuracy rate, slightly below the 83.7% he has averaged in the Premier League this season.

He would contribute just one key pass, whilst only two of his nine attempted long balls would find their mark. In comparison, Norwood’s midfield partner John Fleck would manage four key passes and one out of two long balls, suggesting that the Scottish midfielder was more successful in keeping things simple and on the ground, which is reflected in his superior 7.1/10 rating.

Perhaps most disappointingly, the £6.3m-rated Norwood would win just two out of his nine total duels in the game, resulting in a less than impressive 22% success rate, which emphasises that the Newcastle players simply had the better of him.

Norwood also lost possession on 17 occasions, the most of any Sheffield United player, whilst he and Fleck suffered the ignominy of being dribbled past five times each, as they were both tormented by the game’s outstanding player, Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Frenchman would impressively complete 13/14 of his dribbles on Wednesday night and earned a superb 8.1/10 rating for his performance, which suggests that he gave Norwood nightmares with his pace and dribbling ability.

Fortunately for Norwood, he won’t be coming up against too many players of Saint-Maximin’s ability when the Blades return to the Championship next season, where he will, hopefully, produce much better displays than he did at St James’ Park.

And, in other news… Sheffield United suffer huge blow as CL giants eye 7-goal beast

Crystal Palace could be in line for a boost ahead of next season as uncertainty over their managerial position rumbles on…

What’s the word?

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson “could leave” Selhurst Park at the end of the current campaign and the south-east London outfit have two names atop their wishlist.

Steve Parish’s main targets are said to be former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who was sacked back in January after 18 months in charge, and former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, who has been out of work since leaving Nice in December.

Hodgson’s contract is set to expire in June but the 73-year-old isn’t in a rush to make an announcement on his future.

Boost for Parish

This is one step closer to knowing about the immediate future of Palace and the fact that Hodgson himself is still remaining coy on it could suggest that he’ll depart come to the summer and that he’s simply looking to avoid any distractions by making an official announcement.

It means Parish will get a proper chance to get planning ahead of next season, which will be a huge boost to their chances of success and improving on their likely mid-table finish.

If the veteran manager is to leave Palace, the chairman now has plenty of time to find his successor, especially as Hodgson has guided them to a safe position this season.

Whilst we do not officially know whether the former England boss will stay or go, the fact that he’s getting closer and closer towards his contract expiring speaks volumes, and it seems more and more likely that he’ll be heading for the exit.

Many supporters have felt a lack of ambition from the club under the 73-year-old, so this will be music to their ears, especially as this squad has plenty of young talent with bags of potential that could give any new boss an exciting foundation to build upon.

Lampard, for example, has a proven track record, fully bringing through the likes Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham into the Blues’ first-team and he could be the one to elevate the games of the likes of Eberechi Eze or Tyrick Mitchell that little further.

And that should have those Palace fans buzzing.

With only five games left remaining, we’ll soon see how the Eagles will be looking heading into 2021/22.

AND in other news, “Palace are looking to get him” – Exclusive: Pundit drops transfer hint on £60k-p/w PL star…

Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma has reportedly requested to leave the Amex Stadium this summer, acting as a potential transfer boost to Liverpool.

The Lowdown: Bissouma catching Liverpool’s eye

The Seagulls may have struggled this season, battling with relegation throughout the campaign, but Bissouma has consistently stood out in Graham Potter’s side.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool, being seen as a possible replacement for Gini Wijnaldum, who could leave in a few weeks’ time.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Bissouma hands in transfer request

According to The Times, Bissouma has asked Brighton to allow him to leave in the summer transfer window, no doubt alerting the Reds.

Both Manchester City and Arsenal are also mentioned in the report, as well as Marseille, suggesting there could be a battle for the Mali international’s signature.

It is even stated that Jurgen Klopp has ‘spent time personally researching Bissouma’s character’, such is his level of interest in the player.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-liverpool-news/” title=”All the latest Liverpool news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Liverpool should move for Bissouma

Assuming Wijnaldum does move on at the end of the season, Bissouma looks like a tailor-made replacement for the Dutchman, having been described as ‘incredible’ by former Brighton teammate Dale Stephens in the past.

He possesses a huge amount of energy in the middle of the park and the defensive side of his game stands out the most, with the Malian averaging 2.8 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game in the league this season.

In comparison, Wijnaldum has averaged just 0.6 and 0.7 respectively, which suggests that Bissouma could offer more tenacity than the current Liverpool ace.

The Brighton midfielder is also enjoying an 87.1% pass completion rate, which is impressive considering that he is playing for a bottom half club and suggests that he could thrive in Klopp’s system if the Reds can snap him up.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been criticising one Reds player’s performance in the 2-0 win over Southampton. Read more here.

Former Premier League star Keith Gillespie has told Football FanCast that Leeds United’s fans will be praying that Marcelo Bielsa signs a new contract at the end of the season and has praised his philosophy at Elland Road.

Leeds have enjoyed an exceptional season following their promotion from the Championship.

They have never been in relegation trouble and are currently 11th in the table, taking 42 points from their 30 games.

Leeds are currently 16 points clear of the drop zone and it is next to impossible to conceive the club falling back into the second-tier this season.

Still, Bielsa has a contract that expires at the end of the season and he has yet to put pen to paper, confirming his stay at the club.

Gillespie believes Leeds fans will be on tenterhooks waiting for the Argentine to sign on the dotted line and he has lauded the way the manager plays.

Indeed, he has used the example of Leeds’ loss to Manchester United, when they were beaten 6-2 at Old Trafford, insisting he enjoyed the way they continually pushed forward despite the result.

He told FFC: “I’m sure Leeds fans are praying that he signs that contract because he’s been great. The thing I like about him is nothing changes for him in terms of the way he wants to play football.

“If they’re losing, which they have been in games, I remember Man United put six past them at Old Trafford, it finished 6-2, but nothing changed in that, they still played the same style of football.

“They were 3-0 down quite early on, they still had their beliefs where they will go and play football.”

Tottenham Hotspur will still be without two first-team stars as they welcome Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon.

What’s the latest?

Speaking ahead of kick-off, Jose Mourinho revealed that he had no fresh injury concerns, though full-back duo Matt Doherty and Ben Davies will still be absent.

He told reporters (via football.london):

“Ben Davies and Matt Doherty are the only players that are not available to play. So they are still injured. Of course, [they are] getting better.”

Mourinho’s big call

Spurs not only missed out on the chance to break into the top four in the top-flight last Sunday, but they too repeated an all too familiar trend of dropping valuable points.

Having led in 21 of 30 matches this term, Mourinho’s side have now dropped a whopping 15 points from winning positions – something that would see them occupy second place, ahead of today’s opposition.

The Portuguese would undoubtedly love to freshen up his starting XI as a result of their lacklustre performances over the last few weeks, a run which includes them crashing out of the Europa League early and losing a north London derby.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-april-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Read this week’s latest Spurs news, April transfer rumours and more!”]

Without Doherty and Davies as options, he’s unable to tinker his backline too much as he merely doesn’t have the choice to do so.

At left-back, it’s a pretty straight forward decision as only Sergio Reguilon is fit and available. He didn’t have the best game up at St James’ Park, grading as Spurs’ second-worst starter (6.5), as per SofaScore ratings.

But he can be lucky that the Welshman won’t be fit, especially as his defensive exploits could be preferred to combat a lethal-looking United frontline.

However, on the right, Mourinho is left in a big predicament.

Before the international break, he opted for the inexperienced Japhet Tanganga against Aston Villa and it paid off, with Spurs winning 2-0 and the young 20-year-old gem played a key role in keeping that clean sheet.

He kept his place against Newcastle and somewhat endured a tough game as he picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Interestingly, there was no Serge Aurier in the matchday squad and as Mourinho suggests above, they have no other injury concerns.

The Ivorian international could well come back into the side, but either way, it gives Mourinho a massive headache. United’s front three of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Edison Cavani have scored 32 goals between them this term alone, so the experience of Aurier may well be needed.

Whether he sticks with Tanganga or goes back to Aurier remains to be seen; Doherty would’ve posed an interesting solution despite his own struggles this campaign.

AND in other news, Levy on verge of fatal mistake over Spurs’ £25m “big, big talent”…

According to a report by West Ham United insiders Claret & Hugh, midfielder Pablo Fornals is expected to be fit and available for the Hammers as they take on Arsenal this weekend – prompting many supporters to buzz at this ‘great news’.

Fornals, who was forced to miss the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, could now return for the Hammers’ next match against their London rivals in what could be a crucial encounter.

Indeed, David Moyes’ side are hopeful of mounting a strong finish to the campaign and clinching an unexpected European spot – a feat that few would have expected at the start of the season.

News that Fornals may be available for selection against the Gunners comes as a boost, as well as the return of Jesse Lingard after missing United through ineligibility.

Starting 22 Premier League matches this season, the Spaniard seems to be a player Moyes entrusts, leaving little wonder why Hammers fans believe his potential return is ‘great news’.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans buzz over Fornals news

“this is a huge boost. We missed him so much Sunday”

Credit: @stephenlott

“I’ve always backed Pablo, potential to be the best player we have at the club”

Credit: @Kappanitreal

“Great news sorely missed his running and skills coyi”

Credit: @TerryBarnard14

“Great news this!”

Credit: @5hakt1

“PABLOOOO”

Credit: @HarrisonTuckwe1

“No Pablo No Party”

Credit: @Bubsy_1977

“Pablo Fornals expected to be fit for Sunday!!! Massive boost”

Credit: @The_BoleynBoys

In other news: David Moyes has made his decision on this ‘exciting’ striker, find out more here.

Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie has savaged Mike Ashley for his lack of ambition in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Steve Bruce’s side are battling against relegation from the Premier League and are in very real danger of slipping into the Championship.

With nine games of the season remaining, Newcastle are 17th, just two points clear of 18th-placed Fulham, who they play on the final day of the season.

Gillespie played for Newcastle between 1995 and 1998, playing for the club in the Champions League, providing two assists in the 3-2 win over Barcelona that still stands as one of the best results the club has ever achieved in the modern era.

And he believes that a lot of the current problems at the club stem from Ashley and his lack of desire to push the club up the league table.

Asked about the predicament Newcastle find themselves in, he drew a parallel with West Ham United, a club of similar size who are currently pushing to finish in the top four.

He said: “You can put that down to the owner having no ambition.

“The ambition for a club like Newcastle, that everyone can see, is to stay in the Premier League. That’s not what Newcastle fans want to hear, Newcastle fans want to be doing what somebody like West Ham is doing at the minute.

“And they’re capable, because they’ve done it before.”

Newcastle play Tottenham Hotspur next, and also face clashes with West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City before the season is out.

And Gillespie is quite naturally worried that the club could fall through the trapdoor, claiming that their destiny may lie in the clash on the final day of the season against Fulham.

He added: “It’s really worrying times for them, they’ve got some difficult fixtures coming up, so it’s going to be a tough nine games for them and ultimately it could come down to the last game of the season when they play away at Fulham.

“So hopefully they’ll have got a few points on the board by then because they’re a club I’ve got a lot of affection for because of my time spent there. I love the place, I love the fans, but I just think they’re being short-changed at the minute by the ownership.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass has praised Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard’s “attitude” and “application” during his loan spell at West Ham.

Following just three appearances for Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the England attacker was loaned out to the Hammers in January and has made a significant impact during his first month at the London Stadium.

Lingard enjoyed a dream debut when scoring twice in the victory at Aston Villa before netting the winner in West Ham’s London derby win over Tottenham.

The United loanee then assisted Michail Antonio against Manchester City on Saturday to take his goal contributions to four in just five matches, which doesn’t include the penalty he won in the Sheffield United game.

Lingard hadn’t been used in the Premier League by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all season – with the 5 ft 9 man’s last United start coming on New Year’s Day last year.

But when speaking to FFC, Windass was full of praise for Lingard despite his lack of opportunities at Old Trafford prior to his move. He said:

“It’s testament to his application and his desire to prove [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer wrong. And Ole has probably said to him ‘go prove to me, and come back pre-season and then you know, then you’re back on the list again, and you’re back in my thoughts again’.

“Some players sulk, some players go ‘well you don’t want me’. But he’s obviously kept himself in peak condition whilst he’s not being playing. He’s probably played a lot of bounce games behind closed doors, and probably asked to play a lot of bounce games – I used to when I got injured, I’d ask to play the reserves before I started getting back in there in the first-team to get up to speed so I don’t look stupid. So testament to the kid, his attuite has been spot on and it shows now. 

“And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be on the phone with him saying ‘brilliant, well done, keep it going’. If West Ham then decide to take him permanently, then it’s up to the two clubs.

“But at the minute, Ole, Moyesy, will be going ‘you carry on the way you are and at the end of the season you make a decision’. West Ham might want to buy him permanently, Jesse might want to go back to Manchester United and go ‘I want to prove it to you gaffer that I want to be in Man United’s team again’, but he’s not doing himself any harm at the minute.”

Fair play to Lingard. Following the best part of five months without playing, he’s come in at West Ham, knuckled down and is reaping the rewards on the pitch.

There’s never a bad time to be playing well, but with the European Championships around the corner, and a manager in Gareth Southgate that trusts him following his exploits at the 2018 World Cup, who knows where Lingard’s form might lead him to.