All posts by z3u9t.icu

Celtic’s woes in the Europa League continued last week as they were hammered 4-0 by Bayer Leverkusen on their own turf.

This came after they lost 4-3 to Real Betis in their opening group stage match, with Ange Postecoglou’s side now facing an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

One player who has struggled in Europe in recent seasons and featured against Leverkusen is defensive midfielder Nir Bitton. In 24 minutes against the Bundesliga side, the 29-year-old lost half of his duels and won possession back once, whilst giving the ball away six times.

The Israel international has been a terrific servant for Celtic over the years. He joined from Ashdod in 2013 and has made 241 appearances for the club in the subsequent eight years, including 153 times in the Scottish Premiership for the Hoops.

A major issue he has had throughout his career in Scotland is his availability. He has been out of action for 12 different reasons since joining Celtic, ranging from the ongoing pandemic to groin injuries and problems with his knee. This has restricted him to less than 20 Premiership appearances in each campaign since the 2016/17 season.

Despite that, his value from August 2018 to January 2019 stood at a respectable £1.80m, according to Transfermarkt. Less than three years later, however, Bitton’s value now stands at £720k and has been steadily declining in the intervening period – dropping four times since January 2019.

This means that his value has plummeted by 60% in under three years, despite being in what should be the prime years of his career as a holding midfielder. It’s hardly a surprise, therefore, that he’s been dubbed a “walking joke” by popular Celtic platform, Bhoys Analytics.

His performances in the Europa League, along with his injuries, may have played a part in his valuation flopping in recent years. He averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.72 across five games in the 2019/20 edition of the competition, making one tackle and interception combined per game.

The following year, he averaged a score of 6.63 in three appearances as the overall quality of his displays lowered, despite him averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per match. This suggests that he was not performing to a high enough standard in the Europa League, irrespective of any accomplishments domestically, and that could hint at why his price has been falling.

He has struggled on the pitch in Europe and off the pitch in terms of his availability and there are no signs to suggest he is on the way back up. Could it be time for Celtic to part ways with the midfielder?

AND in other news, Postecoglou provides fresh injury update that should excite Celtic supporters…

Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to keep Raphinha at Elland Road beyond the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Paul Gorst’s recent report for the Liverpool Echo, with the journalist stating that – despite Liverpool being believed to have scouted the winger on a number of occasions this season, as well as being heavily linked with a swoop for the former Rennes wizard – Jurgen Klopp’s side look unlikely to make a move for the 24-year-old in the winter market.

In his report, Gorst writes: “Leeds United’s Raphinha is another who club scouts are believed to be running the rule over, but a January move will almost certainly not be forthcoming.”

Bielsa will be buzzing

Considering just how important Raphinha has become to Leeds since his £17m move to Elland Road last summer, the news that Liverpool are not planning to launch an offensive for the Brazil international in January is sure to have left Bielsa buzzing.

Indeed, over his 30 Premier League appearances last term, the £34m-rated forward highly impressed for the Whites, bagging six goals, providing nine assists and creating 12 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 2.2 shots and making 2.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the player who Illan Meslier dubbed “unbelievable” and a “storm” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.14, ranking him as Bielsa’s third-best performer in the league as the Brazilian played a crucial role in his team securing a remarkable ninth-placed finish on their return to the top flight.

With Leeds having struggled so far in the current campaign, Raphinha’s performances have been even more important for his manager, with the £58k-per-week winger scoring seven goals, registering one assist and creating four big chances over his 14 league outings – returns which have seen him average a SofaScore match rating of 7.16.

As such, the news that the Reds do not look as if they will make a move for the 24-year-old this winter will undoubtedly come as a major boost to Bielsa and his side, as retaining the services of the Brazil forward would very much appear to reduce the Whites’ chances of being pulled into a relegation scrap come the end of the season.

In other news: Leeds eyeing 20 y/o beast with “a little Luis Suarez about him”, fans will be excited

According to a report from 90min, Wolves are among the clubs interested in signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window.

The lowdown: An interesting rise to stardom

Signed by Newcastle United from Northampton Town as a youngster, Toney struggled to make the grade in the North East and after a string of loan moves was eventually sold on a permanent basis to Peterborough United in 2018.

From there, the powerful frontman made his name, scoring 49 goals in 94 appearances before making the switch to a then Championship Brentford side.

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Following on from a stunning 31 strikes and ten assists last season, helping the west London club earn promotion, Toney has made a successful start to life in the Premier League, including a dominant performance at Molineux – the Englishman scored and assisted in a 2-0 win, earning Whoscored’s Man of the Match up against the game’s lowest-rated player, Max Kilman.

The latest: Report cites major interest

As per the report from 90min, Wolves, Arsenal, West Ham, Everton and Newcastle are all keen on the 26-year-old.

It’s claimed that despite Toney wanting to sign a new deal to stay at Brentford, the Wanderers are ‘keeping a watchful’ eye on the situation.

The report also states that the were the London club to sell their talismanic frontman, they are likely to hold out for a bid in excess of £50million for the man hailed as ‘special’ by manager Thomas Frank.

The verdict: Priced out

Albeit Toney has taken to life in the top flight with impressive ease, scoring 12 times so far in the league this season, shelling out the suggested £50million plus for a man in his first elite-level campaign is not a deal worth pursuing at Molineux.

Whilst manager Bruno Lage and executive chairman Jeff Shi will almost certainly be hoping to add more senior support to Raul Jimenez during the summer transfer window, this move at this price seems farfetched.

Clearly fitting a certain profile of striker as a powerful presence, Wolves may well be in the market for a direct Jimenez understudy. To that end, when using FBref to find players with closely matching attributes to Toney, Athletic Bilbao ace Raul Garcia and Alaves’ Joselu make up the top two, as Jimenez himself is actually the third-closest likeness.

In other news, a journalist has discussed a possible shock summer exit at Wolves. Read more here.

Leeds United ambassador Noel Whelan has backed Diego Llorente and Robin Koch to start at centre-back together against Burnley this weekend.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Burnley

The Whites get their 2022 action underway on Sunday afternoon, with the Clarets making the trip to Elland Road. It is a crucial game at the bottom of the table as Marcelo Bielsa’s side desperately look to find some form and pull themselves clear of danger.

Leeds have been injury-plagued at centre-back throughout the season but Llorente and Koch are both fit for the weekend showdown, with the pair in contention to start.

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The Latest: Duo backed to start at centre-back

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan backed the duo to face the Clarets on Sunday in the absence of the injured Liam Cooper, saying:

“This is what we bought them for. We bought these players to be our regular centre-halves.

“It’s only due to injuries when they first came into Leeds United. You’ve had Struijk who came into some really good form and started pushing and competing for these places.

“I would love to see the two of them start together. I think a lot of the fans will love to see that partnership try and develop over a space of time, especially when you’ve got Liam Cooper out.

“You can get yourself Luke Ayling back to the right wing-back role, which is fantastic. That’s where he’s got all the energy. Then pop Dallas back into that central midfield area, where we know he loves to play in that position.

“I think you’ve got to look at those two. You’ve got to stop putting round pegs in square holes here and play two quality, international centre-halves together.”

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The Verdict: Form a partnership

Having a settled centre-back pairing is crucial to any team’s success, laying the foundations and allowing two players to build a strong on-pitch relationship.

Llorente and Koch may well be tasked with doing that in the coming months, with Cooper expected to be out until March, and Sunday could be the first test of their credentials.

Both players have suffered injuries of their own this season – they have only started 15 league games between them – but now is the time for them to show their worth, hopefully playing their part in Leeds rising up the table.

In other news, Leeds have suffered another big injury blow. Read more here.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Dean Jones of Eurosport has dropped a big update on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

The Lowdown: Spurs working on agreement?

As per reports in the media over these last few weeks, Tottenham are very much in contention to sign the Germany international as a free agent despite him plying his trade across London for one of their biggest rivals.

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Rudiger’s current contract at Stamford Bridge expires this year with no extension in sight as things stand, alerting some of Europe’s top clubs alongside Spurs.

The likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris-Saint Germain and Barcelona are all in the race to sign Chelsea’s star defender, according to Sky, and the fact that overseas clubs can formally secure him to a pre-contract this month puts Antonio Conte’s side at a disadvantage.

Nevertheless, Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici has apparently been in constant contact with Rudiger’s entourage as he attempts to seal an agreement for the player ahead of next summer (Football Insider).

Sharing news on the situation, Jones has dropped a significant update.

The Latest: Jones drops big Rudiger to Spurs update…

According to the reporter’s sources, Tottenham are making a ‘very attractive’ offer which has ‘definitely’ turned the 28-year-old’s head.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, he explained: “From a financial standing, the offer Spurs are making to Rudiger is very attractive. It has definitely turned his head but he has to be convinced of the football side of things.”

The Verdict: Promising…

With half the job seemingly done in terms of convincing Rudiger with their wage package, Spurs fans will be hoping that the player could decide to join Conte and be part of the Lilywhites’ rebuild.

Currently in his prime and playing well, signing the centre-back would come as one of Paratici’s best possible coups if he can manage to convince the 28-year-old to make the move across London.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan certainly agrees, going as far as to claim he would be ‘one of the biggest signings ever’ if he joined Tottenham (Football Insider). Ex-Sunderland front man Kevin Phillips is also a big fan, stating that Rudiger has been ‘amazing for a number of years’ and any club would be ‘lucky to have him’ (Football Insider).

Bypassing his £31.5m valuation and signing him for nothing would be nothing short of a Paratici masterstroke, and perhaps Conte’s ‘big-name’ manager status could further tempt Rudiger.

In other news: Bid made: TV broadcaster shares news as Spurs lodge offer to sign ‘extraordinary’ £66.8m man, find out more here.

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Aston Villa are interested in signing Stoke City defender Moritz Bauer before the end of the week, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Bauer, 27, has already been linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.

The Austrian made 15 Premier League appearances for Stoke in the second half of last season, as per Transfermarkt.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The right-back was effectively frozen out by Gary Rowett in the first half of the 2018-19 campaign, but has been recalled to the starting XI under new boss Nathan Jones.

There remains huge uncertainty surrounding the defender’s future, however, and according to the Birmingham Mail, Villa want a deal this week.

The Villa Park faithful have been offering their views on the situation.

And it would be fair to say that the majority are struggling to agree whether it would be a good move by the club, who are still hoping to secure a top-six position this season.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this weekend and it’ll be no easy task as Nuno Santo looks to build on their victory last time out.

The north Londoners head to the northeast to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park, where there is expected to be an electric atmosphere as it’ll be the first game under their new ownership.

Spurs defeated Aston Villa to put an end to their run of three successive heavy league defeats but they will need to continue that form with a result away from home today.

Nuno has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks and that leaves him with a tricky dilemma in terms of team selection – he’ll have to get it spot against the Magpies.

For all of the positives against Villa, there were still some aspects that could be improved on, particularly in the final third. It was actually the first time the side had bagged more than one goal in the top-flight this season.

Despite that, Spurs still sit second-bottom for average number of shots per game (10.4) in the Premier League – even the three teams in the relegation zone have fired off more attempts, whilst they also rank third-bottom for expected goals (7.25 xG).

The Portuguese head coach opted for Tanguy Ndombele in the no.10 role right before the international break but it’s a decision that failed to pay off as the Frenchman, who was not selected by Didier Deschamps last week, barely had an influence in the attack.

As per SofaScore, he managed only 41 touches, which was the lowest of any outfield starter for Spurs, whilst he made 18 passes – for context, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made just three fewer.

One is meant to be the team’s playmaker.

Furthermore, Ndombele won just 50% of his midfield battles, proving to be ineffective and rather weak.

That has very much been the tale of the £36m-rated dynamo’s time in N17. A player, who on his day can be a world-beater, but those occasions are far and few between.

His performances when it really counts have been inconsistent, to say the least, but according to Joe Hart, the 24-year-old club-record signing is an exceptional talent.

During Spurs’ FA Cup clash with Wycombe Wanderers last season, the backup goalkeeper waxed lyrical about his former teammate to BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand.

“I said to Joe, how good is he? And he said ‘this kid is a world-beater, he can do anything.’ He just turned around during the game and said ‘this kid is unplayable’,” he claimed (via football.london).

Right now, however, it could be argued that the ex-Lyon star is holding Nuno’s side back as they cannot afford him coasting through some matches and then delivering in others.

It could be wise for the Portuguese to be ruthless and axe him at Newcastle this afternoon.

AND in other news, Nuno Santo hints at Spurs injury blow ahead of Newcastle clash…

Many Glasgow Rangers slammed the performance of Alfredo Morelos despite scoring in their 3-0 win at home to Dundee on Saturday afternoon.

In fairness, the Colombia international took his goal well, bulldozing his way through the visitors’ defence before slotting the ball into the net with his left foot.

However, some home fans were still frustrated by his overall performance, as he lost out on six of his duels and only scored once from his eight shots on goal in total (SofaScore).

He was also guilty of giving the ball away 13 times in the match, the joint-fifth most out of any of his teammates on the pitch (SofaScore), and hopefully the goal will give him confidence to perform better in their next fixture.

Rangers fans slam Morelos

These Gers fans slammed Morelos’ performance on Twitter, with one Light Blues supporter going as far as to claim that he was ‘awful’ today despite scoring:

“Morelos has had an absolute stinker here today!!! Awful”

Credit: @alston2_kev

“Morelos only tries in Europe, time for Alegria to step up to the 1st team”

Credit: @Giovani2021Ward

“No celebration when Rangers score from Morelos, body language is terrible. Still like a huffy child sometimes. His best has come and gone”

Credit: @AlanWyseDJ

“Morelos’ finishing is depressing.”

Credit: @Greg_1872

“Morelos’ body language is very lazy right now. Would hook him for Roofe at HT”

Credit: @rosscofaz

“Morelos is dreadful man”

Credit: @wullieboy78

In other news, find out whose display against Hibernian was slammed by some Gers fans

Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing four major signings this summer.

The Lowdown: Champions League uncertainty

Spurs are not guaranteed to finish in the UEFA Champions League places this season, given that they are currently three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand on their North London rivals.

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It would be more difficult to attract the calibre of player that they would want should they miss out, and they could also potentially lose some of their best players, with the likes of Harry Kane now being linked to big-spenders Newcastle United.

The Latest: Four signings eyed

Writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Lilywhites journalist Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Antonio Conte’s team are now looking to make four major signings in the summer.

They reportedly want to bring in a new left-sided central defender, two wing-backs, and a back-up to Kane.

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for THFC fans that they seem to be looking to go on a spending spree this summer.

The likes of Omar Marmoush and Lautaro Martinez have been linked as striker options, while Ben Davies could become more of a squad member next season, meaning that a more natural centre-back will likely take his position on the left of a three-man defence.

Djed Spence has been strongly linked with filling in the right wing-back position at Tottenham, while at left wing-back, Sergio Reguilon has not always been in favour under Conte.

Nonetheless, it could be a new-look Spurs side built in Conte’s image by the end of the summer transfer window, which should surely excite the Lilywhites faithful.

In other news, find out who THFC have now held talks over signing here!

West Ham United appear to have an edge in the race to sign Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall, according to club insiders Claret & Hugh.

The Lowdown: Worrall’s season

The 25-year-old has played an instrumental part in Forest’s recent defensive success. Having played in 29 Championship games this season, missing the other seven matches due to a fractured rib and a calf problem, the Reds have kept 12 clean sheets to date – an average of one every three games.

The defender leads his team in interceptions, averaging two per game, and also in the number of passes he makes, with 55.1 per league match (via WhoScored).

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The Latest: Claret & Hugh’s update

According to West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh, the Irons have a small edge in the race to sign Worrall, with the chase now heating up.

It is understood that Forest are yet to open contract talks with the player, despite his current deal expiring in just over two years’ time.

Favourably for the Hammers, Forest manager Steve Cooper remains keen on Irons academy left-back Emmanuel Longelo, who can thus be used to negotiate a potential deal between the two clubs.

The Verdict: Defenders needed

West Ham have been left extremely short at centre-back at times this season. With the season-ending blow sustained by Angelo Ogbonna and the hamstring injury which sidelined Kurt Zouma for six weeks, David Moyes was left with just Craig Dawson and Issa Diop for a period of time.

Therefore, it is imperative that the Irons rectify this issue in the summer.

During Worrall’s loan stay at Rangers in 2018/19, then-Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard tipped the defender to “be a captain of whatever team he plays for”. More recently, England centre-back legend John Terry praised the 25-year-old’s performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup last week.

As a result, it seems clear that the Forest colossus can play at the highest level, and he could be a very good option for Moyes’ squad in a position which badly needs addressing.

In other news: Danny Mills has been discussing another West Ham transfer target