All posts by h79snht.top

Romelu Lukaku was Manchester United’s major summer signing, but after a fine start to his Red Devils career in goalscoring terms, the powerful Belgian has found the net just once in his last eleven appearances across all competitions.

While it would be wrong to suggest the powerful striker hasn’t influenced games in other ways – although performances against Liverpool and Chelsea were particularly disappointing – a title-chasing club of United’s stature inevitably needs a front-man who’s firing on all cylinders pretty much all season.

But Jose Mourinho has arguably the best second-choice striker in the world to fall back on in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has now made four substitute appearances for the Red Devils in 2017/18 after ending last season with a serious injury.

With a crunch match against Arsenal on the horizon, we asked United supporters earlier this week whether Lukaku or Ibrahimovic should start in Saturday’s 5.30pm kickoff. And our poll revealed that although United fans are largely split on the issue, a slight majority are now leaning towards the towering Swede.

How would you line up Mourinho’s side this weekend, United fans? Let us know by commenting below…

[ad_pod ]

According to Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport, Everton and West Ham United are both in the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Gian Marco Ferrari, rated at £9m by Transfermarkt, and the 26-year-old defensive colossus should choose to join the Irons over the Toffees.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Corriere dello Sport report that both of the Premier League clubs want to bring the Italian to England, and it is no surprise given that the two teams need to strengthen at the heart of their defences.

The Merseyside club need to find a partner for Michael Keane with Ramiro Funes Mori already leaving, and the futures of Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka potentially in doubt seeing as they are getting no younger.

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has already bought Issa Diop from Toulouse to strengthen the joint-worst backline in the top flight last term, but the Chilean is unlikely to be finished at just one considering the east London outfit have lost both Jose Fonte and James Collins in recent months.

[ad_pod ]

Why should he choose to join West Ham over Everton?

Well, if Ferrari does come to the Premier League it would certainly make more sense for him to move to the London Stadium instead of Goodison Park.

The Italian would have the opportunity to settle in quickly and form a strong relationship at the heart of the defence alongside compatriot Angelo Ogbonna, and that could be crucial to hitting the ground running in a completely new country with the Irons, who could be set to make a superstar signing they need.

Given he could be available for less than £10m, he would certainly fit into West Ham’s budget too given they are looking to spend big elsewhere – as we have seen with their attempts to sign Lazio’s Felipe Anderson.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”262679″ player=”12034″ title=”Chattin’ Shirt 3 Teams at Russia 2018″]

Wolves are rightly tipped for big things on their return to the Premier League and a top-ten finish should be a realistic ambition.

That is because Nuno Santo assembled a flowing side who swept aside all before them in the Championship last season and they have the spending power to add to their ranks this summer.

The Premier League is currently populated by a number of clubs who appear content to continue treading water and taking the obscene riches on offer so Wolves should fancy their chances of continuing their upwards trajectory and blasting past a fair number of them.

[ad_pod ]

With that spending power in mind, Wolves have been linked with a £13.25m swoop for Lazio defender Bastos to bolster a backline that currently boasts Willy Boly and captain Conor Coady.

Ryan Bennett made up the defensive trio last season, so we asked Wolves fans whether Bastos would be an upgrade. They were pretty clear in their response, with 75 per cent of them saying that he would be, as you can see from the results below…

Tottenham fans are becoming increasingly furious with their club, as reports in Argentina suggest Wilmar Barrios will dump Spurs’ interest to sign for Chelsea.

According to Boca Juniors journalist Luis Fregossi, Barrios will seal a shock swoop to Chelsea in January 2019.

The tough tacking Boca Juniors midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham all summer, but it seems Chelsea have won the race for his signature.

The club president has even commented on the links, telling a local radio station that a Premier League club called him about Barrios on Friday.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255896″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Tottenham’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

The 24 year-old defensive midfielder, valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, was seen as a possible replacement for Mousa Dembele, who is expected to leave North London this summer.

Averaging three tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game last season, one dreads to think how to get past a midfield with Barrios alongside N’Golo Kante. With Kante being linked to Barcelona though, the Colombian could be seen as a long term replacement for the Frenchman.

Tottenham fans have been reacting to the shock transfer update, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

It’s safe to say that Newcastle need a striker to lead the line, and as of yet they have failed to sign one as of yet. 

Newcastle had been in the hunt for Alassane Plea but ultimately lost out to Borussia Monchengladbach. Since then, the club have been linked with Danny Welbeck and also Bundesliga forward Yoshinori Muto according to Bild.

Aside from those two players, Newcastle should seriously consider signing Derby striker and Championship top scorer, Matej Vydra.

Window Shopping

Although Newcastle could do with some additions in most areas of the squad, the positions they need to strengthen first and foremost, is up front. Last season’s top scorer in the league was Ayoze Perez who scored eight goals in 36 league games. While Perez only scored eight league goals last year, Matej Vydra had a superb season scoring 21 in 40 games.

The Championship striker to the charts for goals and was arguably the best player in the league. Following his breakout year, the Czech forward has attracted interest from multiple clubs such as Leeds and West Brom.

Although Vydra has had a chance in the Premier League and failed to capitalise on it with both West Brom and Watford, after two years with Derby, it may just be the ideal time to sign the forward.

At 26, he is entering the prime of his career and could well hit the ground running with Newcastle. It’s unsure what kind of amount it will take to take him away from the Midlands club but as things are starting to get desperate, Mike Ashley may just have to stump up the cash.

The Fulham fans cannot wait for the new Premier League season to start as their team got through the play-offs to secure their top flight dream once more. 

In what was a rollercoaster season for the London club, their four-year wait for Premier League football will be shortly over when they start their season against Crystal Palace. Already the club have brought two big names to Craven Cottage in the form of Jean Michael Seri and Maxime Le Marchand, which alone could have a decisive say in their survival hopes but if those hopes want to be cemented even more, the Cottagers should look at bringing Yannick Bolasie, (who is valued at £16.2 million on Transfermarkt) to the club.

The Everton man has struggled to make a positive impact at Goodison Park, largely due to injury which is why he was limited to just 11 league starts last season. The 29-year-old should be reaching his peak years and Fulham could massively benefit from just that if the Toffees’ new boss Marco Silva deems Bolasie un-needed.

His best football years were played in London with Crystal Palace and Fulham would be hoping that he could recreate that scintillating form in the Premier League once more to boost the likelihood of staying up.

Yannick Bolasie can play on either side and up-front as a forward and that versatility, as well as his explosive pace and trickery, could allow him to find his best form with Fulham next season.

Do you agree… Let us know!

According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle United will have to part with £10m if they wish to sign Swansea City centre-back Federico Fernandez in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

Newcastle have already boosted their defence with the arrival of Fabian Schar from Deportivo La Coruna, but it is understood that the Magpies still want another centre-back this summer due to Florian Lejeune’s cruel injury blow.

Indeed, Lejeune is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with knee ligament damage, and that has heightened the club’s need for another central defender.

According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle were hopeful of signing Fernandez on loan from Swansea, but the Welsh outfit want a permanent deal for £10m.

The 29-year-old played under Magpies boss Rafael Benitez at Napoli in the 2013-14 season, and it is understood that the pair still have a close relationship.

However, a deal now seems difficult when considering that relegated Swansea have placed a high price on the head of the former Argentina international.

Should Newcastle make a move?

In short, no. Fernandez has been decent since his arrival in the Premier League – making 126 appearances for Swansea in all competitions.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”274435″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa Benitez Deserves More Respect At Newcastle”]

He was also pretty consistent when considering Swansea’s troubles, but Newcastle should be avoiding this deal at all costs when considering the money involved.

Fernandez would be a fairly good loan signing for Benitez’s team, but there is just no way that the Magpies can spend £10m on a player who would not really improve the XI.

Instead, the Premier League club should be putting the money towards bringing in a new centre-forward, which might well define their season.

The argument here is more down the transfer fee involved than the quality of 6ft 3in Fernandez, but this is simply not a deal that Benitez should be pursuing at this stage of the transfer window.

Burnley are looking in good nick once again going into the new Premier League season, and completed the signing of Middlesbrough star Ben Gibson earlier today to further bolster their ranks.

The Clarets and manager Sean Dyche deserve a whole host of credit for building a team capable of challenging in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen if they can continue to replicate their excellent form.

Indeed, we at the Tavern think Burnley can continue to add quality, and one player we think they should look to sign is Manchester City starlet Patrick Roberts.

The impressive young attacking midfielder was a key member of the Celtic squad once again last term, showing signs of real quality and looking every bit like being able to turn himself into a regular Premier League player in the long run.

However, first team chances at City are likely to be at a premium, and a move to someone like Burnley where he would get regular football could really benefit Roberts in the long run.

Quick, good with the ball, and with an eye for goal, Roberts would be a superb signing for the Clarets, and by getting a season of Premier League football firmly under his belt, it might just be the career boost he needs at this stage.

Burnley fans, what do you think? Would you take Roberts? Good signing? Let us know!

One of Arsenal’s biggest problems last season was their defence, particularly in the closing stages of the campaign.

Shkodran Mustafi was the villain numerous times as he made some notable errors that led to goals for the opposition.

Laurent Koscielny also had some shaky moments before he was struck down with a serious injury, which will keep him on the sidelines until the winter.

New manager Unai Emery signed Sokratis to boost central defence, but the recent loan departure of Calum Chambers to Fulham has left the club with an opening.

Besiktas’ Domagoj Vida was a name that entered the rumour mill, but with only a few hours left until the window slams shut, Arsenal are running out of time to recruit a new defender.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255898″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Arsenal’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

According to the London Evening Standard, if a move for Vida does not come off – and it looks unlikely that it will – Emery is happy with the options that he already has.

Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the club’s fans do not feel the same way.

Comment from discussion James Olley: Unai Emery is believed to content with the composition of his squad should the conditions to sign Vida not materialise..Comment from discussion James Olley: Unai Emery is believed to content with the composition of his squad should the conditions to sign Vida not materialise..Comment from discussion James Olley: Unai Emery is believed to content with the composition of his squad should the conditions to sign Vida not materialise..Comment from discussion James Olley: Unai Emery is believed to content with the composition of his squad should the conditions to sign Vida not materialise..Comment from discussion James Olley: Unai Emery is believed to content with the composition of his squad should the conditions to sign Vida not materialise..Comment from discussion James Olley: Unai Emery is believed to content with the composition of his squad should the conditions to sign Vida not materialise..

Loads of Sunderland fans have been reacting to an update on a former player of theirs, as former Black Cat Lee Camp did not impress Birmingham City fans in his first outing for the club.

There were plenty of things wrong at the Stadium of Light last season. The appointment of Chris Coleman was a disaster, Lee Cattermole appeared to age at ten times the normal rate, and several first team players simply decided they couldn’t be bothered anymore.

Above all else though, the goalkeeping situation was an absolute nightmare for fans, as multiple experienced stoppers failed to live up to expectations.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”278881″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Kane’s Kryptonite & London’s Biggest Losers”]

Camp replaced Jason Steele mid-way through the season, and his total inability to claim crosses or command his box infuriated fans.

The 33-year-old has now joined Birmingham, where he made his debut in a League Cup encounter against Reading on Tuesday night.

The Blues lost 2-0 courtesy of goals from Yakou Meite and John Swift, and while Camp was not specifically at fault for either of the goals, you only need to search his name on Twitter to see what fans at St Andrew’s think about their summer signing.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions from Sunderland supporters below…