All posts by z3u9t.icu

Leeds United picked up their first win of the Premier League season as they beat Watford 1-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.

Diego Llorente’s first half strike was enough to secure the three points for the Whites as they worked hard to earn a win against the Hornets. The result takes Leeds up to 16th as it stands and three points off the top half of the table in this early stage of the season.

Despite the positives to come from winning the game, one player for Marcelo Bielsa’s team struggled to perform. Summer signing Dan James put in a worryingly ineffective display out wide, which will surely have left his manager feeling let down.

The 23-year-old has now played four Premier League games for Leeds and is yet to record a SofaScore rating of higher than 6.6 for the club. His rating against Watford on Saturday was a measly 6.2 as he failed to show what he can do in general play and in the final third.

In terms of his general play, James was a lightweight. As per SofaScore, he lost six of his 10 duels and made zero tackles in the game. He also gave the ball away 18 times and only completed 64% of his attempted passes, having 35 touches overall throughout the 90 minutes.

This suggests that he was too weak to deal with the strength of the Watford defenders, who eased him out of the way most of the time. Bielsa could be worried by this when Leeds come up against other teams who use their physical attributes to impose themselves on the Whites, as James may not be suited to such opponents based on this performance.

The Wales international did not redeem himself in the final third, either. As per SofaScore, James had a dribble success rate of 0% from four attempts and completed none of his attempted crosses. This led to him providing zero key passes in the match, whilst his only two shots were blocked by Watford defenders before they could reach Ben Foster’s goal.

Bielsa will surely have been feeling let down by James’ overall performance. The winger struggled both in his build-up play and in his execution of skill in key moments, leading to an all-round disappointing performance from the winger. Hopefully he will be able to repay Bielsa’s faith by coming back after the international break and improving the standard of his displays.

In other news: Leeds take major step as Thorp Arch news emerges, fans will be buzzing

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City supporters have erupted in response to a development involving Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva.

The Portuguese duo, currently at Euro 2020, are said to be attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs this summer.

Cancelo played a key role in parts of the 2020/2021 campaign, earning praise from Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport (via the Daily Mail) for his versatility and performances in the Champions League.

Bernardo was also a regular for the Sky Blues and attracted his own plaudits, with manager Pep Guardiola stating the tenacious midfield player has a ‘special quality’ (mancity.com).

Now, as per journalist Duncan Castles, Bernardo wants to leave the Etihad Stadium and has two offers – one from Atletico Madrid and the other from Barcelona.

The latter La Liga giants are also chasing Cancelo and propose a possible swap deal – with the Catalans prepared to offer options including Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele.

Flocking to this development, many supporters have erupted in response with a wide array of verdicts – find all of their best ones from social media down below.

Man City fans erupt over Bernardo/Cancelo development…

“This can’t be serious”

Credit: @CitehFlip

“We cannot lose Cancelo, Walker is 32 this year”

Credit: @LMF9320

“Sigh, if Bernardo wants to leave then fine, I wish him all the best but if we even think about swapping Cancelo for Sergi Roberto or Dembele, I’m cutting ties and supporting Rangers”

Credit: @onemilli19

“Pain”

Credit: @AgueroProp

“We’re a joke even entertaining this”

Credit: @BLACKEDHART

“Could cry”

Credit: @BernardoTouch

“There’s no way we lose Cancelo AND Bernardo”

Credit: @InGoodKompany

“This is getting laughable”

Credit: @JussiMe

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Ooooo’…Man City fans also flocked to this news, find out more here.

West Ham United insider ExWHUemployee claimed over the weekend that the London Stadium natives have an interest in Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, which could see David Sullivan gift David Moyes an aggressive colossus by launching a successful move.

Areola is on loan at Craven Cottage from Paris Saint-Germain but his future in the Premier League beyond the current campaign is far from certain, with talks over a permanent move on hold amid Scott Parker’s side’s fight for survival.

Fulham have an option to purchase Areola at the end of the season but the Frenchman is keen to see what division the Cottagers’ will be competing in before deciding if he will stay, while PSG could yet have a role to play.

Areola had sought to accept a summer move to Craven Cottage after struggling for minutes last term, having featured on just nine occasions as the back-up to Thibaut Courtois during a season-long loan with Real Madrid.

He has been a constant fixture of Parker’s plans since making his Premier League debut at Leeds United in September, with the 28-year-old starting 32 of 33 available games while keeping nine clean sheets.

Parker has been widely impressed by Areola’s performances in his first year in English football and backed the shot-stopper to be recalled to the French national side, as it would “nothing short of what he deserves”.

“In this moment physicality, presence, bravery as a keeper in terms of all those attributes was something that me and Rob [Burch, goalkeeping coach] highlighted,” Parker said, via quotes by BT. “And looking at Alphonse and his stature and games he has played, I had no doubt that was what he was.

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“A very aggressive keeper, a front-foot keeper who wants to come and command his box, come and collect. Physically very, very big, agile. They were all the areas we looked at and they were the areas he ticked those boxes, and that was exactly what we need, and we’ve not been shocked in any way by that.”

It remains to be seen if Fulham look to activate their option to buy Areola at the end of the season, which is thought to be worth close to £25m and would likely end West Ham’s interest.

The Irons could also face continental competition for his signature, with Corriere dello Sport via Football-Italia crediting AS Roma and AC Milan as having an interest in the £75,000-per-week shot-stopper due to his PSG contract expiring in 2023.

But Sullivan beating the Serie A sides and capitalising on Fulham potentially having to walk away if they are relegated could be just what West Ham need, with Areola a potentially superb challenger for Lukasz Fabianski.

The Poland international has come in for criticism from some Hammers supporters after an error-strewn display in the Irons’ 3-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Newcastle United on Saturday, and turned 36 on Sunday.

Fabianski has also produced fewer total saves (89) than Areola (102) in the Premier League this term, while the Fulham stopper leads the division for crosses punched (26) with 19 more than West Ham’s current number one, per SofaScore.

Areola has collected marginally more crosses (20) than Fabianski (18) as well, while pulling off 71 of his saves from shots taken inside the area to 46 and has only conceded five more from shots inside the box despite the two side’s vastly contrasting fortunes this season.

It remains to be seen how much PSG would demand to sell Areola, who has a TransferMarkt valuation of £13.5m, but a deal would certainly make sense for West Ham to explore.

AND in other news, West Ham set to land second chance to sign “unbelievable” £18m-rated forward this summer…

Everton were denied a penalty in the Merseyside derby yesterday against Liverpool at Anfield, according to Sky Sports journalist Alan Myers.

He replied to a tweet from Everton player Anthony Gordon after the game, which was a video of the incident, saying “All day long, penalty!”. Many are likely to agree with him and believe that it was harsh not to give the decision in favour of the Toffees.

Liverpool ended up claiming a 2-0 victory with goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi, but it wasn’t made easy for them with Everton battling it out in a heated game that was still all square at half time.

The decision will leave Everton supporters fuming as the opportunity could have brought them back into the game at a time when they are desperate for the points. Frank Lampard’s men sit in the relegation zone and are in a huge battle for survival.

These days it’s never a game of football, let alone a local derby, without a controversial decision. With the addition of VAR technology, officials have no excuse not to be getting the big calls right. The challenge on Gordon yesterday was quickly dismissed by referee Stuart Attwell, and despite being in the box, the tackle wasn’t even reviewed by VAR.

Even The Professional Game Match Officials Board said they would have had “no complaints” if the penalty was awarded to Everton with manager Lampard stating that it was “a clear foul” but that “you don’t get them here.”

It raises the question once again as to whether the size of a club and its home crowd have any influence on the decisions that officials make? Gordon was booked for diving earlier on in the game before the penalty denial so did that play a part in Attwell’s decision too?

Former Toffees striker Kevin Campbell seems to think so, saying that the referee “bottled it” and that the decision was there to be made but he didn’t make it.

In games as big as the Merseyside derby, when there is a lot riding on the result for both sides, the referee is going to take a lot longer to think about the decisions he makes which allows doubt to creep in. The point of VAR is to prevent this and to assist the official on the field with the aid of replays and footage from different angles.

We certainly think that the technology should have been used a lot more in the game and if it was it would have produced a much fairer outcome for both sides. Last season VAR awarded 29 penalties and so has proven to be used successfully when it comes to these decisions, however, yesterday wasn’t one of those.

IN other news: Everton: Alex Iwobi was anonymous against Liverpool…

When the summer transfer window rolls around, there will be one thing that Leeds simply have to prioritise; their midfield.

On the chalkboard

Last year, Leeds did their best to bolster their midfield ranks. Michael Cuisance had his foot in the door but in true Dan James style, the move somehow fell through.

The French midfielder had agreed a deal and was all set to sign for Marcelo Bielsa’s men before the Whites pulled the plug following a reported problem with his medical.

Since then, they’ve been rather stretched in the middle of the park. Whenever Kalvin Phillips has been out, they’ve looked suspect. Pascal Struijk has impressed in defence but when moved forward to feature in midfield, it’s not gone well at all.

Leeds have lost their matches by an aggregate score of 15-6 when the Dutchman has played in front of the back four.

With that in mind, signing another midfielder should be at the top of their wish list in a few months time.

Koopmeiners to the rescue

Last summer, the Whites were linked with a move for AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. There has been an update on his future in recent weeks with Phil Hay stating clubs from Italy were circling ahead of the next window.

The player’s agent admits a move could be on the cards and thus, he’s become a player that Hay thinks Victor Orta should lure to Elland Road.

He put a piece together for The Athletic this week that detailed potential options to solve Leeds’ midfield conundrum. In the process, he said there was a lot to like about the Dutchman and that’s evident when you look at the stats.

A goal-scoring midfielder who is also adept defensively, the 23-year-old has quite a few similarities to a certain Mateusz Klich.

The Pole has been a fantastic servant under Bielsa and until this season, he’d never missed a league match with the Argentine at the helm. In his two years in the Championship, Klich scored 16 times and also amassed 14 assists.

Koopmeiners, however, also knows where the back of the net is. He’s scored 42 goals for AZ, 16 of which have come this season. On top of that, the Netherlands international also has seven assists to his name in 2020/21.

Already, you can see why we’re comparing him to Klich. Blessed with the ability to play in a holding role or slightly further forward, the duo are both strong in the tackle.

The Leeds midfielder has won 1.1 tackles per game this term, but during his penultimate campaign in the Eredisive, he won 2.7 challenges a match for FC Twente.

Coincidentally, that’s just 0.1 fewer than Koopmeiners has won in the same division this term. With Leeds looking for more cover defensively and additional goals from their midfield, he’d be the ideal transfer acquisition.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Alioski: Leeds must swoop for £54k-p/w beast with “explosive ability”…

Nottingham Forest have been dealt a blow in their bid to seal Lyle Taylor’s departure from The City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Stoke on Trent Live, who claim that Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City side are not believed to be considering a move for the 31-year-old Forest centre-forward in the current transfer window.

It was reported earlier this month that Chris Hughton is more than happy for Taylor to leave the club this summer, with the 62-year-old looking to bring in a striker of his own in a bid to provide Lewis Grabban with competition for his starting spot ahead of next season.

Hughton will be fuming

Things have not exactly gone swimmingly for Taylor since arriving at The City Ground on a free transfer last summer, with the manager who signed him, Sabri Lamouchi, being sacked after just four games of the season, and his successor, Chris Hughton, clearly not holding a great deal of faith in the striker’s ability.

Indeed, despite playing a total of 39 Championship games for Forest last term, only 15 of these appearances came as starts, with the £900k-rated forward going on to score just four goals, register no assists and create one big chance for his teammates, in addition to hitting the target an average of 0.4 times and making of 0.4 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £5k-per-week man earn a disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.64, ranking him as the Garibaldi’s joint ninth-worst performer in the second tier last season.

As such, it is unsurprising that Hughton is willing to allow the man whom Neal Ardley dubbed an “outstanding” player to move onto pastures new this summer, and also why O’Neill clearly believes that there could be better options to improve his attacking arsenal at Stoke City ahead of next season.

However, the fact that the Potters do not appear likely to make a move for Taylor at present will undoubtedly leave the Forest boss fuming, as he will now have to find another potential suitor who is willing to take the forward on this summer.

In other news: Forest handed boost over “fantastic” £2.52m-rated gem who won’t cost Hughton a penny

Football Insider pundit Kevin Campbell has been reacting to Celtic’s planned move for Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke.

The Lowdown: Hoops plan long-term offer

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a Hoops source, Celtic will step up their pursuit of the Black Cats forward this week.

He is out of contract in two weeks’ time and Celtic are reportedly planning to offer Wyke a long-term offer.

The 28-year-old, who scored 30 goals last season, is thought to be ‘very keen’ to move to Parkhead.

Wyke stands at 6 foot 1 and it seems as if he fits the bill for the Hoops due to his availability, age and pedigree.

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The Latest: Campbell reacts

Campbell was talking to Football Insider following that transfer update.

The 51-year-old believes Wyke would score goals at Celtic Park and labelled him ‘exceptional’ in the air.

“Wyke is no Edouard but at the end of the day there is different ways to skin a cat.

“You do not always have to follow the same plan.

“I just think a good player in Wyke could go up there and play with better players and show another level of performance. I think he could have a real impact up there, I do.

“It is a case of watch this space. He has not played at that level but he has shown this season that he is a very good player.

“I think he will score goals, especially if you give him the right kind of service. He’s exceptional in the air.”

The Verdict: Edouard and Wyke compared

Odsonne Edouard looks set to leave Parkhead after telling friends he will be joining Leicester City.

Edouard and Wyke appear to be different types of strikers, so the Hoops may have to alter their attacking style, should the latter replace the Frenchman.

As per WhoScored, Wyke averaged 4.8 aerial duels won in League One last season, compared to Edouard’s one per match in the Scottish Premiership.

Edouard completed more successful dribbles 1.6, to Wyke’s 0.3, so Celtic may have to take a more direct approach when it comes to getting the best out of Wyke, should he move to Scotland.

If Leigh Griffiths fails to earn a new Hoops deal, Celtic may have to look at another attacking addition, but it seems as if right now, their focus is on signing Wyke.

In other news: Trophy-laden club captain wanted by Ange Postecoglou; he is a big fan of Celtic coach, find out more here. 

Lots of Everton fans have welcomed an update from the club on Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

The Toffees’ official Twitter page announced that the former Mainz ace is back in training with the first team squad after a lengthy spell out with injury.

Gbamin has not been able to play for the Toffees since August 2019, and so it has come as a much welcome relief to all associated with Everton that he is back in training and may well play a part for Carlo Ancelotti’s team for the rest of the season.

The midfielder will also be a relieved man himself, as he may have been questioning whether he would ever be able to play football again following such a long spell out of action

Everton fans on Gbamin update

These Everton supporters hailed the update on Twitter, with one fan claiming that they were ‘delighted’ while others went as far as to call it ‘amazing’ and a bigger boost to the club than the recently-approved new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock:

“Amazing to see JPG back with the @Everton squad, hard work and determination will get deserved rewards and here’s hoping we can see him grace the Goodison pitch sooner rather than later, can’t wait to see what he can achieve under Ancelotti #EFC”

Credit: @efcbigdunc

“Such wholesome content, let’s go JPG”

Credit: @SmoothieJD

“Gbamin do his leg stretches leaning against the imaginary wall! Brilliant to see him training he gets some games in the run up to summer then ready and raring for next season show us what he can do! Been such a hard time for him! Made up for him!”

Credit: @toptoffeegirl

“Absolutely delighted for him”

Credit: @Richlloyd1984

“Bigger than Bramley Moore this”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Absolutely buzzing for this lad, hope he kicks on now and stays injury free. Could be a big player for us in the run in.”

Credit: @ItsOnlyJk

In other news, find out what Alisher Usmanov news has been lauded by numerous Everton fans!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has urged his former side to reignite their interest in Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

It was widely expected that De Paul would join Leeds last summer after the club reportedly agreed personal terms with the 26-year old, but an agreement on the fee was never reached by the two clubs.

Marcelo Bielsa could see centre midfield as a position that needs addressing this summer as he looks to find someone who is capable of filling the void Kalvin Phillips leaves when he is out injured.

Speaking on why he would like Leeds to target De Paul again this summer and how De Paul would be a big name signing for Leeds, Norris exclusively told FFC:

“From the players I’ve seen Leeds been linked with at the minute, I think Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese is most likely going to be one of the bigger signings coming in.

“They could be looking for someone in his mould and specifically that position, and I don’t think Leeds would ever rule out the chance of signing any decent player.”

Leeds are still waiting for official confirmation that Bielsa wants to extend his contract beyond this summer when his current deal is set to expire, with the hierarchy reportedly planning for life without him.

Bielsa made some smart signings last summer with the likes of Raphinha, Diego Llorente and Jack Harrison, who have all performed very well in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Moussa Sissoko is in talks over a surprise move to Premier League rivals Watford on a permanent deal, as reported by Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: No room for sentimentality as Nuno Espirito Santo re-shapes his squad

Despite starting the 2021/22 campaign in strong fashion, Lilywhites boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to re-structure his squad and dispose of players not currently at the forefront of his thinking.

Not held back by any misplaced loyalties or sentimentality, the Portuguese coach has got rid of experienced figures such as Toby Alderweireld, Erik Lamela and Danny Rose [Transfermarkt].

In total, six players have left on permanent deals under the leadership of Nuno and Fabio Paratici, and it looks like we could be about to add one more big earner to that number.

The Latest: Watford in permanent talks to sign Sissoko from Tottenham

Watford are believed to be in advanced negotiations to sign 6 foot 2 ace Sissoko on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur [Sky Sports].

Both clubs are ‘confident’ that a deal can be finalised by next week according to Alasdair Gold, who confirmed ‘Spurs very much in talks’ with the newly promoted side.

The France international likely to be a direct replacement for Will Hughes, who is set to depart for Crystal Palace.

Sissoko is not a priority for Nuno, who has omitted him from three match-day squads this campaign.

The Verdict: Offloading £79k-per-week

Carrying a considerable wage package at £79,000 per week, offloading Sissoko would be an intelligent move by the Spurs hierarchy that would free up funds to bring in younger talent [Salary Sport].

In 2020/21, the former Newcastle man was ever present for his current employers, but registered just two goal contributions in 42 appearances in all competitions; one goal and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Always willing to receive and recycle the ball, the 32-year-old recorded an 84.4% passing accuracy across last term [WhoScored], but his lack of end product from midfield has always been the issue.

Once labelled as ‘fantastic’ by former boss Mauricio Pochettino and ‘incredible’ by Football.London’s Rob Guest, moving on to pastures new may be the best course of action for both Tottenham and Sissoko after five years in north London.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have reached a transfer agreement. Find out more here.