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Hampshire’s big day was ruined when umpires Trevor Jesty and John Holderdecided it would be impossible to stage the first ever scheduled match attheir new £17 million ground at the Rose Bowl, West End.Jesty and Holder, both former Hampshire players, surveyed the pools of wateracross the new pitch and decided play in the Benson & Hedges Cup matchagainst Essex couldn’t go ahead some 90 minutes before the game was due tostart.Hampshire captain Robin Smith said: “There was never any chance. The waterhas got everywhere and it would have been impossible which is a great shamebecause this was due to be such a memorable occasion in Hampshire’shistory.”Around 200 spectators had made their way to the new ground but left as soonas the announcement of the abandonment was made.Hampshire chief executive Tony Baker said: “This is very sad becauseeverything had been geared to this first match but it has been typical ofour bad luck.”The whole project has been fraught with disappointment in one form oranother. We just hope that the pitch will have dried up by Friday when we’redue to play here again but with more rain forecast even that can’t beguaranteed.”I feel sorry for our groundsman Nigel Gray who has put in hundreds of hourswork on the new pitch but there was nothing he could have done and the storywould have been the same if we were still at Northlands Road.”Gray added: “There was never any real chance even if it had been a dry day.The wet weather has been awful and I have not been able to work on thesquare as much as I would have liked.”

Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton has agreed to join Manchester United this summer, according to John Cross of The Mirror.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been sharing their thoughts towards the news on social media.

Cross claims that United have held talks with the 35-year-old in recent weeks and a deal now looks to be agreed and finalised.

Heaton hasn’t featured for Villa since suffering a serious injury on New Year’s Day 2020. He returned to the bench towards the end of 2020, however, he’s failed to get a look in due to Emiliano Martinez’s impressive first season at Villa Park.

The Englishman’s contract in the Midlands expires in a matter of weeks, and it now seems as if he’ll be returning to Old Trafford ahead of the 2021/22 season to provide backup to Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the update from Cross on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply…

“Oh no anyway”Credit: @josh_priv3″um anyways”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Bye Heaton”Credit: @makeyourdayadtr”Thought he’d have more ambition than settling to be a bench warmer. Shame.”Credit: @JayVtid”ambitious bench to bench move”Credit: @joshkentx”Shame a great player I hope he stays fit & gets some games for them UTV”Credit: @richard00761191

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Tammy Abraham tweet, find out more here. 

According to a report by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City are both in a race for Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi as the Premier League duo display managerial interest.

The Lowdown: Inzaghi emerges as Spurs candidate

As yet another coach becomes touted with the Tottenham vacancy, Inzaghi has only entered the fray as an option very recently.

Indeed, whispers surrounding the 45-year-old have emerged this week with odds touting him as a new favourite to replace the departed Jose Mourinho (football.london).

He joins the long list of Italians linked to Spurs alongside Maurizio Sarri, Gian Piero Gasperini, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri (via TEAMtalk)

The Latest: Spurs and Leicester in race for Inzaghi

Now, bringing the latest, Tuttosport claim that Inzaghi is of interest to both Tottenham and Leicester as the two clubs enter a race for his possible appointment.

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Indeed, Lazio’s boss is said to be attracting the Premier League duo whilst he reflects on his future in the Italian capital – with the former Italy international still yet to make a firm decision.

It is believed by Tuttosport that Inzaghi will sit down with club president Claudio Lotito and discuss it at the end of the season.

The Verdict: The best outside candidate yet?

Inzaghi has garnered absolutely no shortage of praise since taking over at Lazio from Marcelo Bielsa back in 2016.

Being likened to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp by striker Ciro Immobile, who called Inzaghi ‘very similar’ due their motivational skills (Football Italia), he’s also been called ‘one of the best coaches in Europe’ by FIFA agent Claudio Anellucci (TUTTOmercatoWEB).

A fan favourite at Lazio, he has also clinched silverware with the club – winning one Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italianas over nearly half a decade in charge.

Arguably falling into the category of a young and dynamic coach allegedly wanted by technical performance director Steve Hitchen (The Daily Mail), he could a great option for Tottenham.

In other news: Levy in pole position to sign this powerhouse, find out more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

A saída de Jorginho do cargo de treinador do Vasco tende a ser apenas o primeiro passo para uma série de mudanças no futebol do clube. Em entrevista coletiva na tarde desta segunda-feira, o presidente do Cruz-Maltino, Eurico Miranda, confirmou uma reformulação completa no departamento de futebol, e garantiu:

-Ninguém está imune à reformulação. Nem os outros profissionais (da comissão), nem jogador. Ninguém com estabilidade garantida. A reformulação será feita. Diretor estatutário não sai nenhum.

Porém, o dirigente rechaçou a hipótese da chegada de um diretor executivo em São Januário. Seu filho, Euriquinho, também foi confirmado para próxima temporada:

-Diretor executivo de futebol no Vasco? Não há nenhuma hipótese. Os diretores executivos que passaram no Vasco causaram prejuízos que ainda estão sendo reparados. Para acabar com especulações, meu filho continua como sendo meu representante no futebol. Ele continua. Especulem o que quiserem.

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Questionado sobre as especulações em torno do nome para ser o novo treinador do Vasco, Eurico ratificou que esperou a saída de Jorginho para cogitar um nome:

-Enquanto não resolvesse o problema com o Jorginho, eu não pensava (em outro treinador). A partir de hoje, vou pensar. Demoro pouco tempo. Não tenho muito problema para contratar.

Em seguida, o mandatário do Cruz-Maltino garantiu:

– Não vou procurar treinador para negociar. O treinador tem que querer vir para o Vasco, tem que saber que é uma honra treinar o Vasco.

Entre os nomes especulados, estão os de Cristóvão Borges e Ney Franco.

With Newcastle eyeing up a summer move for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, this could be the perfect time for Steve Bruce to wave goodbye to Joelinton.

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Magpies are one of the sides interested in signing Abraham, and a move for the centre-forward would push Joelinton even further to the sidelines amid a really disappointing career at St James’ Park.

While his performances have slightly gone up a notch in recent games, with two goals in his last five, it doesn’t mask the fact that the Brazilian has been terrible value for money – with 76 games played for the Tyneside club, he has a measly nine goals and seven assists.

To put that into context, Joelinton has actually earned more yellow cards for Newcastle than he’s scored (10 to 9).

It’s no surprise then that former Magpie Rob Lee has been very vocal in his criticism of the forward, and speaking exclusively to FFC on a couple of occasions, he let his feelings be known.

He said: “If he came for £5-10 million you’d probably think ‘yeah that’s not bad’, but when you arrive for £40 million and you wear the number nine shirt then the pressure is massively on you and I don’t understand why they paid that amount of money for him.

“He was immense against Aston Villa, probably our best player until he got to the box, and then when he’s in the box, he always makes the wrong decision. When you want him to shoot he passes and when you want him to pass, he shoots, it’s just a conundrum of how you play him.”

He added: “First of all, I want to know who spent £40 million on Joelinton. If it was Steve Nickson, then come out and hold your hands up and say ‘yeah, I sanctioned and put forward that deal’, but I’m sure he won’t.

“Secondly, the club should have made it clear from the beginning that he’s not a centre forward and they could’ve done that by not giving him the number nine shirt.

“The minute he was given the number nine shirt he’s a centre forward. He’s the club’s most expensive signing and with him being a forward player as well as the number nine, people instantly expect him to score 20-25 goals a season.”

In bringing in the £40m-valued Abraham – dubbed a “hell of a talent” by Aston Villa boss Dean Smith – Bruce would have the perfect chance to finally axe Joelinton from his starting line-up, or even just cash in on him completely.

Either way, Joelinton’s days at St James’ Park could well be numbered if Abraham arrives this summer.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign Joe Willock’s perfect midfield partner in this Premier League star…

Many Arsenal fans have been left to fume at some comments made by Bernd Leno before their UEFA Europa League tie away at Slavia Prague.

Speaking in the pre-game press conference ahead of the match, the Germany international said that he is ‘open to everything’, and added ‘maybe for a new adventure’ when asked about his future at the Emirates Stadium.

The fact that he has not ruled out leaving Mikel Arteta’s team has angered several members of the Gunners faithful, with some even going as far as to question whether they sold the wrong goalkeeper in Emi Martinez, who is now thriving at Aston Villa.

Leno could be questioned for not being 100% committed to the North London club at this moment in time after these words, and Gooners will be hoping that that does not translate onto the pitch as they face a crucial second leg in Prague off the back of being held 1-1 at home in the first meeting.

Arsenal fans on Leno comments

These AFC fans fumed upon reading the comments made by Leno on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the 29-year-old is a ‘fraud’:

“He hasn’t earned the right to talk like this”

Credit: @jamser428

“Pls. Average at best GK!!!”

Credit: @arsenalmad37

“Emi always clear than this fraud”

Credit: @AyZhar_

“What a weird and non-committal thing to say about a club that has shown so much faith to you”

Credit: @thegoonersnews

“Bin him immediately. Another overhyped player not good enough for Arsenal.”

Credit: @Matteo_Olie

“Get rid.. poor attitude”

Credit: @chadfoster_9

In other news, find out what Arteta update from Fabrizio Romano has been slammed by Gunners here!

Writing in a Q&A for the Athletic, when asked about realistic candidates to potentially replace current boss Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke said Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has been mentioned among favourites, alongside Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.

Hasenhuttl, who the journalist explains has done very well with limited resources at the St Mary’s Stadium, is apparently one of the three favourites for the Spurs job if it becomes vacant alongside heavily linked managers Nagelsmann and Rodgers.

Hasenhuttl touted with possible Tottenham job

The 53-year-old, according to Pitt-Brooke, is among the most likely candidates to replace Mourinho if chairman Daniel Levy opts to sack the Lilywhites boss – and beyond those three names, Spurs would be looking at more fringe targets.

While Hasenhuttl is a candidate, as the journalist explains in the Athletic, he has heard various sources wonder whether his intense management style would translate well to the big name Lilywhites dressing room.

However, given his recent plaudits by fellow managers and the media alike, it’s little wonder why the Saints boss is apparently being considered.

Transfer Tavern take

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to the press earlier this season, lavished Hasenhuttl with praise – calling him an ‘exceptional manager’ who he knows from his time in Germany (Man City official).

Meanwhile, speaking on an episode of the Football Writers podcast back in late October, Jonathan Northcroft raved about Hasenhuttl and even claimed there is an ‘echo of Pochettino’ due to his ability to create a team ‘so much better than the sum of their parts’.

Whether or not he does replace Mourinho, or if the current Spurs boss even leaves, remains to be seen – but the Southampton manager is clearly in the running.

In other news: Tottenham will make a move to sign this ‘leader’, find out more here.

According to recent reports, interest in Glasgow Rangers midfielder, Ianis Hagi, is intensifying ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claims that Lazio are looking to strengthen their attacking options this summer, and that the Serie A side have turned their attention towards Hagi.

So far this season, the £21,000-per-week 22-year-old has impressed over his 28 Scottish Premiership appearances for Steven Gerrard’s side, scoring six goals and providing nine assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.93 – ranking him as Gers’ 13th-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

And, according to Gazzetta, should Lazio wish to prize the attacking midfielder away from Ibrox this summer, Rangers would demand a fee of around €10 million (£8.6 million).

Transfer Tavern Take

While Hagi’s return of goals and assists has been impressive for Rangers so far this season, it will certainly be interesting to see how Gerrard’s side react should an offer of £8.6 million arrive for the Romania international, as this figure is substantially above both the player’s current Transfermarkt market value of £5.4 million, as well as the £3.15 million fee Gers paid for the midfielder last summer.

However, for now, this is all a theoretical discussion, as both Rangers’ and Hagi’s focus will undoubtedly be on seeing out their Premiership campaign with an unbeaten record.

In other news: these Rangers fans were left baffled after this “insane” footage emerged – find out more here!

Leeds United face West Ham United this evening and Phil Hay has dropped an exciting development on long-term absentee Gaetano Berardi before the match.

What Phil Hay had to report

The Athletic journalist reported that: “Gaetano Berardi has also made the trip and this would be his first appearance in a matchday squad since damaging his ACL at Derby last season.”

Indeed, the right-back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last summer towards the end of the Whites’ promotion-winning campaign and has been out of action ever since.

This is great news for Berardi and Leeds

The 32-year-old Swiss international is now close to getting a glimpse of the Premier League for the first time, a fitting reward for his lengthy service at Elland Road.

Back when he was fully fit, Bielsa praised the defender, saying: “Berardi is a loyal player and he gives everything on the pitch. When you give everything on the pitch, the players can arrive late, but you have to analyse every red card. Maybe the red card today is different to another.”

It is fantastic to see the right-back travel with the Leeds squad and, while it seems unlikely that he will feature tonight after so long out of action, at least Bielsa has one player set to return amid a plethora of injury issues elsewhere in the squad.

In other news, Leeds have received a positive update in regards to a reported transfer target!

Gone are the days of Phil Parkinson’s timid football and Stewart Donald’s tired ownership at Sunderland and under Lee Johnson, the Mackems look a completely different outfit.

They are reinvigorated and are playing with a swagger rarely seen at the Stadium of Light over the last couple of years. For once, there are reasons to be positive.

On the chalkboard

Sunderland currently sit fourth in League One and now stand a real chance of achieving promotion back to the Championship.

A large factor has been the attacking football that Johnson has been intent on having his players play with.

Aiden McGeady has come back into the fray after being alienated by Parkinson and has been game-changing. No player has recorded more than his 11 assists in the division this term, a tally he’s accomplished in just 17 outings.

He has been different gravy and alongside Charlie Wyke, Johnson has conjured up one of the most feared partnerships in League One.

Wyke has racked up 25 strikes in all competitions and a large portion of them have been supplied by McGeady; the Irishman assisted all four of his goals against Doncaster for instance.

Though, what if another mouth-watering partnership is on the horizon?

Defoe heading back?

The name on the lips of Sunderland supporters over the last few days has been that of Jermain Defoe. The striker is out of contract at Rangers in the summer and he’s now widely expected to leave on a free transfer.

Kevin Phillips isn’t convinced a move could happen but speaking to Football Insider, Kevin Campbell was a little more hopeful. For the deal to happen, however, Sunderland need to achieve one thing.

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Campbell commented: “The key is Sunderland getting promoted. That’s the spanner in the works. But if that is the case, I’m sure it’s an offer Jermaine will entertain.”

Defoe might be 38 years of age but in the words of David Moyes, he is a “priceless” entity. The fact of the matter is that the striker scores goals wherever he goes and even if he didn’t play a major part in Rangers’ title win this season, he was still finding the back of the net.

The former England international has scored 29 times for the Gers during his two seasons at the club, a tally that demonstrates he’s still got what it takes.

Indeed, if he features alongside a player like McGeady, it could be phenomenal. The Irish winger has been a revelation this term and has been laying balls on a plate for Wyke with great regularity.

Add a first-class poacher like Defoe into the equation and his assist tally may get even greater.

The duo are both in the twilight of their careers but this partnership has the potential to be devastating. McGeady has a wand of a left foot while Defoe’s finishing ability is second to very few.

For those reasons alone, they must try and tempt him back to the Stadium of Light.

AND in other news, Forget O’Brien: Sunderland gem who made just 16 passes fast becoming a “joy to watch”…