All posts by z3u9t.icu

Barcelona are currently still a wounded animal as the Catalan giants are struggling with their form.

Their last game saw them take only one point away from Slavia Prague in a match that ended up as a goalless draw at the Camp Nou. A couple of days before that, Levante had taken all the spoils of war in a La Liga clash Ernesto Valverde will soon want to forget.

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Seeing how there are simply no margins for error left for the Blaugrana, a strong performance is expected this weekend against Celta Vigo, a team currently with problems of their own, seeing how they’re sitting in 18th place and battling to stay afloat.

And it would also not be a stretch to say Valverde might want to deploy his strongest line-up in order to get back to winning ways.

With that in mind, here’s what we think his gala XI should look like come Saturday night:

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a constant that rarely changes for the Catalans.

The German goalie has proven time and time again how vital he is for this squad and dropping him seems almost as unlikely as it would be for Valverde to drop Lionel Messi.

The backline will have to be changed slightly. Jordi Alba is currently out injured and for that reason, despite some questionable management by the coach, Junior Firpo should finally be getting his ticket back into the squad.

Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet should complete the centre-back pairing and the defensive line of Barcelona should be finalised with Nelson Semedo at the right-back position.

Arthur Melo was rested mid-week and we could very well see his return to the line-up this weekend. The young Brazilian midfielder has been one of the stand-out performers throughout the 2019/20 and his omission from the team-sheet would really be a big surprise if he is fit and ready to go.

The same can be said for Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets as they should accompany Arthur and form the midfield trident for the Catalans.

Up front, the team is still without Luis Suarez but in his stead, Valverde should be looking to deploy a trio of Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and, of course, Messi, just as he did in the previous clash.

This starting XI would only see two changes from the one that faced Slavia Prague on Tuesday so we should not expect any major tweaks from the Basque coach.

Let’s see what he ends up doing on Saturday night.

Glasgow Rangers delivered arguably their most complete performance of the season in their 2-0 win over Malmö.

The Europa League victory saw the Light Blues dominate from start to finish, with the only complaint being that there should have been another three or four goals added to the final total.

Three points is all that matters, however, and Philippe Clement will be hoping the momentum can carry forward onto Sunday, as they face Hibernian in the Premiership.

Due to the short turnaround, the Belgian may make a few changes to his starting XI. Despite the good display, there was one player who wasn’t quite at his best – Vaclav Cerny.

Vaclav Cerny’s game in numbers vs Malmö

The Czech winger joined on loan for the season from Wolfsburg, already scoring once and grabbing two assists in eight games prior to the Malmö clash.

He was deployed in his favourite right-wing position against the Swedish champions yet couldn’t quite find the spark that he has shown in previous games this term.

The winger failed to score, register an assist or even make a key pass during his time on the pitch. He also missed a big chance while taking two shots that were both off-target, summing up his evening.

Cerny won only three of his eight total duels while losing possession 13 times and was eventually replaced by Ross McCausland.

Goals

0

Assists

0

Big chances missed

1

Dribble attempts (successful)

1 (1)

Total shots

4

Possession lost

13

The Northern Irishman capped off an impressive cameo by scoring the second goal of the match with a neat finish off the post.

The question for Clement now is, will Cerny start on Sunday? Or is there other options ready to step in for the league tie?

Why Clement could drop Cerny for Hibs clash

If the Czech star is dropped from the starting XI, McCausland is the prime candidate to replace him.

The youngster hasn’t quite had the same opportunities this term due to Cerny’s arrival, but he has scored twice in all competitions for the Gers.

McCausland has started only twice all season, with those coming in the Champions League qualifiers against Dynamo Kyiv.

Despite averaging just 33 minutes per match in the Premiership, the 21-year-old has succeeded with 50% of his dribble attempts, won 53% of his total duels, averages 1.7 shots and 0.7 key passes per game, showing that he likes to make an impact during his limited time on the pitch.

With rotation going to be key for Clement, this could see McCausland make his first league start of the campaign against the Easter Road side this weekend.

Given his impact from the bench in midweek, perhaps Clement will stick with a tried and trusted XI that got the job done in Sweden.

The main focus will be securing all three points, especially as the Gers are trailing both Celtic and Aberdeen in the race for the league title.

As well as Bajrami: Rangers star put in his best performance of the season

The Light Blues central midfielder enjoyed an impressive evening against Malmo.

ByDan Emery Sep 27, 2024

Manchester United are preparing for a return to Premier League action this weekend as they face Southampton, and ahead of that game, news has emerged about a player’s contract situation at Old Trafford.

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As stated, the Red Devils are back in action this weekend, and Erik ten Hag will be hoping his players can return from international duty with a clean bill of health. As the international break started last week, it was reported that the Dutchman may be given a significant boost for their game against the Saints too – it has been claimed that Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw may be able to return after their recent injuries.

Both players are yet to play this season, as Hojlund picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season while Shaw returned from Euro 2024 and picked up a calf injury in training. This update stated that both players could be back available for Saturday, with ten Hag likely to provide an update later this week.

Meanwhile, as well as United using the break to try and get players back fit, they have also been using it as an opportunity to look at potential players they could target in 2025. It has been claimed that United sent scouts to a recent Turkey under-20 game against England for them to take in Ali Sahin Yilmaz. The defender is said to have impressed the United officials, who sent back positive reports to the club.

Now, as Man United head into their game against Southampton, there is news about a new contract that could be offered to a rising star.

Man Utd planning new contract talks with “superstar” winger

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are planning to hold contract talks with winger Amad Diallo. The 22-year-old is now in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils do have the option to extend that by another 12 months.

The report states that United’s hierarchy is keen to start contract talks in the coming months as they try to tie the player down to a new long-term deal. Diallo, who has been described as being a “superstar” by football creator Liam Canning, is on a weekly wage of £28,846, which sees him earn £1.5 million a year. This report goes on to add that his next deal will see him double that at the least, given how well he has done in recent months.

Apps

15

Goals

2

Assists

2

The Ivory Coast international has played 25 times for United in all competitions, scoring four goals and chipping in with two assists. Diallo has featured in all the club’s three league games so far, scoring in the defeat to Brighton last month as well as starting in the Community Shield game against Manchester City.

Rangers have now changed their mind on the future of their highest earner once more amid fan backlash, according to a fresh report, underlining the uncertainty surrounding Philippe Clement's squad this season.

Rangers start season slowly

After just four games in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers sit five points behind early pace setters Celtic and Aberdeen. The Glasgow giants drew their opening game in uninspiring fashion, and the points gap to their Old Firm rivals was extended as the gulf in class between the pair was made abundantly clear last weekend.

It summed up a torrid start to the season for Clement's side, who were also knocked out of the Champions League in controversial fashion after Jefte saw a questionable second yellow card against Dynamo Kyiv, who went on to score twice to knock out their Scottish opponents.

The international break has therefore arrived at a perfect time for Rangers, giving them a chance to regroup and seek improvement across the remainder of the campaign to prevent their early season slump turning into a season to forget.

But instead of a united front, the Gers have been back and forth over the future of club captain James Tavernier amid reported interest from Turkey, whose transfer window does not shut until Friday 13th September. Now, it appears that the club have done yet another U-turn on his future.

Is Tavernier staying at Rangers?

Selling the club's captain outside of the transfer window with no way of signing a replacement until January never seemed like a smart move on the surface, yet that is precisely what Rangers were willing to do according to reports just last week, which claimed they had changed their minds from earlier this year.

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ByRoss Kilvington Sep 10, 2024

The defender, who is into the final two years of his £30,000 a week deal at Ibrox, has been the subject of interest from Turkish sides throughout the summer, but Rangers had previously rejected any offers

Just days after deciding to part ways with the Englishman though, it appears that the club have done yet another u-turn. That comes as Football Insider claim the Scots "will block an exit" this week, because "they have no opportunity to replace him". They add that Rangers have "responded to fan backlash" and have now insisted he is not for sale.

James Tavernier's impressive Rangers career

Appearances

467

Goals

125

Assists

131

Yellow Cards

52

That is set to be a different story in January, however, with the report adding that "a sale could be reconsidered in January if the right offer arrives".

The 32-year-old has played every minute of the season so far, grabbing two assists in four appearances, though he has been criticised for his defensive work despite his attacking returns.

Leeds United will try and reduce the fee required to sign Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips this summer, transfer insider Dean Jones told FootballFanCast.

The 26-year-old played only 232 minutes last campaign for the Merseyside outfit.

Is Nat Phillips signing for Leeds United?

According to a report from the Athletic, Leeds are interested in bringing Phillips to Elland Road ahead of the club's first season back in the Championship after a three-year top-flight spell.

The Whites have recently appointed former Norwich City and Borussia Mönchengladbach manager Daniel Farke, who held an interest in signing the former Bolton Wanderers youth player during his time managing the Canaries.

The report states that Liverpool are hoping to get a fee in the region of £10m for the defender who gained cult hero status among the terraces of Anfield following his performances throughout the side's tumultuous 2020/21 campaign.

The West Yorkshire side are in the market for a defender this summer amidst rumours that both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are set to depart for Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma respectively following the club's relegation.

Leeds are set to face competition from Dutch Champions Feyenoord for the Englishman's signature however, and the Eredivisie side could have the advantage due to being able to offer Champions League football.

According to Jones, whilst the club are interested in the centre-back, they may try and knock the price down from £10m.

What did Jones say about the potential deal?

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Jones stated that whilst Phillips is a "decent" Championship-level signing, that may be his ceiling.

Jones said: "Nat Phillips is a decent signing for the Championship. That might be the ceiling of it, I'll be honest. I mean, we don't really know what levels he can reach here, there's not much evidence to make a judgment call on that. I think Nat Phillips will be cheap, about around 10 million pounds. I would still expect that Leeds would to try to knock that price down even if they wish to try and do a deal with it, see if there was any interest."

Would Nat Phillips be a smart signing for Leeds United?

Phillips has all the potential to be a really smart pickup by Leeds.

The defender has enjoyed a spell in the Championship before, spending the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan with eventual promotion-getters Bournemouth, making 17 appearances and recording a Whoscored average rating of 7.01, suggesting that the central defender can more than hold his own at this level of football.

The 26-year-old has received plenty of praise throughout his time at Liverpool despite his limited number of appearances, with manager Jurgen Klopp calling the player "unbelievable" and stating that his development as a player has been "absolutely insane".

This might finally be the summer where Phillips gets his move, with the Reds having previously blocked the exit path multiple times due to defensive injuries, curtailing potential moves to the likes of Bournemouth, Southampton, Galatasaray and Benfica.

Should Leeds manage to beat out the competition to sign the Liverpool man, they could have the perfect, ready-made Koch replacement as they try to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be assessing Juventus defender Gleison Bremer's availability as they mull over swooping for the Brazilian this summer.

What's the latest on Gleison Bremer to Tottenham?

According to The Telegraph, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to fortify the backline after the outfit's poor season, largely due to defensive disarray – and Bremer could be the perfect new addition.

Believed to cost around €60m (£51m) to prise him away from the Old Lady, Tottenham will have to compete against Premier League rivals Manchester United to secure the 6 foot 2 ace's signature.

The 26-year-old is an untested commodity on English soil but has been impressive in Serie A over the past several seasons, and could be a good signing as the north London club look to rebuild after falling by the wayside this year.

How good is Gleison Bremer?

Having shipped 63 goals in the Premier League this past season and consigned themselves to a first campaign without European football since 2009/10 after languidly falling to an eighth-placed finish, Tottenham's requirement for defensive reinforcements is paramount.

And signing a dynamic and robust option in Bremer, who has been praised as a "high-level" gem by Brazil boss Tite, could be a fantastic way to rekindle the verve that has evaporated this year, with the former Torino ace playing 43 times across all competitions in 2022/23, scoring five goals.

As per FBref, the £153k-per-week titan ranks among the top 13% of centre-backs for pass completion, the top 8% for goals, the top 5% for touches in the attacking box, the top 12% for blocks and the top 19% for aerials won per 90, which has led the statistics-led site to draw comparisons to Liverpool's star central defender Virgil van Dijk, who Bremer could emulate with the Lilywhites.

Van Dijk signed for Liverpool from Southampton for £75m in late December 2018, and has since been instrumental in the club's illustrious success over the past several years, notably winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

He has been hailed for his distinctive set of skills by the iconic Ronaldinho, who said of the Dutchman: "[You] play with elegance and command the defence like a maestro."

And given that the £220k-per-week phenom ranks among the top 18% of positional peers for goals, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 1% for touches in the attacking box and the top 8% for aerials won, Bremer could sculpt his game to the distinguished 31-year-old's mould.

Described as an "animal" of a defender by Torino’s Mergim Vojvod, Bremer would bring tenacity and an imposing presence to Tottenham's defence and would likely rekindle some of their former vigour, and despite Postecoglou being unable to offer instant European endeavours, the tantalising prospect of a central role at a club seeking a renaissance could be enough to complete a transfer.

Everton could finally be set to end their striking woes this summer, by preying on one of the relegated clubs…

What's the latest on Kelechi Iheanacho to Everton?

That's according to Tribal Football, who suggest that the Toffees are one of a host of Premier League clubs seeking to rescue Kelechi Iheanacho from facing the Championship with Leicester City.

With Nottingham Forest and Burnley the other main suitors, it seems that whoever gains this coup will take a small early victory over what is set to be three relegation rivals.

Football Transfers value the £80k-per-week marksman at €16.3m (£14m), however, the Foxes' status as a second-tier club could see a further bargain earned as they seek to offload their higher earners.

Is Kelechi Iheanacho better than Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

The Nigeria international has endured a tumultuous tenure across his years in England, however, has remained a top-flight mainstay ever since his emergence at Manchester City in 2015.

Despite seemingly having been around forever, he is still just 26 and poised to enter his prime years soon. That bodes well for the Merseyside club, should they sneak him through the door early.

After all, he has remained a relatively consistent goal threat in his last three years at the King Power Stadium, notching 12 goals during the 2020/21 league campaign, then recording a further 17 goal contributions across all competitions the year following, before his five goals and five assists proved not enough to halt the relegation of his team most recently.

Although when fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin arguably boasts the perfect profile to be a Sean Dyche number nine, his injury woes have made him dreadfully unreliable across their last two relegation-threatened terms.

The England international made just 17 league appearances last season, matching his figure from the year prior. No longer can he be trusted as a sole forward to lead the line throughout a whole campaign, despite all the hype surrounding his pace, power and ability to score. Fortunately, these are assets that Iheanacho can also bring to the table.

When comparing the former Sheffield United gem with his potential new teammate, his best league goalscoring year came under Carlo Ancelotti, and even then that tally of 16 was only four shy of his potential successor's apex.

Purely being a present striker would most be regarded as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin nowadays, and given that this transfer option has played nearly ten more league games than the 26-year-old across both of the past two years, the writing is on the wall. That is without mentioning the immense physical assets that arguably elevate Iheanacho beyond the struggling striker too.

Not to mention he would offer that finishing touch that has been lacking at Goodison Park, with Dyche's team having recorded just 34 goals most recently as they avoided the drop by two points.

They were the second-lowest scorers in the whole division that year, so to add someone who was once lauded by former Everton striker Tony Cottee for making finishing "look so easy", would be a match made in heaven.

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing PSV star Xavi Simons as Mikel Arteta sets his sights on bolstering his squad this summer.

The Spaniard is set to have a busy transfer window at the helm, working alongside Edu to make sufficient reinforcements to ensure the Gunners can continue their form as title challengers.

The latest link could be a marquee signing for the north Londoners, in a player that has cemented himself as a sensational rising star in Europe.

What’s the latest on Xavi Simons to Arsenal?

Arsenal were first linked to Eredivisie sensation Simons earlier this month, with news from the Netherlands stating the Gunners claimed interest in the youngster.

News reported this week has kept the links between the Dutchman and the Emirates alive, with Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur – as relayed by Sport Witness – suggesting that Arsenal have been joined in their pursuit of the 20-year-old.

CIES Football Observatory has valued the La Masia graduate at €60m (£51m).

What could Xavi Simons offer to Arsenal?

This past season was an overwhelming success for the Amsterdam-born gem, who registered 34 goal contributions in a total of 48 appearances in all competitions for PSV (via Transfermarkt).

The versatile attacker, who has featured across the frontline but primarily as a central midfielder and left-winger, has skills in abundance that could suit those at the Emirates.

Lauded as “magnificent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old is as creative as he is threatening in front of goal, registering an average of 1.7 key passes per game in the Eredivisie, as well as creating 11 big chances.

While his eight assists and 19 league goals are extremely pleasing in themselves, the Dutchman is mostly identifiable for his playmaking abilities, with him praised as being an “intelligent” asset by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Arsenal have seen a host of playmaking geniuses in their time; from Dennis Bergkamp to Cesc Fabregas, north London has witnessed some magic in central midfield over the years, with one name prominently astounding in the Emirates era.

Mesut Ozil was integral to the Gunners for the majority of his time in the Premier League, and particularly shone in the 2015/16 campaign that saw Arsenal finish second.

Hailed as a “genius” by former manager and Premier League legend Arsene Wenger (via beIN SPORTS), the German recorded 19 assists that season, averaging a monstrous 4.2 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

Ozil ended his time in England having recorded 59 Premier League assists in 184 appearances (via Transfermarkt), with his creative mastery forever ingrained in the club’s folklore.

Arteta could discover his answer to the former midfielder in Simons, who at just 20 years old, is showing signs that he could emulate the playmaking efficiency of the Gelsenkirchen-born gem in north London.

As per FBref, the Dutchman averaged 2.31 passes into the final third per 90 in the Eredivisie this season, as well as recording 4.82 progressive passes per 90 to flex his ability of dispatching the ball into threatening spaces.

Acting as a key creator for PSV, Simons could reinstall an essence of Ozil to the Emirates this summer, as a player that could even succeed the German's influence based upon his impeccable strengths in front of goal – which surpass those of the World Cup winner.

In his best-scoring season, the former Real Madrid ace netted eight goals in the league for Arsenal, with Simons scoring 19 in Eredivisie this term aged 20, showcasing the talent Arteta could have in his possession.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly ‘intensified’ their contacts over a potential summer move for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez.

What’s the latest Tottenham transfer news?

Spurs officials appear to be hard at work in the transfer window after finally bringing their managerial search to an end by appointing Ange Postecoglou last week.

Reports have suggested that personal terms with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya have been agreed, however, the two clubs still need to shake hands on a transfer fee.

Elsewhere, English trio James Maddison, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho have also been linked with a move to north London. However, it does look as if Tottenham chiefs are also looking abroad when it comes to potential additions, with Ibanez another target.

Recent reports from Italy suggested that Spurs have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Ibanez, with Roma lowering their asking price, and it looks as if Tottenham could soon make their move.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Italian website Roma Giallorossa on Monday regarding Spurs and Ibanez. They claimed that Tottenham have ‘intensified’ their contacts in the ‘last few hours’, saying that an official offer ‘within a few days’ is now a possibility.

Postecoglou is thought to be an admirer of the defender, and a bid from Spurs in the region of €25m and €30m could be enough to sign him.

Who is Roger Ibanez?

Ibanez is primarily a centre-back but can also play as a right-back or even as a holding midfielder, so could provide plenty of versatility to Postecoglou’s squad, should a move get over the line.

The 24-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high €30m Transfermarkt valuation and has won senior two caps for Brazil.

In total, Ibanez has made 149 senior appearances for Roma, contributing to 11 goals. As per WhoScored, the defender was Roma’s fourth-best player during the 2022/23 season, as per WhoScored, outperforming Spurs defenders Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet and Davison Sanchez.

Therefore, with Spurs conceding the most Premier League goals last season in the top 14 sides (63), you could argue that a new defender is needed. Someone like Ibanez, who is seemingly at the top of his game and has been lauded as "untouchable" by former Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho, could be a shrewd addition, and with Postecoglou a fan, it appears as if a transfer is one to watch.

West Ham can look to next season with huge excitement and optimism. Their first major trophy in 43 years secured Europa League football and makes them a compelling option for any footballer looking to challenge themselves at a higher level.

After their £166m outlay last summer, David Moyes has demonstrated he isn’t afraid to be active in the transfer market, and the club is set for a busy summer.

One player who has been linked to joining the Hammers at this fruitful time is Brennan Johnson, who has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most consistent and productive players since their promotion back to the Premier League.

What’s the latest on Brennan Johnson to West Ham?

According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old is set to be the subject of an intense transfer battle between Everton and West Ham.

This outlet details that the Welshman is valued at £40m due to his massive effort to keep his side away from relegation.

However, with the added attractive option of European football, the East London outfit may have the edge to secure this talent.

How would Brennan Johnson fit in at West Ham?

The tricky attacker has been an indispensable component of a Reds side that gained promotion and kept their Premier League status.

In the 2021/22 campaign, the forward recorded 25 contributions in 46 appearances in the second tier and followed this up with 11 goal involvements in his debut season at the top level of English football.

Johnson appeared in every single domestic game and his manager Steve Cooper is a massive fan, saying: “He’s a fantastic player, we know he’s got qualities and is a great finisher.”

One of his most impressive attributes is his chameleonic ability to play across the frontline and his potential link-up with the dazzling Lucas Paqueta is a mouth-watering prospect.

The dazzling Brazilian ranks within the best 7% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive passes per 90, and has averaged the second-most dribbles per game (1.2) in the West Ham squad.

Described as “simply sensational” by CBS’ James Benge, the former Lyon star’s impudent vision, skill, and passing, coupled with Johnson’s endless running and commendable athleticism could be a devastating method of attack next term.

The way Paqueta expertly slipped in Jarrod Bowen to win the final last night is a teaser of how Johnson can benefit from his creativity.

The 18-cap international was born in Nottingham and has been in the youth ranks at Forest since 2009 – to tempt Johnson to leave his boyhood club will take a humongous proposal.

The £30k-per-week man’s current deal expires in 2026, so it would certainly be an audacious swoop for the high-flying Hammers.