All posts by z3u9t.icu

Since Steven Gerrard was appointed as Aston Villa’s manager back in mid-November, the former midfielder has used a total of 24 players at the Midlands club so far.

One of those 24 players is midfielder Morgan Sanson, who, alongside Ashley Young, has made six appearances for Villa under the Liverpudlian, all of them coming in the Premier League.

The Frenchman has started two of the six league games he’s played in so far this season under Gerrard, the first of which came in their 3-1 defeat against Chelsea followed by their recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

Even though the 27-year-old has only made 16 appearances for the Villans since arriving from French club Marseille back in the 2021 January transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £16m, his future at Villa Park should be starting to come into consideration based on what he’s managed to deliver for the club.

His performances in the Premier League so far this season have earned the midfielder an overall rating of 6.34/10, currently making him the lowest-rated player in Villa’s squad at the moment that has started more than one league game according to WhoScored, suggesting that he has let Gerrard down when given the chance to show what he can do.

In the game against the Red Devils at the weekend, not only did Sanson give the foul away that led to the free-kick that Bruno Fernandes scored his first goal of the game from but the French maestro also gave the ball away in the second half that led to United’s second goal. All of that culminated in him reacting badly when he was substituted off, which he had to apologise for on social media afterwards.

In addition to his underwhelming performances, Sanson has struggled with injury issues since he made the move to the Midlands club, which former Villa manager Dean Smith described as “frustrating,” which shows that he hasn’t been a particularly reliable player for the team.

Moving forward, if Sanson doesn’t start delivering for Villa on the pitch until the end of the season, then Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris must seriously consider cutting their losses with the player in the next summer transfer window to see if they can reclaim any of the money they paid for him.

Also, with young Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka apparently not happy with his playing time at the club, potentially axing Sanson, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £59k-per-week according to Salary Sport, from the team could give him a clear path to regular game time to see if he would be a better option than the struggling Frenchman.

In other news: Lange could secure another AVFC transfer masterclass as claim emerges on £9m-rated ace – opinion

After failing to win any of their opening seven Premier League games of the season, Southampton have managed to turn their fortunes around in recent weeks with three wins in their four previous league games, leaving them in 13th place in the league table with 14 points on the board.

Despite this good run of form, there have been some players in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad that have not been as influential as others have been, one of which being Theo Walcott.

With seven appearances under his belt for the Saints so far across the Premier League and Carabao Cup, Walcott has failed to register even one goal or assist, which could be why he has been named as an unused substitute for their two previous league games against Watford and Aston Villa.

In addition to that, the 32-year-old, who is currently valued at £4.5m according to Transfermarkt, has only managed to rack up a dismal average of 0.8 shots per game in the league and 0.2 key passes per game, exposing just how ineffective the experienced Englishman has been for the Saints in an attacking sense so far this season.

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Things haven’t been particularly fruitful in a defensive sense either with Walcott only managing to rack up an average of 0.6 tackles per game in the league.

Also, with Walcott being currently listed as Southampton’s lowest-rated player in terms of his overall performances in the Premier League that has made more than one start according to WhoScored, this shows that his performances as a whole have been disappointing rather than just his lack of attacking impact.

This shows just how much of a weak link Walcott has been for Hasenhuttl in this campaign and why the Austrian has been right to keep him on the bench in recent weeks.

Moving forward, based on what he has shown so far this season, Hasenhuttl shouldn’t be having any thoughts to bring Walcott back in the team anytime soon.

Looking beyond that, unless the flying winger can somehow turn his poor form around, then the club should be thinking about moving him on when his current contract expires in the summer of 2023.

In other news: Gao must avoid Saints nightmare on “exceptional” St Mary’s gem, fans would be outraged – opinion

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has confirmed that Leon Bailey will once again be missing from action ahead of their match against Spurs in the Premier League.

What’s the story?

The Jamaica international has had a mixed start to life at Villa Park following his summer move from Bayer Leverkusen, with injuries causing him to miss a couple of games in late August.

After making his recovery, Bailey showed exactly what he could bring to the table with an electric cameo against Everton, scoring one goal and setting up another as Villa ran out 3-0 winners.

However, after being forced off though injury just minutes after coming on against the Toffees, the 24-year-old looks set to be ruled out until after the international break; and speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of today’s fixture, Smith has delivered an update on the winger.

The manager said: “I’m hopeful that he will start training during the international break, and we will assess him then.”

Villa fans will be gutted

After initially seeing Bailey go down with injury, former Villa defender Alan Hutton responded by saying: “He’s a little bit different to some players because he’s so explosive. That’s kind of a red flag. You need to be careful, especially if you’re coming back from a hamstring injury or things like that. He’s that quick off the mark that he needs to be right.

“The intensity of the Premier League is massive so it’s always going to put strain on your body. They’re going to have to be careful with him, he is playing catch up.”

Hutton concluded: “I’m sure over the coming weeks, depending on how bad he is, they’ll take their time with him and try bed him in really slowly.”

Bailey’s display against Everton showed just why he can be a real game-changer for Villa with his sheer pace and skill, and coming up against a struggling Spurs side, he surely would have relished today’s contest.

Villa fans will no doubt be gutted at seeing him miss out today.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped an Aston Villa transfer update…

Aston Villa are considering making a move for Rangers defender Leon King, according to Birmingham Live, and a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts on the news via social media.

The 17-year-old centre-back was promoted to first team training when Steven Gerrard was in charge at Ibrox and will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Leicester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all tracking King, but Birmingham Live suggested that Villa could swoop in a deal worth just £200,000.

King has made two senior appearances for Rangers and is highly regarded in Scotland, with the Gers in talks with the teenager over a new contract. Should those discussions prove unsuccessful, a winter move to the Midlands could well be on the cards.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the links to King on Twitter on Wednesday. Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one labelling his movie-esque name as ‘brilliant’.

“Surely not. He wouldn’t leave a massive club for a tiny tinpot club like Villa. No way.”

Credit: @Aston_JTT_Villa

“yes please”

Credit: @DanAV___

“I mean, this is a drop in the ocean for us, just do it.”

Credit: @DaleAC93

“The name is brilliant, heard he’s a baller and anything to enjoy Rangers so get it done Villa”

Credit: @MasonUTFV

“bargain”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“he absolutely destroys the name test”

Credit: @DOUGLASLUlZ

In other news: ‘Shocking’ – Many Villa fans slam ace who lost 80% of duels v Man City

Matt Ritchie may have met the end of his road at Newcastle United after Steve Bruce hit out at the winger following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The former Scotland international was one of four players Bruce called out in his post-game media duties for their role in letting a one-goal lead fail to return all three points.

Bruce also pointed his finger at goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defender Jamal Lewis for their roles in Wolves’ equaliser, and criticised Joelinton for his slack finishing.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s Molineux natives pulled level through Ruben Neves entering the final quarter of an hour, after Lewis was beaten easily and failed to block Pedro Neto’s cross.

Dubravka got a full hand on Neves’ header but failed to get sufficient strength behind his contact to prevent the ball from finding the net.

The Wolves midfielder had been left unchallenged in the centre of the box, as Ritchie failed to pass on instructions of a formation change after replacing the injured Emil Krafth.

“The instructions Matty didn’t get on to the team quick enough on how we were doing it,” Bruce said, via quotes by Chronicle Live. “When you look at the goal, we should have stopped the cross and when the ‘keeper looks at it, could he have done better?”

Bruce then added his thoughts on Joelinton wasting a golden chance to put Newcastle back ahead in the dying stages, after the Brazilian’s effort from 12-yards out was bundled over the bar by Romain Saiss despite having the beating of Wolves shot-stopper Rui Patricio.

“I think he should score,” the Toon boss noted. “It was a great run by [Jacob] Murphy and it was a big, big chance with, what was it, seven minutes to go? I’ve just seen it back again and it’s a big, huge opportunity that we missed.”

Bruce had brought Ritchie on in the 72nd-minute for the £45,000-per-week midfielder’s first Premier League appearance since January, having played no role in Newcastle’s past eight games.

The 31-year-old had been a regular at St. James’ Park over the festive period following a shoulder injury, starting five of eight top-flight fixtures, but fell out of favour amid negotiations with AFC Bournemouth over a potential return to the Vitality Stadium.

Bruce made clear that United would listen to offers for the £8.5m-rated outcast during the winter transfer market, as Ritchie had become “frustrated” with not playing week-in, week-out.

But Bournemouth failed to present a satisfactory offer prior to Deadline Day, so negotiations broke down and a move was called off.

With Ritchie only playing 18 of a possible 450 minutes since the window slammed shut and Bruce’s comments suggesting that he felt let down by the veteran’s lack of leadership at a crucial time, it could be curtains for the Gosport-born winger’s long-term Magpies future.

The St. James’ Park natives will surely be opposed to continue paying Ritchie a large sum each week with little to no return, so will likely look to move the midfielder on again in the off-season – despite presenting him with a new contract last March, one that runs until 2023.

AND in other news, Newcastle have joined the race for a sought-after “real talent” capable of “outstanding” displays…

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he doesn’t believe Mikel Arteta is the right man to take Arsenal back in the Champions League.

The former Gunners captain won the FA Cup in his first season back at the Emirates, but his Arsenal side are some way behind the top-four places following 11 Premier League defeats already this term and are facing the prospect of their worst league finish since 1994-1995.

Arsenal have finished outside the Champions League places in each of the previous four seasons – and know their best route back into the competition is by winning the Europa League.

Arteta’s team have improved of late, and backed up their comeback win against Benfica by beating Leicester last Saturday in one of their best result of the campaign.

Despite those two impressive victories, Windass still isn’t convinced by Arteta.

He told Football FanCast:

“I don’t think he is for Arsenal. I think he’s turned a corner, but I don’t actually think he’s the right man for Arsenal to go on to be a Champions League or Premier League winner.

“I have always said that Brendon Rodgers is a great fit for Arsenal. He’s an English manager, knows the Premier League, I’m not saying Arteta doesn’t, but he’s just come from being Pep’s understudy and it’s his first job. 

“I don’t think he will go on and take Arsenal into the Champions League and push for the Premier League title.”

Arsenal might well go and win the Europa League which would mark their best season for some time, but their Premier League form under Arteta has been less than inspiring.

As a result, it’s no great surprise that Windass thinks the Gunners should look elsewhere.

Newcastle United showed during the previous January transfer window how capable they are when it comes to bringing new players to the club.

Having spent a total of £91.89m in January according to Transfermarkt, this certainly seems to have been a turning point for the Toon.

Since January, Eddie Howe’s side have only lost three league games and won their four previous matches.

Now that the summer transfer window is approaching, it seems as though an early hint has been dropped over one potential area that the club could look to strengthen at Darsley Park before next season starts.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones had this to say about the possibility of Newcastle signing a striker in the summer.

He commented: “It could honestly be anyone. They’re just going to throw money at whoever seems available from across Europe. So, I still think that they’ll sign a massive name this summer up front.”

Great news for Newcastle fans

In January, the Magpies secured a deal for striker Chris Wood from fellow Premier League side Burnley for a fee of £25m.

Since then, the 30-year-old has found the back of the net on two occasions and appeared in all but one of their league games. As a result, there is clearly a need for greater quality in that area of the pitch.

In terms of who the ‘massive name’ could be, the Toon have recently been linked with a swoop for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.

With 33 goals in 39 appearances for the Portuguese club this season, he would definitely fit the bill for what Newcastle are said to be looking for in the summer.

Having scored 21 goals in the league since the start of January, it’ll be exciting for the Toon fans to hear that the club may not only be looking at bringing another striker to St. James’ Park but also a potentially big name as well. Their record isn’t great but someone of Nunez’s calibre could certainly put that right.

Now that Howe has been able to take his side into the top half of the table after their dismal start to the season, adding a top striker to their ranks could propel the team even further up the table.

With that in mind, it could mean that finding regular game time next season may be a challenge for Wood and Callum Wilson should the club manage to add a consistent goalscorer to the squad.

In other news: Howe can finally axe “nervous” dud as NUFC plot bid for £197k-pw gem who’s “top-level”

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Wednesday evening in a top-of-the-table clash, where a win would see the Reds move top of the Premier League.

The Reds could be without Joel Matip, after the Cameroonian defender went off injured in the 1-1 draw against Fulham at the weekend and if he cannot play, Klopp should put his faith in Nathaniel Phillips.

The 23-year-old defender has impressed in both of his Premier League appearances this season, picking up solid ratings against both West Ham and Brighton, suggesting that he can be relied upon against Jose Mourinho’s side.

Whoever Klopp opts to play in defence will be in for an extremely tough match, considering the way both Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son have started the season for the North London club but Phillips’ no-nonsense physical style could see him get the better of the England captain on Wednesday.

Whilst Kane is perhaps best known for being a goalscorer, this season has seen him drop deeper where he has shown his superb passing range, having registered 10 assists already in the top-flight this season.

However, if Phillips can win the physical battle against Kane and limit his influence on the game, then it would give the Reds an excellent chance of winning Wednesday’s game.

If the Spurs striker isn’t given any space to work in by Phillips and co, then he’s much less likely to be able to play one of his trademark through balls to his South Korean teammate.

Liverpool are, of course, without Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, meaning that if Matip isn’t fit to play against Spurs, they won’t have a single senior centre-back available in their squad.

Fabinho has shown his class in that position since returning from injury but playing another player out of position in Matip’s potential absence could spell disaster for the Reds’ defence, and Klopp must trust Phillips to produce another strong display against the league leaders.

After his Premier League debut against West Ham, former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher was full of praise for the £70k per week man, saying:

“It was what he did aerially. What Fabinho and [Joe] Gomez lack is domination aerially, and when you play against some teams, not necessarily the top teams, but many teams will look to set pieces, direct balls, crosses into the box, second balls, and Liverpool didn’t deal with that at all against Sheffield United, and that’s what caused them big problems.

“But today, that header at the end from a corner, one of the last kicks of the game, to be the leader and make sure you get your head on it, normally that would be Van Dijk’s role. That was a vital header, and it won Liverpool the game really.

“I love the maturity he showed in the game.”

Therefore, considering that Phillips has done an excellent job in both of his Liverpool appearances this season, he should be the man to start at centre-back on Wednesday if Matip isn’t fit, and perhaps his aerial strength will prove vital if it can help him keep Kane quiet.

And, in other news… Forget Clarkson: Liverpool have the long-term successor to Jordan Henderson’s throne in teenage sensation…

Liverpool face a key clash in their race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League as they take on old rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

As it stands, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds sit six points off of the top four with just five matches left to play so the clash against the Red Devils really is pivotal in their season with a Champions League place being the only thing that they have left to play for.

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One man in the Liverpool squad who certainly understands these type of games – where the stakes are so high – is veteran midfielder James Milner. He simply must start at Old Trafford.

Whilst the 61-cap former England international is firmly in the twilight of his career at the age of 35, he brings with him plenty of experience in huge games due to his spells with Manchester City and, of course, the Reds.

That understanding and ability to remain calm in key moments could certainly come in useful against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men. Klopp is certainly aware of his key role in the Liverpool squad, labelling the midfielder as “massively important”.

Whilst some will argue that Milner does not possess the ability to silence the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba during the game, his defensive statistics suggest otherwise.

When compared to fellow midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who has rarely dropped out of the starting line-up in the Premier League this season, Milner overcomes the Dutchman on tackles and clearances per game, according to WhoScored.

Again, as the Reds attempt to shut out a United side that have won five out of their last six Premier League games, those aspects could well be key.

So, whilst Milner will certainly appear as an unlikely candidate to start at Old Trafford, Klopp really must restore him to the side as he could certainly be crucial in Liverpool earning a positive result in what is a crucial game.

AND in more news, find out which major summer transfer target the Reds have missed out on…

Leeds United are thought to be keen on bringing West Brom star Matheus Pereira to Elland Road this summer.

The Lowdown: Leeds fans wanted him signed

Pereira has been part of a Baggies side who have failed to remain in the Premier League after they came up alongside the Whites last season, with their relegation back to the Championship confirmed on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has starred at The Hawthorns, though, scoring 10 times and registering five assists in 31 league appearances.

His display against Southampton last month caught the eye of some Whites supporters, who urged the club to move for the Brazilian in the upcoming window.

The Latest: Orta and co not the only ones keen

According to the Daily Express, the Whites are now in fact interested in Pereira, who is on £39,000-a-week in the Midlands.

Leicester, RB Leipzig and West Ham are also keen on Pereira’s services, with the Baggies anticipated to demand up to £30m for the attacking midfielder described as a ‘great talent’ by Michael Brown.

So much interest from top sides is perhaps no surprise given the quality the Brazilian has shown in such a poor side this term.

The Verdict: Orta should try his luck

Victor Orta, who is of course the main man when it comes to transfer dealings at Elland Road, should make a move for Pereira ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Leeds hero Pablo Hernandez looks set to move on in the summer, so Pereira could come in to seriously rival the likes of Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts in a number 10 role.

Should Pereira move to Yorkshire, that may also then allow Rodrigo to rival Patrick Bamford as a starting striker, with the Brazilian occupying a position behind the forward.

He could well come at a club-record price, but he’s managed to produce two brilliant personal seasons in England now, and could fit into Marcelo Bielsa’s attack-minded squad with ease, as he is also capable of playing on either wing.

In other news: Noel Whelan addresses Raphinha rumours, find out more here.