All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton have enjoyed a 10-day break in the Premier League following their victory against Manchester United last time out, which saw Frank Lampard receive a huge boost in terms of the fitness in his squad – with a fresh update emerging from Finch Farm this weekend.

What’s the word?

Everton were back in training on Friday and have been posting images of the session on their official website’s gallery, with eagle-eyed supporters being able to spot two key players back involved.

Donny Van de Beek and Yerry Mina were both back in training following injury issues ahead of the important clash against Leicester City on Wednesday evening.

Lampard will be buzzing

Lampard will be buzzing that he has both first-team players back, especially Mina, who has been out for months and is one of the best defenders in the 43-year-old’s squad.

In early February, the centre-back sustained a high-grade quadriceps tendon injury against Newcastle United, which ultimately did not require surgery.

Indeed, Mina’s impact on the side has been huge this season – being involved in four wins and two draws over his 10 Premier League outings, proving that his inclusion makes a clear difference to the team.

When you look at his defensive play in more detail, the 27-year-old has won the majority of his ground and aerial duels combined (66%), as well as made an average of 2.7 clearances and 0.9 tackles per game, as per SofaScore.

Donny Van de Beek is also expected to return to action following a thigh injury sustained in the warm-up ahead of the West Ham United clash earlier this month, with the Manchester United loanee giving Lampard more depth to select from in his midfield ahead of the visit of the Foxes next week.

Indeed, Lampard will undoubtedly be hoping the winning momentum and confidence earned from the Man United victory will help his side continue their winning streak against Brendan Rodgers’ side on Wednesday night.

AND in other news: Everton plot bid for “extraordinary” £35k-p/w ace, Lamps can finally axe £75k-p/w flop

Aston Villa have been busier than most teams across the whole of Europe in this January transfer window when it comes to bringing new players to the Midlands club such as Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, Robin Olsen and Calum Chambers.

With that in mind and the fact that the Villans still have some time left to make yet another late swoop after bringing Chambers in from Arsenal just a couple of days ago.

One player that they could try and make a deal for before Monday is Manchester City youngster James McAtee, who has been mentioned to have caught the eye of Villa in recent days thanks to his performances for City’s U23 side.

As a young, English attacking-midfielder, the City prospect could be seen as Steven Gerrard’s own version of former Villa star Jack Grealish, who joined the reigning Premier League champions and current league leaders back in the previous summer transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £100m.

Also, with the 19-year-old sharing similar qualities to the former Villa captain in terms of being able to score goals and provide assists with 42 goals and 26 assists under his belt in 84 appearances for City’s youth and senior sides, he could be an exciting talent for Gerrard to have at his disposal.

In terms of a potential late move to Villa, with the teenager, who has been labelled as one of the club’s “exceptional” young talents by Pep Guardiola, only having appeared in three senior games for City so far, he may feel that he would be better off at a Premier League club where he’d be more likely to get some first-team minutes under his belt, which could be at Villa Park should Gerrard see enough potential in him.

In addition to that, with current Villa youngster Carney Chukwuemeka apparently not keen on signing a new deal at the Midlands club due to a lack of regular game time, if he were set to leave Villa, this could pave the way for McAtee to get a shot at impressing in the first team.

Moving forward, before the window closes, Villa should definitely make an approach to City to see what the situation is surrounding the young prospect and if they would be willing to negotiate a deal for him.

If not, McAtee is definitely a player that Villa should keep their eyes on for the future in case his situation at the Manchester club does change.

In other news: Journalist claims £74k-p/w beast is “interested” in Villa move, fans would be ecstatic – opinion

While Patrick Bamford may have been the man Leeds United fans had their eyes on during the weekend, it was their new summer signing Dan James who produced a more impressive display.

The Wales international joined Marcelo Bielsa’s side from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, and while he didn’t get on the score-sheet in the 3-2 comeback win over Belarus on Sunday, he more than played his part.

James came up with the decisive assist for Gareth Bale’s late winner that kept Wales’ hopes of qualification for the World Cup alive and was a constant thorn for the opposition defence with his tireless running and movement.

As per Sofascore, he completed the most dribbles out of any player on the pitch with four (three more than the rest of his team combined) and provided three key passes too (the same amount as the rest of his teammates).

And while he was a creative force, James’ work rate was equally impressive, winning a monstrous ten duels (only Ben Davies won more), and also making a whopping five tackles too (a joint team-high).

It was the kind of energetic and live-wire performance that surely caught Bielsa’s attention from watching at home, and would have left him drooling at the prospect of finally getting the chance to work with him – especially considering how long he’s wanted him for.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, Phil Hay said: “That’s a question for Bielsa because Bielsa’s forever interested in Dan James, and you probably remember last summer that before they did the deal for Raphinha, they were looking into the possibility of bringing Dan James in on loan from Manchester United.

“I don’t think it was ever really a possibility because it didn’t seem as though Solskjaer wanted him to go. I get the feeling that Bielsa will consistently be interested in Dan James because he was very big on him when Leeds nearly got him from Swansea.”

His former teammate at United, Andreas Pereira, called the 23-year-old as “explosive and so fast” in an interview with the club’s official website last season, and you saw every bit of that against Belarus.

All the raw ingredients of pace, work rate and intensity were all there and that is exactly why Bielsa would have been very excited to see James at work against Belarus at the weekend.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target is now set for contract talks…

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have erupted over big news on Vladimir Coufal.

As well as benefitting from the arrival of recruitment chief Rob Newman in a new Hammers transfer era, manager David Moyes is also eyeing a number of new contracts for his first team stars.

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Indeed, as explained by Claret & Hugh, West Ham have fresh deals for some key players in the pipeline, with Coufal, Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice linked to being offered fresh terms.

According to sources in Italy, Angelo Ogbonna could also sign a contract extension, but now some big news has emerged on Coufal’s situation specifically.

According to reporter Roshane Thomas of The Athletic, the Czech Republic star has put pen to paper on a new three-year deal with the option to extend it by a further year.

The 29-year-old was crucial to Moyes last season, averaging the joint-most tackles per game for West Ham in the Premier League and marking himself out as a real fan favourite.

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder that numerous Irons supporters have absolutely erupted on social media upon hearing of his contract extension – one even called it the “best news ever”.

Check out some of their best verdicts below.

West Ham fans erupt over big Coufal news…

“Best news of the week!”

Credit: @_samhowell

“SIUUUUUUUUUU”

Credit: @alex_cvb

“Absolutely MASSIVE news!!”

Credit: @dave_lapointe

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @morgzwhu

“This is absolutely superb news, well done Moyes and the board 👏🏻🔥⚒ Another step in the right direction”

Credit: @MartynHobbs12

“That’s big”

Credit: @conwhufc03

“Best news you’ll see today #GSBOUT irons irons irons”

Credit: @joehalford1990

“This is the best news ever”

Credit: @StefGoodridge

In other news: Reliable reporter says West Ham fans ‘should be excited’ by another development, find out more here.

Celtic target Kristijan Lovric has dropped another hint that he could be on the move to Glasgow this summer, Glasgow Live report.

The Lowdown: First hint

Lovric, who is thought to be on Celtic’s radar this summer, currently plies his trade for Croatian side HNK Gorica.

The left-winger has scored 60 goals in his club career and has one senior cap for Croatia, with his Transfermarkt valuation standing at £5.4m.

He dropped the first hint over a possible move to Scotland last month when he followed the Hoops on social media, and Lovric was at it again last night.

The Latest: Thursday activity

As reported by Glasgow Live, Lovric was once again keeping tabs on the Hoops’ social media activity on Thursday during Celtic’s 3-0 win over Jablonec.

Eagled-eyed supporters saw that the 25-year-old liked a picture of Celtic Park under the lights on Instagram, with a screenshot attached to the report.

The Verdict: Sign

Celtic are after another winger before the window shuts, and it seems as if Lovric is making a come and get me plea online.

He’s just come off the back of his most productive season in front of goal, netting 15 league goals in 29 appearances.

Lovric was a Transfermarkt valuation.

The Hoops have already reaped the rewards of bringing in attacking players from different countries in Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi, so landing Lovric could be the next shrewd piece of business when it comes to adding to the club’s forward ranks.

In other news: Celtic ace’s representatives ‘mightily unimpressed’ with Hoops; now ‘on his way’ out of Parkhead.  

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge believes Tottenham Hotspur should have targeted a creative midfielder on transfer deadline day.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who was appointed as Spurs’ head coach following a lengthy managerial search in June, welcomed five fresh faces to north London during the transfer window.

Pierluigi Gollini and Cristian Romero made the move from Italian outfit Atalanta, while Bryan Gil joined from Sevilla with Erik Lamela moving in the opposite direction.

Highly-rated teenager Pape Matar Sarr has been loaned straight back to Metz for the rest of the season after completing a switch to Spurs and Emerson Royal became the final signing as a £25.7million deal was agreed with Barcelona on deadline day.

But Nuno failed in his attempts to be reunited with Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore as Spurs were unwilling to meet his £45million valuation late in the window.

Bridge feels the north Londoners have failed to ever replace Christian Eriksen, who left the club for Serie A giants Inter Milan in January 2020, and got their priorities wrong in the transfer market.

He told Football FanCast: “Tottenham are desperate for a creative midfielder. It’s just so apparent. They needed someone who has got good ball retention and can pick a pass.

“It’s all well and good having pacy runners and the drive and work rate of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but it needs a little bit more guile.

“I look at Tottenham when they were really good and the two people I talk about are Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen. Tottenham would keep the ball for 70 per cent of the possession but now they are struggling to hold onto the ball.”

A number of Manchester United fans have urged out-of-favour Anthony Martial to leave the club, following an update on his future by Fabrizio Romano.

The Frenchman’s Old Trafford career has never quite taken off in the manner that many predicted back in 2015 when he made a big-money move from Monaco. Martial famously scored on his debut against Liverpool but he has flattered to deceive too often since, despite his tally of 79 goals in 268 appearances for the club.

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The 26-year-old has fallen increasingly out of favour at United, starting just two Premier League games this season, and a January exit could be on the cards.

According to Romano on Twitter on Monday, Sevilla are keen on signing Martial after he informed Ralf Rangnick that he wants to leave next month, although his salary is proving to be an issue. The Red Devils interim boss has reportedly said: “I understand him but it should not only be in the interest of the player, it should also be in the interest of the club”.

Man United fans call for Martial to leave

These United fans reacted to the update on Twitter, with many keen to see the back of the enigmatic 26-year-old, who has netted just eight times in all competitions since the start of last season.

“It’s definitely in the interest of the club if he clears off”

Credit: @TomPatrick_

“Let him go… Same as Pogba if their head is not at 100% at United then their performances won’t be 100% and we only want and need players that give that week in and week out”

Credit: @Acro_ManUtd

“Quite sad but he’s flopped hard here. He’ll smash it in La Liga”

Credit: @FredFC__

“Martial is deadwood and he should stop talking about leaving like he will be missed, he’s been bad for a while now”

Credit: @easyrouge

“Martial has done gegenpressing in one training session and he can’t take it no more”

Credit: @JakeIntrovert

“Martial is finished, based on facts only”

Credit: @UTDGrey11

In other news, Romano has also provided an update on another rumoured United target. Find out who it is here.

Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over some news involving their B team.

As per the official website of the Ibrox faithful, the side progressed into the next round of the UEFA Youth League after a 2-1 win away at Hammarby in Stockholm, giving them a 5-1 overall aggregate win after beating them 3-0 at home.

Robbie Ure and Ross McCausland were the players who scored for the Light Blues, as they will now play Septemvri of Bulgaria in the next round of the competition.

The B side have been progressing well since they were made, and their progress will be something that Steven Gerrard keeps his eye on as he looks to add some talented Academy players into his squad.

Nonetheless, it is good to see so many Teddy Bears supporters taking an interest in the youngsters and their results.

Rangers fans on Rangers B win

These Gers buzzed as the news of their win was shared on Twitter, with one RFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it is ‘smashing’:

“Brilliant lads. Very well done”

Credit: @BobSteele55

“Tremendous effort. You have done us proud lads”

Credit: @AlonsoMosley5

“Awesome boys get in. WATP”

Credit: @GregHalfTweets

“Outstanding result lads”

Credit: @rdie81

“Smashing result lads”

Credit: @BSodden

“Class result well done to everyone involved.”

Credit: @blue_queens11

In other news, find out why Gers are loving what this ‘class’ player has done here!

Wolverhampton Wanderers are targeting the signing of Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin who could be available this summer.

The winger has been used a lot by manager Eddie Howe since he arrived, however, 90min.com understand there are concerns at the club over his salary demands.

As a result, at the right price he could be available to clubs, and Wolves are interested in him as a potential replacement for Adama Traore.

Traore is currently on loan at FC Barcelona, and even if that deal isn’t made permanent it’s unlikely he will have any future at Molineux.

Saint-Maximin is better than Traore

Saint-Maximin would be a perfect replacement for Traore. Once a fans favourite, he decided to leave Wolves to return to his boyhood club Barcelona and ultimately the West Midlands side have been unable to agree a new contract with him.

Since arriving at the Spanish giants in January, he has made 12 appearances and registered four assists. He might be living his dream playing for the club where he started out, but there’s no guarantee he will get a permanent move.

As for Saint-Maximin, he has been key in Newcastle’s fight for survival and would be a great addition at Wolves.

When you compare him against Traore this season he excels in a lot of areas. He has more goals and assists combined per 90 minutes at 0.32 compared to the Spaniard’s 0.20.

The number of shots on target he has per 90 minutes also betters Traore at 0.85 compared to 0.54.

Statistics clearly show that he would be an upgrade on Traore who is valued at £25.2m. Wolves will be hoping that Barcelona or at least someone else will be willing to pay that, then they can put any money made, towards a transfer for Saint-Maximin.

The Frenchman is valued at £28.8m, and if the Magpies want to get him off their wage budget, it probably won’t take much to lure him away.

He’s been described by pundit Gary Neville as “breathtaking” on his day, so this is a move that Wolves won’t want to miss out on.

IN other news: Wolves ‘definitely in the hunt’ for Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Palhinha…

The January transfer window is past the halfway point and Rangers have been active, with a number of deals already being completed by Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox.

They have signed James Sands on an 18-month loan from New York City FC and pinned John Souttar down to a pre-contract agreement which will see him arrive in the summer.

Nathan Patterson has also been sold for a club-record transfer fee. The right-back has joined Premier League side Everton to continue his fledgling career.

With players coming in at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst may need to make some tough decisions on who stays in Glasgow, and Scott Wright could be axed from the Gers’ squad…

Finally axe Wright

The £5.6k-per-week dud could find himself on the way out if the club lands one of their targets. One player with whom Rangers have been linked is ES Setif midfielder Ahmed Kendouci – Algerian outlet DZ Foot has claimed that he is someone the Gers are monitoring this month.

The 22-year-old is a versatile player who could operate in a multitude of roles for Van Bronckhorst in the second half of the season. He is capable of playing on either wing, in the number 10 position and as a central or defensive midfielder, which means that he is not limited in terms of what he can offer.

Last season, Kendouci recorded 10 goals and 10 assists for Setif in 34 league matches, showcasing his ability to score and set up goals regularly. Whilst Wright predominantly plays off the right wing, the Algerian can play in his position whilst also offering the flexibility of being able to fill other roles, and that could make him more valuable than Wright.

Ross Wilson previously hailed the Ibrox youngster as “determined” but his hard work has not paid off yet in a Rangers shirt, as he has been unable to nail down a regular spot. He has only started five games across the Premiership and Europa League this season and has averaged a modest WhoScored rating of 6.59 in Europe, suggesting that Steven Gerrard and now Van Bronckhorst have not deemed him worthy of being a consistent starter for the Light Blues.

This is why Setif’s creative conductor Kendouci could come in and prove to be an upgrade on the 24-year-old. Not only is he more flexible positionally than Wright, his goalscoring and creation statistics last season suggest that he could also offer more quality on the ball in the final third.

AND in other news, Rangers headed for huge January blunder as Wilson lines up decision which would anger the fans…