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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso thinks Filip Helander can be a big hit at Ibrox, as reported by The Daily Record.

What’s he said?

The former Italian international is famous for a long career at AC Milan, but he of course played for Rangers in the late 1990s before creating a legendary legacy in his homeland.

Most recently manager of the San Siro giants, he is well placed to give an insight into Helander, who the Gers are reported to be on the verge of signing.

Gattuso is a fan of the Swedish defender, believing him to be a potential bargain for the Ibrox side.

You won’t believe which of Liverpool’s Champions League winning side of 2005 is still playing in the video below…

As quoted by The Daily Record, he said:

“I like this player. He has a good Scandinavian mentality and he’s not a bad defender. I heard today from Italy that the price is around 5m euros – and that’s a good price for him.

“Yes, it’s big money for Rangers but he’s a good player at that price when you consider the market at this moment. It’s incredible that some players are costing 50 or 55m euros. For 5m euros Rangers have done good business.

“People say he had a difficult last season in Serie A but for the first two or three months he actually played very well.

“He’ll be good for the team and the Scottish league. I’m not saying he’ll find it easy in Scotland because it’s not an easy league to play in.

“But he has the right mentality to be successful there. He is very focused, very determined. He is also the kind of player who likes to fight.”

It’s a strong endorsement from one of the great football fighters and battlers of the last 20 years and it appears fans can look forward to a committed player in the heart of the Gers defence if he completes his move.

Helander’s pedigree

The ten cap international has strong experience both in Swedish football and in Serie A, playing most of his football with Malmo and Bologna.

Given that lots of the arrivals at Rangers in recent years have been free transfers or loans, as Gattuso points out, it’s a potentially expensive outlay for the club but one which perhaps heralds a new era of spending at Ibrox.

Watch Rangers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He has a profile and pedigree that makes him one of the most ambitious signings at the club since their promotion to the Scottish top-flight.

With Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic also available, as well as George Edmundson, if Helander arrives then the centre-back area becomes one of the strongest positions in the squad in terms of quality and depth.

Will the move pay off when measured against the fee paid? Gattuso certainly seems to think so and that should be exciting for many fans.

Spoiler alert: we can confirm that the horde of local school kids failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Indeed, despite their opponents scoring two goals on the day, the Premier League stars came out on top 3-2, with a controversial Alli penalty apparently securing the win.

Won’t anybody think of the children?

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have taken to Twitter to urge the club to back manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Following the club’s pre-season victory over Real Madrid in the Audi Cup, Pochettino expressed his frustrations at consistently being asked about transfers throughout the summer.

He insisted that he does not have control of the club’s dealings and that his job title should be changed from manager to coach.

Indeed, the club have been linked with the likes of Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon and Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso, along with Juventus’ Paulo Dybala.

However, they have thus far only signed Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon and Jack Clarke from Leeds United, though the latter has been loaned back to the Championship club.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

And fans are keen to see Pochettino backed in the transfer market, particularly with the deadline looming.

Indeed, the English transfer window shuts next Thursday, with Spurs set to play Aston Villa two days later in their opening Premier League fixture of the season.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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Newcastle United have officially completed the signing of Emil Krafth, a defender who arrives from Ligue 1 side Amines and signs an initial four-year-contract at St. James’ Park with the Magpies.

The 25-year-old right-back has had quite the ride in his colourful career. He only joined the French team last season on loan before making that move permanent earlier in the summer.

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But that move didn’t last long as he has now arrived in the Premier League.

Krafth quickly took to Instagram after completing the switch to share the first snaps in his new colours.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emil Krafth (@emilkrafth)

The defender also posted a message to his former club, thanking them for the wonderful year he has spent defending their colours.Of course, he also had a message for the fans at his new home, stating he was really happy to have joined Newcastle and how he can’t wait to start the new season.Speaking of the new Premier League campaign, the Magpies will open their campaign against Arsenal on 11 August at St. James’ Park.[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]Tottenham Hotspur have a number of injury-enforced absences ahead of their Premier League clash with Aston Villa this weekend.

What’s the word?

Spurs will be without Son Heung-min through suspension, while there is also a clutch of first-team players who will be on the treatment table instead of on the pitch.

The club have confirmed that attacking midfielder Dele Alli and left-back Ben Davies are both likely to be out due to hamstring and groin injuries respectively.

The London Evening Standard’s Spurs correspondent, Dan Kilpatrick, has also claimed that summer signing Ryan Sessegnon will be missing, while Juan Foyth, who was suspended for this game anyway, has an ankle problem.

An immediate headache

Mauricio Pochettino has some decisions to make.

He is unlikely to start Giovani Lo Celso after his acquisition from Real Betis, though another new signing, Tanguy Ndombele, is likely to play after enjoying a full pre-season.

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The absence of Alli could open the door to Christian Eriksen operating in the No.10 role despite his continued flirtation with a move away; the latest reports suggest he wants a move to Spain and the Liga window does not close until the end of the month.

Harry Kane, of course, is an inevitable starter but one feels that Pochettino would have liked more options to support him.

Lucas Moura could be the best candidate, potentially in a diamond formation.

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Tottenham Hotspur kick off their season with a home clash against Aston Villa on Saturday.

It is the first time that Spurs have played at home in their opening game since the 2010-11 season and they could also debut two of their new signings versus the newly-promoted outfit.

Tanguy Ndombele has enjoyed a full pre-season following his club-record acquisition from Lyon, while Giovani Lo Celso was signed from Real Betis on an initial loan deal on deadline day.

There are a number of injury issues, however.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The club have confirmed in a series of tweets that Dele Alli, summer signing Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Juan Foyth are all injured, while Heung-min Son is ruled out through suspension.

That leaves a shortage of options in certain positions but Mauricio Pochettino still has a strong squad available to him.

Hugo Lloris did not enjoy an excellent pre-season due to injury but he is fit and should play in goal.

The summer departure of Kieran Trippier and Juan Foyth’s injury means Kyle Walker-Peters is likely to play at right-back, particularly with Serge Aurier missing out on pre-season.

The lack of options at left-back means that Danny Rose, who almost left the club in the summer, is likely to be granted a reprieve, though Pochettino could shift Vertonghen from centre-back to left-back. Toby Alderweireld is fit and should play.

The midfield is intriguing and Lo Celso is unlikely to be thrust in at the deep end.

Thus, playing Harry Winks in defensive midfield with Ndombele and Moussa Sissoko in central midfield makes sense.

That would allow Christian Eriksen the chance to play as a No.10 after he failed to secure a move away in the English transfer window.

There is a lack of width here, but partnering Lucas Moura with the ever-reliable Harry Kane would alleviate that problem somewhat and allow for some fluidity.

Lo Celso, as mentioned, is more likely to be an option off the bench, along with Erik Lamela, who has enjoyed an excellent pre-season, and young striker Troy Parrott.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Crystal Palace defender Gary Cahill has praised Wilfried Zaha’s attitude around the club following his decision to hand in a transfer request on the eve of the transfer deadline.

The Ivorian was said to be left ‘devastated’ after his attempts to leave Selhurst Park failed, but 33-year-old Cahill – who joined the Eagles on a free transfer this summer – has spoken glowingly about the winger’s reaction in the aftermath of the transfer drama.

What did he say?

The former Bolton and Chelsea centre-back said: “Zaha has been first class to be honest.

“I know how difficult it can be when things like that are circulating in your head and you have to go through these emotions so close to the start of the season.

“I knew it would be tough for him, but once that move didn’t materialise his attitude to training and the way he’s been around the place has been first class. For me, there is no issue whatsoever.”

Further evidence of Zaha’s good attitude

You’re always playing with fire when you keep an unhappy player at the club against his wishes.

The player could go on strike, set a terrible example in training to teammates, and just be a general nuisance until they get their move away.

In Zaha’s case, however, we have heard evidence already to suggest that he is behaving like a model professional despite obviously wanting to leave the club.

Another teammate in James McArthur has also spoken extremely well of the 26-year-old’s commitment and attitude around the place despite everything that happened, so it does appear that there is enough evidence to suggest that all is well in terms of the harmony amongst the squad.

Palace must still prepare for life without Zaha, as what happened cannot simply be brushed under the carpet, but for Palace fans it must be reassuring news to hear that the attacker’s teammates are pleased with his reaction.

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Bobby Duncan’s agent, Saif Rubie, has called out Liverpool over their mistreatment of the player and his statement is being met by torrid of heated responses from Liverpool fans.

The 19-year-old has been the subject of a transfer bid from Fiorentina in recent days as Rubie admits he has been attempting to secure a move away for Duncan for much of the summer, stating the player isn’t happy at the club.

Rubie’s statement continues by accusing the Liverpool hierarchy of essentially refusing to let him leave, despite working on deals with various clubs that would have created opportunities for a significant return on their original investment.

He argues that Liverpool’s lack of consideration for the player has harmed his mental health to such a degree that he won’t be returning to the club – a point which has incensed some Liverpool fans.

A number of supporters have defended their club by criticising the agent for his own lack of care and professionalism, with one claiming that Duncan needs to find himself a new representative.

Check out fan reaction to Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal in the video below…

Here is how Liverpool fans have been reacting to the statement on Twitter.

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Everton’s Lucas Digne has got off to a fine start to the season and he has gained praise from several fans for his performances, as you can see below.

The left-back has been effective in all aspects of his game so far, and more than stepped in the fill the boots of Leighton Baines since arriving in 2018.

He has helped the Toffees keep two clean sheets from four league games and going forward he has continued to provide for the forwards, with three assists in five games.

A brilliant free-kick against Lincoln also attracted plaudits and some Everton fans have seen a different side to his game in this campaign, suggesting he is a leader with the potential to captain the club in the future.

The 26-year-old has a good pedigree having played for clubs like Barcelona, PSG and Roma, but his problem so far has been an inability to stay at a club for a prolonged period of time. However, he could settle at Goodison Park and the fans would certainly be more than happy with that.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Here are some of the reactions from Everton supporters, who are impressed with how the Frenchman has played so far.

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Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina has joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan, via Sky Sports News.

The Gabon international had been vying for a move away from the south coast all summer, with Manchester United rumoured to be keen on bringing him to Old Trafford to bolster their options in midfield.

A move to the north west never materialised for Lemina, though, and as Monday’s transfer deadline edged ever closer it looked as though he may miss out on a move away all together.

However, he will now ply his trade in Turkey’s top-flight until next summer at least, with an option to buy him permanently in twelve months also included in the deal to Galatasaray by Southampton.

The 25-year-old signed for the Saints from Juventus in 2017, and has gone on to make 46 appearances for the Premier League side. After a summer of discontent on the south coast, which even saw Lemina lose his space in the club’s Staplewood training ground changing room (as reported by the Daily Echo), it was clear that a move away from Hampshire was required for the sake of his career.

Lemina will have the perfect opportunity to reinvent himself in Turkey after his time on the south coast. He has an abundance of quality – that much is undeniable – with the former Juventus man boasting a pass success rate that no Southampton midfielder bettered last season (via WhoScored).

It is looking unlikely that the ex-Marseille midfielder will ever play for Southampton again, so working hard in the Super Lig and Champions League this term with Galatasaray is vastly important so he can still realise his dream of playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs – something he has firmly reiterated his desire to do so in the past.

Southampton fans, where did it go wrong for Lemina? Give us your thoughts in the comment section below!