All posts by z3u9t.icu

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans are reacting to the latest news reported by Dom Howson around Owls player Joost van Aken.

The journalist posted on Twitter that: ‘Joost van Aken has suffered a fresh injury blow. The defender has not played for #SWFC since their Boxing Day draw at Blackburn.’

The 26-year-old was loaned out last season but became integral for the 2020/21 campaign as he featured 17 times before his injury (Transfermarkt). During the 1278 minutes of football he has played in the Championship, he managed 1.1 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 2.4 clearances a game (WhoScored).

When he played this season, the Owls managed six clean sheets, but only managed to win three games (Transfermarkt). Since his injury, Wednesday have won three out of four matches, and due to this, many are not too upset that he will be sidelined for even longer than expected.

However with Sheffield Wednesday still in the relegation zone and four points from safety (SofaScore), depth in their squad is needed as they have to turn things around sooner rather than later, so this injury will be frustrating for the club.

Here is what fans said following the injury update:

“Get rid”

Credit: @RyanGoodo

“Lucky escape for SWFC.”

Credit: ShiregreenOwl

“Missed 6 matches, we win 4 out of 6”

Credit: @DavidGillet

“Meh. Average at best would be bottom of the pile for CBs for me.”

Credit: @Patchswfc

“Forgot about him tbh”

Credit: @OwlSheffield

“Was actually playing very well on left of a back three. We need all hands on deck…”

Credit: @1SportsGenius

In other news, fans were discussing midfielder Izzy Brown. Have a read why here!

Liverpool’s form in recent weeks has seen their title hopes take a serious hit, with Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City leading Jurgen Klopp to suggest that the aim for the Reds is now to finish in the top four.

The German manager has, of course, had a number of injuries to contend with throughout the season which have seen the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip ruled out for much of the campaign.

This has led to Fabinho moving to centre-back to cover for the lack of available players in that position, and whilst he impressed at first, he has struggled in recent performances at the back.

The Reds are also arguably lacking his presence in midfield, especially with Jordan Henderson having also featured at the back in recent fixtures, meaning that they are arguably without a defensive-minded player in the midfield three.

However, the Merseyside outfit brought in Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak as centre-back options during the winter transfer window, which hopefully could see Fabinho return to midfield in the near future.

The Brazilian international has averaged a solid 6.84 rating for his performances in the Premier League this season, averaging 2.1 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game.

Last season saw the former Monaco man earn a slightly more impressive 6.89 rating, with 2.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game.

Whilst his defensive stats are similar, his passing stats have suffered as a result of him moving to centre-back, as this season he has averaged just 0.2 key passes per game, compared to the 0.7 he averaged last season.

Thiago was full of praise for Fabinho earlier this season and suggested that he is better in the defensive-midfield role, saying:

“Fabi [Fabinho] is an amazing player as a centre-back and he’s even better as a number six. I think with him at the back he gives us the security as a number six, eight or 10 to make the team play a bit more.”

Whilst the Spanish midfielder has filled the void somewhat with his tackles and interceptions in midfield, he doesn’t offer the physicality of Fabinho, so Klopp should definitely try and restore the 27-year-old to his natural position in the near future, as it could restore him to his former self, after some disappointing recent displays.

And, in other news… LFC missed ideal opportunity to axe £80k-p/w dud following James Pearce claim

To suggest Celtic are in a spot of bother would be putting things lightly. Neil Lennon’s side are considerably off the pace and their fiercest rivals now need just seven points to win the title.

Whether or not Lennon is at the club next term remains to be seen but plans are reportedly being drawn up in the transfer market.

On the chalkboard

Like Lennon, Ryan Christie is a man under fire at Parkhead. The winger has had a torrid season and has scored just a solitary goal in his last 23 outings.

Considering he found the net on 20 occasions last term, that’s a terrible record for a player with so much potential in the final third.

The nadir of his season undoubtedly came in the 1-0 defeat to Ross County on Sunday evening. The Scotsman was woeful in front of goal and somehow managed to fire five shots off target. The worst came nine minutes before half time when he fired the ball over the bar and out of the stadium when given a chance from just yards out.

With that in mind, could the winger be one of a number of players to leave in the summer? Quite possibly. He has already attracted the interest of Arsenal and Leeds United in recent months.

The replacement

One man who could walk through the door this summer is Burnley winger Robbie Brady. The Hoops wanted to sign the Irishman in the summer window last year but failed after the 54-cap international signed a new deal at Turf Moor.

However, he is out of contract again in a few months time and thus, the Bhoys are hoping to revive their interest, according to The Sun.

Signing the 29-year-old on a free contract is pretty risk-free but it’s hard to suggest that he’d be a particularly good signing. Hailed by Martin O’Neill for his delivery and crossing ability, his creative numbers don’t actually amount to much.

He has only provided one assist this season, while he only managed two in 2019/20. On that basis, suggesting Brady has what it takes to fit in at Celtic would be farfetched.

That being said, his arrival could all but end Christie’s stay at the club. With David Turnbull and Tom Rogic sometimes playing in wide areas ahead of him lately, he has been in and out of the starting XI.

Lennon’s patience with the Scot is clearly wavering and interest in another player capable of featuring on the flanks testifies that.

Nick Hammond might not be signing a player of great quality but he could appease Hoops supporters by shifting Christie to one side as a result. After all, there is seemingly interest from elsewhere in his services.

AND in other news, Get rid: Celtic gem who won just 14.2% of his duels continues to be a problem…

With Stewart Donald and Phil Parkinson no longer at Sunderland, the future looks increasingly bright for the Mackems.

Lee Johnson has guided his team to fourth in League One and alongside both Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril-Louis Dreyfus, positives are emerging on a regular basis.

Dreyfus has talked a good game since coming into the football club, stressing the need to improve matters at not only the neglected academy level, but also in the senior team.

Speakman has had a little more time to sink his teeth into matters at the Stadium of Light but a real barometer of his abilities will be in the summer when he oversees the transfer window.

One player the club may well consider is Jermain Defoe. Football Insider reported last week that the striker is set to leave Rangers behind this summer but that he doesn’t want to quit football.

As a result, Black Cats hero Kevin Phillips was quizzed about whether he’d like to see him back in the north-east.

“Defoe has been a magnificent player but I do not know if a return to the Stadium of Light would be right,” he told Football Insider.

“Defoe has been fantastic and was fantastic at Sunderland but I would look elsewhere. I would take a different approach because it has backfired in the past,” Phillips concluded.

However, we hold a different opinion. Sunderland have been down the route of signing older players; namely Danny Graham but Defoe is a class above and should be considered in a few months time.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-sunderland-news-and-gossip” title=” Latest Sunderland news and gossip!”]

The striker is now 38 but despite being in the final few years of his career, still knows where the back of the net is.

He’s played 12 times for the Gers this season and has found the back of the net on four occasions. Having won 57 caps for England, his experience is invaluable and could prove to be incredibly beneficial for some of the younger players coming through.

Johnson has already shown that he’s capable of extracting the most from older players. After all, Aiden McGeady has ten assists in 16 matches under the current regime.

He’s proven he can roll back the years and Defoe could well do the same if he returns to the Stadium of Light. Charlie Wyke is the club’s top scorer this term but Defoe is somewhat of an icon at Sunderland.

His charity work was admirable yet on the field of play, he was vital. David Moyes described him as a “predator” during his days as manager with the Mackems and it’s clear to see why; Defoe netted 37 strikes in 93 outings between 2015 and 2017.

Adding further competition to Wyke, no matter the level they play at next season will be huge. He’d be a very beneficial addition.

AND in other news, Forget Gooch: Johnson should unleash £4.4k-p/w SAFC dynamo, he left Parkinson fuming…

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to reports that Liverpool are lining up Steven Gerrard to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager.

Gerrard has led the Gers to a fantastic campaign so far. As it stands, the Ibrox outfit are 18 points clear at the top of the Premiership with eight matches left to play (BBC), meaning they are on the verge of winning their first title in 10 years. Also, they are in the Europa League round of 16, where they will face Slavia Prague.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are struggling after winning the league title for the first time in 30 years. They are currently sixth in the Premier League table and have a fight on their hands just to make the Champions League.

As such, The Mirror has suggested Gerrard could be brought in to replace Klopp, who may be interested in taking over from Joachim Low as Germany boss. This has attracted plenty of attention from the Gers supporters, with many branding the speculation as nonsense.

They took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Gerrard claim below

“There’s no danger Liverpool are sacking Klopp. Last 2 years he’s won C.L. & P.L. Injuries have been a huge factor in their performances this season. Also , they’ve waited decades on a manager that could deliver the title. And anyway ,Gerrard’s OURS”

Credit: @Michael29109661

“Klopp will not be leaving Liverpool this summer and Gerrard ain’t leaving rangers. It’s a non story. Move on”

Credit: @GavinWilson72

“The last and most pathetic attempt to derail our title push. A pure riddy story.”

Credit: @2morewins

“thought the beano was the best comic until you read this”

Credit: @iangers

“”If” ahhh the desperation, Gerrard here for #55.”

Credit: @racingfront

“Fake news…… Low is contracted to the German FA to Nov 22 & to Qatar Why would he be leaving the German national team? Fake news”

Credit: @joe_black1509

In other news, Rangers fans slam this journalist’s tweet.

Celtic are no longer champions. For large periods of this season, the writing has been on the wall and now it’s been confirmed.

John Kennedy’s men needed a victory on Sunday to ensure Rangers had to wait another week to win the SPFL but they slipped up by drawing 0-0 with Dundee United.

They were met with an inspirational performance from Benjamin Siegrist who made as many as 12 saves on Sunday afternoon.

Celtic tried their best to take the title to another week but not even one of their best first-half performances of the term could stop Rangers from winning the league.

In the first half, the Hoops managed 17 shots at Siegrist’s goal, the most they’ve had in the opening 45 minutes of a game in the entire season.

They lacked ruthlessness, much as they have throughout the 2020/21 campaign. Clearly, they were already out for the count when they travelled to Tannadice.

However, when your best player is out of sorts, you don’t have much hope. Odsonne Edouard has been magnificent lately but his performance on Sunday was incredibly frustrating.

The Frenchman has scored nine goals in his last ten outings and this was undoubtedly his worst performance during that run of games. Edouard was constantly running into defenders and wasn’t his cutthroat self inside the penalty area.

One moment typified Celtic’s season. The striker plucked a long ball out of the air with relative ease but after advancing towards the area, he got his feet in a tangle which allowed the defender to make an excellent recovering block.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

That was probably Edouard’s best chance of the game and he spurned it. He was isolated up front and made just one more touch (41) than goalkeeper Scott Bain.

The forward only managed 18 passes in the entire match and lost a considerable 75% of the duels he competed in. He had two shots saved by Siegrist but neither were too taxing for the Dundee United goalkeeper.

There seemed to be a lack of interest to his play but who can blame him? This is probably Edouard’s final campaign at Parkhead.

In the last week alone, he has been linked with moves to both Arsenal and Leicester City. This is the first time Celtic haven’t won the league with Edouard leading the line; it would be a timely and sad way for the two to part ways.

That being said, the time undoubtedly feels right. The Bhoys need a fresh start.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Edouard: Celtic must swoop for £7.2m-rated beast with 8 G/A this term…

A number of Wolves fans have been reacting to the news that Matija Sarkic could be set to become the club’s second-choice goalkeeper next season.

It has been a disappointing season at Molineux, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sitting 12th in the Premier League and struggling to kick on from last year.

Raul Jimenez’s head injury has certainly played a part in the malaise, with the Mexican such a key player given his frequency of goals for the club, but summer reinforcements could be required in order to freshen things up.

Rui Patricio has been a solid enough performer in the Wolves goal, though, starting all 28 league games in 2020/21 and showing his quality and experience.

Until now, John Ruddy has been the Portuguese’s deputy between the sticks, but according to Football Insider, the latter will move on at the end of the season.

That could then pave the way for Sarkic to be Wolves’ new number two, as the 23-year-old looks to make the step up and become a reliable squad member.

The Montenegrin is currently on loan at Shrewsbury, making 20 starts in League One this season, but is yet to make an appearance for Wolves.

Wolves fans react to Sarkic news

Here’s how a selection of Wolves fans reacted to the news on Twitter, with some concerned about whether the youngster is good enough to be Patricio’s immediate deputy.

“Seen him play end of last year and had a terrible night. But only seen one game. Never know”

Credit: @dangadsden1993

“Noooo big john”

Credit: @WWFCAdam_

“Interesting”

Credit: @lewis_wwfc7

“Let’s hope Patricio has many years left in the tank. Most teams have 2 decent keepers on their books, apart from Ruddy I’d have no idea how good any of our keepers below Patricio are”

Credit: @satsomboon

“We need a new back up”

Credit: @Neto_the_goat

“Makes sense. Done his apprenticeships and has all the makings of a very good keeper”

Credit: @knowledge1877

In other news: Omar Mascarell is reportedly on Wolves’ transfer radar. Read about it here.

Leeds United have been boosted in their attempts to sign Douglas Costa, with Juventus potentially allowing him to leave this summer.

Marcelo Bielsa is expected to dip into the transfer market at the end of the season in order to add more quality and depth to his squad.

The Whites have done well in their first season back in the Premier League, sitting 11th at the moment, but that doesn’t mean new faces won’t arrive.

Leeds have been linked with a move for Costa in recent weeks and they could now continue to express their interest following fresh developments.

[freshpress-quiz id=“302600”]

Leeds handed boost in quest to sign Costa

According to Calciomercato, Juventus are willing to allow the on-loan, £10.8m-rated Bayern Munich star to leave on a free transfer this summer, despite his current deal not expiring until next year.

The Serie A giants see no future for Costa at the club and his substantial wages are also proving to be problematic.

Transfer Tavern take

Costa is a renowned name who would likely be an exciting addition at Elland Road, even if his very best days are behind him. Maurizio Sarri, his former manager at Juventus, hailed him as an “extraordinary weapon” for his attacking abilitities, with the Brazilian often hitting double figures in terms of goal contributions per season.

Blessed with quick feet, great skill and a constant threat in the final third, the 30-year-old could bring another attacking dimension to Bielsa’s team if he comes to Yorkshire.

In other news, Leeds’ interest in one player has seemingly been confirmed in an interesting way. Read more about it here.

Glasgow Rangers fans are delighted after Steven Davis equalled Peter Shilton’s British record for the most international appearances.

On Thursday, Davis was in action for Northern Ireland against Italy. While the Azzurri prevailed 2-0, it was still a special night for the Gers midfielder – he picked up his 125th cap for his country, which saw him equal goalkeeper Shilton’s England haul (via BBC).

This is just the latest impressive achievement for the former Southampton man. He has been an important part of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers squad this season, making 41 appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt) as the Ibrox outfit have strolled to the Premiership title. Such was the level of his displays, he even signed a new one-year deal recently despite being 36 years of age.

Upon his latest outing for Northern Ireland, Rangers’ official Twitter account congratulated Davis. The fans then took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the legend and shower him in praise.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Davis below

“An outstanding achievement from Steven Davis”

Credit: @alegil2101

“Hero”

Credit: @Clarkie8

“#UlsterPirlo”

Credit: @robertmcnaught

“Wonderful . Legend”

Credit: @doxterisation

“He’s the goat”

Credit: @Declan_1872_

“He’s utter class. Model pro and unbelievably talented. Glad he’s ours, then and now.”

Credit: @delinquentrich

In other news, Rangers fans react to this injury update.

Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing up a move for Jonathan Bamba this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas claims that the €40m-rated (£35m) Lille winger is among the forwards Spurs are taking an interest in ahead of the transfer window re-opening at the end of the season.

Bamba is another player that scouts from the north London club have been tracking. The 24-year-old joined Lille on a free transfer from league rivals Saint-Etienne in 2018.

Bye-bye Lamela

This news would almost surely spell the end for Erik Lamela’s time at the club, as this week, the long-serving Argentine has been linked with a return to the Serie A.

Bologna sporting director Walter Sabatini, who oversaw the 29-year-old’s sale from Roma to Spurs in 2013, has confirmed that his former star is indeed a target, he said (via the Evening Standard): “Lamela is one of the names we are looking into,” said Sabatini. “We are trying to understand if there are possibilities to get there and there is no guarantee.”

Given Lamela’s injury issues (133 games missed) and inconsistencies (one goal contribution every three matches), it is probably time to move on, so swooping for the Lille sensation is certainly a good place to start in trying to fill that void.

Over in Ligue 1, the exploits of Jonathan David, Renato Sanches and formerly, Nicolas Pepe have often taken the bulk of the plaudits for Les Dogues but the former France U21 international has remained a key asset.

Take this season, for example, Bamba has contributed seven goals and nine assists from 38 appearances across the French top-flight and the Europa League, via Transfermarkt.

That’s him providing a goal every two games, one fewer than what Lamela has delivered in eight seasons at Spurs. Bamba also ranks second for average WhoScored rating (7.17) this season, ahead of both David and Sanches.

Speaking in November about the winger’s form, Lille boss Christophe Galtier said: “Jonathan’s been in fantastic form at the start of this season. Full credit to him. Jo’s on the pitch more often than not, and if that’s the case, it’s because he’s an important player for the team.”

Between The Lines analyst, Zach Lowry, dubbed Bamba their “creative leader” because “everything runs through him in attack.” Indeed, the majority of their forward play has come from that left side, where the 5 foot 9 dynamo likes to operate in the pocket of space behind David.

Bamba has also been dubbed a ‘hidden gem’ in the past, too, with his ‘ lightning quick’ speed a key attribute, something that Lamela may no longer have given his age and injury history.

As evident above, replacing the Andre Villas-Boas signing with Bamba could be quite a shrewd move from Daniel Levy. He can strike gold by moving the Argentine on, and bringing in the Lille talisman as his replacement.

AND in other news, Levy must wave goodbye to 23 y/o Spurs flop, Pochettino once dubbed him “a big talent”…