All posts by z3u9t.icu

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry has questioned Jose Mourinho for his negative brand of football.

Mourinho’s typically defensive style saw Spurs top the Premier League back in December, but just seven wins from their previous 18 league matches since beating Arsenal to climb to the summit has seen the Portuguese boss come under scrutiny.

Until recently, the Spurs manager had been continuously selecting defensive line-ups, only changing his ways following three defeats on the bounce, which coincided with the return to form of Real Madrid loanee Gareth Bale.

As well as the Welshman, Tottenham have a number of talented attackers in their squad in the shape of Steven Bergwijn, Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, and deadly duo Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.

And Fry thinks that Mourinho has a “duty” to play more expansively with that amount of talent at his disposal.

He told Football FanCast: “Since he went to United and a certain extent to Tottenham he’s more ‘I don’t want to lose, I don’t want to get beat’. It frustrated United fans, certainly frustrated me, and frustrates the Tottenham fans. Because both United and Tottenham have got brilliant players.

“Tottenham fans want to see ‘attack, attack, attack’. With the players he’s got he has got to be more positive than he is negative. He’s had some wonderful results, but then sometimes he plays not to lose and I don’t think Tottenham like that. He’s very successful when he attacks. He’s got a duty to play attacking football the whole time.”

Manchester United could potentially be heading into their clash with Brighton & Hove Albion with an attacking crisis on their hands.

Anthony Martial was injured during the international break with France so is doubtful, whilst Marcus Rashford’s ankle injury saw him withdraw early from England duty.

It could therefore be time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to turn once again to Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan striker, who has also been suffering from his own problems with injury this season having missed six out of the last eight matches, has had a bright impact for the Red Devils in 2020/21.

After arriving for Paris Saint Germain on a free transfer, he has managed to score seven goals for the club – those being worth as many as six Premier League points to Manchester United. Without him, they would be stuck on 51 points and only just holding onto their position in the top-four.

His influence has also been certainly noticed by his teammates. United skipper Harry Maguire has hailed the striker as a “top, top” player – an assessment that is tough to argue against considering Cavani’s illustrious career.

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Despite that, it could be argued that Mason Greenwood would be a better option to lead the line for the Red Devils against Brighton considering the Uruguayan’s injury woes.

However, Cavani would certainly be more capable of finding the net.

According to WhoScored, whilst Greenwood is averaging more shots per game – 1.7 to 1.4 – the 34-year-old is simply more lethal and as a result, could be their game-changer at Old Trafford.

He has scored 0.33 goals per game in the Premier League, with a goal coming every 4.3 shots. Meanwhile, Greenwood has scored just 0.04 goals per game. His solitary strike has come amongst his 40 attempted efforts so far this season, a poor conversion rate considering the 17 goals he plundered last season.

It all points to Cavani then being the man to be called into the Manchester United attack amidst their injury crisis for his first start in over a month.

Solskjaer must unleash him this evening.

AND in more news, the Red Devils have also been hit with injury problems in defence…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who is Wolves’ all-time top scorer with 306 goals, claims he does not regret spending his career at the club when he could have maybe played for a better team.

Bull played for Wolves from 1986 to 1999 after they bought him from rivals West Bromwich Albion, who were pushing for promotion to what is now known as the Premier League.

The former striker has a stand named after him at Molineux and is firmly in the record books as a Wolves legend, after helping guide them to the play-offs twice after joining the club when they were struggling in the Fourth Division.

Speaking on why he doesn’t regret not leaving Wolves for a team with better players and how football is full of ups and downs, Bull told FFC:

“You’re going to have your ups, downs, sad times and happy times but that is just football. It isn’t just one rocket launch, it’s not like that.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/exclusive-andreas-sondergaard-wolves-premier-league” title=”Exclusive! Andreas Sondergaard talks all things Wolves”]

“The play-offs defeat was one of the saddest days, but one of the best was seeing Wolves get to the Premier League – it was absolutely unbelievable.

“Do I regret not going to another club because I didn’t play top-flight football? No, because I played my top-flight football for England.”

Bull is still, the only player to score a half-century of goals in consecutive seasons for Wolves when he netted 52 goals in the 1987/88 season before getting 50 goals the following season.

Wolves are now in their third Premier League season since winning promotion in the 2017/18 campaign as they won the Championship.

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Steve Howey, who made 270 appearances during his career, claims there is a deal to be done for West Ham if they want to sign Jesse Lingard permanently.

Lingard failed to make a single league appearance for Manchester United this season which saw him go out on loan to the Hammers, and his form has been that good it’s earned him an England recall.

Since he joined West Ham in January Lingard has managed eight goals and four assists in just nine league games, which has seen David Moyes’ side solidify their Champions League hopes.

Speaking on how there is a deal for West Ham to complete if they want to and also why Lingard has impressed by doing more than just score goals, Howey told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s gone to West Ham and absolutely set the place on fire, not only scoring goals but his performances as well. So I think there will be some sort of deal to be done if Lingard wants to leave Man United.

“I definitely feel they could come to an agreement because ultimately, he couldn’t get into Man United’s team. West Ham offered him an opportunity which he’s grabbed with both hands and now it’s up to both clubs to try and sort out a deal.”

Unsurprisingly, Lingard is set to be Moyes’ number one target in the summer, however, the Hammers don’t have an option to buy so Man United can demand what they see fit.

West Ham will want to bulk up their squad if they qualify for the Champions League and they are currently in pole position to do so sitting in fourth place.

Many Everton fans have flocked to a transfer update from Fabrizio Romano on Moise Kean.As per a tweet from the Italian football journalist and transfer guru, Paris Saint Germain are currently ‘working’ to sign him on a permanent deal from the Goodison Park faithful in the summer window after his loan deal expiresKean himself is also unsure over where his near future lies, speaking after his side knocked holders Bayern Munich out of the Champions League.The former Juventus ace has been enjoying a very good season at PSG, with no fewer than 16 goals scored in 33 games in total over all competitions so far (Transfermarkt).However, he has been far less productive for the Merseyside club, netting a mere four times in 37 matches across two consecutive terms (Transfermarkt).Whether the striker could replicate his form in Paris for the Toffees is unknown, but it has certainly caused a debate over whether they should keep him after his loan expires. Everton fans on Romano’s Kean transfer update

These Blues were split on Twitter over whether they should keep or sell the 21-year-old after reading Romano’s transfer update:

“Farewell Moise, thanks for getting us money for you”Credit: @ElyodMada

“Not the Everton news I wanted Fab ngl”

Credit: @adamsg1878

“Hope we cash in on him and get a quality winger. He’s surplus to requirements at Everton.”

Credit: @MainManMina

“Keep him if we sell make sure it’s a high amount and not get ripped off”

Credit: @stepheneverton

“Vamos Marcel, £50m minimum.”

Credit: @exiledtoffee

“Disrespectful”

Credit: @evertonclip

In other news, find out what injury update has been lauded by EFC supporters here!

Amid all the understandable uproar of the European Super League, Leeds United host one of the competition’s ‘founding fathers’ in Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side head into the contest off the back of a truly historic 2-1 victory away at runaway leaders Manchester City last weekend, and will surely be in confident mood of pulling off yet another stunning result.

However, the Leeds boss appears to have been handed a major blow ahead of the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side, with news that Rodrigo is likely to miss out once again.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed that the club’s summer signing is “still recovering from a muscular problem”, and now via a pre-match Q&A, has relayed that “from what Bielsa said last week, it sounded as if Rodrigo would be missing again.”

News of the £18m-rated star being missing for the visit of Liverpool will surely have Bielsa gutted, with the Spaniard really struggling to justify his worth since arriving in a big-money deal from Valencia last summer.

Dubbed as “extraordinary” by former Barcelona boss Quique Setien, Rodrigo just hasn’t been able to find his feet at Elland Road, and while he was quick to dismiss speculation that he wanted a move back to Spain after failing to settle in England, it’s still be a rather disappointing debut campaign for the forward.

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He’s managed just three goals in 21 Premier League games this season, and has been hit by injuries over the past few weeks. After initially recovering from a groin strain that kept him out of six consecutive top-flight matches, Rodrigo has since missed two out of the last three games for Leeds.

A game against the Premier League champions is a tall order at any time, but being without one of his key summer acquisitions is a body blow for Bielsa.

While the Whites coped superbly without him last week against Manchester City, the Leeds boss will no doubt be gutted that he will be without Rodrigo once again when they host Liverpool tonight.

Meanwhile, Leeds must start this “under-rated” gem today vs Liverpool…

West Brom will be looking to continue their rich vein of form as they aim to close the gap towards Premier League safety when they head to nearby rivals Leicester City this evening.

The Baggies have now won back-to-back games in an emphatic nature, dispatching Europe-chasing Chelsea 5-2 before dismantling Southampton with another three goals last time out.

Sam Allardyce’s side have had well over a week to recover from that too, so should be fresher than the Foxes, who too come into this on the back of a win over the Saints, knocking them out of the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

So, will the 66-year-old be tempted to tinker a winning formula? Well, here’s our predicted XI along with the latest team and injury news from the Hawthorns camp…

Despite a run of form that has seen the Baggies lose just once in their last four matches, Big Sam could be tempted into two changes from last week’s win.

Following the match, there were injury concerns over skipper Kyle Bartley and Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles, though it appears that both have come through training unscathed this week.

However, with a crucial run-in, it would not be surprised to see the latter given an extra game of rest – or at least from the off – especially as Allardyce has Conor Gallagher at his disposal too.

The Chelsea starlet could slot right in alongside Okay Yokuslu at the base of midfield, with Matheus Pereira playing slightly more advanced.

Bartley, as captain, is likely to start and he could partner Semi Ajayi at the back.

The 27-year-old was an unfortunate casualty of his system change against the Saints. They may be deployed in a back four, so there’s a big call to make on Dara O’Shea. He also doesn’t warrant an absence from the starting XI.

The versatile Irishman may slot across to right-back at the expense of Darnell Furlong whilst Conor Townsend continues on the other side.

Further up the pitch on the wings, we’re expecting the in-form Callum Robinson, who has found the net three times in the last two games, and Matty Phillips to keep their place despite the likes of Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana eager for game time.

Mbaye Diagne should continue to lead the line, too.

AND in other news, Albion dealt double injury blow this week…

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City side are interested in a deal to bring Kristoffer Ajer to Carrow Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to The Sun, who claim that Farke wants to add a centre-back to his squad ahead of the Canaries’ Premier League campaign next season, with the new addition acting as competition for both Ben Gibson and Grant Hanley.

One player currently on his radar is reported to be Celtic’s Ajer, with Stuart Webber thought to have been personally scouting the 23-year-old in recent weeks.

AC Milan and Newcastle United are also believed to be keen on a move for the defender, for whom an offer of around £8 million should be enough to convince Celtic to sell.

Webber must move

While Celtic have had something of a campaign to forget this season, Ajer has been one of the few bright sparks at Parkhead.

Over his 32 Scottish Premiership appearances so far this term, the 21-capped Norway international has helped his side keep 15 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 3.4 clearances per game, culminating in an impressive average SofaScore match rating of 7.11.

The £14,000-per-week defender, who is comfortable operating from the middle or right-hand side of defence, has also demonstrated his creativity throughout the season, registering two assists, as well as making an average of 0.6 key passes per league fixture.

And, at just 23-years-old, there is still plenty of time for Ajer to develop as a footballer, although it would appear as if the defender has already proven his ability during his time at Celtic, with his centre-back partner, Christopher Jullien, dubbing him a “unique talent”, while Alex McLeish claimed the 6ft 5 titan is “influential” within his current team.

As such, with Farke currently only having the senior options of Gibson, Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann at centre-back, it would very much seem that greater depth is needed in the position ahead of the Canaries’ Premier League jaunt, with Ajer being an addition who Webber simply must pull out all the stops to secure.

In other news: Bye-bye Tettey: Webber must sanction NCFC swoop for £5.4m-rated ace Farke would adore – opinion

Aston Villa could strike gold this summer by signing Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have been one of the better defensive sides in the Premier League this season, with just 38 goals conceded in their 33 games – in fact, only four other sides have let in less.

However, according to Football Insider, Villa are keen on reinforcing the centre of defence even further, with Smith plotting a reunion with Tuanzebe this summer.

The duo worked together during Villa’s time in the Championship, and the report claims that Tuanzebe fits the kind of profile of player the club are looking to sign.

He stopped Mbappe

Not many people can put down stopping Kylian Mbappe on their CV, but Tuanzebe did exactly that earlier this season when Manchester United beat PSG 2-1 in the group stages of the Champions League at the Parc des Princes.

As per Sofascore, Tuanzebe made a game-high seven clearances, while he won three out of his five duels, including both that he contested in the air – writing in his post-match player ratings, The Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst gave him a nine, saying: “Will have grown a foot taller after he challenged Mbappe in a tight duel inside the area. Fantastic return on his first appearance in 10 months.”

And, speaking after the game, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quick to wax lyrical over the United academy product and how he nullified the pace of Mbappe brilliantly.

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He said: “Axel’s a tremendous defender, a great leader. He’s come through the academy and we’ve known for years that he’s going to be a top player for us and he’s got the character and the attitude that a Man United player should have. Sometimes you’ll get in a foot race with Mbappe and you have to run with him and we know Axel’s qualities, he’s a top defender.”

If Villa are looking for a young, English centre-back with top-level European experience, then they should look no further than the £50k-a-week earning Tuanzebe this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this 6 foot 5 giant…

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to journalist Fabrizio Romano’s claim that Ibrahima Konate will officially join the Reds this summer.

Jurgen Klopp looks almost certain to delve into the transfer market at the end of the season, having endured a 2020/21 campaign to forget.

Liverpool’s woes at centre-back mean it is a key area to focus on in the summer, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all missing significant chunks of action.

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One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield more than most is Konate, who has matured into an exciting young defender at RB Leipzig, becoming a regular France Under-21 international.

The 21-year-old has been continually tipped to sign for Liverpool and Romano has now further increased the likelihood of him heading to Merseyside.

Responding to a message on Twitter on Wednesday evening, he showed where his opinion lies, stating quite simply: “He’s going to Liverpool.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/liverpool-latest-news-and-updates/” title=”Liverpool latest news and updates!” poster=”https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-01-02T123739Z_1934422778_UP1EH120Z2RVI_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-SCOTLAND-RFC-CEL-REPORT-2-640×853.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans delighted with Konate update

These Liverpool fans provided their thoughts on the update on Twitter, with plenty of positivity in the air.

“LET’S GOOOOO Konate”

Credit: @Its_kene

“It’s gonna be scary”

Credit: @LFCTanmay

“Fabrizio you better not be lying my friend”

Credit: @NSMisAverage

“How I love you Fab!”

Credit: @MalcolmTheSix

“FABRIZIOOOOOOOOOOO”

Credit: @APLFC_

“YES”

Credit: @joethegoatgomez

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been left buzzing after an update on two key players. Read more here.