All posts by h716a5.icu

Sam Byram has been a shining light in what’s turned out to be a very disappointing season for Forest. His loan from West Ham ends in the summer, but Forest should make sure get him back ahead of the next campaign.

West Ham paid Leeds £3.32m for him in 2016, according to Transfermarkt, but it’s been this season where he’s really proved he has the potential to play in a side capable of promotion. Despite only playing 345 minutes this season, but that’s been enough for his talent to be made clear.

Nottinghamshire Live reported that Martin O’Neill wants to keep him for next season’s promotion push. The right-back can be explosive at times and has the ability to be a real crowd pleaser if he’s given more opportunities in the next campaign.

That’d be a wiser move for the club than signing a player who hasn’t experienced the pressure of playing for the club before. It’s clear they’ll sign other players, so when there’s an opportunity to use a familiar talent like him, they should take advantage of it.

He’s just 25-years-old and even a permanent move wouldn’t be such a bad idea. The club are looking to build a strong unit and, despite the disappointing end, progress is being made. Byram can be part of this and finally prove he can become the player so many said he would be.

Forest should go back for the Englishman in summer and give him the opportunity that he deserves. If they don’t, someone else will, and they might pip them to promotion next season because of it.

Forest fans, who do you want to see starting at right-back next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Nottingham Forest really fizzled out during the latter stages of the season, something that suggests the need for new life in the team this summer. Surely, things can’t get any staler than they’ve been at times this season, so it’s important the whole club takes a real look at itself during the off-season. 

Fans are already undecided as to whether they want to stick by Martin O’Neill or not, seeing as the former Forest player has failed to ignite the crowd with his team’s performances. Indeed, real judgement can be made during the transfer window, when he is in control of a budget that could decide the Reds’ fate.

Big names are obviously what the fans would like to see, but one easy way to get the fans on-board straight away is by recruiting the ever-reliable Jack Colback on a permanent basis from Newcastle this summer.

Colback, (who is valued at £2.7 million on Transfermarkt) is certainly a player Nottingham Forest can afford and shouldn’t have any qualms about doing so either. With 39 games under his belt this season, it is fair to say that Jack Colback has been influential ever since arriving at the City Ground, hence why he should be kept there beyond his loan spell.

Although he has three goals and two assists from defensive-midfield, which is a reasonable return, his main strengths are tackling and passing. On countless occasions each game, Colback will be winning the ball back for Nottingham Forest and then setting them away on a counter charge.

It may sound simple but that’s his game and he is extremely good at it. The importance of Jack Colback cannot be underestimated and Forest should, therefore, do everything they can to keep him on a permanent basis.

Do you agree Nottingham Forest should keep Colback on a permanent basis? If not, why not? Let us know!

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Manchester United fans on Twitter are not happy with the latest news regarding the club’s official app.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Ed Woodward and marketing director Richard Arnold were delivering a conference call to investors about the state of the club off the pitch.

Will OGS still be in charge of Man Utd come next May? The Flying Pig discusses in the video below…

Arnold revealed that the club’s official app ‘continues to grow above expectations’, a sentiment that has not gone down too well with supporters on Twitter.

On the pitch, United are performing as badly as anyone has seen them perform for years.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken the reins at Old Trafford, and led them to a 6th-place finish after a turbulent start to the season under Jose Mourinho; they will play Europa League football next term after missing out on Champions League qualification.

As a result of that, the fact that those on the club’s board are focusing on how the app performs has rubbed supporters up the wrong way.

Let’s see what the fanbase on Twitter has been saying about the app…

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Harry Kane is “certain” he will be fit to play in the Champions League final, per the London Evening Standard, but Tottenham Hotspur fans want the striker to be left on the bench!

Spurs will take on Liverpool in Madrid after a run that has seen them beat Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax in the knockout stages.

Kane injured his ligaments during the first leg against Pep Guardiola’s men and subsequently missed the crazy second leg against the Premier League champions, which saw Fernando Llorente score the decisive goal and Raheem Sterling see an injury-time winner chalked off due to VAR.

The last-four encounter with the Dutch giants saw Spurs lose 1-0 in London and fall 2-0 behind in Amsterdam, prior to Lucas Moura’s scarcely believable hat-trick, capped in the final minute of stoppage time, which sent Mauricio Pochettino’s men to the showpiece.

Kane ran onto the pitch following the final whistle and is set to be fit to feature in Madrid but the combination of Lucas and Son Heung-Min, along with Llorente, has taken the club this far.

And fans on Twitter have taken the remarkable take that Kane, who scored 24 goals in 39 games prior to his injury, should be left on the bench against Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a summer bid for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, per the Daily Star.

Bailly has fallen out of favour at United this season and is seen as expendable by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And Spurs are now reportedly set to go head-to-head with Arsenal as they look to secure the Ivorian’s signature.

The news comes amid reports that United are interested in signing current Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld.

And the Star claim that Bailly could be offered as part of a deal; but could he actually replace the Belgium international?

Football FanCast writers give their verdicts below!

James Beavis

“I think Bailly would be a great addition this summer and would help Spurs fans quickly forget about Alderweireld. Tottenham would be getting a player who knows the Premier League well and has Champions League experience. At 25 years of age, he is still yet to reach his peak too, and he and Sanchez would be a real force at the back in years to come. Daniel Levy will surely have his work cut out convincing United to sell to a top-four rival, however.”

Jack Saville

“I think Spurs fans would feel cheated if Bailly was brought in to replace Alderweireld. The Ivory Coast international has shown promise at United but he has plenty to prove before he can reach anything close to Alderweireld’s level. Levy must be smarter in his hunt for a new long term defensive enforcer as he won’t find value for money in negotiations with a Premier League rival.”

Matt Dawson

“By signing Eric Bailly then Spurs’ defence could be sorted for years to come. The Ivorian has shown glimpses of the quality he has at Manchester United without really setting the world alight but a move could be exactly what he needs to flourish. With Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen not getting any younger, now could be the perfect time for Spurs to bring in another centre-half.”

Six years ago, Arsenal made a golden capture from Real Madrid when they snapped up Mesut Ozil to usher in a new era at the Emirates. Now, they’re seemingly looking to replace the underwhelming German with another estranged Madrid star.

Indeed, according to reports (via BeIN Sports) and relayed by the Daily Cannon, the Gunners are aiming to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid in the summer. After Bayern Munich passed on the opportunity to sign the Colombian, Unai Emery’s been on high alert and the Spaniard surely knows the value of the majestic James, who’s still capable of special things with his creative acumen.

The Colombian might’ve only made 20 appearances in the league last season, but delivered almost whenever he did. He scored 7 goals and assisted 3 times, glittering up Bayern’s attack whenever he was fit and raring to go. Ozil, on the other hand, contributed to fewer goals despite making more appearances.

Just think of a more mobile, dynamic and equally as talented playmaker to fill the void left by Aaron Ramsey and that very same void that appears not to fit the enigmatic Ozil.

James can create another dimension to their attacking style, adding more fuel down the middle with his creative edge. He can dictate their attack in a way Ozil hasn’t, getting the best of those around him while also feeding delicious balls forward to Lacazette and Aubameyang.

On paper, that’s a thrilling attack.

The Colombian’s younger and much more direct in creating chances than Ozil. He can be that spark of brilliance the club have missed, with his sweet left foot capable of magical things. Frankly, James’ goal-scoring capability, as well as impeccable vision, can yield great results under the encouraging Emery and make sure Arsenal can finally move on from being dependent on the frustrating German.

Arsenal fans, do you think James could be an upgrade over Ozil? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso this summer, per the London Evening Standard.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not signed a player since January 2018, when they secured Lucas Moura from PSG.

This summer, though, they seem set to invest in their squad, with the Standard claiming that Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele of Lyon are both targets.

The former scored 16 goals in 2018-19 from midfield but he has an £88million release clause and the report claims that Betis will not sell him for a lower amount.

However, BBC have since reported that the Lilywhites have opened the bidding at £53m, so should Spurs splash the cash? How high should they go? Football FanCast’s writers give their verdicts on the Lo Celso saga below!

Billy Meyers

“Lo Celso is a player of real quality and is definitely worth a fee in the region of the £53m that Spurs have already offered. However, if Real Betis want closer to his £88m release clause, Tottenham should forget it. A lot of positions need strengthening this summer, so Pochettino shouldn’t put all of his eggs in this one basket.”

Matt Dawson

“I’m personally a big fan of Lo Celso and he’d be a wonderful addition to Spurs’ side. If they’re willing to meet his £88m release clause, which I very much doubt, then it would be a remarkable signing. His goals record this season speaks for itself and he’d be a dream replacement for Eriksen should he depart this summer. At 23 years of age, the Argentine still has his best years ahead of him. It would be a tremendous capture.”

Ben Goodwin

“It really depends how much money Daniel Levy has set aside for this summer because there’s no question that Lo Celso would walk into Tottenham’s starting XI. The young midfielder is a clever passer, press resistant, reads the game well, shields his defence and pops up with loads of goals. However, the Lilywhites need a new right-back and a deputy for Harry Kane so he doesn’t have to play so many matches, so £88m may simply be too much for a 23-year-old unproven in the Premier League.”

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West Ham United fans have been linked with a move for Isaac Hayden, per ClaretandHugh, but fans are unsure on the prospective move.

The Hammers are said to have identified the Newcastle United midfielder as a possible alternative to Andre Gomes after missing out on the Barcelona star.

Indeed, the latter, who spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Everton, has set his heart on a move to Goodison Park, per The Guardian.

Hayden, per the report, would cost around £15m if Newcastle do decide to cash in.

Indeed, manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen to add depth to the centre of the park, with the club looking to find support for Declan Rice and Mark Noble, and the 24-year-old has been identified as the best alternative to the Portugal international.

But supporters are lukewarm on the move, with Hayden having spent three years at St James’ Park, with one even claiming that the polarising figure of Pedro Obiang is a better alternative in the Irons’ XI.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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West Brom are set for a huge overhaul this summer as they undergo one of the most important transfer windows in their recent history.

After failing to achieve promotion back to the top-flight following a season in the Championship, five players could all walk through the exit door after their troublesome campaign.

If you couple that with loan deals and player contracts ending, Albion’s squad now looks particularly thin on the ground.

However, according to French outlet Soccer Link, West Brom are one of the clubs interested in 19-year-old Luxembourg international Vincent Thill, someone who could arrive to combat their lack of depth.

The midfield man is a player who showed impressive strides in the third division of French football last term.

Forget about Harper

It’s safe to say that West Brom fans don’t have the greatest respect for Rekeem Harper.

Another 19-year-old, the midfielder’s future at the Hawthorns has been in doubt for some time. His contract is set to expire this month and despite being offered a new deal, there have been no positive developments since.

Losing him will be a blow, especially considering some of the young talents to have already departed the club.

But by bringing in Thill, it could certainly make up for his loss.

An attacking midfielder, the Luxembourg international offers something that West Brom and Harper sorely lack – creativity.

When it came to central areas last term the brunt of the workload was left to Harvey Barnes. However, after he left the club in January, they were left with barely any creative outlets.

During the course of the Championnat National season, Thill found the net impressively on ten occasions. He also claimed three assists.

As such, he’d be the perfect player to improve an area where Albion have struggled in since the winter.

Watch fans explain why the Football League is better than the Premier League in the video below…

With Harper likely leaving for Celtic, the arrival of the talented Metz man would solve two problems in one.

He’d soften the blow of an academy prospect leaving whilst also adding to a position on the pitch that simply has to improve.

It’s not a marquee signing, but pulling off deals like this could be crucial to West Brom’s rebuild.

It’s fair to say that Issa Diop has been key for West Ham United under Manuel Pellegrini and looks a really promising asset to have as the Chilean’s project in East London enters its second stage. Indeed, his superiority in terms of defensive contributions over fellow defenders Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna (stats via Squawka) largely attest to that.

While it’d perhaps be too much to say that his £22m arrival from Toulouse completely sorted the backline out, the fact that their goals conceded last season was at its lowest in three years itself at least shows some sort of improvement. Good news, right? Well, yes and no.

It seems that, as a result of his breakthrough performances in the Premier League last season, the Irons could be in danger of losing their star defender as according to Sky Sports, Manchester United are very interested in signing Diop.

In light of the rumours that the Red Devils would be ready to pay £45 million plus a player for the 22-year-old, the notion of losing him would obviously be a step backwards for Pellegrini. When looking at the fact that the Chilean hailed the Frenchman’s contribution back in March to the club’s official site (via Claret & Hugh), it’s clear to see why Man City boss is allegedly (via the Mirror) adamant he’s not for sale.

Speaking on Sky Sports (via HITC) in April, pundit Alan Smith even compared Diop to Premier League legend Patrick Vieira, so watching him depart after just a season in Stratford would truly be gutting.

Obviously, when looking into his stats of 2.1 tackles per game, 1.9 interceptions, 4.7 clearances and 2.3 aerial battles (stats via WhoScored) won per 90 mins – which eclipses the more senior Ogbonna or Balbuena- it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see why he’d be such a miss.

Indeed, it’s not even really about the stats this season. It’s the potential West Ham would be missing out on, should Diop carry on the kind of upward trajectory that has seen him linked with such a big move just a year after leaving France in the first place. Perhaps there will come a time to sell him in the future but, for the present, the club need to keep their man.

West Ham fans, would you be disappointed by Diop’s potential departure? Join the discussion by commenting below…