All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Karl Darlow was on the verge of an England call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Three Lions coaching staff had been in ‘direct contact’ with the Newcastle man to tell him he was being considered.

However, Steve Bruce then restored fit-again Martin Dubravka to the line-up following the 3-1 defeat at Manchester United last month, and that has cost Darlow his opportunity.

Johnstone gets nod over Darlow, who may look to Wales

There was an opening in the England goalkeeper ranks after usual first-choice Jordan Pickford sustained a rib injury, but it has been filled instead by West Brom’s Sam Johnstone, selected alongside Dean Henderson and Nick Pope.

Darlow is understood to be ‘very upset’ at missing out on the call-up, which would have been one of the highlights of his career.

The 30-year-old has kept four clean sheets, made 88 saves and conceded 43 goals in his 25 appearances this season (via Premier League).

Darlow is eligible to represent Wales, and Ornstein says that they may try to persuade him to change allegiance. He rejected the switch in 2018, but it is said that the ‘door is not completely shut’.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Darlow may be frustrated with Bruce, but you can understand why the manager recalled Dubravka. The Slovakian is his usual first choice and was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2019/20.

Ultimately, Darlow gave the Bruce the justification he needed with an unconvincing performance in that game against Manchester United, when was twice beaten at his near post.

In other news, Lee Ryder slammed this attacker’s performance against Brighton. 

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Mabbutt insists he pays no attention to potential managerial changes until there is no boss in the Spurs dugout.

The club have endured a difficult spell under manager Jose Mourinho and briefly slipped to ninth in the Premier League table.

That led to reports of interest in other managers, notably RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann, with the Daily Telegraph claiming that the German could be an attractive target to chairman Daniel Levy.

Football FanCast had the chance to speak to Mabbutt and asked him about Scott Parker, the Fulham manager, who is doing an admirable job in keeping the club within touching distance of survival.

If they were to stay up, one has to think that Parker could become an option for Levy if he did choose to axe Mourinho.

But Mabbutt says he is continuing to hope that the club can end the season successfully and is not at all interested in discussing a potential managerial change.

Indeed, Spurs remain in three competitions; they are within six points of the top four, have reached the League Cup final, and are also into the last-16 of the Europa League.

Speaking to FFC, Mabbutt said: “I never, ever even look at who could be the next Spurs manager until there’s no manager in place and currently we’re in with a great chance with two cup competitions this year, we’ve been getting into the top four of the league. And that’ll be an absolutely incredible season if that happens.”

Mabbutt has also hit out at the media reportage of potential new appointments, insisting that the majority of stories surrounding Spurs are nothing more than “nonsense”.

He added: “This is the first thing that the media will do in this 24/7 world, you have to fill spaces, and often spaces gets filled with a lot of rumour mongering and a lot of nonsense. And I think, yeah, I think as people evolve the game, you just got to separate all of that. And I said before, yeah, 95% of it is nonsense, and 5% has got some truth in it.”

Slowly but surely, Crystal Palace are starting to look like better bets to stay in the Premier League.

Of course, their 4-1 battering at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday evening provided evidence to the contrary but a period of three unbeaten games before that must have pleased Roy Hodgson.

The Eagles have been incredibly inconsistent this season and that shone through in north London over the weekend. Spurs haven’t been particularly swashbuckling in recent months but the effervescent trio of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale all ran riot on Sunday.

How Hodgson would love for three players of their quality. Bale looks back to his best and in the process of scoring twice, was a lively energetic threat.

The same cannot be said for Palace’s right-hand side where Andros Townsend severely disappointed. The winger began his career at Spurs where he played for 16 years, starting out as a young schoolboy to becoming a senior professional.

Yet, on Sunday evening, he showed exactly why he never made a name for himself at the very top of the game.

Townsend was devoid of much quality and very rarely had a chance to threaten the Spurs backline. Of course, there are better litmus tests for this Eagles attack but the 29-year-old did little to try and haunt his former employers.

He was hauled off after just 65 minutes having had a minimal impact on proceedings. Townsend touched the ball on just 40 occasions which was the lowest tally of any outfield Palace player to start the match.

On top of that, the winger made only 13 passes during his time on the field. That was fewer than goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and only more than Hodgson’s three substitutes; Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Townsend clearly isn’t as creative and hustling as he once was. The attacker managed a solitary key pass and when faced with the likes of Sergio Reguilon and Son in the channels, he often came out second best; winning just 37.5% of his defensive duels.

The fact that Hodgson took him off so early into the game spoke volumes, especially when it was the defence who were being given the biggest runaround.

Townsend did his best to inject a slice of energy into proceedings, and as he always proves, he was willing to work hard for the team. Yet, the forward’s end product was ultimately missing.

With Zaha now back from injury, the former England international better be wary. His place in the team could soon be under threat.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Mateta: 22-goal Palace target could create dream attack for Hodgson…

A little under a year ago, Leeds were linked with a move for a player in Turkey.

That might not be enough to get your heart racing but in retrospect, not choosing to sign that individual has turned into a considerable mistake from the club’s recruiters and Victor Orta

The player in question is Canada international Cyle Larin, someone currently playing for Besiktas.

In February 2020, a reported £5m deal was on the table for the Whites but they ignored the forward and thus, settled on different targets in the summer window.

Leeds welcomed Rodrigo and Raphinha to Elland Road in a big summer of spending, deals that came to a combined £47m – £42m more than they would have paid for Larin.

In hindsight, this was a terrible decision from the hierarchy at Leeds. Rodrigo has managed just three goals since his record-breaking move to English football but Raphinha has, fortunately, shown better signs.

The Brazilian is a tricky livewire and has amassed 2.4 shots per game this term, registering four goal involvements for his new team. However, the aforementioned Larin is tearing the Turkish Super Lig apart this term.

Since Leeds failed to conclude a move for the 31-cap international, he has been breathtakingly good for Besiktas, firing in goals on a regular basis.

The 25-year-old has netted 14 times in just 20 outings this season, providing two assists in the process. He also takes fewer shots per game than Raphinha which considering his goal output compared to the Leeds winger is mightily impressive.

Yet, you only looked to look at his remarkable accomplishments in the last week. To put things simply, Larin has been incredible. He has scored six goals his last three matches over the past seven days, netting four in a 6-0 rout of Rizespor.

Coincidentally, that came in his only outing of the campaign where he played from Raphinha’s traditional position on the right flank. Capable of playing across the front three, Larin is clearly a dependable performer but to someone like Kaka that will come as no surprise.

He played alongside the great Brazilian at Orlando City where the Ballon d’Or winner only had praise for the Canadian: “I think Cyle can go far. Cyle is a very good player and the third season for us will be great, but I think Cyle can play in a big team in Europe as well,” Kaka commented.

That’s a fine tribute for a player who could have made Leeds’ dynamic attack under Marcelo Bielsa even more exciting.

Judging by Larin’s record this term, not signing him has turned out to be a howler from Orta. Larin is improving all the time and his scintillating record of six goals in seven days is tough to turn a blind eye to.

At the moment, he is the real deal and if he continues to register those types of numbers, bigger teams than Leeds will surely cast their net in the attacker’s direction.

This is undoubtedly one that got away for the Premier League outfit.

AND in other news, Better than Struijk: Orta must seal Leeds swoop for “dominant” £5.4m-rated colossus…

Liverpool face Manchester United for the second time in a week on Sunday, as they travel to Old Trafford to face the Red Devils in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The third-round win against Aston Villa’s youngsters remains Liverpool’s only win of 2021 so far, with Jurgen Klopp’s side having been far from good enough in recent top-flight fixtures, which has seen them drop off the top of the Premier League table.

Thursday’s home defeat against Burnley, which brought an end to the Reds’ impressive undefeated record at Anfield, was perhaps the clearest example that Liverpool are not the force they were last season, and they will have to perform significantly better on Sunday if they want to beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp’s side to line up against Manchester United, with four changes from the side that started against Burnley…

Alisson unsurprisingly keeps his place in goal, and he will be hoping for a similarly impressive performance against United this time out.

There is one change in defence, as Klopp rests Trent Alexander-Arnold after some woeful recent displays, with Neco Williams given the opportunity to impress.

With Jordan Henderson reportedly unlikely to feature, Thiago starts in the defensive-midfield role once again, with Curtis Jones coming in for Xherdan Shaqiri in midfield, despite the Swiss international being one of the better performers in recent games.

In attack, there are two changes, as both Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who earns £120k per week at Anfield, drop to the bench after poor performances against Burnley.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino replace them to start at Old Trafford, and Klopp will be desperate for his front three to rediscover their goalscoring touch against Liverpool’s old rivals.

And, in other news… “Of course he would” – Exclusive: Pundit suggests PL beast would join LFC

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass has tipped new West Brom boss Sam Allardyce to make a move for one of his former stars.

The 66-year-old was appointed on an 18-month contract last week, replacing the sacked Slaven Bilic less than 24 hours after a 1-1 draw at Man City.

In his first interview since taking over, Big Sam revealed that he would indeed have funds to make some of his own signings in the upcoming transfer window, he told reporters:

“There is some money, some opportunities, but I understand the financial problems most clubs are facing.”

The Baggies are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League and with summer signing Karlan Grant only managing to find the net once in nine starts, a new striker could be on the horizon as a priority.

FFC asked Windass whether he could see Allardyce reuniting with out-of-favour Newcastle United frontman Andy Carroll, whom he signed for £15m at West Ham in 2013.

The ex-Hull City man certainly believes he could be a target, he said:

“I take him all day long – why not? What you have you got to lose? The only thing with Andy is, can you keep him fit?

“Listen, I’d have Andy Carroll all day long.

“[Fitness] is the only problem.”

The 31-year-old target man has racked up 237 appearances in the Premier League throughout the course of his career, scoring 53 times.

Whilst 57 of those matches came under the stewardship of Allardyce at the Hammers, where he contributed to 26 goals.

Carroll has barely featured this season with Callum Wilson the main man in the north-east, so as Windass points out, there may well be question marks over his fitness having played just 179 minutes in the top-flight all season.

The 6 foot 4 colossus is also earning around £75k-per-week at the Magpies, according to Spotrac, which would see him sitting comfortably as Albion’s highest earner.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer issues West Brom a STARK January warning…

Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram is believed to be a target for Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, according to reports.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to Ibrox.

He’s only made 13 appearances across all competitions this season as Blades boss Chris Wilder has been left frustrated after he rejected a bumper new contract at Bramall Lane.

Lundstram has provided eight goals and eight assists in 101 games for the south Yorkshire outfit since his arrival from Oxford United for an undisclosed fee in 2017, which has prompted us to suggest that a transfer for Lundstram would seem like a good move for Rangers.

An established Premier League performer, Gerrard could bolster his midfield ranks with a bargain as they could land him for nothing at the end of the season if they line up a pre-contract agreement.

However, Rangers may want to reconsider their options after he produced one of his worst performances against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.

Wilder’s side edged past League One side Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium to end their barren run of 21 games without a victory.

But the left-footed midfielder was a total liability in the midfield – he was dribbled past three times, the most out of any Blades player on the pitch.

Lundstram touched the ball 54 times and on 14 occasions, he lost control of it as he struggled to get a foothold in the game. He also missed a big chance to sum up his frustrations.

It’s no wonder that he was pulled off before the 75th minute and he ought to be wary with Ethan Ampadu, Chris Basham and Oliver Norwood battling for a place in the starting line-up.

There is already strong competition for places at Ibrox with the likes of Steven Davis and Bongani Zungu battling for the starting position behind Gerrard’s first choice, Glen Kamara.

Would Lundstrum be a better option than Davis and Zungu? Upon reflection, probably not, as he is averaging 0.4 interceptions to Zungu’s 0.6 per game, and so on and so forth.

Former Hull City striker Dean Windass even exclusively told Football FanCast he doesn’t think that he is ready for a move to Rangers.

Perhaps he is right after all, as it’s fair to say that Lundstram has struggled to replicate the “incredible” form that earned him praise from former England and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer last season.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson must sanction Rangers swoop for Preston contract rebel Ben Davies…

Crystal Palace were on the receiving end of a 2-0 drubbing by Wolves as Roy Hodgson’s side started off slowly at Molineux on Friday night. Palace loan signing Michy Batshuayi struggled to make much of an impression before he was replaced by Christian Benteke – although he was by no means the only player at fault for the poor performance.

What’s the story?

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, Palace are facing an exodus of players with thirteen of them coming out of contract next term. Hodgson has some big decisions to make as several senior members of the squad have entered the final few months of their deals.

It’s claimed that former Aston Villa frontman Benteke could be departing Selhurst Park along with Connor Wickham when their contracts run out in the summer. So, Palace chairman Steve Parish must return for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard in the winter transfer window.

Bye Benteke

Reports in recent times revealed that the Eagles were interested in signing the £13.5m-rated centre-forward as a potential Benteke replacement. The report by The Times suggested that Palace were prepared to sell the Belgium international in the summer, but a move failed to materialise, so they went back to the drawing board.

Hodgson and Parish embarked on a summer spending spree, splashing out on the likes of Batshuayi and former Queens Park Rangers winger Eberechi Eze, whilst they also brought in Nathan Ferguson from West Bromwich Albion.

Goals have started to dry up in spite of the new signings, as Batshuayi has failed to find the back of the net so far, although in fairness that isn’t for want of trying, whilst Wilfried Zaha is the club’s leading goalscorer in all competitions, having scored five times in total, via Transfermarkt.

But the 17-cap Ivory Coast international needs someone who can share the burden of scoring goals and Edouard is a player who can do precisely just that.

Once hailed as an “exceptional” player by football journalist David Tanner, Edouard was recently described by Celtic boss Neil Lennon as a “special talent” after his hat-trick against Hamilton.

The 22-year-old has bagged 66 goals in over 100 appearances for the Bhoys, via Transfermarkt. By comparison, Benteke has only scored 23 goals in 118 games for the Eagles.

Just imagine the chaos he could cause alongside Zaha – it almost doesn’t bear to think about. Getting rid of the Belgian would make room for the 6-cap France U21 international in the first team instead.

AND in other news, Steve Parish must convince Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell to sign new contract…

Niels Nkounkou has every right to be furious with Carlo Ancelotti after the Everton boss opted to omit the young full-back from his matchday squad at Burnley on Saturday.

Ancelotti is without star defender Lucas Digne for the foreseeable future after the Frenchman was forced to undergo surgery, having sustained an ankle ligament injury in training.

The Toffees fear Digne will be out for up to three months but Ancelotti expressed belief in his other options last month, despite the inexperienced Nkounkou being his only recognised alternative.

Ancelotti doubled down on his support of Nkounkou ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burnley, even though he fielded Alex Iwobi at full-back in the 1-0 loss to Leeds United, claiming the 20-year-old would earn minutes at Turf Moor.

“Nkounkou was not in the squad because I have 11 players, I decided to put Iwobi on the left. The squad is really big,” the Italian said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo.

“He’s still young, he needs more experience, he needs to work more. But I am honestly satisfied for what he is doing. He will have time in the next game because we have a lot of games.”

Yet Ancelotti chose against naming Nkounkou in his 18-man squad to face Burnley with Fabian Delph stepping in at left-back, as he did for Manchester City on 13 occasions in his final season at the Etihad before joining Everton for £10million in 2019.

But the 31-year-old pulled up in the first half as Everton trailed 1-0, forcing Ancelotti into a reshuffle with centre-half Ben Godfrey moving to the left of a four-man defence and Iwobi coming in at right-back.

Nkounkou will be fuming with Ancelotti to have not gotten a chance to prove his first-team worth at Turf Moor, even just from the bench, having arrived from Olympique de Marseille in the summer after Everton saw their options dwindle following Leighton Baines retiring.

The Toffees were lauded for signing Nkounkou in the off-season, with former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock hailing the Frenchman as a “magnificent find”. But questions are now being raised over his chances of seeing out the season on Merseyside, with suggestions the £2.7m-rated gem could look to secure a loan deal this winter.

Nkounkou has only featured for 69 minutes in the Premier League this season but his talents are not questioned by those who have played alongside him, with Marseille full-back Jordan Amavi backing the youngster to shine in the future.

“He has a lot of qualities, I find that he is a powerful player, technically he is quite comfortable,” Amavi said, via quotes by Foot 01.

“Afterwards, he has to work; he is still young. As for succeeding elsewhere, maybe he would have had his chance, he could have played. But he was not launched, he made the choice to leave, it is his decision, good for him, I do not worry, he will have a very good career.”

It remains to be seen when – or if – Ancelotti will next offer Nkounkou the chance to demonstrate those skills in Royal Blue with the Toffees hosting title-chasing Chelsea in their next Premier League fixture.

AND in other news, “If I’m the chairman…” – Exclusive: Pundit drops huge Everton January transfer window claim.

Celtic will be hoping that they can return from the international break with victory on Saturday’s Old Firm derby.

Neil Lennon has already had some issues before the match as a few of his key players are currently having to isolate due to recent events.

Celtic legend Frank McAvennie has been speaking about the derby and he believes that the appointment of John Beaton as the referee for the match against Rangers could be a concern for the Hoops.

What did McAvennie have to say about Celtic’s derby hopes?

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie said: “I fear for the referee on Saturday. He is not very well liked by the Celtic side of Glasgow. I hope I am wrong, I really do. I hope he stands up because he is a good referee but in the past he has been known to make a couple of gaffs when it comes to Celtic.

“I am hoping they were just mistakes. Put it this way, I really hope next week we are not talking about the referee’s performance. I hope it is about football.”

Will this impact Celtic heavily?

McAvennie believes that Beaton could have a big impact on the game, although the Hoops should not be worried. Despite losing the last time that he took charge of an Old Firm derby in 2018, Celtic have won 28 and lost just twice on the 35 previous occasions that he has refereed one of their games.

With Neil Lennon’s side only a point behind their table-topping rivals and with a game in hand, Saturday marks a real opportunity to strike a major psychological blow. Hopefully the performance of Beaton won’t be the main talking point afterwards.

Celtic fans, do you share McAvennie’s concerns about Beaton taking charge of the derby? Comment below with your views!