All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former West Ham striker Brian Deane believes that Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia could become the dictator in the Hammers’ side next season.

Whilst David Moyes’ team sealed a Europa League place following their final-day victory over Southampton, they’ve been short of a creator in their squad.

Two of their top three assist makers were defenders in Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal, whilst sandwiched in between was summer signing Said Benrahma, who played a bit-part role for most of the season.

In complete contrast, Buendia racked up the most assists in English football’s top four leagues (16) in just 39 Championship appearances to help Norwich bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

And West Ham are reportedly considering a move for the Argentine, who’s also a target for Aston Villa, should they fail to convince Jesse Lingard to return on a permanent basis.

Buendia also added 15 league goals, which saw him named Championship Player of the Season and named in Team of the Season, but the Hammers are likely to face interest from the likes of Arsenal.

Deane told Football FanCast:

“Well if they were to get him, he’s going to have better players around him. And you would think that if he’s going to be the dictator in that squad, then there’s probably no limit.

“It’s one thing being a big fish in a small pond, but how does becoming a fish in a pond affect your performances?”

Everton will face their fierce rivals this afternoon when they make the short trip to Anfield in the away fixture of the Merseyside Derby.

Frank Lampard has revealed several injury concerns that he will be hoping won’t setback his team from putting on a performance in the Premier League clash, with Donny van de Beek, Andre Gomes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all ruled out against Liverpool.

Andros Townsend, Tom Davies and Nathan Patterson all remain unchanged on the injury table for the foreseeable, however, the Toffees boss has hinted that a recent returnee is in doubt to feature today.

Lampard took to his pre-match press conference to respond to doubt over Yerry Mina’s inclusion in the starting line-up:

“That’s a decision I’ll have to make closer to the game, because of the tight turnaround. He’s an important player to us and we’ve got to understand we’ve got six more games after this.”

With that being said, this is how Football FanCast expects Everton to line up this afternoon…

We predict that Lampard will make just two changes from the team that drew with Leicester City on Wednesday night, with his typical 4-3-3 formation deployed.

The first change we expect to see is Michael Keane returning to the back-line after the manager’s comments suggesting that Mina may be rested at Anfield today, so it would seem likely that the defender will reprise his role in the otherwise unchanged back four alongside Seamus Coleman, Vitaliy Mykolenko and Ben Godfrey.

The second change we think the Toffees boss will make is the inclusion of Abdoulaye Doucoure, who hasn’t been given much game time as of late with just six minutes played since the Burnley clash at the beginning of the month.

The 29-year-old gem who was hailed “underrated” by Jamie Redknapp, has played ten times in the Merseyside Derby, winning two, drawing two and losing six whilst scoring and assisting once against the Kopites.

We expect to see Doucoure earn his role back in the starting line-up to replace £100k-per-week flop Alex Iwobi in the midfield, playing just ahead of Allan and Fabian Delph to assist with the attacking threat needed to have any chance of beating their title-challenging rivals this afternoon.

Lampard will be feeling the pressure come 4:30pm if Burnley take a result in their fixture a few hours before the derby, with Everton just one point clear of their relegation rivals, a win for Burnley and a loss for the Toffees could spell danger as the side would fall into the bottom three by end of play.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Everton dealt worrying injury setback before Liverpool, Lamps surely gutted

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Everton should sign Ismaila Sarr, who they were tentatively linked with last summer, with the ex-Toffees striker believing he is approaching the peak of his career.

Sarr joined Watford the summer before last, and became their club-record signing from Rennes, although he almost left the club following their relegation to the Championship last season.

The Senegalese winger was involved in a transfer saga with Manchester United, who were heavily linked, but he ended up staying at Vicarage Road and has lit up the second-tier with a number of sparkling performances.

Sarr has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists to help Watford bounce back at the first time of asking, with his brilliant form likely to once again attract interest from the Premier League.

And with Everton in need of another winger themselves, with neither Alex Iwobi nor Bernard cutting it, Bent would be happy should his former side move for Sarr.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s stayed at Watford and he’s scored a load of goals and got them promoted. He’s on the rise, but he’s coming to an age where he’s showing maturity about his game.

“Being promoted, he’s still buzzing, playing in the Premier League, and he’s done really well. I think that would be a good move for him and Everton.”

A number of Wolves supporters are delighted after a new report claimed Wanderers aren’t interested in re-signing Matt Doherty in the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old traded Wanderers for Spurs back in the summer of 2020, in a move that was supposedly seen as a step forward in his career.

Doherty has struggled hugely in north London, however, rarely finding himself as a regular in the team, only registering four assists in 42 appearances and not scoring a single goal.

The Republic of Ireland has been linked with a return to Wolves this month, as he looks for a way out of Spurs, but that now appears to be unlikely.

According to The Mirror [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], a reunion isn’t on the cards, with neither Wanderers or Doherty keen on the move coming to fruition.

Wolves fans delighted with Doherty latest

These Wolves fans reacted positively to the news on Twitter.

“Love to see it”

Credit: @DaneWWFC

“Thank god for that”

Credit: @eve_elizabethxx

“THE PLAYER HIMSELF! He knows he wouldn’t play Semedo and Hoever clear”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Thank god”

Credit: @Darren_Wolves_8

“We don’t need him”

Credit: @the_brewersarms

“Great news we moved on waw”

Credit: @AntonyHaselum

In other news, some Wolves fans are buzzing over a potential swap deal. Read more here.

A journalist has dropped a definitive transfer update involving Newcastle United and Conor Gallagher.

The Lowdown: Willock alternative?

It is not a guarantee that the St. James’ Park faithful will be able to sign Joe Willock on a permanent deal after his loan spell from Arsenal in the 2020/21 season.

Thus, they may need to look for other targets in the attacking midfield position, especially with the new Premier League campaign only a couple of weeks away.

The Latest: Gallagher update

The Sun journalist Tom Barclay has given a transfer update involving Gallagher, of whom he claims the Magpies “had interest” in, as well as Leeds United:

“Understand Conor Gallagher has opted to join Crystal Palace on loan.”

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for the North East club to miss out on the signing of Gallagher, especially to a rival in the top flight in Crystal Palace.

The Chelsea ace endured a successful individual loan spell at West Brom in the last term, despite them being relegated down to the EFL Championship.

Gallagher won no fewer than 6.5 of his duels per game in the Premier League, and also averaged 2.7 tackles and one shot and successful dribble per match, notching up two goals and two assists (Sofascore).

He is a player that is capable of playing anywhere in the middle of the park, and being English, he would have helped fill in the home-grown quota while adding depth through the spine of the team.

Nonetheless, it seems as if Gallagher is set to join the Eagles instead, with the Toon now needing to look elsewhere.

In other news, find out which £12m-rated maestro NUFC want to sign here!

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to the news that Villa Park could play host to this year’s Champions League Final.

Both Manchester City and Chelsea booked their place in the last two following wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid respectively earlier this week, with the final scheduled to take place in Istanbul on May 29.

However, according to reliable Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, Villa have offered up Villa Park to UEFA as an alternative venue.

Dorsett claims that huge changes to infrastructure at the stadium would have to take place should Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel’s sides face off in the Midlands, however, UEFA are thought to be committed to Istanbul at this moment in time.

Villa still have three home league fixtures to fulfil before the end of the season, with fans set to return for the visit of Chelsea on the final day.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Dorsett’s claims on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

It didn’t take long for a number of Villa fans to go wild at the update, with one describing it as ‘unreal’.

“This would be massive”Credit: @Cameron_Avfc”Scenes”Credit: @RyRyy69″Limbs”Credit: @manj_av”That’s unreal”Credit: @Matttavfc”OH. MY. GOD.”Credit: @ReubenOwen_”Make this happen”Credit: @arjo_97

In other news: Fresh Jack Grealish update emerges, find out more here. 

Leeds United are ready to smash their transfer record to sign Cagliari and Uruguay midfielder Nahitan Nandez this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing up a summer move for the 25-year-old, who could be available for much lower than his release clause.

Italian publication La Nuova Sardegna has now claimed that the Whites are actually ready to pay the €36m (£31m) release clause in order to bring him to Elland Road, with Bielsa insisting on signing him. That deal would eclipse the club-record £26m fee that Leeds paid Valencia to sign Rodrigo last summer.

Bielsa will love it

Connor Clancy, editor-in-chief at Forza Italian Football, has thrown his support behind a potential Leeds deal, saying in an exclusive interview with This Is Futbol recently: “Anywhere Bielsa wants to play him, he’d do a job. I like him a lot. I think he’s only about five foot seven, but you wouldn’t know it if you just watched clips of him, he is a little bit of a machine. He’s so powerful but at the same time, has really, really good ball control.”

According to Sofascore, he averaged 1.8 tackles and won an impressive 6.1 duels per game in Serie A last season, which favours well compared to Leeds talisman Kalvin Phillips – the Whites ace averaged 2.6 tackles and won 5.3 duels per match in the Premier League last season.

His performances for Cagliari even led journalist Mina Rzouki to say: “Cagliari’s Nandez is one of the most underrated players. God he’s been so amazing, especially in Cagliari’s last 3 games. He scored the equaliser against Napoli. Man of the match in the win against Udinese. Against Roma – just wow. Unstoppable.”

If Andrea Radrizzani sanctions a record-breaking move for Nandez, then Bielsa would surely love it, especially with reports claiming that he’s insistent on bringing him to Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa would be furious with this unforgivable Leeds mistake…

Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze could be set to return to action quicker than first anticipated, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

The Lowdown: Out since May

The 23-year-old enjoyed a brilliant maiden season at the Eagles with 10 goal involvements in his debut Premier League campaign following his move from QPR for £19.5m. However, the player suffered a serious Achilles injury in training back in May and hasn’t played since, with scans revealing that he could face between six to eight months of rehabilitation.

It has been reported that Eze was in Gareth Southgate’s plans for his England squad for the European Championship before he got injured in training.

The Latest: Eze ahead of schedule for a return

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Barclay has suggested that Eze’s return to action may not be too far away, but advised caution over reintroducing him to the fold due to the nature of the injury.

The journalist said: “I’m told there is a good chance that there’s a good chance actually that he’s ahead of schedule on his return. Achilles injuries are bad injuries, they can keep you out for a long time and they can affect you going forward.”

The Verdict: Great news but don’t rush him back

Right now, rushing Eze back is something Viera should avoid given Palace’s decent start to the season. They currently sit 14th in the Premier League table but have taken points off Brentford, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and most recently Leicester City.

Summer signings Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise have already made their mark, whilst Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher has caught the eye as Viera’s number 10, with two goals in the 2-2 draw with West Ham in August.

If Palace are to remain in the Premier League and potentially flirt with the top half or even the European places, having their best players available for selection is a must. Eze’s return will obviously be most welcome given his impact last season but, as Barclay has warned, the Eagles must not rush him back prematurely and risk aggravating the injury again.

In other news, these Palace fans have been reacting to a video from the club’s official Twitter channel. Find out more here.

Aston Villa revealed on Wednesday that six academy players have signed new professional deals at Villa Park, news which generated plenty of reaction among the club’s fan base.

Villa won the FA Youth Cup last season for the first time since 2002 after a 2-1 win over Liverpool in the final in front of fans at Villa Park.

Louie Barry played a key part in that success last term, with five goals and four assists en route to glory, and his deal has been extended to 2024. Meanwhile, Chisom Afoka, Hayden Lindley, Filip Marschall, Arjan Raikhy and Brad Young have all agreed on new contracts with the club.

All six youngsters played their part in the club’s FA Youth Cup success and have been rewarded for their progress at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa fans react

Villa posted the news on the six youngsters on Twitter and these fans were delighted, with one supporter describing it as ‘great news’.

“Let’s go”Credit: @AVFC_Jack_”MY CLUB”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Great news from Bodymoor today!”Credit: @espenstrand”WE MAKING MOVES”Credit: @lVathan_”I can’t recall a time our club was as well run as it is these days, we really are starting to operate like a top club.”Credit: @mg_ashmore”Great stuff”Credit: @Stokesey84

In other news: Aston Villa source provides telling Emile Smith Rowe update as third bid looms, find out more here.  

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a huge blow in their pursuit of Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, after Fabrizio Romano revealed on Twitter that the striker has signed a contract extension in Milan.

The Lowdown: Lautaro Martinez profiled

Regarded as one of the deadliest hitmen in the top five leagues in Europe, Martinez has had his fair share of admirers this summer, playing a key role in his sides’ Scudetto winning 2020/21 campaign.

Since joining the Italian outfit in 2018, he has notched 50 goals and 20 assists over 133 games for the Italian champions [Transfermarkt].

He has also been previously hailed as ‘spectacular’ by international team-mate Lionel Messi, lending credence to his ability to bury goal-scoring opportunities at will [Irish Examiner].

His next career steps now look to be settled, owing to an update from reliable transfer guru Romano.

The Latest: Romano drops latest on Martinez

Speaking to his 4.8 million followers on Twitter, Romano signified that the Argentina forward has reached an agreement to sign a new contract in Milan, ending the statement with “Lautaro stays – confirmed”.

Detailing interest in his services this window, the well-respected journalist also added that Tottenham and Atletico Madrid both previously bid €70m (£59.9 million) plus add-ons, in an attempt to prize Martinez away from Internazionale.

The Verdict: Losing out on Martinez may not be detrimental as Kane returns to the fold at Spurs

Despite seemingly losing out on their preferred target, there is plenty to be positive about currently as a Spurs supporter.

Although Martinez is a handful for any defence in the world, the news that talisman Harry Kane will be staying at N17 for the foreseeable future certainly softens the blow.

There are also many advantages from a financial standpoint. In a deal which would have likely shattered Tottenham’s transfer record, exceeding pressure would have been thrust on Martinez to hit the ground running in English football, with little notion of an adaptation period.

The Lilywhites may be better off focusing all of their energies into re-integrating Kane to the forefront of their starting line-up as opposed to pursuing Martinez, something that doesn’t seem to be going too badly after the England star’s brace against Pacos de Ferreira during the week.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in a transfer chase. Find out more here.