All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Glasgow Rangers fans are delighted after the club confirmed they will play Arsenal in a pre-season friendly before the start of next term.

The Gers are already planning ahead for the next campaign, and they have chosen to face the Gunners in a match that will help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Ibrox outfit. The game will be played at the home of the 55-time Scottish champions on July 17th.

In the past few days, it seems the two clubs have built up somewhat of a rapport. Arsenal faced Slavia Prague in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday – the Gers were defeated by the Czechia champions in the previous stage. Following Ondrej Kudela’s 10-game ban for racially abusing Glen Kamara, Slavia refused to take a knee for the Black Lives Matter movement before the game – that lead to Alexandre Lacazette doing so right in front of them (The Guardian).

The Gunners eventually won 4-0, with the France international on the scoresheet.

As such, the Gers supporters were delighted to be facing the Premier League side. The news was shared on the Gers’ official Twitter account, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers had to say about the news below

“Marvellous. Wish I could be there, what a party that’ll be”

Credit: @newtowngooner

“Tremendous a club who has played a part in our history and a proper football club with great fans”

Credit: @Stephen54840229

“That’s insane. I was just thinking today how great it would be to play Arsenal in a friendly after last night. Wow.”

Credit: @Ricky9Forbes

“Excellent choice given the history between both Clubs.”

Credit: @airman614

“Things you love to see Friendship as strong as ever, especially after Prague where spanked last night”

Credit: @matthewlee67

“Lovely stuff”

Credit: @TremendoHendo72

In other news, Kevin Phillips believes this man will have to take a pay-cut to stay at Rangers beyond this season.

Given how The Super League has dominated the football world over the past couple of days, you’d be forgiven for letting Aston Villa’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday night slip your mind.

Dean Smith’s side will be taking on one of the SL’s ‘founding fathers’ when they take on City at Villa Park, and no doubt the pre-match talk will all be dominated by the competition and how it can be stopped.

The Villa boss however will need to ensure he keeps his eye on matters on the pitch, and there is one big call that he should look to make: dropping Bertrand Traore.

The Burkina Faso international has really struggled for form in recent weeks, failing to score in his last seven Premier League games, and picking up just the one assist in that time.

Last week against Liverpool, Traore just didn’t look at all at the races, and, writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave him a five, saying: “Slipped Trezeguet in with a nice reverse pass in the first half but his involvement was minimal. His display was summed up when he attempted a hospital pass infield from a Villa throw-in as Salah almost took advantage.

“I don’t think he’s formed a good understanding with Cash yet, which again was summed up as he over-hit his pass as Cash advanced. Traore just couldn’t get going, couldn’t produce that magic we’ve seen this season and struggled throughout before complaining of rib trouble once more as El Ghazi replaced him. Disappointing.”

The £55k-a-week earning Traore has just been costing Villa in recent weeks with his performances, especially when you consider that Smith has desperately needed him to step up in Jack Grealish’s absence.

Instead, the winger has just hit a real roadblock in terms of his form, and as Preece says, appears to be a bit of a liability, both going forward and back towards his own goal.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy” title=”Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news”]

With the likes of Anwar El Ghazi and Jacob Ramsey waiting in the wings, it’s time for Smith to make a ruthless call and drop his summer signing against City on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Villa must land this “unique” Premier League sensation…

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has dropped a major update on Celtic’s pursuit of Eddie Howe on social media.

Previous reports had suggested that Howe wanted certain assurances before putting pen to paper on a Parkhead deal, as well as being able to bring Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes with him.

As we all know, Howe is yet to seal a move to Glasgow, leading to many questioning why the deal is taking so long to finalise.

According to Nixon, Hughes isn’t central to a Celtic Park switch for Howe. The journalist was asked by a Celtic fan on Twitter if he feels the Hoops and Howe will get Hughes even if the Cherries earn promotion.

The Sun writer swiftly replied, revealing that coaches are actually a major part of the delay as he outlines: “Hughes is NOT central to this. Howe wants his own coaches though. And they’re still in work. That’s a major part of the hold up on his side.”

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if Bournemouth’s involvement in the Championship play-offs could well be crucial to Howe sealing a move to Celtic.

Reports have named coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone as men wanted by the 43-year-old, but they will be in line for a pay rise should the Cherries return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

You’d expect that Hughes would also be in line for a pay increase, but to us it’s good news knowing that he isn’t crucial to a deal involving Howe, especially with the Hoops closing in on Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin for a boardroom role.

In other news: Karamoko Dembele contract update emerges, find out more here. 

Nottingham Forest should look to move Joe Worrall on this summer amid reports of interest from Norwich City.

What’s been said?

According to a report by The Sun (via Football League World), Worrall is on Daniel Farke’s list of summer targets for his newly promoted Norwich City side, as the German manager looks to strengthen his backline ahead of the Canaries’ Premier League campaign next season.

Alan Nixon has also claimed that it appears “likely” that the 24-year-old will be sold to “the highest bidder” this summer, with it previously being reported that Forest would be demanding a fee of around £12 million to part with the centre-back.

Forest should sell

It is hardly surprising to hear that Norwich are considering a move for Worrall this summer, as the centre-back has highly impressed over his 29 Championship appearances for Chris Hughton’s side this term, helping his team in keeping 11 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 0.7 tackles and 4.3 clearances per game.

These returns have seen the former England U21 international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.95 – ranking him as the club’s fifth-best performer in the second tier.

However, despite his admirable displays, as well as his clear importance to the Forest backline, there are a number of reasons why this summer could be the perfect time to cash in on the former Rangers loanee, whom Steven Gerrard dubbed a “leader” during his time in Glasgow.

Firstly, with Worrall under contract at The City Ground until the summer of 2024, the fee that Forest could reasonably demand for his sale is likely to be the highest it will be for the foreseeable future – with it appearing unlikely that the centre-back will put pen to paper on a new deal any time soon.

Secondly, with Norwich receiving a cash injection having secured promotion to the top flight, Forest know full well that Farke’s side have the funds available to pay for Worrall, putting them in a relative position of power in any negotiations.

And, finally, and perhaps most importantly, with Nottingham Forest having something of a season to forget in the Championship, it is evident that much work is needed to be done in the transfer market this summer, something which the sale of Worrall could help fund – while also meaning that the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, would not have to dip into his own pocket quite so deeply, a positive sign for the financial health of the club.

In other news: Exclusive: Marlon Harewood drops verdict on Nottingham Forest’s promotion chances next season

Rangers have been linked with a summer move for Middlesbrough Djed Spence recently and if he were to join Steven Gerrard’s side ahead of next season it could be a repeat of the deal that saw James Tavernier make the move to Ibrox in 2015.

According to ESPN, Rangers are taking an interest in the young right-back ahead of the summer transfer window, with Everton and Wolves also reportedly keen.

Although he is relatively inexperienced, having made just 65 appearances in his Middlesbrough career thus far, the former Fulham youngster is clearly well thought of at the Teesside club and wouldn’t be a regular at a Championship club if he didn’t have a lot of talent.

The 20-year-old defender received a lot of praise from Boro boss Neil Warnock recently, and given his vast experience in the game, Ross Wilson would do well to take what he says seriously and try and bring Spence to Ibrox this summer.

The manager said last year that:

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.

“He has quite a few things to brush up on at the minute, and I’m sure he will try. He’s a very good trainer and works hard.”

Spence has continued to be a regular with Middlesbrough this season, making 37 appearances in total in England’s second tier.

If he were to join Rangers this summer, there would be a lot of similarities to the deal that saw Tavernier join from Wigan Athletic six years ago.

After all, Tavernier failed to make the grade at a Premier League club, Newcastle United, and made his name in the lower leagues, enjoying spells with Wigan, Bristol City and Rotherham United.

Although he showed brief glimpses of his attacking potential, notably in the 2013/14 season where he managed five goals and five assists for Rotherham, it was only when he arrived at Rangers when his attacking play reached a new level.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776”]

Certainly, Spence looks to have a bright future in the game, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t go on to become a player of Tavernier’s quality should he join Gerrard’s side this summer.

And, in other news… Rangers suffer huge blow to £2.2m beast with “terrific quality”, Gerrard will be worried

With just four matches of the season remaining, the managerial situation at Crystal Palace is still not totally clear.

Current boss Roy Hodgson is out of contract at the end of the campaign, with a number of potential replacements for the 73-year-old already having been mooted.

One of those names mentioned has been Frank Lampard.

According to journalist Duncan Castles, the Eagles have already sounded out the former Chelsea and Derby County boss.

His appointment has also been spoken up by former Crystal Palace striker Marcus Bent, stating that Lampard would “stabilise” the club in the Premier League and that he was “unlucky” to lose his job with the Blues.

Whilst the former England international did positive work with both the Rams and at Stamford Bridge, Steve Parish would certainly be taking a risk in bringing him to Selhurst Park.

First and foremost, Lampard is really not that experienced.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-crystal-palace-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-oftus-cheek-andersen-sakho-vieira” title=”Latest Crystal Palace news, transfer rumours and more…”]

The 42-year-old has only actually overseen two full campaigns as a manager – one in the Championship were he failed to earn promotion and one in the Premier League with Chelsea.

Whilst that not is too much of a problemm with relatively inexperienced bosses previously enjoying some success in the top-flight in the past, his understanding of Palace’s current situation would be limited.

Since earning promotion to the Premier League in 2013, the Eagles have only ever secured one top-half finish, narrowly avoiding relegation on a few occasions.

Having previously been with Derby and Chelsea, where both of those teams were being talked up as favourites to be battling at the top of the table, it could certainly be a marked difference with Palace.

That lack of understanding and experience of managing a team at the bottom of the table could potentially see Palace dragged into a relegation dogfight and maybe even slip into the Championship.

Lampard’s appointment then could certainly be a gamble, it remains to be seen if that’s the route Parish takes.

AND in more news, take a closer look at Eberechi Eze’s exhilarating showing vs Sheffield United…

After securing an impressive 3-1 win at home to Spurs last weekend, Leeds will be hoping to make it back-to-back victories in the Premier League when they take on Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side ran out comfortable winners over the north Londoners thanks to goals from Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo, and it’s the latter who the Leeds manager must now finally unleash from the off.

Dubbed as “extraordinary” by former Barcelona boss Quique Setien, Rodrigo hasn’t been able to hit the ground running at Elland Road; and while he was quick to dismiss speculation that he wanted a move back to Spain, it has still been a rather disappointing debut campaign for him with the Whites.

He has managed just four goals and one assist in 23 games, while perhaps more frustratingly, his time in Yorkshire has been disrupted by niggling injuries. He last started a match against Leicester at the end of January.

However, after making a couple of cameos in the last two games after returning from his latest issue – including that goal-scoring display off the bench against Spurs a week ago – a clash against Burnley is surely the perfect time for Rodrigo to now start.

The Clarets have long been known as a team who are hard to break down under Sean Dyche, and the Spaniard’s movement off the ball could be the key to unlocking their defence.

Indeed, after an impressive performance against Arsenal earlier in the campaign, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan explained just how important Rodrigo is to Bielsa’s side, telling Football Insider: “He’s always looking for it, he’s never ever standing still, he’s always on the move and that’s what I like about him. He can’t be marked, he’s always looking for a space – very much the next Hernandez.

“He is a player that looks like he can make things happen. He’s very intelligent, he brings other people into play and makes space for them.”

Whelan also insisted that the £100,000-per-week Spaniard should be starting ahead of Tyler Roberts, saying: “If you ask 100 Leeds fans who they would prefer in that position, Rodrigo or Tyler Roberts, they would all say Rodrigo all day long.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Now that he’s back fit and has a couple of substitute appearances under his belt, Bielsa must unleash Rodrigo on Burnley. Given that he arguably has a point to prove to his manager, he will want to end his first season at Leeds on a high.

He could well be a game-changer for the Whites when they make the trip to Turf Moor this weekend.

Meanwhile, Leeds source drops exciting update on club’s transfer plans…

Many Everton fans have been revelling in delight as some early team news emerged ahead of their clash against Sheffield United in the Premier League tonight.

As per the Toffees’ official website, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that James Rodriguez is set to be fit and available to play against the Blades at Goodison Park.

The former Real Madrid star would likely add that extra bit of creativity needed against what could be a stubborn defence, and his six goals and nine assists in 25 games over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt) shows how important he has been to the team.

Based on those figures, will no doubt be a welcome boost for the Toffees if the Colombia international is on the pitch tonight.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-updates-2/” title=”Everton updates! (2)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Everton fans on Rodriguez update

These Everton fans were delighted as the update was shared on Twitter, with one supporter claiming that the possible return of Rodriguez could be ‘huge’ as they chase a European finish:

“This is huge. Will be the difference of getting Europe.”

Credit: @siewakes20

“Thank the lord”

Credit: @Lj9Liam

“Great news: hope we will secure a place at Europe next season”

Credit: @Jesudian15

“Hallelujah we may win a game”

Credit: @efcdoyley

“Best news I’ve seen all week”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

“Get in!!”

Credit: @Toffeegirl13

In other news, find out which £34.2m-rated star Everton are keen on signing!

In another impressive Leeds United win in the Premier League, one of the big highlights was the celebrations of both Tyler Roberts and Marcelo Bielsa when the Welshman netted in the dying moments against Southampton on Tuesday night.

Roberts came on for Rodrigo for the final ten minutes or so of the game, and wrapped up the three points by slotting home after Patrick Bamford’s effort was stopped by Alex McCarthy.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Leeds boss said: “I was happy he scored, because he had played many games and he hadn’t managed to do it. And the team in the second half looked a lot more like the team it is. And just how we unlevelled the game in the second half, Southampton could have done the same in the first half.”

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross noted: “Was overjoyed with his goal. Very emotional celebration.”

Speaking after the game, Roberts himself said: “I’ve been striving towards scoring and been frustrated it hadn’t come before. It’s a big weight off my shoulders and the emotions came out, I’ve been practicing my finishing, so I when I got the chance, I was ready for it.”

Given his performances as a whole however, it’s difficult to see how Bielsa can reach the conclusion that Roberts could be a real first-team star for Leeds, especially when you think of any potential summer signings to come in, and also Rodrigo being more adjusted to life in English football.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously reported on how with Leeds planning a big summer transfer window, the final months of the Premier League season would be make-or-break for someone like Roberts.

Former Leeds ace Noel Whelan has questioned whether the £4.5m-rated man just may not be cut out for the top-flight, saying: “Is he good enough? In my opinion he isn’t. I would love him to go out there and prove me wrong because I want everyone to succeed. I need him to show me more. He needs to show more fight and desire. I just do not see that.”

But, what he has done with his late cameo against the Saints however, is perhaps give Bielsa a bit of a headache on whether he could be an important member of the squad and as a potential rotation option, instead of just being let go permanently.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

With one game left in the Premier League, Roberts maybe has one last chance to prove a real point to Bielsa and maybe save his Leeds career.

Meanwhile, a journalist has dropped a major Leeds United update…

Manchester City fans are far from happy with comments from Jurgen Klopp while discussing Liverpool’s failed Premier League title defence.

Last term, it was the Reds who cantered to the title – they ended up finishing 18 points ahead of the Citizens even despite a dip in form at the end of the term (Sky Sports). However, the tables have turned this campaign – it is Pep Guardiola’s men who now lead by 17 points, and that gap could be extended on the final day.

Klopp, who earns £10m per year (roughly £192,000 a week) at Anfield was speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Crystal Palace, and he discussed why his side were unable to challenge again for the title. He suggested the amount of injuries the Merseyside outfit have suffered, especially at centre-back, means they have been unable to be competitive.

The comments were shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and they did not go down well with the City fans, who felt Klopp was trying to find excuses. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Klopp below

“he’s exactly like the fans full of bitterness & excuses”

Credit: @BradleyMCFC_

“So the “stadiums” or the “grass” are not the MAIN factors for Liv losing anymore… It’s bc other teams didnt have as much injuries … Klopp never ceases to surprise”

Credit: @keshavG31

“There is a reason to have depth and adaptive players. Pep would have figured it out instead of making excuses week in week out! You find someone in the transfer window and bring them in. Klopp=Ostrich head in sand!”

Credit: @GilsGilmore

“He’s right, but he shouldn’t have said it out loud to anyone. It shows his weakness. Bad optics.”

Credit: @EdFowlkes

“We literally had an injury apocalypse last season. Our best cb was injured for most of the season and we had to put a midfielder in central defence, but we finished 2nd. Keep crying flopp ye overrated fraud”

Credit: @Fodeninho_

“I can‘t stand this guy. Okay he‘s right with the – not being champion – part, but their injuries aren‘t an apology for being 7th on matchday 34”

Credit: @jannesa15

In other news, Man City fans are livid at this Raheem Sterling news.