All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

[ad_pod ]

England continued their fine form with yet another victory in the Euro 2020 qualification stage, but it wasn’t without its nervy moments.

Michael Keane’s blunder in the first minute gifted Kosovo the lead before Gareth Southgate’s men hit back with five more without reply.

The visitors wormed their way back into the match with two quick goals after the break including a penalty which was conceded by Manchester United’s £80m man Harry Maguire.

Harry Kane then missed a penalty of his own, keeping the game at 5-3.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Allowing three goals against a side of Kosovo’s nature is far from ideal and it has led to several Villa fans wondering why their star man, Tyrone Mings, wasn’t involved especially after defensive mistakes costing England a possible clean sheet.

The 26-year-old was called up by Southgate for the very first time last week but didn’t feature in either qualifier.

One supporter claimed that Mings would have been the best central defender on the pitch if he had played while another added that the 6 foot 5 Villa star is worth £80bn based on Maguire’s poor performance.

A further member of the Villa Park faithful blasted the decision to call him up by labelling it as a ‘waste.’

You can read more of the reaction below:

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]Liverpool may have suffered their first defeat of the season on Tuesday night, but that seemingly hasn’t affected the mindset of many of their players.In fact, this small setback seems to have spurred on one of their key men, who sent an impassioned message on Twitter ensuring supporters that the club will continue to do one thing – fight.

Fabinho posted on social media ensuring the Anfield faithful that the team are going to keep going despite a poor start to their Champions League campaign.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Luckily, Liverpool have a team capable of getting back on track after a setback. They embarked on a club-record winning streak after surrendering the lead in the Premier League last term, so they know how to respond to adversity.

It’s great to see Fabinho posting such an impassioned statement on Twitter after a disappointing result. The Brazillian is only in his second season at Anfield, but he’s looking like a true leader with this kind of post.

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has seemingly opened the door on a move to Real Madrid at some point in the future.

Indeed, speaking to El Chiringuito TV at the Best FIFA awards on Monday night, Pochettino responded “some year” when asked about the Madrid job.

Sport Witness have written that “some year” was the literal translation of Pochettino’s words, which effectively means “one day”.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It remains to be seen whether the Spurs manager is asked about his words by the English press but that has not stopped the club’s fans taking to social media with their own feelings on what their head coach said in Milan.

Spurs have only won two of their six Premier League games this season to sit seventh in the table – 10 points off division leaders Liverpool, who are absolutely flying.

And Pochettino’s comments to a Spanish television station have not been well received by the capital club’s supporters, which is not too much of a surprise.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

It’s likely that when Helder Costa walked through the doors of Elland Road in the summer eyebrows would have been raised.

His loan switch can become permanent for a total of £15m next summer, a considerable fee if you bear in mind this is the Championship we’re talking about.

Finding himself involved in 29 goals in just two seasons in the second tier of English football for Wolves, this was an impressive move from the Whites, but their reluctance to so far start him in the league is a puzzling decision.

A host of Leeds fans were calling for his inclusion after beating Barnsley last week while the same was said after their defeat versus Swansea.

Yet, are the worries entirely vindicated? Arguably not.

On the chalkboard

Costa hasn’t been afforded a starting berth in the league yet but has looked impressive in spells.

He’s assisted Eddie Nketiah for multiple strikes already whilst his willing running, performing one dribble a game despite a lack of minutes, shows what he’s capable of.

Comments made by Angus Kinnear this week on the Talking Shutt Podcast gives some insight into the plans they have for the Portuguese but also what he can bring to the side.

“Helder has the potential to be one of the best players in the division. He’s a player we believe has a Premier League future as well,” Kinnear said.

With that in mind, there is a clear long-term plan in place for Costa, one that doesn’t purely revolve around one season and therefore, a degree of patience needs to be considered with his selection and concerns should be dropped.

Kinnear also noted: “He’s the type of player who perhaps in those games where we’re struggling to make the breakthrough, even though we’ve got all of the possession, he’s the type of player who can make that breakthrough.”

This is one of the biggest reasons why Marcelo Bielsa has perhaps got things right so far. He has been having a devastating impact from the bench and for the time being, that is what Leeds have been utilising to their advantage.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Nketiah has scored twice in the Championship when used as a substitute while Costa has an assist and also won the free-kick Leeds scored from at Oakwell when he came on.

There have been a variety of games where Leeds have struggled, particularly against Brentford when they didn’t score until the final ten minutes, but the fresh legs of the Wolves loanee have allowed them to get on the front foot when the opposition is tired.

It may be that utilising him when the game is more open and stretched is the best way forward.

After all, as Kinnear states, Costa can be the man to make a breakthrough when it hasn’t previously been possible. He has a better chance of doing this in the dying embers.

Sophie Baggaley may only have been a regular in the Women’s Super League for two years after joining the Robins in 2017, but she has already made a name for herself.

Last season the goalkeeper featured in every match under Tanya Oxtoby and helped her side to an sixth-placed finish due to her goalkeeping heroics, keeping six clean sheets in the process.

As a result, she was recognised with the FAWSL Players’ Player of the Year award. However, in looking back on her short career thus far she instead looks to team achievements, rather than personal glory.

Watch Bristol City Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Baggaley commented on her greatest career achievements: “We reached an FA Cup final with Birmingham.

“Last season was quite successful as a whole, individually and we did well as a team too, so probably last season.”

Despite the success achieved last term Baggaley hasn’t limited herself yet, and at 22 she offers a lot of promise to improve, but perhaps more importantly knows what it takes to repeat her accomplishments, and take her game to the next level.

So far this season Bristol City haven’t fared too well. Baggaley has two clean sheets from four games but only one of those came in the WASL – and the team remain winless in the league following a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in their last match.

“You’ve just got to look at what you need to improve on and also look at what you’re good at, work on your weaknesses in order to improve your game all over and I think if you do that then the performances will come with that,” Baggaley added.

It shows a strong mindset for someone so young and a focused determination not to rest on her laurels, also stating that she wishes to have a 20-year long career in the game.

West Ham fans are reminiscing about Dimitri Payet after the club posted one of his best goals for the club on social media three years to the day that the goal was scored

The goal in question was the Frenchman’s brilliant solo effort against Middlesbrough in October 2016, when he took the ball past several defenders before bundling home at the London Stadium.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

For some fans it has evoked wonderful memories of watching one of the greatest players to turn out for the Hammers in recent years, whilst others have considered the way in which he left and argue he has wasted his talent.

The 29-year-old scored 15 and assisted 23 in his 18 months in east London, quickly becoming a fan favourite under Slaven Bilic as he helped West Ham to a seventh-placed finish.

One fan wishes he would return to the club despite leaving in controversy – demanding a move to Marseille despite signing a long-term contract not long before.

Here is some of the reaction from supporters to West Ham’s post.

West Ham supporters have been reacting to the fans protest in the 3-0 defeat by Burnley in 2018, with many believing it to be a very decisive moment of the past few years.

One Hammer even described it as “the best thing to happen to the club”, with many holding the idea that it prompted a change in strategy from the West Ham board.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Since then, they got rid of the unpopular David Moyes, replacing him with a Premier League winner in Manuel Pellegrini, who they have backed significantly with a big increase in spending.

Under the Chilean West Ham have invested an estimated £165m and have started the season well with only two defeats in eight league games, so many have positive memories of that day and believe it was a necessary step for the club to progress.

Here are some of the reactions from the London Stadium faithful, who share the same feeling about the protests which occurred.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

As quoted by The Manchester Evening News, Ilkay Gundogan has delivered a huge warning to Liverpool over this season’s Premier League title race.

What did he say?

Manchester City edged out Jurgen Klopp’s side to the league on the final day of the season, thus retaining their status as champions from the year before. However, their start to the current campaign has been less than auspicious, and they already find themselves eight points behind the flawless Reds.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Despite their indifferent beginning, Gundogan has insisted Pep Guardiola’s men’s previous experience will count them in good stead over the coming weeks and months.

He said: “The situation is not a new one for us – we were seven points behind in January of last season, which is a house number, a big gap. But we play against Liverpool twice more, we have the direct duels and we can cut the gap to two points. Everything is still on.”

Battle cry

After seeing Liverpool rack up an incredible eight wins from their opening eight games, City may be forgiven for sitting back and thinking just how on earth they go about stopping this juggernaut. The answer? Just ask themselves really.

Watch Manchester City Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

As Gundogan points out, the Citizens were seven points behind the Reds heading into their clash with Klopp’s side on January 3 earlier this year. The Merseyside club had enjoyed a 20-game unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, and Roberto Firmino’s second-half equaliser looked to clinch a huge point at the Etihad. However, Leroy Sane’s winner cut the gap to four points, and as they say, the rest is history.

Make no mistake about it, City will take inspiration from their comeback. And the Reds will be anxiously worrying about letting it slip. Gundogan’s message is a reminder that the title race is far from over.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Recent reports have linked Manchester United with a £70m move for Declan Rice, but the player has made it clear that he believes West Ham is the right place to be.

What did he say?

The 20-year-old gave an in-depth interview with the club, discussing his relationship with other players at the club as well as a pivotal moment under David Moyes which made him realise what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.

Since then, and with Manuel Pellegrini moving him into midfield, he has made great progress in his career. He is now a regular for both the Hammers and the national team, playing in six of England’s last eight games.

It is little surprise he has been linked with the Red Devils, but there seems to be no temptation, and instead Rice’s words show a commitment to the club which gave him a chance to kickstart his professional career.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Speaking to whufc.com, he said: “For me, this is the best place to be right now under a manager in Manuel [Pellegrini] who believes in me, gave me my chance and plays me every week. I think West Ham is the best place for me, with the teammates I have around me.

“I’m improving every week and what better person to have around me than Mark Noble? He talks to me all the time about what I can improve on. Being with him on the pitch, he is such an influence on me and helps me out.

“I’m just focused on West Ham and doing my best for them and making the fans happy.”

His comments will likely come as a relief to some fans, as should the fact his current contract runs until 2024, meaning West Ham are not in a position where they need to consider a sale, even for £70m.

Wise head on young shoulders

Given the way he plays and the manner in which he speaks it is difficult to believe Rice is so young.

He is very level-headed and knows exactly what he wants and needs to do in regard to progressing as a player and in making Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad, and that must be why both the England boss and Pellegrini have both placed a lot of trust in him.

He speaks very highly of Mark Noble and Jack Wilshere, too, respecting what they’ve done in the game, and if he continues to learn from top pros such as them then there is no reason why he can’t continue to improve.

A lot has been made recently about a possible positional change in the future, and given how adaptable he is – even moving away from home at a young age to play football – one can envisage him doing his utmost to adjust and perform to the highest level he can.

With such drive to be at his best, and a commitment to West Ham, it is possible he can help the club build, and if they can match his ambition over the next few years the Hammers could begin competing for European qualification.

Manchester United fans were celebrating the birthday of legendary centre-back Nemanja Vidic after the Serbian turned 38-years-old.

Vidic formed part of the defence that proved so successful at Old Trafford after the former Serbia international moved to the club on January 2006 for just £7m (via BBC).

The 38-year-old made exactly 300 appearances for the club during a trophy-laden spell at the north-west club. Vidic lifted 10 trophies in just eight years at the club, including three consecutive Premier League titles.

After such success at the club, former defensive partner Rio Ferdinand labelled the 3-cap former Yugoslavia international as his ‘best defensive partner’ (via The Daily Mail).

Following United’s loss to West Bromwich Albion two seasons ago, Vidic gave an insight into the mentality of the 2007/2008 squad as he revealed manager Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t let them celebrate much (Sky Sports via The Metro).

On his 38th birthday, fans took to Twitter to celebrate the occasion.

Here is a selection of tweets from the Old Trafford faithful:

Manchester United fans, what are your best memories of Vidic? Let us know!