All posts by z3u9t.icu

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Marseille winger Florian Thauvin recently, and he could prove to be an excellent addition to Jose Mourinho’s squad.

According to reports from Spain, the likes of Spurs, Leicester City, AC Milan, Napoli and Roma are all interested in signing the Frenchman, who is out of contract with Marseille at the end of the season.

The former Newcastle United man has seemingly rejected the contract offer from Marseille and is therefore set to leave the club this summer, so it is no surprise that he is attracting interest from a number of European sides, considering his strong performances in recent seasons for Les Olympiens.

The £28.8 million-rated winger has contributed 84 goals and 60 assists in 284 appearances in two different permanent spells with Marseille, having briefly spent time with Newcastle United in the 2015/16 season, before returning to France.

This season has seen the 28-year-old impress in the French top-flight, as he has managed six goals and seven assists in 20 appearances, resulting in a superb 7.09 average rating.

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He has also produced incredible performances in previous seasons for Marseille, notably when he contributed 22 goals and 11 assists in the 2017/18 season, which lead to 13 man-of-the-match awards and an excellent 7.93 average rating.

After missing the vast majority of last season through injury, the French international has picked up where he left off in recent seasons for Marseille, so it seems he as if he could be an excellent fit with the Lilywhites.

His average rating and goal return this season is far better than any of Spurs’ right-wingers and considering he could join on a free transfer in the summer, it looks to be a no-brainer for the North London club.

Indeed, he would also arguably be a better option than PSG winger Angel Di Maria, who has also been linked with a move to Spurs in recent weeks.

Whilst the Argentinian has a higher average rating than Thauvin this season (7.33), he has fewer goals and assists than the Frenchman and is playing in a better side, considering Marseille currently sit in sixth position in the French top-flight.

The former Manchester United man will also turn 33 next month, suggesting that Thauvin would be a much better long-term option than Di Maria in this Spurs side.

Therefore, Daniel Levy should do everything he can to bring Thauvin to Spurs on a free transfer in the summer, as he could prove to be a superb addition to Mourinho’s squad.

And, in other news… “Definitely in the hunt” – Exclusive: Pundit expects THFC to target “quality” 26 y/o 

Manchester United reportedly face stiff competition in their pursuit of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

What’s the word?

Reports in recent months have revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is searching for defensive reinforcements in the summer and has targeted the highly-rated Ramos as one of his top targets.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils are still interested in signing the 34-year-old veteran, but Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping tabs on the centre-back.

Spanish publication Todofichajes.com recently claimed his brother Rene Ramos is set to travel to England to discuss terms on a two-year deal at Old Trafford.

However, contrary to these latest reports, Romano also claims United have not made contact with the defender’s representatives in the last few weeks. However, PSG’s reported interest should force Ed Woodward’s hand before it’s too late.

Ed Woodward must act now

It’s no secret that the French champions are incredibly wealthy, but stealing Ramos from right under their noses would send a real statement of intent to the rest of the world.

United reached a new low in defeat to Sheffield United last month which has laid bare the full extent of their defensive woes. Promoting young players like Axel Tuanzebe is the right thing to do for the future, but they also need players they can rely on right now.

Harry Maguire has been expected to shoulder the burden of responsibility at Old Trafford but even the former Leicester City man can’t perform miracles and he needs an experienced and seasoned veteran alongside him to take his game to a whole new level.

Ramos, therefore, could be the perfect fit. Given his age, there may be some concerns about his lack of pace, but his experience and class could help to plug the gap in their leaky defence.

Despite his age, Ramos – who earns around £312,000-per-week at the Bernabeu – is currently averaging 1.1 tackles per game while Victor Lindelof has made just 0.8 tackles this term. Crucially, he also chips in with 1.5 interceptions per 90 across all competitions, suggesting he boasts a fine positional sense and awareness as well.

Now United could attempt to strike a deal with his agent to bring the centre-back to Old Trafford this summer as Solskjaer gears up to plan for the future ahead and for another crack at the Premier League title next term.

AND in other news, Manchester United urged to sign West Ham star Declan Rice by Trevor Sinclair…

Many Crystal Palace fans are reacting to the latest update on the future of current manager Roy Hodgson, as reports suggest he might not leave at the end of the season.

According to TEAMtalk and tweeted out by @cpfc_xtra, Crystal Palace remain open to the idea of Roy Hodgson staying on for another season, although the interest in the job has never been higher.

Hodgson’s contract was due to run out at the end of last season, but the club extended it by a further year. Now, with only a few months left until that deal expires, his future has been getting discussed a lot in the media.

The 73-year-old has been at the club since September 2017 and has taken charge of 148 matches (Transfermarkt). In these games, he has managed 1.24 points per game and has kept the South London side comfortably in the division. Clearly many have respected his time at the club, with one calling him a ‘class act’.

However, the Eagles’ form recently has been far from impressive. A Hodgson side is typically known for its stern defence, but this campaign they have only managed four clean sheets. They have also only won three games in the last fourteen and this emphasises that the manager has struggled this season.

Here is how Palace fans reacted to the news:

“I don’t know how I’ll cope if this happens”

Credit: @BMCPFC

“Can’t keep watching this boring rubbish football we pay money to be entertained and were not”

Credit: @MarkDre44138040

“I’ll give up if that happens.”

Credit: @Swanny_32

“I haven’t even got the energy for this right now”

Credit: Machutuck

“If they do then I’m not watching one game till he’s sacked”

Credit: @cpfcjj89

“Think Parish might just be the only Palace fan who wants Roy to stay on.”

Credit: @Nyerider

In other news, CPFC fans were fuming at one-star during a recent loss. Have a read who it was here!

It’s not often you get to preach about the positives at Sunderland. After all, they’ve been few and far between over the last couple of years.

However, with the club in the playoff places and in the Papa John’s Trophy final, things are looking rosier under the guidance of Lee Johnson, Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

On the chalkboard

Although there are more encouraging signs behind the scenes, Sunderland still have a tactical problem on the field of play.

They have turned their form around in recent weeks and are now just seven points behind Lincoln who sit in second place. Injuries have wreaked havoc with the squad but Johnson has still managed to engineer encouraging results.

That being said, their left-back area is still a concern. Denver Hume has been out injured since early December and they’ve arguably not recovered in that third of the pitch since.

Callum McFadzean is struggling and has been rather inconsistent of late. He gave away a penalty against Wimbledon and was then caught napping and out of position for both goals in the defeat to Plymouth.

Jake Vokins has hardly typified consistency either. After playing against Arsenal just a matter of days before he arrived in the north-east, he looked like an attractive loan acquisition. However, he’s been ridiculed.

His debut was described as one of the worst Roker Report have seen from a Sunderland player and he lacked assurance once more against Shrewsbury and Burton. He failed to track his man in the defeat to Shrewsbury, allowing a simple tap in at the back post and then against the Brewers, he misplaced a succession of passes.

Sunderland regrets

Sunderland’s main aims in the January window were adding players capable of stretching the play but also, finding a left-back.

Johnson recognised there was a problem there with Hume injured but despite the club’s best efforts, it has arguably been a failed ordeal. Vokins has been poor and considering some of the reported options they had, maybe they should have looked elsewhere.

One of the most notable names touted was 18-year-old Hibernian full-back Josh Doig. He’s been described as having a “brilliant” season by former Mackems boss Jack Ross in Scotland and could have cost the club just £1m.

Of course, that’s a fairly sizable fee for a side in League One but his qualities and potential are radiant. Also linked with Leeds United and Manchester City in January, Doig is a rampant wing-back, capable of striding forward and impacting play in the final third.

Though, he is adept defensively. He has won more aerial duels, tackles, interceptions and drawn fewer fouls per game this season than Vokins.

The statistics point to a talented player, especially given his age. Thus, Speakman perhaps should have pursued this deal instead. Of course, Vokins could still come good but the early signs are hardly positive.

AND in other news, Dreyfus could begin his reign with a bang by tying down “outstanding” SAFC gem…

With March now upon us, you could quite easily argue that Wolves’ season is done. Barring a major catastrophe, they will be safe from relegation, but it will now take quite something for them to achieve European football.

With that in mind, Jeff Shi can comfortably start preparing for next term.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Wolves are planning on letting one of their young players leave in the summer; Max Kilman.

The defender only signed a new five-year contract a matter of months ago, in October, so the timing is bizarre.

However, it’s reported that the 23-year-old is not the calibre of defender that manager Nuno Santo wants in his squad. As a result, they’re hoping to either offload him on a temporary or permanent basis in a few months time.

Kilman was enjoying a breakthrough season at Molineux but this will no doubt dampen his campaign.

Replacement needed

Wolves have an extremely thin first-team squad and if they sanction Kilman’s exit, they will surely have to recruit a replacement.

Of course, they could look to their academy but if they are willing to spend money they could do far worse than targeting Club Brugge centre-back Odilon Kossounou.

The 20-year-old was linked with a move to Molineux last month in a deal that could cost them £20m. The problem for Wolves, however, is that clubs in Italy are also pursuing his signature.

Although he’s less experienced than Kilman, it’s hard to deny that Kossounou wouldn’t be a good addition to the side.

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The Ivorian is a monster in the tackle and so far this season has won 87% of his battles on the ground. When faced with an attacker, very rarely does he let them past.

You only need to look at words from agent Patrick Mork. He said last month: “He is a special player. For me, he is a complete defender, very fast as he showed last year in the Champions League against a certain (Kylian) Mbappe.”

If you can maintain speed with a player of that ilk then it bodes incredibly well. Kilman isn’t the fastest player in the Wolves team by any stretch of the imagination so not only could they sign a more bullish player here, but they could also land a more athletic individual.

Watching the Wolves centre-back walk through the exit door wouldn’t be disastrous. Certainly, if it frees up funds to sign a player like Kossounou, there’d be plenty of positives.

He is quick, strong and has a high ceiling. What’s not to like?

AND in other news, Worse than Dendoncker: Wolves liability who lost possession 16x badly let Nuno down…

Many fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed a report regarding summer transfer interest in Riyad Mahrez.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes (via Sport Witness), Real Madrid have Mahrez “on their priority list” of targets for the summer transfer window.

It is said that Pep Guardiola’s side would require a large sum to part with the £43.2m-rated winger, who has scored seven goals and registered four assists over his 22 Premier League appearances so far this season, as well as averaging a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.26 – ranking him as the club’s fifth-best performer in the top flight.

After City Xtra relayed the reports of Real Madrid’s interest in the £120,000-a-week Algeria international on Twitter, some fans of the club flocked to have their say on the “big” transfer rumour, with plenty appearing to be firmly against the idea of seeing the 30-year-old depart this summer.

So, what exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the report regarding Riyad Mahrez?

“Take Sterling instead please.”

@IconicKDB

“Not available. Anyone else who says otherwise just has a personal vendetta against him.”

@_TrueInBlue

“He better not go I beg, we need him so much.”

@magicmahrez_26

“Nooooooooooooooooo.”

@mcfctawfig_

“Big news.”

@MysticalMendy

“Don’t sell.”

@Conor___MCFC

In other news: some Man City fans also flocked to this Romano claim, find out more here!

Dean Windass spoke exclusively to Football FanCast about Jack Grealish, and is confident that the England midfielder will remain at Aston Villa next season despite speculation surrounding his future.

Grealish, whose missed the previous month through injury, has been one of the standout players since Villa were promoted back to the Premier League.

And with his performances helping Villa push towards the European places, Grealish has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City this summer.

Grealish has scored six Premier League goals and provided 10 assists, bettered only by Kevin De Bruyne and his England colleague Harry Kane, but Windass expects the Birmingham-born midfielder to remain at Villa Park despite interest from the league leaders.

He told Football FanCast: “I don’t think they’ll sell Jack. I think if they were going to sell, they would have. Yes, he’s a local boy. Is he ambitious? It’s not about the money, it’s about winning trophies and playing at big football clubs.

“Jack Grealish gets into every team in England. But, does he want to – not so much this year – fight a relegation battle?”

Besides a brief loan spell at Notts County during his younger days, Grealish has only ever played for Aston Villa, but when a club the size of Manchester City come calling, it’s difficult to turn down.

Grealish clearly loves the club, although if Pep Guardiola remains persistent, then he might have a difficult decision to make in the coming months.

After making his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Arsenal back at the beginning of 2020, it’s fair to say Robbie Gotts has fallen out of the spotlight since then for Leeds United.

The 21-year-old appeared to be one of the real bright prospects coming through the clubs academy sides, with Marcelo Bielsa himself previously raving about the midfielder, saying: “He’s a number eight. A midfielder, not defensive, a number eight. I have never seen a player with such a dynamic. A player with skills.”

Following a less than stellar loan spell at Lincoln City earlier this season, Gotts made the switch to Salford in the January transfer window – a side one division lower than the Imps, but crucially a team where he’s getting regular first-team football.

After playing just 370 minutes worth of football for Lincoln in the league, he’s already managed more than double that amount with Salford in League Two, despite being there for less than a couple of months – he’s also showed his developing attacking instincts, notching two goals and one assist in 12 matches.

And it’s fair to say he’s already made a very good impression with those involved at Salford, with manager Richie Wellens telling The Evening Express: “On the press he is excellent, a typical (Marcelo) Bielsa player. His passing is good, he’s scored two in three for us and could have had more. He is a really good, infectious lad who the group has taken to straight away.

“We are going to improve him for free, that’s why Leeds have loaned him to us. We think he has a real chance to go all the way.”

Speaking to The Athletic, Gotts himself revealed why he made the decision to leave on loan last summer, saying: “There were other players in front of me so it made sense to go out last summer. Everyone’s path is different, even with top players. You have to make your own journey. The way I look at it is push myself as hard as I can at Salford, go back to Leeds for pre-season and then see what happens.”

Given the injury problems and lack of real strength in depth in central midfield, the 21-year-old Gotts is surely someone who Bielsa must unleash in the Premier League next season when he comes back from his loan spell.

Meanwhile, Bielsa should urge Leeds to move for this Premier League beast…

Several Aston Villa supporters have hit out at pundit Kevin Phillips following his transfer comments on Jack Grealish.

The attacking midfielder has scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 23 appearances in all competitions this season, playing a key role in Villa’s excellent second season back in the top flight.

Villa missing Grealish, recent Manchester City interest

He’s missed Villa’s last five Premier League games through injury, though, with Dean Smith’s side struggling without the club captain.

Grealish, who holds a £45m Transfermarkt valuation, was linked with a move to Manchester City earlier this month, with rumours of a possible Etihad move coming from ‘good sources’.

Talking to Football FanCast, Phillips, 47, shared his bold views on Grealish’s Villa Park future, ending with a big nine-word admission.

“I actually see him wanting to stay because I live in the area, and I know people that know him – he absolutely loves Aston Villa, a bit like Stevie G at Liverpool.

“He’s Villa through and through, but from a footballing perspective, I think someone will come in with a big bid, and the club will probably find it hard to turn down. Villa have done very well this season, but my suggestion would be ‘go and win trophies’. And he’s good enough to do that, he’s shown that.

“If I had to put my head on the block, I think Grealish will probably move in the summer.”

Phillips’ comments were shared on social media in a story by @AVFC_News on Wednesday afternoon.

This is what these Villa fans had to say, with many not happy with their former striker.

Villa fans react

“Nobody can afford him”

Credit: @Chloe19428004

“Some ex-players make my blood boil and he’s 1 of them”

Credit: @william55004613

“Does he urge Harry Kane to leave Spurs too?”

Credit: @StevenB40945084

“Two things you can guarantee. 1 – Kevin Phillips hasn’t got a clue what is going to happen and 2 – Nobody will want to pay the price we will demand.”

Credit: @DonCorl38152157

“Lazy reporting”

Credit: @TomFshAV

“‘someone will come in with a big bid & they may well find it hard to turn down’ When will these pretend pundits do their research. We don’t need to sell anyone. We don’t need to look at making profits on our star players. We have some of the richest owners in the league”

Credit: @UpTheDeano

In other news: Several Villa fans stunned as Barkley loan fee revealed, find out more here. 

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he expects Olivier Ntcham to be moved on this summer.

The French midfielder, whose contract with the Hoops expires this summer, is currently enduring a miserable loan spell with Ligue 1 outfit Marseille following on from his struggles at Celtic earlier this season.

Ntcham has been a regular in the side since arrival from Serie A outfit Genoa almost four years ago, but was restricted to just seven Scottish Premiership starts prior to his loan move back to France, which led to former Bhoys boss Neil Lennon saying he lacked “passion” for the Scottish game.

But just one day after Ntcham signed, Marseille and former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked, meaning the midfielder’s struggles have continued, making just five appearances in all competitions and was hauled off at half-time during their defeat to Nice on Saturday.

Once Ntcham returns from his stint in France, his deal with Celtic will be almost up, meaning he could therefore become a free agent.

And that’s exactly what McAvennie, who wasn’t impressed with his switch to Marseille in the first place, expects to happen at the end of the season.

He told Football FanCast: “It’s a move that I wouldn’t have taken. Before they even got there it caused so much bother with the manager leaving and saying he didn’t want him. I would have walked off the plane and said I’m not going.

“I think the boy is a wonderful talent, I thought he was tailor-made to take Scott Brown’s place, but that’s not to be.

“He has got to come back, but I would imagine Celtic would want to move him on. We don’t know who the manager is. If it’s John Kennedy he will be moved on, if it’s a new manager he might think he’s got something. If it was me I’d keep him, but realistically he’s going to be moved on I would say.”