Tag Futebol

[ad_pod ]

According to The Mirror, Ryan Fraser is ready to quit Bournemouth this summer and pursue a move to a top six club after negotiations on a new contract ended.

What’s the word, then?

Ryan Fraser’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2020, meaning he could leave for free and enter negotiations with other clubs from January next year.

It was thought the winger would hold out for another 12 months to make his move, but the latest reports suggest he is prepared to leave the club this summer as the player ended talks over a new deal.

Arsenal are reportedly one of Fraser’s admirers, who has so far registered seven goals and 13 assists in this Premier League campaign.

The Bournemouth star has reportedly attracted the attention of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea as well, with his assists tally matching that of Eden Hazard and surpassing Christian Eriksen and Raheem Sterling.

Kolasinac to suffer

Arsenal’s long pursuit for a winger under Unai Emery could finally come to an end in the form of a swoop for Fraser. He predominantly operates on the left-hand side of the pitch, a position currently occupied by Alex Iwobi. However, there’s another Arsenal player in particular who could suffer from this signing.

Sead Kolasinac has been one of Arsenal’s players of the season, especially when he’s operated as a left wing-back. He possesses immense power, a cultured first touch and plenty of vision and execution in his end product to make him one of the most dangerous attacking threats at the club, if not in the league.

However, when Emery has chosen to field a four-at-the-back system, playing with full-backs instead of wing-backs, Nacho Monreal tends to be preferred to the ex-Schalke man.

Emery has been guilty of regularly switching his formations in an attempt to fix the lack of productivity Arsenal have from out wide. He’s played a 3-5-2 to allow his side to attack down the wings more effectively than they would if Iwobi and Henkrikh Mkhitaryan were to start.

One fan is happy (but very confused) after Wolves beat Arsenal in the video below…

With the arrival of the Bournemouth winger, the left hand-side may be the first issue solved this summer for the Spanish coach as he looks to revert to his preferred four-at-the-back system in time for next season. But that in turn would harm Kolasinac’s chances of getting into the lineup as Arsenal’s wing-back.

The stats suggest that Monreal does fair a lot better at left-back than Kolasinac, but doesn’t boast his attacking prowess either. The Spanish left-back has registered more tackles, interceptions, headed clearances and duels won over the Bosnian but Kolasinac’s numbers going forward are incredibly impressive, with five assists to Monreal’s three, more big chances created per game, more crosses and a better crossing accuracy than the Spaniard.

Signing a winger, whether it be Fraser or someone else, will surely damage Kolasinac’s chances of starting for Arsenal unless he can adapt himself to the left-back role more naturally and find a defensive discipline that he’s so far lacked in his time in North London.

[ad_pod ]

So, the official PFA Team of the Year has been announced, and it has caused a bit of a stir from some fans.

Supporters have questioned Paul Pogba’s inclusion, asked why Alisson hasn’t been picked over Ederson, called for Aaron Wan-Bissaka over Trent Alexander-Arnold. Oh, and also, where’s Eden Hazard?

Anyway, it is what it is. But who are the worst performing players this season, based on general awfulness as well as those who have been well below the standard expected of them?

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Let’s take a look…

Asmir Begovic

The Bosnian stopper used to be one of the most impressive keepers in the Premier League, and when Bournemouth managed to sign him, it looked like a real steal.

However, this season, the former Stoke man has been awful. Begovic has let in goal after goal, and was even dropped by Eddie Howe for Artur Boruc for a few games, such was his dreadful form.

Kieran Trippier

After such a phenomenal World Cup campaign with England, many would’ve expected Kieran Trippier to have waltzed into this season full of confidence and be one of the leading right-backs.

Instead, the former Burnley man has been a laughing stock, letting numerous wingers have their way with him whilst making some woeful individual errors – his own goal away to Chelsea summed up his season.

Maxime Le Marchand 

The Frenchman, quite frankly, has been abysmal in his first season at Craven Cottage.

Signed in the summer, for whatever reason, Le Marchand has been part of the top flight’s worst defence, with Fulham conceding a league-high 76 goals before this weekend.

Shkodran Mustafi

Do I even need to write anything?

The German international is practically hated by Arsenal fans for his powder-puff displays at the back, and his numerous individual errors may still cost the Gunners a place in the top four.

Gaetan Bong

The 31-year-old had somehow made 21 Premier League appearances this season heading into the weekend, despite being challenged by the impressive summer signing Bernardo.

Bong, as always, has offered very little going forward, and is not a standout player from a defensive aspect – just how Chris Hughton keeps deeming him suitable for selection is beyond rationality.

Jorginho 

Heralded as the key cog in Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli team, big things were expected of Jorginho after his £57m arrival at Chelsea.

However, the so-called pass master was yet to record an assist with just three league games to play, and has even been booed by his own supporters for his flimsy performances.

Fred

Wow. What an awful signing.

£52m man Fred had made just 17 league appearances since signing from Shakhtar Donetsk prior to Sunday’s clash, and at this late stage in the season, United fans will struggle to tell you one thing that he is particularly good at.

The Brazilian was a shoe-in for the worst team of the season.

Alexis Sanchez

Another Manchester United misfit, flop, whatever you want to call it.

Still picking up his reported £500,000-a-week wages, Sanchez had scored just one goal in 18 league appearances this term before this weekend’s action, and just two goals across all competitions.

What a waste of money.

Theo Walcott

The former Arsenal man, signed for a huge £20m back in January 2018, has been one of the flops of the season and one of Everton’s worst players without a doubt.

Walcott had managed to muster up just four goals across his first 34 league appearances this season, and has found himself out of the side recently as a result of his ineffective displays.

Marko Arnautovic 

West Ham should’ve bitten unnamed Chinese club’s hand off when they tabled £35m for the Austrian back in January.

Arnautovic had produced seven goals in 25 appearances before this weekend, but for a player of his class he has been largely disappointing and has definitely checked out mentally since the winter transfer window.

Steve Mounie

Arguably one of the worst strikers in the division, Steve Mounie has been incredibly ineffective for the Terriers this season – they look set to finish the season as the league’s lowest scorers.

The Benin forward had just three goals in 29 league appearances going into the weekend, and it is no surprise that Huddersfield have already been relegated with Mounie leading the line.

أبدى حارس مرمى فريق مانشستر يونايتد ديفيد دي خيا حالة من الرضا بعد تعادلهم اليوم، مع تشيلسي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتواجه الفريقان في الجولة السادسة من البريميرليج، في ملعب الأولد ترافورد، حيث تعادلا سلبيًا.

وقال دي خيا، في تصريحات لشبكة “بين سبورتس” القطرية: “كان من الرائع إنهاء المباراة بشباك نظيفة اليوم، تلقينا بعض الأهداف في المباريات الأخيرة، لم يصنع تشيلسي العديد من الفرص، ودافعنا جيدًا”.

وأضاف: “كانت لدينا أفضل الفرص للفوز بالمباراة، علينا أن نتأكد من فوزنا بالمباراة القادمة في أولد ترافورد، لقد خضنا مباراتين أو ثلاث مباريات دون أن نفوز، لذا حان الوقت لبدء الفوز على ملعبنا، اليوم أعتقد أننا استحقينا الفوز”.

واختتم: “لماذا يختلف مستوانا على أرضنا عن خارجه بشكل كبير؟ لا أعرف، ربما يكون ذلك بسبب الجماهير، ونحن نفتقدهم كثيرًا”.

Unrest at Roma could spell the worst possible news for Leeds United fans as Bielsa emerges as one of the favourites to move to the Italian capital next season.

As per Italian outlets La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero (via Football Italia), Marcelo Bielsa and Leonardo Jardim have joined Gian Piero Gasperini, Marco Giampaolo and Maurizio Sarri on the list of possible permanent replacements for boss Claudio Ranieri, who replaced Eusebio Di Francesco as caretaker boss until the end of the term.

The move seems unlikely from our perspective given Bielsa had signed a contract with rivals Lazio just two years ago.

However, with reports as recent as February indicating that there is a good chance that Bielsa will leave if the club if they fail to secure Premier League promotion (Daily Mail), Leeds United fans will surely be a little concerned to hear that their beloved manager is already being linked with major European vacancies.

To say that losing Bielsa would be a disaster for their future prospects would be an understatement.

The Argentine has worked wonders for the club since succeeding a long list of managerial failures at the beginning of the season, instilling a bit of much-needed life and spirit back into the dormant giants of West Yorkshire, and to lose his influence now, at such an integral part of their transformation, would be a critical blow.

Indeed, we dare say that there are few out there that can command such a high level of intensity and style akin to that of Marcelo Bielsa; and even fewer that have been declared the ‘best coach in the world’ by Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino (Talk Sport).

Leeds United fans, could you see Marcelo Bielsa leaving the project prematurely – and, if so, how significant of a blow would this be? Let us know in the comments below…

Aston Villa have had their fair share of poor transfer dealings over recent years, haven’t they? The club have made moves for both experienced players who should have the know-how to succeed, as well as younger faces who can inject energy in the side. Either way, both calibres of players have had mixed fortunes in the Midlands.

This season, Villa’s approach to transfers has largely paid dividends. The permanent signing of John McGinn, as well as loan moves for Tammy Abraham and Tyrone Mings particularly stand out due to their performances in a claret and blue shirt during their time at Villa Park.

However, not all transfers are able to have such an effect on the side. With that being said, let’s take a look at two of the worst Villa transfers over the past five years…

Micah Richards

Richards was Tim Sherwood’s first official signing as Villa manager in 2015 and upon his arrival, he was made club captain. Given his credentials and understanding of the League, it seemed to be a positive addition.

In his first campaign, injuries and poor showings from himself in a lacklustre side meant Richards was in-and-out of the side after the turn of the year.

The following season he made three appearances, the last one came in October 2016 after he came off against Wolves and he has not played for Villa since.

The 30-year-old is reportedly on £35,000 per week, as reported by BirminghamLive and to be paying a player a significant amount of money when the situation is completely unknown is just baffling. Richards’ contract expires in the summer so that will surely bring an end to his four-year affiliation with the club.

Joleon Lescott

Lescott joined from West Bromwich Albion in the same summer that his ex-Manchester City teammate joined Villa too.

He made 31 appearances for Villa that season, with a significant number of them being substandard defensive showings as Lescott seemed to be a shadow of his former-self that had been so dominant in years gone by.

His reputation among the fans was not done any favours through the infamous tweet of a Mercedes following a 6-0 defeat at home to Liverpool and the former-England international did then move on to AEK Athens soon after. He has since retired following a spell at Sunderland and leaves little to no legacy at Villa Park.

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to some comments from Jordan Henderson, as the skipper said the Reds are going all out to win both the Premier League and Champions League.

Liverpool are in their best position in years to end their title drought, currently sitting level on points with Manchester City having played one game less than the champions.

Jurgen Klopp’s squad is the deepest it has been since his arrival, but there have still been question marks about the lack of quality back-up options in some positions, most notably in defence.

Perhaps because of the defensive injury crisis, there have been plenty of talks of ditching one competition to focus on the other, but Henderson has absolutely no time for that.

“If we had to choose (PL or CL), we’d choose both,” said the skipper, as reported by GOAL.com’s Neil Jones.

The 28 year-old has been a divisive figure since taking the armband at Anfield, as one the one hand he is one of the most versatile, professional and passionate players at the club, but one the other hand he is not Steven Gerrard.

Fans are all uniting on this one though, praising the skipper for his faith in the side, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

[ad_pod ]

Brendan Rodgers has one very important decision to make in defence for the return leg with Valencia.

It doesn’t involve the full-back positions – Jeremy Toljan and Jonny Hayes seem certain to start – but in central defence the Celtic boss has to decide who plays alongside Dedryck Boyata.

In the first leg Jozo Simunovic was pulled all over the place with Valencia’s second goal delivered by an unmarked Ruben Sobrino shooting home from seven yards out. At that moment the odds on Celtic progressing became ridiculous.

On Sunday at Kilmarnock Kris Ajer replaced Simunovic, who has made just one appearance on a plastic pitch since joining Celtic in 2015.

The former Dinamo Zagreb defender has never quite convinced the Celtic support that he is the real deal. Apart from one memorable challenge on Kenny Miller there have been few domineering performances in between regular spells out injured. According to Transfermarkt he has had eight absences due to injury.

By contrast Ajer has always made himself available – away to Astana in the 2017 Champions League qualifier he learned some punishing lessons as Celtic leaked goals but just managed to hang on to claim a place in the group phase.

Ajer is effectively in his second season at Celtic, deputising behind Boyata and Filip Benkovic who are the first choice pairing but about to leave the Hoops in the summer.

The young Norwegian has had some testing times but 90 minutes against Valencia will have him fully prepared for next season’s Champions League qualifiers – assuming Celtic clinch the title.

None of next season’s Champions League opponents will be on a par with the Spanish side. This season Celtic would have faced qualifiers against the champions of Greece and Hungary to reach the group phase.

Rodgers has spoken recently about age not being a barrier – giving Ajer the jersey to face Valencia is a sound decision for the clash in the Mestalla with plenty of dividends down the line for the player and club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been drooling over one of their top young talents this week after the club’s official Twitter feed reminded them of a key landmark.

Oskar Buur became a 22-year-old on Tuesday, and both the club and supporters have been wishing him well on social media.

Stuck in isolation? Our mega footy quiz will cure any boredom…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

The emerging Dane has become a part of Nuno Santo’s first-team setup this season, signing a contract extension in February. He has made four senior appearances across the Europa League, FA Cup and the EFL Trophy.

Buur provided the very assist that clinched Diogo Jota’s hat-trick against Besiktas earlier this campaign.

With Nuno deploying a small squad of players, the left wing-back has seen himself rise in the pecking order to play second fiddle to Matt Doherty, who one fan believes is the worse player of the two.

He’s clearly seen as one for the future as the club have tied him down until the summer of 2023, even despite landing Rochdale prodigy Luke Matheson during the January transfer window.

Here’s what supporters have been saying…

AND in other news, Nuno can make amends for January disaster with swoop for 20-goal STAR…  

According to Goal, Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of three Premier League clubs vying for the signature of Atletico Madrid attacker Thomas Lemar.

What’s the word?

It is believed that Diego Simeone is keen on adding a striker to his armoury this month, but for that to happen, there has to be a departure of some kind with Thomas Lemar being the ‘chosen one.’

Simeone claims the Frenchman hasn’t lived up to expectations in Madrid.

The report suggests that the La Liga outfit has circulated his availability, resulting in interest from the west Midlanders as well as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Lemar is a client of super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has deep ties with Wolves having brokered many deals since Fosun took ownership in 2016.

The Portuguese representative has even completed a few between the two clubs with Jonny and Diogo Jota both switching the Spanish capital for Molineux in recent seasons.

Jota upgrade?

Lemar’s time at Atletico has been nothing short of disappointing after a £52.7m move from Monaco in the summer of 2018. In 64 appearances, he has managed just three goals and six assists, per Transfermarkt.

However, the red and white stripes of Madrid has notoriously been an unhappy hunting ground for many a forward under Simeone – their creative issues have been highlighted here, while his style of play is well renowned for being defensively-focused.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Therefore, Lemar can be given a free pass, for the time being. He’s only 24 after all and still has plenty to offer, which is why Wolves must pursue him at all costs this month.

The wide man helped Monaco to a Ligue 1 title as well as a Champions League semi-final, and directly contributed to 55 goals in his 127 appearances at the club, via Transfermarkt.

Phillipe Tranchant, who unearthed Lemar’s talent as a 12-year-old playing football in Guadeloupe, once labelled him as “extraordinary” while his dribbling ability, versatility and impressive use of both feet are also highlighted throughout the same article.

This makes him an exciting prospect for Nuno Santo, especially given Jota’s struggles this term – he has bagged just three times in 19 league matches, two of which in the same game while he is yet to provide an assist, which is poor considering he’s hit at least five in the previous two seasons, per WhoScored.

It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?

If the Portuguese boss can unearth the player that was at Monaco, then Wolves will have an elite talent on their hands, one that would be an instant upgrade on the faltering Jota.

He would also bring squad depth with his ability to play anywhere across the front three.

And in other news, John Ruddy believes he knows exactly who can replace the departing Jesus Vallejo this month…

[ad_pod ]I don’t need to tell you much about the feud between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho at Manchester United; just whack either of their names into Twitter or Google and hundreds of articles will appear on the topic.At a club that has a global reputation as significant as United’s, and for a player of Pogba’s unerring marketability, it was particularly foolish of Mourinho to pick a fight with a player that cost the club £89m, has over 6m Twitter followers and more than 30m on Instagram – the Frenchman’s commercial worth to a club obsessive over these exact qualities was always going to see him win his battle with the Portuguese boss.The 25-year-old wasted no time in reacting to his former boss’ sacking. Just 46 minutes after the Red Devils announced that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss would be leaving, Pogba uploaded a picture along with the tagline ‘Caption this!’

You don’t need to be an expert in body language to see that the former Juventus star’s facial expression is one that says: “You really thought you could challenge me and win, huh?” Additionally, the fact that Pogba deleted this post soon after it was uploaded tells you all you need to know.

Off the pitch, the World Cup winner is eccentric to say the least. He is constantly mocking up new dance moves with teammates, ‘dabbing’ or what not, and just being overly loud in general.

Perhaps it was a generational thing why Mourinho visibly detested him so much, even calling him a ‘virus’, or maybe the 55-year-old is just becoming a grumpy old man who is just ‘Yer Da’ but just happens to be a huge figure in the footballing world.

On the pitch, however, there is no way that you can argue that a player who has won countless titles, numerous individual awards – including being named in the FIFA World XI for 2015 – and has so much swagger and confidence in general could perform so pitifully and uselessly unintentionally – his woeful performances under Mourinho could easily be argued as being an act of sabotage, and he now has what he wanted.

As the club’s record signing Pogba can now truly step up and show the world that it was in fact Mourinho who was holding him back, and he must replicate the brilliant performances he showed for his country in the summer as they won the 2018 World Cup for his club.

He has won the battle to be the alpha male at Old Trafford, but with no new challenger in sight, he must show that he can be a leader and an inspiration; if he still under performs in this post-Mourinho era, there aren’t many excuses left for a player thoroughly out-of-sorts.

Which big 6 club needs to do the most business in January? Check out what the Playmaker FC squad think in the video below…