All posts by z3u9t.icu

Ashley Young confirmed his return to Aston Villa on Thursday, but Dean Windass thinks he’ll find game-time extremely hard to come by.

The 35-year-old penned a one-year contract at Villa Park, which sees him return having spent the lasts 18 months with Inter Milan.

Young made 59 appearances for Inter and added yet another medal to his collection by winning the Serie A title last term.

But the versatile full-back and winger is now back in England and will be hoping to continue where he left off during his first spell with the club.

Young, who’s excellent form eventually earned him a dream move to Manchester United, was part of the Villa side that were European regulars, something the current team will be looking to emulate following their 11th-place finish last term.

Despite his pedigree and ability to play in several different positions, Windass reckons he’ll struggle to break into a settled Villa side.

On the man Dean Smith decided to sign, he exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I can’t see him starting. He’s 35, so I can’t see him playing week in week out, but will he want to play week in week out when he gets to that age?

“Some managers will say ‘you’re playing at home, but you’re not playing away because we’re playing more defensively and need more legs in the team.”

A number of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to more details on Lucien Favre’s proposed move to Selhurst Park provided by Michael Bridge.

It emerged on Wednesday evening that Favre has agreed to take over at Palace and become Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor.

Favre is now waiting to be awarded a work permit to manage in England, a complicated process that is already underway.

Sky Sports reporter Bridge reiterated on Twitter that talks between Favre and the Eagles went ‘very well’, adding that discussions regarding the players from the academy have also gone well.

The likes of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and David Omilabu were two standout players from the club’s academy to sign professional deals last season, and it seems as if Favre likes what he sees in the club’s youth ranks.

Palace fans react

Bridge’s social media post received plenty of interaction from Palace supporters, with the majority excited about the pending appointment and mention of academy talks.

“We love you Bridgey and you know it!!”Credit: @kevintasteph”Inject it”Credit: @NAL_UK”Hello.”Credit: @ohjoewalker”Lucien Favre is excited to work at palace and likes our academy If we pull this off I won’t doubt anything again”Credit: @ReeceJMT”Okay, now might be the time to start to get slightly excited.”Credit: @palacecarlton”Let’s goooo”Credit: @Adam_Palace

In other news: ‘Please admin’ – Many CPFC fans think £67k-p/w ace may stay after club tweet, find out more here.

Derby County have been handed a huge boost to their chances of playing Championship football at Pride Park next season.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone, who revealed in a post on Twitter that the written reasons for the £100k fine handed to Derby by an independent disciplinary commission are yet to be published, meaning that neither the English Football League nor the Rams can appeal the verdict at present.

Once the reasons are published, each party will have 14 days to appeal the decision, a process that, once begun, could drag on for a considerable amount of time.

Rooney will be relieved

With the threat of relegation to League One as a result of a points deduction appearing very real following the EFL’s publishing of interchangeable Championship and League One 2021/22 fixture lists that featured Derby and Wycombe Wanderers playing in both the second and third tier of English football, Stone’s latest update is sure to have left Rooney relieved.

Indeed, with the start of next season edging closer day by day, the likelihood of the independent disciplinary commission reaching a verdict from either a Derby or EFL appeal before August 7th seems faint, at best.

As such, it would appear as if Rooney can now tentatively begin planning his side’s campaign in the Championship next season, as well as offering incoming signings the relative assurance that they will be playing their football in the second tier rather than the third – something that will provide the 35-year-old with a boost regarding the calibre of players he can attempt bring into the club.

Having said this, Derby’s fate is by no means 100% certain just yet, but Stone’s latest update would appear to be a small bit of positive news for everyone involved with the club.

In other news: Get him gone: Rooney must ruthlessly axe £18k-p/w Derby County “maverick” this summer

Manchester City have been linked with a move for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson recently and if he were to join, it could see Benjamin Mendy finally depart Pep Guardiola’s side.

According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester City, along with a number of other top-flight clubs, are said to be interested in signing the USA international this summer.

Robinson was a regular for the Craven Cottage outfit last season as they were relegated from the Premier League, making 28 appearances and averaging an impressive 6.84 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was enough to rank him as the joint-third best performer for the West London side.

Scott Parker was full of praise for the young left-back in his debut season in the Premier League, saying:

“He’s done incredibly well. [He’s] a boy with a big, big heart and a boy with a fearless attitude that embraces and takes things on a daily basis, same as in the games.

“He’s got quality and ability which I think we’re all seeing. [There’s] still loads to improve and loads to learn, but he has a real work ethic about him and a mentality about him that he’s willing to do that.”

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City are not short of options at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, Benjamin Mendy and Nathan Ake rotating there last season, which suggests that if the £6.3m-rated Robinson were to arrive at the Etihad, at least one of them would have to leave.

Of those, it seems extremely unlikely that Zinchenko or Cancelo would depart after superb performances last season, whilst Ake spent much of the season injured and also offers depth at centre-back, so Mendy would surely be the likeliest to leave.

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Recent reports have linked the injury-prone Frenchman with a move to Inter, so if he does leave and City do look for a replacement, then sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider a move for Robinson, as he looks to be a great young back-up for Guardiola to have in his squad.

And, in other news… Man City miss out on “phenomenal” 29-goal beast, Guardiola will be fuming

This summer is one of the biggest in recent history for Celtic as new manager Ange Postecoglou desperately tries to repair the rubble from a disappointing campaign.

The Hoops have already welcomed Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide to the club but they need to press on and welcome more new faces to Parkhead.

On the chalkboard

One of the biggest areas of concern this summer is in the middle of the park. Scott Brown has departed Celtic after exiting for a player-coach role with Aberdeen and that has left a significant void not just in terms of his technical and physical ability, but also in terms of his leadership skills.

Shaw could fill in for Brown in the middle, while Ismaila Soro is a name who should now earn more minutes, but both players are still particularly raw.

The Ivorian caught the eye on a number of occasions last season, prevailing in 2.2 tackles per game and winning as many as ten successful challenges against Lille in the Europa League. However, like Brown in his formative days, he still lacks tactical discipline.

The Bhoys have been linked with a move for somebody who Postecoglou knows well in Aaron Mooy, but their perfect Brown replacement lies elsewhere.

The solution

Speaking on the Cynic podcast about midfielders Celtic should have on their shortlist, they suggested St Pauli youngster Finn Ole Becker as a potential acquisition.

The midfield general is just 21 years of age but has all of the qualities which would enable him to thrive in Glasgow.

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Described as “very exciting” on the podcast, the German started 27 times last term in Bundesliga 2, combining progressive ball carrying with eye-catching defensive work.

The Cynic lists one of Becker’s strengths as defensive positioning, something which can be seen in his 1.3 tackles per game last season.

Although he lacks a huge physical presence, his slight and agile frame allows him to move about the pitch in a swifter way compared to Brown in his final few campaigns at Celtic.

Pivotally, he also possesses the ability to progress the play. Becker ranks in the 78th percentile across similar leagues for dribbles per 100 passes (7.7) and is in the 84th percentile for key passes per 90 minutes.

The German’s decision making is intelligent, something which sets him apart from Soro, who has a tendency to be erratic with his choices.

Becker wouldn’t be a like-minded Brown replacement but he’d still be able to provide a similar screening in front of the back four. His ability to roam forward could also be important when transitioning between defence and attack.

Valued at £2.5m to £4m, he’d be a bargain for Postecoglou to snap up in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Celtic open talks to sign £8.5m gem of the “highest quality”, Ange will love him…

Aston Villa have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.

What’s the story?

The Villans have already seen separate bids of £25 million and £30m turned down by the north London outfit for their academy graduate this summer, but their hopes of striking a deal appear to be all but over.

That’s after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was adamant that Smith Rowe will be staying at the club following their pre-season defeat to Hibernian.

“Without a question. Yes. He will stay here. 100%,” stated the Spanish tactician.

Dean Smith will be gutted

Villa enjoyed a fabulous campaign in 2020/21, finishing in 11th position in the Premier League standings despite club captain Jack Grealish suffering a serious injury, limiting him to 26 top-flight appearances.

The Midlands outfit are keen to build on their impressive showing last season, already adding former Norwich City ace Emi Buendia to their ranks in a big-money deal.

Smith Rowe had been identified as Dean Smith’s next priority signing, but the England Under-21 international appears set to remain at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Arteta’s latest comments will surely leave Smith feeling gutted after missing out on one of the nation’s most promising young talents, although Arsenal’s determination to keep hold of the highly-rated gem should come as no surprise.

After a string of injuries sidelined several star names in the Gunners’ first-team squad, Smith Rowe was handed his opportunity to impress alongside fellow academy graduate Bukayo Saka last term, and he certainly made the most of the opening.

“I know what they are capable of doing. They are developing really well, and that’s a merit to them, a merit for their teammates and everybody that is involved to try to support them and protect them as well,” claimed Arteta.

“But the performances that they are putting in are extraordinary.”

Arsenal’s stance leaves Villa back at square one in their mission to bolster Dean Smith’s options, although attempting to pull off a deal for Smith Rowe was always going to be ambitious.

And, in other news…Manager delivers blow to Villa over “exemplary” £14k-p/w beast, Smith will be gutted 

Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar over the coming months as they search for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN, the Reds have joined fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the race to secure the 23-year-old’s signature.

The report claims that sources told ESPN that Liverpool have been tracing Aouar’s progress for a while and could be tempted to make an offer this summer, although their relationship with the French outfit was damaged when the deal to sign Nabil Fekir collapsed back in 2018.

Klopp will be buzzing

Aouar has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club for several years now following a string of impressive performances, and Jurgen Klopp may see him as the ideal solution to his midfield conundrum.

Wijnaldum’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer has left a gaping hole in the Reds’ engine room, but news that the club’s hierarchy are plotting a move for the France international will surely have Klopp buzzing.

The £37.8m-rated beast first caught the eye of English clubs when he put in a standout display against Manchester City in the Champions League back in 2018, earning praise from Pep Guardiola.

“Houssem Aouar is a very good player. He is incredible,” said the Spanish tactician.

“We talk a lot about (Tanguy) Ndombele, but Aouar is also excellent. He’s always very calm with the ball at his feet, with an excellent technical quality.”

After scoring 32 goals and providing a further 31 assists in 170 appearances for Lyon, Aouar may feel that it’s time to take the next step in his career ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Known predominantly for his dribbling skills and creativity, the youngster could offer something different to this Liverpool squad and has the potential to propel them back to the summit of English football.

The Anfield faithful could well be urging director of football Michael Edwards to seal this deal, although he may have to move quickly in order to secure his man given the abundant competition for the 23-year-old’s signature.

In other news… Liverpool make approach for “extraordinary” £63m-rated gem, he’s an upgrade on Shaqiri 

An intriguing claim has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur’s plans this summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

It’s thought that defensive duo Eric Dier and Matt Doherty could be two players that the Premier League outfit are looking to sell, as revealed by talkSPORT’s transfer expert Alex Crook on the ‘White and Jordan’ show this week.

“I think there will be more departures from North London this summer. And maybe some surprising names on this list.

“We know they’re open to offers for Davinson Sanchez and I’ve been told this morning that Eric Dier and Matt Doherty could also be surplus to requirements, and maybe that’s a bit of a surprise in the case of Doherty because he performed so admirably under Nuno at Wolves.”

Two key culprits

Spurs’ struggles at the back last season were no secret, and it is indeed why newly-appointed sporting director Fabio Paratici is primarily targeting additions in defence, notably in both Dier and Doherty’s positions.

Atalanta centre-back Cristian Romero and Bologna right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu could be two instant replacements if negotiations go in favour of the Lilywhites in the coming days and weeks.

A combination of individual mistakes – such as Dier’s calamitous display at Leeds – and a lack of true leadership led to Spurs recording the worst defensive record of the traditional ‘big six’ – even arch-rivals Arsenal, who finished lower in the table, had a better defensive record.

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Indeed, the central partnership of the Englishman alongside Sanchez was dubbed one of the worst in the top-flight by former midfielder Jamie O’Hara, so it should be no surprise that both could be up for sale before next month’s deadline.

Dier also often took the critics of the Spurs fanbase. As relayed by This is Futbol, against Chelsea he was branded as an “absolute clown”, whilst even their pre-season win over Colchester this week saw some call him a “disgrace” and “useless.”

Some would surely be glad to see the back of him amid this fresh claim.

Meanwhile, Doherty struggled so much since his £15m arrival that ex-manager Jose Mourinho was also tempted to sell him, according to ESPN. After all, there must be a reason to why Nuno let his first-choice right-back leave for so little under his tenure.

And just like his teammate, the Irishman has received plenty of flak from the Spurs faithful. After leaking five goals to Everton in the FA Cup, Doherty’s ability as a professional footballer was questioned by many, whilst he was dubbed a “serious liability” after their defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal.

Therefore, on the above evidence, you’d imagine that many around N17 will be absolutely delighted with this surprising claim from talkSPORT.

AND in other news, Nuno could secure his next Neto if Spurs sign “exciting” £27m-rated “big talent”…

Football.London’s Chelsea correspondent, Sam Inkersole, has backed young midfielder Billy Gilmour to have a serious future at Stamford Bridge.

The 20-year-old midfielder was handed his Premier League debut just two months after his 18th birthday under Frank Lampard, and has since become a part of the first-team set-up.

Despite his impressive form in the senior side, Gilmour, who was man of the match against England at the European Championships, will spend the season on loan at newly-promoted Norwich, with his chances of starting likely to be limited in a talented Chelsea midfield department.

Whilst Gilmour is highly-rated in west London, he’s made just five Premier League starts – a number which should be improved on next season should everything go to plan.

Chelsea have a history of loaning players out without them much first-team action, but at just 20-years-old, Inkersole doesn’t expect Gilmore to fall the same way of so many before him.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s an incredibly talented player, I think he will make it at Chelsea. I don’t think he’s going to be one of those players that is going to be constantly sent out on loan, I do think he’s got a serious future at the club.

“Tuchel likes him, Lampard liked him, and I think he’s got a big future ahead.”

A number of Liverpool supporters have been loving the latest video of cult hero Joel Matip, with the centre-back starring in a behind the scenes clip of the Reds’ pre-season tour.

Matip has become a hugely popular member of the Reds’ dressing room, often proving to be one of the funniest members of the squad, without always trying to be.

Not only that, but the Cameroonian is a top-class performer when he is fit, with injuries sadly hampering him throughout his time at Anfield.

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Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently working hard in pre-season, but Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez enjoyed some downtime recently.

In a video posted by the club’s official Twitter account on Wednesday, the three centre-backs take part in a bowling competition, with Matip constantly mocked by his colleagues.

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Liverpool fans react to brilliant Matip video

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their appreciation for Matip, as he adds another classic clip to his ever-growing collection.

“Matip kills me”

Credit: @KeeganLMoyer

“I love this. Joel is so funny we need more Joel content”

Credit: @1bmh_

“A night out with Joel Matip would put a smile on anyone’s face!”

Credit: @phil_corrigan

“Big Matip never leave”

Credit: @jordanhillllll

“I can’t deal with him. I love him”

Credit: @Jake_Phillpotts

“I’ll forever love Matip”

Credit: @LFC_000

“Matip is the funniest player of all time”

Credit: @redmen_lfc_

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy with an update regarding one Reds player. Read more here.