All posts by h716a5.icu

Rangers’ hopes of signing Peterborough United winger Siriki Dembele this summer have been given a huge boost after he was placed on the transfer list at the London Road Stadium, which should surely increase the chances of him joining up with Steven Gerrard at Ibrox ahead of next season.

Rangers were heavily linked with the former Grimsby Town man during the January transfer window and could well return for the tricky winger following the reported news that he has turned down a new contract with the Posh and has subsequently been placed on the transfer list.

The 24-year-old was a key player in Darren Ferguson’s side this year as they earned automatic promotion to the Championship, yet it seems as if they will be forced to cash in on him this summer, due to his contract currently being set to expire at the end of next season.

In 42 league appearances, the Scottish winger would contribute an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists, whilst he also managed two goals in cup competitions, taking his overall tally to 23 combined goals and assists in all competitions.

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His performances in the third tier of English football would earn him an excellent 7.32 average rating from WhoScored, which was the second-best of any Peterborough player this season, emphasising just how important he was to their promotion push, and how potentially dangerous he could be in Gerrard’s side at Rangers next season.

Ferguson was full of praise for the attacker last season after he impressed in a striker role for the Posh, saying:

“The boy has been absolutely outstanding since realising he can play as a central striker. He destroyed Ipswich last weekend with a goal and two assists.”

Dembele has consistently been one of the best performers in the lower leagues of English football in recent seasons and now deserves a chance at a higher level, and Rangers could be the ones to benefit from his ability next season, with the opportunity of playing in the Champions League surely tough for the winger to turn down.

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Therefore, after the news that he has been transfer listed, Ross Wilson should definitely try to bring him to Ibrox this summer as he can bring even more of an attacking threat to the Gers.

And, in other news… Gerrard heading for Rangers transfer disaster with £20m flop who “can’t run”

A big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover of Newcastle United after a lawyer was appointed by Mike Ashley for his anti-competition lawsuit.

The Lowdown: Ashley appoints lawyer

Ashley has launched an anti-competition lawsuit against the Premier League with regards to their decision-making process in the failed takeover at St James’ Park from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

The chief executive of Sports Direct has since appointed Daniel Jowell as his QC for the case, and football finance expert Kieran Maguire thinks that this was an inspired decision.

The Latest: Maguire lauds Jowell appointment

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire has lauded the appointment of Jowell and what affect that he could have on the potential takeover on Tyneside. He said:

“It bodes well for the takeover.

“People’s reputations and the future of Newcastle United are at stake. You want somebody in your corner who is going to represent your interests as best as possible.

“So you find out who the best QCs are and you snap them up. There are some pretty impressive ones out there and by all accounts, he falls into that category.

“So what Ashley has done is definitely logical in terms of this appointment.”

The Verdict: Ashley gives himself best chance

Ashley certainly seems to have given himself the best chance in terms of being able to sell the club from the appointment of Jowell as his QC.

The lawyer has received very high praise for his work in the past and has also worked alongside Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

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If he is successful in this case, and Ashley also achieves a positive result in his pending arbitration hearing against the Premier League, then a giant step will have been taken in terms of clearing a pathway for the potential takeover at Newcastle United.

In other news, find out what big PIF claim has been dropped after Ashley’s takeover power play.

With the news that key midfielder Eberechi Eze is set to be sidelined for up to eight months with an Achilles injury, it’s now more important than ever that Crystal Palace keep hold of Wilfried Zaha.

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park for the last two seasons now, and at one stage, his departure seemed almost inevitable, but the capital club must do all they can to retain his services this summer.

Zaha’s influence over his boyhood club has arguably never been greater. The 28-year-old has already recorded his best-ever Premier League goal return, bagging 11 efforts with one game of the season remaining.

The arrival of Eze following a £16m move from Queens Park Rangers last summer appeared to free up the talented Zaha, taking some of the creative burden away from talented forward and allowing him more time and space on the ball as opponents could no longer solely focus on stopping his progress.

After a slow start to life in the top-flight, Eze soon found his feet in south London, recording three assists and one goal in the five games preceding his injury setback.

Losing the 22-year-old is bad enough, but the possible departure of Zaha as well would be a disaster waiting to happen for the Eagles.

With current manager Roy Hodgson announced his upcoming departure earlier in the week and over a dozen players set to become free agents over the coming months, it’s set to be a summer of upheaval at Selhurst Park.

Whoever succeeds the former England boss will have a tough rebuilding job on their hands, and the absence of Eze for at least the first half of the campaign will be a bitter blow for Steve Parish and co.

The former England Under-21 international and Zaha were amongst Palace’s top three for goals, shots per game, key passes, dribbles, and were the two most fouled first-team players before news of Eze’s Achilles issue surfaced (as per WhoScored).

In the past, Hodgson has openly outlined Zaha’s importance to the Eagles, stating: “We think very highly of him both as a person and a player, and he’s got even a talismanic quality, being from this part of the world and starting his career at Crystal Palace.”

But the Palace talisman has never been needed at Palace more than he is right now. Without their two most productive attacking outlets next season it’s likely to be a long and arduous season for the Selhurst Park outfit and turn an already difficult job into an almost impossible one for any new manager.

And, in other news…Lost 66.6% of his duels: £4.5m-rated lightweight badly let Hodgson down last night 

Mark Warburton’s Queens Park Rangers are considering a move for Neil Taylor this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claimed that both QPR and Stoke City are closely monitoring the situation of the Aston Villa left-back, whose contract at Villa Park expires this summer.

However, there is also reported to be interest in the 32-year-old from abroad, with QPR looking likely to face a battle with both Istanbul Basaksehir and Trabzonspor, as well as Stoke, in order to get a deal for the 43-cap Wales international over the line.

Bhatia must act

While Taylor – whom Dean Saunders dubbed “lightning-quick” – has become something of a bit-part player for Dean Smith’s side over the past two seasons, making just 22 appearances for the club over the past two years, the £1.62m-rated defender has proven during his time at Villa that he is more than capable of doing a job for a team at the top end of the Championship table.

Taylor featured 29 times for Villa in the 2017/18 season at that level, averaging 0.8 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 0.6 key passes per game with a SofaScore match rating of 6.79, helping them to secure a fourth-place finish in the league as the reached the play-off final.

The following season, the £39,000-per-week defender once again proved an important part of Smith’s promotion-winning side, registering three assists and helping his side to keep eight clean sheets, as well as averaging 0.6 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 0.5 key passes per game over his 31 league appearances, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.76.

As such, should Amit Bhatia wish to provide Mark Warburton with the best possible chance of his QPR side mounting a promotion push next season, the addition of a player who has been there and done it before with Villa would appear to be a very wise piece of business by the chairman, particularly on a free transfer.

In other news: Bhatia must not cash in on £7.1k-p/w QPR gem this summer, he’s crucial to Warburton – opinion

England beat Pakistan by an innings and nine runs in the First npower Test at Lords

Kate Laven20-May-2001England kicked off a tough international summer with an emphatic win overPakistan, taking the first of the two-match npower Test series by theconvincing margin of an innings and nine runs with a day to spare.The visitors were overwhelmed by Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough, whosegrowing reputation as one of the strongest opening attacks in the world wasreinforced by a day-long exhibition of tight attacking bowling whichaccounted for 12 of the 16 wickets that tumbled.Four went to Dominic Cork and only newcomer Ryan Sidebottom came away fromLord’s with nothing though he will have learned much from Gough’s andCaddick’s masterclass and his economy earned him credit.Caddick had a brief spell of bad luck midway through the final session after hitting Abdur Razzaq on the helmet. Two balls later, the shaken batsman was returning to the pavilion having edged the ball to the wicket-keeper but was recalled when the celebrating Englishmen suddenly noticed umpire Peter Willey standing with his arm raised, signalling a no-ball.Azhar was later dropped at backward square leg by Michael Vaughan who wasdeceived by a late flight kink, much to Caddick’s great anguish but in thesame over, the Somerset man was rewarded for his patience when Abdur Razzaq,who had been at the crease for almost three hours, offered Mike Atherton aneasy chance at first slip.Razzaq’s demise for 53 was followed eight balls later by the departure ofAzhar whose luck finally ran out when he pushed tentatively to a fullerlength ball and sent the ball directly to Stewart.Caddick’s fourth wicket of the innings, his eighth in the match, effectivelystripped Pakistan’s cupboard bare and on 122 for seven, a heavy defeatinside three days looked unavoidable.Such a defeat had looked unlikely at the start of the day when, resuming on115 for four, they had two days remaining to make sure of a draw.But the final six wickets fell in 25 overs, the last three in four ballsfrom Gough and, following on, the tourists lost another four by tea, two ofthem to breathtaking catches by Graham Thorpe.Gough bowled superbly throughout to finish with 3-40 while Cork wrapped upthe innings with the wicket of Waqar Younis for 3-41 but the man of thematch award went to Andy Caddick for blasting away Pakistan with 4-54.

It looks as if Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham is set to return to Parkhead this summer.

That’s after Marseille president Pablo Longoria notably missed out the Hoops man when discussing the club’s plans for next season, as reported by the Daily Record.

The Ligue 1 side landed Ntcham on loan on deadline day and have an option to make the deal permanent for £4.5m this summer, but it is perhaps no surprise to see them refuse that option given his lack of impact in France.

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Ntcham, on £14,000-a-week, has made just six appearances back in his native country and hasn’t exactly blown fans or coaches away with his performances, so it seems as if they’ll be sending him back to Glasgow over the coming months.

Transfer Tavern take

New Celtic CEO Dominic McKay could really do without this update. Hoops sources recently revealed (via Football Insider) that Ntcham has made it clear he doesn’t want to play for the club again, so it could’ve been ideal for McKay if Marseille signed him for £4.5m.

However, it looks as if McKay will now have a player who doesn’t want to be at the club on his hands ahead of the 2021/22 season, and with just 12 months left on his deal in the summer, the Hoops may have to accept a cut-price fee for the 25-year-old which isn’t ideal.

Even worse, given he has mustered up a horrific 6.13 average match rating (Whoscored) in Ligue 1 and is now forever linked with the infamous Andres Villas-Boas storm (talkSPORT), McKay may not even be able to sell him, leaving the new chief needing to rebuild a squad while players like Ntcham act as roadblocks to that happening.

In other news: Celtic may have just been handed huge Eddie Howe boost as source drops 10-word development, find out more here. 

A number of Liverpool fans have been criticising Gini Wijnaldum’s performance against Southampton in what was a low-key showing from the Dutchman.

The Reds picked up a much-needed victory in the top four battle on Saturday night, seeing off the Saints with a hard-earned 2-0 win at Anfield. It wasn’t exactly a perfect performance from the Premier League champions, but goals from Sadio Mane and Thiago were enough to get them over the line.

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A few individuals stood out on the night, with Alisson excelling in goal and Thiago catching the eye in midfield, but Wijnaldum was a largely unnoticed figure in the middle of the park.

The Dutchman didn’t necessarily do anything wrong, but he performed like someone with a lot of minutes in his legs this season, with the 30-year-old featuring in all 34 league games to date. He was unlucky with one effort which struck the crossbar, but that was his only shot all night, while he lost possession nine times.

It may have been Wijnaldum’s penultimate appearance at Anfield if he is to leave this summer amid widespread transfer speculation, but it won’t be one to go down in legend just after the two-year anniversary of his iconic double against Barcelona.

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Liverpool fans critical of Wijnaldum’s performance

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their frustration at Wijnaldum’s performance, some of whom responded to his post-match tweet.

“Gini Wijnaldum made 8 passes in the 1st half. Thiago & Fabinho over 20 each. Ghosting yet again.”

Credit: @AnfieldEffect

“Wait you played?”

Credit: @NickJon88020842

“I have watched you progress with the ball easily for years. What has happened to you? Are you scared?”

Credit: @Fin_Disu

“Gini 7.6? 4 at best”

Credit: @AC_LFC19

“Fabinho playing for 2 people… Gini a literal ghost”

Credit: @_tahmiddd

“Gini off, been awful again”

Credit: @westyten

In other news, one Liverpool player is reportedly likely to leave the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Many Southampton fans are livid with comments from manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following their 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Despite a difficult season, the Saints progressed to the penultimate round of the the world’s oldest cup competition. They faced Leicester at Wembley for a place in the final but they were narrowly defeated. Given the hard work it took to get there, it will have been disappointing for Hasenhuttl and his side not to manage a single shot on target during the 90 minutes (SofaScore).

Although they provided scant attacking threat, the Austrian still seemed to be happy with what he saw from his players, saying that they left everything out on the pitch.

The comments were shared on Twitter by journalist Tom Leach, and it is fair to say that many Southampton fans were far from happy with the manager’s words. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what Hasenhuttl had to say on Sunday’s “shambles”, as one disgruntled fan put it.

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

“That’s just offensive now. Does he think we weren’t watching?”

Credit: @jonokli

“Wreck it Ralph time to go”

Credit: @gmdsaints

“Is that a joke? Spent the last 20 mins defending”

Credit: @JamesBrooksAP

“Lol if he truly believes that then I despair.”

Credit: @NPBSFC74

“losing respect for Ralph. Team was useless. Have to wonder about him if he thinks that. Cannot go on like this forever without consequences”

Credit: @r_c_bennett

“very disappointed to hear Ralph say that. We weren’t up for the fight, to not test the keeper in 90 mins is inexcusable. Shambles”

Credit: @willlester37

In other news, many Southampton fans slammed this man’s performance against Leicester.

David Moyes could avoid a severe Declan Rice headache at West Ham United next season by signing Manchester City midfielder Yangel Herrera.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Spain, the Irons have stolen a march in the race to sign Herrera as Granada will not be able to afford the purchase clause in their loan agreement.

The continuing effects of the pandemic on the Nazaries’ finances mean they are likely unable to trigger the €20m (£17.5m) agreement at the end of the season.

Granada intend to explore an extension of Herrera’s current loan terms with Manchester City in the summer, with a feeling that his efforts could not have gone any better for the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium natives this season.

Manchester City had sought to include Herrera as part of their £21m deal to sign Ferran Torres from Valencia last year, but are now expected to offer the 23-year-old a chance to prove himself to Pep Guardiola in the Citizens’ pre-season schedule.

That has not stopped Premier League eyes from glaring at the Etihad in hopes of securing a deal, with West Ham, Southampton, Leeds United and Crystal Palace all credited with an interest in the Venezuelan.

The Hammers are thought to be the best-placed side to secure Herrera’s services if he leaves Manchester City, as boss Moyes is a fan of the 23-cap international and club chiefs are prepared to offer an enticing contract in efforts to land his signature.

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West Ham are likely to be in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer after Mark Noble confirmed that the 2021/22 campaign would be his last at the London Stadium, along with the potential summer departure of Rice amid interest from Manchester United.

Should West Ham sign Man City’s Herrera?

West Ham’s interest in Herrera could fast become a moot point if he returns to City and impresses Guardiola this summer, but Moyes is right to admire the midfielder’s talents and explore a deal to sign the Venezuelan should he become available.

Moyes is currently earning a taste of what life is like as Irons boss without Rice in his plans as the England international continues his recovery from a lateral knee ligament injury, having had the 22-year-old available for his previous 48-straight Premier League games.

Rice’s injury has been described as a “headache” for Moyes by Frank McAvennie, with Noble and Tomas Soucek his only natural holding options available in the engine room, and that situation would fast get out of hand if Manchester United are successful in their interest.

But Herrera would be expected to act as instant pain relief, having dazzled in La Liga – where Spanish football expert Terry Gibson believes he’s been “outstanding” and has proven to be “a really athletic, dynamic player who has a habit of getting into the box at the right times.”

That is not too dissimilar from what Soucek has developed into being for West Ham, with the Czech Republic star – who is the Irons’ joint top-scorer in the Premier League with nine goals – often ghosting in at the last moment to catch opposing defences unaware.

Herrera is also confident that he can take his form from La Liga and perform elsewhere, telling Mundo Deportivo earlier this month: “I have been in Spain for two years playing at a good level, but I am willing to face any challenge if there is an opportunity like that.”

Whether Rice stays or goes in the summer, Moyes’ lack of midfield depth should see that he urges West Ham to test Manchester City’s resolve and offer Herrera a chance to prove himself in the English top-flight.

AND in other news, West Ham have been warned against signing a £10m talent who’s “downed tools” this season…

Look down at Sunderland’s squad this season and you’ll struggle to pick out many players who have let the team down.

The forward line has been superb with Aiden McGeady registering 12 assists and Charlie Wyke scoring 26 times.

As for the centre-back pairing of Dion Sanderson and Luke O’Nien, they have now kept eight clean sheets in their last ten outings.

One of those shut-outs came during their 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t the most convincing of performances from Lee Johnson’s men but it’s taken them to within three points of the top with two games in hand.

That being said, there is one member of Sunderland’s side that continues to let the manager down; Callum McFadzean.

Last week, the left-back looked as though he may embark on some sort of revival. He scored a crucial goal in the club’s 1-1 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln.

Yet, this weekend, he proved just how enigmatic he can be. At times this term, McFadzean has often been the scapegoat for Sunderland, even when they win.

Once again, you could look towards his performance against Bristol Rovers as a cause for concern.

McFadzean was particularly shaky on the left-hand side of defence and was probably fortunate they weren’t playing more high-calibre opposition. On another day, he would have been caught out and punished.

A mistake didn’t cost the team on Saturday but his display was particularly worrying. In possession of the ball, the defender was woeful, losing it on no fewer than 35 occasions.

For context, that was 11 more than any other Sunderland player. What made this stat even worse was that he wasn’t even losing the ball from trying something productive; McFadzean didn’t attempt a single cross for instance.

His passing let him down all afternoon with the 27-year-old completing only 47%. Again, this was made worse by the fact he didn’t complete a single key pass to a teammate.

McFadzean did register a dribble when he got forward, but besides that, there was very little to be positive about.

A constant will to surrender possession has plagued his season. On average, the full-back has lost it 18.5 times per match.

With Denver Hume set to return from injury in the next few weeks, he should be worried about his place. Once the former returns, McFadzean must be taken out of the firing line.

AND in other news, Forget Willis: SAFC must unleash rarely-seen 21 y/o, Johnson said he’s a “great kid”…