All posts by z3u9t.icu

Celtic may well go on to win the Premiership crown this summer, a deserved title for Ange Postecoglou in his first year with the Hoops.

However, he might have some tricky dilemmas to work out as he heads towards a summer transfer window where a lot of work will need to be done behind the scenes at Parkhead.

What’s the word?

Celtic are in danger of losing a few players in the upcoming market with Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers both set to see their loan deal expire.

Talks have begun to keep the latter in Glasgow but the future of Jota, their diminutive and skilful Portuguese sensation, is a lot more unclear.

It’s thought Celtic have a £6.5m option to buy the winger but Postecoglou has been rather coy on whether they’ll look to activate that clause.

Should they opt against it, the Bhoys must revive their chase of Kristijan Lovric.

He’s like Mbappe

Celtic have been interested in the Croat now for a number of years with a bid of £4.5m even believed to have been rejected for his services.

Yet, if they still have the NK Osijek man in their services, they must line up another bid even if he has only just moved in the winter market.

A move to British shores would surely be tempting for the player and if Postecoglou’s recruitment team can stump up the cash, his current side would find it difficult to turn it down given their financial status.

Jota will be an incredibly hard player to replace given his 20 goal contributions this term but in Lovric, they’d have someone who is more than capable.

The 26-year-old found the back of the net on 54 occasions for Gorica and has grown an enviable reputation for being one of the most dangerous players in the Croatian top tier.

Indeed, speaking about Lovric previously, HNTV commentator Damir Petravic said: “He dribbles and scores in the style of Robben, shoots free throws like Pirlo or Pjanic, and knows how to sprint like Mbappe.”

That sounds like an incredibly dangerous attacker, one who judging by his 28 assists, is also capable of creating regular scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Jota has been sublime at points this term but has still had the tendency to run a little hot and cold. In Lovric, however, they may well find a player capable of being more consistent.

It would be a significant deal to complete and a tricky one given his circumstances but it’s evident he’s someone Celtic have admired for some time. This summer could be the perfect chance to head back into the market for him.

AND in other news, Sources: Celtic now in talks over “important” Lennoxtown deal, Ange will be buzzing…

An update has emerged on Manchester United gem Dean Henderson, regarding Newcastle’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, the England international has been mentioned as a possible goalkeeper target for the Magpies.

The report claims that a loan deal for Henderson would be costly for Newcastle, with Lazio shot-stopper Thomas Strakosha among their alternative options.

Krul 2.0

Eddie Howe, who is reportedly close to taking over on Tyneside, could unearth Tim Krul 2.0 for Newcastle by signing Henderson in the January window.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-newcastle-howe-ter-stegen” title= “Read the latest Newcastle news!”]

Krul played 185 times for the Magpies after coming through the ranks as a young goalkeeper and kept 53 clean sheets for the club. He established himself as a regular in the Premier League and Henderson could be the newest long-term number one at St. James’ Park.

The 24-year-old has 49 Premier League appearances under his belt to date for Manchester United and Sheffield United and has kept 18 clean sheets in that time. He has played 27 times for the Red Devils in all competitions and kept an impressive 13 clean sheets.

Former United boss Jose Mourinho once hailed the shot-stopper and praised his arrogance. He told talkSPORT:

“I am a Henderson fan. When I was at United he was a kid, and I tell this story because it shows his nature.

“He came to my office asking for a loan, he went to Shrewsbury, but this kid said to me then, ‘When I come back, I want to be number one’. We looked at each other because we had De Gea and this kid never played one game, but he has had incredible development.

“The loans were all very successful. The way United organised them I think United did amazing for him and he did amazing for himself. He has this arrogance in him, this trust and belief which I think an England goalkeeper needs.”

This, along with his statistics in the top-flight to date, highlights the potential the £120k-per-week gem has heading into the rest of his career. 24 is incredibly young for a goalkeeper and Howe could bring in the club’s number one for years to come if he signs him, as he has shown that he has the quality to keep clean sheets in the Premier League.

Therefore, he has the potential to be a top-tier goalkeeper for a number of years and could be the next Tim Krul at St. James’ Park as he could come in and solidify his place in the starting XI if he is able to fulfil his potential and remain consistent.

AND in other news, Forget Hayden: Newcastle gem with 9 duels won was Jones’ real hero vs Brighton…

Tottenham Hotspur finally got back to winning ways in the Premier League after they defeated Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Nuno Santo’s men had been thumped in each of their last three outings, the last of which being an embarrassing north London derby defeat to Arsenal a week ago but clearly, the Lilywhites put those ghosts in the past to deliver one of their most impressive performances of the 2021/22 campaign.

Heung-min Son was one major catalyst towards the three points as he provided an assist for both of their goals – the first time that Spurs had scored more than one goal in any league game this term.

Although he wasn’t the highest-rated player on SofaScore.

That acclaim went to Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was graded an 8.0, in comparison to the South Korean’s 7.3.

The 26-year-old even opened the scoring for Spurs with a cool finish from the edge of the penalty box after he received the ball from Son just 27 minutes into the match.

But Hojbjerg’s contribution didn’t stop there as he was a constant thorn in Dean Smith’s side all afternoon.

Only one other player (Emerson, 86) recorded more touches than the £36m-rated powerhouse (84), proving he was an influential figure in the engine room, playing alongside Oliver Skipp and Tanguy Ndombele.

The 21-year-old gem’s involvement has allowed the Dane to have more of an influence in the final third, hence why he was in the right spot at the right time to get himself on the scoresheet.

He made 89% of his 66 passing attempts, which was the best of any Spurs starter, whilst he also managed six successful dribbles from six attempts (100%). It suggests that he played a key role in linking the midfield to the attack.

By comparison, more-attack minded players like Son (three) and Ndombele (one) managed far fewer.

Elsewhere, Hojbjerg still did his defensive duties a lot of justice – as per SofaScore, he managed two tackles, two clearances, one interception and even won nine of 12 duels (75%).

football.london’s Alasdair Gold described the 6 foot 1 midfielder as a “big presence”, whilst the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick claimed he was “tidy on the ball and shielded the back four well from the threat of John McGinn.”

On the above evidence, you could argue that Hojbjerg ran the show for Nuno and Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was different class and deserves just as many plaudits as Son.

AND in other news, Paratici could sign Spurs’ next Dembele in swoop for “extraordinary” £36m-rated beast…

There has been plenty of change at Crystal Palace this year. Manager Roy Hodgson’s four-year tenure came to an end with Patrick Vieira coming through the door. Plenty of new players also joined, with the Eagles now boasting an exciting handful of young prospects.

A famous win at the Etihad will arguably be the highlight, with a success over Tottenham also up there with Palace fans’ favourites from 2021 whilst heavy defeats against the likes of Manchester City and Burnley will be pushed to the back of their minds.

The South London club is certainly a work in progress under Vieira, but there will certainly be hope at Selhurst Park that next year will see the Eagles spread their wings.

Take our big, fat Crystal Palace quiz of 2021 and see if you can get 100% – only real fans will be able to!

Many Sunderland fans were critical of the display of Callum McFadzean despite their 2-0 win over Rochdale in League One on Saturday afternoon.

Dion Sanderson and Charlie Wyke got the only goals of the game in the first half at the Stadium of Light as Lee Johnson’s team aim to push for promotion back to the Championship.

However, while there were some very good performances in the red and white shirt, McFadzean’s flattered to deceive for several SAFC supporters.

The former Sheffield United man found himself booked very early on in the match for a clumsy foul and, although he did manage to keep a clean sheet, his afternoon did not get that much better.

McFadzean failed to record a single dribble, tackle or accurate cross from left-back, and he also lost possession of the ball no fewer than 17 times, the most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Sunderland fan reaction to McFadzean display

These Black Cats supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that the 27-year-old was ‘unbelievably poor’:

“2nd goal came against the run of play. McFadzean continues to be the worst player alive. Think Younger looks uncomfortable at right back, not his fault though. Excellent crosses and headers for the goals. We have to get at them more 2nd half #safc”

Credit: @davis0688

“I’m yet to see McFadzean do anything of note, guy gets rinsed up by everyone on the wing. #SAFC”

Credit: @Blackie1973_

“Never seen a left-back so bad as McFadzean. Gets caught out so much #safc”

Credit: @imdannygavin

“McFadzean is so bad. Been caught out several times already today #SAFC”

Credit: @MJacko1989

“Younger is a natural centre back and today we had square pegs in round holes again. We’ve got away with it last few games, if we go to Pompey with that back 4 we will lose the game. I would go as far to say McFadzean is the worst player I’ve ever seen in the red and white.”

Credit: @Kingy78_

“McFadzean was unbelievably poor today . Nearly gave away a goal when he went to jump for a ball and it bounced over his head! He really is poor should give Vokins a run”

Credit: @only1kilbane

In other news, find out what club reveal has delighted Sunderland fans here!

Newcastle United have been dealt an injury blow, with Steve Bruce confirming that Callum Wilson will not return until after the March international break.

That’s according to The Northern Echo, who quote the Toon boss as voicing doubt in having his side’s 10-goal top-scorer plus fellow forwards Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin back in time to face Dean Smith’s Aston Villa this weekend or Brighton and Hove Albion next week.

There had been some hope that Wilson could return from his deep hamstring tear to feature in some capacity at the Amex Stadium a week on Saturday, but none of the trio are now likely to play again until United host Tottenham Hotspur on April 3rd at the earliest.

Newcastle have been without Wilson for four games after losing their £20m summer signing late in the first half of last month’s 3-2 win over Southampton. Almiron and Saint-Maximin were ruled out with knee and groin injuries after the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 27.

Wilson has stepped up his rehabilitation with a return to training on the grass and Bruce believes he, Almiron and Saint-Maximin are all showing promising signs in their recoveries.

“Callum is four weeks in, so we’re seeing him on the grass and he’s progressing. That goes for Allan and Almiron as well,” the Toon boss said.

“We’ve just got to let nature take its course. They’re working as hard as they possibly can. We hope the international break will maybe do us a turn, and we hope that by the end of the international break, they’ll be there or thereabouts.”

Bruce added that he feels everything is going to plan and that Almiron is making “particularly good progress,” while Javier Manquillo is nearing a return from a muscular injury sooner than Newcastle initially predicted.

“We’ve got no new injuries to report,” he noted. “Manquillo has worked extremely hard and was a week or two quicker than expected, so it was good to see him around it. [Federico] Fernandez is back amongst it too [after a calf injury], which is good news.”

Bruce sharing that Wilson, Almiron and Saint-Maximin will all miss Newcastle’s Premier League games with Aston Villa and relegation-rivals Brighton and Hove Albion will surely leave the Magpies head coach deeply disappointed.

United are just a single point better off than the Seagulls heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures, but Graham Potter’s side would move above the St. James’ Park natives should they avoid defeat at Southampton on Sunday and Aston Villa win on Friday thanks to a superior goal difference.

Regardless of results this weekend, next Saturday’s meeting at the Amex will be a pivotal six-pointer in the fight for survival, too, with 18th-placed Fulham hot on Newcastle and Brighton’s tail after a run of form that saw Scott Parker nominated for February’s Manager of the Month award.

Having just Wilson back for the Toon’s trip to the south coast could have been huge, with the 29-year-old not only the club’s top-scorer but also lead assist maker with five over 21 outings in the Premier League so far this season.

Wilson, Saint-Maximin and Almiron account for 59% of the 27 goals scored by United players in the top-flight this term, along with 53% of the 17 assists registered.

The Toon have also scored just twice in the four games played without Wilson to date, and will be desperate to see Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll or Joelinton change their fortunes on Friday.

AND in other news, Newcastle eye summer swoop for £16k-p/w maestro once lauded for being “the most gifted” player…

Jurgen Klopp and Julian Ward could bring a new striker to Liverpool this summer in the shape of Lautaro Martinez.

What’s the word?

That’s according to the latest reports from TuttoMercato, who claim that the 24-year-old has decided that he wants a move to a “big club with many titles” and the Reds have him in their crosshairs as a result.

The Italian outlet suggests that Martinez will not be playing his football for Inter Milan next season, with the Nerazzurri looking to free up some budget.

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The fee will of course depend on the way he ends the season but is reported to be around €80m (£67m).

It is said that Arsenal and Atletico Madrid had made their interest known, though the Argentinian striker was not willing to entertain a move to either side, with his sites set on joining a club that has won “many titles.”

Possible destinations suggested by TuttoMercato are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City or Bayern Munich.

An elite club

Thanks to their historical success and silverware as of recent, Liverpool are in an elite and forthright position to sign the “sensational” £76k-per-week talent.

Klopp would be right to do so, with Martinez notching up some impressive numbers in regards to his goal returns. In 42 appearances this season, the Argentina international has three assists.

Lautaro has demonstrated that he can be more creative, having created 11 assists last season, when Lukaku was the main man in Milan.

Being an out-and-out striker, he would offer a presence up-top that Liverpool have not had since Luis Suarez.

Capable of adapting to the style of Lionel Messi, his teammate in the national team, Martinez could find a new partnership with Mohammed Salah.

Of recent, Salah has established an identity as a top goalscorer, and if he would be willing to collaborate with the 24-year-old in Liverpool’s frontline, we could well see a deadly duo in the Premier League.

This is a transfer that few clubs have the opportunity to pull off, so it would be worth a look at least from the perspective of Jurgen Klopp.

In other news: Julian Ward could now unearth Liverpool’s next Trent in £540k-rated “wonderkid”…

In the words of UFC octagon announcer Bruce Buffer, “IT’S TIME!!!”

The January transfer window has finally opened its doors, meaning Manchester United may be tempted to dip into the market to strengthen their squad before the end of the season.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish publication AS (via Sports Witness), Real Madrid star Isco is on the Red Devils’ radar and the La Liga giants are open to offloading the attacking midfielder.

Ever since he first arrived at Madrid from Malaga back in 2013, Isco, 28, has provided 51 goals and 55 assists in 318 appearances across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

However, it seems his time at the Bernabeu is finally coming to an end as it appears he is deemed surplus to requirements after falling down the pecking order under Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, having made just three starts thus far this season.

Mata 2.0?

Bruno Fernandes has cemented his place on the world stage as he is unequivocally the biggest creative asset at the club right now – since his arrival at Old Trafford this time last year, the former Sporting Lisbon playmaker has scored 26 goals and supplied 17 assists in 45 appearances, which is a pretty remarkable record.

But the same can’t be said for Daniel James, Juan Mata or indeed Donny van de Beek, who has arguably struggled to hit the ground running after Ed Woodward signed the 23-year-old from Ajax for £35m on a five-year deal last summer.

Mata has been a loyal servant of the club and has produced some memorable moments over the years since joining the club six years ago, including his famous bicycle kick away at Anfield.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does have several options to provide cover and competition for the advanced player position – namely Fernandes, Mata and Van de Beek – there isn’t a lot of depth in this area.

In fact, we’d even go so far as to say that the former Spanish international would be a significant upgrade on most of the midfield options that are currently available, barring Fernandes.

Recently described as a “fantastic” beast by his former Madrid and now-Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, the 28-year-old played four games in the Champions League last season and scored one goal, whilst he averaged two shots, 1.5 tackles and 1.8 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

By comparison, Mata could only muster 1.4 dribbles on average per game in the Europa League last season, as per WhoScored.

Ed Woodward simply can’t afford to ignore a player such as Isco, let alone let him slip through his fingers, especially when you consider the fact that his market value is estimated at a mere £18m, via Transfermarkt. However, it seems his former club Malaga are in the driving seat, so the board may have a bidding war on their hands should the Spaniard pique their interest.

AND in other news, Manchester United can sign their next David Beckham in Bundesliga starlet Solskjaer wants…

Harry Wilson’s permanent departure from Liverpool this summer is ‘looking likely’, The Athletic journalist Caoimhe O’Neill reports. 

The lowdown

Wilson made just his second senior appearance for Liverpool in the League Cup Round of 16 against Arsenal before joining Cardiff City on loan – it is Wilson’s fifth temporary spell away from Anfield.

He spent the 2019/20 campaign at Bournemouth after previous stints at Derby County, Hull City and Crewe Alexandra.

A hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Birmingham City last weekend took Wilson to seven Championship goals for the season, alongside his 12 assists (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

O’Neill expects Wilson to prepare for the 2021/22 season with Liverpool before making a permanent exit.

The Reds demanded £15million for Wilson last summer and, as it stands, that price-tag hasn’t changed.

Burnley were rebuffed in their £12million approach for the Wales international and it’s understood that they won’t revive their interest. He has two years left on his contract.

The verdict

Liverpool couldn’t have asked for much more from Wilson while out on loan.

The 24-year-old ranks second in the division for assists and was labelled a ‘magic’ player by Neil Harris, who was in charge in South Wales until January.

He would be a good squad player for the Reds, deployed predominantly in cup competitions.

But Wilson is good enough to be playing consistent Premier League football, albeit in the bottom half of the division, so it could be a win win for all parties for the Reds to finally cash in this summer.

In other news, fans have been reacting to this sensational Mohamed Salah claim.

After such an inconsistent campaign, Wolves no longer have anything to play for this season.

Nuno Santo’s team have performed well below par and as they gear up to face Brighton this afternoon, they will do so from 12th in the table.

Ambitions of qualifying for Europe have fallen by the wayside but it’s not been entirely the manager’s fault.

Wolves have suffered from a mind-blowing number of injuries this term with Jonny sustaining two ACL problems and Raul Jimenez fracturing his skull.

Pedro Neto has broken his knee cap while Willy Boly will miss the game on Sunday while he recovers from the after-effects of the ongoing pandemic.

With all this in mind, how will Wolves line up when they welcome Brighton to Molineux this weekend?

We’re tipping Nuno to make three changes to the side that drew with West Brom last time.

There is no place for Willian Jose in the side as Fabio Silva gets an opportunity to build on the goal he netted against the Baggies.

There is one change in the attack where Owen Otasowie drops out after his rare chance last weekend. With that in mind, Daniel Podence comes back into the fray in a wide position.

Vitinha gets another chance as the attacking midfielder after shining so bright at the Hawthorns.

The other change could be an enforced one. Wolves are currently sweating over the fitness of Rayan Ait-Nouri and if he can’t make the game, Max Kilman might come into the team.

The left-back replaced him towards the end of their clash with Albion but the £14k-per-week earner hasn’t actually started for the Old Gold since February 7th.

Boly misses out so it’s a centre-back pairing of Conor Coady and Romain Saiss again.

Joao Moutinho is back to full fitness so he replaces Leander Dendoncker in midfield for the third and final change in this XI. He has been absent for the last two matches with a minor ankle problem.

AND in other news, Wolves beast who became “ridiculous” under Nuno sees his value rise by 180% in 3 years…