All posts by z3u9t.icu

Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham side travel to North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, where a win will boost Spurs’ chances of securing a top four spot this season, whilst it would all but end the Gunners’ hopes of achieving the same goal.

After some impressive performances of late, including in the 2-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, the Portuguese manager should consider unleashing Erik Lamela against the Gunners.

The Argentinian has produced some superb cameo appearances from the bench in recent domestic fixtures and has been excellent in both of his last two starts in the Europa League, earning an 8.28 WhoScored rating for his performance against Wolfsberger and a 7.19 rating in the win against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday.

The former Roma man, who reportedly earns £80,000 per week at Tottenham, played a huge part in Spurs’ opening goal against the Croatian side as he produced an excellent piece of skill on the edge of the box before seeing his outside-of-the-foot shot come back off the post, leaving Harry Kane with a tap-in.

Mourinho is a big fan of Lamela, having praised his willingness to play against Chelsea last season despite carrying a knock, saying: “That’s Lamela. Amazing guy, fantastic player and trying to help the team.”

These are the sorts of attributes which can be vital, particularly in derby games, and Lamela has shown that he loves to get stuck in and win the ball back under Mourinho. He has averaged 1.8 tackles per game in the Europa League for Spurs so far this season, so he could be a game-changer in the Emirates Stadium if he can win the ball back high up the pitch and kickstart a counterattack.

Considering he has just five starts in the Premier League this season, most recently against West Ham last month, it would be something of a risk to start the 29-year-old for such an important game. However, considering Arsenal’s tendency to give the ball away in dangerous positions, having a workhorse such as Lamela in an attacking midfield role could turn the game in Spurs’ favour.

Mourinho also described Lamela as “chaotic” recently and that is perhaps the exact sort of player who could make the difference for Spurs in what is likely going to be a tough match for the Lilywhites at the home of their arch-rivals.

Therefore, the Portuguese manager should take a risk and hand the 29-year-old just his sixth start of the Premier League season in the hope that he can be the game-changer in the derby.

In other news… Bye-bye Sissoko: Levy should seal swoop for £16.2m-rated beast who Klopp loves

Steven Gerrard has dropped a huge update about Allan McGregor’s contract situation at Glasgow Rangers.

What’s the word?

The 39-year-old, who re-joined Rangers on a two-year deal after his contract at Hull City expired in 2018, returned from his summer holidays fresh and revitalised and has helped Gerrard’s side storm to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

“We are delighted with his form and if he can maintain that from now until the end of the season then I am sure that will be a big help to us. He is the reason, or one of the big reasons, why we are in the position we are in today,” Gerrard said, as reported by The Glasgow Times.

“We all know his age, we all know his situation and in the coming weeks, I will be sitting down with Allan and having a real good conversation to see what is next for him.

“He will be a major factor in what happens moving forward. We will respect him. He knows his body, he knows where he’s at, he knows where his hunger levels are.”

McGregor has cemented himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, and with his current deal expiring in the summer, a new deal seems like the next logical step given Gerrard’s comments on his long-term role in the side, provided the veteran wants to continue.

Ross Wilson must act now

Despite his advanced age, McGregor is showing no signs of slowing down just yet. He has made 20 Premiership appearances this season, keeping 14 clean sheets, that being the best of any other keeper in the competition besides Aberdeen’s Joe Lewis as they sit joint-top of the leaderboard.

Even his closest rival Jon McLaughlin is struggling to keep up, although he has experienced a downturn in terms of game time most recently but still, the seasoned veteran keeps waxing strong.

While McGregor, who was recently described as “irreplaceable” by the Ibrox manager, may not be the same player he was a decade ago, he has adapted to the rigours of modern-day football and he almost always delivers when it matters the most.

The Rangers ace’s display in the second Old Firm derby of the season proved that while he may be getting on in years, age is just a number and that class is permanent. Against Kilmarnock, he managed to keep yet another clean sheet to add to his impressive record.

When the going gets tough, it’s fair to say that McGregor will come up with the goods more often than not, just like he has done for the majority of his career. This is exactly why Ross Wilson must act now – he simply means too much to the club both on the pitch and off it in terms of their future success.

AND in other Rangers news, Ross Wilson must prioritise giving Glen Kamara a new contract…

Players at Newcastle United are said to have been ‘disgusted’ at the leaking of Karl Darlow being dropped before their 1-1 home draw against Wolves.

As per the Daily Mail, the 30-year-old goalkeeper had not been informed of the decision and found out through the media, and the players believe that Steve Bruce leaked the news to the press.

Despite Darlow challenging Bruce over the report, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss denied leaking the story.

The Mail have also reported of a training ground bust-up between Bruce and Matt Ritchie in which the manager was said to have physically confronted his player and barged into him after the former AFC Bournemouth ace called him a ‘coward’.

Newcastle in turmoil

It seems as if everything is far from rosy in the garden at the moment at St. James’ Park.

The North East club are currently a mere three points off of the drop zone after 26 games (BBC Sport), with a real chance of getting relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship.

The pressure is clearly mounting on both Bruce and his players to deliver results from now until the end of the 2020/21 term and it is perhaps not a surprise to hear of the fallouts on Tyneside.

Nonetheless, they will have to put everything behind them now and group together to fight for their place in the top flight for another season.

In other news, find out what relegation claim Ben Jacobs has dropped on the potential takeover here!

Southampton were handed a significant blow recently, as it was confirmed that centre-back Jannik Vestergaard is set to miss around four weeks of action due to injury.

The Danish defender has been crucial in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side so far this season, having made 13 appearances in the Premier League, scoring three goals and averaging a superb WhoScored 7.27 rating.

Whilst Jack Stephens filled in well against Fulham on Boxing Day, the injury to Vestergaard means that the South Coast club have just three senior centre-backs available to them, which includes Mohammed Salisu, who is yet to make his debut for the club.

Therefore, the Saints should consider adding another centre-back to their ranks in the upcoming January transfer window, especially as we are now in the busiest period of the season in terms of fixtures.

Hasenhuttl’s side, along with Fulham and Newcastle, were both recently linked with Vitoria Guimaraes defender Jorge Fernandes, following his impressive start to the season with the Liga NOS side.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, several Premier League sides including Southampton are taking an interest in the 23-year-old ahead of the winter transfer window.

Despite signing him for less than £1 million in the summer transfer window, his excellent start means the Portuguese side currently value the former Porto man at around £16 million.

This is perhaps no surprise, as in the eight league games he has played so far this season, Vitoria have kept clean sheets in six, conceding just two goals in total.

Vestergaard replacement?

With his 6ft 4in frame, Fernandes could be the ideal replacement for Vestergaard in the Southampton defence whilst the 28-year-old is sidelined, as he has been a huge threat from set-pieces so far this season, so adding Fernandes could help re-establish that threat.

The Portuguese defender could definitely take advantage of James Ward-Prowse’s pinpoint delivery should he be signed in January and considering his strong performances this season, this definitely looks to be a deal that Martin Semmens should consider.

His performances in the league have seen him average a 6.86 rating, which is better than Jack Stephens’ average rating so far this season and only marginally worse than Jan Bednarek’s, so it could definitely be argued that Fernandes would be a worthwhile addition in January, so perhaps we will see the Saints bring him in following the update on Vestergaard’s injury.

And, in other news… Southampton ace who won a whopping 17 duels will have Hasenhuttl drooling

Wolves are currently enduring a torrid time, and with just two wins in their last ten games, the pressure is mounting on Nuno Santo.

Fortunately, they have a January transfer window to try and turn things around.

What’s the word?

Wolves were reportedly interested in signing Brazilian flanker Douglas Costa during the summer market.

However, they may now have an opportunity to land the Brazilian on loan in January.

That’s because his current loan spell with Bayern Munich is not playing out as Juventus would have hoped, and thus, they want to send him to either the Premier League or La Liga.

That is according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness) who suggest that above all, Wolves and Manchester United are interested in luring him to England.

That being said, it might be difficult for the Molineux outfit because of his £184k-per-week wages.

Dream Jota replacement

When Wolves let Diogo Jota leave for Liverpool in the summer, it seemed to be a deal that suited all parties.

The Portuguese wasn’t a regular in the side towards the back end of 2019/20 and Jeff Shi was getting a fee of £41m for his services.

Yet, since he left, it’s pretty evident that Liverpool got the best deal. Jota has already netted a Champions League hat-trick and has nine goals across all competitions.

Clearly, with Raul Jimenez now out, they are lacking an attacking lynchpin, someone like Jota who could take the game by the scruff of the neck.

As good as Adama Traore and Pedro Neto are, even they are struggling to pull Wolves through their current rut.

Yet, with a player like Costa, he could change their fortunes around. Similarly to Jota, he is a dynamic winger capable of terrorising the opposition.

The 30-year-old has started just six times while on loan at Bayern this term, but his sheer ingenuity is frightening. Words from Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu and Bayern expert Philip Rober typify that. Lucescu claimed he was “ruthless” a few years ago before Rober hailed his greatest attributes.

He said: “Great dribbling skills, explosive pace – both over short and long distances – and a powerful shot in both feet, allied to the ability to beat defenders and a set-piece threat, make him a potent asset.”

Jota was a player with plenty of pace, while his ability to beat players is remarkable. Like Costa, they have a habit of turning games on their head with their dazzling skills.

For instance, despite his minimal game time this term, the 31-cap Brazil international has still managed 0.9 dribbles per game. At his peak, he managed 3.4 dribbles a match – a tally that usurps Jota’s best Premier League season average by a rate of 1.5.

This would undoubtedly be a good signing from Shi, even if it is just for half a season.

AND in other news, Shi can save Wolves’ season with swoop for “magic” £27m beast, he “can create panic”…

Newcastle United edged past West Bromwich Albion at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon to win their first game in 15 days.

The Magpies took an early lead after Miguel Almiron scored after just 20 seconds, but Slaven Bilic’s side hit back after the break with a goal from Darnell Furlong, before Dwight Gayle spared Steve Bruce from potential embarrassment with a fine finish on his first appearance of the season.

Bruce revealed he would be missing a “big chunk of players” before the Premier League game at home against West Brom on Saturday, with Martin Dubravka and Allan Saint-Maximin ruled out due to injury.

But that doesn’t excuse the shocking display by those who were trusted to start instead, although arguably none more so than former Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis, who has looked out-of-sorts ever since he signed on a five-year deal in the summer. His market value is estimated at £13.5m via Transfermarkt, though his latest display will have left a lot to be desired.

As per SofaScore, the 22-year-old was ranked as the worst player on the pitch with an abysmal grade of 6.2 out of ten – he lost possession 11 times, lost 100% of his duels, and failed to register a single tackle or complete a single dribble from three attempts.

ChronicleLive handed Lewis a miserable rating of 6/10 and claimed he ‘got in a tussle with Furlong and now needs to stay cool after booking’, whilst 90min were equally scathing in their assessment by giving him a grade below, insisting he ‘was at fault for the equaliser on 50 minutes and was shot for confidence after that.’

This kind of hot-headed attitude is the last thing Bruce needs to deal with at the moment as he battles a squad crises at the club.

It’s hardly surprising the full-back was taken off after 69′ minutes, although you do have to wonder why he even started in the first place, as he has arguably done very little to justify ten starts so far this season, especially when you consider the fact that Matt Ritchie was once again available for selection.

Gareth Bale’s sensational return to Tottenham Hotspur may only be a temporary one, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

Spanish outlet AS have claimed that the Welsh superstar is keeping an eye on developments at parent club, Real Madrid, as manager Zinedine Zidane’s future is put under scrutiny.

If the 48-year-old is sacked or leaves the La Liga giants before the summer, then it could open the door for Bale to return to the Bernabeu for one final swansong. Madrid president Florentino Perez remains a massive fan.

Now valued at just £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the veteran winger has 18 months to run on his current deal in Spain.

Big blow to all

Jose Mourinho has been easing Bale back into the swing of things in north London very slowly, after all, he missed a large chunk of last term as well as pre-season through injury.

He’s played just 509 minutes in nine appearances, primarily featuring in the Europa League. In all competitions, Bale has found the net twice but is currently being outshone by the form of prolific duo Heung-min Son and Harry Kane.

The 31-year-old will still have a massive part to play as the season goes on, especially if Mourinho has to balance the prospects of a genuine title challenge alongside success in Europe.

He’s ideally someone Spurs should want to keep past his current loan agreement too, even more so on chairman Daniel Levy’s part as the revenue generated alone from shirt sales, merchandising and tickets from the popular legend is too much to ignore financially.

Gary Mabbutt told Football FanCast that Bale had “changed the dynamics of the dressing room” in an exclusive interview, which only adds further weight to keeping the £220k-per-week sensation around for the long-term.

Earlier in the campaign, Owen Hargreaves waxed lyrical about the wide man on BT Sport (via the Boot Room), he said:

“Out wide, he’s got to be tracking back but with his fitness, he isn’t going to do that. In the no. 10 role, he is closer to the goal and that’s what you want. He could be unplayable.”

Whilst in the past he’s been described as everything from a “cannonball” by Arsene Wenger to “special” by Mark Lawrenson, as per the Guardian.

This is a player that Spurs need to keep hold of, so it’s a worrying sign to see that he may well not be finished at Madrid just yet.

AND in other news, Levy should cash in on £23m “liability” as he’s ‘not the answer’…

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League later this evening when they host Crystal Palace at Molineux.

Nuno Santo’s side were on the cusp of three successive 1-0 victories before Jacob Murphy’s late free-kick cancelled out a Raul Jimenez strike, though it’s been a positive reaction to their 4-0 drubbing by West Ham United.

The Midlands outfit should have a clean bill of health barring long-term absentee Jonny Castro, so the Portuguese has plenty of selection headaches to overcome.

So, here’s the lineup we are predicting here tonight…

Nuno could make three changes with Steve Bruce’s Magpies in town.

Summer arrival Marcal is in line to return to the starting XI for the first time since picking up an injury early in the Man City defeat. After two substitute appearances, he should be fit to go from the off, though it means Max Kilman is axed at his expense with Romain Saiss dropping into the back three once more.

He partners skipper Conor Coady and the colossal Willy Boly in front of Rui Patricio between the sticks.

There could also be a return for industrious playmaker Joao Moutinho, who was surprisingly dropped on Sunday despite a starring role in the win over Leeds United.

He’ll partner Leander Dendoncker due to the added defensive stability he offers, meaning there’s no place for £45m-rated Ruben Neves in a midfield two.

We’ve suggested why Adama Traore should be unleashed against the Eagles’ inexperienced full-back Tyrick Mitchell here, it would be a surprise to not see the newly-capped Spaniard start given his influence.

The tricky £36m-rated winger is preferred to Daniel Podence with Pedro Neto taking up a place on the left flank.

Raul Jimenez, of course, leads the line upfront.

It means the likes of Fabio Silva, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ki-Jana Hoever are all named on the bench.

AND in other news, Wolves badly missed out on £38m “explosive dynamo” likened to MESSI this summer… 

Tomas Soucek offered David Moyes cause for concern as the West Ham United midfielder lost 72% of his duels while representing the Czech Republic at home to Israel in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday night.

Soucek has been a key aspect of Moyes’ plans at the London Stadium this term, with the 25-year-old just one of three outfield players to have featured for all 720 minutes of available Premier League action since the Hammers turned his loan move permanent for £19.1million this summer.

The former Slavia Prague ace’s game-winning goal at home to rivals Fulham prior to the November international break also saw Soucek become one of just seven players to have scored a top-flight goal in claret and blue this term, ending a nine-game drought.

Moyes would have hoped to see Soucek carry his east London form through the international break in order to return at his best for this weekend’s trip to Sheffield United, but was instead left with cause for concern after a stilted display at home to Israel.

Moyes has been full of praise for Soucek since the midfielder’s initial arrival on loan in January, with the West Ham boss noting earlier in the year how the 29-cap international’s initial form ensured he was never in a position to consider not pursuing a permanent deal.

The only way the Hammers chief felt Soucek would not return to the London Stadium would have been had West Ham suffered relegation, noting via quotes by football.london: “He was always sticking around.

“The only way he wouldn’t be was if we went down, but we always had him in our plans to be with us and he is a West Ham player. Simple as that. Tomas is really starting to blossom.

“To join a club in the Premier League and to make an impact so quickly is not easy, it takes time. Tomas has certainly helped us. Without him, I am not too sure we would have definitely remained a Premier League club.”

Soucek has maintained his importance at the London Stadium with West Ham’s most aerial duels attempted (87), won (48) and successful tackles (16), joint-most shots (18), third-most interceptions (11), fourth-most clearances (18) and fifth-most total passes (256) so far this term, per WhoScored.

He could not replicate those levels for the Czech Republic as a sole goal from Vladimir Darida assisted by Vladimir Coufal in the seventh-minute decided the Nations League tie, with Soucek struggling on-route to SofaScore’s joint-lowest match rating by a home player.

Soucek earned just a 6.7 out of 10 for his efforts, thanks to losing three of his four ground duels, two of his three aerial duels, turning over possession nine times, committing two fouls and seeing his only shot of the game blocked.

Furthermore, Czech Republic boss Jaroslav Silhavy only saw Soucek make one interception and three clearances as he failed to register a successful tackle while misplacing 17% of his 46 attempted passes.

Moyes will be hoping that it was only an off night from Soucek and not a sign of things to come, as he prepares to lead West Ham into Bramall Lane this Sunday.

AND in other news, West Ham’s “real magician” has just six weeks to prove David Moyes does not need his £17m “complete” target.

Leeds United put in an impressive performance, keeping their first clean sheet since returning to the Premier League, as they went on to beat Sheffield United 1-0.

Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison will understandably take a lot of the plaudits, due to their respective involvements in the only goal of the game.

However, plenty of other players are deserving of praise for their individual contributions to the cause and Luke Ayling is certainly one of those.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…

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He epitomised what Marcelo Bielsa demands his players bring to the team, as he was relentless, played with conviction and showed the quality in his game.

The mix of these qualities can be seen in the 29-year-old’s defensive statistics from the match, as he completed all four of his attempted tackles, while also making two clearances – Enda Stevens was the only player on the pitch to make more tackles.

He also battled for the ball well in the air, winning two of the three aerial duels that he competed in throughout the 90 minutes.

The right-back also showed attacking intent, completing all of the four dribbles he attempted, which is more than any other player on the pitch managed.

In addition, he completed 75% of his passes, one of which was a key pass, and also got two shots off.

It was an all-action performance from the Leeds man, who has shown, alongside his teammates, that he can take the step up from Championship level, translating Bielsa’s philosophy in a higher division.

Ayling’s overall performance, as well as those from various others in the team, is likely to leave the Argentinian feeling very satisfied.