All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming that Curtis Jones may play for England’s under-21s tonight despite having a potential injury problem.

The Reds make the trip to Watford on Saturday lunchtime, but midfield options could be sparse for Jurgen Klopp at Vicarage Road.

Thiago remains a doubt while long-term injury victim Harvey Elliott is definitely out of the action, while Fabinho also looks set to be unavailable due to quarantining after international duty with Brazil.

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It means that Jones is an even more important figure than usual, but the 20-year-old has been suffering with an injury issue of his own.

According to Sky Sports Premier League on Twitter, his groin will be assessed before England under-21s’ clash with Andorra on Monday night, suggesting that he could play a part in proceedings.

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Liverpool fans unhappy at Jones latest

These Liverpool fans have reacted angrily to the news on Twitter, saying the midfielder simply shouldn’t be risked for tonight’s England under-21 clash.

“How about not risking a player with a tight groin? Would really appreciate midfielders not becoming the new defenders in terms of injuries for Liverpool this season”

Credit: @_lfcleanne

“It begins”

Credit: @azruldotmy

“Why is he even being considered? He’s injured, the lad has played loads recently for Liverpool and needs some time off. England did this last year with Gomez and he was out for a year and Henderson out for 3 months, the medical department at England is one of the worst in sport”

Credit: @nathLFC123

“Just leave him alone to be ready for Liverpool please”

Credit: @gerald_ynwa

“Why is the England fitness staff the worst in the world? They always seem to play players that aren’t fully fit”

Credit: @KrissDZN

“Against Andorra of all teams as well, not exactly super important that he plays that game”

Credit: @AlanFox_

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to a Reds-related transfer rumour. Read more here.

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as transfer news emerged on Franck Kessie.

As per a report this week by 90min, which has since been shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the Goodison Park club – as well as Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Leicester City – are monitoring his situation at AC Milan, where he has yet to agree to sign a new deal with his contract expiring next summer.

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint Germain have all enquired about Kessie, but a move to the Premier League is high on the wish list for the Ivory Coast international, who struck 14 goals last season for the Rossoneri despite playing as a defensively-orientated midfielder.

Given the calibre of competition for his signature, and the fact that he is currently playing in the UEFA Champions League, it would be quite the coup for the Merseyside club if they were able to snap him up.

Everton fans on Kessie transfer news

These Toffees fans buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one claiming that they were ‘excited’ and another describing it as ‘awesome’:

“PLEASE”

Credit: @29tooffeeezz

“I heard this the other day before their match last night in which he got sent off. Once Everton has touched you ……. (P.S would be an awesome signing to be fair)”

Credit: @joshhodge81

“Absolute masterstroke if we pull that off”

Credit: @_EvertonTheGear

“JUST INJECT HIM IN TO MY VEINS!! He’s great on the counter which is what this team needs. There are critics to his tackling ability but we have that bulldog Allan to help with that. Please @Everton get this man!!!!!!”

Credit: @GeezyEFC

“I wish mate, imagine Allan, Doucoure and Kessie in midfield”

Credit: @JoeyOconnor22

“Don’t even get me excited like that!!”

Credit: @EFCDayne

In other news, find out what contract news has had these Everton fans buzzing

Southampton fans were shocked after club managing director Toby Steele said owner Gao Jisheng is passionate about the team even though he is silent.

The Saints are preparing for the new campaign, which kicks off this weekend – they will face Everton at Goodison Park in their first clash. They have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in five new faces (Sky Sports), and they will be hoping to improve on their 15th place finish from last term.

Gao is the man in charge at the club and he is not incredibly popular (This Is Futbol)

It is rare that fans will hear from the businessman, who is already looking to sell the club just four years after buying it (The Daily Echo), while he has failed to invest in the side as much as the supporters want (The Financial Times).

However, Steele has still suggested the boss is ‘extremely passionate’ about the south-coast outfit.

The comments were shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments on Gao below

“Toby, please, listen to that one back and try and keep a straight face.”

Credit: @lucyhighnett

“Still called the owner invisible”

Credit: @neuhausenmatt

“What a joke”

Credit: @MoveRoot

“Next joke”

Credit: @JoshSFC13578

“blink twice if you’re being held hostage”

Credit: @bruhsound1111

“Surely if he loves the club he’d let ralph spend money”

Credit: @Oscar87466990

In other news, Southampton want this ace compared to Arjen Robben.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been handed a hefty injury boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the Express & Star, Bruno Lage revealed that Bruno Jordao, who has not featured competitively for Wolves for 16 months due to a knee injury, is finally back in training with the first-team squad, and could be in contention for the trip to Norwich City on Saturday.

Asked whether the central midfielder is once again an option for his matchday squads, the 45-year-old said: “Yes, he’s one more. He started working two or three days ago. He needs time.

“We have six weeks to work with him and after see if he’s ready to compete for a place or if he needs to take another decision. I am very happy with him. I knew him when I arrived and saw him since the first day working hard to come back as soon as possible.

“Now he needs to show me on the pitch that he wants to fight for a place in the team. I need to see Bruno. I want to give him a lot of confidence to be ready to train and compete and try to understand the dynamic he can give us.

“I saw some games from him in the past but it’s soon for me to make a conclusion on what he can give to our team. Since the first day, he has been a good professional. I am very happy with that mentality.”

Lage will be buzzing

Considering just how short of options Lage currently is in the middle of the park, the return of Jordao, particularly with the hectic Christmas schedule of the Premier League soon upon us, is sure to have left the Portuguese manager buzzing.

Indeed, prior to the 23-year-old’s return, the Wolves boss had just Ruben Neves, Leander Dendoncker or Joao Moutinho to pick from in central midfield, with this trio having returned just one goal and one assist over their accumulative 32 top-flight appearances.

And, while Jordao is by no means an out and out attacking midfielder, the former Portugal U21 international has scored one goal over his four first-team appearances since his £8.01m move to Molineux back in the summer of 2019, something which would suggest he could be used as a more attack-minded option by Lage.

In any case, the return of an extra body in the middle of the park is undoubtedly a huge boost for the 45-year-old manager, who will be looking to continue his side’s run of excellent form against Norwich City this weekend.

In other news: Hatfield drops Wolves transfer claim on “unplayable” £17m-rated dynamo, Shi must act

AFC Bournemouth have reportedly joined Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City in the race to sign Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell on loan, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

What’s the story?

Sheffield Wednesday had previously been interested in a deal to sign Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell on loan for the upcoming 2021/22 season, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

It was revealed last week that Birmingham City were also keen on reaching an agreement to sign the Northern Irish international, although it remained to be seen as to which club was leading the race to land his signature.

However, Nixon has now revealed that AFC Bournemouth have entered the race to sign Peacock-Farrell, as they look to find a suitable replacement for Asmir Begovic, who recently departed in favour of a move to Everton.

Nixon has also reported that Burnley are looking to obtain a fee of £300,000 to send the goalkeeper out on loan this term, as he is their current second-choice option between the posts.

‘A very good asset’

Sheffield Wednesday’s interest in signing a goalkeeper of Peacock-Farrell’s quality made perfect sense, with both Joe Wildsmith and Cameron Dawson not exactly filling the club’s supporters with much confidence in recent months.

Nixon has claimed that Wildsmith could be set to depart if Sheffield Wednesday are to secure a deal to sign another goalkeeper this summer, which hints that his future lies away from Hillsborough.

The Owls conceded 61 goals in total in the 2020/21 Championship season, which certainly doesn’t make for the best of reading, and those defensive problems will have to be addressed at the earliest of opportunities this term.

Peacock-Farrell could be the ideal option to have between the posts for Darren Moore’s side this term, as he’s shown that he can perform to a high standard in the past, having kept ten clean sheets for Leeds United in the 2018/19 season, before heading to Turf Moor with Burnley.

Bournemouth will fancy their chances of striking a deal for the 24-year-old though, as they’re likely to be able to offer him regular minutes.

But Sheffield Wednesday can also offer that, and Darren Moore’s side should be pushing ahead with their interest in signing the shot-stopper on a temporary basis now that the Cherries are also rumoured to be keen on landing his signature.

Even though they’re playing their football in the third tier now, they should still be doing all they can to sign Peacock-Farrell on loan this term, and it would be somewhat of a coup for the Owls if they manage to do so this summer.

Marcelo Bielsa previously issued high-praise for Peacock-Farrell, and labelled him as a ‘very good asset’, which makes for good reading for the goalkeeper, with Bielsa establishing Leeds as a strong force in the Premier League since then.

“I think he is a very good asset for Leeds because he has been formed in the club, he is very young, he will play as a professional player for 15 years at least and if he takes advantage of the time positively, either playing or not, because when you play what you see is the limits you have, the mistakes you make.”

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been sharing their delight at an off-field update provided by The Athletic’s senior writer Dominic Fifield.

The Eagles are still on the hunt to land Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor and came close following talks with former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Those discussions came to an end last week, but despite the managerial vacancy, Palace have bolstered their scouting ranks.

Fifield revealed on Monday morning that the Eagles have prised the highly regarded Chris Jones away from Norwich City. Jones, previously of Leeds United and Wolves, has a strong knowledge of the domestic and European markets, according to Fifield.

Palace look set to be in for a busy few months ahead of the 2021/22 campaign in terms of recruitment, with 11 senior players included in the club’s initial Premier League released list.

Palace fans react

Fifield shared the news on Twitter regarding the Eagles’ swoop for Jones. These Palace supporters were quick to react to the post, with one describing the update as ‘fantastic’.

“This is massive. We’ve been wanting a change from just signing domestic players. We’re going to become one of them teams that sign young budget players, develop them then sell them on for profit. Also very attractive for a manager coming in knowing this is going on. “Credit: @ReeceJMT”This is a great appointment for Palace.”Credit: @FYPFanzine”Fantastic”Credit: @dawzey16″Well that sounds promising”Credit: @cpfcjude”Good news we need to freshen up throughout the club”Credit: @Bigzinho3″Massive!! Has been the weak link (scouting) before 2010 arrived. Building foundations to grow the club further under SP & DF.”Credit: @_TimMiller

In other news: Journalist answers question on Steve Cooper taking over at Palace, find out more here. 

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass believes that Cristiano Ronaldo will play as a centre-forward for Manchester United.

The Portuguese international returned to Old Trafford last month from Juventus, in a deal worth around £12.87m plus a further £6.86m in add-ons according to Sky Sports.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 118 goals for the Red Devils in his previous spell with the club before joining Spanish giants Real Madrid for a then record dee of £80m, scoring 450 goals and providing a further 132, before joining Juventus and scoring 101 goals in just 134 games.

Ronaldo is a pure goal machine and Windass believes that he will feature as the central striker for Manchester United, telling Football FanCast: “I think he’ll play as a number nine but as you say he can play on the right, he can play on the left, but I think in my opinion, Ole has bought him as a number nine.”

Manchester United had a brilliant summer transfer window, as alongside bringing Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, the Red Devils also completed the signings of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Making world-class additions to their squad and having made an unbeaten start to the new Premier League campaign, everybody connected with Manchester United will be hoping that they can challenge major honours this season and put some major silverware in the trophy cabinet once again.

Leeds United are still in the race to sign Nahitan Nandez this summer, although Tottenham continue to provide strong competition.

The Lowdown: Nandez a constant target

Few players have been more heavily linked with a move to the Whites in recent months than Nandez, with endless reports tipping him to sign.

The 25-year-old is seemingly eager to leave Serie A side Cagliari this summer, as he looks for a fresh challenge at a superior team.

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The Latest: Fresh update provided

A new update has now emerged regarding Nandez’s future, with Calciomercato [via Sport Witness] claiming that Inter Milan and Atalanta are ‘behind Leeds and Tottenham’ in the race to sign the Uruguay international.

A report from Centotrentuno does suggest that Spurs are favourites, however, with Napoli also mentioned as potential suitors.

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The Verdict: Ideal midfield signing

If Leeds manage to snap up Nandez this summer, it would feel like a major coup, considering he has won 41 caps for a strong Uruguay side also featuring the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

He could help strengthen a Leeds midfield that lacks a top-class player alongside Kalvin Phillips, making Marcelo Bielsa’s side an even more fearsome unit.

Nandez has been hailed as one of the ‘most underrated’ players by Italian football expert Nina Rzouki, as well as ‘amazing’, which speaks volumes about his ability. One run of form last season even led the pundit to simply say: ‘Wow, unstoppable.’

This feels like the perfect move to add depth and quality alongside Phillips.

In other news, Leeds reportedly missed out on the signing of one international veteran this summer. Read more here.

A shock new contender has emerged for the vacant West Bromwich Albion manager’s job this weekend…

What’s the word?

According to The Mirror, former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is being considered for The Hawthorns hot seat in a surprising twist as the Midlands outfit continue their search to find Sam Allardyce’s successor.

It was confirmed earlier this month that the 73-year-old would be leaving Crystal Palace after four seasons at the helm in south London, and he’s now on the shortlist of potential options at West Brom.

Former Sheffield United chief Chris Wilder is thought to be the favourite, with Barnsley head coach Valerian Ismael also high up on the list.

Albion appear to be edging nearer to what would be a landmark appointment following their relegation to the Championship after Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre reported that they were ‘very close’ to making a decision [27th May 18:00].

Dowling’s big dilemma

Baggies sporting director Luke Dowling now has a difficult decision on his hands. Picking the next manager to take Albion forward is no easy feat, especially considering the candidates.

Wilder has an impressive track record behind him, having transformed the Blades from mid-table League One strugglers to the cusp of being a Europa League side in the space of just four years, whilst Hodgson’s previous time at West Brom saw them record their highest top-flight finish in over two decades.

After such a dismal campaign back in the Premier League last term, recording a club divisional low of five wins, it is important for Dowling to get this appointment absolutely spot-on.

Performances did improve a bit under Allardyce  – drawing at Liverpool and thrashing Champions League winners Chelsea on their own patch – but ultimately it wasn’t enough as they struggled for goals and couldn’t stop leaking them either.

As revealed by The Mirror, it is thought that the Baggies to not want to restrict their choice to just one man, with Frank Lampard also in the running.

Working in Hodgson’s favour is the fact that there would be no compensation to pay for his services, on top of his previous success at The Hawthorns, whereas Barnsley want £1.5m to let their transformative head coach depart Oakwell.

The 73-year-old hasn’t ruled out staying in the dugout either, so it would certainly be an interesting yet surprising twist to see him return to his former club.

It’s now on Dowling to select the best candidate as Albion hone in on their next manager.

AND in other news, “I understand”: Journalist drops big claim in West Brom manager hunt, fans surely buzzing…

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Mateusz Klich could be left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday.

The Lowdown: Klich a regular

Klich has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, taking his Leeds tally to 173.

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The 31-year-old has turned out as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder and is yet to miss a game under new boss Jesse Marsch.

He played alongside Robin Koch in the 3-0 win over Watford last time out but made way on the hour mark for Kalvin Phillips.

The Latest: Robinson’s reacts to Phillips image

Talking to MOT Leeds News after seeing an image of Phillips back in full training, Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, gave his thoughts on how Leeds’ midfield could shape up at Selhurst Park.

He believes Phillips, who was spotted in full flow at Thorp Arch this week, could make a first start since December alongside Koch, which would mean Klich would drop out.

“For me, Phillips and [Adam] Forshaw both come in if they’re fit and able to play 90 minutes.

“I know they played well at Watford so I don’t think both Phillips and Forshaw will come back in.

“Forshaw’s been out so he’ll probably have to get his game-time off the bench.

“Phillips should come in alongside either Klich or Koch.

“It’ll probably be alongside Koch if Jesse Marsch is going to play that way again.”

The Verdict: Right call?

Bringing back Phillips from the off could be a wise by Marsch move following Leeds’ 16-day break.

Klich also had an afternoon to forget at Vicarage Road last time out. As per SofaScore, he was Leeds’ worst-rated player in the 3-0 victory, losing possession 16 times and failing to complete any of his attempted long balls.

The central midfielder was also second best in nine of his 12 duels, so it could be a wise move to leave him out of the starting XI at Selhurst Park as Leeds look to take a step closer to safety.

In other news: Approach made: 49ers and Radz now in exit talks with club for ‘awful’ Leeds defender.