All posts by z3u9t.icu

Aston Villa must avoid selling Anwar El Ghazi as major news emerges from Bodymoor Heath about Dean Smith’s position on the matter.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have revealed that El Ghazi’s teammate, Trezeguet, is set to be out of first-team action for the best part of a year after suffering an ACL injury in the clash against Liverpool.

And now, Football Insider claim that because of the Egyptian’s lay-off, he has made a U-turn on El Ghazi’s future at the Premier League club.

The report suggests that both Smith and the Villa hierarchy were prepared to cash in on the Dutchman in the summer, but that stance has now been changed given Trezeguet’s injury blow.

Dean Smith would be making a mistake

With eight goals in 23 games, El Ghazi certainly has a very impressive goal-scoring record this season in the Premier League, so it beggars belief that Smith wanted to get rid of him.

There’s no questioning that he’s got the ability to be a real game-changer for the side when he’s on song – you only have to look at his back-to-back goals against West Brom and Everton in Villa’s last two games to see that.

And, speaking after his goal against Crystal Palace earlier this year, former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown said: “Dean Smith told me his training in how he executes those finishes is there for all to see. Craig Shakespeare then backed him straight up when I ran into him later, he just said ‘what a technician he is.’

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“He’s practising in training, he has a bad week against Burnley: eight shots, great chances, can’t put one away. Then he scores against West Brom, then goes and puts one in the top bins like he did last night… Magnificent is the word we’re all looking for.”

Smith must avoid an unforgivable mistake by selling the £9m-rated El Ghazi this summer. And given Trezeguet’s injury update now, it would be even more of a foolish blunder on the part of the Villa boss to get rid of him.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this “great leader”…

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could be set for a January exit after finding opportunities hard to come by during his time at the club.

What’s the story?

The 24-year-old has been linked with an Old Trafford departure for several months, with the likes of Everton, Newcastle United and Wolves all credited with an interest in his services.

And now, well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Van de Beek’s future, stating he expects the creative talent to leave United over the coming months unless his current situation changes.

Popular Twitter page UtdReport relayed his comments, tweeting: “Fabrizio Romano: ‘As things stand now, in November, if the situation continues with Solskjær as manager, not trusting or playing Donny van de Beek, I expect Van de Beek to leave the club in January.'”

Man Utd fans will be worried

The Netherlands international arrived at United in the summer of 2020 via a £40m move from boyhood club Ajax but has been unable to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on a regular basis.

In his maiden campaign on English shores, Van de Beek started just 15 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, with only four of those outings coming in the Premier League.

His bit-part role under Solskjaer led to heavy speculation that he could seek pastures new last summer after only 12 months at the club, and Everton reportedly came close to securing his signature.

Marcel Brands, the Toffees director of football, openly admitted that the creative talent was on his list of potential targets before the deal collapsed.

“We had him on our list. At the beginning of the transfer window, we enquired at United, then it was impossible,” he told Dutch outlet NOS.

“At the end of the window, I received a call from Guido Albers, his agent, that he might be rented out after all. But at the last minute, it was cancelled. Stopped again.”

Since then, Van de Beek has only been awarded 154 minutes of action in all competitions in 2021/22 as he’s been forced to watch on from the sidelines and changed agents in an attempt to end his United nightmare.

And news that the engine room operator is set to depart Old Trafford will leave large sections of the club’s supporters worried, despite his limited impact.

With Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all in the final year of their contracts, United could be desperately sort of attacking midfielders next season, and Van de Beek’s exit would only add to their woes.

And, in other news…Murtough could finally end Man Utd’s midfielder hunt with “extraordinary” £42.5m beast

Manchester United have approached former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde as they look to appoint an interim manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal. 

What’s the story?

The Red Devils have been linked with several star names as they search for Solskjaer’s successor gathers pace, but a first-choice candidate appears to have been chosen.

According to news relayed by well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United chiefs have made contact with Valverde as they look for a short-term solution to their managerial vacancy.

He tweeted: “Manchester United board had a direct contact with former Barça manager Ernesto Valverde today, as per @JamieJackson___#MUFC. No decision made yet – he’s one of the five candidates in the list in case Mauricio Pochettino won’t be allowed to leave Paris Saint-Germain.”

Man Utd fans should be pleased

Although the prospect of another interim manager is not something that will get too many United fans off their seats, the idea that such a well-respected and proven tactician is being lined up as his alternative should at least provide some form of comfort.

In fact, after hearing of the big twist that Pochettino might be more difficult to lure away from PSG, seeing Valverde linked with the club should have supporters rather pleased.

Considering Valverde’s success, he certainly seems like a very good option if the Red Devils cannot lure the Argentine back to England as feared. After claiming three league titles and two Greek Cups across two spells with Olympiacos and taking charge of over 300 games in the Athletic Bilbao dugout over two separate stints, Valverde got his big break as Barca boss back in 2017.

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During his time in Catalonia, the 57-year-old guided the Blaugrana to consecutive La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey crown before being sacked in January 2020, but he’s been out of work ever since.

In Jamie Jackson’s original report, it’s claimed that Valverde has already held talks with football director John Murtough and that the Spaniard has begun identifying transfer targets ahead of the January window.

“It is understood Valverde has discussed with John Murtough, United’s football director, taking over on a temporary basis, with the club conscious that having worked with Lionel Messi at Barcelona he would be at ease managing Cristiano Ronaldo,” wrote Jackson.

“Valverde has started sounding out potential players he could add to strengthen the squad should he be appointed.”

Only time will tell if United and Valverde can agree terms on his temporary appointment, but supporters should view his arrival as the best of a bad situation.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops big Man Utd manager update that’ll surely leave fans gutted

A number of Aston Villa supporters have criticised Ashley Young’s performance in his side’s win away to Norwich City.

Steven Gerrard’s side produced a spirited performance away to Liverpool on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Anfield after Mohamed Salah penalty settled the game.

It may have been a negative result but it was further proof of the progress being made with Gerrard at the helm since he took charge last month.

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Tuesday’s trip to struggling Norwich was a far more winnable game, as Villa looked to get back to winning ways at Carrow Road.

They did just that, with Jacob Ramsey opening the scoring with a phenomenal solo goal, setting Gerrard’s men on their way to a well-fought victory which was wrapped up by Ollie Watkins.

One player who struggled for the visitors was Young, who was one of their worst rated players on Sofascore, completing just 19 passes and winning only two ground duels in his 60 minutes on the pitch, while he also made an error leading to a shot for the hosts.

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Villa fans criticise Young’s display

These Villa fans took to Twitter to lay into Young’s performance.

“Ashley Young has to go”

Credit: @Luiz_SZN

“We are massively over using Young. Good squad member to use sparingly but increasingly exposed as a regular starter”

Credit: @GeoffKnox67

“In the nicest way possible, we need to get Ashley Young off the pitch”

Credit: @DomH97

“Beg we get Ings on I don’t think I can take another half of Ashley Young’s first touch”

Credit: @euanavfc

“Ashley Young has been terrible today unfortunately”

Credit: @AvfcU

“Ashley Young has been woeful so far tonight”

Credit: @Valentine06

In other news, one Villa player has been urged to leave the club on loan. Find out who it is here.

Southampton face a tough trip to the Etihad on Wednesday evening where they’ll face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side picked up their first win in 10 Premier League games with a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane at the weekend, whilst City saw their impressive winning run come to an end at the hands of arch-rivals Manchester United.

However, it will still be a huge ask for the Saints to come away with anything from the game on Wednesday night, as Guardiola possesses incredible strength in depth at City, and he will be more than happy to make changes after the slip up against the Red Devils at the weekend.

Unfortunately, injury problems have seriously exposed Southampton’s lack of strength in depth, and with several players having only just returned from injury against Sheffield United, the Austrian has hinted that the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters and Ibrahima Diallo could be rested against City.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up against the champions-elect, with five changes from the team that started against Sheffield United…

Fraser Forster continues in goal after earning another clean sheet in the win at Bramall Lane.

There’s one change in defence, as Walker-Peters is rested. That sees Mohammed Salisu returning to the side at centre-back, with Jan Bednarek moving back to right-back.

There are three changes in midfield, as Takumi Minamino is rested after recovering from his own injury problems to play against Sheffield United, with Moussa Djenepo replacing him on the left, and hopefully, he can replace the Japanese international’s pressing intensity, with Jurgen Klopp dubbing him a “machine” for his work rate earlier in the season.

Stuart Armstrong also deserves a rest after featuring a lot recently, with Nathan Redmond coming in on the right-hand side.

If Diallo is also not risked at the Etihad, then it seems likely that Alexandre Jankewitz could replace him alongside James Ward-Prowse, and hopefully, the youngster has a more enjoyable trip to Manchester than his last one, where he was sent off within two minutes at Old Trafford.

Finally, in attack, Che Adams replaces the injured Danny Ings to start alongside Nathan Tella, who should keep his place after another impressive display against Sheffield United.

And, in other news… Deadwood: Hasenhuttl should axe £10.8m-rated flop if he wants to rebuild this summer

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to Patrick van Aanholt’s first-half display against West Brom on social media. 

The 30-year-old was handed his 17th league start of the campaign, with Wilfried Zaha replacing Andros Townsend in Roy Hodgson’s only change from the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Palace went into the game in 13th place, knowing a win would leapfrog them into 11th position ahead of Leeds United following their lunchtime stalemate with Chelsea.

Left-back van Aanholt, valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, has made over 125 appearances for Palace and is facing Baggies winger Matt Phillips at Selhurst Park.

Prior to kick-off, van Aanholt averaged a Premier League match rating of 6.48/10 this season, as per WhoScored – and it seems as if numerous Palace fans think he’s having a tough time of it this afternoon.

Palace fans react

This is what these Eagles supporters had to say about the Dutch defender’s first-half display against Sam Allardyce’s side, with one describing it as ‘dreadful’.

“van aanholt playing against us”

Credit: @palacejacob

‘I hate Patrick van aanholt, quicker he leaves the better imo'”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

“Pva is dreadful, just letting Phillips cross”

Credit: @Kevbartleyy

“Any positivity has quickly gone. Pat looks awful already – giving the ball away and not stopping crosses – Eze not natural at helping PVA out either.”

Credit: @PaulGDJ

“PVA already spun inside out”

Credit: @Benteke_SZN

“3 minutes and PvA has been beaten 3 times by Phillips and lost the ball twice. Some going that.”

Credit: @lukec_1987

In other news: ‘Keep him far away’, ‘In a heartbeat’ – Palace fans react as managerial news emerges, find out more here.

Celtic are weeks away from potentially lifting the SPFL trophy if they continue to put points on the board under the management of Ange Postecoglou.

With 34 league games played, the Parkhead club have won 27, drawn four and lost three, giving them a six-point gap over their Glasgow rivals Rangers in second place.

While the Hoops boss won’t want to disrupt the rhythm that his team are on, having not lost a league game since September, one potential change to the team that we think he should consider, either for the remainder of this season or for their next campaign is to unleash Karamoko Dembele.

They have already lost the services of one promising young player in Ben Doak of late and with Dembele’s own future in doubt, proving to him that he has a pathway to regular first-team minutes is of vital importance.

As a product of the club’s youth system, the 19-year-old has made just ten senior appearances for the Bhoys, scoring one goal in the process.

His first senior appearance came all the way back in 2019.

Having spent most of the season out with an ankle injury, the attacker was an unused substitute for Celtic’s two final league games in February before making his first appearance in their 2-0 win over St. Mirren last month where he came on as a late substitute.

Since then, the teenager has not been involved in a senior matchday squad.

Earlier this month, Dembele’s performance in a youth game against Rangers B caught the attention of talent scout Jacek Kulig, who took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the young Celtic figure.

He said: “Been a while since I last saw him live. Still far from being a physical monster but his dribbling skills, trickery, and flair are on a very high level.”

Even though Kulig said that the youngster may not be at his peak physically, we feel the best way for the attacker to improve this side of the game is to get as much experience of playing senior football as possible.

Given the position that Postecoglou’s side find themselves in at the top of the league table, now could be the ideal time to give Dembele a consistent run of games to see if he can set himself up to be a regular first-team figure in their next campaign.

Also, if the Hoops are not able to work out a permanent deal for current loan star Jota, having a player like Dembele to unleash could be an ideal option for the 56-year-old moving forward.

In other news: Time to go: Ange must finally axe Celtic’s £2m Parkhead flop, he’s stealing a living

Once considered to be the future of his boyhood club by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Jesse Lingard has endured a rather difficult start to the season.

The former England international has yet to feature for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the Premier League this season, let alone score a goal or supply an assist, and his poor performance against Watford in the FA Cup typified his poor slump in form.

Speaking after the game, Solskjaer said: “he’s been out for a while but he started brightly and then he tired as you’d expect.”

But his comments did little to disguise the fact Lingard’s first start in almost five months was largely disappointing.

Per SofaScore, the lightweight lost possession 14 times in 80 minutes, which was even worse than Daniel James, who also had a night to forget at Old Trafford. He committed two fouls and made no clearances or interceptions whatsoever, and lost five out of his nine duels overall as well.

It’s safe to say that his career has not panned out the way Lingard would have predicted and his latest display will have no doubt raised further questions about his future at the club as well.

Lingard, who reportedly earns £75,000-a-week, lacked any real sense of composure and almost looked lost for ideas on the very few occasions he actually strayed into the final third.

Since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, chances have been hard to come by for the 28-year-old, and it looks like time has almost run out for him to stake his claim.

Barring an injury or coronavirus crisis, it’s hard to imagine Solskjaer will give Lingard much more playing time, as he simply has better options in the midfield.

His display against Watford will have done little to silence the critics as it was a sub-par performance by his standards, which was perhaps best summed up by Samuel Luckhurst of The Manchester Evening News, who added it’s ‘difficult to remember a standout contribution.’

AND in other news, Man United must bite the bullet and sell Phil Jones in January…

According to a report by football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, free agent boss Massimiliano Allegri ‘certainly has his admirers’ within Tottenham Hotspur – backing up previous claims in the media. 

The Lowdown: Allegri on Spurs shortlist

Reports have emerged recently that Italian serial winner Allegri has entered the Tottenham shortlist for a possible new manager, with the Daily Mail claiming last week that he is indeed on the radar.

The 53-year-old has six Serie A titles to his name over the last decade and averaged a hugely impressive 2.27 points per match with Italian giants Juventus over a five-year stay in Turin (Transfermarkt).

Currently a free agent and possible cheap appointment, it’s little surprise that he is now being linked with the vacant Spurs managerial position.

The Latest: Gold backs reports of Allegri interest

Now, writing on Twitter and relaying his article for football.london, reliable correspondent Gold has shared ‘the fact or fiction as I understand it behind 20 managers linked with the vacant Tottenham job in the past couple of weeks,’ trying to break down the remarkable horde of names linked to the role.

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In his piece, Gold says that Allegri ‘certainly has his admirers’ in north London and comes as a potentially strong candidate for the job given he is currently out of work.

However, while interest from Spurs chiefs within the club is there, Gold also says there are concerns over the language barrier as well as his playing style – with Allegri apparently not quite ticking every box for their profile of new manager.

The Verdict: Yes please…

His glittering CV is evident and record in Italy stunning, having picked up 13 major honours with the Old Lady from 2014 to 2019 in an era of total domination (Transfermarkt).

There are drawbacks, with Spurs reportedly wanting a manager who will implement an attacking philosophy and bring back the Lilywhites way of playing football – not to mention a ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ coach to put the Jose Mourinho era at Tottenham behind supporters (the Daily Mail).

However, Allegri has plenty of experience on the world’s biggest stage and comes as a possible bargain appointment given his free agent status.

He has also been described by Sky Sports news reporter Ben Ransom as ‘perfect for Tottenham’ – and we’re inclined to agree given his record of winning silverware.

Therefore, we believe Spurs moving for Allegri is an absolute no brainer.

In other news: Levy will be ‘jumping for joy’ after a development, says pundit…find out more here.

During the last few years, Wolves have had a phenomenal record of beating the biggest and best teams in the Premier League.

This season alone, the Old Gold have defeated Arsenal on two occasions and also swatted aside Chelsea at Molineux, while they did the double over Manchester City last term and beat Manchester United twice in three weeks in 2019.

Therefore, they will have every right to feel confident when they face Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

On the chalkboard

One player who has had a habit of destroying teams in the top flight is Adama Traore.

The Spaniard has had a particularly disappointing season by his high standards and has scored just two goals all term. That’s a far cry from the 13 goal involvements he managed throughout 2019/20.

Traore has been so off the boil that he didn’t even start against Brighton last time out. Nuno Espirito Santo instead decided to look towards the future as he started Vitinha, Fabio Silva and Morgan Gibbs-White in attack.

After going 1-0 down, Nuno turned to the swashbuckling winger, and he had a devastating impact during his 30 minutes on the pitch.

Traore crashed home the equaliser and completed all three of his dribbles. His ability to be a nuisance also wreaked havoc with the Seagulls defence as they seemingly had no answer to his speed, trickery and strength.

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They aren’t the only team to feel his wrath. Once dubbed “unplayable” by Jurgen Klopp, the £46,000-per-week attacker is one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.

Despite his measly goal tally this term, no player has completed more dribbles in the top flight than Traore’s 140. That’s 52 more than the next best player in the division, Fulham’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

With that in mind, the 25-year-old could terrify Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. Instead of starting on the bench, Nuno needs him playing from the off and causing havoc, rather than relying on someone like Daniel Podence, who last scored a full five months ago.

The Spaniard’s mesmerising impact against Brighton last weekend proved that, even when he’s not completely in form, he has to play. Traore is capable of producing moments of magic from absolutely nowhere which against one of the sides aiming for European football, could be crucial.

He scored against the Lilywhites last term, too, running riot by winning ten ground duels and completing all five of his dribbles.

Nuno will need the speedy Spaniard at his best on Sunday.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Neto: Wolves must sign “spectacular” £32m beast, he’s shades of Ronaldo…