All posts by z3u9t.icu

Derby County are interested in a deal to bring Matty Longstaff to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Chronicle Live, who claim that Wayne Rooney is interested in taking the Newcastle United midfielder on a season-long loan deal in the upcoming transfer window.

It is reported that Steve Bruce is unsure as to whether he would be willing to allow the 21-year-old to leave St. James’ Park in the coming months, although the 60-year-old is thought to be targeting the signing of a midfielder this summer, which could then facilitate Longstaff’s temporary departure.

Rooney must move

After bursting onto the scene by scoring the winner on his Premier League debut against Manchester United back in October of 2019, things have not continued on the same trajectory for Longstaff at Newcastle.

Following his debut, the £4.5m-rated man made a further eight top-flight appearances in the Magpies’ 2019/20 campaign, over which he scored one more goal and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.61 – with Martin Keown going as far to dub the youngster as “like a Paul Scholes” as a result of his performances.

Indeed, interest was high in the £24k-per-week midfielder the following summer, with Serie A side Udinese offering the former England U20 international a five-year contract, although Longstaff ultimately decided to remain with his boyhood club.

However, last season, Bruce utilised the former England U20 international less than during his debut campaign, with the 21-year-old being limited to five Premier League appearances, over which he averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.62.

As such, despite the fact that expectations are clearly high for the player Bruce claimed has a “huge future” at Newcastle, he would very much appear to be stagnating in the North East at present as a result of his lack of minutes – which is where Derby County could come in.

With Rooney desperately seeking summer improvements to his Rams side that barely survived relegation last term, the addition of a player with a great deal to prove to both his manager and the wider footballing world could well be something of a match made in heaven.

So, this would lead us to believe that the 35-year-old Derby boss should do all he can to convince Longstaff of a move to Pride Park this summer, as the midfielder could bring with him a bit of fight that may well make all the difference in the Rams’ upcoming Championship campaign.

In other news: Major contract update emerges over £7.9k-p/w “problem” that’ll have Derby fans buzzing

A number of Liverpool fans have been left hugely excited, following claims that Kylian Mbappe is interested in a move to Anfield this summer.

While the Reds have suffered endless woes at centre-back this season, their attacking struggles have also been a huge issue.

Mohamed Salah has been largely blameless, in that respect, continuing to score goals at a rapid rate, but Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have fallen a long way short of their best, mustering just nine league goals each.

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It could be that Jurgen Klopp wants to bring in a top class attacking player this summer, in order to make competition for places even stronger moving forward, with Diogo Jota also an option.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe is a player who has been linked with Liverpool in the past, and according to Le Parisien [via The Anfield Buzz], the Frenchman ‘can see himself’ playing for the Reds, should they qualify for the Champions League.

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Liverpool fans delight at Mbappe latest

It is undoubtedly an exciting update from a Liverpool perspective and these supporters took to Twitter to give their thoughts on the matter.

“Sunday could potentially win us Mbappe. This is bigger than any final”

Credit: @reformuddu21

“Town”

Credit: @KeithLFC6

“Please don’t give me hope”

Credit: @sarib_khalil

“We would walk the league next season with just him signing and Van Dijk being back”

Credit: @SirLeonP

“Someone tell me I’m dreaming”

Credit: @Lone_R_anger

“Mbappe 2021 is back on”

Credit: @NaeemLFC

In other news, some Liverpool supporters were horrified after key news emerged on Thursday. Read more here.

Everton’s clash against Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season is a huge one.

Their campaign has been an inconsistent one but whether they secure European football all boils down to the last match of the season.

They will have their work cut out against the champions of England but if they win and Tottenham taste defeat or draw to Leicester, they will find themselves in the Europa Conference League.

A place in Europe would be a fine reward for the work Carlo Ancelotti has done with his players.

That said, their task of beating Pep Guardiola’s fierce team has been made harder by the fact that James Rodriguez will be absent from the game.

The Colombian sensation missed the win over Wolves due to fatigue but will now be absent for a successive game.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti commented: “James unfortunately is not available for the game. He did not recover from the problem on his calf.”

Considering the former Real Madrid star is the club’s second-highest creator on nine assists this term, it will represent a huge blow to their chances.

Manchester City have kept 18 clean sheets this term and have the Premier League’s best defence with only 32 goals shipped.

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With that in mind, they’d find it incredibly tough to break the Citizens down even with James in their side.

He has carved out 1.7 key passes per game this season, the highest number of anyone at Goodison Park. James is one of the most impressive playmakers in the top-flight on his day so any team would struggle without him.

Calvert-Lewin’s route to goal will be made harder without him in the team, and as such, their chances of qualifying for Europe will also be more difficult.

Combine his injury with the fact club captain Seamus Coleman will also be missing and it doesn’t bode well for the Toffees on Sunday afternoon.

This is not the way they hoped their season would come to an end. Ancelotti has every right to feel gutted heading towards kick-off.

AND in other news, Brands must complete Everton swoop for £20m-rated “diamond”, he’s like a “Rolls-Royce”…

This has the potential to be a huge summer for Celtic. A new manager is due to arrive while a mass upheaval of the playing squad could occur at Parkhead.

Odsonne Edouard is consistently linked with a move away to the Premier League while Bhoys defender Kristoffer Ajer is another highly sought after player.

He was the subject of interest from Milan earlier this season but it’s thought that Newcastle and newly promoted Norwich are now hot on his heels.

The Magpies even scouted the Norwegian during Celtic’s heavy defeat to Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Considering they lost 4-1, it’s unlikely they will have been left too impressed.

After all, he ducked out of the way when Alfredo Morelos fired a rasping effort towards goal that rocketed past Scott Bain.

However, if Ajer does indeed depart this summer, Dominic McKay could do worse than looking towards Hadjuk Split defender Mario Vuskovic.

The Croatian defender has been linked with a move to Celtic in the last few weeks in a deal that may set them back around €6m (£5.2m).

At just 19 years of age, the defender would be a player for the future but judging by the way Stephen Welsh and Ajer have both adapted to the squad at such a young age, he’d surely feet seamlessly into the side.

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Standing at a colossal height of 6 foot 2, he is a force to be reckoned with in the air but he also brings the grace and poise in possession of the ball that Ajer does.

Back in 2018, Vuskovic had the honour of being named in The Guardian’s next-generation list of the 60 best youngsters in world football.

Journalist Aleksandar Holiga said at the time: “He’s not just dominant in challenges but also exceptional in build-up play. He often scores goals and can score from free-kicks like a No 10.”

Like Ajer, the young centre-back is strong in the challenge but gets forward well to provide a dose of creativity. He roams forward freely which is one of the most striking traits of Celtic’s imperious Norwegian.

You only need to look at the way he burst forward during the Old Firm derby at one stage in the second half on Sunday. Ajer found himself on the edge of the Rangers box before he danced through two or three players to get a shot off.

If we take a look at the stats, it tells you how impressive Vuskovic is, particularly in the air. The teenager wins 63% of his aerial duels per 90 minutes, nearly ten more than Welsh. He also fractionally wins more defensive duels per 90 than both Shane Duffy and Nir Bitton.

Therefore, Vuskovic would clearly be an upgrade for the Bhoys this summer. At the touted price tag, he’d also represent a bargain.

AND in other news, Forget McGregor: Celtic gem who lost possession 21x was a major let down vs Rangers…

According to a report by reliable journalist Mike McGrath, writing for the Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are in ‘pole position to land’ Lyon powerhouse Joachim Andersen.

The Lowdown: Levy’s centre-back hunt continues…

It is no secret that Spurs are looking into signing top class centre-back options for the 2021/2022 season as Daniel Levy looks to shore up a problem position for the Lilywhites ahead of the appointment of a new manager.

Sky Sports have previously touted the likes of Jerome Boateng and Jannik Vestergaard as on the target list, going as far as to say that inquiries have already been made.

Andersen has been mentioned elsewhere, with reliable football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold saying he is indeed on the agenda.

The Latest: Tottenham in ‘pole position’

Now, another reliable source has detailed the situation regarding Andersen, with McGrath now claiming that Levy and Spurs are in ‘pole position’ for the 6 foot 3 powerhouse.

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Having impressed for Fulham on loan this season, he has attracted attention from both Tottenham and north London rivals Arsenal – with Mikel Arteta’s side ready to compete for his signature.

He is apparently expected to move on from Lyon in the summer for around £20 million but Spurs need to trim their squad before making the move.

The Verdict: Exciting update…

Andersen has been one of Scott Parker’s most notable assets in a disappointing season for the Cottagers as the 24-year-old averages the joint-fourth most clearances per 90 in the Premier League over 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

He has also won more aerial duels than any Fulham player this season (WhoScored), earning praise from Craven Cottage legend Tony Gale as a result – who called him ‘absolutely sensational’ earlier in the campaign (fulhamfc.com).

Still at a fairly young age and valued at an arguably affordable price in a market likely to be majorly influenced by coronavirus, he could become a tremendous coup for Tottenham depending on next developments.

In other news: Alasdair Gold drops major Spurs managerial update, find out more here.

Federico Fernandez produced a defensive masterclass at Burnley on Sunday to prove that he deserves a new contract with Newcastle United.

Steve Bruce recalled the Argentine to his starting line-up at Turf Moor after losing captain Jamaal Lascelles, potentially for the rest of the season, with a fractured foot.

It was the first time that Fernandez had stepped foot on the field since January after missing 10 of the Magpies’ last 13 Premier League games with a calf injury.

But the centre-back, who is currently due to leave St. James’ Park as a free agent once his terms expire in June, rarely looked a step out of place as he helped Newcastle to their first win in eight matches.

Fernandez stood strong in the face of an onslaught of crosses into Martin Dubravka’s area and kept a calm head to offer his Toon teammates an assuring presence, despite lacking total match fitness.

A calm head was precisely what Newcastle needed after Matej Vydra broke the deadlock as Fernandez’s composure and leadership kept United stable, when the elements were stacked to win at all costs after Fulham were beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night.

It was not just leadership that Fernandez offered, either, as the 32-year-old made a joint game-high 10 clearances with Paul Dummett and blocked an out-right game-high three shots, per SofaScore.

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Fernandez’s heroics ultimately set the foundations for Allan Saint-Maximin to come off the bench and dazzle his way into the Clarets half, tee up Jacob Murphy to equalise and soon fire home the would-be winning goal after a delightful run.

The game could have been out of reach for Newcastle before Saint-Maximin’s introduction had Fernandez struggled on his return, but he instead proved why the Tyneside outfit must present him with a new contract.

Sunday’s win was not the first time this season that Fernandez has played a key role in a spirited defensive showing, either, having impressed at the back as Newcastle held Liverpool to a draw in December.

Recent reports by Chronicle Live have claimed that the Magpies intend to offer Fernandez a new deal and that talks are currently underway, as the club look to tie up some of their soon-to-be free agents.

Another player believed to be in talks is Jacob Murphy, who Lee Ryder told The Everything is Black and White Podcast “Newcastle would be absolutely crazy not to give him a new deal” after another vital performance against Burnley.

But Murphy had already proven his worth to Newcastle and why the Toon would be “crazy” to let him leave in previous weeks, with his performances against Wolves, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur key examples of why he deserves a new deal.

Sunday’s win over Burnley was instead Fernandez’s latest showpiece as to why the £47,000-per-week titan deserves new terms, and why Newcastle need to wrap up negotiations.

AND in other news, Newcastle players have been backed to question the club’s “confusing” decision…

Southampton will be looking to pick up three points when they travel to the Hawthorns to take on relegation-threatened West Brom on Monday evening, as a win for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will all but confirm their place in the top-flight next season.

The Saints picked up an impressive 3-2 win against Burnley last time out after coming from two goals down, whilst the Baggies registered a superb 5-2 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, so both sides may well be in confident moods ahead of the clash.

Hasenhuttl has welcomed back key players from injury in recent weeks, with just Oriol Romeu, Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone currently sidelined, so the Saints can be confident of finishing the season strongly.

Here’s how Football FanCast thinks the Austrian will line his side up against Sam Allardyce’s side on Monday, with two changes from the team that started in the win against Burnley…

Fraser Forster continues in goal as there was very little he could have done about Chris Wood’s penalty or Matej Vydra’s excellent finish last time out.

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A consistent back four is often the way to enjoy an excellent season and this defence is clearly the one most preferred by Hasenhuttl, so he will be glad that Kyle Walker-Peters has seemingly shaken off his knock to be fit for this game.

There’s one change in midfield, as Takumi Minamino returns to the side on the left after being rested against Burnley, with Theo Walcott dropping out as he has only just returned from injury, and should perhaps be rested for the FA Cup semi-final next weekend.

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Finally, in attack, after Hasenhuttl admitted that Che Adams was omitted against Burnley for tactical reasons but he comes back into the starting XI in place of Nathan Redmond, who is unlucky to miss out after some strong recent performances, but the “fantastic” Adams has also been in good form and he should cause the Baggies defence a lot of problems with his pace.

And, in other news… Southampton could repeat Romeu masterclass with swoop for “outstanding” PL gem

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been handed an injury problem ahead of his return to the England U21 fold.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the striker has been forced to withdraw from international duty with an unidentified injury.

The report suggests that the Red Devils are hopeful that the problem will not keep him restricted to the sidelines for too long but it will nonetheless be a concern for United and, of course, for Greenwood himself.

Before he picked up the problem, it was appearing that the 19-year-old was beginning to regain his form in front of goal.

He ended a long goal drought at the weekend, netting his first strike since January in the team’s damaging 3-1 defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Having scored 19 goals last season but just five so far this term, the international break would have given him the opportunity to continue his recent form with the Young Lions set to begin their UEFA U21 Euro campaign against Switzerland, before matches against Portugal and Croatia.

He will now not be available for Aidy Boothroyd’s team and Greenwood’s absence will be of concern to Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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Manchester United have been handed an attacking injury crisis in recent times with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani all suffering from their own problems.

Whilst the latter two did make their returns from injury in the defeat at Leicester, any reoccurrence, coupled with Greenwood’s problem, could see the Red Devils extremely light in attacking positions.

It is clear that Solskjaer is a big fan of the youngster, with him stating that the £45m-rated forward is “top class”, so his absence will be felt.

It will be hugely disappointing that the Red Devils and the Young Lions will be missing a player of such calibre, especially with the upcoming tournament such a great opportunity for Greenwood to continue re-finding his clinical touch.

If he performed well at the U21 level, which he was more than capable of given his immense quality, he could have returned to United full of confidence, but that will no longer be the case, which will more than likely be a bit of a blow to his manager.

AND in more news, the Red Devils must regret not moving for a midfielder currently starring for a Premier League rival…

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has delivered an update on Mateusz Klich’s condition before they take on Sheffield United in the Premier League.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Blades’ visit to Elland Road, the Whites boss revealed: “The situation with Klich is in the process of being solved. There’s a protocol that needs to be completed and we will see what the consequence of that is.

“The rest of the players haven’t arrived back from international duty and it’s not convenient to anticipate whether they are okay or not fitness-wise without having evaluated them.”

Despite seemingly falling out of favour for Bielsa in recent weeks – he has completed the full 90 minutes just twice in Leeds’ last 11 Premier League games – there’s no questioning that, on his day, Klich can be a real influence in the middle of the park.

In his first 16 Premier League games, the £12.5m-rated Polish midfielder bagged himself two goals and picked up five assists, with Danny Mills raving about his performances.

He said: “I think Mateusz Klich has done very, very well because when Bielsa first came in he was almost surplus to requirements, he wasn’t being used an awful lot before he came in and could have been on his way.

“He’s got talent, he’s a clever midfield player, he’s very fit and he’s reliable. Undoubtedly he’s got quality. Maybe it’s a little bit of a stretch to say he could play in any team in the world. He’s just trying to say ‘I rely on this player, he’s been fantastic for me’ and he has, he’s been absolutely superb.”

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The midfielder has yet to miss a single league game all season, while due to protocol would also have missed out on important training sessions over the past couple of weeks, which won’t have done his fitness any good whatsoever.

It’s exactly why Bielsa will be very worried over his midfield ace ahead of the all-Yorkshire clash.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a move for this Premier League starlet…

Former Celtic player Kris Commons has accused the club’s board of ‘twiddling their thumbs’ after their city rivals secured the Premiership title on Sunday.

The Hoops’ run of nine consecutive crowns was officially ended as they were held to a goalless draw by Dundee United at Tannadice, their last lingering hopes of a historic 10-in-a-row banished for good.

The club are currently without a full-time manager after Neil Lennon’s departure, with John Kennedy taking over in the interim.

Commons says Celtic rebuild ‘should already be underway’

Commons fears that the Celtic board are dithering, potentially handing their arch-rivals Rangers a lasting advantage.

“It’s nearly a fortnight since Neil Lennon left Celtic. Yet we still don’t know who the next permanent manager might be,” he told the print edition of the Scottish Daily Mail (via 67 Hail Hail).

“The silence from the boardroom is deafening. The rebuild has to start now. In fact, it should already be underway.

“The longer Celtic sit twiddling their thumbs, the more they risk being behind the eight-ball by the time next season comes around – and handing Rangers an advantage right from the start.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

For Celtic, this season has long had the feel of a write-off. Rangers are a full 20 points clear of the Hoops after 32 matches and have not lost a league game all season.

Unlike their city rivals, the Parkhead side failed to progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League and the gap in the table has grown enormously. The Scottish Cup, which resumes this month, is their only chance of consolatory silverware.

With that in mind, there isn’t necessarily a need for Celtic to rush when it comes to appointing their new coach. They can afford to take time to comprehensively scrutinise the pool of candidates and pursue the more ambitious targets.

However, what Commons is really calling for is more transparency, and some reason to be optimistic about the future – and that is sorely needed after a wretched season.

In other news, Danny Mills tips Celtic to utilise this player next season.