All posts by n8rngtd.top

Many Everton fans have been flocking to a transfer update on Josip Brekalo as the Daily Express have reported that the Toffees are tracking the Wolfsburg winger.

As per the news outlet, Leeds United are another club to have watched the versatile ace, who can play on both flanks, over the past few months, and he has also been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Napoli and Bayern Munich are also keeping a close eye on the winger – he has been likened to footballing legend Arjen Robben.

If Brekalo turns out to be anywhere near as good as Robben, then the Goodison Park faithful could have quite the player on their hands, and at just 22 years of age, he will surely only get better.

However, given the host of teams interested in him, he may not come cheap, and some members of the Merseyside club faithful may be expecting more than seven goals and four assists in 32 games over all competitions (Transfermarkt) from a thriving Bundesliga side looking to qualify for UEFA Champions League football.

Everton fans on Brekalo transfer update

These Toffees seemed split on the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that the Croatia international is a ‘baller’:

“Young, quick, runs at players and can pick a pass too, sounds decent to me”

Credit: @efcbigdunc

“Brekki is a baller”

Credit: @Tiner183

“Very interesting if true. Not a player I am aware we have scouted (in person) but a player with the qualities we need. He is a LW (as I previously stated we were looking at) with an eye for goal. Only issue is he would be €25m+ and Wolfsburg ain’t skint so wouldn’t need”

Credit: @TransfersToffee

“Absolutely no”

Credit: @conorj1878

“No thank you”

Credit: @HarryMcKennyPT

“Been pretty poor all season, only picked up form these last few weeks”

Credit: @JoelBeckett93

In other news, find out what transfer update has been lauded by EFC fans here!

Scott Parker has suffered relegation both times he has managed Fulham in the Premier League but Marcus Bent, who played for 12 different clubs during his career, has exclusively told Football FanCast, that Parker would love to be offered the Tottenham Hotspur job.

Daniel Levy is still on the hunt for Spurs’ next manager and the likes of Parker and Graham Potter have been linked with getting the job despite having never finished in the top half of the Premier League as a manager.

Parker was handed the Fulham job last time they were in the Premier League as relegation loomed large but he did manage to get them up at the first time of asking last season as Fulham won the play-off final against Brentford.

Levy, who is said to “think the world” of Parker, will know he needs to get this manager right and Bent, who spoke exclusively to FFC, has claimed the Cottagers boss would love the job but that he may not be ready for it:

“I’m not sure if Scott Parker is ready for it, but who am I to say? He’s done really well at Fulham and I think he’d jump at the chance. I haven’t spokn to him about it but I think he would jump at the chance.

“There’s something going on at the club and it has been for years because it’s not stable. There’s going to be quite a few players going this summer and they’re talking about if Kane will stay? It just depends on if they’re going to bring in the right players and manager.”

Ryan Mason has been tasked with getting Tottenham into Europe after taking over from Jose Mourinho and the former Spurs midfielder has won two of his three leagues games as manager.

Spurs fans appear to have had enough of how their club is being run and are planning protests, much like all the teams involved in the failed Super League, and they will be happening on the final home game of the season.

Kelle Roos faltered on two occasions in Derby County’s crucial clash with Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, and fans took to Twitter to express their frustration.

Wayne Rooney’s side took the lead in the first half courtesy of Tom Lawrence, but former Rams forward Morgan Whittaker equalised for Swansea on 63 minutes.

The Athletic’s Derby correspondent Ryan Conway tweeted that Roos ought to have done better.

“It’s a weak header and he just can’t sort his feet out,” he wrote.

Three minutes later, Swansea scored again to complete the turnaround, as Connor Roberts was given acres of space and punished the visitors.

Conway again noted that Roos hadn’t ‘covered himself in glory’ with his attempt at the save.

SofaScore rated Roos’ performance a 6.0, the lowest in the Derby team.

How much will Roos’ errors cost Derby?

A point would have been enough for County to secure survival ahead of the final day of the season.

But now their clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park next Saturday will be a relegation decider.

They’ll have to avoid defeat to stay in the Championship, and these fans won’t be full of confidence if Roos is in between the sticks…

Derby fans tear into Roos after Swansea turnaround

“Kelle Roos stopped us getting promoted now relegating us”

Credit: @dcfc53

“Kelle Roos is an embarrassment”

Credit: @DcfcFansTalk

“That is pathetic from Roos, I’m sorry but why is he playing?!? I don’t get it”

Credit: @rooybears

“I’ve seen sturdier poppadoms than Kelle Roos”

Credit: @joeycoxon97

“Has Roos ever had one good game for us?”

Credit: @adamcoynee

“Roos never in a million years a number 1 keeper”

Credit: @Stevemac_25

In other news, see Rams fans’ reaction to this takeover development.

Tottenham have joined Crystal Palace in the race to sign right-back Max Aarons this summer.

That’s according to a report from Football Insider, cited by Football League World, and, as to be expected, Palace’s interest has had a number of Eagles fans talking on social media.

Aarons, on £17,000-a-week, helped Norwich City return to the top flight at the first time of asking this season.

He’s been linked with a number of sides recently, with Palace just one of a plethora of clubs who have asked to be kept informed of his situation.

Spurs have now joined the hunt for the 21-year-old though, with a club source claiming landing a new right-back is one of the club’s main priorities this summer.

Palace could also do with a new right-back ahead of the 2021/22 season, as their three right-backs on the books right now are all out of contract in a matter of months.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Football League World’s report on social media on Monday lunchtime, with a number of Palace fans interacting with the post.

This is what some had to say, with one referencing the club’s interest in Aarons from 2019…

“Would love this signing but wouldn’t come cheap at all”

Credit: @CPFANUSA

“Ha ha we haven’t got £2.50 let alone £25m”

Credit: @NoContextHumour

“Why do u think u can fool me”

Credit: @SellyMenace

“Huh”

Credit: @Mark_CPFC

“Feels like 2019 again”

Credit: @localpla9tic

“Would be a great signing but no chance we get him LOL”

Credit: @DrizzyCPFC

In other news: Many Palace fans react to Paulo Fonseca update, find out more here. 

Dion Sanderson’s Sunderland career can be evenly broken up into three segments full of frustration, elation and heartbreak.

It might not completely define a Shakespearian romantic tragedy but it comes close to replicating some of the themes laid out in theatres across the globe; pardon the pun.

Sanderson had to work hard to finally earn an opportunity to play. After signing on loan from Wolves, Phil Parkinson struggled to find his best position and also couldn’t fit him into the team’s plans.

The young defender featured only three times under the former Mackems manager, a decision that looks stranger and stranger as the weeks go by.

Once Lee Johnson took over, he took the 21-year-old under his wing and has transformed him into one of the most feared centre-backs in the third tier.

It was a steady progression at first for Sanderson but now he looks a player beyond his years, someone who shoulders the responsibility of the entire team.

“At his age level he is an absolute Rolls-Royce,” the manager admitted back in February.

Sanderson has profited from an injury to Bailey Wright. The Australian was missing for a period of two months towards the beginning of the year and it proved game-changing for the Sunderland loanee’s career.

He was now one of the first names on the team sheet and alongside Luke O’Nien, was swatting attackers to one side with phenomenal ease. During Sunderland’s 14-game unbeaten run, the club kept eight clean sheets.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-sunderland-transfer-rumours-and-news-grigg-denayer-louis-dreyfus-sanderson-melamed” title=”Latest Sunderland transfer news and views!”]

However, after discovering his role in the side and becoming a force to be reckoned with, he is now back on the sidelines again.

It’s a huge tragedy for Sanderson who has returned to Wolves temporarily while he recovers from a back problem. It was first thought that he’d be ruled out for the rest of the season but the manager remains optimistic he can still play a part.

The youngster has been so good that Wolves want to splash seven figures during the summer to land him permanently.

However, if a move doesn’t materialise, Johnson shouldn’t be fearful. After all, they already have the best defender in League One right in their midst; Arbenit Xhemajli.

The Kosovan was signed from Neuchatel Xamax last summer on a two-year deal but he’s not actually made a single appearance for the club.

That’s because he’s been missing for the entire campaign with a torturous cruciate ligament injury.

Johnson already loves him, however, and it’s clear to see why.

Speaking about Xhemajli’s recovery this week, he commented: “Arby is back out on the grass as well and it is really nice to see him out there.”

Johnson added: “He’s a lovely lad and when I came into the football club I’d done my research and it was interesting that statistically he came out as the best defender in the division, albeit that may have been a bit skewed in terms of the weighting given to the foreign division that he came from.”

With that in mind, it would be a big surprise if the 23-year-old didn’t have a role to play next season once he’s recovered.

Sunderland have struggled significantly since Sanderson’s injury with Wright and O’Nien proving problematic in recent weeks. If anything summed up the lack of confidence in the backline now, it would be the latter’s own goal against Accrington.

Xhemajli is highly rated and providing his rehab has gone well, he’ll be a huge asset to Sunderland next season.

AND in other news, Forget O’Nien: Johnson will be fuming with SAFC flop who made just 11 passes all game…

David Moyes will hope to see an instant response from his players following last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Newcastle when West Ham United host Chelsea on Saturday evening.

The Hammers fell two goals and a man down at St. James’ Park before mounting a second-half comeback, only to leave Tyneside without a point after Joe Willock headed home in the closing stages.

Chelsea then compounded the misery by retaking fourth spot in the Premier League table when held to a goalless draw by Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek, but only sit above the Irons on goal difference due to a superior defensive record.

Craig Dawson’s first-half red card will ensure Moyes is forced to make changes from the side that lost at Newcastle. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up the West Ham boss could field featuring three alterations…

Dawson being unavailable for his first Premier League fixture since his West Ham debut on December 29 leaves Moyes with a decision to make, over sticking with a five-man backline or adapting his system with the inclusion of an additional midfield option.

Fabian Balbuena will expect Moyes to favour continuity and start the Paraguayan – who journalist Sam Delaney believes was “brilliant” last season – for his first opening call in 17 top-flight games, having come on for Aaron Creswell when leading against Leicester City.

Moyes decided against calling on Balbuena at Newcastle with West Ham going a goal behind in the move that led to Dawson’s sending off, but may now opt to recall the centre-back with Creswell potentially available to retake the left-back position from Ben Johnson.

Cresswell was unavailable in the North East due to the hamstring injury he sustained at home to Leicester, but Moyes confirmed on Friday that he is closing in on a return and will take a late fitness test to see if the 31-year-old has recovered sufficiently to face Chelsea.

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Michail Antonio (hamstring), Arthur Masuaku (knee) and Declan Rice (knee) have been ruled out of Saturday’s London derby, while Jesse Lingard is expected to be fit after being withdrawn at Newcastle due to cramp.

Rice being unavailable will likely see Mark Noble and Tomas Soucek anchor the engine room once again, while Antonio’s absence will be expected to see Jarrod Bowen and Lingard lead the attack for the third successive Premier League game.

Pablo Fornals has started each of West Ham’s last three fixtures after overcoming a groin injury during the March international break, but struggled to shine at Newcastle where his influence fizzled out and his loose backpass led to Dawson receiving his initial caution.

Moyes could now look to bench the Spaniard – who he lauds for having “incredible” energy and enthusiasm – and replace him with Said Benrahma, who has offered one more assist than Fornals despite playing 964 fewer minutes in the Premier League this term.

AND in other news, a £34.5m West Ham target has confirmed clubs are in contact with his agent over a summer switch…Mo

Liverpool are set to open negotiations over new deals for Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Mohamed Salah, according to journalist Paul Joyce.

The Reds suffered a night to forget on Tuesday, losing 3-1 away to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

It was a sobering evening for Jurgen Klopp’s men, with far too many players performing well below their usual level and the manager also having a bad day at the office.

The hope is that this season is just a one-off poor campaign for Liverpool – it hasn’t yet ended, in fairness – with key players staying put and helping launch a recovery in the coming years.

Joyce gives major update on Reds quartet

The Times‘ Joyce has provided a key update, in that respect, saying the club are looking to nail down Alisson, Van Dijk, Fabinho and Salah to new long-term deals.

It is stated that ‘discussions on a new contract will take place at some point’ for all four Liverpool heroes, in order to keep them at Anfield for the foreseeable future, in what would provide a huge boost to Klopp’s hopes of getting this side back to its best.

Transfer Tavern take

The aforementioned foursome have all been magnificent players for the Reds – modern-day legends, in fact – so this is a hugely positive update, with FSG giving Klopp a big helping hand.

Salah’s future, in particular, has been up in the air, but he scored his 27th goal of the season against Madrid and again showed how priceless he is.

Alisson, Van Dijk and Fabinho are all young enough to remain pivotal figures for four or five years, too, and they are a formidable trio that the rest of the team is built around – it is since the arrival of these three players that Klopp’s side have gone from contenders to winners.

In other news, one Liverpool player has been linked with a move to another Premier League team this summer – find out who it is here.

Carlo Ancelotti will be anxiously awaiting the return of Ben Godfrey from international duty after the Everton defender failed a late fitness test.

That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who note that Godfrey and Tom Davies were both unable to represent England’s Under 21s against Croatia on Wednesday.

The Young Lions medical team carried out late checks to see if either of the Toffees duo could feature in the Euro 2021 win, which dumped Aidy Boothroyd’s side out of the competition at the Group Stage.

Godfrey had played the full 90 minutes as England faced Portugal on Sunday to earn his ninth U21s cap, but required treatment during the 2-0 loss.

The 23-year-old centre-back had featured for the full fixture as England were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland last Thursday, too.

Only Tottenham Hotspur’s Oliver Skipp and Swansea City’s Marc Guehi also played all 180 available minutes among England’s outfield options over the defeats to Switzerland and Portugal.

Davies had started each loss but was withdrawn early in the second half against Switzerland and approaching the final quarter of an hour against Portugal, when earning his 23rd Young Lions cap.

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Ancelotti will now be very concerned over the prospect of being without Godfrey and Davies when Everton host Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Monday, looking to end a three-game losing streak across all competitions.

The Toffees have only won one of their last five games at home thanks to a 1-0 result over Southampton on March 1, while losing to Fulham, Burnley and Manchester City twice.

Ancelotti goes into the Eagles clash without star summer signing Abdoulaye Doucoure after the £20m former Watford midfielder was ruled out likely for the remainder of the season with a fractured foot.

Fabian Delph has also been sidelined of late and while Jean-Philippe Gbamin has returned to training, it remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will be called on to play his first game since August 2019.

Losing Godfrey will come as a huge blow to the Toffees in defence, having started nine of the Merseyside outfit’s last 10 fixtures in the heart of the backline – including eight of the last nine Premier League matches prior to the international break.

Everton have kept three clean sheets in the 11 top-flight matches that Ancelotti has fielded Godfrey in a centre-back role this season, which came in a three-game run against Liverpool, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.

To now be without the former Norwich City enforcer will be particularly problematic for Ancelotti, who is said to consider the Toffees’ £20m summer signing as the best of his central defensive options.

Ancelotti will be expected to call on Michael Keane, Mason Holgate or Yerry Mina to protect Jordan Pickford’s goal against Crystal Palace, should Godfrey fail another fitness test.

AND in other news, Everton are tracking a £17m striker with “a wealth of talent”…

Darren Moore picked up his first win as Sheffield Wednesday manager on Saturday afternoon but despite all of the positives, there was one glaring downside – the performance of Adam Reach.

The versatile 28-year-old has been the epitome of inconsistency throughout his Owls career – you get moments of magic with the odd screamer thrown in there, and then you get displays like that.

This is something Reach has even admitted himself, speaking to YorkshireLive last season, he said: “My own season’s been similar to the team’s, a little bit topsy-turvy. I’ve had some good moments and some not-so-good moments.”

We certainly saw the latter this weekend, even if Wednesday ended a run of eight matches without a victory.

SofaScore graded him as the worst player on the pitch with a 5.9 ratings yet somehow, he lasted the entire duration of the match.

In that time, he lost possession a whopping 40 times, meaning he lost the ball once every two minutes and after racking up a squad-high 81 touches, it means every other touch involved him gifting possession back to Barnsley. Very, very poor.

On average, the £2.5m-rated star loses possession 13.6 times per outing, so this is rather telling on just how shocking he was on the day.

Reach was also weak in his battles, winning just five of 12 duels (42%), both on the ground and in the air. Moore is rather lucky that the in-form Tykes didn’t punish such mistakes as that left flank was clearly an area of weakness that could’ve been exploited.

In addition to that, the Owls ace was dribbled past three times – only adding to the idea that the home side should have done a lot more to damage their struggling rivals.

The rangy 6 foot 1 dynamo, who is thought to be among Wednesday’s high earners on £20k-per-week, badly let his manager down with his performance. He cannot be excused just because they finally won a game, he’ll have to improve to help ensure it wasn’t merely a fluke result in the coming weeks.

Reach was quite simply abysmal with the ball – he managed to make just 46% of his 46 passing attempts, including only five of 24 long balls finding a player in an Owls shirt, as per SofaScore.

Somehow, there were even worse returns amongst the Owls squad here, but still, this did not help Reach’s overall game.

The 28-year-old’s pathetic outing shouldn’t dent confidence going into the international break, though he will certainly need to improve if the Owls are to stand a chance of beating relegation.

AND in other news, 20 clearances: Owls colossus stole the show for Sheffield Wednesday…

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela will not travel with the Czech squad to play Wales amidst the ongoing storm surrounding his altercation with Glen Kamara.

The Gers faced the Czech champions in the Europa League round of 16, and were beaten 3-1 on aggregate after losing 2-0 at Ibrox. However, the match was marred by allegations of racial abuse, and the fall-out continues to rumble on.

Kudela and Slavia (slavia.cz) have released a statement denying the claims, while Kamara has also moved to back up his claims. The 34-year-old Slavia defender was set to be a part of his country’s squad to travel to Wales for their 2022 World Cup qualifying clash, but it has been decided that he will stay in his homeland amidst fears of a backlash.

The news was shared on Twitter by The Daily Record, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Kudela news below

“Big man i gaurentee he now regrets his actions and i bet he never thought this reaction would happen”

Credit: @aris_donald

“Coward”

Credit: @joe_black1509

“Coward, surely that proves his guilt”

Credit: @JayTeeFife

“Wonder why??”

Credit: @stevoboyle

“Hopefully UEFA step in now and deal with this vile player”

Credit: @andy_brennan72

“That says it all”

Credit: @PaulCampbell97

In other news, Rangers fans react to this latest injury news.