All posts by z3u9t.icu

With Dara O’Shea suffering a serious injury earlier in the season that will keep him out for the next few months and Kean Bryan suffering a season-ending blow recently, it’s safe to say West Brom will need as many defensive options as possible at their disposal for the time being.

With that in mind, it seems that the Midlands club could be set to lose one of their young defenders currently in their youth ranks.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by All Nigeria Soccer (via Birmingham Live) that Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Aston Villa and Southampton are interested in signing West Brom youth defender Kevin Joshua.

Despite only joining West Brom’s U23 side from Solihull Moors’ U19 side back in March for an undisclosed fee, the 19-year-old centre-back has played in six of their 11 league games, grabbing one assist in the process, showing how impressive he has been given the number of clubs reportedly eyeing up a transfer swoop for the youngster.

Ferguson 2.0

Even though Joshua hasn’t made an appearance for Valerien Ismael’s side this season, there is a possibility that Ismael could be forced into giving the teenager his senior debut for the Baggies given their defensive injury issues, and certainly if any of their other senior defenders get injured between now and the end of the season.

Therefore, it should now be one of Lai Guochuan’s top priorities to keep hold of Joshua and out of the clutches of the numerous clubs reportedly interested in signing him, which could be seen as a disaster if he were to leave the club so soon after joining them. That’s especially when you consider the way they lost a fellow defensive talent in Nathan Ferguson so controversially to the jaws of the Premier League.

Given his young age, there’s no reason why Joshua, who has been described as a player who is “aggressive, quick, and excellent on the ball,” by his agent Arfan Rehman when he joined the club, couldn’t go on to become a regular first-team figure at The Hawthorns in the future, giving the Midlands club even more reason to keep the defender in their ranks.

Moving forward, perhaps giving the teenager some first-team minutes could not only help Ismael’s side in the short term while O’Shea and Bryan are out injured but also in the long-term by proving that they feel Joshua will have a big part to play for the senior team. By doing so, they may also be able to avoid a repeat Ferguson scenario too.

In other news: 60% duels won: WBA’s “dangerous” £18k-p/w beast proved he can be Ismael’s main man – opinion

A major update has emerged on Rangers target Jonson Clarke-Harris, it could lead to Ross Wilson striking gold for Steven Gerrard this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Record, financial fair play rules mean that Peterborough striker Jonson Clarke-Harris is likely to be out of reach for any club outside of the Premier League in England. Bournemouth saw a £5m bid rejected by Peterborough in January and they will not be able to reignite their interest this summer.

The report claims that Rangers are interested in signing the English centre-forward, who is contracted to Peterborough until 2024. However, it remains to be seen exactly how much Peterborough will want for their star man.

Earlier this year, Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson hailed Clarke-Harris as a “leader” and emphasised how important he is to the team. He told Peterborough Today:

“Jonson’s goals have been valuable, but he’s more than just a goalscorer.“He is a leader, a winner and a real focal point for this team.“He was our number one target when Ivan Toney left and we had to work hard on his fitness when he first got here, but he’s been an oustanding signing and a real pleasure to work with.” Wilson could strike gold

Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson could strike gold for Steven Gerrard if he takes advantage of this situation by snapping Clarke-Harris up. It is difficult to improve upon a season where you managed to go unbeaten and win the league title, but Clarke-Harris could provide a level of consistent goalscoring that Rangers did not have from one player in the 2020/21 campaign.

The goals were shared out in the Scottish Premiership, with Ryan Kent, James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe all on between eight and 11 league goals at the end of the season.

This suggests that there could be a gap for a prolific striker to come in and take on the burden of being a regular goalscorer for Rangers. Clarke-Harris’ incredible season for Peterborough in League One suggests that he could be the ideal target for that role. The 26-year-old found the back of the net 31 times in 45 League One matches for Peterborough, averaging a superb WhoScored rating of 7.36.

The £6.1k-per-week goal machine could, therefore, be a brilliant addition to Gerrard’s team as he could add an extra dimension at the top end of the pitch.

His goals could help elevate Rangers to the next level and allow them to go further in European competitions, whilst also attempting to maintain their dominance over Celtic from a domestic standpoint.

So, Wilson must take advantage of the lack of funds available to use by EFL clubs to pounce on Clarke-Harris whilst they can.

AND in other news, Rangers must avoid grave error with “wonderful” £18k-p/w ace after pundit’s claim – opinion

A number of Crystal Palace supporters have been giving their thoughts to the club’s interest in Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir on social media.

According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Palace, along with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United, were all due to have scouts present to watch Bayindir against Gaziantep FK on Monday.

Bayindir, valued at £12.15m, played the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 win, making his 34th appearance of the current campaign.

Palace already have four senior goalkeepers on the books at Selhurst Park in Vicente Guaita, Jack Butland, Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Henderson, but it seems as if they’re keeping tabs on Bayindir ahead of the summer window.

Bayindir, who joined the club for just £1.35m in 2019, is out of contract with the Turkish giants in 2023.

Palace fans react

Both @cpfc_xtra and @CPFCtransfersHQ shared Takvim’s update on social media on Monday afternoon.

This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply to the club’s links to the 23-year-old…

“YESSSS WE NEED ANOTHER GOALKEEPER REBUILD HERE WE COME”

Credit: @Kevbartleyy

“This guy’s too good to be a sub/reserve”

Credit: @cpfc_fpage_se25

“good player”

Credit: @palacejacob

“Isn’t that pretty much the only position we don’t need to bring anyone in for?!”

Credit: @Szuumm

“Hopefully this means we’re getting rid of Hennessey and Henderson then”

Credit: @cpfcgoaat

“Why”

Credit: @JoshStonks

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to injury setback regarding 2020 signing, find out more here. 

Liverpool potentially have another Michael Owen within their ranks.

17-year-old Oakley Cannonier has been on fire for Liverpool’s U18 side this season, having surpassed the 40-goal mark this campaign.

Cannonier has been firing all season which has earned him mass plaudits from U18’s manager Marc Bridge-Wilkinson as he told The Athletic:

“Oakley is really bright. He’s a good little footballer. His instincts for the game are very natural. It’s something we have to make sure he retains.”

Cannonier previously earned acclaim for his alertness as a ball-boy – giving Trent Alexander-Arnold the ball for the right-back’s quickly-taken corner which created the winner for Divock Origi in the Reds’ sensational Champions League comeback against Barcelona.

It was this act that bagged him an invitation to train with the Liverpool first-team, with Klopp telling the youngster: “I just need to thank you for what you did!”

Cannonier, who trained with the first team solely on merit, impressed Klopp during those sessions, with the German keeping tabs on his development with the U18’s ever since.

His goalscoring touch has earned him comparisons to Roberto Firmino, with many believing he is the future of Liverpool’s front line.

Whilst the latter is highly likely if he can keep up this form, his presence as a feared out-and-out forward is more reminiscent of Michael Owen, who also enjoyed a rise to fame via the Liverpool youth system.

Cannonier bagged his 39th and 40th goals of the season during Liverpool U18’s 5-1 victory over Wolves, which will have felt sweet for the lifelong Liverpool fan who told The Athletic: “I just always wanted to play for Liverpool. It was a no-brainer.”

The young Englishman’s rise to success is gaining traction and with the 17-year-old tipped to be moving up to the Liverpool U23s next season, we could well see the new Michael Owen donning the Liverpool shirt come next season.

AND in other news: Liverpool now plot £67m bid for “sensational” £76k-p/w “winner”, imagine him and Salah

Liverpool head into their UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg against RB Leipzig in a bit of a crisis.

Since the turn of the year, the Reds have lost seven matches, with the recent 1-0 defeat against Fulham at Anfield being a low point in the tenure of Jurgen Klopp.

A whole host of the German’s charges at Anfield are woefully out of form yet one man still fails to be handed an opportunity: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The upcoming European clash could be the perfect opportunity to reintroduce him into the starting line-up in place of Thiago Alcantara.

So far this season, the former Arsenal man has made just ten appearances in all competitions with just three of those being starts.

The early months of his campaign were blighted by injury, only returning to contention in mid-December. However, since then, he has only featured for a total of 201 minutes in the Premier League.

With Liverpool in such a commanding position heading into the second leg, the game could be a wonderful opportunity to hand Oxlade-Chamberlain a much sought-after place in the starting XI.

Some would argue that it makes no sense for the Englishman to replace summer signing Thiago in the lineup due to his much inferior output.

In one respect, they would be correct. According to WhoScored, the Spaniard is superior to Oxlade-Chamberlain in shots, key passes and dribbles per game.

Despite that,  however, it is actually the Englishman who has had a more telling contribution on the pitch with an assist. Whilst that is still not sparkling, the £120k p/w midfielder has achieved that in far less game time as Thiago continues his struggles to adapt to the demands of life at Anfield.

Even Klopp has pointed out an aspect that Liverpool are desperately missing and one that Oxlade-Chamberlain could bring: “energy”.

The reigning Premier League champions look flat and uninspiring at the current time. They need a spark from somewhere and that could potentially be with the recall of Oxlade-Chamberlain.

AND in more news, should Jurgen Klopp walk from Anfield in the near future, FSG have to target former midfielder Steven Gerrard as the German’s replacement…

Lawrie Sanchez believes that Jose Mourinho’s failure at Tottenham might stop Daniel Levy from appointing another big name.

Mourinho was sacked back in April with Spurs looking unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, whilst they’d already crashed out of the Europa League and FA Cup.

But it’s been more than 50 days since the Portuguese’s dismissal, with the Tottenham chairman missing out on most of his top targets, whilst he couldn’t agree a deal with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after his potential move collapsed last week.

Another big name that has been touted for the job is Zinedine Zidane. The legendary French midfielder recently left his second spell with Real Madrid, but only managed one La Liga title since returning to the Spanish capital.

The 48-year-old’s Madrid departure means he’s now a free agent, but former Premier League manager Sanchez doesn’t believe Levy will go down a similar route to Mourinho again.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“He won three Champions League and two La Liga’s, but for whatever reason, he’s disparaged because they’re not sure he’s a great technical coach.

“There’s a feeling that he’s lucky to get Real Madrid. I’m not sure he speaks English. I think language is a massive thing – Mourinho, Wenger, Tuchel, Guardiola all speak English – and you need to be able to understand it.

“I would be surprised. Zidane is a massive name, I think Levy likes someone he can mould, or he can work with and isn’t bigger than him and after having a taste of Mourinho, I don’t think he’ll go down that road again.”

Arsenal are monitoring Donny van de Beek’s situation ahead of a potential summer switch…

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Gunners have made an enquiry to Manchester United about the future of the 24-year-old midfielder after he started only four Premier League games in his debut season in England.

It’s claimed that Arsenal have asked their top-flight rivals to keep them updated on his situation.

Van de Beek cost the Red Devils an initial £35m from Ajax last summer but he’s found game time hard to come by behind leading talisman Bruno Fernandes.

Ramsey 2.0

Even though the Dutch international has struggled to make much of an impact at Old Trafford this term, he could well give Mikel Arteta and his side something they have long lacked.

Someone who can provide goals and creativity from midfield.

It’s not since Aaron Ramsey that the Gunners have had such a threat.

As per Transfermarkt, the Welshman scored at least six goals from midfield in five of his 11 seasons at the club, with a career-best 16 goals and ten assists coming during 2013/14.

His presence in the heart of the engine room has been sorely missed since his free transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2019.

Prior to his move to United, Van de Beek caught the eye with a similar record, scoring ten or more goals in each of his final three seasons at the Dutch giants with his best coming in 2018/19, where he delivered 17 goals and 13 assists, via Transfermarkt.

That’s why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought him to Manchester and it’s not all his fault that he wasn’t able knock the fine talent of Fernandes ou of the side, so a new start in London could be exactly what he needed.

Van de Beek’s former U17 coach at the Johan Cruyff ArenA waxed lyrical about his ability to Tuttojuve last year. He said:

“Physically he has always been devastating since he knows how to attack and defend with the same skill. He was very shy but already smart on the playing field. He is a total footballer, offensive runs are one of his great specialities.”

Whilst Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan regarded him as a “proper Premier League player” prior to his move.

The £27m-rated man described as a “special talent” by analyst Statman Dave, could be everything Arteta needs in the no.10 role next season and if he does become available then technical director Edu Gaspar must do all he can to secure him.

By signing Van de Beek, the Gunners could finally sign their next Ramsey.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Partey: Edu must sanction Arsenal swoop for £18m-rated “special talent”…

Aston Villa’s disappointing run in the Premier League continued with a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday night.

Dean Smith’s side are now winless in their last four in the top flight, and goals from Carlos Vinicius and Harry Kane were enough to consign Villa to yet another damaging result in their hunt for a European place for next season.

One man who really let his manager down was Trezeguet.

As per Sofascore, the Egyptian lost 15 of his total 20 duels on the night, which was a real indication of how much he struggled to get past right-back Japhet Tanganga.

The Spurs man’s experience of playing in the centre of defence saw him easily outmuscle the Egyptian in those one-on-one contests down the flank, and the Villa winger’s lack of real conviction told a big story of his struggles.

He managed to complete just one dribble, which was a third of what Bertrand Traore managed on the opposite flank despite being hooked at the one hour mark at Villa Park.

The £9m-rated Trezeguet just couldn’t get himself involved enough, which meant it was no surprise that he managed just ten successful passes in the time that he was on the pitch – the fewest of any Villa starter and even fewer than goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave the winger the joint-lowest score of three, noting: “Had a first half to forget. The Egyptian miscontrolled almost everything that came his way. Trezeguet was offside on a couple of occasions. He was picked out well by Sanson after the break but, again, he lacked conviction once more with the winger without a goal all season which dates back to his strike against Arsenal in July 2020.

“Just not understanding what Trezeguet brings to the team of late. Struggling in terms of quality, for me, and should be out of the team after the international break.”

With no goals in the Premier League whatsoever this season, and just the one assist, it’s hard to see what Trezeguet is bringing to the team in terms of the top end of the pitch.

It’s all well and good being a hard-working winger who won’t shirk defensive responsibilities, but offering that crucial goal threat at the other end is surely why he’s being picked in the team.

Smith simply has to drop him from the starting line-up after yet another shocking display.

Meanwhile, Villa are surely ruing this January call…

Sheffield Wednesday could well sell a number of their star players if Dejphon Chansiri receives a suitable bid for them this summer.

What’s been said?

That’s according to the Yorkshire Live journalist Dom Howson, who claimed he wouldn’t be surprised if, in order to balance the books at Hillsborough this summer, the club’s owner will seriously consider selling any of the Owls’ contracted players in the upcoming market, regardless of their importance to the team.

Speaking on the Singing The Blues Podcast (as reported by Football League World), Howson said: “You have to say that the revenue hit that they’re going to take now from relegation, there are genuine concerns about [Chansiri’s] ability to continue financing the football club and there’s no sign of him walking away or looking to sell up.

“But Wednesday, this summer, when it comes to some of their playing assets, such as Josh Windass, Barry Bannan, Dominic Iorfa, those three players who are under contract for next year – I tell you what, if they get some decent offers on the table, for any of their players, they’re going to have to seriously look at it this summer to again try and make ends meet.”

Fans will be furious

It is inevitable that, following the club’s relegation to the third tier of English football, the Owls will have to make financial cutbacks in a number of areas this summer in order to make up for the lost revenue that Championship football brings.

However, if Chansiri attempts to make up for this loss in revenue by selling the club’s most influential players, Wednesday very much run the risk of finding themselves stuck in League One for a great deal longer than just one season – something that would be yet another grave mistake on the part of the 53-year-old.

Furthermore, with the businessman already struggling to pay the wages of his players, the drop in division is only going to tighten the financial strain on the club, and, if Chansiri cannot afford to stump up the cash to pay players’ salaries, rather than selling off key assets this summer, the question must be raised as to whether he is fit to continue running the club.

However, as Howson states, with no sign of the owner selling up any time soon, in addition to this latest news regarding the potential sales of players such as Windass, Bannan and Iorfa, the future of Wednesday does not look overly bright at present, something that is likely to leave the Hillsborough faithful understandably furious.

In other news: 67% passes completed: Sheff Wed passenger who lost possession 22x cost Moore dearly – opinion

Graham Roberts insists that Harry Winks has simply downed tools at Tottenham Hotspur.

The £50,000-a-week midfielder endured a torturous evening last week as Spurs lost 1-0 to Pacos de Ferreira in a Europa Conference League qualifier.

Winks was one of the senior players in an inexperienced starting XI for Spurs but he conceded possession in the build-up to the winner, and failed to inspire a comeback.

Winks was left on the bench in the win over Manchester City on the opening weekend and played a single minute in the 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux, as he came on as a late substitute.

Roberts believes that he is keen to leave the club, with various sides reported to hold an interest in signing him, including Everton, although he fears he may well decide to see out his lengthy contract at the club, which is due to expire in 2024.

Speaking exclusively to Football Fancast, he said: “He looks like he’s downed tools, he wants to get away, and then he comes out and says he doesn’t want to leave. He’s going to see his contract out.

“Well, that’s what Danny Rose said so just get on and play the best you can and you might get back in the team.”