[ad_pod ]Sheffield United swept a poor Nottingham Forest team aside at Bramall Lane on Friday, and fans are once again delighted with the progress of Enda Stevens.While Leeds dropped points, Sheffield United took care of business on Friday afternoon, with several key players putting in superb performances in a 2-0 win.Jack O’Connell was monstrous at the back, Mark Duffy and David McGoldrick caused plenty of problems up front while John Fleck and Oliver Norwood ran the show in midfield.No one was more impressive than Stevens though, whose transition from traditional left-back to left-wing-back since joining the Blades has been remarkable.Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…Chris Wilder has turned the Irishman into one of the best full backs in the league, and his strike in the win takes his tally to two for the campaign, along with an impressive six assists.Fans are delighted with the 28 year-old’s form and Wilder deserves huge credit for getting the best out of him in a role he did not play at Portsmouth.You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

رد جوسيب ماريا بارتوميو رئيس نادي برشلونة على الانتقادات التي تعرض لها من قِبل جيرارد بيكيه، فيما يتعلق باستخدام أموال لتحسين صورة الإدارة على عكس اللاعبين.

وكان بيكيه قد ألمح إلى أن إدارة برشلونة تدفع أموالًا لشركة لتحسين صورة مسؤولي النادي برئاسة بارتوميو، وتوجيه الانتقادات إلى اللاعبين.

وقال بارتوميو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “لن ننفق يورو واحد لأي مستشار أو موقع لانتقاد اللاعبين، لقد أوضحت ذلك لـ بيكيه، أحد قادة فريقنا”.

وأضاف: “بيكيه هو واحد من قادة فريق، لقد مدد عقده وخفض راتبه لمساعدة النادي، في بعض الأحيان عليك تقبل ما يُقال”.

وواصل: “لن أجادل اللاعبين في العلن، فقط على انفراد، لديهم أبوابي مفتوحة وأحيانًا أذهب إلى منازلهم”.

وعاد بارتوميو للحديث عن ميسي مجددًا، حيث قال: “أتفهم أنه كان غاضبًا، لكن لم نتمكن من السماح له بالرحيل لأنه مفتاح مشروعنا، ونأمل أن يقول في الأيام القليلة المقبلة إنه يريد البقاء وتجديد عقده”.

We’ve really had some problems on the road this year, haven’t we? So much so, that some Hammers may be beginning to question Manuel Pellegrini after a few poor performances which then means the summer transfer window is of the utmost importance to West Ham.

Having spent over £100 million in the summer, fans had every right to assume the Irons would be on course to push on up the table but now in 11th, that hasn’t happened.

Clearly, many are still keen for Manuel Pellegrini to get the full backing he deserves and rightly so but this summer could prove to be make or break for him and the club as a whole.

As ever, the rumour mill has already started and it will be unsettling to hear that Felipe Anderson (as per Bleacher Report earlier this month) would be allowed to leave for huge money. If worst comes to worst and he does leave, West Ham should act fast to get Nice forward Allan Saint-Maximin in his place.

Allan Saint-Maximin, (who is valued at £22.5 million on Transfermarkt) was previously a rumoured (as per the Sun) target for West Ham before they went and acquired Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko in the wide positions instead and again (according to the Sun via HITC) after the latter’s injury earlier in the campaign.

The speedy playmaker has once again enjoyed a successful season with Nice, going on to provide six goals and four assists in Ligue 1. Imagine the sight of him tearing up the London Stadium, bringing goals from all over the pitch.

The 22-year-old is used to changing positions frequently and could be used on either wing, as well as down the middle as a supporting striker. His electric pace and trickery makes him an absolute nightmare to defend against, so he could prove to be a real handful in the Premier League.

Indeed, he’s got the makings of a fan favourite and you Irons would be in for a real treat.

Again West Ham would have to take the risk in signing a player that has never played in England before but in certain cases like Felipe Anderson, that has worked out well this season.

Saint-Maximin is without a doubt someone who could quickly help fans forget about Felipe Anderson, should he leave this summer. We’ve been here before with Dimitri Payet, after all.

West Ham fans, do you agree? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting to a promising update on Rafael Benitez’s future.

Newcastle fans went into meltdown mode on Twitter on Thursday after L’Equipe (via GFFN) claimed Benitez has employed a Lyon-based football agency to explore job opportunities in Ligue 1.

While some fans were distraught at the news others just dismissed it completely, and now Luke Edwards from The Telegraph has given the update that everyone wanted to hear.

Does Newcastle’s infamous title collapse of 1996 mirror what is happening at Liverpool right now? The Magpie Channel discuss in the video below…

“I’m told the claim Benitez has signed up with an employment agency to look for jobs in France are not true and his priority is to continue working in England,” Edwards tweeted.

The gaffer himself has since been asked about his future as well, and has effectively placed the ball in Mike Ashley’s court, per Damian Spellman.

Of course, losing Benitez would be a total catastrophe, as there are very few managers in world football, and probably none that are available, who could produce his results with such an underwhelming squad.

Fans are unsurprisingly going wild over the update from Edwards, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Charlton extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-0 victory over relegation candidates Bradford at the weekend – a clash which saw Jonny Williams return to the starting XI behind goalscorer Lyle Taylor and Igor Vetokele.

The former Crystal Palace man has yet to notch or tee up a teammate since signing for the Addicks in January but is still an asset to Lee Bowyer in a team that lacks creative ability beyond Joe Aribo.

Like many of his teammates, though, the 25-year-old’s future at The Valley is uncertain; his deal at the club expires in the summer and so it’s unclear as to whether he will be plying his trade for the Addicks next season.

Fortunately, the 18-cap Welsh international has moved to ease any tension surrounding his commitment to the club – or has he? Here’s what Williams had to say to London News Online:

“I’m trying to focus on Charlton and getting the club back in the Championship. Trying to focus on staying fit. Seasons go quick and fast so it will soon be the summer and I’ll be looking at my next step in my career wherever that may be. I just want to enjoy my football again. I’ve really enjoyed my time here, so who knows.

“Of course [I’d be open to staying at Charlton]. There would be a real feel-good factor if we were to get promoted. It’s a real good bunch of lads. I’ve enjoyed working under the manager, I think he’s improving me. I’m getting into better goal scoring positions and making an impact higher up the pitch. He is helping me improve my game. We’ll see come the summer. I’m enjoying my football here and I don’t see why not if everything is good. So, we’ll see.”

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Williams’ career has been plighted by injuries but he’s finally been able to string some displays together at Charlton given the promise of regular starts. The Welshman reserved his promises for the summer, though, instead leaning on the ‘who knows, we’ll see’ approach. Would you like to see Williams remain at The Valley next season? Let us know in the comments below…

Given where Manchester United were under Jose Mourinho, it is pretty remarkable that they are now just two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table.

It has been some turnaround for the Red Devils since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, though one of the club’s ex-players is refusing to get carried away.

The Breakdown

“Are we moving forward, are we standing still?” Andy Cole asked rhetorically when speaking to BBC Sport about Manchester United needing to get their next managerial appointment right.

“And when we are talking about Manchester United finishing in the top four and it’s time to celebrate, I am scratching my head,” the former Red Devil added.

“That’s not something to celebrate. It’s Man United. For me, you celebrate winning the league, getting to the European Cup final or winning the FA Cup, or whatever.”

Looking at what Manchester United have won down the years, including the teams that featured Cole, the 47-year-old’s take on things is understandable.

No one at Old Trafford wants to see the club become like Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in recent seasons who treated Champions League qualification like it was the Champions League trophy itself.

That being said, Cole and co have to lower their expectations for this season or just write it off completely.

It has been a campaign of transition, leaving Mourinho’s pragmatism behind for Solskjaer’s more Manchester United approach.

And even amid that, the opportunity to do something special in the Champions League, however unlikely, is still there.

If the club find themselves in a similar predicament next season, then Cole is right to ask questions. But considering the context of things, there is no need to hit the panic button just yet.

Manchester United fans, do you agree with Cole’s assessment of things? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Wolves spent big in the summer having been promoted to the Premier League and pretty much all of their additions have been impactful. Now, the big cheeses at Molineux Stadium are looking ahead to the end of the season with the aim of improving their squad further and have reportedly emerged as a surprise suitor for Southampton’s Cedric Soares.

The right-back has fallen out of favour at St Mary’s Stadium despite having been one of their most consistent performers of the last few years and looks likely to be moved on in the summer – the Midlands could be exactly the environment he needs to prove Ralph Hasenhuttl wrong.

What’s the word?

Well, Italian media outlet Tuttomercatoweb understand that Inter Milan – Soares’ current club – are unwilling to make the Portuguese’s loan move permanent, while Yan Valery has nailed down the first-choice right-back spot at Southampton; it would seem the former Sporting man is somewhat in limbo.

However, all hope is not yet lost for the 27-year-old, with Wolves apparently eyeing a move according to the aforementioned report, presumably to provide competition for Matt Doherty at right-wing-back.

The fourth and fifth defenders are key components of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and both the aforementioned Doherty and left-wing-back Jonny Castro Otto have flourished in these roles.

Would playing under his countryman provide Soares with the perfect opportunity to show that Hasenhuttl has got something wrong after all?

Ralph is wrong?

The former RB Leipzig boss made a number of big changes when he took the Saints helm in December and most – if not all – have paid off so far, with Valery in particular flourishing in Soares’ absence.

The Austrian introduced a new 3-4-3 system upon his arrival – an approach which, like Nuno’s, encourages the wing-backs to get forward and cause damage.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

Clearly Hasenhuttl doesn’t feel that Soares is a better option than Valery in that role but, should he play there for Wolves, the 33-cap international would have the opportunity to embarrass the Saints boss who appears to have written him off. What do you think, Southampton fans? Does Soares have a future at the club? Let us know in the comments below…

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to reveal their desire to see Hakim Ziyech arrive at the club, after it was revealed that the Ajax attacker will be allowed to leave for just £25m due to a clause in his contract.

The Morocco international arrived from FC Twente back in 2016 for €11m, and has really put his name up in lights this season with some exquisite displays for the Dutch giants.

Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…

Ziyech has played a pivotal role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, scoring 19 goals and recording 20 assists across all competitions.

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for the 26-year-old after news emerged of the clause in his contract, and many fans are seemingly in favour of him arriving at Anfield given his achievements so far in the current campaign.

Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Arsenal, are also said to be keeping tabs on the situation, but lets see how the Liverpool fans on Twitter reacted to the news…

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s battling performances at right-back for Crystal Palace have earned the 21-year-old plaudits and admirers all over Europe, although his displays have always been deemed not quite enough when it comes to recognition from the likes of Gareth Southgate’s England and now the PFA.

The defender narrowly missed out on a call-up to the last senior Three Lions squad, with Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold named instead, and now the latter has returned to take some shine off of Wan-Bissaka’s stellar season once again.

The Liverpool man has had a fantastic campaign, make no mistake, but his inclusion in the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award means there is no room for the Eagles’ tackling king. The omission has raised eyebrows but none are more bemused than Alan Shearer, who went so far as to claim Wan-Bissaka should actually be picking up this season’s award (BBC’s The Premier League Show via Football London):

“I think his improvement has been incredible. I think that the pressure a young player is under is hard enough anyway, but to go into a team and stand out when, for a lot of this season he has been playing in a relegation battle; when you put all of that together, for him to be the standout player in that team, and what they have had to go through, and for him to keep getting better and better, and offer so much to that team, I think he deserves it. I think he has been absolutely magnificent.”

High praise indeed from the BBC pundit and comments that should somewhat ease any frustration regarding the controversial omission on Wan-Bissaka’s part.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

It seems unlikely that the number 29 will be bothered by his overlooking, though, and will continue to operate with outstanding consistency in the shadow of those performing arguably at a lower standard but for a top six club.

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Everton were in hot pursuit of Olivier Giroud during the summer transfer window of 2017, but they eventually missed out on the France international as Chelsea swooped in to conclude a permanent deal. With a dependable striker still desperately needed at Goodison Park, now is the time to revive their interest.

What’s the word?

According to both the Daily Mirror and The Sun, Ronald Koeman was keen on bringing Giroud to Merseyside in 2017.

The sale of Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United left the Toffees without a recognised talisman, and they are yet to effectively replace the club’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League.

Cenk Tosun was brought in by Sam Allardyce in January 2018 and has been an almighty flop so far. The striker’s performances have been so tepid that even Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a player who has effectively been a glorified Bambi on ice for most of his career, has managed to cement a place at the spearhead of Marco Silva’s attack.

But signs are beginning to emerge which suggest there is a decent player lurking behind his awkward, gangly approach and incredibly suspect finishing ability – unless the ball is planted firmly on his head.

Calvert-Lewin’s perfect mentor

Calvert-Lewin’s physique and playing style fit the description of a quintessential target man, just like Giroud. With that said, Everton should reignite their interest in the soon-to-be free agent to hand the Englishman a dream mentor.

The 32-year-old has been lauded as potentially the world’s best target man by Eden Hazard, per Daily Mail, a claim which a series of fine performances at the World Cup certainly attested to.

Whatever Giroud lacks in pace he more than makes up for in intelligent positioning, intricate link-up, finishing, strength and aerial dominance. These are the qualities which could and should form the nucleus of Calvert-Lewin’s game, so why not bring one of the world’s best to the club to take Everton’s academy product under his wing?

Could a move happen?

Naturally, it would be fair to assume that Giroud may be tempted by the lure of astronomical wages away from the Premier League in places like China and the USA, but there is a sense that he has unfinished business in English football.

Just a few weeks ago Didier Deschamps revealed that Giroud wants more game time, per Sky Sports. With a vacancy clearly begging to be filled by a proven goalscorer in Silva’s attack, the club’s hierarchy should be enticed by the idea of completing a cunning free transfer for a player who would bring the best out of Calvert-Lewin in the long-term and provide a magnetic focal point in attack for the immediate future.

In a transfer market which seldom offers genuine value for money, Giroud is an exception that cannot be ignored by Everton almost two years on from their last reported pursuit.