All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool look set to complete the loan signing of Ozan Kabak from Schalke before the transfer deadline on Monday evening, and after the details of the deal were revealed, it seems clear that this is another excellent piece of business by sporting director Michael Edwards.

According to The Athletic journalist James Peace, the Reds will pay just £1 million as a loan fee for the Turkish centre-back, with a potential £500,000 in add-ons based on his appearances.

If he impresses, Jurgen Klopp’s side can also complete his permanent signing for just £18 million, but they have absolutely no obligation to do so, meaning they can send him back to Schalke in the summer if he fails to win over the German manager with his performances.

This represents excellent value for money, as the 20-year-old is currently valued at £22.5 million by Transfermarkt.

Potentially paying as little as £1 million for a centre-back with plenty of potential, with journalist Max Bielefeld describing him as “one of the best young centre-backs in Germany” during Sky’s coverage of deadline day, could represent extraordinary business for Liverpool, especially if he can help the Reds retain their Premier League title this season.

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Whilst Kabak’s performances this season have been slightly worrying, as he has averaged a poor 6.39 rating for his performances in the Bundesliga, he has been playing in a Schalke side bereft of any form confidence, so could be a completely different player in this Liverpool side.

Certainly, with Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Fabinho all currently sidelined, signing centre-backs had to be a priority for the Reds on deadline day, and Edwards looks to have delivered yet another masterclass in signing Kabak, especially if he can live up to his potential with the Anfield outfit. If he doesn’t, he’ll have only cost them a maximum fee of around £1.5m.

Hopefully, for Liverpool, Kabak can slot into Klopp’s side quickly, as there’s no doubt that with their current injury concerns, it shouldn’t be long until he is entrusted to make his debut for the Premier League champions.

And, in other news… LFC suffer a transfer blow over “simply incredible” centre-back.

According to journalist Alex Crook, Southampton are “still hopeful” of signing Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles on transfer deadline day.

What’s the story?

The Gunners’ versatile ace has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League over the past couple of days, with a number of teams seemingly interested in taking him on loan for the rest of the season.

Reports had suggested the likes of West Brom and Leicester were among the clubs keen on signing him, but now Crook has delivered a promising update on the situation in Ralph Hasenhuttl side’s favour.

He claims that whilst there’s no “tangible progress made” just yet, the Saints are “still hopeful of getting it done”.

Ralph needs him

After seeing the likes Theo Walcott, Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu make the long walk back down the tunnel in the controversial 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, Hasenhuttl must be wringing his hands wondering where on earth his luck has gone.

The Saints boss is already short on natural full-back cover, so much so that James Ward-Prowse had to fill in as a right-back. It’s exactly why the versatile Maitland-Niles is such a badly needed option for Hasenhuttl on deadline day.

The England international has played as a full-back, wing-back, central midfielder and even out wide in his career, and given that reports have even suggested that the £16.2m-rated Maitland-Niles wants a move in this transfer window where he can play in the middle of the park, surely the Southampton manager can now convince him he can get that opportunity to do so at St Mary’s?

Writing for The Athletic, Dan Sheldon said: “If Ainsley Maitland-Niles was fretting about joining Southampton over concerns of a lack of game time, then Saturday evening should convince him to opt for the St Mary’s side over West Brom and Leicester.”

Crook’s update is a promising sign for Hasenhuttl’s side on deadline day.

Meanwhile, Southampton would be foolish to get rid of this man…

West Ham United have landed a potential boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Sheffield United as David Moyes is refusing to rule out striker Michail Antonio.

The Irons got a first taste of what life will be like should the forward suffer a serious injury on Tuesday night when eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester United, whilst Antonio was not even named on the bench.

Moyes had opted to leave the 30-year-old at home for his side’s trip to Old Trafford, having deemed the attacker unfit to feature after showing signs of serious fatigue in last weekend’s goalless draw with Fulham.

Antonio had appeared vastly laboursome in his efforts at Craven Cottage after leading the line in victory over Aston Villa three days before, in what was only his third full 90 minutes since returning from a second hamstring injury of the campaign.

Moyes has now confirmed that while there is a chance the £11m-rated dynamo may still not be fit to face Sheffield United on Monday night, he is hopeful of seeing signs of progress in training over the coming days.

“I don’t think he is too bad; we are just being careful with him and he is a concern for Sheffield United but hopefully [he will be fit]. We will see in the next few days,” the Hammers boss said, via quotes by football.london.

Moyes named Andriy Yarmolenko at striker against Manchester United but lost the Ukraine international 10 minutes into the second half after he sustained knee ligament damage.

Mipo Odubeko replaced Yarmolenko to make only his second senior appearance for West Ham, but lasted just 58 minutes before being taken off in the final minutes of extra time for midfielder Manuel Lanzini in search of an equalising goal.

Moyes will love it to be true that Antonio will now be fit to feature against Sheffield United next Monday when the Blades travel to the London Stadium, as the prospect of tackling the Premier League season without the five-goal striker could scupper any hopes of securing a European qualifying berth this term.

Yarmolenko was extremely quiet at Old Trafford having seen little of the ball during his time on the field, while Pablo Fornals wasted his best chance to create something when the Spaniard failed to find options to his left or right with a pass straight to Victor Lindelof.

Jarrod Bowen was often silent in the first period, as well, before being taken off at the break without a single shot to his name. Yarmolenko, who registered a mere 16 touches, at least tried his luck once but saw his strike blocked, while West Ham as a team could only muster three efforts on Dean Henderson’s net over 120 minutes, per SofaScore.

Antonio’s presence was sorely missed against the Red Devils, with Moyes comfortable knowing the 30-year-old can create chances with 2.1 shots and chases the ball to register 32.3 touches a game in the Premier League this term. Aspects the West Ham boss will hope are at his disposal against Sheffield United next time out.

AND in other news, West Ham will have to pay in excess of £26.5m to land a prolific 18 goal striker in the summer…

Steve Bruce has admitted that he fears the worst with Miguel Almiron’s potential injury sustained during Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

That’s according to Chronicle Live, who quote the Toon boss as expressing deep concern over the extent to which the Paraguayan playmaker has damaged his knee.

Almiron appeared to pick up an injury while stretching for the ball and was left distressed at half-time, forcing Bruce to replace the 27-year-old with Ryan Fraser for the second period.

Almiron earned his 18th start in 24 Premier League appearances for the season on Saturday, and will be a big miss for Newcastle should he now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“It’s too early but for him to come off and be in the state he is in, we fear the worst,” Bruce said following the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

“He was in distress at half-time. He will have scans on Sunday to see how he is.”

Only Callum Wilson, who Bruce believes remains “three or four weeks away” from a return due to a hamstring injury, has scored (10) more for Newcastle than Almiron (4) in the top-flight this term.

Almiron’s driving presence and willingness to run helps tp stretch opposing defences and he offers United their best link-up player, connecting the deep-lying midfielders and backline with the attackers.

Bruce will have a serious headache over who could replace Almiron should he be without another key player amid a relegation fight, but the Paraguayan’s absence can open a door for Fraser to establish himself after a strong cameo showing on the back of some strong criticism.

The Chronicle’s chief Newcastle writer Lee Ryder had questioned if Fraser even wants to be at St. James’ Park earlier in the week, with him having appeared disinterested and unhappy during the Magpies’ prior 3-1 loss to Manchester United.

“Fraser, for me, doesn’t look like he wants to be here. You’re asking me an honest question and I’m giving you my opinion from what I am seeing – he doesn’t look like he wants to be here,” Ryder said (23/2, 07:35).

“It looks to me like he feels he’s a made a mistake coming to Newcastle. We are not seeing the Ryan Fraser which we saw at Bournemouth, and we know with him it could be a situation where if he’s not happy, he’s not performing and that is what it looks like at the minute.”

Fraser was far better at home to Wolves on Saturday night after replacing Almiron, with the £11m-rated maestro the most-creative player in the second half with three key passes – no other player for either side offered more than two, per WhoScored.

The 27-year-old also recorded his third assist in black and white and first since December when he delivered a darting cross into the heart of the visitor’s penalty area, picking out the advancing Jamaal Lascelles after the Toon captain lost his marker to head home powerfully.

Fraser remains without a Magpies goal of his own in the Premier League to date having seen his only shot on Saturday night blocked, but his introduction appeared inspired rather than forced.

Bruce will now surely hope to see the ex-Bournemouth winger finally establish himself if given the nod to replace Almiron, with Fraser only starting six of his 15 top-flight outings thus far this term.

AND in other news, Newcastle have joined the race for a sought-after “real talent” capable of “outstanding” displays…

Many Aston Villa fans may have been slightly worried to see Morgan Sanson substituted early in the second half against Wolves on Saturday evening, and Gregg Evans has provided an injury update on the player.

The latest on Sanson

The player was given a start by Dean Smith, his first start in the Premier League since signing in January (Transfermarkt). It would have been frustrating that he couldn’t play the whole game but it looks like the injury isn’t too bad as The Athletic journalist Evans tweeted: “Sanson took a knock but nothing serious.”

This is great news for Villa

The Frenchman impressed in his 61 minutes on the pitch as he picked up a match rating of 7 from SofaScore. He had 47 touches of the ball and completed 82% of his passes, also winning seven of his nine ground duels and three tackles.

He is a highly-rated footballer, with former Villa defender Alan Hutton saying: “Obviously Villa have a very good player there and it’s just about the timing and when he comes into to the team.”

With the injury to Jack Grealish, it is crucial that the club do not lose any more midfield depth, so to hear that the knock to Sanson is nothing serious will be reassuring for Villa – all the more so following his strong performance against Wolves.

In other news, some Villa fans were fuming at this attacker against Wolves!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Marlon Harewood is refusing to consider Sam Allardyce’s complaints about West Brom’s recent schedule.

The West Brom boss has not been happy with the scheduling of some of the Baggies’ recent fixtures, going as far as to say those working for the Premier League are “helping” the club to get relegated.

Allardyce’s side were made to play Newcastle United last Sunday, 60 hours after taking on Everton, a tight turnaround. Harewood, though, has little sympathy for the ex-England manager, feeling the hectic Premier League schedule is something people should be used to by now.

Reacting to Allardyce’s comments in an Exclusive interview with FFC, Harewood said:

“It’s just crazy. I do find that [crazy], when managers and people moan, obviously you knew the schedule from the beginning of the season, so you have to plan. Everyone has to plan, especially with injuries and stuff, you can’t put it down to injuries. You have a squad, you have a 24-man squad and you play them how you see fit to play them.”

The former West Ham and Aston Villa forward later added: “So like when Sam Allardyce’s talking about stuff like that, because I respect him, because he’s a great manager, but at the same time, you just got to get on with it.”

Next up for West Brom is a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Allardyce’s former side Crystal Palace.

The Eagles’ form in front of goal has not been great of late, blanking in consecutive home games against Fulham and Manchester United before Christian Benteke’s header in their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham last time out.

It is one area the Baggies could try and exploit as they desperately try to pick up some points with time running out for them.

According to reports, Leeds United are interested in signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been heavily reliant on Patrick Bamford to fire in the goals this season in the Premier League, and to the 27-year-old’s credit, he’s stepped up to the plate with 13 strikes in the competition.

Now, TEAMtalk claim that the Whites are one of three Premier League sides keen on signing Toney, with Brentford ready to put on a £30m price tag on him this summer.

The report adds that the Bees are hoping to hand the striker a new contract ahead of their own potential Premier League promotion, but they are already being faced with interest in their main man.

The new Mark Viduka

With his 6 foot 2 frame, Toney has got all the physical characteristics to become Leeds’ next Mark Viduka. But, just like the former Whites striker, he’s more than just a massive presence up top as he’s developed into a fine all-round striker.

Speaking earlier last year, Peterborough’s director of football, Barry Fry, said: “He’s turned into a tremendous all-round footballer. It’s important to remember Ivan is not just an exceptional goal-scoring forward, he’s also an outstanding defender.”

Toney himself has the confidence that he could be a top-flight striker, saying back in November: “I’ve always liked Zlatan. I just love his confidence. Some people see it as arrogance but you must be like that to succeed. I’m similar to Zlatan in both my confidence and the way I play. When he wants to do something, he just does it. I have some of that in my game and personality. And I believe I’ll be a Premier League striker.”

That unique blend of natural physical ability, technical quality, and just downright confidence is eerily similar to Viduka. In a piece for Leeds Live, Jon Howe wrote about the Australian: “Combining an arrogant superiority and sublime beauty with questionable attitude and a disgraced finale, Viduka’s Elland Road career succinctly mirrored the four year period where it felt Leeds United had it all but somehow ended up in the gutter.

“He was an ominous physical specimen, an old-fashioned centre forward in many respects, but mixed a formidable presence with a delicate technique that made him the purest example of a ‘good touch for a big fella’ player you are ever likely to see.”

The 25-goal Toney has got a lot of good things going for him in terms of a positive Viduka comparison, and that’s something Victor Orta should be all over in the summer.

Having proved himself in the Championship by leading the line with aplomb for Brentford this season, Toney seems exactly like the kind of all-round striker that would fit in perfectly with Bielsa. A goal-scorer, a defender from the front, and a real live-wire. What more could Leeds want?

Meanwhile, this Leeds man let Bielsa down against West Ham…

Several Sheffield Wednesday fans were far from happy with Josh Windass during their 2-1 defeat to Norwich City in the Championship on Sunday.

Norwich are currently 10 points clear at the top of the second tier (BBC), so the Owls surely can’t be too disappointed with this result – they are 23rd and staring relegation to League One in the face. However, at this point in the campaign, it is irrelevant as to who they are playing against – they need wins and they need them fast.

This weekend, a number of supporters were particularly disappointed with the performance of Windass. He didn’t appear to do too badly in the first 45 minutes, but his failure to pass to teammate Joey Pelupessy after the interval infuriated the fans, especially when he then shouted expletives at Pelupessy after he complained.

These fans were angry with the former Glasgow Rangers forward, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

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

“Windass showing absolutely zero awareness there”

Credit: @BigAl_simon

“Decision making there from Windass was appalling. Simple pass to JP who is in on goal.”

Credit: @mja_owl

“Windass needs to come off next. Having a mare”

Credit: @robbiebebbie

“Windass got worst decision making I’ve ever seen”

Credit: @jacksheedy13

“Josh Windass needs to go! In it for him and nowhere near a team player! Ship him off to Ipswich I’ll pay for travel”

Credit: @buenotaylor10

“Can someone please tell Windass passing is allowed. Come and get him Ipswich”

Credit: @Matthew60975500

In other news, some Sheffield Wednesday fans react to an update on this man.

Despite making his return from injury a few weeks ago, it’s fair to say that Aston Villa winger Trezeguet hasn’t quite hit the ground running.

The Egypt international missed the entirety of December and most of January through injury, and made his comeback in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle.

Since then, however, he has yet to score a goal or provide even a single assist, and it raises some real questions about Dean Smith’s decision to bring him into the starting line-up for the past couple of games in the Premier League.

With Anwar El Ghazi fully fit now, there’s no excuses for Smith to move Trezeguet out and bring the Dutchman back into the team.

The £9m-rated Trezeguet ranks as the second-worst Villa player in the entire squad out of those who have started at least ten games this season, and that’s a damning indictment on just how little he has impressed – even centre-back Kortney Hause has managed to find the back of the net more than him.

Speaking earlier this season to Football Insider, Agbonlahor said about the £9m-rated ace: “I said it after the Brighton game on Twitter and Villa fans weren’t happy with my comment about him not being able to finish his dinner. In the Premier League, you get punished for not taking easy chances like that. If that ball fell to anyone else but Trezeguet, they would have scored.

“I just feel his all game is a bit erratic, he works hard but his final ball at times was poor. He makes the wrong decision a lot. As much as working hard is important in football, there has to be some quality there because otherwise, it’s going to cost you.”

While Trezeguet’s work-rate and endeavour off the ball is all well and good, his lack of quality when in possession is something Villa just can’t keep glossing over.

Smith simply has to drop him from the starting line-up against Tottenham tonight.

Meanwhile, Villa are making a big mistake over signing this midfielder…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt said he had no issue with Hugo Lloris’ post-match comments after Spurs’ Europa League exit last Thursday.

Despite holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg, Jose Mourinho’s side were sent crashing out after losing 3-0 on the night, and 3-2 on aggregate, to Dinamo Zagreb following a wretched performance in the Croatian capital.

Lloris spoke to BT Sport after the game, and the Tottenham skipper pulled no punches, brandishing the result a “disgrace”, whilst also questioning club’s mentality.

The defeat came just three days after Spurs’ top-four hopes suffered a major blow at rivals Arsenal, but Mabbutt admitted that Lloris was well within his rights to question his teammates.

He told Football FanCast:

“I have been asked a couple of times about Hugo’s comments. Hugo is probably one of the most respected goalkeepers in the world – a World Cup winner with France, and of course in the dressing room is a big character.

“So to come out and say what he did, that wouldn’t have been just said to the media but that would have been said in the dressing room – whether after the Arsenal game or Zagreb game. He would have made it clear to the players what he felt, and then made it public.

“I had no problem seeing what came out from Hugo or the manager. It was aimed at getting a response, and clearly from the result on Sunday it got the response that everyone was hoping for.”

It was quite simply a disastrous four days for Spurs, but having put those two awful results behind them by beating Aston Villa, the top-four is suddenly in their sights, especially with a winnable trip to Newcastle on the horizon next month.