All posts by z3u9t.icu

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts believes that Tottenham Hotspur could finish in mid-table this season after a poor run of form.

Spurs actually began the season in fine form and won their opening three league games, against Manchester City, Watford, and Wolves.

However, recently they have been hammered twice, losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and 3-0 to Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash with Arsenal, in a vital north London derby, Spurs lie seventh in the league table, although they will be aware that the Gunners can move level with them if they win this weekend.

Roberts believes that there is a level of disillusionment among supporters, having attended the game against Chelsea at the weekend.

Spurs have progressed into the fourth round of the EFL Cup, beating Wolves on penalties in midweek, although they did give up a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in normal time.

And Roberts says that both he and fans believe that a mid-table finish could be on the cards this season.

He said: “It’s not just me, I was sat with supporters, they’re all disillusioned with it.

“People were telling me, where I was sat, ‘we might finish 10th to 15th this year’. Well, I don’t know who you blame for that because you can’t go there from where we’ve been.”

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing over the news that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has withdrawn from the England squad.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the striker has sustained a thigh strain from the 2-0 away win at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League over the weekend, and thus will not be able to play a part in the Three Lions’ upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

This means that he will be given some extra time to rest and recover before hopefully returning to play for the Merseyside club after the international break has finished, rather than risk worsening his issue with England.

Rafa Benitez would not have wanted Calvert-Lewin to endure any additional stress in training with Gareth Southgate, and so it will come as a relief to him that he now has time to recover, especially with the addition of Salomon Rondon offering some extra depth too.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin news

These Toffees supporters buzzed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one Blue even going as far as to claim that the injury withdrawal is ‘good news’:

“Yerrrrsssss”

Credit: @EFCMatt1

“Yessss”

Credit: @JoeEfc171

“A deserved rest for the big fella.”

Credit: @the_street_end

“Good news”

Credit: @EFCNovaScotia

“Good stuff”

Credit: @Toby_Hoskins2

“Thank god. Pointless games anyway”

Credit: @EFC_Lucy

In other news, find out what EFC talks stalled on Deadline Day here!

Liverpool and both Manchester clubs are reportedly interested in making a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland next summer.

The Lowdown: Haaland emerges as world star

Few footballers in the world are currently more highly-rated than the Norwegian predator, with the 21-year-old producing outrageous numbers for Dortmund.

The £117m-rated striker has scored 63 goals in just 64 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, also netting eight times in 13 caps for Norway. Indeed, only Kylian Mbappe is valued at a higher amount by Transfermarkt, an indication of Haaland’s standing in the global game.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

The Latest: Liverpool tipped to make move

The 21-year-old has remained at Dortmund for the time being, but according to Diario Madridsta, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City could all be willing to rival Real Madrid for his signature.

Haaland’s current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2024, so a huge fee would likely be required to snap him up next summer, especially with his exceptional goal tallies.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-2/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Highly unlikely

In truth, it is extremely difficult to see Liverpool signing Haaland, given his probable wage demands (he is already on £141,000 per week) and the amount he would cost.

The Reds simply don’t have the same financial clout as the two Manchester clubs, both of whom spent big this summer, and unless someone like Mohamed Salah was to move on and free up funds and a place in Jurgen Klopp’s team, it is hard to see this move happening.

This summer has shown Liverpool’s limitations in the transfer market, buying in only one player for £36m, and how their rivals can pay huge wages, and it is difficult to see the situation changing any time soon.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy about a transfer rumour that has emerged. Read more here.

Celtic’s win in midweek signalled Ange Postecoglou’s first in competitive fixtures as the new Hoops boss.

It has been a long time coming but their attack was firing on all cylinders as the Bhoys finally discovered some confidence.

They will now return to play in front of their home fans at Parkhead on Sunday afternoon, needing to pick up their first three points of the campaign.

They will face Dundee at Paradise but will Postecoglou decide to make any changes to the side that beat Jablonec in the Czech Republic?

We’re tipping the Australian to make two adjustments to the starting XI this weekend.

The first change is in defence where we hope to see Stephen Welsh feature alongside Carl Starfelt in the middle of the backline.

Celtic ran out comfortable 4-2 winners a few days ago but their defence still left plenty to be desired with Nir Bitton scoring an unfortunate own goal.

He’s been in questionable form this term so we’re predicting him to be dropped.

The other change comes in the final third where Ryan Christie replaces David Turnbull in attacking midfield.

The Scot was the club’s Player of the Season for 2020/21 but hasn’t scored a single goal this term or assisted a strike for his teammates.

Christie, on the other hand, has been a rejuvenated figure and scored a wonderfully timed header against Jablonec a few days ago.

Odsonne Edouard remains on the bench which gives Kyogo Furuhashi another chance to impress. He scored with an excellent finish in midweek and was a threat all game long with his clever movement.

Postecoglou continues to place faith in Anthony Ralston while Ismaila Soro has another opportunity to prove his worth in the middle of the park before James McCarthy finds full fitness.

AND in other news, Celtic eye swoop for £60k-p/w beast who’s “different class”, he’s an upgrade on Bitton…

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has claimed that VVV-Venlo striker Georgios Giakoumakis is weighing up a move between Celtic and Werder Bremen.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s summer

CEO Dominic McKay has been a busy man in his first summer at the club.

Seven new first-team signings are already through the door, with two more expected in Shamrock Rovers’ Liam Scales and Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic.

Striker Thomas Henry of OH Leuven was recently linked with a move to Glasgow, however, it seems as if McKay and co are now looking at Giakoumakis, who enjoyed his most productive season in front of goal last year with 26 Eredivisie goals in 30 appearances.

The Latest: Joseph’s post

Joseph took to Twitter on Thursday to provide an update on Giakoumakis and a potential Parkhead switch.

He admitted that the 26-year-old is weighing up a move between Celtic and Werder Bremen, with £3m set to be enough for his services.

The Sky Sports reporter then added more details regarding the striker.

“I’m told that Giakoumakis & his agent visited Bremen last night to see the club’s facilities and held informal discussions. Bremen had a bid of £1.7m rejected by Venlo, but have not given up hope. Celtic have made initial contact with the player’s representatives & the club.”

The Verdict: Sell Edouard

If Celtic are successful in their pursuit of Giakoumakis, then they should be looking to offload Odsonne Edouard in the final weeks of the window.

The French forward has been the Hoops’ main man in recent years, contributing to 124 goals in his 176 Celtic appearances.

However, he will be free to talk to sides in January ahead of a potential pre-contract agreement, with his Hoops deal up next summer and is working on a Parkhead exit.

So, should Giakoumakis, described as ‘very special’, arrive for £3m, then Celtic should explore selling Edouard for a decent fee before the end of the month instead of risking losing him for nothing over the next 12 months.

In other news: Joseph shares more Celtic transfer news, but this one isn’t positve. 

Aston Villa are facing the prospect of losing out on Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe amid a recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that the centre-back could be set for a reunion with Dean Smith, having, of course, played under the Villa boss during their time in the Championship.

Football Insider delivered an update on the £50k-a-week earning defender’s situation, saying that: “A Villa source has told Football Insider that the club have been given encouragement that United are planning to let Tuanzebe go in the current window. The 20-times champions have been sounded out by Villa over a potential deal and they will listen to offers if they can secure a replacement.”

But now, the same outlet have now claimed that fellow Premier League side Newcastle have leapfrogged Villa in the race to sign Tuanzebe on loan, with the Magpies increasingly confident of striking a deal.

Dean Smith will be livid

The £6m-rated ace came in for some big praise from United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season after a particularly impressive display against French giants PSG in the Champions League.

He said: “Axel’s a tremendous defender, a great leader. He’s come through the academy and we’ve known for years that he’s going to be a top player for us and he’s got the character and the attitude that a Man United player should have. Sometimes you’ll get in a foot race with Mbappe and you have to run with him and we know Axel’s qualities, he’s a top defender.”

While he may not have had too many minutes in the top-flight last year, Tuanzebe showed exactly why Villa are after him, averaging 1.4 tackles per game and boasting an impressive 88.6% pass accuracy – as per Whoscored, both of those stats are actually better than Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings.

What will frustrate Smith is that given his previous ties to Tuanzebe, and the fact that reports suggested Villa had sounded out United over a potential deal much earlier, Newcastle swooping in at the last moment to sign him will sting.

With Bjorn Engels’ departure, Villa are left with a real shortage of centre-back options, and Tuanzebe on a season-long loan would’ve fit the bill to a tee given his Premier League experience and the fact he’s been at the club before.

This latest update will have Smith livid with the club failing to get his man in. News that he’s now closer to joining a fellow Premier League side at that, is unlikely to help how he feels either.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece drops Villa claim on Anwar El Ghazi…

Some Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Moise Kean.

Speaking on his Twitch channel (via The Everton End), Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Goodison Park club will not allow the striker to go out on loan again before the summer window shuts.

Kean impressed while on loan at PSG in the 2020/21 season, scoring 17 goals in 41 matches across all competitions (Transfermarkt), and under a new manager in Rafa Benitez, some Everton supporters feel that he deserves a chance to prove himself on Merseyside.

Given that he has already had the experience of going out on loan, another temporary deal would not really suit the player or the Toffees.

Everton fans on Kean transfer update

These Everton fans were buzzing as the transfer update was shared across Twitter, with one supporter even describing Romano’s revelation as ‘great news’:

“Great news if true, if he wants that move next summer hopefully he’ll get his head down and bag us a load of goals”

Credit: @efc_alex18

“Good, he’ll get goals. Good back up for Dom.”

Credit: @thbluenurse

“I’m glad, I like Kean”

Credit: @mattycampbell44

“Good. 4-4-2 with Dom….!”

Credit: @LD5679

“Absolutely the right call from Benitez – Ancelotti letting Kean out on loan last season almost certainly cost Everton a place in Europe this season!”

Credit: @jkeithgibson

“Good”

Credit: @leylandCal94

In other news, find out what James Rodriguez comments has Evertonians fuming here!

Norwich City star Todd Cantwell is the type of player Aston Villa like, journalist Luke Hatfield has told The Transfer Tavern.

Villa have already raided Norwich this summer for Argentine playmaker Emiliano Buendia and it looks like there shopping may not stop there.

According to The Telegraph, the Midlands club have been monitoring Cantwell as Dean Smith looks to bolster his midfield options.

Cantwell played a key role in Norwich’s promotion success last season, with the 23-year-old featuring in 33 league games for Daniel Farke’s side.

On Villa’s reported interest in the player, Hatfield of the Express & Star said:

“Young, will have good resale value if they do bring him in and does know the Premier League – played in it for one season obviously with Norwich the year they ended up getting relegated.

“He’s certainly the type of player I think they would like.”

Villa are certainly not playing around this transfer window. As previously mentioned, they have already brought in Cantwell’s former Norwich team-mate Buendia in a deal believed to be worth £40m in total.

The Villans have also made two bids for Arsenal’s promising youngster Emile Smith Rowe, the latest thought to be in the region of £30m (per The Athletic).

Glasgow Rangers fans were far from happy with a video published by the club on Twitter ahead of their pre-season clash with Arsenal on Saturday.

The Gers enjoyed a fantastic campaign last term as they won the Premiership for the first time in 10 years without losing a single league game (thefishy.co.uk). However, the Gers supporters were unable to enjoy that success as they usually would – the coronavirus pandemic prevented them from attending Ibrox and other stadiums across Scotland.

This term, there is likely to be supporters allowed throughout the campaign, although massively reduced. For the Gers’ pre-season clash with Arsenal, only 2,000 supporters were allowed (rangers.co.uk). Prior to the match, the Gers shared a video requesting fans to follow their instructions on how to act in the stadium throughout the 90 minutes.

The video was shared on the Gers’ official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

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

“Big crowds ain’t happening any time soon. Shambles.”

Credit: @TremendoHendo72

“A match against such a great club should have been held back until the crowds were allowed back to normal, even if that meant next summer. Shambles.”

Credit: @LiverpoolGer

“Sounds absolutely garbage. I get the club are in a thankless position, but this is just grim.”

Credit: @scottjamnic

“Haha what a shambles”

Credit: @chr1sbett

“No worth the hassle IMO. I would rather watch in the house or in a pub with my mates. This is gonna be brutal, especially when we start seeing full crowds elsewhere in the UK.”

Credit: @MrGaryValentine

“This is depressing nonsense. If tests are required, then how can restricted attendance be justified?! Control, thats what this is about!”

Credit: @FacelessRanger

In other news, Kieran Maguire shares this Dave King fear.

The situation surrounding Declan Rice’s future at West Ham United is going to be something to watch this summer amid a new worrying claim…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s Matt Law, the 22-year-old midfielder is keen on making a return to his former club Chelsea, who are also thought to be interested in signing him.

And it’s something that Hammers fans have been warned to keep an eye on.

Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘London is Blue’ podcast, the reliable journalist said:

“I have to be careful with what I say on this, because I’ve got some information on this which will end up getting written at some stage which I can’t really talk about. Look, Chelsea are interested in Declan Rice and everyone knows that Declan Rice is interested in Chelsea.

“The problem’s West Ham, and the problem’s the asking price with West Ham. I mean, they’re telling everybody at the moment it’s £100m and Chelsea aren’t going to pay £100m for Declan Rice this summer.

“So it’s what happens from there, really, and I think there’s more to play on this. And it’s going to be an interesting summer, let’s say, around Declan Rice and Chelsea.”

Time to worry?

Rice, who is currently excelling for England at Euro 2020, has frequently been linked with an exit from the London Stadium, with both Manchester giants mooted with interest, on top of Chelsea, too.

Irons boss David Moyes has previously rejected the idea of selling the 6 foot 1 powerhouse, claiming: “Bank of England money would be required, and you might even need to add Bank of Scotland on to that as well because he has been so good.”

However, this latest claim is a fresh sign that Rice is keen to go back to Stamford Bridge and whilst their London rivals won’t pay the £100m asking price, Law suggests that this saga is only just getting underway.

“It’s going to be an interesting summer,” he hints.

That would perhaps suggest that after Euro 2020, a bidding war could ensue – or at the very least, Thomas Tuchel’s side will ramp up their pursuit.

The fact that both parties are said to want this deal leaves the Hammers in quite a powerless place right now, they don’t want to risk heading into the new campaign with an unsettled player, especially with a historic Europa League campaign on the horizon.

This claim will also leave much of the West Ham faithful absolutely terrified as no one will want to lose arguably their biggest star.

As per WhoScored figures, Rice ended the 2020/21 campaign as Moyes’ fourth-best player (7.01) but topped the charts for interceptions (1.8 per game) and wasn’t far behind for tackles (1.8 per game), too.

Evidently, he’s a hugely influential player on the pitch for the East London outfit but this update suggesting he wants to leave is a huge bombshell that’ll leave many, many supporters truly worried.

But at the end of the day, Chelsea are still a level above the Irons, having just won the Champions League. This is far from a finished story yet.

AND in other news, Forget Kral: Moyes must sanction West Ham swoop for “complete” £10m “special talent”…