All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton are among many clubs in the Premier League who are reportedly monitoring Mahmoud Dahoud, according to the Daily Mail.

As per the news outlet, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping tabs on the Borussia Dortmund ace, who will only have one year left on his current deal at the Bundesliga club when the summer transfer window comes along.

Everton should sign Dahoud

The Goodison Park faithful should look to beat off the fierce competition from their top-flight rivals and sign Dahoud in the summer.

With one year left on his contract, the central midfield player could well be available at a cheaper price, which should attract the Merseyside club to his signature.

A man with experience playing at the highest level, including in this year’s UEFA Champions League, would be a valuable asset for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, especially if they end up qualifying for European football come the start of the 2021/22 term.

Dahoud’s playing style has been likened to that of Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan by the official Bundesliga website, and given that the latter has added goals from midfield to his game this season, with no fewer than 15 in total over all competitions so far, the Toffees could unearth a potentially hidden gem in the 25-year-old Germany international, providing that they can match his asking price of course.

In other news, find out what potential injury boost the Blues have received before Man City here!

Manchester United’s recent boardroom reshuffle has seen Red Devils’ legend Nicky Butt leave the club.

Previously Head of First Team Development at Old Trafford, the former midfielder departs after nine years of overseeing the club’s best academy prospects.

It is work that has seen him draw plenty of praise.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry suggested that he has “saved the club hundreds and hundreds of millions” with his “fantastic” development of youth.

It is difficult to argue with that assessment with as many as six Red Devils academy graduates; Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Brandon William, Axel Tuanzebe and Dean Henderson, all forging a key role within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Between them, those six players have racked up 571 appearances for the Red Devils’ first team, indicating the fantastic work that Butt has done in his preparation for senior football.

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Meanwhile, he has also saved the club considerable amounts in transfer fees too, as Fry alluded to. The six players are all rated at £182m between them, with Marcus Rashford rated the highest at a price of £76.5m.

It could be imagined though that it would have taken even more for a club to purchase the England man, again highlighting the excellent work done in the youth system by Butt that the club have not had to fork out those considerable fees for new recruits.

Away from the players currently plying their trade at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have also certainly profited from individuals who have sought pastures anew.

In the time that Butt has been employed at the club, the Red Devils have raked in approximately £25m from the sales of academy prospects – the most lucrative being the departures of the likes of Adnan Januzaj and Sam Johnstone to Real Sociedad and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

It is a mark of the quality of Butt that United can earn such amounts from their youth prospects even if they do not have the desired impact with the Red Devils.

He is certainly deserving of the praise he gets then as he departs the club.

AND in more news, take a look at which Red Devil rounded off his international contributions with style…

Many Liverpool fans have been left to slam the display of Sadio Mane in their 0-0 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The former Southampton man did not have the best of games by his usual high standards as Jurgen Klopp’s men were guilty of missing a lot of golden opportunities on the night at Anfield, and in the end went out 3-1 on aggregate to the La Liga giants.

Mane lost out on 11 of his duels, more than any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch, as well as failing to record a single shot on target, while losing possession of the ball on no fewer than on 23 separate occasions in the match, the second-most out of any outfield player (Sofascore).

Liverpool fans on Mane display

It’s fair to say Mane has had a poor season by his standards, and these Reds supporters slammed his latest performance on Twitter, with one LFC fan claiming that the Senegal international was ‘ineffective’:

“Sadio Mane has lost his pace, intensity and footballing ability. People said after the Crystal Palace game in December, “a world class player always comes back”. We are still waiting, it’s April. | #LFC”

Credit: @LFCApproved

“Firmino has lost too much of his pace..no idea what happened to Mane but he has been awful this entire season. Didn’t see much of Thiago this season. Only Fab and Hendo can play in that midfield. Summer needs big decisions..#lfc”

Credit: @8558Dhiraj

“The #LFC forward line has to take 75% responsibility for the relative debacle this season. Yesterday Mane was completely ineffective — not for the first game this season Bobby – not sure what he stands for anymore Salah – missed gilt edged chances as he seems to do so often”

Credit: @Manavaggar

“Wondering if there are any #LFC fans out there still defending Mane. Not only has his skill level dropped but his work rate, team work and attitude. Failed to even celebrate Trent’s winner on the weekend”

Credit: @TanneSaul

“The real Sadio Mane has been invisible all season. Not seen him once this year. What on Earth has happened to him? #LFC”

Credit: @DyerThomas

“Sadio Mane not good enough. His form has declined, no more the supermane that we saw in the previous years #LFC”

Credit: @azkizzle

In other news, find out what Liverpool ace Leicester have been linked with signing here!

Carlo Ancelotti must begin to see more from Beni Baningime during his loan spell with Derby County if the midfielder is to prove that he has a future at Everton next season.

The 22-year-old moved to Pride Park on Deadline Day of the winter transfer window, but has struggled to establish himself under Manchester United and England icon Wayne Rooney.

Baningime has made just one Championship appearance lasting just three minutes with the Rams to date, while he’s been omitted from two of his former Goodison Park teammate’s following five matchday squads.

Baningime had been a fixture of David Unsworth’s Under 23s before leaving Merseyside last month, starting all 13 available PL2 fixtures and captaining the side on six occasions after being omitted from Ancelotti’s initial 25-man Premier League squad.

Ancelotti had named the DR Congo native on the bench for eight top-flight fixtures last term, though the last of Baningime’s 12 senior Blues outings remains a 21-minute cameo beside Rooney away to Swansea City in April 2018.

Rooney’s assistant coach, Liam Rosenior, has now explained why the midfielder has also struggled to get a look in at Derby since joining the Rams in a last-ditch move, while fellow winter arrivals Lee Gregory, George Edmundson, Teden Mengi and Patrick Roberts have featured frequently.

“Beni is another outstanding character,” Rosenior said, via quotes by Derbyshire Live. “All five players we signed in the window fit our culture and what we are trying to build here, which is a team ethic. He gets on great with the players.

“Beni has not played first-team football for quite a while but what he has done, and because we train so intensely, his fitness levels and sharpness have gone through the roof in the time he has been here.

“He is pushing, he is really pushing. He has been outstanding in training, he is pushing the other midfield players and I am sure, sooner rather than later, you will see him maybe come off the bench or even start a game. He is a huge part of our squad, like every member is.”

Ancelotti will have to see Baningime fulfil Rosenior’s expectations in the coming months if the Everton product is to prove that he deserves a future back at Goodison Park next season, as life on the bench is only proving his move to be a disaster so far.

It is not the first time that the DR Congo native has tried his luck at life away from Merseyside and flopped, either, having joined Wigan Athletic for the second-half of their 2018/19 Championship season, where he only featured once.

Like with Derby, his sole outing with the Latics came early into his time at the club – starting and playing the full 90 minutes at the second available chance – but he failed to make another matchday squad whilst the DW Stadium natives narrowly staved off the threat of relegation.

Baningime will now also have just a year remaining on his £8,000-per-week contract when he returns to Everton, so the Blues would have to look to move the academy graduate on if he cannot establish himself at another second-tier outfit, let alone one in the Premier League.

Much was expected of the youngster when he was given a surprise debut in the Carabao Cup away to Chelsea in 2017, with the talented prospect replacing Morgan Schneiderlin due to a late illness and delivering a crunching challenge on Ethan Ampadu to leave his mark.

But years have passed since that cold Autumn night in south west London and Baningime is still waiting to establish himself at Everton. Failing to even get a game at Derby will likely spell the end of his Everton chances

AND in other news, Everton are tracking a prolific 15-goal winger backed to reach another level…

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that Joachim Low will leave his job as Germany manager after the Euros, which they believe could have an effect on the future of Steven Gerrard.

After 15 years with Die Mannschaft, Low will leave his post after this season’s European Championships, the DFB has confirmed. During his time in the role, he has led the side to a World Cup victory, a European Championships semi-final and two other major tournament semis.

There have been rumours in recent weeks that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may take over, and as such, Gerrard has been linked with the Reds job (The Mirror). The Gers have just clinched their 55th Premiership title, their first in 10 years, in dominant fashion – it would be disappointing to lose the man who has presided over that.

The fans have been reacting to this news in their droves, and they have taken to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts, believing a chain reaction could now be set off that ends with Gerrard going back to Anfield.

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

“Headline: Joachim Low to leave. Me: This is the end. Klopp will go to Germany, Gerrard will go to Liverpool , And we’ll end up with McInnes I genuinely live in fear of him leaving us daily”

Credit: @LeighhKirsty

“Klopp to Germany and then Gerrard to Liverpool? Don’t think I’m ready for him to leave us just yet!”

Credit: @Ryan17ward

“Maybe I’m wrong, but I honestly don’t believe SG would leave now. Even if Klopp goes, I don’t think Gerrard is one to leave unfinished business midway through a contract. He’ll end up there eventually, but I think he’ll be with us to defend the title and have a crack at the CL.”

Credit: @easyluckyfree84

“Day ruined.”

Credit: @Clark97

“There may be trouble ahead…..”

Credit: @EmpireFF

“If Gerrard is offered the Liverpool job over the Summer I would be gutted but if he chose to leave I would thank him for the job he has done for us the man is now a legend for us and the only way he could improve on that is by winning a European competition.”

Credit: @55WillCome

In other news, Rangers fans laud this key figure.

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the transfer market with Glasgow Rangers.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe, who was on loan from Bournemouth at the time, signed a pre-contract agreement to join Rangers on a permanent basis in the summer this time last year as Steven Gerrard sought to bolster his firepower.

And now, despite Gerrard’s initial protestations, Rangers seem set for a busy end to the January transfer window, with Scott Wright, Jack Simpson and Nnamdi Oforborh mentioned in the running to move to Ibrox before deadline day shuts its doors later tonight.

Gerrard and his chief accomplice Ross Wilson have overseen a dramatic restructuring and changing of the guard with Jamie Murphy and Jordan Rossiter among the names to leave the club last year.

Last summer, Rangers added Leon Balogun to their ranks, which took their central defensive options to five: Balogun, George Edmundson, Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Nikola Katic.

However, with Katic missing the majority of the season through injury and Edmundson now destined for the Ibrox exit, this leaves Gerrard with only three centre-back options for two spots in his preferred 4-3-3 system.

Barring a coronavirus outbreak, an injury crisis could quickly cause problems, however, so perhaps an experienced replacement is needed.

They had reportedly set their sights on Preston North End’s Ben Davies but it seems they have failed to sign him as he is set to sign for Gerrard’s former club and Premier League giants Liverpool.

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The experienced 25-year-old, who can also play at left-back, has been one of the standout performers for Alex Neil’s side, making 19 Championship appearances this season thus far, earning himself a solid WhoScored match rating of 6.82 for his efforts in the process, that being above his last season’s average of 6.69, which implies he is performing at a higher standard this season.

For context, that would place him higher than the likes of regular starters Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield in the Rangers squad with 6.79 and 6.78 respectively.

He is prepared to put the hard graft in to deny opponents, as evidenced by the fact that he currently averages 1.2 tackles and 4.3 clearances per game in the Championship, which is more than the likes of both Balogun and Helander.

It’s hardly surprising Davies has been described as an “excellent” colossus by his current boss Neil, who has made no secret of his admiration for the defender.

The centre-back currently has six months left on his Preston contract, which means he is free to speak to clubs about a potential transfer.

It’s no wonder, then, that other clubs have begun to take notice, with Premiership rivals Celtic also previously credited with an interest in his signature.

A player of his calibre could have been an enormous help as the Gers enter the crunch stage of the competition 23-points clear of their arch-rivals.

Unfortunately for Gerrard, it looks like he may have missed the chance to sign the defender as he is due to have a medical on Monday ahead of a move to Anfield.

AND in other news, Rangers will rue not re-signing Billy Gilmour from Chelsea after David Ornstein update…

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which announced that an initial restructuring of the Sunderland AFC academy has taken place. 

The post (tweeted by @SunderlandAFC) showed that their Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, announced the news yesterday evening. Speakman began a review of the club’s operations when he joined in December 2020. 

New chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who is just 23-years-old, completed Sunderland’s takeover last week after it was approved by the English Football League. 

It seems that the Frenchman is wasting no time and following the first stage of the review, the Black Cats have installed a new leadership team within its youth set-up. 

Lewis Dickman has been named as the new Academy manager and Leann Cowperthwaite will be their new Head of Academy Operations. Stuart English also becomes the club’s new Head of Coaching. 

Sunderland fans have been critical of their youth academy in the past, but these fans appear to be delighted with the club’s most recent step forward. 

What did Sunderland fans say in reaction to the post? 

“It’s fantastic to see our club finally having a stable, progressive long term structure, a professional plan going forward – thank you KLD”

Credit: @mackem49000

“What’s happening?? All this positive stuff going at the club!! I’m loving it lads!!”

Credit: @safc_crazy

“It just keeps getting better!”

Credit: @MattVO20

“Fantastic having a professional football club again, great start to KLD’s tenure”

 Credit: @deano733

“Good to see the new regime moving things forward, here’s to the future successes”

Credit: @Keiith_C_1971

“SAFC starting to be ran like a modern day, professional football club”

Credit: @DyNelson66

It would appear that Louis-Dreyfus has been welcomed handsomely since his arrival at Sunderland, despite his lack of experience. Fans are clearly happy with his positive attitude and passion, something that has been missing from the Black Cats for quite some while, and this one change will hopefully be the sign of things to come for Sunderland fans.

Tottenham Hotspur were given another timely reminder to why they should be signing Bayer Leverkusen sensation Leon Bailey this transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs sent scouts to watch him in action for their Europa League clash against Slavia Prague.

In a quickfire first-half, the tricky winger nabbed himself a brace from three shots and recorded seven dribbles, via WhoScored.

The report also claimed that the Bundesliga outfit valued Bailey at around £36m, which is starting to look rather tempting as he’s just delivered a masterclass yet again.

Leverkusen could only draw 1-1 with Werder Bremen to keep their place among the top three in the division, but the 23-year-old graded out as their best player with a 7.4 rating, per SofaScore.

Bailey delivered four successful dribbles, two key passes and had a whopping 81 touches, proving to be the main focal point for Peter Bosz’s squad.

He also lost possession 28 times, but that is a mere consequence of his blistering pace (once clocked at a top speed of 21.4mph) and the ability to cut inside to create chances rather than take on his man to the by-line.

Although the Jamaican winger couldn’t add a goal or assist, he has managed to score nine and assist seven in all competitions this term, whilst he is averaging 2.2 shots, 1.7 dribbles and 1.4 key passes per appearance in the Bundesliga and Europa League combined, per WhoScored.

Again, the Leverkusen sensation is proving why he’d be every bit of an upgrade on struggling Spurs star Lucas Moura, who has scored just once in the Premier League since December 2019.

That’s is an abhorrent record for a player that has already only played 13 fewer times for Jose Mourinho than Mauricio Pochettino.

Moura has never managed a better average than 1.6 shots and one key pass per game in the Premier League since his £25m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, only adding further fuel to Bailey being the far better option.

Interestingly, the Leverkusen man has been likened to one of Mourinho’s former players in Arjen Robben, so perhaps it is no surprise to see the Special One want to scout him profusely.

The explosive speed demon has been dubbed a “very rare” and “exceptional” talent by ex-Ajax coach Ronald de Boer, whilst Total Football Analysis claim he is a “nightmare for every defence.”

After another masterclass, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy must be on alert. He could hand Mourinho the perfect Moura upgrade, all for just £36m.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt blown away by THIS Spurs teenager…

Leeds are trying their luck on the transfer market but it isn’t a new player they’re after. Andrea Radrizzani and co have eyed Steven Gerrard as their hot pick to replace Marcelo Bielsa at the hilt of the club.

That’s according to Football Insider, who report that this is now the third time the Whites have had the Rangers boss on their radar. The Scottish outfit are currently leading the way in the Premiership and are ahead of Celtic by nine points. If Gerrard leads Gers to their first title in nine years, he will undoubtedly have a lot of clubs circling him.

The Anfield icon is a very popular man already and league success will only further propel him into the spotlight. Leeds must act fast if they want to be the ones to snap up the 40-year-old.

Would Gerrard be a good fit for Leeds?

As it stands, Bielsa is only contracted at Elland Road for this season and will be free to walk way next summer if he so wishes. The Argentinian has been with the club since 2018 and helped guide them to their long-awaited return to the Premier League. However, his recent short extension paints more of a worry than a boost for Whites fans. Just how long will he stay with the Yorkshire outfit before he makes another of his trademark moves?

Bringing Gerrard in to replace Bielsa would not only add a fresh mentality, but it will raise the status of the club as a whole. Former Rangers player Thomas Buffel believes that the ex-Liverpool midfielder is a “demanding” manager who gets results.

“He’s brought his football knowledge and his experience of a physical game to the team, which is key away from home, and it works,” the Belgian told DH. “I met him a few months ago. He’s a gentleman and a winner. I would have liked him to be my manager… and even more my teammate.”

Gerrard’s popularity in the Premier League will be a beacon for Leeds, especially coming in and facing former rival Frank Lampard in a battle of the English managers. If Bielsa opts not to stay at Elland Road, this would be a very strong avenue to go down.

In other news, Harry Wilson’s Wales performance will have Orta and Bielsa green with envy…

Leeds United are heading into the hectic festive calendar in difficult circumstances after Marcelo Bielsa was hit with yet another injury blow during their 6-2 beating this weekend.

The Whites have now lost their skipper, Liam Cooper, to injury as he hobbled off at Manchester United on Sunday, which means the Argentine is now without any of his senior central defenders going into this weekend’s encounter with Burnley.

Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are already on the treatment table, and now their industrious talisman is too.

Indeed, there is a major defensive crisis emerging at Elland Road right now.

Bielsa has turned to the versatile Luke Ayling in his time of need, but now he’s certainly going to have to drop into the youth team to find him a partner unless he wants the 29-year-old back in his natural right-back position, then he’ll need to find two options.

He went with 5 foot 8 left-back by trade Leif Davis for the final 18 minutes of the match, and he helped stop a rampant United scoring anymore past Illan Meslier.

Having two diminutive full-backs in central defence against Chris Wood, who Leeds know all too well, ultimately, already spells disaster for Bielsa.

Instead, the 65-year-old mastermind ought to turn to teen sensation Charlie Cresswell after an impressive display for the U23 squad this week.

The youngster’s performance caught the attention of many supporters, and as a result, they have launched desperate calls for Bielsa to start him against the Clarets this Sunday.

LeedsLive claimed the 18-year-old ‘starred’ for the youth team as they stuck seven goals past a helpless Fulham academy outfit. They wrote in their post-match ratings:

“Charlie Cresswell – 9/10 – If Leeds had secured a clean sheet, this would have comfortably been a 10 out of 10 performance from the youngster. Cresswell set the tone for the game by going close to connecting with the ball at an early corner, but made no mistake at his second attempt, crashing one into the back of the net.

“His security on the ball was convincing, even indulging in a Cruyff turn inside his own defensive third to evade danger in the second half. Perhaps the best action of his during the game was the frequent interceptions he made. Cresswell read the play excellently, seizing on forward passes as Fulham looked to break, turning the visitors’ attacks into countering opportunities for the Whites.”

At 6-foot, he’s a far more imposing option to have in the backline than either Ayling or Davis, and that’ll be what’s needed to thwart all 6 foot 3 of Wood at Elland Road.

Cresswell made his debut in the Carabao Cup earlier this season as Leeds went out on penalties to Hull and soon signed a new contract extension to keep him at the club through 2023.

It would be a fine reward for his recent form if he were to come straight into the senior starting XI in the Premier League.

Former Whites talisman Noel Whelan is a big fan of the defensive starlet too, he told Football Insider last month:

“Fantastic. It’s a contract that I’m very happy to see signed. He is the future. At that centre-half position, he’s got great attributes. He’s very calm on the ball, a great size to him, he’s quick, he can head, he can pass. He’s the modern-day, young-centre half.”

There isn’t a better time to see Cresswell in action than now.

Bielsa is desperate, and by pulling off this calculated risk, he could unleash a secret weapon that’ll only bolster their chances from now on.

Forget Davis. The 18-year-old must start vs Burnley.

AND in other news, “Be a great signing” – Exclusive: Leeds tipped to land £27m-rated defender who “catches pigeons”…