All posts by z3u9t.icu

Odsonne Edouard is still working to leave Celtic this summer despite the collapse of his move to Leicester City [GIVEMESPORT].

The Lowdown: Ange Postecoglou begins to shape his new-look 2021/22 squad

Facing a transitional season at the Celtic Park helm, Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to get his ducks in a row in order to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title.

Identifying who wants to be a part of the equation will be a key priority for the Aussie, however cutting those loose who see their future elsewhere will also take equal precedence, with Kristoffer Ajer seemingly one of the first out the door.

Another player who is crafting a Parkhead exit is 23-year-old Edouard, owing to recent developments.

The Latest: Edouard still eyeing Celtic exit after Leicester City move collapse

According to sources close to the Frenchman at Give Me Sport, the talismanic striker is still keen on an exit this window and is working with his representatives to attempt to secure a transfer [GIVEMESPORT].

Previously, Edouard looked almost certain to end up at Leicester City, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute [Foxes of Leicester].

Brighton and Hove Albion have also been linked with the former France Under-21 international in recent times [Daily Record].

The Verdict: Right time for Celtic and Edouard to part ways this summer

With his contract expiring in less than 12 months-time, it makes sense for the Celts to try and move the 6ft 2in ace on, whilst trying to make a profit on the £9million fee they acquired him for in 2018 from PSG.

In 2020/21, Edouard was in sparkling form, registering 28 goal contributions in 40 games for the Glasgow giants; 22 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Furthermore, he enhanced his reputation as the Hoops chief danger man in attack, managing to record an impressive average of 3.5 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘magnificent’ by former manager Neil Lennon, it makes sense for the club and player to amicably part ways before the window closes [Glasgow Live].

In other news, Celtic face a crushing transfer blow in a reported pursuit.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is set to depart the club after seven and a half years at Selhurst Park.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, the 34-year-old shot-stopper will become a free agent this summer after falling down the pecking order in south London.

Hennessey made just a single senior appearance for Palace last season, with Jack Butland and Vicente Guaita keeping him out of the squad.

Fans will be buzzing

It’s set to be a turbulent few months for the Eagles as chairman Steve Parrish plans a mass overhaul of the first-team squad.

Over a dozen players will find themselves out of contract at the end of the month unless something drastic happens, and Hennessey will be one of them.

Following four years of stable, mid-table finishes under the tutelage of Roy Hodgson, Palace are about to enter a new phase of their history.

A large air of uncertainty is gathering over the capital club, but one guarantee is that their long-serving keeper will be representing a different side next season.

Hennessey made 132 appearances for Palace throughout his time with the club, conceding 189 goals and keeping 37 clean sheets.

Despite his longevity at Selhurst Park, the Wales international has rarely satisfied the supporters with his performances on the pitch.

His unathletic 6 ft 6 frame often appeared to hinder his agility and reaction time, making him look awkward and laboured on many occasions.

After Guaita replaced him between the sticks halfway through the 2018/19 campaign, Hennessey could find no way back into the starting XI, and his Spanish teammate soon established himself as a firm fan’s favourite.

While Hennessey undoubtedly deserves credit for his loyalty and professionalism at Palace, he had become a liability in the final few months of his time with the Eagles and the club’s supporters will be buzzing to see him and his £40,000-per-week wage packet depart the club this summer as that money can surely be better invested elsewhere.

The club needs all the resources and finances they can get in order to bring in the next generation of talent in the current transfer market, and Hennessey’s departure could free up wages to give to a new star.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Lampard: Palace could form a dream duo with “different class” £15m gem 

It’s been a truly bizarre, indeed almost nightmarish, season for Matty Longstaff at Newcastle United.

Described as “talented” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, the 21-year-old showed in that stunning goalscoring performance against Manchester United in October 2019 that he has the ability to be a top-drawer player for the Magpies.

Speaking after that game, Arsenal icon Martin Keown declared: “The young lad should be knocking on Steve Bruce’s door and saying ‘Why didn’t you play me sooner?’ It was almost to say to the boss, ‘Hey, look at me, you have overlooked me for too long.’

“It was like a Paul Scholes…I know that’s big praise and they are big boots for him to copy, but him and his brother – Carrick, Scholes…you know, they did very well. And this is an important ingredient now in this Newcastle team, yes they were more disciplined but those two definitely won them the game.”

However, after putting pen to paper on a new deal last summer, things have gone horribly south for the younger Longstaff, playing just five games in the Premier League all season and not featuring at all since mid-January.

It has raised a few eyebrows to put it mildly, not least from the rest of the Newcastle squad apparently. The Athletic’s Chris Waugh revealed: “Steve Bruce, the head coach, has simply opted to exclude the academy graduate, much to the bemusement of team-mates and the player himself.

“There have been some suggestions that his naivety at Premier League level is part of the reason, yet that does not tally with the decision to field Longstaff against three of the very best sides in the division over the Christmas period.

“This season really needed to be one during which Longstaff was given opportunities. The club, Bruce and the player all recognised that. So, if those chances were not going to arrive on Tyneside, then surely a loan deal would have been in the player’s best interests.”

However, with the final day of the Premier League season now here, surely Bruce has no excuse but to give the £4.5m-rated Longstaff the chance to shine.

After being promised genuine first-team opportunities this term, there’s no questioning that the 21-year-old will be frustrated, maybe even livid, at being cast aside for the majority of the season – not least considering how badly the Magpies were struggling prior to the March international break.

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The clash against Fulham later this afternoon should offer him an overdue chance to taste first team football.

Meanwhile, Luke Edwards has dropped an exciting Newcastle United update…

Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is reportedly a target for Aston Villa, as reported by The Guardian.

The Lowdown: Ward-Prowse had an excellent 2020/21

After a commendable 2020/21 campaign, the Saints captain is now living up to his full potential. Labelled as “one of the best midfield players in the Premier League” by his current manager Ralph Hasenhüttl [Daily Echo], he earned a place in England’s provisional 33-man Euro 2020 squad before narrowly missing out on the finalised roster.

Despite that late omission, Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate still lauded Ward-Prowse as a “great captain” [Hampshire Live]. Voted the Southampton fans’ player of the year in 2021, his efforts have clearly not gone unnoticed [Saints Marching].

Ever-present for the Saints last season, the 26-year-old featured in every Premier League fixture as he recorded 15 goal contributions, with eight goals and seven assists [Transfermarkt], and it now seems that Aston Villa are set to table a bid.

The Latest: Villa in for Ward-Prowse

Villa are keen to sign the Saints midfielder, just 24 hours after agreeing to smash their transfer record for Norwich City talisman Emiliano Buendia [The Guardian].

Seeking midfield reinforcements, the Villans look set to test the resolve of Southampton, citing his set-piece quality [Daily Mail]. Any successful negotiations would come as a hammer blow to the Saints as Ward-Prowse has spent 18 years on the south coast, signing for the club at the age of eight [Daily Echo].

The Verdict: Southampton’s loss would be Aston Villa’s gain

Losing a player of Ward-Prowse’s ability would be detrimental for everyone involved at the Hampshire club. A product of the Staplewood youth system, his commitment, drive and leadership seen him installed as club captain in 2020 [Hampshire Live].

For Aston Villa, on the other hand, they would be gaining another addition to an already exciting group of players. Potentially able to thrive alongside the likes of Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins and Buendia, signing Ward-Prowse could be a signal of intent by Dean Smith’s side for a European push in 2021/22.

In other news, these Saints fans react to confirmation of a player departing the club.

It’s not often a player comes into a national side and captains them instantly. However, for Wolves defender Conor Coady he’s had that incredibly rare honour.

The centre-back has captained the side in two of his first five caps for England and is now with the Three Lions during the ongoing European Championships.

Described as “phenomenal” by Old Gold reporter Tim Spiers for that very accomplishment, an impressive tournament could earn him a big move.

That being said, Coady may well struggle for opportunities with Harry Maguire to return from injury and Tyrone Mings ahead of him in the pecking order.

If he does earn a chance and catches the eye, it could provoke Everton to move for him.

After all, with the club strongly considering Nuno Santo as their new manager, Coady has naturally been linked with a move to Goodison Park.

Hailing from Merseyside, the centre-half epitomises what it means to be a leader. He is often seen shouting words of encouragement to his teammates and barking orders at those in the defensive line.

Notoriously, he struggles in a four-man defence but in a three, he is the complete sweeper.

Coady’s numbers don’t particularly do him much justice. He wins just 0.9 tackles and 1.1 aerial battles per game but that’s dictated by his role in the side.

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Often playing in the middle of a three-man defence, it’s the 28-year-old’s role to mop up any loose balls and play the ball forward with his feet.

That’s an area he excels in, completing 88% of his passes this term, a tally only bettered by Yerry Mina of the club’s regular starters.

If Everton do complete a managerial move for Nuno, then it could see the duo reunited in a feared combination.

Speaking about the Portuguese manager last year, Coady commented: “He brought in a vision & he talked about a project [at Wolves]. The way he wants to play he makes it so easy for everybody to listen to him and pick up his ideas. That’s the biggest thing I can say. As a manager he’s amazing and what he has done for this club has been absolutely incredible.”

That’s a ringing endorsement for Everton supporters and with Coady clearly a player that Nuno trusts, this could be quite the duo for the Toffees heading into next season.

The England international isn’t the most terrifying of players but his leadership qualities are second to none in the Premier League. He’d be a superb addition for that reason alone.

AND in other news, Brands must seal Everton swoop for 56-goal “nightmare”, he’s a “very dangerous weapon”…

Alan Hutton has dropped a big transfer claim on Tyler Roberts and whether he would be a good fit at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Newcastle eye Roberts

As per Football Insider, the St. James’ Park faithful are closely monitoring Roberts ahead of a potential transfer from Leeds United in the summer.

He is out of contract at Elland Road in 2022 and is yet to agree an extension, and so Marcelo Bielsa’s team may view a potential deal as an ideal opportunity to cash in on him now in order to gain some value.

The Latest: Hutton backs Roberts to Newcastle

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton, who is now a pundit after playing for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Rangers, has backed the Magpies in their pursuit of Roberts, and claims that he has what it takes to become a top player:

“I think he does. He doesn’t start week in, week out for Leeds but when he does, you can see he’s got ability.

“He’s comfortable on the ball and for me, that’s the type of player that Newcastle have missed. Yes, they’ve got Almiron, Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson who are strong runners. They get forward from defensive positions really well, great engines.

“But sometimes I just feel in that midfield for Newcastle they need someone who’s comfortable and can get on the ball.

“Shelvey has got it in the locker but sometimes I think it’s a mobility thing. He doesn’t really get around the pitch as much as you would want and I think they need that.

“Tyler Roberts, coming off the back of a Bielsa schooling, has got that in abundance. He can move, he can see a pass. It doesn’t surprise me that Newcastle are looking at him.”

The Verdict: Newcastle should sign Roberts

Roberts is certainly a player who would add to the Tyneside club’s squad, and with that added experience of playing in the Premier League, he would not have to adapt to the demands of the top flight.

Also, at just 22 years of age, Roberts will only get even better over the next few years, as his former boss Tony Pulis branded him as a ‘very talented’ player back in March, which is high praise from a manager with so much experience, especially in the EPL.

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His versatility is also a quality which would be useful to have around in Steve Bruce’s squad, and so the summer may present itself an opportunity that the Toon should not pass up on.

In other news, find out which ‘eloquent’ manager NUFC are eyeing here!

Celtic could splash the cash on a “completely different squad” over the coming years.  

That’s according of Paddy Kenny, who was talking to Football Insider after reports suggested the Hoops are wanted in an all-British league.

According to The Sun, Celtic and their Glasgow rivals Rangers would both jump at the chance to move divisions, with the proposal to be backed by FIFA, UEFA and the UK Government.

Kenny was giving his opinion on the latest major reveal. The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper shared how he thought the Hoops might fare in the English Premier League and has tipped the club to invest in better players as a result of a financial increase. The 42-year-old told Football Insider:

“I think they’d be the bottom half of the Premier League or top half of the Championship. They could be a yo-yo club, who knows?

“But then again, that’s based on the squad and finances that they’ve got now.

“But if they were playing in the Premier League they’d have better finances and spend them on better players and a completely different squad.

“They are an absolutely massive club and I’m sure they would get a lot more investment if they were in the Premier League compared to the Scottish league.

“No disrespect to the Scottish league, of course.”

Transfer Tavern take

Scottish manager David Moyes, currently in charge of West Ham, recently backed plans for the two Glasgow clubs to join a British league. Should such a proposal materialise, we’re with Kenny in believing that the Hoops would build a completely different squad.

It wouldn’t happen overnight, of course, but Celtic would need to bolster and add proven quality to their squad if they were to face a number of England’s elite clubs on a regular basis.

You would expect any proposal to take time to officially get the green light, but if it does, Celtic fans could be in for an exciting future, especially with the money involved in the Premier League.

In other news: Huge Celtic update emerges on £12k-p/w star; Lawwell and McKay may be set for blunder – find out more here. 

Xisco Munoz’s Watford are considering a move for Mbaye Diagne this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Sky Sports, who claim that the Hornets, as well as Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, have put the Galatasaray centre-forward on their list of potential targets in the upcoming transfer window.

It is also reported that, following West Bromwich Albion’s relegation to the Championship, a permanent move to the club where the 29-year-old has spent the second half of the season on loan now appears to be off the table.

Giaretta must move

Despite having only linked up with the Baggies in January, Diagne has nevertheless had an impact on the club over his 15 Premier League appearances. The £2.7m-rated striker bagging three goals and registering two assists, as well as averaging 2.2 shots and 0.5 key passes per game, culminating in an average WhoScored match rating of 6.72 – ranking him as West Brom’s seventh-best player in the top flight.

It would appear as if the £39,000-a-week (£2m per year) forward knows how to find the back of the net and provide assists in the Premier League, which is no mean feat when playing for a team with the third-worst attacking record in the division.

However, if the Galatasaray striker were to link up with Watford’s Ismaila Sarr – who has scored 18 goals and registered eight assists over his first two seasons in English football – this summer, it is not difficult to imagine Diagne benefiting from the creativity and clinical nature of the Hornets winger. In turn, that could easily lead to the 29-year-old returning much greater figures at Watford than during his time at West Brom.

As such, Cristiano Giaretta should be doing everything in his power to convince Diagne – who West Brom journalist Joe Masi described as “dangerous” – of a move to Watford this summer, as the 29-year-old would very much appear to be an impressive addition to Xisco’s attacking arsenal at Vicarage Road.

In other news: Watford suffer huge blow in pursuit of “talented” £25k-p/w gem, Giaretta will be livid – opinion

Norwich City have been dealt a huge blow in their bid to bring Marco Meyerhofer to Carrow Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by German publication Liga2-online (via Football League World), who claim that the Canaries have made an enquiry regarding a potential move for the 25-year-old SpVgg Greuther Furth right-back in the upcoming transfer window.

However, the report goes on to claim that a deal for the £720k-rated defender would be difficult to get over the line for the Championship winners, as the new Brexit regulations mean that Meyerhofer would not likely qualify for the correct work permit allowing him to make a move to the UK.

Farke will be gutted

Considering just how impressive the right-back has been in 2. Bundesliga this season, the fact that a move for the defender could be in jeopardy due to something that, up until January of this year, had never previously been a problem in the transfer of a European player is sure to leave Daniel Farke gutted.

Over his 33 appearances in the German second tier this season, the marauding Meyerhofer excelled for Greuther Furth in a creative capacity, with the 25-year-old registering nine assists and creating 10 big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.8 key passes per game.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt man also impressed defensively, helping his side to keep six clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.9 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 1.5 clearances per game, while also winning an average of 5.3 duels in each fixture.

These metrics saw Meyerhofer earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as Stefan Leitl’s sixth-best performer in 2. Bundesliga.

As such, if Norwich were to miss out on a deal for the right-back for something as trivial as a work permit, it would undoubtedly come as a huge blow for Stuart Webber and his side, particularly if the Canaries’ current first choice in the position, Max Aarons, does go on to depart Carrow Road this summer – as Meyerhofer would appear to be an extremely decent candidate to replace the 21-year-old.

In other news: Transfer claim emerges on “top-class” 19 y/o gem, it should leave Norwich fans gutted – opinion

Everything is incredibly rosy at Sunderland right now. They have a new owner in Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and they are within touching distance of promotion.

The Mackems sit in third place but, with two games in hand, they could rise to the summit of League One in the near future. That could take them to a deserved place in the Championship, a moment which would cap off a season in which they finally broke their trophy drought.

There are only a handful of matches left now and, on Friday lunchtime, Lee Johnson had some news which will come as music to the ears of Sunderland supporters.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he shared a positive update on the injury front by saying: “A lot of players were training today which is good. It’s a very difficult team selection because of that. There’s a lot of players fit and confident.”

Johnson added: “We’ve got Bailey Wright back in training as well today which was nice to see so there’s many positives. At the same time, there’s total focus to what is a really big game.”

Wright has been out since the middle of February now with a calf tear. It’s a period on the sidelines which has seen him miss 11 league outings and, crucially, the EFL Trophy final win over Tranmere.

Considering how long the centre-back has been sidelined, it’s unlikely that he’ll be fit enough to start on Saturday when the Mackems face Charlton. That being said, it’s quite pleasing that he’s back among the group ahead of the promotion run-in.

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The Australian had only missed one match this term before getting injured, so he is clearly an important fixture in the Black Cats’ side. His return will have left the manager quite excited, although Johnson could now have a large selection headache.

After all, Dion Sanderson and Luke O’Nien have been near-impeccable as a centre-half pairing. Since Wright’s injury, Sunderland have kept seven clean sheets in the league.

A dilemma could therefore be on the cards in the coming weeks. Does the manager bring Wright back into the starting XI and move O’Nien further forward? That’s certainly one option he could consider.

Johnson may also choose to move Sanderson to full-back, a role in which he has already played this season.

Either way, news of Wright’s return can only be seen as a positive. He could bring vital leadership skills to the table during the closing weeks of the campaign as promotion potentially draws near.

AND in other news, SAFC flop sees his value fall by 90% after leaving, he’s spent 1004 days out injured…