All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United are reportedly in pole position to sign Joe Willock on a permanent deal from Arsenal – if they do not get relegated from the Premier League.

That is according to journalist Mark Douglas, writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, who claims that the on-loan Arsenal man has made a good impression on the coaching staff and has enjoyed his time so far at St James’ Park.

Newcastle should sign Willock if possible

The opportunities for Willock at the Emirates Stadium may continue to be limited if he returns to Mikel Arteta’s team, meaning that there may be an incentive for the Gunners to cash in on what is still a young player with a lot of potential.

If Newcastle manage to avoid being relegated to the Championship, then they could well pounce for the youngster.

Willock has settled in quite well in the northeast, with Magpies legend Alan Shearer even going as far as to call him ‘magnificent’ after he scored on his debut in the 3-2 home win over Southampton back in February. Also, no team-mate has recorded more tackles or interceptions per game so far this term (WhoScored).

At just 21 years of age still, the central midfielder could be a smart investment by Newcastle, providing that they manage to stay in the Premier League come the end of the season.

In other news, find out whose display against Brighton was slammed here!

Speaking to the press (Liverpool Echo), Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explained that in a ‘normal season’ his side would not be 16 points behind Manchester City – prompting plenty of Sky Blues to react as they’re baffled by this rival claim. 

City currently sit top of the Premier League pile on on 56 points, ten points clear of arch rivals Manchester United in second, with the Sky Blues only having conceded an impressive 15 goals in the league this season (Premier League).

After watching Liverpool clinch the 2019/2020 league title by some margin, Pep Guardiola oversaw strengthening in key areas – with summer signing Ruben Dias becoming a revelation at the back.

By contrast, the Reds have suffered through their fair share of injury woes to key men as Klopp has had to cope without the likes of Virgil van Dijk.

“We all agree, and I’m sure Pep would, in a normal season for both teams we would not be 16 points away,” he explained to the press (via Liverpool Echo).

“But we are. That’s how it is. We accept. This season it isn’t our concern how close we get to #ManCity. It’s how far we go up the PL table…”

These City supporters are not in agreement with Klopp over this claim, appearing baffled by the comments on social media – find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans baffled by Klopp claim

“does he ever stop”

Credit: @LucasMCFC_

“This guy is a joke”

Credit: @mcfcjrdn

“JheeZ… how embarrassing”

Credit: @CSR2693

“More excuses”

Credit: @MCFCAJ10

“There’s no way this fella is still making excuses… man’s talking about normal seasons as if he didn’t win the league with 5 subs and water breaks”

Credit: @bernardooooV3

“Another excuse to add to the collection”

Credit: @Priceless_Silva

“This guy is so shameless. I’d never play him at Fifa”

Credit: @MVNNY22

In other news: Man City fans also reacted to Aguero’s latest message, find out more here.

Steve Bruce has been left to rage at a behind the scenes claim from players at Newcastle United that he leaked a story about Karl Darlow being dropped against Wolves.

The goalkeeper had allegedly (via The Daily Mail) not been informed of the decision by the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss and thus had found out through the media.

This was a few days before the they played Nuno Espirito Santo’s men at St. James’ Park, in a game where Darlow was dropped for Martin Dubravka as the North East club could only manage to draw 1-1 after Ruben Neves had cancelled out an opening goal from Jamaal Lascelles.

Nonetheless, Bruce has since hit back at this claim in his recent pre-game press conference ahead of their next match in the Premier League away at Sam Allardyce’s West Brom on Sunday lunchtime.

When asked about whether he leaked the Darlow story to the press, the 60-year-old manager said (via Sky Sports): “I find that story disgusting. It’s simply untrue and unfair on Karl. If I did that I’d resign tomorrow.”

Bruce under pressure at Newcastle

With all of the reporting behind the scenes of conflicts between Bruce and his players, the manager is clearly feeling the pressure of a potential relegation for the Tyneside club.

The Magpies are currently a mere three points outside of the drop zone on 26 points after 26 games (Sky Sports), with their safety in the top flight under serious threat.

In other news, find out what inside information on a potential new takeover has been shared by Lee Ryder here!

David Sullivan must convince AS Roma goalkeeper Pau Lopez to accept a January transfer to West Ham United after he reportedly rejected the Premier League side’s interest.

What’s the word?

According to Forza Roma, Lopez has a string of admirers outside of Italy during the mid-season market but has no intentions of quitting his Serie A side.

The Irons are believed to have presented the £75,000-per-week shot-stopper with an offer to join David Moyes’ squad this month, but the proposal was thrown out by Giallorossi chiefs as they are prepared to accept Lopez’s decision to stay.

West Ham’s offer is believed to have been a half-season loan with an obligation to buy dependant on Lopez’s number of appearances.

Other Premier League and La Liga clubs have also put forward their interest in the 26-year-old during the January window to no avail, with the £9m-rated colossus steadfast in staying at the Stadio Olimpico and fighting to regain the number one jersey from Antonio Mirante.

Lopez has started five of Roma’s last seven Serie A fixtures after spending the opening months on the bench, having been granted a recall with veteran ‘keeper Mirante currently struggling with a biceps femoris muscle injury.

Sullivan must convince Lopez

Sullivan must not let Lopez’s initial refusal to join West Ham stop the Irons co-owner and Chairman from revisiting the two-time Spain international’s situation this month, as he can secure Moyes’ long-term heir to 35-year-old Lukasz Fabianski in the Roma goalie.

Lopez’s stock has fallen significantly in the past 12 months following his decision to join Roma in 2019, as a mistake in the Giallorossi’s 1-1 draw with rivals SS Lazio a year ago is widely seen to be the route cause of their season collapsing and something he is yet to recover from.

The former Real Betis shot-stopper’s issues have seen his TransferMarkt valuation plummet from a career-high £21.5m in December 2019 to his current figure of £9m, in a decline that is yet to stagnate.

Lopez has a chance to prove himself in Italy again while Mirante is injured, and is already showing glimpses of his abilities with an average of 2.7 saves per league game with a 73% shots faced success rate, while being successful in each of his runs out to date, per SofaScore.

Fabianski is currently boasting 3.1 saves per game in the Premier League this season, where he prevents 70% of all shots faced from finding the net, and has also been successful with each of his runs out to date, showing the level of talent Sullivan needs to discover in the Poland international’s eventual replacement.

AND in other news, GSB must back Moyes with WHU move for “devastating” 17-goal star with “explosive pace”…

It seems silly season has begun already as Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a surprise swoop for Manchester United outcast Jesse Lingard this transfer window.

According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, Spurs are among the teams eyeing a move for the 28-year-old attacking midfielder. However, the Red Devils are yet to categorically say whether or not he’s available for transfer this month.

Premier League rivals Sheffield United, who are rock-bottom in the standings, and West Ham United are also mentioned with interest, which tells you everything you need to know.

Spurs are out here battling for a place in Europe, so their name sticks out like a sore thumb alongside those two as well as Marseille, Nice and Jose Mourinho’s former club, Porto.

A switch to north London makes little sense as the ‘Special One’ already has plenty of options of an attacking nature – he’s got both Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli currently vying for an advanced midfield role, with Giovani Lo Celso due back from injury too.

And then on the wings, there is an abundance of talent – indeed, Gareth Bale, Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura are all fighting it out for one right-wing place right now.

The 25-time England international has fallen heavily out-of-favour at Old Trafford, staring only nine matches last season, whilst he’s yet to play in the Premier League this term. And his output was very mediocre as he managed only 0.9 key passes per game, proving a not-so-creative influence, and 0.6 dribbles per game, which shows he’s failing to beat his opposite number, per WhoScored.

Indeed, as many as eight Spurs starters have managed more dribbles per game, while Heung-min Son and Harry Kane have averaged over double the number of key passes per game this campaign too, also via WhoScored.

Instead, for a much cheaper price, Mourinho should turn to the young, but talented, exploits of midfield prodigy Alfie Devine, who etched his name in the record books earlier this month by becoming the youngest ever player and goalscorer to d0n the famous Lilywhites strip.

Despite it being against an eighth-tier outfit, the teenager still looked hugely promising.

In 45 minutes of action, he enjoyed 46 touches, proving to be heavily involved in the match, made 91% of his passes, including one key pass, which is above Lingard’s career mean, and even put in two tackles to display a more defensive side to his game, via SofaScore.

That senior bow was merely the icing on the cake as, since his arrival in the summer from Wigan Athletic, the 16-year-old sensation has contributed towards five goals in 11 appearances for the U18s and U23s.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is a big fan too having dubbed the young midfielder “top class” before his summer switch to N17, whilst ex-academy man Japhet Tanganga claimed “Every time he’s come up [to first-team training] he’s looked a real spark” and that Devine has “shown he can hustle.”

Also lauded a “very talented” player with “huge potential,” Devine could well be an alternative to splashing out on the £9m-rated Lingard, who is thought to earn in the region of £90k-per-week at United.

Mourinho can save Levy millions this January by unleashing the future midfield star – they simply do not need Lingard at all.

AND in other news, Levy should cash in on £25m Spurs star; Dier thinks there’s “no one worse” to train with…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must unleash Fred on Leeds United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon if Manchester United are to stop Patrick Bamford from finding the back of the net.

United host Leeds this weekend looking to continue their new-found momentum that includes a draw against Manchester City and a thriller at Sheffield United.

Fred was left out of the past four squads in a row after being sent off against Paris Saint-Germain, but it would be a surprise to not see him be named in the squad to face Leeds at Old Trafford.

In nine games in the Premier League, the 27-year-old is averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game, via WhoScored, which suggests that he could be required to do a job against Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who have scored 22 goals in the top flight so far this season.

United have conceded nine goals in their past five games in all competitions, including a brace against Premier League strugglers Sheffield United, so Solskjaer will be hoping to shore up his leaky defence, especially when you consider the fact that Bamford has bagged eight goals in 13 games this season.

While both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could be rested for the Pennines derby, Solskjaer must unshackle Fred in a central defensive role alongside Paul Pogba, dropping the Brazilian deeper, which will allow the Frenchman to push forward and cause havoc like he did at Bramall Lane.

Perhaps Maguire will keep his place, but Fred could be the man to stop Bamford, who is surely the danger man ahead of the derby, given his incredible run of form since the start of the season.

But if United can keep the 27-year-old quiet, then they will stand a better chance of beating Bielsa’s side, having thumped Newcastle at Elland Road last time out.

Valued at up to €30m (£26m) via CIES, the former Brazil international has shown that he can be Solskjaer’s trusted man for the big occasion, as he bullied Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League rematch last month. 

This kind of aggression and physicality could give United the cutting edge in the midfield, and if he can stick tightly to the two-time England U21 international, he could perhaps starve the supply chain and cause Bielsa all sorts of problems.

If he’s fully fit and firing on all cylinders, he must be one of the first names on the team sheet, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Forget Sancho: Woodward must sanction Man Utd swoop for RB Leizpig defender Dayot Upamecano…

According to a recent report, Pep Guardiola is keen on signing Eden Hazard from Real Madrid and the Belgian winger could be a huge upgrade to the Manchester City squad.

What’s the word?

Diario Madridista suggest that Guardiola will look to sign the former Chelsea winger next summer, should Los Blancos decide to put him up for sale, after what has been a disappointing spell for the club since joining in the summer of 2019.

The report suggests that Guardiola is still overwhelmed by Hazard’s talent despite his poor form with Madrid and will look to sign him as he aims to build a dream team capable of winning the Champions League.

Bernardo Silva upgrade?

City’s wingers have arguably been nowhere near their best this season, with Riyad Mahrez’s moments of brilliance intertwined with anonymous displays, whilst Portuguese international Bernardo Silva, considered by many to be one of the best players in Manchester City’s side in the 2018/19 title-winning season, has failed to contribute a single goal or assist this season.

Hazard meanwhile, has been limited to just 30 appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side since joining from Chelsea, in which he has contributed a disappointing three goals and seven assists.

He has also endured his fair share of injury problems with Los Blancos which have prevented him from ever really enjoying a run in the first-team, as he has managed just five appearances in La Liga so far this season.

However, his performances in the Premier League surely suggest that he would be worth taking a risk on, especially if Madrid were willing to sell the £45 million rated winger for lower than his current value.

The Belgian’s last season in the Premier League saw him contribute 16 goals and 15 assists in 37 appearances, resulting in an incredible 7.81 rating, so if he could rediscover that sort of form with the Citizens, he would surely prove to be an excellent signing.

Back in 2018, Jamie Carragher was full of praise for the 29-year-old, saying:

“I said on commentary that he is the best player in the Premier League. It’s not because he scored that goal, I believe it. I think he should have been named the best player of the World Cup also.”

Therefore, if City could sign Hazard next summer, then City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain should do everything he can to bring the Belgian international to the Etihad, as based on this season’s performances, he would be a huge upgrade on Bernardo Silva.

And, in other news, Forget Foden and KDB: Man City beast was Guardiola’s best vs Chelsea…

David Moyes must strive to strike a January deal with Real Madrid for rumoured West Ham United target Luka Jovic.

What’s the word?

According to the Mirror (01/11, p61), the Irons are looking to rival Leicester City in the race to lure Jovic away from the Santiago Bernabeu after being made available for a winter move by Real Madrid after a torrid start to life in Spain.

Los Blancos signed Jovic for £52.4million in 2019 on the back of a remarkable 27-goal haul for Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Serbian centre-forward has failed to take his skills from the Bundesliga to La Liga with just two goals across all competitions since becoming a Galactico.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane has only felt fit to start the 22-year-old in two La Liga fixtures and one Champions League Group Stage tie thus far this term, and his future now appears to lie elsewhere.

West Ham are said to be considering a loan approach in the upcoming January market that features an option to purchase at the end of the season, in a move that could see Jovic reunite with his former Frankfurt strike partner Sebastien Haller who left Eintracht for east London in a £45m deal the same summer.

Jovic’s talents were widely admired during his Frankfurt days, with manager Adi Hutter stating via Bundesliga.com: “There are players who need relatively few scoring chances.

“Jovic, for example, scores four times out of every five chances because he’s a poacher and, when he’s in the box, he knows where the goal is.”

“He’s been the talk of Europe” Frankfurt CEO of Sport Fredi Bobic also said of Jovic, via Bundesliga.com, following his move to Real Madrid. “He’s explosive and a real threat in front of goal and will be a big miss.”

Moyes’ time to strike

The talent Jovic demonstrated during his sensational season with Frankfurt which sparked Real Madrid to snap up the 8-cap international may not have been displayed in the Spanish capital, but his skill and potential can be rediscovered in the right setting.

Former Eintracht teammate Filip Kostic was full of praise for Jovic during the time together in Germany, lauding his fellow Serbia international who he provided five assists for during the 2018/19 Bundesliga season – the joint-highest assist to scorer combination that season.

“Jovic is just unbelievable!” Kostic said, via Bundesliga.com “He has outstanding timing and a feel for the goal.”

Jovic earned rave reviews from teammates and club staff during his final season in the Bundesliga as he proved to be a defender’s proverbial nightmare with 0.5 goals a game from 2.4 shots, yet could have boasted an even better haul than his 17 goals having missed 18 big chances as well, per SofaScore.

He further offered 0.9 key balls a game for five assists and seven big chances, and continues to be a threat up front despite rarely featuring for Madrid with 1.7 shots and 0.7 key balls per La Liga appearance this term with only an average 15.7 touches.

If Moyes is able to strike an agreement with Real, Jovic could be his ideal centre-forward signing this January. But the 22-year-old’s £8.7m-a-year contract (£167.3k-p/w) contract could cause West Ham a serious challenge if the Serbian believes he still has a future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

AND in other news, David Moyes enjoyed a narrow escape on a £31.5m sensation West Ham courted this summer.

David Sullivan can solve David Moyes’ dire fear of becoming too reliant on Declan Rice by reviving West Ham’s interest in Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram during the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

Speaking following Sunday’s 1-0 win over the Blades, via quotes by football.london, Moyes revealed he is growing concerned that West Ham are calling on Rice to feature far too often for a player of his age.

The 21-year-old is one of just three outfield Hammers players to have featured for all 810 minutes of Premier League football thus far this term, was the only Irons figure to play all 3,420 minutes last season and started 34 top-flight fixtures during the 2018/19 campaign.

Rice’s importance to the starting line-up was only met by six other outfield players across the division during the 19/20 term, and repeating another campaign without regular breaks could prove worrisome with medical teams lobbying against their own clubs for the re-introduction of five substitutes following a spate of early-season injuries.

West Ham, themselves, have been a victim of the increased strain on players after Michail Antonio sustained a hamstring injury last month, and Moyes seems to fear a similar issue befalling Rice if the London Stadium outfit cannot better manage the midfielder’s workload.

“I might be repeating myself but a lot of the talk, rightly so, went to Jack Grealish, Mason Mount and Phil Foden after the England game in midweek but I thought a lot more praise should have gone to Declan Rice for his performance then,” Moyes said.

“Also, how he has improved because he is a very similar age, sometimes you forget that. The role, his responsibility he takes on the pitch because of his young age, his leadership qualities will build. He has learned from Harry Kane, Mark Noble, I really think he is doing a great job as a player and we are building up hope that he will be an outstanding captain.

“My big concern is that he is so young that we rely on him too much.”

Is Lundstram the answer?

With Moyes seemingly fearful of losing Rice if West Ham cannot better manage the England international’s workload, his words should ring around the ears of Sullivan and his team at the London Stadium ahead of the January transfer market.

The Scottish coach will no doubt he hopeful of utilising the mid-season window to invest in adding depth behind Rice and Tomas Soucek, another to have played all 810 minutes of Premier League football this season, with Mark Noble only starting once, Manuel Lanzini earning each of his four appearances from the bench and Robert Snodgrass playing just one minute in the top-flight thus far.

Moyes could find his solution in a former target, with ExWHUemployee recently claiming Sheffield United’s Lundstram remains an option after West Ham failed to seal a deal for the £7.2million-rated midfielder this summer.

Blades boss Chris Wilder has since stated that the Bramall Lane natives are not in an “ideal situation” regarding Lundstram’s future, as the 26-year-old continues to refuse a new contract and could be sold in January with his terms expiring next summer – a pre-contract ahead of next season may well be a possibility.

West Ham would be landing a player Wilder hails as an “exemplary” figure for being able to drift in and out of a side without impacting his performances, should they look to revive their interest, and one who was an integral part of the Blades’ initial form upon promotion last term.

Lundstram started 26 of Sheffield United’s Premier League fixtures in the 2019/20 season and has opened seven of his nine appearances in the current campaign, in which he’s played the most key balls (11) and amassed the third-most total passes (286), fourth-most successful dribbles (10) and blocked the joint-most shots (5) of Wilder’s midfielders, per SofaScore.

It remains to be seen if Moyes does urge Sullivan to revive efforts to sign Lundstram, but his comments on Rice would suggest he is keen for additional options at West Ham.

AND in other news, a “commanding figure” could be set to leave West Ham in the January window.

West Bromwich Albion have endured a tough start to life in the Premier League.

The Baggies find themselves winless from their opening three matches, which puts them one place above the relegation zone at this early stage.

Last weekend’s exciting 3-3 draw with free-spending Chelsea provided some hope but Slaven Bilic’s men went into the break three goals to the good, so it’s a case of two points lost rather than one gained.

Slaven Bilic has switched system during the off-season, one that incorporates wing-backs alongside three centre-backs. When deployed, it is vital that there is sufficient balance in the midfield otherwise the side can quickly become overrun.

Having gone up against the likes of James Rodriguez, Youri Tielemans and N’Golo Kante, who have all seemingly come out on top – might it be time to consider who is playing there for Albion?

It’s clear to see that a partnership of Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore isn’t working out. Neither player is averaging above a 6.19 rating per WhoScored with the former performing the worse of the two.

Perhaps the Croatian should look to Sam Field instead.

Speaking to the Express & Star this week, Bilic claimed that the 22-year-old ‘has an important role to play’ this season and has opted against another loan move away from the Hawthorns.

However, the defensive midfielder, who is capable further up the pitch too, is yet to feature for more than 17 minutes so far this campaign.

Field is no stranger to the Premier League either, former Baggies boss Tony Pulis called on him last time the club was in the big time. He’s actually played 21 times at this level, per Transfermarkt.

The unpopular manager even labelled the academy graduate a “fantastic player” and went as far as claiming that “he’s as good and as gifted as any footballer I’ve seen at that age.”

Even Gary Megson lauded Field as having a “great future” and now at the age of 22, it’s time to see that come to fruition.

Forget Sawyers, it’s time for Field to shine.

AND in other news, Albion could land their next Kevin Phillips in £18m monster with “pace to burn”…