All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is planning on making some key changes off the field this summer, according to reports.

What’s the story?

While Villa have already enjoyed a superb start to the transfer window thus far with the signings of Emi Buendia and Ashley Young, it appears the manager is also intent on making sure the set-up around him is up to scratch too.

As per The Telegraph’s John Percy (via villareport), Smith is keen on strengthening his backroom team this summer, and that he’s targeting a set-piece specialist coach, in particular.

Fans will be buzzing

While the hiring of a set-piece coach may not sound like the most game-changing move Villa could make, looking at the stats from last season, it becomes that much more clear as to why Smith is keen to bring on in.

As per Whoscored, the Midlands club scored just 11 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, five fewer than West Ham who finished at the top of that table.

With reports also linking Villa with a move for dead-ball specialist in James Ward-Prowse, it’s clear that Smith sees this area as a real point to improve on over the coming season and beyond.

If Villa can’t get a deal over the line for Southampton’s Ward-Prowse, then bringing in a coach to help the club’s existing players figure out techniques and routines for free-kicks and corners could prove to be the difference-maker.

Smith’s side took a real giant stride in the Premier League last season, and a new set-piece coach would help see them take yet another step to bridging the gap to the Premier League’s elite.

It’s exactly why fans will be buzzing with Percy’s behind-the-scenes claim as Villa continue to look for those small marginal gains that can make all the difference in top-flight matches.

Meanwhile, Lange must sign this Premier League star…

Leeds United hero Pablo Hernandez will have no problem finding another club this summer, according to ex-Scotland manager Alex McLeish.

The Lowdown: Hernandez moving on

The Spaniard’s brilliant spell at Elland Road will come to an end imminently, with his contract set to expire.

Hernandez has been a hugely influential figure for the Whites, helping them get back into the Premier League, scoring 36 goals and registering 41 assists along the way.

The Latest: McLeish hails Leeds hero

Someone who doesn’t believe the 36-year-old will be short of suitors this summer is McLeish, despite the attacking midfielder’s advancing years.

Speaking to Football Insider, he tipped Hernandez to copy the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva, remaining a key figure at an older age:

“If you take Aguero or David Silva for example. Both Manchester City players, both getting to that stage.

“Aguero rolled back the years with two fantastic goals his performance. That was great to see that after that daft penalty. You don’t want that to be your last memory of Aguero in a Man City shirt. He’s still young enough to score goals for Barcelona.

“The same for Hernandez. He’s 36, isn’t he? So you would think he’d be looking for one last hurrah, as much as he can.

“If he’s got the fitness in his body, I’m sure he’ll be able to do it. I’m sure, if he’s able, somebody will pluck him. He’s got a brilliant record and will be in demand.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-3/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Key signing for someone

At 36, it is the right time for Hernandez to leave Leeds, having only made three starts in the league in 2020/21 and with the team moving forward without him.

That being said, he still has enough left in the tank to be a force elsewhere, given the technical quality he possesses, not to mention his vast experience.

He will be a shrewd addition for whoever snaps him up, presumably in a slower-paced league, inspiring younger players around him, both in terms of quality and professionalism.

In other news, Leeds have been urged to sign one player in a key position this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former England striker Kevin Phillips believes Javi Galan could be a perfect signing for Leeds United, eventually tripling his value.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Galan move

The 26-year-old impressed for La Liga side Huesca last season, with only Lionel Messi (4.5) averaging more than his 3.3 dribbles per game in the league.

Leeds are believed to be eyeing up a move for the £5.4m-rated left-back, with Ezgjan Alioski’s likely exit heightening the need for reinforcements in that area. Reports over the weekend even claimed that Galan is ready to join the Whites, suggesting he is keen on linking up with Marcelo Bielsa.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Phillips talks up transfer

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips insisted that the move is a no-brainer, with little risk involved and the potential for the Spaniard to be worth a lot more one day. He said:

“I think anyone that you can get without breaking the bank is like getting a player in for free.

“Of course, wages might be a little bit higher. But you’ve not got much to lose. If he comes in and doesn’t do well, he’s cost you hardly anything.

“If he does well, you have someone who’s worth triple what you paid for him. Then you’ve got an asset on your hands.

“It is a low-risk signing and it might just turn out to be a good one for Leeds.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-copy/” title=”Latest Leeds United news! (Copy)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Ideal left-back addition

Phillips makes a good point in that Leeds won’t have to spend a huge amount if they want to sign Galan, meaning it would be no disaster if he doesn’t succeed at Elland Road. However, the hope is that the Huesca defender would come straight in and be a success story, putting his aforementioned dribbling ability to good use.

It is worth stressing that Galan is more than just a marauding attacking full-back as well, averaging 2.4 tackles per game last season and showing he can also excel in the gritty aspects of his game.

In other news, a former Leeds player is keen on the Whites signing one individual this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former Tottenham captain Graham Roberts has exclusively told Football FanCast that Jose Mourinho played a part in Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking at Tottenham.

The Argentine was relieved of his duties in north London back in November 2019 with Spurs sitting in the bottom-half in the Premier League, less than six months after losing the Champions League final.

Tottenham had won just three times in their opening 12 league games, and Pochettino paid the price for their poor form.

Just 24 hours later, he was replaced by Mourinho, who made a swift return following his own departure from Manchester United 11 months earlier.

Mourinho has since been chopped, but Roberts believes that the Portuguese played a part in Pochettino’s sacking almost two years earlier.

He told Football FanCast that Mourinho started planting seeds during a test event played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prior to the opening of the new ground earlier in 2019 when he attended due to his connections with Inter Milan:

“I saw Mourinho at a game at Tottenham when the new stadium opened – Inter Milan played Tottenham in a legends game, he was assistant manager.

“He didn’t have to be, he just came along, and he instigated Pochettino being sacked 100 percent. That’s how the man works.

“You could see it that day, he was talking to Daniel Levy and the rumours at the club are that he was saying you’ve got brilliant players here, I can get better out of these. Well, he never, he made them worse.”

Pablo Hernandez was a good signing for Leeds United and vital in the Yorkshire club’s promotion to the Premier League, says ex-Whites midfielder Carlton Palmer.

The 36-year-old attacking midfielder is leaving Leeds after five years at Elland Road and will be remembered fondly for his time at the Premier League outfit.

While he was not a regular this season, Hernandez, who joined from Al-Arabi SC back in 2016, played a key role under Marcelo Bielsa the campaign prior.

The former Spain international scored nine goals and provided nine assists on Leeds’ way to Premier League promotion, something Palmer has not forgotten about.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Hernandez, the ex-England player said:

“It was a good signing at the time that helped them get promotion and get back to the Premier League, so it’s definitely a good signing. 

“I think it’s good business; I think he’s been good for Leeds United. They’ve used his experience. I think he’s been brilliant in the dressing room with the lads, but I think it’s the right time for him to move on and go and play football.”

As well as Hernandez, Leeds have also confirmed that another long-serving player in defender Gaetano Berardi will be leaving the club.

It gives room and frees up the wage bill for Bielsa to bring in players and progress this squad as Leeds look to build on what has been a successful return to English football’s top flight.

Celtic’s season is done and dusted and for the first time in over a decade, a campaign will end without a trophy entering the Parkhead cabinet.This has been a season to forget for the Bhoys as they’ve not only lost their grasp on the league but also their stranglehold over the cup.The Hoops will now go back to the drawing board and ramp up their search for a new manager. After all, the showing from their interim coach hasn’t been too impressive.Celtic may have defeated Livingston 6-0 last time out but as they travelled to Ibrox, it was their turn to be swept aside.It was an afternoon to forget for John Kennedy’s team who were knocked out of the Scottish Cup at the hands of Rangers following a 2-0 loss.The visitors had plenty of chances, namely through Odsonne Edouard. He missed a golden opportunity to score in the second half before he also saw a penalty saved.That moment just about summed up what was a torrid day for Celtic. Although they failed to find the net, they were arguably worse from a defensive point of view.Diego Laxalt was turned inside out by Joe Aribo for the Gers’ second goal but Jonjoe Kenny didn’t particularly set the world alight either.In fact, in the two Old Firm matches he’s now played in, the defender has been particularly abject.[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-lampard-klimala-ajer-gossip” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]Last month it was Kenny’s woeful back pass that led to the corner from which Alfredo Morelos scored but on this occasion, he was even worse.The Everton loanee set the tone from the very first goal. Rangers broke down the right-hand side and with Laxalt caught further up the pitch they had the whole of that flank to attack.Consequently, Aribo was able to move into the area and then fire a shot towards goal. It was deflected into the path of Steven Davis who fired home acrobatically. The reaction was slow from Kenny, who should have done more to prevent the shot from even taking place.His arduous day was then typified for the second strike, putting the ball into the back of his own net.The creator was Aribo again as he got down the right once more and then fired in a dangerous cross for Ryan Kent. However, as the winger looked to slide the ball home it came off Kenny and found its way past Scott Bain.The defender failed to track Kent which would have done a lot to prevent the goal from occurring.

Kenny was given a scathing assessment by plenty during the game. Speaking on Premier Sports’ live coverage of the match, John Harton said he was “absolutely nowhere†for the goals.

Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes added on A Celtic State of Mind that the loanee had a “horror showâ€, describing it as a “nightmare of a first-half†for the 24-year-old.

After his first two Old Firm matches, Kenny will be sweating over the prospect of having to play another one at the beginning of May.

AND in other news, McGinn 2.0: Celtic will always rue not signing 107-cap star, he’s “out of this world”…

Charlton Athletic midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey endured a disappointing evening at The Valley on Tuesday, as Nigel Adkins’ side slipped up in their push to secure a top-six finish in the league.

Knowing that a win would have significantly boosted their chances of securing a League One play-off spot come the end of the season, the Addicks ultimately failed to see the game out against a mid-table Crewe Alexandra side, as, despite taking the lead twice on the night, a last-gasp Owen Dale strike saw David Artell’s team leave southeast London with a share of the spoils, with the fixture ending 2-2.

The result means that Charlton remain in eighth place in the league standings, two points behind Portsmouth in sixth, albeit with a game in hand on their promotion-chasing rivals.

In the fixture itself, Forster-Caskey was one of the poorer performers for Adkins’ team, with the midfielder winning just four of his 14 duels, totalling a mere 29% success rate.

The £6,000-per-week man also completed just three of his 10 attempted long balls in the match, as well as three of his seven attempted crosses.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder did see a large share of the ball for his side, with his 64 touches ranking as the most out of any Charlton player on the night, however, the 27-year-old also managed to lose possession for his side on 17 occasions, with no other Addicks player doing so more.

Overall, Forster-Caskey earned a SofaScore match rating of just 6.5 for his efforts over the 90 minutes, the joint-lowest of any Charlton player to start the fixture.

As such, considering just how important the former England U21 international has been within Adkins’ side so far this season – with the midfielder’s seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.31 ranking him as the club’s best performer in the third tier – it is essential that Forster-Caskey ups his game once again over the three remaining games of Charlton’s league campaign, or else they could be set to face another season languishing in League One. He let his side down on Tuesday, he can’t do that again in the upcoming fixtures.

According to Steven Beck, the agent of James Garner, Glasgow Rangers are interested in signing the midfielder.

Rangers want Garner

The £3.6m-valued 20-year-old is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Premier League giants Manchester United.

Speaking to Stretty News, Beck has revealed the Gers are eyeing a move for the youngster. He said:

“I had a couple of chats with John Murtough last week, but I’m so relaxed on the situation, as is James because things are going so well for him. […] James has put himself in a great position where he’s probably going to have, if he does go out on loan again, the majority of the Championship and I would be amazed if one or two Premier League clubs don’t try and do something.

“I know Brighton like him, I know Norwich like him. […] I know Rangers are really keen on him as well.”

Plenty of talent

Any player who comes through the Red Devils’ youth system must be a talented one, and Garner clearly seems to be. He has so far appeared seven times for their senior side, while he has played on 33 occasions for Forest in the Championship (Transfermarkt). He has plenty of time left ahead of him to improve and he has even been compared to Old Trafford legend Michael Carrick (The Athletic).

As it stands, he has just one year left on his contract, so Steven Gerrard and co could well be able to sign him permanently should they wish. However, Beck discussed a loan move here, and whether Ross Wilson and co would be willing to take him just for one campaign remains to be seen.

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this striker.

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts on social media to a transfer update regarding the club’s interest in Bristol City attacker Antoine Semenyo.

According to a report from Football League World, Palace are ramping up their interest in the 21-year-old and are the early favourites for his signature in the summer.

Semenyo, who can play as a centre-forward and out wide, is valued at £1.17m by Transfermarkt and is under contract at Ashton Gate until 2023.

The Englishman has been a regular for the Robins this season, making 46 appearances in all competitions. He’s netted on five occasions and has registered seven assists in total, and it seems as if Palace like what they see in the versatile forward.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the update on Twitter on Friday morning.

It didn’t take long for a number of Palace supporters to have their say on the news, with one describing the Bristol City man as ‘class’.

“This don is needed”

Credit: @s_cpfc

“Want.”

Credit: @liamb0117

“Never heard of him, but bring him in”

Credit: @localpla7tic

“Would be good backup if we can get him for a decent price”

Credit: @Connormuz

“This is Palace we don’t do normal..”

Credit: @geraldcaterham

“People writing off a Bristol City winger.. Sounds familiar. (He’s class btw)”

Credit: @paIaceawayy

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz at club’s interest in Fulham star, find out more here. 

Ben Godfrey issued a rallying cry in the wake of Everton’s FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Manchester City.

The Blues held out for 83 minutes against Pep Guardiola’s quadruple-chasers before Ilkay Gundogan broke their resistance. Kevin de Bruyne added another goal to extend Everton’s 26-year wait for silverware.

However, the Toffees could still forge a success out of their season by qualifying for Europe. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are five points off the Champions League places and only two points off of the top six.

Godfrey spoke to the club’s official Twitter channel after the game as to what would be required to secure one of the European spots.

“Sticking together, character and desire,” he said. “You could see how much it meant to us. We’re going to need that for the rest of the season if we’re going to finish where we hope to.”

The £25m summer signing looks poised to be an Everton regular for years to come. In his first season at Goodison Park, the 23-year-old is averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 3.2 clearances per game (via WhoScored) – all of which are among the best figures for those respective metrics among Ancelotti’s squad.

These Everton fans loved Godfrey’s comments

“Well, I could see how much Ben wanted it. Sadly the rest of the team seem to be lacking in desire or belief in their own ability. Thus resulting in pretty negative performances.”

Credit: @howiseeit4

“If half the team had the mentality and passion Ben Godfrey shows in all games Everton would be far in their progress by now. Even when he doesn’t have his best game the drive and determination he shows he does his best. We need more players like him”

Credit: @gersonselema

“You can listen to this fella & know he means what he says as he gives the exact same on the pitch but there’s others that give rallying cries & don’t back it up. Big end to the season for us after the international break but if we don’t beat Palace when we get back, forget Europe!”

Credit: @AidyDews

“It isn’t Ben or really any of our defence it’s our atrocious midfield. If all 11 of our players put in the shift that Ben did every game we would be top 4.”

Credit: @bobmarl03974950

“Ten times Ben and we would have a world beating team.”

Credit: @1878G2

“Leader”

Credit: @Jamie_Foster18

“He’s a machine”

Credit: @JayTommo99

In other news, some Everton fans blasted this player’s performance against Man City.