All posts by z3u9t.icu

It has been over three months since Neil Lennon packed his bags and left Celtic behind following a dismal campaign in the Parkhead dugout.

A swift resolution to their woes was needed but the Hoops hierarchy have found life difficult when it’s come to replacing him.

What’s the word?

Celtic were in advanced talks to bring Eddie Howe to Paradise for the best part of two months but after waiting for such a long period of time, a move collapsed.

The 43-year-old looked set to take charge with just his backroom staff to be agreed upon but a deal couldn’t be struck, leaving the Bhoys to consider alternatives.

Ange Postecoglou is now the frontrunner to become the new manager but the fallout to their chase of Howe continues to rage on.

Football Insider shared a new piece of information regarding their pursuit at the weekend, suggesting that Howe snubbed Celtic because he wants to take the Southampton job.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is currently in charge of the Saints but it’s thought a position could open up if they have a poor start to the new campaign.

Desmond can’t be happy

After the two parties pulled the plug on a deal a week and a half ago it can’t have left Dermot Desmond and co very happy.

They’d been waiting patiently and were refusing to panic as they sat about while Bournemouth’s promotion charge went on.

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Howe wanted to bring in a number of coaches from the Vitality Stadium but had to wait until their Championship play-off campaign had concluded.

Bournemouth didn’t get promoted but Howe failed to agree deals with his preferred backroom staff, leading to a U-turn on the situation from both the club and manager.

That appeared to be the primary reason for a collapse but if it is indeed interest from the Premier League that’s caused another stumbling block, Desmond should be rather angry.

Crystal Palace played a significant part in one of the delays as they reportedly interviewed Howe, only for him to flop during the interview process.

What’s even more peculiar is that there isn’t currently a position at Southampton for the Englishman to take.

They ended the season in a horrendous run of form, winning just five of the 22 league matches they’ve played in 2021.

Southampton started the campaign in good form and were sitting top of the table in November. If a similar eventuality occurs in the new term then it will leave Howe waiting even longer for a job.

If everything had worked out, he may well have been sitting in the Parkhead dugout with one of the most historical clubs in world football.

Desmond should be worried that Celtic aren’t being viewed as a big catch.

AND in other news, Celtic can replace Elyounoussi by signing 42-goal “speed demon”, he’s got “everything”…

Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan has been giving his thoughts to Celtic’s reported interest in Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet.  

The Lowdown: Nisbet presented to Howe

According to The Scottish Sun, the Hoops are considering summer moves for Nisbet and left-back Aaron Hickey. The report claims that both players have been presented to Eddie Howe, who looks set to replace Neil Lennon in the Parkhead dugout.

Nisbet, who is on just £1,000 per week in Edinburgh, is rated at £3m and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season. He is under contract at Easter Road until 2024.

Should a move go through for the 24-year-old, he could come in for Odsonne Edouard at Parkhead, who appears to be closing in on a move to Leicester City.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Talking to Football Insider regarding the transfer update, Whelan seemed to back a proposed Parkhead move, labelling Nisbet a ‘proven’ forward. The 46-year-old said:

“At £3million, you’re not really going to be taking too much of a risk.

“He’s proven he can do it at Hibs, they’ve had a good season, in a cup final as well. He’s done it against the Old Firm, so they know that he can work the best backlines in the Scottish Premiership.

“So 24-years-of-age, he’s a good age as well, coming to the best years of his football. If you can do it at Hibs and can score goals in the Scottish Premiership, then you know that he’s going to score goals in the Scottish Premiership when you’re at Celtic.”

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The Verdict: A shrewd move, but the Hoops may need more

Celtic fans should know all about Nisbet. The 24-year-old scored twice and provided an assist against the Hoops this season and was the joint-second highest scorer in the Premiership behind Edouard.

On that basis, providing Howe likes what he sees in him, Nisbet could be a handy signing in Glasgow if Celtic snap him up. He knows what it takes to score at this level, and as Whelan has said, if he can do it for Hibs, you’d expect him to flourish for the Hoops.

However, with Edouard’s expected exit, Mohamed Elyounoussi returning to Southampton and Leigh Griffiths’ future up in the air, it could be a smart move to bring in another attacking talent alongside Nisbet.

It looks set to be a summer of change both on and off the pitch at Celtic, and Nisbet could become one of the club’s first major signings under new management.

In other news: ‘Something happened’ – Frank McAvennie shares inside Celtic claim as news emerges on ace who wants out, find out more here. 

It may be a controversial call to make, but Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa must surely consider moving on from Liam Cooper, starting with today’s Premier League final day clash against West Brom.

The captain has been an ever-present for Bielsa’s side this season in the Premier League when he’s been available, making 24 appearances.

However, in recent weeks and months, the Whites have had a glimpse of a future without the skipper holding down the defence and, to their credit, they have done quite well without him. Indeed, in the 13 games for which he hasn’t taken to the field, they’ve won five times, drawn four and lost just four.

Their memorable win over Manchester City last month came after the Scotland international was sent off at the Etihad Stadium, his team-mates digging out a 2-1 victory in his absence.

While the £25,000-a-week defender, who will turn 30 this summer, is hardly close to joining the retirement home, Leeds have the perfect blend of quality and youth in their centre-back options. The likes of Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk, not to mention Leif Davis and Charlie Cresswell from the academy, are all very much players who have their best years ahead of them.

Struijk in particular has grown exponentially this season, with the £6.3m-rated powerhouse becoming a massive presence at the back and earning huge praise from former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, who said: “I thought he was phenomenal at the back. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with this kid. He went through a stage of playing in Kalvin’s role but that was the wrong choice by Bielsa for me. He is a centre-half all day long. You can see him growing in that position.

Those sentiments were echoed by another ex-Whites player in Dominic Matteo, who added: “He reads the game a lot better than he’s credited for. He’ll get even better too. Struijk is one to look out for.

“There’s plenty of work to be done but, with the size of him, his physicality, his passing, he’s got it all and can step into midfield. He looks very calm on the ball, players who are a bit erratic are not for me but he looks comfortable in possession.”

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With Leeds being linked with a move for another centre-back this summer in the form of Sampdoria’s Omar Colley, it just goes to show that Bielsa is keen on rejuvenating the back-line.

Today’s clash against West Brom offers the Argentine the perfect chance to embrace the future without Cooper in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a move for this South American starlet…

Pep Guardiola is reportedly willing to sell Manchester City superstar Raheem Sterling this summer in order to fund transfer moves for Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland, which could prove to be an excellent decision by the Spanish manager.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Guardiola is planning an overhaul of his Man City attack this summer, which could see Sterling depart as the Etihad outfit look to raise funds ahead of potential moves for Aston Villa’s Grealish and Borussia Dortmund’s Haaland.

The report suggests that the former Barcelona boss no longer considers the England international to be an integral part of his squad and that he would be willing to sell him this summer should the club receive a suitable offer.

Should Man City sell him?

Sterling was one of City’s most impressive performers earlier in the campaign and has contributed nine goals and six assists in the Premier League this season, averaging a superb 7.23 rating.

However, after a poor run of form, which has seen him contribute no goals and just one assist in his last 11 appearances, he has dropped down the pecking order under Guardiola and has regularly been left out of key games in the Champions League and Premier League.

The former Liverpool man has truly looked desperate for a goal in recent weeks and it seems as if his far too regular habit of missing big chances has finally come back to haunt him under Guardiola, who has preferred the more consistent Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez on the wings for the past few months of the season.

Sterling is obviously still an incredibly talented footballer, with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers labelling him “world-class” last season but if City do want to cash in on him, then they need to do it sooner rather than later.

The 26-year-old’s form over the past few months, as well as the financial impact of the pandemic, has seen his market value, according to Transfermarkt, drop 37.5% from £144m in December 2019 to £90m.

If Sterling’s poor performances continue then his value will only continue to drop further, so Guardiola is perhaps right to want to sell him this summer in the hope that they can still receive a huge fee for the winger, which can go towards improving the squad ahead of next season.

And, in other news… Txiki should seal Man City swoop for “amazing” gem loved by Bruno Fernandes

There is ‘absolutely zero chance’ that Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool to join Chelsea this summer, according to journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Salah linked with Chelsea move

The Egyptian played a key role in the Reds’ 2-0 win at home to Southampton on Saturday night as the Premier League champions picked up a crucial three points. Salah teed up Sadio Mane for the opening goal at Anfield, before Thiago sealed the win with a late strike in front of the Kop end.

A transfer claim from Christian Falk earlier in the week suggested that Liverpool’s number 11 was being eyed up by Chelsea, with a return to Stamford Bridge mooted for the 28-year-old.

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The Latest: Pearce laughs off Salah rumour

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after the victory over Saints, Pearce said that a return to Stamford Bridge simply won’t happen, with the Reds desperate to keep hold of Salah. He outlined:

“There is absolutely zero chance that Salah goes to Chelsea this summer. Liverpool have no intention of selling him and certainly if he did ever leave it wouldn’t be to another English club.”I struggle to believe he’s even on a shortlist because Chelsea will know it’s impossible.”

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The Verdict: Salah to stay put

Despite constant murmurings surrounding Salah’s future, it would be a huge surprise if he ended up leaving Anfield in the summer transfer window.

For starters, he appears happy at Liverpool, with 29 goals in a tough season proof that he is still giving his all, while the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are in no financial position to spend fortunes on players these days.

The idea of Salah moving to Chelsea is indeed a laughable one – why would Jurgen Klopp even entertain the idea of making a direct rival far stronger? – so it is a transfer rumour which seemingly has no legs, as Pearce has hinted.

In other news, one Liverpool attacking player has been tipped to leave the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Darren Moore may not have been in attendance on Saturday afternoon, but Sheffield Wednesday star Adam Reach badly let his manager down yet again, as their survival bid took another damaging twist.

It was always going to be a hard task for the Owls, though their performance warranted some sort of result down in the capital.

The South Yorkshire outfit were defeated 1-0 by automatic promotion-chasing Watford, courtesy of an own goal from Wednesday veteran Tom Lees just seven minutes into the encounter.

That proved to be the only difference in this top versus bottom clash at Vicarage Road.

Owls coach Jamie Smith filled in for the absent Moore, and he won’t have many positives to report back to the 46-year-old over Reach, who was also a negative in the win over Barnsley before the international break, as explained by Football FanCast here.

Once again deployed as a left wing-back, the 28-year-old star was graded among Wednesday’s worst performers with a mediocre 6.5 rating per SofaScore – by comparison, Lees, who scored that own goal, did better at 6.9, as did Josh Windass (6.8), who managed only one shot all game.

So that speaks volumes already.

In his 90 minutes on the pitch, he struggled immensely to combat the threat on offer from Ismaila Sarr, picking up a yellow card before half-time for his troubles. He failed to win a single duel from four attempts against the Hornets speedster, adding to his nightmare afternoon.

As a wing-back, Reach needed to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Well, he struggled in attack, just as much as he did defensively.

Per SofaScore, the former Boro man only found an Owls player with 50% of his crossing attempts, whilst he also didn’t contribute a key pass, shot or dribble along that flank.

Reach also failed to provide a tackle or interception, and was dribbled past once.

YorkshireLive correspondent Dom Howson rated the Owls dynamo as their worst-player and was less than impressed in his post-game reaction column.

He wrote: ‘Caught under the ball for Lees’ own goal. Struggled throughout to stifle the attacking threat of Sarr and carried little attacking threat. Another different afternoon.’

When Moore returns to the dugout, he may want to think twice about trusting the long-serving utility man again after back-to-back disappointments.

The Owls are now seven points adrift of safety, with only eight games left to play and are now without that game in hand. Had the lightweight Reach done better for the goal and for his performance on the whole, then maybe their task would’ve been made a little easier.

AND in other news, Chansiri heading for Sheff Wed mistake over £10k-p/w gem who’s “trained like a Trojan”…

David Sullivan must block David Moyes from reuniting with Manchester United defender Phil Jones at West Ham this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Eurosport, Moyes is keeping tabs on Jones’ situation at Old Trafford with a view to signing the centre-back at the end of the season.

The Hammers boss is monitoring the defensive market knowing his London Stadium natives will require additional options next term, should they fulfil a surprise challenge for European qualification.

Manchester United are expected to try and sell Jones in the summer, having been without the former England international for more than a year.

Jones has suffered with a long-standing knee injury since January 2020 and could miss the entirety of the current season after a string of setbacks.

That is apparently not an issue for Moyes though, as the West Ham head coach is seemingly willing to take a chance on the 29-year-old next term.

The Hammers will have to negotiate a fee with Manchester United for the transfer of Jones, who they valued at £12m amid interest from Newcastle last year and have under contract through to 2024.

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Should West Ham sign Man Utd’s Jones?

West Ham have benefited more than most will have imagined through the loan signing of Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, but the likelihood of Moyes enjoying a similar success story with Jones has to be questioned.

Lingard had featured three times this term under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – each in the cups – before moving to the London Stadium, where he has since been involved in more Premier League goals (eight scored, three assisted) than any player since debuting on February 3rd.

What allowed Lingard to hit the ground running in claret and blue was that he arrived in a strong physical state, having never let his lack of game time impact his commitment to training.

It was also Solskjaer’s system rather than Lingard’s talent that saw the England dynamo fall to the fringes at Old Trafford, while Jones may not have any games under his belt for almost 18-months by the time the next transfer window opens.

Jones was hardly operating at his best before his injury, either, having played just eight times last season, while Martin Keown claimed “he looks like he’s on roller-skates” following a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

Moyes knows what Jones is capable of having fielded the defender 36 times across all competitions during his year at the Red Devils helm, but it is unlikely that the Scot can rediscover his best form.

Sullivan would instead be expected to eventually regret sanctioning Moyes reuniting with the £75,000-per-week enforcer – who Carlton Palmer claims is “big, strong, athletic” – if West Ham offer Jones a chance to hit the reset button this summer.

AND in other news, West Ham eye 23-year-old talent once backed to become “world-class”…

A ‘first teamer’ at Newcastle United has reportedly instructed his agent to go out and find him a new club, according to Football Insider.

As per the news outlet, he is described as being ‘experienced’ and an ‘international star’, and was previously happy to stay at St. James’ Park even if the Tyneside club were to find themselves relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship.

However, a source in the North East has told the publication that he has now set his sights ‘firmly’ on the exit door, and wants to exit regardless of what division the Magpies are playing in come the start of the 2021/22 term.

The player is not being named by the outlet in order to protect his identity, but is believed to still have a number of years left remaining on his current deal at the Toon.

The U-turn has come as a result of the fallout of the 3-0 loss away to Brighton and Hove Albion in the top flight on Saturday night, to which he was reportedly left ‘fuming’ about.

More Newcastle misery

Although the player is not named, the fact that he has been described as a ‘first teamer’ and an ‘international star’ will surely worry many NUFC fans.

It is perhaps not a surprise to hear that he wants to leave given what has been going on at Newcastle lately, as supporters can only hope that he will change his mind again and wish to stay.

In other news, find out how close Newcastle were to signing one global ace here!

According to Italian outlet Club Doria 46 (via Sport Witness), West Ham United are eyeing a move for Sampdoria powerhouse Omar Colley – and the fact he signed a new deal in January comes as no ‘guarantee of permanence’. 

As stated by this report, David Moyes is keen on the 6 foot 3 colossus alongside a plethora of Premier League sides – with Leeds United, Newcastle United and Fulham also touted with interest.

West Ham eyeing Colley

Sampdoria, despite tabling a new contract for Olley, are open to selling him this summer if they can ‘make a rich capital gain’ and will tell suitors to pay €10 million-15 million (£8.5m-£12.7m) for his services.

The Gambia defender has been a mainstay under former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri this season and key player, starting 19 Serie A matches and thoroughly impressing since mid-December.

As a result, West Ham have entered the fray and are eyeing a possible summer move for the 28-year-old who ‘could really leave’ according to Club Doria 46.

The Irons were also linked last year (via Sport Witness), with Colley’s past performance against a certain Cristiano Ronaldo attracting media praise.

Transfer Tavern take

Colley’s efforts to thwart Ronaldo and deny him a hat-trick against Sampdoria in a past encounter were well noticed by Massimiliano Allegri, who lavished the defender with praise after he blocked the Portuguese superstar’s goal-bound header (Foroyaa).

Whether or not West Ham end up signing Colley ahead of their numerous competition remains to be seen, but they have now emerged as possible suitors.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano dropped a huge Jesse Lingard update, find out more here.

It would be fair to say that not a single Liverpool player came away from Sunday’s defeat to Fulham in a positive light.

The Reds turned in an awful performance, falling to an all-time low of six consecutive defeats at Anfield for the first time in their history.

There were a handful of truly woeful performances from the home side, with the usually reliable James Milner firmly amongst them.

Starting his first Premier League game in over a month, the former England man was expected to be an experienced and calming presence in the middle of the park for Liverpool and for Jurgen Klopp.

However, he was quite the opposite, habitually arriving late into tackles and accumulating three fouls throughout the 90 minutes – more than any other player, according to WhoScored.

This was a constant source of frustration for the reigning Premier League champions as it allowed Fulham to reset and regain their defensive shape, a huge reason as to why they were able to somewhat comfortably hold out for the second period.

Deployed alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Naby Keita, it also wasn’t the best afternoon for Milner from an attacking standpoint either.

The former Manchester City man had only one shot, that effort flying off target, whilst also contributing zero key passes or dribbles.

For a player so experienced, the 35-year-old was also ponderous on the ball, taking an age to release it. He was dispossessed once, whilst also having two unsuccessful touches. Only Xherdan Shaqiri conceded possession more frequently in the entire Liverpool team and he played the entire game whereas Milner was substituted with 15 minutes of the clash remaining, rightly so too.

Considering the Reds’ current plight, it seemed a smart move from Klopp to turn to more experience in midfield. However, it was a gamble that certainly did not pay off with Milner seemingly causing more damage to his team than he was worth.

He was late into tackles and late to play passes. Liverpool might have been better off if he was late for the team bus…

AND in more news, take a look at why Liverpool must secure a deal for Kalidou Koulibaly sooner rather than later…