All posts by z3u9t.icu

Lots of Everton fans have been left talking about the early team news which has emerged ahead of their game at home to West Ham United on Sunday.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against the Hammers at Goodison Park, Rafa Benitez has now revealed that Lucas Digne, Seamus Coleman and Alex Iwobi have all returned to full training, but it is too soon to say whether they will be available.

Nonetheless, the news is certainly a boost if both full-backs especially are fit enough to play the Irons, while Iwobi gives Benitez another handy option in the squad.

However, the Spaniard did not mention how both Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are after their respective injuries, which has worried some supporters of the Merseyside club.

Everton fans on Team News

These Toffees fans flocked to Twitter to give their thoughts on the early Team News, with some happy that three players are back in training, while others were questioning the fitness of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison:

“Panic over”

Credit: @CalumDMoore

“Great news!”

Credit: @Amycfernandez

“Brilliant news”

Credit: @CBobblers1878

“No DCL or Richy yet another week of the donkey upfront then”

Credit: @richythepigeon

“DCL??? Richy??? Tell meeeeeee”

Credit: @KRay1878

“DCL and Richarlison??”

Credit: @Vicaz22

In other news, find out what Benitez comments Blues have flocked to here!

Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano shared updates on Manchester United trio Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba on Sunday afternoon.

As to be expected, his social media post received plenty of interaction from a number of United fans.

According to Romano, Fernandes has been United’s ‘priority’ since last July when it comes to offering contract extensions to members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

His current deal, which is worth £180,000 per week, runs until 2025, but United are in talks with the 27-year-old’s representatives over an improved salary and possible length of a new contract.

Romano added that Shaw is also on the club’s renewals list, while the Red Devils are also waiting on a response from Pogba over a fresh Old Trafford contract.

The Englishman’s contract has just under two years to run, whereas Pogba could leave for nothing at the end of the season should his situation remain the same.

United fans react

Here is what these Manchester United fans had to say on Twitter in response to Romano’s post, with one labelling it as ‘important news’ as all three are regulars in Solskjaer’s first XI.

“SIUUUUU”

Credit: @Deafeatist

“The brilliant journalism we all needed now”

Credit: @AliInqiad

“Yesss”

Credit: @lmRashford

“Important news”

Credit: @stretford_end

“VIVAAAAA BRUNO”

Credit: @cultrahull

“Couldn’t care less about Pogba. Get Bruno’s and Luke’s sorted @ManUtd”

Credit: @C_Keshav

In other news: ‘Yeeeessss’ – Lots of MUFC fans buzzing over Romano’s update on Amad Diallo

As Newcastle United get their Premier League season underway on Sunday afternoon, Steve Bruce will have some big calls to make over his starting line-up.

The Magpies have only signed one new player in Joe Willock, and many of the manager’s options remain the squad which endured a disappointing campaign in the top-flight last term.

However, one man who will be hoping to finally get his Newcastle career going is Joelinton.

The Brazilian has been nothing short of a disaster at St James’ Park since his big-money move from Hoffenheim, netting just ten goals in 80 games across all competitions, but pre-season has seen him hit a touch of form at the right time, which bodes well for the West Ham clash today and the rest of the campaign.

According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh: “Whisper it quietly, but Joelinton may finally start to deliver (to an extent) this season.

“Not to anywhere near the level of the £40 million Newcastle paid for him, but perhaps we need to completely forget about that ludicrous price tag and look at what he can actually offer.

“Well-placed sources believe that, with the Brazilian’s English improving and the No 9 shirt now on Wilson’s back instead of his, he has been a more confident and self-assured presence on the training ground. While he may not be an automatic starter in the strongest XI, Joelinton could yet contribute more than the six goals and four assists he has to show for 69 Premier League appearances so far…”

With Wilson now the main man tasked with leading the line for the Magpies, Joelinton may finally feel like he has a weight off his shoulders and can go about playing his own game without the added pressure of the number nine shirt.

Given that he’s shown some impressive signs in the last few weeks, Bruce would do well to capitalise and unleash the Brazilian against the Hammers later this afternoon.

The £17m-rated ace could kickstart Newcastle’s, and just as importantly, his own season with a bang today.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must avoid another Andy Carroll nightmare with this star…

Manchester City star Jack Grealish has waxed lyrical over Wolves winger Adama Traore, admitting that he is an ‘unbelievable’ player to watch.

The Lowdown: Traore hit-and-miss for Wolves

The Spaniard has had a curious Wanderers career in many ways, standing out with his blistering pace but not always performing consistently.

Traore has failed to register a single goal or assist in 11 Premier League appearances so far this season and has recently lost his place in the team.

However, £100m signing Grealish has huge regard for the 25-year-old, who has been afforded the luxury of playing both with and against him numerous times.

The Latest: Grealish hails Traore

Speaking on the Premier League’s YouTube channel on Thursday, the City maestro explained what it is that makes Traore such a unique player, saying:

“Adama Traore, he is the fastest person I have honestly ever seen. I remember his first game at Villa, he came on at right-wing and I’ve never seen anything like it. He ran down that right-wing and smashed it across the box and one of their defenders hit it into the goal and it was obviously an own goal, but it all came from him.

“Adama, the way he moves, like I said earlier, it’s unbelievable, I don’t know how he can run that fast.”

The Verdict: Non-stop entertainment value

Traore certainly can’t be accused of being a dull player to watch and he is thrilling when he is in full flow, being described as ‘undefendable’ by Jurgen Klopp and clocking Premier League-leading speeds.

The main issue for the Spain international is his end product, as highlighted by his aforementioned statistics this season, with the wide man scoring just 10 goals in 144 appearances for Wolves overall.

It is this reason which has seemingly led to Bruno Lage dropping him and he could even leave in January, which wouldn’t seem a great surprise given how little involvement the 25-year-old has had of late.

In other news, Tim Spiers has made a big Wolves transfer claim. Read more here.

The Express and Star’s Matt Maher has dropped an update on Aston Villa transfer target Axel Tuanzebe.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that the Manchester United defender could be making a return to Villa Park this summer as Dean Smith looks to strengthen his centre-back options.

Football Insider revealed: “A Villa source has told Football Insider that the club have been given encouragement that United are planning to let Tuanzebe go in the current window.”

Maher has now confirmed that Villa have registered their interest in signing Tuanzebe, although fellow Premier League side Newcastle are also said to be keen on him.

Villa fans will be buzzing

Maher’s update that Villa are in for Tuanzebe will surely have fans buzzing, especially considering that Smith is desperately short of genuine quality cover in terms of his centre-back options.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has already thrown his backing behind a potential Villa move for the Manchester United defender. He said: “At 23, if you’re not getting a sniff at your own club, it’s not a good sign. The under-23 league that’s been brought in gives people a false sense of security that you’re going to be a footballer at 23.

“If you’re 20 or 21 and you’re not training with the first team at that point, you’ve probably missed the boat. He’s got quality. But I think for him, at this stage in his career, he’s not at Man United level. So he probably needs to move elsewhere. Somewhere like Aston Villa would be perfect for himself and for the good of his career.”

With Smith and Villa already aware of Tuanzebe’s quality given his previous loan spell at the club, featuring 28 times in their promotion-winning 2018/19 Championship campaign, the defender should be able to hit the ground running at Villa Park.

Fans will likely be buzzing at the prospect of the 23-year-old once again donning a Villa shirt for next season.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has confirmed some exciting Aston Villa transfer news…

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has suggested an infamous incident involving Duncan Ferguson and Moise Kean has cost the former the Everton job.

The Merseyside club have turned to Nuno Espirito Santo following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to Real Madrid, and some reports have suggested that Ferguson turned down the chance to join the 62-year-old in Spain, as he wanted the top position in the Goodison Park dugout.

Prior to Ancelotti’s arrival, Ferguson had a short spell as interim boss which saw him substitute Kean in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United despite having only just brought him on as a substitute.

And now Sanchez believes that sort of management that day has come back to haunt the Scotsman.

“Duncan wears his heart on his sleeve,” the former Fulham boss said. “What you see is what you get from Duncan, so if he doesn’t like you, he tells you.

“I always remember the Moise Kean incident. You can’t really do that as a manager, not in the modern age where you have to understand players better.”

It is a shame that Everton have sort of overlooked Ferguson. Those few games he had in charge, which included a win against Chelsea and draw with Manchester United, were really promising to say the least.

Sheffield United failed in their bid to bring Alex Collado to Bramall Lane due to the winger’s representative’s unrealistic financial demands.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Andy Giddings, with the BBC journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, despite both Barcelona and Sheffield United being happy for the deal to go ahead, the 22-year-old’s move to the Championship side broke down due to the financial demands of the player’s representatives.

In his tweet, Giddings said: “Understand SUFC pursuit of Barca midfielder Alex Collado broke down at the 11th hour due to ‘unrealistic financial demands’ from the player’s representatives. Told both clubs are happy for the deal to be concluded.”

Jokanovic will be fuming

Considering just how short Slavisa Jokanovic’s side is in the wide attacking areas of the pitch, in addition to the sheer amount of potential Collado appears to possess, the fact that the Blades’ move for the right-winger fell through at the 11th hour due to something as trivial as the demands of the player’s representatives is sure to have left the 53-year-old manager fuming.

Indeed, following the closure of the summer transfer window on Tuesday evening, Jokanovic has been left with no players who are natural options on either the left or right-wing in his first-team squad, meaning that, until January, the Serbian will have to make do with fielding one of his centre-forwards out of position on the flanks.

Furthermore, while Collado has struggled to break into the Barcelona first team, making just two appearances for the LaLiga side, the £4.5m-rated man’s form for Barcelona B clearly illustrates exactly why Jokanovic wanted to secure his signing.

Indeed, over the 22-year-old’s 83 appearances for the reserve side, who play their football in the third tier of Spanish football, the winger has scored 18 goals and registered 11 assists, while also bagging four goals and one assist over his 20 fixtures for Barcelona’s U19 team.

As such, it would certainly have appeared as if the youngster would have made a very useful addition to the Sheffield United side prior to Tuesday’s transfer deadline, however, after missing out on his signing, Jokanovic will now have to make do with the options he has been left with in his squad – something that would not appear to bode overly well for the club’s Championship campaign, considering how poorly it has started.

In other news: “Deal agreed”: Journalist reveals SUFC transfer development that’ll have fans buzzing

Many Crystal Palace fans have been angered on Twitter, following a poor first half showing from Jordan Ayew in their Premier League clash away to West Ham United [Sky Sports].

West Ham United enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half and got their just rewards with a Pablo Fornals opener, and many Palace spectators will be hoping that manager Patrick Vieira makes some changes at half time – the Hammers have eight of the nine shots in the match.

One man who could be susceptible to being substituted off before too long is Ayew, who has endured a lonely 45 minutes for the Eagles on the left-hand side, making little impact on either side of the ball.

Failing to really stamp his mark, the Ghanaian has had to take up deeper positions than his role on the left-wing would suggest, but that didn’t exactly help keep the Hammers at bay.

In light of his display, loads of supporters flocked to Twitter to voice their fury at his performance.

Fans react to Ayew display

Replying to various outlets on Twitter, here is what some spectators had to say about Ayew’s display:

“What position is Jordan Ayew playing? Dm? #WHUCRY”

Credit: @NalikemPecius”Ayew a liability. Always. #CPFC #WHUCRY3″Credit: @CHSCPFC”It’s like palace are playing with 2 LBs where Ayew is so far back”Credit: @CFCSIMMONS7″I know i’m a better footballer than Jordan Ayew”Credit: @Pinocchio1957″Ayew is so slow at passing! Tekkers in miles of space begging for the ball at jogging speed and Ayew waits til Tekkers is offside to pass the damn ball! Drop him already!”Credit: @Midgecpfc”Why is ayew taking way more touches then needed man”Credit: @bentekefan0In other news, Crystal Palace fans react to links with a reported target. Find out more here.

Aston Villa don’t rate West Brom star Matheus Pereira as highly as other targets, according to The Athletic’s Villa correspondent Gregg Evans.

And, as to be expected, the latest update has had plenty of Villa fans talking on social media.

Villa have been linked with a move for Pereira recently, however, it seems as if sporting director Johan Lange has two other players higher up on his summer wishlist.

According to Evans, Villa have already laid extensive groundwork over deals for Burnley’s Dwight McNeil and Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia.

Evans adds that Pereira could still come into the reckoning regarding a Midlands switch, however, at this moment in time, the Brazilian isn’t rated as highly as McNeil or Buendia.

Villa reportedly want two or three signings ahead of the 2021/22 season, but it seems as if Pereira may not be one of those going off the latest update.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Evans’ claims on Pereira on social media on Friday morning. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with many not exactly thrilled and one describing the call as ‘stupid’.

“Can you imagine what Jack Grealish must think of this? Dwight McNeil ahead of Matheus Pereira? It’s an absolute joke. And with our business supposedly limited to 2/3 ‘smart’ signings it’s hardly surprising he’s linked to a City move this morning. No ambition whatsoever.”Credit: @_porsalin”Madness. Absolute madness. Seriously Smith doesn’t know a good winger”Credit: @Harry34740948″We are so stupid if that’s true”Credit: @jackavfc1″McNeil over Pereira??? Really???”Credit: @willjonesavfc1″Pereira should be our main priority after Buendia”Credit: @OllyAVFC_”I really don’t understand this but I’ve got faith in Lange”Credit: @compsavfc_

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Tom Heaton update, find out more here. 

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has been mentioned with a potential overhaul of his squad during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The previous January window saw numerous players not only make moves to Villa Park but also saw some other figures wave goodbye to the club as they left on loan deals.

Looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window, it seems as though one current Villa figure could be set to have his bags packed and bring his time at the Midlands club to an end.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Football Insider sources, French club Marseille are interested in re-signing Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson this summer.

Villa signed the Frenchman back in the 2021 January transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £16m.

Since then, the midfielder has only made 20 appearances for the Villans across all competitions, failing to score even one goal or provide one assist, making him somewhat of a flop considering what they paid for him.

Get rid of Sanson

Having suffered from injury and illness issues when he first arrived at the club, which was described as “frustrating” by former Villa manager Dean Smith, the 27-year-old has found it hard to get regular game time under Gerrard in this campaign.

Since the turn of the year, the £59k-per-week disappointment has only appeared in six league games, starting just two of them.

It’s hard to determine what exactly the Frenchman offers the team considering how, from an attacking point of view, he’s only been able to make three shot-creating actions in the league.

From a defensive standpoint, he’s only made eight tackles for his side, which is lower than the likes of Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins.

His performances throughout this campaign haven’t done much to convince the current Villa boss that he deserves to be in the squad next season.

According to WhoScored, the former Marseille star is listed as the lowest-rated Villa player currently in Gerrard’s squad to have started more than one league fixture, with an overall rating of 6.34/10.

With that in mind, if Gerrard doesn’t have Sanson in his long-term plans for the future beyond this season and Marseille are willing to make a suitable financial offer for their former midfielder, then selling him would be the best option for all parties this summer.

In other news: “Gerrard wants..“: Journo drops teasing transfer claim, AVFC supporters surely buzzing