All posts by z3u9t.icu

[ad_pod ]

Son Heung-Min is emerging as Tottenham Hotspur’s clutch player.

Having returned from the Asian Cup with South Korea, the 26-year-old has been thrown into the fire at Spurs, playing against both Watford and Newcastle.

The north London outfit won both games, and the winger has been integral to the victories.

He netted an 80th-minute equaliser against Watford prior to the winner by Fernando Llorente, before scoring a late decider against Rafa Benitez’s men on Saturday.

The results kept Mauricio Pochettino’s men in touch with the Premier League leaders Liverpool, as well as second-placed Manchester City. Prior to Monday’s game between West Ham and the Reds, Spurs are just four points behind Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Of course, it remains to be seen if Liverpool will slip up any further, but Tottenham are in there, scrapping, and that is largely down to the performances of Son.

He has emerged as the club’s go-to player when it comes to needing to win a game, particularly with Dele Alli and Harry Kane both out injured.

Against the Magpies, the South Korean enjoyed a match-winning display and simply never stopped running.

Per Whoscored, he scored, his goal came after a total of five shots, he made one tackle and boasted a pass success rate of 90%. He also had four successful dribbles, continually running at the Newcastle backline and causing problems.

When needed, he stepped up with a goal that confirmed three vital points and has moved the club one step closer to both Champions League qualification and a title challenge.

With Kane and Alli both out, Spurs have needed a hero to step up; Son has done just that and should now be regarded as their most effective forward option when it comes to big games.

Alasdair Gold has dropped a worrying injury update concerning Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, the football.london journalist relayed the comments made by Antonio Conte following Spurs’ 5-1 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, in which the 52-year-old revealed that the defender was left out of his matchday squad as a result of picking up a knee injury in training on Friday.

Regarding the Spain international’s knock, Gold tweeted: “Conte: ‘On Friday we lost Reguilon for an injury in his knee and we have found a solution to play with Matthew [Doherty] on the left and Emerson [Royal] on the right. It means there is great work behind the tactical and physical aspect.'”

Conte will be fuming

Considering that Tottenham’s only other natural left-back, Ryan Sessegnon, is currently sidelined due to injury, the fact that Reguilon has now also sustained a knock is sure to have left Conte fuming.

Indeed, while neither the Englishman nor the Spaniard have been in the best form of their careers so far this season – with Sessegnon averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.56 over his nine Premier League appearances and Reguilon averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.92 over his 23 league outings – both players being unavailable will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the Italian’s hopes of securing a top-four finish come the end of the campaign.

As such, while the seriousness of the 25-year-old’s knock has not yet been revealed, Conte will certainly be hoping that the left-back will not be ruled out for the remainder of the season, as Reguilon could yet go on to play an important role in helping his side secure Champions League football next term.

AND in other news: Conte can axe “unacceptable” Spurs flop by landing the “biggest signing of the window”

Lucas Digne was guilty of making a ‘ridiculous’ challenge on his Aston Villa debut, according to Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe. 

The lowdown

Digne only joined Villa from Everton on Thursday for a fee of £23million plus add-ons.

But Steven Gerrard dropped him straight into the starting line-up for the clash with The Red Devils, meaning Matt Targett made way.

It was his first Premier League appearance since Everton’s 4-1 defeat against Liverpool at the start of December.

27 minutes into the game, the Frenchman was shown a yellow card for a foul on Diogo Dalot just outside Aston Villa’s penalty area.

The latest

During Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, Hinchcliffe fumed at Digne for what he felt was a careless tackle.

And he took it as further evidence that, for all Digne’s attacking threat, the other side of his game may be lacking.

“I did mention it before kick off – I do have worries about Lucas Digne’s defensive ability,” he said.

“This is a ridiculous challenge. He’s nowhere near the ball, he flies off his feet.

“You just need to stay on your feet and force Dalot backwards.

“He’s brilliant going forward, getting over the halfway line, delivering crosses.

“But defensively, time and again, he does make errors.”

The verdict

Does Hinchcliffe have a point? Well, the France star’s offensive strengths were on show at Villa Park as he created a ‘big chance’ for Emiliano Buendia from a corner.

But it was a struggle for the 28-year-old off the ball. He won only two of his eight ground duels, a success rate of just 25% (via SofaScore).

Digne will know that any lapses could be costly with £15.3million-rated Targett waiting in the wings, ready to take his place back.

In other news, talks are underway over this Aston Villa transfer. 

A number of Manchester United fans have flocked to Fabrizio Romano’s transfer news regarding Axel Tuanzebe.

According to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the deal between Manchester United and Napoli for the loan transfer of Tuanzebe is set to be signed this week. This comes following Aston Villa’s approval, where the club has agreed to terminate the defender’s current loan deal.

The 24-year-old has struggled for game time at Villa since the arrival of Steven Gerrard, having played just eight minutes under the new manager.

Manchester United are currently undergoing a centre-back crisis of their own however, with illness and injuries sustained by Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and club captain Harry Maguire ruling the trio out of last night’s 1-0 loss to Wolves.

This led to Phil Jones’ first appearance in just under two years, and although the 29 year-old didn’t do much wrong, his return from cold storage perhaps epitomises the issues in the heart of defence.

Manchester United fans react to Tuanzebe transfer news

These United fans were left confused by Romano’s transfer update, as many asserted that Tuanzebe could have been an excellent addition to the side, amidst their central defender crisis.

Here’s what some of them had to say in response to Romano’s tweet:

“Why would we let Tuanzebe go on loan with Maguire injured, doesn’t make sense”

Credit: @RonaIdoProp

“We should keep Tuanzebe and play him over Maguire tbh”

Credit: @dbcoopa17

“Makes n0 sense offloading him when in our current state we have only 2 fit defenders”

Credit: @JassimAlThani4

“This makes no sense when we are starting Phil Jones tonight”

Credit: @Stanhods

“Can we delay this, we need him today”

Credit: @adisreee

“We need him now more than ever hello ??”

Credit: @drinii_

Aston Villa saw a £25million bid for Yves Bissouma rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion, according to The Telegraph’s John Percy. 

The journalist tweeted that Villa are now prioritising a deal for Juventus’ Rodrigo Bentancur after Brighton batted away their offer for the 25-year-old.

Steven Gerrard seems intent on signing another midfielder before the January transfer window closes in a week’s time.

Villa bid was only half of Brighton’s valuation

The Athletic’s Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor wrote earlier in January that it would take a bid of £50m for the Seagulls to consider parting with Bissouma this month. They don’t see any need to sell, even though the Mali international is into the final 18 months of his contract and has apparently given no indication that he will sign an extension at the Amex Stadium.

Bissouma has previously been ‘linked’ with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, who all may now hope to beat Villa to his signature.

The Midlands outfit have spent £27m so far in Gerrard’s first transfer window, signing Lucas Digne permanently from Everton and loaning in Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen.

Here’s what Villa fans made of Percy’s revelation about the rejected bid for Bissouma, with many believing that sporting director Johan Lange has foolishly low-balled on the midfielder’s true value.

Villa supporters baffled by Bissouma bid

“25 mil? That’s embarrassing”

Credit: @_ali_mans

“Villa’s ‘bids’ for JWP, Smith-Rowe and Bissouma have been laughable. Significantly undervalued talent with bids that were never in a million years going to be accepted”

Credit: @military_villan

“Bidding 25m for Bissouma was kind of wild tbh”

Credit: @obeball_

“Lange are you ok? 25m you know”

Credit: @WazeUTV

“£25m, they were never gonna accept that”

Credit: @DaleAC93

“£25m is embarrassing”

Credit: @villavisionben

In other news, another midfield target has emerged for Villa

Former Aston Villa man and now pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has been reacting to news on Marvelous Nakamba’s knee injury, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Nakamba news

Nakamba had been a regular under Steven Gerrard before he sustained the problem against Liverpool last weekend.

News then emerged hours before Villa’s 2-0 win over Norwich City on Tuesday evening that the holding midfielder may miss the rest of the season as a result.

Villa will now consider signing a new midfielder in the January transfer window following the update on Nakamba, with the 27-year-old set to miss the Africa Cup of Nations with Zimbabwe.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Agbonlahor, who regularly features on talkSPORT, was talking to Football Insider about Nakamba.

He labelled it as a ‘massive blow’ for Gerrard before calling on other players to ‘step in’.

“It’s a massive blow.

“Steven Gerrard has played him a lot since he’s come in and he’s been outstanding, doing a great role.

“But this is football. It gives someone else a chance to step in. Can someone else come in and take the chance?

“Yes, it’s bad news but this is why you build a squad. Other players have got to step in.”

The Verdict: Who comes in?

Gerrard has used various formations in his six games as Villa boss, with the last three all featuring three central midfielders.

John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey were the three who were used at Carrow Road, and the trio could be relied on heavily prior to the New Year.

Morgan Sanson and Carney Chukwuemeka are also options for Gerrard, so although losing Nakamba isn’t great news, at least the Villa boss should be able to deal with a busy festive period in midfield ahead of a possible addition in January.

In other news: ‘A wind up?’ – Many Villa fans flock to ’embarrassing’ official news. 

Writing for 90min, reporter Graeme Bailey has shared an update on Declan Rice and his future at West Ham United as clubs eye a move for the 22-year-old.

The Lowdown: Rice thriving…

After an impressive Euro 2020 campaign with England, the Irons midfielder has continued to thrive at club level under David Moyes.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments-2/” title=”West Ham developments” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, according to WhoScored, no West Ham regular with more than one start has averaged a higher passing accuracy than the 22-year-old (92%), with Rice also making the joint-highest interceptions per 90 in midfield.

This has prompted clubs to sit up and take notice, especially after he rejected two offers of a new deal at the London Stadium over the summer transfer window (The Guardian).

Rice has been a key part of Moyes’ high-flying West Ham side, who currently sit in the top four and are well in contention for a Champions League place, but news has now emerged on his future in the capital.

The Latest: Bailey drops Rice exit claim…

Writing for 90min, Bailey has now claimed that the Three Lions ace is ‘prepared to leave West Ham’ in the ‘summer of 2022’ – regardless of whether they seal a place in the European Cup next season.

Indeed, as written in their headline, West Ham and Moyes ‘could lose’ the player, with their report going on to mention that Premier League champions Manchester City are currently frontrunners for his signature.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested and it is believed that GSB ‘will not stand in Rice’s way’ if their £120m valuation is met.

The Verdict: Crunch time?

This news could come as a blow for Moyes and West Ham supporters given Rice’s importance to the team, but much will hinder on the east London club, who are still in full control.

Rice’s current contract runs until 2024 and the Hammers have an option to extend his stay by a further year (Transfermarkt), so GSB have no urgent need to accept an incoming bid for his services.

However, if an interested party comes in with a £120m offer, it would be difficult for West Ham not to at least contemplate selling if the player’s desire to leave escalates between now and then.

Young, homegrown and a standout Premier League performer – the Irons have plenty of reason to demand as much money as possible for their prize asset.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, as transcribed by The Boot Room, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins even called Rice ‘massively underrated’ and ‘like a Rolls-Royce’, highlighting his obvious quality.

In other news: ‘Talks have taken place’…Journalist shares news as powerhouse now open to joining West Ham, find out more here.

Eddie Howe has been handed a huge behind-the-scenes boost over Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier’s recovery from injury…

What’s the latest?

The Toon defender has been out of action since February and is now taking steps forward towards making his return to the first-team squad before the end of the season.

Journalist Miles Starford Tweeted: “Kieran Trippier close to injury ‘handover’.”

This Tweet was in relation to Howe’s comments on the defender’s current situation. Speaking about Callum Wilson and Trippier, the head coach said: “They’ll definitely be stepping it up.

“I don’t think they’ll be with us at all, so they won’t train with the group. There will be a handover period for Kieran, I think, where he’ll go with our sports science guys.”That might happen at some stage soon. It’s not happened yet. Both players are still with physiotherapists.” Howe will be buzzing

Howe will surely be buzzing with Trippier’s recovery and the pace at which he is going through it. These comments suggest that he is making good progress and stepping up the work that he is doing at Darsley Park to get himself back in contention to play in the Premier League.

The Toon boss will be keen to see him back out on the pitch in the coming weeks to make sure that he heads into the summer with a good base of fitness under his belt.

If he fails to play any minutes before the end of the campaign then that will mean that he will have gone around six months without competitive minutes by the start of 2022/23 and that is not an ideal way to start a season. Therefore, getting him back in for the last few matches would be a big boost ahead of the summer.

Howe will also be delighted with his return to action because of the quality he has on the pitch. In the top-flight this term, he has scored two goals in four matches and made a whopping 6.0 tackles and interceptions per game from right-back since joining from Atletico Madrid.

The England international has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.67 for the Magpies so far and this is why the head coach will be keen to have him back in the squad. He is a joy to watch with his sublime performances in defence, as he was able to showcase his attacking and defensive quality prior to his injury against Villa.

AND in other news, NUFC could finally axe shocking £80k-p/w flop with “insane” £40m “star in the making”…

Celtic have been dealt a huge blow in their bid to bring Riley McGree to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Anthony Joseph, with the Sky Sports journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, despite earlier reports suggesting that the 23-year-old’s switch from Charlotte FC to Celtic was all but a done deal, talks between the midfielder and Ange Postecoglou’s side have now broken down over personal terms.

Joseph went on to state that the Bhoys and the MLS side had agreed a £2.5m deal for the transfer of the Australia international, however, with the player being yet to put pen to paper on a contract at Parkhead, Championship side Middlesbrough now believe they are still in with a chance of landing McGree this month.

In his post, the journalist said: “Talks between Celtic and Charlotte FC’s Riley McGree have stalled at this stage. The clubs agreed an initial fee of £2.5m. Discussions have broken down over personal terms & the player has not signed any deal yet. Middlesbrough believe they are still in the race.”

Postecoglou will be fuming

Considering just how impressive McGree has been while on loan at Birmingham City this season, in addition to the fact that Postecoglou appears extremely keen to secure a deal for the midfielder this month – with the 56-year-old personally involving himself in negotiations with the player – the news that talks have broken down with the 23-year-old is sure to have left the Bhoys boss fuming.

Indeed, over his 13 Championship appearances this term, the £540k-rated man bagged two goals, registered two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/?post_type=web-story&p=664142″ title=”Check out the latest Celtic news!”]

The £5.7k-per-week player also impressed in metrics more typical of his central midfield position, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.2 tackles, 22 passes and winning 4.8 duels per league fixture, with these returns seeing McGree average a SofaScore match rating of 7.02 – ranking him as Birmingham’s sixth-best player in the second tier.

As such, it is clear to see that McGree would make a fantastic addition to Postecoglou’s current options in the middle of the park.

However, following Joseph’s latest update, it would seem as if a deal for the 23-year-old is far from done just yet – something that will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the Greek-Australian manager.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Maeda: Celtic must swoop for 54-goal dynamo who can “sprint like Mbappe”…

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to remain at the club beyond the January transfer window after becoming enthused at the prospect of working under Ralf Rangnick.

What’s the story?

The 28-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and has so far rejected the club’s offer of a new deal, opting instead to wait until the end of the season to weigh up his options.

Pogba’s current situation would allow him to reach a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club over the coming months, though, ensuring his United exit six years after re-signing for his boyhood club.

However, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the World Cup-winning midfielder is not expected to enter talks with any interested party, instead focussing on his return from injury and working under Rangnick at United.

Ornstein’s report states that: “The midfielder continues to rehabilitate in Dubai but is said to be enthused by the idea of working under Rangnick, having received positive feedback about the 63-year-old from contacts in the game.

“The Athletic is told that he is highly unlikely to do so (sign with another side in January) as he focuses on football and considers all options heading towards the summer.”

Ralf Rangnick will be elated

News that Pogba is set to remain at the club at least until the end of the campaign will leave Rangnick feeling elated, given his importance to the side.

The engine room operator has already racked up seven assists in his 13 appearances for the Red Devils throughout 2021/22 and his underlying numbers are also indicative of his influence over proceedings.

As per WhoScored, Pogba has averaged 1.7 key passes per league game this term, two dribbles and 4.8 long balls, placing him in the top three for each metric when compared to his teammates.

With Rangnick set to implement a new style and philosophy upon the 20-time English champions, he will need his best players available, and Ornstein’s latest revelation will be warmly welcomed by everyone at the Theatre of Dreams. This is evidently a huge boost for United as they aim to hit the ground running under their new tactician.

And, in other news…MUFC can get rocking again with “absolutely exceptional” £33m gem who Rangnick loves