Barnsley: Stendel should consider summer swoop for Christy Pym

It has been an incredible year to be a Barnsley supporter, hasn’t it?

Having made the brilliant decision to appoint Daniel Stendel as their manager last June, the Tykes were able to fend off the likes of Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and Sunderland to secure an immediate return to the Championship.

Whereas their deadly attacking duo of Cauley Woodrow and Kieffer Moore grabbed all the headlines in the third tier, it could be argued that without the domineering presence of goalkeeper Adam Davies, Barnsley would almost definitely would be playing in the play-offs this week.

An outstanding shot-stopper, the 26-year-old achieved a remarkable total of 19 clean sheets during the 2018/19 campaign which was the joint-best record in the league alongside Luton Town’s James Shea.

However, despite clearly being one of Barnsley’s most important players, Davies could be about to leave Oakwell as he has yet to agree a new deal with the club with his existing contract set to expire next month (via Transfermarkt).

If the Wales international does indeed decide to leave in the summer, Stendel must bring in a sufficient replacement as if he doesn’t, the Tykes could struggle to compete in the second tier next season.

Therefore, it is imperative that the club steers clear of trying to sign AFC Fylde ace Jay Lynch.

With HITC reporting that Barnsley are one of a number of sides who are interested in signing the keeper this summer on a free transfer, it could prove to be a big mistake if they do indeed swoop for him.

Although Lynch enjoyed a brilliant year in the National League with the Coasters in which they reached the play-off final, the fact that he has only played two games in the Football League during his career is concerning.

Therefore, instead of targeting the 29-year-old, the Tykes could benefit from focusing on securing a deal to bring in one of the most exciting young keepers in League Two in the summer.

According to Devon Live, Barnsley are reportedly keeping tabs on Exeter City keeper Christy Pym whose current deal at St James Park runs out in June.

A fantastic player, the 24-year-old was immense for the Grecians last season as he helped the club secure a ninth-place finish in the fourth tier by conceding just 42 goals in 45 appearances.

Clearly more than capable of making the step up in level to the Championship, Pym has all the ingredients needed to become a hero at Oakwell in the future if Stendel decides to take a risk on him.

What do you think Barnsley fans? Should your club sign Pym in the summer if Davies leaves Oakwell? Or is there another keeper you think Stendel should be targeting? Get in touch below.

The Chalkboard: Greg Stewart will give Rangers creative edge they’ve lacked this season

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Greg Stewart is on the verge of being announced as Steven Gerrard’s next Rangers signing, according to The Scottish Sun.

The paper say that the deal is done, with the player agreeing a two-year deal having been released by English Championship side Birmingham City.

The 29-year-old has spent the last season on loan at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership and will become Gerrard’s latest attacking addition after the acquisitions of Jordan Jones and Jake Hastie.

It’s a move that might raise some eyebrows considering his middling form while at Aberdeen, but he could fit well into the Rangers set-up and be the creative boost Gerrard has been looking for all season.

On the chalkboard

Ostensibly Stewart would be arriving at Rangers to provide a much needed link between midfield and attack that has eluded their team for much of the last year.

The Gers have been playing some exciting, fluid football over the last month or two, but fans will also remember the dour draws that littered their league campaign and the multiple displays where striker Alfredo Morelos looked isolated from the rest of his teammates.

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Stewart can play in the pocket behind a central striker and both set-up opportunities or provide his own goal threat.

He scored ten goals and assisted ten more across the season for Killie and the Dons, the majority of which came in the first half of the season at Rugby Park.

Who does he replace?

Stewart is a versatile talent and although he is unlikely to be a direct replacement for any single player, he will provide competition for a number of players, the most notable of whom are Scott Arfield, Daniel Candeias and Rangers’ strikers Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos.

Arfield is unlikely to be dropped, but Stewart can definitely provide back-up or a different option in matches when things aren’t going the Canadian international’s way.

Also adept on the right flank or through the middle in attack, he’s the kind of talent that can find his way into a starting eleven quite easily and could be getting plenty of matches next season.

The Chalkboard: Forgotten Arzani can finally deliver on promise at Celtic next season

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The season is barely over at Celtic but with pre-season training for next term due to start in just a few weeks time, thoughts are already drifting towards the UEFA Champions League qualifiers that will define the Hoops’ summer.

Manager Neil Lennon knows he needs to pick up early good results to win over some sceptical fans that don’t believe he is the right man to lead the club forward.

With competitive games arriving so quickly he’s unlikely to have made all the signings he wants to revitalise his squad, so will have to rely on players already at the club to get the job done in initial qualifying.

One player that could provide an attacking boost to the team though is Australian international Daniel Arzani, who should be fit and available again after a long-term knee injury that ruined his season at Celtic Park.

On the chalkboard

Arzani managed just 33 minutes of football at Celtic before suffering an injury at Dens Park that kept him out for the entire campaign, perhaps making him the unluckiest debutante in recent memory.

Signing for Manchester City last summer after catching the eye for Australia during the World Cup, the player is thought to have significant potential, but hasn’t yet been able to show what he can do in British football.

His loan at Celtic Park fortunately runs until the summer of 2020 though and having put in the hard work to get back to fitness, The Daily Record reported last month he should be fit in time for the new season.

He plays predominately on the left wing, and that just so happens to be an area of the pitch that Celtic need a bit of inspiration in, making him well-placed to freshen up a Hoops side that has often been struggling for ideas in recent months.

Sinclair problem

Scott Sinclair has dominated the left wing position at Celtic for three seasons now and while he’s scored an impressive amount of goals in that time, 60 in total, his overall game has significantly regressed over the last 18 months.

Lennon actually started to rely on Jonny Hayes and Mikey Johnston instead when naming his starting elevens in the tail-end of the season, so there is definitely room for Arzani to impress and make the position his own in the early stages of next term.

A right-footed winger who has exciting close control skills and can drift in from the left flank, he fits the profile of players that traditionally excite Celtic fans – a Patrick Roberts type character who can entertain and get supporters on their feet.

Obviously there will be work to do to get that match sharpness back, but the path to the first-team this season is arguably clearer for the Australian than last season and that must be giving him hope.

Levy will be thrilled with latest Eriksen development

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Inter Milan have entered the bidding for wantaway Tottenham Hotspur star Christian Eriksen, per Gazzetta dello Sport.

What’s the word?

The Denmark international has expressed his desire to depart Spurs this summer, with the midfielder hoping to make a “step up”.

Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for Eriksen but the aforementioned report claims that the Serie A giants are hopeful that they can now enter the race.

Indeed, Gazzetta claim that discussions with the 27-year-old’s agent are already underway, with new manager Antonio Conte hoping to reinforce his midfield this summer.

A move would, the report claims, cost as much as €70m (£62.08m).

Eriksen’s current contract expires at the end of next season and he has shown no desire to extend his deal beyond that, opening the door to the possibility of him departing on a free transfer at the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign if no deal is agreed this summer.

Levy rubbing his hands

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will be absolutely delighted with this development.

For a long time, it appeared that Real were the only realistic suitors for Eriksen.

But with Inter now threatening to flex their financial muscles as they look to return to the top of Serie A, a bidding war can be encouraged.

That places Levy firmly in the driving seat and he will surely want to receive the highest possible fee from whoever makes an offer.

If both Real and Inter formalise their interest, the price will surely be ramped up and Spurs will pocket a hefty fee they can reinvest.

The powerbroker at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will surely be waiting by the phone.

Make this deal happen: Tottenham fans are desperate for Lo Celso arrival

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According to Sky Sports News, Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso wants to join Tottenham Hotspur in this summer’s transfer window.

Back in May, opinions on signing the midfielder were relatively split amongst Tottenham fans, but it seems the latest update from Sky Sports News – declaring he wants to join the project in north London – has convinced supporters that he’d be a good acquisition.

Lo Celso scored 16 times and registered six assists in 46 appearances for Betis last term.

The midfielder has actually only just completed a permanent move to the La Liga outfit having previously been on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

However, according to Sky Sports News, Lo Celso wants to link up with Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino next season.

That said, the same report has claimed that Betis want a figure close to £88m, which could potentially present an issue.

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The Spurs fans are very excited at the thought of the Argentine arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the latest development, though, with many taking to social media to express their views.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Leeds United Transfer Roundup: No Wilson loan, Ryan Kent targeted, Phillips interest

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Although Leeds United failed to win promotion to the Premier League last season, Marcelo Bielsa committing his future to the club for at least another year may be the best bit of news at Elland Road all summer. From a transfer point of view, there are plenty of rumours surrounding the Yorkshire-based club, both incoming and outgoing. Here’s a look at some of the latest…

No Wilson loan

According to Football Insider, Harry Wilson has made it clear he does not want to move on loan to Leeds next season. The Whites had been interested in bringing the player and had approached his parent club Liverpool. However, Wilson wants a permanent move away from Anfield if he is not a part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans – that would cost the Championship outfit £25m.

Kent in at Elland Road?

Ryan Kent is also on the club’s radar according to Football Insider. The Liverpool player spent the last campaign on loan at Rangers under the tutelage of Steven Gerrard, scoring six times in the Scottish top flight, and Leeds believe he can do a job for them in the Championship. The Reds will soon decide on the player’s future but a multitude of clubs are reportedly interested.

Phillips on Premier League radar

Football Insider are also reporting that Bournemouth have made an approach for Kalvin Phillips. The 23-year-old midfielder impressed at the heart of United’s defence last season and has therefore attracted the intention of several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Southampton and Norwich.

Transfer Focus: Palace can’t stop Nottingham Forest ace from choosing Aston Vila

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Crystal Palace are interested in signing Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley despite Aston Villa remaining the favourites to sign him, according to the Birmingham Mail.

What’s the word, then?

Lolley played every single one of Forest’s Championship games last season, contributing 11 goals and 11 assists.

And Villa were reportedly considering a bid of £10million but Martin O’Neill’s side are thought to be asking for £15m before the midfielder is let go, as per the Birmingham Mail.

Palace are supposedly interested in the former Kidderminster Harriers man, however it will likely be a struggle to try and convince him to choose west London over the Midlands due to Lolley being a life-long Villa fan.

Uphil battle for Palace

Villa’s promotion through the play-offs means they may be an attractive proposition for the 26-year-old as they can offer Premier League football like Palace.

Lolley has previously experienced Premier League football during his time at Huddersfield where he played a small part in their 2017/18 season, scoring twice in 10 appearances.

The only real way you could see Lolley approaching his decision and choosing to go with Palace is if they either promise him a much bigger contract, or if he decides it is too big of a risk to move to Villa given they have just come up compared to Palace who are an established top flight club.

Villa have been missing from England’s top tier for three seasons after they were relegated with just 17 points in 2016, proving to be one of the most dismal teams in Premier League history.

But this is now a different side with plenty of promise, particularly with the likes of Jack Grealish giving them that star quality.

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Putting aside Lolley’s supposed allegiance to Villa, it’s important to remember as a Palace fan that although they are a steady, reliably mid-table side, there are promoted teams such as Villa who will always be able to compete in the transfer market because of the sheer size and history of the club.

Panini Tabloid Sticker Pack – Tottenham fan George Achillea packs Danny Rose

Danny Rose has in recent years become as big of an influence off the pitch as he is on it because of his willingness to talk about racism and mental health.

The 28-year-old has admitted to suffering depression and has also been the victim of racist abuse in his career, but instead of hiding away he has bravely opened up and attempted to increase the awareness of these problems in football. For that, he deserves great praise.

George Achillea, who can be seen in the video above filling out his Panini Tabloid, also wants to appreciate his achievements as a player – particularly his debut goal against Arsenal, an absolutely belting volley from 30-yards.

Check out George’s thoughts on Rose, in full, in the video above.

The Premier League Panini Tabloid is a special commemorative newspaper sticker collection celebrating the exciting new partnership between the greatest league in the world and the legendary name in football publishing, Panini. As the official collectable licensee to the Premier League, Panini are delighted to bring consumers a new era of collectables and the best collecting experience. See more here: http://bit.ly/PaniniFFCEditorial

Spurs fans love interest in Arsenal target Saliba

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Tottenham Hotspur fans love the idea of signing William Saliba from Saint-Etienne after RMC claimed that the club would table a bid for the defender.

Saliba has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, as Unai Emery looks to make his first signing of the summer transfer window.

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The 18-year-old made his first-team breakthrough last season, making 19 appearances in all competitions.

And the outlet claims that Spurs have informed the Ligue 1 club that they will formalise their interest in the coming days.

RMC have also stated that the Gunners could allow Saliba to return to France on loan next season.

And Spurs fans are keen for the club to gazump their bitter rivals in this transfer window as they look to strengthen a squad that reached the Champions League final and finished fourth in the Premier League.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Liverpool fans show support for Adam Lallana

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Liverpool supporters have praised Adam Lallana ahead of the 2019/20 season.

The former Southampton midfielder made a total of 16 appearances in all competitions last season.

He failed to complete the full match even once in any tournament, with his lengthiest appearance coming as he played 79 minutes in the Champions League defeat to Red Star in the group stages.

Attacking midfielder Lallana struggled with injuries throughout the campaign, and missed all of the club’s final six Premier League matches as they attempted to overhaul Manchester City at the top of the table.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Nevertheless, fans have not given up on the 31-year-old, who has won 34 caps for England and has proven to be something of a divisive figure in the past, and are hopeful that he can enjoy an injury-free campaign next term as the Reds look to defend their Champions League title and go one step further in the Premier League.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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