All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters have been left stunned by a brilliant piece of skill by Naby Keita while on international duty with Guinea.

The Reds drew 2-2 at home to Manchester City last Sunday, before the international break got underway.

Jurgen Klopp’s men aren’t back in action until October 16th when they make a trip to Vicarage Road to take on newly-promoted Watford.

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One player who could feature in that game is Keita, with the 26-year-old falling out of favour a little lately, not coming on at all against City.

Jordan Henderson is struggling for form, however, and the Guinean could be seen as a good option to come in.

On Thursday, an eye-catching clip of Keita producing a superb piece of skill emerged on Twitter [via Lewis Bower], with the midfielder nutmegging his opponent with a cheeky back-heel along the sideline.

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Liverpool fans laud Keita

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to hail Keita.

“The content I wanna see during the int’l break”

Credit: @Trentsque

“Nabyyyyy laa”

Credit: @Nabysback

“Filthy”

Credit: @LewYNWA

“Yes lad!”

Credit: @LeonUncle_

“Ridiculous technician”

Credit: @Bk8iP3

“YESSSSSSSSS LADDD”

Credit: @irishred306

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an update on Mohamed Salah’s future. Read more here.

Aston Villa and Everton are two of several top flight clubs who have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan, TEAMtalk report.

The Lowdown: Lenihan profiled

Lenihan, a two-cap international for the Republic of Ireland, has been with Rovers since 2011 and has been labelled as ‘special’ by Tony Mowbray.

The 27-year-old has made 237 appearances for his current employers and has captained the club on numerous occasions in an impressive Championship campaign.

The centre-back, who can also play as a holding midfielder, is out of contract at Ewood Park at the end of June, and Villa are one of the sides seemingly keen on a possible cut-price move.

The Latest: Villa keen

According to TEAMtalk, Villa, Everton, Leeds, Newcastle and Wolves have registered their interest in Lenihan ahead of a possible free transfer.

Lenihan is eager to play in the Premier League and looks set to delay contract talks until the end of the season. Should Rovers earn promotion, he would consider penning a new deal with the club.

The Verdict: Avoid

Villa have recently announced the signing of Calum Chambers from Arsenal, so bringing in Lenihan could be a backwards step.

Yes, he has been Blackburn’s best performer this season and can play in multiple positions, however, he has no Premier League experience, and at the age of 27, you’d expect he could be in his prime now.

Therefore, it may not be a shrewd buy when building for the future and could also stop academy signings Josh Feeney and Kerr Smith from progressing into the first team.

Villa have high hopes for the future and have spent big on some high-profile names in recent years, so Lenihan may not be a smart signing when thinking long-term.

In other news: ‘Bottled it’ – Many Villa fans react to Fabrizio Romano transfer update. 

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an Arsenal transfer update on their pursuit of Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that the Gunners were lining up a swoop for Leicester City play-maker James Maddison, but it appears Mikel Arteta’s side have instead closed in on a deal for Odegaard.

On Twitter, Romano said: “Martin Ødegaard has always been Arsenal priority… and now the deal is set to be completed, confirmed! Talks at final stages and here-we-go soon! #AFC Ødegaard will re-join Arsenal on permanent deal. Fee to be decided in the next hours. Contract until June 2026.” 

Arsenal fans will be buzzing

While Odegaard may not have enjoyed an incredible loan spell at the Emirates last season, he did show enough to suggest that he could become a real star over a longer period for the Gunners.

As per WhoScored, the Norwegian averaged 1.4 key passes per game in the top-flight, which was the joint-highest of any Arsenal player last season along with Emile Smith Rowe.

Add to that, his 0.9 dribbles per match put him in the top five, while his impressive 90.9% pass accuracy was good enough to place him second in the Gunners’ entire squad.

Arteta himself meanwhile has been quick to rave about just how much he rates Odegaard, saying: “Well, he’s showing that I think from week one. The way he steps on the pitch, he always wants the ball, the way he commands the pressing. He’s been really influential.

“I think we’ve all been a bit surprised because he looks really shy and humble, but when he steps on that pitch he’s a real character and he loves to play football.”

Given the Gunners’ opening day defeat to Brentford in the Premier League, Romano’s news that the north Londoners are closing in on a deal for Odegaard is sure to have Arsenal fans buzzing.

They desperately need reinforcements in the final couple of weeks of the transfer window, and Odegaard’s imminent arrival is a great step in doing so.

Meanwhile, this Arsenal man was Mikel Arteta’s villain vs Brentford…

A ridiculous detail has emerged on Charlton’s deadline day business, regarding the signing of Sam Lavelle from Morecambe.

What’s the talk?

According to Alan Nixon of The Sun, deadline day signing Sam Lavelle was told his move to Charlton was dead before it was revived later in the day.

The report claims that Lavelle was told to head home after travelling 200 miles to get to the club, with the Addicks deciding that they wanted to go in a different direction. However, Charlton changed their mind again hours later and eventually completed the deal for £200k.

Frustration

Charlton fans will surely be frustrated by this ridiculous behind-the-scenes detail from the club’s deadline day business. The Addicks are currently 19th in the League One table after a disappointing start to the season and this piece of information is unlikely to give them any more faith that the board are handling matters correctly.

Nixon’s claim makes Charlton come across as unprepared and indecisive. We may never know exactly what made them perform the U-turn in the first place, although it seems to suggest that they felt there was a better player they could go and sign before the window closed.

If that is the case then it means that Charlton had to settle for a player lower down on their list of priorities, as they then went back to Lavelle after failing to secure the unnamed player.

Despite Nigel Adkins’ side’s poor start, his centre-backs have been some of the better performers. Akin Famewo (7.00) and Ryan Innis (6.78) both make the top five in the Charlton squad for WhoScored ratings out of all the players who featured in all five games.

Lavelle, meanwhile, averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.67 in his five League One appearances for Morecambe before the switch and averaged a score of 6.76 in 48 League Two outings last term. This suggests, on paper at least, that he will not come in and be an upgrade on what they already have available to them, as he has performed to a lower standard in the same division and in the league below.

Therefore, fans will not only be frustrated by the ridiculous nature of Charlton’s deadline day dealings with Lavelle, but potentially the signing of the 24-year-old in general.

AND in other news, Key development occurs with former Charlton target, shows Adkins was right to avoid…

Nuno Santo’s return to UEFA Europa Conference League action on Thursday evening as they welcome Slovenian champions NS Mura to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Things have taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, having lost three straight heavy defeats in the Premier League after Sunday’s north London disappointment.

The Portuguese head coach blamed himself for his team selection at the Emirates Stadium and he will have plenty to ponder ahead of kickoff this evening.

One of Spurs’ biggest issues right now is in the final third – they look lacklustre in attack and have really struggled to score goals, even when they were winning, it was merely by a 1-0 margin.

After six league games, Spurs rank last for average number of shots per game (9.3) and sit second-bottom for expected goals (5.47 xG), which only goes to show just how severe the problem is at the club.

The likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli have consistently failed to step up to be the team’s main creator in attacking midfield. It’s been a massive, and underlying, issue ever since Christian Eriksen departed for Inter Milan in January 2020.

However, the difference is, Nuno could well have a solution right under his nose, thanks to the moves sporting director Fabio Paratici made in the transfer market this summer.

He managed to offload the injury-prone Erik Lamela and in return, secured a promising Spanish gem in Bryan Gil – a flair player capable of pulling the strings and linking the midfield to the attack.

The 20-year-old wizard simply has to start this evening if the Portuguese is to turn things around. He’s now under mounting pressure to deliver results and Gil would aid his chances substantially.

Valued at £27m, the Spain U21 international has already been likened to the Danish playmaker, as well as another former Spurs midfield dynamo, Luka Modric.

“I think they’ve just got to nail down that role for him. As soon as they nail down that role, I think we’re going to see a very talented young player coming to the fore. He’s kind of got a bit of everything: he can pass, he can dribble, he’s very creative, he has clever movement,” said football.london’s Alasdair Gold.

“They’ve just got to decide, is he a guy that can ultimately become the new Eriksen, because the more and more I watch him play, I think the ability’s there to do that. Some have even made a Modric comparison and said, maybe he could end up coming even deeper and becoming that kind of player.”

Gil averaged 1.7 crosses and 1.9 key passes per 90 in La Liga last season, as per WhoScored, which certainly suggests that he’s a player that looks to create chances frequently.

This season, Heung-min Son and Steven Bergwijn top the charts, managing 1.5 key passes per 90 but these are returns still below that of the young prodigy.

As a player that has been described as a “big talent”, “exciting” and one with “unbelievable amounts of technique”, it’s time for Nuno to unleash the rarely-seen gem a lot more often.

There’s only so long he can continue to count on his more senior figures, especially as they continue to let him down.

Gil must start against Mura this evening. It could be a game-changing call from a manager under intense scrutiny right now.

AND in other news, Nuno could finally axe Dele Alli if Spurs secure “explosive” £36m-rated “young Salah”…

Glasgow Rangers are now reportedly at risk of losing Alfredo Morelos on the cheap.

The Lowdown: Porto links drag on

Morelos has been heavily linked with a move to FC Porto before the summer transfer window ends, although it has recently been reported that the Ibrox faithful are not expecting an offer for him from the Portuguese club.

He has reportedly already agreed personal terms with them, but until a firm offer comes in, he will stay at the Light Blues for the foreseeable future.

The Latest: Another twist

As per A Bola (via Sport Witness), Morelos ‘could become cheaper’ now that Steven Gerrard’s men have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds by Swedish team Malmo.

Originally, he would not be sold for a fee of anything less than €15m (£12.8m), although going out of the Champions League now ‘opens the exit door’ for the Colombia international, potentially to Porto.

The Verdict: Keep

The Gers should not be going down any lower than their original asking price if they are to end up selling Morelos, even though they were knocked out of the Champions League.

Dubbed a ‘top class’ player by Gerrard after yet another impressive display for his side last season, the striker is such a key player for RFC, scoring no fewer than 17 goals and supplying a further 13 assists in 44 matches in total over all competitions across their 2020/21 title-winning season (Transfermarkt).

At 25 years of age as well, he has not hit his peak yet, and so Rangers could wait another year or two for his valuation to go up before getting him off of their books.

In other news, find out what the latest is on Rangers’ alleged interest in one of their former players here!

Rangers are monitoring Racing Santander’s Pablo Torre ahead of the January transfer window, according to The Daily Record. 

The lowdown

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has featured five times for Spain at under-19 level, along with scoring three goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances in the Spanish third tier this season.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has raved about the teenager, labelling him an ‘amazing talent’ and a ‘magician’; and he has already been compared to the likes of Euro 2020 winner Marco Verratti and Ballon D’Or recipient Luka Modric.

The latest

According to The Daily Record, Torre has apparently been recommended to Rangers’ scouts, who will now be watching him.

His contract, which runs until 2025, contains a £4m release clause, but Racing are said to be in financial trouble and could therefore possibly accept a lower offer.

The Gers aren’t the only club interested in the teenager, though, with Spanish giants Real Madrid also admirers of his, along with clubs in Italy.

The verdict

If Torre is to live up to his evident potential, £4m could end up looking like a massive bargain, and that’s assuming the club who sign him are forced to pay the full extent of his release clause.

Rangers could theoretically end up selling him on for a huge profit after a few years at Ibrox, which might factor into the club’s thinking.

Real Madrid represent daunting competition, but perhaps there’s a scenario where Los Blancos sign him and then loan him out, as they have done with a whole host of their Castilla players this season.

In other news, could this Gers forward be lured south of the border?

Moussa Niakhate is reportedly now ‘attracting interest’ from Newcastle United ahead of a potential move in the summer.

The Lowdown: Solid season

Niakhate is having a solid season at Mainz, where they currently hold the joint-third best defensive record in the Bundesliga.

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The captain and leader of his side, the six-foot-three colossus has been hailed as a ‘key player’ and a ‘role model’ by sporting director Christian Heidel and head coach Bo Svensson, and so may not be easily let go, valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per The Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, Niakhate is now ‘attracting interest’ from the St. James’ Park faithful, as well as both West Ham United and Everton.

However, the latter will only be in the running for him if they manage to stay in the Premier League for next season.

The Verdict: Upgrade

Niakhate would seemingly be an upgrade on Eddie Howe’s current centre-back options.

He is currently averaging more tackles and interceptions per game than Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles in their respective domestic leagues this season, and offensively, he has scored three goals and makes more key passes than the Magpies trio (WhoScored).

Clearly then, this is an up and coming defender with the ability on the ball to fit like a glove into Eddie Howe’s system, which relies far more on progressive build-up from the back than previous manager Steve Bruce.

Of course, the top flight is different gravy, but he has already shown his worth against Liverpool superstar Mo Salah, who ‘didn’t enjoy’ playing against Niakhate in pre-season.

A senior call-up to the France national team is surely in the pipeline, and at 26 years of age, the North East club would be signing him just as he enters his prime.

In other news, find out who NUFC are now in the ‘driving seat’ to sign here!

Manchester United and exciting young talent go hand in hand, and the next starlet could be about to come off their illustrious production line.

Alvaro Fernandez signed for the Red Devils as a free agent back in September 2020 after deciding to depart boyhood club Real Madrid, adding to an already exciting youth setup.

The left-back made an instant impression after putting pen to paper on a four-year deal, scoring a stunning strike on his debut for the U18s.

His eye-catching display in the 5-1 thrashing against Burnley earned him an immediate promotion to the U23s, and Fernandez went on to score a total of three goals and provide a further six assists in 30 appearances for the academy sides last term.

Following the 18-year-old’s decision to depart his homeland in search of regular football, Fernandez’s former coaches at Madrid were open about how the 6 foot 1 youngster would suit the English game.

One coaching source told Spanish outlet AS (via TribalFootball): “Álvaro is a footballer with a great future who has been hurt by having Miguel Gutiérrez in front of him.

“But the conditions for him to do well in England, he has them, his pace and his centres will be appreciated there.”

With Luke Shaw currently dominating the left-back spot at this moment in time, Ole Gunnar Solsjaer may be keen to acquire some extra competition for the England international over the next couple of years.

Alex Telles looks incapable of shifting the stocky defender, and therefore, Fernandez’s presence in the first-team could be the ideal solution.

An outstanding display from the teenager against Brighton and Hove Albion back in November 2020 led to former United trainee Paul McShane telling MUTV that he was quite taken by Fernandez’s showing.

“He looks very good, tidy with his feet. When he steps into midfield areas he stays there, he can act as the extra midfielder. He was very comfortable and very impressive,” McShane said.

As a result, Solskjaer may be tempted to bring Fernandez into one of his matchday squads as the season progresses, adding pressure for Shaw to improve his performances while giving the youngster a taste of the senior setup.

It’s surely only a matter of time, though, until the ex-Madrid ace gets his big break, and everyone associated with United will be eagerly anticipating that day.

And, in other news…Ole could save his job with £350k-p/w MUFC wizard whose “potential is off the charts” 

West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has dropped a triple transfer claim ahead of a suspectedly busy summer window for the Irons.

The Lowdown: Lack of January business

Whilst the east London club were linked with a myriad of transfers during the winter, the Hammers failed to sign a single player in January.

As a result, fatigue and injuries have been a prominent issue for David Moyes’s men this season, especially given the lack of options throughout the squad.

Therefore, West Ham will need to be active in the summer transfer window if they are to compete for the European places in the Premier League table next season.

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The Latest: Ex’s West Ham transfer claim…

Taking to an interview for his site The West Ham Way, inside source ExWHUemployee has shared the knowledge that the Irons are keen on dipping into the ‘free’ market this summer.

During the interview, he said:

“We will definitely be looking at that [free] market, no doubt about it. A lot of players who we have been interested in before and have even bid large sums for will be available on a free, so I can see us making moves. The obvious candidates will be Jesse Lingard, who loved his time at the club, James Tarkowski is of course someone we have been linked with many times. Also Diaz of Blackburn could be one we go back in for.

“Diaz although not technically out of contract as Blackburn has a year’s extension option on him, will still represent good value for money.

“Knowing how the club likes to operate and be cautious with not overspending, then it really is a given that if players we are keen on are out of contract then we will be looking to bring them in I am sure.

“Although it’s still early days as we don’t even know if we’ll be in Europe next season yet so that will of course play a part in who would want to join us.”

The Verdict: Need to spend money

Whilst a number of free transfers could prove to be lucrative bits of business – including the likes of Jesse Lingard, James Tarkowski and Ben Brereton-Diaz, who will all be out of contract over the summer as it stands – West Ham will surely need to put their hand in their pocket if they are to truly compete for a place in the top six of the Premier League next season.

The east London club were rumoured to have made a number of big-money moves in January, so if they could pull off a couple of these in the summer, West Ham may be a force to be reckoned with next season.

In other news: Finance guru drops major West Ham claim