All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa have endured a tumultuous time in the Premier League since returning from their spell in the Championship, from narrowly avoiding another relegation to ensuring mid-table obscurity, and investing heavily to ensure progression from both states.

Whilst this season might have initially threatened to see them once again embroiled in the former, the appointment of Unai Emery quickly ensured that would not be a worry and has guided them with ease towards the latter.

The Spaniard has done so with a pragmatic style that has seen them pick up 1.53 points per game on average, a marked improvement from the 1.18 that Steven Gerrard had posted.

Although the short Emery reign has been successful thus far, one of the outstanding stories has been the reported feud between him and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Having 'fallen out' whilst at Arsenal together, this ongoing argument could come to blows again at Villa Park, driving a wedge between two integral figures at the club.

Even if the Argentine is forced to depart in the summer, his sensational increase in stock since joining will at least leave the club in a far greater financial position.

How much is Emiliano Martinez worth?

Having joined for an initial £17m, the 30-year-old had enjoyed a fine campaign with the Gunners having deputised for the injured Bernd Leno. He captured the imagination of the Premier League audience, and this was seen as a remarkable coup by the Midlands outfit, who were one of many teams seeking a new number one.

Having since gone on to feature 100 times for the club, whilst also starring in Argentina's recent World Cup win, the hype around this nomadic shot-stopper refuses to die down.

He was even branded "the best penalty-kick keeper in the world" by teammate John McGinn, who went on to call him a "unique character" when speaking on Sky Sports Premier League (7:25 pm, January 13, 2023).

It is this hype that could see the Villans gain huge profits, should the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United make their interest more concrete.

Football Transfers actually set the apex of his expected Transfer Value at a whopping €49.9m (£43.9m), marking a 158% increase across just three years.

The 6 foot 5 titan's performances this season in a struggling side have been commendable too, likely fueling this upshot in value, as he averages 2.7 saves per match, making 65 in total across just 24 appearances, via Sofascore.

Perhaps he might stay and become a cult hero at Villa Park, but should he leave he will likely be remembered as a humorous figure whose sensational goalkeeping bailed out Villa on more than one occasion, likely earning the club a hefty sum too. This would certainly mean the jackpot has been hit for the Midlands outfit.

London rivals Chelsea have ‘good chances’ to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer, according to Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Hammers exodus?

A lot will depend on their Premier League status by the next transfer window, but recent reports have suggested that a few members of David Moyes’ squad could leave this year.

Rice, who has been a standout for West Ham over the last few seasons, is one of their most heavily courted names – attracting interest from the likes of Man City, Arsenal and, of course, Graham Potter’s side.

Alongside the England international, summer signing Gianluca Scamacca has also been linked with a return to Italy, but perhaps his performance against AEK Larnaca in the Conference League last night could help to quell those rumours.

Moyes, who has been under-pressure this season after failing to build upon West Ham’s last two campaigns, has also been tipped to leave if results don’t quickly turn around.

The Latest: Chelsea have ‘good chances’ to sign Rice…

According to Sky journalist Plettenberg, it appears London rivals Chelsea are the current favourites to sign Rice, with the Blues having ‘good chances’ to seal his signing.

The Stamford Bridge side have been repeatedly linked with a move for Rice in recent years, but with the player’s contract expiring in 2024, the prospect of his sale is perhaps greater than ever.

Plettenberg said:

“News #Rice: Chelsea is definitely in the race and highly interested – confirmed! He’s one of the top candidates in order to strengthen the defensive midfield. Contract until 2024. Therefore good chances to sign him this summer.”

The Verdict: Crucial player…

The 24-year-old often doesn’t receive enough praise for his quality, especially at international level.

It is arguable that Rice hasn’t been mentioned in the same breath as Jude Bellingham or Phil Foden often enough with many members of the media hinting he needs more credit.

Sky Italia journalist Angelo Mangiante has claimed Rice is ‘underrated’ and ‘a useful player for any team’ – meanwhile football writer Mark Carruthers says there is something ‘wonderfully understated’ about the player.

That being said, West Ham are still set to demand a marquee price tag, with Moyes even exclaiming last year that Rice is worth £150 million in 2022.

This year, reports have suggested that Rice could actually cost around half that much at £70 million, mainly due to the player’s contract situation in east London.

Of course, West Ham will be hoping to squeeze every penny possible out of suitors.

Leeds United have a habit of picking up or forging their own top youth talent, hence why their squad is currently laden with such rich quality many of whom are 23 or younger.

They certainly have a knack for identifying the next big stars, and in Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch, they had two managers willing to give most a chance, whether through desperation or a genuine belief that it was deserved.

However, what was particularly surprising was to see young Joe Gelhardt shipped out on loan in January as per the American's orders, despite Patrick Bamford being the club's only senior striker alongside Rodrigo, both of whom have suffered with injuries.

Joining Sunderland, it was expected the 20-year-old would continue his development at the Wearside club who were impressing under Tony Mowbray. Whether this was the right move or not remains up for debate, but what is certain is that the young forward is destined for the very top; and to think, Victor Orta snatched him from Wigan Athletic for just £1m.

How much is Joe Gelhardt worth now?

Capitalising on the Latics' well-known financial struggles, this marked one of the club's most impressive coups in recent memory as the man branded a "goal machine" by journalist Phil Hay was welcomed to Elland Road.

Having since gone on to feature 41 times for the club already, this outlines the importance he holds in being the future of the club's goalscoring.

His importance throughout last season was particularly imperative, as his late goal against Norwich City secured three vital points, whilst his late piece of magic to assist against Brighton and Hove Albion earned another valuable point. They escaped the drop by just three points.

There is a reason why writer James Marschment branded him a "special, special talent with ice in his veins."

With three goal contributions already at the Stadium of Light, he seems poised to translate his fine form to the Championship as he continues to outline himself as a top talent.

As such, his value has unsurprisingly skyrocketed alongside his rise to prominence. Football Transfers rate the apex of his expected Transfer Value at a lofty €11.8m (£10.3m), outlining a huge 930% increase from that tiny aforementioned fee used to acquire him, with Leeds having struck gold by acquiring his services.

Upon the youngster's return from his loan spell, which is sure to be a success, perhaps Javi Gracia might see the star power that Marsch snubbed and hand him a starting spot in his team.

Liverpool's deficiencies have been shown up in spectacular fashion this season, as this transitional period for the club drags on.

From a side that nearly won it all last campaign, to one with no chance of any silverware in March, it was always going to be an impossible task maintaining levels never before seen. The Reds were just two wins from ultimate glory and instead had to settle for just the FA and EFL Cup.

Since then, Jurgen Klopp has sought to revolutionise his squad, introducing the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo whilst continuing to neglect the midfield.

It is this role where things have clearly been lacking the most, as injuries and a loss of form have seen once dependable stalwarts become decidedly useless.

Whether seeking to force his ownership into action, or genuinely content with the options he has available, this summer has to be the time when the German fixes that glaring issue.

The two aforementioned forwards have started to click, and although slightly shaky the defence remains relatively solid. It is the midfield that can help knit it all together, and by signing youngster Gabri Veiga, they could take a huge step towards that.

Who is Gabri Veiga?

A stunning Spaniard who is tearing up in La Liga this season, to secure this deal would mark a huge coup for the Merseyside outfit who are seeking to replace some of their ageing assets.

Spanish publication AS have suggested that the Celta Vigo star is one such name on their shopping list, with reports continuing to pile up that give credence to this potential deal. A fee of around €40m (£35m) has been discussed, which is far more amicable for a club that seldom spends over the odds on players.

Thiago, who has shown glimpses of his immense quality since joining from Bayern Munich, remains an enigmatic figure due to his never-ending injury woes. The 31-year-old will be high on the list of those who need replacing due to his lack of reliability, and although Veiga is a direct stand-in, they do boast similar assets that suggest he could well fulfil a role similar to his.

Both show an adept comfort with the ball at their feet, and despite the 20-year-old being more of a goalscorer, both are also desperate to progress the play forward.

When compared to other midfielders across Europe, Thiago ranks in the top 1% for progressive passes whilst his potential teammate sits in the top 7% for progressive carries.

Not only this, but their footballing brains seem perfectly in tune too, with Liverpool's midfield maestro being lauded by Jamie Redknapp: "This guy is one of the best technicians you’ll see in world football don’t matter what kind of pressure you put him under, he’s never panicked."

His potential successor has also been branded "intelligent" by his manager, Carlos Carvahal.

What sets them apart is the fact that this season the 6-foot trickster this season boasts nine goals and a further three assists from midfield; a feat which Thiago could seldom accomplish from his deeper role.

Although not a perfect replacement, this potential deal would mark a huge step in the right direction for last year's Champions League finalists. Great things are threatening to happen once again at Anfield, but they need a midfield magician like Veiga to tie it all together.

Brighton & Hove Albion are thought to be plotting a summer move for Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate, according to Football Insider.

What’s the latest on Hatate’s Celtic future?

Hatate has proven to be an extremely shrewd signing by Ange Postecoglou, with the midfielder one of a number of players brought over from the J1 League in recent years. The 25-year-old made the move to Parkhead in January 2022 from Kawasaki Frontale and has gone on to make 59 appearances for the Hoops in all competitions, contributing to 24 goals in the process.

He helped Celtic lift the Scottish Premiership title last season and the Scottish League Cup during the current campaign, however, it seems as if his displays have caught the eye from one club down south.

Football Insider shared a worrying update regarding Hatate in the last 48 hours, revealing that Brighton are plotting a summer move for the Celtic star. The Seagulls have made checks on the player this season, with Hatate also of interest to other Premier League sides and clubs around Europe.

Do Celtic need to sell Hatate?

Pundit Alan Hutton hailed the Hoops for their recruitment policy last month and added that he wouldn’t be surprised if clubs were watching Hatate, with his prediction coming to light following this update regarding Brighton’s interest

However, the Hoops are under no pressure to sell their midfielder at this moment in time, with Hatate currently under contract in Glasgow until 2026. Postecoglou has also waxed lyrical over the player this month, so you’d expect he’ll be desperate to keep hold of Hatate.

"Over the last month he's just gone to another level and I certainly believe there are another couple of levels in him as a footballer. He's enjoying it and he's making more of an impact, which is great for us."

Hatate has provided Postecoglou with plenty of versatility, featuring in central and defensive midfield roles while also turning out as a right-back on two occasions, ranking in the top five current Celtic performers to have made 10 or more starts, as per WhoScored. He has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season, starting in 34 of those games, proving that he is viewed as a key first-team player, so hopefully, Celtic will be able to retain his services heading into the 2023/24 season.

Rangers had a "shocking" decision go against them this afternoon when Alfredo Morelos' first-half goal was ruled out by Kevin Clancy, and the media have been left in disbelief.

What was the Celtic vs Rangers result?

The Gers lost 3-2 at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon, despite James Tavernier firing home a brace, and the Hoops extended their lead at the top of the table to 12 points with just seven games to go.

Michael Beale may feel his side were unlucky not to get more from the game, as Morelos had a goal from a corner ruled out when it was still 0-0, due to a perceived foul on Alistair Johnston, a decision journalist Jordan Campbell insists should've been overturned.

Indeed, other members of the media were left in disbelief with the decision, as journalist Derek Clark said:

:

"The Clancy/Walsh howler has to be the end of part time officiating. The game is too big to have these guys refereeing as a hobby. Scottish football will continue to be a laughing stock unless the powers that be take it seriously."

Meanwhile, Football writer Jason Soutar added: "Shocking decision to disallow that Morelos goal."

Should Alfredo Morelos' goal have stood?

It was arguably a terrible decision to disallow the Colombian's goal, as although he does make contact with Johnston, the Celtic defender clearly had hold of the striker as well.

What is even more concerning, however, is that VAR not only failed to rectify Clancy's mistake, but the game moved on so quickly, without the decision being properly scrutinised.

The Gers will feel very hard done by, however the controversy does not absolve the players of responsibility, with Ben Davies being criticised for an "inexcusable" mistake in the build-up to Celtic's second goal, while an individual error from John Souttar gifted the Hoops their third.

Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko should be fit to play amid his recent injury concerns.

What's the latest injury news for Arsenal and Oleksandr Zinchenko?

The Gunners had to make do without their Ukrainian left-back last time out in the Premier League but felt his absence as they squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 away draw at West Ham United.

As a result, Mikel Arteta and his side have seen their lead at the top of the table drop to just four points, despite having played one more game than Manchester City.

What's more, Arsenal face Pep Guardiola's men next Wednesday. Before that, though, the host Southampton and will need to get back to winning ways at the Emirates.

With that being the case, fans will be delighted to hear some positive injury news about key man Zinchenko from Watts.

While talking on his YouTube channel, the journalist said (10:00): "Zinchenko, definitely more positive [news]. I'm expecting Zinchenko to play against Southampton on Friday night.

"He did travel with the squad to West Ham. He was there. And the expectation is he's going to be alright – we'll wait and see what Mikel Arteta says tomorrow [in his press conference].

"But certainly from what I've been told, they could have patched him up and even played him against West Ham but they chose not to, to err on the side of caution.

"And the expectation is that he will be back to play on Friday night."

Why does Zinchenko play ahead of Tierney?

With a 6.93 average WhoScored rating in the league this term, it's easy to see why Zinchenko has been so consistent for Arsenal.

Replacement left-back Kieran Tierney is down at 6.27 so the drop-off in quality is evident. What's more, the Scotland international has played just 606 minutes compared to Zinchenko's 1839 – so Arteta clearly trusts one player more than the other.

What's more, over the course of the season, Zinchenko has come in for some high praise. Back in January, for instance, journalist Freddie Paxton noted: "Alex Zinchenko. Constantly talking to his teammates. Geeing up the crowd. Never hides, master of keeping the ball. WORLD CLASS."

With all that in mind, the Ukraine international – who earns a reported £150k-p/w – certainly will be a welcome sight back in the starting XI if he can get himself back to full fitness ahead of the Southampton clash.

Newcastle United's season has been unprecedented, as somehow Eddie Howe managed to carry their blistering form from the second half of last campaign and turn it into a genuine push for Champions League places.

Such has been their impressive work, amidst the disappointment of that EFL Cup final loss, the Magpies are now firmly in the driving seat to remain in that coveted third-placed spot which has been hotly-contested.

Should they achieve this unthinkable accomplishment, fast-tracking the development of a club still buoyed by their new ownership, it will likely widen their opportunities for player acquisition too. Previously, money was no object, but now with the promise of European football assured, suddenly Tyneside once again becomes an attractive proposition for Europe's top talent.

That would therefore explain the shift in focus to this summer, which promises to be an enthralling transfer window for a team that has already bolstered with intelligence.

The likes of Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes were immediate hits at St James' Park, but Alexander Isak has had to bide his time before truly showcasing his talents. His return to fitness has proved vital, and now the hulking forward cannot stop scoring.

That makes the links to Moussa Diaby all the more frightening, as adding another top-quality asset to this ever-improving outfit could not only push the team even further forward, but offer a fine creative presence to provide for the Swedish international.

Could Newcastle sign Moussa Diaby?

Having been noted among the favourites to acquire the Frenchman earlier in the week, this new development almost encourages them to act with haste among the growing list of suitors. They will likely still have to overcome the reported €75m (£66m) price tag that was touted in January too.

The interest this tricky wide man has drummed up hardly comes as a surprise given the consistency of the 23-year-old, who continues to thrive for Bayer Leverkusen.

Explosive with his turn of pace and possessing lightning-quick feet, these intangible qualities gave way to what has also been a fine goalscoring season for the former Paris Saint-Germain star. He boasts nine goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga, seeking to surpass his 13-goal and 12-assist tally from the season prior.

Such consistency across various campaigns only adds to the intrigue of this potential move, which Isak would likely endorse given the space and added chances someone like Diaby would command.

With five goals in his last five games, the club-record acquisition has thrived even when surrounded by the likes of Jacob Murphy and Sean Longstaff. Although both have impressed this season, to instead replace them with the talent being mentioned could see the 6 foot 4 finisher explode on Tyneside.

After all, his potential new teammate does average 1.9 key passes per game alongside the 46% dribble success rate that likely spurred journalist Julien Froment to laud him as someone who "creates gaps and danger as soon as he touches the ball," back during his time in the French capital.

With the future on Tyneside brighter than ever, and a calibre of players like Diaby potentially on the horizon too, Isak must be licking his lips at the prospect of this future superteam he will spearhead.

Everton will continue their pursuit of Premier League survival this weekend when they make the trip to Selhurst Park to face Roy Hodgson's revitalised Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Toffees relished the new manager bounce when Sean Dyche arrived at Goodison Park; however, they have failed to pick up a win in their last four outings, which has left them 17th in the league table – matching Nottingham Forest on 27 points – with just seven games left to save their season.

Indeed, Palace are no strangers to bad form, after becoming the last team in the Football League to pick up their first win of 2023, which finally came in Hodgson's first game back in charge against Leicester City just three weeks ago, but they have since then gone unbeaten, so the meeting will be no easy task for Everton.

Who is suspended for Everton this weekend?

Following an altercation with Harry Kane in the well-fought draw with Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month which led to a red card and suspension, Abdoulaye Doucoure remains unavailable for selection whilst he serves his ban.

The 30-year-old midfielder will be eligible for selection again when Everton host Newcastle United at Goodison Park on 27th April.

What is the latest Everton injury news?

Andros Townsend remains ruled out for selection following a battle to recover from an ACL injury, however, Dyche will have several knocks and small injuries to battle with when putting together his starting XI this weekend.

The Everton boss confirmed on Thursday that club captain Seamus Coleman will not be available for selection this weekend due to a hamstring injury, whilst Ruben Vinagre has been ruled out for the foreseeable after sustaining an Achilles injury during training ahead of the Spurs clash, and will be unlikely to feature due to the potential need for surgery.

A big question mark has been hanging over Amadou Onana's availability after missing out on the Fulham game last weekend due to a groin strain, and Dyche took to his pre-match press conference to give a better insight into the midfielder's recovery:

"Ama (Onana) has made a bit more of a recovery. He was training today and we'll see how that reacts tomorrow."

Despite several concerns ahead of the weekend, there has been one massively positive development from the recovery room, with a potential return for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

What is the latest Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury update?

Following the disappointing defeat at Goodison Park last weekend, Dyche has delivered some promising news about Calvert-Lewin's availability for the upcoming clash against Palace when he spoke to the press:

"He will certainly be in my thinking, without a doubt. [The behind-closed-doors match on Tuesday] was all about him, really. It was the end of a rehab period so we're very pleased that he came through that and he felt good."

This promising message from the Toffees boss came after a 65-minute performance put on by the striker in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Chester this week at Finch Farm, clearly designed to build his fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines this season.

Not only that, but Calvert-Lewin also hinted at his hunger to get back onto the pitch this weekend by posting a three-word message accompanied by a training picture, sending fans into a frenzy on Twitter:

"Bring on Saturday! #UTFT"

Who could play instead of Calvert-Lewin v Crystal Palace?

Although it is looking very promising for Calvert-Lewin to return to action this weekend, Dyche will likely be cautious about throwing the relegation-threatened side's biggest talisman straight into the deep end after struggling with injuries over the last 18 months.

It wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone if the 26-year-old is eased back into top-flight football, and he could instead serve as a fantastic option from the bench in south London this weekend instead of being a nailed-on starter to ensure he doesn't burn out too fast or pick up any problems in the final hurdles of the relegation battle.

Luckily, the forward line seems to be one of the only areas of the pitch that hasn't come across niggles in the last few weeks, so Dyche should have a number of options available for selection this weekend.

Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil have been much more prolific in front of goal since the former was moved into a centre-forward role to make up for the absence of their experienced striker.

McNeil has been much more effective in front of goal since being reunited with his former manager – offering up two goals and one assist over the last three months, which included the winning strike in the 1-0 victory over Brentford last month.

Dyche has also been keen on several occasions to include Ellis Simms, involving him in a number of games in recent weeks. However, we think is unlikely that the breakthrough youngster will be put under pressure to start against Palace and the manager will instead be more likely to lean on his most experienced attackers.

Newcastle United are pushing hard for Goncalo Inacio, who is refusing to sign a new deal that would raise the value of his release clause, according to a report.

What's going on with Goncalo Inacio?

The Sporting CP defender has made an astonishing 47 appearances across all competitions this season – helping his side reach the Europa League quarter-finals in the process – and has a release clause of around £40m in his contract.

Sporting are trying to convince the 21-year-old to sign a new deal with a higher release fee, but he is resisting such a move, and Newcastle are reportedly ready to pounce on the centre-back.

Sport Witness relayed a report from Portuguese outlet Record, which claimed that there is endless "harassment" from Newcastle over the defender, with Eddie Howe's side determined to sign him.

Newcastle have been encouraged by the fact that Sporting need to sell players to boost their finances, while the report also claims that they are looking at midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Do Newcastle need another centre-back?

The Magpies have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, having conceded 27 goals in 33 games, and main centre-back pair of Sven Botman and Fabian Schar have missed just two games each.

With Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn able to deputise, Newcastle's depth in the position is strong, but with most of this main crop ageing, Inacio could be seen as a long-term signing.

As a left-footer, you would imagine the Portugal international would play as a left-centre-back, which is Botman's current speciality, so he may be seen as quality cover for the Dutchman rather than an upgrade given the former Lille defender only joined last summer.

Newcastle arguably need cover in midfield and attacking areas more than they need a centre-back, and have been linked with players such as Romeo Lavia in what could be a big summer of spending.

If they qualify for the Champions League, which will mean they return to Europe for the first time in over ten years, they will likely need a lot more depth to cope with the extra matches, and Inacio may be ideal to help share the heavy fixture load with Botman.

Newcastle may be ready to spend big, with their owners PIF boosting their financial capabilities, and the additional revenue from Champions League qualification could allow them to spend more extravagantly than they have so far.

They will have to move quickly if they intend to activate Inacio's release clause, in case Sporting are able to extend his contract before an offer comes in, and it remains to be seen whether they will prioritise a move for the defender given the current make-up of their squad.