All posts by n8rngtd.top

Many Rangers fans have been left to slam the display of Joe Aribo despite their 1-0 win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening.

The Ibrox faithful clinched all three points right at the end of the game thanks to a goal from Alfredo Morelos, who was controversially booked for simulation in the first half.

Steven Gerrard consulted the officials at half time and was consequently sent off for his protests, but that did not matter in the end as the Glasgow club managed to get the vital win and edge closer to the title.

However, while there were some very good performances in a Gers shirt, Aribo’s flattered to deceive several of the supporters.

The former Charlton Athletic man lost out on no fewer than seven of his duels, and also failed to record a single shot, accurate cross or long ball (Sofascore).

He also lost possession of the ball 23 times, and given that he registered 59 touches of the ball in total (Sofascore), that means the 24-year-old lost it roughly every 2.6 touches on average.

Rangers fan reaction to Aribo display

These Rangers fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with a few supporters even going as far to say that the Nigeria international was ‘terrible’:

“Aribo been incredibly poor”

Credit: @UNCHAINEDMENTAL

“Aribo has been terrible”

Credit: @Alan_Paton2020

“Get Aribo off man. He’s been terrible.”

Credit: @scotteldxr

“Why is Joe Aribo sitting 3 yards in front of the defence when we are attacking? Him and Kent are outrageously frustrating.”

Credit: @RabVanLadMan

“Aribo off for Hagi, just nothing coming off for him tonight and Itten for Morelos as he now looks scared to make any contact as he knows refs out for him”

Credit: @StephenLouch

“Has Aribo ever played well in a front 3?”

Credit: @MichaelMasson1

In other news, find out whose display was also slammed against Livingston here!

Emiliano Martinez has hinted that he wants to join Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria in Argentina's Olympic squad that will fly to Paris in the summer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• World Cup winner want to join Messi & Di Maria in France
• Three overage players can be called upon
• Argentina will also defend Copa America title in 2024

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Javier Mascherano, the under-23 Argentine national team coach, has made it clear there's an open invitation for Messi and Di Maria to participate in the Olympic Games. Recent developments indicate that the duo might be joined by the Aston Villa keeper who remains keen on winning an Olympic gold medal – an honour that is missing from his illustrious trophy cabinet with the national team that includes a World Cup and a Copa America title.

Advertisement

• WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Speaking to , Martinez said: "If there's something missing for me with the national team, it's winning the Olympic Games."

  However, Martinez assured that he would step aside if Argentina triumph at the Copa America, leaving his spot for emerging talents.

  "Young players always need the opportunity, and if we do well in the Copa América and win it, we should give the youngsters a chance," he added.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Messi is yet to announce his decision, Di Maria has stated his intention to conclude his international career at the Copa America earlier in the same summer. The South American flagship tournament will end just 10 days before the Olympic competition gets underway in Paris which could pose a challenge to the availability of Messi and Co.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Martinez's desire to join Messi in the Olympic squad reflects the collective ambition of Argentine players to compete at the highest level and pursue success on the international stage. There have been instances where players have played back-to-back tournaments before – like Barcelona's Pedri, who participated in the Euros and Olympics in 2021 – but it would be physically demanding for a 35-year-old Messi to emulate the Spanish star.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Heung-Min Son’s injury is a massive blow for Tottenham.

Son, whose been in outstanding goalscoring form this term, netting 18 times in all competitions, sustained a hamstring problem during Spurs’ defeat at rivals Arsenal on Sunday and was forced off after just 19 minutes.

However, Son’s injury would appear not as bad as first feared, and whilst Jose Mourinho confirmed the South Korean will miss Tottenham’s Europa League tie in Zagreb tonight, the Spurs boss admitted there’s a possibility he could return for the trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, if not after the international break.

With Son’s replacement Erik Lamela, who scored a wonderful Rabona to put Tottenham ahead, now suspended having been sent off in the second-half, Spurs cannot afford to lose the attacker with crucial Europa League and Premier League games coming up, plus next month’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, but the problem doesn’t appear serious.

Windass told Football FanCast: “Well, it’s massive isn’t it. Depending on how significant it is, he could be out for a few weeks, so it’s a massive blow to Tottenham.

“I said before Arsenal they will get in the top-four, but I will question it with all of the injuries they’ve got.”

Gareth Bale’s return to form has been a bonus for Mourinho, but Son’s potential absence cannot be taken lightly. Whilst Harry Kane has often taken the plaudits for his remarkable goal and assist record this season, the winger’s been equally as important for Tottenham.

On a more positive note, the international break at the end of this month could work in Spurs’ favour.

England and Tottenham forward Beth England has opened up on the Lionesses' agonising World Cup run in Australia, including what she "hated" most.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• England opens up on World Cup experience
• Admits she "hated" flying
• Still hurt by final loss to Spain

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  England watched a large part of the tournament from the bench as the Lionesses made it all the way to the final, only to fall at the last hurdle to an impressive Spain side. But the Spurs star, who is currently out after a hip operation, reveals the worst thing about the showcase event in Australia and New Zealand wasn't the lack of playing time – it was the travelling.

Advertisement

• WHAT ENGLAND SAID ON TRAVELLING

  England told : "I actually have a big fear of flying… I hated it. I loved Australia, loved every minute of it but all the internal flights in between, it was a bit heavy for me. There was one flight I was really unwell afterwards and the girls were all laughing at me but I just felt like I was going to be sick. Flying is not for me. They were together in that they were laughing at me in unison. It's part of the game though and it was a great experience for us to be out there and to do what we did."

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT ENGLAND SAID ON LOSING THE FINAL

  The 29-year-old also opened up on the disappointment of losing the final in Sydney, adding: "I probably feel the same now as I did at the time; we fell short. On the day we weren't good enough to win. We wanted to be better and bring it home like we did during the Euros but it just wasn't meant to be. I'm still proud of how we handled ourselves throughout the World Cup and how we did as a group. To say you're second best in the world is something not many can say. We still want to strive for more and hopefully there's an opportunity again for us to win it but we did the best we could on the day."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The forward joined Tottenham at the beginning of last season after spending six years with rivals Chelsea, and immediately hit the ground running. England scored 12 goals in 12 league matches as her new club could only manage a ninth-placed finish. However, she has missed the start of the current campaign with a hip problem. In England's absence, Spurs have risen as high as fourth, and will be hoping to climb higher still when she eventually makes her return.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly ranted at Raheem Sterling last season in an "embarrassing" dressing room incident, as he urged the winger to improve.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Sterling was targeted by owner
• Chelsea paid £50m ($63m) for England winger
• Has struggled to hit top form at Stamford Bridge

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a new report from the Telegraph, Boehly stormed into the dressing room last April, after Chelsea lost 2-1 to Brighton at Stamford Bridge, and made a beeline for Sterling. He both told the squad that they were in "embarrassing" shape, and also told Sterling that he was a world-class player who needed to bring more to the table in terms of his form and leadership.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sterling is said to have taken the criticism well, accepting that Boehly was within his rights to give him his opinion, and has been receptive to feedback throughout his time at Stamford Bridge. However, his form has been patchy since he arrived from Manchester City, scoring 16 goals and registering 12 assists in 68 games. That amounts to a goal contribution every 0.4 games.

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Sterling has not scored for Chelsea in the Premier League since November, when the Blues lost 4-1 to Newcastle. He has provided three assists since then, but one has to think that boss Mauricio Pochettino is expecting more from the Three Lions star.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Sterling will next be in action for Chelsea against former club City on Saturday. The 10th-placed Blues could climb as high as eighth if they win.

The curtain will come down on a wonderful four years in charge for Nuno Santo on Sunday.

He has changed the face of Wolverhampton Wanderers, turning them into an established Premier League outfit.

Unfortunately, their clash with Manchester United this afternoon will represent his final in the Molineux dugout.

He surprisingly announced the decision to resign on Friday, leaving the Old Gold’s future well and truly up in the air.

Wolves will be aiming to send Nuno off with an almighty bang but it won’t be easy against one of the best sides in the top-flight.

Though, with nothing to play for, the Midlands outfit can kick back and relax on the final day of the season.

Thus, how will their final ever team selection under the Portuguese look? Here’s what we’re predicting…

We’re tipping Nuno to make three changes from the team that lost to Everton last time out.

John Ruddy continues in goal but there are changes to the backline in front of him with Max Kilman dropping out.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-rumours-and-news-soumare-dias-dembele-marques-nuno-santo” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer rumours and news!”]

The Englishman is replaced by 18-year-old Christian Marques, someone we’ve raved about on Football FanCast this weekend.

The centre-back has never been seen in the first-team but with nothing riding on the match, this feels like as good a time as any to hand him his Premier League debut.

Another change is at right wing-back where Ki-Jana Hoever is given a chance ahead of Nelson Semedo, something that occurred in the 2-1 win over Brighton.

The third and final change is in the middle of the park where Joao Moutinho is axed from the starting XI in favour of the young Vitinha.

If Wolves don’t exercise the option to buy clause in his loan contract then this could be the 21-year-old’s final outing in the Old Gold.

There is no room for Willian Jose while Raul Jimenez won’t be fit to play despite his promising recovery from a fractured skull.

Marcal has returned from injury but Rayan Ait-Nouri gets the nod on the left-hand side.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Silva: Wolves should replace Nuno with “spectacular” 44y/o Mendes client…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could land a dream Gjanni Alioski successor in Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa.

What’s the story?

With reports in recent weeks suggesting that Alioski is on his way out of Elland Road once his contract expires, it’s no surprise to see the Whites eyeing a new left-back.

And, according to Sosa’s agent, Franjo Vranjkovic, the Yorkshire club have actually submitted a bid to Stuttgart to sign the Croatian in the summer transfer window.

He added: “The most important thing for him is to make a transfer to England because he has an offer from Leeds United.”

Bye-bye Alioski

With Alioski seemingly on his way out, the arrival of Sosa would be the absolute perfect situation for Bielsa, with the left-back well suited to the Leeds boss’ style of play.

Sosa does his best work going forward, being a real attacking outlet for his side, and has registered a remarkable ten assists in the Bundesliga alone – which is more than any Leeds player has managed, and five times that of Alioski (2).

His ability to deliver pin-point crosses into the box has become a real trademark of his, and it’s something that Stuttgart’s sporting director, Sven Mislintat, has raved about.

He said: “Borna’s said himself that David Beckham is his role model, and I think he has the same qualities. He puts in crosses from every angle: sometimes chipped, sometimes drilled, sometimes flat, sometimes in behind, sometimes to the front post, other times to the back post. His left foot is a real weapon.”

And it isn’t just his attacking instincts and technical ability that marks him out as perfect for Bielsa-ball, with the left-back also rugged in the challenge too.

As per Sofascore, he wins exactly 50% of his total duels (just one per cent lower than Alioski), and makes more than double the amount of interceptions and clearances per game than the current Leeds left-back.

And, at only 23, he’s got plenty of time to grow, and his manager at Stuttgart, Pellegrino Matarazzo, has declared that he’s got “huge potential”.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

He said: “Borna has blossomed. We all knew about his huge potential – now he’s delivering over 90 minutes on a consistent basis.”

If Bielsa is looking for a left-back to really nail down a place at Elland Road for the next few years at least, then the £13m-rated Sosa is the man he needs.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is interested in this star who’s side just got relegated…

In their first game back in front of fans in the Premier League, Aston Villa turned up to Spurs on Wednesday night and spoiled the party, winning 2-1.

Dean Smith’s side fell behind to a fine strike from Steven Bergwijn, but managed to turns things around later in the first-half thanks to an own goal from Sergio Reguilon and a coolly taken finish from Ollie Watkins.

And while Villa managed to seal all three points and make the trip back up to the Midlands a good one, one man who was arguably the biggest disappointment for the side, was Anwar El Ghazi.

The Dutchman once again started on the left despite the return of Jack Grealish, with the club captain being deployed in the number ten role instead.

That was a major show of faith in the winger, but he failed to capitalise, and he was the big let-down for Smith even in an impressive victory away from home at one of the Premier League’s big six.

As per Sofascore, he finished with a 6.5 match rating, which was the lowest of any Villa player, and when you look at his underlying numbers it’s no surprise to see why.

He lost a whopping 13 duels on the night, which was by far the most of any player, and lost possession 16 times too, again the most – El Ghazi was just too easily outmuscled by the Spurs back-line or just pressured into making mistakes whenever Japhet Tanganga in particular looked to step in front of him and be proactive in his defending.

He also failed to complete any dribbles, and committed three fouls too as his frustrations got the better of him.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave him a 6.5, saying: “Started on his favoured left with Grealish inside and El Ghazi, Targett and Villa’s captain worked well together. El Ghazi should have notched his 10th of the season but, somehow, he got his feet in a muddle as he miss-hit Grealish’s ball into him.

“El Ghazi should have done better when he latched onto McGinn’s ball over the top but took too much time which allowed Alderweireld to clear. A bit quiet but he kept Tottenham thinking.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

The Dutchman just didn’t cover himself in glory, and Smith would not have been happy with his display at all.

Meanwhile, this Villa man stole the show for Dean Smith…

Harry Wilson’s permanent departure from Liverpool this summer is ‘looking likely’, The Athletic journalist Caoimhe O’Neill reports. 

The lowdown

Wilson made just his second senior appearance for Liverpool in the League Cup Round of 16 against Arsenal before joining Cardiff City on loan – it is Wilson’s fifth temporary spell away from Anfield.

He spent the 2019/20 campaign at Bournemouth after previous stints at Derby County, Hull City and Crewe Alexandra.

A hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Birmingham City last weekend took Wilson to seven Championship goals for the season, alongside his 12 assists (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

O’Neill expects Wilson to prepare for the 2021/22 season with Liverpool before making a permanent exit.

The Reds demanded £15million for Wilson last summer and, as it stands, that price-tag hasn’t changed.

Burnley were rebuffed in their £12million approach for the Wales international and it’s understood that they won’t revive their interest. He has two years left on his contract.

The verdict

Liverpool couldn’t have asked for much more from Wilson while out on loan.

The 24-year-old ranks second in the division for assists and was labelled a ‘magic’ player by Neil Harris, who was in charge in South Wales until January.

He would be a good squad player for the Reds, deployed predominantly in cup competitions.

But Wilson is good enough to be playing consistent Premier League football, albeit in the bottom half of the division, so it could be a win win for all parties for the Reds to finally cash in this summer.

In other news, fans have been reacting to this sensational Mohamed Salah claim.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has claimed that their on-loan winger, Jack Harrison, would be a good squad player at his parent club Manchester City, but that he could be a “force” if he moved to Elland Road permanently.

Harrison signed for City from New York City in January 2018 and was immediately shipped out on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough where he only made four appearances during the second half of the season.

After signing an initial two-year loan deal at Leeds in the summer of 2018, Harrison then signed another one-year loan deal last summer and it’s expected that the move will become permanent at the end of the season.

Speaking on why Harrison would be a good squad player at Man City but why it would be better for him to stay at Leeds, Norris told FFC exclusively:

“He would be a good squad player for them but I just don’t think he would get the game time, but I think he would suit City and he could be a capable squad player.

“At Leeds though I think he could be a big force and name so I would like to see him stick it out and see what happens over the next year or two.”

Since 2018, Harrison has made 124 appearances for Leeds, becoming a crucial player in Marcelo Bielsa’s incredibly attacking side.

It has been reported that Leeds will be able to sign Harrison for a bargain price of just £11 million this summer as Man City have no plans to include him into their side.