All posts by n8rngtd.top

As Manchester City recover from what has been a torrid last week, losing the FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea followed by the European Super League saga, Pep Guardiola’s side are back to winning ways after a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening. 

Goals from Phil Foden and Rodrigo clinched a crucial three points from 1-0 down with City now on the way to a fifth Premier League title and third under Guardiola – coming just in time ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

John McGinn gave Villa a very early lead after John Stones failed to clear a pass in behind though, and the Englishman didn’t exactly have the best evening.

He has arguably been City’s most improved player this season, partnering summer signing Ruben Dias to superb effect, but at Villa Park he played a hand in the home side’s opener and later got sent off for a reckless challenge on Jacob Ramsey – with one fan calling him a ‘liability’ as a result.

Despite his incredible form this season, many Sky Blues weren’t impressed with last night’s showing – with the 26-year-old unsurprisingly managing a measly 5.0 rating on SofaScore.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans slam Stones

“We all knew John Stones form was a fugazi, sell him in the summer and bring in Koundé”

Credit: @cxtizn

“Blatant red, Stones has been awful from the first minute”

Credit: @molmcfc

“Stones starting to become liability again. England, Chelsea and this”

Credit: @chrisSw31332053

“John Stones form since his England return has been woeful. Don’t get it”

Credit: @SiCurtis87

“Stones had a shocking game.. At fault for their goal as well..”

Credit: @MCFC_Vision

“Stones has been worryingly shocking recently

– Aston Villa red and cost goal

-BVB didn’t cover Haaland for the goal in the second goal

-England mistake

-Leeds should’ve gone in for the 1st goal and was pathetic slow for the 2nd

Laporte return”

Credit: @acacac2410

“100% a red btw. Stones had a shocking half”

Credit: @mcfctj_

“John Stones look awful today”

Credit: @mac_marb

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to a Romano claim, find out more here.

Alex McLeish believes John Kennedy could still be named Celtic’s new permanent manager.

Kennedy has been in interim charge of the Hoops following Neil Lennon’s resignation back in February.

The Scot, who prefers a 4-4-2 system (Transfermarkt), has been linked with the permanent role recently.

Reports suggested he could increase his chances of earning the job on a full-time basis with a win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup, but despite the loss to Steven Gerrard’s side, McLeish still thinks the 37-year-old has a chance.

McLeish 62, was speaking to Football Insider and dropped an inside claim by sharing what a mutual friend has told him.

“I always believed that the go-to guys for these kinds of decisions is the players.

“John has got a good reputation. A friend of mine up in Glasgow is very pally with him and he thinks that John could definitely step up. John’s got to be believing that as well.

“If the players were really vociferous in terms of saying: ‘John’s been superb…’ They have been very, very supportive of the interim manager.

“I think that Celtic will be looking for more experience in a coach than John has at this moment. Although, he has been in and around the first team for donkey’s years.

“I believe that the Celtic fans will be looking for the announcement of a big name.”

Transfer Tavern take

In our opinion, Kennedy shouldn’t be handed the managerial role on a permanent basis for exactly the reason McLeish states.

He may well still prove a handy assistant to any new boss that potentially comes in, but with no senior managerial experience under his belt prior to the interim Hoops role, it could prove too big of a challenge.

Celtic still have a few months to get a new boss in and settled ahead of the 2021/22 season and a busy transfer window, so they don’t have to rush things just yet.

However, should they remain without a manager when the transfer window opens, we may well see the club panic and hand Kennedy the reins.

In other news: Roy Keane to Celtic twist emerges following behind-the-scenes development, find out more here. 

Leeds United are not believed to be interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore this summer, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Marcelo Bielsa will likely be aiming to make key additions to strengthen his squad over the summer transfer window and show that Leeds’ first season back in the Premier League has been no fluke, with another strong campaign required in 2021/22.

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Leeds’ interest in Traore ‘dismissed’

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Traore, with the £31.5m-valued forward potentially leaving Wolves at the end of the season.

According to Football Insider, however, sources at Leeds have ‘dismissed’ those claims, with Bielsa not viewing him as an option moving forward.

Transfer Tavern take

When he is in full flow, Traore is a hugely exciting player to watch, as illustrated by some electric performances last season. However, given the money Leeds would have to spend on him, it would be a big risk.

The Spaniard ultimately flatters to deceive in the final third too often, scoring just one goal and registering two assists in 31 league appearances this season.

That level of inconsistency is unlikely to appeal to Bielsa, with wide men such as Raphinha and Jack Harrison delivering more regularly with 12 goal involvements apiece in the league. Therefore, Leeds are probably right to back away from a move for Traore.

In other news, Leeds are thought to be interested in signing an international full-back this summer – find out who it is here.

Victor Orta could sign Leeds a real upgrade on Patrick Bamford in Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard amid Noel Whelan’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park in recent months and has been touted with a switch to the Premier League, with the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa said to be interested.

Whelan has now thrown Marcelo Bielsa’s side into the ring and claimed that the 23-year-old seems perfectly built to shine at Elland Road and that he’s a “big fan” of his work.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, the ex-Whites player said: “I do think we need another striker, no doubt about that. I have been thinking for over two seasons now.

“Edouard at Celtic. I have been a big fan of him for a long time. He is my choice. He has got the stature, he has got the work rate, he can take set pieces.”

Upgrade on Bamfprd

While Bamford has led the line superbly for Leeds this season – he’s bagged 14 Premier League goals for the newly-promoted Whites – Edouard’s arrival would give Bielsa the perfect all-round striker.

In his time at Celtic, the young Frenchman has proven to be a prolific goalscorer, averaging a goal every other game – he’s scored 81 times in just 162 matches for the Bhoys.

The 23-year-old isn’t just a predatory number nine, though, also displaying impressive link-up play and touch to get the rest of his team-mates involved – he’s chipped in with five assists in 26 league games this campaign.

When you look at both Bamford and Edouard’s numbers this season in terms of all the key attacking stats, it’s the latter who comes out on top.

As per Sofascore, the France under-21 international has a better goals per minutes ratio, has missed far fewer big chances, and has a better goal conversion rate, too – all signs which point to him just being a far more clinical number nine.

Even when it comes the build-up play and defensive work which Bielsa may prize just as much, it’s Edouard who once again comes out looking the better. He averages more key passes per game, a better passing accuracy, completes triple the amount of dribbles per match, and wins more total duels in comparison to Bamford.

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Dubbed as “talismanic” by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, the £13.5m-rated Edouard has the finishing touch and “stature”, as Whelan says, to be a real threat for Leeds, and could represent a genuine upgrade on Bamford in attack.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a summer move for this Premier League starlet…

Several Aston Villa supporters have been sharing their love at the club’s reported summer transfer plans on social media.

Villa spent over £88m during the current campaign, bringing in the likes of Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore, Matty Cash, Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Sanson in eight-figure deals.

And it seems as if the club will be splashing the cash once again ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

According to John Percy of The Telegraph, Villa are looking to bring in at least one more winger and another centre-forward to provide competition and backing for Watkins.

The likes of Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have struggled to consistently perform in the top flight, whereas Dean Smith isn’t thought to be convinced over striker Wesley, who has been out for over a year through injury.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Percy’s comments on social media on Friday, which, as to be expected, had plenty of fans talking. Here’s what some had to say, with one describing the update as ‘positive news’.

“Positive news from a reliable source”

Credit: @dan_AVFC88

“Yasss Yasss Yasss”

Credit: @JaVilla__

“oh yes”

Credit: @wesavfc

“OMMMGGGGGG ITS HAPPENING”

Credit: @VillaVisionBen

“FINALLY”

Credit: @champagnema_

“Bring on the summer”

Credit: @LordMillman29

In other news: £55,000-a-week Villa star not in Smith’s plans, find out more here. 

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has hinted at a summer exit from Elland Road in a cryptic social media post on Tuesday night.

The 34-year-old has been at Leeds since the summer of 2019, following a spell at Real Madrid that brought with it three Champions League titles.

Casilla has had to watch on from the substitutes’ bench for the vast majority of this season, however, starting just once in the Premier League and playing second fiddle to Illan Meslier. He didn’t even make the matchday squad for Monday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham.

Casilla’s post hints at Leeds exit

The Spaniard’s current Leeds deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023, but he has hinted that he may move on to pastures new before then.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Casilla posted a message that was translated by The Boot Room, saying the following:

“I’m slow to leave, because I believe in change. I wait, I endure, but one day I get tired. Without saying anything, I leave, and leave everything. Once I get tired, I will not come back. I give everything before leaving.”

Transfer Tavern take

It certainly looks as though Casilla is eyeing up a fresh challenge, perhaps feeling like his spell at Elland Road has reached its natural conclusion.

It seems highly unlikely that the former Madrid man is going to suddenly become Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper again, but this may be a concern for the likes of Victor Orta at Elland Road, who will have to splash out on an experienced deputy for Meslier if Casilla leaves – you are unlikely to find such an experienced player happy to play second fiddle.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided an update on Pablo Hernandez. Read about it here.

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from the 4-1 defeat against Manchester City as they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

A defeat against Brendan Rodgers’ side would all but end Jurgen Klopp’s side’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title this season, and they will have to be at their best if they are to earn all three points against the in-form Foxes.

Klopp is still without all three of his main centre-back options at Liverpool due to injury, so we could see Ozan Kabak or Ben Davies make their debuts at the back following their arrivals in the January transfer window.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line his side up on Saturday, with three changes from the side that started against Man City…

Alisson keeps his place in goal, despite his horror show against City last time out, as there is no doubt that he is still one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

There are debuts for both Kabak and Davies at the back, following the news that Fabinho is set to miss the game due a minor muscle injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson unsurprisingly start at full-back, and the former will be hoping for a repeat performance from last season, when he starred in a 4-0 win at the King Power which well and truly emphasised the Reds’ title credentials.

Jordan Henderson moves back into his preferred position in defensive-midfield, with Thiago dropping out, as the Spaniard looked tired in the game against City and perhaps wasn’t at his best as a result.

James Milner also comes in for Curtis Jones to provide some experience in midfield, whilst the front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will be the key to breaking down this impressive Leicester side.

And, in other news… Klopp can unlock “world-class” beast at LFC with position change

Just when Leeds thought there was more positivity engulfing the club, they were rocked by yet another injury setback.

It’s been the story of their season, particularly from a defensive standpoint.

On the chalkboard

Leeds may have defeated Newcastle on Tuesday evening but after ten minutes they were dealt a crushing blow.

Despite coming through two sessions of murderball last week, Diego Llorente had to be substituted with an injury early on.

Phil Hay has since revealed that the Spaniard could miss up to a month of action after heading for scans on Wednesday.

As a result, Bielsa will have to scramble around to patch his defence together again.

The solution

The obvious answer to this conundrum would be to put Pascal Struijk at centre-back. The Dutchman came on during their win over the Magpies and performed well, standing out above a host of Leeds’ other players by winning 100% of his defensive duels.

That being said, this injury blow could open up the opportunity of first-team minutes for Charlie Cresswell.

It was revealed this week that fellow defender Oli Casey was set to go out on loan and with that in mind it appears Cresswell is next in the pecking order in terms of seniority to Struijk.

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The 18-year-old has played just once under Bielsa, a defeat to Hull in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, but he’s highly thought of and there is surely no better time than now to hand him some sort of role in the senior set-up.

Speaking about the centre-back earlier this season after he signed a new contract, Noel Whelan only had praise for him. He told Football Insider: “His debut was fantastic against Hull, in my opinion, I thought he was one of the standout players even though we played so poorly on the night.

“He is the future, he’s one for the future. At that centre-half position he’s got great attributes, he’s very calm on the ball, a great size to him, he’s quick, he can head, he can pass. He’s the modern-day, young-centre half.”

Considering some of the defending we’ve seen from Leeds this term, being of a good size would be incredibly useful. The Whites have shipped the most goals from set-plays (10) this term of anyone in the Premier League and thus, his 6-foot frame could be used to good effect in that department.

Though, it’s his calm nature on the ball that’ll please Bielsa the most. He prefers his defenders to play out from the back and judging by his pass success rate of 81% in the Papa John’s Trophy this term, Cresswell is highly capable.

The teenager’s not been in the first team very often so now is the time to give him a chance to show what he’s capable of. After all, had Struijk not been afforded a rare chance at the beginning of the season with Liam Cooper’s absent through injury, we’d never have known how good he was.

AND in other news, Get rid: Leeds must wield axe on 6 ft 4 flop after just 22 apps, Radz can’t be happy…

Southampton have struggled for goals in recent weeks, with Danny Ings’ winner against Liverpool their only goal in the top-flight in their last four fixtures. Part of the problem could be due to Che Adams’ drop in form.

However, with Ings set to return to action against Arsenal this weekend after a brief period out with the current viral outbreak, his partnership with the former Birmingham City man in attack could be the catalyst for an upturn in form.

Adams started the season in an excellent fashion for the Saints, managing four goals and four assists in his opening 14 fixtures which led Ralph Hasenhuttl to suggest that:

“He’s a role model for the time we went through – from zero to hero at the moment,” following his goal in the 2-0 win against Newcastle United earlier this season that sent Southampton to the top of the Premier League.

However, he has struggled in each of his last five appearances for the South Coast club, failing to score or assist and producing disappointing all-round displays.

Whilst this is already an improvement of his goals and assist tally from last season, the young striker will be hoping that he doesn’t slip into his habits from last season, where he struggled to find the back of the net for so long.

Although he only featured as a substitute against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup last time out, his lack of confidence in front of goal was evident when he rounded the ‘keeper late on, before switching the ball to his right foot instead of shooting into the open net, which allowed the Shrews defender to get back and block his shot.

He has looked at his most dangerous when paired with a fully-fit Ings, so with the England international expected to feature against Arsenal on Saturday, Hasenhuttl will be hoping that the 24-year-old can rediscover his best form.

£15m man Adams has already assisted Ings twice in the Premier League this season, so it is clear that the two have a connection when starting together in Hasenhuttl’s attack.

Therefore, whilst the majority of Southampton fans will be excited for Ings’ return to action, it could be the impact he has on Adams’ performances that will be the most crucial improvement in Hasenhuttl’s side.

After some disappointing results in recent weeks, the Austrian manager will be hoping that now he has both of his first-choice strikers back available, the Saints will start to pick up better results, starting with the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Arsenal on Saturday.

And, in other news… Forren 2.0: Hasenhuttl delivers worrying injury update on Southampton’s “big talent”

Sam Allardyce faces an uphill task to keep West Brom in the Premier League this season.

And one of their biggest problems seems to be at the back as they have leaked a whopping 39 goals in 17 matches, six more than any other top-flight team this campaign.

It surely makes defensive reinforcements an absolute priority during the January transfer window and whilst the Baggies have been linked to the likes of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho, it’s another mooted target they should be plumping for.

Last month, the Daily Star reporter that Albion were keen to take Manchester United outcast, Phil Jones, on loan for the remainder of the season with the Red Devils expected to pay the bulk of his £120k-per-week wages.

That would suit West Brom immensely as Big Sam is working on a very restricted financial budget – according to the Telegraph’s John Percy, ‘moves for players who will cost in excess of £2 million are rated as seriously doubtful.’

The Baggies only have one domestic loan space left, so using it on a vastly-experienced defender like Jones could make the world of sense.

Similarly, Albion have struck gold with United before when taking on Jonny Evans, who was also struggling for game time at the Premier League giants.

For £6m, the Midlands outfit got every penny back with three consistent seasons where he played at least 28 matches each campaign before they were relegated to the Championship.

Jones would certainly be shades of that very move and he’s a player that Allardyce knows very well too, which is merely another reason to why a stint at the Hawthorns is beneficial.

The 66-year-old unearthed the Englishman at Blackburn Rovers prior to his £16.5m switch to Old Trafford, even tipping him for international stardom in an interview with the Telegraph in 2011, he said:

“He is already growing into what I consider to be a leader. When he gets more experience he will be able to control his team-mates and eventually he will wear the armband for England. It’s a lot to ask of such a young man but he has the all-round outstanding ability to be a very top player.”

Now valued at just £5.4m by Transfermarkt, Jones needs to find another club as he’s only started 17 matches since the beginning of the 2018/19 season.

Despite only being 28, he has proven to be a reliable influence over 200 appearances in the big time, he’s averaged a whopping 5.3 clearances and 1.9 tackles per game during the past decade, via WhoScored, which ranks him above all of Semi Ajayi, Dara O’Shea and Branislav Ivanovic in this current Baggies squad.

Luke Dowling simply has to sanction a swoop for what could be West Brom’s next Evans.

AND in other news, Baggies’ “total nightmare” in GRAVE DANGER of becoming another Nacer Chadli…