Fans of Glasgow Rangers have been reacting to a post on Twitter, that relayed a claim made by Rangers’ assistant manager, Gary McAllister, regarding James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson.

According to McAllister, as cited by Clyde 1, Steven Gerrard could look to implement a shift in formation in order to accommodate the two “outstanding” right-backs, Tavernier and Patterson, into his starting XI.

The assistant manager said: “As a club, we are uber-delighted to have two outstanding players in that area. There are different formations that, you never know, we might be able to get the two of them on the pitch at the same time.”

So far this season, Patterson has made just five appearances in the Scottish Premiership, while the club captain, Tavernier, has featured in 29 league fixtures.

However, after news of the potential switch in formation was shared on Twitter by Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, fans of Rangers flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing to be delighted at the prospect of both Tavernier and Patterson being on the pitch at the same time, something that could be seen in Gers’ clash with St Johnstone on Wednesday evening.

So, what exactly did these Rangers fans have to say in reaction to Gary McAllister’s comments?

“The link up could be sensational.”

@BobbyCasa

“Tav as a winger when Patterson is playing could be class.”

@Groper29330391

“We’ve got to push Tav further forward, at least try it.”

@faby_ilari

“Would be class Paterson and Tav down the right.”

@allanbaird_

“Totally agree, Patterson is far more than a squad player nowadays and IMO should be playing regularly now, push Tavernier up one and really compliment both players by doing so.”

@rossthorpe

“Would be a pretty solid right flank…”

@actuallyyyyyy

In other news: ‘What did I just hear?’ – These Gers fans slam ‘dinosaur’ as ‘disgraceful’ Kamara claim emerges – find out more here!

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Orkun Kokcu, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

La Repubblica (via Sport Witness) claim Spurs could battle their north London arch-rivals Arsenal and teams from Italy to sign the Feyenoord midfielder.

It’s suggested that the Eredivisie outfit are open to a sale and value the 20-year-old at around €12m (£10m).

Despite Kokcu being under contract until 2025, there are thoughts that the Turkish international will leave the Dutch side this summer.

Shades of Eriksen

The Netherlands has long been a breeding ground for some of Europe’s best talents, such as the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, who have gone onto thrive at Juventus and Barcelona, respectively. Whilst the Premier League and Spurs, in particular, have experienced it first-hand.

One fine example is Christian Eriksen, who signed from Ajax and became one of the best attacking midfielders the club has seen, providing 69 goals and 90 assists across 305 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

His departure 18 months ago is still being felt today, as neither of Tanguy Ndombele or Giovani Lo Celso – Spurs’ pair of £55m signings – have stepped up to the plate, at least in terms of creativity and goal contributions.

The Frenchman has elevated his game this term, for sure, but has still only directly accounted for 16 goals in 72 appearances (one goal every 4.5 games), whilst the Argentine’s 11 contributions in 62 matches (one goal every 8.8 games) is far from inspiring.

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Neither are close to Eriksen’s level. He was such a crucial influence in providing a goal or assist every 1.9 games.

On the face of it, Kokcu doesn’t seem like the solution, given he’s only made two goals and one assist this campaign but it’s the diversity in his skill set that could suggest he’s a far more suitable option for Spurs right now.

Even more so if Daniel Levy manages to clinch Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who has quickly risen up his shortlist to replace Jose Mourinho following a double blow over Julian Naglesmann and Brendan Rodgers.

The 51-year-old has a proven track record in developing young talent in the Eredivisie, with both the aforementioned Dutch stars a product of his stewardship.

Kokcu’s distribution is very impressive, averaging over an 83% passing accuracy despite managing 1.8 long balls, proving he has the capability to pull the strings in the middle and dictate play, as per WhoScored.

That’s on top of his capabilities from set pieces – one accurate free-kick and 0.9 accurate crosses per 90 minutes – something Eriksen was renowned for.

Speaking to Goal, Jaap Stam backed the 20-year-old’s potential for the Premier League.

“The pace of the game, the quality, the intensity is a lot higher. But he has the ability. He is a player who has the personality to want to improve, he always wants to do better,” explained the former Man Utd colossus.

“He’s certainly got the ability to make that step to the Premier League. He has creativity, scoring ability, stamina and running ability. He keeps on going. I saw him as a very promising player.”

His average of 2.2 shots and 1.5 key passes in the Eredivisie this term would suggest that he’s also been rather unlucky to not have added further numbers to his poor-looking returns.

If Levy manages to clinch ten Hag, then he should absolutely also try to raid Kokcu from the Dutch top-flight, too. Spurs could well replace Mourinho and finally Eriksen in one summer.

AND in other news, How Spurs could line-up under managerial target Erik ten Hag…

MatériaMais Notícias

Com aproveitamento de 79% dos pontos no returno, o Palmeiras tem agora a maior distância na ponta do Brasileiro – seis pontos para o Flamengo, segundo colocado. Sem perder há 15 rodadas (dez vitórias e cinco empates), o Verdão pode decidir o título apenas com as suas partidas em casa.

Se vencer os três jogos como mandante (Inter, Botafogo e Chapecoense), o time chegará a 76 pontos, acima até dos 75 que Cuca considera necessários para ser campeão. Mesmo que seja derrotado nos outros três jogos fora, incluindo contra o ameaçado Vitória na última rodada, o Verdão obrigaria seus adversários a serem quase perfeitos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBrasileirãoDe zero a 13 pontos: a vantagem dos líderes na 32ª rodada do BrasileirãoBrasileirão24/10/2016PalmeirasAllione agradece Cuca: ‘Poucas pessoas teriam feito a mesma coisa’Palmeiras24/10/2016PalmeirasDudu se iguala a trio e vira um dos artilheiros do Allianz ParquePalmeiras24/10/2016

O Flamengo, além de torcer para que o líder tenha apenas 50% de aproveitamento nesta reta final, precisaria, no mínimo, vencer cinco jogos e empatar um. Aproveitamento altíssimo, de 88,8% dos pontos.

Atlético-MG e Santos, a oito e nove pontos do Verdão, respectivamente, precisam ser perfeitos. Vencer os seis jogos, incluindo os duelos em casa com o Palmeiras, e torcer por mais duas derrotas do líder até o fim.

Estes cenários são analisados isoladamente, já que ainda há mais dois confrontos diretos entre os rivais: Flamengo x Atlético-MG e Santos x Flamengo. Ou seja, um atrapalhará o outro nas últimas seis rodadas.

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Além disso, o Verdão é o melhor visitante do Brasileiro e perdeu cinco vezes em 32 rodadas. Seria inesperado ver o time de Cuca ser batido mais três vezes neste fim de ano, porque a última derrota foi dia 31 de julho, contra o Botafogo por 3 a 1, no primeiro turno, durante o pior momento da equipe.

– O Flamengo, que é o segundo, tem 61 pontos, disputa mais 18 pontos. Se ganhar cinco passa a ter 76 pontos, é difícil. Hoje quem que encaixou cinco ou seis vitórias em sequência? É difícil, para nós também é difícil. Por isso que calculamos hoje esse número, mas podem muito bem cair – justificou o treinador.

Após a vitória de domingo, Cuca chamou todo o elenco para uma roda no meio-campo e teve uma conversa com o grupo, como vem fazendo a cada novo triunfo. A meta: não deixar se influenciar pela euforia da torcida palmeirense nesta reta final.

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Many Everton fans have been reacting to a transfer update on Theo Walcott as The Athletic report that Southampton are hoping to sign him permanently.

As per the news outlet, his current deal at the Goodison Park faithful expires in the summer window, meaning that the Saints can snap him up on a free transfer.

Walcott’s time at the Merseyside club has been largely underwhelming so far, scoring a mere 11 goals and making just nine assists in 85 games in total over all competitions across the last four consecutive terms (Transfermarkt).

However, at 32 years of age now, the winger is still an experienced head and could be a very useful squad player for Carlo Ancelotti to have in the longer term, as well as being a character in the dressing room.

Everton fans on Walcott transfer update

These Toffees supporters were split on Twitter after reading the transfer update, with one Blues fan even going as far as to claim that the Englishman is an ‘awful excuse of a footballer’:

“Won’t shed a tear when he leaves.”

Credit: @CrunchingVinnie

“Good”

Credit: @BrunsypPB

“Awful excuse of a footballer.”

Credit: @exiledtoffee

“People slag him off but we’re lacking on that right hand side. Iwobi isn’t the answer. Need to replace him.”

Credit: @MissMav

“Never thought I’d say this… get him back!”

Credit: @BlueCommute

“Still can’t believe we let him go and are paying half his wages, worst loan ever”

Credit: @GJS41991

In other news, find out what injury update has been bemoaned by EFC fans here!

If Sunderland don’t achieve promotion this season, it will cause deep-rooted frustration.

It will create sadness and perhaps an everlasting mindset that the Mackems are destined to see out their existence in the third tier of English football.

This season, however, has been that will go down in the history books. They have new owners, perhaps their most impressive manager in a number of years and they are currently in third place in League One.

The Black Cats have a wonderful opportunity to get promoted and if they secure that in the remaining games of the campaign, it will be the icing on the cake.

This has been a term where Sunderland won their first trophy in 48 years, beating Tranmere at Wembley in the EFL Trophy final a number of weeks ago.

Lee Johnson’s men didn’t have it all their own way in that game and that was largely thanks to flying right-back Otis Khan.

The 25-year-old was a constant thorn in the Sunderland defence, terrorising Callum McFadzean. On that occasion, Khan completed as many as four dribbles, the joint-highest of any player on the day.

The defender also attempted seven crosses and won five of his seven duels defensively. No wonder he’s been described as a player who “works hard” by Keith Hill. Unfortunately for Tranmere and Khan, it was the Mackems who took home the silverware.

Sunderland clearly liked what they saw from Khan because he’s now been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light.

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It would be a shrewd capture from Johnson and one that could take not only their defence to the next level but also their attack.

With Jordan Jones and Aiden McGeady on the flanks, there is always a reason to be excited heading into a Sunderland match. Both players have created goals and chances at will for Charlie Wyke this term, a man who has found the net on 26 occasions in 2020/21.

The addition of Khan, however, could give him even proper opportunities to score. You only need to look at that performance at Wembley. In delivering just over half a dozen crosses, he was a rampant threat.

He has been transformed from a winger into a full-back at Tranmere and that’s certainly evident in the way Khan gets forward.

The right-sided defender has made 1.4 key passes per game this term and 1.1 successful crosses per match. For context, only Denver Hume and McGeady in the Sunderland side have conjured up more chance creations and crosses.

Both of those players happen to be their weapons down the left. On the opposite side, Sunderland don’t quite have the same potency. The addition of Khan, therefore, could be huge.

The thought of him whipping deliveries in for Wyke to head home is something worth salivating over.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than Burge: Johnson will be fuming with SAFC ace who made just 9 passes…

تلقى محمود الخطيب، رئيس النادي الأهلي تهنئة من جياني إنفانتينو، رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم؛ بمناسبة حصول فريق الأهلي على الميدالية البرونزية في بطولة العالم للأندية.

الخطيب يهنئ جماهير الأهلي على برونزية مونديال الأندية ويؤكد: سنظل الداعم الأول للمنتخبات

البطولة التي جرت فعالياتها بالإمارات خلال الأسبوعين الماضيين، وحصد فيها فريق النادي الأهلي المركز الثالث على حساب الهلال السعودي.

وجاء نص خطاب رئيس الاتحاد الدولي الموقع من إنفانتينو محمود الخطيب كالتالي:-

 “أود أن أتقدم لكم بالتهنئة مرة أخرى بمناسبة فوز ناديكم بالميدالية البرونزية في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، وهو إنجاز جديد لكم، وأنا أرسل لك هذه الرسالة للإشادة بكل من ساهم في تحقيق هذا الانتصار، سواء كانوا لاعبين أو الجهاز الفني والإداري والطبي.

ويسعدني أيضًا الإشادة بجماهيركم الرائعة التي تواجدت في هذه البطولة.. ولا شك أن هذا الإنجاز تحقق نتيجة العمل الشاق والاحترافية والاهتمام بكافة التفاصيل، بالإضافة إلى الحب والشغف تجاه لعبة كرة القدم.. كل هذه الأشياء تبشر بمستقبل مشرق لفريقكم، وبكل تأكيد سوف تفتح الطريق لتحقيق المزيد من الإنجازات في المستقبل.. أتمنى لك كل الخير، وأتطلع لمقابلتك مرة أخرى قريبًا”.

MatériaMais Notícias

A derrota do Palmeiras para o Santos por 1 a 0, na Vila Belmiro, não reduziu apenas a diferença do líder para o vice-líder Flamengo nos cinco pontos da classificação. Segundo o Infobola, o revés aliado ao empate do Rubro-Negro no Mineirão fez o Verdão reduzir suas chances de título para 86% ao fim desta 33ª rodada (4% a menos que na anterior).

Já o Flamengo voltará para o Rio de Janeiro com mais chances de título: agora, são 7% (2% a mais do que na anterior). Alçada a terceiro lugar com a vitória no clássico, a equipe santista também viu suas possibilidades de conquista subirem para 5% (4% a mais). Já o Atlético-MG, que caiu para quarto lugar com o tropeço, tem 2% (1% a menos).

O LANCE! ainda traz a luta pelas vagas do G6 e por fugir da zona de rebaixamento ao final deste sábado. A rodada ainda termina com o duelo entre América-MG e São Paulo, na segunda-feira.

Celtic could be handed a blow in their pursuit of landing Eddie Howe as their new manager.

The 43-year-old reportedly verbally agreed on a move to Parkhead before having second thoughts.

A representative on behalf of Howe revealed that he will return to the dugout in the summer at the earliest, and it seems as if his former club Bournemouth could play a key role in the Hoops’ chances of securing Howe’s services.

According to The Sun on Sunday (25.04.21, pg. 59), cited by The 72, Celtic’s hopes of appointing Howe could be dashed. That’s because Howe wants to take some of his former Cherries backroom staff from the English south coast to Celtic Park.

They remain under good contracts at the Vitality Stadium and will be in line to receive a pay rise should Bournemouth earn promotion through the play-offs. Coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone are two new names mentioned, with reports elsewhere claiming that recruitment chief Richard Hughes is also wanted by Howe.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if the next five weeks could be key in Celtic’s hopes of bringing Howe to Glasgow. Should Bournemouth seal an immediate return to the Premier League, it could be harder to get the likes of Purches, Weatherstone and Hughes out of their respective roles.

However, if the Cherries remain in the Champuonship, that could then allow Celtic to agree to Howe’s wishes on the trio ahead of becoming Neil Lennon’s long-term successor at Parkhead.

In other news: Karamoko Dembele contract update emerges, 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.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

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.

West Ham United will be looking to get back on track when they return to Premier League action this evening.

David Moyes’ side have suffered successive defeats, seeing them drop out of a place in the top-four but they now head to Burnley knowing that a victory would see them cut the gap to Chelsea.

It was the Blues who narrowly defeated the Hammers last time out, winning 1-0 at the London Stadium and the 58-year-old manager now has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection.

You could argue that the Irons more than held their own throughout the 90 minutes, given the scoreline, but the statistics tell a different story as the visitors dominated possession (56%) and enjoyed eight more attempts at goal, as per SofaScore.

It was certainly a tough task in the absence of some key players like Declan Rice, Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell. However, those that stepped in failed to deliver and have to be at risk of Moyes wielding his axe.

One name that should be ruthlessly chopped from the starting XI is Ryan Fredericks. He played at left-back, out of position, and that proved to be a very problematic area of the pitch as Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta dominated for large spells.

The 28-year-old lost possession 13 times and was particularly wasteful with the ball, too, completing only 67% of his passes and failing to provide a single accurate cross.

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It left Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen, who spearheaded Moyes’ attack, with very little to feed off, so it was no wonder they managed four fewer shots on target than Chelsea.

Ben Johnson has often been the man to go to left wing-back if either of Cresswell or Arthur Masuaku are missing, and perhaps he would be the better option against the more defensively-minded Clarets.

The 21-year-old academy gem “really impressed” Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville last season, with the former Man Utd right-back also claiming that he “looks an excellent defender.”

Whilst he was rather unlikely to lose his place for the Chelsea encounter, considering he was a rare positive in the defeat to Newcastle United a week earlier.

In terms of consistency, Fredericks is amongst Moyes’ worst performers, registering a paltry 6.47 average on WhoScored. And his returns of 0.5 crosses and 0.8 key passes per game rank as the worst when compared to Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal and Masuaku.

The £40k-per-week star just isn’t good enough to be starting for a West Ham side competing for a fierce European spot. He was shocking against Chelsea and has very rarely looked the part this term.

Moyes must show no mercy and axe the Hammers lightweight tonight.

AND in other news, GSB’s wrath: West Ham “monster” continues to crash under Moyes, transfer value has DROPPED 48%…