All posts by h716a5.icu

Leeds: Casey to head out on loan

Leeds United have a lot of exciting prospects, one being Olly Casey, and Phil Hay has reported that the player could head out on a temporary move to build up some first-team experience.

Hay’s update on Casey

The journalist was asked if there was any transfer news around the club and he revealed that incomings are not expected this month, but Casey is “likely to leave on loan”.

This is a good idea for all parties

Former Whites star Noel Whelan spoke highly of the player when he told Football Insider: “He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and when you have that at a football club, it’s important because it’s an investment for the future.”

The 20 year-old centre-back is one that manager Marcelo Bielsa clearly wants to keep an eye on as he has given the player three appearances for the senior side (Transfermarkt).

Casey is reportedly attracting interest from many sides in the English Football League and if he could get consistent game time at such a level it would be great for his growth.

Not only would it be good for the defender, but also for Bielsa as he can see how he gets on at such a level and if he has the potential to succeed in the Premier League in the future.

In other news, find out whose return from injury has been deemed ‘massive’ here!

Lossl leaves Everton on Deadline Day

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to the confirmed Transfer Deadline Day exit of Jonas Lossl to FC Midtjylland.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the Denmark international has signed for the club where he started his footballing career.

It leaves the Merseyside club still with Jordan Pickford, Robin Olsen and Joao Virginia, and so the departure of Lossl will not really hurt them too much going into the rest of the 2020/21 term.

The 32-year-old did not even play in a single senior game for the Toffees since his signing from Huddersfield Town (Transfermarkt), and so it was a good idea for Carlo Ancelotti’s team to get him off of the wage books knowing as well that they are very well-covered already in the goalkeeper department.

Everton fan reaction to Lossl exit

These Blues reacted to the exit of Lossl on Twitter, as it seemed as if they were happy to see him leave:

“Weirdest signing in our history”

Credit: @Alexash1878

“Thanks for looking after the bench”

Credit: @efc_cain

“Two more free spots on the bench!”

Credit: @SteveDow1

“Luckiest guy in the world. Made about £3m off Everton for doing absolutely nothing.”

Credit: @danholling

“83 weeks @ 40k a week. That man took £3.2m off this football club…”

Credit: @matti_bigley

“Another one gone!”Credit: @kmatthews17In other news, find out what transfer blow EFC have been dealt by Fabrizio Romano here!

Predicted Celtic XI vs Ross County

Celtic’s next test in their Premiership run will come this evening when they travel to Victoria Park to take on Ross County. With a five-game unbeaten streak on the go, the Hoops will hope that tonight will be another win to add to their run.

Whilst they may be down and out when it comes to the title race, Neil Lennon and his Bhoys will be looking to finish the season on a high. Runaway leaders Rangers are a mammoth 18 points ahead of the holding champions, but Celtic are trying to limit the damage taken before the term comes to a close.

The reverse fixture was a comfortable 2-0 win for the Hoops, which they will be hoping to recreate this evening. With that in mind, Football FanCast has predicted how Lennon will set-up to face Ross County…

A lot of the manager’s gambles this season have paid off in dividends. The main one being his decision to integrate summer signing David Turnbull into a regular first team starter.

He has been a driving force in Celtic’s engine room and looks untouchable in terms of his position in the lineup. He will undoubtedly start in midfield, accompanied by Ryan Christie, with Callum McGregor and Ismaila Soro in the holding positions.

One man who may also join them is Tom Rogic, who has been impressing with his form as of late. He didn’t start against Aberdeen last time out, but his recent display against St Mirren is enough to reward him with another start.

According to SofaScore, Rogic bagged himself a goal and an assist in Celtic’s 4-0 win on the road, and he also created further big goalscoring opportunity.

His ability to link up well with Odsonne Edouard is very exciting and another reason why Lennon should be pleased with his gambles this season.

The £16k-per-week versatile midfielder isn’t a guaranteed starter – indeed, he’s only played from the off nine times (out of 29) this term – but chances like these are his ticket into securing a spot in what could be a Premiership-winning side next season.

It means Albian Ajeti will have to drop to the bench in the only change from the win over Aberdeen.

In other news, Celtic must keep starting Ryan Christie this season…

West Ham: Moyes eyes Chelsea’s Abraham

David Moyes can land an important part of his West Ham United squad with a summer swoop to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, Abraham features on a three-man shortlist of homegrown talents who Moyes is considering bringing to the London Stadium at the end of the season.

The Irons boss is keen to land the services of a young and hungry option to fill the void created by Sebastien Haller’s £20m January transfer to AFC Ajax, as he chases competition for Michail Antonio.

Moyes also has his eyes on Brentford sensation Ivan Toney, who has more goals (25) in the Championship this season than any other player, as well as Arsenal outcast Eddie Nketiah.

Abraham is presently Chelsea’s top-scorer across all competitions with 12 goals in 30 games, including finding the back of the net six times in 20 Premier League appearances this term.

But the £36m-rated talent was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s last squad as the Blues drew 0-0 with Manchester United on Sunday due to tactical reasons, and he is yet to hold discussions with the Stamford Bridge natives over a new contract.

The 23-year-old is waiting to see if Chelsea formalise their interest in Borussia Dortmund start Erling Braut Haaland, while the south west London outfit are yet to make clear their intentions over Abraham’s long-term future, with his £58,000-per-week deal running to 2023.

Aston Villa are also among what is expected to be a long list of admirers should Abraham hit the transfer market this summer, with the striker having scored 26 goals in 40 games with the Birmingham-based outfit during a season-long loan spell in 2018/19.

Should West Ham sign Abraham?

West Ham will certainly need to sign a striker in the summer transfer window after they opted to keep the £20m made from Haller’s departure, and they could do far worse than using those funds to invest in a move to take Abraham from Chelsea.

Owen Hargreaves had no doubt that Abraham would fall from the Blues first-string earlier in the season while Frank Lampard was still at the helm, and his comments still ring true today.

Yet the ex-Manchester United midfielder’s opinion shared following Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in November, in which the six-cap England international scored, offer Moyes reason to pursue a deal for Abraham if a deal is there to be had.

“I think he’s making himself a really good squad player,” Hargreaves said, via quotes by the Metro. “I think he got 15 [goals] last season, I don’t think he gets enough credit for his overall game.

“I love the fact of his size, technically I think he’s better than people give him credit for. Tammy is going to be really important as a squad player.”

Abraham ended last season as Chelsea’s top-scorer across all competitions with 18 goals in 47 games, including hitting home 15 in 34 Premier League games – the only one of Lampard’s players to score double-digits in the top-flight.

And when the goals are not there to be had at first, Abraham still puts in a performance of merit to earn West Ham product and ex-Blues midfielder Joe Cole’s praise.

“Tammy has given Frank something to think about. He kept at it and his movement was good. He didn’t do it in the first half, but his goal was not easy to take,” Cole said, via quotes by Goal, following a 3-0 Champions League win over Stade Rennais in November.

Moyes would surely love to have the headache of deciding between an in-form Abraham and Antonio at the London Stadium, and as such, he should push to land the England international.

AND in other news, West Ham have been slapped with a £20m asking price to sign an “outstanding” talent this summer

Sheffield Wed: Fans react to Moore news

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans are reacting to the news that Darren Moore is the new manager of the club and will take over immediately from Neil Thompson.

The club announced the appointment on Twitter, and following confirmation of the news, journalist Dom Howson tweeted: “Darren Moore is set to meet his new #SWFC squad this morning and take training”

Moore was at League One side Doncaster Rovers and was doing a stellar job as they are currently sixth in the division (SofaScore). In total, the manager had taken charge of 77 games (Transfermarkt) and had won 36, drew 14 and lost 27.

It is quite surprising to see him make the move, despite the fact that the Owls are in the division above, as Wednesday feels somewhat like a sinking ship during current times, especially with them in a huge relegation dogfight as they are six points from safety and have lost their last four games (SofaScore). Owner Dejphon Chansiri will be hoping that this appointment can turn fortunes around sooner rather than later.

Here is how fans reacted to the news:

“I am absolutely gobsmacked!! Happy, but gobsmacked!! Welcome to the roller coaster Darren, strap yourself in, & wish you all the best in the world”

Credit: @Chezricho

“Big Dave as West Brom supporters called him.”

Credit: @DenJSW

“Can he still play? Be decent next to Lees and Dunkley”

Credit: @hawky06

“Speechless. I’m back on side”

Credit: @LHambling

“You bet he is. Come on DM. Keep us up”

Credit: @Wednesdayite4

“Attacking football please and put the ball in the net , that’s all we want”

Credit: @Nowak9148365

In other news, fans fume at this Dom Howson tweet!

Crystal Palace Predicted XI vs Tottenham

Crystal Palace have been handed a significant injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, with Wilfried Zaha back in action.

The Ivorian winger has been missing since early February but Roy Hodgson recently confirmed he is ready for action this weekend.

Following the midweek stalemate with Manchester United, does the winger come straight back in? Here’s the XI we think Hodgson will select for the clash with Spurs.

There’s could be two changes to the Crystal Palace side to travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The back-line should be settled with Vicente Guaita shielded by the likes of Patrick van Aanholt, Gary Cahill and Joel Ward. Cheikhou Kouyate will continue at centre-back in the absences of Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins.

Hodgson has been handed another midfield injury to deal with, James McCarthy suffering a groin strain and joins James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson on the sidelines.

That likely means that Jairo Riedewald will be called into the centre of the park from the start to partner captain Luka Milivojevic.

Despite the blow of McCarthy being out, Palace’s talisman Wilfried Zaha can return. The winger has not featured since early February but is likely to go straight into the starting line-up at the expense of the £55k-per-week earning Andros Townsend.

The attack should have a familiar feel to it with Jordan Ayew and Christian Benteke starting in a striking pair.

AND in more news, the Eagles have been rumoured to be making a big-money move for Mostafa Mohamed…

Spurs should unleash Dane Scarlett in the PL

While the Europa League may not be the European competition Tottenham want to be competing in, what it does and has allowed for is some of the club’s brightest young prospects to be given their first chance in the senior side.

And one youngster who Jose Mourinho appears to have high hopes for, is 16-year-old Dane Scarlett. The forward doesn’t turn 17 until later this month, but has already delivered a glimpse of his exciting future in north London, coming on and providing the assist for Carlos Vinicius’ second-goal of the night against Wolfsberger back in late February.

Speaking after his cameo in that Europa League victory, Mourinho said: “He is a diamond, a kid with incredible potential. He has worked many times with the first team and that gives him a different personality. He is still 16, 17 soon (in March) and I believe next season he will be a first-team squad player because he has a lot of talent.

“He is going to be a fantastic player and I hope everything around him goes well. He is a striker, a number nine, I have been playing him from the sides similar to Marcus Rashford and he is very clever. Next season he has to be a first-team player. Immense talent. Very good physical development. He’s very good, he’s going to be very good.”

With Vinicius only at Spurs on a season-long loan deal, there’s a real opportunity for the likes of Scarlett and perhaps some of the club’s other exciting young attackers to really stake their claim before the end of the season.

It’s on Mourinho to really put his faith in those players and give them the platform to shine, and while the Portuguese man will be reluctant to throw them into the deep end for crunch knockout games or clashes against the Premier League’s big six, there’s surely plenty of room for him to include Scarlett to in his match-day squad and give him run-outs whenever Spurs are comfortable.

While Troy Parrott used to be the Spurs starlet who was really the hot topic of conversation, it looks like the 5 foot 9 Scarlett’s the one who’s overtaken everyone else to have a real shot at making the first-team sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Spurs played a blinder by selling this man for £17m…

Lampard a good fit for Crystal Palace

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League forward Marlon Harewood has suggested that Frank Lampard would be a good fit for Crystal Palace.

With Roy Hodgson’s contract set to expire in the summer, the Eagles could be in the market for a new manager, and Lampard is one name that would be available. The 42-year-old was, of course, recently dismissed as Chelsea boss after overseeing a run of poor results and is now without a job.

It is not yet clear what Lampard’s future plans are, but if he were to end up in the Selhurst Park dugout, Harewood is confident the ex-Chelsea and England midfielder would fit in well. On Lampard, Harewood told FFC:

“It’d be a decent thing for Lamps to come into if he’s ready to come back into management. That’d be a very good club to come into, got some great players there. I think he’d go and complement it well.

“He’s had a good experience of what he needs to do and what he didn’t do and [the chance to] reflect on how he can better himself because you always do that [after being sacked.”

The former West Ham striker concluded by saying: “Yeah, it would be a good fit.”

Hodgson has done well since arriving at Selhurst Park back in 2017, keeping Palace away from any sort of real relegation trouble. Under the former England manager, the south London club have managed to earn 11th, 12th and 14th-placed finishes, firmly retaining their status as a Premier League outfit.

However, change could be on the horizon, with the 73-year-old’s contract almost up, and Lampard could be a name worth exploring for Palace should he still be available.

Aston Villa: Fans react to Grealish transfer update

Manchester City have emerged as the favourites to sign Aston Villa star Jack Grealish this summer.

And, as to be expected, the latest rumour has had plenty of Villa supporters talking on social media.

Grealish valued at £100m

According to the Daily Mail, Pep Guardiola’s side are at the front of the queue to land the 25-year-old, who is thought to be excited about the possibility of an Etihad switch.

The report claims that Villa valued Grealish, who has starred this season under Dean Smith, at £100m last summer.

He’s scored seven goals and has registered 12 assists in 23 appearances during the current campaign.

Should a £100m deal go through this summer, Grealish would become the most-expensive signing by a Premier League side, overtaking Paul Pogba’s £94.5m move to Manchester United.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News cited the Daily Mail’s report in a story and posted it on Twitter on Thursday lunchtime.

This is what these Villa fans had to say to the update…

“For me they’re the only other club in our league I could see him joining.”

Credit: @sparkym5

“Got a spare £200m?”

Credit: @BrumRadioPete

“Please no!”

Credit: @TDS133

“£100 plus Gundagan, Torres and Mahrez?”

Credit: @Villa_Graham

“Hope for their sake £100m is only their opening bid, otherwise they’ll be disappointed”

Credit: @J4M35_AVFC

“Get in line”

Credit: @Jxckkss

In other news: Another Villa star is being tracked by a Premier League giant, find out more here. 

Slavia’s Bah makes shock Gers fans claim

Slavia Prague defender Alexander Bah has bizarrely claimed Glasgow Rangers fans stormed Ibrox in the aftermath of Thursday’s match between the two sides.

Bah makes bizarre claim

Slavia progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals after beating the Gers 2-0 at Ibrox. However, the match was marred as Glen Kamara claims he was racially abused by Ondrej Kudela.

The atmosphere was unsurprisingly heated, and Slavia have already claimed Kudela was punched in the back of the head in the tunnel (slavia.cz). Now, £2.25m-valued Bah (Transfermarkt) has incredibly suggested Rangers supporters stormed the stadium after the full-time whistle. He explained to Danish outlet Bold.dk:

“After the game we stood for an hour or a half out in the stadium because we couldn’t get into our dressing room as it was surrounded by fans and some of their players.

“In the end we were finally able to get into the dressing room and then we were told to take a quick bath and then go together to the bus quite quickly. ‘As I understood it, a lot of fans had turned up in front of the entrance to the stadium, and I think there were also some who had come in. There was a sea of police officers as we were going out to the buses, so it was a wild experience.”

Lies?

Quite frankly, this is a lie. There has been no suggestion any fans were at the stadium, with journalist Graeme Hanna sharing a picture of a quiet Ibrox around the time Bah suggested supporters were causing trouble. It hardly supports the claims that are coming out of the Slavia camp.

Clearly, something happened in the tunnel – UEFA must launch an investigation into all the incidents that occurred on the night. Their task will not be made any easier by lies from those involved, though. The whole affair continues to get uglier and uglier.

In other news, Alan Hutton suggests this ace could leave Rangers this summer.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus