All posts by h716a5.icu

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Wolves legend Steve Bull claims his former club are playing too comfortably instead of pushing themselves and taking the game to teams.

Since Wolves won promotion back to the Premier League, they have generally operated with Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves as a midfielder partnership, however neither player has the speed to be a box-to-box midfielder.

Both Neves and Moutinho are great on the ball and have recorded the most passes out of any Wolves players in the Premier League this season, highlighting their obvious strength and how they adapt to lacking that yard of pace.

However, Moutinho is 35-years-old this year and Wolves may look into replacing him with a younger player who is able to get up and down the pitch, with Moutinho having just six touches in the opposition’s box.

Speaking on how Wolves have become comfortable in themselves and what they are missing in midfield, Bull told FFC:

“We need somebody to get forward from midfield because at the moment we’ve only got one man in the box, so we need somebody who will be flying in there.

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“For me, I think we are playing with too many comfortable players in the middle of the pitch who are just happy to just sit and absorb everything rather than go forward.”

This season, Neves and Moutinho have started 24 and 23 games in the league respectively as Wolves have struggled for consistency.

Vitinha was brought in on-loan from FC Porto last summer, however he’s only featured 15 times for Wolves and has failed to make an impact on the first team.

Several Aston Villa fans have been reacting to a transfer update regarding Manchester City and their interest in Jack Grealish.

The boyhood Villa fan was linked with a move to Pep Guardiola’s side last month and was reportedly excited by a potential Etihad switch.

According to a fresh report from the Daily Mail, cited by Birmingham Live, City are set to go after Grealish in an audacious double summer swoop, along with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

Grealish to City progressing

The update claims a double deal could cost close to £200m, with Haaland seen as a perfect replacement for Sergio Aguero.

City’s interest in Grealish has thought to have progressed in recent weeks, according to the Daily Mail. They suggest that there is hope a deal can now be struck with Aston Villa, even though Villa are under no pressure to sell.

Grealish, who recently returned to training following a leg injury, is under contract in the Midlands until 2025.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the update regarding City’s interest in Grealish and Haaland on social media. This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many not impressed.

“Dream on Jack ain’t going nowhere!”

Credit: @Tony89405449

“No way you get both those players for £200m. Not a chance.”

Credit: @jackmiller81

“Imagine those two in the same team WOW”

Credit: @nobasauras

“How about NSWE put a bid in for Haaland”

Credit: @VillanK7R

“I’d sell my kidney to keep Grealish”

Credit: @polarForest_

“Sorry but City have Foden they don’t need Grealish?”

Credit: @cameron_av

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz over recent footage; it’s not on Grealish, find out more here. 

Frank McAvennie has claimed no club will be able to offer the money Glasgow Rangers want for Colombia international Alfredo Morelos.

McAvennie makes Morelos claim

Morelos appears to be eager to depart Ibrox this summer, recently saying that he dreams of a move to the Premier League (Radio Caracol).

However, speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie believes he will stay at Ibrox as no club will be able to afford him. He said:

“I do not think he would go to one of the big, big clubs in Europe so I think he would want to stay.

“He will only be worth what someone is willing to offer and at the moment nobody has offered anything close and I don’t think they will either. 

“Rangers will be absolutely delighted with that because they will only sell him if a club meets their asking price and I think it will be a bit much for most sides, especially in today’s financial climate.

“It is a strange one but if he was to leave he would go with the fans blessing because he has done ever so well for them. I don’t think he would go though.“

Debatable

This is probably what a lot of fans of the 55-time Scottish champions will want to hear. Since making the move to Ibrox in 2017, he has 93 goals in 176 games (Transfermarkt), and he has played a big role as the Gers have clinched the Premiership title this term. He is currently valued at £10.8m (Transfermarkt), and the Gers will arguably looking for plenty more than that to part ways with the 24-year-old.

However, given he plays in Scotland, he will come a lot cheaper than a lot of players across the continent, and even a sum of £20m may seem an acceptable fee for a number of clubs. It promises to be a busy summer at Rangers – it remains to be seen whether Morelos is there at the end of it.

In other news, Rangers fans do not agree with these comments from Steven Gerrard.

After signing from Marseille in the January transfer window, it’s fair to say it’s been a rather slow start to life at Aston Villa for Morgan Sanson.

The Frenchman was initially kept out of the starting line-up in the Premier League by Dean Smith, with the Villa boss understandably wanting to ease his new signing into English football.

A few months later, Sanson has still yet to show any real sign of why Villa splashed the cash to sign him in the first place.

The £17m-rated ace has made the starting line-up for the last two top-flight games against Tottenham and Fulham respectively, but hasn’t really done enough to convince anybody that he should keep his place when the Villans take on Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

In fact, writing in his post-match player ratings for the game against the Cottagers for the Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave Sanson a lowly five, noting: “The Frenchman was much deeper today after playing as a No.10 against Spurs before the break. Sanson was caught between two positions today as he left Douglas exposed at times while, at the other end, the January addition showed some good purposeful runs which won Villa free-kicks down the sides.

“Sanson took a whack to his left knee with Marvelous Nakamba readied to replace him but he soldiered on. Didn’t really have an impact here, though, and was replaced as Villa went onto to be much better without him.”

There have also been suggestions that those behind the scenes at Villa feel they may have made a mistake in signing him.

According to sources who have told Football Insider: “There is a feeling in the corridors of power the club “haven’t done their homework” over the 26-year-old Frenchman. He is said to be very difficult to manage, and proved to be so much trouble for two of his former agents they decided to let him go.

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“Dean Smith had hoped that Sanson would improve the team and bring greater cohesion to the midfield. But, while the central midfielder is energetic and tenacious, he does not have the technical ability that was hoped.”

Smith must make the ruthless call to drop the Frenchman against Liverpool today.

Meanwhile, Villa could hire their perfect Dean Smith successor in this “winner”…

As Manchester City sweat over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne following their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday evening, many Sky Blues fans have erupted over the latest update from manager Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne was hooked just after half-time following a collision with opposition midfielder N’Golo Kante as the Belgian appeared to land awkwardly on his own ankle.

The 29-year-old was immediately withdrawn from the contest after going down and was replaced by Phil Foden, but even the youngster’s introduction couldn’t propel City to a win as they bowed out of the FA Cup and surrendered hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.

Following the match, Guardiola provided an update on De Bruyne in what appears to be a negative outlook, with the Spaniard claiming that it ‘doesn’t look good’ for the Belgian (via Manchester Evening News).

Guardiola also said that De Bruyne ‘has pain’, with City now sweating on an official recovery estimate and waiting to see the full extent of the problem.

Flocking to the manager’s post-match update, many Sky Blues supporters feared the worst, with one unsurprisingly calling it “really bad news”:

Man City fans erupt over De Bruyne injury update

“We are done”

Credit: @Citizenani06

“Worst day of the season”

Credit: @WillHoskins16

“This pain just got worse”

Credit: @tonyychris

“Oh God please no”

Credit: @zamozamora34

“This day just gets even worse”

Credit: @mcfc_dylan_05

“This is really bad news, wishing him a speedy recovery. May he be back soon”

Credit: @Jkmburu17

“Season over”

Credit: @DonLuigi_

“Oh no”

Credit: @Drewski248

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

Noel Whelan has suggested Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is wasting the talent of Kemar Roofe by playing him on the wing.

Whelan discusses Gerrard’s use of Roofe

Roofe signed for Rangers last summer from Anderlecht. Despite being a natural striker, he has played the majority of his games on the left or right flank this term as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes Gerrard should play the £5.4m-valued 28-year-old (Transfermarkt) more centrally. He explained when asked whether Roofe would prefer to play through the middle:

“Yeah, I believe so.

“He came to Leeds as a winger and that was his position pretty much, for a long time he was out wide.

“I just think you get more benefit and his movement is much more effective in that central area, he’s alive, he makes great runs in behind and those little diagonal runs.

“I feel that he’s very regimented out wide, there’s not much movement from him, they miss that quick movement getting in behind.

“Those little quick balls in between defenders, he’s very static out there for a player like Kemar Roofe, his movement is exceptional in and around the box and to have him out wide. Yeah, it does seem a little bit of a waste.

“But if you asked Roofe if he’d rather be on the bench or on the wing, he’ll tell you the answer.”

Actually performed well on the flanks

Roofe shone at Leeds as a striker before moving to Belgium, where he managed seven goals in 16 games before making the switch to Scotland. However, while he has played in the unfamiliar role of a winger for much of the campaign, he has actually done rather well, netting 10 goals in 13 games in that role.

With Alfredo Morelos being the number one striker for Gerrard right now, it is hard for Roofe to nail down a starting spot as a central striker unless there is a change in formation. If the Colombia international were to leave in the summer, Roofe may be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

In other news, Rangers are delighted with this 20/21 news.

Leicester City followed up their FA Cup semi-final success with a huge victory in the context of the race for the top four as they thumped West Bromwich Albion 3-0.

The Foxes sparkled in the first half at the King Power Stadium as two goals in three minutes from Jamie Vardy and Jonny Evans gave the hosts a comfortable lead. Kelechi Iheanacho was then on hand once again to extend that advantage and continue his electric form in 2021.

His finish was a typically predatory one, latching onto Vardy’s centre before smashing home past the helpless Sam Johnstone for his 16th goal of the season in all competitions and his 13th in his last 12 domestic appearances.

Aside from his goal, it was another hugely impressive performance from the Nigerian frontman.

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He was a constant threat throughout against the Baggies, racking up a huge eight shots according to WhoScored. For comparison, the remainder of the Leicester team had nine between them.

Iheanacho might have felt unfortunate not to add to the match ball he earned against Sheffield United a few weeks ago after he spurned a few opportunities which could well have seen him secure another treble, whilst twice being denied by Baggies stopper Johnstone.

His contributions were not limited there either – the £60,000-per-week forward also racked up four dribbles, whilst managing to win one aerial duel.

Despite it not appearing on the statistics, the former Manchester City man was also involved in Leicester’s opening goal, showing good strength and awareness to pick out Youri Tielemans, who indeed then set the Foxes away to score.

Considering his form as of late, Rodgers will certainly have been delighted to have seen another dominant performance from Iheanacho.

AND in more news, find out which other Leicester star ran riot against the Baggies on Thursday…

Everton are keen on signing Pape Matar Sarr, according to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness).

However, as per the news outlet, the Toffees face competition from Chelsea for the signature of the Metz talent. The report added that both Premier League clubs will have to move quickly if they wish to sign him, as Nice are already prepared to pay  €12m (£10.5m) to sign him in the summer transfer window.

Given that he is currently valued at £2.7m by Transfermarkt, that is nearly four times his value. The Merseyside club’s interest in Sarr would fit Marcel Brands’ model of signing young players and developing them for the future, but only time will tell whether Carlo Ancelotti’s team act on their reported interest.

Sarr one for the future

Sarr certainly seems a player for the future and, at just 18 years of age, he seemingly has a lot of potential to fulfil. He is already playing senior men’s football on a regular basis, having racked up 20 games in total for Metz so far this season (Transfermarkt).

A defensive midfield player from Senegal will sound very familiar to Toffees fans given their previous association with Idrissa Gueye, and if Sarr turns out to live up to the ability of the current Paris Saint-Germain ace, he would become a popular player very quickly for the Blues should they decide to sign him.

In other news, find out what transfer update from Alan Myers has piqued the interest of many Everton fans.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder believes Ibrahima Konate has more potential than his RB Leipzig team-mate Dayot Upamecano.

Konate is set to join Liverpool this summer in a £30.5m deal, according to reports, as Jurgen Klopp looks to add to his defence.

This comes after Bayern Munich confirmed that they have agreed a deal to sign Upamecano.

The 22-year-old France international has been one of the standout central defenders in Europe this season, with Jamie Carragher telling his old side last October that they needed a big signing like him following Virgil van Dijk’s injury.

However, it is his fellow Leipzig centre-back Konate Liverpool have seem to ended up with, and Pinder is convinced that is a good thing.

On the 21-year-old, the editor-in-chief at Get German Football News told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“I think Konate has the potential to be that next big star at centre-back. Personally, and I know a lot of people who watch German football have the same opinion, I think he has more potential than Upamecano, who’s obviously joining Bayern Munich in the summer. 

“And despite Konate’s injury record, I really think his potential is, his ceiling is just, you can’t predict where it’s going to be. I think it’s just that high.”

As well as in defence, Liverpool could also look to bolster their attack, with Football Insider reporting that the Reds are interested in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, Paul Stewart, who made 63 appearances for Manchester City, admits he would not be surprised to see his former club sign Erling Haaland this summer if Pep Guardiola wants him.

Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, and father, Alf-Inge Haaland, flew to Spain last month to discuss a potential move to Barcelona and Real Madrid but Man City still remain confident they will sign the Borussia Dortmund striker.

Check out the latest Erling Haaland transfer news on the dedicated GMS Erling Haaland Transfer hub

There have been reports suggesting that Raiola wants to make Haaland the first £1 million a week footballer, which could instantly put off a handful of clubs who couldn’t afford that kind of deal.

Speaking on how he wouldn’t be surprised to see City sign Haaland this summer and how they could afford to pay his high wage demands, Stewart told The Transfer Tavern exclusively:

“If he wants £1 million a week then City might pay that but I don’t know what the financial fair play regulations would be on that deal. If Pep wants him he’ll get him.

“There will be a lot of teams after Haaland, and clubs pay that sort of money now because they just pay the market prices so if he’s asking for that much money it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets it somewhere.” 

The latest twist has arrived in the last 48 hours as Dortmund’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, confirmed that Haaland will not be leaving the club this summer, much like the stance they took with Jadon Sancho last year.

Since he joined Dortmund, Haaland has scored an impressive 53 goals in 56 games across all competitions which has made him one of the most sought-after strikers in the world.