All posts by n8rngtd.top

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

Whilst England’s senior side qualified for Euro 2020 against Montenegro last Thursday, the Three Lions’ U21 team were in action against Albania the following day.

The youngsters have impressed in their group so far, with the 3-0 victory over the Balkan nation being their fourth win out of four in their group. If they keep on in this form, their place at the final tournament in 2021 is all but guaranteed.

The game against the Eagles saw the first start at this level for Liverpool teenager Rhian Brewster. He has a bright future ahead of him, but he will need to make big improvements to break into the Reds’ first-team based on this performance.

Watch Liverpool Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The 19-year-old had a bit of a shocker. For the most part, he played a supporting role on the pitch. He had just 20 touches of the ball, making an astonishingly low nine passes considering England had 65% of the ball throughout the clash, and took part in just two duels – although he did win one.

However, he did have some big moments. Unfortunately, he fluffed his lines at each opportunity. He had four shots, with two on target and two missing it – one of which even hit the woodwork – which is not a great record for the team’s main striker.

Not only that, but he missed a penalty, and also had two big opportunities, both of which he couldn’t convert.

In the end, he was taken off after 72 minutes, with Aidy Boothroyd putting him out of his misery. His disappointing display may not have affected the final result, but it will have done him no favours in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp.

So far, he has made just two appearances in professional football, and he will be turning 20 next April. When you consider that Liverpool target Jadon Sancho, who is just six days older than Brewster, has made 82, you can see just how far behind the younger forward is.

The Reds man has also been the subject of interest from the Bundesliga in the past, where Sancho plays, and a short-term spell away from Merseyside would not go amiss, whether it be in Germany or domestically.

With Roberto Firmino leading the line at the moment at Anfield, Brewster’s chances are likely to be few and far between. At this point in his career, he needs to play. This England performance can only be described as rusty, and regular minutes is what he needs to avoid a repeat.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of striker Dwight Gayle as according to Chronicle Live reporter Mark Douglas, Newcastle United will listen to offers in January.

[ad_pod ]

What’s the word?

The Baggies are keen on bringing their former loan ace back to the Hawthorns this January, per the Telegraph, after the 29-year-old scored 24 goals in 40 league games last campaign.

Slaven Bilic’s chances of signing him have now been improved as an exit from the north-east seems rather likely if the Magpies are indeed willing to listen to offers for him.

Douglas claims that even though it will not be publicly advertised, Gayle is effectively on the trading block.

The striker has been limited to just four minutes of Premier League action this campaign, which at first was down to injury, but he has now been named on the bench in five straight matchday squads.

January boost

It is no secret that West Brom’s striking department has been faltering this season, even despite them ranking as the second-highest scorers in the division.

Charlie Austin has only managed to score once in 11 appearances, Kenneth Zohore’s two goals have come from the spot, and Hal Robson-Kanu just can’t score when given the opportunity to start a game with all three of his strikes coming as a substitute.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The trio have combined for just six of their 29 league goals this season, which is the same number as winger Matty Phillips alone, and if you then add Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana into the equation, the midfield three have contributed to 82% of their league goals, per WhoScored.

Therefore, it is fair to suggest that a striker would be much welcome at the Hawthorns in January.

The Baggies have a two-point cushion at the top of the Championship table but that could have been far greater had the likes of Austin and Zohore justified their combined £12m pricetag.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

After a gruelling trip to face FC Astana in the Europa League on Thursday afternoon, Manchester United return to familiar shores when they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made his intentions clear by selecting a youthful-looking squad and first-team for the clash against the Kazakhstani side in mid-week, and so there will be no doubt that the more established stars will all come straight back in against Villa.

The Red Devils find themselves in ninth in the Premier League table, and already nine points off the top four. Whilst a home game against a newly-promoted side may represent somewhat of a ‘easy’ fixture, Solskjaer’s men have already been upset at Old Trafford this season by the likes of Crystal Palace. They will need to be on their guard, and one man who will be tasked with stopping one of the visitors’ main threats is Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who will be coming up against Jack Grealish.

On the chalkboard

The United summer signing has been one of the rare bright sparks in what has been a disappointing season overall, settling into life at Old Trafford extremely well. Whilst his attacking contributions have left a lot to be desired – he has no goals or assists for the club as of yet – his defensive tenacity cannot be questioned. Despite missing two Premier League games, he is third on the list of the most tackles made this season with 55 to his name.

He has averaged a ridiculous five tackles per game in the top-flight, and is without doubt one of the league’s elite one v one defenders. And coming up against Villa captain and talisman, Grealish, he will certainly need to be on his game. The latter has been inspirational in the Midlands side’s return to the glitz and glam of the Premier League, registering four goals and five assists across all competitions.

Since Dean Smith has moved him over to the left-hand side, the 24-year-old has managed two goals and two assists, and has looked far more influential for Villa. He averages 2.8 key passes and 1.8 dribbles, and much of his team’s attacking forays comes through him. It will therefore be up to Wan-Bissaka to ensure he doesn’t have the time on the ball to pull the strings at Old Trafford.

[ad_pod ]

It promises to be a fascinating contest between a tackling machine and a dribbling king, and one that could define the outcome of the game either way.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have been left in awe after former transfer target Toni Kroos’ midfield masterclass for Real Madrid in the Champions League against PSG.

Many Tottenham Hotspur fans have been reacting on Twitter after Spurs fan account Talking THFC relayed comments from Liverpool throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark, who suggested he could work with the north London outfit next season.

In an interview with Kicker, he claimed he could leave the Reds to join another club in the summer.

He has since clarified his comments on Twitter, saying: “Just to put everything straight. I’m a freelancer. I make new contracts every summer. The mentioned clubs are just random to explain my position as a freelancer.

Best of the Decade: Top scorers & creators – Can you name them?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

“I’m very happy at LFC (Liverpool). Let’s see what the future brings. Stay safe.”

From that we can take it as clear that the Dane was suggesting clubs he could join because of his position as a freelancer, but you do have to wonder if it’s something Jose Mourinho could take an interest in.

As The Daily Mail reports, the Merseyside outfit have successfully used his techniques across both the first team and the academy since the 44-year-old’s arrival at Anfield 18 months ago, and it has helped Jurgen Klopp’s men from an attacking point of view.

It might not be a priority for Spurs right now, but it is surely something that could work for them – and players like Serge Aurier who are committing too many foul throws – in the future.

More than one Tottenham supporter has mentioned Aurier with their reactions to the story, while another said it “sounds ominous”, thinking that it could make them a team that just lump throw-ins into the box.

Here is just a selection of the reaction…

In other Tottenham news, Daniel Levy can soften a major potential exit blow for Spurs by signing a Christian Eriksen replacement in return…

Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown has criticised Tanguy Ndombele over his debut campaign for the club.

What did he say?

The Frenchman has come under fire from his own manager, Jose Mourinho, this season amid a difficult campaign since his arrival from Lyon last summer.

Mourinho publicly chastised the 5 foot 11 star after a game away at Turf Moor against Burnley, and Brown has further criticised the midfielder for his lack of consistency in his performances.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

He said: “The criticism has been quite strong on Ndombele from Jose Mourinho so can he handle that, is he up for the challenge. I think first and foremost, we need to see where that ends up and if it’s something where he can take the criticism. He does need to do better, he does need to be fitter.

“The criticism that comes out is harsh and perhaps could have been kept in the club but let’s be honest, he could do more. He’s unbelievable at times when you see him on the ball but you have to contribute more consistency throughout the game, throughout the season at that sort of level. I really expected a good season out of him. With that ability and flair, clubs will always be interested in an Ndombele.”

Crossroads

This summer promises to be a real crossroads in the career of Tanguy Ndombele, not just in his time at Spurs but as a professional footballer too.

If he makes the decision to stay and fight to prove his worth at Spurs then he will have the opportunity to change perceptions about him. But if he decides to leave, then his career will be tarnished with the brush of him making the choice to effectively quit when the going got tough.

Perhaps with a season in English football under his belt now, Ndombele can really begin to shine in his second year and go about trying to silence the doubters.

After signing the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Daniel James last summer, it’s unsurprising to hear new reports that Manchester United are yet again looking to target young, British players in this upcoming transfer window.

According to The Daily Mirror, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have earmarked a potential £20m move for Swansea defender Joe Rodon, with club legend and current Wales boss Ryan Giggs playing a major part in recommending him to the club.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

The report claims that Solskjaer wants to strengthen his defence this summer, and that Giggs is a “big fan” of Rodon – the United icon also urged the club to sign Daniel James from Swansea last year too.

After hearing about the links to the Championship ace, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

One United fan simply insisted that the links to Rodon showed that the Red Devils are “becoming a second rate club”.

Whilst James’ form tailed off considerably in the second-half of the Premier League campaign, he did start the season on fire, notching three times in his first four top-flight games.

There does appear to be reasonable value for money in young players making a name for themselves in the Championship, and Rodon could be yet another starlet who does just that.

It seems Giggs is beginning to have a real influence on the club’s transfer policy even without being at the club.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin has suffered a fresh injury blow after damaging his Achilles during a training session.

The club has confirmed the 24-year-old will need surgery and will undergo ‘an extensive period of rehabilitation’, according to an official statement released by Everton.

Gbamin only recently announced he was ready to get started with Everton and was feeling ‘fully recovered’ after his previous injury saw him sidelined for all but two games this season (via Transfermarkt).

Fans have responded to the news and many feel the best option would be to offload the Frenchman due to his injury history. One Blue has tweeted that ‘Brands needs grilling’ over bringing Gbamin to the club. The midfielder has missed a total of 150 days at Everton due to his hamstring injury, and was also sidelined for a total of 112 days whilst with former club Mainz (via Transfermarkt).

Another Evertonian has commented that Gbamin’s ‘career is over’ – which although seems like a stretch due to him being 24-years-old, it could still spell bad news for when he returns from this most recent setback. Gbamin will reportedly be sidelined for six months with his Achilles, which will take him to more than 16 months out of action.

Read more responses from disappointed Everton fans here:

How do you feeling about the recent injury news, Blues fans? Join the conversation in the comments below…

Name: Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Club: Manchester City

Date of Birth: 30 January 2002

Position: Centre-back

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – his career so far

Hailing from Stockport and the same Stockport Metro Junior League that produced his Manchester City teammate Phil Foden, the 18-year-old Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been a part of the Citizens’ academy ever since he was only six years of age.

And interestingly enough, the young defender also formed a partnership in the backline with another bright prospect of the academy who joined at a much later stage in his development, Eric Garcia. The whole generation seems incredible for Man City at this point and the best part is, they are only now starting to fully blossom and emerge onto the scene.

Harwood-Bellis, however, hasn’t had the exposure to the senior team his teammates have enjoyed since their progress from the academy. The imposing 18-year-old centre-back is still registered as Man City’s U23 squad member and can only boast with a handful of appearances for the first-team in his young career.

But he did climb the youth ranks quite quickly and with great impressions. He ended up playing a total of 18 games for the U18 squad, even netting an impressive three goals in the process as well. On a similar note, his ventures in the Youth Cup with the UEFA U19 team were equally good as he mustered ten appearances with a goal on the side as well as City clawed their way towards the final of the competition.

Still, his biggest contribution to date is to the U23s, for whom he played a total of 31 games and netted two goals in the process as well.

Harwood-Bellis’ professional debut arrived when he was named in the starting lineup for Man City’s EFL Cup clash against Preston North End in September 2019 and prior to that, he would also feature in the team’s pre-season US tour.

Since then, he could muster three additional appearances for the seniors, bagging one goal in the FA Cup as well.

Transfer latest

The biggest Manchester City news on the youngster is definitely the decision the club and Pep Guardiola will make on his future. He is only 18 years of age so there’s still a way for him to go in terms of progression and development but he’s been a regular with their U23s for quite some time now and he could probably use some first-team experience, either with the Citizens or possibly even on loan.

Either way, it wouldn’t really be a bad idea to show some faith in him and maybe push him towards the seniors a bit more often, just to ensure his immediate future remains linked to the Etihad.

Of course, with the summer transfer window approaching, City should also be alert to any transfer rumours or transfer news trying to unsettle the kid. At this point, however, nothing indicates they should be scared just yet.

Player profile

Harwood-Bellis is an imposing and powerful central defender that is well capable of shrugging attackers off the ball and then initiating attacks by himself when he’s in possession and has successfully forced a turnover.

When it comes to his positioning, the youngster usually has to deal with long-balls and aerial threats as City’s box is often bombarded in such a manner. But it’s interesting to see how he’s also aggressive in his approach as he often leaves his position in order to engage the opposition in a duel.

And while he still has to work on his decision-making and body orientation when defending, this is mostly due to the sheer inexperience and young age. He is, however, comfortable on the ball and would suit Man City’s style of play if given a proper chance.

With summer approaching and players’ contracts expiring across the country, many clubs are looking to see if they can add some quality to their teams for free, and Sheffield United are interested in a midfielder who is seeking a new club.

There have been recent transfer reports suggesting that the Blades are interested in Hartlepool United striker Josh Hawkes, via TEAMtalk. Various other clubs are also keeping tabs on the player, including fellow Premier League side Burnley, as well as Hull and Barnsley in the Championship.

Sheffield United’s hopes of landing him could have been boosted as Yorkshire Live revealed that Hawkes will leave National League side Hartlepool United shortly when his contract expires. This is due to the fact that the midfielder has not agreed a new deal with Pools and will soon become a free agent.

The midfielder is only 21 and, even though he has been playing in non-league football, the fact that Premier League and Championship clubs are interested in Hawkes highlight the scale of his potential.

Clubs in the Premier League and Championship has been able to find various gems from the National League before, including Jamie Vardy, Yannick Bolasie and Chris Smalling, via PlanetFootball.

You could argue that it is a risk, but as he is available on a free it is a very low risk that is worth taking for Chris Wilder and he could well be able to get the best out of the midfielder, just as he has done with a Blades squad who were tipped for relegation from the Premier League but sit in the top half with only seven games to go.

Blades fans, what are your thoughts on this transfer news? Comment below!

Brandon Williams arrived at Manchester United on Friday sporting a huge black eye after his head injury against Southampton. 

Williams turned up to training at Carrington with a whopper of a shiner.

The left-back, 19, clashed heads with Saints star Kyle Walker-Peters on Monday during the 2-2 draw with Southampton.

While Walker-Peters came away relatively unscathed, Williams wasn’t quite so lucky, and was left with blood pouring down his face after the incident took place in injury time. According to The Telegraph’s James Ducker, the cut required six stitches.

The Manchester Evening News’ chief football writer Samuel Luckhurst shared the image on social media, which in turn was relayed by @utdreport.

It seems he still hasn’t made a full recovery as he was spotted driving to the training ground ahead of Man United’s FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea at the weekend.

Unsurprisingly, Williams was hailed as a “warrior” by some fans for his latest war wound, with a couple calling him “ruthless” and “tough as nails” for making the trip to Carrington.

Scroll through some of the best reactions so far…

United fans, are you impressed by Brandon Williams’ determination? Let us know down below!