Martinez backed to make Aston Villa exit

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could leave the club if the right offer arrives this summer, transfer expert Dean Jones has claimed.

The Lowdown: Rare low point for Martinez

The 30-year-old has barely put a foot wrong in his career in recent times, proving to be one of Argentina’s star men at the 2022 World Cup and being the penalty shootout hero against both the Netherlands and France.

For Villa, Martinez has also been a model of consistency – Matty Cash has hailed him as ‘unbelievable’ – but his last-gasp own goal against former club Arsenal on Saturday was an undoubted low point for him, followed up by the decision to leave his goal gaping for another Gunners goal.

The Argentine has been linked with a move away from Villa Park recently and it is a rumour that is refusing to go away, with Unai Emery ripping into his last-minute antics on Saturday.

The Latest: Goalkeeper could leave Villa

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Martinez could well depart Villa in the summer is another club offers a sufficient amount of money for his services:

“To be honest, I think if the offer is big enough, it’s probably plausible. There’s been talk of him leaving before.”

The Verdict: Feels highly likely

It does feel increasingly likely that Martinez will leave Villa once the summer transfer window arrives, with the £120,000-a-week star potentially eyeing up a new challenge and Emery clearly not a fan.

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He is arguably now seen as one of Europe’s leading ‘keepers, especially after his performances in Qatar, and a Champions League-playing club will hopefully come in with a bid NSWE will bite their hand off for.

The player himself has admitted he wants to play in Europe’s elite competition, which further adds fuel to the fire, and the fact that Martinez’s current Villa deal doesn’t expire until 2027 does put the Villans in a very strong position to demand a sizeable fee.

With that money, Emery could then further strengthen his squad, bringing in a strong replacement between the sticks but also adding in other key areas, such as signing a new striker.

Chelsea: Pochettino can make James the best

Chelsea are reportedly interested in appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their successor to the struggling Graham Potter and the Argentine manager could help Reece James achieve his potential at Stamford Bridge.

Could Mauricio Pochettino replace Graham Potter at Chelsea?

According to 90min, Chelsea have already made an approach to the former Tottenham Hotspur and PSG boss, although a move doesn’t look to be on the cards at the moment, as Pochettino remains unconvinced by a move to Stamford Bridge, and has reportedly turned down the Blues’ offer.

While Todd Boehly is said to still be behind Potter, the west London side look extremely unlikely to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League on current form, with last weekend’s embarrassing home defeat by Southampton the latest disastrous result for the former Brighton boss.

Pochettino is said to be keen on a return to management and while Chelsea might not tick all the boxes for him right now, a move at the end of the season might be more appealing for the 50-year-old, when he cannot be judged for the Blues’ failures so far this term.

Considering Boehly has forefronted an investment of over £600m since Potter’s arrival, it will surely not be long until the Englishman’s woeful run of form costs him his job at Stamford Bridge, although if he were to arrive as his replacement, Pochettino might be most excited about the prospect of working with one of Chelsea’s academy graduates, in Reece James.

Could Reece James become the “best in the world” under Pochettino?

James has endured a difficult time with injuries of late but has shown in previous appearances that he can easily be considered one of the best right-backs in the league when fit.

Last season saw the former Wigan loanee register a phenomenal five goals and nine assists in just 26 Premier League appearances, averaging a superb 7.24 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

At just 23, there seems no reason why the England international can’t go on to become renowned as one of the top performers at right-back, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already dubbing him the “best in the world” in his position earlier in the season.

Under Pochettino, James would arguably only get better. The Argentine has helped to develop two of the best right-backs in the Premier League in Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, with both Englishman featuring in more than 90 games under the former Southampton boss at Spurs.

Achraf Hakimi would also notch four goals and six assists in just 41 appearances under Pochettino at PSG, so he clearly has an eye for an attacking right-back, and James could really prosper under his management.

Therefore, while the focus has been on expensive new signings, appointing Pochettino as Potter’s successor could see one of Chelsea’s best academy graduates really push on to the top of his game at Stamford Bridge.

Palace interested in signing Wan-Bissaka

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Wan-Bissaka’s resurgence

Hailed as a ‘monster’ by members of the media back in 2020, the defender has produced some solid displays at Old Trafford following the World Cup towards the end of last year.

He played just four minutes of Premier League action prior to the tournament in Qatar but has featured in nine of his team’s last 10 top-flight games, with Erik ten Hag’s side going from strength to strength.

The 25-year-old has impressed his manager and remained at Old Trafford beyond the January transfer window despite previous reports of a possible exit, but it looks as if a return to Selhurst Park could still be on the cards.

The Latest: Palace still want Wan-Bissaka

Football Insider shared a story in the last 48 hours regarding Wan-Bissaka and Palace. The reports claims that the Eagles, and by extension Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman, are interested in signing the defender.

The Red Devils are  believed to be chasing a new right-back of their own, with Wan-Bissaka giving serious thought to leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The Verdict: Get it done

Wan-Bissaka, who shares the same agency as Eagles duo March Guehi and Jeffrey Schlupp, appears to be getting back to his best, so now could be the perfect time to explore a move for the former Palace academy product.

Patrick Vieira’s two right-back options at this moment in time are Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne, both of whom are over the age of 30 and out of contract at the end of the season. Therefore, the club could do with thinking about the long-term in that area, so bringing back Wan-Bissaka could be a wise move to explore.

The 25-year-old is into the final 18 months of his United contract, too, so the Eagles may fancy their chances of bringing him back for a fee of less than £50m, the price for which they sold him to Old Trafford in 2019.

Man United still back captain Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is still receiving the backing of his teammates and the club despite the recent criticism from Sunday’s defeat.

What did Bruno Fernandes do against Liverpool?

Sunday showed just how much things can change in the space of the week with United going from lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley to a 7-0 thumping at Anfield in just seven days.

And Fernandes was on the end of some heavy criticism on the weekend after being slammed for seemingly giving up after the game had gone from United.

Sky Sports man Gary Neville tore into the Portuguese midfielder for his behaviour during the game despite wearing the captain’s armband for Erik ten hag: ‘Some of Fernandes’ behaviour in this half has been a disgrace,’ said Neville.

But speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed the 28-year-old is still really appreciated by the club:

“From what I understand, guys – and this is really important to mention – Bruno Fernandes is really appreciated by his teammates. He has a fantastic relationship with many of his teammates, so he has no problem at all, no issue with his teammates at Manchester United. He’s a player really appreciated by Erik ten Hag.

“So this is why the expectation around Manchester United is for Bruno to be in a great relationship with his teammates.”

Should Fernandes still be United’s captain?

On the whole, it has been an impressive campaign for the Portuguese midfielder who has returned seven goals and 11 assists across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

And his form since the World Cup break has been particularly impressive with eight goal involvements in the Premier League since his return from Qatar.

However, wearing the captain’s armband brings other responsibilities and it could be viewed as the midfielder failing to show those qualities on the weekend.

A video clip has circulated on social media of Fernandes stopping still after being beaten by Stefan Bajcetic which has seen him come under a lot of fire.

And the game should certainly act as a learning curve for the midfielder who was also slammed for his reaction to the slightest of touches from the opposition.

It is clearly not the example that Ten Hag would expect his captain to set especially in a game at Anfield against their bitter rivals.

So it will be interesting to see whether Fernandes does change his ways over the coming months and if not whether that might be something which Ten Hag may consider going into next season.

Gambling on Football – The Best Markets

The most popular sport in the world is football, and it’s easy to see why. Football is fast-paced, exciting and entertaining. There are plenty of leagues around the world which means there are always matches being played somewhere at any given time – and that means there are plenty of opportunities to bet on football too. If you’re looking for ways to make money as a punter then these tips will help you find success. Some online casinos offer amazing offers so don’t miss out on those.

Football is the most popular sport in the world, and it is not hard to understand why. Football is a global game that appeals to a wide range of people and attracts huge crowds every week. The World Cup is one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar, with billions tuning in from around the globe to watch their countries battle for glory.

Football betting can be hugely lucrative if you know where to look for value bets and how best to maximize your chances of winning money by betting on football matches correctly.

Football is a global game that appeals to a wide range of people and attracts huge crowds every week

Football is a global game that appeals to a wide range of people and attracts huge crowds every week. The popularity of football has grown considerably over the years, as it has become an important part of our lives. Football has become so popular that there are now hundreds of thousands of players around the world who enjoy playing it on their weekends or evenings.

Football is one of those sports where you can spend time with friends or family members, making sure that everyone gets involved in some way or another. You can also play with other teams from around your area which gives people more opportunities to socialize with others outside their usual circle at home or the workplace. Many online casino sites offer chat options or ways to help out a friend by sending him a tip (so that he or she can start wagering).

The World Cup and the Super Bowl Great Gambling Potential

The World Cup is one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar, and it regularly attracts many more viewers than even the Super Bowl does. This is because more people are interested in football than any other sport and they have been since before television was invented. In fact, when you think about it, football has been around for centuries longer than any other popular sport on Earth!

The World Cup is held every four years (except during wartime), and takes place in different countries around the world – this means that sometimes it’s held close to where you live so you can go see all those famous players live at your local stadium or arena. It usually takes place between June and July each year; however, there have been times when they’ve had to change this date due to bad weather conditions like snowstorms etcetera…

Gambling on football is big business for both online and offline bookmakers, with thousands of people placing bets every single day on their favourite teams, players and competitions from across the globe.

It’s not just serious punters who enjoy placing a wager on their team though; many football fans enjoy gambling purely for fun or perhaps as an opportunity to win some extra cash. Whatever your reason for betting on football may be, there are plenty of options available online so don’t hesitate!

Gambling on football is a great way to make money. There are many different ways to gamble on football, each with its own set of rules and regulations, similar to what each online casino has – but all can be fun, entertaining and profitable if you follow these simple tips:

  • Gambling on the Premier League can be made more profitable by using good odds from trustworthy bookmakers such as Ladbrokes or bet365.
  • When gambling on specific matches or markets it is important that you understand exactly what you’re betting on before placing any bets because some markets may not be available at certain times during the season (for example when teams are playing in European competitions) and there may be restrictions placed upon your gambling account by certain bookmakers (such as only being able to bet £5 per person per week).

Gambling on quality markets, having good odds and knowing when to pull out at the right time

Identifying Value in Markets on most online casinos.

The first step in being profitable as a football punter is identifying value in your market. This means finding something that other people aren’t seeing or don’t think about. If there is something obvious then everyone will take advantage of it and the odds will get shorter (and therefore harder for you). For example, let’s say there’s an old striker who has been injured all season but he just came back from injury last week against Spurs – he scored 2 goals and created another chance which could have been converted into another goal if not for some poor finishing by his teammates! You could find some reasons why this player might be able to score against Watford today like “he’s fit again”, “he played really well last week” etc…but these things aren’t nearly enough evidence compared with what else could happen during 90 minutes’ worth of football action!

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand some of the basics of gambling on football at the best online casinos. If you want to get started with your own bets, then check out our handy guide above on how to bet online and start making some money! Don’t forget that this could take huge risks so gamble responsibly!

Photo by Unsplash

Harry Kane among ‘main options’ for Man Utd

Manchester United still see Tottenham superstar Harry Kane as one of their ‘main options’ this summer, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.

The Lowdown: Kane constantly linked with move

The 29-year-old has enjoyed another highly impressive season for Spurs, scoring 20 goals in 27 Premier League appearances and also breaking the club’s scoring record.

Kane’s future looks to be up in the air, however, and United have been linked with a move for him numerous times recently, as well as over the years in general.

The Red Devils badly need an elite striker to come in during the summer transfer window and the England captain could be the man who fits the bill most.

The Latest: New update emerges

According to The Athletic‘s Ornstein, United see Kane as ‘among the main options’ to sign at the end of the season, as they weigh up potential candidates.

It is stressed that Spurs are ‘not even contemplating a sale’, however, so it may not be easy for them to get their man.

The Verdict: Last chance for a big move

Kane has remained very loyal to Spurs, despite their complete lack of trophies during his career there, but this summer could be the one that sees him want to leave, and Tottenham may not have much choice in the matter if he does not sign a new deal – they cannot afford to lose such an asset for free in 2024.

The 53-goal England legend will be 30 by the time next season starts and this year surely represents the last chance for him to gain a genuinely huge move elsewhere.

Kane couldn’t be a more perfect fit for United, with the Spurs ace possessing both relentless goalscoring prowess – he has scored 203 times in 309 Premier League outings – but also playmaking abilities that see him drop deep and allow space in behind for the wide men like Marcus Rashford.

Antonio Conte has rightly described Kane as a ‘world-class’ footballer and he is someone who could turn United into genuine title contenders, such is his quality.

Lee Ryder hints at several Newcastle absentees this week

Journalist Lee Ryder has claimed that there could be a few Newcastle United absentees at the City Ground this weekend.

The Lowdown: Howe will be hoping for positive injury news

Newcastle will be hoping that they can make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time in 2023 when they travel to Nottingham Forest in the first kick-off of the weekend – although they could be walking wounded.

This is mainly because Eddie Howe admitted during his press conference that there were a few knocks and niggles after his side were part of a very physical game against Wolves last Sunday, which could be a cause for concern.

The Magpies aren’t the only side with injury woes, though, as opponents Forest are set to be without Brennan Johnson for the big clash, which will be a huge boost for Newcastle given the form he’s been in as of late.

The Latest: Newcastle players may face late fitness tests

After sitting in on Howe’s pre-match press conference, Ryder revealed on his YouTube channel that the Toon boss hinted at some potential absentees on Friday evening due to several small injuries.

He said: “Really, for Newcastle now going into this crucial period, they’re going to need everyone. Eddie Howe said today the majority of the squad should be available for Forest.

“So that is a little hint that there could be a couple of absentees. He did say that a couple of players haven’t trained this week, so we’ll have to wait and see exactly what squad turns up at the City Ground.”

The Verdict: Managing fitness and injuries will be key for Newcastle

With just 13 games left to play in the Premier League, we have certainly entered into the business end of the season, so keeping everyone fit to play in these crucial games will be very important for Newcastle’s chances of finishing in the top four.

It would be a huge shame for Newcastle and Howe if they were to miss out on European football altogether – which is possible given the form of Brighton and Brentford – so Howe’s side will need their top players fully fit to fight off some stiff competition.

Howe has had to deal with several major injury blows to his team this season, with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Joe Willock and Fabian Schar all missing games so far, and they can ill afford to miss many more given how often they’ve featured this term.

Everton: Duvan Zapata transfer update

Everton are ready to make a €15m (£13m) offer for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata this summer, according to a report from Il Giorno.

The Lowdown: Everton eyeing forward

The Toffees were keen on new attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window, coming close to signing Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma, before he instead went on to join Tottenham Hotspur.

It was not just Danjuma that Everton missed out on, with Andre Ayew deciding to move to Nottingham Forest, having attracted the interest of the Merseyside club on deadline day, while Kamaldeen Sulemana preferred a move to Southampton.

Zapata was an option in the earlier stages of the January transfer window, with former manager Frank Lampard personally requesting the striker, however the two clubs were unable to strike an agreement.

The Latest: Interest reignited

According to a report from Il Giorno (via Sport Witness), Everton are looking for a striker with physical power who is available for a fee that won’t break the bank , and they feel the Atalanta forward meets these requirements, so they are readying an approach.

The Toffees would be willing to offer €15m (£13m) to secure the services of the 31-year-old, who has seen his price tag collapse dramatically due to injuries and the emergence of young striker Rasmus Hojlund this season.

With the Colombian’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2024, the next transfer window is said to be the ideal time for Atalanta to recoup some money for him while they still can, potentially opening the door for a move to Merseyside.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Serie A analyst Matteo Bonetti has waxed lyrical about the veteran forward in the past, describing him as: ‘A freight train of a striker. One of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe who finally exploded in his late 20s. Excellent in the air, physically imposing and a much improved finisher. “

It has not been the easiest of seasons for the 34-time Colombia international, for the most part being limited to appearances from the bench due to a variety of different injury issues, and the goal-scoring exploits of Hojlund.

By the time Zapata is able to complete a move to Goodison Park he will be 32-years-old, and so his age, coupled with his injury record, means that it would be a risk to bring him in on anything longer than a two-year deal.

Provided the Serie A marksman is able to put his injury problems behind him, he could be a decent addition Sean Dyche’s squad, weighing in with a very respectable 82 goals and 42 assists in 181 appearances during his time with Atalanta.

Howe Has A Dream Heir To £63m Newcastle Star In "lethal" Teen

Newcastle United have emphatically stormed into European contention this season, and with just two points separating the Magpies from fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, who have played two games extra, Champions League football gracing St. James's Park next term is a very real possibility.

The defence is oiled and imperious, the midfield cohesive and robust, up top, £63m summer signing Alexander Isak is offering glimpses of world-class dominance despite his season being heavily hampered by injury.

Isak has scored six goals from just seven starts in the Premier League, including three strikes from his past two matches, and the Swede looks to be a real force at the tip of manager Eddie Howe's system, prolific and hailed as "a unicorn for his mixture of size & technical ability" by radio presenter Kev Lawson.

His injury record is concerning, however, with the 23-year-old missing 13 competitive matches for the Toon thus far, and while 31-year-old forward Callum Wilson has been a steady presence up front in his absence, scoring seven goals from 19 league outings this term, Howe will be looking to unearth a strike partner for his record signing to solidify the frontline for years to come.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

Newcastle's affluence could prompt technical director Dan Ashworth to delve into the transfer market yet again, but with such a potent forward already adopting the talismanic role, turning to youth prospect Michael Ndiweni could be the route to head down.

Who is Michael Ndiweni?

Ndiweni took U18 football by storm last season, scoring a laudable 13 goals from 17 appearances, including from 13 outings in the U18 Premier League and three from three in the FA Youth Cup.

This season, fortunes have been less fruitful as the 19-year-old has stepped up to U21 level, with just two strikes and one assist from 12 matches in the Premier League 2, though with just five starts to his name he is making steady progress and will hope to harness his "lethal" quality soon – as hailed by Ciaran Kelly.

With his "impressive" start to life with the Magpies, as remarked by journalist Matty Hewitt, only set to expand as he continues to acclimatise to life with the U21s, he will indeed be pushing on Howe's door for a senior debut, having already trained with the first-team on several occasions.

Hailed as a "real threat" by Mark Carruthers, Ndiweni might not find a place in Howe's plans this term but if he is to continue his development and notch up his goal threat with the U21s he could well find a place in the reckoning for contention at one of the Premier League's most exciting forces.

Indeed, with the injury records of both Isak and Wilson, there is every chance his first-team dreams become a reality in short time.

West Ham United Targeting £7.5k-p/w "Warrior"

West Ham United still cannot be sure which division they will be playing in next season but it seems as if the Hammers are already planning some of their transfer business.

The latest player to be linked with a move to David Moyes' side is Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, with the centre-back impressing on loan with Burnley in the Championship this term.

Could West Ham sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

According to 90min, West Ham are among a number of clubs showing an interest in the 21-year-old, whose contract at the Etihad, where he earns £7.5k-per-week, is set to expire next summer.

While the report claims that City rate the Englishman highly and want to extend his contract further, the academy graduate recognises that he is way down the pecking order in Pep Guardiola's thinking, with world-class centre-backs such as Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones all ahead of him.

Burnley would understandably like to sign the defender permanently in the summer after his starring role in their likely title-winning Championship campaign but will face competition from the Hammers, as well as Newcastle United, Fulham and Brentford.

Should West Ham sign Harwood-Bellis?

This season has seen the youngster make 27 appearances in the second tier for Vincent Kompany's side, contributing one goal and two assists, with a superb 7.15 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Not only is this a better average rating than anyone in West Ham's squad, with Declan Rice the highest rated at the London Stadium with a 6.98 rating from WhoScored, but his return of 1.9 interceptions per game is also unmatched by anyone at the east London club.

Harwood-Bellis has now accumulated 100 senior appearances in his career with City, Stoke, Anderlecht, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, where he would earn the praise of former manager Tony Mowbray during his loan spell in the 2020/21 campaign.

He said: “Taylor has a defensive instinct, a warrior attitude and he’s someone who wants to win headers and tackles. He wants to engage, he’s composed on the ball and has a lot of really good attributes."

Moyes has worked to improve West Ham's central defensive options in his time at the club and brought Nayef Aguerd to the club last summer, with the Morocco international starting to prove his worth at the London Stadium after a goal and clean sheet in the vital win against Southampton last Sunday.

While his current partner, Kurt Zouma, has been a reliable servant in his time at West Ham, the Frenchman is also far too injury prone and is currently enduring one the worst seasons of his career, averaging a disappointing 6.67 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Now 28, the former Chelsea man cannot be considered a long-term option next to Aguerd due to his injury issues, and Moyes might be better served by bringing in a talented youngster such as Harwood-Bellis instead.

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