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Sheffield United’s woeful Premier League season continued at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace, a result which secures the visitors’ place in next season’s top flight.

An early goal from Christian Benteke set Roy Hodgson’s side on their way before Eberechi Eze made the points safe in the second half, although the Eagles were dominant throughout.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side failed to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes at Bramall Lane, whereas the visitors had eight shots on goal and were perhaps unfortunate to only score twice against a lacklustre Sheffield United, who look set for another struggle in the Championship next season unless there’s a notable overhaul at the club.

One man who disappointed in the defeat on Saturday was Oliver Burke, with the Scotland international struggling to get involved at all during his time on the pitch.

As per SofaScore, the former West Brom forward only managed 13 touches and four passes during his 65 minutes on the pitch, which was unsurprisingly the fewest of any player who started the game. Even Aaron Ramsdale in the Sheffield United goal had more, with the shot-stopper registering 40 touches and 13 successful passes during the game.

It was no surprise to see Burke axed by Heckingbottom shortly after the hour mark, as only Sander Berge (6.1) and David McGoldrick (6.3) earned a lower match rating than the attacker’s 6.4 from SofaScore.

As well as barely being involved, the 24-year-old struggled on the few occasions when he did have the ball, as his one dribble attempt was unsuccessful, whilst he also lost possession on seven occasions and was successful in just one of his five duels during the game, per SofaScore.

Although he has hardly set the world alight during his time at Bramall Lane, it was clear that he was way below par on Sunday, as so far this season he has averaged 10.1 passes per game, as well as 0.6 key passes and 0.6 dribbles, which demonstrates that he was even worse than usual against the Eagles.

In other news… Sheffield United should swoop for £3.15m-rated “top talent” likened to Messi

Steven Gerrard has said clubs “best bring an army” if they want to sign Glasgow Rangers’ best players this summer.

The Lowdown: Plenty of interest

The Gers have been fantastic this season, losing just three games – one on penalties – in all competitions on their way to the Premiership trophy, which they won without defeat (Sky Sports).

Such form has inevitably attracted transfer interest from a number of clubs. Ianis Hagi (Daily Record), Ryan Kent (The Sun) and Glen Kamara (Give Me Sport) are among the players to be linked with a move away from Ibrox.

The Latest: Gerrard defiant

Speaking during the celebrations on trophy day after beating Aberdeen 3-0 on Saturday, Gerrard was defiant about the futures of the Gers’ key players. He said (via Daily Record):

“Can I keep these players together? Well, let me flip the question for you.

“If anyone wants to take them away from me, they best bring an army with them.”

The Verdict: Easier said than done

Of course Gerrard will want to keep the bulk of his players together. They have achieved great things this season and they still have plenty more to target – they have the chance of qualifying for the Champions League group stages next term for the first time since 2010/11.

However, keeping hold of star players in Scotland is easier said than done. Unfortunately, the Premiership lacks the glamour of other divisions, especially the Premier League, while the Gers are unable to offer the same wages others can. Certain players, such as Alfredo Morelos (Radio Caracol), have expressed their desire to play in the English top flight, and it would appear that holding on to their services is only delaying their inevitable departure.

In other news, many Rangers fans praised this man’s performance against Aberdeen.

One of Celtic’s goals for the future should be to hand regular first-team opportunities to the younger players coming through at Lennoxtown.

The Hoops have begun to give them a better platform in the closing weeks of the season but there is still a long way to go before young players view Paradise as a place to rise through the ranks.

There have been exceptions at Parkhead in years gone by with young individuals like Kristoffer Ajer and Kieran Tierney make the breakthrough.

However, under Neil Lennon, he didn’t really give a second look at the reserve team.

Cameron Harper decided his future was elsewhere as he headed back to America while Armstrong Oko-Flex could have easily departed too.

Yet, there are now more positive signs. Karamoko Dembele has scored his first senior goal for Celtic and will be staying at the club this summer with his deal not expiring until 2022.

Many will be hoping to follow in his footsteps next term from Luca Connell who won League 2 with Queen’s Park to Leo Hjelde, a young defender compared to Virgil van Dijk.

One of their brightest prospects, though, is Adam Montgomery.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Transformed from a striker to a left-back, he’s made his first-team breakthrough in recent weeks, starting against St Johnstone in the 4-0 win and then appearing as a substitute on the final day against Hibernian.

Compared to Tierney by John Kennedy, the 18-year-old looks ready to be given a full-time role at senior level next season. By doing so, Dominic McKay could save the club millions.

That’s because they’re targeting the addition of Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey. Once of Celtic, he left for Hearts and then made the brave jump to Serie A last summer.

He’s developed nicely but instead of bringing one of their ex-players back, they’d be better off investing their time in the development of Montgomery.

Hickey might be more experienced at senior level but they possess similar traits, meaning Celtic could save money to invest in other more important areas of the team.

Speaking about Montgomery after his senior debut, Kennedy commented: “Adam was unfortunate not to play before now. He has been around the first team for the last five or six months training.”

The interim boss added: “He is similar to Kieran [Tierney] in a way. With young players we bring them up to train and after a week or two he made an impression and we could see he could handle it.

“You just see they are good to go – and he was. It’s a great start for him, we have high hopes for him for the future.”

Montgomery showed on his first start that he’s one to watch heading into next season.

The youngster completed 90% of his passes and also won three tackles, demonstrating competency in defence and attack.

It’s been a strange journey for the 18-year-old, but one he’s relished: “When [changing position] was first to put me, I was a bit ‘ahh’. I am a tricky winger normally, I like beating players and getting at people, he said.

“The way Celtic play full-backs is very attacking so going back to full-back, it hasn’t been a massive difference for me. I’m really enjoying it,” Montgomery concluded.

Starting out as a striker in the reserve team, he’s had to learn the ropes defensively but already looks rather accomplished in that area.

That’s more than can be said for the erratic Diego Laxalt, a defender who was at fault considerably during his final few weeks in Glasgow.

Whoever the new manager is, they need to ensure he has a route to first-team starts next season. Signing Hickey would not allow that to happen.

AND in other news, Imagine him under Howe: Celtic must unleash rarely-seen 17 y/o with a “massive future” …

Celtic will have a lot on their plate when the transfer window opens next month.

The Bhoys will hopefully have a new manager in place but they will need to address the comings and goings from what could be an unrelenting market at Parkhead.

Reported incoming manager Eddie Howe could lose plenty of faces early in his Hoops reign but there are replacements ready and waiting elsewhere.

What’s the word?

One player Celtic could turn their attentions to this summer is Ryan Gauld.

Once dubbed a ‘Mini Messi’, the 25-year-old was lured away from Dundee United and Scottish football by Sporting Lisbon when he was just a teenager.

Gauld is still plying his trade in Portugal but now features for Farense in the top tier.

He’s enjoyed a fabulous season on the continent but just missed out on being named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the European Championships.

Speaking on A Celtic State of Mind this week, journalist Tony Haggerty claimed he’d be a good addition for the Hoops: “For me, it’s a no-brainer for Celtic to just inquire because he is now a massive person of interest.   

“Not just to Celtic but seemingly, there was a story up here that he’s now got 31 clubs interested in him and some concrete offers, as well.”

Gauld was due to become a free agent this summer but Farense have reportedly triggered an extension to his deal. That said, there’s nothing stopping Celtic from continuing to pursue him.

Bye-bye Christie

One of the players who could leave Paradise behind in the coming months is Ryan Christie.

The attacker’s contract expires rather bizarrely in January 2022 so if Celtic want to receive a fee for his services they’d have to let him depart this summer.

Seeing him walk towards the departure lounge won’t be disastrous. After all, Christie endured an abject season.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

He scored just seven goals, 13 fewer than last term, and had a woeful success rate from shots attempted outside of the penalty area.

Signing Gauld, therefore, will give the Celtic hierarchy an extra excuse for selling Christie.

Capable of playing on the wings but primarily through the middle, he occupies similar spaces on the field to Celtic’s enigmatic forward.

The 25-year-old scored nine goals for Farense this term, taking his tally for the club to 20 strikes. He also provided seven assists during a mightily impressive campaign.

Gauld has been a familiar face to a Scottish audience for a considerable period of time and has caught the eye of Gordon Strachan on multiple occasions.

The former Celtic boss described him as “really brave” for making the move to Portugal in the first place.

As he was coming through the ranks, Strachan added: “We wish him all the best [at Sporting], because he has great talent and vision. I hope he can progress and get to where he definitely has a chance of reaching in the game.”

The Scot only played five times for the Sporting first-team but has made a healthy career for himself in Portugal.

Possessing an excellent weight of pass and quick feet, the attacking midfielder could give David Turnbull a run for his money.

Gauld completed 2.4 shots and 2.3 key passes per game this term compared to Turnbull’s 2.2 shots and 2.7 key passes.

Based on that, it’s evident he’d be a huge hit in Glasgow. Celtic must try their best to bring him to Paradise.

AND in other news, Celtic must sign “extremely dominant” £26m-rated beast, he’s a big upgrade on Laxalt…

Roy Hodgson is being disrespected on his way out of Crystal Palace, says former Premier League striker Brian Deane.

The 73-year-old managed his last game for Palace over the weekend and the south London club are now searching for a new manager.

Hodgson’s future had been up in the air all season due to his expiring contract, resulting in constant talk about the likes of Frank Lampard and Scott Parker potentially taking over.

For Deane, it has left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth, not happy with how some have spoken about Hodgson, especially compared to Lampard and Parker, who are both still quite inexperienced in this department of the game.

Speaking exclusively to TT about Palace’s manager situation, the ex-Sheffield United and Leeds United forward said:

“I’ve heard a couple of people on the radio say Scott Parker will be a good fit there or Frank Lampard. Listen, Roy Hodgson, he knows more on one hand than both of those guys put together. I think it’s [some of things that have been said] disrespectful.

“Yeah, people can turnaround and say they don’t play the most exciting football, but I think the balance is good because if you’re going to throw everything at games, then you’re going to lose more than half of them in the Premier League.

“I think what he’s done is he’s built a very good foundation.”

Indeed, over the last few seasons, Palace have looked like a solid team and one that rarely came into any sort of real relegation danger.

Hodgson definitely deserves a whole lot of credit for that after picking up a Palace side that were going absolutely nowhere under Frank de Boer.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via sportslens.com), Tottenham are still interested in signing Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs prepare for new campaign

While Tottenham remain without a permanent manager, Daniel Levy will surely be looking to bring in new players this summer.

With Harry Kane asking to leave the club (Sky Sports) and the likes of Davinson Sanchez (Football Insider) and Dele Alli linked with the exit door, it promises to be a busy few months.

The Latest: Spurs remain in the hunt for Sabitzer

Tottenham were heavily linked with a move for the Austria international last year (SportBild), but he ended up staying at Leipzig.

However, this latest report suggests they are still eager to sign him from the Bundesliga outfit. He was a strong target for Jose Mourinho, but he remains on the north London outfit’s radar even without the Portuguese boss in charge.

The Verdict: Top quality target

Sabitzer has enjoyed another impressive campaign with Leipzig. He scored nine times and provided seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt) as he captained the team throughout the campaign. He will also be representing Austria at the upcoming European Championships. Such is his importance to Leipzig, journalist Archie Rhind-Tutt labelled him as a “lynchpin” earlier this year (inews.co.uk).

With 109 goals to his name throughout his career for club and country despite being a midfielder, £37.8m-valued Sabitzer (Transfermarkt) could be a real threat in the Premier League. He has just one year remaining on his contract this summer, so the German side could face the decision of cashing in to avoid losing him for free next season.

In other news, Tottenham could sell this Champions League star this summer.

Leeds United will have to spend nearly £35million for Rodrigo de Paul’s services this summer, with Udinese holding firm on their asking price.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with De Paul

The Whites are expected to make new signings in the coming months, as they look to kick on after an impressive season back in the Premier League.

One player who has been constantly linked with a move to Elland Road is De Paul, who excelled for Udinese in 2020/21, enjoying 18 goal contributions in Serie A (nine goals and assists apiece).

The Argentina international has been hailed as a ‘great fit’ for Leeds by football data expert and analyst Dan Altman, but with a huge bid needed to prise him away from his current club.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Udinese want £35m

According to Goal, Udinese remain ‘adamant’ that any potential suitors for De Paul will have to pay €40m (£34.5m) to get him, with Atletico Madrid wanting a cut-price deal.

Leeds are mentioned in the report, but Atletico are seemingly now considered the front-runners to sign him.

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The Verdict: Worth breaking the bank?

De Paul is an outstanding player, so Leeds should continue to do all they can to sign him, even though it would comfortably break their transfer record set by Rodrigo (£27m) last summer.

Much like Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, the Argentine not only possesses great technical quality, boasting 3.4 dribbles and 2.3 key passes per game, but he is also a fierce competitor, averaging 1.2 tackles per game in the league last season, so perhaps he could transform the club up one more level, just like Fernandes has done at Old Trafford.

De Paul’s competitiveness, quality and end product could be a big upgrade to Leeds’ midfield, improving those around him and perhaps proving to be a talisman at the club – just like he has done at Udinese.

In other news, a pundit has claimed that one player would love to join Leeds this summer. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce could sign his club’s new Papiss Cisse in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have already suggested that the Magpies won’t have too much money to spend in the transfer window, and The Shields Gazette’s Liam Kennedy has delivered an update on who the Premier League club might look to target this summer.

In a Q&A, he said: “I think United will choose to keep what they have and box clever in the market, looking for loan deals, free transfers and squeezing as much value as they can out of their reduced summer budget. Players like Kristoffer Ajer are on the list. While deals for the likes of Josh King, Hamza Choudhury, Rob Dickie, Ross Barkley and Eddie Nketiah may also be explored.”

Newcastle’s new Cisse

In a truly electric spell at St James’ Park, Cisse arrived on Tyneside to partner Demba Ba, and the two proved crucial in the Magpies finishing in fifth place in the 2011/2012 Premier League season.

The Senegalese hot-shot bagged 13 goals in his first 14 top-flight games for the club, and of course, will be remembered for that iconic swerving strike at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

But that goal wasn’t really typical of what Cisse actually did best for Newcastle.

The centre-forward was a predator inside the box, and his instinctive finishes and superb movement, particularly coming onto the near post, made him a superb foil for Ba and someone who could ease the goal-scoring burden on his strike partner – as per Understat, all 14 of Cisse’s last goals for the Magpies in the league came inside the box, while five came within the width of the six-yard area.

And in Nketiah, they could get someone incredibly similar.

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has waxed lyrical about Nketiah, claiming that his style of play is very much reminiscent of Jermain Defoe. He said: “He reminds me of another Jermaine Defoe and look at how well he did at West Ham. He’s very much that similar sort of player. He plays off the shoulder, very dangerous in the box. He’s a player you can’t take your eyes off because his movement’s so good.”

His boss at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, has also raved about the kind of impact he has made at the Emirates, saying after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City: “I want him to keep doing what he’s doing. The way he played last night against those players, in those difficult conditions, for me is extraordinary at his age.

“He has an immense personality to play, confidence, he’s powerful and is developing in every area I think. I have a lot of faith in him.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-united-steve-bruce-premier-league-magpies-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-mike-ashley-takeover-pif” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

The £17m-rated Nketiah would offer Bruce that real poacher who does his best work inside the box, and either give the Newcastle boss a rotation option with Callum Wilson or perhaps even someone for the former Bournemouth man to play alongside.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is eyeing a move for this 6 ft 4 powerhouse…

Manchester City fans were far from happy with Raheem Sterling following comments he made after scoring in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia at Euro 2020.

Sterling was in action for the Three Lions as they kicked off their Euro 2020 campaign at Wembley. It could hardly have gone better for both Sterling and his country – he scored the only goal of the game as Gareth Southgate’s side picked up an important three points.

It was a special moment for the forward, and after the match, he spoke to the BBC (via Goal.com). He was discussing his form at City, and he said there are a number of different reasons as to why he has failed to hit the back of the net recently for the Citizens. Many City fans seemingly felt that his comments were a dig at their club.

Sterling’s comments were shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Sterling below

“Leave then”

Credit: @prxsham

“Dig at Pep that”

Credit: @Pepoholicc

“That’s not good to talk about City.”

Credit: @milanmahat

“If he is tired playing for City then sell him so he can bottle chances for another club”

Credit: @gripnripsports

“That was a dig at the club”

Credit: @RyanDawsy

“Hit on Pep and Man City? After a year of which we struggled to even watch this guy”

Credit: @DeBrxyne17

In other news, Man City fans rage at this Gabriel Jesus news.

Many Wolves fans have been left to flock to a big transfer update on Joao Moutinho.

As per Grada 3, Jorge Mendes has offered Valencia the opportunity to sign the central midfield player on a free transfer in the summer window.

Moutinho did not exactly have his best season, scoring just one goal and supplying one assist in 36 matches in total across all competitions (Transfermarkt).

Some Midlands club supporters grew more frustrated with some of his displays towards the end of the 2020/21 term, most notably against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

However, the Molineux outfit should at least be trying to get some form of a transfer fee for who is still a decorated player currently with the Portugal national team in Euro 2020 and looking to make an impact on the tournament.

Wolves fans on Moutinho transfer update

These WWFC fans seemed split over the transfer update on Moutinho as it was shared on Twitter:

“Thanks for the memories but it’s time to go!”

Credit: @WolvesBlogger1

“Makes sense to free up his wages”

Credit: @gricey88

“Rip his contract up”

Credit: @kevsta123

“Free? Looool”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Who will we have left?!”

Credit: @AlanDavis1893

“Numpties if they do!”

Credit: @SmithShakesp

In other news, find out which ‘excellent’ Euro 2020 ace Wolves are eyeing here!