All posts by z3u9t.icu

Plenty of Southampton fans were far from happy with the performance of Takumi Minamino during their 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Despite playing at St Mary’s Stadium, the Saints were unable to pick up anything against the Seagulls. Lewis Dunk opened the scoring before Che Adams equalised, but Leandro Trossard scored the winner in the second half to give Brighton a huge three points. The defeat leaves the Saints seven points above the relegation zone (Sky Sports).

A number of Saints fans were particularly disappointed with the display of Minamino, who is currently on loan at Southampton from Liverpool. He landed just 79% of his passes, lost possession eight times (SofaScore) and looked like a passenger for the large majority of the time he was on the pitch. It was no surprise to see him taken off for Nathan Redmond – himself an oft-maligned figure – even though Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were in search of a goal.

These fans were far from impressed with the 26-year-old loanee’s showing, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Minamino below

“Is Minamino Redmond in disguise today?”

Credit: @archie_sfc

“Minamino having a poor game… so far”

Credit: @NorwegianSaint2

“Sorry but Minamino does nothing”

Credit: @James_Dack

“Minamino is awful”

Credit: @rthomas95

“Just Google translated Minamino from Japanese to English…. ‘Minimal impact’.”

Credit: @crstig

“Can’t be worse than what’s been out there today. Minamino given it away 5000 times.”

Credit: @KingslandMush

In other news, some Southampton fans react to this FA charge.

Are we finally moving closer to finding out who the new manager of Celtic will be? Certainly, if you believe various sources and reports, there has now been a major development in their search.

What’s the word?

Celtic have been dealt numerous setbacks in their hunt to find a new manager this week. Jesse Marsch has been ruled out of the running while Rafa Benitez wants a return to the Premier League, rather than moving to Scotland.

As a result, they have now ramped up their pursuit of a new manager by opening discussions with Roy Keane.

That’s according to Football Insider who claim talks have taken place with the Irishman in a bid to bring him to Parkhead. It’s thought the Hoops hierarchy are now even sensationally prepared to offer him the job.

That news came just shortly after Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes revealed that Keane could take over.

He told listeners on Go Radio: “There seems to be an open secret, and I may be proven wrong, that Fergal Harkin is coming in as a Director of Football, and then we’ve heard the head coach maybe one of either Enzo Maresca or Roy Keane, and the information we have been getting today is Roy Keane is potentially going to be that man.”

Not good news

As Dykes continued, this was not going to be news taken well by Hoops supporters.

“That that seems to have gone down like a lead balloon amongst the Celtic support today when we were talking about that on A Celtic State of Mind,” he added.

You can certainly see why too. Keane has not managed a football club for the best part of ten years, a period dating back to when he was in charge of Sunderland.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-boupendza-mcgeady-marsch-mccarthy” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

Of course, Keane has since been involved with Nottingham Forest and Ireland as Martin O’Neill assistant but it represents an almighty risk to hand someone such a large job when they’ve been out of the game for so long.

What Celtic need right now is stability. They’ve just lost the title for the first time in a decade and the club is full of so much uncertainty. A new director of football and CEO are set to arrive this summer so surely they need someone with a bit more experience?

After all, Keane doesn’t particularly have the most glistening of records. Although the 49-year-old got Sunderland promoted from the Championship in 2006/07, he has nearly lost as many games (69) as he has won as a manager (70).

With people like Roberto Martinez and Ralf Rangnick spoken about as people who could replace Neil Lennon, Celtic can do far better than Keane.

AND in other news, Celtic star could leave after worrying phone calls emerge, Desmond must be scared…

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has shared news after Jack Clarke suffered a ‘cruel’ injury blow out on loan at Stoke City – with the Mauricio Pochettino signing now back in north London and awaiting the next steps.

Clarke suffered ankle ligament damage on his temporary Championship stint away from Spurs and it was confirmed by their manager he wouldn’t be able to play again this season (Stoke Sentinel).

Tottenham source drops Clarke update

The player himself also sent a message to supporters on Instagram revealing his time at the Bet365 stadium has come to an end, with Football Insider stating he is now back at Tottenham.

A Lilywhites source, speaking to the outlet, has claimed that the next step for Clarke is to meet with the medical team in the coming days and begin planning his rehabilitation.

This is to get him fit for next season as quickly as possible after the initial timeline for his recovery was set at six weeks in a ‘cruel’ blow for the winger.

Signed by Pochettino in 2019 for a deal that could rise to £11.5 million (The Guardian), it has been a mixed first two years in north London.

Transfer Tavern take

Jose Mourinho was thought to be really impressed by Clarke in training earlier this season and even planned to have him remain at Hotspur Way and learn from the likes of Gareth Bale (Alasdair Gold).

However, in a U-turn, Clarke headed out on loan to Stoke before suffering his latest setback.

Time will tell what the future could hold for him next season, but the priority is now to get him back to full fitness.

In other news: Tottenham turn to this ‘very talented’ unseen youngster, find out more here.

Leicester City came from behind to claim a point against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening.

Kelechi Iheanacho got the all-important goal to haul the Foxes level following Matej Vydra’s early opener.

Brendan Rodgers’ men probed for a winner in the second-half but could not get past a stubborn Burnley rearguard – the catalyst of all of their creativity being winger Marc Albrighton.

The former Aston Villa man was only introduced in the 67th minute of the game as he replaced Iheanacho but he certainly left an impression during his brief cameo.

He managed to get 21 touches of the ball according to WhoScored – six more than Foxes star Jamie Vardy who played the full game – and was extremely positive in going forwards.

He made two key passes during the match, as well as having two shots at goal, one being a powerful effort that was just kept out by Burnley stopper Nick Pope.

Albrighton’s general play was also very crisp and composed, too, racking up a 93.8% pass accuracy which was only bettered by fellow Leicester substitute Sidnei Tavares.

It was certainly an impressive performance then from the £4.5m-rated Leicester man and may well see him earn a few more starts as the season begins to draw to a close.

With regular wideman Harvey Barnes set to be out injured with a knee injury for a few more weeks according to Brendan Rodgers, it now gives Albrighton the perfect opportunity to stake a claim in the starting XI and build on his Turf Moor appearance.

After all, his season statistics are not the most convincing having only scored once and provided three assists in all competitions.

But, the winger’s energetic and lively display after coming off the bench against the Clarets on Wednesday should surely see Albrighton become an excellent option for the Foxes over these coming days.

In other news, Leicester links to Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim continue to baffle…

Hammers insider ExWHUemployee claimed earlier this week, while speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, that David Moyes’ side could sign Besiktas striker Vincent Aboubakar in the January transfer window.

David Sullivan launching efforts to land the Senegal beast could see the Irons co-owner and Chairman hand Moyes his new Marko Arnautovic, after hinting recently at desires to find another of the Austrian’s calibre having lacked much quality in the box against Chelsea.

West Ham have since sold Sebastien Haller to AFC Ajax in a £20m deal to further deplete Moyes’ offensive arsenal, with Michail Antonio – back from a second hamstring injury of the season – now the Scottish tactician’s only recognised senior centre-forward at the club.

West Ham’s lack of attacking options and activity in the transfer market saw Moyes face Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup without a recognised striker starting on Saturday, with winger Andriy Yarmolenko instead tasked with leading the line at the London Stadium.

The Hammers have been linked with an endless stream of strikers since selling Haller, but ExWHUemployee has suggested Aboubakar may be an option the club will explore as the 63-cap international could be available for a bargain fee.

West Ham have explored signing Aboubakar in past windows and continue to look on the 29-year-old’s talents in a positive light, having scored 10 goals in 15 Super Lig fixtures after joining Besiktas as a free agent last summer.

His deal at Vodafone Park is a one-year contract that features an option to extend based on his performances over the 2020/21 campaign, that have so far seen the £6.5m-rated frontman score 22% of Besiktas’ total 45 goals in the Super Lig this term.

Sullivan signing Aboubakar in the closing stages of the January transfer window could see the West Ham chief land Moyes the new-Arnautovic type the former Manchester United boss is looking for. Any funds saved this month may also help the east London outfit land a higher-calibre target when greater options become available at the end of the season.

West Ham certainly can ill-afford to not strengthen Moyes’ attacking options in the winter market given Antonio’s injury issues, and should have no qualms over Aboubakar being a reliable option having only not featured in a Super Lig game this season after the loss of his mother last month.

Goals have continued to flow for the physical 6ft brute since his return, too, as Aboubakar moved his goals and assists per 90 ratio to 0.87, per FBref, while staying calm under pressure to score four from four penalty kicks taken.

No player currently at the London Stadium is contributing at a similar level, with Antonio (0.6) ranking first among all West Ham players who have featured in the Premier League on multiple occasions this term. Haller, for comparison, had offered just 0.29 before his exit.

AND in other news – Exclusive: Pundit drops verdict on West Ham’s interest in a lethal striker adored by a Moyes favourite.

West Brom may well be sitting on their striker of the future right now.

Young academy product Callum Morton broke onto the scene during a prolific loan spell at League Two outfit Northampton Town last season, and whilst his current temporary stint away from the Hawthorns is currently blighted by injury, he’s certainly got the potential to become a star.

The 20-year-old is a player who has modelled his game on the likes of Jamie Vardy and ex-Albion star Shane Long, though it is another former club legend that he bears the most similarities to – Kevin Phillips.

Phillips bagged a whopping 46 goals in 81 appearances for the Baggies and played a huge part towards Vardy’s success down the road at their Midlands rivals. The Foxes’ official website noted him as a coach and ‘striker mentor’ in 2015, so it’s no surprise that they are quite the same in playing style.

And if Morton is looking up to the Englishman, then it only bodes well for West Brom in the long run.

In his first month at the Cobblers, he notched five goals in seven appearances to claim the division’s ‘Player of the Month’ award. Throughout the campaign, his performances and goals were enough to help them into the playoffs where he scored a brace to fire them into the final at Wembley.

He took that in his grasp too, scoring one of their four goals on their way to promotion.

In League Two that season, Morton had the best conversion rate of any striker in the division, scoring eight goals from 24 shots (33%) whilst he scored 83% of his efforts that were on target, which also led the league, as per FBRef (via Scouted Football).

These are mightily impressive returns that Phillips would’ve been proud of.

In the summer, former Albion boss Slaven Bilic waxed lyrical about the young striker after holding contract talks. He told the Express & Star:

“I spoke with him a lot of times, he wasn’t training with the group, but I had a lot of chats with him. I didn’t know him as a player but to see that character – he has got something special. He is made of steel.”

Indeed, Morton is now under contract at the Hawthorns for another three and a half years, so there is plenty of time for him to make his mark at the club – perhaps if the Baggies do go down, the door could then open for him.

But first, he’ll have to get back on track following a serious shoulder injury in September with League One front-runners Lincoln City.

If he keeps up his goalscoring form, then he has every chance to become Albion’s next Phillips.

AND in other news, Foolish Dowling missed a £2m bargain in “fearless” PL gem…

David Moyes should urge a summer swoop for Rochdale starlet Kwadwo Baah in a bid to sign West Ham United’s new Junior Stanislas.

What’s the word?

According to Football League World, the Hammers are keen to hold talks with Baah over a potential transfer to the London Stadium with his Dale contract due to expire in June.

The forward looked set to seal a Premier League move during the recent winter market with Manchester City said to have been close, yet the deal fell through after the player’s medical.

Baah had agreed to join the Citizens as he felt the Etihad Stadium would have been the best place for his development following a loan spell for the 2021/22 season, but he’s now back on the market for a number of Premier League and European clubs to target.

The 18-year-old had sparked widespread interest with his eye-catching performances for League One side Rochdale, netting three goals and providing two assists in all competitions since making his senior debut in December 2019.

He has kicked on greatly this season with each of Baah’s goal involvements coming over 22 third-tier appearances, of which the Stuttgart-born, Ghana and England citizen has started 11.

Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy confirmed Manchester City were not the only club keen on his side’s talented youngster while his deal to join Pep Guardiola’s side hung in balance, leaving West Ham facing a challenge if they are to convince Baah of a move this summer.

“He’s probably one of the most talented wide players we’ve ever had at the club,” the Dale manager said, via quotes by the Manchester Evening News, after a 2-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic. “I understand the deal with Manchester City is still not completed, so a lot of other clubs are monitoring that closely.

“I’m privileged to have him in our squad going forward because even today, I thought most of our attacking moments were through him and at 18, that’s a great credit to him.”

Should West Ham sign Baah?

Moyes urging West Ham to open negotiations with Baah and his representatives ahead of becoming a free agent at the end of the season could see the Scottish coach land the Iron’s their new Stanislas.

Stanislas broke out of West Ham’s academy at 19 and soon established himself in the first-team fold with 26 appearances during the 2009/10 Premier League season. He may not have lasted long in east London before moving to Burnley in 2011, but the former England U21 international would go on to enjoy a strong career in the top-flight.

The forward amassed 140 games in the division between his time at West Ham and AFC Bournemouth prior to their relegation, in which he scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists and he never failed to end a campaign with a contribution of less than two.

Ex-Cherries boss Eddie Howe lauded the vision of the 31-year-old beyond his output, as well, as Stanislas boasts tremendous technical qualities.

“He is a quality player, he’s got very good technical ability,” Howe told the Daily Echo. “He sees a pass, he is that creative link we’ve maybe been missing [due to hamstring and knee issues].”

Baah is emerging on a similar path to Stanislas, with Barry-Murphy dubbing the teenager as a “special talent” and one who is capable of producing incredible and powerful finishes.

The Rochdale talent may be relatively unproven and yet to test himself in a division higher than League One, but Moyes could rue missing out on this potential star in the making.

AND in other news, West Ham face a £43m asking price to land a 24-y/o ace who “never gets tired”…

Finally, things have started to look a little rosier for the Red Devils. After all, Manchester United are unbeaten in their past six games in the Premier League, including a stunning 6-2 victory over newly-promoted Leeds United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side find themselves in and amongst the title race and it seems like the manager will look to make additions in January to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

What’s the word?

According to Le10 Sport, United are reportedly eyeing up a move for RC Lens centre-back Facundo Medina.

Solskjaer placed the Argentina defender on his list of targets ahead of January and it’s believed that they’ve been watching him for some time now.

The 21-year-old has been a colossus at the back for Lens since the start of this season, providing one goal in 11 top-flight appearances in Ligue 1 so far, via Transfermarkt.

RMC’s Sacha Tavolieri via Le 10 Sport noted United are interested in Medina in their ‘search of reinforcements in central defence.’

Marcos Rojo 2.0

This could turn out to be a shrewd move from Messrs. Ed Woodward and Co.

United signed English defender Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers for £17m with an initial five-year contract back in 2011 but it’s fair to say that he has turned out to be something of a disappointment, to say the least.

He has yet to feature for Solskjaer’s side so far this season and has suffered the ignominy of being snubbed from the matchday squads, to sum up his torrid time at Old Trafford.

With Jones heavily linked with an exit, United could do with finding the perfect replacement sooner rather than later. In Medina, they may find a player who can be precisely just that.

Standing at 1.84m tall, the £7.2m-rated Argentina international is cut from a similar cloth to his compatriot Marcos Rojo, and the similarities don’t stop there, either.

Rojo’s reputation precedes him, as he has become known for his crunching tackles. Similarly, WhoScored lists one of Medina’s strengths as his ability to tackle, which suggests that he could be a significant upgrade on the likes of Jones and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

The left-sided centre-back has played 11 games in Ligue 1 this season, scoring one goal, while he is averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game, via WhoScored.

United have been crying out for a centre-half who won’t shy away from throwing himself into a tackle and Medina may be the unsung hero they need to usurp Liverpool in the title race.

AND in other news, Ed Woodward must secure Man Utd transfer swoop for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho…

Although right-back is hardly considered to be a problem position for Manchester City right now, following the solid start to the season from both Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo, the Citizens could soon have another player challenging in that position, with Pedro Porro starring on loan at Sporting Lisbon.

The 21-year-old, who signed for City from Girona in the summer of last year for a fee of £10.8 million, has enjoyed a superb start to the season with the Portuguese side.

After a disappointing loan spell with Real Valladolid last season, in which he averaged a disappointing 6.25 rating across 13 appearances in the Spanish La Liga (per WhoScored), he was sent to Sportinguistas Leões on a two-year loan deal earlier this year.

The youngster has made seven appearances so far in Liga NOS, in which he has contributed one goal and one assist, averaging a superb 7.13 rating (per WhoScored).

A report from Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness) earlier this year described the 21-year-old as the ‘king of shots’ due to his proficiency in front of goal in the first three matches of the season. It also suggests that despite being so young, he has already guaranteed himself a place in the Lions’ starting XI.

Therefore, if Porro can continue his impressive start to this season for the duration of his two-year loan, it would not be a surprise if he was ready for the Premier League by the time he returns, although with the report suggesting that Sporting have an option to buy him for just €8.5 million (£7.62 million), there is some concern that the Citizens will lose him permanently.

If they are able to retain his services, then he could prove to be the long-term replacement for Kyle Walker in Guardiola’s City side, as the former Tottenham man is now 30-years-old and will be 32 by the time Porro’s loan expires, at which point the Spanish full-back may gradually be able to replace the Englishman in City’s starting XI.

Tottenham Hotspur secured qualification into the Europa League knockout stage on Thursday evening, but their display in Austria was far from perfect.

Jose Mourinho’s side drew 3-3 with LASK Linz in a game full of late goals and surprises, though the Spurs boss will be bitterly disappointed with his men as they twice held a lead.

Even Dele Alli’s spot-kick in the 86th-minute looked to have been enough to secure all three points but that would’ve only seen them ‘get away with one.’

There were faults right across the pitch, ranging from Lucas Moura’s drab showing to the shocker from stand-in skipper Ben Davies.

Although there’s one name that will have undoubtedly received the Special One’s fury in the changing rooms, so much so that he’ll need to buck up his ideas fast in training before Sunday’s north London derby.

This season has been encouraging for Tanguy Ndombele. He’s playing regularly and has actually been trusted by Mourinho but against LASK, we saw signs of why he was snubbed so often last term.

Per SofaScore, the £36m-rated maestro made just 12 passes (67% accuracy rate), won just five of 12 duels (42%), lost possession 14 times and only pulled off one successful dribble from five attempts (20%).

He may well have provided the assist for Heung-min Son’s goal in the second half, but aside from that, he was lightweight, sloppy and hugely wasteful.

As someone playing in the no.10 role as Spurs’ main orchestrator, Ndombele managed just one pass per 5.4 minutes on the pitch. For comparison, Joe Hart recorded the same number of passes, and he was in goal, and therefore, not supposed to be as involved as the team’s playmaker.

Earlier in the campaign, Mourinho claimed the Frenchman had been “playing amazing” before adding: “Physically he has to be better, he will be better, but if you compare this Tanguy with last season’s Tanguy, there is no point in comparing – but he can get better, he can be really phenomenal.”

While football.london reporter Alasdair Gold has previously dubbed him “magic.”

We saw neither on Thursday night besides the lovely weighted pass into Son.

Mourinho slammed the attitude of his players after the match, so it’s certainly unlikely that we see some start again with the Gunners in town this weekend.

Ndombele may certainly be at risk.

AND in other news, Mourinho will be fuming with what he saw from £18m-rated lightweight…