All posts by z3u9t.icu

Nottingham Forest will be hoping to strengthen their play-off bid during the January transfer window.

Having endured a rollercoaster last month or so, Forest will hope to restore some calmness around the City Ground in hope of getting their promotion bid back on track.

It will be a tough ask but Nottingham Forest are a historic club and still currently have players good enough to get the club back up into the Premier League.

Yet their main problem as of late has been scoring goals, an issue generally easy to solve. With the right man brought in, the goals could start flowing again, like their promotion dream.

It would be considered a gamble but given his impeccable form for the Manchester United U18’s, Mason Greenwood should be a genuine target for Nottingham Forest.

Greenwood, just 17-years-old, has been scoring for fun in a Manchester United shirt this season, hence why he has also been seen on the first-team bench on occasion this season.

United fans are, rightly, very excited about Greenwood’s potential and so they should be. With a staggering 22 goals in just 19 games, Mason Greenwood has been in superb form that could even be an asset to a Championship side like Nottingham Forest.

The City Ground side do have a number of goalscorers in their team but none are really doing the business at the moment, hence why Forest could do with another.

Youngster Mason Greenwood must be hungry for a first-team opportunity, which Nottingham Forest could expose him to and both parties could prosper from this deal, especially if he continues to thrive in front of goal.

Do you agree… Let us know!

A massive update has emerged on Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, ahead of the club’s clash with Arsenal this weekend.

What’s the talk?

Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope has confirmed that the ex-Bournemouth boss is set to lead his team out against the Gunners on Saturday.

Hope has revealed that Howe has tested negative for Covid-19, after he missed last weekend’s draw with Brentford due to a positive result, and will now be in the dugout to face off against Mikel Arteta.

Delight

Newcastle fans will surely be delighted with this news as it means that they will be given their first chance to see him managing the club in the flesh. He was forced to watch on from isolation at home against the Bees as his side were held to a 3-3 draw, but now he can have an influence on the sidelines in his dugout debut for the Magpies.

It also means that he will be available to be at St. James’ Park for the home clash with Norwich City next Tuesday night. As it stands, Newcastle are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and the Canaries are two points ahead of them, which could make next week’s game a huge match in the battle against relegation.

Of course, the table could change after this weekend’s matches, provided both teams do not lose, but it will still be a big opportunity for Howe to get some points on the board in what is set to be his first home game in charge. The supporters will surely want to create a vibrant, electric, atmosphere for his debut at St. James’ and that could provide a boost to the players in what could be a vital game.

Whilst the atmosphere created by Howe’s presence may not be as prominent in an away match against Arsenal, his voice on the touchline and in the dressing room before kick-off and at half-time could give the players a big lift. It could bring an added touch of motivation to the minds of the players knowing that he is there in person watching their performance and making key decisions on tactics and what he wants from the players from the sidelines during the game.

If he sees someone he doesn’t like from a player then he will be able to have a quick word with them during the game or mention it at half-time. Whereas, this was not as easy for him to do in isolation and not in attendance last Saturday, which is why it will be a massive boost to have him in the dugout.

AND in other news, PIF can land Howe’s dream NUFC deal with “world class” £126m gem, he’s the next Suarez…

Crystal Palace will take on Millwall at The Den in the FA Cup third round following the draw on Monday evening.

Matt Woosnam shared the news on Twitter, which duly resulted in a number of Eagles fans giving their thoughts on the all-south London tie.

Patrick Vieira’s side lost their first game of December to Manchester United on Sunday and still have five Premier League fixtures before the New Year.

However, once 2022 comes around, the Eagles will be thinking about a cup tie with the Championship side after taking on West Ham on New Year’s Day.

Palace and Millwall last met back in 2013 in the Championship, the year that the Eagles earned promotion to the Premier League. They last faced off in the FA Cup way back in January 1985 and will meet again between January 7 and 10.

Palace fans react

Here is what these Palace fans had to say in reply to Woosnam’s post regarding the draw, with one labelling it as ‘exciting’.

“Finally. A tasty cup draw.”

Credit: @IlMoniker

“Oh that’s exciting”

Credit: @GrahamMoody

“omggggggg”

Credit: @cpfcames

“Fantastic – what a draw”

Credit: @TheHistoryBloss

“I love love love that”

Credit: @AllanDLWilliams

“What league are minnows like Millwall even in now?”

Credit: @tha_paulo

In other news: Ornstein provides significant transfer update on ‘incredible’ Crystal Palace summer target

To coin a classic phrase, Manchester United have made their top-four challenge a mountain out of a molehill.

The Red Devils are a far cry from the side that dominated so fiercely under the tutelage of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson but one particular signing could help steer them along the right path again.

What’s the word?

Man United have long been in the market for a holding midfield player and it would appear that won’t change heading into the summer.

That’s the word of transfer guru Fabriano Romano who commented on their transfer plans this summer.

Speaking to Hammers Chat, the Italian reporter said:

“He is top of the list for Man United since a long time. Man Utd dream of Declan Rice, they consider him the perfect player for their approach for the new season. Man United will sign a defensive midfield and Declan Rice is the player they want.”

Rice heading to United?

Acquiring the West Ham titan this summer would be a monumental sign of intent from the Red Devils.

First of all, it’s evidently clear that Ralf Rangnick’s midfield is not the greatest when it comes to complete overall quality. Secondly, with Paul Pogba seemingly destined to leave, bringing in Rice makes total sense.

The Irons gem could be freed from the shackles of the bubbles that surround the London Stadium in 2022 to offer whoever the new manager is at Old Trafford talents that very few reign more supreme in throughout the continent.

For instance, as per FB Ref, the England international ranks in the top 30% for every single passing metric barring key passes, expected assists and progressive passes.

However, what Rice makes up for in a lack of forwardness with his passing, he certainly makes up for when driving with the ball instead.

The West Ham bulldozer ranks in the top 6% in Europe’s top leagues for progressive carries per 90 (7.01) and in the top 2% for both total carrying distance and progressive carry distance per 90 (178.76).

Also ranking in the top 5% in Europe for interceptions per 90 (2.76) and the best 5% again for a percentage of aerial duels won (65.3%) per 90 minutes, it’s clear to see that Rice would offer a great deal to United particularly when it comes to dribbling and doing the dirty work.

If a deal is there to be done, they simply have to swoop. It’s a deal, considering his qualities, that would leave supporters absolutely elated.

AND in other news, “Bad news..” – Fabrizio Romano update is worrying for Manchester United…

Celtic are considering offers for Osaze Urhoghide in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Scottish Sun, who claim that Ange Postecoglou is weighing up a number of offers for the 21-year-old centre-back this month, with several clubs believed to be interested in taking the defender on loan for the remainder of the season.

However, while it is reported that the 56-year-old Bhoys boss would be more than happy to sanction the temporary departure of the former Sheffield Wednesday starlet this month, it is also stated that the Greek-Australian coach will consult with the youngster before making a final decision on his short-term future.

Disaster for Celtic

While it is true that Urhoghide has not exactly been a first-team regular since his £207k switch to Glasgow last summer, the 21-year-old’s undoubted potential, in addition to his impressive positional versatility, are just two reasons as to why letting him leave the club this winter would be something of a disaster for the Bhoys.

Indeed, the defender has already proven that he has what it takes to feature regularly in professional football, making 16 Championship appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, over which he helped the Owls keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 2.7 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per game.

Furthermore, in his single appearance under the management of Postecoglou, the youngster also highly impressed, being deployed at right-back against Real Betis in the Hoops’ 3-2 Europa League win back in December.

In this fixture, the £3.8k-per-week defender enjoyed 65 touches of the ball, completed 30 passes – one of which was key – made five tackles, three clearances, one interception and won nine of his 15 duels.

These returns saw the Englishman earn a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.9 on his debut for the club, while Football Scotland also awarded the 21-year-old an eight in their own player ratings for the match.

As such, it would very much appear as if the youngster who Darren Moore dubbed “immense” is an extremely valuable member of the first-team squad at Parkhead, and would seem to be more than ready for a greater share of first-team football in the second half of the campaign – leading us to believe that Postecoglou simply must keep the youngster at Parkhead this winter.

In other news: “I spoke to..”: Ange urged to seal £118k-p/w Jan signing, he’d be “perfect” for Celtic

A number of Wolves supporters are happy with a transfer rumour linking winger Adama Traore with a move to Tottenham in January.

The Spaniard has found himself in and out of Bruno Lage’s plans so far this season, starting 10 of his side’s 16 Premier League matches.

There has been plenty of frustration surrounding Traore’s performance, however, due to him not registering a single goal or assist.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a January exit a number of times in recent weeks, suggesting Lage is happy to see him move on to pastures new.

According to The Daily Telegraph [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], Tottenham are interested in bringing Traore to north London next month, with Antonio Conte looking to improve the squad he took over last month.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375704”]

Wolves fans react to Traore latest

These Wolves fans took to Twitter to react to the news, urging Wanderers to sell the winger while they still have the chance to make a profit…

“That’s sound, let him go ASAP”

Credit: @liambagnall9

“Traore is the best and worst player on the pitch, does all the right things and then kicks it over the Asda car park”

Credit: @Oli900009

“That’s great news. £25/30million and the deal should be done. Let’s get someone who can contribute a few assists and a few goals, simples”

Credit: @Earlknudsen

“£60 million cash and I will drive him there and pick up replacements from the airport on the way back”

Credit: @Si_Wolves69

“LET HIM GO!”

Credit: @wolvesmattc

“Traore has played 310 games in his career and scored a grand total of 27 goals. Lage is not the problem.”

Credit: @Ashbe_87

In other news, Luke Hatfield is unsure about Wolves signing one player. Find out who it is here.

Everton are one of several Premier League clubs to have been linked with a transfer move for Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to TEAMtalk, the Toffees are joined by Newcastle United and Leeds United in the race for the 27-year-old’s signature as he searches for regular game time.

The report states that: “We understand that Barkley himself believes he can still force his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans for the World Cup finals in Qatar, and he is a player that in the past has been picked by the Three Lions boss.

“Newly bought Newcastle United are understood to be leading the chase. However, Leeds and former Everton club are also keen – with a loan to buy option favoured.”

He’s just what Everton are missing

It’s been a frustrating few years for Barkley since he departed his boyhood club back in January 2018 in order to take the next step in his promising career.

He’s featured from the off on just 29 occasions in the Premier League for the west London outfit in his near-four-year stay, with his start against Burnley over the weekend his first since August 2019.

A season-long loan spell at Aston Villa last term got off to a promising start, though, with Barkley bagging three goals and one assist in his first seven appearances for the Midlands outfit.

His impressive exploits in the opening weeks of the campaign were lauded by several pundits, including Premier League legend Alan Shearer, who raved about the £15.3m-rated beast’s talents.

He told The BBC: “Ross seems to have found a system that suits him and a manager who wants to play him. This is exactly what he needs. He now needs to find the consistency that has been lacking in his game because this is a crucial stage of his career.

“Ross has been spoken about in glowing terms since he was very young but he is 27 now and needs to deliver on that potential. At his best, he is a match-winner, and Villa is a great platform for him.”

However, Barkley was unable to sustain his early-season form. A hamstring injury kept the creative talent on the treatment table for several weeks, and he was only able to add one more goal to his tally in his subsequent 20 outings.

It seemed as though a summer exit from Stamford Bridge was inevitable for the stocky dynamo, but with no suitable offer arriving, Barkley has been forced to settle for a bit-part role in Thomas Tuchel’s star-studded squad.

The upcoming winter window could offer the Englishman a way out of his Chelsea nightmare, though, and he’s exactly the sort of player that Everton are lacking at this moment in time.

With James Rodriguez exiting Merseyside after just a single season, Rafa Benitez’s charges lack the guile, creativity, and goal threat required to carve teams open at the top end of the pitch, attributes that Barkley has in abundance.

Only time will tell if Marcel Brands follows up his reported interest in the ex-Everton gem, but his return to Goodison Park could have a hugely beneficial effect upon the struggling Blues.

And, in other news…Forget Iwobi: EFC could secure big upgrade in 18y/o starlet with “exciting potential” 

Everton boss Rafa Benitez could be heading for an unforgivable transfer howler at Goodison Park amid a damning report over Allan…

What’s the story?

According to Italian publication Il Mattino, it’s suggested that the Toffees would be willing to let the Brazilian midfielder go amid some interest from Serie A giants Lazio.

The report adds that the 31-year-old is keen to reunite with former manager Maurizio Sarri at the Italian side – the duo worked together while at Napoli – and that talks have already begun between the two clubs.

Last straw for Benitez

Having managed to ostracise Digne and see the Frenchman on his way to fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, losing another key cornerstone of this Everton side in Allan would surely be the final straw for Toffees fans.

The Brazilian has been a key cog of the Everton midfield since Carlo Ancelotti brought him in a couple of years ago from Napoli, playing 43 times for the club, including featuring in every single Premier League game this campaign until early December.

It’s no surprise then that his teammates absolutely love him for the kind of dirty work that he does in midfield, with Michael Keane even saying: “He is a defender’s dream. He is always there on the striker’s toes, winning the ball back. He does a lot of running, puts in a lot of tackles.”

And, speaking during commentary for Everton’s clash against Sheffield United last season, Darren Fletcher said: “It does show these days how the role of the central midfielder has changed. He hasn’t got an assist or a goal yet this season for Everton, Allan, but nobody would tell you that he hasn’t been a vital piece of the picture for them in central midfield.”

Benitez is already in hot water with Everton fans for the club’s woeful run of form in the Premier League this season – the Toffees find currently themselves in 15th place – and his recent axing of Digne is hardly going to have made him more popular than he already was.

Signing off an exit for Allan would surely see Everton fans be completely unable to forgive him.

Meanwhile, Everton could finally axe this star by signing James Garner…

Tottenham Hotspur lead the race to sign Franck Kessie after a huge claim emerged this week…

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge, Spurs have the best chance of sealing the AC Milan midfielder at the end of his current contract this summer.

“As I say, going back to my colleague Di Marzio, he said on our transfer show last week that Tottenham will lead the way in the summer, which is exciting,” he revealed to GIVEMESPORT. “The only thing with everything in life, and it’s like presents, you want everything now.”

The north London outfit have long been linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international, who is currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, thus making a switch this month a little complicated.

Kessie has turned down a new deal at the San Siro and will be free to leave the Italian giants in the summer.

Antonio Conte is said to have requested his signature during the current window but there is competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, among others across Europe.

Summer bargain

Whether the Lilywhites can secure Kessie now or in the summer remains to be seen but whenever he arrives, he will be an incredible signing for the club – even more so as he won’t cost a penny in terms of a transfer fee despite being valued at €30m (£26m).

The 6-foot powerhouse is capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch with his phenomenal box-to-box qualities.

Last season, he was Milan’s second-highest goalscorer in the league as he finished on 13 goals, just a couple behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he’s since found the net five times this campaign.

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Also per WhoScored, Kessie has averaged 1.3 tackles, 1.1 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game in 21/22, which only goes to show his ball-winning capabilities and his evident threat inside the final third.

His playing style has been likened to that of Yaya Toure and it’s easy to see why on the above evidence, seeing as he can drive the ball forward, defend and score goals.

“I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he’s intelligent. I’m watching him carefully, with Roma it was devastating,” ex-Milan striker Antonio Cassano told Bobo TV (via MilanLive). “It reminds me of the Yaya Toure of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact. He is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”

It’s not the first time that the bustling midfield beast has been lauded around the San Siro. His former coach Vincenzo Montella once hailed him as an “extraordinary player” with “sublime intelligence.”

Conte’s engine room may be rammed full of players right now but Kessie offers him something that very few of his current options do, not to mention the dubious futures of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli, who could both depart N17 before January 31st.

If the Italian has actually requested the Ivorian’s signature, then he will surely be delighted to learn that Spurs are leading the race to sign him ahead of next season.

On the above evidence, with his encouraging statistics and lofty praise, Kessie would be a fantastic addition at Hotspur Way.

AND in other news, Forget Tanganga: £26m-rated Spurs calamity who won 33% duels proved Conte right again…

Taking to Twitter, reliable reporter Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard has shared a major Tottenham Hotspur development involving midfielder Oliver Skipp.

The Lowdown: Skipp contract talks emerge…

In recent days, there have been emerged reports of Tottenham’s advanced talks to seal a new deal for the exciting 21-year-old.

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Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas claimed earlier this week that the Lilywhites’ negotiations over fresh terms for Skipp were moving forward promisingly.

Indeed, according to the reporter’s information, the midfielder is ‘close to agreeing a new long-term contract’ with discussions ongoing and a ‘confidence on all sides’ that it will get done (Twitter).

Now, sharing a midweek development, Kilpatrick has a major update for Spurs supporters.

The Latest: Kilpatrick shares big Skipp update…

Taking to Twitter in sharing a corresponding article from the Evening Standard, Kilpatrick said that Skipp is now ‘set to sign’ his new deal ‘this week’ in a huge boost for the club.

The Verdict: Great news…

Moving to tie down the young Englishman comes as great news for Spurs and Conte, going by Skipp’s brilliant performances when available.

There are plenty of signs that the 21-year-old may well be a star for the future and a crucial player over the coming seasons, with his first full campaign as a senior first-teamer proving fruitful.

As highlighted by WhoScored, the ex-Norwich loanee has displayed a real composure in Tottenham’s midfield throughout 2021/22, averaging a higher pass accuracy than all of his team-mates with more than one Premier League start (90.1%).

These numbers could point to an assured figure and a real presence in the middle of the park who looks set to only get better.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder, find out more here.