All posts by z3u9t.icu

Where do you begin to trace the root of Celtic’s diabolical season?

The Hoops have been plagued with issues throughout 2020/21 and when you dig deep enough, you’ll realise that there are problems far greater than Scott Brown’s dwindling performances or Odsonne Edouard’s questionable mindset.

It stems far deeper than Jonjoe Kenny’s inability to concentrate or Diego Laxalt’s hopeless defending. It also runs further back than last summer’s shambolic recruitment.

Vasilis Barkas and Albian Ajeti have been a huge waste of money, setting the club back a sum of £9.5m. The former has barely played after being usurped in the pecking order by Scott Bain while Ajeti has only six goals to his name.

Coincidentally, that significant financial investment nearly equates to the amount of money Celtic received for Brendan Rodgers.

Back in February 2019, Leicester City managed to prise the Northern Irishman away from Paradise in a deal that goes down as one of the most expensive manager transfers of all time.

The Foxes paid a compensation fee of around £10m two years ago but that money has rather evaporated.

Rodgers engineered a tremendous amount of success in Glasgow, winning seven trophies in total but they failed to replace him sufficiently when he headed south of the border.

That decision was taken by the much-maligned Peter Lawwell. The CEO is set to retire at the end of the season and be replaced by Dominic McKay but it’s his lack of ambition back in 2019 that is the root cause of Celtic’s current downfall.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/celtic-manager-transfers-eddie-howe-jesse-marsch-ryan-christie-siriki-dembele” title=”Read the latest Celtic managerial updates, transfer news, rumours and gossip!”]

With that in mind,  you can hardly blame the numerous protests that have occurred outside Parkhead this season.

Speaking on ACSOM after Celtic were drubbed 4-1 by Rangers last Sunday, presenter Paul John Dykes said: “So we make around £10m when he [Rodgers] goes to Leicester and what do we do with it? We bring in Neil Lennon. Now, that is on Peter Lawwell and that performance today if you really want to track it back is on Lawwell.”

Dykes continued: “The suggestion that Peter Lawwell will still be at the club in some capacity going forward, Celtic fans should be frightened about that. He is the reason we have fallen so disparagingly short this season.”

It’s particularly hard to disagree with that assessment. Lawwell had £10m to spend on a top-quality manager but instead looked towards the past.

Lennon returned for a second bite of the cherry and despite winning the treble last term, everything has disastrously fallen apart in 2020/21.

His management left a lot to be desired and the fact he was still using Rodgers’ training methods at Lennoxtown says it all.

£10m is a lot of money for a club like Celtic but it was thrown down the drain with their shoddy recruitment in the transfer window summing things up.

That £9.5m last summer would have been better sitting in the bank, especially after the way Lawwell refused to spend it on an able replacement over two years ago now.

With Celtic in such a dominant period in their history, attracting a manager shouldn’t have been a particularly arduous task.

At the time, they were linked with Slaven Bilic, David Moyes, Steve Clarke and Roberto Martinez. Any of those coaches will have been more inspirational than someone who had already taken on the job once.

As the hierarchy are proving now, it’s difficult to find a new head coach when the future of the football club is so unclear.

Their search has gone on for ten weeks and is still devoid of a solution. All of this is on Lawwell; he has a lot to answer for. The fans should be particularly enraged right now.

AND in other news, Forget Howe: Desmond can transform Celtic by hiring “brave” 48 y/o who wowed Guardiola…

An ominous Rangers transfer claim has been made regarding Ibrox centre-forward Alfredo Morelos…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has hinted at a potential exit for the attacker next month as he has played down his importance to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.

When asked about the possibility of the Colombian leaving in January, the journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t know. I think, looking at Morelos as well, he’s not the ultimate must stay anymore.”

Concerning for Rangers fans

This update will surely concern Rangers fans heading into the January transfer window, as Bridge’s comments leave the door open for a move away from the club. He has suggested that there is a chance that Morelos could be on his way out and this could worry the Ibrox faithful, particularly given the interest in the 25-year-old’s services over the summer.

Porto were reportedly keen on signing the attacker before the start of the campaign but a transfer never materialised and he remained at Ibrox. The Gers have benefitted greatly from that as Morelos has been in fantastic form this season.

Only Joe Aribo (7.39) and James Tavernier (7.79) have averaged higher WhoScored ratings than the striker (7.28) in the Premiership. He is Rangers’ top scorer in the league with eight goals and has also chipped in with four assists in 17 starts, a tally that only Tavernier (10) has surpassed.

This highlights how important he is to the team and why losing him in January would be a major blow to Van Bronckhorst’s side. That is why Gers fans will surely be concerned by this update, as Morelos leaving could significantly weaken their chances of achieving success this season.

It is now down to Van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson to avoid a disaster in January by managing to keep hold of the Colombian. At the very least, they should try and convince him to remain in Glasgow until the end of the season in order to give them more time to find a replacement so as not to disrupt the rhythm of the current campaign.

There have been no reports of official offers for Morelos as of yet but this claim from Bridge may just keep Rangers fans on edge over the coming weeks as the January window heads into full swing.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can finally axe the new “Alex Rae” from Rangers by signing £4m “conductor” in January…

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” 

Tottenham Hotspur could finally fill the void left behind by Christian Eriksen after they were handed a timely January transfer boost this week.

The north Londoners have recently been linked with a move for Juventus outcast Dejan Kulusevski, who Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici originally signed during his time at the Serie A giants.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder is now likely to be allowed to leave the Turin club, with them currently valuing him at €35m (£30m).

A temporary exit in January isn’t out of the question either, as the report claims that the Sweden international is unhappy at the club and would like a ‘change of scenery.’

The most likely destination appears to be the Premier League, with arch-rivals Arsenal also keen to secure him, as the Old Lady do not want him to thrive at a league rival.

Newly-appointed Spurs boss Antonio Conte needs to find a creative fix as quickly as possible because it has been their main Achilles heel this season – no side is averaging fewer shots per game (10.1), not even the three teams in the relegation zone, and their last shot on target was nearly four hours ago, against West Ham.

There is an argument to be made that Eriksen has never been properly replaced, with neither of their club-record signings, Tanguy Ndombele nor Giovani Lo Celso, stepping up to the mark. In two-and-a-half seasons, neither has recorded more than eight assists altogether.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-news-updates-transfers-antonio-conte-thfc” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

By comparison, the Dane hit double figures for assists in each of his last four full Premier League seasons at the club.

Kulusevski, who has been branded as “explosive” and compared to Mohamed Salah, could be the solution. His career average of 1.8 shots and 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes makes for encouraging reading as it suggests that he’s a real thorn in the final third, and evidently one who can create chances.

In 2020/21, when he was entrusted to feature regularly, the young £31.5m-rated gem registered 14 direct goal contributions across 47 matches in all competitions and did so playing no fewer than seven different roles, as per Transfermarkt.

By comparison, Lo Celso has managed only 13 direct contributions since summer 2019, while Ndombele is just four contributions ahead in a longer time frame, too.

Meanwhile, football scout Jacek Kulig has previously lauded Kulusevski as an “athletic phenomenon”, an “advanced playmaker” and a “complete player”, which only bolsters the claims to sign him all that more.

Paratici knows exactly what Spurs would be getting, so he must do all he can to seal the 21-year-old’s signature in January, regardless of whether it’s on loan or on a permanent basis.

AND in other news, “Understand”: Alasdair Gold reveals major behind-scenes Spurs development…

Tony Cascarino has recently given his opinion about Granit Xhaka and has questioned the midfielder’s long-term future at Arsenal.

Cascarino recently wrote a column for The Times in which he talked about Xhaka’s situation, saying that the Swiss midfielder’s future might well lie away from the Emirates Stadium.

Xhaka has a ‘difficult’ future at Arsenal

In his column, Cascarino said that Xhaka’s error against Burnley was one of the worst in the 2020/21 season and there is ‘no way’ that the former Borussia Monchengladbach man should be demanding for the ball in that position, with three Burnley players around him as he made a fateful error in his own penalty area in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

The former Republic of Ireland striker said that Mikel Arteta had talked about wanting an ‘unprecedented’ level of activity in the transfer market to compete at the top level and he feels that it is ‘difficult’ to see Xhaka being a part of the Spaniard’s plans in the next campaign.

Cascarino wrote: “Granit Xhaka’s error for Burnley’s equaliser against Arsenal is one of the worst you will see this season. Arsenal are trying to play out from the back but there is no way the midfielder, with three Burnley players bearing down on him, should be demanding the ball inside his own box.

“Mikel Arteta said before this game that the club need an ‘unprecedented’ level of transfer activity if they are to compete at the top of the league again. It is difficult to see Xhaka being a part of any long-term plans.”

Back in December last year, it was reported that Xhaka was fighting for his future at Arsenal and it was stated that Arteta was considering a potential sale of the midfielder. That report came after his red card against Burnley earlier in the season (Daily Mail).

Selling Xhaka may be sensible for Arsenal

Since the 2016/17 season, no other outfield player in the Premier League has committed more errors leading to goal than Xhaka, and that number rose to eight against the Clarets.

In the current campaign, the 28-year-old has picked up an average match rating of 6.7 for the Gunners, with 11 players earning better ratings than him (WhoScored).

This suggests that he hasn’t had a great season by any means and his Transfermarkt value has halved since December 2018, currently standing at £22.5m. Between dwindling performances and market value, it may be a wise move from Arsenal to sell Xhaka if a prospective suitor can be found.

In other news, see which Arsenal player came in for stick from numerous fans after the Burnley game on Saturday.

Former Southampton striker Kevin Phillips has exclusively told Football FanCast that he expects Danny Ings to leave the club this summer.

Ings’ Saints contract expires next summer, and was the subject of interest from Tottenham in January, although the England man ended up staying at St Mary’s, despite Southampton running the risk of losing him for free in 2022.

The 28-year-old has been in terrific goalscoring form since joining from Liverpool – with only Leicester’s Jamie Vardy (23) netting more than his 22 Premier League goals last season.

Ings has managed just nine goals in all competitions this term, however, following a number of separate knee and muscle injuries that have kept him on the sidelines.

His latest setback came during the early stages of Saints’ win at Sheffield United last weekend, which is expected to see him miss another four weeks of action.

Phillips was asked his verdict on whether he sees Ings leaving Southampton, and he told Football FanCast:

“Yes I can, as much as Southampton fans won’t thank me for it. I think himself he even came out at one point and said he wants to play Champions League football, so that suggests to me he would like to move on and try at this stage of his career.

“So I possibly could see him moving on. It’s just a case of, he is a little bit injury prone. We have seen what he can do, I’m not doubting that. I think he’s a fantastic striker, scores great goals, good movement, but he is a little bit injury prone, so I think who would take him who would finish in the Champions League spot?

“But I do think that he’ll probably be angling for a move come the summer.”

Liverpool are interested in staging a summer transfer swoop for Getafe striker Enes Unal.

What’s the word?

That’s according to reports from Turkish outlet Fanatik that suggests Liverpool are on the lookout for a replacement striker, with Divock Origi set to leave.

Origi’s contract expires at the end of the season with the Belgian strongly linked with a move to Serie A giants AC Milan.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

The 27-year-old has not made a single start in the Premier League, yet boasts three goals this season in six appearances, the epitome of his time with the Reds.

The report reads that Unal could well be a suitable player for Jurgen Klopp’s system.

Origi for Unal

Quite frankly, if Liverpool allow Origi to leave at the end of the season, they could not find a better replacement in former Manchester City forward Unal.

The pair are inseparable when it comes to their overall style, with both identifying as poachers who rely on chances created, rather than creating chances themselves. Unal’s style in particular can be evidenced through the 24-year-old Turk’s 0.13 goal-creating actions total, placing him in just the 9th percentile for positionally similar players, as per FBref.

The past few seasons have demonstrated the importance of the impact substitute role in Klopp’s side, with the 27-year-old Belgian playing his part in the side at the drop of a hat and always delivering in big moments. Think back to that emphatic Barcelona comeback.

As such, although he is not a starter for Klopp, the absence of Origi will leave a gaping hole in the German manager’s squad.

Since the mid-way point of last season, Unal has established himself as a starter at Getafe and boasts a record of 15 goals and one assist in 32 La Liga appearances this season for the Spanish outfit.

His record looks even better when you consider that Getafe have scored just 31 goals this campaign, meaning Unal has been a major source.

Unal, who has been dubbed as a “great talent” by Tomasz Cwiakala has scored 77 goals across his professional career, and by 2015, he had scored a rather remarkable 181 times in 108 youth outings, so he certainly knows where the net is.

He would also offer a greater defensive service to Klopp too, with the £16.2m-rated Turkey international boasting an average of 25 pressures per 90, placing him in an elite category in the 98th percentile as per FBref.

Unal could not only replace Origi, but even serve as a cheaper alternative to Liverpool-linked Darwin Nunez.

In other news:  Liverpool “will end up” signing £83m “diamond” this summer, just imagine him & Diaz

Southampton are back in Premier League action on Saturday evening as they take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium and Ralph Hasenhuttl should consider starting Dan N’Lundulu.

Danny Ings has been ruled out of the game against Brendan Rodgers’ side after testing positive for the current viral outbreak, leaving the Saints short on attacking options ahead of the game.

Wingers Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond are also sidelined through injury, meaning Theo Walcott is perhaps likely to keep his place on the wing, rather than moving up front, as we have seen on a few occasions so far this season.

Hasenhuttl is perhaps likely to hand Shane Long another start alongside Che Adams, with the Irish striker having seen a lot more game time in recent weeks as a result of the injury problems at the South Coast club.

However, considering he has found the net just twice in his last 36 Premier League appearances, the Austrian manager should consider putting his faith in 21-year-old N’Lundulu instead.

The striker has made six appearances from the bench in the top-flight so far this season – including a late cameo in the win against Liverpool last time out – having impressed with David Horseman’s B team, for whom he has 12 goals and three assists in 29 appearances.

This season alone has seen the young forward grab five goals and one assist in just seven Premier League 2 appearances, so he is more than deserving of a chance to show what he can do in the top-flight, as unfortunately, his six substitute appearances have totalled just 28 minutes.

That said, he has shown in those few minutes that he is strong, athletic and adept to the pressing game, and he could prove to be a great foil for Adams at the King Power Stadium.

Whilst he doesn’t have the experience of Long, he is definitely in better goalscoring form at the moment and considering the Saints’ lack of goals in recent fixtures, as well as the absence of Ings, Hasenhuttl must put his faith in N’Lundulu for the game against Leicester City.

And, in other news… Saints handed huge blow ahead of Leicester game as “outstanding” gem ruled out

According to a report by Eurosport, via West Ham Central, the Irons are displaying an interest in Manchester United duo Nemanja Matic and Phil Jones – prompting much horror from many supporters on social media.

The Red Devils pair, making just 11 Premier League starts between them over 2020/2021, are now believed to be of interest to West Ham United as ‘transfer insider’ Dean Jones makes a claim.

Writing for Eurosport, the journalist says that West Ham are ‘checking out’ both Jones and Matic ahead of a possible swoop – but it is believed they will command over £120,000-per-week each.

Given the financial uncertainty caused by coronavirus, combined with West Ham’s desire to secure Lingard on a permanent deal and the signing of a new striker (Claret & Hugh), supporters have fumed in response to this alleged interest.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-rumours-and-gossip-two%2c-electric-boogaloo/” title=”West Ham rumours and gossip two, electric boogaloo” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

As Jones (29) and Matic (32) near the twilight phase of their careers and play in positions arguably now well stocked by West Ham, it’s little wonder Irons fans really aren’t impressed with this update.

Find a flavour of their verdicts from social media down below.

West Ham fans horrified by Jones and Matic claim

“Oh god no thanks”

Credit: @aimeetrixy

“No and no”

Credit: @RobertM57362312

“I just threw up”

Credit: @the_iMan8

“Sorry but that’s catastrophe.”

Credit: @davewarrenwhufc

“Should be as fast as a VAR check for a Man U hand ball.. check complete, no thank you”

Credit:@oggwhu

“nononoononononononoononononononoononononononononononono”

Credit: @DannyWasTaken_

“I hope not!”

Credit: @AlSean66

“No thanks”

Credit: @eplmad

In other news: Sky Sports pundit in awe of ‘great news’ for West Ham, find out more here.

Former Aston Villa defender and now Football Insider pundit Alan Hutton has been giving his thoughts on the club’s reported interest in Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe.

The Lowdown: Tuanzebe a top target

Villa look set to spend big again this summer, and according to Football Insider, they are in the market for a new centre-back.

Tuanzebe appears to be a player of interest for sporting director Johan Lange, with reports claiming the 23-year-old is a top target. A fee of just £7m could be enough to bring him to Villa Park on a permanent basis, with the defender making 35 appearances on loan in the Midlands.

He has only made 34 appearances for Manchester United, with his latest coming in the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City last week.

The Latest: Hutton reacts

Speaking to Football Insider on the transfer update, Hutton seemed to be all for a deal for Tuanzebe, believing that the defender ‘has the attributes to be a top, top defender’. The Scotland international said:

“I think it’s an absolute steal. £7million for a young, English, talented football player that has got so much to give.

“We’ve obviously seen glimpses of him at Villa – well, not a glimpse but you know what I mean. We can see what he can do and I think he’s only going to get better.

“Obviously, coming to Villa, he’s got a fight on his hands, whether it be with Konsa or Matty Cash. I think it’s one that he will stand up to and he’ll want to fight to get in that team.

“If he does, he’s only going to get better, which means his value is only going to go up. This is the type of player I think Villa are going to target. Someone that’s going to come in hungry and willing to get better.

“You never know where he could end up in the future. I think he’s got all the attributes to be a top, top defender.”

The Verdict: Tuanzebe deal should be a no-brainer

In our opinion, for just £7m, Villa should be looking to make Tuanzebe their first summer arrival.

He helped Villa to promotion under Dean Smith in 2019 and will know what it takes to play at Villa Park. He may not immediately come in for Tyrone Mings or Ezri Konsa, but having that competition could be crucial for Smith’s side to progress even further.

Tuanzebe has also played as a full-back and a defensive midfielder during his career, so he could also fill in if needed in those positions.

His Transfermarkt valuation stands at just over £7m, and at just 23 years of age, it could turn out to be an inspired piece of business down the line if he is brought back to Villa Park.

In other news: Villa looking at African defender also wanted by Newcastle, find out more here.