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Barry Fry has told Football FanCast that West Ham United will keep getting better after their magnificent season this term.

David Moyes’ side are currently fifth in the Premier League table, just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

The Hammers have a relatively soft run-in too, as they play only two clubs who are currently above them in the league, in Leicester City and Chelsea.

There is a very real opportunity, then, for the club to gatecrash the top four and potentially gain qualification for the Champions League.

Even if they don’t, qualification for the Europa League would also be a remarkable achievement, given that the club finished 16th last season, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Fry thinks they have done brilliant work this season but he has also backed Moyes to keep improving, and keep taking West Ham within touching distance of the Champions League, much like he did during his time at Everton.

He told FFC in an exclusive interview: “I think wherever West Ham finish this season, it will be there highest finish for a long, long, long time.

“And I think if you look at the team now, and you look at what Moyes has done in a year, I think he will be knocking on the door to get in the top four over the next two or three years, even if he doesn’t do it this year.

“But wherever they finish this year, it’s magnificent progress. Because, in the last couple of years, they’ve really been biting their nails to the last minute about whether they’ll survive in the Premier League or not.

“They’ve done more than survive this year. They’ve really impressed a lot of people in football and David will make them better.”

West Ham revealed on Tuesday that promising defender Ajibola ‘Aji’ Alese had committed to a new contract.

Alese has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the option for a further year. He can operate as both a centre-half and a left-back, which appears to fit perfectly with the way David Moyes utilises both a back four and back three, depending on the fixture.

The Englishman made his debut for the Hammers in September as they thrashed Hull City 5-1 in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Football.london’s Sam Inkersole awarded him an eight out of 10 for his performance that night, writing that he ‘never looked overawed’.

In January, the 20-year-old was sent on loan to League Two promotion-chasers Cambridge United to gain more experience of the men’s game.

He has largely been a substitute at the Abbey Stadium, but did start last weekend in a 4-2 win against Oldham Athletic.

Alese has also caught the eye of England’s youth set-up. Having captained his country’s Under-16s in the past, he was called up to represent the Under-20s last October.

These West Ham fans were delighted to see Alese put pen to paper

“Moyes is already doing great moves before the window started”

Credit: @ScoutSoucek

“Love seeing promising players come through the academy & sign a first-team contract”

Credit: @23HPork

“Great news. Very talented lad”

Credit: @whucoyi

“Great news, looked brilliant pre-season.”

Credit: @WHUHazz

“YESSSS”

Credit: @MuvSaid

“love that”

Credit: @jackkwhu

“Brightens up my day”

@calumv89

“That’s a vote of confidence for Alese. Be interesting to see how he develops & whether he’s moved into a LB role in the future.”

Credit: @mhare641

In other news, this Hammer’s agent issued a worrying update.

Steve Bruce should push Newcastle United to sign Hakan Calhanoglu in the summer transfer window amid doubt in the AC Milan playmaker’s long-term future at the San Siro.

What’s the word?

According to Chronicle Live, Toon scouts are keeping a close eye on Calhanoglu’s situation with the Turkey international currently set to be a free agent at the end of the season.

The Magpies are expected to monitor the free-agent market closely over the coming months with funds due to be tight and likely having to sign unattached players or fringe options on loan.

Talks are expected to occur between Calhanoglu’s agent, Gordon Stipic, and the Milan hierarchy in the coming weeks regarding his future. The Rossoneri are still optimistic that a deal can be secured, though considerable distance remains between the two parties, per Calciomercato.

Calhanoglu is said to be asking for a €5.5m-a-season (£91.5k-per-week) contract to remain at the San Siro, where Milan’s best offer to date sits at €4m-a-year (£66.5k-per-week). The 27-year-old would accept lesser terms but has set the benchmark at no less than €5m (£83k-per-week).

Milan are continuing with discussions to retain the 52-cap international as Calhanoglu is considered to be a fundamental aspect of manager Stefano Pioli’s plans, having made a step up in his performances to offer an unpredictable nature that other options cannot deliver.

Should Newcastle sign Calhanoglu?

If Calhanoglu does leave Milan as a free agent at the end of the season, Bruce must position Newcastle strongly to contend for his services against what will likely be a wealth of options.

Calhanoglu has the potential to take the Magpies to another level alongside Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson, with the £31.5m-rated star a highly influential figure with 11 assists and six goals in 27 games across all competitions this season.

No Serie A player has created as many goals as Calhanoglu (8) so far in 2020/21, while also leading the Italian top-flight with 67 key passes – 13 more than second-placed Rodrigo de Paul (54), per SofaScore.

Those numbers would see the former Bayer Leverkusen ace rank third among all Premier League players for key passes – behind only Jack Grealish (76) and Bruno Fernandes (71) – and joint-first with Harry Kane for assists (11). Almiron (22) has created the most goalscoring chances for Newcastle, while Wilson (5) has registered the most assists at St. James’ Park.

But Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk believes Manchester United may be the one on pole for his signature, having held talks with Stipic last summer over a potential move to Old Trafford.

“It’s true and I think this will happen because last summer there was already talks with his agent,” he told the Stretford Paddock podcast in November.

“I don’t know if you know, but Juventus would have also have liked him last summer, but he said ‘no’. He said no because he already knew what would happen this summer with United.

“Talks are already very, very far at the moment, and he’ll be a free agent, so this transfer is very, very likely. He’s a technical player, perhaps it is [Paul] Pogba to show him the way.”

So, competition could be tough, and a transfer may make Calhanoglu Newcastle’s best-paid player – eclipsing Joelinton’s £86.5k-per-week deal – but Bruce should be pushing to strike a deal.

AND in other news, Newcastle are facing a dilemma over the future of a £40k-p/w ace set to be the subject of a tempting offer…

MatériaMais Notícias

O encontro entre Palmeiras e Rosario Central, nesta quinta-feira, mostrou que o clube brasileiro se deu muito bem ao não liberar Allione para a equipe argentina em dezembro. O camisa 20 chegou a se reunir comRaúl Broglia e Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet, presidente e técnico do Rosario, mas acabou permanecendo no Palestra Itália para marcar o segundo gol da vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o clube que o queria.

– A gente trabalha para isso. Cristaldo e eu tivemos a sorte de marcar os gols, mas qualquer um que fizesse seria importante – disse o meia-atacante, que agora soma quatro gols em 51 jogos pelo Verdão, sendo dois nesta temporada.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasMarcelo se incomoda ao falar de pressão e valoriza vitória do VerdãoPalmeiras04/03/2016PalmeirasHerói do Palmeiras, Prass diz que teve ‘feeling’ para defender pênaltiPalmeiras04/03/2016

Ele balançou as redes do goleiro Sosa ao concluir o único contra-ataque que o Verdão conseguiu encaixar no segundo tempo do duelo, aos 48 minutos do segundo tempo. Os argentinos haviam passado toda a etapa final pressionando, com direito a um pênalti defendido por Fernando Prass. Por isso, o jovem de 21 anos diz ter tirado um grande peso das costas.

-Graças a Deus a bola entrou e pude fazer os 2 a 0 para encerrar o jogo.Eu estava um pouco sufocado, deu uma relaxada. Tinha 30 mil quilos em cima, mas quando a bola entrou dei graças a Deus – acrescentou.

O gol de Allione ajudou o Palmeiras a quebrar a invencibilidade do Rosario Central em 2016: eram quatro vitórias e dois empates, um deles contra o Nacional (URU), na primeira rodada da Libertadores. Os outros resultados foram pelo Campeonato Argentino, que os comandados de Coudet lideram.

Leeds United’s transfer bloodhound Victor Orta has gotten many decisions right over his multiple windows in the market whilst at the club. He has lured players like Patrick Bamford to Elland Road, helping turn the tide for the Whites completely.

But Orta must also be acknowledged for the deals he doesn’t pursue. Whilst his record isn’t perfect, he can be applauded for his caution surrounding certain transfer targets and his ultimate decision not to spend Andrea Radrizzani’s money on average players.

One grand example was his choice to pull out of any potential deal with summer transfer target Michael Cuisance.

Leeds were smart to avoid signing Cuisance

Despite agreeing a fee of £18million for the midfielder, the move never materialised. Back in October, Phil Hay confirmed that Cuisance would not be joining Leeds in any capacity. The 21-year-old has since joined Marseille on loan, but is yet to really make an impression in his native country.

According to Transfermarkt, Cuisance has only been selected to start on 11 occasions and has managed to contribute just one assist in 20 total appearances across all competitions. This isn’t just a blip on the radar either. Last season was equally as disappointing, with the playmaker finishing the term with a mere one league goal and one assist for parent club Bayern Munich.

Marcelo Bielsa is currently in desperate need of bolstering his midfield options, but throwing cash at unproven players is not something Leeds can afford to do.

The Argentinian relies heavily on Mateusz Klich to create the majority of goalscoring opportunities. He has three goals and five assists in the Premier League so far, second behind leading talisman Bamford on ten goals and two assists for the season, as per BBC Sport.

Whilst having an extra name on the books in case of injury problems would have been nice, £18million is a very steep figure to fork out for a player who hasn’t done much to shout about recently. The intensity of the Premier League could have also spelled disaster for Cuisance, with many players finding it difficult to adapt after moving from the European leagues.

Leeds ultimately dodged a bullet when the Frenchman’s deal collapsed and now they can use it as a learning curve to target more proven, reliable midfielders.

In other news, Leeds given huge boost with Leicester squad news…

MatériaMais Notícias

A Nike revelou hoje (02/02) a bola oficial da Copa do Brasil e do Campeonato Brasileiro para a temporada de 2016. Estilizada com o gráfico amarelo inconfundível do Brasil, a bola é a melhor já projetada em termos aerodinâmicos, que também é utilizada em alguns dos melhores campeonatos do mundo, como La Liga (ESP), Premier League (ING) e Serie A (ITA).

A Nike Ordem CBF Brasil 3 possui algumas das tecnologias mais avançadas desenvolvidas nos tempos atuais. As ranhuras Nike Aerowtrac, inovação patenteada da Nike Futebol que foi desenvolvida para oferecer maior aderência e canalização do ar, produz uma trajetória com mais consistência de voo, garantindo estabilidade e precisão.

A tecnologia Nike RaDar em sua superfície ( Resposta e Decisão Rápida ), um modelo gráfico único para cada campeonato, cria um efeito cintilante enquanto a bola gira, facilitando a visão periférica dos jogadores e permitindo reações e tomadas de decisões mais rápidas.

Revestida em TPU para maior durabilidade, a Nike Ordem CBF Brasil 3 possui 12 painéis soldados por fusão num sistema de revestimento com três camadas, e traz a mistura de poliéster e uma câmara de látex de carbono que flutua livremente, elaborada para oferecer alta sensibilidade e reação sem igual no momento do chute.

Produzida com 40% em couro sintético, 30% borracha, 20% poliéster e 10% algodão, foi incluído um revestimento em microtextura para melhor controle de voo. Sua fusão com uma bexiga de látex de carbono faz com que a bola ofereça excelente toque de bola.

Glasgow Rangers are doing rather well at the moment, aren’t they? Steven Gerrard’s side are unbeaten in their past sixteen games and they’ve taken 13 points from the last 15 available to them as they sit at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with a six point lead over their arch rivals Celtic.

And Darren Bent believes the Rangers boss will be “buzzing” by the fact he has so many options to choose from ahead of the Europa League clash against Lech Poznan on Thursday.

He told Football Insider: “They’ve got Morelos that’s still there, they’ve got Defoe.

“But Kemar Roofe he looks hungry. I like Kemar Roofe I have always done since he was at Leeds.

“It’s what you want and Steven Gerrard is buzzing that he’s got all these players now that are fighting for the starting place.

“If Morelos throws his toys out of the pram, or lets the team down, which he has done in the past then it doesn’t really make a difference because you’ve got guys there who are chomping at the bit for their chance.

But that seems to be the problem, as Gerrard will have to wrestle with his decision as the once-injured star has returned to action.

Roofe’s revival

Roofe marked his return from injury with a sensational strike against Standard Liege in the Europa League last week. And he received praise from the Gerrard for his performance. He said:

“The goal was a moment of genius. It was a world class moment. I’ve been playing football professionally since 1998 and it’s the best goal I’ve ever seen live.

“He collects the ball 15 yards outside our box. He is strong for two challenges. He holds the player off for the third challenge and then he takes the player on in the worst conditions I’ve seen.

“Then to have the vision, and the power and the class to score from 55 yards. I don’t think I’ve seen a better goal and I don’t think I will see a better goal.”

The Rangers manager clearly rates Roofe very highly, so his return to form has left the Liverpool legend with a tough call to make at the top of the pitch.

Gerrard’s nightmare

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is going to be one of the biggest headaches Gerrard has faced ever since taking charge of the Ibrox outfit. For now, Alfredo Morelos seems to be the first-choice striker, as he has started four out of the past five games in all competitions, but it looks increasingly likely he could be dropped any minute, as he has failed to score since the 2-2 draw with Hibernian in September.

With that being said, the Colombia international has still scored three goals and supplied three assists in the Scottish Premiership so far, via Transfermarkt, whilst Jermain Defoe was axed from the Europa League squad altogether.

Roofe may come in to replace Morelos, although dropping him would be an incredibly harsh decision as the Colombian is arguably the club’s best striker on his day. In fact, it’s fair to say this mini goal drought isn’t exactly anything new, as he has often gone without scoring in short spells before bouncing back in style.

But the beauty of balancing both domestic and European competitions means that Gerrard arguably has more creative freedom to mess around with his starting line-up.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Barker: Glasgow Rangers must return for long-term target Jacob Murphy…

Ben White has been sensational for Leeds United throughout their push for Premier League football last season. The young centre-back spent a season on loan down in the Championship and it’s pretty safe to say that both parties were extremely happy with that gig.

Marcelo Bielsa had a young and hungry defender in the team and White himself created a great partnership with other teammates. Now, we already know Leeds have been trying to negotiate a deal with Brighton and Hove Albion for the permanent transfer of the 22-year-old to Elland Road.

However, according to the latest report from The Sun, essentially all top-six Premier Clubs have entered the race for his signature and it is expected that the Seagulls will want a fee in excess of £50m to ‘even tempt them to consider doing a deal’.

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is a huge blow for Leeds as they are unlikely to be able to match the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, all of whom have been mentioned by the same outlet.

The Sun also say the Yorkshire club have already made a £35m offer with £30m immediately and then a further £5m in various add-ons. Unsurprisingly, that was nowhere near enough.

Even though this may soon turn into a ‘mission impossible’ for the Whites, they know that once White actually starts playing in the Premier League, his value can only skyrocket even further.

For that reason, this very much feels like a now or never situation for Bielsa to get his man.

Verdict

There is no denying White’s talent and his defensive astuteness. However, this is slowly but surely turning into a battle Leeds simply cannot win. The pull all three of the named Premier League teams have is incredible and not to mention they are financially more powerful than Bielsa’s men.

It might be time to turn to other alternatives.

Rangers have been linked to multiple striking options ahead of this summer’s transfer window, but Ross Wilson should have one wanted star ahead of the rest – and he’ll have to act quickly to land him.

What’s the word?

According to TeamTalk, via the Yorkshire Evening Post, West Brom are the club leading the race to sign Huddersfield Town forward Karlan Grant as they ‘look to beat’ the likes of the Gers and Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old has been long linked with a switch to Ibrox, even prior to his move to the Terriers in January 2019.

It was claimed that Grant was being eyed up as a long-term replacement for Alfredo Morelos by Steven Gerrard with the Scottish runners-up attempting to tie him down to a pre-contract agreement, but instead, he joined the Championship outfit for £2m.

Top target?

Some of the names linked with a move to Glasgow include Liverpool sensation Rhian Brewster, out-of-contract Charlton man Lyle Taylor and Peterborough talisman Ivan Toney.

The one player that simply refuses to go away, though, is Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes, who scored nine times in the SPFL last season.

Though, this is a mere scratch on the 19 goals Grant has notched for Huddersfield this term, leading to his former boss Danny Cowley waxing lyrical about his goalscoring talents.

He said: “Credit to him as he has a real appetite and a hunger to that and not all attacking players can do that physically and mentally.”

It doesn’t stop there though, ex-teammate Tommy Elphick has claimed he’s “got the world at his feet” and “has got everything” whilst Addicks assistant Johnnie Jackson has called Grant a “leader and a talisman”.

At around £15m, he’d be a bargain option to land this summer, so Wilson must do all he can to secure the prolific marksman, especially given Jermaine Defoe’s latest injury blow.

AND in other news, Rangers must beat Celtic to this striker signing…

After edging past Norwich in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, Manchester United turn their attentions back towards the Premier League as they take on Brighton away from home.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side needed extra-time to defeat the ten-man Canaries, and having rested a few key players from the starting line-up at the weekend, the United manager is likely to revert back to a full strength team.

The Red Devils currently find themselves five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and know that teams like Wolves, Tottenham, Sheffield United and Arsenal have all got their own intentions of claiming Champions League football for next season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the kind of line-up Solskjaer might put out on Tuesday evening.

With Sergio Romero taking the number one spot in the cup competitions, David de Gea is surely set for an immediate return to first-team action.

In front of him, the likes of Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are likely to take back their own places, with both Eric Bailly and Diogo Dalot set to drop out.

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And having gotten their first taste of starting a Premier League game together, Paul Pogba could return to the starting line-up to play alongside Bruno Fernandes – the duo inspired a 3-0 win against Sheffield United at Old Trafford last weekend.

Having been given a rare opportunity to shine by Solskjaer on Saturday, both Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata failed their respective auditions, before being hauled off in the second-half.

Their performances surely made an easy decision even easier, with Anthony Martial (hat-trick hero against the Blades) and Marcus Rashford sure to come straight back in.

The other big decision Solskjaer will have to make is who he starts on the right-hand side. Mason Greenwood hasn’t enjoyed the greatest of games since football’s restart with no goals or assists in three games, and Daniel James has not scored in the top-flight since last August.

But with Brighton having enjoyed a fine victory against Arsenal, Solskjaer may just go a little more cautious, and hand a chance to James and hope his pace can hurt the Seagulls on the counter.

Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Matic; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.