All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United were not at their best away to Burnley yesterday afternoon as they were held to a stalemate, missing the opportunity to move further clear in fourth place. 

The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst Hammers players (to have featured for at least 45 minutes) were on the day. Despite having 60% of the possession, West Ham were rather wasteful when they did have the ball; these three lost possession a total of 36 times.

Michail Antonio (6.6)

Playing as the club’s lone striker, Antonio proved to be rather ineffective in the final third. The Jamaica international was unable to produce a shot on target during the 90 minutes, leading to a low 6.6 rating by SofaScore.

The forward lost possession 16 times and made just three dribble attempts, with only one proving successful. He surprisingly lost nine duels out of a possible 16, a disappointing return for a player of his stature.

Manuel Lanzini (6.6)

Starting in an attacking midfield role, Lanzini lacked a creative threat, receiving a 6.6 rating by SofaScore. Despite 94% of his 48 passes finding a team-mate, only two of these were considered key passes.

Having lost possession 13 times, the Argentine ace attempted seven crosses, all of which were inaccurate. He was also poor defensively and was consistently unable to win the ball back for his side, losing five out of his six duels.

Saïd Benrahma (6.6)

Benrahma produced the only shot on target out of the three Irons attackers, but still endured an underwhelming performance for the team with a 6.6 rating by SofaScore.

Losing the ball eight times, the Algeria winger also lost four out of his seven duels. Going forward, he was rendered ineffective, making just one successful dribble, a disappointing return for the technical attacker, whose performance came under fire from numerous West Ham supporters yesterday.

In other news: £21.3m beast on West Ham shortlist resisting new contract, he was ‘incredible’ v Lukaku

When Steven Gerrard was appointed as manager of Aston Villa, plenty of eyebrows were raised around the country.

The Liverpudlian is clearly a very talented and highly-rated coach but rightly or wrongly, there is always an element of scepticism attached to those arriving on English shores from Scottish football.

What he achieved north of the border was tremendous, as he guided Rangers to the Premiership title last term, doing so in unbeaten fashion.

That was the biggest boon attached to his CV upon arriving at Villa Park but we have quickly discovered there is another hugely appreciated bonus that he brings with him; that of attracting footballers to come and play for him.

The signings of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne prove that, as two impressive regular internationals joined the club, marking a set of acquisitions that were some of the most impressive in the club’s recent history.

However, there could be arrivals before the window is closed with Johan Lange and Gerrard targeting a certain Luis Suarez no less.

It appears as if the Uruguayan is enthralled by the idea of working with somebody he respects highly from when the ex-midfielder was still a player, and what a signing he’d be.

Boasting 241 goals in Europe’s top five leagues, he is a generational talent, someone who has found the net throughout his career with jaw-dropping consistency.

Yet, he isn’t the only offensive name that could still put pen to paper at Bodymoor Heath before January 31st.

Another player who has been linked with a move is Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski.

The Juventus star has been touted with switches to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur in recent times but it’s Villa who must secure his services.

After all, the £27m-rated gem could create a destructive and compelling partnership alongside both Coutinho and Suarez in the forward line.

Described as “explosive” by former Villa and Sweden striker Marcus Allback, Kulusevski has attributes in his locker that could scare opposing defenders up and down the country.

Capable of playing all across the front line, he has scored nine times and registered ten assists for Juve, but it was at Atalanta where he was most prolific.

He beat the goalkeeper on 17 occasions while proving himself to be a creative marvel, racking up 26 assists.

Indeed, with that kind of service for Suarez, they’d have the potential to create an awe-inspiring attack under Gerrard.

Admittedly, bringing both of them to the Midlands this winter seems unlikely, but supporters can always dream.

AND in other news, Grealish 2.0: Gerrard must avoid transfer howler on AVFC’s “selfless” £31.5m-rated gem…

Six of Everton’s Premier League rivals have signed up to become founding members of a European Super League (ESL).

Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal have been threatened with a ban from the English top flight if they go ahead with their plans, under which they would be guaranteed annual European qualification.

Everton already given green light for £500m arena

Everton have committed to the building of a new 53,000-seater stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in time for the 2024/25 season, but the future of the game is now shrouded in uncertainty (via The Guardian).

The construction of the stadium is expected to cost £500m and inevitable, concerns about the project have been raised in light of the ESL announcement, as club fan channel Toffee TV released a video discussing how the Super League might ‘kill’ the new stadium.

Everton confident Super League will be nipped in the bud

However, The Athletic correspondent Patrick Boyland reported that Everton remain hopeful. The Toffees are optimistic that the plans for the new competition, which are ‘light on detail’, will unravel before they even ‘get off the ground’.

Boyland added that the new stadium is intended to be a ‘catalyst for a renewed assault on the Champions League places’. Intriguingly, JP Morgan, who are set to fund the Super League, have been enlisted by Everton to back the Bramley-Moore Dock project.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Everton fans probably don’t need to worry, as there has already been some encouragement on Tuesday morning,

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekhol revealed that some of the executives involved are getting ‘cold feet’, with ‘strong differences of opinion emerging in private’.

The united front could soon break down.

In other news, Gary Neville had this to say about Everton’s Super League stance.

Everton are in a vulnerable position this season and have now found themselves in the relegation zone following their defeat in the Merseyside Derby, however, despite the struggles the club are still linked with transfer interests this summer.

What’s the latest

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Calciomercato), there are several Premier League clubs interested in signing Torino player Wilfried Singo, including Everton.

The report suggests that the club could make an offer for Singo, competing with Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Leicester to secure his signature this summer.

Better than Iwobi

The 21-year-old has been performing at a high level for his Italian club, and has been deployed in predominantly a right midfield position this season but can also play right-back.

Singo, who was hailed a “revelation” by journalist Matteo Bonetti, has become more of an attacking threat for his Serie A team this season scoring three goals and contributing four assists, winning the majority of his duels (58%), making 1.6 tackles and 1.4 clearances on average per game, proving he can impose an attacking threat as well as providing defensive qualities.

With that being said, the Ivorian national could be the perfect upgrade for Alex Iwobi this summer following a disappointing stint at Goodison Park over the last three years.

Iwobi has only scored seven goals in 91 appearances for Everton, and despite playing on the left compared to Singo on the right, the impact in comparison that the latter could provide for the club would be huge if he can emulate his performances for Torino on Merseyside next season.

Frank Lampard has been giving Iwobi his second chance in the team since arriving in January, becoming a consistent player in the team and despite scoring the winner against Newcastle United last month has otherwise not positively impacted the team to secure safety from relegation this season so far.

Everton may have competition to sign the in-demand £13.5m-rated star, and it could be much harder to add Singo into the team if they drop into the Championship this season and Premier League clubs make a move for him. Therefore, the Toffees boss will need to work hard to make sure that he can secure top-flight football in the remaining games.

AND in other news: Frank set for disaster on “fabulous” £5.1k-p/w gem, EFC supporters may not forgive him

Several Sheffield Wednesday fans were far from happy with Josh Windass during their 2-1 defeat to Norwich City in the Championship on Sunday.

Norwich are currently 10 points clear at the top of the second tier (BBC), so the Owls surely can’t be too disappointed with this result – they are 23rd and staring relegation to League One in the face. However, at this point in the campaign, it is irrelevant as to who they are playing against – they need wins and they need them fast.

This weekend, a number of supporters were particularly disappointed with the performance of Windass. He didn’t appear to do too badly in the first 45 minutes, but his failure to pass to teammate Joey Pelupessy after the interval infuriated the fans, especially when he then shouted expletives at Pelupessy after he complained.

These fans were angry with the former Glasgow Rangers forward, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

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

“Windass showing absolutely zero awareness there”

Credit: @BigAl_simon

“Decision making there from Windass was appalling. Simple pass to JP who is in on goal.”

Credit: @mja_owl

“Windass needs to come off next. Having a mare”

Credit: @robbiebebbie

“Windass got worst decision making I’ve ever seen”

Credit: @jacksheedy13

“Josh Windass needs to go! In it for him and nowhere near a team player! Ship him off to Ipswich I’ll pay for travel”

Credit: @buenotaylor10

“Can someone please tell Windass passing is allowed. Come and get him Ipswich”

Credit: @Matthew60975500

In other news, some Sheffield Wednesday fans react to an update on this man.

A number of Liverpool fans have been bemoaning the news that Florian Neuhaus could stay at Borussia Monchengladbach for another year.

The Reds could be set for a busy summer, with Ibrahima Konate already joining from RB Leipzig and other incomings now linked.

Not only that, but some players could head the other way, as Jurgen Klopp gets rids of individuals who are deemed surplus to requirements.

Liverpool have been mentioned in connection with a host of players already this summer, but Neuhaus has arguably been one of the most talked-about targets.

The 24-year-old is currently at Euro 2020 with Germany, but it has been hoped that a deal to bring him to Anfield could be agreed after the tournament.

According to Bild journalist Tobi Altschaffl on Twitter, however, Neuhaus will stay put at Monchengladbach ‘for at least another year’.

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Liverpool fans bemoan Neuhaus update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their frustration at the update, with one supporter simply calling it ‘bad news’.

“Another one bites the dust @LFC”

Credit: @dominion1017

“That’s another one gone”

Credit: @knoller2

“Liverpool messing around seriously…lol”

Credit: @Roi_Tola_

“What is going on? We aren’t far away from what Spurs are doing with their manager fiasco. He should have added, “he will join Bayern” after saying, “Neuhaus will stay for at least another year at Mönchengladbach.” Pathetic again from Liverpool”

Credit: @wearewinnin

“The Liverpool effect”

Credit: @_bradlfc

“If we’re getting someone else then siuuuuuuu but if we’re not then this is bad news”

Credit: @_JS98

“Man, tell me you’re joking”

Credit: @bayowaaaa

In other news, Liverpool’s interest in a prolific attacking player has emerged – find out who it is here.

Major transfer news has emerged about Portsmouth forward Ellis Harrison, regarding where he will be playing his football next season.

What’s the talk?

According to Portsmouth outlet The News, Harrison is closing in on a move to League One outfit Oxford United this week. Harrison favours a transfer to Oxford over other interested parties and is now on the verge of leaving Portsmouth for Karl Robinson’s side.

The report claims Portsmouth have been keen to sell Harrison this summer as Danny Cowley looks to reshape his squad ahead of next season. Harrison is said to be one of the highest-earners within the Pompey squad in League One, which is one of the reasons behind his prospective sale.

Back in 2020, at-the-time Pompey assistant manager Joe Gallen praised the “aggressive” forward for his selflessness on the pitch. He told The News:

“When Ellis is really on his game, for League One he is very hard to handle.”He’s a very aggressive player, he’s a very good foil for a goalscorer.”Some centre-forwards just want to score and that’s fine. When Ellis goes onto the football pitch, although he’s a centre-forward, he’s actually a real team player.” Fans will love it

Portsmouth fans will love this news as it means that the club are on the verge of getting rid of an underperforming player ahead of next season. Harrison has struggled to find his best form for Pompey since arriving from Ipswich in 2019, with just nine League One goals in two years. He managed four goals in 25 appearances in the season just gone, highlighting his lack of form in front of goals, and this is why fans should be happy to see him depart from Fratton Park in the coming days/weeks.

The £4.3k-per-week dud is the third-highest earner at Portsmouth and his performances have not reflected that for the club in League One. He ranked 13th in the squad for average WhoScored ratings in the 2020/21 campaign, playing 25 times across the season. This suggests that Portsmouth have been overpaying Harrison for his services and, therefore, shipping him on could be a smart move by the club from a financial standpoint, as well as from the footballing side.

This deal could be a shrewd piece of business from Portsmouth. It should allow Cowley to replace an underperforming member of his team with a new arrival, as the fee Oxford are set to pay for Harrison – which remains undisclosed – could potentially help Portsmouth land one of Cowley’s targets.

Now it is down to Portsmouth and Cowley to bring in an excellent player to replace Harrison and improve the squad to boost their chances of promotion.

AND in other news, Pompey handed major transfer boost with “strong” £3.4k-p/w ace, Cowley would love him…

Diego Laxalt recently caused quite a stir on a gaming platform in regards to Celtic’s managerial hunt.

The Uruguayan, who is on a season-long loan from AC Milan, was streaming Fortnite on Twitch in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

He was heard reading out a message: “Diego you meet Eddie Howe yet?” He replied: “No no no, tomorrow.”

These ten words led to many Celtic supporters thinking the Hoops were closing in on the former Bournemouth boss as Neil Lennon’s long-term replacement.

Laxalt clears up Howe confusion

It didn’t take long for Laxalt’s apparent admission on Howe to make its way on to social media, however, the left-back has now cleared up any confusion.

The 28-year-old, as reported by The Scottish Sun, took to Instagram to ask for the relevant clip to be taken down, admitting he was mistaken with Hoops striker Odsonne Edouard.

Transfer Tavern take

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to Celtic’s search for a new manager, but a first-team member revealing the new boss on a gaming platform would’ve been extremely bizarre.

However, with Laxalt now clearing up any confusion, that story can be put to bed.

Howe has been linked with the vacant Parkhead position, though, so who knows, we could still see the 43-year-old move to Glasgow ahead of the 2021/22 season, and Laxalt would have two Eddies to mix up if his loan is made permanent.

In other news: Celtic continue to be linked with international defender, find out more here. 

Many Wolves fans have been left to rage as Tim Spiers gave an update on their final game of the 2020/21 term in the Premier League on Sunday 23rd May.

As per a tweet from The Athletic journalist, ticket prices for their match against Manchester United, at which 4,500 fans will be allowed in at Molineux, stand at £45 to sit in the Steve Bull stand, and £40 in the North and South Banks and Graham Hughes stand.

Several members of the Wanderers faithful have been left angered at just how much money the Midlands club are charging them, given that they have not been able to go to the stadium all season long and these prices are not affordable at all for some.

Spiers also tweeted a comparison with other clubs, with Burnley letting their supporters in free of charge, while some ‘Big Six’ teams even have cheaper ticket prices, with Arsenal and Manchester City charging as little as £25.

Wolves fans on ticket prices

These WWFC supporters raged as the ticket prices were shared on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that they were ‘disgusting’:

“£45 quid…… what a joke! What happened to the games we had from last season which we didn’t get to see and the Europa game we paid for??? “Football is nothing without the fans”…….”

Credit: @DaveWillis1981

“Massive own goal this”

Credit: @cagwassell

“Disgusting prices !!!”

Credit: @EuropeanSam

“Robbing us blind”

Credit: @Stonewolf68

“Ludicrous price tbh”

Credit: @wolfieandwendy

“Shocking prices”

Credit: @Beardo92

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Wanderers fuming here!

Liverpool could yet have some business to complete on deadline day, with reliable journalist James Pearce revealing the future of centre-back Nat Phillips is hanging in the balance.

The Lowdown: Phillips out of favour

The 24-year-old did admirably for the Reds last season, filling in at the back in the absence of key injured trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Phillips hasn’t featured at all yet in 2021/22, however, and with Ibrahima Konate coming in to add to the depth in the heart of defence, he is effectively surplus to requirements at Liverpool.

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The Latest: Pearce provides update

According to The Athletic’s Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], Phillips could still leave in the hours before the transfer window closes.

It is claimed that Anfield officials believe late offers will arrive for the Englishman, who is valued at £12million.

It looks like Liverpool’s business is not done yet.

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The Verdict: Time to leave, Nat

Phillips should always be appreciated for the job he did last season, but he remains a limited defender who isn’t at the level required moving forward, in terms of his quality on the ball – only 0.4 key passes per game in the Premier League in 2020/21 – and lack of pace.

He needs regular football in order to continue maturing as a player, which is something Jurgen Klopp simply cannot offer him barring another catastrophic injury crisis.

Hopefully, a bid comes in for Phillips and he can leave permanently, acting as an ideal scenario for all parties.

In other news, Liverpool are eyeing up a deadline day signing – find out who it is here.