All posts by n8rngtd.top

According to a report by Fabrizio Romano, via City Xtra, the Sky Blues are looking at Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli and are currently scouting him – prompting many Manchester City supporters to flock to this claim. 

Locatelli, who is valued at around €40M-€45M (£34.4m-£38.7m) by the Serie A side, is indeed at the centre of interest from Txiki Begiristain according to Romano – with the Sky Blues apparently keeping tabs ahead of this summer.

This is despite the arguably fine form of Rodrigo in defensive midfield, but with Fernandinho looking unlikely to sign another contract extension, Locatelli has emerged as a potential replacement option and reinforcement in front of City’s defence.

However, while they are currently looking, Romano has followed that up by saying there has not been any contact with Locatelli’s representatives or indeed a formal approach.

Flocking to this claim, interest in the 23-year-old alone has been enough to spark some excitement and debate – find all of their best verdicts down below.

Man City fans flock to Romano news

“He is such a baller”

Credit: @Ethan73918517

“Locatelli is such a baller, wouldnt rate him out”

Credit: @ezal_19

“On my knees”

Credit: @MysticalMendy

“Manuel Locatelli tackles better than Rodri”

Credit: @thunyalin

“He looks like a really good player. Would be ideally as a Fernandinho replacement and competition for Rodri.”

Credit: @jparkes1991

“So many people are saying he’s actually really good so if we got him I’d actually be excited”

Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74

“Please go for him and not Zakaria”

Credit: @MassiveMyattFT

In other news: Man City fans went crazy over this Premier League stat, find out more here.

According to a report by Football Insider, West Ham United and David Moyes have set their sights on Leeds United ‘sensation’ Illan Meslier – coming as the club have held talks over extending Lukasz Fabianski’s contract but with no agreement in place yet. 

The Irons are confident they can keep their number one for another season regardless, especially considering they have a one-year option in his current deal according to Football Insider, but that hasn’t stopped them looking at potential replacements.

Moyes eyeing Meslier for West Ham

Meslier, who has been a Leeds regular under Marcelo Bielsa this season, starting 25 of their 26 Premier League matches, apparently fits the bill as Moyes eyes potential new additions in the goalkeeping department.

He signed for the Whites on a permanent deal just last summer, converting his loan spell from Lorient into a permanent deal, but West Ham and Moyes are now keeping tabs ahead of the next transfer window.

Transfer Tavern take

Described as ‘incredible’ by former Leeds and Premier League striker Jermaine Beckford (Doing A Leeds podcast via Leeds United news), he is currently valued at around £10.8 million by Transfermarkt – with no mooted price tag mentioned by this Football Insider report.

Leeds may want much more for their number one shot stopper given his age, but it remains to be seen if more news emerges regarding talks or an asking price.

In other news: West Ham are also keeping tabs on this potentially ‘perfect signing’, find out more here.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans hit out at winger Anwar El Ghazi on social media following the club’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Friday evening.

Dean Smith made one change to the side that drew with Wolves last time out, with youngster Jacob Ramsey replacing January signing Morgan Sanson in midfield.

The visitors were forced into an early change, though, after Bertrand Traore was forced off injured, bringing El Ghazi into the action.

Villa looked to have snatched all three points late on following Ciaran Clark’s own goal, however, with just seconds remaining in injury time, the Dutch winger gave the ball away, which led to Jamaal Lascelles heading home.

The result leaves Smith’s side in ninth place, with Lascelles’ dramatic equaliser preventing Villa going above Premier League champions Liverpool.

El Ghazi recorded a WhoScored match rating of 6.22/10 – the third worst score out of all 14 Villa players to feature. He had more shots than anyone on the field at St James’ Park (6), but only two managed to hit the target.

Villa fans slam El Ghazi

“El Ghazi should be embarrassed with his display tonight. We deserved absolutely nothing from that game”

Credit: @seeley_george3

“El Ghazi has absolutely 0 footballing ability, all he can do is shoot.”

Credit: @DomQ18

“Trez lacks quality and El Ghazi is so greedy.”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

“El Ghazi is a complete waste of time. Lost the ball THREE times in injury time, allowing the ball to be put back in the box.”

Credit: @FroggattSimon

“Stop playing El Ghazi”

Credit: @MattBedfordd

“El Ghazi forever scared of the ball”

Credit: @10grealishh

In other news: Many AVFC fans have been buzzing after a report on Wes Edens resurfaced, find out more here.

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.

Writing for the Daily Express, journalist Gareth Bicknell has touted available manager Rafael Benitez as a potential option for Tottenham Hotspur if current coach Jose Mourinho is sacked – with the Spaniard standing out among four other possible candidates.

Benitez touted as potential option for Tottenham

Alongside the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and Max Allegri, Benitez is touted by the Express as one man chairman Daniel Levy could turn to given his availability after leaving Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro.

Indeed, Bicknell believes that the 60-year-old would surely relish the chance to manage in the Premier League again, with Tottenham a potential destination should Levy opt to part ways with Mourinho.

Having won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, fondly remembered among the Reds fanbase, has has also clinched the Europa League at London rivals Chelsea.

Most recently, he guided Newcastle United back into the Premier League but left following a dispute with Magpies owner Mike Ashley.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his availability, Benitez could indeed be a fruitful outside option amid the consistent links to Rodgers and Nagelsmann – with the ex-Inter Milan boss having earned special praise from Paul Gascoigne.

In a candid interview with the BBC, the former Tottenham star heralded him as an ‘unbelievable manager’ – and it’s hard to argue with his assessment given Benitez’ silverware collection.

Time will tell whether Spurs could turn to him as an option, but that possibility has now been touted by the media.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this ‘elite’ boss, find out more here.

Several Aston Villa supporters have been reacting to an update regarding Financial Fair Play on social media.

According to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, cited by the Birmingham Mail, UEFA are on the verge of scrapping Financial Fair Play and could replace it with a new system to monitor club spending.

Palmeri claims that a possible new system could give clubs more freedom over their finances, which could be seen first-hand in the transfer market.

Aston Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are among the richest in the Premier League, so the change may benefit Villa, with Dean Smith looking to improve the club’s squad depth with quality in the summer window.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the Birmingham Mail’s report on social media on Wednesday afternoon, with their post receiving plenty of interaction.

This is what these supporters had to say, with some wondering what the changes could mean ahead of the summer window.

“For me I don’t mind us splashing the cash, but let’s make sure the players we get are good enough to be at the club who play to the same style as Smith likes!”

Credit: @mikelloydavfc

“Spend them wisely”

Credit: @VILLARBK

“Let’s get proper quality in now, would rather us spend 30/40m on 2/3 players than 15m on 5/6 imo”

Credit: @CallumG_Fitness

“Haaland Incoming”

Credit: @Samigul69

“At least we will get linked with different names now hopefully, not convinced it changes our transfer strategy but who knows”

Credit: @AV7689983427

“Who’s up for buying Kevin De Bruyne as backup for Jack Grealish UTV #avfc”

Credit: @AndrewBrought14

In other news: Many Villa fans slam Lee Hendrie’s latest transfer suggestion, find out more here. 

Recently-appointed Charlton Athletic boss Nigel Adkins is probably best known for his spell at Southampton, and interestingly, there are a lot of similarities between then and now.

Both were former Premier League teams who were in rapid decline, both had large potential in terms of support with big all-seater stadia, and both were rescued by foreign investors.

There’s a lot the 56-year-old can take from that reign, which saw the Saints return to the big time after back-to-back promotions. Adkins had several key players, including Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, and the new Addicks may well have players in a similar mould at The Valley.

On the Chalkboard

Just like Lallana, Albie Morgan came through the academy system at Charlt0n, and whilst the Southampton legend had been a regular for the previous two seasons, the 21-year-old has established himself amongst the first team in south London.

He played a big part in both playoff campaigns, with his versatility and ability on the ball proving key to their fortunes. Indeed, These Football Times explained how Adkins ‘relied on’ the attacking midfielder throughout his tenure, whilst in 98 appearances, Lallana played both on the left and through the middle for him, as per Transfermarkt.

Under Lee Bowyer, Morgan had started to lose his place in the starting line-up, featuring in just two of the new Birmingham boss’ final six games in charge, but in 28 total appearances in all competitions this term, the 21-year-old dynamo has already played in seven different positions.

He has shown an ability to contribute goals, both from central midfield and on the right, having provided two goals and five assists so far. Morgan is among their most creative players, averaging 1.4 key pass per 90 minutes – only two other regularly-featuring Addicks players have managed more, as per WhoScored.

That passing ability was something noted by Bowyer, who told the club’s official website after Morgan’s second professional start: “I thought he was outstanding today in and out of possession. He’s 18-years-old, spraying the ball all over the place. I thought he worked his socks off.”

Again, that draws further similarities to Lallana, who has arguably made a career from being able to spray the ball about from midfield.

Perhaps Adkins already knows this – after all, the young academy gem started his first game in charge against AFC Wimbledon last weekend, playing 71 minutes at right midfield.

Dubbed “improving” and “maturing” by Bowyer, Morgan could well soon emerge as Adkins’ next Lallana in League One.

AND in other news, Adkins could find his next Rickie Lambert in £810k-rated beast who can “hold up a house”…

Sheffield Wednesday are in dire need of a major rebuild this summer and there won’t be a better time to do so, with several of the current Owls squad out of contract at the end of the season.

Indeed, new Wednesday boss Darren Moore has a decision to make on no fewer than 12 senior stars, ranging from former captain Tom Lees to emerging prospect Osaze Urhoghide.

A lot of this squad has been knocking about Hillsborough for several seasons, even stretching back to that double playoff run under Carlos Carvalhal and one name that has overstayed his welcome is surely Dutch midfielder Joey Pelupessy.

The 5 foot 10 maestro was the first signing of that fateful Jos Luhukay era, and very much in a similar vein, he has never really hit the ground running in south Yorkshire.

At the time, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (via Sport Witness) reported that Pelupessy had cost around €500k (£426k), whilst it is thought he’s earning wages of £12.5k-per-week, which puts him amongst the Owls’ best-paid players.

According to The Star, the 27-year-old has attracted interest from other teams ahead of the summer, both in England and abroad. They believe ‘there have been conversations,’ in particular, with foreign teams, as Pelupessy has been free to join them on a pre-contract agreement since January.

The long-serving midfielder is certainly a player who splits opinion at Wednesday, as seen by the reaction to him signing a one-year extension last summer.

“This is embarrassing,” said one fan. Another added: “One of the worst players I’ve seen at Hillsborough. Shows the ambition of the club.” Whilst there were positives, some dubbed him a “likeable bloke” and a further supporter claimed he’d be a “good back-up,” as relayed by YorkshireLive.

It’s easy to see why he causes such a stir. In three-and-a-half seasons, he’s never averaged above a mediocre 6.67 rating – and that came in his first six months at the club, as per WhoScored.

His current average of 6.40 is comfortably the worst of his Owls career to date, so it is not like he’s proving a point to Moore that he must be kept around. Overall, you could argue that he’s been one massive flop at Hillsborough.

Owls skipper Barry Bannan has waxed lyrical about his partner in the past, claiming he’s “brilliant” and “the perfect foil” to his playmaking style as “he does the horrible bits that nobody likes to do.”

But with the Dutchman sat amongst Wednesday’s worst performers this campaign, it’s hard to put up a case for offering him yet another contract extension.

It’s time to move on from the Luhukay disaster, irrespective of the division Wednesday will be in next term

AND in other news, “He needs people who..” – Exclusive: Palmer drops Moore claim amid Sheffield Wednesday setback

When Andre Green broke onto the scene at Aston Villa, there was no questioning that those within the inner circle at the club thought they had an absolute gem on their hands.

The winger made his debut for Villa as a 17-year-old under then-manager Remi Garde, coming on for half an hour in a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham in 2016.

The Birmingham Mail revealed at the time that Green was being “seen as one of the club’s most talented youngsters”, but sadly for both him and the club, things just didn’t work out.

After making just 48 appearances for Villa, the now 22-year-old was released by his boyhood club last summer, and he went a good six months without finding a new home before eventually being signed by Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.

Former Villa boss Tim Sherwood has openly admitted that he’s been left stunned by how things have gone for Green, and insisted that had he been at the helm for longer, it may have worked out differently.

He said: “I love Andre and I’m very surprised. He’s got ridiculous pace and goes past people like Ronaldo used to. It’s as if they’re not there. He’s got great ability but has been unfortunate with a few injuries. Hopefully, he can get over them. Players do in the end.”

Sherwood added: “If I’d have had longer in the job, he would have played. He could go at players and score goals but just needed to play men’s football and step up. He was ready for the step up.

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“I was looking at him to start the 2015-16 season and then he got injured in pre-season, in Portugal in our training camp, so it was devastating for the boy. It’s just an unfortunate sliding-doors moment that I went and someone else came in and never valued the talent he had.”

As Sherwood says, injuries certainly haven’t been helpful to Green, but Villa surely could have done more in getting the best out of his enormous talent and potential. The club seriously dropped the ball with the £900,000-rated winger.

Meanwhile, Villa could wreak havoc in the Premier League by signing this star…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Barry Fry, who is Director of Football at Peterborough United, has claimed that Celtic would still love to have Eddie Howe amid potential reports he may be having second thoughts.

Howe has been heavily tipped to be Neil Lennon’s successor at Celtic and despite reports last week saying he was to be appointed in the coming days, it appears Howe is now unsure over a move.

The 41-year old has been out of a job since leaving Bournemouth by mutual consent after he failed to keep them in the Premier League during the 2019/20 season.

Speaking on if Celtic and their fans would want Howe as manager, Fry told FFC:

“I understand they’ve had talks with Eddie and his representatives already and I think Celtic would love to have Eddie and everybody connected with Celtic would love for him to go there.

Celtic missed the opportunity to win a record 10 SPFL titles in a row this season and instead they had to watch on as Rangers won their 55th league title.

The Bhoys will also be without influential captain Scott Brown next season who is joining Aberdeen as a player-coach alongside new manager Stephen Glass