All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy remains a big admirer of Brendan Rodgers and he is a name who is unlikely to fade away over the coming weeks/months.

Could Spurs hire Brendan Rodgers?

The north London club have spent the last few weeks without a permanent manager at the helm with Cristian Stellini overseeing the Lilywhites until the end of the season.

This is a decision which has not paid off in the slightest with Spurs' Champions League pursuit in danger of coming off the rails over the coming week.

Dismal results against Everton and Bournemouth have set Tottenham back in the top-four race and games against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Liverpool could all but seal their fate.

Amid their struggles on the pitch, Spurs are also believed to be competing alongside Chelsea for a number of their reported managerial targets.

However, one name which is believed to still be on the radar of Levy is the former Leicester City boss, Rodgers, who also found himself without a job just a matter of weeks ago.

And speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast, insider Graeme Bailey has claimed the 50-year-old's name is one which Levy holds in high regard:

(18:15) "There are others in this process as well. Arne Slot at Feyenoord doing a wonderful job over there. He's going to be in contention, turned down Leeds in January when Jesse Marsch left, he turned them down.

"Vincent Kompany doing a fine job at Burnley he's in contention and Brendan Rodgers, his name won't go away. Keep an eye on him, guys. He is much loved by Daniel Levy."

Could Rodgers be a good match for Spurs?

There have been a number of managerial changes over the last month or so with Chelsea and Leicester also bringing in interim managers until the end of the campaign.

It would have been fascinating to see Spurs potentially source an interim manager from outside the club to bring in some fresh ideas.

Under Stellini, Spurs have failed to impress and a lot of that ma be credited to the Italian sticking to the methods he has learned under Antonio Conte by fielding unchanged starting line-ups.

Leicester brought in Dean Smith to oversee their remaining games, which begs the question of whether Spurs could have potentially done the same with Rodgers.

On the back of a dismal campaign with the Foxes, the Northern Irishman now has a lot to prove if he is to get a big job in the future.

By hiring him until the end of the campaign, Tottenham could have provided Rodgers with an opportunity to bring a new perspective to this Spurs side as they look to secure a spot in the top four.

And had Rodgers impressed during the remaining games of the season, then perhaps he may have found himself in a more favourable position to land the job on a permanent basis.

However, Spurs chose to stick to what they know and it has certainly not paid off after failing to beat either relegation-battling side Everton or Bournemouth.

Tottenham Hotspur may have been gifted a boost in their managerial search with target Oliver Glasner reportedly set to leave Eintracht Frankfurt.

What's the latest on Glasner to Spurs?

The Austrian is attracting real interest from Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy with reports suggesting there have already been certain moves made behind the scenes. Indeed, it has been claimed by reliable German sources like Bild that the north Londoners have contacted Glasner's agents ahead of a possible move.

Eintracht's boss joins a plethora of other managers on Spurs' list to replace Antonio Conte with Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann and Zinedine Zidane all linked with a move to Hotspur Way. Meanwhile, the likes of Feyenoord's Arne Slot and even Christophe Galtier of Paris-Saint Germain are on Tottenham's radar.

The search for Conte's replacement is set to be an intriguing one, not least because of Chelsea's presence, who could provide stiff competition to Spurs amid their quest to find an heir for Graham Potter. The west Londoners have appointed Frank Lampard on an interim basis until the end of the season but will continue interviewing permanent managerial candidates in the background.

Back to Tottenham, a report by Sky Sports Germany correspondent Florian Plettenberg may have just given the Lilywhites a boost in their pursuit of Glasner.

It is now believed that the 48-year-old is set to depart his current club at the end of the season, with Plettenberg of the belief that Glasner 'will say goodbye' to Frankfurt following the conclusion of the 2022/2023 campaign.

Could Glasner succeed at Spurs?

The Austrian has done a solid job with Frankfurt, perhaps most notably winning the Europa League last season at the expense of Scottish giants Rangers.

Glasner's trophy-winning pedigree begins and ends there, but we believe he could still be a real dark horse contender for the Spurs job.

Often deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Spurs players accustomed to Conte's three-at-the-back system could seemingly find the transition to Glasner's methodology slightly less demanding as a result.

Bundesliga bosses like Marco Rose have also praised Glasner's intense and aggressive brand of football, stating:

"Oliver Glasner's intense and aggressive football has brought big success to Frankfurt. They have solutions in and out of possession. Their centre forward is incredible and they have a lot of good players."

If Tottenham cannot seal moves for big-name targets like Pochettino or Nagelsmann, we wouldn't discount Glasner whatsoever.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery has claimed that it's "good news" Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is only out with illness as opposed to picking up a bad injury.

What's the latest on Kai Havertz and Chelsea?

The German had started his national team's friendly against Peru during the international break but wasn't able to feature in the following game against Belgium.

Indeed, he was sent home after picking up an illness and travelled home while his compatriots lost 3-2 in their second friendly of the break.

Seeing as the likes of Raheem Sterling, Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Mason Mount and many others have all been fitness doubts of late, Dinnery has claimed that it's "good news" the player likely won't be out long, if at all.

While speaking on FPL Injuries, the expert explained his line of thinking.

He said: "Kai Havertz is one of the latest additions to that Chelsea treatment table. Thankfully, this isn't injury-related, this is more of an illness that released him from the German camp.

"And while we can never give any kind of definitive recovery times just to the very nature of the player responses and the typical virus, it certainly is good news within the fact that it isn't a muscle problem or an injury that he's picked up."

What has Havertz been saying about Chelsea?

Interestingly enough, the £150,000-per-week star has recently been speaking in the press about arriving at Chelsea for such big money.

Indeed, he told The Guardian: "For me, the price was a big thing. I was Chelsea’s most expensive player. I don’t understand how so much money is paid but it is normal in football: look at our recent transfers. That brings pressure because people think you are Messi. I was still 20, 21.

"People don’t see that; they see the price so you have to be great from day one. You can feel it, the tension. You read it, hear it."

The player has at least been able to find some good form of late, scoring three goals in the last three games – across the Premier League and the Champions League – before coming into the break.

As it isn't a bad injury, hopefully, he can recover from this flu and get back on the pitch before too long to help maintain this purple patch. The Blues will certainly need him if they want to end the season on a high.

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz this summer, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: City make plans…

Despite the threat of Premier League sanctions looming over Pep Guardiola’s side, a verdict will not be reached for quite some time, so it’s business as usual for the champions.

City are reportedly making transfer plans behind-the-scenes amid their challenges for a third-consecutive domestic crown, potential Champions League title and FA Cup.

Jude Bellingham, who is also being heavily courted by the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid, is one player well and truly on Guardiola’s radar.

As well as the Borussia Dortmund superstar, City have been linked with moves for the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Declan Rice as possible midfield alternatives.

In terms of forwards, Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is reportedly attracting attention from Eastlands as he continues to make waves in Serie A.

The Latest: City join Wirtz transfer race…

According to reporter Bailey, writing for 90min, another transfer target can be added to Guardiola’s list as City join the race to sign Wirtz from Leverkusen.

The 19-year-old has reignited City’s interest after he was on their radar a while ago with the attacking midfield ace also having plenty of other admirers.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Dortmund are named as interested parties.

While Bailey stats Leverkusen do not envisage him leaving this summer, he also suggests that a ‘sizeable’ offer could sway them if they fail to climb the Bundesliga table.

The Verdict: Major talent…

The £62 million-rated teenager is drawing many suitors for good reason – he is a sensational talent who could be destined for a move to England.

Wirtz is seen by many as one of Europe’s most exciting young players and is now back in the Germany national team fold after nine months recovering from a knee ligament injury.

Wirtz has been unable to showcase his ability for the last year but is now starting to rediscover his potential – registering four assists in nine league matches since returning.

Only Jeremie Frimpong has averaged a higher match rating per 90 domestically than Wirtz who also ranks in Leverkusen’s top two for key passes made and successful take-ons (WhoScored).

Called ‘phenomenal’ for his calmness by defender Jonathan Tah, Wirtz’s quality is perhaps summed up by comparisons with Lionel Messi – with former Liverpool midfielder and Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso claiming he boasts similar qualities.

Arsenal enjoyed a near decade of success under Arsene Wenger between 1996 and 2006, with the Frenchman changing the landscape of English football while leading the Gunners to three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, coming close to European glory on two occasions also.

His success in the transfer market was key to all of this, managing to sign players such as Thierry Henry, Marc Overmars and Sol Campbell and turn them into the finest on the continent within their respective positions which made Arsenal a club to be feared.

His final decade wasn’t as enjoyable, with the manager seemingly losing his touch when it came to transfers. Lucas Perez, Calum Chambers and Gervinho all arrived for fees which probably didn’t reflect their actual ability, and they struggled to live up to expectations.

One of his worst signings however was that of Sébastien Squillaci, who rinsed the club during his stint in London.

How much did Sébastien Squillaci cost Arsenal?

The Frenchman arrived at the Gunners in the summer of 2010 for a fee of £4m from La Liga side Sevilla, and it looked as though it could be another Wenger masterclass in the transfer market.

Here was a defender who had won two Ligue 1 titles with Lyon while also claiming a Spanish Cup with Sevilla and had represented France on 21 occasions, including at the 2010 World Cup and arrived with considerable pedigree.

His spell with the Gunners would be an unequivocal disaster. His first season saw the player make 32 appearances and score twice, yet over the next two campaigns he would make just seven appearances across all competitions all while collecting wages reported to be around £50k-per-week in the process.

He twice clashed heads with fellow defender Laurent Koscielny and was sent off against Huddersfield in the FA Cup during his spell at the club and Wenger finally lost patience with the defender, as his performances left much to be desired.

The former Lyon centre-back left the North Londoners in the summer of 2013, returning to France to join SC Bastia and across his 148-week spell under Wenger, Squillaci rinsed the club for £11.8m (his £4m transfer fee plus £7.8m in wages earned during that spell) and it’s clear this money could have been spent on other areas.

His signing proved to be a colossal waste of money and Wenger’s final years were littered with such transfers. Thankfully, Mikel Arteta looks to be signing players who will only add quality to the Arsenal side.

A number of Manchester United supporters have called for the club to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane in a potential £100million move this summer.

The Lowdown: Kane a target for United

Few players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford more often than the 29-year-old of late, as the club eye up an audacious piece of business in the transfer marktet.

Kane may possibly feel that this summer is the last opportunity to earn a big move during his prime years, with his 30th birthday arriving during the summer and Spurs continuing to struggle when it comes to winning silverware.

The north Londoners are desperate to hold firm, considering the Englishman’s importance to them, but a new report claims that they are holding out for £100million for his services this summer, with his current deal expiring in 2024.

The Latest: Fans talk up move

Taking to Twitter, these United fans reacted to this latest development, urging the club to seal the signing of Kane at the end of the season:

“We’ll give them Martial as a sweetener” – @sadmantoo

“Don’t speak just pay” – @schoirdey4you

“Easy money for my potential new owner” – @ThatoMokoena10

“Pay it” – @ErnieMac10

“100 mil on Kane and 30 mil on Ferguson” – @UTDiknowfooty

“GET IT DONE” – @PxckedJS

The Verdict: Get it done, Reds

Granted, Kane is older than fellow rumoured transfer target Victor Osimhen, who is enjoying a sensational season for Napoli, but he would still be an outstanding signing by United for a number of years.

The 80-cap and 53-goal England international has proven himself in the Premier League for many years, netting 204 times in the competition, and he is arguably one of the most prolific strikers in the history of English football.

Capable of both creating and scoring for fun, Kane would prove to be a massive upgrade on Wout Weghorst, dropping deep into pockets of space and creating gaps for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antony in behind.

In many ways, he is one of the most complete strikers in Europe currently, given his passing, finishing, hold-up play and work-rate – he has averaged 1.7 aerial duel wins per game in the league this season – and he could take United to another level with his quality.

Should Spurs remain stubborn, however, Osimhen would also be a fantastic and long-term option, considering he is only 24 years of age and has scored 21 goals in 22 Serie A in 2022/213 to date.

Former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison believes Patrick Vieira is ‘under pressure’ with fans ‘not happy’ following the 1-0 loss to rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.

The Lowdown: Another defeat

The Eagles made the trip to the south coast without a senior goalkeeper, resulting in Joe Whitworth making his debut. The 19-year-old impressed, but Palace fell to yet another Premier League defeat.

Solly March’s goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, although Vieira’s team did end their run of three games without a shot on target in the early stages, which resulted in chants from the away support.

It is still no win for Palace in 2023, who are now averaging a point a game and are just three points clear of the bottom three despite sitting in 12th place.

The Latest: Morrison’s comments

Morrison, who contributes to Sky Sports, was working as a pundit on the game and shared his thoughts following the loss. The former Palace forward claimed that supporters aren’t happy and that Vieira is ‘under pressure’ in regards to his future at Selhurst Park.

As relayed by journalist Andrew McSteen, Morrison said:

“He’s under pressure. The noises at Selhurst Park from the fans, they’re not happy, obviously, with the results. The performances have been good, but it is not being clinical enough.

“We say season upon season with the club: can they get a centre forward who could score them 10-15 goals?

“They have evolved…they do try to dominate the football now & create chances, which Patrick implemented, but they’re not clinical enough. It’s the same old story.”

The Verdict: Stick or twist

Palace are currently in free fall and have lost their last three fixtures in the top flight 1-0. Things don’t get any easier for Vieira, who travel to top-of-the-table Arsenal on the weekend.

Should the club suffer another defeat, they could find themselves slipping down the table even further, which may leave club officials needing to make a decision on Vieira’s future.

However, changing manager this late in the season when battling relegation ‘hardly ever leads to a better final league position’, so it could be a gamble by the board, who would need a quick appointment ahead of the run-in.

There is an international break after this weekend’s fixtures, though, so it’ll be interesting to see the club’s stance on Vieira, should they go to the Emirates and fall to a fourth straight loss.

YouTuber Mark Goldbridge has slammed Erik ten Hag for his “horrific error” as he subbed Fred off for Scott McTominay during the Manchester United defeat this weekend.

What’s the latest on Erik ten Hag and the Man United defeat?

On Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, the Red Devils knew they had a tough game on their hands but nothing could have prepared their fans for the shock 7-0 thumping they were about to suffer against Liverpool.

A brace from Cody Gakpo and one effort from Darwin Nunez had given the Reds a three-goal lead by the 50th minute and before the hour mark, Ten Hag opted to make a change.

In the remaining 32 minutes with Fred now off and McTominay on, Man Utd managed to ship a further four goals and Goldbridge has outlined why this was such a poor substitution to make.

While speaking on The United Stand, he explained (8:25): “It’s as unforgivable as it is shocking because of what actually happened. But to be honest with you, I actually think at 3-0, Ten Hag made a horrific error. A horrific error that cost us four goals.

“Bringing Scott McTominay on and putting them in a game like that was like throwing a rabbit into a bunch of lions. It was a tear-up because we completely capitulated in the midfield.

“Fred might not have been having a good game, but we’ve always said this about Fred: he can have a bad hour and then in the last half an hour he can be world-class.

“Taking Fred off from McTominay… He [Ten Hag] was obviously not very happy with Fred, but taking Fred off and McTominay – however bad we were with Fred – that midfield just dissipated, completely disappeared.”

How badly did Scott McTominay play for MUFC?

Seeing as the game was essentially lost at 3-0, it’s not hard to see why Ten Hag felt as though he needed to change things up to try and shift the momentum of the game.

As it happened though, things only went from bad to worse. In the end, McTominay finished the game with a 6.2 SofaScore rating, having picked up a yellow card, touching the ball just six times, compelling two out of three passes, losing the ball once, winning one of two ground rules, while making a foul too.

As that shows, it was a forgettable 32-minute cameo from the midfielder. However, you can hardly blame him for the result, but the decision to bring him on and the entire United performance certainly doesn’t reflect well on Ten Hag, who up until recently has been earning big praise.

All in all, it was a day to forget for everyone involved with MUFC.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is back on Manchester United’s radar ahead of the summer, according to talkSPORT.

The Lowdown: Old Trafford visit

De Jong, who was heavily linked with a move to the red side of Manchester last summer, recently took in Old Trafford for the first time.

The Dutch midfielder starred in a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League, where he was the best-rated player from either side, as per SofaScore. He completed 100% of his five attempted dribbles and won 13 of his 16 duels, and that display appears to have caught the eye of United chiefs once more.

The Latest: Transfer update

TalkSPORT provided an update on De Jong and United in the last 24 hours, claiming that a move is ‘firmly back on’.

Erik ten Hag has made the midfielder ‘one of United’s top summer targets’ and hopes that ‘sampling the Old Trafford feel-good factor’ can persuade him to join.

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The Verdict: Fingers crossed

De Jong showed his quality at Old Trafford last month, and it’s clear to see that he would be a brilliant addition heading into Ten Hag’s second season.

United have been left with limited options in midfield recently due to injuries to Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay and a three-match ban for Casemiro.

Therefore, a new midfielder could be beneficial in the summer, especially with Marcel Sabitzer only on loan, with De Jong, called ‘extraordinary’ by his manager Xavi in the past, a long-term target.

De Jong could provide the right balance alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with all three players averaging an impressive WhoScored match rating of more than 7/10 so far this season.

Liverpool could rival Tottenham Hotspur for the signing of Max Kilman this summer, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: Liverpool eyeing defender

The Reds are set to bring in a new centre-back this summer, with RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol likely to be a target for Jurgen Klopp, having been tracked by the club for some time.

Liverpool are also interested in Sante Fe’s Kevin Mantilla, who could be brought in as a long-term replacement for the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, both of whom are now 31-years-old.

The Latest: Kilman targeted

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Jacobs has confirmed that Kilman could be targeted by the Reds, having previously been touted for a move to Tottenham.

The reporter said: “I am also told Liverpool, like Spurs, would consider Wolves’ Max Kilman. You could make an argument Liverpool need a left and right-sided centre-back even if both don’t play instantly together as a new first-choice pairing in 2023/24.”

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Lauded as ‘outstanding’ by journalist Tim Spiers, the centre-back has been one of Wolves’ best-performing players in the Premier League this season, averaging the fourth-highest average match rating in the squad according to Sofascore.

The Englishman ranks in the 95th percentile for blocks per 90 in the past year, highlighting his willingness to put his body on the line, while he is also competent in the air, averaging more aerials won than Matip over the same timeframe.

Given that he is 25-years-old, the 6 foot 4 colossus should be about to enter his peak years, and he has proven that he is ready for the step up to a club of Liverpool’s stature.

With Klopp already blessed with the likes of Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the centre-back department, Kilman would unlikely to come in and be an immediate starter, but he would be a great rotation option for the Reds in the meantime.