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Former West Ham striker Brian Deane has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he can understand why David Moyes opted against signing a replacement for Sebastien Haller in January.

Haller departed West Ham for Ajax in the last transfer window, leaving the Hammers short upfront.

Despite that, no striker was brought in, meaning Michail Antonio has had to lead the line with no natural cover. However, prior to the 2-1 win against Burnley, the 31-year-old had missed the defeats to Chelsea and Newcastle United.

It has left some questioning the decision not to replace Haller as West Ham continue to compete against the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool for Champions League football, two teams who are stacked in attack, in contrast.

Deane, however, can see the sense behind Moyes, David Gold and David Sullivan’s thinking. Speaking exclusively to FFC on the subject, the ex-West Ham player said:

“It’s difficult because I think what people don’t realise a lot of the time is that you can turn round and say they should have brought a striker in, but the manager might not always be able to get what he wants.

“Bringing in somebody for the sake of it sometimes doesn’t work.”

The Hammers will now be expected to move for a new No.9 in the summer, though that is unlikely to be Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham after Moyes claimed that his alleged £40m price tag is too much for the club.

When the transfer window opens this summer there should be a number of priorities on the agenda for Wolves.

They will need to sign a new striker after struggling with Raul Jimenez’s injury while they will need to beef up their midfield too.

In a normal season, you’d be able to rely on the midfield pairing of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho to set the tone.

Neves has thrived this term by scoring five goals in the Premier League but one man who has defined inconsistency is his partner in crime; Moutinho.

The Portuguese veteran has looked off the pace and had to wait until February to finally register a goal involvement. His form has been sluggish and due to that, Wolves reporter Tim Spiers thinks this could be his final season as a regular in the starting XI.

With that in mind, another midfielder would go down nicely this summer.

Wolves have long had Ainsley Maitland-Niles on their radar and he seems a perfect fit, not only for the starting XI but the manager too.

The England international has been touted at a massive £30m but if they can lure him back to the Midlands after his loan spell with West Brom expires, it would be great business.

First and foremost, Maitland-Niles is versatile. He’d suit Wolves’ system down to the ground given his ability to play at wing-back while he has become a threat from midfield now as well.

What Ruben Neves has been lacking in recent years is a dynamic option next to him. Moutinho is rather one dimensional at the age of 34 while Leander Dendoncker’s approach to the game is more about defence.

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It’s evident they have a number of midfielders who are quite similar. Maitland-Niles, however, would give them a very different threat.

He has the ability to defend, winning 2.2 tackles per game this season, while he is also a presence in the final third, epitomising the box-to-box role in the middle of the park.

Neves has long been the quarterback of Nuno’s team but he has lacked a more mobile presence with energy and tenacity next to him in order to transition defence into attack more quickly.

The Portugal international can spray passes and take shots from distance but his ball-carrying leaves plenty to be desired.

For instance, Neves has managed just 0.3 dribbles per match this season. Maitland-Niles, on the other hand, has registered 1.4 per game.

That’s a tally that only four players at Wolves have bettered this campaign; Adama Traore, Pedro Neto, Nelson Semedo and Daniel Podence.

On that basis, it’s clear to see why he’s been labelled a “weapon” by BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton.

This acquisition would benefit Wolves plenty and it could just squeeze even more out of the radiant Neves.

AND in other news, Forget MGW: Wolves must unleash rarely-seen 18 y/o who creates “things out of nothing”…

As confirmed by the club, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has penned a two-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium – with the Belgian’s new and improved deal lasting until 2025.

De Bruyne, who has been a revelation for City since signing from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015, has now committed his long term future to the club in a big announcement.

The Belgian has been a crucial player under Pep Guardiola in particular, winning the PFA Player of the Year award last season after a phenomenal 2019/2020 campaign where he bagged 20 assists and 13 goals from midfield in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).

As this news emerges, it’s little wonder one Sky Blues supporter called the announcement ‘amazing’ – with De Bruyne also playing a key role this campaign as City remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.

Find all for their best verdicts on the star midfielder signing a new and improved deal down below.

Man City fans go wild for De Bruyne news

“This is genuinely massive!

Yes it was never in doubt & he’s the key to which Manchester City are based around, but having Kevin De Bruyne basically finish his career here? Just amazing news for us all”

Credit: @olicoulsxn

“Maaaaaaaaate! This is massive! We are massive!”

Credit: @KonigFred_

“YESSSSSSS”

Credit: @la_tarrant

“HOLD ME”

Credit: @KDBseason

“OMG YOU WAITED TO ANNOUNCE IT AFTER HE DROPPED A MASTERCLASS IN THE UCL”

Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74

“AMAZING. LOVE YOU

@DeBruyneKev”

Credit: @StevenMcinerney

“This is wonderful news to us. You ginger beauty. Keep going.”

Credit: @Esther78278157

“Wonderful!, brilliant!, marvellous!, fantastic news!!!!!!!! Ohhhhh Kevin De Bruyne”

Credit: @BJ04089586

In other news: Man City fans also want this ‘amazing signing’ after reports, find out more here.

Rangers are reportedly taking an interest in Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence ahead of the transfer window and he could prove to be a superb addition to Steven Gerrard’s side this summer, should Ross Wilson be able to get him to Ibrox.

What’s the word?

According to ESPN, Rangers, Everton and Wolves are all keen on the young defender, whilst Tottenham Hotspur have also previously been said to be monitoring him, so it seems clear that his future likely lies away from the Riverside Stadium.

The report suggests that Middlesbrough will be willing to listen to offers in excess of £5m for the 20-year-old, who has two years left on his contract with the Teesside club.

Would he be a good signing?

Spence has been a regular at Middlesbrough for the past two seasons in the Championship, making 65 appearances in total, in which he has contributed two goals and no assists.

This season has seen the defender make 37 appearances in the English second tier, for which he has averaged a less than impressive 6.42 rating for his performances.

However, he is clearly highly rated and he wouldn’t be a first-team regular at that level at 20-years-old if he didn’t have a lot of talent, so he could prove to be a solid addition to Gerrard’s squad this summer.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock, who will have seen it all during his long managerial career, was full of praise for Spence recently, saying:

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.”

If Spence can reach the heights of either Alexander-Arnold or Wan-Bissaka in the future then he would definitely prove to be a worthwhile signing by the Light Blues this summer.

Although Rangers have two quality players competing at right-back in James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson, the £1.8m-rated Spence could add some squad depth ahead of next season and could provide back-up should either get injured.

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We saw this season that, in the absence of Tavernier, Gerrard was forced to call upon the inexperienced Patterson, and while he has proved to be a huge success, that could have easily backfired, so adding another option at right-back ahead of next season would be a sensible move by Ross Wilson, especially if it was one as talented as Spence.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Kamara: Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “very good” 22 y/o

Andy Walker believes that Glasgow Rangers would jump at the chance to be involved in the European Super League.

Walker says Gers would jump at European Super League

On Sunday, 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs decided to breakaway and form a European Super League (BBC).

Speaking to Sky Sports, Walker believes that Rangers and their fierce city rivals Celtic would have jumped at the chance to join the organisation if they had been invited. He said:

“It’s a real tough decision for both but you need to be realistic.

“I’ve been listening to Celtic and Rangers trying to get away from football for the best part of 20 years.

“So if you were to put this to any senior person at Celtic or Rangers, they will want to know what it’s all about. They will want to know how much money that they can generate, especially for Rangers given their perilous financial position.

“They will want to know what’s happening to the Champions League qualifiers next season. What does it mean? How much money can they get?

“Look at what winning the Scottish Premiership next season brings. It brings immediate access to the Champions League.

“If all that is off the table, then there is a financial landscape that you have to look at that is so serious.

“But let’s not kid ourselves. Celtic and Rangers would want to be involved in this.”

Walker added that it would be “absolute hypocrisy” from board members of either Glasgow club to say that they would not want to be part of the European Super League, with both clubs having in the past being linked with the possibility of a potential move to England or to an ‘Atlantic League’ (Sky Sports).

Up for debate

On the one hand, you can certainly see how the owners of both clubs would be eager to earn a slice of the pie. The deal is said to be worth £4.6bn, with each side receiving £310m (The Times) for entering. For Rangers, that is an amount of money they could only dream of otherwise.

However, it would be detrimental to the most important stakeholders the 55-time Scottish champions possess – the fans. Despite playing in a league which is often lacking in competition and with generally few aspirations of European success, the Gers’ fanbase has remained loyal, even as they were demoted to the fourth division of Scottish football after entering administration. Such a decision would alienate those supporters, and despite what Walker might say, it feels unlikely that the owners would be willing to take such a risk.

In other news, find out why Davie Provan has slammed this Rangers player.

A week ago it looked as though Roy Keane was destined to become the new Celtic manager and sit in the Bhoys dugout. However, seven days on, the favourite for the role now appears to be Eddie Howe.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the former Bournemouth manager was seriously interested in replacing Neil Lennon. Celtic acted on that quickly and, over the last few days they have been in advanced discussions to bring the 43-year-old north of the border.

Howe has been out of work since leaving the Cherries in August but, after performing due diligence on behind-the-scenes matters at Parkhead, he wants to take on the job.

If he does come to Glasgow, how could his starting XI look next season? We’ve had a go at predicting the events of the next few months.

This is set to be a summer of change for Celtic and that could spiral down to the playing squad. Odsonne Edouard has regularly been linked with moves away as the Premier League come calling for the Frenchman.

Another name to be linked with the exit door is centre-back Kristoffer Ajer. If they both depart, then Howe’s first priority will be to replace them.

We’re tipping Ajer’s replacement to be Motherwell’s Declan Gallagher, a player for whom Celtic are reportedly ready to make a move in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Edouard’s successor could be Liverpool forward Divock Origi. News emerged last week that the Reds were willing to part ways with the Belgian in a deal which would sees Celtic’s star striker go in the opposite direction.

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There are no further additions of note in the forward line but James Forrest comes back into the team in favour of a more permanent role following his lengthy injury.

There are a number of changes at the back besides Gallagher. Seamus Coleman has been viewed as someone who could be signed this summer, and with Jonjoe Kenny’s loan deal expiring in the summer, they will need a right-back.

Another issue has been between the sticks, so the Hoops could bring back David Marshall. He is a further name to be tipped with a move to Parkhead this summer and he could resolve a number of issues.

Vasilis Barkas has been error-prone since his £4.5m arrival last summer while the same can be said for Scott Bain, so securing someone like Marshall could be vital.

Liam Shaw also comes into the midfield after signing a pre-contract agreement to join the Hoops when his contract with Sheffield Wednesday expires.

Celtic have swapped between a four-man and three-man defence this season but a 4-4-2 formation was one which Howe utilised regularly during his stay with Bournemouth. We expect him to go with something similar if he comes to Paradise.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Edouard: Celtic must sign 16-goal gem who plays “in the style of Robben”…

In recent comments made on Twitter, ExWHUemployee addressed the recent reports linking West Ham United midfielder, Declan Rice, with a move away from the Hammers this summer.

So far this season, Rice has been in rather remarkable form over his 29 Premier League appearances for David Moyes’ side, with the 22-year-old scoring one goal and providing one assist, as well as averaging a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.09 – ranking him as the club’s fourth-best performer in the top flight.

As a result of these fine displays, Troy Deeney recently suggested that Rice could leave West Ham this summer, telling talkSPORT that it would take between £50 million and £60 million for Moyes to part with the defensive midfielder.

However, in reaction to Deeney’s claims, ExWHUemployee took to Twitter, stating his belief that ‘it’s not true’ that Rice is set to leave east London at the end of the season, before adding: “Not for that price, certainly.”

Transfer Tavern Take

Considering the fact that it was reported the Hammers were demanding a fee of around £80 million for Rice last summer, the fact that the midfielder is now a regular England international, as well as performing extremely well for West Ham in their push for a Champions League finish this term, it would certainly appear unlikely that the club’s asking price for the 22-year-old would have decreased over the course of this season.

In other news: West Ham are preparing a summer offer for this 16-goal £13k p/w Moyes target – find out more here!

According to a report by The Sun, via City Xtra, star Manchester City defender John Stones is in advanced talks over a new five-year contract worth £150,000-per-week – prompting plenty of Sky Blues to erupt over this ‘great news’.

The Englishman has, arguably, been City’s most improved player this season and a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s side – having started 20 Premier League matches whilst partnering summer acquisition Ruben Dias to devastating effect. 

Indeed, Stones has been a revelation for the league leaders this campaign after Guardiola played him far less over 2019/2020 – with the Spaniard even opting to utilise Fernandinho as a makeshift centre-half at one point.

Now, due to his impressive performances, the Sun report he is in talks over a bumper new £150,000-per-week deal which includes incentives/bonuses for trophies, appearances and clean sheets.

It is said that he is also desperate to secure his future with the club and has never wanted to depart the Etihad Stadium, coming after he was linked with a move away last summer.

Given his influence this season, it’s little wonder plenty of Sky Blues have erupted over the ‘great news’ – find a taste of their best verdicts down below.

Man City fans erupt over Stones contract claim

“yessss”

Credit: @Thebigkun

“Great get it done then”

Credit: @tottimcfc27

“Omg he deserved so much”

Credit: @martha2144

“Give him the contract”

Credit: @portmore_15

“CMOOONNN”

Credit: @CitehTy

“Great news.”

Credit: @ruiningfootball

“I love city for adding value to players they bring. They pay good money for the Player they want and they give them more money to keep them”

Credit: @mtambudze

“Genuinely can’t think of a single player who’s had such a quick revival like Stones. From being on the brink of being sold last summer to becoming one of the most important defensive assets for City – he deserves a new deal without question”

Credit: @sampuddephatt1

In other news: Man City fans also went wild for this club announcement, find out more here.

Many Sunderland fans have been criticising the performance of Grant Leadbitter in their 1-1 draw with Lincoln City in League One on Saturday afternoon.

Lee Johnson’s team took the lead at the Stadium of Light through a rare goal for Callum McFadzean after a fine ball by Max Power, before Callum Morton equalised for the visitors just after the hour mark.

It will surely be seen as two points dropped by the hosts as they look to chase promotion back to the Championship at the end of the season.

Leadbitter was just one of a number of players who struggled throughout the game, losing out on four of his duels while also failing to record a single interception or tackle from the centre of midfield (Sofascore).

The former Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough man also lost possession of the ball no fewer than seven times in total over the course of the match, as he was substituted off in the 71st minute for Ross Stewart (Sofascore).

Sunderland fan reaction to Leadbitter display

These Black Cats supporters slammed the 35-year-old’s performance on Twitter, with one Sunderland fan describing the veteran as ‘leggy’:

“O’Nien and Leadbitter cost us two points today. Clear weak links against a strong, rapid counter attacking team”

Credit: @jpsleightholme1

“Every time Leadbitter starts the tempo is awful. We can’t press with him and he slows the whole game. Had his day, needs to be a sub used when we need to slow a game down and that’s it.”

Credit: @craigtrichardso

“Think Leadbitter performances of late has proved he should go to academy to train the kids…we have no momentum ..are ponderous and pedestrian when he starts #SAFC”

Credit: @Safcftm2016

“Think Leadbitter didn’t have a good game, slows the tempo down massively in the middle of the park. Baffled by the midfield selection tbh. #SAFC”

Credit: @TheSafcAnalyst

“Wrong starting line up, Power and Leadbitter have no pace in cm, looked very leggy, only one team looked like winning it in second half”

Credit: @theboovont

“How can he not see Leadbitter makes this team worse. He should have retired the same time as Danny Graham. The midfield is full of slow players we’ve never had a foothold in this game”

Credit: @CalPatterson17

In other news, find out whose performance was slammed against Tranmere Rovers!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 270 career appearances, believes that losing Jamaal Lascelles through injury will be a big blow for Newcastle United, but hopes they have other leaders in the squad.

Steve Bruce delivered the disappointing news in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Burnley clash that he will be without his captain for what appears to be the remainder of the season, in a match that could give them some serious breathing space from 18th-placed Fulham.

During Callum Wilson’s latest injury, Lascelles has been the club’s top scorer with two headers against Aston Villa and Wolves respectively with both goals earning the Magpies a point in each match.

Speaking on how big of a blow losing Lascelles will be for Newcastle but how he hopes they will have other leaders ready to step up, Howey told FFC:

“Obviously it is a blow losing your skipper, but you’d like to think that there are some more leaders in the group.

“It just came out of nowhere, because there wasn’t any mention of an injury and then all of a sudden, he’s got this stress fracture, which is a blow.”

Lascelles has been an ever-present when fit under Bruce, having featured 19 times in the Premier League this season.

The 26-year old was appointed captain during their last season in the Championship when eyebrows were raised, considering he was just 22-years old at the time, with Rafa Benitez claiming he had a big character and was a leader in the changing room.