All posts by z3u9t.icu

Rangers have arguably their biggest Premiership game of the season ahead of them tomorrow as the latest Old Firm derby is set to take place at Ibrox.

As things stand, the Gers are currently three points behind their Glasgow arch-rivals at the top of the league table, making victory imperative if they are to strengthen their hopes of retaining the title.

The Ibrox outfit were dealt an injury blow after Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that they will be without Alfredo Morelos for the next few weeks as a result of a thigh injury he picked up while on international duty with Colombia.

In addition to this direct blow, it seems as though the Dutchman and his side have been dealt another big setback ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

However, rather than it being an injury issue with one of their players, it seems to be the fitness of one of Celtic’s key players which could land a blow on Rangers’ chances of securing a much-needed victory.

What’s the news?

After being out of action since December with a hamstring injury, Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi will be available to feature in Sunday’s clash according to Ange Postecoglou.

Taking into account how the Japan international has scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 26 appearances for the Hoops since his arrival from Vissel Kobe last stummer, it’s safe to say that the attacker has been a solid addition to Celtic’s ranks and a real attacking threat for them, much to the annoyance of Rangers fans.

Also, to further highlight the 27-year-old’s attacking talent, he currently has the third-highest shot-on-target average (54.8%) out of any player in the Premiership this season, showing how deadly he is in front of goal.

Therefore, having him back available for selection will surely be a massive boost for the Hoops and a big blow for the Gers, especially if he is able to get on the pitch and on the scoresheet.

Moving forward, Rangers will have to accept this bad news and make sure they do enough to snuff out the Japanese forward and Celtic’s other attacking players to make sure their arch-rivals don’t open a six-point gap at the top of the table.

In other news – McLeish howler: Rangers had a nightmare on “outstanding” 362-goal “special player”

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is available for his side’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester City, journalist David Lynch has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Biggest game of the season

The Reds take part in one of the biggest games in Premier League history on Sunday afternoon, heading to the Etihad for a top-of-the-table clash.

Just one point separates City and Liverpool currently and Jurgen Klopp’s side know that victory will put them in pole position to win a second title in three seasons.

Fabinho picked up a head injury in Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Benfica in the Champions League, leading to concern over his involvement in the weekend action.

The Latest: Fabinho passed fit

Lynch has allayed those fears, however, confirming in an article for Anfield Watch that the Brazilian is fit for selection:

“It was still feared that Fabinho might fall foul of concussion protocols subject to further examination. However, it is understood that the Brazilian ultimately did not require further treatment, other than to the minor cut he sustained.

“And, with the club’s medical staff confident a concussion was avoided, he has been given the all clear to train ahead of this weekend’s trip to the Etihad Stadium.”

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The Verdict: Vital news for Liverpool

This is an enormous boost for Liverpool, with Fabinho arguably the world’s best defensive midfielder currently, averaging 1.6 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game in the league this season and being hailed as ‘world-class’ by Thiago.

His presence in front of the defence is absolutely vital, with his influence in the spine of the team almost as big as Alisson’s in goal or Virgil van Dijk’s at centre-back – Klopp doesn’t have another natural number six to call on.

Fabinho is a shoo-in to start on Sunday and he will have a massive job on his hands extinguishing the threat of the many creative players City boast in central areas, from Bernardo Silva to Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden.

In other news, Liverpool are eyeing up a move for a defender this summer. Find out who it is here.

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Jefferson Montero finalised a loan move to West Brom from Swansea on deadline day as Baggies boss Darren Moore made multiple additions to his promotion-pushing side – the Swans, meanwhile, must have forgotten to put out the welcome mat and made zero signings, instead letting four leave.

The Ecuadorian has bags of pace and a decent end product but hasn’t started a game under Graham Potter this season, making all of his league appearances off the bench.

Entering the fray just before the hour mark against Birmingham on Tuesday, the winger teed up Oli McBurnie for his side’s second but just days later he’s no longer a Swansea player.

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video below…

The 29-year-old arrived at the Liberty Stadium in 2014 from Mexican outfit Morielo and has gone on to make 84 appearances for the Welsh outfit, chalking up two goals and 14 assists.

Despite that pretty dismal return, the 64-cap international offered a different dimension to the Swans attack and the decision let him go, particularly to a promotion rival, seems a bizarre one.

Swansea have also offloaded Wilfried Bony and Tom Carroll for the remainder of the season, who will join Al Arabi and Aston Villa respectively.

Here’s how the Liberty Stadium faithful reacted to Montero’s exit…

Transfers are never guaranteed to work out in football and failed deals have stung Sunderland more than most in recent years.

The Black Cats suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and the Championship to end up in League One in 2017, as they were unable to bring in the players they needed to avoid the drop on both occasions.

However, they have also made some excellent decisions in the transfer market over the years and deserve credit where it’s due.

Blinder on Wickham

One player the club managed to pull a blinder with was centre-forward Connor Wickham, as Dick Advocaat sold him to Crystal Palace for £9m (Transfermarkt) in 2015.

The Black Cats brought him in from Ipswich for £8.1m in 2011 and he scored 15 goals and provided four assists in 91 outings for the side. This included ten Premier League goals in his last two top-flight campaigns, scoring five in 15 and five in 36 before leaving for Selhurst Park.

Sunderland got almost 100 games of service and a number of Premier League goals out of him before making a, albeit small, profit on him. Whilst this is evidence enough to suggest that it was a good deal by the club, what has happened to Wickham since leaving has proven that they played a blinder with his sale.

His career has flopped as he only played 50 times in six seasons for Palace. After playing 21 Premier League matches in his first campaign for the club, he never made more than eight in another season for the Eagles as he scored three league goals in his final three years in London.

He ended his disastrous spell by leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2021. Championship Preston then picked him up for nothing later that year before landing at his current destination – MK Dons.

The 6 foot 3 forward, who journalist Dom Howson previously dubbed a “unit”, has beaten the goalkeeper only once in nine League One outings for the Buckinghamshire side after joining on a free transfer from Preston, as he has failed to get himself back on track.

The Athletic previously ran a story explaining when players typically peak in each position and for centre-forwards it is said to be around the age of 27, heading into their 30’s. Thus, with Wickham now 29, it’s obvious things haven’t turned out well for him.

Instead of finding his best form, Wickham’s stock is now at the lowest point of his entire career. At the time of writing (28/03/22), Transfermarkt value him at a measly £720k, which is significantly lower than the £9m Sunderland received from Palace for his signature. It is also lower than the £900k he was valued at whilst playing for Ipswich at the age of 16, illustrating just how far he has fallen from grace.

Therefore, Sunderland played a blinder with him as they made a profit on the fee they paid to the Tractor boys and got him out of the door before his career went tumbling downhill.

He failed to fulfil his potential and the Black Cats did not feel the effects of his failure as they cashed in on him at the perfect time.

AND in other news, Forget Defoe: Sunderland must now swoop for teen prodigy with 21 goals in 13 games…

Leeds United have handed a boost in their bid to bring Ryan Kent to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Pete O’Rourke, with the transfer insider revealing in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that the Rangers winger has a release clause written into his contract with the Scottish Premiership side – reported to be somewhere around the £20m mark.

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Speaking about Leeds’ interest in the 25-year-old, O’Rourke said: “The Ryan Kent one is interesting; he’s been a long-term target for Leeds. Ever since they won promotion back to the Premier League there were links with Ryan Kent.

“He’s had another good season for Rangers, impressed especially in their European run as well. If Leeds did follow up their interest, there is a release clause in his contract.”

Kent can replace Harrison

Considering the fact that Jack Harrison has recently been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, it is easy to see why Victor Orta would once again be considering a move for Kent at the end of the current campaign.

Indeed, while Kent has not quite hit the heights of 2020/21 over his 24 Premiership appearances so far this season, the £12.6m-rated winger has still been one of Rangers’ better performers, scoring two goals, registering seven assists and creating ten big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.5 shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £52k-per-week forward who Leon Balogun dubbed a “magician” and Andrew Dickson labelled “completely unplayable” average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.14, ranking him as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s sixth-best player in the Scottish top flight – not bad for an off season.

As such, should the £60k-per-week Harrison – a player who has scored seven goals and provided one assist over his 29 Premier League appearances this term, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.70 – indeed move on to pastures new this summer, Kent would very much appear to be an excellent replacement for the 25-year-old Leeds attacker.

AND in other news: Orta can finally axe “horrible” £46k-p/w Leeds flop with “significant” £25m signing

A number of West Ham supporters are ecstatic after centre-back Kurt Zouma was pictured training outside on Friday.

The Hammers have enjoyed another excellent season to date, proving that last term was no fluke as they look to finish in the top four in the Premier League.

David Moyes has been tested in the injury department of late, however, with Zouma and Angelo Obgonna both out injured, having been the go-to centre-back pairing.

While Obgonna is expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious knee problem, Zouma’s situation looks far more positive, acting as a big boost for West Ham.

On Friday, the club’s official Twitter account shared images of the Frenchman back on the training pitches, suggesting his return to the fold is not too far away.

West Ham fans love Zouma latest

These Hammers fans reacted in delighted fashion to the news on Twitter.

“ZOUUUUUUUUUUUMA”

Credit: @connorahumpage

“Things you love to see big Zouuuuuu is back let’s go lad”

Credit: @DannyMeates8

“TITLE CHARGE IS BACK ON!”

Credit: @billy_grimmel

“What a sight”

Credit: @samthomas97_

“Never needed a player as much as we need Big Zou rn”

Credit: @yshealthyv2

“Zouuuuu I’m so happy we got our main man back”

Credit: @JackSeaward69

In other news, some West Ham fans are excited over a transfer claim that has emerged. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has now given the green-light for yet another player to leave north London this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites exodus?

Spurs, as they aim for a major summer rebuild to appease Conte, could be set to orchestrate just as many outgoings as incomings in the next transfer window.

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Lyon loanee and club record-signing Tanguy Ndombele is likely to be offloaded with Conte not seeing a future for the 25-year-old, as backed by The Evening Standard.

Meanwhile, due to issues with their homegrown quota, transfer chief Fabio Paratici may be forced to sell one of Lucas Moura or Steven Bergwijn if he wishes to sign an overseas forward (The Telegraph).

Villarreal are also allegedly eyeing a permanent deal for Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso who is currently enjoying a fine temporary stint at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

The Latest: Conte green-lights Rodon exit…

Now, according to another report by and Football Insider and a ‘Tottenham source’, the Premier League top-four chasers have also give the green-light for defender Joe Rodon to leave Spurs this summer.

The club, and by extension manager Antonio Conte, are now ‘ready to sell’ the defender and have instructed him to find a new club.

FI, relaying their previous report, add that Rodon himself ‘100%’ wants to quit Tottenham amid his lack of opportunities.

The Verdict: Time to part ways…

It is a real mystery how the 24-year-old hasn’t been utilised more since Conte’s reign going by his real promise last season.

The Wales international, called ‘special’ and ‘flawless’ by members of their national media (Ian Mitchelmore), didn’t even feature more regularly when Eric Dier was sidelined through injury – despite Spurs’ head coach claiming Rodon is his deputy.

He showed real signs of promise against the likes of Chelsea over 2020/2021 and has barely put a foot wrong when given the opportunity, with former boss Jose Mourinho even branding him a ‘perfect’ player.

Over his 12 Premier League appearances for Spurs last season, Rodon even averaged more interceptions per 90 (1.8) than any of his teammates, highlighting his real pedigree as a rising star defender (WhoScored).

It is little wonder the defender wishes to part company with the only mystery being why Conte hasn’t fancied him more.

In other news: ‘Really impressive’ – Journalist excited as Spurs edge closer to signing ‘world class’ player, find out more here.

Aston Villa have made an approach for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, and a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Villa have already brought in three senior players this month in Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Robin Olsen, along with one for the academy in Kerr Smith, but it seems as if they are not done yet.

Steven Gerrard and Johan Lange now want a holding midfielder and a centre-back before the end of the month, and it seems as if Bentancur is their next target.

The 24-year-old has made 180 appearances for Juventus and is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in a defensive role. He has been a regular during 2021/22, and according to Dorsett, negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, with the Uruguay international valued at around £16m.

Villa fans react

@villareport relayed Dorsett’s claim on Twitter, and here is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many excited by the update and one labelling the midfielder as ‘quality’.

“Get it done and we are laughing next year”

Credit: @J_Villan17

“WOW!”

Credit: @rs_sangha

“Quality player, exactly the type we need to go for if we’re to gatecrash those European spots.”

Credit: @DanEvans90

“this isn’t reality man, what is happening”

Credit: @tomadamsavfc

“Only seen him play for Uruguay at the last World Cup, but he looked fantastic. Just what we need. Be a coup to get a starter for both Juventus and Uruguay to come here.”

Credit: @AVFCOliver

“Would be a brilliant signing”

Credit: @VitalVilla

In other news: ‘Crazy to sell’ – Lots of Villa fans flock to update as Newcastle swoop for Gerrard regular

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side finally return to Premiership action later this evening, with Hibernian making the trip to Parkhead for the first fixture since the Scottish winter break.

The two sides met as recently as December 19, when the Bhoys saw off Hibs 2-1 at Hampden Park in the League Cup final – with Kyogo Furuhashi’s second-half brace ensuring that Postecoglou would pick up the first piece of silverware available during his short tenure as Celtic boss.

However, with the Hoops having already made four signings in the January transfer window, in addition to still being burdened by a number of injuries to important first-team players, the 56-year-old’s starting XI could look very different to the one that lined up in the Bhoys’ most recent league fixture against St. Johnstone.

So, how many changes will the Greek-Australian manager make to the side which started the 3-1 win over the Saints last time out? Here’s how we think Celtic could line up against Hibs, along with the latest team and injury news…

With Postecoglou looking to still be without the services of David Turnbull, Albian Ajeti, Giorgos Giakoumakis, James Forrest, Karamoko Dembele and Christopher Jullien due to injury, as well as suffering the recent blow of Kyogo Furuhashi’s unavailability, we predict that the 56-year-old will make a whopping six changes to his starting XI from the St. Johnstone victory.

The first of these comes between the Celtic sticks, with Vasilis Barkas dropping out of the side following the return of Joe Hart – who missed the Saints fixture due to fitness concerns.

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There are a further two changes in the Bhoys backline, with Greg Taylor taking the place of Liam Scales at left-back, while Josip Juranovic drops back into right-back, with Stephen Welsh making way for the Croatia international.

In the middle of the park, despite impressing against St. Johnstone, the £14k-per-week Nir Bitton – who was once dubbed a “walking joke” by Bhoys Analytics – makes way for the return of club captain Callum McGregor at the base of Postecoglou’s three-man midfield, while Reo Hatate is handed his Celtic debut alongside Tom Rogic in the two more advanced central midfield roles – with the £19k-per-week James McCarthy having to once again make do with a spot on the bench.

Finally, there appears to be an extremely exciting return to first-team action on the cards for the £4.95m-rated Jota, who comes straight back into the side following his potential recovery from a hamstring injury, while there is a further Celtic debut handed to Daizen Maeda – who replaces his stricken international teammate Kyogo in leading the line for the Hoops.

In other news: Huge blow: Celtic dealt late injury setback ahead of Hibs, Postecoglou will be fuming

Liverpool have been handed a major boost ahead of their return to Premier League action this evening…

What’s the latest?

The Merseyside giants will be looking to keep the pressure on league-leading Manchester City, who they defeated 3-2 in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, as they welcome their red arch-rivals to Anfield later today.

Jurgen Klopp appears to have a fully fit squad to choose from and now, he has been gifted an even bigger boost as Manchester United are set to be without as many as five first-team stars for this huge encounter.

As revealed by Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick in his pre-game press conference on Monday afternoon, the visitors will be without Edinson Cavani, Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Fred.

“Rapha [Varane] didn’t train with the team. He was on the pitch with one of our rehab coaches. But with regard to injured players, we have the same situation that we had in the last two games,” he revealed.

Huge for Klopp

This is great news for Klopp and co as at least four of those five players would normally be part of Rangnick’s starting lineup, if fit.

Shaw and Varane are two key members of the German’s backline, particularly the latter, who is leagues apart from £80m flop Harry Maguire, whilst the English left-back has been in fine form in recent months.

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Meanwhile, both McTominay and Fred – dubbed ‘McFred’ by the Old Trafford faithful – have often been the main pairing at the base of the engine room for Rangnick, and his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Only four players have featured in more league minutes than the duo this campaign.

Cavani, however, has played a bit-part role following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has recently missed two of their last five matches in the English top-flight.

There’s no doubt that the Uruguayan can still cut the mustard at this level – having scored ten goals in only 13 league starts last term – and on his day, he poses a big threat and it also leaves the visiting cast of United without another frontline option.

With Liverpool needing to pick up further points to maintain their position in the title race, they will certainly feel buoyed by the prospect of facing a much weaker United team later this evening.

Klopp must be buzzing.

AND in other news, Forget Salah: Klopp must unleash £54m-rated Liverpool “monster” today, he can terrify Man Utd…