All posts by n8rngtd.top

Given how The Super League has dominated the football world over the past couple of days, you’d be forgiven for letting Aston Villa’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday night slip your mind.

Dean Smith’s side will be taking on one of the SL’s ‘founding fathers’ when they take on City at Villa Park, and no doubt the pre-match talk will all be dominated by the competition and how it can be stopped.

The Villa boss however will need to ensure he keeps his eye on matters on the pitch, and there is one big call that he should look to make: dropping Bertrand Traore.

The Burkina Faso international has really struggled for form in recent weeks, failing to score in his last seven Premier League games, and picking up just the one assist in that time.

Last week against Liverpool, Traore just didn’t look at all at the races, and, writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail, Ashley Preece gave him a five, saying: “Slipped Trezeguet in with a nice reverse pass in the first half but his involvement was minimal. His display was summed up when he attempted a hospital pass infield from a Villa throw-in as Salah almost took advantage.

“I don’t think he’s formed a good understanding with Cash yet, which again was summed up as he over-hit his pass as Cash advanced. Traore just couldn’t get going, couldn’t produce that magic we’ve seen this season and struggled throughout before complaining of rib trouble once more as El Ghazi replaced him. Disappointing.”

The £55k-a-week earning Traore has just been costing Villa in recent weeks with his performances, especially when you consider that Smith has desperately needed him to step up in Jack Grealish’s absence.

Instead, the winger has just hit a real roadblock in terms of his form, and as Preece says, appears to be a bit of a liability, both going forward and back towards his own goal.

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With the likes of Anwar El Ghazi and Jacob Ramsey waiting in the wings, it’s time for Smith to make a ruthless call and drop his summer signing against City on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Villa must land this “unique” Premier League sensation…

Leeds transfer target Noni Madueke could set Elland Road on fire were he to join from PSV this summer.

What’s the story?

The 19-year-old is currently on international duty with England’s U21s in the European Championships, and it appears that his form at club level has already seen sides across Europe taking note.

According to The Evening Standard, the Whites are one of the sides to have already started putting feelers out for the winger, with the likes of Crystal Palace and even Bayern Munich also said to be in the frame.

Shades of Raphinha

England U21 coach, Aidy Boothroyd, raved about his ability, saying: “He’s a powerhouse of a player, technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link.

“He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”

And that record at PSV is very impressive indeed. This season has seen him score nine goals and provide a further eight assists across all competitions, including three goal competitions in the Europa League.

Former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte raved about about the England teenager to Dutch radio station Omroep Brabant last year, saying (via Goal): “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions. That’s what PSV needs.”

So while Raphinha is the man of the moment at Leeds right now given his superb debut campaign in English football, the Whites faithful could have another hero to cheer next season if they land Madueke this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds could sign a perfect midfield partner for Kalvin Phillips in this star…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leicester City winger Keith Gillespie believes that Kelechi Iheanacho’s recent goalscoring form has potentially saved his Foxes career.

Prior to his recent resurgence, the former Manchester City frontman had been mainly restricted to starts in the Europa League, and had to wait until early-February for his first Premier League goal of the season, which came against Fulham.

Since netting at Craven Cottage, Iheanacho has started seven games in all competitions, scoring eight times, including his first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield United earlier this month, before firing the Foxes into their first FA Cup semi-finals for 39 years against Manchester United last Sunday.

And Gillespie has been impressed with Iheanacho’s revival in the absence of James Maddison, and admitted that Brendan Rodgers has a selection headache on his hands once the England midfielder returns from his recent his injury.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s one that’s been lost a little bit. Big-money transfer to Leicester, but hasn’t really provided the performances. But he’s stepped up when they’ve really needed him to. 

“He’s had to stand up and produce performances, he scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United and is in a really rich vein of form, but he’s still very young.

“With him having this chance with Maddison out, I feel like if he didn’t produce those performances, Leicester were probably thinking about cutting-ties and bringing someone else in, because he’s been there a few seasons.

“But he has given Brendan a headache. When Maddison gets fit again, he’s got a headache because who does he play? It would be unfortunate for Iheanacho to be left out after the performances he’s put in.”

Iheanacho’s return to form has really come at an ideal time for Leicester. Their Premier League form was just starting to dip, but three victories on the bounce in all competitions means they look good value for a top-four place, and have every chance of adding the FA Cup to their trophy cabinet.

Leeds United will target Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt this summer when his deal at Selhurst Park expires.

That’s according to a report from The Mirror, who claimed that the 30-year-old fits the profile required by Marcelo Bielsa of an attacking full-back.

Van Aanholt to replace Leeds’ Alioski?

Van Aanholt, valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, is considering the next move of his career after Tyrick Mitchell’s emergence has seen him in and out of Roy Hodgson’s side.

The Dutch defender, who has made 19 appearances this season, will be available for nothing in the summer, when his contract is due to expire.

The Whites have a left-back of their own out of contract in the summer in Ezgjan Alioski, and it seems as if Van Aanholt could come in to replace the North Macedonian, with Bielsa eyeing a new first-choice left-back.

Transfer Tavern take

Many Eagles supporters weren’t impressed with Van Aanholt on Saturday during the 1-0 win over West Brom, with one describing his display as ‘awful’.

The £55,000-a-week Palace man stalled over fresh contract talks with Palace towards the end of 2020, and a move away from Selhurst Park for nothing now seems likely.

He has made 130 appearances for the club, scoring 14 times and providing six assists, but it appears as if he won’t be hitting the 150 mark for the Eagles.

In other news: Many Palace fans are buzzing at links to £9m-rated Premier League midfielder, find out more here. 

Porto midfielder Otavio has reportedly made his decision to leave the Portuguese giants in the summer.

The Brazilian will be out of contract at the Estadio do Dragao at the end of the season, with CalcioMercato suggesting that he has decided not to sign a new deal.

Having apparently held an interest in the player before, now is the perfect time for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City to make a move.

Otavio, capable of playing out wide or in the centre of midfield, is enjoying a profitable season in Portugal having hit five goals and notched eight assists in all competitions.

The two-time Portuguese champion would hugely improve on the numbers provided by the Foxes’ current wide options Cengiz Under, Marc Albrighton and of course Ayoze Perez, who holds a similar position. With the Spaniard having made just 16 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal, the arrival of the £18.9m-rated Otavio could see his position in the squad under real threat.

After all, Rodgers made clear of his ambitions to add to his attacking midfield options as recently as the January transfer window.

Should Otavio arrive in the East-Midlands, he would also supply plenty of European experience. With Leicester gunning for back-to-back European campaigns, this time in the UEFA Champions League, his 23 appearances in the competition would surely come in handy.

One huge benefit of the move would also be the price, or more specifically, the lack of one. With Otavio out of contract, a free transfer would allow funds to be spent elsewhere.

However, the Foxes reportedly face competition for his signature with AC Milan, AS Roma and Wolverhampton Wanderers all thought to be admirers of him too.

With Otavio now free to negotiate his next move, Rodgers should push for Leicester to organise his first signing of the summer or risk losing out on a long-term target.

AND in more news, another shrewd move could see in the Foxes bring in Celtic’s Jack Hendry…

Some Arsenal fans were left to slam the display of Willian away at Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

The former Chelsea man did not impress some members of the Emirates Stadium faithful after he was given his chance from the start by Mikel Arteta.

The Brazil international lost out on 100% of his duels and also failed to record a single shot on goal, successful dribble or accurate cross, as he lost possession of the ball 10 times in the game in total (Sofascore).

Even though he picked up the assist for the opening goal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Willian was not able to have too much more of an influence in the match, as he was substituted off in the 70th minute for Nicolas Pepe.

Arsenal fan reaction to Willian display

These Gunners supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Gooner even going as far as to claim that the 32-year-old was ‘ineffective’:

“Willian off, thank God”

Credit: @dumakadozie

“Take Willian off neowwww!”

Credit: @ProlificPapi

“Willian extremely ineffective, hopefully Pepe can have a run at Erik Pieters”

Credit: @AlexCullen17

“Pls can Willian get out, I’m on my knees”

Credit: @supportsteven

“About time Willian actually took a player on. Just doesn’t seem to fancy it does he.”

Credit: @bobramsden1

“I just want Willian out of the club or just not playing”

Credit: @ppperdix1

In other news, find out who else was slammed for his display here!

West Ham United prospect Oladapo Afolayan sent David Moyes a reminder of his potential while making his Bolton Wanderers debut on Tuesday night.

Afolayan moved to the University of Bolton Stadium on loan for the remainder of the season in a late Deadline Day deal earlier this month, for his third taste of action outside of east London following previous spells with Oldham Athletic and Mansfield Town.

The 23-year-old forward had made his long-awaited senior Irons debut with a goalscoring cameo appearance in the FA Cup in January, coming off the bench to fire home in the 4-0 rout of Doncaster Rovers.

Bolton boss Ian Evatt sought to afford Afolayan his Wanderers debut at the first available opportunity, by fielding the London-born attacker for the final half an hour of his side’s League Two meeting with Morecambe on Tuesday.

The 5 ft 10 centre-forward was unable to add to his goalscoring record against the Shrimps, who fought back to salvage a point late in the day, but left boss Evatt mightily impressed by what he had been able to bring to the table.

“Dapo is magic, a talented boy,” Evatt said, via quotes by The Bolton News. “You saw glimpses, but it’s a shame we didn’t see them in full flow, really, Madders [Marcus Maddison] and Dapo, because they were brought on to win us the game, to extend the lead and kill the game off, and they combined quite quickly for the chance that was saved.”

Afolayan picked up possession deep in Morecambe territory just minutes after coming off the bench and found Maddison on the edge of the box, but the 27-year-old – who would be shown a straight red card for a lunging tackle on Aaron Wildig – could only force a save from Kyle Letheren.

Maddison’s red card meant Bolton were forced to be more defensive in the closing stages yet Afolayan still created chances to demonstrate his potential, ending his half an hour on the pitch with three successful dribbles to his name from three attempts, per SofaScore.

He additionally completed 85% of his passes with only two of 13 balls going astray, which is vastly superior to Michail Antonio’s efforts in the Premier League this term with the 30-year-old only completing 64% of his attempts for just 9.5 accurate passes a game, per SofaScore.

Antonio additionally only completes 50% of his dribbles for 1.5 a game, but is now Moyes’ only available senior centre-forward after opting against signing a striker to replace Sebastien Haller during the winter transfer market.

Now, with Antonio also a potential doubt for Monday’s clash with Sheffield United, Afolayan’s performance will only send a message back to the London Stadium that he could have been worth giving a chance over the remainder of the campaign.

AND in other news, West Ham will have to pay in excess of £26.5m to land a prolific 18 goal striker in the summer…

West Brom have been handed a late setback in their pursuit of Christian Benteke…

What’s the word?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson poured cold water on the chances of the 30-year-old leaving Selhurst Park amid reported interest from the Baggies.

Indeed, the former Albion manager confirmed that the £8.1m-rated Benteke would be making the trip to Newcastle tomorrow evening, thus ruling him out of a last-gasp move to the Hawthorns.

Benteke blow

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon only a few days ago, the Eagles had given the ‘green light’ to any Benteke departure ahead of deadline day but as evident above, that does not seem to be the case.

And that’ll come as a late setback for Sam Allardyce, who has managed the 6 foot 3 colossus before, and revealed himself that he’d be “interested” in signing him this window.

The 38-cap Belgian striker was an influential part of the Palace side that Big Sam successfully steered to safety in 2016/17.

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That season, Benteke scored nine times in 22 appearances, as per Transfermarkt, which led to the 66-year-old calling him a “big catalyst” and a “big reason” to why they survived relegation.

He’d surely have wanted the former Villa man in to repeat similar exploits as he’s a vastly-experienced Premier League forward with a pretty decent goalscoring record.

Indeed, Benteke has provided 75 goals in 239 top-flight appearances and even though Mbaye Diagne has been brought through from Galatasaray this window, he has never ever played in English football, so that’s a massive risk.

Only two other teams have conceded fewer goals than West Brom (17), one of which being rock-bottom Sheffield United, so Allardyce could have done with even more options in attack, especially as both Kenneth Zohore and Charlie Austin departed on loan.

That’s two out, one in, and that may not be enough.

The once dubbed an “absolute monster” won’t be joining Albion before tonight’s 11pm deadline and that’s a bad blow towards their survival chances. Benteke’s best returns were under Allardyce, so that could have been a lucrative partnership worth reigniting in the Midlands this month.

AND in other news, West Brom must seal deal for £25k-p/w beast, Klopp once dubbed him “very impressive”…

Glasgow Rangers fans are disgusted at Ian Crocker after the Sky Sports commentator continually criticised Alfredo Morelos on Wednesday.

The Gers beat Hibernian 1-0 at Easter Road as they maintained their 23-point lead at the top of the Premiership (BBC). Morelos scored the only goal of the game in the second-half, but he was arguably lucky to still be on the pitch after an apparent stamp on an opponent in the first 45 minutes.

Crocker was commentating on the match for Sky Sports, and he was outraged by the incident, even demanding retrospective action to be aimed at the Colombia international. He then proceeded to spend the remainder of the match complaining about the 24-year-old.

It is fair to say the Gers supporters were absolutely livid at the pundit, and they took to the social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

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

“@SkyFootball absolutely shocking, biased commentary from Crocker and Walker. For so called ‘neutral’ pundits, their constant reference to Morelos’ challenge and the need for the compliance officer to get involved was a disgrace! Why are they still commentating on Rangers games?”

Credit: @Al74lan

Ian Crocker’s anti-@RangersFC bias is embarrassing. Relentless criticism of Morelos.

Credit: @londonbluenose

“It’s not really commentary is it folks? More of an agenda led vendetta by messrs Crocker and Walker against Morelos. @ScotlandSky”

Credit: @uberhonda

“Ian Crocker has an unhealthy obsession with Morelos”

Credit: @Barisic_Baldy

“Sort it out @ScotlandSky. Crocker and Walker constantly bleating and basically begging for action against Morelos last night was pathetic. I pay for balanced opinion not downright hatred.”

Credit: @stevie_cat

“”Goal from Morelos, who should’ve been sent off.” Sky’s coverage summed up by Crocker’s misery when Morelos scored. Not how intelligent Morelos was; dragging Porteous out wide to collect the ball, then cutting in to receive the ball onside and scoring. No. It was a witch-hunt.”

Credit: @missteeray

In other news, Rangers fans slammed this SFA decision.

Having suffered heartache against Sheffield United, Manchester United stumbled again against a well-drilled Arsenal in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have now dropped three points in their past four Premier League fixtures and now find themselves three points adrift of their arch-rivals Manchester City after Edinson Cavani squandered a couple of chances in the closing stages of the game.

The Gunners came closest to breaking the deadlock after Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar from a direct free-kick before Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe forced fine saves from David de Gea.

Whilst the Red Devils enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, they lacked the quality in the final third to win the game, with centre-forward Cavani the main culprit.

The summer recruit from Paris Saint-Germain endured a night to forget at the Emirates as he was kept at bay by the combined efforts of David Luiz and Rob Holding, with the pair teaming up to prevent him from finding the back of the net.

Cavani, who has scored four goals in 14 top-flight appearances, bizarrely missed two big chances over the course of the game, which was the most of any player from either side on the pitch, including Paul Pogba.

The £10m-rated 33-year-old lost four of his six duels overall (66%) as he was outmuscled by the likes of Luiz and Holding, and failed to complete a successful dribble from his solitary attempt.

He was also largely anonymous as he struggled to earn a foothold in the game, taking just 30 touches of the ball, the fewest out of any United player barring his teammates Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay.

However, his lack of control will be the least of Solskjaer’s concern, as he seems to have lost his finishing touch, earning himself a low rating of 6.0 in the process, per SofaScore, which was the lowest out of every United player on the pitch, and everyone in total.

It was a rare blemish on what has otherwise been an impressive first season in English football – his average SofaScore match rating in the Premier League is 6.86 – but he badly let Solskjaer down as they have now lost ground to Pep Guardiola’s side in the title race at the top of the table.

AND in other news, Manchester United must avoid signing Edin Dzeko in January…