All posts by z3u9t.icu

The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas has shared an update on West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma following the injury he sustained in the 2-0 defeat against Brentford on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Zouma’s injury

During the Irons’ clash against their London rivals, the 27-year-old had to be replaced by Issa Diop in the 29th minute after he sustained a knock to his ankle. Thomas Frank’s side then went on to score twice in the second half, dealing David Moyes a blow in the Hammers’ pursuit of a top-four finish.

Of more imminent concern, Zouma’s injury has sparked concerns ahead of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon on Thursday night.

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The Latest: Thomas’ update on Zouma…

Taking to Twitter, Roshane Thomas provided an update on Zouma’s injury, revealing: “Kurt Zouma to be assessed before Lyon trip after twisting ankle in Brentford defeat. #WHUFC”

In his corresponding article from The Athletic, the reporter shared Moyes’s post-match comments as the West Ham manager spoke about the situation, saying: “Kurt’s twisted his ankle and we don’t know how bad it is.

“We’ll get him checked but I hadn’t had a chance to speak to the medical team yet. Coming off is not a good sign so hopefully it’s not too bad.”

The Verdict: Zouma is crucial to West Ham

According to FBRef, Zouma ranks in the 94th percentile for clearances made, demonstrating the importance he holds in making last-ditch interventions. In addition to the 1.1 blocks he averages per league game, this makes him an essential part of the Hammers’ back-line.

As a result, Moyes will be hoping that the France international can shake off the injury before the quarter-final clash against Lyon, having received a 7.3 Sofascore rating for his performance in the first leg last week.

It looks like it could be a race against time for Zouma to be fit for the match in his homeland on Thursday night, leaving West Ham supporters with a nervy wait on his injury status before then.

In other news: Thomas has voiced his concern with the form of another West Ham player

Liverpool are interested in signing Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez if Mohamed Salah leaves, according to Serie A journalist Niccolo Ceccarini.

The Lowdown: Martinez shines for Inter

The 24-year-old has become one of the key figures at Inter in recent years, scoring 14 goals in just 21 Serie A starts this season, not to mention registering two assists.

Martinez has been described as ‘spectacular’ by the one and only Lionel Messi, which is high praise indeed, and it could be that he is on the move at the end of the season, with Inter seemingly already eyeing up replacements in the shape of Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Scamacca.

The £63million-rated Argentine’s current deal in Milan expires in the summer of 2026.

The Latest: Liverpool keen on signing

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb [via Sport Witness], Ceccarini claimed that Liverpool are interested in making a move for Martinez if Salah leaves:

“As for Lautaro, the club’s (Inter’s) position is very clear. The Argentine striker remains central and fundamental in the Nerazzurri project, but in the face of a big offer, Inter will still make a reflection.

“We have to understand if a big European name will come forward concretely. Liverpool is a possibility, especially if Salah should leave at the end of this season.”

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The Verdict: Hard to see happening

While Martinez is undoubtedly a special talent who could thrive at one of Europe’s top teams, it is hard to see Liverpool signing him this summer.

In Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, the Reds already have five magnificent options in attack, so the Inter man would struggle for playing time if he came in.

The only way that a move would make sense is if Salah, Mane or Firmino moved on, with the trio all out of contract in 2023, but there is no guarantee that that will happen.

In other news, a journalist has made an exciting claim regarding one Liverpool target. Read more here.

A major Newcastle United transfer claim has emerged on Allan Saint-Maximin’s future…

What’s the talk?

The Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope has revealed that Eddie Howe is not keen to cash in on the French winger ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The journalist has admitted that the club are not completely opposed to selling him if the stars align this summer, but the preferred scenario ends with him remaining at St. James’ Park.

Hope Tweeted: “Why would NUFC consider selling Allan Saint-Maximin? Primarily, an offer of circa £50m would be considered if it meant strengthening significantly elsewhere (striker is priority) & staying ahead of spending rules. But Eddie Howe would prefer to keep him.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The Toon faithful will surely be buzzing with this claim as it suggests that the attacker is likely to stay at the club beyond the end of the next transfer window. If Howe wants him to remain on Tyneside then it is logical to think that PIF will not sell him unless they can replace him with a significant signing – which could alleviate any concerns about selling a current star.

Supporters will want him to be playing in black and white next season as he is an exciting players to watch out on the pitch. He gets the fans off their seats with his incredible dribbling ability as he glides past the opposition in an attempt to create openings for himself and his teammates.

In the Premier League this season, he has completed 4.3 dribbles per game and converted that into five goals and three assists. He has also delivered 1.4 key passes per match as he has been a constant creative threat on the wing, providing the likes of Chris Wood, Joe Willock and Ryan Fraser with opportunities to score.

At the age of 25, he also still has room to grow and develop as a player. Howe can work with him on the training pitch to help him gain more consistency in his end product to help improve his goal and assist numbers, with the Frenchman having plenty of time on his side to do so.

This, along with how exciting he is in the present, is why fans will want to keep him at St. James’ Park for the foreseeable future. Therefore, they will be delighted to read that the head coach’s primary aim is to avoid selling him this summer.

AND in other news, Same agency as Joelinton: NUFC scouting 6 ft 4 star, he’s a dream Botman alternative…

Liverpool striker Divock Origi is preparing to leave Anfield this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown: Yet more heroics from Origi

The 27-year-old was once again the hero for the Reds on Sunday as Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby, scoring once and playing a pivotal role in the build-up to Andy Robertson’s opening goal.

The Belgium marksman has developed a happy knack of turning up when he’s needed the most and now has six derby goals to add to a Champions League final strike and a stunning brace in an unforgettable 4-0 victory over Barcelona.

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However, despite multiple iconic moments from the 27-year-old, it appears that the end could well be nigh for Origi at Anfield…

The latest: Romano provides Origi latest

Taking to Twitter to cite Klopp’s glowing words on the enigmatic Belgian, reputable journalist Romano confirmed that the 32-cap international is heading towards the exit door.

The reporter tweeted: ‘Jurgen Klopp: “We will miss Divock Origi – if he leaves, he will explode wherever he goes. He is a world-class striker, he is a legend and will stay a legend forever”. #LFC

‘Origi will leave Liverpool in June – AC Milan are leading the race to sign him as free agent.‘

The verdict: Time to say goodbye

Liverpool have certainly gotten their money’s worth from the £10m spent when bringing Origi to the club from Lille in 2014 (BBC). During his time on Merseyside, the Belgium striker has scored 41 goals and provided 17 assists in 173 outings as a Red.

However, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all ahead of him in the pecking order and Takumi Minamino also somewhat in the cold, it has become apparent that opportunities will be few and far between for the man once described as a ‘monster’ by Klopp following a last-gasp winner against Wolves in December.

Out of contract in July (Transfermarkt), so far this season Origi has netted six times in 16 appearances across all competitions, and his latest derby exploits would suggest that should AC Milan indeed be the benefactors, the Serie A outfit would be landing a big-game striker for nothing in transfer fees.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for one player. Find out who it is here.

As per London World, a promising transfer update has come to light involving Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte and Middlesborough defender Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spurs join race…

First reported by Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, sharing news on his personal Twitter feed, Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have joined the race to sign Spence amid his impressive stint on loan at Nottingham Forest.

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The 21-year-old has been turning heads at the City Ground under Steve Cooper, attracting the attention of major Premier League clubs as Conte seeks out new right-back options.

Any deal to sign Spence this window would result in the player remaining at Forest until the end of the season and then joining in the summer, but that hasn’t swayed Spurs as they take a firm interest.

The Latest: Spurs ‘edging closer’…

According to London World, Tottenham are ‘edging closer’ to their ‘first January signing’ as Conte personally eyes a move for the Englishman.

The Italian is said to be ‘unimpressed’ with current right-back options Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal as he takes to the market in search of alternatives.

Spence, as a result, could ‘answer Conte’s prayers’ with his pace and delivery on that side – but north London rivals Arsenal are also still in contention for the starlet as things stand.

The Verdict: Exciting player…

The Boro man’s form on loan at Forest this season has been terrific, leaving little wonder there are now major players in the hunt for his signature this month.

Defensively, according to WhoScored, he’s shown real solidarity – averaging the third-most interceptions per 90 out of Cooper’s side in the Championship this campaign (1.6).

Meanwhile, going forward, Spence has been a constant threat – completing more dribbles per 90 (1.8) than any Forest regular with more than two league starts (WhoScored).

His form has attracted real praise, with Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff saying he has been a ‘massive player’ for the English second tier side and could well continue to be in their hunt for a Championship play-off spot (Sky Sports EFL Podcast via Football League World).

According to journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express, Spence could cost up to £15 million, but a player of his high ceiling may well be worth the investment,

In other news: Reliable journalist: ‘Perfect’ player once valued at £83m now wants to join Conte at Spurs, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is attracting increasing interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Mirror, who claim that Newcastle United are now plotting a £30m bid for the 26-year-old at the end of the season, with the Denmark international said to be high on Eddie Howe’s list of transfer targets this summer.

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The report goes on to state that AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho is also interested in a move for the midfielder in the off-season, with the Serie A side having already failed in a bid to bring Hojbjerg to the Stadio Olimpico last summer.

Disaster

Considering how important a part of Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side Hojbjerg quite clearly is, the argument that Fabio Paratici cashing in on the midfielder this summer would be something of a disaster is an easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 31 Premier League appearances so far this season, the £59m-rated Dane has been imperious in the heart of the Spurs midfield, scoring two goals, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.9 shots and making 0.6 key passes per game.

However, it is his defensive metrics that are particularly impressive, with the £102k-per-week dynamo making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 2.3 tackles, 1.3 clearances and winning 5.3 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Rob Davies dubbed a “one-man wrecking machine” average a quite sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.16, ranking him as Conte’s second-best performing midfielder – behind only Dejan Kulusevski – in the top flight.

As such, considering his status in the Tottenham squad, his incredibly impressive level of performance on the pitch and the fact that Newcastle’s proposed offer is roughly half of the 26-year-old’s current market valuation, it is clear to see that selling Hojbjerg for £30m this summer would be something of a catastrophic error by Paratici – especially to a team who could well be a top-four contender next time out.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Spurs dealt yet another major injury setback, Antonio Conte will be fuming

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left slamming the display of Cedric Itten in their 3-3 draw in the Scottish Premiership at Saturday lunchtime.

The Ibrox faithful were pegged back very late on in injury time by Matthew Wright, after Connor Goldson had put them in front with a header with less than 20 minutes left.

Nonetheless, Itten did not manage to last that long, as the striker was hauled off before the hour mark for Kemar Roofe with the score at 2-2.

The Switzerland international lost out on six of his seven duels, and failed with both of his shots on goal, while he also never managed a single dribble, and lost the ball 10 times in total (SofaScore).

Itten also only managed a mere 28 touches of the ball throughout the game, meaning that he lost it roughly every 2.8 touches on average.

Rangers fans slam Itten

These Teddy Bears slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Light Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that he was ‘pathetic’:

“Don’t play Itten ever again thanks”

Credit: @KieranS1010

“Itten get rid. McGregor needs replacing.”

Credit: @Lyndon501

“Pathetic McGregor and Itten”

Credit: @boland_kendal

“Embarrassing stuff. McGregor, Itten and Goldson cost us that.”

Credit: @AndrewHorne1

“Itten is the worst football player I’ve ever seen”

Credit: @GordonDuncan3

“Hope that’s the last we see of Itten. Terrible player”

Credit: @Blairgorman86

In other news, find out what referee decision Kris Boyd ripped into here!

A teasing update has emerged on Rangers and their efforts to fast track John Souttar’s arrival at Ibrox…

What’s the talk?

Edinburgh News journalist Barry Anderson has claimed that the Gers are working to agree a deal to sign the centre-back this month.

He Tweeted: “Rangers’ talks with Hearts over John Souttar are progressing but no transfer agreed yet. Seems a matter of time. Will be surprised if he plays for #HMFC again. Not involved at Auchinleck Talbot today.”

Excitement

This teasing claim will surely get Rangers fans excited as it suggests that the club are well on their way to bringing Souttar to Ibrox this month. Whilst Gio van Bronckhorst can rest easy with the knowledge that he is guaranteed to come in the summer, it could be a major boost in the short term to have him arrive six months earlier.

Bringing the central defender to Glasgow this month could improve the Gers’ chances of achieving success domestically and in Europe as he could be an upgrade to the starting XI.

Souttar has averaged a phenomenal SofaScore rating of 7.44 across his 19 Premiership starts. He has won 70% of his individual duels and made 4.3 clearances per game, showing off his defensive quality at this level.

Former Hearts boss Craig Levein once hailed the defender as one of the best in the division, saying:

“I’ve known him since he was 12 years old and he’s just got better and better. When he came here from Dundee Utd, we just needed to give him time. He’s grown into the player that I hoped he would be and for me he’s the best centre back in Scotland.

“Just for the fact that he can do wonderful things. His passing of the ball Saturday was fantastic, but he is also now capable physically of competing with any centre forward. His pace is very, very good and he’s strong, focused and aggressive.”

Meanwhile, no Rangers player outside of James Tavernier (7.80) has managed a higher rating than Souttar in the league. Connor Goldson’s score of 7.15 is the highest of any centre-back in the squad, suggesting that the Hearts man has been head and shoulders above any of van Bronckhorst’s current options.

Therefore, bringing the 25-year-old in this month could be a huge move by Ross Wilson and the Dutch head coach and fans will surely be excited by the prospect of him lining up for the club this season. That is why they will be delighted with this latest update on the pursuit by Anderson.

AND in other news, Major development emerges in “groundbreaking” Rangers move, GvB will be buzzing…

Taking to Twitter, Sportitalia TV journalist Rudy Galetti has broken a promising update on Tottenham Hotspur’s chase to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Kessie deal…

It is no secret that Tottenham and manager Antonio Conte hold a firm interest in the Ivory Coast international with reliable sources backing that they are well and truly in the mix.

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Kessie’s deal at the San Siro expires in 2022 as things stand with clubs reportedly racing to sign him, either for a cheap January fee or on a pre-contract ahead of a summer switch.

Spurs hold an interest in backing Conte with his signing as managing director Fabio Paratici eyes a move, with Galetti now sharing what he’s heard in a promising development.

The Latest: Galetti breaks Kessie update…

Taking to social media, the Italian journalist has broken an update that Tottenham are now ‘in the lead’ ahead of fellow contenders Paris-Saint Germain and an unnamed Premier League club as they enter pole position.

Galetti also explains that Milan’s star asset has a ‘€8m+€2m’ (£6.6m + £1.6m) salary offer on the table from Spurs, with a total wage package equalling £8.2m-per-season.

The Verdict: Promising development…

News that Spurs are leading contenders for Kessie’s signature as things stand will come as music to the ears of supporters, especially considering his pedigree in Italy.

The midfield man, called ‘extraordinary’ by ESPN pundit Nicky Bandini, has thrived going forward in recent seasons despite being a natural defensive anchor in front of the back four.

Following his 13 Serie A strikes last season with five this campaign, Kessie could provide that degree of threat from central midfield and it is clear that, for free, he could be a very astute potential signing.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option for ‘sensational player’ after loan spell with EPL rivals, find out more here.

If you are looking for a break from the stresses of football……………..!

Poker is a trendy game, and rightly so. Unlike other games of luck like slots, roulette, and blackjack, you can play with other people. This makes poker a perfect game to play with friends, family, or even total strangers.

You can play poker online today, like many other casino games. And for those who love bonuses, you can check out casino bonus sites in the UK.

Poker is a sport that requires a high level of skill and mental alertness. Poker tournaments can last several hours, and stamina is required. A saying says poker takes a day to learn but a lifetime to master. In other words, don’t feel frustrated if you seem not to be learning fast enough. Mastering poker indeed takes time, effort, and patience.

This article will provide ways to improve your poker skills.

 5 Ways to Improve your poker skills

Here are some ways to improve your poker skills:

Learn about the game

When starting poker as a beginner, the first step you need to take is to learn everything you can about the game. If you don’t understand the fundamentals of the game, there’s no way you can learn quickly.

You can start by watching tutorial videos. There are tons of videos for poker beginners on YouTube and Twitch. You can also visit poker blogs to learn about the latest poker strategies.

If you have a couple of bucks to spare, you can pick up poker strategy books. Strategy books are available for both online and live poker. A poker strategy book costs around $20 to $30. This budget is perfect for small stake players.

A significant edge that poker strategy books have over watching videos or scouring blogs is the extensive information they contain. You can learn more from a single poker book than you would ever learn from videos or blog posts.

Join online communities

Online forums are another way to accelerate your growth as a poker player. You’ll always find more experienced players who are more than happy to offer advice to new players. And you know the best part? It’s free.

You can even post your hands for review on poker forums to receive valuable feedback. However, not all the feedback you’ll get will be beneficial. Some pieces of advice may not be from winning pros. And it’s of no use when a blind person tries to lead another blind person.

When using online forums, another thing to keep in mind is to be polite and respectful. Other members will be more willing to help and share tips with you.

Hire a poker coach

Free tips and advice will help you as a beginner but won’t take you far. Hiring a personal poker coach is sure to speed up your growth. The sky will be your limit when you have a seasoned professional dedicated to helping you improve.

However, the big drawback with hiring a coach is that it’ll cost you. Well, there’s no fixed price. Expect to spend at least $200 per hour if you want a decent coach.

Hiring a poker coach is only advisable if you’re a mid-stake or high-stake player.

Study your hand’s history

If you play online poker, a good poker tracker is an indispensable ally if you want to up your game. It tracks your hands and results and your opponent’s statistics. The statistics the software gathers from your opponent help you devise strategies to beat them.

You can review each poker session later to find out your mistakes. Once you’ve discovered your errors, the next thing is to work on them. You’ll undoubtedly notice a significant improvement in your game over time. 

Play more poker

Practice makes perfect. If you want to get good at poker, you need to devote more time to improve your skills. That’s just how it works. A coach and books can’t do your work for you.

You also have to find a perfect balance between theory and practice. Too much theory without much practice is useless. And practice without theory or strategy is like running without direction. Your progress will be slow— if you make any at all.

Practice what you learn consistently. You might not notice the daily improvements instantly. However, one day when you look back, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come and your progress. 

Conclusion

Getting good at poker can appear a daunting challenge at first. However, you can become that professional you’ve always dreamed of with patience and consistency.

Focus on one thing at a time. An overload of information does more harm than good. You’ll progress faster when you take things a step at a time than when you’re trying to learn everything at once.

Photo by Unsplash