Sheffield Wednesday were given a twelve point deduction for the 2020/21 campaign by the EFL for breaking spending rules, however it seems like the Owls are not taking this decision lightly and many fans of the club are reacting as the club have released a statement on the matter.
In their statement, Wednesday revealed that they will appeal the decision made by the EFL following them publishing written reasons why they received the deduction.
They also believe that the hearing of the appeal will be taking place in ‘Autumn 2020’. The rules they breached were around their sale of the Hillsborough stadium to owner Dejphon Chansiri and their decision to include it in the financial year covering the 2017-18 campaign.
In the statement following the written reasons being published, Wednesday said: ‘The Club was disappointed with some of the decisions of the Disciplinary Commission and respectfully disagrees with both the finding that it was in breach of the P&S rules for the 2017/18 season and the sanction of a 12-point deduction to be applied in the 2020/21 season.”
It now leaves fans of the club again unsure as to how they will start next season and whether they will still have the point deduction or not.
Here is what fans said following the news:
Owls fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Let us know down below!
According to Mundo Deportivo, Tottenham are interested in making a move for Barcelona midfielder Arthur this summer.
What’s the word?
The summer will represent Jose Mourinho’s second transfer window whilst in charge of Spurs, and it appears he has his eyes set on a new play-making central midfielder.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo suggest that the north London side are set to battle Serie A giants Inter for the services of Arthur, and that they would both be able to offer the Brazilian a substantial increase on his current wages at the Camp Nou.
Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?
The report adds that with Barcelona interested in Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, Arthur’s availability has been the subject of discussion, with Spurs catching wind of it and throwing their name into the hat too.
The next Xavi
When Barcelona icon Xavi himself admits that he sees a lot of himself in Arthur, then you know you’ve got a top player on your hands. The Spain legend said: “I see myself when I see Arthur on television. He is a very quick thinker. He has a natural talent, but most of all, he has a lot of room to improve through training. Arthur is already a mature player and I see that he has massive untapped potential.”
The Brazilian is the ultimate midfield play-maker even at 23, helping to dictate the tempo of games with his laser-like passing. Despite playing over 50 passes per game in La Liga this season, he has an unbelievable pass accuracy of 91.2%, and it’s no surprise that a former Juventus scout, Junior Chavare, waxed lyrical about his ability.
He said: “He’s got 360-degree vision. If you come after him from one side, he escapes through the other. His decision-making is spectacular.”
Forget the likes of Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp. Bringing Arthur to north London would land Spurs a bona-fide star who could run the Lilywhites’ midfield for the next decade or so. He may not have succeeded in being Xavi’s long-term heir in Barcelona, but he could certainly be that in north London.
Despite spending big-money on bringing Harry Maguire to reinforce their back-line last summer, it seems Manchester United are keen to make another addition to their defence this summer.
According to French publication Le10 Sport, the Red Devils have made contact with the representatives of RB Leipzig starlet Ibrahima Konate ahead of a potential move.
Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?
The 20-year-old has barely featured this season, making just eight appearances for the first-team after suffering a torn muscle fibre. Prior to the injury, he had started and completed the full 90 minutes in Leipzig’s first five games in the German top-flight.
And after hearing about their links to Konate, United fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts about their latest transfer target.
A couple of United fans insisted that Konate is “better than” his Leipzig teammate Dayot Upamecano.
At just 20, Konate would represent both an investment for the here and now, and also for the future too.
But the one thing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must do this summer if he is intent on bringing Konate to the club, then he should be looking to get rid of the fringe players – the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling.
United have an abundance of centre-back options already and it simply wouldn’t make any sense at all to bring in another – however talented – without first selling a few.
Leeds United midfielder Stuart McKinstry is reportedly wanted on loan at League Two club Hartlepool United.
The Lowdown: McKinstry at Leeds
The teenager, who is primarily a central midfielder but can also play out wide, made the move to Elland Road in 2020 from Motherwell.
Since then, the 19-year-old has gone on to make 50 appearances for the Whites’ under-18s and under-23s, contributing to 12 goals. McKinstry also made two senior appearances under Marcelo Bielsa last season, with the former Elland Road manager describing the Scot as having ‘great character’.
The Latest: Hartlepool keen on McKinstry
Hartlepool Mail shared a story on Monday evening, claiming that the northeast club are weighing up a loan move for McKinstry.
The report added that Elland Road chiefs rate the teenager highly, with any potential temporary move resulting in Leeds watching his progress closely.
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The Verdict: New contract first?
Leeds look set to lose one midfielder in Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City, and it seems as if Andrea Radrizzani may receive an offer for another midfielder in McKinstry over the coming days.
Allowing the 19-year-old to gain senior first-team experience could be a wise move by the club, although they may want to extend his Elland Road contract first.
McKinstry has just 12 months left on his current deal, and with the player highly rated by Leeds, an extension prior to a temporary move away could be best for all involved.
Following a Premier League campaign of ups and downs last season, Tottenham Hotspur have a massive year ahead of them.
Ange Postecoglou did reasonably well in his first season with the club, although given the investment over the summer, there is an expectation from fans and pundits alike that he should lead the North Londoners back into the Champions League places come May.
Unfortunately, with just four points from a possible nine so far, things haven't started as well as they could've and while there is plenty of time to recover over the next nine months or so, the North London Derby on Sunday represents a massive challenge.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
The Australian is going to need his star players to be on top form, including James Maddison, who had a middling debut campaign with the club, and was actually outperformed by a former Spurs player last season.
Maddison's 23/24
The North Londoners paid Leicester City £40m to secure the services of Maddison last summer, and it would probably be fair to say that over the course of the campaign, fans saw the best and worst of him.
James Maddison for Tottenham
For example, in his first ten league games, the Coventry-born dynamo scored three goals and provided five assists, meaning that right off the bat, he was averaging a goal involvement every 1.25 games.
In fact, his performances were so impressive and impactful on the team's overall game that he was already being touted as the signing of the summer by some, including former professional Alan Stubbs.
However, at home to Chelsea in early November, he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of action until late January.
Upon his return, he looked considerably less dangerous, returning just one goal and four assists in 17 games, eventually ending the season with a somewhat underwhelming tally of four goals and nine assists in 30 games.
James Maddison with Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League.
Now, while he couldn't maintain his electric form from the start of the campaign, Maddison still showed enough to keep his place in Spurs' best XI this year, although he'll need to up his game, and if he does that, it's unlikely that the former Tottenham youngster who outperformed him last season will do so again.
Marcus Edwards' 23/24
Yes, the former Spurs youngster in question is Marcus Edwards, who was an exciting prospect at the club in the late 2010s but left in 2019 to join Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães on a free and with only one Tottenham appearance under his belt.
Former Vitoria star Marcus Edwards.
While he wasn't anywhere near the first team at the time, it was seen as something of a blow, especially as Mauricio Pochettino had previously compared him to Lionel Messi of all people, saying: "His qualities, it's only looks, his body and the way that he plays, remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi."
The Englishman's first season in Portugal was a roaring success as he scored nine goals and provided seven assists in just 36 games, and while he could only muster up three goals and three assists in 36 games the following season, he had done enough to earn a £6.5m move to Liga Nos giants Sporting CP that February, although he wouldn't leave Vitoria until the summer.
The Enfield-born gem set the league alight in his first season with the Leões, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 51 matches, although a slight reduction in minutes last season saw his output come down slightly.
However, he still scored six goals and provided nine assists for the Portuguese giants, showing in glimpses the sort of form that earned him his move in 2022, while outscoring Maddison in the process.
Appearances
44
30
Goals
6
4
Assists
9
9
With all that said, if Spurs fans were asked to choose between the two, they'd almost certainly pick the former Foxes ace, but Edwards is still a talented attacker, and who knows how good he could have become if he'd stayed in North London.
Spurs had a "monster" talent who left for £0, now he's outscoring Kulusevski
The Lilywhites had a howler when they decided to part ways with the young gem.
West Ham United have made an offer to sign an apparent Carlos Soler alternative late in the summer transfer window.
West Ham summer signings – all ins and outs
Julen Lopetegui is now into his first campaign in charge of the Irons, with technical director Tim Steidten leading transfer activity behind the scenes at the London Stadium.
It has been an eventful transfer market for the Hammers, with the club bringing in nine new players and moving some others on.
West Ham summer signings
From
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Max Kilman
Wolves
€47.5m
Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United
€29.3m
Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund
€27m
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
€23m
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Man Utd
€18m
Wes Foderingham
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Guido Rodriguez
Real Betis
Free transfer
Jean-Clair Todibo
Nice
Loan transfer
Mohamadou Kante
Paris FC
Undisclosed
West Ham summer departures
To
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Flynn Downes
Southampton
€17.85m
Said Benrahma
Lyon
€14.4m
Thilo Kehrer
Monaco
€11m
Nathan Trott
FC Copenhagen
€1.5m
Ben Johnson
Ipswich Town
Free transfer
Joseph Anang
St. Patrick's Athletic
Free transfer
Angelo Ogbonna
Watford
Free transfer
Mohamadou Kante
Paris FC
Loan
There could be some late activity before Friday’s deadline, too, with Lopetegui addressing the club’s plans last week: "In this time before the market closes, for everyone it's still not certain who might come and go.
"We have to adapt, but the competition is tough. We've tried to adapt with the new players, and we have to balance everything and try to be competitive.
"It's true that you have to keep competing in the market while working towards games. Once the market is closed I think the players are fully focused, but we have to adapt. For sure I would prefer the market to be closed before the start of the season."
One player who has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham is PSG midfielder Soler. The club have been locked in talks with the French giants, however, an alternative target appears to have been identified, with an offer going in for his services.
West Ham make bid for Richard Rios
According to reporter Pipe Sierra, relayed by The Boot Room, West Ham have made an offer of $22m (£16.6m) to sign Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios. However, that bid has reportedly been turned down by Palmeiras, who don’t want to part ways with the player at this moment in time.
“Palmeiras rejected $22m (£16.6m) from West Ham for Richard Rios (24). The Brazilian team said they did not want to negotiate his departure. For now, there is no further progress from the London team.”
A Colombia international, Rios is primarily a central midfielder who can play in a deeper role or on the left, so would have given Lopetegui a versatile option in midfield.
Valued at a career-high €10m by Transfermarkt, Rios only joined Palmeiras last year and spent time with fellow Brazilian sides Flamengo and Guarani prior to that.
Also linked with Everton and Leicester City earlier this summer, it doesn’t look as if Rios, a "ball-carrying machine" as dubbed by Ben Mattinson, will be moving to England before the deadline.
Leeds United winger Dan James won’t play for the Whites again after his loan move away this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: James loaned out
The Welshman secured a temporary switch to Fulham during the summer transfer window, having fallen out of Jesse Marsch’s plans at Elland Road.
The signings of Brenden Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra had pushed James further down the pecking order, so a move away made sense for all parties.
He will return to Leeds next summer but a fresh claim suggests he won’t be there for long.
The Latest: Expert makes big claim
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones stated that he believes James has played his last match for Leeds, with a permanent exit on the cards in 2023:
“I mean, all signs suggest that that’s it for him now. I mean, they wouldn’t be letting him out on loan to another Premier League club, which is essentially going to be a kind of rival in terms of league position to season you would imagine, to then bring him back.”
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The Verdict: Easy to see happening
James felt like an overpriced signing at the time when he joined Leeds last year and that is exactly what he has proved to be, following a string of underwhelming performances.
Just four goals and five assists in 40 appearances for the Whites simply isn’t good enough, and while his work ethic is admirable, Marsch will feel he can buy a far higher calibre of player.
James will eventually be viewed as a huge waste of money – a rare error from the legendary Marcelo Bielsa – and it will make sense for everyone if he departs for a reasonable fee next summer.
Aston Villa have been linked with one of the most in-form keepers in Europe ahead of the transfer window, as Unai Emery looks to bolster his squad this summer.
The Spaniard has enjoyed a formidable first season in the Midlands on his return to the Premier League, and will now look to make further improvements to his side that are set to contend in Europe next campaign.
What’s the latest on Yassine Bounou to Aston Villa?
As reported by Spanish outlet AS, Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has gained interest from Aston Villa.
Known simply as Bono, the 32-year-old has racked up a host of potential buyers this summer, with the report stating further Premier League interest coming from Tottenham.
The report claims that Sevilla won't accept a bid under the €25m (£22m) mark despite his age, due to his integral role in the squad.
What could Yassine Bounou offer Aston Villa?
Lauded as being a “complete goalkeeper” by former teammate and Barcelona defender Jules Kounde during the World Cup, the Morrocan was the star of the show last week as Sevilla claimed their fifth Europa League title.
The shot-stopper saved two penalties from Roma in the decisive shoot-out, just as he did last winter in Qatar against Spain for Morocco at the World Cup.
The 32-year-old was named La Liga goalkeeper of the year last season, averaging a match rating of 7.03 and conceding an average of 0.8 per game, as per Sofascore.
For Villa, the experienced 'keeper could be a steal this summer, as the future of Emiliano Martinez at the club remains uncertain.
As reported by Football Insider last month, the Argentinian could depart Villa Park due to his desire to join a ‘top club’, leaving a potential gap in the squad to fill.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Newcastle United v Aston Villa – St James’ Park, Newcastle, Britain – October 29, 2022 Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez alongside teammate Danny Ings before being substituted due to injury Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player public
The 30-year-old has faced some criticism this season for his flippancy, most notably during Villa’s loss to Arsenal when Emery publicly criticised his star man for his decision to go upfield in the dying moments that lead to the Gunners scoring.
From potentially leaving to showing mentality mishaps, the Argentine is formidable in Villa’s goal, but certainly replaceable should he wish to depart.
With over 300 career appearances, Villa could sell the expertise of Martinez by landing a gloveman of a similar calibre and experience for a slim price.
In what has been a tough season for Sevilla, ending La Liga in 12th, Bono has been reliable when called into action, as highlighted by his 62% of saves per game, averaging 2.7 as per Sofascore.
While the 6 foot 3 keeper is reliable from open play, as supported by his successful run-out percentage of 92% this campaign, he is a genius from the spot when facing penalties, attributable to his intuition from the experience he has gained over the years.
For a deal worth potentially less than the £30m mark, Emery could sign one of the continent's most talked about 'keepers this summer.
Aston Villa ended their 2022/23 campaign in a successful fashion as they finished seventh in the Premier League and secured Europa Conference League football.
Unai Emery has led the club to European football in his first season at the helm, despite not being in charge for the entire year, and now has his first summer transfer window to tinker with his squad.
Last month, Football Insider reported that the Villans are keen on a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and are not dissuaded by the player's public intention to remain at The Etihad.
This suggests that the latest report from The Telegraph, which claims that Newcastle are frustrated in their efforts to sign the England ace due to his commitment to Pep Guardiola's side, does not change anything for Villa and their own pursuit.
Would Kalvin Phillips be a success at Aston Villa?
The enforcer, who joined City from Leeds United for £45m last year, could be a big success for the Villans as his form for Leeds in the past suggests that there is a big upgrade on current star Boubacar Kamara that could be unearthed.
Phillips, who ex-England boss Steve McClaren hailed as a "destroyer", only started 20 Premier League matches in the last two seasons combined for City and the Whites but his first campaign in the top flight with his boyhood club showcased his ability at that level.
In 2020/21, the Englishman averaged a hugely impressive Sofascore rating of 7.21 across 29 appearances, made 4.2 tackles and interceptions and 1.2 key passes per game. The midfield battler displayed his quality in and out of possession as he regularly cut out opposition attacks whilst also being able to create chances for his teammates in the final third.
These statistics suggest that the potential is there for Phillips to be a big upgrade on Kamara, who averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.79 and made 3.2 tackles and interceptions and 0.3 key passes per game for the Villans in the Premier League this season.
The City man also averaged more progressive passes per 90 in 20/21 (5.08) than the Frenchman this season (4.25) suggesting that he has the ability to progress the ball more often to get his team into better positions to attack the other team.
Emery has also proven that he has the coaching ability to get the best out of players who were previously out of sorts, with his work with Ollie Watkins this term fine evidence.
The striker had scored just two goals in 14 Premier League matches prior to the World Cup break but went on to score 13 goals and provide three assists in 23 games after the tournament under the Spaniard's management.
This suggests that the ex-Arsenal tactician could repeat a similar trick with Phillips and get him back to his best in the middle of the park.
If Villa sign the Manchester City midfielder and are able to help him rediscover his form then he could be a huge upgrade on Kamara.
Arsenal are “confident” that they will agree a new long-term contract with forward Reiss Nelson, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Is Reiss Nelson leaving Arsenal?
The Gunners winger is an academy graduate at the Emirates Stadium having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to get promoted to the first-team back in 2019, and despite having made 65 senior appearances since, his future has recently been up in the air.
The England U21s former international’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season meaning that he will become a free agent on the market should he not put pen to paper on fresh terms, and his potential availability has been alerting a trio of potential suitors.
The Athletic report that Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United and also AC Milan are all interested in striking a deal for the 23-year-old, despite him making zero starts in the top-flight this season, but it now seems to be the case that he won’t be going anywhere during the upcoming transfer window.
Have Arsenal offered Nelson a new contract?
Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed that Arsenal are closing in on an internal agreement regarding fresh terms for Nelson. He wrote:
“Arsenal proposal to Reiss Nelson: four year contract, option included for one more season — as revealed two days ago. Short term deal proposal was rejected in April, talks are now advancing for [a] long term contract. Parties are confident.”
Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson.
Arsenal will know that Nelson hasn’t featured as much as he would have liked this season as a result of his thigh injury sustained in the early stages of the campaign, but he’s proven what he’s capable of when given the chance to play and he’ll be a key player for the future of the club so retaining his services is completely the right decision.
The Gunners’ “explosive” right-winger, as lauded by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, has posted five goal contributions (three goals and two assists) in ten top-flight appearances this term whilst averaging 8.45 shot-creating actions per game which is higher than any other of his fellow teammates, via FBRef.
The Europa League participant, who pockets £15k-per-week, also provides Mikel Arteta with versatility having operated in eight different positions since first emerging onto the scene, and with Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka having both recently committed their futures in N7, it seems as if Nelson is about to follow in their footsteps.