All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld delivered a timely reminder to Jose Mourinho in midweek as he excelled for Belgium in their 3-1 win over Gareth Bale and Joe Rodon’s Wales.

The 31-year-old centre-back has fallen out of favour at Spurs in recent weeks, featuring in just one of their last four matches in all competitions – that being the north London derby defeat.

Since Christmas, Alderweireld has been snubbed from the starting XI a total of ten times, with Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier often preferred despite calls for them to be sold by ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

It’s even more surprising as the long-serving powerhouse was one of the first players to sign a fresh contract extension under Mourinho.

He was absent for the trip to Villa due to a reported illness but, just days later, he has started and starred in the Red Devils’ opening World Cup qualifier.

Alderweireld was arguably their most influential player on the night, managing a whopping 154 touches of the ball – nearly double what Man City superstar Kevin De Bruyne managed (88) throughout the same time frame.

This suggests that Roberto Martinez was confident enough to deploy a gameplan through the veteran Spurs defender. This was accompanied by a squad-high 137 passes, completed at an accuracy rate of 93%, as per SofaScore.

Belgian radio station RTBF had Alderweireld rated amongst their best defenders and claimed: “Several long balls as usual. Rarely caught failing, except in the 56th [when Dan James fired off a shot at goal].”

Against a tricky-looking front three of James, Bale and Harry Wilson, the £13.5m-rated star was rock-solid, also providing one clearance and winning 50% of his aerial duels.

By comparison, his current Spurs rival Rodon managed only 50 touches and 36 passes all game, as per SofaScore.

In the Premier League for Spurs, Alderweireld only averages 65.9 touches and 44.8 accurate passes, so that certainly suggests he was playing out of his skin for his country this week.

Spurs’ defensive issues over the course of the season have been well-documented – as mentioned above, both Dier and Sanchez have been particularly error-prone.

The forgotten Spurs colossus has certainly thrown his name back into the hat with such a commanding and impressive display on international duty this week.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Lamela: Spurs eye “creative” £35m-rated beast…

Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has defended Tottenham forward Gareth Bale after his recent comments about leaving the club at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old joined the north London outfit on a loan deal from Real Madrid in the last summer transfer window, and he has since confirmed that he plans to return to the Santiago Bernabeu once the 2020/21 campaign ends.

These comments, particularly the ones made about getting his fitness back up at White Hart Lane ahead of the Euros, have not gone down well, with Bale’s former Spurs team-mate Jamie O’Hara not impressed with what he has heard.

Discussing the matter on talkSPORT, O’Hara went as far as to say Bale was being disrespectful. Palmer, however, disagrees and has come out to defend the Wales international in an exclusive interview with TT:

“He was always going on loan. He was leaving Real Madrid because he wanted games, as simple as it is. I think what he said has been taken out of context because he’s only gone on loan to Spurs for one season, so what he said is he will be returning back to Real Madrid, which is where his parent club is. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

On the same subject, the ex-England international also added:

“On the basis of what’s happened [this season], I think even Tottenham really wouldn’t be interested in doing a permanent deal on the salary he’s on for another year.”

After this season, Bale will only have one year left on his Real Madrid contract, so the forward’s long-term future does not appear to be at the Bernabeu as things stand.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that his old side should explore the possibility of signing Callum Wilson if Newcastle United go down.

The Magpies are currently caught up in a relegation battle and it would not be a surprise to see other teams target Wilson if they do end up dropping down to the Championship.

Despite Newcastle’s struggles this season, Wilson has still been able to perform when fit. In 21 league appearances, the 29-year-old striker has scored 10 goals, making him an attractive proposition.

For Hendrie, he is certainly a player Villa should be looking at this summer. On the England international, the retired Premier League footballer told TT:

“I mean, Callum Wilson would be another one if you’re talking about Newcastle getting relegated.

“Callum Wilson’s scored goals in a team that’s really struggled this season, so there’s lots of elements of certainly where you’d look at and think ‘yes’, they’re the players you sort of try and bring into the club and nurture and push it forward.”

Moving for Wilson in the summer would not be a first for Villa. In the last summer transfer window, the Midlands club tried to sign the centre-forward from Bournemouth before his eventual move to Newcastle.

Carlo Ancelotti should urge Everton to make a move to sign Andrea Belotti in the summer transfer window, amid claims the striker is considering his future with Serie A side Torino.

What’s the word?

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Belotti is refusing to sign a new contract at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium despite the efforts of President Urbano Cairo.

The 27-year-old is set to enter the final year of his current £68,000-per-week deal in June, but is beginning to show an interest in a move away after six seasons with Il Toro.

Everton were credited with an interest in Belotti earlier this month by Corriere Granata, who claimed the forward also had suitors in Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United plus at least five sides in Italy and a handful from Germany and Spain.

Corriere Dello Sport anticipate AS Roma and AC Milan to make efforts to sign Belotti in the off-season should he leave Torino, where he is the captain of Davide Nicola’s side and has 11 goals and six assists in 26 Serie A appearances this term.

It is noted that Belotti would consider a move to the Stadio Olimpico as he is fascinated by the city of Rome and the work of CEO Tiago Pinto in rejuvenating Paulo Fonseca’s squad, despite the Giallorossi not being expected to have Champions League football next season.

The 32-cap Italy striker is also understood to have a number of friends in the Roma dressing room from the national side, but Pinto will not pursue a deal should Milan present an offer worth €25m (£21.5m) as predicted.

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Pinto will only pursue Belotti under certain conditions, while doubt also remains in the future of Fonseca and potential successors Maurizio Sarri, Julian Nagelsmann or Sergio Conceicao may not be as fond of a move for Belotti as the Portuguese.

Should Everton sign Torino’s Belotti?

Any hesitancy from Roma in pursuing a deal for Belotti should be seen as a huge boost for Everton and Ancelotti, as the Goodison Park natives are likely to be in the market for a new centre-forward this summer and the Italian represents an ideal candidate to target.

The Toffees are not expected to retain Joshua King beyond the short-term contract he signed upon his arrival in the winter transfer market, while claims have arisen that offers will be considered for Cenk Tosun and Moise Kean.

Ancelotti would not be expected to regret letting King – plus Tosun or Kean – leave in the summer if the Italian has Belotti at his disposal, especially if he is available for around a quarter of his €100m release clause (£86.5m) for foreign sides.

Torino boss Nicola lauds Belotti for being a “unique” forward and appreciates the UC AlbinoLeffe product for his “technical qualities but also for his spirit”, which have seen him score 103 goals and provide 25 assists in 219 career Il Toro appearances in all competitions.

Veteran Torino midfielder Tomas Rincon also praises Belotti for his drive and work in harrying opponents, as the 5 ft 11 forward “has given us so much joy with his goals”.

And, former England number one Joe Hart dubbed the forward as “special” and with an “instinct for goals”, while Torino president, Urbano Cairo, hailed him as a “real captain”.

Ancelotti should implore Everton to sign the £36m-rated Belotti in the summer when he waves goodbye to King, and hire a true challenger who can push Dominic Calvert-Lewin to perform at his best and help sustain the Toffees’ European qualifying challenge.

AND in other news, Everton have eyes on a “very good” £3.5m-rated forward available on a free transfer…

Sheffield Wednesday could lose their star forward Josh Windass this summer should they face relegation from the Championship…

What’s the word?

That’s according to reliable YorkshireLive reporter Dom Howson, who dropped a fresh claim over the future of the 27-year-old Owls ace earlier this week.

In response to one supporter in a recent Q&A, he said:

“I think they would struggle to keep Windass if they were relegated. I could see him having a lot of Championship interest. I know he was linked with WBA a couple of months ago.”

Bad news for Moore

The Owls have a tough task in staying up as it is, even despite their rampant 5-0 victory against Cardiff City last time out, they still remain seven points adrift of safety with only one game in hand on that 21st spot.

Windass has played a key role this season and is probably a player that Moore would love to keep around next season irrespective of what division they find themselves in.

In terms of goal contributions, the former Rangers man sits joint-top, having provided six goals and four assists. This accounts for a whopping 30% share of all the goals the Owls have scored in the second-flight this term.

He has also proven to be a versatile threat under Moore, playing in four different positions since the 46-year-old was appointed. Windass is the sort of player that fits the expansive, attacking style of football the ex-West Brom coach deploys.

Dean Windass highlighted a key part of his son’s game being his explosiveness in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, only bolstering his credential in south Yorkshire under Moore.

“He’s a quick, explosive runner,” explained Windass.

Indeed, the £1.44m-rated dynamo would be a big miss for Wednesday. He is under contract until 2022, but as Howson claims, the Owls are unlikely to be able to keep hold of him if they go down.

AND in other news, Sheffield Wednesday eye Jordan Rhodes replacement in 23 y/o on a “different level”…

Marcel Brands must seize on a dream scenario for Everton to sign Kalidou Koulibaly with Napoli reportedly considering a swoop for Yerry Mina.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Koulibaly’s Serie A side are keen to sign Mina this summer and could look to include the defender in a player-plus-cash exchange.

Mina has seen his future at Goodison Park be thrown into serious doubt with Carlo Ancelotti said to have desires of being reunited with Koulibaly, and marking the Senegalese colossus as his top defensive target.

Everton may have to sell Mina first in order to meet Napoli’s €50m (£43.5m) asking price, though it is only expected that the Colombian – who has emerged as a target for Valencia, Inter Milan and Fiorentina – could fetch around £20m.

Ancelotti has decided to target upgrades at centre-back in the upcoming off-season as he is believed to have fears Mina is too erratic and error-prone while having doubts over what his best current partnership can be.

Brands could now look to answer Ancelotti’s request by negotiating a swap deal with Napoli for Koulibaly, with the Serie A side entering the race for Mina’s services.

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Koulibaly is believed to be interested in a move to the Premier League, which may see the 29-year-old reunite with Ancelotti after one-and-a-half-seasons together at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Should Everton swap Mina for Koulibaly?

If Napoli’s interest in Mina is genuine, Brands will be in a dream scenario to negotiate the transfer of Koulibaly this summer as he can use the unwanted Everton centre-back as a makeweight in landing a lower fee.

The heightened interest in Mina’s services will also help Brands to recoup more of the £27m he paid to Barcelona in 2018 than the Blues’ Director of Football may have previously felt possible. In turn, further driving down the additional funds necessary to sign Koulibaly.

Everton clearly face a challenge in meeting Napoli’s current asking price for Koulibaly – who Ancelotti once described as “the best defender in the world” – without selling Mina, and may struggle to raise the needed funds by letting him join the financially struggling Valencia.

Much will depend on where Mina sits in Gennaro Gattuso’s order of potential replacements, as the Napoli boss may be loath to see Koulibaly’s departure in turn strengthen a rival by his predecessor going on to join Inter Milan or Fiorentina while weakening his own options.

The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium natives may be grateful to be given a free run at Mina and be more open to letting Koulibaly join Everton, thus seeing their former head coach land his supposed top defensive summer target.

So, if the interest is there from Napoli, Brands must seize on the emerging dream scenario to get two deals done at once.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti his own Dayot Upamecano with £7m Everton transfer…

A number of Liverpool fans have been criticising Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain following his cameo and late miss away to Leeds United.

The Reds could only draw 1-1 at Elland Road on Monday night in what could prove to be a damaging two points dropped in the top four battle. Sadio Mane’s first half opener appeared to have set Jurgen Klopp’s side on their way to a priceless victory, but they were poor after the break.

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Leeds missed a host of good opportunities before Diego Llorente steered home a header late on to earn the hosts a deserved draw. There was still time for substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain to win it for Liverpool, but he fluffed his lines in front of goal in stoppage time.

The 27-year-old struggled to get into the game after coming on, as a frustrating season continues for him – one which has brought just two league starts overall. As per Sofascore, the midfielder found a team-mate with only one of his four passes and failed to win any of his three duels, while losing possession five times in his nine minutes on the pitch.

He had just eight touches of the ball, which even in his short cameo shows what little impact he made – that is 31 less than his own goalkeeper. For a player brought on to help keep control and see out the match, it is unbelievably poor to barely even get on the ball.

Liverpool fans criticise Oxlade-Chamberlain cameo

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to lambast Oxlade-Chamberlain, who some Kopites have blasted as “terrible” this season.

“Awful! Just seems lost every game and is clearly struggling for confidence. Squad needs a rethink for sure”

Credit: @nivyp5

“Ox isn’t good enough for us anymore. As you said before he’s a passenger on the pitch. The best days are behind him”

Credit: @antpsarianos

“How that guy gets a game is a joke, he’s been terrible every time he’s been on the pitch recently”

Credit: @james_levison

“Ox is an EX player…. useless”

Credit: @georgiosde

“Sell him. Guy is a waste of space”

Credit: @AL_AHMED23

“Too busy thinking of his next TikTok. Pathetic attempt”

Credit: @AntForman

In other news, some Liverpool fans have bemoaned a fresh transfer link that has emerged. Read 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.

A number of Liverpool fans have been heaping praise on Harry Wilson following his superb hat-trick for Cardiff City over the weekend.

The 24-year-old has suffered a frustrating Reds career to date, only making two senior appearances for the club. Wilson has found himself loaned out a number of times, with Jurgen Klopp unable to promise him regular playing time at Anfield.

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The Wales international is currently plying his trade at Championship side Cardiff for the 2020/21 season and he was at his influential best on Saturday afternoon, scoring three of their goals in a 4-0 win away to Birmingham City, with each of his efforts coming from outside the penalty area.

It means that Wilson now has seven goals and 11 assists to his name in the league this season before returning to Liverpool in the summer and possibly taking part in pre-season with Klopp’s first team squad.

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Liverpool fans want Wilson to stay

It remains to be seen whether Wilson has a future on Merseyside, but these Liverpool fans took to Twitter to call for him to stay at Anfield next term.

 “Harry Wilson hat-trick Future at LFC”

Credit: @LFCSlimbo

“He should be playing PL football”

Credit: @50ShadesOfHendo

“Absolute quality from the Liverpool loanee”

Credit: @empireofthekop

“Why all this talk on purchases when we can purchase one less as we have this guy”

Credit: @_Pontificator_

“Tbh, this guy should be given a fair chance. He has been performing admirably anywhere we loan him”

Credit: @JuniorTolulope

“Should at least give him 1 season”

Credit: @BiekoDaniel

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting positively as the Reds eye up a key summer move. Read more here.

Daniel Levy edged closer to finding his next Tottenham manager this week.

After suffering quick blows in his pursuit of RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who opted to join Bayern Munich in the summer instead, and Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, who doesn’t want to leave the Champions League-bound Foxes, Spurs are set to hold talks with another mooted target.

Reporting in The Guardian, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed that the north Londoners will speak to Ajax’s Erik ten Hag in the coming days and the 51-year-old is keen to hear what the Lilywhites hierarchy has to offer.

A fresh update emerged on Friday which saw the Dutch boss sign a one-year extension with the Eredivisie champions but according to Romano, he has not turned down Spurs, and it was always their intention to make that decision, presumably to increase his value if any team is to prise him away.

The Dutchman has earned an impressive reputation at the Eredivisie giants, where they are on the cusp of clinching the league title once again. Since his appointment in December 2017, he has accrued a phenomenal win rate of 73%.

Ten Hag learned the bulk of his trade under Pep Guardiola when the pair were at Bayern Munich, with the former Twente centre-back taking charge of the ‘B’ team.

“I learned a lot from Guardiola,” Ten Hag said in February 2019. “His philosophy is sensational, what he did in Barcelona, Bayern and now with Manchester City, that attacking and attractive style sees him win a lot. It’s this structure that I’ve tried to implement with Ajax.”

At Ajax, the “exciting” manager has tinkered between a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 system in a similar vein to Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs. “When it comes to Ten Hag’s favoured style of play, the Cruyffian influence is unavoidable,” claimed Will Magee for iNews. “There is a reason that his approach has been dubbed ‘Total Football 2.0’.”

This brand of football has allowed many a young talent to thrive, including the likes of Frenkie de Jong, who swapped Amsterdam for Barcelona in a £65m deal, and Donny van de Beek, who is now at Spurs’ top-flight rivals Manchester United.

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With an average squad age of just 24 at Ajax, it’s clear that Ten Hag is the perfect candidate if Levy is wanting to see the next crop of academy stars make it into the big time. This could be a game-changer for Oliver Skipp, perhaps more than any other Spurs prodigy.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a successful loan spell at runaway Championship leaders Norwich City, where he has played in every single league game and earned serious praise.

Speaking to Sky Sports, his current Canaries teammate Kenny McLean said: “He makes my job a hell of a lot easier, I’ll tell you that. He’s been outstanding all season and we’re lucky to have him to be honest. For this level, he’s very outstanding and he’s got a huge career ahead of him.”

Norwich manager Daniel Farke has dubbed him everything ranging from “perfect” to being a “top player and also a top character.”

It’s widely thought that Skipp can become a real leader in Spurs’ midfield in the next few years. Jose Mourinho touted him for a huge role back in the summer, saying: “I see this kid being one day a future captain here by his character, by his personality.”

Therefore, appointing a coach like Ten Hag could be game-changing for his chances of achieving just that. He should be buzzing amid these latest developments, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Spurs should fear Jose Mourinho 2.0 amid worrying Jorge Mendes claims…