All posts by n8rngtd.top

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Considering Tottenham Hotspur made no signings in either the summer or winter transfer windows, it is remarkable that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have managed to involve themselves in the title race.

However, if Spurs are to kick on from here then they will have to eventually spend some money and improve their squad in certain key areas. For instance, the north London outfit need to find a better back up striker to Harry Kane than Fernando Llorente. On top of that, 32-year-old goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been a liability at times this season, suggesting a replacement for the Frenchman may be due.

Another area of the Spurs squad that is weak is the full-back positions. Full-backs play a vital role in the modern game, as they’re expected contribute effectively at both ends of the pitch. Spurs’ ‘big six’ rivals all boast fine full-backs, such as Kyle Walker, Andrew Robertson and Hector Bellerin. In this area, Tottenham are lacking.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

The likes of Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier, Ben Davies and Danny Rose represent an underwhelming set of full-backs at this level of the game. Trippier, especially, is someone who Pochettino should be desperate to find an upgrade for in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Why he has to go

The 28-year-old right-back has been a regular starter for Spurs this season. According to Transfermarkt’s stats, the 16-cap England international has made 21 Premier League appearances.

However, his performances have often left much to be desired. Defensively, the Bury-born star is regularly caught out of position or punished for lapses in concentration. He also lacks the pace to deal with quick attackers.

Going forwards he struggles to create regularly too. Aside from good set piece delivery, Trippier contributes little in the final third. 

If Spurs are to go from also-rans to champions, they must have top class full-backs. Finding an upgrade for Trippier in the summer would be a positive step forward in that regard.

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Liverpool endured a frustrating evening on Tuesday as they could only secure a 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

The Reds created plenty of chances and were far more aggressive than the reigning German champions. However, a lack of quality in the final third meant that Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to take advantage of their superiority. 

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Whilst more may have been expected of Liverpool’s attackers, the home side’s midfield contingent deserves plenty of credit. The Reds won the battle in the middle of park and Liverpool’s captain Jordan Henderson, in particular, produced an outstanding display.

The 28-year-old defended aggressively and assertively, stamping his authority on the match from the off. On the ball the 48-cap England international was adventurous and progressive, crafting a number of openings that his teammates failed to capitalise upon.

After the match, despite the disappointing result, plenty of Liverpool fans took to Twitter to praise Henderson’s showing, with some even going so far as to compare him with club legend Steven Gerrard…

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Leeds fans aren’t happy with the latest from Marcelo Bielsa, as the boss expects to name an unchanged team for Friday’s showdown against West Brom.

Leeds suffered a big setback in their hunt for promotion on Tuesday night, losing their game in hand on the teams above them.

A win at QPR would have put the Whites back at the summit of the division, but the 1-0 defeat leaves Bielsa’s side toiling in third, two points behind leaders Norwich.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

Bielsa held his pre-West Brom press conference on Thursday, and the boss said he will deploy the same XI that started the match against QPR, per The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Adam Pope.

This is a little surprising even despite the lack of quality options in reserve, as players like Tyler Roberts and Luke Ayling really struggled.

Patrick Bamford will be breathing a sigh of relief as well, as the 25 year-old was caught on his toes for a couple of half-chances.

Bielsa can do little wrong to Leeds fans, but they’re not happy with this decision, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Rangers’ time with James Tavernier is finite and there is no doubt in our mind that fans will soon be mourning the loss of their star player and captain, with Premier League clubs reportedly very interested in acquiring his services.

It is an all too common phenomenon for the Scottish Premiership’s best players to leave the competition for “bigger” teams south of the border.

But the frequency in which this bitterly disappointing norm occurs makes it no easier for fans to digest when it inevitably happens.

This will especially be the case for James Tavernier.

Like a hot potato, the defender was sparsely handled by his parent clubs, Newcastle and Wigan, who opted to dish him out on seven consecutive loan spells around the lowest tiers of English football before Rangers offered a helping hand.

The club steadied his career and made him the player he is today: a major asset, a captain and a leader.

Now the Express are reporting that this journey is due to come to a premature end.

Tavernier, whose contract is set to expire in 2022, is apparently the subject of major interest from clubs in England.

And, honestly, this comes as no surprise given the shortage of real quality full-backs in the Premier League.

Rangers look all but resigned to their fate, lining up Millwall defender Romeo as a possible replacement.

However, he is no James Tavernier.

The Gers captain has been in scintillating form this season, building on three already impressive campaigns. But it is bittersweet. As great as it is watching him perform, it will always be in the back of fans minds that the better he plays, the more likely he is to transfer away.

Rangers fans, would you feel betrayed if James Tavernier left now? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Well, that’s a relief for Rangers fans! Alfredo Morelos’s new contract was confirmed by the club on Friday, and it’s one big step towards next season’s title challenge.

The Colombian is the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer this season, with 16 goals, bagging a total of 28 in all competitions. The man’s on fire and the extension that should keep him at the club until 2023 puts Rangers well on course to catch Celtic up next season.

It’s exciting times at Ibrox, with Steven Gerrard lifting the Gers into the top two this season, creating a gap between Celtic, themselves and the rest of the league as it used to be before their dramatic fall in 2012. The signing comes just days before Rangers face Aberdeen on Tuesday in a Scottish Cup replay, and it’ll be a real boost.

Aside from its short-term impact and prevention of any transfer speculation, it provides the club with the promise that the team will again go from strength to strength next term. They’re eight points away from Celtic at the moment and, while that’s not insurmountable, it’s not likely they can make a real title race out of it.

With Morelos’s signature though, it’ll be steps forward the Gers take in summer, and not sideways or backwards ones. Indeed, they can go into the transfer window and know exactly which areas require strengthening.

If they sign the right players then there’s no reason why they can’t challenge for the Premiership next season. Although it’s also vital the best players from their existing squad remain and improve.

Morelos staying where he is one big step towards that.

Rangers fans, where do you think your club needs to strengthen in the summer to challenge for the title next season?

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Everton and Marco Silva should look to turn Yerry Mina into a centre-defensive midfielder, amid uncertainty about the futures of a number of their midfielders.

In need of defensive midfielders

Silva, formerly of Hull and Watford, prefers to set up in a 4-2-3-1 system and has done throughout the entirety of the season, using Idrissa Gueye and loan star Andre Gomes as the two defensive midfielders in that system in front of the back four.

However, both of those players have uncertain futures at Goodison Park. In Gueye’s case, the Senegalese midfielder handed in a transfer request back in January as he looked to force a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who bid £25m for his services.

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Furthermore, Gomes is on a loan deal from Barcelona which will expire in the summer. The Toffees’ chances of turning that deal into a permanent one look tough, as the Spanish champions are reportedly looking for around €40m for the Portuguese international.

It is also worth mentioning that, whilst he has recently been much more involved in proceedings, Morgan Schneiderlin has still only made nine Premier League appearances this season and will turn 30 in November.

How well is Mina suited to the role?

The Colombian international has made just 11 Premier League appearances since his £27m summer move from Barcelona, as he has struggled with injuries and found it difficult to dislodge the impressive pairing of Kurt Zouma and Michael Keane.

Mina is a dominant aerial presence, who is strong in the tackle but also a fine passer of the ball – Barcelona don’t just buy any old centre-back unless they’re decent in possession.

He recorded a passing success rate of 89.2% in his three games at the World Cup – along with scoring three goals – and has also recorded an 83.1% success rate with the Toffees so far this season – in La Liga with Barcelona last season, he amassed an impressive 92.6% percentage.

Mina is extremely tidy on the ball and composed in possession; Silva could potentially be onto a winner if he implemented this tactical switch, whilst saving his club a lot of money in finding a new midfielder.

West Ham, like almost every other Premier League team, desperately need to do some recruiting during the summer transfer window, if they want to push to where they think they belong in the league. Indeed, fans will have loved the taste of success the Manuel Pellegrini era has teased them with this season, but more is certainly needed. 

European qualification simply has to be the ambition this season but with that now being a longshot, the Hammers must look to buy some more quality to ensure it’s at least a better possibility next season. Indeed, Pellegrini is surely a manager the West Ham board can trust with a hefty budget as it has to be said that the Hammers do need a number of new players.

Starting with another midfielder due to the injury problems West Ham have sustained specifically in that position.

This season, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sanchez and Manuel Lanzini have all suffered long-term lay-offs, so the ambitious East London side should look to sign a player like Napoli’s Amadou Diawara.

Diawara, (who is valued at £14.4 million on Transfermarkt) is a defensive-minded midfielder that has all the quality to be a top player in the game. Pellegrini has often utilised a midfield trio of Mark Noble, Declan Rice and Robert Snodgrass but with Amadou Diawara in the mix as well, he would bring an injection of pace and overall quality.

The 21-year-old – who was linked with a move to the London Stadium by Tuttomercato Web in January – has only been able to make 11 starts for Napoli this season, something that will disappoint the youngster, concerning how highly-rated he is.

Nevertheless, if he opted for a move to England, West Ham would be a terrific option for him considering how badly they need a midfielder like him. Around such a talent, the phasing out of Noble could begin, giving the Irons a long-term heir.

It may take a hefty sum for West Ham to try and push through a deal but Diawara has so much potential that definitely makes him worth investing in.

West Ham fans, would you back such a move? Do you think the hunt for a Mark Noble successor needs to start soon? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy debating whether or not a swoop for Juventus star Paulo Dybala would be a good move or not, and it appears that the fanbase simply cannot decide on the matter.

The Argentina international has hit nine goals and recorded four assists in all competitions this season, which, to be honest, is slightly below par given the numbers that he reached in the previous campaign – Dybala scored 22 league goals in just 26 starts.

Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…

Perhaps the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has shaken things up, but nevertheless, Tutto Mercato are suggesting that the Reds are ‘serious’ in their intentions of landing the 25-year-old.

Jurgen Klopp is lacking depth to support his exquisite attacking trident of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, and whilst Dybala is a world-class player, one would assume that it’s unlikely he would settle for a place on the bench should he make the move to Anfield.

That is one negative surrounding the move, although there are many positives, which is perhaps reason for the Liverpool supporters on Twitter failing to agree on this particular topic…

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Loads of fans have been running the rule over Kristoffer Ajer’s international performance this week, as the Celtic ace struggled in a draw against Sweden.

International breaks can be fairly tedious and typically provide nowhere near the entertainment on offer from club football, but Norway and Sweden played out an absolute thriller on Tuesday evening.

The Scandinavian rivals drew 3-3 in a Euro 2020 qualifier, and Ajer played 90 minutes in the heart of defence for the Norwegians.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

His side went two goals to the good thanks to strikes from Bjorn Johnsen and Josh King, but Viktor Claesson answered before Ajer gave away a clumsy penalty, which made it 2-2.

The Swedes then took the lead in stoppage time, only for Ola Kamara to level things up thanks to an assist from Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Odegaard.

There were plenty of talking points from the match, but few have drawn more attention than Ajer, who looked lost out there at times.

The 20 year-old has been fairly inconsistent for the Bhoys, showing glimpses of huge potential amidst occasional silly mistakes, and the Twitter reactions down below don’t make pretty reading…

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It is hardly a hot take to say that Liverpool’s full-backs are arguably the best in the Premier League, and perhaps in Europe for that matter – that much is startlingly obvious.

Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have enjoyed exquisite campaigns so far and, regardless of how anyone else in the team plays, those two always seem to bring their A-game and display unerringly consistent performance levels.

It is obvious that they are excellent at what they do, but just how important are they to the Reds’ chances of success?

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Whilst the in-form Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah hog the headlines most weeks, Liverpool’s results are a lot worse when Alexander-Arnold isn’t involved in proceedings.

According to Soccerbase, the title challengers have drawn and lost the same numbers of games in 21 matches involving the Englishman as they have in seven without him, highlighting just how much his absence affects results. To put it another way, Liverpool have only won 50% of their fixtures when Alexander-Arnold has been absent this season, compared to 75% when he is in the side.

In the two games the England international missed between the end of January and the start of February against Leicester and West Ham, James Milner had to play at right-back seeing as Nathaniel Clyne had been loaned out to Bournemouth.

Those two games could yet have a major impact on the title race, as Liverpool recorded two disappointing 1-1 draws, throwing away four vital points in the process.

In Robertson’s case, his incredible fitness levels mean that he doesn’t miss many games – he has been absent for just two Premier League games, coming against Burnley and Cardiff. Liverpool got an easy six points from those affairs.

However, the captain of the Scottish national team has racked up 11 assists in all competitions this term. No full-back in Europe can boast a better return of assists other than Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich, who has 12 to his name, although it’s crucial to note that he has appeared in midfield 11 times.

Robertson’s tally of nine Premier League assists – his other two have come in the Champions League – is a Premier League club-record amount for Liverpool, and is also the fourth highest in the league behind Eden Hazard, Ryan Fraser and Christian Eriksen – he also has the same amount as Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.

Robertson aside, no defender in the Premier League has recorded more assists than Alexander-Arnold’s six, whilst, as mentioned, Robertson is way out on his own with nine.

On days when Mane and Salah go missing, such as in the 2-1 win over Tottenham, it is telling that both full-backs were directly involved in the two goals as others struggled to impact the game.

Whilst the aforementioned attackers, who are both on 17 Premier League goals for the season – just two off front-runner Sergio Aguero – dominate the headlines and hoover up most of the plaudits, it is Jurgen Klopp’s two wide defenders who are picking up the pieces when the marquee names go missing.