All posts by z3u9t.icu

Many Arsenal fans have discussed the news that Stan Kroenke is set to give the north London club a cash injection to ease any financial burden that may occur in the current climate.

According to the Daily Mail, the American businessman has guaranteed that he will pump a significant amount into the Gunners, which would run into the millions.

As per the report, Kroenke’s NFL franchise the LA Rams are facing spiralling costs to complete their new stadium, which apparently is over budget by 2 billion euros.

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has since exclusively revealed that AFC players are set to take a pay cut of up to 12.5 per cent over the next month or so, making them the first Premier League side to do this.

It is believed that Mikel Arteta was an influence in the decision, which apparently includes Champions League incentives.

These Gooners discussed the news after AFTV Media talked about it on Twitter, and it is safe to say that they were far from optimistic about Kroenke giving money to the club:

Arsenal fans, would you like to see a new owner at the club? Comment below!

Kurt Zouma spent the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Everton before returning to parent club Chelsea over the summer.

The Frenchman has been a regular for the Blues this season, making 17 appearances in all competitions, including the full 90 minutes against Ajax on Tuesday night.

Zouma was part of a defence that shipped four goals against the Dutch champions, who had two players sent off in what was an incredible game of football.

Wayne Rooney puts himself forward for the Everton job in the video below…

There was a standout moment for the 25-year-old at Stamford Bridge, though, when he decided to embark on a quite wonderful run before firing over the crossbar.

The final effort was not exactly fantastic, but it was excellent work from Zouma as he powered through the middle of the park.

A number of Everton fans took to social media to comment on the central defender’s rush of blood to the head, and a selection of the Twitter reaction is available to view below:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Jamaal Lascelles has praised Newcastle’s attackers and believes that it won’t be long until they are playing to the best of their abilities.

What did he say?

Although they have shown what they have to offer in glimpses, so far each of the front-three is yet to get firing this season, with just one goal and one assist between Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Despite that, they are apparently impressing in training, and have certainly persuaded their skipper that they have the quality to take Newcastle up the table.

Currently, it would be understandable if the pressure of a lack of goals is getting to them, particuarly Almiron who appears to be low on confidence, but according to Lascelles they are ready to start delivering.

Speaking to Sky Sports News [06/11], as reported by HITC, he said:

“I think once one of them gets that goal, it’ll just break the ice and then they can start expressing themselves more.

“The three of them are always banging in goals, left, right and centre in training. They like to express themselves, so I just think it’s about getting past that first hurdle.

“You have always got the big man Andy [Carroll] on the bench. When Dwight’s back fully fit, we have an exciting team and I think we are in a good position now.”

Attack coming together

All three of Newcastle’s forwards have shown signs that they can be effective for Steve Bruce this season, and so far their lack of productivity has been down to bad luck and poor decision-making.

Saint-Maximin displayed that against the Hammers last week, deciding to pass across goal rather than finish the chance himself, and if he can work on that in training, with his manager’s guidance, he should begin adding goals to his game.

Bruce’s tactics of using the pace of his wingers to run in behind the defence has created numerous chances for his side this term, with the long-range passing ability of Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff often coming into effect.

The pair have managed three and 1.6 long balls per game respectively, and therefore it is likely just poor finishing letting down the front three.

According to Lascelles they have been prolific in training. That suggests it is only a matter of time before they find their feet in the Premier League, and the confidence boost they should experience upon finding the net for the first should be of huge benefit for the Toon.

Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing a Champions League winner, according to a new report. The Red Devils got back to winning ways over the weekend as they beat Southampton, and they will be looking to make it two wins in just a couple of days as they face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Mainoo dropped, academy duo earn 1st start: Predicted Man Utd XI v Barnsley

Ten Hag rings the changes in the League Cup.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 16, 2024 Man United transfer news

United added five new players to their squad over the course of the summer, but it appears as though their hierarchy is keen to get ahead of the rest when it comes to their next transfer targets.

Since the transfer window has been shut, United have been linked with several players who could be transfer targets for January or the 2025 summer transfer window. The Red Devils are said to be keeping an eye on Martin Baturina of Dinamo Zagreb after watching him during the recent international break. United had scouts in place for Croatia’s games, and they are said to have followed Baturina back to Zagreb.

As well as looking at Baturina, United have also sent scouts to Norway to watch Sverre Nypan in action for Rosenborg. The 17-year-old impressed against the Red Devils in pre-season, and United are said to have kept an eye on the player, with them having someone present on Sunday to watch him in action.

Nypan is said to be a fan of the Premier League side, so that could give them the edge when it comes to a transfer race, as Bayer Leverkusen also had scouts in attendance. Baturina and Nypan are two up-and-coming talents that United appear to be keeping a close eye on, but the Red Devils also have their eye on a more experienced player ahead of the next transfer window.

Man United are keen on “world-class” star

According to The Sun, relayed by the Metro, Manchester United are interested in signing Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich, but they face competition from West Ham United.

Goretzka is said to be “upset” over his lack of game time at the Bundesliga giants, as he’s fallen down the pecking order under Vincent Kompany. So far this season, the midfielder has played just one minute of competitive football.

United and West Ham have already shown interest in the 29-year-old, but other Premier League teams could make a move for the player should a move away from Munich appear very likely. Goretzka is contracted to the German side until 2026, meaning Bayern may be happy to sell the midfielder in January before he enters the final year of his contract.

Apps

222

Goals

40

Assists

46

However, the report states that one stumbling block INEOS face in completing a deal is that Goretzka is said to be on a weekly wage of 346,154 euros, which is roughly £290,000. Goretzka, who has been described as being “world-class” by journalist Stefan Bienkowski, turns 30 in February, so signing him on such a huge salary would go completely against the new INEOS regime’s transfer policies.

Chelsea are starting to make progress, with the appointment of Enzo Maresca looking like, with time, it could lift Stamford Bridge and its inhabitants back into the limelight.

Mauricio Pochettino deserves credit for lifting the club from its wretched misfortunes in 2022/23 and restoring Chelsea's place in European football, but Manchester United's FA Cup victory in May meant that a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League yielded only Conference League football.

Todd Boehly and Co have since sought to revolutionise the first team and bring in the requisite firepower to challenge at the upper end of domestic and continental competition.

Chelsea's shiny new frontline has so much potential, but it needs to be fuelled by a secure and dynamic midfield, and while Enzo Fernandez fits that mould, the Argentina international still has much to prove.

Why Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez was one of the statement early signings at Boehly and Clearlake's Chelsea, joining from SL Benfica in a deal worth £107m, which was a British record until the Blues signed Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion for £115m a year-and-a-half later.

1.

Moises Caicedo

Brighton

Chelsea

£115m

2.

Enzo Fernandez

Benfica

Chelsea

£107m

3.

Declan Rice

West Ham

Arsenal

£105m

4.

Jack Grealish

Aston Villa

Man City

£100m

5.

Romelu Lukaku

Inter Milan

Chelsea

£97.5m

Fernandez alighted on English shores still giddy from critical acclaim over in the Gulf, having skyrocketed to prominence with his nation at the 2022 World Cup, winning the Young Player of the Tournament en route to winning the gold medal.

Hailed as a "game-changer" by journalist Roy Nemur, Fernandez's technical ability and intelligence cast him in richer waters than that of his positional rivals, dotted around the globe and eyeing a place at one of the biggest institutions.

Even now, approaching the two-year mark in west London, Fernandez's passing and overarching influence are clear. As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranks among the top 9% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted and the top 18% for progressive passes per 90.

But has he really been a hit-the-jackpot kind of signing? Variables must be considered; Fernandez stepped into turbulent conditions at Stamford Bridge as an up-and-coming midfielder, but for £107m, you'd want to get bang for your buck from the off.

Matches (starts)

18 (18)

28 (26)

3 (3)

Goals

0

3

0

Assists

2

2

0

Touches*

93.4

79.2

78.7

Shots (on target)*

1.1 (0.2)

1.7 (0.6)

1.0 (0.3)

Pass completion

89%

87%

81%

Key passes*

1.1

1.1

1.0

Dribbles*

0.9

0.8

0.3

Ball recoveries*

6.9

4.4

4.0

Tackles + interceptions*

3.4

2.4

3.0

Total duels won*

5.1 (53%)

4.5 (48%)

5.0 (60%)

You could make a compelling case that Fernandez is not really going from strength to strength in the way that would have been envisaged, craved.

Especially since he's not exactly a spring chicken in Chelsea's squad any longer. Since signing from Benfica, the South American has completed 67 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting six more.

Across the opening matches of the current campaign, he's been sturdy in defence but his passing has been uncharacteristically wayward, and he's not even been particularly creative or progressive, albeit playing the opening fixture against Manchester City in a number ten role.

In theory, Fernandez is the prototypical midfielder for Maresca's system, for he has a sublime range of passing and the robustness to supercharge the engine, make it purr, and enable the attacking success of stars such as Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.

But more needs to be done in order to wrap it all together and lift Chelsea to the desired place in the Premier League and indeed in the Champions League.

Fernandez is contracted to Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2031/32 season, so time is on his side. But on £180k per week and as yet failing to prove himself worthy of such a price tag – amortisation or not – he needs to improve, especially since his present market value is on the slide.

Enzo Fernandez's market value in 2024/25

Fernandez is still a highly valued member of Chelsea's first team, but there's no disputing his gradual depreciation since signing, a by-product of the on-pitch performances that have, at one stage, led Wesley Sneijder to launch a diatribe against him.

The retired Dutch footballer said in 2023: “If you have been brought in as a player for £100million then you can at least expect that he will run his lungs out, right?

“But he walked! He loses the ball himself, then he has a moment of mourning. You see Enzo, a £100m purchase, trudge a bit while Gallagher runs past him."

But how far has Fernandez's market value actually fallen? Well, according to Football Transfers' valuation model, he is currently worth just £42m, surpassed by the prodigious Palmer for the honour of the club's most valuable player.

This is a shocking financial nosedive in all honesty, equating to a £65m drop, which is more money than the Blues spent on Joao Felix and Pedro Neto, individually, this summer.

Look, this is a high-class player. A midfielder who shot to the top after an incredible start to life in Benfica and then with the Argentinian national team, but there's no disguising the troubles at Chelsea that demand a rise to the next level this year, lest he be consigned to a list of high-cost misfires.

There is still time for Fernandez to be a success, but he now needs to make it happen…

Chelsea flop left on a free transfer, now he's outscoring Isak & Toney

He’s found his goalscoring boots after departing Stamford Bridge.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 9, 2024

Fabrizio Romano says a high-earning and big-name player, and one who Arsenal have apparently discussed signing, could make a "surprise" late move.

Arsenal still targeting new forward in late window swoop

Following Eddie Nketiah's £30 million move to Crystal Palace, which has been reported by an array of reliable media sources, including Romano and David Ornstein, it is believed that the Gunners are scouring the market for a new forward.

Arsenal eyeing cheaper striker option than £85m Osimhen and £70m Ferguson

Arsenal are in the market for a new striker.

ByBrett Worthington Aug 27, 2024

Arsenal have just completed the signing of midfielder Mikel Merino in a £32 million deal from Real Sociedad, following weeks of talks to get it over the line, but sporting director Edu Gaspar and the recruitment team may not be done with the Spain international.

Mikel Arteta has seriously strengthened his left-side with the addition of Merino, who provides big-game experience, tenacity and a towering 6 foot 2 presence in the manager's ranks, and Arteta has already expressed his delight at the 28-year-old's arrival.

Appearances

242

Goals

27

Assists

30

Yellow cards

56

Red cards

2

Minutes played

19,449

via Transfermarkt

“Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility," said Arteta on the arrival of Merino.

"He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.

“As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can’t wait to start working with him.”

After Merino, and the deal for Nketiah to join Palace, next on the agenda for Arsenal could be a brand-new attacker. Edu has also been looking at back-up alternatives to Bukayo Saka this summer, according to various reports, and it is something that they're apparently still pursuing.

They've been linked with an interesting option very recently – Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman. According to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport, Arsenal and Spurs chiefs have discussed signing Coman in a late-window move, with Romano providing an update on the £276,000-per-week winger's future.

Coman could make surprise late Bayern exit amid Arsenal interest

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the respected reporter claims Coman could make a "surprise" late Bayern exit amid reported interest from Arsenal.

“A player to watch in the final 24 hours, 48 hours, 56 hours or whatever. In the final days is Kingsley Coman because interest in Coman is still there," said Romano. “It’s a strong interest from Premier League clubs, from Barcelona. Barca are considering Coman and Federico Chiesa.

“Kingsley Coman has several possibilities also in England. So he’s going to be one to watch for the final days because there is still an expectation for Coman to leave Bayern. There could be a surprise with Coman.”

There are suggestions that the Frenchman could cost up to £42 million to prise away from the Allianz Arena, but it is unclear just how much Arsenal would be willing to pay if they decide to make a move.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jason Molumby is a wanted man, according to reports.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old star, as per The Sun journalist Alan Nixon.

Now, pundit Carlton Palmer – who played for both the Baggies and the Whites – has commented on the situation and believes that their star player would only be sold due to the club's perilous financial situation off the pitch.

What is the news regarding Jason Molumby?

Nixon claimed that the recently relegated Premier League side were interested in moving for the former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder as they prepare to retool their squad ahead of their first season back in the Championship.

Another report from the local media states that whilst West Brom would prefer to keep Molumby at the club, the club is in such a poor financial position to where they have to consider any reasonable offers they receive as they look to balance the books.

This news coincides with reports that the Baggies manager Carlos Corberan has made the shortlist for the job at Leeds, which could help push the move through with Corberan previously having been full of praise for the midfielder, stating after their win against Stoke City in April: “I think the personality and the goals that he has are very huge.”

Will Jayson Molumby stay at West Brom?

It is difficult to see how Molumby stays at West Brom, given the club's financial position.

The Baggies narrowly missed out on promotion last campaign, and as such their last parachute payment of around £30m was swallowed up.

The club have since received a four-year, £20m loan from American private investment company MSD should keep the club ticking over however if the club wants to attack the transfer market, they will have to sell players to fund moves.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer expressed his bewilderment behind the news, stating:

“This is a strange one, for me, Why would West Brom want to sell one of their best players? Maybe the uncertainty of the ownership of the football club and the financial positions that they’re now finding themselves in, maybe that’s forced their hands.”

Molumby made 43 appearances for the club in the Championship last season, notching up eight goal contributions and recording an average rating of 6.56, according to WhoScored.

The Irishman has been capped 20 times by the Republic of Ireland and has received plenty of praise for his play style, with current Baggies boss Corberan describing the 23-year-old as an “animal” earlier on in the season.

The former Brighton player has a market value of around €3.2m (£2.8m) and should Leeds be willing to negotiate to a price that exceeds that value, the Midlands club may have no other choice but to part ways with the midfielder.

Arsenal could be set to identify an alternative to Declan Rice, having been pushed back in their pursuit with a new competitor having emerged…

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Arsenal?

That's according to The Guardian, who suggest that the Gunners retain their interest in Southampton's young midfield general Romeo Lavia, alongside top-flight rivals Chelsea.

Having been relegated from the Premier League, his future on the south coast has been thrown into doubt. With Manchester City retaining their £40m buy-back clause, though it remains to be seen how much the Saints will actually charge should others come in.

However, the necessity for this pursuit comes following their rejected bid to sign their top target in Rice, to which David Ornstein recently revealed: "Man City now actively exploring own approach for 24yo".

Gunners chief Edu Gaspar and manager Mikel Arteta must either act quickly or move on to their other targets, and the 19-year-old presents an intriguing candidate.

Is Romeo Lavia as good as Declan Rice?

Coincidentally, although on paper the two are worlds apart in terms of quality, the youth and room for growth that the teenage sensation boasts makes him a similarly intelligent investment akin to the 24-year-old star.

After all, for what has been his first full season in senior football, Lavia has shone for a very poor outfit.

Recording a 6.80 average rating in the league, the Belgian maintained an 86% pass accuracy and a 68% dribble success rate, alongside 2.1 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game, via Sofascore. He was a calming presence in possession, and a tenacious tackler when trying to win it back, with journalist Benjy Nurick even branding him a "monster".

Whilst Rice showcases more of an all-around skillset, his experience at the top of the game is shoulders above his potential alternative. In good time, surrounded by the top squad that Arteta has created, his evolution would surely be fast-tracked.

The England international managed 2.1 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game in the Premier League, yet added one key pass per game and six goal contributions into the mix, via Sofascore. He is clearly the better player now, but for the £100m-plus touted fee, the value could be debated.

With Pep Guardiola having entered the fold to secure his services, his title-winning and trophy-laden pedigree is often a pull impossible to resist. To move to the Etihad is to ensure a vast trophy haul, and Rice would surely be an important cog in their system too.

However, it falls to whether the West Ham United captain wants to join a side already at the top or forge a dynasty that could topple such perfection.

If he chooses the former, then Lavia still represents a fine alternative for the Gunners to target, given the evidence above.

Liverpool are preparing to make an offer to bring Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Franck Kessie?

The Ivory Coast international first arrived at Camp Nou from AC Milan last summer and has made a total of 43 appearances during his debut season, but despite his contract not expiring for another three years, he could already be set to depart.

The La Liga star only made seven league starts under Xavi during the previous term and was limited to largely substitute appearances having been brought off the bench on 21 occasions, as per WhoScored, so he’s significantly out of favour in the senior first-team.

The Blaugrana currently have ongoing issues with Financial Fair Play that need resolving so they are expected to cash in on some of their valuable assets during the upcoming window, and the 26-year-old appears to be one of the first on the chopping block.

Are Liverpool signing Kessie?

According to Spanish outlet Sport (via The Daily Mail), Liverpool are “set to make a bid” of £30m in an attempt to secure the services of Kessie this summer. Barcelona view the midfielder as “one of the possible options” that they could get rid of to help aid their money problems and the Reds are “willing” to table the specified amount above to bring him to Anfield to join Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool will know that Kessie hasn’t been given a fair chance to prove what he’s capable of this season, but having previously been dubbed a “warrior” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Barcelona’s central midfielder could be a player worth taking a risk on.

The Champions League participant posted six goal contributions (three goals and the same number of assists) across all competitions last term and ranked in the 88th percentile for number of touches in the opposition’s penalty area by central midfielders, showing how he gets forward and impacts the game in the last third.

The Ouragahio native, however, is also strong in the defensive aspect of his game having won 60 per cent of his attempted tackles over the course of the previous campaign so isn’t afraid to get stuck in, commit to challenges and win back possession for his team.

Finally, Kessie would add wonderful versatility to Klopp’s squad having operated in five different positions since the start of his professional career, including four roles in the centre and even at centre-back, so he would be a great option for the manager to have at his disposal on Merseyside.

Celtic are on the lookout for a new head coach after Ange Postecoglou officially left the Scottish giants to join the Premier League on Tuesday.

The 57-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal with Tottenham Hotspur in England and this now pushes Peter and Mark Lawwell and Dermot Desmond into the market to bring a manager in to replace the Australian.

A number of bosses have already been linked with the vacancy and one man who is reportedly in the running for the job is ex-Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch.

The 49-year-old, who won two Austrian Bundesliga titles in two seasons with RB Salzburg earlier in his career, could revive a current Celtic outcast back to his former glory if the Hoops decide to appoint him heading into next term.

How did David Turnbull perform this season?

Parkhead attacking midfielder David Turnbull endured a difficult 2022/23 campaign as the Scotsman only started six games in the Scottish Premiership and zero times in the Champions League.

He made 27 appearances as a substitute in the two competitions combined but his lack of starts limited the impact that he was able to make in the final third. The gem ended the season with four goals and six assists in the league and in Europe combined, which shows that the ace was unable to make regular contributions in attack.

Turnbull is a number ten by trade and did not fit in with Postecoglou's 4-3-3 system, which required him to play as an eight or out wide, and thus could be revived by Marsch's preferred 4-2-3-1 set-up that would allow him to play in the hole behind a centre-forward.

The American's formation would provide the 23-year-old with two holding midfielders behind him to offer defensive protection and allow the ace to push forward to link up with the two wingers and striker to create and score goals at the top end of the pitch.

Celtic's Scotland international predominantly played as a number ten for Neil Lennon in the 2020/21 campaign, before Postecoglou's arrival, and enjoyed a terrific year in the Premiership, which the Australian later described as "outstanding".

The £16k-per-week magician averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.47 and contributed with nine goals and six assists in 30 starts. He also created 12 'big chances' for his teammates and made 2.9 key passes per match, which is more than any Celtic player averaged in the league this year.

Therefore, Marsch, whose style was described as "aggressive" by journalist Josh Bunting, could revive the Hoops wizard by making him the attacking midfielder in his 4-2-3-1 system, which could allow the ace to thrive and get back to regularly scoring and creating goals in the Premiership.