All posts by z3u9t.icu

With Ange Postecoglou finally announced as the new manager of Celtic, the Hoops can now crack on with a busy summer of recruitment.

After such a dismal campaign, the Bhoys will need to get their efforts spot on if they are to usurp their biggest rivals again.

What’s the word?

One of the players who Celtic have been linked with signing is Charlie Wyke.

The striker is out of contract with Sunderland and is yet to pen new terms, meaning he could leave the North East club on a free transfer.

A fresh update from the Northern Echo (via Nottingham Post) suggests that the Mackems are continuing negotiations over his future but that he has received ‘alternative offers’ from other teams.

The Hoops aren’t the only side interested with Wyke attracting the eyes of Cardiff, Middlesbrough Millwall and Ipswich.

Should Celtic sign him?

Wyke’s record this season was nothing short of sensational as Sunderland just missed out on promotion from League One.

The 28-year-old registered an incredible haul of 3o strikes, taking his tally in the red and white to 41 goals in only 113 outings.

Supporters might have concerns over his ability at a higher level but he is a bullish forward who has the potential to cause havoc in the Premiership.

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Standing at a colossal height of 6 foot 2, the attacker is particularly dominant in the air. That being said, he also has decent feet for such a tall player.

This term, Wyke netted as many as 12 goals with his head, battering opponents to one side in robust style.

Described as “clinical” by Sunderland boss Lee Johnson, Postecoglou could evoke memories of his fellow Australian, Mark Viduka, by signing him.

Like Wyke, the striker was clinical and particularly dangerous in the air.

Describing the former Celtic star in an article for Planet Football, it reads: “This was Peak Viduka: a threat in the air but majestic with the ball at his feet. To trot out the ‘good touch for a big man’ cliche fails to do him justice. He had a brilliant touch for any man. He just happened to be big as well.”

The Aussie only spent the best part of 18 months in Glasgow but amassed an eye-catching haul of 30 goals in just 37 outings.

It would be typical now the Hoops have his countryman in charge to discover a striker of similar ilk but that’s precisely why Wyke must be signed.

He’d offer something entirely different to Odsonne Edouard and the other forward’s in Celtic’s frontline.

AND in other news, Celtic eye move for “brilliant” 47-goal star, he’d be a fantastic Edouard successor…

Southampton made it two home wins in a week as they beat Fulham 3-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, with goals from Che Adams, Nathan Tella and Theo Walcott doing the business for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Although it was a promising display from the Saints, there were still some disappointing performers against Scott Parker’s team, with Nathan Redmond, in particular, below-par.

The former Norwich City man has produced some of his best performances of the season in recent months after a terrible first half of the campaign,  but still has just two goals and three assists in 27 top-flight appearances this season.

As per SofaScore, the 27-year-old would earn a shocking 6.6/10 rating for his performance, with only Stuart Armstrong (6.0) and Takumi Minamino (6.4) rated lower.

During the 90 minutes, Redmond, who reportedly earns £60k per week at Southampton, would complete just 28/40 of his passes, resulting in a less than impressive 70% pass accuracy, which is below the 76.4% he has averaged in the top-flight so far this season.

Despite it being arguably his most dangerous trait, the winger failed to complete a single dribble during his time on the pitch, with Fulham right-back Kenny Tete’s five tackles and 7.1 rating suggesting that he had the better of him throughout the game.

Perhaps most frustratingly for Southampton was Redmond’s inability to keep hold of the ball. He lost possession on 26 occasions at St Mary’s which was the most of any Saints player, something that would have perhaps been punished more by a better side.

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The Englishman also won just three of his 11 duels during the game, whilst he wasted a glorious chance to score after being played through by Adams. It was a surprise to see him last the full 90 minutes, considering substitutes Nathan Tella and Theo Walcott both made much more of an impression on the game.

In his player ratings following the game, Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach was less than impressed with Redmond, awarding him a 6/10 and writing:

“It was a well-involved but frustrating start for Redmond against Fulham. He fought hard but was wasteful at times. That improved during the second half but he still could have done more.”

Therefore, it is clear that Redmond was one of the worst performers against Fulham and needs to improve if he wants to keep his place for the final two fixtures of the campaign.

And, in other news… Southampton Player Ratings vs Fulham

A number of Liverpool fans are desperate for the club to sign Ozan Kabak on a permanent deal this summer after he impressed on loan at Anfield.

The Reds’ Premier League season is over for another year, with Jurgen Klopp no doubt a relieved man. His side beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday, not only booking a place in next season’s Champions League but also finishing third in the table.

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It was a monumental effort by Klopp and his players in the final two months of the campaign, with eight wins and two draws from their last 10 league games highlighting their brilliance.

Someone who came in at the lowest point of the campaign was Kabak, who joined on loan from Schalke 04 in February in order to help ease the centre-back injury crisis.

The defender grew into the role after a shaky start, looking a classy prospect, although it remains unclear whether he will be signed permanently for £18m this summer.

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Liverpool fans call for Kabak to stay

These Liverpool fans responded to a celebratory Twitter post from Kabak on Sunday evening – one which almost felt pointed, in terms of him wanting to stay as he quipped: “Good job team…We are where we belong” – calling for the Turkey international to remain at Anfield.

“It’s the “we” for me. Please keep him”

Credit: @SimplyNate_

“That “we” feels different. Would love to have him with us next season too”

Credit: @SharafJuhayr

“Please keep him”

Credit: @Thiago_SZN

“Sign him. Be stupid not to”

Credit: @nxaim

“I beg we get rid of Phillips for him”

Credit: @lfc_ik4

“Pls sign”

Credit: @jay_ek1

In other news, some Liverpool fans are against the idea of the Reds signing a world-renowned player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan admits that he is disappointed by the form of Mateusz Klich, with his influence dipping as the season has progressed.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered defeat last weekend, losing 2-0 at Brighton and failing to find their best form at the Amex Stadium. It was a frustrating afternoon for the Whites, who have little to play for between now and the end of the season, with no chance of relegation or finishing in the European places.

Klich started in midfield for Leeds, coming in for Kalvin Phillips, but he failed to stamp his authority on proceedings against the Seagulls, winning just three of his eight duels and giving the ball away 11 times (Sofascore).

The Polish midfielder scored seven goals and set up another five in 47 appearances last season, but has found the net just twice in 33 games this term (Transfermarkt).

Whelan critical of Klich performance

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan discussed a disappointing showing from Klich on Saturday, bemoaning his recent lack of impact. He said:

“I thought Klich was poor. He gave us no energy or stability in the midfield.

“What is wrong with him at the minute? I don’t know. He is not the same player he was a year ago though. It is quite bizarre. I’m struggling to get my head round how his form has dipped so badly.

“It is another reason why we need to go into the market this summer. We need more offensive midfielders. Klich’s performance against Brighton was the perfect example why.

“He is so ineffective in the midfield. He did not run past the defence, he hardly touched the ball, he did not make anything happen. Yves Bissouma bossed him all game to be quite frankly honest with you.”

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Transfer Tavern take

While Klich was undoubtedly below-par against Brighton, it is never easy for a player to be thrown in after a lack of playing time, so any criticism is slightly harsh. This was the Pole’s first start since early March, so it was arguably unfair to expect too much from him on the day.

That being said, Leeds can do better than Klich moving forward, bringing in a superior backup to Phillips – one who has more long-term potential than the 30-year-old.

He has been an excellent servant during his 140 appearances, but if the Whites are to reach another level, Bielsa needs to be ruthless with his squad.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly keen on signing an alternative to one player this summer. Read more here.

Rangers have been linked with a move for Coventry City midfielder Gustavo Hamer recently, and if he were to join Steven Gerrard’s side this summer, he could solve a big problem for the 40-year-old at Ibrox.

What’s the word?

According to Football League World, Rangers are one of the clubs taking an interest in the Dutch midfielder, who is also being considered by Norwich City, Brighton and Brentford ahead of the summer transfer window.

Although he only joined the Sky Blues last summer following their promotion back to the Championship, Mark Robins’ side could be willing to cash in on him this summer should they receive a suitable bid for the midfield maestro.

Would he be a good signing?

The 23-year-old has made 41 appearances for Coventry in the Championship this season and has contributed an impressive five goals and two assists, averaging a solid 6.75 WhoScored rating for his performances.

This ranks him as the fourth-best performer in the Sky Blues’ squad so far this season, so it is clear that he has been an important part of their impressive season, which has seen them comfortably avoid relegation back to the third tier.

No player has averaged more key passes or dribbles per game (1.5) than Hamer in Coventry’s team this season, whilst he also scores highly when it comes to interceptions and tackles, which suggests that he can contribute from an attacking and a defensive point of view.

For comparison, only Borna Barisic, James Tavernier and Ryan Kent from the Rangers squad have averaged more key passes than Hamer this season, whilst only Joe Aribo and Kent outperform him on dribbles, which suggests that the £1.8m-rated midfielder could be a solid addition at Ibrox.

The former PC Zwolle man, who was labelled “unbelievable” by teammate Marco Marosi earlier in the season, could also amend a key issue in Gerrard’s squad ahead of next term.

The Ibrox manager has been left low on midfield options for much of this season following the long-term absence of Ryan Jack, whilst only Joe Aribo, who has also often featured on the right wing, has managed to regularly contribute goals from midfield.

Hamer’s five goals from midfield this season suggest he could add a goalscoring threat from that position in Gerrard’s squad which the likes of Steven Davis and Glen Kamara simply don’t offer, which has been one disappointment in a largely successful season for Rangers.

Should the dangerous front three of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi lose form or be broken up, Gerrard may need someone from midfield to step up next season. Hamer could prove to be that man, so Ross Wilson should try to bring him to Ibrox this summer.

In other news… Gerrard handed major boost with 23 y/o dubbed “the best”, Wilson must deliver

Barry Fry insists that Tottenham Hotspur face a major problem this summer, telling Football FanCast that they may not be able to convince Harry Kane to stay at the club.

Spurs have endured a difficult dip in form in recent months and fell as low as ninth in the Premier League, having previously been top at one point in 2020.

The club do have a Carabao Cup final to play against Manchester City in April but there is every chance the club could lose that game, having been comprehensively outplayed at the Etihad Stadium by the Premier League leaders in a 3-0 defeat earlier this season. They did win 2-0 at home, however.

Fry works as the Director of Football at Peterborough United, and he believes that there is every chance Kane will stick around out of loyalty, but he has made the point that he simply does not have much longer to wait to start winning things.

Kane is now 27 and he has yet to add a single winner’s medal to his trophy cabinet, coming closest in the Champions League final, when Spurs lost to Liverpool.

Spurs are also currently sixth in the Premier League table, three points outside the top four, and there is no guarantee they will qualify for European competition this term.

Fry told FFC: “I think there’s a bigger picture this year, because if they fail in everything, and it looks like that’s going to happen, Tottenham will have a big, big problem in convincing Harry Kane to want to stay.

“Now, he’s showed his loyalty to Tottenham time and time again. He wants to stay at Tottenham. But he’s an ambitious young man, he’s 27, 28 now and you know he either stays there out of loyalty, but will he win anything? He deserves to win something. And I don’t think Tottenham are going to win too many things.

“They are certainly going to struggle for two or three years and I don’t think Harry Kane in particular has got two or three years to waste.

“Unless Daniel Levy gives Mourinho unbelievable money to delve into the transfer market and no disrespect, I don’t think they can do that.”

Celtic haven’t had everything go their way in the hunt to bring a new manager to Parkhead. The Bhoys have been dealt with repeated setbacks but perhaps the air is beginning to change.

What’s the word?

Lucien Favre has been viewed as an alternative to Eddie Howe by the Celtic hierarchy.

He reportedly has an interest in taking the job but like Howe, is being courted elsewhere. Saudi club Al-Hilal are appealed by the idea of appointing the Swiss but another team were also in the race.

According to Turkish outlet Milliyet, Fenerbahce wanted to bring Favre to the club next season.

However, after discussions took place between the two parties, the Super-Lig outfit performed a major U-turn and decided not to pursue him.

That’s because of the colossal wages the former Borussia Dortmund boss wanted in order to head to that part of the world.

The report states Favre was eyeing €4.5m-a-year at Dortmund – around £75k-per-week. It remains to be seen how much the 63-year-old would be looking for in Glasgow.

Encouraging news

After the constant setbacks of the last two weeks, the news that Fenerbahce are now distancing themselves from the Swiss manager should come as music to the ears of Dermot Desmond and the club’s supporters.

Celtic’s search for a new manager has been a frustrating saga with Roy Keane and Eddie Howe both holding talks before things stalled.

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The Keane rumour went away fairly quickly but Howe is still very much a target for the Hoops. Unfortunately, there are a number of issues putting the completion of a deal on hold.

The 43-year-old doesn’t want to return to management until the summer while he’s not a fan of the idea of Fergal Harkin becoming Celtic’s director of football. Instead, he wants Richard Hughes to join him, a companion from his days at Bournemouth.

There is also interest from other parties. Both Brighton and Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Howe who appears to be a man in demand.

Favre is attracting other onlookers too but Celtic’s pursuit of the experienced coach has now received a boost.

If he wants the same wages as he did in Turkey, they can safely wave goodbye to him. Though, it should be easier to lure him to Glasgow now interest is dying down.

At long last, there is some positive news for supporters.

AND in other news, Celtic may finally replace Tierney by signing 18 y/o who could end up “like Busquets”…

Plenty of Leicester City fans have been reacting to news regarding striker Kelechi Iheanacho on social media.

According to The Sun, the 24-year-old is now ready to sign a new deal at the King Power.

Iheanacho’s current deal with the Foxes, worth £60,000-a-week, expires next year, and it appears as if a new contract could see his salary increase to £90,000-a-week.

A source close to the striker says Iheanacho feels manager Brendan Rodgers has taken his game to the next level, bringing out the very best in him over recent months.

The Nigerian has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, with his latest strikes coming in the 3-1 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup prior to the international break.

Foxes fans split

@TheSunFootball shared the story on Twitter on Thursday morning, which as to be expected, received plenty of interaction from several Leicester fans in the replies.

Here’s what some had to say…

“60k a week? for a couple of good games, rather that money go to Youri”

Credit: @connorclaylcfc

“Correct decision, man is a goal machine”

Credit: @seanfromenderby

“The final paragraph is something I would not have dreamed of up to 2/3 weeks ago ‘With money tight throughout the game, the £25million the Foxes paid to sign the Nigerian from Manchester City in 2017, is beginning to look like a bargain.’”

Credit: @hargraa

“SIUUUUUUU”

Credit: @LcfcLeejon

“Having a good run fair play to the lad not done enough for a pay rise not a top striker in my opinion”

Credit: @ctk1_

“He really upped his game fully deserves it”

Credit: @Jamie1884LCFC

In other news: Many LCFC fans react to transfer news on 2020 target, find out more here. 

Fans of Glasgow Rangers have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which commented on recent footage of Gareth Bale appearing to deliberately elbow Ondrej Kudela, the player accused of racially abusing Rangers star, Glen Kamara.

Kudela is currently being investigated by UEFA after allegedly aiming, quite frankly, disgusting remarks towards the Gers’ Kamara during a meeting between Slavia Prague and Rangers in the Europa League round of 16.

However, seemingly in an effort to assert his own form of rough justice in Wales’ World Cup qualifying fixture against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening, Bale appeared to intentionally target the defender with a swinging arm, catching Kudela in the face and rendering the 34-year-old unable to continue in the match.

And, following the clash, with footage of the incident circulating on social media, the Rangers fan account, Heart & Hand Podcast, took to Twitter in praise Bale’s part in the encounter, with many more fans of the club piling in to thank the Welshman for his efforts.

So, what exactly did these Rangers fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Gareth Bale’s challenge on Ondrej Kudela?

“Ampadu left one on him earlier too. Beautiful!”

@nicky13anderson

“Harry Wilson and someone else had a nibble at him as well at one point. Kudela went down as if a sniper had hit him.”

@StevenK86

“Was lovely to watch.”

@wulliemci2

“Karma.”

@AndrewM31015121

“Get in there Gareth Bale.”

@robertmcnaught

“Lovely.”

@chr1sbett

In other news: this ‘superb’ £6.2k-p/w star lifted the lid on talks with the Rangers hierarchy – find out more here!

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala recently, and if he were to join the Reds, it would surely spell the end for Divock Origi.

The Argentine’s contract with the Serie A side is set to expire in 2022, with it suggested that the Old Lady could look to cash in on him next summer, to avoid potentially losing him for free at the end of next season.

Dybala has often been a regular at Juventus since joining from Palermo in the summer of 2015, making 244 appearances, contributing 98 goals and 40 assists in that time.

However, the 27-year-old has found himself on the fringes of Andrea Pirlo’s squad this season, making just eight starts and three substitute appearances in Serie A, in which he has contributed two goals and two assists, averaging a solid 7.04 rating.

This suggests that he still has a lot of quality and that he has impressed on his rare appearances, so he would surely be looking to establish himself as a regular member of Liverpool’s attack if he were to make the move to Anfield this summer.

Therefore, with Origi having struggled throughout the season so far, it is difficult to see where the Belgian international would get any game time should a player of Dybala’s quality arrive.

The former Lille man, who earns £60k per week at Liverpool, has failed to score or assist in any of his 12 Premier League and Champions League appearances this season, whilst his 6.19 average rating in the top-flight is one of the lowest in the squad.

It was suggested that Origi could depart during the winter transfer window but he ended up staying put, although it seems likely that his first-team chances will only decrease further now that Diogo Jota has recovered from his injury.

Dybala was described as a player of “extraordinary quality” by Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero in 2020, so whilst Origi has some memorable moments in a Liverpool shirt, there seems no doubt that Dybala is a much better overall player than the Belgian, so it would not be a surprise to see him depart should the Argentinian join Jurgen Klopp’s side in the summer.

And, in other news… Edwards should seal Liverpool swoop for 6 ft 3 beast who silenced Messi at 19