All posts by z3u9t.icu

Leeds United are interested in making a move for exciting Barcelona youngster Ferran Jutgla, according to a fresh report which emerged on Friday afternoon.

The Lowdown: Jutgla impresses at Barca

The 22-year-old has caught the eye of Barca manager Xavi, having impressed for the club’s first team and B team this season, being hailed as ‘spectacular’ by the Spain World Cup-winning legend.

Jutgla has scored twice in his first five appearances for the senior side, adding to eight goal involvements in 15 matches for the reserve team.

With Leeds eyeing up possible attacking signings, an intriguing report has emerged regarding their interest in the winger.

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The Latest: Leeds keen on move

According to El Nacional, Leeds are keen on the idea of snapping up Jutgla in the January transfer window, with the Whites willing to pay £8.3million for his services.

While he is happy to return to the B side once established players such as Memphis Depay come back from injury, he is also believed to like the thought of moving to the Premier League.

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The Verdict: One for the future

Jutgla looks a hugely exciting prospect, so Leeds’ reported interest is certainly eye-catching, as Marcelo Bielsa’s eyes up January reinforcements with a little help fro Victor Orta’s keen eye for Spanish talent.

Granted, the Whites aren’t short on wide options currently but the Barca man could be a long-term prospect on the right-hand side, especially if Raphinha moves on in the future for a massive fee – what a coup it would be to already have an up and coming replacement waiting in the wings.

The fact that Jutlga is already shining for a club of Barca’s stature, despite their current struggles, highlights why he is someone Leeds should look to sign.

In other news, Leeds are believed to be eyeing up a move for a defender. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for an ‘unprecedented’ transfer spending spree in the upcoming January transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to an inside source, who revealed the information to Football Insider earlier this week, and claims that manager Antonio Conte is pushing the club’s hierarchy to land multiple signings after identifying several key areas since arriving in the dugout.

It’s believed that the Italian, along with sporting director Fabio Paratici, are plotting for the “biggest January window in the club’s history”, as per the report.

There could be several major signings, as well as some departures, whilst it is thought that a new central defender is amongst the 52-year-0ld’s priorities.

An exciting winter?

In the past, Spurs have hardly been notorious spenders in any transfer window, let alone in the winter. After all, the north Londoners did go 18 months without a single signing during the Mauricio Pochettino era, ending it with the £15m addition of Jack Clarke.

For instance, this time last year, there were no additions to Jose Mourinho’s squad in January, even with the side struggling to force their way into the top six.

A year earlier, only Steven Bergwijn was their ‘major’ splash, joining in a £25m deal from PSV Eindhoven – and funnily enough, he is one of the players who could seemingly depart next month, according to Mike Verweij on De Telegraaf’s football podcast (via Sport Witness).

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There was no signing in 2019 or 2017, whilst Lucas Moura (£23m) was the sole addition on deadline day in 2018.

As you can see, any sort of substantial change in playing staff in January would represent a change in attitude from the club, and particularly chairman Daniel Levy, though that could suggest that it’s truly Paratici in charge of such decision-making now.

Despite a change in manager and some pretty drab performances – leading striker Harry Kane has even bagged just once – the Lilywhites somehow still sit in fifth place, just two points adrift of the top four, with a game in hand.

Bringing in some much-needed reinforcements could be exactly what Conte needs to steer Spurs back into the Champions League, and that would be quite some feat with this current squad.

As such, this latest development from an inside source should leave supporters around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium absolutely buzzing with excitement.

It’s no secret that the squad needs a freshen up – last season’s error-prone backline remains, Kane is out of sorts and several players have overstayed their welcome.

Backing a world-class manager like Conte will pay serious dividends and the prospect of that actually happening, as the report suggests, should leave fans – as well as the Italian himself – rather encouraged heading into next month’s window.

AND in other news, Spurs source drops major behind-the-scenes update at Hotspur Way, Conte will be fuming…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming over some news involving one of their upcoming fixtures in the Premier League.

As per the official Twitter page of the Goodison Park faithful, their trip to Newcastle United in February has now been rescheduled, after being selected for live TV.

It will now be played on Tuesday 8th February at 7:45pm, in what is an ridiculously inconvenient time for supporters hoping to go to the game on Tyneside.

The late kick-off makes it difficult for Toffees to travel back, especially in a midweek when they are likely to have work the next day, and there will be fewer public transport options at that time of night.

Nonetheless, the anger also comes after a poor run of form on the pitch, which has seen the Merseyside club win just one of their last 10 matches in the Premier League.

Everton fans on fixture change

These Blues fumed as the news of the fixture change was shared on Twitter, with one EFC fan even going as far as to claim that it was ‘awful’:

“Why?”

Credit: @efc_1878___

“Keep going @premierleague – kick us when we’re already down”

Credit: @SpecterAndGold

“We’re actually never playing a game on a Saturday again”

Credit: @joejohnson1202

“Everton are not allowed to play Newcastle in broad daylight”

Credit: @jamesc_422

“Absolutely awful date change for Newcastle away that”

Credit: @Lammylad88

“Half the fan base just suffered an injury reading this tweet”

Credit: @SchneiderErnie

In other news, find out what injury news has Evertonians fuming here!

Celtic will be without striker Giorgos Giakoumakis for their League Cup semi-final with St Johnstone, Alison Conroy reports.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis under Postecoglou

Giakoumakis made the move to Celtic Park on deadline day in a deal worth £2.5m from VVV-Venlo.

However, since then, he has had his fair share of issues after initially struggling to get up to fitness before injuring his calf in the warm-up against Raith Rovers in September.

The 26-year-old, labelled as a ‘phenomenon’ by a Dutch reporter, has started twice under Ange Postecoglou, with his only goal coming against Saturday’s opponents in the Scottish Premiership.

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The Latest: Conroy’s update

Sky Sports reporter Conroy shared an injury update on Twitter following comments from Postecoglou.

Giakoumakis will be out for at least another week due to a knee issue, whereas Carl Starfelt and Tom Rogic are unlikely to be ready in time following hamstring problems.

“Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says Giorgos Giakoumakis will be out for at least another week with a knee injury. League Cup semi likely to be too soon for Carl Starfelt & Tom Rogic.”

The Verdict: Not ideal…

Postecoglou will have his first taste of Hampden Park this weekend, and being without three first-team members on top of long-term absentees Christopher Jullien and Greg Taylor isn’t exactly ideal.

Giakoumakis, Starfelt and Rogic all started in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone last month, so Postecoglou will now have to find a way to win without the trio.

In terms of Giakoumakis’ latest injury, you’d expect Kyogo Furuhashi will almost certainly occupy a central role, with all but one of his 13 Hoops goals coming as a centre-forward as opposed to out wide.

In other news: Ange now wants to sign another forward for Celtic in January; came through same academy as Rogic. 

Aston Villa are seemingly planning a clearout ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claimed that Steven Gerrard has identified three players within his first-team squad who he would be happy to offload this winter, namely Bertrand Traore, Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet.

The report added that the 41-year-old would be happy to lose two of the aforementioned trio, either on loan deals or a permanent basis, as the former Liverpool captain believes that his squad is currently unbalanced.

Finally, it is said that Gerrard would like to strengthen Aston Villa’s spine in January, with the manager targeting a centre-back and central midfielder in the winter window.

Lange must act

With Gerrard currently having a whopping seven options who could realistically start on either wing for Villa, it will perhaps come as no surprise to the club’s fans that the 41-year-old is more than willing to ship at least two of those out in January.

Considering that Traore (£63k-per-week), El Ghazi (£38k-per-week) and Trezeguet (£47k-per-week) are costing the club an eye-watering £148k-per-week in wages, all while the trio have made a grand total of just 12 Premier League appearances so far this season, it is not difficult to understand why Gerrard is eager to move them on this winter.

Furthermore, the sale of any one of those players could also raise a substantial amount of money for the 41-year-old to reinvest in his first-team squad, with Traore currently worth £18m, El Ghazi £11.7m and Trezeguet £9m – totalling £38.7m.

As such, it would indeed appear advisable for Johan Lange to do all he can to offload two, if not all, of this trio in January. Not only are they wasting a considerable chunk of the club’s weekly wage budget in comparison to their overall game-time, their potential sales could also provide Gerrard with the funds to land a number of his own targets this winter – an outcome which would undoubtedly delight the former Rangers boss.

In other news: Bye-bye Mings: NSWE can seal Gerrard’s dream AVFC deal with “exceptional” £75k-p/w gem

Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici is now reportedly in talks to try and sign Corentin Tolisso for Spurs after contacting his agents.

The Lowdown: Ndombele replacement?

Calciomercato reported earlier on in the week that Spurs are ‘in the running’ to sign Tolisso alongside some of the biggest names in European football, namely Inter Milan, Juventus, PSG and Atletico Madrid.

Perhaps they have one eye on Tanguy Ndombele potentially leaving the North London club, given recent reports of interest from abroad and the fact he wanted to leave during the summer, per The Times.

Nonetheless, if Nuno Espirito Santo were to lose one of his central midfield players, then a replacement would be needed.

The Latest: Paratici wants Tolisso

According to a most recent report from Calciomercato, Tolisso has made the ‘surprise decision’ not to renew his current deal at Bayern Munich, which is expiring next summer.

He is reportedly a ‘long-time ball’ of Paratici, who has been talking to his agents to try to bring him to the Lilywhites.

However, there is ‘nothing advanced or defined’ at this moment in time, as Atletico Madrid have been named as a club who could potentially hijack a deal.

The Verdict: Ndombele out, Tolisso in

It has not quite worked out for Ndombele at THFC, with a mere ten goals and eight assists in 83 games on total over all competitions across the last three consecutive seasons (club-record £63m for him, fans should certainly expect more.

At a good age of 24 and still holding a market value of £40.5m, now may be the best time for Nuno and Paratici to cut their losses.

In would step Tolisso, who could come on a free transfer next summer, and if it does not work out, they can always sell him on for a profit.

Nonetheless, there is no reason why it should not, given that he has scored three times as many goals (48) as Ndombele (16) has from midfield in his club career so far, and is capable of playing anywhere across the middle of the park like Ndombele can, providing depth in multiple positions.

A UEFA Champions League and World Cup winner as well (Transfermarkt), Tolisso has that extra winning mentality, which would be very useful for a side who have not won a major trophy since 2008.

In other news, find out who this Tottenham ‘insider’ believes may be offered a new deal here!

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says events such as Anthony Joshua’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk could help Tottenham sell the naming rights to their stadium for the £250,000,000 they are looking for.

The Lowdown: Spurs host huge bout

Recently, Joshua’s heavyweight boxing bout with Usyk took place in front a full capacity crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Joshua lost the fight, but the glamour of the event can only be good news for Tottenham as a brand.

The Latest: Maguire impressed

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire discussed Tottenham’s ability to attract naming rights offers for their stadium. He said:

“I think it helps Spurs from a negotiation perspective.

“It was a spectacular event, with the exception of the result. That can only enhance the club’s ability to broaden the global scope of what they can offer.

“That therefore makes it more attractive to a sponsor. But it seems a lot of money, however, £25m.

“Man City got more than that, but that was on the back of the stadium that people were looking for a name for.

“But they are calling it the Tottenham stadium deliberately. As soon as people start calling it White Hart Lane, it becomes much harder to get a deal.

“That’s because people will not refer to it by its new name. That means the sponsor doesn’t get as much publicity.

“If you can’t persuade people to use the corporate name, that is to the detriment of their negotiating position.”

The Verdict: Financial boost

It was recently revealed Tottenham are looking for £25m per year over 10 years, which would end up seeing Tottenham receive a fee of £250m. As per 90min.com, that would make Spurs’ ground the most lucrative in terms of sponsorship.

Of course, that is a huge amount. However, given the stadium is already luring in massive corporations like the NFL (nfl.com), it is clear it can be used for more than just football matches, which makes it an interesting proposition for plenty of companies. For Daniel Levy and co, therefore, a financial boost could be just around the corner.

In other news, this man has been urged to leave Tottenham.

West Ham return to Premier League action this afternoon as manager David Moyes returns to his former stomping ground, Goodison Park.

The 58-year-old faces a tough dilemma as the Irons embark on a run of seven games in just 22 days, starting with a trip to in-form Everton.

Nine of Moyes’ starting XI have started all seven of their league matches so far and that would have been ten had Michail Antonio not received a one-game suspension for the Manchester United defeat.

The Hammers’ boss has also revealed that he may be suffering with one or two injuries heading into kickoff and that’s the last thing they need with so many games coming thick and fast.

It could, therefore, be wise to rest a player that has been through the grinder since the back end of last season in Tomas Soucek, whose form has suffered in amongst some leggy outings that appear to have taken its toll on the midfielder.

He was one of the many West Ham stars to feature during the international break too, and whilst he excelled during the Czech Republic’s latest victory, as explained in more detail by Football FanCast here, he may well need a prolonged rest.

There are some key fixtures against the likes of Genk in the Europa League as well as Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League this month.

The 26-year-old box-to-box colossus was one of the standout stars of their sixth-place finish last season, in which he finished the campaign as their joint-top goalscorer on ten goals.

He is yet to hit the ground running in 2021/22, having scored just once in seven appearances. At that rate, he’ll struggle to score more than six times – a vast regression for the club’s current ‘Player of the Year’.

Elsewhere, his WhoScored rating has tailed off substantially, decreasing from 7.36 (highest in the squad) to 6.87 (sixth highest). Soucek is also averaging fewer interceptions (0.7 decrease), aerials won (3.3 decrease) and dribbles (0.3 decrease) per game, too.

The £45k-per-week star was once dubbed “unplayable” by former Everton winger Yannick Bolasie. but it’s clear that last season’s crucial run-in, combined with his appearances at Euro 2020, a lack of real pre-season and this campaign’s hectic schedule, have badly affected his form in the claret and blue.

It would be a wise call for Moyes to be brutal and axe the £45m-rated beast from his starting XI today. It’s a decision that could well benefit the squad in the longer term.

AND in other news, Moyes could save West Ham millions with 17 y/o gem who “could be the next Declan Rice”…

Rangers were left feeling disappointed on Thursday as they battled to draw 1-1 with Danish side Brondby in the Europa League.

The Gers came into the game with only one win in three group stage matches and have now left themselves with work to do in the final two fixtures to qualify for the knockout round.

A Leon Balogun own goal put Brondby ahead in the first half, but an inspired set of substitutions leveled the score after the interval as Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi came off the bench to combine for the equaliser.

Although the Romanian’s superb finish secured a point for Rangers, perhaps the one player who stole the show for Steven Gerrard’s side on the night was James Tavernier.

The Englishman was superb throughout the match as he caught the eye at right-back at both ends of the pitch against Brondby.

Defensively, he was a solid operator for Gerrard. As per SofaScore, he won an impressive eight out of his 10 duels (80%) whilst also making two tackles and one clearance.

He also avoided being dribbled past and did not complete a single foul, showing that he was strong in his individual battles and did not allow any Brondby players to get the better of him in dribbling situations.

He was also excellent when in possession. As per SofaScore, he had a whopping 103 touches of the ball from defence as he helped to control the game from right-back. The former Newcastle man completed 76% of his passes and created two chances, whilst also completing three of his five attempted dribbles.

The defender also played an important role in the equaliser. He drove forward down the right flank and played an incisive pass to Joe Aribo, who then found Kent to set up Hagi for his strike. This highlights his importance in the build-up play as his pass was the trigger for the entire move to take place.

Therefore, Tavernier was a key component in Rangers’ comeback and excelled throughout the game as he impressed both defensively and offensively. He was able to remain solid in his defending whilst offering quality on the ball, and Gerrard will surely have been delighted with his captain’s display despite the Gers failing to pick up the three points in the end.

AND in other news, Kent 2.0: Gerrard could unearth new wing wizard in “exciting” 18 y/o Rangers flyer…

Arsenal have recently turned a corner and they will be looking to build on that recent form with another victory in this afternoon’s widely-anticipated north London derby.

On the back of three successive victories, Mikel Arteta and his side welcome arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium and they know that another three points could see them leapfrog today’s opponents in the Premier League standings.

It’ll be no easy task, even if Spurs have seen back-to-back 3-0 defeats in the top-flight.

The Spaniard has plenty to think about ahead of kick-off, especially after his fringe stars put in a decent performance during their Carabao Cup win over League One minnows AFC Wimbledon in midweek.

One player who he must turn to is summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu – their turnaround in fortunes has come with him in the starting XI and that’s no mere coincidence.

Signed in a €20m (£17m) deal from Serie A outfit Bologna, where he was once described as a “true Japanese warrior” by teammate Mitchell Dijks, the 22-year-old defender has excelled at right-back for Arteta.

Indeed, after just two appearances for the club in the Premier League, the 6 foot 2 beast already sits as the Gunners’ second highest-rated player (7.21), as per WhoScored figures.

He tops the charts for aerial duels won (five per game), which suggests he’s a physical specimen in this Arsenal side, whilst he can also do a lot further up the pitch, having recorded two shots and one dribble on his debut against Norwich City.

Arteta has been impressed with his impact both on and off the pitch. He told reporters (via the Mirror):

“First, more than the performances, it’s the way he’s settled, the way he’s gained everybody’s appreciation, the way he is.

“And then, yeah, he had no time to prepare against Norwich and then a proper Premier League traditional game at Burnley where I think he was exceptional.”

Tomiyasu should have no problems in adapting to such a big occasion.

Spurs may be struggling in attack after The Athletic revealed they had the worst expected goals total (4.42 xG) of anyone in the Premier League before this weekend’s fixtures, but on their day, Harry Kane and Heung-min Son will trouble pretty much any backline across Europe.

Nuno Santo’s side have fired off the second-fewest number of shots, too, but you can forget things like that in a game of this magnitude.

The pair scored 58.8% of the Lilywhites’ 68 league goals last season and on top of that, they registered a combined total of 24 assists, showing just how crucial and devastating they can be.

Tomiyasu, who can also play in the middle, could be the man to help thwart this threat, particularly as he often acts as a third centre-back when Kieran Tierney is bombing on up the left flank.

The £18m-rated Japan international simply must start at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

AND in other news, Once valued at £6.3m, now worth £58.5m: Arteta struck gold over Arsenal “game-changer”…