Tottenham fans are excited by Giovani Lo Celso’s potential after cameo vs Arsenal

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Giovani Lo Celso made his third appearance for Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The summer arrival from Real Betis has actually only played 44 minutes of Premier League football this season as he is eased into the action.

Lo Celso played the final 11 minutes of Sunday’s North London derby – helping his side deal with some late pressure to claim a point in a 2-2 draw.

And despite the fact that the Argentina international was not given too long to make an impression, the Spurs fans were pleased with what they saw.

According to WhoScored, the attacker actually had a 100% pass success rate during his time on the field, which is very impressive in that sort of atmosphere.

And the Tottenham fans are looking forward to seeing much more of the 23-year-old, who enjoyed a terrific 2018-19 campaign for Betis.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Alan Hutton reveals he could’ve made Rangers return

According to Football Insider, former Scotland international Alan Hutton has revealed he could have re-signed for former club Rangers a few years ago.

What’s the story?

Hutton, now 34, is currently without a club having been released by Aston Villa upon their promotion to the Premier League. After turning down several English sides, the marauding full-back is now contemplating retirement, stating that he’d find it difficult to join a Scottish club other than Rangers.

He told Football Insider: “Not so much but I find it tough to go back to Scotland. Rangers is my team, I came through at Rangers and I just think to go anywhere else would be really difficult for me and I don’t think I would want to.

“Maybe a few years ago there was a chance at Rangers but again it’s probably a position that they’re not in a hurry to fill.”

Of course, Hutton’s regular right-back berth is currently occupied by captain James Tavernier, who ended last season with 17 goals and 20 assists across all competitions. But when asked whether he could rival Tavernier for a place in the side, Hutton cheekily replied: “I don’t see why not, I don’t see why not.”

Watch Rangers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Would a nostalgic return have been worthwhile?

The Alan Hutton of 2007/8 was the very definition of the modern full-back – aggressive, powerful and forward-thinking. His performances earned him a £9m move to Tottenham Hotspur and the Premier League where he would go on to make over 150 appearances with Spurs and Villa.

However, Hutton never quite hit the heights expected in English football. He never made more than 14 appearances in a single Premier League season for Tottenham and registered just seven assists in total from his top flight spells with the Lilywhites and Villa.

While the former Scotland man wasn’t too specific about when he could’ve returned to Ibrox, there’s also the small matter of the aforementioned Tavernier. He joined Rangers four years ago and has flourished in Glasgow, earning the captain’s armband while contributing to more than one Rangers goal every two games.

For all the nostalgia of having Hutton back at Ibrox, that scenario could well have prevented Tavernier from becoming the crucial creative force he is today, while Rangers could currently be stuck with a 34-year-old full-back rather than a 27-year-old about to enter his prime years.

Maybe it’s for the best then that Hutton’s homecoming never came off.

عفروتو: لم أتخيل نفسي بقميص الزمالك.. وسأعتزل الكرة!

كشف مصطفي عفروتو لاعب الأهلي السابق، موقفه من الانضمام إلي صفوف الزمالك، كما تحدث عن رحيل رمضان صبحي إلي بيراميدز.

مصطفي عفروتو أحد ناشئي الأهلي الذي تألق مع منتخب مصر للشباب في كأس العالم 2009 التي أقيمت في مصر، ثم تم تصعيده إلي الفريق الأول تحت قيادة حسام البدري في ذلك التوقيت، وظهر في بعض المباريات بشكل جيد ولكن سرعان ما رحل عن صفوف القلعة الحمراء إلي العديد من الأندية المصرية وإلي أندية خارج مصر.

وقال عفروتو خلال تصريحات لقناة “إم بي سي مصر” عبر “برنامج اللعيب”: “شرف كبير لأي لاعب أن الزمالك يتحدث معه، ولكن للأسف لا لم أتخيل نفسي بقميص الزمالك، تربيت على انتماء صعب أغيره”.

وأضاف: “في الوقت الحالي لو أتي عرض  من الزمالك، لن أوافق، سأعتزل الكرة،  إذا أنضممت للزمالك سأعمل على نفسي ألف مرة لكي أحقق نجاحات هناك، لأنني سأخسر جمهور الأهلي ومن الصعب واحد مثلي يخسر جمهور الأهلي”.

وتابع: “حاليًا موقفي ضعيف لكن لو متواجد على الساحة ومتألق وأتعرض علي أموال الدنيا وأنا في الأهلي والله لن أرحل”.

وعن رمضان صبحي ورحيله من الأهلي إلي بيراميدز، وجه عفروتو رسالة له، قائلاً: “لا ترد الجميل بجميل ولكن لا تنكره، هو أنكر جميل الأهلي وأنت (ملكش جمايل) على النادي الأهلي، كنت من كباتن الفريق وكنت في مكانة ثانية عند جمهور الأهلي، ولا يصح بملايين الدنيا تترك النادي”.

وأكمل: “حزين من رمضان. تربيت داخل النادي وخيره عليك و(لولا الأهلي لن تحترف ولا هتمسك فلوس في إيدك او هتعمل أي شىء)”.

وأتم: “رمضان صبحي صعب يعود للأهلي مرة آخري، الدنيا تتغير إلا مبادىء وقيم الأهلي”.

Fulham: Fans unimpressed as Southampton knock club out of Carabao Cup

Fulham’s Carabao Cup campaign is already at an end after the Whites were knocked out by Southampton last night at Craven Cottage.

Scott Parker made nine changes for his side’s first game in the competition this season, though despite dominating the possession against their Premier League opponents, they were eventually beaten by a Michael Obafemi strike – leaving fans unimpressed with the team’s performance.

Parker admitted following the game that giving young players a runout was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the night – but some fans certainly did not see it that way, with some even calling for the manager’s head.

There seems to be a frustration amongst some parts of the fanbase that Fulham were not able to kickstart a cup run, with the team left to concentrate on the league for the remainder of the calendar year.

And with some yearning for the return of former boss Slavisa Jokanovic, it could be fair to say that last night’s display has not gone down too well with these supporters:

Leeds must address these two things during September

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Monthly Review series, which analyses what managers can learn from the previous month and what the coming month could have in store.

Leeds’ opening month of the season didn’t present them with too many issues.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men started in brilliant fashion with a win over Bristol City before going unbeaten until their encounter against Swansea.

Try as they might, the Whites couldn’t score and ultimately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.

It wasn’t the ideal way to head into the international break and consequently, there is still room for improvement.

As we now enter September, there are two specific issues that Bielsa needs to get his head around.

Addressing the midfield

One of the glaring weaknesses, particularly against Swansea, was the midfield. Leeds have plenty of options in that area of the pitch but it was a significant issue during their defeat.

We covered an article detailing how Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw were effectively operating in the same space.

Despite both of them playing behind the striker, they left Jack Harrison isolated on the left and struggled to make inroads.

21 attempts on goal were had but only three of them were on target. Perhaps, therefore, more creativity and dynamism is needed in midfield.

An eagerly anticipated clash against Derby at Elland Road awaits following spy-gate and the playoffs last term so that will be one Bielsa’s men are keen to win and they’ll need to have come up with a solution by then.

Klich and Forshaw have only contributed to two goals in the league so it’s clearly an area that needs addressing. Tyler Roberts returned to the U23 side on Monday whilst Mateusz Bogusz is also waiting in the wings if required.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

New signing conundrum

Another issue Bielsa needs to address is how he introduces some of his new signings.

After failing to score against Swansea, it might be that bringing in the more potent Helder Costa and Eddie Nketiah is the way forward.

Neither have started in the league this season but the 64-year-old has hinted at using Nketiah in a partnership with Patrick Bamford.

Considering Harrison has been utilised alongside Leeds’ top scorer in a similar system already, it should be something that’s brought in steadily over the next month, especially after the Arsenal man’s three goals.

But Costa is also someone who’s been pushing for a start.

He has provided three assists in two starts whilst his 15 goals at this level dictates that he’s deserving of an opportunity soon, particularly if Harrison doesn’t improve his numbers on the flanks. He has just one goal this term so might be replaced.

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Aston Villa fans praise Idrissa Gueye over Champions League showing

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The Champions League was back in action this week for the first time since May when Liverpool lifted the trophy in an all-English final.

On Wednesday evening, several eagle-eyed Aston Villa supporters spotted one of their former players putting in a resounding performance against Real Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain won 3-0 with Idrissa Gueye putting in a star-showing in the centre of midfield. He created the assist for Angel Di Maria’s second of the match just after half an hour and finished on a match rating of 8.3.

It was the 29-year-old’s hard work from the right flank which eventually fed the Argentinian, who struck a wonderful curling effort from 20 yards out past former Chelsea shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.

One Villa fan claimed the 5 foot 9 man was ‘absolutely bossing’ Madrid’s midfield of Eden Hazard, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

Gueye was signed by former Villa boss Tim Sherwood in the summer of 2015 and made 38 appearances that season as the west Midlands club were relegated to the Championship.

In the time it’s taken the club to get back into the Premier League, Gueye went on to play regularly for Everton, making over 100 appearances, before sealing a huge move to the Ligue 1 champions earlier this summer.

Another supporter said it was no real surprise to see him smashing at the top level despite having a misfortunate campaign in the west Midlands earlier in his career.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

Everton: Hornby keen to replicate Benteke’s route to the top with Kortrijk move

Everton product Fraser Hornby is hoping to replicate Christian Benteke’s route to the top in Belgium, after revealing what inspired his decision to join KV Kortrijk on loan for the season, as quoted by The Times.

Hornby was yet to add to his only senior Everton appearance before joining the Belgian Jupiler Pro League side on a one-season deal (TransferMarkt), with his senior Toffees debut coming against Apollon Limassol in the Europa League in 2017.

Hornby has addressed his decision to seek first-team football while on international duty with Scotland’s Under 21s, for whom he hopes to represent on Tuesday night when they face Croatia, having been forced to watch on through injury as Scot Gemmill’s side beat San Marino last Thursday.

The last time the 19-year-old wore his country’s colours in a competitive scenario saw Hornby net five goals in as many days, as he struck a hat-trick against Andorra and a brace away to the Netherlands.

Hornby has now taken it upon himself to test himself in a new country, as the Northampton-born striker was inspired by Jadon Sancho’s success after leaving Manchester City’s youth ranks for Borussia Dortmund.

“You see a lot of young British players going abroad now,” Hornby said. “There’s an opportunity to make it in one of these big leagues abroad that you maybe wouldn’t get in the Premier League in England. I moved away from home at 14 to go to Everton. Some people would be put off by moving away to a different country. For me that wasn’t a problem; I was always open to it.

“You look at Jadon Sancho, he’s probably done the best of the lads who have gone abroad. But I think it’s about getting that opportunity. He didn’t feel he’d get that at Manchester City and he felt he was ready to make that step.”

Hornby went on to add that Benteke’s rise from Belgium to the Premier League helped to convince the youngster that his decision to join Kortrijk on loan was the right one.

“I did my research on them,” he said. “I looked at certain players who’d been there before, like Christian Benteke. When I went there nothing was a shock. The intensity of training was very high which is what I’m used to at Everton. It’s refreshing for me to go into that environment.”

Crystal Palace striker Benteke began his career in Standard Liege and KRC Genk’s academies, but it was a loan spell with Kortrijk which spring boarded his professional career, netting 16 goals in 37 games across all competitions (TransferMarkt).

He would go on to represent Standard Liege in Champions League qualifying games and Genk in the Europa League before joining Aston Villa in 2012, where he hit 27 goals in 47 games in his debut campaign in England.

Hornby would surely not be expected to replicate the same instant success in the Premier League with Everton come his return from Kortrijk next summer, but if the teenager can use his time in Belgium to also spring board his career, he and Everton will certainly benefit from it.

Another loan spell away from Merseyside for 2020/21 could also be on the cards, too, given his age, but Hornby’s move now could be the one that takes him higher up the football pyramid, ready to make a mark at Goodison Park in the coming years.

Everton fans, does Hornby’s reasoning offer you any confidence that he can make it to the top? Let us know in the comments below…

Newcastle fans slam Sean Longstaff after abject display against Leicester

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Sean Longstaff may be one of Newcastle’s own, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune from getting criticism for his performances like the rest of his teammates.

The 21-year-old enjoyed somewhat of a break-through campaign last season for his hometown club, making nine Premier League appearances and scoring once.

His start to the current campaign however has been rather more low-key, with his display in the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Leicester simply underlining that.

The central midfielder lost possession 22 times over the course of the game, and it led to him getting a measly 5.9 rating from Sofascore.

After seeing Longstaff’s poor performance, Newcastle fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts about the 21-year-old.

Many supporters of the Tyneside club appeared to point the finger at his fitness and conditioning, with one fan in particular suggesting he “looked like he was towing around a caravan”.

Some Magpies fans compared his current form to last season, and insisted he looked a “shadow of the player he was under Rafa”.

Check out some of the reaction of Newcastle fans below:

Arsenal: Fans desperate to see German youngster sign for the club

Arsenal fans are desperate to see Kai Havertz sign for the club after he spoke to Sky in Germany, refusing to rule out a move away from Bayer Leverkusen (Sky Germany via The Metro).

The north London giants are one of a host of clubs interested in signing the star, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona also said to be interested.

Indeed, the Germany international enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Leverkusen last season, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. The 20-year-old has started this season in a similar vein, scoring in the opening league game against SC Paderborn and in the German cup.

It is thought the German club are confident of fetching a similar fee to the £113m Benfica collected for young star Joao Felix.

Fans seemed to be giddy with excitement at the thought of signing the playmaker, as they took to Twitter to react.

Here is a selection of tweets from the north London faithful:

فيديو | مانشستر يونايتد يستعيد المركز الثاني في الدوري الإنجليزي بفوز صعب أمام وست هام

حقق فريق مانشستر يونايتد فوزًا صعبًا على نظيره فريق وست هام، مساء اليوم الأحد في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب الأولد ترافورد مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الثامنة والعشرين، حيث فاز مانشستر يونايتد بهدف دون رد. هدف فوز مانشستر يونايتد أمام وست هام

هدف فوز مانشستر يونايتد جاء في الدقيقة 53 عن طريق النيران الصديقة، حيث سجل كريج داوسون بالخطأ في مرماه.

وشهدت المباراة استحواذ مانشستر يونايتد على الكرة، ولكن دون فعالية هجومية كبيرة.

وسقط برونو فرنانديز مصابًا على أرض الملعب في الشوط الثاني ولكنه استكمل المباراة.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد مانشستر يونايتد إلى 57 نقطة ليستعيد المركز الثاني من ليستر سيتي، بينما تجمد رصيد وست هام عند 48 نقطة في المركز الخامس.

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