All posts by z3u9t.icu

Even though Liverpool have in the past signed some of their current players for substantial transfer fees such as Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Naby Keita, Diogo Jota and Fabinho among others, we feel there is one player at the club currently residing in Jurgen Klopp’s squad who may have gone under the radar in recent years that we feel FSG should get a lot of praise for securing – Joel Matip.

The Cameroonian joined Liverpool in the summer of 2016 on a free transfer from German side Schalke 04 after the Merseyside club secured a deal for him the previous February.

Since then, the 30-year-old has made 133 appearances for the Reds across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing three assists along the way.

So far this season, Matip has played the full 90 minutes in all but one of Liverpool’s Premier League games and has been ever-present in their three Champions League games, cementing himself as a vital figure for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Shortly after arriving at Anfield in the summer of 2016, Transfermarkt had his market value listed as £16.2m, before shooting up to £36m in December 2019, highlighting a significant impact since his arrival.

At this moment in time, Matip’s market value has fallen back to £16.2m, but we feel this has more to do with him reaching the age of 30 rather than anything to do with his playing time or his quality on the pitch, especially with Klopp calling him an “unbelievable” player in terms of what he can do.

Despite this drop in market value, we feel that it should not take away from how great a signing the defender has been for the Reds considering that FSG managed to get him on a free transfer and what he has since delivered for them on the pitch.

Moving forward, while his market value may not be likely to go back up towards where it was back in 2019, we think Matip has what it takes to continue impressing for the Reds this season and beyond if injuries don’t impact his playing time as they have done in the past.

In other news – Imagine him & Salah: FSG must seal Liverpool move for “incredible” £45m-rated machine

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist and ‘transfer insider’ Dean Jones has made a claim on Wednesday night, sharing a worry for West Ham United involving star man Declan Rice.

The Lowdown: Rice concerns at Rush Green…

Recent reports indicate that West Ham and manager David Moyes could be concerned about Rice.

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Indeed, as explained by The Telegraph, the England international star is attracting major interest from top clubs in the Premier League – including the likes of Man United, Man City and London rivals Chelsea.

A lot could depend on where the Hammers finish at the end of 2021/2022, and if they can’t seal a place in Europe next year, Rice may well grow more and more open to leaving.

There have already been murmurs of the 23-year-old being ‘ready to leave this year’ with Old Trafford being his preferred destination, at least according to 90min reporter Scott Saunders.

The Latest: Jones makes worrying Rice claim…

Speaking to GMS, reporter Jones has now backed that Rice could be edging closer to a Rush Green departure, stating the midfielder is ‘more open than ever’ to leaving.

He explained: “I think that any buying club might be helped by the fact that Declan Rice, from what I’m hearing, does seem more open than ever about the idea of leaving West Ham. That could be interesting.”

The Verdict: Big blow?

The player’s stance on leaving comes as a blow given in-house tension could disrupt the harmony of Moyes’ squad.

However, one glimmer of hope is the one-year extension option currently in Rice’s deal, so if the Three Lions ace does attempt to leave, GSB are in a strong position to command huge transfer fees.

That being said, his influence would be sorely missed, with the West Ham mainstay averaging more interceptions per 90 than anyone in Moyes’ squad and their second-highest Premier League match rating per 90 (WhoScored).

In other news: Sky Sports: West Ham eyeing £21.6m-rated star for Moyes, he’s set to move! Find out more here.

Steven Gerrard only left Rangers for Aston Villa less than a month ago but has already been nominated for the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award for November.

As to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media – although some weren’t overly enthused to hear of it.

The 41-year-old began his tenure in charge at Villa Park with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and made it back-to-back victories with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.

Those six points helped Villa move clear of flirting with the bottom three, although Gerrard has since suffered his first defeat at the Midlands club, losing 2-1 against champions Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side was on the first day of December, so Gerrard had a 100% record in November. He has been shortlisted for the award alongside Guardiola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, with the winner to be announced on December 10.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news regarding Gerrard on their official Twitter channel on Friday. Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with many fearing “bad luck” in regards to a possible manager of the month jinx – as has afflicted previous winners of the prize – should Gerrard win the November award.

“Oh god.”

Credit: @LukeKing_

“Uh oh”

Credit: @JustTheVilla

“Nooooooooooooooooooooooo He doesn’t deserve it in all honesty. Don’t jinx him and us please”

Credit: @TipsCurtis

“Bad luck incoming”

Credit: @JackUTFV

“DO NOT VOTE, DO NOT VOTE, DO NOT VOTE, DO NOT VOTE”

Credit: @VillaBot1874

“don’t jinx him”

Credit: @avfc_kel

In other news: ‘Do it’ – Many Villa fans react as ‘brilliant’ transfer news emerges

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Tosin Adarabioyo to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, with the West Ham insider revealing on a recent episode of The West Ham Way podcast (via Hammers News) that David Moyes has identified the Fulham defender as a potential target in the upcoming market, as the 58-year-old Hammers boss attempts to replace the injured centre-back duo of Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma.

Fans will be buzzing

Considering how impressive Adarabioyo has been for Fulham this season, the news that West Ham are interested in a move for the 24-year-old is sure to have left the London Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 19 Championship appearances this term, the £13.5m-rated centre-back has helped his side keep five clean sheets, scored one goal and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.7 interceptions, 1.2 tackles, 3.7 clearances, 63.9 passes and winning 63% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the £17k-per-week man average a rather extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.22, ranking him as Marco Silva’s fourth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

As such, with Zouma looking to be out until at least February, in addition to Ogbonna appearing unlikely to feature in the league again this season, Adarabioyo would not only be an excellent option to stand in for the stricken defensive duo, but also one who boasts the ability to go on and stake a real claim for a regular starting spot in Moyes’ backline.

Indeed, considering just how impressive the 24-year-old has been this season, we believe it would be highly advisable for the 58-year-old West Ham manager to do everything in his power to get a deal over the line for the Fulham star next month.

In other news: GSB could land Neymar’s “perfect replacement” as WHU begin talks for “outstanding” gem

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has dropped a major update on West Ham United’s plans for the rest of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Speaking on The Transfer Show on Sky Sports, Sheth revealed that the Hammers are “still” keen on bringing in a new centre-forward as they look to provide Michail Antonio with some vital striking competition.

He said: “David Moyes is still looking for a striker to strengthen his West Ham United squad this month, but he won’t take any risks in the market.”

Fans will be buzzing

While Antonio has certainly led the line well for the Hammers this season – he’s scored eight goals and provided another six assists in just 21 Premier League games – he could certainly do with being given some help up front.

That’s something which former Leeds man Noel Whelan has suggested Moyes’ side should be targeting this month. He said: “You can’t have enough strikers. When you look at the top sides and where where you want to be year in, year out in the Premier League, you’ve got to have cover.

“You’ve got to have options. It’s no different to Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool. You’ve got to have options in these positions. I think it will benefit, Michail Antonio. Yes, I know he’s going to be up for the fight to keep his place but it becomes healthy competition. Sometimes you’re not going to be able to play the same as you did the week before when you’re on a good run.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Paddy Kenny, who insisted: “You can’t rely on one man to score all of your goals. Antonio is great but he’s not going to score every week. Sometimes that pressure of scoring goals can almost be a burden. It wouldn’t surprise me if West Ham went and got a player to come in and support him.”

If the Hammers are intent on making a push for a Champions League place for next season, then bringing in someone who can share that goal-scoring burden with Antonio could prove to be crucial, and be the real difference-maker.

The news that Moyes is “still” looking for a new centre-forward is sure to have West Ham fans buzzing.

Meanwhile, West Ham are pushing hard for this attacker…

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West Ham United continue to flatter to deceive under Manuel Pellegrini and were on the wrong end of a thrashing on Tuesday, as they lost 3-0 at Wolves.

The result was their third defeat in as many games in all competitions and came on the back of losses against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League and, embarrassingly, AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup.

On the chalkboard

The Hammers had not one stand-out performer against Wolves, much like their performance against Wimbledon, a team rock bottom of League One.

But Angelo Ogbonna appears to be one man who is really struggling and was exposed time and time again at Molineux.

Per Whoscored, he made just one tackle across the 90 minutes and failed to deal with the movement and interplay between Wolves’ strikers Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez, and fans were absolutely crucifying him after the match.

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

A game against Liverpool on Monday offers no chance of a reprieve, such are the fearsome talents of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Of course, Ogbonna has been parachuted into the team after Fabian Balbuena’s injury, but he has looked a fish out of water and Pellegrini would be well advised to drop Declan Rice back into defence as he bids to shore up a backline leaking goals at a dangerous rate.

Assiduous defender

Rice has the ability to play anywhere on the pitch, but he has experience of playing as a centre-back and is clearly a better defender than the error-prone Ogbonna.

Deploying the 20-year-old at centre-back would also add a calming presence alongside Issa Diop, who enjoyed an excellent start to the season next to Balbuena.

Rice offers the assiduity to mop up any potential threats effectively and also distribute the ball with precision, an attribute that is clearly lacking in the erratic Ogbonna’s game.

If the Hammers are to have any chance against the Reds, who appear to be steaming towards the Premier League title, they are going to have to reinforce their backline somehow.

Playing Rice ahead of Ogbonna seems the only logical way of doing just that.

Crystal Palace are enjoying a comfortable season in the Premier League, with Patrick Vieira guiding the side to a potential top-half finish in his first season in charge at Selhurst Park there could be a problem unfolding ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

According to journalist, Pete O’Rourke, Crystal Palace are unlikely to improve the current salary of Wilfried Zaha to extend his contract beyond the current 15 months that he has left at the club.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s on a pretty good deal at Palace as it stands right now. I think he’s probably the highest-paid player at the club, so I’m not sure if Palace will be willing to give him an improvement on that.”

Disaster for Palace

Wilfried Zaha has been back to his best this season and surely Palace will want to do everything they can to keep the striker at the club next season, but with rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal this summer, and the club unlikely to increase his wages, it could spell disaster for Vieira.

As per SofaScore, the 29-year-old hailed “phenomenal by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, has scored 11 goals and contributed one assist so far this season in the Premier League, with 1.4 key passes and 1.2 tackles per game as well as a pass accuracy of 81%, proving he has become a key component in the progress at Selhurst Park.

The £130k-per-week star has even admitted he would be open to a move in an interview with The Face, which will again only add to the problems the Palace board are faced with in keeping the forward at the club;

“I feel like I can have another shot at the top teams, because my dream is to win things,” he said. ​

“I’m good enough to go out there and compete with the best. If the opportunity came, I wouldn’t turn it down, because I feel like I deserve it.”

Crystal Palace have already made the Ivorian goal machine their highest paid player, so it will be interesting to see if they make any movement on his salary ahead of this summer to secure his future before other clubs begin to make offers, otherwise Vieira will need to prepare for the loss of Zaha’s output going into next season.

In other news: Vieira can unearth CPFC’s next Mitchell in rarely-seen 18 y/o who is “full of energy”

An update has emerged on Newcastle forward Ryan Fraser, regarding his place in the Scotland national team squad.

What’s the latest?

According to The Chronicle, the Magpies winger has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to an injury picked up over the weekend.

The report claims that the extent of the injury remains unclear at this moment in time, with the only update being that he will be absent for Scotland’s matches.

Gutted

This news will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling gutted due to the awful timing of the knock. Eddie Howe has been confirmed as the club’s new manager this week and supporters should be excited by the prospect of the pair reuniting after their spell together at Bournemouth in the Premier League earlier in his career.

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The ex-Cherries coach has only just been appointed but this could represent his first big blow as manager and provide an insight into what he could be dealing with in the coming months; adversity. Newcastle are 19th in the Premier League and are yet to win a match, which means that his first few matches could be a slog that they need to grind through in order to pull themselves closer to safety.

Fraser has started two of the club’s last three games and the arrival of Howe could signal an upturn in form for the winger. In his final two seasons for Bournemouth under the 43-year-old, he managed eight goals and a whopping 18 assists in the Premier League as he showed that he can provide end product at the top level. Reaching those sort of figures again would surely delight Newcastle supporters who are yet see him bag a league goal for Newcastle since joining the club in 2020.

News of an injury, therefore, is not only a blow to Howe but it’s also gutting for supporters as it could hinder his progress in the coming weeks as he tries to rediscover himself under his former manager.

Hopefully, a positive update emerges ahead of the clash with Brentford on the other side of the break and Howe can get to work on improving Fraser and getting him back to his best.

AND in other news, PIF must avoid 1st Newcastle howler with deal for rarely-seen £36k-p/w liability…

An update has emerged on French defender Lucas Digne, regarding Newcastle United’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

Journalist Luke Edwards has claimed that the Everton full-back is on the Magpies’ radar this month as Eddie Howe goes in search of reinforcements for his squad.

He Tweeted: “Can’t see them signing Botman and Carlos. Digne is a target I’ve had that confirmed but there is bound to be competition.”

In his article for The Telegraph, Edwards named Digne and Southampton’s Romain Perraud as two players the club are looking at as they attempt to bring in competition for Jamal Lewis at left-back.

He then provided another update on the French defender on Wednesday lunchtime, saying:

“A centre back and a striker seem to be where most of the remaining money will be spent at #nufc this month. A loan with option to buy in the summer for Lucas Digne under discussion. Another CB permanent or loan on the to do list. Another CM probably the least pressing requirement.”

Excitement

This claim from the reporter will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling excited as Digne could be a terrific addition to the side. He is adamant that there is interest from the Magpies in the Frenchman’s services and that brings with it the exciting prospect of the club making a genuine move for him in the coming weeks.

Digne is a proven Premier League performer who could come in and be a major upgrade on Lewis and Matt Ritchie on the left side of defence. In his three full league campaigns for the Toffees to date, he has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.08 or higher – scoring four goals and providing 18 assists in that time.

This season, Ritchie and Lewis have averaged scores of 6.43 and 6.33 respectively. Neither of them have been able to consistently deliver high-quality performances on the pitch and that is why the Everton man could be a vital signing for Howe, as his displays for the Blues show that he is capable of doing that at Premier League level – proving it over the course of three years.

Therefore, Magpies fans will be able to get excited by the thought of Digne playing for the club in the second half of the campaign. He could come in and instantly be a top performer for the side as he is accustomed to playing in the English top-flight and would not need an adaptation period.

With Kieran Trippier reportedly closing in on a transfer to St. James’ Park, Newcastle could find themselves with an excellent full-back pairing come the end of the month. However, it is down to Howe and Nick Hammond to ensure that they are able to get both deals over the line.

AND in other news, Howe can brutally axe £40k-p/w NUFC dud by signing “deceptive” gem who’s a “nightmare”…

West Brom have now gone three games without a win, which will be extremely frustrating for manager, Valerien Ismael, who has been tasked with the job to get the side promoted this season back into the Premier League.

The Baggies went to the Seasiders with the need for three points to try to close the gap on both Fulham and Bournemouth who are out ahead by a stretch in the automatic promotion places, with Fulham now eight points ahead at the top of the table and a game in hand to play.

Ismael’s side have now not won away from home for two months, and there will need to be questions raised as to what issues need ironing out, or where quality needs to be added to give the Baggies the confidence they clearly need to inject to start winning on away days.

Despite dominating in the early stages of the game, where it looked like West Brom could pressure enough to put a goal past Blackpool, after a string of chances over the course of the game, the side couldn’t break down Blackpool enough to finish them.

The Tangerines had an outstanding defensive performance as they struggled to find a lot of attacking opportunities, which held West Brom to a 0-0 draw in the end.

Speaking after the game Ismael reflected on the performance;

“We need to take what we can get at the minute and getting a clean sheet is a positive. We created a lot of chances, but compared to last Saturday, this time there were more real chances to score. At the minute it’s the final ball, and we need to work on that.”

One player who struggled to offer the presence and confidence needed to get a three-pointer over the line away from home for Ismael’s side, was Cedric Kipre, with the defender having fewer touches (39) than Baggies goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone (40).

The 6 foot 3 defender lacked positional discipline on many occasions, losing the ball a whopping 13 times which led to an awful pass success rate of 59%. The centre-back also gave away a number of fouls (3) throughout the game, which really disrupted the rhythm and flow of the game to get West Brom in a position to build attacking play. This is reflected in a dismal SofaScore rating of just 6.5.

This clear lack of discipline could’ve cost the side goals against a team offering more clinical finishing than Blackpool did last night. Thus, Ismael has work to do to make sure that these kinds of sloppy mistakes don’t cost them later in the week.

West Brom have another challenging game on Friday at home against Nottingham Forest and will be hoping to pick up maximum points by finishing their chances to climb their way back into a title challenge.

In other news: Lawrence could replace struggling Jordan Hugill