All posts by z3u9t.icu

Derby County have been dealt a blow regarding the fitness of Festy Ebosele ahead of their upcoming Championship clash.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Derbyshire Live, Wayne Rooney confirmed that the right-back, who last featured for the Rams in the 2-1 loss to Peterborough United back in August, has not recovered from illness in time to be available for selection for the visit of Reading on Wednesday evening.

Speaking about the current condition of the 19-year-old, Rooney said: “Festy will be in [on Wednesday] training on his own and hopefully he can train with the group on Thursday.”

Rooney will be gutted

Considering that Rooney opted to start Ebosele in the Peterborough United loss, in addition to the fact that the 35-year-old’s other option on the right-hand side of his defence, Nathan Byrne, has not exactly been in the best form of his career this season, the news that the Republic of Ireland U21 international is not fit to feature on Wednesday is sure to have left the Rams boss gutted.

Indeed, over Bryne’s nine Championship appearances this term, the £1.35m-rated man has helped his side keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 0.4 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 2.8 clearances and winning 3.6 duels per game.

These returns have seen the defender average a rather disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.61, ranking him as Derby’s 11th-best performer in the second tier.

As such, the return of Ebosele would certainly be a boost for Rooney, as, not only would the 19-year-old provide the manager with another option in the position, he would also more than likely push the level of Bryne’s performances up, as the 29-year-old will undoubtedly want to retain his place in the starting XI.

However, Rooney will nevertheless have to make do without the youngster once again on Wednesday, in a game which the Rams simply must win if they are to give themselves any chance of securing survival this season, following the club’s 12 point deduction after entering administration.

In other news: Fresh claim emerges on “brilliant” £2.7m-rated DCFC gem, Rooney would be gutted

Many Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been sharing their delight on Twitter following the news that Saido Berahino has completed his move to the club from Zulte Waregem.

Starting his career at West Bromwich Albion, the 28-year-old arrives at Hillsborough with a big reputation after registering 84 goals in 300 appearances between first team and underage level [Transfermarkt].

Berahino has plied his trade in Belgium since 2019, rebuilding his reputation as a clinical centre-forward. In his time at Zulte Waregem, the Burundian chipped in with 14 goal contributions in 34 appearances, in the form of 10 goals and four assists across three seasons [Transfermarkt].

He has previously worked with Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore at West Bromwich Albion, whilst he will beef up the manager’s offensive options as the Yorkshire club aim to win promotion to the Championship this campaign.

In light of this news, plenty of Sheffield Wednesday supporters took to Twitter to celebrate Berahino’s arrival at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday fans react

Replying to the club’s official Twitter channel, here is what some fans had to say about the “incredible signing”:

“Buzzing with this, UTO”

Credit: @lukepeo1867″Incredible signing. Let’s hope he gets his career back on track here! Welcome to Hillsborough!”Credit: @andymcelwaine

“HE’S MAGIC YOU KNOWWWW”

Credit: @BrxdSWFC

“Incredible. So much potential still and bags of talent. Has gone through so much & matured. Perfect fit for Darren Moore to get best out of him. We’ve built a great Championship side for League One. Welcome to the club Saido.”

Credit: @SteveJ2403″Solid signing especially in League 1,  time to allow the new squad to gel a little and get some cohesion going. Got a better squad of players now than last season”Credit: @RossSiddons”Welcome to S6″Credit: @litherland_saraIn other news, many Owls fans criticised one player over a recent performance. Find out more here.

England secured a comfortable and confident victory over Andorra in their World Cup qualifying match on Sunday evening and it was a Manchester United star who stole the show at Wembley Stadium.

With Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho unavailable through injury, it was Jesse Lingard who stood out for Gareth Southgate’s charges, scoring a brace and also providing an assist.

His first strike was the 28-year-old’s first international goal since 2018 and further raised the question of whether he deserves to be selected in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI at United on a regular basis.

As per SofaScore, Lingard received a match rating of 9.6 out of 10, the highest score for anyone on the pitch, and it’s clear why this was the case when taking a closer look at his underlying numbers.

The versatile forward recorded a passing accuracy of 89%, made two key passes and won a whopping nine duels, showcasing the influence he had over proceedings.

Lingard also contributed defensively as well, though, making one interception and two tackles. His all-round game was impressive on his return to the England starting lineup, and he’ll be hoping for the opportunity to impress from the off at club level as well.

With Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo arriving at Old Trafford this summer, chances to feature from the off are expected to be hard to come by for Lingard.

He excelled during a short-term loan spell at West Ham United last season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in just 16 Premier League appearances, but competition for places is extremely tough back at his boyhood club.

It’s as yet unknown how long Sancho’s fitness concern will keep him sidelined, although Lingard’s performance over the weekend certainly sent a big message to Solskjaer, and he could be rewarded with a start when Newcastle United travel down to Manchester following the international break.

And, in other news…Forget Pogba: Man Utd gem with 3.7 shots per game led the way with superb August 

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge reckons that Tottenham would sell Tanguy Ndombele for £50m this summer.

The Frenchman arrived in north London for a club-record fee with a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders following his ravishing form for Lyon, notably against Manchester City in the Champions League.

However, Ndombele hasn’t been able to replicate that form, with his two-years in north London overshadowed by some lacklustre performances and constant injury problems.

The 24-year-old appeared to put his injuries aside last season, turning out 46 times across all competitions.

Ndombele didn’t do enough to earn a place in France’s Euro 2020 squad, though, which meant he was amongst the first crop of players to return to Hotspur Way for the start of pre-season.

But the midfielder didn’t play a single minute in any of Tottenham’s opening three pre-season games, which has once more raised concerns over previous fitness problems he endured under Jose Mourinho.

Asked whether Spurs would consider cashing in on him, Bridge told Football FanCast: “I think they would. £50m can go a long way now. He could prove everyone wrong and turn up next season.

“No one from Spain is going to have the money, though, it’s difficult now, but we can’t sell all of these players we want to get rid of, some are going to have to stay.”

Liverpool youngster Neco Williams is reportedly set to stay at Anfield for the 2021/22 season, despite previous claims that he could depart on loan this summer. 

Williams has made 25 appearances for Liverpool’s first-team, which includes 14 from the 2020/21 season, in which the senior squad struggled with a number of injury problems.

Reports since emerged that Williams could leave the club in search of regular game time, but The Athletic now claim that the Welshman is set to remain at Anfield for the upcoming league campaign, which gets underway this weekend.

Speaking in an interview with Love Sport Radio (via TBR Football), former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland labelled Williams as ‘superb’ for his performances when called up, and it now looks as though he will have a chance to stay and prove the former Red right.

Plenty of Liverpool supporters took to social media to react to this reported update on Williams’ future with the club, with a number of fans being left frustrated.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from the Anfield Watch Twitter account, who shared the update, leading one fan to label the youngster as ‘overrated’:

Reds fans react

“Overrated and nowhere near the level of Trent…maybe we should spend in a backup Rb.”

Credit: @jitendrasuthar4

“No one wants him.”

Credit: @acupoftea100

“Not good enough at all.”

Credit: @ahmed_inty

“Means he has no suitors.”

Credit: @BrokenNixon

“He needs regular football and experience. He should be treated like Van Den Berg.”

Credit: @K0rtal_M0mbat

“He needs to go on loan to the Championship.”

Credit: @fre_flow

“Seems like great guy but Neco just no where near levels required not even for back up.”

Credit: @baker9d14

Many Wolves fans have been left raging as Tim Spiers posted their squad for their pre-season trip to Marbella in Spain.

While Spiers tweeted some names that supporters will surely get excited about, such as new signing Jose Sa and the return of Raul Jimenez, a lot of the squad is made up of youth players and highlights how thin it is going into the new 2021/22 season.

Of course, players such as Adama Traore and Conor Coady will return to the Midlands a little bit later given their exploits in Euro 2020, but nonetheless it does seem like a squad that is in desperate need of new additions.

With the new Premier League campaign a matter of a few weeks away now, it seems as if several members of the Molineux faithful are growing more impatient with the lack of incomings at this moment in time.

Wolves fans on pre-season squad

These WWFC supporters fumed as the pre-season squad was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘awful’:

“We can fit the whole squad in a tweet, we’re actually in trouble”

Credit: @wwfc_bibb

“Our squad is weak need some new faces to be added big time #wwfc #Wolves”

Credit: @Georgewwfc2

“Nuno left us in a right state”Credit: @Gary_Poynton”What an awful squad of players that is”Credit: @Macca_Clifton”Seeing it laid out on paper makes us look weak man!!”Credit: @goldandblack17″Wow. Concerned by the lack of depth here”Credit: @StefanF30In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers fuming here!

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have now erupted in response to a fresh claim on FSG’s supposed bid to sign Italy star Federico Chiesa.

Chiesa, who played a starring role for the Azzurri as they clinched Euro 2020 glory, has been the subject of intense speculation regarding his future in Serie A.

Liverpool had supposedly lodged a bid to sign the 23-year-old but reporter Fabrizio Romano then came out to dismiss these claims.

Bringing another update, SPORT1 Chief Reporter and Bundesliga journalist Florian Plettenberg has now dropped some news to the contrary.

Speaking to LFC Transfer Room, he says that FSG did in fact make a bid to sign Chiesa alongside Chelsea.

He believes that the Blues in particular ‘100%’ lodged a €100 million (£85.5m) offer for the Italian, but he hasn’t got information on the exact amount Liverpool bid.

Plettenberg does however say that both teams sent offers, even if they ended up being turned down.

Chiesa, who managed eight goals and eight assists in 28 Serie A starts for Juve last year, also completed more dribbles per 90 (1.6) than any Reds star bar Sadio Mane (WhoScored) – leaving little wonder why Liverpool made an attempt.

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have erupted over this news in response to LFC Transfer Room – find their best verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans erupt over Chiesa bid

“Interesting if true. Potentially shows some level of ambition”

Credit: @uzair208

“We are filthy rich”

Credit: @lfcfelix_

“There’s no way that bid was real”

Credit: @DeeenooooLFC

“I never doubted the owner”

Credit: @IbraaKonate

“We have money”

Credit: @lfcjason1

“I refuse to believe this. We’d have had Haaland by now if this was the case”

Credit: @theBangmanx

“We are 100% getting someone tasty I can feel it”

Credit: @skingAlii

“Soooooo we do have money ???”

Credit: @NikaBochorishv3

In other news: Liverpool now in ‘advanced talks’ to seal yet another new contract, find out more here.

Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho as Jurgen Klopp searches for Gini Wijnaldum’s heir.

What’s the story?

According to Mundo Deportivo journalist Francesc Aguilar, the Reds are keen on re-signing the 29-year-old magician this summer.

The Spanish reporter has claimed that the player’s agent is attempting to secure a move back to the Premier League for his client, with Wolves and Everton also credited with an interest in Coutinho, but Liverpool are believed to be the ‘most determined’ to sign the Brazil international.

Fans will be excited

Coutinho left Anfield back in January 2018 to sign for La Liga giants Barca in a mega-money deal, potentially rising to an astronomical £142m. However, things haven’t worked out for the diminutive South American in Catalonia, and after failing to impress in his first 18 months with the Blaugrana, he was shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga champions saw improved performances from Coutinho, with the creative talent bagging 11 goals and providing nine assists in 38 appearances for Bayern, helping them secure the treble along the way.

Upon his return to Barcelona, though, Coutinho’s poor luck returned. A serious knee injury ended his season in December after just 14 uninspiring appearances under Ronald Koeman, resulting in his potential exit over the coming months.

With Barca experiencing severe financial difficulties, the club’s hierarchy are determined to shift several high-earning fringe players ahead of the upcoming campaign, so the Camp Nou could be the perfect place to pick up a bargain.

Although Coutinho hasn’t been at his scintillating best for a few years now, he is undoubtedly a world-class operator on his day and he produced some of his best form during his time at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.

Therefore, it’s easy to understand why the German may be tempted to bring the 29-year-old back to Anfield following Wijnaldum’s exit. The Dutch international has left a significant hole in the club’s engine room, but Coutinho has the ability to fill it and would provide a new element to the Reds’ attack.

Klopp arguably never directly replaced Coutinho in his first-team squad, with a glaring lack of goals from midfield last term, and the duo could reunite this summer, helping each other return to the top of their games, catapulting Liverpool back to the summit of English football as a result.

It’s a prospect which could have large sections of the club’s supporters excited as one of their most talented exports potentially embarks upon a return to his former stomping ground.

In other news… Fabrizio Romano drops transfer update on £10.5m LFC flop, Klopp surely on cloud nine 

A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming after a report claimed that youngster Conor Bradley could be considered a right-back option next season.

The Reds ended up salvaging their 2020/21 season by finishing third but it was a hugely taxing campaign which threatened to be a disaster at one point. One player who struggled to consistently find his best level was Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the 22-year-old arguably overplayed at right-back.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

A lack of a top-quality replacement was arguably a key reason for this, with Neco Williams still an inexperienced player learning his trade. The Welshman could even leave Liverpool this summer, and while that would further highlight the need to sign a new right-back, a fresh update may suggest otherwise.

According to The Athletic [via Watch LFC on Twitter], 17-year-old Bradley could be viewed as a squad option next season, instead of a new signing coming in. The teenager is a regular presence in the Reds’ underage sides but has never so much as been included in a first team matchday squad (Transfermarkt).

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-5/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans fume at Bradley update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to vent their fury at the report.

“Translation: we’re selling Neco Williams and we ain’t getting a replacement”

Credit: @ColinBallinMMA

“What is wrong with this club? Do we actually not have money to improve depth and cover it up by making out as if the academy is good, or are they just blatantly stupid?”

Credit: @lfcfigoo

“It’ll be Milner”

Credit: @just_adam_30

“Wwwhhhaaatttt?”

Credit: @amirul_idhamAB

“I hate this club”

Credit: @sheckeast

“Idiocy”

Credit: @N1GHTFALL_333

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been bemoaning a key update from a reliable journalist. Read more here.

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson isn’t expecting Celtic target Charlie Wyke to return to the Stadium of Light, as reported by The Shields Gazette.

The Lowdown: Wyke talks

The Hoops were first linked with the 28-year-old back in April by former defender Mark Wilson. He claimed that Wyke was ‘on a list of potential summer signings’, and Celtic have spoken with the forward recently.

Football Insider suggested that Wyke, who is now a free agent, was ‘very keen’ to move to Celtic Park and made a series of demands to the Hoops’ hierarchy.

As we know, a cut-price move to Parkhead is yet to materialise, but it seems as if Sunderland aren’t expecting to land their former striker on a new contract.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-8/” title=”Celtic updates” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Johnson’s comments

As relayed by The Shields Gazette, Johnson was asked about Wyke’s future and he seemed to concede defeat in terms of Sunderland’s hopes of re-signing him, admitting:

“Charlie, I would say the door is ajar, but we’re certainly not expecting him to come back. I’d say that it would be him coming back to us and saying he wants to talk again, effectively.

“My gut says that he will move on, I’d say 95% that he’ll move on.”

The Verdict: Wyke’s demands putting Celtic off?

A free transfer for a striker who scored 30 goals last season seems a no-brainer, especially with Celtic seemingly in need of a new forward with Odsonne Edouard still expected to leave.

However, the Hoops could have been put off by Wyke’s demands. The striker wanted a four-year deal, his wages doubled and a multimillion-pound signing-on fee.

Wyke was on £6,400 per week with the Black Cats, so he may have been asking for close to £13,000 per week in Scotland. Across four years, that would be more than £2.6m in wages, along with a big signing-on fee, so perhaps Celtic have had second thoughts on bringing him to Glasgow.

In other news: ‘Yaaaaassss’, ‘This is outstanding’ – Many Celtic fans erupt at ‘quality’ club post, find out more here.