All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has hailed the ‘brilliant’ news that Georgios Giakoumakis is fit for the Hoops’ clash with Ross County.

The Lowdown: Giakoumakis impresses for Celtic

The Greek has enjoyed an impressive first season at Parkhead, having arrived from VVV-Venlo during last summer’s transfer window.

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Giakoumakis may only have been limited to 16 appearances to date but he has scored nine goals in that time, proving to be a ruthless performer for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Celtic head to Ross County for a key Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon and it has been confirmed that the 27-year-old is fit for the game after recovering from injury.

The Latest: McAvennie hails ‘brilliant’ news

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie revealed his happiness at the news:

“Having Giakoumakis back is brilliant news. I think we really missed him last weekend. Kyogo wasn’t really at it when he came on but he has missed so much football.

“Giakoumakis has only missed a week or so, so he should be good to go because he is the man in form. He is scoring for fun at the moment and if he is fully fit, you would back him to grab a few more before the end of the season.

“These are big games and big players need to step up if we are going to win the title. That’s all you can do when there are players like Kyogo sniffing around.

“Just keep scoring. In fairness, that’s what he’d been doing.”

The Verdict: Massive boost

Whether or not Giakoumakis is deemed fit enough to start against Ross County remains to be seen but having him back in the fold is an almighty boost.

Rangers’ 3-1 win away to Motherwell on Saturday means the Hoops are now only three points clear of their rivals at the top of the table, highlighting the importance of this match.

Giakoumakis’ aforementioned goalscoring record this season shows how clinical he can be and it could be that he ends up being the difference between the two sides, making a huge contribution in the title race.

In other news, Celtic are reportedly in talks to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

Manchester United are ‘monitoring’ Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, according to reports this week.

The Lowdown: Unhappy at Spurs

Ndombele’s move to N17 from Lyon hasn’t worked the way both parties would have hoped for but after missing the entire pre-season and the opening three league games, the Frenchman is back in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.

He started in the draw with Rennes last Thursday and Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, but his future remains unclear after rumours of him wanting to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium emerged in the summer.

The Latest: Pogba replacement

According to Calciomercato, United have started to put plans in place in case Paul Pogba departs the club, and Ndombele is on the list of players who could be brought in.

It is stated that a new deal hasn’t yet progressed between United and Pogba, with the France international free to talk to foreign clubs from January about joining on a free next summer.

Ndombele has three years left on his contract, and having been hailed as ‘magnificent’ by Jose Mourinho, one would think it would cost the Red Devils a big sum to pry him away from north London.

The Verdict: Blow for Nuno

Nuno has only just begun to utilise the midfielder, with Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg starting in the opening three league games of the season, so it would certainly be a blow to lose such a talent just when he is on the cusp of forcing his way back in.

A move to Manchester United, a chance to reignite his career at club currently performing better, may be exactly what he needs, but for all the struggles the midfielder has had at Spurs, it’s hard to imagine finding Nuno a more talented replacement in the transfer market – just ask his Tottenham teammates, who reportedly gushed over his talents to West Ham man Declan Rice while on England duty.

To lose the man dubbed ‘unbelievable’ by Rice before the manager has really even had a chance to utilise him would be a real shame.

In other news, Spurs scouts have rivals winger on their radar after impressing display over the weekend. Find out more here.

Former professional footballer Nigel Jemson believes that Nottingham Forest will have somebody in mind to replace Joe Worrall should he depart the City Ground this summer.

Worrall is a target for Premier League side Southampton, according to Hampshire Live, with the Saints looking to strengthen their defence. This comes after Jannik Vestergaard left to join Leicester City earlier in the transfer window.

Nottinghamshire Live also reported that Burnley, West Ham United, Norwich City and Crystal Palace have also been interested in the defender at times but interest from them has cooled recently.

The 24-year-old has featured 137 times for Forest, scoring three goals and creating a further five, with Jemson believing that if Forest are going to sell him, they will have someone in place to replace him, although they will be sorry to see him leave the club.

Jemson exclusively told Football FanCast: “I don’t know what’s going off at the moment with Joe, if his head’s been turned by interest from Burnley, Brentford but like I said everyone’s got a price and if we are going to sell him then I’m sure the club have got someone in mind to take over in his place.

“Will I be sorry to see him go, course I will be because he’s a great lad and a great professional and a great role model for the people at the football club, but you know, if he wants to progress and he sees his future elsewhere and if its right for both parties then I’m sure he will go.”

All things considered, though, manager Chris Hughton will be desperate to keep hold of him, especially with Forest’s dreadful start to the season.

Frank McAvennie has given his reaction to what Steve Bruce has recently said about some fans of Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Bruce snaps

As quoted by The Daily Mail, Bruce snapped after he was asked by the media if he heard the away supporters calling for his head after the 4-1 away loss to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The former Aston Villa and Sunderland manager said: “What can I say to that? What do you want me to say? I’m delighted about it? I can’t comment on that, I’m sorry.”

The Latest: McAvennie on Bruce

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie, who is now a pundit after playing as a striker for the likes of Celtic and West Ham United, has claimed that Bruce will have regretted his outburst, but can understand his frustration.

“Bruce will have regretted that.

“It’s just human nature to give something back after you get criticised. He was probably raging during the interview but he will have regretted it.

“Bruce is in a really hard position, he’s working with what he’s got. The owner hasn’t backed him and until Ashley goes, nothing will change.

“What’s he playing at? It was bizarre. With those comments but I can understand what he’s saying. He’s clearly very frustrated.

“Whoever comes in after Bruce, it will be the same unless the owner changes.

“Not one team would have gone to Old Trafford and won at the weekend, it was one of those occasions.”

The Verdict: Feeling the pressure

Bruce is clearly feeling the pressure, with the Toon Army rightfully on his back after such a poor start to the new season.

The St. James’ Park faithful sit in 19th place in the top-flight table with just one point and no wins from their first four league games (Premier League), and now there is huge pressure for them to get a result at home to Leeds United on Friday night, who are also one of the teams without a victory yet.

Nonetheless, Bruce should not sink to outbursts like the one after their defeat at the weekend, and instead concentrate on getting his team fully prepared for their next fixture, and more importantly try and get the supporters back onside.

In other news, find out whose set for a return against LUFC here!

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to revisit their interest in Nahitan Nandez this January…

What’s the word?

That’s according to CalcioNapoli24 (via Sport Witness), who claim Spurs are in the mix to sign the Cagliari midfielder but they are facing competition from Serie A rivals Napoli and Inter Milan.

It’s thought that the north Londoners are ready to complete a move for Nandez in the winter transfer window, though it remains to be seen how much he would command.

Transfermarkt currently value him the 44-time Uruguay international at £19.8m.

Imagine him and Hojbjerg

Nandez is a player that Spurs boss Nuno Santo would surely love to sign, he could well be the ideal partner to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the base of the engine room.

The diminutive 5 foot 7 dynamo can be a livewire in midfield, having the same sort of skill set as N’Golo Kante at Chelsea.

The 25-year-old enforcer has continued his fine form from last season and has proven his credentials in taking control of matches.

For example, he has averaged 2.6 aerial duels won, 1.6 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per league game this term, showing his defensive capabilities but he has also shown an ability to bring the ball forward to contribute in the opposition’s half, having also averaged two dribbles and one key pass each outing, as per WhoScored.

It’s no wonder he has been called a “machine” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, who told This is Futbol:

“I like him a lot. I think he’s only about five foot seven, but you wouldn’t know it if you just watched clips of him, he is a little bit of a machine. He’s so powerful but at the same time, has really, really good ball control.”

Hojbjerg is regarded as one of the more defensively sound options in the middle, so adding a player like Nandez could be really complimentary.

In some ways, there may be further comparisons to the influence of Joao Moutinho in Nuno’s Wolves system – a similar sort of short but quality presence in midfield.

Nuno would surely love a move for the Uruguay beast this winter, so Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici must look to seal a swoop for him in the upcoming window.

AND in other news, Signed for £22m, now worth 248% more: Daniel Levy struck gold with Spurs’ “revelation”…

Southampton take on Everton in their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday and Ralph Hasenhuttl can amend the Saints’ woeful record at Goodison Park by unleashing new signing Tino Livramento.

Southampton’s last win at Everton came 24 years ago in 1997, whilst the Saints haven’t won an opening day fixture in the Premier League since 2013, so the omens are not looking good as Hasenhuttl’s side prepare for their trip to Merseyside.

The Austrian will be without two of his key players from last season, with Danny Ings having completed a move to Aston Villa, whilst Jannik Vestergaard is on the verge of signing for Leicester City, so it could be a tough season for the Saints.

Romain Perraud, Dynel Simeu, Armando Broja (on loan), Adam Armstrong and Livramento have all joined the Saints this summer, and the latter could be the difference-maker against Rafa Benitez’s side this weekend.

Should Livramento start vs Everton?

Much of the Toffees’ threat could come down the left-hand side, with Lucas Digne’s crossing ability likely to cause a lot of problems again this season, especially with the aerial prowess that both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison possess.

Therefore, stopping him could be the key to Southampton picking up three points against Everton, so locking down the right-hand side might well be something that Hasenhuttl is considering.

Whilst Livramento is naturally a full-back, he has played further forward during his time with Chelsea and was named the academy player of the season earlier this year after contributing a number of goals and assists from wing-back for the Blues.

The youngster certainly impressed on his first appearance in a Saints shirt in a recent friendly against Athletic Bilbao, with Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach singing his praises after the game, saying: “What a way to introduce yourself to the Saints fans! With his first touch of the ball, he pressed to win it and with his second, he played a delicious ball over the top for Walcott to score. He looked so comfortable on the ball and had a real awareness of the role he was playing. Brilliant.”

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Therefore, if Hasenhuttl were to select him playing ahead of Kyle Walker-Peters on the right wing for Southampton in his 4-2-2-2 setup, it could make the Saints a lot more defensively secure. It would also allow Livramento more freedom to get forward and attack, which could be the difference as the south coast club seek to begin their Premier League campaign with a long-overdue three points at Goodison Park.

In other news… Tom Leach drops huge Southampton transfer update, fans will be worried

Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-forward Fabio Silva could be on his way out of Molineux in January.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Tim Spiers, with The Athletic journalist revealing in a recent Q&A that, as long as Jeff Shi can bring in a replacement during the January transfer window, the 19-year-old striker will leave the Premier League club on a temporary basis.

Speaking about the short-term future of the Portugal U21 international, Spiers said: “Heading for a loan in January if they can bring in a replacement.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how much potential Fabio Silva quite clearly possesses, the news that Wolves are looking to loan the centre-forward out this winter, in addition to bringing a new striker into the club, is sure to have left fans buzzing.

Indeed, Wolves broke their transfer record to secure the £35.6m signing of the teenager in the summer of 2020, with Shi appearing to be incredibly excited by his side’s acquisition of the youngster, stating upon his arrival: “Our recruitment team have been watching Fabio since he played for Portugal U16s.

“They feel he has always been the best number nine coming through his age group anywhere in Europe. Fabio is a young player who shows not only incredible technical ability but also his game intelligence for a player of his age is top class.”

However, despite the club’s high hopes for the £22.5m-rated man’s development, Fabio Silva has so far started just 11 Premier League games in his Wolves career – making a further 33 appearances from the bench – scoring four goals and registering three assists along the way.

As such, in order to further the 19-year-old’s development in the professional game, a loan away from Molineux would indeed appear to be an extremely wise move by the club – allowing the youngster to enjoy a great deal more first-team minutes, while simultaneously bringing a new forward into the club who is perhaps more Premier League ready than the Portuguese starlet currently is.

In other news: Forget MGW: Fosun could solve huge Wolves’ problem with £27m-rated “freak of a talent”

Liverpool are close to completing a summer move for exciting Fulham youngster Fabio Carvalho, journalist James Pearce has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Almost joined in January

The Reds had a productive January transfer window by signing Luis Diaz from Porto but they were also strongly linked with a move for Carvalho.

It looked as though a deal would happen at the eleventh hour, but instead, the young midfielder ended up staying put after the necessary paperwork couldn’t be completed in time.

It certainly felt likely that Liverpool would go back in for Carvalho after Jurgen Klopp said they would be ‘crazy’ not to, and now that looks to be the case.

The Latest: Pearce confirms imminent deal

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Pearce confirmed that new transfer chief Julian Ward is on the verge of making the 19-year-old his second signing after Diaz:

“Fabio Carvalho will join #LFC this summer. Deal agreed. Fell through on deadline day due to time constraints on paperwork but move always looked likely to still happen. Exciting youngster who is relishing the chance to work with Jurgen Klopp.”

Ward was largely responsible for the capture of Diaz in the winter window as he looks to pick up where Michael Edwards leaves off, and it looks as though he has already wrapped up another great talent before the next window has even opened.

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The Verdict: Great signing for Reds

This is a mouthwatering piece of business by Liverpool, with Carvalho a huge talent, playing a starring role for Fulham this season as they cruise back into the Premier League. He has registered seven goals and assists apiece in the league.

It is imperative that Klopp builds for both the present and the future, and the youngster is someone who could be a future superstar at Anfield, along with the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, once the current crop of key men age and move on.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has called Carvalho a ‘perfect’ signing by Liverpool and looks as though Ward is set to have a similar impact to Edwards at the club.

In other news, a fresh Liverpool transfer claim has emerged. Read more here.

As per TuttoJuve24, some more news from Italy has come to light on yet another Serie A star Antonio Conte could now bring to Tottenham Hotspur in Alessio Romagnoli.

The Lowdown: Italian job…

Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici has finally landed his number one managerial target for Spurs nearly five months after talks for Conte broke down in the summer.

As confirmed by the club, ex-Chelsea boss, former Premier League winning-manager and four-time Scudetto champion Conte has taken over at Spurs – following on from the dismal eras of Portuguese duo Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho.

The 52-year-old comes to north London with much promise and is tipped to instil a winning mentality and transform Tottenham into a high-intensity pressing team (football.london).

He also comes with links to some of Serie A’s biggest stars as Spurs continue to be mentioned alongside the likes of Franck Kessie and Dusan Vlahovic with new names like Federico Chiesa also popping up in the Italian press.

Centre-backs like Stefan de Vrij and Matthijs de Ligt are also being watched by Conte but TuttoJuve24 has now shared that AC Milan captain Romagnoli could feasibly join Spurs.

The Latest: Romagnoli could be tempted by Tottenham…

As per their information, Tottenham’s new boss is ‘ready to take’ two Juventus transfer targets ‘immediately’ in Vlahovic and Romagnoli.

The latter man, who was considering Turin as a possible destination, could now have his plans ‘changed’ by Spurs with this report hinting he could be tempted to join the club.

It is stated that Spurs will be spare ‘no expense’ in backing Conte and represent a ‘danger’ to Juve’s transfer plans.

The Verdict: Get it done?

The 26-year-old, valued at a meagre £18 million by Transfermarkt, could leave for free in the summer of 2022 due to his contract expiring and this report states that is when Spurs are most likely to swoop.

Given both Romagnoli and his agent, Mino Raiola, have currently stalled discussions over a new deal due to Milan wanting to cut his salary in half, this could put Paratici and Tottenham in a strong negotiating position to even make an attempt in Janaury.

It may be a wise move going by Romagnoli’s quality and our belief he would certainly add some steel and composure next to Cristian Romero.

Averaging a cool 88.9% pass accuracy out from the back over his league appearances this season, a higher number than any Spurs defender according to WhoScored, he has also been labelled a ‘great champion’ by England defender Fikayo Tomori (Corriere dello Sport via milannews.it).

The £106,000-per-week ace doesn’t exactly command a hefty pay packet either, perhaps indicating he is more than affordable from Tottenham’s perspective given his contract situation.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is a transfer target for Manchester United. 

The lowdown: Star in the making

Flourishing as part of the set-up at Finch Farm since 2020, the 19-year-old has burst onto the scene in the last 12 months having made the switch from League Two side Carlisle United.

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Since arriving on Merseyside the teenager has represented England at Under-20 level and has made 11 first-team appearances for the Toffees.

However, the Blues could now face a battle to keep one of their most precocious talents.

The latest: Man United interested

As per the report from the Daily Mail, Manchester United are ‘keen’ on the talented centre-back and could look to make a move should Erik ten Hag be appointed as expected at Old Trafford.

It’s claimed that the Premier League giants are ‘monitoring’ the one-cap youth starlet who is under a fresh contract at Goodison Park until 2025 (Transfermarkt).

The report also states that Everton would be ‘reluctant’ to lose the powerful 6ft 5in ace who was described as being a ‘really skilful’ defender by former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The verdict: No deal

This is yet another case of the club needing to pull out all the stops in order to keep its brightest prospects.

Albeit Branthwaite is yet to earn a regular place in Frank Lampard’s side, the English teenager has certainly shown glimpses of an ability that has clearly caught the eye elsewhere in the Premier League.

So far this season, Branthwaite has made just six senior appearances, but was a star performer with the goal, two tackles and one interception (SofaScore), as a young Everton side held on for an unlikely 1-1 draw against Chelsea back in December.

In other news, Everton linked with Bundesliga midfielder. Find out more here!