All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester City fans are far from happy with Sergio Aguero’s father Leonel del Castillo after comments he made about Pep Guardiola.

Aguero recently left the Citizens after a 10-spell at the Etihad Stadium. His performances at the club have made him a legend – he netted 260 goals in 390 games for City (Transfermarkt), becoming their highest-ever goalscorer in the process (mancity.com), while his last-minute goal against QPR to win the 2011/2012 Premier League title will be forever etched into the memory of the supporters.

At 33, he has departed for pastures new, and his exit from City was met with tears by Guardiola.

However, Aguero’s father does not believe the manager, questioning his integrity. Not only that, he suggested Guardiola only cares about himself and was not interested in winning the Champions League and instead wants to be the protagonist.

The comments were shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from the fans. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments on Guardiola below

“can he relax”

Credit: @kunsologist

“Muppet”

Credit: @bobwright56

“He never wanted the UCL?!? C’mon man”

Credit: @Feeezy

“Aguero is a grown man. Why is his father talking like a parent complains against the class teacher? Geez. Parents should not come to workplace.”

Credit: @oddity1912

“Kuns legacy being ripped apart by his family first his brother and now his dad”

Credit: @WOKENimAndrewB

“Never understand why people do these interviews. It only comes across bitter and doesn’t achieve anything. Pep clearly valued Aguero and if anything elevated his game to even higher level. Moving him on for a younger striker isn’t an insult, esp. now he’s at Barca.”

Credit: @jparkes1991

In other news, Man City fans are livid at this transfer report.

Manchester United are always the trending topic in football.

Whether it’s the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and their subsequent collapse in recent years, the controversial nature of Paul Pogba or Cristiano Ronaldo, United are never far from the back pages.

Now that they’ve hired Erik ten Hag, you can expect them to dominate the tabloids even more.

What’s the word?

This summer will play host to several transfer sagas. There is, of course, the futures of Erling Haaland, Mo Salah and Kylian Mbappe to address.

However, in Portugal, a certain Darwin Nunez deserves just as much attention.

The striker has caught the hearts and minds of many throughout the European continent this season and as a result, there is a fierce race for his services. Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle are interested in praising him away from Benfica.

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Yet, the Red Devils are also in the hunt and fresh reports, via AS in Spain, suggest that Man United’s new manager is in love with the forward and has personally requested that he be signed this summer.

The trouble is he may cost somewhere in the region of €130m (£111m) if anyone can stump up the cash.

A major coup

Considering that not only Liverpool, a potential quadruple winning side, but their top-four rivals Arsenal are both in the picture to sign Nunez, this would be a considerable coup from United should they complete a move.

Combine that with the fact that the 20-time English champions are currently in free fall and it would be a hefty surprise if Nunez was wearing red in Manchester next season, as opposed to Merseyside or north London.

Valued as highly as he currently is, it would take a rather brave sporting director and owner to pay what’s required but given his potential and already mesmeric ability, he’d surely be worth the cash.

If anything, it’s United and Ten Hag who are most in need of him too.

Ronaldo has found the net on 22 occasions this term but there is a lack of help beyond that with the club’s second top scorer – Bruno Fernandes – scoring nine times.

Therefore, in Nunez, the new Dutch coach would seal somebody who is capable of improving their offence tenfold.

In Liga NOS this season, the Uruguayan attacker has racked up a mammoth haul of 25 goals in 26 outings, while across all competitions he has found the net 33 times from 39 outings.

Furthermore, the young centre-forward ranks in the top 1% among similarly positioned players across Europe for goals per shot on target. He also ranks in the top 5% for progressive carries and then in the best 1% again for carries into the penalty area. Based on that it’s safe to say that Nunez is considerably tricky when in possession.

Of course, the Portuguese top-flight is somewhat off the Premier League in terms of overall quality but it’s hard to disagree with the statement that the 22-year-old would be a seriously impressive capture.

With United in decline, it is imperative that ten Hag gets his recruitment spot on. If he is already drawing up a shortlist of targets then Nunez must surely appear right near the very top.

Described as a “diamond” by Steve McManaman, he’s certainly the rare item of splendour that United require to get themselves back on track.

AND in other news, MUFC plot bid to sign “unstoppable” 30-goal “nightmare”, he’d become ten Hag’s Salah…

Mark Douglas has dropped a worrying transfer update on the future of Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle United.

When asked by a fan of the St. James’ Park faithful in a Q&A session for The Chronicle about whether any clubs are looking to sign the 24-year-old, the football journalist claimed: ‘He certainly has interest from clubs.’

Newcastle must keep Saint-Maximin

Steve Bruce’s team must be looking to try and keep Saint-Maximin in the North East at all costs.

The Frenchman is one of if not their most key player, exemplified by his recent impact since coming back into the side, as the Tyneside club have won two and drawn two of their last four games in the Premier League, with him scoring two goals and assisting another (Transfermarkt) since returning from injury.

To put that into context, in the three matches in the top flight prior to that in which he was missing with a groin injury, the Magpies lost one and drew two, only managing to score just one goal in total (Transfermarkt).

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If the proposed takeover of the Toon by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group were to come into fruition in the summer, then Saint-Maximin is an asset that they simply cannot afford to lose, and instead NUFC should be looking to try and build a team around him in order to push on for next season.

In other news, find out what big takeover consortium claim Douglas has dropped involving Rafa Benitez here!

Some Everton fans have been left fuming as the Goodison Park faithful confirmed the signing of Andros Townsend on their official Twitter page.

The Merseyside club advertised the signing of the former Crystal Palace winger in an announcement video, as he was pictured wearing the new home kit.

As per their website, Townsend has signed on a two-year deal on a free transfer after his contract expired at Selhurst Park.

While he is an experienced Premier League player, having played for both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United as well as the Eagles in the past, the signing has not impressed some Toffees supporters.

Townsend scored just one goal in 36 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt), and at 30 years of age, is already past his peak.

Everton fans on Townsend news

These Blues fumed as the signing was confirmed on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it is ‘garbage’:

“Could not be more underwhelmed. Average at best signing #efc”

Credit: @sicurrie

“I’m sorry but that is an embarrassing signing, absolutely embarrassing. Our club is broken beyond all repair – a slow motion tragedy that just continues to unfold before your eyes.”

Credit: @bradburynick

“Joke of a club”

Credit: @EFCJosh7

“Since 1987 Everton have sunk without a trace”

Credit: @DavidFo38145364

“Absolute garbage”

Credit: @efceddie1878

“We aren’t serious”

Credit: @chris8marlow

In other news, find out what Paul Joyce transfer update has Evertonians talking here!

Sunderland are interested in a deal to bring Tom Ince to the Stadium of Light this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claimed that Sunderland and Ipswich Town are two clubs interested in a deal for the Stoke City winger, although neither are believed to have made a concrete offer for the 29-year-old at present.

The report added that a number of other clubs are also keeping a close eye on the situation of the former England under-21 international, although the Black Cats and the Tractor Boys are thought to be leading the race for his signature.

Finally, it is claimed that the forward does not appear to be part of Michael O’Neill’s first team plans at the bet365 Stadium, despite having featured for the club in pre-season.

Imagine him and Pritchard

Ince did not enjoy the best of seasons in 2020/21, starting just five Championship games for Stoke and on loan at Luton Town, but should the winger go on to seal a move to Sunderland this summer, it is clear that he possesses the ability to make a real impact in the third tier.

Indeed, as recently as the 2018/19 season, Ince played a starring role for Stoke after joining from Huddersfield Town in a £10m move, with the £1.35m-rated man scoring six goals, providing seven assists and creating seven big chances over his 38 Championship appearances, taking 2.7 shots and making 1.2 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man who Nathan Jones dubbed a “massive” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.04, ranking him as the club’s best performer in the league that year.

It is evident that the £27k-per-week Ince is indeed a very talented player; he has just found form and game-time hard to come by in recent seasons – something which could also be said about another of Sunderland’s summer signings in Alex Pritchard.

Indeed, prior to his disappointing spell with Huddersfield, the 28-year-old impressed during his time at Norwich City, scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists over his 43 Championship appearances for the club.

As such, if Kyril Louis-Dreyfus does go on to secure Ince’s signing this summer, and Johnson manages to get both the 29-year-old and Pritchard firing once again, Sunderland fans could well be set to enjoy a festival of attacking football at the Stadium of Light next season. We believe that the Black Cats chairman should do all he can to land the Stoke winger ahead of the upcoming League One campaign.

In other news: Louis-Dreyfus set to seal Sunderland masterclass for record-breaking starlet, fans will be buzzing

Celtic’s summer will be dominated by a constant barrage of departures.

Whether it’s someone on the Hoops playing staff or a member of the hierarchy at Parkhead, a mass exodus looks set to take place.

One of those who could leave Glasgow behind is central defender Kristoffer Ajer.

The Norwegian has come a long way since being signed as a 17-year-old, now attracting the eyes of those in the Premier League.

Newcastle have sent scouts to watch him and it wouldn’t be a great surprise if Saturday’s game with Hibernian was his last as a Celtic player.

With Christopher Jullien a long-term absentee, it leaves Stephen Welsh as the only reliable centre-half in the first-team picture.

As such, the Bhoys will need to delve into the transfer market and find a replacement.

According to TEAMtalk, Celtic are leading the race to sign Cardiff City defender Ciaron Brown. The Northern Irishman has had quite the story, being snapped out of non-league football to becoming a professional.

He starred for Livingston earlier this term and it’s his performances at Almondvale that leads us to believe Celtic should sign him.

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A dogged defender who can also play at wing-back, he is rather different to Ajer. The Norway international is a wonderful ball-playing centre-back, something epitomised by his pass success rate of 97% this weekend.

Brown, on the other hand, is not so good with the ball at his feet. Throughout 2020/21, the 23-year-old has completed just 53.1% of his passes.

That is a horrifying number but there are certain advantages to signing him. For example, he is colossal in the air, winning 3.3 aerial battles per match this term.

He is also a prolific tackler, winning 1.6 challenges per game for Livingston.

Celtic have seen firsthand what a bully he can be in defence and in the final third. When they drew 2-2 with Livi back in January, Brown not only scored but also assisted a goal from centre-back.

He made a devastating impact that crushed Lennon’s side and handed them a pretty embarrassing result away from home.

A strong and hard-working footballer, his mental attributes could undeniably help Celtic’s lacklustre defence.

They conceded 16 more goals than Rangers in the league this season so need someone with a bit of extra steel.

Speaking to The Daily Record after Cardiff recalled him from his loan spell in Scotland, manager David Martindale said: “He is a massive player for us and he is a great lad around the place.

“Ciaron has got a very good football brain. When I ask him to do a job, he knows what to do and nine times out of ten he will make the right decision.”

Considering the Celtic backline have lacked some very basic decision-making skills this season, Brown would be an astute capture.

They will, however, need to ensure he passes the ball out more adequately than he’s shown this season.

AND in other news, Celtic must sign 5 ft 8 beast who gets “in people’s faces”, he’s perfect for Eddie Howe…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as news filtered through of Rafa Benitez’s confirmation as Toffees boss on Wednesday.

The Goodison Park faithful posted a video on their official Twitter page confirming that the Spaniard is the new manager of the Merseyside club, leaving a lot of Blues supporters in anger.

This is not a surprise at all, given his past connections with Liverpool, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League back in 2005, and the fact that he has also previously called them a ‘small club’ after a draw in the Merseyside derby back in February 2007.

Check out the latest Football Manager 2022 news, features, steam keys, wonderkids, release dates and everything we know on the GMS hub

A threatening banner was even placed not far from where Benitez and his family live recently, so it is perhaps no surprise to see some sections of the support unhappy now that the appointment is official.

Everton fans on Benitez announcement

These EFC fans fumed as the official announcement was made on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it is ’embarrassing’ that the club have decided to appoint him:

“Zero morals. zero dignity. zero identity. it’s so hard supporting you”

Credit: @comradecoxy

“Fold the club”

Credit: @lovelystuff1878

“Horrible sinking feeling. About time we removed the people’s club moniker as the club has shown they think very little about what the fans think. Very disappointing”

Credit: @KieranJ_1979

“Embarrassing”

Credit: @JMoran1982

“A sad day in the club’s history. No pride, no dignity. #BenitezOut”

Credit: @JB_1964

“Feel sick, unreal this. I hate Everton more than any rivals ever will.”

Credit: @PortlandToffee

In other news, find out which £34.3m-rated colossus Everton are ‘ahead of others’ to sign 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”…

Manchester United will be aiming to move to the top of Group F when they welcome Atalanta to Old Trafford in the Champions League this evening.

The Red Devils are without a win in their last two outings but secured a vital victory over Villarreal in their most recent European encounter, moving them to within a point of today’s opponents.

And United have received a significant selection boost ahead of La Dea’s visit, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirming he’ll be able to call upon the services of Harry Maguire, Fred and Edinson Cavani in Tuesday’s press conference.

Both Fred and Cavani missed the disappointing defeat to Leicester City over the weekend due to their national team exploits, while Maguire made an underwhelming return from injury.

However, Solskjaer did reveal that he’ll be without the services of Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane in midweek as the pair continue their recoveries.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the 48-year-old to line up against Atalanta, with just two changes from the side that started at the King Power Stadium last time out…

Spain international David de Gea will start in goal once again for United after making an impressive start to the new season.

Ahead of the in-form shot-stopper is set to be a familiar back four. Varane’s injury means Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will complete the defensive unit as they have done on many occasions over the last couple of campaigns.

And there is unlikely to be any surprise selections in the engine room either. The below-par performances of the 20-time English champions should mean Solskjaer goes with a tried and tested midfield consisting of Fred and Scott McTominay in the double pivot.

The pragmatic pair will be charged with forming a solid base for the more attack-minded trio of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood to work from, meaning the £81m-rated Jadon Sancho is set to drop to the bench.

Upfront, Solskjaer has a plethora of options with Cavani and Marcus Rashford available for selection once again, but it’s likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo who leads the line once more.

And, in other news…Man Utd receive triple selection boost ahead of Atalanta, Ole will be buzzing 

Sheffield United have been dealt a blow to their chances of keeping Aaron Ramsdale at Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that Arsenal are preparing a bid for the Sheffield United goalkeeper, with Mikel Arteta’s side confident that they will be able to seal a deal for the 23-year-old in the summer transfer window.

The report goes on to state that the Gunners are aware that a deal for the England Euro 2020 squad member will cost them around £30m, and that they are willing to contribute a chunk of their sizeable transfer budget in order to land the shot-stopper.

Nightmare for Jokanovic

While it may have initially appeared rather unlikely that a team would be willing to meet Sheffield United’s £30m asking price for Ramsdale this summer, the fact that Arsenal seem to be prepared to do exactly this presents Slavisa Jokanovic with something of a nightmare.

Indeed, despite the Blades’ relegation for the top flight last season, the £43k-per-week man nevertheless impressed over his 38 Premier League appearances, helping his side keep five clean sheets, as well as making an average of 3.9 saves and 0.3 successful runs out per game, in addition to making a total number of 147 stops across the season.

These returns saw the £10.8m-rated ‘keeper earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as the club’s third-best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, losing a player with the ability of Ramsdale would not only be an outcome that would leave Jokanovic gutted, it would also almost certainly put a dent in United’s promotion ambitions ahead of next season.

Furthermore, while the club would be receiving a considerable fee for the man Jurgen Klopp dubbed an “incredible” player, attracting a replacement of a similar level to the 23-year-old will be a difficult task for the Serbian manager, particularly while his side are languishing down in the Championship.

So, all in all, should Arsenal indeed go on to get a deal over the line for Ramdale this summer, it would not appear to be very good news whatsoever for the Blades ahead of their upcoming campaign.

In other news: Sheff Utd set to make formal bid for 21 y/o with a “huge future”, fans surely buzzing