Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter in raging fashion after watching Patrick van Aanholt’s performance in the 2-0 loss to Leicester at Selhurst Park on Sunday.The 9-cap Netherlands international was making his 10th Premier League start of the season – he has played every minute of the league campaign so far – but failed to deliver a good enough showing.Van Aanholt was partly at fault for the Foxes’ opening goal, in which he could only flick James Maddison’s corner into the path of ÇaÄŸlar Söyüncü, who nodded home – a bit more positional awareness would’ve allowed the former Chelsea defender to cleanly head the ball clear.However, the 29-year-old did make five tackles – more than any of his teammates – as well as two interceptions and two clearances.One fan said that van Aanholt can’t defend to save his life, whereas another harshly suggested that it’ll be a fantastic day when the left-back leaves the club.Let’s take a look at some more tweets…
This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…
Garry Monk’s reign as Sheffield Wednesday boss has got off to a pretty decent start as the Championship takes a break for the second group of international matches in the 2019/20 calendar.
The 40-year-old has steered his side to ten points from a possible 15, which sees them sit one point outside of a playoff position.
As highlighted here, Monk has acted shrewdly with a methodical approach to things, considering he’s inherited this whole squad from former manager Steve Bruce and caretaker boss Lee Bullen.
The Owls’ chief has started by shoring up their defence, and now he should be able to move onto his attack.
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It’s a part of the pitch that will be bolstered by the return of Fernando Forestieri this weekend as Steven Fletcher may finally be able to receive a regular and more solid partner up top.
However, they still lack proper depth out wide as they only have three wingers for two positions, with Kadeem Harris and Adam Reach often being preferred over Jacob Murphy with the pair both starting ten or more games this season.
This sort of hierarchy often allows complacency to creep in, and with the January transfer window still a while away, it may be wise for Monk to call up a promising youngster from the academy to help stop that from occurring.
He has the perfect player in wait too in Fraser Preston, who has had a taste of first-team football in the past.
The 20-year-old has made three appearances for them in the Championship, all of which came last season, per Transfermarkt.
Monk is known for bringing through youngsters at a club – he had a part in Jude Bellingham’s rise at Birmingham while Lewis Wing was brought into the fray while he was in charge of Middlesbrough.
Preston’s attacking threat can be most displayed by this corker of a goal he scored back in 2018 for the U23s.
Wednesday’s website describes him as a ‘pacey winger’ so that gives an indication of the type of direct player Monk would have on his hands.
It may be a good idea to bring him into the senior setup, particularly as there have been doubts over Newcastle United loanee Murphy and with Reach being very much a marmite figure at Hillsborough.
We have just under three months until the transfer window reopens again and, unlike the summer, Crystal Palace look like they could be busy this winter.
The Athletic reports that the Eagles will have a “chunk” of the £50m generated from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s exit to spend in January, and a striker is “almost certainly” on the south Londoners’ list according to Matt Woosnam.
“Come the January transfer window, Palace will have a chunk of the £50 million from the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to spend. They are sure, regardless, to look for someone — almost certainly a striker — to ease the burden on the defence by scoring more frequently.”
It would be a sensible place to start.
Roy Hodgson’s side sit 6th in the Premier League table, boasting one of the best defensive records having conceded just a goal per game on average with eight concessions.
However, they have also scored just a goal per game on average – Jordan Ayew is the club’s current top scorer with three goals.
Last season, the Eagles’ most prolific striker in the league was again the Ghanaian, joint-top with Christian Benteke with one goal, excluding loan players – that tells you everything you need to know about Palace’s problems.
There have already been a handful of targets mooted, so let’s take a look at their suitability…
[snack_break title=”Michy Batshuayi”]
The Daily Mail report that Palace are targeting a January reunion with the man who scored five goals in nine league starts for them while on loan in the second half of last season.
Batshuayi, in that respect, is arguably the safest option that the south Londoners could go for this winter, although he would perhaps be one of the most expensive.
The Belgium international would reportedly cost £22m, and would likely demand a huge salar given he is currently earning £90k-a-week at Chelsea.
A pricey deal, yes, but one that Palace will know exactly what they’re getting.
Suitability: 8/10
[snack_break title=”Fedor Chalov”]
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group Stage – Group G – Real Madrid v CSKA Moscow – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – December 12, 2018 CSKA Moscow’s Fedor Chalov celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Juan Medina
The Eagles bid £23m for the promising young Russian’s signature back in the summer, but were rebuffed in their advances by CSKA Moscow.
Now, this is a dangerous one.
That is a lot of money for a 21-year-old who has only proven himself in Russia – it must be remembered that even Alexander Sorloth had hit 15 goals in 26 Danish Superliga appearances before Palace signed him in January midway through the 2017/18 campaign.
Chalov scored that same amount in the league in 2018/19, and also netted against Real Madrid in the Champions League, but the warning signs over this one are definitely there.
Suitability: 6/10
[snack_break title=”Ollie Watkins”]
This is a player who the south Londoners seem sold on, having tried to sign him for a number of years – firstly in 2018, and then again in the summer of 2019 when they saw an £11m bid fail.
Watkins has scored 10 Championship goals in each of the last two campaigns, and already has seven this season in just 11 appearances.
Young, English and seemingly improving year-on-year, this is a signing that would be a good one for Palace by all accounts – it is arguably the type of deal in which they should be doing more of, given how lucrative English commodities can be – Harry Maguire, we’re looking at you.
Suitability: 9/10
[snack_break title=”Gabriel Barbosa”]
Soccer Football – Copa Libertadores – Round of 16 – Second leg – Flamengo v Emelec – Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – July 31, 2019 Flamengo’s Gabriel Barbosa celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
If Chalov is to be deemed as a potentially expensive flop, then the same can be said of Gabriel Barbosa.
The Brazil international – also known as Gabigol – has an absurd scoring rate in Brazil, netting 23 in 28 games for Flamengo having previously scored 43 times for Santos.
However, he has already had his big move to Europe when Inter Milan shelled out a reported €25m (£21.6m) for his services, only for the Italian giants to see him score just once in ten games before loaning him to Flamengo.
Passione Inter exclusively report that the 23-year-old’s value has risen to around €30m (£25.9m).
For that kind of money, Palace have to be sure of what they’re buying, and there really is no way they can be given his lack of credibility outside of Europe.
Suitability: 4/10
[snack_break title=”Francesco Caputo”]
A strange link, but a link nonetheless.
Passione Inter report that Hodgson has a ‘particular interest’ in Sassuolo striker Francesco Caputo, a player who many Palace fans will presumably have never heard of.
It cannot be denied, however, that the Italian has started the season in fine form with three goals in five Serie A games. He also netted 16 last term, although his age is a concern – Caputo is 32.
The Athletic recently revealed that Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman are keen to target players in their early 20s, so if that is to be true, Caputo should pretty much be off the list of targets.
Aston Villa embark on a trip to the south coast later this evening as they face fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Dean Smith’s side thrashed Crewe Alexandra 6-1 in the last round, but head into this match on the back of their own defeat after Arsenal mounted a stunning comeback on Sunday afternoon despite playing the best part of 50 minutes with ten men.
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It is likely that several of Villa’s key stars are rested for this tie with their peripheral figures coming in to deputise, maybe alongside some youth prospects too.
Villa must ensure they take this competition seriously as they were actually the first club to win the League Cup in 1961 and have since won it on four more occasions – the last in 1996.
It could be the club’s only genuine chance of silverware in the immediate future, so here’s the XI we expect Smith to start with:
Only Anwar El Ghazi keeps his place from Sunday’s defeat as the bulk of the squad receives a rest ahead of this weekend.
He could partner young striker Keinan Davis and Jota in attack with the 28-year-old being given a chance to prove his worth to Smith – the former Birmingham City man has been poor so far this season averaging a rating of just 6.48.
Behind them should be Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane, who have both struggled for game time in the Premier League. They have played just 115 minutes combined but did play in the last round of this tournament.
Douglas Luiz is likely to return to the starting lineup as Marvelous Nakamba has replaced the £15m man in recent matches.
Another summer arrival in Matt Target should be fit enough to start just his second game for the club while centre-back duo Ezri Konsa and Kourtney Hause are likely to again feature in this competition as they require vital minutes incase any injuries arise this season.
Despite missing out on the popularity contest that is the FIFA World XI, it’s becoming patently clear to all those of sound mind and without a nose smelling suspiciously of Real Madrid, that Andrew Roberson is one of the most gifted left-backs in the world.He won the Champions League last season, provided 11 assists in the Premier League and featured in the most defensively sound backline.Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Arriving from humble Hull City at the turn of Liverpool’s fortunes, the Scotland international marked the end of a nightmarish period that saw the likes of Alberto Moreno and Aly Cissokho feature on an all too regular basis. And by that we mean they made more than one appearance.
Robertson bagged his first Champions League goal on Wednesday night during Liverpool’s blockbuster game against the impressive Red Bull Salzburg. Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, who had a catchy little chant dedicated to him during his time at Anfield, posted a simple but accurate assessment of Robertson during the game…
It only took four words from Crouch to say exactly what we were all thinking.
Robertson and the rest of the backline’s defensive performances were uncharacteristically poor, but they can take some solace from the fact that they were competing against a side who have already netted 40 times in nine games in their respective league.
Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe has revealed that he is hopeful of returning to action ‘for the final six or seven games’ of the 2018-19 Championship season.
What’s the latest?
Roofe said on Radio X, via the Yorkshire Evening Post:
“I’ll be back for the final six or seven games, maybe a bit sooner. I suffered damage to my lateral ligament and I’ll be out for six to eight weeks.”
The striker picked up a knee ligament injury during his team’s 2-1 win over Swansea City in the Championship on February 13.
Roofe completed the 90 minutes, but it soon became apparent that he had picked up an issue, which will see him miss a key period of the season.
Leeds have another 14 league games to play this term, starting with a home fixture against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Roofe has revealed that he is aiming to return ‘for the final six or seven games’, although he is remaining confident that it will be before that.
Which match could mark Roofe’s return?
If Roofe misses Leeds’ next seven Championship matches then he will be back for the trip to Birmingham City on April 6.
The Whites travel to Preston North End after visiting Birmingham, before facing Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan Athletic, Brentford, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town in their final five matches of the regular campaign.
The fact that Roofe will miss games against the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Bristol City and Sheffield United is far from ideal.
However, it had been feared at one point that the team’s leading scorer could miss the entirety of the campaign, which will not be the case if everything goes as planned.
Loads of Tottenham Hotspur fans on Twitter are fuming with one Mauricio Pochettino comment in particular in the aftermath of his side’s Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Colchester United on Tuesday night.
Spurs should have had enough to see off their lower league opposition given they had a nice blend of youth and experience in the starting XI, but instead they were taken to penalties by the U’s, before Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura failed to convert their spot-kicks.
Speaking post-match, as reported by Football London’s Alasdair Gold on Twitter, the Argentine manager provided a bizarre view on his squad and transfers:
Given the summer transfer window only recently ended, it seems mad that the former Southampton boss is already looking ahead to January and suggesting that the problems they are currently encountering might not be sorted until then.
Presumably he is alluding to the futures of players like Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, whose contracts are due to expire next summer with no sign of any of them extending their stays with the north London outfit as things stand.
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Tottenham supporters certainly weren’t impressed with their manager’s remark – understandable given their current form – with one saying “he’s lost the plot”, and another individual saying “never thought I’d hear Poch say this”.
Joe Wainman has taken to Twitter to share his delight at more positive Leeds United injury updates.
The Lowdown: Cooper and Phillips back on the training pitch
The Whites shared pictures of club captain Liam Cooper and star midfielder Kalvin Phillips on Wednesday afternoon.
Both Cooper and Phillips were last in action against Brentford back in December and have missed the last six Premier League games. They are both set to be ready for action in March and it seems as if they are on track to do so.
The Latest: Cresswell back
Less than an hour after the club’s tweet on Cooper and Phillips, Leeds then shared an image of Cresswell on their official Twitter channel.
The young centre-back has missed the last four league games with a shoulder problem but was all smiles at Thorp Arch.
Wainman, a Leeds content creator on his JustJoe Football Show, replied to the image of Cresswell returning to training, saying ‘it gets even better’ alongside a smiling face emoji with three hearts.
The Verdict: Good news
It seems as if the international break came at the right time for the Whites, who fell to a 1-0 defeat to relegation rivals Newcastle last time out.
Marcelo Bielsa has a small squad as it is, so seeing the injured trio back out on the grass at Thorp Arch can only be good news.
Hopefully Cooper and Phillips can fast-track their returns before the month is out, whereas Cresswell will give Bielsa some welcome strength in depth at centre-back.
In other news: Phil Hay and Graham Smyth buzzing over free transfer news involving Leeds
A Rangers transfer update has emerged on Ibrox tank Calvin Bassey as one club eyes him as a potential target…
What’s the talk?
According to Football Insider, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s young defender could be on the move in the summer transfer market.
It’s understood that Premier League side West Ham are interested in a deal to sign the defender in the summer.
The report claims that they are in the market for a left-footed defender and have been keeping tabs on Bassey since they failed to land him from Leicester in 2020.
Disaster
Ross Wilson must avoid a summer disaster with Bassey, as he cannot allow the young defender to leave Glasgow to sign for the Hammers.
The £6.4k-per-week man mountain has been a key player for van Bronckhorst this season and his exit would be a major blow to the Gers in the short-term. It would also be a huge error from a long-term point of view as he has the potential to improve even further and increase his value.
At the age of 22, he is in the early years of his career and could be worth more after 12-18 months of development, which is why Rangers must not sell him this summer.
Earlier this season, Van Bronckhorst heaped praise on the former Leicester tank for how he has adapted to his change in position. He said:
“I’ve been really impressed with Calvin [Bassey] as he does not have a lot of experience in the central positions. He has a lot of physical strength and we will help him to develop and grow. He is very open to learning and is full of energy.
“I think he has the physical ability to play there and we’re helping him a lot in that position when he has to pass when he has to dribble, the position he has to take when the other defenders got the ball.
“He’s a player who’s very open in learning and he gives a lot of energy into the team. The last two games I’m really happy with the way he played.”
In the Premiership this season, the defender has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.95. He has mainly been deployed as a centre-back since the Dutchman came in but he is also able to play at left-back and did so effectively in the recent 5-0 win over Hearts.
Bassey has been a consistent performer on the pitch for the most part, and Wilson must now stand firm and reject interest from the Hammers. He could be a mainstay in the Rangers defence for years to come, and it would be a disaster to lose him so early into his Ibrox career.
AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can save Rangers millions by unleashing “confident” gem who’s “totally at ease”…
Matt Doherty endured another disastrous Tottenham Hotspur outing as the north Londoners crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
Antonio Conte was beaten by his former side 3-1 across two legs in the semi-final, leaving him with only the Premier League – where a place in the top four is the target – and the FA Cup left to play for.
And he will surely be reeling by another abject outing from his wing-back.
In the absence of Sergio Reguilon, the £10.8m-rated Irishman was trusted to start once again, even over the more natural left wing-back Ryan Sessegnon.
That plan lasted only 65 minutes after he was hooked by the Spurs head coach.
It was 20 minutes longer than he lasted in the first leg but it’s evident that Doherty is just not delivering whenever given an opportunity.
Back-up goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini was at fault for the Blues’ only goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but it’s not as if the rest of the squad looked like ever testing the Champions of Europe, so he can’t front the blame.
Players like Doherty badly failed Conte, not for the first time in this case, either.
Wing-backs are crucial to the Italian’s system, so to actually manage fewer touches of the ball (21) than the goalkeeper (24) is appalling. And with what time he did have in possession, he was either lacklustre or weak.
As per SofaScore, the 29-year-old made only 13 passes, failed to deliver a single cross and won none of his ground duels. He also did not register a single tackle or interception.
This train of thought was echoed by The Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick, who slammed the defender in his post-match ratings column.
‘Offered no threat down the left flank, frequently cutting inside on his right foot and slowing down attacks. Having struggled at Stamford Bridge, his selection again was strange,’ he wrote.
He was a disaster in the first leg, he was a disaster in the second leg. It’s time for Conte to stop trusting the struggling £74k-per-week calamity.
AND in other news, Contact made: Spurs have “sounded” out “phenomenal” 35-goal star, fans will be fuming…