All posts by z3u9t.icu

Crystal Palace’s summer overhaul appears to have been a considerable success in the opening weeks of the new campaign, with Patrick Vieira’s charges impressing so far.

With Odsonne Edouard scoring a brace on his debut, Conor Gallagher already becoming a fan’s favourite, and the centre-back pairing of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen growing stronger by the game, it’s hard to criticise the south London outfit’s business in the transfer window.

However, while the arrivals at Selhurst Park have settled quickly, proving themselves to be sensible purchases, it’s one of their former stars who was allowed to depart that has raised several eyebrows.

Winger Andros Townsend was amongst several experienced campaigners to be released by the capital club in the previous window, although he revealed back in June that negotiations over a new deal were taking place with Palace’s hierarchy.

“We’re still having brief discussions,” Townsend told talkSPORT (as reported by Football.London). “The club have told all of us that there’s no decisions being made until a manager has been appointed.

“Since then, Christian Benteke has signed a new deal, so… (laughs). So I don’t know. I want to be somewhere on July 1st.

“My agent is in the background now getting as much interest put into an offer, and then I’ll sit down with my agent, and around July 1st (we’ll) see which one is the best for me at this time in my career.”

However, just a month later, the Evening Standard reported that a change in circumstances meant that the former England international would not be returning to Palace, leaving the door open for Everton to swoop.

And now chairman Steve Parish must be regretting his decision to allow the £58,000-per-week gem to depart after watching Townsend flourish at Goodison Park.

In just nine appearances for the Toffees, Townsend has bagged five goals and laid on a further three assists for his teammates, highlighting his ability to still produce at the highest level despite turning 30 in July. He even scored at Old Trafford against Manchester United, mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration in the process.

The flying winger joined Palace in a £13m deal back in 2016, and the club’s chief will surely be gutted that such a talented star walked away for free over the summer, condemning them to their first transfer nightmare of Vieira’s new era.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace could be set for surprise injury boost, Vieira will be delighted 

Aston Villa get their Premier League season underway on Saturday afternoon when they make the trip to face newly-promoted Watford at Vicarage Road.

Dean Smith’s side will play their first competitive game without talisman Jack Grealish, although a number of exciting new signings have certainly given fans a sense of optimism heading into the new campaign.

One man who the Villa boss must certainly start today, is Emi Buendia.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Smith confirmed that the former Norwich star would be available to face the Hornets, saying: “(Buendia) is good to go. He had a slight adductor injury and I didn’t want to risk him in the game on Sunday (vs Salernitana). But he’s trained all week and he’s available for selection.”

The Argentine shone during the time that he was on the pitch in pre-season, especially in a fine performance against Walsall.

On Twitter, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece was left raving about his performance, saying: “Emi Buendia had Villa fans drooling here at Walsall; the two balls in for Watkins were a delight.”

Writing in his post-match player ratings, he added: “Two assists for Villa’s record signing and what a delight they both were. The Argentinian picks up some clever positions inside and, in doing so, he carved Walsall open on both occasions to feed Watkins who scored twice.

“Buendia can pick a pass all right and the prospect of the little magician linking up with Watkins and Jack Grealish this season is a frightening one. Buendia was brilliant and he’s already left fans wanting to see more.”

The 24-year-old was superb last season for Norwich, playing in between the lines to good effect and showing the kind of eye for a pass which saw him finish as the Championship’s leading assists provider with 16 last term.

The £31.5m-rated playmaker has been dubbed a “revelation” by Chris Sutton, and could well be Villa’s game-changer today against Watford in his first competitive game for the club.

Meanwhile, this Villa star could now leave…

Taking to Twitter, Goal Brasil journalist Thiago Fernandes – collaborating with fellow reporter Marcelo Hazan – has lifted the lid on a West Ham ‘meeting’ to sign FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral.

The Lowdown: West Ham weigh up January striker move…

Nearly a year since David Moyes began his search for a backup centre-forward to Michail Antonio, coming after club-record signing Sebastian Haller left for Ajax, the Irons are still very much on the look out.

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There have been links to many forwards over these last few months alone, with the Evening Standard recently reporting that the striker position is still top of Moyes’ to-do list ahead of January.

Amid the increased number of games which comes with fighting on more fronts, it is arguably even more imperative that West Ham strengthen in the winter market.

As such, news has now emerged from South America that the club are seemingly eyeing a new centre-forward target.

The Latest: West Ham hold Cabral ‘meeting’…

Taking to social media in sharing his piece with Hazan for Goal, Fernandes has lifted the lid on a ‘meeting’ from representatives of the Hammers to sign Basel striker Cabral.

According to his information, West Ham ‘authorised intermediaries’ to negotiate his signing in January. He explained:

“West Ham looks for Arthur Cabral’s exhaustion and enters into dispute with Barcelona. Club authorized intermediaries to negotiate the hiring of the Basel striker in the ball market. There was a meeting this Friday.”

The Verdict: Exciting claim…

The 23-year-old has been in red-hot form for his club this season, racking up an incredible 24 goals and eight assists over 25 games in all competitions for the Swiss giants (Transfermarkt).

These prolific performances even earned him his first call-up to the Brazil squad in October after he turned former Middlesbrough star Juninho’s head with his displays (TEAMtalk).

In a further boost for West Ham, it is believed that Basel have set as asking price of around €15m (£12.7m) for interested parties to sign him in the winter window, which seems a more than affordable fee.

Given his age, proficiency and current form, this looks like an absolute bargain, especially as the player himself is also reportedly willing to leave St Jakob-Park in January.

Taking this into account, West Ham and their new head of recruitment Rob Newman may have just approached an ideal new target as backup to Antonio.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Tears’, ‘Siuuuu’ – Many West Ham fans erupt as ‘massive news’ comes to light, find out more here.

Writing for 90min, reporter Toby Cudworth has shared a promising update on West Ham United and their pursuit of Sparta Prague sensation Adam Hlozek.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Hlozek chase…

The Irons have been linked with a move for the exciting Czech Republic striker since the summer transfer window, with a previous report from 90min detailing that lengthy talks were held.

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That interest carried on past the summer window, with Cudworth taking to Twitter in a September update and claiming West Ham still very much had their eyes on the 19-year-old.

Since Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky completed the purchase of a 27% minority stake in West Ham earlier this month, links to Hlozek have only intensified given the magnate’s ties to Sparta.

In a fresh update, it appears West Ham are now set to follow through with an offer.

The Latest: West Ham prepare offer…

According to 90min journalist Cudworth, the Hammers are ‘preparing a bid’ to sign Hlozek which could see him move to the London Stadium on loan with a mandatory purchase option.

They add that the teenager is ‘ready’ to move on from his current club amid West Ham’s interest alongside other clubs, which include European heavyweights Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Kretinsky’s presence could be key as co-owner of Sparta and given he holds a 40 per cent share in the club, putting West Ham in ‘good stead’ to potentially do a deal.

The Verdict: Exciting times…

After the billionaire’s off-field move to buy a share in West Ham, it appears supporters may now be about to see it pay dividends as this exciting claim emerges.

Hlozek is without a doubt one of the most exciting young forwards in world football, as evident by his goal record from last season and interest from a plethora of big sides.

He bagged 15 goals and eight assists in just 19 Fortuna Liga appearances for Sparta over 2020/2021, highlighting just how clinical he could be in front of goal for David Moyes.

The talented teenager comes with plenty of sell-on value at such a young age and is highly rated by those close to him.

His agent, Pavel Paska, has described Hlozek as ‘world class’ and ‘extraordinary’ in recent interviews and it’s safe to say West Ham could land themselves a real talent if Sparta accept their offer.

In other news: ‘Oh yes’, ‘Steal’, ‘Top of my wish list’…West Ham fans rave as Newman eyes ‘baller’ new target, find out more here.

Lee Ryder has revealed what he describes as a ‘bitter blow’ to Newcastle United officials regarding their anti-competition case against the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Another delay

Back in May, it was reported that the top flight had been granted an extension to respond to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) claim with regards to the stalled takeover deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

However, the case has now been delayed further until September, adding on top of the separate arbitration claim being adjourned until early next year.

The Latest: CAT delay

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, football journalist and takeover follower Ryder has confirmed that the CAT claim has now been delayed until September, it what he describes as a ‘bitter blow’ to officials at St. James’ Park.

He also claimed that the Premier League will continue to try to get the case thrown out, as a hearing date is yet to be confirmed.

The Verdict: Worrying

It is certainly worrying that the CAT case has been delayed until September, especially given that the arbitration proceedings have also been delayed.

It means that the North East club will not have the embarrassment of riches that they would have had to spend in the summer transfer window, should both cases have gone to plan and a takeover was subsequently completed.

The Toon Army now face yet another season of uncertainty, and it is not a guarantee that Steve Bruce will be able to keep his team in the division this time around without some players coming in through the door, meaning that the takeover could still be put in jeopardy come next year when the arbitration process is set to begin.

In other news, find out which Premier League ace NUFC are in talks to sign here!

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has suggested that Wolves cutting back on their spending played a part in Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure.

Nuno surprised English football when it was announced last month by the club’s official website that he would be leaving Molineux after four seasons.

Those four seasons were largely successful, with the 47-year-old taking Wolves from the Championship to the Premier League before guiding the team to two seventh-placed finishes – hence why most were caught so off guard by the announcement.

And Sanchez has put part of that shock exit down to financial reasons. He told TT:

“As I understand it, part of the reason that he left was that there’s been a bit of cutting back from the Chinese owners, financially, who have funded that club.

“I think worldwide the Chinese state has pulled back a little bit from football financing. That’s part of the reason why [Antonio] Conte left Inter.”

It would have made a great storyline seeing Nuno go up against Wolves and his successor Bruno Lage in the Premier League, but that no longer looks like it is going to happen after talks to become the next Crystal Palace manager came to an end earlier this week.

There is, of course, still an opening at Everton, a vacancy that he is currently being linked to, so who knows?

Many Everton fans have been left baffled by some transfer news on Mason Holgate.

As a report from earlier on in the week by The Daily Telegraph, which has since been shared across Twitter, Newcastle United were offered the chance to sign Holgate on loan in the summer window.

The central defender has already played the full 90 minutes in three of the Goodison Park faithful’s four games in total over all competitions so far this season, and even captained the team in the 2-1 away win at Huddersfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup (Transfermarkt).

With Ben Godfrey unable to feature yet this campaign as well, it certainly seems strange that the Merseyside club were considering letting him go out on loan, especially to a fellow rival in the Premier League.

Everton fans on Holgate transfer news

These Toffees supporters were left baffled by the news on Holgate as it was shared across Twitter:

“Makes little sense for us to do that doesn’t it? Very odd Unless they wanted him out on loan to push to bring Sarr in from Chelsea on a loan”

Credit: @Danny_EFC6

“Strange considering he’s now going to be a back-up full-back until January”

Credit: @MatthewKneale1

“Would make absolutely no sense if true. Could see the benefit in trying to sell one of our centre-backs but not in loaning one out”

Credit: @marchy27

“How in the world were we going to have a backline in that scenario?”

Credit: @ValleyWhit

“With Mina injury prone, Keane a brain-fart away from an opposition goal and Godfrey in quarantine, yeah that makes sense.”

Credit: @Peter82Meter

“Load of rubbish”

Credit: @offthecrosssbar

In other news, find out what transfer update has Blues raging here!

Journalist Ekrem Konur believes Benfica winger Filipe Jota will soon be a Celtic player.

The Lowdown: Jota links

Celtic have already been busy this summer, bringing in exciting attacking players such as Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada.

Links to Jota emerged on Friday evening, with The Daily Record suggesting the 22-year-old is a potential loan addition.

Jota, primarily a left-winger, has made 34 senior appearances for Benfica but spent last season out on loan at Spanish side Real Valladolid.

It appears as if another temporary move away from Benfica could be on the cards, this time to Scotland.

The Latest: Konur’s post

Konur took to Twitter on Saturday lunchtime and placed a ‘soon’ emoji in between Jota and Celtic.

He then added an hourglass, paperwork and eyes emojis, which seems to point to the winger possibly becoming Dominic McKay’s 11th and final signing, should Celtic finalise Georgios Giakoumakis becoming the club’s 10th addition, as is expected.

The Verdict: Smart

With young wingers Mikey Johnston and Karamoko Dembele both picking up injuries in pre-season, Ange Postecoglou has had to rely on James Forrest, Abada and Furuhashi as wide options.

Furuhashi has been used in a central role on a number of occasions, so bringing in another out-and-out winger appears to be a smart move.

The Daily Record believe he could be brought in to fill the Ryan Christie gap, with the Scot, at this moment in time, set to become a free agent in the New Year.

Jota, therefore, would possibly arrive on a season-long loan deal, giving Postecoglou another option in an exciting attack for the entirety of the campaign.

In other news: Pundit tips ‘composed’ ace to re-join Celtic in late activity.

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have now held three rounds of talks with Roberto Martinez and more in recent days as the club ‘close in’ on appointing a new manager.

The Lowdown: Spurs hold ‘extensive’ Martinez discussions

Recent reports by the same outlet indicated that ‘extensive discussions’ have been held with the 47-year-old who has been shortlisted by Tottenham for the role.

They also emphatically claimed that the Spaniard has been making a ‘huge play’ for the job behind closed doors and is very keen on succeeding former boss Jose Mourinho.

The Latest: Further talks emerge…

Bringing an update on this story, Football Insider now believe that further negotiations have been held in recent days which brings the total to three rounds of Spurs discussions with Martinez.

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The first two came before the 2020/2021 Premier League season ended last weekend, meanwhile the third round of talks have come only in the last few days.

Football Insider also say that the Lilywhites also closing in on a new manager with Martinez shortlisted.

Indeed, in an encouraging claim, the outlet believe that Tottenham are ‘confident’ of appointing a new manager this week and in a matter of days.

The Verdict: Mixed bag…

While it is fantastic news that Spurs are allegedly close to an appointment behind the scenes, Spurs fans may be hoping that man isn’t Martinez despite former Scotland boss Alex McLeish lauding him as ‘world class’ recently (Football Insider).

Reports have now emerged that former fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino has held talks with Spurs and is apparently eager to make a return to the north London club (The Athletic).

Depending on the validity of these claims, with conflicting reports also emerging, we believe that the Argentine would be a far superior candidate to Martinez given everything he achieved at Tottenham in his first spell – including a Champions League final appearance.

However, if Spurs want to appoint him, they will apparently have to fight tooth and nail given PSG’s alleged stance.

In other news: Spurs now want to sign this ‘nearly unplayable’ star, find out more here.

Jurgen Klopp has been dealt a huge injury blow regarding Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

What’s the latest?

The Brazilian forward missed out on the Reds’ victories against Manchester United and Everton due to an ongoing foot injury.

In Tuesday’s press conference, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gave an update on the No.9’s status coming into the Champions League semi-final clash against Villarreal.

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Asked whether the Brazilian would feature against Unai Emery’s side, Klopp said: “I don’t think [he is ready] yet. He is running outside and that’s good, obviously, but I am not sure. Maybe somebody will surprise me afterwards and tell me, ‘Yes, Bobby is in.’ [I will have] open arms, but I don’t think so.”

The boss also covered the status of his squad overall, adding: “Apart from that [Firmino injury] no [new injuries] that I know yet.”

Klopp will be gutted

The absence of Firmino against a side who are expected to employ a low-block will be a huge blow for Klopp, who would have benefitted from his intricate dribbling and textbook passing against Villarreal tonight.

The 30-year-old has been a fundamental part of their Champions League progression this season. Despite only starting in 20% of the fixtures for Klopp in this year’s tournament, the Brazilian has achieved five goals in just six appearances.

Despite Diogo Jota’s sensational ‘false-9’ style offering a potential stabiliser in the opponent’s final-third and his defensive metrics, in relation to his position, also an outstanding option in comparison to Jota or Mane.

Whilst his average of three shot-creating actions per match equal Jota’s offering, it’s his passing that sets him apart as a centre-forward, with his average of 37 passes per 90 an indication of his contribution to Klopp’s side.

With his midfielder-like approach, Firmino is difficult to mark out of the game as he is not a bolshy, traditional striker. His habit of dropping deep affords space for Liverpool’s wingers.

The Brazilian’s services and experience will be missed tonight in what is a huge blow for both the player and the team.

In other news: Liverpool plot bid to sign gem with 181 goals in 108 youth games, Klopp surely buzzing – opinion