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West Ham United are taking some remarkably positive steps in this transfer window.

The signing of Pablo Fornals was confirmed before the European Under-21 Championships kicked off and one feels that they have got themselves a gem.

A £24m signing from Villarreal, Football FanCast understands that Manuel Pellegrini specifically requested the purchase of the attacking midfielder and this speaks to what appears to be his strategy for the season: to be the great entertainers.

Yet the deal may not have been done if it wasn’t for Mario Husillos. The Director of Football, a largely unseen, misunderstood role, the Argentine joined the club in June of 2018.

Since then West Ham have signed the following first-team players: Jack Wilshere, Fabian Balbuena, Lucas Perez, Carlos Sanchez, Lukasz Fabianski, Andriy Yarmolenko, Issa Diop, Felipe Anderson, Samir Nasri, Roberto, David Martin and Fornals.

Of 12 acquisitions, only Perez and Nasri can be deemed failures.

Wilshere is an immensely talented midfield player but he has struggled with injury, as has Yarmolenko, Balbuena and Diop are the rocks of Pellegrini’s defence, Sanchez is useful for depth, Fabianski won Hammer of the Year, while Anderson emerged as the club’s best attacking player in 2018/19.

Now, they are attempting to sign striker Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo and could also move for West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon.

It adds up to the possibility of West Ham lining up with Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Anderson behind either Marko Arnautovic or Gomez.

Arguably there is no better front four outside of the top-six.

Indeed, Fornals’ statistics should whet the appetite of fans: He averaged 1.7 shots per game in La Liga, per WhoScored, as well as 1.3 key passes and 1.1 dribbles. At the Euros, he has averaged 3.1 shots per game, 2.3 key passes and has scored twice.

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Now, the potential front four are not particularly good at defending.

But that may not matter. It appears that Pellegrini is attempting to build a team designed to outscore the opposition, to attack them and to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

It is a refreshing approach; plenty of teams outside the top-six are content merely to sit back and dare the top sides to have the ball, retaining hope that they can exploit them on the counter-attack.

But the Irons, a club that has always prized flair over organisation, 4-3 defeats over 1-0 losses, are set to shake that up next season.

There is vulnerability at the top, too, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all in a state of flux.

After Husillos’ inspired recruitment, the Irons could gatecrash the party, and win a few neutral admirers along the way.

[ad_pod ]Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has ruled out the chances of want-away Gunners captain Laurent Koscielny being used as part of any potential Wilfried Zaha deal following a suggestion from a Gunners fan on Twitter.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the north London club are reportedly keen to bring the Crystal Palace attacker to the Emirates Stadium this summer, but they are currently unable to meet his £80m price tag.

The Sun has reported that they are willing to offer £40m plus Mohamed Elneny, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson for the Ivory Coast international, but the Eagles aren’t keen on that deal.

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An Arsenal supporter then suggested using Koscielny as a sweetener instead of the likes of Chambers and Jenkinson after he refused to go on the tour to America on Thursday, but Campbell doesn’t believe the 6 foot 1 Frenchman would be interested.

The 49-year-old said: “Unfortunately he will not want to go there and that will break any deal!”

In the video below, find out which Chelsea academy prospect is reportedly being lined up to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Crystal Palace…

Is Campbell right?

Most likely. Reports suggest that the 33-year-old wants to return to his homeland following nine years with the Gunners, so swapping them for a team across the English capital would go against those wishes.

While the chance to link up with fellow countryman Mamadou Sakho at the heart of the defence could potentially be tempting, it appears as though Koscielny has already made his mind up on what he wants.

From Palace’s point of view they would surely be interested in the experienced centre-back given they don’t have a lot of depth in that position at Selhurst Park, but it’s unlikely he would be valued too highly as part of any Zaha deal given he turns 34 in September and suffered a serious Achilles injuryÂin May 2018.

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According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs chasing the signature of Jordan Hugill.

It’s no secret that the Whites could do with a fresh look up top after their struggles in front of goal cost them dearly last season.

Indeed, the Yorkshire outfit had the worst conversion rate in the division last term, and something needs to change on that front.

The 6 ft striker spent last season out on loan at Middlesbrough where he wasn’t too effective, scoring just six times for the Riverside outfit.

He has previously been a handy player in the Championship having scored 12 goals in the 2016/17 season, and his good performances at Preston earned him a £10m move to West Ham.

If he can reproduce the form he showed prior to joining the London club he could be a good signing, but that is no doubt a risk considering his struggles in recent campaigns.

Football FanCast’s writers have had a go at delivering their verdicts on whether or not Leeds should really be targeting for the Hammers outcast…

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Matt Dawson

“Hugill has had a turbulent few years after signing for West Ham but a move to Leeds could be exactly what he needs to kick start his career after a promising loan spell with Middlesbrough. However, the concerning thing for me about Hugill is his lack of goals and whether he can actually benefit Leeds, considering finishing the amount of chances they made was the biggest failing of Marcelo Bielsa’s side last season.

“The Whites had three members of their squad that scored double figures, but none scored more than 15, whilst Bamford found the net on nine occasions (Whoscored). With that in mind, I don’t think they’d be any better off by signing Hugill, who has never scored more than 12 times in a single Championship campaign. If they are to achieve promotion, they need to sign a striker with a far better record in front of goal. This is a move that Leeds should forget about.” 

Harry Sherlock

“Hugill simply isn’t very good. He hasn’t made any sort of impact at West Ham United and he wasn’t overly impressive on loan at Middlesbrough. His time at Preston was a little more productive – 30 goals in 114 games – but one still has to wonder why on earth the Hammers signed him. Leeds United are a club that should be chasing promotion next season after their play-offs near miss last term and Hugill isn’t going to be the man to take them into the Premier League. His goal record stinks and for  West Ham looked desperately out of his depth. Leeds should avoid him like the plague.”

Ben Goodwin

“After Patrick Bamford mustered a measly nine Championship goals last term, the last thing Leeds need is another inconsistent striker. Only once in his career has Hugill scored double-digit league goals in a season, and the 27 year-old is actually getting worse not better – he scored two fewer goals last season than in 2017/18, despite playing ten more matches, meaning his tally has now decreased from the previous season in each of the last two campaigns (Whoscored). Leeds should be looking to sign hungry players determined to progress who can, ideally, really hit their stride in the next few years when the Whites are hopefully in the Premier League. Hugill’s career seems to be going in the opposite direction to that.”

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Rangers are set to send winger Glenn Middleton out on loan to Doncaster Rovers, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

What’s the story?

With Steven Gerrard’s side rapidly becoming overloaded with options on the wings after the signings of Jordan Jones and Jake Hastie, competition is fierce on both the left and right side of attack.

Middleton then may not get the first-team football he needs next season and the paper report that the club have taken the decision to farm him out to the English League One side.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The outlet reckon that the Gers want to bring back Ryan Kent to the club, adding another barrier to Middleton’s progress at Ibrox.

By letting him leave for England in 2019/20, Gerrard paves the way for that crowd-pleasing Kent move.

Middleton’s development

The teenager initially looked like becoming a firm part of Gerrard’s plans last season, making 25 appearances before the winter break, scoring five goals and assisting five times.

Since then though he’s hardly had a look in, playing just four times between January and the end of the season.

That’s not without good reason.

Despite looking like an exciting option on occasion, consistency was the player’s big problem and a loan away to a competitive league like League One will help him learn what it takes to win matches with attacking contributions on a regular basis.

A loan really is the best thing for his development right now and there’s every chance he can prove to Gerrard that he deserves a place in the squad come the 2020/21 season.

يدخل فريق الزمالك مواجهة جديدة عندما يلتقي نظيره طلائع الجيش فى المباراة ستجمع بينهما على استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية فى إطار منافسات كأس مصر.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع طلائع الجيش في الخامسة من مساء غد الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات دور نصف النهائى من بطولة كأس مصر.

اقرأ أيضًا.. باتشيكو يعلن قائمة الزمالك لمباراة طلائع الجيش في كأس مصر

ويسعى الزمالك بقيادة البرتغالي جايمي باتشيكو لتحقيق الفوز لمواصلة المنافسة على البطولة التي يحمل لقبها من النسخة الماضية، ومُصالحة الجماهير بعد خسارة لقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا مؤخرًا لصالح الأهلي الذي توج المارد الأحمر باللقب للمرة التاسعة في تاريخه.

وتأهل الزمالك إلى منافسات نصف نهائي كأس مصر، بعد الفوز على الشرقية بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، في دور الـ32 من البطولة، وتبعها الفوز على سموحة بهدفين مقابل هدف، في دور الـ 16 ليتأهل إلى ربع النهائي ثم الفوز على نادى مصر بهدفين مقابل هدف.

فيما تأهل فريق طلائع الجيش إلى دور نصف نهائي كأس مصر عقب فوزه على دكرنس بهدف دون رد، في دور الـ32 من البطولة، ثم عبور مصر للمقاصة، بهدف دون رد في دور الـ16 من منافسات كأس مصر، وأخيرًا الفوز على بيراميدز بركلات الجزاء الترجيحية فى ربع النهائى، بنتيجة 3/1 بعدما انتهى وقت المباراة الأصلى بالتعادل السلبى بين الفريقين.

ويغيب عن الزمالك في مباراته أمام طلائع الجيش كلاً من محمود حمدي الونش، مدافع الفريق، ويوسف أوباما، صانع ألعاب الأبيض، وعبد الله جمعة، الظهير الأيسر، لإصابتهم بفيروس كورونا، بالإضافة إلى فرجاني ساسي، لاعب وسط الفريق، للإيقاف، وأشرف بن شرقي، جناح الفريق، للإصابة.

والتقى الزمالك مع طلائع الجيش من قبل فى 32 مباراة من بينهم مباراتين فى كأس مصر، حقق خلالهم الأبيض الفوز فى 18 مباراة وتعادلا فى 7 مواجهات وفاز الطلائع فى 7 مباريات أخرى، فيما سجل الأبيض 62 هدفًا واستقبل 34 هدفًا، فيما لم يخسر الأبيض من الطلائع فى كأس مصر فى أى مباراة من قبل.

من ناحية أخرى، يرغب طلائع الجيش بقيادة طارق العشري في استغلال الحالة التي يعيش فيها الزمالك في الأيام الماضية منذ أن خسر لقب دروي أبطال إفريقيا وتبعها إيقاف مجلس الإدارة برئاسة مرتضى منصور، وتعيين مجلس مؤقت لإدارة النادي برئاسة المستشار أحمد بكري، لتحقيق المفاجأة والفوز على الأبيض وإقصاءه من الدور قبل النهائي من البطولة المحلية والتأهل إلى النهائي لأول مرة في تاريخه.

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Given the messes West Bromwich Albion have found themselves in down the years, it would take more than the wand of Harry Potter to summon a spell capable of ending the club’s yoyo period.

It’s been a reoccurring theme throughout the years but another man with the same surname, Swansea City’s Graham Potter, could be the individual with the powers to finally banish the demons that lurk at the Hawthorns.

Albion have their problems and even though Jimmy Shan has done the best possible job under the circumstances, there is a feeling in the air of negativity, rather than positivity. It’s rather strange going into a play-off campaign.

However, someone who may be able to sort that out next season, regardless of whether the club achieves promotion, is Potter. That’s the manager, not the fictional character.

The Sun on Sunday (05/05: page 59) – via HITC – reported that West Brom are eyeing him as the man to take the reins on a permanent basis next season, but it could cost £2m to prise him away.

With that in mind, here are the possible consequences of Potter reuniting with West Brom 19 years after he left the club as a player.

Negative atmosphere wiped away

Potter is a fantastic man manager and knows how to create a culture and thriving environment. His eight years at Swedish side Ostersunds, where he took the club all the way from the fourth tier to the Allsvenskan, tells you all you need to know in that regard.

He built a legacy there and an atmosphere which the players loved. They may not have possessed the greatest of footballing ability, but by creating a pleasant environment they achieved things beyond their wildest dreams.

In some senses, he’s done the same since arriving at Swansea. Obviously, the success hasn’t come yet, but he took over a side recently relegated and in danger of falling away. He’s been able to stabilise the Swans and wipe away the negative atmosphere that will have been creeping in after a relegation.

He saw 12 players leave last summer but that had no effect as he was able to instil a belief in the team that saw them finish tenth in the league.

The atmosphere at West Brom, whether that be at board level or on the pitch, hasn’t been too favourable for a number of years now. Potter could help change that.

Jenkins finally looks at the bigger picture

Giving Mark Jenkins praise would be beyond most Albion supporters at the moment but they would have reason to give him plaudits should Potter be appointed as manager this summer.

The Chief Executive at West Brom hasn’t had the best of relationships with the supporters and that’s putting it lightly. Jenkins seems to constantly work his way through uninspiring and safe managerial appointments that save the club some money.

Potter, however, would go against that and bringing him back to the Hawthorns would be a masterstroke. Yes, it could cost the club £2m, but it would be evidence that Jenkins is finally looking at the bigger picture.

The appointment of the Swansea manager wouldn’t be safe, nor would it be cheap, but it would help paint a picture of where West Brom can be in the future.

If Jenkins has any ambition, then he’ll consider the long term future, rather than the short term. Wouldn’t that be a rarity?

No more academy concerns

Where would West Brom be had they kept some of their very best young talents down the years? It feels like a broken record, particularly after Izzy Brown’s departure. However, as Rekeem Harper’s contract looks set to run down and with Borussia Dortmund reportedly chasing Jamie Soule, the debate could again be renewed very soon.

However, Potter could help wipe away those concerns. After he lost a number of players at Swansea last summer, he brought through young individuals who have thrived at the Liberty this season.

The main men to focus on here are Dan James and Joe Rodon, who have been two of the Swans’ key players since the 43-year-old manager took over.

Was Darren Moore’s sacking unfair? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name which Championship bosses should have gone instead in the video below…

Looking at that, there should be encouraging signs for Baggies’ supporters, especially given the fact that 69% of Swansea’s goals were scored by players under the age of 23 this term.

Potter was monitored by the club back in March 2018, only for nothing to materialise. This time around, though, they must do everything they can to lure him back to the Midlands.

They might be undisputed champions right now, but Celtic always need to keep an eye for the future.

To maintain their dominance in the long-run, the Hoops have to give more attention towards the young talents and overseeing their rise within the club.

As they’re impressive academy’s capable of producing some top-class players, Liam Morrison’s the latest gem to have come through the system. The 16-year-old’s been touted as the best up and coming centre-half in Scottish football, especially after watching his solid work for Scotland’s U-17 team.

Yet, the Hoops are in danger of losing this prized talent. According to reports (via The Scottish Sun), German side Hoffenheim are keen on signing him this summer, with the Bhoys reportedly fearing an exit after being braced for interest. They want to get the benefits from the hot-property, but Celtic cannot allow that. For a side who gave rise to Virgil van Dijk in the past, they could mould Morrison into another top-class defender.

Or maybe they won’t. That’s the thing with young players but why risk it? Keep young talent in-house, it’s the smart thing to do.

While the German side may be able to offer the new somewhat hipster route of young British talent heading to the Bundesliga, Celtic needs to stamp their authority on this one. They cannot allow themselves to be ousted again, that too when it comes to keeping their own young star. The Hoops need to make the 16-year-old sign his professional contract soon and continue his stunning development.

Morrison has all the skills to be a commanding centre-back very soon. He’s already disrupting attacks and leading the defensive line superbly. With their own defenders leaving almost every passing year, the Hoops need to retain this golden prospect to make him their long-term defensive general.

Celtic fans, do you think Morrison is in line for big things at Parkhead? Join the discussion by commenting below..

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Leeds United fans on Twitter have surprisingly backed Ryan Edmondson to start the playoff semi-final second leg ahead of Patrick Bamford.

After news emerged that Kemar Roofe has been ruled out of Wednesday’s game, supporters took to social media to share their opinions.

Rather than getting behind Bamford fans instead opted to call for 17-year-old Ryan Edmondson to start their most important game of the season.

Wednesday’s match at Elland Road is all that stands between the Whites and a spot in the playoff final.

Bielsa is likely to go with the more experienced option of Bamford, but attitudes on Twitter suggest that fans believe this isn’t the right decision.

Edmondson has netted 19 goals for the Whites’ U23 side this season, and many believe that he is ready to make the step up to the first team.

The Yorkshire club go into Wednesday with a one-goal lead so they may need to score if they are to get to Wembley.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…

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Southampton played out a 3-3 thriller with Bournemouth at the weekend and could have taken all three points had they managed to hold on in the final ten minutes but, given that they had already forfeited their 1-0 lead, the result against an attacking Cherries side was impressive nonetheless.

The point meant that the Saints are mathematically safe with two games remaining and so much credit has to go to Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has completely turned their season around since taking over back in December.

A number of players have benefitted greatly under the Austrian’s guidance but none more so than Yan Valery, who has blossomed into one of the brightest, young defensive talents since.

When Cedric Soares departed on loan to Inter Milan in January, huge pressure to hold down the right-back spot was placed on 20-year-old Valery’s shoulders, but he has coped with it remarkably well and his performance at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday was the latest in a number of impressive showings.

Completing five tackles – more than Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse put together – the Frenchman was a rock at the back for Southampton but was equally important on the front foot, as he teed up Matt Targett for his side’s third of the afternoon.

From last minute penalties to being taken apart by local rivals, fans pick the moments that defined their clubs’ seasons in the video below…

Only Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (86) took more touches than Valery (67) while the number 49’s seven crosses were bested only by Ward-Prowse – Saints’ creative hub.

With a performance like that far from a fluke, Southampton will be extremely thankful that they managed to tie the starlet down until 2023 just over a month ago – there would surely have been a number of suitors in the summer otherwise, with Valery’s previous deal set to expire imminently. Certainly, the decision was Ralph Krueger’s last great contribution to the south coast outfit before his departure was announced earlier this month.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية السبب وراء استبدال نجم فريق ليفربول ساديو ماني، خلال المباراة الجارية حاليًا أمام فريق أياكس في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويلتقي الفريقان في الجولة الأولى من دور مجموعات البطولة، في يوهان كرويف آرينا.

وقرر كلوب استبدال ماني، رفقة محمد صلاح وروبرتو فيرمينو، في الدقيقة 60 (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وألتقطت الكاميرات تواجد ماني، على دكة البدلاء، بعد خروجه وهو يضع كيس من الثلج حول ساقه اليمنى.

وأفادت شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية أن كلوب قرر عدم المخاطرة بـ ماني، تجنبًا لإصابة أخرى في صفوف الفريق في ظل إصابة أليسون وفيرجيل فان دايك وتياجو ألكانتارا وجويل ماتيب.