All posts by z3u9t.icu

Despite currently sitting in 12th place in the Premier League table with three wins and four defeats under their belt so far this season, Wolves boast a respectable defensive record with just six goals conceded in seven games, the same as Liverpool and Manchester United.

Even with this current defensive record, it seems as though Wolves boss is already eyeing up a potential move for a new defender to bring to Molineux.

What’s the latest?

It has recently been reported by Fichajes (via Sport Witness) that Wolves and fellow Premier League side West Ham United are interested in signing Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian.

The 22-year-old, who has a release clause of €40m (£34m), has played in seven out of Bilbao’s eight La Liga games so far this season, conceding just two goals in the process.

Interestingly, the only La Liga game that Vivian did not play in is the only league match that Bilbao has lost so far this season in a 2-1 defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

Long-term option?

Vivian’s performances in La Liga have earned him an overall performance rating of 7/10 according to WhoScored, making him one of Bilbao’s highest-rated players so far this season.

Taking all of this into account, it’s easy to see why Wolves and West Ham would be interested in signing him.

He’s not a prolific header of the ball with just 0.9 aerial duels won per match but he is an efficient tackler, winning 1.6 challenges a game. That would rank him second out of Wolves’ centre-halves this term with only Max Kilman producing more.

That makes him an attractive signing but there is another reason too. In our view, given the age of current Wolves centre-backs Willy Boly (30) and Romain Saiss (31) we feel that Vivian could be a good option to replace one of the pair and be a useful long-term option for the Old Gold given the Spaniard’s young age.

Moving forward, if Wolves see an opportunity to sign Vivian in the upcoming January transfer window or the next summer window, this is definitely something the club should be looking to explore ahead of their fellow Premier League side West Ham.

Until then, Lage will have to make sure his side can start picking up wins in the league on a consistent basis and not concede too many goals. If they start leaking strikes they could be in danger of being in a relegation battle, rather than finishing in the top half of the table.

In other news: Lage could fix big Wolves issue with swoop for £43.2m-rated ace, fans would be buzzing – opinion

Newcastle United transfer target Niklas Sule has decided to leave Bayern Munich, according to Bild (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

26-year-old centre-back Sule is out of contract at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Bayern president Herbert Hainer said over the weekend that the player’s camp were considering an improved offer from the club.

Sule has been with Bayern for four and a half years, having joined from TSG Hoffenheim for £18million back in 2017.

In that time, he’s made 158 appearances, including 25 so far this term.

The latest

The report from Germany (via SW) states ‘decision made’, with Sule opting to leave Munich as a free agent in the summer.

Sule ‘has long since rejected’ the offer of a €10million-per-year (£160,000-per-week) salary.

Newcastle are named among the clubs ‘interested’ in snapping up the German for next season.

The verdict

You’d imagine the move would depend upon Newcastle staying up, but what a signing this would be.

Sule is a 37-cap Germany international who’s played at the last two major tournaments for his country.

He also boasts a huge trophy haul, including the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League and a remarkable four Bundesliga titles.

Sule is a strong tackler, but he’s also more than comfortable in possession, excelling at passing and dribbling (via WhoScored).

One surprising asset, given that he looks ‘like the Incredible Hulk’ is his speed. Sule has been clocked at 21.6 miles per hour, which at one point made him the second quickest player in the Bayern ranks (via Bundesliga.com).

He has so many qualities that there’s bound to be a long queue of suitors – Jupp Heynckes called him ‘superb’ and ‘world class’ – so this would be quite a coup if the Magpies can snap him up on pre-contract terms for the summer.

In other news, Newcastle are reportedly moving in for this signing.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have now ‘pulled the plug’ on plans to let Japhet Tanganga complete a move away for 2021/22 after his performance against Man City – coming after the club were ‘set’ to loan him out.

The Lowdown: Tanganga impresses against the Champions…

The 22-year-old put in a phenomenal display against Pep Guardiola’s side on the opening weekend of Premier League action, coping very well with England star Raheem Sterling on that side and attracting much praise for his performance.

Gary Neville was one of many to lavish the youngster with praise, claiming his individual showings in one-on-ones against the likes of Sterling and Jack Grealish on the side were ‘really special’ (The Gary Neville Podcast via This is Futbol).

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo also waxed lyrical over his ‘huge’ performance against the Sky Blues, with the Portuguese head coach now stopping plans to offload him this summer.

The Latest: Spurs pull plug on Tanganga move away…

As per a Lilywhites source, speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham have now ‘pulled the plug’ on plans to let Tanganga leave on loan – coming after he was ‘set’ for a move away from N17.

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After his display against City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, manager Nuno ‘changed his mind’ on letting the Englishman leave north London for a temporary spell away from the club.

Indeed, the homegrown man is ‘now set to remain’ and be a key member of the squad after his man-of-the-match display in Tottenham’s first league game of the season.

The Verdict: Correct call…

We believe allowing Tanganga to stay and fill the right-back void could be a brilliant call by Nuno and one which may be popular among Spurs supporters.

The starlet showcased exactly what he can bring to this new look Spurs side at the weekend and his presence could mean that the club may not have to significantly invest in a new right-back signing after all.

Fabio Paratici has been touted to bag one this summer after being linked to a host of full-backs on that side but time will tell whether he now follows through, with any money saved from not doing so potentially put to better use at centre-back.

In other news: ‘Yessss’, ‘Omg’, ‘I beg’…Many Tottenham fans erupt as ‘perfect’ news emerges, find out more here.

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has hit back at criticism towards Patrick Bamford following his England debut.

The Lowdown: O’Hara on talkSPORT

The 28-year-old, who famously replied to a talkSPORT post last year after they questioned him leading the line for Leeds in the Premier League, made his England debut on Sunday.

He started in the Three Lions’ 4-0 win over Andorra at Wembley but made way for Harry Kane just after the hour mark.

Speaking live on talkSPORT on Monday, Jamie O’Hara said that Bamford ‘shouldn’t’ be in the England squad and hit out at Gareth Southgate for ‘handing caps out like confetti’ in reference to the Leeds marksman.

The Latest: Kenny’s comments

Speaking to Football Insider about the negative comments on Bamford, Kenny was quick to defend the Leeds striker, saying:

“Some of the criticism is ridiculous, 100 per cent.

“Give the lad a chance, for God’s sake. It’s his first cap and it’s a big occasion. He’s never been in that position before, it’s brand new to him.

“England weren’t that good in the first half anyway. And every time I’ve seen him play, I’ve always thought ‘Wow’.

“You just have to give him a better crack of the whip, give him time. Everyone is too quick to jump on people’s backs these days.”

The Verdict: Kenny is spot on

Kane was the only English striker to score more Premier League goals than Bamford last season, with the Leeds marksman netting more than Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

On that basis, an England debut was the least the 28-year-old deserved. Yes, he was the worst-rated starter at Wembley as per WhoScored, but it was always going to be tricky for the forward to make an impact against a team playing a low block with three central defenders in a much-changed England side.

His first appearance as an England player shouldn’t be his last, and as Kenny rightly says, time will be required when it comes to his international career.

In other news: Ian Doyle thinks another Liverpool regular may now miss Leeds game alongside three Brazil stars. 

On-loan Aston Villa starlet Brad Young told Carlisle United assistant manager Gavin Skelton that he was disappointed not to score more goals after netting in the EFL Trophy.

The Lowdown: Academy goal machine

The 18-year-old has made 43 appearances for the Villa under-18s and 11 for the under-23s, scoring 28 goals in the process, before being loaned out to League Two side Carlisle over the summer.

So far this season, the forward has appeared off the bench in five league outings and started in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to league leaders Forest Green Rovers. He also started both of the EFL Trophy games against Hartlepool and Everton under-23s, scoring a brace against the latter last week.

With an eye-catching goalscoring record for the Villa academy at Bodymoor Heath, it will be no surprise when he starts contributing regularly to goals for Chris Beech’s side.

The Latest: Young wanted more goals

As per the News & Star, Young told Skelton that he should have scored more goals despite netting twice in 68 minutes.

The Carlisle assistant boss revealed: “That’s the first thing [he] said after the game – he was delighted, but should have scored more.

“He mentioned the header and the rebound in the first half. It shows the type of lad he is and how hungry he is to score.

“He’ll be pleased to get his first goals for the club under his belt – it was a good night’s work for him, and he’s greedy for more.

“As a forward you’re critical of yourself and you want those chances to go in, but he’s here to score goals and he’s done that for us.”

The Verdict: On the right path

As mentioned above, Young’s terrific scoring record for Villa’s youth squads puts him in good stead to impress. If he can manage to find the net in the Football League regularly, that should help him to possibly follow in the footsteps of fellow Bodymoor Heath starlets Carney Chukwuemeka and Jacob Ramsey.

As Skelton has said, the 18-year-old’s dissatisfaction with his goal return despite netting twice in midweek hints at a thoroughly professional and hungry mindset. Young certainly appears to be on the right path to making it at Villa with that sort of attitude.

In other news, a permanent move involving Aston Villa could be on the cards. Find out more here.

Rafa Benitez has plenty of work to undertake if Everton want to be considered a threat for the top six this season.

At the moment, it looks like they will fall into another campaign of mediocrity with a flutter of bargain signings in the window.

On the chalkboard

Unfortunately for the Toffees, their spending in the window doesn’t look set to get much greater.

They’ve been linked with a £3m move for Royal Antwerp full-back Aurelio Buta while another player on their radar is Sean Longstaff.

That’s according to The Athletic who claim that Newcastle’s potential signing of Joe Willock could lead to his departure from St James’ Park.

The report suggests that his future is now in question with Everton monitoring the £13.5m-rated gem’s situation.

Longstaff has come through the ranks at Newcastle and is a defensive midfielder by trade. That being said, he is yet to live up to the immense potential expected of him when Benitez was in the north-east.

Speaking about the 23-year-old in January 2019, the Spaniard said: “(Sean Longstaff) has the potential. He went on loan, came back and did well. We had a lot of teams asking about him for this January transfer window. (Longstaff) is a good player, a good professional, and he is working really hard.”

Although his tally of zero goals from last season dictates he wouldn’t offer much in the final third, he could be an upgrade on Tom Davies.

A fellow academy graduate, Davies is also yet to live up to his true potential and has been linked with the exit door as a consequence.

Longstaff, therefore, could act as a direct replacement for the Merseyside outfit.

In completing 1.4 tackles per match in the Premier League season, he usurped the Everton midfielder’s tally of 1.2. The Newcastle gem was down on Davies’ interceptions but had a slightly better pass success rate.

Furthermore, he had a greater impact in the offensive phases of play, registering more key passes and more shots per match.

Longstaff is by no means outstanding but like new signings Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray, he’d be a useful squad option for the manager.

If Davies does indeed leave then Benitez must move to secure his signature.

AND in other news, Benitez closes in on Everton’s 4th summer signing, fans must be angry…

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing over an official social media post from club ahead of their game at Crystal Palace later today.

As per the  Toffees’ official Twitter channel, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now back on the pitch doing individual training as he continues to recover from his injury setback, which has kept him out of action since August.

The match at Selhurst Park this evening may come too soon for him, but it is such a boost to see the striker back in training, meaning that he should be ready to return soon.

Calvert-Lewin scored three goals in his first three appearances of the season prior to his injury (Transfermarkt) and was their top scorer in 2020/21 with 21 goals, showing just how crucial he is to the team, so his return will very much be welcomed by Rafael Benitez and Everton supporters.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin’s return to training

These Toffees fans buzzed as the images of the 24-year-old in training were shared on Twitter:

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @___MC88

“He’s back.”

Credit: @_adamefc_

“SIUUU”

Credit: @efcdoyley

“WWWWWWWW”

Credit: @pwefc1

“Great to see”

Credit: @StacyMu78345188

“Yeah!”

Credit: @JoAschoolHR

In other news, find out what latest Lucas Digne news has had these Evertonians talking

According to a report by The Times, a major midweek update has come to light on Tottenham Hotspur’s plans for loanee winger Dejan Kulusevski.

The Lowdown: ‘Decky’ shining at Spurs…

The Sweden international, who is nicknamed ‘Decky’, is currently enjoying life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on loan from Juventus, with Spurs manager Antonio Conte raving over his starlet to the press.

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Kulusevski joined the club in January alongside midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, with both players impressing as part of Conte’s new-look Spurs contingent.

The 21-year-old has racked up two goals and five assists over his 10 Premier League outings so far as he forms an effective understanding with Son Heung-min and Harry Kane as part of Tottenham’s front three.

As per The Times, his form has now prompted Spurs to make a major transfer call.

The Latest: The Times share big Kulusevski update…

According to their information, the Lilywhites are now ‘ready to move early’ to ‘snap up’ the player in an eight-figure £25 million permanent deal.

Indeed, Tottenham and their transfer chief Fabio Paratici apparently plan to trigger Kulusevski’s £25m clause this summer rather than waiting until his loan expires, when the option could cost around £33.5m.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Going by his performances so far, £25m could be a real bargain for Kulusevski’s signature permanently, with Serie A expert Nima Tavallaey Roodsari telling 101 Great Goals that the Swede would be a hit under Conte.

The Italian football journalist tipped the 21-year-old to become an ‘absolute monster’ working with Tottenham’s head coach, drawing emphasis Kulusevski being a ‘non-stop machine’ who ‘never steps running’ (101 Great Goals).

Going by the player’s WhoScored returns, Nima has been proven correct, with the winger already averaging a higher match rating than anyone in the Spurs squad bar Kane and Son.

Taking this into account, it’s crystal clear to see why Spurs are now ready to make his move a permanent one.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder, find out more here.

In terms of squad depth, Liverpool have a comfortable number of players across all positions on the pitch, particularly in the midfield area.

One midfielder that has not seen as much action as some of the other midfield players in Jurgen Klopp’s squad is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has only started five of the 12 games he’s appeared in across all competitions.

With this in mind, it didn’t come as much of a surprise when it was reported earlier in the year that the Englishman could look for a move away from the Merseyside club to get his career back on track and get some regular minutes elsewhere.

Taking this into account, if Oxlade-Chamberlain does end up leaving, the club could already have their ideal long-term replacement for him in their youth ranks with 18-year-old midfielder James Balagizi.

After joining the Reds from fellow Premier League club Manchester City as an U11 player, Balagizi has gone on to make 35 appearances for Liverpool’s U18 side in which he has managed to score eight goals and provide 13 assists along the way, highlighting that he has some attacking prowess in him, in a similar way Oxlade-Chamberlain has shown during his time at Anfield, having 14 goals and 13 assists under his belt.

Balagizi, who has been previously likened to former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure in terms of his style of play, has also made six appearances for Liverpool’s U23 side, showing that they believe he is capable of mixing in along with some of the older players in their youth ranks.

So far this season, in the 12 appearances he’s made across all competitions, Balagizi has played in numerous positions on the pitch in midfield and up front, showing his versatility, also in a similar fashion to Oxlade-Chamberlain when he’s been given the chance to play.

With all of this in mind, it seems as though Balagizi has the potential to continue with the U23s and eventually break into the first team at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp in the same way fellow Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has done, especially if Oxlade-Chamberlain ends up leaving in the summer to try and get more minutes on the pitch elsewhere.

In other news: FSG could secure LFC’s next Van Dijk with swoop for “incredible” £13.5m-rated machine – opinion

Celtic signing Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal this summer would be a ‘big, big boost’ according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Dream loan spell

The American traded Tottenham for the Hoops last year, arriving at Parkhead on a season-long loan in order to enjoy regular starts away from north London.

Carter-Vickers has enjoyed a fantastic spell at Celtic to date, becoming an influential figure at the heart of the defence and winning four Man of the Match awards from WhoScored.

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He has also scored four times for good measure, including the crucial winner in the 2-1 victory away to Rangers earlier this month.

The Latest: Permanent move imminent?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke talked up the idea of Celtic signing Carter-Vickers on a long-term basis in the summer transfer window. The journalist said:

“It would be a big, big boost for Celtic if they were to get this deal over the line. I think he has been instrumental in their success this season and has helped to shore up their defence.

“Celtic have got the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership this season as well, so Carter-Vickers has played his part in that.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Celtic

There is very little, if anything, which doesn’t make sense regarding the Hoops signing Carter-Vickers permanently, given the impact he has made at the club.

Spurs are reportedly willing to sell him, not seeing him as a key figure, and £6m would be enough for Celtic to snap him up, which arguably feels like a bargain given his performances in green and white.

The 24-year-old has the potential to be a vital player at Parkhead for many years, with his average of 4.2 aerial duel wins and 1.2 interceptions per game highlighting his defensive expertise.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou has admitted ‘concern’ over one player. Find out who it is here.