[ad_pod ]

Arsenal’s season looked incredibly promising on 1st April, with many fans and pundits backing the North Londoners for a top four finish. Since then, the Gunners have crumbled, leaving their hopes of finishing fourth all but over providing there are no end-of-season miracles.

Unai Emery’s men took to the field on Sunday afternoon knowing a win would put them in a very strong position for Champions League qualification via the league, as Chelsea and Tottenham face tricky games on the final day of the season.

It wasn’t to be as Granit Xhaka brought down Solly March in the penalty area, before Glenn Murray converted the spot kick to deny Arsenal the three points.

Social media erupted as the patience of Arsenal fans broke, leaving many star players in the firing line of criticism from their supporters.

One star in particular, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, received some rather misplaced criticism. The striker has contributed 20 goals and five assists in the Premier League this season, though has also been erratic in front of goal at times.

Arsenal have been crying out for a world-class striker for years, and in Alexander Lacazette and Aubameyang – who allegedly takes home £200k per week – they’re now blessed with two.

Though not all fans are happy with the Gabonese striker’s contribution…

[ad_pod ]

Huddersfield Town fans on Twitter are buzzing after departing chairman Dean Hoyle revealed that the club would be taking up the option of making Isaac Mbenza’s loan deal permanent.

Terriers fans will have to wait until the transfer window officially opens for a club announcement, but they can rest easy in the knowledge that the Belgian winger will be returning to Yorkshire next season.

The timing of this news couldn’t have been any better as Mbenza netted the equaliser against Manchester United that earnt Huddersfield a point against the 20-time champions of England.

The 23-year-old hasn’t had the most fruitful of seasons for the club, scoring just once and providing just a single assist, but many fans are excited to see what he can bring in the Championship.

Mbenza had previously been on loan from French outfit Montpellier, but it has now been confirmed that he will be a permanent fixture at the John Smith’s stadium next year.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Here’s what Huddersfield fans have been saying on Twitter…

Seamus Coleman clearly isn’t the player he once was and if Andre Almeida signs then he might be forced to play second fiddle. 

Indeed, Everton are surely looking to add youth and quality to their squad and, as a result, perhaps Coleman won’t be part of Marco Silva’s plans for long. Yes, he’s been a wonderful servant for the club over the years but Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate are both hoping to get a chance too, so another signing might be the final straw.

The Sun have claimed the Toffees and Wolves are chasing Benfica right-back Andre Almeida. So, if Silva can convince the club to spend the £10m he’s believed to cost and he comes to Merseyside then he’ll be their first-choice without a doubt.

He’s played 33 games for his club in the league this season, racking up an impressive 12 assists and even adding two goals to his tally too. Despite not being a youngster at 28-years-old he can provide that extra quality in the final third that Everton have lacked.

That kind of attacking burst has been missing since the aforementioned Irishman suffered his horror-injury and would certainly be a welcome sight at Goodison Park, who will have become accustomed to it in years gone by.

They have Holgate to provide that youthfulness, so where does Coleman fit into these plans? Well, he wouldn’t do. Surely, there’d be very little opportunity for him to play if the deal goes through and he won’t accept that. It’ll be time for him to move on.

Almeida is rated at £6.3m on Transfermarkt and it’s remained at that level since 2016. If anything, that proves he’s a consistent performer and that’s another trait Everton need after their hit-and-miss season just gone.

Time to pack your backs, Coleman!

Everton fans, who do you want to see your club sign this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

The actor –  who is best known for his role as DS Steve Arnott in BBC crime drama ‘Line of Duty’ – is a huge Hoops fan and he took full advantage of the opportunity to join his heroes in the Celtic dressing room.

He also responded to Sinclair’s post.

The 35-year-old, who was born in Greenock, joined the Hoops stars as they revelled in their incredible achievements.

Celtic secured the treble treble thanks to a double from Odisonne Edouard after they had fallen behind at Hampden Park to a Ryan Edwards goal in the 53rd minute.

Neil Lennon was also offered the full-time job after the historic achievement – one which he naturally accepted – and attention will now turn to winning another treble.

Compston, as well as all the other Celtic fans, will be hoping their club’s dominance continues.

[ad_pod ]

Hull City are still waiting to hear back from Nigel Adkins regarding a new contract at the club. With his current deal expiring in just over a month, the Tigers still don’t know if the former Southampton boss will be in the dugout at the start of next season.

The 54-year-old has done a stellar job at the KCOM Stadium this season, guiding the Yorkshire club to a 13th-place finish after a rocky start.

Want him to stay

There’s no doubt that the higher-ups at Hull would want Adkins to stay on with the club next season.

He has been presented a new deal by his current employers, and there seems to be no reason for him to not take them up on their offer.

Management can be a tough place to find a new job at times, so it seems strange that Adkins almost seems willing to let his contract run down.

Reasons to leave

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Adkins has a number of reasons why he would want to get away from the club before next season.

Their talisman Jarrod Bowen seems to be on his way out with Premier League sides often linked with the dynamic winger.

The 22-year-old netted 22 goals for Adkins’ side this season, and if he leaves it may be inevitable that they take a backwards step next term.

The manager’s stock may be the highest it will possibly be as Hull boss, and if he gets out now, he may find himself in a much better job in the near future.

There are also murmurs of a takeover at Hull, bringing about uncertainty for the manager next season. Adkins was sacked as Reading boss after a takeover in 2015 so he may want to jump before he is pushed this time around.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Perhaps the boss has caught wind of the impending takeover and believes it will bring about an era of instability at the club. If that is the case it and Adkins doesn’t sign on the dotted line, then Hull fans should be worried.

Robert Bayly, from footballing prodigy to a life of crime in the space of ten years.

Football can be a ruthless sport at times, it really can. When we turn up on Saturdays to watch our favourite players strut their magic, we don’t give much thought to the many thousands of players who dreamt of the moment they would step out onto the turf of their respective stadiums to the sound of their name reverberating around the terraces, only for it to never happen for one reason or another. Indeed, we rarely consider the anonymous majority who never realised their dream, and the fact that every moment they spend after being dumped from the cruel grasp of the sport is as painful as last, as they recount the moment their ambitions slips through their fingers like water through cracks in the floor.

For Leeds prodigy Robert Bayly this harsh reality was all too relatable.

Leeds United were still mourning the loss of their Premier League status when they handed the budding midfield ace his first professional contract and a chance to shine. At the tender age of 18, the Republic of Ireland man carried the hopes and dreams of the battered Elland Road faithful, who more than anything wanted something to hang their hopes on for the future.

Unfortunately, their faith was misplaced, and the moment Bayly put on the famous white shirt, he was doomed. Following a forgettable substitute appearance against Southend United in the League Cup on October 24, 2006, the youngster landed himself in trouble during his league debut for attempting to headbutt a Derby player. Couldn’t even do that properly, says it all.

Bayly was released by Leeds in August 2008, and after an unsuccessful trial with Darlington, returned to his home nation a defeated man.

Burdened with broken dreams and unfilled potential, he first joined club Sporting Fingal in March 2009 before linking up with Shamrock Rovers a year later. He remained with the club long enough to collect their first ever goal in a European club competition, scoring against Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv. Who, you may ask? We have absolutely no idea. But hey, what an achievement. It sure beats what happened next, anyhow.

We say that because, following a string of ten transfers around the Irish domestic leagues, Bayly was jailed for two-and-a-half years in March 2018 for transporting almost €200,000 worth of cannabis across Ireland. Yes, that’s right – Bayly went from “child prodigy” to a wannabe Pablo Escobar in a matter of ten years.

The former Republic of Ireland youth international claimed that he had pursued a life of crime because of a gambling addiction that had been harrowing him since joining Leeds all those years ago, and while we have no reason not to believe that, we can’t help but wonder if their were greater forces at power to leave him in such a state.

Without going into too much detail, it’s about time clubs take responsibility for their former players and stop treating them like spent commodities.

Leeds United fans, what are your standout memories of Robert Bayly (if any)? Let us know in the comments below!

Celtic fans recently said goodbye to one of their more impressive young loanees soon in Timothy Weah. The young American striker has proved to be very good when he’s played and a lack of game time for the striker has been frustrating for the fans. However, if this report from Turkish-Football is true they could have a perfect replacement.

The Bhoys are reportedly interested in Wolfsburg’s young 19-year-old striker Charles-Jesaja-Herrmann and if they can get the young German, who has impressed at youth levels for his country as well as his club, then it will be as if they never lost Timo Weah in the first place. Goals have flown freely for the young Wolfsburg man, and with 19 combined goals and assists this season, he’d be perfect at Parkhead.

According to the article, it may be tough for the Bhoys to get this one wrapped up as Celtic will be set to do battle with both Newcastle and Everton for his signature, as well as interest from Turkey. The chances are that Wolfsburg will not be keen on letting their young sensation leave cheaply so Celtic could be the perfect destination, as they’d be able to offer a loan option for the striker knowing he’d play.

At the age of 19, it is so important that Jesaja-Herrmann is treated right wherever he goes and if that means going on loan to get a taste of the more robust brand of football on offer in Scotland then so be it. The Bhoys have got a talented squad, but the level of football north of the border can be brutish at times, and it would be a good lesson for the young striker.

His combination of 19 goals and assists this season is mightily impressive as he tears up the German youth league. Goals have flown freely and he’s also helped to chip in wish assists when needed, and it really is no surprise to see so many top clubs eyeing up a move for the young German hitman. It would come as no shock to see him put Weah’s goal return to shame and the Bhoys will be keen to see just that if he does find himself at Parkhead on-loan or permanently next season.

Do you want to sign Charles-Herrmann-Jesaja, Celtic fans? Comment below!

أكد ممدوح عيد الرئيس التنفيذي لنادي بيراميدز أن التعاقد مع المدافع أحمد سامي يعد إضافة قوية للفريق خلال الموسم الجديد.

وكان نادي بيراميدز أعلن اليوم الإثنين ضم أحمد سامي قادمًا من صفوف مصر المقاصة لدعم خط الدفاع طالع التفاصيل من هنا.

وقال عيد خلال المركز الإعلامي لنادي بيراميدز: “سامي إضافة قوية لخط دفاع بيراميدز، والنادي أنهى جميع الإجراءات الخاصة بضمه مع مسئولي المقاصة بالأمس، ووقع اللاعب عقدًا مدته 4 سنوات مقبلة”.

ويعد أحمد سامي خامس صفقات بيراميدز في الانتقالات الحالية بعدما أعلن عن ضم أحمد فتحي ورمضان صبحي وشريف إكرامي والفلسطيني محمود وادي.

أعلن اتحاد المصري لكرة القدم اليوم الاثنين عن انطلاق منافسات الدوري المصري لموسم 2020 – 2021، بداية من يوم 11 من شهر ديسمبر المقبل.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي فريق بيراميدز نظيره الاتحاد السكندري، في الجولة الأولى من منافسات الدوري المصري.

[ad_pod ]

A former teammate of Rangers target Sheyi Ojo has tipped him to perform a similar role to Ryan Kent in Steven Gerrard’s team, as reported by The Daily Record.

What’s the story?

Midfielder Don Cowie played with the Liverpool prospect when he was sent on loan to Wigan back in 2015, so knows a thing or two about the 21-year-old’s style of play and ability on the ball, which you’d think has only improved since those days.

The Daily Record reported last week that Ojo could now be on his way to Ibrox on loan after his most recent spell at French club Stade de Reims.

Watch the video below to find out which derbies the Pl>ymaker squad have picked as the most entertaining, fierce and passionate in the world…

Former Hearts man Cowie also has good knowledge of the Scottish game so can offer an insight into how the winger might do at Rangers if the club do indeed make a move for him.

As quoted by The Record, the former Scotland international said:

He’s a winger who is very direct and wants to be on the ball and get at full backs. He’s similar to Ryan Kent who we’d all agree took a bit of time to settle in but as the season went on he went from strength to strength.

I’m sure Sheyi would be the same because it’s different and you need to get used to that pressure of playing for one half of the Old Firm.

I would be intrigued to see how he handles Scottish football because you have to remember how young he was when I played with him – you can mature a lot mentally and physically in that period of time.

But purely going on the basis of what I seen and the ability he’s got then if he has improved since then he could be a very good player for Rangers.

A Kent replacement?

There’s no word on whether the Gers can convince Liverpool to let Kent move back to Glasgow next term, but in Ojo the club do have a competent potential replacement reportedly lined up.

With eight Premier League appearances, 50 in the Championship and 15 in Ligue 1 last season, the 21-year-old has excellent experience for his age that hints at him being more than capable of living up to the demands of Scottish football.

He’s also a winger who can play on both flanks, providing Gerrard with a versatility that Kent simply didn’t.

Considering other players like Jake Hastie and Jordan Jones are also coming into the club this summer, that could be a key benefit when trying to balance the right amount of first-team football for the wingers.

If Kent can’t come back then making a move for Ojo seems like a sound recruitment strategy and backed by references from former teammates like Don Cowie, it would seem the club are on to a winner.

[ad_pod ]

Spanish side Alaves are interested in signing Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic, according to The Scottish Sun.

What’s the story?

The Croatian centre-back has had his ups and downs at the Hoops over the year and this season has found himself both on the fringes of Brendan Rodgers’ first-team squad and a crucial part of Neil Lennon’s side.

The paper say that the La Liga outfit are keen on adding him to their squad this summer and could make a move with a £4m bid.

The interest comes with Celtic struggling for numbers at centre-back right now.

Dedryck Boyata has signed a contract with Hertha Berlin, while Filip Benkovic is due to head back to parent club Leicester City.

The seven-figure fee for Simunovic may prove tempting for the Hoops but they can’t think about selling him given the current situation.

Why so important?

The jury may be out on the defender’s long-term future at Celtic Park but the club simply don’t have enough time to sign the defensive bodies required to navigate this summer’s difficult European qualifiers.

If Simunovic left it would mean just Kristoffer Ajer and Marvin Compper remained at the club and the latter has shown no sign of being capable for selection.

A lack of forward planning has left the Hoops already behind when it comes to being well stocked in defence and selling Simunovic without replacements ready to step in would be a crazy move that shouldn’t even be considered.