All posts by n8rngtd.top

When Everton brought Alex Iwobi to Merseyside on transfer deadline day in August 2019, it was a peculiar move.

Arsenal were losing a talent who had yet to really realise his potential for a mighty fee rising to £34m.

Unfortunately for Everton, it’s the Gunners who have undoubtedly got the better end of the deal here.

Iwobi has never been a potent finisher or creator and the Toffees have found that out the hard way since he penned terms at Goodison Park.

Nearly two years have passed since the Nigerian was signed but he’s scored just four goals in 62 outings. That means the winger has cost a whopping £8.5m per goal.

Iwobi has been a disastrous waste of money for Marcel Brands, providing only four assists after arriving two years ago.

The attacker has shown glimpses of how dangerous he can be this season but it says a lot that a few of his best performances have come as a wing-back, further away from the goal.

One of his best assets is his dribbling ability. For instance, this season Iwobi has completed 1.6 dribbles per game, beating defenders with pace and trickery on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, Everton are looking to conclude a deal for a very similar player.

TEAMtalk linked Carlo Ancelotti’s men with a move for Young Boys winger Moumi Ngamaleu this week.

They are reportedly battling Leeds, Brighton, Leicester and Rangers for the 26-year-old’s services.

He has been an important player for the Swiss side in recent years but like Iwobi, has struggled for consistency and to realise his potential.

Ngamaleu has 32 goals in 166 outings for Young Boys, something that demonstrates his inconsistent nature in front of goal.

He has scored just three times this term, two of which have come across 26 league outings. That’s a shoddy tally for a player with such exciting qualities.

His manager, Gerardo Seoane, said at the start of this season: “Looking at his speed and technical aspects of the game plus offensive skills one can only see a bright future.”

Seoane added: “He brings joy to the team, he is a very humble person, always available for work, he is a player I like working with. He has a big future. He has everything to be successful here and in most other championship. As a person he is so humble.”

The Cameroon international may have pace and trickery like Iwobi, but on a similar level, he struggles to score goals frequently.

On that evidence, he wouldn’t be a worthwhile investment this summer. Brands needs to focus Everton’s attention elsewhere.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Everton must sign “phenomenal” £250k-p/w ace with “magical powers”…

Making an announcement on Twitter, West Ham United confirm that the club have won their appeal against Fabian Balbuena’s red card during the 1-0 loss to Chelsea with the decision now overturned and the Paraguayan eligible for their trip to Burnley on Monday.

The Irons ace was controversially sent off following a collision with Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell as Balbuena went to clear a ball inside his own half.

The 29-year-old managed to catch Chilwell on the follow through in the back of his leg upon completing the clearance and was subsequently dismissed.

However, in a turn of ‘great news’ as one fan puts it, West Ham have confirmed that the ban has been overturned and Balbuena will be available again for the trip to Turf Moor.

While plenty of supporters are happy to see him back as an option for David Moyes amid plenty of injuries, there are also some who have blasted the decision in the first place whilst calling for more action to be taken.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to club announcement

“That’s great news. Don’t be mad with the refs everyone, it’s not the people at fault, it’s the system. VAR is dysfunctional.”

Credit: @RalphMHarrison

“It’s crazy that this had to be done twice in the same season. The state of officiating and VAR is a disaster in the Premier League :/”

Credit: @EvanTheGregor

“Justice!”

Credit: @BGorbell

“looool they’ve just admitted they’re wrong AGAIN”

Credit: @WhuEthan

“FANTASTIC!!”

Credit: @tonkiragu

“This is getting ridiculous. Twice we’ve had red cards overturned due to incompetent officials….they need to been held accountable”

Credit: @YouLoveCess

“Marvellous. It was a bizarre decision.”

Credit: @salfordrev

“So what’s happening to Kavanagh then? Ban for a poor decision? Pushed down to the championship? There needs to be consequences.”

Credit: @westhamhour

In other news: West Ham fans also want this colossus signed, find out more here.

According to a report by The Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy could turn to former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick as a managerial option to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho.

There has been no shortage of candidates touted through the media since Mourinho was given his marching orders on Monday, with favourites appearing to be the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.

Tottenham could turn to Rangnick

However, outside names in the race appear to be in no short supply as Fulham boss Scott Parker and Brighton manager Graham Potter also got throw into the mix (The Daily Mail).

Now, yet another name has emerged, with The Athletic claiming Spurs and Levy could turn to Rangnick as an option ahead of next season.

This is because he has an ‘excellent’ track record of developing young players, an aspect of his managerial style which could match Spurs wonderfully.

Oliver Skipp and Dane Scarlett are showing real promise as the next generation of Spurs starlets, and a manager with Rangnick’s skill of nurturing talent is said to be attractive to Levy.

Transfer Tavern take

The 62-year-old has also attracted plenty of praise, with RB striker Yussuf Poulsen calling Rangnick a ‘perfectionist’ (ESPN).

His links to Spurs aren’t entirely new, either, as reliable journalist Miguel Delaney, of the Independent, revealed back in 2019 that he was interested in succeeding Mauricio Pochettino.

As another German candidate enters the fray alongside compatriot Nagelsmann, we feel the latter is still Tottenham’s best bet given he is one of the most exciting coaching talents in Europe.

Those within Tottenham reportedly see him as the perfect candidate (The Daily Mail), and we agree that certainly should be the case.

In other news: Spurs confirmed this ‘amazing’ news, find out more here.

Aston Villa should make a big-money swoop for Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin this summer amid Lee Hendrie’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Villa’s co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are ready to back Dean Smith in the transfer market with a major spending spree.

Hendrie has now thrown Saint-Maximin’s name into the hat, saying that he could provide the kind of spark and “flair” that Villa should “certainly be looking at”.

Speaking exclusively to FFC’s sister site, Football Transfer Tavern, he said:

“He is one that I would certainly take. He’s got that Premier League credibility. We’ve seen what he can do.

“He’s got that attack rate, he’s got flair, you know, all sorts. He could be a key addition to a Villa side that I feel… that’s where they’ve really lacked, in wide areas. Touched on Trezeguet before, I think he’d certainly come into the side, he reminds me in certain elements of (Bertrand) Traore, but he’s possibly got that little bit more element of pace going forward and he’s very direct, so he’d be someone I’d certainly be looking at.”

Premier League proven

After arriving from French side Nice with a reputation for the flashy – Gucci headband, anyone? – Saint-Maximin has proven that his skills and trickery are up there with the best in the Premier League.

This year has been heavily disrupted by his long-running battle with the virus, but that still hasn’t stopped him from averaging an impressive 3.2 dribbles per game in the top flight, a statistic which ranks him second among all players in the division.

One man who has seen Saint-Maximin’s talents up close is teammate Callum Wilson, with the Magpies striker waxing lyrical about his ability and how far he can go in the game.

The 29-year-old said: “I think the world’s his oyster, really. He’s got all the potential in the world and his attitude matches that as well. He’s quite a quiet, humble guy – he wears some lively clothes at times, but he’s a good guy. He’s got all the talent in the world, he can beat a player – sometimes once you’ve beaten him, get some end product, like he has been doing.

“He makes the game look so easy; for my goal against Burnley, the way he’s done a little bit of trickery himself and then just put a ball in the box – great end product, unstoppable, unplayable.”

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While it’s uncertain how much it would take to prise away the £26m-rated Frenchman, Smith should certainly be urging the Aston Villa board to be making a move for Saint-Maximin this summer – even more so if Newcastle end up getting relegated.

His top-flight experience, and the fact that he’s been impressing at a team like the Magpies who have been struggling, offers an exciting glimpse at what he could do for a team in Villa which wins more often than loses.

Meanwhile, Villa could wreak havoc in the Premier League by signing this star…

Crystal Palace have potentially been handed a huge boost in their search for a new boss thanks to AS Roma.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Italian giants have opened talks with former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri concerning the prospect of him taking over at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer.

Of course, this would be great news for Steve Parish and the Eagles who have been linked with a move for current Roma manager Paulo Fonseca in the event that Roy Hodgson does not extend his current deal at the club.

The 73-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season so the club could certainly be on the lookout for a new boss come the summer.

Should Sarri actually be taking over at Roma, which would be his first managerial appointment since a solitary season in charge of Juventus, this would then make the process of luring Fonseca to Selhurst Park much easier.

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The former FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk man is also out of contract in the Italian capital come the end of the campaign so with the rumours regarding Sarri, it would suggest that the club have no aspirations in extending his deal, meaning that it would be a seamless process in appointing him at Selhurst Park.

It would also eliminate the need to pay any compensation to the Serie A outfit, an aspect that is sure to be appealing considering the impact that the pandemic has had on the financial situation at the club.

So, whilst the news surrounding a former Chelsea boss might not be all too exhilarating for the Eagles initially, it does actually give them a huge boost in their search for a new first-team manager as Hodgson’s contract continues to tick down.

AND in more news, take a look at why the appointment of Fonseca could be perfect for Palace… 

Nabil Bentaleb was once one of the more promising midfielders to breakthrough in the first-team at Tottenham Hotspur.

Then only 19, the young academy gem featured regularly under Tim Sherwood, playing 20 times in all competitions and was touted as a future international.

England, Algeria, and his country of birth, France were in an “arm-wrestle” to tie him down.

“I know Bentaleb, I know what he possesses. He trains like every day is the last day in the world and that’s a great trait to have for a young kid,” once lauded Sherwood.

Unfortunately for him, though, the former midfielder-turned-manager was soon replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, and soon, he found game time hard to come by.

As explained by football.london’s Alasdair Gold to ChronicleLive: “He was a very young player, he was inconsistent and I think that’s what he got it [criticism] more for.”

The 6 foot 2 livewire would go onto make a total of 66 appearances in four years for the north London outfit, largely from the bench, before Schalke 04 came calling.

Bentaleb initially joined the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for £17m, as per the Guardian.

That move was indeed made permanent a few months later in February, so he must’ve made a big enough impact for the seven-time league champions to sanction such a deal.

Although for Spurs, it was merely another sign of Daniel Levy’s magic touch in the transfer market.

His struggles have been well-documented since.

Last season saw a return to the Premier League, joining Danny Rose on loan at Newcastle United, where he failed to make much of an impact. One fansite compared his stint to that of Henri Saivet – aka. the bottom of the barrel for Magpies flops.

And now, Bentaleb is enduring a relegation battle in the Bundesliga. Well, he’s been watching from the stands as he cannot get a game for the German strugglers, having been restricted to only nine league appearances all term.

If you’re failing to get game time at 26 for a side desperate for a bit of quality, then what hope is there long-term? It didn’t work out at Spurs, it didn’t work out at Newcastle and it’s not working out at Schalke.

That only makes Levy’s decision in 2016 look even smarter. Indeed, Bentaleb’s value has plummeted rapidly. His worth now sits at just £1.8m as per Transfermarkt – a rather damning indictment of his quality these days.

With his contract due to expire this summer, it’s hard to imagine the “wasted” Algerian international getting another crack at the big time, given his performances over the past few years.

Despite all the potential, make no bones about it, Bentaleb has been a disaster both at Spurs, and ever since. The Lilywhites can count their lucky stars that they received such a hefty amount, what a move.

AND in other news, Forget Ings: Spurs should swoop for “model professional” who idolises Kane…

Queens Park Rangers centre-forward Lyndon Dykes is good enough to play at the highest levels of the game.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to QPR boss Mark Warburton, who recently told the Daily Mail (via Not The Old Firm) that the 25-year-old can play at a much higher level than he currently is with the Championship side.

And, if recent a report by TEAMtalk is to be believed, this could happen sooner rather than later, with all three of West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Burnley thought to be considering a move for the £1.8 million-rated forward in the summer transfer window.

Warburton said: “For me, there is no doubt about what Lyndon can achieve. He can go and play at a much higher level — at the highest level… he has shown the outstanding work ethic that will get him there.”

Awkward timing

After joining QPR from Livingston in what was a £1.98 million deal last summer, life got off to a relatively slow start for Dykes at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, as, despite scoring two goals in his first two league matches for the club, the striker scored a mere three goals over his next 30 Championship appearances.

However, the £8,000-per-week ace has burst back into life in recent weeks, scoring seven goals over his last eight league fixtures, in addition to registering three assists in the same period of time.

This form is what seems to have piqued a number of clubs’ interest in a potential move the 25-year-old, although fans of QPR will undoubtedly hope Dykes remains in west London over the summer in order to help the Rs mount a promotion push next season.

As such, Warburton’s remarks regarding the striker appear to have come at a rather awkward time, as, although they were obviously intended in a complimentary manner to the Scotland international, they also appear to reveal that the 58-year-old believes Dykes can play at a much higher level than he is currently – something which may come as slightly concerning news to the Hoops faithful, particularly amid the reports of interest from Premier League sides.

In other news: Get it done: Bhatia must seal QPR swoop for “brilliant” £630k-rated ace this summer – opinion

According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Tottenham are interested in a move for defender Matthias Ginter. The 25-year-old currently plays his football at Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach and has done so since leaving Borussia Dortmund back in 2017, with the centre back’s impressive efforts in the German top-flight seemingly attracting the interest of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.

And that’s because a recent report from Sky Sports suggests that Tottenham, as well as North London rivals Arsenal, are keen on a move for the £31.5 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt), and with Davinson Sanchez making a decent start to life at Spurs as well, Pochettino’s side could be set for a bright future were chairman Daniel Levy to equip the Argentine with Ginter.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the combination of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have served Tottenham extremely well over the years, with the Belgian duo striking up arguably the best centre back partnership in the Premier League during their respective stints in North London.

But with the former to turn 32 in April, and Alderweireld’s future uncertain after penning a new deal to thus bring a £25 million release clause into play, there could be some change in the centre back department at Spurs in the not-too-distant future – however, in 21-year-old Sanchez, they indeed have a man for the future.

And that’s because the Colombia international has seamlessly adapted to English football following his move from Dutch heavyweights Ajax back in the summer of 2017, with the defender since then appearing 65 times in all competitions for Pochettino’s side, 41 of which came last term in their run to third place in the Premier League.

Yes, injuries have thwarted his progress this time round, mustering just 14 Premier League appearances for the North Londoners, but it’s pretty clear from his first 18 months in English football that he is the man to lead Spurs in the post-Vertonghen and Alderweireld era – and in Germany international Ginter, Pochettino’s centre back ranks would almost certainly be set for the future.

The 25-year-old has proven his worth in the heart of the Monchengladbach backline pretty much ever since making the move from Dortmund back in 2017, what with the defender since then appearing 54 times in all competitions, 37 of which coming last term as they finished ninth in the Bundesliga.

And with 17 appearances already this season, 15 of which coming in the German top-flight, the German ace looks set to continue playing a key part in what success Monchengladbach have going forward – in fact, they have only lost four league games all season, and Ginter was injured for two of those losses.

Clearly then, the 25-year-old is a hugely adept defender who has delivered the goods at a high level at both Dortmund and now Monchengladbach – and with 23 caps for Germany, it’s pretty evident just how highly-rated he is in his homeland.

And at the tender age of 25, and with Sanchez only 21, the duo could strike up the next great Premier League centre back partnership, much like Vertonghen and Alderweireld have done throughout their time in North London.

In fact, Pochettino’s side would be set for the future were Levy to equip the Spurs manager with the Germany international.

Tottenham fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Eddie Howe isn’t even in the building yet but Celtic are already targeting players with the view to him being appointed.

A couple of players have been linked with joining Howe at the Bhoys, including Bournemouth defender Steve Cook.

On the chalkboard

The new manager’s first priority when he walks through the door will be to address the futures of a number of individuals at the club.

Kristoffer Ajer has attracted admirers from elsewhere on a repeated basis while Odsonne Edouard has long been tipped to leave. West Ham came calling for the Frenchman in January, while it’s thought that Liverpool are now also interested in his services.

Losing him would be a monumental blow to Celtic’s chances of reclaiming their dominance of Scottish football. Edouard is their top scorer with 20 goals this term, so trying to replace such a prolific forward won’t be easy.

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Celtic will need to ensure they have contingency plans in place because those behind the Frenchman in the pecking order aren’t particularly full of goals. Albian Ajeti has just six to his name since joining the Hoops last summer, while Patryk Klimala has three goals all season.

Who will his replacement be?

If Howe is given the Celtic job, the Bhoys could welcome Josh King to Paradise this summer. That’s according to The Sun, who suggested that the 43-year-old will look to make the Norwegian one of his first signings as Hoops manager.

King left Bournemouth for Everton in January on a six-month contract and thus could move on a free transfer when the summer window opens.

Capped 54 times by Norway, the forward has plenty of experience at the top level and has a history of scoring goals in one of the best leagues in world football. The 29-year-old is yet to find the net in Everton colours but has 48 Premier League goals to his name throughout his career.

This season hasn’t been great to King but clearly he is a clever striker with plenty of qualities, and you sense that he could thrive in Scottish football. Like Edouard, he has nice feet and is also powerful, using his robust frame to bustle past opponents.

You only need to heed the words from Vidar Riseth, one of his former teammates, for an indication of what he could bring to Glasgow.

“He has all the attributes any striker needs,” the ex-Hoops player began. “I have played with him and against him and I know all about his qualities. If there is a chance for Celtic to get him then they must take it because he would be an incredible signing for them.

“He’d be a great signing. I am talking about a top striker. He has so many qualities and he has done so well for the national team, too,” he concluded.

There may be an element of bias to Riseth’s words, but reuniting King with Howe could be a masterstroke. In terms of replacing Edouard, there would certainly be worse signings than the 29-year-old.

AND in other news, Big twist arises in Celtic manager search, Hoops fans should be buzzing…

According to a report by Fussball Transfers, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur have ‘knocked’ on the door for VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic in an enquiry – with the Lilywhites now officially joining the race for his signature. 

Kalajdzic, who stands at a towering 6 foot 6, appears to be on the radar of many clubs as his exploits in the Bundesliga attract attention.

Tottenham enquiry for Kalajdzic emerges

The 23-year-old has scored 15 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for Stuttgart so far and is apparently valued at £15 million – very reasonable when taking into account his form and age (Eurosport).

This has prompted Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy to launch an enquiry or ‘knock’ at the door – but the Lilywhites may face real competition as the Austrian is in ‘high demand’.

However, the Bundesliga side aren’t prepared to surrender him to interested parties that easily – with Fussball Transfers (via Sport Witness) relaying they will need ‘convincing’ to part ways this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his exploits over 2020/2021, alongside his plethora of plaudits from those in the media, Kalajdzic could be worth the effort.

He has been described as an ‘Ibrahimovic-machine’ as he continues to draw comparisons with some of world football’s most towering and deadly forwards.

Among those names, he has even been compared to Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland (The Daily Express) – and the mooted £15 million fee amid uncertain financial times comes as a real motivator and possible bargain.

In other news: Tottenham are still in the race for this 6 foot 2 ‘phenomenon’, find out more here.