All posts by z3u9t.icu

Noel Whelan has given his reaction to what he calls a ‘huge development’ in the Newcastle United takeover saga.

The Lowdown: Premier League under pressure

Speaking in a recent interview with Sky Sports, Amanda Staveley, who is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium looking to buy the Magpies, has insisted that she would not be deterred in her bid, and also called for the UK Government to intervene.

This comes after the St. James’ Park faithful released a statement calling for transparency in their upcoming arbitration case against the top flight, wanting them to agree to make the process public.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, a pundit and former Leeds United and Coventry City striker, has claimed that both Staveley and Mike Ashley are trying to put pressure on the division, and suggested that they should have nothing to hide:

“Oh absolutely, no doubt about it.

“They are forcing the Premier League’s hand, as you would say in cards.

“Ashley and Staveley know exactly what they are doing. Everyone wants the Premier League to stand up and be honest.

“Again, like cards, they have been told, ‘fold’ or ‘show your hand’.

“Ashley and whoever are all saying ‘show us what you’ve got’ to the Premier League. It’s a huge development.”

The Verdict: Premier League must cooperate

The Premier League must cooperate if a decision on whether the takeover can go through can be made as soon as possible.

If they were confident of winning the forthcoming arbitration case, then they should be calling to make the process public as well, as they should have nothing to hide with regards to their handling of the deal.

Whatever result comes out of the hearing, the North East club will be relying on them for cooperation, whether that would be how the process can be sped up or whether there is a chance of restarting the bid again if all else fails.

Nonetheless, both Staveley and Ashley seem to be losing some patience now, and just want things to be moving quicker.

In other news, find out what important update Lee Ryder has shared on the CAT case here!

Some Liverpool supporters have been mocking Timo Werner’s claims that he’s happy he didn’t join the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp has been largely successful in the transfer market during his time at Anfield, making a host of sensational signings including Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane, to name just a few.

Liverpool were heavily linked with Werner last summer, with the German seen as someone who could excel in this Reds team. Instead, the 25-year-old opted to join Chelsea, but despite winning the Champions League, he has struggled for form at Stamford Bridge.

Werner scored just six goals in 35 Premier League appearances in his first season in England, with his finishing leaving a lot to be desired at times.

Speaking to Bild [via football.london], the striker said he had no regrets about turning down Liverpool, claiming that “it was the right step and the best decision” to move to Chelsea.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-4/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans mock Werner remarks

These Reds fans on Twitter mockingly replied to his comments, saying they are pleased he didn’t head to Anfield considering his ineffective first season in England.

“We have no regrets either”

Credit: @LFCPierre

“Glad we can agree Timo”

Credit: @LFC_Jonesy

“The feeling’s mutual bud”

Credit: @DPortss

“I have regrets…. as I was sad and gutted when he went to Chelsea but now I regret that haha”

Credit: @MikeGibbons84

“Lool same my friend…same”

Credit: @foodzneversober

“Neither do we”

Credit: @ZohaibSalman

In other news, some Liverpool fans are hugely excited about a potential swap deal happening this summer. Read more here.

Peter Lovenkrands has praised Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, as well as coach Michael Beale, after he was unveiled as the new boss of Fremad Amager.

The Lowdown: Lovenkrands picks up new role

Lovenkrands, who was a cult hero at Ibrox as a player, left his role as a Gers Academy coach last year as he looked to get into management (The Times).

He has now picked up his first managerial role, taking over at Danish second-tier outfit Fremad Amager (The Scottish Sun).

The Latest: Lovenkrands praises Gers duo

Upon his appointment, Lovenkrands had nothing but praise for Gerrard and Beale. He said (via Daily Record):

“From my time at Glasgow Rangers, I gained a lot of experience from Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale, who gave me some important tools in everyday life.

“The leadership role of the B team gave me an opportunity to work on my development and the development of the players who had to fight for a place on a really strong first team under the leadership of Gerrard.”

The Verdict: Says a lot about Gerrard

Lovenkrands is now embarking on a new chapter in his career, and it was a big day for him to secure his first senior role. As such, it just goes to show the impact Gerrard has had at Ibrox that the former Denmark international chose such an occasion to praise the current Gers boss.

Gerrard’s reputation continues to be enhanced. Of course, the results speak for themselves – the Gers won the Premiership title this past term without losing a single game in the league (thefishy.co.uk) – but praise such as this says a lot about the influence he has behind the scenes as well.

In other news, Kieran Maguire provides this huge Rangers finance update.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore must clinch a bargain deal for St Johnstone left-back Scott Tanser this summer and forget about Adam Reach.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Wednesday are one of the clubs interested in signing the 26-year-old this summer. The full-back is set to become a free agent at the end of the month as his contract with the Scottish Premiership side is due to expire.

Doncaster and Shrewsbury are also said to be keen on him, whilst St Johnstone are still holding out hope that the defender will commit to staying at the club by signing a contract extension. However, the report does not state whether Tanser is considering a new deal with the Saints, and he appears set to leave the club on July 1st.

Earlier this year, St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson called Tanser “tremendous” and praised his attitude after a game. He told FourFourTwo: “Scott Tanser, who I thought was tremendous, again could be disappointed (to be left out at Hampden) but what an attitude he showed.”

Forget Reach

Reach is out of contract at the end of the month and looks poised to depart from Hillsborough on a free transfer after playing in 44 of Sheffield Wednesday’s 46 Championship matches.

Tanser could prove to be an upgrade on the versatile defender and prove a bargain addition to Moore’s Sheffield Wednesday squad ahead of the 2021/22 League One campaign.

The manager primarily deployed a system featuring three central defenders and two wing-backs, with Reach operating as the left wing-back in his Championship side. In 10 starts as a left wing-back, he averaged a respectable WhoScored rating of 6.78, failing to score a goal or provide an assist in those matches.

Tanser started 17 games in the same wing-back role for St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership this season, averaging an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.08 and scoring twice.

This suggests that he could be a discernible upgrade on Reach. The £360,000-rated St Johnstone full-back is also two years younger than the Owls defender, which could mean that he has the potential to get even better and surpass the departing Sheffield Wednesday man by a greater margin.

Moore could have the chance to coach him into becoming an even better defender and make him a crucial part of his squad as they attempt to secure promotion back to the Championship, whilst signing him for nothing. Therefore, the Wednesday boss could improve his starting XI without spending a single penny on transfer fees, which is all the more significant given reports of cost-cutting measures at the club.

AND in other news, Moore must ruthlessly axe £22k-p/w SWFC beast, Chansiri will be relieved

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on Chris Wood.

According to a report this week by Football Insider, which has since been shared by The Toffee Blues on Twitter, the Goodison Park club have joined West Ham and Aston Villa in the race to sign the Burnley striker.

The Clarets will demand a fee of at least £30m for him, which could potentially rise to as much as £40m if there is a bidding war.

Despite scoring an impressive tally of 17th, a lot of Everton supporters do not seem to fancy the New Zealand international.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-updates-3/” title=”Everton updates! (3)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Perhaps too similar to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in terms of physical stature and playing style, Wood is also 29 years of age, so paying up to £40m for him would not really make sense as his resale value is likely to only decrease and his best years may well be behind him.

Everton fans slam Chris Wood transfer update

These Toffees fans fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘ridiculous’:

“Wouldn’t / shouldn’t pay half of that for him. Not what we need #EFC”

Credit: @chriswatson187

“It’s terrible, but it’s Everton”

Credit: @MatthewCharle3

“We are banter FC”

Credit: @FerganDuncason

“That’s the worst one yet.”

Credit: @wescart_

“I’m giving up football if we pay £30m for him”

Credit: @Ian_efc81

“Ridiculous”

Credit: @efac1878

In other news, find out what manager update has left these Everton fans fuming.

The current owner of Sheffield Wednesday, Dejphon Chansiri, is not planning to sell the club any time soon.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a report by The Sun (via Football League World), who claim that despite the fact the Owls suffering relegation to the third tier of English football this season – something that could quite easily be pinned on Chansiri’s actions – the businessman has no intention of selling the club this summer.

It is also reported that one interested party enquired about the purchase of the club and were quoted a figure of a rather excessive £160 million to even begin discussions over any potential deal.

Bad news for fans

While the blame for the club’s relegation does also partially lie with the Wednesday players, as the Owls won just 50% of the fixtures in which they had taken the lead this term, Chansiri’s actions throughout the course of the campaign, as well as in the years leading up to this season, have undoubtedly played a major role in the club’s demise.

The club started the season with a 12 point deduction due to the owner’s breaching of spending rules, and, although this penalty was reduced to six points upon appeal, ultimately, if Chansiri had not been so careless with the finances of the club which led to the deduction of points, the Owls could have avoided the drop.

Furthermore, the businessman’s decision to sack Garry Monk and replace him with Tony Pulis, only to then sack the latter after just 10 fixtures in charge, will not have benefited the squad whatsoever, as the chopping and changing of management, with each coaches’ implementation of style naturally taking a while to be put into action by the players, will have had a negative impact on the level of performance of the team.

As such, the news that Chansiri, who has issued a statement personally accepting responsibility for the relegation, has no intention of selling up is likely to come as infuriating news for fans of the club, who must be sick to the back teeth of the owner’s reckless actions.

In other news: 67% passes completed: Sheff Wed passenger who lost possession 22x cost Moore dearly – opinion

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Danny Ings would jump at the chance to sign for Tottenham should Harry Kane leave.

Kane’s future at the club is in serious doubt following reports from Sky Sports suggesting that he wants out this summer with Spurs on the cusp of failing to qualify for the Champions League or winning silverware.

Those same reports also believe that Tottenham are already lining up potential replacements for the England captain if he does get his wish to leave.

There aren’t many strikers that can replace Kane’s goalscoring record, but Windass thinks that his Three Lions colleague Ings, whose own future at Southampton is up in the air, would be keen on a move to north London.

Ings hasn’t been his prolific self this season, scoring just 12 times, but has 46 goals in 98 matches for the Saints since making the January switch from Liverpool more than two years ago.

“If Kane doesn’t stay, Danny Ings would jump at the chance,” Windass told Football FanCast.

“It’s a great stadium, massive club, great fan base. These players want to play first-team football and if Harry Kane goes, they will bring someone in. And as a 20-goal striker like Danny Ings is, he will want to play week in, week out.”

Leeds have been handed a major boost in their chase for PSV Eindhoven starlet Noni Madueke.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already put out feelers for the England under021 international over a potential summer move.

The Daily Mail have now claimed that the winger is valued at around £15m, although the Whites are likely to face competition from the likes of Leicester and AC Milan.

Bielsa’s new Raphinha

When this Premier League campaign is fully said and done, there’s no questioning that Raphinha will be right up there with the signings of the season. The Brazilian has been an absolute revelation at Elland Road, managing six goals and six assists in the top flight and bringing that famed Samba flair to these shores.

In Madueke, Leeds could find someone who is incredibly similar with his explosiveness, skills and a wand of a left foot.

Former England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd hailed his ability, saying: “He’s a powerhouse of a player, technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link.

“He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”

Meanwhile, former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte raved about about the England teenager to Dutch radio station Omroep Brabant last year, declaring (via Goal): “He’s fast and has the capability to trick his opponent. He brings creativity and is very explosive in his actions. That’s what PSV needs.”

Given his reported cost of £15m – virtually nothing in the modern market and especially when you consider the usual premium for buying English players – and with the competition beginning to intensify, it’s imperative that Andrea Radrizzani acts now to get his man.

Meanwhile, Leeds must offload this “complete liability”…

As Manchester City followed up a stunning Champions League semi-final second leg win against Paris-Saint Germain with defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, putting the Premier League title champagne back on ice, many Sky Blues fans weren’t impressed with Benjamin Mendy’s performance.

Pep Guardiola’s side were looking to mathematically confirm their fifth league crown in total and third under manager Pep Guardiola with a win against the west Londoners, but a number of first team changes combined with Chelsea’s solid performance made it a day to forget.

City rested plenty of big names for the clash, with the likes of Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva all coming out of the first XI from the win over PSG. Kevin De Bruyne was also missing due to not being fully fit, while John Stones couldn’t take part with his domestic suspension (mancity.com), and it’s arguable that the Sky Blues missed them.

City did manage to take the lead, with Raheem Sterling poaching in an effort after a heavy first touch on goal from Sergio Aguero, but the Argentine’s attempted ‘Panenka’ penalty soon afterwards wasn’t able to thwart Edouard Mendy.

As a result, Chelsea came back in the second half with goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso giving them three points at the Etihad Stadium.

One particular problem area for the Sky Blues was their left flank, as both Mendy and Nathan Ake were troubled time and time again. Christian Pulisic and Reece James often bombed forward to good effect, leaving the pair exposed in a tough afternoon, although Ake arguably held his ground more effectively given his 7.0 match rating by SofaScore.

Mendy, on the other hand, lost the vast majority of his ground duels (6/8) and was dribbled past twice on that side (SofaScore), and a number of City supporters duly took aim at his “shocking” performance. One fan even dubbed the 26-year-old a “liability”.

Check out a flavour of the social media verdicts on the Frenchman below.

Man City fans slam Mendy

“Mendy needs to go in my opinion. Shouldn’t be near the team!”

Credit: @PaddyDavidson1

“Pep set up this lineup just to play Mendy and he was complete liability. Sterling is a talented player in poor form. Mendy is way beyond poor form, good form is a rarity for him.”

Credit: @ManchesterMike_

“Mendy and Ake must go this summer! Poor”

Credit: @THEK1NGPIN

“Mendy was shocking and isn’t City quality, dunno why you have an issue with that”

Credit: @MCFCAJ10

“Mendy definitely needs to be moved on. He was shocking today”

Credit: @1cornishblue

“Also before I sleep Mendy was a liability today, exposing Ake so many times”

Credit: @MCFC_Rez

“So why play him. He’s been consistently poor and getting worse. So out of his depth”

Credit: @Mike_Y_653

In other news: Man City fans were, however, excited by this new deal claim…find out more here.

Former Romania manager Christoph Daum has questioned why Steven Gerrard does not select Glasgow Rangers player Ianis Hagi on a more regular basis.

Daum questions Gerrard’s Hagi use

Hagi has made 38 appearances in all competitions for the Gers so far this campaign, but only 29 of those have been starts (Transfermarkt).

Speaking to Romanian outlet Playsport, Daum has questioned why the £5.4m-valued 22-year-old does not feature in the Gers’ starting XI more often. He said:

“He is a very talented player.

“Sometimes I watch Glasgow Rangers matches and he is not in the starting XI and I don’t understand why.

“Glasgow are not Manchester City…

“I don’t understand how he can train and how he can develop his performances, given that he is not always in the first XI.

“Of course, we accept Gerrard’s choices, but we all know that Ianis is an excellent and very talented player.”

Improvement

Hagi has had a good season overall, scoring seven times and providing 12 assists in all competitions. However, at times he has been inconsistent – he went nearly four months without a league goal earlier in the campaign – which is why Gerrard has sometimes selected other players ahead of him.

At the end of the day, he is just 22 years of age and has plenty of time ahead of him to improve. Transfer interest from Lazio (Gazzetta Dello Sport) indicated that he is a very talented player, as Daum has said.

While the Gers may not quite be on Manchester City’s level, they have lost just two games in all competitions this season (Sky Sports) and romped to the Premiership title, so every player has to battle for their place in the team. In the long-term, though, Hagi clearly has a big role to play at Ibrox.

In other news, Rangers could make a move for this defender as a replacement for Filip Helander.