All posts by h716a5.icu

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According to Radio Galega presenter Victor Lopez – since reported on Monday by Spanish media outlet Faro de Vigo – Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt is closing in on a move to Spanish side Celta Vigo, and Saints fans have been quick to react to the rumour on Twitter.

Hopes were high when the Netherlands international arrived at St Mary’s from Lazio in the summer of 2017 that he could be a partner for Virgil van Dijk in the short term and potentially replace his compatriot in the future.

However, the 24-year-old has struggled to make the transition to Premier League football and despite being a regular under Mauricio Pellegrino and Mark Hughes, he has been completely frozen out by current manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Hoedt has failed to make the previous eight matchday squads and he would leave having scored two own goals – against Manchester City and Liverpool – in 13 Premier League appearances this term.

It is reported by Faro de Vigo that the Dutchman will become a Vigo player once an agreement with the south coast outfit is finalised and could even be presented on Tuesday.

Southampton supporters have taken to social media to give their thoughts on the potential exit, with some even expressing their condolences for the Celta Vigo fans.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction to Hoedt’s potential departure…

Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…

According to The Mirror, Nottingham Forest are planning a swap deal with Stoke between Ben Osborn and James McClean. 

The deal would see McClean team up with former managers Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane, who he worked with for the Republic of Ireland.

As far as The Reds are concerned, this is a brilliant deal that could bring a huge amount of success. Not only would McClean be a favourite of both O’Neill and Keane, but he would bring a lot of attributes that Forest are perhaps lacking currently.

The Reds have two wonderful attackers on their books in Joe Lolley and Matt Cash at the moment, who have been two of the best performers at the City Ground so far this season. However, with Cash only being 21 years of age, the 29-year-old McClean could provide some experience to Forest’s attack, given the fact that he has played over 100 Premier League games. That is perhaps what the club need at the moment with their attackers, and this is perhaps what the 24-year-old Osborn does not provide in that area of the field.

In fact, although versatile, Osborn has struggled to win over a lot of Forest fans, but McClean could earn the fans’ respect, particularly if he links up well with Lewis Grabban. Furthermore, when tracking both players’ careers, McClean has clearly played a higher level than Osborn has, and while he is older, he is closer to the standard of player that the club are seeking in their pursuit of making it to the Premier League in the coming seasons.

Newcastle fans will be encouraged by their side’s performance despite losing to Tottenham at the weekend.

Spurs pinched a narrow 1-0 victory at Wembley after a Martin Dubravka error in the 83rd minute allowed Son Heung-Min to score the only goal of the game. Despite being unable to build on the win against Manchester City, there was plenty of reason to be optimistic after a decent display against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Benitez has his January signings to welcome into the starting eleven with Antonio Barreca making his debut from the bench. The £20m addition of Miguel Almiron will prove to be the difference maker for the Magpies. If the Paraguay international can display his magic, staying in the Premier League shouldn’t be a problem.

Turning his attention to the summer transfer window, Benitez should be keeping tabs on Huddersfield star – Philip Billing. Valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, the Dane joined the club in 2013 and progressed through the youth ranks to become an important member of the first-team. Huddersfield’s time in England’s top division looks to be coming to an end after registering just 11 points so far this season and Biling is likely to be snapped up.

The 22-year-old is a giant on the pitch and his presence in the engine room would give the Magpies some much-needed grit. Despite his size, Biling is also quality in possession and would thrive alongside Jonjo Shelvey. Still improving and developing, the Denmark international has massive potential and with his contract set to expire in 2020, he could be available for a great price.

Biling has already proven himself in the Premier League and could be the man to unlock Almiron in the Magpies attack.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

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Arsenal had a nightmare Thursday evening in Belarus, and fans are absolutely fuming at Granit Xhaka’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to BATE Borisov.

Unai Emery suffered yet another setback this week, as the Gunners were beaten 1-0 in Belarus.

BATE, which was originally an acronym for Borisov Automobile and Tractor Electronics, needed just one goal to earn a famous victory, as Stanislav Dragun headed home the winner just before half-time.

Arsenal’s evening then went from bad to worse, as Alexandre Lacazette was sent off late in the second half, the Frenchman swinging his elbow at an opponent in retaliation after a foul. The 27 year-old also had a goal chalked off before his dismissal.

While none of the players covered themselves in glory, fans are crucifying Xhaka, who if truth be told looked out of his depth against the side that are currently nine points clear at the top of the Belarusian Premier League.

The Swiss international made just one key pass, zero tackles or interceptions and also picked up a yellow card.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Granit…

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20-year-old West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice recently pledged his international future to England, despite having previously represented the Republic of Ireland in three friendly matches, as reported by the BBC.

Born in London – but eligible for Ireland due to having Irish grandparents – the young defensive midfielder will now be determined to justify his decision by breaking into Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions setup.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini certainly believes that Rice ought to be in the England manager’s plans.

What he said

As quoted by the club’s official website, the Irons’ Chilean coach said that Rice “is ready to play for England. We are just starting the development of him as a player. But at this moment his performances are better than every holding midfielder.”

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

The 65-year-old former Manchester City boss clarified his final point, saying “I am talking about the English players.” He clearly believes that the West Ham academy graduate is destined for big things though, adding: “we are just starting to see what will be with Declan in the future.”

A dangerous game

Pellegrini has demonstrated a huge amount of faith in Rice with these comments. Such praise is not unwarranted either – the youngster has been a revelation this season at the London Stadium, making himself one of the east London club’s most important players.

However, the manager has also taken a risk with this statement. Whilst Rice may well get a confidence boost from his words, they also apply additional pressure. Calling him one of the best in the country will raise the expectation levels that people have of Rice, which could ultimately have a negative impact on his development.

As a young player, it would be perfectly normal for the midfielder to show some inconsistency or suffer fluctuations in form. Following Pellegrini’s words, if this now happens to Rice he may be more harshly judged than he otherwise would be without the additional hype added by his coach.

[ad_pod ]Leeds United supporters are sweating on the fitness of top scorer Kemar Roofe.Indeed, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Roofe will undergo a knee scan on Monday to determine the extent of his current problem.The 26-year-old, who missed six Championship matches earlier this season with a calf problem, started and finished last week’s 2-1 win over Swansea City.However, according to a report from Phil Hay in theÂYorkshire Evening Post, Roofe has since received treatment on a knee injury, whilst he was pictured out and about with a leg brace on Saturday.Roofe is Leeds’ leading scorer in the league this season with 14 in 26 appearances, so any noteworthy stretch on the sidelines would be a real worry for the Yorkshire club.

The Whites are battling to earn a spot back in the Premier League, but they are not exactly blessed with experienced replacements for Roofe, should the club’s worst fears be realised.

The Leeds fans have been on social media offering their views on Hay’s report – a selection of which can be seen below:

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Kelsey Mooney could be the next player to make his way into the Aston Villa first-team.

The 20-year-old is back in the fold at Villa Park after returning from a loan spell with Cheltenham Town and will be out to make his way into Dean Smith’s plans.

A striker who can also play on the left wing, Mooney played nine times for Cheltenham in League Two, and scored once, while also providing an assist.

He has been in electric form for Villa’s youth team, too, scoring a total of 14 goals in 29 games for the Under-18s before making the step up to the Under-23s.

Even there, he has been hitting the back of the net, scoring five times in 27 outings, including a strike in a 5-1 thumping of Manchester United.

It should not be a surprise that Mooney is attempting to break through and make it as a striker, given that he is the son of Tommy Mooney.

Mooney Sr started off at Villa before embarking on something of a nomadic career where he played for the likes of Watford – for over seven years –  Swindon Town, Oxford United and UD Marbella.

He ended his career in 2008, having scored 185 professional goals, and his son admits that he was always likely to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Speaking to Gloucestershire Live in September, he said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I used to go and watch all of his games, for many years, so watching it day in, day out and even going to training with him sometimes, it just had to happen.”

His father is now loans manager at Villa and will have had significant input into Mooney’s move to Cheltenham, where he scored his first senior goal.

He will surely not be getting any favours as he looks to rise through the ranks for Villa but his goalscoring record is such that Mooney may not need them.

Villa have a long track record of promoting from within, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Andre Green two academy graduates currently playing for the first-team.

As Villa’s season progresses, and the club looks to lighten the load on Tammy Abraham, the current top scorer with 20 goals, don’t be surprised to see Mooney called into the first-team squad.

After all, goals are in his blood.

Rangers are on the upturn thanks to Steven Gerrard’s work and there are some seriously good players in the side compared to previous year; however not one comes close to the individual brilliance of this man.

Former Liverpool man Gerrard has been extremely accomplished with his recruitment this year infusing experience and youth to help revive a struggling Rangers.

Indeed, though their performances have dipped at times, allowing Celtic to assert their dominance at the top of the table, things are looking considerably more positive than the relatively dismal past few years.

But which player has been most influential?

It could only be Alfredo Morelos.

Colombian forward Morelos is brilliant for a number of reasons.

There is an attitude about the player which, admittedly, often manifests itself in serious disciplinary violations. But that is what makes him so perfect to the Rangers faithful: he is their own rebel. The man they can rely on to rile opponents; to fight for his club through thick and thin and dedicate himself 100 percent; the villain no one else likes but the home fans adore.

Then there is his ability.

The Scottish Premiership may not stand up to the quality of the Premier League, but there is something to be said about the remarkable 28 goals in 40 appearances he has scored for Rangers in all competitions.

If this insatiable diet for goals was not impressive enough, you must consider he has managed this whilst contending with stop and start periods spent on the sideline through suspension. A menace in every sense of the word.

Everything positive Rangers do goes through Morelos and that is why he is our star player.

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Sheffield United currently find themselves in the thick of a fierce and frantic battle for automatic promotion from the Championship this season, with Norwich City, Leeds United and West Brom all in contention alongside the Blades.

Chris Wilder’s side face a hectic run in and will know that any slip-ups will almost certainly be punished ruthlessly by their rivals. 

Who would make a combined Sheffield XI? Ingood Nick makes his picks in the video below…

With the prize of Premier League football on the line, the pressure is very much on at Bramall Lane. On top of that, as the gruelling second tier campaign draws to a close, fatigue can set in amongst squads at the worst possible time.

Former Blackpool boss and EFL on Quest pundit Ian Holloway has given his take on whether the threat of exhaustion ought to be worrying Wilder’s side.

What he said

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, Holloway said “I don’t think anything is going to wear them out. They fell away last season but they have improved again…I think they have made some great strides forward and so maybe this could be their season.”

Retaining freshness

Holloway clearly believes that the Blades have enough fuel left in the tank to keep them going for the rest of the season.

However, it would only take one or two key men to start struggling for the whole side to suffer as a consequence. The likes of club-captain and top scorer Billy Sharp, and fellow forward David McGoldrick, are particularly in danger of burning out as they’re both over 30.

It is vital, then, that Wilder rotates his ranks smartly for the rest of the season to retain freshness. 

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The father of Antonio Valencia has claimed that West Ham are one of the candidates to sign the Manchester United captain at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

What’s the word, then?

Speaking to El Universo, via the Daily Mail, Luis Valencia said that West Ham were in the race alongside Arsenal, Inter Milan and a club from the Chinese Super League.

The 33-year-old has been with United since 2009, making 338 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions.

Valencia has made just five Premier League appearances this term, however, and has only turned out once for the club in 2019.

Despite still being club captain, the Ecuadoran will move on this summer.

West Ham are said in the hunt for the midfielder-turned-defender, but the Hammers should swerve a move for the experienced ace despite his impressive credentials.

Why should West Ham drop their interest?

It seems likely that Pablo Zabaleta will be leaving West Ham this summer when his contract expires.

The Argentine has been a good servant to the London club, but was part of a team that conceded three times against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Fredericks has had some decent moments in recent weeks, but neither he nor Zabaleta have really convinced in that area of the field.

As a result, the interest in Valencia is not all that surprising; after all, this is a player with an incredible amount of Premier League experience.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

The 5ft 11in ace will be 34 before the new campaign begins, though, and he has hardly kicked a ball over the last few months.

West Ham need to improve their defence in this summer’s transfer window, but Valencia would not be an upgrade on either Zabaleta or Fredericks and therefore the club should be looking elsewhere.