Stan Collymore has criticised Tottenham Hotspur’s reported interest in re-signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid, per The Mirror.

What’s he said?

The Express reported on Monday that Spurs are working on a deal to bring the Wales international back to north London.

Of course, they sold him to the Spanish giants in 2013, receiving a then-world record fee of £85m.

But Collymore believes that any interest in the 30-year-old would be a backward step for the Premier League club.

He wrote in his column for the newspaper: “(I) can’t think of another signing Tottenham could make this month who’d epitomise what Jose Mourinho is about in 2020 than Gareth Bale.

“Because bringing the Welshman back from Real Madrid would be uninspired and backwards-looking — exactly the opposite of what Spurs actually need.

“It’d be like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr announcing they were coming out of retirement and reuniting The Beatles.

“In that, we know how much we’d all love it to work, but we also know it will never be the same as it was the first time round.”

Old news

Spurs are instead trying to sign Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven and a deal is set to be announced before the transfer deadline, per sources.

Bergwijn is just 22, an exciting winger who has scored five Eredivisie goals and registered 10 assists this season.

Any move for Bale is pie in the sky and is so unlikely purely due to the fact that he earns a reported £650,000-per-week before tax and was briefly the best-paid player in world football.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

Spurs, quite simply, can’t afford him so this is rather an odd line of attack from Collymore.

He has picked out a potential deal, that won’t happen, and has then had a dig at Mourinho, who hasn’t even picked out Bale as a target.

It’s bizarre all round; Spurs fans would do well to ignore him.

Meanwhile, Spurs are confident of securing the signing of this striker before the transfer deadline!

After joining the club from AS Monaco for a reported £5m in the summer of 2018, Joao Moutinho has proved himself to be an integral part of Wolves’ incredible rise over the past couple of seasons.

The Molineux outfit finished seventh in their return to the top-flight last year, with Moutinho playing all 38 Premier League games – a phenomenal feat considering he is now 33.

And speaking after Wolves’ victory over Bournemouth earlier this season, Nuno Espirito Santo lauded the central midfielder’s performance. He said: “Joao is an important player because he has the experience to know at each moment what the game requires.”

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon, he showed exactly that. The Red Devils may have been fancied to take all three points considering they were at home at Old Trafford. Instead, Moutinho helped dictate the tempo of the game, and ensured everything was played at Wolves’ pace.

As per Sofascore, he enjoyed the joint-most amount of touches for his side with 64, whilst his impressive 89% pass accuracy was only behind Conor Coady amongst the Molineux side’s starters. His cool and calm nature in possession meant Wolves never looked rushed, and he always picked out the perfect outlet pass on the counter-attack, spreading the ball out wide to the likes of Jonny and Matt Doherty whenever they charged forward.

Call yourself a Wolves expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

His total of four key passes was double that of any other player on the pitch, whilst the only other player to create at least one big chance in the game, was United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Moutinho’s six tackles was also twice as many as any Wolves star, and his three interceptions were only behind teammate Willy Boly’s total of five.

It was a dominant midfield display from the Portuguese veteran, and he helped ensure Wolves looked in control for the entire game. He never looked ruffled, and that confidence oozed into the rest of his team. His performance against United showed exactly why he still remains Nuno’s lynch-pin.

Meanwhile, Wolves fans have been left to rue this man’s loan departure.

Deadline day was supposed to be an exciting one for Crystal Palace, as they looked to continue the positivity that saw them in 11th place at the time.

They were just four points off fifth-placed Manchester United, but notably, they were also seven points clear of AFC Bournemouth and the relegation zone heading into this weekend’s action.

By bringing in some exciting talent, Palace could provide Roy Hodgson with the tools to ensure the club continues pushing for the top half of the table, rather than being dragged down.

However, despite all of the noise, Palace’s only dealings were outgoings – even Scott Banks, who joined this January, was sent out on loan to Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic.

Watch Crystal Palace Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

There was some misfortune involved with the missed signings, as Nathan Ferguson had a knee issue that was revealed in a medical, as reported by The Evening Standard.

However, there was clearly still interest in signing the West Bromwich Albion defender, as they attempted to renegotiate a deal, but were eventually unable to reach an agreement.

Then there is Jarrod Bowen, who Palace had shown an interest in, but were beaten to by West Ham United, who agreed on a deal that could be worth up to £22m, as also reported by The Evening Standard.

That Palace were beaten by their rivals to someone who already has 16 goals and seven assists will surely be infuriating – for both Hodgson and fans.

Calling all Eagles fans: Can you get 90% on this quickfire Palace quiz?

Football Insider had also suggested that Palace may be making a move for Eberechi Eze, but nothing came to fruition there either.

All of this means that Cenk Tosun’s loan arrival makes him the only January recruit who will help Palace this season.

Considering the late flurry of interest in exciting players, the end result will be seen as hugely anticlimactic for the club.

Hodgson showed signs of frustration during a transfer-related interview with Sky Sports in the summer, and he would be forgiven for feeling he has been left in the lurch this time around as well.

Meanwhile, Palace fans reacted to a trio of players leaving Selhurst Park on Deadline Day.

Everton’s 3-1 win against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park came at a price.Theo Walcott had done well at the start of the match, even providing the assist for Bernard’s opener. However, soon after, he was forced off with a muscle injury, which saw on-loan man Djibril Sidibe come into the side.

Did he play for Everton? Simple question but a lot tougher than you think…

His introduction to the play, though, was comical. The 27-year-old was stood waiting to come on, only to realise that he didn’t have one of his socks on. That meant he had to go back down the tunnel and get one before he could enter the fray.

Many Everton fans were flabbergasted by what they had seen.

It is stupendous that a professional footballer could forget to put on a sock – especially when he had already put one on as well.

Many fans also spotted something else in the background.

It just gets better and better. What was going on at Goodison Park during those few minutes?

Some supporters noticed the reaction of manager Carlo Ancelotti.

You can understand the Italian’s frustration. With him needing to make a quick change due to an injury, he will have been hoping for no delays.

Watch Everton Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

No matter how much football you watch this weekend, you will struggle to find a more hilarious scene!

Meanwhile, Everton fans react to this hilarious training video.

Kieran Devlin has questioned Neil Lennon’s substitutions in Celtic’s 3-0 win against Clyde, during a Q&A on The Athletic.

What did he say?

The Bhoys’ victory over Clyde was a comfortable one, as first-half goals from Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown put them in the driving seat, before Vakoun Bayo added the final touch to their victory.

This was a great chance to get players some game time, with Patryk Klimala starting, having previously played just 26 minutes for Celtic.

Ryan Christie, Scott Bain, Moritz Bauer and Mohamed Elyounoussi were also among the beneficiaries.

However, Devlin still feels that Lennon could have made more of the opportunity to utilise fringe players off the bench: “Thought some of the subs were a bit peculiar given the circumstances, but the Bayo one panned out and he looked very eager to impress. Who knows when Shved might be next up.”

Watch Celtic Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

A lack of time

As he mentions, Bayo was brought onto the pitch to replace Patryk Klimala with a quarter of an hour left, while Jonathon Hayes came on four minutes earlier.

It is the substitution of Marian Shved, which was left until the 85th minute, that seems to have caused the most confusion.

Before the Clyde game, the Ukraine international had managed just two substitute appearances for Celtic this season, totalling a measly 35 minutes and a goal against Kalju Nomme.

The greatest rivalry in world football: Test your Old Firm derby knowledge below…

However, he was afforded just five minutes against the Scottish League One opposition, when he came on for Elyounoussi.

Considering the 2-0 scoreline and unlikely nature of a Clyde comeback, as they managed one shot on goal all game, it feels pretty harsh of Lennon to give him such a small amount of time.

As Devlin mentioned, it may be a long time until Shved is back on the pitch, judging how few and far between his appearances have been so far this season.

Meanwhile, one man has been slammed for their performance against Clyde.

West Brom still remain the Championship’s front-runners after they made it four games unbeaten with Saturday’s stalemate at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies drew 2-2 with local rivals Nottingham Forest to keep hold of a four-point lead over their nearest challengers Leeds United whilst there is now a seven-point gap to the playoff positions.

Filip Krovinovic started a fifth straight game in midfield, and it has led to fans discussing whether or not the club should sign him permanently following his loan spell from Benfica this summer.

Although, there was only really one overriding consensus and that was that he should remain – if possible.

Here’s what has been said…

Plenty of supporters described the Croatian playmaker as a “classy” footballer whilst others said the decision to sign him permanently at the end of the season should be a “no brainer” and that it would be stupid not to.

Krovinovic has featured 29 times this season for the Baggies, where he has scored two goals and provided four assists, per Transfermarkt.

Many believe that the 24-year-old would be perfectly suited to Premier League football, should Albion gain promotion, of course…

One member of the Hawthorns faithful referenced that he would get more time and space to express himself on the ball while another added that he was “integral” to the current side.

A couple more would sign him depending on the fee – anything below £10m and between £5m and £8m were just two potential numbers mooted about.

Obscure football facts: Most readers aren’t getting more than 40%…

And in other news, West Brom fans left drooling over TOP CLASS ace’s display…

Felipe Anderson returned to West Ham United’s starting lineup to face Liverpool on Monday evening following a five match Premier League absence. 

Barring some kind of mind-boggling miracle, which did, for a fleeting, scarcely believable moment in time, represent a genuine possibility, the Brazilian was always destined to sink into the shadows of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane. 

But prior to Lukasz Fabianski – or Flappianski, the imposter who slipped into the West Ham gloves on Monday night – conspiring to give Liverpool a literal helping hand in their bid to topple every record known to man, Anderson did much more than fade into the shadows.

Of course, he was not without fault. The 26-year-old was lambasted by David Moyes on the touchine for shirking a 50-50 challenge inside the first half and statistically he left plenty to be desired. He failed to complete a single key pass before he was substituted after 65 minutes, was dispossessed on three separate occasions and twice his touch let him down, surrendering possession for the visitors, per Whoscored. 

Watch West Ham United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Yet there existed an aura about Anderson which hinted the Hammers were capable of pulling off the unthinkable. In possession of the ball he was composed and dynamic, gliding past dumbfounded Liverpool players with the conviction of a five-a-side player who is all too brashly aware of his devilish superiority to those attempting to dispossess him.

Five times Anderson pulled off a successful dribble – more than any other player in claret and blue – and on each and every occasion his agility and immaculate control seemed to add an extra five yards of width to the pitch. 

His teammates undoubtedly benefited and it’s no coincidence that Declan Rice had the time and space to swivel and deliver a cross Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been proud of to give Pablo Fornals the chance, which he took with aplomb, to put the relegation-threatened side ahead.

There was no direct involvement from Anderson but his presence gave West Ham a cutting edge, one distinctly absent from their play when he was replaced by Seabstien Haller after 65 minutes. The gravitational swing alluded to Anderson’s importance to the Hammers’ attacking impetus, and the statistics from a thoroughly disastrous season so far equally underline how imperative he is to the club’s survival bid.

The £40.5m-rated star, per Transfermarkt, is fundamental to the club’s success. West Ham have won 6 of the 20 games he’s started in all competitions this season and just two of the 11 games they’ve played without him in all competitions. 

The win ratio of 30% with him in the team, compared to just 18% without, per Soccerbase, tells its own story but the fact the Irons have scored less than a goal per game without him speaks volumes about how his importance in the final months of the season. 

Anderson may not have been at his blistering, pulsating best at Anfield but his showing, coupled with West Ham’s dip following his omission, sent his manager a timely reminder of his mercurial talent.

As is the case with most flair players, Anderson can be equally as frustrating as awe-inspiring.

If Moyes can find a way to get Anderson to induce the latter emotion on a regular basis between now and May 17th, he might just get the club out of jail. 

Sunderland’s ownership troubles have been going on for quite some time.

Stewart Donald has attracted widespread criticism from supporters for the vast majority of the season and not even putting the club up for sale was enough to provide a ray of positivity.

They slammed him mercilessly after that decision, but in the same statement, he revealed that sufficient funds would be placed towards building the squad.

However, the Black Cats refused to really splash the cash, bringing in players on loan and on a free transfer in January.

It was the opposite of what was promised but Donald’s finances did at least help bring in one hand-wrapped gift for Sunderland supporters to get giddy over.

That happened to be Bailey Wright, a player who has been an immense performer at the back for the Black Cats.

After arriving on loan from Bristol City, the Australian had a hand in keeping four clean sheets in five games. The only match he failed to register a shut-out was when the Mackems lost 2-0 to Portsmouth.

An imperious figure, he established an instant connection and affection with Phil Parkinson’s system.

The trouble is, he’s now out for an extended period of time. The club confirmed he could miss as many as 12 weeks of the campaign with an ankle problem, delivering a potentially season-defining blow to Sunderland given his instant success at the Stadium of Light.

Will Wright end up playing for Sunderland again? Only time will tell, but it’s certainly not something that Parkinson has ruled out. The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and should they be interested in doing so, he could arrive on a free transfer.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the clash with Bristol Rovers he commented: “We’ve made no decisions on his long-term future at the moment because there’s a lot of this season left. He’s going to stay with us for his rehab because he’s moved up into the area, so we will have plenty of opportunities to chat with him.”

That suggests the door could be open for a permanent switch in the summer – cue another shiny gift from the Sunderland owner.

For away day veterans only: Can you name all of these defunct stadiums?

If he really is to sell the club in the future then sorting a permanent deal for someone who’s had such a large impact on the squad would be a fine way to end his tenure.

Donald hasn’t got an awful lot right on Wearside but this is a small opportunity to ensure he leaves in fans’ good books. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Meanwhile, Sunderland could have ANOTHER Laurens De Bock on their hands…

Leeds are back in business and in some style too. Amid the negative news surrounding Kiko Casilla’s ban for racism, they failed to take their foot off the peddle and swept Hull City aside in brutal fashion.

A first-half strike from Luke Ayling saw the visitors head into the second half just a goal to the good. However, they came alive in a devastating display of counter-attacking football, adding three more goals in the second 45 minutes.

The Whites have become famed for missing chances this season and heading into the weekend they should have scored 14 more goals according to Experimental 361’s xG table.

This result, though, will have done Marcelo Bielsa’s men the world of good. Pablo Hernandez was also on the scoresheet while there was a brace for the injury-stricken Tyler Roberts.

However, despite the obvious praise that surrounded some players, there was criticism for another – Helder Costa.

The winger did claim an assist during the game but before that happened, he was ripped into by certain supporters who thought he’d gone missing and was anonymous.

This isn’t anything new for the summer arrival who has been tormented by the Elland Road faithful on a few occasions this season.

After arriving on an initial loan deal from Wolves, the wide man has scored just three times in the Championship. His assist for Hernandez’s goal on Saturday, meanwhile, was only his second of the campaign.

Fears over his general ability are understandable as one fan claimed he just didn’t look dangerous throughout the clash with Hull. Two fans were quick to recognise the quality he possesses but they still weren’t pleased with his general output.

Considering the Portuguese will arrive on a permanent deal in the summer they’ll be hoping he improves his output of five goal contributions in 2019/20. Further sentiments suggested he was the worst player in their squad.

Another supporter described Costa as ineffective while similarly, one fan added that he simply doesn’t do enough.

Besides the assist, the 26-year-old was relatively poor on Saturday lunchtime. He failed to score from four shots while he also completed just one dribble and was dispossessed twice.

Calling all EFL experts: Can you get full marks on this stadiums quiz?

Costa looked keen to make things happen but it didn’t always pay off for him.

Consequently, one supporter wanted to see Jordan Stevens or Ian Poveda given a shot ahead of him. The latter has yet to play a single first-team minute for Leeds after arriving on a permanent transfer from Manchester City in January.

Stevens, meanwhile, has been favoured on the bench.

One final supporter took issue with the £15m Leeds will have to spend on the attacker next summer. Leeds initially brought the player in for a temporary stay but as part of the deal, agreed an obligation to buy him permanently.

Based on his performances so far this term, claims that he’s a waste of money are certainly fair.

Meanwhile, Leeds fans were BUZZING with their ‘underrated’ star on Saturday…

Frank de Boer’s ill-fated reign at Crystal Palace is all but a distant memory.

The former Netherlands international was hired in 2017 to take over the vacancy at Selhurst Park, but in the end it was an appointment that turned into a nightmare rather quickly. Incredibly, he lasted just 77 days at the club, which saw him manage just four Premier League games – they all ended in defeats in which Palace failed to score.

Watch Crystal Palace Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

That did give him enough time to make a few signings though, and former Ajax player Jairo Riedewald was one of them. The then-20-year-old came from the famed academy of de Godenzonen, having already made 93 appearances there by the time he made the switch to the Premier League.

Unfortunately, it is a transfer that hasn’t gone the way Steve Parish and co. will have hoped, much like De Boer. He has featured a paltry 31 times during his time at the club, failing to put together a consistent run of games. Injuries haven’t helped the matter, but still – for the £7.9m they paid for him, they will have expected at least a bit more.

Even despite him signing at such a young age, that didn’t stop Palace giving him a considerable wage of £55,000 a week. For context, only seven players were on higher wages at the time of his arrival. Plenty of others have overtaken him now, but that is still a considerable amount of money.

Two years and 33 weeks at the club have seen the 23-year-old pocket £7.5m. Combined with his transfer fee, he has cost Parish £15.4m, which works out at just shy of £500,000 per Premier League appearance – a huge amount of money for a side that has spend just over £17m in the last two seasons.

Now, Riedewald continues to find himself on the fringes of Roy Hodgson’s starting XI, but it is hard to imagine him breaking into the side on a regular basis as it stands.

Much like De Boer’s arrival, this is a recruit that Parish must answer for.

Meanwhile, Palace continue to track this centre-forward.