All posts by n8rngtd.top

This season has been a wretched one for Nuno Santo’s small squad at Wolves.

They have been dealt countless injury blows which means we won’t see the likes of Jonny, Daniel Podence, Pedro Neto or Raul Jimenez until next season.

That being said, a return is edging ever closer for their Mexican sensation.

Jimenez has been missing since November after a horrifying clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz.

The forward fell to the floor in agony as he was then stretchered from the field. The prognosis was that Jimenez had fractured his skull, an injury that would keep him out for an extended period of time.

He’s been able to progress from basic fitness work into full competitive training from March but has been unable to fully involve himself in powered heading and aerial duels.

Wolves announced on Wednesday evening that he wouldn’t play again this season but they did provide an exciting update on when he may back in action.

In a club statement, they revealed that Jimenez is expected to be fit and ready in time for the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

Club doctor Matt Perry said: “His skull fracture has now healed well; he will wear a protective headguard to cover the area of bony injury for the remainder of his career, but it is adjudged strong enough for him to return to play with this protection.

Perry continued: “A brain injury such as concussion can take weeks and months to recover fully and TBI will sometimes leave lasting deficits. It is wonderful to be able to say that Raul has made a remarkable and excellent recovery to date.

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“Further match-based rehabilitation will start in July and will be tightly controlled initially. This respects the fact that although his recovery appears to be total there is a big step from training to competition.”

This is simply wonderful news, and it’s likely to leave the manager absolutely buzzing.

Without Jimenez this season, Wolves have struggled significantly in the final third.

Their top scorers are Ruben Neves and Neto on just five goals while Fabio Silva and Willian Jose have only netted a handful of times between them as well.

Silva has started to progress nicely in the back end of the campaign but Jose’s arrival from Real Sociedad has not gone according to plan.

He hasn’t suited the club’s style of play and has one goal to show for his efforts at Molineux.

Jimenez is a natural born goal scorer so to have him back next season will be a massive boost to their chances of finishing in the top half.

Last term, the 30-year-old bagged 27 strikes and also racked up ten assists. To have that sort of volume missing from your attack will trouble any team.

Nuno will be dancing for joy that his main man is making a full recovery.

AND in other news, Tim Spiers delivers exciting transfer update, Wolves fans should be buzzing…

Everton have been handed a massive boost ahead of their clash with West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Although they will be missing the services of James Rodriguez again, they will be able to welcome back one of their key players from a promising campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti was speaking late this week about his team’s chances at the London Stadium and confirmed that Abdoulaye Doucoure was fit again.

He said: “He is really important. He showed fantastic quality and has supported the team a lot when he played.

“It was a great surprise for us to have this type of player. He put a lot of energy into the midfield and to have him back for the next game will be really important.”

Ancelotti concluded: “Without him, we have had more problems. He is one of the most important players we had and he has been a really good signing. I hope he can show his quality in the last games we have before the end.”

The Frenchman has been absent for seven games now dating back to March 4th. The £120k-per-week earner has been missing as a result of a small fracture in his foot.

Everton posted pictures of the midfield general back in full training this week which represents a huge advantage to their chances on Sunday.

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The Toffees have been missing some muscle in the middle of the park without him with Andre Gomes struggling following his own return to injury.

The Portuguese was lumped off shortly after the hour mark against Arsenal and then won just two of his nine defensive duels in the defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

Ancelotti appears to be buzzing that his combative midfield player is back and you can hardly blame him.

Prior to his two-month-long injury, the 28-year-old had only missed one league game all season after arriving from Watford for a fee of £20m.

Against a free-flowing West Ham side, having Doucoure back is absolutely vital. He and Allan will have a huge job on their hands if they are to stop the effervescent Jesse Lingard.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Everton must swoop for £24.9m gem who gives oppo “sleepless nights”…

Manchester United could be bolstered by the return of Eric Bailly this weekend as they face Leeds.

The Ivorian centre-back has been missing for the past month, having tested positive for COVID-19 whilst on international duty.

As a result, he missed the last five matches in all competitions, sitting out three Premier League games along with both legs of United’s Europa League quarter-final tie with Granada.

However, he is now back in training according to the Red Devils’ official website, handing the team a huge boost for the final month of the campaign as they attempt to secure a place in the top four as well as aiming to win the Europa League.

Whilst Bailly has by no means been first choice under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season, having started just 13 matches in all competitions and being behind Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order, he provides excellent injury cover should neither of the aforementioned options be available.

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For instance, with Maguire being suspended for the second leg against Granada, Solskjaer was forced to deploy Axel Tuanzebe at centre-back. Whilst not the worst selection the manager could make, the United youngster is probably not a viable option long-term as the Red Devils continue their challenge for honours.

Bailly returning means that the Red Devils have an “immense” defender (in Solskjaer’s own words) they can call upon should either Maguire or Lindelof indeed suffer an injury or become suspended once more during the final few matches of the season.

Whilst the return of the £80,000-per-week defender might not initially be perceived as having a massive impact for Manchester United, it could be pivotal in terms of squad depth for the remainder of the season.

AND in more news, find out why Donny van de Beek is simply not deserving of more starts with the Red Devils…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marlon Harewood, who scored 54 goals for West Ham United, believes Jarrod Bowen is good enough to play as a striker in Michail Antonio’s absence.

West Ham were rocked by a huge injury blow to their only striker, Antonio, when he limped off during their 3-2 win against Wolves, with reports claiming he could miss the remainder of the season.

Since Antonio’s injury however, West Ham have not faltered in front of goal as they’ve found the back of the net five times, with three of them coming from on-loan midfielder Jesse Lingard.

Speaking on why Moyes will not struggle without Antonio and if Bowen is good enough to play as a striker, Harewood told FFC:

“Yeah I definitely think he’s good enough. I think they had a little bit of rotation amongst each other against Leicester, which is good because they’ve got three midfielders that can play in that role.

“It’s not just Jarrod who has to play there because he likes to go wide and get at players as well. So they’ve got others who can fill that spot.”

Bowen arrived in January on deadline day last season for £20 million and he’s taken to life in the Premier League seamlessly with eight goals and five assists in the league this season.

West Ham currently have six games left to play in the league and only lie outside of the Champions League places on goal difference from Chelsea.

According to a report by German news outlet Sport Bild, as relayed by Sport Witness, long time Tottenham Hotspur target Marcel Sabitzer will listen to proposals from elsewhere before even thinking about signing a new deal at RB Leipzig – and he particularly wants ‘to look for offers from England’.

Sabitzer has been on Spurs’ transfer radar since last summer, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook saying Daniel Levy and co were ‘looking to pull off a coup’ back in August 2020.

Sabitzer boost emerges for Spurs

Links haven’t died down since then and Sport Bild now provide an update on the 27-year-old Bundesliga star and his possible move to north London.

They claim that the Austrian’s priority is to ‘look for offers from England’ before even considering a new contract at RB Leipzig – gifting Spurs and Levy a transfer boost as they reportedly aim to snap him up.

Reliable sources, like football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, say Tottenham do indeed want Sabitzer this summer – especially considering he is out of contract in 2022 as it stands.

Transfer Tavern take

This could hand Levy more negotiating wiggle room as Leipzig risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.

As a result, this news from Sport Bild comes as a boost for Spurs – but a caveat in the report details that a ‘turnaround is possible’ on the new RB Leipzig deal if Sabitzer doesn’t receive an ‘interesting’ offer.

Lilywhites fans, as a result, may be hoping that a fitting proposal is tabled and Tottenham take advantage of his current stance.

In other news: Tottenham touted as possible move for ‘extraordinary’ star, find out more here.

Nikola Milenkovic is on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer radar ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, Spurs are making the arrival of a central defensive leader their top priority when the window reopens, and the 23-year-old Fiorentina star is among their targets.

His contract is set to expire 12 months after the current season ends, meaning the Serie A outfit would have to cash in if they are to make any money on his signature.

The Serbia international is currently valued at €30m (£26m) by CIES Football Observatory, whilst reports emerged last month suggesting La Viola’s asking price was around €35m (£30m).

Solid Spurs unit

Gold also claims that, despite Tottenham having the third-best defensive record in the Premier League, there has been a clear lack of cohesion and leadership at the back.

Spurs have dropped 13 points from a winning position, with individual defensive mistakes clearly a major problem, and this is where Milenkovic could be the solution.

Much of Tottenham’s defensive record may well be attributed to the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has been a rock-solid presence in front of Mourinho’s ever-changing backline.

Of all of Mourinho’s regular starters (20 or more starts), he leads the squad for tackles (2.8) and interceptions (1.3) per game, proving to be an industrious workhorse and contributing far more to stopping the opposition compared to the likes of Eric Dier, who has started the most matches of any centre-back in the league. He has managed only 0.8 tackles and 0.9 interceptions, via WhoScored.

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At 6 foot 5, Milenkovic has drawn comparisons to arguably one of the greatest defenders to grace the English top flight in Nemanja Vidic.

“Milenkovic is better than Vidic with the ball at his feet, and he is much calmer on the field,” said Mozzart journalist Dejan Stankovic to ESPN. “He is the most talented centre-back Serbia have had since Vidic, and they definitely have one thing in common – both are fearless.”

If Spurs want a colossal presence to lead them out from the back, then they shouldn’t look much further than the Fiorentina titan.

Only Franck Ribery has performed better in Serie A for them this season, with the Serbian recording an average WhoScored rating of 6.83. In terms of key defensive attributes, he is performing exceedingly well too, managing 1.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 3.5 clearances per game.

This shows that, despite his towering height, he’s an equally hard man to defeat on the ground – just as much as in the air – and he clearly has a great ability to read the game and then snuff out any danger.

That is something his former Partizan boss Ivan Tomic has pointed out before, as he said: “Milenkovic has [the] physical characteristics of a beast. He reads the game well, plays the ball, and should have a great career ahead of him.”

Daniel Levy ought to swoop this summer if he is to vastly improve Spurs’ defence, and in doing so, he could begin to create a dream spine for several years.

Milenkovic would be a fine addition to Spurs.

AND in other news, 19x possession lost: Spurs gem drops int’l disaster, Mourinho claim proving to be true…

West Ham’s approach to Sunday night’s game against Manchester United will have strengthened Declan Rice’s desire to move on from the club, according to The Mirror journalist Andy Dunn.

Dunn was critical of the Hammers for their lack of ‘ambition’ at Old Trafford after they failed to register a single shot in the first half and were unable to test Dean Henderson after the interval.

Moyes had opted for a conservative shape comprising three central defenders, two wing-backs and three defensive midfielders.

“Containment does not scream ambition. And containment does not keep £100million-plus players,” Dunn wrote.

Who might be looking at Declan Rice?

Rice is a player in demand. According to The Guardian, Chelsea were interested in bringing him back to the club after his eight years in their academy. Frank Lampard was said to be the driving force behind that proposed move, so his sacking in January may nip it in the bud.

However, The Guardian’s report also cited ‘suggestions’ that Rice could be a summer target for Liverpool.

Still, after West Ham’s hugely impressive ascent from relegation candidates last season to top four chasers now, plenty of supporters were unhappy with Dunn’s comments, which one Irons fan dubbed “embarrassing”.

Journalist under fire for Declan Rice column

“how is this allowed to be published?”

Credit: @WHU_MG

“So negative that Moyes has his team fifth in the table, three points off a CL spot? Come on Andy, you can do better than that.”

Credit: @kumbdotcom

“literally 5th in the league”

Credit: @scairrr

“It was one game”

Credit: @danwhu_

“We’re sitting 5th, who even is this guy”

Credit: @WHUFC_COYI_

“Embarrassing from a so called journalist.”

Credit: @nobby_hammer

“Here we go, press on the move to unsettle. Last night wasn’t great bit we still showed how far we have progressed.”

Credit: @gdcad

In other news, find out who’s top of the list for GSB as scouts sent on a mission.

Manchester City’s hopes of completing a historic quadruple are still alive as they prepare to face Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Goodison Park hoping to secure a place at Wembley for the semi-finals with a win against Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees.

The Merseyside outfit have suffered back-to-back losses against Chelsea and Burnley recently, whilst the Citizens are on an unbelievable run which has seen them win 24 of their last 25 games in all competitions, which included a 3-1 triumph at Goodison Park in February.

With all of his players back fit, Guardiola is likely to rotate from the side which beat Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek, although he will still obviously want a strong side out to continue City’s impressive form in the FA Cup in recent years.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the manager to line his side up on Saturday, with five changes from the side which started in Hungary…

Although Zack Steffen featured in earlier rounds, it seems likely that Ederson will keep his place in goal ahead of the American for a game of this importance for City.

There are two changes in defence, as Oleksandr Zinchenko comes in for Kyle Walker, with Joao Cancelo moving to right-back after featuring on the left in midweek. John Stones is handed a rest with Aymeric Laporte replacing him at centre-back alongside Ruben Dias.

Fernandinho has shown his qualities in recent months and deserves a start ahead of Rodri in midfield, where he is partnered by Ilkay Gundogan.

Riyad Mahrez starred on City’s last trip to Goodison Park so he keeps his place on the right-hand side, with Bernardo Silva, who reportedly earns £150,000 per week at City, dropping out to welcome Raheem Sterling back in on the left.

Finally, Gabriel Jesus replaces Phil Foden and offers City a more natural centre-forward option up front, although the Brazilian has the added pressure of a fit Sergio Aguero waiting in the wings to replace him, so hopefully he can start scoring goals on a more regular basis.

In other news… Forget Haaland: Txiki should swoop for “outstanding” £100m-rated maestro

Crystal Palace could be in danger of losing Wilfried Zaha in the near future.

What’s the word?

The Ivory Coast international is enjoying a prolific campaign at Selhurst Park this season, having made 19 Premier League appearances with nine goals and two assists to show for his 19 starts.

The 28-year-old has been linked with moves in the past but as things stand, he has not bee able to secure a move away.

However, Roy Hodgson believes he still harbours ambitions of playing in the Champions League and that he will face a fight to keep the club’s top goalscorer in the summer.

When asked whether he believes Zaha will stay at Palace for the rest of his career, Hodgson said: “No, I would think he still has a lot of ambitions. I think this was a very unusual transfer window, there wasn’t much going on if we’re to be honest, and there certainly weren’t many big money moves. A lot of the transfers involved loans or loans with a view to buy.

“I think when the market opens up again, Wilf Zaha will once again be a name on many managers’ and sporting directors’ lips.

“I think Wilf will retain his ambition to play Champions League football and do things that we’ve not been able to give him while he’s been playing here. But I’m hoping and believing also that the club will still be trying to persuade him that what you need to get out of football you can get here. How that will pan out, I really couldn’t say, it’s pure speculation.”

Hold firm

Whilst Christian Benteke has been linked with a move away from the Eagles in recent months – reports had even suggested West Brom tried to prise him away from Selhurst Park in the January transfer window – the potential loss of Zaha, who earns wages worth £130,000-per-week, would be more significant.

He has for so often been instrumental for The Eagles. Hodgson’s side, in fact, have yet to win a game without him this season.

Since re-joining the club after an ill-fated stint at Old Trafford, their talismanic attacker has come on leaps and bounds under Hodgson, having scored 32 goals in 132 appearances across all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

For context, Benteke has only managed to score 26 times in 131 games since arriving at Selhurst Park from Liverpool for £27m in 2016.

It’s no surprise then that Zaha has won the Crystal Palace Player of the Year award three times, with his current teammate James McArthur once branding him “unplayable.”

This is precisely why Palace chairman Steve Parish simply can’t afford to lose the £45m-rated hitman. He just means too much to the club and the fanbase both on and off the pitch.

AND in other news, Sean Dyche could be an ideal heir to Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace…

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that his squad are carrying several knocks ahead of the London derby with West Ham at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night.

The Palace boss faces late calls on the fitness of Wilfried Zaha and Cheikhou Kouyate ahead of the game with David Moyes’ side. Zaha missed the match with Manchester City while Kouyate, who has made 18 top-flight appearances in the Premier League this season, was also absent from the matchday squad after he picked up a knock against Arsenal.

Hodgson said in his post-match press conference on Sunday evening: “Wilf, unfortunately, picked up a knock in the game against Arsenal.

“The turnaround has been quite quick, and we haven’t been able to turn him around in time.

“Every time Wilf doesn’t play it’s a miss, that’s been well documented. We’d have loved to have him here – and we’d have loved to have had Cheikhou [Kouyate] here – but these things happen in a game of football and we’re fortunate that with a couple of days between the games we haven’t picked up more injuries than the one Wilf picked up.”

The manager will be without Jeffrey Schlupp for the game on Tuesday as he continues his rehabilitation after suffering a hamstring injury against Sheffield United and is expected to be out until at least March.

With all that in mind, here is Football FanCast’s predicted starting XI for this evening, which sees Hodgson make four changes from the humiliating trip to the Etihad.

Hodgson is expected to ring the changes for his side’s crunch Premier League clash with West Ham on Tuesday night. The Eagles changed their back four for the game against Manchester City which backfired almost immediately after John Stones scored two goals either side of the break.

Palace managed to start without Patrick van Aanholt, Nathaniel Clyne or Scott Dann last Sunday, but all three should be back this evening. This means that Gary Cahill, Tyrick Mitchell and Joel Ward will have to drop to the bench, the latter having endured a night to forget at the Etihad.

Eberechi Eze, James McArthur, Luka Milivojevic and Andros Townsend started on Sunday, and we’re backing the quartet to start again today.

We have resisted the temptation to bring back Zaha as we feel this game may come too soon for the Ivory Coast international, meaning Christian Benteke will start for the first time since the draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.

Benteke was rested against Pep Guardiola’s side after he was left as an unused substitute on the bench, but we reckon he will be back today, joining Jordan Ayew up front.

Hodgson will be hoping that Benteke can rediscover the form that saw him score three goals in three games last year, including a goal against West Ham at the London Stadium last time around.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace still want to sign Ismaila Sarr despite Watford demands…