All posts by z3u9t.icu

New Forest manager Martin O’Neill must want to add to his squad on transfer deadline day after replacing Aitor Karanka.

The Reds possess one of the largest squads in the Championship but O’Neill should move to bolster his ranks after replacing the Spaniard. The Northern Irishman hasn’t had much time to assess his current options but incomings and outgoings can always happen on deadline day. Still, funds may be limited so loan moves will be their best course of action.

O’Neill sould look to the Premier League for some new recruits after enjoying plenty of success at his former clubs.

One man he could target is Liverpool wonderkid – Ben Woodburn. Valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, the Wales international has long been considered one of the brightest talents on Merseyside after becoming the club’s youngest ever goal scorer against Leeds United. With his route to the first-team blocked, Woodburn was loaned to Sheffield United in the summer but failed to make an impact with Chris Wilder’s men and was sent back to Anfield.

The 19-year-old remains one of the top prospects in the country and could have a big impact at the City Ground. Woodburn is a versatile forward who can play through the centre or on either wing making him a useful option for O’Neill to have at his disposal. Once he rediscovers his confidence, Woodburn would add another quality option in the final third. His time with the Blades should not be indicative of his abilities.

Klopp will be eager to see the starlet get some regular playing time under his belt in a competitive division – this is a move that would benefit all parties involved on deadline day.

Nottingham Forest fans, thoughts?

A number of Rangers supporters have flocked to an official club tweet to hail Scott Arfield following his goal in the 3-1 victory over Livingston.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst made a winning start to life in the Premiership since taking over as manager, adding to Thursday’s triumph against Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

The champions eased to a win at Livingston on Sunday, ensuring that they remain four points clear of the Celtic in the title race.

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It was Arfield who opened the scoring for the Gers, giving his side an early lead, with Joe Aribo and Fashion Sakala also finding the net.

After the game, Rangers’ official Twitter channel posted a photo of Arfield producing his trademark salute celebration after scoring, with the image going down a treat among many of the Ibrox fan base.

Rangers fans love Arfield photo

These Gers fans took to Twitter to show their appreciation for the “majestic” Canada international as the photo of his celebration was shared.

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @WATP72RFC

“Only word for this guy is majestic”

Credit: @ash93_x

“Saluting his way to another title”

Credit: @GKilpatrick1116

“This is the content we want to see Mr Rangers”

Credit: @craigmo05203773

“Top player”

Credit: @shorty7255

“Handsome”

Credit: @Millsy97_

In other news, some Rangers fans were unhappy with one player after Livingston’s goal. Find out who it is here.

Everton secured their first win in nine games on Monday night, seeing off Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League, but it wasn’t a completely harmonious affair.

What’s the story?

Before the game, there was a shock as first-choice left-back Lucas Digne didn’t appear in the matchday squad, with Rafa Benitez refusing to give a clear reason behind his absence.

However, it’s now become apparent that the 28-year-old and his new manager had a falling out before the fixture against the Gunners, leading to him being dropped in place of Ben Godfrey.

That’s according to The Athletic’s Everton reporter Patrick Boyland, who provided a concerning update on the intriguing situation.

He tweeted: “Understand Lucas Digne was available to play against Arsenal. #EFC full back left out after disagreement with Benitez.”

Everton fans will be fuming

News that Digne and Benitez have had a major disagreement will leave the Everton fans fuming, giving the left-back’s importance to the first-team squad.

The France international has been one of the Merseyside outfit’s standout performers since his arrival from Barcelona back in August 2018, scoring six goals and providing 20 assists in 127 appearances.

And although he’s failed to have a huge impact in the final third of the pitch this season, he’s still averaged 1.2 crosses in his 13 top-flight outings, 1.7 key passes and 2.5 tackles, placing him second compared to his teammates for each metric, as per WhoScored.

Boyland went into further detail regarding the full-backs absence in his report, stating that he was not injured or unavailable, but was omitted “after his already fractious relationship with Benitez took another turn for the worse.”

It’s claimed that the creative talent has been growing ever frustrated with his more defensive role in Benitez’s setup, feeling his new responsibilities limit his ability to influence games, and being taken off set-pieces was another significant blow.

This latest revelation is bound to infuriate Everton’s weary fanbase even further, and they’ll be hoping a compromise can be reached between their manager and one of their most important players.

After all, they have already lost one key creative influence this year in the shape of James Rodriguez; they cannot afford to see another crucial cog in the wheel walk through the exit door.

And, in other news…Rafa must seal EFC swoop for “complete” £51k-p/w beast who plays like Platini & Zidane

Aston Villa defender Axel Tuanzebe looks set to cut his loan from Manchester United short to join Napoli, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The Lowdown: Tuanzebe’s struggles

Tuanzebe made the move to Villa Park in the summer when Dean Smith was in charge, penning a season-long loan deal.

However, things haven’t exactly worked out for the 24-year-old back in the Midlands. Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have been first choice under Smith and Steven Gerrard, limiting Tuanzebe to just six Premier League starts.

It now seems as if he will be recalled by the Red Devils, with another loan already lined up.

The Latest: Romano’s tweet

Romano took to Twitter late on Thursday evening to reveal the defender has now completed a medical with Napoli.

An official announcement is expected ‘in the next few days’ over another loan for Tuanzebe, in what will be his first move abroad.

The Verdict: Villa to act?

Villa confirmed a loan move for Philippe Coutinho on Friday morning, so their attention may now turn to replacing Tuanzebe with a centre-back signing.

Gerrard is thought to be after a centre-back and a defensive midfielder this month, so he may now prioritise the former of the two with Tuanzebe’s departure all but confirmed.

Villa will have only Konsa, Mings and Kortney Hause as senior options, so the quicker they can get one in, the better.

In other news: ‘Shocker’, ‘Sell’ – Many AVFC fans flock to Preece’s inside Bodymoor Heath update. 

Journalist Pete O’Rourke says that he ‘could see’ Celtic bringing in further attacking reinforcements before the window is out.

He was discussing The Hoops’ January transfer business with GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Celtic have made four signings so far this month, shelling out a total of £2.2m. In addition to midfielders Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi, they’ve recruited Daizen Maeda, who can play as a left winger and through the middle, and centre-forward Johnny Kenny.

It is worth noting, though, that the latter is only 18 years old and is making a step-up from the League of Ireland (ranked 40th in Europe) to the Scottish Premiership (ranked ninth), so he may not be expected to make an impact at first-team level straight away.

The latest

O’Rourke alluded to how Celtic’s plethora of injuries, particularly among their forward players, has perhaps led to summer signing Jota being overburdened, but he believes the club could address that by doing further business in the remaining two weeks of the transfer window.

He told GiveMeSport: “I could see that being the case, that Celtic are looking to strengthen (in attack). Obviously, we know that they’ve had lots of injury problems this season.

“James Forrest has been in and out of the side, Mikey Johnson struggled as well. So, a lot of it’s been down to Jota, who is just recovering from injury himself.”

The verdict

Who could the next attacking addition possibly be?

One name to have been linked with a move to Celtic is Shabab Al-Ahli’s Mehdi Ghayedi. Varzesh Seh have reported that Ange Postecoglou is very keen to land the Iranian forward, who has been labelled an ‘extraordinary killer’.

The 23-year-old, who is valued at just shy of £1.1m by Transfermarkt, can play across the frontline, offering tremendous versatility. Also, with 41 career goals to his name, he could be a smart signing for the club if they can bring him in.

Given the injury issues that O’Rourke has mentioned, Celtic could do worse than further reinforcing their attacking ranks while they are getting the chance this month.

In other news, Celtic have taken this bold contractual step

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming over some early team news that has emerged ahead of their game away at Hearts at Sunday lunchtime.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match in the Scottish Premiership, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that Kemar Roofe is now a ‘doubt’.

The Jamaica international has struggled at times with injury problems throughout his career at Ibrox, and has not always been available throughout this season so far.

It is a shame, because he has come up with 10 goals in 20 games so far this term (Transfermarkt), but injuries seem to be holding him back.

Nonetheless, it seems as if a lot of Light Blues supporters are losing patience with him as he struggles to keep himself fit for a sustained period of time.

Rangers fans on team news

These Teddy Bears were left fuming as the early team news involving Roofe was shared on Twitter:

“Roofe’s injuries becoming an issue again”

Credit: @BIBRSCShawlands

“Time to sell Roofe.”

Credit: @mendrinkmilk

“Convinced Roofe is made of glass.”

Credit: @jaayfc

“Roofe again”

Credit: @AyeReady87

“Don’t see where Roofe fits into a 4231 and he’s very injury prone… need to start looking at alternatives”

Credit: @Rfc1872I

“Roofe, Helander and Jack all important players for us but all seem to struggle injury wise. It’s gutting.”

Credit: @Stuart1872Rfc

In other news, find out whose display against Lyon was slammed here!

A number of Rangers supporters are hugely excited after Roy Makaay was named among Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s backroom staff.

The times are changing at Ibrox, with Van Bronckhorst officially taking the reins as the Gers’ new manager on Monday. The Dutchman replaces Steven Gerrard and the hope is that he enjoys similar success as he did as a player, winning two Scottish Premiership titles with the club.

Van Bronckhorst can’t do it all alone, however, and the club’s official Twitter channel has confirmed that Makaay will be part of his compatriot’s backroom, along with Yori Bosschaart and Arno Phillps.

The 46-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful playing career, standing out as arguably one of Europe’s best strikers at his peak and scoring 103 goals in just 183 appearances for Bayern Munich. In terms of his coaching career, he worked as a forwards coach under Van Bronckhorst at Feyenoord when the Rotterdam club won their first Eredivisie title in 18 years in the 2016/17 season.

Rangers fans go wild over Makaay’s appointment

It is an exciting addition at Rangers, given Makaay’s pedigree, and these Gers supporters reacted positively to the news on Twitter. One even called it “mad” that they were able to lure the former Netherlands striker to Ibrox.

“Get Roy in the starting 11 asap”

Credit: @Davie_93

“It’s mad that the best two finishers at our club are coaches”

Credit: @cjnovo992

“I’m absolutely buzzing with Makaay, absolutely loved him as a player”

Credit: @robertmcnaught

“Hopefully can kick this team into gear and start actually performing the way we can”

Credit: @JM5472

“Oh aye Roy Makaay”

Credit: @Matt1872_

“Show them how to finish”

Credit: @PenaCartel

In other news, some Rangers fans have hailed one player’s comments. Find out who it is here.

As per 90min, a promising Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has now come to light involving Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move…

Reliable reports indicate that the Spain international is a firm target for Spurs and manager Antonio Conte with journalist John Percy of The Telegraph claiming last week that they were weighing a move.

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Updates have started to ramp up since then with another solid source, The Athletic, backing that Tottenham are indeed considering his signing as they map out a specific first team role.

Conte is apparently plotting to convert the Molineux forward into a right-wing back for his system, akin to how he transformed winger Victor Moses during his time at Chelsea.

Now, in a promising update, 90min have shared the latest.

The Latest: Spurs ‘lead the queue’…

As per 90min’s sources, Tottenham now ‘lead the queue’ of interested clubs to sign Traore as they enter pole position.

As well as this, Fabio Paratici and co are ‘set to launch’ a £22 million bid after ‘making contact’ – with the player’s stance also reason to become optimistic.

The outlet say that Traore is now ‘willing’ to join Tottenham and play at right-wing back in Conte’s system.

The Verdict: Exciting times…

It will be interesting to see how Traore fares at RWB, but if he is anything likes the Moses success story at Chelsea in that role, there is reason for Lilywhites supporters to be excited.

You surely cannot rule out the possibility of Conte using the 25-year-old in a more advanced role from time to time either, especially considering his plaudits and statistics.

According to WhoScored, Traore has averaged a highly impressive 4.5 completes dribbles per 90 in the Premier League this season – almost double that of Lucas Moura with Tottenham’s best take-on rate (2.5).

Pundit Noel Whelan certainly believes he would be the right fit, branding Wolves’ star a ‘game-changer’ and the ‘perfect fit’ for Conte’s side (Football Insider).

Indeed, he would come as a brilliant first capture of the January transfer window.

In other news: Tottenham ‘working strongly’ for ‘phenomenal signing’ as reporter drops Twitter claim, find out more here.

It wasn’t long ago that Tom Rogic’s Celtic career looked in significant doubt.

The attacking midfielder was only a bit-part player at Parkhead during various points of Neil Lennon’s tenure and was linked with a regular exit from the Hoops.

Yet, step forward Ange Postecoglou, who has revived his fellow countryman’s career in Glasgow, with the Australian playing 44 times this term and contributing to 16 goals in the process.

Rogic is now a key player again and in the words of The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin, he is becoming a “Celtic great.”

It’s hard to argue against that considering his 266 outings in the green and white but he does have competition from David Turnbull, someone who has spent plenty of time on the sidelines this term.

He will also have to look further behind him in Matt O’Riley, who has very quickly become a fan favourite at Celtic Park.

The Denmark U21 international signed from MK Dons for a bargain fee of £1.5m in January and he has been a revelation since penning terms.

The 21-year-old already has three goals and three assists in Celtic colours and that tally will surely rapidly improve.

His performance off the bench in the 7-0 drubbing of St Johnstone was one of his best performances yet, with the £405k-rated attack-minded player finding the net twice.

Capable of playing in central areas or on the flanks, the youngster is starting to show shades of a certain Stuart Armstrong, someone who stood out in a similar position before being snapped up by Southampton.

Armstrong scored 28 times and supplied another 25 for his teammates in Glasgow and the more intricate stats suggest how alike they are.

In 2021/22 so far, the Scotland international has recorded 1.7 shots per, 1.1 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per match in the Premier League.

O’Riley on the other hand has registered 1.4 shots, 2.5 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per match, although that final statistic was better at 1.3 while he was still playing in England’s third tier.

With those stats in mind, they both appear to glide past players with ease, while they’re also extremely dangerous in front of goal.

Celtic’s new recruit does appear to be more creative but it’s clear to see why this comparison is being made.

Described as “silky” and “classy” after yesterday’s win by pundit Michael Stewart, the future is a hugely exciting one for O’Riley in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Forget Jota: Ange must clinch huge Celtic signing in 54-goal gem who is “like Mbappe”…

Aston Villa have always been rather active in the transfer market over the past number of years, whether they’ve been in the Premier League or Championship.

Numerous players have moved in and out of the Midlands club either on loan or permanent deals.

However, one player the Villans were linked with that didn’t end up donning a Villa shirt is Wesley Sneijder, someone they quite clearly made a huge mistake over.

Back in the 2009 summer transfer window, it was reported that the Midlands club were favourites to sign the Dutchman from Real Madrid after his agent revealed that Inter Milan, who were also after him at the time, were quite some way from offering the sort of money that the Spanish side were looking for.

Unfortunately for Villa, the midfielder did end up joining the Italian club that summer after racking up a total of 246 appearances for Madrid and his original club Ajax, scoring 69 goals and providing 57 assists along the way.

During his time with Inter, Sneijder found the back of the net 22 times in 116 appearances, delivering 35 assists in the process.

In the 2013 January transfer window, the 37-year-old, who has been described as a “monster” by journalist Grant Wahl, then moved to Turkey after signing with Galatasaray where he delivered 89 goal contributions in 175 games.

He then went on to have spells in France with OGC Nice and Al-Gharafa in Qatar before retiring in 2019 having won numerous trophies in Spain, Italy and Turkey.

Labelled as a “lethal” player in terms of his dead-ball ability by the official Copa90 Twitter account following his induction to Inter’s Hall of Fame, Sneijder ended his playing career with a total of 295 club goals and assists to his name.

Having also racked up an accumulative transfer fee of £44.6m from his moves to Real, Inter and Galatasaray according to Transfermarkt, Villa and their then-owner Randy Lerner certainly made a mistake by not splashing the cash when they had the chance and bringing the Dutch maestro to England.

Bearing in mind this was a player that claimed he could have been on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of talent, having a figure of his footballing calibre in a Villa shirt could have been a sight to behold for the fans.

In other news: Huge boost: Gregg Evans reveals fresh Villa development, it’s great news for Gerrard