[ad_pod ]

West Ham are leading the queue of clubs to sign Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne this summer, per Football Insider.

The defender is currently on loan at AFC Bournemouth and appears set to leave Anfield on a permanent basis this summer.

What’s the word?

Clyne made just four Premier League appearances for Liverpool prior to his loan move to the south coast.

Since then, he has made 11 appearances for the Cherries and, while Football Insider claim that they are hopeful of securing him on a permanent basis, West Ham are said to lead the chase.

Indeed, Clyne is reported to be keen to move to London after previously spending four years in the capital with Crystal Palace.

The report claims that West Ham have been given encouragement over a deal, with Liverpool keen to receive a fee for a player whose contract expires at the end of next season.

Plan B for Pellegrini

Swooping for Clyne gives Manuel Pellegrini the chance to change up his tactical playbook in east London. The Hammers usually play with a flat back four, with Pablo Zabaleta at right-back and either Aaron Cresswell or Arthur Masuaku on the left.

However, a move to sign Clyne allows the switch to a back three, employing wing-backs rather than full-backs. Masuaku showed how effective he can be in that role last season, but Zabaleta lacks the necessary legs and Ryan Fredericks just hasn’t done enough to prove he’s at West Ham’s level.

The England international, meanwhile, has the energy and dynamism to play in a more advanced capacity, as his performances for Bournemouth have shown this season, as well as in the traditional full-back slot.

West Ham also have some excellent central defenders – Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena are all Premier League quality – and bringing Clyne in would facilitate for all three play together. Declan Rice, albeit a midfielder pretty much exclusively this season, could operate in a back three as well, as the centre-half who steps forward into the engine room.

It would represent a marked change for Pellegrini, who is yet to field a back three in the Premier League this season and has relied on back fours for most of his career. But if West Ham are to really push the division’s top clubs next season for some form of European qualification, that level of tactical flexibility is vital – especially in the encounters with the Big Six.

[ad_pod ]

The Times reported this week that Andy Carroll has played his final game for West Ham United after season-ending ankle injury, with a potential move to the MLS in the offing.

What’s the word, then?

The 30-year-old may well have been hoping to earn a new contract at the London Stadium coming into the current campaign, but it has been the same old story for the striker who has suffered major injury issues once again.

The latest surgery which means he won’t play again this term sums up Carroll’s career with the Hammers, and with his contract up at the end of June he is set for the exit door.

When he has been on the pitch his height, strength and aerial ability has often been a useful tool for the east London outfit, and manager Manuel Pellegrini may well feel that he needs a like-for-like replacement during the summer transfer window.

Who is the answer?

With The Times reporting that Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez could be sold, West Ham may well be undertaking a complete transformation of their frontline in the coming months.

If they want a top-level physical striker to do what Carroll hasn’t been able to on a consistent basis for them, then they should look no further than Eintracht Frankfurt star Sebastien Haller.

The 6 ft 3 hitman has been a huge hit ever since making the move to the Bundesliga outfit, scoring 32 goals in 74 appearances in all competitions.

It is not only his ability to put the ball in the back of the net that is impressive though – it is his all-round game, and the fact he has won an average of 7.2 aerial duels per game in the league in 2018/19 shows he is more than a match for Carroll.

The Frenchman has also provided 19 assists during his spell with the German club, and his ability to hold the ball up and create for his teammates would surely be brilliant news for the likes of Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko next term.

Because of his fine record he would likely come at a cost, but given he is 24 years of age and has the best years of his career ahead of him he would undoubtedly be an inspired addition.

[ad_pod ]

Frank Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa’s war of words is set to continue, as Derby and Leeds prepare for a clash in the playoff semi-finals.

Both men are only in their first year of managing in English football, but they have already made enemies of one another after the spygate incident.

With Leeds’ recent dip in form Lampard has already fired off his first comments ahead of the semi-final to try and give his team the upper hand.

What’s been said then?

The Chelsea legend has downplayed his team’s abilities in the playoffs stating that they have an underdog status heading into their two-legged tie with the Yorkshire club.

Speaking to Sky Sports (May 5, 14:25pm) after his side’s 3-1 win against West Brom Lampard said:

“It’s a lottery now. It’s anyone’s game.

“We’re underdogs. I don’t want to think about anything past Leeds. They’re a fantastic team.

”They will be two massive games for us. We’ve got our work cut out.”

What is Lampard trying to do?

Of course, the Derby boss isn’t trying to question his side’s chances. He is trying to apply pressure to the Leeds squad and relax his team.

With the Whites heading into this game having won just one of their last four it is hard to say that they are favourites against the Rams over two legs.

Lampard has kick-started the mind games between himself and Bielsa almost immediately after the final whistle was blown on Sunday, and these comments could get into the heads of Leeds’ key men.

The Yorkshire club have been losing games they have been expected to win in recent weeks, and it seems that the label of being favourites can get to them.

They were fancied for promotion not too long ago and as soon as it looked like the Premier League was within touching distance, they capitulated.

Lampard knows that they have struggled with the weight of expectation this season and wants to apply pressure on them once again.

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal manager Unai Emery will have to cut the wage bill if he is to bring in the reinforcements he requires, per the Daily Mirror.

The Gunners are expected to trim and reshape the squad this summer, albeit with a limited budget.

What’s the word?

The Mirror report claims that Emery will be handed a transfer budget of £40million this summer.

The former PSG manager wants to sign a winger and a midfielder, the report claims, with AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser topping the list for the former.

Arsenal will of course also need a replacement for Aaron Ramsey, with his transfer to Juventus looming large.

Emery is said to want to strengthen his defence as well but players will have to leave the club for that to become a possibility.

The wage bill has to come under control, with Mesut Ozil earning £350,000-per-week, according to the Daily Mail, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan collecting near to £200,000-per-week.

The mess he inherited

The size of the job Emery has inherited is laid bare by this report.

Arsenal used to be able to pay the sums required to sign the likes of Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Indeed, Aubameyang only moved to the club last year, in a deal worth £56m.

Now, it appears that Emery will have to balance the books before being able to sign any decent players, with poor financial decisions coming back to haunt the Spaniard.

The fact of the matter is that Arsenal need a number of reinforcements this summer if they are to remain competitive in the Premier League and in Europe, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League.

That Emery needs to sell players in order to make this happen only serves as a damning indictment on the board, on the club’s decisions to hand inflated contracts to undeserving players, and to the legacy left by former boss Arsene Wenger.

[ad_pod ]

Tammy Abraham scored his 23rd Championship goal of the 2018-19 campaign in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

And now the Villa fans have called on the two-time England international to join the club on a permanent deal in this summer’s transfer window.

Abraham joined Villa on loan from Chelsea ahead of the 2018-19 season.

It would be fair to say that the striker has had a successful year and he will he hoping to fire Villa into the Premier League.

As it stands, Abraham will return to Chelsea this summer with the view to securing a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge next term.

However, the Villa fans are still hopeful that earning promotion to the Premier League might be enough to convince the 21-year-old to sign a permanent deal at the club.

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video below…

Having proved himself at Championship level, Abraham will certainly feel that he is more than ready to play regularly in the Premier League next term.

But it remains to be seen where that might occur.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Villa supporters can be seen below:

أكد مدرب فريق ساوثهامبتون، رالف هاسنهوتل أن اللاعب داني إنجز يعاني من إصابة غير جيدة، بعد مشاركته في مباراة اليوم أمام أستون فيلا في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في الجولة السابعة من البطولة، حيث فاز ساوثهامبتون بأربعة أهداف مقابل ثلاثة.

وخرج داني إنجز في الدقيقة 85 بعد تعرضه لضربة قوية في الركبة، بعد تلاحم عنيف مع أحد لاعبي الخصم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب أستون فيلا: تريزيجيه كان يستطيع تسجيل هاتريك أمام ساوثهامبتون

وقال رالف هاسنهوتل، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “جول” العالمية: “تعلم أنك في مثل هذه المباراة الصعبة يكون لديك بعض التدخلات القوية”.

وأضاف: “داني إنجز لا يبدو في حالة جيدة، ما حدث وقع أمامي تمامًا، نحن نعرف تاريخ إصاباته في الركبتين”.

وواصل: “لا يوجد تورم في الركبة، لقد استطاع مدها، دعونا نلقى نظرة على وضعه غدًا”.

Who could have predicted how poorly Gonzalo Higuain’s spell at Chelsea would go? When he moved to Stamford Bridge, he looked like the perfect fit. He was a star under Sarri previously, he knew the system, and the Blues were in desperate need of goals. What could go wrong?

Well, as it turns out, pretty much everything. Higuain’s spell at Chelsea has been an unmitigated disaster, with a good performance against Huddersfield really the only real vision of the Argentine at his best.

Since that point, games have passed by in which he’s not looked at the races, and in truth, it’s been obvious that he’s just not up to par anymore. Whether it’s a lack of fitness or another factor, his lack of form is most telling in the shape of his lack of energy – and that just doesn’t work in the Premier League.

At present, it’s looking unlikely that he’ll be at Chelsea next season, but he still has a chance. The Blues have the ability to extend his loan if they so choose, but on current form, that would be foolish.

However, with 4 Premier League games left, it’s not impossible. If he’s able to score a few goals, starting in the Europa League on Thursday, to prove that he’s improving as a player, perhaps he’ll get another opportunity next season.

The rest of the season is crucial for the Blues, and if they win every league game, there’s still a chance that they can finish in the top four. If Higuain can lead them to that – he’ll still deserve another season in London.

Chelsea fans – do you agree? Let us know below!

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United have it all to do against Barcelona inside the Camp Nou this evening.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men find themselves trailing by a goal to nil after a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the first leg, courtesy of an own goal by Luke Shaw – the England left-back is suspended for the game against the Spanish champions.

As a result, Solskjaer will need to replace the former Southampton full-back, although Marcos Rojo’s stint on the left of defence against West Ham at the weekend did little to strengthen the Argentine’s claim for another start.

We all love the Champions League theme tune but you’ve never heard it like this before! Check out the video below…

The Red Devils will need to go on the attack from the off against Ernesto Valverde’s side, as they need two goals to progress into the semi-finals in normal time having conceded an away goal to the Catalans at Old Trafford.

With that in mind, Solskjaer needs to pick an attack-minded eleven, although one that will be secure enough not to concede another, which would all but end their hopes of progressing.

Whilst that is easier said than done, we’ve put together a potential XI that Solskjaer could opt for this evening…

This line-up sees Ashley Young come in at left-back to replace Shaw, with Diogo Dalot slotting in at right-back to cover the former Aston Villa man’s swap over to the other side of defence.

Ahead of the backline, Scott McTominay, who performed so well in the first leg, is reinstated into the starting lineup after being rested against West Ham, whilst Fred, who has been playing well of late, comes in alongside him. Overall then, that’s four changes from the starting XI that beat West Ham on Saturday.

[ad_pod ]

According to the Evening Standard, Manchester United are targeting Idrissa Gueye as a replacement for Ander Herrera, who looks set for a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Spanish midfielder has apparently told the French champions that he will join them when his contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer.

Herrera has made 187 appearances for the Red Devils since arriving in a £29m deal from Athletic Bilbao five years ago, and was part of the starting lineup in the Carabao Cup final against Southampton, and the Europa League final against Ajax – United won both games.

Check out World of Lewis’ Man Utd v Barcelona matchday vlog in the video below…

However, now that the 29-year-old is said to be demanding a salary of £200,000-a-week to stay at the club, United look set to cut their losses on the midfielder and simply will not bow down to such excessive salary demands – hence their interest in Gueye.

Ed Woodward’s stupidest move yet?

If reports are to be believed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is targeting a youthful overhaul of his United squad this summer, and has the likes of Declan Rice, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in his sights.

So, if this is to be the 20-time Premier League champions’ strategy in the market this summer, why on earth would they want to let one 29-year-old go for free, and bring another one in for a fee in the region of a reported £30m?

United’s decision to stand firm and reject Herrera’s crazy wage request is an admirable one, although if they go and spend a chunk of cash on Toffees star Gueye, all of their good work will become undone, and they will be back to square one.

The Red Devils would be much better off putting that cash towards a move for 20-year-old Rice, who West Ham would reportedly demand in excess of £50m for – whilst that is a lot, the extra money would be worth it for a player nine years younger and with a much higher ceiling for development.

Gueye would be an extremely short-sighted transfer, and one that United and Woodward shouldn’t even be considering.

[ad_pod ]

Sheffield Wednesday are one of the many clubs interested in Coventry’s Jordan Willis once his contract is up at the end of the season, according to the Coventry Telegraph.

If the Owls are to pursue the 24-year-old, then it could be a sign that the brakes have been thrown on a potential deal for the club’s Player of the Year Michael Hector.

Signing Willis

The Sky Blues centre-back could prove to be one of the shrewdest signings of the summer.

The 24-year-old has already made 208 senior appearances in his career, and with such experience at a young age, he could be a top class Championship centre-back for the next decade.

The defender has spent the past few years cutting his teeth in League One and Two, but performances in those leagues have shown that he is more than ready to make the step up.

Unfortunately for Steve Bruce, he isn’t the only person monitoring Willis’ situation; Derby, Hull, Bristol City and Luton have all been linked to the centre-half.

Hector alternative

Murmurs of Willis’ arrival should be worrying for Wednesday fans who want to see the club bring in Chelsea defender Hector.

The Yorkshire club are interested in bringing the Jamaican back after his incredible loan spell at Hillsborough, but this signing may be a signal that things aren’t going smoothly on that front.

Current centre-back Tom Lees doesn’t look like he is going anywhere, and with so much interest in Willis, he isn’t going to move to a club that can’t offer him a starting spot.

If the Owls bring in the Coventry man that may be their centre-back pairing sorted for next season, meaning that the defender is either staying at Stamford Bridge or heading elsewhere.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Hector has been linked with a move to Fulham and this Willis link may indicate that the Jamaican has opted to stay in London rather than return to Sheffield.