Arsenal: Eddie Nketiah has what it takes to play with elite strikers at the club

He has been given chance after chance, but finally, on the last day of the season, Eddie Nketiah scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal.

The Arsenal youth academy striker is highly tipped to one day become one of the top strikers in English football having dominated the youth leagues for most of his teenage life, and his first strike in league football got many Gunners fans excited about the future of their 19-year-old attacker.

Having made a name for himself last season after scoring twice against Norwich City in the League Cup, Nketiah has slowly but surely been waiting on the sideline for a chance to impress yet again in the first-team, and the striker has been unlucky not to score this season already with the England U-19 forward impressing against the likes of Vorskla and Qarabag in the Europa League.

The striker has also been incredible at youth level, again, this season, scoring nine and assisting four in Premier League 2 as well as scoring for the U-23s in the EFL Trophy.

Nketiah can hang his head up high after scoring against Burnley on the final day of the season in a 3-1 win for Arsenal and can now look forward to a season where the striker is likely to see more first-team football.

If Unai Emery remains with the 3-5-2 formation that has worked well this season, then the Spaniard could see Nketiah as back-up for Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first-team, and with Danny Welbeck leaving this summer, the 19-year-old has an even bigger chance of getting minutes in the starting XI.

It was a long time coming, but Nketiah is finally a Premier League striker, and next season will likely see more of the promising and talented attacker.

Arsenal fans, can Nkeitah be a solid back-up for Aubameyang and Lacazette next season? Let us know!

Summer exit? Everton fans react to potential Jonjoe Kenny departure

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According to Football Insider, Burnley have ‘made an approach’ to sign Everton defence Jonjoe Kenny on loan for the 2019-2020 campaign.

Kenny only made nine Premier League appearances for Everton during the recent season.

The 22-year-old has a contract with the Toffees until the summer of 2022, suggesting that a permanent move would be unlikely at this stage.

However, according to Football Insider, Marco Silva’s side would be prepared to loan the defender out next term, which has led to Burnley making a move.

The Merseyside club’s fans have been on social media offering their views.

And whilst some believe that it would be a good move for Kenny, others do not want the right-back to leave Goodison Park in this summer’s transfer window.

Kenny is at the stage of his career where he really needs regular football, but his departure would leave the Toffees short on the right side of defence.

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

مصدر لـ"بطولات": الزمالك يقرر تجديد عقد معروف يوسف

كشف مصدر داخل نادي الزمالك، عن موقف اللاعب المعار معروف يوسف، سواء بالعودة إلى الفريق مرة أخرى أو إعارته.

وكان الزمالك قد أعار معروف يوسف آخر موسمين لناديي الشرطة العراقي، والمقاولون العرب.

وقال المصدر لـ”بطولات”: “هناك اجتماع لمعروف يوسف مع مسئولي الزمالك غدا في النادي لتحديد موعد عودته للتدريبات وحسم مصيره”.

وتابع: “الاتجاه داخل النادي لتجديد عقده لموسمين وإعارته”.

طالع | خاص | الزمالك يُطالب لاعبه المُعار بالعودة للتدريبات غدًا

ويستعد الزمالك لخوض مباراة دور الـ 8 بكأس مصر أمام نادي مصر ونهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا أمام الأهلي يوم 27 نوفمبر الحالي.

The Chalkboard: Kodjia more than capable of replacing Abraham

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When it’s come to goals this season at Aston Villa, it’s been all about Tammy Abraham, with the Chelsea loanee bagging 25 in the Championship.

Therefore, Villa fans will have understandably been concerned when the striker was ruled out of their clash with Millwall on Easter Monday with a shoulder injury.

It’s a problem that looks as though it’ll keep him out of Villa’s clash with Leeds this coming weekend too.

However, stepping up to the plate when it mattered most was Jonathan Kodjia who sealed a record-breaking tenth win in a row for Villa and their place in the play-offs.

On the chalkboard

Kodjia showed on Monday that there is more to Villa than Abraham and that if the 21-year-old doesn’t return next season, he is more than capable of replacing him.

The Ivorian has struggled for consistency and fitness since scoring 19 for the club during the 2016/17 season. He now well and truly looks back to his best.

He came off the bench to score a vital penalty against Rotherham earlier in the month and he was on hand again this week to seal another huge win for the club, scoring his eighth goal of the campaign.

When Dean Smith needed a man, Kodjia was there and scored a lovely instinctive finish after making a clever run to the near post – that sort of darting run and confident finish is all the evidence you need that he is back at 100 per cent.

There was more to his game than that though and playing as the lone striker, rather than as a pair when he’d lined up alongside Abraham against Rotherham, he was terrific at bringing the rest of his team into the game.

He completed the game with a pass success of 93 per cent, keeping things simple when it needed to be whilst also winning one aerial duel and completing two dribbles.

It showed the dynamic nature of the forward and proves that he can still have a huge say in Villa’s promotion efforts.

Abraham will likely slot straight back in once he’s fit again, but with the pair of them in attack Smith’s side can find even greater potency.

Missing him: Man United fans reminisce about Robin van Persie

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Manchester United fans on Twitter have been busy reminiscing about Robin van Persie, after a video emerged showing all of the forward’s goal from his time at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has now retired from the game, after announcing his decision back in October, and it has certainly got the United fans in a romantic mood as they discuss their former No.20 and everything that he did for the club.

Will OGS still be in charge of Man Utd come next May? The Flying Pig discusses in the video below…

Van Persie led United to their 20th top-flight success in his first season at Old Trafford, and scored 58 goals in 105 appearances for the Red Devils overall to cement himself in the supporters’ good books.

He was due to play his last game in professional football with Feyenoord against Fortuna Sittard on Wednesday, but that plan has now changed with the 2-0 defeat to ADO Den Haag on Sunday his last.

His retirement has left the United fanbase romanticising over his efforts for the club.

Let’s take a look at what the supporters have been saying about their former Dutch hitman…

تشكيل البرازيل أمام أوروجواي.. فيرمينو وجيسوس أساسيان وأليسون على دكة البدلاء

أعلن مدرب منتخب البرازيل تيتي التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة أوروجواي بعد قليل في تصفيات قارة أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم في قطر 2022.

ويتلاقى المنتخبان في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة من التصفيات.

وتتواجد البرازيل في المركز الأول برصيد 9 نقاط، بينما تحتل أوروجواي المركز الرابع برصيد 6 نقاط.

ويبدأ الحارس إيدرسون في مباراة الليلة، حيث فضّل تيتي الإبقاء على حارس ليفربول أليسون بيكر على دكة البدلاء، مثلما حدث في مباراة الجولة الماضية أمام فنزويلا.

ويواصل نيمار غيابه عن راقصي السامبا بداعِ الإصابة. تشكيل منتخب البرازيل أمام أوروجواي

حراسة المرمى: إيدرسون.

خط الدفاع: لودي، تياجو سيلفا، ماركينيوس، دانيلو.

خط الوسط: آرثر، دوجلاس لويز، إيفرتون ريبيرو.

خط الهجوم: ريتشارليسون، فيرمينو، جيسوس.

 

The Verdict: Would Lowe make up for loss of goals at West Brom if Gayle doesn’t sign?

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West Brom are reportedly keen on adding Portsmouth winger Jamal Lowe to their ranks, per Football League World.

According to the report, scouts have been to watch him on regular occasions. It’s easy to see why considering the form the Pompey man has been in this season. He’s had a major influence on the promotion title-chasing side and they will be eager to hold onto one of their star men.

However, West Brom could lose one of their star men too when Dwight Gayle’s loan deal runs out. As a result, the club may look towards someone like Lowe to fill the void left behind by the Newcastle loanee.

With this in mind, Football FanCast writers gave their verdicts on whether he’d be able to make up for the goals Gayle may take with him if he doesn’t sign permanently. Here’s what they said.

Luke Glanville

“His tally of goals and assists in League One this season is impressive, proving Jamal Lowe to be someone who can both create and score high volumes of goals. Therefore, he would be a very shrewd signing for West Brom. However, in terms of replacing Dwight Gayle and his haul of league strikes this campaign, that would be tricky.

“Firstly, he’d have to adapt to playing as a striker and not a winger and secondly, have to do it in a league of much higher quality, possibly the Premier League. So for me, should the Baggies sign Lowe? Yes absolutely, but alongside a Gayle replacement if he’s on his way out of the Hawthorns.”

Billy Meyers

“It remains to be seen whether or not Jamal Lowe can make the step up from League One into the Championship. Given his excellent form this season, you would back him to do well in the second-tier, but in terms of replacing the impact of a man who has become somewhat of a Championship marksman over the years, Lowe may not be able to get near Dwight Gayle’s goal tally anytime soon.”

James Beavis

“From what I have seen of Lowe this season I have been impressed, and for me, he would be a better option than Gayle next season. Should West Brom look to play three attackers in the 2019/20 campaign, then the 24-year-old has the ability to play on the wing and as a centre-forward. Gayle has often struggled to make an impact when he has featured out wide, and Lowe would gazump him in that respect. Replicating his goal record in the Championship would be a challenge, but with the right service he can do it.”

Pundit View: Murphy unhappy with Maddison after red card incident against Arsenal

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Giving his analysis on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 (28/04, 10.30pm), Danny Murphy has lambasted Leicester’s James Maddison for his actions which saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles sent off during the Foxes’ 3-0 win over Arsenal.

What’s he said?

Leicester were absolutely sensational against the Gunners on Sunday and their return to form under Brendan Rodgers has been fantastic to watch.

Maddison was one of the stand-out players for the Midlands club once again, claiming a stunning assist for Youri Tieleman’s opening goal in the second half. His contribution from the left flank, rather than in the centre, was outstanding and his role there has surely given Rodgers plenty to think about.

However, he was involved at the centre of some controversy. Already on a yellow card, right-back Maitland-Niles lunged in on Maddison. The result of which was a second booking for the youngster who was given his marching orders.

But Murphy wasn’t happy with the decision and as such, launched a scathing attack on Maddison. He told MOTD2:

“Maddison has stitched him up. He can say what he likes. He is a wonderfully gifted player, Maddison, I like him a lot and I think he is destined for a big future – the stitching up of another player is something I didn’t do, it never came to my mind.

“He didn’t touch him. Earlier in the season, he apologised and said he learned from it, but he hasn’t. I think that’s out of order, I don’t like seeing it and I can’t defend him.”

Maddison still has a lot to learn

The creative midfielder was exceptional last Sunday but his involvement in the red card shows he still has a long way to go before he matures into a complete footballer.

The former Norwich man has impressed with the ball at his feet on numerous occasions throughout the 2018/19 campaign but this is the second time he’s been at the centre of controversy.

Back in November, the Leicester man was sent off for diving after going over without being touched against Brighton. This was a similar occurrence but it appears Murphy still hasn’t forgiven him for that incident a number of months ago.

The 22-year-old will have to be careful going forward. If he finds himself involved in these types of situations on a regular basis then it could hinder both his image and ability to reach his full potential.

However, with Rodgers at the helm, Maddison has a manager that’ll be perfectly suited to helping him develop over the next couple of years.

No thanks! Liverpool fans don’t want Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to say that they certainly don’t want Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale at the club.

Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda of Okdiario said that the Welshman is likely to join either of the Champions League finalists Liverpool or Tottenham, in quotes that won’t sit well with the Liverpool fans below.

Luis Suarez certainly had no qualms about celebrating against his former employers in the video below…

The Southampton academy graduate has endured a tough season in the Spanish capital and Madrid are reportedly trying to get rid of the man they paid a whopping £85m for back in 2014.

Bale hit 14 goals and recorded six assists in the campaign just gone, but his massive wages – he allegedly earns £650,000-a-week – may prove to be a stumbling block for any interested clubs; he has also suffered with his fair share of injury problems.

He would certainly be a risky signing all things considered, and one that the Reds should quite rightly stay away from – it has since been revealed by the Liverpool Echo that a move for the forward would be unlikely.

Let’s see what the Liverpool supporters on Twitter have been saying on the matter…

Sheffield Wednesday: Bruce must consider cutting ties with Rhodes this summer

When Sheffield Wednesday revealed that they had completed the permanent signing of Jordan Rhodes from Middlesbrough in 2017, their supporters had every right to be excited.

Prolific at Championship level during his time at Blackburn Rovers, the 29-year-old forward seemingly had all the ingredients needed to become a hero at Hillsborough.

Yet having been signed with the expectation that he could be player to fire the Owls to the Premier League, Rhodes ultimately failed to deliver in his debut season as he only managed to score five league goals in 31 appearances as his side slumped to a 15th place finish in the second tier.

With then-manager Jos Luhukay unwilling to include the £4.5m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) in his plans for the 2018/19 campaign, he decided to loan him out to Norwich City last summer.

Although the Canaries would end up lifting the Championship title, Rhodes’ contribution to this remarkable achievement was very minimal as the forward only found the back of the net on nine occasions in 40 games for Daniel Farke’s side.

Considering his lack of form for Norwich over the past year, it is somewhat of a surprise that the former Blackburn ace is being linked with a permanent switch to Carrow Road when the transfer window opens in July.

According to The Sun on Sunday (as quoted by HITC), Rhodes is reportedly at the top of the Canaries’ shopping list with Farke keen to deploy him in the Premier League next season.

If this is indeed the case, Bruce must not hesitate at the thought of selling Rhodes to the Norfolk-based outfit as it could be argued that he already has better striking options at the club in the form of Fernando Forestieri and Steven Fletcher.

By cashing in on the forward, the 58-year-old could use the money to strengthen his squad ahead of the Owls’ eighth consecutive Championship campaign.

What do you think Wednesday fans? Should Bruce sell Rhodes this summer? Or does the forward deserve another chance to impress for your club? Let us know below.

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