Oh Shkodran, just what have you done? When the Arsenal stadium announcer at the Emirates calls out Mustafi’s name, a collective groan rings around the 60,000 seater stadium. An almost resigned feeling of just waiting to see when the defender’s next mind-boggling mistake gets made. Unai Emery’s side have been crying out for a lynch-pin at the back, and if recent reports are to be believed, that man could very well be Espanyol’s Mario Hermoso. 

Spanish publication Sport have suggested the Gunners are locked in a three-way fight with PSG and Bayern Munich over the 23-year-old’s signature after an impressive campaign in La Liga. The Spaniard was at the heart of a back-line that steered the side to a seventh-placed finish, thus securing Europa League football for next season.

The former Real Madrid academy product has come on leaps and bounds since his move to Spanish rivals Espanyol, and made his international debut for La Furia Roja last November in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Much of Arsenal’s and Emery’s interest is Hermoso is undoubtedly centred around the centre-back’s ability in possession. The modern-day need of a ‘ball-playing defender’ has become of paramount importance in the top sides, with Hermoso boasting an impressive 83.9% pass success rate this year in the league. As a left-footed centre-back, the Spaniard is already one of the game’s rare commodities, and added to his tendency to accurately switch the ball out to the right flank, makes him an absolute dream for wide players.

But for Arsenal fans who have been so used to Mustafi’s error-strewn performances and mind-numbing habit of diving into unwinnable challenges, Hermoso’s more ‘think-first’ approach will certainly go down much better. Whilst Mustafi’s defensive stats in terms of interceptions and tackles are reasonably good, his 1.4 fouls per game are double that of Hermoso this season, and captures the German’s poorer reading of the game.

At 27, Mustafi is no longer at an age where defensive mistakes can be put down to youth or inexperience. The former Valencia man has had ample chances to prove his worth to the Gunners both under Arsene Wenger and now Emery, but for the sake of everyone at the club, including the German’s, it’s time for him to be moved on.

So with Hermoso’s Transfermarkt £18m valuation seeing him firmly within Arsenal’s budget, Emery’s side could do a lot worse than getting a deal done for the centre-back. After all, you can only go up after Mustafi…

Gunners fans, would you back a move for Mario Hermoso in order to replace Mustafi? Do you think he can be the solution to the side’s defensive struggles? Join the discussion by commenting below…

بعث أمير مرتضى منصور المشرف العام على فريق كرة القدم بنادي الزمالك بعدة رسائل بعد صدور قرار وزارة الشباب والرياضة بإيقاف مجلس إدارة القلعة البيضاء.

وأصدرت وزارة الشباب والرياضة بيانًا اليوم الأحد أعلنت فيه قرارها بإيقاف مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك وإحالته إلى النيابة العامة.

وقال أمير مرتضى منصور في تدوينات قصيرة عبر حسابه بموقع “تويتر”: “اليوم صباحًا تم توجيه الشكر لي على المرحلة السابقة، بالتالي اليوم أرحل عن نادي الزمالك بعد 28 شهرًا وأعود لمكاني مشجعًا للنادي، يومًا ما كان أقصى أحلامي منذ الطفولة هو ارتداء قميص نادي الزمالك والتشرف بتمثيله والفوز معه ببطولات كلاعب ولم يكتب لي ذلك”.

وأضاف: “تشرفت بالإشراف على فريق الزمالك والنجاح في تحقيق 5 بطولات تسعد جماهيره على مدار عامين، ولكن كمسئول لم يكتب لي الاستمرار ولم اتمكن من استكمال ما بدأته وما تمنيته من تطوير، لكن وجودي على رأس منظومة الكرة شرف كبير”.

طالع أيضًا.. وزارة الرياضة تعلن في بيان رسمي المدة القانونية للجنة المؤقتة في إدارة الزمالك

وتابع: “شكرًا لمجلس الادارة والشكر لـ مرتضى منصور على ثقته في وعلى ما قدمه للزمالك، لولاك لما نلت هذا الشرف، وأتمنى أن أكون قد رفعت رأسك كأحد العاملين في النادي وكابنك قبل أي شئ”.

وواصل: “شكرًا لكل اللاعبين والأجهزة الفنية والطبية والإدارية والعمال، تشرفت بالعمل معكم وأتمنى التوفيق لكم جميعًا، وفعلا تشرفت بكل لاعب في هذا الجيل، وحصدتم البطولات ونلتم حب واحترام جماهيركم”.

واختتم: “مع جماهير نادي الزمالك بدأت علاقتنا في مساحة من الشك في قدرتي على النجاح، ولكن نجحنا كفريق كرة القدم في إسعادكم في أوقات كثيرة بدعمكم وثقافتكم وحبكم للكيان، مكسبي الكبير هو ثقتكم فيّ واحترامكم لي، كل كلمات الشكر لا تكفي وأرجوكم تقبلوا اعتذاري عن أي تقصير بدر مني”.

1️⃣ اليوم صباحا تم توجيه الشكر لي على المرحلة السابقة، بالتالي اليوم أرحل عن نادي الزمالك بعد ٢٨ شهراً وأعود لمكاني مشجعًا للنادي يومًا ما كان أقصى أحلامي منذ الطفولة هو ارتداء قميص نادي الزمالك والتشرف بتمثيله والفوز معه ببطولات كلاعب ولم تكتب لي

— Amir Mortada Mansour (@AmirMortada) November 29, 2020

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Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Manchester United defender Eric Bailly ahead of a potential summer move, per the Daily Star.

What’s the word?

The Ivory Coast international has been far from ever-present at Old Trafford this season, playing just 18 times in all competitions.

He completed the 90 minutes in the Premier League just five times and the aforementioned report claims that he is now keen to leave the club.

Spurs are said to have targeted the centre-back as a potential acquisition this summer, while Arsenal are also credited with an interest.

United, of course, have been credited with an interest in Spurs centre-back Toby Alderweireld, who, per the report, has a £25million release clause in his contract this summer.

And Bailly could potentially be used as bait as United attempt to strike a cheaper deal.

The wrong man as a replacement

Bailly is completely the wrong type of defender to replace Alderweireld.

He does not offer the same ability to spray the ball around the place as the Belgium international nor does he have the same precision in the tackle, or the leadership and composure offered by “Toby”, as he is affectionally known by fans.

The ideal scenario for Spurs, of course, is that Alderweireld eventually decides to stay put and sign a new contract.

But with that appearing ever more unlikely, a replacement will need to be found; Spurs would be better off banking the £25m though and putting it toward that replacement as opposed to accepting a swap deal from United.

At the end of the day, Bailly just isn’t in Alderweireld’s league.

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Per a report from Football Insider, Aston Villa are planning a swoop for Chelsea man Todd Kane.

What’s the word?

At the age of 25 it’s remarkable that Kane is still on Chelsea’s books. The right back has never really been able to get a look-in as a combination of injury and indifferent loan spells have led to a stuttering career.

Kane spent last season on loan at Hull where he impressed in what was his first full season in English football. And he could now finally make a permanent switch away from the Blues after eight different loan spells.

Football Insider suggest that newly promoted Villa are planning a swoop on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

Danger for Elmohamady?

After Dean Smith released Micah Richards and Alan Hutton it’s no surprise to see another body in that position potentially arriving.

Yet after the imminent arrival of Frederic Guilbert, who signed in January before heading to Caen on loan, it could spell the end of Ahmed Elmohamady as a permanent fixture in the team.

The Egyptian was crucial for the Villans last season, claiming eight assists from both right midfield and further back in defence. He played a pivotal hand in the play-off final too, laying on the opening goal for Anwar El Ghazi.

Elmohamady has been the victim of two relegations from the Premier League with Hull but his experience of the top-flight could be key next season.

However, with the possibility of Kane arriving it could force him out of the team. The former Oxford United loanee is extremely versatile, possessing the ability to play further up the field on both wings, as well as in a right back position.

“Finding a Lionel Messi in Sheffield… bit of a tall order!” – Watch Championship fans attempt to name their clubs’ Messi in the video below…

Although playing predominantly on the left hand side of midfield when he has been favoured in attacking areas, he also featured on the right wing on multiple occasions in 2018/19. As well as that he played 25 times as a full-back.

In comparison, Villa’s current number 27 can play also play on the right of midfield, a role he made 13 starts in last term.

Bearing that in mind, it’s easy to view Kane’s transfer as a potential like-for-like replacement for Elmohamady. With Guilbert also returning, the Egypt international’s place in the side will be in danger.

Tottenham are apparently in hot pursuit of Mexican whizz Hirving Lozano.

Well, according to CalcioNapoli24, Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs are keen to sign PSV Eindhoven’s impressive winger and it’s hard to see how this wouldn’t be a good move.

This isn’t the first time Spurs have registered their interest in the player having apparently (as per TEAMtalk) pursued him following the most recent instalment of the World Cup in Russia. And surely they’ll be inspired by the fact that the little Mexican whippet has produced a mightily successful season in the Netherlands, claiming 21 goals and 12 assists across 40 appearances in all competitions.

Jesus Martinez, chairman of the player’s former club Pachuca, told ESPN Deportes back in March that Manchester United had been tracking him since he was 16, so it’s clear the 23-year-old has been making an impression for quite some time.

If it didn’t hit home last summer, surely it’s beginning to dawn on Spurs fans that they’re going to need to sign some players in the upcoming window if they’re to stay afloat. Fernando Llorente, the man who bundled in Spurs’ route to the Champions League final, expected to leave, Harry Kane missed 17 games due to injury and Vincent Jansson has played 144 minutes of football (only 36 of which came in the Premier League). With that in mind, Lozano could provide the necessary quality in a region of the pitch they’re becoming increasingly weak in.

Compared to Spurs’ current forwards, Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min, both of whom we considered to have performed particularly well this year, Lozano reigns supreme in a few all-important statistics.

For example, while Son produced 12 goals and six assists, and Lucas 10 (with zero assists), in the recently completed Premier League season, the Mexican managed to net 17 times and created on eight separate occasions for his teammates, in the Eredivisie. And though Son and Moura both finished on an impressive 2.4 and 1.4 shots per game, Lozano trumps them both with an average of 3 – at much higher conversion rate, according to Squakwa.

Obviously, it’d be a step up in quality but, looking at the raw stats, there’s a player there waiting to be unleashed. And at the very least, his talents could alleviate some of the pressure on Harry Kane, if not optimise his performances. What’s not to like about that?

Spurs fans, would you be happy to sign Hirving Lozano? Who would he replace? How many players do you realistically think you need to introduce this summer? Let us know in the comments below…

أفادت تقارير صحفية إسبانية أن نادي أتلتيكو مدريد يرغب في ضم التعاقد مع الدولي البولندي أركاديوش ميليك مهاجم نابولي الإيطالي.

ميليك كان قريبًا من الانتقال إلى يوفنتوس في سوق الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية، لكن البيانكونيري فضل التعاقد مع ألفارو موراتا من أتلتيكو مدريد.

صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، أفادت أن أتلتيكو مدريد الذي كان يستهدف ميليك أيضًا في الصيف الماضي، عاد من جديد للاهتمام باللاعب لضمه في يناير المقبل.

ويريد الروخي بلانكوس التعاقد مع اللاعب البولندي للجزء الثاني من الموسم، حيث أصيب سواريز وكوستا بـ فيروس كورونا، بالإضافة لعامل السن وكثرة الإصابات العضلية.

صاحب الـ26 عامًا يخوض موسمه الأخير مع نابولي، بعد الانضمام إلى البارتيونبي في صيف 2016، لتعويض هيجواين الذي انتقل إلى يوفنتوس في ذلك الوقت.

ميليك في 122 مباراة مع نابولي منذ 2016 حتى الآن، سجل 48 هدفًا بمختلف المسابقات.

There are not many attacks in Europe, if there are any at all, more potent than Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. But what if there was a way to make Liverpool even scarier than they are right now? Most fans would sign that deal in a blink of an eye, and the best thing is – it could very well come true.

Naturally, as the transfer window opens to the world, we’ll all be eyeing the potential “cash splashers” among the heavyweights but there’s something quite romantic and even nostalgic about clubs banking on the youth, taking those leap of faiths and making a statement. Interestingly enough, this might just happen at Liverpool, and it might as well be the best move Jurgen Klopp has played in his ongoing tenure at Merseyside as of yet.

If the exclusive reports coming from Calciomercato are to be believed, Inter’s Sebastiano Esposito seems to be quite a catch these days and Liverpool are keen on signing him up. The young 16-year-old prodigy has impressed greatly in the U-17 Euros, netting an unbelievable 16 goals in just 14 appearances. Similarly, he’s had a great campaign playing for Inter’s youth squad in Primavera 1, bagging three goals in 12 games.

The numbers do speak for themselves but that’s not even the best part just yet. Even though Inter have seemingly been adamant in keeping their gem, the Reds will push for a transfer. If Esposito does end up at Anfield, imagine what the future might have in store for this centre-forward if he was to be paired up with none other than Bobby Duncan? Oh yes, how could anyone forget about Liverpool’s own wonderkid who’s already donning the red and wreaking havoc in the Under-18 Premier League?

The Kopites already can’t wait for this young striker to step up to the big league and start playing with the big boys. After all, the kid just can’t seem to stop scoring and his record of 18 goals and six assists in only 20 appearances pretty much attests to that. But it gets even better than that, really. The flexibility of Esposito which makes him a great fit for any role in the final third and the lethal eye of Duncan seem to work flawlessly on paper and the tandem of those two is enough to make any defence shiver just thinking about it.

The only thing left to do is just to forget about the Mbappes and Ronaldos of the world for a second (it’s difficult, I know), and go down a much scarier and riskier path but one that stands to give you tenfold in return once the time is right.

Liverpool fans, would you like to see the tandem of Bobby Duncan and Sebastiano Esposito in Reds’ first team one day? Let us know in the comments below…

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Sky Sports are reporting that Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace have set the wanted figure for bright young right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka at a minimum of £50m.

What’s the word, then?

The report claims the Eagles will not consider anything below their desired fee for the 21-year-old after Manchester United saw a bid of £40m rejected – the Red Devils are preparing a second one.

Also, Wan-Bissaka himself is said to be interested in a move to Old Trafford this summer but is not thought to be pushing for the transfer and hasn’t handed in an exit request.

The defender who’s represented England at every level from under-20 to the under-21 side he currently plays for, broke into the first team at Selhurst Park just over a year ago and has really caught the eye in 46 appearances.

Palace need to be careful playing risky game

By rejecting a high fee for Wan-Bissaka and demanding an obscene amount of money for the starlet, Palace need to be very careful as they’re playing a risky game.

Yes, the Englishman looks like a very promising talent and is on the cusp of the England senior squad barely into his 20s, but he hasn’t played 50 senior games yet.

No one that inexperienced and not properly yet proven at the highest level should be worth that figure – it works out at over a million for every Eagles match he’s played.

It’s understandable that Hodgson and those above him will want as much as possible if they’re going to let one of their prized assets leave, but that number is ridiculous even in the crazy world of modern football.

Are Crystal Palace right to slap a £100m valuation on Wilfried Zaha’s head? Check out the video below to see why they are…

Let’s not forget that the player himself has had his head turned by a fairytale move to the “Theatre of Dreams” to join the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revolution.

Whilst there are zero signs that the full-back, in contract until 2022, is going to throw a strop to get his transfer and it seems like he would be content staying, it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility – that would be the last thing the south London outfit need ahead of next season.

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Arsenal fans on Twitter have slammed the club’s ambition after being mentioned in connection with a move for Valencia teenager Ferran Torres.

The Gunners’ transfer plans have been shattered after missing out on Champions League football and the club now must find affordable alternatives, with the Daily Mail linking Unai Emery’s side with a £25m move for Torres.

The devastating 4-1 Europa League final defeat to Chelsea has had grave consequences outside of the lost opportunity for silverware as Emery has seen his budget for signings slashed to just £45m.

Previous targets Wilfried Zaha, Dayo Upamencano, and James Maddison are now out of the question as Arsenal are forced to chase a cheaper echelon of targets including Ryan Fraser and Torres.

The Spanish winger has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season at Valencia, making 37 appearances in all competitions, but featuring predominantly off the bench to score two goals and provide one assist in La Liga.

Valencia are said to be willing to part ways with the teenage sensation as long as a sell-on clause is included in a deal worth around £25m, although Leicester City are also interested in the Spain U19 international, complicating any potential move.

While Torres is well-regarded in Spain, he isn’t yet a household name in England, with the underwhelming report incurring the wrath of Arsenal supporters who feel the club need to chase players of a higher calibre.

Check out the best of the reaction below!

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans are going to be one of the most talked about things in football you would suspect.

The Red Devils are in desperate need of some sort of overhaul with Ole Solskjaer now in charge at Old Trafford, and while moving players out will be one of his priorities, he will also need to ensure that he brings in suitable replacements.

One player linked with a move to United this week is Dutch international midfielder Kevin Strootman, who has long been touted with a move to the Premier League throughout his career.

However, we here in the Tavern feel United need to be wary of making a move for Strootman this summer, with the 29-year-old probably past the prime years of his career already.

While Strootman is of course a class act in the middle of the park, there has to be a reason that he is being offered away from current club Marseille, and it makes you think that the French side know something more about the midfielder other than the cost-cutting excuse they are touting at the moment.

In his Roma days there was every reason for Strootman to make the move to Old Trafford, but United need to be moving forward and progressing with young, hungry players who can take the club forward. Sadly, Strootman wouldn’t appear to fit this bill anymore.

The signing of Strootman would be a very uninspiring one for United fans you would think, and in a time when the club needs picking up and lifting, it might be that both club and player have missed the boat on this one.