All posts by z3u9t.icu

Nottingham Forest are back in action tomorrow evening with a home clash against Coventry City after beating Blackpool away from home in their previous outing.

On the chalkboard

Sam Surridge didn’t start at the weekend but ended up having an impact when he came on, meaning he should now be in the starting XI

Having replaced Keinan Davis after 66 minutes against Blackpool, Surridge ended up having one clear shot at goal which ended up increasing the away side’s lead towards the latter stages of the game.

Since arriving at the Midlands club back in the previous January transfer window on a permanent deal from Stoke City, the Englishman has appeared in eight league games for the Reds but has yet to start one.

Speaking after Saturday’s win, the Forest boss had this to say about his substitute hero and the chances of him finally starting a match.

He said: “For sure, he’s pushing for a start. But all of the players are. I’d be comfortable playing any of the players who maybe haven’t started or didn’t start at the weekend.”

In his five previous appearances for Cooper’s side, the 23-year-old has found the back of the net three times, showing what a useful attacking option he can be.

With this in mind, it seems as though the winter recruit has done enough to finally warrant a place in the starting XI.

Taking into account how Davis could only rack up one shot at goal against Blackpool before being replaced by Surridge, this could persuade the Forest manager to give the former Stoke figure a start up top against Brennan Johnson after his weekend brace.

Labelled as a “baller” by one Forest journalist, the centre-forward could be a terrifying prospect for Coventry to have to deal with, especially considering they’ve conceded a total of 48 league goals this season, 12 more than Forest.

If the Reds boss does finally give the attacker the chance to show what he can do on the pitch from the start, he could end up staking a claim to become a regular starter for the team if he’s able to make the most of his chance and add some more goals to his record.

In other news: Cost £0, now worth £3.6m: Forest struck gold on “superb” gem likened to “Wolverine”

Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville is the subject of a transfer battle between Rangers and Hamburg, according to Frankfurter Rundschau (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Right-winger Summerville joined Leeds from Feyenoord’s academy in September 2020. He’s gone on to make eight appearances for the Whites’ senior side, including five in the Premier League this season.

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But the 20-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of next season, hasn’t featured in the top-flight since the 4-1 defeat against Arsenal on 18 December.

Hamburg’s directors apparently tried to sign the Dutchman in January but Leeds refused to let him move.

New Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has spoken to the player about the importance of his ‘professional behaviour, work ethic and his mentality’.

The latest

Rangers hold an interest in Summerville and ‘have more money’ to spend on the deal than fellow suitors Hamburg, per SW.

The Bundesliga 2 side were left feeling ‘bitter’ after their January move failed, but they are willing to ‘make another attempt for him’ in the summer.

The verdict

If Leeds do let Summerville go, it ought to be on loan. He’s shown his promise at Under-23 level for The Whites, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in 27 appearances.

Journalist Beren Cross says the ‘runaway train’ has been ‘catching the eye’, while U23 boss Andrew Taylor has even dubbed him ‘sensational’.

They could come to regret letting him go permanently after handing him only limited opportunities.

A loan move would offer him the opportunity to gain valuable experience of playing regular men’s football and, if Leeds do later decide to sell, it could well increase his value.

They may be a little hesitant to send him to Rangers, however, on the back of fellow youngster Amad Diallo’s unsuccessful loan switch from Manchester United.

The Gers reportedly intend to send Diallo back to Manchester at the earliest opportunity after things turned ‘sour’.

In other news, Leeds are ‘very likely’ to make this signing.

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It is funny how quickly things can change.

When Fernando Llorente missed an incredible chance to register against Watford on Wednesday night, the Tottenham Hotspur fans may have thought it was going to be another one of those nights for the Spaniard.

The 33-year-old is currently being tasked with leading the line in the absence of Harry Kane, which is not exactly the easiest thing in the world.

Overall, Llorente had a difficult night against Watford, but there proved to be a fairytale ending for the former Athletic Bilbao man as he netted an 87th-minute winner in Spurs’ 2-1 victory.

As expected, there were wild celebrations when Llorente registered and it could well be a turning point for the Spaniard, who was linked with an exit this month by The Daily Mail in December.

The Tottenham fans did a flip when Llorente – earning £75,000 a week according to Spotrac – scored the winner, with a large number taking to social media to lavish praise on the centre-forward.

A selection of the reaction from the club’s supporters can be seen below:

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas which Arsenal players would get into the Tottenham team ahead of the North London Derby – Check out the video below…

Leeds United may have been boosted in their efforts to sign Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, following Luis Diaz’s expected move to Anfield.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Minamino move

The Whites were linked (Sky Sports) with a move for the Japanese attacker earlier in the week, as Marcelo Bielsa potentially looks to do some late business in January.

Minamino has been a peripheral figure for Liverpool this season, making zero starts in the Premier League and playing second fiddle to more illustrious names.

It could be that he now departs in the coming days after some significant moves from the Reds, and Leeds may have been boosted in that respect.

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The Latest: Diaz transfer could aid Whites

On Friday, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed Liverpool’s expected signing of Porto star Diaz this weekend could mean Minamino leaves Anfield:

“The arrival of Diaz could see Liverpool allow departures with Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino both the subject of offers this month.”

Whether or not Leeds were one of the teams to actually make an offer is unclear.

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The Verdict: Shrewd last-minute addition

Minamino has struggled to excel at Liverpool but it may simply be a matter of the sheer number of quality additions at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal – the signing of Diaz exemplifies exactly that.

Leeds meanwhile are struggling for depth, and they don’t even actually have an attacking midfielder in the squad, per Transfermarkt, so this feels like a wise move.

The 27-year-old has still chipped in with six goals and an assist this season despite his limited chances, not to mention netting 16 times in 36 caps for Japan.

Minamino can play up front, out wide or as a No.10, too, so his versatility could be ideal for Bielsa, who could do with an extra injection of class between now and Monday’s deadline.

In other news, Phil Hay claims there is ‘European interest’ in one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United are reportedly set to seal their first signing of the upcoming summer transfer window after agreeing a fee for Matt Targett…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies are expecting to complete a deal to sign the Englishman on a permanent basis from Aston Villa at the end of his loan spell.

The report claims that the Toon are on the verge of securing a £15m swoop for the former Southampton full-back, making him their first addition ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Eddie Howe will be over the moon

This update will surely leave Newcastle manager Eddie Howe over the moon, as it means that the left-back position is not a cause for concern heading into next season.

Instead of worrying about who his first-choice will be in that position, the 44-year-old can plan ahead knowing that Targett will be slotting in on the left of the backline.

The likes of Matt Ritchie, Jamal Lewis and Paul Dummett are also at the club and can provide competition for the 26-year-old’s place, which means that there is no need for any more signings in that area of the pitch after this deal is completed.

Upon Targett’s arrival at St James’ Park on loan, Howe said: “We have gone into this transfer window with a plan to add strong competition in specific areas of the team and Matt will be a fantastic option for us on the left.

“He has important Premier League experience and know-how at this level, so I’m really pleased we’ve been able to add him to the squad.”

These comments highlight how highly the Newcastle head coach rates the defender, whose performances in the top flight have lived up to the hype. He has proven himself to be a reliable option in the Premier League, with an average SofaScore rating of 6.87 across 26 appearances for Villa and Newcastle this term.

The left-back has created 1.3 chances per game and showcased his defensive quality with an impressive 3.3 tackles and interceptions per match. He is a modern day full-back who can excel at both ends of the pitch, and this is why the ex-Cherries boss will surely love to keep him heading into next season.

At the age of 26, the Magpies can get many more years of service out of Targett, whose performances on the pitch suggest that he could nail down the left-back spot for the foreseeable future at St James’ Park. Signing a player who could be a regular for the next four or five seasons for £15m seems like a bargain on paper, and Howe will be delighted with this prospective deal.

AND in other news, NUFC now eye swoop for “breathtaking” £36m-rated phenomenon, he could be Ginola 2.0…

Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in Weston McKennie and manager Antonio Conte is said to be a huge fan…

What’s the word?

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the 52-year-old is pushing sporting director Fabio Paratici to sign the American midfielder this month.

It’s thought that Juventus would be open to selling him but will only listen to ‘suitable’ offers. He is currently valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.

Although the 23-year-old has emerged as a regular since the Old Lady changed manager and reappointed Massimiliano Allegri, so that makes any move a little harder.

Give Conte what he wants

With the futures of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli in doubt, it’s no wonder Conte wants a new central midfielder and he could stumble upon his dream profile in McKennie.

The 28-cap USMNT international is capable of playing in a variety of roles in the engine room, as revealed by former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner, who managed him at Schalke 04.

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“He’s an outstanding talent. In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he’s brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga,” he said via the league’s official website.

Indeed, the box-to-box beast is among Allegri’s top-four best-performing players in the Serie A this season – on top of providing three goals in 16 appearances, he has averaged a squad-high 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 shots and 1.1 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

This suggests that Wagner’s words do ring true – not only can he thwart an attack but he is more than capable of driving the ball forward into the final third and his goal record further proves this, too.

It also shows his impressive work rate, another factor that will surely be behind Conte’s admiration for him. McKennie has also been likened to Arturo Vidal in terms of playing style and the Chilean beast played a big role in Inter Milan’s title triumph under the Spurs boss last season.

As such, it’s on Paratici and co to land the impressive 6-foot powerhouse as his first signing this month. He’d be a fantastic and necessary addition to the Italian’s central midfield armoury.

AND in other news, Paratici can seal biggest Spurs signing since Son in £45m-rated “extraordinary talent”…

The Liverpool Echo journalist Tony Scott has now dropped a big Everton team news claim before they play Liverpool away from home in the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Team news

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of the Merseyside derby, Frank Lampard confirmed that both Donny van de Beek and Andre Gomes have ‘small injuries’, and so will not play.

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He was also asked if Yerry Mina will be risked having just come back from injury in the 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City last time out, to which he said that they will make a decision ‘closer to the game’:

“It’s a decision I have to make closer to the game. We have to understand we’ve got six more games after this.”

The Latest: Scott reacts

Taking to Twitter, Scott has now given his reaction to Lampard’s comments, claiming that he does not think that Mina will be risked for the derby:

“From Lampard’s quotes today it looks increasingly likely that Yerry Mina won’t be risked for the derby. The defender has completed 2 matches for Everton since October so it’s crucial he’s match fit for the more ‘winnable’ games.”

The Verdict: Big Blow

It would certainly be a big blow if Mina is not able to play a part against their bitter rivals.

At a colossal six-foot-five, his presence is so key for the backline, as the Colombia international has ranked highly among his teammates in terms of average aerial duels won, clearances and blocks made per game in the Premier League so far this season (WhoScored).

It is likely that the Toffees will have to do a lot of defending at Anfield, and their defence is certainly stronger with Mina in it.

In other news, find out which Blues ace has been ‘clubbing too much’ here!

Leeds United are actively pursuing transfer targets ahead of deadline day next week but they also are mindful of Marcelo Bielsa’s future heading into next season…

What’s the word?

The Argentine is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and has only ever extended his deal by a year, meaning there is always a question mark over whether he will stay or go as we head towards the summer.

Phil Hay of The Athletic has previously claimed that he has a “hunch” that this will be the 66-year-old’s final season in charge of the Yorkshire giants, regardless of how things pan out.

And now, ever-reliable Daily Mirror journalist David Anderson has dropped an intriguing claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

“They’ll be looking for somebody. This is going on as we speak, they’re looking to identify possible coaches who will be similar to him in terms of style,” he revealed.

Life after Bielsa?

This is certainly an interesting revelation given the timing.

Victor Orta and co are busying trying to bolster the Argentine’s playing squad with RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson thought to be the priority, having had a £15m bid rejected for him already in recent days.

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But the Spanish director of football also appears to be on the lookout for a similar sort of manager to carry the club forward into the future, and you’d have to wonder if that is on the back of his mind when conducting business this window.

If Bielsa is only going to be here for another five or so months, should he really have total control over likely incomings?

One name that has regularly been linked with the role is former Granda boss Diego Martinez, who is still out of work despite offers from LaLiga teams like Cadiz in recent months.

He seems destined for Elland Road and is infatuated with the English game, as revealed during an interview with the Guardian in November.

“When I was a kid, I would go to my cousin’s to watch the Premier League because he had Canal Plus. I saw [David] Beckham from the halfway line at Wimbledon there. You think: ‘This is different, I have to experience it’,” he said.

Whether the fellow Spaniard is Orta’s choice remains to be seen, as is the questionable future of Bielsa in west Yorkshire. Either way, it certainly appears as if the Leeds supremo is planning a major move or two in the near future, both in the transfer market and in the hunt for the Arengtine’s successor.

AND in other news, Leeds could secure Bielsa a bargain Aaronson alternative in £22.5m-rated “phenomenon”…

‘There is now an open dialogue’ between Manchester United and RB Leipzig regarding Amadou Haidara, according to journalist Jonathan Shrager.

He tweeted: “Whilst talks are in preliminary stages, I am told that there is now an open dialogue between #MUFC and RB Leipzig regarding Amadou Haidara”.

Predominantly a central midfielder but also able to play a more defensive role, Haidara has started 10 Bundesliga games for Leipzig so far this season (via WhoScored).

According to FBRef, he is similar stylistically to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

United have transfer advantage, but could AFCON cause a problem?

Significantly, while Newcastle are also said to be interested, SPORT 1’s chief reporter Patrick Berger points out that Haidara’s ‘favourite club as a kid’ was Manchester United.

The 23-year-old is currently away with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, and it’s unclear if that would prove to be an obstacle towards signing him in this month’s transfer window. He has three-and-a-half years left to run on his contract at Leipzig and is valued at £21.6m by Transfermarkt.

Fan feed Utd Report relayed Shrager’s update, and here’s what some supporters made of it, with one fan believing that Haidara would be a significant upgrade on the much-maligned midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred.

These United fans want Haidara signed

“Not a DM, but he’s 10x better then McFred probably”

Credit: @Mike99371

“This guy dreams to play for us, get him in”

Credit: @drolemufc

“Nice, let’s gooo, pls buy him”

Credit: @Brandon28176374

“Omg sign him please”

Credit: @abdoul_mufc

“I hope they don’t bottle this one”

Credit: @KingRox01

“Our title charge starts from now”

Credit: @RangnickGOAT

In other news, lots of United fans react to this possible permanent departure

Crystal Palace are reportedly keen to sign Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen this summer, as the Eagles look to push on after a successful first season under Patrick Vieira.

What’s the talk?

According to TEAMtalk, the south London side are interested in luring the Dane away from west London this summer, after the attacking midfielder joined the Bees in January on a six-month contract.

There was a risk in signing the 30-year-old who hadn’t played since suffering a cardiac arrest last June whilst in action for Denmark at the EURO 2020.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur star has settled back into the Premier League excellently and is a target for an array of clubs, including Palace.

Palace must sign Eriksen

Crystal Palace will be hopeful that their midfield will once again include Conor Gallagher next season, with the Englishman highly impressing at Selhurst Park on loan from Chelsea this term, however, the Eagles are yet to make any sort of breakthrough in extending the 22-year-old’s stay in SE25.

Therefore, if Gallagher isn’t to stay with the Eagles, signing Eriksen would ensure Vieira’s midfield doesn’t suffer. Having said that, the attacking threat of both Eriksen and Gallagher in the same midfield would be a mouthwatering concept for Palace supporters.

Despite fears that the 30-year-old wouldn’t be able to play football again, the Denmark international has returned to action with no signs of wear and tear, having been labelled “unbelievable” by his manager and fellow countryman, Thomas Frank.

The midfielder has scored and assisted once in five league appearances for Brentford, having left Inter Milan in the summer, as well as netting twice last month upon his return to the Denmark national team.

Having earned 111 caps for Denmark as well as making 533 senior appearances at club level, the 30-year-old possesses remarkable experience that the Eagles could certainly do with, despite aiming to lower the average age of their squad.

Moreover, the Dane has scored 148 goals in that period, highlighting the quality he could provide.

It would certainly be a statement signing for Palace who have impressed under Vieira in the Frenchman’s first season as a Premier League manager.

The South London outfit are currently 10th in the Premier League whilst also set to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Securing a top-half finish and potentially winning the FA Cup would be a marvellous success for the Eagles. Moreover, it would certainly attract higher quality talents in the summer, such as Eriksen.

AND in other news: Vieira must finally unleash £37k-p/w Palace “baller”, his “magic” could stun Chelsea