All posts by z3u9t.icu

Sky Sports pundit Ally McCoist has been waxing lyrical over a moment of “absolute magic” from Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn on international duty over the weekend.

The Lowdown: Vital win

The 26-year-old started and scored at Hampden Park on Saturday evening as Scotland came from behind twice to earn a vital win against Israel in their World Cup qualifying group, Scott McTominay netting a stoppage time winner for the Tartan Army.

In his 39th cap for his country, the Villa midfielder scored his 11th international goal and his first since a brace in the 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands in March. He netted from the edge of the penalty area after good work by Andy Robertson and Che Adams, McGinn taking a pass from the Liverpool defender and curling the ball beyond opposition goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.

The victory leaves Scotland four points ahead of Israel with three games to go, with Steve Clarke’s side on course to qualify for the play-offs.

The Latest: McCoist hails McGinn “magic”

Speaking to Sky Sports about McGinn’s goal, Scotland’s first of the match, the former Rangers boss was full of praise for the Villa midfielder.

“What a finish,” he raved. “What a goal and what a finish. Absolutely magic. Don’t underestimate the work of Tierney and Robertson. Brilliant.

“They work their way, they gave the angle, it’s a lovely bit of give and go. A lovely one-two with Adams (from Robertson). He (McGinn) opens himself up and look at that (curling finish).

“That is absolutely magic. That is the only word for that. Magic. Ohh, brilliant. It’s fantastic. John McGinn, what a goal.”

The Verdict: McGinn is vital for club and country

McGinn’s influence for both club and country has been evident in recent years and he showed that again on Saturday evening for Scotland.

Since his 2018 move from Hibernian to Villa Park, the midfielder has made 117 appearances, scoring 14 goals and setting up another 19. His importance to Dean Smith’s midfield is reflected in his industrious qualities (1.8 tackles per game, joint-second highest in the squad) as well as his attacking influence (1.7 shots and 1.3 key passes per game, second highest in the squad for both)

Scotland travel to the Faroe Islands tomorrow night hoping to stretch their lead over Israel, and there is every chance that the 26-year-old could have a big say on proceeding in that game too.

In other news, rumours have started to surface about Villa making a move for a Serie A maestro. Find out more here.

A move for Tanguy Ndombele to Valencia from Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly now in doubt, despite an initial agreement being reached with the La Liga club.

The Lowdown: On his way out

Ndombele has been linked with a loan move away from Spurs throughout the January transfer window, with Everton just one of a number of clubs reportedly interested in his signature.

He has not featured for the North London club since the 3-1 win at home to Morecambe in the FA Cup earlier this month, after he was booed off by some supporters for trudging too slowly off of the pitch, leaving Antonio Conte very disappointed (The Sun).

Nonetheless, it seems as if a move away would be best for all parties, as Ndombele can get some more game time ahead of a potential FIFA World Cup with France, and the Lilywhites can get some of his astronomical £200,000-per-week wages off of their books.

The Latest: Valencia move in doubt

As per Calciomercato, a loan move for Ndombele to Valencia is now in doubt, as ‘in the last few hours’, there has been some hesitation from the central midfielder to go to Spain.

This is because PSG are still considering signing him, and Roma also remain interested, of course managed by former THFC managers Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho respectively.

Valencia had an initial agreement with Tottenham over Ndombele’s signing, but it now looks as if he could move to a different club with just a few days of the window remaining.

The Verdict: Just get rid

If Spurs can do a deal to offload Ndombele abroad now, they simply must just get rid.

Freeing up some of his wages from the bill could then potentially be used to fund an incoming deal, and if he performs well, they could recoup a decent transfer fee for him in the summer.

He has only managed to score a mere six goals and supplied five assists in total in the Premier League since his arrival (Transfermarkt), which for a club record signing, is simply not good enough.

Added to the disappointments with the fans and Conte, now is the best time to part ways.

In other news, find out who Tottenham are now preparing a ‘big-money transfer’ for here!

Celtic won’t be signing Manchester City right-back Yan Couto on loan this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas.

The Lowdown: Couto’s Parkhead visit

The Hoops have been interested in the Brazilian since the beginning of the summer and appeared to make their move for the 19-year-old last Thursday.

Couto was given VIP treatment at Parkhead for Celtic’s Europa League qualifier with Jablonec and was pleading with City to grant a temporary move to Scotland as a result.

However, it now seems as if any loan move is off the table.

The Latest: Thomas’ tweet

Thomas took to Twitter to provide an update of Celtic’s pursuit of a right-back on Monday morning.

He suggested that the push to loan Couto has ‘come to nothing’, with Celtic now eyeing up Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic instead.

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The Verdict: All eyes on Juranovic

As Thomas mentioned, it now appears as if all eyes are on Celtic’s pursuit of Juranovic, with Ange Postecoglou keen to secure a right-back before the window shuts.

The Hoops have since had an offer for Juranovic rejected, so it’ll be interesting to see if Dominic McKay manages to bring in a right-back for Postecoglou and if it is indeed the Croatia international.

It won’t be Couto, though, despite Celtic’s attempts to impress the South American last week.

In other news: Move still possible: £6.1k-p/w midfielder wants to join Celtic, says journalist in his homeland. 

Sheffield United reportedly pulled out of a last-minute deal to sign Barcelona youngster Alex Collado in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Move looked set to happen

The Blades appeared almost certain that the 22-year-old would trade the Nou Camp for Bramall Lane, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute.

A key update has now been provided regarding the situation, shedding more light on the matter.

The Latest: Collado collapse explained

According to Mundo Deportivo [via Sport Witness], the paperwork had been signed at Barcelona’s end, but United pulled out after Collado’s agent tried to change the agreed personal terms.

The Blades’ decision is thought to have left Barca in ‘disbelief’ and ‘incredulous’, with the attacking midfielder now without an alternative club because there wasn’t enough time to find someone else.

The Verdict: Right decision by Blades

In truth, the agent’s behaviour appears to have put paid to Collado’s move coming to fruition and United were right not to let him dictate the situation.

While the Spaniard may have been a good signing at Bramall Lane – he has made two first-team appearances for Barca – it is refreshing to see the club take a strong stance against a major European club when an agent tries to change the rules.

In other news, a pundit has hailed one piece of Sheffield United transfer business. Read more here.

Some Liverpool supporters are fuming after it was revealed that Alisson and Fabinho are likely to miss Reds action this month, due to international duty.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are on Premier League duty this weekend, with Manchester City heading to Anfield for a huge meeting on Sunday.

Liverpool are top of the league currently but are only one point ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side, as the title race continues to hot up.

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Two players who will be vital for the Reds against City are Alisson and Fabinho, with the duo both proving to be modern-day Anfield heroes.

According to This is Anfield [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], however, they will both head out on Brazil duty later this month, meaning they will likely miss the league clash at Watford on October 16th, due to having to quarantine.

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Liverpool fans react to Alisson and Fabinho news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their dissatisfaction with the news.

“Genuinely who even likes international football. Just scrap it.”

Credit: @chielinilooked

“Great. Aerial assault incoming from Watford”

Credit: @rylands72

“Wish international football would just do one”

Credit: @footyfiend1

“What a joke, stop this madness”

Credit: @StannisTheGod

“Oh no”

Credit: @TrentXtraa

“Someone throw international football out the window please”

Credit: @Sundinho6

In other news, some Liverpool fans love a video that has emerged at Anfield. Read more here.

Former Premier League manager Alex McLeish believes that Harry Kane may refuse to play for Tottenham Hotspur for fear of picking up an injury [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Harry Kane rumours continue to swirl

As the 2021/22 Premier League campaign finally gets underway, newly appointed Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be well aware of the storm that could continue to surround Kane, amidst continued links with Premier League champions Manchester City [Guardian].

Ironically, his side’s first game in the top-flight happens to be against the Citizens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Latest: McLeish questions whether Kane will take part

Speaking in an interview with Football Insider, former Scotland manager McLeish indicated that the England international may choose to sit out the encounter when asked if he would be shocked if Kane played a part in the clash, as he stated: “I would, yeah. Is his heart really in it?

“I don’t know him personally but I know through seeing him speaking and the way he plays, he would go on the field and do everything he could for his team.

“The other risk is an injury. Can you see the player saying I’m not going to risk injury if I’m on the verge of a move?”

“That is another agenda.”

The Verdict: Spurs fans will be desperate to see Kane again

In 2020/21, the boyhood Lilywhite was outstanding for his current employers, notching 50 goal contributions in 49 appearances; 33 goals and 17 assists [Transfermarkt].

Moreover, his rate of 3.9 shots per game in the Premier League showed exactly why he was able exert his goal-scoring exploits across the season, proving a constant menace to opposition defences [WhoScored].

Going into this weekend, Spurs supporters will be desperate to see their star man in action once again, as whether he plays could perhaps prove to be an indicator of where his head is truly at in regards to a move to Manchester.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a Primeira Liga ace.

Everton were unable to secure a single point in their game against Crystal Palace on Sunday evening and faced a defeat of 3-1 to the Eagles away from home, putting the Merseyside club firmly in 14th for the foreseeable in the Premier League table.

Rafa Benitez’s side failed to dominate throughout the game against Crystal Palace with just 39% possession throughout, which ultimately lead to a brace from Conor Gallagher and James Tomkins scored his first goal since December 2019 against the Toffees to secure a 3-1 comfortable win.

One player who failed to offer dominance and control in his position was Abdoulaye Doucoure, who started the game in his usual position, but over the course of the match had become a complete liability for the Toffees. Richarlison may have been the one to hauled off early after a shoddy evening but his midfield colleague didn’t have the desired impact either.

Via SofaScore, Doucoure lost possession a total of 16 times (once every 2.8 touches), won fewer than half of his ground duels, and failed to make any creative impact on the attacking third of the game with no key passes or crosses over the entire 90 minutes of play.

The £75k-per-week beast furthered his forgettable performance by committing two fouls, one of which cost him a yellow card, which he aggressively contested against with Kevin Friend, where he was lucky not to receive further punishment for his reaction.

In the French midfielder’s defence, he was playing further back during the first half, which would have added an element of hindrance to his ability to be creative in his play for the forwards.

However, it does not excuse his wasteful performance, losing possession on many occasions and failing to dominate the midfield to break down the build of play from Crystal Palace.

Benitez will go back to the drawing board early this week with the hopes of emulating the confidence his Everton side displayed against Arsenal last week, but they face an extremely difficult challenge as they are away from home again, against Chelsea on Thursday evening.

There will be time for the manager to assess the situation, and potentially make some changes to his team to refresh his side, ready to take on the challenge the Merseyside Blues face at Stamford Bridge midweek.

In other news: Everton can form a scary duo by snapping up Derby County’s Jason Knight

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke has shared a transfer claim involving Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

The Lowdown: Rashford unsettled…

The Red Devils forward is thought to be unsettled at Old Trafford, according to recent reports.

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Football Insider made a pretty big claim at the end of March, saying Rashford has already told friends he wants to leave Man United as Tottenham striker Harry Kane is linked with a move to his club.

Ralf Rangnick’s side are apparently considering a fresh approach to sign Antonio Conte’s key man this summer, coming after their arch rivals Man City failed in a bid to take him last year.

Amid these claims, O’Rourke has now backed the possibility of a head-turning Tottenham deal.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes Rashford/Kane swap deal claim…

Speaking to GMS, when asked if Rashford being offered in a deal for Kane could entice Spurs, the reporter explained:

“Maybe the potential availability of Marcus Rashford could be interesting to Tottenham because he hasn’t really figured much for Manchester United, especially in the second half of the season, and is meant to be unhappy at Old Trafford.”

The Verdict: Something to consider?

Apparently valued at around €80 million (£67m) by Man United transfer chiefs (Sport), Fabio Paratici could feasibly bypass that fee entirely with Kane moving the other way.

However, given just how integral the latter man is to Spurs, we believe the deal would simply not be worth it unless a huge fee comes to north London alongside the player.

Called the ‘poster boy’ of Old Trafford (Frank McAvennie, Football Insider), Rashford’s impressive 2020/2021 rate of 2.1 shots and 2.2 successful take-ons per 90 in the Premier League simply hasn’t been matched this campaign.

According to WhoScored, Rashford has played half the minutes he did last campaign – managing just four goals and two assists so far.

When taking into account the 11 goals and nine assists he bagged over 20/21, his drop in form is evident, and it could arguably be a controversial Paratici call to swap Tottenham’s prised asset for the attacker.

In other news: In recent weeks: Tottenham step up chase to sign ‘incredible’ player as club brace for their bid! Find out more here.

Celtic are hopeful of offloading goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas in January, according to The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin. 

The lowdown: Record breaker

Celtic signed Barkas as recently as July 2020, parting with £4.5million to recruit him from AEK Athens.

That actually made him the most expensive goalkeeper in the Hoops’ history.

But after clocking up 22 appearances in his debut season, he’s only featured once this term (in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland back in July).

The 27-year-old still has three years to run on his contract at Parkhead, but his Transfermarkt value has fallen to £2.52million.

The latest: Time to cash in

A source in Greece has revealed (via The Athletic) Celtic want to sell Barkas in the mid-season window and if that fails, they’ll look to secure a loan move.

Should he leave, Tobi Oluwayemi would likely be promoted to third choice behind Joe Hart and Scott Bain.

The verdict: Forgettable

It’s no surprise that Celtic want to cash in on Barkas, who’s of little use to them at the moment and on a frankly ridiculous £13,500-a-week.

However, they’ll surely struggle to get much of a return on their 2020 investment after he has slipped so far down the pecking order.

Ultimately, the record move has to be regarded a failure for the previous Celtic scouting department, one that Michael Nicholson and co will have to learn from the next time they look to recruit a true no.1.

In other news, Celtic have received a boost ahead of the League Cup semifinal.

Sunderland have been handed a big injury relief over attacking midfielder Alex Pritchard this week…

What’s the latest?Black Cats manager Alex Neil has revealed why the Englishman was absent against Oxford United and allayed any fears that he will now face an extended spell on the sidelines.Goals from Corry Evans and Elliot Embleton sealed the three points for the side on Saturday to keep them in the playoff picture, whilst Pritchard was nowhere to be seen.Neil told the Sunderland Echo: “We go it scanned and there’s a lateral issue there, but there’s not a big problem. I’m really hopeful that he’ll be involved for the next game, he just wasn’t quite ready.“I’ve worked with Al before so when he tells you something is not quite right, it’s not.“He trained earlier this week and he just said to me, ‘there’s something not quite right’,”Great news for SunderlandSupporters will surely be buzzing with this update from Neil as it comes as a major boost to the team heading into the final stretch of the campaign.Pritchard has caught the eye since making the switch from Huddersfield last summer as he has established himself as one of the club’s top performers. Ross Stewart (7.26) is the only player with a higher average SofaScore rating than the midfielder (7.10) and this suggests that he has been consistently impressive throughout the season.In 33 League One outings, he has produced four goals and seven assists. He has reason to feel hard done by in the assist department, however, as he has created 69 chances and eight ‘big chances’ over the course of the campaign so far, which indicates that his teammates have let him down at times as they have been unable to finish the openings he is creating.The former Tottenham prospect has shown that he can change games by creating opportunities and splitting open defences in the final third. He has the magic touch on the ball and his statistics reflect that, whilst his average rating proves that he has been doing it on a consistent basis – making him a reliable option for Neil.This is why fans will be delighted to read that he may be back in action for the club’s next match. Losing him for a number of games, and potentially the play-offs would have been a disaster because they would be missing out on his immense quality on the ball.AND in other news, Cost £13.6m, now worth £1.8m: SAFC had a nightmare on dud who “lacked professionalism”…