All posts by h716a5.icu

Leicester City have reportedly got their summer transfer deals started with an offer for Olympique Marseille winger Florian Thauvin.

According to Estadio Deportivo, the Foxes were the most recent club to table a deal for the soon-to-be out-of-contract Frenchman, a contract that was apparently worth €3.5m each year.

It remains to be seen whether that would be enough for Director of Football Jon Rudkin to tempt the former Newcastle United man to the King Power Stadium, but it will surely be an anxious wait for current Leicester winger Marc Albrighton whose place in the side is now under massive threat.

When comparing the outputs of the two players, it is clear that Thauvin comes out on top.

Since re-signing for Marseille in 2016, the £28.8m-rated winger has contributed 71 goals in all competitions. To add to this, the 2018 World Cup winner has also produced 47 assists for a total direct goal contribution count of 118 in 195 matches.

For context, Albrighton has only managed to contribute 11 goals and 31 assists – just 42 direct goal contributions – in the same time period.

Clearly, there is a huge disparity between the two players. It would seem nonsensical that the current Leicester man would be included in Brendan Rodgers’ starting line-up considering the quality that Thauvin possesses. This is even despite the Northern-Irishman recently labelling his winger as “incredible”.

Whilst it could be said that Albrighton has played far fewer minutes than the Frenchman – an aspect that could be true considering that the former Aston Villa man has taken to the pitch for almost 1000 minutes less than Thauvin this season – the Frenchman continues to come out on top when that is taken into account.

He averages more shots, more passes, more dribbles, more crosses and more key passes than Albrighton per game, whilst also winning more fouls, according to WhoScored.

It just appears that he is a far more potent weapon.

Whilst 31-year-old Albrighton has been an excellent servant for the Foxes since his arrival nearly seven years ago, his time as a starter is now certainly under threat with the reported interest in Thauvin.

AND in more news, take a closer look at why the Foxes have failed in the transfer market despite huge praise for their deals…

2021 has so far been a year to forget for everyone associated with Celtic. The Bhoys have relinquished their grasp on the title and as a result, a host of faces are losing their jobs.

Neil Lennon has already stepped down as the team’s manager while Peter Lawwell is going to retire at the end of the campaign to be replaced by Dominic McKay.

With Lennon’s departure, there will be a new manager in the dugout for the 2021/22 season. Their goal will be clear; usurp Rangers and make Celtic great again.

That may sound a little like a mantra right out of the Donald Trump book but hopefully, the Hoops boardroom will avoid controversy, something the former US president never shied away from.

Celtic’s number one target in recent days, however, has been a rather contentious point of debate among supporters. Roy Keane had emerged as the favourite for the job last week with Football Insider revealing an interview had taken place.

Though, fresh reports over the weekend specify that a move is now less likely to occur.

A Celtic source has since helped to clear up the Keane rumours. Speaking on Sunday’s A Celtic State of Mind podcast, co-host Kevin Graham revealed:

“We are getting played, us a fan channel, and other fan outlets with the rumours that are being kicked about and certain leaks to the press. It’s extremely clear to me that there’s a split in the boardroom on who they want as the next Celtic manager.”

Graham added: “There’s a side for Keane and a side for anybody but Keane. For me, looking and knowing where the rumour of where Harkin, Keane and Butt came from, I think it is quite clear that person doesn’t want Roy Keane anywhere near Celtic Football Club, and that’s why it was put out there.”

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Reliable voice Paul John Dykes responded: “I think the important thing is to say that at A Celtic State of Mind, you appreciate that someone is actually giving you information with an ulterior motive. And that’s why it’s sometimes so difficult to manage that.

“So I remember days before I mentioned on the podcast, sending it out (The Roy Keane rumour), and you came back to me and said, ‘Well somebody in our boardroom wants to test the water or wants Roy Keane blown out the water‘, which basically did happen.”

Dykes concluded: “I mean if you were to do it in terms of a popularity vote,  the vast majority of Celtic fans that I seen on the back of the podcast and on the back of the tweet where like ‘No chance I don’t want to go near it.”

If the Celtic boardroom is indeed split on who the next manager should be, it doesn’t particularly bode well.

That being said, the theory that leaks are coming from Celtic in a bid to generate the general feeling among supporters can be seen as a good thing.

Dykes admitted last week that the idea of Keane becoming the new manager had gone down like a led balloon among supporters. It can’t be a coincidence, therefore, that just days later he’s moved down the pecking order and become less likely to join.

Those on the board who did want Keane have evidently been dealt a huge blow. However, for supporters, it’s excellent news that they’re being consulted.

It’s being done in a sly way but if Celtic are to come back from this disastrous season, they will need to avoid yet more toxic energy. Hiring the right manager would put the smiles back on supporter’s faces and avoid a repeat of 2020/21.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Edouard: Celtic must swoop for 28-goal “sensation” who’ll “go to the very top”…

Celtic were handed a blow in their pursuit of Eddie Howe on Wednesday. However, it seems as if the Hoops have their own concerns regarding the former Bournemouth boss.

Sky Sports were informed by Howe’s representative that the 43-year-old isn’t planning to return to the dugout until the summer at the earliest.

This comes after reports suggested that Howe was set to be announced by the Hoops at some point this week after ironing out finer details over a Parkhead switch.

Celtic’s Howe doubts emerge

In a report from Football Insider on Thursday, a Hoops source actually revealed that it is not just Howe who is holding up proceedings – the club themselves aren’t convinced over the former Cherries man.

They suggest that Celtic aren’t sure the Englishman is willing to deal with the pressure and scrutiny of managing a club where the expectation is to win every match, yet another fresh twist in what is fast becoming quite the saga.

Transfer Tavern take

We’re not so sure that Celtic now have their doubts on Howe, as the latest report suggests.

Dermot Desmond made Howe his number one target for the vacant role following face-to-face talks in London just last week, and it seems bizarre that a little dithering from the manager’s end would cause the club to completely change course.

However, it seems as if Howe won’t return until the summer, but hopefully, when he does, he’ll be in the Parkhead hot-seat.

In other news: Report shares Celtic’s Howe alternative, find out who it is here. 

Aston Villa have been urged to move for Norwich City star Emi Buendia this summer by former Villans midfielder Lee Hendrie.

As to be expected, those comments have had a number of Villa fans taking to Twitter to give their thoughts on the matter.

Buendia has starred for the Canaries in the Championship this season, scoring 12 times and registering 16 assists in 34 appearances. As Norwich look set for an immediate return to the top flight, Hendrie wants Villa to land the Argentine ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Villa are thought to be looking for a wide addition this summer, along with another striker to challenge Ollie Watkins.

They’ve had recent success of signing stars from the Championship in Watkins and Matty Cash, and Hendrie wants them to do the same with Buendia, who was supposedly on Dean Smith’s transfer radar last summer. However, Sky Sports reported in January that Norwich value their man in the £40m-50m bracket.

Talking exclusively to Football Transfer Tavern, cited by Birmingham Live, Hendrie said:

“I would buy him without a shadow of a doubt.

“I know they talked about buying [Ross] Barkley, but Buendia, I would definitely, I don’t know what sort of fee Norwich would be looking for him, but I would certainly pay that fee. I think he’s an outstanding player.”

Villa fans react

Birmingham Live shared the story on social media on Monday, and it didn’t take long for a number of Villa supporters to give their thoughts on a possible deal.

These fans weren’t exactly ecstatic about Hendrie’s comments, though…

“4 million”

Credit: @Ashbooth71

“Buendia won’t be going anywhere with Norwich going up.”

Credit: @OxfordEVCharger

“Is Lee our chief scout in the Championship now? I make that 4 players he’s told Dean we should sign. **he doesn’t actually say anything like this”

Credit: @GuyBradley

“£40 million? No thank you”

Credit: @HoItender

“Should have had him last summer”

Credit: @Mrb47016877

“Honestly don’t think he is that good, better than what we have maybe”

Credit: @DeanKerman

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to end of year financial accounts, find out more here. 

Rangers are on the verge of making a massive mistake, if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Glasgow giants are set to pull out of a move for Wigan Athletic starlet Kyle Joseph amid interest from their arch-rivals.

The 19-year-old attacker has suitors from Scotland and the Premier League after he snubbed a new contract offer from the League One outfit.

The Gers would only have to pay £300k in compensation but, in ending their pursuit, the door will be opened for Celtic to strike.

Another talent missed?

Much of the Light Blues’ recent success has to be attributed to both Steven Gerrard and the club’s recruitment team as the current squad finally put a stop to their crosstown rivals’ nine-year dominance in the Scottish Premiership. However, their stance on Joseph here has to be questioned.

It’s not the first time that the Ibrox club have missed out on a potential star from the lower leagues of English football – Jamie Vardy, for instance, very nearly became a Rangers player.

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According to then-manager Ally McCoist, finances stopped the deal from happening. He told talkSPORT (via Daily Record) last summer: “I remember looking at him when he was at Fleetwood,” he said. “I couldn’t get the money to get him. I had John Brown, my chief scout, look at him two or three times. It was an absolute no-brainer but we couldn’t get the money to get him.”

The Gers legend added: “He’s been fantastic.” Indeed, since joining Leicester instead, Vardy has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s best strikers, having scored 115 times in 238 top-flight appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

The young Latics sensation is far from being on the same career trajectory as the Foxes star but there’s every hope that he could develop into something big.

Ex-Rangers academy graduate and former teammate Kal Naismith has previously tipped him to reach his full potential, saying: “He’ll be a top player, a really, really good player and he works his nuts off not just in the games but all week in training as well, he has a great appetite for the game and a great attitude.”

Injury has curtailed the majority of his season but, after making his senior debut in October, the 19-year-old hotshot went on to score five goals in just 14 appearances.

Rangers chief Ross Wilson cannot allow Gerrard to make the same mistake as McCoist. For just £300,000, the Scottish champions could land a real star of the future, and one who would likely develop substantially under the current coaching staff.

You only have to look at how Ryan Kent has turned around his career to see that. If the aforementioned report is true, then Gerrard may well be making a dangerous error.

AND in other news, Rangers could create a lethal duo by signing THIS 20-goal beast…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to an update regarding Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham on social media.

Reports last month claimed that Villa remain ‘admirers’ of the 23-year-old ahead of the summer window.

The striker scored 26 goals in 40 appearances in the Midlands while on loan during the 2018/19 season, helping the club back into the top flight through the playoffs.

Abraham hasn’t featured for the Blues since the end of February, though, with speculation mounting over a potential Villa Park return.

Birmingham Live ran a Q&A with Football.London’s Chelsea correspondent Adam Newson on Thursday.

Newson believes Abraham would be open to a return to Villa, if the circumstances are right. He then added that Chelsea could be hoping to receive £40m+ for the forward.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the story along with Newson’s quote of Abraham being open to a Villa return on Twitter on Thursday morning.

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many seemingly keen on a summer deal.

“2021 might not be so bad”

Credit: @The_BigFox

“I think I will cry on our first home game next season if he’s there…welling up just thinking about it!”

Credit: @VictoriaMarkou

“Bring …. Him….. home”

Credit: @AVFCJoshuaa

“Yes please.”

Credit: @RaddersAston

“£40m is a snip. If he is made available, go and get him.”

Credit: @Kkasir23

“I will shed a tear of joy the day Tammy and Axel return back home”

Credit: @HoItender

In other news: Villa source shares club’s summer plans, find out what they are here. 

Just like that, football is in a whole world of danger. The news that a European Super League has been formed by a number of Europe’s top teams has rocked the sport like no other story.

For Wolves, this will be a meaty blow. Jeff Shi has ambitions of dining at the top table with the Old Gold but if an eventuality like this occurs, it will put those plans in turmoil.

Football owners up and down the country should be fearful. What will happen to their businesses if something like this happens? Shi and Fosun Group will understandably be sweating.

What happens next is anyone’s guess but the transfer window could be impacted significantly.

Wolves had targeted a number of players from around Europe including Goncalo Guedes and Lucas Ocampos. They have also targeted Carlos Vinicius.

A rumour like this fortunately gives us the opportunity to get back to on-field action and away from politics for a moment. That’s primarily because Vinicius would be a stellar signing.

Wolves have tried to sign him on two occasions, last summer and in January, but with Spurs unlikely to utilise their option to buy the Benfica forward, the Molineux outfit could finally get their man.

It’s thought the Portuguese side will accept around £26m for his services; a mere snip for a player of his qualities.

Just imagine what he could do alongside a player of Pedro Neto’s calibre. Neto may well be ruled out for the next six months with a broken knee cap but he has been not only Wolves’ top scorer this term, but also their chief creator on ten goal involvements.

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With Raul Jimenez out injured – another of the club’s long-term absentees – Neto has taken on the burden well but with the Mexican in the side, there is no doubt his numbers would look even more impressive.

That’s why a move for Vinicius could benefit him enormously. At the age of 26, he is approaching the prime of his career and despite a rocky spell at Spurs, has still scored ten times.

That adds to a tally of a 24 strikes in 47 games for Benfica last season. For context, that is far more than Fabio Silva netted in Iberia throughout 2019/20; he scored only three goals.

Neto has become one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League but has been held back by Wolves’ misfortune in attack. Add Vinicius to their forward line and he could become even better.

After all, the Spurs loanee has many desirable traits. Jose Gomes, his former manager at Rio Ave, once commented: “He’s a powerful player, and very intelligent.”

“He shoots with enormous power with his left foot. He protects the ball really well,” Gomes added.

With Jimenez approaching the age of 30, it would wise to find a striker in their prime. Silva is still too young to carry the workload and Willian Jose looks unlikely to enter permanently after one goal since arriving.

This signing could kickstart Wolves’ attack in scintillating style.

AND in other news, Wolves could sign big Silva upgrade in “fantastic” 56-goal beast, Nuno would love him…

Charlton Athletic have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of their must-win clash with Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday evening.

What’s the latest?

According to London News Online, Nigel Adkins is set to be without Diallang Jaiyesimi for the fixture against Crewe, as the winger has not recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up in the first half of the Addicks’ 1-0 loss to Peterborough United on Saturday.

Speaking to the South London Press, Adkins claimed: “DJ, a big blow really, he’s not fit for this game. We’ve got good medical staff here, that’s an important message. He’s not fit for this game, and let’s see how we progress from there.”

Big blow

Following the loss to Posh at the weekend, Tuesday’s fixture against Crewe is now a must-win game for Adkins’ side if they wish to keep their chances of securing a play-off spot well and truly alive – with the south London side currently sitting in eighth place in the league standings, two points behind Oxford United, Blackpool and Porstmouth, who occupy fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

And, as the Charlton manager states, the loss of Jaiyesimi certainly is a big blow for the Addicks, as, prior to the Peterborough defeat, the 22-year-old had scored one goal and provided two assists over the course of his previous five League One appearances, averaging a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.35 in this period.

Jaiyesimi is a new recruit at The Valley, having only joined Charlton from Swindon Town back in February, with the former Dulwich Hamlet man immediately becoming a regular part of Adkins’ first-team squad, featuring in all but three league fixtures since his arrival.

However, the Charlon boss will now be looking for ways to replace the winger against Crewe, with Albie Morgan – who came on for Jaiyesimi in the Peterborough clash – appearing to be the most likely candidate to start the fixture on the right-wing.

In other news: Forget Stockley: Wasteful Charlton gem who lost possession 23x badly let Adkins down – opinion

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ivan Toney was in the building and ready to sign for Celtic last summer.

Following his goalscoring exploits for Posh, the striker was a man in demand, with the Hoops one of many interested in signing him.

But Celtic failed to meet Peterborough’s asking price, and Toney joined Brentford instead.

And the 25-year-old has been in monstrous form for the Bees, scoring 30 goals in 45 Championship appearances to fire them to a top-six finish and leave him on course to win the second-tier Golden Boot.

Celtic, ended up signing West Ham flop Albian Ajeti instead, who’s scored just six times in the Scottish Premiership and has generally been a disappointing addition.

Meanwhile, talisman, Odsonne Edouard has failed to hit the heights of previous seasons, whilst Leigh Griffiths has been a bit part-player, netting just seven times.

And McAvennie told Football FanCast that it was a mistake from Celtic not signing him:

“They had him at Celtic Park. He was in at Celtic Park, that’s a fact, and they were arguing over half a million. And look at the boy now, he’s banging in goals.

“He would have done wonders for Celtic.”

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard appears to be closing in on a move to Leicester City this summer.

The Lowdown: Edouard’s made his Hoops intentions clear

The 23-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs during the current campaign.

The likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham have all reportedly shown an interest in the Frenchman, however, it seems as if all those clubs may miss out on his signature.

Edouard made his Hoops intentions clear last month, with the striker having his heart set on quitting Parkhead this summer, regardless of who comes in as Neil Lennon’s successor.

The Latest: Source provides Edouard update

TEAMtalk now claim to have been informed by sources with knowledge of the situation that Brendan Rodgers’ side are confident of landing Edouard over the coming months.

The report claims that the forward is almost certainly heading to the King Power, so it appears as if he will provide competition to the likes of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho in a central role.

No financial details were revealed in the recent report, but it seems as if the Frenchman has chosen his next destination.

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The Verdict: Celtic must bring in a proven replacement

With the number of teams showing an interest, and the player’s stance on a move away clear to see, we’re not surprised to see Edouard’s likely departure come to light.

What’s important now, though, is that the Hoops receive the best deal possible and bring in a proven replacement.

Edouard, who Lennon described as ‘magnificent’, will have just 12 months remaining on his Celtic deal in the summer and the Hoops reportedly owe Paris Saint-Germain a whopping 50% of a deal due to a sell-on clause.

On that basis, every penny may matter, which could then be put towards a new signing.

The Hoops have recently been linked with a move for Young Boys striker Jean-Pierre Nsame, and the Cameroon international appears to fit the bill required to fill the void set to be left by Edouard.

He’s scored 97 goals for his current employers and has Champions League and Europa League experience, so that could be an option for Celtic.

In other news: ‘We hear’ – 62 y/o drops unconfirmed ‘done deal’ claim at Celtic, find out more here.