All posts by z3u9t.icu

Watford head to Carrow Road today to face fellow promoted side Norwich in the Premier League as they attempt to end a run of three straight defeats.

Xisco Munoz’s team have lost their last three Premier League matches without scoring a goal, going down to Tottenham, Brighton and Wolves.

They will now aim to get back to winning ways as they come up against a Norwich team who have lost all four of their Premier League games, scoring just once.

Will Xisco make any changes to his starting line-up? Here is our predicted XI for the match…

We are predicting that he will make three changes to the team, with Ozan Tufan, Adam Masina and Christian Kabasele coming in.

Starting with the centre-back, we believe that the 30-year-old come into the team in place of Francisco Sierralta, who scored a horror own goal against Wolves last weekend. He messed up his header at the back post and inadvertently found the back of his own net, which could cause Munoz to call upon Kabasele to give him a chance to show that he deserves a regular place.

He started the first two games of the season and averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.80. The Belgian defender won an incredible 78% of his duels and made 14 clearances in the two games, which suggests that he has the quality to come in for Sierralta and help Watford pick up a positive result against the Canaries.

We are also predicting that there will be a change at left-back. Danny Rose started against Wolves and struggled at times, losing half of his duels and being dribbled past three times in comparison to making only one tackle throughout the 90 minutes.

The former Spurs man also failed with all of his crossing attempts and gave possession away 17 times. This suggests that Munoz could decide to chuck Masina back into the XI to add more solidity at the back against Norwich, with the £31k-per-week beast dribbled past 0.7 times per game this season whilst winning 64% of his defensive duels.

Finally, we are predicting that Turkish international Tufan will be handed his Premier League debut. Juraj Kucka lost half of his ground duels and was dribbled past three times against Wolves, and it could be worth giving the veteran a rest to see what Tufan is capable of producing. The 26-year-old midfielder, who is on loan from Fenerbahce, deserves a chance to show what he can do in a Watford shirt, and this today’s clash could provide him the opportunity he needs.

The rest of the team should stay the same from the defeat to Wolves.

In other news: This player let Munoz down last week

Lille have made a formal approach for Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier, as reported by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Spurs look to streamline right-back position before the window slams shut

With less than a week until the window slams shut, Lilywhites manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to complete any remaining transfer business at the club, in order to solely focus on the important playing schedule that lies ahead on domestic and European fronts.

Right-back looks to be one particularly overpopulated area within the Spurs roster, with Japhet Tanganga, Matt Doherty and Aurier all rivalling each-other for playing opportunities.

Now, the north Londoners look set to slim down in that spot following recent reports.

The Latest: Romano confirms Lille approach

Speaking to his large audience on Twitter, transfer guru Romano signified that Lille have made their move for the Ivorian, stating: “Tottenham have received an approach from Lille for Serge Aurier in case Çelik will leave.”

Atletico Madrid have commenced discussions with Lille full-back Zeki Celik, paving the way for Aurier to move to France.

Of course, the 28-year-old has been subject to speculation for a number of months after refusing to sign a new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium [Sky Sports].

The Verdict: Right move for player and club to part ways

Enduring an erratic career in the Premier League, moving on to pastures new may be the best option for Aurier before the end of the summer window.

In 2020/21, the ex-Paris Saint Germain defender helped his current employers to UEFA Conference League qualification, registering five goal contributions in 27 appearances; two goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Aurier managed to win 123 duels across the piece in the Premier League last term [Premier League], but his lapses of concentration at the back were a major concern for some pundits.

Once labelled as ‘amazing’ by former Tottenham Hotspur man Paul Robinson, Spurs should look to sell Aurier on and re-invest any monetary gain to secure priority targets [Football Insider].

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a fee for a Premier League star. Find out more here.

The Celtic Way journalist Anthony Haggerty claims that Ryan Christie has the talent to play in the Premier League, after leaving Celtic for AFC Bournemouth in the Championship.

The winger has moved to the second-tier club for a bargain fee of around £2.5m, per Sky Sports.

Christie had been with Celtic since 2015, spending a total of six years with the Scottish giants.

A Scotland international with 21 caps under his belt, the 26-year-old made 151 appearances for the club, scoring 41 goals, registering 44 assists and winning the Scottish Premiership three times.

Haggerty believes he has all the talent to make the step up to the Premier League even if he was booed at times last season, and Bournemouth will be hoping that he can lead the club back to the top-flight.

He said: “I think there’s talent there, no doubt about it, he’s a talented, talented boy. He was another one who suffered with the malaise at Celtic last season, setting in of the rot, and he became a bit of a fan’s boo boy because he was trying stuff and it wasn’t coming off, and it’s easy to shout at guys who are possessed with talent and ability, they’re the ones who cop it the most.

“Christie was one of the targets for Celtic fans’ anger and ire and he got it really badly so he maybe didn’t forget that.

“I think he could do well. Stuart Armstrong’s made a decent fist of it at Southampton and thrived and I think Ryan Christie’s another player there.”

Bournemouth have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season but they have won just two of those games, drawing three; they are currently sixth in the table.

Liverpool could be set to receive a significant boost to their transfer kitty over the coming days after entering talks with West Ham United over the sale of Divock Origi.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Hammers have opened preliminary talks to sign the 26-year-old striker after the Reds slashed their asking price.

The report claims that Liverpool are now demanding just £15 million for Origi, a sizeable drop from the £20m they were thought to be asking for in January.

Liverpool fans will be buzzing

Origi will always remain a part of Liverpool folklore after bagging an incredible brace against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final back in 2019.

He then wrapped up the club’s sixth European title with another goal in the final against Tottenham Hotspur, ensuring he’ll remain a fans favourite for many years to come.

However, Origi has struggled to replicate those heroics ever since. Over the last couple of campaigns, the former Lille ace has started just nine Premier League games, bagging only four goals during his limited time on the pitch.

And, in truth, his performances haven’t warranted extra game time, with the Belgium international recording a miserly WhoScored rating of just 6.19 last season.

It became increasingly evident that Origi’s time on Merseyside was drawing to a close in 2020/21 as Jurgen Klopp rarely placed his trust in the pacey forward despite the poor form of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Although he’ll always be adored at Anfield for his Champions League exploits, a large section of Liverpool fans will be buzzing to learn of Origi’s potentially imminent exit.

He’s failed to showcase the required ability on a consistent basis to play for a club aiming to win football’s major prizes, and the money generated from his sale could fund a move for a more talents acquisition.

With the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic limiting Liverpool’s budget, the Reds are having to sell their unwanted fringe players before they can finance any more arrivals, plus they need to free up a place in the squad before making any signings, as they are currently at the limit of non-homegrown players allowed.

The likes of Marko Grujic, Harry Wilson and Taiwo Awoniyi have already departed the club, and Origi’s exit could open the door for an exciting new signing to take his place.

Getting a player like Origi off the books is the best way for The Reds to get a new face through the door, so this news will be music to the ears of Liverpool fans.

And, in other news…Liverpool suffer blow in pursuit of £27m-rated “machine”, Klopp will be gutted

Newcastle United have opened negotiations for AS Roma winger Carles Perez as they look to strengthen their squad this summer.

What’s the story?

Steve Bruce’s side have had a slow start to the transfer window thus far, but they appear to be ramping up their efforts to sign a new wide player.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti on Twitter: “#Newcastle officially stepped forward for #CarlesPerez . Notified to #Roma an offer from approx €10M: ongoing evaluations.”

Better than Almiron

Paraguay international Miguel Almiron endured another difficult season on Tyneside, with just four Premier League goals to his name all year – in fact, he went on a shocking run of form towards the end of the campaign which saw him fail to find the back of the net, or even provide just a single assist, since February 6.

In Perez, they would be getting someone who’s just as versatile as Almiron, but crucially, who also has the end product to really make a difference on a consistent basis for the Magpies.

As per WhoScored, in the 2,669 minutes he has played in his professional career thus far, he has contributed seven goals and seven assists, contributing to a goal just over every two games. Compare that to Almiron, who’s managed just 11 goals and assists in 6,235 minutes of football for the Magpies – that’s a goal contribution once every six games.

Perez’s performances in the Europa League last season for semi-finalists Roma paint the biggest picture of just how much potential he has, averaging an impressive 1.6 shots and 1.9 dribbles per match – those numbers are significantly better than what Almiron produced in the Premier League.

The Magpies would be getting a real upgrade on the Paraguayan by signing Perez this summer.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign a big Jonjo Shelvey upgrade in this ace…

Manchester United are planning to make a shock contract offer to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer next summer.

What’s the story?

The 26-year-old’s current deal expires in just 12 months’ time, and he’s reportedly become ‘irritated’ that Bayern have failed to renew talks after initial discussions took place earlier this year, according to SportBILD (via Sport Witness).

Delays in the negotiations have seen other clubs attempt to secure Goretzka’s signature, with the Red Devils putting concrete salary figures on the table, which are believed to be better than the proposal from the German giants.

SportBILD’s chief football reporter Christian Faulk confirmed the news, tweeting: “TRUE @ManUtd spoke to Leon Goretzka’s agents and offered specific salary figures. the club is interested in his transfer @SPORTBILD”.

The German outlet also claims that the dynamic midfielder’s management are expecting a contract worth up to €20m (£18m) for their client, but the Bundesliga are only offering between €10m (£8m) and €12m (£10m), thus presenting a serious stumbling block.

Solskjaer will be on cloud nine

With Paul Pogba’s future far from guaranteed, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be delighted that the club’s hierarchy are attempting to secure Goretzka’s services.

The German international has established himself as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the game over the last few seasons, becoming a crucial cog in an all-conquering Bayern side.

His outstanding performances have earned several plaudits in his homeland and across the continent, including his new boss at the Allianz Arena, Julian Nagelsmann.

“Leon is one of the best box-to-box players in Europe. He has incredible goal threat and knows when to bomb forward,” he explained.

Since arriving at Bayern in the summer of 2018, Goretzka has scored 25 goals and laid on a further 27 assists in 112 appearances for FC Hollywood, winning three Bundesliga titles, one Champions League crown and two DFB-Pokal’s along the way.

However, despite becoming a key player in Bavaria, the £63m-rated beast could be about to leave his homeland and sign for the 20-time English champions.

He has a history of running his contract down before moving on a free transfer having done so at Schalke in order to secure his move to Bayern, so it wouldn’t come as a shock to see Goretzka repeat the trick next summer.

Unites fans and Solskjaer will surely be urging the club’s hierarchy to match Goretzka’s demands and seal the deal, ensuring the Old Trafford outfit either have a natural heir or quality competition for Pogba next season.

AND in other news, MEN drop promising update on Man Utd’s £54m-rated “monster”, Solskjaer will be buzzing…

A major West Ham transfer update has emerged this weekend…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the Irons’ plans to sign a new defender will be accelerated due to the pre-season injury suffered to first-choice centre-back Angelo Ogbonna.

“I can confirm, as I have done before, that the centre back position is the position that the club wants to complete first,” he revealed to The West Ham Way’s Patreon site.

“This is where our attention is focused at the moment and should be where the next signing is made.

“There are a couple of players in the mix but the club hopes to complete soon, although nothing is that close at the moment. If I had to pick, [Kurt] Zouma would be the number 1 choice at the moment but this could change based upon the negotiations.

“Ogbonna’s injury has sped up this priority.”

Reason to be excited?

After the departure of Fabian Balbuena during this off-season, Hammers boss David Moyes has been left short in defence, especially with his lack of trust in Issa Diop to regularly start matches, having featured from the off just 15 times in 2020/21,

Heading into the new campaign, his likely first-choice pairing would be Ogbonna and Craig Dawson, but with the former looking to be out for the foreseeable future, it’s no wonder the club want to bring in reinforcements as a priority.

It’s believed that the Scotsman already wanted to sign a top-quality centre-back and, a result, they have been linked with some rather exciting names, ranging from Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma – as mentioned by Ex – to the likes of Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic, Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car.

West Ham have only made one senior signing this summer, amongst the fewest in the Premier League right now, so this news should be rather exciting as it seems that their plans will be ramped up in the coming days.

The Irons also need to find a replacement for Jesse Lingard, as well as cover for central midfield and full-back, but as Ex claims, their focus is now on finding Moyes that centre-back for which he is longing.

Whether it’s Zouma, Milenkovic or someone else, the London Stadium faithful should be buzzing by this major update.

AND in other news, West Ham fans will surely love exciting Sky Sports transfer claim on £65k-p/w “beast”…

Michael Ball fears speculation that Rafa Benitez is looking to sign a new striker could mean Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison are heading for the Everton exit door.

Benitez was appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor last month after the Toffees saw the Italian quit Goodison Park in favour of a return to Real Madrid.

Everton missed out on qualifying for European football after finishing 10th in the Premier League standings and it has been touted that Ancelotti would be interested in taking Calvert-Lewin to the Bernabeu in a £50million switch.

Richarlison, who missed out on Copa America glory after Brazil suffered a defeat to Argentina in the final earlier this month, also has suitors after scoring 13 goals last term.

Reports suggest Real Madrid have already made contact with the striker as they look to seal a deal.

The Toffees have been linked with making a move for the likes of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, but ex-Everton left-back Ball would prefer see Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison remain at the club.

Ball exclusively told Football FanCast: “The speculation does concern me. We’ve been linked with a lot of strikers but we’d like to keep our best players and then add one or two.

“There are a lot of fringe players on big wages so it’s always going to be difficult for Everton to move those players on. Sometimes the easy way to bring pennies into the football club is by selling your big guy. That would bring two or three players in. It’s a balancing act.”

Everton are on the verge of appointing Rafa Benitez as their new manager but it’s an appointment that’s set to rock the fan base.

Protests have occurred and unsavoury signs have even been left outside of the Spaniard’s home in Merseyside.

What’s the word?

Even if fans aren’t keen on seeing the 61-year-old arrive at Goodison Park, they must at least give him an opportunity to hit the ground running.

Benitez is a Champions League winner and has multiple domestic honours under his belt. He could also have the lure for players considering a move to Everton.

One such man who could arrive is Brentford striker Ivan Toney. The electric forward has been linked with a plethora of Premier League clubs after a stellar term in the Championship.

According to Peterborough’s director of football, Barry Fry, Everton could be a destination.

In an interview with This is Futbol, he said: “I still think people like Everton and even Chelsea (want him). I know Chelsea are looking at the top range of centre-forwards but I know they’ve watched him and like him and if they don’t get A, B, and C, who knows?

“Then I expect Ivan to go for £40m, £45m, £50m, but now he’s got them in the Premier League, only the top clubs could afford him.”

Fabulous signing

You may look at the idea of signing Ivan Toney as a luxury buy. After all, the Toffees already have Dominic Calvert-Lewin in their ranks.

The England international enjoyed the best campaign of his career in 2020/21, beating the goalkeeper on 21 occasions.

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However, he’s been linked with a move to both Manchester United and Real Madrid in recent months.

That would be a disastrous reign to Benitez’s tenure but he could make an instant impact by luring Toney to the club.

He’s never played a game in the Premier League but his goalscoring record is mouth-watering, bagging goals at every level.

The 25-year-old found the back of the net 26 times in League One during 2019/20 before scoring 33 goals as Brentford were promoted to the Premier League last term.

With a record like that, it would be a transfer for Everton fans to stand and marvel at.

The attacker’s qualities stem well beyond his goal-scoring abilities, though.

Speaking to Peterborough Today last year, Fry commented: “He’s turned into a tremendous all-round footballer. It’s important to remember Ivan is not just an exceptional goal-scoring forward, he’s also an outstanding defender.”

Strong in the air, he wins 3.4 aerial duels per game, adding a further string to his impressive bow.

Benitez might not be well liked by Everton supporters but they’d surely be enthralled if he brought Toney to the club.

AND in other news, Brands could seal huge Gomes upgrade at Everton by signing “world-class” £30m star…

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has claimed Celtic have been looking into a number of right-back targets, amid links to Sheffield United’s George Baldock.

The Lowdown: Ralston Hoops’ only right-back

As it stands, Anthony Ralston is the club’s only right-back on the books. Jeremie Frimpong left for Bayer Leverkusen in January, Hatem Elhamed joined Hapoel Be’er Sheva in February and loanee Jonjoe Kenny returned to Everton at the end of the previous campaign.

The Hoops recently extended Ralston’s deal for a further 12 months, and one man who has been linked with a move to Parkhead to rival him at right-back is Baldock.

The Sheffield United man is back on Celtic’s radar, however, Nixon, who writes for The Sun, has revealed the Hoops have been looking at other right-backs.

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The Latest: Nixon’s claim

Nixon answered a Celtic fan on Twitter on Friday, insisting the Blades ‘want a good offer’ to part ways with the 28-year-old.

He was then asked how much, to which Nixon said:

“It’s not fortunes… but Celtic were looking into other right-backs just in case there was more value elsewhere.”

The Verdict: McKay being smart but time is ticking

It’s good to see that Celtic CEO Dominic McKay is looking all over for full-back additions, but now is the time for the club to start acting and sealing deals.

It’s a smart call to widen their search, especially with Sheffield United wanting more than £8m for Baldock – you’d expect shrewder deals are there to be had. £8m for a player approaching his thirties and in the last year of his contract is steep.

As it stands, Ange Postecoglou will have no choice but to start Ralston against FC Midtjylland in a Champions League qualifier later this month.

Time is ticking for the Hoops to get additions through the door prior to Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge, and the sooner they can get them, it could increase their chances of progressing in Europe.

In other news: Hoops now working on move for ‘terrific’ forward after Osaze Urhoghide deal, find out more here.