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According to The Sun, Leicester are pondering whether to move for James Tarkowski should Harry Maguire leave.

The report claims that Manchester City are interested in the Foxes centre-half who continues to rise in stock.

Losing Maguire would be huge for Leicester but should he be sold, they’d take a considerable windfall as The Sun are suggesting City may have to pay a world-record fee for a defender for his services.

With his departure looming, Tarkowski is being touted as the former Hull man’s possible replacement.

The Burnley defender was brilliant last term but hasn’t found the same sort of consistency throughout 2018/19. However, he’s still found himself a part of Gareth Southgate’s England side.

Rated at £13.5m according to Transfermarkt, Football FanCast writers have given their verdicts on whether he’d be a good successor to Maguire. Here’s what they had to say.

Billy Meyers:

“I think James Tarkowski would be an ideal Harry Maguire replacement. The Burnley defender is an England international, like Maguire, is composed on the ball, and is also a rock-solid defender. If Leicester can recoup a huge fee for a player they paid just £17m for, and then get Tarkowski in for around the same figure, it would represent remarkable business.”

Luke Glanville:

“If they have ambitions of breaking into the top six and into Europe on a more permanent basis, Leicester must keep Harry Maguire. However, if they can’t, Tarwkowsi would be a promising, like-for-like replacement.

At the King Power, he could follow a similar path to the one Maguire has, joining from a lower top-flight team and flourishing, thus making his place in the England side more assure. And the Foxes would be getting a player with the potential to become a Three Lions regular. This would be a smart, smart move for Brendan Rodgers, but only in the event of Maguire’s departure.”

Harry Sherlock:

“Tarkowski would be an excellent replacement for Maguire. He’s a superb tackler of the ball and is a proficient Premier League player who has been central to Burnley’s recent resurgence. If Leicester can get him in, and do it cheaply, then they’ll be absolutely set. It’s a no-brainer.”

It’s safe to say it has been a difficult season for Leicester City. Being forced to contend with multiple injuries, a changing of the guard, and tragedies outside of football. Despite all of this they have managed to attain a ninth-place finish. Very impressive with all things considered. 

Despite all of the changes, there will still be fans that feel a ninth-place finish isn’t good enough for the Foxes. Next season is certainly the way forward for the East Midlands club, especially with Brendan Rodgers now at the helm, it is clear that the only way is up.

So just where has it gone wrong for the Foxes this season?

Here’s a couple of things we feel that if avoided, their campaign may have gone a little smoother.

Sacked Claude Puel a little too late 

No one ever wishes for someone to lose their job. However, it became increasingly clear that Claude Puel was not the right man to carry Leicester forward.

The game that put Puel’s reign to bed ended up being a 1-4 home defeat to Crystal Palace. That tells you just how bad this Leicester side were performing before Rodgers took over. It’s just a shame the decision came a little too late for the Foxes to push for any European football.

Did not take domestic cups seriously enough

Being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round isn’t good enough for a club like Leicester, especially when it’s at the hands of a side such as Newport County, now that was shocking.

It is clear that after winning the league in the past, Leicester City fans want to win silverware, and with the Premier League now being as tough as it is, the domestic cups are the best way for Leicester to get their hands on some.

Rodgers will be well aware that he needs to challenge a lot more in the domestic cups than the club has been in the past and there is no doubt he will prioritise those competitions.

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According to ExWHUemployee, West Ham United were interested in James Maddison last season but ultimately decided against a move for the attacker.

Maddison scored 15 times for Norwich City during the 2017-18 campaign before joining Leicester City in last summer’s transfer window.

The 22-year-old has been in impressive form for the Foxes this season – scoring seven times and contributing seven assists in 35 Premier League appearances.

According to ExWHUemployee, former Hammers boss David Moyes decided that Maddison was not good enough after watching him against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

That news has not gone down well with the West Ham fans, though, with many taking to social media to criticise the decision.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Maddison is yet to make his England bow, but surely cannot be too far away as he continues to impress in the Premier League.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the frustrated West Ham supporters can be seen below:

Steven Gerrard will certainly want Ryan Kent back at Ibrox for their title challenge next season! It’s easy to see why though, and Liverpool’s decision on the youngster will define the Gers chances of winning their first major trophy since their liquidation.

Gerrard told the Scottish Sun he’d spoken to Liverpool about the possibility of them allowing his to return to Rangers, whether that be a loan or permanently. Indeed, the 22-year-old has made 21 starts and scored six goals in a real breakthrough year for the youngster.

If the winger chooses to return, it’d be ideal for Gerrard on two fronts. First of all, he’s proven this season that he can perform under the pressure of playing for such a big club. It’s clear he’s bedded himself into the team well and next season he’ll only improve with the rest of the squad.

The Englishman coming back would also mean Gerrard doesn’t have to spend money replacing him in the summer. Cash may be relatively tight, but Gerrard knows he has to upgrade some of his starting 11 in other areas to have a chance of beating Celtic to the title next season.

There’s no guarantee a new player would fit in or even be as successful as Kent has and could be at the club. That’ll worry Gerrard and, if he decides to stay it could be a choice that the fans look back on as a turning point in this Gerrard revolution.

There’s limited resources at the club, so when they find a gem like Kent, they need to keep him as long as possible. If he signs, that’s one huge step towards a title challenge. If he doesn’t, it’s one huge step backwards. It’s time to pull a few strings, Gerrard!

Rangers fans, who do you see starting on the left wing next season? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans on Twitter have been reacting to comments made by Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek about their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie.

The 22-year-old, in the run-up to the two teams clashing in the final four of Europe’s premier club competition, admitted his admiration for Mauricio Pochettino’s men and suggested that they are the favourites to progress to the final.

But supporters are seeing his comments as more than just respect for the opposition, articulating that it’s a call by the promising talent to be signed by Daniel Levy and expressing their own desires to see the player plying his trade in north London in the near future, alongside teammates Kasper Dolberg and David Neres.

The trio are key to the Dutch giants’ hopes of overcoming the Lilywhites and booking their place in the Champions League final, having helped them to defeat Juventus in the quarter-finals to set up a clash with Tottenham who saw off Manchester City.

Here’s the best Spurs replies to the quotation…

أعرب زلاتان إبراهيموفيتش مهاجم ميلان الإيطالي عن غضبه بسبب التعادل الذي حققه فريقه أمام هيلاس فيرونا، أمس في الجولة الثامنة من الكالشيو.

زلاتان سجل ثنائية فريقه في المباراة، لكنه أهدر ركلة جزاء كانت كافية لقيادة الروسونيري نحو ثلاث نقاط جديدة لتعزيز الصدارة. “تقرير المباراة”

وقال إبراهيموفيتش بعد المباراة لشبكة “سكاي” البريطانية: “أنا غاضب للغاية، لأن التعادل اليوم ليس جيدًا بما يكفي، وكنا نستحق الفوز”.

وأضاف: “أتيحت لنا العديد من الفرص، لقد أهدرت بنفسي ركلة جزاء، وفي المرات القادمة سأترك ركلة الجزاء لـ كيسي”.

وأكمل: “استقبلنا هدفين وسجلنا مثلهما، الشيء الأهم هو ألا نفقد ثقتنا في أنفسنا، ولا ننظر لجدول الترتيب كثيرًا، نريد الفوز في كل مباراة، ومع الوقت سنجد أنفسنا نتطور”.

وشدد: “عندما تتعب لن تقدم 100% مما لديك، لأن هناك العديد من المباريات الآن، لحسن الحظ فترة التوقف الدولي الآن، لأنني بحاجة إلى الراحة”.

وأكد: “لا أستطيع الخروج من الملعب والاكتفاء باللعب بشكل جيد، علينا أن نلعب من أجل تحقيق أهدافنا، لأن هذه هي فلسفتي”.

وعن نشر صورته بقميص منتخب السويد، رد زلاتان ساخرًا: “كنت أحاول إثارة غضب الشعب السويدي”

وأردف: “يمكن للمدرب أن يخبرني أنني سألعب 45 دقيقة فقط، ولن أناقشه في ذلك، لأنني أتذكر ما كان يحدث في مانشستر يونايتد، اللعب يوم الخميس ثم التعافي، وبعد الإصابة التي تعرضت لها، كان من الممكن أن تنتهي مسيرتي”.

وواصل: “أشعر أنني طفل كلما دخلت إلى الملعب، وأشعر بالسعادة المطلقة عندما ألمس الكرة”.

وعن المنافسة في الدوري الإيطالي، قال إبراهيموفيتش: “أرى المزيد من الفرق الآن تقاتل، هناك أتالانتا الذي لم يكن متواجدًا من قبل، أنا لعبت في العديد من الدوريات، لكن الدوري الإيطالي هو الأصعب بالنسبة للمهاجمين”.

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A disappointing first-half performance saw Jack Stephens replaced at the interval of Southampton’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Saturday.

Stephens struggled in the first 45 minutes and was hooked with the Magpies leading 2-0.

Rafael Benitez’s side ultimately ran out 3-1 winners in the late kickoff, with Ayoze Perez completing his hat-trick in the latter stages after Mario Lemina had halved the deficit.

The Southampton fans were frustrated with the result for obvious reasons, but were particularly upset with the performance of Stephens.

The 25-year-old, who started his career with Plymouth Argyle, has not actually played the full 90 minutes of a Premier League game since the start of February, which is an indication of his struggles this term.

And it does seem that the Saints supporters have had enough of the former England Under-21 international, with a number slamming his display at St James’ Park.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the fans can be seen below:

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According to the Daily Mail, Darren Moore has pulled out of the race to be the new Queens Park Rangers manager leaving the club’s options open according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter, and QPR fans have been quick to react.

The R’s have been without a permanent boss since they sacked Steve McClaren on April 1, and Moore was one of the early frontrunners to replace the former England chief.

However, the Daily Mail report that while informal discussions were held between the two parties, the 45-year-old has decided to pursue other opportunities.

On the back of the news, Nixon has suggested that the west London outfit will now target another out-of-work individual, or wait for someone still in a job.

Of course things could be clearer in that regard once the season is over, with supporters touting Lee Bowyer and Kenny Jackett – of Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth respectively – as potential targets, with one and perhaps both of those managers missing out on promotion as they are set to compete in the play-offs.

Another individual clearly wasn’t disappointed by the update, simply saying “don’t mind that”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Shane Long scored in 7.69 seconds of play to give Southampton the lead in their 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night.

Southampton’s point takes them within three of the 40-point target, which would likely keep them up in the Premier League for another season having been greatly improved since the departure of Mark Hughes and the arrival of Ralph Hasenhüttl.

From the Hornets’ kick off, Shane Long pressed the back four before intercepting Craig Cathcart’s clearance and finding himself in on goal to give the Saints the lead.

The goal was the fastest in Premier League history, and puts Long ahead of Ledley King, Alan Shearer and Christian Eriksen in the list of fastest ever Premier League goals.

Watford added some drama of their own as Andre Gray fired late in the game to earn the home side a point.

The main talking point of the game was Long’s goal, and such is the nature of his name, Twitter had many football fans making the same terrible joke…

Let’s at least leave the best joke of the lot till to the end…

Crystal Palace supporters have not always enjoyed what they have seen at Selhurst Park since Roy Hodgson’s appointment as manager back in 2017.

A coach whose approach to the game is a very cautious one, the south London club can be dull to watch at times under the 71-year-old.

As well as that, they often struggle in general when Wilfried Zaha is not playing, with the 26-year-old being the man who has bailed the team and his manager out of trouble time and again.

With Zaha eager to leave Selhurst Park this summer (Sky Sports), though, that is something the Eagles may no longer be able to rely on, which would put the spotlight firmly on Hodgson.

Is the former England boss really a good coach and tactician? Can he oversee a Crystal Palace rebuild and guide the Premier League outfit to results without their current talisman?

There are a lot of questions that Hodgson, who already has his doubters, will have to answer.

From his perspective, though, it does not have to be a negative thing. Ultimately, it is the ex-Liverpool manager’s chance to show his credentials as a coach and move Crystal Palace away from this image of being a one-man team.

Can he do it? Only time will tell, should Crystal Palace actually sell Zaha, of course.

Crystal Palace fans, is Hodgson the man to take the club forward? Join the discussion by commenting below.