Wolverhampton Wanderers’ dreamlike campaign in the Premier League is majorly due to the contribution of their newest additions.

While Rui Patricio and co are helping them maintain impressive defensive stability, it’s Raul Jimenez’s excellent work up front to have won them many crucial points.

The Portuguese forward’s lit up the Molineux multiple times this season, with his clinical work up front helping Nuno Espirito Santos’ side overpower Premier League oppositions. Jimenez is currently Wolves top-scorer this season with 11 Premier League goals, while he’s also been a creative outlet for them with six assists as well!

He’s been a clinical outlet for Wolves, showing impressive strikers’ instincts in often wandering into promising positions and always being a viable option for midfielders to pass forward to. Jimenez’s fantastic link-up play’s allowed him to provide so many assists, while he’s also created 9 big chances for his side (stats via Premier League).

The towering striker’s used his physical prowess to easily adapt to English football’s conditions and proved himself as a fantastic loan deal for the cunning Wolves. While he’s thrived off having clever midfielders like Ruben Neves & Joao Moutinho to deliver balls for him, Jimenez’s predatorial instincts and hunger for goals make him a dangerous outlet for any opposition.

While Benfica might resist when it comes to permanently releasing him, Wolves should put their best offer possible to quickly snap him up.

Jimenez will be key for them to keep up their rise and aim an ambitious top six finish in the Premier League next season.

وصف مدرب فريق توتنهام جوزيه مورينيو فوزهم الكبير اليوم أمام مانشستر يونايتد، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بالتاريخي.

وفاز الديوك على الشياطين الحمر، في الأولد ترافورد، بستة أهداف مقابل هدف في الجولة الرابعة. أهداف مانشستر يونايتد وتوتنهام

وقال مورينيو، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “إنه انتصار تاريخي لتوتنهام، تاريخي لأولادي ولا يمكنني إنكار أنه تاريخي بالنسبة لي”.

وأضاف: “لقد فزت عدة مرات في هذا الملعب، معظمها مع مانشستر يونايتد ولكن أيضًا مع تشيلسي وريال مدريد والآن توتنهام، مانشستر يونايتد لا يخسر الكثير من المباريات، الخسارة بستة أهداف بالطبع لا تحدث كل يوم”.

وواصل: “انتصار تاريخي لكن في النهاية ثلاث نقاط وثلاث نقاط مهمة للغاية لأننا خسرنا خمس نقاط على أرضنا، إنه انتصار للثقة، الفريق واثق للغاية، كان من الممكن أن نُدمر عندما استقبلنا هدفًا في الدقيقة الأولى، أشعر بسعادة كبيرة، إنه لشرف كبير لنا أن نحظى بهذا السجل الفريد في هذا الملعب”.

وتابع: “كنا الفريق الأفضل، لم يتمكن مانشستر يونايتد من إيقافنا عندما كنا 11 لاعبًا أمام 11 لاعبًا، كنا نسيطر بالفعل ونصنع الفرص، كان الأداء رائعًا جدًا”.

واستكمل: “إذا نجح الفريق، فإن هيكل النادي الخاص بي نجح في ذلك لأنه جعلنا ننجح في الحصول على هذا الفريق، جئنا إلى هنا بلاعبين جدد مع إصابة بعض اللاعبين و البعض في المدرجات، يمكننا خوض المسابقات”.

وأردف: “كانت الرسالة هذا الأسبوع أنه سويًا ومع هذا الفريق يمكننا تحقيق ذلك”.

وأشاد مورينيو بأداء اللاعب ديلي آلي الذي شارك في مباراة اليوم بعد غياب في اللقاءات الماضية وهو ما أدى إلى انتشار التكهنات حول مستقبله.

وعن ذلك، قال البرتغالي: “لم يتوقف أبدًا عن إثبات نفسه، لقد قلت دائمًا إنني لم أواجه أي مشكلة معه، مؤدب جدًا، ومتعلم جدًا، ويتصرف دائمًا بشكل جيد، إنه يتدرب جيدًا، وأحيانًا أريد أشياء مختلفة منه على أرض الملعب”.

وأوضح: “هذا يتعلق أكثر به صفاته كلاعب أكثر من غيرها من الأشياء، إنه لاعب رائع كما يعلم الجميع، لدينا فريق جيد للغاية، سيكون من الصعب على الجميع اللعب، لقد نجحنا في لعب أسبوع مجنون بأربع مباريات وتمكنا من لعب كل أربع مباريات مع لاعبين ذوي جودة واليوم لدينا أشخاص جدد”.

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On Monday, West Ham United’s official Twitter account posted an image of Winston Reid training alongside his teammates.

However, not everyone was pleased to see the central defender back in action.

Reid has not yet featured for West Ham this season, having suffered a serious knee injury against Swansea City in March 2018.

The defender was forced to undergo surgery to correct the problem, but the 30-year-old is now back with his teammates.

It seems likely that the 24-time New Zealand international will be available to return to the field over the next few weeks, but it would be fair to say that not all of the West Ham fans are that excited.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Indeed, whilst a number were pleased to see Reid in training, others were less enthused.

Reid has made 223 appearances for West Ham since joining the club from FC Midtjylland, scoring 10 times in the process.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the London team’s fans can be seen below:

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Liverpool are a club who pride themselves on their ability to bring through the next generation of young talent, and recent quotes from U18 boss Barry Lewtas hints that another success story is looming.

What’s the word?

The Reds are set to face Bury U18’s in the FA Youth Cup quarter final this evening and Lewtas is facing a selection dilemma with his centre-forwards in such relentless form.

Bobby Duncan and Paul Glatzel have scored 24 goals apiece so far this season, but the fact Fidel O’Rourke stepped into the side in place of Glatzel last time out and impressed with the captain’s armband speaks volumes about the depth of talent Liverpool have coming through.

Ahead of the game this evening, Lewtas delivered his verdict on squad selection and Fidel’s impact against Blackburn, per Liverpool Echo.

“With the schedule we’ve got, we can’t just flog the same lads over this period. We have to take boys out at certain times and use the fact that we’ve got a very good squad.

“It’s an exciting time. They’ve put themselves in a position where there’s something riding on every game.

“Fidel came in against Blackburn and did ever so well. His first goal was fantastic and the second was a real striker’s goal with the tap in.”

Is Jurgen Klopp a “serial bottler”? The fan in the video below certainly thinks so…

Another success story to add to the collection?

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are a few high-profile examples of players who have made a seamless transition from the youth ranks and into the first-team in recent years.

Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce recently hinted that he expects Adam Lewis to make the breakthrough in place of Alberto Moreno, but the competition for places at centre-forward in the U18 squad could catalyse the development of one of the aforementioned goal-hungry attackers.

Duncan and Glatzel’s stunning records in front of goal this season naturally point towards a future role in the first-team and, with O’Rourke breathing down their necks for a starting berth, promotion into the U23 squad and beyond could be just around the corner for the most outstanding teenager.

Lewtas’ selection dilemma and admission that this is an “exciting time” prove that it may not be too long before another teenage prodigy establishes himself in the senior squad.

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Arsenal’s on-loan winger Reiss Nelson has been included in the England Under-21 squad while on loan at Hoffenheim, per the FA.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a productive season in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals and laying on one assist in 17 domestic appearances.

What’s the word?

Nelson is named as one of seven attacking players by manager Aidy Boothroyd, alongside the likes of Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He has struggled in recent weeks in Germany, however, and was recently dropped from the squad to face Nurnberg.

Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann said, as reported by the Daily Mail, that it was an “educational measure” to leave him out, suggesting that there was no injury involved in his absence.

German outlet Sport1 add that there were “obviously disciplinary reasons” behind him being dropped.

Nevertheless, he will be eligible to play against Poland and Germany in the upcoming international friendlies.

Nelson has made a total of 16 senior appearances for Arsenal and is scheduled to return to the Emirates at the end of the season.

He has won a total of four caps for the Under-21s, scoring two goals.

Shock call-up

This is surprising for a number of reasons, not least due to the axe wielded by Nagelsmann earlier this week.

If Nelson has disciplinary issues at his club, he should not be called up by his country.

That is an indisputable fact and yet there Nelson is, preparing to meet up with the Young Lions.

He has been in good form when he has played in 2018-19 but he has yet to prove his discipline and does not warrant his selection.

Nagelsmann is attempting to educate the youngster and England calling him up undermines those efforts and may well limit the potential of a player widely regarded as a wonderkid.

If the issues that are occurring in Germany are not resolved due to this news, then what is usually a huge boost for young players could end up seriously harming his development.

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Amid the era of Youtube highlight reels, FIFA ratings and ridiculous transfer fees, it’s incredibly easy for a player’s hype to spiral beyond all proportion, leaving reality in the rear-view mirror. And after a summer spending spree at West Ham, followed by notable improvement in performance, there’s an obvious danger in some of the stars at the London Stadium featuring a little too highly in our estimations.

So, Football FanCast’s writers have answered a curious question: Who is the most overrated player at West Ham? Check out their verdicts below…

James Beavis – Felipe Anderson

“It might be a controversial shout but he just doesn’t do enough for me given how much he cost West Ham in the summer. Yes, he has eight goals and four assists in 31 Premier League appearances in his debut season in England, but in his previous 12 top-flight outings he has produced just two assists. That simply isn’t good enough for a player of his quality given he started all of those games, and the fact he was taken off at half-time against Cardiff shows you all you need to know about how he is doing at the moment.”

Billy Meyers – Jack Wilshere

“Admittedly, the hype surrounding the England international has worn off over the years, but the fact that he is still as highly rated as he is – hence the Hammers’ decision to offer him a three-year contract – is baffling. Of course, he is a decent player, but his crippling injury problems should see his status reduced to that of merely a Premier League also-ran, unless he can prove his fitness.”

Jack Saville – Javier Hernandez

“He may not be the most widely praised or popular player at West Ham but the Little Pea has been stealing a living at the top level for years. The predatory instincts he offers are a useful weapon to have from the substitutes bench, but he doesn’t possess the complete skill set which strikers need to thrive in the Premier League. Pellegrini needs an upgrade to take the Hammers to the next level.”

Maddison? Wan-Bisakka? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name who they think were unfairly overlooked by Gareth Southgate for his latest England squad…

Christy Malyan – Mark Noble

“He’s not rated particularly highly but the point remains that if Mark Noble wasn’t West Ham through-and-through, he probably would be playing at a lower level. Relentless on his day and a clinical penalty taker, however those days have petered out somewhat in recent years and his passing has become increasingly passive. He’s great value and of course, every team needs players who embody the heart and sole of the club. But in terms of actual ability, sometimes it feels as though he’s being carried but those around him.”

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino served the first game of his two-match ban against Southampton at the weekend.

The Spurs boss watched on from the stands as his side lost 2-1 to the relegation-threatened Saints.

The FA handed Pochettino the ban, along with a £10,000 fine, after an altercation with referee Mike Dean following the club’s 2-1 loss to Burnley.

The Argentine and the official were involved in a heated confrontation at Turf Moor, with Pochettino seemingly reacting to something said by Dean.

The FA have now revealed the official reasons, via Daily Mail, for Pochettino’s ban, with Dean alleging in his report of the game that the Spurs boss said “you know what you are” repeatedly to him on the pitch, before saying it again in the tunnel.

However, supporters are not happy with the reasoning, insisting that they need to know what was said by Dean as well, with coaches Jesus Perez and Toni Jimenez also reacting adversely towards the man in the middle.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Well, the season now looks all but over for Steven Gerrard and his men, after what was an embarrassing defeat to Aberdeen in the cup, there isn’t much hope sitting within Ibrox. Clearly, every Ger reading this will know that the Gerrard project is only in its first phase, though this Rangers we’re talking about. 

The pressure is on.

This season seems to have just passed Gerrard by, and with his maiden campaign coming to end, he can look to next season full of excitement and knowledge of what is needed. Things will improve. They simply have to.

Rangers must step up next season, surely it’s time someone stops Celtic’s reign, both in the league and cup competition.

During the season, Gerrard has mentioned time and time again after games that there will need to be changes made throughout his time as Rangers’ boss. With that in mind, this upcoming summer is a huge chance for the Liverpool icon to make a few requests to the board and really begin to pile some pressure on bitter rivals Celtic.

So, here are a couple of demands we feel the Englishman should make:

Investment in youth 

So far during his time, Gerrard has preferred signing the older player for the experience ala Gareth McAuley, Steven Davis or Jermain Defoe, or loaning in youth prospects. So, with that in mind, in order to get the correct balance, it can be argued that Gerrard should look to invest in the youth academy at Rangers.

Loaning in a youth player only brings a temporary connection to the club, meaning players may not necessarily give all they can because after all, it isn’t their mother club.

However, creating a successful youth academy of their own will bring a new lease of life to the Gers’ development, as well as saving the club some money from having to make loan deals themselves.

Basically, the more talents like Glen Middleton to emerge, the better.

Increase the transfer budget 

If there were to be a further increase in the transfer budget, it would without a doubt be music to Gerrard’s ears. It would mean not having to make cheap signings on older players, or relying on contracts to end for a free transfer. Going forward, it would give the 38-year-old manager a chance to bring in some real talent on a permanent basis, giving him that foundation that he can begin to build a successful side on.

With this in mind, Gerrard must know that he needs to improve the squad, as he has mentioned before, it is time to bring in some magic to the side and begin to mount a serious title challenge for the seasons to come.

Liverpool should forget about the transfer market following Naby Kieta’s monumental flop and look no further than their own Marko Grujic.

Ah, yes – the £50m+ disappointment that is Naby Keita will surely have hurt fans who were expecting a small, agile creative wizard when he made the jump from Red Bull Leipzig last summer.

Indeed, what Liverpool fans have endured this season barely resembles the immense talent seen on YouTube highlight reels – but I guess that serves them right. Flop.

A little faith in youth prospects never hurt anybody and Liverpool could have done with placing a lot more of that on the lap of 22-year-old Serbia international Marko Grujic, who is valued at £16.2 million (by Transfermarkt).

The midfielder has spent the season on loan with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin after impressing with Cardiff City last year and has continued a strong run of form throughout the season, despite spending two months at the beginning of the campaign due to a significant ankle injury.

It seems just about everybody other than Jurgen Klopp sees the potential in Grujic, who has been good enough this season to be declared ‘by far the best midfielder’ Hertha boss Pal Dardai had seen in over two decades.

When asked about his time drawing to a close in the German capital, Grujic said to BILD (via Liverpool Echo): “I hope not! Because I feel very comfortable in Berlin.

“Hertha gave me the great opportunity to play in the Bundesliga.

“I’m still pretty young, for me this time at Hertha – with the exception of injuries – has been brilliant so far to show my qualities.

“Ultimately, it’s not up to me. But if I could choose myself, I would stay with Hertha for another year, or maybe even two years, to make a very good name for myself by improving all my qualities. And that’s only possible if you play in every game. “

“My self-confidence has increased due to so much match practice. My defensive behaviour has also improved a lot because of the games.”

“And if Liverpool ever wanted to sell me and I could decide, it would be great if Hertha made an offer.”

It’s hard not to interpret Grujic’s comments as anything other than a ‘come get me’ plea; they had faith in him when Liverpool did not, they gave a platform, and naturally he wants to give back. It makes sense.

Of course, if Klopp managed to exercise some of his world-renowned man management skills and gets the Serb to change his allegiances then there is every chance supporters will have one of the most exciting prospects in European football playing for their club for the foreseeable. This would obviously delight the club’s owners, FSG, as the midfielder could save them an awful lot of money if he slots into the middle of the park.

Liverpool fans, how do you feel about Grujic’s remarks and what does it mean for his future at the club? Let us know in the comments below…

Southampton fans have had it tough this season. The Saints don’t win many games and with just six wins out of 29 attempts in the Premier League games this season the fans will have been gutted not to have got their 7th against Manchester United yesterday despite the incredible level of performance that they put in.

Southampton fans who made the trip to Manchester would have been in dreamland when they saw Yan Valery step up with a cracking opener. It was a game that had five incredible goals in and the Southampton fans were absolutely gutted not to have been able to get any points from their trip, and after losing narrowly to Manchester United twice now this season, it seems they just have no luck.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side can put in another nine performances in their final nine games of the Premier League season that match the one they managed yesterday then there’s no reason why they can’t be a fair few points clear of the relegation zone. At the moment the Saints are stuck in a real battle near the bottom of the table, yet with games against Brighton, Newcastle and Huddersfield to come, it’s still all in their own hands.

You can read the Saints’ thoughts on their performance here:

The Saints were delighted with their performance despite the result and will be desperate to keep up their level of performance across their last nine games.