All posts by n8rngtd.top

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United fans on Twitter are not happy with the latest news regarding the club’s official app.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Ed Woodward and marketing director Richard Arnold were delivering a conference call to investors about the state of the club off the pitch.

Will OGS still be in charge of Man Utd come next May? The Flying Pig discusses in the video below…

Arnold revealed that the club’s official app ‘continues to grow above expectations’, a sentiment that has not gone down too well with supporters on Twitter.

On the pitch, United are performing as badly as anyone has seen them perform for years.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken the reins at Old Trafford, and led them to a 6th-place finish after a turbulent start to the season under Jose Mourinho; they will play Europa League football next term after missing out on Champions League qualification.

As a result of that, the fact that those on the club’s board are focusing on how the app performs has rubbed supporters up the wrong way.

Let’s see what the fanbase on Twitter has been saying about the app…

It has been an immensely disappointing year to be a Middlesbrough supporter, hasn’t it?

Despite witnessing their side suffer a heartbreaking play-off semi-final defeat to Aston Villa last May, the Riverside Stadium faithful must have been confident that the 2018/19 campaign would culminate in success.

Yet unfortunately, this wasn’t the case as, under Tony Pulis, the Smoggies ended up finishing seventh in the Championship standings following a roller-coaster of a season.

Having failed to lead Boro to promotion, it was hardly surprising that the 61-year-old decided to call time on his 18 month stay in North Yorkshire last Friday upon the expiry of his contract.

Although chairman Steve Gibson will understandably be prioritising his search for a new manager over the coming weeks, regardless of who he chooses, it is clear that the Smoggies must swoop for one of the most exciting young talents in Dutch football when the transfer window opens in July.

According to Gazette Live, Boro are one of a number of clubs who are reportedly interested in signing ADO Den Haag winger Sheraldo Becker. Out of contract this summer, the 24-year-old could prove to be somewhat of a coup for the Smoggies as he has all the ingredients needed to be successful at the Riverside Stadium.

Blessed with lightning-quick speed as well as an eye for goal, Becker lit up the Eredivisie last season with De Ooievaars by finding the back of the net on seven occasions whilst also providing ten assists for his team-mates.

With Boro lacking a creative spark since their return to the Championship in 2017, there is no reason why the £720k-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) cannot provide it and so it may be worth taking a risk on the winger.

However, with the likes of Derby County, Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday all keeping tabs on Becker, the Smoggies will need to act quick if they want to sign the Dutchman as by continuing to dwell on a decision to make a move, they could end up missing out altogether.

What do you think Boro fans? Would you welcome a move for Becker this summer? Could the Dutchman take your club to new heights next season? Let us know below.

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur target Jack Grealish will cost “a hell of a lot of money” to sign this summer, according to Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, per the Daily Telegraph.

What’s the word?

Grealish has emerged as a star performer at Villa Park over recent seasons and has been integral to the club’s push for promotion to the Premier League this term.

The 23-year-old, who appeared set to move to Spurs last summer after a £25million bid was tabled, has scored six goals and laid on six assists thus far this term.

He will play for Villa at Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday, with Smith’s men set to take on Derby County in the Championship play-off final.

It is likely, per the aforementioned report, that Grealish will be sold if Villa lose.

But, even if they fail to win promotion, Smith has insisted that the club’s resolve to keep their captain will only strengthen.

He said: “He is committed to Aston Villa and we’ve not even spoken about it otherwise.

“If we don’t go up he’ll cost someone a hell of a lot of money if they want to buy him.”

Levy time bites him

Daniel Levy made an expensive mistake last summer.

Grealish was an attainable target then, with Villa facing serious financial difficulties and under pressure to sell.

But Levy waited too long and played hardball, with Spurs missing out on a player who could have added both depth and quality to the attacking midfield positions.

They will surely be watching the play-off final with interest but Smith’s words suggest they face yet more disappointment in their attempts to bring Grealish in this summer.

Levy, surely, will be regretting the decisions of 2018.

[ad_pod ]

According to the Daily Mail, Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser is amongst a list of players being considered by Liverpool for a summer move, as Jurgen Klopp looks to reinforce his forward line.

The Scottish international has enjoyed a phenomenal campaign with the Cherries, scoring eight goals and recording a very impressive 15 assists in all competitions.

The 25-year-old is a diminutive figure who is fairly rapid across the ground, whilst his low centre of gravity means that dribbling is one of his best features; it is arguably the best.

Luis Suarez certainly had no qualms about celebrating against his former employers in the video below…

In my opinion, he would be an excellent addition to Liverpool’s frontline and would also provide some much needed depth to Jurgen Klopp’s attack.

But what do others think of his potential arrival at Anfield? Football FanCast’s writers have their say…

James Beavis

“I think Ryan Fraser would be an excellent signing for Liverpool this summer. The Reds don’t need much, if any, strengthening in terms of their first XI, but they do need some good back-up options – especially in attacking areas. The Scotland international came of age in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season, and he will continue to be a thorn in the side of top flight defences next term and beyond. Fraser is the able deputy to Mane Klopp has been looking for.”

Luke Glanville

“Once again next season, Liverpool are going to be playing lots of matches. Therefore, Jurgen Klopp should keep building on his squad. At the moment, the Reds lack sufficient cover for each member of their deadly front three. The signing of AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser would go a long way to supplying that. The tricky winger can play on both flanks and has weighed in with a sensational seven goals and 14 assists in the Premier League this season. This would certainly be a good transfer move by Liverpool.”

Harry Sherlock

“Ryan Fraser would be brilliant for Liverpool. He’s had a superb season at Bournemouth this season and the pace and direct dribbling that so sets Reds stars apart. He’s got everything the Reds need but, ultimately, will he be happy to settle for a reduced role? That question may define the Reds’ summer.”

[ad_pod ]According to Foot Mercato journalist Sebastien Denis, Leicester are one of a number of clubs showing an interest in Lyon forward Bertrand Traore.

The former Chelsea man has scored seven league goals this term after hitting double figures for both Ajax and his current side over the past two campaigns.

It’s that tally that now looks to have attracted the eagle eyes of the Premier League, per Denis. He claims that the Foxes have begun to survey the attacker’s entourage with Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton also looking.

Considering the lack of end product Rachid Ghezzal and Damarai Gray brought to the Leicester team this season it’s hardly a surprise to see Brendan Rodgers chasing a winger.

But what do others at Football FanCast towers make of a possible move for the Burkina Faso international? Read below to find out.

Luke Glanville

“Traore would be a very good signing for Leicester City. The 23-year-old has proven since leaving Chelsea in 2017 that he deserves a second bite of the cherry in the Premier League. And the Foxes are in need of at least one new right winger this summer after Ghezzal’s disastrous first campaign at the King Power Stadium. Traore is also capable of operating in numerous other positions across the attack, so would be useful in that regard. Brendan Rodgers should throw caution to the wind if Lyon really are demanding £40 million for the Burkina Faso international’s services.”

Harry Sherlock

“The fact is, Traore’s scoring record is not very good. In 48 games in all competitions, he scored just 11 times for Lyon in 2018-19. He’s not much of a creator either, having laid on just five assists. It’s easy to see why Chelsea decided to get rid of him and it’s rather difficult to understand why Leicester would want him. He’s a pacey forward, yes, but he isn’t the clinical finisher that is needed at Premier League level. Signing him would absolutely be a mistake.”

Check out what the Pl>ymaker FC squad got up to at the Football Blogging Awards in the video below…

Billy Meyers

“This looks to have all the makings of another Kelechi Iheanacho. Traore has shone over in France but never really did much in England whilst with Chelsea, despite showing some flashes of brilliance. He is not too dissimilar to Iheanacho in the way that the Nigerian used to look amazing in spells, but simply isn’t good enough to consistently deliver. He definitely shouldn’t be a priority this summer; that should be Youri Tielemans instead.”

[ad_pod ]

Speaking to Sky Sports, Youri Tielemans has offered a fresh insight into his future, revealing how flattered he is by the interest shown from some of the top clubs in the Premier League.

What’s he said?

After switching Monaco for a temporary stay at Leicester in January, Tielemans’ future having returned to the Ligue 1 club is still uncertain.

Back in April Tottenham showed an interest in the Belgian but now Manchester United have also joined the race, per The Independent.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has declared in the past that the club would try to do everything they can to sign the youngster but more recent developments show they’ve been put off by his £40m price tag.

However, the 22-year-old has now offered a fresh update on his future. Telling Sky Sports what he thought about his future and the interest in him, he said:

“We’ll see which club it will be. The only thing I can say is things are moving. A lot of clubs have shown interest. We will see in the next few weeks who it will be.

“Yes [I am flattered by Man Utd and Spurs interest], they are really big teams in England and in Europe. To hear those names gives me confidence.”

Between the lines

Reading this statement, it doesn’t particularly convince that Leicester will be Tielemans’ next permanent club.

Following these comments and the fact the club have already been put off by his valuation, things don’t appear to be moving in the right way for the Midlands outfit.

With the midfielder revealing how flattered he is to be in the minds of some big clubs, it wouldn’t be a great surprise if he does end up choosing one of those teams over the Foxes.

Was Gareth Southgate wrong to overlook potential England stars from Palace, Leicester and Saints? Fan discuss “big club bias” in the video below…

The creative Belgian was brilliant for Leicester and looked as though he thoroughly enjoyed his spell.

However, the level of performance that he displayed shows he could quite easily play for a number of teams in the top six.

In 13 Premier League matches he displayed tremendous consistency, scoring three and picking up four assists.

Judging by how things are playing out, it may take some convincing for Tielemans to arrive back in the Midlands.

[ad_pod ]

According to The Mirror, Liverpool are set to hand Rhian Brewster a more prominent role next season instead of spending a huge amount on a new attacking option.

The 19-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut but Jurgen Klopp has made an effort to involve him heavily at senior level. Brewster travelled with the squad to Barcelona for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, and was named on the bench for the second leg at Anfield.

You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…

The teenager was also an unused substitute in the final against Tottenham but seemed to enjoy himself amongst the senior Liverpool stars in the post-match celebrations.

He has starred for the youth teams for some time now and even won the Golden Boot as England became Under-17 World Cup champions two years ago.

Despite his obvious potential, it seems a bold move from Klopp to put the teenager ahead of a potential new signing.

What do the writers of Football FanCast think about the decision? Let’s take a look…

Matt Dawson

“Liverpool would absolutely be doing the right thing by placing their faith in Brewster. The squad are hardly lacking goals and as a result signing another striker would be pointless. The youngster will find it tough to get first team minutes as it is without a further forward arriving so it would be smart thinking to place their faith in the England youth international. This is a player who has the makings of a Liverpool great.”

Harry Sherlock

“Brewster is phenomenal. This is a striker with pure gold-plated potential written all over him and, after battling back from a serious leg injury, he seems to have earned Jurgen Klopp’s trust. He set the world alight at the Under-17 World Cup and has a potent blend of pace, finishing ability and genuine flair. He may be a little while off being a regular first-team starter but it’s about time a top English club started placing their faith in academy products.”

Luke Glanville

“I think that Liverpool would be foolish to put full faith in Rhian Brewster and not sign another striker in this transfer window. They’ve lost Daniel Sturridge and therefore need more back-up for the deadly front three. Brewster is just 19-years-old and as promising as he looks, needs a loan or two before he can be thrust into a first-team role. And just Divock Origi is not good enough as an understudy to the whole front three.”

[ad_pod ]

According to Sky Sports News, West Ham United have offered £13m for Eibar midfielder Joan Jordan in the hope of landing the Spaniard this summer.

Jordan scored four times and registered four assists in 36 La Liga appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

According to Sky Sports News, the Hammers have launched a £13m bid.

And it would be fair to say that the capital outfit’s fans are excited by the prospect of the midfielder moving to the London Stadium ahead of the 2019-20 season.

It is shaping up to be a very, very interesting transfer window for West Ham.

Pablo Fornals has already arrived from Villarreal, although the club might have to hold off interest from Manchester United in Issa Diop.

Jordan could well be the next player to arrive at the London Stadium.

And the West Ham fans have been on social media reacting to the speculation – a selection of which can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]

Crystal Palace’s striking woes are well documented and well in need of addressing this summer, with the departure of loanee Michy Batshuayi and the poor form of all other options at the Eagles’ disposal meaning that the cash must be splashed if the club are to avoid another relegation battle.

Belgian Batshuayi proved a solid signing for the SE25 outfit after joining on a temporary basis in January, scoring six goals in 921 minutes across all competitions last season, although it seems unlikely that he will be allowed to return next term given Chelsea’s transfer ban troubles.

Signing a top goalscorer remains a priority for Roy Hodgson and Co unless one of their underperforming hitmen can step up in style in 2019/20 and some Palace fans are hoping that they may yet see Christian Benteke regain his impressive 2016/17 form.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

The towering forward notched 17 times for the Red and Blue Army under Alan Pardew and then Sam Allardyce but injuries, changes of system and lack of confidence have seen the 28-year-old score just four goals in all competitions since – a truly awful return for any striker.

These Palace fans on Twitter, though, would love for the 34-cap Belgium international to live up to his £27m price tag – you can check out the best of the reaction below…

With the season long behind us and players finally enjoying some well-needed time off after a dragged out yet eventful campaign, attention for fans have turned swiftly to the transfer window, and for Liverpool supporters, there hasn’t been much to write home about.

There have been rumours, sure, but there has been very little activity in terms of actual signings coming into the club, with Dutch teenager Sepp van den Berg being reported by BBC Sport as the only name close to joining Liverpool so far, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from churning, and a new and unfamiliar name has recently come into the limelight.

According to Estadio Deportivo, the Reds are one of a handful of clubs interested in Stade Rennais midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud, who has attracted the attention of many clubs around Europe after an impressive season with the Ligue 1 side where the versatile winger scored nine goals and assisted 10 in all competitions, and this summer the 25-year-old is exactly what Liverpool need.

Of course, Bourigeaud isn’t exactly the A-list player many Liverpool fans would expect the club to be going for them, but just like how James Milner wasn’t the flashy, exciting name that would sell tickets yet became an essential part of the Reds’ success in recent years, the French midfielder can have the same impact.

Just like with Milner, Bourigeaud is an incredibly versatile player . Whilst some outlets list him as a central midfielder, the truth is that the Frenchman is more of a winger having played 29 games last season on either the left or right flank, with only 11 games played as a central or defensive midfielder.

As well as being able to play in a multitude of positions, the reason why Milner enjoyed so much success at Liverpool, Bourigeaud’s stats compared to other Liverpool midfielders are actually fairly impressive.

When looking at the numbers via WhoScored, the Rennes midfielder registered more tackles per 90 than Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, as well as producing more interceptions per 90 than the Liverpool trio, as well as registering more assists over the season and having more shots per game.

Bourigeaud might be a name not many Liverpool fans have heard of, but he is the type of creative presence the Reds have been missing a bit last season, and the midfielder can be a cheap option this summer as Klopp plots his second attempt at the league title.