All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on Blackburn Rovers attacking midfielder John Buckley.

What’s the story?

As per the aforementioned report, Rovers are currently trying to agree a new contract with Buckley, in order to fend off potential transfer interest from a number of top flight clubs. 

The 19-year-old is yet to feature for the first team at Ewood Park, but is considered a hugely talented prospect. He has been a regular for Rovers’ under-23s side this season, and has impressed throughout their Premier League 2 campaign. 

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

If Liverpool were to make a concerted effort to bring Buckley to Anfield then they would likely be able to prise the youngster away from Ewood Park.

Where’s the risk?

Given that he’d likely only cost the Reds a small transfer fee, a move to sign Buckley would be a relatively risk-free one for the Merseyside outfit to make. However, in bringing the teenager to the club, they may be impeding the path to first team football for some of Liverpool’s other talented young prospects.

It’s already a huge ask for any young player to break into Jurgen Klopp’s attacking contingent, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino ahead of them in the pecking order. Buckley would surely struggle to make an impression, which could hamper his development.

What’s more, if Buckley were to exceed all expectations and earn himself some senior involvement, that could see someone like Rhian Brewster or Harry Wilson miss out on first team football instead. Despite being a seemingly risk-free signing then, bringing Buckley to Anfield could still backfire.

The player himself would probably be better served by continuing his education at Ewood Park, too.

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Everton finally got back on the right track with a 3-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday night, thus ending a terrible run of results that has seen them lose five of their last six games in all competitions.

There were plenty of rare positives to be taken from the comfortable victory, including the clean sheet and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s return to form. But Marco Silva and co can usually count on Idrissa Gueye to thrive in their midfield – and he stayed true to form in Wales.

The 29-year-old showed exactly why the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and PSG were in for his signature in January with a battling display in the middle of the park, while also adding some rare skill and flair to his game – the Senegalese nutmegged Sol Bamba before feeding Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who wrapped up the points in added time.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Gueye will surely remain a key player for the Toffees this season if they are to achieve the highest possible finish in the Premier League table, even if some of the Goodison Park faithful are already preparing for his departure in the summer.

Here’s how the fans on Twitter reacted to his latest performance…

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that Frank de Boer’s woefully brief tenure at Selhurst Park was, at the very least, a learning curve for the Dutchman.

However, if the reaction by Atlanta United fans on social media is anything to go by, it would seem that he is still insistent on the style of play that failed in the Premier League and that it isn’t going any better across the Atlantic.

The MLS outfit were thumped by Mexican club Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday, with the hosts running out comfortable 3-0 victors.

De Boer has persisted with the 3-4-3 which he unsuccessfully attempted to implement at Selhurst Park and the Atlanta faithful are raising the same points that Eagles fans were in 2017.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

Given the short 77 days he was afforded at Selhurst Park, de Boer and his ambitious philosophies were doomed to fail and his next job doesn’t look like it’s going particularly well, either.

The suggestion was that de Boer was the failure rather than the players and, considering that this is now the third team that the tactical extremist has tried and failed to convert into the next Ajax, it would seem Steve Parish was right to give him the boot.

Here’s what Palace fans had to say on Twitter as history appears to be repeating itself…

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Manager Marcelo Bielsa has been a revelation for Leeds United. Since the Argentine coach’s summer arrival at Elland Road, the club have been transformed from an underachieving mid-table outfit into genuine title-contenders.

What’s more impressive is the manner in which Bielsa has led this revolution. The Whites play high-intensity, forward-thinking football, as opposed to the scrapping out results approach that many Championship sides take.

The coach also believes in youth, and has handed debuts and regular game time to a number of youngsters and academy products throughout the season like Jack Clarke and Aapo Halme.

Are fans being priced out of the Championship as well as the Premier League? The angry Bolton fan in the video below certainly believes so…

The Whites are now on the verge of promotion to the Premier League after a fifteen year absence, and face a potentially season-defining encounter with fellow promotion-chasers Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday.

The importance of this fixture cannot be overstated, and Leeds’ veteran attacker Pablo Hernandez is aware of its importance.

Fans love his personality and passion just as much as they love his talent on the pitch, and the veteran winger has shown once again that he ‘gets’ Leeds with these comments.

What he said

As quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Spaniard said: “It’s a big game for us. I know all the people are waiting for this game now but what’s more important is that we’ve arrived in a good moment with a lot of confidence. We’re playing in front of our fans and we have their support. We play with a 12th man and I can’t wait for the moment.”

Ready to play his part

Leeds certainly are heading into this match in good form, having won their last four Championship matches in a row. 33-year-old Hernandez himself is also enjoying a purple patch, having netted three times in his last three games – taking his total Championship goal tally to ten in this campaign, as per Transfermarkt’s stats.

At his best he is almost unplayable and his recent form suggests he will be right at it on Saturday, then look out Sheffield United.

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Leicester are currently keeping a close eye on Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira, according to the Sun, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side considering letting him leave on loan. But should the Foxes make a move for him?

What’s the word?

Having had his contract extended by an extra 12 months following the triggering a renewal clause last week, United are hoping to tie down Pereira’s long term future by offering him out on a season-long loan next season.

The Red Devils are willing to allow him to continue his development elsewhere, but only if he signs what is understood by the Sun to be a new four-year deal.

The same report suggests that Brendan Rodgers has admired the player for a while, meaning Leicester could be the potential destination should Pereira move.

However, the player is attracting interest from other clubs in Europe too so the Foxes would have to act quickly if he does become available.

The midfielder spent last season out on loan at Valencia, starting 12 games in La Liga, but has also struggled for a long run in the United side since returning to England.

Midfield diamond the way forward

The Midlands club has delayed making a decision on whether to sign Youri Tielemans permanently in the summer but signing both Pereira and the Belgian would be significant.

Pereira is a creative player by nature and as a result, could help lift the burden on James Maddison. He has been the sole creator for his team since arriving from Norwich but with extra help, Rodgers’ men can flourish.

A switch in the system should take place too, with a loan move for the Brazilian international giving license to play a narrower diamond formation rather than with wingers. This would entertain the idea of Tielemans and Pereira playing behind Maddison, with Wilfried Ndidi sitting further back.

It solves the limit of quality wide options in Leicester’s squad right now and would ensure there are three creative players in central positions to try and feed through to Jamie Vardy.

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Manchester United fans are worried about the prospect of failing to finish in the top four after they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Wolves on Saturday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were beaten 2-1 at Molineux, as goals from Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota gave Nuno Espirito Santo’s side a well-deserved victory. Marcus Rashford scored a late consolation for the Red Devils.

The defeat was perhaps the club’s worst display since Solskjaer took charge in December, with United failing to truly test the Wolves defence across the 90 minutes.

Per WhoScored, United attempted 17 shots throughout the game but only two were on target, while they were also dispossessed 13 times compared to Wolves’ seven and lost possession 26 times to the hosts’ 17.

And fans have expressed their doubts that United will be able to climb back into the Champions League qualification spots before May.

Solskjaer’s side are currently fifth, two points behind Arsenal, and face the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea before the end of the season, while they will also take on Barcelona in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club competition.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from a number of disappointed fans on Twitter below!

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Crystal Palace host Huddersfield this weekend in a clash that presents the Eagles with a perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of recent weeks – they have endured a difficult period with their defeat at the hands of Brighton compounded by their elimination from the FA Cup by Watford.

Vicente Guaita will have had sleepless nights over the international break after some questionable decision making between the sticks cost his side and the Spaniard will be put to the test again this weekend.

On the chalkboard

The former Getafe goalkeeper has been a solid addition for Palace and undoubtedly an upgrade on Wayne Hennessey, but he let himself down against the Hornets – the 32-year-old flapped at a number of crosses and was left in no-man’s land when Etienne Capoue fired the hosts ahead.

There are no questions over his shot-stopping ability – the scoreline could have been very different but for some excellent reflex saves – but his judgement when it comes to claiming crosses in particular has to be better, starting with the Terriers game on Saturday.

Testing Terriers

Jan Siewert’s side might be rock-bottom with just 14 points to their name but the Premier League is an unpredictable competition – indeed, the Yorkshire-based outfit nearly upset West Ham last time out – so Palace will need to be on top form if they are to get back to winning ways. Starting with Guaita in net.

Was Darren Moore’s sacking unfair? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name which EPL bosses should have gone instead in the video below…

The £4.5m-rated ace will undoubtedly be in the wars this weekend – Huddersfield have scored more goals from set-pieces (9) than they have from open play (8) this campaign and they will feel that they can cause Guaita problems from such situations.

The Palace custodian will have to be assured when dealing with balls into the box from free-kicks and corners as this is where Huddersfield pose their biggest, and perhaps only threat..

And considering he has probably been mentally affected by his recent errors, the clash represents Guaita’s biggest challenge of the season yet. Can he bounce back?

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In Claude Puel’s final months at Leicester, they looked a shadow of a team who had won the title just a few years ago. Obviously, they were never going to repeat that fate but their fall to mediocrity this season was one which had left fans frustrated.

Finally, the King Power faithful were subdued to a campaign where nothing overly exciting was happening. They’d gone from an outstanding promotion campaign under Nigel Pearson to the great escape. What followed was unparalleled in their history as they won the Premier League and subsequently played in the Champions League.

But, under Brendan Rodgers, they’ve begun a period of revival. The source of which has been bringing back a man so key in the best period in the club’s history.

Captain Morgan

Puel’s Leicester had strayed away from some of the basic principles the club had established under the likes of Claudio Ranieri. There was a lack of organisation, experience and there wasn’t much authority to their play. But, by bringing back Wes Morgan into the fray, Leicester have rediscovered elements that made them so successful.

The centre-back started in Rodgers’ first game against Watford as part of a back three, standing out ahead of Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire. However, he was swiftly dropped for the game against Burnley, only to enter the fray just six minutes in after Maguire was sent off.

Morgan’s recall, therefore, may not have been completely deliberate, but after scoring two goals in back-to-back wins, he’s become one of the Foxes stand out players once again.

Key presence

If Rodgers’ backing of Morgan needed any further evidence, then the decision to give him a new one-year contract sums up how important the captain has become again.

He’s come back into the side and offered a reassuring and commanding presence that wasn’t necessarily there before.

The 35-year-old has impressive stats this season, winning 4.1 aerial duels and making five clearances per game, more than the highly-touted Maguire in both departments.

He may be getting on, but Morgan’s place at the club is as important as ever.

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How do you solve a problem like Marko Arnautovic? Well, when he gets particularly greedy and dazzled by the bright lights of China, you offer him an enigmatic new contract worth £110,000 per week, according to Football FanCast sources, and hope that his transfer fiasco will be brushed under the carpet.

But the three-pronged relationship between Arnautovic, the fans and the manager has almost been tarnished beyond repair. The powerful attacker notched seven goals and provided two assists prior to West Ham’s home fixture against Arsenal in January, in which he waved goodbye to the fans when he was withdrawn by Manuel Pellegrini, but he has only added a solitary goal contribution since the fiasco was temporarily laid to rest.

Arnautovic signed the new deal on January 26th 2019, exactly ten weeks ago to the day. In that time he has been booed by supporters, cut a detached figure on the field, thrown tantrums on the substitutes bench and provided a single assist. Sorry, we almost forgot to mention, he’s also banked £1.1million in the same space of time.

It’s easy to sympathise with those supporters who feel compelled to articulate their disdain for a player who was unanimously adored just a few months ago.

There is a lingering feeling that Arnautovic, to a degree, betrayed the club by expressing a desire to leave midway through the season. And while his decision to pen a new deal should, in theory, have been regarded as a positive development, his presence is beginning to feel more detrimental than progressive.

When you break down the financial implications of Arnautovic’s new deal, it’s difficult to justify the decision from David Gold and David Sullivan to offer an extension; perhaps they should have cashed in while they had the chance.

When Arnautovic is at his scintillating best it’s clear to see the desire and hunger running through his veins. He relishes individual battles both physically and tactically and uses his ultra-competitive streak to outwit his opponent. Take that away and what we have is a distinctly average player.

Recent weeks have underlined how the mental aspect of his game is his most performance-defining. With the ghost of January’s fiasco still looming at the London Stadium feast, Arnautovic has left his head in China, inadvertently conspiring against his chances of securing a high-profile summer move in the process.

Following the award of his new deal, Pellegrini has handed him just 356 minutes of senior football with which to salvage his stuttering reputation in east London, at a startling cost of £3090 per minute.

Back in January, the mercurial centre-forward may well have been considered a perfect successor to Diego Costa at Chelsea, but the substance behind that notion is crumbling as West Ham prepare to travel to Chelsea on Monday evening.

Perhaps what Arnautovic really needs is a confidence-boosting goal to resurrect the imperious form which made him subject of a £35 million January bid in the first place.

There are easier grounds than Stamford Bridge on which to break a goal-drought, but Maurizio Sarri’s side are riddled with frailties and it would be fitting for Arnautovic to fire his way back into club stardom with a match-winning showing against a fierce London rival.

Right now Gold and Sullivan’s decision to snub advances from China and extend Arnautovic’s deal looks like a colossal blunder, but is an unforeseen twist lying just around the corner?

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According to Goal, Liverpool are looking to offload Nathaniel Clyne this summer having spent the last three months without the former Southampton man and have named their price should any clubs come calling for his services, Bournemouth and West Ham included.

Having already signed Dominic Solanke from the Reds for an eyebrow-raising £19m, are the Cherries about to be taken for another ride by Liverpool’s sporting director, Michael Edwards?

What’s the word?

Well, Goal reports that Manuel Pellegrini and Eddie Howe will go head to head for the right-back at the end of the season after an ‘impressive’ spell at the Vitality Stadium, although he won’t come for chump change.

The Reds are set to demand approximately £15m for the 28-year-old, who is understood to have thoroughly enjoyed his time being back on the south coast, although the lure of a return to London for the Stockwell-born star could mean that a move to the Irons is tempting.

If Bournemouth have any sense, they will leave West Ham to sign another formerly-solid player who has been ruined by injuries and look elsewhere for a new right-back.

Bournemouth must de-Clyne

Clyne has long since lost his place to Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield due to both injury setbacks and the aforementioned Scouser’s sensational showings and is in desperate need of a new, permanent employer – it shouldn’t be Bournemouth, though, if the hierarchy have been paying close attention to his performances.

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…

The defender has been poor in the last few games in particular and represents a big risk to the Cherries, who have enough players carrying recurring knocks without taking on the 5 ft 9 number 23, who has spent much of his time on the treatment table in recent years.

Having already spent nearly £20m to bring a thus-far uninspiring Solanke to the south coast (and let’s not even get started on Jordon Ibe), Bournemouth must be careful not to overpay for an unwanted Liverpool player for what would now be the third occasion.