All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Celtic have turned down the latest offer from Arsenal for Kieran Tierney, according to BBC Sport.

What’s the story?

Tierney has been the subject of two bids from Unai Emery’s side now with both offers rejected. The 22-year-old could be the subject of a third bid as Arsenal prepare to change the original package.

The left-back has been linked to the Gunners all summer but we are still no clearer as to knowing where his future lies. Tierney won’t push for a move but it looks as if the figure Arsenal are offering is slowly but surely getting closer to the desired fee.

And yet, Celtic have already begun their competitive season and the confusion surrounding Tierney can’t be helpful for Neil Lennon’s side. The Bhoys have played the away leg of the first qualifying round of the Champions League, beating FK Sarajevo 3-1.

With Tierney injured, regardless of the speculation, and only Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo coming in, there’s a chance for someone else to stake their claim at left-back.

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

Hayes’ time to shine

After Tierney’s injury (and potential sale) along with the release of Emilio Izaguirre, new-boy Bolingoli-Mbombo is Lennon’s only available natural left-back. Youngster Calvin Miller and the versatile Jonny Hayes are the other two players in the current squad that could play that role.

And with Miller failing to pull up trees in loan spells with Dundee and Ayr United, Hayes is well-placed to provide competition in a position he was surprisingly good in last season.

Hayes deputised at left-back in the second half of the campaign, making four of his 12 starts on the left side of defence.

The 32 year-old may have found himself moved on this summer given how far down the pecking order he is on the wing, yet thanks to the confusion surrounding Tierney he could now really capitalise and solidify his squad role.

Hayes may well be hoping the Tierney saga rumbles on right through the summer window, which would give him as long as possible to cement his place in Lennon’s squad.

[ad_pod ]

The Gunners are tearing through their 2019 summer pre-season schedule and after three games, Unai Emery’s troops have already got three wins under their belts.

But now, after they’ve dealt with Fiorentina in Charlotte, they’re awaiting their final challenge in the United States as the biggest game looms just around the corner.

Arsenal will face Real Madrid to put the finishing touches on the US their tour before, not long after that, heading back into the Premier League grind come early August.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Naturally, they’ve met a real plethora of icons and superstars while touring the land across the ocean. Mesut Ozil even met with Megan Rapinoe, the US’s most recognised female footballer and recent world champion.

He quickly shared an Instagram story with her to celebrate.

Of course, this would’ve been a gigantic meet-up even if the context wasn’t so funny.

Just last week Ozil changed his hair colour after allegedly losing a bet with Alexandre Lacazette, and has since been compared to Rapinoe because of that.

Upon seeing the Gunner and his new style, Rapinoe couldn’t help but agree herself so she captioned the snap with “Game recognise game… Hair game, that is”.

[ad_pod ]

Jurgen Klopp has handed out the latest update on Ryan Kent’s future and Rangers fans aren’t quite sure what to make of it.

The Liverpool boss has ruled out the possibility of the 22-year-old winger leaving the club on loan again. The wide-man caught the eye during his temporary stay at Rangers last season, as he was named PFA Young Player of the Year.

After his side’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Napoli, Klopp stated: “The time is over giving him on loan. At a specific age, a player needs to find a place to settle and stuff like this. But we will see. A loan is not planned.”

Steven Gerrard has made no secret of the fact that Kent is a target, but with a loan move off the table, it will mean that interested sides will have to meet the Anfield club’s valuation of Kent. BBC Sport reports that figure to be in the region of £8m.

If that fee were to be met by Gerrard’s men then it would be the third-highest transfer fee in the club’s history.

Fans of the Ibrox side were split on Twitter whether to splash the cash on the skilful winger or not:

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Crystal Palace fans on Twitter are feeling negative after Sky Sports’ live transfer blog (August 6, 11:25am) saying that the club still want to bring Everton midfielder James McCarthy to Selhurst Park before the deadline on Thursday.

Sky Sports say that having already had a bid rejected, the Eagles are understood to be trying to restructure a payment schedule for the Republic of Ireland international.

The Sun says that the Toffees plan to include the 28-year-old in a cash-plus-players deal for Wilfried Zaha, but the latest report says that the south London outfit want him regardless.

Watch Crystal Palace Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Palace have also been heavily linked with a move for Real Betis midfielder Victor Camarasa, and one Eagles supporters who has had their say on the popular social media platform believes that the deal for the Spaniard could be off if this latest report is true.

There has been plenty of other negative reaction too, with one calling the renewed interest in McCarthy as “so, so, so frustratingly pointless”.

[ad_pod ]

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

The latest iteration of the Community Shield did not disappoint.

Two of England’s best locked horns in the clash of the champion and the runner-up from last year’s Premier League season. It was Pep Guardiola against Jurgen Klopp and once again it was the Catalan manager who exited the bout victorious.

But it was truly a tight affair as 90 minutes could not yield a clear winner so a penalty shootout had to do the trick.

[ad_pod ]

Still, Jamie Carragher posed an interesting question just before the kick-off.

The Liverpool icon took to

/B0vH-h3A_Nd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram to share a throwback photo from the time the Reds managed to clinch the title themselves, but he wondered should the Community Shield even be considered as a trophy.

Many had their say in the comment sections below and the opinions seem to be rather divided on the matter among the fans, if their replies are anything to go by.

One thing is for sure, though, it is a real trophy if you win it, and Manchester City are definitely celebrating it like that.

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

After a resounding 4-0 win over Chelsea in the opening Premier League game of the season, much of the talk understandably has revolved around Manchester United’s new signings and forwards. But one man who quietly went about his job with consummate ease and has earned little of the limelight, is Victor Lindelof.

The Sweden international was just as imperious as summer signing Harry Maguire in the centre of United’s defence, and radiated a sense of calm and poise. The 25-year-old looked defensively strong against Chelsea’s mobile front-line, and was assured on the ball whenever the Blues looked to press.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The Red Devils conceded 54 goals in the Premier League last season, but on Sunday, looked like anything but their usual creaky selves. Maguire’s display was certainly impressive, and it helped bring the best out of Lindelof too.

Indeed, speaking on Sky Sports, former United boss Jose Mourinho said: “You can be very dangerous in attack but if you feel that a mistake is around the corner it takes your confidence away and you don’t play as well.

“When you feel there is something that allows you to play you are much more confident. As I always said Lindelof can be a very good player. With Maguire it can be a very good partnership.”

Despite splashing out a world-record £80m for Maguire, United still boast an abundance of centre-back options. Since arriving from Benfica, Lindelof hasn’t exactly set the world alight at Old Trafford and it has been no surprise to see him struggle to nail down a spot in the first-team. But his display against Chelsea showed he could be the perfect compliment to United’s new signing. He was quick, strong in the tackle and calm on the ball. Everything that United arguably lacked last season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side need stability at the back, and giving Lindelof an extended run in the team to see if he can partner Maguire in the long-term seems like a no-brainer. At 6 foot 2, the Swede has all the attributes to create a formidable partnership with United’s £80m man.

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur fans have urged Fernando Llorente to avoid making a move to Manchester United this summer.

Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, reports that United have made contact with the Spaniard and offered him a two-year contract.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

His deal at Spurs expired at the end of the season and he has yet to commit to fresh terms in north London or anywhere else for that matter.

Llorente, of course, enjoyed an exceptional season in 2018/19 as the club reached the Champions League final.

He scored the winning goal in the quarter-final second leg against Manchester City and also played a key role in the comeback victory over Ajax in the semi-final.

Overall, Llorente scored eight goals in all competitions in 2018/19 and he could now be on his way to Old Trafford in a shock move.

But Spurs fans have urged him to reject their advances.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

Everton put in a resilient display against Wolves on Sunday, dragging themselves through two setbacks to eventually win a cracking encounter 3-2 at Goodison Park.

Twice the Toffees were dragged back but they eventually prevailed thanks to Richarlison’s double and a strike from Alex Iwobi.

Fabian Delph started alongside Andre Gomes in the middle of the park for Marco Silva’s side, but it was the former who seemingly earned the most praise from supporters on Twitter.

One individual said that Delph reminded them of Gareth Barry whilst he was also labelled outstanding.

The 29-year-old was deemed class as a further fan suggested he’d pretty much now sealed his place in the starting XI this season.

Another decided to laud the business to bring him to the club.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Delph was signed for a fee that could rise to £10m in the summer from Manchester City and his performance on Sunday certainly put him into the hearts of Everton fans.

He only started eight times in the Premier League for City last term, but you’d imagine there will be far more minutes for him in 2019/20.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

Well, that’s not good news, is it?

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has pulled out of the England squad due to injury.

The Manchester United defender was set to compete alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier for a spot in the team to face Bulgaria and Kosovo in the next round of European qualifiers, but it was recently announced that his international escapades have come to a premature end following complications with his back (cue jokes about carrying United).

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Whether this is a covert and cynical ploy to remove him from harm remains to be seen. However, if it’s a case of Wan-Bissaka’s injury being both serious and genuine, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a serious selection dilemma ahead of the upcoming game against top-four hopefuls Leicester City – auxiliary right-back Ashley Young is already covering an injured Luke Shaw on the opposite flank having featured against Southampton at the weekend.

United fans have taken to Twitter to react to the news…

As you can see the United faithful are somewhat sceptical about the genuineness of the claims. Is this an elaborate ‘sicky’ orchestrated by Solskjaer? We’ll have to wait and see (sounds convenient though, doesn’t it? A “back injury” yeah, yeah).

[ad_pod ]

Barcelona’s third La Liga game took them away from home and into the jaws of Osasuna. After a thrilling 2-2 contest, both teams shared the spoils but the outcome could’ve been far worse had Ernesto Valverde not introduced a crucial substitution in the second half.

Snapshot

Pamplona, the home of Osasuna, is really a tough place to visit and Barcelona surely felt it on their skin last Saturday. The Catalans seemed somewhat outgunned and without any real solutions throughout the entirety of the first half of the game. As a result, they were 1-0 down when the referee blew his whistle at half time.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Osasuna had more shots, more corners, more key passes and, for 45 minutes, looked far more comfortable than their Catalan counterparts. And the roars of the crowd only fuelled them even more. But luckily for Barcelona, Valverde noticed the issue so he reacted accordingly. In the 53rd minute, on came Arthur Melo and the game suddenly swung into Blaugrana’s favour.

As soon as the Brazilian entered the pitch, he reminded everyone how integral he is to the footballing machine from Catalonia.

Off the bench

Arthur was simply the best man on the pitch for Barcelona.

Sure, the young Ansu Fati took the spotlight with his record-breaking goal that equalised the game for the Catalans, but it was the Brazilian who completely changed the dynamic and even propelled them into the lead.

Arthur recorded 92.3% passing accuracy, played two key passes, completed four passes and rattled the net with his only shot on goal. He was all over the pitch, influencing the tempo and leading Barcelona along the way.

Osasuna managed to come back and secure a point at their home ground, which meant that Barcelona still have only four after three games played. But there were positives to be extracted from that match and Arthur is certainly one of those.

Props also have to be given to Valverde for his decision to swap Rafinha with Arthur in the 53rd minute as it completely changed the game.

It still remains to be seen, however, whether that performance will push the Brazilian into the starting lineup, but if the early signs are any indication this one should be a no-brainer.

[ad_pod ]