All posts by z3u9t.icu

Glasgow Rangers face Benfica in what will be Steven Gerrard’s toughest test this season so far. However, the Gers could have a few tricks up their sleeves, if recent reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

Benfica boss Jorge Jesus has admitted that Rangers star striker Alfredo Morelos is a “very dangerous” beast ahead of the Europa League clash in Lisbon on Thursday night.

The Scottish Premiership leaders will battle the Portuguese giants for supremacy at the top of the table as both sides have started their Group D campaign with back-to-back wins.

And Jesus is concerned that the 6-cap Colombia international poses a real threat to their chances of securing a top-seed place in the group stages.

He told Sport TV, as quoted by FourFourTwo: “The striker is very well known. He’s a Colombian who doesn’t have much of a playing style, he doesn’t have an elegant aesthetic, but he’s very dangerous. He’s got that style like Gerd Muller.”

No brainer

Morelos has been in sensational form for Rangers in recent years, having written his name in the record books against Lech Poznan last week.

Last season, the 24-year-old scored six goals and supplied one assist in the Europa League (excluding the qualifying rounds), via Transfermarkt.

Since then, the Colombian centre-forward moved level with Ally McCoist on 21 European goals, and could surpass the Gers legend this season.

Per SofaScore, Morelos has made two appearances in the Europa League this season, scoring one goal so far, whilst he is averaging two shots and one key pass per game. In contrast, his teammate and rival Kemar Roofe has only mustered one shot per game so far, as per SofaScore.

He recently received praise from McCoist himself, who called him a “top-class” player, whilst he was once likened to Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez, who is now plying his trade at Atletico Madrid.

Granted, Gerrard isn’t exactly short of striker options, as he can call upon the services of Cedric Itten and Roofe as well. However, as we’ve previously discussed, we believe that Itten’s best position could actually be on the right wing, while Roofe has hardly done himself any favours at all with a disappointing display against Lech Poznan, and Jermain Defoe was axed from the Europa League squad altogether.

As is often the case, Morelos ended his mini goal drought in style as he scored the matchwinner after coming off the bench to replace Roofe last week. Now that he is fully fit and firing on all cylinders, the Gers will need him to start a new streak when they travel to Benfica tonight.

Whether or not he will still be here by the end of the season is another matter entirely, but Gerrard and Rangers fans will be hoping he can continue scoring at any rate as they seek to challenge for silverware in the domestic and European campaigns.

AND in other news, Shades of Prso: Steven Gerrard must unleash Glasgow Rangers ace Cedric Itten vs Benfica…

Tottenham Hotspur could have rounded off a perfect summer of business with a swoop for one of Jose Mourinho’s former players…

What’s the word?

According to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), the north Londoners had a bid rejected for Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma during the transfer window with their local rivals wanting around €45m (£40m) to let him leave Stamford Bridge.

It’s claimed that the 26-year-old wouldn’t have been against an exit with Premier League rivals Everton also having an offer rebuffed.

However, Zouma has since gone on to cement his place down under Frank Lampard, forming a formidable partnership with veteran Thiago Silva.

Levy fail

Mourinho originally signed the French international for the Blues in 2014 but it has taken until now to truly see his potential come to fruition.

In seven league starts, Zouma has averaged 5.1 clearances, 3.3 aerial duels won, 1.3 interceptions and a 90.2% passing accuracy, via WhoScored.

Upon his arrival, the Special One claimed the central defender was a player with “big potential” before quickly suggesting that he would be a “big player for Chelsea for many years” just a few months into his maiden campaign.

Spurs know about him all too well too as he was part of the side that silenced Harry Kane last season – in fact, he absolutely terrorised the England talisman.

Frank Lampard won both matches over his old boss, but it was the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which stood out most. Zouma made four clearances, two interceptions, won 100% of his aerial duels and of course, kept Kane quiet, via SofaScore.

With Davinson Sanchez heavily out-of-favour at Spurs, not being named in their last three league squads, and Joe Rodon seemingly not yet ready for a crack at the big time, a £40m swoop for Zouma is something that Daniel Levy should’ve absolutely done.

Mourinho knows him well, so he could’ve fit straight in as an option beside Eric Dier or Toby Alderweireld.

AND in other news, Spurs may forever regret not signing their next Dele Alli in 2019…

Leeds United will have the chance to return to their run of winning ways when they travel to Merseyside to face Everton on Saturday. They will be inspired by their latest result against Arsenal, which saw them come away with a point thanks to a 0-0 draw.

Pablo Hernandez was reportedly set to feature against the Gunners but a “niggle” stopped him from making his return to the squad. However, Kevin Campbell believes that Marcelo Bielsa will play the midfielder at Goodison Park (via Football Insider).

Make or break for Hernandez

The former Premier League striker has commented on how “unhappy” Hernandez is at the moment as he deals with his pestering injuries and Bielsa’s decision to substitute him off against Leicester.

He has not featured since then and Alex McLeish feels that he could be approaching the end of his run with Leeds. Indeed, the 35-year-old currently has less than two years left on his contract with the Whites and no talks have yet taken place over extending his terms. If Hernandez wants to change this, he must grab any opportunity with both hands and prove that he still has what it takes to be a Leeds regular.

Although he hasn’t contributed a goal or an assist yet this season, the Spaniard was key to the club’s success last campaign. Their Championship title and long-awaited promotion couldn’t have happened without the hard work of each player and Hernandez featured 36 times, contributing to 18 of their 77 goals scored (via Transfermarkt).

But as Bielsa must cater to the demand of the Premier League, Hernandez has slipped down the pecking order. If he starts against Everton, he must ensure that he puts in a solid performance to change the gaffer’s mind and re-establish himself within the team.

In other news, Radrizzani given reprieve amid likely Leeds defender’s exit…

Crystal Palace will be determined to return to winning ways when they travel to West Bromwich Albion to take on Slaven Bilic’s side in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Eagles face a tough trip to the Premier League strugglers having won just one game out of their last four to lie just three points above Brighton towards the bottom of the table.

After narrowly being beaten by Manchester United, the Baggies bounced back with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United at home.

Roy Hodgson faces one of the toughest challenges of his managerial career as he bids to get the Eagles fully firing on all cylinders, but he should have an easy choice to make over who should lead the line at the Hawthorns.

The former England manager has made some pretty questionable decisions in the past but this is a selection call he literally cannot afford to get wrong. Losing to a newly-promoted side who already find themselves struggling for Premier League survival would cast doubt over his future at the club.

Hodgson has options aplenty in the striking department but that doesn’t make his job any easier as it’s fair to say that some are more viable than others.

The Palace boss has heavily relied on Michy Batshuayi to shoulder the burden so far this season but he hasn’t reaped the rewards – no goals and just two assists in total in seven appearances in the Premier League, via Transfermarkt.

There’s a very real possibility he’ll give Christian Benteke a run of games but he ought to hedge his bets and stick with Jeffrey Schlupp instead.

Schlupp started upfront as Palace were beaten by Newcastle United at Selhurst Park. But, whilst we were well within our rights to lampoon his disastrous display, that doesn’t mean that anyone should write him off almost entirely.

Let’s face it, anything is better than Batshuayi or Benteke, so why not give it another go?

Valued at £9m via Transfermarkt, the 27-year-old has often been used as a left winger since he first arrived at the club, but he is yet to taste defeat against West Brom, which will no doubt be giving Bilic sleepless nights.

Last season, Schlupp enjoyed his most prolific spell in the top flight, having scored three goals and supplied two assists in 17 appearances, which is a pretty decent return when you consider the fact that he has mostly played as a left-back or central midfielder. That’s one more goal than Benteke, who played 24 games in the Premier League last term.

It surely makes most sense to give the speed demon a fair crack of the whip upfront alongside Jordan Ayew whilst Wilfried Zaha works his way back to fitness after testing positive for coronavirus. This means that Eberechi Eze could start on the left wing and allows Andros Townsend to line up on the opposite flank.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish should reward Jairo Riedewald with a new contract…

This has been an absolutely exhilarating year for Leeds United.

After gaining promotion to the Premier League for their first top-flight season in 16 years, they went and broke their transfer record.

They shelled out £30m on Rodrigo, a Spanish attacker who is now firmly hitting the ground running at Elland Road.

The start to the campaign rather summed things up, losing 4-3 and then tasting victory by the same scoreline.

However, their year could yet end with a bang if reports from the Daily Mail are to be believed.

According to the newspaper, Andrea Radrizzani is on the verge of selling another 15% of his stake to the San Francisco 49ers, bringing even more investment to Yorkshire.

It would increase the 49ers stake in the club and could see Leeds valued at around the £240m mark. Further money being ploughed into the football club is certainly no bad thing, especially ahead of a transfer window.

Although Marcelo Bielsa thinks the club are unlikely to buy anyone in January more money at Leeds could finally allow them to sign one of their long-term targets.

In the summer Leeds struggled to sign Rodrigo de Paul with his asking price at Udinese deemed too high by United’s officials.

However, as we know, there is still interest in the player according to Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross.

As a result, Victor Orta could well get his cheque book out and explore a deal for the Argentine once again. After all, the Spanish director of football is someone who is used to biding his time before making his move – you only need to look at the way they’d tracked Raphinha since his days in Portugal to realise that.

De Paul would be a superb signing too. Deemed a “powerful shooter”, he has scored three times this season and found the net on seven occasions last term – two fewer than Pablo Hernandez but at a higher level in Serie A.

Speaking after his failed move to Leeds last summer, the midfielder’s former manager Julio Velazquez noted: “He lacks absolutely nothing, he could play in any club in the world.”

If Leeds do indeed end up with enough money to bring him to England, they must secure a move.

It would be an outstanding start to the new relationship between Radrizzani and the 49ers.

AND in other news, Leeds ace who won 81.8% of his duels was an ABSOLUTE monster vs Newcastle… 

When it comes to Marcelo Bielsa’s reign at Leeds, there have never been too many question marks.

One concern, however, has surrounded the defence. Although Leeds had the best backline in the Championship last season they had problems when it came to clearing set plays and high crosses.

In 2020/21 it’s the defence who are once again a cause for anxiety. They shipped seven goals in their opening two games of the term and Leeds have now conceded 24 times in the Premier League – the second highest in the division.

The fact that Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are both out injured is unlikely to help their cause either.

However, Victor Orta and Bielsa are fortunate the transfer window is just around the corner. One man to be linked with the club in order to fill the defensive void is Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori.

According to Football Insider, Leeds are keeping tabs on the centre-back with a view to making a temporary switch for him in January.

It wasn’t too long ago that Tomori was starting on a regular basis in the Premier League for the Blues and his game has matured immensely under the stewardship of Frank Lampard.

Their relationship began in the 2018/19 season when the young defender spent the campaign on loan at Derby. While he was there he helped dominate Pablo Hernandez. The Rams may have lost 2-0 to Leeds at the turn of the year but Tomori was still a rock for Derby, winning three tackles and three aerial duels.

In the process, he prevented the effervescent Pablo Hernandez from having an impact. The Spaniard only managed one dribble and engineered two shots that were off target. It’s not often that Hernandez draws a blank but he did so against Tomori on that occasion and in the play-off semi-finals too.

What’s so good about the youngster is that he’s a modern-day centre-back, playing a brand of football that Bielsa loves.

In fact, he plays a lot like former loanee Ben White, another young Englishman tipped for a bright future.

Speaking about the Chelsea defender last season after they beat Lille, Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “Huge talent. That was the best defender on the pitch there (Tomori). Everything he did today defensively I thought he was perfect.”

Compare him to White and the similarities are clear. Their pass success rates were both north of 84% last season and they were within 0.2 tackles per game of each other.

This would be an astute piece of business, one that could bring back fond memories of White’s stay at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Leeds ace who won 81.8% of his duels was an absolute MONSTER vs Newcastle…

West Ham United host Brighton & Hove Albion in their final home Premier League fixture of 2020 and will likely be without leading striker Michail Antonio once again through injury.

Antonio has missed seven of the Irons’ last eight top-flight matches after first developing a hamstring injury at home to Manchester City, before sustaining a second strain last month.

David Moyes remained coy over the English centre-forward’s chances of featuring against the Seagulls when addressing his situation earlier in the week, noting that the Hammers would continue monitoring his progress after returning to training on grass pitches.

Moyes faces changes elsewhere in his plans after West Ham produced a toothless display in defeat to Chelsea on Monday night. So, with that in mind, here’s a line-up the Scottish coach could favour as he strives to beat Graham Potter’s relegation-threatened Brighton…

West Ham’s defence picks itself after Moyes lost Arthur Masuaku for the foreseeable future after knee surgery, with Vladimir Coufal, Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena and Aaron Cresswell the men favoured with protecting Lukasz Fabianski’s goal.

Moyes is unlikely to deviate from Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice in the engine room or Jarrod Bowen and Sebastien Haller starting in attack, either, despite speculation arising of doubt over the Ivory Coast striker’s long-term future at the London Stadium.

Haller is yet to establish himself under Moyes whilst deputising for the injured Antonio, with the Hammers’ £45m record signing only offering two goals since seeing his strike partner limp off the field at home to Manchester City in October.

Moyes will hope to see his West Ham side produce far better results in the final third at home to Brighton on Sunday than fashioned in Monday’s 3-0 loss at Chelsea, with the Irons failing to register a single shot on target against Frank Lampard’s side.

Mark Noble struggled to inspire any offensive moves at Stamford Bridge while stepping into the attacking midfield line after Said Benrahma fell to the bench, with the Hammers captain unable to record a single shot, key pass or successful dribble in south west London.

Moyes will need to correct this at home to Brighton with the introduction of Manuel Lanzini for a first start of the Premier League season, a player who Darren Bent claimed is blessed with “great technique” after his sublime cameo against Crystal Palace.

Benrahma may also be rewarded with a recall to face Brighton after replacing Pablo Fornals in the 66th-minute against Chelsea, having seen the Spaniard fail to attempt a single dribble, produce a key ball or shot on target and be dispossessed three times, per WhoScored.

AND in other news, an “incredible” Mario Husillos flop is set to be on his way out at West Ham in 2021.

Many Crystal Palace fans have been talking about an update linking their club with a move for Turkish star Ozan Tufan.

Journalist Sercan Hamzaoglu has recently reported that Palace are looking to make a ‘serious’ offer for Tufan and his agent has discussed terms of a potential offer with the player already. The journalist revealed that the Eagles will soon make an offer of around £10 million for the Fenerbahce midfielder and that the situation will become clearer in the next few days.

In recent days, other Premier League sides like Fulham and Everton have also been linked with the Turkish star. Not just in the Premier League but Tufan has also caught the attention of European clubs like Bayer Leverkusen. West Bromwich Albion have also been linked.

The 25-year-old has impressed for Fenerbahce this season as he’s contributed to seven goals in 14 league appearances. He is not just capable of playing in central midfield or attacking midfield as the former Bursaspor man can also play in a defensive midfield role roo. He is currently valued at £9m by Transfermarkt.

Tufan did very well in the 2019/20 campaign too, contributing to 12 league goals in 33 games for Fener. The 25-year-old has previously been compared to former Manchester City and Barcelona star Yaya Toure too.

The update involving Tufan’s links to Palace was relayed on Twitter by Palace Xtra and many Eagles fans gave their opinion about it.

What did Palace fans make of these links with Ozan Tufan?

“Bruh someone tell Parish that’s the wrong Ozan.”

Credit: @CPFCNewsandTalk

“Chuck in Meyer to bring the costs down.”

Credit: @Jed_Die

“A 25 year old Turkish McArthur. Get it done.”

Credit: @ReeceJMT”Swear this is the new Babacar.”Credit: @jackstacpfc”Out of nowhere.”Credit: @Sumo08112″Not an outrageous fee for a player with the potential to replace Macca/McCarthy long-term. Fee likely to be between £10-15m.”Credit: @acjonesy1In other news, many Crystal Palace fans have been buzzing at links with a Championship ace – read more about it here.

Marcel Brands could seal Carlo Ancelotti his new Nemanja Matic after Everton were one of several sides to be linked with Sogndal captain Sivert Mannsverk.

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato.it, the Toffees are one of a group of clubs currently tracking Mannsverk’s situation but face a race against time to finalise a deal, with Inter Milan ready to do whatever it takes to sign the 18-year-old wonderkid.

Mannsverk is considered to be surprisingly affordable for a midfielder who is expected to become one of Europe’s best prospects in the next few years, having already proven to be a complete player with great technique and the typical physique of a Nordic talent.

The Sogndal product’s efforts in the Norwegian second-tier have also alerted Bologna and SS Lazio to pay attention in Italy, while Everton and Aston Villa have begun efforts to lure the Under 19 international to the Premier League.

Groningen and AFC Ajax are also understood to have approached Sogndal with official offers for the youngster, who is further tracked by Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion, per La Lazio Siamo Noi.

Lazio have held several meetings with Mannsverk’s agent to discuss a move for the central midfielder, valued at €2m (£1.8m), who has been compared with Sheffield United’s then-club record £22m signing Sander Berge.

Mannsverk has addressed the speculation surrounding his future, stating that he has two years remaining on his current contract and wishes to repay Sogndal for the opportunities the Fosshaugane Campus natives have given him.

“I want to give back what Sogndal has given me. I do not have anything I should say yet when clubs do not agree. It is the club that decides this here, and then I think I have a contract until 2022,” he told Nettavisen. “If clubs agree, you always take it from there. This is how it is with all players.”

Ancelotti’s new Matic

Brands launching a formal pursuit in hopes of seeing Everton edge out the vast interest in Mannsverk could see the Blues’ Director of Football acquire a true emerging gem of European football, and one who could prove to be Ancelotti’s new Matic at Goodison Park.

Mannsverk made 33 outings across all competitions as the Sogndal captain in 2020, in which he contributed five goals and five assists, with all of his appearances coming as the central or deep-lying playmaker in manager Eirik Bakke’s side.

He also had a direct influence in the opening goal in two fixtures, which without would have seen Sogndal fail to avoid defeat in a side which featured the lowest average age of any OBOS-Ligaen club at 20-years and two-months.

His emerging status and style of play could be ideal for the system Ancelotti is striving to establish at Everton, and has the Merseyside outfit in contention for qualification into the Champions League.

Mannsverk would also inspire comparisons with Manchester United’s Matic if signed, as Ancelotti awarded the midfielder his Chelsea debut at 21 after being plucked from obscurity at Slovakian side FC VSS Kosice.

Matic went on to become a beast in the Premier League and one considered to be the English top-flight’s best defensive midfielder while at Stamford Bridge. He also received shouts of being deserving of inclusion in the running for the division’s Player of the Year award in 2015.

AND in other news, Everton are demanding no less than £9m to sell a Carlo Ancelotti outcast this month.

Leeds United still haven’t sorted out the contract of Ezgjan Alioski, and with it expiring in the summer, Phil Hay has provided an update on the sought after North Macedonia international.

What Phil Hay had to say about Alioski

The journalist was asked by a fan on Twitter whether rumours of the left-sided player being sold are true, to which he replied: “Leeds still speaking to him about a new deal.”

Leeds need to keep Alioski

The 28 year-old has played 152 times for Leeds (Transfermarkt) and was key in the side getting promoted to England’s top flight. He has also featured 17 times in the Premier League this season and this highlights that he is still integral in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

The player has received a lot of praise for his performances in the past from former England striker Kevin Phillips, who said: “When he comes off the bench, he can change the game and if you start with him, he might be able to produce a bit of magic. Either way, he does not moan and every squad needs a player like that.”

Leeds fans will be happy to see that negotiations are continuing and with this sort of praise combined with the dedication and commitment he has put in to the club, there is no doubt that Alioski deserves a new deal. Hopefully, this will get sorted sooner rather than later.

In other Leeds news one star has been praised by legend Deco, have a read who it is here!