All posts by h716a5.icu

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James Rodriguez’s foster father admits that the attacking midfielder’s future remains up in the air, per Marca.

Rodriguez is currently on loan at Bayern Munich but reports, from outlets such as The Independent, have asserted that Arsenal are interested in securing the Colombia international on another short-term deal this month.

What’s the word?

Rodriguez is at the centre of something of a tug of war right now.

Per The Independent, Arsenal are interested in securing his signature as they bid to bolster their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

The Independent also claim, however, that Real are interested in signing both Christian Eriksen and Eden Hazard this summer, deals that could leave Rodriguez surplus to requirements.

There is also a suggestion, per that report, that the player could be sent to Spurs to smooth over the potential signing of the Denmark international.

And, the player’s foster father, Juan Carlos Restrepo, admits that his son’s future remains up in the air amid interest from England.

“He is comfortable in Munich,” Restrepo told Marca.

Pl>ymaker FC believes Arsenal fans won’t have to wait long to see Unai Emery’s long-term ambitions for the club come to fruition. Watch the video below to find out why…

“I don’t have news about it, but there may be offers based on those rumours coming from England.”

He added: “Real Madrid are one of his loves, but unfortunately he had to look at a different course. However, that does not mean that he doesn’t love Los Blancos, an institution that allowed him to enjoy beautiful moments.

“Inside his heart, given that he is a fan of Real Madrid, he will contemplate the possibility of returning.

“Real Madrid own his rights and I imagine that if he has good performances then his return would be possible.”

Rodriguez may not hold the cards

Though he may think that he has a decision to make, the choice may eventually be out of his hands.

If Real secure the signings of Eriksen and Hazard there is little room in the club’s squad for another crafty playmaker.

A move to either Spurs or Arsenal would be bold and offer a chance for him to prove his worth in the Premier League, but, again, he may not get the final say.

If Real do want to include him in a part-exchange deal for Eriksen, thus minimising the monetary cost of any transfer, he may well have to smile, nod and pack his belongings.

The Colombian would then have the chance to prove Real wrong, and fill the void left by the brilliant Dane at the new White Hart Lane.

After all, it is about time that the 27-year-old started delivering on the potential he showed at the 2014 World Cup, when he earned himself his dream move to the Bernabeu.

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Chris Sutton led the reactions as Celtic announced a new two-year contract for Scott Brown.

The 5 foot 9 Hoops skipper had attracted interest from Australia but after talks with Western Melbourne has decided to extend his stay with Celtic through until 2021.

Last season Brown was untouchable and unplayable as he swept the boards at the Player of the Year awards with Celtic’s success heavily dependent on his influence and drive.

When Brown suffered a knee injury last October there were fears that Celtic would suffer a dip in performance but as Ryan Christie was partnered with Callum McGregor, Celtic hit top form.

All of a sudden debates were springing up about Celtic being more effective without Brown but that argument came to a halt when the Hoops were left chasing shadows during the first half of the Europa League clash with RB Salzburg.

Brown was introduced at half time and although Celtic lost on the night his impact halted the exhibition play from the Austrians.

The 33-year-old has started all four of Celtic’s matches since the winter break with Wednesday’s dominating display against St Johnstone exactly what is needed as the title race reaches a critical phase.

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Arsenal’s hopes of a top four finish took a hit on Sunday as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat to the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, at the Etihad Stadium. 

When Unai Emery replaced the long-serving Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager in the summer, a key part of his remit will have been to bring Champions League football back to the Emirates Stadium as soon as possible.

However, with the Gunners in such fierce competition for a top four finish with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, qualification for the Champions League via this route in his first season in charge was always going to be a big ask.

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

Football FanCast’s Christy Malyan and Will Jones debate whether or a not a top four finish represents a fair expectation of Arsenal this season.

Jones: For

Arsenal have a squad capable of competing for the top four, so the expectation should be that they achieve that. That is not to say that Emery should lose his job should they fall short, but it should be clear that the club have big ambitions and expect the side to perform to the best of their abilities.

To expect less would be to lose the battle from the outset. Of course the competition is fierce, but the Gunners should feel that they can go toe to toe with anyone on their day. The expectation, then, should be that they do all they can to capitalise upon their potential, and they have the potential to achieve a top four finish.

Malyan: Against

In an era where there are six top teams battling for four Champions League spots, no club should ever ‘expect’ to finish inside the top four. Of course, some clubs will have a much better chance than others – in this instance, Liverpool and Manchester City – but margins are so fine that any club could easily miss out, especially when they’re undergoing the same transition as Arsenal are this season.

During Pep Guardiola’s first campaign at the Etihad Stadium, City finished inside the top four by just three points, and that was with a team that qualified for Champions League the term previous. There are many underlying issues with this Arsenal squad, chief amongst them that a significant portion of the wage bill is tied up in a player who barely starts these days, that finishing inside the top four would be a minor miracle.

Arsenal should take City under Guardiola as the example here, accept it’s a transition season and plan for better times ahead under Unai Emery.

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According to The Times, West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful that Jack Wilshere will be returning to training in a few weeks, as he works his way back to fitness from a persistent ankle problem. Is there any room in the starting XI for the former Arsenal man though?

On the chalkboard

Despite having played in the Hammers’ first four matches of the season, the Englishman has gotten just five minutes of football under his belt since December. Pellegrini is hopeful, though, that the midfielder will be fit in March, despite earlier fears that his recurring ankle issue could finish his season.

The 27-year-old has not had a lonely rehabilitation though – he has been joined by the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez and more, as injuries decimate the West Ham squad.

As the treatment room filled up, the London Stadium outfit were pretty much forced into action in the January transfer market as they brought in free-agent Samir Nasri on day one. The Frenchman’s arrival, though, could mean Wilshere’s work is far from done once he returns to match fitness.

Jack’s back… or is he?

Nasri has impressed in attacking-midfield, as has the industrious Robert Snodgrass, so Wilshere must outperform both if he is to become Pellegrini’s main man at the number ten position.

Luckily for the Stevenage-born maestro, he is quite versatile, but he will have to compete with Mr. West Ham himself, Mark Noble for the nod alongside the undroppable Declan Rice at the base of midfield.

Noble is still going strong as he enters his twilight years and his leadership is unparalleled in the Irons ranks – Wilshere will have to perform miracles to oust his compatriot from the starting XI.

It could very well be a while before we see Pellegrini give the former England international an extended run in the lineup.

Injuries eventually cost Wilshere his career at Arsenal and, despite having only arrived in the summer, they may have already cost him a guaranteed starting spot in claret and blue.

Who is West Ham’s worst ever signing? Check out the video below for a pretty strong candidate for the dubious honour…

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Leeds United have officially confirmed that Robbie Gotts has signed a new contract with the club. The 19-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal, that will keep him at Elland Road until 2022.

The versatile youngster has been in sparkling form for the Whites’ under-23s side so far this season, and has been occasionally included in Marcelo Bielsa’s first team matchday squad. 

Gotts has huge potential, and in Bielsa he has a manager capable of helping him develop into a fine player. The Argentine coach also won’t hesitate to give Gotts a chance in the first team when he feels that he is ready. 

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Gotts is highly thought of in the club’s academy and could form part of the next generation of Leeds stars, which may also include the likes of Jack Clarke, Jamie Shackleton and Leif Davis.

Many Leeds fans were very excited to see Gotts agree new terms with the club, with plenty taking to Twitter to wish him well at Elland Road…

Manchester United this could very well hand the title to city rivals Manchester City this weekend by seeing off bitter enemy Liverpool at Old Trafford.

In a weird twist of fate almost, City find themselves needing United to do them the biggest of favours this game week, where Old Trafford will play host to one of the biggest games on the domestic calendar.

However, despite the obvious implications for the likes of City and Liverpool, there are other issues at large, namely at United, where a win for manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer might well be enough for him to justify being given the job on a permanent basis.

In recent times, Liverpool have looked a cut above United, but things are changing under the Norwegian, and a win against their biggest rivals could well be the icing on the cake.

It’s a tough call though for the United board, who will no doubt have other candidates in mind when it comes to appointing a new manager in the summer. Solskjaer though is doing little to hurt his case, and while he might not have the experience, he clearly knows and loves the club, something which stands out a mile.

Liverpool represent a different threat of course, but having already masterminded the downfall of both Chelsea and Spurs away from home, Solskjaer will be confident he can get one over on Klopp.

We will see how it pans out, but Solksjaer can do little more if he gets the right result this weekend.

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After more than two months out of action Kieran Tierney made a successful return on Sunday in Celtic’s 4-1 win over Motherwell.

The defender suffered a hip injury during the Europa League defeat from RB Salzburg and has had to return to his role of fan in recent times.

For two weeks he had been involved in full training but Brendan Rodgers resisted the temptation to throw him in against Valencia and got his reward today.

Scott Brown’s suspension handed the armband to Tierney who responded with the cross for Scott Sinclair to open the scoring.

At the start of the second half, with Celtic leading 2-0, the patience of the Hoops skipper was tested as Motherwell pulled a goal back through Gboly Aribiyi. Tierney and his team-mates expected the ball to be returned from a throw in, but Motherwell took the opportunity to score instead.

Some Celtic players lost their composure after that incident but Tierney played a lead role until he was replaced by Jonny Hayes.

Provided there is no reaction, Tierney will continue his return to action away to Hearts on Wednesday as the Hoops look to maintain their winning domestic run all the way through to clinching their eighth successive title.

Here’s a look at how Celtic fans reacted to Tierney’s return on Twitter…

Leeds United are on course for their first Premier League promotion since 2004 and will be looking towards their most gifted player to inspire the rest of the team through one of club’s most challenging seasons. But who is this individual?

There is an obvious gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship and then below.

Leeds are no different.

Having spent 15 years languishing around the lowest tiers of English football, their squad roster naturally reflects their success.

Only recently has Bielsa managed to conduct the team in such a way so to utilise the little ability left to him by previous managers.

But there is only so much the Argentine can do with his tactics. There has to be some quality on the pitch to keep things ticking, and fortunately for him, there is.

It still seems strange that Pablo Hernandez turns out in the Championship.

The former Valencia man really is a class above compared to his teammates, who, although decent enough at this level, have all largely been recruited for the purpose of playing the ‘Championship’ way.

Only Hernandez provides that touch of class you have come to expect with the Premier League.

Without wanting to make too basic of a comparison, he operates in a similar way his compatriot David Silva; that small presence around the box that knows how to create something from nothing; a magician with the ball at his feet, and an orchestrator in the forward positions.

It is no surprise that one of Leeds United’s earliest dips in form coincided with his injury.

A real quality player who has operated at the top level of England and Spain.

Everton still remain in with a chance of securing seventh place this season, something that will again allow them to play European football. 

After missing out last season, the Toffees will hope to finish best of the rest, like many others sides as well.

Marco Silva and his side have suffered from inconsistent performances all season long and that’s a worrying sign for the supporters in attendance.

For a long time. they haven’t seen Everton be successful but they have always pushed themselves to at least finish high up the table.

To achieve that next season, they need to make some improvements to their team and the first player on their mind should be Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen.

Bowen, (who is valued at £7.2 million on Transfermarkt) has set the Championship on fire so far this season, making waves and hence inviting teams – both the Toffees and Tottenham were linked with a move in the Mirror some months ago – to take up an interest in acquiring the 22-year-old.

As a young, English prodigy coming through the ranks, Bowen already has vast amounts of experience on his side and that can be looked at by Everton as a positive.

With 16 goals to his name in 33 appearances this season, he has already outdone his total of 15 goals in 44 appearances from last year.

That alone proves that one, he is not a one-season wonder and two, is that he is getting better.

Wingers generally are the more inconsistent players and that would definitely apply to the likes of Theo Walcott and Bernard this season.

Adding strength and depth is what the signing of Jarrod Bowen would bring to Goodison Park and it would be an exciting deal for Everton to ponder over.

Do you agree… Let us know!

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Express & Star journalist Tim Spiers has waxed lyrical about Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Raul Jimenez and told the club to sign him on a permanent deal in what would be a major summer move.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the west Midlands outfit brought the striker to Molineux on a season-long loan deal from Benfica back in June, and he has made a big impact.

The 27-year-old’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday now means that he has 12 Premier League goals for the season – more than Marcus Rashford and Roberto Firmino among others – but he can also create too having provided seven assists in his 30 top-flight outings this term.

The Mexico international once again linked up well with Diogo Jota against the Blues, and his display would surely have impressed manager Nuno Santo once again.

Spiers tells Wolves to act

According to the journalist, the seventh-placed club in the Premier League have an option to sign the centre-forward for around £30m, backed up by The Mirror, and he believes he would be worth every penny.

Wolves Fan TV are in no doubt that their side should have come away from Stamford Bridge with all 3 points on Sunday. Check out their views in the video below…

Writing in The Express & Star, he said: “It goes without saying now, but Wolves must make his move from Benfica a permanent one in the summer.

“An option of around £30million is good value in today’s transfer market, purely on the goals and assists that he can provide.

“Add Jimenez’s tireless work rate, unselfish play, intelligent movement and team ethic into the mix and the fee is a bargain.”

Given the huge impact he has made in terms of goals and assists in his debut campaign at the highest level in England, you would have to agree that £30m could prove to be a bargain for Wanderers in the long term as they chase European football in the coming years.