All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur will make the trip from north to west London this evening to take on Brentford as Antonio Conte’s men look to strengthen their hold on a place in the Premier League’s top four.

Spurs are currently fourth but their place in the Champions League spots is feeble, with goal difference the only factor separating them and fifth-placed Arsenal.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-levy-conte-paratici-thfc” title= “Read the latest Spurs news!”]

Having been dealt a setback last weekend when losing 1-0 to Brighton, Conte’s men can’t afford to slip up again against the Bees.

It is a must-win for the Lilywhites and so here is how Football FanCast believe Spurs will set up.

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Emerson, Sessegnon, Betancur, Hojbjerg, Kulusevski, Son, Kane (3-4-3)

In terms of formation, we expect Conte to stick with his preferred 3-4-3 set-up at the Brentford Community Stadium, with Sergio Reguilon dropping out of the XI in favour of the £58k-per-week Ryan Sessegnon.

The Spaniard returned to the starting lineup against the Seagulls having come on as a substitute the week before against Aston Villa, with Matt Doherty sustaining an injury that has since ruled the wing-back out for the remainder of the season.

However, it was a poor display from the 25-year-old who completed just 63% of his passes whilst failing to provide a single interception, clearance or block whilst making only one tackle.

Labelled as “pathetic” by journalist Tom Young, the £43m left-wing-back has featured in six of Spurs’ last seven matches having regained his place after Ryan Sessegnon sustained a hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old has since returned from his setback, making the bench for the north London outfit’s last two games and could be in contention for a return to the starting lineup.

Prior to his injury, the Englishman had arguably his best run of games in a Spurs shirt, featuring in seven out of eight matches from late January to early March.

Tottenham insider John Wenham was full of praise for Sessegnon after a 3-0 win over Norwich City, calling the wing-back “amazing.”

Conte will have to get his team selection spot on against Brentford with there being no more room for slip-ups with just six games to go.

AND in other news: Conte must finally unleash “absolutely fantastic” Spurs sensation, he’s a “big talent”

Sunderland ended the January transfer window on a high as they secured a deal to bring Jermain Defoe back to the club on a free transfer.

The Black Cats were busy throughout the month as they brought in a number of players to bolster the squad in their attempts to secure promotion back to the Championship

Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts, Danny Batth, Jack Clarke and Jay Matete all came through the door permanently or on loan over the course of the window alongside the former England international.

Forget Defoe

Whilst it was great to see the ex-Rangers man back at the Stadium of Light, Kristjaan Speakman did endure a deadline day howler as he sanctioned an exit for centre-back Tom Flanagan and failed to bring in a replacement.

Terence Konogolo was reportedly a player of interest to the club but they were unable to get a deal over the line for the former Fulham defender. This meant that they allowed Flanagan to leave and left themselves short on options at centre-back heading into the second half of the campaign.

The Northern Ireland international played a major role in Sunderland’s success in League One heading into deadline day. He started 25 of their 29 matches and averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.10, showing that he was able to regularly deliver quality performances at the back in the third tier.

Flanagan made an outstanding 5.1 clearances, 1.5 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game. The centre-back was a defensive wall for the club at times and his statistics back this up, as he was able to consistently win the ball back for his side whilst also defending his own box with key clearances.

This shows the level of quality Sunderland have lost by selling him to Shrewsbury on deadline day, with no direct replacement coming in. The £3.6k-per-week “leader” was able to perform to a high-level week-in-week-out for the Black Cats and it is impossible to guarantee that anyone will be able to replicate that.

Batth came in earlier in the window and is yet to convince that he is the long-term answer to any of the club’s issues at centre-back. In his second appearance for the club, he scored an own goal and recorded a dismal SofaScore rating of 5.9 in a 6-0 defeat to Bolton, which comes as a worrying sign given that he could now be expected to step up and fill Flanagan’s spot in the team.

Therefore, Speakman endured a deadline day howler with his decision on the centre-back and it could be a call that he lives to regret at the end of the season if Batth does not hit a run of form to help the team secure an automatic promotion place.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left gushing over some contract news on Scott Arfield.

Speaking to the media before the 3-3 draw at Ross County (via The Glasgow Times), Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted that he wants to keep the central midfield player beyond his current deal at Ibrox, which runs out this summer.

“He is an experienced player and he is definitely a player I want to have longer to be at Rangers. Hopefully we can welcome him next season as well,” the manager said.

As Gio says, Arfield has been ‘really important’ to the team, as he has played 25 games in total over all competitions for them this season, scoring four goals (Transfermarkt), and at 33 years of age, is one of the more experienced players in the dressing room.

Nonetheless, this seems to be a deal that would be very popular with the Ibrox faithful, and so they should tie him down as soon as possible.

Rangers fans on Arfield contract news

These Teddy Bears gushed as the contract news was shared on Twitter, with one Light Blues supporter claiming that they were ‘delighted’, while another Ger even went as far as to call it ‘brilliant’:

“Best bit of business so far”

Credit: @TerryCashman5

“Delighted with this.”

Credit: @Cway47

“FINALLY…the penny drops!!!”

Credit: @FraserC83599513

“That’s the news I’m liking on a Friday”

Credit: @thatboybabes

“More of this please”

Credit: @chloecarson_7

“Brilliant news! Love Arfield”

Credit: @MBS1872

In other news, find out what transfer update Gers lauded here!

As per French news outlet RMC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur ‘discussions’ to sign Reims striker Hugo Ekitike ‘exist’ as transfer news emerges out of north London.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing new centre-forward…

According to reliable sources, manager Antonio Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici have set their sights on a potential new striker addition to back up Harry Kane.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-5/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

As explained by Alasdair Gold, the role is one of four ‘priority’ positions for strengthening outlined by Conte as the Lilywhites also chase a right-wing back, left-footed central defender and midfield player.

The likes of Dusan Vlahovic have mostly been linked but there have also been other names, with promising starlet Ekitike now entering the fray as RMC share news.

The Latest: Spurs ‘have positioned themselves’…

According to their information, Tottenham ‘discussions exist’ for the 19-year-old alongside the likes of West Ham, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

It is also believed that the Lilywhites have ‘positioned themselves’ for his signing with the fellow interested clubs but, as of yet, ‘no offer’ has been put on the table.

Reims are apparently demanding €30 million (£25m) to sell their frontman whilst also asking for him to be loaned back for the second half of 2021/2022.

The Verdict: Eye-catching talent…

Bursting on to the scene with Reims this season, scoring eight goals and assisting two others in ten Ligue 1 starts, it’s little wonder has caught eyes from both the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Ekitike has also drawn some big comparisons, with reporter Graeme Bailey calling the teenager an ‘outstanding’ forward whilst claiming he could become ‘the next Mbappe’ (Twitter).

However, at a steep £25m, not to mention the fact Reims want to him to be loaned back, this move should be placed on the back burner by Conte and Paratici given their need for more experienced reinforcements at this stage.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option for ‘sensational player’ after loan spell with EPL rivals, find out more here.

A number of West Ham fans have panicked at the latest transfer news linking Jarrod Bowen with a move to Liverpool.

According to The Athletic (relayed by Anfield Watch), Liverpool have continued to monitor Bowen’s progress since their interest last summer.

It has been revealed that Bowen is represented by the same PLG agency as Liverpool full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.

In 22 Premier league appearances this season, Bowen has netted six times and has produced nine assists. This illustrates just how important the 25-year-old is to the Hammers, supported by his average Premier League match rating topping West Ham’s squad.

These West Ham fans panic at the Bowen transfer news

Anfield Watch relayed the Bowen transfer news reported by The Athletic on their Twitter account. West Ham Transfers proceeded to share their opinion on the matter, claiming that: “I have a feeling this’ll be our last season with Bowen.”

This sparked a number of Hammers fans to flood the comments with their reactions, with many fans reacting to the prospect of the Englishman’s departure.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

“Said it before, don’t really see Liverpool meeting the ludicrous price we’ll put on his head. All depends on how Kretinsky wants to run the club by summer, but 60m+ for a Mo Salah backup is mental for a traditionally sell to buy club”

Credit: @nathh_whu

“Fail to secure European football for next year and we could be in a bad place for sure. Fail to show any ambition to strengthen and doubly so. Plenty of time left in this window and season to head off potential trouble though.”

Credit: @GrazaWhu

“No European footy next year and we will lose Rice and Bowen defo. Areola will probs be on his way out too. Krals leaving already by the looks of it. Noble retires. I only see a downwards trend from here. Same old West Ham”

Credit: @HR_whuFC

“If we don’t improve our squad then I fear that he won’t be the only one.”

Credit: @neil_mccarthy

“Probably, let’s enjoy while he still with us”

Credit: @manelsaurio

“If he tries to chest it in from 1 yard again, we’ll have him for a few more seasons. It’ll be a shame to see him go. He’d be a bench warmer for LFC”

Credit: @mb7468

Pundit Alan Hutton has been reacting to Ewan Henderson’s move from Celtic to Hibernian, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Busy start to 2022

The Hoops have wasted no time when it comes to their January business, with moves for Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda already finalised.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-copy/” title=”Celtic updates!! (Copy)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Permanent moves for loanees Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota are also being worked on behind-the-scenes while moving on a number of players is also on the club’s to-do list.

The likes of Vasilis Barkas and Boli Bolingoli could be where Celtic bring in some funds, but it is Henderson who is the first player to depart Parkhead in 2022.

The Latest: Hutton reacts

Hutton, who regularly features on BBC Radio 5 Live, was talking to Football Insider regarding Henderson and Hibs in a story released on Tuesday evening.

A move to Easter Road has since been announced, with the 21-year-old joining on loan before making a move permanent in the summer.

Here’s what Hutton had to say, labelling an exit as ‘heartbreaking’.

“I think it’s always a worry. As fans and as a club, you always want to see the academy doing well.

“You want to see young players coming through. They know what the club’s all about, they know what it feels like to play and support the team and just see the development.

“That’s what the academy is there for, to have a pathway to the first team. Throughout the years, Celtic and Rangers have had times where the odd player’s come through and then went missing for a long time.

“It is a worry they’re getting back to those years where it’s constant players coming in through the door. Foreign players or players on initial fees and there’s no opportunity for youngsters.

“So it can be heartbreaking, it can be devastating for the youth setup because you can’t see any way in.

“I even remember when I was coming through at one stage. I was thinking there is no way I’m going to make into this first team. Every transfer window there was a new player coming in.

“It can be disappointing, but I think ultimately if you’re good enough, you will have an opportunity. Then it’s up to the player.”

The Verdict: The right call

Although it’s never ideal seeing a player Celtic have developed for a number of years move on, it appears to be the correct decision. Henderson played just once under Ange Postecoglou this season, coming off the bench to score in a Europa League dead rubber against Real Betis.

He was never really in the matchday squad either despite the club’s huge injury list, so a fresh start with Shaun Maloney should be the best move for him.

It doesn’t look as if Celtic have received any money for the attacking midfielder’s services due to the loan and Henderson being out of contract in the summer, but hopefully funds will be brought in from the likes of Barkas and Bolingoli.

In other news: Celtic may now sign £4.5m-rated man on loan; would ‘separate’ Nicholson from Lawwell. 

Murali Kartik made his first significant contribution as Somerset’s overseas player as they completed a nine-wicket victory over Warwickshire at Taunton

26-May-2010
ScorecardMurali Kartik made his first significant contribution as Somerset’s overseas player as they completed a nine-wicket victory over Warwickshire at Taunton. Playing in only his second County Championship match for the county, the Indian left-arm spinner took 6 for 61, including five third-day wickets, as the visitors crumbled from an overnight 111 for 3 to 207 all out shortly after lunch.That left Somerset with a target of only 45 to record their second successive win in the competition, a target they reached in the 11th over. Warwickshire began the day still 52 runs short of making Somerset bat again, but their remaining middle order batsmen departed to inappropriate attacking shots.Jim Troughton became Kartik’s first victim of the day, lbw trying to pull a short ball that kept low, and Rikki Clarke had already been dropped at slip by Marcus Trescothick before also falling lbw attempting to sweep the spinner. Tim Ambrose was caught at second slip by Zander de Bruyn aiming an expansive drive at Kartik and at 141 for 6, Warwickshire were still 22 behind.It was 163 for 7 when Chris Woakes was caught behind pushing forward to aturning delivery and Kartik made it five wickets for the morning when bowling Ant Botha with one that kept low.The game would have been over before lunch had it not been for a ninth-wicket stand of 20 between Imran Tahir and Boyd Rankin. Tahir was subjected to a succession of short-pitched balls by Alfonso Thomas, but swung lustily to hit four fours and a six in his 23 before being caught at backward point by Arul Suppiah off the same bowler.It was 207 for 9 at lunch and in the first over after the interval CharlWilloughby bowled Rankin for 12. Willoughby finished with 2 for 41, but it was Kartik who did the job he was brought in to do by running through the opposition in the second innings of a Championship fixture.When Somerset batted again, Trescothick smashed a quick 30, including twosixes, before being bowled by Tahir trying to win the game with another six. By then his side were on the verge of 21 points, while their opponents had to be content with three.

MS Dhoni knows full well that India’s first encounter, against Afghanistan, has the potential to be a little uncomfortable

Cricinfo staff29-Apr-2010Though India come into the third installment of the ICC World Twenty20 as heavyweights, their leader MS Dhoni knows full well that their first encounter, against Afghanistan, has the potential to be a little uncomfortable. Afghanistan, ahead of their first major tournament featuring the game’s top sides, are coming off two consecutive warm-up wins and that was enough indication for Dhoni to rule out complacency on India’s part.”If you ask me, I would not consider our opening match against Afghanistan as a practice game,” Dhoni told reporters in St Lucia. “I don’t take my opponents lightly. At the end of the day you have to win whichever team you play. I don’t know much about them. It is good in a way because if we know too much about a side then you are thinking too much about them. However, our preparation will remain the same as if you are playing the best opponent in world cricket.”We can’t really relax against whichever team you are playing. At the end of the day you are representing India and you have to be at your best when you turn up on the field.”India will be without Virender Sehwag and a few players are short on match practice but Dhoni was his normal, collected self when addressing the matter. “It is part and parcel of cricket that people get injured. But at the end of the day we have replaced them with the best possible players available,” he said. “We are just hoping that we won’t miss them on the field. We are hopeful that people who have come as replacements would step up to the occasion and perform.”Yuvraj Singh had a disastrous IPL but Dhoni defended his explosive batsman, whose status as a Twenty20 bully was cemented in the first World Twenty20 during which he hit Stuart Broad for six successive sixes in an over. “He bats at number four and the individual he is, he can easily play the big shots. There aren’t enough grounds in the world that are big enough for him not to clear,” said Dhoni. “These big hitters have a big impact on the game. Somebody like Kieron Pollard or [Andrew] Symonds are the kind of players who can take the game away from the opponents in three or four overs. It is a big stage for him [Yuvraj] and, as we have seen of him, he loves challenges.”Dhoni’s focus was not on the past – India were knocked out of the last World Twenty in the second round – and he said the team was eager to get off to a winning note. “Rather than thinking too much of the past and into the future, it is very important to be in the present. We have a couple of days before we play the first game. It is important to get the most out of it. We have to adapt to the conditions here and be prepared for the matches ahead,” Dhoni said.”Right now we are keen to play the games here [St Lucia]. We are not looking too far. It is the not first time that we are touring West Indies. So we know what the conditions would be like and are mentally prepared for it.”After Afghanistan on Saturday, India will play South Africa the next day.

Lots of Everton fans have been left flocking to some transfer news on Benfica ace Everton.

As per UOL Esporte (via EFC DAILY), the Goodison Park faithful have now registered their interest in signing the Brazil international.

Of course, due to his name, the story is certainly grabbing attention from some supporters of the Merseyside club, and a few are already joking they would like to sign him purely because he would sell shirts.

However, digging deeper into what he could actually offer on the pitch, he seems no better than Andros Townsend or Demarai Gray, who have both scored more goals and averaged more key passes and crosses than the winger in their respective domestic leagues so far this season (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, the news of his potential arrival from Portugal seems to have split the Toffees fanbase.

Everton fans on transfer news

These Blues supporters were left flocking to the transfer news on Everton as it was shared on Twitter:

“Please, I just want Everton on the back of my shirt and on the front”

Credit: @evertonibrow

“Just sign him anyway. It’ll be a laugh.”

Credit: @badwool9

“A match made in heaven.”

Credit: @_adhityapp

“Riquelme and Yarmolenko spring to mind…”

Credit: @BenJoeEddie

“Yawn”

Credit: @EvertonJimbob

“He’s worse than us”

Credit: @efc_frankie

In other news, find out what transfer claim has Evertonians raging here!

Nottinghamshire completed their second victory in as many Division One matches after chasing down a target they would not have wished to be bigger here

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge23-Apr-2010
ScorecardMark Wagh gave Nottinghamshire a solid base to their chase but there were some jitters to come•Getty ImagesNottinghamshire completed their second victory in as many Division One matches after chasing down a target they would not have wished to be bigger here, defeating a game Somerset fightback to win by two wickets after claiming the extra half hour.By dismissing Somerset for 227 in their second innings, Chris Read’s team left themselves needing 250 to win, which appeared to be well within their compass, after the early loss of Neil Edwards, as Bilal Shafayat and Mark Wagh put on 125 for the second wicket. But the pitch here has never been without a touch of menace and Nottinghamshire’s stumbling efforts to rebuild after Shafayat and Wagh had been out in quick session eventually made for a gripping contest that could have gone either way.That the dice eventually rolled Nottinghamshire’s way owed much to the class and technical prowess of Hashim Amla, the South African who is standing in as overseas player in the absence of David Hussey. His unbeaten 64 ultimately proved the difference.Somerset’s bowlers deserve some credit for making for a fascinating final two sessions. Their body language suggested they were losing heart a little as they failed to build on the early fillip of seeing Edwards nick one to Marcus Trescothick at first slip in Charl Willoughby’s opening over.But when Damien Wright’s lbw appeal against Shafayat was upheld in the 45th over, dismissing the opener one short of a half-century, the balance of the contest began to shift. After Wright’s juggling catch at third slip in the next over then halted Wagh’s progress at 70, Nottinghamshire suddenly had two batsmen at the crease who were still to get off the mark.Thereafter the bowling acquired a new conviction and those who hit the right areas found the pitch was not quite as docile as it had seemed. Amla was so ruthless when opportunities did present themselves that Wright found himself hit for 18 in one over, a pulled six followed by three fours. But neither Samit Patel nor Ali Brown survived for long, trapped in front in turn by Alfonso Thomas and Zander de Bruyn, and when Read, looking to be aggressive, edged Willoughby to first slip without adding to the total, Nottinghamshire were six down, still 52 short and running out of reliable batsmen.Happily for them, Amla is as decisive about leaving the ball as he is about hitting it and so long as he remained you felt that the job would be completed. Paul Franks, dropped on 3, went for 12 but when the chance came to stay on for another eight overs only 11 were required. Stuart Broad’s failure brought the unpredictable Andre Adams to the crease but Amla farmed the strike and his hooked four off Thomas in the third of the additional overs saw Nottinghamshire over the line.It was a strange match for Broad, who would have wanted to warm up for England’s World Twenty20 challenge with a similar performance to the one his team-mate James Anderson put together at Chelmsford but instead will set off still some way short of where he wants to be.Broad’s blistering five-wicket burst for Nottinghamshire on Thursday evening reaffirmed his conviction that he has enough pace to put the frighteners even on good batsmen but as an indicator of form it proved somewhat misleading. He had begun to leak runs soon after claiming the fifth wicket and fared no better after a night’s rest, struggling for control again as he had in Somerset’s first innings on Wednesday, when his 19 overs cost 79 runs.This time Somerset’s Wright sensed an opportunity, slipping straight into attacking mode and putting Broad out of the attack before he had time to inflict any more damage. Boundaries off three consecutive balls by the Australian all-rounder persuaded Read that his England all-rounder would be better off reflecting on his troubles in the outfield. Broad’s three overs had cost 25 runs, swelling his analysis to a chastening 5 for 84 from 14 overs, and Somerset, who had been 33 for 5 at one stage, threatened to put the match out of the home side’s reach at 179 for 6.It was just as well, then, that Franks and Luke Fletcher had their radars set more accurately. Fletcher ended Wright’s assault at 78 after 71 balls, including 15 fours, by taking out leg stump – a little fortunately, perhaps, in that the ball kept low – but it was Franks who ultimately spared Broad’s blushes.Trescothick, who had been watchful at first, settled into a more familiar groove and looked to be about to end his quest for a hitherto elusive century on this ground as he moved smoothly into the 90s. However, two runs short of the milestone he fell into a trap set for him when Franks moved Brown into a wide position at slip and fed him a delivery he tried to guide to third man, only to find the fielder in just the right place.Franks mopped up the tail, finishing with 3 for 22 and six wickets in the match to go with his first-innings half-century, leaving Nottinghamshire to chase a target that turned out to be just within their reach.