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Aston Villa’s return to the Premier League is one which many are looking forward to seeing, with the Villans having the potential to really splash the cash this summer.

Manager Dean Smith will be keen to see his team add a number of new faces to the ranks over the summer months, and it appears the club are going to have no problem in splashing out on players who they believe can improve their first XI and squad.

However, one player who we here in the Tavern feel Villa should walk away from is Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, where it has been reported (via the Sun) this weekend that the Yorkshire club could demand a fee of £30m for their star midfielder.

Phillips is, of course, a superb midfield player, but in a day and age where fees are being increased by the year, £30m is just something which sounds a bit too much for a club like Villa at this stage of their Premier League return.

Villa do need players in the middle of the park, and signing a destroyer like Phillips would have been ideal for the likes of Jack Grealish and John McGinn to further their attacking prowess and cause Premier League defences all sorts of problems.

For a fee of £30m though, you are looking at eating a big chunk of the transfer kitty Villa will have to play with, and it might well be better if Dean Smith and his scouting network move away from a deal for Phillips and spend the money elsewhere in the squad.

There are still bargains out there to be had for clubs like Villa, and while Phillips will eventually be a Premier League player, it feels like this is not quite the right time for Villa to be making their move yet.

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As reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Rafael Camacho is refusing to sign a new contract and wants to leave Liverpool.

Camacho made his senior debut for the Reds last season, playing all 90 minutes at right-back against Wolves as Jurgen Klopp’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup.

12 days later, the Portuguese youngster came off the bench against Crystal Palace to make his Premier League debut at Anfield, but he didn’t seem all too happy about being played in defence as he revealed in an eye-opening Instagram post a few months after his debut.

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“I do not know whose idea it is, but I will prove that they are mistaken about my football. I’m not a right defender, I’m an attacker who scores goals. This is my DNA.”

These are the words of the teenager after he hit a stunning hat-trick for Liverpool’s Under-23 side against their Leicester City counterparts, and it is quite apparent that he sees himself as an attacker.

To be honest, this is a terrible attitude for a young footballer to have.

As they work for a chance to get into the first team, a young player should be willing to play literally anywhere for the side – even in goal.

Nobody knows this better than Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back has just become a Champions League winner at the age of 20, and recorded more assists than any other defender in Europe with a whopping 16 to his name.

Interestingly, however, Alexander-Arnold wasn’t always a right-back but took the role under his wing in order to get into the first-team.

He told the BBC: “When I was younger I was always a defensive centre-mid player – someone who liked to get on the ball and make things happen.

“I am happy to play wherever the boss wants me. At the moment he sees me as a full-back and I am happy there. It is important to bring in different dimensions to the position.”

This is a prime example of the attitude a young footballer should have, and one that has launched the academy graduate amongst some of the best players in Europe in his adopted position.

Camacho should put his career as a footballer ahead of his personal preferences, and try to take a leaf out of Alexander-Arnold’s book in terms of attitude.

انتهت أزمة ستاد بتروسبورت بشأن استضافة مباراة الزمالك والجونة التي رفضها مسئولو الملعب بسبب تصريحات جايمي باتشيكو مدرب القلعة البيضاء.

وكان مسئولو استاد بتروسبورت رفضوا استضافة مباراة الزمالك والجونة بسبب تصريحات المدير الفني البرتغالي التي أدلي بها عقب مواجهة إنبي في الدوري المصري.

طالع أيضًا.. باتشيكو: ميسي نفسه لن يستطيع اللعب على بتروسبورت.. وفوز الزمالك “عادل”

وعلم “بطولات” أن مباراة الزمالك والجونة في موعدها على استاد بتروسبورت، وذلك بعدما شرح مسؤولو الزمالك وجهة نظر باتشيكو لإدارة الملعب، وأكدوا لها بأنه لا يقصد الإساءة لأي أحد.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة نظيره الجونة يوم الثلاثاء المقبل في إطار الجولة الثامنة من الدوري المصري الممتاز.

جدير بالذكر أن الزمالك يحتل وصافة جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 16 نقطة متساويًا مع الأهلي الذي يتصدر الترتيب.

Celtic are in search of securing their treble Treble, which once again reiterates how dominant they have been in Scotland for years now.

Their form quite frankly has been unbelievable and it would be testament to their quality if they were able to secure it.

All the players can take great credit on another job well done but next season could be a completely new and far more difficult challenge entirely.

Rangers have got better this term, which presents the need for Celtic to eye some big-name players once again during the transfer window.

Their business was extremely productive this campaign and one player who most definitely stood out in the matches he played was Filip Benkovic.

Benkovic (who is valued at £9.9 million on Transfermarkt) enjoyed a very successful 19 Premiership games before injury hindered his progress as he petered off towards the end.

Celtic went on to keep 13 clean-sheets during the matches the Croatia U21 international played in, which highlights his quality even more. Indeed, you Bhoys know full well the ability he possesses and he could be very useful once again next season, if Brendan Rodgers (as he recently hinted in the Daily Record he would be) is willing to give him one more campaign out on loan.

The Hoops know that Dedryck Boyata will more-than-likely be departing Celtic Park this summer, so instead of having to splash out, the hope is that Benkovic can remain for at least another season.

The 21-year-old during the games he played showed more than enough quality to justify keeping him and that’s exactly what Celtic should do, no matter who becomes boss.

Would you like to see Filip Benkovic back in a Celtic shirt next season… Join the discussion and let us know!

You know the transfer window is open for business when West Ham are linked with every player under the sun.

It is set to be a massive summer for the Hammers, with players expected to leave and even more likely to join. Every area of the pitch could do with some work, and for Manuel Pellegrini, finding the perfect members for his side will be his utmost priority for the next two months.

With a limited budget to work with, it could be a summer where West Ham gets players in on the cheap, and the latest rumours have the east London side linked with a newly crowned Premier League winner, just not one that will get Hammers fans off their feet.

According to Football Insider, Pellegrini is eyeing up a move for City Swiss Army knife Fabian Delph, who could leave Manchester this season after a lacklustre campaign of sitting on the bench and being subject to only eight Premier League starts.

Whilst the England international’s versatility could make him a useful player in both the midfield and defence for West Ham, if the club wants to progress, they should be avoiding the likes of Delph this summer.

The former Aston Villa captain won’t be the player to score the goals or create chances in the attacking third, which you can argue is what West Ham need the most this summer, not a defensive minded player.

Delph’s experience and ability to play multiple positions might make him a solid signing on the cheap, but the England international isn’t a marquee ‘wow’ signing that fans want, nor the man to win those vital points for West Ham next season.

West Ham fans, would you take Delph this summer? Let us know!

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“Nobody.”

That was the response given by InGood Nick when he was asked if any of the current Sheffield United players would be good enough for the Premier League.

He believes that Chris Basham and George Baldock will struggle on a technical level and that “we could definitely improve in those areas.”

He went on though to claim that “they have proved us wrong every season, they could all prove us wrong again.”

It remains to be seen what Chris Wilder does in the transfer window but he must realise that technically some of his players are going to struggle when pitted against some of the finest players in world football.

However, the dressing room atmosphere at Bramall Lane is excellent, so Wilder must find the right balance of technique and attitude in any of his potential signings.

Watch the video below to hear why Sheffield United fans have nothing to worry about next season.

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Leeds are looking to re-establish themselves as one of the country’s top teams, and ensuring they have the best youth talent will be important to achieving that. That’s why need to snap up Luca Connell this summer.

The Sun have reported that Leeds, Wolves and Tottenham all had scouts present at Bolton’s 4-0 defeat to Derby on Saturday. As widely known, his club’s truly a state at the moment but he’s been one of very few shining lights at the University of Bolton Stadium this season.

His contract runs out at the end of this campaign, and with the club seemingly relegation bound, it doesn’t look like he’ll be signing a new one. He’s only 17, but that should send a message to Leeds that they need to turn their interest into an approach pretty swiftly.

He was initially used as a left-back, when he first broke through, but now it seems he’s more effective in the centre of midfield. We all know how much Marcelo Bielsa loves a packed midfield, so a move to Elland Road next season move could be perfect for both parties.

Southampton and Brighton had bids rejected in January for the Liverpool-born youngster, according to the Sun, but a move in summer is now increasingly likely. A Premier League move would be preferable, and so promotion would put the Whites in the driving seat, considering their attacking style too.

Leeds need to be making these types of signings if they’re to re-establish themselves in the Premier League. They need to have a constant flow of talent coming through to avoid becoming a yo-yo club when they do finally reach the top division again.

Thorp Arch has produced an awful lot of talented youngsters over the years but pairing them up with another wonderkid would only add to the excitement at Elland Road.

Leeds fans, who do you want to see Marcelo Bielsa sign if Leeds are promoted this season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Bournemouth have been dealt yet another big injury blow for the season, with Charlie Daniels ruled out for the remainder of the current campaign and the beginning of the next one too.

The 32-year-old now leaves Eddie Howe somewhat short of left-back options beyond Diego Rico, so could Bournemouth be more inclined to keep Tyrone Mings this summer?

On the chalkboard

Daniels has been a fixture in the side since signing from Leyton Orient in 2012 but, as he enters his twilight years, the Cherries did the sensible thing in the summer by bringing in 26-year-old Rico to take the number 11’s mantle in the coming seasons.

The former Leganes man, though, hasn’t impressed too greatly on the south coast and has played just 607 minutes of Premier League football this campaign. The search for Daniels’ successor will surely continue as Rico simply isn’t cutting the mustard.

Rather than dipping into the transfer market for a new left-back though, the Cherries should look no further than Mings, who has been impressive on loan at Aston Villa and could finally have his opportunity to shine in red and black with Daniels set to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Mings’ time

The versatile behemoth has been a huge hit at Villa Park due to his attitude, vocalness and, most importantly, his defensive ability – some Villans fans have even gone as far as to say he is the best defender in the Championship:

Capable of playing on the left side or at the heart of defence, the  26-year-old certainly has the physical attributes to succeed in the Premier League and has shown that, at the very least, he can be one of the best players in the second tier – surely he’s ready to make the step up to the top flight next season, having made just 23 appearances for his parent club since the 2015/16 term.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

What do you think, Bournemouth fans? Does Mings deserve another chance at the Vitality Stadium and could he fill the void set to be temporarily left by Daniels next campaign? Let us know in the comments below…

The international break may have arrived at the worst possible time for Sheffield United.

Flying in the Championship this season, last week’s win over promotion rivals Leeds United was a statement by the Blades who are looking to secure their return to the top flight after 12 years away.

A run of ten games without a defeat has propelled Chris Wilder’s side into a battle for the league title yet he will know that in order to achieve their goal this season, his players will have to emerge unscathed from their Euro 2020 qualifying games at the weekend.

Influential forward David McGoldrick is one of four players who have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad whilst John Fleck may get on to feature for Scotland in their games against San Marino. With Conor Washington, Kieran Dowell and Dean Henderson also scheduled to be in action over the next week, Wilder will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on their fitness.

However, one player who hasn’t been called up by his national team is Oliver Norwood, a decision which would have inadvertently brought a smile to his manager’s face. Despite earning 50 caps for Northern Ireland during his career, Michael O’Neill has surprisingly decided to leave him out of the squad for their fixtures against Estonia and Belarus.

Giving the fact that the midfielder has been in such good form for the Blades, it will comfort the club’s supporters knowing that barring any injuries in training, he will be fit to face play-off chasing Bristol City on March 30th.

United’s top-scorer for the season Billy Sharp could also benefit from a rest in action. The 33-year-old has been in sparkling form for his boyhood club this season and alongside Norwood is vital for the club’s hopes of achieving automatic promotion in May.

What do you think Blades fans? Is Norwood’s Northern Ireland rebuttal good news for the club’s promotion hopes? Or would you have wanted him to be called up by his country? Get in touch below.

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Tottenham Hotspur are scouting Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, according to Calciomercato.

The stopper has been with the Italian club since 2012, having joined the club as a teenager.

What’s the word?

Spurs, it appears, are looking for alternatives to Hugo Lloris.

The aforementioned report claims that scouts have watched Strakosha, who has become the Serie A club’s first-choice in recent years.

The 23-year-old has made 110 appearances for the club’s first-team since making his breakthrough and has also won eight caps for Albania.

An athletic, dynamic goalkeeper, Calciomercato claim that Liverpool have also scouted Strakosha in the past, prior to signing Alisson from AS Roma.

Spurs are now credited with an interest as Lazio look to tie the stopper down to a new deal; his current contract does not expire until 2022, but the club are keen for him to commit for an even greater period of time.

Succession planning

Lloris will turn 33 on Boxing Day of this year and, though that remains relatively young for a goalkeeper, it makes complete sense for Spurs to begin planning for his successor.

Michel Vorm and Paulo Gazzaniga are his current back-ups but it does not appear that either will be given the opportunity to become first-choice – the former, after all, is 35 and out of contract in a few months.

Strakosha represents an intriguing option who has international experience and the youth required to grow under Pochettino’s management.

He is untested in the Premier League but it would be logical for Spurs to sign him and have him first feature as Lloris’ deputy.

Then, when the World Cup winner calls time, he could be perfectly positioned to smoothly transition into the No.1 role.