All posts by h716a5.icu

When Kyril Louis-Dreyfus walked through the door as Sunderland’s proud new owner, there was a huge sigh of relief from many supporters.

After all, Stewart Donald’s time at the club was marked with overspending and, ultimately, a failure to get promoted.

It was the perfect Christmas present for the Mackems, as Louis-Dreyfus was announced late on 24th December.

Since he entered the Stadium of Light, he has had some very clear policies. One of them has been to improve the club’s academy and the pathway to senior level.

With the likes of Sam Greenwood, Bali Mumba and Joe Hugill all exiting the northeast in recent years, it’s led to an unhealthy academy. The under-23s didn’t win a single game last term, for instance.

However, we are already seeing the fruits of the new owner’s labour. In the Papa John’s Trophy final, young talents Dan Neil, Benji Kimpioka, Jack Diamond and Ollie Younger all appeared on the bench.

Diamond has received plenty of minutes this term but we believe Younger is now ready for a few more opportunities.

The 21-year-old played three times during the Black Cats’ run to Wembley in the EFL Trophy and has recently earned his league debut. That came in a 2-0 win over Rochdale, a match where Younger didn’t really put a foot wrong.

Traditionally a centre-half, the academy gem played at right-back on that occasion. Younger didn’t look out of place, winning 50% of his defensive duels and completing 80% of his passes. The defender also helped his side to record a clean sheet.

Speaking before that game, Lee Johnson waxed lyrical about the youngster, saying: “I do trust Ollie Younger, I think he is a great kid.

“I haven’t seen him enough in games yet to know whether he can handle that situation, but as a personality and in terms of his performances in training, he has been really impressive.”

With defensive injuries still plaguing the Sunderland squad – Jordan Willis, Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan are all out – he should be entrusted more often.

That starts with the clash against Bristol Rovers on Saturday. They currently sit in the relegation zone, so on paper it’s a good match in which to trust Younger.

AND in other news, Sunderland must swoop for £1.2k-p/w “danger in the box”, he’s shades of Bergkamp…

Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara has been with his national side Finland during the international break, although his latest performance may be a cause for concern for Steven Gerrard.

The former Dundee man played the full 90 minutes for Finland as they drew 1-1 with Ukraine in a World Cup qualifying game on Sunday but he struggled to have any real impression on the game.

As per SofaScore, the 25-year-old midfielder would earn a disappointing 6.2 match rating for his display, which was the second-worst of any player who featured in the game, with Ukraine’s Vitaliy Mykolenko earning a 6.0/10 rating after he was sent off for a professional foul late on, which allowed Teemu Pukki to score a late equaliser from the penalty spot.

Although Kamara had the most touches of any Finland midfielder or attacker, he struggled to do anything productive with the ball, as he failed to contribute a single key pass, cross or long ball during the game.

The 25-year-old is renowned at Rangers for his ability to win back the ball and win battles in midfield, but he failed to showcase this at the weekend, as he failed to make a single tackle during the game.

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He also lost all five of his duels during the game and failed to complete a single dribble emphasising that the Ukraine midfield generally had the better of him throughout the game.

In comparison to Kamara, Ukraine’s midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, who picked up the man of the match award for his display, would contribute four key passes, complete four dribbles and long passes, and win nine duels in what was an excellent all-round display from the Atalanta man.

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Therefore, this emphasises how poor Kamara was on Sunday, with the £4.05 million-rated midfielder enduring something of a nightmare display, and he will be relieved that his side were able to rescue a late point despite his poor performance.

Gerrard will be hoping his midfielder’s performance on international duty does not dent his confidence ahead of his return to club action in the near future.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Edmundson: Rangers signing £1.08m-rated beast would surely be the end for 23 y/o at Ibrox

Southampton return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they take on Burnley at St Mary’s, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side looking to distance themselves from a relegation battle by picking up three points against Sean Dyche’s visitors.

The south coast club were able to welcome back the likes of Theo Walcott and Danny Ings during the international break as they recovered from their respective injuries, and they could be vital to Southampton’s end to the season if they can stay fit.

Unfortunately for the Austrian manager, James Ward-Prowse is a doubt after being forced to withdraw from international duty due to a calf problem, which leaves the former RB Leipzig manager with a big decision to make in midfield.

Here’s how we think Hasenhuttl will line his side up on Sunday, with just two changes from the team which defeated Bournemouth 3-0 in the FA Cup before the international break…

Fraser Forster continues as first-choice in goal ahead of Alex McCarthy after keeping another clean sheet in the FA Cup win last time out.

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Unsurprisingly, there are no changes in the defence, with Hasenhuttl having very few options at his disposal particularly in the full-back positions, and this is his strongest back four.

There’s one change in midfield as Alexandre Jankewitz comes in for Ward-Prowse, who shouldn’t be risked, whilst Nathan Redmond also drops back into a wide position despite impressing up front against the Cherries.

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This allows Ings to make his return at centre-forward alongside the in-form Che Adams, with the “super-talented” Moussa Djenepo dropping to the bench as a result. However, the Malian may well be called upon to make an impact from the bench if required, along with Walcott, Takumi Minamino and Nathan Tella.

In other news… No goals this season: Hasenhuttl must axe 25 y/o flop, he’s stealing a wage

David Moyes has landed a potential boost, with West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell optimistic that his hamstring injury sustained against Leicester City is not a serious issue.

That’s according to Irons insider ExWHUemployee, who has noted on The West Ham Way podcast that the 30-year-old was due for scans on Monday to reveal the full extent of the blow.

Cresswell was forced off shortly into the second half of the Hammers’ 3-2 win over the Foxes on Sunday as he earned his 31st start of the Premier League season.

Moyes had not been without the left-back for a single minute of West Ham’s surprise challenge for Champions League qualification before the Leicester game, which also saw the London Stadium natives lose captain Mark Noble to an elbow injury.

The pair joined a growing injury list already featuring Declan Rice (knee), Angelo Ogbonna (ankle), Manuel Lanzini (knock), Darren Randolph (thigh) and Andriy Yarmolenko (knee), but ExWHUemployee believes that some of those may return for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United.

“Hopefully Ogbonna, Yarmolenko, Randolph and Lanzini will all be in contention for a place against Newcastle,” he said.

“It might come a little bit too early for Yarmolenko, but certainly Ogbonna and Lanzini were very close to being on the bench [against Leicester]. It gives us options when they’re available definitely, so that will help.

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“Cresswell obviously felt his hamstring. He’s had issues with his hamstring before [yet] Cresswell is optimistic that it’s not too serious. But he’ll have a scan to find out how serious it is.”

It obviously remains to be seen if Cresswell will be ruled out of West Ham’s clash with Steve Bruce’s relegation-threatened Newcastle on Saturday, but the left-back’s optimism over the severity of his issue will come as a huge boost for Moyes.

The former Ipswich man has been a vital part of Moyes’ system this season, so the Hammers boss will be desperate to see the Englishman miss as little game-time as possible if the Irons are to fulfil their challenge for Champions League or Europa League qualification.

Moyes lauded the 31-year-old as being “invaluable” earlier in the campaign, such has been his impact on West Ham’s performances, having delivered consistently all term and stepped up his creativity. No Irons player has registered more assists across all competitions this term than Cresswell, who has been credited with creating seven goals (all in the Premier League) thus far.

He has further carved out the most goalscoring opportunities for Moyes’ squad per league game with 1.4 key passes on average, helped heavily from being the Irons’ most productive player out wide with 1.5 accurate crosses and 1.6 accurate free-kicks, per WhoScored.

Arthur Masuaku may have returned from knee surgery to feature against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester last week, but Moyes will be desperate for Cresswell to come back given his importance to the team.

AND in other news, David Moyes eyes a summer reunion with £75k-p/w enforcer who looked “like he’s on roller-skates” in 2020…

With all the success that Leeds’ senior side have enjoyed this season in the Premier League, the under-23s made sure to get in on the act too after they clinched the Premier League 2 Division 2 title on Friday night.

Goals from Sam Greenwood and Jack Jenkins clinched a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa and ensured that all the hard work and academy improvements that Marcelo Bielsa and the Whites have made over the past few years paid off.

Of course, the ultimate success of any academy side is how many of those players from the youth system actually end up playing for the first team, and while Joe Gelhardt has been one of the most talked-about talents, it’s Greenwood who Bielsa must now surely unleash.

In his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him an eight, saying: “Another fantastic free-kick to add to his collection. Did not stop running, hassling or carrying all night. Could have had more goals on the night too. If Joe Gelhardt doesn’t get you, Greenwood often does.”

Capable of striking the ball off both feet, the 19-year-old has predominantly played up top for the under-23s but has played as a number ten and even enjoyed a brief stint much deeper in central midfield, too.

In 16 games at Premier League 2 level, he bagged nine goals, including a hat-trick against his former employers Sunderland much earlier in the season.

Since arriving from fellow Premier League side Arsenal last summer, The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed that Greenwood has enjoyed an impressive start to life behind the scenes at Elland Road.

The journalist said: “He’s started really well at Leeds and he was very well thought of at Arsenal, and they weren’t rushing to get him out (of) the door this summer. From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”

Meanwhile, Leeds Live’s Joe Donnohue said: “He may have hit the ground running at Thorp Arch, but he has only been here for a matter of months. His start may have been excellent, so imagine how much better he could be with consistent football.”

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Given the success of the under-23s, Bielsa must surely look to reward some of Leeds’ brightest academy talents by giving them a chance to shine in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, this Leeds target dominated Man Utd on Thursday night…

According to a report by ‘transfer insider’ Dean Jones, writing for Eurosport, Chelsea have performed a Declan Rice U-turn and now see Jude Bellingham as the ‘better buy’ – coming as a possible boost for West Ham United and David Moyes in their hopes of keeping the Englishman.

West Ham gifted possible Rice boost

Rice has been heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium over the last year due to his fine form for the Hammers, evident by his impressive 2 interceptions and 1.9 tackles per game in the Premier League this season (WhoScored).

A consistent force in midfield, the 22-year-old is currently out due to injury as West Ham aim to mount a strong finish in their bid for a European qualifying spot.

As they seek to keep hold of Rice for the 2021/2022 season, Jones has shared news that Chelsea have now identified Bellingham as the ‘better buy’ – coming after former boss Frank Lampard was a real admirer of West Ham’s star midfielder.

A possible boost for Moyes, one Premier League giant appears to have diminished their interest in prising the Irons’ star asset away this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Despite this good news, reports suggest the likes of Man United are still heavily in the running for Rice – with GSB and West Ham facing a possible fight to keep him.

One advantage the Hammers could hold is the unprecedented financial climate caused by coronavirus and any interested parties will have to invest very heavily.

The club are said to value Rice at around £100 million, and judging by this valuation, it appears West Ham appear very intent on keeping their man.

In other news: West Ham fans wowed by ExWHUemployee claim, find out more here.

According to a report by reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, via West Ham News, the Hammers and GSB are interested in signing on-loan Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola – prompting many supporters to beg for it to happen.

Areola, who has earned his praise for his consistent performances this season under Cottagers boss Scott Parker, has kept more clean sheets than any keeper in the drop zone (Premier League).

ExWHUemployee now says that, as a result of his showings at points this season, Areola is now attracting interest from West Ham as a possible replacement for Lukasz Fabianski.

The Hammers’ current number one signed a contract extension until 2022 but the club still arguably need to weigh up successors for him as he reaches the twilight phase of his footballing career.

Plenty of West Ham fans are now pleading for Areola as his possible heir, with one fan labelling him a would-be ‘excellent signing’ – find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans beg for Areola signing

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @uglyhus

“Please do it”

Credit: @Rob_WHU

“All over this”

Credit: @MarshyBoy26

“Yes”

Credit: @tim_kolk10

“Excellent signing if it came off.”

Credit: @RichardGSBOUT

“Great keeper what a signing that would be!!”

Credit: @RossiEllis

“Great signing that would be”

Credit: @ianmckee58

“Along with Fab, one of the best goalkeepers in the Prem this year.”

Credit: @1westhamfan

In other news: West Ham in line to land this striking powerhouse, find out more here.

There were high hopes when Southampton signed Angus Gunn from Manchester City in 2018 but, unfortunately for the goalkeeper, things have never really worked out for him at St Mary’s.

After conceding 52 goals in his first 30 appearances for the south coast club, he was allowed to join Championship side Stoke City on loan for the 2020/21 season.

Other than a spell out injured with an ankle injury between November and January, the former Norwich City loanee has been very much first-choice in Michael O’Neill’s side so far this season, making 17 appearances and conceding 23 goals, keeping seven clean sheets.

It seems as if the 25-year-old has impressed during his spell with the Potters, as it has now been reported that they will exercise their option to re-sign the ‘keeper on loan for the 2021/22 season. That is according to Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach, who suggested that Gunn has already agreed to stay with Stoke on loan again next season, although the details are yet to be finalised.

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Considering that Hasenhuttl has Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy competing for a starting spot in his side, it seems unlikely that Gunn will be a regular again at Southampton any time soon, so it seems surprising that CEO Martin Semmens is willing to see him spend another season on loan when surely they would be better off looking for a permanent buyer.

The 25-year-old is contracted with Southampton until 2023, so his market value will only likely continue to decrease next season as he edges closer to his contract expiry, so you could definitely argue that Semmens is making a mistake by letting him re-join Stoke on loan.

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It is almost guaranteed that Southampton will make a significant loss on Gunn, having spent £13.5m to bring him in from Man City, as he is now valued at just £2.7m by Transfermarkt. The Saints should just cut their losses on him and get rid of him permanently at the earliest opportunity rather than risk losing him for nothing in a couple of years.

In other news… Gao handed significant boost over “exceptional” gem, Saints fans will be buzzing

Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed both Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand will be missing from their match against Leicester City on Friday.

Hasenhuttl shares double injury blow

The Saints face the Foxes as they look to pull further away from the relegation zone.

Speaking to the press ahead of the game, Hasenhuttl provided a damaging injury update. He said (via Hampshire Live):

“Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand are out, they are not training at the moment.

“Ingsy’s injury is not as bad as it looked at first but he will still miss some games, we hope he will come back for the last games.

“We need every player with five games in a few weeks at the end of the season.”

Uphill battle

Even with a fully fit squad, this would have been an uphill battle for the Saints. Leicester are currently third in the Premier League and are within touching distance of securing their place in the Champions League for next season. The last time these two sides met at St. Mary’s Stadium, Leicester won 9-0, so Hasenhuttl will be fully aware of the threat they possess.

Without Ings and Bertrand, Southampton’s task is even harder. The former has managed 10 goals in 25 league matches so far this term and has bagged 44 in 96 games since joining the club (Transfermarkt). Bertrand, meanwhile, has been a stalwart for the Saints down the years, making over 200 appearances since joining from Chelsea – in his case, Hasenhuttl’s main issue is the lack of natural cover. It remains to be seen whether they can rise to the occasion without two players of such importance.

In other news, Southampton have been dealt with transfer blow.

A reliable journalist has named as many as ten players that Newcastle United may target in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Newcastle may have to work on tight budget

Due to the financial impact that the global pandemic has had on clubs like the St. James’ Park faithful, the Magpies may have to work in the summer on a tight budget.

With the uncertainty over the potential takeover in the North East from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium as well, free agents, loans and low-budget transfers may be the way to go for the Tyneside club, and a journalist has picked out ten players who could fit that bill.

The Latest: Ten players Newcastle may target

Sean McCormick has picked out ten players that the Toon could potentially target that may not cost them much money coming from inferior leagues.

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, the journalist has picked out Andre Ramalho, Krystian Bielik, Fabiano Parisi, Kristoffer Ajer, Gernot Trauner, Steven Caulker and Attila Szalai as potential defensive signings.

NUFC fans should be familiar with both Bielik and Caulker given their time in English football, while Ajer has been recently linked with a move to Newcastle from Celtic.

Josh DaSilva and Selim Amallah have been named as potential midfield options, with the former tearing the Magpies apart for Brentford with a goal and a man-of-the-match display in the Carabao Cup earlier on in the season.

Abdallah Sima has been named as a potential attacking signing to ease the goal scoring burden on Callum Wilson’s shoulders up top.

The Verdict: Newcastle must bolster squad

The Toon will need to bolster up their squad come the start of the next campaign so that everyone can stay as fit and injury-free as possible, as Steve Bruce would then get a chance to rotate, something he has only be able to do when forced to for most of this campaign.

Perhaps one of the names above in each position would help in this case, and they may all be available for a relatively cheap price if McCormick is to be believed.

In other news, find out what enticing transfer claim one Magpie has dropped here!