All posts by n8rngtd.top

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Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to react after the club was linked with a move for Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega, as reported by The Mirror.

The Argentina international worked under Unai Emery during their time together with the Spanish side, winning the Europa League, and now the Gunners boss is keen to be reunited with the 30-year-old yet again – Emery also coached Banega at Valencia.

Banega reportedly has a £17m release clause and is the north London-based club’s preferred choice to replace Aaron Ramsey – a deal could not be struck in January, however, due to a lack of funds in north London (as per the aforementioned report).

Arsenal are in need of a new midfielder after losing Welsh international Ramsey to Juventus. However, with Banega turning 31 in June, perhaps the ageing midfielder is not the right solution for the Gunners.

Let’s see how Arsenal supporters reacted on Twitter to the news concerning Banega…

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Away from the controversy over Motherwell’s goal at Celtic Park, the debut of Ewan Henderson was somewhat overlooked.

The 18-year-old has made a couple of substitute appearances but starting an SPFL match with Celtic’s lead at the top down to five points was a real vote of confidence from Brendan Rodgers, who was without Scott Brown and Callum McGregor in the centre of midfield.

Henderson teamed up with Nir Bitton and put in an outstanding performance full of many highlights. His passing and awareness was recognised by fans and team-mates alike as Celtic enjoyed a 4-1 victory despite making five changes to the side that impressed against Valencia.

There was no need to put a minder alongside the academy kid as he played a full part in the victory including the low driven cross for Odsonne Edouard to head in the second goal.

After Motherwell pulled back a goal Henderson kept a cool head despite the emotions all around, with Celtic scoring two late goals to restore their eight-point lead at the table’s summit thanks to a 4-1 victory.

There will be bigger tests ahead for Henderson but after Sunday, Rodgers knows that he has another in-house talent to work with alongside Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Callum McGregor.

Here’s a look at how Celtic fans reacted to his performance on Twitter…

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According to The Mirror, Bayern Munich and Lazio are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool prospect Marko Grujic, with the young midfielder’s stunning performances whilst on loan to Hertha Berlin earning rave reviews.

What’s the word, then?

Well, since joining the Bundesliga side on a temporary deal back in the summer, the young Serb has caught the eye with some swashbuckling performances in the middle of the park.

Grujic has scored three goals and recorded one assist in 14 appearances for Hertha, helping them to their current position of eighth in the Bundesliga table. The 22-year-old’s performances have seen him nominated for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in Germany’s top flight, and have received a glowing analysis from the club’s coach, Pal Dardai.

Are fan nerves to blame for Liverpool’s recent form? Pl>ymaker FC’s Tom Skinner discusses in the video below…

“I’ve been at Hertha for 22 years. This isn’t meant as an insult to anyone else, but Marko is by far the best midfielder I’ve seen in my time at the club.”

The answer to Liverpool’s lack of goals from midfielder?

Grujic is a powerful presence in the middle of the park and has certainly impressed on loan this season, providing a healthy dose of goals.

Liverpool’s midfielders, namely Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho have mustered up just six goals between them this term, which simply isn’t good enough for a team going for the title – the Reds rely far too much on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Grujic has always had excellent technical ability, and has already proved to the Reds’ fanbase that he has the attacking nous to find the back of the net; most fans will remember his expertly executed looped header against Barcelona at Wembley.

Jurgen Klopp attempted to amend the problem with the signing of Nabil Fekir back in the summer, but for a failed medical putting an end to the deal – the Frenchman was meant to be a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, but the Reds could have had the ideal man right under their nose all along.

Of course, Grujic and Coutinho’s games differ, in that the former is a box-to-box midfielder and the latter has played more as a secondary forward at times, but if the Serb can come close to replicating the Brazilian’s steady supply of goals, he’ll go a long way to addressing an issue that has persisted since the Barcelona move.

With three strikes in 14 Bundesliga outings this season, he’s certainly got a better strike rate than any of Klopp’s current midfield options.

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Newcastle take on Everton this weekend in a clash between two of the league’s more unpredictable sides, so should Rafael Benitez spring a surprise on Marco Silva?

Fresh off the back of one of their most resilient performances of the season in last weekend’s Merseyside derby, Everton travel to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Toffees picked up just their eighth clean sheet of the season in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool, but they may feel slightly more confident against the Magpies, who do not pose nearly the same attacking threat as Jurgen Klopp’s side.

In particular, Everton’s full-backs play much more positively against teams they think they can beat, and Benitez should counter this by bringing DeAndre Yedlin back for the clash.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

On the chalkboard

Yedlin has started 24 Premier League games for Newcastle this season, but the United States international has lost his place in the last two games to Javier Manquillo.

The Spaniard performed well in the 2-0 win against Burnley and did himself no harm with his display at West Ham either, but he should still miss out for this one.

Yedlin, who does have a goal and assist to his name this season, is a much more potent attacking threat than Manquillo.

More importantly, he is absolutely rapid, which should allow him to get in behind the spaces left by Lucas Digne.

The Everton left-back has been one of the Toffees’ best sources of creativity bombing down the flank, with his excellent crossing and shooting stunning the Goodison faithful during his first season with the club.

His best strength is also his biggest weakness though, as he sometimes leaves far too much space behind him when he flies forward.

Yedlin’s speed, engine and attacking qualities will do some serious damage if Digne gets caught too far up the pitch, and while Manquillo doesn’t necessarily deserve to lose his place, this one change could turn a big Toffees strength into an area for the home side to exploit.

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According to De Telegraaf, Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing PSV Eindhoven forward Steven Bergwijn, along with Tottenham, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

What’s the word, then?

The Reds would be wise to add some attacking depth to their ranks given the over reliance on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Bergwijn seems to fit the bill perfectly.

The Dutchman has enjoyed an excellent season so far in which he has netted 12 goals and set up a further 13 in all competitions, which has evidently attracted the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs.

What is behind Liverpool’s recent title race slip ups? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video above…

Bergwijn, who is just 21, is an excellent dribbler who has worked hard to improve his end product, and how it has paid off this season – his 24 goal involvements have come in just 32 appearances.

Starting to add quality depth

Perhaps the only thing that Liverpool are lacking in comparison with title rivals Manchester City is the lack of quality attacking depth, and capturing Bergwijn would be a big step towards solving this problem.

Reds fans will be happy to hear that, if you were to compare the Dutch international to any of their current players, then he is most like the prolific Mane, who has 16 league goals to his name this season.

Both men enjoy cutting in from the left flank on their stronger right foot but have experience playing in all roles across the front line, whilst they both have impressive levels of composure in front of goal.

The Citizens, Liverpool’s direct title rivals, are good enough to leave Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines most weeks, whereas the Reds rely heavily on Salah, Mane and Firmino and would be in a bit of trouble if one of them got injured or suspended.

To directly compare the two sides, Klopp would have to call upon either Divock Origi or Daniel Sturridge, who have just six goals between them this season.

Jesus matched that tally in two games against Burton and Wolves.

Klopp must sign young, hungry players who are happy to bide their time on the bench, but can also make an impact when called upon and have the ceiling to improve.

Bergwijn would fit the bill well, as the former Borussia Dortmund manager can slowly bed him in to the Premier League so he doesn’t suffer the same fate that Memphis Depay endured with Manchester United after swapping Holland for England.

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James Ward-Prowse’s fantastic free-kick might not have been enough to take a point from Old Trafford earlier this month, but he followed that peach of a strike up with another against Spurs as Saints ran out shock 2-1 winners.

Scoring from a dead-ball situation with such consistency is no easy feat and, if the 24-year-old keeps banging them in from outside the box, then he could be set to smash a long-standing Southampton record.

St Mary’s legend Matt Le Tissier netted 12 free-kicks in his career on the south coast and, with four to the England man’s name already, the former striker thinks Ward-Prowse has the potential to smash his tally.

Here’s what the 50-year-old said:

“He [Ward-Prowse] definitely can [beat my record of 12 free-kicks], he’s so confident at the moment. It’s nice when you get a direct free-kick in a good position and you feel the excitement of the crowd, knowing it’s a great chance to score a goal.

“That’s the feeling I had at the peak of my career, feeling confident and the crowd sensing that. It gives you a real buzz and it’s the same now with Prowsey.

“It’s very much a confidence thing. Since Ralph [Hasenhuttl] took over he’s been outstanding. Certainly, in the last six to eight weeks he’s been man-of-the-match in most of the games I’ve watched him in.

“Ralph has obviously instilled a lot of belief in him and that makes a difference to a player.”

Indeed, the number 16 has been nothing short of sensational since Hasenhuttl took the helm in December, netting six goals in his last nine games, including three in his last three.

These stellar showings eventually paid off with Gareth Southgate calling on the local lad when injuries took their toll on the England squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Having already won his first cap for the Three Lions, the 5-foot-8 midfielder will be hoping to get some more under his belt this month, although it’s in club competition where his chance to go down in the history books truly lies.

As Le Tissier says, confidence is clearly coursing through the free-kick wizard’s veins and he looks likely to score every time he’s stood over one.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Having someone as deadly as he is from such situations is a massive boost to any team but particularly to one fighting relegation this season – Saints will need to take every opportunity they can if they are to get away from the drop zone as we near the end of the campaign and if Ward-Prowse continues to find the net he will a hero on the south coast.

With Hasenhuttl’s guidance, the 24-year-old could go on to become a club great and there is still a huge amount of room for development so we might not have even seen the best of ‘Prowsey’ yet.

Keeping together a core group of players is a formula that great teams are built on.

The Class of ’92 infamously lead Manchester United to the most successful period in the club’s history, Arsene Wenger matured and crafted a team that went on to become Invincibles, and Barcelona’s La Masia academy has kept the Catalonian club in the top three best teams in the world for the past few decades.

For Steven Gerrard, the Gers manager has a crop of players that could go on to lead Rangers to domestic glory, but it is important the Liverpool legend keeps this core at the club.

Alfredo Morelos, Nikola Katic, Ross McCrorie and Glenn Middleton are a group of players who can remain Rangers for the coming years, and if the club is to compete with Celtic in the league it is vital Gerrard keeps hold of these four figures who can one day become heroes for the club.

McCrorie and Middleton are two players who have made the step up to the first-team football well this season, and although consecutive starts in Gerrard’s team has been patchy of late, there’s still no doubt these are two players who want to play for the badge and will likely be vital first-team players next season.

Current youngsters in the team aside, Rangers fans have plenty to be excited about in terms of prospects in the youth academy. The Scottish side last month became the first British team ever to win the Alkass International Cup in Qatar, an annual U-17 youth tournament that sees some of the best youth teams from around the world compete in.

Kai Kennedy, who has featured briefly for Rangers this season, was named Player of the Tournament and scored the winning penalty in the 9-8 penalty shootout against AS Roma.

As well as promoting from within and ensuring youngsters get regular time in the first-team, Gerrard has to make sure Morelos and Katic remain Rangers players for the next few seasons.

The Croatian centre-back has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the league, whereas we all know about the interest in Morelos from teams around the continent. These two central players have what it takes to push Rangers to that next level and become the most dominant team in Scotland.

It might take a season or two, but Gerrard has a golden generation of Rangers talent at his disposal for him to turn into a deadly force in the SPL, and finally get that sought after league title the fans are craving to have again.

Rangers fans, do the club have the current core of players to win the SPL?

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Jake Forster-Caskey is targeting his return for Charlton before the end of the season, although that could hinge on whether his teammates have secured a coveted play-off space come the end of the regulation campaign.

The 5 ft 10 midfielder hasn’t featured all term having sustained a nasty injury less than a week before the Addicks kicked off against Sunderland in the league but is hoping that he could play a part right at the end.

It has been a gruelling period for the number eight, who is now just weeks away from returning to full training having had surgery in September and nearly completed his off-field rehabilitation.

Thanks to his side’s league position, their campaign could extend beyond mid-May due to the play-offs, thus presenting the 24-year-old with an opportunity to get out on the Wembley Stadium pitch. He had this to say to London News Online:

“In a bit of a selfish way it has almost worked out as a benefit to me.

“Hopefully I can have some sort of impact due to the season being slightly longer.

“We’re still hoping other teams slip up and maybe we can sneak a top two, but realistically we’re probably looking at the play-offs now.

“I don’t know how long it will take me to get up to speed. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.

“I want to help the boys win promotion. I said that when I first came to the club. It’s still the aim – whether I play one minute or more.”

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

If Forster-Caskey is targeting a return in late May, then it’s up to his teammates to continue their excellent form of recent weeks – the Addicks are unbeaten in their last seven – and cement a place in the top-six, which would see them vie for promotion via play-offs.

It was expected that the former England Under-21 international wouldn’t make an appearance for the first team until next season but, if Lee Bowyer and his squad can glide through their remaining games, then he could feature at Wembley Stadium, against all odds.

Manchester United target Kalidou Koulibaly (as per the Sun) could be pairing up with Victor Lindelöf next season but how do the two compare?

It is no secret that Manchester United have struggled to emulate the quality of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic since their departure. Seasons have gone by and players who we would hazard to call United defenders have come and gone, and some, to fans displeasure, have remained ever-present features.

With David De Gea not at his best this season it has been brutally apparent that Ed Woodward needs to rip his chequebook out and start spending in the market, and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is a hotly tipped candidate (Manchester Evening News).

Kalidou Koulibaly

As we mentioned Manchester United have been missing a real presence at the back. Someone they can rely on to literally put their life on the life for the club, a semi-psychopath sort of figure who strikes fear into the heart of the opposition because who doesn’t want that in their defence?

Judging by Koulibaly’s performance for Napoli he is that man. That no-nonsense titanic figure who would do a job for literally any team, which is why Ed Woodward should do everything he possibly can to sign him.

Former Croatian football Zvonimir Boban was full of praise for Koulibaly as he described him as being ‘impeccable’ when he comes away with the ball (as per Four Four Two).

Indeed, it is easy to see why the Senegal international is one of the top-rated defenders in the world. Quick off the mark, tall, and unbelievably powerful, Koulibaly dons all the right characteristics to make him an incredible traditional centre-back, whilst being capable enough on the ball to make him viable in a modern technically demanding environment.

TT Rating: A

Victor Lindelöf

Sweden international Victor Lindelöf didn’t exactly experience the smoothest of transitions into Premier League football when he made a £31 million switch in 2017 from Portuguese giants Benfica (as per BBC Sport). In fact, that would probably be a slight understatement. He was woeful.

Manchester United’s most expensive defender since the iconic Rio Ferdinand, who arrived in 2002 for £29.1 million, Lindelöf was embarrassingly off the pace of English football. Weak, unreliable, almost scared at times – it genuinely had all the makings of a flop.

But remarkably something clicked. Indeed, despite just about everyone else in defence being completely useless this year, Lindelöf has been incredible.

His natural pace compliments his exceptional ability to read the game making it nigh on impossible to pass him, unless you are Mbappe, of course, and he looks to have packed on a bit of mass to give him that edge in physical battles too.

Composure has been lacking at the back for United this year, with players clearly shaken by David De Gea’s uncharacteristic fragility. However, we can honestly say Lindelöf has been a calming presence for those around him – and the assurances he provides will be essential for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attempts to pump some confidence back into his players.

TT Rating: B+

TT Verdict:

Kalidou Koulibaly snatches it on this occasion for us. He may not have any Premier League experience but his mightily impressive performances in the Champions League have done enough to convince us that he can tame the best players in the world, including current Premier League contenders Liverpool.

Lindelöf has a bit of a way to go yet but if he can pick up from where he leaves this season then there is every chance he could become one of the best modern defenders in the Premier League in years to come.

Manchester United fans, who would be in your ideal defensive partnership? Let us know in the comments below…

Inconsistency is, unfortunately, acting as a plague for West Ham United.

They might win an important game one week, only to end up undoing their good work the next week and we can’t even imagine how frustrating it must be for you supporters reading this. Obviously, shambolic defending and inspired attacking work was again the root of all problems against Everton.

The West Ham way right now.

If this loss wasn’t an eye-opener for David Sullivan and David Gold, nothing will be. The Hammers have already identified their areas of improvement and need to work on stocking with better talents. Thankfully, director of football Mario Husillos and Manuel Pellegrini have seemingly started working on summer reinforcements.

According to reports from Football London, the Hammers are aiming to sign striker Maximiliano Gomez and defender Guillermo Maripan. Indeed, both players suit Pellegrini’s system and can exponentially improve their work in either half of the pitch, helping stabilise things in East London.

However, the downside is that the owners will allegedly only allow £30 million to spend other than what they get from player sales. Those pesky owners.

£30m?! Is that a joke? This is an important summer for the Irons as they look to grow into the next phase of Project Pellegrini and not one to take lightly.

This is where things get tricky. It means the Hammers might need to sell stars – with both Declan Rice and Marko Arnautovic linked away this season – to fund moves.

Of course, losing either Rice or Arnautovic would be devastating for the Hammers, so Gold & Sullivan certainly haven’t helped the club by only making £30 million available.

While signing these two can be big boosts to improve their stability, potentially losing Rice, Arnautovic or any key player could be equally crushing blows.

The decisions lay ahead for West Ham, who need to sort their summer plans quickly and properly shape Pellegrini’s side to avoid another disaster next season.

Hammers fans, are you pleased with West Ham’s reported summer transfer plans? Join the discussion by commenting below…