All posts by n8rngtd.top

Because of all the excitement surrounding the new stadium, the current situation Tottenham find themselves in has been temporarily forgotten and that must quickly change. It isn’t easy supporting Spurs, is it readers? Always one problem after another, it seems. 

Their current form is among the worst in the league and, for a side striving to achieve better things in the future, that simply isn’t acceptable. Indeed, players’ performances have been poor but no such blame can be attached to Mauricio Pochettino, who has the capabilities to take this team far.

So, let’s go further. Every Spurs fan will tell you that this team is towards the end of their cycle after such a long time without true investment, so things need a refresh both internally and externally.

Although the stadium looks amazing and is sure to be spectacular for the fans, it is surely likely to have an adverse effect on the transfer budget this summer. With that in mind, care must be taken when assessing whether any young players can make the step up and play for the first team in an effort to save funds.

One player who has a number of first-team appearances under his belt is Kyle Walker-Peters and that game time must continue.

Walker-Peters, (who is valued at £2.7 million on Transfermarkt) has been reliable when previously called upon and that’s why he was rewarded with a new five-year contract in the first place. Whilst he made three assists in one Premier League game, the 21-year-old has also been strong in every other game he’s featured in as well.

No one can be worse than Kieran Trippier or Serge Aurier, right?

So, for Walker-Peters to still rarely get given a chance in the first team squad is strange quite frankly, especially seeing how inconsistent his positional rivals have been this season.

It’s not hard to imagine that Tottenham will be facing the real possibility of having a small budget to contend with this summer so money must be saved wherever possible. With that in mind, the England under-21 defender is one that Tottenham could rely on and transform into a far better player with the right amount of time on the pitch.

Tottenham fans, how badly do you want to see Kyle Walker-Peters handed a real chance? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

It’s crazy to think there was a time where football fans thought £34 million for Mohamed Salah was over-paying.

Since moving to Anfield in the summer of 2017, Salah has established himself as not one of the best players in the Premier League, but in the world of football. His list of accomplishments in his debut season was impressive, and the attacker has continued his incredible form this campaign as Liverpool mount their first challenge for the title since the 2013/14 season.

The Egyptian winger has been a roaring success on Merseyside, and his form has his value rise dramatically since arriving at Liverpool. According to a recent study by the CIES (via the Daily Mail), Salah is now the third most valuable player in the Premier League at £160 million, just £1 million behind Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling and £11 million off the player who holds the top spot, Harry Kane.

That means that in the two years Salah has been at Liverpool, his value has increased over four and a half times since his move from AS Roma, and his CIES valuation comes fairly close to his Transfermarkt value of £135 million.

These numbers are absolutely ridiculous and only go to show how smart manager Jurgen Klopp is when it comes to finding talent and driving up their value.

This was the strategy that allowed his former club, Borussia Dortmund, to earn a good chunk of their money by selling on the likes of Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels for big fees after acquiring them for next to nothing, and Salah isn’t the only Liverpool player to have his value increase massively under the German manager.

Dominic Solanke, who Liverpool signed for a free and hardly used in the Premier League, was sold last winter to Bournemouth for a reported fee of £19 million, the same club that signed Jordan Ibe for £15 million a few years back from the Reds as well.

Salah is unlikely to leave the club anytime soon, but if the Egyptian star is the depart Anfield one day it is likely to be for a club record fee, and it will be down to Klopp’s unique ability to find players who can be sold for profit.

Liverpool fans, what fee would you take for Salah? Let us know!

Thanks to a late flurry of form, Southampton can now be confident of remaining a top-flight side next season.

Indeed, all the thanks should really be going to Ralph Hasenhuttl because without his arrival, who knows what kind of mess Southampton would find themselves in right now?

The truth is, it’s been another poor season and so for Saints, the upcoming summer window holds the utmost importance if they want to get back to being at least, a top-ten side.

Hasenhuttl will be praying that he is given the funds to make significant changes during this period, with his team in major need of big changes. Obviously, the board seriously needs to be pro-active to get the fans back on side, as well as keep their manager happy. So, their first action in the market needs to be eyeing a defender to help stabilise things at the back and who better than Premier League experienced Marcos Rojo.

Rojo, (who is valued at £13.5 million on Transfermarkt) was reportedly (as per Goal) a target for Southampton before moving to Old Trafford instead in 2014 and should remain of interest, considering the lack of defensive solidity since the departure of Virgil van Dijk.

It’s a move that has enjoyed periods of success because Rojo has been far from an ever-present defender at the back.

Though for Southampton, a no-nonsense centre-back should be exactly what they’re after, and that’s exactly what Marcos Rojo is considered to be.

Despite now being 29-years-old, Rojo still has plenty of time left to make a significant impact at St Mary’s and help them improve defensively. Whilst Hasenhuttl has made improvements in defence, the addition of a player that can be used at centre-back as well as left-back is something that should be under consideration, at the very least.

The Argentina international has made just six appearances this season, which shows a move away to a club like Southampton would be best for all involved.

Southampton fans, would you back a move for Rojo? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Now that James Shan is in charge of West Brom until the end of the season he can finally get to work on fully instilling his own ideas into the club.

The 40-year-old finds himself in a unique situation. Initially, he would have thought he’d be there for a minimum of a couple of games but now he’s been tasked with steering them through the final weeks of the season.

For the most part he’s earned his call. That’s despite what could have been a damaging 3-2 loss against Bristol City. But after reverting to a tactic that had worked under Darren Moore, Albion got back to winning ways last weekend.

It was a gamble but it paid off, particularly with their two key men looking as good as they have been all season.

On the chalkboard

West Brom flirted with the idea of a three-man defence earlier in the season. However, after losing matches against Wigan, Blackburn and Hull in October and November it was quickly ditched.

Since then they’d predominantly played with a four-man defence but that embarrassing defeat against Bristol City meant something had to change. Not many would have seen the return of a 3-5-2 formation, though.

The Baggies don’t really have the personnel to play in this way, but despite that, it worked to devastating effect against Preston.

The change was originally inspired by a need for more defensive stability. It had that desired effect but if anything, it benefitted the attack more. It’s something that shouldn’t come as a great shock though.

When Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle have played as a pair this term, they’ve both had a greater influence than when one’s been forced to play out wide.

There are still faults defensively in this Baggies team but when you boast the attack they do, it seems foolish to ignore a tactic that would get the best out of two players who have scored 21 goals apiece.

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Arsenal manager Unai Emery is still confident of the club finishing in the top four this season, despite their 3-1 defeat to Wolves on Wednesday, per BBC Sport.

The Gunners are now fifth, one point behind Chelsea and four behind third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

What’s the word?

Arsenal turned in a roundly terrible display against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Wednesday.

They dominated possession but had very little to show for it, failing to truly test goalkeeper Rui Patricio and ultimately falling to an embarrassing defeat.

The result continues Arsenal’s woeful away record this season – they have won just six times on the road, fewer than both Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

With three games of the season remaining, the Gunners play at home once, against Brighton & Hove Albion, and travel to Leicester City and Burnley.

And Emery, despite what the formbook might tell you, remains confident that the Gunners can secure a top-four finish.

He said, per BBC: “We lost from our hands the opportunity for fourth, but we can also recover this opportunity.”

Emery admits that it will be “difficult” for Arsenal to overhaul Chelsea, who play top-four rivals Manchester United this weekend, but is choosing to remain optimistic.

He added: “Top four is the target, a difficult target.

“We have lost in the last two matches, to Crystal Palace and here, but the last three matches we play in the Premier League we have opportunities.

“Generally we are disappointed but we need to look at all the season. We need to prepare as best as possible for Leicester. Again it is very difficult but hopefully we can take something.”

Form guide makes for grim viewing

This really doesn’t appear very likely.

Arsenal’s form has taken a nosedive at the worst possible time and they have suffered three defeats in their last five Premier League games.

Trips to both Leicester and Burnley are tricky, with the Foxes offering the attributes that the Gunners hate: pace and physicality.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal can correct the course but, with the fixture list as it is, there is precious little reason for Emery to be optimistic.

Perhaps he has to say it. After all, he can’t really believe it.

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Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas has told the club to fund a major rebuilding job this summer, per Sky Sports.

What’s he said?

The Gunners remain in contention to finish in the top four and play Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

They could also win the Europa League, having won the first leg of their semi-final against Valencia 3-1.

But the squad’s depth appears rather thin, with Aaron Ramsey set to depart to Juventus on a free transfer and the defence looking porous.

And Nicholas believes that a number of new players are needed this summer if the club are to challenge at the top of the table, with PSG’s Adrien Rabiot, set to be available on a free transfer this summer, namechecked.

He said: “In midfield, we will need to replace Aaron Ramsey. I am hoping that will be Reiss Nelson from Germany. I don’t know what the future holds for Mesut Ozil and who will entice him to move on – if at all – but there is a possibility of that happening. We need to add a striker, as well as a wide man.

“In defence, if I was to keep anyone, it would be Bellerin, as he would play right back or right wing-back. Rob Holding would hopefully be fit for the start of the season, as well as Sokratis as a squad player so those are the potentials to keep.

“We need a box-to-box style midfield player and a player that can pick a pass too, so it is a matter of bringing in the right ones. I think you need to know your system, fit them in and see where it takes you. Adrien Rabiot will be a free-agent and been linked with different clubs, but I would take him. He has the quality and is of decent level, which Arsenal need.”

Nicholas also believes that two first-team wingers need selling, too, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi up for the chop.

He added: “I would sell Henrik Mkhitaryan and if I got the right money for Alex Iwobi I would sell him too. Denis Suarez has gone, that was a waste of time.”

Where is the money coming from?

Nicholas appears to be playing FIFA.

It is not as easy as clicking “transfer list” on a player and seeing the bids flood in.

The deadwood in the squad will take some shifting, particularly with Mkhitaryan reportedly earning over £200,000-per-week. Which club is going to want to take him off the Gunners’ hands?

And if they can’t get rid of the flops, there simply won’t be much money. Reports from The Sun in February declared that even if Arsenal make the top four, there will only be £60million to spend this summer.

Rabiot is not a free transfer, after all. According to AS, his wage demands have recently deterred interest from Real Madrid.

Nicholas is right that new blood is needed; Emery’s current options in defence are abysmal and they could do with back-up in attack, too.

But, unless Nicholas himself puts his hand in his pocket, it is difficult to see how such an overhaul will be funded. His analysis of Arsenal’s transfer priorities strikes of fanciful naivety.

Leeds United have been mightily unlucky with injuries this season, haven’t they?

Marcelo Bielsa has seen a number of his key players miss considerable chunks of the 2018/19 campaign and now faces a huge dilemma heading into the play-offs.

With both Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski suffering season-ending injuries in April, the Argentine may look to Stuart Dallas to fill the left-back position in the Whites’ semi-final first-leg with Derby County on Saturday.

However, when you consider the Northern Ireland international’s recent performances for Leeds, this could end up being an extremely costly mistake for Bielsa to make.

Although Dallas provided an attacking threat against Ipswich last weekend which resulted in him scoring at Portman Road, he was simply terrible defensively. Constantly out of position, Dallas was directly culpable for the Tractor Boys’ second goal and had a nightmare of an afternoon up against Andre Dozzell who constantly targeted the Leeds ace.

With Derby boasting a considerable threat in wide positions from both Tom Lawrence and Harry Wilson, Bielsa could benefit from replacing Dallas with Jamie Shackleton at Pride Park.

A prodigious talent, the 19-year-old has been in outstanding form for the club’s under-23 side in recent weeks and has previous experience of playing as a full-back in the Championship this season, albeit on the right-hand side of defence.

Having impressed in three different positions for Leeds, there is no reason why Shackleton cannot provide the security needed to help his side overcome the Rams as his ability to play without fear could be extremely beneficial for Bielsa.

After placing his faith in a number of Leeds’ academy graduates this year, it would be fitting that by fielding Shackleton at the weekend, the 63-year-old ends up making the choice which leads the Whites to the Premier League at the end of the May.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa start Shackleton at left-back against Derby on Saturday? Or would it be too much of a risk to play the 19-year-old in such a pivotal clash? Let us know below.

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Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has been having his say on what Crystal Palace need to do in the summer transfer window, and he believes one of their priorities should be to bring Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi to Selhurst Park on a permanent basis.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Belgium international joined the Eagles on loan until the end of the season during the January transfer window, and he made a positive impression in south London with six goals in 13 appearances in all competitions for Roy Hodgson’s men.

That return was far modest but far more impressive than the likes of Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew, who only managed to score half of that tally between them during the 2019/20 campaign.

Nicholas is certainly under no illusions as to whether Palace should look to sign Batshuayi.

He told Sky Sports: “People say Hodgson is cautious in defence but they don’t have a No 9. I would buy Batshuayi as he is better than Christian Benteke. Someone in Europe will buy him and then they need to keep the hardcore of the team.”

Should Crystal Palace keep hold of Max Meyer this summer? Harvey Jones discusses in the video below…

Is he right?

He certainly is.

There is absolutely no doubt that the 25-year-old is a class above Benteke in terms of both confidence and finishing ability, and Palace would be a much better team next season if they had the younger Belgian in their starting XI.

Chelsea’s potential transfer ban certainly makes negotiations difficult as things stand, but if the Eagles can offload the former Aston Villa man – as Nicholas says – it may boost their budget and allow them to give their London neighbours an offer they can’t afford to refuse.

Batshuayi knows the club and his potential future teammates now, so less work would be needed than if another new striker arrived in SE25.

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Yes, they may have lost both of their league games against Manchester City this season, but Watford didn’t do badly at all.

We are used to seeing the Citizens swat teams aside by four, five, or even six goals at times, but the Hornets only narrowly lost both fixtures against Pep Guardiola’s back-to-back champions this term. Javi Gracia’s men lost 2-1 at Vicarage Road, and 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

They have 0 points to show for their efforts, but what they do have is a glimmer of hope and inspiration to take into Saturday’s FA Cup final against the same opponent.

Gracia must squeeze the positive elements of his side’s performances during those two defeats and utilise them in his gameplan for the one-off match that could see Watford lift their first ever FA Cup.

Does your club have a legend who is criminally overrated? Fans answer this tough question in the video below…

Now, obviously, City bossed possession in the league meetings between the two this season: at Vicarage Road – they had 70.2% of the ball, and 71.1% of it at their place.

Gracia must not attempt to play them at their own game, or he and Watford will lose heavily.

Two key aspects that happened previously must be focused on: Abdoulaye Doucoure making Guardiola’s life difficult in the 2-1 loss, as well as Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu’s combination play at the Etihad.

In the 2-1 loss, Doucoure had five shots, three of which were on target, and found the back of the net with one of them. The Frenchman was a constant menace throughout the game, winning two aerial duels and also making three clearances; the diminutive City midfield of Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, and David Silva didn’t know how to deal with the powerful midfielder.

Watford left it too late to record a result on the day but it may well have been different had they realised how to hurt the Citizens a few minutes earlier. Plenty of Hornets supporters will tell you an equaliser was on the cards if the match was extended by 15 minutes or so.

At the Etihad, Gracia’s men were undone by a brilliant hat-trick from Raheem Sterling, but again they found ways to stun City on a ground where they only lost one game all season.

Deeney and Deulofeu were subbed on in the 66th-minute with City 3-0 up, and combined to score in the same minute as they entered the field; it was a long knock down from the big No.9 into the Spaniard’s path, who finished well.

Of course, these are two isolated moments from two different games, but Gracia is a good enough manager to collect the positive aspects of his side’s two defeats and turn them into genuine foundations for a solid game plan at Wembley this weekend.

So, what are the main things that Gracia should draw up on his whiteboard in the Wembley dressing rooms before the showpiece event?

Stay solid, compact and resolute.

Get Doucoure in advanced areas and give him free roam of the midfield.

Ensure that Deeney pins Aymeric Laporte back, similar to the way in which Fernando Llorente did after coming on for Tottenham against Ajax, where we know he will win most of his aerial duels against the Frenchman, who has wilted in high-magnitude fixtures already this season, most notably in the Champions League quarter-final against Spurs.

And lastly, make sure Deulofeu, the hero of the semi-final, stays close to Deeney and anticipates the flick on, where his pace will cause a lot of problems if there is space in behind. There most likely will be grass to eat into given Guardiola’s preference to play a high line.

Wigan did it against City way back in 2013, and Watford must believe they can do the unthinkable as well.

When Salomon Rondon joined Newcastle on loan at the start of the season, it seemed to be quite an uninspiring signing.

The Venezuelan international was underwhelming during his time with West Brom from 2015 to 2018, scoring just 24 goals in 108 Premier League appearances for the Baggies, which is why it was a surprise when Rondon became a talisman for Rafa Benitez this season.

The former Zenit striker had his best season in England, named Newcastle’s Player of the Year after his contributions kept the northeast club in the Premier League for another season, and with West Brom failing to gain promotion from out of the Championship, plenty of teams are keeping tabs of the target man, including West Ham.

According to the Northern Echo via the Daily Star, Manuel Pellegrini is keen to get business done early this summer and with attackers such as Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez likely to this transfer window, the east London side are in need of strikers, and Rondon fits the bill perfectly.

With a release clause of £16.5 million, the Venezuelan striker will be a relatively cheap signing for West Ham and coming off the back of an impressive season with Newcastle, it looks like Rondon has finally found his feet in the Premier League.

Unlike fellow Hammers target Aleksandar Mitrovic, Rondon would bring much-needed experience to the team that are in need of a leader in the attack, and the West Brom man can bring that if Pellegrini moves in quick for a striker that many of West Ham’s rivals will be after for this summer.

West Ham fans, would Rondon be a good signing this summer? Let us know!