All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Bromwich Albion have not made an approach for Michael Appleton in their bid to appoint a new manager this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Lincolnshire Live, who claim that, despite the Lincoln City manager now being considered to be in pole position to take over from Sam Allardyce at The Hawthorns, there has been no contact made by the West Brom hierarchy regarding a move for Appleton.

It is also reported that the 45-year-old is continuing to plan for Lincoln’s upcoming League One campaign, while the Baggies would have to pay the Imps a significant amount of compensation if they were to appoint the former Leicester caretaker manager, who signed a new deal at the LNER Stadium in February.

Fans will be buzzing

There is no denying that Appleton has done a fantastic job since taking over at Lincoln back in September of 2019, guiding the then newly-promoted side to a 15th-placed finish in League One in his debut campaign with the club. He then took them to the play-off final last season, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Championship after a 2-1 loss to Blackpool at Wembley recently.

The 45-year-old also performed impressively in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Liam Bridcutt and Lewis Montsma on free transfers -who ranked as the club’s third and fourth-best performers last season respectively – as well as the loan signings of Morgan Rogers and Brennan Johnson, who ranked as the club’s second and sixth-best players respectively in League One.

However, with a manager such as Chris Wilder available this summer, a coach who has a proven track record of securing promotion to the top flight of English football, perhaps a move to West Brom for Appletion could be a bit too soon for him at present, as failure to go back up immediately would likely result in his sacking.

Indeed, this would appear to be an opinion shared by a number of West Brom fans, with one taking to Twitter to state their dismay at what they believed to be their club taking the “cheapest option,” while another claimed that Appleton’s appointment would see the Baggies back “in League One before we’re back in the Premier League.”

As such, the news that West Brom are yet to approach the Lincoln City gaffer is likely to have left many West Brom fans buzzing.

In other news: West Brom given huge transfer boost over “magnificent” 28 y/o gem that’ll delight fans

Tottenham Hotspur may be without a permanent manager right now, but it seems full steam ahead of their summer transfer plans…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Spurs are in pole position to sign Joachim Andersen following Fulham’s relegation to the Championship.

The 24-year-old is due to return to his parent club Lyon at the end of the season before he is likely to be sold in the region of £20m, though Daniel Levy is facing stiff competition from arch-rivals Arsenal.

However, Spurs do seem like a plausible destination for the Danish centre-back. Eurosport’s Dean Jones added fuel to the fire with his comments on a recent episode of the ‘Touchline Talk’ podcast.

“To be honest, I think Arsenal face a battle to get him. From what I’ve heard, Tottenham are definitely in pole position to get him,” he said.

“They’ve monitored him for quite a long time. At least three years he’s been on their radar and they’ve been considering a move for him. I think, from what I’ve been told, his performances at Fulham have just convinced them that this is the guy they need to go for.”

Imagine him and Rodgers

It is no secret that Spurs are looking to bolster their backline, irrespective of who takes over from Jose Mourinho.

As per the ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london, the North London side are looking for a new central defensive leader to spearhead their back four after a clear lack of cohesion and leadership throughout the season.

He would also ideally be one of two new specific additions to that role.

Andersen is certainly an interesting candidate but he will need the right manager to help continue his impressive progression in the English top-flight.

Of course, his current manager Scott Parker has huge claims in this regard and according to Football Insider, the 40-year-old will have talks with the club in the coming days.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-spurs-manager-update-gossip-transfer-rumours-daniel-levy-enic-mason-mourinho-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

However, fellow managerial target Brendan Rodgers, who Spurs have not given up hope of securing just yet, would be absolutely ideal given his proven track record in developing young players.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast in March, Dean Windass claimed the 48-year-old is “unbelievable” for his transformation of zero-to-hero striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

Players like James Maddison, James Justin, Wesley Fofana and Harvey Barnes are several other examples of his fine work in recent times.

Andersen appears to be a more commanding and reliable defender than any of Spurs’ current options, managing more aerial duels won (3.2) and interceptions made (1.4) per game, via WhoScored.

This season, the Cottagers loanee has been lauded as “absolutely sensational” and “magnificent” whilst ‘The 2 Robbies’ podcast gave a glowing verdict over his leadership qualities, especially as he’s still young for a centre-back.

“He’s 24 years of age – he’s a man back there. He can win it, he can play, looks like he’s got a little bit about him to organise those in and around him,” he said,” claimed ex-Wimbledon star Robbie Earle.

Pairing up Rodgers and Andersen this summer would certainly be a massive statement to the rest of the league, and one that would kickstart an exciting new era at the club.

Levy must swoop for both at all costs.

AND in other news, Forget Parker: Levy could win back Spurs fans by hiring 53y/o dubbed a “master” by Pep…

A number of Liverpool supporters want the Reds to sign Leeds United star Raphinha this summer, following some comments regarding his future.

The Reds managed to get something from a disappointing season last weekend, not only securing a top-four finish, but actually ending up third in the Premier League.

It was a superb effort from both Jurgen Klopp and his players, who dug deep during the business end of the campaign, winning eight and drawing two of their last 10 matches.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

Despite this, it is clear that reinforcements are required in the summer transfer window, as Klopp looks to freshen up his squad, especially with Gini Wijnaldum moving on.

Raphinha has been linked as a transfer target for Liverpool before, and in an interview with UOL Esporte [via Anfield Watch], he discussed his respect for the Reds’ interest:

“It is difficult to define how I feel when I hear speculation about giant teams like Liverpool and Manchester United interested in signing me. Man, I grew up watching these teams on television.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-2/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans want Reds to sign Raphinha

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to talk up the idea of the Brazilian moving to Anfield, claiming he is a superb footballer – he was hailed as ‘incredible’ by Tony Cascarino back in March.

“Small feeling we gonna get him after Sancho goes to Utd”

Credit: @lfcfelix_

“He is a baller we should sign him”

Credit: @mrobimotala

“Him and Matheus Perreira. Make it happen”

Credit: @paulo060802

“Agent Bobby doing his thing!”

Credit: @RumzL

“So come to Liverpool!!!”

Credit: @adom_hk

“Join LFC”

Credit: @kopbappe

In other news, some Liverpool fans are keen on the Reds signing an exciting young attacker this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former Manchester City Michael Ball has waxed lyrical over the ability of Phil Foden in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast after some mesmerising displays for the club in recent weeks.

Foden has developed into one of City’s most important players and has been a regular under Pep Guardiola this season.

The 20-year-old is still rotated, much like the rest of the Catalan’s squad, but he has made 45 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and registering nine assists.

That includes a goal in each Champions League quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund, along with strikes against Chelsea and Liverpool in the league.

Now firmly a big-game player, Foden, who is valued at £63m by Transfermarkt, could also play a central role for England this summer in the rearranged European Championships.

And Ball has been wowed by the youngster’s displays, as he kicks his game up a notch, with City now on the verge of winning the Premier League title and 90 minutes away from the Champions League final, after beating PSG 2-1 in the first leg of their last-four encounter.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Ball said: “Foden just looks unbelievable right now, he’s on fire, teams are putting two or three players around him.

“He’s just going about them the way he is, he’s just got that awareness about him, and he’s playing alongside top, top players and that does help.”

A source from Tottenham Hotspur has dropped a big transfer update involving a wonderkid at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Bobby Clark impresses

Bobby Clark, who is the son of former Magpies ace Lee Clark, who made more than 150 senior appearances at St James’ Park, has been impressing at a young age.

Back in November 2019, the Daily Mail reported that a whole host of top clubs in European football, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Tottenham, were interested in signing the then 14-year-old.

The Latest: Tottenham offered Clark

As per Football Insider, according to a Spurs source, the north London club have been offered the chance to sign Bobby Clark, who is now 16 years of age.

He has already been in the media spotlight after breaking records on Tyneside, as he became the youngest-ever player to represent the Magpies at under-18 level at the tender age of just 14 years and 206 days.

Newcastle are now expected to make a decision over the young talent, who has also represented England at under-16 level.

The Verdict: Newcastle must clear pathway

Given how talented Clark appears to be, Newcastle should be looking to clear a pathway for the midfielder so that he sees a future for himself at the Tyneside club.

The Magpies should also be particularly wary of letting one of their brightest prospects go to their Premier League rivals before ever giving him a first team chance.

In other news, find out which Lampard-likened ace Newcastle want to sign!

Former Leicester City star Keith Gillespie has told Football FanCast that Jonny Evans has been so good at the Foxes, he has been worth the same £80m fee as Harry Maguire.

The pair played together at the King Power Stadium, making 17 appearances together in the heart of the Leicester defence in 2018/19.

Gillespie played with Evans for Northern Ireland 12 times, and he believes that his countryman has carved out a place for himself as the best defender at Leicester.

So good was he alongside Maguire, he believes that it would have been easy to confuse the pair in terms of their transfer valuations.

Maguire moved to Manchester United for an £80m fee in 2019, a world-record price for a defender.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Gillespie said: “They obviously played together at Leicester and you can sort of look at it when they were at Leicester and go, ‘well, which one of these is the 80 million pound player?’

“Jonny is that good.”

He also believes that while Leicester have a number of excellent defenders, name-checking both Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu, Evans remains the first defender on Brendan Rodgers’ team-sheet.

Leicester are currently third in the Premier League table, and are a shoo-in to qualify for the Champions League, as they sit seven points clear of fifth-placed West Ham United.

He added: “He’s an important, integral part of that Leicester side.

“Those centre-halves, Fofana, the young French lad, Brendan Rodgers is obviously a big fan of his, Soyuncu has done really well but I think, out of them, Jonny’s the first centre-half on the teamsheet. He’s been very consistent over the years with his performances.”

David Moyes must find a suitor willing to buy Felipe Anderson this summer, amid claims FC Porto will snub a permanent transfer for the West Ham United winger.

What’s the word?

According to Pedro Almeida, Anderson has failed to convince Porto executives to pursue a full-time deal following his season on loan at the Estadio do Dragao.

The Brazilian is instead expected to return to the London Stadium, but will not be a part of Moyes’ plans next term with a move away from England looking likely.

Anderson has struggled to establish himself in the Liga NOS under Sergio Conceicao, with the 46-year-old coach only fielding the two-cap international in the starting line-up for five of his nine appearances across all competitions.

Fiorentina are noted to be one club that has shown an interest in signing Anderson, although the Serie A side’s position on a permanent or loan deal is not disclosed.

La Viola were linked with a potential loan move for the 28-year-old during the winter market when it was suggested that West Ham could recall Anderson from Porto.

The Hammers considered bringing the Brazilian back to east London in order to secure a new loan destination where he would feature, in order to better protect his market value ahead of a likely summer sale.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-west-ham-news-and-views” title=”Latest West Ham news, views and gossip!”]

It is not clear if Almeida was referencing Fiorentina’s interest in Anderson from January, or if the former Lazio star has retained a place on the Stadio Artemio Franchi natives’ shortlist of potential attacking targets.

Should West Ham sell Anderson?

Moyes noted after Anderson sealed his move to Porto that West Ham did not expect to lose the forward, but had claimed just weeks earlier that he needed to see the Brazilian deliver more consistent performances after being left underwhelmed by his efforts.

“I’ve got to say, the two of them are great to work with, the two of them are really good lads – I like them a lot. Felipe is a terrific lad, so is Seb [Haller],” the Irons boss said, via quotes by the Evening Standard.

“But what I want them to be is terrific players every time they play, and I want them to make a difference. They were bought by the club to make a difference, one to be a major goalscorer and one to be a major assist maker.”

West Ham spent a then club-record £36m to sign Anderson from Lazio in 2018, but would only see the forward offer one assist and two goals in 12 appearances under Moyes following the former Manchester United head coach’s appointment in December 2019.

Anderson’s output meant he struggled to gain a frequent starting role before joining Porto, and his difficulties in the Liga NOS now leave the Irons in a challenging position trying to sell him this summer when the attacker will only have a year left on his contract.

Previous reports have suggested West Ham will have to accept a mammoth hit on the fee paid to Lazio, with claims that Anderson – who Frank McAvennie dubbed a “wonderful talent” – is now only worth £17m.

Selling for that figure would see Hammers co-owner David Sullivan accept losses of at least £28.8m, having awarded Anderson an £85,000-per-week deal that Porto agreed to cover during his loan stay.

Anderson was in east London for 116 weeks before moving to Portugal, earning £9.8m in wages, and would be due a further £4.4m if he spends the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.

Sullivan and Moyes must work tooth and nail to avoid Anderson spending the last year of his deal in claret and blue, having proven to be a disaster under the Scot and for Porto this season.

AND in other news, David Moyes could discover his Jesse Lingard replacement in a “gifted” £18m-rated maestro…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has talked up Wolves’ relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes.

In recent years, Mendes has been working very closely with the Midlands club, with Molineux currently hosting a bunch of the 55-year-old’s clients.

That list includes manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who has built a core of Portuguese players belonging to Mendes’ agency Gestifute at the Premier League outfit.

Under the former Porto boss, Wolves and the Fosun Group have brought in the likes of Ruben Neves, Pedro Neto and Joao Moutinho, all Portugal internationals, and Fry believes the club have been astute by developing a relationship with the man who was able to bring these players to Molineux.

Discussing the Wolves-Mendes link in an exclusive interview with FFC, Fry said:

“I think Wolves are being clever in getting this guy on board because he’s got some fantastic players under his wing, especially abroad. They’ve bought a lot of Portuguese players and various other players, and it’s another team that excites me. And what he’s done there, the manager is absolutely fantastic, the way he plays football.”

As well as the trio of Neves, Neto and Moutinho, Nelson Semedo, Daniel Podence and Rui Patricio are also Wolves players who are represented by Gestifute.

Raul Jimenez is said to be a client of Mendes, too, with the 29-year-old arguably being the best of the lot at the club. Since joining Wolves on an initial loan deal back in 2018, he has scored close to 50 goals for Nuno’s men.

Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips has been praised by Roy Keane, with the seven-time Premier League winner saying he is a “decent lad”. 

The 25-year-old has arguably matured into the Whites’ most important player in recent years, excelling in the middle of the park. His quality and energy in midfield have played a huge part in Leeds’ success under Marcelo Bielsa and his performances have been recognised by England manager Gareth Southgate.

Phillips now has six caps to his name for the Three Lions, having appeared in his country’s matches against San Marino and Albania during the current international break.

Keane heaps praise on Phillips

Keane is famously someone who doesn’t suffer fools gladly, so it is always a compliment if he speaks highly about any player.

The ex-Manchester United man did just that when it came to Phillips, telling ITV [via MOT Leeds News] on Sunday that he is impressed by what he has seen and heard, saying he could start at Euro 2020 if Jordan Henderson is injured:

“Well I suppose at the moment it would be Phillips because he’s playing week in week out for Leeds. Of course they’re not challenging for titles but they’re just a newly-promoted team, he looks a fit lad and seems mature.

“I’ve heard some good things about him that he’s a decent lad so a nice problem for Gareth [Southgate] to have.”

Transfer Tavern take

For Phillips to be praised by somebody of Keane’s stature speaks volumes about his quality, highlighting the importance of Leeds keeping hold of him long-term.

He has every chance of starting for England at the Euros this summer, battling with the likes of Declan Rice and Henderson, should the latter be fit.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with an exciting move for a La Liga attacker – read more about it here.

Steve Bruce may have to call on Jacob Murphy to feature at right-back when Newcastle United visit relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion after an injury to Emil Krafth.

The Toon boss revealed on Friday that Krafth will have to undergo late assessments on a “nasty” shin injury ahead of Sunday’s trip to The Hawthorns, having been forced off with the issue during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Krafth underwent scans at the start of the week to assess the severity of his injury alongside Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin, who have been ruled out until April with knee and groin problems respectively, and is now a potential doubt to face Sam Allardyce’s Baggies.

The Wolves match marked Krafth’s seventh start of the Premier League season and third in a row, having enjoyed his longest run in the side all term after falling out of favour following back-to-back appearances in October.

Outings against Burnley and Manchester United earlier in the campaign had proven to be the Sweden international’s only successive top-flight appearances until Newcastle visited Old Trafford following a 2-0 loss at Chelsea last month.

However, Krafth’s run in the side could come to an end this weekend, with Bruce unsure on his availability while speaking to the media on Friday.

“Krafth has got a nasty shin injury so we’ll see how they are today and tomorrow,” the Toon boss said.

Being without Krafth on Sunday could leave Bruce without a recognised right-back as he continues to await the return of Javier Manquillo, with the Spaniard only recently taking up light training sessions following his ankle injury sustained against Southampton in February.

Should Krafth be ruled unavailable for Sunday’s trip to West Brom, Murphy may emerge as Newcastle’s stand-in option after being called on in the role by Bruce previously this season.

Murphy has been given four of his eight Premier League starts during the 2020/21 campaign in a full-back role, while making the remaining seven of his appearances from the bench.

His performance at right-back against Wolves in October returned the 26-year-old’s best WhoScored match rating of the season so far at 7.74, while penning his second and third best grades against Leeds United (7.08) and Everton (7.01) in the role as well.

Those performances return an average 7.27 rating, compared to his overall seasonal score of 6.52.

The £25,000-per-week outcast, who has only played 40 minutes of an available 540 in the top-flight since 30 January, also averages a higher number of passes blocked (1.3) and successful dribbles (1.6) per league game compared to Krafth (0.2 and 0.2 respectively) and Manquillo (0.4 and 0 respectively), per WhoScored.

He may not have featured in the role recently, but should carry enough stock to warrant consideration for a long-awaited recall if Krafth is not passed fit in time.

AND in other news, some Newcastle players want a “very good organiser” lauded by those he’s worked with to replace Steve Bruce…