All posts by h79snht.top

Newcastle United face a tough second half to the season as they try to retain their Premier League status.

Rafael Benitez and his men stormed back into the top flight from the Championship in the 2016-17 campaign, but they have since struggled for consistency.

As it stands, the North-East outfit are just two points above the relegation zone, but four clubs sit between themselves and the bottom three.

The Magpies have won just six league matches out of 22 and across November and December, the team picked up just four points from a possible 21.

Recent results have looked slightly positive as they are unbeaten in two, but they scored just once.

This weekend, Newcastle will switch attention to the third round of the FA Cup, in which they will play League Two club Luton Town at St James’ Park.

Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas thinks that the North-East outfit will struggle to ease to victory.

In fact, the football pundit has predicted that the lower-league side will force a replay with a 2-2 draw.

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The Scotsman told Sky Sports:

“After a great result at Stoke I’m expecting Rafael Benitez to make changes given it has only put Newcastle two points above the drop zone. He’s not got a big squad and they don’t score a lot of goals, so the idea of a comfortable afternoon is foreign for the St James’ Park faithful.

“In contrast all we hear with Luton is they’re scoring four or five. They also have their problems defensively and will come to attack so I’m going for them to get a replay here in what is a really awkward one for Newcastle right now.”

Manchester United are considering a summer swoop for Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

What’s the story?

It is not the first time that the Red Devils have been linked to the England international, and it is understandable why.

The 24-year-0ld has been in scintillating form and even ended 2017 as Europe’s top goalscorer.

Kane surpassed the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring 56 goals for club and country last year.

The striker’s form will attract the attention of many clubs, and according to Tuttomercatoweb, United are considering launching a bid in the summer.

The publication adds that Real Madrid are also weighing up a move for Kane.

What would this mean for Lukaku?

A few months ago, the thought of the Belgian being second choice at United would seem unfathomable, but if Kane arrives at Old Trafford, then the forward may have to make way.

Lukaku had a blistering start to his career at the Red Devils following a £75m switch from Everton last summer.

The 24-year-0ld scored 10 goals in his first nine games, but he went through a drought of just one in 12.

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Recently, Lukaku has had more joy in attack having found the back of the net four times in nine outings, but the forward is far from his early-season form.

If Kane is on the horizon for United, then their current first-choice striker may have to settle for playing second fiddle.

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It has been some season for West Ham United’s Declan Rice, with the teenager already making 17 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers during the 2017-18 campaign.

Rice, who is valued at £1.8m by transfermarkt.co.uk, only turned 19 on January 14, but is now regarded as a very important part of West Ham’s future.

He has been involved in West Ham’s last four Premier League matches, and when considering that 12 of his 17 appearances this season have come in the league; it has been a very impressive season for the highly-rated centre-back.

On Sunday, West Ham’s official Twitter account wished a happy birthday to Rice, and it was not a surprise when the message brought a host of responses from the club’s supporters.

Many simply offered a birthday message of their own, but plenty also offered words of praise for the teenage defender, who looks to have a very bright future in the game.

A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be found below:

Leeds United have been linked with a move for their former striker Ross McCormack, according to The Sun’s printed edition on Tuesday [Page 55].

The 31-year-old is currently on loan at Melbourne City in the A-League having experienced a difficult time as an Aston Villa. He has scored 14 goals while on loan with the Australian club.

The Scotsman was signed by the Villains in the summer transfer window of 2016 for a fee of £12m from divisional rivals, Fulham. Much to their dismay, McCormack was unable to emulate the heights he achieved during his time in West London with the midlands club.

In 24 appearances for Villa, the former Cardiff striker scored three goals, each one costing Villa a fee of £4m. Recent reports have linked the Scottish forward with a return to Leeds United, a club in which he spent four seasons at.

During his time with the Peacocks, the striker amassed 158 appearances scoring a decent total of 58 goals.

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Here’s how Leeds supporters reacted to the rumours on Twitter…

West Ham United’s academy director Terry Westley has paid tribute to the performance of Marcus Browne in the club’s Under-23 defeat at Sunderland on Monday night.

Browne, 20, captained West Ham Under-23s in the 1-0 loss to the Black Cats.

The attacking midfielder is yet to make his first-team debut for the Hammers, but is said to be on the radar of head coach David Moyes following some impressive performances this season.

Westley was full of praise for the young Englishman after the match, claiming that he was ‘head and shoulders’ above anyone else on the football pitch.

The likes of Toni Martinez, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke have recently left West Ham on loan, but Browne is still with the club, and will be targeting a first-team bow in the second half of the 2017-18 campaign.

Westley told West Ham’s official website:

“I thought Marcus Browne was head and shoulders better than anyone else on the pitch. He was driving on the ball and the way he led as a captain.”

West Ham have only won one of their last five matches in all competitions, and suffered a 3-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

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According to Milliyet, Fenerbahce are unlikely to offer on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward Vincent Janssen a permanent move at the end of the season.

What’s the story?

Janssen joined Fenerbahce on loan from Tottenham back in September, with the Netherlands international due to spend the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign in Turkey.

The striker managed two goals and four assists in his first 11 league appearances for Fenerbahce, but he has been on the sidelines for the last two months with a toe problem.

It is understood that Spurs were hopeful of Fenerbahce signing the 23-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer, but according to Milliyet, the Turkish giants are shying away from a move due to the Dutchman’s injury problems.

As a result, Janssen is expected to return to Tottenham at the end of the season, but it seems that the striker is not in the plans of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Does Janssen have a Tottenham future?

There was a lot of excitement amongst Tottenham supporters when the club paid £17m to sign Janssen from AZ in the summer of 2016.

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Indeed, the striker, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, moved to England off the back of a 31-goal season with his Dutch club, and having also impressed for the Netherlands national team.

Janssen only scored two Premier League goals during the 2016-17 season, however, as he struggled to come to terms with the pace of English football.

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The forward then made one league appearance earlier this term before joining Fenerbahce once Fernando Llorente had made the switch to Spurs as back-up for Harry Kane.

Fenerbahce now seem unlikely to take up their permanent option on Janssen, and the 23-year-old will still have two years left to run on his Tottenham contract this summer.

Spurs will still hope to sell to another party, but much will depend on whether Janssen can get himself back on the field before the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

According to the Mirror, Everton look set to miss out on transfer target Stefan De Vrij, with Manchester United now favourites to sign the defender.

The Dutch defender has been linked with a whole host of clubs this winter, as his contract is set to expire in the summer. Having had one of his best seasons in a Lazio shirt, De Vrij is keen on a move to the Premier League, most notably Manchester United.

Everton were linked with the defender last summer and in January, but may need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements if it turns into a bidding war over his wages. The Toffees signed Michael Keane in the summer before adding Eliaquim Mangala in the winter window, neither of which have hit the ground running.

With some shambolic defensive displays away from home this season, it is essential that Allardyce adds to his defensive ranks this summer.

Here are three players they could target…

Kostas Manolas, Roma

Manolas could prove to be out of Everton’s price range, but given what they spent last summer it’s hardly absurd to think they might spend big at the back again. The Greek defender has enjoyed a good season for Roma, boasting more tackles and blocks per game than De Vrij.

Manolas is not the ball playing defender De Vrij is, but he would certainly be an upgrade on the current ranks at Goodison. Manolas would become totally unrealistic if Roma made the Champions League, but with Lazio and Inter both within two points of the Giallorossi that’s far from a given.

Alfie Mawson, Swansea

Some fans may frown upon looking to teams below them for the solution to their defensive woes, but Mawson has had an exceptional season.

The English defender is enjoying a breakthrough year and is actually averaging more completed dribbles and passes per game than De Vrij. Besides his impressive ball playing ability, Mawson boasts a bravery that has often been lacking in the Everton back line and Premier League experience to go with it.

The 24-year-old has also grabbed three goals this season, so is a threat at set pieces. If Swansea get relegated, Mawson could be available for a cut-price deal.

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Benedikt Höwedes, Juventus (On loan from Schalke)

Höwedes would be a risky signing given his injury issues, having missed most of this season with muscle problems. However, if the Toffees could get him for a good price and keep him fit he could be the bargain of the summer.

He reads the game tremendously well and rarely loses concentration, so could bring the cool, experienced head to Goodison that they have lacked for so long.

He’s good with the ball at his feet and should be available for a decent price thanks to his injury history, so it really depends on how much of a gambler Big Sam is.

According to reports in The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a move for Borussia Dortmund contract rebel Marco Reus, who has scored 91 goals in 194 matches for them, and Spurs fans are loving the link to the attacker.

The Mirror says that the 28-year-old is stalling on extending his current deal that is due to run out in 2019, as he waits to see how ambitious the Bundesliga giants are going to be in the transfer market this summer.

The Germany international, who has nine goals in 29 caps, has only recently returned from a long-term injury lay-off, but he has already scored two goals in three German top flight appearances, including the one in his side’s 1-1 draw with Augsburg on Monday night.

Tottenham supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, and while one said “this guy’s better than Bale”, another said “this is the sort of signing we should be making”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Arsenal put their recent domestic woes behind them on Thursday night to produce an accomplished performance away to AC Milan in the UEFA Europa League.

With the pressure mounting on Arsene Wenger and his squad, a win against the Italian giants was crucial to give supporters belief they can win the tournament and qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Thanks to first half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey, the Gunners did just that, taking a 2-0 aggregate lead back to the second leg at the Emirates stadium.

Supporters were delighted with the performance of midfielder Aaron Ramsey after another scoring turn, his seventh goal of the season.

With his contract up at the end of the season, his future at the Gunners is in doubt, but fans are hoping to see him sign a new deal and continue playing a major role in the first team.

Some even reckon he might be the best player at the club.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Thursday night performance…

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Veteran Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to leave Manchester United and move to MLS, according to BBC Sport. He should never have returned to the club in the first place.

What’s the story?

The report states that the Red Devils are happy to let the target man leave the club before the end of the Premier League season in order to allow him to make the move to America.

Ibrahimovic’s next destination has not been confirmed yet, and there has been no official announcement, but there has been reported intense interest from LA Galaxy.

The Swede enjoyed an impressive debut season in English football but a knee injury sustained near the end of last season, at home to Anderlecht, ended his campaign early and proved difficult to come back from at the stage of his career Ibrahimovic finds himself at.

United should never have brought him back to Old Trafford

Ibrahimovic’s first season at United was impressive in terms of goalscoring, no doubt about it.

He adapted to the physicality of English football well and his aura meant he was capable of intimidating many of his opponents in the Premier League.

However, his static style up front meant that United’s attacking play was often dire and allowed opposition teams to squeeze up the pitch, condensing the play.

His injury meant that Mourinho went out and got Romelu Lukaku, and with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in reserve, Ibrahimovic was simply not needed.

When both Ibrahimovic and Lukaku were fit, they made for a clunky, uncomfortable partnership. How many partnerships of two tall target men do you see, especially among European football’s elite?

In short, there were huge question marks over the Swede’s fitness, he was no longer first choice and he was incompatible with United’s new expensive striking recruit.

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That’s why splashing out on his expensive wages was a huge gamble, at best. At worst, it was a rare sentimental decision from Mourinho, wasting a spot in the squad and on the wage bill that could have gone towards a player who could have made a bigger impact.

Ibrahimovic deserves praise for having the desire to come back, but a more cynical viewpoint is that most players would recuperate if it meant earning hundreds of thousands pounds per week at an elite club where they’re not even playing.

His continued employment at Old Trafford was an error of judgement and he should have left for America in the summer. This is long overdue from United.