All posts by n8rngtd.top

Marko Arnautovic’s contribution to West Ham United simply cannot be understated.

Indeed, he’s brought magic to the London stadium, but his off-the-field attitude has left a lot to be desired on numerous occasions with the Austrian obviously trying to force a move to China over the course of the January transfer window.

While Manuel Pellegrini managed to defuse the situation and there was that strange video where the former Stoke City said he was staying, he wouldn’t want any bad attitude ruining his team’s morale, clearly. So, the Hammers are seemingly considering a dangerous ploy by planning to sign another controversial striker. Great.

According to reports from Turkish outlet FotoMac (via Sports Witness), Mario Balotelli’s on their radar after an impressive campaign in Ligue 1. Eugh,

There’s little doubting the Italian’s untapped brilliance, as he’s capable of producing stunning goals or inspired moments like very few in world football, such is his talent. Indeed, the 28-year-old scored 8 goals in 15 appearances for Marseille last season, proving a menace leading their line and Balotelli has it all as a perfect striker who should and could exponentially improve the Irons’ attack.

However, knowing his history, pursuing him is a huge gamble in itself. Obviously, Balotelli’s reputation for being a “bad boy” is renowned, as his poor attitude and disrespectful antics can rattle the dressing room’s atmosphere. While he might bring goals with him, the 28-year-old brings even more trouble which will not at all be welcome in East London.

Frankly, West Ham should stay as far away as possible from Balotelli, especially after watching his meltdown at Manchester City and various other clubs in the past. They don’t need another soap opera.

West Ham fans, would you want to snap up Balotelli in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

[ad_pod ]

On Wednesday morning, Sky Sports broke the news that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton have agreed a deal to sign speedy Standard Liege winger Moussa Djenepo.

What’s the word, then?

No fee was reported by the outlet but what we do know is that the 20-year-old will undergo a medical in Paris next week and should obtain his work permit in the next seven days.

Djenepo is a quick, tricky winger whose preferred position is out on the left flank but can play anywhere across the attack.

The starlet comes from the humble beginnings of Yeelen Olympique in his native Mali and made the big move to Europe in early summer 2017, not looking back since and now seemingly earning himself a switch to the promised land of the Premier League. He has been capped eight times by the Mali national team.

What Djenepo needs to become a Hasenhuttl winger

Djenepo can’t afford to think that he’s made it now by getting such a huge transfer and needs to work hard on a number of facets of his game to avoid becoming the next Mohamed Elyounoussi.

He arrives to a demanding manager on the south coast and one who will be hoping he’s of the standard to replace Elyounoussi, who endured a disastrous first campaign after arriving last summer.

Very much in the same way that Nathan Redmond has transformed since Hasenhutt’s arrival at St. Mary’s, Djenepo will need to evolve to the Austrian’s way of playing.

Who has been your club’s unsung hero the season? Fans nominate theirs in the video below…

The modern gaffer will want the former UEFA Europa League star to get quicker and learn to press the ball high out on the flanks with aggression. The attacker also must work on his goal tally as he’ll be expected to score more than seven league goals next campaign.

However, if he can do the right things and follow in the footsteps of Redmond in reaching that next level, there’s no reason why Djenepo shouldn’t blossom with the Saints and avoid flopping in Eyounoussi fashion, taking the Premier League by storm.

[ad_pod ]

According to The Sun, Everton boss Marco Silva is keen on 19-year-old Chelsea right-back Reece James, as various clubs look set to battle it out for his signature throughout the summer transfer window.

The youngster caught the eye on loan at Wigan Athletic in the Sky Bet Championship last season, helping the Latics to survive comfortably whilst continuing to turn out for England under-20s.

However, even with the Blues’ two-window transfer embargo, James is unlikely to get a chance in the senior side anytime soon at Stamford Bridge, as the West Londoners are well-known for possessing many young players and only ever blooding a very low percentage of them into the first team.

Three Football FanCast writers give their verdicts on whether the Toffees should rival fellow Premier League clubs, which reportedly include the likes of Manchester United and Leicester City, for James’ signature.

 Ben Goodwin

“Absolutely, James would be a phenomenal coup for Marcel Brands and Everton. The Chelsea youngster dominated at right-back on loan at Wigan this season, and can even play in the heart of defence if need be. The arrival of Lucas Digne, a replacement for an iconic Everton figure in Leighton Baines, was the highlight of last summer’s business, and Brands could repeat that feat by replacing Seamus Coleman this time around.”

If you didn’t see what the likes of Mark Goldbridge and Expressions Oozing got up to at the Football Blogging Awards you need to check out the video below…

Billy Meyers

“Without question. James is a real talent and has the ability to play at right-back and in the middle of the park, which could be crucial if Seamus Coleman continues to perform poorly and Andre Gomes doesn’t return. This should undoubtedly be a priority signing for the Toffees.”

Jack Saville

“There’s no doubt Brands could lay another key foundation in Everton’s defence by landing James. The full-back is highly-rated at Chelsea and the progress he has made at Wigan this season suggests he can go to the very top of the game. With the versatility to play both at full-back and in central midfield, he could rapidly establish himself as an integral member of Silva’s squad at just 19-years-old.”

[ad_pod ]

Lots of Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react to some quite brilliant predictions on Andy Robertson from back in 2017 when he signed for the club.

A Facebook post from Goal back in 2017 yielded a number of narrow-minded responses from rival supporters who felt the arrival of a left-back from relegated Hull was an awful signing – one fan even said sarcastically: “Maybe he will win them the CL.”

You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…

As we all now know, the captain of the Scottish national team has featured in two Champions League finals for the Reds in just two seasons at the club, winning one.

He has also come to within just two points of winning the Premier League whilst recording an absurd 13 assists across all competitions from left-back last term; he is arguably the best in Europe in his position right now.

Understandably, the Liverpool fans on Twitter loved looking back on these premature comments and took great pleasure in laughing about how ridiculous they now look.

Let’s see what some of the Reds supporters on Twitter have been saying…

[ad_pod ]

Celtic have announced that former Reading and West Bromwich Albion Director of Football Nick Hammond has joined the club to help with recruitment over the summer transfer window.

Rather curiously he hasn’t been given a job title, nor a permanent position, but will nonetheless be on hand to help the Hoops identify the right deals to get over the line before the end of August.

How does Neil Lennon turn his doubters into believers? The answer lies in the video below…

The Hoops squad is certainly one in transition this summer after the departure of Brendan Rodgers and a number of first-team squad members.

Six players in the defensive ranks alone have exited Celtic Park and with a striker arguably also needed there’s plenty to be getting on with.

Hammond will take up his role from July 1st, but it’s fair to say the news hasn’t been greeted too warmly by Celtic fans.

Some feel the short-term appointment highlights the lack of planning and organisation at the top levels of the club right now, with others believing that Hammond won’t be able to have much of an impact in such a short time frame.

Watch Celtic Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

These supporters have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts…

[ad_pod ]

How do you replace a player like Xabi Alonso? Quite simply, you don’t. Liverpool may have just won a Champions League title but even the most ardent of Reds fan can attest to just how much they have missed their former Spain star over the years.

The midfield playmaker enjoyed a fine few years on Merseyside and formed one of the Premier League’s best midfield trios alongside Javier Mascherano and Kop legend Steven Gerrard.

Now, after a throwback clip was posted on Twitter of one glorious defence-splitting assist from Alonso back in 2005 against Sunderland, many Liverpool fans took to Twitter to reminisce about their ex-midfield magician.

In the clip, Alonso appears to have eyes in the back of his head, swivelling on the volley and playing a perfect blind through-ball with his weaker left foot for Luis Garcia to tuck home.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Fans of the Anfield side are mind-blown by the sheer quality on display from Alonso and one fan even says that he was “unplayable”.

Indeed, some were left gobsmacked as to how Alonso even had the vision in the first place to spot the pass and admitted that they were “gutted” when the midfielder eventually left to join Real Madrid in 2009.

A few Reds supporters even claimed that the 37-year-old was perhaps under-rated having played alongside Gerrard and should be recognised as one of the club’s finest.

Check out some of the reaction of Liverpool fans below:

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Ham United are refusing to rule out a possible summer swoop for Porto striker Moussa Marega, ClaretandHugh report.

What’s the word?

The Mali international features on a list of options as the Hammers look to recruit more firepower this summer.

The club have allowed Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez to leave the club, meaning that Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic are now the club’s only forward options.

Hernandez, however, is deemed expendable, Football FanCast understands, with the Irons looking to shift him from the wage bill.

Maxi Gomez, FFC has confirmed, is the club’s priority in this window but ClaretandHugh claim that Marega could be an option once the club have shifted Chicharito to a new club. He would cost around £31m.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A mistake

We’ve been here before.

West Ham have been linked with Marega on various separate occasions and A Bola, via the Daily Mail, actually claimed earlier this summer that he would join the Irons in this transfer window.

The truth of the matter, FFC understands, is that the Mali international’s agent has been continually offering the striker to potential suitors.

He has been presented to the Hammers before as an option but the deal was swiftly rejected.

If the Irons were to suddenly take the intermediary up on the offer, one has to feel that desperation will have set in.

That cannot be allowed to happen.

Marega has proved nothing at the top level; West Ham should steer well clear.

[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…According to The Sun, Aston Villa are considering a move for Celta Vigo’s Emre Mor this summer.

What’s the word?

Signing a winger seems to be a huge priority for Villa in the transfer window. They’ve been linked with a number of wide players already after Joe Lolley, Said Benrahma and Harry Wilson all caught their eye.

Last season, the Villans struggled from wide areas barring Anwar El Ghazi’s 12 goal contributions. The likes of Andre Green and Albert Adomah rarely provided much impetus, finding the net just five times between them.

But as their search goes on, they now look as though they’re hot on the heels of another individual who can play on the flanks.

The Sun suggests that they’re considering Turkey international Mor, but Norwich and Sheffield United are also chasing him.

Stay away

At the age of 21, Mor is a fabulous young talent and the fact he was able to secure a move to Dortmund when he was just 18 is evidence of that.

However, his career has never taken off after a number of rather unproductive years.

Since 2016, he’s scored just two senior goals in 50 appearances, failing to find the back of the net at all last term.

But it’s his attitude that’s the main issue.

The Sun claim that disciplinary issues have hounded his career to date and Celta Vigo seem to be so fed up that he could leave for free. Marca, meanwhile, posted an article last year saying that his club saw him as more of a problem, than a solution.

Back in 2016, Mor posted a tweet about his attitude, claiming that he was simply different.

It’s a trait that can be compared to one of their current wide players too. Last summer when El Ghazi signed on loan for Villa, there were similar fears over his attitude.

French football journalist Jeremy Smith described that it was one of his main weaknesses and some of his inconsistent performances throughout 2018/19 were perhaps a result of the Dutchman’s approach to the game.

He has gone on to flourish since, but if you couple Mor’s poor performances in recent years with his problematic mindset, it’s difficult to see him having much of an impact in the Premier League.

After all, he’s failed in both the Bundesliga and La Liga already. Villa shouldn’t be considering him.

[ad_pod ]

Per a report from Sky Sports, Southampton have put both Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy up for sale with Aston Villa said to be in the running for the latter as they continue their raid of the Saints.

The Villans have already managed to secure the services of Matt Targett during the transfer window whilst The Daily Mirror (July 2, page 49) claim they’re also interested in Jack Stephens.

Villa fans weren’t too enamoured by the idea of signing him and they hold similar sentiments over McCarthy.

Taking to Twitter they appeared to be strongly against seeing him arrive.

One supporter claimed the Midlands outfit would be better off with Jed Steer whilst another labelled the Southampton stopper as dodgy. A further fan said they could do better.

Other reaction was focused around previous targets Jack Butland and Tom Heaton, who one individual said would be better options.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

McCarthy, who is rated at £4.5m per Transfermarkt, made 25 appearances in the Premier League last term but kept a measly four clean sheets.

In the process, he conceded 44 goals in what was a poor season statistically for the 29-year-old.

Here’s the best of the debate.

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool have landed in the United States, where they will start their pre-season summer tour for the 2019/20 campaign.

Shortly after arriving in Indiana, USA on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp led the squad out for their first training session on American soil.

The champions of Europe will stay in America for nine days, as they prepare to face a plethora of opposition along the way, including the likes of Dortmund and Sevilla.

And the players have immediately taken to

/B0BA3_4nro5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram to keep the fans updated on the trip. Adam Lallana shared a snap from the first training session at their temporary home.

Lallana captioned it as “even managing to nail the facials in the warm-up”, emphasising how he made a rather hilarious facial expression during their session.

The 31-year-old midfielder played a reduced role in the 2018/19 season, only managing 16 appearances to his name and failing to muster a single goal or assist.

He was, of course, also hampered by a groin strain he suffered at the beginning of the season, which kept him sidelined for a total of seven games.