All posts by z3u9t.icu

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City fans have gone wild over news involving young star Phil Foden after his mightily impressive 2020/2021 campaign. 

The 21-year-old enjoyed his most stellar season to date under manager Pep Guardiola and was lauded by the Spaniard as a ‘dynamic’ and a player who ‘never hides’ (mancity.com).

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This came after Foden played a pivotal role in helping City get past German giants Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals last year – scoring the winning goal in both the home and away legs.

He also netted nine goals and five assists in the Premier League last season and was subsequently rewarded for his fine form with an England call-up for Euro 2020.

Now, as the 2021 Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees become officially announced, news has now dropped that Foden makes the cut among the best players in world football.

Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling have also been named on the 30-man shortlist (mancity.com).

Flocking to this news, it’s safe to say many Sky Blues are absolutely overjoyed for their star academy product.

Find all of their best reactions down below, as one fan called it ‘huge’ news.

Man City fans go wild for Foden news…

“YUHHHH BEST YOUNGSTER ITW”

Credit: @nxomimcfc

“He deserve winning the whole thing”

Credit: @FodenCTID

“That’s massive”

Credit: @Jake_Nicklin

“Huge”

Credit: @jnr_koena_

“This is genuinely insane, and what’s even more insane is that I think we can all agree we saw this coming”

Credit: @zukmcfc

“Yessssssssss Phil”

Credit: @brianmcfc2

“Actually crazy so deserved though”

Credit: @robbie_4

In other news: ‘Manchester City ready to sign’…Journalist shares exciting transfer development out of Eastlands, find out more here.

Crystal Palace must move for Everton midfielder Tom Davies as new manager Patrick Vieira aims to complete the overhaul of his engine room at Selhurst Park.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Eagles are monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation at Goodison Park ahead of a potential offer.

The report states that: “A Palace source has told Football Insider that Davies is on their radar going into next year and his situation at Everton will be monitored.

“Intriguingly, Davies is out of contract in the summer of 2023 and there has been no progress in talks over an extension.”

Patrick Vieira needs him

Palace replaced several ageing campaigners with fresh faces over the summer following Roy Hodgson’s departure, including two central midfielders.

Conor Gallagher arrived at Selhurst Park on a season-long loan from Chelsea and has already made a huge impression in south London, while Will Hughes is yet to make an appearance following his switch from Watford.

Despite the acquisition of the duo, Vieira may still feel the need to freshen up his options in the centre of the pitch, given the profiles of his alternative choices.

Club captain Luka Milivojevic is 30 years old, James McArthur is 33 and Cheikhou Kouyate is 31, combine those ages with the fact that Gallagher may not return for a second spell next season and it’s easy to understand why Davies is needed.

The former England Under-21 international would bring energy, youthful legs, and a tenacity to the midfield that has been lacing in south London in previous years.

Under former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, Davies played a bit-part role during 2020/21 but did put in several standout displays, catching the eye of the Italian tactician against Manchester United.

“I think, first of all, Tom is a really professional player, really focused on what he is doing,” Ancelotti said. “He has a strong sense of belonging to this club, and this is also really important.

“The only thing I said to him is to simplify his work and his style of play. He plays in a position where tactically you have to be really focused. Watching the game against United, I think tactically; he was perfect.”

However, the youngster appears to have slipped down the pecking order under Ancelotti’s successor Rafael Benitez. Davies has only featured in 17 minutes of Premier League action in Everton’s opening six fixtures the current campaign, throwing his future at the club into doubt.

Therefore, chairman Steve Parish must swoop for Davies, providing Vieira with a long-term solution to his engine room conundrum.

And, in other news…Palace can repeat Olise masterclass by signing 26y/o beast, he’s got a “great future” 

Newcastle United correspondent Chris Waugh has revealed that Allan Saint-Maximin was ‘desperate’ for Joe Willock to return to Newcastle. 

The lowdown

Willock has now sealed his permanent switch from Arsenal and will be available for the trip to Aston Villa next weekend (via nufc.co.uk).

The 21-year-old has inked a six-year contract and joins for a fee in excess of £20million (via BBC Sport).

During his loan spell last season, he was instrumental in the Magpies’ late surge up the table. He scored in their final seven matches as they climbed from the brink of the relegation zone to 12th place.

The latest

Waugh reports that a number of Newcastle players had kept in contact with Willock, and that Saint Maximin was ‘especially’ keen for him to extend his stay at St James’ Park.

The Frenchman’s public plea – he said Willock ‘can be really great for the team and me’ – was interpreted as ‘a clear indication’ that he’d be more inclined to stay if he was playing alongside the former Arsenal man. Intriguingly, Waugh says he wasn’t alone in that sentiment.

The dressing room has been left ‘relieved and enthused’ by the news, though there is still a feeling that further signings are needed.

The verdict

Willock and Saint-Maximin may have an excellent relationship, but it’s probably less about personnel than it is ambition. A player of the Frenchman’s quality needs to feel like he’s battling for more than just pure survival.

Turning the loan into a permanent signing will be regarded as the bare minimum for Newcastle in this year’s market, but it should help them steer clear of any relegation bother.

Get a couple more quality additions through the door in the remaining weeks of the window, albeit on loan, and an assault on the top half may not be out of the question.

For now though, the news that Saint-Maximin may be more inclined to stay thanks to Willock’s arrival is surely the cherry on top of the excitement around the signing.

In other news, could this be Newcastle’s next signing?

As per Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur are weighing a January move for AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo amid a contractual development.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Zaniolo…

Recent claims from the continent suggest that new boss Antonio Conte has his sights on another Serie A star following the plethora of Italian top flight names to have been linked already.

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Indeed, regional newspaper Il Tempo (via Sport Witness) claimed earlier this week that Tottenham are eagerly watching developments over Zaniolo’s future at Roma ahead of the winter window.

Meanwhile, some Spanish sources believe that Conte has personally asked club chiefs to sign the 22-year-old after he originally wanted former club Inter Milan to re-sign Zaniolo.

The Latest: Spurs weighing move…

As per CM, there has been another development, with the attacking midfielder’s talks over a new Roma deal stalling after ‘first contacts’ with his entourage.

This has alerted the likes of Juventus and Tottenham as both Conte and managing director Fabio Paratici remain huge admirers.

It is believed that Spurs could ‘intervene in depth on the market’ as early as January.

The Verdict: Get it done?

The Lilywhites could have to pay as much as €70 million (£59m) to sign Zaniolo according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), a price which would smash their transfer record.

However, given the player’s accolades, age and potential for sell-on value – he could be worth the investment.

Hailed as a ‘Lampard-type’ player by former Inter coach Stefano Vecchi (La Gazzetta dello Sport via Goal), the fact he is still very young could indicate there is even more to come from Zaniolo.

The only drawbacks could perhaps be his recent injury record and the fact Zaniolo’s deal doesn’t actually expire until 2024 – putting Roma under no pressure to sell.

In other news: ‘Coming from Tottenham’…Journalist makes exciting transfer claim with big offer on the table, find out more here.

Serie A giants Napoli are eyeing up a loan move for Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas this summer, in what could be a surprise Reds exit.

The Lowdown: Tsimikas struggles at Liverpool

Tsimikas only moved to Anfield from Olympiakos last year, with Jurgen Klopp seeing him as someone who could provide ideal cover for Andy Robertson.

The Greece international was limited to just two late substitute appearances in the Premier League, such were his injury problems throughout the campaign.

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The Latest: Napoli eye up left-back

Tsimikas has looked good in pre-season for the Reds, but according to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato [via Sport Witness], Napoli are keen on signing him on loan and have ‘spoken with Liverpool’.

The Italian side see Chelsea’s Emerson Palmieri as their first-choice target, but Tsimikas is considered a more viable alternative.

Liverpool are not willing to let the 25-year-old leave, however, preferring to keep hold of him.

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The Verdict: Exit makes no sense

It is pleasing to hear that Liverpool don’t want to sell Tsimikas, with his potential exit making no sense at all.

Robertson is in desperate need of having an available backup this season, having cut a tired figure at times in 2020/21, no doubt due to starting all 38 of the Reds’ Premier League games – he has since played every minute of Scotland’s Euro 2020 campaign.

If Tsimikas can avoid injury and keep himself fit, he can be a useful squad option, having hopefully settled properly at Anfield now and affording Robertson some much needed rotation.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy with an update regarding one Reds target. Find out who it is here.

Nottingham Forest are interested in a deal that would bring Ryan Longman to The City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that Chris Hughton’s side, along with a number of other Championship clubs, are keeping a very close eye on the Brighton & Hove Albion winger ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

It is reported that the 20-year-old is yet to agree a new deal with the Premier League side and they could be prepared to cash in on the youngster this summer as he is entering the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium.

Imagine him & Johnson

Considering just how impressive Longman was while on loan at AFC Wimbledon last season, it is not difficult to see why Hughton is interested in a move for the forward this summer.

Indeed, over his 44 League One appearances for Mark Robinson’s side last term, the 20-year-old scored eight goals, registered two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making one key pass per game.

These returns saw the winger earn an impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.85, ranking him as the Dons’ sixth-best performer in the third tier of English football.

Furthermore, Longman also put in a number of solid displays in the EFL Trophy, scoring one goal and providing three assists in the competition, taking his total haul for the 2020/21 campaign to nine goals and five assists.

And, with Hughton looking likely to welcome Brennan Johnson back to the Forest fold this summer, a player who also highly impressed in League One last season, the addition of Longman would very much appear to provide the Garibaldi with yet another talented prospect for the future of the club.

As such, it would seem highly advisable for Hughton to do all he can to get a deal for the man whom Glyn Hodges dubbed a “threat” over the line as quickly as possible this summer, or else the 62-year-old could well miss out on the youngster to one of Forest’s Championship rivals.

In other news: Forest dealt transfer blow over “outstanding” £3.6m-rated gem, Hughton will be gutted

Crystal Palace fans will have to be patient with deadline day recruit Odsonne Edouard, according to The Celtic Way reporter Anthony Haggerty.

Patrick Vieira, who was appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor in July, solved his search for a new striker by signing Edouard from Celtic in a deal worth £14million.

Palace followed up their interest in Edouard after being unwilling to meet Arsenal’s £20million valuation for Eddie Nketiah.

Edouard has made the move to Selhurst Park having enjoyed a trophy-laden stint with Scottish giants Celtic, where he scored 86 goals in 179 appearances.

The 23-year-old, who is the France under-21s’ all-time top goalscorer, has also enjoyed an impressive start to the new season by finding the back of the net three times.

But he was ready for a fresh challenge and even changed his agent at the start of the year as he looked to seal a move away from Celtic.

Haggerty is certain Edouard will be prolific for Palace but feels he still needs to work on his game if he is to be a roaring success in the Premier League.

He told Football FanCast: “I think he is a highly talented and skilful footballer. In front of goal, he will score if you put him through one-on-one or put the ball across the box. He takes a mean free-kick as well.

“He will frustrate the life out of you though. He will take an extra touch and try to beat guys.

“To cut it in the Premier League, you need to be the complete package, run into the channels, play guys in, hold it up and compete. That’s maybe where he lacks.”

A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming after it was confirmed that Anthony Taylor will referee the Reds’ Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp’s men face an enormous game on Saturday evening, in what is arguably the biggest match of the season so far.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea have won their opening two matches, with neither team conceding a goal and both comfortably winning their respective fixtures.

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It promises to be a nervy occasion at Anfield and a win for the Reds would be further proof that they are strong title contenders.

Taylor has been confirmed as the referee for Saturday’s game [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], with Chris Kavanagh on VAR duties.

His Manchester roots never make him a popular appointment for Liverpool matches and he also took charge of the Reds’ 3-1 defeat at Leicester City last season.

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Liverpool fans react to referee appointment

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to vent their anger.

“Ohhhhhh NO”

Credit: @drewski1980

“It really can’t get any worse, can it?”

Credit: @LFC_Lewis66

“Liverpool loss”

Credit: @tsrbys

“Ohh god. Not this awful Manc”

Credit: @AhijahB

“I don’t like this guy”

Credit: @iburniton96

“Mbappe dream over and now this”

Credit: @TQdeanoo

In other news, some Liverpool fans are livid at a transfer update that has emerged. Read more here.

Noel Whelan remains bullish about Leeds United’s chances of signing Rodrigo de Paul this summer despite interest from Atletico Madrid.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on De Paul

The Whites look to set for a busy transfer window as Marcelo Bielsa looks to bring undoubted quality into his squad.

One player who has been continually linked with a move to Elland Road is De Paul, having shone for Udinese in recent times. The £34.2m-rated Argentine registered nine goals and nine assists in Serie A this season, catching the eye with his class in the final third.

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The Latest: Whelan provides update

Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds striker Whelan discussed the current situation regarding Atletico, remaining relatively confident that De Paul will pick the Whites instead:

“It depends where he wants to play his football. Does he want to play in the best league in the world or go to La Liga and finish and second or third next year?

“That’s what it is. He would be in the Champions League but there will be a reaction from Barcelona and Real Madrid next season.

“They’re the giants. They will be strengthening. It’s entirely up to him and where he feels better suited. It means someone at Leeds is doing a good job because if Atletico are interested then Leeds’ scouting network is working.

“We need to watch this space, he has two massive clubs looking at him and it looks like he has a choice.”

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The Verdict: Game-changing signing

De Paul is a player who could take Leeds up another level, possessing game-changing ability (as evidenced by his goal contribution figures) and standing out as a Bielsa-type player.

The 27-year-old’s aforementioned quality in attack would no doubt appeal to the Leeds manager, but perhaps most importantly, an average of 1.2 tackles per game in the league last season shows he is also happy to muck in defensively, a trait which is non-negotiable for Bielsa.

It isn’t going to be easy for Leeds to get their man, but if they can pull it off, it could feel like a truly significant piece of transfer business should they beat La Liga champions Atletico Madrid to the chase.

In other news, a pundit has provided a bleak outlook for one Leeds player – find out who it is here.

Liverpool have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Benfica star Darwen Núñez ahead of possibly signing the striker this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to sources online (via Sports Illustrated), his agent Jorge Mendes has been turning down offers from other potential suitors as the player wants to join Liverpool with terms already agreed upon verbally.

The Uruguayan is rated at £36m and after a great season has attracted interest from several top clubs. He currently earns £31k-per-week at Benfica which would rise to £60k-per-week if he joins the Reds.

Klopp will be buzzing

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with the news that Núñez is reportedly one step closer to a move to Anfield. The Reds have much-improved squad depth this season which has been one of the reasons they have reached the latter stages of every competition.

The club are still on for the quadruple, having already lifted the Carabao Cup, and they are now in the final of the FA Cup, the semi-final of the Champions League and the title is going down to the wire.

However, it’s never too early to start planning for the next campaign and Núñez would be the perfect addition. The 22-year old has an outstanding goal scoring record this season with 25 league strikes in 26 appearances

The “special” striker’s form hasn’t been enough to propel Benfica to the league title as they currently sit third in the table with no guarantees of Champions League football next season.

If they don’t qualify for Europe’s premier competition then it makes it even more likely that Núñez will want to depart the club, and with Merseyside seeming like the most likely destination, it shouldn’t be long before we see him in the Premier League.

When you compare him to Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane, the three players who usually play through the middle for Liverpool, he has a much better goal per 90-minute average at 1.25.

The player closest to him is Jota on 0.70. Whilst the Premier League is undoubtedly a much tougher division, we don’t think it would take long for him to adapt, and with the number of chances Liverpool create it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get close to those numbers.

AND inN other news:  Forget Bobby: Liverpool can give Efc nightmares by unleashing their “new Luis Suarez”…