Tag Futebol

Many Wolves fans have been left to fume as a transfer update emerged on Samu Costa.

As per Record (via Sport Witness), the Midlands club are reportedly interested in signing the Portugal U20 international in the summer window, and there is a belief that they would be willing to pay the €25m (£21.5m) fee required in order to secure his signature.

While Costa is a very promising player in his own right, having represented his country youth level and helped Almeria reach the La Liga 2 play-offs while on loan from Braga in the 2020/21 season, he is still quite raw at just 20 years of age, and has no prior experience of playing in the Premier League.

Thus, £21.5m does seem a bit steep for someone who is not guaranteed to be a success at Molineux.

Wolves fans on Costa transfer update

These WWFC supporters fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘stupid’:

“If this happens at these prices then it will just confirm who is driving our transfer strategy. Absolute joke”

Credit: @PaulaAdey

“This smells funny”

Credit: @Ry_Oakley

“If they sign this kid for that price Fosun need to drop any pretence of them not being Mendes pocket greasers. Joke”

Credit: @LoneWol99231327

“Poor business that”

Credit: @logan67890

“This is so stupid”

Credit: @Millenwwfc

“Joke of a price”

Credit: @lewis__wwfc7

In other news, find out what transfer update has been slammed by Wanderers here!

أعلن الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم عن الحكم الذي سيدير مباراة فريقي ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

ومن المقرر أن يستضيف ملعب ويمبلي مباراة الفريقين يوم السبت المقبل، في نصف نهائي كأس الاتحاد، موسم 2021/22.

وسيتولى الحكم مايكل أوليفر مسؤولية مباراة نصف كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي بين ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي، مطلع الأسبوع المقبل.

سيكون دارين إنجلاند مسؤولًا عن تقنية الفيديو “الفار” في تلك المباراة.

يلتقي الفريقان مرة أخرى بعد أقل من أسبوع من التعادل الدراماتيكي 2-2 في الاتحاد، في محاولة لحجز مقعد في النهائي ضد تشيلسي أو كريستال بالاس.

سيشهد يوم السبت مشاركة ليفربول في نصف نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي للمرة الأولى منذ موسم 2014/15، حيث تعرض لهزيمة 2-1 على يد أستون فيلا.

فاز الريدز بالبطولة آخر مرة في موسم 05/06، بفوزه على وست هام 6-4 بركلات الترجيح.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مهاجم آرسنال السابق: ماني قد يرحل عن ليفربول بسبب محمد صلاح

حصل فريق المدرب يورجن كلوب بالفعل على لقب محلي واحد هذا الموسم في كأس كاراباو، بفوز دراماتيكي بركلات الترجيح على تشيلسي في فبراير.

تولى أوليفر في السابق إدارة 51 مباراة لصالح ليفربول، كانت إحداها خسارة نصف النهائي أمام فيلا في 2015، وكانت آخر مباراة لليفربول أدارها هي الفوز 6-0 على ليدز يونايتد في أنفيلد في فبراير.

One of Tottenham Hotspur’s mooted managerial candidates has been linked to a rival Premier League job this week…

What’s the word?

According to The Sun’s former chief football writer Ian McGarry, Spurs are interested in recently departed Lille head coach Christophe Galtier, as revealed on a recent episode of his ‘The Transfer Window’ podcast.

He said:

“Spurs have been heavily linked with trying to get Mauricio Pochettino to return to London as their manager.

“However, it’s also the case that we understand here at The Transfer Window podcast that Lille, newly crowned champions of Ligue 1, have received a note of interest from Tottenham in their coach Christophe Galtier, who Spurs are interested in on the basis that it may be the case PSG will be recalcitrant, and certainly difficult to deal with taking Pochettino back.”

But they now face competition from top-flight rivals Everton, who have been linked to the 54-year-old following Carlo Ancelotti’s shock return to Real Madrid.

Even Galtier’s former director of football Luis Campos has thrown his weight behind the move, claiming to Sky Sports News that he “has all the qualities to coach in England.”

“Technically he is very astute and is extremely detailed in his planning when preparing a team,” the Frenchman said. “He likes a 4-4-2 system, which would fit with the Premier League and he is a fantastic motivator in the dressing room. He likes to build a side with quality and youth, he is someone that can develop a team ethic, and he is also a fantastic human being.”

Dream for Paratici

After suffering further setbacks over Pochettino and Antonio Conte, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would be silly to not consider the man that pipped his former coach to the Ligue 1 title in sensational fashion this season.

Even more so now he’s available for nothing – free to join whoever he wants.

Galtier steered Lille to their first league triumph in a decade, defeating Paris Saint-Germain by one point, having also ended the campaign with the best defensive record in the division.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-manager-gossip-transfer-rumours-team-and-injury-updates-and-much-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, manager gossip, transfer rumours, team and injury updates and more!”]

Spurs are close to sealing another landmark appointment, with former Juventus director Fabio Paratici expected to become the club’s first sporting director since 2015 in the coming days.

And the French veteran could be the perfect boss to work in tandem with the Italian.

Lille have become renowned for unearthing the next big talent and then selling them on for profit, with Nicolas Pepe, Victor Osimhen and Gabriel all recent examples. They all benefitted from Galtier’s coaching.

Meanwhile, Paratici played a major part in the Serie A giants clinching 19 trophies in 11 years through his own recruitment.

In 2012, he nabbed Paul Pogba from Manchester United on a free, aged just 19, whilst Kingsley Coman, Paulo Dybala and Federico Chiesa were other young names he signed during his time at the Allianz Stadium.

Galtier’s record is even more impressive as he’s only ever been in charge of two clubs – Lille and Saint-Etienne – where he amassed a whopping 232 wins from 513 matches (45%).

Both Paratici and Galtier could be a match made in heaven for Levy, going by the above evidence so he ought to do what he can to bring the two together this summer.

AND in other news, Spurs handed fresh twist on their “ideal candidate” that’ll surely leave fans buzzing…

MatériaMais Notícias

Jogador do Cruzeiro nas temporadas de 2012 a 2015, Paulo César Tinga se prepara para um novo desafio na carreira, agora fora dos gramados. A partir deste ano, o ex-volante será o gerente de futebol da Raposa. Campeão estadual e bicampeão brasileiro com o time, o hoje dirigente quer resgatar o espírito vencedor do clube e voltar a levantar uma taça após dois anos em branco.

– A imagem do Cruzeiro vencedor que eu tenho sempre é a do Mineirão lotado e dos torcedores discutindo, antes dos jogos, qual seria o resultado, porque quase sempre eles e nós sabíamos que a vitória viria. Sei que, para isso acontecer novamente, temos que trabalhar muito. Vamos trabalhar em conjunto, até porque futebol não se faz sozinho, e o Cruzeiro já tem isso no seu DNA vencedor. Vamos apenas buscar retomar esse caminho da melhor maneira possível e posso garantir que isso já vem sendo feito por todos aqui dentro – comentou Tinga, em entrevista ao site do Cruzeiro.

No cargo de gerente de futebol, Tinga será um dos responsáveis por fazer a ponte entre o departamento de futebol e a comissão técnica e jogadores. Para isso, contará muito seu carisma dentro dos clubes onde passou, do respeito alcançado e do papel de líder dentro do vestiário, ainda nos tempos de jogador.

– O fato de ter vivido quase tudo o que o atleta vive na carreira pode facilitar um pouco para que eu exerça essa função, que é de liderança e de construir algumas pontes. O futebol costuma ter muitos muros e as partes não se comunicam tanto. Sempre fiz isso nos grupos, tentar ligar jogadores aos diretores e funcionários. E liderança é algo natural. Penso que em diversos setores há sempre vários líderes e cada um deve saber respeitar o espaço do outro. Não é porque você é um líder que você deve deixar de ouvir outras pessoas. Pelo contrário. O conhecimento é externo e não nasce com ninguém.

Rangers ensured that they would finish the league season unbeaten and achieve over 100 points for the first time in their history as they won 4-0 at Ibrox on the final day, with Steven Gerrard’s side providing a superb end to a monumental season.

One man who may have played his final game for the Gers during the drubbing of Aberdeen on Saturday was Jermain Defoe, as the veteran striker’s contract is currently set to expire at the end of May.

If the former Tottenham Hotspur man is to leave Ibrox this summer, then he will be glad to have finished his time there in typical fashion, as he came off the bench to score Rangers’ fourth goal of the game with a consummate finish.

The 38-year-old was found by fellow substitute Greg Stewart – another who is likely to leave this summer – and after some calm touches, he calmly slotted the ball past Joe Lewis, emphasising the immense quality that he still possesses.

As per SofaScore, Defoe would earn an impressive 7.4/10 rating for his performance, with only Allan McGregor (8/10) and Kemar Roofe (8.3/10) rated higher of the Rangers players who featured in the game, despite the veteran forward only being on the pitch for just 28 minutes.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-rangers-news-transfer-rumours-and-more-copy-copy” title=“Latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more from Ibrox!”]

The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell, who covers Rangers and Scottish football, was full of praise for Defoe on Twitter, saying:

“Jermain Defoe with another exquisite finish. Similar to last week, that feint to change the angle and get the defender to lean is just a killer move. Unreal how sharp he still is in those situations.”

Defoe also completed two dribbles, one key pass and won two duels during his brief time on the pitch, which highlights that doesn’t just contribute inside the box and can be a creative threat as well as a goalscoring one.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Although recent reports suggest that a new Rangers contract could be on the cards, as things stand, he will leave Ibrox at the end of this month, but at least if he does leave, he was able to sign off with another goal and another excellent cameo performance.

And, in other news… Gerrard handed huge boost with “frightening” £1.8m-rated beast, Wilson must deliver

Mick McCarthy’s star loanee signing at Cardiff City, Harry Wilson, has been tipped to make a move to Scotland this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to the former Rangers defender Michael Ball, who, speaking recently to This is Futbol, claimed that Steven Gerrard’s relationship with the Liverpool winger could see him make a switch from Merseyside to Ibrox in the upcoming transfer market.

He said: “Steven’s got that connection with him. He knows of him, so that personal relationship could be a bonus. The money, we’re not too sure what they have to spend, so it all depends if any players move out as well at Rangers. If [Alfredo] Morelos moves on, the big money that they’ll get would give Rangers the opportunity to bring Harry, and maybe a few others, in.”

Tan must move

While Wilson himself has recently spoken out regarding his desire for a shot at first-team football with Liverpool, in addition to the fact that Mick McCarthy has claimed he believes it would be unlikely that the 24-year-old will return to the club this summer, on top of the winger’s links with a move to teams such as Rangers, there is no reason why Vincent Tan should not put a considerable amount of effort into bringing the Wales international back to Cardiff ahead of next season.

After making the temporary move to the Bluebirds last October, the £14.4 million-rated man was in exceptional form over his 37 Championship appearances, scoring seven goals, providing 11 assists and creating 11 big chances, as well as averaging a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.20 – ranking him as the club’s second-best performer in the second tier.

And, with the £15,000-per-week Welshman’s returns helping the Bluebirds to an impressive eighth-place finish in the Championship standings, there would appear no real reason that, with the addition of a couple of new signings in the summer, Wilson could not achieve his ambition of playing at the highest level with Cardiff – albeit after a season in which the winger could prove to be the difference in the club’s push for promotion.

As such, Tan should be doing all he can to convince Wilson of a move back to the Cardiff City Stadium this summer, as, if the owner really wishes to see McCarthy guiding his side back to the Premier League, Wilson – whom current Rangers coach Michael Beale dubbed as “outstanding” – would undoubtedly prove a crucial part of the 62-year-old’s side.

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Mabbutt believes that the club can use the Carabao Cup final as a huge springboard if they win the competition, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Spurs, led by Ryan Mason in what will be his second match in charge, face Manchester City this weekend in their first final since they lost to Liverpool in the Champions League showpiece at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

The club, of course, have not won a trophy since 2008, with that triumph also coming in the League Cup, as Spurs beat Chelsea at Wembley.

This final comes against a remarkable City side who have been superb this season; they look set to win the Premier League, while they are very much in contention for the treble after reacing the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Mabbutt has pointed to the fact that Spurs have repeatedly reached the final hurdle, only failing to jump over it, as they also reached various semi-finals under Mauricio Pochettino, along with reaching the final of the League Cup, and finishing second in the Premier League.

And he thinks that winning the trophy could well unlock something within these Spurs players.

He told FFC: “For us, we are looking at that game as being a catalyst.

“We have got a group of players that have been, so many times over the last two or three years getting to the final hurdle, but not quite getting over it.

“And I think a victory in the Carabao Cup would prove to everybody, but certainly to the players what they can achieve.”

Spurs and City have played each other twice this season, most recently at the Etihad Stadium in a game that Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-0.

However, Spurs beat them 2-0 at home and Mabbutt believes that a similar game-plan to that victory would give the club their first competition victory in 13 years.

He added: “Looking at the performance when we played Manchester City at home earlier in the season, when we denied them space, we got eleven players behind the ball, we did not allow them to play their free flowing football, we frustrated them, and then on the counter attack, with our incredible counter-attacking abilities and potential from our players, we destroyed them defensively and won the game 2-0.

“Well, I say to the Man City fans that I’m certainly hoping for a similar result.”

David Sullivan should seal a summer swoop for West Ham United to sign rumoured Arsenal and Everton target Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal.

What’s the word?

According to reports in Spain, the Irons are ready to spare no expense in efforts to add Chukwueze to David Moyes’ attacking weaponry if the Scottish coach can secure European football at the London Stadium.

West Ham host fourth-placed Chelsea on Saturday with the chance to move above Thomas Tuchel’s side in the Premier League table, after the Blues edged ahead on goal difference when held to a draw by Brighton & Hove Albion.

Chukwueze is expected to consider walking away from the Estadio de la Ceramica at the end of the season amid interest from the Premier League and La Liga, but is protected by a €80m (£69m) release clause.

Atletico Madrid have long held an interest in the 21-year-old, who Villarreal boss Unai Emery lauds for his “individual brilliance”, yet under no circumstances are they willing to active his exit clause.

Los Colchoneros’ position is seen as a positive for West Ham, Arsenal and Everton who are very interested in a deal for the Nigeria international, previously linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

But the Premier League suitors may have to pay Chukwueze’s full termination clause, with Villarreal gradually raising the fee needed through a slew of new contracts as the Submarino Amarillo are aware of the scale of his talent and the interest in his services.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-west-ham-news%2c-views-and-gossip” title=”Latest West Ham news, views and gossip!”]

Chukwueze, who has scored four goals and offered seven assists in 36 games across all competitions this season, is under contract with Villarreal until the summer of 2023.

Should West Ham sign Villarreal’s Chukwueze?

Clearly, if West Ham want to sign Chukwueze at the end of the season, Sullivan will need to set a new club record to acquire the 18-cap forward and eclipse the £45m paid to Eintracht Frankfurt for Sebastien Haller in 2019.

Spending close to £70m on Chukwueze would be a sizable gamble for the Hammers to take, with the youngster only offering 16 goals and 16 assists in 115 career appearances for the Submarino Amarillo, but that should not stop Sullivan from exploring a deal.

Chukwueze has earned widespread interest over the years through the induvial brilliance that former Arsenal boss Emery has praised him for displaying this season, even if those moments of magic from the wing have not always resulted in an end product.

The £18m-rated Villarreal product’s lack of a prolific end result is the only predominant trait missing from his developing skill, with Emery claiming after Chukwueze – considered to be one of Europe’s most exciting talents – fired a brace in a 5-1 win over Levante last weekend:

“He’s a footballer with great quality. He has a lot of talent, but he needs to improve in front of goal. Today he put in a great performance and managed to score.”

Chukwueze’s questionable scoring record has also seemingly not caused West Ham to doubt his potential, given the claims that the London Stadium side are willing to spare no expense to secure a transfer.

And with Moyes expected to part with Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko this summer, signing a player with a proven X-factor could be a very exciting way for Sullivan to replenish the Hammers’ attacking options.

AND in other news, West Ham have been warned against signing a £10m talent who’s “downed tools” this season…

Noel Whelan has been left wowed by the transfer news from the Daily Mail that Everton have been offered the chance to sign Kieran Trippier in the summer.

The Goodison Park faithful are considering making a move for the former Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley full-back, with his current deal at Atletico Madrid set to expire next summer.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan was wowed by the prospect of Trippier retuning to English football to play for the Merseyside club:

“How impressive would that squad look on paper?

“As a team, getting that experience, that creativity, getting that player can do that natural right wing-back role, box-to-box, set pieces as well.

“Lucas Digne on one side, it would be a fantastic signing. Two natural full-backs raiding up either side, offering set-piece takers as well.

“I mean look, wow. Everton fans will be licking their lips if they can get this signing over the line.”

Trippier could be a smart signing for Everton

Although Trippier is 30 years of age now, he still has a lot to offer, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team are in desperate need of some cover at right-back for Seamus Coleman.

As Whelan alluded to, he has a great delivery, especially from set pieces, and with Digne on the other side having the same qualities, Dominic Calvert-Lewin would surely be drooling at the prospect of having them both bombing forward and putting in crosses for him.

With plenty of experience in playing in the Premier League as well, the Englishman would not need any time adapting to the demands of the top flight.

Nonetheless, the Toffees potentially signing Trippier could well go under the radar in the summer as one of the smartest pieces of business that a side could to in the transfer market.

In other news, find out what EFC update has left Blues fuming here!

Southampton fans have lauded James Ward-Prowse after an incredible stat from the 26-year-old emerged.

Most Saints fans would probably agree that, along with perhaps Danny Ings, captain Ward-Prowse is the club’s most important player. From an individual perspective, this has been his best season – he has never managed as many combined goals and assists in a single Premier League campaign (Transfermarkt), while he also scored his first goal for England during the international break against San Marino.

Incredibly, the 26-year-old has now started Southampton’s last 101 games in all competitions – a miraculous feat considering the danger of injury and, at the moment, a positive coronavirus test. The stat underlines just how much the club relies on him.

The stat was shared on the club’s official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what is a brilliant achievement.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Ward-Prowse below

“The man is a machine Our captain”

Credit: @AlishaW1709

“We love you @Prowsey16 my captain!”

Credit: @DWTheDoctor

“More than just a Freekick merchant. An absolute engine”

Credit: @RhysTheSaint

“The marathon man,captain,leader,our heartbeat of the team”

Credit: @tugs081976

“Give him a statue outside the ground when he retires”

Credit: @HMacdonald07

“This man needs a lifetime contract imo Can’t wait for his testimonial”

Credit: @altoniansaint

In other news, Barry Fry has urged Southampton to sell this man.