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Former Newcastle midfielder Steve Howey has exclusively told Football FanCast that he’s shocked by Gareth Bale’s comments about returning to Real Madrid, considering the “disgusting” treatment he’s received in the Spanish capital.

Bale made the loan switch back to Tottenham last summer, with an option for a second year, but the Welshman revealed on international duty last month that he’s planning on returning to the Bernabeu once his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has enjoyed a far more productive second half of the season with Spurs than the first, scoring 11 times and adding three assists in 29 outings in all competitions, although he’s played just ten minutes in four Premier League matches before Jose Mourinho was sacked.

Bale later touched on his comments once again, and admitted that he’ll decide his future after his summer holiday, but Howey is surprised that he would even consider playing for Real Madrid again.

He told Football FanCast:

“He comes with some toppers when he goes away with Wales. There’s this one, and the one with the flag. It felt as if his bridges were kind of burnt at Real, he clearly doesn’t get on with the manager.

“If I’m being honest, I think it’s a disgrace the way he’s been treated considering what he’s done at the club. He should be an absolute icon, is it four European Cups?”

Former Liverpool captain Graham Souness has fired Liverpool a stark warning about a potential chain of events that could deal the club a considerable blow to their future.

Following the furore of the Super League announcement, Manchester United’s Ed Woodward tendered his resignation at Old Trafford.

Souness has insisted this is a trend that could well continue at Anfield, revealing that the departure of the Red Devils’ Vice Executive Chairman is “just the beginning”.

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John Henry and FSG have earned their fair share of criticism since purchasing Liverpool from George Gillett and Tom Hicks in 2010, and rightly so. Recent discussions regarding the European Super League garnered considerable backlash leading to Henry releasing a personal apology.

Meanwhile, an announcement on ticket prices led to a mass Anfield walkout in 2016 – a decision that the club subsequently backtracked on.

Their departure though could potentially be catastrophic for the club going forwards.

One criticism that cannot simply be levelled at the current Liverpool owners is that they haven’t invested.

Since taking control of the club, the Reds have spent a total of £961.5m on just the playing staff at the club – a huge investment.

And whilst all of those signings haven’t quite worked out, the backing that managers Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers and more specifically Jurgen Klopp have received is undoubted.

That steady upgrade of the playing squad has no doubt assisted the club in their pursuit of success having in recent years lifted the UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup.

Meanwhile, Henry and FSG have also invested in the infrastructure of the club, completing a £100m redevelopment of the Anfield Main Stand, whilst planning has already been submitted for an expansion to the Anfield Road Stand of the stadium – vision that might well not be shared by new ownership.

So, whilst there could be some appeals for FSG and Henry to leave the club following a tumultuous few days, their departure could certainly hit the Reds hard and fans may want to be careful what they wish for.

AND in more news, read why the Super League proposal was the ultimate betrayal of Jurgen Klopp…

سقط فريق مانشستر يونايتد في فخ التعادل الإيجابي المحبط مع فريق بيرنلي، مساء الثلاثاء في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحل مانشستر يونايتد ضيفًا على بيرنلي في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة والعشرين، حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله. أهداف مباراة مانشستر يونايتد وبيرنلي

وكان مانشستر يونايتد قد سجل الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 12 من عمر الشوط الأول عن طريق رافاييل فاران، ولجأ الحكم إلى تقنية الفيديو، والتي ألغته لوجود حالة تسلل على هاري ماجواير.

وفي الدقيقة 18 نجح لاعب الوسط الفرنسي بول بوجبا في تسجيل الهدف الأول للشياطين الحمر، واُلغى هدف آخر في الدقيقة 22 والذي سُجل طريقة عكسية، بسبب وجود خطأ على بوجبا.

ونجح بيرنلي في تسجيل هدف التعادل سريعًا مع بداية الشوط الثاني، وتحديدًا في الدقيقة 47، عن طريق اللاعب جاي رودريجيز.

ودفع المدرب رالف رانجنيك بالنجم البرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو كبديل في الدقيقة 68، بعد إخراج إدينسون كافاني.

وحاول مانشستر يونايتد بشتى الطرق تسجيل الهدف الثاني من أجل الحصول على نقاط المباراة كاملة، ولكن النتيجة لم تتغير في النهاية.

بتلك النتيجة، حصل كل فريق على نقطة واحدة، حيث أصبح رصيد مانشستر يونايتد 39 نقطة في المركز الخامس، بينما أصبح رصيد بيرنلي 14 نقطة في المركز العشرين والأخير.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Wigan Atletic manager Paul Jewell believes Marcelo Bielsa will have given Leeds United his word about signing a new contract, despite his new deal running out at the end of the season.

There have been reports linking Bielsa with the vacant Tottenham Hotspur job after Jose Mourinho was sacked, however many still expect the Argentine to remain at Elland Road for next season.

Bielsa has brought an ambitious and attacking style of play to the Premier League which has brought high praise, none more so than from Pep Guardiola who was in awe when Bielsa praised him as a manager.

Speaking on why Bielsa will be staying at Leeds United and how he doesn’t sign contracts before the season is finished, Jewell told FFC:

“I think if he gives you his word then he sticks to it, and I’ve heard that he only signs a new contract at the end of the season because he’s so focused on the job.

“He’s one of those managers that if you can’t do what he wants you to do then he will tell you very quickly that you aren’t for him, and I think that’s a great way to be.”

Bielsa has been able to get every last drop of effort and quality out of his squad this season after not adding too many players in the summer.

After a rollercoaster of a managerial career at the likes of Marseille, Lazio, Athletic Bilbao and the Argentina national team, Bielsa has found another club that appreciates what he does, in Leeds.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting negatively to a report linking the Reds with a move for Wolves forward Adama Traore this summer.

The Reds may be looking at attacking reinforcements at the end of the season as Jurgen Klopp potentially brings in even more firepower.

Diogo Jota has proven to be an excellent addition in 2020/21, but Liverpool may not want to stop there, perhaps signing a right-sided player who could be a strong backup to Mohamed Salah.

The returning Harvey Elliott could be an option in that area, but despite his prodigious talent, he remains a hugely inexperienced player who may even head out on loan again next season.

According to El Gol Digital, Liverpool are eyeing up a move for Traore this summer, going as far as to say that they are closing in on a deal for him.

The Spaniard hasn’t scored or set up a single Premier League goal this season, highlighting his lack of end product in the final third.

Liverpool fans bemoan Traore rumour

It isn’t a rumour which gone down particularly well with these Liverpool supporters, who took to Twitter to give their thoughts. One even slated Traore as “awful”.

“Not what LFC need…waste of money! Need more quality”

Credit: @Eric61342617

“I don’t want this guy whatsoever. Just runs – effective – but no end product at all!”

Credit: @Jesse_Mensah

“From what I’ve seen of him, he’s poor! His first touch is awful, as is his passing! He’s got pace and strength and from what I’ve seen, that’s about it”

Credit: @iolo_llywelyn

“Most overrated player in the Premier League”

Credit: @scottyreynolds8

“No goals, no assists, so why?”

Credit: @ArneMagnus

“He’s rubbish I’m not having that”

Credit: @lherbie13

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been discussing the future of one Reds player, but it isn’t Gini Wijnaldum or Mohamed Salah. Find out who it is here.

أشاد جيمي كاراجر أسطورة نادي ليفربول بالنجم المصري محمد صلاح بعد هدفه الرائع في مباراة اليوم ضد فريق تشيلسي، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب ستامفورد بريدج قمة منافسات الجولة الحادية والعشرين من البطولة، حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

ونجح محمد صلاح في تسجيل الهدف الثاني لصالح ليفربول في الدقيقة 26 من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد تسديدة أكثر من رائعة. هدف محمد صلاح الرائع أمام تشيلسي

وكتب جيمي كاراجر عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع “تويتر”: “محمد صلاح الأفضل في العالم”.

Best in the world @MoSalah #CHELIV — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 2, 2022

وحقق محمد صلاح عدة أرقام مميزة بعد هدفه في مباراة ليفربول وتشيلسي اليوم، أبرزها وصوله إلى الهدف رقم 150 مع الأندية الإنجليزية في مختلف المسابقات.

Glasgow Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes the Gers could lose a couple of important players ahead of the next campaign.

McCoist suggests exit

The Gers have already been confirmed as Premiership champions and are in with a chance of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

However, McCoist believes one or two players could depart at the end of the term. He told BT Sport (via Ibrox News):

“Recruitment is key, he’s (Steven Gerrard) intelligent enough and been in the game long enough to know you don’t stand still, you’ve got to move forward.

“You’ve got to plan. It’s one thing getting there, you’ve got to stay there, you’ve got to improve.

“Performances in the Europa League have been fantastic but the Champions League is a different ball game.

“I’ll be interested to see players coming in and I don’t want to tempt fate but [Gerrard] might lose one or two because of the success that they’ve had…it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Could happen

Unfortunately, McCoist may well be right. This has been a successful campaign so far, and the Gers do have a shot at Champions League football to offer to their stars, but the fact of the matter is that the Scottish Premiership lacks the glamour, finances and competitiveness of the Premier League and several other top European divisions.

For the Ibrox outfit, at least, they are now in a position to demand higher fees for their star men. Long gone are the days when they could be signed for bargain fees – their performances both domestically and on the continent mean that is no longer possible. They will be in demand, and Ross Wilson and co must use that to their advantage.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Sky Sports news.

Ivory Coast playmaker Wilfried Zaha has given Crystal Palace an injury scare ahead of West Ham’s visit to Selhurst Park on Tuesday night.

Zaha was clearly hampered by an injury problem during the second half of the game against Arsenal when Palace were denied victory by the outstretched arms of Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The 28-year-old was a surprise absentee for Palace, the club talisman not even included in the matchday squad for the trip to Manchester City, while Gary Cahill replaced Cheikhou Kouyate.

Hodgson later confirmed after the 4-0 defeat at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s side that he had suffered an injury in the game against Arsenal and is therefore a doubt for West Ham’s trip to Selhurst Park.

“Wilf, unfortunately, picked up a knock in the game against Arsenal,” Hodgson said in quotes provided by the club website. “The turnaround has been quite quick, and we haven’t been able to turn him around in time.”

“Every time Wilf doesn’t play it’s a miss, that’s been well documented. We’d have loved to have him here – and we’d have loved to have had Cheikhou [Kouyate] here – but these things happen in a game of football and we’re fortunate that with a couple of days between the games we haven’t picked up more injuries than the one Wilf picked up.”

Zaha has been Hodgson’s best performer this season as his impressive form upfront has helped balance their defensive frailties at the back over the course of the campaign.

He will be assessed at Palace’s training ground on Monday before the Premier League clash with West Ham.

Palace will also be without Jeffrey Schlupp, who is currently sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury against Sheffield United, while Wayne Hennessey, Connor Wickham and Nathan Ferguson are also out of action.

Hodgson faces a nervous wait over the fitness of Zaha ahead of welcoming West Ham to south London, having seen the Palace talisman top the club’s goal-scoring charts this season to score eight goals in 17 appearances – more than his teammates Christian Benteke and Eberechi Eze combined, per Transfermarkt.

The Palace boss is hopeful that Zaha will be available for the West Ham game but the full extent of his injury is currently unknown and as such he remains a concern heading into the clash.

If he is ruled out then Jordan Ayew is set to replace the former Manchester United player as Palace look for a vastly improved performance after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling last Sunday.

Ayew offered very little against Guardiola’s side, however, as he struggled to earn a foothold in the game, managing just 15 passes from a possible 20 and watching helpless as City cruised to a comfortable victory over the Eagles at the Etihad.

Losing Zaha for an extended period of time would leave Hodgson in a precarious position as his side have lost two out of their past three games across all competitions.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend was largely anonymous against Man City…

Carlo Ancelotti is having to deal with a string of injuries ahead of Everton’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

The Italian has confirmed he will be without top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the striker failing to overcome the hamstring injury which prevented his involvement in Saturday’s FA Cup tie, but is due to welcome back a clutch of those who also failed to feature against Rotherham United.

Everton will be chasing their first win at Molineux since 2011 in their midweek trip to the West Midlands, where a victory will move the Goodison Park natives back inside the top-four of the Premier League table after a four-game win streak was brought to an end by West Ham United on New Year’s Day.

Ancelotti rang the changes in the FA Cup from the side which lost on David Moyes’ latest venture back to Merseyside, but failed to see some of those who started shine. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential XI the Blues could name at Wolves on Tuesday…

Robin Olsen was given the nod to start in goal at home to Rotherham at the weekend with Jordan Pickford sidelined, but is likely to lose out to the England international with Ancelotti confirming the 26-year-old is available to feature at Molineux.

Lucas Digne made his return from ankle ligament surgery on Saturday and showed flashes of his talent throughout his time on the field, so will expect to retain his starting role against Wolves alongside Seamus Coleman, Ben Godfrey, Alex Iwobi and James Rodriguez.

Michael Keane endured a challenging afternoon against Championship strugglers Rotherham, and the £65,000-per-week centre-back will be a point of focus for Ancelotti with Yerry Mina performing well in recent weeks and initially being rested in the FA Cup.

Tom Davies and Andre Gomes both struggled to hold down the engine room on Saturday with the academy graduate far too casual in possession and the Portuguese sloppy with the ball and out of sync defensively.

Davies has been Ancelotti’s favourite partner for Abdoulaye Doucoure while without Allan through a hamstring injury, which the Italian believes the midfielder will overcome in the next two weeks, so should carry more credit over Gomes ahead of facing Wolves.

Calvert-Lewin’s absence in attack will be an issue for Everton at Molineux, where Cenk Tosun is likely to start after scoring his first goal of the season with a solid performance in place of the injured England international against Rotherham.

Richarlison also failed to feature on Saturday yet faces a late fitness test to start against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, suggesting the Brazilian is likely to be risked to add a direct threat to the Toffees’ attack barring any negative developments.

AND in other news: “Absolutely” – Exclusive: Pundit can see £31.5m-rated “Ancelotti type of player” joining Everton….

Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, former Premier League referee Mark Halsey discussed Lewis Dunk’s controversial goal during his side’s draw with West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.

In the fixture itself, Brighton dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead against the Hammers thanks to Neal Maupay’s scrambled finish just before the break.

However, after David Moyes withdrew Mark Noble and Jarrod Bowen for Manuel Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko at the interval, West Ham appeared much more energised in the second half and went on to equalise via Ben Johnson’s 60th-minute strike.

Brighton then thought they had won the fixture with Dunk’s 70th-minute goal, but Tomas Soucek headed powerfully home 12 minutes later to share the spoils at the London Stadium, with the game finishing 2-2.

However, there was a significant amount of controversy surrounding Dunk’s finish, as it appeared as if the ball stuck the Brighton defender on the arm before he slotted past Lukasz Fabianski.

“As football fans, we’d have all agreed that it would have been very harsh to disallow that goal,” Halsey told Transfer Tavern. “However, the new law, ‘Law 12 – Handling the Ball’ says that if an attacking player benefits from an accidental handball and it falls for them and they put it into the back of the net, then the goal should be disallowed.”

He continued: “Now, I think you can clearly say [the ball] hit Dunk in the midriff and then hit him underneath the arm. So, under the new law, it should have been disallowed for accidental handball because it did look like it brushed the underneath his arm.”

Following the game, Moyes called for clarity on the handball rule, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “It definitely hits his arm. Unless you tell me the rules have changed, I think anything hitting the arm and leading to a goal should be chopped off.”

It would appear that the 57-year-old was correct in stating that the goal, which was reviewed by the VAR official, should have been chalked off, as Halsey claims that, under the current rules, even an accidental handball which leads to a goal should not be allowed to stand, and instead, a free-kick should be given to the opposing team.

As such, it would appear that Moyes is right to feel aggrieved with the decision made by the VAR official on Sunday, and perhaps he should have seen his side leave the game with all three points.