All posts by z3u9t.icu

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has enjoyed a seamless transition to life in Glasgow and is thriving at Ibrox as the club’s new head coach.

He has won five of his first six matches – starting with Sparta Prague – in all competitions, including all four of his Premiership games, and has carried on where Steven Gerrard left off.

However, one issue he has faced has been the fitness of midfielder Ryan Jack. The 29-year-old recently returned after nine months out of action and has now suffered a fresh setback, which is a shame as he has the potential to be a key player for the Dutchman.

Transfer dream

The Gers signed Jack on a free transfer from Aberdeen in the summer of 2017 and he has been a fine servant for the club over the years. At the time of the move, Transfermarkt valued him at just £630k, having played 250 times for the fellow Scottish side.

Since arriving at Ibrox, Jack has made 133 appearances for the club and been directly involved in 23 goals, with 11 for himself and 12 assists. He has also been capped 10 times by Scotland since joining the Gers, making his debut in November 2017.

Back in 2019, then-Gers boss Steven Gerrard claimed that the 29-year-old ‘drives the team on’ with how he demands more from his teammates, saying: “Ryan is an example for the rest of the squad because he never drops his standards, whether it’s a training session or a game.

“He knits everything together, he drives the team on, he demands from everyone else around him.”

The £12k-per-week beast played an important part in Rangers’ title success last season. He averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.14 as he managed 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst completing 90% of his passes overall.

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt value him at £3.15m and, at the age of 29, he still has the opportunity to improve on that valuation if he is able to return to fitness and play a leading role for the club in the second half of the campaign.

Therefore, Rangers pulled off a transfer blinder by landing Jack on a free in 2017. He has surpassed 100 appearances for the club, heavily increasing his value and turning in impressive performances on a consistent basis in a title-winning season. Hopefully this will not be the end of his Gers career and he will continue to prove his worth under Van Bronckhorst when he returns from injury.

AND in other news, Forget Tavernier: “Terrific” Rangers beast with 51 duels won is already GVB’s key man…

Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that the club want to sign Adam Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers this summer.

This transfer window promises to be a busy one for the Saints as they aim to prepare for the next season. The previous term was a mixed one, as they reached an F.A Cup semi-final but also fell to a 15th place finish in the Premier League, and if they want to move up the table they will need to make some clever purchases.

Now, according to Football Insider, the Saints are leading the race for Armstrong along with newly-promoted side Norwich City. The Championship side are said to be looking for £15m for the 24-year-old, who scored 29 goals in 43 matches in all competitions last term (Transfermarkt).

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Southampton fans had to say about the Armstrong news below

“For a striker 15m is not so silly money Take it to 16!if it means we win the bidding race”

Credit: @bfgfox

“lets goooo”

Credit: @vestergodSFC

“Buy him”

Credit: @OscarDean20

“if true, he is replacing Ings”

Credit: @HackedOffStuart

“That’s us out then”

Credit: @MashySaint49

“15 million. Ouch. I can see Norwich winning this.”

Credit: @saints_josh2

In other news, Southampton fans were livid at this man’s exit.

Former West Ham striker Brian Deane has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that his old club signing Odsonne Edouard this summer would not be a gamble.

According to Football Insider, West Ham co-owner David Sullivan is already working on a deal to bring the Celtic forward to the London Stadium as David Moyes looks to bolster his forward options.

Edouard has a very good goal record in Scotland, hitting the 20-goal mark once again this season, while he has 81 goals in 165 games in total for the Bhoys. The strength of the Scottish Premiership, however, may have some doubting whether the Frenchman would be as effective in English football’s top flight.

For Deane, though, as long as West Ham can get Edouard at a good price, it should not be too much of a gamble.

On the 23-year-old potentially joining the Hammers this summer, Deane told TT:

“I don’t think it’s a gamble if you get him for the right money. If you overpay for a player, then, yeah, it’s a gamble. Rhian Brewster at 20 years of age costing £20m, that’s a gamble.

“If you get Edouard for, let’s say £15m or £12m, for example, but it won’t. It’ll probably be more that they’re asking [for]. If you get him at that money, then it’s not so much a gamble.”

One other person who is also likely to feel that Edouard is a safe bet is Thierry Henry, who once told former Rangers striker Ally McCoist that his compatriot could go “right to the top”.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst could be set for a fresh injury lift after an update on Kemar Roofe’s injury situation…

What’s the latest?

According to The Scotsman, the striker has an ‘outside chance’ of being fit for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final clash.

The report claims that he has been in a hyperbaric chamber this week in a bid to speed up his recovery from a knee problem. He will be out for the first leg and for the Old Firm match on Sunday and Rangers are now targeting next Thursday (5th May) as a possible return date.

Gio will be buzzing

Van Bronckhorst will surely be buzzing with this news as it suggests that Roofe may be available for selection next week if the hyperbaric chamber is able to work its magic and get him back fit for the second leg.

The Dutch head coach is without first-choice striker Alfredo Morelos for the rest of the season due to injury and this means that the ex-Leeds man’s injury is doubly concerning as it leaves the Gers with no recognised centre-forward options. Fashion Sakala can play through the middle but is mainly deployed out wide on the right, which is why getting Roofe back will be a big boost for the club.

His injury was a major blow for Rangers as he was hitting form at the right time in the season. Prior to his knock, he scored four goals and provided two assists in his last six outings for the club in all competitions – including a crucial strike against Braga in the last round in Europe to send the Light Blues through to the last four.

This suggests that he would have had a big impact against RB Leipzig in Germany this week, and against Celtic on Sunday, as he has been in red-hot form in front of goal in recent weeks. Instead, he will be watching on from the sidelines as the Gers fight through these two huge matches without a natural number nine to call upon.

Hopefully, Rangers can head into the second leg at Ibrox without a heavy deficit to overturn and Roofe will be able to come back into the team to make the difference at the top end of the pitch. Van Bronckhorst, given the forward’s recent run of goals, will be buzzing with the prospect of having the former Anderlecht man back.

AND in other news, Wilson masterclass: Rangers must brutally axe 26 y/o dud who’s an “all-round shambles”…

In an exclusive with Football FanCast, Kevin Phillips, who made 513 career appearances, believes Sunderland star Luke O’Nien is similar to James Milner and will be a dream for Lee Johnson to have in his squad.

O’Nien has featured predominantly at centre back since Bailey Wright’s injury, and Phillips believes having a player that can fill in at a number of different positions is a manager’s dream.

The 26-year old has played centre back, right back, right wing-back, right midfield and centre midfield for Sunderland this season, highlighting his versatility which has been a big advantage for the Black Cats when they’ve suffered injuries in key areas.

Speaking on what O’Nien is like as a player and person, Phillips also told FFC exclusively about how the natural wing-back has adapted his game this season:

“He’s one of those players, a bit like James Milner that can just play anywhere.

“Yeah, he’s a good honest lad and pro from what I hear, and he’s a lovely kid who takes on board whatever the manager is saying.

“With the players that Sunderland have missed through injury, like the influential Bailey Wright, of course, he’s had to step up and do a job, and he’s done it while adapting very well at the same time.

“I think he’s a huge player for them. He’s every manager’s dream to have one of those players that you can just rely on to play anywhere.”

O’Nien was out of the squad in December and January which saw Sunderland win just two out of seven games in the league, such as the 26-year olds influence on the team.

Playing alongside Dion Sanderson, who has also impressed this season, will have helped O’Nien adapt to his new surroundings at centre back.

Marcus Bent insists that Gary Cahill cannot be allowed to leave Crystal Palace this summer.

The central defender is poised to depart the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the month.

The 35-year-old moved to in 2019 and made a total of 47 appearances for the Eagles following his free transfer from Stamford Bridge.

Even last season, Cahill played 20 times in the Premier League, scoring once, and Bent believes that the ex-England international should be retained by the club.

Indeed, he cited the example of former Leicester City defender Matty Elliott, who played for the club until the age of 36.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I find it harsh that he went from Chelsea at that time because they made him captain. I found it harsh but Jose decided to bring in other players. Gary lives down the road, he’s still fit, he looks fit, he’s 30, will he drop down the leagues?

“I’d like to think not because he’s still got a lot of quality to bring to the Premier League, and he’s got a lot of quality to bring to Crystal Palace.

“I think if anything, I think Palace need to bring in someone that needs to play around him because his brain, his legs, his body are still working really well, he reads the game well, his experience, you need a centre-half.

“I played with the likes of Matty Elliot, he played until he was 36 at Leicester, being the captain, as long as you’ve got players around him and that experience around them and that quality around them, I think they can give everything back, doesn’t mean they’re going to start every game or play every game throughout the season but you still need to have that within the dressing room, still need to have that within the squad.

“To let him go would be a disaster for me.”

Cahill has enjoyed a long and storied career and is a seasoned winner, lifting two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two Europa Leagues, the Champions League and the League Cup.

He also won 61 caps for England, playing at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

Lots of Wolves fans have been left to flock to a transfer update involving Rui Patricio.

As per Fantacalcio, AS Roma have now made a U-turn over their proposed deal for the Portugal international, as the Midlands club want a fee in the region of €12m (£10.3m), but the Serie A team are only willing to pay up to €7m (£6m) for his signature.

Patricio only missed one game in the Premier League in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), showing how much of a key player he is at Molineux, and at 33 years of age, his experience is vital in helping the younger players like Fabio Silva fit in, while new manager Bruno Lage would also appreciate him in and around the dressing room.

Wolves fans on Patricio transfer update

These WWFC supporters flocked to the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one claiming that it was ‘fantastic news’ while another even went as far as to claim that Patricio is an ‘excellent’ goalkeeper:

“Happy to keep him!”

Credit: @ACrowe87

“Great news honestly”

Credit: @PortuWolves

“Fantastic news if true!”

Credit: @Julian_Cassell

“Oh I hope this is true”

Credit: @AdamWWFC_

“Get in lads!”

Credit: @reece_shore

“I just hope that we can keep him he’s been excellent for Wolves I for one would be sorry to see him go”

Credit: @grahamwhittake8

In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers fuming here!

Victor Orta could sign Leeds a real upgrade on Patrick Bamford in Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard amid Noel Whelan’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park in recent months and has been touted with a switch to the Premier League, with the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa said to be interested.

Whelan has now thrown Marcelo Bielsa’s side into the ring and claimed that the 23-year-old seems perfectly built to shine at Elland Road and that he’s a “big fan” of his work.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, the ex-Whites player said: “I do think we need another striker, no doubt about that. I have been thinking for over two seasons now.

“Edouard at Celtic. I have been a big fan of him for a long time. He is my choice. He has got the stature, he has got the work rate, he can take set pieces.”

Upgrade on Bamfprd

While Bamford has led the line superbly for Leeds this season – he’s bagged 14 Premier League goals for the newly-promoted Whites – Edouard’s arrival would give Bielsa the perfect all-round striker.

In his time at Celtic, the young Frenchman has proven to be a prolific goalscorer, averaging a goal every other game – he’s scored 81 times in just 162 matches for the Bhoys.

The 23-year-old isn’t just a predatory number nine, though, also displaying impressive link-up play and touch to get the rest of his team-mates involved – he’s chipped in with five assists in 26 league games this campaign.

When you look at both Bamford and Edouard’s numbers this season in terms of all the key attacking stats, it’s the latter who comes out on top.

As per Sofascore, the France under-21 international has a better goals per minutes ratio, has missed far fewer big chances, and has a better goal conversion rate, too – all signs which point to him just being a far more clinical number nine.

Even when it comes the build-up play and defensive work which Bielsa may prize just as much, it’s Edouard who once again comes out looking the better. He averages more key passes per game, a better passing accuracy, completes triple the amount of dribbles per match, and wins more total duels in comparison to Bamford.

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Dubbed as “talismanic” by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, the £13.5m-rated Edouard has the finishing touch and “stature”, as Whelan says, to be a real threat for Leeds, and could represent a genuine upgrade on Bamford in attack.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a summer move for this Premier League starlet…

Former Scotland and Premier League manager Alex McLeish believes Tottenham would have to ‘break the bank’ to sign Illan Meslier this summer.

The Lowdown: Key performer for Leeds

There have been a number of key players for the Whites this season, catching the eye on their long-awaited return to the Premier League.

The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford have all shone, but Meslier has arguably been as good as anyone.

The 21-year-old Frenchman has excelled in the Leeds goal, starting 35 league games and enhancing his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting players in his position.

The Latest: Robinson discusses Spurs interest

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish discussed the idea of Meslier replacing Hugo Lloris, something which has been mentioned in the media recently, saying only a huge bid would give Spurs a chance of signing the goalkeeper:

“It’s not easy to lose Lloris and find a goalkeeper of that level immediately, without paying top dollar. Some of the costs of goalkeepers over very recent years…

“He’s a hugely consistent goalie, I wouldn’t rate him the best in the world. I do think there are better out there.

“Would Spurs have to break the bank and go for a Meslier or someone like that? Leeds would probably break the bank to keep him. That’s the sort of levels we’re talking about now.

“For a rebuild in terms of goalkeepers, Harry Kanes, it’s a tough one being a Spurs fan.”

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The Verdict: Too important to sell

Meslier is one of the most influential players at Elland Road, so Marcelo Bielsa will be absolutely desperate to keep hold of him – Darren Bent hailed him as ‘superb’ earlier in the season.

Not only is the youngster excellent with the ball at his feet, but he also has the third-highest save percentage (75.1%) in the league this season, with only Nick Pope (77%) and Emiliano Martinez (76.6%) ahead of him.

Meslier could be the natural successor to Lloris for France, but Leeds must do all they can not to let him succeed the Frenchman at Spurs.

In other news, a pundit has been discussing an ex-Leeds player potentially returning to Elland Road this summer. Read more here.

Deadline day came and went without any real drama for Southampton fans, although it has emerged that Everton made a late bid for Kyle Walker-Peters, but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were clearly not willing to let him leave St Mary’s.

What’s the word?

According to The Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, Everton made a late move for the 24-year-old, who was also on his former club Tottenham Hotspur’s radar before their signing of Emerson Royal from Barcelona.

However, he suggested that Southampton were not willing to discuss any deal for the right-back, who has impressed at St Mary’s since joining on a permanent deal last summer.

Did Southampton avoid a disaster?

Walker-Peters quickly established himself as first-choice right-back when he originally joined Southampton on loan in January 2020, so it was no surprise to see his move made permanent when the season was over.

In total, the Englishman has made 48 appearances for the Saints, in which he has contributed one goal and four assists, something he will no doubt be looking to improve upon this season.

Whilst the £16.2m-rated defender lost his starting spot to 18-year-old Valentino Livramento in the first two Premier League matches of the season, the last two games have seen him feature at left-back, which emphasises his versatility and the fact that Hasenhuttl wants him in the starting side, regardless of Livramento’s impressive displays.

After last season saw Southampton’s lack of full-back depth cruelly exposed, with Ryan Bertrand and Walker-Peters both out for a period which left Hasenhuttl with very few options, it was crucial that the club brought in a number of players in those positions this summer.

Romain Perraud and Thierry Small arrived as left-back options, whilst Livramento joined from Chelsea as a right-back, which gives the Austrian manager far greater choice in those positions.

Therefore, it would have been a disastrous decision to let Walker-Peters join Everton on deadline day, as it would’ve given Southampton very little time to find a replacement and could’ve left them in the same worrying situation as last season. For a period, they only had one natural option at right-back other than Yan Valery, who has perhaps shown with recent performances that he should be nowhere near the starting XI.

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Southampton deserve credit for rebuffing the interest from Everton and you could definitely argue that they dodged a bullet by keeping him at St Mary’s rather than allowing him to join a Premier League rival.

In other news… Southampton can sign their next Walker-Peters in 21 y/o tipped to reach the “very top”