All posts by h716a5.icu

Wolverhampton Wanderers will take on Crystal Palace this evening in a Premier League clash in which a win could be a monumental step towards securing safety for Julen Lopetegui’s men.

After impressive back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Brentford, Wolves suffered a hugely disappointing defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

However, Wolves still retain a six-point gap between themselves and the drop zone, so a victory tonight would take them above their opponents into 12th position.

Lopetegui is expected to name a rotated team and here is how Wolves' starting XI could look when they take to the field at Molineux this evening.

How could Wolves line up against Crystal Palace?

4-3-3 – Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Toti; Nunes, Neves, Gomes; Traore, Podence, Cunha.

Sa will start in goal despite having one of his worst performances against the Foxes last weekend when he unceremoniously apprehended Jamie Vardy to concede a penalty, which Kelechi Iheanacho dispatched.

However, the Portuguese has begun every game this term and this poor display is not expected to deter Lopetegui’s faith in him.

Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, and Toti are to make up an unchanged back four. These were the same defenders who performed admirably in the previous two home league matches that starved Chelsea and Brentford of any goals.

Nunes and Gomes will also keep their places, whilst Neves will replace Mario Lemina. The Gabonese sustained a minor hamstring issue in the last outing and the return of Wolves’ prize asset, club captain, and most influential player seems like a formality.

The £38m-rated star was back on the bench for the Leicester game after serving a two-game suspension.

The biggest changes for this team could appear in the frontline. Daniel Podence was surprisingly dropped from the last lineup and could replace Diego Costa in a rotated attack. The £60k-per-week man is the club’s top scorer with six goals this campaign and has created the second most chances in the squad (39) at a rate of 1.15 per 90, as per BBC Sport.

The diminutive winger has been likened to Eden Hazard by retired Premier League striker Darren Bent, due to his effervescent and dynamic profile.

The final Wolves change will see Traore come in for Pablo Sarabia, to provide some more pace and athleticism on the right wing. The former Barcelona man scored the last time the Midlands club faced the Eagles back in October 2022.

Finally, Cunha, who scored the goal last weekend with a coolly placed finish, will be deployed as the lone central striker.

Leeds United have found themselves in a precarious position in the Premier League following their third consecutive defeat against Fulham this afternoon at Craven Cottage, and Javi Gracia will surely be frustrated with his team's performance.

The Whites will have to wait for the outcomes of both Everton and Nottingham Forest's fixtures this afternoon to get a clear indication of how deep in trouble they are in when it comes to the tight relegation battle unfolding, however, tallying up another defeat today does not put them in an advantageous position.

It was a no-frills display for either side in west London, but Fulham took full advantage of Leeds' lack of confidence and poor defensive structure, despite the visitors matching their hosts for possession (50%), having 10 shots on goal and equalling the big chances created throughout.

It was a quiet first half on Thameside with neither side looking convincing or in a position to take the game by the scruff of the neck, however, it wasn't long before Illan Meslier had his confidence challenged when the game resumed for the final 45 minutes.

The Leeds 'keeper would have been feeling the pressure after the humiliating 6-1 defeat to Liverpool earlier this week at Elland Road, so it will come as no surprise that Meslier found himself quickly punished for a mistake that led to an opener from Harry Wilson in the 58th minute which was followed up by another just 14 minutes later from Andreas Pereira.

Indeed, a deflected own goal from Joao Palhinha that was largely created by Patrick Bamford gave Leeds a glimmer of hope in the 79th minute but it wasn't enough to take anything from the game when the final whistle was blown at 2-1.

Whilst Meslier will likely front the brunt of criticism for his errors, there were many players who didn't rise to the occasion this afternoon, with Jack Harrison one of the biggest villains on the pitch for Leeds.

How did Jack Harrison get on vs Fulham?

Earlier this month, the 26-year-old penned a brand new five-year deal to secure his future in West Yorkshire but since then, has done absolutely nothing on the pitch to celebrate becoming a mainstay at the club with uninspiring and lacklustre performances that have contributed to the poor form.

Against Fulham it was more of the same from Harrison and although he was hooked in the 80th minute by Gracia, it was too little, too late to salvage a positive result.

Over his 80-minute performance, the £50k-per-week dud – previously dubbed "frustrating" by journalist James Marshment – completed just 12 accurate passes, lost possession of the ball a whopping 17 times, lost eight duels and failed to complete three of his dribble attempts, as well as being dribbled past three times.

With that being said, it may be time for Gracia to start considering switching up his attacking threat to freshen it up in upcoming fixtures following the disappointing defeat to Fulham and Harrison should be one of the first players to lose his place as his poor form could cost Leeds their Premier League status.

Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United may look to raid three rival Premier League clubs this summer in pursuit of "bargain" transfers.

What's the latest West Ham transfer news?

It's been a funny old season for the Hammers. After all, manager David Moyes has consistently been under the threat of losing his job while the notion of being relegated has loomed large.

However, West Ham are currently four points above the relegation zone despite having played one fewer game than the five of the teams below them, and so look likely to avoid the drop.

On top of that, they could even win the Europa Conference League seeing as they are currently in the quarter-finals and play Gent later this week after drawing 1-1 away from home in the first leg.

If the Irons can end the season on a high, it sounds as though they may look to snap up youngsters from the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the summer.

Indeed, while speaking on The West Ham Way Podcast, Ex revealed his understanding of the club's possible transfer plan.

He explained (12:29): “Now there's a number of players at Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal – I think Manchester United as well.

"But particularly Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal that we believe could be bargain signings, as well as players from the Championship, we could pick up a couple of young players that may not get their route through a club like that, but could come to West Ham and really make a success.

"I've been given some names. But for now, I'm gonna hold on to them. Because at the moment, we don't know what league we're going to be in, we don't know whether we're going to be in Europe."

Who will West Ham try and sign this summer?

There is no doubt plenty of talent at the three aforementioned top clubs and while Ex doesn't name specific players, there are some options that immediately come to mind.

For example, Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson has reportedly been offered a contract believed to be worth in the region of £35k-p/w, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

However, the 23-year-old has only played 107 minutes of league football this term for the Gunners. Seeing as he's delivered three goals and two assists in that time, he may well feel as though he deserves more of a chance to shine.

And so, if he holds off on signing a contract, a team like West Ham could try and swoop in and pick Nelson up on the cheap.

No doubt, their negotiating position on any summer deals such as this will be aided massively if the Hammers are still a Premier League club and have European football to offer.

Manchester City have made an “official” transfer offer for Altay teenager Efe Sarikaya, according to the Turkish club’s technical director Tuna Uzumcu.

What’s the latest on Man City and Sarikaya?

City have had their eye on Sarikaya in recent months, with reports stating that they scouted the youngster prior to the New Year. Labelled a wonderkid by Turkish Football, Sarikaya is 17 years of age and is primarily a centre-back but is also capable of turning out as a left-back if needed.

The Turkey U19 international is currently valued at €425,000 by Transfermarkt and is out of contract with Altay next summer. Sarikaya already has first-team experience with his current employers, making 24 senior appearances for Altay, the majority of which have come during the current campaign, and it looks as if he has caught the eye across Europe.

Sport Witness relayed comments from Uzumcu in the last 48 hours, with the Altay director confirming that they have received “official transfer offers” from City along with La Liga sides Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

Uzumcu added that the teenager is “open to development”, however, none of the tabled bids have been accepted as of yet.

“Efe Sarikaya is 17 years old and a football player who is open to development. Efe went to England last week and played in the youth national teams.

“Official transfer offers from Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla clubs came for Efe Sarikaya. However, our player is open to development and we have not accepted the offers at this stage.”

Could Sarikaya be a future Man City player?

Director of football Txiki Begiristain is working on a move to bring Sarikaya to the Etihad, and manager Pep Guardiola has shown previously that he isn’t afraid to give teenagers a chance in the first team.

Rico Lewis is a prime recent example, with the full-back scoring on his first senior start against Sevilla in the Champions League back in November. He has been in and around Guardiola’ squad all season, turning 18 last year, so Sarikaya could look to follow in his footsteps at the Etihad.

City will first need to have an offer accepted by Altay and pip Atletico Madrid and Sevilla to his services, but in the long run, it could prove to be a smart piece of business as he already appears to be impressing on the first team stage to catch City’s attention.

Arsenal's imperious form has unsurprisingly led to a rise in stock for many of their players. For a side that narrowly missed out on Champions League spots last season to now be challenging for the Premier League trophy came as a great shock to many, especially given the relative youth of both squad and manager.

However, it is this freshness that likes lends to the astronomical values attached to some of their assets. The fact that the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba are all playing such key roles in a title charge whilst being under the age of 23 is startling.

It is a testament to some fine recruitment throughout the years, in which Mikel Arteta added the final touches in the form of a few key additions and cutting some of the dead wood.

His role in brutally achieving the latter earned specific praise, as he took no prisoners in attaining his long-term goal. The likes of Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were offloaded without a second thought, outlining the Spaniard's ruthlessness.

Perhaps he could look to emulate this manoeuvre once again when this season comes to its conclusion, in an effort to garner extra funds to continue their dynasty at the top of the table.

Whilst there are few he would likely want exiting the Emirates, Kieran Tierney would certainly not be a monumental miss.

How much is Kieran Tierney worth?

In an effort to solve their long-standing left-back issue, Unai Emery swooped for the Scotsman in the summer of 2019 for a £25m fee. He came with a big reputation from Scotland, having thrived at his boyhood Celtic for many years.

It was thought that he would instantly translate his tough-tackling and bombarding play style into English football, but injuries have hampered his career ever since.

Transfermarkt suggests that the 25-year-old, as a result of the various ailments that have plagued him, has been out for a total of 293 days. However, the true figure is likely even higher than that.

As such, across a four-year spell, the defender has only managed 115 appearances for the Gunners. When fit though, the glimpses of his talent often shine through.

For example, across his 22 league appearances last season, Tierney retained a 6.93 average rating underpinned by 0.9 key passes and 2.2 clearances per 90, via Sofascore. This came just a year after Ashley Cole had branded him a "leader" and a "warrior" to Sky Sports (via AFTV), who was priceless to his team. Oleksandr Zinchenko this season has proven otherwise.

It could therefore give way to a potential summer exit, especially considering how his market value has seemingly grown despite a troubled tenure at the club.

Rated at €49.7m (£43.7m) by Football Transfers' expected Transfer Value model, this marks a fine 75% increase for the £110k-per-week ace from his initial fee.

If Arteta needed any more reason to sell, this surely hands him one. To offload a second-string player for such profit marks a no-brainer, and one he must commit to ensure the continued progression of his side.

Everton midfielder Dele Alli is ‘unlikely’ to ever play for the Premier League club again, according to reliable journalist Paul Brown.

Where is Dele Alli?

The Toffees midfielder is currently out on a season-long loan at Besiktas having previously fallen out of favour on Merseyside, but his spell over in Turkey isn’t going as well as hoped, having scored just three goals since his arrival.

Sean Dyche hasn’t yet had the chance to see whether he believes the 26-year-old is capable of forcing his way into his first-team plans upon his return, but he’s never been a player that has appeared to maintain a strong relationship with his managers.

MK Dons’ former boss Karl Robinson has recently admitted that he once pinned the player up against a wall out of frustration over his negative attitude in the dressing room, and with a no-nonsense man like the Blues coach now in charge, it feels unlikely they'd be the best of friends, especially considering the worrying position the club find themselves in.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Brown insisted that Alli won’t be seen putting on the Everton shirt again because extending his stay would have a huge financial impact on the board. He said:

"I don't honestly think that Dele Alli's a huge problem for Everton. The problem for them is when he comes back and what they do with him then. The deal with Spurs was a very good deal for Everton. The problem is that he's only a few games away from triggering another big chunk of the transfer fee, so I think it's incredibly unlikely we ever actually see Dele Alli play for Everton again. I think he's made his last appearance."

Is Alli's career here finished?

Alli was once dubbed a “leader” during his time at Tottenham Hotspur by journalist Josh Bunting, but he certainly didn't make that sort of impact at Goodison Park. In fact, looking at his numbers from his time at Everton before jetting off on his loan, the hierarchy should definitely put him up for sale.

The Adidas-sponsored talent has only ever played 13 games for the Toffees with just one of those being a start, not to mention that he failed to register any goals or assists during that time (WhoScored).

The Milton Keynes-born ace is also earning £100k-p/w so it’s important that he’s removed from the wage bill to help free up money to invest in potential new signings later in the summer, with the upcoming window the last chance to cash in with his contract set to expire in 2024.

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale appears to know his way about the transfer market, especially considering his first two signings for the Ibrox side have settled in well and look to have given the club a boost.

Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell are just the start for this new era under Beale and the summer transfer window could be an exciting time for the Light Blues.

Indeed, Ross Wilson is clearly planning ahead as the Gers have shown interest in Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo according to the Daily Record and with Beale having worked with the left back before during his spell at Chelsea, it’s clear he knows his strengths and weaknesses fairly well.

Does Borna Barisic have a future at Rangers?

The interest in Panzo is fascinating as it poses serious questions over the long-term future of Barisic under Beale.

The Croatian defender has been at the club since 2018, and although he is an excellent attacking option going forward, evidenced by seven assists, ten big chances created and 2.4 key passes per game this season, there have been question marks over his defensive ability, especially in the big games.

Against Celtic in September, he was torn to shreds by Liel Abada, losing possession 21 times and Mohamed Salah dismantled him during the Champions League matches between Liverpool and the Ibrox side before Christmas. Beale could secure a decent fee if he decides to sell this summer, and it may well be a thought crossing his mind.

Panzo is currently on loan at Coventry City from Forest and has impressed so far this campaign. He has an average rating of 7.01/10 via Sofascore, keeping 13 clean sheets across 27 matches while making 1.9 interceptions, 2.9 clearances and 1.5 tackles per match, winning 57% of his total duels too, proving his defensive ability is excellent.

He isn’t as effective as Barisic going forward, registering just one assist and creating zero big chances, yet he has succeeded with half of his attempted dribbles and with more experience at a higher level, he will gain more confidence.

Panzo’s former U21 coach at Forest, Dave Rogers has praised the 22-year-old, saying: "He is a great professional. He's enthusiastic and has got good experience and energy too. He brings a great vibe to the dressing room too.

"It's great to see Panzo getting more game time because he seems to be getting better and better each time he plays. It's been fantastic to have him with us and the boys have really enjoyed having him around. He's been great to coach."

The young defender could be an interesting addition to the Rangers squad and over time, may prove to be the dream heir to Barisic.

Tottenham Hotspur have been urged by journalist Pete O’Rourke to make a ‘really exciting’ manager appointment by moving for Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi.

The Lowdown: Conte to leave?

In the wake of Antonio Conte’s explosive rant after the 3-3 draw against Southampton on Saturday, journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has claimed the manager’s position is ‘completely untenable’, however he still remains in the dugout, at least for the time being.

Alasdair Gold has now reported that the Italian has spoken to the board about his outburst, clarifying that his comments were solely aimed at the players, rather than the board, perhaps in an attempt to save his job.

Regardless, the comments will not have been taken lightly by the Tottenham hierarchy, and the club continue to be linked with potential replacements for the summer.

The Latest: O’Rourke hails De Zerbi

In an interview with GiveMeSport, O’Rourke suggested that De Zerbi should be targeted by Spurs in the summer, after his fantastic start to life in the Premier League as Brighton manager.

The journalist said: “I think it’d be a really exciting appointment if De Zerbi was to go to Spurs.

“Obviously the job he’s done at Brighton has been really impressive. You’ve seen it go on another level since Graham Potter. Brighton are now among the top sides in the Premier League and his style of football means he wants to play attacking football, with real slick passing and scoring goals as well.

“So I think that would fit the Tottenham style, which obviously a lot of Spurs fans have not been happy with under Antonio Conte.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

In light of Conte’s recent outburst, the Tottenham board may choose to accelerate their hunt for a new manager, and the 43-year-old could be a very shrewd appointment, given his success so far.

The 43-year-old is one game away from leading Brighton to Wembley in the FA Cup, having masterminded a fantastic 2-1 victory against defending champions Liverpool, while his side are also in contention to qualify for Europe.

The Seagulls are currently seventh in the table, seven points behind Spurs, who occupy fourth place, with a total of three games in hand, so a remarkable end to the season is well and truly on the cards.

De Zerbi is likely to be a man in demand this summer if Brighton have a strong end to the season, but Spurs could be an attractive proposition for him, so long as they are able to secure Champions League football.

Much of Newcastle United's success so far this season has been built on the club's rock-solid defensive unit, with that seemingly impenetrable back line having shipped just 18 Premier League goals to date – the best record in the division.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe will, however, be somewhat concerned at his side's shortcomings at the other end of the pitch, with the top-four hopefuls having scored just 37 league goals so far this term, ensuring they only rank tenth in the division in that regard.

While the loss of club-record signing Alexander Isak to injury for much of the campaign has been a factor in those attacking woes, the Swede's fellow forward Callum Wilson has also been culpable in failing to deliver the goods through the middle, with the 31-year-old netting just seven top-flight goals in the current campaign.

The England international notably came under fire for his display in the recent defeat to Manchester City, having produced a "woeful" attempt on goal in the first-half after being expertly teed up by compatriot, Kieran Trippier, in the words of reporter Luke Edwards.

Those struggles – as well as the striker's own injury issues – may well have ensured that Howe and co are beginning to ponder whether to bring in further attacking recruits this summer, with journalist Steve Kay reporting earlier this month that the Tynesiders are "considering making a bid" for Arsenal starlet, Folarin Balogun, with the 21-year-old currently thriving out on loan at Stade de Reims.

Who could replace Wilson at Newcastle?

The youthful Balogun – who could command a fee of around £50m in the near future, according to Football Insider – could well represent an ideal upgrade on Wilson at St James' Park, with the Gunners' asset having been in devastating form in France this season.

After previously featuring just ten times for his parent club at senior level – scoring twice – the New York-born dynamo has shone after being handed a prominent role at his temporary home, with 16 goals to his name already this term from just 26 Ligue 1 appearances.

That remarkable tally – which is only bettered by Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David in the French top-flight – has been an illustration of the marksman's "frightening" potential, as per journalist Paul Brown, with it no surprise that Howe and co are closely monitoring his progress.

Not just a mere goalscorer, the England U21 international has also showcased his all-round attributes after creating five big chances in the league this term – resulting in one assist – while also recording a solid, 7.0 match rating, as per Sofascore – greater than that of the aforementioned Wilson (6.83).

That creative flair is further showcased by the fact that Balogun also ranks in the top 10% among his European peers for progressive passes received, while the current Newcastle man ranks in just the bottom 28% in that same metric.

Bringing in the emerging superstar – who has been hailed as "unbelievable" by Reims boss Will Still – could then represent a real upgrade on the misfiring Wilson, with Balogun's youth meaning he could be a figure to build around for years to come.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Adrien Rabiot this summer, and a new update has now emerged on a potential deal which could tempt Juventus into selling the player.

What’s the latest?

According to Calciomercato, the Reds are in talks to land a swap deal for the Frenchman which could include either Roberto Firmino or Naby Keita.

As per the report, in conversations between the Merseysiders and the Serie A giants, one of those Liverpool stars could be offered as a bargaining chip to get a deal done to sign the Juve midfielder this summer.

Klopp’s very own Camavinga

With both Keita’s and Firmino’s contracts expiring in a year’s time, it could be a great opportunity to use either of them in a potential swap deal to strengthen the Reds’ midfield with a fresh face.

Liverpool are reportedly making the midfield a priority in the transfer window following the signing of Darwin Nunez. With Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner all in their 30s, it is clearly an area that FSG want to address for the future.

Last season, Rabiot delivered two assists and created two big chances in Serie A, along with making two tackles and one clearance per game, winning the majority of his duels (59%) and completing the vast majority of his dribble attempts (77%).

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The £15m-valued Liverpool target was previous dubbed “exceptional” by Zinedine Zidane, who was impressed with Rabiot’s performance again Barcelona in the Champions League in 2017, saying: “It is true that Rabiot was exceptional.”

Klopp could even land his very own Camavinga in the 27-year-old, as the Real Madrid star has been one of the most comparable players over the last season to Rabiot according to FBRef.

Despite the teenager scoring more goals (two) and having a better shots on target accuracy (41.7%), in terms of central midfield attributes the Juventus ace offers better pass completion (861), greater success in his pressures (32.6%) and more touches in every area of the pitch, illustrating that he can provide a complete midfield performance (as per FBRef).

It has been reported that FSG are working on extending Naby Keita’s contract so that he will remain at the club beyond next season, but there has been no word on a new deal for Firmino so far, so the latter could be the ideal player to use in the Reds’ efforts to sign Rabiot this summer.

Signing Rabiot would be a great deal for Liverpool in terms of strengthening their midfield this summer, but they will need to weigh up their options when it comes to including one of their own players in any prospective swap deal.

AND in other news – “I expect…”: Journalist makes big Liverpool transfer claim that’ll delight supporters