All posts by z3u9t.icu

With West Ham set to embark on a Europa League campaign, David Moyes will be wanting to strengthen his squad depth and someone that would prove to be a handy signing is Gleison Bremer who is suited for the Premier League, according to Forza Italian Football editor in chief Conor Clancy.

The Hammers made a smart signing at centre back last season when they brought in Craig Dawson and Moyes could go one better by bringing in Bremer who has stood out in a very poor Torino side.

If Moyes is wanting to play with three centre backs next season then he must add more depth and he has been tipped to do so by splashing out on the 24-year old who is capable of playing as a centre back and potentially a holding midfielder given his ability on the ball.

Torino finished just three points above the relegation zone and that highlights how highly regarded Bremer is that he is still standing out and he appears ready for the Premier League, according to Clancy who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

“If we’re going to tick the boxes of all the old stereotypes where you’ve got to be a little bit strong and powerful and able to go the distance in a physical battle, then absolutely he’d suit it.

“He could probably play in a deeper midfield role as well as at the back so I think he could do quite well in England, but he’s not had an easy time in a terrible Torino team.”

Moyes often favoured a back three consisting of Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Dawson and the introduction of Bremer could see that defensive unit who faltered at the back end of the season really shore up.

If Bremer came into the Premier League and continued with his excellent ball-playing ability then the Hammers may allow themselves to play 10 yards higher up the pitch and impose themselves on a lot more matches next season.

West Brom midfielder Okay Yokuslu is reportedly being eyed up by Turkish giants Fenerbahce, ahead of a potential summer exit from the Hawthorns.

The Lowdown: Yokuslu excels for West Brom

The Baggies have officially been relegated back to the Championship, following a disappointing return to the Premier League in 2020/21.

They essentially gave themselves too much work to do in avoiding the drop, with survival master Sam Allardyce unable to keep his side in the top flight.

One of the few positives this season has been the form of Yokuslu, however, who has excelled since joining on loan from Celta Vigo in the winter transfer window, providing quality and tenacity in the middle of the park.

The Latest: Midfielder linked with return to Turkey

Unfortunately, West Brom’s relegation has led to speculation surrounding the 27-year-old’s future, with Takvim [via Sport Witness] claiming that Fenerbahce see him as an ideal replacement for Luis Gustavo, most likely as a loan signing.

It seems unlikely that the Baggies will be able to retain Yokuslu’s services moving forward, given their drop down to the second tier of English football and his status as a temporary Baggie.

The Verdict: Tough to keep hold of Yokuslu

In truth, it is hard to begrudge Yokuslu not wanting to stay put at the Hawthorns, whether permanently or on loan, with the Turk good enough to be playing top-flight football – teammate Kyle Bartley hailed him as ‘brilliant’ and ‘tenacious’ back in February.

The sad reality of being relegated is that teams will lose their most important players – something West Brom have experienced so often, given their seesaw nature between the Premier League and the Championship in recent years.

It would be a huge positive if Yokuslu ended up staying put, but that feels unrealistic, with 31 caps for Turkey speaking volumes about his quality.

In other news, a pundit believes one West Brom player will be on the move this summer. Find out who it is here.

Southampton travel to the London Stadium on Sunday to face West Ham in the final game of the Premier League season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side can still finish as high as 12th should they earn the three points against the Hammers, although David Moyes’ side will be desperate to avoid defeat, as they can secure Europa League football for next season with a point.

Therefore, there is plenty at stake for the hosts, but Southampton will be out to spoil the party on Sunday afternoon, although they will have to do so without Che Adams, who has been ruled out of the game through injury.

After a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Leeds United on Tuesday changes, seem likely for Southampton, although a strong starting eleven is still likely to be named.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up on Sunday, with five changes to the team that started in the defeat against Marcelo Bielsa’s side…

Alex McCarthy certainly should have done better for Leeds’ opening goal in midweek so he drops to the bench, with Fraser Forster replacing him in between the sticks.

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There’s one change in defence, as after returning to the bench in midweek, Jan Bednarek replaces Jack Stephens at centre-back, and is partnered by Jannik Vestergaard.

There are two changes in midfield, as Nathan Redmond comes in for Moussa Djenepo on the left after another poor display from the Mali international, whilst Stuart Armstrong moves out to the right-wing to accommodate the return of Oriol Romeu in the middle, with Theo Walcott dropping to the bench.

Finally, with Adams sidelined, the “outstanding” Danny Ings seems likely to partner Nathan Tella in attack, after he was left on the bench for the first 45 minutes against Leeds in midweek.

And, in other news… Southampton can finally sign their Hojbjerg heir in £8.6m beast who dreams of playing in the PL

Aston Villa have confirmed that the club’s new High Performance Centre at the Bodymoor Heath training ground has officially been opened.

What’s the story?

Speaking at the official opening, Villa CEO Christian Purslow said: “Creating a high-performance culture needs the right facilities. The mission of the Aston Villa Board since the summer of 2018 has been to bring our performance, strength, conditioning, rehabilitation and sports therapy functions up to 21st century standards.

“We have created a new High Performance Centre; an environment suited to 21st-century elite sports. This training complex is now one of the finest in UK sport.  Work is continuing, the creation of multi-media analysis facilities, a mini auditorium, individual player coaching and meeting areas – all these final phases will be complete in time for pre-season training in July 2021.

“Today, Aston Villa has a training ground it can truly be proud of.”

Dean Smith will be buzzing

While it may not be news of a big-money signing or that Jack Grealish will be staying at Villa Park for the rest of his footballing career, the club’s state of the art High Performance Centre will have a major impact over the coming years.

Having a training complex built to ensure the likes of the first-team and academy have got all the tools available to them to progress and simply get better is what should ensure that the club’s future remains bright.

It’s a statement of ambition from the club’s owners and hierarchy that they are keen to invest in matters not just on the pitch, but also in improving the club as a whole.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/villa-dean-smith-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-premier-league-buendia-berge-mcneil-trezeguet-villa-park” title=”Read the latest Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

It’s exactly why Dean Smith should be absolutely buzzing at the news. He now has a facility that is up to top-level standards, one that can help his players improve and perhaps attract new players to the club.

That is why the new centre appears to be the latest big step in Villa’s project to become a real Premier League force again.

Meanwhile, Villa must avoid selling this “magnificent” star…

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, Steve Howey, who made 278 appearances during his career, has claimed that Charlie Wyke would not be making a step up in his career if he left Sunderland to join Middlesborough.

Wyke has been in scintillating form for the Black Cats this season as his 25 goals have spearheaded them into the play-offs as they prepare for a two-legged affair against Lincoln City.

The 28-year old has been linked by Keith Downie with a return to his boyhood club, Middlesborough, where he failed to make an appearance before being sold in 2015 but with his contract set to expire this summer, Neil Warnock could look to Wyke for goals next season.

Speaking on why joining Middlesborough would not be a step up but why Wyke may feel he’s earned the chance to play in the Championship, Howey exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“If I’m being brutally honest Middlesborough is a lovely club, but it’s not Sunderland. You don’t get the support that you do at Sunderland because when the Stadium Light is packed it’s one of the top atmospheres in the country.

“If Sunderland don’t go up, then he might want to test himself in the Championship and if that’s the case then that’s absolutely fine, I’ve got no problems with players wanting to play at a higher level.”

This has been Sunderland’s third season in League One and they will be hoping they can gain promotion this time around after tasting defeat against Charlton Athletic in the 2019 final.

Sunderland are currently experiencing their worst form under Lee Johnson at the worst time as they head into what could be a defining moment for them against Lincoln.

Vasilis Barkas could be headed back to Greece, with PAOK ‘weighing up’ a loan move for the Celtic goalkeeper.

That’s according to the Daily Record, who report that the Glasgow giants are hoping to arrange his temporary departure this summer.

PAOK are apparently the first club to make a ‘firm enquiry’ about Barkas, although there is also reported interest from clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Tough few months for Celtic goalie Barkas

Barkas arrived at Celtic from AEK Athens for a fee of £4.5m last summer. He has made 20 appearances for the Hoops this season, keeping nine clean sheets, and former manager Neil Lennon hailed some of his performances at Parkhead as “excellent”.

However, he has now very much fallen out of favour. His last Premiership start came in the 2-2 draw with Livingston on 20 January, with Scott Bain since establishing himself as number one.

Barkas also lost his place in the Greece squad for the March internationals, to compound his recent woes.

At the weekend, Native publication Sportime reported that he wasn’t keen on such a swift return to the Greek Super League. However, the 26-year-old’s stance may change if Celtic make it clear that he’s not in the first team picture and PAOK prove to be one of the few clubs who can offer him consistent game-time.

Transfer Tavern verdict

In actual fact, the outlook may not be quite so bleak for Barkas. Eddie Howe’s former club Bournemouth were apparently eyeing him before he joined Celtic, so he might just fit the 43-year-old’s bill if he is confirmed as Lennon’s long-term successor in the Hoops dugout.

Howe is now in line to take over at Parkhead, and may give the Greek goalkeeper an opportunity to impress in pre-season rather than simply showing him the door.

In other news, there’s an update in Celtic’s pursuit of a teenage forward.

Manchester City will be looking to progress to the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night as they take on Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final second leg.

Pep Guardiola’s side earned a late 2-1 win against the Bundesliga outfit in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium after Phil Foden’s stoppage-time strike, but will need to be wary of Dortmund’s away goal when they travel to Signal Iduna Park tonight.

The Citizens were shocked by 10-man Leeds United at the weekend, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side coming away with a memorable win after Stuart Dallas’ late goal. However, Guardiola had rested plenty of first team regulars in preparation for the game against Dortmund, so we will likely see them back to full strength on Wednesday.

Here’s how we think Guardiola will set up his side in Germany, with seven changes from the team which started against Leeds at the weekend…

Although Ederson perhaps could have done better with Leeds’ late winner at the weekend, there is no doubt that the Brazilian will keep his place in between the sticks if he’s fit for this one.

There are two changes in defence, as Kyle Walker returns to the team at right-back, which sees Joao Cancelo move to the left, where he has excelled in recent Champions League fixtures, with Benjamin Mendy dropping out. Ruben Dias also comes back into the side after being rested at the weekend, and he replaces Nathan Ake.

It’s all change in midfield as Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and the “exceptional” Kevin De Bruyne (in Guardiola’s words) return to the line-up, with Fernandinho and Oleksandr Zinchenko dropping out; whilst Bernardo Silva is pushed further forward as a false nine, replacing Gabriel Jesus.

Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden get the nod on the wings to support the Portuguese international, with Raheem Sterling relegated to the bench after some poor recent displays and Ferran Torres also dropping out despite his well-taken goal against Bielsa’s side.

In other news… Man City suffer huge transfer blow over “outstanding” goal machine

South Africa manager Eddie Ntseki has shared his anger after Glasgow Rangers refused to allow Bongani Zungu to join up with the Bafana Bafana squad for their clash against Ghana.

Ntseki angry over Zungu situation

Zungu was selected to represent his country during the international break. However, while he will be able to play against Sudan, he has been denied permission to travel to his homeland for the Ghana match as South Africa is on the UK’s “Red List” (gov.uk). That means Zungu cannot travel there without needing to quarantine for two weeks upon his return to Scotland.

Ntseki was far from happy with Rangers’ decision on the 28-year-old as he said (via IOL):

“We should all agree that nobody from South Africa or Africa brought Covid-19. It is very unfair for us to be punished by saying: ‘You cannot be released to go to South Africa because it is a hot spot’. I think all over the world, it’s a hot spot.

“For them not to release our players it’s a very big disappointment for us. I think even in South America, they were made aware that there were players that weren’t going to be released for the World Cup qualifiers and they suspended their games.”

Rules are the rules

Unfortunately, this is the way of the world at the moment. A pandemic on this scale is unprecedented in our lifetime, and that means everyone has to make sacrifices. Football is already granted plenty of exceptions to travel regulations. and while Zungu’s absence is unfortunate for South Africa, that’s just the way it is.

The 28-year-old will probably be disappointed not to be able to join up with his national team. He has started just one of Rangers’ last 10 Premiership matches and recently found himself in hot water after breaking lockdown rules to attend a house gathering (Sky Sports).

A return to his homeland may have given him a welcome distraction as well as some more playing time. As it is, he will have to wait until the Sudan fixture to get back on the pitch.

In other news, this man has been tipped to be Rangers’ Player of the Year.

Leeds United are believed to be one of several clubs interested in signing England under-21s starlet Noni Madueke this summer.

Marcelo Bielsa is expected to be on the lookout for new signings come the end of the season as he aims to build on an impressive first campaign back in the Premier League.

It looks increasingly likely that the Whites will secure a mid-table finish in the top flight, currently sitting 11th in the table with nine matches remaining.

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Leeds interested in Madueke move

Reinforcements could arrive all over the pitch, but attacking additions could be particularly key, assuming Rodrigo leaves after a disappointing season at Elland Road.

According to the Evening Standard, Leeds are eyeing up a move for PSV Eindhoven star Madueke, with the 19-year-old scoring seven goals and registering four assists in 19 Eredivisie appearances this season.

Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich are also believed to be interested in signing the teenager, as well as some more of ‘Europe’s elite’ clubs.

Transfer Tavern take

It is always nice to see young English talent head to Leeds and Madueke looks a hugely exciting prospect, considering how much he has shone for PSV at such a young age.

Aidy Boothroyd, his manager at England under-21 level, was effusive in his praise of the teenager, saying: “He’s certainly a very talented young man, really excited to be called up by the Under 21s, and a little bit like Phil [Foden] last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament.

“They knew a little bit about him but that set him off on a trajectory and we’re hoping Noni can create even more positive attention for the way that they play. He’s got a lovely infectious character that comes out even over the phone.” [via Daily Mail]

The forward would be a long-term addition at Leeds and would be afforded the luxury of working with one of the most respected managers around in Marcelo Bielsa, who hopefully can make this deal happen.

In other news, Leeds are thought to be keen on a move for an attacking player enjoying an excellent season. Find out who it is here.

Steve Bruce must strive to ease the emerging tension in his goalkeeper ranks after Karl Darlow was tipped to quit Newcastle United this summer.

That’s according to former England international Paul Robinson, who told Football Insider that Darlow may look for a route out of St. James’ Park after losing his place in the side to Martin Dubravka.

Darlow had started each of the Magpies’ Premier League fixtures this term after Dubravka sustained a heel injury during pre-season, but was ousted for last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Reports by The Times claimed Darlow was ‘angered’ by the way the situation was handled, having only been informed of Dubravka starting two days after speculation first appeared in the press.

Members of the United first-team were also surprised at how the decision was instigated, with Darlow proving to be one of the Toon’s most consistent performers this season.

Robinson believes Darlow could now look for a move to another Premier League side in the summer, should Dubravka remain as Bruce’s first-choice shot-stopper from here on.

“It is important now that clubs have two top goalkeepers. Almost every club has a very able number two,” the former Tottenham ‘keeper said.

“Karl Darlow is in the best form of his career. He can probably feel hard done by to have been brought out against Wolves. He has had a good run of games and played very well. The big problem he has is that Dubravka, a world-class goalkeeper, is sat on the bench waiting.

“Dubravka did not put a foot wrong before his injury. It was only a matter of time before he came back in because managers are loyal to their number ones.

“Darlow always had a difficult task. What Darlow has done is given himself an opportunity of playing again, if Dubravka doesn’t perform, or getting a move elsewhere in the Premier League.”

Any further conflict between Bruce and Darlow will only increase the tensions emerging at Newcastle, who may have to consider cashing in on the 30-year-old at the end of the season if the situation cannot be resolved.

Darlow had plenty of suitors two summers ago when it was expected that he would leave St. James’ Park, and his stock will have likely risen due to his efforts between the sticks this term.

Bruce has previously praised Darlow for producing a number of top-draw saves and exceeding expectations, while Sky Sports pundit Matt Murray was adamant that the number one jersey was his to lose earlier in the year.

“Since Darlow has come in, he’s been absolutely awesome. He makes save after save, even games where they’ve been beaten heavily – against Manchester United he was still excellent. He was Man of the Match against Tottenham,” Murray said, via quotes by The Shields Gazette.

But, like Phillips points out, Bruce will need an able number two who can step in should Dubravka suffer a dip in form or an injury, and that may not be Freddie Woodman either once his Swansea City loan deal expires.

Woodman is not believed to be willing to return to Newcastle just to take a seat on the bench, having kept 17 clean sheets in 30 Championship appearances this season. He is also rumoured to be a target for Arsenal, who are striving to land competition for Bernd Leno.

If Woodman will not return and Darlow is unhappy being the back-up again, Bruce will have to hit crisis mode to secure a suitable replacement for the duo when funds are likely to be tight, at best.

AND in other news, Newcastle are expected to revive interest in a £13m long-term target eyed across Europe…