All posts by z3u9t.icu

Aston Villa pipped Arsenal to reach an agreement with Norwich City for Emiliano Buendia earlier this week.

More details have now emerged regarding the deal from The Athletic, which has led a number of Villa supporters to react to the update on social media.

Villa confirmed on Monday that an agreement had been reached, with an up front fee of £33m which can rise to £40m with add ons.

The Athletic ran an inside scoop on the move on Thursday, claiming Buendia will be on £80,000-a-week at Villa Park, with Villa tabling multiple bids for the Argentine last week.

More importantly as far as fans are concerned though, the right-winger apparently made it clear to Norwich and Arsenal that Villa was the move he wanted during a bidding war that began at the end of May.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news of Buendia always favouring a Midlands move over a London switch on social media.

Here’s what some Villa fans had to say in reply, with many delighted…

“This transfer gets better and better”

Credit: @Wulfstan15

“We are massive”Credit: @itschaboyThomas”I love it. I absolutely love it.”Credit: @ReubenOwen_”Buendia knows.”Credit: @ConorFulford”Hahahahahaha I love that man”Credit: @tom_avfc1″Hahahahaa arsenal in the mud”Credit: @brazilianwizard”we’re actually massive”Credit: @catrinedwards18

In other news: ‘Could cry’, ‘Shocking’ – Many AVFC fans distraught at ‘heart wrenching’ late-night news, find out more here. 

Liverpool kept their top-four hopes alive in remarkable fashion as Alisson headed an injury-time winner for Jurgen Klopp’s side against West Brom on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds found themselves 1-0 down against Sam Allardyce’s side after Hal Robson-Kanu’s impressive finish but levelled before half-time from an equally well-taken goal from Mohamed Salah.

Despite dominating possession, the Merseyside outfit were struggling to find the breakthrough against a resolute Baggies defence in the second half and looked on track to drop a costly two points, until Alisson popped up with a superb header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s last gasp corner.

The result leaves Klopp’s side just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea with two games remaining, so there is plenty for Liverpool fans to celebrate after the late winner, but this must not shift the focus from what was another disappointing display from Sadio Mane.

As per SofaScore, the Senegal international would earn a shocking 6.3/10 rating for his performance, which was comfortably the lowest of any Liverpool player to feature in the game.

The former Southampton man was left out against Manchester United in midweek, much to his disgust, and would have perhaps have been left on the bench again at the Hawthorns if not for Diogo Jota’s season-ending injury.

During the game, Mane would fail to register a single shot on target or successful dribble, as he failed to test Sam Johnstone from Thiago’s cut back in the first half, a chance you certainly would have expected him to take last season.

The 29-year-old has just three Premier League goals in 2021 to his name and has recently spoken about his disappointing return in front of goal this season, but showed little improvement against Sam Allardyce’s side.

Mane, who joined Liverpool for £34m, looks completely devoid of confidence and was incredibly wasteful in possession, losing the ball on 17 occasions during the game, whilst he also would win just two of his 15 duels during the game, suggesting that he was very much second-best against the West Brom defence.

It was another worryingly poor performance from the winger, and he certainly proved Klopp’s recent decision to leave him out to be right, but in the absence of Jota, he will need to perform a lot better in the final two league fixtures, or he risks costing the Reds a Champions League spot for next season.

And, in other news… Liverpool dealt another injury setback to key Anfield figure

In all the delight of Aston Villa’s impressive win away from home at Spurs in the Premier League, the most eye-catching feature was no doubt the debuts of both Carney Chukwuemeka and Jaden Philogene-Bidace.

Dean Smith embraced the opportunity to hand a couple of Villa’s standout academy players a chance to take to the field in the top flight, and with the final day now upon us, it’s surely time for the manager to hand them a start.

While all the talk has been about Chukwuemeka – understandable given his superb performances in the FA Youth Cup – Philogene-Bidace is also pushing hard to make his mark on the first team.

The 19-year-old has been in fine form this season for the club’s under-23s, scoring five goals in just 14 games at Premier League 2 level, as well as providing three assists. That’s not to mention the superb hat-trick he scored on his England under-19 debut back in November.

His former coach Ahmed Abdulla has raved about his ability as an out-and-out winger, who – judging by the coach’s comments – someone who seems perfectly ready to grab his opportunity in the top flight.

Abdulla said: “He can come inside or go on the outside. The model winger. He hugs the touchline and can beat his man. (He’s) Very confident and very light on his feet and skips past tackles, not one of them that gets hit and goes down. He bounces off tackles. He’s very strong and outstanding in one-v-ones.”

With nothing but pride at stake for Villa, Smith must go one step further than he did last week and give Philogene-Bidace the chance to start from the off against Chelsea.

[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 would be an exciting end to what has been a fine Premier League season for Villa.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a summer move for this Scottish star…

Some Everton fans have been left to buzz following a transfer update reported over the weekend by the Daily Star, which was shared after the social media boycott by @Everton News Feed.

As per the news outlet, the Goodison Park faithful have entered the race to sign the Manchester City striker, which has since got a lot of Evertonians talking.

Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan are also in the hunt for him, and now the Merseyside club have put their name on that growing list of admirers.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side would not be able to offer the Argentina international the same wages that he is currently on at the Etihad Stadium, but have informed his advisors that they can make up for that with a significant signing-on fee.

Even at 32 years of age now, Aguero is still one of the deadliest forwards in world football, and given his past exploits in the Premier League, he could be a great short-term option for the Toffees up top – he boasts the best minutes-per-goal ratio in the league’s history.

Everton fans on Aguero transfer update

These Blues buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that he would be an ‘amazing’ signing:

“Get in would be a amazing addition”

Credit: @Ian_Nicho

“You’d be mad not to want Aguero”

Credit: @Joe43212525

“I would love this, shame it’s another transfer got from throwing darts”

Credit: @RhysIW

“Imagine haha”

Credit: @ftbldom

“Imagine.”

Credit: @tayotv_

“Give him £20 mil signing on fee with a year contract. I’ll take him for a year happily”

Credit: @__GS2__

In other news, find out whose display was blasted versus Aston Villa here!

Tottenham Hotspur’s mooted interest in Scott Parker is increasing, according to emerging reports this week…

What’s the word?

Football Insider claimed that Spurs’ former midfielder, who is now in charge of Championship-bound Fulham, is a potential candidate to replace Jose Mourinho in north London, with Daniel Levy hugely keen on bringing him back to the club.

Spurs have reportedly put the feelers out to gauge the 40-year-old’s interest in the job, whilst the Lilywhites chairman is said to “think the world of” of him and is now pushing to secure him as his next manager.

Parker began his coaching career at Hotspur Way, taking charge of the under-18s in 2017 before making the switch to the Cottagers as first team coach under Slavisa Jokanovic. He was then promoted to the manager’s job following the Serbian’s departure, leading them to the Premier League last year.

Shades of Hoddle

Levy ought to be careful in his next appointment and there have to be major question marks over whether or not Parker is ready for this step up. Fulham are very likely to be going straight back down to the second tier, despite vast improvements in form and performances under the 40-year-old in recent months.

The Daily Mail waxed lyrical about how his ‘defensive rebuild’ had been key for the west London outfit. When they were relegated from the top flight last time, they had leaked a whopping 81 goals but now they’re set to head down having conceded only 45 times so far – the second-fewest of any team below 11th.

Parker has even earned the praise of Pep Guardiola, who dubbed him “incredibly good”, whilst ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson recently lauded him as “bright, young and intelligent”, although he did suggest that the Fulham boss would be a “big gamble.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-managerial-update-levy-mason-mourinho-sacked” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, managerial gossip and more!”]

A big gamble, indeed.

Levy should know all about appointing former players and how badly that can turn out. After sacking George Graham, he looked to Glenn Hoddle, who as a player was one of the best in his generation but delivered two seasons of pure underachievement as a manager.

Poor judgement and arrogance were two factors attributed to his downfall, according to The Guardian, whilst Levy himself claimed he was “very difficult” to work with.

That’s not to say Parker is anything like this, because he’s not, but it does go to show that a good player doesn’t necessarily make a good manager.

The 40-year-old could probably benefit more from further time at Fulham, or at a ‘bridging’ club in between one being relegated and one challenging for Europe.

Hoddle’s fatal reign as Tottenham manager should never tarnish his ability as a player but it probably did damage his reputation, and many in N17 may still have nightmares about his stint in the dugout.

The Spurs job is just too soon for Parker, and Levy must now look elsewhere for Mourinho’s successor.

AND in other news, Levy’s “criminal” decision could deal Spurs huge hammer blow as fresh update emerges…

Everton host Crystal Palace on Monday night looking to get back to winning ways, but Carlo Ancelotti faces a few injury concerns ahead of the Premier League encounter.

The Toffees are winless in their last three games across all competitions and have only won two of their last eight held at Goodison Park, including defeats to Newcastle United, Fulham and Burnley.

Crystal Palace will arrive on Merseyside striving to avoid the Blues doing the double after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park back in September. The Eagles have now failed to beat Everton since 2014, losing six and drawing six of their recent encounters.

Ancelotti could rely on summer signing James Rodriguez to maintain his side’s imperious record after the Colombian’s return from a calf injury. But, with other players a doubt, here’s a potential line-up the Everton boss may field tonight…

Everton will be without Jordan Pickford against Crystal Palace, as the England goalkeeper continues his recovery from an abdominal injury.

Robin Olsen also sat out last month’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City with a similar issue, but has recovered and will be in contention to guard the net against the Eagles.

Joao Virginia stood in for Pickford and Olsen against Pep Guardiola’s Citizens and impressed, so should now expect to retain the role on Monday night for what would be his first start in a Premier League game.

Ancelotti named a five-man defence of Lucas Digne, Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Seamus Coleman for the FA Cup quarter-final defeat last time out, but will be expected to favour a four-man line at home to Crystal Palace.

Holgate was sacrificed against Manchester City in the closing stages to allow for Everton to be more aggressive in search of an equalising goal and could be dropped from the starting XI to permit the Toffees to start on the front foot.

Godfrey is also a doubt for the Eagles’ trip to Goodison Park after returning from international duty with England’s Under 21s nursing a minor knock alongside teammate Tom Davies, and both could now be rested as a precaution.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-everton-news-and-views” title=”The latest Everton news and views!”]

Davies’ absence in midfield would be expected to see a shift in formation from Ancelotti with Abdoulaye Doucoure potentially out for the rest of the season with a fractured foot, while Fabian Delph and Bernard are also set to be unavailable on Monday night.

Alex Iwobi may be drafted in for a starting role on the right-wing, with the £50k-per-week forward joining Richarlison in offering Everton greater width against the Eagles.

Iwobi has started the Toffees’ last three Premier League games but was dropped to the bench for the FA Cup clash with Manchester City, having failed to impress when given the chance to operate centrally in defeat to Burnley last month.

Iwobi and Richarlison may be joined in behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin by Rodriguez after the ex-Real Madrid maestro returned to full training over the international break following a calf injury.

Rodriguez has missed Everton’s last five games in all competitions as a result of the issue but had registered his eighth assist of the season during his last outing when setting Richarlison free to open the scoring away to Liverpool.

Ancelotti will hope to see more of the same from the 29-year-old, having urged Rodriguez to rediscover the form that saw the £27m-rated playmaker score three times and assist three goals in his first five Premier League games.

“James is in good condition and he trained well during the break,” Ancelotti said on Friday. “It is important for us to have him back at his best. At the start of the season, he did really well. He helped the team to score goals.”

His inclusion would be the third and final change.

AND in other news, a £45k-p/w flop has been backed to seal a summer move amid doubt in his Everton future…

Many Manchester United fans were left to slam the display of Mason Greenwood despite their 2-0 win over Granada in the Europa League on Thursday night.

A very early goal from Edinson Cavani effectively put the tie to bed before a Jesus Vallejo own goal put the icing on the cake for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team at Old Trafford as they cruised through into the semi-final stage of the competition, where they will play AS Roma over two legs for a place in the final.

However, while there were some solid performances in a Red Devils shirt, Greenwood’s flattered to deceive, as he lost out on half of his duels and failed to record a single key pass or accurate cross, losing possession of the ball on no fewer than 13 different occasions in the game (Sofascore).

The England international never really made a real impact in the match, having fewer touches than his own goalkeeper David de Gea, as he scored a quite measly 6.4 overall rating on Sofascore, the lowest out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch.

Manchester United fans on Greenwood display

These MUFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the 19-year-old was ‘disinterested’:

“Man, Greenwood can’t sort out his feet quickly and that’s really frustrating. #MUFC #UEL #MUNGRA”

Credit: @Amirul96Mm

“Mason Greenwood is too one dimensional. For the hype he gets his overall game doesn’t warrant it at all. Nowhere near ready to be playing 9 as regularly as people think he should be. #mufc”

Credit: @sulkphenomeno

“Greenwood having a rather poor game. #MUFC #UEL”

Credit: @manutd_brdcast

“Other than the goal we’ve been poor going forward tonight. Bruno’s playing awfully and Greenwood needs to improve his link up and decisions on the ball. Let’s see off this game #MUFC”

Credit: @peteralaks

“I don’t know what to say to people who think Greenwood can lead Manchester United’s strike line. He is nowhere near being ready for that. Will probably take more than 3-4 years that too if his attitude & application is correct for it to happen. #MUFC”

Credit: @adijain02

“Greenwood displaying Martial tendencies tonight. Ambling about a lot looking disinterested. #MUFC”

Credit: @stabestweet

In other news, find out what injury update has left United fans fuming here!

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie revealed that he is not keen on the idea of his old club signing Liverpool striker Divock Origi in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Origi is currently being linked with a move to Villa Park, a development that could see him leave the Reds and find more first-team football.

Opportunities for the 25-year-old striker have been limited this season, with Jurgen Klopp understandably sticking with his trusted trident of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

The trio helped fire Liverpool to their first English league title in 30 years last term, cementing positions in Klopp’s starting XI. Origi, as a result, has had to settle for a role on the bench, making it little surprise that he could leave the Merseyside club in the summer.

Hendrie, however, has warned Aston Villa about signing the 6 ft 1 Belgium international, believing his acquisition would be a gamble.

“Definitely not for me, not at all,” the ex-Villa player told FFC when asked whether his former side should pursue Origi. “I’ve obviously watched a lot of Liverpool over past seasons and, you know, he’s been brilliant when he’s been introduced.

“We’ve seen him in the Champions League make a big impact, but he hasn’t played enough minutes for me. It’d be half taking a gamble. I’m not saying he’s not worth taking a gamble, but he’s not the sort of player that I think would fit the bill for Villa.”

Hendrie concluded by saying: “Not for me, and I certainly wouldn’t even recommend to the club that they bought Origi – he’s not my sort of player.”

Should Villa decide to bring Origi in, the former Lille forward would be going up against Ollie Watkins for a spot in Dean Smith’s team, a player who has really impressed this season.

Watkins has reached double figures in the current Premier League campaign and recently earned his first call-up to the England squad.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he’s expecting a busy summer at Leeds United – with Marcelo Bielsa’s stature the catalyst for some “quality” signings.

The Elland Road outfit have enjoyed an impressive first season back in the Premier League, and despite just two victories from their previous seven matches, are looking good for a top-half finish.

Following their promotion back to the top-flight after a 16-year absence, Leeds were productive in the summer window – with the likes of Illan Meslier, Robin Koch and most notably, Raphinha, having a significant impact for the Yorkshire outfit this season.

Leeds have already been linked with a host of names, including Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampo and Brentford striker Ivan Toney as they look to build on what is already looking a successful first campaign back at Premier League level.

And Windass believes that another good transfer window for Bielsa’s side could see them make an unlikely push towards the Champions League places next term, providing the Leeds boss extends his stay at Elland Road.

He told Football FanCast:

“I think all over Europe he’ll be looking, not just in the Premier League, everywhere. I think they’ll be a lot of foreign imports especially with Bielsa’s contacts in the game. If he brings in five of six quality £40million players, they could be in the top-four next year.

“If Bielsa stays, there could be a lot of incomings and outgoings at Leeds in the summer.”

As West Ham United star Jesse Lingard gets nominated for Premier League Player of the Month, with the club now urging supporters to cast their vote, plenty of Irons flocked to this update in excitement over their loan signing, who has impressed so far in east London. 

Lingard, who has bagged three goals and an assist for the Hammers already since signing on loan from Man United this summer, starting just five Premier League games, is now up for POTM as per the club post.

Urging Irons to cast their vote for the Englishman, supporters were just buzzing at his nomination – coming after manager David Moyes hinted that West Ham could be open to a permanent deal if he continues this form.

Moyes has overseen a head-turning start to life in east London for Lingard, and his name now being up for voting in POTM highlights this even more.

Flocking as West Ham urge supporters to vote, Irons seemed excited – find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to club post

“Get it done lads”

Credit: @Kai_WHU

“So deserved, what a story and what a player- has to be him”

Credit: @_thejacobbc_

“J lingz is amazing don’t care what you say hope we can sign him up”

Credit: @riceTHEchamp

“LETS GOOOOO”

Credit: @LingardJesseBR

“Done. And well deserved”

Credit: @Stuthehammer76

“PLEASE EVERYONE”

Credit: @jlingzbase

“I hope we sign him and Dawson.”

Credit: @dennis_rothwell

“JLINGZZZZZZZZZZ”

Credit: @JackkWHU

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this in form colossus, find out more here.