All posts by h716a5.icu

Carlo Ancelotti could jeopardise Tom Davies’ place in the Everton squad by rivalling Manchester City for the signature of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

What’s the word?

According to Tuttosport, Juventus will listen to offers for the Frenchman at the end of the season as the Serie A giants seek to improve Andrea Pirlo’s playing pick.

The Turin outfit believe that Rabiot’s performances have not been at the standard expected of him when signed as a free agent following his release by Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

Juve awarded Rabiot a £187,000-per-week, four-year contract upon his arrival, but will look to part company at the midway point for the right fee.

Everton are touted as a likely destination for the 25-year-old as Carlo Ancelotti holds an unwavering fondness for the player, having launched his career at PSG.

Rabiot is expected to attract widespread interest in the next transfer window, although his time with Ancelotti at the Parc des Princes is considered to be a beneficial aspect working in Everton’s favour.

The Everton manager has long been linked with a potential reunion with the midfielder, having reportedly urged the Toffees to meet Juventus’ €30m (£26m) asking price earlier this year.

Manchester City are also said to be keen, however, as Pep Guardiola looks to repeat the success of his move for Joao Cancelo, who has become a crucial part of the Etihad Stadium natives’ charge for the Premier League title.

Should Everton sign Juventus’ Rabiot?

Much can change between now and the end of the season, but Ancelotti’s fondness for a reunion with Rabiot appears unquestionable given the stream of rumours connecting the midfielder with a move to Everton since the Italian’s arrival on Merseyside.

However, if Juventus are open to selling the Frenchman – who Didier Deschamps claims “has grown so much” and is “no longer the same player” – and Ancelotti does want Rabiot at Everton next season, a deal could jeopardise Davies’ long-term role at Goodison Park.

Reports by ESPN last month suggested that Ancelotti considers Rabiot’s profile to be what he is looking for in a potential upgrade on Andre Gomes, as the 25-year-old can play anywhere in midfield and has the physicality to match the Premier League’s demands.

Gomes has often played a bit-part role in the Toffees’ top-flight efforts this term, although he has established a place for himself in recent weeks, with starts in eight of the team’s last nine games.

Ancelotti also favoured Gomes beside Allan for the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester City prior to the international break, while leaving Davies – who had started five of Everton’s last nine league games – as an unused substitute.

It would be fair to assume, then, that the 22-year-old is behind Gomes in Ancelotti’s pecking order, with four of his starts also coming before Allan’s return from a hamstring injury.

The potential arrival of Rabiot could jeopardise Davies’ place at Goodison Park, with Gomes falling to a backup role and the academy graduate likely left looking for a new club.

AND in other news, Everton dodged a £13m bullet in a “remarkable” talent as the hype falls silent…

Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with comments from SNP staffer Rosa Zambonini following the celebrations of Gers’ fans after they clinched their 55th Premiership title.

On Sunday, the Gers’ status as champions was confirmed after months of it being an inevitability. They did not even need to play to be crowned – after Celtic drew 0-0 with Dundee United, it became mathematically impossible for the Bhoys to catch the Ibrox outfit.

After the final whistle in that match, thousands of Gers supporters took to the streets to share their delight. Unfortunately, a small number of fans let the club down as they damaged public property – 28 arrests were made (Sky News). Zambonini was clearly angry with their behaviour, and suggested the whole of Scotland was feeling the same way.

She shared the comments on Twitter, and the quotes attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say to Zambonini below

“The latching on to funerals thing is totally ghoulish and deliberately sensationalist. Let’s find the most difficult aspect of lockdown and blame Rangers fans for it. Take it from one of those families you’re determined to speak for, you’re the one who has misread the room.”

Credit: @JJM55TIMES

“Coward”

Credit: @SF3___

“Haters will hate no matter what you do.”

Credit: @murdoch_charles

“Rosa doesn’t half hate the people’s club. The bitterness utterly drips from her.”

Credit: @coplandrear4

“Are you for real”

Credit: @Sneddon0472

“Another example of the obtuse hatred for Rangers, its supporters & traditions.”

Credit: @BedsBucksRSC

“The anti Rangers brigade are just loving this”

Credit: @Kat_Bee_123

In other news, Rangers fans laud this key figure.

Many Sunderland fans have been left unhappy with the display of Callum McFadzean despite their 1-0 home win over Swindon Town on Tuesday evening.

Lee Johnson’s men managed to pick up all three points to climb up the EFL League One table thanks to yet another goal from Charlie Wyke with 20 minutes left to play at the Stadium of Light.

However, while there were some very good performances in a red-and-white-striped shirt, McFadzean’s flattered to deceive several SAFC supporters.

The former Sheffield United man lost possession of the ball no fewer than 26 times in total over the course of the game, by far the most out of any player to have set foot on the pitch, as he also lost out on four of his duels (Sofascore).

McFadzean also failed to make a single successful dribble, tackle, key pass or accurate cross in the match (Sofascore), and may well be fearing for his starting place with Jake Vokins among the subs on the bench.

Sunderland fan reaction to McFadzean display

These Black Cats slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to call the left-back a ‘liability’

“Play constantly breaking down when McFadzean has it, he’s truly awful #SAFC”

Credit: @LdoubleE_87

“Please for the goodness of my sanity take McFadzean off and put the lad out his misery. I wouldn’t let him sell match day programmes #safc”

Credit: @Kingy78_

“O’Nien for #safc digging McFadzean out of one again there. God how is this kid playing professional football?!?!? He’s consistently terrible”

Credit: @Fantanafest73

“Power & McFadzean are a big problem. Both are terrible fullbacks. Why is Jones in the centre and Gooch on the wing? Baffling #safc”

Credit: @mksavage73

“McFadzean knocking out consistent 7/10 in favour of the opposition every week. If he passes to a Sunderland player, I’m celebrating like a goal. #safc”

Credit: @bradsafc

“We’ve played 10 mins and so far I’ve counted 3 loose passes from McFadzean and he’s tripped over his own feet once. The guy’s a liability #safc”

Credit: @AlexSeaham

In other news, find out what Johnson comments Sunderland fans are delighted with here!

Southampton are still looking to bring in defensive reinforcements before the transfer window shuts and look to have suffered another setback, as their loan bid for Liverpool’s Neco Williams was reportedly rejected.

According to Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre (9:59pm), Southampton’s bid for the 19-year-old right-back was rejected, as Liverpool see him as an important back-up to Trent Alexander-Arnold in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have already failed in their attempts to sign Brandon Williams, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Japhet Tanganga on loan from Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs respectively, and are now rapidly running out of time to bring in defensive reinforcements.

Williams could’ve been a solid addition to Hasenhuttl’s squad, as he has experience playing in both the Premier League and Champions League with the Merseyside club.

In total, the Welsh international has made 22 appearances for the senior side at Liverpool, in which he has contributed no goals and three assists.

The teenage defender is unlikely to be a regular in this Liverpool side anytime soon, as he has the world-class Alexander-Arnold playing ahead of him, but after he became first-choice for a short period in the English international’s absence due to injury earlier in the season, it seems clear that Klopp wants to keep him around as cover.

Although he doesn’t have a huge amount of experience in the top-flight, compared to the likes of Maitland-Niles for example, he is a regular for his country despite being 19, so clearly has a lot of potential, and could’ve been a strong back-up to Kyle Walker-Peters in this Southampton side.

In his three Champions League appearances this season, he averaged a solid 6.80 rating, whilst also providing an assist.

His performances with Wales in the UEFA Nations League this season have also been impressive, as he has contributed one goal and one assist in five appearances for Ryan Giggs’ side, earning a strong 6.98 rating, which emphasises that he is a full-back who likes to get forward.

It is a shame therefore that Hasenhuttl’s side have suffered their third deadline day blow with Williams, after the failed signings of Maitland-Niles and Tanganga, as he could’ve been a very useful player to have in this Southampton squad.

And, in other news… Ornstein’s Southampton update is another kick in the teeth for Ralph Hasenhuttl 

Davinson Sanchez is often the scapegoat at Tottenham Hotspur when things don’t go right, but the Colombian international produced a near-perfect display in the 4-0 win against Burnley on Sunday.

The former Ajax man has come under criticism from Spurs fans and the media for some of his recent displays, notably in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City recently, where he was embarrassed by Ilkay Gundogan.

However, against Burnley, he was back to his best, as he comfortably dealt with the aerial threat of Sean Dyche’s side whilst also looking composed on the ball and in his defending.

As per SofaScore, the 24-year-old defender would earn an impressive 7.8 rating for his display against the Clarets, with only Gareth Bale, Heung-Min Son and Sergio Reguilon rated higher.

During the 90 minutes, Sanchez would make as many as nine clearances, which is comfortably more than the 4.2 he has averaged per game in the Premier League this season.

The centre-back, who earns £65k per week at Spurs, would also win 14/18 duels, resulting in an impressive 78% success rate, as he helped to completely nullify the Burnley attackers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Whilst passing is often considered one of Sanchez’s weakest attributes, he was solid in this aspect too, as he completed 63/75 of his passes during the 90 minutes, resulting in an 84% pass accuracy.

There were two notable occasions in the first half where the Burnley attackers tried to outpace Sanchez, but the young centre-back used his speed well and he never looked like losing the race and this is emphasised by the fact that no Burnley player was able to dribble past him during the 90 minutes.

This is reflected in the Burnley striker’s ratings for the game, with Matej Vydra and Jay Rodriguez earning 6.2 and 6.8 match ratings respectively, as they struggled to get anything out of Sanchez in what was an imperious display from the Colombian.

Therefore, whilst some Spurs fans may have written the 24-year-old off after some questionable displays earlier in the season, he was able to prove his doubters wrong with an extremely solid display on Sunday.

And, in other news… Levy appointing Nagelsmann is surely good news for Spurs’ pursuit of £37.8m-rated gem 

Wolves will have to make desperate improvements to their side on Wednesday evening if they are to stand any chance against Chelsea.

Of course, the Blues have just sacked Frank Lampard following a tough run, but they will have a point to prove with Thomas Tuchel in the dugout for the very first time as Chelsea boss.

With Wolves in dire form too, it is anyone’s guess as to who wins. Wolves have tasted victory in just three of their last 11 matches and although they beat Chorley last time out, it was far from convincing.

Nuno Santo’s men created fewer goal-scoring opportunities than their non-league opposition which makes for pretty grim reading.

Thus, should the Portuguese make changes this evening? We certainly think so.

In our predicted XI for tonight’s clash, we’re tipping Nuno to make as many as six changes to his side.

Out comes goalkeeper John Ruddy who despite keeping a clean sheet, misses out with Rui Patricio resuming his Premier League duties between the sticks.

There are two further changes in defence where Max Kilman sits out in favour of Romain Saiss, while Nelson Semedo is recalled at the expense of Ki-Jana Hoever.

Ruben Neves is also recalled. He played the final 22 minutes against Chorley and after being rested, should come back into the side. The Portugal international plays ahead of the £90k-per-week Leander Dendoncker.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-wolves-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Wolves news”]

The remaining changes are in attack. Up top, there is no room for Willian Jose yet. The Brazilian arrived on loan from Real Sociedad at the weekend but this could be too soon for his debut.

As a result, it’s Fabio Silva who leads the line ahead of Patrick Cutrone, someone we’ve criticised in the build-up to tonight’s encounter.

Adama Traore and Pedro Neto play either side of the club-record signing as they take the places of Cutrone and Vitinha.

AND in other news, Wolves could find their new Costa with swoop for 87-cap flop, he won’t cost a penny…

Arsenal could discover another Gabriel Martinelli in Bursaspor starlet Ali Akman.

What’s the story?

Mikel Arteta’s side appear to be having a busy start to the January transfer window, with Sead Kolasinac already having left to join Schalke on loan, whilst the likes of Mesut Ozil have also been linked with moves away.

But despite the potential outgoings, the Gunners have their sights on bringing in some new players too, with The Daily Mail claiming that both them and Premier League rivals Chelsea are tracking 18-year-old striker Akman.

The report adds that the Turkey U21 international has just six months remaining on his contract at Bursaspor, and that he could be available for as little as £3m.

Similar to Martinelli

When the Gunners brought in little-known Martinelli from Ituano in Brazil, not much was expected of the youngster. A signing for the future, and a player who might stake a claim for the U23s first, before eventually making his first-team debut.

And then, Martinelli’s impressive early performances caught the eye of Unai Emery, and he later became a fixture under Arteta too. When given the opportunity to impress, the Brazilian took it with both hands, and it’s a measure of just how good he is, that he played a big role in the Gunners’ turnaround in form over the past couple of weeks with his sheer energy.

In Akman, who is playing for Bursaspor in the second tier of Turkish football, Arsenal could find something similar. The 18-year-old has already scored nine goals in 16 league games this season, and the fact Chelsea, and other European sides are chasing him, shows how highly-rated he is.

His arrival at the Emirates would cast further speculation over Eddie Nketiah’s long-term future at the club, with the English ace having recently been linked with a move to West Ham. If Akman came in, and then hit the ground running like Martinelli, then it could spell big trouble for the England U21 international.

One of the sagas of Leeds United’s summer transfer window looks set to resurface ahead of January…

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, Udinese have slapped a €30m (£27m) price tag on their coveted midfield sensation Rodrigo De Paul in anticipation for the upcoming transfer window.

They also claim that Inter Milan have entered the race to sign him as a potential replacement for their outcast, Christian Eriksen.

Earlier in the week, JuveLive covered a story noting the Serie A champions’ interest but suggest that it was indeed the Yorkshireman that were closest to signing him, offering that aforementioned figure, which was not enough to tempt Udinese into a sale then.

Victor Orta may well reignite the speculation next month if they really were that keen on landing him.

Forget De Paul

But ultimately, the Whites may no longer need his services thanks to the form of one Marcelo Bielsa favourite.

If De Paul was signed, then the player at most risk was always going to be Mateusz Klich as the pair are strikingly similar but with the Polish engima standing out as one of Leeds’ players of the season thus far, a move for the £27m Udinese man must be avoided.

The 30-year-old has started all ten of their Premier League matches this season, delivering two goals and three assists whilst also averaging 1.8 tackles, 1.8 key passes, 1.2 shots and 2.8 long balls per game, via WhoScored.

Industrious, to say the least.

On the contrary, Udinese have struggled immensely in the Italian top-flight as they find themselves in 13th place, just four points above the drop zone. Not even De Paul’s influence has helped their cause this term.

Orta splashed the cash in the summer and were still yet to even see one of the players he signed in Diego Llorente, so it may be wise to hold back pulling the trigger on the Argentine.

It would be a pretty pointless move considering the exploits of Klich – we know how much he’s adored by Bielsa as he started 45 of 46 matches on their way to clinching the Championship title.

The Whites chief claimed just last week that the 2018 arrival “can play in all the best teams in the world” whilst back in February, he said: “He cannot do better. Klich is a player with very, very much skills physically.”

Perhaps some of that money could be gifted to the €15m (£13.5m) dynamo in the form of a contract extension, he certainly deserves more than the £45k-per-week he’s currently on, especially when the likes of Gjanni Alioski (£55k-per-week), Tyler Roberts (£47k-per-week) and Helder Costa (£70k-per-week) are earning considerably more.

Who needs Rodrigo De Paul when you have the “intelligent” Mateusz Klich?

AND in other news,ÂExclusive: Marlon Harewood claims Leeds must recruit in this area in January…

Diego Laxalt’s floundering performance against St. Johnstone on Sunday did Peter Lawwell no favours after it was claimed that the Celtic CEO has been “asleep at the wheel” by Hoops hero Kris Commons.

The incensed Parkhead icon, who won five Premiership titles during his time in Glasgow, has hit out at Lawwell and the Celtic board, believing that their recruitment strategy has played a key role in the Lennoxtown side sitting a shocking 13 points behind Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Neil Lennon could only lead Celtic to a draw with St. Johnstone at the weekend as pressure continues to mount on him, with the Hoops now boasting just two wins in a run of 12 fixtures across all competitions.

Commons has lashed out at Celtic’s hierarchy, believing that the Hoops’ transfer department are in a state of “decay and disrepair” years on from acquiring the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Moussa Dembele and selling them for sizable profits.

“Fans are entitled to ask how did it come to this? How can things have soured so badly to the extent that a club legend like Lennon is being hounded out the door?” he told the Daily Mail, via quotes by the Daily Record. “The board have to shoulder a large share of responsibility.

“They are as culpable at anyone. They’ve been asleep at the wheel in recent seasons and are now paying the price for their complacency. The recruitment has been absolutely abysmal. It’s not that Celtic haven’t spent money. They have spent plenty. It’s how they’ve spent it that’s been the problem.

“This season has seen them fork out a £2million loan fee for Shane Duffy, with a hefty pay packet to boot. A combined £10m was spent on Vasilis Barkas and Albian Ajeti. None of them look up to scratch.

“Who sourced these players? There has to be some accountability in the recruitment department. The recruitment side of the club has been in a state of decay and disrepair for years.”

Laxalt joined Celtic on a season-long loan this October with reports claiming that it will set the Parkhead natives back £4.5m to turn the deal into a permanent move next year, but he failed to prove why he should be kept when started at home to St. Johnstone on Sunday.

Lennon fielded the Uruguayan in the starting line-up for his 12th Hoops appearance across all competitions yet saw enough – or rather a lack of – from the 27-year-old that he opted to haul the full-back off at half-time with the scoreline locked at nil-nil.

The 24-cap defender had registered just one successful tackle while failing to record any interceptions, clearances or block a shot, while losing possession 11 times and losing three of his five ground duels, per SofaScore.

Despite recording most of his 36 touches in St. Johnstone territory, Laxalt also attempted just one cross, which was misplaced, made one dribble and directed his only shot of the half wide of the target.

His slack performance saw Lennon forced to make changes at the break, and gave Commons yet another example he can use to bash Lawwell and the Hoops board.

AND in other news, Peter Lawwell can invoke shades of Scott Sinclair by signing a “phenomenal” £20m wonder for Celtic.

Rarely a week goes by without Glasgow Rangers facing the same old questions about Alfredo Morelos. Steven Gerrard recently admitted the Colombia international harbours ambitions of playing in the Champions League, which could put the club in a spot of bother when the transfer market re-opens in just a few months’ time.

Rangers were reportedly interested in former Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney in the summer as Gerrard sought to bolster his attacking options before the start of the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season. The Light Blues were linked with several strikers including Lyle Taylor and Rhian Brewster as well but settled for Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe in the end instead.

Toney was hardly short of suitors having been in fine form for Peterborough in League One over the past few years and attracted attention from a horde of clubs in higher divisions. He scored 26 goals in 39 games for the Posh before the pandemic ended the 2019-20 League One campaign.

Championship side Brentford ended up signing the 24-year-old from Peterborough for an undisclosed fee, which is believed to be in the region of £5m, via Transfermarkt.

It seems Ross Wilson missed the chance to sign a prolific goalscorer who could’ve become the club’s starting striker for years to come if he could’ve brought him to Ibrox and he was able to hit the ground running.

Judging by his statistics, the data shows that he would’ve been able to do just that, given his phenomenal goalscoring record for the Bees so far (10 goals in 13 games in all competitions), as he has shown that he can score goals on a consistent basis at a good level of the game.

Once hailed as an “incredible” monster by Posh director of football Barry Fry, Toney has made 11 appearances in the Championship this season, scoring 10 goals and supplying one assist, whilst he is averaging 2.5 shots per game, via WhoScored. By comparison, even Roofe has only mustered 1.7 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership, having scored 2 goals in 6 games so far, as per WhoScored.

Given his age, Jermain Defoe isn’t getting any younger, whilst speculation remains rife over the future of Morelos. Bringing in Toney would’ve been a significant outlay, as they had already signed Ianis Hagi on a permanent deal from Genk, but when you consider the fact that the Gers reportedly spent an amount just shy of a £5m fee to prise Roofe away from Anderlecht, you do have to ask why they couldn’t get a deal done for the former Newcastle United man instead.

Just imagine him and Hagi together – it doesn’t quite bear thinking about.

AND in other news, Bassey & Balogun start, no Helander: Glasgow Rangers Predicted XI vs Hamilton…