All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur have given themselves the unenviable task of finding a manager that can surpass Julian Nagelsmann, after it was reported last week that Daniel Levy had not considered the German as a contender for their vacancy despite many viewing him as the outstanding option.

It was a decision pundit Jermaine Pennant could only describe as "crazy", before noting: "It’s like a circus there, at the minute. From top to bottom."

It is just one in a long line of eye-brow raising decisions made by the chairman, who continues to spark debate among the fanbase for his work in plunging the club into disarray.

From consistent Champions League football and progression with each campaign under Mauricio Pochettino to where they are now marks a culmination of years of failure, in which managerial and personnel moves have been consistently flawed.

To right these wrongs, they need a head coach who can reset the culture within the club, purging the playing staff whilst reinstating a style of play that the fans can get behind. No longer should they have to suffer the turgid football of recent years, especially when an alternative free agent remains ripe for appointment.

Although perhaps not as glamorous an option, Brendan Rodgers remains a valid alternative to the former Bayern Munich tactician, as someone well-versed with English football, aligned with a free-flowing philosophy, and with a history of winning trophies. He could prove to be the appointment that eases fan concern over the decision to snub the alternative.

Would Brendan Rodgers be a good fit for Spurs?

To outline just how good an appointment this could be, former Spurs star Darren Anderton has already endorsed the move whilst speaking to The Express: "He plays a brand of football that Tottenham fans want to see. I think that's fair to say. Since Pochettino, with Mourinho and Conte, the football has been dour at times.

"I feel like he plays a brand of football that is the Tottenham way, and I think that would work."

Given his success in winning an FA Cup with Leicester City and a treble with Celtic, this 4-3-3 play style marries well with a pedigree of snagging silverware that is so richly craved in north London.

Preferring to dominate possession and always keep the ball moving, the northern Irishman also seeks to employ a counter-press higher up the pitch that would have fans of the club elated. Finally, some energy could be injected into this tired-looking outfit.

Although the end of his time with the Foxes might have marred his reputation as they veered towards relegation, the coach was often hamstrung in the transfer market and thwarted by injuries.

Should he receive ample financial backing from Levy, perhaps he could quickly turn around a squad in desperate need of a refresh, and bolster it to avoid a repeat in north London.

After all, during his early days at the King Power Stadium, Gary Neville had noted: "Leicester are an awkward, awkward proposition. They do a lot of things very well, they're efficient, well-coached. It proves it's no one-season wonder, there's continuity now, and he's one of the outstanding managers in the league, Brendan Rodgers."

With a record of scoring 1268 goals during his 689 games in management, at the very least Spurs fans will see some action return to their viewing experience.

The Northern Irishman is a more than capable alternative to Nagelsmann, who could even prove to achieve more success than the 35-year-old might have given his roles at Liverpool, Watford, Swansea City and Reading have prepared him for such a task.

Glenn Maxwell produced a jaw-dropping 46 not out from 26 balls to deliver Australia into the tri-series final and left his batting partner Mitchell Marsh lost for words at the other end

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2016In the lead-up to Australia’s must-win match against West Indies, acting coach Justin Langer spoke of how important Glenn Maxwell’s experience and finishing ability could become at the business end of the tri-series. As if on cue, Maxwell produced a jaw-dropping 46 not out from 26 balls to deliver Australia into the tri-series final and left his batting partner Mitchell Marsh lost for words at the other end.Australia needed 62 off 50 balls with six wickets in hand when Maxwell walked to the crease, a man who had failed to reach double figures in any of his past five ODI innings and had been dropped earlier in the series. But Maxwell found his x-factor and got Australia home with eight balls to spare, along the way reverse-sweeping Sunil Narine for six.”I said give yourself a few balls mate and then go for it,” Marsh said. “I was literally speechless at the other end watching an innings like that. Maxi has had a lot of doubt and hasn’t been in the greatest of form but an innings like that tonight shows why he’s one of the first picked in this side, because he’s so dangerous and can win us games like that in a few overs. Really rapt for him.”He actually told me we’ll just take them for ones. Next thing he’s playing a reverse-sweep for six. I absolutely loved it. Maxi is a free spirit, you’ve just got to let him go and do what he does. When it comes off like that it’s unbelievable to watch.”Maxwell and Marsh steered Australia to victory with their 62-run partnership, which followed on from a 122-run stand between Marsh and captain Steven Smith. Marsh’s innings of 79 not out from 85 deliveries was critical given that he had come to the crease at 99 for 3 chasing 283, and like Maxwell he had struggled for batting form in the series, having not reached 20 in any of his previous for innings.”It’s right up there, I think any time you can bat through an innings and be not out in a win in a crucial chase like that, it’s very satisfying,” Marsh said of his own innings. “I’ve put in a lot of work. I haven’t had much of an opportunity – well, I have, but I haven’t taken them in this series. So it was really nice to step up and get us over the line.”Australia’s place in Sunday’s tri-series final in Barbados is now secure, and they will take on the winner of Friday’s clash between West Indies and South Africa.

Chelsea has been named one of the clubs monitoring Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister.

What’s the latest on Alexis Mac Allister to Chelsea?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the World Cup winner is definitely leaving the South Coast this summer and Chelsea have been “interested, but it's not a priority.”

As per the briefing, rivals Liverpool are currently leading the race for the 24-year-old and have already had a direct meeting to present their project and plan to the player.

After Jude Bellingham’s proposed move to Real Madrid, the Reds are set to enhance their chase for Mac Allister.

However, considering the excessive spending of the new Blues ownership, they cannot be discounted, and the midfielder, who is valued at £60m, would be an excellent addition to a side crying out for a rebuild.

Who could Alexis Mac Allister replace at Chelsea?

The £50k-per-week man arrived in the Premier League in 2019 from Argentinos Juniors as a relatively unknown quantity but is now one of the country's most sought-after and consistent players.

The 16-cap international – whose current contract expires in 2025 – was catapulted into worldwide stardom as he played a pivotal role in his nation’s World Cup success, having played in six of the seven games with two goal contributions.

His performances generated much acclaim and Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero labelled the player as "very intelligent."

Domestically, the form has been replicated and the Argentine star has averaged 2.1 tackles per game, a 68% dribble success, and an 88% pass completion to become a fantastic all-rounder.

He is an integral cog of a massively over-achieving Brighton side and has the third-highest rating (7.2) of the squad, as per Sofascore.

This prestigious resume means that Chelsea is sniffing around this tremendous talent, and he could be the ideal replacement for Mateo Kovacic, who is reportedly edging close to an exit from Stamford Bridge.

The Croatian has endured a hugely tricky season and appears a shadow of his former self. The 28-year-old has averaged a horrendous average rating of 6.77, with just the 18th-highest rating on the team.

Compared to Mac Allister, he ranks poorly, making just 1.4 tackles per game and registering a pass accuracy of 86%. It's in attack, however, where there are huge disparities. The Argentine has managed 2.6 shots and 1.2 key passes, whereas the Chelsea dud only manages 0.9 for both metrics.

The former Real Madrid man’s deal runs out in 2024 and the Blues may choose to cash in to avoid losing him on a free next summer and make room for Mac Allister.

The technician is an engaging and attractive prospect, who has appeared across the midfield and has already cemented his legacy by assisting Ángel Di María in the World Cup Final against France.

Although he isn't a priority, welcoming Mac Allister to the club would still be an unbelievable first step in a rebuild for the incoming Mauricio Pochettino.

Since Arsenal lost William Saliba to injury, they have exited the Europa League and seen their title hopes dashed.The Gunners had come a long way this season but much of that was owed to perhaps their strongest central defensive partnership since the Invincibles.Partnered by Gabriel, the duo have similar machine-like qualities, offering a remarkable layer of composure which is entwined with unique physicality.Saliba is like a Springbok at the back, darting back to make recovery runs and evading the press as though he’s not even being hounded by the opposition.Gabriel is the lion, a physical monster who also offers poise at the back. Like Saliba, he will relish that physical battle but ensures radiant composure.However, with Rob Holding in the team, even Gabriel looks worse; Mikel Arteta’s men have conceded 11 goals in their last four matches.There have been cries for a certain Reuell Walters to be given a go, with reports a few weeks ago suggesting Arsenal were ready to abandon their pursuit of a right-back and put their faith in the 18-year-old.

Who is Reuell Walters?

Lauded as an “outstanding prospect” by Arsenal journalist Layth Yousif, the teenager is one of the most gifted to come through Hale End.

Walters featured during Arsenal’s pre-season tour having been handed his first pro deal all in the same year.

It was a ringing endorsement of a player who Arteta and co have high hopes for.

Since Saliba’s injury, the youngster has been on the bench in five successive Premier League games from mid-March to Mid-April, sadly without ever getting on the field.

Walters’ time will no doubt come, however, and it could be as soon as next term.

He deserves his chance, particularly when you consider the skill set the defender can offer the first team.

Although there may well be shades of Sol Campbell in his early career, having swapped Tottenham for the Gunners, it is the crop’s contemporary backline that he evokes memories of the most.

Like Ben White, Walters can feature at right-back or as a centre-back. Like Takehiro Tomiyasu, he can also feature at left-back, an area he played in during Arsenal’s pre-season.

Though, it’s arguably Saliba and Gabriel to who the budding prodigy is most comparable.

Indeed, the Arsenal academy gem’s attributes are remarkably similar, with this a player who can bring down the ball with ease, evade the press and maraud into opposition territory.

That was seen first-hand during the FA Youth Cup final last week. Although Jack Wilshere’s men were defeated 5-1, Walters “showed why he’s on the edge of the first team” in the words of Football.London’s Kaya Kaynak.

That was mostly owed to his work in possession where he looked “impressive on the ball” – as per Sam Dean – with the teen notably having strode forward, weaving his way past West Ham players aplenty in the build-up to Omari Benjamin’s opener.

It was a remarkable piece of play, one that had all the hallmarks of Saliba.

The Frenchman is notably difficult for opposing forwards to beat, having been dribbled past just 0.1 times per game, with that the joint-best tally of any central defender in the Premier League this season.

Comparatively, Walters wasn’t dribbled past at all during his three outings in the EFL Trophy this term, an indication that he can hold his own against senior professionals.

Possessing physical tools rarely seen at such a young age, and supreme composure, it’s easy to see why there are such high hopes for the former Spurs academy man. Indeed, he could just be Saliba 2.0, isn’t that an exciting thought?

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Francisco Trincao has spoken out on his recent upturn in form, after his hugely disappointing form in England last season.

What did Francisco Trincao say?

The 23-year-old expressed his happiness at this current time with perhaps a disguised swipe at Bruno Lage for how he was managed last term.

Speaking to Sport TV, related by O Jogo, he said:

“It’s like the manager has said about me, I need the consistency that I haven’t had in recent years. I feel good here, I’m happy. I hope to gain this consistency to be able to give more and be better.”

What went wrong for Trincao at Wolves?

The Portuguese joined Barcelona on a five-year deal in January 2020 and was handed his debut in October later that year.

Over a year later, the winger netted his first goal for the Catalan Giants in a 3-2 away win at Real Betis in the Spanish League. The following weekend, he then recorded two assists in a 5-1 thumping of Alaves, which included some delicious link-up play with Lionel Messi.

Due to the incredible competition at Barcelona and with an obvious talent that needed some more regular minutes to be developed and nurtured, the attacker joined Wolves on a season-long loan with an option to buy in the summer of 2021 and was tipped to become a real force within English football.

However, the playmaker endured the least productive campaign of his career and only registered four goals in 30 appearances in all contributions.

It was an incredibly disappointing return, heightened by the fact that he was a player who obviously had an oozing attacking flair but a damaging lack of end product – a painfully similar trend to what compatriot Goncalo Guedes experienced in the Midlands.

The fellow Portugal international has endured a comparatively dismal spell in England. Signed last summer, he has only scored twice and registered a solitary assist in 18 appearances. A better rate than Trincao, but still far from mindblowing.

Like the former Barca man, he is already elsewhere – on loan at Benfica.

After Trincao's disastrous spell, the £13m-rated man has also returned to his homeland, signing on loan for Sporting CP. Across 45 appearances for the Lions, he has contributed 15 goals and assists in a season where Ruben Amorin’s side has defeated Arsenal in the Europa League and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League group stage.

In a recent league match, the former Braga man netted a hat-trick against Casa Pia and also recorded two key passes, two successful dribbles, and a monstrous 9.3 rating, as per Sofascore.

Trincao opting against signing permanently for Wolves emerged as the best option for parties, his short spell in England will be one he'll swiftly forget.

Tottenham Hotspur's players have been dug out by Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane for their lack of responsibility following the exit of Antonio Conte.

What did Roy Keane say?

It has been a turbulent few months in north London for the Lilywhites who have dropped out of the top four as a result of their poor league form.

Dropped points against relegation battlers Southampton and Everton felt like a huge step backwards in the north London club's pursuit of the top four.

Matters off the pitch have not been much kinder to the club either with their director of football, Fabio Paratici, banned from all football matters.

Adding to that, Conte unleashed a scathing rant following their capitulation against the Saints prior to the international break which ultimately never saw him return to north London.

Speaking on The Overlap, Keane has now laid into the Spurs squad for their involvement in the recent downfall in north London:

(8:40) "But if you look at Spurs' last couple of games, you talk about managers and chairman, the players have got to take responsibility to get the goal in front and they just back off almost no bottle some of these Spurs players. Absolutely none whatsoever. Just get the job done."

"But at this top-level sport, it's about winning games, it's about getting over the line. So whatever about the managers of Spurs, Spurs are going to have the same problems. It's in their DNA, the players, a lot of their players just can't do it."

Are Spurs serial bottles?

A lot of people use the term 'Spursy' when it comes to the Lilywhites for their inability to perform in the big moments when it matters most.

And there are certainly some examples of that over the last few years with a number of appearances in cup finals only offering up runners-up medals.

However, finals are not supposed to be easy – that's the nature of the game – and there can be some solace taken in losing a final to some of the sides Spurs have faced over the years.

However, there are also plenty of examples where Spurs have shot themselves in the foot with their dismal displays which have caused them to let down their fans.

The recent FA Cup game against Sheffield United is a great example of this, there may be some question marks about not starting Harry Kane and Cristian Romero.

But the players who were selected were all experienced members of the squad who should have had enough about them to see the tie over the line.

Instead, Spurs were only able to produce one big chance on the night at Bramall Lane and their opposition have since booked their spot in the semi-finals at Wembley (via SofaScore).

Again, the recent Premier League draws against Southampton and Everton should have saw Spurs take six points back to north London.

Instead, they were left with just two points after they capitulated late on in both games.

So there is certainly some merit in what Keane is saying and this set of players now have eight games remaining to salvage something from their season with a spot in the top four still to play for.

But it is not an easy road ahead of them with Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester United all to play before the end of the month.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the Premier League sides who could potentially look at James Ward-Prowse as a midfield option in the summer.

How much would Ward-Prowse cost?

The north London side's midfield has been decimated by injuries this season which has seen both Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma miss a lengthy period of time.

In their absence, Spurs have had to heavily rely on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr also playing a role in the middle.

However, the Danish midfielder has come under fire in recent weeks over his performances as the results leave Spurs adrift in the race for the top four.

Ahead of the summer window, Spurs have been linked with a potential attacking midfield option in Leicester City's James Maddison.

And another midfielder who they could potentially compete for over the coming months is Southampton's main man, Ward-Prowse.

The Saints are in serious danger of relegation with just several games remaining in the season and it is believed he would be a certainty to leave if they do go down.

This is all according to journalist Toby Cudworth who has been speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast where he noted the interested clubs in the £100k-per-week midfielder:

(34:55) "If [they] go down he's almost certain to leave the club now. Southampton probably could still command a very hefty fee for him. We talk about prices, Southampton probably seeking still around £50m we'd have thought because he's that valuable to them.

"And he has clubs who like him. Newcastle we've mentioned they're looking to strengthen their midfield looking to strengthen in a number of positions; left-wing/forwards, potentially another defender as well. James Ward-Prowse is a player who we think is capable of playing European-level football.

"So Newcastle like him, Tottenham also admire him, Aston Villa, who are now creeping up on Unai Emery. They like James will perhaps as well. So it could be a bit of a Premier League battle for him."

Would Spurs be a good move for Ward-Prowse?

Ironically, the 28-year-old has been hailed as a "machine" by journalist Alfie House and he has an incredible record against the north London side with three goals and three assists to his name in their last five league meetings (via Transfermarkt).

The midfielder even scored the equalising penalty in their most recent clash on the south coast to complete an impressive comeback for the league's bottom side.

He is a player who is renowned for his stunning free-kick ability but he has also provided an impressive return of 3.48 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes this season (via FBref).

However, he has also provided more tackles (1.74) per 90 minutes than Hojbjerg (1.61) has this season as well as more than 14 times as many crosses per game than the Dane (via FBref).

But with a valuation of around £50m, that is a big price to pay for a player who may not necessarily fit into the plans of the new manager.

It is unknown who will become Antonio Conte's successor and, therefore, the formation which Spurs will play next season is yet to be seen.

Potentially, Spurs could play with just two midfielders again and when Rodrigo Bentancur returns it could mean a potential spot in the XI for Ward-Prowse may not be there on a regular basis.

After all, Bissouma arrived in north London with the tag of one of the best midfielders outside the top six and he has failed ot make an impact on the Spurs side.

Arsenal have made plenty of transfer missteps in their desperate attempts to return to their former glory.

Whether it be Arsene Wenger trying to recapture the magic of old or Unai Emery seeking to kickstart his new regime with a bang, there are countless high-profile errors that have cost KSE dearly.

However, with Mikel Arteta currently enjoying a historic season that could culminate in the Premier League title, every blunder that led to this moment will instantly be forgotten.

In all honesty, some already have.

Calum Chambers was one such addition that arrived at the Emirates with a big reputation and an even bigger fee for the calibre of player purchased, yet completely failed to live up to the hype.

Such was the underwhelming nature of his time in north London, which spanned 302 permanent weeks, the 28-year-old has already left for pastures new.

How much did Calum Chambers cost Arsenal?

Having impressed in a Southampton outfit renowned for producing exceptional talent, the Gunners had already enjoyed the benefits of plucking youngsters from the south coast.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott were just two who enjoyed spells at both clubs, and it was thought the teenage defender would emulate and even surpass the levels reached. Therefore, they parted with £16m to secure the signature.

Commentator Jim Proudfoot even took to Twitter to outline the glittering future he boasted: "Big fan of Calum Chambers. Comfortable in possession, enterprising going forward and sound enough defensively. Massive future."

However, with just 122 appearances to his name across a seven-year career that was split up through various loan spells, this was far from the case.

The most league games he would feature in for Arsenal was just 23 during the 2014/15 season, yet remained on a £45k-per-week wage that would later increase by £5k-per-week too. Fortunately, that salary was covered by Middlesbrough and Fulham during two separate loan spells.

Therefore, in total Chambers would drain the club of £29.5m without offering much back in return.

In fact, so underwhelming were his displays that the Saints youth product was even dubbed an "accident waiting to happen" by pundit Tony Cascarino. Grim words indeed.

Even in his move to Aston Villa, in which the Gunners recouped just a reported £2m, the versatile defender has struggled to cement a spot in both Steven Gerrard's and now Unai Emery's team, featuring on just 24 occasions.

If the 6-foot stalwart is not good enough for the Villans, it is no wonder he was offloaded speedily by the revolution-seeking Arteta.

Whilst cruising towards a sensational league title, it is unlikely that the Spaniard will be bothered by these missteps of the past. However, it is worth remembering the failures that moulded the club into the giant they now seem to be once again.

Chelsea have made contact to bring Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Roque to Chelsea?

Roque arrived in the Brazilian Serie A back in April last year, while his contract isn’t set to expire until 2027. But having made 41 appearances during his debut season in the senior team, he has caught the eye of the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Spanish outlet Sport credited the Blues, alongside their top-flight rivals Arsenal, with an interest in the 18-year-old back in March, and speculation regarding a move was soon fuelled. The £5.5k-p/w talent’s father recently took to social media to confirm that he was in London, which came not long after there was rumoured interest in his son from the capital – and it would now appear that the admiration from both clubs has been taken a step further.

According to 90min, Chelsea and the Gunners are “in contact” with the representatives of Roque regarding a potential deal later in the summer. Barcelona had been leading the race, but they are currently only able to offer a loan with an obligation to buy due to their financial position, which doesn’t satisfy the striker’s agents – meaning that he’s looking elsewhere.

The SW6 outfit have held an interest in their target for a “considerable amount of time” and would be willing to table a permanent deal at the end of the season. The teenager’s camp have already “assured” the club that he is “open” to moving to the English top flight.

Should Chelsea splash the cash on Roque?

Roque is still only a teenager, but age is just a number in football as long as you have the skills to perform on a consistent basis, and Roque definitely fits that profile, having been dubbed a "diamond" by talent scout Jacek Kulig. Therefore, we feel Chelsea should absolutely cash out to secure his services ahead of their fellow competitors.

The Nike-sponsored star has scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 41 outings since joining Paranaense, where he's currently averaging 2.74 shots per game, highlighting how confident he is in the final third.

The Timoteo native also has the flexibility to play out wide on either flank in addition to centre-forward, so could bring plenty of versatility to west London for whoever is appointed as the new manager at Chelsea.

Roque is also making a name for himself on the international stage, having made his debut for Brazil during a friendly against Morocco last month, so it seems he has an extremely bright future ahead of him – one that could potentially see him featuring at Stamford Bridge.

Wolves are reportedly likely to accept a £50million offer for star midfielder Ruben Neves this summer, even if they avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Neves likely to leave

At the end of last season, it really did feel as though the Portuguese had played his final game for Wanderers, not least because he waved goodbye to the supporters after the defeat away to Liverpool on the final day.

Despite constant reports suggesting Neves would depart Molineux – Barcelona looked like the front-runners to snap him up – he ended up remaining at Wolves beyond the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old has again been one of his side’s standout players during the 2022/23 campaign, starting 27 of Wanderers’ 28 league matches and scoring five times in the competition.

Unfortunately, exit rumours have refused to go away, however, and it feels increasingly likely that Neves really will move on this time and enjoy a new challenge.

Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding the midfielder’s future – one that further suggests that he will be heading off elsewhere come the summer.

The Latest: Big-money to be accepted?

According to Football Insider, Fosun will likely give the green light to a £50million offer at the end of the campaign, regardless of whether or not Wolves have suffered relegation to the Championship.

Three of the four biggest clubs in world football – Barca, Liverpool and Manchester United – are mentioned as the potential suitors, with the world-renowned trio ‘keen to move’ for Neves.

Wolves are wary of losing him for free the following year, at which point his contract will have expired, meaning this summer is the more logical time to let him go.

The Verdict: Time to go

In an ideal world, Neves would sign a new long-term deal at Wolves, seeing out the rest of his career at Molineux and becoming an even greater legend than he already is.

Unfortunately, that is a pie-in-the-sky outlook, however, and the 38-cap Portugal international feels almost certain to leave this summer, following six years of great service.

The £50,000-a-week Neves will surely feel that a move to a bigger club is needed at this point in his career, allowing him to potentially test himself in the Champions League, not to mention sign a more lucrative contract.

It is impossible to begrudge him his move away, having made 245 appearances for Wolves and helped steer them back into the Premier League, and Wolves fans may even end up watching proudly from afar as he goes up another gear.