All posts by n8rngtd.top

Rangers have been linked with a summer move for Middlesbrough Djed Spence recently and if he were to join Steven Gerrard’s side ahead of next season it could be a repeat of the deal that saw James Tavernier make the move to Ibrox in 2015.

According to ESPN, Rangers are taking an interest in the young right-back ahead of the summer transfer window, with Everton and Wolves also reportedly keen.

Although he is relatively inexperienced, having made just 65 appearances in his Middlesbrough career thus far, the former Fulham youngster is clearly well thought of at the Teesside club and wouldn’t be a regular at a Championship club if he didn’t have a lot of talent.

The 20-year-old defender received a lot of praise from Boro boss Neil Warnock recently, and given his vast experience in the game, Ross Wilson would do well to take what he says seriously and try and bring Spence to Ibrox this summer.

The manager said last year that:

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.

“He has quite a few things to brush up on at the minute, and I’m sure he will try. He’s a very good trainer and works hard.”

Spence has continued to be a regular with Middlesbrough this season, making 37 appearances in total in England’s second tier.

If he were to join Rangers this summer, there would be a lot of similarities to the deal that saw Tavernier join from Wigan Athletic six years ago.

After all, Tavernier failed to make the grade at a Premier League club, Newcastle United, and made his name in the lower leagues, enjoying spells with Wigan, Bristol City and Rotherham United.

Although he showed brief glimpses of his attacking potential, notably in the 2013/14 season where he managed five goals and five assists for Rotherham, it was only when he arrived at Rangers when his attacking play reached a new level.

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Certainly, Spence looks to have a bright future in the game, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t go on to become a player of Tavernier’s quality should he join Gerrard’s side this summer.

And, in other news… Rangers suffer huge blow to £2.2m beast with “terrific quality”, Gerrard will be worried

According to a report by West Ham United insiders Claret & Hugh, star midfielder Declan Rice is expected to re-join full training with the first team over the next few days and could be ready for match action by May 9 against Everton – coming as a big boost for manager David Moyes.

West Ham insider drops big injury boost

Rice has been sidelined since early April after picking up a knee injury but C&H now report that he is nearing his full return.

Indeed, it is said the 22-year-old has been progressing through rehabilitation in much quicker fashion than expected at Rush Green and has even been running on grass in the last few days.

C&H also believe there is a possibility he could be back to full training as early as today but not enough to see him play any part in West Ham’s next encounter away to Burnley.

However, there is a possibility of him returning to the starting line up for their following fixture at home to Everton with Moyes aiming to clinch an unprecedented Champions League berth.

Transfer Tavern take

Despite suffering a slight blow in that mission during their last match, losing 1-0 to European qualifying rivals Chelsea, the top four is still not out of reach for the Irons.

If West Ham are going to do the unthinkable, Moyes will be hoping for any kind of boost possible in the run up to the end of the 2020/2021 campaign.

One major uplift will be the return of Rice, and this news he has been progressing faster than expected and could be back for Everton comes as a huge boost.

A crucial player who defender Craig Dawson lauded as ‘quality’ and at an ‘unbelievable’ level (Twitter)- supporters will also be thankful when he has back partnering Tomas Soucek in midfield.

In other news: West Ham fans want this colossus signed, find out more here.

According to a report by reliable Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold, Brighton defender Lewis Dunk has admirers behind the scenes at Spurs – with the Lilywhites eyeing up possible defensive options ahead of the 2021/2022 season. 

Dunk, who has been a mainstay under Seagulls boss Graham Potter this campaign, starting 26 league matches, is apparently on the a list of targets for Spurs as Gold shares news.

Tottenham chiefs eyeing Dunk

Indeed, it is believed that the 29-year-old has admirers within the north London club, coming as Tottenham and the board sound out defensive options.

As Gold explains, Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy are eager to sign a real leader at the back – with Brighton defender Dunk now emerging as a target.

The 6 foot 3 titan has averaged 3.1 clearances per 90 in the league this season and stands out as a composed head on mature shoulders with his 89% pass accuracy out from the back (WhoScored).

While Dunk doesn’t fit the usual age profile of Tottenham targets, Gold explains that his consistent performances in the league have marked him out – not to mention the fact he is homegrown.

Tottenham’s apparent biggest roadblock is his potential price tag considering he signed a new five-year deal for Brighton last summer – but Transfermarkt currently rate him at around £22.5 million.

Transfer Tavern take

Lauded as a ‘genius’ by former Spurs player and ex-Premier League boss Gus Poyet on Sky Sports (via football daily), there certainly are aspects of Dunk’s game to admire, but it remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites shore up this interest with a concrete move.

In other news: Tottenham could be without this ‘phenomenal’ star for Newcastle, find out more here.

Daniel Levy could repeat something he’s done before as Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial hunt takes a new twist…

What’s the word?

According to the Sunday Mirror (2nd May 2021, page 69), current interim boss Ryan Mason is under consideration for the vacant Spurs role on a permanent basis.

It’s thought that the 29-year-old, who was appointed on a temporary basis to replace Jose Mourinho until the end of the season, is now a genuine contender as there’s a growing belief that giving him the job would appease the fanbase.

They also claim that Daniel Levy and the Spurs hierarchy haven’t given up hope of convincing Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers, whilst Roberto Martinez and Nuno Santo also feature on his shortlist.

Shades of Jol

This would certainly be a bold and interesting move, but we shouldn’t be surprised if it does come to fruition as it has happened before in N17.

Martin Jol was never supposed to become manager of Spurs, it – kind of just fell on his lap.

Back in the summer of 2004, the Dutchman was appointed as Jacques Santini’s assistant manager but the Frenchman soon resigned after just 13 matches in charge and Jol was confirmed as their next head coach.

Mason’s playing career was tragically cut short and having come through the academy system at Hotspur Way, the North London outfit offered him a chance at forging a coaching career.

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He first joined in 2018 before being appointed U19 academy coach in 2019, and then head of player development U17 to U23 in August 2020. It does speak volumes that Levy has trusted him with such a huge role, though there is clearly some natural progression going on.

Under his tenure so far, Spurs have won two out of two Premier League games and lost the Carabao Cup final, so it’s not the worst start imaginable, especially given the latter occasion was only his second-ever match in senior management.

Ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino once backed Mason to have a big future in management. He told the club’s official website back in 2018 (via the Metro):

“He will be great in football and he’s going to be a manager or whatever he wants to do because he’s such a clever person. He’s got a football brain. He’s had success in football as a player and he’s going to succeed in everything that he wants to do in the future.”

High praise indeed and merely a little insight into why Levy could be truly considering him full-time. Mason, unlike many candidates, at least knows what the football club means, too.

Whether it’s the right move or not remains to be seen but you wouldn’t call Jol’s time a complete disaster, so perhaps Spurs could feel see shades of the Dutchman back at the club by hiring a former member of the coaching staff straight into the hotseat.

AND in other news, Forget Bale: Spurs beast who had 111 touches was an unsung hero in Sheff Utd whitewash…

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed an article regarding the wage demands of reported summer transfer target Erling Haaland.

According to David Ornstein’s article for The Athletic, Manchester City – as well as other interested clubs – have been informed that signing the 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund centre-forward this summer would “break wage structures across Europe”, with salary demands way in excess of what City’s top earners currently take home being communicated.

The £99 million-rated striker is undeniably something of a generational talent, having already scored a quite astonishing 49 goals and providing 13 assists over his 52 appearances for Dortmund.

However, after City Xtra relayed the news of Haaland’s reported wage demands on Twitter, some Man City fans flocked to have their say on the matter, with many feeling that the Norway international should not be signed this summer if the reports regarding his demands are indeed true. One irate supporter even blasted the Norwegian as an “overrated fraud” despite his exceptional goal return.

So, what exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the report regarding Erling Haaland’s wage demands?

“Really wanted him but if that’s the case all of a sudden Isak and Ings and Andre Silva are looking really great players.”

@resanemi

“Bro he can rot at Dortmund then.”

@oilfc96

“We’re good. He can go wherever.”

@ngozulumatondo

“We don’t want this overrated fraud.”

@not_aguero

“Honestly don’t want him. Don’t want to sign mercenaries – you can never truly attach yourselves to such players.”

@ManCityKD

“Let’s be real, it is not happening. Andre Silva would be a better option in our budget.”

@SadlyIoan

In other news: Lots of MCFC fans flocked to one recent transfer report – find out more here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who is a Newcastle United Hall of Famer, has revealed that Alan Shearer advised Steve Bruce to not take the manager’s job on multiple occasions.

Bruce was the man Mike Ashley chose to replace Rafa Benitez in 2018 and forked out £4 million in compensation to Sheffield Wednesday to bring his man to Tyneside.

In two seasons, Bruce has amassed a win ratio of 29.1% which is the worst of any team he has managed throughout his career and this has not helped him to win over the Newcastle fans, who overwhelmingly want him to be sacked.

Speaking on what all-time top scorer Shearer advised Bruce not to do and why he feels sorry for the ex-Sunderland manager, Lee told FFC:

“I feel a little bit sorry for Steve Bruce but listen, he did manage Sunderland and play for Manchester United, who stopped us from winning the league.

“Yes, he did 100% speak to Alan and most people advised him not to, and certainly Alan told him ‘don’t do it’, but he wanted to because he’s a Geordie.”

Despite aiming for a top-half finish to emulate the mighty Rafa Benitez, Bruce has seen Newcastle slide towards the relegation zone and sit just two points above the drop.

Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are now back in training which will be a welcome boost for Bruce’s side.

After breaking into the Sheffield Wednesday first team, young midfielder Alex Hunt has found himself down the pecking order at Hillsborough, and the club have a big decision to make on him this summer.

The 20-year-old Owls dynamo is out of contract at the end of the season, but according to Yorkshire Live’s Dom Howson, Wednesday have an option to extend his deal for another year.

Given his lack of game-time since Garry Monk’s sacking – he has featured only four times this season – it would be easy for the Yorkshire giants to cast him off on his own, but Darren Moore’s appointment is perfect for situations like this.

As a young, progressive manager, a youngster caught in a career crossroads should be eager to learn under the 46-year-old.

The best-case scenario could be the Owls activating that option – if they stay up, loan him out. If they go down, get him involved regularly. He should be able to adapt far easier at League One level than in the Championship.

Hunt was close to leaving on loan in January but Wednesday were unable to secure a suitable replacement in time. Had that happened, then things may have been very different.

After making his debut last season, Monk waxed lyrical about the Hillsborough graduate, he told The Star: “For me personally I think he’s got a lot of potential,” before adding: “He’s training hard, he’s training well and he’s still got things he can get a bit better at, but he’s growing, he’s young and I want to encourage him. He’s a really good prospect.”

Indeed, many at the Yorkshire outfit spotted that potential from an early age. Hunt captained the under-18 side, and that culminated in the youngster being nominated for the Championship’s Apprentice of the Year award that season.

Perhaps Hunt is a leader in the making, which would suggest he’s capable of one day taking the armband from Barry Bannan, who has been a mentor to him in recent months – only bolstering such a claim.

“I’ve spoken to him and tried to give him advice and he’s on board with that,” said the Owls skipper. “He just needs to play games. I know he’s playing under-23s and that, keeping his fitness up.”

Strong, creative and exciting. That’s just three words used to describe Hunt by The Athletic. They also claim that the 20-year-old has been the ‘player to watch’ from the academy setup, as touted by Bannan, Monk and even former manager Steve Bruce.

“He’s a big part of the future,” Monk added.

Also a boyhood fan of the Owls, there would be nothing better than seeing Hunt emerge into the senior fold in the near future.

Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri ought to sanction his option, and then worry about tying him down for the long-term later down the line.

In Hunt, Moore could have his perfect Bannan heir, and one capable of so much more development.

AND in other news, Sheffield Wednesday handed big injury boost this international break…

Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma has reportedly requested to leave the Amex Stadium this summer, acting as a potential transfer boost to Liverpool.

The Lowdown: Bissouma catching Liverpool’s eye

The Seagulls may have struggled this season, battling with relegation throughout the campaign, but Bissouma has consistently stood out in Graham Potter’s side.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool, being seen as a possible replacement for Gini Wijnaldum, who could leave in a few weeks’ time.

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The Latest: Bissouma hands in transfer request

According to The Times, Bissouma has asked Brighton to allow him to leave in the summer transfer window, no doubt alerting the Reds.

Both Manchester City and Arsenal are also mentioned in the report, as well as Marseille, suggesting there could be a battle for the Mali international’s signature.

It is even stated that Jurgen Klopp has ‘spent time personally researching Bissouma’s character’, such is his level of interest in the player.

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The Verdict: Liverpool should move for Bissouma

Assuming Wijnaldum does move on at the end of the season, Bissouma looks like a tailor-made replacement for the Dutchman, having been described as ‘incredible’ by former Brighton teammate Dale Stephens in the past.

He possesses a huge amount of energy in the middle of the park and the defensive side of his game stands out the most, with the Malian averaging 2.8 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game in the league this season.

In comparison, Wijnaldum has averaged just 0.6 and 0.7 respectively, which suggests that Bissouma could offer more tenacity than the current Liverpool ace.

The Brighton midfielder is also enjoying an 87.1% pass completion rate, which is impressive considering that he is playing for a bottom half club and suggests that he could thrive in Klopp’s system if the Reds can snap him up.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been criticising one Reds player’s performance in the 2-0 win over Southampton. Read more here.

Real Betis full-back Alex Moreno confirmed to beIN Sports France earlier this week, via quotes shared by Mundo Deportivo, that his agent has been discussing a summer move with potential suitors.

However, David Moyes would risk making a totally disastrous decision by persisting with plans to sign the 27-year-old, who TEAMtalk claimed is of interest to West Ham and Leeds as part of a group of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

Moreno has found his status as Manuel Pellegrini’s first-choice left-back regress as the La Liga campaign has rolled on, with the Chilean starting him in Los Verdiblancos’ first 13 fixtures but only six of the following 19.

The Estadio Benito Villamarin natives are enjoying a promising campaign under the former Irons head coach, who has led the Andalusian outfit to the cusp of qualification for next season’s Europa League.

Moreno’s reduced game-time has seemingly made him a target for a summer switch to the Premier League just two years after joining Betis from Rayo Vallecano in a €7m (£6m) deal, but regaining his place in the Betis backline remains the defender’s primary focus despite his agent sounding out what interest is circulating in the former Barcelona trainee.

“It is true that they have called my agent, big clubs, but I don’t know anything,” Moreno said. “I’m focused on finishing La Liga by entering Europe with Betis and I don’t know anything else.

“My agent has told me to focus on Betis, on my own, on the games that remain. It is a matter of the agents and it is a pride that big clubs notice me.”

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It remains to be seen whether West Ham are among the clubs to have contacted Moreno’s agent, but Moyes would risk making a horrible misjudgment by signing the £5.4m-rated defender, who is protected by a €40m (£34.5m) release clause on a contract running until 2024.

The Hammers boss made the right decision by not pursuing Moreno last summer when he was previously linked, having seen the full-back fall by the wayside to make way 21-year-old Juan Miranda to establish himself as Pellegrini’s favoured full-back.

Moreno’s efforts in the Spanish top flight this term would also suggest that he’d be an expensive downgrade on Moyes’ current options, as Betis would be in no position where they must sell given the time remaining on his current deal.

While Aaron Cresswell is Moyes’ most creative option with a team-high 1.4 key passes and 1.5 accurate crosses per Premier League game this season, Moreno has offered just 0.8 key balls and 0.4 accurate crosses on average in La Liga, per SofaScore.

That is also less than what Arthur Masuaku has provided, with the DR Congo international creating 0.9 goalscoring opportunities and delivering one accurate cross per game in a similar all-action role on the left-hand side on the field to the one Moreno occupies at Betis.

Moyes would need to reinvent his gameplan to share the creative burden if Moreno were to be signed this summer, as the West Ham boss would need to justify the likely sizable outlay David Sullivan would have to commit to get a deal done by starting him most weeks.

The Hammers have endured enough transfer failures in recent years – with Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson two prime examples – to make a move for Moreno a no-brainer to avoid.

AND in other news, West Ham have been warned against signing a £10m talent who’s “downed tools” this season…

Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder has exclusively told Football FanCast that the addition of Stuttgart star Nicolas Gonzalez this summer would make for an “exciting” front-three for Leeds United.

The Yorkshire club were strongly linked with the Stuttgart winger last summer, although the Argentine ended up staying in Germany having scored 14 goals in their promotion-winning campaign 12 months ago.

Gonzalez has missed the majority of this season with a muscle problem, but has still contributed to eight goals in the Bundesliga, scoring six times whilst providing two assists, to help Stuttgart push towards a mid-table finish in their first season back in Germany’s top-flight.

Jack Harrison has been part of Leeds’ front-three this season, but the youngster is on loan from Manchester City, and Pinder told Football FanCast that signing Gonzalez would make for a mouth-watering attack for Marcelo Bielsa, alongside two stars of their own first campaign back in the top division – Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

He said: “It’s that thing of, you’ve got Raphinha and potentially Gonzalez on the other wing and Bamford up front.

“And with their fast direct play up front, them interchanging, it would be an exciting time to be a Leeds fan if they signed Nicolas Gonzalez.”