All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool made it two wins from two in Group B on the Champions League, thrashing Porto 5-1 at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday evening.

Jurgen Klopp’s charges were back to their scintillating best against the Portuguese giants and raced into an early lead through Mohamed Salah after he tapped in a parried Curtis Jones effort.

Sadio Mane doubled Liverpool’s lead on the stroke of halftime before Salah got his second on the hour mark, putting the game to bed.

Mehdi Taremi’s header briefly gave the hosts a glimmer of hope but substitute Roberto Firmino added the fourth and fifth goals during an eye-catching display for the Reds.

Despite the standout performances of the forward line, it was arguably one of the Anfield outfit’s back four who had the most pleasing showing.

Left-back Andy Robertson was back to his best against Porto following a difficult start to the season, something that will have perhaps satisfied Klopp as much as the scoreline given his importance to the side.

The Scotland international continuously burst down the flanks, making overlapping and underlapping runs on either side of Mane and was almost rewarded for his efforts after 25 minutes, teeing up Diogo Jota, but the striker couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

Robertson then almost got himself on the scoresheet at the start of the second half after firing the ball across goal following Mane’s pass, although his effort was well saved by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

He continued to terrorise the Porto right side for the rest of the evening, and his underlying numbers are further evidence of a satisfying night’s work for the tireless 27-year-old.

As per SofaScore, Robertson had a whopping 100 touches during the 90 minutes, achieved a passing accuracy of 89%, created one big chance and also made three key passes, highlighting his attacking efficiency with the ball at his feet.

However, the former Hull City ace was also just as impressive in a defensive capacity. He made three tackles, two interceptions and one clearance against Porto, capping off a magnificent night at both ends of the pitch.

Klopp will be hoping for more of the same from Robertson in the weeks to come, with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City next up for the Merseysiders.

And, in other news…Forget Salah: Liverpool maestro who won seven duels was Klopp’s real hero v Porto 

Speaking on a football.london Q&A, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold has come out with a Tottenham Hotspur claim involving Nuno Espirito Santo, Fabio Paratici and Wolves star Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs wanted Traore?

During the latter stages of the summer transfer window, Tottenham became heavily linked with a move for Traore and reports even suggest they lodged a failed £30 million bid on deadline day.

The 25-year-old was the subject of exit debate and Nuno’s new club were, of course, mentioned in the fray alongside other interested parties.

When asked about Spurs and Traore on deadline day, Gold confirmed their interest whilst hinting they could potentially revisit.

The Latest: Gold explains Traore interest…

As per the reliable Spurs correspondent, both Nuno and Paratici ‘love’ the Molineux winger and despite nothing happening on deadline day, it could perhaps be one to look at again in the future.

“Wolves are standing firm at the moment,” Gold said (via football.london).

“Spurs aren’t currently hopeful of anything happening for him today.

“Perhaps it’s one to look at again in the future as Nuno and Paratici do love him.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

While the summer transfer window has literally just shut, it’s never too early to start thinking about possible additions for the next one.

Traore’s price tag has dropped considerably since last year, with his former €100 million (£85.9m) valuation now halving to around £50m.

A 50 per cent discount of this magnitude is arguably too good of an opportunity to miss for a player described as ‘undefendable’ by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

In other news: ‘Finished article’ – Sky pundit in awe of Spurs starlet who’s an ‘improved version of Ndombele’…find out more here.

Manchester City face Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League as they go in search of a third straight win.

Pep Guardiola’s side are coming into the match off the back of two 5-0 wins against Norwich and Arsenal, having started the campaign with a disappointing 1-0 loss at Tottenham.

Ederson and Gabriel Jesus are set to be available despite previous concerns over whether or not FIFA would ban them from playing. Kevin de Bruyne is also set to return, whilst Phil Foden is likely to miss out.

Who will Guardiola bring into the XI? Here is our predicted starting line-up for the clash against Leicester…

We are predicting that Guardiola will make three changes to the team which started the rout against Arsenal, with Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones and Raheem Sterling coming in.

Firstly, we are predicting that de Bruyne will return to the starting XI. The Belgian has been back in training all week and we believe that Guardiola will take Bernardo Silva out of the team to accommodate the two-time PFA Player of the Year.

He has only played 11 minutes in the league so far this season, having produced 19 goals and 32 assists in the previous two Premier League campaigns combined. His ability to score and create goals could increase City’s chances of picking up three points against the Foxes, which is why he should be brought into the team.

Although Jesus has been cleared to feature, the decision has come very late ahead of the match and Jesus may not be in the best place – mentally – to start the game. With Zack Steffen out with Covid, there is little choice but to select Ederson, but Guardiola has plenty of options to start out wide in the front three.

We are predicting that Raheem Sterling will come in. The 26-year-old has only started once this season (against Tottenham) but did manage to get himself on the scoresheet against Norwich. He also scored once in two games for England over the international break, netting in the 4-0 thrashing of Hungary.

Riyad Mahrez could also start in the wide role, but we are backing Sterling for this match because of his positional flexibility which could allow Ferran Torres and himself to interchange positions throughout the game. Sterling has the capabilities to play through the middle, which could then see Torres move out wide and cause problems for the Leicester defenders as they try and work out who they should be marking.

Finally, we are predicting that John Stones will start at centre-back alongside Ruben Dias instead of Spanish international Aymeric Laporte. We have published an article explaining our reasoning behind this decision, with the Englishman yet to start a Premier League match this season and deserving of an opportunity to come in and show that he can recapture his form from the previous campaign.

We are predicting that the rest of the side will remain the same from the 5-0 win over Arsenal prior to the international break.

AND in other news, Pep must start £100k-p/w Man City enforcer vs Leicester, he could stop Vardy…

Many Southampton fans were far from happy with comments from Ralph Hasenhuttl following their 3-1 defeat to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

After an awful finish to 2020/21 which saw them slump to 15th, the Saints got their new season off to the worst possible start against the Toffees at Goodison Park. They took the lead through new signing Adam Armstrong, but Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were all on target to turn the game around for the home side.

After the match, Hasenhuttl admitted that he twice thought about changing things earlier on in the game but didn’t do so at either time (via The Athletic) – in the end, that may have ended up being to the Saints’ detriment.

The manager’s comments were shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the comments from Hasenhuttl

“He definitely should’ve changed. We looked totally clueless second half and typical Ralph read the game wrong, waited too long to make subs and let Everton take it. He’s clearly not thought of any new tactics or ideas in preseason”

Credit: @_Sodzilla_

“The difference between a decent manager who can change a game and ours who never has a plan B”

Credit: @StuJ09

“And what about ‘no changes’, that didn’t exactly work well for us either”

Credit: @subseasaint

“What game was he watching”

Credit: @sfc__Jay

“He’s out of his depth. Clearly paralysed by fear of making a mistake. Time to go.”

Credit: @benjii82

“Insanity….keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome Groundhog Day”

Credit: @SpencerHoughts

In other news, many Southampton fans react to these comments on Gao Jisheng.

An update has emerged on Lille defender Sven Botman, regarding Tottenham’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Sky Sports (10:22 – 28/07/21), Tottenham are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Lille centre-back Sven Botman as Nuno Santo attempts to restructure his defensive options.

The report claims West Ham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Norwich are tracking him, whilst Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs have tentative interest at this stage.

Upgrade on Sanchez

Fabio Paratici must sanction a swoop for Botman this summer as he would be a much-needed, quality, addition to the squad.

Spurs are being touted with a deal for Atalanta defender Christian Romero, but he could be viewed as a replacement for Toby Alderweireld – who left the club earlier this month.

Botman, meanwhile, could be seen as an upgrade on a player who is already at the club; Davinson Sanchez. The centre-back endured a dismal 2020/21 campaign, as he averaged a disappointing WhoScored rating of 6.67 in 18 Premier League appearances for Spurs. This suggests that Santo requires an improvement in that area of the pitch, in addition to the potential arrival of Romero.

Therefore, Spurs landing the Ligue 1 gem could improve the defensive options that Santo has to work with. Lille head coach Christophe Galtier hailed the former Ajax player as a “leader” on the pitch with his impressive performances for the French club.

“In football, you have leaders who are vocal, ones who gesticulate and ones who shake the team up… I have a few of those.

“But you also have people who lead by example, through their performances, and it’s true that Sven is emerging as this type of leader.”

The 6ft 3 beast averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.99 across 37 Ligue 1 starts as Lille won the title last term. This shows that he is capable of consistently performing to a higher standard than Sanchez at the top level, whilst he is also four years younger than the Spurs man.

The Lille ace has the potential for further improvement at his young age and he could grow under Santo’s coaching, making him an asset in both the short and the long term.

Paratici must work hard to get deals over the line for both the Dutchman and Romero this summer, assuming it is within the budget they have set themselves. If they can do that then Tottenham should have a reliable defensive unit in the 2021/22 campaign.

AND in other news, Paratici could land dream signing for Spurs with £50m swoop for “complete number nine”…

There is a ‘minimal’ distance between Fiorentina and West Ham United as they look to reach agreement on a fee for Nikola Milenkovic, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica (via Viola News).  

The lowdown

Milenkovic played 34 Serie A games last season for Fiorentina, averaging 3.6 clearances, three successful aerial duels and 1.4 tackles per match (via WhoScored).

The Croatian’s contract has less than a year left to run, which puts his club in a somewhat weak position as he would be able to walk away for free next summer as things stand.

His team-mate Pol Lirola has hailed the 23-year-old as a player of ‘extraordinary quality’ and declared him ‘ready for a great team’.

The latest

The report from La Repubblica (via Viola News) stated that West Ham have made a €15m (£12.7m) bid, but Fiorentina value Milenkovic closer to €20m(£17m). ‘An agreement could be found’ at around the €18m (£15.3m) mark.

Encouragingly for the Irons, Fiorentina have already lined up their replacement for the Serbian, as Milenkovic’s exit would give them the ‘green light’ to sign former Manchester City defender Matija Nastastic from Schalke 04.

The verdict

West Ham have needed another centre-back since Fabian Balbuena left, but if Milenkovic comes in – and the development regarding Nastasic would suggest that the Irons’ chances of getting their man have improved – he would do more than just provide squad depth.

Indeed, you could argue that he would represent an upgrade. No Hammers defender won more headers per game than him in 2020/21, while his tackling record was better than that of Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop [WhoScored].

West Ham might try to wait it out a little in the knowledge that Fiorentina are under pressure to sell, but there seems to be confidence that this deal will go through. If it does, they should then turn their attention to recruiting a much-needed centre-forward alternative to Michail Antonio.

In other news, West Ham have opened talks for this Champions League winner. 

Paris Saint-Germain have identified Everton forward Richarlison as their preferred replacement if Kylian Mbappe leaves the club, according to RMC Sport.

The lowdown

The report states that Mbappe’s future is uncertain after he turned down the offer of a five-year contract. As it stands, he’ll be a free agent next summer.

It now remains to be seen if Real Madrid, or the unnamed Premier League club who have expressed ‘concrete’ interest, will launch a move in the final week of the transfer window.

Everton paid £35.28million to sign Richarlison from Watford in 2018, and he’s since gone on to score 43 goals in 121 appearances for the Blues (via Transfermarkt).

Richarlison, who’s also racked up 32 Brazil caps, was hailed as a ‘complete’ forward by former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The latest

PSG have prepared themselves for the possibility of Mbappe’s exit by establishing contact with Richarlison’s representatives.

Neymar has apparently helped to persuade the club that his compatriot would be a capable replacement.

The verdict

This could be a long-running story. PSG will reportedly renew their efforts to tie Mbappe down if they keep him beyond the deadline, but by January, he’ll be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with another club.

Even if no move for Richarlison materialises this summer, then, they could revisit their interest further down the line.

Everton might get the better end of the deal. His progress has stalled recently, but they may still be able to coax a huge fee out of the Parisians to reinvest in the squad, especially if a move comes after they have just cashed in on Mbappe.

In other news, Patrick Boyland addresses the possibility of this loan move.

Southampton continue to axe some of the deadwood from their squad this summer, with Mario Lemina the latest player to complete a permanent move away, as he joined French Ligue 1 side Nice.

What’s the word?

After spending recent seasons out on loan with Galatasaray and Fulham, it always seemed likely that the Gabon international would depart this summer, as Hasenhuttl made it clear that he wasn’t the sort of player he wanted in his squad.

Whilst the likes of Newcastle United and Watford were linked with the 27-year-old, it is Nice who won the race to sign him in a deal reportedly worth £3.4m.

Although that is a significant loss on the £18.1m Southampton paid to sign him from Juventus in 2017, owner Jisheng Gao will be surely delighted to get Lemina off the books at St Mary’s due to the wages he was receiving, whilst fans will be hoping that the money earned will go towards bringing in a new player at Staplewood this summer.

Was Lemina a Southampton flop?

During his four years at Southampton, Lemina would make just 52 appearances, contributing two goals and two assists from midfield.

His performances at Fulham last season, where he made 28 appearances in the top-flight and averaged a less than impressive 6.60 rating from WhoScored perhaps confirmed that he was not cut out to be a Premier League player with Southampton, so fans will be delighted to see him go.

The Saints have already been able to get rid of the likes of Wesley Hoedt and Angus Gunn and whilst these were very much fringe options in Hasenhuttl’s squad, it seems clear that the Austrian will have to bring in replacements before the new season starts, or risk struggling again as the squad does lack depth.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

Southampton look thin in terms of central midfield options, with James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu and Ibrahim Diallo arguably the only natural senior options in that position, so whilst Lemina was clearly deadwood and needed to go, the Saints should perhaps be looking to add another player in the middle of the park before the transfer window shuts.

And, in other news… Concerning Staplewood update emerges on “unbelievable” beast, Ralph surely gutted

Aston Villa could strike gold this summer with a bargain swoop for Ipswich Town’s Liam Gibbs.

What’s the story?

According to reports in recent weeks, Villa have been one of the clubs named as keeping a track of Gibbs’ situation with the Tractor Boys, and it appears that the Midlands club now have the perfect chance to make their move.

The Suffolk News have revealed that the 18-year-old starlet is set to depart Ipswich this summer after contract talks between the two parties broke down.

The report added: “It means Gibbs is now a free agent from this morning and Ipswich are set to only get a nominal compensation fee for their part in training him.”

Forget Smith Rowe

While reports in recent days and weeks have linked Villa with a swoop for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe, Dean Smith’s side may be better off abandoning on what at the moment looks to be a dead-end pursuit and instead target Gibbs.

Like Smith Rowe, the Ipswich teenager is predominantly a number ten, but has also shown some versatility by playing from the left, and he seems destined for a big future.

Portman Road academy chief Bryan Klug said: “He is a goalscorer and he is a goal creator. He has got a real talent and one thing now is this football club presents opportunities to people like that.

“He has got the talent, there is no doubt. He is one of the most talented people I have worked with. I would not rule out anything for Liam. I think he has got the potential to be a top player.”

Rather than potentially wasting time going after a player in Smith Rowe, who Arsenal are adamant will not be sold as they look to tie up a new contract for him, Gibbs could be the kind of young, exciting signing who could make a real impression at Villa Park.

Also, the fact that the 18-year-old is a free agent and that Ipswich would only be due a “nominal compensation fee” makes him a hugely enticing transfer prospect from a financial sense as well.

Johan Lange could hit the Villa jackpot with a bargain move for Gibbs this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are closing in on this big-money signing…

Writing on Twitter in reply to Tottenham Hotspur training footage, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold has dropped some ‘terrific news’ on midfield sensation Oliver Skipp.

The Lowdown: Skipp showing promise…

The England under-21 international enjoyed a brilliant 2020/21 season on loan at Norwich City in the Championship, where he started 44 matches under Daniel Farke (WhoScored). He also made the second-most tackles per game (2.2)  and joint-third most interceptions (1.1) out of the entire Canaries squad, proving himself a solid enforcer in front of the back four (WhoScored).

However, the promising 20-year-old suffered a metatarsal fracture at the back end of the campaign which required surgery (tottenhamhotspur.com), with Gold now sharing an update in response to the club’s Hotspur Way footage.

The Latest: Gold drops ‘terrific’ Skipp update

Sharing some ‘terrific news’ on social media, Gold has claimed that Skipp should be back in full training next week after a video emerged of him back on the training pitches at Tottenham.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-4/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, while he is not currently fully fit, the midfielder’s speedy recovery could spell good news for Spurs as he aims to get back up to speed quickly under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Gold also believes that the 20-year-old has a ‘big season ahead’ in store, with it being hard to argue against that assessment based on the player’s potential.

The Verdict: Big boost for Spurs…

Former Lilywhites manager Jose Mourinho best summed up Skipp’s quality while he was still at the helm in north London, branding the youngster ‘phenomenal’ and a ‘future captain’. The praise is noteworthy as Mourinho is not averse to criticising young talents in public.

The homegrown starlet has been tipped to play a big role for Spurs during the upcoming season and could provide real solidarity alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the defensive midfield position.

Having him back fully fit in time for the 2021/22 campaign should  come as a big boost for Nuno, and many Spurs fans will likely be eager to see him return to full training next week.

In other news: ‘In recent days’…Journalist says Spurs have now made enquiry to sign £34.4m-rated ‘genius’, find out more here.