All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton are talking to several managerial candidates, but former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is still favourite for the vacant position [Liverpool Echo].

As the Toffees get their ducks in a row ahead of 2021/22, plenty may have thought that the appointment of the Portuguese coach would have been nothing more than a formality, following reports of advanced talks last week [90MIN].

As anxiety grows over the direction of the Merseyside giants heading into the new campaign, alternative coaches Christophe Galtier, Roberto Martinez and ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez have all been linked with the role [Football Fancast].

The Blues are not due back to Finch Farm for pre-season training until early July. Potentially, this could signify that they are biding their time to identify the most suitable candidate to replace the departed Carlo Ancelotti, who took up the reigns at Real Madrid earlier this month [Liverpool Echo].

As you can imagine, loads of Everton diehards took to Twitter to vent their frustrations over the state of limbo the club are currently in.

Everton fans react:

Replying to various Everton fan outlets, here are how some fans summarized their feelings after hearing the latest news, with one supporter lambasting it as ‘terrible’:

“He’s a terrible choice. How can we go from ancelotti to him.”

Credit: @Kyle1978MMA”We’re waiting for Martinez after the Euros aren’t we absolute joke”Credit: @Everton1878___”Nuno is the best of a bad bunch its getting to be a joke now just get it sorted Everton”Credit: @Wazefc83″I would rather give Dunc a go than Nuno”Credit: @BornABlue1878″So bored of this now me”Credit: @Ryanc10efc”Definitely something going on behind the scenes here.”Credit: @chriswatson187In other news, Everton fans react to a performance of a reported target.

Tottenham Hotspur are still on the hunt for a new manager but Paul Stewart, who won the FA Cup in 1991 with Spurs, has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he can’t see Mauricio Pochettino returning to the North London club.

Spurs legend, Graham Roberts, had claimed that Daniel Levy should be knocking on Pochettino’s door and asking him to come back despite only sacking the Argentine at Spurs in 2019.

There have been some outlandish reports recently that have suggested Pochettino is already under pressure at PSG after the Parisians were knocked out of the Champions League convincingly by Manchester City, and they will head into the final day of the Ligue 1 season one point behind Lille in the title race.

Pochettino managed to guide Tottenham to an unlikely Champions League final in 2019 but he was sacked just a few months after that feat was reached and when asked if he could see the South American returning to north London, Stewart told the The Transfer Tavern:

“No, no. At the minute we look miles away from a Champions League team so I get what Graham’s saying but for me he would just be working with the same players he had before and we just need fresh faces at the club.

“Whoever is the manager needs to be given time but unfortunately, time isn’t what managers get anymore in the Premier League. It’s the million-dollar question for owners, do you give a manager time?”

Despite reaching the Carabao Cup final, Jose Mourinho was relieved of his duties as Tottenham’s manager and since Ryan Mason has taken over they have lost just once in the league.

Spurs appear to still have an outside chance of qualifying for Europe as they head into their penultimate fixture of the season against Aston Villa, sitting sixth but just four points off Liverpool in fifth.

Celtic have a number of areas they need to strengthen this summer but none are arguably more important than the Hoops’ defence.

Of course, the Bhoys didn’t enjoy a good season in any shape or form but they can go a long way to winning the league again by addressing their backline.

What’s the word?

With Kristoffer Ajer potentially leaving, it only heightens Celtic’s need to find a defender this summer.

However, even if they do find an adequate replacement, they will not improve sufficiently until they find a new goalkeeper.

Celtic tried their best to lure Fraser Forster back to Paradise last summer but he remained in Southampton and will continue to do so next season.

After the failed signing of Vasilis Barkas, the Hoops have been eyeing a move for Dundee United stopper Benjamin Siegrist. The 29-year-old has been on their radar for a while now but the ‘keeper is thought to be keen on a switch.

In a recent interview with Blick (via Daily Record), he refused to rule out a switch to Parkhead. After being questioned about Celtic, he responded: “If there is interest, I’ll take a close look.”

Bullying Celtic

With Scott Bain and Barkas making a number of high profile errors this season, signing a player like Siegrist certainly makes sense.

After all, the Hoops need a goalkeeper who is going to stand tall between the posts, something they’ve not had since the colossal 6 foot 7 frame of Fraser Forster was in Glasgow.

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Siegrist stands shorter at 6 foot 4 but that’s still a gigantic height for a ‘keeper and he’s someone that’s already embarrassed Celtic.

With the Hoops needing to record a win over Dundee United in order to prevent Rangers from prematurely lifting the Premiership crown, they could only draw 0-0 at Tannadice.

They were diabolical in front of goal with Odsonne Edouard spurning three opportunities to score.

However, much of that was down to the inspired Siegrist. He was a man-mountain between the posts when the two teams met back in March, making no fewer than 12 saves.

It was a mammoth performance from someone who’s had an “extraordinary season” in the words of his agent.

Though, we shouldn’t be surprised by this when you consider the phrasing Micky Mellon used to describe him. Speaking earlier in the campaign he claimed Siegrist “trains like a monster.”

With his long reach and ability to frighten attackers, he’d surely offer more of a presence for Celtic than Bain or Barkas have at any point in the last year.

AND in other news, Forget Soro: Celtic already have their Scott Brown heir in 6 ft 6 “man mountain”…

Despite his goal and impressive display against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Pep Guardiola must axe Sergio Aguero for Manchester City’s game against PSG at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

The Argentinian made a rare start at Selhurst Park and scored the opening goal thanks to a sumptuous touch and finish from Benjamin Mendy’s cross.

However, he has only just regained match fitness after an injury-hit season and has struggled in previous starts this season, notably against Leeds United and Leicester City, so the match against PSG might be a step too far for the legendary striker.

Guardiola’s side produced a superb second-half display at Les Parc des Princes last week to earn a 2-1 away win, in which Kevin De Bruyne featured as a striker, and it seems likely that the Spanish manager will stick with the same ‘strikerless’ tactic which proved so effective in France.

Although Aguero has two goals in the Champions League this season, it would be unwise to throw him in from the start against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as he is still likely building match fitness after featuring just once in April.

It would be something of a ruthless decision by Guardiola to leave him out after scoring a goal which could’ve sealed City the Premier League title, had Manchester United vs Liverpool gone ahead, especially as he will undoubtedly go down as one of the Citizens’ greatest ever players.

After his goal at the weekend, Guardiola sang his praises, saying:

“What a goal, what a player and what a man. I’m completely in love with him. He is an absolute top legend, an extraordinary player.

‘The people cannot believe it but we’ve missed him. We haven’t been able to use him many times, but maybe we got him back at the right time. He knows he has a special quality.”

However, the Spanish manager has to put sentiment to one side for this game and ensure that City build on their 2-1 advantage from the first leg, in order to seal their spot in the Champions League final.

In what is likely to be such an intense game, banking on Aguero from the start would be a huge gamble, one that Guardiola sould not take.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Sterling: Txiki should seal City swoop for “sensational” PL wizard this summer

After making his return from injury last time out in the Premier League, Jack Grealish must surely make Dean Smith’s starting line-up for Aston Villa’s clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

The England international had missed the last twelve games in the top-flight with an injury, and given the number of weeks it took to see him finally back on the pitch, there would have been understandable fears about him missing the entire season.

But, the 5 foot 10 star came on for the final 18 minutes of the 0-0 draw against Everton, and while he couldn’t help inspire a late winner, should start from the off when Villa take on Roy Hodgson’s men.

Speaking after that Toffees game, Smith said: “I think (Grealish) had one mesmerising run where he had five or six Everton players chasing him and you thought it might be one of them days where he comes on scoring the winner.

“It’s really good to have him back. It’s small steps at the moment but it’s great to have him back out there. We’ve got three games now in the next 10 days and we’re hopeful Jack will play a part in all three of them games. Whether it’s Tottenham or Chelsea, we’re hoping to get 90 minutes out of him.

“He’ll be as fit as can be. He’s a naturally fit player anyway. He’s continued to work on his CV (cardiovascular) with a little bit more off feet and, in training, you don’t see a lack of fitness in him, that’s for sure.”

If Grealish is fit, then there’s no questioning he simply has to start against the Eagles, with the influence he has on this Villa side untold – in the 12 games that he missed, the side won just three games, and have completely fallen out of serious contention to finish in a European place.

Former Villa player Paul Merson raved about the kind of quality Grealish brings to the table, saying: “He’s a special player. He’s the best three or four-yard passer I’ve seen in the game for a long time. People will go ‘three or four-yard passes’, but you watch football when it comes back and see how many people roll the ball to a full-back and they have to take a touch or someone goes on the overlap and they kick it out of touch.

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“It is always a pitch perfect ball, that three or four-yard ball and for me he is a special player. Very comfortable on the ball, very gifted.”

Given their recent form, bringing Grealish back into the starting line-up could well be a real game-changer for Villa.

Meanwhile, Dean Smith must never play this Villa star again…

Celtic opened their Scottish Cup campaign last week with a routine 3-0 victory over Falkirk.

It was a nice distraction for the Bhoys as they were able to forget about their horrendous league season for a week and focus on other targets.

The Hoops have lost their grasp on the league title and have one remaining chance of winning some silverware this season. That, however, will be more difficult as they face fierce rivals Rangers in the next round.

This weekend, they are back in league action as they face Livingston at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon. They made a number of changes for their last clash so how will they line up when Livi travel to Glasgow?

We’re tipping Kennedy to make as many as four changes to the side which beat Falkirk a week ago.

That means a return to the line-up for a few of their star men. The £15,000-per-week Leigh Griffiths was handed a rare opportunity to lead the line but Odsonne Edouard is back this week. He’s scored 20 times this term and is their undisputed MVP from a rough-and-tumble campaign.

James Forrest keeps his place on the right flank after scoring his first goal following injury but Ryan Christie is axed from the starting XI. That means Mo Elyounoussi comes back after his impressive display against Rangers before the international break.

The Norwegian scored a wonderful diving header in that clash and deserves another run of starts.

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David Turnbull moves slightly further forward to play behind the striker, while Callum McGregor replaces Tom Rogic in the line-up.

The only remaining change to note is a return for Greg Taylor. Diego Laxalt consequently drops out, with Taylor now having a number of weeks of full training under his belt after injury.

AND in other news, Celtic may sign their best striker since Larsson with move for “powerful” £45k-p/w ace…

Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he would not sign Theo Walcott if he had the opportunity to.

This comes after reports claimed that Walcott is set to sign for the Saints permanently after initially joining the club on loan from Everton last October.

The 32-year-old has had his problems with injury this season, but he has been able to make a bit of an impact when fit. Earlier in the campaign, he managed to grab a goal for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men against former side Arsenal and provide an assist in an exciting 3-3 draw with Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Palmer has been left feeling underwhelmed by talk of Walcott extending his stay at St. Mary’s.

“I’m not a fan of Theo Walcott. I’m not a fan of him,” the retired England international told FFC.

“I think Theo is one of those players that burst on the scene with enormous talent and he’s still in that mode now. He’s coming into his early 30s; he’s still in that same boat – don’t know whether he’s a winger or a centre-forward.

“You’ll get a good game out of him. You know, he’s got blistering pace and always had blistering pace, doesn’t really know how to play the wide game, hence why he left Arsenal, hence why he’s had to leave Everton under [Carlo] Ancelotti. For me, he’s a player I wouldn’t be signing.”

While Southampton look like they could be bringing in Walcott permanently, the Saints may have to watch Danny Ings leave this summer.

The English striker, whose contract expires at the end of next season, continues to be linked with a move away from St. Mary’s.

A number of Liverpool fans have been bemoaning an injury update on Kostas Tsimikas, with the left-back picking up a knock on international duty.

The Reds snapped up the 24-year-old last August, bringing him in from Olympiakos in a deal worth £11.75million.

Tsimikas was seen as ideal backup to Andy Robertson, allowing the Scot the odd breather in what was going to be a relentless season.

Unfortunately, the Greek’s first year on Merseyside has been a hugely disappointing one, with injuries constantly halting his progress.

[freshpress-quiz id=“343638″]

Tsimikas has been limited to just six appearances in all competition, with only five minutes of action coming his way in the Premier League.

It now appears as though the Liverpool man has suffered another setback, with Sportime journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos taking to Twitter to confirm that he took no part in training for Greece on Friday.

It is believed that he picked up a knock in his country’s 1-1 draw with Spain on Thursday, having been substituted late on.

Liverpool fans react to Tsimikas update

These Liverpool supporters provided their thoughts on the news on Twitter, with plenty of frustration on show.

“All we need now is for Robbo to be injured and we’re in a new crisis at the back”

Credit: @jacksonto888

“Another serial sick note! All season injured”

Credit: @Omar470

“Is he actually a real person?”

Credit: @andymo0212

“Has this dude ever been fit?”

Credit: @MatthewBiggin

“Haven’t had one in a while, we were due one”

Credit: @lfckez

“That is bad. We need him as Robbo’s backup…”

Credit: @Seyjith

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a surprise transfer rumour. Find out who the player in question is here.

Aston Villa must look to sign Watford winger Ismaila Sarr this summer amid Lee Hendrie’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The Senegal international has been in fine form for the Hornets this season, bagging ten goals and providing a further nine assists, and Hendrie has suggested that he would be a great fit for Dean Smith’s Premier League side.

Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, the 43-year-old said: “I think he’s a fabulous player, I really do. He’s a young man still learning his trade, very raw. I was a bit disappointed with him this season, at the start of the season.

“I felt that maybe he had possibly sulked at the situation that he wasn’t able to go to Liverpool or actually be back playing in the Premier League and he had to stay at Watford. And it took some time for the penny to drop and he is now in great form, scoring goals, creating.

“Yes, he’s a player that certainly brings that element of attack and forward threat. He’d certainly fit the bill for Dean Smith’s side because that’s the sort of formation he plays with, a sort of three with two wide men. So, yeah, he’d be a great addition to the football club.”

Game-changer for Dean Smith

Despite being part of a relegated Watford side last season, Sarr was one of the shining lights for the Hornets, scoring five goals and setting up a further six in 28 Premier League games, including a magical brace against Liverpool.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, his former teammate at Vicarage Road, waxed lyrical about Sarr’s abilities, telling RMC Sport (via talkSPORT): “I’ve told him as a joke that he’s a Champions League player, but I really think it’s because I know he has exceptional qualities. He’s not just quick, he’s incredible at finishing, he can find space, keep the ball and I hope he’ll go very far.”

His performances have also earned high praise from the likes of Gary Neville, who labelled him a “big, big talent” who is “special”, whilst his international compatriot Sadio Mane called him “rapid” and “very fast” when warning his teammate Andy Robertson of his abilities.

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Villa could really land a superb gem in the £18m-rated speedster.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has confirmed a major boost for Aston Villa…

Many Southampton fans were criticial of the display of Ibrahima Diallo despite their 2-0 win at Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

A James Ward-Prowse penalty and a spectacular effort from Che Adams were enough to give the St Mary’s faithful all three points away at Chris Wilder’s team, but while there were some very good performances in a Saints shirt on the day, Diallo’s flattered to deceive for several supporters.

The central midfielder lost out on four of his duels and also failed to make a single interception, while losing possession of the ball no fewer than 11 times in the game, earning him a quite measly 6.8 overall rating on Sofascore, the second-worst out of any of his teammates to have started the match.

Southampton fan reaction to Diallo display

These Saints fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far to claim that the 21-year-old Frenchman was ‘dreadful’:

“#SaintsFC Diallo needs to wake up and look up before passing, dreadful for giving the ball away.”

Credit: @HackedOffStuart

“Generally happy with that first half, some good attacks, @NathanTella_11 has been on great form, concerned for @IngsDanny injury and some of Diallo’s passing has been worrying. #SHUSOU #SaintsFC”

Credit: @chriskidd

“I said Diallo was rusty but that pass was shocking. Needs to get his brain in gear #SaintsFC”

Credit: @r_c_bennett

“The fact that Diallo completely ignored Armstrong’s run on the left was bad enough, but then to give it away like that OMG! #SaintsFC”

Credit: @thepump74

“Diallo needs a good rollicking at half time…. Incredibly poor but we’re winning!! Adams needs to get on his toes too!! #saintsfc”

Credit: @hampshirehogsfc

“We look like an actual football team with KWP back. Loving Tella. Diallo having a shocker though #SaintsFC”

Credit: @Peleton11

In other news, find out what big incident in the fixture left Saints fans talking here!