All posts by z3u9t.icu

Tottenham Hotspur have received a huge boost ahead of the north London derby this afternoon…

What’s the latest?

Lilywhites boss Nuno Santo is able to welcome back first-team winger Lucas Moura from injury as they head to arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

Speaking ahead of kick-off in his pre-game press conference, the Portuguese head coach revealed the Brazilian had returned to training this week.

“It’s important to have all the options that we can have,” Nuno told the club’s official website. “It gives you so many solutions that we need and it’s so good to have Lucas back.”

The 29-year-old picked up a knock during their 2-2 draw with Stade Rennes in the UEFA Conference League two weeks ago and missed the defeat to Chelsea last weekend, as well as Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Wolves.

Imagine him, Kane and Son

Moura has started three of his four appearances in the Premier League this term, so it’s evident that he’s a key player for Nuno and the squad.

He may not have scored or assisted yet in 2021/22 but the long-serving wide man currently ranks as Spurs’ best player, earning a WhoScored rating of 7.09, which is even higher than top goalscorer Heung-min Son (7.07) and August ‘Player of the Month’ nominee Eric Dier (6.87).

The former Paris Saint-Germain star is a tireless presence on the right flank, and with Steven Bergwijn out injured and Bryan Gil still adapting to life in England, his likely involvement at the Emirates Stadium will come as a massive boost.

Moura is currently averaging a squad-high 2.5 dribbles per game, which suggests he’s the most capable option of driving the ball forward into the final third, whilst an average of 2.3 tackles per game shows he still tracks back to help out the side defensively.

It’s that sort of relentless work rate that Nuno will need if he’s to have success against their arch-rivals today.

The £22.5m-rated dynamo, who Dier once described as a “nightmare” to train against, should come straight back into the starting XI this afternoon.

As Nuno claims, it’s good to have him back, so the Portuguese head coach may well be a little more confident heading into kickoff.

A front three of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Moura gives Spurs a great shot at pulling off a result in north London today.

AND in other news, Nuno must ruthlessly axe Spurs’ £18m-rated “real liability” today, Arsenal could feast…

According to Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici is already eyeing his next transfer swoop as news emerges about AC Milan star Franck Kessie.

The Lowdown: Paratici era in full swing…

Following the conclusion of Tottenham’s summer transfer window, it’s safe to say that the new Paratici era is now in full swing.

Chairman Daniel Levy appointed the Italian transfer chief at the beginning of June with Paratici going on to oversee a plethora of incomings and outgoings at N17 – as well as the arrival of new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Now, despite the window literally just shutting, it appears that he has his eyes on another swoop for Spurs.

The Latest: News emerges on Kessie…

According to Calciomercato, Tottenham are ‘ready to make an offer’ of €8 million(£6.8m)-per-year to Kessie in January in order to sign him as a free agent next summer.

The Ivory Coast international has just one year left on his contract at the San Siro and clubs will be able to make personal January offers to land him for free later in 2022.

Milan are facing a battle to tie him down with a new deal as a result and it appears both Spurs and Paratici are intent on taking full advantage in the winter months.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Lauded as an ‘extraordinary’ player by sports writer and broadcaster Nicky Bandini to ESPN, landing Kessie on a free deal next summer would come as quite the coup given his £49.5 million Transfermarkt value.

The 44-cap star is arguably one of Milan’s most key players and extremely well-rounded – notching 13 goals and four assists despite being a natural defensive midfielder.

Still only 24-years-old and with plenty of sell-on value, it’s little wonder the Serie A giants are desperate to renew Kessie’s deal – but Tottenham and Paratici will be praying for exactly the opposite.

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

Tottenham Hotspur could land one of their mooted transfer targets for a massive bargain this January, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

Since the end of the summer transfer window, the north London outfit have been strongly linked with a move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie ahead of 2022.

One report even suggested that Spurs could use wantaway club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele as a makeweight in any potential future deal.

But now an exciting development has emerged.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Ivory Coast international could be available for as little as €9m (£7.5m) as it will be the last chance the Serie A giants can sell him for money before he leaves for nothing later in the summer.

It seems rather unlikely that Kessie will renew his current contract at the San Siro, though the Lilywhites aren’t the only team interested, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also linked.

Paratici must swoop

Make no bones about it, if the Milan midfielder is available for as little as that, then Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici and the rest of the club’s hierarchy would be foolish to not try and sign him.

After all, Transfermarkt currently value him at a whopping £49.5m – and they’ll be getting him for 85% cheaper than his supposed worth.

Although, they shouldn’t only be making a move from a purely financial sense as the player himself is actually a massive talent that could bolster Nuno Santo’s engine room instantly.

Kessie is a powerful and industrious box-to-box beast that can also take a mean set-piece.

He ended last season as Milan’s fourth highest-rated player (7.15) and their second top goalscorer (13) behind only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (15), as per WhoScored.

In addition to that, he averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.2 dribbles per league outing.

Kessie’s current boss, Stefano Pioli, waxed lyrical about the Ivorian’s ability earlier this year, claiming that “Franck is a complete player” who gives his side “physicality, energy, quality, protects the defence and knits the moves going forward too.”

This merely echoed the thoughts of another manager who once stood in the San Siro dugout, Vincenzo Montella, who described the midfielder as an “extraordinary player” with “sublime intelligence.”

In the need to add more goals to the side, Nuno could really do with a player like Kessie as he can contribute in the final third just as much as he can in the team’s own half.

If Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is in need of a solid partner, then it should be the Milan monster they turn to, especially given the astounding claims mentioned in the report.

AND in other news, £75k-p/w dud must never play for Spurs again, had fewer touches than Lloris yesterday…

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Paul Stewart would be happy if Spurs signed Wolves star Conor Coady this summer.

Football Insider confirmed that Tottenham were in preliminary talks with Wolves about bringing Coady to the Tottenham Hotspur, with the report also including that the north London outfit have set their sights on signing two senior central defenders this summer.

Tottenham have completed the signing of one this window already, with Cristian Romero joining from Atalanta on loan with a buy option of €55m in 2022 [as per Fabrizio Romano].

On the reports linking Spurs with a move for the 6 ft 1 Coady and asked if he would be happy with the signing, Stewart told Football FanCast: “Yeah, I think I would be [happy]. I can’t see that happening and I don’t know why, but Conor Coady is in the England squad, he’s captain at Wolves, [there] probably is a chance that if he came to Spurs with the Harry Kane situation that he could come in as captain.”

Coady featured and led Wolves in all but one of their Premier League fixtures last season, going onto make 40 appearances in all competitions for the Molineux outfit and getting on the scoresheet against Manchester City.

The 28-year-old has until 2025 to run on his Wolves contract and as captain of the team, is an integral part of the club and so you would imagine it would take a sizeable fee to prise him away from Molineux this summer.

JustJoe Football ShowJustJoe Football Show presenter Joe Wainman thinks Maxwel Cornet’s versatility could result in Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa firming up interest in the Lyon man.

Leeds have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in Junior Firpo for £13million from Barcelona and Valerenga goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson has also completed the switch.

Jack Harrison has made his loan move from Manchester City permanent but former All Leeds TV anchorman Wainman reckons he and fellow new recruit Firpo could face competition from Cornet.

According to Olympique-et-Lyonnais, the Whites saw a bid for Cornet rejected last month. The report reveals Leeds’ offer valued €12million.

Premier League rivals Burnley have also tabled a £12million bid and German side Hertha Berlin are interested.

While Cornet featured predominantly at left-back last season, the 24-year-old also featured on the left and right flanks as he displayed his attacking intent.

Wainman feels his defensive and attacking capabilities make Cornet an interesting target for Bielsa.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “I think if we were to bring him in, we would look to play him on the left-wing.

“He could maybe also be a second choice left-back and double up as that. Bielsa likes players to play in two positions so, in that respect, I guess he would be an ideal signing.”

Newcastle United will lose out on signing Nat Phillips, claims former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Phillips eyed

According to The Athletic, the St. James’ Park faithful, in addition to West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley and Bayer Leverkusen, are all eyeing up a potential move for Phillips in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool currently value the central defender at £15m, and it is not yet clear whether the North East club would be willing to pay that kind of money.

The Latest: Whelan prediction

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who played for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has predicted that Phillips will sign for the Hammers, and so the Tyneside club would be set to lose out on his signature:

“I think Phillips would choose West Ham over the others, definitely.

“David Moyes has assembled a really strong side there.

“There is a focus on British based players, you can see what he is thinking. He has got rid of the players who did not give their all for the club. They have got a lot more honesty in that squad now and it shows because they have been much harder to beat over the past 12 to 18 months.

“They have great harmony in that dressing room and it comes from a great core group. Why wouldn’t you be interested in a move to West Ham if you’re Phillips?

“I think he’d be another great addition to West Ham’s squad as well.”

The Verdict: Would be a shame

It would certainly be a shame if Steve Bruce’s team were to miss out on the signing of Phillips, especially if he ends up joining a rival of theirs in the Premier League.

Described as a ‘monster’ by Jurgen Klopp after a match against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League back in March, he is certainly capable of playing at the highest level, and his six-foot-two frame means that he could be a key threat for the Magpies in both boxes.

Phillips won no fewer than 7.5 0f his duels per match in the top flight in the 2020/21 season, in addition to averaging 4.8 clearances, 1.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game (Sofascore), covering the injuries suffered by Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez well.

The Toon would be getting a very good player on their hands if they were to win the race for his signature.

In other news, find out what Mike Ashley has recently told the takeover consortium here!

Aston Villa are now expected to pursue Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell, according to Sky Sports.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been sharing their thoughts to the update on social media.

Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City appears to be finalised, with Sky Sports suggesting Villa will go for Cantwell.

The Canaries and Villa have a good relationship following the deal for Emiliano Buendia earlier this summer, however, Norwich do not want to lose the 23-year-old so close to the start of the new campaign.

The report claims that it will take a significant bid for Cantwell to leave Carrow Road, as Norwich have the option to extend the attacking midfielder’s deal by a further 12 months next summer.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Sky Sports’ claim on Cantwell on Twitter. This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many below not exactly keen to see Cantwell arrive at Villa Park.

“if we pay 40m for cantwell with the 100m from JG , I will be livid. 25m max.”Credit: @bbqguy21″Make my day even worse why don’t you”Credit: @Kierancarroll_”Don’t think he’s worth 40 million though, maybe 20 to 25, would rather see jwp”Credit: @AndyPacey10″Meh. Perdro Neto should be the target.”Credit: @AndyServiceI1″Think we could be more ambitious.”Credit: @Mattqu”Biggest downgrade ever”Credit: @danpotts27

In other news: ‘All happening’ – Many Aston Villa fans react as ‘great’ news is confirmed. 

Sunderland are interested in a deal to bring George Edmundson to the Stadium of Light this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Glasgow Evening Times, who claim that Sunderland have joined the race for the Glasgow Rangers centre-back, with Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town also believed to be keeping a close eye on the defender ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

However, the report goes on to state that, out of the interested parties, only Ipswich are keen on a permanent deal for the 23-year-old, with Steven Gerrard thought to much prefer the idea of selling Edmundson, rather than sending the centre-back on another loan deal ahead of next season.

Imagine him & O’Nien

While Edmundson may not have quite made the grade at Rangers, should Sunderland manage to get a deal over the line for the defender this summer, it would undoubtedly be quite a big coup for the club.

Indeed, while a hernia injury limited the number of appearances the 23-year-old made while on loan at Derby County last season, he nevertheless impressed over his 10 Championship fixtures, helping his side keep one clean sheet, as well as making an average of 0.5 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 3.5 clearances and winning 6.1 duels per game.

These returns saw the £450k-rated man earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.78, ranking him as Wayne Rooney’s 12th-best player in the second tier of English football.

As such, it would appear to be a fair statement to make that the £4k-per-week centre-back’s level of performance would only improve if he were to drop down a division, with it very much seeming as if, should Kyril Louis-Dreyfus go on to secure the defender’s services this summer, Edmundson could play a huge role in Sunderland’s push for promotion next season.

Indeed, the thought of the man Gerrard dubbed a “faultless” player partnering up with Luke O’Nien – who thrived in the position last season, despite naturally being a midfielder – in the heart of the Black Cats’ defence should be a mouthwatering prospect for fans of the club and Lee Johnson alike.

And, with centre-back having been something of a problem position for the 40-year-old Mackems boss last time out, the signing of Edmundson could well be the solution, leading us to believe Louis-Dreyfus should do all he can to get a deal over the line for the Rangers man in the coming weeks.

In other news: Johnson drops Sunderland transfer update that will be music to the ears of fans

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has dropped a major Aston Villa transfer update that will surely have fans buzzing.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have already enjoyed a fruitful start to the summer transfer window, with the signings of both Emi Buendia and Ashley Young being completed early on.

Evans has now revealed that the club are continuing to focus on signing a new playmaker in that attacking midfield role, with Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe remaining their number one target for that position.

He told The Athletic: “Aston Villa’s transfer priority remains a No 10, so, for the first summer in seven years, they are not pushing hard to sign a new striker.

“The collective feeling at Villa is that should another attacking midfielder arrive — and Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe is their top target in that department — there will be no immediate need to bolster the forward line further.

“Emi Buendia is already on board, so Villa have strengthened their attacking options this summer even if nothing else happens. They see their ideal starting forward four consisting of Watkins, Buendia, Jack Grealish and another new signing, with Smith Rowe being the pick of the bunch when it comes to desired further additions.

“Of course, there’s considerable work to be done to winkle the 20-year-old out of Arsenal, who are in the process of offering him a new contract and have no appetite to accept any future bid after rejecting Villa’s second offer of around £30m.”

Exciting times for Villa

Make no mistake about it, the thought of Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish, Buendia and Smith Rowe all playing in tandem up front is a mouth-watering one for Villa fans.

That quartet has pace and creativity flowing through it in abundance and will surely add a lot more attacking threat than Villa carried last season – Smith’s side scored 55 goals in the Premier League, which ranked them tenth in the division.

With the back five essentially sorted with Emi Martinez in goal, and the likes of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett in front of him, it’s adding a bit of flair and skill at the top end of the pitch which could greatly determine where Villa will finish next season.

After coming into the Arsenal side post-Christmas, Smith Rowe chipped in with two goals and four assists in just 20 Premier League games, including scoring the winner against Chelsea towards the end of the season.

It’s exactly why Evans’ update that signing a new number ten is Villa’s main priority this summer must have fans absolutely buzzing.

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

Charlie Wyke has departed Sunderland to join divisional rivals Wigan Athletic on a three-year contract [The Chronicle].

The Lowdown: Sunderland prepare for critical 2021/22 season

Looking ahead to 2021/22, Black Cats manager Lee Johnson will be under no illusions about the task at hand, as he bids to lift his side out of Sky Bet League One for the first time in four seasons.

Making moves in the transfer market, the North East giants have bolstered their squad with the addition of former Manchester United goalkeeper Jacob Carney [United in Focus].

However, they have now suffered a blow heading into the forthcoming campaign, losing their top goalscorer.

The Latest: Wyke seals lucrative three-year deal at Wigan Athletic

Confirmed on Wednesday morning, 28-year-old Wyke has chosen to put pen to paper on a lucrative three year deal at the DW Stadium [The Chronicle].

Sunderland did offer the 6 foot 2 frontman the chance to stay on Wearside, nevertheless he rebuffed their advances in favour of an agreement which is speculated to be worth around £10,000 p/w in order to get him on board [The Chronicle].

Interest in the former Middlesbrough man has been rife all summer, with Celtic, Boro, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest and CSKA Moscow all touted with having a keen eye on his situation [Sunderland Echo].

The Verdict: Disappointing

This news will come as a bitter blow to Johnson’s pre-season preparations, despite what some fans make think of Wyke’s all-round play.

The Englishman notched an incredible 35 goal contributions from 53 fixtures this season – 30 goals and five assists [Transfermarkt] – so that is simply a huge void to fill in front of goal.

He claimed eight man of the match awards alongside scoring an average rating across the campaign of 7.35 out of 10 (Whoscored), ranking second in the squad behind Aiden McGeady.

Wake was once described as ‘brilliant’ by ex-teammate Lyndon Gooch [This is Futbol], and Johnson must be offered considerable funds to find a suitable replacement – whatever fans think of Wyke’s farewell, replacing 30 goals will not be easy.

In other news, Sunderland fans react to an exciting midfielder update.