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Chelsea linked with big summer move, swap deal could smooth the path – opinion
Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as Chelsea manager has already sparked plenty of talk about future transfer targets. The 47-year-old was officially confirmed as Frank Lampard’s replacement yesterday, and he will now set about trying to revive the club’s fortunes. According to journalist Sami Mokbel, Tuchel will give Chelsea’s homegrown players the chance to shine over the coming weeks. However, the club remains keen to strengthen its squad and Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland is their number one target. SL View Former Norway international forward Jan Aage Fjortoft recently told Chelsea to forget about signing the 20-year-old this summer, but the landscape may now have changed. It is debatable whether working under Lampard would have been appealing to Haaland, but the same could n...
Can Arsenal help Martin Ødegaard revive his career?
Martin Ødegaard has joined Arsenal on a loan deal that runs to the end of this season, with no option to buy included. Our newest Gunner! 😄🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/tYc9w0g6N3 — Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 27, 2021 The hope is that he will help Arsenal solve their lack of creativity with his outstanding playmaking skills, while this opportunity in England will help him revitalise his career. Odegaard has stagnated since he cut short his two-year loan at Real Sociedad after being recalled by Real Madrid prior to the start of the 2020/21 season. However, he has only made five starts and four substitute appearances for Los Blancos this term, clearly failing to impress Zinedine Zidane enough to get a regular starting spot. He will be hoping to be a more integral ...
Three potential replacements for Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur
According to French publication Le Parisien, Tottenham Hotspur will allow Dele Alli to join Paris Saint-Germain on loan for the rest of the season, provided they are able to land a replacement. Alli has struggled for regular playing time under manager Jose Mourinho this term and he has been restricted to only 472 minutes of first-team football across all competitions. Despite this, the 24-year-old continues to be valued highly by chairman Daniel Levy and the club have no plans of losing him on a permanent deal in the near future. Les Parisiens have reportedly agreed to sign Alli on loan without the option to buy, but Spurs need to find a replacement by Monday’s transfer deadline for the deal to go through. Below are three potential candidates, who could replace the England international at...
‘What worries me’: Bielsa suggests £22k-per-week Leeds player is sad
Marcelo Bielsa has said in the post-match press conference after a 2-1 win over Newcastle United that he is concerned with Diego Llorente after the Spaniard picked up yet another injury blow. The 27-year-old defender was forced off early on after he picked up a hamstring injury against the Magpies at St James’ Park in the Premier League clash on Tuesday. Bielsa commented after the match that he is worried about Llorente’s mental condition. “He has a similar problem to the one he had before. It’s a problem for him, for us, for all of us. In this moment, what worries me is Diego’s state of mind, given the succession of injuries he has had. It’s natural that he’s sad because of this now and we share that sadness,” he said, as quoted by Leeds Live. SL View The Spaniard – who joined in th...
Gary Lineker drools over ‘terrific’ Arsenal player after win vs Southampton
Popular football pundit Gary Lineker has showered heaps of praise on Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka after the Gunners earned a 3-1 win over Southampton. The Gunners maintained their excellent run of Premier League form by coming from behind to beat the Saints on Tuesday night at St Mary’s. Arsenal missed a glorious chance to take the lead in the opening minute after Alexandre Lacazette failed to hit the target from a one-on-one situation. Within two minutes, Stuart Armstrong gave Southampton the lead, scoring from a wonderful delivery from captain James Ward-Prowse. Five minutes later, Nicolas Pepe equalised with a neat finish. Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead after going past keeper Alex McCarthy, before both the sides created some very good scoring chances. The...
Report: Christian Benteke makes transfer decision amid West Bromwich Albion interest
Christian Benteke is prepared to see out the final six months of his Crystal Palace contract despite the transfer interest from West Bromwich Albion, Sky Sports News reports. The Belgian was a regular substitute at the start of the season, but since December, he has been picked to lead the line on a consistent basis. Benteke has fared well with three goals and one assist in his last eight league games and he appears content to remain with Palace for the season. It was recently reported that Benteke may make the move to the Baggies with new signing Jean-Philippe Mateta likely to take his place up front. However, the former Liverpool man appears unphased by the arrival of the 23-year-old and is pleased with his playing time at the moment. Benteke feels he will have more options to consider, ...
‘His best performance’: Many Leeds fans drool over ‘outstanding’ player after win vs NUFC
Leeds United returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Tuesday night in the Premier League clash at St James’ Park. Raphinha and Jack Harrison scored on either side of a Miguel Almiron finish and sealed the tie in Leeds favour. It was Newcastle’s fifth defeat in a row in the Premier League and the Magpies have now picked up just two points from the past 27 available to them. It wasn’t a spectacular performance from the Whites but they did just enough to pick up all three points. Raphinha and Pascal Struijk were outstanding for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Rodrigo was also brilliant on the night and Leeds fans took to Twitter to express their reaction to the Spaniard’s performance. Here are some of the selected tweets: His passing was quality tonight. Probably his best...
Morgan Sanson posts message on Twitter after signing for Aston Villa
Morgan Sanson took to Twitter to express his reaction after signing for Aston Villa. Villa confirmed on their official website that they have signed Sanson from Marseille for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park. He said he is ‘very happy and proud’ to have joined Villa, and has thanked the fans for their kind messages. Very happy and proud to join the @AVFCOfficial family.. Thank you very much for all your messages.. Can’t wait to start this new adventure in @premierleague . Go Villans!! 💜😃 pic.twitter.com/pNmKYKKFDd — Morgan Sanson (@Morgan_Sanson8) January 26, 2021 Marseille also posted a heartwarming message on Twitter, thanking him for his contribution for the French club over the years. Bonne chance à @Mor...
Report: Barcelona star Lionel Messi learning French alongside his family
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is understood to be taking French lessons alongside his family, as per Canal + journalist Geoffroy Garétier, speaking to El Mundo Deportivo. The Argentine’s future has been a regular topic of speculation since the summer and he currently has less than six months remaining on his Blaugrana deal. So far, the club have been unable to negotiate a renewal with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and it is reported that he and his family are learning French. The 33-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City last summer and it has been claimed that they could sign him on a free transfer later this year. However, Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Messi and Garétier has hinted that the Argentine, who is learning French, could be on his way ...
Predicted Rangers XI v Hibernian: Gerrard to make just one change, 28-yr-old to start
Rangers travel to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership tomorrow and they will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table by picking up the three points. The away side have done well against Hibs in recent seasons, winning five of their last six meetings. Rangers have been in spectacular form this season and have won 16 of their last 17 league matches. They will be the favourites heading into this game and it will be interesting to see if Steven Gerrard’s men can step up and get the job done. The away side are yet to lose in the league this term and Hibernian will have to produce one of their best displays to get something out of this game. The home side are coming into this game on the back of three defeats and a draw in their last six league matches. Hibs will look to p...
Predicted Celtic XI v Hamilton: Lennon set to field an unchanged side tomorrow
Celtic host Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership tomorrow night and they will be hoping to extend their impressive run of form against their opponents with a win. The Champions have won their last 14 matches against Hamilton and they will be confident of a good result. Despite the dip in form this season they are still undefeated in 30 of their last 32 League games. Celtic must put together a winning run now if they want to stand any chance in the title race. Meanwhile, Hamilton are coming into this game on the back of five winless matches in their last six and they will be the underdogs here. Celtic haven’t been any better in their last few matches, failing to win their previous four games in the league. Neil Lennon is under pressure to turn his team’s form around and he will be desperate...
‘Worst player ever’ – Some Newcastle fans tear into 28-yr-old after tonight’s display
Newcastle United crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Leeds United at home earlier tonight and the fans will be disappointed with the showing once again. The Magpies have now failed to win their last 11 games in all competitions. The players were expected to put on a fight after their defeat to Aston Villa last weekend but the team failed to show up once again. Leeds controlled the game in the first half and they have deservedly picked up all three points in the end. Steve Bruce will probably count his side unlucky because of the fact that they hit the crossbar twice but Newcastle were extremely mediocre throughout the game and they deserved to end up on the losing side. The fans were particularly disappointed with the performance of Jeff Hendrick. The 28-year-old was quite poor against Villa a...
