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Bundesliga Player of the Month nominees for December announced
The shortlist for the Bundesliga’s Player of the Month award for December has been announced. The six-man shortlist is made up of two players from table-toppers Bayern Munich, another two from third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, and then one each from Borussia Monchengladbach and Freiburg. Here is a closer look at each of the nominees. Robert Lewandowski Lewandowski celebrates one of many, many goals Who’s shocked? I’m not. Robert Lewandowski once again starred for Bayern in the last month. After drawing a blank in the 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig, the Poland international netted the equaliser against Union Berlin, then bagged consecutive braces against Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen. He scored literally every goal for the Bavarians in those three games. Lewandowski will be looking for his secon...
Where It All Went Wrong for Carles Cuadrat at Bengaluru FC
In a surprising turn of events following that disappointing 1-3 defeat at the hands of Mumbai City, Bengaluru FC have parted ways with manager Carles Cuadrat by mutual consent. Statement: Bengaluru FC and Carles Cuadrat have parted ways by mutual consent. #ThankYouCarles #WeAreBFC https://t.co/AjVrSuvlAb — Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) January 6, 2021 Cuadrat joined Bengaluru FC in 2016 as Albert Roca’s assistant. In a two-year stint, he helped the club win an I-League title, reach the AFC Cup final and transition to the Indian Super League. In December 2017, Cuadrat left the club by mutual consent owing to health concerns. He rejoined only seven months later, this time as head coach following the dismissal of Albert Roca. In his first season in India as a manager, Cuadrat and his Benga...
Opinion: Why Mohamed Simakan would be an excellent signing for Tottenham or Everton
The news that numerous Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation with Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan is undoubtedly an intriguing proposition. According to Sky Sports, at least four unnamed top-flight clubs are considering making a move for the French under-20 international. AC Milan were believed to be leading the race to sign Simakan, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming that the Italian club were close to completing a deal. However, their bid remains short of what Strasbourg are demanding, opening up the possibility of other clubs making an offer. Mohamed Simakan – Our View Simakan is rated as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe having already established himself in Strasbourg’s first team. The 20-year-old was linked with both Everton and Tottenham Hotsp...
‘Absolutely adamant’: James Pearce claims £27m star won’t be joining Liverpool this month
Liverpool have been recently linked with a move for Sven Botman in the January transfer window, but James Pearce of The Athletic has suggested that the Reds are not interested in the defender. While speaking to Red Agenda Podcast, Pearce has claimed that Liverpool are not in the running to sign the Lille centre-back this month. “Certainly, Botman, I think, we can rule him out,” said Pearce. “There’s been a lot of speculation around him over the weekend. The people I spoke to are absolutely adamant that there was no interest in Botman.” SL View – Liverpool’s need for a defender With Joe Gomez out for the season and no assurance over Virgil van Dijk’s potential return, Liverpool are already depleted at the back. Joel Matip has struggled with injuries once again, and it has forced ...
Predicted Man Utd XI v Man City: Solskjaer to make one change, 23-yr-old to start
Manchester United take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals later tonight and they will be hoping to book their place in the final of the competition with a win. Tottenham Hotspur have already won the other semi-final and they will take on the winner at Wembley Stadium on April 25. Both teams are in impressive form right now and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. United have won five and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions, while City have won their last four matches. The Red Devils have an impressive recent head-to-head record against City having won three and drawn one of their last five meetings. United will be without Marcos Rojo due to an injury, while Edinson Cavani is suspended. As for City, the likes of Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Wa...
Report: Everton and Fulham plotting January move for Turkish midfielder
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Everton and Fulham are both keen on bringing Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan to the Premier League before the end of the January transfer window. İngiltere’den CPalace, Everton ve Fuham ve WBromwich’in Ozan Tufan’a ilgisi var. Almanya’dan BLeverkusen’de Ozan’ın durumunu yakından takip ediyor. Bazı takımlar resmi olarak Fenerbahçe ile görüşmelere başladı. #CrystalPalace #Everton #Fulham #WestBromwich #BayerLeverkusen https://t.co/qxcl2zbopE — Ekrem Konur (@Ekremkonur) January 6, 2021 Crystal Palace and Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in recruiting the services of the Turkey international, but suitors must be willing to meet the demands of Fenerbahce to have a chance of landing him midway through the season. The Super Lig g...
Tactical Analysis: How Carles Cuadrat’s Mistakes Played Into Mumbai City’s Hands
The match between Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City was being built up as quite a big one, where the Blues were looking to bounce back from a disappointing run of two straight defeats, while the Islanders wanted to keep their winning streak going. The game itself, however, wasn’t a great battle in any way, as Mumbai dominated it and came away with a convincing 3-1 victory. In this analysis, we’ll take a look at why the match was such a walkover for the Islanders: Bengaluru’s Confusing Defence Bengaluru FC fielded a 4-2-3-1 on paper, but the defended in a 4-5-1 (or at least they tried to). The attacking midfielder and wingers collapsed into the midfield line out of possession, as you will see below: Carles Cuadrat said that a high press would almost always get punished against Mumbai City, so he...
Report: £25m Klopp signing ‘does not want to be’ at Liverpool
According to reports from Todofichajes (h/t The Mirror), Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has rejected the club’s latest contract offer. The Dutch star has a contract at the club until the end of the season. Liverpool have tried their best to convince him to stay, but it seems he is keen on leaving. Barcelona are interested in signing him and are ready to land the 30-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season. The former Newcastle United midfielder is a key player for the Reds, and Jurgen Klopp is desperate to keep hold of the Dutchman. He has played in every league match this season, and losing him for free would be a big blow for the club. The report claims that Wijnaldum – who joined the Anfield club for £25 million from Newcastle United – does...
Leeds United Eyeing Up Jean-Philippe Mateta
Leeds United are considering a move for French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to a report by Football Insider. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have made a reasonably strong start to the 2020/21 season, currently sitting 12 points clear of the relegation zone. The Yorkshire side have found the net on 30 occasions – only Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Leicester City have scored more so far this season. English forward Patrick Bamford has been particularly impressive. The former Derby County loanee has scored ten goals in 17 outings, despite previously netting just one in 27 Premier League appearances. Bamford is having an exceptional season in the Premier League However, the back up options for Bamford are sparse. Summer signing Rodrigo can play up front, but has mainly been utili...
Report: Tottenham make decision regarding Dele Alli’s future amid January transfer links
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been linked with a move away from the London club this month but it seems that the Premier League side are not willing to let him leave because of their current injury situation. According to Sky Sports, the likes of Gareth Bale, Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela are injured and Tottenham believed that Dele Alli could fill those positions if needed. The 24-year-old midfielder is thought to be a target for Paris Saint-Germain this month. Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino took over at the French club earlier in the week and it is understandable why they are keen on signing Dele Alli. Pochettino was instrumental in the England international’s development at Tottenham and the reunion could be beneficial for both parties. It will be interesting to se...
Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool in contact with agent of Bayern star, plotting summer move
According to Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have contacted the agent of Bayern Munich star David Alaba about signing him next summer. Liverpool are among the five clubs that have contacted David Alaba agent to sign him next summer. 🔴 #lfc …but Real Madrid are leading the race, they’re pushing to sign Alaba and David dreams of playing for Real Madrid. And talks with Real are progressing, as said yesterday. https://t.co/LITUivZexn — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2021 The Austrian international is set to leave the Bundesliga giants at the end of 2020-21 as a free agent after both parties failed to agree to terms of an extension. Alaba can sign a pre-contract and negotiate with clubs outside German this month, and Liverpool are looking ...
VAR Once Again Under Scrutiny as Tottenham Defeat Brentford in Semi-Final
Tottenham Hotspur have reached the final of the Carabao Cup after defeating Brentford 2-0 in North London. It was a fairly straightforward first half for Jose Mourinho’s men, who went into the break leading without coming under much threat. The deadlock was broken by an unlikely source. Sergio Reguilon whipped in a beauty of a cross for Moussa Sissoko, who headed home unmarked from eight yards out in the 12th minute. Sissoko celebrates his first goal in over a year Spurs almost went two up shortly before half time, when Bees striker Ivan Toney almost turned the ball into his own net from Heung-min Son’s corner, only for goalkeeper David Raya to pull off a fine save. The second half was far more eventful. Spurs twice came close to doubling their lead, first when Serge Aurier fired over from...
