West Brom
Arsenal duo sidelined, Chelsea set to shuffle pack, Hammers star pushing for recall
The 2020/21 Premier League season is in its final week, and there are some crucial fixtures taking place over the next two days. The battle to qualify for the Champions League will take centre stage, with three teams holding a realistic chance of joining the two Manchester clubs in next season’s competition. Two of those are in action on Tuesday, with Chelsea and Leicester City going head-to-head at Stamford Bridge. The Foxes are two points ahead of Chelsea heading into the game, with Liverpool a further point adrift with two matches remaining. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to shuffle his pack following his team’s defeat against Leicester in Saturday’s FA Cup final. Edouard Mendy is set to return in goal, while Ben Chilwell is likely to start after impressing off the bench at W...
Taiwo Awoniyi gets UK work permit, set to leave Liverpool permanently
Fulham and West Brom are interested in signing Taiwo Awoniyi after he was granted a UK work permit for the 2021/22 campaign. Awoniyi linked up with Liverpool in 2015 but is yet to feature in an official game for the Reds. The Nigeria international has spent the past six years on loan at different clubs across in Europe and is currently with Bundesliga club Union Berlin. According to Goal the 23-year-old and his family were finally granted UK permits this week, following a lengthy application process. Aside from Fulham and West Brom, Stoke City have also registered interest in the forward, while Union Berlin are also keen on signing him on permanent deal. German clubs Stuttgart and Wolfsburg are also keen on signing him this summer. Liverpool are open to selling Awoniyi but will only accept...
Sam Allardyce: Premier League is becoming boring
Press Association Sam Allardyce has warned that the Premier League is in danger of becoming boring because teams have been “brainwashed” into using the same playing style. The English top-flight has opened up to different tactical approaches over the last decade, with an influx of coaches coming from elsewhere in Europe. However the West Brom manager fears coaches are being prevented from sticking to their preferred style and that the league is suffering as a result. He said to Sky Sports: “What’s the point of playing out from the back against Man City and Liverpool, the best high-pressing team in this country. If they drop off, you play out from the back. Where’s the space? Exploit the space. I tried to get the players to think about that. It’s a simple game that’s been complicated far to...
Leeds recall key duo, Spurs defender out, Toffees sweating on playmaker’s fitness
The 36th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some vital matches at the top end of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening, with Manchester City winning 4-3 at Newcastle United – Ferran Torres (3) and Joao Cancelo got their goals. Leeds United demolished Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor in the early kick-off on Saturday – Rodrigo (2), Mateusz Klich and Jack Harrison were on the scoresheet. Southampton vs Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United completes the Saturday line-up. There are four games on Sunday, three of which could have a major bearing on who qualifies for Europe this season. Liverpool have a golden opportunity to move j...
Hammers reportedly ahead of Spurs in race for chart-topping star Southgate dubbed ‘very good’
West Ham United have moved ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in the race for West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, according to Football Insider. The Manchester United academy graduate is expected to remain in the top-flight following the Baggies’ relegation, and he is not short of suitors amongst the teams in the top half of the Premier League table. Sportslens View Spurs want to bring in a replacement for Hugo Lloris with just a year left on his current deal, and they reckon Johnstone would be perfect for the job. However, their lack of a permanent manager appears to have given West Ham a chance in the race. Leeds United have also been linked with the 28-year-old who currently tops the charts for most saves made (148) in the Premier League this term, but it is the Hammers that are now ...
QPR set to sign West Brom duo
Queens Park Rangers are closing in on completing deals for Charlie Austin and Sam Field, reports West London Sport. Both players spent the second half of the season on loan at QPR, helping turn the club’s fortunes around. The Rs went from a relegation battle to comfortably in mid-table and ended up in ninth place – their best finish since their promotion-winning season in 2013/14. Austin celebrates the latest of his 56 QPR goals Austin scored eight goals last season, including one on his debut in a win over Luton Town. Field also scored on his debut, netting an equaliser in his side’s 2-1 win over local rivals Brentford. In fact, the January arrivals of Austin and Field, as well as fellow loanees Jordy de Wijs and Stefan Johansen, turned QPR into arguably one of the best sides in the divis...
West Ham preparing an approach for 28-yr-old, but face competition from London rivals
West Ham United have been linked with a move for West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. According to Football Insider, the London club are now preparing an approach to sign the 28-year-old following the Baggies’ relegation. Johnstone has been excellent for West Brom in the Premier League this season and is way too good to play in the Championship. The player is likely to be tempted to move on if West Ham come calling with a concrete offer this summer. The Hammers have had an excellent season and have a great chance of securing European football for next season. A move to West Ham would be the ideal next step in Johnstone’s career. He would be the ideal long term replacement for Lukasz Fabianski, with the 36-year-old coming to the end of his career. Johnstone is well settled in the ...
Leeds & David Moyes reportedly want £20m Brazilian attacker Leipzig are serious about signing
Leeds United and West Ham United want West Bromwich Albion attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira this summer, according to Express Sport. The Brazilian scored 10 goals and weighed in with five assists in 31 Premier League games for the Baggies this term, but they were not enough to keep them up. However, Pereira has attracted suitors due to his brilliant individual campaign, with Leicester City and Bundesliga side RB Leipzig also keen on him. Brendan Rodgers is said to be at the front of the queue for his signature, while the Germans are serious about signing the £20 million-rated 25-year-old. West Ham are lining up alternatives should they fail in their attempt to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United permanently, and Pereira has been identified as a potential target. Leeds want to str...
Journalist claims Leeds want Chelsea attacking midfielder, NUFC keen too
According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United all want to sign Chelsea attacking midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan this summer. Chelsea. Conor Gallagher wants to give it a go under Tuchel next season. Tat will be a disappointment to Leeds, Palace and Newcastle who all want him on loan. — Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) May 9, 2021 However, the Englishman is hoping to convince Blues manager Thomas Tuchel that he deserves a chance in the first-team and is keen to give that a go next season. Gallagher is currently on a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion and has weighed in with two goals and two assists in 26 Premier League games this term. The Baggies are inching closer to relegation, but the attacker is expected to remain in the top-flight ...
Key Leeds duo on the bench, Spurs star keeps place, Blues midfielder ruled out
The 35th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening as Leicester City went head-to-head with Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium. The Magpies upset the odds with a superb 4-2 victory – Callum Wilson (2), Joe Willock and Paul Dummett got the goals. Leeds United ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home to Tottenham Hotspur – Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo were on the scoresheet. Christian Benteke and Eberechi Eze were on target as Crystal Palace triumphed 2-0 at Sheffield United. Manchester City will have to wait to clinch the title after losing 2-1 at hom...
Premier League releases statement about return of fans
The Premier League have released a statement regarding the return of supporters to stadiums. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom in early 2020, all football in the country was postponed in March and did not resume until June. The end of the 2019/20 season was played behind closed doors. The 2020/21 campaign began in September, with all games still being played in empty stadiums. Fans briefly returned to certain grounds in December, but they were soon shut again. Arsenal fans in attendance in their fixture against Burnley in December The Premier League hoped that spectators would be able to attend the last two games of the season. Now, they have reaffirmed that ambition in a statement via their official website. They have confirmed that subject to a government decision,...
Crystal Palace and Brighton could compete to sign striker with 16 goal contributions
Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in signing West Bromwich Albion loanee Mbaye Diagne this summer, Football Insider claims. The Senegal international joined the Baggies from Galatasaray in January, and he has been a quality signing with three goals and two assists from 14 outings. With the club almost on the cusp of Premier League relegation, it is unlikely that Diagne will join them permanently during the next transfer window. Palace and Brighton have reportedly added him to their summer wishlist, and could go head-to-head for his signature later this year. Sportslens view: Diagne was impressive for Galatasaray during the first half of the campaign, registering 11 goals from just 19 appearances in all competitions. Despite his fine form, the Baggies managed to s...
