All posts by h716a5.icu

Some Everton fans have been left to buzz following a transfer update on Goncalo Guedes that has since been shared by @TheEvertonEnd on Twitter.

As per Plaza Radio (via Plaza Deportiva), the Goodison Park faithful have reportedly joined the race to sign the Valencia ace.

His contract at the La Liga club runs out on 2024, and they are demanding a transfer fee of at least €25m (£21.6m) for anyone to sign him once the summer window opens.

Guedes scored a respectable seven goals and made a further seven assists in 34 games in total over all competitions in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), and at 24 years of age, he has certainly not reached his footballing peak yet.

Nonetheless, with Carlo Ancelotti looking to strengthen his attacking options for next season, the winger could well be the answer to his prayers.

Everton fans on Guedes transfer update

These Toffees buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that he would be a ‘brilliant’ signing:

“Yes please go on Marcel get it done mate would be brilliant signing for us I’m sure of it”

Credit: @Jackbluenose1

“This would be a good signing”

Credit: @efcsam_

“Yessssssss”

Credit: @2k21hypocrite

“Oh go on then”

Credit: @rhysdav43668344

“Buy this man now”

Credit: @BBydays

“This is the signing of the summer if we get him”

Credit: @Djeczo

In other news, find out what transfer update has left EFC fans raging here!

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that Lowland League clubs have voted in favour of the Old Firm’s ‘Colts’ sides being introduced to their league from next season.

There has been plenty of discussion recently as to whether Rangers and Celtic should be allowed to have their second teams playing in the Scottish footballing pyramid. There is an argument that it would be lucrative for lower division sides to face an Old Firm outfit, while it could also offer much-needed senior experience for younger players at both clubs.

It has now been confirmed that the Lowland League clubs have voted to allow two new sides to enter the division. The proposed changes will be put to an AGM in two weeks’ time.

The news was shared on Twitter by journalist Raman Bhardwaj, and it attracted plenty of attention from Gers supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these Rangers fans had to say on the Colts development

“Well done the Lowland League clubs. Nobody’s losing out or missing out on promotion etc. Teams will get extra income from bigger crowds and our boys will get great experience that they should have been getting had the old reserve league not been binned years ago!!”

Credit: @man_overboard86

“Go & watch Robertson’s interview on YT rangers page. It does not affect any teams in it. We do not get promotion or relegated. We will hopefully bring income to those in that league. If all you moaning had boards that were forward thinking why don’t you submit teams also”

Credit: @Bike_Nut69

“Brilliant news”

Credit: @AndrewScobie5

“Think of the money they will bring in for the season”

Credit: @MarkDThomson201

“Spartans, BSC, EK Thistle will be bringing in hundreds of away fans ticket money, yet Albion Rovers & Annan will be playing in front of empty away ends – Scottish football once again eating itself to death!”

Credit: @_fadgie_

“The fightback against this shows how backwards a nation we are. We need better young players playing the same attacking style and structure week in week out against men to get them ready for first team football in the same climate. Colts teams work. It benefits the whole nation.”

Credit: @EwanKeirs

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this right-back.

Changes in the shape and funding of New Zealand sport could have consequences for New Zealand cricket

Lynn McConnell11-Jun-2001Changes in the shape and funding of New Zealand sport could have consequences for New Zealand cricket.While nothing has yet been finalised in the strategy department of the new organisation that is growing out of the Government-commissioned Graham study of New Zealand’s sporting structure, it is clear that the pressure is going to go on some of the higher profile sports who have been well-funded in the past.As a sport which derives an income from the sale of television rights, cricket has been on notice that it cannot expect to continue to receive the high level of funding it has enjoyed in the past.Most notably, this has been the highly successful implementation of the New Zealand Cricket Academy which was funded, in part, by way of grant from the New Zealand Sports Foundation.The recent shift away from the Academy system and the introduction of High Performance Centres in Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland was a clear indication of a change of thinking in the development strategy.But because of its team nature, cricket cannot really fit within the HPC structure and the Academy it has developed at Lincoln University is a model that is clearly working comfortably in the cricket scheme of things.The way will still be clear for cricketers to be regarded as sportspeople worth investing in for the good of New Zealand sport from individual grants, and if the community support scheme is maintained along the same lines as existed between the Hillary Commission and local authorities, individual cricket clubs may also be able to get some funding for specific projects.But, as has happened with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union which has received no money from the public purse for two years, the signs are there for New Zealand Cricket.Hindering any longer term view of where funding may be going is the new role to be required of the New Zealand Sports Foundation.What started out as an independent body funded by equal shares from the private sector and public funding, the NZSF has increasingly had its role changed to the point where most recently it has been the distribution arm of elite sports funding in this country.It mounted a high-profile effort to ensure New Zealand had good success at the Olympic Games in Sydney, but for a variety of reasons, the results were not forthcoming.Now, as the result of the Graham group’s findings, it is shaping that the NZSF will be pulled right back into the overall structure administered until now by the Hillary Commission.Just what shape this new authority will take is unclear and won’t be obvious until the new board meets and shapes its own destiny.It is scheduled to take over from the Hillary Commission on July 1 and it is expected to be some time after that before its mission is clearly outlined.In the meantime, cricket could be preparing itself for a squeeze as it attempts some impressive new initiatives increasingly reliant on self-generated funding.The introduction of the 10-year Test championship may well be a key role in New Zealand’s thinking and planning for the future.It will at least ensure a continual programme of visiting teams, most with their own revenue generating television interest in their own countries and, in the case of high profile teams, on the sub-continent.The success of the ICC knockout tournaments for development purposes also ensures that income from the four-yearly World Cups will be backed by ICC revenues.But, unless some highly-effective lobbying is directed at the new sports administrative body, it does seem that cricket is going to be one sport increasingly required to find its own way in the future.

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Josh Windass is attracting the interest of a host of Championship clubs.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The 72, who claimed that Cardiff City have made an approach for the £1.44m-rated Owls ace, while Football Insider reported that Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough and Stoke City are also thought to be keen on a move for the 27-year-old.

Windass is one of the few Wednesday players whose contract does not expire at the end of the current season, meaning that the club could demand a fee for his sale this summer.

Unforgivable move

While Wednesday have had a season to forget in 2020/21, with the Owls starkly facing the prospect of suffering relegation to the third tier of English football, Windass has been one of the few bright sparks at Hillsborough.

Over the £10,000-per-week midfielder’s 40 Championship appearances this season, he has bagged nine goals and provided five assists – with no other Wednesday player scoring or assisting more than the 27-year-old in the league – while also averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.80, ranking him as the Owls’ seventh-best performer in the division.

As such, while a summer clearout would seem necessary at Hillsborough in order to help balance the club’s catastrophic books, selling a player of the importance of Windass – coupled with the mass exodus of out-of-contract players – would be a disaster ahead of the club’s 2021/22 campaign, whichever league they will be playing their football in.

Not only would selling Windass leave Darren Moore with an incredibly difficult goalscoring and creative void to fill in his side, the loss of the player whose own father Dean dubbed as “explosive” would also be gutting for the fans of the club, as the 27-year-old has by far and away provided them with the most excitement of any Wednesday player with his goals and assists this season.

As such, considering that Dejphon Chansiri is already not in the fans’ good books, selling one of their star players is not likely to be something which improves their relationship with the owner, and could even be considered an unforgivable move by the Hillsborough faithful.

In other news: Shocking Sheffield Wednesday update could seal Owls’ relegation – opinion

As Manchester City made history on Tuesday night, reaching their first ever Champions League final and overcoming Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain 4-1 on aggregate, many Sky Blues supporters took to social media and slammed Ander Herrera for his post-match comments.

Pep Guardiola’s men clinched a memorable 2-0 second leg victory at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a brace from star winger Riyad Mahrez and some heroic defending from the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones.

The Algerian star was first there to pounce on a ricocheted Kevin De Bruyne effort to fire a neat finish through Keylor Navas’ legs.

As City sat back and waited for their next opportunity, the Sky Blues eventually found one in the form of a second half counter attack – with Phil Foden’s low cross then providing a tap-in for Mahrez to double their lead.

On an historic night for the club, however, many supporters took some anger out on Herrera following his post match message.

Despite the home side having more shots on target, efforts inside the box and big chances (SofaScore), the opposing midfielder and former Man United ace believes PSG were the ‘better side’ for a majority of the game (The Sun).

Flocking to his comments, many City supporters had their say – find a flavour of their comments from social media down below.

Man City fans destroy Herrera

“No way”

Credit: @MarshallMCFC

“Biggest clown I’ve heard”

Credit: @Lanuito7

“This is laughable”

Credit: @sam_bling

“Nah he’s got to be joking”

Credit: @ItsinSaneLeroy

“Thinks he’s Fergie”

Credit: @petermcr

“Herrera delusional.”

Credit: @MCFCVillain

“What game was he watching”

Credit: @bald_21lva

“No way 

They just can’t take it. Need to learn to lose respectfully.”

Credit: @notamendy

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to these quotes from an agent, find out more here.

Sheffield Wednesday return to Championship action this afternoon but they will be without manager Darren Moore in the dugout after a fresh health concern, meaning assistant Jamie Smith will lead the Owls out for the fourth time in their last five games.

The South Yorkshire side will be looking to bridge the eight-point gap to safety but know that a defeat would all but confirm relegation to League One as there are only five games left to play, including this one.

Last time out, Wednesday were beaten by promotion-chasing Swansea City and now they welcome an out-of-form Bristol City to Hillsborough Stadium, with both teams desperate to pick up three points.

Moore may not be at the game but he will undoubtedly have a big say in terms of team selection, so here is our predicted XI along with the latest news from the Owls camp…

There could be three changes from the side that tasted defeat in midweek, though it is unlikely that any of their recent injury absentees feature just yet.

Between the sticks, we should see Keiren Westwood remain after his return to the starting XI on Tuesday night and Moore could well revert back to his usual back three, having tinkered it against Swansea.

[snack-amp-story url=https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-sheffield-wednesday-news-transfer-rumours-and-recent-gossip” title=”Read this week’s latest Sheffield Wednesday news, latest transfer rumours and more!]

That means Julian Borner and Tom Lees welcome back 20-year-old gem Osaze Urhoghide, with Sam Hutchinson moving into midfield to continue his partnership with Barry Bannan once again.

Adam Reach is surely going to keep his place at left wing-back, though the Owls boss could be tempted to inject a spark into his side on the other flank, so don’t be surprised if forgotten man Kadeem Harris is given a run-out over 29-year-old Liam Palmer, despite starting eight of their last nine games.

Harris should give them more flair in attack, and let’s face it, Wednesday need to score more goals to stand a chance of surviving.

The third and final change is likely to be in the attack with top goalscorer Callum Paterson returning alongside Jordan Rhodes up top, having been a casualty from the alterations in midweek.

Soon-to-be departing midfielder Liam Shaw will drop to the bench. The 20-year-old academy graduate is due to join Celtic at the end of the season.

As a result of Wednesday pairing the Scottish duo together, Josh Windass will drop deeper in a no.10 role behind the pair.

It does mean that the likes of Andre Green, Izzy Brown and Elias Kachunga are snubbed again despite the Owls’ lack of fortunes.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Palmer drops Sheffield Wednesday dressing room claim over Darren Moore…

Manchester United face Leeds United on Sunday afternoon aiming to rubber-stamp their place in the top-four.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils need another four points to guarantee a Champions League place and it goes without saying that a win at Elland Road would go a long way to achieving their goal.

One man who could certainly help them get a win is wideman Daniel James, who was infamously close to signing for Marcelo Bielsa’s men just months before arriving at Old Trafford.

He could definitely prove a point against Leeds should he be selected by Solskjaer from the start.

The winger, who earns £45k per week at Old Trafford, is in the midst of his most prolific season as a Red Devil having notched five goals thus far in all competitions, one more than he managed in the entirety of 2019/20.

That eye for goal then could certainly come in handy against a Leeds side who have found it tough to defend this season, having conceded 50 goals and kept just nine clean sheets – only keeping one shutout in their last seven games.

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However, it is his “explosive” pace that is more than likely going to come in the most useful at Elland Road. Should he be deployed on the right flank by Solskjaer, this would see the Welshman directly matched up against Ezgjan Alioski.

Whilst the Macedonian is a competent option at left-back for Bielsa, James would surely back himself to be able to get beyond him and cause problems for the Leeds defence.

After all, the 23-year-old has already managed to have an impact against Leeds this season, netting in the 6-2 thumping of the Whites at Old Trafford back in December, once again vying up against Alioski.

Heading to a stadium where he could have been plying his trade had things gone differently, James will certainly want to prove a point and he has a great opportunity  to do that as United aim to seal their top-four place.

AND in more news, read about which former hero Solskjaer must bring back to Old Trafford…

Allan Saint-Maximin inspired a stunning Newcastle United comeback on Saturday afternoon to hand a boost to Steve Bruce’s hopes of staying in the Premier League this season, but another name arguably stole the show at Turf Moor.

The Magpies were heading for a frustrating result until the Frenchman’s 57th-minute introduction as he came off the bench to score and assist two goals in quick succession.

He first found Jacob Murphy before a superb solo effort was rifled home, both within eight minutes of coming onto the pitch.

And whilst he deserves plenty of plaudits, Newcastle’s opening goalscorer deserves just as much, having made a considerable impact throughout the 90 minutes.

Indeed, Murphy was amongst Bruce’s highest-rated starters (7.4), as per SofaScore ratings and this was something echoed by ChronicleLive’s Lee Ryder, who claimed the wing-back bounced back from an indifferent opening half to form a brilliant partnership with Saint-Maximin.

The 26-year-old was one of the Magpies’ most influential players as he recorded 66 touches, a feat only bettered by Jonjo Shelvey – understandably as he’s supposed to dictate play from the engine room.

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But that merely showed how Newcastle relied on Murphy down that right flank, he only got better when Bruce replaced the struggling forward duo of Joelinton and Dwight Gayle.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo also managed to provide two accurate crosses and pulled off one successful dribble but he too contributed defensively to great effect.

As per SofaScore, Murphy made two tackles, which was only bettered by one player on the pitch – Erik Pieters (six), who the Magpies star often went to battle with.

By comparison, central defensive duo Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez combined for the same number of tackles. Murphy also chipped in with one interception and one block too.

The £25k-per-week dynamo earned the glowing praise of Alan Shearer on Twitter as he couldn’t contain his excitement at the victory, so whilst Saint-Maximin will be the main name spoken about, you cannot ignore the industrious contribution of the former Norwich City graduate.

He’s still set to be out of contract in the summer, so the Magpies hierarchy will need to act on Bruce’s wishes sooner rather than later after that display.

AND in other news, “There’s rumours” – Exclusive: Marcus Bent drops big claim on ex-player returning to Newcastle…

Tottenham Hotspur surely regret not bringing Jesse Lingard to north London this January…

What was the word?

Having been linked to the 28-year-old in the summer, Spurs appeared to reignite their interest at the turn of the year – according to talkSPORT, they were one of the teams queuing up to secure him on loan.

“West Ham, Tottenham, and Sheffield United have all expressed an interest,” said Alex Crook on the ‘White and Jordan’ show.

Lingard would go onto join David Moyes at the London Stadium and now the Lilywhites are paying the price.

Levy regret?

No one could’ve predicted it, but the Manchester United outcast has emerged from the shadows to steer the Irons on course for European qualification.

In Monday’s entertaining win over Wolves, Lingard scored his sixth goal in eight appearances, whilst he has also provided four assists. That’s 1.25 goal contributions per outing this term, via Transfermarkt.

He’s even gotten back into the England squad under Gareth Southgate after an 18-month absence – something Dele Alli will need to take inspiration from. Lingard earned his 27th cap in the win over Poland.

It could have been very different had he joined Spurs, though, as they’re far too reliant on the exploits of Harry Kane, who has directly contributed towards 62.7% of their Premier League goals.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-april-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Read this week’s latest Spurs news, April transfer rumours and more!”]

And Heung-min Son’s recent form – just three goals scored since early January – is cause for concern. Not to mention their void in the no.10 role since the departure of Christian Eriksen, and no winger truly standing out from Gareth Bale, Erik Lamela and Steven Bergwijn.

Lingard could’ve played a big part under his former Red Devils boss.

It’s left many Spurs fans feeling a sense of sheer regret, and indeed, many are less than impressed that he’s ripping it up for their local rivals.

“How I wish Spurs had gone in for Lingard,” expressed one supporter on Twitter, whilst another claimed he would do better for them than Giovani Lo Celso or Erik Lamela.

Similarly, a further member of the Hotspur faithful believes Kane would’ve hit 20 assists for the season already if they had Lingard on the counter-attack. Other shouts included getting him in to replace Dele Alli in the summer, and that he was also better than Bruno Fernandes.

Well, Levy ought to be as gutted as these fans as if Lingard was able to hit a similar feat for Spurs, then their attacking fortunes would be vastly different.

Lingard’s form has been so good that Gary Neville has even suggested that United may want him back in the summer to Sky Sports, also adding: “He does an incredible amount of running. It’s what he does. He’s good out of possession and good in possession.”

Whilst club and international teammate Declan Rice believes he’s “one of the best players in the league right now in terms of form.”

Spurs should definitely rue not signing Lingard now.

AND in other news, Spurs target £36m “goal threat” is everything Tanguy Ndombele should be…

Manchester United defender Teden Mengi has made an excellent start to life within senior football and he could potentially save the Red Devils from forking out a small fortune.

The 18-year-old centre-back joined Derby County on-loan in January, with his temporary move to Pride Park being his first experience of senior football away from United’s youth team set-up.

He has certainly had an extremely promising start to life in the East-Midlands.

Mengi has so far made four appearances for the Rams, three of those starts, and earned his first clean sheet in midweek in a 0-0 draw against Barnsley.

Rams’ boss and former Red Devils hero, Wayne Rooney, has certainly been enamoured by the youngster so far, labelling his performance against the Tykes on Wednesday as “excellent”.

Despite only just venturing into senior football, Mengi’s statistics suggest that he is not out of place at all.

According to WhoScored, he is averaging 4.9 defensive contributions per match; 1.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, two clearances and 0.3 blocks.

His numbers are extremely comparable to fellow centre-backs and senior professionals Curtis Davies and Matthew Clarke, indicating how quickly he has adapted to Championship football.

Considering his age, Mengi already appears to have plenty of composure when in the tackle, only averaging 0.5 fouls per 90 minutes which is only beaten by George Edmundson of central defenders in the Rams’ squad. That is not an aspect often found in young players, who are slightly too keen to make their mark.

Whilst those numbers should level out as Mengi accumulates more experience with Derby, it is an extremely promising start for the youngster, who has captained the Red Devils’ U23 team on a number of occasions.

With Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Soslkjaer reportedly keen to sign a centre-back in the summer, £1.35m-rated Mengi could save the Red Devils a considerable fee should he continue his current trajectory at Pride Park and prove that he’s a viable first-team option once he returns to Old Trafford.

AND in more news, Ed Woodward does not need to move for a new goalkeeper despite links to AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma…