Tag Futebol

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

Tottenham Hotspur bolstered their European claims with an emphatic victory in North London on Sunday afternoon and that was thanks to the phenomenal display from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Ryan Mason’s side moved into sixth place on goal difference and know that two more victories in their final two matches of the Premier League season will secure a place in the Europa League next season.

Spurs talisman Harry Kane moved into the sole lead for the Golden Boot with his 22nd league goal of the campaign, taking his total to 32 in all competitions, and will quite rightly take a lot of the plaudits for his goalscoring performance.

But the great Dane in the heart of midfield was arguably Mason’s best player on the day.

It was Hojbjerg who provided a high-quality assist for the England international to open the scoring, feeding in a delightful ball over the top for Kane to run in, casually push off Gary Neville’s comical Man of the Match Conor Coady to bag right on half-time.

He then found the net himself just after the hour mark, following up a parried effort to double their advantage and clinch all three points.

But there was so much more than a goal and assist to his game as he was once again one of Spurs’ most influential players in the engine room.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-spurs-manager-update-gossip-transfer-rumours-daniel-levy-enic-mason-mourinho-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

Hojbjerg often dictates play with his cool, calm composure on the ball and that was seen in him managing a squad-high 102 touches, 17 more than anyone else, and 81 passes at a success rate of 94%, via SofaScore.

In addition to his rare creative outing, in which he provided two key passes and three shots, he also did his usual industrious defensive work and it’s that sort of ability that often goes unnoticed, especially when Kane is firing them home.

No other Spurs star managed more tackles (three) or interceptions (two) than Hojbjerg, whilst he also chipped in with one clearance and one block, as per SofaScore.

Alasdair Gold at football.london appeared to agree, calling him “Spurs’ best player on the day” and he also suggested he “did the dirty work” in midfield, too.

The £45m-rated beast stole the show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Spurs handed gutting injury blow, key man likely out for the season…

Former Everton striker Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Bernard will leave the Toffees this summer.

The Brazilian was a regular for former manager Marco Silva during his first 18 months at Goodison Park following his free transfer move from Shakhtar Donetsk, but he has slipped down the pecking since the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti.

In fact, Bernard has started just 11 Premier League games under the Italian, only three of which have come this season.

His lack of opportunities have led to speculation surrounding his future, with ex-Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini reportedly keen on bringing him to Real Betis to play in La Liga.

Bernard has just over 12 months remaining on his current Everton deal, and Bent informed Football FanCast that he has heard that the attacker will be moved on this summer:

“They’re basically saying that he just doesn’t have the physicality for the Premier League. He’s technical, but not physical enough, so that’s why they’re going to offload him this summer.

“Some players will play in a team with physical players or the smaller not as physical players and he’s very technical.

“So he needs someone alongside him to take the blows and punches for him to progress.”

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been heaping praise on the club’s under-18 side following their 3-0 away win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Striker Victor Akinwale scored an early penalty for the Eagles to put them on their way, with late strikes from midfielders Jack Wells-Morrison and Maliq Cadogan securing the three points.

The win against Spurs saw Palace return to the top of the Premier League U18 Category 1 South League table at the expense of Fulham. They are three points clear of the Cottagers but have played one game more.

There are only two matches remaining for Palace in their quest for the title, an away trip to Brighton before ending their campaign at home to West Brom.

Palace fans react

The club shared the update on the 3-0 win on their official Twitter page on Saturday afternoon. These Eagles fans were full of praise for the club’s youngsters, with one describing their talent as ‘insane’.

“Great stuff”

Credit: @Adam_Palace

“Massive win for the boys. Congrats”

Credit: @Teeboy_LFC

“Brilliant lads”

Credit: @Fiachra_Furlong

“We’re just insane”

Credit: @CPFCMax03

“We’re just too good for you”

Credit: @LawonY60

“If only the first team could play like this”

Credit: @RednBlue81

In other news: Many Palace fans hail star man after off-field activity emerges on social media, find out more here. 

David Moyes should ruthlessly axe Said Benrahma and recall Pablo Fornals to the West ham United starting line-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fornals is expected to be passed fit for the Irons’ trip to Molineux on Monday night after two games out with a groin injury, that he had sustained ahead of a likely start away to Manchester United last month.

Benrahma featured as a substitute at Old Trafford before opening his side’s 3-3 draw with rivals Arsenal before the international break, for the 25-year-old’s 11th Premier League start since his arrival at the London Stadium in October.

Benrahma failed to have a direct influence on the scoring against the Gunners as his wait for a maiden goal in claret and blue continues, and is now six games without an assist across all competitions.

The £20m-rated maestro came close to ending his creative drought in the second half when Benrahma delivered a teasing ball across Arsenal’s six-yard box following a driven run between Pablo Mari and Thomas Partey, only for Michail Antonio to find the base of the post.

But the Algerian was the least involved of West Ham’s attacking options overall at home to Mikel Arteta’s north Londoners, while Jesse Lingard pulled the strings and Antonio offered two assists and often held the ball up wonderfully.

Benrahma occasionally displayed the defensive work-rate that has caught Moyes by surprise previously, but his efforts were too insufficient to prevent Calum Chambers from turning in a Man of the Match display thanks to a game-high eight crosses and creating three chances.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-west-ham-news-and-views-2″ title=”The latest West Ham news and views!”]

“I’ve had a bit of a laugh with him [Benrahma] because I’m saying to him: ‘I didn’t realise I’d signed a really hard-working midfield player who runs and closes down, and does all the defensive duties,’” Moyes said, via quotes by The Guardian, in February.

“I said: ‘I thought we got someone for assists and goal making.’ They’re the bits which I think he’s probably needed to improve. The other part has been excellent. I want team players here – I don’t want individuals – but Said’s been great for the team.”

With Fornals expected to be passed fit to face Wolves on Monday night, Moyes should now ruthlessly axe Benrahma for the Spaniard as the decision could prove game-changing in helping to shut down the right-wing of Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.

Benrahma has been touted by Claret & Hugh as the most at-risk player to make way for Fornals, who Moyes has previously lauded for his “incredible” energy and enthusiasm – which was on show front and centre against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Leeds United before his injury.

Fornals also averages a higher number of successful tackles per Premier League game this season than Benrahma with 1.17 to the Algerian’s 0.76, as well as more interceptions (1.17 to 0.29) and clearances (0.17 to 0.1), per SofaScore.

Wolves favoured the right-hand channel more often during their last top-flight fixture, with four of their six key passes coming through Romain Saiss, Nelson Semedo and Adama Traore. Half of their 10 shots also came from that side, per WhoScored.

It was a similar story the week before away to Aston Villa with four of 10 shots and three of eight key passes coming from the right, where Fornals or Benrahma will likely be tasked with aiding Aaron Cresswell on Monday night.

Thus, if Fornals is fully fit and ready to go from the off, Moyes should see that he starts from the off, even if it means dropping Benrahma to the bench to make space.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

MatériaMais Notícias

A maioria dos jogadores do Flamengo evitou lamentar o empate de 0 a 0 com o São Paulo, no Morumbi. O volante Willian Arão e o meia Diego, por exemplo, consideraram o ponto conquistado fora de casa como importante. O Rubro-Negro chegou aos 54 pontos e se igualou ao Palmeiras na tabela, mas segue como vice-líder porque tem saldo de gols inferior ao gol. Além disso, o Alviverde vai a campo nesta segunda-feira, contra o Santa Cruz, no Arruda.

– Queríamos ganhar, obviamente,mas o São Paulo tem jogadores que podem decidir a qualquer momento. Foi muito disputado, tivemos chances de fazer gol. Não dá para lamentar – avaliou Arão, adotando linha de pensamento muito parecida com a do meia Diego.

-Tivemos uma clara no segundo tempo. Quando a bola entra, a estratégia tende a mudar. A marcação deles estava bem compacta, defensiva, o que dificultou nosso trabalho. Não é fácil jogar no Morumbi e conquistamos um ponto muito importante – destacou o camisa 35.

Por outro lado, o zagueiro Réver não gostou do empate em São Paulo.

-Foi um jogo muito truncado, tivemos poucas oportunidades claras, tivemos uma com o Damião, mas também não demos espaço para o São Paulo criar muita coisa. Conseguimos anular bem as jogadas do São Paulo. Se você analisar pela grandeza do São Paulo, foi um bom resultado, mas pela situação deles no campeonato acabou sendo ruim – disse.

RelacionadasFlamengoZé vê empate justo e admite secar o Palmeiras: ‘Não faz mal a ninguém’Flamengo01/10/2016FlamengoGuerrero admite cansaço e poupa Damião de críticas por chance perdidaFlamengo01/10/2016BrasileirãoATUAÇÕES: Denis e Muralha se destacam no empate no MorumbiBrasileirão01/10/2016

Luke Edwards has dropped a claim on a potential takeover of Newcastle United after replying to a question from a fan of the St James’ Park faithful.

As per a tweet from the Daily Telegraph journalist, any other party other than the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group who may be interested in taking over in the northeast ‘can’t get anywhere’ with Mike Ashley until the Tyneside club’s relegation fate is known.

Other potential Newcastle buyers?

Given that the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) are yet to put themselves back onto the table, there is a question mark over whether the original deal between the consortium and Ashley can still be revived.

This may invite other potential buyers to submit their own bids, but a lot will be decided come the end of the 2020/21 season, when Steve Bruce’s team know their fate in terms of possible relegation.

If the worst were to happen and the Magpies found themselves going down from the Premier League to the Championship, then the prospect of taking over at Newcastle would be far less attractive to PIF, and Ashley would not be able to demand as high of an asking price.

Still, this may invite other potential buyers who would not mind taking over at a club in the lower division to come in with their own bids, and it would then be up to Ashley if he still wants to sell.

In other news, find out what one pundit has claimed after a big Newcastle injury update before the Spurs clash!

MatériaMais Notícias

O mês de agosto terminou e não vai deixar nenhuma saudade para o Vasco. A equipe comandada por Jorginho ingressou no pior momento da temporada, não sabe o que é vencer desde 30 de julho, quando derrotou o Criciúma por 2 a 1 e obrigou o presidente Eurico Miranda a fazer uma cobrança formal ao elenco pela recuperação.

Já são cinco jogos sem vencer (duas derrotas e três empates), sendo quatro pela Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro e um na Copa do Brasil. A gordura criada no primeiro turno do torneio de pontos corridos está quase deixando de existir, o que preocupa o planejamento da diretoria do Vasco pelo retorno à elite do futebol brasileiro de 2017. Atualmente, três pontos separam o líder Vasco do segundo colocado e cinco pontos do primeiro time fora do G4.

RelacionadasVascoVasco anuncia participação na Florida Cup 2017 e pode pegar o FlamengoVasco31/08/2016VascoEm meio a mau momento do Vasco, jovem se destaca e ganha elogiosVasco31/08/2016VascoBlog do Garone: 15 minutos de VascoVasco30/08/2016

A preocupação é grande que Eurico Miranda, na última quarta-feira, cobrou o elenco no vestiário após o treinamento em São Januário. O dirigente entende a necessidade da recuperação técnica em campo, até por conta de o time ser o mesmo de antes, não tendo alterações do grupo que ficou invicto por quase oito meses.

Uma resposta é esperada já no sábado, quando o Vasco volta a campo, contra o Bahia, na Arena Fonte Nova. Jorginho não relacionará apenas Martin Silva, que está na seleção do Uruguai disputando as Eliminatórias. Jordi será o titular do gol. No restante da equipe vascaína, a força será máxima (com exceção de Luan, que recebeu o terceiro amarelo). Inclusive com o meia Nenê, antes poupado de olho na volta das oitavas da Copa do Brasil.

Representando o elenco, Andrezinho conversou com a imprensa após o treino de quarta-feira e disse que o Vasco procura internamente o que está acontecendo para resolver. Ele garantiu que não houve acomodação.

– A maioria do elenco é experiente. Não houve acomodação, a cobrança interna está tendo. O trabalho é o mesmo, o grupo de jogadores idem. Cabe a nós assumir os erros, continuarmos trabalhando e resolvermos internamente o que está acontecendo para os resultados não virem – confessou Andrezinho.

OPINIÃO DA REDAÇÃO

“O time está com acomodação. E vem tropeçando por desatenção. Precisa trabalhar”
Hugo Mirandela -Repórter do LANCE!

“É rendimento caindo pois o time relaxou. Precisa voltar a jogar sério para evoluir”
Paulo Victor Reis -Repórter do LANCE!

“O time atingiu o máximo do potencial e não consegue criar mais novidades”
Thiago Correia -Editor do LANCE!

Leicester City will play host to Europa League opponents Slavia Prague this evening following their 0-0 stalemate in the reverse fixture at the Sinobo Stadium. The Foxes are unbeaten in their last six fixtures and will hope that a win at the King Power will keep their positive streak running.

James Maddison will be unavailable for selection after he was forced off the pitch against Aston Villa. He sustained a hip injury and Brendan Rodgers confirmed he will miss out on the Europa League action, but admitted the midfielder shouldn’t requite any more surgery.

Whilst this will be a blow to Leicester in midfield, all eyes will be on how they set up without the influential England international. Football FanCast has predicted what team Rodgers will field this evening…

With Maddison not available to slot into the attacking midfield role as normal, Rodgers may opt to revert to a 3-4-3 formation and make use of his full-backs. This could see both Luke Thomas and Ricardo Pereira start in a more advanced role in order to contribute to the attack. The latter started further forward on the right flank against Villa and put in a solid performance considering it was out of his comfort zone.

In the heart of the midfield, Youri Tielemans’ presence will add creativity, but Wilfred Ndidi could be demoted in place of Hamza Choudhury. Leicester have a Premier League match against Arsenal just three days after their meeting with Slavia Prague and Rodgers can’t afford for key players to burn out. This could also be the reasoning behind a Cengiz Under start, which will be just his ninth for Leicester if he’s named amongst the 11 tonight.

The £94,000 per week loan signing has been limited with his game time since joining the Premier League outfit, but has been given a good run in the cup competitions. As per Transfermarkt, Under has played just eight league matches but has been a regular in the Europa League. He will fill in for Marc Albrighton, who was quite disappointing in the reverse fixture. He managed just 11 passes and 32 passes in total, which was less than goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with 20 and 47 respectively, according to Sofascore.

With all to play for, Leicester must strike early and ensure the grab themselves the upper hand on home soil. An attack of Under, Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy will be hungry secure their spot in the next round of the Europa League.

In other news, Steve Howey labels James Justin injury as a “huge blow”…

Leeds United have identified a potential summer signing in Ivan Toney but face competition to acquire the player if they do make a serious offer.

The latest on Toney

According to TEAMtalk, Brentford are ready to slap a £30m asking price on star striker Ivan Toney, with Arsenal, Leeds and West Ham all keen.

The 24-year-old joined the Bees last summer in a deal worth just over £5m from League One Peterborough to replace Ollie Watkins, who has shone in his first campaign in the Premier League.

This would be a great coup for Leeds

The Englishman has truly set the Championship alight, playing 33 times in the division and scoring 25 goals whilst also picking up nine assists along the way (WhoScored). His stats show how much of an attacking threat he poses as he has averages 2.8 shots and 1.1 key passes per game in 2020/21.

Toney, who was once hailed as a “gem” by his former Peterborough manager Steve Evans, looks like he will break the 30-goal mark this season; and despite him having a large price tag in £30m, it feels like he is worth that type of money.

He is still young and should have the scope to grow into an even better forward when he reaches his prime. That other clubs in the Premier League are also interested in him highlights his quality, and this could be a huge signing for Leeds to work alongside the in-form Patrick Bamford.

In other news, Danny Mills fumes at this Leeds player’s agent!