All posts by n8rngtd.top

Some Liverpool fans have been providing their thoughts on the latest regarding Erling Haaland, with the Reds reportedly interested in signing him.

Jurgen Klopp will be looking to delve into the transfer market this summer, in order to make his squad even more formidable.

While Liverpool have struggled this season, mitigating circumstances such as injuries have been a key reason for it, rather than the quality not being good enough.

This is still a superb squad made up of numerous world-class players, so only a few tweaks should be needed in order to make the Reds contenders again in 2021/22.

Haaland’s future is set to be arguably the biggest transfer story of the summer, with the Borussia Dortmund youngster possibly the most in-demand player in world football right now.

The Norwegian striker is being linked with Europe’s biggest clubs, with his father and agent talking to both Barcelona and Real Madrid on Thursday.

Liverpool are believed to be in the race to sign Haaland now too however, with Mundo Deportivo those representatives will fly to England this Friday and talk to Liverpool over a potential move – it seems as if they are doing the rounds.

Liverpool fans react to Haaland news

These Reds supporters have been reacting to the update on Twitter, with plenty of excitement in the air.

“Oh my”

Credit: @sisenor_9

“It’s all down to Edwards now to sell the idea of Klopp’s vision and the fact we are LIVERPOOL FC. Need I say any more”

Credit: @LeeMc80788467

“Please please please please”

Credit: @MH_Liverpool

“Michael Edwards will do it again”

Credit: @KaanBursa9

“Ah Jesus.. please happen”

Credit: @moustache_and

“It will go off on here when Edwards gets Haaland for Matip and Origi and £4million a year for next 8 years”

Credit: @GaryHart127

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been lauding the international performance of one Reds star. Find out who it is here.

Robby McCrorie has refused to rule out another loan exit away from Glasgow Rangers next season.

McCrorie discusses Gers future

23-year-old McCrorie is currently on loan at Livingston in the Premiership and has played 14 games in the top flight so far this term (Transfermarkt), with boss Gary Holt calling him “excellent” on his league debut (The Scottish Sun).

Speaking ahead of Livingston’s clash with Hibernian this weekend, McCrorie was discussing his Rangers future, and he refused to rule out leaving on a temporary basis once more. He said (via sportsmole.co.uk):

“We have six league games left and hopefully a run in the Scottish Cup but I don’t think I can look too far in terms of the summer.

“It is not really up to me what happens, that is up to the gaffer at Rangers.

“I will go in at pre-season or whatever and try to do my best. It will be a case of looking at it.

“But I love playing football so I would probably be open to going out on loan again but we will see.

“I signed a deal in the summer so I have another two years at Rangers after this season. The most important thing for any young player is to be playing games.

“I will go back at the end of the season, assess what is best for going forward and I have all the support networks to help me get where I need to go.”

Plenty of competition

At 23, McCrorie will have been hoping to have already broken into the Gers side. Unfortunately, he has one of the greatest goalkeepers in the club’s history in front of him in Allan McGregor. The 39-year-old has kept 16 clean sheets in 23 league matches this campaign and has shipped just seven times – he is arguably as good at the moment as he has ever been.

Still, it is clear McGregor is approaching the end of his career. When he does eventually retire, McCrorie could well have a chance to finally establish himself as the Gers’ number one. The youngster just has to be patient and wait for his opportunity.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Ondrej Kudela footage.

Crystal Palace are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon aiming to finally rule themselves out of the relegation picture once and for all.

Roy Hodgson’s Eagles host West Bromwich Albion, with the south Londoners eight points clear of the drop zone following their 4-1 humbling at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Whilst it looks unlikely that they will be under any real threat of the drop, three points against the Baggies should as good as rubberstamp another season in the top-flight.

What starting XI will Hodgson select then?

Due to the current injury situation at Selhurst Park, there may only be slight tweaks to the side which was swept aside by Spurs.

The back five should stay the same, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita being shielded by Patrick van Aanholt, Gary Cahill, Cheikhou Koyuate and Joel Ward.

The two alterations to the team could then come further up the park. The midfield duo of Jairo Riedewald and Luka Milivojevic should remain, with the likes of James McArthur and James McCarthy both being ruled out.

Eberechi Eze will start on the right-hand side despite a quiet game at Tottenham, but a major boost to Palace will be the return of Wilfried Zaha.

The Ivorian was introduced from the bench in north London but should be fit enough to start. Considering he is the Eagles’ top scorer so far this season with nine goals, he surely has to play in such a crucial game. Andros Townsend drops out as a result.

One final change is likely to occur in attack. Christian Benteke is almost sure to start after his goal against Spurs but should have a different partner.

Jordan Ayew has not scored since early November so it could be time to give January arrival and £13.5m-rated striker Jean-Philippe Mateta a chance from the start.

AND in more news, have a look at why Steve Howey believes it’s time for Crystal Palace to let Wilfried Zaha finally leave Selhurst Park…

Writing on Twitter, West Ham United have confirmed a new deal for number one shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski until 2022 – prompting many Irons to flock in excitement to this news as the Poland international decides to extend his stay in east London. 

Fabianski, who is manager David Moyes’ first choice in between the sticks for West Ham, has now opted to remain at the London Stadium until the end of next season.

The 35-year-old’s deal was set to expire upon the conclusion of 2020/2021, but his one-year contract extension means he will remain a Moyes player for the foreseeable future.

West Ham have a real opportunity to clinch European qualification this season, with Fabianski’s new deal meaning he could be along for the ride if Moyes’ men make it.

Flocking to this news, Fabianski’s decision to sign on has prompted much excitement – with one Iron even calling it ‘amazing news’ – the shot-stopper has been superb since joining from Swansea in 2018.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans erupt at Fabianski new deal

“Amazing news”

Credit: @whuLeo

“Yesssss”

Credit: @whufc_lewis

“Fantastic news just need a quality back up”

Credit: @Ramsgatehammer

“Absolute no brainer. Stability in a position we’ve not had stability in for a long time.”

Credit: @CraigLewis1990

“Big for us, he has been solid”

Credit: @JakeWilliam0502

“Great news, don’t know why people keep discussing bringing in new GKs when he’s performing perfectly fine”

Credit: @henry_hh_95

“Beautiful stuff. Another year of the polish prince”

Credit: @ReganEveringha1

“Great news. Still a fantastic keeper, as we saw against Leeds on Monday. COYI”

Credit: @DJBazMati

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this starlet, find out more here.

West Ham United prospect Nathan Trott risks setting his career back years by sealing a late deal to join Norwegian outfit Tromso Idrettslag on loan.

What’s the word?

According to ExWHUemployee, while speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, Trott is set to sign for Tromso IL once he obtains a work permit.

The Norwegian transfer market remains open until April 1st ahead of the 2021 Eliteserien campaign starting at the beginning of next month.

Trott has long been earmarked as West Ham’s future number one but has only played seven minutes of first-team football with the Irons, after David Moyes awarded the Bermudian his debut as a substitute in January’s FA Cup win over League One side Doncaster Rovers.

The 22-year-old has been named as an unused substitute in five additional fixtures across all competitions this season, following three inclusions in the 2017/18 campaign before a loan spell with AFC Wimbledon.

He kept four clean sheets in 23 third-tier appearances for the Dons, conceding 32 goals, and impressed with his efforts but failed to kick on following his return to east London.

West Ham weighed up approaches from home and abroad to send Trott out on loan for the 2020/21 season last summer, but rejected Coventry City’s approach as the Sky Blues’ initially intended on naming the shot-stopper as their number two, per the Daily Mail.

Interest from Derby County, Doncaster and Shrewsbury Town was also noted, as the Irons sought to secure regular first-team football for the 6 ft 2 ‘keeper signed in 2016 on the recommendation of their Bermudan former striker Clyde Best.

Should West Ham send Trott to Tromso?

Trott certainly needs to secure regular first-team football if he is to kick on and fulfil West Ham’s expectations, but a move to Tromso may not be the best decision he can make.

Tromso were relegated from the Eliteserien during the 2019 season as the 15th ranked side from 16, having lost 16 of their 30 league fixtures.

They bounced back the following campaign to secure an immediate return to Norway’s top-flight, but have not finished inside the top half of the table since 2012, with two 13th placed finishes and another relegation in 2013.

Trott would need to use his time in Norway as a springboard to secure another loan move in the summer, when he can join a League One-level club and be their starting goalkeeper from the off.

He seemingly has the talent to do so, with former Irons shot-stopper Shaka Hislop – now a pundit for ESPN – a huge advocate of Trott’s potential, noting after West Ham’s FA Cup win versus Doncaster how the 22-year-old has “all the attributes” needed.

Whether Trott can show that to Moyes while at Tromso would certainly remain to be seen, much more so when he is currently in the first-team picture at the London Stadium while the Hammers boss seemingly looks to strengthen the goalkeeper position.

West Ham have been linked with moves for Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale, two young options at 23 and 22 years, as they weigh up potential options with Lukasz Fabianski a free agent in the summer after he turns 36.

If Trott really is West Ham’s future, he may be better off staying at the Irons and not joining Tromso, so that he can prove his potential right under Moyes’ nose rather than push that chance a few years further down the road by moving to an obscure league.

AND in other news, West Ham have been slapped with a £20m asking price to sign an “outstanding” talent this summer…

It seems Rangers have played their cards right with Jordan Jones as Alan Hutton believes their price reveal will spark a bidding war for the Northern Irishman this summer.

What’s the word?

Jones, who reportedly earns £9,100-a-week, joined Sunderland on loan from Rangers in the January transfer window, but he has been restricted to just four appearances in the north east, including two as a substitute.

The 26-year-old has fallen out of favour under Steven Gerrard after breaking coronavirus protocols, and according to Football Insider, he could make a move for a fee of around £600,000.

When asked if their asking price could tempt potential suitors into trying to sign Jones in the summer, Hutton said: “Yeah, you would think so. I do like him as a player, but it’s not worked out.

“You can go right back to his injury against Celtic when it was a rash tackle, he’s still young enough, he’s got plenty of years in front of them and bringing him in on a free, you will make money out of the situation.

“It’s just been a shame and he’ll probably think the same, it was a massive opportunity coming to Rangers, his boyhood club, to really stamp his authority on it.

“Through different sorts of situations, on the field and off it’s not worked out.

“I think he’ll be a player that Rangers will look to offload in the summer but I’m sure if he goes down to Sunderland and does well, there will be teams that are willing to take the risk and pay the money for him.”

Exit pending?

It seems the Scottish Premiership leaders are preparing for a flood of offers for the nine-cap Northern Ireland international when the transfer market re-opens in the summer, so it appears they are setting the bar in advance.

Rangers know there may be plenty of Championship interest in the winger, who had attracted interest from the likes of Middlesbrough, QPR and Preston last year, while Sunderland may also be keeping a watchful eye on future proceedings.

As it stands, no official offers have been received for Jones, who has made just four appearances for Rangers this season, but it seems a bidding war could erupt at some point in the near future.

Big things were expected from the winger after impressing at Premiership rivals Kilmarnock, but by his own admission, it’s not worked out as well as planned for Jones at the 54-time Scottish champions.

He’s barely been used by Gerrard, and it’s easy to see why – one goal and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions is hardly the stuff of legend.

Now 26 and heading into the final year of his contract, he won’t fetch a hefty price, but Rangers should look to get him off their books for good.

Gers Sporting Director Ross Wilson made the right decision this January.

AND in other news, Latest Rangers off-field drama exposes glaring weakness amid investigation…

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite will have thrilled Carlo Ancelotti after producing a brilliant performance during his Blackburn Rovers debut at home to Stoke City on Saturday.

Branthwaite only moved to Ewood Park  on Thursday after agreeing to a half-season loan deal to become the Championship side’s first signing of the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old described the deal as a “no-brainer” as Tony Mowbray’s side was the only club he wanted to leave the Toffees for, after making only one first-team outing at Goodison Park this term due to an early-season ankle injury.

Branthwaite played the full 90 minutes as Blackburn rescued a point at home to Stoke on Saturday, in a game that saw the Potters’ influence grow throughout the second-period as Rovers struggled to find their rhythm.

Stoke took the lead late in the first half courtesy of a Nick Powell header but were pegged back by Adam Armstrong, who saved the Lancashire outfit’s blushes against a 10-man Potters side with his 16th goal of the Championship campaign.

Despite Stoke’s pressure, Branthwaite offered a reassuring presence at the back with strong and assertive challenges, and Rovers have been lauded by Lancs Live for bringing a ball-playing centre-half to Ewood Park, even if the £15,000-per-week titan’s inexperience occasionally came to the surface at set-pieces.

Rovers supporters also flooded a club tweet praising Branthwaite for an assured display, with some describing the 6 ft 5 colossus as their Man of the Match for his brilliant efforts.

Branthwaite deservedly earned the praise of Blackburn supporters following his debut, as his performance offered Mowbray a key figure beside Rovers captain Darragh Lenihan that will have undoubtedly delighted Ancelotti back at Everton.

The teen talent, making his first senior appearance in any competition since September, attempted one additional tackle compared to his experienced central defensive partner Lenihan, with each man boasting a 100% tackle success rate with in each of their three and two respective tackles, per WhoScored.

Branthwaite further stood firm to provide his side’s second-most clearances (3) to help protect Thomas Kaminski’s goal, was never dribbled past, and offered two interceptions to thwart Stoke’s frontline consisting of six-goal striker Powell and Jacob Brown, who has offered 0.8 shots per game on average this season as a frequent attacking threat.

Ancelotti will also have been impressed to see the Blues’ prospect contest a game-high five defensive aerial duels with a 60% success rate, as he held down the left-side of defence beside full-back Barry Douglas, winning more aerial duels than Everton’s current centre-half options have averaged per game in the Premier League this season.

Branthwaite was also far safer in possession than 26-year-old Lenihan, with an 84% completion rate from 41 of 49 passes, compared to his teammate’s 74%, while losing possession 10 times compared to 19, and never shying from taking the ball to register 62 touches, per SofaScore.

Had Branthwaite’s performance been in an Ancelotti backline during a top-flight fixture, his efforts would likely have stood out, with only Ben Godfrey offering a greater haul of successful tackles per game (3.3) when fielded centrally for Everton, per WhoScored.

It was a good start to his team at Blackburn, hopefully for Everton, Branthwaite can continue to play in such a manner for the rest of the season and come back to Goodison Park as a player who is ready to battle for a regular place in Ancelotti’s starting line-up.

AND in other news, Everton are monitoring a £9m defensive titan ahead of a potential January transfer.

According to SporX, West Bromwich Albion are set to prioritise a move for Haris Seferovic over Mbaye Diagne.

Baggies to move for Seferovic

The Baggies were reportedly in talks to sign Diagne, but are said to have been put off making a move for the Galatasaray forward after learning about the terms he wanted.

As such, they are now set to prioritise a move for Seferovic instead.

Erratic

Seferovic has been in good form for Benfica so far this campaign, scoring ten goals and providing three assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt). However, throughout his career, his goalscoring record has been erratic. For example, he netted just nine times in 45 games last term, but during the 18/19 term, he struck 27 times in 51 matches.

Diagne, meanwhile, has far more of a solid track record. He has 11 in 19 games this season and has a record of more than a goal every two matches throughout his time as a professional.

Money clearly appears to be an issue at the Hawthorns at the moment, but Seferovic is valued at £9m (Transfermarkt) and has three more years left on his contract in Portugal – he could well cost the club a considerable sum. Either way, the Baggies need a striker after scoring just 15 times in the Premier League so far this term (Sky Sports) – they need to get a deal done quickly.

In other news, West Brom eye a move for this 38-time Belgium international.

Steve Bruce must recall Jeff Hendrick to the Newcastle United starting line-up for their FA Cup third round trip to Arsenal on Saturday in order to give Mikel Arteta a scare.

Hendrick has not featured for the Magpies in any of their last five fixtures across all competitions, with Bruce opting against fielding the Republic of Ireland international from the bench for even a second.

Newcastle failed to win any of the matches in which Hendrick did not play a role in the action, despite the 28-year-old providing one of United’s two goals during their 5-2 mauling at Leeds United last month whilst earning his 10th and most recent start of the season so far.

Hendrick had been one of Bruce’s favoured midfield options over the opening months of the Premier League campaign with minutes in 10 of their 12 matches, but now finds himself with a point to prove all over again following his summer arrival as a free agent.

Former Burnley captain Frank Sinclair firmly believed Hendrick would prove to be a player Sean Dyche would miss at Turf Moor following his exit, feeling the £8m-rated ace had been “terrific” during his four-year spell in Lancashire.

Bruce, too, expected big things from Hendrick and described the midfielder as a “big asset” who is entering his peak, and must now turn to him once again to best-place Newcastle ahead of their FA Cup trip to Arsenal.

Arteta will not be scared of facing the Magpies should Bruce opt to name the same central midfield pairing which lost at home to Leicester City last time out, as a dual-axis pivot of Sean and Matty Longstaff was as far from ideal as it possibly could have been.

Sean Longstaff endured a horror show as he was overrun in the engine room against the Foxes, and even the second-half introduction of the experienced Jonjo Shelvey failed to turn the tide as he allowed Youri Tielemans to drift through unchallenged to score his side’s second of the day.

Bruce would risk Newcastle’s position in the FA Cup by keeping his faith in those who were exposed by Brendan Rodgers’ side last week, so must turn to Hendrick and offer the 60-cap international a recall at the Emirates Stadium.

Hendrick had been a creative and combative presence in Bruce’s plans when fielded in the Premier League prior to his festive omission, with the Derby County product providing 0.8 shots, 0.6 dribbles, 1.6 tackles and 1.0 interceptions a game, per WhoScored.

His long-range passing had also been at a higher level than seen from the likes of Isaac Hayden (1.7), Miguel Almiron (0.7) and Matty Longstaff (0.5) with 1.8 accurate attempts a game, and is the only Toon player other than Callum Wilson to have scored more than once in the top-flight this term.

AND in other news, Steve Bruce has no alternative but to perform a U-turn and tie a £4.5m-rated Newcastle star down with a new deal now…

Tottenham Hotspur are heading into what feels like a defining transfer window in terms of how Jose Mourinho’s side could shape up for the long-term.

Recent defeats to Liverpool and Leicester City in the Premier League show that the north Londoners have it all to do before they mount a serious title charge, so the right additions may be imperative next month.

There are also futures to resolve for many of Spurs’ current stars who have hit a crossroad in their career – both Dele Alli and Harry Winks instantly spring to mind.

They both were regular starters early on in the Mourinho reign but now find themselves flirting with an exit from the north London outfit.

And the same could be said of Davinson Sanchez, who continues to be completely snubbed by the ‘Special One’ despite only having two other senior centre-backs on the payroll.

The £36m-rated Colombian has made just one Premier League matchday squad since their late capitulation against arch-rivals West Ham in October – that’s eight of nine games that he hasn’t even made the bench – even with the new increase from seven to nine players.

It seems the Irons’ late come back from 3-0 down was the final straw for Mourinho as Sanchez has only featured in the Europa League (five starts), often to give Toby Alderweireld a break.

Indeed, we know that the Spurs boss has never really been a fan of the 6 foot 1 colossus as he targeted the centre-back during Manchester United’s Europa League triumph back in 2017.

The Red Devils eased to a 2-0 victory with Sanchez failing to cope with the likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.

Former rival striker Tony Cascarino dubbed the 24-year-old their main “weak link” during the summer, telling the Evening Standard that a defensive pairing involving Sanchez and Eric Dier was a “disaster zone.”

Whilst ex-England defender Danny Mills believes the outcast is everything Mourinho doesn’t want in his centre-backs, he told Football Insider:

“Davinson Sanchez can be a little up and down at times. His performances can be fabulous and then not so much. His form is sporadic. We know what Mourinho likes. He wants defenders to defend, to be consistent and just do the simple things.”

According to Calciomercatio.it earlier this month, Sanchez has been warming to the idea of a switch to the Serie A to revive his faltering career with AC Milan mooted as a potential destination.

If any offers do come in for the £75k-per-week calamity, then Daniel Levy absolutely has to sanction the exit before he continues to burn a massive hole in his pockets.

Having been signed by Mauricio Pochettino in whopping then-club-record £42m deal in 2017, the disastrous signing has cost the club a total of £55m – and counting.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Spurs tipped to secure “unbelievable” deal for £30m maestro…