All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liam Kennedy has dropped a reassuring claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

Writing in his latest piece for The Shields Gazette, when asked whether the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) interest in taking over at Inter Milan was genuine and what it would potentially mean for the original deal with the St. James’ Park faithful, the football journalist claimed that he has “not heard any information to suggest they do not retain an interest” in the North East club.

Kennedy also stated that “they have given guarantees to PCP Capital Partners”, the company in which Amanda Staveley, who is part of the KSA consortium, is currently head of.

He added that the evidence seems to suggest that PIF “aren’t going anywhere” for now, although he also claims that they “won’t wait forever” as they are still waiting for a path to be cleared in order to get themselves back onto the table.

PIF claim reassuring

Although there is an interest being held by PIF in buying Inter, it is reassuring to hear that they still hold an interest in buying the Tyneside club as well, providing that a pathway for them is cleared.

The pending arbitration case between the Magpies and the Premier League should give a much clearer picture in terms of where exactly the direction of the potential takeover is heading, and if the Toon were to win that legal battle, then it could well turn out to be a big step in clearing that path.

In other news, find out what light has been shed by Ben Jacobs on PIF and the potential takeover here!

Steven Gerrard should unleash Calvin Bassey in Rangers’ Scottish Premiership tie with Hamilton Academical on Sunday to see if he can deputise for Borna Barisic.

First-choice left-back Barisic has barely been able to catch a break this season, having made 35 appearances across all competitions, that being bettered only by the likes of Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Ryan Kent respectively.

A Rangers victory over the Accies at New Douglas Park will see the 54-time Scottish champions widen the gap between themselves and the chasing pack, and take one step closer to their first title in a decade.

Barisic has played more often in the top flight than any other Rangers defender bar Goldson and Tavernier, with the 28-year-old featuring for 2,047′ of a possible 2,405′ minutes after starting the majority of their games so far.

The £6k-a-week earning Bassey, on the other hand, has hardly featured at all so far this season, with the former Leicester City youth prospect having the eighth-lowest playing time out of the entire Rangers squad.

The last of the 21-year-old’s three Premiership starts came in the 4-0 win at Ross County, with the youngster playing the full 90′ minutes.

But it is in the Europa League where he has made the biggest impression, with Gerrard heaping praise on his young charge for his performance against Standard Liege in the group stages.

Speaking after the game, Gerrard said, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account.: “I thought he was outstanding, coming into a game of that level with so little experience. We are all proud of him and with time we believe we can develop him even further. He is in a good place and he is ready, every time he has been called upon he has produced.”

However, since then he has found his chances hard to come by, with his last appearance and fifth start of the season coming by way of the 3-2 defeat to St Mirren in the Betfred Cup.

But it’s fair to say that Barisic, given the sheer amount of volume this season, has earned a well-deserved rest and Gerrard may not get a better opportunity than against the Accies, who are rock-bottom of the table. And, should this prove to be the case, Bassey should be the one to step in and fill his boots.

By the numbers, in terms of the statistics at least, there actually isn’t that much to choose from between them. Like Barisic, Bassey attacks the byline and looks to put the ball in dangerous areas – his 33.4 passes per 90 is only slightly less than the veteran’s 44.7.

Defensively, he’s also shown that he’s prepared to put the graft in to deny opponents, as evidenced by his 1.7 tackles and one interception per game, via WhoScored. For context, that’s more tackles than Barisic himself has managed this season (1 per 90).

Bassey started the last time the two sides met in the top flight, and thus he must be unleashed against a side who sit bottom of the Premiership. Otherwise, Gerrard may risk hindering his development. It’s the perfect chance to rest one of his key stars, and simultaneously hand out an opportunity to a player who’s on the fringes.

AND in other news, Exciting Rangers wonderkid Kai Kennedy is making waves in the Championship…

Celtic have made contact with former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe to ‘assess his potential interest’ in the Hoops job, a source has told Football Insider.

Howe to Parkhead?

The English tactician left the Vitality Stadium at the end of last season by mutual consent after he was unable to keep the Cherries in the Premier League, suffering relegation on the final day despite a 3-1 win against Everton at Goodison Park.

Howe, who was described as “fantastic” by Livingston midfielder Marvin Bartley (via 67 Hail Hail), has been unemployed ever since. With Neil Lennon walking away from Parkhead after a forgetful 2020/21 campaign, there is a vacancy to fill at Parkhead despite John Kennedy taking charge until the end of the season.

Football Insider revealed that the Bhoys’ approach for Howe is at the early stages of their managerial recruitment process.

However, the source reportedly added that Howe is keeping his options open and is believed to prefer a move back to the Premier League if possible, especially Crystal Palace after Roy Hodgson admitted he was “uncertain” about his future at Selhurst Park (via talkSPORT).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

With chief executive Peter Lawwell retiring at the end of the season from his role, we don’t expect to see any changes made until Dominic McKay comes in as his replacement.

This could spell bad news for Celtic, as Howe may already be negotiating with another club to take charge if Lawwell is not making any immediate moves.

In light of this, Celtic may have to move quickly and get a pre-contractual agreement in place if they are to bring Howe to Glasgow.

In other news, Celtic warned against pursuing EFL manager doing ‘unbelievable job’ with current club.

DeAndre Yedlin was Steve Bruce’s real star as Newcastle United produced a defensive masterclass to secure a point at home to Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Bruce welcomed Jurgen Klopp’s champions to St. James’ Park and saw his players prove resilient in the face of danger to record the first goalless league draw between the Magpies and Reds since February 1974, 69 meetings ago.

The result also saw Liverpool fail to score in a Premier League fixture for the first time in 21 matches, having been denied throughout by a sublime display from Karl Darlow to prevent Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool had a string of chances during their time on Tyneside to end the year on a high and move five points clear at the top of the table, yet were forced to accept a stalemate with Fabian Schar saving Darlow’s clean sheet 10 minutes from time by clearing off the line after a fortuitous rebound for Sadio Mane.

Yedlin often had Mane, plus Reds full-back Andrew Robertson, in his back pocket as he continued to hold down honours at right-back in Bruce’s plans, after taking over the role at home to Fulham.

The 27-year-old, who continues to be linked with a move away from St. James’ with his £30,000-per-week contract due to expire next summer, has now started Newcastle’s last three league games and proved against Liverpool why the position has become his.

Yedlin continually brought exuberant overlapping runs in partnership with Jacob Murphy down United’s right-hand channel, while contributing an array of vital tackles and coming close to only his fourth-ever Toon goal when his 17th-minute effort was deflected wide.

Salah fell victim to the 62-cap USA international, whom Rafa Benitez once declared “I love this player” for, late in the first-half when Yedlin timed his challenge to perfection to snatch the ball as the Egyptian sought to release the trigger.

Yedlin saw out the midweek meeting with two successful tackles to his name in total, while registering two interceptions and six clearances, per SofaScore.

He additionally won five of his six ground duels, never committed a foul, was successful with his only attempted dribble and provided one key ball from 11 accurate passes, despite failing to connect with a Magpies teammate with his only cross of the night.

Javier Manquillo may have returned to the matchday squad at Manchester City on Boxing Day, while Emil Krafth once again took a seat on the bench at home to Liverpool, but both will struggle to displace Yedlin from the starting line-up should he maintain his current form.

AND in other news, an “unplayable” £75k-p/w Newcastle United player is in-demand ahead of the January transfer window.

Leeds are linked with a potential January swoop for recent free agent M’Bala Nzola, according to Tuttosport (via Sport Witness). The striker was released from former club Trapani before joining Spezia Calcio in October, where he is currently making serious waves.

The 24-year-old still has a lot to give and is showing his previous sides what they’re missing out on with his performances at his new club. According to Transfermarkt, Nzola has tallied nines goals and one assist in 13 Serie A appearances so far. These numbers are similar to that of Patrick Bamford (10 goals, 2 assists) and the two could very well strike up a beautiful partnership.

Should Leeds sign Nzola?

Getting the £3.6million-valued striker could be very good business for the Whites as they head into the market this month. Marcelo Bielsa really needs to recruit some more creative players so as to not burn out his star forward. Additionally, Bamford is starved of support at times and could hugely benefit from someone working alongside him.

The duo could complement each other very well, as one seems to have something the other lacks. According to WhoScored, Nzola registers less shots per game, but completes more dribbles and key passes. Bamford is also more disciplined on the ball and makes less errors, but these statistics could really work in favour of each other.

Bamford is a typical goal-poacher who makes easy work of firing home from close-range. With him free to do what he does best and Nzola doing more of the leg work in terms of chance creation and drawing defenders out, the two would be a nightmare for the opposition defenders.

With the Frenchman only recently joining Spezia, it’s uncertain whether they would be willing to let him go given his immediate impact. However, they could make a nice profit on him if they do decide to cash in and Leeds would reap all the rewards.

Fellow Premier League sides have seemingly figured out Bielsa’s attacking tactics, so sharpening his options and changing up his formation will catch all of their opponents off-guard.

In other news, Stuart Dallas continues worrying pattern with latest Leeds performance…

Tottenham Hotspur supporters should be worried by the latest name to be linked with the club in January, though he’s seemingly been a long-term target for several seasons…

What’s the word?

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, the north London outfit are the front-runners to sign Leicester City outcast Demarai Gray as the 24-year-old is set to be left go for free in the summer.

It’s claimed that Spurs boss Jose Mourinho sees the English winger as potentially having the same sort of impact as that of Erik Lamela or Lucas Moura in the squad.

Earlier this summer, Football Insider reported that the Portuguese boss enquired over his services whilst also suggesting that Spurs bid for him in 2017 prior to signing a long-term extension in the Midlands.

Impact on Bergwijn?

You can’t help but feel that another winger is the least of Spurs’ concerns right now. If there is any position on the pitch that they are blessed with options, then it is certainly out wide.

As Konur states, Gray could well be a replacement for either Lamela or Moura though what of the impact to Steven Bergwijn, who has failed to impress much this season.

The Dutch international has failed to score or assist in the Premier League whilst only providing one assist in the Europa League group stages. He was one of the four players dragged off at half-time by Mourinho against Royal Antwerp in October too.

But it’s not as if Gray is better than any of the Spurs players already mentioned. He has struggled big-time at the King Power Stadium, delivering only 13 goals and 17 assists in 168 appearances for the Foxes, per Transfermarkt.

The former England U21 international has seen his value plummet to £10.8m despite once being lauded as a “big talent” who “can do everything” by Brendan Rodgers.

Whilst teammate Christian Fuchs believes Gray’s failure to deliver on his potential is down to “a lack of confidence” despite always looking “unbelievable” in training, as per an interview with Goal.

The likes of chief scout Steven Hitchen and Mourinho may be a fan of Gray’s but chairman Daniel Levy must avoid him at all costs – he’s no better than what they’ve got nor do they need anymore attacking additions.

AND in other news, Exclusive: £100k-p/w Spurs star tipped to leave next month…

David Moyes must urge West Ham United to sign Matias Vecino in the January transfer window amid rumoured interest in the Inter Milan midfielder.

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, the Hammers have offered Vecino a move away from the San Siro as the east London outfit look to improve Moyes’ midfield unit in the winter market.

Aston Villa are also keen to sign the Uruguayan, who has been deemed unsuited to Antonio Conte’s tactics at the Serie A heavyweights as the Italian strives to end the Nerazzurri’s 11-year wait for a 19th top-flight title.

Vecino is yet to feature for a single minute across all competitions this season after knee surgery in the summer, and is likely to fall further down Conte’s pecking order with the former Chelsea head coach now eying replacements.

The 29-year-old is believed to be nearing a return to full fitness, after which he intends to force his way back into Conte’s plans despite being offered to SSC Napoli in the off-season after a potential move to Everton fell through last winter.

Chelsea were also linked with a £23m deal to sign Vecino earlier this year, while Manchester United saw a loan approach rejected in January after targeting the 41-cap international as a short-term stop-gap following injuries to Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba.

Farwell Noble, hello Vecino

Vecino still seeing his future at the San Siro could prove problematic in the upcoming January window should Moyes urge David Sullivan to open his chequebook, but West Ham would acquire a deep-lying playmaker blessed with a “terrific range of passing” should a deal go through.

The Uruguayan has all the capabilities of replacing Mark Noble in the Hammers’ first-team fold with the 33-year-old’s £50,000-per-week contract due to expire in the summer, and showing no signs of deserving renewed terms with his recent performances at the London Stadium.

Vecino made 20 appearances in the Serie A last season before seeing his campaign called short through injury, in which the 6 ft 1 brute offered a box-to-box threat with two goals and two assists from 1.1 shots and 0.8 key balls a game, per SofaScore.

He also missed four big chances to find the back of the net, made 0.3 successful dribbles with a 71% success rate, and helped defensively with 1.6 successful tackles, 1.3 clearances and 0.8 interceptions while never committing an error that led to a shot or goal.

Moyes could benefit well from a player with Vecino’s ability and experience with Noble struggling to influence proceedings, leaving 21-year-old Declan Rice and 25-year-old Tomas Soucek to play all 1,350 minutes of West Ham’s Premier League campaign thus far.

AND in other news, a West Ham gem who’s “not been at the races” betrayed David Moyes vs Brighton.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Tottenham Hotspur icon Gary Mabbutt has slammed Jose Mourinho’s decision to offload young right-back Kyle Walker-Peters during the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old came through the academy ranks, making his full senior debut back in 2017 against Newcastle United, where he was even awarded the Man of the Match award after an impressive maiden bow.

But after a total of 24 appearances and the £15m arrival of Matt Doherty in north London, the Englishman was deemed surplus to requirements by the Special One, and was sold permanently to the club at which he was on loan at the season prior – Southampton.

They paid just £12m, as per the BBC, with ex-skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also going in the other direction.

Mabbutt believes it was a “strange” decision given just how much potential Walker-Peters has at his feet, he told FFC:

“I was a Kyle Walker-Peters fan. I thought when he was coming through the ranks, I felt he was a player who could stake a claim for that position. It didn’t really happen as I expected it was going to.

“There are a lot of things that managers will get to know that you’ll never know and the fans will never know.

“I thought it was strange that a player of his ability was leaving the club, but we were bringing other players in who it was clearly felt could do maybe a job they were needing perhaps more of in that position.

“But I think he’s got a great future ahead of him, and for Southampton fans, I think he’s a great acquisition for them.”

The 11-time England U21 international has since gone onto become a regular under Ralph Hasenhuttl, starting all six matches in the Premier League this season.

In 540 minutes of action, Walker-Peters has delivered one assist, which actually came against Spurs in gameweek two whilst he has also averaged 2.2 tackles, 1.8 dribbles and 1.5 interceptions per appearance, via WhoScored.

Doherty has been averaging fewer tackles (1.8), dribbles (0.8) and interceptions (1.3) than the Saints star, so perhaps Mabbutt is right to question the decision to sell him so soon.

AND in other news, Gary Mabbutt tips £50k-p/w monster for Spurs captaincy, not Kane…

With just one year left on his current contract, it doesn’t look like there’s a future at Elland Road for outcast Barry Douglas.

The 31-year-old – who is currently on loan with Blackburn Rovers – has failed to make an impact on the club he joined just two years ago. Douglas missed 20 games on his debut Leeds season through a plethora of injures, including suspension, injury and simply falling down Marcelo Bielsa’s pecking order.

Before he headed out on loan, he had an even less impressive 2019/20 campaign, missing 31 matches and being limited to as little as just one minute cameo appearances. Even for Blackburn he has been left on the shelf, featuring just twice for his loan club so far.

A disappointing signing for Leeds

According to Sky Sports, the Whites forked out £3million for Douglas, who is currently on a £10,000 per week contract. For a club not known for splashing the cash, this will be an infuriating situation for Nick Hammond and Andrea Radrizzani. Given the current financial impact of coronavirus too, Leeds aren’t in a position to be wasting money.

It was a suspicious decision to send Douglas out on loan during his final 12 months under current terms. The left-back will now be able to leave the club for free next summer, unless Blackburn opt to make his stay permanent. However, they cannot rely on the Rovers to make such a deal happen. Should Douglas leave as a free agent, it will essentially be a total of more than £4million, taking into account his transfer fee and salary.

Phil Hay recently claimed that the club are looking to give the veteran an extension in order to avoid his deal running out next year. No talks have come to fruition yet, meaning they must act fast if they want to salvage a fraction of what they initially paid for the Elland Road flop.

In other news, Leif Davis could make huge statement with performance against Nicolas Pepe…

Leeds United’s return to the Premier League has certainly lived up to the billing.

The free-flowing attacking football that Marcelo Bielsa is famous for hasn’t disappointed with the Whites enduring two seven-goal thrillers in their opening matches.

However, despite their incredible attacking intent, there have been some glaring issues going forward, and they were incredibly evident on Saturday.

Yes, Leeds may have netted four against Fulham, but two of those strikes came from set-pieces, while another came from a quick counter-attack.

The possession-hogging chance-creating machine that Bielsa built in the Championship was nowhere to be seen at Elland Road this week as United had just 50% possession and actually had fewer shots than their opponents.

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There is a glaringly obvious reason as to why Leeds weren’t as creative on Saturday, and that’s due to the fact that their best playmaker picked up an injury in the warmup.

Indeed, Pablo Hernandez played no part in Saturday’s fixture, being replaced in the XI late on by Rodrigo, but the 29-year-old couldn’t fill his fellow countryman’s shoes.

No shots, no key passes and just a 66.7% pass accuracy showed that the 29-year-old isn’t suited to play the midfield role that was asked of him on Saturday, and his underwhelming showing saw him hooked at half-time.

Now, we can’t completely write Rodrigo off, after all, he was playing out of position in a system he may not have fully learnt yet, but the fact that he’s seen as the number one Hernandez alternative should have some alarm bells ringing.

If anything, this strengthened the case for paying the £35.7m asking price for Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul as having him able to slot in for Hernandez would have been a much more comfortable switch, considering that he plays that exact position while also being a similar creative force, averaging 2.5 key passes per game in Serie A last season.

Hopefully, this showing has opened Victor Orta’s eyes to the lack of depth in that area and he will pay the money to get the Argentine in before the window closes.