All posts by h716a5.icu

The ghosts of players past came back to haunt Liverpool last week.

It might’ve been Lionel Messi’s brilliance which took the game away from them, but the tenacity of Luis Suarez along with Philippe Coutinho’s swagger caused them all kinds of problems.

One can probably guess the two former Reds will be hungry for more in their Anfield return. Liverpool, however, have missed that extra spark which Coutinho provides the already-packed Barcelona attack.

The Brazilian’s deft touch, crafty creativity has been missed on occasions by Jurgen Klopp. So it’s no surprise he’s finally looking for his replacement. According to reports (via Calcio Mercato), Liverpool are tracking Paulo Dybala’s deteriorating situation at Juventus.

The Reds are alert to the Argentine, whom they think can perfectly act as the last piece of their attacking puzzle. Juventus’ £36 million signing is allegedly available for €80 million, which is actually quite low considering the market.

Dybala’s reaching his prime and wants regular football, something he’ll get at Liverpool. The Argentine’s a world-class attacking midfielder, whose versatility in the final third makes him so potent. Even in a bloomy personal season, he’s scored 10 goals and assisted 4 in all competitions.

By averaging 2.1 shots per game, 1.8 key passes and 1.6 dribbles completed (stats via WhoScored) per game, he’s proven his menacing ability. Dybala’s fantastic movement, hunger for goals and ability to create opportunities for team-mates could help Liverpool’s attack evolve.

If Jurgen Klopp truly wants to dominate his way into winning silverware, getting a lethal attacker like Dybala is the way to go.

Liverpool fans, would you be happy with Dybala’s potential signing this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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West Bromwich Albion owner Guochuan Lai will not be present at either leg of the club’s play-off semi-final with Aston Villa.

The relationship between the Baggies board and its supporters is hardly very healthy as it is and this latest development will damage things even more.

After discovering the news, Albion fans let rip at the club owner, berating him mercilessly on Twitter. Some supporters reacted sarcastically by claiming it was a shock, whilst another said that Lai needed to sell up and leave.

Other fans took a more brutal approach with one individual launching an attack in capital letters claiming the owner had no interest in the club. Another called the hierarchy frauds.

Lai took over Albion three years ago but is a rare visitor to the Hawthorns as he’s based in Guangzhou, China. Since he joined, there has been a real lack of investment or interest in the club’s performances.

However, the report does specify that Chairman Li Piyue, who is based in Sweden, will be in attendance at both games.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

Has there ever been a better time to be a Sheffield United supporter?

After achieving promotion to the Premier League last month from the Championship, the Blades are now just months away from welcoming the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City to Bramall Lane.

Yet before his side play their first top-flight game in 12 years in August, Chris Wilder will undoubtedly be looking to strengthen his squad this summer. With United in need of bringing in a goalkeeper when the transfer window, it is clear that their number one target simply has to be Dean Henderson.

Having excelled on loan at the club during a campaign in which he conceded just 41 goals and kept a remarkable total of 21 clean sheets in the second tier, the £2.25m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) would arguably be the Blades’ signing of the year if they can convince him to make a permanent switch from Manchester United.

However, with the Star reporting that the Red Devils are reluctant to sanction a deal, the Blades may have to seek the possibility of securing another loan move.

An outstandingly talented player, Henderson has all the ingredients needed to thrive in the Premier League yet with both David De Gea and Sergio Romero ahead of him in the pecking order at Old Trafford, he may have to leave the club in order to fulfil his potential.

By rejoining the Blades, the England under-21 international would undoubtedly benefit from learning from the likes of Wilder and his assistant Alan Knill who have an excellent track record of getting the very best out of their players.

What do you think United fans? Would you welcome back Henderson in the summer? How impressed were you with the keeper’s performances last season? Let us know below.

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been discussing the future of Dejan Lovren after a report detailing the futures of several Liverpool players.

GOAL.com’s Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones has released a report discussing the goals and expectations surrounding the Reds’ summer transfer activity, and his comments on Lovren have really got fans talking.

According to Jones’ report, the Croatian international could be sold this summer if a sizable offer comes in, but the club is not actively shopping for an upgrade.

This comes after much speculation surrounding a move for Matthijs de Ligt, who many Reds fans see as the perfect long-term partner for compatriot Virgil van Dijk.

Lovren meanwhile has fallen by the wayside this season, losing his place first to Joe Gomez and later to Joel Matip after the Englishman picked up an injury.

While many see the Croatian as a solid fourth option in the heart of defence, others have been hurt too many times by his predictable mistakes.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where Jones’ report has produced a mixed reaction…

It all looked so promising for Portsmouth this season before their play-off semi-final defeat. 

At one point, Pompey looked a dead certainty to go on and win the league, let alone be in within a chance of going up.

However, as we all know, Kenny Jackett’s side will have to face another year of long trips and gruelling encounters against the likes of Sunderland, Fleetwood Town and Blackpool.

This summer will be as crucial as ever for Portsmouth as many will be demanding that the side finally make a return to the second tier, whilst the club could see a number of players depart following their failure to reach the Championship.

However, as hard as it might be, we will not dwell on that particular problem and look at something that Jackett must do in order to give his side a chance of getting what the fans want.

A number of areas within the squad will need improving in the summer, with the Portsmouth News suggesting that a new Number 10 is needed.

We tend to agree with that view, however, we also believe that the Fratton Park outfit could do with a new centre-forward.

Oli Hawkins has put in some decent performances, however, with seven goals to his name in 41 League One matches, he’s hardly good enough for a promotion-chasing side.

If we look at how the three sides that did go up, their forward men were pretty lethal in front of goal. James Collins of Luton Town, Kieffer Moore (before injury) and Cauley Woodrow of Barnsley, as well as Lyle Taylor and Ahearne-Grant (before his January departure to Huddersfield Town) of Charlton Athletic all recorded double figures.

Omar Bogle and James Vaughan’s loan spells have come to an end so they’ll be returning to their parent clubs. Admittedly, it will be difficult to see them be missed, however, it still leaves Portsmouth lacking depth.

If Pompey do not find a striker to spearhead the attack, or at least in tandem with Hawkins, promotion may not be on the cards next season for Jackett and his side.

Portsmouth fans, what do you think? Does the centre-forward position need to be a priority this summer? Let us know below!

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Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed that Chelsea star N’Golo Kante is set to miss the Europa League final on Wednesday after suffering an injury setback.

The France international had sufficiently recovered from a hamstring injury to take part in training before the final, but he suffered a blow to his knee in a session on Saturday which forced him out of training.

Check out an Arsenal fan vow to “move to another planet” if Spurs win the UCL in the video below…

Chelsea’s medical staff assessed the issue on Sunday afternoon but it is understood that their first impressions are far from promising.

It would be a major blow for the Blues to lose such an important player, but in Arsenal’s case, this news will be music to the ears of the Gunners and their supporters.

A win in Baku would secure Champions League football for the north Londoners after they missed out on it originally having finished fifth; it is safe to say that this is a huge game for Unai Emery and the club’s future.

Let’s see how the Arsenal supporters on Twitter reacted to the news of Kante’s possible absence for the showpiece event…

Good news for the Manchester City’s coffers as Patrick Roberts is set to join Norwich on loan.

We think we’re past the days of expecting anything good to come from Patrick Roberts at Manchester City, and now it’s just a case of showcasing his talents to increase his stock for a future sale.

The 22-year-old is set (as per the Sun) to complete his third loan deal in four years when he joins Daniel Farke’s newly promoted Norwich City side this summer.

“The clubs are in the process of agreeing a season-long loan,” an Etihad source has revealed to The Sun.

Roberts has impressed in the past winning three Scottish titles at Celtic and spent the previous season at Girona, where he made 21 appearances in all competitions for the relegated La Liga side.

For one reason another (monetary we expect) City are prepared to let him get regular top-flight football away from the club, which in all honesty, is good news for all those involved. After all, if Leroy Sane struggles to get into the current squad, then what chance does Roberts have?

Norwich are apparently in the mind that the youngster can compete for a starting spot in Farke’s team and join the long list of young talents at the German’s disposal including Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis.

With just a single year believed to be left on Roberts’ current contract, it is his last chance to impress his employers or anyone else monitoring his situation, for that matter, before he is released into the unknown. And both parties will undoubtedly have their fingers crossed for very different reasons.

Manchester City fans, do you think there is a future for Roberts at your club? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Some positive steps have been made at Southampton in this transfer window, with the club apparently close to signing Moussa Djenepo.

According to Sky Sports, the Saints have agreed a deal with Standard Liege to bring the 20-year-old to St. Mary’s in a development that is likely to bring some smiles.

There is still a long way to go, though, until Ralph Hasenhuttl has a squad ready to seriously climb the table next season. And with the Daily Mail reporting that Southampton have had an £8m bid for Che Adams rejected by Birmingham City, in the end, he might just not get that.

Last month, the former RB Leipzig manager predicted it would be a difficult summer for his club (also per Sky Sports) and if the board at St. Mary’s continue to make such low-ball offers, then it undoubtedly will.

After the season he has just had, even if it was in the Championship, there is no way Birmingham are going to accept £8m for Adams.

He scored 22 goals in English football’s second tier and is still only 22 years of age, giving him plenty of time to grow into an even better player. That goalscoring prowess, potential and homegrown status were never going to be sold for a measly £8m.

More offers like that and, as Hasenhuttl has suggested, it is going to be a long and difficult summer for Southampton.

Southampton fans, do you see your club eventually getting this deal over the line? Let us know in the comment section below!

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It’s safe to say that last season really didn’t go to plan for Southampton, but things are already looking up for the 2019/20 campaign.

A full season of Ralph Hasenhuttl at the helm has many fans excited about what is to come when the Premier League returns in August, and surely the target will be to finish in the top ten after two campaigns of battling at the bottom.

With the fixture list out now, what key games and dates will decide whether the Saints can make the top half?

21st September – Brighton & Hove Albion (A)

With Brighton likely to be rejuvenated after the recent appointment of Graham Potter, Southampton can really get their season going by sending their south-coast rivals back to Earth with a win at the Amex. Separation early on between themselves and the teams likely fighting for survival will be crucial in 2019/20.

26th October – Leicester City (H)

Amid clashes against Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal is Leicester City at St. Mary’s. Southampton’s run of fixtures in September and October is brutal, but a win against the Foxes can be a flashpoint in their season.

21st December – Aston Villa (A)

With the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur all part of Southampton’s December and New Year run-in, a win against Aston Villa on the 21st is an absolute must for the Saints, who could see their chances of a top-half finish dashed heading into 2020.

29th February – West Ham (A)

If Southampton are to achieve a top-half finish for the first time since the 2016/17 season, aiming to beat those with the same goals would be a smart step in the right direction. You can’t get more mid-table than West Ham, who will be aiming for a top-10 finish alongside the Saints. Beating the Irons on their own turf will send a message of intent to those competing for the same spots.

21st March – Arsenal (H)

Southampton might have been poor over the past few seasons, but one team they seem to know how to get past no matter what state they are in is Arsenal, and their game against the Gunners in the final third of the season could be massive for the Saints if they can yet again best the north London side.

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Instagram can be a brilliant escape for professional footballers. It’s a place where they usually post pictures of their private lives and entertain both friends and fans alike.

Ben Foster, Watford and England’s man in-between the sticks, has done exactly that with his latest

/By4vjyJBCxD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram snap, depicting the goalie all dressed up in a fancy new suit and ready for the races. Naturally, it attracted a lot of attention from his fellow teammates and some other famous personas.

Adrian Mariappa and Jose Holebas were the first ones to the scene and were quick to both applaud and banter their fellow teammate with a series of emojis. Mariappa was clearly impressed by the smart looks of his goalkeeper while Holebas followed it up with laughter as well.

The post soon caught the eye of some rivals and other famous people on the platform. But most were in unison – this look clearly fits Foster perfectly.

Apart from his fancy looks off the pitch, Foster was quite fancy on it as well. Last season, the 36-year-old veteran had an excellent campaign, helping his team to the 11th place in the Premier League while keeping his net empty on seven occasions.

Not bad for his first year at the club.