All posts by z3u9t.icu

Many Everton fans have been left to fume as a new manager candidate has emerged in the form of Fatih Terim.

As per Turkish outlet Krampon Sports, the Goodison Park faithful has put the current manager of Galatasary on their list of potential candidates to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.

However, the first person on that list is former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nonetheless, Terim is certainly an interesting name, given that he has spent the majority of his managerial career in Turkish football, and has failed to win the league title with Gala for the past two seasons (Transfermarkt).

The level of the division is no near that of the Premier League as well, and given that he has no previous experience in managing in the English top flight too, it certainly would seem as strange appointment.

Everton fans on Terim manager update

These Merseyside club supporters fumed as the manager update on Terim was shared on Twitter:

“Clutching at straws here aren’t we”

Credit: @BT_1878

“No. Don’t know much about him but I’ve read enough about him to know he’s a 67-year-old bloke whose main managerial experience is based in Turkey. Just go an get Nuno”

Credit: @bluetom_tom

“This can’t be true”

Credit: @P3nguin_Lov3r

“No thanks. Might as well put myself forward.”

Credit: @followeverton

“Just gets worse, who next…Ron Atkinson?”

Credit: @JamesPr86901914

“Who the hell is that?”

Credit: @richardm32

In other news, find out what latest manager update has Blues talking here!

The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder has slammed the display of Joelinton for Newcastle United despite their win over Sheffield United in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The Lowdown: Willock rescues Newcastle again

Joe Willock scored yet another goal for Steve Bruce’s team as they ran out 1-0 winners at St. James’ Park against the relegated Blades, and crucially in front of some members of the Toon Army.

It was the first round of fixtures in the top flight in which fans were allowed back into all grounds in the 2020/21 term, with the second set to come in on the final day on Sunday afternoon.

The Latest: Ryder slams Joelinton

While there were some very good performances for the Tyneside club on Wednesday, Ryder was not impressed with Joelinton, who only lasted the first half as he was taken off at the beginning of the second.

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, the Magpies journalist claimed that the striker ‘wasted a couple of chances’ in what was a ‘disappointing night’ for him, giving him a measly 6/10 overall rating, the joint-lowest out of any Magpies player to have started the match.

The Verdict: Not Joelinton’s best game

Joelinton did not have his best game for NUFC, as he failed to record a single shot on target or key pass, and achieved a mere 75% pass accuracy, the lowest out of any of his teammates to have started (Sofascore), so Ryder’s criticism is more than justified.

The Brazilian also lost possession of the ball on four separate occasions, and only managed 20 touches in total (Sofascore), showing how little impact he had before being taken off. For some context, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka managed 38 touches.

Nonetheless, he will want to improve on this display going into the new campaign, especially once Callum Wilson comes back to full fitness, putting his starting place under threat.

In other news, find out what big claim Ben Jacobs has dropped as news emerges on the takeover case here!

Nuno Santo was happy the day before he announced he was leaving Wolves. That’s the word of club legend Steve Bull who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast this week.

However, a rift behind the scenes has put the club as we know it in doubt. Nuno has departed the Midlands under a cloud of smoke following an argument over club finances.

It’s thought that Jeff Shi came to him with a plan to strengthen the club this summer but that involved selling their best players and working on finding cheaper replacements.

The Portuguese boss didn’t like it and consequently, he handed in his notice and headed for the departure lounge.

Within days of his exit, Ruben Neves has been linked with a £35m exit while the future of Adama Traore remains in doubt.

If the Spaniard stays at Molineux, he will be a pivotal player for any new manager coming in. One head coach linked with the vacancy is Paulo Fonseca.

Another manager to hail from Portugal, Fonseca is rather unsurprisingly a client of Jorge Mendes.

Though, he’s more than qualified for the job. He took Roma to the Europa League semi-finals this season and won the domestic league with Shakhtar Donestk in Ukraine in three consecutive seasons.

Fonseca has developed an attacking style of play, one that in his own words requires himself and the team to be “brave.”

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The 48-year-old prefers an energetic and intense brand of football, one that sees the ball moved forward in double-quick time.

For someone like Traore, this would game-changing. The Spain international is one of the quickest players in the division and managed to record more successful dribbles than anyone else in the top-flight this term.

He is a radiant ball of fun, an unstoppable force who can create panic among even the very best defences in the Premier League.

His numbers, however, haven’t been impressive this term. Traore scored just two goals and thus, improvement is needed.

Fonseca could help the winger to finally discover some consistent end product. The work he did with the group of attackers at Shakhtar was eye-catching.

The coach had the pleasure of managing Brazilian trio Taison, Marlos and Junior Moraes in Donetsk. They all flourished under the guidance of Fonseca as he witnessed them score a combined 88 goals in three years.

Besides Raul Jimenez, this Wolves attack hasn’t registered the most vibrant of numbers in recent years.

The Mexican scored 27 last term but only managed 11 appearances this season due to a fractured skull.

Fabio Silva scored just four goals in all competitions while Pedro Neto top-scored with five strikes. As a consequence, the trio could improve considerably under Fonseca’s watch.

Neto has proven himself to be an impressive performer this season but there is still a lot of potential to be extracted from Traore.

It never really felt like Nuno was able to get the best from him; perhaps Fonseca can change his fortunes.

AND in other news, Shades of Nuno: Shi will condemn Wolves to more mediocrity by hiring stubborn 49 y/o…

West Ham’s controversial decision to offload Grady Diangana last summer is looking better and better as every week passes.

After a successful loan spell at promotion-winning West Brom during the 2019/20 campaign, many at the London Stadium expected the 23-year-old winger to contend for a place in David Moyes’ first team.

But the Iron’s ownership group, GSB, had other ideas as the temptation of £18m was far too much to refuse.

This decision was met with fury from fans as well as their skipper, Mark Noble.

Supporters were seen protesting following a defeat to Newcastle United earlier in the season whilst the veteran midfielder tweeted he was “gutted, angry and sad.”

Fast-forward to now and it seems as if David Sullivan and co played an absolute blinder, especially in getting so much for him.

Now valued at just €15m (£13m), Diangana has struggled to have much of an impact in the Premier League, where the Baggies are facing an instant return to the Championship.

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The 5 foot 11 dynamo has only played 16 times this term, scoring just once but it’s evident that he’s just not favoured by former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as he’s played just 63 minutes of league action since the turn of the year, failing to contribute a goal or an assist since September, via Transfermarkt.

At this point, you could say West Ham were lucky to get as much as they did for him. In the second flight, he bagged eight goals and registered seven assists, with many plaudits coming his way.

Sky Sports’ EFL podcast ran an episode highlighting ‘future stars’ in the division, in which Diangana featured alongside the likes of Joe Rodon, who has gone onto feature in Spurs’ first-team, and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford.

The 23-year-old was described as an “explosive” attacker and one that is a “total nightmare” to defend against but we’ve just not seen that lucrative form translate into the big time.

Diangana may well go onto thrive in the Championship again next season, with relegation at the Hawthorns all but confirmed, but the Irons will not rue his sale whatsoever.

He is yet to deliver and GSB have laughed their way to the bank.

AND in other news, Moyes must seal £18m West Ham swoop for 6 ft 4 “diamond” who’s silenced Ings & Cavani…

Tottenham Hotspur are among the teams keeping tabs on prolific goalscorer Cyle Larin ahead of the summer transfer window.

That’s according to 90min, who claim the Besiktas forward is attracting interest from across Europe as he will soon enter the final 12 months of his current contract.

It appears that the Lilywhites are on the lookout for another striking addition ahead of next season, with doubts over Harry Kane’s future and the on-loan Carlos Vinicius set to return to Benfica.

Larin could be a bargain replacement for the Brazilian, and his versatile ability to play through the middle and out wide, makes him even more appealing heading into what will be a difficult window to negotiate.

The 33-time Canada international has bagged a whopping 23 goals this season, helping steer the Turkish Super Lig outfit to another title, and that has taken his total tally to 84 goals in 191 career appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

His performances in the MLS for Orlando City caught the keen eye of Brazil legend Kaka.

“I think Cyle can go far,” Kaka said at an MLS media day, via Goal.com. “Cyle is a very good player and the third season for us will be great, but I think Cyle can play in a big team in Europe as well.”

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And it’s not the first time that someone has waxed lyrical about the 26-year-old’s sensational attacking ability.

Back in March, Canadian national team coach John Herdman lauded Larin after a hat-trick against Bermuda, he told reporters (via Sporx): “Cyle Larin is a predator. He has this ability, that’s why we recruited him.”

If Spurs want to keep hold of Vinicius, who has enjoyed respectable returns playing a bit-part role behind Kane with ten goals, they will have to fork out an eye-watering £40m which is an extortionate amount for a backup.

But at least with Larin, you’ve got the option to play him out wide, so he should see more game time on the pitch than the Benfica man. The 6 foot 2 beast is also only valued at £8.1m, so you’d imagine that Levy could drive up a bargain with the player in the final year of his contract.

AND in other news, Spurs can solve major issue with 6 ft 3 “complete player”, he won’t cost Levy a penny…

Steve Bruce must unleash Ciaran Clark against Burnley on Sunday after Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles was ruled out through injury.

The Toon boss has confirmed that Lascelles will miss his side’s trip to Turf Moor after sustaining a foot injury during last week’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

It is believed the 27-year-old has suffered a stress fracture which will sideline him for a month, but it is uncertain whether Lascelles will feature again this season.

Tottenham’s trip to St James’ Park last Sunday marked Lascelles’ 19th start of the Premier League season, having previously been sidelined with coronavirus and then developing a hamstring strain.

Newcastle had kept one clean sheet over their last seven top-flight fixtures with Lascelles starting every time, but they will visit relegation rivals Burnley with a gap to plug in Bruce’s backline.

“The disappointing thing is we’ve lost the captain Lascelles with a foot injury which, unfortunately, happened last week against Spurs, so that’s a blow to us,” Bruce said.

“With Fabian Schar being missing too, it leaves us a bit light there. It’s not looking so good at the moment, so he’ll have more scans today and over the weekend and he won’t play this weekend, that’s for sure.”

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Bruce added that Federico Fernandez is likely to be available for the Clarets clash, having played no part in Newcastle’s last 13 Premier League fixtures following a calf injury sustained in January.

“Fernandez obviously hasn’t played for a long, long time, but he’s trained all week which is good news,” the Magpies head coach added.

Fernandez being available for Sunday’s trip to Burnley will be a huge boost for Newcastle with Lascelles ruled out, but Bruce should look to continue plotting the Argentine’s return carefully after almost three months out of action.

The Newcastle boss can opt to name Fernandez among his substitutes at Turf Moor as he should have Clark to call on beside Paul Dummett in the heart of the United backline, after electing to bench the Republic of Ireland international against Tottenham.

The Spurs clash was the first Premier League fixture Clark had missed since Newcastle’s 3-2 win at home to Southampton in February, but he had earned Bruce’s praise earlier in the year after signing a new two-year contract.

“I’m delighted Ciaran has signed a new deal. First and foremost, he is a very talented defender, and he gives us great balance as a naturally left-footed centre-half,” Bruce said, via quotes shared by TEAMtalk. “He has also become a very consistent performer and I’m pleased to see his hard work and commitment rewarded.”

That hard work and commitment has also seen Clark offer 0.5 more tackles per Premier League game than Lascelles this season, along with 0.9 more interceptions and one more aerial duel won, per WhoScored.

With Burnley winning a division-high 23 aerial duels per game as a team this season, having Clark back in the fold could prove to be crucial for Newcastle this weekend.

AND in other news, Newcastle have landed a boost in the race to sign a £26m target backed to be “one of the best in Europe”…

Marcel Brands can slash the £17.4m deficit wasted on Bernard by agreeing to sell the outcast Everton midfielder to Real Betis this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish reports, former Manchester City and West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini is keen to see Bernard secure a move to La Liga.

The Chilean tactician is eager to strengthen his wide-left options at the Benito Villamarin Stadium with a player capable of extracting the most from Sergio Canales and Nabil Fekir.

Bernard is understood to be a high priority target for Pellegrini after he brought up the 28-year-old in discussions with the Verdiblancos hierarchy.

Pellegrini feels Bernard has the ability to help raise the quality of his squad and make Real Betis one of the best sides in Spain’s top-flight, while Everton’s €12m (£10.5m) asking price is not expected to be a challenge.

Bernard would consider accepting a lesser salary to complete a move to the Andalusian side if the Verdiblancos can secure European football for next season.

Real Betis are currently competing with Real Sociedad and Villarreal for a spot in the Europa League, with a 14-point gap to the Champions League places with eight games remaining.

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Everton are reportedly planning to sell Bernard at the end of the season, having failed to find a suitor willing to match their asking price during the winter window.

Should Everton let Bernard join Real Betis?

Everton’s Director of Football Brands should jump at the chance to sell Bernard to Real Betis if Pellegrini’s side have no issue paying close to £10m for the Brazilian, as it would allow the Dutchman to slash the deficit wasted on his signing.

While Bernard moved to Goodison Park as a free agent after he was released by Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018, the Toffees handed him a £120,000-per-week contract that saw the 14-cap international become the club’s joint-highest earner, per Spotrac figures.

Those terms will see that Bernard will have earned £17.4m by the end of the current Premier League campaign, having been on Merseyside for 145 weeks, but his performances have hardly befitted the wage given to him.

To date in his Everton career, Bernard has only offered eight goals and seven assists over 81 appearances in all competitions, with only nine of those outings coming in this term’s top-flight campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti has only started the Belo Horizonte-born playmaker for three of those league appearances, too, while leaving him on the bench 17 times as an unused substitute.

It would presumably be impossible for Everton to recoup all of the funds wasted on Bernard in any transfer, with the midfielder out of contract in 2022, but making back more than half will be seen as a best-case scenario for Brands.

AND in other news, an “outstanding” talent is keen to join Everton this summer, but there’s a hitch…

Reliable Irons insider ExWHUemployee claimed on The West Ham Way podcast earlier this week that FC Porto striker Moussa Marega is being lined up for a potential move to the London Stadium.

Hammers boss David Moyes should be urging David Sullivan to seal a summer switch for the soon-to-be free agent in order to land proven support for Michail Antonio without breaking the bank.

The claret and blue side will have to target a striker in the next transfer window after Moyes opted against using the £20m made from Sebastien Heller’s move to AFC Ajax to bring in a replacement during the winter market.

West Ham’s decision to keep £15m-20m aside for the summer left Antonio as Moyes’ only senior striker, and require Andriy Yarmolenko and Jarrod Bowen to occupy centre-forward roles on occasion.

Marega could join that group in the off-season with his £34,000-per-week Porto contract due to expire in June, and ExWHUemployee suggesting that his situation has caught the interest of the Hammers.

Recent reports in Turkey had suggested that Fenerbahce have offered Marega a €1.5m-a-season (£25k-per-week) deal to join the Super Lig giants, although O Jogo have since poured cold water on the claims.

A source close to Marega is said to have informed the Portuguese publication that the Mali international is waiting to see what other offers arrive between now and the end of the season, with Porto open to a new contract but on lesser terms.

Marega, who Porto boss Sergio Conceicao described as a “competitive beast” earlier in the year, will turn 30 in April and has always had aspirations of one day playing in the Premier League.

This summer could represent his last realistic chance of sealing a move to England, one which West Ham should look to present three years after Marega snubbed a deal due to his loyalty to Porto.

Marega may not be a prolific centre-forward with a high resale value given his age, but he would offer Moyes a wealth of European experience and depth, while still having funds spare to acquire a young and hungry centre-forward to further bolster West Ham’s ranks.

The £12.6m-rated summer free agent has represented Porto 182 times across all competitions over the past five seasons, scoring 71 times and providing 33 assists.

Twenty-two of those appearances have come in the Champions League, along with eight of his goals and seven assists, including one struck against Juventus in the last 16 to help eliminate the Serie A giants from this season’s edition of the tournament.

West Ham are in with a reasonable shot at qualifying for European football for next season with the Irons only two points outside of the top four places in the Premier League table, so a player like Marega – who has faced some of the best clubs in the world – would have an added bonus if targeted.

It is something Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Armstrong would not bring to the London Stadium in the summer, as Moyes’ alleged top striker target has only cut his teeth as a Championship sensation with just 15 games of top-flight experience to his name thus far.

AND in other news, West Ham are adamant a deal to sign a £100k-p/w “revelation” will be reached…

Many Rangers fans have welcomed an update from the Glasgow club involving Kieran Wright.

As per the Gers’ official website, the Scotland under-21 international has signed a new deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2023.

The academy product is currently on loan at Partick Thistle and has played in 14 games across all competitions so far this season, keeping a very impressive seven clean sheets and only conceding a mere 10 goals (Transfermarkt).

With veteran Allan McGregor currently 39 years of age, Steven Gerrard’s side may have found an ideal long-term successor for the goalkeeper in Wright, as the 21-year-old will hope to break into the first team at Ibrox soon enough.

Rangers fans on Wright contract

These Gers supporters on Twitter lauded the new deal given to Wright, with one fan describing the news as ‘quality’:

“Smashing stuff young man keep up the good work”

Credit: @gazza07770

“Brilliant Kieran another year with McGregor and then claim that number 1 jersey”

Credit: @nopathway

“Good news.”

Credit: @CHLEE_RangersFC

“Quality to see us tying youth down! He showed reflexes of Alan McGregor recently against Airdrie, question is does he go straight back out on loan for more game time or spend time at training with McGregor and McLaughlin next season?”

Credit: @Stegthomson1

“After the save he made against Airdrie he deserves it”

Credit: @Declan_1872_

“Love this @kieranwright01 keep plugging away big guy”

Credit: @mcalpine_mr

In other news, find out who some Gers fans have called for to start in the Scottish Cup!

In the end, it turned out to be yet another miserable trip to the capital for Leeds United on Monday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side extended their wretched run of results in London with a dismal 2-0 defeat to West Ham in the Premier League, with the Whites now having lost 13 of their last 14 visits to the city.

Goals from Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson were enough to consign them to a defeat, and while there were a number of poor performers on the night, Mateusz Klich’s shocker really stood out among the rest.

The Poland international’s form in recent weeks surely warranted him being dropped from the starting line-up against the Hammers, but once again, Bielsa chose to place his loyalty and faith in his midfielder.

And boy, was he made to regret that. Klich looked well off the pace in the opening 45 minutes of the contest, winning just one of his seven duels in total, losing 86% – the worst percentage of any Leeds player on the pitch.

There was none of the energy and dynamism on display that we see when Klich is at his absolute best, with the 30-year-old looking a shadow of his former self.

He made just the one tackle and recorded no interceptions, blocks or clearances whatsoever, while he wasn’t even a presence going forward either, with no shots on goal and no dribbles attempted.

The Leeds boss seemed to finally lose patience with him, and ended up hooking him at half-time, with Gjanni Alioski coming on in his place at the break.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross noted: “Has looked like a passenger for weeks and again was well off it in the capital. Just seemed totally empty and unable to provide any kind of control or presence in the centre. Overrun by Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice.”

If he needed to be dropped before the game, then there simply cannot be any excuses for Bielsa from not reaching that conclusion after watching Klich’s performance on Monday night against the Hammers.