All posts by z3u9t.icu

Steve Bruce has confirmed that Newcastle United will be without top scorer Callum Wilson against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night due to his hamstring injury.

The 10-goal forward has missed the Magpies’ last five Premier League fixtures as a result of the issue sustained late in the first half of February’s 3-2 win at home to Southampton.

United are yet to secure all three points without the ex-Bournemouth forward leading the line at some stage, with defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United followed by draws with Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.

Newcastle’s form in recent weeks has seen the Tynesiders let slip a nine-point lead over the relegation zone to now sit just two points clear of 18th-placed Fulham but holding two games in hand over the Craven Cottage natives.

Bruce would have hoped to have had Wilson available for Saturday’s trip to 16th-placed Brighton, but while the £20m frontman and Allan Saint-Maximin (groin) will both be absent, Miguel Almiron is in contention for a return from a knee injury.

“They’re both back on the grass. We still think with Callum that the international break is at the right time. He’s well into his rehabilitation, he’s back on the grass,” Bruce said on Friday.

“The same goes for Almiron, who trained for the first time yesterday [Thursday], so we’ll see how he is, but things are obviously improving, given the time.

“The same goes with Saint-Maximin, but we know with Saint-Maximin and Callum, in particular, were nasty muscle injuries, which are obviously going to take time. You have to let nature take its course.

“[Almiron]’s got a chance. We’ll see.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-newcastle-news” title=”Latest Newcastle news!”]

Bruce being without Wilson at the Amex Stadium on Saturday will see Newcastle face Brighton in a relegation six-pointer without the man responsible for 35% of his team’s 28 goals in the Premier League this season.

Wilson also accounts for 27% of the Toon’s 18 assists, having provided a team-high five in 21 games – only Saint-Maximin (three) has also provided more than two thus far.

Dwight Gayle and Joelinton have each taken on the role of filling in for Wilson since his injury, although neither have found the back of the net in their recent appearances to remain on one goal each in the top flight this term.

Joelinton struck his only effort of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in November, some 14 appearances ago, yet impressed Bruce with his overall performance in the right-sided split striker position during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

“I thought Joelinton, arguably, had his best game in a Newcastle shirt,” Bruce said, via quotes shared by The Shields Gazette. “I thought he was terrific on the night. But, of course, a striker has to top it off by scoring a goal. He understands that, but his overall performance was very, very good. I thought he led the line very, very well.”

As Joelinton is now expected to once again start in place of Wilson against Brighton, Bruce must see the £40m Brazilian step up and end his long-running dry spell if Newcastle are to seal a crucial win in their fight for Premier League survival.

AND in other news, Newcastle’s hopes of signing a “standout performer” have taken a major blow…

Former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan believes that Bongani Zungu will be “absolutely gone” from the club after betraying manager Steven Gerrard’s trust.

Zungu out?

Reports last week revealed that five Gers players, now known as the “party five” were in breach of coronavirus pandemic protocols after attending a house party in the early hours last Sunday.

Zungu, currently on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 side Amiens, was accompanied by Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and academy goalkeeper Brian Kinnear, to which the police attended the incident and handed each of them fixed penalty notices (via Goal).

Gerrard reacted by saying he felt “personally let-down” by the events and Zungu was dropped for their Europa League clash against Royal Antwerp during mid-week.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan is convinced that Zungu’s time will be dramatically cut short on the foundations of faith.

“He’s already gone, absolutely gone – there’s no way you’re going to be signing a player like that if you can’t trust them.

“The biggest word in everyone, in any manager, is can I trust my players on the pitch? Can I trust them off the pitch? Can I trust them to be the right character that needs to be embedded into this football club?

“The straight answer there is absolutely not.

“Whether these other four end up playing again for Rangers, that remains to be seen. I very much doubt it, because I think once you cross that line, it’s very difficult to come back from it.

“It brings shame on the club, onto the manager as well and the rest of the players. It shows a lack of respect and disrespect to them.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Gerrard has never sugarcoated his words to the press – nor has he not backed up what he has promised. This could indicate that Whelan might be right.

Zungu was hugely irresponsible – as were the other four players involved. While there have been similar incidents elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, there is still no excuse.

Time will tell whether Gerrard decides to take any further action, and if so, whether it could mean that Zungu will return to France or even have his loan cut short.

In other news, find out which Gers man is attracting Premier League interest here!

Two weeks ago, Haber Turk fuelled speculation that Galatasaray’s Egyptian star Mostafa Mohamed could be on his way to Crystal Palace in a £22 million summer move, and he could be the perfect partner for Jean-Philippe Mateta.

What’s the word?

Mohamed joined the Turkish club on loan from Zamalek in January, and has scored five goals in five league appearances for Galatasaray, with Sabah Spor reporting that Egyptian legend Amir Zaki has urged the youngster to seize an opportunity of making a Premier League move.

The former Wigan Athletic and Hull City man said: “I spoke with Mustafa six days ago. I congratulated him. I assured him Galatasaray is a very big club.

“I told him he has to go to the Premier League in two seasons. He also stated that his target is England.

“He’s a great player and has now become the number one forward for the Egyptian national team.

“He’s in a great club right now and Mustafa will definitely take incredible strides in his career.”

Galatasaray are expected to seize the chance to make that deal a permanent one in the summer, but a large bid from Palace could reportedly be enough to take him to south London.

Mohamed’s arrival could lead to a tantalising reboot of the Palace forward line, which was bolstered by the arrival of Mateta at Selhurst Park on an 18-month loan deal in January.

A fearsome looking frontline

Mateta has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent with an audacious back-heeled finish in a 2-1 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion last month.

There is definitely scope to include both Mateta and Mohamed in what would be a fearsome-looking frontline, one that would be the envy of many sides in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Roy Hodgson deployed a 4-3-3 shape in that aforementioned win at Brighton, a formation that could accommodate both Mateta and Mohamed going forward if required.

There is also a possibility to deploy both players in a 4-4-2 formation as well, and with both Michy Batshuayi (1 in 16) and Andre Ayew (1 in 22) consistently struggling for goals this season, a move for Mohamed should be something Palace push for as they are in need of another reliable forward.

And in other news, Crystal Palace fear losing Wilfried Zaha in the summer

When Danny Rose left Leeds United behind in 2007, the scene at Elland Road was vastly different.

Having been relegated to League One, the club entered administration and as a result, Rose was sold to Tottenham in a bid to raise vital funds.

The Yorkshire outfit received a fee of just £1m for his services and with his exit, they lost one of their most promising young players.

Rose had grown up in the Leeds academy and for the Doncaster-born defender, it was a brave career decision to move south to London. Yet, you can’t say his career hasn’t been a fruitful one.

The 30-year-old has won 29 England caps and been to multiple international tournaments and he entered the spotlight when he thumped in a remarkable volley from long range against Arsenal.

However, despite his ability to ripple the net from distance, he had one special quality – speed.

In an article by Goal in 2010, their scout report concluded: “Capable of playing on either flank, Rose is predominantly left-footed and, like fellow Leeds academy graduate Aaron Lennon, has pace to burn.”

But why is this relevant in the present day? Well, Leeds are hoping to sign a left-back who possesses similar qualities at a young age.

That happens to be Liverpool’s Yasser Larouci. According to Football Insider, the door has been opened for Leeds to sign him this month and if they did, they’d find themselves their new Rose.

Like the Tottenham defender, he’s capable of playing on either flank and crucially, he has plenty of pace. In an assessment from Liverpool journalist James Pearce, he typified the 20-year-old perfectly:

“Larouci has made big strides forward. He’s an interesting one in itself because he’s a player who came in as an attacker, as a real pacey, strong winger with an eye for goal,” he commented.

Coincidentally, Rose started his career as a left midfielder before migrating slightly further back, just as Larouci has.

Rose didn’t manage a competitive league outing for the Whites but it’s hard to suggest they’ve had a quick defender in that position for a while. Gjanni Alioski and Barry Douglas hardly epitomise pace so it would be refreshing for Leeds to find an energetic youngster capable of playing in that position.

If Rose had stayed, he could have been their man for a number of years. As it happens, they are now ready to welcome through a new generation.

Larouci has just two senior Liverpool appearances to his name so could do with more experience but the early signs are certainly promising for the Algerian.

This would be a canny investment from Victor Orta, one that could finally make up for the loss of one of their most talented academy players all those years ago.

AND in other news, Better than Struijk: Orta must seal Leeds swoop for “dominant” £5.4m-rated colossus…

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid starlet Martin Odegaard on loan in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

After making significant moves already in trying to reduce the club’s bloated wage bill – the likes of Sokratis and Sead Kolasinac have left, and Mesut Ozil is set to follow – Mikel Arteta’s side have turned their attentions towards reinforcing their squad.

And, as per Sky Sports, the Gunners have made an approach to bring Odegaard on a loan deal until the end of the Premier League season, and that the Madrid board are considering their proposal right now.

The report adds that the Norway international expects to be able to leave the Bernabeu this month in a bid to get more first-team football, but that Arsenal are likely to face strong competition from Real Sociedad.

Perfect replacement for Ozil

The January transfer window is always a difficult one to do major business, with clubs understandably reluctant to let some of their most important players go mid-way through a campaign.

It’s one of the reported difficulties Arsenal have faced in trying to sign Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia, with the Canaries of course battling for automatic promotion back to the Premier League this season.

It’s exactly why a short-term deal for Odegaard would be an Edu masterclass. It would give the Gunners an extra option in that number ten role and ease some of the creative burden on Emile Smith Rowe, whilst also making sure that if it doesn’t work out, they can just wave goodbye to him in the summer and focus on their priority transfer targets.

Described as a “phenomenon” by Norwegian football writer, Lars Sivertsen, Odegaard is a creative play-maker who appears to be tailor-made to come in and replace Ozil.

Spanish football journalist, Alvaro Montero, said: “He’s an extremely good player. He’s very similar to Mesut Ozil, he’s left-footed, he plays extremely well between the lines and between the striker and the midfielders. Maybe he even has more goal threat than Mesut Ozil, but he travels a little less. He’s an amazing player and I think he’ll be an amazing player for Arsenal and for Mikel Arteta.”

The Gunners must surely try and get this deal done.

Meanwhile, Arsenal must sell this £90k-p/w disaster…

Andre Gomes badly let Carlo Ancelotti down during Everton’s 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday as the Portuguese midfielder offered an invisible display.

Ancelotti initially named Gomes among his substitutes for the Toffees’ trip to Turf Moor this weekend, but was forced to call on the 27-year-old following an early first-half injury to Fabian Delph.

Gomes had played just 23 minutes of Premier League football since starting Everton’s 2-1 loss at Newcastle United in an advanced role on November 1, yet slotted in on the left-flank with Everton without star full-back Lucas Digne after the Frenchman sustained ankle ligament damage in training.

Gomes recently admitted to the Liverpool Echo that he is still striving to regain full fitness after suffering a fractured dislocation to his right ankle against Tottenham more than a year ago, having returned to the field after just 112 days.

“The truth is, I am still trying to find my best feeling, to get fit, to get ready to be 100 per cent for all the game,” the £112,212-per-week maestro said. “In the past months, with the pandemic, it was hard for me physically. A lot of details can change, my body shape or how fit I feel.”

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent believes the signs of Gomes’ continued fight for fitness have been evident this season, with the Portuguese unable to get about the pitch in the fashion he could under Marco Silva.

“I’m a big fan of him and since he’s had the injury, he’s never quite been the same, which is understandable, it was a big, big injury,” Bent told Football Insider. “The quality on the ball, being comfortable in possession, that’s not what’s going to leave him.

“It’s obviously the physical attributes, getting around the pitch and stuff like that. I hope he stays with it. I hope he keeps working hard because eventually, his fitness will come, hopefully.”

Ancelotti will not be rushing to award Gomes his sixth start of the Premier League season when Everton host Chelsea at Goodison Park next week, after witnessing another tired performance from the former FC Barcelona midfielder.

Gomes was often invisible at Turf Moor on Saturday as the Toffees were held to a draw by Burnley, with the £21.6m-rated man registering fewer attempted passes (34) than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (41) and completing just 29 of his efforts, per WhoScored.

The 29-time Portugal international further failed to direct either of his two shots on target, enjoyed a 50% dribble success rate, lost his only aerial duel, took possession with one of three attempted tackles, made one interception and offered zero clearances.

Ancelotti’s only positive from Gomes’ performance would have been in the 27-year-old completing each of his five attempted long passes and recording a key ball, though would have been greatly disappointed to see him lose six of nine ground duels and possession on nine occasions, per SofaScore.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti could unearth his ideal James Rodriguez heir in an Everton sensation David Unsworth loves.

Wolves have received a potentially a huge boost in their reported pursuit of Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic.

Jovic Molineux-bound?

Nuno Espirito Santo has previously hinted that he would be willing to dip into the transfer market to seek out a replacement for star man Raul Jimenez, who fractured his skull during his side’s victory over Arsenal at the beginning of the month.

Reports previously suggested that an approach to take Jovic on loan was rejected, but it now appears that a U-turn has been made in relation to the Serbia international’s situation.

According to AS, the 23-year-old has been given the green light by manager Zinedine Zidane to go out on loan for the rest of the 2020/21 campaign.

Despite Jovic not having the best of starts at the Santiago Bernebeu, he made his name at Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, where he scored 36 goals and provided nine assists from 75 appearances (TransferMarkt).

This led to huge praise being given to him, especially from Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic who compared him to Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (via Bundesliga).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Jovic would be a fantastic signing and would perfectly fill the boots of Jimenez.

The Serbian frontman has proven pedigree, especially in Europe, and would likely salivate at the chance of playing in the Premier League to rediscover his form, having scored just twice in 32 outings for Madrid.

Now that Jovic has been given the go-ahead to leave, time will tell if the Molineux club decide to go back in for him.

In other news, Jamie Redknapp makes huge claim about Wolves star who can go “to the top.”

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills has tipped Kalvin Phillips to guide the Whites to a top-six finish in the Premier League if the club can resist offers from Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

Phillips has developed incredibly with Leeds and is now one of the most talked about Premier League players, having started the season in fine form, gaining many plaudits.

Having also become a regular for the England national side, Phillips is now said to be attracting interest from Spurs, with chief Daniel Levy reportedly ready to double his wages.

Champions Liverpool are also said to be interested.

What has Mills said regarding Phillips’ future at the club?

Talking about the future of Phillips and his importance to Leeds, Mills was drawn to comment on a potential top-six finish for the Yorkshire side, which he felt would be determined by the future of the defensive midfielder.

“If this season goes well,” Mills told Football Insider. “I am sure clubs will be coming looking.

“He is a superb player, he just has to prove it now. It is a big step up because to be consistent in the Premier League is not easy, no matter what anybody thinks.

“He has a great opportunity to showcase his football at Leeds. Hopefully he does that but stays at Leeds and pushes them into that top six.”

What does the future hold for Phillips?

The youngster could become the subject to a bid much greater than what he is valued at currently by Transfermarkt, which is a mere £19.8m.

An impressive rise to England regular has been quite remarkable and Leeds will find it hard to hold off a huge bid from one of their Premier League rivals.

The January transfer window could be a very interesting one for Phillips and the Yorkshire club.

Do you think Phillips will remain at Leeds for the foreseeable future? Let us know in the comments section below…

As the days count down, we are slowly approaching what could be an almighty change at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are currently engulfed in a takeover saga, one that could finally see Stewart Donald relinquish his majority stake of the Black Cats.

Settling for a 15% of the football club, he is set to sell most of his ownership in the club to Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, but is more change afoot?

What’s the word?

Since the takeover situation escalated, Sunderland are yet to win a game. They lost to MK Dons and then drew with Doncaster which has left them five points off top spot and fighting for promotion once again.

With the quality of football being questioned, it’s also led to queries asked surrounding the future of current manager Phil Parkinson – not for the first time.

As such, he could be replaced if things don’t improve. That’s the word of The Sun (print version, 22/11) who suggests that Sunderland are eyeing Nigel Pearson.

The paper reveals that Parkinson is set to be the first high profile casualty of the impending takeover and with someone like Pearson available, they would not take much time in moving for the former Watford boss.

It’s also thought that he could bring former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips with him as his assistant.

Promotion bid back on track?

Pearson has not managed in League One since 2008 when he took Leicester to the Championship and beyond but the chance to manage a sleeping giant such as Sunderland would surely appeal to him.

Although his hefty Premier League-sized wages could be somewhat of an issue, in terms of improving the feel of the club and rejuvenating them, there would be few better candidates.

First and foremost, Pearson has promotion experience. He was in the Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough squads in the 1990s when they were promoted through the Football League and then used that expertise as a manager to twice earn promotion with Leicester.

He is someone who knows how to get a team out of a hole, but it’s his coaching and man-management that left plenty of colleagues throwing praise his way last term.

Pearson very nearly saved Watford from relegation last season before being given his marching orders by the Pozzo family. That was despite changing the face of the football club.

Former Sunderland boss David Moyes was left stunned by the decision, claiming that had he kept the Hornets up, he would have been a candidate for the Manager of the Year award.

Although he was given the boot, he had a lasting impact on the Watford players. Ben Foster said last season:

“You need somebody who will demand that just the minimum is working hard and getting stuck in. If you look at the last four or five games we’ve played, the fight, the determination, the never giving up, the constantly everybody tracking back, the work rate, all of that, that’s what’s been missing for the best part of nine months.”

That quote should be music to the ears of Sunderland fans, a group of people who have seen efforts from the players fall way below the level of 100%.

He would undoubtedly improve their promotion hopes.

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s prospective new owner is already on the verge of a HUGE mistake…

The transfer deadline has passed and West Bromwich Albion still have plenty of unwanted players on the books, namely Kenneth Zohore.

Fortunately, the Baggies are in luck as EFL clubs can continue to do business for another ten days, so perhaps the 26-year-old is on borrowed time at the Hawthorns.

According to the Daily Mail, Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday have registered an interest in taking Zohore on loan for the season but it’s thought his £40k-per-week wages are a major stumbling block.

Albion secured the Dane’s services last summer for £8m from Cardiff City and in return, they’ve barely got their money’s worth.

The striker bagged seven goals with only three coming in 17 Championship appearances, via Transfermarkt. He started just three games in the league in 2020 and picked up an injury towards the back end of the season.

It’s been a poor deal all-round.

The Midlanders have spent a little over £10.5m in total on Zohore and the fact that Slaven Bilic is now willing to sack him off speaks volumes.

His former manager at the Bluebirds, Neil Warnock, called him a “manager’s dream” back in 2017, adding that he’s the “first on the team sheet.”

Although he’s clearly been anything but – a lack of goals, long-term injury problems and a hefty fee to round it all off. The blame must be pointed towards technical director Luke Dowling for sanctioning the move in the first place.

Now as the Baggies’ forgotten man at the Hawthorns, he’s well behind the likes of Callum Robinson and Hal Robson-Kanu for the lone striker role, it’s been a sign of the ultimate transfer disaster from Dowling and the Albion hierarchy.

It’s no wonder they’ll struggle to get him off the books at £40k-per-week.

AND in other news, Three signings start, no Sawyers: How West Brom’s XI may look after the window…