All posts by h716a5.icu

This has been a brilliant week for everyone at Sunderland. They have won their first trophy for 48 years and it feels like at last, they may get promoted.

That being said, their ambitions could be dealt a colossal blow this Saturday. That’s because they face fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln.

Lee Johnson has successfully engineered seven wins in the Mackems’ last eight league games and has already risen to the challenge of the Imps.

They currently lie in fourth position, just one place behind the Black Cats. However, Johnson’s men beat them 4-0 earlier this season. Thus, they’ll welcome Lincoln to the north-east full of confidence.

Sunderland still have plenty of injuries to contend with, however, so how will they line up on Saturday?

We’re tipping three changes to be made to the team that defeated Accrington in midweek.

The first replacement is up front where Ross Stewart makes his first start in a Sunderland shirt. He returned from injury on Wednesday and scored on his debut, leaping high to head home their opener.

With Jack Diamond hauled off at half-time, we think that he could be dropped with Stewart coming in to lead the line alongside Charlie Wyke.

A further change is in midfield where we’re tipping Max Power to move to right-back with Josh Scowen coming into the middle of the park.

Conor McLaughlin was in the starting XI in midweek for the first time since returning from an injury lay off. With that in mind, we think Sunderland should play things cautiously and rest him.

The final change is at left-back. The £21k-per-week Jake Vokins was given a rare start on Wednesday night. The Southampton loanee has been a bit of a liability since signing in January, though. He was torrid on debut and hasn’t looked overly convincing since.

Consequently, Callum McFadzean takes his place in that area of the pitch.

Sunderland come into this match without Bailey Wright, while Aiden O’Brien and Jordan Jones remain doubts.

AND in other news, Forget Jones: Johnson must unleash rarely-seen SAFC gem with a “rare” trait

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to make it three Premier League wins in a row when they take on Crystal Palace at home on Sunday evening, and Jose Mourinho should unleash Sergio Reguilon in his team.

The former Real Madrid man was left on the bench for Spurs’ win against Fulham in midweek, and whilst Ben Davies did a solid job from a defensive point of view, he simply doesn’t offer the attacking threat of his Spanish teammate.

Reguilon has three assists in just 15 Premier League appearances this season, whereas Davies has just one assist in 19 top-flight appearances.

The 24-year-old full-back has regularly shown in his time with Spurs that he can deliver quality crosses into the box, with Harry Kane often the beneficiary of this, as the England captain has scored twice from Reguilon assists so far this season, against West Ham and Fulham.

We have also seen Davies struggle when faced up against a pacey, tricky winger, as evidenced by his shocking display against Raheem Sterling in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is one of the best in the league at beating his full-back.

The Ivory Coast international has contributed nine goals and two assists in the top flight so far this season, averaging an impressive 6.96 WhoScored rating – which comfortably ranks him as Roy Hodgson’s best performer so far this season.

If Mourinho were to unleash Reguilon, he could shackle Zaha with his pace, whilst also forcing the former Manchester United man to track back and defend because of his willingness to make attacking runs, whereas Davies staying deep would allow Zaha to stay high up the pitch and run at the Welshman when Palace have the ball.

Earlier in the season, Gary Neville was full of praise for Reguilon, saying:

“Loads of energy, quick to the ball, aggressive in his defending and he flies forward at great pace.”

Therefore, he seems the ideal candidate to deal with Zaha on Sunday and he can also offer Spurs a lot going forward, so Mourinho should unleash the £25.2m-rated defender, as he can be Tottenham’s game-changer against the Eagles.

And, in other news… Dele Alli’s return to form could be bad news for £31.5m-rated Spurs outsider

Some Wolves fans have been left to slam the display of Nelson Semedo in their 1-1 away draw at Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday night.

Ruben Neves spared the blushes of the Molineux faithful in the second half to earn them a point after Jamaal Lascelles had given Steve Bruce’s men the lead fairly early on in the second half.

While there were some decent performances for the Midlands club, Semedo’s flattered to deceive some Wanderers supporters.

The former FC Barcelona man lost out on four of his duels and also failed to record a single interception, key pass or accurate cross in the game (Sofascore).

He also lost possession of the ball no fewer than 11 times in the match, earning him a quite measly 6.5 overall rating on Sofascore, the joint-second lowest out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch.

Wolves fan reaction to Semedo display

These WWFC fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far to say that the 27-year-old was ‘dreadful’:

“Neves brilliant again. Involved in everything. Semedo dreadful again! Jose not doing much. Jonny reliable. Dendoncker definitely not a CB. Moutinho struggling in the centre of the park. #wolves #wwfc”

Credit: @DullAmigo

“£30m for Semedo… Wouldn’t give you a fiver!! #wwfc”

Credit: @tictacsir22

“Another stupid decision by Semedo. Needless free kick considering how well we defend crosses.”

Credit: @NicTeeGolf

“Not seen Semedo have a good game since he joined, need to stop playing Neves and Moutinho together, Jose needs to score to get some confidence and Neto not really in it much tonight either.”

Credit: @jlparsons13

“Nuno must be embarrassed this is pathetic. Jose, Neves, Semedo, Coady, Saiss & Dendoncker all poor”

Credit: @AtkissRichard

“Poor from Semedo”

Credit: @shaun12134316

In other news, find out what Tim Spiers update has left Wolves fans buzzing here!

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Thursday evening, as they face Tottenham Hotspur away from home.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have started 2021 in terrible fashion, as they remain without a win in the top-flight, whilst they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United last weekend.

The Reds have scored just one goal in four top-flight fixtures and are in for another tough game on Thursday, as they face Jose Mourinho’s Spurs in North London.

Liverpool showed signs of improvements in the defeat at Old Trafford but looked vulnerable to counter-attacks throughout the game, so changes seem likely for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, considering how deadly Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son have been throughout the season so far.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line his side up against Spurs, with three changes from the team that started against Manchester United…

Alisson keeps his place in goal, although his performance at Old Trafford was arguably one of his worst in a Liverpool shirt as he should have saved Marcus Rashford’s goal and he’ll have been disappointed to have been beaten on his side by Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick.

There’s one change in the defence, as Joel Matip returns to the starting line-up after being rested for the FA Cup game last weekend, and he replaces Rhys Williams, who struggled badly against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Jordan Henderson could also reportedly make his return, so Klopp should select his captain in the hope that he can provide some much-needed leadership on the pitch against Spurs and he’ll be picked in midfield, having filled in at centre-back in recent weeks.

He starts alongside Georginio Wijnalduma and Thiago in midfield, with £140,000-a-week man James Milner dropping to the bench.

Unsurprisingly, the “unbelievable” Sadio Mane returns to the side after starting on the bench in the FA Cup meaning Curtis Jones drops to the bench, and Klopp will be hoping that his strongest front three can do the business against Mourinho’s side, with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino having shown glimpses of being back to their usual selves at Old Trafford last time out.

There have been suggestions that Fabinho could be missing for the game as he wasn’t spotted training with the Reds today, although there has been no confirmation at this time. If that is the case, and The Reds are without the Brazilian, then we’d expect Henderson to drop into defence alongside Matip, with Milner getting the nod in midfield.

And, in other news… “I think they”ll try and get it done this window” – Exclusive: Pundit tips LFC to sign “perfect” 28 y/o

According to Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United are one of the clubs that have been offered the chance to sign Edin Dzeko from Roma.

What’s the word?

The 34-year-old finds himself surplus to requirements at the Stadio Olimpico after a public spat between the Bosnian international and boss Paulo Fonseca.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be on the lookout for a striker following the recent departure of Odion Ighalo, despite the fact that his side have scored the second-highest amount of goals in the Premier League this season.

And now, Corriere dello Sport claim United have been offered the chance to bring Dzeko to Old Trafford.

Must avoid at all costs

Whilst the centre-forward position could be a particular area of need in the summer, this is a potential signing the Red Devils should stay away from before the transfer window closes this week.

United will look to strengthen their squad in the next transfer window, and have already signed Amad Diallo from Atalanta, but have Edinson Cavani out of contract this summer, although there is the option to extend his stay at Old Trafford for a further year.

Marcus Rashford, who can also play the role, appears to be in fine form this season, having made 20 top-flight appearances with seven goals and eight assists to show for his 18 starts, with United currently in Premier League title contention just past the halfway point of the season.

While Dzeko is a proven Premier League goalscorer – 50 goals in 130 games is a solid return – he just simply isn’t the right man for the Red Devils.

Would he be any better than another older head in Cavani? Probably not.

They are of a similar age but there isn’t much to choose between them if you take a closer look at the numbers. Both players produce high numbers of shots and key passes per game, with Dzeko slightly ahead at 2.7 and 1.1 in Serie A respectively, but he is also dispossessed more frequently, 1.2 to Cavani’s 0.2.

At 34, it’s fair to say that it just wouldn’t be worth the risk, especially when you consider the fact he earns a whopping £7.5m per year with Roma, per Fabrizio Romano via the Here We Go podcast, which works out at around £127,000-per-week.

AND in other news, Manchester United striker Anthony Martial was shocking in Sheffield United defeat…

Carlo Ancelotti already has his next rival for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Everton prospect Ellis Simms amid reports of talks to sell Moise Kean to Paris Saint-Germain.

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports, PSG are in negotiations with the Toffees over a potential deal to retain Kean’s services beyond his initial one-season loan deal after impressing in the French capital.

The Ligue 1 giants are believed to be discussing a fee of around £31m for the Italy forward, with Everton willing to sell on the provision they make a profit on the £27m paid to Juventus in 2019.

Kean struggled to live up to his price tag during his maiden campaign at Goodison Park, scoring just twice in 33 games across all competitions. The 20-year-old added a further two goals at the start of the current season before departing for Le Parc des Princes.

Thomas Tuchel saw Kean get his career back on track prior to his sacking last month, netting nine times over 16 games in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, while his successor Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be determined to enjoy a similar relationship following his arrival.

Let him leave

If Kean is favouring a permanent switch to PSG after an impressive start to life in the French capital, Everton can afford to strike a deal with Simms ready and waiting in the wings for his chance to prove his worth under Ancelotti in the first-team.

Simms has once again been in scintillating form with the Toffees’ Under 23s this season, netting eight goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances, but has only featured in one senior matchday squad when named as a substitute in November’s 2-1 loss at Newcastle.

The 20-year-old hitman had appeared to edge closer to contention at the end of the 2019/20 campaign when listed on the bench for the final two matches against Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth, yet returned to David Unsworth’s ranks this term.

Former Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn firmly believes Simms has what it takes to make the grade at Goodison Park should he be given the chance, as the Blues product has all the ingredients of Calvert-Lewin, who has scored 14 goals in 19 games thus far this season.

“Ellis Simms, centre-forward, natural goalscorer, still learning his craft, but he doesn’t snatch at chances,” Martyn told HITC. “As happy scoring in the 90th minute, when you could snatch at it, for one so young – he’s a pretty cool finisher. He has all the attributes, he’s 6 ft 1, he’s got the attributes of a Calvert-Lewin, for instance.”

Ancelotti can test Simms’ credibility as a first-team option soon, too, with a visit of Championship strugglers Rotherham United to come this Saturday in the FA Cup.

AND in other news, Everton are showing a determination to sign a £13.5m titan for free.

Carlo Ancelotti must unleash Bernard on Manchester City with the Everton manager considering changes for Monday night’s Premier League meeting.

The Toffees welcome Pep Guardiola’s Citizens to Goodison Park looking to maintain their position in second in the table after edging a nervy 1-0 win over Sheffield United at the weekend, but would fall behind the Etihad Stadium natives with a defeat.

Everton are without a win over Manchester City since January 2017 when a Ronald Koeman led side stormed to a 4-0 victory, and any hopes of claiming a first win in seven games will have to come without star forward Richarlison in the line-up.

Ancelotti has confirmed that Richarlison will miss the Monday night affair through the Premier League’s concussion protocol following his collision with Manchester United’s Eric Bailly in last week’s Carabao Cup quarter-final, which ruled the Brazilian out of Saturday’s clash with Sheffield United.

Anthony Gordon stood in for the missing Richarlison at Bramall Lane to earn his first top-flight start of the campaign, but struggled to find a groove in the game to work one-on-one situations with the Blades swamping the academy graduate.

Ancelotti ultimately saw enough from the floundering 19-year-old to replace the teen talent 10 minutes into the second half, with Bernard introduced from the bench for only his fifth league outing this term.

Bernard had been an unused substitute in five of Everton’s last six Premier League fixtures following his sole start of the season at home to Manchester United, while featuring for the final half-hour in the Carabao Cup loss to the Red Devils after opening roles in the second and third rounds.

Ancelotti must see a reason to hand Bernard his first starting call in any competition since November 7 with the Italian considering changes whilst Richarlison is still sidelined, having looked lively throughout his time on the field at Sheffield United.

Following his introduction early into the second-half, Bernard recorded 30 touches at Bramall Lane, with which he played 16 accurate passes, won three of five ground duels, took one shot, made a successful tackle and won his sole attempted dribble, per SofaScore.

The Brazilian, who Danny Mills believes is blessed with “fabulous ability on the ball”, also provided a deft delivery into Abdoulaye Doucoure for the Frenchman to tee Gylfi Sigurdsson up for the Iceland international’s match-winning strike.

Ancelotti will stand to benefit far more from Bernard and his experience against Manchester City than to see Gordon struggle again, even though the Italian is reportedly likely to make the former AS Roma target available for a January transfer.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands faces uncomfortable questions on a “wonderful” Everton gem’s Goodison Park future.

West Ham United are reportedly eying the perfect January swoop in Olympique Lyonnais forward Moussa Dembele.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, David Moyes’ London Stadium natives are on red alert to Dembele’s situation, as the former Celtic striker is growing frustrated at the Groupama Stadium where manager Rudi Garcia has often left him on the bench this season.

Moyes is a big admirer of the 24-year-old, and could be afforded the chance of presenting Dembele with a second crack at English football after emerging through Fulham’s academy before moving to Parkhead.

Lyon are considering cashing in on Dembele come the January market but are expected to demand at least £30million, while also insisting on substantial add-on clauses for the sought-after Manchester United target.

West Ham are claimed to have money to spend in the winter after failing to buy a striker this summer, and Moyes intends to utilise his war chest to find a replacement for Sebastien Haller having been opposed to fielding the Manuel Pellegrini signing this term.

Backed for greatness

Moyes has so far only felt fit to start Haller in two Premier League fixtures this season, with both coming since losing Michail Antonio to a hamstring injury. The West Ham boss would be able to move on from the Irons’ £45m record signing by acquiring Dembele, though.

The Lyon ace is yet to open his scoring for the term in Ligue 1, having been restricted to four starts from nine with five further appearances from the bench, but struck home 24 times in 46 games across all competitions last season – including netting a game-winning brace over Manchester City in the Champions League Quarter-Final.

Dembele would also suit Moyes’ tactics far better than Haller, who the Scot believes does not bring the same energy to the sole-striker position in his formation that Antonio can offer.

Eintracht Frankfurt extracted the most from Haller when the forward was fielded alongside Luka Jovic and Ante Rebic, leading to 20 goals and 12 assists in the 2018/19 season. Dembele, meanwhile, may not be not considered the next Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, but is rather seen as the next Olivier Giroud for France through his ability both on and off the ball.

“Moussa has always been a complete player,” Laurent Bonadei, who coached Dembele while he was a rising star of Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, told Goal.

“He’s not a player who will dribble three players in a phone booth, like Mbappe or Neymar, but he can become Giroud’s successor in the French team, because he doesn’t hesitate to go into duels and work for the collective.”

Bonadei’s praise for Dembele was perfectly reflected by his efforts against Manchester City in last season’s Champions League Quarter-Final, when he came off the bench to flip the tie in the Ligue 1 outfit’s favour with a brace from two shots while attempting four duels in 15 minutes, per SofaScore.

Moyes would undoubtedly adore having a player of Dembele’s ilk at the London Stadium, it just remains to be seen if David Sullivan is willing to match Lyon’s minimum £30m valuation for a player tipped to succeed France’s second-best goalscorer of all-time.

AND in other news, West Ham have entered the £8m race to sign an in-demand sensation who “can do anything”.

If the summer transfer window was anything to go by, Premier League newcomers Leeds United are going to be linked to every man and his dog, though there is one name they should genuinely be considering a move for…

What’s the word?

According to Diario Sport (via the Daily Mail), the Yorkshire giants have entered the race to sign Barcelona prodigy Riqui Puig this January as he continues to be shunned by Ronald Koeman.

They are likely to face competition from Monaco, RB Leipzig and Real Betis, though it is claimed that the 21-year-old’s agent has directly contacted Victor Orta and co over a potential switch to Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s style of football is deemed a perfect fit for the young maestro, so perhaps the Whites boss could have another gem on his hands.

Shades of Saiz

Before the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Jack Harrison and Raphinha, much of Leeds’ hopes were pinned on fan-favourite Samuel Saiz. Indeed, the enigmatic Spaniard brought excitement to United.

During the 2017/18 campaign, the Victor Orta arrival shone under Thomas Christiansen, delivering five goals and seven assists, and also averaged 2.4 dribbles, 1.9 key passes and 1.9 shots per game, via WhoScored.

“Can you applaud the dazzling brilliance of Samuel Saiz and expect Premier League clubs to ignore it?” said Jon Howe in his LeedsLive column that year.

Things then tailed off following a lengthy suspension for allegedly spitting at an opposition manager, though to this day, he’s never truly been replaced.

He often played alongside Pablo Hernandez, so the need for another creative influence may be required in Yorkshire, especially with the veteran coming towards the end of his career at 35.

This is where Puig should come in.

The La Masia sensation has received many plaudits throughout his short career to date – former Barca boss Quique Seitan dubbed him “extraordinary” whilst legendary magician of the game, Xavi, who once said: “The truth is that he is a boy who breathes talent and who plays easy. He has self-confidence, personality, does not hide, and asks for the ball.”

Puig, who is capped at U21 level for Spain, is valued at just £18m by Transfermarkt, so it could be quite the steal by Orta if he manages to pull it off.

Both Bielsa and the Barcelona outcast could be a match made in heaven.

AND in other news, Radrizzani must accept it’s time to sell long-serving Leeds outcast…

According to The Athletic, Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori was among the names considered by Newcastle in the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

The Magpies were on the look-out for a new centre-back throughout the summer, but failed to see one come through the door before the end of the deadline earlier this month.

Now, The Athletic have revealed that Tomori, and Manchester United defender Phil Jones, were among those names who were “mentioned during discussions”.

The report adds that Steve Bruce is keen to play with a back four, which is why he wanted a “pacy defender who is comfortable on the ball”.

Perfect partner for Lascelles

22, an England international, and plenty of top-level experience at Chelsea, Tomori certainly has all the right attributes to have been a brilliant signing for Newcastle in the summer.

In fact, speaking after the centre-back scored a wonder goal in a win against Wolves last season, BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks said: “This performance by the Chelsea youngster was outstanding and his goal only tells half the story. Playing in a back three, he was amazing. Tomori’s confidence to take the ball into the danger area and provide the assist for Tammy Abraham suggest this lad is no ordinary defender. This is someone I intend keeping my eye on.”

This season has seen game-time hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, with the arrival of Thiago Silva really limiting his opportunities – he’s played just three times in total, with only one of them coming in the Premier League.

With The Athletic claiming that Bruce wanted a more pacy defender, Tomori completely fits that bill. Even after Chelsea’s defeat to Valencia last season, The Daily Star showered praise on the 22-year-old, saying: “His astronomical pace allowed the Blues to play further up the pitch and was a constant thorn for the likes of Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo. The departure of David Luiz is looking more and more a masterstroke with the continuing form of the Englishman.”

Had Newcastle sealed a deal for the 6 foot 1 ace, they could have landed a perfect long-term partner for Jamal Lascelles.