All posts by h79snht.top

Michail Antonio could be available for West Ham United’s match against Sheffield United, according to ExWHUEmployee.

What’s the story?

The 29-year-old has had his struggles with injury throughout the campaign, having missed nine Premier League matches after being forced off early into a Carabao Cup tie against Newport County.

Since then, he has suffered from smaller issues that have seen him omitted from the squads that faced Wolverhampton Wanderers, AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham.

However, when asked about whether the versatile forward would be available to face the Blades, the West Ham insider gave some hope, stating that he “has a chance” of featuring in the game.

Watch West Ham United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

A massive boost

Antonio may have been away from the pitch more than he would probably like, but he has certainly had an impact when on it.

The most obvious example of this is his contribution after coming on against Tottenham Hotspur, when he came up with a dummy, following that with a brilliant finish that flew past Paulo Gazzaniga.

It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?

His wider threat has been shown throughout the campaign, whenever he has been available, as he has averaged 3.8 aerial duels won, 2.7 dribbles and 0.8 key passes per game.

He also came close to scoring against Chelsea and Southampton, which would have made his impact on the pitch even clearer to see.

Having drawn 1-1 against Sheffield United at home, the Hammers will be looking to get all three points at Bramall Lane, continuing David Moyes’ 100% record in charge of the club.

Considering the impact Antonio can have on the pitch, whether that is as a lone striker, alongside Sebastien Haller, or on the wing, having him available will definitely be a boost to the team’s chances.

The hope now is that with him potentially being available, it translates into actual game time against the Blades.

In other news, West Ham have shown interest in a Liverpool target.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is attempting to drive down the price of midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in this transfer window, per iNews.

What’s the word?

The Argentina international is currently on loan at Spurs but the club hold two options to sign him permanently.

The deal includes a compulsory purchase option that kicks in if Spurs qualify for the Champions League and stands at €40m (£34m).

However, Spurs can sign him in January for a reduced fee of €32m (£27.2m).

The report, though, states that Levy is attempting to negotiate that price to below €30m (£25.5m).

Betis, though, are said to be holding firm and are refusing to negotiate with the north London club.

The Spanish club, however, are not said to have any expectations that he will return to the Liga club.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

A joke

Levy needs to stop beating around the bush and try to get this deal done.

The two clubs struck an agreement in the summer and the Spurs chairman needs to honour that instead of haggling over the price.

The Premier League club simply need to pay up if they are going to keep the Argentine, who has yet to make a serious impact at the club.

He has started just two games in the top-flight under both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho.

But, nevertheless, the conditions are clear and Levy needs to stick to them, especially if he wants to save that £4.8m.

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has made a huge transfer demand. 

Matt Ritchie continued his recovery from an ankle operation by featuring against Rochdale in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

The Scotland international has been restricted to just six appearances for Newcastle United during the 2019/20 campaign due to his injury problems.

Having been on the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, he was named in the starting XI as the Magpies booked their spot in the fourth round of the cup.

Watch Newcastle United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Ritchie provided an assist in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Rochdale, and it would be fair to say that a lot of the club’s fans were impressed with his performance.

And a number of the supporters are delighted that Ritchie is now available for selection.

Who the heck is that?! Can you name all 25 of these obscure Newcastle signings…

The Scot has a record of 22 goals and 26 assists in 131 appearances for the Magpies and could now be in line to start Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Indeed, after the FA Cup win many fans expressed their general admiration for Ritchie…

Ritchie has missed a lot of football this season, but the fact that he has undergone two operations since August and is back on the field at the start of 2020 is impressive.

Bruce will surely be keen to take it easy when it comes to the versatile 5 foot 8 veteran, although it would not be a surprise to see him feature in the XI against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea on Saturday.

Meanwhile, another player at St James’ Park is currently being strongly linked with a move to Serie A during the current transfer window.

Leeds United and Liverpool are undoubtedly two of the best teams in their respective divisions.

The Reds are top of the Premier League by 16 points, while Leeds sit second in the Championship despite absolutely dominating the xG table.

Both sides are great advocates for the modern game as their systems revolve around high pressing, fast tempo football, and one Sky Sports pundit pointed out the similarities between the two teams.

Despite the sides being so similar, Leeds aren’t running away with the Championship, and Paul Merson may have inadvertently pointed out what the Whites need to do in the transfer market to reach that next level.

Watch Leeds United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

What’s been said then?

The Sky Sports pundit was talking about Liverpool, and he stated that the only team that are slightly similar to the Reds is Leeds.

“You can play in this day and age and you see teams pass through the press constantly because one man drops off and it’s just ping, ping, ping,” Merson said on Sky Sports’ The Debate (20/1/20 22:50).

“Liverpool, no one’s like Liverpool, it’s phenomenal what they do. You look at Leeds in the league below, they sort of play at that tempo, but they hit a brick wall last year, and they’ve hit a brick wall this year. Hopefully they’ll get out of it this year and carry on and go up.

“But you look at Liverpool and they don’t, they only get stronger and stronger, and whoever comes on the pitch you wouldn’t know there’s a substitution, they’re phenomenal.”

What Leeds need to do

Merson says that you can’t even tell when Liverpool make a substitution, but unfortunately, Leeds don’t have that kind of depth.

Take a look at some of the most important positions in Leeds’ squad and you can see that there isn’t much space for chopping and changing.

There are three senior centre-backs in the squad with Gaetano Berardi, Ben White and Liam Cooper the only options in that position.

The lack of depth in central midfield has seen Stuart Dallas played out of position due to a long-term injury suffered by Adam Forshaw.

Meanwhile, up front, Patrick Bamford is the only senior striker in the side after Eddie Nketiah’s recall.

These comments show that the most important thing Leeds can do in this window is to add more depth to these key areas.

Everyone should want to be emulating Liverpool at the moment – they’ve dropped just two points this season, and Merson’s comments show that depth is one thing keeping Leeds from dominating the Championship in the same way the Merseyside club are ruling the top flight.

In other news, Leeds could kill two birds with one stone with this loan signing.

Having made his breakthrough under Unai Emery, Bukayo Saka seems to be continuing in the same vein of form under recently-appointed head coach Mikel Arteta.

The 18-year-old made a total of 15 appearances across all competitions under Arteta’s predecessor, scoring once and providing a further four assists. And whilst a new manager coming in may have seen him fade out of the spotlight, Saka has appeared to kick on another level.

Playing at left-back against Bournemouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday night, the academy product scored one and made one.

Watch Arsenal Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

And after seeing his display, Arsenal fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the winger.

A couple of supporters of the north London side felt Saka could be the new Ashley Cole.

A couple of fans compared Saka to Arsenal’s current left-back options, with one supporter in particular insisting he is “way better than” Kieran Tierney.

What a meteoric rise Saka has enjoyed this season. The fact the teenager is still continuing to shine in an unfamiliar role at left-back really goes to show his commitment to the cause. As is the case with modern football, young players nowadays get the world handed to them in terms of money.

Can you name all of these obscure Arsenal signings? Give it a go now!

But Arsenal’s academy product appears to have his priorities in order, and is showing signs of major development under both Emery and now Arteta. And with Tierney and Sead Kolasinac still out injured, you wouldn’t bet against Saka nailing down the first-team spot at left-back.

Meanwhile, this Arsenal starlet has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo.

Manchester United made an enquiry to sign Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki earlier this month, sources have told Football FanCast.

The club have been searching high and low to sign a forward in this transfer window and have made a number of enquiries for players.

It was reported on Thursday that United had made a bid for AFC Bournemouth striker Joshua King and sources familiar with the club’s recruitment plans have informed FFC that they also attempted to buy Pukki.

The Finland international has scored 11 goals for Norwich this season and has been an integral member of Daniel Farke’s squad as they attempt to remain in the Premier League.

The Canaries are currently bottom of the Premier League, six points off safety, and the club rebuffed United’s enquiry as soon as it was tabled.

Premier League experts will get full marks: The ultimate quiz on top flight transfer flops…

There is unlikely to be a follow-up bid for the 29-year-old – Norwich were firm that they cannot afford to sell their forward as they look to beat the drop – and United appear to be focusing their efforts on securing the signature of King.

Of course, Marcus Rashford is injured and sources have also confirmed that there was also an enquiry for Napoli forward Dries Mertens.

[ad_pod ]

The Italian club have stood firm on the striker thus far this window, with The Daily Mail reporting that Chelsea also saw a bid rejected for the 32-year-old.

With the transfer window set to close at 11pm on Friday, United are running out of time to bring in a forward.

Meanwhile, Man Utd fans have reacted to a bid for a forward.

Liverpool’s January signing Takumi Minamino has revealed the first words that Jurgen Klopp said to him in training, per Sky Sports News.

What’s the word?

The Reds secured the signing of the winger from RB Salzburg at the beginning of the transfer window, having agreed a deal in December.

Klopp’s side paid his £7.25m release clause and heading into this weekend, he’d already played three times for the club, in the Premier League against Wolves and the FA Cup against Everton and Shrewsbury Town.

And Minamino says that the German manager instantly put him at ease upon his arrival on Merseyside.

He said: “I cannot forget his words – two or three days after joining the club, he said I could play in any way I wanted to play and he said just enjoy playing in any way you want to play.

“So I was really happy as a player that he said that. In the locker room, he is very good at motivating players, so I want to respond to his motivation even in the practice sessions and in the actual games.”

A shrewd addition

This is an excellent insight into Liverpool’s recruitment.

Klopp clearly believes that Minamino can make an instant impact without adapting too much.

The Reds, then, have done well to secure a player who can slot straight in, with the 25-year-old able to play on the right, left and through the middle.

Call yourself a Liverpool expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?

During his time at Salzburg this term, he scored nine goals and also registered 11 assists across 22 matches.

Klopp has already inspired him, judging by his quotes, and he now appears ready to make an impact at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans have reacted to a January loan move! 

If you were to list the biggest problems at Leeds United, set-pieces would be right up there, in both an attacking and defensive sense.

Indeed, the Whites haven’t scored a direct header from a corner in over a year, while 41 per cent of the goals they’ve conceded this term have come from dead-ball situations.

It’s frustrating to watch the Yorkshire club falter week after week from corners, but that isn’t even the most concerning thing.

Watch Leeds United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The most annoying thing about it is this is an area that Marcelo Bielsa highlighted as an area to improve over three months ago, and no progress has been made on that front at all.

Indeed, Adam Pope tweeted in late October that the manager was looking to improve the Whites’ record when attacking corners, and it simply hasn’t happened.

Aside from the one short corner they scored from against Middlesbrough, the tactics haven’t changed much at all – balls are still just being whipped into the box with pace, and that hasn’t worked. They’ve not found the back of the net from this type of set-piece since February 2nd 2019.

You have to wonder what Bielsa has been doing in training, because it isn’t paying off, and that’s deeply concerning. Perhaps this is one area of the game that the Argentine doesn’t have a firm grasp on.

Set-pieces can be coached, Liverpool have had great success since hiring Thomas Gronnemark, channelling Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ability to cross with the height of Virgil van Dijk. Maybe it’s time for Leeds to bring someone in who can teach their squad how to score from these situations.

In other news, Leeds may take some comfort from the xG table after Saturday’s loss.

Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports that he thought Liverpool may look at Hakim Ziyech, who is now on his way to Chelsea.

What’s the story?

The Morocco international’s club Ajax have agreed a €40m (£33.3m) fee with the Blues, with him set to stay with de Godenzonen until the end of the season before making the move to Stamford Bridge.

Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…

However, the former Reds defender clearly felt that the Anfield outfit should have made a move for the 26-year-old. He explained: “The Ajax lad was outstanding last season in that Champions League run. He was a player I thought actually Liverpool may look at as well; he can play both sides, maybe as cover for Mane or Salah. But it looks like Chelsea have gone into the market and they’re going to do get something done already.”

Better than back-up

Indeed, he was fantastic last term for Ajax in Europe. In 11 matches in the competition, he scored three goals and provided three assists, picking up a huge average WhoScored rating of 7.74. And it wasn’t just in that tournament in which he excelled – he also scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists in the Eredivisie as well.

This term, he is performing to a similar standard. In Europe, he managed two goals and four assists in six matches before Ajax got knocked out of the competition in the group stages, whilst he has six goals and 12 assists in 18 matches in the domestic league. In fact, he has managed at least 10 assists in each of the last six league campaigns.

This is a supremely talented player who has earned his right to play at the highest level on a regular basis. Not, as Carragher says, to provide cover for other players. He is far better than that – he has proven it year after year in the Netherlands. Whilst the Reds could do with signing another option to cover the flanks – Liverpool are willing to let Xherdan Shaqiri leave in the summer for a fee of £25m, whilst Divock Origi, who has regularly played on the left this term, is a striker by trade – Ziyech deserves much more than to play second fiddle.

Meanwhile, we try and predict Liverpool’s XI against Norwich.

West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller has spoken about his linkup with Luka Jovic and Ante Rebic, as reported by Blowing Bubbles’ print magazine (Issue 100, page six).

What did he say?

The club-record £45m fee West Ham United paid for Sebastien Haller in the summer, as reported by BBC Sport, indicates how impressive he was during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt.

This is also reflected by his tallies in the opposition third, as across 32 starts and seven substitute appearances in the Bundesliga and Europa League, he recorded 20 goals and 12 assists.

While he, of course, deserves credit for the numbers he amassed, he also spoke about the partnership that he had with Luka Jovic and Ante Rebic, referencing how much that helped him: “We understood how the other one was playing. We had different qualities and focused on the things we did best. When you know what everyone does the best and you use it, it works.”

He then added: “I had only midfielders around me, I was the only striker. I had to score goals, that’s it.”

Watch West Ham United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Now missing

It seems as though he has so far been unable to replicate that type of telepathic partnership with anyone at London Stadium.

Volumes are spoken by the fact that the highest joint goal participation he has with any West Ham player this season is Ryan Fredericks with two.

To go from getting eight and four with Jovic and Rebic respectively, to then having the most productive linkup play with the club’s right-back says a lot about how adverse his situation is at West Ham, compared to the one he had at Frankfurt.

Premier League Inflation: You won’t believe how much these famous transfers would cost today…

This is also highlighted by how isolated he has been when playing up top on his own. At the Bundesliga club he said he had “only midfielders around me”, but at West Ham they all seem to be lagging behind.

There needs to be responsibility taken by Haller for his situation, but he would definitely benefit from having someone who he can build up a true understanding with.

Perhaps playing him in a pairing like he was with Jovic would help.

Meanwhile, West Ham have been shown what they’re missing.