All posts by h79snht.top

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Michael Kightly joined Emma Saunders on BBC’s Football Daily Podcast and discussed Aston Villa’s chances of staying alive in the Premier League this season.

It’s pretty safe to say that the newly-promoted side are struggling to cope with the intensity of the English top-flight as they are sitting in 17th as things stand. Indeed, Dean Smith’s side have lost their last three games in the league and the situation is looking rather grim for the Midlands giants at this stage of the season, with Radio Solent Sports Editor Adam Blackmore hinting that he thought they were lucky to lose only 2-0 to Southampton this weekend.

However, Kightly firmly believes they have what it takes to stay afloat and secure another season in the Premier League. He stated as much when speaking on the Football Daily Podcast (23/02/2020), saying: “I think Villa, they are good enough to stay in the league. But [Dean Smith] he’s looking at that and thinking if we perform like that, we’re gone. So I think he wants a quick response from them.”

Needless to say, this might be an uphill battle for Smith and Villa but, as Kightly has reiterated, there is quality in that squad and there is still a chance they stay up come the very end of the season. After all, they’ve reached the Carabao Cup final this season and boast the likes of Jack Grealish – who has been linked with a major money to Manchester United – and the currently-injured John McGinn (who was recently bigged up by Noel Whelan) in their ranks, so it’s not as if there’s a lack of quality on offer.

Villa fans, do you agree with Kightly’s verdict or are you less optimistic when it comes to this season? Let us know down in the comments below!

Liverpool have shown images of Takumi Minamino working hard in training on their official Twitter page.

Watch Liverpool Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The January signing from RB Salzburg has not been given much game time by Jurgen Klopp since moving to Anfield, but it is shown that he is still very much part of the club’s plans.

Fans have also shown that they are fully behind the Japan international, hoping to see him on the pitch as much as possible.

There are many fans who are waiting to see the 25-year-old burst onto the scene for their club, with one asking when Klopp will “release this weapon”.

One said “what a player” about him, which has led to references about the fact they want him to get more minutes, with Minamino having had 221 in all competitions, across four matches.

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

This may have been a slow start, but Reds fans are far from the stage where they are starting to give up on him.

Some have even suggested that “Takumi must start”, showing how highly they rate the 25-year-old.

He is still yet to start a Premier League game – coming off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton – something they feel should change.

The winger’s only starts at the club have come during a 1-0 win against Everton and 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town, which both came in the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans react to Paul Pogba’s complimentary statement.

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell has poured cold water on Leon King’s chances of first-team action anytime soon.

The highly-rated prospect – who was wanted by Tottenham, Manchester City and Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig – recently signed a professional contract to end any worries over him leaving Ibrox in similar fashion to Billy Gilmour, who rejected a deal before Chelsea signed him for £500k.

Given Steven Gerrard’s issues at centre-back recently – Connor Goldson has been error-prone, while Nikola Katic is also unconvincing at times as Campbell has already explained – some may potentially have felt that there could be a first-team chance in the offing for King, who is just 16 years of age.

Sporting Director Ross Wilson lauded the youngster after he put pen to paper on a new deal, which fended off interest from the aforementioned clubs.

“Leon has been a priority for us and we are excited about his potential. He has been demonstrating that potential both for Rangers and Scotland and we are excited about his future. As a Rangers fan he has a huge desire to develop his career at Rangers and is impressing the staff on a daily basis with his application and attitude.”

However, when a fan suggested that he should be thrown into the team on Twitter, The Athletic’s Rangers correspondent poured cold water on the teenager’s chances of getting any action under Gerrard anytime soon.

You can see what Campbell tweeted in full below:

In other news, a journalist has urged Gerrard to use these two rarely-seen Rangers talents…

Despite his contract coming to an end this summer, Jan Vertonghen continues to play a prominent part for Tottenham this season.

The Belgium international has already made 26 appearances across all competitions, and once again played the full 90 minutes as Spurs took on Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

However, with Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier being preferred by Jose Mourinho to be the Portuguese man’s favoured central defensive three, Vertonghen was pushed out to left wing-back – and it was a decision that certainly didn’t help the 32-year-old’s performance.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Naturally a centre-back, the Belgian looked all at sea at having to almost hug the touch-line for Spurs, and he simply didn’t show any of the attacking qualities needed to succeed there.

As per Sofascore, he lost possession 26 times over the course of the game – the most of any player on the pitch at Turf Moor. His shakiness on the ball was preyed upon by Burnley’s desire to hunt him down, and it was no surprise that he finished with a measly 71% pass accuracy.

Despite trying his best to get up and down the flanks and put some deliveries into the box, he failed miserably. Out of the seven crosses that he attempted, none of them found its intended target, whilst only two of the nine long balls that he tried were accurate.

No clues whatsoever: Which seasons do these iconic Spurs images belong to?

Vertonghen’s struggles wasn’t his fault however. The likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Serge Aurier were both on the bench for Mourinho, and could surely have given Spurs a greater attacking threat from the left wing-back role.

Instead, the north London side’s boss seemingly played it safe by deciding to throw on a defender in that position – effectively, the Lilywhites lined up with five players who are all comfortable at playing centre-back.

Spurs registered eight shots less than the home side, and could only muster two on target. Vertonghen’s nightmare display was just another Mourinho howler in showing a lack of ambition and failing to put round pegs in round holes.

Meanwhile, Tottenham fans have hammered this ace as a “weekly pay thief”.

Pundit Kevin Phillips has urged Tottenham Hotspur to sign Dejan Lovren after the north London club were linked with a move for the Liverpool man in the summer transfer window (via Football Insider).

Phillips likened the potential transfer to when Arsenal signed David Luiz from London rivals Chelsea last summer and added that players like Luiz ‘can be picked up’.

This is what he had to say on the transfer speculation: “Lovren has been a good player at Southampton and Liverpool. He has probably not played as much football as he would like so he might be thinking it is time to move on. Tottenham, defensively, have got some frailties. It is an area that Jose will be looking at.

“You cannot go far wrong when you are looking at a player like that who is experienced in the Premier League and has played at the top level. He has experienced high-pressure situations so it could turn out to be a good signing.

“You look at David Luiz at Arsenal, he’s like him, these players can be picked up. I am not saying he is at the end of his career but his best years are behind him. I think that could be a really good signing for two or three years.”

Lovren made a total of 31 appearances for Southampton and has made a total of 184 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool since his move to Anfield, according to Transfermarkt. Yet the 30-year old has only managed 14 total appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, so he might want to move on in the summer if he wants to play more regular football.

Whether Spurs can offer that to him for next season is another question. They already have Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga, Juan Foyth and Jan Vertonghen in his position, although the latter may leave in the summer transfer window if he does not renew his contract.

Given that their defence has leaked goals this season, they have shipped 40 in just 29 league games (BBC Sport), a new centre-back is definitely what Jose Mourinho will be looking for and Lovren is a player with great experience, not only in the Premier League but also at international level. Indeed he has represented Croatia 57 times and played a key role in helping them reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup final (Transfermarkt).

He is currently valued at £18 million according to Transfermarkt which would be an affordable transfer fee for Spurs and Phillips believes that Lovren is worth taking a punt on.

Spurs fans, do you agree with Phillips? Let us know in the comments down below!

West Brom fans were left stunned by former starlet Sadio Berahino after he posted a clip to Instagram of him donning a Baggies shirt while doing a challenge that has swept the world of football during its current suspension.

The 26-year-old, who now plies his trade for Zulte Waregem, is seen attempting keepie-uppies with toilet roll before challenging fellow ex-Albion stars Romelu Lukaku and Youssouf Mulumbu to do the same.

Berahino has always divided opinion at the Hawthorns after infamously trying to force an exit away from the club to Tottenham Hotspur back in 2015.

Is there any love lost now?

Here’s how supporters have been reacting…

Going by the above reaction, then the answer would be yes as Berahino was blasted for being an “idiot” who is “overrated” and “greedy”.

The former academy starlet bagged 36 goals in 121 appearances for the Baggies before securing a move to Stoke City and has since found himself trying to save his career in Belgium.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Although this campaign, he appears to be doing quite well having found the net eight times in 22 matches for the Jupiler Pro League outfit.

Others weren’t so scathing in their reviews of the 26-year-old with many believing he was an absolute waste of talent who probably should have done better with his talents.

Who on earth is that?!?! Can you name all of these obscure January signings?

And in other news, West Brom have just been given a MASSIVE reason to sign Krovinovic…

With pretty much the entire globe in some kind of lockdown at the moment, Premier League players will need to be coming up with new and creative ways to stay fit and maintain their sharpness until normality resumes.

And Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a very inventive idea. He’s jokingly suggested that the wives and girlfriends of the Red Devils’ main goalscorers should be supplying crosses and passes to help the players practice their finishing at home.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

As per Manchester United’s official website, he said: “I’ve been in the garden, with the kids, working on finishing and the strikers should be working on finishing or their movement.

“Most of the players have got good facilities and decent gardens so, hopefully, their wives and girlfriends will be able to put some passes and crosses in.”

Needless to say, the comment has United supporters in absolute stitches, with loads seeming to appreciate the Old Trafford gaffer’s little dose of humour during what is without doubt a very difficult time for Red Devils fans worldwide.

Indeed, the prospect of the likes of Anthony Martial getting his significant other to provide the supply line has really ticked United fans – as you can see below…

Meanwhile, the latest on Mason Greenwood has left Man United fans fuming…

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are intent on giving striker Harry Kane the platform he needs to achieve his trophy ambitions at the club.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the England captain dropped a bit of a bombshell during an Instagram Q&A with Jamie Redknapp on Sunday, via The Guardian, saying that he wouldn’t stay at Spurs for the sake of it if he doesn’t feel they are going in the right direction.

The 26-year-old’s verdict will certainly concern some fans of the north London outfit, however according to a source who has spoken to Football Insider, chairman Daniel Levy isn’t looking to cash in on their talisman anytime soon.

In addition, the same source says that Tottenham intend to hold him to his contract which runs until 2024, and that they are intent on giving him the platform to achieve his trophy ambitions in the capital.

Exciting insight

Following a tough 2019/20 campaign and the latest quotes from Kane, Spurs supporters could do with a boost and this report should provide that.

Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Spurs discussion going on in the Vital Tottenham Forum! Click here to get involved!

The fact that Levy & ENIC have no intention of letting their star centre-forward leave and are seemingly ready to do everything to ensure his ambitions are met has to be a positive sign – especially with someone like Jose Mourinho at the helm, given he has won the Premier League on three occasions and the Champions League twice.

The Portuguese manager will already know that he needs new faces – especially in defensive areas – if Tottenham are to get back to challenging at the very top in the English top flight and in Europe, with The Express reporting in February that he wants to rip up an ageing backline.

Cameo Clubs: Which obscure teams did these football legends play for?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

This latest report suggests that financial backing for the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss could be on the cards sooner rather than later, so there is no danger of Kane going.

Watch this space, then.

In other Tottenham news, Spurs fans have identified the 6 ft 4 colossus they want should Kane end up leaving…

Brendan Rodgers’ time at Celtic ended sourly, but it is worth remembering the amount of good things he achieved in Glasgow.

His move to Leicester City halfway during the previous campaign certainly didn’t go down well with supporters, but he had taken the Bhoys to a double-treble, and his good work allowed Neil Lennon to take over the mantle and secure the third trio of trophies in a row.

Watch Celtic Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

His signing of Moussa Dembele also deserves credit, purely for his foresight. The former France U21 international was signed on a free transfer from Fulham in 2016, and his performances for Celtic convinced Lyon to part with £19.7m for his services just two years later.

In August of 2018, he was worth just £6.3m as per Transfermarkt. Following his most recent valuation update earlier this month, though, his value now stands at a huge £45m – that represents a rise of over 800% in less than 24 months.

Here, we look at three reasons behind that increase…

Lyon move

Dembele’s form during his time in Scotland made him one of the bargains of the century north of the border. In 94 matches, he scored 51 goals, also providing 18 assists along the way. His goal scoring exploits weren’t restricted to the Scottish Premiership either – he scored six goals in 18 Champions League matches, not a bad return at all.

There is only so far you can go at Celtic though – those who want to reach the very top must depart to realise the full extent of their potential.

His move to Lyon meant that he would be playing in front of a far bigger worldwide audience, with his name becoming more well-known.

That, in turn, has only increased his market value.

2019/20 campaign

The 23-year-old’s first year with Les Gones was solid – he scored 20 goals in 46 games in all competitions, but it is this season that has really seen him set his homeland alight. In 42 matches, he already has 22 goals, including 16 in the French top tier – only Kylian Mbappe (18) and Wissam Ben Yedder (18) have managed more.

In such a short amount of time, he has shown that he has the ability to adapt to one of Europe’s top five leagues, and that only pushed his value up.

Man United and Chelsea interest

Whilst Lyon are a big name in France, they lack power on the continent compared to the likes of PSG, for example. As such, their star players will be linked with other sides in the biggest leagues, and Dembele is no different.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea are said to have been interested in him in the past few weeks and months. The latter were said to have made a move for him in January, but their offer was rejected, whilst the former is said to be a dream destination for the striker.

According to Sky Sports, though, Lyon’s sporting director Jean-Michel Aulas wants €100m (£92.3m) for his services – that is some way above his current Transfermarkt valuation.

It’s fair to say David de Gea hasn’t enjoyed the greatest couple of seasons at Manchester United.

The Spain international had been the picture of consistency through the majority of the 2010s, earning multiple nominations to the PFA’s Team of the Year in the Premier League.

Best of the Decade: Top scorers & creators – Can you name them?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

But the last couple of campaigns has seen him form drop off sharply, with numerous games littered with poor goalkeeping mistakes and concentration lapses – you only have to look at his calamity against Everton at Goodison Park earlier this season to see that.

Now, on Duncan Castles’ Transfer Podcast, it has been suggested that United are not happy with the shot-stopper’s form since he signed a new contract, and that the club are open to selling him if they get an offer.

After hearing about the latest update on the future of their current number one, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

One United fan in particular suggested that giving De Gea one last season, before bringing Dean Henderson into the fold could be the way to go.

With Henderson due to return this summer after his second successive loan spell at Sheffield United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer certainly has someone who could fill De Gea’s shoes at Old Trafford almost immediately.

All Henderson needs is an opportunity and a chance to shine, and if De Gea does end up leaving, then United wouldn’t have to look too far to find a replacement for him.

A De Gea exit may not be the biggest disaster in the world this summer.