All posts by z3u9t.icu

Video assistant referee hasn’t made any friends after another eventful weekend in the Premier League.Leaving Jurgen Klopp on the verge of self-combustion, after Marcus Rashford’s goal was allowed to stand despite a dubious tackle on Divock Origi in the build-up, VAR was up to no good again during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool.Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Later in the game, Liverpool found themselves on the wrong end a VAR decision after Sadio Mane was deemed to have handled the ball before putting the ball past David de Gea. When the ‘no goal’ decision was announced, the roar from the Old Trafford crowd was as loud as it had been when Rashford bagged the opener.

Unlike a broken clock, which is occasionally right, Piers Morgan typically bounces between ‘wrong’ and ‘very wrong’. In his latest tweet, he might – for once – have had a valid point…

Morgan aiming for nibbles as per but perhaps with some justification.

Next weekend, Barcelona are travelling away to Sevilla and to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium for an often tricky fixture.

But it seems that a game that was already bound to be rather difficult just became even worse.

The news has broken that Mateu Lahoz will be officiating that clash between the two big Spanish teams, and it instantly ruined the day of many Barca fans.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Last time these two sides faced off with Lahoz blowing the whistle, the game ended 4-2 in Barcelona’s favour but the referee was throwing out cards for fun – seven in total.

Many of the Blaugrana fans seem to believe he will be their downfall in next weekend’s match and some seem to be pretty sure that Barcelona will, in fact, drop points against Sevilla.

One fan was even asking for the game to be forfeited since he can’t see his team winning it now that Lahoz is in charge.

You can see some of their reactions down in the tweets below:

It has been a fantastic start to his maiden season as Chelsea’s number nine for Tammy Abraham, and it’s been so good that talk of him replacing Harry Kane in England’s starting XI has emerged on social media.

The 21-year-old has scored nine goals in his first nine games in all competitions after being the given the opportunity to impress by new boss Frank Lampard.

After scoring 26 goals for Aston Villa in the Championship last season, he deserved his chance to shine, and he has taken it with both hands.

Who has been the most improved player in the EPL this season? Find out in the video below…

Of course, Harry Kane is the number one choice for Gareth Southgate, and rightly so. He is the captain, and has 26 goals in 41 games so far for the Three Lions. As such, he should start both games as England look to secure qualification for next year’s tournament.

However, it seems not everyone agrees.

A lot of England fans actually want the youngster to take the Tottenham forward’s place in the starting line-up.

They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Virgil van Dijk is a target of both Real Madrid and Barcelona according to AS, who also suggest that they may need to appoint Jurgen Klopp if the Dutchman is to be persuaded by a move away.

What’s the word?

AS report that neither Zinedine Zidane nor Ernesto Valverde are particularly comfortable in their current roles after slow starts to the season, and have pointed to Klopp as a man who would be well-suited to either role.

Both teams are said to like the centre-back, who is amongst the favourites for the Ballon d’Or and considered one of the best defenders in the world after being named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.

Big club mentality

Klopp, who has built his team into world-beaters and likely views a Premier League title as a crowning glory on his time on Merseyside, is showing no desire to leave Merseyside anytime soon.

The German has suggested he wants to stay at the club and has even hinted that he will take a sabbatical at the end of his Liverpool contract – which expires in 2022.

With that in mind, it’s unlikely that either of the Spanish giants will be able to lure him away from his current role anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the fact van Dijk joined the Reds in a deal worth £75m in 2018 is telling. Spanish clubs have showcased their prowess and desirability in the transfer market before, securing deals for the likes of Xabi Alonso, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, but it seems that the landscape is changing.

Those three players were signed by Liverpool for £10.5m, £22.7m and £8.5m respectively, fees that were small enough to lend rival clubs reason to believe that they could be acquired; those suspicions, clearly, were based on solid grounds.

But the gargantuan size of van Dijk’s initial transfer fee combined with the perpetual rise of his standing in the game and Liverpool’s recent Champions League win will collectively serve to push his valuation into astronomical territory.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have showcased a willingness to spend huge figures for the right players in the past but, with the prospect of a first Premier League title a genuine possibility for van Dijk, it’s difficult to envisage a scenario in which he is willing to walk away from Merseyside.

It’s impossible to conclude by stating that two of Liverpool’s most integral – if not the most integral – figures will definitely remain at the club, but the current circumstances hardly lend themselves to a stunning double swoop.

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It’s hard to not sympathise with Grealish a little bit after this post.

Despite the Gunners being reduced to ten men, Dean Smith’s side failed to pick up any points against the London club.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Grealish says that he doesn’t know how Villa came away from the game without getting at least a draw, and you can understand why he’s so dumbfounded.

The Villans were also denied a late penalty, and if it weren’t for a few errors at the back they’d have picked up all three points against the London club.

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Arsenal fell to a 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night in an FA cup fourth round clash.

The Gunners have been dumped out of the cup, and also saw centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis forced off the pitch with injuries. In his post-match press conference (arsenal.com), Unai Emery could not be certain as to the extent of these injuries, but both could certainly be absent for Tuesday’s Premier League meeting with Cardiff City.

If Sokratis and Koscielny are to be on the treatment table with fellow defenders Rob Holding (arsenal.com) and Hector Bellerin (Sky Sports), then Emery will have to devise a plan for protecting his weakened rearguard.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video below to see for yourself…

On the chalkboard

Arsenal need to pack their midfield in deep areas to ensure they win the battle against Cardiff in the middle of the park. In doing so, they shall also offer their defence a much-needed layer of protection.

Emery employed this tactic for his side’s recent 2-0 triumph over Chelsea. On that occasion, he fielded a central trio of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. The same three ought to be called on again to reprise this system against the Bluebirds.

Emery has taken stick for setting his side up too defensively at times this season, and fans may not want to see three defensive midfielders start at home against a side locked in a relegation battle, but the boss simply must protect whatever makeshift back four he selects.

Maintaining an edge

Packing the midfield does mean that Arsenal lose a man from their attack. However, Emery ought to be able to place his faith in the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to be able to find a way through Cardiff anyway.

What’s more, playing with three deep midfielders, all offering cover for any vacated spaces at the back, gives the Gunners’ full-backs license to push forward into attacking areas with security. Sead Kolasinac can then be effective for Arsenal in the final third, ensuring that Emery’s side maintain their attacking edge despite being an attacker short. 

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Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly waiting to see what sort of market there is for him before signing a new contract with Arsenal.

What’s the story?

Earlier on this year, the France international was said to be of interest to FC Barcelona. Whilst nothing came of that speculation, it could have played on the mind of the 27-year-old.

It is being reported that the former Lyon forward is waiting to see what the market for him is next summer before committing to a new contract with the north London outfit.

“They have the bigger mentality” – Spurs fans come to blows after the North London Derby in the video below…

Lack of playing time

It has been a good start to the season for Lacazette, and he has once again shown exactly what he is capable of. In his first three Premier League games, he has scored twice and notched up an average WhoScored rating of 7.14. His performance against Tottenham, in particular, galvanised his side as they recovered from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point.

There is a possibility he will be frustrated at the Emirates Stadium, and that is down to a lack of playing time. Last season, he started just 27 league games, and has already been dropped for once this term, against Liverpool of all teams.

Quite frankly, Lacazette is too good to be on the bench. Last season, he scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions, despite starting just 36 matches. If that fixture against the Reds is anything to go by, he may once again be used sparingly this time around.

As such, he may be looking to move on to another top side in a bid to start more regularly, and there are a number of clubs in the Champions League who would surely be willing to take him. After all, he is a top class player. If he wants to keep him in north London, Emery should think about giving him a bigger role.

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West Ham United are continuing to push hard to sign Sheffield Wednesday starlet Bailey Cadamarteri.

What’s the story?

According to recent claims from The Star, the likes of Brentford and David Moyes’ side have been scouting the 16-year-old forward, and there has now been an update on that transfer race.

The report said: “If it was up to the Hammers, then the talented teen would be on his way down south in the future, with David Moyes’ side believed to be extremely keen on trying to sign him.

“The Star understands that the London-based outfit have already made enquiries about the striker as they seek to tempt him further south, however indications are that the forward is happy where he is and is eager to keep progressing at the club with whom he’s been since he was just nine-years-old.”Moyes would love him

Despite only being 16, the young striker has caught the eye for the Owls’ under-18s and under-23 sides, and he netted a superb hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Ipswich Town last season.

His father Danny, who of course has had Premier League experience himself having played for the likes of Everton, Fulham and Sheffield United, spoke to The Star about his son’s potential, saying: “It’s great for him, and physically he can cope because he’s quite a big boy for his age. It’s nice experience for him.

“He started to get a bit more credit for his own performances then, rather than people thinking it was because of me.”

At just 16, Cadamarteri is very much an exciting young attacker who would be one for the future at the London Stadium, but Moyes would certainly be delighted to get him in through the door and shore up the Hammers’ future up front.

While Hammers fans may not see Cadamarteri really come into his own any time soon were he to make the move down south, he could develop even quicker and realise his potential with the help of the Hammers’ Premier League-quality coaches and staff.

Meanwhile, West Ham have made this predator their main transfer target…

A major Newcastle United transfer claim has been made over their chances to sign Ousmane Dembele…

What’s the talk?

According to AS, sources close to Barcelona have claimed that he is closing in on a transfer to PSG and is ‘guaranteed’ to sign a contract with the French giants this summer.

His deal with the La Liga outfit expires at the end of the current campaign and he is now set to leave for £0, with the Magpies being one of the teams linked with a swoop to snap him up for nothing.

Shocker

PIF are heading for a major shocker over Dembele as missing out on being able to sign him on a free transfer would be a huge blow.

The France international would be a sensational signing for Eddie Howe’s team and the Saudi Arabian consortium must attempt to hijack this move by convincing him to make the switch to the Premier League. He has been in sensational form of late for Xavi’s side and is showing the kind of form that would make him a fan favourite at St. James’ Park.

In La Liga this season, he has averaged an incredible SofaScore rating of 7.62. He has produced a stunning ten direct goal contributions in 12 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing nine assists from the right wing.

His former teammate Lionel Messi previously called him a “phenomenon” and Barcelona club president Joan Laporta once claimed “he is better than Mbappe” – highlighting how highly he is rated by people who have seen him up close in the flesh on a regular basis. 

His form in the Spanish top-flight shows that he is starting to live up to the hype around his hype as he has been a consistent creative threat for the Catalan giants. He has created 2.3 chances per game in La Liga and provided his teammates with eight ‘big chances’, despite only starting eight matches.

The forward is also still in the early parts of his career, at the age of 24, and has the potential to continually improve over time. Therefore, PIF are set to miss out on a gem who can make a huge impact in the short term and a player they could potentially sell on for a huge profit in the future, which is why this looks set to be a big shocker from the owners in the summer.

AND in other news, Sold for £30m, now worth £13.5m: Ashley played a blinder for NUFC over £83k-p/w flop…

Craig Hope has delivered a major injury update on Newcastle United star Callum Wilson, and the impact it could have on the club’s plans for the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Writing initially on Twitter, he said: “Callum Wilson will have further scans this week to determine full extent & nature of calf/Achilles injury that could change NUFC transfer priorities. Hierarchy hoping for good news but early thoughts of 6 weeks have made way for concern it could be longer.”

Then, in a follow-up article for The Daily Mail, he added: “Sportsmail understands they are yet to determine exactly how long the 29-year-old will be absent but further tests will give a more definitive timeframe and what treatment is required.

“There is also a danger the injury has affected his Achilles, and the prognosis will have a significant bearing on the club’s transfer business this month.”

Big blow for Newcastle

The former Bournemouth striker has been a rare shining light for Newcastle over the past year or so and marked his debut campaign for the Magpies last season with 12 goals in just 26 Premier League games despite struggling for consistent action through injury.

This season has been a similar story for the England international, scoring six goals in 15 top-flight outings but spending the early part of the campaign out with a hamstring injury.

The £18m-rated Wilson has earned rave reviews in his time playing in the Premier League though, with Howe, who of course managed him at Bournemouth too, particularly fulsome in his praise of the centre-forward.

The Magpies boss said: “He is an outstanding player with unique attributes for us. He has that ability to run in behind and he’s got the work ethic off the ball and, of course, he knows where the goal is.”

News that Wilson’s injury could be worse than initially feared is sure to come as devastating news for Newcastle and the club’s fans, who have pinned their hopes on him to be the man to lead them away from the prospect of relegation.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United have held talks with this director of football candidate…