Mauricio Pochettino has been influential in Tottenham Hotspur’s rise in the Premier League and Europe.
The Argentine took over at the North London outfit in 2014 after leaving Southampton, and in the last two seasons he has guided the club to third and second in the top flight respectively.
In the current campaign, the title looks beyond them as Manchester City have a 16-point lead over the rest of the pack.
In the Champions League, though, Tottenham are impressing having already held their own against Real Madrid in the group stage.
On Tuesday night, the team came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Italian giants Juventus thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
According to The Telegraph, the club are keen to tie Pochettino down to a new contract, which will include a pay rise, if the Argentine snubs interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
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The publication claims that Tottenham are keen for the manager to take the team into next season when they move into a state-of-the-art new stadium.
Fans have been giving their reactions to the news about Pochettino’s future.
According to Tuttojuve (via talkSPORT), Everton target Stefano Sturaro will have his future at Juventus ‘assessed’ in the coming months.
What’s the Story?
Speaking to the media in Italy, Stefano Sturaro’s agent Carlo Volpi has clarified his client’s position in Turin, following links with a move to Everton, stating;
“It’s only natural that Sturaro wants to play more, and there are several clubs that want him, but the lad is currently focused on the competitions he’s playing in and not the transfer market. Everything will be assessed during the final stretch of the season. Juventus, in these three-and-a-half years, have never mentioned the possibility of moving him on. Never. Until now…”
During the January transfer window, Everton had an approach for Sturaro rejected by Juventus. However, these latest comments could entice the Toffees to make a fresh bid for the Italian in the summer.
Would Sturaro be a good replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin?
Poor form, a substantial wage and a reported lack of effort in training has made Morgan Schneiderlin a decidedly unpopular figure at Goodison Park this season. The 28-year-old was roundly booed by Toffees fans during a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month.
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While Everton boss Sam Allardyce has defended the former Manchester United midfielder, his time on Merseyside could be over sooner rather than later.
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And if Blues fans are looking for a determined, committed, strong and passionate replacement, they should look no further than Stefano Sturaro.
The 24-year-old, who is valued at £8.1million by Transfermarkt, is improving with every passing season and should be considered by Everton in the summer, whether Schneiderlin is still part of the squad or not.
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed a contract extension at Manchester United in the summer, many fans hoped that the striker would play an important role in the season.
However, since returning from a knee injury in November, the 36-year-old has struggled for game time, mainly because of fitness issues.
There were concerns that the injury that he suffered towards the end of last season would end his career.
Even though the former Sweden international fought back to return to action, he has struggled to regain form.
In fact, Ibrahimovic has not played for United since Boxing Day and there no return date has been set.
Due to the forward’s limited minutes, assumptions have been made that the former Barcelona forward would be on his way out of the Old Trafford exit gates this summer.
Mourinho has all but confirmed that Ibrahimovic will not be a Red Devil next season.
During the Portuguese coach’s press conference, the manager told reporters:
“For Zlatan, we all think it’s his last season at Manchester United and it will be a very personal decision for him to play or to stop. I think he won the right of choosing his life and his future – he’s such an amazing player with such an amazing career that only that awful injury in the wrong moment broke a fantastic couple of seasons that he could, and should, have with us.”
United fans have been reacting to the news on Twitter.
Chelsea took on Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, knowing their final chance of claiming silverware this season was on the line at the King Power Stadium against a side with an impressive track record against the Premier League’s top clubs.
The Blues required extra time to get the job done. Alvaro Morata’s opening goal was cancelled out in the 76th minute when Jamie Vardy had the last kick in a goalmouth scramble, leaving substitute Pedro to grab the winner late on.
Morata impressed against the Foxes, getting on the scoresheet and often causing Leicester problems with his movement in the final third. But N’Golo Kante – who Transfermarkt value at £54million – was arguably Chelsea’s biggest influence on the match, keeping things solid in the engine room while creating two chances and completing four dribbles.
So, was the Frenchman Chelsea’s best player against Leicester? Let us know by taking part in the poll below and giving each player involved a performance rating out of ten…
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Leeds fans have been crucifying Caleb Ekuban on social media after the striker’s goalscoring drought continued against Sheffield Wednesday.
Leeds fell to yet another defeat on Saturday, as two second half goals from Atdhe Nuhiu meant the visitors left Elland Road with all three points, leaving Leeds with just one point from their last four matches. In fact, Leeds are now bottom of the form table since Boxing Day, one point below Sunderland.
Caleb Ekuban was given the nod ahead of Pierre-Michel Lasogga on Saturday, and needless to say fans were not particularly impressed by the 23 year-old’s performance.
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Ekuban scored 17 goals in 34 league appearances in Albania last season, but has failed to find a league goal yet for Leeds. The pacey striker has put in plenty of effort since arriving, but two foot injuries in the first half of the season set him back quite considerably.
He has now started the last two for Leeds, but his goalscoring woes have continued. Ekuban had two fantastic chances in the first half against Wednesday but couldn’t find the net, before getting his feet tangled and spurning a great chance after the break.
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Many fans have called for Pierre-Michel Lasogga to return to the line-up, or to at least try starting both strikers. Lasogga is likely to return from his loan spell this summer though, and it seems Leeds are preparing for life without the big German by sticking with Ekuban.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Manchester United produced a stunning second half comeback on Saturday to prevent rivals Manchester City winning the title at their expense, winning 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium.
In a much hyped English Premier League encounter, the pressure was on United to prevent their supporters suffering more heartbreak than necessary this season by conceding the title race in a head-to-head match with Pep Guardiola’s outfit.
Two goals down at the interval, supporters worst fears looked like they would be realised but Jose Mourinho’s side scored three second half goals to put a smile on every fan’s face.
Paul Pogba stole the headlines with two of the three goals but it was another player that supporters were quick to praise – Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean had a hand in all three goals, directly assisting the equaliser and winner.
It was the kind of performance that demonstrated why the club were so eager to sign him in January.
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Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his display…
According to Football London, Spurs are eying up a £50million summer swoop for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
What’s the word?
De Ligt has been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs over the international break, and now Football London claims that Spurs have added their name to the list.
Toby Alderweireld is looking increasingly likely to leave the club this summer, and Mauricio Pochettino has lined up the young Dutchman as his replacement.
De Ligt became the youngest player to ever captain Ajax this season, the 18 year-old has started 28 league games for the Dutch giants.
Arsenal have also been heavily linked with the young centre back.
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Good replacement for Alderweireld?
No fan wants to lose a player like Toby Alderweireld, especially given the severe shortage of top quality centre backs on the market, but Matthijs de Ligt is the closest Spurs could possibly get to a perfect replacement.
18 year-old de Ligt has already earned five caps for the Netherlands, and looked calm and composed when paired with the likes of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk over the international break.
Valued at £21.8million by Transfermarkt, de Ligt has three league goals and an assist this term, but has really wowed spectators with his defensive capabilities. The young centre back averages one tackle, 1.8 interceptions and 4.4 clearances per game, as well as boasting an 89.2% pass success rate.
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De Ligt has played in a back three and a back four this season, making him a perfect fit for Tottenham. Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez could continue as part of a back four while the young defender adjusts to his surroundings, and Pochettino’s versatility and flexibility would certainly find the right fit for the young defender.
On top of all this, it would be a great opportunity for Spurs to get one over on their North London rivals, who also fancy the 18 year-old.
Spurs fans, should de Ligt replace Alderweireld? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Everton fans are all saying the same thing about the latest comments on Cenk Tosun – that being a good finisher doesn’t matter if you never get any chances.
While the mood around Goodison Park right now is pretty pessimistic, fans are certainly excited about the arrival and form of Cenk Tosun.
The Turkish striker moved to Merseyside in January, and has now scored four times in six games after a difficult bedding in period.
Fans are desperate to see some more attacking football from their Toffees, and the arrival of Tosun has certainly played its part in a couple of vital wins.
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Still, fans are fed up with Sam Allardyce and his rather negative brand of football, and they aren’t happy with Duncan Ferguson’s comments on the Turkish striker.
“He’s a finisher. I’ve worked with players before…and he’s a finisher. You know, in the main, if he gets a chance, he’ll stick it in,” the former Toffees’ front man said.
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While Ferguson is somewhat exempt from criticism, fans certainly aren’t holding back on their side’s style of play, pointing out that the “finisher” needs more chances to try and finish.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Leeds fans have finally got some good news to look forward to, as Paul Heckingbottom confirmed Luke Ayling is back in training.
Plenty of things have gone wrong at Elland Road this season, but one of the overriding problems at the club has been injuries.
Players like Tyler Roberts and Aapo Halme were signed in January despite already having injury concerns, and at this point it’s easier to ask which Leeds players haven’t been injured this season than which ones have.
Luke Ayling’s ankle injury was a huge blow to the season, and the side has looked much worse defensively without the 26 year-old.
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Matthew Pennington filled in at right back last weekend against Barnsley, and Stuart Dallas hasn’t exactly impressed in his short stint at the back before that.
Ayling’s return will be a huge boost for Heckingbottom’s side going into next season, as it is no coincidence his injury coincided with the total loss of form after Christmas.
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With nothing really left to play for, it is probably unlikely that he’ll play too much before the end of the season, but nonetheless fans are excited about the return of the right back.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Southampton boosted their chances of preserving their Premier League status for at least another year as they beat Bournemouth 2-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday.
The south coast outfit came into the clash with their local neighbours four points from safety with just four fixtures remaining, and with just one win in their last 21 top flight matches and no league victory on their own patch since November.
However, Mark Hughes’ men got over the line against the Cherries to take themselves to within one point of safety ahead of another huge encounter against Everton at Goodison Park next weekend.
Should they stay up, big changes are expected at the south coast this summer with vice-chairman Les Reed, whom the St Mary’s faithful on Twitter want out, and chairman Ralph Krueger potentially departing, while Hughes currently only has a contract until the end of the campaign.
Many of the first-team players may also look to move on at the end of the season to pastures new, in what could be yet another huge overhaul of the playing staff for Saints.
Here are three Southampton players that will surely leave this summer, even if the club avoids relegation…
Even though the England international was showing signs of decline under Claude Puel last season, the club obviously only saw it as a blip as they handed him a new five-year contract during the summer.
While the 30-year-old started the campaign during the sticks, he continued to struggle for form and was dropped in place of Alex McCarthy following a 5-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day, not playing a single minute since then.
It seems that the club doesn’t see a future for him at St Mary’s and the player will be feeling the same way, and you would expect another Premier League club to take him this summer.
The England international has been one of Southampton’s best and most consistent performers over the course of the last four seasons, and when many other players have chosen to leave, the former Chelsea man has remained at St Mary’s.
While the stand-in Saints captain certainly hasn’t been at his best this term – like many of his teammates – he will still be a target for many of the top Premier League teams this summer down to the fact that he is left-footed and proven at this level, and it would certainly be a surprise if he isn’t one of the first out of the door in the summer if the south coast outfit do survive.
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Following a brilliant start to his Southampton career, Gabbiadini has suffered something of a nightmare over the course of the last 12 months.
The Italy international is devoid of any confidence right now, and has struggled to even get on the pitch in 2018 under Mauricio Pellegrino and then Mark Hughes.
It was something of a surprise that he didn’t return to Italy during the January transfer window, and it seems certain that he will finally be on his way this summer, whatever the outcome of the south coast outfit’s season is.