According to reports in The Times, West Ham United are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy this summer, and Irons fans have been quick to react.
The Times says that the east London outfit are ready to double the 27-year-old’s current £32,000-a-week wages to bring him to the London Stadium, and it is no surprise following an outstanding debut campaign at this level for the 5ft 9in tall Australia international.
Mooy has helped his side take a point away at both Manchester City – where he kept Kevin De Bruyne quiet on the left side of a midfield three in the goalless draw – and Chelsea in the past week to help them preserve their Premier League status for at least another 12 months.
[ad_pod ]
West Ham supporters, who have all picked the same one new manager and signing they want this summer on Twitter, took to social media to give their thoughts on the rumour, and while one said “he’d definitely be our best midfielder”, another was slightly more negative and said “Shelvey is better”.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Hadi Sacko is among a number of Leeds United first-team players that have been left out of the squad that has travelled to Myanmar.
The Championship outfit will take on a Myanmar national league All-Stars XI on Wednesday before facing the national team on Friday.
The trip has been widely criticised, and whilst the likes of Samuel Saiz, Rolando Vieira, Kalvin Phillips, Caleb Ekuban and Luke Ayling have made the trip, a whole host of first-team players have been omitted.
Sacko spent last season on loan at Leeds from Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon, and scored two Championship goals for the club before joining on a permanent deal last summer.
The 24-year-old has struggled to make his mark this term, however, failing to score or register an assist in 14 Championship appearances for the Whites.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Leeds supporters, who have been a frustrated bunch in recent weeks, have offered their views on the Mali international, and it seems that a number want him to be sold in this summer’s transfer window ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Phil Jones has not had the smoothest of rides since joining Manchester United from Blackburn Rovers in 2011.
The 26-year-old was once described by legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as a future England captain, but now, many feel that Jones should not even be in the squad.
This season, the centre-back has made 25 appearances in all competitions, including 23 Premier League starts.
England boss Gareth Southgate opted to include Jones in his squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer, but decided not to name Chris Smalling in the setup.
[ad_pod ]
The 28-year-old has featured 20 more times than his United teammate, but he will not be on the plane to Russia.
During Saturday’s FA Cup final, Jones made a costly error by fouling Eden Hazard in the box to give away a penalty at Wembley.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The playmaker slotted home to give Chelsea a 1-0 win, which was enough to take home the trophy.
On Twitter, plenty of football fans were left questioning why Jones has been selected by England ahead of Smalling.
With the Premier League’s 25-year anniversary season coming to a close, Football FanCast are taking a look back at some of the most exciting and significant fixtures in the competition’s history.
In a match that highlighted the Premier League’s ability to combine the sublime with the ridiculous, Arsenal appeared on course for a romping victory at St. James’ Park as they headed into half time with a 4-0 lead. But then came the Magpies’ incredible comeback…
Seven years ago Newcastle United were, just as they were this season, a newly-promoted side trying to build a stable Premier League team. The rights and wrongs of sacking Chris Hughton in December 2010 notwithstanding, the Magpies were managed by Alan Pardew by the time early February came around. Despite initial unpopularity, the former Southampton manager was given a sporting chance by the sceptical St James’s Park faithful.
It would turn sour – very sour – eventually, but that untenable relationship between manager and fans may have been accelerated if it weren’t for a one day, and one memorable match at home to Arsenal.
Newcastle’s week started badly as Andy Carroll was sold to Liverpool and Shola Ameobi picked up an injury, leaving Pardew to field Leon Best in attack for the visit of second-placed Arsenal who were chasing Manchester United for the title.
It got even worse inside the first ten minutes, when Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and Robin van Persie made it 3-0 to Arsenal, before the Dutchman bagged a second – and his team’s fourth – on 26 minutes.
It was a disaster which, perhaps in hindsight, gave a glimpse of what was to come: Newcastle, who had sacked a manager the fans were behind, had sold their best attacker on deadline day without adequately replacing him, and had one just three games since his dismissal, were now facing utter humiliation in front of their own fans.
A comeback wasn’t evident, either. Half time came and went without a sign of Newcastle life, and it wasn’t until Abou Diaby inexplicably lost his head that the game started to come away from the Gunners’ grip.
It was, naturally, Joey Barton who lit the touch paper. A loose ball in the midfield was pounced upon by both Diaby and the Newcastle midfielder, when the Frenchman saw red: he grabbed Barton by the neck before shoving him to the floor and pushing Kevin Nolan, who had come in to intervene.
At 4-0 up, that’s far from a smart move. Not only did it make life more difficult for an Arsenal side who already lacked leaders in their team, but it rallied the Magpies who started to believe that there was some way back.
Football – Newcastle United v Arsenal – Barclays Premier League – St James’ Park – 11/12 – 13/8/11 Cheick Tiote (C) – Newcastle United in action against Aaron Ramsey (R) and Alex Song – Arsenal Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith NO ONLINE/INTERNET USE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE +44 (0) 207 864 9000.
It would take nearly another 20 minutes for that to come to any sort of fruition: on 68 minutes Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny brought Leon Best down in the box, and Barton fired home to cut the deficit.
Their tails were up, and so was the spikiness. Arsenal’s soft underbelly was ruthlessly exploited by a midfield duo of Barton and Kevin Nolan, who caused the Gunners to lose their heads even more.
A man light, Arsenal succumbed again when Best stepped in front of his man to head the Magpies’ second goal of the game past Wojciech Szczesny in goal. With just seven minutes to hold out, the Gunners failed to hold their nerve as Koscielny again brought down a Newcastle player and referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot once again.
It proved to be a second goal for Barton and the stage was set: not just for a Newcastle comeback, not just for an Arsenal meltdown, but for one of the Premier League’s most memorable strikes.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
As the Gunners dropped deep into their box to defend a lead which had narrowed dramatically, they failed to adequately deal with a free-kick from the left. Headed only as far as Cheick Tiote, the Ivorian lashed a stunning strike into the bottom corner to send a sparsely populated St James’s Park into raptures.
Those who had left their seats did so at half time or in the start of the second half and missed one of the most memorable comebacks of the Premier League era.
But it was to be a fleeting moment of joy in a decade characterised by false dawns for Newcastle. Unable to use that comeback as a springboard, Alan Pardew’s side would win only three more Premier League games all season before shocking the league with a fifth-placed finish the next year: it was to be yet another fleeting period of glory which lasted all too briefly.
Yaya Toure has been making headlines over the last few days due to his controversial comments about Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
The Ivory Coast international, who has picked up 13 trophies in his professional career so far, gave an explosive interview to France Football.
In the piece, the 35-year-old suggested that Guardiola dislikes African players and that the successful coach was “jealous” of the midfielder.
The shocking comments have somewhat tainted Toure’s eight-year spell at the North-West outfit.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]
Now, though, the former Barcelona star is looking for a new club to take him on, and his agent Dimitry Seluk has surprisingly admitted that his client will play for a salary of £1 per week.
While speaking to Sport24, Toure’s representative said:
“At a time when English clubs are spending huge sums of money on players, I officially declare that Yaya is ready to move to any top-six English club as a free agent with a salary of £1 per week. As long as a success-based bonus system is in place.”
These comments have attracted the attention of rival fans, including Tottenham Hotspur’s following.
The supporters have debated whether or not it would be a good move to bring in Toure, despite his controversial antics.
Some deem it a no-brainer, while others think that Spurs are better off without.
Card
Card
Card
Card
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos could be set for an Ibrox exit this summer, with teams from three countries chasing his signature in the upcoming transfer window.
What’s the story?
Morelos has only been at the club for one season but has already been consistently linked with a move away from the Scottish Premiership side, with rumours surfacing in January he was set for a move to China.
That speculation looks guaranteed to rumble on throughout the summer, with The Daily Mail reporting that clubs in France, China and Turkey are all interested in making a £6m move for the player.
The paper reckon that the player’s representatives are bracing themselves for firm offers in the coming weeks.
Is he a player that the Light Blues should be looking to sell ahead of the new season?
[ad_pod ]
Is it time for Morelos to leave?
Having already spent a significant amount of money in the transfer market already, there’s no doubt that a fee like £6m would go a long way to helping Rangers this summer and ultimately that may be the determining factor in whether they sell Morelos or not.
From a purely footballing perspective though it is not time for him to leave yet. His 18 goals of last season were a decent return in his debut season at Ibrox and if Steven Gerrard can inspire the motivation fans hope, surely he will improve again next term?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
That’s the kind of attacking contribution that Rangers can’t afford to give up easily and without a replacement, selling Morelos should be one of the furthest things from their minds over the next few months.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255574″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Four World Cup myths debunked”]
Arsenal fans have made it known numerous times on social media that they want the club to sign a new goalkeeper.
Petr Cech has been the Gunners’ first-choice stopper since his move to the Emirates from Chelsea in 2015.
Last season, though, questions were raised over the Czech’s longevity following a handful of disappointing displays in the Premier League.
The keeper remains one of the best in his field on English shores, but at the age of 36, he is reaching the latter stages of his career.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255574″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Four World Cup myths debunked”]
Now it has emerged that Cech could be considering a move away from the Gunners.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claimed on his official website that Serie A giants Napoli are keen to sign the Arsenal shot-stopper on loan for the season.
The Premier League outfit were recently linked to Bayer Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno, which pours Cech’s future at the club into doubt.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The majority of Arsenal fans, though, believe that their keeper will stay put because he initially chose to stay in London for family reasons.
Others have called on second-string David Ospina to be offloaded instead.
Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.Comment from discussion Di Marzio: Napoli want to take Cech on loan.
Liverpool would be wasting their time if they tried to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg this summer.
What’s the word?
If the media reports are anything to go by, the Reds are in the market for a new attacking midfielder.
Numerous names have been linked to the club, but Jurgen Klopp is yet to bring in another new face in that department.
There is one man who, in the past, has been touted as a potential target for the Merseyside outfit, and that is Leipzig’s Forsberg.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”211761″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch The Most Controversial World Cup Ever”]
In an interview with Fotbollskanalen earlier this week, the Sweden international, who has earned 36 caps for his country, has admitted that he is ready for “the next big step” in his career.
Why should Liverpool steer clear?
Forsberg is certainly talented, but he did not have the best season during the 2017-18 campaign.
For Leipzig, the midfielder scored five goals and created four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old is currently at the World Cup in Russia representing Sweden, and he will hope to attract some suitors in the process.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Liverpool need a more dynamic midfielder, plus they could struggle to land Forsberg given who he currently plays for.
The Merseyside outfit went through a drawn-out saga before finally acquiring the signature of Naby Keita from Leipzig last year.
They do not want to find themselves in a similar position.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was in imperious form at the World Cup on Saturday, helping France into the quarter-finals of the tournament with a 4-3 victory over Argentina.
In what was one of the greatest matches of the summer so far, the French fully deserved their win, with Pogba at the heart of all the action.
He had a tumultuous 2017/18 at club level with the Red Devils, failing to really find his peak form under Jose Mourinho, leading some to question what his long-term future at Old Trafford would be.
However, if he can bring his France form into the new season then there are unlikely to be many critics of his performances.
United supporters were hugely impressed with his showing against Argentina, ramping up their excitement to see him action in 2018/19.
Can the Frenchman show fans why the club paid so much money for him?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
These supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts after Saturday’s display…
This is now a four-match series after the abandonment at the Wanderers left everyone kicking their heels
The Preview by Andrew McGlashan21-Nov-2009
Match facts
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Start time 10.00 (08.00GMT)James Tredwell could leapfrog Adil Rashid for a place in the England side•Getty Images
Big picture
This is now a four-match series after the abandonment at the Wanderers left everyone kicking their heels. The significant development in the last couple of days has been the news of Jacques Kallis’ absence from the series due to a rib fracture, so his partnership with Graeme Smith will be a non-starter.England’s injury situation remains unchanged with Stuart Broad (shoulder) and Graeme Swann (side) already ruled out of the match, but the delayed start to the series will have helped Paul Collingwood and James Anderson recover from their niggles. With the forecast more promising for Sunday’s game, Collingwood should finally have the chance to become England’s most capped ODI player with his 171st appearance, overtaking Alec Stewart’s record.Really, though, it’s as you were in the build-up to the opening match although the rain has taken some of the sting out of the hype. Andrew Strauss won’t mind that, having refused to be drawn into any mind games with the South Africans but, when the action does finally start, the attention will still be on Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott.With one match already gone from the schedule, there is less room for error and therefore even more important to hit the ground running. At least on Saturday the teams were able to train outdoors, and whichever side clicks into gear the quickest after a frustrating few days will be in prime position to take control of the series.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) South Africa – WWLWL England – LLWWW
Team news
With Kallis out of the series, Hashim Amla is set to be given another chance to open alongside Smith, a position he has filled with decent results. South Africa will also have to decide whether to go with a full hand of seamers or play one of their spinners. Without the services of Kallis’ fast bowling and the recent wet weather, the former could be the preferred route.South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 JP Duminy, 5 Alviro Petersen, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Ryan McLaren, 9 Charl Langeveldt, 10 Lonwabo Tsotsobe, 11 Dale SteynEngland may hand an international debut to James Tredwell, who has been called up as cover for Graeme Swann. Quite what Adil Rashid, the second spinner in the original squad, will make of that remains to be seen but Tredwell has the advantage of spinning the ball away from South Africa’s clutch of left handers. However, they too may decide on a full hand of quicks, especially with Collingwood’s troublesome back. The other question is how many batsman to play, and if one misses out it is likely to be Joe Denly.England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Jonathan Trott, 3 Kevin Pietersen, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Luke Wright, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Graham Onions, 11 James Anderson
Watch out for
Kevin Pietersen was called back into action a couple of days early when England were hit by injuries ahead of the second Twenty20, but looked in decent fettle for his 29. The 50-over warm-up against South Africa was more of a struggle as he scratched 4 from 17 balls, but he looks eager to make up for lost time. His three ODI tons in South Africa four years ago are still talked about and England would dearly like to see a return of that free-flowing, care-free Pietersen rather than the mentally strained and restrained figure that has been on show for much of 2009.JP Duminy‘s international numbers are already impressive and an ODI average of 37.57 indicates his talent. However, against England, he has struggled to make a mark with 88 runs in six matches with a best of 24. The South African management are giving him the chance to build an innings by promoting him to No 4, and with the absence of Kallis now is the time for Duminy to repay that faith.James Anderson…but not for his bowling. If he gets his turn to bat, Anderson will use the Mongoose bat which made much fanfare last season. It has a shorter blade and longer handle – meaning, in theory, better striking power – and Jimmy has got his hands on one. Without being too harsh, it might be a little wasted.
Stats and trivia
Collingwood, as well as being one away from an England cap record, also needs three wickets to reach 100 in ODIs
Quotes
“I was actually organising a trip to India for the start of December, so they had to tell me pretty sharpish so that I didn’t put my passport in for a visa.”