All posts by n8rngtd.top

According to Spanish outlet La Grada Online, Aston Villa are interested in signing Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca.

What’s the word?

Following Espanyol’s relegation to the second tier of Spanish football last season, it looks as though they are willing to let Roca go before the transfer window deadline on Monday.

La Grada Online claims that Roca has been granted permission to miss training in order to avoid any potential injuries, and that his club are hoping to get around £10m for his sale.

Villa’s own Xabi Alonso

Whilst Espanyol may have gone down last season, Roca, a Spain U21 international, was one of the shining lights of their campaign. A tough-tackling holding midfielder, the 23-year-old blends his physical style with a touch of class whilst on the ball.

As per Whoscored, he averaged an impressive 2.3 tackles per game in La Liga – a stat that ranked him 11th among all players in the division – and boasted an average of 47.7 passes per match.

Spanish football expert and pundit, Guillem Balague, raved about his abilities a couple of seasons ago, saying: “He is very good, his braveness, he’s not scared, he goes box to box but can also play positional football. He’s got quality as not too much a holding midfielder, but in front of the holding midfielder. He’s a big Espanyol fan, so I hope he remains at the club.”

With Espanyol seemingly keen on letting him go, Roca’s stay at the club may not be for much longer. And when you look at the kind of player he could develop into at Villa, then Dean Smith may be onto the club’s own Xabi Alonso.

The former Liverpool man was a typical Spanish play-maker, dictating things from deeper in midfield, and being capable of pinging 60-yard diagonal balls. Roca himself has previously admitted to idolising Alonso, saying: “From a very young age, I wanted to be like him. He’s an amazing player, and I hope one day to get close to what he did because I think he’s one of the best midfielders in history.”

Villa could land a major coup by signing him before Monday.

Former Everton defender Luke Garbutt has officially signed for Blackpool on a one-year deal.

The 27-year-old joins the Seasiders after being released from his boyhood club in the summer. He will be managed by former Liverpool under-23 coach Neil Critchley in their bid to improve on last season’s 13th-placed finish in League One.

Blackpool announced their new signing by using an inside joke that a lot of Everton fans have appreciated. Their screenshot of Carlo Ancelotti during a recent press conference comes from his reaction when asked about Garbutt.

The left-back departed the Merseyside outfit earlier this year after 11 years and the Blues boss was asked about his decision to release him. However, Ancelotti was none the wiser of the situation and simply replied by saying: “Who?”

Many Toffees fans are loving Blackpool’s tongue-in-cheek tweet and have flocked to the comments to applaud the joke. One fan has said the announcement is ‘brilliant’, whilst another thinks that the Seasiders’ media team is ‘class’.

Read more replies from the Goodison faithful below:

Everton fans, what do you think of Blackpool’s announcement? Join the conversation in the comments below!

Jurgen Klopp is said to be confident in his current first team selection despite the lack of senior signings made during the transfer window. 

According to James Pearce (relayed via @LFCTransferRoom), the German feels he has not got much wrong when it comes to leading the club. Klopp is not worried over Liverpool’s extremely quiet business compared to the likes of Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The Reds have only signed left-back Kostas Tsimikas, who will serve as a back-up to Andy Robertson this season. Despite the major links between the Merseyside outfit and Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara, no official moves have been made.

These comments haven’t gone down well with Liverpool fans, who are slamming Fenway Sports Group for not putting their hands in their pockets and backing their manager. It isn’t the first time supporters have lashed out at the club’s owners for their lack of new signings.

One fan has complained that Liverpool ‘can’t compete with the likes of Everton’ without first offloading senior personnel in order to make up funds. Their Merseyside rivals recently welcomed Brazilian midfielder Allan to the club for a fee of £21million (via BBC Sport).

Read more replies from the Twitter selection here:

Do you think Liverpool will make any more signings this summer window? Have your say in the comments below…

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has delivered a new update on Leeds United and the potential investment from QSI.

What did he say?

One of the main talking points surrounding the Whites over these past few months in particular, has been the link between the club and Qatar Sports Investment – the group behind French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…

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

Now, Hay has sought to clarify those rumours, and insisted that despite all the talk, it’s something that’s unlikely to come to fruition. He said: “The QSI link has been odd. It’s clear that there’s a relationship between Andrea Radrizzani and Nasser Al-Khelaifi but for all the talk, it doesn’t go anywhere. QSI has never done due diligence or made a concerted effort to buy in — and whenever you talk to Leeds about it, they always say that further investment from the San Francisco 49ers is far more realistic.

“That was borne out a couple of weeks ago by Paraag Marathe (one of the 49ers’ executives) admitting that the NFL franchise would like to increase its minority stake. What I can’t envisage is a three-way split of shares between Radrizzani, the 49ers and QSI. I don’t see how that works.”

All talk from QSI

With Leeds securing their return to the riches of the Premier League, Andrea Radrizzani will surely want to see the club become a force in the top-flight once again.

As Hay even suggests, it seems rather illogical for both QSI and the 49ers to enter into a “three-way split” with Radrizzani, and dilute the kind of money that the latter could make just by himself or with one other investment partner.

The club’s Premier League status no doubt has made it much more of a lucrative and attraction proposition for those looking to buy in, but it is difficult to see how Radrizzani may benefit from someone else coming in just when the good times look set to get started.

Talk about rounding off the campaign in style. After clinching automatic promotion last week, Leeds romped to a 4-0 victory over Charlton in their final Championship game of the season.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were in celebratory mood at Elland Road, and delivered the kind of vintage attacking performance that has been the hallmark of their impressive campaign.

Goals from Ben White, Stuart Dallas, Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton sealed a comprehensive victory for the Whites, but one man in particular proved once again why he is one of Bielsa’s personal favourites.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…

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

Dallas has been the ever-reliable figure in this Leeds starting eleven, playing numerous different positions, and never really letting the side down. He missed just the one Championship game all season, and played in five different roles, including both full-back positions and central midfield too.

It was no surprise that earlier this campaign, Bielsa waxed lyrical about the 29-year-old, saying: “It’s not usual to find a player like that. He can play on both sides, even if he’s right-footed. He has the agility of a winger and is powerful as a defender. Technically, he’s a complete player. He has enough aerial play to play on every level of the pitch. Even if he’s a player of the sides, when he has to play in the centre he doesn’t have problems.”

And against Charlton on Wednesday night, Dallas was every bit of the all-action star that Leeds have come to know and love.

As per Sofascore, aside from scoring his goal, the versatile ace had four attempts on goal, a 100% dribble success rate, 85 touches and provided four key passes. Not to mention the fact he also contributed defensively too, making one tackle and one interception a piece, and making three clearances.

Dallas is Leeds’ Swiss army knife, capable of doing multiple things very well. The kind of under-rated player that you can reliably build a side with, knowing you’ll get a consistent standard of performance from them week-in and week-out.

Sunderland Ladies could face competition from rivals Newcastle United as they hope to sign Middlesbrough duo Olivia Watt and Emily Scarr.

With the coronavirus pandemic bringing a premature end to the 2019/20 Women’s National League North season, Sunderland will now look to next term to see if they secure the league title.

Having been 11 points clear at the top of the table when the league was abandoned, the Black Cats’ ladies’ side were unfortunate not to secure the title and it looks as though plans are now being put in to place to ensure that they seal it in the 2020/21 season.

Sunderland Echo have reported that 23-year-old right-back Watt, who began her career at the club, is ‘almost certain’ to seal a return, having played for ‘Boro over the last few seasons.

Meanwhile, Emily Scarr is also said to be on the radar of Sunderland, having impressed for Middlesbrough on 16 occasions this term in which she scored six times. A potential move for the 20-year-old, however, could be halted as rivals Newcastle have now been linked with interest.

It looks likely that former Wearsiders player Watt will return to the club this summer, but Scarr’s potential arrival could be a slightly more complicated deal,which may involve a heated transfer battle between Sunderland and Newcastle.

The unfortunate turn of events this season saw Sunderland miss out on the title and the potential additions of Watt and Scarr would seemingly make them favourites to ensure that the league is unequivocally won next term.

Do you think Sunderland can sign the ‘Boro duo? Let us know in the comments section below…

Loads of Tottenham Hotspur fans are buzzing after an interview with Gareth Bale was shared by Daily Hotspur on their Twitter page.

The former Lilywhites man referred to himself as a Spurs fan when asked what it was like watching the Champions League final against Liverpool last year, branding it a bit disappointing.

The north London club were defeated 2-0 by the Reds with goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi sinking the Spurs ship on the night.

Indeed, Bale was watching his old side suffer but it is his comments that have given THFC supporters a buzz.

The 30-year old became a fan favourite at White Hart Lane, scoring 56 goals and providing 58 assists in 203 appearances in all competitions across six seasons with the club, according to Transfermarkt.

He broke many supporter’s hearts by moving to Real Madrid, and has since netted 105 times and made 67 assists in 249 games in all competitions for Los Blancos, as per the website.

Nevertheless, these fans were buzzing when they heard his comments, with some predicting a return to Tottenham:

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

Liverpool fans have been reacting to a massive bombshell on Twitter this week after fresh reports emerged from France over the possibility of replacing one star with another.

According to Le 10 Sport, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp contacted the father of PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe in a bid to convince the forward to move to Anfield, but only if Sadio Mane departs the club for Real Madrid.

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%

The Frenchman is still yet to extend his contract in Paris beyond the 2022 campaign with his camp postponing talks for at least a year, although it’s also claimed that only a select few would be able to compete with the fee the Ligue 1 outfit would command – expected to be in excess of €200m (£175m).

Mane has been linked with a summer switch to La Liga for most of the season with The Sun recently suggesting the above situation could indeed follow suit.

There have been many mixed feelings amongst the Anfield fanbase, here’s what has been said…

AND in other news, Liverpool’s 20 biggest flops of the Premier League era

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

A recent report from Interlive.it suggests that Manchester City are among the giant clubs seeking the signature of Lautaro Martinez.

Reports from Calciomercato last month (via Sport Witness) stated how Pep Guardiola has looked towards Martinez as a replacement for the 32-year-old Sergio Aguero.

Now, Interlive.it have reported that that City are willing to send Gabriel Jesus the other way in a part-exchange deal for the Inter Milan forward. It is believed that the Brazilian is seeking a new adventure away from the Premier League.

Martinez has been in great form for the Italian giants so far, helping Inter get just one point behind champions and league leaders Juventus. The Argentine has eight goals in all competitions – only Romelu Lukaku has more with nine.

If he’s anything like Tevez, he’s a must

Last year, former City man Carlos Tevez heaped the praise on the young striker saying Inter will ‘love him’.

The ex-Sky Blues hitman told Corriere della Sera (via Football Italia): “What a player he is.

“He’s hungry, ruthless and technically gifted. He reminds me of myself a few years ago. Of the young Argentines, he is by far the best and can get even better.

“Inter pulled off a coup by signing him. They’ll love him.”

Tevez was one of the first superstars for City during the early days after Sheikh Mansour’s takeover. The forward’s shock transfer from across the red side of Manchester proved to be a great signing, as he bagged 23 goals in his first season.

In total, the bulldog-like Tevez would score 73 times for City and if Martinez is anything like his compatriot, Guardiola could have an almighty player on his hands.

His strong and agile approach was on display when he scored against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in a Champions League group stage clash in October, and he has shown that Tevez-esque style during his time at Inter Milan.

Tevez’s glowing verdict combined with Martinez’s record in Italy suggests he would be a great signing for City if they can pull it off.

Morgan Schneiderlin made just his seventh Premier League appearance of the season on Saturday as Everton took on Southampton.

The midfielder had played in five straight league defeats earlier this season – featuring in the losses to Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Manchester City and Burnley.

The Toffees did beat Wolverhampton Wanderers during that run but Schneiderlin was an unused substitute in the 3-2 success.

As a result, the 29-year-old’s record for Everton this season is pretty disastrous.

He was included in the XI against Southampton, though, and ended up playing the full 90 minutes as Marco Silva’s side recorded a 2-1 win.

According to WhoScored, the former Manchester United midfielder won two tackles and two aerial duels, whilst his pass success rate was at 86%.

Watch Everton Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Some Everton fans were pleased with what they saw from Schneiderlin on the afternoon, although that was not an opinion shared by everyone.

A selection of the Twitter reaction is available to view below: