All posts by z3u9t.icu

Martin O’Neill has inherited a squad who, on paper at least, are capable of finishing inside the playoffs this season, but a succession of injury problems in central defence could be his downfall in the coming weeks. 

Indeed, Forest moved to bring Leicester City’s Yohan Benalouane to the club earlier this month in a bid to bolster their limited options in central defence, but he sustained a head injury against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

That Jack Robinson, a centre-back by trade, was forced to start the game in central defence alongside Benalouane speaks volumes about the problem O’Neill is facing at this moment in time with regard to his strength in depth.

However, according to a recent report from the Daily Mirror, Forest are interested in signing West Ham United prodigy Reece Oxford, who is becoming frustrated with his lack of first-team football under Manuel Pellegrini.

Standing at 6’3″, Oxford is a commanding physical presence who could hold his own in the Championship, while his technical quality in possession of the ball suggests he has a blend of attributes which will eventually allow him to blossom into a fantastic top-flight defender, whether it be at Forest or elsewhere.

Time is running out for O’Neill to secure a deal for Oxford, but if he wants to give Forest the best possible chance of securing promotion this season he simply must go all out to secure his signature.

Oxford’s arrival would not only be game-changing in the context of Forest’s short-term promotion ambitions, but also in terms of their long-term strategy, with his potential to establish himself as a mainstay at the heart of the defence arguably representing the most appealing aspect of the mooted deal.

With the transfer window set to slam shut on Thursday evening, O’Neill must make the potentially game-changing signing of Oxford a priority for the club in the final hours of the window.

Forest fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch must finally start Kalvin Phillips in the Premier League on Saturday as his side take on Watford at Vicarage Road.

The England international has missed the best part of three months with injury, having gone down in the 2-2 draw against Brentford at Elland Road in early December. He was named in the matchday squad for the 3-2 victory against Wolves three weeks ago before finally making his return to competitive action last time out against Southampton.

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Rather understandably, Marsch chose to bring him on as a second half substitute against the Saints, but with another week’s worth of training under Phillips’ belt, now is surely the time to bring him in from the start.

The midfielder’s return offers Leeds another boost in the final few weeks of the season, with their recent results seeing them climb away from the relegation zone and put some distance between them and the bottom three.

His influence in the middle of the park cannot be understated, and that’s not to mention the kind of impact he has in lifting spirits both among his team-mates and the crowd whenever he’s on the pitch – something about which former Whites midfielder Michael Brown has previously waxed lyrical.

The 45-year-old said: “He is a wonderful talent and he loves Leeds United. What I like about him is that he is such a level headed kid. Brilliant to talk to. He is a proper Leeds supporter and how can he play!

“Kalvin can play so many positions. Central defence, in a three, holding midfield and he can even play more advance in a number eight. He has a bit of everything in his play – short and long pass, a tackle when needed, energy, competitive – a proper player.”

After seeing Phillips deliver a fine performance against Bristol City a couple of seasons ago, The Athletic’s Phil Hay raved: “You’d say that an enforced break has done Kalvin Phillips the world of good. He’s been an animal in the past two games and when he plays like he did today, the opposition are snookered. Surely his last season in the Championship.”

That line from Hay about leaving teams “snookered” is exactly the kind of impact Marsch will be hoping that his midfield talisman will be able to bring; and after getting a brief runout against Southampton, Phillips should be in contention for a bigger role at Vicarage Road.

The £45m-rated star must finally start against Watford on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news – Signed for £5m, now worth 700% more: Orta struck dream Leeds deal with “quality” 22-year-old

Leeds United journalist Joe Donnohue has been left buzzing over some early team news that has now emerged involving Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper.

The Lowdown: Could they start?

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match at home to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, Jesse Marsch revealed (via Leeds Live) that both Phillips and Cooper are now ‘in contention’ to start:

“They’re both in contention to start, they’re both probably not 90 minutes but we’re close. I don’t think we can start both of them but we’ll think very carefully. I’ve spoken with both already and they’re feeling good and looking better. We’re really excited to have them in the group. They can have a massive impact.”

Phillips has not featured at Elland Road since same as Cooper, whose last games were the 2-2 draw at home to Brentford in the top flight.

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The Latest: Donnohue reacts

Taking to Twitter after Marsch’s self-professed “massive” news, Whites journalist Donnohue buzzed upon hearing the news that both players could start against the Saints:

“That’s more like it. Cooper and Phillips in contention to start.”

The Verdict: Big boost

It would certainly be a big boost for the Yorkshire club even to be able to start one of Phillips or Cooper, let alone potentially both.

They both rank in the top ten best-performing players for the Peacocks in the Premier League so far this term, despite being injured for large chunks of it, and both players add some much needed leadership and experience through the spine of the team.

Phillips ranks highly among his teammates of average tackles, interceptions, passes and long balls per match in the division (WhoScored), while Cooper has a similar impact on the squad, and being the captain, his role will be vital in helping them grind out the results needed in order to stay up.

In other news, find out which position LUFC are now expected to strengthen this summer here!

Newcastle United are reportedly now strongly interested in signing Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer in the summer.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeper wanted

As per The Daily Mail, the Magpies are eyeing as many as four goalkeepers to provide stern competition for Martin Dubravka at St James’ Park.

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Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Bernd Leno and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all been mentioned as possible signings, but the Tyneside outfit may also look abroad for a new man in between the sticks.

The Latest: Strakosha eyed by Newcastle

According to Citta Celeste, Newcastle also hold a ‘strong interest’ in Strakosha, whose contract at Lazio expires this summer.

He is ‘torn’ between staying at the club and playing in the Premier League, and the Toon could certainly offer him a route to the English top flight.

The Verdict: Sign him

Capped 19 times by Albania and playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues in Serie A, it is quite mesmerising to think that Strakosha could leave on a free transfer.

Current Italy under-20 manager Alberto Bollini has claimed that the ‘keeper boasts ‘extraordinary athleticism’, while he was also once dubbed ‘explosive‘ and a ‘phenomenon‘ by former Lazio stopper Silvio Proto.

Keeping no fewer than 10 clean sheets in 25 games across all competitions so far this season, and averaging just one goal conceded per game (Transfermarkt), Strakosha is still only 27 years of age, which is relatively young for a goalkeeper.

Therefore, signing him on a free would represent a great piece of business from the Magpies.

In other news, find out what Keith Downie has now shared on Callum Wilson’s injury

Leeds United are eyeing a move for Hoffenheim’s versatile star Florian Grillitsch, and that could spell bad news for Robin Koch at Elland Road…

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have claimed that Jesse Marsch’s side have joined fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle in the race to sign the Austria international this summer.

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It’s been suggested that the midfielder’s representatives have sounded out a move abroad amid his contract at Hoffenheim expiring this summer.

Marsch can axe Koch

Reports earlier last year claimed that former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa actually thought the versatile defender was “too soft” to really succeed at Premier League level, and when you look at how he has fared in general, it’s perhaps understandable to see why.

The German had a injury-hit debut campaign at Elland Road last season, playing just 17 times in the Premier League and missing a number of games with a knee problem between December and March.

And, when he has played, he has shown signs of really struggling to get to grips with the pace and intensity of the English game – you only have to look at his performance against Spurs recently to see that.

Writing in his post-match player ratings against Spurs, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross gave him a four, saying: “No protection for the defence or any presence in the middle of the park as Adam Forshaw was left isolated and alone.”

The £50k-a-week earning ace just isn’t a natural fit when deployed in midfield, while at centre-back, he already has a significant amount of competition to battle against with the recently returned Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk all ahead of him in the pecking order.

But in Grillitsch, they could find someone who is equally comfortable of playing in the middle of the park, and also being trusted with playing at the back too – in the 18 games he has played in the Bundesliga this season, 12 of them have come in central defence, while the rest have seen him used as either a holding midfielder or in a more box-to-box role.

Indeed, Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann raved about the kind of under-rated nature of the Austrian ace, saying: “In my opinion, Flo Grillitsch is one of the best six in the Bundesliga who is already a little under the radar. At least you rarely read anything about him.

“He still has a few construction sites, he knows that, I’ve told him that often enough. But he is an extraordinary footballer and has an incredible ability to determine the rhythm of the game.”

The 6 foot 2 Grillitsch could be a superb addition to this Leeds side, and could see Marsch finally axe one of his side’s poorer players.

AND in other news – Leeds facing major nightmare as worrying news emerges, Elland Road would be devastated

Aston Villa defender Kortney Hause is interested in returning to West Ham in the January transfer window, according to a transfer claim.

The Lowdown: Hause’s West Ham previous

The 26-year-old spent much of his youth career with the Hammers, with a spell in east London between 2003 and 2011, but he never made a first-team appearance for the Irons.

Hause ended up moving to Villa in 2019 after playing for the likes of Wycombe Wanderers and Wolves, with 54 appearances to date for the 1982 European Cup winners.

Minutes have been tough to come by this season, though, with just four Premier League starts coming his way, so a January exit could make sense.

The Latest: Hause wants West Ham return

According to Football Insider, a source close to Hause has informed them that the defender is ‘keen’ on going back to West Ham this month.

His current Villa deal expires at the end of this season, but the report stated that his club have the option of extending that by 12 months.

The Verdict: Good squad signing

Hause might not be the big-name addition that some West Ham fans might crave in January but he is someone who could add strong squad depth in the long-term injury absence of Angelo Ogbonna.

He won 10 caps for England’s under-21s in the past, highlighting his pedigree, and he has averaged 4.4 successful headers per game across all competitions so far this season. He also earned glowing praise from Aston Villa journalist Pat Rowe, who said last September: “He always looks so assured now this season, and physically, he just dominates players, he’s got the pace.”

At 26, Hause is at a point in his career where he has plenty of experience but should just be about to enter his peak footballing years, further showing why it could be an astute piece of business for West Ham to bring him back to east London.

In other news, West Ham have been backed to sign another player in January. Find out who it is here.

Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United finally return to Premier League action this evening, with the Whites making the trip to south London to face Crystal Palace in Monday’s 20:00 kick-off – 16 days after their 3-0 win over Watford.

As a result of this time off, the 48-year-old manager has had plenty of time to work with his first-team squad at Thorp Arch, something that could well give Leeds the edge over tonight’s opponents – who were bested 1-0 by Newcastle United last Wednesday.

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The gap between fixtures will have also afforded a number of the Whites’ injured and fatigued players a much-needed rest from the hectic Premier League schedule, although, it is reported that the meeting with Palace will still come too soon for Patrick Bamford.

And, with Daniel James having once again struggled when playing through the middle at Vicarage Road, it would appear highly advisable for Marsch to finally unleash 19-year-old Joe Gelhardt from the off against the Eagles.

“Banging on the door”

Indeed, since the American’s appointment in the Elland Road dugout, Gelhardt is yet to be included in the 48-year-old’s starting XI, featuring just four times in the Premier League under the management of Marsch, in which time he has bagged one goal – the stoppage-time winner against Norwich City a little over a month ago.

However, looking at the campaign as a whole, the £4.5m-rated striker’s impact is clear for all to see, with the England U21 international having scored two goals and registered three assists over just 486 top-flight minutes – averaging a direct goal involvement every 97.2 minutes of football played.

For comparison, while James’ record of four goals and five assists over 30 Premier League outings does better the 19-year-old’s returns, when taking into account the Wales international directly contributes to a goal an average of once every 253.4 minutes played, it is obvious who is the more deadly.

Furthermore, over the last seven top-flight fixtures in which the £16.2m-rated winger has been deployed up front, James has failed to hit the back of the net, something which would very much suggest that he is simply not suited to a central attacking role.

As such, despite his tender age, Marsch must finally place his trust in the player who Beren Cross dubbed Leeds’ “next big thing” against Palace, as it is clear to see from his impressive record in the final third that Gelhardt is very much “banging on the door” – in the words of Phil Hay – for a start under the American.

AND in other news: Joe Donnohue drops early team news ahead of Palace, it’s a double boost for Leeds

Jason Burt has said that Fabio Cannavaro is now a candidate for the permanent Everton manager job, alongside both Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.

The Lowdown: Hunt ongoing

The hunt to find a new permanent manager at Goodison Park is still ongoing, after Duncan Ferguson was given the job on a temporary basis, with his first game coming at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League at lunchtime.

The likes of Jose Mourinho, Niko Kovac and Lampard have all been linked recently with the vacancy, as it seems that the board have not made their mind up yet over the direction that they want to go in with their appointment.

The Latest: Cannavaro a candidate

As per The Daily Telegraph journalist Burt, Cannavaro has now emerged as a candidate for the job, after holding initial talks with the Merseyside club:

“Conflicting claims as to how Fabio Cannavaro fared in his talks with Everton.

“I am told that not only did he interview well – and speaks good English – but the shortlist may now just be down to him, Wayne Rooney or Frank Lampard.”

The Verdict: Avoid

There is no doubt that Cannavaro had a glittering career as a player, but his managerial CV is not exactly an enticing prospect for Toffees fans.

He has won the Chinese Super League title and Super Cup with Guangzhou Evergrande, but despite over 200 matches of managerial experience under his belt, he has never managed in a top European league before, let alone the Premier League.

At Guangzhou, he was believed to be the ‘protege’ to Marcello Lippi, but his tactics and touchline adjustments were criticised, according to Chinese football expert Zhao Xiaoou (via The Daily Mail).

Nonetheless, it would be a big gamble to hire him, and the board simply cannot afford to get their next appointment wrong.

In other news, find out what manager update has Toffees fuming here!

A number of Liverpool supporters have reacted positively to claims that the Reds are continuing to track West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen.

The Reds look short of attacking options at the moment, especially with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The hope is surely that a new addition comes into the squad in the summer transfer window, providing Jurgen Klopp with an extra face who can make a difference in the final third, especially with Mane misfiring this season and still no sign of a new Salah contract.

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One player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool is Bowen, who is having an excellent season for West Ham, scoring six goals and registering seven assists in the Premier League.

According to The Athletic‘s James Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], the Reds are still keeping an eye on the 25-year-old’s progress ahead of a possible bid for him.

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Liverpool fans love Bowen latest

These Liverpool fans have reacted positively to the update on Twitter.

“This would be big. His ceiling is still pretty high”

Credit: @FPL_Baldie

“Oh yess Bowen ofc”

Credit: @SociallySober

“Be a superb signing”

Credit: @NumeroUnoDAA

“Sign seal boom I said”

Credit: @shaneegan451

“I beg you #LFC”

Credit: @VentsLFC

“Pls get him at all costs”

Credit: @lvpl_muktar

In other news, Pearce has talked up another potential Liverpool signing. Find out who it is here.

West Ham United are targeting a move for Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile this month with David Moyes’ side short on numbers at the back and in need of defensive reinforcements.

What’s the story?

According to Foot Mercato, the Hammers are looking to sign Badiashile and the Frenchman’s representatives have already been contacted.

The £25.2m-rated defender has been subject to interest from numerous Premier League clubs and could be on his way to England over the coming weeks.

West Ham fans will be buzzing

The Irons are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements whilst first-choice duo Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna are sidelined, with the latter out for the foreseeable future after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Thus, the signing of Badiashile would surely be one that goes down well with the London Stadium faithful.

At just 20 years of age, the young defender is certainly a hot prospect, having started eight of Monaco’s 19 league matches this term with the French outfit 7th in Ligue 1.

The centre-back was also an ever-present in Monaco’s Champions League qualifying campaign as well as starting four of their six Europa League group stage games.

Like Zouma, the Frenchman has recently suffered a hamstring injury but returned just before Christmas off the bench in a 2-1 win over Stade Rennais.

Although inexperienced, Badiashile is now in his fourth season as a regular for Monaco’s first team, having made his Ligue 1 debut in a 4-0 home defeat to PSG back in November 2018 as a 17-year-old.

The defender went on to make another 25 first-team appearances in all competitions that season and has made 104 appearances in total since stepping up from the Monaco youth ranks in 2018.

All of that has seen him impress rapidly in French football, winning a mighty 2.1 aerial duels and 1.7 tackles per match this term. Funnily enough, that first statistic ranks exactly the same as Kurt Zouma, a fellow French defender, meaning they could create a mightily impressive partnership at the back.

As for his tackling, he’d be ranked first for centre-backs at West Ham, winning more than every defender besides Arthur Masuaku and Ben Johnson.

As a consequence, he’d surely fit seamlessly into Moyes’ defence in East London.

After a strong start to the campaign, in which they won eight of their first 15 Premier League games, the Hammers’ form has stagnated slightly since both Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma were ruled out.

Since Zouma suffered his injury in early December, the Hammers have lost four games out of seven in all competitions, winning two whilst keeping just one clean sheet.

In other news: West Ham interested in promising forward