All posts by z3u9t.icu

Frank Lampard is under pressure to get his summer recruitment spot on if he wants to remain at Everton for the long haul.

Narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in their penultimate match last season won’t keep the fans on board for very long.

He appears to have made a solid start, with James Tarkowski close to signing for the Toffees and there will surely be more to come.

With there being plenty of areas to improve in the Everton squad, there could be a lot of transfer activity this summer. The likes of Jonjoe Kenny and Cenk Tosun leaving the club could free up wages for more attractive signings.

Portuguese outlet O Jogo (via Sport Witness) have claimed that Everton are interested in Porto winger Otavio, with Lampard looking to bolster his squad. They have made an enquiry but may have to pay up to €60m (£51.4m).

The player earns £29k-per=week at his current club and that will be expected to rise if a move to the Premier League materialises.

With the news that Brazilian forward Richarlison wants to leave the club, there could be a large transfer kitty that Lampard could utilise, and signing Otavio would be a wise move.

Although largely deployed on the right-hand side of midfield, Lampard may utilise his attacking potential and push him further forward where he can feed Dominic Calvert-Lewin plenty of chances, he notched nine league assists last season.

He isn’t shy of getting stuck in defensively either, something that Everton missed last season. Compared to positional peers in the top five leagues, Otavio ranks in the top 1% for pressures (28.99 per 90) and tackles (3.03), proving that he has the ability to be a success at both ends of the pitch.

He was dubbed “phenomenal” following a performance for Portugal and at 27 years of age, he could be about to approach his peak years.

It would be an expensive move but it could just prove game-changing to get Everton back to winning ways and Calvert-Lewin back among the goals.

AND in other news, Everton “still interested” in signing £107.8m duo this summer, Lampard will love them…

PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare is a name that is ever-present in every single transfer window, although this time, it looks as though he may finally secure a much-anticipated switch to the Premier League and in particular, Manchester United.

What’s the word?

According to a report from Sky Sports, Man United are interested in signing the Ivory Coast international with the 24-year-old said to “have his heart set” on a move to England and is “convinced he will be a Premier League player” next season.

Chelsea are also interested in the PSV midfielder who, in the same report, is said to have a €35m (£29.9m) release clause in his contract.

Matic replacement

Quite simply, the acquisition of Sangare would not only serve as a Nemanja Matic replacement, but an overall upgrade.

The 24-year-old Ivorian has conjured up some stats that would see him rank top of the United squad for defensive actions.

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The departing Matic was undeniably underrated at Manchester United and, despite his age, proved himself as the Red Devils’ strongest defensive asset in the engine room, despite being written off on numerous occasions due to his age and lack of mobility.

This season, he ranked top of the tree for interceptions per 90, achieving 2.0 per game whilst also registering 1.2 successful tackles per 90 in a metric that sees him ranked fifth in the squad.

Sangare, who has been dubbed “dangerous” by former coach Aad de Mos comfortably surpasses both of these figures, achieving 2.8 interceptions per 90, whilst drumming up an average of 2.2 successful tackles per game also.

It’s the same story for accurate passes per 90, with Matic again ranking top with an average of 58.9. The next best in the squad is Fred with a lowly average of 49.9 accurate passes per 90. It will come as no surprise that Sangare yet again tops the ranks with an average of 65.1 accurate passes per 90.

In a way, United can fill the void of both Paul Pogba and Matic in Sangare, who has asserted himself as an outstanding ball-playing defensive midfielder who is ready-made for Erik ten Hag’s system.

In other news: Man United now trying to sign “exceptional” £21.3m “beast”, supporters will be buzzing…

Reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has highlighted the three key areas that Tottenham will look to strengthen next during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Perisic and Forster incoming

This looks set to be an intriguing summer for Spurs, having finished in the Premier League top four and returned to the promised land of the Champions League.

The money should be available for Antonio Conte to bring in a number of new signings, beginning with winger Ivan Perisic and goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

The pair are both expected to be Spurs players by the start of next season, with the former Inter star’s deal the first to be confirmed in an announcement on Tuesday.

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The Latest: Gold makes fresh claim

Writing in a Q&A for football.london, Gold was asked what comes after Perisic and Forster, claiming there are three areas of the pitch Conte will specifically look to strengthen next:

“They’ll keep looking across the squad for improvements and move when they can. Right wing-back, a forward-thinking midfielder and a striker are all on the list plus replacing anyone who might be heading out the door.”

The Verdict: Exciting times

There is no doubt that these are exciting times to be a Spurs fan, with Conte excelling as manager and masterminding a return to Champions League action, and now backed by a £150m cash injection.

While it is not clear how much of that capital increase is just for transfers, the financial gains from a top-four finish are great, too, and there is no reason why this can’t be one of the most productive summers in recent memory, as top players come in and replace those deemed not fit to serve in Conte’s system.

If the Italian can strengthen in those positions mentioned, another top-four finish has to be the bare minimum next season, with winning a trophy surely the main target.

In other news, a journalist is adamant over one Spurs agreement. Read more here.

Journalist Xavi Jorquera Márquez of Cadena SER has made a major Tottenham Hotspur exit claim involving midfielder Giovani Lo Celso as Villarreal eye a permanent deal.

The Lowdown: Emery eyes permanent deal…

The Argentina international was a revelation for Villarreal and manager Unai Emery after joining them on a temporary spell in January for the second half of 2021/2022, prompting their interest in snapping up Lo Celso permanently.

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Fabrizio Romano backs that the La Liga side wish to seal a deal for Lo Celso who appears to no longer be in manager Antonio Conte’s plans, coming as he eyes a major overhaul at N17.

The Premier League side, as per a major update from Márquez, have agreed a deal ‘in principle’ to sell Lo Celso.

The Latest: Marquez makes major claim…

According to the reporter, taking to Twitter, the permanent deal ‘will close’ for around €15-18 million (£13m-£15m) plus bonuses.

What’s more, Villarreal have apparently decided on the date of his signing announcement – if all ‘goes well’.

Marquez explained:

“The last fringes of the signing of Lo Celso for Villarreal are closing,

“In principle, the deal will close at 15-18 million (approx) plus bonus.

“Tottenham initially asked for 24, Villarreal has already decided on the date of the announcement, if all goes well.“

The Verdict: Big claim…

Fabio Paratici, tasked with backing Conte in the market, will also have to find a way to balance Tottenham’s books with outgoings – even despite their major £15om equity increase.

News of Lo Celso’s close departure will go some way to doing this, but the disappointment for supporters will be losing the South American for such a meagre fee – especially given Spurs have allegedly handed a Villarreal a big discount.

In other news: ‘Not only Perisic’ – Tottenham push for ‘genius’ signing as after Conte call ‘in recent days’…find out more here.

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must quit the Reds this summer, according to former England international Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Ox’s lack of minutes

The 28-year-old was once a key figure at Anfield, going back to 2017/18, but he has fallen way down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp these days.

Klopp has picked Oxlade-Chamberlain for a total of just nine Premier League appearances this season, not offering a single minute of action since March 20th.

It looks highly likely that the former Arsenal man will leave Liverpool this summer given the lack of faith from the manager, with this the last chance to receive a fee for him before his contract expires next year.

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The Latest: Call it quits

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills, a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live, said Oxlade-Chamberlain should seal a summer exit from Anfield after Klopp’s decision to freeze him out:

“The last few years really just haven’t worked out for him at all. He’s a fantastic player. He’s got everything you could possibly need from an attacking midfielder.

“He can run at people, score goals, pick a pass. But with injuries and with the Liverpool squad as strong as it is, he just hasn’t had a chance. You can’t see that changing with the way they’re progressing.

“If he wants to play more football and reignite his career, he will have to move on from Liverpool. It’s simple.”

The Verdict: Played his final game?

It’s incredible to think that Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t played at all for two months now, perhaps even suggesting that Klopp has completely lost faith in him, and it would be a surprise if he featured against either Wolves or Real Madrid.

It feels almost certain that the midfielder will move on once this season reaches its climax, with his future lying elsewhere if he wants to become a regular feature in a top flight side.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be remembered as a solid servant for Liverpool, scoring 17 goals and registering 15 assists in 133 appearances, but his time at the club has fizzled out this season, with his contribution diminishing greatly as the campaign reached crunch time.

In other news, a journalist believes there is ‘strong interest’ in one Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Rangers ended the 2021/22 campaign on a high as they won the Scottish Cup with a 2-0 win at Hampden Park at the weekend.

Gio van Bronckhorst’s side needed extra time to win the match as brilliant goals from Ryan Jack and Scott Wright ensured that James Tavernier was lifting the trophy after full-time.

The Gers brushed aside the disappointment of missing out on success in the Premiership and Europa League and will now head into next season with one trophy to build on.

Whilst many in light blue impressed in the win, one of the best performers on the day was Hearts central defender John Souttar.

After the game, ex-Dundee FC manager James McPake heaped praise on the 6 foot 1 defender, Tweeting: “John Souttar has cruised this. He’s the real deal. Top player. To be out for so long and to play the way he has in a cup final.”

The centre-back is set to join Rangers on a free transfer this summer and his performances throughout the 2021/22 campaign suggest that he is the dream heir to Connor Goldson’s throne at Ibrox.

Van Bronckhorst’s go-to man at the heart of the defence is out of contract at the end of the month and is, currently poised to depart from Glasgow to pastures new. The club already have his replacement in the door, though, as Souttar has been exceptional in the Premiership.

As you can see in the graphic above, with stats provided by SofaScore, the Hearts man stacked up incredibly well in comparison to Goldson.

Both players were consistently brilliant for their respective clubs and have proven that they are elite performers in the Scottish top-flight. Journalist Ewan Murray dubbed Souttar as “outstanding” earlier this year and his stats back that up as he has made himself a brick wall at the back for his team.

His form for Hearts suggests that losing Goldson is not as big of a blow as it may seem on paper. If the Scotland international can adjust to van Bronckhorst’s tactics and hit the ground running then it seems as though he will be a very important player for the club next season.

He is a proven player at this level and still has more development to go through at the age of 25. Souttar can be Rangers’ starting centre-back for many years to come and is, hopefully, the dream replacement for the English colossus at Ibrox.

AND in the news, Enquiry made: Rangers avoided disaster with “annoying” dud whose value dropped £8.4m…

Aston Villa are among the front-runners in the race for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips’ signature.

What’s the word?

That is according to Football Insider sources, who claim that Gerrard’s side, along with Newcastle United are leading the race for the England international with uncertainty surrounding his future amidst Leeds’ battle with relegation.

Talks over a new contract with their star midfielder have stalled, and according to the report, both Villa and Newcastle have made him a top target – with both believed to be carrying out the groundwork for a potential deal.

As pointed out by Football Insider via BBC Leeds’ reporter Jonathan Buchan, Phillips was reportedly pictured taking in the surroundings at Elland Road for what could perhaps be his final time as a Leeds player.

Big Boost for Gerrard

The latest report will come as a big boost for Gerrard and co, who look as though they will miss out on another one of their holding midfielder targets in Boubacar Kamara.

As such, bearing in mind his desire to strengthen the defensive midfield area, Phillips will be a desirable option – especially with Leeds United’s very real relegation prospects, which could make for a cut-price deal.

In fact, Phillips, who Patrick Bamford said brings “something special” to England, has an average number of pressures in the attacking third that surpasses Aston Villa’s possession won in the final third metric of 3.5.

Indeed, £25m Phillips, who has interestingly been described as a “lifeboat” by Paul Hayward for his efforts in consoling England teammate Bukayo Saka, would massively bolster the Aston Villa engine room, bringing metrics such as 3.73 tackles per 90 and match average of 4.77 pressures in the attacking third to a side who are statistically the worst for winning possession high up the pitch.

Having emerged as joint front-runners along with Newcastle, Villa will need to close the deal as soon as possible in order to bag themselves an elite holding midfielder.

With his match average of 22.32 touches in the defensive third, it’s clear that the 26-year-old offers a lot at both ends of the pitch, with his ability to drop deep and sweep up loose balls yet another bonus for Gerrard who would no doubt be ecstatic to get a deal across the line.

In other news: NSWE already set for their 1st big summer disaster at AVFC, supporters surely gutted