All posts by h716a5.icu

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that James Milner would be open to a return to Leeds this summer.

Milner, who reportedly earns £140,000-a-week, left his hometown club almost 17 years ago as a teenager, and has regularly been linked with a move back to South Yorkshire, although a return to Elland Road has never quite materialised.

The midfielder, who could face Leeds when Liverpool visit Elland Road later this month, previously refused to rule out the possibility of re-signing for the Whites when quizzed about the topic earlier in the season.

“You never know in football what’s around the corner” was Milner’s answer, although the experienced midfielder still has more than 12 months remaining on his contract at Anfield.

Milner turned 36 in January, but remains a regular in the Liverpool side and captained the side to a 3-0 victory at Arsenal last weekend, his 14th start in all competitions for the Reds this term.

And Windass told Football FanCast that he believes Milner would only sign for Marcelo Biesla’s team providing he’s a starter:

“Being a local lad, would he go back to Leeds? Yes. To end his career.

“But does he want to go back as a squad player, because that’s what he’d be. Bielsa would he go, ‘come in, but you’re not going to play week in week out, but I need you in the changing room’.

“Does James want to continue playing for another two seasons? If so, it won’t be at Leeds United. He’d get into any Premier League team outside the top-four because of his experience.

“I’ve known him for a long time, he’s teetotal the lad. You can tell by the way he’s lived his life and looked after himself.

“He might want to go back home to Yorkshire and enjoy his life, but he might want to go and play for another two seasons.”

Many Sunderland fans were delighted with comments from Aiden O’Brien following their 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers in League One on Saturday.

The three points against the Pirates were important for the Black Cats in the fight for promotion. As it stands, they are now third in the table after going on an unbeaten run of 10 games in the league (Sky Sports), and they are just three points behind leaders Hull City with two games in hand (BBC).

O’Brien scored the only goal of the game this weekend, and he spoke to Sunderland’s media team after the match. After his strike, he celebrated by imitating a shark, and he revealed that the celebration was inspired by Lee Johnson’s pre-game team talk.

A clip of the 27-year-old’s comments were shared on Twitter by the Wearside club’s official account, and it attracted plenty of attention from Sunderland supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts – one made a comparison with Johnson’s predecessor Phil Parkinson, who was regarded in some quarters as a “dour” figure.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from O’Brien below

“Everything about this is class, so refreshing to hear this attitude after the last couple of years. And what a turnaround for O’Brien, completely different player compared to the Parky days, mainly in that he exists”

Credit: @Scrivener30

“Class”

Credit: @lewygsafc

“Good attitude that lad”

Credit: @Tom01Crangle

“Love that little grin at the word “battle””

Credit: @AdamHegarty19

“The difference is mad… you’d never have that banter with Parkinson or last few managers to be fair”

Credit: @seaneagle12

“Love to see that their having banter as well as winning games. Never saw that under Parkinson. Ha’Way The Lads”

Credit: @LukeNor15892157

In other news, many Sunderland fans enjoyed this injury update.

Newcastle United were reportedly close to signing Arkadiusz Milik, according to football journalist Vincenzo Morabito.

Speaking to Calcio Napoli 24, he claimed that the St. James’ Park faithful made a transfer offer of €20m (£17.3m), but Napoli considered his value to be around €25-30m (£21.6-25.9m).

It is not specified when the North East club made their offer, but what is for sure is that they were only a few million pounds away from matching their valuation and potentially securing his signature.

Newcastle should sign Milik

The Tyneside club should come back in for Milik in the summer transfer window should he become available to be purchased.

The Poland international is a born goal scorer, with a total of no fewer than 133 (Transfermarkt) senior goals scored for both club and country combined over the course of his footballing career so far.

His old manager for the Polish national team Jerzy Brzeczek described him as an ‘incredible’ player back in November of last year, and England fans may be able to take a better glimpse of him when they play each other in an upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old could well serve as a decent back-up striker to Callum Wilson and thus ease the goal-scoring burden off of the former AFC Bournemouth ace, or even play in a front two together.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on Rafa Benitez and the potential takeover here!

Lots of Everton fans have been left to blast the display of Dominic Calvert-Lewin despite their 1-0 away win at West Brom in the Premier League on Thursday.

The England international was spared his blushes after missing a big opportunity to score as his strike partner Richarlison managed to grab the only goal of the match in the 65th minute to give the Merseyside club all three points against the Baggies at the Hawthorns.

While there were some very good performances for the Goodison Park faithful, Calvert-Lewin did not have the best of games by his usual high standards.

Aside from the chance that he missed, the former Sheffield United man lost out on no fewer than eight of his duels in the clash, and also lost possession of the ball 15 times, the fourth-most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Everton fan reaction to Calvert-Lewin display

These Blues supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far to claim that the striker has been ‘useless’ for months:

“Calvert-Lewin had a stinker”

Credit: @Wazza23666

“Calvert-Lewin’s finishing is actually awful”

Credit: @LiamEFC8

“Reckon I have a better left foot than Calvert-Lewin”

Credit: @liambowen1878

“I don’t feel that Calvert Lewin is working their defenders enough – one of several players who has cruised through this game without putting enough effort in”

Credit: @EFC_CBH

“Calvert-Lewin has been useless for months. Iwobi has been useless for his entire career.”

Credit: @PaulEFC86

“Terrible to watch that! Don’t see why we can’t just go at teams more… more you attack more we will create. Calvert-Lewin can be frustrating at times”

Credit: @RyanFortune91

In other news, find out whose display against Albion was also slammed here!

Jurgen Klopp reiterated his commitment to Liverpool after the manager role with the German national team opened up.

The DFB announced on Tuesday morning that Joachim Low will leave his post after this summer’s European Championships.

But Klopp is not entertaining the idea of managing his country for now, with another three years left on his Liverpool contract.

“I will not be available as a potential coach for the German team,” he confirmed in his pre-RB Leipzig press conference.

“I have three years left at Liverpool don’t I? It’s simple. You sign a contract and you stick to that contract.

“I stuck to contracts at Mainz and Dortmund.”

After winning the Champions League in 2019 and finally securing the Premier League title in 2020, Liverpool have endured a wretched season.

A catastrophic run of 2021 form has seen the Reds fall to eighth in table, but based on the response to Klopp’s comments, he retains widespread backing among the fanbase.

Supporters flocked to Twitter after his pre-Leipzig comments, and you can find some of the best fan verdicts down below…

Reds fans express relief as Klopp quashes Germany talk

“Fantastic news”

Credit: @cwoodheadhunter

“Thrilled he’s put these silly rumours to rest. I can’t imagine Liverpool without him.”

Credit: @CraigJCG

“Rightly so, if the results don’t improve change the team not klopp”

Credit: @ryank3arney

“I can’t lie I was fearing that Klopp would leave at the end of the season but hearing him say that has eased my fears”

Credit: @JamieLFC901

“Get in 3 more years minimum hopefully we can get some results to add to the good news”

Credit: @crazyitalian7

“He wouldn’t leave us after this season I don’t think. He’ll want to put this season behind us and show everyone what we’re made of.”

Credit: @dameotemp

“If I couldn’t love him any more”

Credit: @jolly_fun01

“Yes, yes, yes”

Credit: @RobieSlick

In other news, FSG are under fire from some fans after this transfer claim

According to an update by reliable source ExWHUemployee, La Liga side Sevilla have made movements to sign another striker, suggesting that Youssef En-Nesyri is the signing that GSB and West Ham are most likely to pursue in the summer. 

En-Nesyri, who was at the centre of a confirmed attempt in January, with manager David Moyes sharing that a bid had been made for him (Evening Standard), didn’t end up leaving Sevilla for the London Stadium in time.

Indeed, as revealed by journalist David Ornstein, talks broke down after both West Ham and Sevilla failed to come to an agreement over his price tag.

Now, ExWHUemployee has provided an update, hinting he is the striker Moyes will most likely pursue in the summer.

As a result of this news, plenty of Hammers have flocked to deliver their verdicts – with their being no shortage of opinions.

Find the best of them down below.

West Ham fans flock to En-Nesyri update

“Get him in Moyes wants him”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“Class”

Credit: @ryxwhufc

“Yesss great striker”

Credit: @WestHam_Central

“Baller”

Credit: @WHUJOE_

“If moyes wants him then I have no doubt he’ll be a great signing . Full faith”

Credit: @WHUFC_joseph

“A proper number 9, who fits our system, that David Moyes wants

What more can we ask for?”

Credit: @ScoutSoucek

“As long as Moyes wants him then I’m happy with that”

Credit: @RampantPedro

“I’m not in the least bit excited about this fella, which means he will turn out amazing”

Credit: @benjury75

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to this insider claim, find out more here.

Celtic suffered yet another dip in their 2020/21 season after St Mirren dealt them a shock defeat in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. The Saints took an early lead and managed to come away with all three points thanks to an impressive first-half performance.

Despite Odsonne Edouard’s initial equaliser, the Hoops couldn’t do enough to come away with a result. Naturally, Neil Lennon was highly disappointed with the display at Celtic Park and he has hit out at his players for their below-par performances in the league.

One man who came under heavy fire was Leigh Griffiths, who has been a controversial topic within the Celtic camp.

“You can look at Leigh, what’s his contribution?” The manager asked in his post-match interview. This isn’t the first time that Lennon has scrutinised the striker. Back in the summer, the Irishman was unhappy with the condition in which Griffiths returned to team training, complaining he was “overweight”, via talkSPORT.

Lennon could push Griffiths away from Celtic

Griffiths recently vocalised his passion for giving back to the club he has spent almost seven years with. Speaking to the Glasgow Times back in October, the 30-year-old made it clear that he wants to break into the top 20 highest ever goal-scorers for the Hoops.

However, the £15,000 per week striker has been out of favour this season and has been struggling for regular game time. Griffiths has only featured in 12 Premiership matches this campaign, with just seven of those coming as starts. But in his limited game time, he has still managed to find the back of the net five times and provide a further two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Griffiths popped up with some important goals this term, including his strike against Aberdeen to help secure a 3-3 draw.

He has undoubtedly played a big part in Celtic’s success over the years too. But with just 18 months left on his current contract, Lennon’s comments could be enough to drive Griffiths out the door to look for a new chapter.

His remaining playing years are limited and if he feels undervalued at Celtic, he may be forced to look elsewhere not only to just bag himself regular game time,  but also to feel like a trusted and appreciated member of a squad.

In other news, Exclusive: Rob Lee dismisses idea of Frank Lampard to Celtic…

It seems that Sam Allardyce needs to take a taste of his own medicine as the new West Brom is looking in the wrong place to resolve one of his biggest problems…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mirror (via The Sun), Big Sam is eyeing a reunion with his former Hammers striker Andy Carroll in the upcoming transfer window.

It’s claimed that the 66-year-old will try to convince Steve Bruce into selling the 6 foot 4 colossus as he enters the final six months of his current contract in the north-east.

Earlier this week, Dean Windass told Football FanCast exclusively that he’d take the 31-year-old frontman “all day long” at the Hawthorns despite his fitness concerns.

Panic buy

Speaking to reporters this week, Allardyce said he wouldn’t rush into panic buying in January, well, signing the struggling Magpies veteran would certainly say otherwise.

Carroll has not scored since he returned to Newcastle on a free transfer in 2019, and even then, his record in the top-flight is hardly outstanding – he’s bagged 57 goals in 237 matches.

That is an average of one goal every four matches, per Transfermarkt.

His return to United sparked a positive reaction from Danny Mills, who told Football Insider:

“If you can get him fit, and keep him fit, he’s a massive asset. He can be a game-changer, bring him on defensively obviously in the air. Chuck him up front and he’s still one of the best headers on goal around.”

Indeed, once upon a time, Carroll was an interesting proposition to have in attack, so much so that it secured him a £35m deal to Liverpool back in 2011, but his days are numbered.

Mainly because of his injury problems and fitness troubles.

He’s had six different injuries since the start of the 2017/18 season alone and this is not something that the Baggies can afford to take a gamble on as they are firmly in the relegation dogfight.

Even if they secure the £75k-per-week flop on the cheap, it will not be worth it if he plays less than a handful of games. They’re far better off turning to Charlie Austin or bringing in someone even more proven in the division.

AND in other news, Luke Dowling heading for familiar Jeremy Pearce mistake over “unbelievable” Baggies star…

Leeds United are facing a transfer battle in the race to sign Spezia striker M’Bala Nzola.

What’s the story?

With summer signing Rodrigo yet to really find his feet at Elland Road in terms of scoring goals – he’s managed just three in 18 games – it’s no surprise to see Marcelo Bielsa’s side being linked with a move for a new centre-forward.

According to Italian publication, Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Leeds are name-checked as one of the clubs monitoring Nzola and considering a transfer move for him.

The report adds that there are also other clubs from England, Germany and Italy who have been closely tracking his progress, with the 24-year-old having only joined Spezia in the summer.

Bye-bye Tyler Roberts

It’s been a curious old time for Tyler Roberts this season, with the Wales international making just nine first-team appearances in total for the club.

Last week, reports suggested that a whole host of Championship clubs were interested in luring him away from Elland Road during this transfer window, with Bielsa claiming that he was “unavailable at the moment” in a pre-match press conference on January 2nd.

If Leeds were to snap up Nzola, then that could be the final nail in the coffin for Roberts’ long-term future at the club. The Spezia striker has been in superb form in his debut season in Serie A, bagging nine goals in 13 games in the competition, with only six players ahead of him in the league’s goal-scoring charts.

And it’s Nzola’s style of play that will likely appeal to Bielsa, with Metropolitan Magazine describing him as “a very fast central striker who manages to attack space with absolute effectiveness. He is also difficult to deal with because he has enviable physical strength which makes him an extremely uncomfortable customer.”

Just like Patrick Bamford, Nzola would be tasked with leading the line on his own and running the hard yards into the channels, behind the opposition defence, and pressing the centre-backs as well.

And as seen by his clinical touch – he’s scored every 121 minutes and missed four big chances in 13 games, compared to Bamford who’s scored every 146 minutes and missed 12 big chances in 17 games – Nzola could provide a superb option up front.

An efficient goal-scorer, and someone with the kind of footballing characteristics that make him an ideal fit for a Leeds United side under Bielsa. The Whites boss would surely adore the 6 foot centre-forward  if he arrives at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds must desperately sell this flop…

Leeds United have made an admirable start to their first season back in England’s top flight after 16 years of waiting.

The Whites have already banked impressive results including a win over Everton and a surprise 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

However, Marcelo Bielsa seems to rely too much on star striker Patrick Bamford and this has been made clear on several occasions this campaign.

Indeed, the 27-year-old is the club’s top scorer this term by some margin with eight goals. The next highest scoring Leeds player is Mateusz Klich, who has just two to his name (via BBC Sport).

The gap in stats in worrying for the Whites, who are in need of an extra injection of creativity.

Rob Lee spoke to Football FanCast about this and he believes that Victor Orta must take to the market in January and recruit a partner for Bamford.

“Patrick Bamford has done brilliant, I think he’s done a fantastic job,” the ex-midfielder said. “He’s their focal point, he plays every game, he’s scoring goals – which people probably questioned whether he would in the Premier League. But I think they need someone who can help him.”

Whilst Leeds aren’t in any danger right now, they risk slipping into extremely hot water if Bamford is to pick up an injury at all throughout the season. Bielsa also risks over-working him as he is currently the only source of the team’s goals.

Come January, Orta and Andrea Radrizzani must put their heads together and poach someone who can lighten the load on Bamford’s shoulders and help the Whites develop their attack.

In other news, Signing Dean Henderson will only hinder growth of Illan Meslier…