All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former Sunderland academy product Rees Greenwood is set for a move to United Arab Emirates side Al Sahel.

Winlaton born winger Greenwood joined the Black Cats’ Academy of Light at the age of eight years old and developed through the club’s various youth sides before making his Premier League debut against Watford back in 2016.

However, it would prove to be his one and only top-flight appearance as he was deemed surplus to requirements at the club and loaned out to Gateshead in 2018.

A short spell in non-league football saw Greenwood move on to Scottish side Falkirk, before spells with Spennymoor Town and West Auckland Town.

The former England youth international is now set for a move to UAE where he could join up with former Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United, Hartlepool United and Northern Ireland midfielder David McCreery.

McCreery has recently move to the UAE to take over as vice president of Al Sahel, and he has revealed his desire to bring in a number of United Kingdom based players.

Speaking to Belfast Live, McCreery said:  “At present we are focusing on the recruitment of players from all over the world – Brazil, Africa but also players currently plying their trade in the United Kingdom.”

Having developed through Sunderland’s youth ranks and had a spell with England’s youth sides which saw him play alongside Marcus Rashford, Greenwood has had quite a downfall in his footballing career.

However, a move to UAE could give him a fresh start and he could make an impression abroad.

What do you remember about Greenwood’s time at Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…

Who knows when we’ll next see Aston Villa next grace a football pitch, with the Premier League giving no return date in their most recent statement.

Maybe this break is a good thing for Villa considering they’re currently marooned in the relegation zone, but Villa fanatics are no doubt getting restless not knowing how long it’ll be before their beloved side are back in action.

Fortunately, we’ve got something to help in the meantime that will provide a true test of your knowledge on the Birmingham club’s recent history.

Our obscure players quizzes simply provide a picture of a player who you probably forgot ever played for your club – and then it’s over to you to name them out of the four possible options.

So, Villa fans, why not give it a go and then see how you compare to your mates? Post your score on social media for extra props from us!

As the Premier League rides the current conveyor belt into uncertain waters, many clubs, including clubs like Manchester United, are wondering how the current global crisis will affect their next transfer window.

For some, their financial worries will be of a much greater magnitude and could involve offloading players in order to make back some summer funds. Another option to help minimise costs would be to turn to the out-of-contract players who are set to depart their teams at the end of the campaign.

The Premier League has 57 free agents who have not been offered new contracts and Football FanCast has looked at three players who could fit the bill for Manchester United if buying big is not an option.

Ryan Fraser

A surprising name on the list of out-of-contract players this season is Ryan Fraser. The winger has enjoyed some impressive seasons with Bournemouth as of late – his 2018/19 campaign has been his most successful in red and black. The Scotsman tallied seven goals and 14 assists in the league, finishing with the second highest assist record that season, behind only Eden Hazard with 15.

According to the Daily Record, Man United were reportedly looking to sign Fraser in January before turning their attention to teammate Joshua King. With the summer transfer window looming, Bournemouth could regret not selling earlier this year as it looks likely Fraser will depart as a free agent.

United should use this opportunity to reopen their interest in the wide-man as they look to bolster their attack. Fraser would be a much cheaper and more sensible option than priority target Jadon Sancho who has a €140m (£123m) price tag (Per Bild, via Diario AS).

While football recovers from the current events, the Reds may have to opt for a smarter signing over a big money move.

Willian

Another former target of Man United’s could become available free of cost this summer. A 2018 report from Tuttosport via Manchester Evening News claimed that the two parties had agreed terms and Willian was set for a move to Old Trafford. The move of course didn’t come to fruition but the Brazilian could be playing out his seventh and final year with the Blues.

United have been linked to some top talent over the last few months, with Sancho and Timo Werner taking the front of stage. However, even if clubs weren’t suffering with monetary struggles right now, there was never a guarantee the two Bundesliga players would arrive in England and immediately recreate their fine form.

The Reds could instead look to sign a Premier League-proven forward who has won five trophies with Chelsea, including two league titles. Willian also boasts 59 goals and 59 assists in blue, as well as five goals and five assists this campaign. The addition of the 31-year-old and his ability to play on both wings as well as in an attacking midfield role could really bolster United’s attack, at the expense of just his wages.

Arsene Wenger’s 22-year helm at Arsenal may have come to an end in 2018, but the Gunners’ former manager is now officially back in work.

Wenger, who won three Premier League and a record seven FA Cups during his time with the club, departed The Emirates following a decline in results and the consequent increase and intensification of calls for his departure.

Yet the Frenchman has now been appointed as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development; a new role within the governing body.

The 70-year-old will return to working in football for the first time since leaving the north London outfit, and these Arsenal fans were certainly delighted to see their former manager back in work. This is especially given the contrast in feelings towards their former manager and current boss Unai Emery – who reportedly could have less than a month to save his job at the club. 

Here are some of the best reactions following the news that Wenger will be returning to football.

Manuel Pellegrini is a man under pressure, with West Ham United’s board holding crunch talks about his future, according to Football Insider.

The 3-2 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday will not have helped his cause, due to the fact that his side were appalling for a large period of the game, initially going 3-0 down.

ExWHUEmployee has reported that Eddie Howe would be interested in taking over at London Stadium should the dugout there be vacated by the Chilean.

There are plenty of West Ham fans who would be thrilled to see the AFC Bournemouth manager taking over at their club.

The 41-year-old has taken the Cherries from League Two through to the Premier League, where they currently sit 11th in the table.

[ad_pod ]

He has done this while showing an ability to develop young and exciting talent, as indicated by his decision to promote Aaron Ramsdale to first-choice goalkeeper. He has started every Premier League match this season while he’s also signed players like Dominic Solanke, Jordon Ibe and Nathan Ake.

West Ham’s academy has been causing plenty of excitement under Dmitri Halajko, so having someone who can shape talented youngsters into first-team players can only be a positive thing.

It is characteristics such as this that have got many West Ham fans excited about the prospect of him coming in.

There is a sense of scepticism from some fans, as they don’t trust the West Ham board to make this deal happen.

This may also be linked to Howe’s longevity at Dean Court, as he has been there since 2012, having spent another three years before his brief spell at Burnley.

West Ham also won’t be helped by the fact that Bournemouth are currently above them in the table.

However, not everyone is unanimous in their desire to have Howe coming in as Pellegrini’s replacement, with some preferring Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

ExWHUEmployee has reported that the former Watford man has already approached West Ham about the possibility of becoming their manager.

In other news, there has been another manager linked with the job if Pellegrini leaves, outside of Howe and Dyche.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast on behalf of the London Football Awards, Tony Cottee has discouraged the idea of Everton spending big on another striker.

Cottee, who was at the Toffees for two years during his playing days, was discussing the struggles of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun, with Richarlison being used as a central striker in Everton’s last two games due to their shortcomings this campaign.

The club’s situation in attack has seen them in the bottom half in terms of goals scored, while they are also hovering just above the relegation zone after losing to Brighton on Saturday.

However, Cottee is wary of seeing Everton throw more money at this problem area after they forked out £29m on Kean, who is currently goalless in the Premier League, during the summer: “Well, they’ve spent a lot of money so far, that’s the thing. So, hopefully the answer’s at the club already, but I think Marco Silva is searching.”

Speaking before the loss against Brighton & Hove Albion, he indicated that the Portuguese manager may not actually have to look that far for the answer: “When you lose four games on the trot, you’ve got to try different things and to be fair to him, he got it right against West Ham and Richarlison had a good game, so hopefully the answer is at the football club.

A benefit of Cottee’s recommended approach is that it would allow greater spending in other positions: “Perhaps if they need strengthening in other areas then they’ll look to do that rather than buying another forward and paying another £50m or £60m for a centre forward.”

Considering Everton have conceded the most goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, there are clearly positions outside of the frontline that also need improving – even if they are still yet to find a reliable replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who netted 25 top flight goals during his final season at Goodison Park.

Therefore, it needs to be considered whether they can carry on throwing money at the same recurring problem, if it will potentially see them neglect their other shortcomings.

Tony Cottee was speaking as a judge on The London Football Awards, due to take place on 5th March 2020 at Camden’s Roundhouse. Tickets are available from https://

londonfootballawards.org.