All posts by z3u9t.icu

Lots of Everton fans are in agreement over wanting to bring back Nikola Vlasic to the Goodison Park faithful following a recent interview with The Athletic.

Speaking to the news outlet, the CSKA Moscow ace talked about how he ‘didn’t want to stay’ at the Merseyside club but that he would have ‘fought’ to if Carlo Ancelotti was the manager at the time.

Since his move away from the Toffees to Russian football, Vlasic, currently valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, has impressed, scoring no fewer than 31 goals and making a further 20 assists in 95 games in total over all competitions across the last three consecutive terms (Transfermarkt).

Given his fine form and the fact that he is still only 23 years of age, it is no surprise that several Blues supporters have since been calling for his immediate return.

Everton fan reaction to Vlasic interview

These EFC fans called for the Croatia international to return on Twitter after reading the interview:

“Him, Gerry and Mirallas would be perfect right now”

Credit: @sammercer12

“Excellent article, comes across as a decent guy. Very intelligent and knows exactly what he wants from his career. Sort of player we could actually do with now for that no8 position.”

Credit: @jselder

“Exactly the kind of midfielder we’re lacking right now”

Credit: @Owens_EFC

“Him, Barkley and Lookman under the right management are just the sort of players we could do with in our team right now”

Credit: @OPB91

“Bring him home”

Credit: @ElyodMada

“Take him back myself”Credit: @Petermccarthy44In other news, find out what promising injury update has been dropped on one Everton star here!

Everton will never rue the day that Oumar Niasse departed Goodison Park for the final time, as the striker seals his long-awaited return to the game with a move to Huddersfield Town.

The Championship side announced the capture of Niasse on Friday, with the forward moving to the John Smith’s Stadium on a deal running until the end of the current season.

Huddersfield sit 18th in the second tier during the March international break and hold a seven-point margin to the relegation places after winning just two of their last 15 league games.

Everton released Niasse at the end of his contract last June, marking the stop point to a tepid four-year tenure at Goodison Park for the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker, who was signed by Roberto Martinez for £13.5m.

Niasse spent 273 days as a free agent, having rejected offers to return to the game following his release in favour of continuing in England to remain close to his family.

“A big part of our recruitment process focuses on the character of the players we’re bringing in and we’ve spoken with Oumar and his representatives over a fair period of time,” Huddersfield Town’s Head of Football Operations Leigh Bromby said.

“We’ve had very positive conversations throughout and it’s clear he will be a good fit within our group. He’s had plenty of offers since leaving Everton, but he was keen to stay in England and, ideally, in the north so he is close to his family.

“His pedigree speaks for itself, having played in top divisions, in European competitions and commanded huge transfer fees. However, his character is just as impressive. He’s a very positive guy and is determined to show everyone what he is capable of.”

Niasse will now continue working with the Huddersfield first team to rebuild his fitness, having begun training with the Terriers before signing a short-term deal.

Niasse will hope that his return to the game will present opportunities to earn a longer-term contract at the John Smith’s Stadium and show Everton why they were wrong to release him at the end of his contract last summer.

However, it is extremely unlikely that the Toffees will ever be expected to rue the day that the 30-year-old left Goodison Park for the final time, having proven to be an expensive flop in the years which followed Martinez sanctioning his arrival.

It took until the end of April 2016 for Niasse to earn his first start in royal blue following five substitute appearances from a possible 10 games across all competitions, and the arrival of Ronald Koeman that summer triggered the derailment of his Merseyside career.

Koeman told Niasse after one 45-minute appearance in pre-season that he was not wanted at the club and instructed the striker to train with the under-23s, before sending the former Senegal international out on loan the following January.

The move to Hull City helped Niasse earn a second chance under Koeman the following season, only for the appointment of Sam Allardyce to see his chances be reduced once again and the subsequent hiring of Marco Silva put an exit in sight.

Niasse would only make seven appearances across all competitions in 18 months under Silva and just one of those in the starting line-up, before playing a mere 18 minutes under Carlo Ancelotti in the final months of his £55,000-per-week contract.

Four managers passing on Niasse after Martinez was fired just went to show the struggles the striker had at adapting to the demands of the Premier League and English football, and why he left Everton with just nine goals in 42 games – of which he only started 13 – to his name.

The 30-year-old is now at a club in Huddersfield where the head coach is seemingly prepared to back him, with Carlos Corberan lauding the “dynamic” forward as he brings a hard-working mentality, a will to press the opponent and the ability to attack spaces to the Championship.

Those traits were all too rarely on show at Goodison Park, making his release a must last summer and why Everton will never be expected to rue the day that he walked away.

AND in other news, Everton dodged a £13m bullet in a “remarkable” talent as the hype falls silent…

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has shared his concerns over possible interest in Ollie Watkins in the future.

Watkins only joined Villa last summer, but Hendrie is wary of potential advances from other clubs given how well the 25-year-old striker has performed this season.

Watkins has managed to reach double figures in his debut Premier League campaign, with seven of his goals coming against Liverpool and Arsenal.

The former Brentford man has undoubtedly impressed, and Hendrie believes he could soon start to attract the attention of some of the top clubs in the country.

On Watkins, the ex-Villa player told TT:

“There’s been a lot of interest for certain players. I think when you look at the bigger picture of it, you know, if someone like Jack Grealish left, I think that’s when it does maybe happen where it might be that Ollie Watkins thinks, ‘well, there’s no ambition here. We’re going to have to move on; we’re going to have to go to a different football club’.

“When they’re playing well, there’s always going to be interest for players. So, yes, there’s elements that you do want to keep your best players because I feel that if Villa are going to go and push on and be a European side and possibly get into the Champions League at some stage, they’re going to have to build around these key players that they’ve got – Ollie Watkins is one of them.

“I still feel there’s more to come from him, but I do worry [ about interest from top-six sides].”

While there is nothing to suggest that Watkins is looking for or will look for a Villa exit, one player who the Midlands club could lose in the near future is captain Jack Grealish.

The attacking midfielder continues to be linked with a move away from Villa Park, with Football Insider recently reporting that he is interested in joining Manchester City.

Newcastle United legend Rob Lee has told Football FanCast exclusively,that Geordies just want to be entertained by the team and will forgive and forget not winning anything.

Lee played under Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson who were managers during Newcastle’s golden era but didn’t win any major trophies. However, fans still only have fond memories of both managers and would not trade those memories for anything.

Under Keegan, Newcastle were known as the entertainers; however, now they are an unattractive team to watch and have been for a number of years with their gameplan being not to lose.

The Magpies have become a relegation candidate regularly under Mike Ashley, something Lee still can’t believe considering how the teams played during his successful spell on Tyneside.

Steve Bruce’s side sit second bottom of the possession table this season, only West Bromwich Albion have enjoyed less time with the ball. However, Lee knows the manager is not the problem.

The former Newcastle midfield told Football FanCast how things have changed under managers and specifically, the owner; he said:

“Since I’ve known them they’ve always wanted to play good football. You know, we lost the title in 1996 and we should have won it but they saw some unbelievable football. People still remember that football.

“For the Keegan years, and Bobby Robson, they didn’t win anything but they saw great football and you know, they were happy.

“You’re right we can’t compete with Brighton. Keep going back to when I played, but nobody came to St James’s Park and played us off the park, no one. I don’t think I can remember an unentertaining game at St James’ Park and that’s what they want.

“It’s more a game of chess at this point instead of actually getting players in who can express themselves.

“It can’t be any worse than it is now. The football is not great. We’re losing every week anyway. As I said, I don’t blame Steve Bruce for that. I’ve always blamed the owner.”

Pundits often label Newcastle as wanting too much and questioning what do they expect under the owner and manager, but Lee explains it is very simple to understand.

Fans pay their money to go and watch Newcastle, they just want to be entertained and not bored for the entire match.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Carlton Palmer has suggested Leeds United transfer target Louie Sibley would be a perfect fit for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested the Derby County starlet is of interest to Marcelo Bielsa’s side, and that they had joined the race to sign him this month, although a summer move is considered more likely.

The 19-year-old has been a consistent member of Wayne Rooney’s first-team this season in the Championship, making 16 appearances in the competition.

And speaking to FFC, Palmer has suggested that Sibley would be a great acquisition for the future for Leeds, although that they still needed proven quality to go along with it.

He said: “Well, in terms of the way Leeds play, he definitely fits into their system. I think Bielsa will look to youth, but you’ve also got to get experienced players as well. Now, once you’ve done that first season, as you’ve seen with Sheffield United, you’ve got to get that balance between youth and experience.

“He’d be a great signing for the future and I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Leeds would take him for the future, but they also need proven quality now to take them to the next level.”

At 19, the attacking midfielder should hardly be expected to come in and shoulder the entire creative burden of Leeds. But, his potential is there for all to see, with plenty of plaudits already.

Speaking after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, former Derby boss, Philip Cocu, declared: “He played a great game. He’s a great character — he has a good mentality, he has the desire to win, to play, to find his positioning between the lines. He’s not scared of anybody. It was a pleasure to see him play.”

Able to play as a number ten, or even deeper, Sibley’s got the versatility to really be a perfect fit for whatever system and tactic Bielsa chooses to employ at Elland Road.

But as Palmer said, it’s important Leeds bring in some experience too to go along with that.

Meanwhile, Leeds are making a foolish mistake over this player…

If you could pluck two words from the dictionary to describe Leeds’ season they could be ‘swashbuckling’ and ‘inconsistent’.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men play vibrant attacking football but at the same time, are often left wanting in defence. That was evident during their 4-2 defeat to Arsenal. At the back, they were a shambles but going forward, they caused plenty of problems.

Of course, injuries have wreaked havoc with their ambitions thus far. Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Robin Koch have all endured spells on the treatment table but another problem has been in midfield.

Not having a real alternative to Kalvin Phillips at the base is becoming an increasing issue while the attacking numbers of Mateusz Klich and Rodrigo leave plenty to be desired.

The former has found the net on just three occasions this term while their club-record signing has struggled in English football, scoring with the same regularity as Klich.

With that in mind, could yet more spending be on the cards in the summer? If those linked with the exit door depart, then it will surely become a necessity. Tyler Roberts nearly departed in January while Pablo Hernandez is attracting interest from Spain once more.

Thus, just imagine what a light sprinkling of Rodrigo de Paul could do for this side. Leeds supporters must be sick to death of hearing his name this term but if they’d splashed out the costly sum of £35m+ last summer, he would have been their player.

The Argentine teased a move on social media but he’s remained at Udinese in Italy. He’s very quickly become one of the most creative players in Serie A, something his performance on Sunday testified.

In fact, his performance will surely have left Victor Orta salivating from the mouth. The Spaniard is one of De Paul’s keenest admirers and it would be a great surprise if they didn’t renew their interest in the coming months.

After all, he’d certainly plug a gap of quality in central areas. De Paul has scored five times in 2020/21 but more importantly, has been a hub of creativity. Per WhoScored, he has amassed 2.5 key passes per game – more than anyone in the Leeds side – while registering 3.5 dribbles per match. Once again, that tally usurps every Leeds player.

The attacking midfielder’s latest virtuoso performance came at the weekend. He produced five key passes – providing an assist for one goal in Udinese’s 2-2 draw with Parma. On top of that, the 26-year-old was successful with five take-ons and won ten ground duels.

De Paul would often drift into the right-hand side and based on that, he could generate quite the link-up with Raphinha if he came to Elland Road.

The Brazilian has been a brilliant capture and has managed three assists and two goals in his last six outings. Imagine what he could do alongside a player as good as De Paul…

It’s certainly an exciting prospect for Leeds supporters to think about.

AND in other news, 6 key passes, 4 tackles: Leeds beast who “does everything right” was a standout v WWFC…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is unsure over what role Ollie Watkins could have with England.

Watkins, who joined Harewood’s old side from Brentford last summer, has had a season to remember at Villa Park. The 25-year-old has already reached double figures for the campaign and there are now calls for him to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships this summer.

Another former Villa forward, Gabby Agbonlahor, is one of those eager to see a call-up for £27m-rated Watkins. Harewood, however, is not too sure.

When asked if he could see Southgate turning to Watkins, Harewood told FFC:

“I wouldn’t rule it out. But with the calibre of strikers that we have now, I can’t see him being ahead of majority of them that can play up there because you’ve [also] got the likes of Sterling and players like that can play up front now.”

Indeed, England have some good options in attack, with Southgate really spoilt for choice in the No.9 department.

As well as Sterling, who has been used down the middle at times by club manager Pep Guardiola, Southgate also has the likes of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Southampton’s Danny Ings to call upon.

Then there is, of course, England captain and Tottenham’s leading centre-forward Harry Kane, who will no doubt be the Three Lions’ first-choice striker at Euro 2020.

When you consider all of that, the tournament may just come a bit too soon for Watkins.

Arsenal would be making an unforgivable disaster by signing PSG man Julian Draxler in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Gunners are considering signing a creative attacking midfielder in this winter window, with the likes of Emiliano Buendia of Norwich, and Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund, among those names being spoken about.

Now, BILD journalist Christian Falk has claimed that Draxler is behind Brandt on Mikel Artetat’s side’s shortlist, with the Germany international also set to become a free agent in the summer when his contract comes to an end at PSG.

Edu nightmare

If this was several years ago, when Draxler was bursting on to the scene with Bundesliga side Schalke, then it would be entirely understandable for the Gunners to go after him.

But the 27-year-old, who earns around £125k-a-week at French giants PSG, has just not delivered on his early promise, and it’s a telling sign that he could become a free agent this summer.

Arsenal desperately don’t need another highly-paid but declining player to come on to their books, even if it is on a temporary basis.

Mesut Ozil’s situation since he signed his new bumper contract at the Emirates a couple of years ago has surely given Edu a basis of what not to do in the transfer market.

Going in for Draxler, who has completed the 90 minutes just twice this season at PSG, would be tantamount to yet another costly disaster from the Gunners.

The north London side must steer clear. If they don’t, Arteta certainly won’t be happy with his technical director’s work.

Talk about going down with a fight. After a wretched display before the international break saw Newcastle slip to a dismal 2-1 defeat to Southampton, you would have thought Steve Bruce’s side would be raring to put things right on Saturday afternoon against Chelsea.

Instead, they were timid, far too defensive and void of any creativity. A familiar scene for any Magpies fan this season. Frank Lampard’s side ran out comfortable winners in the end, and barely broke a sweat, with Sean Longstaff’s long-range strike deep in the second half the only real worthy effort of note.

And whilst they were poor going forward – they managed just one shot on target in the entire game – one man let his manager down massively: Federico Fernandez.

The Argentine has arguably been one of the more reliable performers this season at St James’ Park, but he was nowhere near the kind of standards he has set for himself.

The 31-year-old was involved in Chelsea’s first goal, and his attempts at trying to claim a foul from Ben Chilwell was pathetic. The 6 foot 2 central defender was far too weak in defending an incoming corner, and instead of trying to clear his lines, seemed more interested in going down at the slightest of contact from the Blues ace. The end result? He ended up sticking it into his own net.

And his nightmare display wasn’t all about his own goal either. As per Sofascore, he made no tackles or interceptions whatsoever, and competed in just one duel – which he lost.

For a centre-back to go through an entire game without registering a defensive contribution like that is frankly shocking, and he just looked all at sea in trying to deal with the pace and movement of the likes of Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham.

Jamaal Lascelles’ injury probably didn’t help his cause either, but for an experienced professional like him to put in such a nothing display, was just a slap in the face for the supporters and Bruce.

The long-awaited answer to the Leeds conundrum that is Eunan O’Kane is finally set to be answered. The castaway midfielder surely looks set to leave the Yorkshire outfit next summer upon the expiry of his contract.

After joining the Whites in 2016 and making a total of 58 appearances, the 30-year-old has been dropped completely from the senior squad. But he hasn’t just struggled for game time at Leeds. O’Kane hasn’t played a single minute of football since the 2018/19 season. Thankfully for Andrea Radrizzani, there’s just over six months left until he can be shown the exit.

Goodbye O’Kane

The Irishman’s situation is extremely odd and it’s one that the board at Leeds will be looking forward to getting off their plate. O’Kane has played just four times in his last three years, which amounts to rinsing Radrizzani of £507,000 per appearance.

This is broken down from his annual wage of £676,000, meaning he has pocketed a handsome £2million from playing four measly games of football in the last three years – none of which he even started (via Transfermarkt).

These appearances came whilst on loan at Luton Town, where he is still currently at. However, he suffered a fractured leg back in 2018 and it seems he has been left on the shelf ever since his injury. If O’Kane cannot break into a Championship side as a senior international player, then his chances of becoming even a back-up option under Marcelo Bielsa are near impossible.

Leeds are constantly adapting and are grinding hard to ensure they keep their spot in the Premier League next season. With no talks of a contract extension and not a single minute under his belt since 2018, O’Kane will be looking for a new club to join once the summer transfer rolls around.

He was signed for a reported £450,000 from Bournemouth, which only adds to the thousands upon thousands Radrizzani has seen go down the drain by keeping him at the club.

In other news, Carlton Palmer fears this Leeds injury is a “massive blow” to Bielsa…