Chris Wilder needs to reignite another player’s career as Blades chase Jota

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Recent reports have linked Sheffield United with a move for Birmingham City midfielder Jota Peleteiro.

The Spaniard has been out of sorts for a couple of seasons now, but there may not be a better place for him to recapture his best form which saw him gain many admirers during his time at Brentford.

The silky dribbler has only scored three goals this term, but his 11 assists show more of what he is capable of.

His strike tally from his time at Birmingham isn’t representative of what the 27-year-old is capable of. During his time at Brentford, he hit double figures in terms of goals in two separate campaigns, and there is no reason he can’t recapture that form at Bramall Lane.

The technician’s poor returns since his move to St Andrew’s has been attributed to his move to the right side of midfield. The consensus has been that Peleteiro is wasted out on the flank as during the most effective periods of his career he was playing through the middle.

In Chris Wilder’s 5-2-1-2 system, Jota would be able to return to the position in which he thrives most.

He would step into Mark Duffy’s current spot excellently and with the attacking style that the Blades play he would be able to recapture the type of form which saw him hit 12 goals in a Championship season.

Sheffield United’s current situation is not too dissimilar to Brentford’s when Jota was there. They will be outmatched in terms of personnel in most games, but they will still try to play a brand of stylish and expansive football.

Wilder has also had the golden touch when it comes to resurrecting under-performing players’ careers. David McGoldrick game to the Yorkshire club as a washed up striker who had just been released by Ipswich. He then went on to win their Player of the Year award and scored 15 goals as the Blades were promoted.

If Jota can get the same injection of rejuvenation under the tutelage of the 51-year-old, then the Steel City side may be about to pick up one of the most underrated and underutilised talents in the country.

Regional Digest: How Harry Wilson could fit in at Southampton next season

When you look at Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton squad, one area that could do with some strengthening in the summer is attack. 

As well as bringing in a No.9, the Saints probably also need to add at least one new winger to their ranks.

Bearing that in mind, it is not a surprise to see names such as Harry Wilson pop up. The 22-year-old is said to be a target for the south coast club and other Premier League outfits (Sky Sports) and, while he did not exactly pull up any trees in Derby County’s play-off final defeat to Aston Villa, he could still turn out to be a very clever acquisition for the team that ends up signing him this transfer window.

Should Southampton be the team that lands the Liverpool man, though, just where exactly will he fit in?

Well, as someone with a very good left foot who loves to cut inside before curling a shot towards goal, the right flank looks perfect for Wilson, especially when Hasenhuttl opts to go with a formation with wing-backs.

As Southampton fans have already seen this season, Yan Valery is terrific going forward. While the Frenchman keeps the opposition’s left winger or left-back busy, it could provide Wilson with space to move inside and cause absolute havoc.

His delivery means he is also very capable of playing on the opposite flank, making him arguably an even more attractive proposition for Hasenhuttl and Southampton.

Wherever he is deployed, Wilson has the potential to make the sort of impact the Saints need.

Southampton fans, where do you see Wilson fitting in if he joins? Let us know below! 

The Chalkboard: Lewis Morgan will find it difficult to break into Celtic side this summer

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon won’t have much time to assess his first-team squad before the thick and fast action starts again for the Hoops this summer.

Lennon’s side are currently due to play their first UEFA Champions League qualifier on July 9 or 10, and after a short break the Celtic Park boss will be busy back at work preparing the team for that initial challenge.

One of the players he’ll have to make a decision on quickly is winger Lewis Morgan, who just completed an incredibly long season with Sunderland, just missing out on promotion to the English Championship after Sunday’s play-off final.

He’ll be returning from loan to compete for a left wing spot, but does he have what it takes to make it at Celtic Park?

On the chalkboard

There’s already a fair bit of competition for the position at Celtic Park although it arguably does need strengthened if the Hoops have ambitions of making an impact in Europe.

Scott Sinclair has been first pick for most of the last 12 months, making 55 appearances in 2019/20, scoring 17 goals. Despite that decent tally, question marks have been raised about his ability to impress consistently, definitely opening the door for a new left winger to make the position his own.

Morgan though looks to be the least compelling option of the players immediately available to Lennon with both Mikey Johnston and Daniel Arzani probably ahead of him right now in the queue.

Sunderland impact

The 22-year-old didn’t have a completely ineffective spell at Sunderland after joining in the January transfer window, making 22 appearances in all competitions.

With just two goals and four assists though, he didn’t stand out too much either and given he was playing at English League One level, it doesn’t bode well when considering the kind of attacking output Celtic will be looking for in Europe and big domestic matches.

“Lionel Messi is Barcelona’s James McFadden!” – Watch Scottish football fans name their clubs’ Lionel Messi in the video below…

Right now, the step up between St Mirren and Celtic looks to have been too great of a divide for the young winger. He excelled at Scottish Championship level for the Buddies, but he’s done nothing since the move to suggest he can be a regular for the Hoops.

Can he surprise everyone and force his way into Lennon’s plans this summer? The jury is very much out.

Our captain: Liverpool fans praise Jordan Henderson after touching moment

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Lots of Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to praise Jordan Henderson after a video emerged of the midfielder embracing his dad after the final whistle.

It was a truly touching moment between a player who has been written off time and time again at Anfield, and a man who may not have been around to see his son’s best career achievement after battling throat cancer last year.

Has Salomon Rondon had a better season than Bobby Firmino? Matt from The Magpie Channel discusses in the video below…

Henderson had previously been the subject of an attempted swap deal with former Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, and had also endured four cup final losses already as a Liverpool player, so watching him lift the cup in Madrid was a beautiful moment involving the captain.

You could see the emotion in the Sunderland academy graduate’s face as he lifted the famous trophy, and he was in tears as he hugged his dad in what was a truly special moment.

Let’s take a look at some of the best tweets praising the 28-year-old…

Quuens Park Rangers fans on Twitter react following football rule changes

[ad_pod ]Queens Park Rangers fans have taken to the social media platform Twitter to react following an important announcement by their club about the changes to the rules of football.

The alterations to the international laws of the game affect dropped ball regulations, free-kicks, goal celebrations, goal-kicks, handballs, kick-offs, medical breaks, penalties, player equipment, quick free-kicks and cards, substitutes and team officials.

They will come into effect from the start of the 2019/2020 campaign, but some QPR supporters still aggrieved by certain officiating decisions in their team’s recent matches are not convinced.

Many of them don’t believe that the referees of England’s second tier are going to implement them properly as they took aim, with one of them stating that the new laws will lead to “no change at all” and another enquiring about the possibility of getting new referees instead.

Others chose to bemoan the fact that changes were happening, questioning why the beautiful game needs all these alterations ahead of the new season and fearing they could just slow the game down.

If you didn’t see what the likes of Mark Goldbridge and Expressions Oozing got up to at the Football Blogging Awards you need to check out the video below…

Below is a list of the best cynical reactions from Hoops fans…

2019/20: Five key dates that will determine if Crystal Palace can make top 10

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Finishing top 10 in the rather feisty environment of the Premier League is usually a job easier said than done. Crystal Palace know that better than most. They just missed out on it last year, but it’s possible looking ahead to 2019/20, and here are five key dates that might determine whether they make it.

10 August, Everton (H)

Palace will start the new season with a bang, literally. Everton should be top of their list of teams they have to take down in their journey to the top 10. This becomes even more evident when we factor in that they barely scraped a point off the Toffees last season. Starting the new campaign strong is vital.

28 September, Norwich City (H)

Establishing themselves against the newcomers could also prove to be important. But this game is an absolute must-win considering it comes right after Spurs (A), as well as Wolves (H), and is preceded by West Ham (A) and Manchester City (H). A huge sequence for Palace where getting any points will be vital.

2 November, Leicester City (H)

Another huge home game where they can’t afford to drop any points if they are to make the top 10. Beating the Foxes is a top priority, considering this game is sandwiched between Arsenal (A) and Chelsea (A). The match against the Blues is also followed by a heavyweight contest with Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

7 December, Watford (A)

Watford finished one place above Crystal Palace last season, so beating them should definitely be on the agenda when the new campaign rolls around. This is amplified even more when we consider that the Hornets beat Palace home and away when the two sides met last term.

18 January, Manchester City (A)

Crystal Palace can’t really hope to take down too many of the top teams throughout the whole season, but let’s not forget that game at the Etihad in 2018/19. If Palace can somehow replicate that result, or maybe even improve on it in some other big encounters, it could prove to be essential if they are to break the top 10 ceiling, as Wolves beat Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea last term.

Janssen finally proves his worth as Spurs look to sign Elmas

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Tottenham Hotspur have included Vincent Janssen in an offer for Fenerbahce attacking midfielder Eljif Elmas, per Fotomac.

What’s the word?

Janssen has been on the periphery at Spurs for over a year but was called back into the squad towards the end of the 2018/19 campaign, making a total of three substitute appearances in the Premier League.

That came after Mauricio Pochettino had previously written off the prospect of the Dutchman ever being involved in the first-team again.

Now, though, it appears that he could be used in a deal, with Spurs reportedly tabling an offer worth €19m (£16.9m) plus the forward for Elmas.

Elmas made 40 appearances in all competitions in 2018/19, scoring four goals from central midfield.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

An exceptional compromise

Janssen needs to leave Tottenham.

He’s scored just six goals for the club in 42 appearances and actually spent the 2017/18 season on loan at the Turkish club.

If a deal can be done that would see Janssen return to Fenerbahce and Elmas move the other way, it would appear to be a no-brainer for Spurs.

It remains to be seen if any club would actually make a bid for the 25-year-old, given his genuinely awful spell in north London, and a swap deal makes all the sense in the world, getting rid of a misfiring player while reducing the cost of a fresh signing.

“Many clubs” want Elmas, per the report, but perhaps Janssen could finally find himself useful and swing the deal in Spurs’ favour.

West Brom fans divided after Dowling rages at Celtic

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West Brom’s technical director Luke Dowling has thrown furious comments in the direction of Celtic, claiming that their treatment of Oliver Burke was unfair during his loan spell.

In quotes relaid by Express & Star, he commented: “He won’t be going nowhere near Celtic with the current manager. They know what’s gone on and Oli [Burke] certainly knows what’s gone on. It’s just something we’re not happy with at all.”

Burke initially starred under Brendan Rodgers with the Hoops, finding the net on four occasions. However, his form dropped after the Northern Irishman departed for Leicester as he found himself out of position playing as a central striker.

Reacting to the angry remarks on Twitter, a host of Albion fans were incredibly divided. One supporter said that Dowling’s words were unwarranted whilst another said it stunk of rank hypocrisy.

Some fans took it as an opportunity to assess Burke’s future as two individuals hoped to see new manager Slaven Bilic get the best out of him. Another focused on Rekeem Harper who has been linked to Celtic this summer.

Burke initially signed for the club for £15m back in 2017 but has failed to really make an impact, playing just 21 times and scoring once.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

Signing Che Adams would be smart business for Southampton

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Southampton have already made one signing during this summer transfer window, and the Daily Star thinks that they will soon be making another. The outlet is reporting that Che Adams is set to join the Saints from Birmingham for £14m, although more recent reports suggest that the deal is by no means over the line just yet.

It could be perceived as a risky transfer as Adams is yet to play Premier League football during his career, but in the long run, it should prove to be the right addition. Here are two reasons Southampton would be doing a great bit of business by bringing him in for the reported £14m fee…

Southampton need goals and Adams can bring them in

Southampton did not have the best of seasons last time out as they finished in 16th place in the Premier League table. In front of goal, they particularly struggled. Nathan Redmond was the club’s top goalscorer last season with nine, whilst the two recognised strikers Danny Ings and Shane Long scored eight and five respectively.

Ralph Hassenhüttl turned the side’s form around following his appointment in December, but if he wants to see the team progress, he needs to add more firepower. Last term, Adams struck 22 times in 43 starts in the Championship: only five players were able to better that. Adams will give Hasenhuttl exactly what he needs provided he is able to take his scoring form to the top-tier.

Re-sale value

They may not like to admit it, but Southampton have earned a reputation as something of a selling club. In the last five years, they have sold no less than 13 players for fees over £10m and six for over £20m.

Adams fits perfectly into that. He is just 22 years of age, meaning he is still young and has plenty of time to perfect his game, and he is English, which always seems to raise the price during a potential transfer; Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson are two good historic examples, while Harry Maguire could reportedly set a buyer back as much as £90m this summer. If Hassenhüttl can get the best out of him in the next 2 or 3 years, Southampton could get themselves a big fee when Adams hits his stride.

Nottingham Forest fans react to baffling Martin O’Neill situation

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On Friday afternoon Nottingham Forest confirmed that they had sacked Martin O’Neill from his job as manager of the club.

Yet, just 18 minutes after doing so, they confirmed their new manager. In through the door came former France international Sabri Lamouchi, formerly the manager of Rennes.

It was a completely baffling situation as the club appeared as though they could barely wait to confirm their new arrival.

Understandably, it was news that sparked plenty of reaction on Twitter, leaving some fans disgusted by what had happened.

One fan explained that the announcement showed a total lack of class whilst another said it was an appalling way to treat a club legend.

However, one supporter decided to look at things in a more comical fashion, asking whether Lamouchi had been hiding under O’Neill’s desk.

Watch Nottingham Forest Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The latter had managed to guide Forest to a ninth-placed finish in the Championship but they missed out on the play-offs after a troublesome end to the campaign.

Lamouchi isn’t hugely experienced in management but has taken charge of Ivory Coast. His other jobs included spells with Qatar based club El Jaish and Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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