All posts by n8rngtd.top

A number of Liverpool fans gave blunt, withering assessments of midfielder Naby Keita in response to a question posed by @AnfieldWatch on Twitter.

Followers were asked for their recommendations for a nickname for the 24-year-old Guinea international, whose Liverpool career has frequently been interrupted by injuries since his £52.75m arrival (as per Sky Sports) from RB Leipzig in 2018.

Having missed four games with a muscle injury in the opening half of last season, he was then ruled out for a spell in March and missed the end of the campaign after rupturing a tendon.

He departed the African Cup of Nations mid-tournament last summer due to fitness concerns and was missing for several weeks earlier this season with a torn muscle bundle, as per TransferMarkt.

Keita has only played 319 minutes of football this season, making just four starts in all competitions, and he hasn’t featured since the Champions League win over Genk at the start of this month. [via TransferMarkt]

These Liverpool fans on Twitter came up with disparaging nicknames for the Guinean due to his unenviable injury record, with some drawing comparisons with other injury-plagued Reds midfielders past and present in Alberto Aquilani and Adam Lallana:

Do you think Keita has been a disappointment at Liverpool or has he been horrendously unlucky with injuries? Join in the discussion by commenting below!

With the Premier League now suspended indefinitely, we’ve been given plenty of time to reflect on what’s already happened this season.

It’s been something of a rollercoaster ride for Man United: a defeat to Newcastle in October saw them plummet all the way down to 12th place, but they’re now just three points off claiming a Champions League spot.

So, who has been pulling their weight at Old Trafford this term and who has left much to be desired? We look at two players who’ve let manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer down this season, in one way or another…

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Andreas Pereira

Granted, Pereira may have only begun starting regularly for United last season, but he also has two full campaigns of senior action in La Liga under his belt and is 24 years of age. Throw in a cap for Brazil as well, and the midfielder should be a far more consistent performer for United, but ultimately he’s continued to underwhelm, earning a Whoscored rating of just 6.59 for his Premier League efforts this term.

But the real disappointment here is the fact Solskjaer’s persisted with Pereira by continuing to give him chances. He’s made 18 Premier League starts this season – only eight team-mates boast more – and predominantly featured in his favoured No.10 role, yet produced just one goal and three assists in the top flight, with all except a setup versus Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season coming against very unspectacular opposition.

Perhaps Pereira simply isn’t at United’s level – although he has previously won the Goal of the Season and Reserve of the Year awards at Old Trafford – but Solskjaer must be frustrated that his faith simply hasn’t been rewarded.

Jesse Lingard

Aged 27, a fully-fledged England international and a Red Devils academy product, Lingard should be one of the real leaders of this United team, someone who demonstrates the level of industry and consistency needed to become part of the furniture at Old Trafford. Think back to the likes of Wes Brown or Nicky Butt; they were by no means the biggest talents in the squad and didn’t start every game, but usually delivered when called upon.

Lingard’s career should be following a similar trajectory, but instead he’s quite clearly regressing. 20 Premier League outings this season haven’t produced a single goal or assist and while just nine of those have been starts, it’s incredibly telling that Solskjaer has preferred the likes of Dan James and even the aforementioned Pereira to Lingard at times.

United have the youngest squad age in the Premier League currently and Lingard should be showing the others how it’s done. His form this season though has been nothing short of rookie.

Meanwhile, Odion Ighalo has revealed what he loves most about Manchester United.

The Chronicle journalist Ciaran Kelly has revealed how Newcastle’s players are primed to hit the ground running when the Premier League returns.

What did he say?

The top-flight could be set for its long-awaited return in June, provided it aligns with the government’s protocols. One of the main concerns for sides no doubt is how to ensure players get back to full fitness as soon as possible, and Kelly has revealed what the Magpies have done over these past few weeks.

He said: “Newcastle United players know they will be fined if they are overweight. The squad were sent away from the training ground on March 13 with their own individual training programmes to carry out in their homes after football operations at the club’s Benton base were shut down.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

“Each player was given a GPS watch, which records their heart rate and activity, and this data can be monitored remotely by club staff. Although the first few weeks of remote training were quite strenuous, it is understood the programmes have since been scaled back a little given the uncertainty surrounding when football will actually resume.”

Advantage

With the remaining Premier League games likely to be played in very quick succession, making sure players are equipped to playing 90 minutes repeatedly is a hard challenge to overcome.

And it’s exactly why Newcastle appear to have got things spot-on in making sure the entire squad understand just how important it is that they don’t slack off from trying to keep themselves in the best shape possible before normal training can resume.

The Magpies could be one of the teams to hit the ground running when the Premier League resumes.

Some Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been reacting to footage showing a few of the players training with Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo after it was posted on the club’s official Twitter page.

As per the clip, the players involved in the drill included central defender Willy Boly and central midfielder Ruben Neves as they passed the ball to each other.

Indeed, Wolves have returned to training in the hope and preparation that the football season will resume again, having had a lengthy period of time off because of the coronavirus pandemic that spread across the globe.

The Molineux outfit are still in the UEFA Europa League and have nine games left to play in the Premier League, sitting in sixth place on 43 points at the moment, just five points off of a Champions League spot, according to BBC.

These Wolves supporters reacted to the video on Twitter, with one noticing the absence of a certain Raul Jimenez:

Wolves fans, are you confident that the team can finish the season strongly if it resumes? Comment below with your views!

Former Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has revealed that he feels sorry for Sunderland ahead of what could be a points-per-game finish to the League One season.

With the Premier League and Championship gradually returning to training ahead of potential restarts to the 2019/2020 season, League One clubs are eagerly anticipating a decision to be made over their future.

Sunderland, who sit seventh in the league standings are on course to miss out on a play-off place if the current campaign is cancelled and ended on a points-per-game system.

Despite sitting three points off second place, the Black Cats would drop down to eighth position of the PPG system is used.

However, despite claims on how the season should be completed, it is also reported that League One clubs are at odds over how to finish.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Football Show, Barton said: “I’d prefer to finish the campaign, we’ve been quite vocal about that from the start. We believe we could have got [one of] the [automatic promotion places], I think we’d had one defeat in 17, unbeaten in 12 and been away to every side who had a chance of winning the league.

“We had to play nine games, six of those were in the bottom 10, three of those six were in the bottom three, you’d argue Bolton and Southend were already down and probably only Tranmere fighting for survival there – so we felt like we had a shot at the automatics, we were two points behind Rotherham with them to play at home.

“We’re disappointed in this but we will get a chance with a play-off situation and I do feel sorry for Sunderland – I never thought I’d say that – but I do feel sorry for them.”

Barton is the current manager of Fleetwood, see his side sit 5th place in the league standings as thing stand, just seven points off league leaders Coventry City.

A potential PPG system would see Barton’s side drop to 6th but hold on to a play-off spot, ahead of Peterborough.

Do you think the league will finish on a points-per-game system? Let us know in the comments section below…

This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

Homegrown, local players are emerging back into fashion in the world of football. The days of native club heroes like Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are long gone, and with them went the desire for teams to nurture their academy players. But now it seems the trend is back on.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a fine example of how a product of a club’s youth system can go on to achieve his dreams with his boyhood club. Another example is Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash. The Englishman may not have won the Champions League or be a household name, but who’s to say he never will?

Cash started out at Forest as a young boy, signing for the Nottinghamshire outfit in 2014 before being awarded a professional contract two years later. The youngster spent one year on loan with Dagenham and Redbridge to gain some experience and upon his return, he was deemed ready to play amongst the big fish.

In the summer of 2016, Cash was promoted to the senior squad and he hasn’t looked back since. This season he has especially shown his worth and cemented his place in the starting lineup.

The Englishman has missed just one Championship match this entire campaign, establishing himself as an integral part of Sabri Lamouchi’s set-up. This term he has three goals and four assists, including the goal he scored against West Brom on Forest’s opening game of the season.

In September 2016, during his first season with the first team, Cash was valued at just £135,000. However, after his solid performances in defence and his ability to shift into midfield or on the wing, his market price has skyrocketed. According to Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old is now worth £4.3million (£5.4m prior to the dip in the market due to current events).

After being named as part of FIFA 20’s Team of the Season, a lot of buzz has surrounded the up and coming right-back. Additionally, if Forest qualify for this season’s play-offs and clinch promotion, Cash’s market value will only continue to rise. If he stays with his boyhood club, he will be an invaluable asset. If he chooses to move on, he’s going to make the Reds an awful lot of money considering he is very much one of their own.

Forest fans, how impressive has Cash been this term? Let us know below…

Championship side Bristol City have issued an update on the future of Liam Walsh, who spent the 2019/2020 season on loan with Coventry City.

The 22-year-old, who was named Coventry’s Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year for the 2019/20 campaign, returned to his parent club after the League One season was ended via a points-per-game system.

Any hopes Coventry had of re-signing Walsh on loan have now seemingly been ended, with Bristol City confirming via their official website that he has had a clause in his contract activated. He is now expected to pursue the opportunity of becoming a first team regular for Lee Johnson’s side next term.

With Sky Blues boss Mark Robins keen to build a squad capable of taking on the challenge of the Championship next term after their promotion, Walsh’s services would have been key. The midfielder had a fine 2019/20 campaign, scoring three goals and supplying five assists.

The 22-year-old’s exit from Coventry has already been addressed to a certain extent with the impending announcement of the signing of midfielder Gustavo Hamer. The Dutchman, who played last season for PEC Zwolle, has jetted into England this week to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before having a medical with the Sky Blues.

Losing Walsh will be a blow for Coventry ahead of next season but Robins has already done his best to find a replacement by agreeing a deal for Hamer.

The Dutch midfielder will need to be afforded time to adjust but, should he perform to the same level as Walsh, he would then prove to be a fine addition and soften the blow of missing out on the Bristol City man for 2020/21.

How much of a loss is Walsh going to be for Coventry? Let us know in the comments section below…

Manchester United are set to spring a surprise and try to beat Liverpool to sign Watford star Ismaila Sarr this summer, according to The Daily Mirror. 

Man United will face stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund and the Reds for his signature.

Sarr, who is currently valued at £22m, has shined despite the fact the Hornets have struggled since the Premier League restart.

The Red Devils are reportedly keen to sign the Watford winger as a possible alternative to Jadon Sancho in the summer.

It’s no secret that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs a new right winger, as Daniel James just simply isn’t up to the standards required.

Sarr, 22, has scored five goals and supplied three assists in the Premier League this season, taking 1.6 shots and averaging 1.7 dribbles per game (via WhoScored). He scored twice as the Hornets ran riot over Liverpool at Vicarage Road in March, ending their hopes of staying unbeaten for the entire campaign.

Watford signed the Senegal winger from Rennes for a club record fee last year and they will surely be looking to recoup some of the £25m they paid  for him in August.

Club legend Gary Neville described him as a “big talent” and suggested his old side will be looking at the youngster as a cheaper alternative to Sancho, who could cost more than £100m if he leaves the Signal Iduna Park.

As it stands, it looks increasingly likely Sancho will stay in Germany, as United are unwilling to meet Dortmund’s staggering asking price.

They could turn their attention to Sarr instead, who could become a top Premier League player if Solskjaer can get the best out of his obvious potential. Nigel Pearson has already left Vicarage Road, and now may be the perfect time for United to strike, as Watford find themselves in disarray.

United fans, should Ed Woodward sign Sarr or Sancho in the summer? Let us know down below!

Manchester United are ‘confident’ of completing a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho this summer after cooling interest in Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, reports claim. 

Discussions with Dortmund focus on the transfer fee for Sancho as it is understood that personal terms will not be a problem.

The German giants want at least €120m (£109m) for the England international winger but Man United are not prepared so much in such unprecedented circumstances.

Dortmund are demanding a figure of €100m (£90.5m) upfront and they want the deal to be done in time for their return to pre-season training on August 10.

According to Sky Sports, Lucien Favre’s side are already preparing for his departure as they are interested in Lille forward Jonathan Ikone as an alternative.

Although the transfer deadline is fast approaching, United remain the only club to have made official contact with Dortmund.

Sancho, 20, is the club’s top scorer this season, having scored 20 goals and supplied 18 assists in all competitions so far (via WhoScored). His contract will run out in 2022 and Dortmund are in no rush to sell him in the summer.

However, the Red Devils have received a major boost as their chances of convincing the former Manchester City academy graduate to move to Old Trafford have significantly improved after Solskjaer’s side qualified for the Champions League.

Qualifying for Europe’s premier competition is rewarded with a share of UEFA’s prize money distribution and this has increased their sizeable transfer kitty. Each of the 32 clubs that reach the tournament receive a group stage allocation which varies from year to year.

United are also looking at alternatives like Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman, but fans should be reassured that this is a big step in the right direction.

United fans, do you think Ed Woodward will sign Sancho this summer? Let us know down below!

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is plotting a squad overhaul at Goodison Park this summer and he has one name at the top of his wishlist.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Italian wants Lazio striker Ciro Immobile at the Toffees next season but he’s merely one of many players being targeted.

It’s claimed that the 30-year-old talisman could cost in excess of £50m whilst there is a suggestion that Ancelotti believes his task in Merseyside is now a lot harder than he first imagined when appointed back in December.

As a result, the 61-year-old, who has managed the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, has demanded to have more of a say in transfers alongside director of football Marcel Brands.

Major upgrade to DCL

The report suggests that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is prepared to back Ancelotti if it means they’ll reach Europe next season, so a move for Immobile would absolutely be the right way to start.

To call the Italy international ‘prolific’ would be an understatement. Over the course of four seasons at Lazio, Immobile has found the net 124 times in 177 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

35 of those have come this campaign alone whilst he’s also provided nine assists and averaged a whopping 3.9 shots, 1.6 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

These are substantially better returns than Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has managed 13 goals and one assist. The Englishman also fires fewer shots at goal (2.4), way fewer key passes (0.4) and dribbles (0.4) too.

Immobile’s agent once described him as “the best striker in Europe, not just Italy,” and his numbers certainly back that up.

Moshiri absolutely has to throw money at Lazio to clinch an absolute beast of a goalscorer.

AND in other news,  transfer swoop for UCL winner would be shades of Distin…