All posts by n8rngtd.top

Airdrie manager Ian Murray has suggested that Glasgow Rangers should let Nathan Patterson join Hibernian or Hearts for free.

Murray makes Patterson claim

This season has been Patterson’s breakout campaign at Ibrox, even despite receiving a six-game ban for breaking lockdown regulations (Sky Sports). He has made 12 appearances in all competitions for the Gers first team, scoring twice (Transfermarkt), and has shown himself to be an able deputy to first-choice right-back James Tavernier.

However, speaking to BBC Scotland (via Edinburgh Live), Murray suggested that the Gers should let him leave for free. The Airdrie boss said:

“We’re not talking for Rangers here, but if Rangers want to improve young players so much, and their fans and everybody wants to improve Scottish football, why don’t they go give Patterson to Hibs?
“Give him to Hearts, St Mirren and don’t ask for any money.
“If you want to progress the player and get him games, there you go.
“But they won’t and I understand why.”

Outrageous

It is hard to decide whether Murray is actually being serious with these comments. From his point of view, the only argument he could be making is that the Gers allow him to leave so he can play more regularly, but why would they do so for free? Even a loan deal would require another club to at least contribute to his wages.
Steven Gerrard’s staunch defence of the 19-year-old after he broke lockdown rules (Daily Record) shows that he is a big fan of the teenager. As such, why would he let him depart for free, especially now that he has proven capable of stepping up to the first team? Perhaps Murray should take a little more time to think before sharing such bewildering opinions.
In other news, many Rangers fans were delighted with this man’s performance against Hibernian.

If Tottenham Hotspur are to move on from Jose Mourinho this summer, then Daniel Levy may have just been given an open door to his first-choice replacement…

What’s the word?

It’s thought that RB Leipzig gem Julian Nagelsmann is Spurs’ top target to succeed Mourinho in north London, according to the Telegraph’s Matt Law, should Levy pull the trigger on the Portuguese boss before next season.

Earlier this week, the chances of that happening quickly appeared slim after Germany and Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus claimed he is the no.1 candidate to replace Hansi Flick at the Allianz Arena.

“Munich have already chatted a bit with Nagelsmann, including about financial matters,” Matthaus told Sky Germany.

However, this is something the 33-year-old has denied in a recent press conference, via ESPN, which will now come as a huge boost to Levy and Spurs.

“There have been no talks and we are currently in no talks,” revealed Nagelsmann ahead of Leipzig’s clash with Ryan Sessegnon’s Hoffenheim. “The country needs new sources. I don’t know where he got his info from.”

Levy will be delighted

This will surely delight Levy as further claims from Italian journalist Nicolo Schira this week suggest that the Leipzig guru has already been contacted by Spurs in recent weeks.

Mourinho’s tenure in north London has quickly turned sour – at one stage back in early December, they were leading the Premier League but now hopes of reaching the top four seem all but over, whilst they have also crashed out of the Europa League and FA Cup.

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Only a Carabao Cup final showdown with runaway league leaders Manchester City could save him his job.

Pressure has certainly started to mount on the former Chelsea boss and he is on the verge of losing the dressing room, very much following a trend at every club he’s been at, after his recent “same manager, different players” response, some of the squad couldn’t quite believe it. It created even more unease, more grounds for complaint, according to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney.

Now that Bayern do not appear to be in talks with Nagelsmann at all, Levy surely has a free run at clinching his top target this summer.

All could depend on that final at the end of the month, but it would certainly be a surprise to see Mourinho in the dugout next season, particularly as they seemed destined to miss out on a Champions League place once again.

Nagelsmann, who has been dubbed a “great coaching talent” and a leader, would be an interesting successor.

This fresh update will surely be music to Levy’s ears.

AND in other news, Spurs could land their next Robbie Keane in “unbelievable” £18m-rated workhorse…

An intriguing name has entered the running for the Tottenham Hotspur job this week…

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic, Spurs have contacted the representatives of Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelino, who has only ever managed in Spain, having taken charge of the likes of Valencia and Villarreal.

It’s claimed that, despite being under contract until 2022, the 55-year-old shouldn’t be too expensive to sign as there are certain clauses within his contract.

The north Londoners have only ever had one Spaniard in charge, that being Juande Ramos, who was brought in from Sevilla in 2007.

Shades of Bielsa

A move for the Bilbao boss would be an interesting change of direction from Daniel Levy and the Spurs hierarchy, as there is something very niche about him.

Marcelino is a hugely demanding coach who is obsessive over fitness and his players’ physical condition.

Part of his success at Villarreal was down to exactly this, according to legendary defensive midfielder Bruno Soriano. “There are tests every single day: weight, body mass,” he revealed to ESPN. “There are things that we can’t do. We looked after ourselves anyway, but there’s greater control now.”

His tactical system is also simple, but effective. It’s largely always been a rigid 4-4-2, where rapid transitions in attack can pick apart any opposition – he did beat Barcelona to the Copa del Rey final once.

When applying a high press on the opposition, this quickly changes to a 4-1-3-2 and often forces the ball out wide, where they can then apply further pressure whilst on the counter-attack, it’s often hell for leather with as many as five options bombing on to support.

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But it is, of course, his impact in the gym that makes him most unique, and that’s only really been seen in England with the rise of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds – famed for his ‘murderball’ sessions, which is claimed to be “about ten times harder than a [Premier League] game.”

“Fitness-wise, because of the hard training we do, I have never been as fit as this, and I’m sure the rest of the lads would say the same,” explained Patrick Bamford, their top goalscorer.

“Intense” and “strict” are two other buzzwords associated with Bielsa’s mantra up at Elland Road, and if Spurs were to move for Marcelino, then they should get used to hearing the same.

At Valencia, the 55-year-old was said to have constructed an overhaul of the club’s dietary system, all because of how crucial physical and stamina are to his tactical system.

Back in 2015, Marcelino drew high praise from Carlo Ancelotti, then in charge of Real Madrid, whilst Pep Guardiola and Rafa Benitez are two managers he looks up to for inspiration.

Furthermore, he would meet Levy’s seeming criteria of being attack-minded. He once told El Pais that “If we can finish a move in five successive passes on the ground, we won’t do it in 20.”

The Daily Mail even claimed in 2019 that ‘his style, promoting fast and dynamic football with two strikers and a commitment to attack’ is a reason for previously attracting interest in England.

Once touted as Spain’s next big manager, Marcelino would be an intriguing option for Spurs to consider, fans shouldn’t turn their nose up at him just yet.

A Bielsa-like influence would certainly fire a rocket up this struggling squad, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Levy could hire a dream Mourinho successor in 53 y/o, he called Spurs a “great club”…

Aston Villa are reportedly keeping tabs on Jesse Lingard amid his fruitful loan spell at West Ham.

While it has been suggested that the Hammers will look to sign the England international permanently and his parent club Manchester United will demand £30m to sell him, it does seem as if Dean Smith’s Villa are also in the chase for the midfielder.

Villa keep tabs on Lingard

Football Insider have recently reported about Lingard, saying that Villa could join the race for the midfielder only if Manchester United would want to sell him permanently once the loan stint at West Ham ends. The Birmingham-based club are keeping tabs on the 28-year-old, who Smith and the club’s coaches view as a “Villa-type player”.

The report suggests that Villa plan to sign a couple of senior attacking players who can also play in the wide positions. Apart from Lingard, they are also keeping tabs on Werder Bremen star Milot Rashica.

Lingard’s performances for the Hammers and England have been described as “brilliant” by former Premier League ace Trevor Sinclair on talkSPORT, considering that he has scored nine goals while picking up four assists as well.

Lingard could be a Barkley replacement

Lingard’s performances have been excellent of late, and considering that Ross Barkley has now been struggling for game-time, Villa could need an attack-minded player to chip in with goal contributions from midfield.

Barkley’s last start for the club came back in late February and he has only come on from the bench since then, while he has just one goal to his name since the start of November. With Jack Grealish injured, Villa have won only two games since the last week of February, which shows that they might need another consistent goal contributor.

Keeping in mind his numbers for the campaign, Lingard could certainly be the right man for Villa, and it is easy to see why Smith and co would want him.

In other news, Football pariahs eye move for £28.8m-valued Villa star – read more here.

Manchester City take on PSG away from home in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to secure a positive result ahead of the return leg at the Etihad next week.

The Citizens have never reached the Champions League final so will be looking to make history over the next couple of weeks, although they face a tough test against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who were edged out against Bayern Munich in last year’s final.

Guardiola’s side are fresh from winning their fourth consecutive Carabao Cup final at the weekend, where the Spanish manager selected a strong team, which suggests that a few changes are likely ahead of the trip to Les Parc de Princes.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up on Wednesday evening, with three changes from the side that started the 1-0 win against Spurs…

Although he managed a clean sheet in the final, Zack Steffen will sit this one out to allow first-choice Ederson to reclaim his place in goal.

Despite John Stones being available after missing the final through suspension, we feel that Guardiola will stick with the same back four for this one, as Aymeric Laporte deserves to keep his place after scoring the winner, whilst Stones’ last performance against Aston Villa was less than impressive.

There is one change in midfield, as Rodri comes in for Fernandinho after being rested for the final, and he features alongside the magnificent Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.

Finally, there is one change in attack, as Raheem Sterling is replaced by Bernardo Silva, with the “exceptional” former AS Monaco man playing as a false nine, with Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez supporting him from the wings.

And, in other news… Guardiola must ruthlessly axe “remarkable” Man City star or risk dire Lyon repeat

Leeds must seize their perfect chance to offload Gjanni Alioski this summer amid reported interest from Napoli.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Turkish giants Galatasaray had reached a pre-contract agreement with the versatile defender as the 29-year-old’s current deal with Marcelo Bielsa’s side expires this summer.

Now, Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) claim that with Faouzi Ghoulam set to leave Napoli in the summer, the Serie A giants are eyeing a move for Alioski as his potential replacement.

Bielsa’s golden chance

Speaking after the 0-0 draw against Chelsea last month, former Leeds man Noel Whelan criticised the £3.6m-rated Alioski for his defending and urged the club to go after a new left-back when the transfer window opens.

He said: “Leeds need a natural full-back there that you know can cover most bases, definitely defensively because as much as he gives everything, he is a liability. He’s not the best of defenders.

“I think that’s why you could see a lot going down that left-hand side, really targeting Alioski and you saw that frailty there at times.”

Earning a reported £55k-a-week, Alioski’s departure would take a massive load off the wage bill at Elland Road, and would surely have Andrea Radrizzani relieved.

The Leeds owner will certainly not want to be paying a player who’s been labelled a “liability” and who isn’t even a “natural full-back” like Whelan says.

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It’s the perfect time for the Whites to move on from the 29-year-old, and news of Napoli’s emerging interest has handed Bielsa the perfect chance to finally get rid of Alioski this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds must unleash this star who’s “got it all”…

According to an update Corriere della Sera, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with yet another name as Daniel Levy’s hunt for a new manager goes on.

The Lowdown: Gasperini emerges as new Spurs candidate

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has now emerged as a new name linked with the Tottenham vacancy with reports only just coming out in the last 48 hours.

Indeed, journalist Duncan Castles first claimed that Spurs have made an approach for the Italian and it is believed that the reply from him was a positive one (Transfer Window Podcast).

Spurs have been linked with a host of names since former boss Jose Mourinho was shown the door, a list which includes Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers, Erik Ten Hag, Scott Parker, Graham Potter and Ralf Rangnick (Daily Mail).

However, reports have now come to light of yet another new name in Gasperini.

The Latest: Contact for Gasperini backed in Italy

Now, backing up the claim from Castles, Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness) have dropped their own update and also believe an approach has been made by Spurs ‘in the last few hours’ (reported Wednesday evening).

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However, the report isn’t quite as positive when it comes to the 63-year-old being named as the new manager of Tottenham – with an exit from Atalanta looking ‘unlikely’ regardless of Levy’s move to make contact.

It is believed that the only club with enough pulling power to lure Gasperini away from the Gewiss Stadium is Serie A giant Juventus.

The local news outlet, therefore, believe Tottenham could be thwarted in their fresh manager interest.

The Verdict: Spurs should go all out…

Despite this report claiming a move away from Atalanta is unlikely, if Levy could pull out all the stops and somehow make a move happen, there is plenty of evidence to suggest he is a brilliant dark horse for the job.

Winning Serie A coach of the year in both 2019 and 2020 (TEAMtalk), Gasperini has also managed a very impressive 53% win rate since taking charge at Atalanta in the summer of 2016.

It is known that Spurs are on the look out for an attack minded manager and he certainly could fit the bill, favouring the 3-4-3 formation and possession-based football (TEAMtalk).

He has also guided his side to Champions League football in each of the last two seasons and is on course to do it yet again this campaign, an incredible feat for a club nowhere near the size of its competitors in Serie A.

Despite not being ‘young’ or ‘dynamic’, with technical performance director Steve Hitchen allegedly wanting that criteria of boss (The Mail), Gasperini still comes as a very qualified new name to be linked.

In other news: Sky reporter lifts lid on Levy summer plan for Spurs, find out more here.

Former Everton defender Michael Ball has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Real Betis right-back Emerson is the sort of player he can see his old side and Marcel Brands targeting this summer.

The 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at the Benito Villamarin from Barcelona, was heavily linked with the Merseyside club last year.

Max Aarons was thought to be high on Everton’s list in their search for a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman, but it was recently reported by Fabrizio Romano that they have pulled out of the race to sign the Norwich City player.

It leaves manager Carlo Ancelotti and director of football Brands needing to look elsewhere. For Ball, that could mean turning to Emerson, who he believes fits the necessary criteria for the latter.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the Brazilian full-back, the ex-Everton player said:

“Emerson, for Real Betis, a Brazilian. Everton have got a lot of Brazilians at the football club. Whether that’s a link, I’m not too sure. It’s a position I think would be a priority for the club.

“Moving forward for the next couple of years, we need to sort of filter Seamus out and bring the next generation through.

“[Emerson’s] got the potential and it’s the right fit for a Marcel Brands type of signing. Young, got resale value in the future, but also got the quality to make an impact straight away.”

Coleman has been a great servant for Everton over the years, but turning 33 this year, the Toffees probably do need to start thinking about a succession plan – which could come in the form of Emerson.

Norwich City star Emi Buendia could be tempted by a move away from Carrow Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Chris Sutton, who, in a recent interview with the Eastern Daily Press, urged Daniel Farke to do everything he can to keep the 24-year-old at Norwich ahead of next season, although suggested there is the possibility that the Argentine could have his head turned, as well as the Canaries receiving an offer they simply cannot refuse for the winger.

He said: “Norwich have to try and pull out all the stops to keep him. You need your creative players and the ones that are going to nick a goal and he is that player.

“Let’s not kid ourselves – there will be clubs out there who will have been watching him this season. He works hard out of possession as well – there’s not a lot wrong with him!

“There will be clubs in for him and maybe he will have his head turned again. Maybe Norwich will have an offer that they just cannot refuse.”

Farke will be gutted

With the Norwich manager recently stating on the record that he is confident of retaining the services of Buendia after the club secured promotion back to the Premier League, should Sutton prove to be right with his prediction, and Stuart Webber accepts an offer that is too good to turn down, Farke will be – rather understandably – gutted.

Indeed, losing the £20k-per-week star who was in such breathtaking form last season – with the £19.8m-rated winger scoring 15 goals, providing 16 assists and creating 18 big chances over his 39 Championship appearances, as well as averaging an incredible SofaScore match rating of 7.68 – prior to the club’s Premier League campaign would very much put a dent in the club’s chances of staying up next season.

However, with Webber reportedly informing Norwich players that they will be sold if the right offer is placed for them this summer, the possibility of Buendia – whom Max Aarons dubbed as “tenacious” – leaving the club remains a very real one – an outcome that is likely to give both the 44-year-old manager, as well as a great deal of the Canaries fanbase, nightmares.

In other news: Webber must seal NCFC deal for “unbelievable” £4.3k-p/w gem after major update emerges – opinion

Southampton failed to mark the return of fans to St Mary’s with a win on Tuesday evening, as they were beaten by an in-form Leeds United who secured a top ten finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side started brightly against the Elland Road outfit, with Che Adams forcing Kiko Casilla into two good saves, whilst James Ward-Prowse hit the bar with an unbelievable attempt from a free-kick.

However, the hosts tired in the second half and after some strange substitutions from the Austrian manager, Marcelo Bielsa’s side showed their class, with Patrick Bamford tucking home after a superb Rodrigo pass, before Tyler Roberts made the points safe late on.

One man who unfortunately was not at his best in the defeat at St Mary’s was Nathan Tella, which was a surprise after his impressive cameo against Fulham at the weekend earned him a rare start.

As per SofaScore, the 21-year-old would earn a disappointing 5.8/10 rating, which was the worst of any player to feature on Tuesday night.

During his time on the pitch, the former Arsenal youngster would have just 38 touches, one fewer than the 39 touches Alex McCarthy had during the game.

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The youngster, who partnered Adams up front in the first half and Danny Ings in the second, would complete just 13 passes during the game, whilst he was unsuccessful in all seven of the dribbles he attempted at St Mary’s.

As a result, he would lose possession on 16 occasions, which is something Hasenhuttl would have been desperate to avoid against a Leeds side who are so dangerous when they regain possession and look to counter.

Tella would also win just two out of his 20 duels during the game, resulting in a less than impressive 10% success rate, which emphasises that the Leeds defence well and truly had the better of him – as all three centre-backs in Bielsa’s side scored higher than a 7/10.

Although Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach described Tella as “special” during the first half, he was unable to trouble the Leeds defence and was certainly one of the poorest performers on a difficult evening for Hasenhuttl’s side, with the St Mary’s faithful unfortunately sent home disappointed on their return to the stadium.

And, in other news… Saints missed out on “outstanding” PL beast with 21 G/A