All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur have been urged to sign Sam Johnstone from West Brom by Alan Hutton after Spurs were reported to be keeping tabs on him.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Lilywhites right-back has encouraged his old team to go out and buy Johnstone in the summer transfer window as a potential replacement for Hugo Lloris:

“Lloris has been a great servant. He’s the captain but has come under a little bit of pressure in the last season. There have been a few mistakes. Maybe it’s got to that time to move on. 

“Maybe it’s got to that stage where a new opportunity would really help him. The fact Tottenham are looking at young, English goalkeepers that have played in the league, know what it’s all about, it’s a great option.

“I really like Sam Johnstone, you know I’ve played alongside him, he’s a fantastic keeper. 

“I’d love to see him do well at a big team. He went to Villa and then West Brom and has really grown into the position.

“I think, stepping up to England, he’s ready for that big move again. I’d love to see someone like Sam Johnstone get the nod.”

Tottenham should sign Johnstone

If Lloris does end up leaving the North London club, Johnstone is a perfect replacement for the long-serving France international.

The Englishman is much younger at 28 years of age, and is more than capable of playing at a higher level than the Baggies.

In a struggling side, Johnstone has often kept Albion in games this season, averaging no fewer than 4.1 saves per game in the Premier League so far in the 2020/21 term (Sofascore).

He has also made no errors that have led to goals in the top flight, suggesting that he is as reliable as he is acrobatic.

If Sam Allardyce’s team were to get relegated down to the EFL Championship as expected, Johnstone may also be available for a cheaper price, something that THFC should really look in to.

With Lloris getting on a bit now at 34 years old, Jose Mourinho’s side will surely have to be looking at a replacement ‘keeper sooner rather than later, and Johnstone may well fit the bill.

In other news, find out what enticing transfer claim a Sky Sports journalist has dropped on Spurs here!

Fans of Aston Villa have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club confirmed the appointment of Mile Jedinak as a part of Dean Smith’s backroom staff at Bodymoor Heath.

In a short statement on the Villa website, the club confirmed that Jedinak – who made 80 appearances for the club as a player over a three-year spell at Villa Park, playing an important role in the club’s 2018/19 promotion-winning campaign – will be taking up the role of Loan Player Development Coach at the club.

In addition to confirming Jedinak’s return, Villa also revealed that Adam Henshall has been appointed as the club’s new Head of Emerging Talents & Loans.

And, after Aston Villa relayed news of these appointments on Twitter, fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing delighted at the prospect of Jedinak being a part of the Villa setup once again.

So, what exactly did these Aston Villa fans have to say in reaction to Mile Jedinak’s appointment?

“Oh yes.”

@avfc_jf

“More key work behind the scenes looking after our future.”

@StephenArnold78

“Fantastic to see Mile still involved in the club.”

@BobBobb70447781

“Wow!!! Planning, that’s a novelty…”

@onmyshoe

“Love to see it.”

@liamhaddon1

“Great news.”

@BoysieBaldock

“Mile omds.”

@jlancaster0

In other news: Loads of Aston Villa fans called for this £42k p/w ace’s summer exit – find out more here!

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Jordan Jones reflected on the Black Cats’ recent draw with Peterborough United.

Having joined Sunderland from Rangers on a three-month loan deal back in January, Jones has impressed over his 11 League One appearances for Lee Johnson’s side, with the 26-year-old winger scoring two goals and providing four assists for the club, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.03 – ranking him as the Black Cats’ joint fourth-best performer in the third tier.

And, following the club’s recent draw with Peterborough United, Jones took to Twitter, claiming he felt that the result was a “good point” on what was a “tough pitch”, before stating that his and his team’s “full focus” is now on Saturday, when Sunderland face Charlton Athletic.

In reaction to his tweet, fans of Sunderland flocked to have their say on the matter, with many taking the opportunity to beg for Jones to remain at their club beyond his current loan spell.

So, what exactly did these Sunderland fans have to say in reaction to Jones’ latest comments?

“Get it signed.”

@swainyFTM

“Obviously subject to promotion… or is it? Be a part of something beautiful, my friend.”

@ChrisMacBP

“Keep running at those defenders lad and sign permanently.”

@Micky_A_Lawson

“Exactly. Get out of there unscathed and move on. Brilliant.”

@DavidGl13279946

“SIGN THE CONTRACT.”

@SAFCLJ25

“Please stay.”

@DJfenwick

In other news: Loads of Sunderland fans gushed as the club confirmed this ‘huge’ news – find out more here!

Former Spurs captain Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Tottenham Hotspur miss the influence of Jan Vertonghen in central defence.

The Belgium international left the club at the end of last season, joining Benfica on a three-year contract.

The 33-year-old remains a central part of his country’s plans, captaining his country in both of their recent World Cup qualifiers against Wales and the Czech Republic.

He has won 125 caps for his country and has made 32 appearances in all competitions for Benfica this term, belying his age.

Last season, he played 30 times in all competitions, despite a serious dip in form. He was even substituted in the FA Cup clash with Southampton and appeared close to tears on the bench.

But Mabbutt says that Spurs clearly miss the veteran centre-back.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “For whatever reason I think he felt that he wanted a change.”

He added: “I thought he brought a lot to the club during his time there and he’s still captain of Belgium and doing exceedingly well.

“Of course you miss a player like him, I think that’s probably an obvious statement.”

Mabbutt even believes that Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld previously formed the very best defensive partnership in world football.

He added: “Two or three seasons ago I thought Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were the best partnership in the world, working together for club and country.

“And you’re pushing each other every time you play to make sure you reach the level you want to reach. So I thought it was a fantastic partnership, and I was very disappointed personally when Jan went.”

Many Everton fans have been left to laud a transfer update on Bernard as Fichajes have reported that Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign him for Real Betis.

As per the news outlet, the Brazil international is currently under contract at the Goodison Park faithful until 2022, and is valued at €12m (£10.4m), which would give the Merseyside club a nice profit if they were to sell him as they signed the 28-year-old on a free transfer back in August 2018.

Bernard has not really had that much time on the pitch for Carlo Ancelotti’s team so far in the 2020/21 term, with a mere 15 games played in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), and so the winger would not be a big loss to the Toffees should they let him go to play in La Liga.

Everton fans on Bernard transfer update

These Blues supporters lauded the transfer update on Bernard after it was shared on Twitter, with one fan joking they’ll fund his travel while others simply begged the club to grab the money and run…

“I’ll buy the plane tickets”

Credit: @EFC1878_Ryan

“I’ll put the petrol in..”

Credit: @dempster1969

“Take it!”

Credit: @kwrmag

“Get that done please”

Credit: @DByrne11

“£10 mil would be unreal business from Brands”

Credit: @EFCJakeee

“£10 million for Bernard? I’ll drive him all the way to Betis mate”

Credit: @JayRimmer10

In other news, find out what injury update before Spurs has been bemoaned by EFC fans here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has warned Sergio Aguero’s wages could upset the Elland Road dressing room.

Leeds have emerged as shock contenders to sign Aguero this summer when his contract at Manchester City expires, with 90min reporting that Marcelo Bielsa has identified the 32-year-old striker as a replacement for Rodrigo.

Rodrigo has failed to make a real impact this season following his move from Valencia last August, struggling with injury, and it now appears that an exit could be on the cards.

It would leave Bielsa perhaps needing to bring in a new forward as mentioned. But if that man happens to be Aguero, Palmer believes issues at the club could arise.

On Leeds’ reported interest in the Argentina international, he told FFC:

“You bring somebody like Sergio in on huge money and the rest of the players are behind him, then you’ve upset the dressing room and the apple cart.”

According to Spotrac, Aguero is currently on a weekly salary of £230,000, making him one of Manchester City’s highest earners.

It reamins to be seen whether Leeds would be willing to pay anything close to that, but targeting a player of Aguero’s profile does at least show ambition.

Manchester United have been hit with a serious hammer blow in their pursuit of the UEFA Europa League this season with the potential formation of The Super League.

News broke on Sunday evening that the Red Devils had become one of the six Premier League teams to become founding members of the new competition – a prospect that has earned considerable backlash.

Supporters, and in fact governing bodies, have been staunch in their criticism of The Super League, with sanctions such as a ban from all European competition and domestic tournaments being mooted by Fabrizio Romano.

Furthermore, United have stood down from the European Club Association (ECA), which likely means that they cannot compete in UEFA competitions.

That consequence would simply be disastrous for the Red Devils and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they may not be able to compete in the competition that they find themselves in the semi-finals of.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-from-old-trafford-lingard-de-gea-pogba-bailly-johnstone” title=”The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

Solskjaer’s troops are currently in the race to finish in the top-four in the Premier League, whilst they have also managed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

With the Norwegian having not yet lifted a trophy in his time at Old Trafford yet, the opportunity in which to do that has seemingly been cruelly snatched away.

So with United’s co-chairman Joel Glazer set to be appointed vice-chairman of the apparent Super League, he has seemingly done more damage to his club than good.

AND in more news, take a look Mason Greenwood’s exhilarating performance against Burnley this weekend…

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has dropped a major update on Celtic’s pursuit of Eddie Howe on social media.

Previous reports had suggested that Howe wanted certain assurances before putting pen to paper on a Parkhead deal, as well as being able to bring Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes with him.

As we all know, Howe is yet to seal a move to Glasgow, leading to many questioning why the deal is taking so long to finalise.

According to Nixon, Hughes isn’t central to a Celtic Park switch for Howe. The journalist was asked by a Celtic fan on Twitter if he feels the Hoops and Howe will get Hughes even if the Cherries earn promotion.

The Sun writer swiftly replied, revealing that coaches are actually a major part of the delay as he outlines: “Hughes is NOT central to this. Howe wants his own coaches though. And they’re still in work. That’s a major part of the hold up on his side.”

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if Bournemouth’s involvement in the Championship play-offs could well be crucial to Howe sealing a move to Celtic.

Reports have named coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone as men wanted by the 43-year-old, but they will be in line for a pay rise should the Cherries return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

You’d expect that Hughes would also be in line for a pay increase, but to us it’s good news knowing that he isn’t crucial to a deal involving Howe, especially with the Hoops closing in on Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin for a boardroom role.

In other news: Karamoko Dembele contract update emerges, find out more here. 

Manchester City fans are livid after some of their players were snubbed by EA when they revealed their FIFA 21 Team of the Season.

It has been a fabulous season for the Citizens so far. They are currently ten points clear at the top of the Premier League (Sky Sports), have already lifted the League Cup and have one foot in the Champions League final after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final.

Some of Pep Guardiola’s men have had fantastic seasons, and Ederson, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne were all selected. However, there were some surprising omissions, such as John Stones and Phil Foden, who have both arguably had their best seasons to date at the Etihad Stadium.

The news of EA’s decision was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the City supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Man City fans had to say below

“What a joke. Ederson and Cancelo ? The best : Foden, Mahrez left out.”

Credit: @FreddyJeffr

“What a joke. No Mahrez and Stones.”

Credit: @DonLuigi_

“ONLY????”

Credit: @VelA0911

“How Mahrez or Foden didn’t make it is beyond me”

Credit: @ok_xander

“Foden, Mahrez, Stones robbed”

Credit: @city_scout

“Foden? Mahrez?”

Credit: @Happiness_Mirth

In other news, Man City fans are delighted with this Gundogan news.

Celtic have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Wigan Athletic forward Kyle Joseph.

The Lowdown: Hoops’ Joseph talks

Celtic were first linked with a move for Joseph back in January, with reports in March revealing the Hoops have since offered the 19-year-old a pre-contract.

However, Joseph, who is out of contract in a matter of months, is yet to pen pre-Parkhead terms like Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Shaw has and his future remains up in the air.

Joseph’s talks with Celtic are yet to lead to an agreement, but it seems as if the Scotland Under-19 international could be the latest Latics starlet to leave the club.

The Latest: Joseph set to leave Wigan

According to The Telegraph, Joseph is ‘expected to leave when his contract ends’ – seven words that could be of huge significance in Celtic’s pursuit of the forward.

He’s netted five League One goals this season in 17 appearances, and should a move to Celtic materialise, the Hoops would have to pay around £300,000 in compensation.

Celtic are thought to be aiming to sign the top young talent ahead of the summer window despite the absence of a full-time manager, and it seems as if Joseph could follow Shaw to Scotland.

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The Verdict: A long-term Griffiths replacement?

In our opinion, Joseph could be a long-term replacement for current Hoops forward Leigh Griffiths.

Griffiths, 30, could end up being released by Celtic. The striker is waiting to hear from the Hoops regarding a potential 12-month extension, however, the deadline for the clause to be activated seems to have been and gone.

Should Griffiths end up leaving Parkhead, that could then allow Joseph to replace him in Glasgow, which in the long run, could prove to be a shrewd piece of business considering he wouldn’t cost them an official transfer fee.

In other news: Premier League club pull out of race to sign Kris Ajer, find out more here.