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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Manchester United are set to launch another bid for Wilfried Zaha as they bid to re-sign the Crystal Palace attacker, per The Sun.

What’s the word?

United signed Zaha from Palace in 2013 but he struggled under the management of David Moyes, making just two substitute appearances in the league in 2013/14. He was eventually sold back to the Eagles in 2015.

However, the report claims that United lead the race for the Ivory Coast international and that they could launch a fresh offer next summer.

Any deal would cost around £70m; Zaha, of course, handed in a transfer request in the summer amid rumours of a move to either Arsenal or Everton but ended up staying at Selhurst Park.

Lazy scouting

Surely United can do better than merely going back in for a spare part that never had any real impact at Old Trafford?

The report claims that the club are crying out for his pace and creativity but they signed Daniel James in the summer from Swansea City for exactly that purpose.

On top of that, they also have the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. All three can be categorised as having both raw speed and creativity.

It’s easy, of course, for United to believe that Zaha would come running back at the drop of a hat because he potentially has something to prove.

And that could well be true. He made just four senior appearances for United.

But his form this season doesn’t exactly speak to a £70m asking price; he has yet to score in the Premier League and has provided just two assists.

Bringing him in would be a lazy bit of scouting from United and a potentially expensive mistake.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s One to Watch series, which focuses on those players we think are particularly worth keeping an eagle-eye on as the 2019/20 season unfolds.

The world is currently at Erling Haaland’s feet and he’s only 19 years of age.

If that is not a scary statement, then nothing really is.

Haaland is at the very beginning of his promising career in every sense of that word and yet, it feels like he has already conquered it all. After all, we’re talking here about an unstoppable talent that has already bagged 26 goals and six assists in just 18 games this season for Red Bull Salzburg.

That would be impressive for almost anyone not named Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, let alone for a 19-year-old kid who’s just starting his career.

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And naturally, it didn’t take long for the big clubs to get linked with this Norwegian talisman.

Manchester United have recently become a part of that group of elite clubs looking to potentially snatch the big talent up.

According to The Athletic’s exclusive report, the Red Devils have dispatched their most-trusted scouts to personally watch the 19-year-old in action in order to fully evaluate him.

The same source claims Manchester United will focus on his Champions League clashes but Haaland could potentially be in action for his national side as early as this evening.

Norway will face the Faroe Islands and this could be the youngster’s opportunity to increase the already ridiculous tally of goals he has in 2019.

Still, he was only capped twice for his national side so far but with his recent explosion to the scene, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that figure will only rise in the not so distant future.

And if he can start netting goals for fun for Norway as well, it would be hard to make a case against his signing, no matter which club we’re talking about.

Of course, with Manchester United’s more than just unfavourable situation in the Premier League, they might be in dire need of a big reinforcement.

The Red Devils are currently sitting in seventh place and behind most of the big English names bar Tottenham Hotspur.

Is Haaland the answer to their problems?

He could be and for that reason, their fans better keep their eyes peeled for the young prodigy’s potential show later on tonight.

Charlton Athletic are going through an injury crisis, as they currently have 10 players unavailable due to a variety of issues, as reported by London News Online.

As well as the various injuries picked up, Darren Pratley is unable to play due to suspension after picking up five yellow cards.

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With this in mind, Lee Bowyer has conceded that he will not be filling his bench when the Addicks face Cardiff City on Saturday:

The decision made by Bowyer to leave spaces on his bench unfilled has prompted a variety of reactions from Charlton fans, with some suggesting it would be worth bringing youngsters into the fold so they can experience what it is like on a matchday with the first-team.

Others, meanwhile, think that this is Bowyer’s way of sending a message to Roland Duchatelet.

This announcement shows just how bad the injury situation is at the Valley, especially as it is still the case after Albie Morgan was recalled from Ebbsfleet United.

A selection of Charlton fan reaction to the report can be seen below:

Wolves skipper Conor Coady has revealed the major influences on his career, and perhaps there’s a surprise name in their given his ties to Merseyside.

What’s he said?

With football under lockdown, players across the nation have been forced to train at home to keep things ticking over ahead of any potential return to action, but the 27-year-old has taken time out to give The Athletic an interview.

Coady appeared on the latest edition of ‘The Molineux View’ podcast, which is hosted by Wolves duo Tim Spiers and Jacqui Oatley.

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The captain was asked about the influences on his career, to which he started off mentioning those around him such as friends and family before going onto name two former Premier League stars as players he looked up to.

Having come through the system at Liverpool, of course, Steven Gerrard was named but so was an old nemesis in Chelsea’s John Terry. Here’s what Coady said:

“In terms of leadership skills, it’s something I have always had growing up. I’ve always spoke, I’ve always been a person to speak quite a lot. I might get on a few people’s nerves now and again but I’ve always been someone to speak quite a lot and try and help my teammates. I think if I’m helping people, then I’m doing something right so that is something I’ve always grown up with.

“I’ve tried to look at certain people over the years, captains. Obviously growing up watching Steven Gerrard and trying to learn off him but another one was obviously John Terry at Chelsea. I used to try and look at how he played and how he played the game and organised the game – and led. That was a big person I always looked up to.”

Leadership qualities

The Reds and the Blues have long battled out some huge matches in their time, most recently the European Super Cup final in the summer and in the past, big ties such as the FA Cup final in 2012 as well as a Champions League semi the year Liverpool went on to win it for the fifth time.

But over the course of the Premier League era, it can be argued that Terry is right up there for captains, so no wonder Coady has looked up to him throughout his career.

There are certainly similarities when you watch the Liverpudlian play at Molineux – lets put it this way, if there were no fans in the stadium, then the loudest player on the pitch is going to be Coady, no doubts about it.

He’s also one of Nuno Santo’s most trusted players having featured in every single game this campaign – outside of the Carabao Cup at least.

Maybe one day, if Wolves go on to hit the heights Fosun want them to achieve, Coady will be put alongside the aforementioned duo for best-ever top-flight captains.

AND in other news, Nuno Santo can make amends with swoop for 20-GOAL star that’ll only help Jimenez too…

Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has been in the headlines over the weekend and for once it isn’t about his brash antics, but rather for his act of “incredible” generosity.

The 23-year-old, valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, has donated £75,000 back to his home country, Colombia, in order to help underprivileged families during the current pandemic.

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Morelos has now given up approximately £300k in the past year to his own foundation as well as other charities.

He’s often been known for his questionable attitude on the pitch, where he has received a massive 36 yellow cards and has even been sent off seven times in his Gers career.

It has led to his manager, Steven Gerrard, calling for him to produce more mature performances this season.

Morelos has been integral to the Ibrox outfit, scoring 29 goals and assisting ten more in 46 appearances across all competitions, including in the Europa League.

And supporters have been lapping up his gesture on social media.

Here’s what has been said…

AND in other news, Rangers fans love message from Scott Arfield…

Manchester City star Sergio Aguero is immortalised in the club’s history books having established himself as the club’s all-time top goal scorer.

The diminutive Argentine announced himself to the supporters in a manner that suggested something special was in the making.

He came off the substitutes bench to make his debut in a home fixture against Swansea City on the opening day of the 2011/12 Premier League season, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a breathtaking 31 minute cameo.

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Two away day victories at Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur followed before Aguero was handed his first start at the Etihad Stadium against Wigan Athletic.

And if his debut hadn’t already set the tone, then what happened next marked the birth of a future legendary striker in the English game.

Named alongside Carlos Tevez in attack, Aguero scored his first hat-trick for the club in a comprehensive victory for the title-chasing hosts.

A video showcasing all three of his goals can be seen below.

What becomes immediately apparent, particularly for the third goal, is David Silva’s input.

El Mago provides two of the assists on the day and the mesmerising footwork which precedes his through ball to Aguero for the third is simply a thing of beauty.

And the contribution from Silva, rather intriguingly, marked the beginning of the most potent partnership Aguero has forged during his esteemed career.

According to Transfermarkt, Aguero and Silva have combined to goal scoring effect on 44 occasions, with Diego Forlan a close second having achieved 39 joint goal participations.

The Spanish wizard has provided his Argentinian teammate with an assist 35 times in the 275 games they’ve played alongside one another.

Perhaps supporters could sense the emergence of something special during the comfortable 3-0 win over Wigan, but even the most optimistic of minds may have doubted whether a striker of Aguero’s pedigree would stick around for as long as he has.

Stick around Aguero has, though, and now he and Silva can look back on his first hat-trick as the beginning of an incredible journey they have been on together.

Despite running away with the Premier League title this season before football got postponed, it appears Liverpool are still intent on making some major additions to their squad this summer.

Reports in recent days and weeks have continued to link them with a move for RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, and now, Turkish publication Yeni Asir, claim that the Reds are set to reignite their interest in Besiktas ace Domagoj Vida.

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It’s suggested that Jurgen Klopp is looking to bring in some more defensive cover, with Vida’s name actually being touted with a potential move to Anfield almost two years ago.

After hearing about the news that their club may revisit their interest in the Croatian centre-half, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

One Liverpool fan in particular even suggested that they would rather bring back Ragnar Klavan than actually make a move to sign Vida this summer.

At 31, Vida would simply represent cover for Liverpool’s current centre-backs, including the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and even Dejan Lovren.

Whether he is good enough to become Van Dijk’s first-choice partner at the back remains to be seen, but there can be no question that he would bring tonnes of domestic and international experience with him if he did arrive at Anfield.

As a back-up, this wouldn’t be the worst signing in the world for Liverpool.

According to The Star, Sheffield Wednesday have initiated talks with young defender Osaze Urhoghide over extending his current contract as it nears its expiry. 

The 19-year-old was brought into the Wednesday set-up last summer after impressing during a trial spell with the club (via SWFC). Urhoghide linked up with the reserve team and has since made waves – the Owls have the option to extend his contract until 2021 but the club reportedly have much bigger plans for the teenager.

If Wednesday are able to tie down Urhoghide on a new four-year or five-year contract, that could be the first step to fixing some major issues currently surrounding the first team. Garry Monk has expressed his desire to lower the average age of his current squad and, as highlighted by Dom Howson, the Owls have a whopping 17 players nearing the end of their contracts or coming to the end of a loan deal at Hillsborough.

Urhoghide has played four times for the first team this season and has contributed to two clean sheets (via Transfermarkt). The Englishman occupies a position which is currently well-stacked at Wednesday, which could give him the time to develop without rushing into anything. As he progresses, he will provide healthy competition for fellow right-backs Moses Odubajo and Liam Palmer.

The average age of Monk’s current senior squad is 27.1 and he has 12 players who are aged 29 or over (via Transfermarkt). If there is indeed an upheaval in the summer, players like Urhoghide could prove pivotal as the Owls prepare to recruit for the 2020/21 season.

Wednesday fans, what are your thoughts on Urhoghide? Should he play more next season? Join the conversation in the comments below!

As per Football Insider, Jamie Murphy will be told he can leave Glasgow Rangers when he returns to Ibrox following his loan spell at Burton Albion.

Murphy joined the League One outfit on loan in January as he looked for more playing time away from the 54-time Scottish champions – he featured just eight times in all competitions this campaign following horrific injury problems before leaving on a temporary basis.

With the English third tier now brought to a premature close, the 30-year-old will return north of the border but, despite scoring seven times in 10 matches at Burton, he is expecting to be told that he can leave the Gers permanently.

There is certainly plenty of competition going forward for the Gers. On the left-wing, where Murphy has made most of his appearances during his career, he has Ryan Kent to contend with, and with Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi potentially at centre-forward and right-wing respectively, he would no doubt find it hard to secure a regular starting spot in Steven Gerrard’s starting XI.

However, despite just 29 appearances since joining the Gers on loan in January 2018, he has a very respectable record – six goals and 13 assists in all competitions is good going. He is also proven in Scottish football as well, having scored 49 times in 212 appearances for Motherwell before moving to Sheffield United in 2013.

Given the links to Florian Kamberi, it is clear that the Gers are still looking for improvements in the offensive area of the pitch – with his versatility, Murphy could provide strong back-up and competition across the front-line. Ross Wilson could perhaps earn a fee for him if he were to be moved on, but with a Transfermarkt value of £720,000 and one year left on his contract, he is unlikely to be able to recoup the £1m they spent on him two years ago. Following his performances at the Pirelli Stadium, he deserves to be given another chance at Ibrox.

Let us know what you think below!

Key information about Firhill Stadium

Firhill Stadium was built in 1909 and is currently the home of Patrick Thistle FC. The ground is located in the Maryhill area of Glasgow and is commonly known as ‘Firhill’ but for sponsorship reasons, it also has to be referred to as the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.

Its current capacity is 10,102 and it has a pitch size of 105m x 69m with no running track but with natural grass and undersoil heating installed.

The stadium’s highest recorded attendance was set back in 1928 when Scotland and Ireland met with 54,728 people attending the clash.

A history of Firhill Stadium

Even though Firhill Stadium is now their home, Patrick Thistle had been playing their football at various different grounds before their current one was erected in 1909. They were quite nomadic, settling at Kelvingrove, Jordanvale Park, Muir Park and Meadowside respectively. But after they were forced out from the latter in 1908, the club purchased the spare Caledonian Railway land in Maryhill and started construction of a new stadium there.

Firhill Stadium was finished on 21 August 1909 but since not everything was completely done and ready, they had to wait another month to play their first official game at it. Still, on 18 September 1909 they hosted Dumbarton Harp and managed to secure a 3-1 victory in front of the home crowd.

In the 1920s, they first started improving the stadium, adding a new main stand and expanding the terraces, boosting the capacity in the process as well. This also led to their two record attendances that stand to this day. First, against Rangers in 1922 when 49,838 people watched Patrick Thistle in action and then, in 1928 for a game between Scotland and Ireland with 54,728 spectators.

But after that, improvements were halted until the 1950s and even then, they were minimal as the club would only partially cover the ground and add floodlights but not much more than that. In 1977, they even had to reduce their capacity from over 40,000 to 20,500 due to the Safety of Sports Grounds Act.

From 1896 until 1991, they got a new ‘roommate’ when Clyde moved in after being evicted from Shawfield, becoming the first Scottish ground in modern times to be shared by multiple teams. Later on, they also shared it with Hamilton Academical on two occasions.

Further developments were done in the 1990s with the added undersoil heating and the erection of the Jackie Husband Stand in 1994. This was then followed by a new North Stand, named John Lambie Stand, in 2002, which was also extended in 2003. The Main Stand was renamed the Colin Weir Stand in 2016 in tribute to the club’s first-ever patron and is now mostly used for the away fans of more than 500.

On 7 November 2014, new plans to redevelop the southern end of the stadium were submitted and that’s the last refurbishment attempt at Firhill Stadium that was brought up by the club so far.

Tickets to watch Patrick Thistle FC at Firhill Stadium

All the tickets to watch Patrick Thistle FC at Firhill Stadium can be purchased on the club’s official website. The price varies but the cost of an adult ticket for a standard Ladbrokes Championship fixture is £20.

They also offer season tickets and free season tickets for all kids under the age of 16. More information can be found on the aforementioned website.

Related links

https://ptfc.co.uk/ – Official website of Patrick Thistle FC