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Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts on the club’s financial accounts, posted by football finance expert Kieran Maguire on Twitter over the weekend.

Maguire shared the document on Saturday morning just hours prior to the club’s 4-1 defeat at home to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea. The major talking points in the accounts running from June 2019 to July 2020 were a £58m loss and 93% of the income going on wages.

Palace have 12 players out of contract in the summer, as well as manager Roy Hodgson, and it seems as if a huge club rebuild will get the green light over the coming months. Reports elsewhere recently have linked Wilfried Zaha with a move to Arsenal, whereas The Telegraph claimed that the Eagles could go on a £50m summer spending spree.

Palace fans react

Here is what these Palace fans had to say in reply to Maguire’s post over the weekend, with many sharing their concerns as one opined that chairman Steve Parish “missed a trick” in some aspects.

“93% of income spent on wages. An average player salary of approx £57k per week. Yikes.”

Credit: @theunusedsub

“This means #RoyIn doesn’t it?”

Credit: @80scorpio80

“Roy extension imminent”

Credit: @Upsided0wncpfc

“We’re gonna have to let every person out of contract walk, no way we should be putting 90% of our income on wages alone”

Credit: @cpfc_WH

“What makes the high wages worse is the fact that we’ve got one of the oldest squads in the league (depreciating assets) & some of the high earners haven’t contributed nowhere near the level they make. Summer couldn’t come sooner.”

Credit: @diyar_kurnaz

“Should’ve put the players on furlough for those 3 months of lockdown last year and got the taxpayers to pay them. Parish missed a trick here”

Credit: @Selhurstboys

In other news: Many CPFC fans fume at latest setback to Palace ace, find out more here. 

Manchester United have once again been linked to another centre-back and could be returning to Leicester City for a transfer swoop.

After signing former Foxes defender Harry Maguire for a record fee for a defender in 2019, the Red Devils are now reportedly interested in Wesley Fofana.

According to Foot Mercato, the club have already made “first contacts” over a potential deal for the Frenchman, and it is certainly easy to see why. Since arriving in the East Midlands only last summer from Saint-Etienne, the 20-year-old has hugely impressed in his debut Premier League campaign.

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The £27m-rated centre-back has already made 29 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions, keeping 11 clean sheets in the process and turning in a series of performances which would usually be beyond a player so young.

In fact, his displays have drawn praise from all quarters, not least Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, who has labelled Fofana as “absolutely colossal”. That is certainly the type of defender that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils need.

Despite having found the net with regularity this season, it is their defence which has hampered them having shipped 34 in the league alone, just one fewer than Arsenal and only three less than Liverpool, who themselves have had an extremely inconsistent campaign defensively.

Fofana’s personal statistics would likely go a long way in rectifying those problems. According to WhoScored, the Frenchman racks up two tackles, 2.4 interceptions and 3.8 clearances per match in the Premier League. Meanwhile, current Red Devils centre-back Victor Lindelof can only accumulate numbers such as 0.8, 0.9 and 3.3 per match respectively for the same metrics.

With the Red Devils reportedly having a centre-back on their summer shopping list, Fofana would be an excellent purchase. Ed Woodward must again be implored to do some considerable business with Leicester.

AND in more news, find out which current superstar Manchester United have once again been urged to sign…

In a recent interview, Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed that the Glasgow Rangers-linked winger, Jacob Murphy, would be a great addition to Steven Gerrard’s side this summer.

According to recent reports, both Rangers and Southampton are keeping tabs on the Newcastle United man ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with Steve Bruce’s side thought to be demanding a fee of around £3 million to part with the 26-year-old this summer.

And, in a recent interview with Football Insider, the former Aston Villa striker, Gabby Agbonlahor, stated his belief that the former England U21 international would be a great signing for Gers, claiming that Murphy would add a lot to Gerrard’s squad.

Asked whether he thought Murphy would be a good signing, Agbonlahor said: “Definitely. They’ve always been talented, the two twins. I’ve known them a long time, but they haven’t really kicked on to where they should have done.

“If he was a squad player at Rangers, Steven Gerrard would get good use out of him. He would be a very good signing. I’m sure he can add a lot to that Rangers squad.”

Transfer Tavern Take

So far this season, Murphy has struggled for game time somewhat at Newcastle, with the former Norwich City man starting just 11 Premier League games for Steve Bruce’s side, making a further nine appearances from the bench.

And, over his total of 20 league appearances, the 26-year-old has managed to score two goals and provide two assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.62 – ranking him as Newcastle’s 12th-best performer in the English top flight.

As such, despite Agbonlahor’s claim that the £25,000-per-week winger would be a good signing for Rangers, from looking at his statistics, the exact opposite could be argued just as easily.

In other news: Rangers could now miss out on 28-goal star this summer as recruitment source drops news – find out more here!

Alex McLeish has been having his say on Roy Keane after the 49-year-old came back into contention to land the vacant Celtic manager position.

According to Football Insider, the former Hoops midfielder, who was interviewed for the position last month, is back in the running to become Neil Lennon’s long-term successor.

That’s because talks with Eddie Howe have failed to progress, with the former Bournemouth boss having second thoughts on a move to Scotland.

McLeish was talking to Football Insider following the latest update on Keane, with the 62-year-old labelling the Irishman’s winning attitude as ‘mental’ and ‘incredible’ .

“I’ve met Roy a few times and knowing his character, he’s box office on television.

“He is really good and I like to watch him and listen to him. He’s got experience but not only does he have experience, he’s also got an incredible mental, winning attitude.

“You would think, with his association to Celtic in the past, that he would definitely be on that list.”

Transfer Tavern take

Keane may well be ‘box office’ as a pundit, however, he’s been out of the managerial game for over a decade, so making him the new Hoops boss could be a gamble.

We feel as if Celtic need to step up their search for a new manager with Dominic McKay now through the Parkhead door or they risk a summer of chaos. However, to do that, it seems as if they’ll need to fill their newly created director of football role first.

Reports last month suggested that the club plan to have a DoF in place prior to appointing a new manager, and with the summer window opening in a few months time, the Hoops may need to get a move on over the coming weeks.

In other news: New DoF candidate emerges who Hoops fans may remember, find out more here. 

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to a tweet from Ewan Murray, who highlighted the Gers’ poor trophy return under Steven Gerrard.

The Gers have won the Premiership at a canter this term, but they will be disappointed they were unable to get their hands on another trophy. They were knocked out of the Betfred Cup by St Mirren 3-2, which was their first defeat in all competitions this term (Sky Sports), and they were then beaten by St Johnstone on penalties last weekend after drawing 1-1.

Following that last result, Murray took to Twitter and shared the statistic that, during three years in Glasgow, Gerrard’s Scottish competition record is now just one from nine, that one being the Premiership title this term. The comment has attracted interest from some Gers supporters, and there appears to be two contrasting views – some believe the criticism after this defeat is too harsh, while some are worried by the stat.

The supporters took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say to Ewan Murray below

“The league performance has been outstanding but this is a serious worry”

Credit: @andyh1872

“Sort this right out”

Credit: @dalebarrass1

“I know about supporting teams but taking delight in oppositions’ failure is an indicator of character”

Credit: @h_mccready

“Hahahaha that’s quite some spin!”

Credit: @KylEnsign

“Fish as much as you want. We romped to the quickest league title in 100 years & have done more for the Scottish coefficient in 2.5 years than anybody else in 8.75. Not bad for a team that was illegally dropped down to the bottom tier.”

Credit: @TFIO_WDTGH

“These are facts but out of context it looks like Rangers didn’t just absolutely destroy Celtic in the league season that mattered most to them…”

Credit: @jaayfc

In other news, Rangers eye this in-demand winger.

After earning a draw against Manchester United last week, Leeds return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when they take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side picked up five points from a run of tricky games against Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, and an unbeaten run against the Premier League’s heavyweights should hold them in good stead for their trip to face the Seagulls.

The Leeds manager will once again have to do without Raphinha after confirming in his pre-match press conference that he is not yet back from his injury, while he will also have some big calls to make over players who have been out of form.

With that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds might line up when they travel down to the coast to take on Graham Potter’s Brighton.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be hoping to keep back-to-back clean sheets after helping to shut out the Red Devils last weekend at Elland Road.

The back four should also remain unchanged, with Liam Cooper serving the final match of his suspension against the Seagulls today after the three-match ban he received for his tackle during the City game.

In midfield, Tyler Roberts could make way for Mateusz Klich, while Helder Costa’s poor form in recent weeks surely warrants him being dropped from the starting line-up.

Ian Poveda has been the man to come on for the Portuguese ace during the last couple of games and the 21-year-old will surely be pushing Bielsa for a rare start – he has yet to feature from the off in the Premier League this season.

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They could be the only changes Bielsa makes, but with Whites picking up some great results against the league’s top teams, it would be a big gamble for the Leeds boss to start tinkering with his side excessively.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Alioski; Phillips, Poveda, Klich, Dallas, Harrison; Bamford.

Meanwhile, Leeds can finally bin this “liability”…

Manchester City can clinch the Premier League title on Saturday evening with a win against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side have enjoyed a superb season, recovering after a slow start to effectively run away with the league title, although the Spanish manager came unstuck against the west London side in the FA Cup semi-final recently, so he will be wary of the threat that Tuchel’s side possess.

The game is also an early preview of the Champions League final later this month after both teams secured their place in the final with wins against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid respectively earlier this week.

Here’s how we think Guardiola will line up against Chelsea on Saturday, with four changes from the side which started against PSG on Tuesday…

Ederson keeps his place in goal, with the Brazilian showing just how important he is to this team with a superb ball to Oleksandr Zinchenko in midweek, which led to Riyad Mahrez’s opening goal.

There are two changes in defence as Aymeric Laporte comes in for the suspended John Stones, whilst Joao Cancelo replaces Kyle Walker at right-back.

Despite another superb display against PSG, Fernandinho drops to the bench for this one, with Rodri partnering Ilkay Gundogan in midfield and Kevin De Bruyne in an attacking midfield role.

Phil Foden and Mahrez both deserve to keep their places on the wings, and they support Sergio Aguero up front, with Bernardo Silva dropped to the bench.

The £22.5m-rated Argentine “legend”, as hailed by Guardiola, has an excellent record against Chelsea in his career, with 15 goals in 21 appearances against the Blues, whilst he has history in games of this magnitude, so who better to start up front for City for this huge fixture at the Etihad?

In other news… Txiki can sign Pep his ideal Erling Haaland alternative with Man City swoop for £22.5m-rated gem

Celtic’s 4-0 win last night was enough to provoke a slice of positivity from those at Parkhead.

It’s not often a Hoops performance has provided that in 2020/21, such is their dismal trophyless campaign.

Though, for Ryan Christie’s improvement and Scott Brown’s fond farewell, there was a negative embedded within the win at Paradise.

St Johnstone were swept aside as though they were facing the Celtic of old but Moi Elyounoussi endured a less than lively day at the office.

The Norwegian has been an inconsistent figure this term but if you look at his goals alone, it has been a promising campaign. The attacker has scored 17 times in all competitions, making it the best goal-scoring season of his career to date.

That said, only three of those strikes have come in his last 15 appearances for the Bhoys. It has been a troubling end to the campaign for a man who shouldn’t be seen in Celtic colours again.

Elyounoussi could be available for £5m this summer but if John Kennedy and the new manager have any sense, they’ll unleash Karamoko Dembele instead or hunt for a cheaper alternative in the transfer window.

His performance against St Johnstone summed up his recent efforts. The Norway international has had a habit of missing simple opportunities and that happened again at Paradise on Wednesday.

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He struggled to ever get going which given the scoreline was particularly disappointing.

Elyounoussi was hauled off after 73 minutes having registered the second-fewest touches (49) of anyone to start the game while he completed just 78% of his passes.

It was a timid afternoon from the Southampton loanee who provided a solitary key pass and failed to complete any of his crosses. He also didn’t register a single dribble; a statistic completely out of character with his style of play.

To make matters worse, the 26-year-old surrendered possession on 12 occasions; once every four touches.

Mikey Johnston replaced him and had a bigger impact in less than 20 minutes on the field. The youngster completed a key pass and also attempted two dribbles in a spritely outing.

On a rare night of positives for Celtic, Elyounoussi proved exactly why the Hoops can’t afford to invest in his signature. His performances have dropped off alarmingly and he shouldn’t play for the club again.

AND in other news, McKay must wield the axe on 5ft9 Celtic dud, Sutton dubbed him the “new Ryan Christie”…

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to a transfer update regarding striker Christian Benteke.

The Belgian, on £120,000-a-week with the Eagles, is out of contract at Selhurst Park in a matter of weeks.

He’s scored five times in his last 11 Premier League appearances, including netting in back-to-back away games over the last five days.

However, it seems as if a move away from the club could be on the cards. According to Sportslens, the 30-year-old is keen on playing in Italy, with Inter Milan as the preferred option.

The report suggests that Benteke’s agent recommended the striker’s services to Inter Milan, but they are yet to hear back from the Serie A champions regarding a possible cut-price move.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news on Benteke on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

Their post received plenty of interaction throughout the day, with the majority of these Palace supporters wanting the forward to stay.

“If we let him go it (will) be a joke”

Credit: @Kevbartleyy

“He’s gonna go just as he’s hit incredible form isn’t he? I’m worried if we also have to sign a striker this summer. ST RW CM CB (maybe 2)”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Inter defo took that offer as an insult”

Credit: @BigAlThinks

“No stop”

Credit: @CPFCMax03

“Plz sign the contract @chrisbenteke :(“

Credit: @osian_davis

“Please don’t go @chrisbenteke”

Credit: @CPFCH10

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz at plans for another documentary series, find out more here. 

Writing on Twitter, Daily Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards has dropped a Tottenham Hotspur claim involving Marcelo Bielsa.

The Lowdown: Tottenham on the hunt…

As believed by football.london, Tottenham’s hunt for a new manager is underway and talks are expected to begin with the candidates, but there is no news yet as to who is in the driving seat.

The likes of Graham Potter, Scott Parker and Roberto Martinez have been touted as possible suitors in this past week (football.london), but there has been no shortage of names from elsewhere in the media.

Football Insider recently reported that Premier League experience was fast becoming a much sought-after trait, prompting Spurs chiefs to take notice of both Rafael Benitez and Bielsa.

The Latest: Telegraph journalist drops Spurs claim

Writing on Twitter, Telegraph reporter Edwards has now dropped a claim on this alleged interest in Bielsa – and it’s not good news for Lilywhites supporters.

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He reported that the Argentine tactician is on the verge of signing a new deal at Elland Road, with the added update that he has ‘no interest’ in taking the job at Spurs.

“I’m also told Marcelo has no interest in the Spurs job or the thought of living in London,” Edwards explained on social media.

The Verdict: Hammer blow for Tottenham…

We believe that Bielsa, in an alternate universe, would be a very credible managerial option for Spurs as the hunt for an attack-minded boss with proven credentials continues.

The 65-year-old is revered throughout much of the footballing community for his expert tactics and philosophy of the beautiful game, attracting praise from the likes of Pep Guardiola and even Mauricio Pochettino. 

Speaking to talkSPORT last year, former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford lavished praise on Bielsa as a ‘phenomenal’ person and managerial ‘genius’, highlighting his stellar reputation.

Now that Tottenham look almost certain to miss out on him, it could come as a hammer blow for Daniel Levy and co.

In other news: Champions League-winning boss now keen on joining Tottenham, find out more here.