All posts by n8rngtd.top

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after James Pearce claimed Naby Keita will start Saturday’s Premier League opener at Norwich City.

The Reds make the trip to Carrow Road this weekend, looking to make a flying start to their title challenge.

After a tough season last time around, Liverpool look primed to improve, with key players back fit and both Jurgen Klopp and his players well-rested.

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One player who is still waiting to fully ignite in a Liverpool shirt is Keita, who hasn’t hit the heights many expected of him when he arrived in 2018, making just 76 appearances.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an impressive pre-season, however, and with Jordan Henderson and Thiago returning late this summer, The Athletic‘s James Pearce [via Anfield Edition on Twitter] claims the Guinean will be in the starting lineup to face Norwich.

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Liverpool fans happy Keita is set for start

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to provide their positive thoughts on the news.

“Naby season let’s go”

Credit: @Himanshu_ahujaa

“Feed him the league”

Credit: @ChrisLiverpool1

“We are all about to witness an absolute masterclass of a season from this lad!! That’s right folks, I’m ready to get hurt again!”

Credit: @NathanLFC2021

“Redemption szn”

Credit: @lfcjohn_5

“Get in”

Credit: @jj__lfc

“Yesssirrrrr”

Credit: @dxnii50

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an update regarding Harvey Elliott. Read more here.

As quoted by Sky Sports’ transfer centre (Tuesday, 18:45), journalist Dharmesh Sheth has dropped a West Ham United transfer claim involving long-time target Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Lingard hunt…

Since the very beginning of the summer transfer window, manager David Moyes has had his eyes set on a move to sign Lingard permanently from Manchester United.

A report by club insider Claret & Hugh detailed that the attacker was one of three transfer priorities this summer alongside moves for a new striker and new centre-half.

At one point, the move looked to be all but off, with Sky sources claiming West Ham believed they had just a ’10 per cent’ chance of doing a deal this summer.

However, ExWHUemployee’s recent update that Lingard may be open to a return after all has provided fresh hope – coupled with his information that a fresh bid is expected (Patreon).

The Latest: Sky reporter makes Lingard claim…

As quoted by Sky Sports, Sheth has told the transfer show that West Ham do indeed retain an interest in Lingard despite Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying the player is in his plans for 2021/2022.

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The reporter also believes Moyes and co could go back in for the Englishman before August 31.

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been quoted as saying that Lingard is in his plans for this season. However, West Ham do remain interested in re-signing Lingard.

“Remember what he did at the back end of last season. He joined on loan for the second half of last season and broke into the England squad before the end of the season. He almost got into the final Euro 2020 squad as well.

“I just think there’s every chance West Ham will go back in for him before the window is out and then there will be a decision to make, not only for Man Utd but for Jesse Lingard as well.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Now that alternative attacking midfield target Matheus Pereira is off the table, with the Brazilian joining Al-Hilal, we believe it is make or break for West Ham to bring in Lingard and back Moyes with some attacking depth.

The club have been busy trying to secure a new centre-half over this last fortnight but they could also be one or two bad injuries away from a real crisis in the forward areas.

If the Hammers are unable to bring in a new centre-forward before deadline day, then a move for Lingard should be prioritised at the very least – especially considering his exploits on loan at the London Stadium last season.

He bagged a brilliant nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League starts over the second half of 2020/2021 (WhoScored), being called ‘phenomenal’ by talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham.

In other news: West Ham source: GSB ‘set sights on signing’ 6 foot 3 powerhouse for Moyes, find out more here.

Taking to Twitter, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has some news on FC Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr as Tottenham Hotspur reportedly close in.

The Lowdown: Spurs close in on Sarr?

There has been a whirlwind of reports linking Tottenham with the 18-year-old over this past 24 hours.

Some journalists, like Cesar Luis Merlo, believe the deal is already done (Twitter), meanwhile the likes of David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano back that Spurs are favourites but the move isn’t completed just yet.

Now, Sky reporter Solhekol has come out with his own claim on the situation.

The Latest: Sarr ‘wants to sign’…

As per the journalist, Sarr now ‘wants to sign for Tottenham’ despite numerous approaches from other interested parties.

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Five different sides have tabled offers for the teenager but Solhekol believes that his main preference is Spurs as managing director Fabio Paratici seeks to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s midfield choices.

Despite his young age, the player started 18 Ligue 1 matches last season and impressed with an 85.3% pass accuracy in midfield (WhoScored).

The Verdict: Get it done…

The exciting prospect could come with significant sell-on value in years to come and his potential is there for all to see.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for him this summer and Spurs may just be about to beat off all that stellar competition.

In a recent interview with Senego, as translated by The Sun, Metz academy manager Olivier Perrin lauded him as a ‘top player’ and likened him to Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

We believe Tottenham could be about to pull off a real coup judging by reports.

In other news: ‘Getting closer’…Spurs now advancing in talks to sign ‘machine’ of a player, find out more here.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could solve a major problem in his squad by signing Borussia Dortmund powerhouse Thomas Delaney in this summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to French publication Homme du Match, Villa are plotting a late swoop for the Denmark midfielder as they seek to put the finishing touches to what has been a very busy transfer window.

Dean Smith needs him

While Smith has a few options in midfield from which to choose, only Marvelous Nakamba could be described as someone who’s primarily a ball-winner.

In Delaney, not only would they be getting someone who snaps into the challenges and can protect the back four, but also have the ability to play accurate passes into more advanced areas and switch the play.

As per WhoScored, he averaged two tackles per game in the Bundesliga last season (higher than any Villa midfielder), while also averaging 40.3 passes per match (only Douglas Luiz made more among Villa’s midfield).

That ability to win the ball back and kick-start things is exactly what his Dortmund teammate Marco Reus has previously heralded.

The Germany midfielder said: “Thomas is an exceptional kind of player. He’s the kind of player we’ve been missing in the past. You need a player like (Delaney) in the niggly games. He sweeps up and gets the game going again in the other direction. Thomas can be a really important player.”

Former Dortmund interim boss Edin Terzic was also full of praise for Delaney last season, saying: “Thomas Delaney always performs well, not just in the last two games. He is definitely a very important player who stabilises our defence and is always capable of destabilising our opponents. That is very important in this position. We are lucky to have a player like him in the squad.”

The £80k-a-week earning ace is exactly what Smith needs to shore up his midfield. Given his impressive knack of patrolling the back four and keeping cool, calm and collected in possession like Reus and Terzic have said, Delaney seems like a superb signing for Villa to make.

Meanwhile, Villa are plotting a late swoop for this star…

Sunderland are closing in on a deal to bring Ron-Thorben Hoffmann to the Stadium of Light.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by German publication Kicker (via Bundesliga News), who claim that the goalkeeper looks set to sign a contract extension with Bayern Munich, and, once completed, the Bundesliga champions will then sanction the departure of the 22-year-old.

The report continues to state that the former Germany U18 international will join the Black Cats on what will initially be a season-long loan deal, which will be made a permeant move if Lee Johnson’s side go on to secure promotion to the Championship come the end of the season.

Johnson will be buzzing

Having targeted a number of goalkeepers in recent weeks, including the former Sunderland shot-stopper Vito Mannone, the fact that the club look close to securing the last-minute addition of Hoffmann is sure to have left the Black Cats manager buzzing.

Indeed, while the youngster is yet to make a senior appearance for the Bundesliga side, he has nevertheless impressed over the various youth and reserve sides at the club, conceding 60 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets over 54 appearances for Bayern’s U19 side, as well as conceding 69 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets over 51 appearances for Bayern Munich II.

As such, should Johnson go on to land the services of the German youth international on Tuesday evening, the £540k-rated man would certainly appear to be something of a coup for the League One side, who could certainly do with adding greater depth to his current options in the position.

However, while a deal does appear close for the 6ft 4 shot-stopper, it would be wise for the 40-year-old to tie up the signing of the ‘keeper as efficiently as possible, as there are now only a matter of hours remaining on the summer transfer window.

In other news: Nixon drops fresh SAFC update on “desperate” £1.08m-rated dud, fans will be gutted

Last season was a torrid one for everyone associated with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves weren’t relegated but they seemed to be hit by a plethora of injury blows on a regular basis.

Two ACL issues in eight months for Jonny got the ball rolling before Raul Jimenez sustained a horrific fractured skull after a clash of heads with David Luiz. Marcal missed large periods and Daniel Podence was also absent at various parts of the season.

Pedro Neto even broke his kneecap in the final stages of the campaign, ruling him out until at least October.

However, just as Jimenez returns to the fray, he could be banned by FIFA.

It’s currently the international break but a host of players who would be travelling to red list countries to link up with their national teams have been stopped from doing so by the FA.

However, because of this, FIFA could impose a five-day ban on those players at the end of the international break, according to The Athletic. That means that Jimenez could miss Wolves’ next game with Watford on September 11.

This would be a colossal blow for the Old Gold, not just because he’s only just returned from a lengthy lay-off, but because he’s been their top scorer for so many years.

The Mexican has found the net on 48 occasions since arriving in the summer of 2018 and it was evident how much of a huge miss he was last season. Their top scorer was Neto but he only ended up finding the net on five occasions as Wolves slumped to a 13th-placed finish.

His absence will also be felt hard against Watford. The Molineux outfit have played some exciting offensive football under Bruno Lage but they are yet to pick up a single point or score a goal. That’s despite having no fewer than 56 shots in their opening three matches of the Premier League campaign.

Jimenez might have struggled himself, but considering his goal record for the club, losing him for a match will hardly help their cause in the penalty area.

After struggling so much when he was absent in 2020/21, fans should be gutted that he could receive a short ban.

They have just signed Hwang-hee Chan on loan but it would be a surprise if he’s up to speed with Lage’s style of play by the time that match rolls around.

AND in other news, Wolves may have their own Renato Sanches in rarely-seen 18 y/o who “catches the eye”…

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed Rodrigo to have a good season if Marcelo Bielsa’s side can maintain their standard from the previous campaign.

The Whites impressed last term following their promotion from the Championship, finishing in ninth, but individually, Rodrigo had his struggles.

The 30-year-old was far from proficient in front of goal in the early stages of his Leeds career, not coming to life until the end of the season.

However, having had time to adapt and now free from injury, The Athletic’s Phil Hay believes Rodrigo could end up being a star for the Yorkshire club by the end of this campaign. And Palmer shares a similar sentiment, suggesting that the Spaniard will deliver if the team plays well as a whole.

“People don’t realise how tough the Premier League is until you actually come and play in it and experience it week in, week out,” the ex-Leeds player told FFC when discussing Hay’s Rodrigo prediction. “It’s a tough league.

“A player like Rodrigo will depend on how Leeds United do. I think it’s going to be a difficult season for Leeds United in terms of the standard they set last season, people knowing the way they play, getting used to the way that Leeds United play. They’ve got to dig in.

“Players like Rodrigo, if Leeds are having a good season, I’m sure he’ll have a good season.”

The Whites have had a slow start to the campaign, taking two points from their first three games. From their point of view, hopefully Rodrigo can start firing soon to give that attack a boost and Patrick Bamford some respite.

When Rafa Benitez was first announced as Everton manager, it caused controversy among the supporters at Goodison Park.

Their frustration was fully justified, too. They had lost Carlo Ancelotti and brought in a coach who has such a great affinity with Liverpool and Anfield.

Those bad vibes have been quickly eradicated, though, with the Spaniard engineering seven points from a possible nine at the start of the season.

On the chalkboard

Benitez’s new signings have hit the ground running brilliantly, with Demarai Gray finding the net on two occasions already.

However, the Toffees have struggled in one area of the pitch; defensively.

Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina have been missing for the early stages of the campaign, which has meant a centre-back pairing of Mason Holgate and Michael Keane.

Unfortunately, it has not gone well. Everton have only kept one clean sheet in all competitions this season, which came against Brighton last time out.

On that occasion, Keane was actually in good form. The Englishman won 100% of his defensive duels and was also successful with 92% of his passes.

That was a rare good performance from the centre-back, who has actually been a liability in 2021/22.

The £69k-per-week earner failed to pick up his man for the goal that Everton conceded against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup and was also at fault in the draw with Leeds.

Keane turned slowly and couldn’t intercept the ball, which allowed Patrick Bamford to pick up possession and then play in Mateusz Klich, who found the net.

He has attracted widespread criticism this term, particularly from Sport Witness journalist Sean Lunt. Speaking about his ineptitude last month, the reporter commented: “Another sloppy goal for Everton to concede and it’s Michael Keane again. He’s regressed awfully once again, Everton would do well to sell at this point.”

Selling the 28-year-old might be a stretch too far but it would be wise of Benitez to axe him from his starting XI when they face his former team Burnley.

They take on the Clarets next Monday and could be boosted by the return of Mina and Godfrey, who both now seem back to fitness.

Despite his productive performance against Brighton, it’s still incredibly difficult to trust Keane completely. He should be taken out of the firing line.

AND in other news, Signed for £28m, now worth £90m: Kenwright struck gold for Everton with £325k-p/w gem…

Many Wolves fans have been left gushing over Morgan Gibbs-White’s Man of the Match performance for Sheffield United on Saturday.

The 21-year-old is currently enjoying the second loan spell of his career after having his stint at Swansea City cut short due to injury last season.

The midfielder joined the Blades on loan on transfer deadline day and has seen his time at Bramall Lane get off to a perfect start with two goals and two assists in only three games. His debut came in the 6-2 home victory over Peterborough United, where he scored one goal and set up Illiman Ndiaye’s opener.

The £6.3m-rated playmaker scored again three days later against Preston North End before setting up Billy Sharp to score in Saturday’s 3-1 away win at Hull, with footage of his inch-perfect cross shared by Josh Holland on Twitter.

His performances for the Championship club have left many Wolves fans purring, with Gibbs-White scoring as many goals as the entire Wanderers squad in the Premier League, in fewer games, and showing his attacking qualities.

His crossing accuracy of 40% at Bramall Lane far outstrips the 29% from Adama Traore this season, something which plenty of the Molineux faithful have commented upon.

Wolves fans react to Gibbs-White’s latest performance

These Wolves fans took to Twitter to rave about their academy product, with some wanting him in their first team after their poor start to the campaign.

“That’s how to cross a ball. If only we had someone like that at the club!”

Credit: @BourneWolf

“Please come back and teach Adama how to cross”

Credit: @joeyhepp

“Better than the crosses we produced”

Credit: @niklue

“CAN YOU BELIEVE WE WEREN’T GIVING HIM GAME TIME”

Credit: @_TheClassicMan

“some good news at least”

Credit: @TooRiskyIam

“Why exactly have we loaned him out? He’d be good enough for us now”

Credit: @__wa1877

In other news, many Wolves fans have reacted to the latest news on one of their injured players. Find out more here.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a double fitness boost ahead of their upcoming Championship clash.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by Birmingham Live, Matt Clarke has taken part in full training with Valerien Ismael’s side this week, with the centre-back appearing well ahead of schedule in his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Kean Bryan is also in contention to make his Baggies debut against Queens Park Rangers on Friday.

The former Sheffield United defender, who was signed on a free transfer in order to provide cover for the injured Dara O’Shea, played 45 minutes for the West Brom U23 side against Aston Villa last Friday and looks to be getting close to full fitness.

Ismael will be buzzing

While it remains unclear whether Clarke will be deemed fit enough to play a role in Friday’s game, the defender’s rapid recovery from injury, coupled with the likely availability of Bryan for the QPR fixture, is sure to have left Ismael buzzing.

Indeed, Clarke had impressed over his three Championship appearances for the Baggies following his loan switch from Brighton & Hove Albion, making an average of 2.3 interceptions, one tackle, 2.7 clearances and winning 7.3 duels per game.

These returns had seen the centre-back average a SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as West Brom’s eighth-best performer in the second tier.

However, should Clarke not be fit enough to feature against Mark Warburton’s side, the left-footed Bryan could nevertheless allow Ismael to provide his back-three with a great deal more balance – something that, considering their recent run of poor form, it seems the Frenchman has desperately lacked.

As such, the news that both Bryan and Clarke appear to be nearing a return to first team action is undoubtedly a major boost for Albion, as the club will certainly be looking to get their promotion push back on track against an impressive looking QPR side on Friday.

In other news: Journo drops fresh claim on “exceptional” £28k-p/w ace, West Brom fans would be gutted