All posts by h716a5.icu

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has been linked with a move to Turkish giants Besiktas, with his contract set to expire over the coming months.

What’s the story?

According to Turkish newspaper Takvim (via Sport Witness), the reigning Super Lig champions are keen to bring in the 29-year-old if they’re unable to re-sign Leicester City loanee Rachid Ghezzal.

The Alergia international was instrumental as Sergen Yalcin’s men pulled off a domestic double, bagging eight goals and providing 17 assists in 31 league appearances, but his standout displays have attracted interest from across the continent.

Fans will be gutted

It’s set to be a summer of upheaval at Selhurst Park as Roy Hodgson’s successor takes on the unenviable task of overseeing a major squad rebuild.

Key players such as Gary Cahill, Christian Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt are in a similar position to Townsend in terms of their contract situation, while serious injuries to Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson have only complicated matters further.

While Townsend may not have grabbed the headlines on a regular basis throughout his time with the Eagles, scoring just 16 goals in 185 outings for the capital club, the former England international remains an important figure in the Palace first team.

Only Eze bettered his total of five Premier League assists throughout 2020/21, with the youngster also the only member of the south London outfits squad to provide more than Townsend’s 1.2 key passes per game.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man, who earns £55,000-per-week on his Palace contract, has made a living out of running directly at the opposition’s full-back, usually resulting in a rather speculative shot or a decent cross for a teammate, and last season’s statistics show he’s still excelling at his relatively simple game.

Townsend’s 1.3 dribbles per game was the fourth-highest tally amongst the Palace players, while nobody got close to his 1.6 crosses.

It’s clear, therefore, that the pacey winger is still a pivotal part of the south London outfits set-up, and his presence would be a big bonus to whoever replaces the departing Hodgson this summer. Palace fans will likely be gutted if he does depart for Turkey.

And, in other news…New Crystal Palace boss must unleash rarely seen £13.5m-rated beast next season 

Glasgow Rangers fans are livid with an article from the The Times following a document released under the Freedom of Information act.

This past season was a fantastic one for the Gers on the pitch. They lost just three games in all competitions (Sky Sports), one of which was on penalties, as they went the whole Premiership campaign unbeaten (BBC) – unsurprisingly, that saw them lift the title as they finished 25 points in front of their fierce rivals Celtic.

The title itself was confirmed on March 7th after Dundee United’s 0-0 draw with the Bhoys. The day before, the Gers beat St. Mirren 3-0 at Ibrox, and thousands of fans celebrated outside the ground – the players and staff even celebrated with them from the windows inside Ibrox. Now, following the publication of this Police Scotland document, it has been revealed the Gers players were called “disgraceful” for their actions.

The article, which was shared on The Times Sports Editor’s official Twitter account, attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say below

“Well, looks like another publication that should be sued for libel”

Credit: @spuckwolf

“this constant witch-hunt of Rangers has to end. This is bordering on the ridiculous now.”

Credit: @DavieDelMar

“The Demonising continues”

Credit: @Pandy297

“The Police in this Country are not fit for purpose. That’s a disgraceful take.”

Credit: @DonaldMoffat5

“Can’t continue to subscribe to the Times after this utter fabrication.”

Credit: @greenockranger

“The hatred and smear continues. ‘Disregard for coronavirus.’ Must have missed the similar stories/outrage for last thurs, sun, thistle fans, st Mirren, Dundee Utd, Celtic (x3), st paddy’s day, any hot day in meadows/Kelvingrove. Etc Protests in George sq. all actively encouraged?”

Credit: @beaford_j

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this man’s comments.

New Zealand have been to Pakistan many times before but there is an element of the unknown in travelling there at this time of year

Lynn McConnell17-Apr-2002New Zealand have been to Pakistan many times before but there is an element of the unknown in travelling there at this time of year.Traditionally, tours have been in the late Northern Hemisphere summer, but this time around it is in late spring, early summer.And while that might normally affect travellers, to cricketers it can mean a lot, especially in terms of pitch conditions.According to the available information, the New Zealanders have been well served with their itinerary and conditions appear favourable.They won’t be without conditioning after nearly two weeks in Sharjah and then the one-day games preceding the two Test series.However, it won’t only be climatic heat the side faces, for it is clear from the Sharjah exercise that Pakistan is back to being a formidable unit with Shoaib Akhtar now back in harness with Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram also rounding out the fast bowling attack.Saqlain Mushtaq continues to send down his wily spin and gives the side a formidable look.Even without several members of the front-line attack, Chris Cairns, Shane Bond, Dion Nash, Shayne O’Connor and the just-retired Chris Drum, New Zealand has been able to assemble an attack aware of what is needed to take on Pakistan, albeit developed as a result of injury problems over the last two summers.Daryl Tuffey capped his first two full years of international play with a six-wicket bag in the first innings of New Zealand’s third Test victory over England earlier this month. Chris Martin, his partner in crime when New Zealand inflicted a record defeat, and achieved a record win for itself, over Pakistan in 2001 has come back into the side while two newcomers, fast bowler Ian Butler and all-rounder Andre Adams bring new skills to the side.Butler is still raw but has shown a capacity to learn and Pakistan will provide him with a significant boost to his education.Adams is the sort of cricketer who is capable of keeping the turnstiles, or whatever counting method they use nowadays, clicking with his latent ability to do the unexpected whether it be with bat or ball.He is still fresh on the Test scene but that hasn’t stopped him playing the game in the best way he knows, by all-out attack. Deceptively fast when bowling, he is a hard-hitting batsman who is also lethal in the field.Once again, however, it is around the batsmen that New Zealand’s hopes will rest. They have to score the runs to allow the side to compete against the best Pakistan will fire at them.There were emerging signs, especially from Nathan Astle, Mark Richardson, Craig McMillan and Lou Vincent, this summer that consistency may be emerging in the batting and that will be welcomed. Captain Stephen Fleming had a lean series against England but batted well in Australia earlier in the summer and will be looking to get back into it against Pakistan.Matt Horne will also be looking to regain his best touches after a poor return in the first two Tests against England. He was dropped for the first Test.Chris Harris will be another interesting performer, especially if given a chance high in the middle-order, as was the case in New Zealand’s win over England at Auckland. He played the key hand in the first innings and dug the side out of a disastrous position.Interest on the wicket-keeping performance of Robbie Hart, who has taken the place of long-serving Adam Parore, will be unavoidable. He is the provincial captain of left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori and will be well versed in ‘keeping to him. He is also a useful performer with the bat and will maintain the long batting order New Zealand has enjoyed in recent times.Events last September in the United States, and subsequently in Afghanistan, may have precluded New Zealand from touring in October, but there has been a willingness for New Zealand to meet their obligations for the tour and the players have known about it for some time.In an ironic way, it has ensured a continuity of match play through a part of the year when there is not normally a lot of cricket and in terms of the lead-up to the World Cup next year, and in the Test programme overall, it is well-placed to help in the overall development of New Zealand’s players through what has been a difficult time.The programme for the tour is:ODIs: Sunday, April 21 v Pakistan (Karachi, day/night); Wednesday, April 24 v Pakistan (Rawalpindi, day/night); Saturday v Pakistan (Lahore, day/night).Tests: May 1-5 v Pakistan (Lahore); May 8-12 v Pakistan (Karachi).

Reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has shed light on Manuel Lanzini’s latest injury blow and has claimed that the Argentine could miss the rest of this season alongside Arthur Masuaku.

The Lowdown: West Ham injury crisis

David Moyes has been forced to adapt without a plethora of first team regulars over the last month, with Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Masuaku, Lanzini and Mark Noble all sidelined at some point.

West Ham have been given several injury boosts boost over this last fortnight, however, as Antonio, Rice, Ogbonna, Noble and Cresswell have all returned and are available for selection. Masuaku and Lanzini are still out, though, with ExWHUemployee now shedding light on the latter’s injury problem.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee drops grim Lanzini update

After his latest knock, Lanzini has been forced to watch on from the sidelines after briefly impressing in Rice’s holding midfield role. Indeed, Moyes opted to play the 28-year-old further back in midfield against Burnley during the Hammers’ 2-1 win at Turf Moor.

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He impressed that night, dictating the tempo and flow of the game (West Ham Way), but ExWHUemployee believes it is now unlikely that Irons supporters will see him in action again this season.

The insider explained on his Patreon before West Ham’s disappointing draw at Brighton last night that Lanzini and Masuaku have probably been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Verdict: Blow for Moyes…

In recent weeks, Lanzini has arguably shown that he still has a place in Moyes’ squad despite barely featuring in an attacking role in recent months. His deeper position in midfield against Burnley highlighted how he is still a versatile asset for West Ham.

Alas, he is now likely to miss the rest of the campaign, which comes as a slight blow for the Irons as their excellent season falters in the closing stages.

His wonder goal away to Spurs earlier this season also pointed to a player capable of the extraordinary from time to time, and if West Ham are to keep their European dream alive, they could have done with the Argentine being available to help his team get over the line.

In other news: ‘Surprised’…West Ham fans flock to this ‘great news’, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed encouragement over one mooted managerial target this week…

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, former Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri ‘would consider an approach’ from Spurs and is currently out of work having left the Serie A giants back in the summer of 2019.

Earlier this month, the 53-year-old was linked with the vacancy by famous Italian journalist and commentator Francesco Repice, who told Juventus News 24: “Watch out for Tottenham, both for him and for Sarri, but a big club that wants to revive the team has only one name that can be used – Massimiliano Allegri.”

The former midfielder racked up a 70% win rate in Turin, where he clinched five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italias and two Supercoppa Italianas during his time in charge.

Get it done

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is quickly running out of solid options in his pursuit of an ideal successor to Jose Mourinho. The likes of Julian Naglesmann, Erik ten Hag and Brendan Rodgers all appear to be out of the running.

Whilst Brighton boss Graham Potter and Fulham manager Scott Parker are interesting options but neither are on the same level as the aforementioned trio, nor Allegri.

The former would perhaps be most fitting, considering the club are looking for another ‘attack-minded’ coach in the mould of Mauricio Pochettino, and that’s what the Englishman is but with Allegri still available, Levy would be wise to plump for the Italian instead.

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Allegri has been preparing for a stint in the Premier League for quite some time. He has been learning English for a while and is yet to be given that opportunity.

Sky Sports reporter Ben Ransom believes he’d be “the absolute perfect fit” in North London.

“He is perfect for Tottenham. He’s been out of work for a couple of years, he was brilliant at Juventus, he left after winning their fifth Serie A in a row, he plays the right sort of football and he is looking to get back into football now, the suggestion is.”

Indeed, it’s not the first time that someone has waxed lyrical about Allegri and his managerial potential – back in 2019, there were calls for him to become the next Manchester United boss and those claims were bolstered by comments from a certain Sir Alex Ferguson.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Daily Mail), the Scottish legend hailed him an “extraordinary technician” for his “solid” work at Juventus.

The aim for Spurs, and Levy, has to be ending their silverware drought. It’s now been 13 years since they last tasted glory, winning the League Cup in 2008 and it’s not like they haven’t had the chance to add to that, with a Champions League final appearance in 2019 and the Carabao Cup final just last month.

Allegri has a proven track record and ability in getting his teams over the line and whilst he’s never delivered on the European stage, he certainly has more experience than someone like Potter in the big competitions.

If he’s truly willing, then Levy must make a play for him before it’s too late.

AND in other news, Spurs can solve major issue with 6 ft 3 “complete player”, he won’t cost Levy a penny…

A number of Rangers supporters have been hailing commercial and marketing director James Bisgrove after some positive news emerged at Ibrox.

It has been a memorable season for Steven Gerrard’s side, who finally wrestled the Scottish Premiership title away from bitter rivals Celtic.

Rangers have completely bossed the league throughout the 2020/21 campaign, but it isn’t only on the pitch where they are now thriving as a club.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the Gers have joined a number of top European clubs and world-famous brands in being nominated for four awards at the Football Business Awards, which take place in London on July 6th.

Rangers are up for the Sponsorship/Partnership of the Year, Best Brand Activation (non Premier League) and the Best Use of Technology in a Football Club prizes, with the Rangers Charity Foundation also in the running for the Best Covid-19 Community Response award (non Premier League).

Rangers fans laud James Bisgrove

These Rangers fans took to Twitter to react positively to the news, lauding Bisgrove for the work he continues to do at Ibrox, with one supporter even calling the accomplishments ‘unprecendented’.

“James Bisgrove is lifting more trophies than Celtic this season”

Credit: @HeartandHutts

“We will be naming a stand after James Bisgrove – he’s truly been one of the best appointments we’ve made”

Credit: @55ilverFox_55

“Bisgrove RSC”

Credit: @Pena_Cartel

“Well done to all at the mighty Glasgow Rangers so proud of them when you consider where we were. Outstanding”

Credit: @WilliamSpeirs5

“6 trophies in one year. Unprecedented”

Credit: @JudeMcilreavy

“This is top notch! Well in Bisgrove and his team”

Credit: @SpeckyRSC

In other news, Rangers could be set to offload two players – find out who they are here.

Leeds United are eyeing a summer move for Slavia Prague sensation Abdallah Sima in the transfer window.

What’s the story?

With the Premier League season inching closer towards its finale, it appears Marcelo Bielsa is already turning his eye to how best to strengthen this Leeds squad.

And, according to Football Insider, the club are keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old Sima, and that the forward “fits the profile” Bielsa is after.

The report adds that Leeds could face competition from rival Premier League clubs, with the likes of Everton and Manchester United also credited with having an interest.

Imagine him and Bamford

Primarily a right-winger, the teenager can also play up top, and has drawn impressive comparisons with Arsenal Invincible Thierry Henry, who, of course, started his career out wide before being transformed into one of the Premier League’s leading marksmen by Arsene Wenger.

Brian Laudrup meanwhile said (via GlasgowLive): “Sima, in particular, is a wonderful player. He is only 19 years of age, but is very good in the air and can take players on. He’s quick and is scoring for fun in the Czech league.”

And, former Chelsea goalkeeper and Czech Republic legend Petr Cech even went so far as to suggest “there aren’t many players like this in Europe.”

Dubbed as “always a threat” by former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer, Sima could build a strong relationship with Patrick Bamford, and offer the Leeds man some vital support in terms of sharing the goal-scoring burden.

This season for Slavia, the attacker has bagged 19 goals in 36 games in all competitions, including showing his pedigree at European level with four goals in the Europa League – one of them coming in a 2-0 win away at Leicester.

Sima’s ability to come inside and be a threat in the penalty box would give Leeds that security of always having a presence in the area whenever Bamford makes those darting runs into the channel to draw the centre-backs out of position.

And, standing at 6 foot 2, Sima has got the height and physicality to be a real danger from crosses being whipped in from out wide, and offer the Whites another player to hit other than Bamford.

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Sima’s versatility in being able to play on both flanks and through the middle gives Bielsa the perfect option to either partner him with Bamford as a front two, or use him as an inside forward who can link up with Leeds’ number nine by coming in off the flank.

Either way, it’s a partnership that could bear rich fruit for Leeds next season.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could find a perfect Alioski successor in this star…

Ryan Mason takes charge of his first game as Tottenham Hotspur’s interim boss later this evening as the struggling north London outfit welcome Southampton in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old was appointed following the surprise sacking of Jose Mourinho earlier this week and has been tasked with steering the ship for the remainder of the season, alongside fellow youth coach Chris Powell.

It’ll be the culmination of a 20-year association for the former academy graduate, having risen up through the ranks to make his first-team debut aged just 17 in November 2008, to captaining the side, and leading out Spurs’ next crop of youngsters in a coaching capacity after seeing his playing career tragically cut short.

The Lilywhites sit five points adrift of the top four in seventh place, and a win could see them leapfrog defending champions, Liverpool, their failed European Super League co-conspirators.

It’s a big week for Mason and the team as they also have the small matter of the Carabao Cup final against runaway leaders Manchester City on Sunday. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how he shakes up the side post-Mourinho.

The Portuguese’s final swansong saw Spurs draw 2-2 with Everton and once again, they were victims of their own downfall as that recurring theme of defensive mistakes cost them dearly.

Now, there is very little he can do outside of a window to drastically change these fortunes, but he could do himself the world of good if he opts to drop several players that have continuously let the side down.

[snack-amp-story url=https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-and-recent-gossip” title=”Read this week’s Spurs news, latest transfer rumours and more!]

Serge Aurier is perhaps one who falls into this category more than anyone.

The £23m arrival from PSG was here under Mauricio Pochettino, where Harry Redknapp claimed that “they’ve [the players] got him the sack,” and remained a key part of first-team plans under Mourinho, too, so the same must be said – surely?

According to The Sun, Daniel Levy feared a revolt after several stars came to him slamming the Special One’s methods in recent weeks.

Initially, things looked to be changing as the Ivorian right-back usurped summer signing Matt Doherty in the starting XI, and whilst he somehow found his way back in recently, it didn’t take long for his old self to come to the surface.

Once lambasted as a “liability” by ex-striker Darren Bent, Aurier was the brunt of the scathing criticism following defeat to Manchester United and Sky Sports’ punditry duo of Roy Keane and Micah Richards went to town on the Spurs star.

“He’s got a rick in him. He has caused loads of problems. I have described him as a bit of a car crash,” explained Keane (via a clip sourced by Football Daily). “Defensively I think he doesn’t smell danger or see the danger. And that’s been a huge problem for Spurs, the right-back position.”

And Richards believes his inability to track back has cost them hugely in recent matches, adding that Aurier was “lazy.”

After being axed from the side for five straight league outings, the defensive calamity was trusted to start against United, and then Everton. In neither game did he manage to surpass a rating of 6.3, as per SofaScore.

The £18m-rated will only let Mason down too if he starts tonight, so the caretaker boss must show no mercy and look to axe him from the starting XI.

Perhaps he can instead trust a player he’s worked with in the academy set-up in Japhet Tanganga, who in truth, has done little wrong to warrant losing his place.

AND in other news, Levy could find Spurs’ next Pochettino in 45 y/o gem who has WOWED Guardiola…

Some Everton fans have been left to laud a big update from Paul Joyce on Marcel Brands.

As per a tweet from The Times journalist, the director of football at the Goodison Park faithful has signed a new deal that will keep him at the Merseyside club for three more years, news which has since been confirmed by the club.

The timing comes after the collapse of the proposed European Super League (ESL) which was largely condemned around the country, including by the Toffees themselves, although they were not one of the six teams from the Premier League that signed up to take part.

Nonetheless, Brands signing a new contract offers some stability for the Blues and says a lot about their faith in him given the relationships that have been broken from sides in the ‘big six’ as a result of the ESL fiasco.

Everton fans on Joyce’s Brands update

These EFC supporters lauded the update from Joyce on Brands’ new deal on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that they were left ‘made up’ while another labelled it as ‘brilliant news’:

“Nice”

Credit: @james_gavo3

“Good news for once”

Credit: @EFCJakeee

“Personally, I’m made up with news….”

Credit: @NTylerVI

“Brilliant news!”

Credit: @ChrisPickles24

“Love to see it”Credit: @MainManMina”Great News!!!”Credit: @AllToffee1878In other news, find out what ESL news Toffees flocked to here!

Given how the Premier League season has gone for Aston Villa, you would be forgiven for completely forgetting about Neil Taylor.

The 43-cap Wales international has barely been seen at Villa Park this campaign, with Dean Smith clearly favouring Matt Targett as his first-choice left-back.

The only first-team action that Taylor has seen thus far, has been three 90 minutes in the early stages of the Carabao Cup, and then a measly 15 minute outing in the Premier League clash against Manchester City back in mid-January.

Other than that, the Welshman has been forced to either sit on the bench as an unused substitute, or even just miss out on the match-day squad completely.

Taylor earns a reported £45k-a-week at Villa Park, which is still a decent chunk of money for a side who are only a year or so removed from coming up to the Premier League.

The left-back was a key part of Villa’s promotion from the Championship, playing 34 times in the competition, including playing all three games in the play-offs.

But given how things have panned out since then and how Targett is by far and away Smith’s first-choice in his position, Taylor just seems to be stealing a living at the moment.

Villa’s co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens will surely be fuming at the fact that a member of Smith’s first-team squad is picking up a sizeable wage packet for doing absolutely nothing so the club simply must wave goodbye to Taylor when his contract expires this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa should target this “fabulous” player who Lee Hendrie adores…