All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Rangers winger Sheyi Ojo is massively exciting former captain Barry Ferguson

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson believes the club have picked up a very good signing in Sheyi Ojo, as reported by The Daily Record.

What’s he said?

Ojo made his competitive debut for the club last Tuesday night, scoring in a 4-0 thrashing of UEFA Europa League qualifying opponents St. Joseph’s.

It was an impressive start to his Ibrox career and Ferguson believes the Gers have found a gem of a player, excited about what he can offer during his season-long loan from Liverpool.

Check out some amazing tekkers in the video below…

As quoted by The Daily Record, the 41-year-old said:

“The opposition were no great shakes and Steven Gerrard’s side looked a little bit rusty in the first half before starting to find a bit of rhythm after the break.

“But Ojo? This kid stood out like a sore thumb from the very first kick of the ball and it looks like my old club have got a real player on their hands.

“It’s not about the standard of the team he was up against, it’s about the tools he’s got in his locker and from this first look it seems as if he might have the lot.

“He’s powerful, strong, athletic and a great runner with a good work ethic. Technically he’s really impressive and the way he took his goal on Tuesday night was classy and composed.”

Consistency is key

Playing on the right wing, Ojo certainly looked comfortable against St. Joseph’s but he will have to be consistent if he is to fully displace Daniel Candeias heading deeper into the season.

The Portuguese wide man scored six goals and assisted 12 times last season, which is a bigger single season direct goal output than Ojo has ever managed in his career so far.

Watch Rangers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He’s started brightly, but the onus is now on him to prove he can back up the praise from club legends such as Ferguson with big performances.

Steven Gerrard is unlikely to settle for second best and won’t hesitate in giving others chances if he’s not producing good numbers.

Liverpool’s bold transfer stance on Ryan Kent is already paying off

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…

Back at the start of the month, Liverpool were met with two offers from Rangers and Leeds for their young winger Ryan Kent, but rejected both of them.

Either offer must have been fairly enticing for the Champions League winners to accept. The Liverpool Echo reported that the Reds were hoping for £12m, but even a lesser sum would’ve had an argument for it to be accepted given Kent’s career path so far.

The 22-year-old has been on five separate loan moves away from Anfield over the course of the last five years, and after every one, he hasn’t quite been in the discussion regarding a spot in the first-team.

“The worst we’ve played all season” but “our most straightforward final since 2003” – a Liverpool fan reflects on the UCL final in the video below…

As a result, the money on the table must’ve been enticing for a player running out of time at Liverpool.

However, the Merseysiders’ decision to reject advances for Kent has paid off if his form in pre-season is anything to go by.

The 5 foot 8 attacker has impressed hugely in Liverpool’s friendly affairs this summer.

Kent has one assist to his name, and has also completed an impressive 10 dribbles – his directness and dribbling ability are the main features of his game.

He appeared to find his feet whilst out on loan with Rangers last term under Steven Gerrard’s tutelage, scoring six goals and winning the Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Season award as he looked to come of age –  the Scottish giants were put off by the £12m price tag however.

Luckily for Liverpool, they seem to have come out on top as their young talent starts to hit his stride, and at a perfect time amid a mini fitness issue in attack.

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were all away on international duty over the summer, meaning they will have disrupted pre-seasons and assumingly, a disjointed start to the campaign as their fitness slowly builds up.

As a result, Kent will most likely be needed at some point by Klopp.

The decision to keep him was bold as there were more than enough arguments for him to be sold, but Liverpool’s transfer stance looks to be paying off judging by Kent’s pre-season form.

Spurs target Dybala has one stat that will concern the club

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Paulo Dybala, per Football FanCast sources.

The Juventus forward has been a star in Serie A for years, scoring 78 goals in 182 games for the club.

Yet he struggled last season.

As Juve signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala saw his output massively reduced in Turin.

Per Understat, he made 30 appearances and scored just five goals. He also laid on four assists but the scoring statistic is a concern. In 2017/18, at a Ronaldo-less Juve, he scored 22 times and laid on five assists.

That is a simply massive change.

He averaged 2.15 key passes per game in 18/19, compared to 2.06 the season prior, but the stat that matters is his expected goals (xG).

In 17/18, he massively outperformed his xG rate of 13.17. He scored seven goals from outside the box, with two holding an xG value of just 0.02. They should not have ended up in the back of the net.

But in 18/19, he scored once from outside the box and his xG value was 5.02. That he scored five goals suggests that he merely scored the goals he should have scored.

It also suggests a potential levelling out, of Dybala overperforming the season prior and reverting to his base level last term.

Now, of course, every single player can endure a difficult season. It has happened to the very best in the world. At Spurs, for example, Dele Alli did not hit the heights in 18/19 as he did in 17/18.

Dybala, clearly, is remarkably talented and he has the ability to be a game-changing signing for Spurs.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But the xG stat will be a serious concern.

He has not put himself in the best positions he could have and he has not taken the potshots he used to have the confidence to.

Perhaps that comes from Ronaldo’s move to Turin; the former Manchester United superstar netted 21 Serie A goals last season, taking up the mantle from the Argentine.

It remains to be seen which Dybala would end up in north London, though; Spurs, if they complete the deal, will have to hope it’s the 17/18 version.

[ad_pod ]

Leicester City signing Dennis Praet gives Brendan Rodgers a crucial plan B in midfield

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Leicester City’s summer transfer window has been rather contrasting after they kicked off the summer by snatching Ayoze Perez from Newcastle United for £30m, before earlier this week the popular Harry Maguire left the club in a £80m move to Manchester United.

Since winning the Premier League in 2016, fans have had to endure a trio of rather average seasons with back-to-back ninth place finishes the best since then.

Though, under Brendan Rodgers things are looking rather positive after he was appointed back in February – there is a simmering feeling that they could flirt with the European heights this coming season.

In addition to Perez, the Foxes were able to confirm the permanent signing of Youri Tielemans and now they could be about to further strengthen their midfield department as The Guardian claim a £18m fee for Dennis Praet has been agreed with Sampdoria.

On the chalkboard

Praet was a consistent Serie A performer in 2018/19 averaging a rating of 6.99 in 34 appearances, where he also managed to contribute two goals and three assists.

Watch Leicester City Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The skilfully tenacious midfielder could give Rodgers a much-needed plan B in midfield, especially if they are wanting to shore things up or desperately hold onto a result.

He is likely to be directly competing with both Tielemans and James Maddison in the heart of the pitch. Though he may not offer the same offensive exploits that the young English star in particular possesses, he can offer so much more when a change is required.

Praet is good in possession of the ball and ranks above both of Leicester’s two key midfielders after averaging a success rate of 87.3% per game last season.

The Belgian’s true ability begins to shine through when analysing his defensive capabilities from midfield, which seems strange for a player that has been utilised in attacking midfield and on the left-wing in the past.

[ad_pod ]

Tielemans is the more defensive of the two aforementioned midfielders so he will be a good barometer on the impact Praet could potentially have.

The 25-year-old averaged 1.9 tackles per game compared his fellow countryman’s 1.3 per game whilst he also rated higher in terms of interceptions at 1.1 per game whilst Tielemans only managed a lowly 0.4 per game.

It is Praet’s hard-working nature and ability to cover a lot of ground quickly that makes him an interesting prospect for Rodgers to deploy when needing that different approach to a game.

He certainly offers something they may lack in midfield, but there’s nothing to suggest either Tielemans or Maddison should be dropped right now, so he may well have to come in as that alternative throw of the dice.

[ad_pod ]

Man United fans lavish praise on Raheem Sterling following treble

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City recorded a 5-0 win over West Ham United on the opening weekend of the 2019-20 Premier League season.

It was yet another terrific performance from the 24-year-old, who has now netted four times in two appearances this term following his effort against Liverpool in the Community Shield last weekend.

Sterling scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side during the 2018-19 campaign.

But he looks capable of beating that total this time around.

And a number of Manchester United fans have taken to social media to comment on the England international.

Despite the immense rivalry between the two teams, the United supporters cannot help but appreciate the player that Sterling has become under Guardiola.

[ad_pod ]

Meanwhile, there are those who wish that their side had a talent like him.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Red Devils fans can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]

Newcastle ace Sean Longstaff set for new contract

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

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

Sean Longstaff is in line for a new contract at Newcastle United worth up to £80,000-a-week, according to The Times.

What’s the story?

The report claims both Sean and his younger brother Matty are in talks over new deals.

Sean of course impressed massively last season, breaking into the first-team and earning a contract worth £25,000-a-week, but his new deal could be worth more than triple that.

The report says the Magpies valued Longstaff at £50m amidst interest from Manchester United this summer, and the renewed terms are a reflection of that.

Best move they could make

It’s about time Newcastle started acting like a big club. There’s still a long way to go, but the Magpies have smashed their transfer record twice already this calendar year.

With the window now closed, moving to tie Longstaff down to a bigger, longer contract is exactly what the club should be doing, and European champions Liverpool have proved exactly why.

Jurgen Klopp has long insisted keeping key players is just as important as signing new ones, and the German confirmed as much again this summer as the Reds had a quiet window, but tied down several players to new deals.

“In our case it was [that] these are our transfers. These new contracts, keeping these boys here, was a strong, strong signal for the outside world. It’s a wonderful sign, to be honest,” he said.

Now, we will have to wait and see if Newcastle do actually intend to keep Longstaff long-term or if this is simply a ploy to push his market value up, but the signs are definitely positive, and it does send a message that the club will not be bullied by Manchester United or any other elite club.

Keeping the local lad, who even had Pep Guardiola singing his praises last season, is as important as any signing the Magpies could possibly make, just as Klopp says about his European conquerors.

For all the unrest on Tyneside at the moment, this is just about the best move the club could make to inject some positivity back into the fans and squad.

[ad_pod ]

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling tipped for huge season by Shaun Wright-Phillips

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to Manchester City’s official club website, Shaun Wright-Phillips has tipped Raheem Sterling to bag 30 goals this season.

What did he say?

Sterling enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, registering an incredible 25 goals and 18 assists in 51 games across all competitions.

The England international appears to have taken that hot form into the current season, netting a hat-trick against West Ham in the opening Premier League game before adding another against Tottenham.

Now, Wright-Phillips has backed the winger to develop even more and hailed his improved end product.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He said: “He’s outstanding. He’s a delight to watch, always plays with a smile on his face and does what City fans love – works hard, fights for the club and under Pep he’s grown so much.

“People always talk about his end product and now you just expect him to have 15 assists a season. It’s looking like he could hit 30 goals this season and I hope he does.”

Burden

Following Leroy Sane’s unfortunate injury, the burden on Sterling to get more goals and assists this season has increased ten-fold. The 24-year-old has duly obliged so far, starting this campaign in electric fashion, averaging an incredible five shots per game.

Whilst expectations should be tempered with it being so early on in the season, Sterling’s style of goals are unlikely to diminish. The winger is beginning to score an abundance of tap-ins or close range finishes, and it is a testament to his excellent movement and positioning inside the box.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

At 24, the former Liverpool star still has plenty more room to grow and that will only be an ominous sight for teams around the Premier League. Having already scored four in two, getting to 30 with 36 games remaining certainly seems within reach.

[ad_pod ]

Manchester City’s fortunate Champions League draw might not be so lucky

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles.

18 points from 18? You certainly wouldn’t put it past them. Manchester City’s Midas-like touch with the Champions League draw continues to amaze, and this time, they really did outdo themselves.

Some big hitters like Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund were eerily waiting for Pep Guardiola’s side in pot two, but instead, out came Shakhtar Donetsk. How the Ukrainians must be sick of the sight of the Etihad side.

After that piece of luck, pots three and four didn’t bring out any potential banana skins, and it all makes it look relatively straightforward for a safe passage into the last 16 for the Manchester side.

Watch Manchester City Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But perhaps City should not start celebrating too soon. They were handed favourable-looking draws in the past couple of seasons too, but have yet to see it all the way through in the Champions League. Guardiola will undoubtedly point to many factors as being the cause for their failed runs in the competition, but perhaps a lack of competition may be the underlying reason behind it. Indeed, even some City fans appear to think so too.

As the saying goes in football, sometimes you learn more from a difficult defeat than a comprehensive victory. Beating the likes of Shakhtar, Dinamo Zagreb and Atalanta 5-0 may boost the egos and feeling of invincibility, but does it actually help prepare City for the business stages of the tournament, when defensive resiliency is just as important as attacking verve?

Having breezed through the group phase and knocking out Schalke 10-2 on aggregate in the last 16 last season, City came unstuck at the first real hurdle. Mauricio Pochettino’s side clinched an all-important 1-0 victory at home, before scoring three away goals at the Etihad to knock them out in the quarter-finals.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Guardiola’s men may rue the intervention of VAR, but in the grand scheme of things, they folded against the first ‘big’ team they faced in the competition. The season before that, they waltzed on through to the last eight and then were comprehensively beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Liverpool.

Again there was a feeling amongst some that they were hard done by, but you can’t complain when you give up goals at home in two-legged ties.

So whilst the initial feeling may be one of relief that they once again avoided a potentially troublesome group, City may just be looking back in a few months time with a feeling of regret that they weren’t sufficiently tested.

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham hailed for keeping Christian Eriksen this summer

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Noel Whelan believes that Tottenham Hotspur have pulled off one of the best pieces of business in the summer transfer window by keeping Christian Eriksen, per Football Insider.

What’s he said?

Eriksen outlined his desire to take on a new challenge following the Champions League final.

A number of reports suggested that he had his heart set on a potential move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

But no bid was forthcoming from either side and Whelan believes that his staying at the club could be the difference between Spurs challenging for major honours or merely attempting to finish in the top four.

He said: “Tottenham have done well to keep hold of Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose, they are all massive players. But Eriksen is the most important. He’s irreplaceable.

“It’s the best business of the summer by any Premier League club. Eriksen’s that important. To get rid of him would be ludicrous. He is the one player at Tottenham who can open up a team with his passing.

“That’s why Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted him. If Eriksen leaves, I would worry about Tottenham getting a top-four place. With him, they can get top four and challenge for trophies.

“Tottenham have spent quite well this summer, but I still think they are a window behind other teams, and the squad is still quite thin.

“They needed to keep all their stars to compete in the Premier League and Champions League at the same time, and luckily they have done so.”

Big talent

Eriksen has proved already this season that he is a genuinely brilliant playmaker.

He was left out of the squad for the game against Aston Villa but came off the bench to completely change the game; he was also superb in the north London derby, scoring his side’s first goal as they drew 2-2 with Arsenal at The Emirates.

It would’ve been a major blow to lose him, particularly if they were unable to bring in an adequate replacement.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After the Paulo Dybala deal broke down on transfer deadline day, it made all the sense in the world to keep the Denmark international around.

Now it’s crunch time and he must prove his worth if he is to earn that move that he has so craved; that can only help Tottenham.

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott posts on Instagram after England U17 success

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

[ad_pod ]

England’s youth teams have had unparalleled levels of success over the past few years.

They’ve won the U17 World Cup, U19 Euros and U20 World Cup. It’s fair to say that the future looks bright for the Three Lions.

Now, the U17 team has reached the final of the Syrenka Cup.

If you don’t pay too much attention to youth football and therefore don’t know what the Syrenka Cup is, it’s a yearly tournament that takes place in Poland for national teams at youth level.

England actually won the U17 version last year, and now they’re on the verge of another title after beating Austria 4-2 on Sunday.

The Young Lions’ squad could be filled with stars of the future, but there aren’t many names that fans will be too familiar with at the moment.

However, one player who many football fans should know is Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool man is the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League, and he’s played a part in this team reaching the final of this competition.

The 16-year-old took to Instagram to celebrate the team’s achievement and to look towards the final.

[ad_pod ]