All posts by z3u9t.icu

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There are only two games left of the season and no one knows what is happening with Mo Diame.

The 31 year-old has been at Newcastle since 2016, in which time he has racked up 102 appearances with eight goals.

Now though, he is just weeks away from ending his contract with the club, with no sign of a new deal in sight.

As reported by The Evening Chronicle, his current terms will be extended for another year if he starts both of the remaining fixtures, while the player himself wants a two-year extension.

With that in mind, we asked the writers at Football FanCast – how do you solve a problem like Diame?

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Harry Elnaugh

“No, they should not extend his deal in any capacity. His Newcastle career is over, basically. The Senegalese ace isn’t creative enough to thrive in the number ten position, while the likes of Sean Longstaff, Isaac Hayden and even Jonjo Shelvey bring much more at the base of midfield. He hasn’t done nearly enough to earn an extension in my opinion.”

James Beavis

“Lee Charnley won’t be held to ransom in this situation. If the club believe Diame isn’t worth a two-year deal and he won’t accept a 12-month deal, then they should let him go. The Senegal international doesn’t deserve another two seasons at St James’ Park and has shown in the past that performances can drop when he is in a comfortable situation. The midfielder is easily replaceable, and given the options the Magpies already have in that position he is arguably surplus to requirements already.

Matt Dawson

“I don’t think Newcastle should be considering a new deal for Diame at all, regardless of whether a one or two-year extension is on the table. The Magpies have a number of promising players in midfield and in recent weeks Isaac Hayden, his most natural replacement, has been excellent. Diame is far too inconsistent and it is players like him that the club needs to move on, focusing instead on convincing the want-away Hayden to remain on Tyneside.”

When it was confirmed that Leeds United would be facing Derby County in the semi-finals of the play-offs last week, fans of both sides must have been excited by the news given the recent history between the clubs.

Having secured an impressive 4-1 victory over the Rams last August, the Whites entered January’s clash at Elland Road as firm favourites over their opponents yet the build-up to the fixture was dominated by matters off-the-field.

After Frank Lampard accused Marcelo Bielsa of sending one of the club’s employees to spy on Derby’s training exercises, the Argentine admitted his guilt before going on to reveal that he had done the exact same thing in preparation for games against all of Leeds’ Championship opponents this season (via Sky Sports).

Although the Whites were subsequently fined £200,000 by the Football Association for their actions (via BBC Sport), it is clear that the Rams have not forgotten these actions and therefore will be keen on getting their revenge in the play-offs.

In what is sure to be a hot-tempered two-legged clash, Leeds will have to keep their heads if they are to keep their dreams of reaching the Premier League alive.

Whereas the influence that Pablo Hernandez has on proceedings will surely help decide his side’s fate against Derby, it could be argued that Kalvin Phillips holds the key to play-off glory.

Despite not being able to boast anywhere near the levels of goal contributions in comparison to his Spanish team-mate, the £6.3m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) has been utterly sublime in his defensive midfield role this season and will be needed to cut off the Rams’ supply line at Pride Park on Saturday.

With both Tom Lawrence and Harry Wilson expected to carry a real threat on the wings for their opponents, Leeds will need Phillips to cover his full-backs when necessary whilst also keeping it tight in the middle of the pitch.

If the 23-year-old is successful in helping his side keep Derby at bay, the Whites could be preparing for their first trip to Wembley Stadium since their ill-fated clash with Doncaster Rovers in 2008.

What do you think Leeds fans? How important is Phillips to your success in the play-offs? Are you confident that your side can beat Derby in the semi-finals? Let us know below.

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According to Il Mattino, via Sports Witness, Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier has agreed personal terms with Napoli ahead of a potential switch to the Italian giants.

Trippier was excellent at the 2018 World Cup, playing a key role as England advanced to the semi-finals before losing to Croatia.

The 28-year-old entered the World Cup off the back of a strong season for Spurs, but the right-back has had his problems during the 2018-19 campaign.

Trippier has made 37 appearances in all competitions for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this term.

However, there is no getting away from the fact that his performances have been short of the standard that he has previously set.

Il Mattino have claimed that Napoli have now agreed personal terms with the defender.

And it would be fair to say that the Tottenham fans are looking forward to potentially seeing the back of the former Manchester City youngster this summer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Spurs supporters can be seen below:

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Liverpool are interested in securing a deal for West Ham United winger Felipe Anderson this summer, per the Daily Mail.

What’s the word?

The Reds are reportedly looking to bolster their attack with a new signing this summer and have scouted a number of potential acquisitions.

The Mail claim that Daniel Sturridge, so ravaged by injuries, is poised to leave on a free transfer and that manager Jurgen Klopp is seeking further back-up to first-choice trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

And Anderson has emerged as a target.

He is, of course, a proven quantity, having enjoyed some genuinely terrific performances for the Hammers in 2018-19.

He scored 10 goals and laid on five assists in all competitions as the Irons finished 10th under Manuel Pellegrini; the Mail subsequently claim that the club are desperate to ensure they hold onto him.

Another saga incoming?

Anderson is likely to want this move.

The opportunity to join a Champions League finalist doesn’t come around every so often and Anderson will be 27 next year.

He is approaching his peak and it is clear that the move to the Hammers was always likely to be a stepping stone.

His excellent dribbling ability and eye for the spectacular sets him out from the other targets listed in the Mail piece; the likes of Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser and Lille’s Nicolas Pepe.

Of course, Liverpool could turn their attention elsewhere but, for now, Hammers fans should be worried.

They have already seen Marko Arnautovic agitate for a move in January; Anderson could follow this summer.

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Youri Tielemans was exceptional for Leicester after arriving on loan from Monaco in January and after returning to the Monegasque club the rumour mill has been in full swing.

Brendan Rodgers initially admitted that the Foxes would do everything they can to sign the player but they have since been put off by the £40m valuation slapped on his head.

However, journalist Kristoff Terreur has now claimed that the Belgian enjoyed his time at the King Power, telling Sky Sports News’ Transfer Talk podcast that there has been interest from Tottenham and Manchester United.

Yet, Leicester fans have reacted with a sense of hope, praying that his enjoyable time in the Midlands will lead to a permanent switch.

One fan claimed the news was music to their ears whilst another said it was really positive.

Further supporters focused on the potential transfer fee, urging the Foxes to pay the money in a desperate attempt to let the club know how they felt about the 22-year-old.

After arriving in the Premier League, Tielemans scored three goals and claimed a further four assists in 13 matches.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Tottenham Hotspur are “lucky” to be in the Champions League final, according to Graeme Souness, per Balls.ie.

What’s the word?

Spurs face Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday as they attempt to win the competition for the first time in their history.

But Souness insists that Mauricio Pochettino’s men have merely qualified for the final by the skin of their teeth.

Spurs lost 13 games in the Premier League en route to their fourth-placed finish and ultimately lost 19 matches in all competitions.

And the former Reds man insists that there has been a huge dose of luck involved in the London club’s run; unlike Liverpool’s.

He said: “The minute you try to attach logic to a game of football, you will come unstuck. Eight, nine times out of ten, the team with the best players wins the football match. Liverpool have the best players.

“On the other side of that coin, there’s a small part of me thinking, ‘Spurs’ name is already on that trophy’. The way they’ve got to the final, they have been lucky.

“You can’t say Liverpool have been lucky. They came back from 3-0 down against Barcelona, you can’t say that was a lucky performance. They steamrolled Barca that night, stopped Messi, they steamrolled them.

“I’m hoping it will be a Liverpool win but there is an element of doubt in my mind because of the luck Spurs have enjoyed getting to the final.”

Absolute nonsense

Souness is talking absolute nonsense, there’s really no two ways about it.

This is a very good Liverpool team, yes, but they drew perhaps the easiest possible quarter-final opponent in Porto – Spurs played Manchester City, the Premier League champions – while the Reds also lost three times in the group stages. Spurs took just two defeats at that stage.

Yes, Barcelona were handsomely beaten at Anfield but Spurs “steamrolled” Borussia Dortmund at Wembley and also pulled off a miraculous comeback in Amsterdam against Ajax.

Luck, at the end of the day, is integral to any great cup run, and has surely helped both sides on route to Madrid.

Souness insisting that only Spurs have benefited is, as Donald Trump would say, fake news.

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Queens Park Rangers fans on Twitter have been giving their views on two new potential signings in current Rangers man Lee Wallace and ex-Ibrox star Liam Kelly.

It has been reported in Scotland that the deal to bring the duo in has already been completed by former Gers boss Mark Warburton, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

Warburton managed both players during his time in Glasgow and now looks to have made them his first two signings since replacing Steve McClaren at Loftus Road a couple of months ago.

Capturing former Gers captain Wallace on a free and the promising goalkeeper Kelly for just £50,000 seems like a tidy bit of business from the west London club ahead of the 2019/2020 Sky Bet Championship season.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

And whilst some supporters of the second-tier strugglers agree, others have concerns over Wallace’s age and the overall quality of the duo.

Check out the best of their divided reactions, below…

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Manchester United have reportedly made their offer to soon-to-be free agent Adrien Rabiot.

According to The Daily Mail, the Red Devils have offered Rabiot £170,000-a-week to sign this summer.

The PSG midfield maestro will be available for free once his contract expires in Paris at the end of June.

However, the report claims that while Rabiot is tempted by the offer from United, he is very interested in a move to Liverpool.

So, after the shocking performances of big-name but bad attitude signings like Alexis Sanchez, should United even consider moving for Rabiot?

The 24 year-old refused to be on France’s standby list for the World Cup last year after not making the initial squad, per BBC, and the writers at Football FanCast have had their say on whether United should take a risk on the volatile youngster…

Could Harry Maguire be on his way to Old Trafford? Check out the video below to see why it would make so much sense…

Luke Glanville

“Rabiot may end up as another bad attitude signing for Manchester United, but who will care? He’s costing them nothing. The opportunity to sign a player of the French international’s quality for free doesn’t come along very often at all and it’s one they can’t afford to miss out on – they should undoubtedly go for it.”

Jack Saville

“This is a catch 22 for Woodward. On the one hand signing Rabiot on a free transfer would be an excellent piece of business, yet his chequered history away from the field is impossible to ignore. The last thing Solskjaer needs is another character disrupting the dressing room atmosphere and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that’s exactly what the Frenchman would do. This level of value is rarely found in the modern market, but there are simply too many potential caveats to justify the move.”

Billy Meyers

“This is just completely the wrong signing. Reports suggest Rabiot will be offered £170k-a-week to play for United, which seems like the only pull factor they have over the vast amount of top European clubs in the race for his signature. United have too many players at the club who are there solely for the financial aspect of the game. Players who want to play for both the badge and the manager should be prioritised over an egocentric prima donna like Rabiot.”

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According to Esporte UOL, Everton are said to be in advanced negotiations along with Paris Saint-Germain for the signature of Ajax forward David Neres.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Toffees are punching well above their weight in vying with the French champions for Neres.

The Brazilian international enjoyed an eye-catching 2018/19 campaign with Ajax as they won the Eredivisie title and the Dutch Cup, whilst they were just seconds away from making the final of the Champions League.

Neres played a huge role in helping the Dutch giants achieve these feats, scoring 12 goals and recording 15 assists including Champions League knockout strikes against Real Madrid and Juventus – the latter of which was an absolute scorcher.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

As a result, the 22-year-old is attracting interest from around Europe, with the Toffees and the Ligue 1 outfit reportedly leading the way for his signature.

Good relationships with agents are helping Everton punch above their weight

Normally, it shouldn’t be possible that a club like Everton can compete in the market against a club who spent a combined £366m on Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe alone.

The Qatar-funded French top-flight holders are up to their eyeballs in cash, whereas the Toffees aren’t even in Europe next season.

However, the story from UOL reveals that the Merseysiders are ‘advanced in negotiations’ due to the fact they’re easy to negotiate with after completing the signings of Bernard and Richarlison in the past – both players share the same representatives as Neres.

Furthermore, it is said to be Neres’ wish to play in England, so the Toffees are even more well placed to land his signature this summer.

There is no way that Everton can match the finances of PSG, but in building up good relationships with representatives in previous deals, it appears that they can viably punch above their weight when needed to.

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According to Paraguayan journalist Markos Gonzalez, who works for Tigo Sports, Real Madrid are monitoring the development of Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron.

The 25-year-old is currently representing his country at the 2019 Copa America and has registered assists in their two matches against Qatar and Argentina.

According to Gonzalez, Real Madrid are ‘very closely’ monitoring the attacker.

Almiron joined Newcastle from MLS outfit Atlanta United in January 2019.

The South American failed to score or register an assist in his 10 appearances for the Magpies in the second half of the 2018-19 campaign.

Watch Newcastle United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

However, he made a positive impression early on with a string of impressive performances and could be a star in the Premier League next season as he begins to settle.

It would certainly be a surprise to see Real Madrid move for the versatile attacker but stranger things have happened.

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