All posts by h79snht.top

England, if they have much in their favour at the moment, have a few special young attacking players. Although it will be a while before we see them on the pitch together, there is the basis of a fearsome front line in there somewhere.

[ffc_insert name=”Opinion” title=”Defoe’s call-up a backwards step that isn’t justified by Rooney injury” image_ link=”https://www.footballfancast.com/opinion-2/gradual-decline-calling-up-of-veteran-shows-poor-state-of-england-team” link_text=”Read More” ]

Raheem Sterling has returned to the correct trajectory to become a world beater, Dele Alli has overcome a tricky start to the season to make himself one of the world’s best under-23s again, Harry Kane – who misses this international break through injury – is unrivalled in the Premier League in his goal returns. But one attacking midfielder, one striker and one winger does not make a forward line. One other potentially game-changing component has snuck into the squad for this Premier League hiatus, Nathan Redmond.

The Southampton winger has returned to a wide role under Claude Puel, having started the season in a central berth. Redmond, despite often being linked with a move elsewhere, remained at Norwich until the start of this season and it has served to his benefit. He is on course to make over 30 league appearances for the fifth straight season and has consequently progressed significantly as a footballer. From being the star at Norwich, a move to Southampton suited him, it enabled him to play regular minutes, but without moving to a team that would be in relegation peril. Puel has kept faith with Redmond too, which has led to his call-up to the England team after being an under-21 stalwart.

This break is Redmond’s chance. Injuries to others mean that Marcus Rashford will lead England’s line rather than potentially occupying a wide role, but Alli and Sterling can be expected to occupy the central and right roles respectively. It is an opening for Redmond to develop an on-pitch relationship with a pair of young players a step ahead of him in their career progress, but who could easily become his accomplices in a talented, free-scoring England attack.

Redmond’s flexibility gives Southgate options. He could rotate with Sterling on each flank while finding pockets of space around Kane or Rashford to create goalscoring opportunities. He has created more chances and taken more shots per 90 minutes than his Manchester City counterpart, while Sterling’s tendency to hug the touchline has seen him beat more players and draw more fouls. Redmond, from the left, could play a narrower, inside forward role while Sterling and Kyle Walker stretch the game on the opposing wing.

Consistency is what threatens the careers of so many of England’s best young players; Redmond must find a reliability in his performance to hold down a role in a team that changes dramatically from fixture to fixture thanks to injuries, form and withdrawal from selection.

A sensible set of career choices to this point have given Redmond the opportunity to make himself an England regular. Patience despite the hype, and his marathon of 33 England under-21 caps has stood Redmond in good stead. He could become a 50-cap, top six player or his career may stagnate from hereon in, either way he has built solid foundations.

The prospect of Redmond, Alli and Sterling behind a fully fit, in-form Harry Kane is enough to give England fans hope.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Manchester United’s hopes of reaching the top four of the English Premier League suffered a major set-back on Saturday after they laboured to a 0-0 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.While it takes a big effort to beat Jose Mourinho’s side, they’ve now drawn a massive 11 of their 28 games so far in the top-flight this season.As you’d expect from a Tony Pulis side away from home, the Baggies sat deep for the majority of the match, limiting Mourinho’s men to fewÂchances across the 90 minutes.Even when they did fashion chances and shots on goal, the Red Devils were denied by an impressive Ben Foster, who made two terrific saves from Marcus Rashford.Young Rashford was given the responsibility to spearhead the United attack due to the suspension of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but could not get the goal that would have landed his side all three points.He was singled out by United fans for his performance, with many believing he is not doing enough to earn his place in the side.Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on it all…

Celtic will become the champions of Scotland. That’s a fair enough statement to make given the lead they hold at the top of the table. Currently 25 points ahead of Aberdeen with just 9 games remaining, Brendan Rodgers side have all but secured a sixth successive league title in a row.

All that remains now is where and when they do it. The title could be wrapped up without kicking another ball as defeat for Aberdeen in their Friday night match against Dundee would mean the title would signed, sealed and delivered.

Regardless, the Hoops will be hoping for a party at Tynecastle on Sunday where they face Hearts. Even if they’ve won before arriving in the capital, it’s a match they’ll want to win to celebrate a joyous season for fans everywhere.

There’s no love lost between Hearts and Celtic and the away fans would love to love it in the face of the home supporters with a convincing win that either secures the title or simply puts a cherry on top of a title winning weekend.

That may not be so easy though. Can Ian Cathro’s men pull off an upset and end the incredible unbeaten run?

Here are THREE reasons why they may be able to do that…

The opening day

Celtic are travelling back to where it all began this season on Sunday. On the opening day of the domestic season they came up a very motivated and committed Hearts side that were looking to improve on their third placed finish of last season.

Before any talk of an unbeaten season began, this could have been a match they lost, which is funny to think about now they’re so deep into their streak.

That was a tough match, only won with ten minutes remaining by a debuting Scott Sinclair who showed early signs that his season would be an excellent one with a smart finish. With big chances missed by Hearts, on another day this one could have ended badly for Rodgers’ men.

We’re expecting a similar level of performance from Hearts on Sunday. Can they repeat that kind of showing or will they wilt under the pressure of the Hoops like they did at Celtic Park in the last fixture?

Jamie Walker

Hearts’ in form player this season has undoubtedly been Jamie Walker. His contribution in attack has been outstanding, especially when you consider he’s no out and out striker.

With 15 goals in all competitions, he leads the way in their scoring charts and is the big danger ahead of Celtic’s visit. He’s scored against the Bhoys already this season, albeit from the penalty spot.

He’s scored every time Hearts have won in 2017 and if he turns up and impacts the game, then the Jam Tarts have a great chance of securing some sort of result and ruining Celtic’s day.

He can score from all positions and distances and special attention must be paid to his threat by Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Not on our turf

Hearts’ season may not be going exactly the way they planned but they still have pride and on their own turf will not want to give an inch to one of their biggest rivals in Scotland. Their supporters will be looking for extra motivation to get stuck into the Hoops and give them nothing on their own patch.

It’s never nice conceding trophies on your own ground and last season Celtic had a mini celebration at Tynecastle after building an unassailable lead over Aberdeen. They won’t want a repeat of those scenes this time round.

We’ve seen at certain points this season that Hearts do tend to turn up on the big occasion at Tynecastle. They may have faltered against Hibs but they’ve beaten Rangers twice, probably their most direct competitive rivals this season.

If they can produce a big match performance like the last one against the Gers then Celtic may not have it all their own way.

Earlier this week, the official nominees for the 2016/17 PFA Player of the Year award were announced, with Chelsea boasting two representatives in Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante.

Both have been instrumental in the Blues’ rise to the top of the Premier League table and will be vital to their side’s efforts this weekend, when the west Londoners travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in Football FanCast’s Fixture in Focus.

Ahead of the Premier League’s headline act this weekend, we asked Manchester United fans earlier this week to vote for which Chelsea stars they’d like to see Jose Mourinho sign during the summer transfer window.

And rather surprisingly, although Hazard and Kante ranked highly, they were both pipped to top spot in our exclusive poll by industrious wide man Willian, who claimed the Player of the Year award at Stamford Bridge last season but has struggled to hold down a role in the starting XI under Antonio Conte.

United were linked with the Brazil international earlier this season and the results our poll suggest Red Devils fans still want to see the potential transfer deal happen.

Everton’s end-of-season blues continued on Saturday after a dismal defeat to relegation strugglers Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. The Toffees did not look up for the encounter whatsoever, perhaps an indication that they’ve little to play for in the tail-end of the season.

That’s no excuse for supporters though and it’s now the third game on the bounce they have failed to pick up all three points.

Fernando Llorente got the winner for the Swans, nodding home to lift them out of the relegation zone with just two games remaining.

For Everton it’s another sign of the inconsistency that has troubled them all season and any hope they had of finishing seventh or above in the table has now faded completely.

They’ll be closing out the season against Watford and Arsenal and supporters will at least be expecting full commitment heading into what they hope will be a big summer transfer window.

The recent matches mean that unease is again growing around Ronald Koeman, although it’s nothing like the pressure the Dutchman was facing earlier in the season.

Nonetheless, fans took to Twitter to share their disquiet about the recent goings on with the team…

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

According to reports in the Daily Mail, West Ham United are ready to send youngsters Reece Oxford and Domingos Quina out on season-long loan deals next season.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Irons believe that they have two of the best young talents in the country on their hands, but they also believe the duo aren’t ready for a prolonged run in the first team just yet.

Despite featuring in the Europa League qualifiers last summer, Quina has only been an unused substitute since.

Meanwhile, despite being a surprise name in the starting line-up on the opening day of the 2015/16 season and helping the Hammers beat Arsenal at the Emirates with an assured display, the 18-year-old soon found first team opportunities hard to come and endured a disappointing loan spell with Reading this season.

What happened with the Royals?

When the centre-back moved to the promotion-chasing Madejski Stadium during the January transfer window both Slaven Bilic and Reading manager Jaap Stam would have hoped that he could make a huge impression.

It hasn’t quite turned out that way though with the 18-year-old making just five appearances for the Berkshire outfit, who will face Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final later this month.

As one of the best centre-backs over the course of the last couple of decades, Stam should certainly know what he’s talking about when it comes to defenders.

Do they both still have a long-term future?

Of course. This plan is solely to get them playing regular football, rather than with a view to a permanent exit.

The Irons see Oxford as a future captain of the club, while Quina is an exciting 17-year-old that helped Portugal win the European Under-17 Championships last year.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, the club are right to want to loan the duo out to aid their development and to get the regular playing time that they won’t at the London Stadium, but the Reading disappointment for Oxford shows that they must be careful when picking the duo’s destination.

As reported by Sky, the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains in doubt after his agent refused to confirm that the Swedish legend would be staying at Manchester United next season.

What’s the story?

Ibrahimovic’s contract at Old Trafford runs out this summer and what had seemed certain, him staying to lead the Red Devils’ attack, was cast in doubt when he suffered a serious knee injury against Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League.

Now his agent has revealed clubs are in for the striker and that could mean an end to his whirlwind spell under Jose Mourinho.

As quoted by Sky, Mino Raiola said:

Many clubs have asked for Zlatan. He can play two more years and will stay in Europe, 100 per cent.

Will the 35-year-old leave Manchester just a year after his high profile signing?

Plenty to offer

In truth, a renewal of Ibrahimovic’s contract would represent something of a risk for Manchester United. Knee injuries are nothing to sniff at, especially at the striker’s age, and there’s no guarantee he would be the same player he once was.

However, you’d back the Swede to overcome any obstacle that comes his way over the next few months, he’s proven time and again that little can keep him down.

Having scored 28 goals this season, he’s capable of that again and Manchester United should absolutely pursue any chance of retaining his services at Old Trafford.

Over the past two years, there have been few players more consistently linked with a move to Arsenal than Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette – who the north London club allegedly launched a bid for last summer.

Some fans were hoping that this summer would finally be the moment when the club would spend the required cash to entice the 10-cap France international to the Emirates Stadium.

However, news surfaced two weeks ago claiming that Atletico Madrid had agreed to sign the 25-year-old, subject to their transfer ban being lifted.

It was therefore a delight to Arsenal supporters when the Spanish club’s transfer ban was upheld, putting the reported deal with Lacazette into serious doubt.

In the wake of the news that Atletico Madrid’s proposed transfer ban will be upheld, Arsenal fans have taken to twitter to plead with their club to make the most of the opportunity to sign Lacazette, who has produced another incredible goal-scoring tally this season…

According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic is keen to join Manchester United this summer and link up with Jose Mourinho again as he believes his Blues career is over.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Sun says that the Serbia international believes that he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge with manager Antonio Conte keen on completing a deal for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko in the next couple of weeks, and he thinks he may have played his last game for the Premier League champions.

Mourinho is looking to strengthen his options in the middle of the park after Morgan Schneiderlin left for Everton during the January transfer window and with Michael Carrick getting no younger, and The Sun says Matic is on his list of targets along with Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier.

Now the 28-year-old is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford in order to stay in England and still be playing regularly.

What is his relationship with Mourinho like?

While he enjoyed two successful seasons under the leadership of the Portuguese boss, question marks were certainly raised over the relationship between the pair when Mourinho brought on Matic as a substitute in a 3-1 home defeat to Southampton in 2015, only to take him off again 28 minutes later.

Would Mourinho still want him though?

He probably would do, yes.

The Sun says that despite that incident the ‘Special One’ is admirer of Matic’s professionalism and his ability to work hard.

Would he be a big loss to Chelsea?

You would think so, yes.

The 28-year-old starred alongside PFA Player of the Year N’Golo Kante in the centre of the Chelsea midfield last season, often keeping Cesc Fabregas on the substitutes’ bench.

As well as his defensive capabilities, Matic also made an impression going forward as he scored once and provided a further eight assists in 35 Premier League appearances last term.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, all of the rumours this summer suggest that Matic is on his way out at Chelsea and manager Antonio Conte has certainly shown already during his time at Stamford Bridge that he isn’t afraid to make big decisions.

It remains to be seen whether they would be willing to sell him to Manchester United, but if the player wants the move then it could happen.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer has suggested that Daniel Sturridge would be making a mistake if he joined West Ham United this summer.

The East London outfit have been rumoured contenders for the striker’s signature, particularly after manager Slaven Bilic praised him during the second half of last season.

The England international struggled for game time under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, but injuries were also a contributing factor.

Sturridge started just seven Premier League games, and for large chunks of the campaign fell behind Divock Origi in the pecking order.

In total, the forward scored seven goals and produced one assist in all competitions in the 2016-17 season.

According to The Mirror, despite the 27-year-old’s limited minutes over recent seasons, Liverpool have placed a £40m price tag on his head.

McAteer, who spent four years playing for the Merseyside outfit in the 1990s, believes that if Sturridge decides to leave Liverpool, who should aim for a club like Paris Saint-Germain rather than West Ham.

The Mirror quotes the former footballer as saying:

“I’ve heard West Ham want to sign him. But my personal opinion is that Daniel would thrive at somewhere like PSG. Playing with superstars like Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria would suit his game. In France, he would also be out of the constant spotlight.”