All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United will be looking to put one foot into the Europa League knockout stages with a victory over in Belgium later this evening.

David Moyes and his side face Genk just two weeks after defeating them 3-0 at the London Stadium to go six points clear at the top of Group H.

The Irons boss is facing a number of selection headaches heading into kickoff, particularly as they have the small test of Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League, where they are currently occupying a spot in the top four.

It could be a wise decision to utilise some rotation, in which Vladimir Coufal must come back into the starting XI, having barely featured since suffering an injury.

The 29-year-old right-back missed the wins over Everton and Spurs before coming off the bench for the final minute during the Hammers’ 4-1 whitewash of Villa at the weekend.

He managed only eight minutes last week when West Ham knocked trophy holders Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup, too.

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Coufal has been Moyes first-choice in the role over the past 18 months, so it would be smart to hand him some valuable minutes in a bid to get him back up to speed quicker.

Ben Johnson has deputised ever so well but you’d imagine the Scotsman will revert back to his Czech Republic beast sooner or later.

The £18m-rated dynamo is a very crucial player to West Ham’s system. Only fellow full-back Aaron Cresswell (eight) provided more assists than him (seven) last season, whilst he is currently averaging 1.9 tackles and 1.1 key passes per game in the Premier League, as per WhoScored.

That sort of skillset could absolutely terrorise the opposition, both in defence and in the final third as he’s physically dominating at the back and can clearly create things past the halfway line.

“He’s just one of those players that’s 7/10 minimum every time you watch him play,” claimed Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football [4th May, 22:24pm]. “He’s the type of player you’d love to play with him. A manager’s dream, never injured, he’s there week in week out.”

Also dubbed a “machine” by club captain Mark Noble to ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ earlier this year, Coufal should be starting in Belgium this evening as the Irons look to effectively seal qualification into the next round.

AND in other news, West Ham insider delivers worrying Declan Rice transfer claim…

Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming after a claim from Ewan Murray emerged involving their annual report.

The Ibrox faithful released their report on their official website, which confirmed staff costs of £47m, including £33.5m on the first team playing squad in total.

Murray, a journalist who oversees coverage of Scottish football, took to his Twitter page to give his thoughts on the numbers, claiming that it is a ‘serious outlay’ for a team looking to win the Scottish Premiership and reach the last 16 in the UEFA Europa League.

Murray has caused anger among Light Blues supporters with some of his posts before, seemingly even looking for bites at times.

The numbers may be deemed to be high, but the Light Blues will only spend what they think will give them the most success, and are well within their right to do that.

Some Gers also noticed how he did not compare the numbers to those of their main rivals Celtic.

Rangers fans on Murray claim

These RFC fans fumed as Murray shared his claim on Twitter:

“The golf correspondent is taking up fishing, again”

Credit: @will_i_aint_74

“His point is basically grown from a point of jealousy which means he completely ignores facts, like how much did the team who finished 2nd spend on there playing staff. All about the Rangers with this guy”

Credit: @KevDogg93

“Honestly don’t know what your point is here”

Credit: @LJKershaw

“Here we go”

Credit: @CraigSim

“What is your issue with all things Rangers?? The only defence is that it seems to be a concern of many in the poor excuse that passes as Scottish sports journalism.”

Credit: @johnhalliday88

“If you only knew how stupid this is you wouldn’t have wrote it.”

Credit: @__DaReal__

In other news, find out whose display against Brondby was blasted here!

Steven Gerrard will formally begin his new job as Aston Villa manager on Monday.

That’s according to reliable reporter Ashley Preece, who also shared news on the backroom staff that Gerrard will bring with him to the Midlands.

The 41-year-old is set to be joined by assistant Gary McAllister, first-team coach Michael Beale, head of fitness Jordan Milshom, set-piece coach Tom Culshaw and first-team performance analyst Scott Mason.

He is also set to keep hold of Villa goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, and a number of the club’s supporters have been reacting to that specific piece of news on social media.

The 45-year-old made the move to Villa back in 2018 from West Brom and has worked with numerous shot-stoppers at Bodymoor Heath. The latest is Emiliano Martinez, with the Argentine keeping 18 clean sheets in 48 appearances for the club.

Cutler looks set to work under Gerrard, with Rangers’ goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart definitely staying at Ibrox.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful shared the news about Cutler on Twitter on Thursday. Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with many excited at the update.

“The news all Villa fans wanted to see”

Credit: @MalachiObrey

“Get in @Bigcuts”

Credit: @AverageBaz

“Best news of the day saved for last”

Credit: @UpTheDeano

“This is fantastic news”

Credit: @AvfcU

“Yesssss! The only one remaining who deserved to stay”

Credit: @andrewstone85

“YYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS”

Credit: @maxavfclove

In other news: Villa could now swoop for Rangers beast who Gerrard called a ‘Rolls Royce’

Leeds United could make a move for Reading midfielder John Swift in the January transfer window due to Marcelo Bielsa’s affection for the player, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Swift move

The 26-year-old has been a star performer for the Championship side this season, scoring eight goals and chipping in with seven assists in the league.

Swift was linked with a move to Leeds last week, with Bielsa potentially bolstering his midfield options in the process.

Burnley and Wolves were both also believed to be in the mix, though, so acquiring his services may not be easy.

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The Latest: Hay hints at transfer

Replying in the comments section of his article for The Athletic, Hay admitted signing Swift isn’t out of the question:

“I can definitely see the value in signing a centre mid in the window, partly to help this season but partly to create one less job for the summer window (which will be far more active).

“Was interesting to see John Swift linked over the weekend because Swift is someone Bielsa quietly admires.”

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The Verdict: Solid squad addition

There can be a snobbery when it comes to Premier League clubs signing Championship players – some Leeds fans reacted negatively to links with Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien in the past – but Swift could be a shrewd signing by the Whites.

His goal and assist tally from midfield speaks for itself and Bielsa called him a ‘great player’ last year, with the Leeds boss certainly knowing a thing or two about what makes a footballer special.

His current boss, Veljko Paunovic, has also hailed Swift as ‘fantastic’, and he could provide competition for places in the middle of the park, also acting as long-term signing given he is still only just entering his prime.

In other news, a journalist has provided a key Kalvin Phillips update. Read more here.

Liverpool will ‘shut down’ any possibility of Divock Origi joining Newcastle United on loan, according to The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson. 

There was a belief at St James’ Park that Origi would be open to the move in a bid to ‘kickstart his career’.

The forward also fit Eddie Howe’s January criteria, with the new boss pushing for players who have proven themselves in the Premier League.

However, the Reds have ‘no intention’ of sanctioning a temporary move for Origi midway through the season.

Why Liverpool won’t let Origi go

Two of their attackers, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, are set to jet off to the Africa Cup of Nations at the turn of the year, which could see them miss up to eight matches (via The Athletic).

Thus, opportunity knocks for Origi, who’s been limited to just 16 minutes of Premier League football so far this season.

The 20/21 season was a poor one for the Belgian, who only managed to score against League One Lincoln City.

But he’s shown signs of recovering form this term, netting three goals and assisting two more in seven outings.

Fan feed Anfield Watch relayed Wilson’s report, and the reaction among supporters was decidedly mixed.

Liverpool fans split on club’s Origi stance

“FSG are finished”

Credit: @LFCMurrall

“Man let Origi go”

Credit: @_Nkazi_mulo

“They should snatch their hands off”

Credit: @silverrich39

“One day we will be released from the shackles of fsg”

Credit: @kadrihatesjack

“Good. Some depth”

Credit: @TheSalahEra_

“An amazing example of a brilliant professional”

Credit: @shugyoung

“Div can’t leave in Jan. Mane and Salah could return from 2022 Afcon in February as Senegal and Egypt are strong enough to reach the knockout stages even the final.”

Credit: @A_B_Ditlhobolo

In other news, fans are excited by this transfer rumour.

A number of Liverpool supporters have urged the Reds to sign Leeds United star Raphinha after it was revealed that they wanted him in the summer.

Jurgen Klopp had a quiet transfer window last time around, with Ibrahima Konate the only signing and the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri leaving the club.

One player with whom they have been linked is Raphinha, who has been a fantastic signing for Leeds, scoring 11 goals and registering nine assists.

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The 24-year-old ended up staying put for the time being but his exit from Elland Road may not be too far away, given the Whites’ current lowly standing in the Premier League.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool wanted Raphinha in the summer, which suggests that they could potentially go back in for him in the near future.

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Liverpool fans want Raphinha

These Reds fans took to Twitter to provide their thoughts, urging FSG to snap up the Brazil international to join their illustrious attack of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

“He’s got Mane’s moves and Firmino work rate rolled into one, pay the money big boy John”

Credit: @LiamHejsak

“Said it, in the corridors of power at LFC. This is done and dusted imo. Everything is merely a formality and to see if he can replicate last season’s form.”

Credit: @iconicGer_

“Next season it could be between Raphinha, Bowen, Neto”

Credit: @AkhilMe2807

“If Jota for 40 million was a great buy, why not Raphinha for 60m? He’s a top player for Leeds, PL ready!”

Credit: @tweetwithabhi

“Haaland, Bellingham and Raphinha should be who we aim for. At least 1 should be brought in”

Credit: @LfcRyannnn

“Man if we get him…”

Credit: @AdBasset31

In other news, some Liverpool fans are ecstatic after an injury update. Read more here.

Many Wolves fans have been slamming the performance of Hwang Hee-chan in their game at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The South Korea international was largely anonymous throughout the match, recording fewer touches (28) than his own goalkeeper Jose Sa (40), as he was taken off for Joao Moutinho in the 79th minute with the score still at 0-0 (SofaScore).

Hwang also lost out on two of his duels and failed to record a single shot on goal, dribble or cross, while he was also guilty of losing possession of the ball on eight separate occasions (SofaScore).

Of course, the striker will see this as just a slight blip, having already scored four goals for Bruno Lage’s side so far this season.

Wolves fans on Hwang display

These Wolves fans slammed Hwang’s performance on Twitter, with one supporter going as far as to claim that he was ‘dreadful’ today:

“Podence on for Hwang never been more necessary”

Credit: @wwfcConnor

“Get Podence on for Hwang”

Credit: @Hayden_Millsy

“Hwang has been dreadful”

Credit: @MattyEagle

“Hwang shoot man”

Credit: @_tomwwfc

“Wish Hwang would get more involved lowkey. Feel he has Trent if only he’d just run at him”

Credit: @suen3j

“Thank god. Hwang work rate. Pathetic”

Credit: @Treborm44

In other news, find out what pre-Liverpool comments went down a treat with these Wolves fans

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United went into Saturday’s Premier League clash as huge underdogs against Chelsea, with the Whites having won just one of their last five league outings and being in the midst of a full-blown injury crisis.

However, despite being against all the odds, Leeds came within seconds of taking home a point after a battling performance at Stamford Bridge, with Jorginho’s 94th-minute penalty sealing a 3-2 win for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

While it is indeed true that a number of Bielsa’s players turned in impressive displays on Saturday afternoon, there was one man who will want to put the fixture behind him as quickly as possible, and that’s Mateusz Klich.

Lost 60% duels

Indeed, over his 31 minutes on the pitch, the 31-year-old failed to have any real impact on the game, having 19 touches of the ball – 26 fewer than Illan Meslier in goal – completing just 11 passes, losing 60% of his duels and committing three fouls.

One of those proved to be very costly for the Whites, with the Poland international clipping Antonio Rudiger late on in the match, a misdemeanour which led to Jorginho’s last-gasp match-winning spot kick.

These returns saw the £3.6m-rated midfielder, who Noel Whelan dubbed an “ineffective” player, earn a predictably disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.2, the second-worst rating of anyone who featured in the game.

Indeed, in The Athletic’s post-game discussion, many of the Leeds United faithful also appeared to believe that Klich’s performance was simply not up to scratch against the Blues.

Considering the statistics mentioned above, it is not difficult to understand why – despite the likes of Diego Llorente, Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton also having a game to forget at Stamford Bridge, it was undoubtedly the display of the £34k-per-week Poland midfielder which cost his team the most on Saturday afternoon.

In other news: Leeds eyeing 20 y/o beast with “a little Luis Suarez about him”, fans will be excited

West Ham came ‘very close’ to signing Nahitan Nandez in the summer transfer window but could still buy him next month, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Nandez linked with PL move

The 25-year-old has been a key figure for Cagliari this season, starting 14 Serie A matches and chipping in with two assists from defensive midfield.

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Nandez has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in the recent past, with both West Ham and Leeds United tipped to sign him.

A fresh update has now given the Hammers a boost in their potential quest to snap up the 49-time capped Uruguay international, who has been hailed as a ‘great player’ by his agent, Pablo Bentancur.

The Latest: West Ham given fresh boost

According to CalcioNapoli24 [via Sport Witness], Nandez ‘can leave’ Cagliari in January, while also stating that the Irons were ‘very close’ to signing him in the summer.

Instead, they purchased Nikola Vlasic, which is labelled a ‘mistake’, with the Croatian starting just one Premier League game so far in 2021/22.

The Verdict: Potential Rice replacement?

While Declan Rice will hopefully remain a West Ham player for many years to come, his head could be turned by a move to a bigger club next summer.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a Hammers exit, and if that did unfortunately happen, Nandez could be a perfect replacement in the middle of the park.

The Uruguayan has averaged two tackles per game in the league this season, which isn’t dissimilar to Rice’s 2.5, while also outperforming him in key passes per game (1.1 compared to 0.9).

Should Nandez arrive in January, however, there is the mouthwatering prospect of seeing the pair dovetail with one another, though, strengthening their top-four push and Europa League hopes in the process.

In other news, a transfer claim has emerged regarding one rumoured West Ham target. Find out who it is here.

Journalist Luke Hatfield has backed Wolves to complete the signing of Liverpool striker Divock Origi in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Origi linked with Wolves move

Bruno Lage’s side suffered heartbreak at the hands of Origi earlier this month, with his last-gasp strike at Molineux sealing a 1-0 win for the Reds.

Wolves have been linked with a move for the Belgian in the past and they could be eyeing up potential January additions in attack.

Origi has only played 38 minutes of Premier League action this season, suggesting a move away could benefit him, too.

The Latest: Hatfield talks up signing

Someone who sees the 26-year-old as a strong option is Hatfield, who told Give Me Sport that there is interest in him from Wolves:

“Wolves have been linked with him before, obviously they like the look of him.

“They need someone to back up Raul Jimenez, they have Hwang, who’s a different player, but other than that, who have they got? You’ve got Fabio Silva, who’s a young lad, and we’re yet to see the best of him, so I think a striker option would be interesting.”

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The Verdict: Ideal January option

Origi may rarely have been a regular for Liverpool but what he has achieved speaks for itself, famously scoring twice in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2018/19, as well as finding the net in the final win over Tottenham.

The Belgium international has been described as a ‘monster’ by Jurgen Klopp, and at 26, he is at a good age for Wolves to snap him up in his prime.

That being said, Liverpool may be hesitant to sell Origi in January, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

A summer move could feel more likely, with the Reds hero providing strong competition for Raul Jimenez – something Fabio Silva isn’t doing, having failed to score or assist in the league so far this season.

In other news, Hatfield has also provided an update on one Wolves player’s future. Find out who it is here.