Danny Rose insists that Ruud Gullit’s criticism of Tottenham Hotspur inspired the club to their historic victory over Ajax in the Champions League semi-finals, per Sky Sports.
What’s the word?
Tottenham, of course, lost 1-0 in north London and were aware that they needed to win in Amsterdam to have any chance of reaching the final, where they will face Liverpool.
A 3-2 victory, inspired by a brilliant Lucas Moura hat-trick and capped with a 96th-minute goal, sent Spurs to Madrid, and Rose took aim at Gullit in his post-match interview due to his previous comments.
Speaking after the club’s loss in north London, the former Chelsea star told beIN SPORTS: “A lot of players were disappointing because I see them every week in the Premier League.
“Dele Alli, oh my god, technically wise so bad. Wanyama, my god, technically wise, Rose too.
“Like I said I see them every week and how is it possible to make so many mistakes? I know you’re under pressure but you need to know what to do and they didn’t.”
Rose, a target of the Dutchman, was quick to respond following the final whistle, insisting that his statement spurred his team-mates on.
“Seeing people’s comments, like Ruud Gullit, after the first game and how rude he was, it’s nice that we fought back tonight and hopefully we shut him up.
“He was very critical of individual players and saying how bad we were technically and he’s bang out of order for that.
“So that was fuel to the fire and I hope he eats his words after tonight.”
Constantly written off
Spurs have been written off all season, particularly in Europe.
They took just one point from their first three games and appeared to be heading out of the competition but they rallied, beating PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan and earning a draw with Barcelona.
Wins over Borussia Dortmund – then-leaders of the Bundesliga – and Manchester City, apparent champions-elect in the Premier League, did much to change perceptions.
But, even so, Gullit still chose to castigate the club after a narrow first-leg defeat.
He was foolish and Rose is surely right; last night’s result must have shut him up. He would be well advised not to make any similar statements ahead of the final.
West Bromwich Albion fans have taken to social media to blast Chris Brunt after the experienced midfielder was sent off against Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
Brunt was walking a fine line when he picked up a booking in the 66th minute, and it was not all that surprising when a second yellow arrived in the 80th minute for a rash challenge on John McGinn.
In all honesty, the 34-year-old should have known better.
West Brom did extremely well to record a 1-0 win on the night, which ultimately brought a penalty shootout.
It was Villa that triumphed on spot kicks, though, leaving the Baggies facing another season of Championship football.
It would be harsh to blame Brunt for what happened, but West Brom might well feel that they would have gone on to win the match with 11 men.
Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video below…
Dwight Gayle was already missing after picking up a red card in the first leg at Villa Park, and the team were hit with another blow on Tuesday night.
A selection of the Twitter reaction from the frustrated West Brom supporters can be seen below:
Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to have their say on Pep Guardiola’s post-match press conference outburst.
The Spaniard was asked if he was receiving separate payments from the club’s Abu Dhabi owners after Manchester City’s 6-0 FA Cup final win over Watford after leaks suggested that Roberto Mancini had received such payments during his time as manager of the Citizens.
Chelsea fans were giving it large at Anfield on Sunday. Watch their afternoon get slowly ruined in the video below…
Guardiola’s rant comes days after it was reported that City could be banned from competing in Europe due to Financial Fair Play breaches.
Liverpool fans have shared their opinions on the matter seeing as City were the team to deny them a maiden Premier League title this year by a single point, so if they have done so by cheating, it would massively infuriate the Reds supporters.
The mini-rivalry between City and Liverpool has enhanced this season as a result of the pair’s battle for success, with one City fan even bursting into the press box after full-time to make a bizarre rant about what news will make the back pages.
Let’s see what the Liverpool supporters on Twitter have been saying about the situation…
Steven Gerrard looks to be doing the right thing for the future of the Gers this summer. A number of players look to be coming in and not once has a big name with big wages been linked. The most recent links have claimed Stevie G wants a double deal for Umaro Balde and Albert Rachi, a midfield pairing that could still be playing at Ibrox in 2035.
For that to happen, a lot of good fortune would be needed, but with Gerrard looking to bring in 15-year-old Albert Rachi from Tottenham and 16-year-old Umaro Balde from Sporting Lisbon it looks like the Anfield legend is already eyeing up a future of success at Ibrox, that is if this report from The Evening Times is anything to go off of.
Whilst all football fans love signing new players, there’s something slightly underwhelming about bringing in youngsters who you know won’t be set to feature for years to come. Next season, if both Rachi and Balde are brought in, they’ll be lucky to get a couple of cameo appearances off the bench. However, in three, four or five years they’ll be the ones that the Bluenoses look to.
At the moment, the men in the middle of the park at Ibrox are Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield, but that will be set to change. What the Gers will need if they are to regain their grip of dominance on Scottish football is a structure, and whilst Gerrard chases short-term success with the current crop of players, what he needs is to implement the foundations for future success and that is where the two youngsters would come in.
Rangers fans, do you like the sound of this double deal? Let us know!
Salomon Rondon’s time in England has been inconsistent. Signed from Zenit in 2015 after scoring an impressive 17 goals in all competitions for the Russian side, he struggled to hit the same heights.
It’s taken him until 2018/19 to find his best form in the Premier League and, under a manager in Rafa Benitez who knows how to get the best out of his players, he’s flourished.
Rondon’s time under Tony Pulis was in stark contrast. For the large majority of his spell at the Hawthorns, he was desperately poor. It felt like classic Pulis, lump the ball into a robust forward and hope for the best.
But with the Magpies, Benitez has discovered there is more to his game.
During the course of the current season, he found the net 11 times in the Premier League – his best tally in the top-flight since arriving.
As a result, he could be about to make a permanent move elsewhere. The Daily Mail reported last week that Wolves had opened discussions with West Brom over a potential transfer.
The report claims he has a £16.5m release clause which for a side lacking squad depth is a no-brainer.
Rondon would be an astute signing for Wolves. He’d solve two main problems, no less than in their inability to find a plan B.
The Venezuelan would certainly bring a different way of playing, but, after signing a striker for £30m only a matter of months ago, is it not sending out the wrong message?
Jimenez has been a revelation since signing for Wolves and his permanent signing this year was the reward for his magnificent performances in Nuno Santo’s side.
It’s highly unlikely Rondon and Jimenez could play together, but it could provide them with an interesting new way of playing, especially in away games where they’ve struggled.
Against teams who like to sit deep Wolves will need more physical players to play off. Their Mexican forward is strong but he also provides his team with technical ability.
Rondon doesn’t find the net as regularly, but his all-round game is arguably better than Wolves’ number nine.
The Albion striker made just ten key passes less than his potential future teammate, having played in six fewer games. However, the evidence is there of his ability to play in a passing team and his link up with Ayoze Perez in the North East quickly became one of the most devastating in the league.
It’s something he may be able to replicate at Molineux should he join, and given Jimenez can play in a two as he’s done with Diogo Jota, there could be a case for starting the pair of them.
Where Rondon is undeniably better is in the air. In 2018/19, he won 68 aerial duels. If any further evidence was needed of the physicality he can bring, there it is.
Jimenez was one of the main culprits in some of Wolves’ poorer performances towards the back end of the season. For the 28-year-old it was a season devoid of competition and he could really benefit from the arrival of a new centre forward this summer. Arguably, it could take him to the next level.
As Nuno’s men gear up for the Europa League, their squad will need to be deeper. Signing Rondon will increase competition and also allow the manager to try new things.
Wolves fans have been great value this season and now they’ve added another couple of belters to their arsenal of songs. Check them out in the video below…
If there was one criticism of him it would be the inability to adapt. Nuno has played a similar system right the way through his tenure with Wolves but if they are to bring in a forward of Rondon’s nature it could change things dramatically.
The good thing for Wolves is that they don’t need to spend a great deal this summer. Therefore, paying his release clause simply has to happen.
Not only will it solve their issues on the road and in terms of depth, it’ll also get even more out of one of their star men.
With Harry Wilson impressing for Frank Lampard’s Derby County this season, many expected the Welsh international to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans for next year, but it appears the winger has other ideas.
16 goals and four assists in the Championship at the age of 22 is enough for many Premier League teams to consider promoting said player into the first-team, but it appears that Wilson is taking matters into his own hands, and according to the Daily Star, the youngster is looking for a move away from Anfield this summer.
There is no question that Wilson could easily slot into any team outside the top-six in the English top-flight, and although it is understandable why the Welsh international is taking the decision to leave Merseyside with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane way ahead of him in the pecking order, Liverpool should still feel bad about letting the winger down.
Aside from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wilson is one of the most talented players to break through at Liverpool some time, and for the club to cash on him now after the best season of his career is disrespectful to the attacker, who many fans expected to be part of the first-team next season.
It paints a bad message for the club if one of their hottest prospects is willing to leave on his own terms because of a lack of first-team opportunities, and it paints a dark image for current prospects in the youth academy that despite doing incredible out on loan, you could still find yourself set for the chop.
Wilson could have become a Liverpool great, but the machine that is modern football wouldn’t allow such a storyline to be written.
Liverpool fans, are the club wrong to sell Wilson this summer? Let us know!
The club football season might have only just concluded, but that doesn’t mean the action doesn’t stop heading into the summer.
With the Women’s World Cup and Copa America taking place in the upcoming weeks, fans have an exciting summer of football on the horizon, and it all kicks off with the UEFA Nations League.
The inaugural finale of the newly created competition sees England, the Netherlands, Switzerland and hosts Portugal face off to see who’s crowned the first winners of the Nationals League.
With the opening semi-final taking place on Wednesday, who would make it into the best-combined XI out of those heading to Portugal to compete in Europe’s latest major trophy?
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Rui Patricio
Starting things off is Wolves’ star between the sticks Rui Patricio. The Portuguese number one has held the position for the best part of eight years, being a key figure for the Seleccao das Quinas for most of the decade and being a member of the Euro 2016 winning side.
Patricio continued his great form from Sporting Lisbon upon his move to Wolves last summer, and in doing so has not only established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League, but retained his spot as Portugal’s number one ahead of the likes of Anthony Lopes.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold
What a year it has been for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool right-back firmly established himself as one of the top fullbacks in Europe after leading the Reds to a sixth Champions League triumph and driving Jurgen Klopp’s side closer than ever to a Premier League title.
At just 21-years-old, Alexander-Arnold plays with the mentality and intelligence of a player way beyond his years, and his quality on the ball and range of passing making the Liverpool man a dangerous threat from the right flank and a man Gareth Southgate is sure to call upon against the Netherlands.
Virgil van Dijk
You can’t mention Liverpool’s success this season without talking about their star defender and the current PFA Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch giant has been a revelation on Merseyside since his record-breaking move last year as van Dijk established himself as one of the best defenders in world football.
Ronald Koeman will be hoping the Liverpool man remains the titan that he has been all season when Thursday rolls around.
Matthijs de Ligt
It’s still bonkers to think that Matthijs de Ligt, Ajax’s captain and one of the best defenders in Europe, is still only 19-years-old, and together with van Dijk the duo makes for one of the tightest defensive partnerships on the international stage.
De Ligt’s imposing physique and reading of the game has made the Ajax academy star one of the most sought after talents in world football, and Holland fans will be hoping the defender alongside van Dijk can lead the Netherlands back from the ashes after years of disappointment.
Ricardo Rodriguez
Soccer Football – International Friendly – Spain vs Switzerland – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – June 3, 2018 Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodríguez celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Heino Kalis
Everybody loves a fullback that can create as much as they can, and for AC Milan and Switzerland fans, that player is Ricardo Rodriquez.
The 26-year-old left-back has been a regular name in the limelight in European football for his set-piece deliveries and his consistent performances for both club and country, and Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic will be hoping his defensive creative hub will be in top-form when his side face off against Portugal.
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Bruno Fernandes
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 32 Second Leg – Villarreal v Sporting CP – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – February 21, 2019 Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Heino Kalis
If you’ve been keeping an eye on transfer rumours for the past few months, you would have seen Bruno Fernandes’ name pop up a lot, and there’s a good reason for that.
The Sporting Lisbon star has had a breakout year in his homeland this season, scoring 20 goals and assisting 13 in the Liga NOS alone and attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, such as Manchester City and Manchester United, and there is no doubt Fernandes could add a few more millions to his price tag should he impress for Portugal this week.
Ruben Neves
Sticking with the host nation, Ruben Neves is another player who has enjoyed a stellar year in the top-flight, this time with Wolves in the Premier League and having been part of the Portuguese set-up since his Porto days as a teenager, you can expect the midfielder to impress this summer.
Blessed with incredible passing range and a great footballing brain, the Wolves playmaker has earned a solid reputation over the past year for his performances with the West Midlands club, and interest for Neves this transfer window can really ramp up should the 22-year-old turn up for Portugal.
Donny van de Beek
In Portugal, it was Fernandes having the season of his life. In Holland, meanwhile, it was Donny van der Beek. The 22-year-old youngster put his name firmly on the footballing map after a sensational year with Ajax, guiding them to the Champions League semi-finals and raking up 17 goals and 13 assists in all-competitions.
Holland are currently undergoing an incredible change in fortunes after years of disappointment, and there is no doubt that Van de Beek will be one of the players to lead this new generation of Dutch football to a new and prosperous future.
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Raheem Sterling
Heading into award season in England, all the talk of who was going to win the PFA Player of the Year was down to two players, Van Dijk, or Raheem Sterling, and there’s a good reason for that.
The Manchester City winger had his best season to date in professional football, scoring 25 goals and assisting 18 as the England international led the Citizens to their second consecutive Premier League title, as well as finding his feet in Southgate’s system when he ended his goal drought with an emphatic brace against Spain in the Nations League group stages.
Harry Kane
He might be heading into the Nations League on the back of a Champions League final loss, but there is no question that Harry Kane is one of the top strikers in the world and is one of the essential players in Southgate’s England team.
The England captain has been one of the spearheads in a new national side that is actually loved by the public and that can go toe-to-toe with big countries, and if the Three Lions are to succeed in Portugal, Kane will be at the heart of all the action.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Do you really think we would leave Cristiano Ronaldo out? The footballing icon might not have been at his freakish best in his debut season for Juventus this year, but if 28 goals and 13 assists is considered poor, he must have been doing something right for the vast majority of his career.
The Portuguese captain is expected to deliver yet again this summer for his nation following the surprising success of the 2016 Euros three years ago, and if there’s any player in world football who can turn a game on their head in the blink of an eye, it’s that man Ronaldo.
[ad_pod ]Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara impressed fans watching Finland’s win over Bosnia & Herzegovina on Saturday.The 23-year-old won a ninth cap for his country in a 2-0 Euro 2020 Qualifying victory, registering an assist in support of former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki, who netted a double.The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…Kamara, who signed for Rangers from Dundee for just £100,000 in January, has been a revelation in Steven Gerrard’s midfield over the last few months, impressing pundits and delighting supporters with an all-round game that has really added a spark to the Ibrox side.He arrived at the club with little expectations but has managed to solidify his place in the starting eleven and is set to be one of the first names on the team sheet for upcoming UEFA Europa League qualifiers.It seems his form has transferred very well to international level too, with observers giving glowing reviews on social media after the match.
These fans of Rangers and Filand took to Twitter over the weekend to share their thoughts on the player…
According to The Mirror, Liverpool are ready to raid Southampton yet again – this time for their goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as they attempt to prepare for life without Simon Mignolet.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Reds are expecting Belgian international Mignolet to leave this summer after he dropped down in the pecking order behind Alisson Becker – he can’t really argue, however, as the Brazilian kept 21 clean sheets in his debut Premier League campaign.
Jurgen Klopp considered a move for McCarthy when it seemed as if Roma were going to make life difficult for Liverpool in their pursuit of Alisson last summer, and he may revisit the Saints stopper as a target if Mignolet does depart.
You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…
The 29-year-old began last season as Southampton’s No.1 under Mark Hughes, but lost his place to former Manchester City glovesman Angus Gunn and was unable to retain the shirt.
Seems rather pointless
Alisson is amongst one of the best keepers in the world and has an almost spotless injury record throughout his career.
The Brazilian international has only ever missed 19 days of his career through injury, resulting in a combined five-game absence; he missed four games for Internacional and one for Roma.
These two instances are the only evidence of an injury occurring throughout the 26-year-old’s career, and combined with the fact that he is near faultless, there seems little chance of him ever losing the No.1 shirt at Anfield.
In that respect, it seems rather pointless of the Reds to spend money on a No.2 when they will likely only ever feature rarely for the Champions League winners.
In the cup competitions, Liverpool can call on young Caoimhin Kelleher who was an unused substitute in the Champions League final – the 20-year-old Irishman is an impressive talent and can easily replace Alisson for the games in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
A move for McCarthy would seem rather pointless, in all honesty.
According to Sky Sports News, West Ham United have offered £13m for Eibar midfielder Joan Jordan in the hope of landing the Spaniard this summer.
Jordan scored four times and registered four assists in 36 La Liga appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.
According to Sky Sports News, the Hammers have launched a £13m bid.
And it would be fair to say that the capital outfit’s fans are excited by the prospect of the midfielder moving to the London Stadium ahead of the 2019-20 season.
It is shaping up to be a very, very interesting transfer window for West Ham.
Pablo Fornals has already arrived from Villarreal, although the club might have to hold off interest from Manchester United in Issa Diop.
Jordan could well be the next player to arrive at the London Stadium.
And the West Ham fans have been on social media reacting to the speculation – a selection of which can be seen below: