All posts by z3u9t.icu

After a few seasons of slowly declining, Petr Cech’s retirement has been welcomed with open arms by Arsenal fans.

The Premier League legend will hang up his gloves come the end of the season after 15 years of dominance between the sticks in the English top-flight, and although his final years at Arsenal haven’t been kind to the former Chelsea ‘keeper, Cech has timed his departure from football at the right time.

Having lost his first-team spot to Bernd Leno earlier in the season, Arsenal will be likely to look for a player who can take Cech’s spot on the bench for the upcoming campaign, and an answer for a new back-up keeper already lies in the team in the form of Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentine goalkeeper has been in north London for the good part of nine years and has constantly spoken about his admiration and love for Arsenal during that time, but first-team chances have been close to impossible for Martinez.

However, with Cech retiring and Martinez impressing at Reading for the second-half of this season, the 26-year-old shot stopper could finally win a spot in the first-team and establish himself as a reliable backup option for Arsenal.

Martinez surely has aspirations of one day becoming the first-team keeper at Arsenal and could realistically become if should something happen to Leno in the future, and after years of being third-choice and waiting patiently on the wings for a chance, the Argentine more than deserves a shot to feature regularly for the team he is so fond of.

Arsenal fans, would you take Martinez as second-choice keeper? Let us know!

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen is confident that he will be fit to play in the Champions League final on June 1, per The Guardian.

What’s the word?

The Belgium international played a key role in Spurs’ dramatic semi-final victory over Ajax last week but left the stadium on crutches and in a protective boot after sustaining an ankle injury.

It has been suggested that he decided to play through the pain in Amsterdam and he was subsequently absent from the final game of the Premier League season, as the club drew 2-2 with Everton to confirm a fourth-placed finish.

Vertonghen, however, is said to be positive about his chances of playing in Madrid on June 1, when Spurs take on Liverpool.

The Guardian report that the defender was seen without crutches on Sunday.

It could be the first boost of many as the club await the final, with both Harry Kane and Harry Winks expected to be available, per the aforementioned report.

A huge boost

This is massive news for Spurs.

Vertonghen is perhaps the best defender outside of the top two and his inclusion in the team in Madrid now feels inevitable.

He has formed an almost telepathic partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld in defence and the pair will need to be at their very best if Spurs are to be crowned champions of Europe.

They are facing a Liverpool team boasting the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, after all, and shutting down their attack will be key to Tottenham’s chances of victory.

It is a tough ask even with Vertonghen in the team; without him, it may well have proved impossible.

When it comes to summer targets, central midfielders will be low on Manuel Pellegrini’s priority list.

With Declan Rice having a breakout season and Mark Noble still being solid in the midfielder, West Ham seems to be okay in this area of the pitch which other positions such as the attack and defence likely to be the main priority for the club this summer in where to improve.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any central midfield signings this summer, and if the right one comes up the Hammers must be willing to get first in line to sign their services, and reports are indicating that such a player might be available.

Following the final day of the season, Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey admitted in an interview with the Chronicle that he was relieved to be able to get his name back out into the public eye during a campaign that the former Liverpool man said he was glad to see the back off, and this should catch West Ham’s attention.

The Hammers were reported to be interested in the midfielder back in March, who is valued at £13,5 million on Tranfermarkt, and with these comments indicating that Shelvey is ready to move on from the northeast side, Pellegrini should be making the playmaker a priority this summer.

Shelvey’s skillset will be welcome in east London, with the former Swansea City man on paper looking like a good midfield partner for Rice due to his creative abilities and passing range, which makes the 27-year-old a desirable target for the Hammers.

West Ham should be able to offer Shelvey first-team football, and the midfielder would be a welcome addition into a team that can do with more creativity.

West Ham fans, would Shelvey be a good summer signing? Let us know!

After being given the impossible task of keeping Huddersfield Town in the Premier League upon his arrival in West Yorkshire, Jan Siewert will be hoping that he can achieve a far better outcome next season when the club makes its return to the second tier.

Yet in order to compete in what is arguably the toughest league in world football, it is clear that the German will need to make some drastic alterations to his squad over the coming months.

Although the Terriers need to make improvements in a number of positions this summer, Siewert’s number one priority must be to find a sufficient replacement for goalkeeper Jonas Lossl who will be leaving the John Smith’s Stadium in June when his contract expires (via BBC Sport).

Having already been linked with several different shot-stoppers, it is imperative that Huddersfield bring in the right player as a failure to do so could end up leading to a disastrous 2019/20 campaign.

Therefore, with the pressure firmly on Siewert to make the correct call, he simply has to resist the temptation to sign AFC Bournemouth keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

According to the South London Press, the Terriers are reportedly interested in bringing in the Cherries star on loan with Millwall also in the running to secure his services.

Although the £450k-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) was extremely impressive during his season-long loan spell at AFC Wimbledon, it would be an almighty risk for Huddersfield to take when you consider that he has no previous experience at playing in the Championship

By deciding to bring him in over a keeper who has a track-record of performing at this particular level, it would not be at all surprising if the Terriers experience another season of struggle as Ramsdale may not be able to cope with the pressure.

What do you think Huddersfield fans? Would you welcome a move for Ramsdale this summer? Or does his lack of experience at Championship level concern you? Get in touch below.

When Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced teenager, he had the world at his feet. Manchester United’s newest golden boy probably had visions of becoming the club’s top goal-scorer, a World Cup hero with England and as a future Ballon d’Or winner too. But fast forward a few seasons, and the striker hasn’t kicked on as much as people had hoped for. Indeed, his cause hasn’t been helped by United’s collective struggles or his constant moving around from out wide to through the middle. But with Romelu Lukaku being linked with a move away according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Rashford can finally become United’s starting number nine.

The England international has all the attributes to be one of the most feared centre-forwards in world football. Pace to burn, those behind the shoulder runs defenders hate, and exquisite technique when it comes to striking a ball. And all still at 21. In the early weeks and months of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, Rashford was virtually unplayable. His Norwegian manager embraced the counter-attacking life, and the likes of Rashford and his England teammate Jesse Lingard seemed to thrive off it. Dominating the ball, and having to play with his back to goal and work against multiple defenders has never been Rashford’s strongest point; but give him a three-on-three counter and he’s as electric as they come.

When deployed from the left, the United academy product can often lose his way and disappear from the game, much like Anthony Martial. Out wide, Rashford can get left shacked with defensive responsibilities and having to track back and help out his full-back. Particularly in those close games against the big-rivals, having the striker play from the left and having to do the dirty work is just a complete waste of his talents; indeed, having him up front and offering a ball into the channels for his under-pressure defenders can be a massive relief.

Having now been in United’s first-team for numerous seasons, the expectations on Rashford have risen considerably. No longer is he given a free-ride as a ‘promising youngster’. There’s an argument to be made that he has been a victim of his early success; he has been by no means poor this season, but compared to what he showcased at the start of his career, there is a definite let-down that he hasn’t truly gone on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s best players, let alone in his own team.

But with 13 goals and nine assists whilst having to play second fiddle to Lukaku on occasion represents a decent return, they aren’t the numbers of a Manchester United number nine. Old Trafford has become used to 20 to 25 goals a season strikers, and Rashford simply hasn’t hit those numbers as of yet due to a variety of factors. But with his Belgian teammate potentially on the way out, a place as the side’s starting striker and league’s next great marksman is up for grabs. For Rashford’s sake, it’s about time he realises that enormous potential.

United fans, would you back Rashford to be the side’s first-choice striker next season if Lukaku leaves? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…

[ad_pod ]We can only wonder what staggeringly expensive megastar Manchester United might have lured to Old Trafford this summer had they ultimately secured a top four spot and Champions League football. Let’s not even speculate with names.We all know the names. The flawed long-standing Galactico model that has seen Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez head to the formerly dominant giants for colossal fees and wages would surely have resumed as the club desperately attempt to claw back some ground on their superseding rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.Almost certainly a transfer record would have been broken, if not smashed. This might still be the case, of course. It’s worth noting that Di Maria arrived in the summer immediately following an underwhelming seventh place finish. Pogba too was purchased with only a Europa League campaign to offer beyond domestic fare.Yet increasingly as the window widens it is becoming clear that a reappraisal in transfer strategy has taken hold within the club, with a reluctance to exorbitantly compensate elite and established talent to join the red gravy train. About time, many United supporters might say to that and especially given the failure – to varying degrees – of the quartet mentioned above.Instead it seems that a new, much more pragmatic model is being put in place, one that directly fits the ethos regularly espoused by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to rebuild using the blueprints from United’s recent and successful past.According to The Sun, the club are seriously considering the formation of a transfer committee featuring three former players in order to better identify players who correspond with United’s DNA. It is a move that was met with scoffing in some quarters and considered criticism elsewhere, with the latter exampled by writer Ryan Baldi’s thoughts on Twitter.

As for recruitment, Swansea’s young flying winger Daniel James has been linked numerous times with talks reported to be on-going, while a bid for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff is said to be imminent.

These are sensible targets for the thirteen-time Premier League champions, and as much as their intention to re-employ ex-stars has prompted jokes that Luke Chadwick will be running the match-day parking soon, the ‘committee’ idea too has legs in taking some of the decision-making away from much-maligned vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

And yet. And yet this all strongly feels like Manchester United are veering from one extreme to the other and adopting a philosophy that is equally doomed to fail.

For several years now it exasperated how United believed a single Faberge egg in their summer basket would magically transform their fortunes. Now a rose-tinted adherence to their values of lore, when United were under-pinned by home-grown talent that grew with the club, will only see them stagnate further – just more ethically so.

Will the likes of James and Longstaff – two players who should not be under-estimated by any stretch after their impressive breakthrough years – improve the present squad? Unquestionably yes but by what measure? The same thinking applies to their structural rejig behind the scenes.

The Galactico experiment regressed United and left them a good quantum leap behind their rivals. Reacting to that so fully will only do likewise.

Keeping Keiren Westwood at Sheffield Wednesday is a must, right?

The veteran goalkeeper showed everyone that he still had what it takes to be a top-class number one in the Championship when he was re-established to the side following Steve Bruce’s arrival as manager – Jos Luhukay, what were you playing at?!

His, like so many of his team-mates, deal with the club is set to expire this summer and there had been doubts about whether the Owls would be able to come to an agreement with him about extending his stay.

And, according to Alan Nixon, it seems that he may be about to put pen-to-paper over a new deal and it seems he could be ready to commit his future for a couple of years, as is Liam Palmer as well.

The Sun journalist took to Twitter to share the news, stating: “Very positive signs about a deal for Westwood and Palmer. Word is agreed to give both a couple of years.”

Indeed, keeping Westwood at Hillsborough would be a huge deal that will have the Wednesdaynites celebrating, however, it could also be the biggest one they complete all summer.

It would not be a surprise if Bruce was able to recruit a couple of players to try and strengthen his side for his first full season in charge, however, keeping the Republic of Ireland international in between the sticks is vitally important.

Westwood, despite his age, still has plenty left to offer the club and if his performances in the last four months or so were anything to go by, then he will definitely have a role to play next season and could finally help them get to the play-offs, or maybe even go one better.

Sheffield Wednesday fans, how big do you think getting a deal done for Westwood will be for the club’s future? Do you think it could be the best piece of business the club could do this summer? Let us know below!

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According to a report from The Burnley Express, Crystal Palace are among a number of Premier League clubs who have been alerted to West Bromwich Albion centre-forward Jay Rodriguez.

What’s the word, then?

A clause was inserted in the contract of the 29-year-old last summer as a reward for his loyalty to the Baggies, and it stated that if the player is sold by mid-July 2019 buying clubs will only need to pay £5m plus £5m in add-ons for his signature.

This development has caught the eye of the Eagles themselves as well as Leicester City, AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City, Sheffield United and former side Burnley.

Rodriguez is a goal-getting striker with one full England international cap under his belt – during a journeyman-like career so far he has represented the likes of the Clarets, Southampton and current team West Brom.

This cheap signing would be quick fix to Palace’s biggest problem

It’s not hard to see that this cheap signing would be an excellent quick fix to Palace’s biggest problem, and one Roy Hodgson must ensure he beats his top-flight rivals to secure.

The Eagles have been way too reliant on their wingers Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha to assist and mostly score the bulk of their goals recently.

Members of the Selhurst Park faithful can hardly remember the last time they were watching a centre-forward who can score regularly week-in-week-out with none of the current crop – Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Connor Wickham – up to the task.

Check out a fan’s outrageous call for England to take a leaf of out cricket and rugby’s book after a limp Nations League performance in the video below…

Rodriguez netted a staggering 22 goals in the Championship last season as the Hawthorns outfit narrowly missed out on promotion, enough to make him the joint-sixth top scorer in the division.

Plus, the Englishman is proven at finding the back of the net at the highest level as well with 33 strikes in 141 Premier League appearances.

At just £5m plus add-ons, Rodriguez is an absolute bargain and someone who has the pedigree to finally get Hodgson the goals he needs to start seeing from his strikers.

[ad_pod ]In the past three months West Brom haven’t got a lot right. In fact, since Guochuan Lai walked through the doors in 2016, the club have been stuck in a never-ending cycle of bad news.However, the appointment of Slaven Bilic on Thursday would have had many involved at Albion breathing a huge sigh of relief.After a four-man managerial shortlist had extended to include the likes of Chris Wilder and Bruno Labbadia, their eventual choice was a man who was caught up in his own mess at West Ham not too long ago.It could be a cunning appointment but only time will tell whether Bilic has got the capabilities to take them into the Premier League.But despite some good news, there was a frustrating update only two days before, one which left West Brom fans upset.Journalist John Percy confirmed that their academy manager Mark Harrison would be leaving after 13 years. Where was he going? To rivals Aston Villa.

If they hadn’t already suffered in knowing Dwight Gayle wouldn’t return and that Jay Rodriguez could be off, this perhaps topped the lot.

Harrison has been vital to West Brom’s success at academy level, a step of the game where Darren Moore and Jimmy Shan both learned their trade.

Neither pulled up many trees in first-team management, but it’s in terms of the playing staff, Harrison has had a huge say.

As a result, his loss will be significant.

For many years Albion seem to have been a revolving door in terms of talent leaving the Hawthorns.

Off went Saido Berahinho, Kemar Roofe, Izzy Brown and Tyler Roberts. In came some distinctly average footballers.

On the face of it, had they kept some of those players they’d now be perfectly suited for a return to the top-flight. And that would mainly be thanks to Harrison.

The Baggies still have some extremely promising young footballers progressing through the ranks at the moment, not least in Rayhaan Tulloch and Morgan Rogers, whilst Kyle Edwards and Sam Field are also primed for regular minutes next season.

But in Harrison leaving, it threatens to overshadow Bilic’s appointment.

For once, West Brom had some positive news but regarding their academy, there is once again a cloud of ash and smoke surrounding it.

Watch fans explain why the Football League is better than the Premier League in the video below…

This loss will be tough for the Baggies to deal with. At a time where it looked as though they were set for a new era and rebuild, they’ll now have to do it without one of their most influential figures.

Last year, the club boasted more England youth internationals than both Manchester United and Liverpool. Without Harrison, however, there is no guarantee that’ll last.

Now that West Brom have appointed a new manager at senior level, getting things right in terms of their youth setup will be equally as important.

Liverpool’s summer is set to be an interesting one, with the club coming off the back of a sixth Champions League win.

Manager Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be casting his eye over potential signings for the club, but with the Reds having so much quality in the squad already, picking and choosing those players who can come in and make a difference will be a tough task for Klopp.

However, this weekend has seen the Reds linked (via Fussball Transfers) with a move for Mainz midfielder Jean-Phillipe Gbamin, who has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months with his performances over in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool are reportedly set to battle rivals Everton for the 23-year-old, and while he is a relative unknown on these shores, he could well prove to be the perfect sort of signing to ensure Liverpool keep seeing success in the Premier League and in Europe.

Gbamin is a midfield player who is full of energy, possessing tremendous fitness levels and being the sort of player who could slot in nicely to Klopp’s high pressing and intense methods of play.

His performances last season were superb too, with Gbamin making 35 appearances across all competitions, where he recorded an impressive 80% pass success rate, and interestingly, averaged 2.6 long balls a game, something which could come in use for the Reds given the pace of the likes of Salah and Mane on the counter attack.

Liverpool are desperate to keep moving forward as a club, and new signings are needed to so.

Someone like Gbamin would fit the mould perfectly, and you would assume, not break the bank either. It would well be a perfect match for both club and player.