[ad_pod ]On Friday afternoon, Manchester City’s official Twitter account posted a tweet reminding their fans of Frank Lampard’s last goal for the club back in 2014 on the 24th of May.The tweet describes Lampard as a ‘City legend’ in a tongue-in-cheek way, but Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law did not pick up on the joke.

Credit to him, though, he quickly realised he had missed the point and taken the bait from City’s Twitter account.

Lampard spent one season at City, and though it was quite successful as he scored eight goals in 38 appearances, the term legend cannot be applied to his spell in Manchester.

Matt Law was not the only person to bite, however, as numerous people on Twitter responded with the same sort of puzzlement.

The endeavours of the social media team at Man City to wind up Chelsea fans clearly worked. Law, who covers Chelsea on a regular basis for the Daily Telegraph, was one of many to express bemusement at the tweet.

Perhaps the team behind the tweet are looking to get their kicks from Twitter in the absence of title-winning football to gloat about.

Either way, they managed to catch out plenty of social media users including the well-respected journalist.

Lampard himself probably had a chuckle as he prepares to try and take Derby County back up to the Premier League on Monday.

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After eighteen months of injury problems, loss of form and a crisis of confidence, it’s fair to say Alexis Sanchez hasn’t enjoyed the greatest of times at Old Trafford since joining Manchester United in January 2018.

The former Arsenal man has been the target of some severe criticism from many sections of the United faithful and his astronomical wages probably don’t help with endearing him to supporters either.

But the forward still seemingly has a lot left to give judging by his international performances. The 30-year-old scored one and made one in Chile’s opening Copa America game against Japan and his performance certainly raised a few eyebrows in the red half of Manchester.

Many United fans took to Twitter after the game to vent their frustrations at seeing the Chilean put in a starring display for his country, but failing to produce anything even remotely similar during his time at Old Trafford.

Whilst a few on the other hand felt a solid campaign for Chile in the tournament might do Sanchez’s confidence a world of good, others were far less forgiving of the winger’s previous form for the club and instead urged United to cash in on him whilst his stock might be high.

Either way, check out some reactions from surprised United fans down below:

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Per a report from Football Insider, Aston Villa are planning a swoop for Chelsea man Todd Kane.

What’s the word?

At the age of 25 it’s remarkable that Kane is still on Chelsea’s books. The right back has never really been able to get a look-in as a combination of injury and indifferent loan spells have led to a stuttering career.

Kane spent last season on loan at Hull where he impressed in what was his first full season in English football. And he could now finally make a permanent switch away from the Blues after eight different loan spells.

Football Insider suggest that newly promoted Villa are planning a swoop on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

Danger for Elmohamady?

After Dean Smith released Micah Richards and Alan Hutton it’s no surprise to see another body in that position potentially arriving.

Yet after the imminent arrival of Frederic Guilbert, who signed in January before heading to Caen on loan, it could spell the end of Ahmed Elmohamady as a permanent fixture in the team.

The Egyptian was crucial for the Villans last season, claiming eight assists from both right midfield and further back in defence. He played a pivotal hand in the play-off final too, laying on the opening goal for Anwar El Ghazi.

Elmohamady has been the victim of two relegations from the Premier League with Hull but his experience of the top-flight could be key next season.

However, with the possibility of Kane arriving it could force him out of the team. The former Oxford United loanee is extremely versatile, possessing the ability to play further up the field on both wings, as well as in a right back position.

“Finding a Lionel Messi in Sheffield… bit of a tall order!” – Watch Championship fans attempt to name their clubs’ Messi in the video below…

Although playing predominantly on the left hand side of midfield when he has been favoured in attacking areas, he also featured on the right wing on multiple occasions in 2018/19. As well as that he played 25 times as a full-back.

In comparison, Villa’s current number 27 can play also play on the right of midfield, a role he made 13 starts in last term.

Bearing that in mind, it’s easy to view Kane’s transfer as a potential like-for-like replacement for Elmohamady. With Guilbert also returning, the Egypt international’s place in the side will be in danger.

اتخذ المدير الفني السابق للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، رينيه فايلر، قرارًا نهائيًا حول العرض المقدم من طرف نادي نانت المنافس في بطولة الدوري الفرنسي بعد إقالة مدربه، كريستيان جوركوف. (طالع التفاصيل)

وكانت التقارير الفرنسية في الأيام الماضية قد ربطت فايلر بإمكانية تدريب نانت بعد شهرين فقط من الرحيل عن النادي الأهلي بسبب الظروف الأسرية.

وكان فايلر قد حقق ناجحًا باهرًا مع الأهلي في العام الذي درب فيه العملاق القاهري، لكن منذ أزمة فيروس كورونا وهناك تغيير في تعاملاته مع الجميع وهو ما اعترف به في تصريحات صحفية وتلفزيونية.

وأرجع السويسري سبب التغيير لخوفه على عائلته التي لم يتمكن من رؤيتهم منذ فترة طويلة بسبب انشغاله مع الأهلي وصعوبة السفر بسبب إجراءات فيروس كورونا، وهو ما جعله يفسخ العقد في بداية شهر أكتوبر للعودة إلى بلده وعدم استكمال بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا التي توج بها الفريق مع، بيتسو موسيماني.

ولكن بحسب صحيفة “Nau” السويسرية، رفض فايلر عرض نانت وأبلغ المسئولين في النادي الفرنسي بذلك، حيث يرى أن التوقيت غير مناسب خاصة وأنه قد عاد إلى بلده بسبب عائلته ويريد قضاء بعض الأيام معهم مع اقتراب أعياد الميلاد وهذا ما ينتظرونه منه.

الجدير بالذكر أن فايلر قد فاز مع الأهلي ببطولتين هما الدوري والسوبر المصري قبل رحيله والعودة إلى سويسرا.

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Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has rejected the chance to speak to Derby County about replacing Frank Lampard at the club, as reported by The Times.

What’s the story?

After a solid, if unspectacular, year of progress at Rangers, Gerrard is apparently attracting interest from teams in England.

The paper say that in the event of Lampard taking the vacant post at Chelsea, Gerrard is viewed as a potential successor at Pride Park.

However, the Gers boss has rejected advances from the Rams before discussions could even begin, according to the report. He is entirely focused on adding players to his first-team squad ahead of a pre-season training camp next week.

Given Derby are promotion contenders in the English Championship next season, Gerrard’s refusal to even entertain the notion of a switch could be seen by some as something of a surprise, but he clearly values the project he is building at Ibrox.

Watch the video below to find out which derbies the Pl>ymaker squad have picked as the most entertaining, fierce and passionate in the world…

Statement of intent

The last thing Rangers will want this summer is uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position at the club. There could be enough reports of big player exits over the next couple of months to add that kind of instability to their hugely important summer.

With UEFA Europa League qualifiers on the immediate horizon Rangers’ season will begin very soon and they don’t have the luxury of indulging in off-season transfer merry-go-rounds down south that could potentially derail their summer.

By rejecting discussions outright, Gerrard is telling any interested parties that he is determined to see his current spell at Rangers through until the club either win trophies or his position becomes untenable.

That kind of statement of intent should obviously delight supporters, who have really taken to the Liverpool icon as a trusted leader, even if the club came up short in all competitions last season.

Fans haven’t seen the necessary stability to progressively build for years and the next 12 months is a serious opportunity to finally get some sort of silverware on the board.

Gerrard will know that kind of success will boost his stock as a manager as much as anything he does in the Championship.

Everton are hoping to add players this summer that can take them into the European spots next season. With that in mind, Ryan Fraser would give them the attacking edge to help them achieve their goal.

The Bournemouth winger has played 38 games in the Premier League this season, making an impressive 14 assists and scoring seven goals in the process. Undoubtedly one of the best players outside of the top six, the Scotsman’s reportedly got admirers all over the country, and The Sun’s Alan Nixon believes the Toffees have a ‘major interest’.

While he also mentions Arsenal are working on making their interest known too, Fraser could become a club legend if he signs for Everton. Indeed, he needs to take advantage of this huge season and take a step up, but not a step too far as Arsenal would be.

The 25-year-old can be part of the exciting project Everton have in mind. Their attacking style would be attractive to Fraser and his direct nature would work wonders at Goodison Park. Frankly, it seems like a match made in heaven.

He’s rated at £16.2m on Transfermarkt and that seems a favourable price for Everton considering his age and potential impact. Obviously, Bournemouth would surely demand more than that but as a marquee addition, the former Aberdeen star is the kind of upwardly mobile talent the club are in desperate need of. Granted, any potential arrival could impact the playing time of Bernard, but competition is healthy, and it might just improve both players’ abilities.

The Toffees would go some way to reaching their goal of European football if they can snatch Fraser from Bournemouth this summer. He’s exactly what they need, so Marcel Brands needs to get a move on and sign him before Arsenal do instead.

Everton fans, where do you think your club needs to strengthen this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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According to reports in the Daily Mail, Aston Villa are the latest Premier League team to show an interest in Kalvin Phillips.

Norwich, Bournemouth and Newcastle are also apparently sniffing around the 23-year-old, and it seems almost inevitable that the Whites’ star man will be playing in the top flight next season.

Too good

Phillips’ performances over the past 12 months have shown that he has outgrown the Championship.

The midfielder has become one of the most valuable players in the division after the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa allowed him to show off his best attributes.

The destructive work he has done in the United midfield this season has shown his potential suitors precisely what he is capable of when he is deployed correctly, and his talents look like they would easily translate over to the Premier League.

Aged just 23 Phillips has a long career ahead of him, and if he wants to fulfil his aspirations of winning silverware and getting England caps, he has to move away from Elland Road.

Can’t keep him

Despite the fact he is a local lad and has played for the club for many years it seems impossible for United to keep hold of the midfielder.

Even though Bielsa has now signed his new deal, the rumours of Phillips’ departure haven’t subsided, and it seems just a matter of time before he leaves.

Although he has played his best football under the Argentine another season at Elland Road doesn’t come close to matching the allure that the Premier League has.

More money, chances at silverware and the potential to play international football is just too much of a pull for any young player, and unless the Yorkshire club get to the top flight soon, they will continue to see their best prospects poached by top-flight clubs.

تحدث أندريه بيرلو المدير الفني لفريق يوفنتوس عن الأفضلية بين النجمين ليونيل ميسي وكريستيانو رونالدو قبل مواجهة برشلونة غدًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويلتقي الفريقان في الجولة السادسة من دور مجموعات البطولة، في ملعب الكامب نو.

ورفض رونالد كومان مدرب برشلونة اختيار الأفضل بين ميسي ورونالدو حيث أكد أن ذلك ليس أمرًا صائبًا (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

واتفق بيرلو في ذلك مع مدرب البلوجرانا، حيث قال في مؤتمره الصحفي: “كومان مُحق في قوله بأنه ليس من العدل أن نقول من هو الأفضل بين ميسي ورونالدو”.

وأضاف في المؤتمر الذي نشرته شبكة “فوتبول إيطاليا” العالمية: “لقد قدما عرضًا وقاما به لمدة 15 عامًا، لقد تقاسما الكرة الذهبية على مدار تلك السنوات، من العار أن نقول إن كان أحدهما أفضل من الآخر”.

وواصل: “كلاهما ظاهرتان تجعلان الملايين من المشجعين يبتهجون في كل مرة ينزلون فيها إلى أرض الملعب”.

واستكمل: “كما قلت، ليس من العدل أن نقول من هو الأفضل، يجب أن نشكرهما لأنهما جيدان لكرة القدم”.

وأردف: “إذا كان رونالدو في حالة جيدة فهذا يعني أنه سيكون في المكان المناسب في التوقيت المناسب، سنمنحه الكرات المناسبة من أجل التسجيل”.

واستمر: “ميسي يعيش لحظة خاصة في حياته، وليس في مسيرته المهنية، لأنه واجه مشكلة في الصيف (رغبته في الرحيل عن النادي الكتالوني)، وسواء استمر في برشلونة أم لا فهو أظهر قيمته بشكل دائم خلال المباريات”.

واختتم: “هو أكثر من مجرد لاعب كرة قدم، ربما يعاني من مشكلة عقلية، لكنني لا أريد التطرق في هذا الشأن، هذا ليس دورنا، ميسي ظاهرة وقد أثبت ذلك”.

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According to Sky Sports News, Manchester United want to sign West Ham United’s Issa Diop in this summer’s transfer window.

And the report has added that United are willing to pay £45m ‘plus a player’ for the former Toulouse youngster.

Sky Sports News made no mention of the potential player in question. However, according to ExWHUemployee, Phil Jones was the individual.

Jones was once regarded as one of the best young talents in England.

However, it would be fair to say that the former Blackburn Rovers teenager has just not developed in the way that many thought he would.

The West Ham fans have been on social media offering their thoughts on the fact that Jones could arrive at the London Stadium this summer.

And it would be fair to say that the majority are simply not interested in landing the 27-time England international.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

It has been a roller-coaster of a year at Sheffield Wednesday, hasn’t it Owls fans?

After a dismal start to the 2018/19 campaign under Jos Luhukay which saw the club edge perilously close to being dragged into a relegation battle, chairman Dejphon Chansiri’s decision to replace the Portuguese manager with Steve Bruce proved to be a masterstroke.

Since taking charge of his first game in February, the 58-year-old has had an incredible impact on the Owls’ fortunes as an eleven game unbeaten run saw them threaten to gatecrash the play-off party in April.

Although they would have to eventually settle for a 12th place finish in the Championship following a mixed end to the year, it is clear that with Bruce at the helm, Wednesday are heading in the right direction.

Yet in order for the club to launch a sustained push for promotion next year, they must address their attacking issues this summer.

Despite having a whole host of forwards to choose from at Hillsborough, it could be argued that Bruce doesn’t have a player who is capable of reaching the 20-goal a season mark and so he should consider spending big on a proper number nine in the transfer market.

Whereas Fernando Forestieri is better suited to the second striker role, both Steven Fletcher and Lucas Joao are far too injury prone to lead the line on a consistent basis for the Owls.

When you factor in Jordan Rhodes’ underwhelming loan campaign at Norwich City in which he only scored six second-tier goals for the Canaries, it is obvious that something has to change for Wednesday over the coming months.

By offloading one or two of their misfiring forwards, the Owls could bring in a player who has a track-record of performing in the Championship, such as Dwight Gayle for example.

A fantastic finisher, the 28-year-old managed to fire in 23 goals whilst on loan at West Bromwich Albion last season and could be the ideal target for Wednesday.

What do you think Owls fans? Should Bruce be aiming to add to his striking options this summer? Or is there other areas which he needs to be prioritising in the transfer window? Let us know below.