Is he joking? Man United fans react to the club’s views on summer window

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Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter in disbelief after the Daily Mail revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he doesn’t need to sign a new centre-back this summer.

The Red Devils are perhaps at their weakest in the centre of defence, where players such as Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo have done little to show that they can be depended on consistently.

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Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof are arguably the club’s two best options in that department, but even then the pair of them have struggled to strike up a partnership formidable enough to keep the goals out.

Jose Mourinho was famously desperate to sign a centre-back in his final transfer window at the club before his sacking, and much was made of his deteriorating relationship with Ed Woodward after no new additions were made in central defence.

Almost a year on from that window, Solskjaer and Woodward’s belief that the club still don’t need a new centre-back has sparked outrage from the United supporters on Twitter…

جريليش: أشعر بالصدمة لخسارتنا أمام بلجيكا.. وحلمت بمثل تلك المباريات

أبدى نجم أستون فيلا جاك جريليش سعادته بمشاركته في مباراة الأمس مع منتخب إنجلترا أمام بلجيكا في دوري الأمم الأوروبية، ولكنه أكد شعوره بالصدمة بسبب الهزيمة والخروج من المنافسات.

وخسرت إنجلترا بهدفين دون رد، في الجولة الخامسة من المجموعة الثانية من المستوى الأول.

وقدم جريليش أداءً مميزًا، حيث نال إشادة المدرب جاريث ساوثجيت (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وقال جريليش في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “لقد أحببت ذلك تمامًا، هذا ما كنت أنتظره، هذه هي المباريات التي حلمت به، لقد تمنيت ذلك طوال حياتي وأردت اللعب مع إنجلترا”.

وأضاف: “أردنا الفوز الليلة رغم أنني أشعر بالصدمة لأننا لم نحقق الفوز، كنت أعرف أن هذه هي فرصتي لإثارة الإعجاب، هذه هي الأشياء التي أحبها، الرغبة في القيام بعمل جيد”.

وواصل: “خلال الـ24 ساعة الماضية كنت أشاهد مقاطع للاعبين المفضلين لدي، أفعل ذلك في كل مباراة، كنت أشعر بالطنين، أشاهد مقاطع كيفين دي بروين، فيليب كوتينيو، وآخرين لاعبين في مركزي”.

وتابع: “فعلت ذلك عندما كنت طفلاً صغيرًا وما زلت أفعل ذلك اليوم، هذا ما يدفعني إلى المضي قدمًا”.

وأوضح: “أصعب شيء هو محاولة الحصول على التناغم مع زملائك في الفريق، عندما تأتي إلى هنا لديك 10 أيام فقط لتحقيق ذلك، ولكن بعض اللاعبين ينجحون في هذا الأمر”.

واختتم: “كان المدرب رائعًا معي، وهناك نجوم من الطراز العالمي في مركزي”.

Summer arrival? West Ham consider swoop for Dario Benedetto

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According to TEAMtalk, West Ham United are considering a £20m bid for Boca Juniors forward Dario Benedetto ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

It is not exactly breaking news that West Ham will be in the market for a new striker at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

Indeed, Andy Carroll is expected to leave on a free transfer, whilst the futures of Lucas Perez, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez are seemingly up in the air.

To be honest, Michail Antonio is probably the best bet through the middle at the moment, with Arnautovic particularly struggling for form.

According to TEAMtalk, West Ham are lining up a swoop for Benedetto, who could be available for around £20m.

The five-time Argentina international has only scored four times in 19 appearances for Boca this term, though, and it would be a risk to bring the centre-forward to the London Stadium this summer.

Why should West Ham avoid the deal?

If TEAMtalk are correct and Benedetto is available for around £20m, then it could be considered decent business.

After all, Benedetto has scored 109 times in 267 appearances at professional level, including 38 goals in 61 games for Boca.

The 5 ft 9 ace has not sampled European football, though, and at the age of 28, you have to think that someone would have taken him sooner if he was capable of being a success on the European stage.

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That might be a harsh opinion of the South American, but it would be a big risk for West Ham to attempt to solve a huge issue in their team by signing a player who has no experience in the European game.

The Hammers need a new centre-forward this summer – that is for certain – but should avoid a move for Benedetto at all costs.

Keeping Matt Clarke is essential for Portsmouth this summer

Portsmouth are set for an enthralling couple of weeks as they hope to be victorious yet again at Wembley, come the end of the season. God it’s nervy, isn’t it? Why couldn’t the team manage automatic promotion and save you all from this stress? Football really isn’t fair. 

Still, having won the Checkatrade Trophy, topping the season off with promotion back into the Championship via the play-offs would be a momentous achievement for those on the south coast. They have done so well to lodge themselves in with a fantastic chance of achieving just that this season, which was inspired by their trophy win in March.

Kenny Jackett is clearly a great manager at this level who has proven a lot during this campaign, though whatever league Pompey maybe in next season, it is vital he retains his key players whilst adding some new ones as well. Otherwise, the whole project could go sourly.

One player who is surely near the top of the list of players to stay is central-defender Matt Clarke, who has again been brilliant this season.

Clarke, (who is valued at £180k on Transfermarkt) has been a player of interest for a number of clubs in the past but if Portsmouth are serious about progressing, he must be one of the players who sticks around.

Having played in every single League One game this season, the service he provides Portsmouth is certainly appreciated and he is consistently giving his all for the shirt. Not gaining promotion would present a significant challenge to Pompey, with Clarke surely likely to be offered a route to the Championship without Portsmouth.

Though if they do manage to make it through the play-offs, Clarke would be key to help consolidate their place within the division and he is massively important of the team that they cannot afford to let go.

Do you agree Matt Clarke should be kept at all costs next season? Join the discussion and let us know!

Liverpool are missing a player like Nabil Fekir and must sign him this summer

Whatever happens, Liverpool really have been brilliant this season and Jurgen Klopp has successfully transformed the Reds into a far better side. Yes, if they don’t win the title, it’ll be a huge disappointment but you Kopites are truly watching one of the best teams ever assembled in English footballing history. 

Obviously, it would be devastating to miss out on the Premier League title yet again, seeing as just one point separates Liverpool and Man City but nevertheless, the positives have to be taken.

Considering the gap between the two sides was 25 points at the end of last season, Liverpool have obviously made huge improvements. Their only Premier League loss at this stage is to City themselves and if able to sustain the performances from this campaign, they can certainly hope to enjoy great success next season.

At home and on the continent, Liverpool really are one of the best teams in the world again.

Surely, both teams are again likely to spend over the summer period and Liverpool would do well to once again, target Lyon’s creative spark Nabil Fekir.

Fekir, (who is valued at £63 million on Transfermarkt) is a midfielder that was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, heck he even had a medical at Anfield!

It’s not often enormous U-turn’s in the transfer market are made but Liverpool will clearly see themselves exactly why they need a player like Nabil Fekir. Ever since Philippe Coutinho left Anfield, their midfield has been stripped of a more attacking, goal-source, something Nabil Fekir would be if brought.

With 12 goals and seven assists, Fekir is the kind of player that would add even more attacking quality to Liverpool, making them a far better side overall. If they had him, perhaps some of those annoying draws in January would have been turned into wins, thus making the Reds domestic champions again.

Fekir would join a number of other quality options, giving Jurgen Klopp plenty to think about and how exactly he gets the best out of his team again next season. Unlocking defences, it’s scary what he could do behind the likes of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Liverpool fans, do you think Fekir fits in still? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Rangers: Joe Worrall won’t be missed one bit in Glasgow next season

Rangers fans can sleep easy knowing that they no longer have to worry about Joe Worrall committing blunders at the back for them anymore. The Nottingham Forest man has returned to his parent club, and the chances are the Gers won’t be seeing any more of him, as The Nottingham Post claims he’ll be staying at The City Ground next season

Steven Gerrard had already purchased both Connor Golson and Nikola Katic last summer when he moved to loan Joe Worrall in the dying embers of the summer window, and whilst it may have a been move that has worked wonders for the young centre-half’s personal development, Rangers have hardly benefitted. Now, though, Worrall’s Rangers career is well and truly over.

There have been highs and was at Ibrox for the £7.2 million-rated defender, as per Transfermarkt, but for a lot of his time in Glasgow, it has been a struggle. If there is anything that a player can do to win over a fan base it’s usually get stuck into their rivals, but even Worrall’s X-rated rant aimed at Celtic couldn’t make him a beloved figure amongst the Bluenoses.

Gerrard will now have to go back to the drawing board and bring in a new defender to add to the squad, but as far as the Gers are concerned anyone is going to be better than Worrall, who has been more than a little bit disappointing this season. For the most part, fans have found themselves complaining as Katic has been left out of the side as Worrall plays.

Whatever happens now, the Gers aren’t wishing bad things upon the 22-year-old defender, they just want to see a more capable man come in to fill his shoes this summer, especially as they look to overcome Celtic next season. The race against time is on for Gerrard to chase down the Hoops and stop ten in a row, and a new capable centre-back will be absolutely key.

Are you happy to see the back of Joe Worrall, Rangers fans? Let us know!

Arsenal: Unai Emery must keep a hold of main man Alexandre Lacazette at all costs

Unai Emery’s first season at Arsenal hasn’t panned out to be as successful as he had desired.

Indeed, a poor defensive structure, inconsistency and internal issues have plagued his side throughout. However, even in the darkest times, one player’s acted as their shining beacon of hope.

Alexandre Lacazette has leapt over Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to become the Gunnars’ most important striker right now. Despite witnessing almost everything crumble beside him, he’s kept up the confidence-level to free Emery’s side from difficult predicaments.

However, his excellent performances have reportedly attracted quite the attention.

According to reports (via The Express), Barcelona are highly interested in the Frenchman and want him as Luis Suarez’s replacement. Now, clearly, resisting a move to the Spanish champions wouldn’t really be that easy. Indeed, Lacazette might be loyal to the cause right now, but Emery needs to grant him assurances in keeping him at North London.

There’s no doubting the fact that Arsenal are well below the Blaugrana in the footballing food chain, so they’ll need to prove there are big plans in place at the Emirates if the interest from Spain really is there.

The 27-year-old’s scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, proving an absolute lethal force in attack. Lacazette’s impressive movement, relentless surge and peak finishing ability have delighted fans throughout the season. Losing him would be akin to bring similar consequences Robin van Persie’s did back in 2012. Scary.

Frankly, Arsenal’s team needs to be built around Lacazette next season.

Emery must recognize his world-class striker’s importance and make appropriate signings to benefit his development. Aubameyang can take a back-seat on spearheading Arsenal’s attack from the next campaign. The Frenchman is Emery’s biggest weapon in getting back into the glory days and letting him leave would break the foundations the Spaniard’s set up in the early stages of his Arsenal tenure.

Arsenal fans, do you think Lacazette is currently Emery’s most important player? Join the discussion by commenting below…

الوداد يتلقى عرضًا من الدوري المصري لشراء كاسنجو

تلقى نادي الوداد المغربي عرضًا من أحد أندية الدوري المصري لضم مهاجمه كازادي كاسنجو خلال فترة الانتقالات الجارية.

وكان الوداد المغربي قد تلقى هزيمة كبيرة على يد الأهلي ضمن منافسات قبل نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا بنتيجة 5-1 بمجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب.

وأفاد موقع “360 سبورت” المغربي، أن نادي الوداد المغربي تلقى عرضًا من نادي المصري البورسعيدي لضم مهاجمه كازادي كاسنجو خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وأوضح التقرير أنه حصل على نسخة من المراسلة التي توصلت بها إدارة الوداد الرياضي مع نادي المصري البورسعيدي، والتي عرض من خلالها مسؤولو الأخير مبلغ 260 ألف دولار لشراء ما تبقى من عقد كازادي كاسنجو وتوقيع اتفاقية شراكة وتعاون في حال إتمام الصفقة.

يذكر، أن المصري البورسعيدي تعاقد مع عدد من اللاعبين لتدعيم صفوفه استعداداً للمواسم الجديد من الدوري الممتاز، وقدم 7 صفقات خلال مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الجمعة.

Chelsea would be wasting Fikayo Tomori’s time by sending him on loan to Celtic

Given their transfer embargo, you can expect Chelsea to promote a few players from their loan army to the senior squad for the next campaign.

As things stand, though, it does not look like Fikayo Tomori will be one of them, with the 21-year-old continuing to be linked with another loan move.

Tomori, who has impressed at Derby County this season, is said to be a summer target for Celtic (Daily Record).

And given the confidence Maurizio Sarri has in David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger, it would not be a surprise to see the England U21 international depart Stamford Bridge temporarily again.

Needing regular minutes, from Tomori’s perspective, it would be the correct call, with Sarri unlikely to give him that.

That being said, a move to Celtic is probably not what the Chelsea academy product needs.

After such a strong campaign in the Championship, the next step for Tomori has to be the Premier League.

And while it would be a huge step up for the central defender, he looks more than ready for it with his strength, pace to make recovery tackles and composure on the ball.

A Chelsea loanee who has gone under the radar compared to others, he really could be the Blues’ secret weapon next season if Sarri gives him a chance, and the transfer ban makes it even more logical for the Italian to do just that.

A defensive partnership that involves Rudiger and Tomori would be daunting for any onrushing attackers, as their pace, power and tackling ability would make them a frightening combo.

With his ability, to move to a division as weak as the Scottish League would be a side or even arguably a backwards step.

At 21 and considering his talent, Tomori really needs to be playing in one of Europe’s top leagues now.

Chelsea fans, where would you like to see Tomori playing his football next season? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Transfer Focus: Newcastle must reject all advances for Sean Longstaff

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Newcastle United are set to rebuff any advances from Manchester United for Sean Longstaff this summer, as reported by The Evening Chronicle.

Are Man United interested?

Sky Sports claimed on Friday that the Old Trafford side were showing interest in 21-year-old as they look to build a squad of young, home-grown talent that can develop into trophy winners in Manchester.

The Chronicle though cite St James’ Park sources that insist the central midfielder is not for sale this summer, with the player said to be happy with his situation in the north east and the club ready to reward his form this season with a new contract.

There’s plenty of behind the scenes work to do before reaching that negotiation point though, with the club still working on retaining the services of manager Rafa Benitez.

Why is Longstaff so important?

After loan spells at Kilmarnock and Blackpool in previous years, the young talent finally made his senior debut for the Magpies this season, impressing Benitez enough to start a string of matches in the English Premier League between December and March.

Loose cannon or vital cog in the Newcastle’s machine? The Magpie Channel think it would be a mistake to sell the player in the video below…

Sadly a knee injury cut his season short, but not before being earmarked by Newcastle fans as a talent to build a team around going forward.

His manager tipped him for England honours back in February and there’s real hope he can fulfil his potential at St James’ Park.

Newcastle haven’t exactly been known for their transfer investment in recent years, but if they won’t pursue big deals then it’s even more important they can retain their exciting young players.

It’s a viable squad strategy and although fans will be hoping to see quality arrive in the upcoming transfer window, they’ll equally be keen to nurture Longstaff’s talent and ensure he gets plenty of first-team opportunities next season.

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