All posts by h716a5.icu

[ad_pod ]

Speaking to Wolves’ official club website this week, former footballer Robbie Savage has hinted that stability is key for the club if they’re to achieve their ambitions.

What’s he said?

Wolves have been one of the stories of the season after being promoted from the Championship last term. They’ve been a joy to watch and now sit on the verge of achieving Europa League football for the 2019/20 season.

The club are confirmed to finish seventh in the league, but if Watford beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final then they’ll miss out completely.

The club’s Managing Director, Jamie Dalrymple, told Football Focus in quotes relaid by Birmingham Live in October that the club’s ultimate aim was to get European football.

But with Nuno Santo’s team now on the cusp, pundit Savage has claimed that stability will be vital for the Midlands side going forward. With that in mind, he hinted that there could be no limit in terms of Wolves’ future success. The Welshman told their club website:

“On 606 at the beginning of the season, we had a few Wolves fans call up saying ‘we’re going to get into the Champions League’ and ‘we want to win the league’ – we laughed, but you can see why they said that.

“We know what the aims and ambitions are and the way Wolves are going to do it, but stability is the most important thing in the Premier League. Stay in the league for three or four years, and then try to break into the top six. If they can do that, build each year, get better and better, then who knows what the limit is for Wolves.”

Wolves must capitalise on this season

As we’ve seen with Leicester since they were promoted, the sky is the absolute limit for clubs nowadays.

It would be extreme to suggest that Wolves have a chance of winning the title, but Savage is absolutely right to claim that stability is now the key. However, it’s also pivotal that they don’t get ahead of themselves.

Last season we saw Burnley finish in seventh place, only to be knocked out in the Europa League qualifying rounds and find themselves in danger of relegation.

Raul Jimenez is turning it on for Wolves and Mexico right now! He definitely deserves the song in the video below…

Wolves have a considerably greater amount of quality than Sean Dyche’s side but there is a danger, with the lack of squad depth they have, that they may suffer from a bout of second season syndrome.

Therefore, the club simply has to capitalise on their good season. If Nuno is able to build on their phenomenal campaign this time around, we could easily see Wolves making strides towards an even better league finish.

[ad_pod ]

There is no question whatsoever that Celtic defender Mikael Lustig suffered a nightmare day in the 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in December, but he is on course to make amends when the two clubs meet at the same stadium on Sunday.

On the chalkboard

The experienced Sweden international was named on the team-sheet by former Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers for the clash at the end of 2018, just prior to the winter break.

However, it proved to be a horrible day for the Scottish Premiership champions against their Glasgow rivals, and a nightmare 45 minutes for Lustig.

The 32-year-old was completely done by Ryan Kent for the only goal of the game and struggled throughout the first half, before being sacrificed by Rodgers, who suffered his first Old Firm defeat in 13 attempts as a result, at the break.

Ready to make amends

He certainly is.

The Swede may have been taken off with an injury issue in the title-securing 3-0 win against Aberdeen last weekend, but the Scottish Sun report that he will be available for the short trip across Glasgow on Sunday.

And he will arrive at Ibrox in good form, as a player who has been reborn under Neil Lennon having often failed to hit the heights previously this term under Rodgers.

Lustig is looking solid defensively and appears to have got his fight back, while he even found the net against the Dons as the Bhoys officially made it eight in a row.

With a spring his step and confidence flowing, the 32-year-old is well set to step up to the plate and do what he couldn’t do less than five months ago.

Controversial. Uncompromising. Leader. C’mon the Hoops’ Keith talks the future of Celtic’s evergreen captain Scott Brown in the video below…

He is likely to come up against either Kent or Daniel Candeias at the weekend, but he will be fancying his chances against either as Celtic look to make another statement in the final Old Firm of the campaign.

[ad_pod ]

The Express reported at the weekend that West Ham United have opened talks over a £20m deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, and Irons fans are absolutely loving the potential move.

The Express report the former Real Betis man has been told by manager Zinedine Zidane that he has no future at the Bernabeu, and as a result he will be on his way out of the Spanish capital this summer.

The story adds that Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini has been impressed by the scouting reports he has received on the 22-year-old, and wants him to join the Premier League side.

Considering he would be joining from Real Madrid to compete with the likes of Declan Rice and Mark Noble for a spot in the middle of the park at the London Stadium, it would undoubtedly be an exciting addition – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by supporters.

They have been quick to have their say on the rumoured signing via social media, and it’s fair to say they are drooling over the story and the player that could easily be lining up in claret and blue next term.

While one described him as an “insane player that can pick pockets like Payet could”, another said he “would be our savviest signing ever”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

[ad_pod ]

According to El Desmarque, Tottenham Hotspur are the ‘main player’ in regard to the clubs interested in landing Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.

The report even claims that Spurs would be willing to pay between £35m and £44m to land the Spaniard in this summer’s transfer window.

Ceballos joined Real Madrid from Real Betis in 2017.

The midfielder has made 56 appearances for the capital giants in all-competitions – contributing five goals and two assists in the process.

Ceballos was hardly used in the latter stages of the 2018-19 campaign, however, with returning head coach Zinedine Zidane seemingly not a fan of his talents.

The 22-year-old has won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, two Club World Cups and one Spanish Super Cup during his time at the Bernabeu.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

However, despite having an impressive CV, a number of Tottenham fans do not want their club to move for the six-time Spain international.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]

We’re just over a week away from the game that will make or break Liverpool’s season.

Liverpool will take on Tottenham inside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on the 1st June, where they can pick up their sixth European cup with victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have too many worries on his mind in terms of his players’ fitness levels.

Key man Roberto Firmino recently returned to training in the only noteworthy news, whilst no players are suspended for the showpiece event.

Luis Suarez certainly had no qualms about celebrating against his former employers in the video below…

Let’s take a look at how Klopp may set his side up against Spurs as he bids to win his first trophy at Liverpool…

Despite Divock Origi’s semi-final heroics, Firmino is too important to the side for him to be dropped.

We predict that the Brazilian will come back into the side in his ‘false nine’ role in between Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who have a combined 52 goals between them this term.

In midfield, Klopp has a hard decision to make.

Does he drop the hero of the semi-final in Gini Wijnaldum and trust the experienced James Milner, or should he reward the Dutchman for his two goals against Barcelona with a start in the final?

We think he won’t do the latter, as Milner’s leadership will be key in guiding his teammates through this nervy affair.

If things go sour, however, how will Klopp react?

If the Reds find themselves in a sticky situation in Madrid, we think Klopp will sub off two of his most trusted men in Firmino and Milner and turn to his semi-final heroes Wijnaldum and Origi.

As you can see above, this particular system will see a more advanced Wijnaldum, whose focus will be to arrive late in the box and get on the scoresheet – he has already netted against Spurs this season.

Additionally, where Firmino likes to operate deeper, we think Origi will be an effective substitute in an out-and-out striker role, a position which he put Barcelona to the sword in.

It would be extremely gutting for Klopp to lose a fourth final with Liverpool, so he must ensure he gets his team selection and plan B spot on.

[ad_pod ]

Many Leeds fans’ hearts were broken after Phil Hay confirmed that the club wouldn’t be making a move for James Milner this summer.

Certain sections of the fanbase had been getting excited about the prospect of the midfielder returning to his former club, but it seems now that it isn’t going to happen this year.

Never on the cards

If we’re being real for a minute, Milner was never going to sign for Leeds this summer.

He’s about to line up for his second Champions League final in a row, and he reportedly earns a cool £120,000 a week at Liverpool. Why would he give that up just to come and play for his boyhood team?

Of course, he is a local lad, but how often does a player take such a significant pay cut to play for the team they support?

Blessing in disguise

This deal not happening may turn out to be a good thing for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. The former England international would undoubtedly be the best player in the Championship if he dropped down, but with FFP sanctions much stricter in the second division taking on his massive wages would be a huge gamble.

The Yorkshire Evening Post recently wrote an article stating that FFP could be a problem for Leeds next season, and if the Liverpool midfielder was signed that would only aggravate things.

Hay also reported that Kemar Roofe is unhappy with his current contract situation because Patrick Bamford earns more than him, and if the 33-year-old comes who’s to say that the same issue wouldn’t arise with Kalvin Phillips or another of the Whites’ star men.

Would Milner be incredible if he came to Elland Road? Of course he would, but if his wage demands are anywhere near what he’s on at Anfield, then Victor Orta has made the right decision here.

“Pep has to say that as he hasn’t been in the Champions League final for a while.”

Those were the words of Jurgen Klopp via the Express when asked by a reporter in the build-up to Saturday’s Champions League final on what the German thought of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s claim that he was not disappointed to be in the upcoming European final because of his team’s Premier League title win.

It was a comment Liverpool fans thoroughly enjoyed and gave the media plenty to write about, but arrogance before such an important game can easily come to haunt Klopp and Liverpool.

After all, Guardiola might not have managed a Champions League final side since 2011, but at least the Spaniard has actually won the trophy, something Klopp will be attempting to do on his third attempt against Tottenham this weekend.

Liverpool are understandably the favourites heading into the game in Madrid. The Reds have not only faced and bested better opposition in the Champions League but have also overcome Spurs twice in the previous Premier League campaign, but to call the Reds the winners already would be silly.

We have seen the underdog in a Champions League final scrap through and come out the winning side, with Chelsea being the latest and arguably luckiest recipients of the famous trophy seven years ago after sleepwalking their to the final and then beating Bayern Munich on penalties, and there is a feeling in the air Tottenham could do the same to Liverpool.

Klopp’s dig at Guardiola might seem harmless at first, but it was a comment that can easily come around to bite Liverpool if they are not careful in Madrid.

Liverpool fans, will the Reds win the Champions League? Let us know!

Neil Lennon already has an edge ahead of his first full season in charge of Celtic since 2014. Indeed, while not technically a new acquisition, Leigh Griffiths’ much-anticipated return is something we feel can certainly excite the Parkhead faithful as they aim for 9 league titles in a row. 

Former teammate and current Hibernian defender Lewis Stevenson’s confirmed to the Daily Record (reported on June 4th) that the 28-year-old is working hard for a return and fancies him to be a striker who will save millions for Celtic. Good news for the money men at the club, right?

Certainly, Stevenson has hit the nail on the proverbial head here. Obviously, Griffiths went through a tough time last season but now he’s back and seemingly raring to go, it’s good news for everyone on the green and white side of Glasgow.

Why is his return so important? Well, when you consider the fact that Rangers (who let’s face it, will probably be the favourites for second spot at the very least) outscored the champions last season with 82 to 77 goals for, you can start to see why nailing down a prolific marksman of some sort must be a priority.

Indeed, Odsonne Edouard – the Bhoys’ leading goal threat with 15 – was outscored by three players last time out, so there’s obviously room for improvement in the central striking area.

Griffiths is a man who notched 40 goals (across all competitions) back in 2015/16, of course. The first man to do that in Scotland since the legendary Henrik Larsson, it’s an in-house solution for what is obviously a slight issue for Scotland’s most dominant club.

Barring an absolute implosion, one of the only realistic ways Celtic can lose out on the title is surely down to any potential marginal gains picked up by the other clubs. Just looking at the facts we’ve talked about, they were outscored by their closest challengers and their leading marksman was the fourth best in the league for putting in the ball in the back of the net, it’s an area they need to improve on.

So, if Griffiths can even match half the tally he did a couple of years ago, it’s yet another reason as to why the club can take another step to that dreamy 10 in a row.

Celtic fans, would you be pleased to see Griffiths back next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur have a perfect opportunity to axe the deadwood after the heartbreaking defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League final.

A fairytale run to the final was brutally ended by the Reds, who ran out 2-0 winners at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Spurs were 1-0 down within two minutes, with Moussa Sissoko conceding a harsh penalty for handball, which Mohamed Salah scored.

Spurs huffed and puffed in the sweltering Spanish heat thereafter but they were unable to break down Liverpool’s resistance; sensibly, Jurgen Klopp’s men decided to sit deep, rotate possession and dare the north London club to find a way through them. They weren’t able to and Divock Origi performed the role of super-sub once again, scoring in the final minutes to secure the Reds’ sixth major European crown.

It would have been a beautiful triumph for Mauricio Pochettino had Spurs lifted the famous old trophy but that they didn’t is perhaps the motivation they need for a necessary summer rebuild.

This is a team that have defied expectations at every turn; they weren’t supposed to reach the final, particularly not with their multitudinous injury problems, having been shorn of their best player, Harry Kane, for so long, and nor were they really expected to put together any form of title challenge. They managed that too, attempting to push Manchester City and Liverpool before it all became too much and the duo’s irrepressible consistency became impossible to match.

Yet there are holes. Kieran Trippier, at right-back, simply isn’t good enough. Serge Aurier, his deputy, isn’t much better. There has to be a better left-back than Ben Davies, while Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama, Erik Lamela and Fernando Llorente could all be upgraded this summer. The returning loanees, the likes of Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Josh Onomah, are not anywhere near the level of the first-team.

Cashing in, then, and refreshing the squad has to be a priority and, ironically, there is a blueprint that can be followed: Liverpool.

In 2017-18, they finished fourth and reached the Champions League final but they couldn’t get over the line, losing to Real Madrid as Salah’s injury and Loris Karius’ howlers proved too much. They reacted in the best possible way.

Klopp identified the areas in need of strengthening – goalkeeper, central midfield and the right wing – and the club got it done.

Alisson came in and briefly became the most expensive stopper in the world to boot. Fabinho was signed from Monaco and added some genuine steel to a midfield in dire need of it. Naby Keita, a dynamic presence and a perfect foil for both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, finally completed his long-mooted move from RB Leipzig, while Xherdan Shaqiri was signed from Stoke City and added depth behind the fabled front three.

They spent £177m in total and every penny looks worth it now. In the process, much like Tottenham’s current collection of deadwood, Dominic Solanke, Danny Ward, Ragnar Klavan, Danny Ings, Lazar Markovic, Jon Flanagan and Emre Can were all allowed to leave permanently.

Spurs have been linked with swoops for Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele, Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso and Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon and they would go a long way to following the example set by the triumphant Reds.

Ndombele, particularly, is the player that could take them to the next level; this is a genuinely world-class midfielder and would be a marked improvement on both Dier and Wanyama. In turn, one or both of the immobile defensive midfielders could be binned.

There is no room for sentiment this summer and in that sense, one feels that the Champions League final defeat could be something of a blessing in disguise.

Had they won, it would have been 23 Spurs heroes taking to the podium, all looking to get their hands on the trophy.

As it is, it was a tired team that is in need of refreshing being beaten by a better-funded XI who ultimately deserved the victory.

If they are to ensure that they return to the final and push on in the Premier League, Spurs need to pour cash into the starting XI and axe those who simply aren’t good enough, just as Liverpool did 12 months ago.

Their defeat will only help in that regard.

[ad_pod ]

It has already been one year since the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and for Harry Maguire, it was a truly special one.

Leicester City’s star defender was mostly unknown to the bigger fish of the footballing pond until Gareth Southgate miraculously introduced him to the world on the biggest stage of them all.

18 June was the one-year anniversary of the start of a journey that would change his life and bring massive joy to all of England and he took to

/By2eD3JJJvZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram to pay tribute to it.

Unfortunately, football didn’t really come home to England as the Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup after their defeat to the eventual finalists, Croatia, but that fantastic run did put the spotlight on Maguire, who has been in demand ever since.

Could Harry Maguire be on his way to Old Trafford? Check out the video below to see why it would make so much sense…

Manchester United are the team most intrigued by the defender’s skill set and their transfer drama is yet to come to its conclusion.