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Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Sheffield United’s board were against the signing of Rhian Brewster.

Brewster was signed under former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder for big money, joining from Liverpool in a £23.5m deal last year.

However, the 21-year-old striker has really struggled in the Premier League this season, failing to score a goal all campaign.

Ultimately, it is a transfer that has simply not worked out yet, and Palmer is convinced the signing is one that the Sheffield United higher-ups were never fully on board with.

On Brewster, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday player told TT:

“The striker I believe that they signed from Liverpool, I think the board were against him [Wilder] bringing him in. He hasn’t really hit the ground running.

“But, you know, on another day that could have worked out. Now they’ve been relegated, that could work out for him. He could score shedloads in that division.”

Brewster was in prolific form during his last spell in the Championship, scoring 11 goals in 22 appearances for Swansea City back in the 2019/20 season.

Bearing that in mind, the England U21 international could still come good for the Blades and help fire them back up to the Premier League.

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes that Helder Costa may have played his last game for Leeds United ahead of a potential summer exit from Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Costa out for the season

The Whites picked up an impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday afternoon as their excellent first season back in the Premier League continues. Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo scored the goals for Leeds yesterday to put them ninth place in the table.

Costa was unavailable for the match, having been ruled out for the rest of the season with a back problem.

The Latest: Mills tips Costa to leave

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills gave a bleak outlook on the future of the £32,500-per-week-earning winger, admitting that he might not play again for Leeds:

“When you’re looking at the other players on the scene, the likes of Raphinha if he stays fit, he’s pretty much going to be one of the first names on the team-sheet.

“You’ve got Jack Harrison on the other side who’s been very, very consistent. You’ll be looking to add to the squad. Obviously, when Rodrigo comes back to full fitness, he’ll be there as well.

“My question would be, where does Helder Costa fit into that? And where does he play in the current system that Leeds have?

“I’m trying to work out who he is better than at the moment with a fully-fit squad. Off the back of that, if you bring in better players over the summer that pushes him further down the pecking order. He may not play again for Leeds.”

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The Verdict: Time to move on

In truth, it may benefit all parties for Costa to move on to pastures new this summer, considering he doesn’t appear to be a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans. He has only managed 13 league starts out of a possible 35 this season, and when everyone is fit, it is hard to envisage that changing.

If anything, he could feature even less should a new signing arrive to provide more competition out wide, such as Leeds-linked winger Noa Lang from Club Brugge.

Costa’s current contract doesn’t expire until 2024, so Leeds should be able to receive a healthy fee for him in the summer, which could then be spent on reinforcements who may have a greater impact.

In other news, some Leeds fans have been heaping praise on one player after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Spurs. Read more here.

Waterlooville 129 (Oliver 29, Wootton 24, Azor 3-18, Lamb 3-22) Paultons 130-5 (Richman 37, Darnton 24, Sergeant 24, Rudder 3-16)

SEPL20-May-2001Division OneLiphook & Ripsley 113 (Bulled 32, Berry 21, R Miller 4-14, Langdown 4-28)
Andover 115-5 (Langdown 51, R Miller 36)Bashley (Rydal) 286-5 (Loader 142, Thurgood 72, King 30)
South Wilts 243-6 (Rowe 68, Pauwells 52, Woodhouse 50, Wade 27)BAT Sports 182-7 (Kenway 83, Banks 32, Carson 25, Jenkins 4-54)
Burridge 125-8 (Ancell 27, Taylor 3-21)Calmore Sports 242-7 (Goode 129, Pegler 61, Maier 3-55)
Hungerford 244-7 (Laney 99, Radford 68, Motchall 3-33)Havant 185-8 (P Gover 63 n.o., Gillies 43, Waite 3-22)
Bournemouth 178-9 (Cassell 31, Loat 3-22)Division 2Portsmouth 194 (Keech 69, Prittipaul 56, A Birch 4-48, D Birch 3-2)
Easton & Martyr Worthy 125 (St Green 29, Stone 24, A Birch 24, Hayward 3-25)Hambledon 196 (Le Clerq 58, Finch 29, James 28)
Sparsholt 198-8 (Richings 72, Mariner 40 n.o., Turner 4-32)Old Basing 70 (Smith 5-19, Audsley 4-17)
Cove 71-2 (Crompton 47)Old Tauntonians & Romsey 100 (I Tulk 20, Douglas 4-24)
Trojans 103-6 (Mohammed 50 n.o., Donaldson 22 n.o., M Trodd 4-35)Lymington 259-6 (Craft 72, Trestrail 59, Clemow 44, Poling 3-42)
United Services 224 (Hounsome 55, Toogood 43, Geoghan 37, Clemow 3-40)Division ThreeAlton 169 (Oliphant 41, Morgan 29, Grierson 3-31)
Bashley (Rydal) 103 (Britton 33, Ballinger 3-14)Gosport Borough 181-6 ( )
Hook & Newnham Basics 96 ( )Havant 161 (Roads 58, B Adams 3-18, Edwards 3-58)
St Cross Symondians 148 (Parker 35, Postle 35, Barrett 34, Hole 3-32, Mist 3-35)Hursley Park 201-6 (Tremlett )
Flamingos 155 ( )Lymington II 199 ( )
United Services II 117 ( )Portsmouth II 193-8 ( )
New Milton 136 ( )Purbrook 137 (Pay 34, McCoy 32, M Taylor 4-41, Greetham 3-24)
Winchester KS 138-3 (J Taylor 69, Pay 3-32)Rowledge 185-8 (Morant 55, Eichler 52, Lloyd 34, Tomlinson 3-16)
Leckford 158-9 (Howard 72, Yates 5-33)Waterlooville 129 (Oliver 29, Wootton 24, Azor 3-18, Lamb 3-22)
Paultons 130-5 (Richman 37, Darnton 24, Sergeant 24, Rudder 3-16)

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane, potentially pipping Manchester United to a deal in the process.

The Lowdown: Trophy-laden career for Varane

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic career at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning four Champions League crowns, three La Liga titles and winning the World Cup with France in 2018.

Varane’s current Madrid contract expires in 2022, however, and he looks likely to enjoy a fresh challenge this summer.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Reds to rival United?

According to the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool could be set to rival United for the Frenchman’s signature, holding talks with his representatives over a move.

The report suggests that United will go ‘all out’ to sign Varane, however, suggesting they may be in pole position to snap him up in the summer transfer window, with Madrid valuing him at £60million.

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The Verdict: Hard to see happening

There is no denying Varane’s brilliance as a centre-back – Eden Hazard once called him ‘one of the best centre-backs of all time’  – but it is hard to see Liverpool paying a huge sum of money for him.

At 28, he wouldn’t be a long-term acquisition, and him coming in could halt Joe Gomez’s progress, with the defender hopefully returning from injury at the same level as before.

With Ibrahima Konate strongly rumoured to be arriving at Anfield, too, and Ozan Kabak’s loan deal possibly becoming permanent, there isn’t really the need to sign Varane.

In other news, some Liverpool fans were critical of one Reds player after the 4-2 win away to Man United. Find out who it is here.

After winning a place among the initial group of contracted state players for the 2001-02 domestic season, Ryan Campbell seems set to become one of the first beneficiaries of sweeping changes being made to the complexion of Western Australian state

John Polack14-Jun-2001After winning a place among the initial group of contracted state players for the 2001-02 domestic season, Ryan Campbell seems set to become one of the first beneficiaries of sweeping changes being made to the complexion of Western Australian state cricket.It is already beyond doubt that the Warriors will have a new Chief Executive, a new coach and a new captain this summer. And, in announcing the initial list of contract recipients for the season, it seems that the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) might well have rubber-stamped the emergence of Campbell as the team’s new deputy gloveman for Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist.Less than a month after he put to bed speculation that he might be moving to Victoria to accept a lucrative offer, Campbell has won the nod for a new contract with the Warriors ahead of Mark Walsh. Walsh was the preferred choice as wicketkeeper in Gilchrist’s absence from domestic first-class cricket for as many as eight matches last summer but appears to have become an early casualty of new coach Mike Veletta’s search for a better balanced outfit.Where the recently restructured state selection panel has shown itself to be more closely allied to the work of its predecessors is in continuing a policy of blooding young batting talent. After appearing in the two closing first-class games of 2000-01, 20-year old opener Scott Meuleman has won a full state contract for the first time, and 17-year old Shaun Marsh has retained his status as a contracted player. Following his senior debut in Warriors’ colours in the end-of-season Champions Cup one-day tournament, 21-year old batting all-rounder Peter Worthington is another to make the new list.Two of the state’s new rookie contracts also go to exciting young strokeplayers. Luke Ronchi, 20, is a wicketkeeper-batsman who has made impressive strides in recent years and looks poised to become the Warriors’ next long-term incumbent in the wicketkeeping position. Beau Casson, meanwhile, is a talented 18-year old right hander whose selection as Player of the Series at last summer’s national under-19 championship capped an outstanding career at underage level. Joining them on the rookie list is paceman Michael Thistle, a 20-year old right armer from the Bayswater-Morley club. Like Ronchi, Marsh and Meuleman, Thistle is among the elite band of scholarship holders currently based at the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy in Adelaide.In total, nine players from Western Australia’s group of contract holders last season have not been re-signed at this stage. They include batsmen Rob Baker and Chris Rogers and pace bowlers Mark Atkinson, Sean Cary, Steve Nikitaras and Gavin Swan. Batsman David Hussey has relocated to Victoria in a bid to advance his career, while another player missing from the list, Michael Dighton, has been linked to Tasmania in speculation about a possible off-season move.Walsh’s hopes of securing a new deal with the Warriors, meanwhile, are not completely lost as he may be in line to receive one of the four remaining contracts that the WACA is still set to award in the lead-up to the start of the new season in October. But officials in the West are said to be especially attracted to the idea of turning Campbell into a more regular member of the team following a season of frustration and in the wake of rumours of occasional bad blood between themselves and the hard-hitting 29-year old.The list of players with Western Australian state contracts for 2001-02 is: Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Brendon Julian, Stuart Karppinen, Shaun Marsh, Scott Meuleman, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Brad Oldroyd, Darren Wates, Brad Williams, Peter Worthington.Rookie contracts: Beau Casson, Luke Ronchi, Michael Thistle.ACB contracts: Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn.

Everton came into their clash with Manchester City on the final day needing to win in order to present themselves with the best possible opportunity of qualifying for Europe.

It was always going to be an arduous task against the new Premier League champions but few would have predicted the mess the Toffees got themselves into.

They were 2-0 down after 14 minutes and it got even worse as time went on, with them eventually losing 5-0.

It was a wretched end to the campaign but it just about summed up the inconsistencies that have plagued both Carlo Ancelotti and his players.

They were absolutely taken to the cleaners by City at the Etihad on Sunday as Sergio Aguero ended his Premier League career in supreme style by scoring twice.

Everton were hopeless defensively, ruing a mistake from Michael Keane early on and then some uncommitted work from Mason Holgate in the second period.

He was turned inside out by Aguero who then fired home expertly for their fourth goal.

However, the centre-back wouldn’t have been embarrassed in that style if Tom Davies hadn’t been dispossessed with a poor piece of play.

The midfielder was particularly abject and the way he was bullied off the ball summed up his lightweight day at the office.

He was weak and feeble in the middle of the park, winning just one of his five defensive duels during the course of the match. That meant Davies lost a whopping 80% against a rampant Manchester City midfield.

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The £32k-per-week Everton man won just a solitary tackle and was dribbled past on two separate occasions.

Davies has been inconsistent this season but this was arguably one his worst displays. Only Michael Keane (0%), lost a higher number of duels in the entire contest.

Ancelotti hasn’t selected a trio of midfielders in his starting XI very often this season but after the way they were brushed aside on Sunday, it’s unlikely he’ll try it again in 2021/22.

This was a horrendous end to the season for not only Davies, but everyone associated with the Merseyside outfit.

They will have to dust themselves off and go again next season. A few additions in the transfer market and they shouldn’t be far off the top six.

AND in other news, Brands must complete Everton swoop for £20m-rated “diamond”, he’s like a “Rolls-Royce”…

Southgate match abandoned, new height record for Hampshire

Vic Isaacs16-Jun-2001Middlesex and Hampshire had to settle for a draw, after heavy overnight rain and torrential showers in the morning, meant, despite the excellent efforts of the ground staff, that play would be impossible.With the batsmen on top after three days, the likelyhood of a winning result seemed unlikely. Hampshire led by 85 with all ten wickets outstanding overnight.One interesting factoid from a Hampshire point of view was the open bowling partnership of Chris Tremlett and Alex Morris. A combined height of 12’10” is thought to be by Hampshire scorer Vic Isaacs, Curator Neil Jenkinson and Handbook Editor Andrew Renshaw (all at Southgate), to be the tallest pair ever to open the bowling for Hampshire. Other tall players such as Malcolm Heath etc, have failed to emulate this feat with their partners.The record for Tremlett and Morris could be short lived, with the possibilty in the near future of the young Tremlett teaming up with England star Alan Mullally.

Manchester City fans have been reacting to comments from Harry Kane, who has said playing with Kevin De Bruyne would be a “striker’s dream”.

Kane recently dropped a bombshell when he revealed to Tottenham that he wishes to leave the club during the summer (Sky Sports). He has been terrific for Spurs, scoring 220 goals in 335 games for the north London outfit (Transfermarkt), but he is yet to win a single trophy during that time.

As such, a number of clubs have been linked with a move for the England captain, including Manchester City (The Guardian). Now, in a recent interview, he has praised the abilities of De Bruyne, calling him a “special, special player” while also suggesting he would like to play with the midfielder.

The comments were shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the quotes.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Kane below

“Oh bless him. He’s absolutely begging for it”

Credit: @c_ferrara

“Man is gunna go full ‘Grealish’ to get his dream transfer to us ya know ….”

Credit: @la_tarrant

“My god, he is twerking more than Grealish for city”

Credit: @Parth_MCFC

“Honestly, I’ve made up my mind that Kane will be a city player in the summer. Just hope it happens bc I’d be terribly disappointed if it doesn’t.”

Credit: @Wally_WestFlash

“At this point he may aswell be holding the shirt up!”

Credit: @majorramblings

“kanes twerking rotten for us here”

Credit: @wmaxxw

In other news, Man City fans want to sign this man.

THE Matabeleland Under-16 side got off to a good start when they beatMashonaland B by two wickets on the first day of the Zimbabwe Cricket UnionSchools cricket festival

Mehluli Sibanda02-Apr-2002Falcon College in Esigodini:THE Matabeleland Under-16 side got off to a good start when they beatMashonaland B by two wickets on the first day of the Zimbabwe Cricket UnionSchools cricket festival. In the day’s other match Mashonaland A andMashonaland Country Districts played out a draw.Mashonaland B won the toss and elected to bat first. They struggled andwere eventually bundled out for 140 in 47.5 overs. Nicholas Mwayenga wasthe top scorer with 38 runs, with captain Archibald Chirinda close behindwith 32 runs. Chirinda however failed to lead by example, as when on 22 hewas given out caught behind to Russell Kambarami but he refused to walk offthe pitch. He was allowed to go on but did not last as he fell to the samebowler.Kambarami was the pick of the Matabeleland bowlers with five for 59 in 16overs. But Ntuthuko Mcingolwane was the best bowler with four for 24 in13.5 overs, including five maidens. He was outstanding with his pace andin-swingers that gave the Mashonaland B batsmen a torrid time.In reply Matabeleland seemed as if they would fall short of their easytarget when they started losing wickets easily. Kambarami was outstandingwith the bat as with the ball. The Falcon schoolboy was the Matabelelandtop scorer with 59 runs to add to his five wickets. The Matabelelandtail-enders held their nerve and guided their team to a sweet victory.Kambarami won the prize for the man of the match.The Mashonaland A and Districts match ended in a draw as it failed toproduce a meaningful result in the normal time. Districts won the toss andelected to bat first, going on to score 258 in 55 overs, with man of thematch Glen Querl top-scoring for them with 81 runs. In reply Mashonaland Acould manage 89 for four in 37 overs.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Wolves striker Steve Bull thinks his old side could look at Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui in their bid to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno shocked supporters when it was announced on Wolves’ website last week that the 47-year-old will be leaving the club after four successful years at Molineux.

It, of course, leaves the Midlands outfit needing a new manager, and various reports have suggested that ex-Benfica boss Bruno Lage is one of the frontrunners to succeed his compatriot.

Bull, however, would not be surprised to see his old club turn to someone like Lopetegui, who has been getting mentioned by supporters on Twitter.

Asked by TT whether he could see chairman Jeff Shi and Jorge Mendes headhunting the 54-year-old Sevilla manager for the position, the Wolves legend said:

“I think so, I think so. There’ll be names bandied left, right and centre. If [Jose] Mourinho was free, you would have dropped him in the hat as well. But, you know, it’s just a lottery at the moment.

“I’m like all the other Wolves fans, waiting with bated breath to see what’s happened or what’s going to happen in the future.”

Lopetegui came close to joining Wolves back in 2016, something he previously confirmed to the MailOnline.

The Spaniard has managed his country, Real Madrid and, of course, Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in 2020, so he would be quite some appointment for Wolves.