All posts by h716a5.icu

After being in and out of the Tottenham side for the first-half of this season, Eric Dier has firmly established himself as a key part of Jose Mourinho’s starting eleven.

The England international has been redeployed as a centre-back by the Spurs boss since the Premier League’s restart, and had completed the full 90 minutes in the north London side’s opening four top-flight games.

But with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2021, Dier’s long-term future has been up for debate. And now, according to The Daily Mail, the Spurs man has left the club in shock after demanding “at least double his current salary”.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

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The report claims that the versatile ace wants to stay in north London given his relationship with Mourinho, but that Daniel Levy “has been taken aback by Dier’s expectation of a wage more than double the £60,000-a-week he currently earns”.

And after hearing about the latest update on his future, Spurs fans flocked to Twitter to share their reactions.

A few Spurs fans couldn’t quite believe how Dier has the nerve to ask for a substantial pay rise, and questioned how someone who hasn’t played that much over the past couple of seasons could demand a new deal.

Some Spurs fans suggested that they have had enough of Dier, and urged the club to get rid of him, with one supporter even claiming that he “shouldn’t even be in the PL”.

One Spurs fan went a step further by calling on Dier to take Mourinho with him.

With all the financial problems posed by the current situation surrounding the world, what may have potentially been a reasonable demand last summer, feels far more difficult now.

If Mourinho sees Dier as an integral part of his first-team, then it’s up to Levy to sanction a new contract for him and provide his manager with the backing.

Paying way more than £100k-a-week for a player to just sit on the bench, or as just a rotation piece, just doesn’t sit so well.

Everton may have finally found their successor to the industrious Idrissa Gana Gueye with fresh reports emerging from Italy this week.

What’s the word?

According to Corriere del Mezzogiorno, via Sport Witness, the Toffees remain keen on signing Napoli midfielder Allan in the summer and the Serie A outfit are already eyeing up potential replacements, which surely means the door is opening for a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti.

One of the players mooted with a switch to the Italian club is actually former Everton Nikola Vlasic, who is now at CSKA Moscow.

Although no fee has been mentioned in the report, TuttoNapoli cite €40m (£36m) as being enough to secure the Brazilian’s services, but they claim Hertha Berlin and Atletico Madrid are also interested.

Gana void

The Merseysiders have failed to replace Gueye after he left for Paris Saint-Germain last summer. The departing Morgan Schneiderlin ranks first for tackles amongst Ancelotti’s current midfield options and the Frenchman has already left for Nice.

Under the 61-year-old at Napoli last season, Allan was a brutal enforcer having averaged a whopping 6.3 tackles per game in the Champions League as well as 4.3 per match in the Europa League and 3.2 in Serie A, via WhoScored.

His national team head coach, Tite, compared the lynchpin to Arturo Vidal, stating that he “is good in transition, going box to box, leading counterattacks and breaks. He’s mobile and brings protection defensively.”

This sounds an awful lot like what Gueye did for the Toffees during his three years at the club.

It’s that sort of work rate and defensive ability that is currently lacking in Ancelotti’s engine room, so signing a player he knows all too well seems like it would be an absolute no-brainer for Marcel Brands and co.

AND in other news, Revealed: The referees Everton will want to see more of in future…

Leeds United’s latest reported move could spell an all too familiar disaster and Victor Orta will be to blame.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Yorkshire giants are one of a few teams in pursuit of Liverpool winger Harry Wilson, who is believed to be available for £20m.

It’s claimed that the Premier League champions do not want to loan him out again and would rather sell him on for some tidy profit with both Southampton and Newcastle United also in the hunt.

This year, Wilson has been on his fourth loan at AFC Bournemouth, who were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season.

JKA 2.0

In short, this is absolutely a move that United should steer well clear of as it bears all the hallmarks of being another Jean-Kevin Augustin situation – if not worse.

Yes, it can be said that Leeds need strength in depth, but perhaps out wide should be the least of their concerns after the glimpses Ian Poveda displayed in the final few matches of the campaign.

£20m is a lot of money to spend on a player that’s primarily going to sit on the bench behind Jack Harrison and Helder Costa – in the same way that the obligation to buy for the Leipzig man is causing all sorts of headaches at Elland Road.

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He was never going to replace Marcelo Bielsa’s first-choice man Patrick Bamford and the fact that he was sent back prematurely only goes to show the blunder the club made on signing him in the first place.

Splashing out on Wilson is not something the Argentine needs to do especially given the current situation in central defence where skipper Liam Cooper looks like the only option.

Augustin is going to cost around £19m having played a total of just 48 minutes and you can’t help but feel a similar price for the Liverpool winger would end up in a similar tale – expensive fee; lack of game time.

Don’t forget, despite being “hugely impressive” for the Cherries, he was still part of the side that’s gone down. Not something the Whites need to replicate themselves.

AND in other news, Leeds can find their own Frank Lampard with this move…

When it comes to Arsenal, the last couple of weeks have been all about Gabriel and whether he will finally sign for the Gunners and make that long-awaited switch to the Premier League. However, it’s likely the defender won’t come cheap at all.

And for that reason, Mikel Arteta might have to sacrifice some other players in an attempt to balance the books and recoup some of that money they are likely to spend. According to a new report from The Times, Hector Bellerin is among five defenders who have been made available in the ongoing summer transfer market as Arsenal’s purge continues.

The 25-year-old right-back has been in and out of the squad due to various different injuries over the years but now seems to suddenly be expendable at the Emirates. This was echoed by an exclusive report from RMC Sport who claim Bellerin was even offered to Paris Saint-Germain who are also on a lookout for a new full-back in that area.

It was also said that even though the Parisiens are not an easy club to impress, Arsenal’s star fits the profile of what they need in their squad and that could prompt a move on their side.

However, despite the player having a contract until 2023, RMC mention it was the English side who proposed the player to the French outfit, meaning that Bellerin is indeed on the chopping list.

Verdict

He may not have had an incredibly successful run in the last couple of years but selling him at this point does seem like a weird move by Arteta. Since Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also set to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, that would leave Arsenal with only Cedric Soares available to plug those holes.

Of course, another option is to go into the market again and buy a new right-back as well. At this point, if both Niles and Bellerin are sold, the Gunners might indeed be forced to do exactly that.

Leeds United are the latest team to enter the race for one of the Championship’s most coveted stars if reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Yorkshire giants are keen on signing Brentford left-back Rico Henry but they face competition from old foes Aston Villa as well as Brighton and Hove Albion.

It’s claimed that the Bees could lose their first-choice defender following their defeat in the playoff final to local rivals Fulham last month.

Henry is valued at just £1.8m by Transfermarkt despite costing the west Londoners £5m in 2016.

Industrious

The 23-year-old featured in all 49 matches in the Championship last season where he averaged 1.9 clearances, 1.5 tackles, 0.8 dribbles and 0.7 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

His former boss at both Walsall and Brentford, Dean Smith, likened him to Chelsea great Ashley Cole and called him “something special” from the age of 16.

Currently, Marcelo Bielsa has Barry Douglas, Gjanni Alioski and the versatile Stuart Dallas in the role but Henry was one of the best performers in the Championship even above the Whites’ trio.

But of the three, only Douglas is the natural option yet is he going to be trusted in the top-flight after just six starts last season?

Henry seems to be the perfect fit for Elland Road in terms of age and attacking talent, so Bielsa would undoubtably be able to work his magic to develop him into a potential senior international.

It remains to be seen how much the Bees would want to part ways, however.

AND in other news, Leeds could complete defence fit for PL with Serie A swoop…

Portsmouth have missed out on the chance to bring Sammie Szmodics in to the club from Bristol City with Peterborough United said to have won the race for his signature.

Kenny Jackett’s failure to guide Pompey to a Championship promotion proved to be a second successive one and pressure is now firmly on the manager’s shoulders as the new season fast approaches.

Seeing a whole host of first team players leave Fratton Park earlier this summer, it was expected that Jackett would look to bring in some new faces but only three players have arrived in the shape of Sean Raggett, Cameron Pring and Callum Johnson.

Linked with a potential move for Szmodics, joining the likes of Sunderland with interest, Jackett has now seen rival League One club Peterborough United jump the gun.

Darren Ferguson’s side are said to have had a £1m-plus bid accepted by Szmodics’ parent club Bristol City.

The attacking midfielder made handful of appearances last term, spending time during the 2019/20 season on loan with League One side Peterborough, scoring four goals and providing four assist in 10 games.

Portsmouth fans will be excused for feeling a little bit concerned ahead of the new season. Pompey have made very little moves in the transfer window, other than strengthening their defence.

One thing Jackett must ensure is that his side finish in a play-off or better yet, automatic promotion place, and it remains to be seen if his current squad have the capability to do just that.

Missing out on Szmodics is a blow. He showed in his loan spell at the Posh last term that he can excel at this level, but Portsmouth must now identify other targets.

Do you think Kenny Jackett will bring any new players in before Saturday’s league opener? Let us know in the comments section below…

Leeds United could be about to break their club-record fee for a second time this transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Onda Cero radio, Marcelo Bielsa is considering a move for Levante midfielder Jose Campana who was once on the books at Crystal Palace.

The La Liga outfit won’t let the 27-year-old leave for less than €30m (£27.5m), though the player would love another crack in the Premier League.

Leeds have already failed in their attempts to sign Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul so it remains to be seen if Victor Orta will crack at this sort of fee.

Midfield reinforcement

Campana only played six times in the top-flight last time he was here, costing Palace just £1.75m back in 2013 but evidently his career has come on leaps and bounds since.

Last season, the former Spain U21 international was a key cog in Paco Lopez’s system – in 37 appearances, Campana provided two goals and seven assists whilst averaging two key passes, 1.7 dribbles and 1.2 shots per game, via WhoScored.

With Bielsa still lacking a Samuel Saiz type player to provide an alternative option to Pablo Hernandez, perhaps the 27-year-old maestro can fill that void at long last.

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter has described Campana as an “immense talent” in the past whilst BleacherReport claim he’s a “creative, flamboyant and incisive passer.”

Ex-Eagles boss Ian Holloway has also waxed lyrical about his credentials, upon signing him he said: “I think he’s a fantastic player, his maturity is unbelievable, and the way he plays the game is the way I believe it should be played. He’s going to be a great star of the future and the present.”

Campana is certainly more attacking than defensive and he could be the missing link to unlock fellow Spaniard Rodrigo at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Leeds handed boost over £13.5m colossus who Bielsa has wanted for TWO years…

A number of West Ham fans have been slating the club’s decision to allow both Josh Cullen and Jack Wilshere to leave before the transfer window closed.

Cullen secured a late move to join Belgian side RSC Anderlecht on a permanent basis, with the midfielder having left to try and get more regular first-team football elsewhere, after he came back to the Hammers in the summer following the end of a loan spell with Charlton Athletic.

The 24-year-old was an impressive performer for the Addicks, creating seven big chances and averaging two tackles per game, via Sofascore. However, he was unable to force his way into David Moyes’ starting line-up in the Premier League at the start of this campaign.

Wilshere left West Ham on transfer deadline day with his contract being terminated by mutual consent, after the one-time England midfielder made just 19 appearances for the Hammers since arriving at the club after leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2018.

A lot of West Ham supporters have been critical of the club’s decision which leaves them short on options in the midfield area, and leaves them at risk of being left short across midfield were they to pick up any injuries between now and the January window.

West Ham fans what do you make of losing both Cullen and Wilshere? Let us know your thoughts

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa rejected multiple loan bids for starlet Jacob Ramsey on deadline day.

What’s the word?

The 19-year-old has made four first-team appearances this season, including coming on as a substitute in the Premier League against Fulham.

But with there being significant competition for places in the central positions in midfield, there may have been questions about whether Ramsey would be better off getting consistent game-time elsewhere.

However, Football Insider have revealed that Dean Smith’s side put a block on him leaving amid several Championship clubs’ bid to take him on a season-long loan, with the same outlet later claiming that the Villa boss had told the teenager that he will have a key first-team role this campaign.

Huge call by Dean Smith

When it comes to young talents, the biggest call a manager will have to make is whether their development is best served by slowly embedding them into the first-team, or sending them out on loan to get regular game-time.

In Villa’s case with Ramsey, Smith may have just made a shrewd call. The club are flying high near the summit of the Premier League table, and all the positivity that comes with it will rub off on players, both old and young.

In the likes of Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley, Ramsey has a couple of England internationals who can play a leading role in his development both on and off the pitch, and help him realise his full potential.

Football Insider suggested that Smith sees the starlet as a special talent, and if he can continue to get some minutes in the Premier League over the next few weeks and months, then he will be all the better for it.

Villa have already seen what trusting in a homegrown talent can do in Grealish. Now is the time to do the same with Ramsey.

And in other news, this Aston Villa star could wreak havoc amid Leicester’s injury crisis.

Tottenham Hotspur have only a few hours left if they are to secure one final signing this transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Spurs are prepared to offer more in add-ons to Swansea City in the hope of securing central defender Joe Rodon before the 5pm deadline this evening.

However, it is thought that this would still fall short of the Championship outfit’s initial £18m valuation with Daniel Levy only offering £8m upfront.

Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, Swans boss Steve Cooper referenced Ben Godrey’s £25m move to Everton from league rivals Norwich City when talking about the 22-year-old’s potential worth.

Skriniar 2.0?

Having already missed out on one centre-back target, Levy would be a fool to repeat his mistake with Rodon.

Claims from Italy suggest that the Spurs chief failed in his attempts to lower the Inter colossus’ price down with the Serie A outfit taking a similar stance to his over Christian Eriksen.

And that has clearly come back to bite them.

Levy’s stubbornness has cost them one defensive solution, so he can’t let it happen again today.

Rodon’s exploits were on show in midweek as Wales kept a clean sheet against Bulgaria – he recorded five clearances and enjoyed 98% passing accuracy.

It is merely continuing his red-hot start to the season having averaged 7.8 clearances, 5.3 aerials won and 2.3 interceptions per game, via WhoScored.

Sky Sports have previously waxed lyrical over the young sensation, dubbing him a “special talent” with similarities to former Chelsea legend John Terry, who Jose Mourinho knows all too well.

Andy Hinchcliffe added: “You look at Ferdinand and Terry and there are elements of both in Rodon’s game. What I want from a centre-half is someone who loves to defend.”

Only one other team inside the Premier League’s top seven leaked more goals than Spurs last season whilst this term, Mourinho’s men are yet to keep a clean sheet.

Add in the departures of Jan Vertonghen and Juan Foyth, then it’s ever so clear that the north Londoners need another centre-back.

Levy cannot let this one slip.

AND in other news, Levy played a blinder with Andre Villas-Boas flop once valued at £45m…