All posts by z3u9t.icu

Chelsea are thought to be in talks with former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, according to Blues reporter Simon Phillips.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles supporters have been giving their thoughts to the rumour on social media.

According to Phillips, Hennessey is viewed as a possible replacement for Willy Caballero at Stamford Bridge to serve as third-choice under Thomas Tuchel.

The Welshman’s Selhurst Park deal has now expired and he is now a free agent.

The 34-year-old made 132 appearances for Palace after joining in 2014 from Wolves. He only featured once under Roy Hodgson last season, though and wasn’t in the squad for the majority of Premier League fixtures.

It seems as if he could now move across the capital and sign for Chelsea, with Phillips unsure as to how far advanced talks are.

Palace fans react

Both @cpfc_xtra and @CPFCtransfersHQ shared the links on Hennessey on Thursday evening, the day he became a free agent.

This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with one labelling the news as ‘hilarious’.

“Surely not”Credit: @SianL_”It ain’t April fools again is it?”Credit: @hudders1971″HUH”Credit: @Bunds_”Hilarious”Credit: @audreysprayer”Have they actually seen him play?”Credit: @RomfordRoger”LOL WHAT”Credit: @wakefieldviking

In other news: Many CPFC fans react at enquiry for £14.4m-rated ace ‘like Foden’, find out more here. 

Tottenham may be in the midst of a virus sweeping through their camp but that won’t stop Antonio Conte, Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy from devising their blueprints ahead of the transfer window.

A host of names have been linked but it’s in the middle of the park where they could look to focus on.

Franck Kessie continues to be linked with Spurs and it’s hardly a surprise with Tanguy Ndombele’s future in doubt as usual.

On the chalkboard

Ndombele has been a constant source of frustration for many a Spurs manager now with several coaches wondering how on earth they can get the best out of him.

The Frenchman had a supposed falling out with Jose Mourinho and he came close to leaving the club as a result.

He has been an outside figure at the club ever since and despite his best attempts to be involved, a move away seems likely. A move to Juventus has been touted while it’s even been claimed that Antonio Conte is prepared to offload him after making a quick decision following his arrival in north London.

If Ndombele does seek pastures new, a replacement will be needed in central areas. One player they’ve been linked with is Lille dynamo Renato Sanches and he could be the ideal replacement in the middle of the park.

Spurs’ current club-record signing is very much known for towering above his opponents while making powerful surges forward. He combines that with technical elegance that makes him such a beautiful player to watch.

In Sanches, however, they’d find someone with all of those attributes but with the right mentality and commitment.

So far this season, the 24-year-old has registered 0.6 shots, 1.4 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per game, numbers that are certainly similar in some regard to Ndombele who has managed 1.3 shots, 0.4 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per match.

On that evidence, Sanches is the more creative but there are certain parallels in the way they carry possession forward.

Speaking to Football Insider last summer, Kevin Campbell was full of praise for the youngster, saying:

“The young man deserves a huge amount of credit for the way he has bounced back. It feels like he has been around for a decade but he is only 23. It is incredible.

“He has had to reinvent himself a bit but he is a fantastic player. He is strong, powerful and is a great ball carrier.”

Those quotes could quite easily describe Ndombele and so could words from TMW writer Antonio Tiziano Palmieri who once dubbed Sanches a “giant.”

If he arrives at Spurs this winter, he certainly has the ability to be an enormous presence and if he helps replace Ndombele in the process, the £27m-rated titan would be a marvellous pick up by Paratici and co.

AND in other news, “Tottenham are..” – Fabrizio Romano issues exciting transfer claim, fans surely elated…

Wolves are favourites to beat Tottenham to the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Palhinha move

The 26-year-old is one of Sporting’s most influential players, scoring three goals in 22 Primeira Liga appearances this season and being hailed as a ‘special’ player by his manager Ruben Amorim.

Palhinha has been linked with a summer move to Wolves as Bruno Lage looks to add more to his quality to his squad, ensuring that his side continue their current trajectory.

However, the midfielder’s current deal at Sporting expires in the summer of 2026, so a big fee may be required to prise him away given the cushion of that lengthy contract.

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The Latest: Jones makes fresh Palhinha claim

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Wolves are the front-runners to snap up Palhinha ahead of fourth-placed Spurs. He claimed:

“Wolves are definitely in the hunt for people like that, and I think Tottenham were interested in Palhinha. But I would imagine that Wolves would probably have the jump on them for a player like that, to be honest.”

The Verdict: Neves replacement?

It looks increasingly likely that Ruben Neves could move on to a fresh challenge this summer, in which case it is imperative that a top-quality replacement comes in.

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Palhinha could be exactly that, possessing a similar standard of playmaking ability in the middle of the park, enjoying a 91.9% pass completion rate for Portugal at Euro 2020 last summer.

His Portuguese roots could also allow him to fit in seamlessly at Molineux and, at 26 with more than 200 club career appearances, he has a perfect mix of experience and still having many years left in him.

In other news, Tim Spiers has provided a double Wolves injury update. Read more here

A number of Liverpool fans have hit out at the first-half performance of Divock Origi on social media during Wednesday’s meeting with Preston North End. 

Jurgen Klopp rang the changes from the 5-0 Premier League win over Manchester United on the weekend, naming a completely different XI which included a senior debut for Harvey Blair and a full debut for Tyler Morton.

However, it was Origi’s display that had a number of supporters talking online, and not for the right reasons either. The 26-year-old was making his fifth appearance of the campaign, playing in a front three alongside Blair and Takumi Minamino.

Origi netted and provided an assist in the previous round against Norwich but struggled in the early stages at Deepdale. He’s played just two minutes of Premier League action this season and appeared rusty, hardly touching the ball and losing possession on six of his 12 touches. [Sofa Score]

Liverpool fans react

Here is what these Liverpool supporters had to say about the Belgian forward on Twitter, with one labelling him as ‘useless’.

“Origi is awful”

Credit: @Aran0123

“Origi is dreadful”

Credit: @FIairrr

“Origi disasterclass imagine my shock ”

Credit: @gotmergim

“Origi should not be here”

Credit: @_18Robbo92_

“This is why Klopp doesn’t use Origi when we need goals, he’s useless”

Credit: @J_wicks21

“Origi move your bum and make a run mate”

Credit: @vineetandtidy

In other news: ‘Could be the next Mo’ – These Liverpool fans erupt at ‘great’ transfer news. 

West Ham United may need to take on fresh loans to fund transfers if Daniel Kretinsky’s money continues to be tied up in Russia, further dealing a huge blow to the potential takeover of the east London club.

The Lowdown: Recent developments

Kreintsky acquired a 27% stake in the Irons for approximately £180m last November. This deal was completed with the intention of a full takeover in 2023, following the expiration of a windfall tax clause.

However, a West Ham source has now informed Football Insider that sanctions on Russian business has meant that the Czech businessman is unable to access vast amounts of his money. As a result, the Hammers’ summer transfer plans are now in jeopardy.

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The Latest: Maguire’s claim…

Football finance guru Kieran Maguire has suggested that Kretinsky could use private loans as a temporary measure to fund any transfer activity this summer.

Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed: “The aim of West Ham’s owners historically is that they’ve been relatively self-sufficient in the transfer market.

“If Kretinsky was planning to put on the afterburners in the transfer market, this could delay things a bit.

“But 2023-24 is still a few transfer windows away and the geopolitical situation will likely have changed by then. Instead of increasing equity investment, the money is likely to come from loans.

“Individual investors can still spend as much as they choose, but it would come into the club through debt.”

The Verdict: Could be a big blow

If Kreintsky is reluctant to take on new loans to fund his stake in the club, this could prove to be a huge blow for everyone involved with the Hammers.

West Ham posted a pre-tax loss of £26.9m in their last set of accounts, so further financial burden will not reckon well with the Premier League.

Whilst transfers may be affected more imminently, the long-term proposition of a full club takeover could now be in jeopardy. Therefore, West Ham must do all that they can to sort out the situation as soon as feasibly possible.

In other news: Roshane Thomas shares his concern with one West Ham player’s form

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has confirmed that Leeds United defender Luke Ayling will require surgery ahead of the Whites’ Premier League clash against Watford on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The right-back had played the full 90 minutes in every single top-flight game this season for Marcelo Bielsa’s side before he was forced off in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park a couple of weeks ago.

The 30-year-old then missed the subsequent clash at West Ham last time out, and Hay has now revealed that as well as missing today’s game against Watford, Ayling will require surgery to fix an issue in his knee.

Writing on Twitter, the journalist confirmed: “Ayling has a knee injury. That requires what Bielsa called “simple” surgery (a clean-out job, essentially).”

Fans will be gutted

Ayling has been a virtual ever-present for Leeds and arguably their Mr Reliable, having played the full 90 minutes in every single Premier League game last season bar one – and even that was when Bielsa decided to take him off him to try and find a goal in the last 20 minutes against ten-man Arsenal.

The versatile defender also wore the captain’s armband on 12 occasions last year, and his leadership at the back is something the Whites could really do with given the tough, winless start they have endured to begin this Premier League campaign.

Described as a “great technician” by former Arsenal academy team-mate Cedric Evina, Ayling’s absence from the Leeds side cannot be underestimated, with Bielsa saying after Leeds’ 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last October that the right-back “transmitted serenity to the rest of the team”.

He will once again be missed today, but the reports that he now requires surgery are sure to have both Bielsa and the club’s fans very worried about the amount of time he could miss and how many games he could be ruled out for amid this tricky run.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

Many Wolves fans have been left reacting to some comments made by Patrick Cutrone.

Speaking to Sky Italy (via Talking Wolves), the striker commented on his imminent loan move to Empoli in the Serie A:

“Happy to be back in Italy. I chose Empoli because it’s a great club and a great place to play football. I tell the fans that I am really fired up: I can’t wait to get to know you all, get on the pitch & tear things up.”

Some members of the Molineux faithful were left confused by him claiming that he will ‘tear things up’, given his troubled time at the Midlands club, in which he has only managed to score just a mere three goals in 28 games in total over all competitions across the last two seasons (Transfermarkt), and he has been shipped out on loan to both Fiorentina and Valencia respectively.

Nonetheless, Cutrone does not seem too enthusiastic to stay at the Wanderers judging by his latest comments, and so it may be a wise idea for them to move him on permanently after his loan spell ends.

Wolves fans on Cutrone comments

These WWFC supporters gave their reactions as the comments were shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that Cutrone is a ‘joker’:

“For a starters mate. Tear up your Wolves contract and everything will be sweet”

Credit: @charliewwfc_

“Couldn’t tear a piece of paper dafty”

Credit: @wwfcrhys

“Who does this guy think he is?”

Credit: @kyewazza

“When has he ever torn things up?”

Credit: @danielcmila

“Tear things up … Behave”

Credit: @trev291

“How many years has this joker got left on his contract?”

Credit: @silentbob1957

In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers fuming here!

Liverpool’s UEFA Youth League line-up may have given clues as to who’ll be involved against FC Porto, The Athletic’s Simon Hughes writes. 

The lowdown

Liverpool are due to the face the Primeira Liga side on Wednesday night knowing that they’ve already secured progression to the Round of 16 as group winners.

That could give Jurgen Klopp the chance to rotate his side prior to the weekend’s Premier League clash with Southampton.

Klopp said in his pre-match press conference he would think about ‘ourselves, our schedule and the situation of our players’ when choosing his side.

The latest

Hughes points out that Marc Bridge-Wilkinson selected Kaide Gordon, Owen Beck and Connor Bradley for the Under-19s’ corresponding clash with Porto earlier in the day.

“I can’t see them playing tonight,” he says.

However, ‘interestingly’, Tyler Morton and James Balagizi are ‘not involved’ against the Portuguese side.

In theory, then, they should be available for the senior clash at Anfield.

The verdict

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Morton feature from the start in what is effectively a dead-rubber fixture.

The midfielder has played in both of Liverpool’s EFL Cup ties and made his Premier League debut last weekend with a brief run-out in the 4-0 victory over Arsenal (via Transfermarkt).

In his programme notes for Wednesday’s game, Klopp described the 19-year-old as ‘very special’.

Perhaps the signs are pointing towards a full Champions League debut.

In other news, fans react to the club’s January transfer decision.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been included in FIFA 22’s latest Team of the Week following his displays for Argentina during the international break.

Villa shared the news on Twitter, and, as to be expected, many Villa fans were quick to praise the shot-stopper as a result.

Martinez, who has featured in all but one of Villa’s Premier League games this season, earned his 13th and 14th caps for his country, helping them qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The 29-year-old didn’t concede a goal in a win over Uruguay and a stalemate with Brazil and has been included in EA Sports’ Team of the Week alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

Martinez’s new in-form card is rated at 86, two higher than his base card which was released at the beginning of the series.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply to Martinez’s card, with one saying his son will be ‘buzzing’ at the update, while another labelled the fan favourite as a ‘phenomenon’.

“You just love to see it”

Credit: @branvilladon

“The bloke is a phenomenon”

Credit: @markwalker1985

“YES!!! Give me him red”

Credit: @AlexLeeXXI

“Oh that’s filthy”

Credit: @ajbyrne_avfc

“My son will be buzzing”

Credit: @designs_HR

“Absolutely gorgeous”

Credit: @ChukwuemekaSZN

“WWWWW”

Credit: @AVFCJJC

In other news: Lots of Aston Villa fans flock to Leon Bailey injury news. 

According to a Tottenham Hotspur source via Football Insider, managing director Fabio Paratici is working on ‘multiple deals simultaneously’ with the club in ‘final talks’ over a few players.

The Lowdown: Paratici at work…

Pictured on his phone throughout Tottenham’s pre-season friendly with Colchester United on Wednesday evening, the Italian transfer guru seemingly never stops working.

The 2021/2022 season is fast approaching and Spurs will need to strengthen sufficiently in key areas before Nuno Espirito Santo’s first full campaign in charge.

Tottenham are now said to be working on multiple signings after a very busy week of transfer activity, with Pierluigi Gollini, Cristian Romero, Bryan Gil and Takehiro Tomiyasu the names on Paratici’s agenda.

The Latest: Spurs source drops quadruple final talks claim…

In quite an exciting claim, a Spurs source has told Football Insider that ‘final talks’ have been taking place over all four men at once as Paratici attempts multiple signings simultaneously for Nuno.

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Indeed, the former Juventus chief is apparently ‘renowned’ for negotiating for as many as five players to strengthen a single position at the same time – ensuring he manages to capture at least one of his top targets.

Even though it is ‘possible’ all deals may not be completed, particularly in defence with both Tomiyasu and Romero on the agenda, it is ‘highly likely’ at least one of these centre-backs will sign for Tottenham.

Gollini now appears certain to be first through the door at this stage, having undergone medical examinations ahead of his move (Sky Sports).

The Verdict: Exciting claim…

News of Paratici being in ‘final talks’ on a plethora of separate deals should come as music to the ears of Tottenham fans.

At one stage of the summer, Tottenham were without a manager and any new signings whilst seemingly looking like they were getting nowhere with either, plummeting towards a potentially disastrous transfer window.

Now, as Nuno enters the helm, another new appointment in Paratici could provide hope for the 21/22 campaign as he gets to work freshening up the squad.

In other news: ‘News regarding Tottenham’…Sky Sports drop big transfer update on live TV, find out more here.