All posts by h716a5.icu

When Leeds failed to get Kemar Roofe’s contract wrapped up in time, it was a bitter blow for Marcelo Bielsa.

Roofe finished the 2018/19 campaign as the club’s top scorer on 15 goals but then left for pastures new.

He picked up the phone from a certain Vincent Kompany and joined the former Manchester City captain at Anderlecht. His spell ended after just a year, however.

The striker is now at Rangers and in the process of scoring ten strikes, he has put the Gers in a position to usurp Celtic and win the Scottish Premiership.

Arguably, Leeds have never been able to replace what he brought to their attack. They have attempted to do so with both Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Kevin Augustin, but they started a combined two league games for the Whites.

One of Roofe’s key qualities was pace. He used ruthless speed and quick thinking inside the penalty area to fashion goal scoring opportunities. The 28-year-old, unlike Patrick Bamford, could play on the shoulder. He also had eye-catching dribbling skills and close touch control.

It was these aspects that Eddie Gray thought Bielsa’s team would miss when he was injured in February 2019. He said: “It’s a blow for a number of reasons, goalscoring obviously. He’s lead the line well, but he’s got that little bit of pace. It is something we [Leeds] have not got in abundance. Real pace. I’m talking about, like Norwich pace.”

Indeed, despite Raphinha, it’s hard to say Bielsa has much speed in the final third. Of course, they move the ball incredibly quickly but in terms of athletic abilities, there isn’t a great deal in Leeds’ current squad.

That being said, they could finally make moves to finding their new Roofe in the January window.

United have been linked with a move for Montpellier forward Andy Delort, someone who could improve their forward line in a whole host of different ways.

For starters, he is a goal scorer. Delort has found the net on nine occasions this term and has also helped himself to six assists in the process. “He [Delort’s dad] always wanted me to be a striker,” the ten cap Algerian admitted last year.

Delort continued: “I wouldn’t say he forced me, but he pushed me towards that and helped me develop that love of scoring. I used to practice with my Dad and he’d say to me ‘if you miss the target two more times we’re going home’ and that threat ensured I kept hitting the target.”

Certainly this season he is demonstrating that love for beating the goalkeeper. Though, it’s his remarkable pace and dribbling that provide us with the closest similarities to Roofe.

The £27k-per-week earner has performed one dribble per match this season – just 0.3 more than the former Leeds striker’s career average, but crucially he can get beyond a defender. Delort was clocked as the fastest player in Ligue 1 last term, usurping even the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

He is a ruthless striker and life Roofe, would offer Bielsa the ability to run in behind. Having a different option to Bamford as the season goes on cannot be underestimated.

AND in other news, Leeds can fix one of Bielsa’s big problems with swoop for “powerful” £41k-p/w titan…

Many Liverpool fans reacted in delight after an image involving Diogo Jota was revealed.

The 24-year-old has not featured for the Reds since December after picking up a knee injury during his side’s 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League, where they had already qualified for the Last 16.

Hours before Jurgen Klopp’s side took on Brighton on Wednesday night, the club’s official Twitter account revealed an image of Jota back out on the training ground, and looking rather happy about it too with two thumbs up. But there is still no clear indication as to when the Portugal international will make his return to action.

Jota moved to Liverpool back in September for £41m and was on a solid run of form – scoring nine goals from 10 starts in all competitions before he picked up his knock.

With this in mind, supporters loved what they saw and was seen as a huge boost in light of their recent goal drought, making their feelings clear on social media.

Fans drool over Jota image

“Come on you beauty. Hopefully, you’ll be back in 1 week or 2!”

Credit: @01mJulian

“Omg I’m shedding real tears”

Credit: @strickyfootball

“league ain’t ready”

Credit: @lfcthursto

“Title back on”

Credit: @_LFCMarcus_

“Diogoooooooooooo”

Credit: @Flash430

“Such a wonderful sight!”

Credit: @Adeolaaa_

In other news, Star left gutted after missing out on dream move to Liverpool on Deadline Day.

Celtic defender Hatem Abd Elhamed is reportedly set for a move back to his native Israel after struggling to adapt to life away from his family. Neil Lennon confirmed to Sky Sports that a permanent transfer is close to being completed and the £14,000 per week defender will be calling time on his era in Scotland.

The Celtic boss said: “He has had a really difficult time. His wife and young son are back in Israel and life away from the training ground and the club has been very difficult for him. I think the deal is almost agreed. We wish him all the very best.”

Whilst this is a move that will hugely benefit the player, the Hoops will be in a very sticky situation without having him as an option in their roster. Aside from Kristoffer Ajer, their other senior central defenders have either been out of form, or out injured, with Shane Duffy finally dropped to the bench after a series of woeful displays, Christopher Jullien on the treatment table, and Nir Bitton a midfielder having to play at the back.

It’s meant that Lennon has been forced to call upon youth team captain Stephen Welsh to fill the gaping hole in his defence. Fortunately, the 20-year-old has put in back-to-back solid performances in the Premiership, contributing to two wins and scoring against Motherwell last time out.

However, once Duffy’s loan move comes to an end, Celtic will have a lack of  options in the heart of their defence. This could even go down to one as transfer talks surrounding Ajer continue to swirl. A recent report claimed that AC Milan are eager to snatch up the Norwegian powerhouse and after Celtic’s disappointing season, he could be very tempted to make the move.

The Bhoys were hoping to strengthen their ranks during the January transfer window after a disappointing 2020/21 season will almost certainly see them give up their title status to rivals Rangers. Their Glaswegian neighbours currently boast a mammoth 21-point lead in the Premiership table and just have to bide their time before they lift the trophy.

However, main January target Ben Davies made a last-minute switch in his plans and joined Liverpool from Preston North End instead. Despite reports claiming that Celtic had reached agreements with Davies over a summer move, he opted for a Premier League move in the end.

With no new defensive personnel on the books, Duffy set to leave and Elhamed also departing, Lennon and his team could be in serious trouble unless they go to town in the summer transfer window.

Jeremie Frimpong’s exit was only patched up by a loan deal for Everton’s Jonjoe Kenny, so there has yet to be any permanent additions to the back-line.

With Peter Lawwell retiring and leaving his post in the summer, Dominic McKay will be taking over his role, and signing off on some much-needed defensive reinforcements must be at the top of his agenda when the transfer window opens again, especially now that the 6 foot 2 Elhamed is set for an exit.

In other news, Stephen Welsh shines for Celtic in narrow Motherwell win…

Many Liverpool fans have been left to fume at a report from the Daily Mirror that Steven Gerrard is being lined up to replace Jurgen Klopp.

As per the news outlet, there are increasing doubts over the future of the German boss at the Anfield faithful, as there is an apparent growing belief that he would accept the job of succeeding Joachim Low as the Germany international manager.

Klopp is under pressure already to get the Reds to finish in the UEFA Champions League spots come the end of the 2020/21 term, with the Premier League title looking like it is going to go back to Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Gerrard is currently doing very well at Rangers at the moment as they are in the next stage of the UEFA Europa League and look pretty much nailed on to win the Scottish Premiership title off of the hands of Celtic.

An LFC legend, it may be very hard for him to turn down the job if it was offered to him in the future.

Liverpool fan reaction to Klopp report

These Kopites fumed upon learning of the report on Twitter, as they feel as if Klopp should be given more time given he has won both the Premier League and the Champions League for the Merseyside club:

“Way too early, don’t make the same mistake Lampard made.”

Credit: @fxqial

“Delete this post. What is wrong with the English media? Kloppo literally is just going through a rough phase on and off. this is very disrespectful from such a big media outlet to even mention this.”

Credit: @theKloppEnd2

“Don’t go the way of Chelsea with Frank Lampard. Let Klopp be”

Credit: @RealOtmac

“Too soon! I don’t want a situation like Lampard at Chelsea.”

Credit: @benr1892

“Absolute disrespect of this story. The things Klopp has done for #LFC and could anyone cope with the injuries and the death of his mother. Hope and expect Klopp to be our manager for at least a few more seasons.”

Credit: @LFC6Times2019

“I’ll stop supporting Liverpool if this happens then”

Credit: @EltxnFtbl

In other news, find out what transfer update has been lauded by Liverpool fans here!

Wolves winger Adama Traore and his chances of being picked for the Spain squad for Euro 2020 are faltering, according to reports.

Bad to worse for Traore

The 25-year-old has failed to register any goal contributions of any kind during the 2020/21 campaign and is without a goal since October 2019.

Despite this, Traore still managed to score four times and provide nine assists last season – which saw him pick up his first cap for his country.

However, Spanish news outlet ABC revealed that Traore is in a losing battle to be selected to represent Spain in the European Championships this summer.

Described as a player who is “hard to stop” by manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Traore continues to be trusted by his manager despite some fans wanting him to leave last month.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Those concerns of his chances of further international duty are, unfortunately, justified at this stage.

There has been a lot of talk about Traore’s future despite his slump in form, with the likes of Liverpool, Leeds United and Manchester City all interested in his services.

As it stands, Traore will have to go on a mammoth scoring run to be considered both by his national manager and by the aforementioned clubs in the transfer window.

In other news, Wolves fans react to Tim Spiers’ claim on Nuno’s squad implementation.

According to a report by The Sun journalist Martin Blackburn, via City Xtra, Manchester City are ‘likely’ to target new left-backs in the summer regardless of what happens with current option Benjamin Mendy – with his future now looking ‘increasingly uncertain’. 

The Frenchman has only been used sporadically throughout City’s 2020/2021 campaign, starting just six Premier League games as other options like Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko are often picked ahead of the 26-year-old.

Mendy was signed by the Sky Blues in 2017 after an impressive season at AS Monaco, and the left-back started his career at the Etihad brightly.

However, he went on to suffer through a plethora of injury issues, and as Nathan Ake nears his return from the sidelines, Mendy could face an even bigger fight to get back into contention.

Now, with PSG apparently keeping tabs on Mendy, his future is looking ‘increasingly uncertain’ – but this apparently won’t factor into City’s search for a left-back this summer.

Flocking to this claim, plenty of Man City fans erupted – find all of their verdicts on this development down below.

Man City fans erupt at Mendy claim

“Tears in my eyes”

Credit: @onemilli19

“finally”

Credit: @Dhayveed15

“Take him”

Credit: @alexpaolo9

“I beg”

Credit: @alexmcfc_1

“I will happily drive him there ! Too many injuries and Zinc far better”

Credit: @K19James

“Music to my ears.”

Credit: @mcfccookster

“This news is better than the 21 games winning streak”

Credit: @Fred_ijeh

“I’ll drive him there”

Credit: @neilturner240

In other news: Man City fans were wowed by this title points claim, find out more here.

Crystal Palace are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon aiming to finally rule themselves out of the relegation picture once and for all.

Roy Hodgson’s Eagles host West Bromwich Albion, with the south Londoners eight points clear of the drop zone following their 4-1 humbling at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Whilst it looks unlikely that they will be under any real threat of the drop, three points against the Baggies should as good as rubberstamp another season in the top-flight.

What starting XI will Hodgson select then?

Due to the current injury situation at Selhurst Park, there may only be slight tweaks to the side which was swept aside by Spurs.

The back five should stay the same, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita being shielded by Patrick van Aanholt, Gary Cahill, Cheikhou Koyuate and Joel Ward.

The two alterations to the team could then come further up the park. The midfield duo of Jairo Riedewald and Luka Milivojevic should remain, with the likes of James McArthur and James McCarthy both being ruled out.

Eberechi Eze will start on the right-hand side despite a quiet game at Tottenham, but a major boost to Palace will be the return of Wilfried Zaha.

The Ivorian was introduced from the bench in north London but should be fit enough to start. Considering he is the Eagles’ top scorer so far this season with nine goals, he surely has to play in such a crucial game. Andros Townsend drops out as a result.

One final change is likely to occur in attack. Christian Benteke is almost sure to start after his goal against Spurs but should have a different partner.

Jordan Ayew has not scored since early November so it could be time to give January arrival and £13.5m-rated striker Jean-Philippe Mateta a chance from the start.

AND in more news, have a look at why Steve Howey believes it’s time for Crystal Palace to let Wilfried Zaha finally leave Selhurst Park…

Jordan Jones is perhaps putting himself back in Steven Gerrard’s good books with some impressive performances on loan at Sunderland in League One and Ross Wilson should arguably think again about letting him leave Ibrox this summer.

After a breach of the lockdown guidelines in November 2020, both Jones and George Edmundson were given seven-game bans, and were subsequently sent on loan to Sunderland and Derby County respectively.

The 26-year-old winger had made just four appearances in all competitions for Gerrard’s side before the suspension, in which he contributed one goal – an impressive finish in the 5-1 win against Motherwell in September.

However, he has shown his class with Lee Johnson’s side in recent appearances, with two goals and three assists in his last six league appearances, including an impressive display in their most recent league victory against fellow promotion hopefuls Portsmouth.

Considering his contract with Rangers is not set to expire until 2023, Ross Wilson may well be licking his lips at the prospect of Jones’ value increasing as a result of his form in England, but you could argue that he now deserves another chance to show what he can do with the Ibrox outfit.

Although he has struggled for the Gers since signing on a free transfer from Kilmarnock, with just one goal and two assists in 19 appearances, perhaps this loan at Sunderland was just what he needed to boost his confidence ahead of next season.

If it were not for the winger’s mistake regarding the lockdown rules, you would imagine that Gerrard would have kept him in and around the first-team this season, having labelled him a “real threat” earlier in the season.

Therefore, if his impressive form continues at Sunderland, then he should definitely be given a chance in the Rangers first-team set up next season, even if Wilson feels that it is the ideal time to cash in on him this summer.

And, in other news… Wilson should go all out for 13-goal beast if Defoe leaves this summer; he could be a game-changer

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has withdrawn from international duty after failing to recover from injury.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a productive season at Anfield, making five starts for the Reds and not looking out of place at all, shining in the absence of Alisson.

Kelleher started the Champions League clash away to Ajax back in October, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win, and has not let his team down once in 2020/21. Indeed, his five senior appearances this term have seen him concede just three goals.

Such have been the quality of his performances, the youngster has ousted Adrian as Liverpool’s second-choice ‘keeper, which speaks volumes.

Kelleher suffers injury heartache

Kelleher has been struggling with an abdominal injury in recent weeks, however, and it has put paid to his chances of making his debut for the Republic of Ireland.

The Liverpool Echo reported that he has failed to recover from the issue in time for Wendesday’s clash against Serbia, ending his hopes of filling in for Darren Randolph between the sticks during the current international break.

Transfer Tavern take

It is a cruel blow for Kelleher, who will have no doubt been dreaming about representing his country for the first time at senior level.

That opportunity will surely come his way in the near future, though, such is his potential, and he could end up becoming a regular at international level if he continues to build on the progress he has made in recent months.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a huge update regarding a key Reds player. Read about it here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been praising Thiago’s latest performance for Spain, with the midfielder impressing for his country.

The 29-year-old was a hugely exciting arrival from Bayern Munich last September, having won the Champions League in 2019/20 and been one of the best midfielders in Europe.

It hasn’t been a dream start to life at Liverpool for Thiago yet, though, with a long injury layoff curtailing his progress during the autumn and winter.

Not only that, but the Spaniard has also been playing for a Reds side with no confidence and with central midfielders often playing at centre-back.

Despite a slightly underwhelming first year on Merseyside, there is no denying that Thiago is a wonderful footballer, though.

On Sunday night, the midfielder was introduced as a substitute in Spain’s 2-1 win away to Georgia, as the international break continues.

He produced an eye-catching cameo from the bench, helping turn the match around and outlining his quality on the ball (36 passes completed in 35 minutes) and reminding Liverpool fans what they can expect when he is on top form.

His performance suggests that he could be primed to have a big impact once Jurgen Klopp and his players reconvene later this week, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Arsenal.

Liverpool fans hail Thiago’s display

Here’s how some Reds fans reacted on Twitter to Thiago’s latest performance, with one Kopite describing it as “brilliant”.

“Thiago has been gorgeous since he came on for Spain. He’s genuinely a joy to watch. Gary Neville has an awful lot to answer for when it comes to people galaxy braining their analysis of him.”

Credit: @ryan3levis

“Thiago on and Spain equalized”

Credit: @scousantara

“Brilliant”

Credit: @smart044

“Wonderful player”

‘Credit: @frankfrance12

“It’s meaningless really, but it’s nice as a Liverpool fan to see Thiago come on and be the player that the Spanish national team – a footballing heavyweight – look to funnel their attack through and let be their general”

Credit: @NotoriousJOS

“He’s unreal! So happy we have him!”

Credit: @ThisMerv

In other news, Liverpool are ‘convinced’ about the future of one key player – read more about it here.