All posts by z3u9t.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after James Pearce claimed Ibrahima Konate could make his Reds debut against Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp’s side return to Premier League action this weekend, following their thrilling 3-2 win at home to AC Milan in the Champions League.

Liverpool host Palace on Saturday afternoon, with Patrick Vieira’s side fresh off the back of an impressive 3-0 victory against Tottenham.

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Klopp could again decide to shuffle his defensive pack, with Virgil van Dijk left out against Milan, allowing Joel Matip and Joe Gomez to start alongside one another.

Writing for The Athletic [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], Pearce claimed that Konate’s debut would either come against Palace or in the Carabao Cup away to Norwich City on Tuesday night.

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Liverpool fans react to Konate claim

These Liverpool fans were excited by the claim, calling for the young Frenchman to face Palace, allowing the in-form Matip a breather in the process.

“Let it be Palace”

Credit: @lfcliammm

“I think Gomez and Matip starting means that Ibou and Virgil will be a partnership. I like it”

Credit: @PhillyDudeInVA

“He’ll probs play both tbh”

Credit: @ZKarimNBK

“Cmonnn big Man”

Credit: @pearlserery

“I hope Ibou starts in defence against Crystal Palace alongside Van Dijk and Matip and Joe start against Norwich”

Credit: @mhdra18

“Konate – VVD against Palace please”

Credit: @SolXolani

In other news, some Liverpool fans are buzzing after a transfer rumour emerged. Read more here.

Dean Windass has told Football FanCast that son Josh Windass is delighted to have ended speculation over his future by signing a new deal with Sheffield Wednesday.

Windass has penned a fresh contract, which will keep him with the Owls until the summer of 2023.

The 23-year-old had been heavily linked with a move away from Hillsborough after suffering relegation to League One on the final day of last season.

Championship trio Queens Park Rangers, Millwall and Birmingham City were keen to strike a deal that would have seen the attacking midfielder make an immediate return to the second tier of English football.

But the former Rangers attacking midfielder, who joined Wednesday on a permanent basis following a loan move from Wigan Athletic last year, will be looking to guide the Owls to promotion instead after agreeing terms on a new deal.

Windass, who has missed the start of the new campaign through injury, is keen to repay the faith shown in him by Wednesday when he returns from the sidelines.

His father Dean exclusively told Football FanCast: “He is delighted to sign a new contract.

“The football club have made it clear they didn’t want to sell him so it’s over the line now.”

Celtic have been linked with a January move for Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Hudlin profiled

The 21-year-old only joined the National League side last October and has caught the eye of multiple clubs recently.

Premier League champions Manchester City were linked with a move for the forward who holds the record for the tallest outfield player in England.

The 6 foot 9 striker is out of contract next summer, meaning he’ll be available to discuss a pre-contract agreement in the New Year, should his situation remain the same.

Hudlin has scored 10 times in 38 appearances for the fifth-tier English side, and it appears as if Celtic have joined the race for his services.

The Latest: Celtic links

Football Insider shared a story on Friday lunchtime, linking Celtic with a move for Hudlin.

They were informed by a recruitment source that a Hoops scout watched the forward on Saturday during a 1-1 draw with Barnet where he came on as a substitute.

Hudlin is thought of as a possible January target for Celtic, with his price sure to be slashed as his current employers hope to avoid losing him for nothing the following summer.

The Verdict: Worth a punt?

Celtic made a number of attacking acquisitions over the summer, including Joey Dawson for the reserves, but bringing in Hudlin could be a gamble worth taking.

He’s clearly got talent as well as just his incredible height for City to have shown an interest, so a possible pre-contract agreement discussion between Celtic and Hudlin could be a wise one in the long run.

If Hudlin continues to impress prior to 2022, you’d expect more clubs will be keen on his signature, but Celtic might hold a trump card in being able to discuss terms in January.

In other news: 35-goal free agent Ange spoke about signing for Celtic now on verge of surprise move to new club.

The Athletic journalist Matt Woosnam has backed Crystal Palace’s decision to hand Joel Ward a new contract and believes the full-back deserves to be rewarded with a testimonial.

Ward joined from Portsmouth after the Eagles won the £400,000 race for his services in 2012.

The 31-year-old has gone on to make 273 appearances for the Premier League club and played a key role as Palace won promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs 12 months after his arrival.

However, he faced an uncertain future at the end of last season as he was among a string of players whose contract was set to expire at the end of June.

Palace, under new manager Patrick Vieira, and Ward eventually agreed a new two-year deal earlier this month.

Should Ward stay until the end of his contract, he will have been on the south London club’s books for 11 years.

Woosnam believes the Eagles made the right decision in keeping Ward on board and has urged the club to reward him for his services.

He told Football FanCast: “I think he really deserves a testimonial at Palace.

“Joel Ward has been absolutely fantastic and cleared the ball off the line in the play-off final all those years ago.

“When you think it was only £400,000 to sign him from Portsmouth, he has well over paid back that fee. I think it’s a really good signing.”

Everton’s opening weekend victory was one that deserted the tone that had been set in pre-season.

Supporters were displeased at Rafa Benitez’s appointment and following a 4-0 defeat last weekend after a lacklustre approach to the market, everything looked negative.

However, step forward Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin who caused Goodison Park to erupt on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the word?

It’s no secret that Everton have struggled to spend this summer but in light of their first win over Southampton, the Toffees may be on the verge of securing their fourth summer signing.

This comes after deals were completed for Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Asmir Begovic.

The Merseyside outfit have been trying to conclude a deal for Aurelio Buta over the last few days and a fresh update suggests the right-back is closer to joining.

Journalist Rudy Galetti took to Twitter on Saturday to say the following: “Advanced talks between Everton and Antwerp for Aurelio Buta. The offer for the right-back (around €4m) is under discussion. Evolving situation.”

Benitez will be delighted

Heading into the summer, acquiring a right-back was one of the most important issues to solve for Benitez. Consequently, this potential signing should please him greatly.

Their only convincing option in that third of the pitch is Seamus Coleman but his contract expires next summer, meaning they’d be without any full-back on the right.

It has been a frustrating few months with the Toffees ultimately missing out on what looked like their first option; Denzel Dumfries.

Although Inter Milan ended up signing him from PSV for just €12.5m (£10.6m) it proved to be too much for Everton in a window where their finances are severely restricted.

Buta, therefore, represents a handy alternative in a position where Benitez simply has to sign someone.

It’s hardly a marquee signing but at the age of 32, Coleman is going to need some sort of rest and rotation as the campaign plays out.

Therefore, the arrival of the Angolan-born defender would allow the Toffees to do that at a bargain price.

This isn’t the situation that Everton’s new manager dreamed of when he first signed on the dotted line at Goodison Park. He couldn’t spend how he wanted at Newcastle so it may have been an initial source of frustration for Benitez.

However, the way he’s commanded the market for bargains has been smart and this is a further move that should relieve his frustration.

AND in other news, Forget Richarlison: £120k-pw Everton beast who won 11 duels had Goodison rocking again…

Brighton and Hove Albion are set to make a bid for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, but not until after the Hoops complete their Champions League second round qualifying tie against Midtjylland on Wednesday night, according to the Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Celtic gear up for 2021/22

Facing the prospect of major transition at Parkhead, new manager Ange Postecoglou will surely be eager to recruit top talent in tandem with offloading those already at the club who see their future elsewhere.

With only one year left on his deal at Parkhead, the Celts may be forced into selling star striker Edouard following recent developments.

The Latest: Brighton to bid for Edouard after Champions League qualifiers

Brighton are believed to be readying an offer for the Frenchman in the aftermath of Celtic’s midweek European assignment, which if they win will guarantee them some form of continental football until Christmas [Daily Mail].

The 23-year-old is rated at around £20m by the Seagulls, whilst Postecoglou has previously stated his desire to sell players who are not interested in his vision. Crystal Palace are also rumoured to be interested in Edouard as their summer recruitment drive intensifies [Daily Mail].

The Verdict: Selling Edouard makes business sense for the Bhoys

To receive a prospective sum of £20m for the former Paris Saint-Germain striker would be excellent business by the Bhoys. With Edouard having told friends of his desire to leave Glasgow in this transfer window, cutting their losses may be the most agreeable move for both player and club at this moment in time.

The forward was in sparkling form in 2020/21, registering 28 goal contributions in 40 appearances with 22 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt]. Proving a constant menace in attack, Edouard also averaged 3.5 shots per game for the Hoops in the Premiership last term [WhoScored].

Once labelled ‘excellent’ by Celtic captain Callum McGregor [celticfc.com], the Celts should use the fee from the Frenchman’s prospective sale to bring in a replacement who would seem capable of instantly shouldering the goalscoring burden that Edouard would leave behind.

In other news, many Celtic fans react to an astonishing transfer rumour.

PLZ journalist Peter Martin has suggested only “gross negligence and complacency” from their rivals enabled Glasgow Rangers to win the Premiership last term.

The Lowdown: Rangers ease to title

The Gers were by far the best team in Scotland’s top tier last term – they won the title by 25 points as they ended up with 102 themselves, and didn’t even lose a single game in the competition (thefishy.co.uk).

While Celtic were not at their best throughout the campaign, even on their best form they would have struggled to stop Rangers.

The Latest: Martin hits outs at Gers

Writing for PLZ, Martin slammed Rangers’ achievement, and appeared to suggest it was only because of Celtic’s failings that they clinched the trophy. He said:

“It is an act of gross negligence and complacency from a board that should have had their club so far out of sight that Rangers would have had to have spent millions to bridge the gap.

“In truth, they’ve managed to spend a fraction of Celtic’s budget and won the league with one of the most mediocre sides in the Ibrox club’s history of title-winning teams.”

The Verdict: Ridiculous

Many within the media seem to be reluctant to admit Rangers were clearly superior last term. Not only did they beat their rivals four out of a possible five times throughout the season, drawing the other one (Sky Sports), they didn’t lose a match in the league as previously mentioned – that does not come around by chance.

Yes, they were defeated in both of the domestic cup competitions, but they reached the Europa League round of 16 for the second season in a row – a strong result for teams in Scotland. In fact, throughout that run they lost just once, remaining unbeaten against the likes of Benfica and Galatasaray. Celtic can improve, yes, but that does not mean Rangers must be belittled as a result.

In other news, Rangers fans were far from happy with this man’s departure.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting negatively to an image of goalkeeper Loris Karius back training with the Reds again.

The German’s last competitive game for Liverpool was a devastating one, with two awful errors coming his way in the 2018 Champions League final.

The mistakes almost single-handedly led to Jurgen Klopp’s side losing 3-1 on that fateful night in Kyiv, with Alisson signed later that year.

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Karius has been shipped out on loan a number of times since, enduring spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin and seemingly having no future at Anfield.

Liverpool are now back in pre-season training and the 28-year-old is present with his teammates in Austria, with a photo of him between the sticks shared by Anything Liverpool on Twitter on Tuesday.

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Liverpool fans bemoan Karius training photo

The image hasn’t gone down too well with a section of Reds fans, however, with some of them providing their negative thoughts on Twitter.

“It’s like waking up from a nightmare only to realise………it’s reality.”

Credit: @MatyMak

“Fries my head he’s still at the club”

Credit: @JDaneH94

“This is an odd sight”

Credit: @joshdennyy_

“Why? Release him and Adrian”

Credit: @kingkaz_7

“Stop giving us nightmares”

Credit: @michaelmaseruka

“Now there’s a pic that scares life out of any LFC fan”

Credit: @mattlfcneal

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has provided a key update on one Liverpool player – find out who it is here.

West Ham United have reportedly made an official bid to try and sign Nikola Milenkovic in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Centre-back wanted

As per Claret & Hugh, the London Stadium faithful are said to be prioritising signing a new central defender.

While they did extremely well to finish in sixth spot in the Premier League table in the 2020/21 season, they conceded no fewer than 47 goals, and will surely want to improve on that ahead of what is going to be a much busier term with them now in the UEFA Europa League.

The Latest: Milenkovic bid

According to Calciomercato, the Hammers have made an official bid for Milenkovic, said to be in the region of €20m (£17.2m).

However, this offer is thought to be far from what Fiorentina would like for him to be sold.

The Verdict: Get it done!

The Irons should be looking at signings that can take them onto the next level after their exceptional campaign, and Milenkovic would certainly do just that.

He has received high praise in the past, being dubbed as an ‘extraordinary’ player by his teammate Pol Lirola back in April, while he has also drawn comparisons with Manchester United legend and fellow countryman Nermanja Vidic.

Like Vidic, Milenkovic is a colossus at six-foot-four-inches tall, and certainly showed that in the Serie A last season, winning 5.1 of his duels a game while also averaging 3.6 clearances, 1.4 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match (Sofascore).

At just 23 years of age as well, he will only get better, and is certainly someone who could slot straight into the starting line-up under David Moyes.

In other news, find out who WHU have made ‘concrete moves’ over signing here!

Mehrdad Ghodoussi has given his reaction to the recent statement released by Newcastle United with regards to the upcoming takeover arbitration case.

The Lowdown: Takeover statement

As per a statement released by the official website of the Tyneside club, the St. James’ Park faithful believe that the forthcoming arbitration process should be made public.

However, this can only happen if the Premier League agree, otherwise the process will remain confidential.

The Magpies also claimed that they have ‘nothing to hide’ with regards to the case, and suggested that the top flight should have ‘no reason to be afraid of the public spotlight’, providing that they have acted ‘lawfully and properly’, and therefore should be vying for the process to be made public too.

The Latest: Ghodoussi reacts

Ghodoussi, who is the husband of Amanda Staveley, the businesswoman and head of PCP Capital partners part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium looking to buy the North East club, has since given his reaction to the statement.

He tweeted: ‘“Transparency” is what all football fans deserve’, directly quoting the statement.

The Verdict: Interesting

It is certainly an interesting post from Ghodoussi as it suggests that he is completely on side with Toon fans in terms of the lack of transparency from the top flight, and perhaps also implies he still thinks there’s a chance things can get done – why else would he still be commenting on the matter?

Of course, if the arbitration hearing remains confidential, then any transparency for the public eye would be dented, and Ghodoussi is simply heaping more pressure on the league to open things up.

He, like his wife and the rest of the consortium, will be desperate to gain a positive result out of the arbitration proceedings, as it should be able to help speed up the takeover process, and in theory could lead to its swift completion.

In other news, find out what arbitration update Keith Downie has dropped here!