All posts by z3u9t.icu

Many Wolves fans have been left slamming the display of Francisco Trincao in their game at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The Portugal international missed a big chance to score in the first half that would have put the Midlands club 2-0 up after Hwang Hee-chan had given them the lead, but they ended up conceding an equaliser to Jeff Hendrick moments later to make the score 1-1 at half-time.

Other than that opportunity, he struggled to really get into the game, and seemed to be bullied off of the ball a little bit too easily at times, with some members of the Molineux faithful noting his physicality.

Before the match this afternoon, Trincao had only managed one goal and no assists all season (Transfermarkt), and it seems as if he is struggling to adapt to English football.

Wolves fans on Trincao display

These WWFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he is ‘awful’:

“Trincao way off the pace Adama on at half-time surely”

Credit: @CaritaMejor

“Trincao horror show”

Credit: @lewis_sharp17

“Trincao is awful.”

Credit: @JBabbacombe

“Trincao just isn’t very good”

Credit: @FourFourTwoPls

“Trincao might not be tough enough for the Premier League.”

Credit: @Ashley19345299

“Get Trincao off the pitch”

Credit: @MichaelKlump44

In other news, find out what Pedro Neto footage has Wanderers buzzing here!

An update has emerged on Leeds target Lewis O’Brien, regarding his thoughts on a move to the club.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun on Sunday (08.08.21, pg. 67), via The72, Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien is keen on a transfer to Leeds this month and is waiting on the two sides to reach an agreement.

The report claims Leeds have offered the Championship a structured deal of £10m, but Huddersfield want more money up-front in order to bolster their own squad this window.

Fans will be buzzing

Leeds fans will be buzzing with this news as it shows a desire from the player to play for their club. He is not coming to Elland Road for a paycheck, he wants to play for the Lillywhites and the report says that he is willing to bide his time in order to get a chance in the starting XI.

This also means that he would not arrive and expect to immediately start. He is prepared to be patient and this would allow Marcelo Bielsa to take his time with him, working with him in training to make sure he knows exactly what he needs to do on the pitch.

Huddersfield writer Steven Chicken hailed the midfielder earlier this year and praised his wholehearted nature on the pitch.

He said: “Former Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley often praised O’Brien as being ‘like having two players’, with the midfielder receiving particular praise from his manager and fans alike for his ability and willingness to rush back and win the ball with a clean sliding tackle whenever his side were caught on the counter-attack.

“He certainly has the potential to be (a Premier League player), if he’s not already. His fitness is incredible and he just never seems to get tired, which is one of the biggest difficulties Championship players have when stepping up to the Premier League.

“He’s never going to be a big glamorous name in the Premier League, but he is the kind of wholehearted, committed player that managers love because they do so much of the hard work that helps other players to shine.”

This further goes to show that O’Brien has the attitude required to succeed at Leeds. These comments from Chicken suggest that he has the work rate on and off the pitch to put in a shift for his side whilst improving himself on the training pitch, which Bielsa could love as it shows that he is a coachable talent.

Therefore, supporters will be delighted with this latest update on O’Brien. Leeds are working on an agreement with Huddersfield and the player wants it to happen, so hopefully Victor Orta can get this over the line in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Raphinha 2.0: Leeds must sign “exceptional” wing wizard, Bielsa would love him…

Southampton are currently in their 10th consecutive Premier League season after winning promotion from the Championship in 2012 under Nigel Adkins.

During that time, one figure who has played a massive part for the Saints is captain James Ward-Prowse, who has made 333 appearances for the south coast club across all competitions. He has scored 35 goals and provided 42 assists since making his senior debut for Southampton back in October 2011.

Despite making 11 appearances for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side so far this season and putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract at St Mary’s over the summer, a recent report from The Athletic has suggested that the midfielder has now gone past what they describe as peak age for a central midfielder.

With this in mind, there’s every possibility that the club could be on the lookout for a new player who could be a future long-term replacement for their skipper.

Rather than spend millions on potential transfer fees when that time comes, the Saints could already have their ideal replacement for Ward-Prowse and potential club hero with 16-year-old attacking midfielder Kami Doyle.

As a product of Southampton’s youth system, Doyle has made 12 appearances for their under-18 side, in which he has scored 10 goals and provided one assist, showing that he has a knack for scoring and creating goals from midfield in a similar way to Ward-Prowse over the years.

Even at his young age, Doyle – who has been praised in the past by Saints coach David Horseman for his “quality” on the pitch  – has made 11 appearances for Southampton’s B team, which goes to show how much faith and belief they have in him to be able to line out alongside some of the older players in the youth ranks.

Moving forward, if Doyle can continue to progress with Southampton’s B team and develop his game even further, there’s nothing stopping him from eventually breaking into the first team and potentially becoming the club’s new Ward-Prowse.

In other news – Lost the ball 81 times: Ralph must brutally axe “unbelievable” Saints dud, he’s a liability

Some Manchester United supporters are fuming after the club’s former player Steve Bruce was linked with taking interim charge of the Red Devils.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left his role as United manager on Sunday morning following the demoralising 4-1 defeat at the hands of Watford in the Premier League.

The result leaves the Red Devils a whopping 12 points behind current leaders Chelsea, with their title chances effectively over after just 12 games.

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The search for Solskjaer’s successor is now on, with some reports claiming that an interim manager could take charge until the end of the season.

According to The Athletic, Bruce is keen on taking the role, having been sacked as Newcastle United manager last month. The 60-year-old enjoyed a great playing career with the Red Devils, making 414 appearances and winning three Premier League titles during a glorious period in the 1990s.

However, his 23-year managerial career has not yielded a single trophy, while the highest Premier League finish he has achieved as a coach is 10th. He was also deeply unpopular on Tyneside, with many Newcsstle supporters lamenting his conservative tactical approach.

United fans furious at Bruce rumour

After the managerial links came to light, these United fans reacted angrily to the rumours about Bruce potentially taking the Old Trafford hot seat.

“Please tell me the Steve Bruce thing is a really bad joke”

Credit: @littleman1979

“Oh please”

Credit: @M_acBrown

“What sort of things be this. Ah”

Credit: @ZanuteySages

“I love Steve, he is genuinely a wonderful football guy but I absolutely don’t want this”

Credit: @MOVIESTVMAD

“No. Just no. I don’t care if it’s Carrick during the interim. Not another legend coming in to ‘save the club'”

Credit: @markziegs

“Goodbye. I’m going back to bed”

Credit: @JasonofSuburbia

In other news, some United fans have flocked to another managerial claim. Read more here.

Mark Warburton has labelled Moses Odubajo as a ‘class act’ and ‘outstanding’ after the defender scored against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly win at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

What’s the story?

Odubajo has been on trial with QPR during pre-season, and will be hoping he can secure a permanent contract with the R’s, as they prepare for the upcoming 2021/22 league campaign.

The defender had previously been on the books with Sheffield Wednesday, but departed Hillsborough in the summer, after his contract with the Owls reached a conclusion at the end of the 2020/21 season.

It was a frustrating campaign for Odubajo as well, as he made 22 appearances in that season, as they were relegated into the third tier of English football.

Odubajo played in their recent pre-season win over Premier League giants Manchester United, and Mark Warburton has singled out the 27-year-old for praise in a post-match press conference.

“I know all about Moses. I know him inside out. He’s a class act on and off the field.

“He’s had a frustrating time with injury and there’s no doubt about his quality, we’re just looking at his fitness and durability – and he showed that this afternoon in abundance. You saw what a talented boy he is.

“I thought he had an outstanding game. From the first kick and first tackle he was on the front foot.”

It should be a no-brainer for QPR

Odubajo will certainly feel as though he’s got a point to prove in the Championship, having endured a frustrating time whilst with Sheffield Wednesday last season.

The 27-year-old defender had an average Whoscored rating of 6.54 for his performances for the Owls in the 2020/21 season, which put him ranked 15th on the list amongst the rest of Darren Moore’s side.

But Odubajo has impressed with the likes of Brentford and Hull City earlier in his career, and he’ll certainly feel as though he’s more than capable of getting back to his best, having struggled with injuries in recent seasons.

He’s evidently made a good impression on Mark Warburton at QPR, and given that he’d be available on a free transfer this summer, it could turn out to be a shrewd move by the R’s if they were to secure an agreement to sign the 27-year-old ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

It should be a no-brainer for QPR to offer him a permanent contract, as he could turn out to be the ideal player to replace Todd Kane regularly in the starting XI, with Kane looking as though he’s heading for the exit door before the summer transfer window closes.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Chelsea teenager Valentino Livramento.

And, as to be expected, the latest transfer link has had a number of Villa supporters talking on social media.

Chelsea’s Goal correspondent Nizaar Kinsella shared the news on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, claiming Villa are keen on the 18-year-old.

Kinsella also added that Tammy Abraham, who has been linked with a Villa Park return, wants to leave the club this summer.

Livramento, born in London, can play as a right-back and right midfielder. He’s yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues and is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in 12 months time.

The youngster turned out on 26 occasions for Chelsea’s youth side last season, scoring three times and registering 10 assists.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the links to Livramento on Twitter on Wednesday. These Villa fans were excited by the news, with more than one referencing his ability on Football Manager to make a judgement.

“YES PLEASEEEE”Credit: @JoeAVFC_”this guy on fm is different gravy sign him up”Credit: @rjszn82″class fm player sign him up”Credit: @DanAV___”Excellent, I’ve heard good things about this kid”Credit: @37K37″Just building for the Champions League don’t fret anyone”Credit: @MerseMagic”This lad flies”Credit: @Jamorushton

In other news: Villa set to miss out on Premier League midfielder following Fabrizio Romano’s update, find out more here. 

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has delivered a teasing Aston Villa transfer update that is sure to get fans excited.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have had an eventful summer transfer window thus far, seeing Jack Grealish leave for Premier League champions Manchester City, and a number of new arrivals come in to offset it.

Now, writing on Twitter, Evans said there is “perhaps still room for one more incoming”.

In a follow-up article for The Athletic, he added: “Aston Villa will consider dipping into the transfer window one final time if they can move on some of the fringe players at the club in the next few days.

“Dean Smith had made it clear earlier in the summer that he would like another central midfielder — it’s why bids were made for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and discussions over alternative options have continued since.

“Moving on Hourihane and right-back Frederic Guilbert may free up space and funds to reinvest in midfield. It means that these final days in the window can go one of two ways; Villa will either sign another midfielder or wait until a future window.”

Could be an exciting end for Villa fans

While Villa appeared to have all their transfer business done and dusted, it appears the club still might have one card up their sleeve.

As Evans says, if the Midlands club can get rid of a few squad players, then there could be the possibility of them making another splash in the transfer market and putting the final touch on what has arguably been the best post-Grealish leaving window.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse was very much on the radar of Villa, but the England international put pen to paper on a new deal at St Mary’s, so it will be very interesting to see which alternatives the club have continued to have “discussions” about.

This latest update is sure to have Villa fans excited about what their club could have in store as we head into deadline day next week.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on this Aston Villa transfer target…

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has dropped a late Leeds United injury blow ahead of the club’s Premier League game against Everton on Saturday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were soundly beaten by Manchester United last time out and will no doubt be hoping to get their campaign back on track immediately with their first game at Elland Road this season.

However, they will have to do so once again without the services of Spain international Diego Llorente. In a pre-match discussion hosted by The Athletic on Saturday morning, Hay delivered some worrying news on the centre-back ahead of the clash today.

He said: “Llorente won’t play today – he hasn’t fully recovered from his muscle strain. Bielsa said on Thursday he expects him to be back next week.”

The journalist added: “Llorente has suddenly become a very big player for Leeds. I thought he was the best of the centre-backs last season once he got going and him missing didn’t help at Old Trafford.”

Llorente emerged as a cornerstone of Leeds’ defence in the final few weeks of last season, starting 13 of the last 14 games in the Premier League and coming up with some big performances, not least netting a late equaliser against Liverpool.

As per WhoScored, he averaged an impressive match rating of 6.90, marking him out as the Whites’ second-best centre-back after Liam Cooper, who was also the only player at the club to win more headers per game than Llorente’s 2.2.

As Hay himself says, the Spaniard emerged as a key player for Leeds despite his early troubles with injury in his debut campaign at Elland Road, and last week the Whites saw firsthand the kind of impact his absence can have.

Bielsa is likely to rely on a partnership of Cooper and Pascal Struijk once again, despite seeing them carved open numerous times at Old Trafford.

Hay’s late update is sure to worry Leeds fans ahead of the game against Everton at Elland Road this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Bielsa must start this Leeds star today…

Leeds United are intensifying their efforts to sign Hertha BSC star Matheus Cunha this summer.

What’s the story?

With the Premier League season now over, Marcelo Bielsa’s side can now firmly turn their attentions towards the summer transfer window, and it appears the club are already kick-starting things in terms of their recruitment.

According to German publication Kicker (via Sport Witness), the Whites are “intensifying contact” with Cunha over signing him, despite the news that Hertha actually extended his deal during the season, making it much harder for any interested clubs.

The report adds that “Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa had already made contact with Cunha in the January transfer market, and now they are ‘intensifying’ their ‘courtship‘.”

Forget Rodrigo

While last summer’ signing Rodrigo appeared to find his feet in the final few weeks of the Premier League campaign – he netted four times and provided an assist in his last four games – it’s no surprise that Leeds are looking to sign Cunha.

The 21-year-old Brazilian is equally as versatile as Rodrigo, and this season has proved that he can be a really devastating attacking force, bagging eight goals and setting up another eight in all competitions.

Dubbed as “something special” by former Hertha head coach Bruno Labbadia, the club’s one-time sporting director Michael Preetz has also raved about him, saying: “Matheus is a young player with enormous potential, who has already shown his impressive skills.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Able to play as a number 10, off the left or even down the middle on his own, Cunha has shown the kind of versatility which marks him out as a player Bielsa would surely love, and one that could easily provide genuine competition for Rodrigo.

Dubbed as a “genius” by Hertha coach, Pal Dardai, the £27m-rated forward could come to Elland Road to battle Rodrigo, or even surpass him and establish himself as a key first-team player for Leeds straight away.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have confirmed some really exciting changes…

Everton are interested in signing £27m-rated Atalanta defender Merih Demiral this summer and he could be the perfect replacement for Michael Keane.

What’s the story?

According to journalist Yakup Cinar (via Goodison News) Everton are among several sides who are “interested” in signing the 24-year-old who’s is currently on loan at Atalanta from Juventus.

They have the option to make the move permanent in the summer for £23.5m, but could potentially sell Demiral on for a profit like they did with Cristian Romero. When interviewed by TuttoJuve.com Cinar said that the interest in the player is high.

He’s miles better than Keane

Everton are battling for survival at the moment and are currently in the relegation zone. Whether or not they stay in the Premier League this summer doesn’t change the fact that they need a squad overhaul.

Many of their current players have underperformed massively this season, and one of those is defender Michael Keane, who Demiral could replace if he is brought to Goodison Park.

Keane has featured several times for the Toffees this season and has been a key part of their troubled defence. They have only managed to keep six clean sheets in the league all campaign, and it has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher rightly calling their back four “Championship level”.

Demiral has been described by outlet Goal as a “brick wall” and at 6 foot 2, he is a strong presence in the box. He impressed when facing English side Manchester United in the group stage of the Champions League earlier this season, scoring versus the Red Devils and winning 100% of his duels in a 3-2 defeat, so he has proven himself against Premier League opposition already.

The Turkey international is a force in the air, being ranked in the top 2% when it comes to aerial duals won compared with other centre backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year.

When you compare him directly to Keane he’s also better on the ball with a higher pass completion percentage of 87.5% compared to 77.3%. He’s also tackled a higher percentage of dribblers than the Englishman.

If Demiral is available at a decent price in the summer then Frank Lampard should look no further than him to solve their issues at the back. At 24 he can also be a figurehead at the club for years to come.

IN other news: More misery: Alan Myers drops four-word Everton claim that’ll leave supporters fuming…