All posts by n8rngtd.top

Carlo Ancelotti must shoulder part of the blame for Mason Holgate feeling that his performances have not been up to his normal standards for Everton this season.

The 24-year-old earned his 14th start of the Premier League campaign during Saturday’s Merseyside derby win away to Liverpool, partnering Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey in central defence in the absence of the injured Yerry Mina.

Holgate had earned just four of his 13 prior top-flight appearances in his natural centre-back position this term, with Ancelotti often fielding the Doncaster-born talent at right-back.

Ancelotti’s selection of Holgate at full-back initially came through a need to plug a gap in defence following Seamus Coleman’s hamstring strain, but soon saw the £16m-rated ace establish himself as the Italian’s secret weapon amid calls to strengthen in the position.

At centre-half or right-back, praise has since come Holgate’s way, with former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch only able to wax lyrical over the ex-England U21 international following the Merseyside derby.

“Mason Holgate was brilliant. He needs to be mentioned, he’s different class and is going to be a top player,” Crouch noted in his column for the Daily Mail.

And yet Holgate believes that his performances still have a sizable margin for improvement.

“We have to stay level-headed and keep going. I am coming into it [reaching form] a bit more,” Holgate told EvertonTV.

“I am not where I’d like to be and hitting it consistently, but I can only work as hard as possible. I have not done too badly but am not near my normal standards.

“It is hard to come to the season partway through, but I am feeling stronger and fitter now and am happy the way things are going. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”

Holgate missed the first seven games of the Premier League campaign with a toe injury sustained during a pre-season friendly with Preston North End, which sparked Everton to explore central defensive signings before the £20m capture of Godfrey from Norwich City.

Rarely has Holgate been given a look in at his preferred position since and, despite the high moments occasionally seen at full-back, Ancelotti should accept some of the blame for the 6 ft 1 defender feeling as if he is yet to reach his best levels this term.

Holgate’s longest run of appearances in a single position for top-flight fixtures so far has lasted just four games, when fielded at right-back for much of December whilst Coleman was back in the treatment room after aggravating his hamstring issue.

One game back at centre-half then resulted in Holgate returning to right-back for four of the Blues’ following five games, before going back and forth between the two roles this month.

Never having a settled role to play in the Toffees’ push for European qualification is likely holding Holgate back from reaching his max potential, all the while Godfrey puts his teammate in his shadow.

“He’s really stepped up to the plate. We all knew he was a good player when Everton signed him and had high hopes, but he’s exceeded those expectations by the level of his performance, both in central defence and also in full-backs as well,” former Everton defender David Weir told Football Pass of Godfrey.

So, while Holgate’s injury meant the 24-year-old’s season started later than for some, Ancelotti must accept part of the responsibility for how his campaign has since turned out, for better or worse.

AND in other news, Everton face widespread PL competition for the transfer of an £18k-p/w beast this summer…

Harry Kane has been slammed by Alasdair Gold in his latest player ratings piece for football.london despite Tottenham Hotspur beating Fulham 1-0.

The North London club took the lead inside the first 20 minutes of the first half through an own goal from Tosin Adarabioyo and managed to hold on in the end as Scott Parker’s men proved to be a tough opponent, with Josh Maja having a goal disallowed in the second half by VAR for a handball in the build up.

While there were some decent performances from Jose Mourinho’s team, Gold was rather underwhelmed by Kane’s display, giving him a 5/10 overall rating, the joint-lowest out of any Spurs player along with Gareth Bale, as he missed two ‘big’ opportunities to score and had an ‘off’ night by his usual high standards.

Kane not at his best for Spurs

As Gold points out, Kane did not have his best of game in a Lilywhites shirt. Aside from missing two ‘big’ opportunities, the England international, who is currently earning £200,000 per week, lost out on five of his duels, had just a 67% pass accuracy and lost possession of the ball no fewer than 14 times in the game, the joint-third most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old striker will be hoping to get back to his best when THFC host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

In other news, find out what transfer business Alan Hutton expects Spurs to do in the summer here!

Rangers could be set for a huge boost in the coming weeks after Steven Gerrard revealed (via Daily Record) that the club have tabled a contract offer to Allan McGregor in their hopes of keeping the experienced ‘keeper at Ibrox for another season.

The 39-year-old, who reportedly earns £11,000 per week at Rangers, has been a key player this season, making 23 appearances in the Premiership, in which he has conceded just seven goals and kept a hugely impressive 16 clean sheets.

Despite his age, the former Scotland international seems to be getting better and better, emphasising his class with an almost unbelievable save in the 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague in midweek.

Following the game in the Czech Republic, Gerrard was full of praise for McGregor and revealed the latest in his contract talks, saying:

“I’ve spoken about it before, how much we rate Allan, how much we love him here, how much we want to carry on.

“At the same time, I’ve told you guys I will respect him. He knows what’s on the table. He’s in discussions with the club and from where I’m sitting, I hope we get it over the line and sign him up for another year because he is more than capable.

“I know that on a daily basis by working with him and watching him closely. The decision is going to be down to Allan, not us. Because we certainly want him.”

He also suggested that the save he made in that game was “another world-class save”, which emphasises just how much the manager values his first-choice ‘keeper and how much he wants him to stay for another season at least.

McGregor’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and, after his impressive performances this term, you would imagine that he wouldn’t be short of suitors if he did decide to leave the Gers this summer.

However, he is clearly held in high regard by Gerrard and would likely be guaranteed Champions League football next season, so hopefully the champions can convince him to stay and replicate his performances from this season in the next campaign.

And, in other news.. 80% duels won: Rangers beast was Gerrard’s star for more reasons than one vs Slavia

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting negatively to claims that the Reds are interested in a move for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.

Jurgen Klopp could potentially be in the market for a new wide player this summer, as he looks to add more depth and quality to his squad.

Both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane turn 29 years of age this year, and while they still remain at their peak of their powers, long-term replacements need to be lined up eventually.

[freshpress-poll id=“348883″]

Diogo Jota arguably falls into that bracket, with the Portuguese only 24, but another addition could also come in to bring in a new era of Anfield attacking heroes.

Dembele is a player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the past, but he has stayed put at Barcelona, albeit struggling for playing time and making just 12 La Liga starts this season.

Speaking on the Here We Go podcast [via Anfield Watch], journalist Fabrizio Romano talked up Liverpool’s interest in the 23-year-old France international:

“They [Barcelona] can’t lose this kind of player for free, they spent over €100m to sign him from Borussia Dortmund years ago. So they are going to negotiate with Dembele, they want to keep Dembele.

“They know that important clubs from the Premier League are looking at him. I’ll mention Juventus in Italy, I’ll mention Liverpool and Manchester United who were looking at him last summer and they’re always interested in this player, but it’s up to Barcelona, they will decide and they will negotiate with Dembele, because they want to keep Ousmane Dembele.”

Liverpool fans react to Romano’s Dembele claim

Here’s how some Liverpool fans reacted to the news on Twitter, with those in question not keen on the Reds acquiring Dembele’s signature.

“Noooooooo!!!!”

Credit: @datknownguy

“No chance, another matip great when he players but legs made of bread sticks”

Credit: @CraigSim

“He’s absolutely terrible, don’t go near him”

Credit: @Rowley_13

“Another injury prone? Oh come on”

Credit: @YungKenReds

“God forbid!!!!!”

Credit: @chrissadiku

“My goodness, absolute NO for this move”

Credit: @mukherjjeee

In other news: Liverpool fans react to update on Reds’ pursuit of Kylian Mbappe. Read about it here.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips believes Ezgjan Alioski will leave Leeds United this summer, which could allow Marcelo Bielsa to make new signings.

The 29-year-old played all 90 minutes of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea in what was an impressive result for the Whites.

Alioski has featured in 26 of Leeds’ 28 league games this season, but his future at Elland Road is in serious doubt, having not yet agreed to sign a new deal at the club.

The North Macedonian’s current contract expires at the end of this campaign and there have been rumours of a potential move to Galatasaray.

Phillips tips Alioski to leave Leeds

Someone who thinks Alioski moving on would be for the better is ex-Premier League Golden Boot winner Phillips, who told Football Insider that it makes sense for the left-back to depart Elland Road before the start of next season:

“They’ve had their time together, Leeds and Alioski. It’s time for club and player to move on. He’s been a good servant. He’s played at left-back at times this season and that’s not his position so he’ll probably go somewhere where he can play in that natural role.

“It’s the right time for Leeds to free up a wage as well and that will help them to bring someone else in during the summer.

“You shake his hand to say well done and thank you for your efforts and both parties will move on.”

Transfer Tavern take

Alioski has been a good servant for Leeds over the past four seasons, making 161 appearances and helping the Whites return to the Premier League, but perhaps it is time for him to leave, as Phillips has suggested.

At 29, he isn’t getting any younger as a player and there are more youthful alternatives who could offer more in the long run, such as 21-year-old Leif Davis, who only has two substitute appearances to his name in the league this term.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly looking to sign a Premier League stalwart this summer. Find out who it is here.

Rangers may already have their long-term replacement for Allan McGregor sorted in 17-year-old Jay Hogarth, who was rewarded with a new contract at Ibrox recently and has been training with Steven Gerrard’s first-team.

It was revealed last week that the teenager had signed a new deal with the Ibrox outfit to keep him contracted until 2023, with him clearly having impressed those at the club with his performances with the youth side and in training.

In fact, despite being so young, he was spotted in first-team training ahead of the home game against Slavia Prague in the Europa League working alongisde the vastly experienced McGregor and Jon McLaughlin.

Therefore, he has already had the chance to impress Gerrard and his coaching staff in training, and they wouldn’t have given him that opportunity if they didn’t believe in his ability, so there seems no reason why he can’t have a bright future at Ibrox.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

Although he is probably a few years away from breaking into the first-team for matches, perhaps he could be the man to replace McGregor in this Rangers side when he eventually retires, with the 39-year-old having been a key fixture in Gerrard’s side so far this season.

Although the former Hull City man’s contract is currently set to expire at the end of the season, his impressive record of 16 clean sheets in 24 Premiership appearances speaks for itself, whilst he has made some world-class saves throughout the season, perhaps most memorably in the final stages of the 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague.

[freshpress-quiz id=“588789″]

When McGregor does eventually retire, whoever replaces him will undoubtedly have some big gloves to fill, but if Hogarth can continue to impress in the youth sides and with the first-team in training, perhaps he will be the one to step up as the veteran shot-stopper’s replacement.

And, in other news… No goals or assists in March: £1.8m-rated Rangers ace endured a nightmare month

If one Dembele wasn’t enough at Celtic, how about having two? The Hoops currently have Karamoko Dembele on their books but they’re now being linked with a move for his brother Siriki.

GIVEMESPORT reported earlier this week that Celtic were interested in signing the Peterborough forward during the summer window.

The Hoops have already agreed a pre-contract with Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Shaw and they could settle on the same sort of arrangement with Dembele.

That’s because the EFL star is out of contract in the summer. The frustrating thing for Dembele, though, is that he’s unlikely to feature alongside his brother.

That’s because Karamoko’s own contract expires in a few months time and he’s set to leave Parkhead on a free.

Another player alongside whom the Celtic target may not feature too often is Ryan Christie. That’s because his arrival could finally give the Hoops an excuse to put him on the bench.

Christie has been desperately poor this season compared to the form he showed in 2019/20. Last term the Scottish winger found the net on 20 occasions but he’s managed just five goals in 2020/21. To make matters worse, he has beaten the goalkeeper on only one occasion so far this calendar year.

Often vilified by fans and pundits alike, he’s one of a number of players who could relish a new manager coming to the club.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-boupendza-mcgeady-marsch-mccarthy” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

That being said, the entrance of another winger, especially one as creative as Dembele, would surely be bad news for him.

Like Christie, the 24-year-old has the ability to play on either wing but also through the middle. The former has started to appear more in a central area and starred in that position for Scotland in midweek when they drew with Austria.

Unfortunately for Christie, Celtic’s summer target has been “outstanding” in the middle, according to Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson.

Indeed, he’s not only scoring goals but he’s also registering assists on a regular basis. Dembele has netted eight times this season while providing 12 assists. That takes his tally in a Posh shirt to 28 goal creations.

Dembele is a creative marvel and, if there is any aspect for which you can applaud Christie this season, it would be the same trait. However, that is exactly why the London-born flanker could replace him in the starting XI, as they are very much alike.

AND in other news, £833k per goal: “Anonymous” Celtic flop has robbed Desmond of £5.4m this season…

Danny Mills has launched a scathing attack at players at Newcastle United following something Ciaran Clark revealed after their loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Republic of Ireland central defender admitted to the Press Association (via The Chronicle) that the team ‘weren’t up for it’ despite the importance of the game against one of their rivals for relegation from the Premier League.

The St. James’ Park faithful ended up losing 3-0 away to Graham Potter’s men, and former Leeds United and Manchester City man Mills gave his thoughts to talkSPORT on Clark’s admission:

“It’s a disgrace in all honesty.

“If you can’t get yourself up for a Premier League game, you don’t deserve to wear that shirt.

“To admit you weren’t up for a game is appalling…”

Newcastle need to show more fight

The North East club clearly need to show some more fight if they want to stay in the top flight and thus avoid being relegated down to the EFL Championship.

Aside from showing their quality on the pitch, players are expected to work hard first of all, and there was not much of that away at the Seagulls.

Sometimes, vital points can be picked up simply by outworking your opponents, but it is now a struggle to see where those points are going to come from for the Magpies.

Nonetheless, they need to be showing more to get the Toon Army on their side from now until the end of the 2020/21 term.

In other news, find out what takeover claim Ben Jacobs has dropped involving PIF and Inter Milan here!

Tottenham Hotspur return from the international break with a few injuries on their plate.

It is thought that Ben Davies and Matt Doherty, who both returned home early this week through injury, will not make the trip to St James’ Park on Sunday to face Newcastle. Whilst Sergio Reguilon is expected to be fit enough to travel, Jose Mourinho may not want to risk him so soon after recovering from another recent problem.

He missed five league games with a muscle issue in early February and was withdrawn early against Aston Villa last time out. Sky Sports believe he remains a doubt for this weekend, so the Spurs boss may need to turn to another young prospect, having trusted Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga at Villa Park…

On the Chalkboard

Given that game-time has been given to the likes of Dane Scarlett and Alfie Devine this season, it’s perhaps a surprise to not see Dennis Cirkin make his senior bow thus far, but there cannot be a better opportunity to do so than now.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= Read this week’s latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more…”]

The 18-year-old left-back quickly emerged as one of Spurs’ next future stars following the arrival of Mourinho, as he was one of the very first academy products to be praised by the ‘Special One.’

“OK, he’s 17, but he’s a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us, and to help his development,” explained Mourinho just two weeks after his appointment in north London.

The Athletic have described him as ‘energetic’ and ‘strong in the tackle’ which fits the bill for the sort of full-back Mourinho would love in his squad, so it’s no surprise he was drawn straight to Cirkin when moving to N17.

The teenager has drawn comparisons to Ben Chilwell as a “modern and athletic” full-back and has even been tipped for international stardom one day.

“I think he can go all the way to the top; I’m talking full England international and Premier League left-back for Tottenham,” said The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare on the ‘Next Big Thing’ podcast.

In 2018, he managed to keep one of the world’s most valuable youngsters at bay, recording a clean sheet against Barcelona and Ansu Fati, who in January this year was rated at €108.4m (£92m) by CIES Football Observatory despite only being 18 years old.

Given the likely concerns at left-back on Sunday, Mourinho must be true to his word and finally unleash Cirkin for his senior Spurs debut.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Alderweireld: Spurs keen on “magnificent” £18m-rated beast…

Some Arsenal fans have been left to fume at a revelation involving William Saliba.

As shared on Twitter, no player has been able to dribble past the central defender currently on loan at Nice so far in the 2020/21 term, and he is the only player in Ligue 1 (who has played at least 600 minutes of football) to have that record.

Saliba is also in the top five in the French top flight in terms of ball recoveries since the 6th January.

The Gunners paid a whopping £27m to sign him back in the 2019 summer transfer window, but he has barely featured at the Emirates Stadium.

The 20-year-old clearly has a lot of promise, and some Gooners are becoming increasingly frustrated that he has not yet been given his chance to have a run in the first team, having continually done so well while being sent out on loan.

Arsenal fans on Saliba revelation

These AFC supporters fumed upon reading the stats on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that it is ‘utterly embarrassing’ that he has not been given his chance:

“Arteta smh”

Credit: @saki___J

“Trust The Process FC in the mud”

Credit: @BlackMagicGP

“Utterly embarrassing.”

Credit: @MoHoopsN5

“And we have to deal with Robert Holding….I hate Arteta more everyday”

Credit: @ChapsGMNG

“But not good enough for Arsenal. Arteta decision making is abysmal.”

Credit: @_passby

“Blood on Arteta’s hands”

Credit: @hobidyhobs

In other news, find out whose display was blasted against Liverpool here!