All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former Nottingham Forest star Nigel Jemson insists that the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis has to be praised for backing the managers despite their poor start to the season.

Forest enjoyed a busy summer of recruitment, bringing in no fewer than nine first-team players, with five of those being loan deals.

Forest have, of course, sacked Chris Hughton after a terrible run of form that saw them lose six and draw one of their first seven games.

After the departure of the former Newcastle United boss, Forest won their first game of the season, against Huddersfield Town at the weekend, before appointing former Swansea City boss Steve Cooper to try and turn their campaign around.

Previously, the club had been linked with a swoop to sign former Sunderland striker Josh Maja from Bordeaux in Ligue 1, a deal that would have cost the club a total of £4m.

Jemson believes that such interest is a sign of just how committed owner Evangelos Marinakis is to the cause at the City Ground.

He said: “I think you’ve got to compliment the owner, he’s always given the manager money if he wants a certain player. It would have been an exciting prospect for him to come over but you don’t know the ins and outs, whether it’s more money or up front or installments or whatever it can be, or whether he’s turned it down, we don’t honestly know.

“But you have to be sure if you’re going to spend £4.5m on a player in the Championship, you’ve got to make sure he’s the right one.”

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on Nathangelo Markelo.

According to the official website of the Merseyside club, the U23 player has completed a permanent move to PSV and will now link up with their U23 team, managed by Manchester United and Premier League legend Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Markelo played in a total of 59 games for the Blues’ U23’s over all competitions, scoring two goals and making a further four assists, but never made a senior appearance at Goodison Park (Transfermarkt).

Still, with the departure of promising youngster Thierry Small to Southampton this week as well, the anger of some Toffees supporters that they keep on losing players from the Academy without looking like replacing them is understandable, as they represent the future of the club.

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Everton fans on Markelo transfer update

These Blues were left fuming as the exit news was confirmed by the club on their Twitter page:

“The pathway from the U23’s to the first team has all but vanished in the last 6-7 years.”

Credit: @JamesBrownEFC

“Did you get a fee? Suspect not. Are you not looking across other youth set ups who flog players produced for £ or actually make the first team and wondering what you are doing wrong? You should be. Rhino was a great servant but come on wake up to the abject failure”

Credit: @toffee5000

“Getting rid of our youngsters again why why why?”

Credit: @garrybutter

“Another brilliant signing that done absolutely nothing, that’s my club”

Credit: @DC_1878_

“Another failed youngster by Unsworth. Get him out!!”

Credit: @PaulKershaw0555

“Loyalty to Unsworth in the U23s is just pathetic. Nothing is coming out of this group”Credit: @CJ27__In other news, find out who else’s exit has Evertonians talking here!

An update has emerged on Sunderland forward Aiden O’Brien, regarding his failed deadline day transfer.

What’s the talk?

According to the Doncaster Press, via the Sunderland Echo, a deadline day loan move for Aiden O’Brien to join Doncaster fell through at the last hurdle after the Black Cats issued the player the wrong form to sign.

The report claims that time had run out for the move to be completed by the time the error was corrected, which meant that O’Brien ended up staying at the Stadium of Light.

Howler avoided

Sunderland have managed to inadvertently avoid a key deadline day howler by failing to get the move for O’Brien over the line. It would have been a disaster to send the attacker out on a temporary deal after also allowing Will Grigg to join Rotherham on loan, as it would have left Lee Johnson with little in the way of depth at the top end of the pitch.

Nathan Broadhead and Ross Stewart would have been left to carry the load up front, whilst it would have also left Aiden McGeady as the only recognised left-winger. O’Brien is comfortable playing on the left or through the middle, which makes him a valuable asset to the Black Cats as he can cover in more than one position.

Earlier this season, Johnson heaped praise on the forward and lauded him as both ‘versatile’ and ‘dangerous’. The Sunderland boss said:

“Briz [O’Brien] is quite a versatile player, to be fair.

“He thinks he is a number nine at times, I probably think he is a nine-and-a-half or an 11 cutting in from the left.

“When I came up against him at Millwall, I always found his running power dangerous and difficult to deal with from the left.

“He is the kind of player who could play in two or three positions for us. He has that ability to float inside the pitch, and he is a good footballer – you can trust him with the ball.”

O’Brien has started both of Sunderland’s League Cup matches this season and racked up four goals, averaging a WhoScored rating of 8.20. This, along with Johnson’s comments, suggest that he has the quality to make an impact for the club this season – whether that be in cup runs or as competition in League One.

Therefore, they could have had a disaster moment if they completed the deal to send him out on loan to another team in the division, as they would have ridded themselves of his talents. Fans will surely be relieved that the paperwork error saved Kristjaan Speakman and his team from what could have been a damaging transfer.

Valerien Ismael has revealed that Robert Snodgrass could be back in action for West Bromwich Albion in the not too distant future.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the Express & Star, the Frenchman claimed that the winger, who has featured just eight times since joining West Brom in January due to a persistent back injury, is desperate to get back to full fitness and fight for his place in the Albion first team.

The 45-year-old said: “He is very angry and very hungry. He is back in training and we are happy with where he is at. Snods is a really good guy with the right mentality.

“He has a massive desire to be part of the process. That is a great feeling because if you see him play, if you see him in training, you’d think he was 21 or 22 – a young lad.

“It’s refreshing, especially for the young players to learn from such a player. We now need to work with him, to get him fit and get him back to his level.

“But in terms of the mentality, the attitude, the commitment, the desire to be part of the process – that is number one. It’s just now a question of time to get him back to a good level of fitness and for him to have that feeling again he is ready.”

Huge boost

With Ismael lacking a considerable amount of depth in the wide attacking areas of his squad, something that has not been helped by the recent departure of Matheus Pereira, Snodgrass’ return to the first team would undoubtedly be a huge boost for the Frenchman.

While it is true the 33-year-old has not had much time to impress at The Hawthorns as a result of his injuries, it is clear from the winger’s time at West Ham United that he would be an extremely valuable asset in the Championship this season.

Indeed, over his 24 Premier League appearances in his last full season in east London, the £1.35m-rated man scored five goals, registered five assists and created five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.9 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £38k-per-week Scotland international earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.94, ranking him as the Hammers’ sixth-best performer in the top flight in 2019/20.

As such, if Snodgrass can refind this form upon his eventual return to the Albion side, it will undoubtedly provide the club’s chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League this season with a considerable boost.

In other news: West Brom in the running for “phenomenal” £5k-p/w goal-machine, he’d be a huge coup

Flocking to Twitter, some West Ham United fans have reacted to an ExWHUemployee update involving Chelsea striker and transfer target Tammy Abraham.

The 23-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to east London this summer as his club eye a sale, remains on the radar of manager David Moyes as he seeks a new striker.

Journalist Ekrem Konur even claimed that he is the priority summer target for West Ham with the club set to open talks ‘next week’.

The Irons need to sign a new forward given Michail Antonio’s concerning injury record over 2020/2021, with ExWHUemployee now dropping another update on their pursuit of Abraham.

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He explained, via his West Ham Way Podcast, that the forward is their number one striker choice this summer and is actually very keen to join the club.

In reaction to this update, some Hammers fans had their say on social media with the majority seemingly eager to land Abraham as their new striker signing.

Find all of their best verdicts, in reply to West Ham Central, down below.

ExWHUemployee’s update has some West Ham fans talking

“Get it done!”

Credit: @louiefootball

“Serious player”

Credit: @ellisreidwhu

“To come home to all this news from @ExWHUemployee what a day”

Credit: @joshcaine9

“On my knees”

Credit: @whuryan_

“PLEASE”

Credit: @NathKHart

“Tammy and Pereira”

Credit: @_thejacobc_

In other news: Talks opened – West Ham source shares news as Moyes transfer-lists yet another player, find out more here.

Aston Villa target Will Hughes is training with Watford’s Under-23’s, according to The Athletic, cited by Birmingham Live.

And a number of Villa fans have been having their say on a possible Midlands move following the latest development.

Hughes was again linked with a move to Villa Park last week, with reports suggesting Dean Smith is keen on the central midfielder.

Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster urged the 26-year-old to stay at Vicarage Road and snub a move to Villa in a YouTube video at the beginning of the month.

The Athletic suggest that Hughes, who has 12 months remaining on his contract, will now train with Watford’s U23’s until his future is resolved one way or the other.

Villa fans react

@AVFC_News shared the update on Hughes training with the U23’s, asking fans if he would fit the bill at Villa Park.

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many against any possible move for the midfielder and one describing it as ‘strange’.

“NOOOOOOOO. Not what we’re after. Plus I would rather keep Hourihane!”Credit: @8Tsang”With all due respect it seems a waste of a squad position when we already have better in McGinn, Luiz and Nakamba with uncertainty still over Hourihane. Not that Hughes is a bad player but hardly what’s needed to push us to the next level.”Credit: @JamesCourten”Would have a couple of years ago. Seems a strange move now.”Credit: @SteveSomewhere”No a few years back at Derby he was on the upgrade, career has gone backwards since.”Credit: @sparkym5″Ward Prowse please Sir”Credit: @feed_me_sport”This transfer has Steve Bruce or Sean Dyche written all over it”Credit: @MrWayneGarton

In other news: ‘It’s almost time’, ‘Lange officially the best’ – Many AVFC fans react to Bailey news.

Leicester City have received a potentially significant boost ahead of the upcoming campaign, with key midfielder James Maddison appearing more likely to remain at the club.

What’s the story?

The highly-rated 24-year-old has been linked with a move to fellow Premier League side Arsenal over the summer, but a recent report from The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath claims that the capital club are more likely to sign Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard.

“They are also still interested in Martin Odegaard, who excelled on loan from Real Madrid last season, and their pursuit of the Norwegian could go into the final days of the window,” McGrath wrote.

“Odegaard is a more likely option than Leicester City’s James Maddison, who has also been of interest.”

Leicester City fans will be buzzing

News that the Gunners have reportedly turned their attention to Odegaard will leave Leicester supporters buzzing.

Maddison has established himself as a key figure for the Foxes since arriving at the King Power Stadium back in 2018, scoring 27 goals and providing 20 assists in 119 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ charges, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield along the way.

It is a measure of his importance to the team that he was their highest-ranked player on WhoScored for their Europa League run last season, as well as their second-highest during the 2019/20 Premier League.

His impressive performances for the Midlands club over the last three years attracted the attention of the Arsenal hierarchy, who offered an ambitious player-plus-cash deal for his services.

The capital club made Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles available for Leicester after baulking at their £60m asking price for Maddison, but Rodgers and director of football Jon Rudkin weren’t interested.

With Leicester in an extremely healthy position due to Maddison’s current contract not expiring until the summer of 2024, Arsenal appear to have moved on to a cheaper alternative to the Englishman, allowing Foxes fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

Rodgers will now be hoping that the 24-year-old can return to top form and fire the club to a top-four finish next May, something which has cruelly evaded them since the Northern Irishman’s arrival from Celtic two-and-a-half years ago.

In other news… Leicester agree deal for “outstanding” £60k-p/w beast, Rodgers will be over the moon 

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Sassuolo winger Domenico Berardi after his string of impressive performances at Euro 2020.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (as relayed by LFC Transfer Room), the 26-year-old’s agent has been approached by the Reds’ hierarchy, who have enquired about the player.

The report claims that Jurgen Klopp’s charges are ready to bid for Berardi, joining the race to secure his signature, with Sassuolo demanding £35 million for their prized asset.

He’s an upgrade on Shaqiri

Berardi has reportedly caught the eye of several top sides across the continent after replicating his club form on the international stage this summer.

The likes of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in the pacey attacker, meaning Klopp may have to move quickly in order to secure his man.

After a desperately underwhelming 2020/21 campaign, the Anfield outfit are thought to be in the market for another forward over the coming months.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struggled to live up to their devastating best last term, while backups Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri failed to adequately replace them.

If Berardi does arrive on Merseyside ahead of the upcoming campaign, it’s likely that he’d take the place of Shaqiri in Klopp’s first-team squad, and when looking at the pair’s numbers, it’s easy to understand why.

After a solid first season as a Liverpool player, the Switzerland international has been seriously hampered by a string of injuries and lack of form.

Since the beginning of the 2019/20 season, Shaqiri has bagged just one Premier League goal and provided only two assists in the top-flight.

However, Berardi’s output paints a starkly contrasting picture. The £31.5m-rated ace has found the back of the net on 31 occasions in Serie A for the same time period, laying on 18 assists for his teammates along the way.

It’s clear, therefore, that Berardi would offer a significant upgrade on Shaqiri should he make the switch to English shores, and Klopp will surely be hoping that director of football Michael Edwards can get this deal over the line.

And, in other news…Liverpool suffer potential blow in pursuit of £42m “conductor”, Klopp will be gutted 

The Telegraph’s John Percy has dropped a major update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe this summer.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Dean Smith’s side put in a £25m bid for Smith Rowe, although the bid was officially rejected by the Gunners.

Now, Percy has claimed that Villa have not been put off by Arsenal’s initial rejection, with the club now preparing a second bid to try and entice the north Londoners into selling.

It’s added that Villa feel a deal is worth exploring, and they envision Smith Rowe as someone who could play alongside the likes of Emi Buendia, Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins.

Dean Smith will be excited

After news emerged of the first bid for Smith Rowe, The Athletic’s Villa correspondent Gregg Evans declared: “Villa’s ambitions are becoming crystal clear. Not only are they showing no signs of slowing down their spending spree under Sawiris and Edens, but they are also looking at ways to weaken clubs who could be direct rivals.

“Bidding for Smith Rowe is the most obvious sign yet of that. But this strategic approach of trying to pick apart big teams is taking Villa to a new level. That they feel Smith Rowe is an achievable target says everything about the way the club are moving forward. The very thought of taking away one of Arsenal’s most exciting young players just a few years ago would have been laughed at.

“Also, while their desires to sign Smith Rowe are real, it’s one thing bidding for him, and another actually landing the attacker. But already, these are starting to feel like exciting times for Villa. They are flexing their muscles in the market and aiming high.”

Having seen their initial bid rejected, it would have been very easy for Villa to just walk away, and that first offer would simply have been seen as a bit of posturing.

But going back in for Smith Rowe suggests Villa aren’t just having a laugh or a joke here, and seriously consider their interest in the starlet as something that could come to fruition.

It will absolutely delight Smith that the club are showing such ambition in the transfer market, and it bodes well for their future.

Meanwhile, John Percy has dropped a major claim involving Dean Smith…

Newcastle United are reportedly set to bid within the next few days for Rafa Silva.

The Lowdown: Newcastle favourites

According to a report last month from The Sunday Mirror (27/6; page 74) via The Boot Room, the St. James’ Park faithful are seemingly leading the race to sign Silva, as his agent is currently speaking to teams in England about a potential transfer.

Benfica are reportedly looking to sell the Portugal international, and the North East club are claimed to be at the top of the list to sign him.

The Latest: Bid to be made

As per Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness),the Tyneside club are set to make a bid for Silva ‘in the coming days’, and have been following him for a long time.

However, he will not be sold for anything less than €25m (£21.5m), and ‘many clubs’ are interested in his signature.

The Verdict: Sign

Signing Silva would certainly raise the bar in terms of quality in Steve Bruce’s squad, and is a player that the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron would all love to play with.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos lauded the 28-year-old when he made an impact coming off the bench for him at Euro 2020, in the 3-0 win over Hungary in the group stage, claiming that his pace and drive made the difference and added that he was the game-changer for his side (Tribal Football).

He would certainly give the Magpies another dimension going forward, and with nine goals and 10 assists in 45 games in total over all competitions in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), Silva has proven that he can deliver in terms of numbers, which is what the Toon Army will surely be crying out for come the new season.

In other news, find out why Luke Edwards has cast doubt over a potential takeover completion date here!