All posts by h79snht.top

Leicester City strode to Premier League victory once again this weekend, taking all the three points from a tricky away tie at Newcastle United.

The Foxes, who shocked us all a few years back with Premier League victory, continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the top flight, and they continue to impress on a weekly basis, with players like Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire consistently performing.

One other player who has really shone this season too is young left back Ben Chilwell, who has nailed down his place as first choice left back and looks to be an assured Premier League player who can go on to have a superb top flight career.

However, the £8m-rated youngster will surely not stand the test of time in terms of being a Leicester player, and it’s only a matter of time before somene like Man United, City, or Chelsea will make their move.

Chilwell’s talent will ensure he has a career in the Premier League regardless of who it will be with, and if he can keep his attitude and work-rate up to scratch, then there’s little doubt he will find himself in and among the elite in England in no time.

England honours will no doubt continue to come calling for Chilwell, and he looks every bit the world class left back in the making.

Leicester fans, what do you think? Can Chilwell keep performing? Let us know in the comments!

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the summer transfer market, as Mauricio Pochettino elected not to make a single signing for his squad.

The evidence since then has suggested that the wrong decision may have been made as the Lilywhites have suffered two consecutive defeats at the start of their Champions League campaign, presenting a daunting challenge.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”302265″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts The Icelandic Coutinho & The Scottish Ronaldo”]

Losses to Inter Milan and Barcelona see Spurs’ European ambitions at severe risk of going up in smoke but there is still time for a turnaround and the reports linking Tottenham with PSV ace Hirving Lozano will excite fans.

The 23-year-old Mexico international is widely regarded to be one of the best attacking talents in European football and has already shown his worth this season by netting seven goals for the Eredivisie champions.

Spurs may already have Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min within their squad but the opportunity to sign Lozano should not be passed up.

Do you agree Spurs fans? Let us know your thoughts in our poll below…

One pre-season game is all Andy Carroll has featured in this season, having undergone an operation to his ankle that ruled him out of action for West Ham.

Hammers fans will be used to the sight of the 29-year-old on the medical table, with the striker plagued by injuries since his arrival in London back in 2013, which has led to caution over when the towering forward returns.

But with the former England international back up and running at their Rush Green facilities, the Carabao Cup derby with Tottenham Hotspur at the end of October has been tagged as his potential grand return.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini’s awareness of Carroll’s prior niggles has caused the Chilean coach to favour caution and he will want his man fully fit before he plays.

Injury boost to bolster the squad

Missing big chunks of the season is nothing new for Andy Carroll, with the target man spending a lot of time in the treatment room over the course of his career.

Last season, Carroll’s reoccurring ankle injury kept him out of the line-up at the London Stadium for three-months before re-appearing in his only pre-season game under Pellegrini.

The injury now appears to have cleared and has allowed the aerial threat to return to full training, handing the Irons another option up front with strikers Javier Hernández, Lucas Perez and Michail Antonio all displaying sub-par performances in front of goal this season.

Will he get in the team?

Carroll has had a mixed Premier League career, having shone at Newcastle following their promotion but slumped at Liverpool when the Reds paid big money for the big man.

West Ham’s initial loan should have acted as a kick-start for Carroll but the story has not panned out that way, with the 6 foot 4 forward joining the Irons on a permanent deal the year later on a six-year contract.

Four complete seasons through that deal, the Newcastle academy graduate has only once bettered his best goal tally for the club dubbed the ‘Academy of Football’, which he set in his loan year.

In contrast, the Hammers’ current striker, Marko Arnautović, bettered Carroll’s West Ham best in his debut season at the club. The Austrian international has also kicked off the current campaign in fine form with four goals in seven Premier League appearances.

With the Hammers’ Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham fast approaching, eyes will certainly be on what role Carroll can play in Pellegrini’s game plan.

The 29-year-old has netted just twice in 10 career appearances against Spurs but if he’s given game time by his new manager, there’s no doubting he’ll be desperate to make in instant impression, which Spurs must be wary of.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”304908″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Spurs’ Impressive Run & A Premier League First”]

International breaks tend to be nervous affairs for football fans due to fears of their players suffering injuries.

Liverpool supporters, in particular, will be feeling frustrated as a handful of their first-team stars have picked up problems while on duty for their respective countries.

Mohamed Salah is nursing a muscular problem, while Virgil van Dijk is struggling with a rib issue.

Not only that but it seems that Sadio Mane could be on the sidelines for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Huddersfield Town.

According to the Daily Mail, the attacker broke a bone in his left hand while representing Senegal.

Mane is believed to have picked up the injury during a 3-0 win over Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”307232″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Germany Hit New Low & Jadon Sancho Makes Us Feel Old”]

It is unsure whether the 26-year-old will be included in Jurgen Klopp’s lineup against Huddersfield, but if not, who should the manager add to the forward line?

Let us know by voting below.

[ad_pod ]

Besiktas have approached Liverpool to ask if they would consider taking goalkeeper Loris Karius back from his loan and replacing him with Divock Origi on the same deal, according to Fotomac.

What’s the word?

Nowadays it is no big surprise to come across some bizarre transfer stories, but this one is certainly a head-scratcher.

After Karius’s costly fumbles in last season’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, it swiftly became clear that he would lose the number one spot at Liverpool.

Manager Jurgen Klopp brought in Alisson from Roma and as a result, Karius joined Besiktas on a two-year loan deal.

According to Fotomac, the Turkish outfit have been left less than impressed by the shot-stopper and have approached the Reds with a strange offer.

The publication claims that Besiktas want to send Karius back to Anfield and replace him on the deal with Divock Origi.

How should Liverpool respond?

Liverpool will have very little to gain from this arrangement, and it could end up hampering them in the long run.

Simon Mignolet is currently the club’s second choice behind Alisson, so Karius is not necessarily needed.

As part of the loan deal with Besiktas, an option to buy was included, so if Karius was to return then Liverpool may find it hard to attract another suitor.

As for Origi, the Belgian is not part of Klopp’s plans this season and it is unlikely that he will force a way into the team’s attack.

However, it would be best for the club to push for a permanent sale elsewhere rather than an initial loan arrangement.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”310054″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Fake Madrid & Ross Barkley Emulates… David Ngog”]

[ad_pod ]

Swansea City forward Barrie McKay has revealed he would be open to a return to Rangers in the future, speaking to The Glasgow Times.

What’s the word?

Steven Gerrard allowed two players to make a Rangers homecoming in the summer by bringing Kyle Lafferty and Allan McGregor back to the club and could have his attention cast by another former player who is open to a return.

Speaking to The Glasgow Times, Swansea City’s Barrie McKay revealed he would be keen on a return to the Glasgow club in the future after what can only be described as a turbulent few seasons for the 23-year-old.

After graduating from Rangers’ academy, McKay was surprisingly axed in 2017 and sold to Nottingham Forest before suffering a similar fate in the City Ground, moving on to South Wales in the summer to join Swansea.

What was said?

“If, later on in my career, it came back up I would seriously think about going back. At the time I did leave Rangers, it was the same as Forest, I never really had the choice. I was made aware that they didn’t want me so it was more or less getting out and getting playing.

“I went to Forest and I was playing all the time but then the same thing happened with the change of manager. I have been unfortunate, I think, but these things happen in football.

“It was obviously difficult to leave. I first came through as a young boy and then they brought in players and I found myself out on loan. I got myself back and became a regular but then quickly found myself out of the picture again.

“It was tough to take. It is difficult for any footballer when you go from being first choice to not really playing at all. It can be mentally tough but I think it has helped me a lot and it will help me deal with things in my career.”

Should Gerrard swoop?

McKay left Rangers with an exceptional record, boasting 20 goals and 39 assists in 140 appearances to establish himself as a fan favourite. That sort of threat in front of goal could be extremely valuable to Gerrard, who will surely be keeping a close eye on his development.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”310054″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Fake Madrid & Ross Barkley Emulates… David Ngog”]

The 23-year-old has found his feet at Swansea, securing two assists in 10 Championship appearances, and had a decent return of five goals and seven assists in 26 league games for Nottingham Forest last season – showing he hasn’t lost his ability in the final third.

Current Rangers’ players Ryan Kent and Daniel Candeias can only dream about the sort of figures that McKay achieve in Glasgow and he would certainly be able to provide a significant boost to Gerrard’s side.

[ad_pod ]

It took Leeds until the 82nd minute to score in their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but they certainly looked far more likely after the introduction of 17-year-old Jack Clarke from the bench, raising questions over whether Marcelo Bielsa should start him against Wigan.

When Kemar Roofe did eventually level the scores against Forest it was in controversial circumstances as he turned Mateusz Klich’s cross-shot into the net with his right arm, but there was no doubting that the game had been all Leeds since Clarke had entered the field in the 65th minute.

The youngster, a Thorp Arch academy graduate, showed composure and confidence well beyond his years and almost caught Forest keeper Costel Pantilimon off-guard with a curling shot from the left-hand corner of the 18-yard box before Roofe equalised.

Clarke has now made three substitute appearances for Bielsa’s side but is yet to start a game, and despite the strong competition for places, he should be rewarded for his performances by being thrown into the starting XI against Wigan.

So, Leeds fans, would you start Clarke against Wigan or is it too soon for the youngster? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

According to a recent report from Arab News, West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta could be set for a move away in the near future. The Argentine right back made the move to the London Stadium back in 2017 after a very successful spell at Premier League rivals Manchester City, and he has since proven his worth to the Hammers as well.

But with his contract up at the end of the season, the 33-year-old is reportedly eyeing up a move to the Middle East, but such has been how integral he has been to Manuel Pellegrini’s side so far this term, the East London club simply cannot afford to let the £4.5 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) leave.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while Zabaleta will turn 34 in January and is very much in the twilight of his career, he has arguably been one of West Ham’s better players in the early stages of the season, to the point that he has recently kept summer signing Ryan Fredericks out of the team.

In fact, the defender has started their last seven Premier League matches to underline his importance to manager Pellegrini in that right back spot, an area of the field that has been hugely problematic at the London Stadium for some time now – yet it looks as though Zabaleta has filled the void, for the time being at least.

And after a summer of big spending, which has seen the likes of Felipe Anderson and Issa Diop make the move to the London Stadium and indeed impress in the early phase of the campaign, the fact that they are still reliant on Zabaleta down the right-hand-side underlines just why they simply have to keep him at the club – it would be a step back were they to let him leave.

Clearly, the 33-year-old can still produce the goods in the Premier League having excelled in recent victories over Burnley and Manchester United, while he was named captain by Pellegrini against the former at the weekend to emphasise the leadership skills he still possesses – he’s the sort of player one would want around the club, let alone on the field.

And while there will become a time, probably in the not-too-distant future, in which Zabaleta is unable to continue delivering at the highest level, what better mentor for struggling Fredericks than the 33-year-old, who has played 275 times in the Premier League during his career, and has two Premier League titles to his name.

The Hammers certainly took a step forward during the summer in being bolder and more ambitious with their recruitment, and it is beginning to pay off – but it’s clear that Zabaleta, who wasn’t a big-money signing, is still absolutely vital to the club’s success this term.

As such, letting him go would be a case of one step forward, one step back by the East London club, which is why they simply have to keep him beyond the end of the season when his contract comes to an end.

West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Fulham today confirmed the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as manager, replacing Slavisa Jokanovic in the Craven Cottage hot seat, but sources close to FootballFanCast.com have told us it was Sam Allardyce who the Cottagers were initially lining up.

What’s the story?

There had been huge optimism surrounding Craven Cottage before the season began following the club’s promotion back to the Premier League and a £100million investment in new players during the summer, but all that optimism and excitement has since turned to worry and disappointment.

Jokanovic –  a fan favourite among fans of the west London club – was unable to arrest his side’s poor run of form in the opening 12 games of the Premier League season, with Fulham currently sitting bottom of the Premier League with the worst defensive record (31 goals conceded) in the division and without a win in nine.

So the decision to replace the Serb does not come as a surprise to anyone, although our sources have told us Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan had initially met with former England boss Sam Allardyce twice before the club eventually decided to move for Claudio Ranieri.

Allardyce has been without a club since he left Everton at the end of last season and is widely expected to be the man a struggling Premier League club eventually turns to at some point this season. However, it appears Fulham decided to show a little bit more ambition by snubbing Allardyce and instead moving to secure the services of Premier League winning manager Ranieri instead.

Fulham have done the right thing

Fulham’s decision not to appoint Sam Allardyce is a refreshing one given the amount of struggling Premier League teams who tend to turn to a survival expert like Big Sam in such turbulent times.

It is, however, the right move as they look to continue building on the great work Jokanovic had done at Craven Cottage in over two years in West London. Allardyce’s style is the complete opposite and Fulham fans, as well as the players, will have had to come to terms with a drastic change in playing style.

With Ranieri, Fulham can be confident he will not stray too far away from where they’re currently at while also overseeing an improvement in results.

Of course, Ranieri is the man who oversaw football’s greatest fairytale when he led 5000/1 outsiders Leicester City to the Premier League title in 15/16 and while a repeat of such wizardly is highly unlikely, Fulham fans should be delighted that it’s him at the helm and not Allardyce.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”327140″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Leicester Trump Man City Chelsea & Liverpool”]

What now for Big Sam?

We told you last month that Allardyce had been in talks with Leicester City about the possibility of replacing Claude Puel but that deal appears to be dead following the Foxes’ improved form and, of course, the tragic events surrounding the club in recent weeks.

And now with his route back in to Premier League management with Fulham scrapped, he returns to the waiting game. It won’t be long before another struggling Premier League club panics and sacks their manager and no doubt Allardyce will be throwing his name in the hat when that happens.

Southampton, Crystal Palace and perhaps even Burnley may be his next options should neither club fail to improve results in the coming weeks and months.

[ad_pod ]

Southampton’s poor start to the Premier League season continued before the international break as they surrendered a one-goal lead to draw 1-1 with Watford at St Mary’s, and Cedric Soares once again flattered to deceive at right-back before deflecting Jose Holebas’ equaliser past Alex McCarthy.

Taking a single point against the Hornets left the south coast outfit outside of the relegation zone on goal difference and with just one win in 12 top-flight matches this term, ahead of a crucial fixture against bottom club Fulham on Saturday.

A number of their first-team regulars have not performed to the best of their ability and one of those is Portugal international Soares, who has struggled to make a positive impact at either end of the pitch ever since his country triumphed at Euro 2016.

The 27-year-old has had little competition for his spot in the starting XI over the course of the previous couple of years, and that has perhaps led him to be complacent knowing that he is unlikely to get dropped however badly he might play.

Watch Playmaker FC’s Thogden react to England’s dramatic second-half comeback against Croatia in the video below…

While Jack Stephens and James Ward-Prowse are among the names who could potentially fill in there, never-before-seen youngster Yan Valery has also impressed for the U23 side and should soon be pushing for his first-team debut.

We asked Southampton fans to vote on our poll to tell us who they would like to see start at right-back at Craven Cottage, and a whopping 73% said they wanted to see the 19-year-old handed his full bow, as you can see from the results below.