Newcastle United have reportedly now offered a deal to Sven Botman ahead of a potential move in the summer.
The Lowdown: Two-way battle
It has been widely reported that there seems to be a two-way battle between the St. James’ Park faithful and AC Milan for Botman’s signature this summer.
The former reportedly had a bid rejected from Lille for the Dutchman in the January transfer window, and now it looks as if they will return for him at the end of the season, while the latter have even had their club legends talking up a deal.
The Latest: Deal offered
As per Football Insider, a source from the North East club has revealed that they have ‘not given up hope’ of signing Botman, after holding ‘extensive negotiations’ since January.
Both the KSA Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Milan have ‘offered a contract’ to the central defender, and have already ‘verbally agreed personal terms’.
The Tyneside outfit now have to negotiate a fee with Lille, who are thought to value Botman at £30m.
The Verdict: Sign
If the Magpies can snap Botman up for £30m, it could prove to be a real bargain in the future.
Described as a ‘golden boy‘ by his agent Francesco Miniero, he is already playing regularly at the highest level at just 22 years of age, and is surely a player that Eddie Howe would love to work with.
At six-foot-five, Botman is a colossus, and only two of his teammates win more aerial duels per game on average in Ligue 1 this season.
Nonetheless, he would certainly be a statement signing by the new owners and would seemingly settle into a monstrous back-line alongside 6 foot 7 Dan Burn.
In other news, find out who NUFC now ‘want’ as their ‘marquee’ signing here!
Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted that Nottingham Forest will be defeated on the road against Preston North End on Saturday.
What he said
In his regular EFL predictions column, Prutton’s verdict on Forest’s prospects against the Lilywhites was ominous.
Whilst he concedes that the Reds have improved since the appointment of Martin O’Neill, he believes that Preston will prove too much for them to handle: “I think Preston will be too good for them at home.”
Bolton edged closer to the Championship drop zone with defeat at home to Preston on Saturday. Check out Thogden’s matchday vlog below…
O’Neill’s side have been inconsistent recently, but they’ve shown flashes of real quality. The former Republic of Ireland manager will be hoping his side can pull a solid performance together this weekend to confound Prutton’s prediction.
What O’Neill can do
Forest have the quality to overcome Preston, if they get their gameplan right. Alex Neil’s side have been fairly solid when playing at home this season, but if the Reds are aggressive and confident then they possess the necessary firepower to break down the Lilywhites’ defences.
O’Neill must send out his team to play on the front foot. The likes of Lewis Grabban and Joe Lolley have the capacity to hurt Preston so long as Forest are set up in an attacking manner that will see chances created for these forwards.
John Hartson believes there is little chance of Brendan Rodgers quitting Celtic in the summer, contrary to claims made by former team-mate Chris Sutton.
Celtic’s tame performance and defeat to Valencia last week prompted Sutton to speculate over whether the Irishman would feel that he couldn’t take the Hoops any further.
Domestic success helps fuel the demand for progress in Europe but it seems that the last 32 of the Europa League is as far as Celtic can go.
Last season they lost out on a 3-1 aggregate to Zenit St Petersburg, and Thursday’s match in Valencia now requires a two goal winning margin for Celtic to progress.
A Treble Treble is very much on the cards but Hartson believes that it’s the lure of taking the club to three more title successes that will keep the former Liverpool boss motivated.
“I don’t go along with the idea Brendan will leave Celtic in the summer,” the Welshman said, as quoted by The Daily Record.
“He loves his job and if he wins 10 in a row he could walk on water – and I think Brendan would quite like to walk on water! He’s living the dream as it is.
“It’s not about money for him, Brendan is very wealthy and he’s still very young in terms of management. As a man still in his 40s – he’ll have another 20 years at the top.
“As things are he’s very well thought of and could probably pick his next job whether that’s abroad or back in the Premier League. For now I like to believe he’s at Celtic for the long haul.
“I said on TV the other night during the Europa League tie against Valencia it looked like some of the Celtic players had their eyes on a different prize. For me they want that treble again. That would be a monumental feat, if they were to go and do the triple treble.
“Right now they’re favourites to do it so Brendan will want to get that out of the way. He thinks game by game and the next trophy.
“I believe he’s here to stay. His contract tells you he has another few years left so I don’t think there is any issue on that front. I don’t think there is any offer out there at the minute that would tempt Brendan away. He has managed big clubs so it’s not about the money.
“No disrespect but him being offered a big-money job elsewhere isn’t like someone at Livingston getting the chance to go to Celtic. I just think Brendan will want to create history.”
Rodgers joined Celtic in May 2016 on a 12 month rolling contract, a year later he signed a four-year deal keeping him at the club until 2021 – the year optimistic fans have pencilled in for the title party to end all title parties.
أبدى مدرب فريق مانشستر سيتي بيب جوارديولا، عن رأيه تجاه الأداء الذي قدمه اللاعب الشاب ليام ديلاب في مباراة الأمس أمام بورنموث، في بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.
وتواجه الفريقان في إطار منافسات دور الـ 32، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بهدفين مقابل هدف.
وشارك ديلاب مع الفريق الأول، في مباراته الأولى تحت قيادة جوارديولا، وسجل الهدف الأول.
وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “manchestereveningnews” الإنجليزية: “ديلاب مهاجم مختلف عما لدينا من ناحية اللياقة البدنية، نحن نرى في التدريبات كم هو جيد في اللمسات الأخيرة، الآن عليه أن يتحلى بالهدوء ومواصلة العمل”.
وأضاف الإسباني: “نحن سعداء بأدائه، لقد لعب بشكل جيد حقًا، الوضع الذي نواجهه الآن هو أن لدينا 13 لاعبًا فقط في الفريق الأول، نحتاج إلى لاعبين من الأكاديمية، ليس فقط في الجلسات التدريبية”.
وواصل: “سيظل ديلاب معنا في ظل المشاكل التي نواجهها في خط الهجوم، إنه يبلغ من العمر 17 عامًا فقط، ولديه الكثير من الأشياء لتحسينها، الشباب يحتاجون إلى وقتهم الخاص، ولا يمكننا توقع سير كل لاعب شاب ولكن مثل فيل فودين وإريك جارسيا وتومي دويل أو ديلاب أو كول بالمر، سيكون هناك لاعب استثنائي آخر”.
وتابع: “تهانينا لأكاديمية الشباب والمسؤولين عن الكشافة لتجنيد هؤلاء اللاعبين وجميع الأعضاء في الأكاديمية، جيسون ويلكوكس هو الآن المدير في الأكاديمية الذي يساعدنا في الحصول على هؤلاء اللاعبين”.
Newcastle United put some breathing room between themselves and the relegation zone with a comfortable 2-0 win over Premier League strugglers Huddersfield Town at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The fixture also marked Miguel Almiron’s full debut for the Magpies. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder became the Tyneside club’s most expensive ever signing in January when he arrived for £20 million from MLS outfit Atlanta United.
Have the new Newcastle home and away kits for next season accidentally been leaked? See for yourself in the video below…
The 14-cap Paraguay international impressed against the Terriers, bringing pace, energy and invention to Rafa Benitez’s side’s play. He also seemed to combine well with his fellow attackers, especially Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez.
Newcastle need Almiron to live up to his price tag if they’re to comfortably avoid relegation this season. His performance this weekend suggests that it was money well spent though.
After the match, loads of Newcastle fans took to Twitter to express their excitement over Almiron’s impact and what he promises for the future…
تلقى فريق تشيلسي ثلاثة أهداف أمام فريق وست بروميتش ألبيون في المباراة الجارية بينهما في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
تشيلسي يواجه وست بروم خارج قواعده على ملعب “ذا هاوثورنس”؛ وتشير النتيجة إلى تأخره بثلاثية مقابل هدف.
الأهداف الثلاثة، جاءت أخطاء في التمركز من خط دفاع البلوز، في الهدف الأول والثالث، وارتكب البرازيلي تياجو سيلفا خطأ كارثيًا تسبب في الهدف الثاني. أهداف مباراة تشيلسي ووست بروميتش
وبحسب شبكة “أوبتا” العالمية للأرقام والإحصائيات، قإن تحت قيادة فرانك لامبارد، فشل في الحفاظ على نظافة شباكه في 20 من 21 مباراة خاضها خارج أرضه في البريميرليج.
وأشارت إلى أنّ لاعبي تشيلسي ارتكبوا 3 أخطاء أدت مباشرة إلى أهداف في البريميرليج هذا الموسم؛ وهو نفس عدد الأخطاء التي ارتكبوها في موسم 2019/2020 في البريميرليج.
وذكرت أنّ تياجو سيلفا هو أول لاعب يرتكب خطأ أدى إلى تسجّيل هدف في أول ظهور له في البريميرليج منذ ظهور عيسى ديوب الأول مع وست هام ضد أرسنال في أغسطس 2018.
وقالت الشبكة أنّ مُنذ بداية الموسم الماضي في البريميرليج، لا يوجد فريق استقبل أهداف خارج قواعده أكثر من تشيلسي بـ42 هدفًا.
Everton can break out of their recent malaise when Liverpool come to visit this weekend.
Marco Silva’s side have been frustratingly inconsistent this season, with their 3-0 win over Cardiff City on Tuesday coming on the back of a run of three defeats against Wolves, Manchester City and Watford.
Yet there is a slim hope on the blue side of Merseyside that, as the old adage goes, form will fly out of the window when the old rivals come to town.
Everton have not won a derby game since 2010, when goals from Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill gave the Toffees a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.
Since then, the defeats have ranged from a 4-0 thumping in 2016 to a 1-0 loss at Anfield in December.
Across 18 meetings – including an FA Cup tie – Everton have lost nine times and also drawn nine.
There is a desperate desire, of course, to beat the Reds, particularly with Jurgen Klopp’s side attempting to win the Premier League title. A victory over Everton will see them solidify their position at the top of the tree.
The Toffees faithful have a major role to play in preventing that from happening.
Liverpool, of course, are favourites, but Goodison can be a cauldron when the big teams visit, the atmosphere ratcheting up to the point of disrupting the rhythm of the away side.
Everton’s best bet, then, is surely to make this a cup final, to roar themselves hoarse as their side attempt to get back into form. Naturally, the noise generated by the supporters will be imperative in creating a cup final feel to the occasion.
Klopp, it must be noted, does not perform well in finals.
Soccer Football – Champions League Final – Real Madrid v Liverpool – NSC Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine – May 26, 2018 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates their first goal REUTERS/Hannah McKay
He last won a major showpiece in 2012, as his brilliant Borussia Dortmund side thumped Bayern Munich 5-2 in the German Cup final.
Thereafter, Dortmund lost two more finals to Bayern, as well as the German Cup final to Wolfsburg in 2015.
Since joining Liverpool, he has seen the Carabao Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League slip through his fingers, most recently watching Loris Karius essentially throw two goals into his own net against Real Madrid.
Now, there is no trophy on the line this weekend but Toffees supporters need to ignite a cup-final atmosphere. Everton are still in the race for a Europa League qualification spot and can move to within a point of seventh-placed Wolves if results go their way.
Plus there is the carrot of potentially throwing a spanner in Liverpool’s title charge.
The Reds have lost just once all season – to City – but they remain just a point clear of Pep Guardiola’s men, who face AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. The Blues should, all things considered, win that fairly comfortably, a day prior to the derby.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Watford v Everton – Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain – February 9, 2019 Everton manager Marco Silva reacts during the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for furt
Perhaps, then, this is a cup final for Liverpool. Following this game, there are encounters with Burnley and Fulham either side of a Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich. Klopp will be expecting to take six points.
This weekend’s encounter stands out as a potential banana skin due to the rivalry, rather than Everton’s form.
Supporters are clearly frustrated with the way the side are playing; they do not know which version of the Toffees is going to show up every game, after all. A prime example came earlier this season, as Everton responded to a 6-2 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur by thumping Burnley 5-1. They are the definition of a Jekyll and Hyde side.
But if the fans and the team are both singing from the same hymn sheet, Everton could build a platform on which to build the remainder of their season.
Beating Liverpool is not the be all and end all at the club but it is mighty close. Win this weekend, and previous sins may well be forgotten.
Coming off an inspired win over Manchester United in the weekend, they need to replicate something similar to defeat a dangerous Rennes side, who dented their Europa League ambitions with a crushing loss in France.
However, to tame the French side, a Frenchman is coming to Arsenal’s rescue. Alexandre Lacazette is available for the Gunners after having his ban overturned thanks to a successful appeal, meaning Unai Emery will have his strongest unit available.
In need of a big win, Lacazette could be their make-or-break factor at the Emirates.
The French striker’s coming into the game in hot form after playing a big part in breaking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s perfect record at Manchester United. Lacazette tormented Victor Lindelof and co with his movement, while getting a few swipes at goal. Furthermore, he even assisted Granit Xhaka’s surprising opener and earned the penalty which sealed the deal.
Countryman Thierry Henry once inspired Arsenal comeback against Inter Milan back in 2003, scoring twice and setting up another to briefly stop an embarrassing Champions League exit. While Lacazette clearly has a lot to do in order to be considered on a similar sort of level than the legendary ‘Titi’, that type of performance would be huge.
As Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slowly finds back his lethal touch, Lacazette is Arsenal’s prized asset in the final third. He’s only made four Europa League appearances this season, one which included a dreadful sending off against BATE Borisov. However, he’s scored one and assisted another in the other three and will look to redeem himself in front of his adoring fans.
Indeed, the Gunners can take heart from the fact that the Champions League has seen many scintillating turnarounds in recent weeks, so things are possible in the Europa League.
Gunners, do you think Lacazette can make the difference to complete the comeback? Join the discussion by commenting below.