All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has urged Dele Alli to leave Tottenham Hotspur to kickstart his career again.

The Lowdown: Alli struggling

The 25-year-old’s hopes of making a real impression under Nuno Espirito Santo were dealt a blow on Sunday as Spurs hosted Aston Villa.

The £27m-valued midfielder started the three previous Premier League matches (Transfermarkt), all of which ended in defeat for Tottenham. However, without him in the starting line-up against the Villans, Tottenham picked up an important 2-1 victory.

The Latest: Phillips urges Alli departure

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips urged Alli to move on from the north London club. The Sky Sports pundit said:

“I don’t think he’s been the same player for the last couple of seasons, I have to be honest.

“In my own personal opinion, I don’t think Tottenham fans would want to see him leave.

“But I think it might be that time where he needs a fresh challenge to get the best out of Dele Alli.

“For me, when he plays, he never looks happy. I never see that smile on his face. He’s got his shoulders up, his chest out.

“Maybe a fresh challenge, you’d have to ask the player. There’s certainly a talent there.

“When you are Dele Alli and you’re not performing, things aren’t going well, ultimately you are going to come in for criticism.

“Harry Kane did earlier in the season when he wasn’t scoring goals.

“Part of me thinks maybe he feels a fresh challenge, a new club, might just reignite his career. Get him back to where he was a couple of seasons ago.”

The Verdict: New start needed

For a while now, Alli has failed to live up to the high standards he had previous set. Last season, he made just 15 appearances in the league, only managing to provide one assist.

In the past, he has admitted he is unable to do the things he previously could, and he looks a shadow of the talent who burst onto the scene after joining from MK Dons and later scored 22 goals in one season for Tottenham.

Right now, it looks unlikely that he will resurrect his career with Spurs. A fresh start, without the same expectations and pressure, could well enable him to find his best level. In January and next summer, questions will be asked about his future – it remains to be seen whether he stays in north London or takes Phillips’ advice and tries to reignite his career elsewhere.

In other news, this man turned down the chance to manage Spurs in the summer.

Aston Villa face Chelsea twice this month at Stamford Bridge in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.

Villa fans attending either clash will have to adhere to numerous protocols, the club revealed on Tuesday. And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters were quick to flock to the update.

Villa revealed that fans travelling to Stamford Bridge will need to provide proof of a vaccine or a negative lateral flow test upon arrival or face being turned away if they don’t comply with the rules.

They will also be required to wear face coverings in all indoor areas of the stadium, however, they aren’t needed when seated or outside of the stadium.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news on their official Twitter page on Tuesday. This is what these fans had to say, with one labelling it as ‘disgusting’ as the supporters were frustrated at learning of the protocols only after purchasing tickets.

“Absolute joke selling tickets before announcing this. Not even a government guideline until October”

Credit: @vizzy9

“Disgusting”

Credit: @ShawAVFC

“Wouldn’t bother me but it’s a bit controversial them doing this AFTER people have purchased tickets”

Credit: @JBaker_24

“Maybe should have made us all aware of this before selling tickets”

Credit: @avfcbrummie

“Age 11 and up? Wow.”

Credit: @JohnGallett

“Absolute joke! Slippery slope this!”

Credit: @avfc_85

In other news: Lots of AVFC fans react to this reported transfer snub. 

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming after Saturday’s home defeat to Brentford left the club with an unwanted record.

First half goals from Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo handed the Bees all three points in a comfortable afternoon for the west London side at Molineux, earning their first away win of the campaign.

The defeat is Wolves’ fourth defeat of the season, with their only win and goals scored coming in last week’s 2-0 victory at Watford.

It is now nine home Premier League defeats in 2021 for Wolves, more than any other current side in the top flight, as replayed by Talking Wolves in Twitter.

Two straight defeats to Everton and Black Country rivals West Brom in January started the rut, before Liverpool, West Ham United, Burnley and Manchester United all left Molineux will all three points in the final two months of last season.

This season, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United picked up narrow 1-0 wins in the Midlands before Thomas Frank’s side made it nine defeats at home for Wolves, who have lost their last four in a row on their home patch.

Many Wolves fans fume over home record

These Wanderers fans took to Twitter to lay the blame on different people at the club after the disappointing performance on Saturday left them with the “shocking” tag of the most home defeats among any top-flight club this year.

“Unfortunately a shocking and disappointing performance. We are so much better then this. Come on Wolves, sort it out…”

Credit: @AntAH56151940

“I am really, REALLY hoping this is a big wake up call for the team. So much potential here but we haven’t gotten to see it fulfilled yet this season! Let’s turn it around boys”

Credit: @brethewsbay

“In the players’ heads they think they are top 7 but on this form we are relegation material”

Credit: @Weatherer

“Shocking”

Credit: @danielpeters44

“It’s because we are spiralling out of control and need a leader to take control and steady the ship before we start attacking the enemy. Jury is out the Bruno knows how to do that. Nuno can. We need a mix of Bruno and Nuno”

Credit: @MichaelEKberg

“We could do with sorting this out a bit”

Credit: @TonyBel83049813

In other news: Many Wolves fans have been left fuming over comments made by a former Aston Villa striker. Find out more here.

Watford midfielder Will Hughes appears to be closing in on a move to Crystal Palace, according to The Athletic’s Dominic Fifield.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been sharing their thoughts on social media.

Fifield posted an update on Twitter on Thursday, suggesting Hughes could be the first of a few late additions at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles look set to pay Watford an initial £6m for Hughes which could rise to £10m in the future with various add-ons.

The 26-year-old is now set to undergo a medical with Palace and discuss personal terms.

Fifield’s story also claimed that Patrick Vieira’s side are in the market for a new striker and a right-winger before the deadline closes.

Palace fans react

The news regarding Hughes and other possible arrivals at the club in the final days of the window went down well with these Palace supporters, with one ‘excited’ at the update and another labelling it as ‘great news’.

“Yesssss”

Credit: @JoelGray_

“Finally we move”

Credit: @PrideOfSouthLDN

“Happy days.”

Credit: @wallHil59834857

“Pretty excited about this signing. As close to a Cabaye replacement as we’re going to get”

Credit: @PeterJM83

“Finally some news”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

“Cheers Dom! Great news! Here’s to a few more in due course! Hopefully a striker or two and a winger”

Credit: @stephenpengi69

In other news: ‘Imagine’, ‘No way’ – Lots of CPFC fans go wild as ‘absolutely incredible’ transfer link emerges. 

Aston Villa target Rafinha has been given a glowing recommendation by a Ligue 1 expert…

What’s the talk?

Ligue 1 expert Adam White has hailed PSG midfielder as very talented in response to Aston Villa’s reported interest in the Brazilian. He has said that he is surprised that he has been on the fringes at PSG, with Villa now looking to snap him up.

He told This is Futbol:

“Rafinha’s had a strange PSG career. Thomas Tuchel really liked him and played him a fair amount, but then he’s really been on the fringes under [Mauricio] Pochettino.

“It’s a little bit of a surprise because he was pretty good under Tuchel and slotted in really well.

“When PSG end up with a really busy schedule towards the end of the season or in the middle of the season, he was a really good option in Ligue 1 – very skilful, very talented.”

Villa are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the ex-Barcelona ace, with PSG said to be looking for a fee in the region of £8.5m (€10m).

Get it done

Johan Lange must secure a deal for Rafinha this summer as he could be an excellent signing for Dean Smith’s side. At the reported price of £8.5m, it could also represent a transfer bargain for the Villa chief.

Rafinha is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, which suggests that Villa could be able to sign him for £5m cheaper than what he is supposedly worth and that is not taking into account his potential to improve further and increase his value down the line.

He turned 28 in February and that means the next few seasons of his career could be his peak years, meaning that Villa would be getting him at the perfect time if a deal can be done.

Rafinha also has the quality to back up Villa’s interest in him. His former Barcelona teammate Andreu Fontas previously called him a beast. He said: “Rafinha is a great player. Physically, he is a beast and, technically, he is superb.”

The 28-year-old has played at the top level for Barcelona, Inter and PSG, which shows that he is experienced above and beyond where Villa are as a club now. He has played in, and won, the Champions League and has also won three La Liga titles with Barcelona. This shows that he has the ability to play at the elite level of the game, as three separate clubs have wanted him in their side when competing for major honours.

He could come in and improve Villa’s options in midfield as he has the experience required to raise the standards. He knows what it takes to win some of the biggest prizes in club football and would come in having trained with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi throughout his career, which means that he could use his experiences to help Villa’s players step up.

Lange must push to get this deal over the line.

AND in other news, The Athletic journalist drops update on £50m midfielder, Villa fans will be relieved…

Former All Leeds TV and now JustJoe Football Show presenter Joe Wainman has blasted Conor Gallagher after the midfielder opted to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan instead of heading to Leeds United.

Gallagher was in-demand after impressing during a temporary stint at West Bromwich Albion, where he made 32 appearances last term.

Although the 21-year-old was unable to stop the Baggies suffering relegation back to the Championship, Gallagher still caught the eye of several clubs and was immediately linked with another move away from parent club Chelsea.

After an encouraging first season back in the Premier League following a 16-year wait, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were keen to bolster their options by tempting Gallagher to Elland Road.

However, the Yorkshire club were left disappointed as Gallagher chose to join Crystal Palace instead.

Gallagher’s move to Selhurst Park comes after a summer of change at the club, with Patrick Vieira replacing Roy Hodgson as manager and several players departing.

Wainman has accused Gallagher of lacking ambition following his summer switch.

He told Football FanCast: “Missing out on Conor Gallagher was a little bit sore because I did see him as being a great Bielsa player in terms of what he can offer on the pitch.

“By all accounts, Leeds waited a month for him to come back and that was frustrating because I know how good Victor Orta is when he presents to prospective players.

“It stinks of a lack of ambition from Conor Gallagher.”

A number of Liverpool supporters are delighted after James Pearce claimed that Andy Robertson will sign a new Reds deal in the near future.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have got their season off to a perfect start, winning their opening two Premier League games and not conceding a goal.

Liverpool have done it without the influential Robertson, too, with the Scot still recovering from an ankle injury picked up at the end of pre-season.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Kostas Tsimikas has performed admirably in the absence of the Scot, filling in impressively at left-back and proving that there is depth in that area.

Robertson remains the undisputed first-choice in that position, though, and Liverpool will be keen to tie him down to a new contract, having done so with several other key players in recent weeks.

According to The Athletic journalist Pearce on The Red Agenda podcast [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], the defender’s new deal should be sorted imminently.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-10/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans react to Robertson news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their happiness at Pearce’s prediction about Robertson’s Anfield future.

“Get in la”

Credit: @SharafJuhayr

“Let’s gooo. Best LB in the world staying with us!”

Credit: @LFCLover_1

“Sign him up for life!!!!”

Credit: @Garth_82

“What a day”

Credit: @DiogoJotaFC20

“Dear Robbo”

Credit: @englishjen2

“We also seem to keep doing this, which isn’t as sexy but does protect the current squad”

Credit: @TomGFootball

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted negatively to a fresh transfer rumour. Read more here.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting negatively to an update on Florian Neuhaus, with the midfielder set to stay put at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Gini Wijnaldum’s exit to Paris Saint-Germain has left the Reds crying out for a new central midfielder, with Jurgen Klopp potentially bringing one in this summer.

A host of players have been linked with coming in and filling the void left by the Dutchman and Neuhaus is one of them.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

The 24-year-old impressed for Monchengladbach last season, scoring six goals and registering five assists during an influential Bundesliga campaign.

A fresh update on Neuhaus’ future has now been provided, with Sport 1 journalist Florian Plettenberg taking to Twitter to confirm that the Germany international is now likely to stay at his current club, even despite the fact Klopp is allegedly a ‘big fan’ of the player.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-9/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans react to latest on Neuhaus

These supporters took to Twitter to show their frustration at the update, particularly the claim from Plettenberg that there is ‘no place in the Reds’ squad’.

“No place in the Liverpool squad seriously we are turning into a banter club before our eyes”

Credit: @Corballyred

“No place in our squad??? Bro whaaaat?”

Credit: @SirXabi

“Adrian is one of the foreign players taking up that place….this club isn’t serious at all”

Credit: @FalakRF

“Shock”

Credit: @JackManningOF

“No place in the Reds squad. Suggests we don’t want another midfielder”

Credit: @Ryan_Marchh

“FSG not spending. Nothing new.”

Credit: @RobinK1983

In other news, some Liverpool fans love a photo that has emerged during a Reds training session. Read more here.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are frontrunners to sign Lyon defender and Denmark star Joachim Andersen – but new boss Nuno Espirito Santo is set for the final call over his signing.

The Lowdown: Andersen on the radar…

As Tottenham aim to revamp their defence this summer, defender Andersen has been namedropped as a target for months.

Alasdair Gold first revealed the 25-year-old is attracting interest from Tottenham, previously mentioning him as a player Spurs like alongside the likes of Nikola Milenkovic and Lewis Dunk (football.london).

Those links haven’t ceased, either, with Gold reiterating recently that Spurs are still eyeing him this summer (football.london).

The Latest: Spurs frontrunners…

The Mail, coming out with their own update, say that Tottenham are frontrunners to sign Andersen this summer – but the final decision will very much lie with Nuno.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-4/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

He caught Spurs’ eye whilst on loan at Fulham last season as the Lilywhites now wait to see if their new manager approves of the move this summer.

As well as Andersen, another Denmark star in Jannik Vestergaard is also firmly on the agenda with talks now held.

The Verdict: Great option…

The player’s 20/21 season in the Premier League was an undoubted success and simply must encourage Nuno to potentially finalise his Tottenham signing.

Andersen averaged a head-turning 4.8 clearances per match at Craven Cottage, more than any Tottenham player, whilst also winning the most aerial duels (3.2) out of anyone in the Fulham squad (WhoScored).

Cottagers legend Tony Gale was so impressed by some of the defender’s exploits that he labelled Andersen ‘absolutely sensational’, and Tottenham will be remiss if they don’t snap him up.

In other news: Tottenham make approach to sign £43.2m-rated star once likened to Messi, find out more here.

Everton’s recruitment is like a London bus. You wait ages for one to come along and then two arrive at the same time.

It has taken a while for the Toffees to get going in the ongoing summer window but they are nearing their first deals.

What’s the word?

The Merseyside outfit are reportedly close to welcoming Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes to the club with Rafa Benitez just needing to put his seal of approval on a move.

However, their first marquee addition could be that of Denzel Dumfries.

The Netherlands star has caught the interest of plenty of teams this summer following his displays at Euro 2020.

Bayern Munich were interested in the right-back but after turning their noses away, it left Everton with a free run to bring him to Goodison Park.

According to reports, that’s exactly what they look set to do. Sport Mediaset (via Sport Witness) claim that Everton ‘will be his destination’ after talking intensively to Dumfries and PSV Eindhoven.

The 25-year-old is thought to have a release clause of €15m (£13m) so a deal could be wrapped up fairly cheaply.

Fans surely buzzing

If Marcel Brands and Benitez can get this one over the line then it should leave Everton supporters particularly enthralled.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-everton-news-benitez-kamara-romero-dumfries” title= “Read the latest Everton transfer news!”]

After all, Dumfries was one of the star men during the recent European Championships.

Although his country were knocked out in the last 16 by the Czech Republic, he was a rampant threat down the right-hand side.

Former footballer, David Meyler, took to Twitter to hail the lively threat of Dumfries as “unbelievable,” during the Championships.

It’s easy to see why. He scored twice at the Euros, combining frantic energy with vast physical power and immense speed.

Although a defender by trade, it’s his attacking statistics and attributes that stick out. The PSV brute registered 1.5 shots, one key pass and one dribble per match for his country this summer.

Remarkably, his creativity was even better for his club side in 2020/21. Dumfries supplied six goals for his teammates, providing 1.4 key passes per match.

With that in mind, he should be a player who’s able to get supporters off their seats next term.

Pivotally, he looks an ideal fit to replace Seamus Coleman. The Irishman has lost a yard of pace but what set him apart from other defenders in the division was his prolific creativity.

During his time at Goodison, Coleman has registered 31 assists and 26 goals.

If Dumfries can get anywhere close to replicating that haul then he’d be a magnificent signing. Either way, just the idea of landing someone who’s shone at a major tournament should delight fans.

AND in other news, Everton may repeat their Walcott howler by signing £30m gem who Rafa compared to Messi…