All posts by z3u9t.icu

Aston Villa fell to a 3-2 defeat away at Manchester City this afternoon despite being 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go as Pep Guardiola’s side scored three goals in five minutes to secure their fourth Premier League title in five years.

Goals from Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho either side of halftime looked as though they would stun City and offer a helping hand to Liverpool in the title race, however, Steven Gerrard’s side completely collapsed as the Citizens completed a dramatic comeback.

Despite seeing just 29% of possession, Gerrard’s side had shown quality via direct play prior to their collapse.

However, losing the midfield battle late on was a major contributing factor to the turnaround with John McGinn at the heart of it.

Usually reliable for Villa, the Scotsman made just 24 touches throughout the entire 90 minutes, less than half of the understudy goalkeeper Robin Olsen’s 55 who made his Villa debut with Emi Martinez rested ahead of international commitments.

Moreover, the 27-year-old attempted just 15 passes, completing nine with a 60% accuracy whilst also failing to complete a single long ball or cross.

Whilst completing nine passes, McGinn also lost possession on nine occasions as well as 75% of his attempted duels in a lacklustre display.

With the West Midlands outfit expected to reinforce in their midfield this summer, a poor display from the £70k-per-week midfielder to round off the season certainly won’t have helped his claim for a regular starting spot once again next term.

The likes of Geoffrey Kondogbia, Kalvin Phillips and Ibrahima Sangare have all been amongst the midfielders linked with a move to Villa Park this summer which could spell the end of McGinn’s, as well as other midfielders at Villa, spell as a regular in the Premier League.

On a wider scale, Gerrard will be keen to majorly improve every position with the Villans finishing the season in a disappointing 14th place, having finished 11th last season.

It could’ve been an excellent conclusion to a mediocre campaign at the Etihad, however, a mixture of collapse and revival from their world-class opponents meant that Villa couldn’t hold on to a famous win.

AND in other news: “Villa would…”: Gregg Evans drops huge transfer claim, supporters will be buzzing

Celtic will attempt to sign Alexandre Mendy in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Mendy shines for Caen

The 28-year-old attacker has enjoyed an impressive season for Ligue 2 side Caen, averaging a goal every other game with 16 strikes in 32 appearances.

Celtic have been linked with a move for Mendy in the past few weeks, with Ange Postecoglou now focusing on strengthening his squad ahead of next season.

It looks set to be a transfer that could be revisited in the summer, following a fresh claim.

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The Latest: Celtic backed to make Mendy move

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke talked up the idea of Mendy making the switch to Parkhead, alluding to previous swoops for the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Christopher Jullien from France.

The journalist said:

“It’s been a successful market for Celtic in the past, them raiding the French market, and maybe they’ll be hoping they could have more success if they do decide to pursue a move for Mendy as well.

“He looks like a talented player, and Postecoglou is planning ahead and looking to strengthen his squad with their Champions League football in mind next season.”

The Verdict: Shrewd acquisition

While some may turn their nose up at Mendy given that he’s playing second-tier football in France, he is a seven-cap Guinea-Bissau international, while his scoring record for Caen speaks for itself.

He is someone who could add real firepower in the final third for Celtic, with only Liel Abada (10) reaching double figures for goals in the Premiership this season among Postecoglou’s current squad.

The lure of Champions League football will surely turn Mendy’s head if the Hoops make a bid – with all due respect to Cean, a move to Parkhead would surely be considered a step up for the 28-year-old.

In other news, one pundit has discussed a potentially worrying Celtic development. Read more here.

Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United head into tonight’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea knowing that, should they wish to give themselves the best possible chance of avoiding the drop this season, they simply must pick up some kind of result at Elland Road against Thomas Tuchel’s third-placed Blues.

However, with right-back Luke Ayling being shown a straight red card in the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal last time out, in addition to the form of several of the Whites’ regular first-teamers having fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, the 48-year-old manager has a number of big calls to make concerning his starting XI.

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One such call will undoubtedly be in central midfield, a position in which, following Adam Forshaw’s season-ending injury, the American manager has struggled to find a suitable counterpart to the unflappable England international, Kalvin Phillips.

At The Emirates, Marsch started Mateusz Klich alongside the 26-year-old, however, with the 31-year-old turning in yet another abject display against the Gunners, it would appear an extremely wise move for the 48-year-old to drop the Poland international for what could well be a season-defining fixture this evening.

Indeed, over his 45 minutes on the pitch last time out, the £3.6m-rated midfielder was something of a passenger in the middle of the park, enjoying just 33 touches of the ball, completing 79% of his passes, ceding possession for his side on eight separate occasions, being beaten by an opponent twice and losing five of his six duels – a failure rate of 83%.

These returns saw the £34k-per-week player who The Short Fuse dubbed “embarrassing” and one prominent Leeds supporter dubbed “awful” average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.0 – the joint third-worst score of any player to feature in the match – with Marsch hooking the 38-time capped international at the break.

As such, with Lewis Bate having highly impressed upon replacing Klich last time out, and while it is true that the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison also failed to make any sort of mark against Arsenal, it is the Pole who Marsch simply must axe from his starting XI against Chelsea, as the midfielder could cost the Whites big-time against the Blues.

AND in other news: Marsch must finally unleash “standout” 19 y/o Leeds talent v Chelsea, he “isn’t afraid”

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Idrissa Gueye to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), who claim that, with a little over 12 months remaining on his current deal at Le Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain may be willing to cash in on the defensive midfielder at the end of the current campaign.

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The report goes on to state that this has alerted Tottenham to the possibility of bringing the 32-year-old to north London this summer, with Fabio Paratici believed to be keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Senegal international ahead of a potential €20m (£17m) move.

Conte’s new Kante

With it being reported that the signing of a new central midfielder is one of Conte’s primary targets in the summer transfer window, it is not difficult to see why the 52-year-old would be interested in a deal to bring Gueye to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the club’s 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, according to FBref data, the £13m-rated dynamo ranks in the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for pressures per 90, as well as the top 7% for tackles, the top 31% for interceptions, the top 8% for passes attempted, the top 1% for passes completed, the top 22% for progressive carries and the top 10% for non-penalty goals over the last 365 days.

Furthermore, the £99k-per-week talent who Joe Rimmer claimed is “absolutely everywhere” is also Premier League proven, having averaged extremely impressive seasonal SofaScore ratings of 7.30 in 2015/16, 7.25 in 2016/17, 7.00 in 2017/18 and 7.09 in 2018/19 with Everton.

As such, despite his advancing years, it would very much appear as if Gueye would still make a fantastic addition to Conte’s options in the middle of the park this summer, particularly if the 32-year-old is available for as little as £17m.

And, should Paratici go on to secure a deal for the Senegalese sensation, he may well have provided the 52-year-old Spurs boss with his new N’Golo Kante – the French defensive midfielder with whom Conte won the Premier League title at Chelsea.

AND in other news: Conte now plotting £17m offer for “fantastic” Spurs target, he’s better than Soucek

Alan Hutton has been left wowed by some Everton transfer news that has emerged on James Tarkowski.

The Lowdown: Everton keen

As per Football Insider sources, the Goodison Park faithful are now keen on signing Tarkowski on a free transfer in the summer, as his contract at Burnley expires.

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A source from the Merseyside club has revealed that Kevin Thelwell is a ‘big admirer’ of the central defender, and has watched him play before this season.

The Latest: Hutton reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League defender Hutton, who has also contributed for Sky Sports, has claimed that signing Tarkowski is a ‘no-brainer’, adding that he is a ‘serious upgrade’ on who Frank Lampard currently has in his squad:

“It’d be a good addition for Everton.

“It wasn’t long ago that we were talking about a £50million player in Tarkowski.

“To get him on a free, it’s an absolute no-brainer. He knows the league inside out, he’s battle-hardened, and he wants to fight for his life out on the pitch.

“Everton want to be in a better position next season if they can stay up, and I think he’d be a serious upgrade on their current options – the likes of Yerry Mina and Michael Keane.

“It’s an area where they’ve really struggled recently.”

The Verdict: Get it done

If the opportunity arises to sign a player of Tarkowski’s quality and experience on a free transfer, the Toffees must simply get it done.

As Hutton suggests, he would be a big upgrade on what they already have, as he wins more aerial duels and averages more clearances and blocks per game than Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate and Michael Keane in the Premier League (WhoScored).

Jamie Carragher previously accused the Blues of having a ‘Championship back four‘ after their 5-0 drubbing away at Tottenham Hotspur back in March, and Tarkowski, dubbed a ‘real leader‘ at the back by former top-flight striker Noel Whelan, would help in getting them more organised, and ultimately keep more clean sheets.

In other news, find out what ‘massive’ EFC claim this transfer insider has now dropped here!

In an instant blow for new manager Vitor Matos, “top clubs” are now reportedly making moves in an attempt to sign Swansea City’s Harlan Perry, who has been the academy’s Player of the Year for four consecutive seasons.

It’s the last thing that Matos needs, with the pressure on to arrive and turn things around in Wales. As things stand, the Jacks sit 20th and only four points above the Championship’s dropzone with the manager’s debut against Derby County up next.

Upon arriving, the former Liverpool coach shared how optimistic he is that Swansea can turn their season around – telling the club’s website: “Swansea, for me, have always had a style. Something that distinguished the club from all the others.

“Somehow we have got a bit far away from what is the DNA of the club. So it will take steps, it will take a bit of time, but I really believe we can take steps in the right direction.

“For that, we will need everyone, the whole club, all the fans and us all to have the same vision. That’s what I want. I see the fans are still behind and pushing the team, we will need them and I see players who want to change the momentum and we need to find the right idea and the right vision to do it.

“That’s the most important thing. It is clear we need to win games and points, but we need to focus on the process and I really believe if we can play to our best then the more chances we will have to win. That’s the direction we need to have.”

It’s a DNA built from the first-team to the academy, but one that Swansea’s best young player may yet miss as contract concerns continue to emerge.

"Top clubs" now moving to sign Harlan Perry

As reported by Rudy Galetti, “top clubs” are now moving to sign Perry from Swansea in what would be a free deal. The 17-year-old has been the academy’s Player of the Year in the last four seasons, but is yet to sign a professional contract – opening the door for a potential exit.

Vitor Matos decides to take Swansea City job as release clause cost revealed

A major boost for the Swans.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 20, 2025

The midfielder turns 18 this week – it’s then that clubs will be able to offer him a long-term contract to deal those in Wales a major blow.

Whilst Matos’ first priority should of course be turning results around, he must also ensure that Swansea keep hold of players with impressive potential like Perry, even if it means selling for a larger profit at a later date.

Instant blow for Matos as "one of Swansea's key players" could now leave

One of the most intriguing young players in Manchester United’s academy at the moment is 17-year-old Chido Obi.

The former Arsenal player has a superb record at academy level. He scored 32 goals in 21 official games for Arsenal’s U18s and once bagged ten goals in a 14-3 win over Liverpool U16s. It’s safe to say he knows where the net is.

The Denmark U20s striker featured eight times for the Red Devils at senior level last term, and is a graduate of their academy, having made his first-team debut for the club. Although he’s yet to score, he has certainly impressed in his few short cameos.

In the long run, perhaps he could make the perfect replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who is now thriving at Napoli on loan.

Hojlund's 2025/26 season in numbers

Since leaving United on loan in the summer, Hojlund has enjoyed great success for his new club Napoli and his international side, Denmark. In his last ten appearances for both club and country, he’s scored and assisted nine times.

That includes a fantastic run of form in the past four games.

Hojlund, who wears the number 19 in Naples, has found the back of the net on six occasions in that time, chipping in with one assist, too. That record stretches across the ongoing international break too.

Although he showed flashes of his best form in that famous Red shirt, the 22-year-old struggled for consistency.

He only managed to bag 26 times in 95 games, yet strikes like this one against Viktoria Plzen showed the type of quality he possesses.

The Dane’s current form is certainly a hot streak, who never really managed to find his feet at Old Trafford. There is a chance he could join Napoli permanently next summer, with the Scudetto winners having a buy option in the deal.

If that is the case, and he departs Old Trafford, United might already have his replacement brewing and it’s not Obi or the in-form Benjamin Sesko.

Man United's in-house Hojlund replacement

At the moment, all signs point to the fact that Hojlund will leave the club next summer, given that he has a buy clause and is playing so well.

Of course, in the long run, Obi could be the man to replace him, although there is an even bigger talent than the Dane.

Without doubt, one of the most exciting talents in English football at the moment is JJ Gabriel. At just 15 years of age, he is comfortably one of the best players in the U18s Premier League, against players three or four years his senior.

Academy Scoop, who covers the Red Devils youth sides over on X, described Gabriel as the “talisman” of Darren Fletcher’s side, while as the MEN outline, some academy followers believe he is “the best talent United’s academy has ever seen.”

That is huge praise, especially when you factor in the fact that he is playing three age groups up.

The numbers behind Gabriel’s form this season show just how much of a talent he is. He’s found the back of the net seven times in six appearances, with all of those goals coming from centre-forward.

He can also operate on the left wing, but Fletcher moved him centrally, and he’s since been thriving.

Everton (a)

0-1

0

Middlesbrough (h)

5-0

2 goals

Derby (a)

0-4

3 goals

Burnley (h)

1-0

0

Wolves (a)

0-4

1 goal, 1 assist

Man City (h)

2-4

1 goal

It is easy to see why he was hailed as “one of the most exciting talents in the world” by the Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston. He is a technically superb attacker, with his strike against Manchester City at the end of September showing how quickly he can change direction, before firing home a well-struck effort.

It is certainly interesting to see Gabriel operate as a striker for the Red Devils’ academy sides. He clearly has bags of technical quality, and playing in this advanced role has shown that he has an eye for goal, too.

It will be fascinating to see when Gabriel makes his debut for the first team, with reports suggesting he will train with Amorim’s side this term.

He’s already shown great ability in the academy, and Amorim may well decide to unleash him this season, as Mikel Arteta did with Max Dowman.

He would certainly be an upgrade on Hojlund in the long run if he adapts to senior football as quickly as he did to the U18s.

Man Utd have a "£100m + footballer" who's becoming their new McTominay

Man Utd will not want to repeat the mistake they made with McTominay

2 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 13, 2025

Liverpool are willing to once again break their transfer record in order to sign a player who can “do everything”, and he is seen as a replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Slot assesses another Liverpool defeat

The Premier League champions suffered their third defeat in a week on Saturday, losing 2-1 at Chelsea, with the Reds heading into the international break in worrying form.

Speaking after the game, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot offered an honest verdict, admitting there were still aspects of the performance that he liked.

“Another disappointing loss. That’s clear. Another game similar to the Palace game, although the game was completely different because the playing style of both teams are completely different. But not similar to the Palace game where in the first half I think we played not our best football but still were able to create three big chances.

“They’ve only had one and they’ve immediately scored it, which was completely different to the Palace game, where Palace created a lot of chances in the first half. And the second-half performance, like in Palace, I liked, we’ve created more than enough chances to score more than one goal – last week and today. I think there was a period of the game where I felt, ‘Now we’re going to win it.'”

Salah struggled badly once again, with the Liverpool legend in poor form, and a potential replacement for him has now been linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool willing to sign £130m Salah replacement

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are preparing to pay £130m to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, breaking their transfer record again in the process, with the Reds seeing him as a replacement for Salah.

The Frenchman has grown into one of the best wingers in Europe currently, and Chelsea and Manchester City are also mentioned as options for him.

Writing Salah off feels far too premature, with the Egyptian simply not playing with his usual confidence, but at 33, it is clear that he can’t go on forever.

Finding a long-term successor to him at Liverpool has to be considered priority transfer business, and in Olise, the Reds could have the perfect option to take on the mantle.

The former Crystal Palace man can be a joy to watch, gliding in off the right wing onto his left foot, and he has been lauded by Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano: “He’s a magician. His technical level is very high. He can do everything. He can score, set up, and even defend.”

Most importantly, Olise has substance as well as style, which will be needed to replace Salah, with four goals and assists apiece already coming his way for Bayern this season.

Arne Slot risked £70,000-a-week Liverpool star vs Chelsea, he's now injured

It didn’t go to plan for the Reds boss.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 5, 2025

At 23 years of age, he has so much time to improve, and while £130m is an enormous amount of money, Liverpool signing the Frenchman could be a masterstroke as the years pass.

A new report claims Liverpool have made contact with a “superb” Paris Saint-Germain star over a summer move to Anfield and the Champions League winners have already responded.

Liverpool eyeing two Premier League players after Kerkez

Reds supporters couldn’t have asked for a much more positive start to the summer transfer window, with the arrival of Florian Wirtz having the potential to be huge. Not only that, but Jeremie Frimpong has also joined and Milos Kerkez is on the verge of coming in from Bournemouth.

Liverpool’s business may not stop there, however, and another Cherries player, Antoine Semenyo, continues to be linked with a move to the club. He has been mentioned as an option for some time, following an excellent season in the Premier League in 2024/25, in which he scored 11 times.

A new centre-back has to be looked at by the Reds at some point, considering Jarell Quansah is off to Bayer Leverkusen, and a bid for Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi could be made at some point this week.

Further up the pitch, Lyon winger Malick Fofana has been talked about as an exciting young target, with Liverpool ahead of Chelsea in the race to snap him up.

Liverpool make contact with PSG star Barcola

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool have now made contact and enquired with Paris Saint-Germain about signing winger Bradley Barcola this summer.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all in the same boat, but it is stated that PSG don’t want the France international to leave and have told those clubs their stance.

It looks unlikely that Liverpool will be able to entice Barcola to Anfield, but if the situation changes, they should be looking to bring him in as a hugely gifted option.

The Frenchman is now a Champions League winner after PSG’s brilliance last season, and he played his part in the success, scoring three goals and registering four assists in the competition.

At just 22, there is still so much more to come from Barcola as the years pass, and while he is at his best on the left wing, his versatility allows him to be a huge threat on the right flank and even in a central attacking role.

He was lauded as a “superb” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig back in 2023, and has only grown as a footballer since then, and Liverpool’s best chance of signing him may be if PSG sign another attacker this summer, potentially stunting his growth there.

Slot's answer to Mane: Liverpool chasing "monster" £70m Premier League star

Liverpool have set their sights on another attacking star this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 24, 2025

Granted, new wide options aren’t essential for the Reds, especially if both Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo stay put, but players with the long-term ability of Barcola may not come around too often.

Will Celtic sign another Premier League superstar?

Kieran Tierney has already returned to Parkhead this summer, following in the footsteps of manager Brendan Rodgers and Jota, who’ve also both re-joined the club in recent times.

Now, could another boyhood Celtic fan fulfil his dreams of wearing the famous green and white hoops?

Celtic targeting another statement signing

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Celtic are ‘interested’ in signing Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, while admitting that ‘financial constraints’ would prove to be a stumbling block.

The Scotland captain is widely expected to depart Merseyside this summer, with David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana of the Athletic documenting Atlético Madrid’s interest, given that the Reds are targeting Bournemouth’s Miloš Kerkez, who they view as an upgrade.

Robertson, who was in Celtic’s academy between the ages of nine and 15, has always been open about his desire to represent the Hoops one day, admitting that “Celtic was my life” growing up, adding that he’d “love to pull on the Celtic top and walk out at Parkhead” one day.

So, could this move really come to fruition this summer?

How Andy Robertson compares to Kieran Tierney

It is all change in terms of Celtic left-backs this summer.

Greg Taylor is highly likely to depart following the expiration of his contract. PAOK are the latest European club interested in securing his services, while it’s not yet clear if Jeffrey Schlupp will be staying, following a brief loan spell.

Meantime, Tierney has of course returned but, as has been an interminable debate surrounding the national team for nigh on a decade, is he better than Robertson?

Let’s attempt to find out.

Appearances

20

45

Minutes

447

3,320

Pass completion %

79.8%

83.0%

Interceptions

0.2

0.6

Tackles

0.5

1.2

Clearances

0.7

1.3

Ball recoveries

2.2

3.8

Ground duel success %

71%

50%

Touches

72.5

76.9

First things first, due to injuries and the fact he was not first-choice at Arsenal, Tierney played fewer than 500 minutes of club football this season, which does offer a very small sample size.

That caveat aside, Robertson’s per-90 statistics are still pretty much more impressive across the board.

When he was still Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp described Robertson as a “world-class left-back”, while José Enrique, a former incumbent of the Reds’ full-back spot, asserts that he has been “the best left-back in the world” for many years.

Now though, James Pearce and Mark Carey of the Athletic outline that the Scotland captain’s form ‘has come under intense scrutiny’ this season, while also asserting that he is far from ‘finished at the highest level’.

Robertson still ranked 17th in the Premier League this season for crosses into the penalty area, as well as 11th for crosses overall, according to FBref.com, an attribute that has been viewed as his superpower for many years.

Gillian Kasirye of Total Football Analysis claims that Robertson is ‘passed their peak’, but still has a lot to offer at the elite level, so could he really be tempted to make a move to Glasgow this summer?

Celtic may make shock bid to re-sign £10m star who Rodgers called "sublime"

Hoops supporters could absolutely love this.

1 ByHenry Jackson Jun 17, 2025