Tottenham Hotspur have long been linked with a move for Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon.
The 17-year-old burst onto the scene last season and impressed everyone with his contribution of five goals and three assists in 26 Championship appearances.
In the current campaign, the teenager has improved by finding the back of the net 12 times and creating four goals in 33 league outings.
It is no surprise that Sessegnon’s form has resulted in the media linking him with numerous clubs.
[ad_pod ]
Most would be delighted to snap up a top talent, and according to a former Fulham striker, Tottenham Hotspur have already sealed the left-sided player’s signature.
While speaking on the Totally Football Show, Leroy Rosenior claimed that a “deal has been done” for Sessegnon to join a new club at the end of the season.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The 53-year-old added that “strong rumours” are circulating that Spurs are the club that have beaten everyone else in the race.
In response to Rosenior’s claims, some fans were not left very convinced, while others prayed that the speculation was true.
Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in dramatic fashion on Monday night to ensure they go back ahead of Liverpool and into second in the Premier League.
That was a much-needed boost for the Red Devils ahead of their crunch clash against their bitter rivals on Saturday afternoon.
Jose Mourinho has some absentees to contend with ahead of his latest showdown with Jurgen Klopp and we’ve taken a closer look at when the former Real Madrid manager can expect Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo back, as per PremierInjuries.
Marouane Fellaini
When was he injured?: Fellaini was only on the pitch for seven minutes of January’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at Wembley. He was introduced as a second-half substitute but was swiftly withdrawn after suffering a recurrence of the knee injury that has plagued him.
Potential return date: 31/03/2018
Will he missed?: The emergence of Scott McTominay and the return of Michael Carrick has bolstered United’s midfield options. Fellaini can be a useful Plan B to aim long balls at when things are going badly but Mourinho’s men have come from behind to win their last two matches without the Belgian. He also looks set to leave the club in the summer as he has still not signed a new contract so getting used to life without him isn’t the worst thing for United to do.
What the manager said: “We are going to lose him for a few weeks. Two, three four or five, I cannot say at the moment.” (February 2)
[ad_pod ]
Marcos Rojo
Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United vs Manchester City – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – December 10, 2017 Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo receives medical attention after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Darren Staples 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 publicat
When was he injured?: Rojo has been in and out of the side since being forced off with a head injury in December’s Manchester derby. His only match time in March was in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield and he hasn’t played in United’s last four games.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Potential return date: 10/03/18
Will he be missed?: There is an argument to be made that Rojo’s full-blooded approach is perfect for such a hotly-contested match. On the flip side, he can be impetuous and get carried away. Also, he could get drawn into tackles by Liverpool’s rapid front three and get himself into all sorts of trouble. It’s a big week coming up for United and he might need to sit it out to get back fully fit and confident. He can’t be risked.
Michael Oliver has been appointed referee of this weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Chelsea. The two sides meet at the Etihad on Sunday with one flying high at the top of the league and the other reaching a breaking point.
Chelsea need to bounce back from their loss at Old Trafford, but have drawn both matches refereed by Oliver this season. Chelsea fans would do well to remember Oliver at the 1-1 draw at Anfield – there were no cards in that match. The other Chelsea match Oliver has taken charge of is a bit more memorable, a 0-0 draw with Arsenal in which David Luiz was sent off for a rash tackle.
Oliver has taken charge of Manchester City three times this season, all three of which have resulted in wins for Pep Guardiola’s men, including the 2-1 win at Old Trafford in December and the 3-1 victory over Arsenal earlier in the season. While that may be a confidence boost for City fans, Oliver boasts the second highest away win bias in the league at 39%, so there’s plenty of reason for Chelsea fans to keep faith too.
It’s no surprise that Oliver is often given the biggest matches in the league to take charge of, the 33 year-old is certainly one of the better referees in the league.
Of the 19 men to take charge of a Premier League fixture this season, Oliver is 4th in fouls per game and 6th in yellow cards per game, perhaps no surprise given the amount of heated top six clashes he has had, but surely a recipe for fireworks on Sunday. He also dished out two reds, four yellows and a penalty in a match between Watford and Huddersfield in December.
One stat that could certainly come into play on Sunday – Oliver is fifth amongst Premier League referees for penalties per game, averaging more than one every three games. Here’s to a fiery clash at the Etihad on Sunday.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Jurgen Klopp raised a few eyebrows by giving Dejan Lovren a start at Old Trafford but it is fair to say that the gamble backfired as the Croatian failed to repay his manager’s faith.
Romelu Lukaku made a point of targeting the former Southampton defender and it led to both Manchester United goals as the Red Devils raced into an unassailable two-goal lead, eventually winning the match 2-1.
The arrival of Virgil Van Dijk in the January transfer window got Reds fans excited about the partnership he could strike up with Joel Matip but it hasn’t quite materialised.
Klopp clearly didn’t trust the partnership to the extent that he wanted to subject it to the Old Trafford pressure but we’re asking you the question; should Matip be reintroduced for the visit of Watford to Anfield in Saturday’s late game.
The threat of Troy Deeney is a similarly physical one to the one posed by Lukaku and Lovren’s – valued at £15.3m by Transfermarkt – confidence is surely likely to be dented after Saturday’s defeat.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
As reported by The Sunday Post, former Celtic striker John Hartson believes that Brendan Rodgers will stay at the club for another season at least amidst reports he could be set for a return to the English Premier League.
What’s the story?
Rodgers has been linked with various jobs in English football over the past couple of months, including the Arsenal post, a sign of his enormous success at Celtic Park since arriving in the summer of 2016.
However, one former Celtic favourite believes he is unlikely to entertain any thoughts of leaving this summer, despite the tempting nature of a job at the Emirates, should Arsene Wenger leave.
As quoted by The Sunday Post, John Hartson said:
There would also be a transfer budget of more than £150m. That is bound to be attractive to many, many people. My feeling is that he will stay at Celtic for at least one more year. I think he will want to stay to try to achieve eight titles on the trot. He will maybe then review his position. But he also has a long-term contract with Celtic, and I don’t imagine he will be in any rush to leave. Only time will tell.
It’s been a rare occurrence for Celtic managers to have a multi-year deal over the last decade, with a rolling contract the norm before Rodgers signed a new deal.
Will he see it out and guide the club to a famous ten titles in a row?
[ad_pod ]
No signs of discontent
Rodgers has had nothing but praise for the club and the people he works with on a daily basis, whether it be staff at Lennoxtown or the decision makers like Peter Lawwell. The Celtic boss is a forthright guy so if there was any unhappiness at all, there may have been signs of it in press conferences and the like.
The fact is the manager loves the club, loves his current job and is eyeing significant success in Celtic colours.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
There’s an argument to be made that it doesn’t get much better than the double treble the club will potentially win this season, but there’s improvement to be made in Europe and if he can guide the Hoops to 10-in-a-row he will go down as a club legend for decades to come.
That’s worth more than the riches of the Premier League.
Most teams that head into a two-legged tie 3-0 down from the opening fixture, will not feel too optimistic about their chances of progression.
Manchester City supporters, though, are not giving up, and it is hardly a surprise given how scintillating the team have been this season.
Pep Guardiola’s men have a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and will tie up the title with a win over Manchester United this weekend.
The Cityzens have been beaten just once in 31 top-flight games, and that was by Liverpool, who are the ones holding onto a 3-0 advantage over their fellow North-West outfit in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
City were stunned in the first 45 minutes of the encounter as Jurgen Klopp’s men went 3-0 up thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane.
City did not register a single shot on target, and frontman Gabriel Jesus suffered plenty of criticism from supporters as a result.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Ahead of next week’s second leg, some fans are hopeful that Raheem Sterling, who was brought on to a chorus of boos from the Liverpool crowd on Wednesday night, will be the saviour.
The England international is heavily disliked by Liverpool supporters due to his decision to leave them for City in 2015.
Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.
West Ham United could have Andy Carroll available for Monday’s Premier League clash with Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
Carroll has not represented the Hammers since picking up an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the early stages of 2018.
The 29-year-old returned to first-team training earlier this week, however, and has been tipped to play a part against Stoke on Monday night.
[ad_pod ]
Carroll, who was linked with Chelsea in January, has only scored two Premier League goals during a disappointing season, and has been the subject of ridicule from West Ham fans throughout the campaign.
There is no question that the Englishman is a monster of a centre-forward on his day, but the West Ham fans are questioning how long it will be before he is back on the treatment table.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Hammers are not quite out of the woods when it comes to the threat of relegation this season, and Carroll, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, might well have a big part to play.
A selection of the Twitter reaction to the striker’s return can be seen below:
Manchester City’s standards have been so high in a season that has seen them march relentlessly towards the Premier League title, as well as lifting the EFL Cup, that a run of three defeats represents easily their worst spell of the season.
The high-profile nature of the matches – which arguably made up their biggest of the season – means that the timing of the slump could not have been any worse for the former Barcelona manager.
That means he takes his side to Wembley to face Tottenham on Saturday with his side suddenly rattled and slightly vulnerable and has no shortage of questions to answer ahead of the trip to North London.
Football FanCast have taken a closer look at some of the issues that will be occupying Guardiola’s mind as he looks to get his side back on track and avoid making it four defeats in a row on Saturday…
Should Aguero be recalled?
Soccer Football – Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg – Manchester City vs Liverpool – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – April 10, 2018 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sat in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
On a night when City needed goals against Liverpool, Aguero was left on the bench as Guardiola went in search of thrust from wide areas and midfield control.
It nearly paid off and if City had gone in 2-0 up at half-time as they should have – if Leroy Sane’s goal wasn’t disallowed for offside – then we might be viewing Guardiola’s decision in a different light.
However, the fact remains that it didn’t come off and the City boss surely has to consider bringing the Argentine back into the starting eleven here.
Who should play in holding midfield?
As City lost their heads in the second half of last weekend’s Manchester derby, Fernandinho picked up his tenth booking of the season and that means that he will miss the next two matches.
That could pose something of a problem for Guardiola because there is no obvious candidate to stand in. Ilkay Gundogan could deputise as a conservative midfielder or maybe the Catalan – ever the innovator – could move John Stones into the role.
Either way, there should be space in the hole for Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli to exploit and one of Guardiola’s main concerns will be how to plug that gap.
Who is Spurs’ biggest threat?
Harry Kane is now back in the fold and – after a week of consternation – it was decided that he was back among the goals with a glanced strike against Stoke to leave him four behind Mo Salah in the race for the Golden Boot.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
However, with the English striker still not quite at his sharpest, it is Christian Eriksen who may well represent the biggest threat to Guardiola’s vulnerable backline.
As we’ve mentioned, there might well be space in behind the City midfield and the man valued at £63m by Transfermarkt will fancy his chances of getting away from Kyle Walker and exploiting it.
West Ham United are six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with four matches of the season remaining, and Irons fans on Twitter have been discussing the one position in the team they would strengthen by signing a player for £30m.
Should David Moyes keep the east London outfit in the top flight, the Scot will be considering a huge overhaul of his squad in order to ensure they don’t find themselves struggling at the wrong end of the table again next term.
Following the continued below-par performances of Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble in the middle of the park, central/defensive midfield could be one of the 54-year-old manager’s priorities, but the London Stadium faithful would prefer to see him splash the cash on a new centre-back instead.
West Ham supporters, who slated Moyes on social media following another thrashing at Arsenal, were quick to have their say on the one position they would bring in a new face, and while one said “CB no doubt whatsoever”, another said “a good CB, don’t care who”.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Rangers were thrashed 5-0 by Celtic at Celtic Park on Sunday in a match in which they needed to avoid defeat to stop their arch-rivals winning the Scottish Premiership title, and Gers fans want Josh Windass to be sold at the end of the season as a result.
The 5ft 9in attacker has impressed in terms of statistics for the Glasgow outfit this term having scored 17 goals and provided a further eight assists in all competitions, but the Ibrox faithful haven’t always been convinced about his attitude.
The 24-year-old certainly struggled to make any sort of impact against Brendan Rodgers’ men before he was replaced by Alfredo Morelos, and his latest display hasn’t done him any favours with the passionate fan-base.
Rangers supporters, who also slammed Windass’ teammate Daniel Candeias on Twitter for his first-half display, were quick to have their say on the former Accrington Stanley man’s showing via social media, and while one said “sell immediately”, another said “hopefully that’s the last we’ll ever see of Windass in a Rangers shirt”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.