All posts by z3u9t.icu

Fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club shared a post concerning the Hammers centre-back, Craig Dawson.

Having joined West Ham on a season-long loan deal last October, Dawson’s life in east London got off to a rather slow start, with the 30-year-old making just one league appearance for the Hammers in 2020.

However, since then, the £3.6 million-rated defender has become a stalwart in David Moyes’ starting XI, having not missed a minute of Premier League action since his league debut in December, with one supporter calling him an ‘unreal’ find by the manager.

And, following yet another impressive performance in West Ham’s 2-0 victory over Leeds United – in which Dawson scored one goal, made one interception and three clearances – on Monday evening, the West Ham Twitter account singled out the centre-back for praise, simply posting “CRAIG DAWSON” accompanied by two praying hands emojis.

In reaction, fans of West Ham flocked to have their say on the man who has gone from a seemingly pointless singing into an absolute bargain, with many taking the opportunity to call for the club to make Dawson’s loan deal a permanent move this summer.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to the club’s post regarding Craig Dawson?

“Better than Ramos.”

@JOHNSMITHH66

“Craig Dawson superb yet again against Leeds tonight – very solid as always. Seems to be improving and proves the initial doubters wrong every game he plays. He’s the kind of player West Ham fans love – old school CB who plays for shirt every time wears it. Needs to be permanent.”

@WestHamJoshV

“£3 million in the summer! That’s criminal!”

@Nobby_1977

“What a find from Moyes, he looks unreal.”

@conko97

“VIRGIL VAN DAWSON.”

@joelitt78828048

“Sign him up and be done with it.”

@bianchibully

“Get him on the plane.”

@Westhamfan987

“Break the bank for this man! He is massive!”

@TCootie

“Please just please buy him.”

@stoffer_charlie

“Absolute rock at the back!”

@Josephsimon007

“Sign him now pls.”

@mike_deas

In other news: Many West Ham fans responded to this club update, find out more here!

Southampton are set to face Arsenal for the second time in four days as they welcome Mikel Arteta’s side to St Mary’s in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were victorious last weekend in the FA Cup, as an own goal from Gabriel was enough to see the Saints into the fifth round.

However, the Gunners named a much-changed team and it seems likely that regular starters such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe, who have both been in excellent form of late, will return to the starting side.

Southampton named a fairly strong side at the weekend but look set to be without both first-choice full-backs on Tuesday, meaning changes will be necessary.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up against Arsenal, with three changes from the side that started on Saturday…

Alex McCarthy returns in between the sticks, despite Fraser Forster having now kept a clean sheet in all three of his appearances this season.

There are two further changes in defence, the first of which sees 5 ft 11 man Yan Valery make his first Premier League start of the season at right-back after it was confirmed that Kyle Walker-Peters will miss the game through injury.

Ryan Bertrand is suspended, so young Jake Vokins will also make his first top-flight start of the campaign at left-back after impressing against Shrewsbury Town last week.

The midfield stays the same, with the partnership of James Ward-Prowse and Ibrahima Diallo looking very solid, whilst Theo Walcott and Stuart Armstrong should start on the wings.

Hasenhuttl can welcome Nathan Redmond back to his squad after injury, so expect him to be on the bench for this one.

Finally, Danny Ings and Che Adams start together in attack and they will be looking to cause this Arsenal defence more problems, as they did at the weekend in the FA Cup.

And, in other news… “What a player” – Exclusive: Pundit is “surprised” Hasenhuttl fave is still at Southampton

With Kalvin Phillips already out injured, the last thing Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa needed was for any more of his key midfielders to pick up injuries.

But that was exactly the case both in the build-up and during the Premier League clash against Southampton on Tuesday night. Jamie Shackleton was ruled out before the game due to an adductor problem, while Mateusz Klich was forced off midway through the second half.

Speaking after the 3-0 victory over the Saints, Bielsa delivered an update on the duo, saying: “After the game against Wolverhampton, Shackleton presented himself with some problems in his abductor that did not allow him to play today. We don’t have information on Klich just yet”.

If both are ruled out for the foreseeable future, and with Phillips seemingly still not over a calf problem that looked touch and go before the defeat to Arsenal, Bielsa is left short for options in central midfield.

And that is exactly why 18-year-old Nohan Kenneh could well be the starlet to emerge on the scene for Bielsa’s side, and it’s safe to say he’s already modelling himself on some top players.

He said: “Currently I look up to Kalvin Phillips as (we) both play in a similar position, but I occasionally watch videos of Patrick Vieira for his qualities in midfield.”

Phil Hay described him as “supremely gifted” for The Athletic, and he’s capable of playing in holding midfield as well as further back in central defence. At a towering 6 foot 2, Kenneh’s certainly got the physical attributes to develop into a Premier League-ready player.

Describing himself as someone who is “aggressive and hard-working who likes to break down play”, but also liking “getting forward and scoring long-range goals”, Kenneh seems like he’d tailor-made for Bielsa as either a holding midfielder or someone who can get up and down the pitch in a box-to-box role.

Given the injury problems that Bielsa currently has on his hands, giving the 18-year-old Kenneh might well turn out to be the answer. It may be down to be a rather unfortunate set of circumstances, but the Leeds boss must unleash Leeds’ teenage powerhouse.

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday and could go back top of the Premier League with a win against Fulham, depending on Tottenham Hotspur’s result against Crystal Palace earlier in the day.

A much-changed Reds side scraped a 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland in midweek, so it seems likely that Jurgen Klopp will make plenty of changes for the trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday.

The Merseyside club have lost just once in the Premier League so far this season, so will be confident of picking up three points against a Fulham side battling relegation.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line his side up against Fulham, with eight changes from the side that started in Denmark…

Despite Alisson returning to training this week, the Reds might be better served keeping faith in Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, in the hope that the Brazilian is definitely fit to face Tottenham Hotspur in the top-of-the-table clash next Wednesday.

After captaining the side in midweek, Trent Alexander-Arnold drops to the bench in place of Neco Williams, as he has only just returned from injury so should be rested ahead of the game against Spurs.

The right-back was described as “out of this world” by Gary Neville earlier this year but he can still make an impact from the bench if required, rather than being risked from the start.

Joel Matip returns alongside Fabinho, as Liverpool’s youngsters struggled in the second half on Wednesday after the Brazilian was replaced, so hopefully, they will look more solid on Sunday, whilst Andy Robertson returns at left-back in place of Konstantinos Tsimikas.

In midfield, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes his first start of the season after recovering from injury, alongside mainstays Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijanldum.

Finally, there are two changes in attack as Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino come back in, as Klopp has suggested in his pre-match conference that Diogo Jota picked up a knock in midweek, so he’s another that should be rested if possible.

This is a must-win game for the Reds if they want to keep the pressure at the top of the table but considering the importance of next week’s game at Anfield against Tottenham, Klopp must rest players where he can against Fulham, in the hope that his players can still deliver three points.

And, in other news… LFC should cash in on “unplayable winger” in January who’s robbed Michael Edwards dry

Ahead of the January transfer window, West Brom were linked with a move for the out-of-favour Jesse Lingard and the Midlands outfit may need to strike soon if they are to stand a chance of securing him.

Indeed, The Mirror named the Baggies among several top-flight teams interested in signing him on loan last month as he enters the final six months of his contract.

But now this week, Sky Sports have claimed that Lingard’s representatives have held initial discussions with Ligue 1 outfit Nice with an official approach likely in the coming seven days.

It leaves Albion’s sporting director Luke Dowling with a decision to make otherwise he risks letting a mooted target go elsewhere.

Sam Allardyce should ultimately be keen to add someone of Lingard’s pedigree considering he’s crying out for experience and despite only being 27, he’s featured 133 times in the Premier League, and that’s ignoring his 39 appearances in UEFA’s European competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Not to mention the fact that he’s won an FA Cup, League Cup and a Europa League trophy too.

The winger has enjoyed many a battle against West Brom too, contributing towards three goals from four appearances against them, including one game that saw him terrorise current captain Jake Livermore in the no.10 role back in 2017/18.

Lingard scored and made 91% of his passes and enjoyed 56 touches, which was more than the usually-influential Marcus Rashford. As a result, the Baggies skipper managed the game’s lowest rating (6.2) per SofaScore – he simply couldn’t contain him, managing to win just one of six duels.

That versatility could also prove vital to Big Sam as he’s able to play anywhere behind the striker and let’s be honest, you can’t continually rely on Matheus Pereira as the sole creative outlet.

Despite only starting nine times this term, Lingard has still averaged 0.9 key passes per game, which would rank him second in the Baggies squad behind the Brazilian playmaker for chances created.

Adding depth in this department could be game-changing for their survival fortunes, which is why Lingard should be atop their priorities, even more so if this Nice rumour is to be believed.

What is also great about the United outcast is the fact that he’d offer something different too, as seen by Michael Carrick’s praise. He dubbed the England international a “unique” talent, claiming: “I think his movement – he moves off the ball very well. It’s something that sounds quite simple, but it’s difficult to defend against.”

Valued at just £9m by Transfermarkt, Lingard’s reported wages of £75k-per-week could prove to be a major stumbling block, though they do have room for one more domestic loan and that would certainly suit the coffers at the Hawthorns.

The Telegraph’s John Percy warned against any permanent fees in excess of £2m this window.

He’s versatile, creative and has the experience Allardyce is longing for, a swoop for Lingard this month would make the world of sense for Albion, and someone of this quality could well revive them from their floundering plight.

Dowling must sanction this move.

AND in other news, West Brom can finally replace Nathan Ferguson with £65k-p/w “top player”…

Glasgow Rangers versatile forward Kemar Roofe stole the show as Steven Gerrard’s side were once again held to a draw by Benfica in the Europa League, having put in a Man of the Match performance at Ibrox on Thursday night.

Ianis Hagi may have been pushing for a recall but Gerrard gave Roofe his backing to keep his place on the right wing for Rangers last night as he had scored three goals and supplied an assist in his past two fixtures prior to the game against Benfica at the Govan stadium.

The Ibrox boss will have been pleased with the Jamaican’s performance as he was at the heart of almost everything going forwards, straying from the right flank at almost free will and popping up in various places all over the pitch in the opposition half to cause the Portuguese giants several problems.

Scott Arfield was back to his very best, the ever-reliable Ryan Kent his usual imperious self, but Roofe was the real standout.

Having missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, it was a display Gers fans have come to expect from the former Leeds United striker in recent weeks, as he has now bagged seven times in 12 appearances in all competitions for the club so far this season.

Barry Douglas believes his former teammate can push Gerrard’s side to the next level, saying: “Roofe’s very strong for not being the tallest. He can rough defenders up as well.

“He’s definitely got all the attributes to succeed and being at a club like Rangers, and the dominance they will have and the chances they will create in games, he’s definitely going to get among the goals.”

If this performance is anything to go by, the 27-year-old is more than proving his worth (£4m via Transfermarkt) as the Rangers beast ran riot on the right wing with 45 touches of the ball and won 57% of his duels overall. He was also fouled twice, which implies that he was a thorn in Jorge Jesus’ side, per SofaScore.

No player from either side could better his tally of two shots on target, whilst only Alfredo Morelos alone was able to match his efforts, but Roofe was the more clinical of the two as he lashed home a sensational screamer from 20 yards out into the top corner.

Roofe also successfully completed his single dribble attempt of the game, made 17 out of 23 passes (74%), and produced one accurate long ball, whilst he made more tackles (3) than any of his teammates bar Steven Davis and Ryan Kent, which suggests that he contributed defensively as well.

He only conceded one foul before the final whistle was blown, whilst he also won two out of his three aerial duels in total (66%), and was only caught offside once, as per SofaScore.

It’s fair to say that Roofe has added a cutting edge to Gerrard’s attack but this wasn’t enough to prevent the Gers from blowing a two-goal lead once again against Benfica, having suffered from late lapses of concentration in Lisbon.

AND in other news, Bongani Zungu’s injury blow gives Glasgow Rangers star Scott Arfield time to shine…

West Brom will be looking to build on last week’s first win of the 2020/21 season when they return to Premier League action this lunchtime.

Slaven Bilic’s men welcome a former manager in Roy Hodgson and his Crystal Palace side to the Hawthorns for the 12 o’clock kickoff.

The Baggies defeated rock-bottom Sheffield United to move out of the relegation zone over seven days ago, but now find themselves back in it after results last Sunday and yesterday.

Albion are dealing with several injury and fitness concerns, so the under-fire Croatian has plenty of decisions to make. Here’s the XI we’re predicting…

There could be as many as three changes this afternoon.

Sam Johnstone is a shoo-in to remain between the sticks as the Baggies’ first-choice goalkeeper whilst Bilic is likely to stick with the back three of Kyle Bartley, Branislav Ivanovic and Semi Ajayi.

However, he’s forced into at least one switch at left wing-back after Conor Townsend was ruled out with injury for the rest of the month and with Kieran Gibbs only fresh off dealing with an injury of his own as well as coronavirus, we could see young academy sensation Dara O’Shea take up a place as his replacement.

Darnell Furlong should be good to go on the other flank.

There is also a return for £10m captain Jake Livermore, who was another player that tested positive for the virus. He’s an integral part of Bilic’s squad and will surely be handed the reigns over Romaine Sawyers despite the 29-year-old filling in astutely.

His colossal presence in the middle will allow Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher and Matheus Pereira freedom to roam further up the pitch, where the Albion manager could make a surprising final change.

Callum Robinson keeps his place as West Brom’s top goalscorer, but we could see summer signing Karlan Grant dropped to the bench after a string of underwhelming performances.

The 23-year-old, signed from Huddersfield Town for a total of £16m, has scored just once in six appearances and has recorded below 6.15 in four of those matches, as per WhoScored.

Hal Robson-Kanu could be the man to start instead.

It means Grady Diangana will have to once again settle for a place on the bench, alongside the likes of Rekeem Harper, Kyle Edwards, Kamil Grosicki and Cedric Kipre.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer makes Slaven Bilic claim amid  “issues”…

Aston Villa appear to have had the last laugh despite seeing former goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini now play for Champions League side Atalanta.

What’s the story?

The club signed the Italian shot-stopper back in the summer of 2016 when Roberto Di Matteo was in charge, and the then Villa boss made it clear that they had made a major statement of intent with his signing.

Di Matteo insisted: “We have managed to sign him despite the fact he was being chased by a number of top sides and that is a great sign. He’s a young man but has plenty of experience and I’m sure he’ll prove to be an excellent signing for the club.”

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

In the end, Gollini managed just 20 appearances in total for Villa, before Steve Bruce made the decision to let him leave the club permanently for just £3.75m. Whilst things have worked out for him back in Italy, Villa shouldn’t feel too regretful now.

Emi Martinez’s arrival

Make no mistake about it, prior to the summer transfer window, Gollini’s exit would surely have been looked at by Villa with a sense of regret and ‘what if’.

The Italian has established himself as the number one goalkeeper for Atalanta who stunned sides across Europe by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, before eventually losing to Paris Saint-Germain.

A cruciate ligament injury has kept him out of action for the start of this season, but with 41 appearances across all competitions in the previous campaign, there’s no doubting he will reclaim his spot in between the sticks.

But whilst Gollini has impressed, Villa have solved their goalkeeping conundrum with their summer move for Emiliano Martinez. The massive Argentine arrived off the back of a FA Cup and Community Shield victories with the Gunners, and has helped his new club keep the best defensive record in the Premier League with just two goals conceded.

What was initially a massive Bruce blunder in letting Gollini go, has now seen Villa enjoy the last laugh, with Martinez set to form the backbone of their side for the next few years to come.

West Ham United can secure David Moyes an “unbelievable” leader in AFC Bournemouth defender Steve Cook as the Irons look to revive their failed summer interest.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, West Ham and West Bromwich Albion have set their sights on sealing a January transfer for Cook as the Premier League duo target signing a centre-half who is proven in the top-flight.

Cook is also thought to be a target of other Premier League outfits ahead of the winter market as his Bournemouth contract continues to near its expiration, with it suggested that the 29-year-old is intentionally running down his £45,000-per-week terms which expire next summer.

Former and current Hammers managers Slaven Bilic and Moyes both covet the prospect of signing Cook in January as they feel he can bring experience and pedigree to their respective sides, which are in need of defensive reinforcements.

Moyes believes the London Stadium natives are still short of options at the back despite signing Craig Dawson on loan from Watford with an option to buy, while Bilic is now without Ahmed Hegazi following the 29-year-old’s move to Al-Ittihad that left the Croatian “very, very disappointed”.

West Ham had considered a move to sign Cook this summer before acquiring Dawson, while Burnley were also keen in the Bournemouth rock whom the Cherries valued at £8million.

It remains to be seen how highly the Vitality Stadium natives value Cook in January with his contract – the third-most lucrative at the club – expiring at the end of the season, and how much West Ham or West Brom are willing to offer for the Hasting-born centre-half.

An “unbelievable” leader

Cook has continued to be a pivotal aspect of the Bournemouth backline since the Cherries’ relegation from the Premier League, with the 29-year-old starting and captaining the side in all eight of their Championship fixtures to date.

Bournemouth have enjoyed an unbeaten run over those matches and would sorely miss their leader if Cook were to leave in January, having so far recorded the south coast outfit’s highest number of aerial duels won (41) and clearances (37) plus the second-most interceptions (18) and accurate passes (301) by any player, per SofaScore.

The 6-foot enforcer is also a player Eddie Howe backed to one day earn an England call-up in 2019 after a commanding display against Manchester United while marking his 150th Premier League appearance.

“I would never say that’s beyond him,” Howe said, via quotes by the Bournemouth Echo. “I think there was a spell maybe two years ago where I felt he was playing very well and would be a definite option for England. That never quite happened for him.

“But if he continues to perform like that then I think he will have every chance, I’m sure.”

Howe was frequently full of praise for Cook before leaving Dean Court this summer, noting last year how his captain’s return from injury was a huge boost after the 29-year-old missed months of action and spent six days in the hospital recovering from an abscess discovered on his groin.

“His leadership, mentality and experience was just what the group needed,” Howe told the Bournemouth Echo. “It was a really nasty infection. Speaking to him at the time and afterwards, it was a really low point for him.

“From being a professional footballer one minute to not being able to walk and climb your stairs the next, can be quite destabilising. But I think he’s an unbelievable character when the chips are down.

“He hadn’t done a lot of training for Saturday’s game but is someone you can always rely on to give his best and inspire other people.”

If Cook running his contract down leads Bournemouth to accept offers in January, West Ham could do far worse than signing the Cherries’ inspiring leader for Moyes.

AND in other news, West Ham can sign the new Nemanja Vidic in a £43.3k-p/w “powerhouse” David Moyes courted this summer.

Chelsea are close to finalising a dream transfer window after welcoming a hat-full of exciting new recruits to Stamford Bridge. 

The Blues, who will be looking to improve on their fourth place finish last season, boast a very strong-looking squad to help them bridge the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Frank Lampard has had his eye on some mega talent, including Timo Werner who scored an astonishing 34 goals in 45 appearances during his last term with RB Leipzig (via Transfermarkt).

Although the German will make Chelsea much more of a threat in front of goal, Jamie Redknapp has highlighted one of Lampard’s defensive signings as his pick of the bunch.

Indeed, the former Liverpool man thinks Thiago Silva has been a huge coup for the West Londoners and he will be an important part of Lampard’s side.

“It might not be the most exciting, but [their best signing] might end up being Thiago Silva because of his experience,” Redknapp told Sky Sports (via Daily Star). “He’s got an amazing knowhow, he’s played at the top all of his career, he’s played for some of the biggest clubs – the likes of AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Silva made the move from France to England last month after enjoying eight years with the Ligue 1 champions. He joins fellow defender Ben Chilwell in a bid to strengthen Chelsea’s leaky defence from last season. The 35-year-old became a free agent after his contract with PSG ended this summer.

Redknapp has highlighted the importance of signing a veteran like Silva, particularly in a team as youthful as Lampard’s.

“He’s a winner, played for his country countless times, captained his country. So he’ll be a brilliant addition for them,” he continued. “It will be interesting to see who Frank sees as the best partner for him. Is it Zouma? Is it Christensen? We don’t quite know that yet.”

Silva will be available for selection for Chelsea’s first game of the new Premier League season against Brighton.

Do you think Thiago Silva will transform Chelsea’s defence? Have your say in the comments below!