All posts by z3u9t.icu

This season, Jadon Sancho has been making quite the impression at Borussia Dortmund.

The 18-year-old, who won his first senior cap for England last November, is now a starter at the Bundesliga outfit and is making regular goal contributions from his position out wide.

The winger, of course, joined Dortmund from Manchester City back in the summer of 2017 and has recently spoken about what motivated him to make such a move.

The Breakdown

“Why Dortmund? It speaks for itself: youngsters get opportunities,” Sancho told FourFourTwo in an exclusive interview.

“You’ve got to thank Dortmund, because it’s unheard of for a team that gets 80,000 fans at every home game to put so much faith in youngsters. It was crazy how many clubs wanted me – it shows how well you’re doing, but I always felt Dortmund was right for me.”

Ultimately, it is fair to say Sancho’s move to Dortmund has worked out and extremely well one might add. From a Manchester City perspective, though, what does their former winger’s comments about youngsters getting opportunities at the Signal Iduna Park say about them?

It sounds almost like a jibe at the Citizens, who just do not offer that in this moment of time in their quest for trophies. For all of the success they can guarantee and money they can offer, the Etihad looks a place where exciting young players do not wish to be with Brahim Diaz also recently following Sancho out of the exit door.

And while supporters will be quick to point to Phil Foden, the 18-year-old looks to be the exception rather than the norm.

Sancho’s success could now lead to an exodus of young English players leaving their clubs to venture into a foreign league with Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi looking like the next name who could be about to follow in the England international’s footsteps.

Celtic are in talks regarding a deal to bring Christopher Scott to Parkhead in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Florian Plettenberg, with the Sky Sports Deutschland journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that, despite the fact Bayern Munich are hoping to tie the 19-year-old down to a new deal at the Allianz Arena – with his current contract set to expire this summer – the attacking midfielder is considering a move away from the Bundesliga side in search of regular first-team game time.

Plettenberg goes on to state that, as a result of the Germany U20 international’s contractual situation and desire for first-team minutes, both Celtic and Brentford have initiated negotiations with the teenager ahead of a potential switch this summer.

In his tweet, the Sky Sports journalist said: “News Christopher Scott: His agent met FCB officials a few days ago. FC Bayern want to extend beyond 2022, club can pull an option but he wants to play regularly. Talks with Brentford & Celtic!”

Celtic supporters will love Plettenberg’s claim

Considering the sheer amount of potential Scott quite clearly possesses, Plettenberg’s suggestion that Celtic are in talks with the 19-year-old Bayern starlet is sure to be news the Parkhead faithful will love.

Indeed, it is abundantly clear when looking at the £1.08m-rated youngster’s returns in youth and reserve team football just how talented he is, with the forward-thinking midfielder bagging an incredibly impressive 43 goals and registering 11 assists over 103 appearances with the likes of Bayern Munich II, Bayer Leverkusen U17s, Bayern Munich U19s and Bayer Leverkusen U19s.

Furthermore, Bhoys Analytics also state that, after looking at his statistics, it is clear the 19-year-old “generates a lot of threat from finishing and creativity” and is a “very aggressive accurate passer along the deck” – while the fact that he has “played in a possession-based side” would appear to make him something of a dream signing for Ange Postecoglou.

As such, it is clear for all to see that landing Scott would not only be a major coup for the Hoops this summer – especially if he were to arrive on a free transfer – but the German youth international could also very quickly prove to be an upgrade on a number of the 56-year-old manager’s current options in attacking midfield.

AND in other news: “Forget Reo”: Ange must land “frightening” £18.5k-p/w gem who’d “light up Celtic Park”

Rangers have received a boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Xavi Simons with the news from L’Equipe (via Get French Football News) that he is yet to sign a new contract. 

The lowdown

A report from Spanish outlet AS (via Glasgow Times) shortly before the turn of the year claimed that Rangers were leading the race for Simons, having opened talks with his agent Mino Raiola. The teenager, who joined PSG from Barcelona in the summer of 2019, is out of contract at the end of the current season.

Simons, who can play as an attacking midfielder, right winger and centre forward, has made four senior appearances for PSG, including two Coupe de France outings in the past month. He has also twice made the bench in Ligue 1 this season without getting any minutes.

The latest

The report from L’Equipe (via Get French Football News) claimed that PSG are at risk of losing Simons on a free transfer in the summer, having apparently become frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities afforded to him in the French capital.

Before he signs a new deal in Paris, the player wants guarantees that he will either be allowed to leave on loan for the remainder of the campaign or be properly integrated into the senior setup.

The verdict

This is a huge update from a Rangers perspective. It raises the genuine possibility that Simons will leave the Parc des Princes, and the Scottish champions appear to be at the front of the queue.

It would be some signing for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. The Daily Record’s Robbie Copeland has written that the 18-year-old is ‘possibly the most exciting name Rangers have been linked with’; while another sports journalist in Maxi Angelo has raved about the teenager’s ‘spectacular’ showings in the UEFA Youth League after he produced three goals and six assists in the group stage of the tournament.

Even if the £1.6m-rated gem does sign a new deal at PSG, all hope may not be lost. If Simons gets his loan wish, he could still end up at Rangers on a temporary basis.

In other news, many Rangers fans flock to this double exit claim

Leeds United are one of many teams interested in Rob Dickie ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that the Yorkshiremen are among several sides keen to sign the Queens Park Rangers defender. Many of their Premier League rivals, including West Ham, Southampton, Wolves and Burnley are also mentioned.

Whilst no asking price is specifically mentioned by the report, it’s believed that the Championship outfit would command at least eight figures – give or take £10m – though Transfermarkt value him at just £2.7m.

QPR managed to squeeze nearly £20m out of Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze last summer, so they are capable of driving a hard bargain.

Bielsa needs him

On the face of it, another centre-back addition is perhaps the last thing on Victor Orta’s agenda but given the injury nightmare that manager Marcelo Bielsa has suffered, it wouldn’t go amiss to add a talent like Dickie.

The likes of skipper Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente have all faced time on the sidelines since the start of the season. It’s gotten so bad that Luke Ayling had to partner the German in the middle against Arsenal last time out, despite both only just returning from their own injuries.

Standing at a whopping 6 foot 4 and right-footed, the 25-year-old would hand the Argentine a very reliable option to his backline, especially as he’s equally adept in a four and a three.

“Rob is so comfortable on the ball. Physicality, aerially strong, passing: his technical base is so sound. He’s a very talented player,” claims his manager, Mark Warburton.

The Athletic go as far as comparing him to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire in terms of playing style.

Currently, Dickie ranks as the Rs’ best performer on the season so far, averaging a 7.16 rating on WhoScored. An average of 3.9 aerial duels won, 1.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 82.2% passing accuracy, via WhoScored, would certainly back up the aforementioned praise and likeness.

Also lauded for his leadership and being an “unbelievable man” by his former Oxford boss Karl Robinson, the QPR star would surely be a player that Bielsa would love to have at his disposal.

For a little over £10m, it could be quite the steal.

AND in other news, Bielsa dealt gutting Leeds United transfer blow ahead of January…

Tottenham Hotspur are set to sanction the departure of promising academy gem Dilan Markanday this week…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, who delivered an update on the situation to fans on Twitter this week.

“#Blackburn are close to agreeing [on] a deal to sign #Tottenham winger Dilan Markanday,” he said. “The context around this is that #Tottenham have wanted Markanday to sign a new contract and go out on loan, but he wants a permanent part of a senior first team and he’s good enough. A string of Championship clubs offering him the chance, including #Blackburn.”

Indeed, this certainly appears to be the case as fellow reporter Michael Bridge delivered his verdict to GIVEMESPORT.

“No confirmation yet, but I understand that Markanday’s contract runs out at the end of the season, so you’d assume it was a permanent deal.”

Terrible news

Spurs now seem set to lose out on one of their most exciting young talents, one that is a boyhood supporter of the club.

Markanday has been in electric form for the U23s this season, scoring 12 goals in only 14 appearances in the Premier League 2 and he has done so playing in a variety of attacking positions – largely, upfront and on the left flank.

A winger by trade, the 20-year-old seems a nice fit for Antonio Conte’s system as he can provide valuable backup to the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

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However, he just hasn’t been trusted to feature under the Italian, whereas players like Dane Scarlett have. Baffling.

The Barnet-born starlet envisaged spending his whole career at the club, as he revealed to the Independent back in November.

“The dream is to play for Tottenham for the next 15 years, playing every game, but obviously I know things might not work out and there are going to be ups and downs. But all I can control is the controllables and things will work out for the best,” he claimed.

Dubbed a “big talent” by broadcaster and Spurs fan Greg Jenner, it seems inexcusable to let a player with Markanday’s talent and attitude leave the club this month, instead of tying him down and plotting out plans for him to become a first-team star.

Just as Jenner is angry, much of the Lilywhites faithful are too – many were left dubbing the youth system a “joke.”

It wouldn’t be the first time that the club has lost a promising talent, either. You only have to look at what Noni Madueke has done in Holland to see why this is a major mistake.

No wonder many are fuming with this news.

AND in other news, “I’ve just had a message”: Duncan Castles drops Spurs transfer bombshell, Conte will be livid…

Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici must look to offload Steven Bergwijn amid interest in his signature ahead of the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old is reportedly wanted by Eredivisie champions Ajax this winter, just two years after joining from their top-flight arch-rivals PSV Eindhoven in a £25m deal.

It’s fair to suggest that the Dutch winger has been far from inspiring since his arrival and that much is reflected by the fact that he has played just 13 minutes under Antonio Conte, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo last month.

De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij even revealed that the Italian has previously rejected the chance to sign Bergwijn at Inter Milan and, since taking the helm in north London, he has barely spoken to the 24-year-old, which only goes to show how little his manager thinks of him.

“Conte is also the one who opposed Bergwijn’s transfer from PSV to Italy. Inter were an interested club at the time, but Conte did not need him. “Conte has only said two words to Bergwijn in two weeks at Tottenham Hotspur,” he told the Dutch newspaper’s podcast (via Sport Witness).

It’s not as if the £19.8m-rated dynamo was doing the business under Nuno or even Jose Mourinho, who was Tottenham’s manager at the time that he was signed. The Portuguese even revealed that he wasn’t keen to sign the player in quite a damning revelation during his time at Hotspur Way.

“Initially – and I’m always very honest on this – he wasn’t my first option when we decided to make a movement in the winter,” he told reporters (via the Evening Standard).

Indeed, it appears that Mourinho’s original fears have come to fruition as Bergwijn’s poor returns have seen him deliver only four goals and nine assists from 62 appearances, per Transfermarkt. That’s a direct contribution once every 244 minutes, which is pretty abysmal for an attacking player, even more so after averaging a goal or assist every 136 minutes at PSV.

That could suggest that he’s simply not up to the standard of the Premier League, as is often the case as the Dutch top-flight is some way off those levels. For instance, Sebastien Haller, who flopped at West Ham, is now scoring for fun at Ajax.

When factoring in his reported £73k-per-week wages, the Dutchman has cost Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the club around £32.3m in total, meaning he has cost £8m per goal and £2.5m per goal or assist. Very poor value for money, it has to be said.

He is out of favour and isn’t in great nick either, as relayed by Lilywhites insider John Wenham to Football Insider, where he claimed that “Bergwijn has been terrible all season,” so it could be very wise to make a brutal decision to cut short his time in north London.

Ajax are reportedly keen, so Paratici and co would be foolish to not let him go for whatever they can recoup.

AND in other news, Conte could finally unlock Harry Kane with Spurs swoop for “incredible” 6 ft 1 beast…

After completing his loan spell in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers last season, where he managed to score seven goals and provide 11 assists in 42 appearances, Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott broke into Jurgen Klopp’s side at the start of this season, starting three out of their first four league games of the campaign.

Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he suffered a serious ankle injury during the 3-0 win over Leeds United back in September which has kept him out of action ever since.

Despite this setback, though, it now seems as though there is light at the end of the tunnel for the youngster.

What’s the latest?

On Monday, Elliott completed some exercises on Liverpool’s outside training pitches for the first time since undergoing surgery on his ankle, which will surely leave a lot of Reds fans buzzing.

Given how the Merseysiders have had some other injury issues in recent weeks with the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner and Roberto Firmino, it’s safe to say that this update on the teenager will be a welcome slice of good news for Kopites.

While there may still be a way to go before he recovers fully and is able to get back in matchday action with the rest of his Liverpool teammates, this is still a big step forward for Elliott and his overall recovery given the severity of his injury.

In the four league games he played for Liverpool before sustaining his injury, the teenager – who is currently valued at £13.5m according to Transfermarkt – racked up an average of 1.8 shots and 1.3 key passes per game, proving to be as a real attacking threat for Klopp’s side even though he hadn’t scored or set up a goal.

Moving forward, if Elliott can proceed with the rest of his recovery with success, he has shown that he definitely has what it takes to get himself back in the team and continue being a useful attacking midfield option for the Reds. That could ultimately make him an important part of Liverpool’s push for the Premier League title by the end of the campaign, especially if he can add some goals and assists to his locker.

In other news: Liverpool gem who’s “out of this world” has just shown in 122 touches why he’s Klopp’s hero

Liverpool head into Thursday evening’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg meeting with Benfica knowing that any result better than a two-goal losing margin will see them progress to the semi-finals of the competition – something that, considering their dominating 3-1 victory at the Estadio da Luz last week, would appear an extremely likely outcome.

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And, with Jurgen Klopp revealing in his pre-match press conference that he has a fully fit squad to pick from ahead of this evening, the Reds’ comfortable lead on aggregate could well lead to the 54-year-old selecting a somewhat rotated squad against the Eagles – especially with another showdown against Manchester City coming up on Saturday in the FA Cup semi.

So, will the German make any changes to the side that started the 2-2 draw with City last weekend? Here’s how we think Liverpool could line up against Benfica…

With Klopp’s fully fit squad boasting an exceptional amount of strength in depth, we predict the 54-year-old will make six changes from his starting XI at The Etihad on Sunday.

In the back five, Alisson gets the nod between the sticks, while both centre-back Ibrahima Konate and left-back Kostas Tsimikas come into the XI for Joel Matip and Andy Robertson respectively – with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk retaining their spots at right-back and centre-back.

In the middle of the park, after highly impressing in the first leg, Naby Keita makes a return to the side alongside Jordan Henderson – who drops back into the six – and Thiago Alcantara in Klopp’s three-man midfield, with the £180k-per-week Fabinho – who journalist Declan Carr dubbed “woeful” against City – dropping to the bench.

Finally, there are wholesale changes in attack, with all three of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane being afforded a rest, while Harvey Elliot – who journalist Tom Barclay labelled a “wonderkid” – Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz all come into the XI.

AND in other news: Liverpool in talks to sign “absolutely crazy” £42m talent, it could be bye-bye Salah

An exciting Rangers transfer update has emerged, regarding a player Giovanni van Bronckhorst is keen on bringing to Ibrox this month…

What’s the talk?

According to Bologna Sports News, via the Daily Record, a decision is imminent from winger Andreas Skov Olsen in regards to where he will be playing his football in the second half of the season.

The report claims that Sampdoria and the Gers are two of his options as he prepares to leave the Serie A side on loan for the next few months, with a final call set to be made in the coming days.

Bologna Sports News have also followed this with another snippet on the Denmark international, claiming that they would also be open to selling him on a permanent basis if the right offer came up. The Italian side would like a fee in the region of £5.8m for his services.

Excited

This update will surely leave Rangers fans feeling excited as it appears as though they will know sooner rather than later whether or not he will be playing in Scotland this season.

The initial report indicates that it may be a straight shoot-out between Sampdoria and van Bronckhorst’s side and the former may have the advantage of being in the Serie A, which means that Olsen would remain in a division he knows well and would not need to move countries for the transfer.

However, he may want to try a new adventure and test his skills in the Premiership with Rangers. Fans would be buzzing if he does decide to make the switch to Glasgow as he’d make be an excellent addition to van Bronckhorst’s playing squad.

The attacker has registered two assists in five Serie A starts this season, whilst right-sided Gers duo Scott Wright and Ianis Hagi are both yet to manage a single assist in the Premiership. This suggests that he would come in and provide an extra level of creativity to the team on the right-wing, handing the likes of Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos more service to thrive off in the coming months.

In ten games for Denmark in this year’s World Cup qualifiers, he has produced five goals and three assists for his country whilst averaging an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.39. He has been able to perform at the top level for the Danes and could, therefore, have the quality required to come in at Ibrox and be a hit out wide, which is why fans will be excited by the prospect of him arriving this month.

AND in other news, “In talks” – Campbell drops crushing Rangers transfer claim, it’s a nightmare for GVB…

Aston Villa have been handed a potential boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture.

Whar’s the latest?

According to a report by Birmingham Live, Jack Grealish’s absence from Manchester City’s matchday squad on Sunday would appear to suggest that the 26-year-old will once again be an injury doubt for the trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.

The England international has not featured in the league since October due to a knock, with Birmingham Live adding that the former Villa player’s continued absence would come as a significant boost for Steven Gerrard and his side.

Fans will be buzzing

While many Aston Villa fans could well be wishing their former hero the best in his career after securing a £100m move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, the news that the 26-year-old could miss out on a return to his former club will nevertheless have left much of the Villa Park faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his nine Premier League appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, the £90m-rated man has scored one goal, registered two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 1.8 shots and making a whopping 2.9 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the versatile 26-year-old average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.30, not only ranking him as City’s joint fourth-best performer in the league but also as the joint 17th-best in the entire division.

As such, not only would Grealish’s absence on Wednesday remove the possibility of seeing the former Villa playmaker against them, it would also appear to considerably boost Gerrard’s chances of picking up a result against the second-placed team in the Premier League.

In other news: Bye-bye Mings: NSWE can seal Gerrard’s dream AVFC deal with “exceptional” £75k-p/w gem