All posts by n8rngtd.top

Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways in style with a 4-0 victory over Wolfsberger in the Europa League last 32 first-leg, and Spurs’ very own Gareth Bale stole the show on their way to a vital win.

Jose Mourinho said his side had “one foot in the next round” after Bale and Son Heung-min combined to open the scoring, though they had to endure a few shaky moments after Michael Liendl’s penalty gave Wolsferberger hope before Christopher Wernitznig hit the bar.

Lucas Moura and Carlos Vinicius also netted for the Premier League giants, but Moussa Sissoko’s clumsy challenge inside the box diluted the joy a little before Wednesday’s second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, it was a vintage performance from Bale, who cut inside from the right flank to fire home their second. It is a sign of what Spurs fans had been expecting to see from the Welshman after he returned to north London last year to high anticipation and much fanfare.

Matt Doherty picked out Bale and he cut back inside with his left boot before letting rip with a powerful shot into the far corner.

Writing in his post-match review, football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold graded the 31-year-old a 8/10 and noted he ‘set up Son’s early headed goal with a low cross and then netted himself with a powerful finishing after cutting inside superbly, sending the defender sliding a mile past him.’

The Wales international has looked a shadow of his former self since his return from Real Madrid amid reports of a public disagreement with Mourinho over his fitness.

However, Bale sent Mourinho a reminder of what he can offer after he registered a goal and an assist against Wolfsberger in the Europa League last night.

Bale was a constant threat on the right-hand side of the pitch as he caused Wolfsberger all sorts of problems, recording four key passes, which was the most out of any player on the pitch in Budapest, Hungary – in fact, he had a overall pass accuracy of 100%.

Usually, it’s Son’s task to be their chief creator, as the South Korean is averaging the most key passes (1.7) out of the entire Spurs squad in the Premier League this season, but it was Bale who stole the limelight last night.

This is also supported by the fact that Bale, who reportedly earns £600,000-a-week, took two shots on target, more than anyone else in a Spurs shirt aside from Dele Alli, which suggests that he posed a greater counter-attacking threat than the likes of Son and Moura.

Indeed, the £18m-rated star utterly terrorised the opposition’s defence, as he registered three successful dribbles from five attempts, which was second only to Moura, and also won 63% of his duels overall, winning seven out of his ten duels on the ground.

In the absence of Harry Kane, who was rested for the game against Wolfsberger, Bale sent Mourinho a huge message of his obvious class.

Two Leeds United stars in Pascal Struijk and Raphinha have been attracting interest, but former Whites striker Noel Whelan believes that they won’t be going anywhere in the summer.

Whelan discusses Leeds duo

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said: “Take it from me, Leeds United won’t sell any players. They won’t sell Struijk, they won’t sell Raphinha.

“We’re not a team that’s desperate, we’re not a club that’s desperate. We’re in a really good healthy position with a good chairman and we’re building a side here.
“It’s not a side that we’re going to take apart after one year. This is a side that’s going to be together for four to five years, I’m very sure of that. That’s the plan in progress and the long term future for Leeds United. We don’t delve into the market to bring someone in for one season.”

The club need to keep hold of their star players

Whelan is right when he says the club don’t need to sell. They are already battling for a top half finish in their first season back in the Premier League (SofaScore). They also have a big history and the signings of players like Rodrigo emphasise that they have the pull to bring European stars to the club.
They also have an astute manager in Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentinian was nominated for ‘The Best’ FIFA men’s coach, emphasising the quality of manager Leeds have, and it was quite an achievement to get him at the club in the first place.
Hopefully the Whites keep their vital assets like Struijk and Raphinha – if they get their transfers in the summer right, then they could be in a great position to push on even more in the top flight next season.

In other news, one pundit has discussed one Leeds player following his latest setback. Have a read here!

The Athletic journalist James Pearce has reacted to comments made by former Arsenal star Paul Merson on Liverpool target Ozan Kabak.

Pearce fires back

Now a Sky Sports pundit, the ex-Gunners icon cast doubts over the 20-year-old due to how the Gelsenkirchen club are performing this season in the Bundesliga – bottom of the table with one win.

Kabak has reportedly passed a medical in line with a move to Anfield on an initial £1m loan move, with an £18m option to buy, via Paul Joyce.

Merson told Sky Sports, via Football Daily, that the mentality shift coming from a side that is losing to one that is expected to win, will be a challenge for the Turkey international.

But in response to this, Pearce highlighted three players who came from similar backgrounds have gone on to be a success on Merseyside.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Pearce is absolutely spot on here. Manager Jurgen Klopp is well known for prioritising player development, nurturing talent and elevating individuals to the next level.

All of the aforementioned stars are now Champions League and Premier League winners, with Wijnaldum and Shaqiri scoring some memorable goals on the way.

Time will tell whether Klopp can have a similar impact on Kabak, and if he can possibly cement a place in the starting line-up which has remained relatively unchanged in recent years.

In other news, Club owner provides “Rolls Royce” review of Liverpool transfer target.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United footballer Steve Howey has been singing the praises of Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a superb start to the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, having averaged an impressive 7.24 rating for his performances, with four goals and four assists to his name in 18 appearances.

This ranks him as the Saints’ second-best performer in the top-flight, in what has been a promising start to the season from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, with European football certainly looking a possibility for next season if they maintain their current level of performances.

Ward-Prowse, in particular, has been getting a lot of praise, with Glenn Hoddle suggesting that his old club Tottenham Hotspur should sign the England international this month.

Indeed, Howey has suggested that it is something of a surprise that the Southampton academy graduate is still with his boyhood club, considering his excellent performances for the South Coast club in recent seasons.

Here’s what Howey had to say about Ward-Prowse when speaking exclusively to FFC:

“[Ralph Hasenhuttl] has got some very very good players. I’m still surprised that someone like James Ward-Prowse is still there. What a player he is. They’ve got some very good players that will cause problems for any team.”

Certainly, if Ward-Prowse’s excellent form continues this season, and Southampton don’t achieve European football, then it would not be a surprise if a top-six club from the Premier League club came knocking for the midfielder in the summer.

Fortunately for Hasenhuttl and the South Coast club, the Englishman’s £45,000-a-week contract runs until 2025, so it would have to be a substantial offer if Southampton were to sell him in the future.

Hopefully, the midfielder can help the Saints achieve European football of their own because it would be a massive loss if he were to leave the club in the near future.

And, in other news… “I can’t see him going” – Exclusive: Pundit makes claim on key Southampton man’s future amid exit rumours

This has been a rather troubled January for Leeds United. They have won just once and have failed to strengthen their ranks in the transfer window.

Though, despite Marcelo Bielsa insisting he’s happy with his squad, rumours of potential incomings are swirling around.

On the chalkboard

One of the names linked with Leeds in recent days has been Nottingham Forest youngster Brennan Johnson.

The winger is currently on loan at Lincoln City where he’s been tearing League One to shreds with five goals and six assists in 20 outings.

It’s an impressive record for a 19-year-old who is doing all the right things in terms of his personal development.

The Whites haven’t been afraid to strengthen their youth ranks in recent years and that was evident last summer. Victor Orta brought in the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Cody Drameh and Crysencio Summerville.

Though, with a host of young attackers in their midst, signing another even if they are talented, fails to make much sense.

Unleash Poveda

There is no doubting the supreme talents of Johnson. However, rather than spending on new recruits this month, Leeds must look at unleashing someone already in their ranks.

That happens to be Ian Poveda. The 20-year-old signed from Manchester City a year ago but has only made one senior start since.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-leeds-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Leeds news!”]

He has appeared ten times as a substitute in the Premier League this term but is yet to play from the off. Poveda’s only chance to shine from kick-off was against Crawley in the FA Cup.

Of course, that was a dismal affair for the Whites as they lost 3-0. However, the English winger was a ball of energy and if anyone could come away from the game with credit, it was him.

He was devastating in the final third and a wonderful piece of trickery in the first-half summed up his game. Poveda attempted four dribbles – two of which were successful – and also provided a key pass all within 58 minutes.

For various reasons, he hasn’t been given a regular chance in the Premier League but we reckon that should change in the back half of the campaign. After all, he possesses qualities that can frighten defenders.

Discussing the youngster earlier this season, Noel Whelan said: “You can see now when you talk about people changing games and bringing a different dimension, he’s very, very quick, got great feet, very tricky, likes to run at players. Very much like Raphinha as well.”

If Leeds really do have another Raphinha in their clutches, it can only be a good thing. The Brazilian has been a radiant ball of attacking quality since signing from Rennes and with three goals and three assists, is improving all the time.

It’s time Poveda was given a similar platform to try and do the same. Leeds would only harm his development further by bringing a player like Johnson to the club.

They must ignore him and unleash their own young players.

AND in other news, 3 new signings, Bielsa favourite axed: How Leeds’ XI could look after deadline day…

Speaking to Football Insider, talkSPORT regular Gabriel Agbonlahor has been wowed by Jarrod Bowen and has admitted he fully deserves a pay rise in reaction to claims from The Athletic over an increase to his salary – going on to say is it is a ‘great bit of business for West Ham’. 

Bowen has been a mainstay for David Moyes since arriving in 2020, starting 16 Premier League games in total this campaign alone, and reliable journalist David Ornstein claims the attacker has received a significant increase in salary after passing 30 appearances in all competitions for the Irons.

Agbonlahor hails Bowen business

In reaction to this development, Agbonlahor has heaped praise on the ‘great bit of business’ for West Ham with Bowen whilst claiming he will be a ‘star’.

“For me, he’s a quality player,” explained the talkSPORT regular to Football Insider. 

“The pay rise he’s got he deserves because he’s been outstanding this season.

“I’m sure now he just wants to get a few more goals and assists now to back up these great performances because he’s definitely going to be a star.

“It’s a great bit of business for West Ham.”

Transfer Tavern take

Given Bowen’s contribution for the Hammers this season, scoring four times and grabbing two assists (Whoscored), it’s hard to argue with the former Premier League striker’s assessment – and he is fully deserving of his reward.

Time will tell whether he does become a star for Moyes, but you wouldn’t bet against it based off this season.

In other news: West Ham fans reacted to these ‘unbelievable’ links, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur return to action this evening as they look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho’s side face another away trip, this time to the Midlands to face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.

The north Londoners advanced into the Carabao Cup semi-finals in midweek, defeating Stoke City 3-1, but have lost their last two league outings after being defeated by Liverpool and then Leicester City last weekend.

This’ll be the first time since Christmas that Spurs have played, so it will be interesting to see what sort of side Mourinho opts for tonight.

Here’s the XI we’re predicting…

There could be as many as six changes from the side that conquered the Potters on Wednesday night.

Club captain and number one Hugo Lloris keeps his place between the sticks, as do both Eric Dier and Matt Doherty, the latter impressed enough to keep his place over Serge Aurier.

We will surely see the return of Sergio Reguilon at left-back, replacing Ben Davies, with Toby Alderweireld also coming back in for Davinson Sanchez, who has often been snubbed in the Premier League this term.

The industrious Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg played the full 90 in midweek, but should also remain in the starting lineup, whilst Moussa Sissoko returns to partner him despite Harry Winks’ Man of the Match display.

We could also see Tanguy Ndombele start with £100k-per-week Dele Alli reverting to type as the forgotten man in the English top-flight, and on the wings, Mourinho will also go back to his usual duo of Heung-min Son on the left and Steven Bergwijn on the right.

Harry Kane also played the entire match against Stoke, scoring the third and final goal, and he is also set to keep his place. If anyone is undroppable, it’s him.

It means there is no room in the XI for the likes of Erik Lamela, who returned from the bench just a few days ago, £25m signing Lucas Moura, Gareth Bale or Ben Davies.

AND in other news, “A blow” – Exclusive: Mabbutt reacts to major Spurs injury setback before Wolves clash…

Celtic must make a ruthless decision on Odsonne Edouard’s long-term future at the club and sell him in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports over the summer suggested that Premier League sides like Arsenal were interested in signing him, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Since then, Neil Lennon’s side have been unable to tie down Edouard to a new contract to stay at Celtic Park, and now Football Insider have revealed that the Frenchman has “switched agents in a development that is set to have a massive bearing on his Celtic future”.

Celtic must sell

With 11 goals in 23 games this season, Edouard certainly hasn’t been awful at all for the Hoops, but there’s been a drop-off in his performances.

Former Scotland international, Alan Hutton, said earlier last month: “We had all the talks about Edouard at the start of season wanting to leave – has his head been on it? Has he been the same player that he was last year? No.

“Whether he’s got someone in his ear saying: ‘Play your way, do your thing up until January or the summer and then we’ll move you on,’ I don’t know if those conversations have happened. He’s a massive asset, he will be worth a lot of money but it looks like he wants to move on.”

The longer Edouard stays at Celtic without his long-term future being resolved, the bigger the headache becomes for Lennon. Is the £13.5m-rated Frenchman someone the Bhoys can rely upon going forward? Or will he be looking for a quick exit the moment an offer comes in?

That uncertainty is bound to have an impact on how he plays on the pitch, no matter how good someone is at blocking out the outside noise. Celtic could move on for the better by calling time on Edouard’s stay at the club.

With hundreds of million enthusiastic football fans worldwide, brands are very eager to become visible in the football world. Brand sponsorships of football teams is a symbiotic partnership that has worked well for many years. The entrance of gambling companies into football sponsorship raised the stakes. It is not uncommon to hear nowadays of a gambling brand sponsoring a football for tens of millions of dollars.

Shirt Sponsorships

Football teams have the most loyal fans in sports. Even local small-town teams trigger fervent support in their home fans when playing. Brands stand to gain a lot by associating with a football team and building brand loyalty and trust.

A shirt sponsorship will have a football team wearing football shirts decorated with a brand’s logos and trademarks. It is an endorsement of the brand by the team.  The team’s message to the team’s fans is that the brand is to be trusted.

Gambling Company Sponsorships

The trend for big gambling companies getting into team sponsorships started in the 2000s. The laws had been changed in the UK to allow betting companies to operate more freely. There was a big rush by gambling companies to get more customers. The most direct and effective way was to get into sponsorships with the big EPL teams.

The trend spread to other big football leagues. Nowadays, almost half the teams in major leagues wear logos of big gambling companies and online casinos. It has been a win-win arrangement. Customer numbers for gambling companies have risen, while football teams get much-needed cash for their operations.

For gambling companies and sportsbooks, the hope is that they can convince a team’s fans that this is the right betting platform. It is a way to gain trust. As a fan, you can judge this by looking at how the sponsor treats the team. You can also see what different pundits are saying. For example, read Aldo McNeal’s review of SkyCity Online Casino.

It is not hard to see that gambling companies have much to gain from football sponsorships. A report by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants showed huge revenue growth in the UK. The gross gambling yield for gambling companies operating in the UK grew from £908.5m in 2016 to £1.4bn in 2019.

Big online casinos have started offering sports betting markets.  For them, the logic is simple. If you can get football fans to use your betting platform, you can then lure them into making other bets. A football fan making a bet on his favourite team on the weekend will see an attractive promotion on the slots and decide to spin a few times.

Football Teams Gains

Big football teams are some of the most profitable entities in the world. But they also have huge expenditures.  Manchester United’s payroll in 2020 is $206 million. There are huge expenses in training, medical, nutrition, logistics, and the transfer market. Man Utd spent $79.7 million in 2020.

These huge costs must be offset somehow.  Gate tickets and merchandise sales cannot meet these expenses. It is where sponsorship deals come in. Man Utd received $223 million in sponsorships deals in 2020. The sponsorship is a huge cash inflow for a team.

While the top teams may not need gambling sponsorship that much, smaller teams without expanded revenue streams need it.  About half the teams in the EPL have gambling sponsorships. 17 out of 24 English Championship teams depend on shirt sponsorship deals with gambling companies.

Even the top six EPL teams that do not have shirt sponsorship deals have partnered with gambling companies in one way or another. The money is too much to ignore.  Shirt sponsorship deals in the EPL will be worth $349 million in the 2020/2021 season.

Apart from gambling companies logos appearing on team shirts, they will also be visible in playing venues.

Gambling companies are also targeting teams in Asia and Africa. These are the fastest-growing betting markets in the world. Big betting companies in these countries will sponsor multiple teams in the same league.

League sponsorships

Gambling companies have gone on to sponsor entire leagues in some countries. In Kenya, the national football federation is sponsored by a gambling company.  The gambling company gets visibility in all events organized by the federation.  League sponsorship is becoming more common outside Europe and the US.

Gambling sponsorships have become essential support for the football world. The importance of this support has been seen in 2020 when gate tickets dried up due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.  This win-win arrangement will likely become the dominant form of sponsorship in football for years to come.

Short, but sweet. Henderson’s return to first-team training will no doubt boost his teammates, with an important game tomorrow lunchtime away to Brighton, to who well-respected journalist Henry Winter described him as the club’s “beacon of hope” (via the club’s official website).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

This will delight Liverpool fans. He is a player that they could have done with on Wednesday and will be welcomed back with open arms.

With Thiago Alcantara still not fully match fit and Fabinho looking like he will drop back to centre-back, Henderson will be key in the midfield.

Despite the quick turnaround, Liverpool will be wanting to right the wrong from their midweek woes and get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

And in other news, Liverpool fans react jubilantly to official statement concerning Jurgen Klopp’s key assets.