All posts by n8rngtd.top

[ad_pod ]

Wolves might be without any major additions this summer but that hasn’t stopped fans getting excited over the news that one of their rising stars has signed a new long-term deal at the club.

Ruben Vinagre has penned a five-year extension to keep him at Molineux until 2024, which has left some supporters absolutely thrilled.

Vinagre joined the West Midlands club permanently in a £2m deal last summer from Monaco after doing enough to impress during a loan spell in the club’s Championship title-winning campaign.

The 20-year-old featured in 17 Premier League games last season, of which just seven were starts but it is thought that the left wing-back is highly thought of amongst the Wolves hierarchy.

A number of fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the news as one fan was so ecstatic that he labelled the 5 foot 9 ace a future Ballon d’Or winner, describing the contract extension as a great bit of business.

Others were a little cooler in their reaction saying it was great news and that he was a massively underrated talent.

At international level for Portugal, he has played in every age group from the U16s right to the U20s and last summer his performances during the U19 European Championship earned him a place in the official Team of the Tournament.

You can read the best of the reaction below:

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal made an attempt to sign Juventus star Moise Kean, but the lack of guaranteed first-team football saw the now Everton-bound striker turn them down.

What’s the word?

In a blockbuster move, Kean is set to join the Toffees for a reported £36m, but The Daily Mail claim that Arsenal got in touch with the player’s representative, Mino Raiola, to explore a deal of their own.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

However, the report claims that following the Gunners’ refusal to promise him a starting spot next season, the 19-year-old opted against the switch and looks set to finalise a move to Goodison Park this summer.

A blessing in disguise

There is no doubting that Kean certainly has the talent to play for many of European football’s top sides. The Italy international enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough campaign last season, scoring six times in 13 Serie A appearances.

But the Gunners have their own promising striker waiting in the wings in Eddie Nketiah. Signing Kean would have demoted the 20-year-old down the pecking order, and perhaps in even worse circumstances, see him pursue a move away himself.

Unai Emery has already indicated that he is willing to give his talented academy players the chance to shine, and insisted that Nketiah could be a major part of the squad as a foil to the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

So whilst the Gunners may initially rue missing out on Kean, Nketiah’s presence should surely help ease some of that pain.

[ad_pod ]

Daniel Levy already has fans buzzing after the capture of Tanguy Ndombele but things could be about to get a whole lot better if he gets his wallet out once again to sign a certain Argentine. 

Indeed, Spurs appear to have their sights set on Juventus’ Paulo Dybala at this moment in time, according to Tuttosport (via The Sun). The north London club are understood to have failed with a £45 million bid but are expected to return with an improved offer after receiving encouraging feedback over the potential to secure a deal.

However, the one thing that will excite fans the most is that Paulo Dybala has reportedly said yes to the prospect of making the move to the new White Hart Lane, if Levy stumps up £80 million.

Levy… What are you waiting for?

Well, perhaps something has been happening behind closed doors as the Argentine was in fact spotted on a plane, which may or may not have been heading to England.

Obviously, fans can only speculate at the moment but just imagine the scenes if he rocks up at Heathrow Airport.

Spurs fans, surely he would be up there as one of your best ever signings if things go through? 

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to 90min, Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Everton-bound Moise Kean this summer.

What’s the word?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that the Juventus star is heading to the blue half of Merseyside to join Everton in a deal worth an initial £27.5m.

[ad_pod ]

Now, 90min claim that Kean’s agent, Mino Raiola, offered the young striker to United but the Red Devils turned down the opportunity to take him to Old Trafford.

Worth a gamble

It had been claimed earlier this summer that United were intent on signing more “exciting players” as they look to build towards the future. The captures of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka certainly fit into that bracket, but a swoop for Kean may have perhaps outdone both.

The 19-year-old is already a fully-fledged Italy international and has struck twice in his opening three games for the Azzurri. His performances at club level with Juventus speak of someone with incredible raw talent and all the skills that United could do with. Pace, trickery and an eye for goal, Kean enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough campaign with the Bianconeri last season.

The teenager scored six times in 13 Serie A appearances, and never looked fearful of playing for such a historic team. The forward averaged 1.5 shots and 0.7 dribbles per game despite his limited minutes, and his ability to play in numerous positions would have been something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer really took to.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Indeed, Kean’s brother, Giovanni, described him back in 2016 as: “A panther like (Thierry) Henry and a fighter like (Carlos) Tévez. Moise works hard on the pitch and always gives everything because this is what he learns every day at Juve.”

As the modern market goes, an initial outlay of £27.5m doesn’t even to translate to being a big-money deal anymore. The Red Devils’ openness to let Romelu Lukaku go to Juventus could have seen the club perhaps look to include Kean in the deal. In the end, United’s reluctance to take a gamble on the youngster could be Everton’s gain.

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

The tale of Shkodran Mustafi’s Arsenal career isn’t a brilliant one.

He’s a player who has caused debate among Arsenal fans on a regular basis and that was the case once again during pre-season.

The German hadn’t even set foot on the field in a competitive game in 2019/20 before already taking sly digs from supporters.

But this isn’t new for Mustafi who has been booed by fans over the last few months.

[ad_pod ]

Yet, despite Laurent Koscielny’s departure, the future isn’t looking too much brighter for the 27-year-old. This could have been a chance for the centre-back to prove himself, but instead, Unai Emery isn’t giving him the platform to do so.

And rightly so. The central defender is too error-prone and a horrific mistake to allow Wilfried Zaha in to score against Crystal Palace last term sums that up.

Only last week, the Arsenal manager hinted that Mustafi could be on his way out.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of their trip to Newcastle he said: “I spoke with him when we finished last season, I spoke with him when we started pre-season and I spoke with him also two weeks ago saying maybe there was the possibility he can leave.”

Judging by fans’ latest comments it will come as a huge relief to see him walk out of the Emirates and after being excluded from the matchday squad on the opening weekend, he’s just been handed another huge message.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After all, Calum Chambers, a player who was seemingly all but done in terms of his Arsenal career a year ago is now ahead of him in the pecking order.

The new addition of David Luiz is also another bitter blow.

However, this could well be the final nail in the coffin for Mustafi. Being left out of the squad entirely on Sunday is a sign that he simply isn’t good enough and tells you a lot about what Emery thinks about him.

With the European transfer window yet to close, there is still a possibility that he could leave permanently.

[ad_pod ]

Some Celtic fans don’t like the way winger Scott Sinclair has been treated this season, as he’s been reduced to a bit-part role under Neil Lennon.

Then 30-year-old has only featured for 56 minutes this term, yet managed to net a brilliant backheel in the Celts’ 3-1 win in Bosnia against FK Sarajevo.

The winger has seen his influence on the side drop year-on-year since arriving at Parkhead in 2016, yet still played a significant part in the last campaign. Despite it being his quietest season in green and white, the ex-Swansea man scored 17 times in his 55 appearances last year.

That looked as if it would be his last season at Parkhead, with Preston and Sheffield United linked to his services this summer. Yet, Lennon failed to get rid of him before the English window closed last week and it would appear he’ll still be a Celtic player until at least January.

And plenty of fans believe if he’s going to stick around then he should get a second chance after he was left out of the crunch tie against Cluj.

Many see him as a better player than his competition, Lewis Morgan, and think he can still do a job for their club. Take a look at some of the best Twitter verdicts down below…

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

The first cracks in Wolves’ season started to appear on Sunday as they needed a 96th minute penalty to even come away with a point at Molineux.

Their opponents, Burnley, should serve as a stark reminder that competing in the Europa League can prove to be more of a hindrance than a positive – Sean Dyche’s side didn’t even make it to the group stage but still lost four of their opening five matches in the league and finished 15th.

Nuno Santo’s men faced a pre-season trip to China and will have played a sixth European tie by the end of the week, and the warning signs are there already.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Those matches have shown that some players may not be up to the intensity or standard required to play two matches per week against European and then Premier League opposition.

None more so than Ryan Bennett, whose time at centre-back is looking thinner by the game.

On the chalkboard

It was the 29-year-old’s headed clearance that led to the visitors opening the scoring on Sunday as he handed the ball on a plate to Dwight McNeil, who only had to put it into the path of Ashley Barnes to strike from outside the box.

The centre-back also alarmingly completed zero tackles and made no interceptions throughout the match – quite a shocking stat when you consider that even Diogo Jota managed one up front.

At one stage he was even dispossessed of the ball himself, always a huge concern for a defender, on top of conceding one foul. It was a really poor all-round performance from the former Norwich man, who looked a total liability at times.

In the summer, Santo signed Jesus Vallejo on loan from Real Madrid and he’s already impressed fans at Molineux with his appearances in the Europa League.

The 22-year-old has played top-flight football in both La Liga and the Bundesliga, he’s won the Champions League with Madrid, and this summer he captained his national side to glory in the Under-21 European Championship.

It seems foolish to not utilise a player of his pedigree and we doubt Zinedine Zidane sent him to the west Midlands just to warm the bench for someone who has played more games in League Two (103) than he has in the top-flight (98).

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has confirmed that summer signings Tomer Hemed, Beram Kayal and Erhun Oztumer are still not quite ready as they ‘need to get a bit fitter’ before they’re ready for more than a short cameo appearance.

Hemed was signed on a permanent deal from Brighton after the Seagulls agreed to cancel the striker’s contract, whilst Kayal was also signed from the Premier League side but on a loan deal instead of a permanent agreement.

In Oztumer’s case, the midfielder was signed from Bolton on a free transfer after he was granted permission to leave by the EFL.

What did he say?

Bowyer said: “Erhun Oztumer, Tomer Hemed and Beram Kayal all need to get a bit fitter. Beram played a game behind closed doors on Tuesday and got 75 minutes. He’s coming back from injury so it’s about getting them up to speed.”

Give them all the time they need

Whilst the aforementioned trio are quality additions who will presumably have a big impact, there should be no worries from the Charlton faithful concerning Bowyer’s update and they should all be given ample time to work up to speed.

The Addicks are flying right now and have won three and drawn two of their five Championship games, with the likes of Lyle Taylor in fine form and carrying the baton superbly so far with four league goals to his name.

Hemed has played 45 Championship minutes already for the south Londoners whereas Oztumer has played 62 minutes, and whilst they will surely have a big role to play along with Kayal, there is no urgent need for the trio to get back to action.

Charlton are performing well above expectations having only just achieved promotion after winning the League One playoffs, so Kayal, Hemed and Oztumer should be allowed to rest, recuperate and take all the time they need to get to 100%.

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

West Ham United fans have been left thrilled by a brilliant result for the club’s Under-21 team in the EFL Trophy.

The Hammers’ youngsters beat Newport County 5-4 on Wednesday evening, despite falling 4-1 behind.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Anthony Scully gave the Irons the lead in the first minute in the group stage encounter, only for Tristan Abrahams to equalise on 10 minutes.

Goals from Corey Whitely and a brace from Lewis Collins then put Newport firmly in control before half-time.

Coming out for the second half trailing 4-1, the young Irons needed some inspiration and Joe Powell netted from the penalty spot two minutes after the restart.

Veron Parkes then reduced the arrears to one in the 53rd minute and Kai Corbett levelled proceedings in the final 10 minutes.

Having netted the opener, Scully scored an 88th-minute winner to give West Ham all three points in their first game of Group M, which also features Exeter City and Cheltenham.

And fans were delighted by the display of their youngsters.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Monthly Review series, which analyses what managers can learn from the previous month and what the coming month could have in store.

Who’d have thought life back in the Championship would go this well for Charlton?

Presumably, not many. Having won the League One playoff final at Wembley last season, the Addicks earned a passage back to the second tier, where most would just be happy to survive the campaign and get out of it alive.

However, Lee Bowyer has overseen a storming return to the division. Charlton have won four games and drawn two of their six league matches so far, so in terms of problems that need addressing, there are very few.

Having said that, here are two things that may need looking at in September…

Deciding on a first choice right-back

In just six Championship games this term, Bowyer has handed Chris Solly three starts at right-back, Deji Oshilaja two starts at right-back, and has also signed Adam Matthews on a free transfer – another player who plies his trade at right-back – while Anfernee Dijksteel started the season there.

Having three first-team options for the role seems unnecessary, so Bowyer has a task on his hands to decide who he sees fit to have the shirt on a regular basis – we have already detailed how some Charlton fans were impressed with Oshilaja against Nottingham Forest.

This is a real headache for the 42-year-old and one he will have to resolve in the coming weeks.

Working Jake Forster-Caskey back into the side

The former Brighton midfielder was a key man in the Addicks’ side before an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury on the eve of the 2018/19 campaign halted his progress.

He has since returned to full fitness, but he finds the impressive midfield trio of Conor Gallagher, Josh Cullen and Sam Field ahead of him in the pecking order – Forster-Caskey has made just one Championship appearance this term.

While Bowyer doesn’t necessarily need to move heaven and earth to reinstate the 25-year-old into his XI, a few more substitute appearances to get his match fitness back up wouldn’t go amiss – the south Londoners will need all hands on deck to keep this form up and Forster-Caskey can be an important player in achieving that aim.

[ad_pod ]