As reported by The Express, both Manchester City and Everton are hoping to sign Sunderland’s goalkeeping star Jordan Pickford this summer.
What’s the word?
Despite him being out with a knee injury, Sunderland can’t keep the speculation around their star goalkeeper away and the Black Cats face a battle to keep a hold of him.
The Express say that City and Everton have been keeping tabs on the 22 year old all season and are ready to make their move this summer.
Pickford is said to be keen on playing Premier League football next season and will look to force a move away from the club if Sunderland are relegated to the Championship in May, according to the paper.
That leaves the door open for the Citizens and the Toffees who have both failed to find a consistent and reliable goalkeeper this term.
Worth the fuss?
Pickford has emerged as one of England’s top talents between the sticks this season after years out on loan at lower league clubs learning his trade.
Representing his nation at six different age groups, Pickford is tipped as a potential future England regular. He received his first call up to the squad for October’s qualifier vs. Slovenia but didn’t get any game time.
A move to Manchester City or Everton would only enhance his reputation and if he can break into the first team at either club, perhaps a regular start for Gareth Southgate’s side is inevitable.
The young goalkeeper has been out of action since December but should return to the Sunderland first team soon and if he can stay fit and healthy, a big move in the summer seems like the logical next step in his career.
Ronald Koeman’s name has been heavily linked with Barcelona this week, following Luis Enrique’s shock revelation that he would be leaving the Spanish giants this summer to take a break from football.
Enrique’s departure will leave the La Liga leaders chasing a new man to lead the helm and Koeman has been mentioned a lot due to his links with Barcelona- as he spent six successful years there as a player and also worked in the coaching staff.
However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Koeman assured fans that he is focused on the job in hand at Everton- having only joined the Toffees last summer.
Quoted by The Daily Mail when asked if he’s focused on building success at Everton, the Dutchman said:
‘Of course. Every word from my side about Barcelona is too much.’
Koeman was then asked for his thoughts on Enrique’s impending exit, to which he responded:
‘I don’t speak about Barcelona.’
Whilst the words are reassuring, Koeman could find it difficult to turn down the Spanish giants if they did come calling this summer but the fact he’s only recently taken the position at Goodison Park certainly works in the Toffees’ favour.
West Ham United produced a late charge to come from an early goal down at Vicarage Road on Saturday and rescue a point against Watford.
For a long period of the game the Hornets held on to their narrow lead, the result of a Troy Deeney penalty, but eventually the pressure from Slaven Bilic’s men paid off and Andre Ayew equalised to have the match finish 1-1.
It was deserved point for the Irons and in truth they could’ve picked up the victory but a late red card for Michail Antonio halted their late momentum and allowed Watford to rally for the final five minutes and hold on for the point.
The game was marred in the first half by a serious injury to Mauro Zarate and Watford boss Walter Mazzarri is awaiting scans to find out the extent of his problems. Given he was stretchered off, it’s not looking good for Watford’s new signing.
An engrossing game from start to finish there was plenty to take from the match.
Here are FIVE lessons that we learned during the 1-1 draw…
West Ham really miss Andy Carroll
It was clear throughout the 90 minutes that West Ham United lacked a cutting edge in the final third and that was most likely due to the lack of Andy Carroll, who missed the match due to a continuation of his recent niggling groin problems.
It’s not an ideal situation for Bilic. There’s no doubt Carroll is a very effective striker for the Irons when fit but because of his constant fitness issues it may be a problem that Bilic has to fix in the summer.
Regardless, he was a big miss on Saturday and Hammers fans must be hoping to see a return from the big England striker next week. He’ll be needed against Chelsea.
The Hammers are very resilient
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One of the most impressive hallmarks of Slaven Bilic’s side is their ability to play until the very final of the moments of a match in search of a result. That’s true whether the match hangs in the balance or whether they have already gone a goal down.
Losing goals doesn’t phase this Hammers team and that was again shown on Saturday. They could have easily collapsed given they conceded in just the third minute but they kept themselves in the match, grew in confidence and by the end looked like the most likely winners.
That resiliency continues to serve them well and is one of the reasons why the team must retain Bilic into next season despite things not quite going to plan this term.
Watford can’t stop conceding
Watford have now only kept one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League games. That’s defensive form you’d expect to see from relegation contenders but it’s a credit to Watford’s team performances that they are still managing to pick up enough results to stay well clear of any relegation drama.
They will have been disappointed to concede so late in the game against West Ham but it was perhaps inevitable with the way their defence has been performing.
Antonio is still the man
Michail Antonio was again the driving force of West Ham’s performance. It was his shot that provided the opportunity for Andre Ayew to equalise after it bounced off both posts. Despite being dismissed five minutes from half-time for a second yellow card, he was probably man of the match. Everything good the Irons produced he was at the heart of.
He missed a couple of chances but without him, it’s unlikely West Ham would’ve had the energy in the final third needed to get a result.
A good result for both sides
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While the draw is not ideal for either side, it’s also not a disaster and both teams moved up position in the table at the expense of teams who have played a game less than they have. It will have felt more like a defeat for Watford due to the nature of the result but in hindsight they can look back on this as a decent point earned.
Similarly, Slaven Bilic can’t be too disappointed with a draw after conceding a silly goal so early and having their late attacks stifled by a sending off.
There we have it, Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings has been banned for five games following his clash with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the sides’ 1-1 draw last weekend.
Both players were charged with violent conduct retrospectively following the match, and while ‘Ibra’s’ Red Devils accepted his punishment, the Cherries appealed, which has not had the desired effect.
Mings will now miss the next quintet of the south coast side’s games, which will come as a real blow given that they are just five points above the relegation zone.
They will play West Ham, Swansea, Southampton, Liverpool and Chelsea without the former Ipswich Town defender, all of which could be vital matches for them, especially the Swans clash given both teams’ proximity to the bottom three.
With this being such big news and a story that has gripped many, there has been quite the outcry on Twitter…
Former Leeds United target Massimo Coda will consider his options at the end of the season, reports Tuttomercatoweb.
What’s the word?
Last summer, Solo Salerno reported that officials from Leeds held talks with Coda’s camp in the hope of sealing a last-minute deal.
The move did not transpire before the deadline, but news of the 28-year-old’s current situation could attract the attention of the Whites.
Coda’s agent Giuseppe Galli has revealed that he and his client will speak with the player’s current Serie B club Salernitana at the end of the season.
If the two parties are not on the same page with regards to the future, then it appears that Coda will be looking elsewhere.
Tuttomercatoweb quotes Galli as saying:
“In January, there were several requests. We will meet with the club in the summer over its project for next season and then we will see what to do.”
Should Leeds revive their interest?
The club’s transfer strategy is likely to alter depending on how they finish the season.
If Garry Monk guides the club back into the Premier League then they should try to target players with experience at the top level.
If Leeds fail to earn promotion then they need the calibre of player who can fight it out in a renewed bid.
Coda currently plays his football in Italy’s second tier, and he has scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances.
With Chris Wood leading Leeds’ attack, any new striker that comes in will either be used as an option or to challenge for the main role.
As it stands, 28-year-old Coda is not the man to dominate Monk’s attack and he could struggle against Premier League opposition if Leeds make it back into the top flight.
Celtic Football club have announced that Brendan Rodgers has signed a new deal at the club that will see him stay on as manager until 2021.
Earlier in the day reporters had informed fans that Celtic had moved their normal pre-match press conference to Celtic Park as they prepared to make a ‘major announcement’
The announcement certainly didn’t disappoint, the news being a massive boost for the support in the wake of a huge week which saw them win their sixth successive title in a row.
Given the campaign Celtic have had, some fans had feared that teams in England would be interested in his services, but it’s now clear that Rodgers sees his future at the club well beyond this season and he’s set to play a massive role in securing the hallowed ten titles in a row that supporters crave so badly.
The Hoops have plenty of goals left between now and the end of the season with both a domestic treble of trophies and an unbeaten season on the line. Re-affirming his commitment to the club could provide the whole of Celtic Park with new energy heading into that critical time.
Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the new contract…
According to the London Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in bringing Hull City centre-back Harry Maguire to the club at the end of the season.
What’s the story?
Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing performance in Europe this season has demonstrated that Mauricio Pochettino does not have a squad capable of challenging in a number of competitions.
Spurs’ first XI is as good as any in the Premier League, and it still might be enough to see the capital side snatch the title away from Chelsea in the final weeks of the 2016-17 campaign.
Investment is needed in this summer’s transfer window, however, and as well as targeting attackers, it is understood that Pochettino will seek reinforcements at centre-back.
According to the London Evening Standard, Hull defender Maguire has impressed Tottenham’s scouts this season, and the 24-year-old could be heading for the London club this summer.
Is anyone else in the race?
In short, yes. Maguire, who is valued at £2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, will be out of contract at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, and it is understood that the centre-back will be allowed to leave the KCOM Stadium this summer for £12m.
Maguire’s wages, which are believed to be in the region of £20,000 a week, are manageable for a number of Premier League clubs, whilst the former England Under-21 international is said to be interested in a move to London.
The former Sheffield United centre-back has made 26 Premier League appearances for Hull this season, scoring twice in the process. Meanwhile, the powerful defender’s form in 2017 has seen him handed the captain’s armband by Tigers boss Marco Silva on a number of occasions.
Everton have been strongly linked with a move for Maguire in recent weeks, whilst Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is thought to be a long-term admirer of the central defender.
Manchester City and Liverpool are also in need of a new centre-back this summer, and it does appear that Maguire’s availability, for such a reasonable price, could spark a transfer scramble.
The 24-year-old’s maturity for a team fighting relegation has been noted by a number of managers this season, and the winner of the race for his signature would be signing a player capable of becoming a consistent performer at the highest level.
In 2001, Leeds United bowed out of the UEFA Champions League at the final semi-final stage at the hands of Spanish side Valencia. In the group stages, Leeds finished above Barcelona, knocking the Catalan club out of the competition. Three years later Leeds were relegated to the second tier of English football.
Since that fateful day in 2004, the Whites have not had much to cheer about. Another relegation led to several years of League One obscurity, and even since returning to the second division, they have never looked like forcing a return to the promise land.
That has all changed this season. With the talented, young Garry Monk at the helm, Leeds have looked a different side this season. After seeming destined for a play-off spot for a large swathe of the season, the wheels are starting to come off Monk’s Premier League assault. This weekend the club dropped out of the top 6. Wins from their next three games will surely buy a ticket to the raffle, but nothing is assured.
If Leeds secure a play-off berth, anything is possible during the month of May. If they do not, Monk and his players are sure to be crushed. Whatever happens, the former Swansea manager has a lot to do this summer to ensure his squad is ready for the new campaign.
But what should Monk’s Leeds United’s priorities be this summer? Here we take a look at what the Elland Road outfit must do…
Top: Priority: Keep Chris Wood
In recent years, Leeds United have been blessed with a natural goal scorer. Jermaine Beckford dragged the Yorkshire team back to the Championship with his exploits. Luciano Becchio and Ross McCormack continued the tradition in the higher division. This year Chris Wood is the man behind the goals.
The big Kiwi striker has been a revelation this year, and leads the way with 25 goals from an impressive 75 shots on target. Wood’s form has kept Leeds campaign alive, with his goals accounting for almost half of Leeds’ total. The New Zealand Herald linked the player with a big money move to Everton last month, and do not be surprised to find more clubs snooping.
Wood is a striker with a huge presence, and after honing his game in the Championship after an unsuccessful spell with West Brom, the forward appears ready to tackle the Premier League. Leeds would struggle to replace Wood’s goals, and the New Zealander is key to Leeds’ hopes for next season, wherever they may be.
Medium Priority: Rebuild
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If Leeds fail to go up, Monk will have a big job on his hands. Players will leave, and morale will be shot. Monk is an excellent man manager, and has the ability to turn things round. He will need to evoke the mental strength of his players to come back stronger, and have another crack at Premier League elevation.
If Leeds go up, he has an even harder task to accomplish! Building a squad capable of top flight survival is no easy task, and the side’s that avoid relegation this time round will be sure to spend big to save flirting with the drop once more.
Leeds have a strong squad, but they will need players of calibre to stay up. Monk will have to be savvy in the market, and will have be working on fine margins to balance the squad from last year, with the new recruits.
Low: Priority: Look to youth
Leeds United are famed for their successful youth system, and it does not look like the production line is set to end any time soon. Several youngsters have been afforded first team opportunities this season, including the exceptionally talented Ronaldo Vieira. Drawing comparisons with his namesake, former Arsenal captain, Patrick, the 18-year-old has appeared in Leeds’ midfield 31 times in the Championship this season.
A fantastic break out season for such a youngster, Vieira is only expected to get better. If United can hold on to, and continue to produce such prestigious talent, then the club’s Italian owners may well keep their cheque books in their finely produced suit pockets for now.
Manchester United go into today’s match away to Arsenal knowing that only a win will really do if they are to pull off the unlikely feat of finishing in the top four of the English Premier League.
UEFA Champions League football is the goal whether it comes through the league or a UEFA Europa League win, meaning the club are in the middle of their most important part of the season.
Draws have plagued Jose Mourinho’s side all season but if they can start winning in the tail-end of the season they still have a chance of closing down Liverpool or Manchester City.
Lose or draw today and they’ll have to hope they have what it takes to lift European football’s second-tier competition.
With everything at stake you’d think Red Devils fans may be feeling a little nervous, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Many fans are actually confident Mourinho’s team can battle through injury and inconsistency to pick up a massive result over Arsene Wenger’s men.
Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts ahead of kick-off…
Manchester United are just one win away from sealing their second trophy of the season after reaching the Europa League final, but the manner in which they did so caught the attention of BBC and BT Sport pundit Gary Lineker.Jose Mourinho’s men will face Ajax in the showpiece in Stockholm on May 24 after they earned a 2-1 aggregate win over Celta Vigo.It was a tense semi-final second leg for United fans as their Spanish opponents came out firing at Old Trafford on Thursday night.It was the Red Devils, though, who took the lead when Marouane Fellaini headed in a pin-pointed cross from Marcus Rashford.Having a 2-0 lead thanks to Rashford’s goal in Spain during the first leg gave United some breathing room, but in the 85th minute Facundo Roncaglia scored for Celta, causing a nervy end to the match.Former Manchester City striker John Guidetti had the chance to score that all-important goal in the final kick of the game when he was found in the box, but he fluffed his attempt and United squeezed through to the final.Lineker congratulated the English giants for reaching the Europa showdown, but he did take a subtle swipe at the amount of draws that the club have had at Old Trafford.Mourinho’s men have now played out 12 draws in all competitions, 11 of which have been in the Premier League.