Tag Futebol

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are delighted after the Gers confirmed that they will be hosting Real Madrid at Ibrox as part of their pre-season plans ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The Gers’ pre-season preparations are well underway, even if some of their star players have not yet joined up with the squad as they recover from their Euro 2020 or Copa America commitments. The Scottish champions started off with a 1-0 win against Partick Thistle as Steven Gerrard aims to get his side ready for the new campaign.

It has now been confirmed that Real Madrid will be making the trip to Glasgow to face the 55-time Scottish champions. Los Merengues are also used to glory, having won the European Cup/Champions League a record 13 times – it will no doubt be a great occasion, and hopefully fans will be able to watch it live at the stadium.

The news was shared on Twitter by Rangers’ official account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the upcoming glamour friendly, which some supporters described as “incredible” news.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Rangers v Real Madrid

“That’s extremely random but yeah sounds amazing”

Credit: @FreeAgent_Boom

“Wow wow wow!! Get in there! Please tell me fans are allowed?! What a friendly!!!!”

Credit: @GordonStewart_

“That’s incredible. Would love to be at Ibrox for this one.”

Credit: @JKHendry

“This will be incredible, always the team I’ve wanted to see us play,”

Credit: @swallygray

“Great coup to get Royal Madrid over. Would be magic to get in to see it”

Credit: @AlfieBoy78

“Outstanding tie”

Credit: @NOTELINYI

In other news, one pundit slams this Rangers midfielder.

Everton’s recruitment under Rafa Benitez will look no different to the managers who have sat in the Goodison Park dugout before him.

The Toffees have spent big in recent years and the board have already promised their new head coach funds to spend.

Mega-money moves have been lined up but whether any deals can be concluded in an inflated market remains to be seen.

Everton are hoping to pip Arsenal to the signing of Ben White while Wilfried Zaha is on their radar again.

They’ve been chasing the Crystal Palace forward for a number of years now and had a remarkable bid of £70m plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy rejected back in 2019.

Benitez could return for the Ivorian this summer and he may cost them just £40m.

Zaha has two years left remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park and at the age of 28, he’s now in his prime.

A dazzling dribbler with the ability to frighten opponents to death, he’d be an exceptional pick up for a team in need of more dynamism in the final third.

Moving to a bigger club has been on the cards for a while now and after rediscovering his best form last term, that switch would be deserved.

Zaha found the net on 11 occasions in 2020/21 but are there better options elsewhere; potentially ones with less ego and baggage?

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Everton were linked with a move for Newcastle speedster Allan Saint-Maximin this week in a deal that could cost them in the region of £60m.

That’s significantly more than Zaha’s current price tag but he has been electrifying for the Magpies since arriving from French football, being described as “scary” by Steve Bruce.

The pair are incredibly similar footballers and although the Palace dynamo was involved in a higher volume of goals last term, it was Saint-Maximin who scared defenders more.

Both are renowned for their ability to beat a marker but it was the Newcastle forward who came out on top in dribbles per game last season. Saint-Maximin recorded a whopping 3.8 – the second-best tally in the division – compared to Zaha who managed 1.8.

Meanwhile, per stats provided by FB Ref, the £60m speed demon is a more creative outlet.

His expected assists over the last year rank him in the 91st percentile for players in the same position throughout the Premier League. Zaha, however, is ranked in the 49th percentile for that statistic.

To supplement that, his number of progressive passes is also more impressive with the Frenchman sitting in the 89th percentile compared to the Palace attacker’s 82nd percentile.

Combine that with the fact that Saint-Maximin still has plenty of room to grow and he suddenly becomes the more sensible signing right now. It would be a masterclass to bring someone with such eye-catching abilities to Goodison Park.

AND in other news, Everton may repeat their Walcott howler by signing £30m gem who Rafa compared to Messi…

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has told The Transfer Tavern that he cannot see West Ham signing West Brom’s Matheus Pereira this summer due to Said Benrahma.

Pereira has been heavily linked with a move away from The Hawthorns following West Brom’s relegation to the Championship, with West Ham one club said to be interested in the 25-year-old attacker.

The Hammers bolstered their attack in the last summer transfer window with the addition of Benrahma, who initially joined from Brentford on loan before signing permanently in January.

For Windass, that is an obstacle to bringing Pereira in, with the ex-Hull City star feeling that David Moyes would struggle to get both players into the same team given how similar they are.

“I think they’re both similar types, Benrahma and Pereira,” Windass exclusively told TT. “You can’t have two No.10s and I think he is like that and he is a similar player to Pereira.

“He’s a great talent, don’t get me wrong. I just can’t see that happening with two players similar, in the same team. So I can’t see that happening.”

It would be a quality player West Ham would be missing out on if they decided against signing Pereira this summer.

He was excellent in attack for West Brom last season, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in 33 league games.

MatériaMais Notícias

Thiago Neves está fazendo sucesso com a torcida cruzeirense e superando expectativas de Mano Menezes. Após a goleada por 6 a 0 em cima do São Francisco-PA, na última quarta-feira, o técnico está cumprindo sua promessa e parece estar cada vez mais perto de definir o time base para a temporada.

Ainda pode haver algumas alterações no elenco. Manoel está voltando e vai disputar a posição de zagueiro com Kunty Caicedo. Dedé também está de chegada. Já Thiago Neves parece que tem lugar fixo no quarteto ofensivo, junto com Rafael Sobis, com quem se destacou quando defendia o Fluminense, Robinho e Arrascaeta. Mas, em coletiva, Mano Menezes ainda deixa a dúvida no ar.

– Estamos chegando ao final de fevereiro, e costumo cumprir o que prometo. Mas não sou tão bonzinho assim. Estamos encaminhando para uma formação mais ideal, vai ter variações, é claro. Os jogadores do elenco são de qualidade, mas todo time tem uma formação base. Nós também vamos ter. Logo, logo, ela (a formação) vai aparecer.

Tottenham Hotspur must reunite their incoming boss with one of his former players this summer…

What’s the word?

Paulo Fonseca looks set to be confirmed as Spurs’ next manager, with the Telegraph claiming that a two-year contract has been agreed with the ex-AS Roma man.

Newly-appointed sporting director Fabio Paratici is thought to be behind the push to secure the out-of-work 48-year-old and the final agreement is in the hands of chairman Daniel Levy and owner Joe Lewis, who are both in the Bahamas.

Now rumours have emerged speculating that the Portuguese wants to bring as many as three of his former stars to North London, in which midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini features, as per La Repubblica.

Imagine him and Hojbjerg

Spurs could well be in need of midfield reinforcements this summer, depending on the futures of several fringe players.

The likes of Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Dele Alli are certainly facing some uncertainty and you would reasonably expect the club to cash in on these names should they be presented with a decent offer.

All could raise funds to bolster Fonseca’s playing squad, and if he wants the 24-year-old Italian, then he should be allowed to sign him. He could prove to be the perfect partner to Pierre-Emile Hojberg in that engine room.

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Valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, Pellegrini was a star performer at the Stadio Olimpico this campaign, having provided 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions from central midfield.

Only Henrikh Mkhitaryan (7.30) rated better than him (7.23) as per WhoScored, with no other Roma player a more creative influence having averaged 1.9 key passes per league outing.

Pellegrini also managed 2.1 shots, 1.3 dribbles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.2 tackles, further cementing his prospects as a viable box-to-box option alongside the Danish powerhouse.

His talents once led to the praise of Roma legend Francesco Totti, who dubbed the 6 foot 1 midfield dynamo a “phenomenal player” whilst Fonseca has waxed lyrical over him plenty of times, calling him “really clever”, “very intelligent” and a “strong character.”

Paratici must look to deliver Pellegrini to his new boss this summer. He needs to be well-backed in the transfer market to stand a chance of getting Spurs back to their best and the Italian star would be the ideal first signing.

AND in other news, No Dier or Alli, Roma sensation & £25m beast signed: Predicted Spurs XI under Fonseca…

According to an update by Sport Italia TV journalist Gianluigi Longari, Tottenham Hotspur have now had ‘positive first contacts’ with Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter.

The Lowdown: Spurs still searching…

It’s been over two months now since Spurs opted to sack former boss Jose Mourinho and the club are still yet to announce a replacement despite numerous talks.

The Lilywhites have seen discussions with a plethora of managerial candidates, including the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso, fall flat in the last few weeks alone (BBC).

Non-international Spurs players return for pre-season training on July 5 and time is running out for chairman Daniel Levy to find his new man for the helm.

The Latest: Tottenham have now made Potter contact…

As per Italian reporter Longari, Spurs have now made ‘positive first contacts’ with Brighton boss Potter as Levy whittles down his shortlist of managers for the job.

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The 46-year-old had been mentioned as a possible target previously but talks for Pochettino and Conte appeared to overshadow his links to the job.

Fabio Paratici’s arrival also saw Tottenham turn to Serie A-experienced coaches Fonseca and Gattuso, but Longari believes Potter is back on the radar and contact has now been made.

As well as the Englishman, it is believed that former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo remains a ‘valid’ candidate.

The Verdict: Solid option…

A swoop for Potter after just holding discussions with the likes of Pochettino and Conte could look tame by comparison, but he actually ticks plenty of boxes for Tottenham.

In line with Levy’s originally sought-after profile of manager, as detailed in his end of season letter to supporters, the Seagulls head coach encourages an open, attacking brand of football whilst being adept at operating with limited resources.

He has garnered no shortage of praise for his job on the south coast, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in particular having been blown away by Potter.

The Spaniard called Tottenham’s managerial candidate the ‘best English manager’ and even went as far as to say he would have loved to play under Potter as a player (Brighton & Hove Independent).

Speaking to Sky Sports, via Tribal Football, Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana also heaped praise on his boss – lauding Potter as a ‘world class manager’.

In other news: Levy offered chance to sign ‘extraordinary’ £120,000-per-week star in Tottenham transfer talks, find out more here.

Some Wolves fans have been left to slam Romain Saiss as a transfer update emerged.

According to journalist and transfers expert Ekrem Konur, Al Hilal are in talks with the Morocco international over a potential move in the summer window.

Saiss did not endure the best of seasons in the Premier League, keeping a mere seven clean sheets in 27 games, while also losing possession of the ball 11.7 times on average per match (Sofascore), as his team finished in a measly 13th place in the table.

At 31 years of age, now may be the best time for the Midlands club to cash in on him, and they can use that money to go out and find a suitable replacement, or invest in another position that perhaps needs more depth.

Wolves fans on Saiss transfer update

These members of the Molineux faithful slammed Saiss as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one WWFC supporter even going as far as to claim that he is a ‘liability’:

“Thank goodness. What’s the fee we have to pay to move him on?”

Credit: @dsandford125

“Defensively a liability and not good enough for our ambitions. Many times this season his positioning has been all over the place and consistently poor, a few clearances doesn’t him him great, I’d say get rid and get a proper defender in that’ll help Boly out”

Credit: @GoldenWolves2

“Overrated by many of our fans, happy for him to move on…”

Credit: @jonnyboy8463

“Found his level!”

Credit: @AndyByr72089874

“Please take him”

Credit: @MaybeMikeMendez

“He would of been first on my list to get rid of”

Credit: @Adam11520205

In other news, find out which £21.4m-rated ace Wolves are eyeing as a potential Ruben Neves replacement here!

MatériaMais Notícias

Após deixar encaminhada a contratação do peruano Beto da Silva, o Grêmio parece distante de acertar a contratação de mais um atacante. Segundo o presidente do Tolima-COL, Gabriel Camargo Salamanca, revelou que a primeira proposta do Tricolor gaúcho pelo atacante Ángelo Rodriguez foi abaixo do esperado:

– Recebi um e-mail sobre a venda do Ángelo no domingo e respondi na segunda-feira de manhã. Dei as nossas condições. Nesta quarta, acredito que devemos ter a resposta. A proposta do Grêmio está distante do que pedimos. Mas estamos conversando. Vamos ver.

O presidente da equipe colombiana também comentou que o Grêmio tem que comprar a totalidade dos direitos econômicos do atacante e não perdeu tempo para rasgar elogios a Rodriguez:

– A única condição indiscutível é que o Grêmio tem que comprar 100% dos direitos federativos. Ele tem bons movimentos. Força e potência tremendas. Faz muito bem o derrapamiento (jogada em que o atacante interrompe a corrida de forma brusca e corta a marcação para fazer o chute).

Newcastle United are reportedly plotting a move to sign Rob Dickie in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Newcastle must improve defensively

Having conceded no fewer than 62 goals in the Premier League going into the final day of the season, which is the fifth-worst record out of any team in the division (BBC Sport), the St. James’ Park outfit certainly need to improve defensively.

They cannot always rely on the likes of Callum Wilson to bail them out with the goals that he offers, especially if he finds himself injured for as long as he did in this campaign.

Thus, a new central defender would be an ideal signing to make in order to make Steve Bruce’s team more solid.

The Latest: Newcastle plot Dickie transfer

As per Football Insider, the Tyneside club are plotting a move to bring Dickie to the North East.

They have held a long-term interest in the QPR ace and considered signing him last summer before he joined Rangers from Oxford United.

A source from the Magpies has told the news outlet that Bruce wants to strengthen his defensive options, and Dickie has emerged as a top target.

The former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss is a big admirer and has been keeping tabs on him since he impressed against the Toon in two matches in the FA Cup in the 2019/20 term with Oxford.

NUFC see the Englishman as someone with huge potential who can develop and potentially offer them huge resale value in the future.

The Verdict: Newcastle should sign Dickie

Given the potential that Dickie has, and the fact that he is still only 25 years of age, it would be a smart buy for Newcastle, especially if the club are right about him potentially boasting a big resale value.

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Described as a ‘very talented’ player by Mark Warburton upon signing him as QPR manager back in September, the six-foot-one ace has taken the EFL Championship by storm, winning a mammoth 8.1 of his duels per game, while also averaging four clearances, 1.8 interceptions and 1.3 tackles a match, helping his side keep no fewer than 14 clean sheets in the process (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, Dickie is ready to make the step up to the Premier League, and the Magpies can give him that opportunity.

In other news, find out what insight Lee Ryder has shared from takeover sources on a potential arbitration timescale here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leicester City striker Brian Deane believes Ben Chilwell’s move to Chelsea has worked out well for all parties.

Chilwell, who came through the ranks at Leicester, departed the King Power for Stamford Bridge last summer in a £50m deal.

Since then, Leicester have gone on to win the FA Cup, beating Chilwell’s Chelsea 1-0 in the final, while the 24-year-old left-back has not always been an automatic starter under Thomas Tuchel.

In fact, the German left him on the bench during that clash at Wembley, instead opting for Marcos Alonso.

Nevertheless, Deane feels his old side, Chelsea and Chilwell will still all be pleased with the transfer. The ex-Leicester player told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“I don’t think it was a bad decision for him to go to Chelsea. I think it was a good decision for Leicester because they got a lot of money for him and they can bring somebody else in, which they have done and it’s been seamless.

“I think Chelsea have brought somebody in who they feel might be at the club for the next five or 10 years, so I think it works well for everybody. I don’t think Ben Chilwell’s got any regrets; I don’t think Leicester have any regrets.

“I just think it’s one of those that works for everybody.”

While he, of course, missed out on the FA Cup to his former side, this could still end up being an incredibly successful season for Chilwell and Chelsea, who will be aiming for Champions League glory next Saturday when they take on Manchester City.