Wolverhampton Wanderers are already plotting their moves ahead of the January transfer window, even if it’s still two months away…
What’s the word?
According to TEAMtalk, the Midlands outfit are one of several top-flight teams pursuing a move for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence.
It’s claimed that the Championship outfit face an uphill battle to keep the 20-year-old with Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United also interested in his signature.
After breaking into the first-team under Jonathan Woodgate last season, Spence signed a new long-term contract in February this year.
Future talent?
The young English sensation has continued to cement his place as Boro’s right wing-back this season, playing in eight of their nine Championship outings thus far.
Spence has scored one goal and has also averaged 1.3 dribbles, 1.1 tackles and 0.7 key passes per 90 minutes, via WhoScored.
During the summer, his manager Neil Warnock played down chances of his top talent leaving the Riverside Stadium, though evidently, it’s a saga that’s set to rumble on throughout the winter.
He’s handed him a glowing endorsement in the process too, comparing him to two current Premier League stars, he said: “If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace [Aaron Wan-Bissaka] – they are all the same type as Djed.”
Warnock went on to claim that Spence had “enormous ability” and how it would be “criminal” if he didn’t make it to the very top.
He has also been noted as having ‘blistering pace’ whilst at 6-foot-and-a-half, he offers intriguing physical attributes too.
As per ESPN, it’s believed that Boro value the promising right wing-back at just £10m whilst Spurs have previously been mooted with interest.
Nuno Santo brought in two players in the role during the summer window – Nelson Semedo, who is already making his presence felt and less so, Ki Jana-Hoever.
You’d imagine the latter is in most danger if Jeff Shi sanctions a move for Spence – a swoop in which he should absolutely follow through with as it not only meets Fosun’s long-term ambitions but hands the Wolf Pack a genuine talent ahead of their rivals.
Perhaps he can be Nuno’s next project – à la Adama Traore.
AND in other news, Wolves must rue not signing £30m monster better than Dendoncker…
Crystal Palace have entered the race to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko in this transfer window.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, who claim that the Eagles have made an offer to the Chelsea midfielder.
Bakayoko spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Monaco and appears destined to leave the club in the coming weeks.
He made 23 appearances in all competitions and is also wanted by AC Milan, with the Blues looking to receive as much of the £36m they paid for him as possible.
The single toughest football logo quiz of all time…
The once-capped France international has made just 43 appearances for Chelsea since his arrival in 2017 and Palace are now ready to go head-to-head with the Italian club to nab him in this window.
Roy Hodgson’s side are said to have approached the player directly and, while there is no hint as to whether a transfer fee has been offered, it is said that Bakayoko will make a decision in the coming days over his next club.
Palace have already signed Ebere Eze from QPR in this window and strengthening the midfield behind the playmaker could be a clever move as the 2020/21 season gets underway.
Bakayoko has a hint of Premier League experience and remains a relatively young player – he turned 26 in August – with a high ceiling.
If Palace are able to bring him in, this would be a coup for the Eagles.
Leeds United could be about to break their club-record fee for a second time this transfer window…
What’s the word?
According to Onda Cero radio, Marcelo Bielsa is considering a move for Levante midfielder Jose Campana who was once on the books at Crystal Palace.
The La Liga outfit won’t let the 27-year-old leave for less than €30m (£27.5m), though the player would love another crack in the Premier League.
Leeds have already failed in their attempts to sign Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul so it remains to be seen if Victor Orta will crack at this sort of fee.
Midfield reinforcement
Campana only played six times in the top-flight last time he was here, costing Palace just £1.75m back in 2013 but evidently his career has come on leaps and bounds since.
Last season, the former Spain U21 international was a key cog in Paco Lopez’s system – in 37 appearances, Campana provided two goals and seven assists whilst averaging two key passes, 1.7 dribbles and 1.2 shots per game, via WhoScored.
With Bielsa still lacking a Samuel Saiz type player to provide an alternative option to Pablo Hernandez, perhaps the 27-year-old maestro can fill that void at long last.
Spanish football expert Graham Hunter has described Campana as an “immense talent” in the past whilst BleacherReport claim he’s a “creative, flamboyant and incisive passer.”
Ex-Eagles boss Ian Holloway has also waxed lyrical about his credentials, upon signing him he said: “I think he’s a fantastic player, his maturity is unbelievable, and the way he plays the game is the way I believe it should be played. He’s going to be a great star of the future and the present.”
Campana is certainly more attacking than defensive and he could be the missing link to unlock fellow Spaniard Rodrigo at Elland Road.
AND in other news, Leeds handed boost over £13.5m colossus who Bielsa has wanted for TWO years…
Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed that he is having to hold back Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo during pre-season.
The Gers have been impressive so far during their warm-up preparations for the new campaign – they first beat Hamilton 2-1, before travelling to France to beat Lyon and Nice 2-0. Then, after returning home, they defeated Motherwell 4-0 at Ibrox.
Following that latest clash, Gerrard has been talking about how he has needed to manage Aribo and Kamara. He told the Gers’ official website:
“I think people are at different stages, and there are a few individuals within it who certainly look ready to go now.
“Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara were outstanding first-half, and I’ve almost got to pull them back.”
It certainly has been a good pre-season for certain players – Aribo in particular. He has been praised by fans, and his goal against Motherwell, where he displayed his fantastic close control in the box, showed just how good he can be at his best.
As the Gers go in search of a first major trophy since 2011, £900k-valued Aribo and £1.08m-valued Kamara – as per Transfermarkt – will likely play huge roles in their chances of success. Therefore, this should be fantastic news for the supporters as they await the first competitive match of the season against Aberdeen on August 1st.
West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic could be reunited with one player he once signed for a club-record £18m if reports are to be believed…
What’s the word?
According to Ghana SoccerNet, the Baggies are keen on bringing Swansea City winger Andre Ayew to the Hawthorns before the transfer deadline this summer.
They claim that the Championship outfit could be interested in offloading the 30-year-old due to the £80k-per-week wages he’s reportedly on at the Liberty Stadium whilst Ayew himself would like to play in the Premier League.
He has started both of the Swans’ opening two matches this term and is valued at just £4.32m by Transfermarkt.
Another winger?
It would be an interesting prospect to see Ayew swap the second tier for another venture into the top-flight but do West Brom even need another winger?
The veteran was largely ineffective in the two matches against the Baggies last season, failing to contribute during a 5-1 thrashing or the 0-0 draw.
Although he is a player that Bilic knows really well, speaking back in 2017 following a shock win over Spurs, the Croatian boss said: “It’s me who wanted Andre to join us from Swansea. I rate Andre very highly. He’s a great player. He was the game-changer.”
Whilst summer arrival Conor Gallagher enjoyed a loan spell alongside him at Swansea during the second half of last season and the Ghanian believes the young Chelsea prospect is fit for the Premier League.
During that campaign, Ayew provided 16 goals and seven assists whilst averaging 2.6 shots, 2.1 dribbles and 0.9 key passes per game, via WhoScored.
That’s six more goals than what Charlie Austin and Hal Robson-Kanu could manage and only Grady Diangana managed more dribbles per appearance.
The Baggies could probably do with a new goal threat after appearing rather lacklustre in front of the sticks so far this campaign, so perhaps a move for the Swansea veteran would be a shrewd addition this close to deadline day.
AND in other news, Albion must win race to sign “skilled” starlet who “causes defenders nightmares”…
The 2018-19 Premier League campaign was an impressive one for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, with the Reds falling just short of champions Manchester City.
Despite losing just once in the league all year Klopp’s team finished one point adrift of City, with a total of 97 points.
Their one defeat came to City themselves on January 3 and after starting the 2019-20 with eight consecutive wins, talk began about them perhaps going for the record of most league matches in a row unbeaten.
A 3-0 defeat to Watford in February put an end to that incredible run though, five matches short of the record, while also dashing hopes of the club become the second to go an entire Premier League season unbeaten.
With that in mind, we looked back into the archives with a view to some of the longest unbeaten runs in the Premier League era.
Here, we look at the longest unbeaten runs embarked upon by all of the current Premier League sides…
20. Brighton & Hove Albion – 5 games
Brighton have twice gone on five match unbeaten runs, with both coming in their debut campaign under Chris Hughton.
19. Watford – 6 games
Soccer Football – Premier League – Watford v Crystal Palace – Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain – December 7, 2019 Watford’s Etienne Capoue and Christian Kabasele clash with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha after the match REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. P
Surprisingly, Watford’s longest unbeaten Premier League run came this term following the appointment of new boss Nigel Pearson.
18. Bournemouth – 7 games
Bournemouth’s Premier League story has been something of a fairytale and it is only fair that their longest unbeaten run included wins over Arsenal and Chelsea.
17. Burnley – 8 games
Soccer Football – Premier League – Burnley v AFC Bournemouth – Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain – February 22, 2020 Burnley’s Matej Vydra celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Molly Darlington EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account represen
A side that have been difficult to beat under boss Sean Dyche, with their best run to date coming last season as they looked to avoid the drop.
16. Crystal Palace – 8 games
Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester City v Crystal Palace – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – January 18, 2020 Crystal Palace’s Cenk Tosun celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please co
Crystal Palace have established themselves as a Premier League mainstay under Roy Hodgson and it was the former England boss who oversaw their longest unbeaten run in 2017/18.
15. Sheffield United – 8 games
The Blades are enjoying a brilliant season under Chris Wilder but there best run goes back to 1994 when long-standing boss Dave Bassett was still in charge.
14. Southampton – 9 games
The Saints longest unbeaten run came during the 2002-03 season, the same year they reached the FA Cup final, while they were under the management of Gordon Strachan.
13. Norwich City – 10 games
Norwich City may be bottom but after their promotion to the Premier League in 2011 they went on a 10 match unbeaten run under Paul Lambert.
12. West Ham United – 10 games
Perhaps a club that has not quite achieved what it has set out to in recent years, the Hammers’ best run came in 2016 as they secured a place in the Europa League.
11. Everton – 11 games
Despite being in the Premier League since its inception, Everton have only twice managed an unbeaten run of 11 games. Both came under David Moyes in 2010 and 2012 respectively.
10. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 11 games
A side that have grown in stature in recent years, their best run came this term under current boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
9. Leicester City – 12 games
Despite their success this season, it is no surprise Leicester’s best run came during the title campaign in 2015-16 under Claudio Ranieri.
8. Aston Villa – 14 games
Villa Park.
Villa’s longest unbeaten run came back in 1998 when they briefly led the league table.
7. Newcastle United – 14 games
Alan Pardew saw an unlikely upturn in results as he guided Newcastle to a fifth-place finish in 2012.
6. Tottenham Hotspur – 14 games
Perhaps surprisingly for a side that have seen such success in recent seasons, Spurs best run is 14 matches unbeaten which they achieved in 2015 and 2018 under Mauricio Pochettino.
5. Manchester United – 29 games
Manchester United players May 1999 including goalkepeer Peter Schmeichel (3rd R) and manager Alex Ferguson (L) hold up the European Cup after beating Bayern Munich at Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium May 26. Manchester won 2-1
Anniversaries – On this day 26 May 1999
Manchester United become the first British club to win the European Cup for 15 yeras, beating Bayern Munich 2-1 in the final in Barcelona.
Considering United are the most successful side in the Premier League era, it is surprise to them fifth on this list. However, Sir Alex Ferguson achieved the feat twice in 1998-1999 and 2010-11.
4. Manchester City – 30 games
Soccer Football – Champions League – Manchester City Training – Etihad Campus, Manchester, Britain – February 25, 2020 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during training Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
A club that has seen huge success in recent years, their 30 match run came in 2017-18 under Pep Guardiola, only to be ended by Klopp’s Liverpool.
3. Chelsea – 40 games
Football – Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge, London – 14/6/01
Chelsea’s new signing Frank Lampard
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Richard Heathcote
Digital
This immense run came during a period of domination for the club under Jose Mourinho which saw them win consecutive league titles in 2005 and 2006.
2. Liverpool – 44 games
An incredible run that came to an end earlier this year, Klopp’s side looked like they could go a whole season unbeaten but fell foul at Watford, losing 3-0.
1. Arsenal 49 games
Arsenal’s Fredrik Ljungberg (C) celebrates with team mates Robert Pires
(L) and Thierry Henry after scoring against Inter Milan during their
Champions League Group B first phase match at the San Siro Stadium in
Milan, November 25, 2003. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
SR/WS
The crowning glory of Arsene Wenger’s career, this run straddled three seasons and included an entire unbeaten Premier League season in 2003-04.
Another day, another layer added to the Scottish football saga of which Rangers are at the very centre of.
The latest news in that respect is that, after the Gers requested that another investigation be commissioned along with Hearts and Stranraer, the SPFL have organised an Emergency General Meeting that will be held on May 12th, in which there will be a vote to see if another investigation will take place.
Not only that, the governing body north of the border have sent an open letter to all clubs in Scotland, effectively saying that another investigation would be a waste of time – quite frankly, you cannot take your eyes of what is happening.
Now, Graham Spiers of The Scottish Times has had his say on the issue. Whilst he admits that Rangers may have proof of wrongdoing, he said he hopes that Gers managing director Stewart Robertson is not playing up to the fans’ feelings of conspiracy against the club. He even called him the “weakest man in football”.
As you can imagine, the club’s supporters were far from happy with his comments – one even called him “the weakest man in journalism.”
They took to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.
Many Newcastle United fans are fuming at claims from Gordon Taylor after he gave his thoughts to BBC Radio 4 (via ChronicleLive) about the season restarting.
As per the outlet, the PFA chief spoke about Project Restart, as he said that we will have to wait and see on whether the campaign will restart and whether it will run smoothly. Taylor warned: “We as a footballing community do not know what the future holds for the beautiful game, but we do know what propositions and ideas have been put forward.”
The 75-year-old cited some possible changes should the season resume, including more substitutions, games possibly not being a full 45 minutes per half and neutral venues. Taylor added that the PFA are trying to wait and see what the proposals are and have the courtesy to let the managers, coaches and players assimilate all those and come to a considered view. [BBC Radio 4, via ChronicleLive]
These members of the Toon faithful fumed when they heard the claims on Twitter, with one Magpies fan calling Taylor a ‘clown’:
Geordies fans, what do you think of Taylor’s claims about the season possibly restarting? Comment below with your views!
Manchester United currently look like one of the most potent attacking forces in England, having become the first team in Premier League history to win four consecutive games by three goals or more after their 3-0 demolition of Aston Villa.
Bruno Fernandes has been arguably the Premier League’s best player during this time, winning back to back Player of the Month awards, while Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have banged in eight goals between them in their last four league matches.
It’s hard to imagine the Red Devils’ attack getting even better, but that could soon be the case if one reported transfer comes to fruition.
Of course, one of the biggest transfer rumours of the past few months has been Jadon Sancho’s potential move to Old Trafford, but with United looking to pay no more than £50m for the Dortmund winger, that one reportedly may not get over the line.
The Athletic are now reporting that their attention may shift away from Sancho towards Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele, and if they land the Frenchman their attack may become nigh on unstoppable.
It’s not often you find a player who can use both feet with equal effectiveness, but if United sign the 23-year-old they will have two players who are truly two-footed.
Indeed, the Barcelona winger has previously made headlines for saying that he’s left-footed, but shoots better with his right, while Greenwood is a natural lefty who is so comfortable with his supposed weaker foot that he actually takes penalties with his right.
If those two lined up in the same team on opposite wings, defenders across Europe would have a serious headache in trying to defend against them, as they would be able to attack from all angles, shooting, crossing and passing with either foot with equal effectiveness.
It’s not as if the dynamism of being two-footed is all Greenwood and Dembele have to offer either.
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Greenwood has netting nine Premier League goals despite only being 18 years old, while the former Rennes winger was deemed to be worth £135.5m by Barcelona just three years ago.
Dembele and Greenwood lining up alongside either Martial or Marcus Rashford is truly a frightening prospect, and it’s hard to imagine how any defence would go about stopping them, especially when you consider the talents of Fernandes and Paul Pogba working in the midfield behind them.
According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a £50m swoop for Lyon attacker Memphis Depay, who has impressed since leaving Manchester United in 2017.
The Netherlands international only managed seven goals in 53 games for United, which is hardly a great return for a player in the final third of the field.
Since moving to Lyon, though, the 25-year-old has registered 50 goals in 130 appearances, in addition to contributing an impressive 42 assists.
This season, the Dutchman has 11 goals in 14 matches in all competitions, including seven in 10 outings in France’s top flight.
According to The Mirror, Spurs are weighing up a £50m bid for Depay, but it would be fair to say that the club’s fans are not interested in a deal.
Indeed, a number of the supporters have taken to social media to express their views on the transfer claim, and not too many are in favour of the attacker arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A selection of the Twitter reaction is available to view below: