What a waste: Spurs fans slam Bale after agent comments

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Spurs fans have been reacting to some comments from Gareth Bale’s agent, who ruled out a loan move for the Welsh winger.

Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, has effectively ruled out a move to Tottenham or Manchester United this summer, per Sky Sports.

Barnett told Sky Sports: “Obviously Gareth’s situation at Real hasn’t improved. I think Mr Zidane has decided he can probably do without him, so we have to wait and see.

“There’s more chance of me winning at Ascot than him going out on loan. It’s not going to happen,” he said. “I don’t think he wants to go out on loan. He’s got a lovely life and home in Spain.

“I think it would take something exceptional for him to leave and loans are not on the menu.”

It seems extremely unlikely that Spurs or United would have the funds to pry Bale away from Madrid on a permanent basis, as he has three years left on his current deal and would cost a fortune.

As reported by Football.London, the Welsh international is believed to earn more than £600,000-a-week before tax, and fans are lashing out at his greed after his agent’s comments.

It is quite alarming that the 29 year-old seems content to just warm the bench and pick up his pay packet, as he started just 21 La Liga games last season and scored only eight times, per Whoscored.

Have a look at some of the Twitter reactions down below, where Spurs fans have some very harsh truths for their former hero…

Would happily have him back: West Ham fans offer views on Sofiane Feghouli

[ad_pod ]

Sofiane Feghouli joined West Ham United from Valencia in the summer of 2016.

The midfielder penned a three-year contract with the Hammers upon his arrival, but was gone 12 months later after finding it difficult to make his mark in England.

Feghouli scored just four times in 27 games for West Ham before heading for Galatasaray, where he is on course to clinch back-to-back Super Lig titles.

The 29-year-old has scored 13 times and registered seven assists in 40 appearances for his Turkish club during the 2018-19 campaign.

Feghouli’s talent was never really in question.

And a number of West Ham fans have claimed that their club should have kept hold of the versatile midfielder for longer than one season, although not everyone agrees with those sentiments.

That ship has well and truly sailed, but it seems that Feghouli did make a positive impression on some fans despite finding it tough to show his best form.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Hammers supporters can be seen below:

وفاة أسطورة الأرجنتين مارادونا عن عمر 60 عامًا

توفى أسطورة الكرة الأرجنتينية، دييجو أرماندو مارادونا، عن عمر يناهز 60 عامًا بعد صراع طويل خلال الفترة الماضية مع المرض.

وأعلن الاتحاد الأرجنتيني لكرة القدم عبر حسابه الرسمي بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي، وفاة مارادونا بعد إصابته بسكتة قلبية صباح اليوم، الأربعاء، في منزله في حي سان أندريس ببلدة “تيجري”.

وقال الاتحاد في بيانه: “يعرب الاتحاد الأرجنتيني لكرة القدم، من خلال رئيسه كلاوديو تابيا، عن عميق أسفه لوفاة أسطورتنا، دييجو أرماندو مارادونا، ستكون دائمًا في قلوبنا”.

ويعد مارادونا من أبرز نجوم عالم كرة القدم في التاريخ، نجح في الفوز ببطولتي كأس العالم 1978 و1986 مع الأرجنتين.

وكان الأرجنتيني في الفترة الأخيرة قد تعرض لعدة انتكاسات صحية بعد عزله لمخالطة أكثر من حالة مصُابة بفيروس كورونا بالإضافة إلى عملية جراحية في المخ.

ساوثجيت: تصريحات كلارك غير مقبولة.. واستقالته قرار صائب

كشف جاريث ساوثجيت مدرب منتخب إنجلترا عن قرار رئيس الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم، جريج كلارك، بالاستقالة من منصبه بسبب تصريحاته عن اللاعبين السمر.

وتحدث كلارك بشكل غير لائق، في البرلمان الإنجليزي، عن اللاعبين غير البيض حيث وصفهم بـ “الملونين”.

وقرر كلارك بعد ذلك تقديم استقالته من منصبه بعد اعترافه بخطأ ما تفوه به (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

ومن جانبه، قال ساوثجيت في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ستاندرد” الإنجليزية: “المصطلحات التي تلفظ بها كلارك في عدد من المجلات لم تكن مقبولة”.

وأضاف: “كلارك لا يعكس وجهة نظر اتحاد كرة القدم ولا يعكس ما نمثله كفريق، لا أعتقد أن لديه أي بديل سوى اتخاذ القرار الذي فعله والاستقالة”.

وواصل: “لقد تحدثت مع اللاعبين بشكل إيجابي عن الاختلاف العرقي لذلك شعرت أنه من الضروري أن أوضح أن ما حدث بالأمس غير مقبول ولا يمثل ما ندافع عنه كفريق واحد”.

وتابع: “كان هناك الكثير من الانزعاج بشأن ما قيل وأعتقد أن كلارك أدرك أنه بالإضافة مع ما قاله أمس، كان الاضطراب الداخلي في الاتحاد الإنجليزي هائلًا، كانت هناك رسائل في المجتمع طوال الصيف حول تثقيف أنفسنا وأعتقد أن الكثير منا قد فعل ذلك خلال الأشهر الستة الماضية على وجه الخصوص، كمنظمة علينا إحداث التغيير”.

واختتم: “لا يمكننا أن نقف أمام الكاميرات ونتحدث عن التغيير، إنه يزعجني قليلًا أن يتحدث الرؤساء السابقون عن هذا الأمر لأنهم أتيحت لهم الفرصة للقيام بذلك ولم يفعلوا”.

The Chalkboard: Ross repeats same old Sunderland mistake

[ad_pod ]

Sunderland’s automatic promotion hopes died at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium on Tuesday, and Jack Ross made a fatal error that he keeps on repeating.

The Black Cats arrived to face Joey Barton’s Fleetwood knowing only a win would keep them in the race for automatic promotion.

And while Portsmouth helped out by losing to Peterborough, Ross’ side just couldn’t hold on to the lead earned by Lee Cattermole’s first-half goal.

The midfielder headed the visitors in front after half an hour, but Paddy Madden equalised in the second half before Ashley Eastham grabbed a stoppage time winner.

Sunderland’s performance in the second half was woeful compared to their display before the interval, and it was all down to a mistake that Ross just can’t seem to eradicate.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

On the chalkboard

During the Checkatrade Trophy final, with the score at 1-0, Ross introduced Lynden Gooch and Max Power for Lewis Morgan and Will Grigg.

In doing so, the Scot invited more and more pressure onto his side until eventually they caved, and Pompey went on to win the match on penalties.

At Fleetwood on Tuesday, he made an almost identical error, bringing on Kazaiah Sterling and George Honeyman for Grigg and Chris Maguire. Or in other words, he brought on two players with far inferior end product, inviting the hosts to have a go without fear of being punished on the break.

Once again, the boss put his team under the cosh with negative changes, and it was actually Honeyman who gave the ball away leading to the winning goal.

The Black Cats have drawn a frankly ridiculous 19 out of 45 league games this campaign, and just one of those was goalless. Ross has no problem getting his side in front, but the young boss has absolutely no idea what to do once that happens.

The ex-St Mirren gaffer is only 42 and has just four seasons of managerial experience under his belt, but if he doesn’t develop his game management skills, the “Ross out” calls will only get louder.

His poor tactical switches, like often moving to a 4-4-2 with one-goal leads, and uninspiring substitutions have cost the club a trophy and automatic promotion this season – will they cost him his job as well?

Arsenal fans savage Spurs after another embarrassing defeat

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal’s Under-18 team came from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 on Tuesday.

After falling 2-0 down, an exceptional late comeback saw the young Gunners emerge victorious.

Bukayo Saka pulled a goal back in the 85th minute before Brooklyn Lyons-Foster scored an own goal, inadvertently turning in a Saka cross. And, in injury time, Ben Cottrell scored the winner as the Gunners’ Under-18 side ended Spurs’ impressive unbeaten run this season.

Arsenal have now won 18 and lost just two of their 20 games this term, while Spurs have won 16, drawn two and lost one.

The Gunners have a four-point lead over Spurs at the top of the Under-18 Premier League South, though the young Lilywhites do have a game in hand.

And fans have revelled in the result, which came less than 24 hours after Arsenal leapfrogged Spurs in the Premier League following their 2-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates.

Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below!

Liverpool fans want to sign Moussa Marega after win against FC Porto

[ad_pod ]

FC Porto attacker Moussa Marega impressed and probably should have scored in his side’s 2-0 Champions League defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, and many Reds fans want their club to sign the 27-year-old.

The powerhouse had five efforts on goal throughout the match with three of those on target, but given how good some of the chances were he should have found the net and ultimately let the hosts off of the hook on the night.

The forward has scored 17 goals and provided a further 10 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese outfit this term, while he has 41 in 92 outings in total for the side that lies second in the Primeira Liga table.

Should Jurgen Klopp decide to make a move for Marega he would be competing with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane in the starting XI, given he is quite a versatile player.

Liverpool supporters were quick to have their say on their nuisance-creating Mali international via social media, and the following were keen to sign him.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Some certainly believe that he would be a useful option from the substitutes’ bench, beyond the summer.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Injury News: Pochettino issues major Spurs injury update

[ad_pod ]

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Eric Dier is unlikely to start against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

The midfielder has missed the club’s last four Premier League outings and played a single minute in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United in February.

What’s the word?

Dier has struggled with injury throughout the 2018-19 season and has missed games with both appendicitis and tonsilitis.

Spurs have won just one of the last four games the England midfielder has missed, against Leicester City, and have lost to Burnley and Chelsea and drawn with Arsenal in the north London derby.

He could make the bench, however, with Pochettino confirming that he will be assessed before Tuesday’s second leg, with Spurs holding a 3-0 lead.

Harry Winks, too, could feature after missing the north London derby with a hip injury.

“We need to assess both,” Pochettino said, per Football.London.

“They are here because we still need one day more to assess if they can. Dier has been out for a while and maybe on the bench. Winks we need to see tomorrow.”

Pochettino has also confirmed that Dele Alli is nearing a return after suffering a thigh muscle strain against Fulham in January.

“Dele is close, we will see if it is possible for Saturday to be involved with the team against Southampton,” he added, per Football.London.

A timely boost

Spurs have missed genuine physicality in midfield, with performances against Chelsea and Arsenal lacking the bite needed in the centre of the pitch.

Dier coming back, particularly against Dortmund, would be a massive boost, especially with Victor Wanyama looking out of his depth against the Gunners.

Alli, too, could be back for the quarter-finals if Spurs progress and his unique skillset has not been effectively replaced since his injury.

Dier, Winks and Alli all returning to action could come at just the right time with the club looking to pull off a shock European triumph.

مورينيو يُعلن غياب سون.. وموقف آلي وبيل من التواجد أمام حيفا في الدوري الأوروبي

أكد المدرب البرتغالي، جوزيه مورينيو، المدير الفني لنادي توتنهام هوتسبير الإنجليزي، أنّ النجم الكوري الجنوبي، سون هيونج مين، لن يتواجد في مباراة مكابي حيفا بالتصفيات المؤهلة لمجموعات الدوري الأوروبي.

توتنهام يستقبل غدًا، مساء الخميس، حيفا، على ملعبه في لندن، في المباراة الفاصلة المؤهلة لمجموعات يوروباليج لموسم 2020/2021.

وقال مورينيو في المؤتمر الصحفي عشية المباراة: “سون لن يتواجد غدًا، وهناك شكوك كبيرة حول تواجده في مباراة الأحد، ولكنني لا أقول إنه لن يلعب، لأن ربما يتعافى من الإصابة”.

وأضاف: “جاريث بيل لا يُمكنه أيضًا اللعب غدًا أو حتى نهاية الأسبوع وهذا أمر مؤكد، إنه يعمل بجد ومُلتزم للغاية، لاعب محترف، سعيد للتواجد، ولكنه ليس جاهزًا بعد للعب”.

وواصل: “أعتقد أنّ فترة التوقف الدولية يُمكن أنّ تكون هي المرحلة الأخيرة من تعافيه واستعادة لياقته؛ آمل أنّ يعود للعب بعد نهاية التوقف الدولي”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مورينيو للاعبي توتنهام قبل ركلات الترجيح: جعلتم تشيلسي فريقًا عاديًا

وتابع: “اعتقد أنّ جاريث لن يذهب لمنتخب ويلز، لم يصل لنا أي شيء رسمي حتى الآن، وهو غير مُستعد للعب ولا يُمكنه اللعب معهم”.

وعن إمكانية تواجد ديلي آلي في مباراة الغد، بعد استبعاده في المباريات الماضية: “أنا لا أستطيع أنّ أؤكد ما إذا كان ديلي سيلعب غدًا ام لا، لا يزال هناك جلسة تدريبة، وهناك قرارات يتعين علينا اتخاذها”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “الشيء الوحيد الذي يُمكنني قوله عن ديلي أنه مُحترف للغاية، ويحظى باحترامي واحترام زملاءه في الفريق، ولاعب جيد حقًا، وربما يحصل على فرصة غدًا”.

Major mistakes: Newcastle really messed these 2 things up in January

This January was a make or break month for Newcastle, as the club’s future depended on it. 

Manager Rafa Benítez was demanding that owner Mike Ashley backed him in the transfer market, and there was the possibility that the Spaniard may walk away from St James’ Park at the end of the season.

Key decisions were to be made in the northeast in order to save Newcastle’s season. With that in mind, here are the two biggest mistakes Newcastle made in the transfer window:

Not enough

The Magpies left it late, but they did secure the signings of Miguel Almirón and Antonio Barreca towards the end of the window. These were surely deals to appease both the restless Benítez and the fans, who had grown tired of the inert state of the club.

However, while two signings are better than none, the question will remain as to whether it was enough. Firstly, many will wonder whether it was enough to strengthen a Newcastle team that are sitting only five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League. Secondly, whether it was enough to keep the manager at the club at the end of the season.

Benítez would have wanted some serious investment, and this may not have been enough. Only time will tell as to whether Ashley made the right choice or not over January.

Breaking their transfer record

Newcastle signed Almirón from MLS outfit Atlanta United for a club-record fee of £20m, something that the Newcastle fans have waited a long time for their club to do. Now it must be said that £20m is incredibly modest in terms of the lofty prices that are paid for football these days, but it is still a record nevertheless.

But invariably, having the moniker of being a club’s record signing mounts an immeasurable amount of pressure on a player to perform. The question will constantly linger over Almirón as to whether he was worth it, as there is certainly the chance that the player may struggle to live up to the hype.

The pressure will not be as great as that which was put on a player like Paul Pogba at Man United, but there will still be pressure nonetheless, and that is the last thing that a player that is unproven in the Premier League will want. With 13 goals and 11 assists in the MLS last season, these are great stats for the midfielder; he will now be expected to replicate that form at St James’ Park.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus