All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Former Premier League star Dean Windass believes Mikel Arteta faces a season filled with questions after a poor campaign at Arsenal.

The Gunners boss guided the club to an eighth-placed finish, meaning they will spend next season with no European football.

In total, Arsenal took 61 points from their 38 games and ended the campaign six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

While they did win all of their final five games in the league, Arteta’s side ultimately paid the price for a poor start, as they won just four of their opening 14 matches, losing eight.

Arsenal also failed in cup competitions, being knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton in the fourth round, and by Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Villarreal, managed by former boss Unai Emery, knocked Arsenal out in the semi-finals of the Europa League en route to winning the competition, beating Manchester United on penalties in the final.

Windass believes that the Spaniard will subsequently be under severe pressure next season as he looks to right the ship and guide the Gunners back into Europe.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, the former Hull City ace said: “Arsenal have underachieved, so the manager is going to be massively under pressure next year for Arsenal and you don’t know what you’re going to get with Arsenal.

“Next year there’ll be a massive question on everybody’s lips, is he good enough to take Arsenal to the next level? Only time will tell.”

According to a report from the Daily Star, West Ham and by extension club owners GSB are plotting a move for Everton centre-back Michael Keane in the summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: Difficult season

The 29-year-old has endured a turbulent spell at Goodison Park following a then record-equalling £30million switch from Burnley in 2017 (BBC).

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-newest-updates/” title=”West Ham newest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Having amassed 181 appearances for the Merseyside club and earning England recognition in the process, Keane has struggled for any semblance of form this term as Everton battles against relegation from the Premier League.

Despite the issues, Irons’ boss David Moyes could be about to turn to Keane to bolster the defensive department at the London Stadium…

The latest: Daily Star makes claim…

As per the report from the Daily Star, the Hammers and GSB ‘will make a summer swoop’ for the 12-cap England man should Everton be relegated out of the top flight – plotting a bid behind-the-scenes.

It’s claimed that West Ham will ‘make an attempt’ to bring Keane to east London as Moyes looks to strengthen the centre-back ranks with Angelo Ogbonna sidelined through a serious knee injury.

Furthermore, the report states that the Scot is a ‘big admirer’ of the man once tipped to become a ‘top player’ by Rio Ferdinand having worked together at Manchester United.

The verdict: Another career rekindled?

Moyes has developed a penchant for revitalising stalling careers in east London, with the resurgence of Jesse Lingard during a loan spell with the Irons the most poignant example.

Whilst Keane has continued to feature for Everton, making 33 appearances across all competitions this term, a lowly 6.90 average Sofascore rating from 27 league games underlines the problems the Englishman has faced.

Under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), he would cost around £20 million, signing Keane wouldn’t be an inexpensive move for the Hammers and perhaps transfer chief Rob Newman would be best served to find an alternative option.

In other news: Agreement reached: ExWHUemployee also has some promising player news for West Ham supporters! Find out more here.

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that the Owls’ decision to hold onto Neil Thompson for so long was a gamble that has not paid off.

Thompson stepped in as caretaker manager following Tony Pulis’ dismissal at the end of last December but was unable to improve the relegation-threatened side’s fortunes.

Darren Moore was eventually appointed in March to permanently succeed Pulis in the Hillsborough dugout, and despite some ok results Wednesday are on the brink of going down to League One – they are three points from safety with one game remaining.

For Palmer, owner Dejphon Chansiri did not do things fast enough.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about some of the issues at Wednesday this season, Palmer said:

“I think the bit that’s killed them was, I think he [Chansiri] gambled on Neil Thompson for too long. Held on the caretaker manager, I think maybe he wanted to get to the end of the season and thought they’d be safe and then get a manager in without having to pay compensation.

“It was the wrong move. He should have got the manager in at the time. And they will be kicking themselves, they will be kicking themselves.”

Since taking over from Thompson, Moore has done fairly well in the Hillsborough dugout, picking up some big wins.

That includes the impressive 5-0 victory against Cardiff City at the start of April, so perhaps Wednesday would have been in a better position in the Championship had Chansiri made a permanent appointment earlier.

Liverpool supporters face a nervous wait over midfielder Jordan Henderson’s future at Anfield, after a recent report from The Athletic’s James Pearce. 

Henderson has been with the Reds since 2011, and is contracted with Jurgen Klopp’s side until the summer of 2023. It remains to be seen as to whether he’ll commit his future to the club, but Liverpool are believed to have tabled a contract offer.

It is claimed that Henderson wants to remain an integral part of the Liverpool team moving forwards, which is understandable for a player who has captained the side for a number of seasons.

But James Pearce reports that Liverpool’s current contract offer to the former Sunderland midfielder suggests that he wouldn’t be that integral member of the team.

Henderson has made 392 appearances in total for Liverpool’s first-team, which includes 28 outings during the 2020/21 season, where the Reds finished third in the Premier League table after a an injury-hit campaign for Klopp’s men.

Henderson and his Liverpool team-mates are set to take on Norwich City in their opening match of the 2021/22 league campaign, in what could potentially be a tricky test against Daniel Farke’s side, who won promotion from the Championship last term.

Plenty of Liverpool supporters were quick to take to social media to react to this recent update on the club’s talks with Henderson over a new contract.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from the LFC Transfer Room Twitter page, who shared Pearce’s recent update on Henderson’s future.

Liverpool fans discuss Henderson

“I’m the biggest fan of Henderson on this bird app but there’s no way anyone would sanction this deal. There’s only one player in the history of football I’d do this for and it’d be for Messi.”

Credit: @RevivedDanny

“If a 33-year-old Jordan Henderson is ‘absolutely integral’ to a Liverpool team in 2023 and beyond, then something would have gone very, very wrong.”

Credit: @DMARTINEZ_85

“FSG Out.”

Credit: @Dj67776349

“Support the current regime in what they do based on business. But not seeing the impact of Hendo in two years actually has me worried they don’t know what they are doing.”

Credit: @CliveTRoberts

“We need to keep him. Captain and such an influence on the younger players.”

Credit: @jamiecharlesle7

“Being integral part is shown on the pitch, may be if he shows that beyond 2023 he will get a contract.”

Credit: @Sadio_Mane_10

“He should definitely stay this season to prove his point, I don’t think he’s leaving this summer.”

Credit: @passingmfer

“Will be hard to forgive the owners if they mess this one up after what happened with Gini.”

Credit: @MattHirsch08

Every team in the Championship would take West Brom target Liam Delap on loan if given the opportunity, claims the Express & Star’s Luke Hatfield.

The Manchester City striker could leave the Etihad for the season in search of more game time and West Brom are one side currently being linked with him.

According to the Express & Star, Delap and Orlando City’s Daryl Dike, who played under Valerien Ismael at Barnsley, are on West Brom’s transfer shortlist as they look to improve their options up front.

Hatfield, though, is expecting a real battle for the 18-year-old should City allow him to leave the club on loan.

“I think he’s a player that pretty much everyone in the Championship wants if I’m being honest with you,” the West Brom journalist told FFC. “Really shone for Man City at youth level.

“He’s a player, like I said, if you offered him to every Championship team, they’d all take him on loan.”

Delap certainly has made an impression at youth level, bagging 24 goals in 22 Premier League 2 appearances.

He also managed to score in City’s Carabao Cup third-round win against Bournemouth last season, so perhaps the English youngster is now ready to go out on loan and make a real impact at senior level.

Manchester United are targeting a new defensive midfielder ahead of the upcoming transfer window, according to reports.

What’s the story?

Well-known journalist James Cooper recently made a huge claim on a Sky Sports News broadcast, linking Man United with a signing that would dramatically alter how their team sets up. He said (as posted on Twitter by United Journal):

“United could be in the market for a player that lessens the need for a double-pivot and frees up Paul Pogba to express himself.” 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has often opted for a combination of Fred and Scott McTominay, aka McFred, for added protection in big games, but it appears as though the Red Devils boss is hoping to move away from that safety-first approach in the future.

Fans will be buzzing

The Old Trafford outfit made good progress in 2020/21, achieving a consecutive top-four finish in the Premier League for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

Winning the Europa League on Wednesday night in their first European cup final in four years would be the ideal way to end an impressive campaign for the English giants.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done to restore United to their former glory, with a 12-point gap to table-toppers Manchester City evidence of the distance between themselves and league title success.

Several star names have been linked with a move to Solskjaer’s charges in recent weeks. The likes of Jadon Sancho, Harry Kane and Raphael Varane are all reportedly attracting admiring glances from the club’s hierarchy, but it’s a less attractive position that appears to be taking priority.

In the modern era, a lot of Europe’s top teams, such as City and Liverpool, play with a single holding midfielder, allowing the other midfielders freedom to join the forwards in attack, creating a far more dangerous attacking unit.

City have had Fernandinho and then Rodri in that particular role, Liverpool have Fabinho and Real Madrid use Casemiro, but Solskjaer has very rarely felt comfortable enough to entrust that responsibility upon one man, instead opting to double up in the centre of the park.

What United gain in the defensive third, they lose at the top end of the pitch, and therefore, the club’s supporters will surely be buzzing at Cooper’s latest revelation that the manager plans to be a bit more attacking next year.

If Solskjaer can find the right man for the job, it will allow the likes of Paul Pogba license to roam forward and showcase their world-class creative talent much closer to the opposition goal, potentially causing havoc for opponents.

And, in other news…Forget Lindelof: Man United must swoop for “quality” £50m prodigy

Southampton fans are far from happy after it was revealed the Saints are set to offer goalkeeper Alex McCarthy a new contract.

The Saints went through a mixed term last time out, reaching an F.A Cup semi-final but also finishing in 15th place in the Premier League table despite a good start. Their defence was particularly disappointing – only West Brom (76) conceded more than their 68 goals in the competition (Sky Sports).

Ralph Hasenhuttl and co have already moved one goalkeeper on this summer, with Angus Gunn completing a move to Norwich City (canaries.co.uk).

However, it appears they are not willing to let £4.5m-valued McCarthy (Transfermarkt) go as well – according to The Athletic, he is set to sign a new long-term contract that will keep him at the club.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Southampton supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the McCarthy news below

“Pain”

Credit: @sfcJoshhh

“Great.”

Credit: @Saintsfc_8

“meh”

Credit: @JackHStubbs

“Nooooooooo”

Credit: @StevenTribbeck

“Very meh”

Credit: @CDear_

“Preparing for life in the championship already by signing contracts for championship standard players”

Credit: @IngsIsKing

In other news, Southampton are interested in this former Manchester United man.

Speculation has been rife regarding the possible transfers Newcastle could pull off in the January window following PIF’s takeover of the club.

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Timo Werner are just a few of the many names linked with a switch to St James’ Park after Mike Ashley sold the club to the Saudi Arabian consortium.

However, the focus must now be drawn to the players who could lose their game-time as a result of incoming transfers as it would be beneficial to have some out the door before bringing in new arrivals, due to limitations on the size of the squad and preserving harmony among the group.

One player who should be sold in the January window is midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. The 29-year-old has been a liability for Newcastle in the middle of the park and should be replaced by PIF, or whoever the manager is come the opening of the transfer market, with an upgrade in that position being signed instead.

Whilst Shelvey has the silky skills on the ball and the ability to switch the play with his excellent range of passing, he often lets himself down with a lack of work off the ball and his poor decision-making. Despite playing in central midfield, he has a career average of just 0.9 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game, showing that he does not put the hard graft in defensively.

He has picked up 27 yellow cards and four reds during his time at St James’ Park, with the latest dismissal coming in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Tottenham. Shelvey was brought off the bench by Bruce to help rescue the game and instead ended up being sent off for two silly challenges, giving his teammates a taller mountain to climb.

In two Premier League appearances this season, racking up 94 minutes of play, the former Liverpool man has completed one tackle, made zero interceptions, blocks or clearances and received three yellows cards, with two of them leading to a red on Sunday. On the ball, he has not been his useful self either, as he failed to complete a single dribble and provided just one key pass.

Tellingly, the 29-year-old has recorded the lowest average WhoScored rating of anyone in the Magpies’ squad this season with a paltry 5.22, being by far the worst player in a team occupying a place in the Premier League relegation zone. That does not paint a pretty picture of his form.

With Steve Bruce reportedly set to be sacked, the £70k-per-week dud’s time at St James’ Park could also be up after his dismal cameo appearance against Spurs. If Newcastle’s next manager was watching that game, he may have already jotted down a mental note to get rid of Shelvey at the first possible opportunity.

He proved himself to be a liability and that is not the sort of character or player you want to have around when trying to rebuild the club to lead them into a future of positivity and success. Therefore, it could be time for the Magpies to ruthlessly axe Shelvey by cashing in on him in the next transfer window, based on both his style of play generally and his disciplinary record, which was highlighted against Tottenham.

AND in other news, “Sources say”: Craig Hope drops major Newcastle claim that’ll delight supporters…

Nuno Espirito Santo could be a good appointment for Newcastle United after he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards. 

The lowdown

Nuno was relieved of his duties on Monday morning in the wake of Spurs’ 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United. The result left them eighth in the table with only 15 points from their first 10 matches.

Prior to taking over at Spurs, Nuno had steered Wolverhampton Wanderers to promotion and back-to-back seventh-place finishes, and Newcastle may bear that impressive achievement in mind as they continue to search for a successor to Steve Bruce, who was let go on 20 October.

Intriguingly, Lee Ryder writes that Spurs’ decision could complicate that process, with battles potentially emerging for candidates such as Paulo Fonseca.

The latest

In a tweet, Edwards wrote that Nuno would be ‘a solid option’ for the Magpies.

He claimed that if the ‘worst should happen’ and Newcastle – currently 19th with no wins and only four points on the board – are relegated to the Championship, then Nuno has proven he can take a team up with ‘loads of financial backing’.

Graeme Jones is set to take charge of the Magpies’ final game before the international break against Brighton, and that could give Newcastle the time they need to move for the now-available Portuguese coach.

The verdict

Newcastle should be able to avoid relegation if, as has been reported, they’re willing to spend around £50m in January. That limits the appeal of Nuno.

Spurs may only be five points off the top four, but their underlying numbers are pretty woeful. Their expected goals tally ranks 17th in the Premier League, and they’re also in the bottom half for expected goals against (via Understat).

Off the back of this brief tenure in north London, there have to be serious question marks over Nuno’s capacity to manage the most ambitious clubs and to deliver exciting football. Most Newcastle fans didn’t take kindly to the lack of flair under Bruce, so they might not be overly eager to have another pragmatic manager taking the reins as his successor.

In other news, another new managerial candidate is emerging

Manchester United are front runners to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to a report in Marca, and Carlton Palmer believes he would be a brilliant signing for the Red Devils.

The 28-year-old helped guide the French national team to the round of 16 stage at Euro 2020, before being eliminated by Switzerland on penalties.

Throughout the tournament there has been much speculation about Varane’s future at Real Madrid and with just one year left on his current contract, it appears that the French international could be heading for the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to The Times, Varane could depart Real Madrid for around £42.9m this summer, a price which Carlton Palmer believes is great value.

“Absolute bargain! 

“I like the boy Varane, I’ve watched him since he first burst on the scene. He’s everything that you need in a modern day footballer, he’s a Rolls Royce.”

If Manchester United acquire Varane, then they have the perfect modern-day defender, with Palmer adding: “He’s got unbelievable pace, he’s comfortable on the football and I think it’s a fantastic signing.”

The Red Devils conceded 44 goals last term in the Premier League, the highest of any team who finished in the top four.With this in mind, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping that if he can add Varane to his defensive ranks, it will help United keep more clean sheets and enable the club to mount a serious title challenge.