Cardiff City’s failure to pick up a point against already-relegated Fulham on Saturday means it is now solely between them and Brighton and Hove Albion to see who will join the Cottagers and Huddersfield Town in the Championship next season.
The Seagulls’ draw against Newcastle United at the Amex could prove to be a crucial point given it has left them with a four-point advantage over the Bluebirds with two games remaining – including a trip to Old Trafford on the final day.
Before that, Neil Warnock’s side come up against Albion’s arch-rivals Crystal Palace in the Welsh capital at the weekend, with some Eagles fans probably secretly hoping that their team slips up to keep the south coast outfit in the mire.
Brighton supporters on the North Stand Chat forum have been debating what they would do if the roles were reversed and they were in Palace’s shoes.
What have they been saying? Interesting debate
It certainly is and has clearly divided opinion among the fan-base.
While some would be happy for their side to roll over and gift their opposition the three points, others would expect their players to be professional and play to get a result.
With money, bonuses and records on the line, rivalries are often put to one side in the modern era and it would be no surprise if Palace put in another excellent display on the road, saving one of their biggest enemies as a result.
When Sheffield Wednesday announced their retained list earlier this week, it would have been a surprise to many of the club’s supporters that Steve Bruce had decided not to offer Gary Hooper a new deal.
Although the 31-year-old’s time at Hillsborough was somewhat tarnished by his struggles with injuries when at his very best for the Owls, he proved to be one of the most deadly strikers in the Championship.
Having initially joined the club in 2016 from Norwich City, Hooper enjoyed a successful debut season in which he fired in 13 goals as Wednesday navigated their way to the play-off final under then-boss Carlos Carvalhal. Despite suffering defeat at Wembley Stadium to Hull City, it seemed almost certain that the former Scunthorpe United star would be destined for big things in South Yorkshire.
However, after spending the majority of the following season on the sidelines, disaster struck yet again for Hooper in December 2017 as he suffered a serious injury which would result in him missing 15 months of action.
Yet despite this setback, when the forward made his return to action in March, he demonstrated glimpses of his undeniable talent against the likes of Aston Villa and Bristol City and so it was somewhat of a shock that he was released by the club.
Although Bruce will be confident that he can secure a replacement for Hooper in the summer, if he slips up in the transfer window, it could result in yet another season of mediocrity for the Owls.
With interest in the forward being expressed by Celtic, Fulham and Villa (via The Scottish Sun), it may turn out to be a costly mistake by Wednesday to let him go.
What do think Owls fans? Did Bruce make the correct call in releasing Hooper? Or was it an error to let him leave Hillsborough? Get in touch below.
Things are never simple when it comes to West Bromwich Albion. The fact their entire season boiled down to penalties sums that up.
Just five kicks from 12 yards determined whether they’d have the chance to gain promotion. But, in typical Albion fashion, they fell just short.
This was a chance for redemption after relegation last term. But that was not what they found. Instead, they were left to ponder a host of what-ifs.
What if the club hadn’t sacked Darren Moore? What if Dwight Gayle hadn’t been sent off last weekend? Unfortunately, they can’t go back in time, but it would have been fascinating to see what would have unfolded had those two events not happened.
However, the Baggies now need to prepare for next season and if they are to bounce back to the Premier League, something has to change.
Replace Shan
First on the agenda needs to be finding a permanent manager and whoever comes in mustn’t be a safe option either.
For all too long West Brom have turned to managers who either save the club money or lack of ambition. So by appointing Graham Potter or Patrick Vieira who were the subject of reports linking them to the Hawthorns in The Sun on Sunday (May 5, page 59) and The Telegraph, the club would be heading in the right direction.
Shan has done little wrong, but he’s an academy manager with little experience. Potter and Vieira, on the other hand, are progressive coaches with visions for the future. You only need to look at their spells at Ostersunds and Nice to understand that.
In short, Mark Jenkins needs to buck up his ideas this summer. He needs to find a manager capable of taking West Brom forward, not one who’ll continue to hold them back. Although they’ll want to achieve promotion, they need to think long term too.
Squad overhaul
Things also need to change among the playing staff as well. It’s clear the team isn’t good enough and Albion’s lack of depth compared to Villa’s in the play-offs displayed that.
One player in the squad they simply cannot afford to lose though is Dwight Gayle. He’s a rare exception in the long list of players who may leave the Midlands. The forward scored 24 Championship goals on loan from Newcastle and with another season in the Championship on the cards, he can lead the charge once more.
Elsewhere, things need to be freshened up.
That means getting rid of old heads in Chris Brunt and Jake Livermore and building for the future by giving the likes of Sam Field and Morgan Rogers more game time.
The future shouldn’t include Rekeem Harper, however, whose contract is coming to an end in June. Given his performances at the back end of the season, that will come as a blessing.
Was Darren Moore’s sacking unfair? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name which Championship bosses should have gone instead in the video below…
It’s extremely likely that a number of the Baggies’ best players could now leave, according to The Telegraph. Ahmed Hegazi and Kieran Gibbs have been playing at levels above the Championship, and as a result, there will need to be a strong recruitment drive to replace them should they depart.
The work Albion did in the January window was poor and it arguably cost them promotion. With that in mind, they need to significantly improve their dealings.
West Brom will probably be one of the favourites again when the new campaign rolls around but without change, they could be left to wonder what if once again.
According to AS, Girona are interested in bringing in Marcelo Bielsa as their manager next season as they look to bounce back from their La Liga relegation.
This comes after reports earlier in the week that Celta Vigo want the Argentine to take charge at Balaidos.
Worrying for Leeds
All of this interest from other clubs must be worrying for Leeds fans as for some reason these teams have gotten the idea that Bielsa is available.
Someone somewhere may have touted his services to these sides, and it could indicate his imminent departure from Yorkshire.
The 63-year-old is yet to confirm that he is staying at Elland Road next season, and any of these offers could tempt the former Marseille boss to leave the Whites.
Managing in Spain again may be alluring for Bielsa. He enjoyed great success at Athletic Bilbao, but he fell just short of winning any silverware, so there are scores to settle in La Liga.
Tempting
Both of these interested teams provide a certain degree of temptation for Bielsa to leave Elland Road.
Girona are closely linked with Manchester City, and the relationship between the Leeds boss and Pep Guardiola could factor into his decision if the Spaniards make him an offer.
Bielsa may get a chance to work with some of City’s youngsters on loan, and that is a mouth-watering prospect for a manager who is renowned for moulding and developing young stars.
Vigo, on the other hand, are a side that need a new direction. They narrowly avoided relegation this season just a couple of years after being Europe League contenders. There is still a lot of talent in their squad, and it seems the perfect destination for the 63-year-old to start working on a short-term project.
Aston Villa and Derby County will clash this weekend as they bid to secure promotion to the Premier League.
The two sides finished fifth and sixth in the Championship respectively but Dean Smith and Frank Lampard will lock horns at Wembley in a bid to reach the rarefied air of the top-flight.
Villa have not been in the Premier League since 2016, while Derby dropped through the trapdoor in 2008.
How will the clash be settled, then? Football FanCast takes a look at where the game will be lost and won.
The key battle – Grealish vs Tomori
Jack Grealish has been in genuinely superb form this season and has inspired the club to the final.
Villa embarked on a 10-game unbeaten run following the attacking midfielder’s return from injury, having been on a five-game winless run prior.
His direct dribbling and ability to spot a pass could prove vital to Smith’s team; he has laid on two assists in the play-offs, both of which came in the first leg against West Bromwich Albion.
Fikayo Tomori, the on-loan Chelsea defender, could be given the job of marking Grealish out of the game.
A gifted defender, he won the club’s Player of the Year award and has missed just one Championship match thus far this term.
The key dynamic – Loanees vs Loanees
Both Villa and Derby have a number of players on short-term deals.
Villa, in particular, have five stars on loan – Axel Tuanzebe (from Manchester United), Tammy Abraham (from Chelsea), Anwar El Ghazi (from Lille), Kortney Hause (from Wolves) and Tyrone Mings (from Bournemouth).
Abraham, in particular, has been brilliant, scoring 26 goals in 41 appearances and firing the club into the play-offs. He scored in the first leg against West Brom.
The Rams, too, have Tomori and Mason Mount from Chelsea and Harry Wilson from Liverpool.
The latter two have scored a combined total of 29 goals this season – 11 and 18 respectively – while both laying on six assists.
It remains to be seen how many players can be kept for next season but they will certainly play a key role at Wembley.
The result may ultimately spin on which loanee performs best.
The deciding factor – Pressure
This is a massive, massive game.
Villa and Derby are each 90 minutes away from the Premier League but neither were ever really in contention to win automatic promotion to the top-flight.
If Villa fail, they will surely have to sell Grealish, with Tottenham Hotspur potential suitors.
If Derby fail, they may well lose all of their loanees, along with Lampard, who is sure to be a candidate for a number of top-flight jobs as they become available.
There can be nothing more riding on this encounter; whoever deals with it best will win promotion.
The impact subs – Jedinak vs Huddlestone
Jedinak in action for Aston Villa.
Experience is key.
Both sides have a number of exceptional young players but both Tom Huddlestone and Mile Jedinak, players with Premier League experience, will be vital, particularly if their respective side is winning.
They can be the calming influence, keeping their heads while all around them may be in danger of losing theirs.
After all, they may not get too many more chances to play in the Premier League again.
West Ham United midfielder Josh Cullen starred for Charlton Athletic during the 2018-19 campaign as Lee Bowyer’s side secured promotion to the Championship.
Cullen contributed one goal and five assists in 29 appearances during the regular League One campaign before managing one assist in the playoffs.
Charlton beat Sunderland 2-1 at Wembley to ensure that they would return to the second tier and it was another strong performance from Cullen.
It remains to be seen what happens with the 23-year-old this summer.
However, it would be fair to say that a number of West Ham supporters do not feel that Cullen is good enough to be a regular Premier League performer.
Indeed, when discussing the midfielder following Charlton’s win over Sunderland, many of the Hammers fans dismissed a suggestion that the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international potentially had a future at the London Stadium.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Liverpool fans, wherever in the world they may be, will still be celebrating in the streets after their triumph on Saturday night.
The Champions League final was hardly a classic, however, no-one will have a care in the world after they finally managed to get their hands on the trophy they can within whiskers of winning last year!
Although the celebrations will likely go on for a little while longer, Jurgen Klopp and the powerbrokers of the club will still have to have a sit-down and discuss how to make the team even better and put them in a position to challenge the likes of Manchester City for domestic success.
One area of the field that the Anfield outfit could certainly do with improving is in the middle, as they lack a midfielder that can provide a real attacking threat and make the club look even more dangerous going forward.
If Liverpool were able to solve that problem, then you would have to say they could have a complete squad and one many teams across the world would be envious of.
Indeed, Bruno Fernandes could be the man to do that and it seems the Sporting Lisbon man would not be too shy of a switch to the Merseyside outfit.
Speaking to Record, he said: “I like Liverpool a lot more, it’s a more direct, more offensive, maybe less organized, but more intense football, when you do not have the ball possession you are more intense.
“In Liverpool they are more individual players, especially in the midfield, usually playing three very aggressive players and recovering the ball, then they have three players at the front who are lethal, when they have the opportunity, the difference, as seen in this last game (against Barcelona).”
Although it is not exactly a ‘come-and-get-me plea’, Klopp should take note regarding Fernandes’ comments and look to make the most of them.
The Portugal international has been superb this season for Sporting, as he scored 32 goals and provided his team-mates with 18 assists in his 53 appearances across all competitions.
Add him in the middle of the midfield and just behind the forward line, then there is nothing to suggest that Liverpool would not be able to close the gap between them and City next season and finish top of the pile in the Premier League.
Liverpool fans, do you think the club should act upon Fernandes’ comments? Let us know your thoughts below!
Azerbaijani defender Bahlul Mustafazada has spoken about his interest in playing for Rangers ahead of the summer transfer window, as reported by The Daily Record.
What’s the story?
The defender seems incredibly open to a move to Ibrox, mentioning Steven Gerrard specifically as a manager he would like to work under.
Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…
As quoted by The Daily Record, he said:
“My aim is to play abroad and I have read about the interest from both Celtic and Rangers. There’s been nothing concrete yet though.
“I would do anything to try and make this move happen. Celtic or Rangers? For me there is no difference.
“Yes, it would be interesting to work with a coach like Steven Gerrard, but the main thing for me is my development.
“I do not intend to join any of the clubs in Glasgow just to sit on the bench.”
Clearly he fancies himself as a player who can make an impact in the Scottish Premiership and according to Transfermarkt his contract expires this summer, meaning he’s a potential bargain who can fill a problem position for the Gers.
Edmundson woes
Rangers are reported to have so far had two bids rejected for Oldham defender George Edmundson, so the club are having difficulty in bringing defensive targets to the club.
Gerrard needs more options beyond Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic, but on a budget.
Given Mustafazada is both available and keen to make the move – perhaps it’s a transfer worth pursuing.
The defender has had a breakthrough season at Azerbaijan top-flight club Gabala, making 29 appearances in total.
The Gers should offer a trial to run the rule over that ability, potentially negating the need to pursue Edmundson at greater cost.
What an incredible season it has been for Bernardo Silva. The pint-sized Portuguese star has lit up the Premier League with his work both on the ball and off it, and has quickly become a fans favourite at the Etihad.
Having won the domestic treble with Manchester City, the 24-year-old secured his fourth trophy of the campaign after playing a huge role in helping Portugal lift the Nations League trophy on Sunday.
The midfielder’s eye-catching assist for Goncalo Guedes to fire home proved to be the decisive goal against the Netherlands, and he later posted a picture on
/BygQCfxhAl_/” data-lasso->Instagram of him holding the trophy with Wolves star Joao Moutinho.
The post got a response from Manchester City teammates Benjamin Mendy and Eliaquim Mangala, with the duo sharing their delight at seeing the popular midfielder lay his hands on another title this season.
Indeed, the Etihad side’s official Instagram account also replied to Silva’s picture, proclaiming the Portugal international as ‘the main man’.
The former AS Monaco star enjoyed arguably his finest season in professional football on a personal level, with 13 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. His performances lead to his inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year, and will no doubt be one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants next season too.
[ad_pod ]According to The Sun, Tottenham are looking to offload fan favourite Danny Rose and replace him with Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon in a deal worth £35m.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Champions League finalists are reportedly happy to let the England international leave the club, with Mauricio Pochettino looking to trade the 28-year-old for a younger model in 19-year-old Sessegnon.
The north Londoners may have to pay £35m for the teenager whose first taste of Premier League football ended in relegation with the Cottagers.
Check out the video below to find out why Arsenal fans aren’t celebrating Spurs’ UCL final defeat as much as they’d like…
Spurs are said to be finding it difficult to offload Rose, however, and the clubs interested in signing the former Sunderland left-back are struggling to agree on a deal that factors in his wages.
Sessegnon is believed to be viewed as a long-term replacement for the ageing Rose.
Would risk the fans’ fury if Rose was sold
Some Spurs fans absolutely love Rose and would be gutted if he left.
They adore his committed performances and hold him in high regard due to the fact he has been with them since 2007, spending 12 years with the club since signing as a teenager – they will always remember the screamer he scored against Arsenal on his debut.
As you can see, some Tottenham fans really would not be too happy if Rose left the club this summer, which is the last thing the club needs having got the supporters back in their good books after watching games at Wembley and a lack of spending in the last two transfer windows drained the life out of them.
The new stadium and an exciting run to the Champions League final has built up a bond between the players, Pochettino and the supporters, so damaging ruining that by selling a fan favourite would be an unwise move.