All posts by n8rngtd.top

Leeds’ start to the New Year hasn’t exactly been ideal.

They suffered defeat to Tottenham and were then swept aside in rather embarrassing fashion by League Two Crawley last weekend. They can be thankful, therefore, that the transfer window is open.

What’s the word?

Cast your minds back to last summer and you will remember a certain link to a French striker.

The Sunday Mirror (August 9th print edition, page 66) reported that Leeds were interested in signing Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard.

Of course, a deal didn’t happen, but with speculation mounting again surrounding his future in Glasgow, there has been an update on Celtic’s stance towards the attacker.

That’s courtesy of journalist Ignazio Genuardi who said this week:

“While no agreement could be reached for an extension, Celtic is gradually revising its requirements downwards for a possible departure of the former Parisian Edouard. Today, there is more talk of a price around €25-30m.”

In English money, that price would equate to around £27m.

Orta must sign him

Leeds must bite Celtic’s hands off if Edouard is indeed available for that sort of fee. The Whites aren’t desperately in need of a new striker but they’d certainly land an upgrade on Patrick Bamford here.

The Whites forward has been nothing short of superb since they were promoted, helping himself to ten goals in just 17 outings. However, by signing Edouard, Victor Orta would land an even more prolific striker.

The Frenchman has been a star in Scottish football, racking up goals as though they’re going out of fashion. Last term, he netted 28 goals from 47 appearances and so far this season, he’s registered 11 strikes – one more than Bamford.

However, he isn’t just about scoring goals. Like Leeds’ current number nine, he’s phenomenal at bringing others into play. The Hoops forward picked up 19 assists for his teammates in 2019/20, a record that blows Bamford’s tally of two out the water.

On top of that, his footwork also surpasses Marcelo Bielsa’s favoured striking option. Bamford is a player who likes to play with his back to goal, but while Edouard can also do that, the 22-year-old gets in behind and can run with the ball too.

Epitomising the Celtic forward’s qualities, former Hoops player Frank McGarvey once said: “I just love watching Edouard. He has that bit of magic in his feet, and he reminds me of Charlie Nicholas. You just know if he gets the ball just outside of the box the other team are in trouble.”

Truth be told, that’s what sets Bamford and Edouard apart. Although the former has nifty feet himself, he doesn’t use it on a regular basis.

Reports circulated a few weeks ago that Leeds were slightly concerned about their forward’s future at the club. If they signed Edouard, they may be able to greenlight a potential exit, rather than worrying about his contract situation.

Irrespective of that, however, Leeds must sign him. He is a sensational goal scorer.

AND in other news, Leeds must swoop for “outstanding” 26 y/o, he could be game-changing…

Many Crystal Palace fans have been discussing an update about Rob Street which recently emerged on social media.

Football Insider reported about the Palace youngster, saying that Torquay United are set to sign the player on loan until the end of the current campaign. A source has told the outlet that Roy Hodgson has given the go-ahead for the deal as he doesn’t have plans to use the young striker in the first-team. Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Michy Batshuayi are ahead of him in the pecking order.

Street signed a professional contract at Palace last summer, but he’s yet to be included in a squad for the Eagles in the current campaign. The 19-year-old has scored five goals in his last four Premier League 2 games for the Palace Under-23s side. He has made a total of ten appearances for them this season, scoring five times and getting one assist (as per Transfermarkt).

Torquay United are currently 11 points clear at the top of the National League table and are the top scorers in England’s fifth tier right now.

This update about Street was relayed on Twitter by Palace Xtra and many Eagles fans made their views clear about it.

What did Palace fans make of this update about Street?

“You scared me I thought he left on a permanent.”

Credit: @BMCPFC

“Best move sunshine, better ground, support and facilities.”

Credit: @skidders67

“Will tear the league up.”

Credit: @JJ_CPFC

“Good move for everyone that.”

Credit: @ConorVerrall

“Great move for the lad, interesting how he’ll develop with senior football under his belt.”

Credit: @acjonesy1

“This is a brilliant move for him.”Credit: @APftbl“Glad this is only a loan, kid has talent.”Credit: @AdamJohnFerrisIn other news, many Palace fans have been talking about links with a midfielder – read more about it here.

After finally getting their man earlier in the summer, Leeds United have opted to take the patient approach with Cody Drameh.

The 19-year-old arrived from Championship side Fulham, and has spent his time in Yorkshire with the U23s, where he’s only missed one game at Premier League 2 level.

He’s yet to be seen with the senior side however, and that’s something Marcelo Bielsa may look to change heading into 2020.

According to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, when Leeds scouted Drameh whilst he was at Craven Cottage, they saw shades of Luke Ayling in him. It was also suggested that the teenager saw a “clearer” route to the senior set-up at Elland Road than he did at Fulham.

Hay wrote: “Leeds are understood to have paid in the region of £300,000 for Drameh, a fee which could rise to £1 million with add-ons, last week.

“Fulham are fresh from promotion themselves and will play in the Premier League with Leeds this season but sources close to Drameh say the England Under-18 international saw a clearer first-team pathway in West Yorkshire than in west London. The deal was done despite Fulham’s reluctance to sell and after Manchester City showed some late interest.”

Drameh’s potential is there for all to see, with Eredivisie scout Xander Wilkinson going on record to hail his abilities. He said: “Defensively so impressive! His mind works quicker than most right backs I’ve seen in a naturally defensive mindset. Tactically very aware of what is being asked of him, times his engagements well, needs to add a little more unpredictability going forward.”

The starlet may not be ready to start in the Premier League right now, but he could learn a lot by potentially being given opportunities in the FA Cup and then some minutes here and there in the top-flight.

Exposing him to first-team football will be the real test of whether Drameh will sink or swim, and the young right-back could surprise everybody and take to it like a duck to water. Only time will tell.

Jose Mourinho will be disappointed that his side couldn’t come away with the goods as they took on Chelsea last night. Tottenham Hotspur struggled to make much of an impact in front of goal, with the Blues defence working well to silence the in-form duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

However, whilst the pair are more than entitled to an off day following their incredible performances so far, the same cannot be said for Steven Bergwijn. The Dutch international is currently fighting for his place in the starting lineup and has been given chances ahead of the likes of Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura. Unfortunately, his Stamford Bridge display left a lot to be desired.

Steven Bergwijn vs Chelsea

Aside from his early attempt which he sent flying over the bar, the £75,000 per week winger struggled to produce anything of value against Chelsea. According to Sofascore, Bergwijn completed just 22 accurate passes in 89 minutes and he failed to register a single shot on target, successful dribble or long ball.

The 23-year-old also managed to win just one of his seven duels, meaning he lost 86% of those attempted.

Whilst a draw against Chelsea isn’t a bad result by any means, Mourinho’s winning mentality will surely mean he is unhappy with a lot of things from the match. Spurs have Arsenal next in the North London Derby and whilst it could spell a win for the Lilywhites on paper, Mikel Arteta’s frustrations could be taken out on the current league leaders.

Spurs must field their strongest XI in order to set themselves up with the best possible chance to avoid any surprising Arsenal attacks. Whilst Kane and Son are almost nailed on to shine, Bergwijn should not be a name included in the starting lineup after his silent performance on Sunday.

In other news, Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt lauds this recent Daniel Levy transfer decision…

Flocking to ExWHUemployee’s tweet after West Ham’s last gasp 1-0 victory over Fulham last night, plenty of Hammers heaped praise on defensive star Aaron Cresswell for his showing against their London neighbours – with the player seemingly reborn as part of a back three under David Moyes. 

Cresswell, who played the full 90 minutes and helped Moyes’ side to keep a clean sheet, has now attracted plaudits for his most recent display combined with the upturn in form since converting to centre-back.

Indeed, in reply to ExWHUemployee’s take, plenty of supporters heralded the Englishman as ‘unreal’ and ‘top class’ – going on to say they’re ‘so glad’ he has found a role which suits him and the Irons.

Some fans also think dropping him for the next game would be ‘utter madness’ from Moyes’ perspective, find all of their best verdicts from Twitter here.

Hammers lavish Cresswell with praise

In other news: West Ham fans didn’t feel the same about this ‘clown’, find out more here. 

Ben Godfrey is happy that one of his old clubs in York City have benefitted from his transfer from Norwich City to Everton.

Speaking to The Press, the England under-21 international has claimed that the money received from a sell-on clause inserted by York when they sold him ‘couldn’t have come at a better time’ as he added that it is ‘massive’ for the club that he supported as a kid.

Indeed, with the outbreak of the global pandemic, teams like York City in the National League North may find it difficult to cope financially at the moment, but Godfrey hopes that the cash paid to them via the sell-on clause will help them out to a great degree.

Everton were right to pay the money for Godfrey

Indeed, Everton were arguably right to pay the £24.75m transfer fee to the Canaries for Godfrey’s services.

Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that the defender can provide some perhaps much-needed cover for the likes of Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina in the heart of the defence at Goodison Park.

The 22-year old has made a steady start to the new season so far with the Merseyside club, winning 3.7 0f his duels per game in the Premier League while also averaging 4.3 clearances and one tackle per match (Sofascore).

Can Godfrey get an England call-up?

Indeed, perhaps the next step in Godfrey’s career is a call-up to the senior England national side by Gareth Southgate.

The centre-back has been capped at both under-20 and under-21 level for the Three Lions, and will surely want to earn a chance to prove himself in time for the Euros next summer.

In other news, find out which Toffees star has been stepping up their recovery from injury here!

West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller can use the east London outfit’s failed bids to sign a new forward this summer to his advantage after a poor start to the season.

Haller has found himself an outcast of boss David Moyes’ Premier League plans thus far this term, with the Scottish coach only awarding the 26-year-old a mere 29 minutes on the field spread over four substitute appearances.

The Frenchman, whom the Irons signed for a club-record £45million only a year ago, has also only managed to enter the action for the final two minutes of regular time in each of West Ham’s last three top-flight fixtures despite boasting four goals and an assist in three Carabao Cup run outs.

He further struck home during his late cameo against Wolverhampton Wanderers to round out the scoring in a 4-0 rout, heading home Arthur Masuaku’s delivery for his first Premier League strike since February’s 3-1 win at home to Southampton.

Haller, who TransferMarkt now only value at £27m after a further £5.4m decline this month, must now use West Ham’s failed efforts to sign a new striker to his advantage with Michail Antonio the only other centre-forward currently in east London.

Antonio has deservedly held the starting role in West Ham’s opening four Premier League games, with the 30-year-old offering more than his two goals through the Irons’ most shots (11), successful dribbles (8) and ground duels won (24), plus the second-most aerial duels won (14) and the fourth-highest number of accurate passes in the final third (21), per SofaScore.

Should Antonio ever prove ineffective, however, it will be Haller who Moyes is forced to call on, having seen hopes of signing AFC Bournemouth’s Joshua King fall flat when the Cherries snubbed a £13m offer.

West Ham also saw efforts and hopes to sign Gaetan Laborde from Montpellier, Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea, Luka Jovic from Real Madrid, Josh Maja from Bordeaux and Sardar Azmoun from Zenit St. Petersburg fail to materialise in adding depth to Moyes’ offence this summer.

Haller will have a slim line of chances to impress Moyes outside of training now that West Ham have fallen out of the Carabao Cup after defeat at Everton, with the Irons not entering the FA Cup until the FA Cup Third Round in January.

Thus the £100,881-per-week Frenchman must utilise his brief cameo outings and time in training to set the right example of his talents to Moyes, otherwise Haller will be nothing more than a benchwarmer until the winter market arrives and West Ham can look to right the wrongs of the summer window.

AND in other news, West Ham potentially saved £16m in being snubbed by a summer target.

Sunderland have further added to the club’s under-23 side with the signing of Stephen Wearne, once of Middlesbrough.

The 2019/20 campaign saw the Black Cats’ academy have a disastrous run of form in the league with both the under-18 and under-23 outfits failing to gain a single victory in their respective divisions.

Following such poor performances, Paul Reid left his role as academy manager, prompting speculation that the club’s Tier 1 academy status could be under threat.

A plethora of players have since left the academy setup but they have since been replaced by a number of new faces.

The changes at under-23 level saw three new faces arrive last month to bolster Elliot Dickman’s squad, with Sam Wilding, Bobby Beaumont and Vinnie Steels coming in, whilst Kenton Richardson also signed.

Joining the aforementioned four players was Burnley striker Will Harris, and they have now been supplemented by the addition of attacking midfielder Wearne.

The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal on Wearside after leaving ‘Boro earlier this summer, where he made 60 appearances for the Championship club at youth level.

Wearne is a good addition for Elliot Dickman, especially given that he contributed to 20 goals in those 60 games for Boro, with 10 goals and 10 assists.

The under-23 side have no excuse but to improve given that several new players have arrived and it will be interesting to see how they develop over the next few weeks and beyond.

Do you think Sunderland’s academy sides can improve on last season? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Leeds United are reportedly finally set to sanction a loan move for Robbie Gotts.

The midfielder did not move on during deadline day with EFL and Premier League clubs having until October 16th to conclude any domestic deals, but it finally seems as though the youngster has gotten the green light to move on a temporary basis.

Alan Nixon believes that Swindon are the club hoping to land the midfielder, and while this would be a decent opportunity for Gotts to get a taste of senior football, Leeds have made a mistake here.

Huddersfield Town were strongly linked with a move for Gotts earlier in the window, but for some reason, Leeds wouldn’t sanction the move.

Now, it seems as though he’s headed for Swindon, or potentially another League One club in Sunderland who are also keen. But we can’t help but feel that Huddersfield would have been the perfect destination for him.

Not only would he be playing at a higher level in the Championship, but he’d be working under a manager who knows exactly how to get the best out of him with Carlos Corberan having plenty of experience working with Gotts during his tenure as United’s U23s manager.

It was a fruitful partnership as well, with the Whites’ youth outfit picking up the PDL National Title in 2019.

Away from that, Corberan’s relationship with Marcelo Bielsa would have been ideal for if the Leeds manager wanted to keep tabs on his player, with the Argentine already being spotted at a Huddersfield game this season.

We can only hope that if Swindon land Gotts he shines down there alongside fellow United-loanee Jordan Stevens, but it would’ve been interesting to see the midfielder reunite with his former U23s boss.

As per the Herald and Times Sport, Glasgow Rangers target Jacob Murphy is keen to make a loan move to Ibrox this summer.

The 25-year-old is on the radar of the 54-time Scottish champions, with a loan deal on the cards.

Now, it is said that he is keen to move to Scotland – but his current club, Newcastle, want him to stay at St. James’ Park to fight for a place in Steve Bruce’s squad.

£3.15m-valued Murphy – as per Transfermarkt – has failed to make the grade so far with the Magpies – as it stands, he has scored just one goal in 41 appearances for the club. The Toon’s business in the transfer window, as well, does not indicate that the former Norwich City man has a big future in the north east, with Ryan Fraser joining on a free transfer.

As such, a loan move could be the best thing for him, although it is not clear as to whether the same can be said for the Gers. Given his track record, it is hard to see how he would be a massive boost to the side considering how Ryan Kent, with four goals in his first seven matches, has performed so far this campaign.

Whilst Steven Gerrard may be looking for some more squad depth, it still feels as though Murphy isn’t the man for them.

Let us know what you think below!