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The following article is a special report; all information presented has been gleaned from Football FanCast sources unless otherwise stated.

West Ham United’s board have told Manuel Pellegrini that they expect the club to qualify for Europe in the 2018/19 season, sources have confirmed to Football FanCast.

The Hammers have spent big in the summer transfer window, acquiring Sebastian Haller and Pablo Fornals from Eintracht Frankfurt and Villarreal respectively.

The deal for Haller was a club-record transfer that cost the Irons an initial £45m and could rise to £50m if certain performance-related bonuses are triggered.

Haller arrived for a fee of £24m and, when added to last summer’s business, the Hammers have spent £168m on incoming players across two windows. Per Sky Sports, the Irons splashed £99m last summer.

Indeed, Pellegrini personally requested the acquisitions of both Haller and Fornals. One source at the time of negotiations with Haller told FFC: “What Pellegrini wants, Pellegrini gets.”

They have, of course, sold the likes of Marko Arnautovic – again at Pellegrini’s behest – and Pedro Obiang but they have banked just £31.5m from the two departures.

As a result, a source within the club has told FFC that the club “haven’t spent the money to go from 10th to 8th”.

Indeed, having spent big-money on the likes of Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena last summer, the Irons endured an inconsistent season as they finished 10th in 2018/19. They lost 16 games and won 15 in the top-flight.

This time around, however, the club hope to crash the top-six party, that has been established as being made up of Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The six clubs have significant financial muscle and greater reserves of wealth than the Hammers but there is a belief at the London Stadium that their business has been shrewd enough that the club can make significant strides this season.

One feels that Pellegrini may face an uphill battle – West Ham finished 14 points behind United last season – but the board expects results.

Indeed, there is no expectation at the club that they will slip into the bottom-half of the table, though clubs around them are spending heavily.

Leicester City, Everton and Wolves all finished above the Irons last season and have spent a combined £154m this summer alone, prior to the Toffees’ reported £29m acquisition of Moise Kean from Juventus. Leicester could also receive £90m for Harry Maguire if he joins United.

Sources have remained guarded when asked what fate could befall Pellegrini if he fails to qualify for Europe but one feels that the outcome would not be a contract extension; perhaps quite the opposite.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Ham United’s deal to sign Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt does not include a release clause, per ClaretandHugh.

What’s the word?

The club confirmed the purchase of the French striker on Wednesday.

Reports in Germany, via Sport Witness, suggested that Haller insisted that a clause be included that would allow him to leave for a club playing in the Champions League next summer, were a bid tabled.

ClaretandHugh accepts that the player’s lawyer raised the possibility during negotiations, but reports that the Irons’ rejected such attempts.

Haller has signed a five-year contract in east London and becomes the club’s record signing; sources have told Football FanCast that the transfer is worth an initial £45m that could rise to £50m if certain performance-related bonuses are triggered.

Smart move

West Ham are not a stepping stone.

It finally appears that, after the likes of Dimitri Payet and Marko Arnautovic wangled their way out of the club, the Hammers have actually realised this.

There would have been little point in including a clause that could have seen him depart after just one season.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He is a truly excellent striker – he scored 20 goals in all competitions last season and registered 12 assists – and there is every chance that he could well take to Premier League football like a duck to water.

He has scored goals in every league he has been in, netting 24 in the Bundesliga and 41 in the Eredivisie when he was playing for FC Utrecht.

West Ham could do without his stint in the English top-flight being nothing more than a brief sojourn – keeping him for the foreseeable future is key.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

After conceding 51 goals in the Premier League and seeing his first-choice left back spend more time attacking than defending, it has been no surprise to see Unai Emery be on the look-out for a bona fide star in that oh-so troublesome position.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Gunners’ first-choice target for that position is Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, but after having their first bid rejected, Football Scotland now report the north London side have seen a second offer worth £17.5m knocked back as well.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Despite seemingly being denied a second time there remains hope that the Gunners will eventually get their man, and after looking at the numbers, it’s easy to see why the 22-year-old is such an attractive option for Emery.

In numbers collected from Celtic and Arsenal’s runs in the Europa League this season, Tierney comfortably outshines his Bosnian counterpart in the defensive categories. One of Kolasinac’s major weaknesses last season were his suspect abilities going back towards his own goal, often leaving his side exposed in transition and showing very questionable marking.

Tierney’s average of 1.7 tackles per game betters Kolasinac’s solitary tackle per match, but it is the interception numbers that really show the kind of front-foot positional defending the Scotsman thrives in. His 2.2 interceptions far outclass the Arsenal left-back’s measly efforts of 0.9, and are an indication that he reads the game far better than the 26-year-old.

Perhaps the biggest reason why Emery is looking to get a deal done for Tierney is the freedom it would give him in possibly reverting back to his favoured back-four. The Spaniard is particularly known for his fondness for the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-3 but such were the Gunners’ defensive shortcomings that he eventually settled on a back-five last season.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But don’t just mistake Tierney for being a far better defender than Kolasinac. Whilst the latter marginally beats him by 0.4 for key passes per game, the Scotland international comes into his own whilst his team are in possession.

His 1.2 dribbles per match offered Celtic an extra attacking outlet and someone who could beat a man just like a normal winger would, whilst his average of 61 passes per game is a mind-blowing 25.4 more than the Gunners defender.

The ‘Arsenal way’ under Arsene Wenger was to be good on the ball and quick on the attack, and Tierney ticks both boxes. The ‘Arsenal way’ under George Graham was being defensively sound and strong in the tackle, and yet again Tierney meets both requirements. So, if Emery can get his man, he may just have landed himself the ultimate combination of the archetypal Arsenal left-back.

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Aston Villa could be about to bid £20m for Jack Butland if The Sun are to be believed. The newspaper reported on Monday night that the Villans were interested and could launch a swoop this week.

The Midlands outfit signed two goalkeepers on permanent contracts last season, bringing in both Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic. However, Jed Steer surpassed them both with his performances in the latter stages of the campaign.

As a result, it’s perhaps a little bizarre to see Villa eyeing up another stopper.

But that didn’t stop their supporters from revealing their excitement about a possible deal for the Stoke ‘keeper.

Sharing their thoughts on Twitter, one fan called Butland proven and claimed he was a leader, two qualities that would obviously stand him in very good stead if he did make the move back to the Premier League.

A further supporter simply suggested it would be a great signing whilst another said there was no room for sentiment over Steer, hinting that Butland should be brought in.

The England international has earned nine caps for his country and was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Nations League where the Three Lions ended up finishing in third.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

أعرب مدرب أتالانتا الإيطالي جيان جاسبريني عن سعادته بعد تحقيق الفوز على فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي مساء أمس في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وفاز أتالانتا بهدفين دون رد، في الجولة الرابعة من دور مجموعات البطولة على ملعب “أنفيلد”. أهداف مباراة ليفربول وأتالانتا

وقال جاسبريني، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “فوتبول إيطاليا” عقب المباراة: “عندما كنت في جنوة، تحدثوا دائمًا عن فوزهم هنا في عام 1992، لقد تمكنت الآن من تحقيق ذلك مع أتالانتا”.

وأضاف: “الفوز هنا على فريق مثل هذا أمر لا يصدق، كما أنه مهم للغاية بالنسبة لترتيبنا في المجموعة”.

وواصل: “قدمنا أداءً ممتازًا، عبرنا عن مفاهمينا الخاصة بكرة القدم بشكل جيد للغاية، يعتمد ليفربول على نجومه الكبار عندما يقع في مشكلة، ولكننا سجلنا على الفوز هدفًا ثانيًا”.

وتابع: “لعبنا بشكل أفضل بكثير من مباراتنا الأولى في بيرغامو، حركنا الكرة بشكل أفضل، كنا أكثر دقة من الناحية الفنية، لم نكرر أخطاء المباراة الأولى مباراة أخرى”.

وأردف: “أنا سعيد بـ إيليسيتش، فهو بحاجة إلى استعادة ثقته بنفسه وهدفه الذي سجله مهم للغاية بالنسبة له، الأنفيلد ملعب يراه الجميع على أنه جزء تاريخي من كرة القدم، لم يخسر ليفربول هنا في 64 مباراة، لذلك ربما يكون هذا هو الفوز الأكثر شهرة على الإطلاق”.

واختتم: “يجب أن يمنحنا ذلك دفعة ومزيدًا من الثقة في المضي قدمًا لأننا لعبنا بجودة حقيقية، نحن بحاجة للعب بدون ضغوط، يجب أن نعيد اكتشاف متعة مجرد المشاركة في هذه المنافسة، الأسف الوحيد هو أننا لن نعيش ذلك مع الجماهير”.

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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.

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Football FanCast’s Fixture In Focus Podcast returns once again this week to take a look the most intriguing clash in the Premier League this weekend – Tottenham versus West Ham.

Before host James Jones and #FIFpod accomplices Christy Malyan and Chris McMullan turn their attentions to Saturday’s early kickoff at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium though, there’s the small matter of last week’s Fixture In Focus – Everton versus Manchester United.

The Red Devils were absolutely embarrassed at Goodison Park in a 4-0 annihilation, leading to much debate over how grave the problems really are at Old Trafford and whether they rest with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or span much, much further.

Tottenham’s move to the new stadium, meanwhile, appears to have given them a new lease of life despite Mauricio Pochettino’s squad being whittled down to the bare bones.

In a packed agenda that also includes Spurs’ Champions League campaign, whether Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are the worst centre-back pairing in Premier League history and how this weekend’s clash could be a defining moment in Manuel Pellegrini’s first season, we question whether West Ham are being constantly let down by substandard officiating.

If you love what we do and don’t want to miss another episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform by clicking here, or check out the latest instalment of Fixture In Focus below…

//fixtureinfocus.podiant.co/e/3749bfc10e799c/embed/

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According to reports in the Daily Mail, Sheffield United are ready to make Gary Madine a permanent fixture at Bramall Lane in the Premier League.

The Cardiff City loanee has been brilliant since joining the Blades in January but should the Yorkshire club keep him beyond this season?

Good for the Championship

Madine is undoubtedly one of the best forwards available to clubs in the second tier.

His game is dynamic as he can be deployed as both a target man and a poacher, he has fantastic hold-up play but also possesses a decent scoring record when used as the main striking threat.

During his last season at Bolton, the striker netted 10 times in the league but the goals dried up when he moved to Cardiff.

A loan spell to United followed, and despite only netting three goals, the 28-year-old has been seen as a handy player up top.

Lack of ambition

If this move is a sign of things to come for Sheffield United in the next season, then their fans should be anxious.

Although Madine has enjoyed a good spell at the Lane so far, he isn’t good enough to make an impact in the top flight.

Perhaps this move suggests that the funds aren’t there or that the Yorkshire club are making an early insurance signing for potential life back in the Championship.

With the abundance of wealth that comes with promotion to the Premier League, Chris Wilder could surely look at more lucrative players to play their target man role.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

One positive for Blades supporters is that this move may open the door for Dean Henderson to return after his initial loan spell. Wilder clearly isn’t adverse to keeping on the loanees that helped him win promotion this season.

The Man United goalie has kept 20 clean sheets in the league, and therefore the Blades would be foolish to not go in for him ahead of their top flight return.

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Former Liverpool player Dominic Matteo has called for what would be the signing of the summer from the Reds – Gareth Bale.

It’s beginning to look increasingly likely that Bale will leave Madrid this summer, as the Welsh international is constantly linked with a move back to the Premier League.

The 29 year-old’s agent recently called the treatment he gets from Real Madrid fans a “disgrace”, per the BBC.

And while Spurs and Manchester United are the two teams most strongly linked with his signature, Matteo, who played for the Reds between 1992 and 2000, thinks Anfield would be an appropriate landing spot.

What did he say?

“It would be a big signing. If he was coming back to England, I’m sure that everyone would take him,” Matteo said on Stadium Astro’s Youtube channel.

“With Bale, when Madrid beat Liverpool in the final, he had that bit of X factor. Liverpool could maybe do with one more X factor player to score in the finals.

“That’s what we’ve lacked that bit of X factor to get us over the line.”

Stick or twist?

In fairness to Matteo, he is not wrong about Liverpool missing an “X factor”. As soon as Mohamed Salah went off in Kiev, the Reds looked totally devoid of any superstar power, the type of superstar power that Bale displayed on that very night to be specific.

Looking at the bigger picture though, where would Bale fit at Anfield? The Salah at striker experiment didn’t really work, meaning the Egyptian will keep his place on the right wing, and Roberto Firmino is crucial to the way Jurgen Klopp sets his team up.

That just leaves Sadio Mane, who has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, with former Southampton teammate Oriol Romeu even saying the Senegalese international is ”ready” to go to the Bernabeu.

Given that Zinedine Zidane is clearly a huge fan of Mane, swooping for Bale will only mean one thing – Los Blancos returning with a bid of their own for Mane, perhaps even one that is too good to be rejected.

The Reds basically have the option here to stick or twist, and fans would surely rather stick with the red-hot Mane over a misfiring Bale.

يستعد نادي برشلونة الإسباني لمواجهات هامة خلال الأسبوع الجاري، بمنافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا والليجا.

يوم الثلاثاء، سيكون الظهور الأول للفريق الكتالوني في دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال أوروبا لموسم 2020-2021، بعد هزيمة ثقيلة في ربع النهائي بالموسم الماضي (8-2)، أمام حامل اللقب، بايرن ميونخ.

وسيواجه البارسا نظيره فيرينكفاروسي المجري في التاسعة مساء الثلاثاء بتوقيت القاهرة.

ويوم السبت المقبل، ستكون مواجهة الكلاسيكو في كامب نو ضد ريال مدريد، بمنافسات الليجا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. حكام دوري أبطال أوروبا | طاقم سويسري لمباراة برشلونة.. وإسباني لمعركة باريس سان جيرمان ومانشستر يونايتد

قام رونالد كومان وطاقمه الفني بتصميم خطة عمل من أجل تلك المباريات، بعد الهزيمة يوم السبت أمام خيتافي (1-0).

وتوضح صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أنه يوم الإثنين سيكون هناك تدريب صباحي للفريق، ويوم الثلاثاء تدريب صباحي آخر ثم خوض مباراة دوري الأبطال في المساء.

ويوم الأربعاء سيكون هناك راحة وسيحصل الفريق على دورتين تدريبيتين فقط يومي (الخميس والجمعة) للتحضير للكلاسيكو، ثم يشارك الفريق في حصة تدريبية يوم الأحد التالي لمواجهة الكلاسيكو.