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Former Tottenham Hotspur hero Graham Roberts believes that Ivan Toney would be a good signing for the club this summer.

Toney has enjoyed a fantastic season at Brentford as the club have won promotion to the Premier League via winning the Championship play-offs.

The striker scored at Wembley against Swansea City and ended the campaign with 33 goals and 10 assists in the second-tier, with 17 of those coming in 2021 alone.

It remains to be seen if he would be allowed to leave Brentford, given that he has a contract until 2025, and he is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

Roberts believes that Spurs need to cast their net wider than they are currently as they look to bring reinforcements into the squad, and start looking down the leagues.

Indeed, he has cited the example of Ollie Watkins, who joined Aston Villa from Brentford and made England’s provisional squad for the European Championships, having scored 14 Premier League goals last term.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “There’s players out there. What about Toney at Brentford? Watkins has done it, do you not think Toney can do it? But they don’t want to look that low, but he’s a Premier League player now.

“That’s what you’ve got to do, you’ve got to look at the lower-leagues, there are good players there. But the spine of your team has to be the best so you have to pay the best and everything else falls into place.”

After seeing him shine out on loan last season, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa must finally look to unleash Alfie McCalmont in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old was in impressive form for Oldham Athletic in League Two, scoring ten goals in 41 games in all competitions, and providing a further five assists too, being a key reason behind why they avoided relegation to non-league.

After seeing him make waves at Boundary Park, former Leeds man Noel Whelan waxed lyrical about the midfielder, saying: “He is a player that is immensely talented and he will do very well for Oldham. The way he plays the game is very intelligent.

“This is not a loan with a view to a permanent move from Leeds, this is a learning process. You have to be mentally tough to go out on loan, especially in League Two because it is more direct and robust compared to what you would get in the Premier League and Championship. He will be learning a lot about his game.”

And, speaking after he saw the 21-year-old put pen to paper on a new long-term deal to stay at Elland Road, Whelan insisted that Bielsa should be looking to utilise him more often.

He said: “A very good player, great on the ball and a good football mind. He is one that is learning his trade from watching Kalvin and being in and around that first-team setup.

“It is important that these young lads are integrated. It is vital for their progression and to give them confidence to step in when needed because there will be injuries and suspensions. Use them – that is why you have an academy and youth policy.”

A season away at Oldham, where he’s had regular football and developed into a real goal-scoring midfielder, will stand the youngster in good stead and will give Bielsa another option in the middle of the park.

And given he has already been involved in Bielsa’s set-up, he could go onto make a real impression and potentially even partner Phillips in the engine room and give Leeds that vital source of goals from central midfield – compare to McCalmont’s ten, the best a midfielder for the Whites managed was the four Mateusz Klich netted.

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The Leeds starlet may feel that next season offers him the perfect opportunity to show Bielsa that he’s deserving of a chance in the first-team.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing this Raphinha-like star…

MatériaMais Notícias

A expectativa por dar proporções nacionais ao sonho da Chapecoense em conquistar a Sul-Americana marca a escolha pelo Couto Pereira. Logo após a divulgação do estádio como palco do duelo com o Atlético Nacional (COL), em 7 de dezembro, o presidente da equipe catarinense, Sandro Pallaoro, fez um apelo a todas as torcidas:

– Independente da rivalidade entre as torcidas, o momento é de mobilizar os torcedores para irem ao Couto Pereira, independente da rivalidade. Queremos o apoio das torcidas de Curitiba e de outras regiões do Paraná. A Chapecoense é o Brasil! – afirmou, ao LANCE!.

Pallaoro destacou os motivos que fizeram o clube optar pelo estádio para o confronto:

– Além da grama ser natural, os valores apresentados eram mais viáveis para nós. A comissão técnica, a diretoria, também aprovaram a escolha pelo Couto Pereira.

Devido ao regulamento da Copa Sul-Americana, a Arena Índio Condá não tinha capacidade suficiente para sediar a final. De acordo com o dirigente da Chape, há planos para mobilizar os sócios que sairão de Chapecó rumo a Curitiba:

– Assim como acontece no Índio Condá, nossos sócios entrarão com seus respectivos cartões ao Couto Pereira. Esperamos grande mobilização vinda de Chapecó.

Celtic’s season is done and dusted but for the hierarchy at Parkhead, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

This has been a hopeless campaign full of mediocrity and until the Bhoys hire a new manager, they will only continue to falter.

What’s the word?

The Hoops have been on the lookout for a new boss for the best part of eight weeks now.

It has been a long two months since Neil Lennon resigned with a number of coaches linked since.

The biggest is undoubtedly Jose Mourinho. After being sacked by Tottenham last week, it became apparent that Celtic were interested in luring him to Glasgow.

Those reports have since been backed up by journalist Duncan Castles. Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, he opened up about the offers the Portuguese has received.

Castles began: “My information is that the first of those approaches came from Celtic Football Club who are in need of significant managerial change and are in need of a change of fortune to get themselves back on top of the heap in Scotland after Steven Gerrard guided Rangers to the Scottish title by a significant margin.

He continued: “My understanding is that his response to that approach from Celtic – not ready to coach now. There have been other offers.”

Exciting news

Roy Keane, Eddie Howe or Mourinho? For many, there will only be one answer to that question; the latter.

The self-proclaimed special one is an icon of the sport and if Celtic are looking to target managers of his calibre, it’s evident the hierarchy do actually know what they’re doing.

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Not only that, but it also demonstrates they have plenty of ambition for the Hoops going forward.

Celtic supporters have been keen to protest against the club’s ownership this season and Desmond has had to answer his critics defiantly.

He won’t sell his shares was the message last month when he held a Q&A with the club’s official media channels.

Mourinho was always going to be more of a fantasy than a realistic appointment, though, so it’s no surprise he came back with the fact he’s not ready to coach them.

Though, it does suggest that Celtic have other irons in the fire. For the last month, the only name who has even looked close to the Parkhead dugout is Howe.

His demands have been plentiful, however. He wants to bring the “kitchen sink” with him according to one source while he looks set to keep them waiting until the summer.

This is the type of behaviour you’d expect from someone like Mourinho, not a coach who has only managed Bournemouth and Burnley throughout his career.

It’s exciting, therefore, that Desmond is considering other options.

AND in other news, Forget Howe: Desmond could revive Celtic by hiring 58 y/o Rodgers dubbed “world-class”…

After a superb run of results against the Premier League’s big boys, Leeds were brought crashing back down with a timid 2-0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side had remained undefeated in clashes against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, even earning a win against Pep Guardiola’s league leaders.

But against the Seagulls at the weekend, the Whites looked nothing like their usual energetic selves, having far fewer shots on goal than the home side, and just looking off the pace.

One man who Bielsa would certainly have been fuming at is Patrick Bamford.

The striker has been one of the shining lights of the Premier League season for the Yorkshire club, firing in 14 goals and providing another eight assists in the top-flight alone.

But lately, he has just gone completely off the boil, and his latest blank against Graham Potter’s side now means he has gone five matches without a goal.

It wasn’t just his shooting boots that were missing on Saturday, however, with his all-round game also virtually non-existent coming up against a formidable Brighton back-line who completely overwhelmed him.

As per Sofascore, his 15 touches and 11 successful passes were both far lower than what goalkeeper Illan Meslier even managed, and a damning statement on just how anonymous he was – the forward just got snuffed out by the Seagulls’ back-three.

He also failed to register a single shot on goal, something even defenders Diego Llorente and Luke Ayling did, while he won just one out of the measly two duels that he contested.

Bamford just couldn’t get himself involved in the game, and it wasn’t even that surprising that Bielsa decided to take him off before the hour-mark for Rodrigo.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a 4/10, adding: “Barely had a kick. As he was in the first game, he was swamped by the three centre-backs. The latest in a long line of frustrating matches for the striker with any Golden Boot hopes long gone.”

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Those thoughts were echoed by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth who said: “No touches anywhere near the Brighton goal, no impact in the game. Much of that was down to a lack of service but he didn’t impose himself at all.”

Bielsa would have been livid with his centre-forward’s lack of involvement in the game, and would no doubt have been expecting far more from a player who has been leading the charge for Leeds this season.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a record-breaking move for this star…

Many Southampton fans are livid with comments from manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following their 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Despite a difficult season, the Saints progressed to the penultimate round of the the world’s oldest cup competition. They faced Leicester at Wembley for a place in the final but they were narrowly defeated. Given the hard work it took to get there, it will have been disappointing for Hasenhuttl and his side not to manage a single shot on target during the 90 minutes (SofaScore).

Although they provided scant attacking threat, the Austrian still seemed to be happy with what he saw from his players, saying that they left everything out on the pitch.

The comments were shared on Twitter by journalist Tom Leach, and it is fair to say that many Southampton fans were far from happy with the manager’s words. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what Hasenhuttl had to say on Sunday’s “shambles”, as one disgruntled fan put it.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Hasenhuttl below

“That’s just offensive now. Does he think we weren’t watching?”

Credit: @jonokli

“Wreck it Ralph time to go”

Credit: @gmdsaints

“Is that a joke? Spent the last 20 mins defending”

Credit: @JamesBrooksAP

“Lol if he truly believes that then I despair.”

Credit: @NPBSFC74

“losing respect for Ralph. Team was useless. Have to wonder about him if he thinks that. Cannot go on like this forever without consequences”

Credit: @r_c_bennett

“very disappointed to hear Ralph say that. We weren’t up for the fight, to not test the keeper in 90 mins is inexcusable. Shambles”

Credit: @willlester37

In other news, many Southampton fans slammed this man’s performance against Leicester.

When Andre Green broke onto the scene at Aston Villa, there was no questioning that those within the inner circle at the club thought they had an absolute gem on their hands.

The winger made his debut for Villa as a 17-year-old under then-manager Remi Garde, coming on for half an hour in a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham in 2016.

The Birmingham Mail revealed at the time that Green was being “seen as one of the club’s most talented youngsters”, but sadly for both him and the club, things just didn’t work out.

After making just 48 appearances for Villa, the now 22-year-old was released by his boyhood club last summer, and he went a good six months without finding a new home before eventually being signed by Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.

Former Villa boss Tim Sherwood has openly admitted that he’s been left stunned by how things have gone for Green, and insisted that had he been at the helm for longer, it may have worked out differently.

He said: “I love Andre and I’m very surprised. He’s got ridiculous pace and goes past people like Ronaldo used to. It’s as if they’re not there. He’s got great ability but has been unfortunate with a few injuries. Hopefully, he can get over them. Players do in the end.”

Sherwood added: “If I’d have had longer in the job, he would have played. He could go at players and score goals but just needed to play men’s football and step up. He was ready for the step up.

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“I was looking at him to start the 2015-16 season and then he got injured in pre-season, in Portugal in our training camp, so it was devastating for the boy. It’s just an unfortunate sliding-doors moment that I went and someone else came in and never valued the talent he had.”

As Sherwood says, injuries certainly haven’t been helpful to Green, but Villa surely could have done more in getting the best out of his enormous talent and potential. The club seriously dropped the ball with the £900,000-rated winger.

Meanwhile, Villa could wreak havoc in the Premier League by signing this star…

Jordan Henderson will almost certainly miss Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League games against Real Madrid through injury, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Reds have been hampered by injuries throughout this season, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Thiago and Diogo Jota all missing big chunks of action.

Although Jurgen Klopp’s injury woes have eased slightly – apart from at centre-back – Henderson is a current casualty, with the skipper absent since suffering a groin problem in the defeat to Everton last month.

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Pearce confirms Henderson injury blow

Pearce has now confirmed that the 30-year-old will play no part in the matches against Real Madrid as the two clubs meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The first leg takes place in Spain on April 6th, before Liverpool host the La Liga giants at Anfield on April 14th, in what promises to be a mouthwatering tie.

Pearce, who is renowned as one of the most reliable journalists on the club, wrote in The Atheltic:

‘With their injury problems at centre-back and the continued absence of captain Jordan Henderson, who is not expected back in time to face Madrid, Liverpool are weakened.’

Transfer Tavern take

Henderson’s absence is a huge concern ahead of two games of such magnitude as Liverpool look to avenge their 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

The captain’s energy, leadership and quality will all be missed, putting pressure on the likes of Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and Thiago to excel without him against the Spanish giants.

In other news, many Liverpool fans have hailed an exceptional Reds talent after a moment of magic. Read all about it here.

According to post match reports by ESPN, via City Xtra, Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero was heard addressing the lack of passes to him on the pitch during the Sky Blues’ 2-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in the Last 16 – prompting supporters to react on social media.

As relayed by City Xtra on Twitter, Aguero is understood to have taken an issue with his teammates’ decisions in the forward positions after he was brought on as a substitute – simply stating ‘they don’t pass me the ball’ as he left the pitch upon full time.

The Argentine has been steadily re-introduced by manager Pep Guardiola following a number of injury issues, including a serious meniscus tear last season which kept him out of action for a while.

As he nears the end of his current contract at the Etihad, the prospect of losing Aguero or potential unrest on his part raises concern among supporters – who rightfully hold a special sentiment for the club’s all time top goal scorer.

One Sky Blue, as a result, labelled this news as ‘terrible’ – find all of their reactions on social media down below.

Man City fans react to Aguero news

“Wow, this hits differently.”

Credit: @StatCity

“Oh no”

Credit: @DomnotDominic

“it’s terrible”

Credit: @BrahimBamba9

“It’s heartbreaking cos of how much of a club legend he is and pep doesn’t play him much”

Credit: @nicky63800840

“I fear he’s going to leave…”

Credit: @TheGNRL29

“Feel so bad for him”

Credit: @BlakeBeaulieu73

“True..

It’s sad honestly”

Credit: @indrain_san

“Embarrassing by the team to neglect such an icon and the player who helped create city. He deserves much better. I don’t want him to ever leave but nobody deserves that, let alone someone who has done so much for the club.”

Credit: @SergioKun0331

In other news: Man City fans flocked to this transfer link, find out more here.

أكد فينسنت أبو بكر أن منتخب بلاده الكاميرون، قادر على القيام بعمل أفضل، بعدما قاد فريقه للفوز على بوركينا فاسو بثنائية لهدف، في أول مباراة لكأس إفريقيا للأمم 2021.

وسجل أبو بكر هدفي الكاميرون، وحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة، وفي رد فعله بعد المواجهة اعترف أنه وزملائه في الفريق لم يقدموا مباراة رائعة.

وقال أبو بكر في تصريحاته لقناة “canal +”: “لا يزال بإمكاننا القيام بعمل أفضل، يجب ألا نرى الهدفين فقط”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب الكاميرون: شعرت بالخوف بعد تقدم بوركينا فاسو.. ونحتاج لدعم الجماهير

وأضاف: “لم نلعب مباراة جيدة وأعتقد أنه يمكننا تقديم أداء أفضل، يجب أن نستيقظ على المستوى الجماعي”.

وتابع أبو بكر: “لدينا لاعبون رائعون، لا أعرف ما إذا كان هذا هو الضغط أم ماذا، لدينا لاعبون ممتازون وعلينا إظهار وجه أفضل للكاميرون في المباراة القادمة”.

وأتم بشأن هدفيه: “هذه مجرد تفاصيل صغيرة، يجب أن نلعب ونستمتع أمام جمهورنا ونقدم كرة قدم جيدة”. أهداف مباراة الكاميرون وبوركينا فاسو