All posts by h79snht.top

Manchester United need defensive reinforcements this summer if they are to be able to challenge their bitter rivals Manchester City next season and one man who had been linked with a move to Old Trafford is Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti.The French international, valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, is one of the Catalan giants’ key men but uncertainty over a new contract had led United to hold out some hope that a deal could be done this summer.However, now the former Lyon man has signed a new long-term contract at the Nou Camp, which contains a scarcely believable 500 million euro release clause, designed to rule United and other suitors out of contention to secure his signature.That has left United fans believing that – not for the first time – their club’s expensive interest has just been used by a player to engineer an improved deal with their current club and that they had no serious interest in a deal.They also can’t believe anyone is surprised by this any more and we’ve collated some of the most passionate reaction…

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Arsenal manager Unai Emery has got the ball rolling with regards to transfers this summer.

The Spaniard will have all eyes on him come the start of the season in August as he begins a new chapter for the club following Arsene Wenger’s resignation.

One man who has joined Emery’s era is right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, who will move to the North London outfit from Juventus in July on a free transfer.

There are plenty of areas that the manager needs to strengthen, particularly in defence and central midfield.

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Some fans, though, would be keen for Arsenal to recruit a new winger to contribute to the attack in the 2018-19 campaign.

Under Wenger towards the latter stages of his career with the Gunners, he opted for wing-backs, but Twitter account for ArsenalFanTV has suggested that the team needs an out-and-out winger.

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The social media page gave three options for supporters to choose from, and they included Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Gelson Martins of Sporting Lisbon.

The two Premier League players were favourites among the fans.

The day when the new season’s fixtures are announced is an exciting one for any football fan.

This year was slightly different for West Bromwich Albion’s following as their club’s schedule is in the Championship rather than the Premier League.

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The Baggies were relegated from the top flight last season after finishing bottom of the standings.

The club will now have to cope with an increase in games, and will be taking on completely different opposition.

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First up for Darren Moore and his team is a home clash against Bolton Wanderers on August 4.

Their opening match on the road will be against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, while Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough will make up the remaining fixtures in August.

Over the hectic Christmas period, West Brom will face Rotherham United, Wigan Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers.

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As for the Midlands derbies. the Baggies will go head to head with Birmingham City September 15 and March 30, while Aston Villa will come to The Hawthorns on December 8, with the away fixture scheduled for February 16.

West Brom fans have been tweeting their thoughts on the fixture list.

Everton announced via their official Twitter account on Thursday night that defender Ramiro Funes Mori had joined La Liga side Villarreal on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, and Toffees fans were quick to react to the news.

The Argentina international’s future always seemed to be in doubt when he struggled to break back into the starting XI following almost a year on the sidelines because of injury, and the writing was on the wall when he was substituted off at half-time in his first start of the 2017/18 season against West Ham United on the final day.

His exit ends a three-year spell on Merseyside in which he made 67 appearances, and he may not be the last centre-back to leave with Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka also potentially going if Marco Silva strengthens significantly at the heart of his newly-inherited backline.

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Everton supporters, who have urged their club to sign a £22.5m attacker following his latest World Cup display with one saying he could be “the new Mahrez”, took to social media to have their say on Funes Mori’s exit, and while one described it as “slightly worrying” that he had left before Willians or Jagielka, another said it was “totally unexpected”.

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Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

According to The Sun, Aston Villa are interested in signing Australia defender Trent Sainsbury during this summer’s transfer window.

It is shaping up to be a very testing summer for Villa, and they are in desperate need of reinforcements at the back when considering that John Terry has already left, and James Chester and Chris Samba could soon follow.

The departure of Terry will certainly have hurt Villa, who failed to secure a return to the Premier League last season when they lost to Fulham in the Championship playoff final.

According to The Sun, Steve Bruce’s need to look for bargain signings this summer has led him to Australia international Sainsbury, who is currently in action at the 2018 World Cup.

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Sainsbury is currently contracted to Jiangsu Suning, but it is believed that his deal with the Chinese Super League outfit ends in December.

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The 26-year-old, who ended last season on loan at Grasshoppers, could therefore be available for a bargain price in this summer’s transfer window.

And the Villa supporters have been on Twitter reacting to the potential deal:

The World Cup is a fantastic shop window for players needing a move this summer and Wabhi Khazri certainly falls into that category.

The Tunisian winger is still contracted to Sunderland but is unlikely to humour their bid to get out of League One, especially after spending last season on loan at Rennes in the French top flight.

But the 27-year-old showed what he can do at Premier League level during his debut term at the Stadium of Light and the World Cup’s group stages have served as a reminder of his quality, particularly a performance against Belgium which saw Khazri grab a goal and an assist.

With that in mind, we recently asked Cardiff City fans whether Neil Warnock should look to bring in Khazri’s Premier League experience to help with the Welsh outfit’s top flight survival bid in the coming season.

And our poll has revealed that the slimmest of majorities from those who took part, 51%, would back a swoop for the 38-cap forward. Are there any other World Cup stars you’d like to see Warnock sign this summer? Let us know by commenting below…

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It was the 15th of May 2004 and Patrick Vieira had just scored to put Arsenal 2-1 up at Highbury. Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger, in charge had remarkably managed to finish the entire Premier League season undefeated and regained the Premier League title.

The squad would go down in history and are now known as the ‘Invincibles’.

With a perfect balance of world class attacking players like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Dennis Bergkamp offset by the fantastic partnership of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva in central midfield, and the ever dependable duo of Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell in defence. Add the construction of their new Emirate’s Stadium home now underway, the Premier league title back in their clutches and playing by far the most attractive and free flowing football the Premier league had ever seen, all was as good as it could be in the red half of north London.

Eleven years have since past and little did Arsene Wenger or the fans know that would be there only Premier League title since that historic season. There have been trophies lifted since that 2003/04 season in the shape of a FA Cup triumph in the 2004/05 season, back-to-back Community Shield victories (2014 & 2015) and FA Cup triumphs (2013/14 & 2014/15) respectively. Arsenal did reach the 2006 Champions League final, but were defeated 2-1 by Barcelona in the Stade de France .

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But a lack of domestic success coupled with a period of nine years without any silverware surely raises question marks over ‘Arsenals longest service boss’ and his future at the club. Wenger has failed to take Arsenal past the round of 16 stage in the Champion’s League for the past five seasons, and the club have failed to finish in the top two for the last ten seasons.

The consistency of Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as the emergence of Manchester City and their wealthy owners, has of course affected Arsenal’s chances of domestic success. But has Wenger himself done enough to make sure his Gunners team can compete for a domestic title and alongside Europe’s top sides?

Wenger has undoubtedly managed some fantastic transfer business over the years and is a master at signing young talented players from other clubs such as Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to name a few, but has he now lost his way in the market?

Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s record breaking goal scorer, swapped north London for Barcelona in 2007 and although he was arguably irreplaceable, Robin Van Persie had stepped up to the plate by winning the golden boot in the 2011/12 season before being sold to fierce rivals Manchester United. This was a move that stunned the football world and gave Van Persie the chance to help United win the Premier League the following season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals.

Another pivotal member of the ‘Invincibles’ side was Patrick Vieira, who was not only a leader but a colossus in the centre of midfield. Vieira left the Gunners at the end of the 2004/05 season to join Italian giants Juventus and has never been replaced by Wenger since. His insistence to play with more attack minded midfielders instead of a combative holding midfielder has cost the Gunners over the years.

This summer Wenger, to the delight to the Arsenal faithful, announced the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Finally they had signed a world class keeper, which we all knew Arsenal had not had since David Seaman left in 2003. It was a fantastic signing for the Gunners, but surely the deal had come a decade too late?

Wenger has clearly changed his approach in the transfer market and after seasons of spending very little has decided to start spending big, but has he signed what Arsenal desperately need?

The signing of Mesut Ozil last summer was the most eye catching, with the attacking midfielder coming in for a club record £42.5million. But the Germany international has looked a shadow of his former self and seems to be struggling to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

Wenger has purchased a truly world class forward in Alexis Sanchez, who last season lit up the Premier League and Copa America with some fantastic goals and performances, but is he the out and out forward Arsenal so desperately crave? And are they now relying on the Chilean too much?

It was Jose Mourinho who quoted in February 2014 that Wenger had ”failed after eight years without silverware.” Whilst I would never class Wenger as a failure, as he has without question created some fantastic Arsenal sides over the years and has given so much to the English game, I would however question where he is taking this Arsenal group?

Will Arsenal mount a serious title challenge again under his guidance, or is time running out for the legendary Frenchman in North London?

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Over the last half a decade we’ve all watched as one of England’s biggest giants have slowly fallen…

This season seems like the time that Aston Villa will not beat the drop by the skin of their teeth and the relegation dogfight will soon swallow them whole.

They’ve been struggling at the wrong end of the table for far too long now, and are now gambling on another managerial change to help get them out of their latest relegation battle. Trouble is, the new guy’s first game in charge is against league leaders Manchester City. Not ideal.

But where has it all gone wrong? Well here are five reasons why the Villains are, quite literally, doomed…

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

By Scott Francis @scottfrancis97

Randy Lerner

A club cannot function with an owner that does not want to be there. There has been a lack of investment since the sacking of Martin O’Neil and that is because Randy Lerner has no ambition.

It has been clear that the owner of the club has been trying to save himself money by cutting the wage bill and by giving his managers next to nothing to spend in the transfer market. How can you expect a club to climb the table without strengthening?

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

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Selling top players

Think of all the top players who have graced the Villa Park turf that have been sold on for profit; Stewart Downing, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke to name just a few. Aston Villa doesn’t keep their best players, it’s as simple as that.

Imagine a team with the players I’ve just mentioned in it, maybe then Aston Villa would find it easier to move up the table.

Unfortunately the club has become a stepping stone for top prospects, a player plies his trade at the club, develops into a better player and then leaves. Aston Villa may be a big club in the historic sense, but when it comes to financial pulling power they fall well short.

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

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Summer Signings

Other than Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards, Aston Villa reinvested the money from the Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph poorly.

How can you expect multiple players who have no experience of the league to adapt and perform straightaway? You can’t.

As soon as Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph left the spine of the team was removed and you cannot replace a spine with young, naïve and inexperienced players who may have potential.

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

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Living on past glories

This might be a harsh view because winning a European cup and being one of the most successful clubs in English footballing history is not something to be sniffed at, but in 2015 Aston Villa are not a big club.

The entire club is living in ‘the good old days’ when Aston Villa was challenging the likes of Manchester United for silverware. There is not a mentality at the club to move forward and look ahead to new potential successes.

Instead of living in 1982, they should look at the realities of 2015. Until there is a change in ownership and smart investment in players Aston Villa will continue to be the laughing stock of the Premier League.

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

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Remi Garde

Who? That was the question I had to ask myself when I heard that Remi Garde was linked with the Aston Villa hot seat. Going along with their transfer policy, the Aston Villa board have decided to employ another unknown Frenchman.

There is an argument French players with a French manager just might work. However, with the situation Aston Villa find themselves in a manager with Premier League experience would have been a better option.

They have taken a risk on a manager who has a small amount of experience in Ligue 1 and I think this will be their undoing.

I have no doubt in my mind this is the season Aston Villa will drop into the Championship. Out of the other 19 clubs I cannot see them beating a single one of them at the moment and that can only be bad news. Unless Remi Garde is a magician, it will be bye bye for the Villains.

This article was submitted via our new Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and make sure you follow @FFC_WFU on Twitter for #RealOpinions…

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The Nottingham Forest supporting punters who are present here in the Transfer Tavern haven’t had a great deal to shout about during the 2015/16 campaign, and the club’s supporters will be looking for a turnaround in form in the coming weeks.

Boss Dougie Freedman has worked tirelessly over the summer to put together a squad of players who are capable of competing in the Championship.

The lads wearing Forest shirts by the pool table are happy with the football the Reds are playing, but are lamenting a lack of goals for the club’s current fortunes and are hoping to see a revival, of sorts, around Christmas time.

Here The Transfer Tavern’s very own Lee Clarke takes a look at FIVE loan strikers Forest could target once the transfer window opens in January…..

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE STRIKERS!

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Patrick Bamford

Lifelong Forest fan Bamford would welcome a move back to the City Ground after a troubled time on loan at Crystal Palace.

With parent club Chelsea all set to recall him from his current loan spell, a move to the Championship looks to be on the cards for the second half of the season.

If Forest could put together a temporary package for the player, it would be a significant step for the club.

Lee Erwin

The young Leeds United striker would be a risk for another Championship club given his lack of first-team football at the Whites since his summer move.

That said, Leeds supporters here in the Transfer Tavern have praised the player from what they saw in pre-season and were surprised when former boss Uwe Rosler packed him off on loan.

Forest are in need of a nuisance up top to act as a target man and Erwin could fit the bill.

Yann Kermorgant

Bournemouth’s French striker is stagnating this season following the Cherries’ promotion to the Premier League, and a loan move back to the Championship seems plausible.

The 34-year-old scored 17 goals last season as the club won the Championship title, and it comes as a surprise that he hasn’t been handed a chance to shine by Eddie Howe in the top flight.

Forest would welcome Kermorgant’s second tier expertise and he is the sort of signing that would work tirelessly for the club.

Lewis Grabban

The former Bournemouth striker is another player who hasn’t been handed a chance in the Premier League despite helping his club into the top-flight last season.

The Norwich City forward has been used in a bit-part role this season and appears in need of a loan move in order to kick start his season.

The 27-year-old talisman scored 12 goals last season as he helped the club to promotion via the end-of-season play-offs, but does appear to be held in low regard by Canaries boss Alex Neil.

Alex Pritchard

Not naturally a striker but the Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder is a little magician in a number ten role, with many Spurs fans in the Transfer Tavern calling for his inclusion in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad on a more frequent basis.

Last season the 22-year-old netted 12 times from a role just behind the striker, as he assisted Brentford into a play-off position in their maiden season back in the Championship.

Hasn’t featured too often for the Spurs this season and loan move would aid the player’s development ahead of what looks to be a bright future.

West Ham travel to Swansea City’s Liberty stadium knowing that their record over the Swans is very good indeed. The Swans, on the other hand are in dire form, relegation form that has seen their manager, Garry Monk, sacked, and also seen them slip into the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Swansea are a far cry from the charming and free-flowing team we saw at the start of the season, whilst West Ham are a far cry from the team we saw taken to penalties by Maltese side Birkirkara and lose to Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League qualifying rounds.

But after last week’s performance, in an unlucky 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad, Swansea will be hoping that a home game against West Ham will pave the way for a return to form, especially for the likes of Andre Ayew, Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson who have lost their way over the past few weeks.

Here are seven pre-match stats to whet the appetite for the penultimate Premier League match before Christmas day.

West Ham have won three and lost none of their last five Premier League games against Swansea.

The Swans have won none of their last six Premier League home games at Liberty Stadium (D3 L3), failing to score in four of those matches.

Swansea have scored the opening goal in just three Premier League games this season; less often than any other team.

Bafetimbi Gomis scored with four of his first 10 shots (excl. blocked) in the Premier League this season, but has since netted just one goal from 21 shots (excl. blocked).

Swansea have played a lower proportion of their passes in the opposition half than any other Premier League side this season (54%).

The Hammers have had the most goal attempts from set-piece situations in the Premier League this season (29).

The injured Dimitri Payet has created 47 goalscoring chances for West Ham in the Premier League this season; 27 more than any other player for the club.