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Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to bank the signature of Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel this summer.

The Denmark international is reportedly high on the priority list of Manchester United after being linked with a familiar move to Old Trafford. Schmeichel would follow in his father’s footsteps if the move comes to fruition, but according to The Times, Chelsea are also considering a swoop for the shot-stopper.

A report from The Mirror claims Man United are eyeing up the son of their legendary ex-goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. The Dane made 96 saves in the Premier League last season, the same amount as David de Gea and also kept the same amount of clean sheets with 13 (via Premier League).

No price tag has been specified but Schmeichel’s current Transfermarkt value is £8.5million, although it’s highly unlikely Leicester will let him go for such a low fee.

Chelsea have now added themselves to the running as they look to improve on the mistakes caused by Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard hasn’t been up to scratch over the last campaign and Frank Lampard no longer trusts him to safeguard his side in the net.

Whilst United may be the favourites for Schmeichel due to the family connection, Chelsea could arguably table the better offer. Not only are they looking to make a new goalkeeper their first choice, but Roman Abramovich has lined Lampard’s pockets with £120million for this transfer window.

Armed with a hefty summer budget, the Blues could have enough to convince the Foxes to let Schmeichel make the move to West London.

Marina Granovskaia could also outdo herself if she gets this deal over the line, having already snagged Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, with Kai Havertz also agreeing personal terms.

Do you want to see Kasper Schmeichel join Chelsea? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

All attention shifted to next season as soon as the curtains closed on the 2019/2020 football season. Right now, both football fans and managers are back to the drawing board. Clubs want to improve their performance where they went wrong. Fans, on the other hand, are eager to see what managers will do. Ole Gunner Solskjaer finished the season in style after securing the third position for Manchester United. The Red Devils beat Leicester City 2-0 to return to the top.

As exciting as last season was, it revealed cracks in the team’s formation that Ole must address. The summer transfer window presented an opportune moment to acquire players with specific skills to strengthen United’s line up in the next season.

Solskjaer is quite tactful in his approach to the game. Some of the players that he wanted to sign are Jadon Sancho, Adrien Rabiot, Jack Grealish, and Jan Oblack. Here is list of United players who will form the line-up in the next season.

Goalkeeper

David De Gea once was impenetrable. However, David did not show his best this season. He made a few errors, some of which were quite costly to the team. Some sceptics think that the 29-year-old is slowly edging out of his prime performance. But this is not so. Since De Gea is United’s number one goalkeeper, everyone expects him to come back better in the next season.

Luckily, De Gea is not the only capable goalkeeper that Manchester has. Sergio Romeo is equally talented. He too can help Manchester overcome any adversary. Similarly, Dean Henderson is a masterful goalkeeper. He is set to comeback from Sheffield united where he is on a loan spell.

Defence

United don’t need any help in its defence. The defenders proved their worth in the last season with outstanding performances. Maguire played well, alongside Williams and Wan-Bissaka. Add Tuanzebe to the mix, and you get an impenetrable defence. Unfortunately, Tuanzebe was out of action for most of last season due to injury. However, come next season, he shall have fully recovered.

These four defenders are a nightmare for any striker. Their tackles are perfect, and they hardly make mistakes. Plus, they can pass the ball even when under immense pressure. These are qualities that make other managers envy the Red Devils.

Midfield

The midfield is one of the essential places to fill in a football match. A weak midfield means that the ball quickly reaches the defence, thus tiring them early. Also, a weak midfield makes it hard for strikers to score any goals. The midfield transitions the ball from the home post to the opponent’s goal post.

Such a high-pressure position requires players who are skilful, agile, fast, and accurate passing. With the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and new addition Donny van de Beek United’s midfield is sealed. Come next season, the trio can play together with Pogba in the deep centre.

The Attack

The attack should be the icing on the cake. Goal scoring is the most important part of any  match. Ole understands this and is set to give United a spectacular attack force. Unfortunately, Jadon Sancho did not come to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

Still, Marcus Rashford is also an excellent striker and will probably score more goals in the season. Similarly, Antony Marshal is a skilful striker who creates unique angles and baffles goalkeepers and defenders. Odion Ighalo is also a force to reckon with due to his strike force. He skilfully evades tackles from defenders before shooting.

While playing together, Rashford can take the left-wing while Martial drives the ball on the right. Ighalo is skilled enough to be between them. If you fancy them to win, you can bet here and cash in on this winning line-up.

The Formation

Next season, Ole can opt to go with the ever-reliable 4-4-3 formation. This formation ensures that the midfield is well covered and the defence has no leakages. The three strikers launch attacks from all sides, thus creating mayhem for their rivals. The 4-4-3 formation is an all-time favourite that compensates for any injuries or red cards.

Bottom Line

The Red Devils seem unstoppable with this line up. With the tactful guidance of Solskjaer, Manchester United could hardly lose any games. The glory of Man United can be restored. All that we can do is wait to see how everything plays out.

Arsenal have been chasing big-name reinforcements for the majority of the ongoing summer transfer window. Of course, the Gunners and Mikel Arteta himself have big aspirations for the upcoming 2020/21 Premier League campaign and their ambition can be seen in the transfer targets they’ve set for themselves.

One such player is Olympique Lyon’s Houssem Aouar but getting him to the Emirates will be much easier said than done. After all, not only is he quite expensive with the French titans still valuing him at around £54m, but now, more bad news has emerged in the media.

According to the latest report from The Mirror, Manchester City are ready to enter the race for the midfielder and potentially mess up the Gunners’ plans.

Pep Guardiola seems to like the player and would be willing to battle his former student for his signature. Both coaches seem to think the 22-year-old prospects could be a star of the future so we could indeed be seeing a big battle on the market between the two clubs.

Of course, Arsenal have also explored the option of offering cash and one of their players, reportedly Matteo Guendouzi, but Lyon are simply not interested in the 21-year-old and want the potential buyer, whoever that ends up being, to meet their asking price.

So far, that’s all we know and it will be interesting to see how Arteta responds now that the Citizens might also enter the fray.

Verdict

Aouar can be the type of player to provide Arsenal with the creative spark they were lacking at times. Not only that but he is also very young and can still improve with the right guidance.

However, nothing is set in stone and at the end of the day, it will be up to him to decide where he wants to continue his career.

It looked like Arsenal had given up on their chances of signing midfielder Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid in this transfer window. The Gunners have wanted the player all summer but have failed to meet the price tag that the La Liga side have demanded.

However, transfer deadline day is always full of drama and The Athletic’s David Ornstein has just offered up his fair share, claiming that Arsenal are making a late move for the player.

Ornstein has dropped a major transfer update on Partey as he reports that the Gunners have made this late move to sign the player. They have contacted those close to the 27 year-old and have expressed their intention to pay his buy-out clause.

The North London side are making all necessary arrangements, including sorting out a possible medical in Spain to make the deal happen, and they are optimistic about their chances.

Last season under Diego Simeone, Partey caused havoc for the sides he faced as he played 35 times in La Liga and managed 2 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, and 1.1 clearances per game, via WhoScored. This shows that he is great at breaking up opposition attacks and he would be an ideal asset for Arsenal in the middle of the pitch.

If they had a proper defensive midfielder like the Ghanian in their starting eleven, it would give more freedom to attacking players in the side, and he would also provide great cover for the defensive line.

It would show a big statement of intent that the north London side are not happy with where they finished last season and that they want to be battling again for the top six at a minimum if they sign Partey, and it would bring a massive lift to all associated with the club..

Gunners fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Let us know down below!

Everton have made some fantastic additions during this summer transfer window but they still lack a central defender and one name could help resolve their ongoing nightmare…

What’s the word?

According to the ECHO, the Toffees are considering a move for Barcelona colossus Jean-Clair Todibo on loan before the October 5th deadline.

The 20-year-old is on a list of several targets with their recruitment plans now fully focused on signing a new centre-back before it’s too late.

Reports in Spain have claimed that Ronald Koeman is willing to let the French defender leave for around €15m (£13.5m) and that the La Liga outfit have a great relationship with Everton.

Centre-back catastrophe

Carlo Ancelotti is in dire need of a defensive addition.

Mason Holgate, who would probably be a starter right now, is suffering from a toe injury and could be out for several more weeks whilst emerging academy prospect Jarrad Branthwaite is out for at least a month after tearing ligaments in his ankle.

It means the Italian can only call upon Michael Keane and Yerry Mina, who are both having to play on the weekend and in midweek during this congested campaign.

Despite his age, Todibo has been tipped for big things – former Barca coach Ernesto Valverde once claimed that he has “a big future” whilst Lothar Matthaus described the French youngster as “the best centre-back” he’s seen in a long time.

The 6 foot 3 brute has been likened to former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly due to his “pace, strength and technical ability,” something that all Ancelotti centre-backs tend to have – think Thiago Silva and more recently, Kalidou Koulibaly.

Perhaps Todibo could become his next Koulibaly but at Goodison Park instead of Napoli.

Over his career, the 20-year-old has averaged 4.3 clearances, 2.3 tackles and 1.9 aerial duels won per game, via WhoScored.

If anyone’s to bring that potential out of him, then you’d imagine it would be Ancelotti. This could be a cracking move for Everton.

AND in other news, Brands delivered a £22.5m masterclass last summer as ex-Toffees flop nears PL return…

Leeds United didn’t have much to shout about during the 2010s.

The Whites had a torrid decade for the most part, lulling around League One and the bottom half of the Championship before the light at the end of the tunnel came in the shape of Marcelo Bielsa.

However, it wasn’t all bad for Leeds, they had some exciting academy products come through during this time, and none were tipped for bigger things than Sam Byram.

Byram was spoken that highly of during his early days at Leeds you would’ve thought he was the second-coming of John Charles or Billy Bremner.

He won Leeds’ Player of the Year award at the age of 20, and he was tipped as a future England international after he moved to West Ham for £3.7m.

“He has been bought for the future and long term he could well be an English international,” David Sullivan said after bringing him in.

However, since then his career has stalled.

A string of injuries and underperformances have seen Byram actually regress in the years since he left Leeds, he came through at Elland Road as one of the club’s best right-backs in the Championship, and now he’s not even first-choice right-back at Norwich City, deputising behind Max Aarons.

Meanwhile, Leeds are flying high in the Premier League, and it seems as though their former academy star would probably have been better biding his time and sticking it out at Elland Road instead of jumping ship back in 2016.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there is something of a cruel irony attached to the fact that Leeds are a Premier League club while Byram is a second-string Championship player, and while £3.7m for him back in 2016 was described as a cut-price fee, the now-27-year-old is valued at just £2.52m by transfermarkt.

United have now outgrown their former academy star.

Having gone into the international break off the back of a 3-1 victory over Burnley, Newcastle will surely be raring to go when they welcome Manchester United to St James’ Park on Saturday night.

The Magpies have started the new Premier League season in fine fettle, with two wins from four, and picking up a total of seven points from a possible 12.

But the international break throws up its own quandaries for Steve Bruce to solve, not least with potential injury doubts and fitness concerns. And with that in mind, below is a look at how the Magpies might line up for the visit of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

In goal, Karl Darlow will continue to start in between the sticks, with Martin Dubravka still a long-term absentee. It was even suggested earlier in the week that he could miss another few weeks of action due to a setback.

In front of him, there are two big question marks over a couple of key players for Newcastle: Jamaal Lascelles and Jamal Lewis. The former missed the game against Burnley due to a hamstring problem, with Fabian Schar coming in.

The Switzerland international however has had a rough week, getting sent off for his country in their clash against Germany, but such is the lack of options at his disposal, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bruce having to stick with him.

Lewis on the other hand suffered a slight Achilles problem, and unless he’s 100% fit, there is no way the Newcastle boss should be taking a risk with him – that could see Javier Manquillo shift over to left-back, with Emil Krafth starting on the opposite flank.

In midfield, Jeff Hendrick had a nightmare display against Finland, and having played an incredible amount of minutes for the Republic of Ireland, Bruce may be wise to rest him, with Sean Longstaff getting a run-out instead.

And after a couple of sparkling performances for Scotland, Ryan Fraser may have worked himself into first-team contention, and he could replace Joelinton out wide. That could see a very dynamic front-three of the Scot, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Predicted XI: Darlow; Krafth, Fernandez, Schar, Manquillo; Hayden, Shelvey, Longstaff; Fraser, Saint-Maximin, Wilson.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could soon live to regret the failure to sign one of their mooted long-term targets in the summer transfer window…

What was the word?

The Midlands outfit have seemingly long-admired AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.

Two years ago, the club were linked with an initial £35m swoop to secure him but it’s thought the player rejected the chance to join, as per Calciomercato (via Sportsmole).

Last summer, they were mooted with interest once again but, according to Sky Sports, Wolves were unwilling to pay the Serie A outfit’s £30m demands.

And then back in April, the rumours resurfaced ahead of the transfer window with BirminghamLive citing reports in Italy.

One that got away?

Kessie has started the 2020/21 campaign like a house on fire.

He delivered a pure masterclass over the weekend in Miland’s 2-1 win over Udinese. The 23-year-old picked up a 7.8 rating on SofaScore after recording 105 touches, three blocks, one interception. He also made 93% of his 95 passes and scored the opener.

For the season, he’s now directly contributed to three goals in five starts and has averaged 1.7 interceptions, 1.3 dribbles, one shot and 0.8 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

It’s this sort of box-to-box ability that Wolves have perhaps lacked this season with only Raul Jimenez scoring more than one goal across the squad this season.

None of Leander Dendoncker, Joao Moutinho or Ruben Neves have found the net yet.

Perhaps the Ivorian would’ve been the ideal upgrade to the Belgian in the middle to add that new dimension. Dendoncker is lacking in terms of interceptions (0.7 per game) and has failed to register a successful dribble this season.

Ex-Milan head coach Vincenzo Montella once hailed Kessie as an “extraordinary player” with “sublime intelligence” – and finally we’re seeing that come to fruition some three years after such remarks.

You can’t help but feel that the Wolf Pack have missed out on a colossal star here. CIES now value the box-to-box monster at a whopping €50m (£45m) – Nuno may forever regret not landing him.

AND in other news, Wolves lightweight let Nuno Santo down against Palace…

West Brom will need to make some smart moves in the January transfer window if they are to stay afloat in the Premier League this season, and a good place to start is in defence…

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Baggies are one of several top-flight teams chasing Motherwell and newly-capped Scotland centre-back Declan Gallagher ahead of the window reopening.

It is claimed that the SPFL outfit could be enticed into a sale as the 29-year-old is out of contract in the summer, meaning they run the risk of letting him leave for free.

Fellow relegation rivals Sheffield United and Burnley are also said to be in the hunt.

Dowling redemption

It’s time for Albion chief Luke Dowling to make amends for his disastrous call last month in letting Ahmed Hegazi, one of Slaven Bilic’s only experienced defenders, leave outside of the English transfer window.

The Baggies have kept just one clean sheet this season, and that was in the one game the Egyptian powerhouse played in. No team has conceded more goals (18) in the Premier League either, so it’s no wonder the Midlands side find themselves in the drop zone.

One third of their goals conceded have come by way of a set-piece or penalty, so clearly, that is one major issue that needs to be ironed out if West Brom are to survive this season.

And adding a man-mountain, standing at 6 foot 6 inches tall, would certainly be one way to alleviate that substantially. They also shouldn’t be afraid to dip into the Scottish top-flight either, considering summer signing Cedric Kipre was also once on the books at ‘Well.

Gallagher has drawn high praise in the past year, appearing very much as a late-bloomer.

Steelmen boss Stephen Robinson labelled the colossus a “complete player” who has been a “real standout performer” whilst Celtic’s head of youth, Chris McCart, once described Gallagher as a “leader” and an “exceptional player.”

The 29-year-old rates out as Well’s second-best player (7.00 rating) and has averaged 4.1 aerials won, 4.1 clearances 1.3 interceptions and 1.1 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Given Albion’s lack of budget, Gallagher could be the perfect solution and a good remedy for Dowling’s latest howler.

AND in other news, WBA must win transfer tussle for “star of the future” who’ll be FREE in the summer…

Whilst Jack Grealish has been the undisputed talisman this season for Aston Villa, Tyrone Mings has seen his star rise considerably too.

The 6 foot 5 defender has earned himself a couple more caps for England, and has been a big part of why Dean Smith’s side have generally been solid at the back – before the game against Brighton on Saturday afternoon, they had conceded just nine goals in their opening seven Premier League games.

And after thrashing Arsenal 3-0 last time out, Villa would have headed into the clash against the Seagulls full of confidence. An opportunity to head right to the summit of the table was in their hands, but a hugely disappointing display put an end to that.

No-one was arguably more disappointing than Mings. As well as being caught far too high for Brighton’s opening goal when Danny Welbeck raced clear from just inside the Villa half, he just didn’t seem to be able to hand the Seagulls’ attacking movement.

On a couple of occasions he was caught napping by the darting Neal Maupay, and Emiliano Martinez had to bail him out. Then there was the quite unbelievable attempted back-pass that just went straight out for a corner.

It led some Villa fans to take to Twitter to question his performance, with a few even suggesting that his display was full of arrogance. A couple of supporters claimed that his Brighton howler was almost unsurprising, and that he seems to look well off it after coming back from international duty with England.

Saturday was a perfect opportunity for Villa to keep their momentum going, but after doing the hard work of beating a top four contender in Arsenal away from home, they completely blew it by losing to Brighton in their own back yard.