All posts by h79snht.top

Nottingham Forest are currently rock bottom in the Premier League table and despite showing glimpses of what the team can be capable of in their performances against West Ham United and Liverpool it hasn’t been the dream start that Steve Cooper would have wanted.

The Tricky Trees spent £150m on transfers in the summer to build a super squad consisting of 22 brand-new players mixed with young talent and top-flight experience but it seems that signing an army of new talent hasn’t paid off.

The newly-promoted side have picked up just nine points out of a possible 39 so far and have scored the second-lowest amount of goals (8) in the entire Premier League with both clearly contributing to Forest’s inability to climb out of the bottom three.

As a result, Cooper must improve the attacking threat if the club are going to have any chance of retaining their top-flight status at the end of the season and finally ditching Jesse Lingard could be the key to improving.

The former Manchester United attacker was signed on a free transfer in the summer and is currently the highest-paid player at the club, collecting a mammoth £200k-per-week. However, his uninspiring performance and poor work ethic can’t continue to be ignored by the Forest boss.

The 29-year-old – who Dom Gourlay claimed doesn’t “break sweat”  in his displays – has failed to register a single goal or assist and has not created any big chances so far, as well as losing 66% of his duels combined and failing to complete 67% of his dribbles too over his 11 league appearances.

In fact, his most recent performance against Arsenal in the humiliating 5-0 defeat against Arsenal should be the final nail in the coffin for Cooper and is solid proof as to why the manager must search for other players who can offer more in the final third and to the team in general.

Before being hooked in the 56th minute, Lingard made just five accurate passes out of a mere nine attempted, took only 15 touches of the ball and failed in 100% of his dribble attempts, further displaying his obvious disinterest and poor attitude to working hard even against a side that was going to be a difficult challenge for the team.

With that being said, it is without a doubt that Cooper must finally ditch Lingard, whether that is by deploying another player in the role or searching for a more hard-working forward in the January transfer window. Either way, the manager cannot continue to keep blind faith in Lingard.

Former Celtic player Frank McAvennie has highlighted a concern regarding the body language and demeanour of current Hoops attacker Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Lowdown

Kyogo was in action for Ange Postecoglou’s side earlier this week during the 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, which ultimately ended with Celtic at the bottom of their group.

Now that the dust has settled on the match, the Japanese attacker’s efforts in the draw have been put under the microscope by McAvennie.

The Latest

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Celtic figure had this to say about Kyogo and the missed chances he had in the midweek clash.

He said: “I like [Giorgos] Giakoumakis, every time he misses he is going nuts but I do not think he lets it bother him too much.

“But Kyogo has missed a couple of chances and I think it might have bothered him. I think it got to him. Which is wrong because the next time he gets one he is going to miss that as well.

“The form that we were playing early season, I do not know why they are not playing like that. Kyogo’s miss was blatant and then they nearly got beaten. It is incredible.”

The Verdict

Across the nine SPFL games he’s played in this season, the 27-year-old has scored seven goals for the Parkhead club.

In terms of his shooting accuracy in the league, 45% of his efforts have hit the target, leaving eight other Celtic players with a higher percentage.

While the miss in midweek will have surely been a disappointment for the player, his teammates and the fans, it seems as though McAvennie’s concern is with Kyogo’s mindset and his ability to move on from his misses in front of goal.

With that in mind, a goal this weekend against Livingston will be just what the doctor ordered.

Leeds United are set to lose their appeal over the transfer of Jean-Kevin Augustin, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: 48 minutes

Augustin arrived at Elland Road on loan with an obligation to buy back in 2020 after Eddie Nketiah returned to Arsenal. The Frenchman failed to hit the heights in Yorkshire, though, and played just 48 minutes of action in the Championship.

Leeds eventually won promotion to the Premier League, and an off-field saga regarding an obligation to buy payment has been ongoing ever since.

The Latest: Augustin update

FI reporter Adam Williams revealed an update on the situation regarding Leeds and Augustin in the last 48 hours.

He stated that the Whites look set to lose their appeal and ‘that there is next to no hope that it will be good news for Leeds when CAS announce their verdict’. The Whites will therefore seemingly have to pay RB Leipzig around £17.7m with an extra £300,000 in interest.

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The Verdict: Bad to worse

Should Leeds be required to pay Leipzig £18m for Augustin, it will surely go down as the worst piece of transfer business in the club’s history – working out at £375,000 for every minute the forward was in a Leeds shirt.

The Whites are having their struggles on the pitch and are currently in the relegation zone, so this huge off-field update won’t be welcomed by Leeds chiefs.

Augustin is currently with FC Basel and has scored three goals in nine games, holding a Transfermarkt valuation of £1.35m, if you wanted to know.

Although David Moyes may have fallen to another defeat in the Premier League with West Ham United, there is still a huge amount of confidence in his ability to continue leading this side forward.

Having vastly overperformed in recent years, and cruised through the European stages this campaign, the Scotsman has a lot of credit in the bank even if the Hammers do sit just two points from the relegation zone.

Having continued with his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation, once again Tomas Soucek disappointed beside their captain Declan Rice.

His SofaScore rating of 6.8 denoted yet another underwhelming performance from the man who earned notoriety in his debut season for being a goal-scoring midfielder.

Having scored ten in his first full campaign in claret and blue, since then his performances have dwindled with just the two goal involvements throughout 2022/23 so far.

It could, therefore, be time for Moyes to look for his replacement, and in his academy, he arguably boasts a perfect one.

If this dismal season so far has shown anything, it’s that the 59-year-old is more than willing to give youth a chance. In their most recent clash with FCSB, he started four academy graduates.

Now, it must soon be the turn of Lewis Orford, who cannot stop scoring for the Irons’ U18s setup.

The 16-year-old already boasts four goals and three assists this season from just six league games, having featured both as a classic central midfielder and in a slightly deeper role.

The teenager also featured on the bench in the aforementioned European clash, offering him an experience few others of his age will have.

This is not his first impressive season though, as even last year he scored three and assisted eight as a 15-year-old.

With a maturity far beyond his years, his goal-scoring exploits paired with the solidity of another academy graduate in Rice could make for a perfectly balanced midfield once more.

Ranking in the top 6% for both interceptions and pass completion in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, the 23-year-old could be the key to unleashing Orford in the places where he can really do damage.

Having also been included in the Guardian’s Next Generation list, they described him as a “playmaker” who has all the best parts of players like Rice, Michael Carrick and even Frank Lampard.

This youngster seems poised for a phenomenal career and is taking all the necessary steps to slowly get there. He could complement the current skipper perfectly in the future, and potentially end up taking over from him should he stick around long enough.

West Ham United are plotting a move to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone next summer, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Exit on the horizon?

The Frenchman still has three years remaining on his contract, though Daniel Farke’s side are already planning for the future and it doesn’t appear to have the maestro in it.

The Bundesliga outfit are believed to be putting three of their first team stars up for sale at the end of the season, with the 21-year-old being one of them, and the Irons have been name-checked with an interest in bringing him to the Premier League.

The Latest: West Ham scout Kone

According to German outlet SportBILD (via Sport Witness), West Ham are ‘lining up’ to land Kone in 2023 and have already had him ‘watched several times’ by scouts.

GSBK reportedly have their target ‘at the top’ of their wishlist and are ‘ready’ to make an approach for him when he’s officially put on the market.

Exactly what his price tag will be yet remains to be seen, but he’s valued at €25m (£21m), so any deal will likely cost somewhere in that region.

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The Verdict: Partner for Rice

After Tomas Soucek’s contract negotiations stalled over the summer, his future at the London Stadium could be in doubt, so Kone would make the perfect midfield partner for Declan Rice should the Czech depart.

Dubbed a ‘one-man army’ by Jacek Kulig, he’s currently averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.6 dribbles per league game, with a pass success rate of 87.2% (WhoScored).

Kone being valued at £21m is a very reasonable price for the Irons to pay, and having made their strong interest known, a switch could well be on the cards next summer.

Liverpool have been long-term admirers of Youri Tielemans over the last few seasons, and now a new update has emerged on the club’s intentions to make a move for the player.

What’s the latest?

Catalan news outlet SPORT (via Paisley Gates) reveal that Liverpool are looking to sign the Belgium international who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

As per the report, the Leicester City midfielder has continued to capture the attention of Liverpool but they will have competition in securing his signature with Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus and Newcastle United all named as interested parties too.

Thiago 2.0

There is no doubt that Liverpool’s midfield is in desperate need of refreshing over the next few transfer windows, and ensuring that a transfer target like Tielemans is not lost to another elite club will be essential in the efforts to improve the current performances and league standings at Anfield.

The Reds are currently sixth in the league table after suffering their worst start to a Premier League season in over a decade which has left the side 15 points adrift of the top spot occupied by Arsenal.

It is clear that reinvestment in the team is now a pressing concern that needs to be addressed, especially in the centre of the pitch with many of the players coming to the latter stages of their careers.

Both Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are well into their 30s, alongside contracts expiring in June 2023 for Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, so now would be the perfect time to snap up a Premier League experienced midfielder who can offer both youth and quality.

Tielemans – who was hailed “divine” and an “exceptional talent” by Jaquob Crooke – fits the profile to become the successor in midfield with Thiago named as one of the most comparable players to the Foxes star according to FBref, with the pair sharing many similar attributes in their game this season.

Their similarities reside in their pass completion rate (84.5% v 86.6%), dribbles completed (53.8% v 60%) and tackles won (17 v 13), however, Tielemans has outperformed the Liverpool star in many areas too over the campaign so far.

The talented midfielder, who was valued as low as £25m earlier this year, has scored more goals (3 v 0), has a better shot-on-target rate (50% v 0%), boasts far more shot-creating actions (44 v 19) and wins more aerial duels (66.7% v 43.5%).

These numbers prove that he could well be a more complete midfielder than Thiago in terms of his versatility in attacking and defensive play.

With that being said, the opportunity to sign Tielemans, whether that be in January for a fee or in the summer when there will be no price tag attached, must not be missed by Liverpool as the 25-year-old could be the catalyst in transforming and improving the Merseysiders’ midfield.

A report has shared that Everton do not plan to spend big in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Relegation-threatened again

When the Goodison Park outfit survived by the skin of their teeth last season, finishing just four points and two places above the relegation zone, the Toffees supporters would have hoped and expected that they would kick on this term.

Instead, they find themselves relegation-threatened again, sitting in 17th spot and just one point above the drop, and to give them the best possible chance of surviving again, they may need to think about investing in January.

The Latest: No ‘big’ expenditure

As per Football Insider, the Merseyside club are not planning to spend ‘big’ in January despite their position in the league table.

Owner Farhad Moshiri is not willing to underwrite another expensive winter window overhaul, after spending nearly £70m in the summer on the likes of Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil and Neal Maupay.

The Blues hierarchy believe that Frank Lampard was ‘well-backed’ in the summer, which suggests that spending will be at a minimum in January.

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The Verdict: Worrying

The fact that Everton do not intend to spend big in January will come as very worrying news to Toffees supporters.

Their league position suggests that they need more reinforcements to strengthen the quality of the squad, while recent injuries picked up by Tom Davies, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Yerry Mina suggest that they may struggle with depth as well going into the second part of the season.

Nonetheless, Moshiri may need to rethink his original plan, and dig deep into his pockets once again in order to help get the Blues out of trouble.

Celtic have wasted no time over the World Cup break fine-tuning their squad ahead of 2023 with the Hoops aiming to continue a trend from earlier this year at Parkhead.

Indeed, the Hoops had a fine winter window last time out, with the likes of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley all being signed by Ange Postecoglou.

The trio have become key cogs in his squad and a year on, the Australian is looking to strengthen even further.

The 57-year-old coach has already sealed a deal to bring Yuki Kobayashi in at the start of 2023, but there is another move in the pipeline.

That just so happens to be another defender; Alistair Johnston.

The Canadian is currently in Qatar with his country for the World Cup and has already admitted that being linked with the Hoops is an “honour.”

While not explicitly suggesting he’d end up in Scotland next year, a move looks all but confirmed with a swoop “nearing completion” according to reporter Manuel Veth.

All it will take is for the final paperwork to be completed and then it looks as though he will be announced at Parkhead.

The transfer has rather come out of nowhere but it should be an exciting one with the right-back already impressing in Qatar over the last week.

Johnston played in Canada’s 1-0 defeat to Belgium with the aforementioned Veth claiming that he is “starring” already.

Having turned in a “blood and thunder performance” in the words of journalist Chris Smith, it was indicative of the type of player Celtic will be getting.

He is aggressive, loves a tackle and has a no-nonsense approach to the game.

In the words of the player himself, Johnston “loves” laying people out with that a nod to his days as an ice hockey player.

“Nothing gets me more excited [than] if I get clattered into by an opponent or I clatter into him and it’s clean and the guy starts pushing me back,” the 24-year-old once said.

Clearly a competent defender, he also impresses going forward with the Vancouver-born full-back, who can also play in the middle of the backline, ranking in some of the best percentiles around.

When compared to defenders in the world’s next eight best leagues outside of the big five, FB Ref ranks him in the best 1% for touches in the attacking third and expected assisted goals per 90 minutes.

Furthermore, he is also in the top 1% for key passes and passes into the penalty area, as well as the best 1% for shot-creating actions.

With that in mind, he looks like the perfect full-back. Indeed, his aggressive defensive style marries well with his relentless intent to get forward and join in with attacks.

As a result, he could be the ideal replacement for another World Cup defender; Josip Juranovic.

The Croatian only joined Celtic just over a year ago in the summer of 2021 but looks set to depart soon with the “outstanding” full-back, as dubbed by John Hartson, a player that the Bhoys are considering selling.

Therefore, the addition of Johnston may well mean that Postecoglou’s mind has already been made up when it comes to Juranovic.

He has been a valuable asset since arriving but has been limited significantly when it comes to playing time of late with the 27-year-old featuring just twice in the Premiership since September.

Evidently an expendable asset, binning Juranovic in January while bringing in Johnston certainly seems like a smart move.

West Ham United have set their sights on summer transfer target and Poland international Jakub Kiwior, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Moyes under pressure…

Irons head coach David Moyes is under a fair bit of pressure following a lacklustre start to the Premier League season despite significant financial backing.

West Ham spent £157m in the summer transfer window, including a club-record deal to sign Brazil sensation Lucas Paqueta, yet they find themselves a lowly 16th in the top flight standings.

Moyes’ side have also won just four games out of their opening 15 in the league, a record which will undoubtedly concern GSB heading into 2023.

The Latest: West Ham set sights on Kiwior…

The January market could provide a remedy to West Ham’s ills and potentially strengthen Moyes’ options mid-season.

According to La Nazione, 2022 World Cup ace Kiwior – who plays for Spezia at club level – is ‘in the sights’ of ‘big clubs’, a list which includes West Ham, Milan, Napoli, Roma and Juventus.

It’s added that the east Londoners made a bid for the defender last summer which was rejected, and if they are to return again, he could cost as much as €30m (£26m).

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The Verdict: Right target?

If West Ham want to shore up their backline, the very promising 22-year-old could a solid candidate.

Despite his young age, Kiwior is a mainstay for Spezia, having started every Serie A game for them before the World Cup break.

The same applies for the ongoing tournament in Qatar, with the youngster playing the full 90 minutes in both of Poland’s group games so far, in which they have yet to concede a goal.

He appears to be a crucial player for club and country, as evident by his defensive statistics, with the starlet averaging more interceptions per 90 than any of his Spezia team-mates.

It’s hard not to think that signing Kiwior could make West Ham a more solid outfit, in turn helping to guide them away from relegation waters.

Nottingham Forest defender Loic Bade is set to leave the Premier League club in January, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Zero minutes played

The Frenchman put pen to paper on a season-long loan from Rennes over the summer, but has failed to make any kind of impact since his arrival at the City Ground.

The centre-back hasn’t yet played a single minute of football under Steve Cooper in any competition, and a fresh but rather strange update has now emerged detailing the reason why that is.

The Latest: Bade set for exit

According to French outlet Le Telegramme (via Sport Witness), Rennes are ‘cutting short’ Bade’s loan spell and will be ‘bringing him back’ in the New Year.

The Reds are believed to have had an agreement in place with the Ligue 1 outfit ‘since October’ that the 22-year-old could only play for one club this season, as this would enable him to ‘find a new destination’ in the winter.

Bade featured for Rennes before making the move, meaning that he’s been ‘stopped’ from having a chance in the Midlands so the Ligue 1 outfit can sell him elsewhere in January.

His parent club have already been working for ‘several weeks’ to find him another home.

The Verdict: Bizarre

Whilst Bade has previously been labelled an ‘elite talent’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the decision for him to leave Forest is undoubtedly the right one.

The 6 foot 2 colossus won’t be getting any game time between now and the upcoming transfer window so it’s better to get him off the books considering his lack of contribution.

Evangelos Marinakis signing Bade when he seemingly knew he wasn’t able to play is certainly unusual, but at least what seems like a boardroom mistake shouldn’t impact matters on the pitch given Cooper hasn’t been able to use the player anyway.