All posts by z3u9t.icu

Derby County are interested in a deal to bring Tom Carroll to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Derby Telegraph, who claim that the former Queens Park Rangers midfielder has started training with Wayne Rooney’s side, and could feature in the club’s pre-season friendly against Salford City on Saturday.

The news comes after the EFL granted Derby permission to sign up to five out of contract players in the summer transfer window, although the Championship side still remain under a transfer embargo.

Finally, the report states that the Rams currently have Phil Jagielka, Ravel Morrison, Curtis Davies, Andre Wisdom, Sone Aluko, Sam Baldock, Richard Stearman and Ryan Allsop training with the first team, all of whom are playing for a contract ahead of next season.

Carroll could finally replace Johnson

While a knee injury saw Carroll sidelined for the second half of last season, the 29-year-old nevertheless demonstrated in his time at QPR that he would prove an extremely useful addition to Wayne Rooney’s Derby side ahead of next season.

Indeed, over his 22 Championship appearances for the Rs last term, the £1.62m-rated man provided one assist and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

The central midfielder also impressed in more typical metrics for his position, making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 0.7 clearances and winning 2.7 duels per match.

These returns saw the man Jamie Carragher dubbed an “outstanding” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74, with his performances leading to Mark Warburton trying to tie the 29-year-old down to a new deal at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, although he would ultimately reject the club’s advances.

Furthermore, it could be argued that, following Bradley Johnson’s departure from Pride Park in the summer of 2019, the Rams have failed to adequately replace the midfielder, something that the potential capture of Carroll could prove to resolve.

As such, as long as the former Tottenham Hotspur man can prove his fitness in training with the Rams, it would seem highly advisable for Rooney to do all he can to secure a deal for the midfielder this summer, with his signing very much appearing to be a welcome step in the right direction for the crisis-hit club.

In other news: John Percy drops Derby transfer claim on “frightening” 28 y/o ace, he’d be a huge coup

Wolves are reportedly in a race with some other clubs in the Premier League to sign Borna Barisic in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wolves need a left-back

Given that Rayan Ait-Nouri was only on loan at the Midlands club in the 2020/21 season, it is not guaranteed that they will be able to sign him on a permanent deal.

Therefore, the Molineux faithful must think about bringing in a new starting left-back to mark the new era under Bruno Lage.

The Latest: Wolves eye Barisic

As per Football Insider, the Wanderers, as well as Arsenal and Aston Villa, are eyeing a move for Barisic this summer.

A recruitment source has told the news outlet that WWFC talent spotters are set to watch the Rangers ace play at Euro 2020 for Croatia, and if he performs well, they may look to put in a bid for him.

The Verdict: Sign him

Assuming that Wolves are not able to sign Ait-Nouri permanently, then they must swoop for Barisic and beat their rivals in the top flight to his signature.

His international teammate Josip Brekalo recently hailed him as an ‘excellent’ and ‘high quality’ player (Glasgow Live), and at 28, he is still at a good age to make the step up from the Scottish Premiership.

Barisic was very important for the Gers both in their Scottish Premiership title win and in general throughout the last campaign, playing in no fewer than 50 games in total in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing a further 14 assists (Transfermarkt).

Signing a player with such attacking numbers from full-back would certainly be a smart piece of business from WWFC.

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Wanderers fuming here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has suggested that Valerien Ismael is a better fit for Crystal Palace than Steve Cooper.

Both the Barnsley and Swansea City managers have been linked with the Palace job, with Sky Sports reporting that they are currently being considered for the vacancy.

Meanwhile, Football Insider claims Palace director of football Dougie Freedman is pushing for 45-year-old Ismael to be brought in in particular.

This, of course, comes after it was announced that this will be Roy Hodgson’s final season in the Selhurst Park dugout.

It will now be interesting to see who replaces the 73-year-old. But if it is a toss up between Ismael and Cooper, Hendrie believes it should be the former.

He told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“If I was having a punt, I’d possibly go for Ismael because I just feel he’s one of those managers that will certainly get that little bit of bite at Palace, and I think he’d be one that would suit going in there if I’m being deadly honest.

“I think Steve Cooper likes a very sort of… I would say sexy style of football if I’m being quite honest with you, and I think Ismael is completely different. He likes the aggressive style, he likes to win his battles in those forward areas and then he likes to play football.

“So, certainly for me, I’d certainly have a punt on Ismael.”

Whoever comes in, they could have a big rebuild job on their hands. As things stand, the likes of Christian Benteke, Patrick van Aanholt and Mamadou Sakho, to name a few players, are set to leave the club as their contracts continue to run down.

Portsmouth must sanction a deal to sign Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to London News Online, Portsmouth have joined the race to sign Preston North End centre-forward Stockley following his loan spell with Charlton. The report claims that Pompey are keen on a deal for the 27-year-old and that they are set to compete with Charlton for his signature in the coming weeks.

Stockley is said to be pursuing a move to a club in the south as he prepares to leave Lancashire, with Charlton and Portsmouth both viable options in that regard. However, the Lancashire Post reported earlier this week that Stockley’s first choice for a permanent transfer this summer would be Charlton.

At-the-time Charlton boss Lee Bowyer labeled Stockley as a  “nightmare for defenders” earlier this season as he impressed on loan at The Valley. He told London News Online:

“If there is any positive to take from tonight, it’s Jayden’s performance.

“Balls that went up to him. Even balls that he shouldn’t even hold onto and keep, he keeps. He’s just a constant threat. Every time there’s a ball going into the box, you’re thinking, where is he? He must be a nightmare for defenders.

“Our midfielders getting around him, when he can’t score himself he’s always looking to tee up someone else. Four or five occasions, we had shots that came from his lay-offs and their defenders got good blocks on them. I thought Jayden was very good tonight.”

Could strike gold

Portsmouth could strike gold if they are able to secure a deal for Stockley this summer. The Preston man enjoyed a superb loan spell with Charlton and put himself in the shop window with a string of impressive displays under Bowyer and then Nigel Adkins in League One. Pompey have seemingly taken notice of his performances and now need to act quickly if they want to land him ahead of Charlton.

Stockley favours a switch to The Valley but he may not get to make the decision if Portsmouth are able to offer Preston a more attractive financial package than Charlton can. It will be down to Preston to decide whether or not Charlton make an acceptable offer and Portsmouth could throw their cards on the table with a bid to tempt them into selling him to Danny Cowley’s side.

The attacker provided Charlton with 10 goals and assists in 22 League One appearances, whilst John Marquis scored 16 goals in 41 games for Portsmouth in the league. This suggests that they are on a similar level in terms of goalscoring, but Stockley’s overall game could prove to be an upgrade on Marquis. Stockley averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.41 for Charlton, winning 9.8 aerial battles per game, whilst Marquis averaged an unimpressive score – in comparison – of 6.79 and he only won 2.7 aerial battles per game.

Therefore, Stockley could be an improvement on Marquis. However, Cowley could also opt to play both of them and look to go direct to hurt teams next season. Marquis and Stockley are both proven goalscorers at League One level and their firepower at the top end of the pitch could improve Portsmouth’s chances of securing promotion to the Championship.

AND in the other news, Pompey must complete swoop for “dangerous” £18k-p/w dynamo…

Former Rangers defender Michael Ball insists that losing Glen Kamara would be a bitter blow for the Scottish club this summer.

Kamara is currently playing for Finland at Euro 2020, playing 90 minutes against both Denmark and Russia.

Finland won the first game 1-0 in horrifying circumstances following the collapse of Christian Eriksen, while they were beaten 1-0 in the latter.

Kamara has been a key man for Rangers since his arrival in 2018/19 and has made a total of 106 appearances for the club.

But he has been linked with a move away this summer, with Watford linked with an interest following their promotion to the Premier League from the Championship.

Kamara is valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt but Ball insists that Rangers will want a big fee to let him go if the Hornets decide to formalise their interest with a bid ahead of their return to the top flight.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Glen, a defensive midfielder, they don’t usually get the news of the strikers and the wingers but we always know that these guys do make the team tick so it would be a very important loss.

“Rangers, I’m not sure where they are financially so they probably will find it difficult to turn bids down but they will be demanding big fees for these players.”

West Ham United have reportedly made an approach to bring Aaron Ramsey back to the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, who claim the Irons have ‘timidly tested’ the waters over a potential swoop for the Juventus midfielder.

It is thought that the Serie A giants have put the 31-year-old up for sale as he has struggled to cement a role under both Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo in the past two years.

The Hammers may have to fork out £15m as well as his £150k-per-week wages (€7m-per-year).

European pedigree

And splash out they should.

Under David Moyes, the East Londoners are heading towards an exciting new era at the club.

Having narrowly survived the threat of relegation with one game to spare last season, West Ham have qualified for a place in Europe next season and one more point against Southampton on the final day will seal a spot in the Europa League rather than the Conference League.

It is players like Ramsey that can help the Irons elevate onto that next level, given his vast experience and quality over several years at the top of the Premier League and Serie A.

He has racked up 76 appearances across both of the current European competitions over the course of his career, a feat that no one on barring Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard could potentially match in the current squad.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-and-the-latest-gossip” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!”]

One of his best qualities is the ability to provide goals from midfield, something he most notably achieved during the 2013/14 campaign, where he found. the net 16 times in just 34 matches.

It is something he has regularly done throughout his career, but particularly in the English top-flight, where he has scored a total of 40 times, as per Transfermarkt.

His classy performances in North London earned a glowing endorsement from ex-Arsenal star Martin Keown in 2019.

“He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team,” he said on BT Sport (via the Daily Mail). “Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything they do. It’s the energy – the box to box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

The Welsh international could also be a great fit under Moyes, according to Steve Howey, who waxed lyrical during an exclusive interview with the Transfer Tavern. “I think it would suit him, it’s London. I can’t see him coming up north, if I’m being brutally honest. I think that could be a good one.”

Also hailed as a “complete” player and once dubbed “the best-attacking midfielder in the Premier League” by Steven Gerrard, David Sullivan and co. must sanction a move for the £18m-rated beast this summer.

He could be a much-needed piece of the puzzle when their European campaign kicks in later this year.

AND in other news, Moyes could secure his own Aubameyang in £22m West Ham swoop for 27 G/A “huge talent”…

Many Sunderland fans have been waxing lyrical about Josh Hawkes after he scored once again for the club’s under-23 side.

The Black Cats youngsters were in action against Reading on Monday, with Hawkes selected in the starting line-up. It didn’t take him long to have an impact on the match, first providing the assist for Dan Neil to score the opener before putting Sunderland back in front before 20 minutes were even on the clock.

Hawkes has been in stunning form in Premier League 2, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists in 18 matches in the competition (Transfermarkt). The result means the Wearside outfit are up to sixth place in Group Two with two matches remaining (FlashScore) – promotion to Group One is not out of the equation.

Sunderland’s official Twitter account provided updates of the match, and many of the club’s fans were delighted with Hawkes’ crucial involvements. One called for him to be partnered with the prolific Charlie Wyke in Lee Johnson’s first team, while another dubbed him a “lower league Lampard” in reference to the former Chelsea maestro, who also had a reputation for scoring regularly from midfield.

These Black Cats fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the 22-year-old.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Hawkes below

“Lower League Lampard.”

Credit: @RoGairReport

“Get him in the first team”

Credit: @PazzaSAFC

“He’s on another level @LeeJohnsonCoach get him in the first team.”

Credit: @bamgboyeolu

“Stick him beside Wyke I beg”

Credit: @MannixKnows

“This guy is on another level. Get him in first team”

Credit: @JoeMcNa36001719

“Surely has to be in the first team banging them in every week”

Credit: @JaiOliver5

In other news, many Sunderland fans reacted to this statement from the club.

This season has been one shrouded with negativity and setbacks for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Hopes of securing European football have been left in the dust and they look the shadow of a team that have been crafted so astutely by Nuno Santo in the last few years.

The Portuguese coach has taken them from a middling Championship side to one regularly in the top half of the Premier League.

Thankfully, it feels like Wolves know they’ve got things wrong in the last year. Speaking ahead of their clash with West Brom, Nuno admitted that better planning needed to take place in terms of recruitment.

With that in mind, there is a sense that Wolves will make greater decisions in the upcoming transfer window.

Signing another striker should be near the top of their agenda. After all, it would be a surprise if they brought Willian Jose back to Molineux following one goal in the last four months.

One option is Tammy Abraham. The Chelsea forward isn’tt getting enough game time at Stamford Bridge and is now being chased by the Old Gold and Aston Villa.

Abraham is a vibrant young forward and despite his lack of minutes, has still racked up 30 goals for the Blues throughout his time in West London.

When he’s found regular action, he’s been devastating. He scored 49 goals in two Championship campaigns with Bristol City and Aston Villa while he is Chelsea’s top scorer in the last 18 months.

Pivotal, however, is the way he could act as a replacement for Raul Jimenez. Described as a “phenomenal” player by Alex McLeish, Abraham’s tall frame and ability to bring others into play is perfect for Wolves.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-news-and-views-lingard-leao-jimenez-mir” title= “Read the latest Wolves news and views!”]

It could also be game-changing for a certain Pedro Neto. With Jimenez missing since November while he recovers from a fractured skull, the Portugal sensation has missed a focal point and somebody to link the play with.

Neto has still managed a sublime campaign and is Wolves’ top scorer on five goals. He is also their chief creator on six assists.

That said, without a free-scoring striker next to him, his numbers aren’t as impressive as they should be.

You only need to look at the relationship that Jimenez and Diogo Jota had together when they both played for Wolves.

A classic little and large combination, no player has contributed to more of the Mexican’s goals at Molineux. When they played alongside each other, they had a joint goal participation of 17, five more than the next best in Adama Traore.

They worked beautifully in tandem and Nuno could recreate that by signing Abraham and playing him in a two-prong attack with Neto.

It would be perfect for Wolves given how successful Jota and Jimenez were as a pairing.

AND in other news, Move over Podence: Wolves must swoop for £80k-p/w brute with “breathtaking technique”…

Southampton’s former vice-chairman Les Reed has revealed the reason behind Wesley Hoedt’s failure at the club in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Saints paid £15m to sign Hoedt from Serie A club Lazio in 2017, with the Netherlands international signing a five-year contract at St Mary’s.

At the time, Reed said that the defender was “one of the most promising young defenders in Europe” but he struggled to make a real impact on the south coast.

Hoedt made 45 appearances for Saints in total, making 23 appearances under Mark Hughes and 22 under Mauricio Pellegrino.

He never played a single minute under the management of Ralph Hasenhuttl and he is now back in Serie A, playing for Lazio on loan, the club from whom he joined the Saints.

Reed felt that the deal was a good one when he arrived at the club, but that a mistake early in his Saints spell ultimately destroyed his confidence.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “Wesley was on our radar in Ronald’s reign, although we bought him in Puel’s reign because Ronald wanted a left-sided centre-half and we didn’t have one. And he was playing for Lazio in the Champions League and was in the Dutch national team.

“At the day of purchase, he was a good buy.

“But having got in the building, Claude, who wanted a left-sided centre-half because of the way he wanted to play, he did make an incredible error that led to a defeat, and that was it, wiped off. Destroyed the player’s confidence and then it gets very difficult to pull that back.”

As confirmed by the club, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has penned a two-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium – with the Belgian’s new and improved deal lasting until 2025.

De Bruyne, who has been a revelation for City since signing from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015, has now committed his long term future to the club in a big announcement.

The Belgian has been a crucial player under Pep Guardiola in particular, winning the PFA Player of the Year award last season after a phenomenal 2019/2020 campaign where he bagged 20 assists and 13 goals from midfield in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).

As this news emerges, it’s little wonder one Sky Blues supporter called the announcement ‘amazing’ – with De Bruyne also playing a key role this campaign as City remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.

Find all for their best verdicts on the star midfielder signing a new and improved deal down below.

Man City fans go wild for De Bruyne news

“This is genuinely massive!

Yes it was never in doubt & he’s the key to which Manchester City are based around, but having Kevin De Bruyne basically finish his career here? Just amazing news for us all”

Credit: @olicoulsxn

“Maaaaaaaaate! This is massive! We are massive!”

Credit: @KonigFred_

“YESSSSSSS”

Credit: @la_tarrant

“HOLD ME”

Credit: @KDBseason

“OMG YOU WAITED TO ANNOUNCE IT AFTER HE DROPPED A MASTERCLASS IN THE UCL”

Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74

“AMAZING. LOVE YOU

@DeBruyneKev”

Credit: @StevenMcinerney

“This is wonderful news to us. You ginger beauty. Keep going.”

Credit: @Esther78278157

“Wonderful!, brilliant!, marvellous!, fantastic news!!!!!!!! Ohhhhh Kevin De Bruyne”

Credit: @BJ04089586

In other news: Man City fans also want this ‘amazing signing’ after reports, find out more here.