All posts by z3u9t.icu

[ad_pod ]Notts County confirmed the signing of Michael Doyle from Coventry City on Transfer Deadline Day.

The 37-year-old midfielder arrives at Meadow Lane with the Magpies mired at the foot of the League Two table. Neal Ardley will be hoping that the veteran’s experience and leadership can help his side claw their way to survival before the end of the campaign.Â

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

Doyle certainly brings plenty of experience to the table, having spent much of his career at Championship level. He also brings quality though, and he’ll provide an extra level of calmness and tenacity to the middle of the park for Notts County.

Doyle is something of a Coventry legend, and the leadership he showed at the Ricoh Arena is something that’s been missing at Meadow Park. Ardley will be looking to Doyle to rally his side and restore some confidence in the dressing room, as it’ll be needed if Notts County are to succeed in escaping the drop out of the Football League.

After Doyle’s signing was made official, plenty of County fans took to Twitter to celebrate…

Leeds United will be ‘desperate’ for this season to come to an end after an endless string of injuries, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Season to forget

The Whites enjoyed a brilliant first year back in the Premier League, finishing ninth, but the 2021/22 campaign has undoubtedly been one to forget.

Leeds find themselves in a relegation battle as we head towards April, with their safety far from secured and ongoing injury problems continuing to hold them back.

Since August, they have been without a host of key names at various points, whether it be Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips or Patrick Bamford, to name just a few.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: O’Rourke makes key claim

Speaking to Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke claimed that Andrea Radrizzani, Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch will be ‘desperate’ for this season to finish before drawing a line under it:

“The injuries do pile up and they do count against you come the end of season and for Leeds, they’ll just be desperate for this season to end and to ensure they’re still in the Premier League.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-40/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Just avoid relegation now

O’Rourke’s assessment is spot on, in truth, with the campaign feeling increasingly tiresome for fans as the weeks and months have passed, with injuries holding them back but performances also proving to be poor at times.

The goal between now and May shouldn’t be playing good football, but instead simply remaining in the Premier League under Marsch, prior to rebuilding in the summer.

They have to just get the job done even if it’s in an ugly fashion, as was the case in the recent dramatic late wins against Norwich City and Wolves, before resetting ahead of 2022/23.

In other news, Phil Hay has discussed Leeds’ interest in one player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United suffered yet another early exit from a domestic cup competition after they were beaten by West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side will have to do it all again next weekend when the two sides face each other in the Premier League and the Argentine head coach may want to reconsider his team selection.

Several of his key first-team stars badly let him down in the capital, amongst the few academy prospects that made the starting lineup.

Goals from Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen wrapped up the victory for the home side.

The Whites edged the possession but failed to convert their dominance with the ball, registering only two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes. Some of the fault must therefore lie with Bielsa’s attackers.

Jack Harrison was particularly underwhelming and he could not kick on from his strike against Burnley last weekend.

LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross slammed the 25-year-old and graded him as the visitors’ joint lowest-rated performer in his post-match ratings column.

‘The Leeds attack never seem to be firing for any length of time. Harrison among those who had little impact on the match. 4,’ he wrote.

Indeed, the £13.5m-rated dynamo struggled to assert any sort of influence in the final third – as per SofaScore, Harrison managed just one shot off target, whilst he managed only 45 touches – some six touches fewer than goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

From his possession, he lost the ball 12 times – once every nearly four touches – and he was also very lightweight, winning just one duel from seven (14%).

Elsewhere, he missed one big chance and only 50% of his dribbling attempts were successful, which further suggests his struggles up against the Irons’ young full-back, Ben Johnson.

Earning around £60k-per-week at Elland Road, you’d expect more from Harrison, especially considering he was one of the more experienced members of this attack.

He badly let Bielsa down on the day and his place is surely at risk heading into next weekend’s clash.

AND in other news, Leeds eye bargain swoop for 71-cap “technician”, he could be Bielsa’s new Hernandez…

Fabrizio Romano has delivered an encouraging update on Harry Kane’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur…

What’s the word?

The renowned Italian transfer expert dropped a fresh behind-the-scenes claim about the 28-year-old on a recent episode of his ‘Here We Go’ podcast this week.

“I want to say that Harry Kane, now with Antonio Conte, is super happy, he’s super happy,” he revealed.

“A lot of rumours, but I don’t see him leaving in January – let’s see what happens in the summer. But the relationship with Conte is very good, they feel each other as important for the future of the project.

“So Harry Kane knows that if Tottenham will be back for Champions League football, Antonio Conte is the man to do it. And Harry Kane knows that now with this manager, this is the plan for Tottenham: to win and to be back in Champions League football.

“And Antonio Conte loves Harry Kane, as he always says in public and he told him in private many times, ‘you will be my striker’. So this is the message from Conte and he wants Kane to stay for the future.”

His form must return

The England international was at the centre of one of the summer transfer window’s biggest sagas as a move to Premier League champions Manchester City looked to be on the cards following Euro 2020.

However, the switch failed to materialise and Kane has just not looked the same since.

He has found the net just twice in the Premier League this season, with six of his nine goals across other competitions coming against lowly opposition in the Europa Conference League.

Perhaps surprisingly, Kane has been linked with an exit once again heading into next month as reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid are keen, whilst Pep Guardiola retains interest from the summer.

But that has been refuted by Romano in his claims above and that should delight the Spurs boss heading into a crucial second half of the season.

The Italian head coach must get his leading striker firing on all cylinders once again and it is hugely encouraging to learn that the Englishman is actually “super happy” at the club, so surely the form will follow if his mind is in the right place now.

Spurs have a genuine shot at making the top four this season as the north London outfit occupy seventh place, just five points adrift of the benchmark with three games in hand.

Elsewhere, Conte’s side have advanced into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, so there’s once again a real chance at ending their barren run without silverware.

The 52-year-old needs Kane, so this latest behind-the-scenes development should leave him, and the Lilywhites faithful, absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, Forget Bergwijn: £36m-rated Spurs “monster” with 76 touches ran the show vs West Ham…

Taking to Twitter, a number of West Ham fans have slammed the rumours suggesting that Andy Carroll could return to the club, following the news that he was pictured at the Hammers’ Rush Green training ground.

Shared by WestHamFans.org (via Claret & Hugh), images of former Hammers player Carroll at West Ham’s training ground have recently emerged, sparking rumours that he could be making a shock return to the club.

The 6 foot 3 striker made 142 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 34 goals during his tenure at the East London side.

In November last year, the 32-year-old joined Reading on a short-term contract. However, this contract has now expired, and the former Newcastle man is without a club. As a result, it remains to be seen what lies in the player’s imminent footballing future.

These West Ham fans react to the Carroll news

Club insider ExWHUemployee downplayed the rumours of Carroll’s return on Twitter, claiming that he has ‘been told the deal isn’t on’, further stating that he was ‘not sure why this Carroll rumour has so much legs’.

However, this still doesn’t explain why the player was pictured at the club’s training ground.

Consequently, fans flocked to the comments to share their disbelief, many slamming the club for entertaining such a prospect.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

“It’s baffling he is playing in the championship for a reason IMO even if we were in the bottom 4 it’s the wrong move and there are better options out there.”

Credit: @AshBarton70

“Don’t need to sign him ( we do need a striker). That’s a step backwards for us . Leave him in our history & move on .”

Credit: @SkeltonTony

“We’re desperate. That’s why hahahahaha”

Credit: @breggertelli

“Think it’s more about just how low our expectations still are!”

Credit: @richards_shaun

“Would be my last day as a West Ham fan”

Credit: @altgram

“Why on earth would they even consider it, are our fans deluded or something???”

Credit: @BKhammer1

Newcastle United look set to pip Manchester United in the race to sign Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier, as per Football Insights.

The Lowdown: Trippier in demand…

Trippier, who has been with the Spanish giants since 2019, is thought to be open to a Premier League return.

He was first linked with a move to Newcastle shortly before Eddie Howe’s arrival. Reports then claimed that Howe wanted to make the right-back his first January signing, with Manchester United also interested.

Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Everton are also willing to make a move, but it seems as if a move to Tyneside has been finalised.

The Latest: PIF’s first signing

The Mag relayed a claim from Football Insights, who suggested that Trippier is set to become PIF’s first signing after taking over at St James’ Park.

Football Insights’ Twitter post on Monday evening believes that a move is ‘all done’, with more information set to come out ‘in the next day or two’.

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Howe will know exactly what Trippier would bring to his side, with the 31-year-old making 61 appearances in total under him at Burnley, scoring four goals and registering 11 assists in all competitions over two seasons in Lancashire (Transfermarkt).

The Magpies also have just two right-backs on the books compared to three left-backs, so adding Trippier to his squad would balance thatt out nicely, and it seems as if Howe is going to get his wish.

The England defender has plenty of international experience and helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title last season, so securing his signature seems to be a good starting point as Howe looks to lift Newcastle out of the Premier League relegation zone over the coming months.

In other news: ‘Seriously interested’ – Fabrizio Romano has revealed PIF’s ‘top’ Newcastle target

West Ham United saw the departure of one of their promising academy starlets this week but David Moyes should not be worried thanks to the array of exciting attacking talent coming through the system right now…

What’s the word?

According to the BBC, Championship outfit Peterborough United have signed 19-year-old striker Kai Corbett for an “undisclosed fee” on a “long-term deal.”

The teenager never made an appearance for the senior side but featured twice for the U-21s in the EFL Trophy last season.

Forget Corbett

He can easily be forgotten as it’s 17-year-old Sonny Perkins who is pulling up trees, both at Chadwell Heath and on the international stage.

Some around the club believe he could well be the next player to follow in Declan Rice’s footsteps, as once revealed by Irons insider ExWHUemployee.

“One thing to also pay attention to is a West Ham youngster called Sonny Perkins,” he told his ‘The West Ham Way podcast last month.

“This is someone I’ve spoken about on the podcast before as a talent, and he’s really beginning to stand out now at academy level, really getting rave reviews.

“Obviously performing on the international stage as well for his age, and he is one to keep an eye on. From what I’ve heard in the academy circles, he could be the next Declan Rice. So just keep your eye out for his progression within the next few years.”

The Hammers prospect recently broke into the club’s U23 squad, despite only being a second-year scholar, whilst he made his debut for the England under-18s just this autumn.

Across 13 appearances this season, including the Premier League 2, he has found the net eight times, averaging a goal every 120 minutes, via Transfermarkt. That is a very respectable record for any forward.

“Sometimes you forget that Sonny Perkins is only a youth team player,” ex-U23 head coach Dmitri Halajko claimed. “He could play the age group below if we wanted him to, but to get two goals at this level against a team like Liverpool as a youth team player is some achievement.”

Meanwhile, Create Talent coach Harry Brooks waxed lyrical about the teenager on social media earlier this week, claiming that he is “one of my favourite players to work with.”

“Sonny Perkins goal for England vs Netherlands… so so good. This kid is going right to the top,” he also said.

In Perkins, Moyes could have a real star of the future, so if he keeps this form up, then it’s only a matter of time before we see him involved in the senior setup in some form. Indeed, the Scotsman has regularly handed out debuts in the domestic cup competitions.

Forget Corbett, it’s Perkins who could set the London Stadium alight for many, many years to come.

AND in other news, Forget Vlasic: West Ham could finally secure perfect Lingard alternative in “god-given” talent…

Sky Sports man Rob Dorsett has now revealed the latest on the future of Frank Lampard at Everton.

The Lowdown: Under pressure

After the 3-2 loss away at Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night, Lampard is now a man seriously under pressure at Goodison Park.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-4/” title=”Everton news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

That was his perilously above the relegation zone.

Nonetheless, the board now have a big decision to make over whether to stick with Lampard or bring in someone new to get them out of trouble.

The Latest: Lampard update

Taking to Twitter, Dorsett has now dropped an update on Lampard’s future in Merseyside, revealing that the board are not looking to change manager at this moment in time:

“Real concern in Efc board, I’m told, but feeling is changing manager won’t solve problems right now.

“That’s not to say Lampard safe for rest of season.

“Relegation could be massive for Everton, with few players in squad on contracts that auto-reduce if in Championship.”

The Verdict: Keep the faith

The Toffees simply need to keep the faith with Lampard for now as they cannot afford to chop and change again and have so much uncertainty around going into the last few matches of the season.

While Lampard has lost eight times, and they sit just above the drop zone, they have not sunk into the bottom three yet, and so staying up is still in their hands.

However, the former Chelsea and Derby County boss will need a reaction at home to Manchester United at Saturday lunchtime, or things could really start to get ugly.

In other news, find out what ‘massive’ Blues claim this injury expert has now dropped here!

 An update has emerged on Rangers’ search to bring in a new centre-back to Ibrox in January…

What’s the talk?

According to Dutch outlet de Gelderlander, the Gers are keeping tabs on Vitesse Arnhem defender Danilho Doekhi as they consider a swoop this month.

The report claims that Napoli and Dinamo Zagreb are also in for his signature, with the enforcer potentially available now as his contract with the Eredivisie club expires at the end of the season.

Bye-bye Goldson

Giovanni van Bronckhorst could find his dream replacement for Connor Goldson by sealing a deal for Doekhi in the January window.

The 29-year-old’s contract is up in the summer and he could be set to leave Ibrox on a free transfer, leaving behind a big hole to fill at centre-back. The ex-Brighton defender has been crucial to the club’s recent success, starting 52 matches in the Premiership since the beginning of last season, but he has been linked with an exit from the Light Blues in recent weeks.

In Doekhi, Rangers could sign a player to come in and take his place. The 23-year-old has averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.01 for Vitesse this term, making 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game an winning 65% of his individual duels.

His manager Thomas Letsch hailed the defender’s talents earlier this year, saying: “Danilho is extremely important. He is one of the best center-backs of the Eredivisie.

“Of course there is more talk about Oussama Tannane, Riechedly Bazoer and the attacking players. But it is very important for the team that you are stable and prevent goals. Everyone is responsible for that, but Doekhi, Jacob Rasmussen and also Tomas Hajek do a super job.

“He already played fantastic last year and this season he has performed at the highest level in every game. Danilho makes almost no mistakes and is an absolute team player, a very calm player. flat developed. He coaches other players very well. He is calmer than other players and perhaps that makes him less noticeable, but he is the reserve captain for a reason.”

At the age of 23, Doekhi also has plenty of room left to develop. This means that Van Bronckhorst can coach him into being perfect for his system at Ibrox and potentially improve his value, making him an asset on the pitch straight away and financially further down the line for the club.

Therefore, he could be a dream replacement for Goldson, as he is currently impressing in the Dutch top flight and has the potential to improve further. It is now down to Ross Wilson and the ex-Feyenoord boss to convince him to make the switch to Scotland and become the 46-year-old’s first signing since taking the managerial reins at Ibrox.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst heading for first Rangers disaster as big £5m update drops, it’ll infuriate the fans…

New Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst made a ‘catastrophic error of judgement’ in choosing to watch their Scottish League Cup semifinal defeat from the stands. 

That’s according to The Daily Record’s Keith Jackson, writing in his Monday column.

The lowdown

The Van Bronckhorst era got off to a pretty disastrous start on Sunday as his new club fell to defeat against Hibernian at Hampden Park. The Gers found themselves three goals down inside the first 40 minutes, and Scott Arfield’s goal failed to ignite a comeback.

Van Bronckhorst, whose appointment had been confirmed on Thursday, was sat alongside sporting director Ross Wilson in the rafters rather than in the dugout. That’s despite the fact his work permit had reportedly gone through, which means that he could have taken full charge at the weekend.

The latest

Jackson was scathing in his criticism of the new Rangers boss after, in his eyes, he refused to carry out his ‘responsibilities’.

The journalist wrote: “This was not just a catastrophic error of judgement for Van Bronckhorst who made himself look weak by choosing to watch on from the main stand, it was a shirking of responsibilities on an industrial scale.”

The verdict

Only time will tell whether this was a significant misstep. It may have cost Rangers a place in the Scottish League Cup final, yes, but what kind of response can Van Bronckhorst muster?

With the Gers sitting third in their Europa League group on four points, Thursday’s Ibrox clash with Sparta Prague looks like a must-win if they are to progress to the knockout stage. If they do get those three important points, then you might feel that the cloud hanging over the club – amid growing fears that last season’s success may have been a one-off – will at least partially be lifted.

Put it this way, Van Bronckhorst’s seating arrangements last Sunday will be long forgiven and forgotten if the Gers retain their Premiership title.

In other news, many Rangers fans were excited by this development.