All posts by z3u9t.icu

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

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left buzzing over an ExWHUemployee update involving forward and target Jesse Lingard.

The Manchester United ace, who was heavily courted by West Ham in the summer, opted to remain at Old Trafford in a bid to fight for his place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, as Lingard’s minutes fail to rack up, murmurs have started to emerge again regarding his future and there is a consensus that West Ham could make another move in January.

According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, the Irons could reignite their interest mid-season and make a move for Lingard during the winter window.

It is even thought that he would be interested in joining West Ham and Lingard’s own brother has made it clear he enjoyed his time at the club and misses it there.

Flocking to this update on the 28-year-old, it’s safe to say lots of supporters are excited at the prospect of re-signing Lingard and it’s little wonder given his phenomenal loan spell at the London Stadium last year.

If David Moyes is to maintain West Ham’s fantastic 2021/2022 season run, signing the England international in January could be a big move if they can get it done.

West Ham fans erupt over Lingard update…

“crying”

Credit: @petersweterr

“We’re going for the title”

Credit: @Callumfitzer_

“The band could be getting back together!! Woohoo!!”

Credit: @mattdcrane82

“love that”

Credit: @td_ldn

“Yes please”

Credit: @Lord_Irons

“It would be a great signing!!”

Credit: @PJ_10_Cricket

“I would take him tomorrow!”

Credit: @WestHamSteven

“Let’s hope it happens”

Credit: @The_Scotty

In other news: ‘Don’t gas me’, ‘Announce the title’…ExWHUemployee’s ‘exciting’ news has many West Ham fans talking, find out more here.

Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze was in contention to be called up to Gareth Southgate’s standby list for the European Championship over the summer, according to Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: Impressive debut season

Eze caught the eye of many Premier League clubs after scoring 14 goals and setting up another eight for QPR in the 2019/20 season and Palace won the fight to sign him as they paid just under £20m for him last summer.

The 23-year-old was involved in 10 goals in 34 appearances in his debut Premier League season, but it was curtained in the worst possible manner as he injured his Achilles in training with only two games remaining at the end of the campaign.

He hasn’t featured yet this season under Patrick Vieira, but he will be hoping to continue his impressive start to life in the Premier League when he fully recovers from that setback.

The Latest: England call-up was in the pipeline

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Bridge has made an astonishing claim about Eze and Southgate’s squad prior to Euro 2020 this summer, saying that the £18m-rated maestro was on the fringes of getting the call-up for the Three Lions for the tournament.

The Sky Sports journalist said: “Eze, I was told was potentially going to be on the England standby list for the Euros, the way he was playing.”

The Verdict: Still on the cards

Eze’s performances last season were often the shining light in a dreary campaign for Palace. His transition from the Championship to the Premier League seemed to be easy and his four goals and six assists were influential in Roy Hodgson keeping them up in his final year in charge.

With Wilfried Zaha and now Michael Olise in Vieira’s squad, Palace seem to be on the up with their attacking, high-pressing football and it could suit Eze perfectly. If he can come back and rediscover the goal contribution returns he produced prior to his injury, then a call-up to Southgate’s squad won’t be too far away.

With the 2022 World Cup still more than a year away, Eze has time to recover, get back into the Eagles’ XI and do all he can to be potentially called up to represent his nation on the biggest stage. It would be just reward after so cruelly being deprived of partaking in England’s Euro 2020 adventure.

In other news, a rumour linking this Premier League midfielder to Palace has one pundit puzzled. Find out more here.

Celtic have made contact with Jeando Fuchs regarding a deal to bring the 24-year-old to Parkhead.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with French media outlet Foot Mercato, the Dundee United midfielder revealed that he is considering his options before making a concrete decision on his future at Tannadice, with the Cameroon international’s contract at the Premiership side set to expire at the end of the season.

Fuchs went on to claim that a number of clubs have already made contact with him regarding a potential switch next summer, including the likes of Celtic, Rangers, VfB Stuttgart, a plethora of EFL clubs and an unnamed Premier League side.

Regarding the interest in his services, the midfielder said: “I am at the end of my contract in May. I’m waiting to see something concrete and see if I have a choice to make at that time. I am not in a hurry.

“There has been contact with Blackpool, Peterborough and Wigan. Stuttgart have taken information since the summer. There has been contact from Celtic and Rangers as well, but nothing more. A Premier League club as well. England would be good.”

Disaster

While there are undeniable traits in Fuchs’ game that would suggest the defensively-minded midfielder is a very decent player in the middle of the park, whether or not the 24-year-old is up to the standard required to be a starter for Celtic is another matter altogether.

Indeed, over his 15 Premiership appearances so far this season, the £720k-rated man has made an average of two interceptions – the joint-highest in the league – 2.3 tackles – the joint eighth-most in the division – and won an impressive 5.8 duels per game.

However, the £3.1k-per-week midfielder’s passing – something that is an incredibly important factor in the way Ange Postecoglou likes his side to play – leaves a lot to be desired, with Fuchs completing a mere 20.9 passes – with a success rate of just 71% – per fixture.

It is more than likely this shortcoming that has contributed to the former Deportivo Alaves player averaging a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.74, ranking him as Thomas Courts’ 13th-best performer in the top flight of Scottish football.

As such, considering the options that Celtic currently have in his position, such as Ismaila Soro, Nir Bitton, Liam Shaw and James McCarthy, it would very much appear as if signing the man who the Dundee United boss dubbed a “top player” would be something of a disaster for Postecoglou, as the Cameroonian would not seem to be much of an upgrade – if any – on the current crop at Parkhead.

In other news: Ange can save millions with “Roy of the Rovers” who’s got a “big future at Celtic”

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are absolutely delighted with comments from Alfredo Morelos after the Gers confirmed their status as Premiership champions.

The celebrations are in full flow in Glasgow after the Gers picked up their 55th league title over the weekend. They didn’t even need to do it themselves on Sunday as Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United was enough to get them over the line. In truth, this has been a formality for weeks, if not months, and there are still six league matches to play this season (BBC).

After the confirmation, the Gers’ media team were working around the clock to speak to as many people associated with this triumph as possible. £10.8m-valued Colombia international Morelos rarely gives interviews, but he spoke after the title was confirmed to share his delight.

These Gers supporters were absolutely delighted to see him speak, and they took to social media to share their thoughts on the 24-year-old’s words after they were shared on the 55-time Scottish champions’ official Twitter account.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Morelos below

“WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IT”

Credit: @SirFlanno

“I love you never leave”

Credit: @efan1872

“Cheers Rangers, that’s me greeting again”

Credit: @Razged1990

“The tweet that broke me for the 10000th time today”

Credit: @cee_geri

“Too much bro. Losing my mind here.”

Credit: @ChrisMillington

“here’s what we’ve all been waiting for”

Credit: @stuart723

In other news, one talkSPORT pundit says Rangers are just a “stepping stone” for this Gers man.

Former Nottingham Forest striker Marlon Harewood has suggested that his old side will struggle to keep hold of Joe Worrall this summer in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Worrall has been linked to teams in the Premier League, with both West Brom and Burnley said to be interested in the 24-year-old.

Despite finishing the game on the losing side, Worrall was praised by some Forest supporters for his defensive performance against Watford as he demonstrated his importance to boss Chris Hughton.

Hughton, however, may not have Worrall to call upon for much longer, that is according to Harewood. Speaking on the player’s future, the ex-Premier League forward exclusively told FFC:

“He’s one of them players that is going to attract a lot of interest from other people, and it’s going to be one of them where Forest are going to struggle to keep hold of him because there’s going to be a lot of top-flight clubs interested.

“Hopefully they’ll be able to keep all their players, but I can’t see it because obviously this year was a promotion battle, but it hasn’t really gone that way. So I think next year they’ll have to rethink all their structure and I think Worrall will be one that will be leaving the club.”

Harewood ended by saying: “I don’t want him to [go], but he’s one of them players that Forest will need to let go to gain some money in to try and revitalise the team again.”

Links to Burnley come as no surprise, with the Lancashire club also facing the possibility of losing one of their central defenders this summer.

James Tarkowski, who was a target for West Ham at the start of the season, will be a free agent in 2022, meaning Burnley could look to cash in in the next transfer window.

Should that happen, with Leicester City having also been credited with an interest in the England international in the past, Sean Dyche moving for Worrall looks a real possibility in what would be a blow for Hughton and Forest.

A big Rangers transfer development has emerged over their interest in signing a young Scottish prospect…

What’s the talk?

According to the Scottish Daily Express, Gio van Bronckhorst is plotting a six-figure bid to sign Aberdeen diamond Lancelot Pollard this summer.

The report claims that they want to get a deal done quickly to avoid missing out on him as he is attracting interest from south of the border.

Liverpool and Manchester United are both said to be keen on the young talent, with Jurgen Klopp’s side holding an ‘active’ interest in him. It remains to be seen whether either side are willing to join Rangers in making a bid for his services.

Supporters will be excited

The supporters will surely be excited by this news as it shows that the club are attempting to snap up future stars to improve their academy.

Fans will be delighted that Ross Wilson and the head coach have an eye on developing the youth ranks at Ibrox as well as making additions to strengthen the first team. They will want to see a blend of experience and youth come through the door in the summer to bolster van Bronckhorst’s team now and in the years to come.

The likes of Leon King and Alex Lowry have made their way through to the senior side this season after impressing in the academy, whilst Nathan Patterson was sold for a club-record fee in January to Premier League side Everton.

This highlights the value in maximising the potential of the B team. Not only can Rangers develop players, like Lowry, who can break into the team to make an impact for the Gers but they can also find gems who they can sell on for a huge profit in the future.

Therefore, attempting to sign Pollard will excite the fans as he could be a player who goes on to be a huge success at Ibrox in the years to come. Although, there is very little data available on him so it is difficult to judge whether or not he will be able to make it in Glasgow.

However, the youngster must be catching the eye for Aberdeen as he is now a sought-after talent, which suggests that he has shown great potential with his performances this season in the youth ranks.

AND in other news, Body blow: Van Bronckhorst now set for huge Rangers disaster over £27k-p/w “rock”…

Alfredo Morelos scored his first goal in the Scottish Premiership since September to ensure Glasgow Rangers retained their 16-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win away at St. Mirren going into Saturday’s Old Firm game.

Steven Gerrard’s side got off to a sluggish start before Kemar Roofe received a stroke of luck as his deflected effort sailed past helpless Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.

And Morelos capitalised on a mistake from Joe Shaughnessy to score his third league goal of the season in the first half to cap off what was a comfortable win in the end.

However, it wasn’t all rosy for Rangers, as Jim Goodwin’s side came close to scoring on several occasions, with Jonathan Obika having the better of the chances.

But the Gers’ defence prevailed, due in part to a defensive shift from Connor Goldson, who looked every inch the seasoned veteran as he kept Obika in his back pocket for most of the game.

While Morelos may have ended his goal drought stretching back to the 3-3 draw with Benfica in the Europa League, it was the performance of Goldson at the back that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

The 28-year-old has been in imperious form since the start of the season, as he scored a double against Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season, and had an absolutely monstrous game defensively against the Saints. The same can’t be said for Filip Helander but more on him later.

As per SofaScore, he was given a high grade of 7.6 out of ten for his efforts – he won six out of his seven duels overall (85%), made two tackles, blocked two shots, made a staggering seven clearances – more than any other player on the pitch including Morelos – and wasn’t dribbled past at all.

Comfortable at the back and confident in possession, Goldson looked great with the ball at his feet, provided 19 out of 24 passes (79%), only lost possession five times and produced three accurate long balls from nine attempts.

GlasgowLive awarded him with a similar rating of 8/10 and claimed he ‘kept Jon Obika under wraps on a comfortable afternoon’ while Rangers News seemed to agree, insisting ‘St. Mirren looked to pressure the Rangers star and stop him spraying passes forward but Goldson never let it affect his game as he enjoyed a successful night.’

With a clash with Celtic on the horizon, the timing couldn’t be better for Gerrard, who will be well aware his side will have to be at their very best if they are to beat the Bhoys for the second time this season.

Morelos got himself on the scoresheet with the weekend’s Old Firm fixture no doubt playing on his mind but the centre-back deserves immense credit for his defensive shift to ensure the Gers kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet in a row.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard must drop Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent after rapid decline in form…

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former Rangers defender Michael Ball has heaped praised on Ross Wilson.

Wilson was appointed as sporting director at Rangers back in 2019 after leaving Southampton and has spearheaded the Glasgow club’s recruitment drive alongside manager Steven Gerrard.

Under his direction, the Gers have signed the likes of Ianis Hagi and Kemar Roofe, who made significant contributions in their side’s Scottish Premiership title triumph this season.

It is a triumph that has seen Gerrard win a lot of plaudits – and rightly so after Celtic’s dominance of Scottish football was finally brought to an end. However, Ball believes Wilson, who is also rated highly by Kris Boyd, deserves credit too.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the Rangers sporting director, the retired full-back said:

“I think Steven, Ross Wilson, Steven’s backroom staff have been fantastic since they’ve come to the club.

“Ross Wilson, fantastic record under Les Reed at Southampton. He’ll have all the credentials and all the data on the players that Rangers could be able to afford going forward.”

Gerrard and Wilson have already got to work ahead of next season after signing striker Fashion Sakala from KV Oostende.

And with a title to defend, as well as Champions League football, you would expect a few other new names to follow the Zambia international to Ibrox.

According to an Ibrox source, speaking to Football Insider, Rangers midfielder Jamie Barjonas is now looking for a new club after learning he will not be offered a new deal with the Teddy Bears under manager Steven Gerrard.

The Lowdown: Barjonas on the move?

The 22-year-old has apparently been deemed surplus-to-requirements and is out of contract at the end of this month, leading to reports that he could be set for an exit from the Glasgow giants.

Barjonas had been in talks with USL side Orange County but a move failed to materialise, with several Scottish Championship clubs also displaying interest during that time (Daily Record).

The midfielder has played for the Gers senior team but first team opportunities have been more and more limited – and that has resulted in links to a departure.

The Latest: Ibrox source shares Barjonas update

Now, speaking to Football Insider, an Ibrox source has allegedly explained that the youngster is actively looking for a new club after being told his current deal won’t be extended.

Barjonas’ latest loan stint came at Championships side Ayr United after he agreed to a short term temporary move which has now concluded, and that apparently hasn’t done enough to impress club chiefs.

Indeed, the writing has been on the wall for some time, as backed by this report, and it now seems as if Barjonas is heading nowhere but the exit door.

The Verdict: Time to say goodbye…

Described as a player with ‘fantastic abilities’ with a ‘second to none’ passing range by former Gers ace Peter Lovenkrands (Daily Record via ninetyminutesonline), it may be time to wave goodbye to Barjonas.

The only regret Rangers may have is not recuperating a fee following numerous failed moves over this last year, with Football Insider also relaying he was close to joining Barrow last summer.

Ayr boss David Hopkin waxed lyrical over the prospect after his loan debut recently, calling him a ‘big, strong, powerful lad’ whilst tipping him to be a ‘great’ arrival (Rangers News).

However, following the end of his spell, Barjonas is back to square one and looks all but set to leave this summer.

In other news: Gers are eyeing a move for this Brazilian gem, find out more here.