Newcastle and Liverpool are both interested in signing young Middlesbrough winger Bilal Brahimi, considered one of the brightest prospects in the EFL, but will face stiff opposition from Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Teamtalk report that the Teesside club have failed to agree terms with the 18-year-old French U-19 international, which has alerted the Premier League big-hitters, as well as clubs in his native France.
The teenager joined Boro’ from Leixoes in Portugal in 2017, and made his first-team debut in the EFL Cup this season.
A return home to France, with Rennes, is thought to be the most likely destination, but it remains to be seen whether Premier League interest can be enough for him to extend his stay in England.
The opportunity for a rising star like Brahimi to learn his craft from Rafa Benitez — one of the top, most respected tacticians in the game — should be something the player, and his agent, should give serious consideration to.
Of course, the lure of one of the biggest clubs in Europe would be tempting, especially considering their reputation for producing top players from their academy, such as Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold who are currently playing, and the likes of Robbie Fowler and Steven Gerrard in the past.
But it is the prospect of benefiting from Rafa’s wealth of knowledge that should make the youngster think twice.
Of course, as with most potential signings on Tyneside, the uncertainty regarding Rafa’s future plans are sure to impact on the player’s decision, which is why the Newcastle manager’s contract situation needs to be addressed immediately.
Would Brahimi be the type of young player Newcastle should be trying to sign for their soon to be new look academy setup? Let us know what you think…
Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter to bemoan the club’s lack of squad depth.
A tweet from the official United account on Sunday quoted manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying: “Every single player is going to have a say in us moving up the table and getting the results that we need.”
The likes of Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood have played for the club this season due to a number of injury problems sustained by first-team players.
United are currently fifth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and one ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea with eight games of the season remaining.
Solskjaer’s side have to play the likes of Manchester City and Maurizio Sarri’s men before the season is out as they look to qualify for the Champions League again next season.
Of course, United can also qualify by winning the tournament but they face Barcelona in the quarter-finals, perhaps the toughest assignment they could have been given in Europe.
And fans piled in to reply to the tweet, insisting that there simply isn’t scope to bring through a large number of players, as there is not a great deal of depth in the squad, with many calling for a summer of investment.
West Ham United are set to rival Tottenham for the signature of Jack Grealish, per The Mirror.
The Aston Villa star has long been linked with a move to north London, with Spurs making a bid worth £25million for the playmaker last summer.
What’s the word?
The aforementioned report claims that AFC Bournemouth will join the Hammers and Spurs in the chase for Grealish.
Indeed, England manager Gareth Southgate has claimed that he needs to be playing in the Premier League to be picked by his country.
Nevertheless, Grealish has been in excellent form since his return from injury, scoring two goals in four games, including a superb winner in the Second City derby against Birmingham.
After Spurs failed to secure a move for the 23-year-old, it appears that they run the risk of seeing him slip through their fingers in the summer, with both the Irons and Cherries reportedly exploring the possibility of a deal once the transfer window opens.
Grealish is an excellent attacking midfielder and a move to the top-flight could see him force his way into Southgate’s plans as England continue their qualification campaign for Euro 2020.
A Nasri replacement
With Samir Nasri’s contract expiring at the end of the season, a move for Grealish makes all the sense in the world for the Irons.
The former Manchester City star has not set the world alight at the London Stadium.
He has played just six times, providing a total of two assists, and has probably not done enough to earn an extension.
Bringing Grealish in both replaces the Frenchman and adds an extra dimension to the London Stadium midfield.
He is a brilliant dribbler, has the talent to unlock any defence in the top-flight and is capable of the genuinely spectacular.
It remains to be seen if Manuel Pellegrini’s men can beat Spurs to his signature; they should pull out all the stops to do so.
The Arsenal winger endured a quiet game against Newcastle United on Monday evening as the Gunners won 2-0.
On the chalkboard
Iwobi is a versatile winger but was deployed almost as an attacking midfielder against the Magpies, alongside Mesut Ozil and behind striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The Nigeria international has mainly been deployed on the left wing this season and has scored five goals in all competitions, while laying on seven assists.
But he was wasted as an attacking midfielder on Monday evening in a game that the Gunners dominated.
Iwobi touched the ball a total of 57 times, per WhoScored, and attempted 49 total passes, of which 42 were successful.
He did not make a key pass, nor did he complete a dribble, despite attempting three.
Iwobi did take one accurate corner but was substituted just after the hour-mark, making way for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Quite simply, Emery’s system left Iwobi struggling on Monday.
A puzzle for Emery to solve
Where exactly should Iwobi play?
He does not really have the searing pace to make too much of an impact on the flank, but he was routinely crowded out in the centre.
Emery could choose to deploy the 22-year-old in a deeper-lying midfield role but he has played in central midfield just once for the club, in a 17-minute cameo against Southampton in 2017.
With Mesut Ozil seemingly returning to form and Henrikh Mkhitaryan back to full fitness, it is a difficult conundrum for Emery to find his way around.
As it is, it does not appear that Iwobi fits into the team at all.
It was another afternoon to forget for Patrick Bamford in a Leeds United shirt at the weekend.
The forward missed three superb chances against Birmingham City for the Whites who succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at St Andrew’s, a result which was compounded by Sheffield United’s impressive away victory at Preston North End.
Although it could be argued that he was incredibly unlucky not to score with his first attempt which hit the post, the other two misses were unacceptable for a forward who cost his side £7m last summer (via the Yorkshire Evening Post). With top-scorer Kemar Roofe returning during Saturday’s clash as a substitute, Bamford knows that he is on extremely thin ice in regards to keeping his place in the starting eleven yet it is important that Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t make any rash decisions regarding this situation.
In the absence of the former Oxford United ace, the 25-year-old has significantly contributed to the Whites’ promotion hopes, scoring in victories against Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers. Without his goals, Leeds may not still be in a position to usurp Chris Wilder’s Blades in the league standings and therefore the club’s supporters should not let Saturday’s poor performance cloud their judgement.
Indeed, starting Roofe over Bamford at Preston on Tuesday could prove to be a masterstroke by Bielsa yet when you consider the fact that the forward has only just come back from a serious knee injury, it would be a huge risk to take. With six games to play between now and the end of the season, Leeds cannot afford to lose 26-year-old as if they do, they may end up having to settle for the play-off positions in May.
Therefore, by sticking by Bamford, who is valued at £5.4 million (by Transfermarkt), for his side’s midweek clash against the Lilywhites, Bielsa will be providing the striker with one more opportunity to impress whilst also preserving the health of Roofe in the process.
What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bamford be given another opportunity to impress on Tuesday? Or is it time to bench him for Roofe? Get in touch below.
Manchester United have reportedly made Declan Rice a top priority this summer, but is it a huge mistake?
What’s the story?
According to The Irish Independent, the Red Devils are “ready to break the bank” for Rice.
The West Ham youngster is perhaps viewed as a replacement for Ander Herrera, who the report claims could leave Old Trafford this summer, along with the likes of Juan Mata and Antonio Valencia.
The Hammers are expected to demand a fee in excess of £50m for Rice, who signed a new contract in December, per BBC.
Worryingly though, other reports have suggested Manchester City are tracking Rice, so is this the Alexis Sanchez and Fred deals all over again?
Who is your club’s worst ever January signing? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked theirs in the video below and they didn’t disappoint…
Sanchez… Fred… Rice?
When the Red Devils signed Sanchez last January, fans were delighted to get one over on Pep Guardiola, who was heavily linked with the Chilean throughout the winter transfer window.
The Cityzens also chased Fred, who was dubbed as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho, but United got the better of that deal too… or did they?
Sanchez and Fred have both been colossal flops at Old Trafford, as the club appears to have made a habit out of trying so hard to one-up their rivals that they overpay for a player who is not really good enough anyway.
With all due respect to Rice, the youngster has just one good season under his belt, and there is no telling how he would cope with the pressure of moving to the biggest club in the country for a huge fee. Is he that much of an upgrade on Herrera and Nemanja Matic?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ageing midfield does need new blood, but the priority should be a ready-made starting calibre player in their prime, not another attempt to pip City to a big deal as was the case with Sanchez, or to a rising star as was the case with Fred and potentially Rice.
Manchester United should think twice before splashing a huge sum of Ole’s summer budget on a relatively unproven youngster, regardless of Guardiola’s apparent interest.
Tottenham Hotspur stand on the precipice of their first Champions League semi-final in a generation.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side welcomed Premier League champions Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this week and were not fancied as favourites.
Pep Guardiola has a vast array of talent at his disposal but, after making the bizarre tactical choice to leave Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane on the bench, City were beaten 1-0 in north London.
Son Heung-Min scored the only goal of the game in a raucous home atmosphere in the very first Champions League knockout game at the club’s new home.
But the omens for Spurs are not at all positive.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – March 31, 2019 Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko reacts REUTERS/Andrew Yates EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Since the 2008-09 season, a decade ago, Spurs have played 13 two-legged ties in Europe. They have won the second leg three times.
Those wins came against Young Boys in the 2010-11 season, when a team boasting the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric won 4-0 at White Hart Lane after losing the first leg 3-2. That win saw Spurs progress to the group stages in a season where Bale came of age with a pair of scorching performances against Inter Milan. Maicon, one has to assume, still has nightmares.
Since then, they have beaten Dnipro in 2013-14 in the second leg of a Europa League tie – 3-1 after a 1-0 first leg defeat – and Fiorentina in 2015-16. That win was 3-0 after a 1-1 first leg draw.
But the record before and since is, quite simply, abysmal.
Last season, Spurs played Juventus – they could face them again in the semi-finals if they progress, having been drawn to play the winner of Juve’s tie with Ajax in the last four – and played out a creditable 2-2 draw in Italy. However, in the second leg, Spurs collapsed and lost 2-1.
Giorgio Chiellini, the vastly experienced Italian defender, claimed afterwards that the result came about because of Spurs’ soft underbelly. “It’s the history of Tottenham,” he said, per The Guardian. “In the end, they miss something.”
Looking back through the results in Europe, one can’t help but agree with him.
In 2016-17, they did not qualify from the group stages but in 2015-16 Spurs were thumped 5-1 on aggregate by Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League, losing the first leg 3-0 and the second leg 2-1. That result, of course, came after the win over Fiorentina.
Similarly, in 2013-14, the victory over Dnipro led only to defeat at the hands of Benfica, 5-3 on aggregate.
Indeed, Spurs do love a second leg draw. From their 14 ties, they have won the second leg three times, lost five times and drawn six.
Unfortunately for Spurs, those draws have often come on the back of a first leg defeat. That is the case against Benfica in 2013-14, Basel in 2014-15, when they were beaten on penalties after 2-2 draws both home and away, and Shakhtar Donestk in 2008-09.
Perhaps encouragingly, though, Spurs have regularly seen out leads too.
In 2008-09, they drew 1-1 with Wisla Krakow in Poland to secure qualification to the UEFA Cup group stages after a first leg 2-1 win.
A 0-0 stalemate with AC Milan at White Hart Lane in 2010-11 saw them safely through after a 1-0 first leg win while a 1-1 draw with Lyon in the 2012-13 Europa League achieved a 3-2 aggregate success.
There are shoots of hope then.
But Mauricio Pochettino has seen his side win a second leg just once, that 2015-16 clash with Fiorentina.
In the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus have both outfoxed him.
Both of those second legs, worryingly, were at home.
They will have no such advantage this time around. When Spurs go into the game at the Etihad Stadium they will be looking to secure their first second leg victory in three years.
The weight of history will be keenly felt. Spurs have never reached a Champions League semi-final in the modern era. But, with Juventus a possible opponent, and revenge likely to be on the menu if they down Ajax, Spurs may see this as a chance they cannot pass up.
They have done it too many times in the past. Now, then, must be the time for them to start winning.
According to Goal.com, Tottenham Hotspur are becoming ‘increasingly confident’ that Christian Eriksen will sign a new contract with the club.
What’s the word, then?
Eriksen has been strongly linked with a move away from Tottenham over the last few months.
Indeed, Real Madrid are said to be keen to sign the Denmark international, who will see his deal with Spurs expire at the end of the 2019-2020 campaign.
It had been thought that Mauricio Pochettino’s side would be forced into selling the 27-year-old this summer.
However, according to Goal.com, talks between the two parties are ‘ongoing’ and the playmaker could pen a new long-term deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It remains to be seen whether Spurs can secure the future of Eriksen, but the latest reports are certainly positive from the London club’s point of view.
Statement of intent
Well, it would send out a strong message to the rest of Europe.
Tottenham are in a tough situation when it comes to Toby Alderweireld, who will be available for just £25m in this summer’s transfer window.
Alderweireld is expected to move on and losing the Belgium international in addition to Eriksen would be a huge blow for the Champions League semi-finalists, one that highlights an unflattering position in the hierarchy of elite clubs.
Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…
Indeed, since arriving from Ajax in 2013, Eriksen has scored 64 times and registered 86 assists in 270 appearances for his current club in all competitions. This term, meanwhile, the 87-time Denmark international has contributed eight goals and 17 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions.
Tottenham need to invest heavily this summer, but securing the future of Eriksen would undoubtedly be some of their best business – warning the rest of the continent that, excepting Alderweireld, their star players are not easy pickings.
For much of the season, Mesut Ozil has been out of the fold at Arsenal. Unai Emery didn’t seem to rate the German, and though he’s come back into the squad over the last month or two, there’s still time for the attacker to prove Emery right.
With 4 games to go in the Premier League, Mesut Ozil could be entering into a key part of the season. So much is on the line for the Gunners, namely a top-four finish, and perhaps the German could have a big role to play.
If he plays well, that may go a long way to helping convince Emery that he’s going to be important for the Gunners moving forward. A big assist or a few goals could do the job, and in that sense, there’s enough time to prove his worth.
However, on the flip side, if Ozil isn’t able to impact his team over the coming weeks – maybe that will serve as proof that he should be sold by the Gunners this summer. The reality is that he hadn’t picked up a goal or an assist since February prior to the Gunners’ loss against Crystal Palace – and that’s not good enough. He hasn’t backed up his increased involvement in April and March – so why should Emery waste more time? Sure, stats don’t tell the whole story, but they give a good synopsis – and those that have seen Ozil play this term will attest to his mixed form.
He needs to do something in the coming weeks – or it’ll be time for him to go, and Emery likely recognises that.
Arsenal fans – where do you stand? Is it time for Ozil to go? Let us know below!
It has been a frustrating season to be a Middlesbrough supporter hasn’t it?
After starting the 2018/19 campaign in positive fashion, the Smoggies have lost their way somewhat since the turn of the year which has resulted in them slipping out of the top-six in the Championship.
Despite suffering a dreadful run of six consecutive defeats between March and April, a recent upturn in form has given Tony Pulis’ side a sniff of a chance of securing a play-off place on Sunday. If Boro can overcome the challenge of Rotherham United on Sunday, they could leapfrog Derby County if the Rams slip up against West Bromwich Albion.
Regardless of what happens at the weekend, it is clear that Pulis needs to make some key alterations to his squad heading into next season yet in order to get the necessary funds, he may have to cut ties with Marcus Tavernier.
Despite being one of Boro’s most prodiguous young talents, the 20-year-old has only featured on 28 occasions in all competitions in which he has scored just five goals (via Transfermarkt).
Although he clearly has the potential to become a top player, it may be beneficial for both parties if he continues his development elsewhere as he has been far too inconsistent this season.
According to the Sun, Tavernier is on AFC Bournemouth’s radar with Eddie Howe reportedly weighing up a summer swoop for the winger. If this is indeed true, Pulis should consider cashing in on Tavernier as it would make more sense than keeping him at the Riverside Stadium where he has been limited to substitute appearances in recent weeks.
What do you think Middlesbrough fans? Should Pulis sell Tavernier in the summer? How much do you think he is worth in the current market? Let us know below.