Tottenham fans pile the praise on Tanguy Ndombele after goalscoring debut

[ad_pod ]

Lots of Tottenham fans have taken to Twitter to pile the praise on Tanguy Ndombele after the midfielder netted a goal on his Premier League debut against Aston Villa.

The six-cap France international signed for Spurs in a club-record £55m deal from Lyon this summer, and was making his competitive debut for his new side against the Villans.

Ndombele played well, showcasing his all-action style of play with two shots, two tackles, one interception, one key pass and crucially, one goal – his curled effort tied the score at 1-1 and allow Mauricio Pochettino’s men to go on and win it.

The 22-year-old’s power and positivity in the middle of the park was key in helping Spurs progress up the field and take the game to Villa, and he certainly looks to be an excellent addition to the midfield.

Let’s take a look at how the Tottenham fans on Twitter reacted to their record signing’s debut…

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez labelled "absolute disaster" by Gary Neville

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Gary Neville has admitted Manchester United’s signing of Alexis Sanchez has been an “absolute disaster”.

What did he say?

The Chile international arrived in a swap deal from Arsenal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan go in the opposite direction. The former Barcelona star had lit the Premier League alight with his performances at the Emirates, but has failed to reproduce anything remotely similar in a United shirt.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Now, Neville has insisted the time has come for the Red Devils to cut their losses on the 30-year-old and simply move on.

He said: “We talk about Alexis Sanchez going to Italy. I welcomed him coming to the club as he’s a tenacious forward that plays across the line and scores goals. But it’s been a disaster. He has been an absolute disaster. I have no idea what’s happened. There must be two of him. The one that played for Arsenal and Barcelona and then the one that’s turned up in Manchester. They need to get him out of the club.”

A major shock

Wouldn’t it be so perfectly ironic if Sanchez got his reported move to Inter and started banging in the goals again in Italy? The Chilean’s failings at Old Trafford are frankly unfathomable. Yes, his record with injuries has been poor and has no doubt contributed to some of his ineffectiveness, but his transfer to United didn’t see him switch leagues or countries.

Sanchez went from playing for one of English football’s biggest sides to playing for another of English football’s biggest sides. Indeed, perhaps the biggest reason behind his shocking decline is the lack of freedom he has gotten at Old Trafford to play his own style of game.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

At Arsenal, he was the main man. At United, he has simply been one of a number of under-performing players in an under-performing team. The best outcome for all parties would be if the 130-cap star makes his exit this summer.

[ad_pod ]

Spurs weighing up needless move for Malcom

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a bid for Barcelona winger Malcom, according to Sport.

What’s the word?

Spurs have made two senior signings this summer, with Tanguy Ndombele arriving from Lyon and Jack Clarke joining from Leeds United, though the latter has been loaned back to Elland Road.

And the Spanish outlet claims that Barca are willing to cash in on the Brazilian, as they look to receive €45m (£40.6m).

Spurs are said to have sounded out the Liga giants over the possibility of a deal, while Everton and Arsenal are also reported to be interested.

The Toffees, Sport claims, have already made a bid worth well below his asking price, while the Gunners are now lining up a move for Lille’s Nicolas Pepe, with the newspaper claiming that deal could see them cool their interest in the Barca star.

Not the priority

Spurs don’t need another winger.

The club have a number of fluid attacking players, such as Heung-min Son, Dele Alli, Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura and Christian Eriksen, with every single player a multifunctional talent.

What Spurs need is depth in defence.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After Kieran Trippier departed for Atletico Madrid and Danny Rose was left out of the club’s squad for their pre-season tour in order to explore other opportunities, Spurs need bodies at the back.

Bringing in Malcom would be an interesting signing, but it does not do anything to address the squad’s current glaring deficiencies.

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool fans react as a Philippe Coutinho return could be on

[ad_pod ]

Lots of Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was reported exclusively by Calciomercato.it that Liverpool are attentive to Philippe Coutinho’s situation at Barcelona.

The report states that the Reds have tabled a two-year loan option for the Brazil international with an option to buy for a total sum of £88m, although that doesn’t suit the Spanish giants who would prefer to sell the 27-year-old outright.

“The worst we’ve played all season” but “our most straightforward final since 2003” – a Liverpool fan reflects on the UCL final in the video below…

Coutinho has reportedly approved the move, and it would be a sensational transfer if the former Inter Milan man went back to Anfield after the manner in which he forced a move away – the 5 foot 8 star handed in a transfer request and paid his own money towards the transfer in January 2018.

His future at the Camp Nou seems unclear after Barcelona handed his No.7 shirt to new signing Antoine Griezmann, whilst Coutinho also endured a poor 2018/19 campaign in which he scored just 11 goals and recorded five assists.

Let’s take a look at what the Liverpool fans on Twitter are saying about the report on a potential return to Anfield for Coutinho…

ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بعد هزيمة ليفربول أمام بيرنلي

تلقى فريق ليفربول، أول هزيمة مرة مُنذ 3 سنوات على ميدانه بملعب “آنفيلد” بمُسابقة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد الهزيمة على يد بيرنلي.

ليفربول سقط بهدف نظيف على يد بيرنلي، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين، مساء أمس الخميس، على ملعب “آنفيلد”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الـ19 من البريميرليج (طالع تقرير المباراة).

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب: ليفربول ليس في المكان المناسب.. والعالم مكان مجنون الآن شاهد هدف فوز بيرنلي على ليفربول

هزيمة ليفربول فرضت على الريدز، تأمين المركز الرابع في سلم ترتيب البريميرليج، ليظل فريق حمُر الميرسيايد، بالمرتبة الرابعة، بفارق نقطة واحدة عن توتنهام بالمركز الخامس. اليكم ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بعد خسارة ليفربول

1 مانشستر يونايتد، 40 نقطة.

2 مانشستر سيتي، 38 نقطة.

3 ليستر سيتي، 38 نقطة.

4 ليفربول، 34 نقطة.

5 توتنهام، 33 نقطة.

6 إيفرتون، 32 نقطة.

7 وست هام يونايتد، 32 نقطة.

8 تشيلسي، 29 نقطة.

9 ساوثهامبتون، 29 نقطة.

10 آرسنال، 27 نقطة.

11 أستون فيلا، 26 نقطة.

12 ليدز، 23 نقطة.

13 كريستال بالاس، 23 نقطة.

14 ولفرهامبتون، 22 نقطة.

15 نيوكاسل يونايتد، 19 نقطة.

16 بيرنلي، 19 نقطة.

17 برايتون، 17 نقطة.

18 فولهام، 12 نقطة.

19 وست بروميتش ألبيون، 11 نقطة.

20 شيفيلد يونايتد، 5 نقاط.

ويمكن متابعة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي مُحدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.

Transfer Focus: Gerrard should take quick Ojo option to prevent Kent saga

[ad_pod ]

Rangers will have to wait on Jurgen Klopp’s assessment of Ryan Kent this summer before a decision is made on his future at Liverpool and a potential loan move back to Ibrox, as reported by The Daily Record.

What’s the story?

The Reds’ season isn’t even finished yet, with Klopp currently preparing for a mammoth UEFA Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Record reckon that the Liverpool boss wants to assess Ryan Kent’s progress during the Anfield side’s pre-season preparations, meaning Steven Gerrard will be left waiting on a potential deal for the player.

With the paper saying that Aston Villa are also in the hunt for the winger with a potential multi-million pound bid, the odds seem to be against Kent returning to Ibrox next term.

Ojo option

Fortunately for Rangers there’s another talented winger apparently available from Liverpool this summer, Sheyi Ojo, and Gerrard is keen on bringing him to Ibrox on a season long loan deal.

The report states that Klopp is more willing to get a quick deal done for the 21-year-old in the upcoming transfer window, meaning that the Gers can add him quickly to their squad ahead of hugely important UEFA Europa League qualifiers.

Ojo is adept at playing on the left or right flank and committing to the former Wolves and Fulham loan star appears to be the way forward for the Ibrox side.

Signing him and forgetting about Kent would allow the recruitment team to focus on other targets this summer, preventing an ongoing and unsettling transfer saga, with Ojo effectively replacing his presence in the squad.

Why not both?

Rangers are already loaded up with plenty of wingers ahead of next season.

The move for Northern Ireland international Jordan Jones has given Gerrard another option on the left flank, while new signing and exciting prospect Jake Hastie can play on either side.

With Glenn Middleton showing excellent form for the reserve and youth sides over the last few months and the potential arrival of Ojo, the need for Kent’s return becomes far less urgent and arguably unneeded.

That core of four players is at least initially an excellent basis for the summer, with the possibility of entering the market in late August always an option.

Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t need to win Champions League to become a Spurs legend

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur face Liverpool in the Champions League final tonight.

After almost exactly five years at the club, Mauricio Pochettino will lead his side out into the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid as Spurs bid to win the competition for the first time in the history.

Should they win in Spain, they will win their first piece of silverware under the Argentine; they have not won a trophy since 2008, when Jonathan Woodgate’s face gave the club victory over Chelsea in the League Cup final.

It would, of course, be the icing on the cake. Pochettino has worked miracles in north London to the extent where there is a chant in his honour. Fans truly believe that he is magic.

And yet, such has been the scope of his achievements in north London, Pochettino doesn’t really need to win.

He has built the club in his own image and he has completely changed the perception of what Tottenham Hotspur stands for. An oft-repeated quote, originally from Roy Keane, claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson once gave a three-word team talk ahead of a meeting with Spurs: “Lads, it’s Tottenham”.

It was harsh then but it had a ring of truth. This was a Spurs side who had once gone 3-0 up against United and still conspired to lose 5-3. There have been so many notable examples of collapses – Andre Villas-Boas claiming Arsenal were in a “negative spiral” after a north London derby, only to see his side capitulate and finish behind the Gunners, Lasagna-gate, the “1-1 at Newcastle”, the list goes on and on and on.

But now, under Pochettino, this Tottenham side, the one featuring the world’s best striker and an attacking midfielder coveted by the very best clubs on the planet, is a completely different beast.

They finished fourth in the Premier League this season despite it perhaps being one of their worst seasons under the Argentine’s guidance in the top-flight and have reached the Champions League final. That bears repeating. After playing the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Premier League champions Manchester City and Ajax, Spurs have reached the Champions League final.

Pochettino cried after the semi-final, scarcely believing the scale of his squad’s achievement. If they win, it will perhaps be the greatest underdog story in the history of the competition. After all, they have not spent a penny since January 2018, when semi-final hat-trick hero Lucas Moura waltzed through the doors at Hotspur Way.

They have had to cope with their displacement from White Hart Lane, spending two years at the soulless corporate bowl that is Wembley and still finishing in the Champions League qualification places, while also thumping Real Madrid 3-1 on a famed glory, glory night.

It is perhaps the inverse of ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. This was a manager who was often called on to resign by frustrated fans, who wanted to see the club rise from finishing fourth to challenging for the Premier League. Pochettino has overseen such a transformation but they differ in the sense that Wenger kept winning things. He took the club to three FA Cup titles in four seasons prior to his departure, yet supporters celebrated his departure.

Pochettino doesn’t need the baubles or the honours. He has said himself that he feels trophies only serve to inflate one’s ego. Admittedly, that quote came after a particularly ignominious defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup but, still, the point stands.

Would Spurs fans, after all that Pochettino has achieved, trade it in for a single trophy?

Of course they wouldn’t.

He has emphasised the collective throughout his time at Spurs, helping stars blossom and giving the club a genuine identity.

They are now a team to be feared, a powerhouse both at home and abroad and they could well become European champions today.

Pochettino would deserve it, it would be the cherry on top of the cake following his incredible progress and the change he has overseen.

But, at the same time, he doesn’t need it; his legacy at Tottenham is secure. He is, without any shadow of a doubt, the best manager the club has had since the days of Bill Nicholson.

Validation through silverware is not necessary to substantiate his legacy.

Scapegoated beyond belief: Paul Pogba deserves more respect from United fans

[ad_pod ]47 games16 goals.11 assists.Paul Pogba has been amongst the best midfielders in Europe this season, netting some exquisite strikes whilst also pulling off some eye-catching assists to give Manchester United a cutting edge in the middle of the park.Have you heard much about that, however? You probably haven’t.Much of the focus has been on the Frenchman’s off-field activities. Newspapers will go on about what new haircut the 26-year-old has, what new dance move he’s been practising on his Instagram, and so on.One point separated City and Liverpool but twenty-five separated them from the rest! Fans discuss who could reduce the deficit next season in the video below?He has been scolded by his own supporters for most of this season for reasons such as the above; not in isolation of course, but because they have come amidst one of the club’s worst campaigns in recent memory.Talk of a move to Real Madrid, along with media speculation about his influence in the dressing room after Jose Mourinho called him a virus, have only worsened his reputation at the club – the former Juventus man is doing more than most to sort the Red Devils’ mess out, however.His 16-goal haul from midfield saw him finish as the club’s top goalscorer this season, beating strikers such as Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who have disappointed far more than Pogba has.

Furthermore, his tally of 11 assists meant that he ended the season as United’s best creator; what more can he do?

Footage emerged from the lap of honour at Old Trafford on Sunday showing a section of supporters criticising Pogba, screaming abuse at him as he admirably keeps his cool and appears to apologise for the dismal result, a 2-0 loss against Cardiff.

Is it because he’s the most expensive player in the side? Is it because the supporters think he can do better? Is it because he’s arguably the most flamboyant, assured character in the team and the fans think he can handle the stick? Perhaps the latter.

No matter how thick his skin is, however, the World Cup winner doesn’t deserve the abuse he gets when his teammates have performed much, much worse.

Spurs have to hit Juventus with a firm no in regards to key defender

Spurs have once again had a fine season this year with Maurcio Pochettino’s men looking likely to clinch a Champions League spot once again.

The Londoners are now firmly settled in their new home and could well have a big summer ahead of them with regards to potential new signings.

However, keeping hold of some of their own star players could well be a big issue too for Pochettino to address, and with news emerging this weekend that Juventus could move for Toby Alderwiereld, it’s already clear Spurs have some big decisions on their hands.

The Belgian defender has long been courted by a number of top clubs across Europe, but he has remained integral to the cause for Spurs and he is the sort of player who they really don’t want to be losing.

Alderwiereld is a class act, and on his day can be one of the best defenders in the league, not to mention his threat going forward in terms of attacking set pieces.

Spurs need to be building for the future and making a run at the title now they have got their new stadium up and running, and they really need to be greeting Juventus with a firm no if the Italian giants do make their move.

With the promise of big signings along with a squad which is already full of potential, Alderwiereld might just consider this enough of a reason to stay put and make a sure Spurs finally see some success in terms of trophies under Pochettino.

Leeds fans share thoughts on next two games

[ad_pod ]

Leeds United fans have been sharing their thoughts on Twitter ahead of their next two games as they look to tighten their grip on second place.

Despite Leeds being within touching distance of the Premier League some fans are lacking confidence ahead of their next two fixtures as Sheffield United breath down their necks.

Phil Hay pointed out on Twitter that both the Whites and Sheffield United have to play Preston and Birmingham in their next two fixtures. Some Leeds fans believe those teams will up their performances in order to stop Leeds’ promotion push.

Leeds have had consistent good results this season, but these next two games represent a real challenge for the Yorkshire club. They face a Birmingham team managed by their former boss Garry Monk and a Preston side who beat them 2-0 in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.

Marcelo Bielsa has completely transformed Leeds United this season but as they approach the finish line a few fans are getting jittery about the run-in.

Here’s what Leeds fans had to say on Twitter…

Game
Register
Service
Bonus