All posts by n8rngtd.top

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, Paul Stewart, who made 169 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, has claimed that Harry Winks is not good enough to play in the Premier League.

Winks first made his debut for Spurs in 2014 and has gone on to appear 170 times for his boyhood club in all competitions, including coming on as a substitute in the 4-0 win against Sheffield United on Sunday, and even started in their Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.

The 25-year old has struggled for regular game time this season making just seven league starts and was linked with a move away to Valencia in January, something Jose Mourinho was strongly against.

Speaking on why Winks is not Premier League quality and how there are many players just like him, Stewart told The Transfer Tavern:

“I’ve got to be honest, I’ve been a bit of a critic of Harry because I think he’s neat and tidy and retains the ball but there are better players out there.

“I hope he proves me wrong, but I don’t think he’s Premier League quality because he doesn’t offer enough in the modern-day game. I’ve seen other players like that in the past who flatter to deceive.”

Winks has earned 10 caps for England since making his debut back in 2017, however, it appears unlikely he will be going to the Euros this summer with the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Jude Bellingham ahead of him in the pecking order.

The £50,000 per week midfielder appears to currently be fourth-choice central midfielder under temporary manager, Ryan Mason, so his future may depend heavily on who is appointed manager in the summer.

As Tottenham Hotspur get off to a winning start under interim manager Ryan Mason, seeing off Southampton with a 2-1 victory, correspondent Alasdair Gold had some words of criticism for midfield maestro Giovani Lo Celso (football.london).

Spurs sacked former boss Jose Mourinho on Monday amid the European Super League saga and the search for a new boss in time for next campaign is now beginning.

In the mean time, however, interim manager Mason is tasked with helping Spurs to finish this campaign as strongly as possible – with the Lilywhites still only two points off a possible top four Champions League qualifying place (Premier League).

Gold criticises Lo Celso

Still in the running for Europe, yesterday’s crucial comeback from 1-0 down against the Saints may prove pivotal in Mason’s attempts to salvage something from what has been a strange season.

Danny Ings opened the scoring for the visitors but strikes from Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min clawed a result back for the Lilywhites.

One man who didn’t have the best of days was Lo Celso, with journalist Gold describing his play as ‘very sloppy’ at times and giving him a 5/10 match rating.

He did have his moments, as Gold explains – highlighted by his fine threaded through ball in the build up to Son’s disallowed Tottenham goal.

Overall, however, he was poor – with SofaScore also giving him the lowest rating out of any Spurs starter yesterday (6.3), and the statistics below show exactly why.

Transfer Tavern take

The former Real Betis ace lost possession of the ball 14 times and Mason will be hoping he can improve on that performance in a crucial few weeks for Tottenham.

As Mason aims for Spurs to be more ‘aggressive’, Lo Celso returning to his very best like we’ve seen in flashes this season would come as a big boost for the Lilywhites, but his passive, sloppy and frankly near anonymous showing on Wednesday is not what’s required.

The Argentine and Tanguy Ndombele are Spurs’ main creative outlets behind Harry Kane when he is in the team and both men could have a huge part to play – he must improve.

In other news: Tottenham make signing enquiry, find out more here.

Newcastle United are keen to tie down Jacob Murphy to a new contract and talks will take place ‘in the coming weeks’, according to a report from Football Insider.

Murphy’s £25,000-per-week deal is set to expire in the summer, and potential suitors have been on alert.

Football Insider named Scottish champions Rangers, Newcastle’s mid-table rivals Southampton and recently-promoted Watford among the clubs who are keen, but the Magpies are now seeking to ward off that interest with Murphy enjoying a strong run of form.

Murphy shines in Toon’s survival push

Murphy has started Newcastle’s last four games at right-back, helping his side pick up eight points from a possible 12 and take giant strides towards Premier League safety.

The Englishman was hailed for an ‘excellent’ display in the 2-2 draw against Spurs before going on to score an excellent equaliser as Newcastle fought back to beat Burnley the following week.

Journalist Lee Ryder then awarded Murphy a seven out of 10 at the weekend after the Magpies snatched a draw away to Liverpool, saying that the 26-year-old ‘never gave up and kept pressuring’.

Transfer Tavern verdict

What has been really impressive about Murphy’s performances is that he knows he’s playing for his future and he has duly come alive.

He could so easily be trying too hard to impress or be playing with a weight on his shoulders, but that’s not the case whatsoever based on his efforts of late, so it makes infinite sense to extend the 26-year-old’s stay, especially as he has played his part in easing Newcastle away from the drop zone.

In other news, read the latest on Joe Willock’s future.

Lee Johnson has revealed Aiden McGeady’s chances of appearing for Sunderland against Accrington Stanley this weekend are 50-50.

Johnson provides McGeady update

McGeady missed the Black Cats’ match against Hull City during the week with an ankle issue as his side managed a 2-2 draw.

Speaking prior to this weekend’s clash against Accrington, Johnson provided an update on the 35-year-old. He said (via The Northern Echo):

“I’d put Aiden at 50-50 (for the weekend). He’s tough, like I’ve said, so he wants to play. He’s still very bruised, but at the same time it is a superficial injury.

“It’s not anything bone-related or ligament-related, so if he can handle the pain of smashing one in from 25 yards, hopefully in the top corner, then he can play. It’s as simple as that.”

Save him for the play-offs

Even though he is approaching the end of his career, McGeady is enjoying a fantastic season, especially since the arrival of Johnson. In his last 24 League One appearances, he has managed four goals and 12 assists (Transfermarkt), helping the Black Cats chase their dream of automatic promotion.

Unfortunately, results over the last few weeks mean Sunderland are likely to have to make do with the play-offs if they want to move up to the Championship. As such, it makes no sense to rush McGeady back into the action too quickly. They will need him for the last few games of the campaign – it is then that he can make a real difference to his side’s fortunes.

In other news, Kevin Phillips has made this worrying transfer claim.

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed a claim revealing Pep Guardiola’s conversation with outbound City star Sergio Aguero.

On Monday evening, Aguero posted an emotional statement on Twitter, in which the 32-year-old confirmed that, after 10 years at Manchester City, he will be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign.

However, Mike Minay then claimed that, rather than Aguero deciding his future at City alongside the club, as had been suggested previously, Guardiola “told” the Argentine that the latter would be leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer “in a private meeting” between the two of them.

After City Xtra relayed Minay’s claim on Twitter, many fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with several venting their fury with the 50-year-old City manager as they seemed to believe that the Spaniard has treated the club legend in a “disrespectful” manner.

So, what did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the news of Guardiola’s Aguero conversation?

“This is really disappointing from Pep. Aguero deserves more this season, especially with Jesus lacking goals. He could have proved himself then and would have earned an extension.”

@L_Sane_19

“Pep treating Aguero like this is really disrespectful. I have to hate Pep.”

@H_RICHARD5

“It may be better for Sergio to go before Pep ruins his career like he did Joe Hart’s.”

@kateylangridge

“What happened to it being Kun’s choice??”

@FloatedQuickley

“They fed us lies and we believed them.”

@brod_riguez

“Josep Guardiola better have a solid replacement otherwise Khaldoon Al Mubarak will be making another phone call real quick.”

@SheikhManCity08

“Big mistake and sad for those who think we will get Haaland, we will end up with Danny Ings or Lukaku.”

@Revanchist20

“Pep nooooooooo, not in front of no fans.”

@MoNasereldin

“So Pep is the reason?”

@iD7Mi1

In other news: These Man City fans were ecstatic as this transfer news emerged – find out more here!

Farhad Moshiri must sanction the sale of Everton outcast Bernard at the end of the season.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, Bernard is one of a clutch of first-team players who are facing uncertain futures at Goodison Park ahead of the summer transfer market.

The Toffees are expected to limit their activity in the off-season to the arrivals of two or three players, as Carlo Ancelotti strives to build on last year’s signings.

Work will also be done to trim the fringes of the squad with the removal of those currently operating below the required standard, and are prepared to sell striker Moise Kean for the right price amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

The Merseyside future of Joshua King is also noted to be up in the air, while Bernard is expected to be sold after a January exit fell through.

Bernard was heavily linked with move to Al Nasr during the winter market, but a deal to join the United Arab Emirates outfit broke down on Deadline Day.

Reports by The Telegraph had suggested Everton valued Bernard at £9m in efforts to trim the club’s wage bill, although later claims by Fussball Transfers alleged that an agreement was reached over a loan that carried a €5m (£4.5m) obligation to buy.

Bernard has struggled to prove himself to Ancelotti since the closing of the winter market, with the 28-year-old playing only three times in Everton’s last nine Premier League games.

Should Everton sell Bernard?

Bernard has lived life on the fringes of Ancelotti’s plans all season, with the Brazilian only starting three Premier League fixtures and making a further six appearances from the bench.

Only three outfield players currently at Goodison Park have featured less often in the top-flight this term than Bernard, with his return of 393 minutes only greater than the 69 minutes given to Niels Nkounkou, 118 awarded to King and 212 Fabian Delph has played.

It has been no surprise that Ancelotti has often overlooked Bernard, even when Everton have been trailing in games, as the 14-cap maestro has only had a direct influence on the scoreline once when he scored in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

His last Premier League assist came in January 2020 when Bernard set Kean up to open the scoring in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, some 22 appearances ago.

All the while, Bernard has been stealing a living at Goodison Park as Everton’s joint highest-earner with Yerry Mina on a £120,000-per-week contract, which has effectively seen Moshiri pay Bernard close to £1.1m for each start in the Premier League this term.

It has been 27 weeks since the Toffees kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, seeing Bernard earn £3.25m in wages to take his total income since joining the Blues on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 to £16.5m.

Bernard would be due a further £8m in wages if he sees out the remaining 15 months of his contract, making it vital that Moshiri cuts both his, and Everton’s, losses this summer.

AND in other news, Farhad Moshiri is set to back Everton as Carlo Ancelotti eyes a 29-y/o he described as “the best” in the world…

Many Derby County fans have been left to slam the display of Lee Gregory in their 0-0 draw at Barnsley in the EFL Championship on Wednesday evening.

The striker, currently on loan from Stoke City, was guilty of missing a big chance to win the match, but instead the Pride Park faithful had to settle for a point to edge them ever closer to safety.

Gregory did not have the best of games by his standards, losing out on five of his duels, while also failing to record a single successful dribble and losing possession of the ball 11 times (Sofascore).

Aside from that one great chance, the 32-year-old struggled to make any sort of real impact on the fixture, recording fewer touches than his own goalkeeper Kelle Roos and a mere 25 in total, the fewest out of any Rams player to have started the clash (Sofascore).

Derby fan reaction to Gregory display

These DCFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that the Englishman was ‘rubbish’:

“Gregory was rubbish send him back !!! #dcfc #dcfcfans”

Credit: @JillianW123

“Roos and Mengi really good today. Edmundson worked very well in midfield but lacks control with the ball at his feet. Gregory had an absolute stinker with an awful touch when he was through in the first half and missing the 1v1 in the second. Lucky not to give away a pen #dcfc”

Credit: @Joe43534774

“Must admit Lee Gregory is worse than I thought #dcfc”

Credit: @rooybears

“We let Marriott go on loan and we sign Lee Gregory no wonder we are in trouble #dcfc”

Credit: @Rammie007

“It’s the reason why Gregory allowed out on loan. Not good enough, doesn’t score enough. We need Derby players in the summer not loan players”
Credit: @ijclarke72

“Gregory has had the chance to win 3 games now, and fluffed them all. Not impressed.”
Credit: @RamInSweden

In other news, find out who was hammered for their display versus Cardiff City here!

Liverpool slumped to their sixth straight home defeat in the Premier League after their 1-0 loss to Fulham on Sunday.

Pearce reacts

Things went from bad to worse for the reigning Premier League champions as they fell further off the pace in the race for the top four. If there were any doubts of their title charge being over before the game, they have now surely been confirmed.

Mario Lemina scored the only goal of the game right on half-time to secure the points for the relegation-battling Cottagers, who latched onto a mistake from Mohamed Salah.

After the full-time whistle, The Athletic journalist James Pearce provided immediate analysis on the game as soon as referee Kevin Friend put the whistle to his mouth.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Liverpool have had just 10 shots on target in their last three games, which is nowhere near good enough for a team which recently won the Champions League and the Premier League in the space of 13 months.

It’s becoming increasing unfathomable that their gruesome run has continued. Jurgen Klopp freshened the squad up and featured some new faces in a bid to provide some new ideas, but ultimately nothing new came to the table.

The mystery is growing. Only Klopp and his coaching staff can work on the possible answers with a huge Champions League game on the horizon in midweek.

In other news, Liverpool blockbuster move in trouble as ‘unplayable’ star’s hefty demands emerge

According to a report by Spanish news outlet Sport, as relayed and translated by Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur star striker is ‘committed to leaving’ north London this summer as Manchester City eye a successor for club legend Sergio Aguero – coming as a potential blow for Jose Mourinho and Spurs.

Kane, who has been Tottenham’s most crucial asset this season, with the Englishman putting in an enormous contribution for the Lilywhites as they quest to mount a possible end of season top four challenge, is committed to a summer exit according to Sport.

Tottenham dealt potential Kane blow

The 27-year-old has bagged a brilliant 16 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League alone for Spurs this season, averaging a threatening 3.8 shots per 90 in that time under Mourinho.

Indeed, Spurs are heavily reliant on their star target man, but this report from Spain says he is now committed to leaving north London as Man City consider a move.

The Sky Blues are apparently set to ‘bet heavily’ on Borussia Dortmund attacker Erling Haaland in the next transfer window, but both Kane and Romelu Lukaku are also on the shortlist for Pep Guardiola.

Transfer Tavern take

Mourinho will be hoping Kane doesn’t opt to exit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he seeks to bring silverware to the club for the first time since 2008, but it seems another summer of constant rumours is on the horizon.

Alasdair Gold recently indicated that chairman Daniel Levy will have a ‘huge’ decision to make in regards to Kane being sold off to fund summer additions, especially given the club’s current financial plight due to coronavirus.

In other news: Tottenham have been handed a boost over Gareth Bale, find out more here.

According to a report by Sport Italia TV journalist Gianluigi Longari, writing on Twitter, West Ham United lodged an inquiry over Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic last summer – with GSB once eyeing a move for the 6 foot 5 powerhouse as this transfer news emerges. 

Milenkovic, who has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Tottenham (Fabrizio Romano via WeAreTottenhamTV) – is now attracting Manchester United’s attention amid ‘difficult’ contract negotiations with his current club.

West Ham inquired for Milenkovic

This is according to Longari’s information, and whilst revealing the Red Devils’ interest in signing Milenkovic, the journalist also claims that GSB and West Ham lodged an inquiry for him last summer.

Once likened to legendary Premier League defender Nemanja Vidic, the Serbian stands at a towering 6 foot 5 and arguably holds the potential to become a world class centre-back at just 23-years-old.

Milenkovic’s former coach Ivan Tomic described the colossal defender as a ‘beast’ and journalist Dejan Stankovic labelled him ‘fearless’ (ESPN) – leaving little wonder why West Ham were allegedly interested.

However, there is no report of that interest being current, with Man United instead on the look out for his signature.

Transfer Tavern take

David Moyes has had no shortage of class centre-back options at his disposal this season, with the likes of Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna (currently injured), Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena all arguably impressing for West Ham at points over 2020/2021.

Seemingly the last position GSB need to strengthen at this present moment, this update that they lodged an inquiry for Milenkovic last summer comes as intriguing one.

In other news: West Ham fans blasted this ace against Man City, find out more here.