All posts by h716a5.icu

In a recent interview, former Rangers defender Michael Ball has tipped Steven Gerrard to allow Ibrox star Alfredo Morelos to leave this summer, which would be a huge blow ahead of next season.

Speaking to Football Transfer Tavern, the 41-year-old pundit said:

“It’s a difficult one, you don’t like seeing your good players or your key players leave a football club, no matter what level, but unfortunately when they start getting in the limelight and doing the business worldwide, clubs do want to come in for these players.

“It’s down to Rangers to accept the figure that they demand and if a club wants to come in and stump up that fee, I think Steven will be happy for him to move on and wish him well. But then give Steven the treasure chest to go and bring in the new players to keep the club moving forward for the next couple of years.”

Morelos has been a key fixture at Rangers since joining the club from HJK Helsinki in 2017, making 182 appearances and contributing an impressive 94 goals and 43 assists.

‘El Bufalo’ also wrote himself into Ibrox history when he broke Ally McCoist’s record of goals for the club in Europe with a goal against Benfica last November, and therefore he is exactly the type of player that Gerrard will be desperate to keep in his squad as they prepare for a return to the Champions League next term.

After he previously equalled the Gers’ European record with a goal against Lech Poznan, Gerrard was full of praise for the forward, saying: “It’s fantastic for him from a personal point of view. Alfredo’s a top-class player, a top-class goalscorer, and it’s fantastic that he’s still here.”

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The 24-year-old was also a key player for Rangers as they secured the league title this season, with his 11 goals and three assists in the Premiership helping him to average an impressive 7.20/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was the sixth-best score of any player in Gerrard’s squad.

Although selling the £10.8m-rated forward would raise cash which Rangers could reinvest, as Ball suggests, it would be something of a nightmare to sell their top European goalscorer of all time ahead of the Gers’ return to Champions League football.

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Therefore, Gerrard must avoid selling the Colombia international this summer if he can, as the 24-year-old has proven himself to be a hugely important player at Ibrox in recent years.

In other news… Gerrard dealt major Rangers transfer blow over “fantastic” star

The bifurcated Bihar finally looks towards the “able guidance” of Laloo Prasad Yadav for the development of cricket in the state

21-May-2001The bifurcated Bihar finally looks towards the “able guidance” of Laloo Prasad Yadav for the development of cricket in the state.The newly-elected secretary of the Bihar Cricket Association, Ajay Narayan Sharma said on Monday that the election of Yadav as the President of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) was a “great achievement for Bihar cricket.””Bihar cricket under the able guidance of Laloo Prasad Yadav would achieve in three years what it could not in the last 60 years,” Sharma told PTI over phone from his office in Patna.Yadav, who suddenly developed an interest for the game of cricket, was elected as the President unopposed at the election of the BCA at Jamshedpur on Sunday.Incidentally the administration of cricket in undivided Bihar had always been controlled from Jamshedpur which used to get all attention. But now the development of cricket in the state would be taken up in earnest and priority would be given in setting up infrastructure in all the districts of Bihar, said Sharma.The association would strive to set up turf wickets in at least 15 districts within three years, he said adding that as of now, only two districts – Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur – other than Patna had turf wickets.Cricket academies to hone the skills of budding players of the state would also be set up at these centres, he said.Sharma, who represented Bihar in the Ranji Trophy from 1973 to 1983 and has been a State selector since the last four years, said Bihar and Jharkhand might play as one team this year as it would be difficult to set up two teams immediately.Regarding division of funds of the mother association, Sharma said it could be done only after the dispute over which association in Jharkhand gets recognition of BCCI is solved.The formation of two cricket associations in the newly-formed state -Jharkhand Cricket Association and Cricket Association of Jharkhand – has given rise to a controversy and only of them will finally get recognition.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were delighted with the performance of Joe Aribo during their comprehensive victory over Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Gers finished the 2020/21 campaign in style with a comfortable victory over the Dons thanks to a Joe Lewis own-goal and a brace from Kemar Roofe. The result means that, for the first time in the history of the club, the Gers have gone a whole top-flight campaign unbeaten (Daily Record), and they will be able to celebrate as they lift the trophy at Ibrox after the match.

Aribo was deployed in the unfamiliar position of left-back with Borna Barisic unavailable, and the Nigeria international put in a fantastic performance. He linked up particularly well with left-winger Ryan Kent as the Gers bossed the game.

Aribo has come in for criticism from some Gers supporters in the past, but he proved them wrong here as his passing was near-perfect, while he also won several duels this afternoon.

These Rangers fans were happy with what they saw from the 24-year-old today, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Aribo below

“Kent and Aribo running the show at the moment! Could be and should be a cricket score”

Credit: @MartinBriderKRE

“Kent and Aribo on the left together is a cheat code”

Credit: @wilson_baillie

“Aribo and Kent are playing unreal!!!”

Credit: @RobsTia99

“Kent and Aribo. Magic.”

Credit: @james_ws_whyte

“I love Borna but watching Kent and Aribo down that left side is mesmerising”

Credit: @a22an

“Kent and Aribo are too good for this league man, utter filth”

Credit: @CMCC_1872

In other news, many Rangers fans are livid over this journalist’s comments.

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he believes Everton would pay Brentford’s asking price for striker Ivan Toney.

Following his outstanding first season in the Championship, the Bees have reportedly slapped a £30million price tag on the 25-year-old amid interest from several Premier League sides.

West Ham, Leeds and Arsenal are all keen on Toney, although Everton’s need is perhaps the greatest, with both Josh King and Cenk Tosun expected to be moved on this summer – which would leave them with just one natural striker.

King’s contract expires at the end of the season, whilst Tosun, who’s currently on loan at Galatasaray, is about to enter the final 12 months of his deal, with the Toffees likely to cash-in on the Turkish international.

And Bent believes that by selling those two strikers, it could pave the way for director of football Marcel Brands to match Brentford’s £30million asking price for Toney, who’s scored 30 goals in the Championship this season.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s proven in the Championship, he’s not proven in the Premier League, but again, with today’s transfer requests and transfer fees, that’s the sort of money you’ve got to pay.

“If they get rid of some of the players we’ve spoken about and they’ve got the money in the kitty, I’m sure they will.”

Batsmen continued to hold sway on the second day ofthe CricInfo Championship match at Hove as Nottinghamshireclosed on 214-4 in reply to Sussex’s 404

Bruce Talbot10-May-2001Batsmen continued to hold sway on the second day ofthe CricInfo Championship match at Hove as Nottinghamshireclosed on 214-4 in reply to Sussex’s 404.But the day was not without incident with Mark Davis,Sussex’s new off-spinner, the first player to fallfoul of the new penalty punishments imposed thisseason.Davis was twice warned for running on to the pitch andhad the single he made when he committed his secondindiscretion removed from his score. A third offencewould have cost his side five penalty runs, but hewas last out for 41 when the Sussex innings ended 40minutes after lunch.Earlier Robin Martin-Jenkins had made a patient 55,but Sussex rather lost their way after losing BasZuiderent in the second over without addition to hisovernight 122. Left-armer Greg Smith took 5-64 asSussex failed to secure maximum batting bonus points.An easy-paced pitch is proving a boon for batsmen andall the Nottinghamshire top order got starts. But noone went on, with Martin-Jenkins removing DarrenBicknell in his first over for 14 and Usman Afzaalfor 29, both courtesy of excellent slip catches.James Kirtley claimed the prized scalp of GregBlewett for 49 and Jason Lewry removed Guy Welton offhis own bowling, but an unbroken fifth-wicket standof 66 between Paul Johnson (35 not out) and KevinPieterson, who is undefeated on 36, seems to haveremoved any worries Notts may have had of having tofollow on after their fourth wicket fell with thetotal on 142.The start of play had been delayed for 15 minuteswhile groundstaff used a blow torch to dry out a damppatch.

A Liverpool source has dropped a big claim on the future of Jurgen Klopp after some more insight was given into the European Super League (ESL) fiasco.

As per Football Insider, the German manager’s future at the Anfield faithful is ‘far from secure’ after his relationship with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) suffered as a result of their disagreements over the Reds’ participation in the ESL.

His bosses now reportedly face a ‘huge task’ to get Klopp back on board in fear that he may walk away, as he was ‘devastated’ at not being consulted about the plan to join the breakaway league and felt that FSG left him ‘hanging out to dry’.

Klopp condemned the project in public before and after his team’s 1-1 away draw at Leeds United in the Premier League on Monday night, which certainly put a strain on his relationship with his employers, who were ‘unhappy’ that he was so negative about it.

Liverpool must keep Klopp

If anything, the Merseyside club should be looking to keep Klopp and for FSG to leave their post if possible, rather than the other way around.

The ESL was purely the latter’s idea and so Klopp should not be punished or feel as if he should need to punish himself for their proposed involvement, especially after John Henry admitted the blame lies on FSG, not the staff or players.

Now, the former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund coach should be fully concentrated on getting LFC back into the UEFA Champions League for the 2021/22 term, which would be an impressive feat given the somewhat disastrous season the Reds have suffered thus far.

In other news, find out what James Pearce update on John Henry Reds have flocked to here!

Speaking to the press (via football.london) before Monday night’s away trip to Burnley, West Ham United boss David Moyes has refused to rule out a return for striker Michail Antonio as he drops a message.

Antonio has been on the sidelines since suffering a hamstring injury during the win at Wolverhampton Wanderers early last month, and there were real fears he could miss the rest of the season (The Guardian).

However, updates from within the club have emerged recently, including one from ExWHUemployee saying the 31-year-old is in fact ‘way ahead of schedule’ and could be back sooner than expected (Twitter).

Now, Irons gaffer Moyes has dropped his own message on the situation and refuses to rule out a return for Antonio as soon as Monday evening.

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When asked if Antonio could be fit for Burnley, he replied:

“He is working with the physios on the grass, so I would not rule him out yet, but I do not want to rule him in so let’s hope that he has a chance.”

Transfer Tavern take

The forward returning as soon as their visit to Turf Moor could come as a pretty seismic boost as the Hammers continue their quest to qualify for an unprecedented European place.

Indeed, West Ham still have a chance to secure a spot in the Champions League and Antonio’s return would present a gift for Moyes given his contribution.

His fine form earlier this season earned him a new deal at the London Stadium, with the Englishman having bagged seven goals and five assists in the Premier League this season (WhoScored).

Only sensational loanee Jesse Lingard has averaged more shots per 90 than Antonio over 2020/2021 and Harry Redknapp is a huge fan.

The former Tottenham boss called him ‘frightening’ when speaking to Sky (via Football Daily), and Moyes could really do with his influence during the business end of the campaign.

In other news: West Ham told asking price for ‘phenomenal’ forward, find out more here.

Leeds United youngster Mateusz Bogusz is reportedly keen to seal another loan move away from Elland Road next season in order to earn regular playing time.

The 19-year-old joined the Whites back in January 2019, with the club viewing him as an exciting young player. However, Bogusz has appeared just once for Leeds this season, playing in the Carabao Cup clash with Hull City, which Marcelo Bielsa’s side eventually lost on penalties.

The midfielder subsequently joined Spanish Segunda Division team Logrones on loan for the rest of the season, where he has made 18 league appearances.

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Bogusz eyes up another move from Leeds

According to Meczyki [via Sport Witness], Bogusz is ‘preparing for another transfer’, with Legia Warsaw keen on snapping him up on a temporary basis.

It is even stated that ‘advanced talks are already underway’ with regards to a move there, with a permanent transfer seemingly not completely ruled out.

Transfer Tavern take

It makes perfect sense for Bogusz to head elsewhere again next season, considering the midfield depth ahead of him at Leeds.

Staying put and not playing would be a risk in terms of the youngster growing stagnant and not maturing as a footballer, which is of no benefit to anyone.

Bogusz’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2023, so a decision regarding his long-term future doesn’t need to be made yet, so a loan exit makes the most sense for the time being.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a player who appeared four times at the 2018 World Cup. Read more here.

Steve Howey has exclusively told Football FanCast that he thinks Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane could leave Liverpool this summer.

The attacking pair have been part of an incredible front-three, which includes Roberto Firmino, over the past few seasons, helping Liverpool get back to the top by winning the Champions League followed by the Premier League 12 months later.

However, whilst Salah is the second top goalscorer in the Premier League behind Harry Kane, Mane has scored just seven times in the league, and hasn’t found the net since scoring at Tottenham back in January – with both struggling to replicate their outstanding form from Liverpool’s title-winning campaign.

Recent reports have suggested Salah, who’s been heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, wants to leave Anfield this summer, although Mane recently said he’s “prouder than ever to play for Liverpool” amid exit talks.

And Howey told Football FanCast that if one of the two La Liga sides come knocking, they’ll be too hard to turn down:

“Nothing lasts forever. They’ve had a couple of unbelievable seasons. This season Liverpool, yes they’ve had injuries, but even apart from that they’ve not been near their high-tempo. But you can’t do that high-tempo week in, week out.

“Mane has been linked with Real Madrid and the other one [Salah] linked with Barcelona, but whilst Liverpool is a huge, huge, magnificent football club, if you get asked to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, you go.”

Plenty of Aston Villa fans were quick to react to Dean Smith’s comments following the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Friday.

Villa looked to have taken all three points at St James’ Park following Ciaran Clark’s own goal late on. However, the hosts stopped Villa leapfrogging Liverpool in the table after Jamaal Lascelles levelled things up with seconds remaining.

Missing Jack Grealish

Without the injured Jack Grealish in recent weeks, Villa have only managed to score three goals in 300 minutes of Premier League action.

They’ve picked up just five points from a possible 15 in that time, with Leicester City the only side above Villa in their recent run of fixtures.

Villa fans react to Smith’s comments

Birmingham Live reporter Ashley Preece posted two tweets from Smith’s post-match comments, with the boss addressing his initial feelings and Villa’s lack of cutting edge.

“You’re disappointed, naturally. We didn’t deserve to win the game. It was an ugly game. But, when we score a goal near the 90th minute, you’ve got to see it out. We could have got the goal to make it 2-0 but we didn’t make the most of those opportunities.

“It’s always a concern when you’re not creating chances. There weren’t many big chances in the game. We’ve got good enough players but some of them are short on confidence and rhythm at the minute, as are a lot of players in the league.”

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to Preece’s posts, with one labelling the boyhood Villa fan’s comments as ‘boring’.

“He’s wrong and needs telling he is wrong. Neither Anwar nor Trez makes the first 11 of any team in the top half of this league.”

Credit: @Son_Lyme

“Smith’s getting boring. It’s like listening to David O’Dreary all over again.”

Credit: @Eamonosh

“Same post match speech as the previous 6 ain’t it”

Credit: @thelogan1975

“If I’m being honest. I’d like see a few of the youngsters. Our season is over, good opportunity to give a couple a few games imo. I know there’s more prize money higher you finish but the experience is invaluable”

Credit: @MTrezzy1981

“We have been ‘ugly’ for weeks.”

Credit: @wilsterdavies1

“Yeah but he talks like it’s got nothing to do with him, Villa are not going down now, so just go out there & attack teams & see what happens!”

Credit: @1966wall

“Lets be honest, without Grealish, we’d be looking at another relegation dogfight again”

Credit: @DMayLovell