All posts by n8rngtd.top

According to reliable source and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, via Man City Xtra, the Sky Blues and Pep Guardiola are planning to sign ‘interesting’ and ‘young’ players in the summer – resulting in many Manchester City supporters heralding this update as they are wowed by his claim.

City are currently in a rich vein of form, having won their last 11 matches in all competitions, thanks to undroppable stars Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, John Stones and transformative summer signing Ruben Dias, among others.

Romano, sharing an update with supporters, claims the Sky Blues are now planning for next year after manager Guardiola seemingly ruled out any January acquisitions (The Independent).

The Italian journalist says City will be targeting ‘interesting’ and ‘young’ players – and who these names could be has been left open to interpretation.

Flocking to his claim, many supporters are still excited over what could lie ahead, and you can find all of their best verdicts down below.

Man City fans wowed by Romano claim

“FABRIZIOOO”

Credit: @bdeanMCFC

“Oh boy, already excited but scared too! I hope we dont target players that are not heard of in terms of young talent.”

Credit: @AdilSha41002424

“Fabrizio Romano does it again”

Credit: @MCFCPH

“WE’RE GOING TO WIN IT ALL”

Credit: @KZN22_

“Music to my ears..@ErlingHaaland you’re coming home”

Credit: @kelvin_Obika

“WE MOVEEEEE”

Credit: @onemilli19

“I’m tingling”

Credit: @DominicMurphy97

In other news: Plenty of Sky Blues also swooned over this potentially ‘great news’, find out more here. 

The Newcastle Consortium Supporters Ltd (NCSL) have dropped a big takeover claim after Jamie Reuben ‘liked’ one of their latest Twitter posts.

Jamie is one half of the Reuben brothers who were part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group looking to take over at St. James’ Park with their £300m deal with Mike Ashley.

That bid has since been rejected by the Premier League, leading the NCSL to use their social media platform to try and get it back on track.

They did this by sharing a copy of the letter that they sent to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for some more answers and some clarity as to why exactly the proposed takeover of the Tyneside club  failed, and since then, the NCSL have tweeted that Reuben had ‘liked’ their post, adding:

“We can’t wait until these people are installed into our club when the takeover completes!”

Can the Newcastle takeover be revived?

It is a pretty big statement for the NCSL to make as they seem confident that the takeover in the North East will eventually be completed, as there are still a few issues that need to be sorted out in order for that to happen.

An arbitration hearing between the Magpies and the Premier League is likely to be needed in front of a judge in order to settle their legal disputes, while the KSA summit in just a couple of days may sort out the political disputes between the Saudis and their Gulf neighbours in Qatar.

In other news, find out which consortium members has dropped a subtle takeover hint here!

Football has established its fanbases over years of play. The international language of the sport means that it has been adopted as a favourite past time by those around the world. For what is ostensibly a game of kicking a ball around, the sport is revered. Could eSports follow in football’s footsteps and discover how to be taken more seriously by those in the mainstream?

eSports as an Olympic Event

Men’s football has been a part of the modern Summer Olympics games since its inception (barring 1896 and 1932). Women’s football was even added in Atlanta in 1996, which helped the branch of the sport gain further legitimacy at a time when women’s football was seen as dramatically different than men’s. The inclusion in the world’s biggest and most revered sporting competition shows that football has credibility. But could eSports also be added to the Olympics?

Some eSports fanatics argue that the Olympics – in the US at least – loses viewership year on year. In fact, the Olympics is more about the hosting city than about the sport. eSports fans suggest that with the addition of professional gaming, younger audiences may be attracted to watching the Olympics. The idea stands up – Twitch, which helps host gaming streams has millions of viewers, most of whom are interested in professional competitive gaming.

Betting on eSports

eSports is doing well by following football in one aspect, however. While online sites offer many opportunities for sports betting – from football to tennis, hockey to basketball – there is also the opportunity to bet on eSports. Being offered as a form of betting has helped older audiences begin to take eSports seriously. The addition of money helps give eSports more credibility.

In terms of betting on eSports, it does follow the same principles as football. Players can be analysed based on past performance. There are coaches and sponsors, as well as tournaments that allow fans to follow teams and players. There is a thriving social community online. If eSports applies this same attitude to other aspects to be more like football, it could be seen as a more legitimate sport.

eSports Needs a FIFA

Back in 2017, it was reported that eSports would be a medal event at the 2022 Asian Games. The sport/gaming industry has been more readily adopted in the east. Not only is Japan the spiritual home of video games, but China promotes their technology sector, which encompasses eSports. However, proponents of the industry were puzzled, despite the bluster, to discover that in the 2019 event announcement there was no mention of eSports.

It was suggested that the lack of a single international federation meant that eSports couldn’t be officially accepted. Football has FIFA, for instance. Gaining this international body and having some consensus could help see eSports be taken seriously.

Football is in a league of its own. eSports, which many dub the football of the future, could potentially carve a niche for itself. But while football is a simple game with a set of rules and an appeal that many are attracted to, eSports is viewed as being more niche. There are dozens of different eSports titles, for instance. There are also financial barriers to becoming a player. But by following in the footsteps of football, eSports could eventually become a legitimate alternative to physical sports.

Leeds United face Aston Villa for the first time since the 2018/19 season on Friday, and nobody should need reminding what happened the last time these two sides faced off.

If you are in need of a little refresher, Leeds’ last game against the Villans was one of the most controversial games of 2019 with Mateusz Klich scoring a goal while Jonathan Kodjia was down injured before Marcelo Bielsa instructed his players to allow the Midlands outfit to walk the ball into the net unopposed.

However, what is often forgotten about this game is Anwar El Ghazi’s red card and Patrick Bamford’s retrospective ban for deceiving an official.

Dean Smith had some choice words for Bamford after the game calling the incident ‘farcical’ and saying that Bamford should be ashamed of the part he played in getting the Villa man sent off.

Friday is Bamford’s first chance to make Smith eat his words and show him the best side of his game, and it’s something that he should keep in mind to get him revved up for this fixture.

Professional athletes shouldn’t need extra motivation aside from winning the game to help them perform at their best, but anyone who listened to Michael Jordan throughout The Last Dance on Netflix over the summer will tell you that elite sportsmen can find an extra gear and a competitive edge by using these sort of personal vendettas to fuel their fire.

Smith’s words after that game were personal and Bamford should have those in mind ahead of this fixture.

Bamford should be ready to make Smith regret ever calling his professionalism into question and the best way to do that is to bang in a couple of goals past Emi Martinez and consign Aston Villa to their first defeat of the season.

The Leeds striker has been in great form this season netting three goals in his first five games, and he should be in the perfect mindset to add to that tally this weekend.

Fingers crossed Bamford can show Villa exactly what he’s about on Friday evening.

Southampton have been willing to allow either Angus Gunn or Fraser Forster to leave the club before the end of the transfer window, but the pair’s wages have been a stumbling block.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been keen to allow one of his back up goalkeeping options to leave the club, with Alex McCarthy firmly established as the club’s first-choice between the sticks. However, it could be that it will be fourth choice stopper Harry Lewis who is allowed to leave on loan, as per the Daily Mail.

Hasenhuttl facing choice over Saints number two

The Saints have been in talks over the prospect of allowing either of one of their main back up keepers to leave the club before the window shuts, as per the Daily Mail. Forster spent last season out on loan at Celtic helping them pick up their ninth successive league title. Gunn, meanwhile, has seen himself drop down the pecking order despite starting last term as number one.

Southampton were considering making a swoop for Stoke City’s Jack Butland in a move which could have seen Gunn head in the other direction. It now seems unlikely that deal will go ahead with time running out before the window slams shut, as per the Daily Mail.

Although, Gunn could still potentially move to the Potters if Butland’s move to Crystal Palace goes through, as per The Athletic reporter Dan Sheldon.

Forster still has two-years remaining on his £70,000-a-week deal, per Spotrac, and he has been the Saints’ number two behind McCarthy so far this term. Gunn, meanwhile, still has three years left to run on his deal worth around £40,000-a-week, per Spotrac. Those wages have put off some potential suitors.

Gunn and Forster too good to be sitting on the side-lines

Gunn was once called up by England ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Forster has been capped six times by the Three Lions. That type of pedigree suggests both are too good to be stuck as third or second choices behind McCarthy.

For Gunn in particular after being labelled as a player with a ‘big future’ by Hasenhuttl to be now third choice is a major blow. However, he did concede 2.5 goals per game in the Premier League last term (via Sofascore). The 24-year-old would potentially benefit from a move to Stoke if it can go through before the deadline.

Saints fans, who should be the backup behind McCarthy? Let us know your thoughts below!

The chatter over Kai Havertz potentially joining Chelsea this season still has many fans and professionals glued to the story. 

The move looks set to be announced any day now as a recent Sky Sports report claimed that the German wants to joins the Blues as soon as possible.

Havertz recently agreed terms with Marina Granovskaia, which will see him earn £7.3m per year – a weekly wage of £140,000. Only the final details remain to be confirmed as Chelsea look set to splash a further £90m on a new recruit in this window.

German football expert Raphael Honigstein has given his thoughts on Havertz as a player and what could be waiting in his future once he joins Chelsea.

“He’s in a position where he could dominate the German national team over the next decade, depending on his position,” he said on the Transfer Talk podcast (via Sky Sports). “Will he play in the No. 10 role and become the new Mesut Ozil or will he settle a bit deeper and become the new Toni Kroos? He’s got the ability to play almost anywhere in front of the defence.”

Indeed, Havertz boasts an exceptional goalscoring return so far in his career. The 21-year-old tallied 12 league goals and six assists last term, taking his total so far up to 36 goals and 25 assists in 118 Bundesliga appearances (via Transfermarkt).

Should he be announced over the next few days, he will become Lampard’s sixth senior signing of the summer and join fellow German and new addition Timo Werner in hoping to help the Blues challenge for silverware this season. They will undoubtedly want to build on their fourth-placed Premier League finish and push for the title instead – a goal which could seem more attainable if Havertz arrives at Stamford Bridge and fufils Honigstein’s prophecy.

Do you think Kai Havertz will be a game-changer for Chelsea? Have your say in the comments below!

This season, the world of football is quite different than we’re used to. Of course, this is all due to circumstances we have absolutely no, or at the very best very little, control of. However, there is good news – football has already returned, with most domestic leagues already done and dusted, and the Champions League will do the same this week.

First, we’ll get the Europa League clashes on Wednesday night, 5 August, with Manchester United taking the centre stage against LASK once again. Of course, it would take a heroic effort from the visitors to overturn Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men’s 5-0 thrashing from the first meeting. But even more importantly, and after almost five months of hiatus, the Champions League will return this Friday, 7 August.

Manchester City will welcome Real Madrid at the Etihad stadium, having previously won their clash at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 2-1 scoreline. Pep Guardiola’s team is primed to take this one and go all the way to the final.

The day after, on Saturday, Chelsea will visit Bayern Munich as Frank Lampard’s troops hope for a miraculous comeback since the first game ended in a 3-0 stomp for the Bavarians.

What are the new rules for the return of the Champions League?

UEFA have indeed introduced a couple of new rules for the Champions League’s grand return this week. First of all, all quarter-finals and semi-finals will now take place as single-leg ties, as opposed to the usual format where teams would have the chance to compete both home and away.

Additionally, seeing how this will be a one-off affair between the clubs, UEFA have decided that all games will take place across two stadiums in Portugal: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Estadio Jose Alvalade. Of course, the unplayed round of 16 second legs will be held at the club’s home grounds as they normally would, providing the health measures are met.

Teams will also have the possibility of five substitutes, as was the case throughout the domestic leagues after the break, but will also only be allowed to make these changes at three specific points in the game.

Finally, teams will be allowed to bring 23 players for all the games instead of 18, something that is usually exclusively permitted only for the final.

With Arsenal struggling to pull the finances together to fund a deal for Thomas Partey, they are looking elsewhere and they now know the price they will have to pay if they want to acquire Danilo Pereira from FC Porto.

According to O Jogo (via Daily Mail), the Gunners will have to pay around £27m if they want to buy the 28-year-old. However, this valuation has not gone down well with the north London side, who only want to pay a maximum of £18m for the Portugal international.

Pereira featured 37 times in all competitions last season including in the Champions League and seems to be a solid defensive midfielder as he has managed 1.1 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Pereira has experience of major competitions at both club and international level – indeed, he was a Euro 2016 winner with Portugal and has two league titles with Porto – which suggests that Arsenal would  get a very strong calibre of player if they were to sign him.

It is understandable, however, with the current financial struggles at the club that Mikel Arteta does not want to spend nearly £30m on Pereira; and despite his quality and experience, the Gunners might have to look for a cheaper alternative so that they have funds to spend on multiple players this transfer window.

They cannot afford to just splash the cash on one player despite winning the FA Cup, as they finished eighth in the Premier League this year and therefore require greater squad depth and quality if they are to push for a return to the Champions League.

Gunners fans, is Porto’s asking price for Pereira excessive or should Arsenal roll the dice and pay it? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has revealed the club already have a couple of deals in the works.

What did he say?

The Magpies of course are still awaiting confirmation of whether their proposed takeover has gone through or not, with the Premier League yet to ratify the Saudi consortium’s bid.

Despite that, Bruce has claimed that the Tyneside club are already working on transfers ahead of the start of the new season in September. He said (as quoted by The Chronicle): “As soon as the window opens, we’ll go to work. Things are not on hold. We need that (takeover) decision to be made, but the only thing I can do, along with Lee (Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director), is to keep planning as best we can, and that obviously includes the transfer market.

Think you’re a big Magpies fan? Can you name these former players by looking at their careers? Go on, give it a go…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

“I think, even without the takeover, a lot of clubs will be taking stock of the situation. When I say business as usual, we’ve got one or two irons in the fire right now – let’s hope we can pull them off. We’ve got competition, but I think that’ll be the case right through the summer.”

Good news

Whilst the takeover eventually going through will surely be worth the wait, the fact of the matter is, that Newcastle simply cannot afford to stand still and be passive this summer.

The quick turnaround from the end of this season on Sunday afternoon, and then the restart in early September, means the Magpies will have to be working flat out over these coming weeks to ensure their transfer targets are secured nice and early.

Waiting around for the Premier League to give the green light to the takeover would just waste unnecessary time, and even leave them in limbo. It’s exactly why Bruce’s claim that they have “one or two irons in the fire right now” should make for welcome reading.

Tottenham are eager to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to Foot Mercato as per @TalkingTHFC.

It is no secret Jose Mourinho wants to sign a new striker, as Harry Kane has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of a large chunk of the season.

Football journalist Santi Aouna reports Mourinho is “dreaming” of signing Milinkovic Savic in the summer.

The Serbian has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest talents after establishing himself at Lazio, and a move would surely benefit Spurs in the long run.

Milinkovic-Savic is arguably one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world.

The Serb dominates the midfield with his imposing frame, as he stands at 191cm (6’2 feet) tall, and his physicality sets him apart from some of his more notable contemporaries.

After arriving at the Stadio Olimpico from Genk for £16.2m, the 25-year-old has played 27 games in Serie A this season, scoring 5 goals, creating 4 assists, taking 2 shots per game, averaging 1.2 key passes, and completing 1.2 dribbles.

Meanwhile, Tanguy Ndombele has made the headlines for all of the wrong reasons.

The club’s record signing has been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with Mourinho which has shown no signs of stopping anytime soon.

At the moment, all the evidence points towards Ndombele leaving the club in the near future. Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the situation, while Mourinho has never been one to back down from confrontation.

Indeed, the Portuguese famously banished Bastian Schweinsteiger during his time in charge of Manchester United, as the German midfielder caused disruption by leaving the country for surgery multiple times.

If Ndombele ends up leaving, Milinkovic-Savic would surely be the perfect replacement. In fact, the Serbia international has earned a higher WhoScored rating than his French counterpart for his performances this season.

The Biancocelesti are willing to let him leave, but only if the price is right, and he is currently valued at £57.6m via Transfermarkt.

Whether or not Daniel Levy will splash the cash is another matter entirely.

Tottenham fans, should the board sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic before the start of next season? Join the discussion in the comments section…