All posts by z3u9t.icu

After Leeds United’s ascension into the promised land of the Premier League, there remains two clubs in the EFL to have won major European trophies – 1981 UEFA Cup winners, Ipswich Town, and Nottingham Forest. For the latter, it’s now over 40 years since a John Robertson goal delivered the second of two European Cups in succession. A nice memory, but also one that reminds Forest fans that glory days are firmly in the past.

Fans need no reminding that Forest have just started their 22nd season in succession outside England’s top flight. Their average position in the Championship over the last ten seasons has been a thoroughly unremarkable 13th. 2010/11 was the last time they made the Playoffs.

But fans would be delighted to see Forest even in mid-table at the moment. Four defeats in four games saw them in the relegation zone before the international break, only ahead of Wycombe on goal difference and Sheffield Wednesday who started on minus 12 points. A defeat to high-flying Bristol City was the final straw for the owners, who promptly sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi and replaced him with Chris Hughton. While Hughton is seen as a safe pair of hands and got his Forest tenure off to a fine start with a win over Blackburn, he has quite the task ahead of him if he is to get a tune out of Forest.

Hughton must stabilise a squad in constant flux

The first problem Hughton faces is to get to grips with a squad that contains plenty of talent on paper, but little cohesion. To give you an indication of the kind of upheaval we have seen at Forest in recent seasons, consider that former boss Aitor Karanka, who had a year in charge up until January 2019, signed 24 players across two transfer windows. Lamouchi also signed over a dozen players in 2020. Forest haven’t been spending a fortune, as many players left too, but it’s the constant state of flux that has been hurting the team.

The second issue facing Hughton is to develop some kind of workable understanding with the owner, shipping magnate Stefanos Marinakis. The 53-year-old Greek also owns Olympiakos, but he has shown the kind of knee-jerk decision making that is reminiscent of Venky’s at Blackburn Rovers. Hughton is the sixth man to take his place in the dugout since Marinakis bought the club in May 2017. The onus should be on the board to give Hughton time.

You would imagine that Hughton will see the resolution of those two issues above as a means to achieve stability first and foremost. On paper, Forest look too good to be involved in a relegation battle – although you never can tell in the Championship – but they certainly do not look like they will be anywhere near the Playoff spots even should Hughton quickly get them out of this funk. He might want to resist the temptation to overhaul the squad in January, although there are several players who might seem surplus to requirements.

Soh could be a superstar

The green shoots for Hughton? Some clear quality to build a team around. 19-year-old centre back Loic Mbe Soh, who Forest signed from Paris Saint Germain, looks like a star of the future. Lewis Grabban has demonstrated he has the skillset to get goals in the Championship. And, Jack Colback has settled in nicely, transferring from Newcastle after spending a couple of seasons on loan at the City Ground. You would worry, however, about signings like Cafu (not that one) and Miguel Guerrero, both of whom came from Olympiakos. Neither player would be there had it not been for Marinakis’ influence.

In a perfect world, Hughton would get time to assess the squad and then start building from next summer onwards. He might not get that, however, such is Marinakis propensity towards meddling. It would be a shame as Hughton seems the right man for the job of getting this historic club – the oldest in the EFL after Notts County’s relegation to the National League – back to where many believe it belongs.

While reports around Newcastle’s potential takeover have dominated the headlines over recent weeks, there is still the small matter of Matty Longstaff’s future at the club that needs resolving.

The midfielder’s contract will be up at the end of the season, and despite the Magpies offering him new and improved terms, he still hasn’t put pen to paper at St James’ Park.

If rumours are to be believed, the 20-year-old could end up moving abroad this summer, with Italian side Udinese reportedly interested in his services.

However, one reputable Newcastle journalist believes that if Longstaff moves to Udinese, he may end up back in England sooner rather than later.

What’s been said then?

Due to Udinese’s links to Watford via both clubs being owned by the Pozzo family, it has been speculated that the midfielder could be quickly loaned to the Hornets should he sign for the Serie A outfit on a free.

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Athletic journalist Chris Waugh believes that these suggestions could have some weight, stating that there’s a good chance that Longstaff could end up at Vicarage Road via Italy.

“I think there’s a fair chance that, if he goes to Udinese, at some point he would end up at Vicarage Road.” Waugh wrote.

“As for what he makes of Watford, I don’t think he’ll be particularly impressed. If anything, though, if Watford are relegated, maybe that would increase the prospects of him playing regularly there.”

Kick in the teeth

Seeing Longstaff playing in England via a move to Italy would be heart-wrenching for Newcastle in more ways than one.

Firstly, it’s never nice losing a highly-rated academy prospect under any circumstances, especially when he’s a local lad whose brother also plays for the club, but there are also financial implications to consider.

If a player under the age of 23 moves to another club within England then the club he’s departing are owed compensation relative to the player’s market value. Perhaps the most famous example of this was when Liverpool had to pay £8m to Burnley when they signed Danny Ings after his contract expired at Turf Moor.

However, when a player goes abroad, the club he joins only have to compensate the club based on the amount it cost them to train and educate them, which is usually a much lower fee, for example, Celtic only paid Fulham £500k after signing Moussa Dembele on a free, despite Tottenham offering £4m for him just a few months prior.

A move to Watford via Udinese looks like an instance of the Pozzo family exploiting a loophole in the system, and Newcastle stand to lose out because of it.

Burnley are reportedly keen on signing Joe Worrall from Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window.

Journalist Alan Nixon tweeted (via @reluctantnicko) that the Clarets would make a move for the centre-back if they can table a high enough offer to lure him from the City Ground, with Sheffield United also keen on the 23-year-old.

According to Lancashire Live, the Midlands outfit could realistically demand at least £10m for the defender, given that they value another Burnley target in Matty Cash in the region of £12m-£15m.

Worrall was an integral part of the Nottingham Forest side that just missed out on the Championship play-offs, featuring in every single minute of their league campaign under Sabri Lamouchi and providing a goal and four assists from centre-back (as per TransferMarkt).

The 23-year-old is generally composed in possession, with a passing success rate of 80.9%, while match averages of 3.2 successful headers and 5.2 clearances show that he is also capable of carrying out essential defensive duties with regularity.

Burnley are in the market for a centre-back in the current transfer window, given that they currently have just four senior players in that position – one of whom is Ben Gibson, who has essentially been exiled from the club and, according to Nixon, could be loaned out to Middlesbrough or Norwich.

Worrall’s match averages for headers, tackles and interceptions are noticeably lower than the figures posted by the Clarets’ two main centre-backs James Tarkowski (5.2 headers, 1.7 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game) and Ben Mee (4.1 headers, 1.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game).

However, the Nottingham Forest defender is far more economical with his use of the ball, his passing success rate substantially higher than those of Tarkowski and Mee, with 70.8% and 71.4% respectively. Indeed, Josh Brownhill (82.5%) was the only Burnley player to record a higher passing accuracy rate than Worrall during the 2019/20 season. [via WhoScored]

When looking at Worrall’s statistics in comparison to Mee and Tarkowski, there may be a temptation to think that he might not be a great fit for Burnley.

However, his vastly superior passing success rate indicates that he could offer the Clarets a different skill set defensively and a useful alternative to their conventional game-plan if Sean Dyche feels the need to mix things up.

Therefore, the Nottingham Forest man could offer Burnley a different dimension and they should put a concerted effort into their attempts to lure him from the City Ground.

Burnley fans, would Worrall get into the Clarets’ starting XI? Have your say by commenting below!

Name: Antef Tsoungui

Club: Brighton & Hove Albion

Date of Birth: 30 December 2002

Position: Centre-back/Full-back/Defensive midfielder

Antef Tsoungui – his career so far

Antef Tsoungui is one of the most talented youngsters Brighton & Hove Albion have in their academy at the very moment. The 17-year-old defender is still very much developing and gaining experience before he can make a big step up but despite his young age, he’s already managed to turn some heads with his talent and potential.

But he is not a Brighton born and bred, however, as the now 17-year-old lad was born over in Brussels and then moved to England at the age of four, soon stepping into the world of football and playing for the Chelsea youth until 2018 when he was scouted and scooped up by his current club.

He spent six years playing for the Blues and managed to rise through the ranks, eventually playing for the U14s before swapping shirts and donning another shade of blue and white after he was released from Chelsea’s academy.

Now, he can boast with appearances both for Brighton’s U18 and U23 squads, featuring mostly for the former one as he recorded 19 games to date, obviously with no goals or assists since he is primarily a defensive player.

But his skill and rapid development also gave him a chance to feature for the older team seven times, netting one assist to his name in the process as well.

As of yet, however, he hasn’t been given a chance to compete or make his debut with the senior team under Graham Potter but the upper hierarchy has seemingly been impressed with his development and that could boast well for the 17-year-old who is still very much on the path to stardom. If he can keep progressing in the same manner, that is.

We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for the young defender.

Transfer latest

At the moment, there are no transfer news or transfer rumours connecting the young defender with a move away from the club and while that may be a relief for Brighton, there are also no indications he may be given a new contract.

There hasn’t been any Brighton news on that front since Tsoungui was signed back in the summer of 2018 and it will be interesting to see how his immediate future shapes up. Currently, he’s still registered in the youth ranks for their U18 squad but has the potential to eventually move up in the world.

Of course, once that happens and once the youngster actually gets the opportunity to further impress Potter, either through training or playing for the seniors, we can then start expecting more transfer rumours to pile up.

Until that moment, he’s definitely one to keep a close eye on.

Player profile

As is the case with most U18 players with limited exposure to any kind of first-team action, be it with their parent club or while on loan, there’s not much data available on their young careers so far.

But Tsoungui is already well known for his versatility as the 17-year-old can slot into various different positions on the pitch. Of course, he is most comfortable playing at centre-back but can also be deployed wider, as a defensive full-back, and also has the ability to slot further up the pitch and be the team’s defensive midfielder.

He’s also known for his stylish way of playing, often driving forward with the ball glued to his feet and then sending it to his teammates in the more advanced zones on the pitch, making him perfect for a pivot role in the future.

Not to mention that he made 2.57 dribbles per 90 minutes in 2019/20 with a 50% success rate and sent out 6.63 passes into the final third with 64.5% accuracy.

The future definitely looks bright but it will be up to him to continue developing so he can slot right into the first-team in the near future.

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has discussed his concerns after learning of Wigan Athletic’s entry into administration.

Documented via Netflix series Sunderland Til I Die, Sunderland’s on and off field problems have been in the public spotlight for some time and a failure to gain promotion this term has further put added pressure on the men in charge of the Wearside club.

A second consecutive season without promotion to the Championship has left the club in limbo, whilst Stewart Donald’s ownership remains to be questioned.

Following the news of Wigan’s financial problems which has seen them enter administration, concerns over the club’s long-term future are being raised by club legend Phillips, who netted 63 goals in 148 appearances for the Black Cats.

Phillips, who often speaks to Football Insider, answered when asked about his Sunderland concerns: “It is a worry but not just for Sunderland.

“It has been a disaster for Wigan and it would not surprise me if it has a snowball affect. I suspect other teams will follow. When I heard my thoughts sprung to Sunderland straight away.

“I really hope it doesn’t. I am praying.

“You never know what is going on in the background so it is a big concern but only time will tell. It is a real shame to see with Wigan.”

When a former player comes out and has concerns, you know that it could potentially happen. Sunderland need to a whole host of changes, both at in the board room and on the pitch, but if finances are causing problems to do that, the club could find it hard to move on.

Indeed, it was revealed in May that there was a £20.5m hole in the Black Cats’ accounts, so things are far from rosy behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light.

These are unprecedented times because of the pandemic and as Phillips alluded to, it may not be just Wigan who suffer from the uncertain financial situation across the world.

Promotion is key, no doubt about it, but that should not be the main thing to focus on this summer at the Stadium of Light.

Do you think Sunderland will be okay financially? Let us know in the comments section below…

Eurosport journalist Manu Lonjon claimed on his official Twitter account on Friday afternoon that Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan over a move, in the event that Hugo Lloris leaves the north London outfit this summer.

It is certainly an interesting development, with Spurs clearly feeling as though there is a good chance the France international will go in the next transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether he is being sold, he wants to leave or clubs are weighing up bids for the 33-year-old, but it would certainly be the end of an era considering he signed for them way back in 2012.

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The 6 foot 2 stopper quickly became a firm favourite under former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, and has made 316 appearances in all competitions, while also captaining them too.

However, mistakes have started to creep into his game in recent seasons – such as his error in the 2018 World Cup final and earlier this term when he gifted a goal to Southampton’s Danny Ings – and perhaps it is getting towards the point where Spurs are ready to wave goodbye.

Let’s see if Lonjon proves to be right this summer.

In other Tottenham news, Spurs’ 23-goal target has sent a promising transfer message to chairman Daniel Levy…

Having taking the decision to let Kyle Walker-Peters go out on loan, and with Serge Aurier continuing to be his usually unreliable self, it’s no surprise to see Tottenham look to solve their miseries at right-back.

According to 90min, Jose Mourinho’s side are prepared to make a big push to sign PSG defender Thomas Meunier on a free transfer when his contract comes to an end in the summer.

The report claims that they are willing to give him a bumper new deal, and hope that his relationship with Belgian compatriot Toby Alderweireld could help swing things in their favour.

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After hearing about the report, Spurs fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their latest transfer target.

Some Spurs fans expressed their disappointment at seeing their side go after a player on a free transfer, with one supporter even suggesting that this is the first sign of them going back to the Juande Ramos days.

Just like every other club this summer, Spurs are going to have to be extremely smart with their resources considering the situation surrounding football at the moment.

Getting Meunier in on a free transfer would allow them to focus splashing the cash elsewhere, and simultaneously bring in a player who has had considerable experience playing in the Champions League season after season for PSG.

It’s a move that makes a lot of sense.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans react to an update on their chase for this left-back.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Before a ball had been kicked in Southampton’s clash against Everton, something potentially agonising was on the horizon for the Saints if they suffered another defeat.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side allowed the Merseysiders to get the better of them, it would mean that the Saints found themselves on the exact amount of points that they had after 12 games of the Premier League campaign last term.

We detailed how such a defeat would ‘signal an agonising moment’ for the south coast side, and as we speak now, such a grim potentiality has become a bleak reality.

Goals from Tom Davies and Richarlison sandwiched a solitary Danny Ings strike to hand Southampton an eighth Premier League defeat of the season, leaving Hasenhuttl’s side just a point off the bottom of the table.

After the 12th Premier League game of the 2018/19 campaign – a 1-1 draw with Watford – Southampton again had just eight points and were sat two places above their current position in 17th.

Incidentally, such form cost Mark Hughes his job just two games later following a 2-2 draw against Manchester United on December 1, with the former Manchester City boss handed his P45 on the third of that month having amassed nine points from 14.

By that logic, can we expect to see Hasenhuttl’s job in danger if he too adds just one more point from the next two games?

Perhaps not, as it has been reported that the former RB Leipzig boss retains the full backing of the board.

However, what you cannot dismiss is the fact that the wheels are truly not in motion at St Mary’s.

Absolutely no progress has been made from the Hughes tenure despite Hasenhuttl’s arrival and two £15m signings being made in the shape of Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo.

Amidst all the doom and gloom on the south coast right now, this detail must be one of the bleakest.

This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

When signing from Bolton Wanderers in August 2015, Tim Ream was looking to follow in the footsteps of Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra and become another successful American export at Fulham.

Having been told he was free to leave the club upon the arrival of Slavisa Jokanovic at Craven Cottage later that year, it may have seemed unlikely he would significantly add to the history his compatriots had made at the club.

But fast-forward to the present day, and Ream is an integral part of the Fulham defence, and captain of the United States.

And what was a mere £1.5m signing (according to Transfermarkt) turned out to be arguably the piece of the puzzle that helped Fulham temporarily regain their top-flight status.

He had to work his way into Jokanovic’s plans, and arguably did not manage to claim a Reading in the 2016/17 season.

Everything came together in the following campaign, as Ream’s part in Fulham’s long play-off final saw the American become the club’s Player of the Season as they secured promotion to the top tier.

His performances in that campaign had fans and journalists singing his praises:

While last season would end in despair, Ream has continued to front the fight for promotion once again, playing in all but one of Fulham’s league fixtures as they strive to bounce back immediately under Scott Parker.

Ream’s status in the squad represents a remarkable turnaround for a player who Jokanovic had not initially wanted, and considering the small fee that brought him to Craven Cottage, it is nothing short of a great success story for the 32-year-old, who remains a vital component of the team after relegation.

And by recently extending his deal at the club until 2021, Fulham will surely be hoping they can continue to profit from their wise decision to recruit the USA international over four years ago.

Fulham fans, how important has Ream been to the team’s progress in the last few years? Let us know below!

Everton fans have taken to Twitter to express their admiration for Theo Walcott, which has not happened much since his £20m signing from Arsenal in 2018.

The love for Walcott comes after he had one of his best performances in an Everton shirt when the club beat West Ham United 2-0. The Englishman was pivotal in the win, assisting Bernard’s goal and claiming the highest rating on the pitch at 8.1, as per WhoScored.

The forward was a thorn in Manuel Pellegrini’s side all afternoon and came desperately close to recording one of the goals of the season in the second half. Walcott smashed a volley from distance and rattled the crossbar, as keeper Roberto was clearly beaten.

Fans are now heaping the praise on the 30-year-old and are hoping that he continues in this current form. Some supporters have claimed he is back to his best, whilst others are suggesting he can “help get us back up that table”.

These kind and positive words from Everton supporters are in stark contrast to the constant criticism he has received since his arrival. However, this time around, fans are finally showing their love for the forward and here’s what some have had to say…