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Tottenham Hotspur legends Graham Roberts has slammed the club for making a huge mistake on sacking Mauricio Pochettino back in 2019 amid reports they were looking to bring him back to London.

At one point it looked like Pochettino could genuinely be returning to Spurs, however a fresh twist on Sunday has seen those hopes and dreams crushed as Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Argentine won’t be leaving.

Pochettino was reportedly influential in getting Georginio Wijnaldum to choose PSG over Barcelona this summer, and accompany this with the fact they are splashing out on free agent Gianluigi Donnarumma and looks likely that Spurs will have to once again go back to square one in their search for Jose Mourinho’s successor.

It had been rumoured that it would cost Spurs £10 million to get Pochettino out of his PSG contract if the Parisian club were willing to let him leave and Roberts believes that sacking the former manager in the first place was a huge mistake, as he told Football FanCast exclusively:

“Would you spend £10 million on a really good right back? Yes, you would and you’d have to pay a lot more. So, to get those players on the pitch and get the best out of them you’ve got to have the best managers.

“It was a big mistake, because whatever we’ve ended up paying Pochettino, whether that be £18 million or £8 million, we had no need to do it.”

Spurs appeared to be in advanced negotiations with former Juventus manager, Antonio Conte, but those fell through after Daniel Levy and the Italian had different expectations for the club.

Levy will know that the longer the club go on without a manager, the more difficult this summer’s transfer window will be for them as no top players will want to join a team that finished seventh in the Premier League last season and currently has no boss.

Leeds United would be making a major transfer mistake by signing Newcastle United star Jacob Murphy this summer.

What’s the story?

With the Premier League season reaching its climax on Sunday, Marcelo Bielsa will be keen to kick-start the summer transfer window with a few early signings at Elland Road.

According to Football Insider, the Whites are set to join Scottish giants Rangers in the race to sign Murphy.

The report added that the winger has just over a year left on his contract at St James’ Park, with a number of other Premier League clubs also interested in signing him.

Underwhelming from Bielsa

While Murphy has lately been deployed by Bruce as a right wing-back, his record when used as a winger is rather underwhelming, and one which won’t have Leeds fans excited at all.

In the 19 games this season where he has played further forward out wide, the £25,000-a-week earner has managed just two goals and three assists in all competitions. By contrast, Raphinha has four goals and five assists in 22 games from the right flank for Leeds this term.

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Murphy has effectively been a passenger for the Magpies going forward, and that’s not the kind of player the Whites need if they are to reach another level next season in the Premier League.

Bielsa needs to be targeting more proven options in the top flight, and Murphy’s below-par goalscoring record raises some major questions marks over Leeds’ reported interest in signing him this summer.

In other news, Leeds could reach a new level if they pull off a deal for this “extraordinary talent”.

Many Everton fans have been left to bemoan some early team news ahead of their game away at Manchester City in the Premier League.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against Pep Guardiola’s men, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that James Rodriguez will not be able to play any part.

It is a fixture that has a lot riding on it for the Goodison Park faithful as they look to sneak in with a chance of European qualification on the final day, but they will have to do it without their creative influence in Rodriguez against the newly-crowned champions.

The former Real Madrid ace has missed a large number of games already for the Merseyside club with various injury problems, and it seems as if a lot of Toffees supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with him.

Everton fans on early Team News

These Blues bemoaned the early Team News as it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that they were ‘fed up’:

“Simply not good enough from Rodriguez. We need him for this game. Why is he out now? If injury fair enough but what’s the reason? Fatigue isn’t good enough. Play through for one game, this is important and the club is paying your wages.”

Credit: @ajfirr

“Getting fed up of James now. Brilliant player but having all the ability in the world is useless when he’s not playing. He misses far too many games.”

Credit: @PringyUK

“Hanging on a place in Europe by the skin of our teeth and James hasn’t got the battle in him to play. Get in the bin.”

Credit: @nilsatisjje

“Get rid of James. He never plays full matches when he played. Needed rest for 70 usual minutes played! Now we hear not recovered. Bet he plays for Columbia. He has no heart, see why Zidane never played him. His work ethic is poor.”

Credit: @Daniel19811868

“Dude what… is James legitimately made of glass?”

Credit: @TimmyMieldezis

“Just sell Rodriguez”

Credit: @scouseboy27

In other news, find out which star likened to Lionel Messi EFC are main contenders to sign here!

Everton were dealt a big setback in their bid to qualify for Europe next season when they suffered defeat on Saturday evening.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side was rocked by defensive mistakes, particularly from one of their younger centre-backs.

On the chalkboard

Michael Keane was back from injury on Saturday evening but was only fit enough to make the bench.

Unfortunately, Ancelotti will regret not throwing him straight back into the starting XI.

That’s because Mason Holgate was a complete disaster. The 24-year-old has been a regular in the side this term and has shown strong versatility at centre-back, full-back and in defensive midfield.

Though, he demonstrated last weekend why Everton may need to find an upgrade.

He cost his team the opening strike of the game as he took on the ball just inside his own half and then inexplicably turned back towards his own goal. Holgate had several options but turned into danger and then surrendered possession to Ollie Watkins.

The defender was weak in trying to win it back as the Aston Villa striker raced into the area and then found the back of the net.

Forget Holgate

Ancelotti can forget all about the young defender with one simple solution this summer; signing Merih Demiral.

The Juventus centre-back has been linked with a move to the Toffees over the last week or so with reports in Italy suggesting Everton are in advanced talks to bring him to Goodison Park.

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It’s thought that Ancelotti and Marcel Brands may have to part ways with around €30m (£26m) to lure him to Merseyside.

Demiral has long been thought of as one of the most promising defenders in Europe so to sign him would be a huge upgrade.

He is a monster in the air and his physicality easily usurps someone like Holgate. After a battling performance against Udinese in 2019, scout Jacek Kulig called him an “absolute beast.”

During that clash, he won five aerial duels and even registered an assist, being labelled “tenacious” by Kulig too.

Compared to Nemanja Vidic, the 23-year-old has all the qualities necessary to become an elite defender.

So far this term, Demiral has won 2.1 aerial duels and has made 1.7 interceptions per game for Juventus. His aerial stats are even better when playing for Turkey, winning a mighty 3.6 battles a match.

This is streets ahead of Holgate, a player who has won 1.6 aerial duels and 1.4 interceptions per appearance for the Toffees this term.

The Everton centre-back is promising but Demiral is a brick wall and could add a new sense of solidity to Ancelotti’s backline.

AND in other news, Everton could sign Gomes upgrade in “incredible” £17m beast, he’s “extremely strong”…

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City right-back Max Aarons is attracting an increasing amount of interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who, speaking on a recent episode of his Here We Go podcast (via Football League World), claimed that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have now joined the race for the 21-year-old.

The City star is also reported to be attracting interest from Manchester United, Bayern Munich, West Ham United and Everton this summer – with Norwich believed to be demanding a fee of around £30m to part with the England U21 international.

Fans will be gutted

While the sheer amount of interest in Aarons would appear to indicate that the right-back looks set to depart Carrow Road in the upcoming transfer window, the report of yet another side who intend to pinch the youngster away from the Canaries is nonetheless likely to come as gutting news for fans of the club.

Indeed, the £18m-rated defender has been influential to Norwich gaining promotion back to the Premier League in the season just past, with the 21-year-old scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating five big chances over his 45 Championship appearances, as well helping his side keep a whopping 17 clean sheets.

In addition, the right-back also made an average of 0.9 interceptions, 0.7 tackles and 1.4 key passes per game last term, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.97 – ranking him as Farke’s 12th-best performer in the second tier.

As such, if Aarons – who has been dubbed by Aidy Boothroyd as an “outstanding” player – is to move on to pastures new this summer, it would not appear to bode well for Norwich’s chances of retaining their status as a top-flight team come the end of next season, unless Stuart Webber can somehow find an apt replacement for the extremely talented 21-year-old.

In other news: Webber must seal NCFC deal for “unbelievable” £4.3k-p/w gem after major update emerges – opinion

According to a report by The Athletic, via West Ham Central, the Hammers and GSB could make a move to sign West Bromwich Albion keeper Sam Johnstone this summer for around £7.5 million – prompting plenty of supporters to erupt in response. 

Johnstone, who has impressed for the Baggies this season, is reportedly a wanted man across the Premier League – with the 28-year-old also earning an England call up recently due to his form.

Now, The Athletic report he is on West Ham’s radar and even claim he could cost as little as £7.5m this summer as the Irons ponder a move.

Current shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski penned a new deal back in March, extending until 2022, but manager David Moyes may arguably need to start thinking about replacements for the 35-year-old.

Many supporters believe a possible £7.5m deal for Johnstone would be a ‘no brainer’, flocking to Twitter as this ‘quality’ news emerges.

Given his performances and acclaim over 2020/2021, it’s little wonder plenty of Irons approve of the possible swoop.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans erupt as Johnstone claim emerges

“Quality”

Credit: @miposzn

“Yes yes yes”

Credit: @callumder123

“Would be a great signing”

Credit: @oreeves03

“Needs to be done no brainer”

Credit: @MurrayDonni

“A perfect replacement for fabianski”

Credit: @_JoeWelsh

“Unreal business if it happens”

Credit: @whusam_13

“that would be an absolute steal”

Credit: @BennnWHU

“Cracking deal”

Credit: @Garethd18455552

In other news: Sky Sports pundit lavishes West Ham as they this striker, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull, who is Wolves’ all-time top scorer, does not want to see the club sign new defenders because they need players that are used to each other.

Wolves have more often than not opted for a back three which has consisted of Conor Coady, Romain Saiss and Willy Boly as their three main centre backs, with them all playing together since 2017 when the latter joined the club.

Against West Ham, Nuno Espirito Santo had to play a back four because of the double injury blow he received regarding Jonny and Boly, and they were left exposed on the counter-attacks.

Speaking on how consistency is key for Wolves and why he doesn’t think they need to sign new defenders, Bull told FFC:

“Not really, we don’t need new defenders. I just think consistency is a big thing in a side and you’ve got to keep it going for as many games as you can which is something we haven’t had this year.

“We’ve been chopping and changing both systems and players this season which has been our downfall. Like I said, Wolves are going through a transformation and that’s still going on so we just need to get this season out the way.”

Last summer Wolves lost Matt Doherty to Tottenham Hotspur, but they did replace him with Nelson Semedo who joined from Barcelona.

Wolves appear to be safe from relegation this season which may allow Nuno to test out different players and systems ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

According to a report by Sky Sports (Monday, 18:12), Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs to have looked at exciting young Palmeiras star Gabriel Menino – with the Lilywhites now aiming to poach more talent from South American countries.

Tottenham and Levy eye Menino swoop

Menino, who has been described as a pet project for Brazilian national team coach Tite as he appears to be creating an ‘Alves 2.0’ (The Athletic), can play in a variety of positions including central midfield – but has also impressed at right back.

Sky Sports (via TEAMtalk) have now lifted the lid on Daniel Levy’s interest in a potential Tottenham swoop for the versatile 20-year-old, who has now emerged as one of the nation’s brightest prospects according to this report.

This is part of a new transfer strategy by the club to take advantage of new work permit rules following Brexit, with South American countries now ‘opened up’ as the Lilywhites eye talent from the continent.

Palmeiras youth coordinator Joao Paulo Sampaio, speaking to GloboEsporte via The Athletic, explained there is a fearlessness to his game – describing him as a ‘strong and courageous’.

Transfer Tavern take

Menino is touted as a highly promising starlet, and while he has been likened to three-time Champions League winner Alves, the bright Brazilian has also drawn comparisons with former Premier League powerhouse Yaya Toure as he can play both right-back and in midfield (Goal).

Time will tell what comes of this interest, but Levy’s goal to take advantage of new work permit laws to possibly raid South America for talent comes as an enticing plan.

Menino in particular has garnered a stellar reputation, and he could be a big acquisition for the future should Tottenham take their scouting a step further.

In other news: Tottenham are also interested in this Ligue 1 star, find out more here.

This season has been one to forget for Wolves. No longer are they contenders for European football and instead, they’re languishing in the bottom half of the table.

With that in mind, additions would be timely in the summer.

What’s the word?

Wolves have been linked with a number of attackers in recent weeks but it’s a defender that’s now at the centre of their attention.

According to The Express, the Old Gold are in the race to sign Stoke City’s Harry Souttar.

There is no shortage of interest in the defender this summer with West Ham, and Crystal Palace also considering a move.

Wolves are one of three known teams to have sent scouts to watch the centre-back this season and clearly, they have liked what they’ve seen.

The report doesn’t state the fee he may cost, just that it’s likely a significant bid will have to be made in order to prise him away from the Potteries.

Defensive colossus

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Fleetwood but he’s made the transition from League One to Championship football look easy.

Standing at 6 foot 6, it’s in the air where Souttar looks so ominous and impressive. So far this season, the Australian has won a considerable 5.3 aerial duels per match.

Compare that to the rest of the Wolves team and it is streets ahead. Willy Boly is the player with the most aerial duels won at Molineux, prevailing in just 2.9 per match.

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Boly is known as a wall at Wolves so adding a player like Souttar alongside him and Coady would surely make for an ideal backline.

Strong in the challenge, the defender is also astute when reading the play, making 1.4 interceptions a game this term. Only Boly, Romain Saiss and Ruben Neves have made more at Wolves in 2020/21.

Also impressive is his adaptability. After moving on loan to Fleetwood and standing out, Joey Barton commented: “You don’t know what is going to happen when you bring a young loan player in from another club. He has been outstanding. I think he and the rest of the defence deserve all the plaudits they have been getting recently.”

His ability to transition to different levels has been seen in the jump from Fleetwood to Stoke. With that in mind, he’d surely move seamlessly into the Wolves team too.

Another aspect that catches the eye is his ability on the ball. Despite being incredibly tall, Souttar can play out well.

“He’s a player blessed with great natural attributes. Obviously his height but also he’s got good game intelligence and he’s a great user of the ball as well. That’s something which I think will set him apart from the other defenders in this league,” Stoke boss Michael O’Neill said.

He’d be a brilliant addition for a Wolves side who have struggled defensively this campaign.

AND in other news, Nuno must finally unleash rarely-seen Wolves gem, he’s “very similar to Moutinho”…

Many Liverpool fans flocked to claims that manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to see Georginio Wijnaldum stay at Anfield.

The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Merseyside for some time, with Barcelona one of the sides that are hugely interested in his services.

But the Daily Mail revealed that Klopp wants the Dutchman to remain at Liverpool and would like to see him sign a new contract.

Wijnaldum’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he can already speak to other clubs on pre-contractual negotiations – and can even come to an agreement before the transfer window opens.

Despite this, supporters have lost patience with the Holland international and want him to leave the club, as one fan described it as an “absolute travesty” that Klopp is hoping to keep the midfielder.

Only time will tell what Wijnaldum’s future holds, but these fans have made their feelings pretty clear…

No love lost with Wijnaldum and these fans

“Please no”

Credit: @freestriv

“I don’t. Let him go”

Credit: @yuta_adi

“back pass merchant”

Credit: @gfhdjdjssjj

“An absolute travesty”

Credit: @Rele_Lethale

“He’s your Man but let him go.”

Credit: @iconicGer_

“Gini exit presents perfect opportunity to upgrade the quality of our midfield!”

Credit: @svosve_26

In other news, James Pearce stunned by ‘poor’ Jurgen Klopp decision during Chelsea defeat.