All posts by n8rngtd.top

Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale will now surely have one eye on the summer transfer window as he looks to build a side which could win the Scottish Premiership next season.

With the Scottish Cup the only realistic chance for silverware this season, it has been a poor campaign for the Gers, domestically and on the continent as they failed to build upon their sensational run to the Europa League final last term by losing all six of their Champions League group stage fixtures.

The Englishman inherited a team from Giovanni van Bronckhorst that clearly wasn’t fit for the Champions League and with players such as Ryan Kent, Ryan Jack, Alfredo Morelos, and Allan McGregor out of contract, it represents an ideal opportunity for him to build his own team which could fit in with his tactical ideologies.

He could free up some wages by letting those players leave for nothing, however income will need to be generated from somewhere and Beale should seriously consider selling Ianis Hagi this summer, especially with the recent news that there is interest in the player.

Could Ianis Hagi leave Rangers this summer?

Before the midfielder suffered a serious knee injury in January 2022, this question would be redundant as he was one of the most talented players at the Ibrox side.

During the title winning 2020/2021 campaign, Hagi was in fine form, registering 18 goal contributions and creating six big chances proving he was a key attacking influence in the side, however since his injury, he has struggled to gain minutes of late.

He has played only 101 minutes of competitive football this term and with Celta Vigo showing interest in the Romanian, Beale could potentially move him on in order to generate funds for other transfers.

Spanish outlet El Des Marque claim that the La Liga side could sign Hagi for €3.5m (£3m) which is the same price that the club paid for him in 2020 following his loan spell and this could be decent business for the club.

Once dubbed an “absolute dream to work with” by former manager Steven Gerrard, there is no doubting his talent and the fact he has bounced back from his serious injury speaks volumes to how dedicated and professional he is.

Yet with Todd Cantwell sparkling in an attacking midfield position and the club clearly looking at trying to retain Malik Tillman on a permanent basis, there could be no space for Hagi in the starting XI going forwards.

Beale should look to cash in on the £21k-per-week maestro when he is about to reach his peak and he could well demand a fee north of the £3m that has been quoted recently.

Chelsea's manager candidate Mauricio Pochettino is an appointment that could go down 'very well' at Stamford Bridge, says journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Mauricio Pochettino?

As per BBC Sport, Chelsea are in 'advanced talks' to appoint Pochettino as their new manager following an extensive search for a permanent successor to Graham Potter.

The report states that former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann was also in the running alongside contenders Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany; however, it now looks like it will be the former Tottenham Hotspur man that will take the reins at Stamford Bridge.

Seemingly, Pochettino has already started to lay down his authority in west London despite still not being officially appointed, with The Telegraph reporting that the 51-year-old will ask forgotten man Romelu Lukaku if he wants to try and revive his career at the club next season.

Of course, the Belgium international was sent on loan to Inter Milan at the start of 2022/23, though he could now be set for an unexpected second chance if Pochettino is duly installed as the man to lead the Blues forward.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones reckons that Pochettino could be an exciting appointment at Stamford Bridge.

Jones said: "The Pochettino appointment is going down very well at Chelsea. I've spoken to a lot of season ticket holders that are excited and think this is the right decision. Inside the club they are excited too. At first there was some apprehension, because this is not the first time they have wanted him.

"The difference this time is that the manager role is vacant, Poch seems very assured that this is better timing for him, and any concerns were quelled quite fast. He's very open to working with this squad, I was told the young talent they have been buying is something that impresses him and he is keen to make those signings work.

"The plan to keep having Academy players involved is important too and Pochettino is totally onside with that and the identity they need to build and the reconnections that need to be built between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands.

"This is a good step in that direction and the timing of all this allows the season to end in optimism.

"Of course, there are players that will have to leave, but nothing is fazing him right now. I think the PSG experience has given him a toughness that means he feels totally ready for turning Chelsea around. It is a good time to go in – let's face it, things really can not get much worse."

Can Mauricio Pochettino turn Chelsea's fortunes around at Stamford Bridge?

Pochettino looks like he could be a solid appointment for Chelsea and the fact he has a proven track record of turning teams around, such as Tottenham, shows that he could be the missing link at Stamford Bridge to turn the Blues' fortunes around.

In his time at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Argentinian coach managed to take the Lilywhites to four consecutive top-four finishes in the Premier League and also led his former side to the Champions League final in 2019, unfortunately losing out to Liverpool in the final, as per Sky Sports.

His spell in charge of Paris Saint-German yielded the Ligue 1 title in 2021/22 alongside picking up the Coupe De France and French Super Cup in 2020/21, as per Transfermarkt.

Moving forward, Pochettino could be the man to get Chelsea back in a position to challenge for silverware regularly heading into 2023/24.

However, it is apparent – on the back of this season – that there will be a lot for the Argentine to sort out before the club can return to lifting trophies.

Leeds United are battling Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers for the signature of OH Leuven midfielder Mandela Keita, according to reports from the Netherlands.

What's the latest Leeds transfer news?

Much of Leeds' potential transfer business is likely to be affected by whether Sam Allardyce is able to keep them in the Premier League, with the very difficult challenge of a trip to Manchester City pencilled in for this Saturday.

If the Whites do retain their top flight status, they could look at signing Habib Diallo, having recently conducted a scouting mission, with the report also claiming a new striker is a priority, regardless of what league they are in next season.

A new midfielder is also of interest to Leeds, and there have been reports they could make a move for Sporting CP's Manuel Ugarte, however it could be tough to win the race for his signature, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also name-checked as potential suitors.

According to reports from the Netherlands (via Sport Witness), the Elland Road outfit initiated contact to sign Keita last month, and they are now set to do battle for his signature with Championship sides Norwich and Blackburn.

The OH Leuven midfielder is currently on loan at Royal Antwerp, who have the option to make his stay permanent for €10m (£8.8m), but that figure is deemed to be too high by CEO Sven Jacques, potentially opening the door for a move to England.

The Whites have "already signed up" to try and secure the 20-year-old's services, and they will have to negotiate a fee with Leuven, with a move to Antwerp now off the cards.

Should Leeds sign Mandela Keita?

Given the level of interest in Ugarte, it seems unlikely Leeds will be able to compete for the Sporting CP star, and Keita could be a cheaper alternative, who has already started to make a name for himself in the Belgian Pro League.

Despite his age, the starlet already has 45 appearances to his name in the Belgian top flight, most often being utilised as a defensive midfielder, and he is ranked by WhoScored as the third-best performing player in the Antwerp squad.

Although he is still a bit of an unknown quantity, Mandela is showing signs he could be a solid addition for Leeds, having being hailed as "excellent" by members of the media.

Not only that, but the fact the only other interest comes from Norwich and Blackburn indicates the Whites could win the race for the maestro's signature, regardless of whether they are relegated from the top flight.

Arsenal are hoping to announce Bukayo Saka's new contract before the end of this Premier League season with an agreement "all-but" reached.

What's the latest Arsenal contract news?

The north Londoners could be set for a serious summer of change beyond this campaign as a number of squad members approach the final seasons of their respective deals.

Youngster Reiss Nelson looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium as a free agent this summer, with more players out of contract next year.

Indeed, Saka, William Saliba, Jorginho, Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny could all depart Mikel Arteta's side on Bosmans in 2024 as things stand, though Arsenal have been making concerted efforts to tie down their key men.

Saliba, much like Saka, has been at the centre of prospective new contract talks – but the negotiations surrounding the latter player have been ongoing for quite some time.

Discussions over an extension for Saka have stretched as far back as last summer with the winger saying he held confidence over an agreement last August.

Luckily for supporters, it appears their prized asset is set to pen fresh terms, with The Independent and PA News Agency sharing an update on the 21-year-old's future.

It is believed an "agreement has all-but been reached" over a new deal for Saka with promotional footage and an announcement video already done behind-the-scenes.

The finer details are still to be sorted, but Arsenal are hoping to officially announce his new contract before the end of the campaign.

The importance of Saka for Arsenal

The Three Lions star has missed just one hour of league football this season, hitting 13 goals and 11 assists in the process to keep Arsenal well in contention for their first title in nearly 20 years.

Saka has quite simply dazzled under Arteta – standing out as the only top flight player to hit double figures for both goals and assists this season.

He also played a pivotal role for England in Qatar, scoring three World Cup goals on their run to the Quarter-Final stage.

Arteta has also praised Saka for his consistency, claiming it is "rare" for a player to perform at such a high level so regularly, explaining to the press:

"First of all, I think you have to recognise what he's been doing. The consistency he's shown at his age and at this level is something rare to see. He's taken it with normality."

"Now we have to keep going." These are the words of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who despite his elation with the "world-class" Mohamed Salah's match-winning goal to defeat Brentford – the Egyptian's record-breaking ninth in a row at Anfield – maintains an air of pragmaticism ahead of Liverpool's late-season objective.

Sinking the Bees gave the Reds a sixth successive victory in the Premier League, but despite the colourful purple patch, top four remains a stretch away, with the fifth-placed Anfield side trailing both Newcastle United and Manchester United by four points.

With imperilled Leicester City awaiting tonight, the Merseyside squad will understand the task with perfect clarity; leaving with three points is paramount if the tantalising thought of Champions League football next term will cement itself in reality.

To achieve this, Liverpool must be under no illusions that pitted against them stand a desperate Foxes outfit looking to ascend from the relegation zone with a season-defining result.

It will be a fiery affair, but Leicester's weakness lies in their shoddy defence, and as such unleashing the likes of Luis Diaz could be the formula to silencing the home faithful this evening.

Should Luis Diaz start vs Leicester?

The respective Premier League teams in question have been embroiled in dismal campaigns on either side of the spectrum: Leicester's illustrious stay in the top flight faces a miserable conclusion, while Liverpool's six successive years in the Champions League – with three finals reached and one triumphed in – is over unless one of the aforementioned rivals suffers a late-season collapse.

Seven victories in succession will indeed give Liverpool the optimum chance of pulling off a monumental turnaround, and to do so the offence must indeed harness the full scope of its might and terrorise a defence which has shipped 64 goals from 35 divisional outings this year – for reference, the Foxes finished eighth with 59 goals conceded across last year's edition.

With Diaz returning to full fitness, the away side will be expected to utilise his fleet-footed sorcery and wreak havoc on beleaguered City.

Signing for Klopp’s team for £37m at last season’s midpoint, Diaz swiftly asserted himself as an exciting presence and scored six goals and five assists en route to triumph in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Starting the current term brightly, clinching the Community Shield and impressing across his first 13 outings across all competitions, plundering seven direct contributions and leaving his German manager waxing lyrical and hailing him as "world-class", like his Egyptian confrere on the alternate wing.

As per FBref, the 39-cap maverick ranks among the top 15% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 10% for pass completion, the top 10% for successful take-ons and the top 10% for aerials won, which underscores the mercurial dynamism of his trade, direct and unflinching against even the most formidable of defenders.

Presented with a starting berth, the "sensational" Diaz – as per one writer – could inflict misery upon Leicester right-back Ricardo Pereira, who is said to be fit again after a lengthy injury which has ruled him out since February.

The marauding full-back has started just four times in the top-flight this term due to his injury woes and yields an average rating of only 6.63, as per Sofascore, and against the £55k-per-week South American, he could find his task is too tall an order to prevent him from exhibiting his brilliance.

With such a meagre output on the defensive front, the 29-year-old will find it difficult to contain such a bouncing threat, and it could spell detrimental danger for the Foxes.

Liverpool, in retrospect, could revel in the increasing possibility of securing a place in next year's Champions League season; they must have their wits about them against a Leicester side desperate for a galvanising victory, but with Diaz in the mix, it will be anything but easy.

Newcastle United are moving towards the forefront of European football with expeditious assertiveness, and with Champions League qualification firmly in their grasp, Adrien Rabiot has been earmarked to fortify the centre of the park.

What's the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Newcastle?

According to prominent French outlet L'Equipe, the Frenchman is 'an important goal' for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, with his contract at Juventus expiring in several weeks.

The report also credits Magpies manager Eddie Howe with an interest, bolstering previous claims from the likes of CalcioMercato that the Tyneside club have 'tested the ground' on the feasibility of a deal.

Technical director Dan Ashworth will need to act swiftly if he is to tie up a move, especially considering the Red Devils' interest in the midfield machine.

Should Newcastle sign Rabiot?

While St. James' Park now boasts an affluence that only a select few can compete with on the global footballing stage, completing a shrewd move for Rabiot could be a most auspicious avenue for the club to delve down.

Valued at £43m by CIES Football Observatory, the 36-cap France international has been in emphatic form this season and scored 11 goals and four assists for the Old Lady this term, hailed as an "absolute monster" by journalist Robin Bairner.

Newcastle have been tremendous this season, taking their success under Howe's tutelage from last year and moulding it into something capable of sustaining a position challenging for silverware and top four.

Each shelf of the system has been triumphant, with the defence imperious and the attack devastatingly clinical; the midfield, notably, has been churning at an intense output and the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock and Joelinton have formed a high-octane sense of constancy.

With the addition of European endeavours next year, bringing Rabiot into the fold would only enrich the prospects of success. As per FBref, the £152k-per-week gem ranks among the top 3% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for progressive carries, the top 21% for clearances and the top 17% for aerials won per 90.

The phenom, quirkily heralded as a "wardrobe" by Gianluigi Buffon, is also listed as the most comparable player in world football to Magpies menace Joelinton, which could bode very well for Howe and co as they look to clinch new signings capable of flourishing but not disrupting the finely-poised balance of the system.

The Brazilian machine ranks among the top 11% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 16% for progressive carries per 90, as well as the top 6% for successful take-ons, 15% for interceptions and 7% for aerials won per 90, described as "tireless" by writer James Nalton, illustrating the semblance between the two players.

Newcastle must sign Rabiot, he fits the mould for success in the Premier League and, considering he is available on a free transfer, would represent a fantastic value for money.

Chelsea could be set to finally end their struggles in front of goal, spending big once again to secure one of the world's best up front…

What's the latest on Victor Osimhen to Chelsea?

That's according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, who took to Twitter to include the Blues in the race for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

He wrote: "News Osimhen: Chelsea is still pushing! They want him as their new striker! He’s top of the list. Understand there are price expectations about €110m + Boni at this stage. But CFC has to sell players first and De Laurentiis wants more and at least €150m. Problematic for Chelsea: No Champions League next season."

With these stumbling blocks including their lack of European football and that €110m (£96m) price tag, Todd Boehly will be wary of making such a move without widespread support from those around him.

However, given the success Mauricio Pochettino earned with Harry Kane, with the England international having earned his breakthrough and hit double figures in every full season under the Argentine at Tottenham Hotspur, he will surely want another star forward to spearhead his new revolution at Stamford Bridge.

Can Victor Osimhen mimic Erling Haaland at Chelsea?

In the Nigeria international, there are few strikers on the planet as desired as Osimhen.

After all, his exploits in firing the Naples outfit to their first Serie A title in 33 years were legendary, with the 24-year-old scoring 23 and assisting five more in just 30 appearances.

However, it is not just his goalscoring that has earned comparisons to Erling Haaland, who has enjoyed a record-breaking year of his own in front of goal, scoring 52 and counting in all competitions.

The two also share an immense physique, as well as blistering pace that would frighten any backline. FBref even notes this similarity, as the Norwegian finisher is included in the similar players model for Napoli's main man.

Given journalist Marco Messina suggested that the former LOSC Lille monster would be a "scary" prospect to play against too, this fear once again can be placed alongside Manchester City's number nine, who terrifies most defenders he faces.

As a comfortable leader in the race for the European Golden Shoe too, it is worth noting that the Lagos-born striker is only in fifth on such a list, further marking the 6 foot 1 finisher out as a worthy alternative to this free-scoring youngster.

With goals, physicality and an aura surrounding them both, Chelsea are in desperate need of a forward of this ilk to end their toothless nature in front of goal. The Blues have mustered just 36 goals in the Premier League, making them the fourth-lowest scorers in the division. If Osimhen's goal contributions were added, they would instead be catapulted to the seventh-highest.

This clearly outlines Pochettino's clear outstanding issue upon arrival, but one he can swiftly solve should he convince Boehly to make this swoop.

Chelsea, despite all the riches expended since Todd Boehly's arrival, boast a squad far from the finished article.

Mauricio Pochettino is the man who has been tasked with solving the puzzle presented in west London, as a willing challenger to unearth the numerous high-potential stars at Stamford Bridge.

However, to do so he must first foster the correct environment, likely having assurances that he will be given time to work his magic. The success he earned in transforming Tottenham Hotspur did not come overnight, and the same is certainly the case for his latest managerial venture.

He will need to add some key additions of his own in the coming summer window to build upon a year where 17 new players were welcomed and two managers have been sacked.

Whilst investing in this high-risk high-reward strategy has allowed them to stockpile some of Europe's finest young talent, a few key positions remain bare.

Naturally, a centre-forward will be high on the list of priorities, but a true defensive midfielder will be just as imperative to unlock Enzo Fernandez. Therefore, it will please fans that earlier in the week it was reported that Chelsea had opened talks with Sporting CP over the signing of Manuel Ugarte.

The touted €60m (£52m) price tag would mark a small sum if it meant unleashing their British transfer record signing.

Would Manuel Ugarte be a N'Golo Kante upgrade?

In acquiring a player who operates with a defence-first mindset, the Uruguay international could act as a screen for the back four to allow their Argentine maestro to truly thrive.

Although his 7.17 average rating has been upheld by 1.1 key passes and 2.5 tackles per game, in pushing him from the six role into the eight, he could add to his two assists in 18 starts, via Sofascore.

After all, his potential new teammate has mustered 3.9 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game too (via Sofascore) and therefore ranks in the top 1% for tackles and the top 3% for interceptions per 90 when compared to other midfielders across Europe.

Whilst writer Raj Chohan might have been lambasting the midfielder when branding his choices on the ball as "aggressive", it is this mindset that arguably makes him such a combative and frightening presence defensively in the engine room. Regardless, his 92% pass accuracy suggests otherwise.

Such defensive excellence could easily earn comparisons to the enigmatic N'Golo Kante, who is rarely seen around these parts nowadays due to his persistent injury problems.

The ageing ace has been ravaged with ailments since his move from Leicester City, yet when fit represents one of the division's most relentless midfielders.

Last season showcased this, as he started 21 games and managed to maintain a 7.12 average rating.

This was a figure supported by 2.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, which was impressive but highlighted a decline from times gone by, via Sofascore. He is admittedly nowhere near the level of his potential 22-year-old successor, who Pochettino will surely prefer.

Given the youthful revolution Boehly has seemingly planned, the 32-year-old is a prime example of those who need replacing in west London and the sooner the club can find his successor, the better because he cannot be trusted like the Kante of old, as evident above.

Few fit the bill more appropriately than Ugarte, to graciously take the mantle from this legendary midfield enforcer, who is a shadow of the player who managed 4.7 tackles per game back in the 2015/16 term.

Ange Postecoglou is on the verge of winning the treble with Celtic this season but continues to be linked with becoming the new Tottenham manager.

The 57-year-old has recently rebuffed interest from Premier League clubs in an interview with Sky Sports but the rumour mill continues to run.

What's the latest on Ange Postecoglou to Spurs?

Sky Sports have now shared a worrying Celtic update regarding Postecoglou on Wednesday, stating that he is "the new preferred candidate to replace Antonio Conte" after Arne Slot refused the role. Sharing the news on Sky Sports, presenter Dharmesh Sheth said:

"We understand Celtic's Ange Postecoglou is emerging as the new preferred candidate to permanently replace Antonio Conte.

"Tottenham are still looking for a new permanent manager after Arne Slot declared he was staying at Feyenoord last week."

Spurs finished 8th in the Premier League, a finish Sheth reports is their worst in over ten years. The last time Tottenham finished lower was in the 2007/08 season when they ended the season in 11th place on 46 points.

Will Ange Postecoglou leave Celtic this summer?

The manager has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks. The Daily Mail's Rob Draper reported last week that Postecoglou's "ultimate ambition" is to guide Celtic to the knockouts of the Champions League. This speaks to a desire to remain at the club long enough, although a move to Spurs this summer would make that impossible, of course.

Celtic are set to face Inverness in the final of the Scottish Cup on Saturday evening. A victory will seal a treble for Postecoglou in his second season and you'd expect that his future will likely become clearer following the end of the competitive season.

The Evening Standard reports that Postecoglou has "impressed Spurs chairman Daniel Levy", with the north London side searching for a new manager as well as a director of football and were preparing an approach for the Celtic man last week.

Celtic could find themselves virtually powerless to stop Postecoglou joining a Premier League club this summer. According to The Daily Mail, the 57-year-old is on a one-year rolling contract which does not contain a prohibitive release clause compared to the £17m release clause include in Arne Slot's Feyenoord terms.

The Hoops appear to be identifying possible replacements for Postecoglou as well, with reports suggesting that the club are keeping tabs on Enzo Maresca, and it looks as if Spurs could soon be in for the Australian, not ideal news for those at Parkhead.

Arsenal have been linked to a Serie A striker ahead of the transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his title challenging squad this summer.

The Gunners have reportedly been after the player ‘for a while’, and may opt to finally reach an agreement with the ace as the club enter the search for increased squad depth to bridge the gap between themselves and champions Manchester City.

What’s the latest on Antonio Sanabria to Arsenal?

As noted by La Stampa (via Sports Witness), Torino forward Antonio Sanabria is ‘on the Gunners’ agenda’ this summer.

The report states that the player's value of €10m (£9m) ‘cannot scare off’ clubs interested in the striker, with Arsenal ‘above all’ having interest in the goal-getter for a while.

The interest between club and player reportedly spans over a decade, with the Londoners attempting to sign the ace as a teenager.

What could Antonio Sanabria bring to Arsenal?

Being raised in the infamous youth setting of La Masia, the Paraguayan was destined to shine from a young age, which he’s shown through a strong goal-scoring pattern throughout his career.

Having scored 27 La Liga goals and 32 Serie A goals in his career so far – as per Transfermarkt – the 27-year-old could be a worthy introduction to Arteta’s plans, as the Spaniard bids to have a stronger level of depth going into next season.

Despite displaying a delightful cameo when filling the boots of Gabriel Jesus due to the Brazilian’s injury, Eddie Nketiah remains Arsenal’s third-choice forward behind the former City ace and the newly arriving Leandro Trossard.

With Sanabria potentially on the horizon, the Paraguayan could force the 24-year-old further down the pecking order as he would arrive as an already established goal scorer.

This season, the Torino sharp-shooter has contributed to 16 goals in Serie A, scoring 12 himself and setting up four for his teammates in an impressive feat for the mid-table side, via Sofascore.

Criticised for ‘not taking his chances’ by those at the Emirates Stadium, Nketiah falls short of the Arsenal target in terms of average number of non-penalty goals, with 0.34 to the San Lorenzo-born gem’s 0.41 per 90, as per FBref.

Arteta could opt to introduce a seasoned player in the final third to add a more clinical aspect to Arsenal, who have been criticised by former player Paul Merson for not scoring ‘scrappy goals’ when it matters most, via GIVEMESPORT.

Lauded as “brilliant” by Roma legend Francesco Totti, Sanabria could be the missing piece to the Spaniard’s puzzle in closing the gap on Pep Guardiola’s side, who have an absurd amount of quality in their ranks, allowing them to conquer on most occasions.

With the transfer window approaching, and an attractive goalscorer potentially available for a low price, Arteta must fire fast to capture his target and bin Nketiah in the process.