In Focus: Tottenham eye summer move for Pulisic

According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a summer move for Borussia Dortmund’s talented attacker Christian Pulisic.

What’s the story?

Pulisic, 18, made his first-team debut for Dortmund during the 2015-16 campaign, and has been a regular for the Bundesliga outfit this term – scoring five times in 34 appearances.

The talents of the 13-time American international are not exactly a secret, although Dortmund are believed to be confident that the attacker will decide to stay with the Bundesliga club despite growing interest in his services.

According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham representative Steve Hitchen was present at Dortmund’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against AS Monaco on Wednesday night, with Pulisic the subject of the chief scout’s visit.

Pulisic, who came off the bench at the interval of the European affair, was lively in the second period, although he could not prevent Dortmund from slipping to a 3-2 defeat in what was his ninth Champions League appearance of the 2016-17 campaign.

How has Pulisic performed this season?

Despite only being 18, Pulisic has been trusted to start 12 Bundesliga matches for Dortmund this season, while he has appeared off the bench on a further 12 occasions.

The majority of teenagers at a major European club would be happy with a few appearances here and there, but he has played almost 1200 minutes of Bundesliga football this season, contributing three goals and five assists for the German outfit.

He has also started six times in the Champions League, scoring once and providing two assists. Pulisic, who is valued at £10.2m by transfermarkt.com,  actually came off the bench to play in a wing-back position against Monaco, which again shows the trust that Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel places in the young American.

Pulisic’s attitude and temperament are two areas that have brought widespread praise, but he is also contributing goals and assists in one of the toughest leagues in European football.

It would surely take a sizeable transfer figure to tempt Dortmund into a sale this summer, but if Spurs could find a way to bring the American to White Hart Lane, they could be signing one of the future stars of the game.

Rangers fans are perplexed at Martyn Waghorn selection

After two dismal derby defeats to Celtic, Rangers are aiming to get back to winning ways against Partick Thistle this afternoon in the Scottish Premiership lunchtime kick-off.

The Gers make the short trip across the city to Firhill and have announced Pedro Caixinha’s starting eleven for the match-up.

The Portuguese has made two changes from last week’s 5-1 demolition at Ibrox, David Bates coming in for Clint Hill and Joe Garner coming in for Emerson Hyndman.

One man supporters aren’t too happy to see is Martyn Waghorn. He’s been out of form for a while and was one of the worst performers in the doubler header against the Hoops.

However there is interesting news on the bench with youngsters like Serge Atakayi and Jamie Barjonas being included in the matchday squad. Fans have been calling for fresh blood in the team for a while now and will be hoping to see them come on at some point during the match.

It’s Waghorn that the majority are focusing on though and supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his inclusion…

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Tottenham legend praises West Ham star after impressive season

Tottenham Hotspur legend Garth Crooks has heaped praise on West Ham United attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini and named in his Premier League Team of the Week following his performance in the 1-0 win against title-chasing Spurs at the London Stadium on Friday night.

The Irons star has been one of his side’s standout players in what has been a disappointing campaign, with his winning goal in the victory against the London neighbours proving to be one of the highlights.

Slaven Bilic’s side have largely struggled to adjust to life at the London Stadium after leaving the Boleyn Ground last season, but the crowd and the players came to life as they beat their arch-rivals thanks to Lanzini’s scrappy finish – ultimately ending Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s chances of overhauling Chelsea in the process.

Britain Football Soccer – Crystal Palace v West Ham United – Premier League – Selhurst Park – 15/10/16West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters / Matthew ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your acco

It was the 24-year-old’s eighth Premier League goal of the season as he has become a key man in the current team – especially following the departure of Dimitri Payet to Marseille in January.

Crooks was once again impressed with his showing against Tottenham on Friday, and believes that his quality on the ball is one of the main reasons the Hammers will be playing top flight football again next term.

The 59-year-old told BBC Football: “Lanzini has been West Ham’s and Bilic’s saviour.

“The Argentine has not only filled the vacuum left by Payet but produced a quality and a style of football that has made West Ham look more like a team and not one dependant on the performance of one individual.”

Having secured their spot in next season’s Premier League, West Ham play host to Liverpool before travelling to Burnley in their final two league fixtures this term.

Kroenke insists Arsenal shares not for sale, fans react angrily

Arsenal fans are not happy with the news that majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has no plans to sell his shares.

Last week, a report from the Financial Times claimed that Alisher Usmanov, who owns a minority stake in the North London club, offered a deal to Kroenke last month.

It is believed that he tabled £1billion to take control of Arsenal, but his rumoured offer seems to have been knocked back.

In a statement, revealed by AP journalist Rob Harris, Kroenke has insisted that his shares are not for sale.

Usmanov has previously been outspoken about the board’s activity, in particular Kroenke, who has often received criticism from the fans.

Many have blamed the American businessman for the club’s failure to progress and inability to compete with the financial clout of Manchester United and Manchester City.

Kroenke’s latest statement has not helped him win back the supporters.

Arsenal can still end the season with silverware as they prepare to face Chelsea in the FA Cup final this weekend, but they failed to finish inside the top four of the Premier League for the first time in over two decades.

Three reasons Tottenham should take a punt on out-of-favour Leicester forward

Leicester City only signed forward Ahmed Musa for a club-record £16m fee last summer after winning the Premier League title, but he could already be on his way out following a disappointing debut season in England.

The Foxes would have hoped that the 24-year-old would bring the form he showed for CSKA Moscow and Nigeria to the King Power Stadium in order to help them once again compete for the top flight title as well as helping them progress in the Champions League, but it hasn’t really happened for him.

Musa played just 752 minutes of top flight football over the course of the campaign – scoring two goals – while he netted just four times in 32 matches in all competitions.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will be looking to strengthen his attacking options this summer to take some of the pressure off of Harry Kane as well as possibly replacing last year’s disappointing arrivals Moussa Sissoko and Vincent Janssen, and he could do a lot worse than take a closer look Leicester’s out-of-favour attacker.

Here are three reasons Tottenham should take a punt on signing Musa this summer…

Pace

With the additions of Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Moussa Sissoko last summer – as well as the continued interest in Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha – it is obvious that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen to have some pace in his team.

The £30m move for Sissoko perhaps hasn’t worked out how he would have liked however with the Frenchman largely failing to impress when he has been given an opportunity, and the Argentine boss will be well aware of the speed and different dimension Musa could bring to his side next season.

Price tag

Britain Soccer Football – Millwall v Leicester City – FA Cup Fifth Round – The New Den – 18/2/17 Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy talks to Ahmed Musa Action Images via Reuters / Tony O’Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further

Having spent £30m on Sissoko last season, Pochettino may be looking for a slightly cheaper and better value option this summer if he chooses to strengthen his attack, and Musa could be the answer.

The Nigeria international joined Leicester City for a club-record £16m last summer, but even though the Foxes will want to recoup the majority of that if they sell the 24-year-old this summer, they may struggle to considering his disappointing campaign.

If Spurs can get the forward for around £10m, it would be something of a no-brainer deal.

European experience

When Pochettino is purchasing players this summer, he will be keen for them to already have experience of playing in the Champions League, or the potential to.

Musa fits into the former category having previously featured for CSKA Moscow – scoring four times in it during the 2015/16 campaign – and then Leicester last season.

Spurs will certainly want to go further in the competition than they did last season, and the 24-year-old could be an especially effective player away from home during the group stages because of his pace on the counter-attack.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.

In Focus: Donnarumma could have an exciting future at Man United

As reported by Diario Gol, Manchester United are set for some big changes between the sticks this summer, potentially part of a three club goalkeeping switch that is sure to create lots of discussion.

What’s the story?

After six seasons and 269 appearances for the Red Devils, it appears David De Gea’s time at the club could be coming to an end.

Diario Gol reckon his much discussed move to Real Madrid is still progressing with the goalkeeper having put his house in Manchester up for sale in April.

However, in a move that may soften the blow for United fans, they’re said to be in the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan’s teenage wonderkid. The report says that he’s been offered to United by his agent and he could be the man Jose Mourinho turns to, to fill what would become a problem position.

Football Soccer – AC Milan v AS Roma – Italian Serie A – San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy – 07/05/2017 AC Milan’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in action against AS Roma. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

The future

Despite being just 18 years of age, Donnarumma has already made more than 70 appearances for Milan and has also won 4 caps for Italy. It’s very clear he has a lot of potential in the game.

Last season he helped his club to 12 clean sheets, also shutting out Germany for the Italians in a 0-0 draw last November.

With Real Madrid reportedly set to land David De Gea then United need the next top prospect to arrive in Manchester and fill his boots. Even though he is still just a teenager, Donnarumma represents such a prospect. There’s arguably no other young goalkeeper in Europe garnering more attention than the Italian.

As Mourinho begins plans to move his era at Old Trafford into a higher gear, the young AC Milan shot-stopper could be a key part of it all.

Signing Liverpool flop Suso would be risky move from Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for AC Milan midfielder and former Liverpool player Suso, according to Marca.

What’s the word?

Mauricio Pochettino is yet to bring in a new signing this summer, but Tottenham have been linked to numerous players.

Spanish publication Marca state that Suso is on the North London outfit’s radar as they attempt to boost their attacking midfield options for next season.

The 23-year-old has been playing for the Italian club since 2015 when he joined from Liverpool after his contract at Anfield was cancelled.

Napoli have also reportedly shown interest in the Spaniard, whose current contract expires in 2019.

Is Suso good enough for Spurs?

He has certainly improved since leaving Liverpool, and last season he scored seven goals and produced 11 assists in 37 appearances for Milan.

There is a chance that he could become a positive addition to Tottenham’s attack this season and prove his ability in the Premier League.

However, there is a risk considering that he failed to make an impact at Liverpool.

Suso spent five years in total at Anfield, the majority of which were spent playing in the club’s reserve team or out on loan.

The Spain Under-21 international should not be ruled out as he is still young, and Pochettino has good experience shaping such talent, but the transfer carries a big risk.

West Ham fans divided as Everton win race to sign Henry Onyekuru

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton have won the race to sign one of West Ham United’s top transfer targets this summer, Henry Onyekuru.

The 20-year-old was being eyed by a number of Premier League sides – including the Irons and Arsenal – following an outstanding campaign for Belgian side KAS Eupen, for whom he scored 24 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions from the left wing.

The Daily Mail adds that as part of the deal that takes him to Goodison Park, the attacker will join Anderlecht on loan next season in order to continue his development before coming to England in a year’s time.

West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the news via social media, and while some were understandably frustrated and angry that they had missed out on bringing Onyekuru to the London Stadium, others were less bothered considering they hadn’t even heard of the player a few weeks ago.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Everton fans react as Cahill welcomes Rooney back to Goodison

The romantic side of football seems to shrink as each season passes, with sponsorship deals, shirt sales and post-season tours sapping everything that is sacred out of the ‘beautiful game’.

However, with Manchester United captain, and all time top goalscorer, Wayne Rooney leaving the club after 13 years to return to the club he joined from and has supported his entire life in Everton, it seems there is just an ounce of nostalgia left in the game.

The Toffees academy graduate had made it clear that should he stay in the Premier League upon leaving Old Trafford that there was only one place he’d be going, Goodison Park, and manager Ronald Koeman seems to have snapped at the opportunity to bring the 31-year-old back to Merseyside.

The majority of Evertonians are, as you can imagine, delighted with the news that their former boy wonder will be donning a blue shirt once again, however the news has brought smiles to the faces of former players as well.

Everton legend Tim Cahill took to Twitter to welcome Rooney ‘home’ – prompting plenty of fans to beg the Aussie to also make a return this summer…

Watch the latest 442oons video here!

Football Sponsorship – A Major Money Maker For All!

Football is among the most popular and watched sports in the world. Brands have long understood the value of having their name on a popular team’s jersey, as German liqueur brand Jägermeister first showed in 1973.

Kit sponsorship is now incredibly popular, and a multi-lingual infographic by Top Betting Sites shows exactly how much of the pie different sectors are getting. Gambling is incredibly well-represented, sponsoring 50%, or 10, of the teams in the English Premier League. But this is not going to be the case for too much longer.

EPL Teams Pull Gambling Sponsorship

The infographic is for the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons, and gambling’s role in the EPL will look very different soon. Following criticism for accepting sportsbook sponsorship while punishing athletes for betting violations, the Football Association has decided to end such partnerships as the current one that they have with Ladbrokes. The FA further announced that it would cease all commercial agreements with gambling companies.

The agreement was reached amicably, with the FA expressing thanks for Ladbrokes’ professionalism and the betting firm saying they understood. Consultation over any suspected betting irregularities will continue, but the advertising agreements between the parties finishes with the 2016/2017 season.

Sponsorship Heavyweights  

The infographic covers the sponsorship that the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga get, and highlights the differences in the levels and types of sponsorship that they each receive. Interestingly, although gambling was widely represented across the board, sponsoring 12/58 clubs, its presence was felt much less in Germany and Spain than in England. Sportsbetting has always played a big role in British life, so it makes sense that this industry held a lot of weight in popular sport sponsorship. In the same way, the important Spanish and German industries of cuisine and tourism, and in the case of Germany technological brands too, are the main sponsor names seen on jerseys.

The Premier League’s global impact is seen in the fact that 75% of its sponsorship comes from brands originating outside the UK. On the other hand, the fact that just 16% of Bundesliga investment is foreign shows how much economic potential Germany has. Spain, with 60% of investments in La Liga coming from overseas, falls somewhere in the middle.

The other crucial issue that the Top Betting Sites infographic highlights is how much more money the Premier League receives, in comparison to the Bundesliga and La Liga. While the leagues combined received €546.77 million in sponsorship for the 2016/2017 season, English teams got €260 million. This is 225% more than La Liga got (€115.27 million) and 151% more than the Bundesliga got (€171.3 million).

It’s important to note, however, that the growth in sponsorship for the Spanish and German leagues was 16.6% and 3.97% respectively, whereas for the Premier League it was just 0.92%. The continental countries are catching up to Britain, and Spain seems to be recovering from the economic crisis.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus