All posts by z3u9t.icu

A new era at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is firmly underway.

And it could not have gotten off to a better start, with the north London outfit currently sat top of the Premier League table unbeaten without conceding a single goal in their opening three league matches.

It’s fair to suggest that the appointment of Nuno Santo as head coach has, so far, been a massive success but of course, there is plenty of the season left to play.

He’s not been the only change at the club, though.

Spurs appointed their first sporting director since 2015 in Fabio Paratici and he deserves plenty of credit for his instant impact at the club.

The Italian supremo, who won 19 trophies during his time at Juventus in a similar role and was responsible for the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, has managed to shift on plenty of deadwood, including the injury-prone Erik Lamela as well as regressing veterans Toby Alderweireld and Moussa Sissoko.

Paratici has also worked some magic in the transfer market, signing a couple of players for the future in Pape Matar Sarr and Byran Gil, whilst improving the first-team squad with the arrival of Atalanta duo Pierluigi Gollini and Cristian Romero on loan and Emerson Royal from Barcelona, too.

Not to mention the fact that he managed to keep hold of the talismanic Harry Kane.

However, it was his decision on deadline day that could prove to be the best of them all after he cancelled the contract of the long-serving Serge Aurier, who had clearly slipped right down the pecking order under the Portuguese boss.

Had he remained at the club now, Spurs would have four right-back options and he would be sat rock-bottom in preference – and understandably so.

Earning reported wages in the region of a whopping £120k-per-week, the 66-cap Ivory Coast international would’ve been merely stealing a wage at a club he didn’t even want to be at.

The £18m-rated star told French publication L’Equipe of his intentions to leave N17 back in late May but with no club willing to take a chance on him, he had to be released from his contract.

“Everyone knows that if I wanted to extend my contract at Tottenham, I’d have already done so,” Aurier claimed. “I’m not going to do that in six months’ time. I’ve experienced the Premier League and a Champions League final. I’ve reached the end of a cycle and it’s time to look elsewhere.”

Not only are Spurs now saving a lot of money off their wage bill but they are also getting rid of a player that was often lambasted and marred by controversy.

Off the pitch, Aurier was fined for breaching the country’s lockdown guidelines for the third time whilst on it, he was regularly described as an “absolute liability.”

The Lilywhites’ defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final saw Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher become the latest name to lay into the 28-year-old’s ability.

“Aurier is maybe one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football and is a player who would possibly put you off management with the amount of crazy decision he makes,” he said, via talkSPORT.

It merely adds to other scathing criticism of his performances over the years since he arrived in a £23m deal from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017.

Fellow Sky Sports man Roy Keane once labelled Aurier as a “car crash” and suggested that he was a “huge problem” for Spurs. He said (via Football Daily): “He’s got a rick in him. He has caused loads of problems. I have described him as a bit of a car crash. Nice powerful boy, keeps going forward, but defensively I think he doesn’t smell danger or see the danger. And that’s been a huge problem for Spurs, the right-back position.”

On the above evidence, Paratici made a blinding call to offload the right-back. He can now be someone else’s problem as Spurs move on with Emerson and co this season.

AND in other news, Spurs handed “frustrating” injury blow ahead of Premier League return…

An update has emerged on Newcastle United target Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch, regarding interest from another English side…

What’s the talk?

According to Sky Germany, via Fussball Transfers, Tottenham have now joined the race for his services alongside the Magpies.

The report claims that he will see out his contract in Germany before joining a new club next summer as a free agent.

Sissoko 2.0

Eddie Howe must ensure that Newcastle are able to beat Spurs to his signature as he could be the club’s new midfield beast moving forward.

The Austrian could finally be the heir to Moussa Sissoko’s throne in the middle of the park, with the Magpies failing to sign an effective enforcer since he left the club. Both players stand at 6 foot 1, 1.87m, and are able to put a shift in across the park at both ends of the pitch.

Sissoko managed one goal and seven assists in his final Premier League campaign for Newcastle, whilst averaging 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game. His height also allowed him to win 1.5 aerial battles per game, which helped the side in terms of defending long balls and set-pieces.

Last season in the Bundesliga, Grillitsch chipped in with two goals and one assist, averaging 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game. He won 1.2 aerial battles per game, which has shot up to 1.5 this term, showing that he can also have an impact in the air.

German coach Julian Nagelsmann was previously effusive in his praise of the range midfielder, saying:

“In my opinion, Flo Grillitsch is one of the best six in the Bundesliga who is already a little under the radar. At least you rarely read anything about him.

“He still has a few construction sites, he knows that, I’ve told him that often enough. But he is an extraordinary footballer and has an incredible ability to determine the rhythm of the game.”

Newcastle’s current defensive midfielder, Isaac Hayden, is averaging a dreadful WhoScored rating of 6.44 in the Premier League. Grillitsch, meanwhile, is averaging a score of 6.98 in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim – suggesting that he could be a sizeable upgrade on the ex-Arsenal man if he is able to adapt to English football.

It is now down to Howe to work with Nick Hammond to get a deal over the line for the midfield machine as the ex-Bournemouth boss could unearth Sissoko 2.0 for the Magpies and solve their issues in midfield.

AND in other news, Move over Ashworth: NUFC must consider “irate” DoF whose “behaviour’s been a disgrace”…

Pundit Paddy Kenny has been reacting to an update regarding Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Summer exit?

Saint-Maximin has been a regular for the Magpies this season, making 30 appearances in all competitions.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-5/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 25-year-old has been deployed as a left-winger under Eddie Howe and has contributed to eight Premier League goals.

However, according to The Daily Mail, his days at St. James’ Park could be numbered. They believe that Newcastle are ready to sell the French forward over the coming months and would accept a bid in the region of £50m.

The Latest: Kenny reacts

Talking to FI following the update on Saint-Maximin, Kenny labelled £50m as ‘crazy money’ and admitted he’d be ‘surprised’ if the Magpies didn’t accept an offer in that region, should one arrive.

“£50million, that’s crazy money.

“For a man who has scored five goals this season? For an attacking player, it’s not good numbers.

“I know Newcastle don’t need to £50million but if that offer was on the table, they would take it.

“You can invest that in a player who will provide more goals and assists.

“I would be surprised if Newcastle didn’t accept an offer like that.

“There are quality players out there who you could get for £50million who will get you more goals than that.

“I know he’s good to watch but you need results in this business and that is a lot of money to turn down.”

The Verdict: Keep?

A £50m move away would make him Newcastle’s most expensive departure of all time, surpassing the £36.9m fee Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll.

However, Saint-Maximin appears to be a key player for the Magpies, with Howe admitting in the week that he has a ‘great relationship’ with the attacker, adding that he ‘has a long-term future at the club’.

The 25-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £28.8m, so the best of Saint-Maximin could yet be to come, possibly making him a key player to build a team around in an attacking sense.

In other news: ‘At the moment’ – Transfer insider says NUFC ace will only be a ‘rotation’ player next season. 

According to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, Spurs midfielder Tanguy Ndombele is impressing the club’s staff with his fitness in one of the more surprising developments to come out of Hotspur Way…

What’s been said?

In the past, the Frenchman’s fitness has certainly come into question as he has struggled to truly cement a regular spot in the starting XI under all four of his previous managers, permanent and temporary.

Jose Mourinho once launched a scathing attack on his commitment and physical health, whilst Arsenal and France legend Emmanuel Petit pondered to The Sun in March 2020: “Is he overweight? He looks a little bit. But his body language does not help him. He needs to improve physically.”

However, that looks to have changed substantially.

‘While there have been previous qualms about Ndombele’s fitness, football.london understands that this season Ndombele is considered by the sports science staff to be in the best physical condition of his time at the club,’ wrote Gold.

Massive boost

Ndombele could prove to be quite the key figure for Antonio Conte in the coming weeks and months as the Italian desperately needs a creative solution in the final third.

Spurs rank last for average number of shots per game (10.1) in the entire top-flight and their last shot on target came nearly four hours ago – a worrying trend heading into a big clash with Leeds United next weekend.

As per Gold in his report, no player covered more distance in the win over Newcastle United last month, not to mention his all-important equaliser at St James’ Park whilst playing in the hole.

The fact that the 24-year-old appears to be in the best physical condition since his arrival in N17 will come as a major boost as his new boss demands peak physique and commitment on the training pitch, having banned things like ketchup and butter in the canteen, and that’ll only bolster his claims to start in the no.10 role more often.

Elsewhere, only Lucas Moura (three) is averaging more dribbles per game than Ndombele (1.5), which suggests he’s a big influence in driving the ball forward for the team.

The former Lyon dynamo also leads the way for progressive carries towards the opposition’s goal, averaging 10.2 per 90 minutes, via FBref, which further highlights the need for him in the attacking third.

Once deemed “unplayable” by ex-teammate Joe Hart, this latest development is sure to leave many supporters thrilled by the prospect of their club-record £55m man thriving under Conte.

In fact, many have already reacted glowingly in response to Gold’s report – as relayed by This is Futbol this week.

A fit and firing Ndombele could well hold the keys to a more successful Spurs this season. If he is indeed in his best condition ever, then that is hugely positive news.

AND in other news, Paratici plotting Spurs swoop for “explosive” £31.5m-rated gem, Conte badly needs him…

Flocking to Twitter, Manchester City fans have expressed mixed feelings over an update in the Dusan Vlahovic saga.

A whole host of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in securing the services of the Serbia international, including the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. However, it is reported that if Vlahovic were to move to an English side, it would be to either Chelsea or Manchester City.

The 21-year-old has been in breath-taking form this season, scoring 16 goals in 20 league games for Fiorentina, and he has also netted seven times in 14 games for his country.

The 6 foot 3 youngster also bagged 21 Serie A goals last term, seemingly getting stronger with each passing campaign.

Man City fans react to Vlahovic news

The report from TuttoMercatoWeb (shared by Sport Witness and City Xtra) claims that only four clubs could sign the striker this summer – Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Flocking to Twitter, lots of Manchester City fans have expressed a variety of reactions in response to the news shared by City Xtra, that explains how Vlahovic would only accept City or Chelsea if he were to choose to move to the Premier League.

Here’s what some of them had to say, with some preferring a move for Erling Haaland…

“LETS DO IT MAN CITY”

Credit: @DeBlueLou

“Haaland should be the main target but Vlahovic ain’t bad too”

Credit: @fodenszn78

“I’ve accepted defeat: Haaland is [unfortunately] joining Real Madrid. That means we’ve got to be all-over Vlahovic this summer”

Credit: @RealTalkMCFC

“Bring him to the Etihad”

Credit: @MtMcfc

“Vlahovic is my first choice striker in the summer. And that’s including Haaland. In the long run, I think Vlahovic would benefit this team more”

Credit: @Bum2879

“We better at least try to get him”

Credit: @SilkyCyrus_74

“I really want him but he does not fit our system I think we will go to Kane again unfortunately”Credit: @iJoca21

With Southampton having only managed to create five big chances in the Premier League so far this season, the joint-second lowest out of any team in the top flight, it’s safe to say Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have struggled to create goalscoring opportunities in the league.

However, it seems as though the club have their eye on signing a player who could help them in that regard.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Spanish media outlet Fichajes that Southampton, alongside fellow Premier League clubs Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in signing Real Betis attacking-midfielder Rodri Sanchez.

Sanchez joined Betis’ youth academy from Deportivo’s youth academy back in the 2016 summer transfer window.

Since then, the 21-year-old, who is currently valued at £1.35m according to Transfermarkt, has worked his way through Betis’ youth levels before eventually making his senior debut in  November last year in a 5-2 defeat against Barcelona in La Liga.

Overall, Sanchez has made a total of 26 appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side across all competitions in which he has managed to score two goals and provide two assists along the way, showing just how creative he can be on the pitch.

The missing piece

In terms of a potential move to Southampton, given the attacking talent Sanchez has shown for Betis in front of goal, he could well be an important player for the Saints. That’s judging by how they’ve only managed to score five goals in their opening seven league games of the season.

With his young age, there’s every possibility that Sanchez could well be Southampton’s next James Ward-Prowse given they occupy similar positions in the final third. Both can play out wide, while their awareness allows them to dictate play from central areas as well.

Speaking about his talent last term after he found the net, La Liga and Spanish football writer Andrew Miller said: “One of the real bright spots this season has been the emergence of Rodri in the Betis first team. Such a gifted young player and caps off an incredible effort with his first senior goal. Always brings a real injection of energy into the team.”

That final line is incredibly similar to Ward-Prowse, somebody who charges around the engine room with his imperious fitness.

However, it’s that lack of a creative spark that really makes Rodri such an attractive proposition. He makes 45.4 progressive carries of the ball per 90, meaning he’d get Southampton up the pitch quicker. That stat also ranks him second among those already at St Mary’s.

Furthermore, he has produced 3.47 shot-creating actions per 90, a statistic that outranks everyone at Hasenhuttl’s disposal.

Looking ahead to the upcoming January transfer window, the Saints should definitely consider making a move for Sanchez to see if he can turn their season around from its current state. At the moment, they are devoid of creativity but that could change with the Betis star in their team.

However, with both Everton and Brighton supposedly interested in signing Sanchez as well, the Saints could have a fight on their hands to get him as both clubs are currently above Southampton in the league table.

In other news: Hasenhuttl could save Saints from relegation by signing “important” £7.2m-rated beast – opinion

With Ange Postecoglou undoubtedly being desperate for his Celtic side to finally pick up their first points of the season away from Parkhead on Sunday, the 56-year-old will have been delighted to see the Bhoys just about scrape a 2-1 win over Aberdeen.

Indeed, in a game that was far from a classic, a first-half Kyogo Furuhashi strike coupled with an 84th minute Jota goal was enough to cancel out Lewis Ferguson’s second-half equaliser for the Dons, with the Hoops leaving Pittodrie with a much needed three points.

However, while both goalscorers turned in highly impressive performances in the fixture – with Furuhashi and Jota receiving a SofaScore match rating of 7.3 and 7.2 respectively – the display of 19-year-old left-back, Adam Montgomery, will also have delighted both Postecoglou and fans of the club alike.

Two key passes

Despite the fact the appearance was his first-ever start in the Scottish Premiership, the youngster put in a truly commanding display over the course of his 90 minutes on the pitch against Aberdeen.

Indeed, the £135k-rated man excelled at the back, making one clearance, one interception and winning six of his nine duels against Stephen Glass’ side.

The teenager who Kieran Tierney dubbed a “good talent” also impressed in an attacking capacity, registering the assist for Jota’s late winner and making two key passes, as well as completing two crosses and three of his four attempted dribbles.

These returns saw the 19-year-old receive a SofaScore match rating of 7.3, ranking the defender as the second-best player, from either side, to feature in the match – running the show for Celtic.

Indeed, the Scotland U21 international’s performance will have come as a huge boost to Postecoglou, as the manager looks set to be without the services of first-choice left-back Greg Taylor for a number of months due to injury.

However, following Montgomery’s performance on Sunday, the 56-year-old will now surely be convinced that the youngster is capable of filling in for the stricken defender, and perhaps even good enough to challenge for a starting spot in the side.

In other news: Forget Bitton: £16k-p/w Celtic “problem” who made just 1 pass failed Ange vs Aberdeen

Evening Standard reporter Jack Rosser believes Nuno Espirito Santo would get the best out of Adama Traore if Tottenham Hotspur complete a late swoop for the Wolverhampton Wanderers winger.

Nuno, who was appointed as Spurs’ head coach following a lengthy managerial search in June, is keen to be reunited with Traore having bossed the Spain international before leaving Wolves at the end of last season.

With the transfer deadline looming, reports suggest Nuno is looking to negotiate a deal which would see Traore, who according to reports in Spain last week is keen to link up again with his former boss, head to north London on loan until the end of the season with a view to making the move permanent for £40million.

Despite links with a move away from Molineux, Traore has started all three of Wolves’ Premier League fixtures so far this season. However, he has been unable to stop his current employers falling to three consecutive defeats in the top flight.

Rosser thinks Nuno would be capable of taking Traore’s game to another level if the late move is completed.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “You’d back Nuno to get a good tune out of him even though you always worry about his end product.

“Nuno knows what he would be getting and is not going to waste money on a player he spent that much time with before. He’ll know he would add something to the group. Spurs do have quite a lot of players in those positions but there are question marks over a lot of them as well.

“Traore has just got into the Spain squad, which is good experience for him, but there is no other manager you would rather have looking after him if they get that deal over the line.”

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is reportedly hoping to land Belgian youth development specialist Zeb Jacobs to the club.

It has recently been claimed that the Gers are attempting to prise him away from Royal Antwerp to bolster the Dutchman’s backroom staff, with his background consisting of work with the progress of young players.

His potential appointment could indicate a desire from van Bronckhorst to integrate more academy prospects into the first-team set-up, as Jacobs could come through the door and speed up their progression.

Goldson 2.0

FFC published an article explaining why Tony Weston could be an academy player who breaks through into the first-team under the former Feyenoord coach. However, he is not the only promising talent coming through the ranks, with centre-back Leon King another who could have a bright future in Glasgow.

Gio could unearth Connor Goldson 2.0 in King, with the club potentially needing a replacement for the ex-Brighton man at the end of the season. His contract is up next summer and it remains to be seen whether or not he will put pen to paper on an extension.

Therefore, bringing through the 17-year-old, King, in the next few months could be perfect timing for the Dutch manager. He could potentially shine in the first-team and be the natural successor to Goldson, taking his place at centre-back if he is able to show consistency and quality in the Premiership.

Ex-Gers player Mark Hateley once tipped him to be massive in the future, saying: “If you look at that [our bench at Livingston] there is only Leon King there you’ve got that question mark, but Leon King is going to be massive.”

Steven Gerrard also previously dubbed him as “superb” after handing him a first-team debut in the Premiership, showing how highly the current Aston Villa manager rated the youngster.

These quotes suggest that the potential is there for King to make his mark at first-team level for Rangers. Whether that time is now, at the age of 17, or not is a question that cannot be answered until he is given an opportunity to show what he can do by van Bronckhorst.

Therefore, the 46-year-old must offer him a chance in the first-team, whether that comes in the Premiership, Europa League or in the cup. If he is able to step in and perform, then Rangers could have their next Goldson on their hands.

AND in other news, Big boost: Gio hands Rangers massive injury lift pre-Hibs, fans will surely love it – opinion

Newcastle United are now reportedly in talks to sign Hamza Choudhury in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfielders wanted

The St. James’ Park faithful are clearly looking to sign a new central midfield player, having been linked with the likes of James McCarthy, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Ross Barkley.

They could also look to try and sign Joe Willock on a permanent deal from Arsenal after his hugely successful loan spell in the North East in the 2020/21 season.

The Latest: Choudhury talks

According to transfers guru Pedro Almeida, there are currently ‘open talks’ between the Tyneside club and Leicester City over a potential move for Choudhury.

Steve Bruce’s team are prepared to offer €10m (£8.5m) to sign him from the Foxes, which is more than his current value of £6.3m (Transfermarkt).

The Verdict: Avoid

The Magpies should avoid overpaying for Choudhury while there are other options available to sign in the market.

The 23-year-old did not get much game time Brendan Rodgers’ side in the last campaign, playing in a mere ten matches in the Premier League and only completing the full 90 minutes on one occasion (Transfermarkt).

Thus, he may be short of sharpness if he made the move to the Toon, and Bruce already has the likes of Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick and Jonjo Shelvey that he can call upon in his position.

Bruce and co should be going all out for Willock, not settling for lesser targets.

In other news, find out which ‘monster’ target NUFC have been predicted to lose out on here!