Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to a massive update from James Pearce, who claims Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will return to competitive football this week.
According to The Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce, Oxlade-Chamberlain is in contention to play for the Reds’ Under-23 side this week.
The report states that the midfield speedster could even feature in the “mini-derby”, when the Under-23 side take on Everton at Anfield on Monday.
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If he doesn’t feature against the Toffees, Pearce expects him to return in Friday’s Premier League 2 clash against Derby County.
The £40m man quickly became a fan favourite at Anfield last season due to the speed he adds to midfield and his infectious positivity.
He scored five goals and provided eight assists during his first season on Merseyside, but damaged his knee ligaments during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma.
Fans are absolutely freaking out over Pearce’s update on his fitness, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Liverpool will surely be dipping back into the transfer market after Naby Keita, the midfield maestro that never was, has surely earned himself flop status after a poor debut season in the Premier League.
More dropped points at the weekend mean Liverpool are slowly dipping out of the reckoning for the Premier League title, and as much as Klopp wants to blame anything and everything for their demise, one finger must be pointed at the evident creative void in the centre of the park.
The Merseyside club are certainly not short of quality in the forward positions, nor are they in defence, with two of the most formidable units in European football.
Their midfield, however, is distinctly average and has been propped up by the likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson for far too long now.
Yes, the introduction of Fabinho has injected some much-needed talent into proceedings, but he’s very much a like-for-like player compared to who they already have.
Keita should have been the man to revolutionise their creative game.
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, he has not lived up to expectations and as such the club will likely be back in the market for a playmaker this summer.
But who?
Chasing Houssem Aouar should be of paramount importance.
The Frenchman would not be Liverpool’s first major Lyon target having already failed to sign target Nabil Fakir last summer. But they should not be deterred.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called Aouar ‘incredible’ after his performance against his side in the Champions League, adding: “He’s always very calm with the ball at his feet, with an excellent technical quality.” (source: BBC Sport).
And that is very much his game.
The 20-year-old is a phenomenally talented player operating with a maturity beyond his years.
From what we have seen of Aouar matches in Ligue 1, he is an incredibly composed player whose distribution is second to none; his astute tactical awareness is complemented by an impressive ability to evaluate and analysis potential creative opportunities or threats from all areas of the pitch; and he is decent enough in front of goal as well with scoring six in all competitions.
Great player who surely become one of the world’s best.
Billy Sharp was one of the stars of Sheffield United’s smash and grab win away at Leeds United last weekend, and Kemar Roofe has paid tribute to the 33-year-old veteran in light of his excellent performance, per Yorkshire Evening Post.
What’s the word?
Sharp is a man renowned for his poachers instincts inside the penalty area, but he showcased another facet of his game on Saturday lunchtime by providing the assist for Chris Basham’s emphatic winner.
It was the Sheffield United hitman’s third and potentially most season-defining assist of the season, and he later went on to draw the foul from Kiko Casilla which saw the Spaniard dismissed.
In light of his well-rounded lone striker display, Roofe had some positive words to say about Sharp.
“I just love football. It doesn’t matter who it is. I respect if you’re doing the right things and you’re good at it. And you’re nice to watch, I like that.
“What he has done this season is dangerous.”
More clinical than Teemu Pukki
Teemu Pukki is currently leading the race for the Championship golden boot with 24 goals so far this term, while Sharp is close behind with 22.
There was a time in the season when Roofe would have been considered as a genuine contender for the individual accolade, but injury problems have restricted his progress and he has been cut adrift of the leading pack on 14.
The top goalscorer chart would suggest that Pukki has been the most clinical attacker in the division this season, but his goals per minutes played ratio suggests otherwise.
Norwich City’s talisman has notched at a rate of one goal for every 129 minutes played, while Sharp has scored one every 117 minutes.
Roofe’s strike rate has seen him score once every 158 minutes, so it’s clear to see why he’s expressed his admiration for the Blades’ star man.
Pukki will be glancing nervously over his shoulder with stiff competition for the golden boot breathing down his neck.
Not many people look back at the EFL Trophy as a highlight in the English football calendar, but they certainly will this year.
Portsmouth’s dramatic win against Sunderland at Wembley will go down in not only Pompey history but as one of the most exciting games of the 2018/19 season.
On a day where Liverpool left it late against Spurs to keep their hunt for a first Premier League trophy going and where Chelsea controversially beat Cardiff, it was a game against two League One teams that everyone was talking about, and for Pompey to come out the other side the victors is a big statement.
Oliver Hawkins made it Portsmouth’s day with the final penalty kick of the shootout, but now the real challenge begins for Kenny Jackett’s side as they must take the positivity and passion from the EFL Trophy win into the remaining game of the season.
As much as it is nice to have silverware this season, the ultimate goal is promotion back into the Championship, and now Pompey have the belief they need to go all the way and climb back into a division many of their fans believe they should be at.
Beating a side as big as Sunderland, who too are also looking for promotion back into the Championship, gives Portsmouth an advantage heading into the final month of the League One season, and Pompey has to be ready to give the same passion and fight they gave at Wembley in their last seven league games.
The sides face each other again on the 27th of April, and it is likely whoever walks away from that game the winner will be the team to claim the third and final automatic promotion spot to the Championship.
Portsmouth have the upper hand going into the biggest games of their season, and the team must keep a level head if they are to reach the goal they set out at the start of the season.
Portsmouth fans, where will Pompey finish in the League One table? Let us know!
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are set to go head-to-head with north London rivals Tottenham for the signature of Newcastle hero Fabian Schar, who has adapted impressively to English football since his summer move from Deportivo de La Coruna.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Switzerland international has quickly become a fans’ favourite at St James’ Park after a string of exquisite performances since his bargain £3m move back in the summer.
Schar has impressed with his eye for goal – he has three to his name – including two goal-of-the-season contenders, whilst his calmness and composure on the ball are just a few of his many eye-catching traits.
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His ability to break the lines with his passing skills on the right of a three-man defence has been a huge feature of the Magpies’ game this season, and he would certainly be an impressive addition for one of Arsenal or Spurs.
He would be ideal for Arsenal
The Gunners should focus heavily on a defensive overhaul this summer. Currently, Unai Emery has a creaking defence consisting of 33-year-old Laurent Koscielny, 33-year-old Nacho Monreal, 30-year-old Sokratis and 35-year-old Stephan Lichtsteiner, as well as the error-prone Shkodran Mustafi.
If reports are true, and Emery’s summer budget will be just £40m, then a move for Schar should be a priority, especially given the fact that the Gunners also play with a three-man defence at times – the former Basel defender should need no time to settle in at the Emirates if he were to move.
His ability on the ball, and the fact that he is arguably in his peak at 27 years of age, should be enough to encourage Emery to make Schar one of his main targets this summer to bolster a backline that isn’t getting any younger.
The Gunners reportedly monitored Schar during his time with Basel, and should certainly reignite their interest in him.
تفيد تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن نادي يوفنتوس ونظيره باريس سان جيرمان يتنافسان على صفقة من صفوف بايرن ميونخ الألماني.
وتوضح صحيفة “توتو سبورت” الإيطالية، أن يوفنتوس وباريس سان جيرمان يتنافسان للحصول على فرصة للتعاقد مع ديفيد ألابا كوكيل حر عند انتهاء عقده مع بايرن ميونخ.
سينتهي عقد قلب الدفاع البالغ من العمر 28 عامًا في نهاية هذا الموسم، ولا يبدو أنه عازم على تمديد عقده مع الفريق البافاري.
اقرأ أيضًا.. كاسياس: رونالدو أكثر إثارة للإعجاب من ميسي
باريس سان جيرمان يعتبر ألابا الوريث المثالي لتياجو سيلفا بعد انتقال البرازيلي إلى تشيلسي.
من جانبه، يثق يوفنتوس في قدرته على حسم الصفقة لصالحه رغم منافسة باريس سان جيرمان.
The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is threatening to become a yawning chasm in seasons to come.
Last season saw Wolves, Cardiff City and Fulham promoted. After a link-up with super-agent Jorge Mendes and a major cash influx, Wolves have consolidated their position in the top-flight and will perhaps have their eye on the Champions League in seasons to come. With the likes of Ruben Neves – long hailed as one of the best midfield prospects on the continent – and Joao Moutinho, plus Raul Jimenez, Wolves have made good use of the money they have been lucky enough to receive. They are currently seventh and could be playing in the Europa League next season.
Fulham and Cardiff have not been so lucky.
The Cottagers seem to cycle through managers as singletons swipe through matches on Tinder, and here we are, with Scott Parker at the helm, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea midfielder tasked with achieving the impossible. Fulham are 19th. They have won just four times all season – their last victory came at the end of January, a 4-2 success over Brighton & Hove Albion – and have amassed 17 points; they are 10 points off safety.
Cardiff, too, have endured a miserable season for all manner of reasons. They have played some truly terrible football and have not won any of their last three games – losing by an aggregate score of 10-1. But they are still fighting bravely against the drop. Many neutrals hope they manage to survive, in part due to the tragic loss of Emiliano Sala. They are two points off Southampton and it is a testament to their character that they are still in with a shout.
But the point, more than their performances this season, is that this was expected. Wolves, we knew, were coming in to tear up the established order, newly-monied and with their eyes on the prize, they were gunning for the top 10.
But Fulham and Cardiff? Every fan across the land expected the Bluebirds to be battling against the drop; the Cottagers, meanwhile, were a more unpredictable entity after their summer spending spree but still likely to struggle after sneaking into the top-flight via the playoffs.
And this is the fate that may await both Leeds United and Norwich City if they gain promotion to the Premier League.
Both sides are enjoying exciting seasons in the Championship. Norwich are top, two points clear of the Whites in second. They both play with very clear philosophies – the Canaries under the forward-thinking, youth-promoting Daniel Farke and Leeds under the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa.
Norwich play quick, aggressive, attacking football and were described by AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe in January as “one of the form teams in the country”.
Bielsa, at Leeds, too, has invested in youth, placing his trust in the likes of Jack Clarke and Jack Harrison and reaping the rewards. He has an attention to detail unmatched by any other manager in the Football League – just ask Frank Lampard and Derby County – and he urges his side to play methodically, keeping the ball and building until an opportunity becomes available.
This is all well and good, but how will it work in the pressure cooker of the Premier League? Both sides, while brilliant to watch in full flow, have defensive deficiencies that will whet the appetites of the likes of Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah and their attacking plans rarely need to be altered.
Their wanton desire to get forward and get on the ball will be severely tested if they are promoted.
Norwich, it has to be said, have been here before and were promoted in 2015. They spent just one season in the top-flight and were relegated in 19th, five points off safety.
Leeds have no such experience. They have history, of course they do, and they are a truly massive club, but they have not played Premier League football in over a decade. They were relegated in 2003-04 and have not been back since.
Times have changed and the Premier League has moved on. The top-flight is drowning in money and teams who are not up for the fight get chewed up and spat back out again.
Huddersfield Town stayed up, miraculously, last season after winning promotion under David Wagner. This season, their playing style was worked out and thus their gameplan destroyed. They are rock-bottom and have just 14 points, meaning they are on course to become one of the worst sides in Premier League history.
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It is a prescient warning. Both Leeds and Norwich have the potential to become fixtures in the top-flight. They both have the infrastructure, the manager, the trust in youth and, if they come up, their resources will increase significantly.
But their faith will be tested. A couple of bad results may have to be weathered. Farke and Bielsa have very clear ideas of how they want to play football and it may well see them storm the Premier League in the same vein as Wolves. Both teams, it bears repeating, are breathtaking in full flight.
But it may not work out. The ideas may not transmit against the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Unai Emery. It may be a season of adjusting expectations continually. The board will have to stick by the boss.
Promotion, after all, would be a leap into the unknown for both men, but there are more than enough cautionary tales for them to take heed from.
Those who do not learn from history, after all, are doomed to repeat it.
Over the past ten years, it could be argued that no other player has come close to providing the excitement that Ricky Holmes did during his two-year spell with Northampton Town.
The winger arrived at the club on an initial loan deal from Portsmouth in 2015 and took just four games to convince then manager Chris Wilder that he was a player that they simply had to sign on a permanent deal.
Lighting up what was otherwise a pretty drab season, Holmes used his superb dribbling ability and eye for goal to score five times in 21 league appearances for the Cobblers as they finished 12th in League Two.
Despite a serious injury ruling the former Barnet player out of the first half of the 2015/16 campaign, his return to the Northampton side was marked by a stunning strike in a 4-3 win at Luton Town. Far from a one-off, spectacular finishes against Leyton Orient, Notts County and Stevenage helped propel his side to the League Two title whilst also attracting considerable interest from across the Football League.
After being sold to League One side Charlton Athletic, the winger continued his impressive form throughout the following season which eventually saw him earn a move to Sheffield United where he re-united with former Cobblers boss Chris Wilder in 2017. However, since making the switch to Bramall Lane, Holmes has seen somewhat of a downturn in form which has lead to him being loaned out to both Oxford United and Gillingham this season.
If the Blades achieve promotion to the Premer League at the end of the season, it is extremely unlikely that they will include the 31-year-old in their plans when you consider that he has made just five league appearances for the club.
With the possibility of Holmes being available in the summer, Cobblers boss Keith Curle should try and bring him back to a club where he enjoyed the best spell of his career to date. Whilst it may be seen by some as a risk to sign a player who has been plagued by injuries over the past two years, he would clearly be a notable upgrade on the likes of Daniel Powell and Sam Hoskins and would provide the necessary service for Andy Williams and Junior Morias to thrive upon.
The one stumbling block that could prevent a possible deal for Holmes in the summer for Northampton would be his wages as he would almost certainly have to take a pay-cut to move back to the PTS Academy given the club’s current financial situation.
What do you think Cobblers fans? Should Curle try and bring back Holmes? Or is the Blades winger too much of a risk giving his injury problems? Let us know below.
Wolves supporters have shown a strong display of support in favour of goalkeeper John Ruddy as he prepares to start this weekend.
A picture of Ruddy in training emerged on Twitter as fans reacted eagerly to seeing him in focus before Nuno Santo confirmed via Tim Spiers that he’d be starting against Manchester United in the FA Cup this weekend.
The 6 foot 4 stopper has been Wolves’ cup keeper this term, playing twice in the Carabao Cup and four times in the FA Cup to date. His performances in those matches have clearly done enough to excite supporters who are keen to see him do well.
The Molineux faithful have given the ‘keeper their full backing, suggesting he means business and looks ready for war. Encouragement has also been issued by some followers of the Midlands club.
Elsewhere there was some more analytical reaction to his return. One individual claimed he could still be the team’s first choice ‘keeper which after starting on 45 occasions in the Championship last season is an understandable assumption.
Although Rui Patricio has since become the main man behind the defence in Nuno’s side, one tweet suggested that they’d be far more confident seeing the ex-Norwich man in goal.
Ruddy’s sole appearance in the Premier League this campaign came at the beginning of the month when Wolves beat Cardiff.
Here’s what supporters have been saying about him.