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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has spoken to Sky Sports about his side’s transfer dealings this summer, and things do not sound too promising for the south Londoners.

The Eagles have made just two signings this summer in the form of 31-year-old goalkeeper Stephen Henderson and Jordan Ayew, but neither of them look set to have a major impact on the first-team – Ayew isn’t even technically a ‘new’ face as he spent last season on loan at the club.

Palace are still yet to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who they sold for £50m to Manchester United, whilst the future of Wilfried Zaha is far from certain.

Are Crystal Palace right to slap a £100m valuation on Wilfried Zaha’s head? Check out the video below to see why they are…

What did Hodgson say?

Speaking to Sky Sports (via Daily Mail) about his side’s business, the 71-year-old said: “I thought that we were all pretty much on the same page that we definitely need players, because our squad is very, very small. But I’m afraid at the moment we are still there with the ones who started pre-season.

“We don’t have two right-backs at the club at the moment, we don’t have two left-backs either. Simple things like that need dealing with.”

All does not seem well

Even just the first few words of that passage don’t bode well in terms of Hodgson’s relationship with chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman.

It sounds as if the former England manager feels let down, and is desperate for some new faces to bolster his squad.

Referring to the fact he ‘thought’ they were on the same page feels as if Hodgson had agreed with Parish and Freedman that reinforcements in the window were key, but seems upset that nothing has materialised as of yet.

Also, referring to signing a Wan-Bissaka replacement as a ‘simple thing’ implies the former Liverpool boss is getting agitated that such a task hasn’t been completed yet.

There is still plenty of time to go, but the Eagles boss rightly sounds discontent about the state of his squad heading into the new season.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

After conceding 51 goals in the Premier League and seeing his first-choice left back spend more time attacking than defending, it has been no surprise to see Unai Emery be on the look-out for a bona fide star in that oh-so troublesome position.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Gunners’ first-choice target for that position is Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, but after having their first bid rejected, Football Scotland now report the north London side have seen a second offer worth £17.5m knocked back as well.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Despite seemingly being denied a second time there remains hope that the Gunners will eventually get their man, and after looking at the numbers, it’s easy to see why the 22-year-old is such an attractive option for Emery.

In numbers collected from Celtic and Arsenal’s runs in the Europa League this season, Tierney comfortably outshines his Bosnian counterpart in the defensive categories. One of Kolasinac’s major weaknesses last season were his suspect abilities going back towards his own goal, often leaving his side exposed in transition and showing very questionable marking.

Tierney’s average of 1.7 tackles per game betters Kolasinac’s solitary tackle per match, but it is the interception numbers that really show the kind of front-foot positional defending the Scotsman thrives in. His 2.2 interceptions far outclass the Arsenal left-back’s measly efforts of 0.9, and are an indication that he reads the game far better than the 26-year-old.

Perhaps the biggest reason why Emery is looking to get a deal done for Tierney is the freedom it would give him in possibly reverting back to his favoured back-four. The Spaniard is particularly known for his fondness for the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-3 but such were the Gunners’ defensive shortcomings that he eventually settled on a back-five last season.

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But don’t just mistake Tierney for being a far better defender than Kolasinac. Whilst the latter marginally beats him by 0.4 for key passes per game, the Scotland international comes into his own whilst his team are in possession.

His 1.2 dribbles per match offered Celtic an extra attacking outlet and someone who could beat a man just like a normal winger would, whilst his average of 61 passes per game is a mind-blowing 25.4 more than the Gunners defender.

The ‘Arsenal way’ under Arsene Wenger was to be good on the ball and quick on the attack, and Tierney ticks both boxes. The ‘Arsenal way’ under George Graham was being defensively sound and strong in the tackle, and yet again Tierney meets both requirements. So, if Emery can get his man, he may just have landed himself the ultimate combination of the archetypal Arsenal left-back.

هاجمت جماهير ليفربول، الحكم مارتين أتكينسون، والذي قاد مباراة الريدز ضد توتنهام هوتسبير، تحكيميًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بسبب إلغاء هدفًا للاعبنا المصري محمد صلاح.

ليفربول انتصر خارج قواعده على توتنهام بثلاثة أهداف، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين مساء أمس الخميس، على ملعب توتنهام الجديد، ضمن لقاءات الجولة العشرين من البريميرليج (طالع تقرير المباراة).

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقييم مرتفع لـ محمد صلاح بعد مشاركته في مباراة ليفربول وتوتنهام

صلاح لعب في المباراة كأساسي مُنذ ضربة البداية وحتى صافرة النهاية، وقدم أداءً رائعًا وسجّل هدفًا صاروخيًا، ولكن الحكم ألغاه لوجود لمسة يد.

جماهير ليفربول، عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “تويتر”، صبت جام غضبها على الحكم الإنجليزي، والذي ألغى هدف صلاح بسبب لمسة يد على فيرمينو. شاهد هدف محمد صلاح الملغي في مباراة ليفربول وتوتنهامإليكم ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول

أداء محمد صلاح الليلة كان مجنونًا، أنا أكره مارتن أتكينسون.

Salah’s performance tonight was insane I hate Martin Atkinson — ☔️ (@Louis7i) January 28, 2021

أنا لا زالت غاضبًا لأن تقنية الفيديو قامت بإلغاء هدف محمد صلاح. 

Im still mad at VAR for canceling Salah’s goal. — Jay🥤 (@Pat_jiyane) January 28, 2021

صلاح كان جيدًا جدًا اليوم، أداء استثنائي. 

Also how good was Salah today. Phenomenal performance. — JudiMania (@JudiMania7) January 28, 2021

هدف صلاح كان جيدًا، لدرجة أنني أرفض سماع أنّ تم إلغاءه. 

That Salah goal was so good I refuse to hear it was disallowed — JKH (@project5am) January 28, 2021

إنه قرار مروع بعدم احتساب هدف محمد صلاح، قرار سيء من الحكم الإنجليزي.

Terrible decision to disallow Salah’s goal. Piss poor refereeing from an English referee. — . (@1stclassballer) January 28, 2021

كان يجب أنّ يتم احتساب هدف محمد صلاح، ولكن تقنية الفيديو والحكم سلبوا منه هدفًا رائعًا.

This Salah’s goal should have stood,VAR and the ref just robbed him of a beautiful goal. — TOLUwalase(PLChampions)🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@firstclassjerry) January 28, 2021

الهدف الذي سجله محمد صلاح كان جميلا جدًا، إنه لأمر مُحزن أنّ كان هُناك لمسة يد.

That Salah’s goal was very beautiful sha. It’s so sad it was a handball. — Joyce |🍭 (@izy_dara1) January 28, 2021

مارتن أتكينسون قصارى جهده حتى يخسر ليفربول، بأي حال من الأحوال تم إلغاء هدف محمد صلاح؟

Martin Atkinson doing his best to get us to lose. No way that Salah goal should be disallowed. I’m assuming Dier wrestling Bobby was ok? — Tony Mc (@tonymc589) January 28, 2021

كان يجب ألا يتم إلغاء هدف محمد صلاح.

Salah’s goal should have been allowed man. — Raizel (@_obeng_k) January 28, 2021

لا أعرف لماذا تم إلغاء هدف محمد صلاح، لقد أحرزنا هدفًا بتلك الطريقة في الموسم الماضي، ضد مانشستر سيتي.

Why was salah goal cancelled, was that not the way we scored against Manchester City last season, ricochet of handball — BELLO RIDWAANULLAH. (@Ridwaan_Bello) January 28, 2021

صلاح قم مباراة رائعة اليوم، حيث سُرق منه هدف وصنع هدفين.

Salah had an amazing game today he was robbed a goal and 2 assists. — SM (@Sadio_MOne) January 28, 2021

لا أستطيع أنّ أفهم لماذا تم إلغاء هدف محمد صلاح.

Can’t understand why Salah’s goal was chalked off — Simply_Noch LFC™ (@nochdawe) January 28, 2021

وجه مدرب ليفربول يورجن كلوب تحذيرًا قويًا للاعبيه فيما يتعلق بصعوبة التأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل.

جاءت تصريحات كلوب مساء أمس بعد تعادل ليفربول مع مانشستر يونايتد سلبيًا بلا أهداف في الجولة التاسعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويحتل ليفربول حاليًا المركز الرابع برصيد 34 نقطة.

وقال كلوب في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية: “في الموسم الذي تواجدنا فيه في المركز الثاني برصيد 97 نقطة (موسم 2018/2019) بدأت فقط في التفكير في الفوز باللقب عندما حسمنا تأهلنا إلى دوري الأبطال”.

وأضاف: “أنا أعرف عملي وما علي فعله، يجب أن نتأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا وأعلم مدى صعوبة ذلك، هذا يعني أن هذا الموسم سيكون السباق صعبًا على المراكز الأربعة الأولى، هذا أمر مؤكد”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سونيس بعد تعادل ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد: شاو أفضل من تعامل مع محمد صلاح

وواصل: “مشجعو كرة القدم ليسوا أكثر البشر صبرًا على هذا الكوكب، هم يريدون الفوز في كل مباراة، أنا لا أختلف كثيرًا عن ذلك، لكنني في هذا العمل منذ فترة طويلة بما يكفي لأعرف أن هناك فترات أكثر صعوبة، هذه ليست أصعب فترة مررت بها في حياتي، ليست قريبة منها، وعلينا التحلي بالصبر”.

واستكمل: “لا يتعلق الأمر بـ(إذا لم نصبح البطل، فلن يكون الأمر ممتعًا بعد الآن)، ليس الأمر هكذا، نحن نقاتل من أجل كل شيء، رأيت ذلك أمام مانشستر يونايتد، هذا كل ما أحتاجه”.

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According to a Yorkshire Evening Post article written by Phil Hay, Leeds United are looking to bring in new wide players in order to strengthen ahead of next season.

Wingers are a vital component of Marcelo Bielsa’s patented 4-1-4-1 system, and new arrivals in that position could give the Whites the boost they need to get promoted next year.

Current wingers

Jack Harrison and Pablo Hernandez lined up on the flanks more often than not for the Yorkshire club last season, and by all accounts they did a decent job.

Hernadez was named as the club’s Player of the Year, and Harrison has now been touted as a £20 million player.

Bielsa clearly wasn’t that impressed by what he saw though as he now wants to bring in new players in their positions.

New players

Leeds have been linked with several left-sided players already during this window. Callum O’Dowda and Jese Rodriguez are reported targets for the Yorkshire outfit.

Harrison’s price tag seems to have stopped any chance of him returning to Elland Road this summer, but Bielsa seemingly wants to improve on what he had last season anyway.

With Hernandez being such a key player in the Argentine’s squad it’s hard to see him being left out entirely, but he could move into a new role.

The Spaniard is now 34 years of age and his legs may not be able to do the running Bielsa requires from his wingers for much longer. Luckily the former Swansea man has all the technical attributes required to play as a number 10 in the future.

The Whites have struggled to replace Samu Saiz in that position, but they could kill two birds with one stone by signing a new right winger as it would strengthen the flank and allow Hernandez to slot into a more central role.

It’s fair to say it was a mixed season for Newcastle, wasn’t it? While ultimately Rafael Benitez did amazingly to once again avoid relegation, fans will surely be hoping for more in the next campaign. Yet, they will understand that the boss needs backing if they are to get that.

Obviously, Benitez is also now into the final month of his contract (as per The Telegraph) and it remains to be seen whether he will actually be in charge next term. Still, perhaps with a few signings — aided by the talk of a potential club takeover (as per The Mirror) –, it could all change.

So, let’s have a look at three linked players who could have a significant impact, should they join. We’re not saying they all will, of course, but the nature of the proverbial silly season means its important to look into what apparent target could bring to the club they’re touted for.

Harry Wilson

According to Sky Sports on May 22nd, Newcastle are keen on the midfielder who impressed while on loan at Derby from Liverpool this season. It’s a deal that would make a great deal of sense, yet would likely cost around £25m.

It’s certainly not cheap for a 22-year-old that hasn’t proved himself in the Premier League. Yet, the potential is undeniable. 16 goals and a further four assists in 43 league matches this season make for mighty impressive reading.

Undoubtedly, the number of goals will have fans excited, after scoring just 42 times in the league in the recently concluded campaign. To put that into perspective, that’s the lowest of any team in the top 16. Fans will hope January signing Miguel Almiron will impress when the Premier League returns, but there is talk of a potential Ayoze Perez departure (Chronicle Live).

Obviously, that would leave Newcastle short of attacking options, something Wilson could definitely help out with.

Juan Mata

Juan Mata is another that has been linked with a switch to Newcastle. The Sun, on May 21st, reported that Benitez is keen on bringing his former Chelsea midfielder, whose contract is set to expire, to St. James’ Park.

The Spanish international has only made 22 Premier League appearances this season after largely falling out of favour at Manchester United. Yet, the quality is undeniably still there. He has totalled 51 goals and 50 assists in 243 Premier League games, which is a phenomenal return. Indeed, he must go down as one of the Premier League’s greatest Spaniards and having just turned 31, still has plenty to offer. His game has never been centred around physicality, but technicality. With that in mind, we believe he would be a great signing for the Magpies.

The club just haven’t had a player of such quality in a long time. Seemingly a fan-favourite wherever he goes, the World Cup winner would undoubtedly be a coup.

Benitez faces a battle, however, as (as per the Sun) the board have a policy of focussing on younger players, of which Mata doesn’t fit the criteria. What a joy it is being a Toon fan, right?

Salomon Rondon

Finally, we move on to a man that Newcastle know all too well. Obviously, Salomon Rondon spent the season on loan at St. James’ Park and was distinctly impressive. He scored 11 goals in 32 appearances, which for a team that struggled in attack, is a wicked return.

The loanee was, in fact, named Newcastle’s Player of the Year after a standout season. Yet, The Sun have reported that a potential deal has stalled, with Wolves now looking to take advantage. Similarly to the transfer of Mata, the board are said to be put off by his age, being 30.

Yet, The Sun also report that Benitez is a huge fan of the striker who has a £16.5m release clause in his West Brom contract. Interestingly, they also reported that Benitez and owner Mike Ashley are to hold contract talks in the coming days or weeks, with a lack of control over transfers of concern to the Spaniard. Perhaps the allocation of funds for Rondon would be a good place to start for the Newcastle owner, with that in mind.

It needs no further explaining what this man means to Newcastle. Failing to secure his services for another season would be nothing short of disastrous.

Newcastle fans, who would you like to see come in? Will Rondon be secured on a permanent deal? Where do you think Newcastle can finish next season? Comment below. 

It was a night that will never be forgotten about in not just the history of Liverpool, but European football as a whole.

Heading into the game without Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino, nobody was giving Liverpool a chance of overturning a 3-0 deficit against the Champions League favourites. The only people who believed was Jurgen Klopp and his band of players, and sure enough, they made history.

If you were to say before the match that Divock Origi would be the star of the show and be the one to send Liverpool into their second consecutive Champions League final, everybody would have laughed at you, but as the Belgian striker has done time and time again this season, he proved the doubters wrong.

His second goal, and the goal that takes Liverpool to Madrid, will go down in history as one of the most incredible moments in the history of the competition, and Origi’s performance was enough to show Jurgen Klopp that there is a reason to keep the striker at the club for a bit longer.

Origi stepped into Firmino’s shoes excellently, providing the goals the Brazilian has been criticised for not producing enough of this season and linking the play between him and the wingers in the attack.

Klopp should keep Origi at Liverpool for the performance against Barcelona alone, and if the striker continues to perform, Firmino could find himself missing out on first-team football to a striker that wrote his name into club folklore.

Liverpool fans, should Origi have a run in the starting XI next season? Let us know!

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Luton Town are surely closing in on promotion to the Championship.

A 28-game unbeaten run prior to their 3-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic last weekend was the catalyst for their rise up the standings and creating an advantage at the summit.

There are just three games of the season remaining – Luton will play AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion and Oxford United – and promotion seems likely.

But, after coming up from League Two last season, can Luton again pull up trees next season? Could they even seal another shock promotion and, in 2020-21, could we see the club in the Premier League?

Football FanCast writers give their verdict…

Matt Dawson

“Luton’s rise over the past two seasons has been magnificent and it will be fascinating to see how they cope after a number of years away from the Championship. However, after back-to-back promotions, it’s hard to see them being prepared to make the step up once again. As we’ve seen over the last few campaigns they’ve had goals in them on a regular basis but I’m struggling to see with the current personnel where they’d come from in a higher league. Danny Hylton and James Collins have managed to do it at their current level but I feel Luton will come crashing back down to earth next season.”

Jack Saville

“There’s no doubt Luton will need to be wise in the transfer market to ensure they are well prepared for the step up in class next season, but I see no reason why they can’t hold their own in the Championship. Plenty of clubs have managed to steer well clear of relegation in the Championship after earning promotion from League One and with Mick Harford in charge Luton are well placed to do exactly that. The gulf in class is significantly smaller than that which separates the Championship and the Premier League, and with Luton reigning supreme in third-tier football, they could be a surprise package at a higher level next season.”

James Beavis

“It will be a struggle for Luton no doubt, but they do have a couple of things in their favour. The momentum you can get from two successive promotions will be unbelievable. In addition, they can make Kenilworth Road a real fortress as the bigger teams won’t relish having to go to a smaller stadium like theirs. That is something the club must embrace as a whole, and create an atmosphere that will be difficult for opposition sides to deal with. This is their chance to prove they are officially back.”

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As Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United missed out on yet more points at the weekend thanks to an incorrect officiating decision, Football FanCast have taken a look at how many points dodgy decisions have cost the Hammers this year alone and where would they be if the correct calls were made…

Liverpool – two points

Back in February, the Irons hosted league leaders Liverpool at London Stadium on a night that has been generally acknowledged as starting this run of bad calls going against West Ham.

Without Sadio Mane’s first-half goal in which Adam Lallana picked out a pass to a comfortably offside James Milner, Pellegrini’s men would have collected three points and not one courtesy of Michail Antonio’s well-placed strike just after the half-hour mark. Instead, it finished 1-1 and in fact, had Divok Origi converted a simple last-gasp chance, the Reds would have won the game with two offside goals.

Manchester City – one point

Slightly less clear-cut and contentious was an incident during a match later in the same month, the loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s men emerged narrow winners on that occasion thanks to a second-half penalty from Sergio Aguero after Felipe Anderson’s so-called foul on Bernardo Silva. However, replays showed very minimal contact involved.

Manchester United – three points

This is the encounter in mid-April which would have frustrated members of the Claret & Blue Army the most in terms of iffy decisions against their team as it contained not one but two decisive ones.

First was the incorrect offside disallowing of Anderson’s first-half volley which would have broken the deadlock and then the baffling awarding of a penalty, converted by Paul Pogba, for a collision outside the box involving Juan Mata and Robert Snodgrass. Double-whammy at Old Trafford and three points stolen away.

Leicester City – two points

On the subject of a victory stolen away we come to our fourth and final instance, which happened just last Saturday against Leicester City.

With the East Londoners 2-1 to the good, Lucas Perez was slipped in to put the game to bed but as he wheeled away in celebration, he saw an offside flag.

Harvey Barnes then popped up at the other end of the pitch shortly after to snatch an added-time point for the Foxes.

Eight whole points and eighth place

Adding the number of points dropped in these games, we reach the chilling figure of eight in total.

With these eight extra points, West Ham would find themselves in a deserved eighth place, two points clear of Everton and behind Wolves on goal difference alone.

The lack of much-needed VAR has cost the Hammers ever so dearly in 2019 and Pellegrini will undoubtedly be the first to petition in favour of the technology at the next key meeting.

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Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane believes he could miss the rest of the season, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The striker sustained a potentially serious ankle injury during Spurs’ 1-0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Etihad.

What’s the word?

The report claims that Kane is poised to undergo a scan but the England captain is not positive about his chances of making a swift recovery.

Spurs, of course, are attempting to finish in the top four, while Kane had the chance to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018-19.

Instead, it appears that he will miss the remaining six games of the campaign, including the second leg against City in the Champions League.

Kane is, however, said to be hopeful that he will be fit to play in England’s Nations League campaign this summer.

The Three Lions face Holland in June in the semi-finals.

Dele Alli is said to have sustained a potential broken hand against City, too, and the Telegraph claim the club are exploring the possibility of the midfielder playing with protective gear.

Son’s time

Son Heung-Min’s time has come.

The South Korea international scored a handful of goals when Kane was absent earlier this season and stepped up in his absence against City, scoring the only goal of the game.

In total, he has netted 18 goals in all competitions this term and Mauricio Pochettino would be wise to play him as a striker in Kane’s absence.

Indeed, Son is perhaps the finest attacker at the club outside of the Three Lions star and he offers both intense pace and an eye for goal.

There is not a better or more obvious substitution Spurs can make.