All posts by h716a5.icu

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Aston Villa have completed the signing of Tyrone Mings, with the defender arriving on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth until the end of the season, as reported by the BBC.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Mings has made just seven appearances across all competitions for the Cherries this season, with three of them coming from the substitutes bench.

He has since fallen further down the pecking order following the arrival of Chris Mepham in a £12m deal from Brentford, so Eddie Howe has decided to loan Mings out in order to get some valuable game time under his belt.

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video below…

25-year-old Mings has played just 16 top-flight matches for the South Coast side since making his debut for the club back in 2015, in a game where he suffered a serious knee ligament injury. Since then, he has never really regained his place in the side.

Villains boss Dean Smith will be hoping that Mings can help shore up his defence, as only two Championship clubs have conceded more goals than Villa’s 46.

Who’s position is now under threat?

It is worth noting that Mings can also play at centre-back as well as left-back, and appears to have chosen to join Villa as he is keen to work under John Terry, who is Smith’s assistant coach at Villa Park and a legend in his position.

However, it should be Neil Taylor’s position in the starting eleven that comes under threat following the arrival of Mings. The former Swansea left-back has made 17 Championship appearances for the Villains so far this season and started against Ipswich last weekend, but has struggled to impress at various stages of the campaign.

Mings is a highly-rated player who was of interest to many Championship clubs this month, and one would assume that this loan deal is purely to get the Englishman some match sharpness, with the intention of getting him back to the Vitality Stadium in tip top condition.

He is a powerful player with great pace, strength and ability on the ball, and could quickly become a vastly superior option at left-back than the 41-cap Welshman.

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Swansea City boss Graham Potter has confirmed that the Welsh club are in contract renegotiation talks with a trio of first team players – Daniel James, Leroy Fer and Mike van der Hoorn – as reported by Wales Online.

James nearly left the Liberty Stadium during the recent January transfer window, as Leeds United pushed to sign the 21-year-old winger, before the Swans pulled the plug on the deal late on, as reported by The Telegraph.

Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa has previously spoken about how he believes James would be a fine addition to his squad, as reported by Leeds Live. According to The Mirror, James remains a target for the Elland Road club who may resume their pursuit of the winger in the upcoming summer transfer window.

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

Should James sign a new contract in south Wales, though, that could prove fatal to Leeds’ hopes of acquiring his services.

After the story emerged that the Swans are in talks with James, plenty of Leeds fans took to Twitter to give their reactions…

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According to The Times, Spurs are tracking a number of homegrown players as they look to replace Christian Eriksen, who could be on his way out the door in the summer.

Eriksen has been perennially linked with a big money switch to Real Madrid and the north London club are keen to line up a player who can step into the Dane’s boots next season if they cannot convince him to sign a new deal at White Hart Lane.

Among the names is QPR’s Ebere Eze, who has impressed in the Championship this season, scoring four goals and chalking up four assists too.

Who will be the next ‘Big 6’ manager to be sacked? The Pl>ymaker FC squad all seem to agree on one name. Find out who in the video below…

Mauricio Pochettino has garnered a reputation for bringing through and developing young players at Spurs – the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Winks and Kyle Walker-Peters, to name but a few, have benefited from the Argentine’s willingness to give youth a chance and, should they earn it, an extended run in the first team.

At 20-years-old, Eze has a lot of room and time for improvement but is already showcasing his abilities at Loftus Road, where he has become a key player.

Capable of playing as a number 10 or on either wing, he is a versatile talent that would surely only get better under Pochettino’s guidance.

Here’s how Spurs fans reacted to the links on Twitter…

As Liverpool attempt to win a first ever Premier League title, a number of their fans can be forgiven for getting caught up in the excitement and therefore failing to notice the tinier details of their heroic players’ appearance.

No, we’re not talking about haircuts, or anything like that. Instead, we’re talking about boots. There have been a number of rare footwear choices on show at Anfield this season, but let’s take a look at two of the most unique pairs of boots worn by Liverpool players…

Virgil van Dijk – Nike Tiempo Legend VII

Liverpool’s colossal number four has been spotted wearing a blackout version of the Nike Tiempo Legend series, which look pretty amazing in all honesty.

However, the fact he has blacked them out, coupled with images of him training in adidas boots this season suggest that he could be moving away from Nike in the near future.

Rating: 9/10

Daniel Sturridge – Nike Hypervenom 

These boots are almost five years old now, and are almost an antique as Nike have since ditched the Hypervenom boot in order to release the new PhantomVNM range.

Sturridge, however, seems to be a big fan of the boot that he wore and scored in at the 2014 World Cup, as he still laces them up to this very day despite a number of newer versions coming out since.

Rating: 5/10

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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on Blackburn Rovers attacking midfielder John Buckley.

What’s the story?

As per the aforementioned report, Rovers are currently trying to agree a new contract with Buckley, in order to fend off potential transfer interest from a number of top flight clubs. 

The 19-year-old is yet to feature for the first team at Ewood Park, but is considered a hugely talented prospect. He has been a regular for Rovers’ under-23s side this season, and has impressed throughout their Premier League 2 campaign. 

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

If Liverpool were to make a concerted effort to bring Buckley to Anfield then they would likely be able to prise the youngster away from Ewood Park.

Where’s the risk?

Given that he’d likely only cost the Reds a small transfer fee, a move to sign Buckley would be a relatively risk-free one for the Merseyside outfit to make. However, in bringing the teenager to the club, they may be impeding the path to first team football for some of Liverpool’s other talented young prospects.

It’s already a huge ask for any young player to break into Jurgen Klopp’s attacking contingent, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino ahead of them in the pecking order. Buckley would surely struggle to make an impression, which could hamper his development.

What’s more, if Buckley were to exceed all expectations and earn himself some senior involvement, that could see someone like Rhian Brewster or Harry Wilson miss out on first team football instead. Despite being a seemingly risk-free signing then, bringing Buckley to Anfield could still backfire.

The player himself would probably be better served by continuing his education at Ewood Park, too.

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Everybody loves an underdog. In football, David vs Goliath encounters are typically thrown up on a weekly basis between two sides at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Individually speaking, though, it takes a relentless work-ethic and a touch of unseen natural talent to help underdogs rise to the top level.

For players plying their trade in non-league football, the prospect of playing in the Premier League sits in the realm of fantasy, but there are exceptions who climb to the peak of the ladder.

The centre-forward position is the most niche and difficult to master of all the outfield positions. Get it right, though, and it’s certainly easy to get noticed.

Just look at Jamie Vardy, for example. His well-documented journey from Fleetwood Town goal-machine to Premier League title-winner in 2016 is the ultimate started-from-the-bottom-now-we’re-‘ere story in recent footballing memory.

Callum Wilson may not be donning a Premier League winners’ medal on his mantelpiece just yet but his ability to resurrect his career in non-league football with Tamworth is a comparable story worth noting.

And, while he may not have needed to spend much of his senior career in the depths below League Two, Birmingham City’s Che Adams could yet be the next electric forward to follow in the footsteps of both Wilson and Vardy by making the transition to top-flight football.

The Birmingham City hitman has been in clinical goal scoring form this season, bagging 21 goals from 33 Championship appearances, a return which averages out at a goal for every 125 minutes of football played.

Former Birmingham defender Michael Johnson has already suggested that the 22-year-old is a perfect fit for Mauricio Pochettino’s style of football. As quoted by football.london, he said…

“I could see Adams at Tottenham, with the way they play. He loves the ball in and around the box and I think he has what it takes to play at the very top.”

Tottenham fans should be familiar with Adams from their League Cup semi-final clash against Sheffield United back in 2015. Then 18, Adams came off the bench and scored a brace within six minutes of being introduced into the action, but the teenager’s endeavours were undone by a late Christian Eriksen goal which sent them crashing out of the competition.

Just two months after leaving non-league Ilkeston, Adams’ brimming quality was there for all to see. Pace, power and a clinical eye for the back of the net left Spurs stunned.

It was the type of stunning cameo which will have resonated with everybody involved with Spurs, and four years later they would be wise to consider him as a potential transfer target.

First and foremost, Adams fits the profile of the type of player Pochettino has actively looked to integrate into his squad in recent years: English and bursting with potential. Add in both the powerful forward’s prolific return and the glaring need for a long-term understudy for Harry Kane at Spurs and it’s difficult to argue against his compelling case.

And, for the notoriously tight-fisted Daniel Levy, Adams should be available at a price which will offer the prospect of future profitability.

The Times reported earlier this month that Birmingham have slapped a £22 million asking-price on his head which, in the context of the modern economic climate, is peanuts – even chief pantomime villain and apparently penniless Mike Ashley splashed just shy of that figure on Miguel Almiron.

Tottenham have a multitude of reasons to host the next rags to riches story by signing Adams in the summer window.

Manchester United remain in good form meaning their chance of securing Champions League football once again is increasing.

Their saviour – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – has definitely enhanced his reputation even more with the Old Trafford faithful after now delivering on the managerial front as well.

Of course, his work is far from done this season, those loving fans would be extra adoring should he deliver Champions League football and potentially the FA Cup.

It’s a lot to ask but in the build-up to next season, whether Ole is still there or not, Manchester United are now in a far better position compared to a few months prior.

Still, improvements this summer will be required, silverware or not, with a dominant midfielder being a slot United will want to fill.

A player who could fit that exact specification is Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, who could be an influential signing for Manchester United.

Partey, (who is valued at £36 million on Transfermarkt) is more of a rotational player for the Spanish giants but with a move to Manchester United, could become even better next to the likes of Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

The 25-year-old would definitely be described as a powerhouse and he operates in a brilliant way across every area on the pitch.

Having played 31 times this season, Partey has contributed two goals and a further five assists, showing he is more keen to give his team-mates the glory.

With great vision for passes whether it’s short or long, Atletico Madrid arguably underuse him, with their midfield already being very good.

He’s started just 13 times in La Liga this season, so if game-time is a concern for the Ghana international, a move to Manchester United would suit him perfectly.

Do you agree… Let us know!

It’s about time Rangers made some exciting signings, isn’t it? Since their rise back to the top tier of the SPFL, Steven Gerrard’s side haven’t been able to splash the cash, making for pretty boring summers. Yes, Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis have arrived but they are both toward the end of their careers and certainly represent a risk.

However, Millwall’s Mahlon Romeo can be an inexpensive bright spark at the Ibrox next season.

The 23-year-old right-back has made 35 appearances for the Lions this season, 30 coming in the Championship and according to the Express, the Glasgow side have been keeping tabs on his development ahead of a summer swoop.

He signed a long-term deal with the Lions in the summer but Transfermarkt still only value him at a slender £450,000, which will be music to the ears of the Rangers board.

James Tavernier was linked with a move to Southampton in January, according to the Express as well, and should Rangers chose to cash in on their captain in the summer there’s a space waiting to be filled, the man to fill it could be Romeo.

The Antigua and Barbuda international began his career as a youth player at Arsenal but his career stalled after an unimpressive spell at Gillingham following his release from the Gunners’ ranks. It was revitalised, however, with a move to Millwall in 2015 where he’s now made over 100 first-team appearances.

He’s got the same drive to run down the right flank as Tavernier had and is known to enjoy a meaty tackle too, sounds right up Rangers’ street, right?

His age will also mean Gerrard has a player young enough to mould to his style and act as a temporary understudy to Tavernier if he stays beyond summer. Having brought experience on board, the next stage of Gerrard’s project would be to lure exciting fairly young talent north of the border.

With that in mind, Romeo would be a statement signing.

Rangers fans, would Mahlon Romeo be an adequate replacement for James Tavernier? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Loads of Sunderland fans have been reacting to a crushing blow, as Duncan Watmore has once again suffered a season-ending injury.

Sunderland were held to a 0-0 draw at Oakwell on Tuesday night, as Barnsley kept a slight advantage over the Black Cats in the race for automatic promotion.

Jack Ross’ side will certainly take a point from a ground where just six other teams have avoided defeated this season (and not one has won), but the gaffer delivered an update after the game that has taken any gloss off an otherwise decent outing.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Watmore, who missed the first 19 games of the season with a knee injury, will now miss the remainder of the campaign with an ankle problem, the club confirmed.

The 25 year-old became an instant fan favourite when he broke into the first team as a youngster, and has since racked up 65 games for the club.

That 65 would of course be a lot higher if he wasn’t so unfortunate with injuries, and loads of fans have been giving their verdict on his latest setback.

Have a look at the Twitter reactions down below…

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According to a report in The Daily Mail, in-form Aston Villa star Jack Grealish is being scouted by Tottenham Hotspur as they look to make some big moves in the transfer market this summer, and it is a predictable story that ramps up the pressure on Villans boss Dean Smith.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Spurs have long been linked with the 23-year-old and the Championship outfit managed to rebuff interest in him last summer according to The Times, before tying him down to a new contract with a £45m release clause included.

While that is a fee that could make the north London outfit make twice about making an approach, the Midlands outfit will need to be prepared for interest in their talisman and captain – especially if they don’t win promotion back to the Premier League for the third successive season.

Grealish has made a huge impact following his return from a three-month injury lay-off earlier this month, and was of course the victim-turned-hero during the second city derby last weekend.

Pressure on Smith

While the skipper did commit his future to Villa, there would be no surprise if the talented individual begins to get itchy feet should the club remain in England’s second tier for yet another season.

If a club like Tottenham do come calling it will undoubtedly interest Grealish – especially when he sees how well other English players like Dele Alli and Harry Kane have fared under Mauricio Pochettino in recent years.

Given the 23-year-old is a Villa fan however, any uncertainty would surely be removed if they are competing in the top flight next term.

The pressure is then very much on Smith to deliver in the coming weeks and months, and with automatic promotion all but out of the window they will have to rely on the lottery of the play-offs if they secure a top-six finish.