Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Andrew Robertson’s arrival at Anfield last summer has to go down as ‘the bargain of the season’.
Robertson impressed for Hull City during the 2016-17 campaign, but the Scotland international could not prevent the Tigers from being relegated to the Championship.
It was not a surprise when the 24-year-old jumped ship at the end of the season, and it was Liverpool that swooped to land the defender for a figure in the region of £8m.
Robertson struggled for regular football in the early stages of the campaign, but has now established himself as Liverpool’s starting left-back.
Redknapp has said that Manchester City’s splurge on full-backs last summer means that Robertson, who is hugely popular with the Liverpool fans, should be regarded as one of the best signings of the season.
Redknapp told the Daily Mail:
“He was relegated with Hull last season, and that can leave a mental scar, but he has thrived at a big club. Defensively tough, Robertson is also dangerous going forwards and he made Liverpool’s winning goal at Palace.
“When you think Manchester City spent £133m on full backs last summer, at £8m Robertson is the bargain of the season.”
Robertson made his 22nd Liverpool appearance in the team’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
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Next up for the Reds is the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at home to Manchester City on Wednesday night.
West Ham fans are absolutely furious after a report in the Sun claimed Arthur Masuaku is a target for Tottenham.
According to the report, Chelsea and Monaco are also interested in the fantastic Frenchman, but Tottenham are determined to sign him for £20m as they seek a replacement for the outgoing Danny Rose.
There hasn’t been much to cheer about for Hammers’ fans this season, but the emergence of Masuaku as a wonderful wing back has certainly been one of the bright spots.
The 24 year-old struggled as a full back when he arrived in London, but since being given more license to roam forward he has been phenomenal for the Hammers.
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Masuaku has three assists in just 16 league starts, and is completing a superb 3.2 dribbles per game while also pitching in 2.3 tackles and one interception per game.
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Tottenham seems like the perfect fit for the flying Frenchman, but it doesn’t seem like West ham fans are going to let that happen.
Fans are incensed by the reports linking him with Spurs, mainly due to the quoted price of £20m, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
As Manchester United kept alive their chances of silverware this season with a 2-1 win over Tottenham to reach the final of the FA Cup, it was clear that Jose Mourinho had already turned his thoughts towards next season.
With Michael Carrick retiring and Marouane Fellani looking likely to leave, midfield might be the main area of reinforcement but Mourinho said that he will not spend ridiculous amounts of money.
Instead, he is looking – in keeping with the club’s proud traditions – to give opportunities to younger players. That is something he has been accused of neglecting in the past but, if he makes good on his word, that could be about to change.
In a season where the former Inter manager has divided opinion – to say the least – that promise, combined with a win in such a big game has got the United fans back onside, to some degree anyway.
We’ve taken a closer look at the best of the reaction…
Liverpool midfielder James Milner had a reputation for being ‘boring’ due to his monotone post-match interviews, but now that he is on Twitter, the former England international has proved to be anything but.
The 32-year-old has shown his sense of humour on social media, and he even poked fun at himself following an unfortunate moment during Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma.
Just six minutes after Sadio Mane gave Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead, Roma equalised with a freak own goal from Milner.
Dejan Lovren attempted to clear a cross into the box, and in doing so, the ball bounced off the midfielder’s head and into the back of the net.
In the end, the goal did not prove costly as even though Roma won 4-2 on the night, Liverpool secured a place in the final 7-6 on aggregate.
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Following the celebrations, Milner, who has created 11 assists in all competitions this season, took to Twitter to make a joke about the own goal, and the Liverpool fans lapped it up.
Meanwhile, Liverpool supporters will be hoping that Mohamed Salah finds his shooting boots for the showdown against Real Madrid in Kiev following an uncharacteristic lacklustre performance at the Stadio Olimpico.
A few weeks ago, many would have thought that the race for top four in the Premier League was done and dusted.
Chelsea and Arsenal looked set to miss out, but following some surprise results, the boys in blue still have a chance of securing Champions League football for next season.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur currently sit third and fourth respectively, but only three points separate third from fifth.
Chelsea need to win both of their final fixtures against Huddersfield and Newcastle United in order to give themselves a chance of sneaking into the top four.
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The task is in the hands of Spurs and Liverpool as the North London outfit require four points from matches against Newcastle and Leicester, while the Reds need to beat Brighton at Anfield on the final day in order to stay in the top echelon.
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Both clubs have a better goal difference than Chelsea, so unless Antonio Conte’s side become very prolific in the next couple of games, then the advantage lies with Tottenham and Liverpool.
It seems that the majority of fans feel the same way, as the results of our recent poll show that Chelsea are expected to miss out.
According to reliable club insider @ExWHUemployee on Episode 86 of The West Ham Way radio show, West Ham United are considering a move to sign Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure on a free transfer this summer, and Irons fans have been quick to react to the rumour.
It was announced earlier this month that the 34-year-old will be leaving the Etihad when his contract expires at the end of the season, but the Ivory Coast international has expressed a wish to carry on playing in the Premier League with an extraordinary proposal for potential suitors – something which has seemingly caught the east London outfit’s attention.
The midfielder – who turns 35 years of age on Sunday – made his first top flight start of the campaign in the 3-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night, and he has scored 59 goals in 230 Premier League games for the champions.
West Ham supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the story, and while one said he “could be a great mentor to Declan Rice”, another said he is “too old and way past his prime”.
Leeds announced a new investment deal in partnership with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, and the first step to a new era at the club should be buying a truly top goalscorer in Matej Vydra.
What’s the story?
Reports last week claimed Derby County will look to sell Vydra after missing out on the Premier League, and Leeds should be at the front of the queue to sign the Czech international.
According to the Telegraph, Derby will move to slash their budget after their playoff loss Fulham, and Vydra is “their most sellable asset” after a fantastic season for the Rams.
Owner Mel Morris has admitted there will be little investment at Pride Park this summer, as he looks to significantly cut the wage bill ahead of another season in the second tier.
Derby already have Cameron Jerome, David Nugent, Chris Martin and Andreas Weimann on their books to accompany Vydra, so it is no surprise that they want to trim down.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani said on Thursday the new partnership with NFL franchise the 49ers will give Leeds “access to a rich source of business and sporting expertise”, and signing Vydra from their Championship rivals would be an excellent starting point.
Is he good enough?
Leeds fans have already been debating moves for several forwards this summer, as Hull City front man Abel Hernandez will be on the market when his contract expires, and Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu has been linked with a move to Elland Road as well.
Whether Paul Heckingbottom stays at the club or not, they are in desperate need of someone who can take the goalscoring responsibilities off struggling youngsters Jay-Roy Grot and Caleb Ekuban, and what better way to do it than by weakening a league rival at the same time.
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Vydra grabbed 21 league goals in 35 starts for the Rams this season, including an impressive hat trick in a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough back in November.
The 26 year-old is strong with the ball at his feet, but most importantly of all he knows how to bury chances when they come his way, and the presence of the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Samuel Saiz could present him with plenty of opportunities.
This season was Vydra’s third excellent Championship season in his career so far, grabbing 22 league goals with Watford in 2012/13, before netting 16 times in 2014/15 with the Hornets.
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His only real poor season came in 2015/16 with Reading, when he grabbed just three league goals in 2,103 minutes on the pitch. But the struggling Royals finished 17th that season and had very little creative influence in the side.
Leeds may yet win the race for Abel Hernandez, but with the pacey striker available on a free transfer when his contract expires, why not get both?
So, Leeds fans, would you back a summer swoop for Vydra? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Young Spain right-back Alvaro Odriozola impressed and scored for his country in their 1-1 friendly draw with Switzerland on Sunday, and Manchester United fans have urged their club to sign the defender, rated at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, despite the fact they already look set to bring in Diogo Dalot from FC Porto.
Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is clearly keen to bring in some much-needed competition for Antonio Valencia on the right-hand side ahead of next season, and the club appear to be on the verge of completing a deal for the 19-year-old Dalot.
However, that hasn’t stopped the Old Trafford faithful taking a closer look at the 22-year-old Odriozola, who scored one goal and provided a further four assists in 41 appearances in all competitions for Real Sociedad during the 2017/18 campaign, and impressed from both a defensive and offensive point of view for his country on Sunday.
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Man United supporters, who have delivered their verdict on Mourinho reportedly eyeing a move for a £130,000-a-week midfielder with one saying “I’d sacrifice Pogaba” for him, were quick to have their say on the Spaniard via social media, and while one described him as “a promising lad we urgently need to sign this summer”, another said he would be the “perfect replacement for Valencia”.
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New West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini looks set for a busy summer in the transfer market, with the Chilean being linked with a whole host of players already since he took charge at the London Stadium – including some big-money moves and a baffling link to a Champions League star rated at £100m.
The Irons announced their first addition – right-back Ryan Fredericks from Fulham – on Tuesday, and it seems as though the Chilean manager wants plenty more new faces if he is to lead the club to at least a seventh-place finish in the Premier League next season – a position he has never ended a campaign below during his time managing in European football.
A reliable club insider has already suggested that Pellegrini is keen to add some youth and pace to his team, and he has been linked with the likes of Barcelona centre-back Marlon, Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Javier Pastore and Lazio winger Felipe Anderson – all of whom would come at a price, with the lattter reportedly set to cost £43m.
Meanwhile, the east London outfit were once known as the ‘Academy of Football’, but while their success in that area has certainly subsided in recent years, they still have exciting young players capable of making the step up to the first team next season and beyond.
Here are three Hammers youngsters who could save Pellegrini a fortune this summer…
Following the departures of Jose Fonte and James Collins in recent months – and with Winston Reid continuing to be hampered by injury – it is clear to see that one of Pellegrini’s priorities this summer will be to bring a new centre-back to the London Stadium.
He has already been linked with Barcelona’s Marlon, but he may already have the ideal candidate on the club’s books – if he can persuade him to stay.
Oxford burst onto the scene with a man-of-the-match performance on the opening day of the 2016/17 season, but he struggled to hold down a spot in the starting XI and spent the majority of the 2017/18 campaign on loan with Borussia Monchengladbach.
The young centre-half clearly has plenty of potential, and Pellegrini needs to convince the unsettled 19-year-old that his future lies in east London.
With Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble not enjoying their best West Ham seasons, Pellegrini also looks likely to try and bring a new defensive/central midfielder to the London Stadium – something both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes want to do previously but failed to do so.
William Carvalho and Leander Dendoncker are just a couple of the names that have been linked, but perhaps the Chilean should look to bring exciting 18-year-old Coventry into the first-team picture instead after he won the prestigious Dylan Tombides award for the Academy Player of the Year last month.
The Republic of Ireland U19 is a defensive midfielder by trade, and he could certainly learn a lot and make an impression alongside the likes of Noble and Declan Rice next term.
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As we mentioned previously, Pellegrini seems keen to bring Pastore to the London Stadium from PSG, but his £190,000-a-week wage demands could scupper any potential deal, as per Sky Sports.
Perhaps the 64-year-old should take a closer look at the technically-gifted Samuelsen instead, who has enjoyed a number of successful loan spells in the Football League.
The 6ft 2in 21-year-old attacking midfielder can play on either side or even through the middle, and he would certainly be a much more reasonably-priced option than Pastore, or even former loanee Joao Mario.
According to a report from the Stoke Sentinel, Southampton manager Mark Hughes is interested in being reunited with Stoke City star Geoff Cameron this summer, and Saints fans have been quick to react to the rumour.
The Stoke Sentinel says that Hughes wants the 55-cap USA international and that the Potters would have no problem doing business with their former boss, as long as the offer from the south coast outfit is acceptable.
The report adds that Cameron, who can play in midfield or defence, has a release clause in his contract worth well in excess of £5m following the club’s relegation to the Championship, and that he is also attracting interest from MLS clubs.
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Southampton supporters, who hate the idea of signing a 26-year-old target following his opening 2018 World Cup display, took to social media to give their thoughts on the story, and while one said “if we ever sign Geoff Cameron then please announce the departure of Leslie Mark Hughes”, another said it’s “almost as if they want us to go down”.
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