Loads of Liverpool fans have been giving their verdict on the future of Harry Wilson, and they’re desperate to see the Welsh international in action at Anfield next season.
Goal’s Neil Jones has been taking a look at Wilson’s progress at Derby County and his chances of succeeding in Liverpool red.
The young winger has been in red-hot form in recent weeks, and has racked up an impressive tally of ten Championship goals this season, per Whoscored.
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His incredible form has helped lift Frank Lampard’s Rams into the playoff race, and they currently sit just seven points behind an automatic promotion spot.
“I want to help Derby get into the Premier League,” Wilson says. “I want to keep scoring and assisting, helping the team and getting us as high up the league as I can. I’m loving it.”
Still, while the 21 year-old clearly has no plans to return to his parent club this month, he will certainly be eyeing up a place in Jurgen Klopp’s squad next season.
The Reds brought in Xherdan Shaqiri to provide extra attacking depth last summer, and the Swiss international has been an instant hit.
Wilson though, represents the same wondergoal threat as the 27 year-old, but with the added bonus that he is still young enough to be moulded into whatever player Klopp wants him to be.
The Welsh wing wizard should absolutely be a part of the German’s plans next season, and the fan reactions down below are saying the same thing…
The arrival of Ante Palaverska at Manchester City will naturally have evoked one pertinent question amongst supporters: is he one for the future or merely another money-making tool to boost profits within the City Football Group?
Regardless of the fact that murmurs from City suggest the club would have liked Rabbi Matondo, Brahim Diaz and certainly Jadon Sancho to remain at the Etihad Stadium, there is no doubt that the club hierarchy will be content with the stream of revenue they continue to receive from the sale of young players.
At the top clubs at least, it seems that the development of youth is orientated around preparing individuals for a place in the shop window, drawing attention of top-tier European clubs due to their elite footballing education.
Man City are no exception to the rule; if anything, they are at the centre of this revolution. With that said, it’s fair to question if Palaversa, a deadline day arrival from Hajduk Split, is a future member of the senior squad or simply another cut-price youngster with potential for market growth and, ultimately, a tasty profit to help keep the club within the remits of Financial Fair Play.
Well, it’s difficult to tell at this stage, but a quick look at some of the players who have emerged at Hajduk Split before embarking on a new challenge in English football could provide an indication into City’s intentions.
In terms of Hajduk Split’s record departures, Palaversa is the 4th highest on the list, one place ahead of former Tottenham playmaker Niko Kranjcar. Topping the pile, though, is Everton’s Nikola Vlasic.
The 21-year-old playmaker was signed under Ronald Koeman but his failure to impress at Goodison Park resulted in a season-long loan move to CSKA Moscow, where he has been a revelation this season.
Vlasic has scored 7 goals and provided 4 assists from 20 appearances this season – including a priceless winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League – and his ability to thrive in Europe suggests that he will eventually make his mark at Everton.
Vlasic’s improvement this season and Kranjcar’s success in English football both suggest that Hajduk’s youth system has a pedigree worth taking seriously.
At this stage in Palaversa’s career it is too early to say with wholehearted certainty that he will establish himself as a first-team regular in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven, but the fact Vlasic, his fellow Hajduk graduate, has starred in Europe this season with three goals and two assists in six Champions League outings suggests City’s hierarchy have bookmarked the 18-year-old prodigy as a player with genuine potential to make the step up.
The status quo at Man City is one defined by the exodus of the next generation of talent, but Palaversa could be an exception to the rule following his £7 million switch.
Manchester City fans – thoughts on Palaversa? Let us know below!
Leeds United currently find themselves in a promising position in the race for promotion to the Premier League, so they won’t be too bothered about their last result.
The Whites still need to prove they have what it takes to go all the way this season as they seem to struggle against some of the bigger sides.
Sadly, Leeds fans were filled with huge amounts of disappointment after a deal for Daniel James collapsed on transfer deadline day, so Marcelo Bielsa will be looking to make amends in the summer.
One player who Marcelo Bielsa should target in the summer transfer window is Kamil Grosicki.
Indeed, the attacker has established himself as one of the standout performers in the Championship this season, with an impressive five goals and six assists to his name at this moment in time. He has also developed into a star on the international stage with Poland, with his pace, skill and finishing ability causing all sorts of problems.
Of course, the Whites already have the likes of Pablo Hernandez, Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski out wide at this moment in time, but with Hernandez getting on with age and Harrison returning to his parent club at the end of the season, it would make perfect sense for Leeds to bring in one of the best in the league.
Also, if Leeds manage to secure promotion to the Premier League then the Poland international will feel right at home as he has previous experience in the top-flight from his time at Hull City.
Leeds United fans – thoughts on a potential move for Kamil Grosicki?
West Brom star Ahmed Hegazi was the star man at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday as the Baggies stumbled across the finishing line to take all three points against Stoke.
It was a tightly fought contest against two teams who suffered the drop from the Premier League last season, and it seemed as thought only a moment of individual brilliance would break the deadlock after a cagey opening 20 minutes.
Amazingly, it was an unlikely source in Hegazi who played a vital role in nicking the opening goal, displaying the technical ability and vision of a world-class attacker to volley a lofted free-kick across goal and into the path of Dwight Gayle, who could barely miss.
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Whilst that will undoubtedly be the moment under the spotlight, it was the Egyptian’s excellent defensive work that saw the points return to the Hawthorns, and frustrate the Potters on a day where they were unlucky to lose.
The 28-year-old, along with his stunning assist, made a whopping eight clearances and a huge five aerial duels as he successfully nullified the threat of Stoke new boy Sam Vokes up top with former Baggie James McClean.
Hegazi also managed to record three tackles, and blocked one shot to round off a heroic display at the back for Darren Moore’s promotion chasers, and the win takes them to within just seven points of the top of the table with a game in hand.
West Brom are the Championship’s joint-top scorers with 60 goals to their name, but you need defensive solidarity at the back to make the efforts of Gayle and Jay Rodriguez up top count.
A back four of Kieran Gibbs, Craig Dawson and Mason Holgate alongside Hegazi is arguably one of the best in the second tier, but the Egyptian is leading his teammates to clean sheets that would perhaps have gotten away from them without his impact.
The question on many English and Irish fans over the weeks was, who would Declan Rice choose to play for?
After playing for the Republic of Ireland in recent years, he had a big decision to make. Now, the West Ham midfielder has opted to play for England, where he was born rather than continue with Ireland.
This decision incurred different reactions from the two sets of supporters. England fans are, naturally, delighted to get such a hard-working, vibrant midfielder, while Ireland fans were left disappointed. Rice has been making waves in the Premier League, having put on some memorable performances for the Hammers this season.
Sensing his rise in popularity, Rice caved into the demands of his home fans to pledge his alliance with England. However, he could’ve gotten better assurances over playing time with Ireland. Mick McCarthy had even insisted that he would build his team around Rice in the future, a big compliment for him as the former Ipswich boss looks to make his side far more competitive than in recent years.
While he would’ve been a natural selection for Ireland, breaking into the England team isn’t going to be easy. With the likes of Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard having consolidated themselves as regulars and youngsters like Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Harry Winks coming up, it’ll be difficult for him to break in soon.
Rice has the potential to become a regular for England and solidify their midfield with his tough-tackling demeanour. However, he’s opted to take the high-road to success, ignoring the immediate, relatively smaller stardom the Irish presented him.
Following the news of Chelsea’s transfer ban, which will run for the next two windows, a number of clubs who were hoping to buy one of the Blues’ loanees have been handed a blow.
The west-London based side will not be allowed to bring anyone in until the summer of 2020, but will be allowed to sanction departures from the club – exits seem unlikely, however, as Chelsea will have no means of replacing them.
How will this affect the Eagles?
As a result, Crystal Palace, who are currently enjoying having Michy Batshuayi on loan at the club after his deadline day arrival, will find it much harder to secure the Belgian international on a permanent deal in the summer.
Maurizio Sarri’s current options are 32-year-old Olivier Giroud and 31-year-old Gonzalo Higuain, the latter of whom is only on a loan deal which can be extended until June 2020 for £15.6m, or made permanent for £31.3m.
As a result, Batshuayi will most likely be needed at Stamford Bridge.
It’s not all bad news
Every cloud has a silver lining, however, and Chelsea’s transfer ban should give their hopes of keeping Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the club a real boost.
The Blues have been credited with an interest in the England Under-21 international in recent times.
Given the Eagles’ financial struggles in recent windows, where they have had to make do with loans and free transfers amongst the odd fee splashed here and there, the most plausible way in which they could’ve afforded Batshuayi would probably have been to allow Wan-Bissaka to go the other way.
It will be disappointing for Palace that their lengthy search for a striker will likely have to resume when the summer window opens, but they will at least be buoyed by the fact that one of the clubs sniffing around their most precocious talent has been left inactive in the transfer market.
Lots of Newcastle fans have been reacting to Monday’s biggest story, as Rafael Benitez has been named as one of three candidates to take over at Leicester.
Leicester surprised few by sacking Claude Puel on Sunday morning, and they are already lining up the Frenchman’s replacement.
According to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, Benitez is among the leading candidates to take over at the King Power Stadium, alongside Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.
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The Foxes lost 4-1 at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, and the manager appeared to have lost the players well before then.
Benitez meanwhile has led a Newcastle resurgence since the turn of the year, upsetting Manchester City before picking up crucial wins against Cardiff and Huddersfiled.
The Spaniard is always a huge source of speculation though, due of course to his frosty relationship with club owner Mike Ashley.
Benitez has a 42 per cent win ratio on Tyneside, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
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.
Amid what can only be described as an underwhelming season by their standards, things could be about to get much worse for Chelsea.
Zinedine Zidane’s return to Real Madrid has only stoked the fire when it comes to Eden Hazard’s potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Belgian could possibly be joined by one of his current team-mates in what would be a huge blow for the Blues.
The Breakdown
The Evening Standard reports that, as well as Hazard, Real Madrid are also keen on world-class midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Unlike Hazard, though, Kante still has years to run on his current deal after extending his contract earlier on in the campaign.
That, however, should not stop the 27-year-old from at least trying to push for a move to the Bernabeu with now arguably a good time to leave the west London club from his perspective.
As harsh as it may sound with Maurizio Sarri having been at Stamford Bridge for less than a year, under the Italian, the Blues do not look to be going anywhere.
Real Madrid, of course, are not in a good moment either, though that could easily change with Zidane now at the helm and after a summer of spending.
With that in mind, if Kante wants to further his career just like Hazard, then a move to Real Madrid is probably in his best interest.
Chelsea fans, are the club about to lose both Hazard and Kante this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.
From potential title challengers, Tottenham Hotspur now find themselves in a serious battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost three of their last four in the league – drawing the other – to allow Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United to make up ground.
A number of Spurs players have been criticised for some poor performances in recent weeks, but Moussa Sissoko is certainly not one of them.
The 55-time France international has actually not scored a single goal for Tottenham this season, but the fans have been pleased with his form throughout the 2018-19 campaign.
A number of the club’s players have posted on social media since the team touched down in Barcelona for a warm-weather training camp.
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Sissoko was among those, and his tweet on Monday afternoon brought a host of positive comments.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below: