Queens Park Rangers fans are excited by the potential of Lewis Walker having seen the forward enjoy a strong end to the 2018-19 campaign.
Walker – son of former England defender Des Walker – joined QPR in the latter stages of 2018 having been released from Derby County.
The 20-year-old made his professional debut against Swansea City last month, before making his second appearance against his former club Derby on April 22.
Walker was then given the final 30 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon – a match which the R’s won 2-1 to end the campaign in 19th position.
It has been a tough season for the capital outfit, but a number of talented youngsters have given the fans reasons to be cheerful ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.
One of those is Walker, and a selection of QPR supporters have offered their opinions on the forward who, having recently been introduced to the first team, will certainly be looking to kick on next term.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Everton, in the grand scheme of things, have enjoyed a solid first season under manager Marco Silva and will hope to build on that potential during the course of the summer. Phew, it was certainly getting nervy for the Portuguese at times this season, right?
Indeed, fans have surely been convinced now of Silva’s quality in the last couple of months, as he successfully turned around their fortunes to achieve a top ten finish. Yes, it’s not exactly winning the Champions League, but in the content of the campaign, the former Watford coach has shown there’s something to work with.
With the quality of players he has, that was always likely to be the case but Everton know they can improve and get better with a couple of key signings.
So surely this summer could see a number of outgoings, as well as incomings, particularly in midfield and attack.
With that in mind, the need for at least another central midfielder would be a sensible plan and the capture of Coventry’s Tom Bayliss would be a terrific addition.
Tom Bayliss is a youngster that has put in a number of eye-catching performances this season, which is the reason behind the links (as per TEAMtalk earlier this week) with Everton and Liverpool.
Despite those showings being in League One, the noticeable quality of the 20-year-old is there for all to see and with the future in mind, he would be a very shrewd signing. Bayliss played 38 times for Coventry in the league, scoring on three occasions and setting-up three goals as well.
One for the future, perhaps he and Tom Davies can grow that engine room together in the years to come. Obviously, Everton will struggle to go and compete with the top six in terms of signing players (despite their wealth) so turning to youth talent could be a decent avenue to explore.
With a £3 million release clause being reported, Everton will have no hesitation to pay such a fee, knowing they good be rewarded by securing the services of a future England international.
Do you agree that Everton should sign Tom Bayliss? If not, why not? Let us know!
Pep Guardiola is an absolute perfectionist. As well as Oleksandr Zinchenko has done filling in at left-back for Manchester City this season, his boss will undoubtedly want a more natural option there later down the line.
In an ideal world, Benjamin Mendy stays fit and that is that position sorted.
But with that not being something the Frenchman is capable of doing right now, it is probably only a matter of time before Guardiola dips into the market for a new left-back.
And when he does, Jamie Redknapp believes he should only be looking at one player.
“After a brilliant year at Leicester in which he has become England’s first-choice left-back, [Ben] Chilwell has put the top six on alert,” the Sky Sports pundit wrote in his Daily Mail column as he tipped the 22-year-old for a big summer. “Man City need a left back and he’d be a perfect fit.”
All things considered, Redknapp is probably pointing Guardiola in the right direction here.
This season, after Andy Robertson, Chilwell has arguably been the best left-back in the Premier League.
Technically, he looks good enough to play in this Manchester City side. The Leicester City man can carry the ball and is capable of putting dangerous crosses into the box.
Ultimately, Chilwell can restore the width Mendy had been giving the Citizens out wide, which would be a massive boost for Guardiola’s men during the periods of games where things can get a bit too congested in the middle.
It will not be a cheap transfer, but money has never been a problem for Manchester City, especially when it has come to strengthening areas of the squad that have needed urgent attention.
After years of grinding his way in the lower leagues, Harry Wilson is finally ready for the spotlight.
Indeed, he started his loan journey from League Two side Crewe Alexandra and is now heading to Wembley with Derby County, emerging as one of the most talented British prospects in the country.
So, if that isn’t enough to convince Jurgen Klopp of his experience or maturity, little more can. Obviously, the 22-year-old’s been a vital pillar for Frank Lampard’s side’s success, be it shining at Old Trafford or displaying fearlessness at Elland Road, Wilson’s proven to be a special talent and one deserving of that famous red kit.
Indeed, the Welshman has taken the Championship by storm with his work in the final third, netting 16 times in his first full professional season, silencing doubters with some fantastic performances. Now, the 22-year-old’s ready to shine for Liverpool after being properly moulded into a star by the former Chelsea man.
Klopp must be tracking his development at Derby and knows unearthed gem is returning to Anfield next season. So, rather than persisting with the frustrating Xherdan Shaqiri, he should play Wilson as second-fiddle to Mo Salah. Going forward, the Egyptian can take him under his wing, guiding him on being a more clinical or clever player down the right.
After all, the Daily Mail claimed Liverpool are keen on signing a versatile forward this summer after opting out of a move for Mattias De Ligt but Wilson certainly fits the mould here. Yes, there’s always room for elite incomings, but the Wales international looks ready for Anfield.
Rather than making unnecessary signings, Klopp should stay true to the club’s tradition and push what he already has. Harry Wilson can definitely win him games next season and dazzle the Anfield faithful with his stunning work in the final third. After watching Trent Alexander-Arnold’s rise to fame, it’s time for the multi-talented Wilson to become the next darling among Liverpool fans.
Liverpool fans, do you think Klopp should give Wilson more opportunities next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…
Rangers supporters were left fuming by the performance of left-back Borna Barisic on Sunday after a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
The Croatian was starting his first match for the club since March, given an opportunity by manager Steven Gerrard on the final day of the league season.
Initially starting the season strongly as a firm part of the Gers manager’s plans, he’s gradually found himself on the fringes of the squad and after Sunday’s performance at Rugby Park there are serious questions about what he can offer the club going forward.
He failed to get to grips with the match throughout the 90 minutes and eventually conceded a penalty which allowed Killie to win the match.
Some fans are even beginning to write off the 6 foot 1 defender, feeling the club should look to get rid of him somehow this summer.
That may be something of a harsh assessment, but if he wants to stay at Ibrox he will need to pick up his performances when the new season kicks off.
These supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Sunday display…
According to The Scottish Sun, Aston Villa are plotting a move for Liverpool’s Ryan Kent, who has enjoyed a productive season on loan at Rangers.
What’s the word?
Kent had a wonderful campaign in the SPFL, winning the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for his efforts.
Joining Steven Gerrard at Ibrox for the duration of the 2018/19 term, the wide man made impressive strides after being shipped away for a year by Jurgen Klopp.
The 22-year-old has previously had loan spells with Coventry, Barnsley, Freiburg and Bristol City. However, he could now finally be about to make a permanent switch, per The Scottish Sun.
They suggest that Aston Villa are planning a £10m swoop for Kent. According to the report they have already told the Anfield club that they want him next season.
Major problem solved
One of the few remaining problems still embedded within Dean Smith’s Villa team comes in a wide area.
On the flanks, they simply haven’t been good enough. The likes of Anwar El Ghazi, Albert Adomah and Andre Green have been hugely inconsistent this season and as a result, the addition of Kent would go a long way to solving that.
In total this season, those three options have nine assists between them. The Liverpool man, on the other hand, has ten by himself in all competitions.
That gives you a strong indication of how good he’s been this term and just what he can bring to Villa Park. Kent has a teasing final ball and his technical ability is one of his strong points.
The winger has the capability to feature on either side, although has predominantly played from the left. However, Express and Star understand there is an option to buy in El Ghazi’s loan contract, which means any deal for Kent may see him play on the right.
Given that’s where Adomah and Green have been largely underwhelming, the 5 ft 8 man would go a long way to solving the inconsistency issues they’ve both had.
At £10m, it would be a strong piece of business from the Midlands club.
Jordan Henderson is a long old way from his formative days as a Sunderland star, playing in Champions League finals and challenging for the Premier League, while the Black Cats face disappointment after disappointment.
The Englishman joined his boyhood club at the tender age of eight before climbing through the ranks of the youth system and then eventually the first-team where he would eventually realise his dream make his debut at Chelsea all the way back in 2008.
However, this wasn’t some linear tale about a player rife with natural talent and ability simply making it, as it may sound.
No – there was so much more to it; a tale of pain, anguish, hard work and patience mixed together with the insurmountable odds faced by all youngsters trying to make their way in the game.
The only difference was that Henderson took his opportunity when it was handed to him.
As the England international recounts (per the club’s official site): “Roy Keane was the manager and at half-time at Chelsea he told me to go out and warm-up. He told me I was coming on and while it wasn’t great because we lost 5-0, just to get flung in at the deep end was a great experience.
“To get a feel for playing in the Premier League and to see the level I needed to get to was great. It was an experience that I definitely wouldn’t change and one that I think helped me in the long run.
“To be able to play for the first-team at the Stadium of Light was incredible, I had always dreamt of it, so to be able to do that was massive and then to do it with England was just as big.”
After 75 appearances though, Jordan Henderson left his beloved Sunderland team to play under the bright lights of Anfield for everyone’s least favourite side, Liverpool.
For eight years now the Englishman has battled with ongoing debates about whether he should or shouldn’t be branded a painfully average player who is punching well above his weight, but recently we think the world – well, at least England – has come to terms with the fact that he’s actually a pretty decent talent (admittedly, our reservations were largely fuelled by not wanting to give Liverpool supporters the satisfaction).
There isn’t much to his game that stands out as technically amazing, but what he lacks in skills he more than makes up for in passion and work rate.
Indeed, you’ll struggle to find someone out their more loyal and dedicated than our man in question. Like a man’s best friend, Henderson sits tight to Liverpool’s squad and ensures 100 percent commitment and love. His high-octane brand of football fits quite perfect into the style demanded by his mentor Klopp, who has somehow inspired increased levels of willpower and tenacity.
Sat next to another trusty old dog, James Milner, captain Henderson has guided his Liverpool side to two Champions League finals in a row, with the upcoming game to be played against Spurs in Madrid. How poetic would it be to win the trophy in the Spanish capital at Atletico’s ground after last year’s upset against rivals Los Blancos? ‘Very’ is your answer.
Sunderland fans, what are your standout memories of Jordan Henderson? Let us know in the comments below…
A group of Crystal Palace fans on Twitter have been giving their opinions on a reported double swoop for Brentford attacking pair Neal Maupay and Ollie Watkins.
While seemingly not claiming the information as their own, a report from The Sutton and Croydon Guardian appears to be the origin of the allegation that Palace are interested in signing both Bees stars.
And Eagles supporters have every reason to be excited about the rumoured transfer raid, with the duo setting the Sky Bet Championship alight last season as Thomas Frank’s men beat the drop.
Roy Hodgson currently has limited creativity in his ranks and the situation up front is bleak with plenty of deadwood that needs to be cleared out – so Maupay and Watkins would both solve problems amongst the Palace squad.
Should Crystal Palace keep hold of Max Meyer this summer? Harvey Jones discusses in the video below…
Members of the Selhurst Park faithful on the social media platform know this too and could barely contain their excitement after a fan account Tweeted about the speculation.
It’s still not quite clear how much truth there is to the claim, but it’s obvious Eagles fans would be in favour of their club snapping up the Championship pair…
Lots of Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react to some quite brilliant predictions on Andy Robertson from back in 2017 when he signed for the club.
A Facebook post from Goal back in 2017 yielded a number of narrow-minded responses from rival supporters who felt the arrival of a left-back from relegated Hull was an awful signing – one fan even said sarcastically: “Maybe he will win them the CL.”
You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…
As we all now know, the captain of the Scottish national team has featured in two Champions League finals for the Reds in just two seasons at the club, winning one.
He has also come to within just two points of winning the Premier League whilst recording an absurd 13 assists across all competitions from left-back last term; he is arguably the best in Europe in his position right now.
Understandably, the Liverpool fans on Twitter loved looking back on these premature comments and took great pleasure in laughing about how ridiculous they now look.
Let’s see what some of the Reds supporters on Twitter have been saying…
England claim third-place in the UEFA Nations League, the Lionesses are looking strong in the Women’s World Cup, life as a Three Lions fans is pretty good at the moment.
It’s felt like forever since people felt proud to support England, with every squad at all levels performing well and looking likely to lead the nation to a new generation of success, and this summer also sees another squad looking to add to the trophy cabinet in the form of the Under-21 Euros.
Aidy Boothroyd and his Young Lions head out to Italy to add to the success of the U-20 side who won the World Cup two years ago, many members of that squad being included in the team that will travel to the south of Europe and compete with some of the best countries in world football at youth level.
With 23 incredibly talented players heading off this summer to fight for a European championship, what is the best XI Boothroyd can field when the opening game against France gets underway in Cesena?
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Dean Henderson
Soccer Football – Championship – Leeds United v Sheffield United – Elland Road, Leeds, Britain – March 16, 2019 Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson celebrates at the end of the match Action Images/John Clifton EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account represen
Taking the spot in between the sticks is Manchester United prospect Dean Henderson, who after a second impressive spell out on loan from Old Trafford has got many fans excited for both club and country.
The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the most promising young keepers in England after a solid season with Sheffield United, and out of the shot-stoppers making the trip to Italy, Henderson by far has the most experience, as well as arguably the biggest future.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Many were shocked when Aaron Wan-Bissaka wasn’t called up for the England senior squad for the UEFA Nation League, but in hindsight, it was probably a good idea to allow the Crystal Palace star to play for the U-21s.
The Croydon-born full-back will benefit greatly with playing in a competition aimed at his age group, and after such a brilliant season with Palace, Wan-Bissaka can add a few more millions to his price tag with big performances in Italy.
Fikayo Tomori
A surprising star in the Championship this season, Fikayo Tomori led a Derby County defence that came inches away from promotion to the Premier League, and the Chelsea man might have done enough to put himself in contention for a place in the Blues’ first-team squad next term.
For England, though, Tomori will be one of the first names on the team sheet and will be one of the defenders in the tournament looking to make an impact and lead his side to glory against some of the best attacking prospects in Europe.
Jake Clarke-Salter
Another Chelsea loanee to impress greatly last season is Jake Clarke-Salter, who shined at Vitesse and will likely partner Tomori in the defence at the Euros.
Just like his club teammate, Clarke-Salter is a player who will hope he’s involved in the Chelsea first-team next season if the club are unable to get their transfer ban frozen this summer.
After such an impressive year in the Dutch top-flight, the 21-year-old could be one of the underrated stars for England.
Lloyd Kelly
Ryan Sessegnon has usually been Boothroyd’s choice of left-back in the build-up to the Euros, but if England are to remain watertight in defence and have a surprising option going forward, Lloyd Kelly could be a better option for the Young Lions.
The Bristol City defender had a breakout year with the Championship side, winning interest from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal and looking like a star for the future, and if Boothroyd takes a chance on the youngster, England could have yet another promising left-back in their ranks.
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Hamza Choudhury
Of all the teams to take the charge in playing promising, homegrown talent, Leicester City are far and away the frontrunners, and in Hamza Choudhury, England and the Foxes have a midfielder they can rely on for years to come.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder enjoyed a solid season of first-team football under Brendan Rodgers, and despite being at 5 foot 10 (hair excluded), Choudhury’s surprising physicality has made him a nuisance in the Premier League for sides unlucky enough to face off against him.
Kieran Dowell
It always feels like Kieran Dowell is just one step away from first-team football in the Premier League with Everton, and this summer could be the push the youngster needs to cement his claim.
Although Dowell normally plays as a number 10, he has been seen playing as a deep-lying playmaker in the England set-up and could form a great partnership with Choudhury should Boothroyd look to change things up in the midfield pivot.
Reiss Nelson
Seven goals in the Bundesliga is no mean feat, especially for a player playing in their first full season in professional football at senior level, but that’s what Reiss Nelson managed for Hoffenheim.
The Arsenal man has flair, speed and incredible ability to find the net from any area of the attacking third, and although he could be a risky starter for Boothroyd, England will reap the rewards if Nelson turns up on game day.
James Maddison
Soccer Football – Premier League – Fulham v Leicester City – Craven Cottage, London, Britain – December 5, 2018 Leicester City’s James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for
When Leicester signed James Maddison from Norwich, not many would have expected the number 10 to flourish as much as he did in the Premier League, and just like Wan-Bissaka, many are confused about why the midfielder wasn’t fast-tracked into the England senior squad.
Maddison’s lack of international experience was arguably the reasoning behind his exclusion from the Nations League squad, but he looked more than ready for the full international tournament. From Boothroyd’s perspective, at least he will have one of the best players in the competition to call upon.
Demarai Gray
Britain Football Soccer – Leicester City v Derby County – FA Cup Fourth Round Replay – King Power Stadium – 8/2/17 Leicester City’s Demarai Gray celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your
We weren’t kidding when we said Leicester were the leading Premier League side when it came to playing youngsters with big potential.
Former Birmingham City man Demarai Gray has been a regular for Leicester for the good part of two seasons and continues to improve. In Italy, the attacker can be a devastating force for opponents due to his pace and deadly finishing.
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Tammy Abraham
Although Dominic Solanke has led the England U-21 attack for what seems like a hundred years, the Euros this year could see Tammy Abraham take the starting position after a great season with Aston Villa.
The Chelsea man has all the qualities to be the golden boot winner this summer in Italy, and after such a consistent season in the Championship, Abraham deserves a shot on the global stage to impress.