Saturday’s defeat for Sheffield Wednesday against Aston Villa must have been heartbreaking for the club’s supporters.
With the game seemingly heading towards a 1-1 draw, Albert Adomah scored via a rebound in the 92nd minute before Tammy Abraham fired in with just seconds remaining at Hillsborough.
The 3-1 defeat saw the gap between the Owls and the play-offs extend to a margin of six points which could be too much of a barrier for Steve Bruce’s side to overcome in their final six matches this season. Despite this disappointment, their weekend clash did provide an element of positivity for the club which could see them prosper in the future.
After missing 15 months of action due to injury, Gary Hooper, who joined for £3.51 million (as per Transfermarkt), made his second consecutive appearance for Wednesday and marked the occasion with an instinctive finish which gave his side the lead against Villa. Although his return to the side was welcomed by the vast majority of Owls supporters, there would have understandably been a worry in regards to whether he could return to the form that he had previously illustrated in 2017.
These fears would have been alleviated somewhat by Hooper’s performance on Saturday as he impressed throughout before eventually being substituted with five minutes left to play by Bruce.
If the 31-year-old can embark on a fruitful run in-front of goal between now and May, he could force his manager to build a squad around him for next year’s campaign as it is unquestionable that he could become a force to be reckoned with once more in the Championship. However, all this depends on whether he remains injury free as no matter how good Hooper is when firing on all cylinders, another setback could be disastrous for the forward.
The next month, therefore, could be imperative not only for the former Celtic player’s hopes of returning to his previous level of performance but also for the Owls’ future over the coming years.
What do you think Wednesday fans? How important is Hooper in terms of your club’s future? Should Bruce build a side around the forward if he manages to stay fit? Let us know below.
Lucas Moura scored a hat-trick for Tottenham Hotspur in their 4-0 thumping of Huddersfield Town on Saturday and then melted Spurs fans’ hearts afterwards.
The Brazil international netted the final three goals of the game as Mauricio Pochettino’s men put the already-relegated Terriers to the sword.
His treble was Lucas’ first ever hat-trick in European football and he celebrated in perhaps the best way possible.
Having capped his treble in injury time, after a fine through ball from Son Heung-Min, Lucas waited for his family to greet him on the pitch.
His wife and son rushed down to meet him and the hat-trick hero took his boy in his arms before enjoying a kickabout with the toddler on the pitch, with the match ball.
And Spurs fans were swept away by the show of familial love at the end of the game.
Take a look at the best of the reaction to the adorable moment below!
West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has £30million to spend this summer, according to Claret&Hugh.
What’s the word?
The Hammers are likely to be busy this summer as Pellegrini looks to refresh a squad that could still finish outside of the top 10.
Claret&Hugh claim that the manager is keen to sign a striker, with Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez identified as a key target.
As per the same source, the forward has a €45million release clause that drops to €22m if Celta are relegated from La Liga – they are currently just three points clear of 18th-placed Real Valladolid.
Pellegrini, though, may have to sell players to ensure that he can replenish his squad.
C&H say that all money received from player sales will be reinvested into the team and that the former Manchester City boss also wants to sign a central defender, midfielder and a back-up striker.
Football FanCast understands that Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll are all likely to leave the club this summer, with that money likely to boost Pellegrini’s kitty.
Wastage comes home to roost
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have signed some genuinely appalling players over the years and it appears it has finally come home to roost.
Per Sky Sports, West Ham spent a total of £99m last summer, securing the likes of Felipe Anderson, the injured Andriy Yarmolenko and Perez.
It has not seen them take too many steps forward, however, and they are now likely to be trawling for bargains this summer.
That does not bode well for a fanbase who wants to see the Hammers return to European football.
As it is, the Europa League is likely to remain out of reach, particularly with the owners reticent to invest the required sums.
Manchester United are ready to sell Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to oversee a major revamp of the playing squad at Old Trafford and the Belgium international could be a casualty.
What’s the word?
Solskjaer has used Lukaku sparingly since his appointment, allowing him to complete the 90 minutes in the Premier League just five times. He played just 17 minutes in midweek as United were beaten 3-0 by Barcelona.
Under the Norwegian’s management, Lukaku has scored six Premier League goals in 13 outings.
However, Marcus Rashford has emerged as United’s first-choice striker and the Telegraph claim that Lukaku will be allowed to leave if an acceptable bid is tabled in the summer.
Inter Milan, PSG and Bayern Munich are all touted as potential destinations, with United keen to recoup the £75million they paid to secure the Belgian’s signature from Everton.
The 25-year-old reportedly earns £255,000-per-week at United, meaning wages could be a stumbling block to any move.
Doesn’t fit
Lukaku was never right for United.
He is a battering ram of a striker but poor on the ball, his first touch is, at best, erratic and he does not suit the lightning-quick United side Solskjaer is trying to build.
He is young enough to have retained the majority of his value, however, and he has shown that he can be an elite forward if given the right service.
Lukaku would surely top goalscoring charts in France or Italy, while he would be a fine long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski at Bayern.
At £75m it is hardly a punt, but United would do well to encourage a club to make a bid this summer; they need a more mobile and reliable forward than the ex-Chelsea star.
Former footballer Stuart Pearce has urged Wolves to be careful with the possibility of Europa League football being played at Molineux next season looming. The ex-manager was speaking to Sky Sports’ The Debate podcast (25/04).
What’s he said?
Wolves were in a poor rut of form going into their midweek game with Arsenal. Having been brilliant all season they looked as though they were finally hitting a brick wall as the reality of European football started to sink in.
An FA Cup semi-final defeat against Watford initially looked as though it could derail their season but a phenomenal win over Arsenal got them back on track and back in the hunt for seventh place.
It seems to be a four horse race at the moment with Nuno Santo’s men challenging Everton, Watford and Leicester for that final Europa League spot.
However, speaking to The Debate Podcast about Wolves (23.23 onwards), Pearce was quick to specify that they’d need to add players otherwise they could be at risk of sliding down the table like Burnley did this season. He said:
“Their recruitment’s been brilliant last summer for this season. I think they’re going to have to expand the squad again if they take on a Europa League place like Burnley. They suffered so badly the whole season. Sean [Dyche] didn’t sort it out until February. Wolves can learn a lesson from that. Be careful if you get into Europe. Be careful what you wish for in some ways.”
European football a risk
It would be quite something if Wolves were to qualify for Europe after just a single season back in the Premier League but it would be a testament to just how good they’ve been this term.
Although they’ve struggled against some of the poorer sides in the division, the 16 points they’ve taken from top six teams is astonishing.
However, their squad does remain quite thin and as a result, European football could be a hindrance. You feel that Wolves need to really establish themselves in the top flight first before obtaining a spot in Europe.
A Wolves fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the club in the video below…
Pearce is right to suggest that the Midlands club can learn from Burnley. Their form at the start of the season was terrible and although Wolves do have better players, fans should be concerned about the size of their squad.
They’ll have to be shrewd in the market and also be careful with their investment if they do end up playing in the Europa League.
Seven incredible years at Chelsea saw him win three Premier League titles and two FA Cups, before he joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2010, becoming one of Roy Hodgson’s first signings at Anfield – Cole had scored 40 goals and assisted a further 42 in 280 appearances for the Blues.
However, the former England international never really lived up to expectations on Merseyside. The Reds’ former No.10 was sent off on his league debut against Arsenal, and only managed to find the back of the net five times in 42 appearances.
However, his goalscoring record probably wasn’t the worst feature of his time at Liverpool. Oh no.
Has Salamon Rondon had a better season than Bobby Firmino? Matt from The Magpie Channel discusses in the video below…
That award goes to Steven Gerrard, whose wild claim upon Cole’s arrival at the club now makes for embarrassing reading for him personally, but hilarious reading for the rest of us.
What did he say?
When Cole arrived at Anfield back in the summer of 2010, Gerrard said: “[Lionel] Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better.
“He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a football. I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season.”
Ill-informed comparison
At the time, Cole had won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup, one Community Shield and had made the PFA Team of the Year, so he was clearly a player of some pedigree.
However, Gerrard saying that he was basically better than Messi was pure ridiculous.
At the time of Cole’s move to Liverpool, the diminutive Argentine had won four La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, two Champions League titles, one UEFA Super Cup and one Club World Cup title, as well as two Ballon d’Or successes and numerous other individual awards.
Oh, and the small matter of him banging in 127 career goals – Cole only ever managed to score 95 across his entire 20-year career. Fittingly, Messi actually hit his 600th career goal against Liverpool just last Wednesday.
It’s blindingly obvious that Everton are lacking a number nine. The fans know it and now it finally seems the club know it. So, Charles-Jesaja Herrmann could be the striker Goodison Park has been waiting for.
The 19-year-old has impressed for Wolfsburg under 19s scoring 12 and assisting seven in all competitions. He’s tall, strong and quick and that’s exactly what Marco Silva needs in a striker to play his style of football.
Turkish Football claimed Everton, Newcastle and Celtic are all fighting it out for his signature, so it’s hoped the Toffees’ project can tempt him to Merseyside. Silva’s got a track record of giving youngsters a chance, and Herrmann could be next up.
Everton have lacked a number nine since they sold Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United and the fans would be so excited to finally see a goalscorer come through the door. He’ll need to adapt quickly though, but he’s young and should play without any fear.
He’d be able to link with Everton’s wingers by arriving in the box at the right time, but also by working hard to create space and goals for when his teammates cut in. He seems perfect for the fast, attacking football Marco Silva is hoping to produce.
The Goodison faithful need a striker to get excited about, and at his age, he could be their main man for years and take them back into Europe. He’s exactly what the squad has been crying out for, so the club must win the transfer battle and bring him to the Premier League.
Everton fans, who do you think your club should sign to play in the number nine role next season? Join the discussion by commenting below.
So then, another season of the Premier League is done and dusted and it’s time for the 20 teams to start reviewing their campaigns and putting plans in place for the 2019/2020 term.
Little has changed at the top of the league with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City marching to back-to-back English top-flight titles, but this year, they had new runners-up.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool took over in second place from Manchester United by accumulating an incredible 97 points and finishing just a single point behind the Citizens.
Despite being knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and the Emirates FA Cup at the first opportunity, the Reds have had much more joy in one other competition, the UEFA Champions League. The Merseysiders will go for glory in the final for the second successive term, against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid at the end of May.
In light of all this, today we review the season so far of Liverpool, from their player of the season, to their goal of the season and who they should sign to improve before next term…
Player of the Season – Virgil van Dijk
The biggest factor that has allowed Klopp’s team to make the title race go right down to the wire in 2018/2019 has been their defence, something that’s let them down time and time again in recent seasons, and a huge part of that has been Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
The 27-year-old joined from Southampton for a world-record fee back in January 2018 and has flourished in his first full season at Anfield, the commanding defender being crucial to both the domestic and European success with 49 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League.
As a result, Van Dijk has picked up wide acclaim from all four corners of the footballing world, fans, pundits and even his fellow professionals, who voted him the PFA Player of the Year and a member of the PFA Team of the Year. The Netherlands international will be hoping to put the cherry on the cake at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Flop of the Season – Naby Keita
In contrast, the flop of the season in the Red Half of Merseyside has undoubtedly been summer 2018 signing from RB Leipzig, midfielder Naby Keita.
After the club paid a staggering fee of £54 million for the Guinea international, he’s struggled to adapt to the pace of English football as his performances all season long have fallen well below par in the centre of the park.
Keita does have more time to make it work in England and live up to his lofty price tag – it sometimes takes even the best players on the planet a little time to settle in. However, if the flop keeps this up, it won’t be long before the whole of Liverpool loses patience and the plug is pulled.
Unsung hero – Georginio Wijnaldum
Soccer Football – Champions League Semi Final Second Leg – Liverpool v FC Barcelona – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – May 7, 2019 Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Henderson REUTERS/Phil Noble
Every team in every season needs its unsung hero, that one player who chips in at vital times, scoring pivotal goals or saving pivotal goals. But not quite getting the credit they deserve and the credit of some of their teammates.
That has, without doubt, in 2018/2019 been Dutch attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for the Reds, just as important as the likes of Alisson, Van Dijk and Sadio Mane at times – not nearly sung as much as them.
Wijnaldum has had the habit of popping up just at the right time for Klopp throughout the campaign, whether it be for the league winner away at Tottenham back in September or the decisive inspired brace in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, for example. A true unsung hero.
Signing of the Season – Alisson
Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – May 12, 2019 Liverpool’s Alisson waves to the fans as he holds a trophy for winning the Premier League Golden Glove award after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine 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 clu
Before the start of the term, Klopp brought four new signings to Anfield, first was the aforementioned Keita, then his fellow midfielder Fabinho from Monaco, followed by Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri and rounded off by much-needed goalkeeper Alisson from Roma.
The latter has by far been the pick of them when we look back, taking the Premier League and Champions League by storm and paying back every penny of his £66.8 million price tag, then the highest fee ever paid for a shot-stopper.
The fact that Alisson won the English top-flight Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets by fighting off competition from Man City’s Ederson is one example of just how immense he’s been in his maiden English term. The 26-year-old has saved 79 per cent of his league shots, 79 per cent!
Biggest Shock – second place
There wasn’t much wrong with Liverpool’s season whatsoever, especially in the Premier League, 97 points from 38 matches. That’s why the biggest shock of the campaign was surely that they could only finish second.
The side that have incredibly never lifted the Premier League trophy lost just once in the league throughout the whole term, regrettably, for them, that defeat came against the Citizens and was ultimately the difference between the two teams.
What really damaged Klopp’s men was a run of four draws in the space of six games in February and March, making it seven overall for the season and costing them the trophy. Though they can take pride in pushing arguably the greatest English team ever all the way and know that if they can rack up the same total next season, it surely won’t be beaten.
Best result – Barcelona (H) – 4-0
When reviewing 2018/2019, there will be one result that sticks out in the mind that bit more for everyone associated with Liverpool, one of the greatest Anfield nights in history.
Trailing by three goals from the first leg, the Reds welcomed Spanish giants Barcelona to Merseyside for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. The hosts had a chance but needed to score early.
And that’s exactly what they did, taking the lead through Divock Origi on seven minutes. That advantage was doubled and then tripled by Wijnaldum in three crazy early-second-half minutes to turn the tie on its head, allowing Origi to complete his brace with just over 10 minutes to go and Liverpool to hold onto their place in the final. The undisputed best result of the season.
Worst result – Manchester City (A) – 2-1
The worst result of the campaign from a Liverpool perspective can be none other than the result that cost the Reds the title in so many different ways.
Travelling to the Etihad Stadium having held City to a 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier in the term, Klopp’s men met an inspired team that had them a goal down after 40 minutes. Although Roberto Firmino was able to reply after half-time, Leroy Sane netted a winner for the home side 18 minutes from time in the New Year contest.
This was not just a huge blow for the Merseysiders in terms of the league table, it was a huge blow psychologically and just gave their opponents that mental edge to be able to win their final 14 games and overturn what was at one stage, a seven-point lead at the top.
Goal of the Season – Daniel Sturridge vs Chelsea
Scoring over 130 goals in all competitions, it’s little surprise that the Reds netted some absolute beauties over the course of the season, Mo Salah’s scintillating strike at home to Chelsea, Mane’s skilful finish away at Bayern Munich in the Champions League and sexy flick in the Watford thrashing.
However, they were all trumped by a thorough worldie from an unlikely source, outcast striker Daniel Sturridge, in the dramatic league draw at Stamford Bridge.
With the Blues a goal to the good in the 89th minute, the former England centre-forward picked up the ball outside the box from Shaqiri, took it out of his stride and then beautifully stroked it into the far top corner to win his side a key point. The bittersweet aspect of September’s Premier League Goal of the Month being that Sturridge is an ex-Chelsea star.
Most controversial moment – West Ham United (A)
The Reds’ campaign, filled with its magical moments, was not without its fair share of controversy now and again, with one moment much more prevalent than all the others.
It came in the visit to London Stadium to face West Ham United and involved one of if not the worst linesman calls in recent Premier League history.
In the 22nd minute, Mane converted from close-range to give the visitors an early lead, although, in the build-up, a short pass from Adam Lallana was made to the blatantly offside James Milner right in front of the linesman and was not detected. Luckily, justice was done as Michail Antonio levelled shortly after and it finished 1-1. However, Origi missed a last-gasp chance for Klopp’s men from, you guessed it, an offside position.
Turning point – Manchester City defeat
For Liverpool to lead by seven points at the top of the Premier League table and end up one point behind in second by the end of matchday 38, there had to be a turning point at some stage.
The Reds’ was an obvious one, the aforementioned early-January defeat to eventual champions Man City at the Etihad – it was the turning point in so many different ways.
Pre-match, Klopp’s side had won their last nine in the Premier League and following City’s poor Christmas form, were ahead by eight. A loss cut that margin to four and really took the wind out of their sails after a busy festive period, the Merseysiders would draw four out of their next eight league encounters and the critical damage of the turning point was done.
Liverpool fans on Twitter have been drooling over their youth prospect Ki-Jana Hoever after the teenager played a key role in the Netherlands’ Under-17 European Championship success.
Hoever has already made his first-team debut for the Reds as a 16-year-old, coming on as an early substitute in the FA Cup third round defeat to Wolves – he certainly has a huge future ahead of him.
Chelsea fans were giving it large at Anfield on Sunday. Watch their afternoon get slowly ruined in the video below…
The now 17-year-old Dutchman played a key role in the European Championship success, setting up one of the goals against Italy in the final with a well-taken free-kick that hit the post before being tapped in.
Liverpool fans are most definitely excited by the former Ajax star’s potential, and seemingly cannot wait for him to make the step up into the first-team The fact that he can play at both right-back and at centre-back is a hugely attractive factor.
Let’s see what the Liverpool supporters on Twitter have been saying about the teenage star…
According to talkSPORT, Sheffield United are interested in bringing Macauley Bonne to Bramall Lane next season.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic season at Leyton Orient netting 23 goals in the National League, but you have to question any newly-promoted side that chooses to shop around non-league football.
Bonne’s season
The Zimbabwe international has proven over the last two years that he is one of the most potent strikers in the National League.
This season he found the back of the net more than 20 times for the second season running, so he knows how to score.
Whether or not that skill can translate in the Premier League remains to be seen, but it is a tough ask.
Strange signing
What on earth is Chris Wilder thinking when looking in the National League for strikers?
The Blades are headed to the Premier League. They should be able to cough up the funds to sign a top-class striker rather than scouring the bargain basement.
Indeed, there have been players who have come from outside the EFL who have made an impact in the top leagues, namely Jamie Vardy and Rickie Lambert, but those are few and far between.
Bonne’s record when he has played at a higher level doesn’t make for great reading either. Three goals in 33 games in League One with Colchester in the 2015/16 season is poor, and for the Yorkshire club to look at making him their first signing after promotion is baffling.
Perhaps this is a sign that Wilder is looking towards bringing in a backup striker rather than a new starter, meaning that the partnership of Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick will be given a chance in the top flight.
Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…
The Blades have also recently been linked to Gary Madine and Lee Gregory which supports this idea that they want to add depth up front rather than displace their current partnership.