Time to say goodbye: Joselu to be shown the door at Newcastle United

The Magpies are prepared to let flop striker Joselu fly this summer, as per Footballer Insider reports.

It genuinely defies belief that the big man has been considered a key member of the squad during the previous two seasons, but he has – and only recently has the club apparently made the decision that he is surplus to requirements.

A source close to Newcastle has apparently revealed to Football Insider that Rafael Benitez is keen on offloading the player this summer and has urged the club to consider any incoming offers.

Once a man of Celta Vigo, Frankfurt and Hoffenheim Joselu was Newcastle’s first choice centre-forward last season, which explains a lot, after signing from Stoke City in the summer of 2017, which also explains a lot.

Having scored a pitiful four goals in 32 appearances last season and began this campaign in equally fruitless fashion as the starting striker until king Solomon Rondon established himself as a number one, it is obvious why Benitez has absolutely no intention of keeping him on next season.

As Newcastle have looked to defend their Premier League status, Joselu has not started a single league game since the Boxing Day massacre by Liverpool and has failed to even make the matchday squad for the past seven fixtures.

The writing is most certainly on the wall for Joselu, and we can hardly blame Benitez and Newcastle. Genuine quality is needed if they want to improve on simply scraping by, and the Spaniard is evidently so far behind the required standard.

Newcastle fans, do you think Joselu’s time is up at Newcastle or does he deserve a chance? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Obviously, Tottenham need to make a statement signing this summer, and who better than their hero Gareth Bale? As you’ll remember all too fondly, he lit up White Hart Lane during his youth and would surely do the same in their new ground.

The Welshman has had a hit-and-miss time at Real Madrid, and it seems him and Zinedine Zidane just don’t see eye to eye. Now the Frenchman is back in charge it looks like he doesn’t have a future at the club. So, that’s where Daniel Levy needs to step in.

Marca, via Sport Witness, have claimed Spurs are an option for Bale but the club won’t go near Madrid’s valuation. That’s very typical of Levy, but if Bale forces a move, a loan back to where he made his name could reportedly be an option.

Certainly, he’d raise the excitement levels if he came back.

The mood is fairly high considering Spurs’ brave Champions League showing and their move to the new stadium. Now, the club need to prove they’re going to move forward and challenge for the title, though. Undoubtedly, signing Bale in his prime, at 29-years-old, would do just that.

It’s a romantic notion and the Welshman is often linked away but why not consider it? Alongside Harry Kane, the former most expensive footballer of all time could bring with him a winning mentality to really challenge the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

To truly push the aforementioned giants for a sustained amount of time, the club need to pull a rabbit out of a hat. They have the foundations in place but clearly need a big power play to jump that final hurdle. Bale, despite his injury issues, could be a big enough statement to do that.

He’s scored a whopping 102 goals and made 64 assists in 231 games since his move to Spain. That’s quite incredible, but he just doesn’t seem valued by anyone surrounding the club. At Spurs, he’d be the main man again and would have nothing to prove.

Bale would be their best signing since Heung-min Son and would undoubtedly improve this Spurs side. If Levy can sort the move, it’ll be one the fans look back on as a major turning point in the club’s history.

No pressure, Daniel Levy!

Spurs fans, who do you think your club should sign to bolster your attacking capabilities? Join the discussion by commenting below…

If only Sunderland had cashed in when they had the chance, Lamine Kone would never have been a problem. The Black Cats thought they had a real gem on their hands when they turned down an £18 million bid for the defender back in 2016, but only now do they realise how costly that move was three years ago.

Kone, who is now 30-years-old, has been a massive pain for Sunderland since they suffered the first of their back-to-back relegations in 2017. The French-born Ivorian international spent this season on-loan in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg and the good news is that, according to The Chronicle, that loan move has become a permanent one, but how the Mackems would have wanted him out of their hair before that.

There have been some pretty rotten players rock up on Wearside in recent years. Without even thinking about it, the likes of Jack Rodwell, Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji spring to mind, and now the club have got that particular trio off their books and Kone has also secured a permanent switch away things look a lot brighter at the Stadium Light.

From day one, Jack Ross made it very clear that Lamine Kone was not in his plans and that he had to find a future elsewhere, which the 30-year-old has now gone and done. It’s been a long time coming, but at least the Black Cats can prepare for yet another season in League One without having to worry about getting rid of Kone on yet another loan move for yet another season.

Are you pleased to be rid of Kone, Sunderland fans? Let us know!

Manchester United’s miserable season came to an end this weekend with a terrible 2-0 loss at home to Cardiff City.

The Red Devils finished their campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in fitting fashion to sum up their entire campaign, and there is now a long summer ahead for the club as they look to overhaul a squad which is in desperate need of change.

Manager Solskjaer will no doubt have a clear picture of what he wants to do over the summer, and it’s clear that certain players will need to be moved on while new faces will be a must at the club too.

One man who has been linked with a move to the club this weekend is Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who has been in fine form for the Toffees this season as he has cemented his place as a key name on the first XI team sheet.

However, here in the Tavern, we feel this is another example of a signing which just does not do enough for United, and Gueye is a player who the club should not be looking to shell out the reported £40m on.

While Gueye has proved himself a capable midfield player in the top flight, he is hardly of the quality to drive United forward into a new era, and at 29, doesn’t exactly have time on his side in terms of development and improvement.

United need either proven world class talent or younger players who will g develop into valuable assets for the club. Sadly for Gueye, he doesn’t quite fit this mould and is someone who should be avoided by United in an ideal world.

تأهلت المصرية ميار شريف لاعبة التنس الأرضي إلى نهائي بطولة جران كاناريا التي تقام حاليًا في مدينة لاس بالماس بإسبانيا.

وكانت ميار قد تخطت نصف النهائي بالفوز على الألمانية جول نيماير بنتيجة 2-1 في مباراة ماراثونية استمرت 3 ساعات.

طالع | بعد مباراة ماراثونية.. ميار شريف تتأهل إلى نهائي جران كاناريا

ومن المقرر أن تلعب ميار شريف ضد الأستونية كايا كانيبي المصنفة 15 عالميًا في المباراة النهائية. موعد مباراة ميار شريف في نهائي بطولة جران كاناريا

تبدأ مباراة ميار شريف وكايا كانيبي اليوم في تمام الساعة الواحدة ونصف ظهرًا بتوقيت القاهرة.

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Charlton and Sunderland played out one a dramatic League One play-off final on Sunday – an early Naby Sarr own-goal was followed by a silky Addicks equaliser, before the game got a bit scrappier and Patrick Bauer scored an injury-time winner.

The introductions of Jason Pearce for Sarr, who was skating on thin ice, and Jonny Williams saw Lee Bowyer’s side assume control of the game and put real pressure on their opponents in the final 20 minutes or so.

Former Palace man Williams dazzled with his close control and linkup play despite the Black Cats’ best attempts to unlawfully disrupt his game, before winning his second play-off medal courtesy of captain Bauer.

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

The 25-year-old has struggled for fitness throughout his career but certainly looks Championship quality when he’s firing on all cylinders – he could be an important player for the Addicks next season if they decide to extend his stay at The Valley, as some of these Charlton fans suggest…

Let’s not sugarcoat this; Manchester United have had a rather shambolic 2018/19 campaign.

Jose Mourinho suffered from his usual third season syndrome and was eventually dismissed, which led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being appointed on an initial deal and he brought the optimism and good times back to Old Trafford.

That led to the club legend being offered a permanent position, however, the party appeared to be rather temporary as his Manchester United squad was quite simply found out for being of sub-Champions League standard and one that will strike fear into the club’s own fanbase if things are not addressed this summer.

And, that horrible task will fall firmly at the door of Ed Woodward. Indeed, it appears he is trying to do the right thing and bring in someone to help him with the footballing side of the club’s operations.

But, if the latest reports have any truth to them, he could be about to make another huge mistake at Old Trafford and one that may not provide a successful return on investment.

Sky Sports are claiming Darren Fletcher is thought to be a ‘leading candidate’ for the technical director’s job, having already held negotiations with the club.

It is understood that the Scotsman would not necessarily be involved in transfers, however, he would be the man to act as the glue between Solskjaer and the board.

There is no doubt that the 35-year-old knows what it takes and what it means to be at Manchester United, having come through the academy ranks and playing over 300 games.

However, being successful on the pitch and being successful in a suit are two completely different things and there will surely be doubts that Fletcher would be the right man to help them sort things out.

Manchester United are in a period that can only be described as a crisis and need to act as quickly as possible to try and get things sorted out and take the Red Devils back to the upper echelons of the footballing world.

Surely then, someone with experience would be much better suited for the technical director role at Old Trafford, whilst Fletcher may be better at helping develop the talent on the pitch.

Manchester United fans, do you think Woodward would be making another mistake by appointing Fletcher? Let us know below!

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Leicester might be bringing Andros Townsend to the King Power this summer, with The Mirror suggesting the Foxes are planning a swoop for the winger.

Per the report, the player could cost around the £14m mark as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his wide options.

Townsend was in good form for the Eagles throughout 2018/19, scoring nine goals across all-competitions in what his best season in front of goal to date. Before then, he hadn’t managed more than four in a single campaign.

The wide man didn’t miss a game in the Premier League last term, also claiming four assists.

Capped 13 times by England, the 27-year-old finally looks as though he’s finding consistency in his game, something which could be of great benefit to Leicester if he makes the switch during the transfer window.

With a possible transfer in mind, Football FanCast writers have given their verdicts on whether he’d be a good signing.

Here’s what they’ve had to say.

Harry Sherlock:

“Andros Townsend isn’t a good buy for anyone. This is a player who is streaky at the best of times and he only scores spectacular goals every once in a while. His highlight reel is exceptional but he’s got absolutely no chance of becoming a key member of Leicester’s squad. The Foxes should avoid him at all costs.”

Billy Meyers:

“For a club like Leicester, you can’t go wrong with signing a player of Andros Townsend’s ilk. Of course, don’t get too many of them, but a Premier League team outside of the top six would only be improved by having Townsend in the ranks. He offers you a 7/10 performance every week and doesn’t let you down; he may not start for Leicester, but he would be an excellent squad player.”

Ben Goodwin:

“I don’t think Townsend would be a good signing for Leicester as he’s too similar to what they already have. Townsend, like Demarai Gray, Marc Albrighton and Rachid Ghezzal, is a talented winger whose talent is only displayed in spurts. All four players blow hot and cold, and rarely put together a string of consistent performances with effective end product. Townsend would not be an upgrade on the wingers already at the club.”

وجه أحمد حسام ميدو المدير الفني الأسبق لنادي الزمالك التهنئة للنادي الأهلي بعد تتويجه بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا على حساب الأبيض.

توج الأهلي بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا، على حساب الزمالك، في مباراة القمة التي جمعت بينهما في نهائي البطولة الإفريقية على ستاد القاهرة، بعد فوزه بهدفين مقابل هدف، ليحقق اللقب التاسع في تاريخه.

أقرأ أيضًا.. أفشة يتحدث عن هدفه العالمي أمام الزمالك ويصرح: لا أستمع للمنتقدين

وأضاف ميدو خلال استضافته عبر قناة “النهار”: “أبارك للأهلي وهارد لكل للزملكاوية، الزمالك خسر مباراة وبطولة، ولا بد على كل الجماهير أن تفتخر بفريق لعب بطولة كبيرة وقدم أداءً جيدًا، ليس سهلا أن يدخل مرماك هدف وتعود بسرعة وتظهر بشخصية قوية”.

تابع: “خروج شيكابالا أثر على الفريق من ناحية مستوى والشخصية، شيكابالا كان مصدر قلق بشخصيته للاعبي الأهلي، بعد خروجه تنفس لاعبي الأهلي بشكل أفضل”.

وواصل: “علمت من شيكابالا صباح اليوم أنه سيبدأ المباراة بشكل أساسي، وهناك أوقات الله يعطي فيها سيناريوهات طيبة لمن هم مثل شيكابالا، (كان نفسي السيناريو يكمل بفوز الزمالك)، وجماهير الزمالك لن تنسى هدف شيكابالا”.

استكمل: “لو كنت مكان حسين الشحات وظهر إسلام جابر بحالته التي كان عليها كان يجب أن أكون نجم المباراة”.

اختتم: “الزمالك كان سيء الحظ جدًا في غياب عبد الله جمعة والونش، اثنين لاعبين أساسيين في الفريق، كانت ضربة في مقتل”.

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Manchester United fans have has little to cheer this season, but one good thing that’s certainly come out of a year of hurt and frustration involves ongoings south of Old Trafford down in Birmingham, or more specifically Aston, where Axel Tuanzebe has just played a vital role in getting the Villans promoted back to the Premier League.

United fans can be forgiven for wishing they’d enjoyed his ever-improving performances in the Premier League with his parent club, but perhaps without that year in a more suitable division Tuanzebe would not have developed as finely as he has these past 10 months.

The 21-year-old defender formed a solid partnership with Tyrone Mings during the second half of the season which helped Villa to a ten-game winning run before they found themselves enjoying play-off glory at Wembley against Frank Lampard’s Derby.

United have been far more disappointing, relatively speaking, and a summer overhaul is due with club linked to various players as is always the case in a summer transfer window.

The centre-back position certainly needs to be addressed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, only Victor Lindelof ending his season with any reason to hold his head high. But amid Tuanzebe’s impressive performances on loan, is there perhaps and obvious solution to the problem? These Manchester United fans think so…