Report: 'Incredible' player's agents now keen on big Liverpool transfer amid Van Dijk comparison

By: Muhammad Saeed on April 01, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Liverpool are interested in Napoli defender Kim Min-jae and the player’s representatives are seemingly keen too.

The Reds may well be in the market for a new centre back this summer.

Left-footed options have been heavily linked in recent weeks, such as Josko Gvardiol, Evan Ndicka and Max Kilman.

Liverpool could go for another right-footer though and are allegedly chasing Napoli star Kim.

That’s according to a report from Foot Mercato, who suggest that Liverpool fancy luring Kim to Anfield.

It’s claimed that Kim’s representatives are interested in a money-spinning move to Liverpool this summer.

However, Kim fancies staying at Napoli for at least one more season, meaning the Reds still face a battle.

Napoli want to extend Kim’s contract and increase his release clause to a staggering €90million (£80million).

Liverpool target Kim Min-jae has been compared to Virgil van Dijk

Much of the focus from Napoli’s title-bound Serie A campaign has been on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen.

Yet defender Kim has been just as important since signing from Fenerbahce last summer.

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has hailed Kim as ‘incredible’ and the 26-year-old has been an absolute colossus in the heart of the Napoli defence.

That was Kalidou Koulibaly’s job for many years but Napoli fans probably can’t even remember the Senegalese star with Kim shining so much.

90Min actually reported Liverpool’s interest in signing Kim way back in July 2020, whilst also branding him ‘the South Korean Virgil van Dijk’.

That felt bold at the time with Kim playing for Chinese side Beijing Guoan, but he has certainly lived up to the comparison.

Liverpool could now end up pairing Kim and Van Dijk together – but they will have to convince the Napoli star first.

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'Bravo': Vinicius Jr, Nketiah & Liverpool player applaud Arsenal 25-year-old's performance

By: Muhammad Saeed on April 01, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Vinicius Jr, Arthur Melo and Eddie Nketiah were just some of the players to react to Gabriel Jesus’ performance on Instagram as Arsenal recorded a 4-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday in the Premier League.

Months after returning from a knee injury, Gabriel Jesus started his first Premier League game for Mikel Arteta’s side and celebrated it by, not just helping his table-topping team secure three points, but also registering a brace to his name.

When the 25-year-old went down at the Qatar World Cup, it would have hurt the Brazil international, but he has come back firing after that morale-sapping time on the sidelines – Arteta was raving about the player’s mindset during his injury period.

Before the international break, Arteta gave his summer signing from Manchester City a few tasters, including starting the club’s Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon.

But this is Jesus officially announcing his return, as many of his teammates were pleased by his performance.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr posted love heart emojis to his international teammate in the comments section of his IG post, whilst his strike partner, Eddie Nketiah, added ‘Bravo Gabby’ and Liverpool’s Arthur Melo simply applauded him.

ARSENAL’S SQUAD DEPTH

There are some seriously hard-hitting games heading Arsenal’s way during these coming weeks, but they have their squad at its strongest to deliver.

Arteta was able to bench Bukayo Saka for the win over Leeds, with the likes of Jorgingo, Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney also making appearances from the bench.

When the Premier League leaders travel to Merseyside next week to take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, it will be interesting who Saka comes back into the XI for because one of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus will be left disappointed.

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UConn coach Dan Hurley married to well-known podcaster

By: Muhammad Saeed on April 01, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Meet UConn coach Dan Hurley’s wife Andrea and their family ahead of the Huskies’ Final Four game against the Miami Hurricanes.

The NCAA Tournament men’s Final Four is here.

For many, the Connecticut Huskies are now the favorites to win the national championship, but must first overcome the Miami Hurricanes.

Hurley was named head coach of the Huskies on March 22, 2018, after two years at Wagner College and six years at the University of Rhode Island.

UConn has been one of the most dominant teams during March Madness so far and now the 50-year-old is about to lead the Huskies into the Final Four for the first time since 2014.

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Who is UConn coach Dan Hurley’s wife Andrea Hurley?

Dan Hurley’s wife is Andrea Hurley, who was born Andrea Patricia Sirakides Hurley on December 11, 1976 in Toms River, New Jersey.

Andrea would go on to attend Seton Hall University which is where she met Dan. The couple dated throughout their college years and eventually got married in 1997 at a private ceremony in Shadowbrook, Shrewsbury.

Along the wife of University of Massachusetts basketball head coach Derek Kellogg, Nicole Kellogg, Andrea has a successful podcast called Ball is Wife.

The podcast focuses on what it’s like to be the partner of a prominent sports figure and how challenging it can be while juggling everyday life.

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Andrea is on Instagram @anghurls where she often shares photos with Dan and their family:

Dan and Andrea Hurley have two sons together

Dan and Andrea have two sons together, Danny and Andrew. Danny Jr also attended Seton Hall where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

According to his LinkedIn account, Danny works as an assistant to the office of the governor in the state of New Jersey. Meanwhile the couple’s other son, Andrew, plays for the Huskies under the tutelage of his father.

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She has been speaking ahead of UConn’s Final Four game

This week Andrea has been speaking with reporters ahead of the game against the Hurricanes.

“There’s a lot of nerves. Cause I want it so bad for these kids. I mean I’m a crier, and they mean the world. I just don’t want this to end,” Andrea said.

“What they keep doing is being a team. They are close, they’re such a tight knit group. When I say special, it’s an understatement,” said Andrea. “They’re so special, every single one of them. Them together, their dynamic as a team, you don’t get that every year.”

She also told the New York Post that her husband is very superstitious and has worn the same pair of underwear throughout this year’s NCAA tournament. 

“They’re like Underoos for adults,” Andrea joked.

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Tottenham could soon have Jadon Sancho 2.0 on their hands if Oliver Glasner arrives - Our View

By: Muhammad Saeed on April 01, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Tottenham are said to be interested in hiring Oliver Glasner as a replacement for Antonio Conte, which could be good news for Romaine Mundle.

What’s the story?

Well – according to Bild – Spurs have made contact with the Austrian as they look to replace Conte.

Interestingly – as detailed by Sky Germany – Glasner has since rejected the offer of a new contract by Eintracht Frankfurt, so it would seem this rumour has legs.

If the 48-year-old does arrive in N17 this summer, it could transform the career of Mundle, a 19-year-old prospect at Spurs on the brink of a first-team breakthrough.

Why?

Well – according to Fabrizio Romano – Glasner wants, or at least wanted, Eintracht Frankfurt to sign Mundle, with FC Köln also interested in the teenager.

Therefore, it certainly seems as if the Austrian is a fan of the London-born winger.

It could even be argued that Eintracht Frankfurt and Glasner see Mundle as someone capable of having a Jadon Sancho style breakthrough.

After Borussia Dortmund plucked the winger from Manchester City’s academy and turned him into a £73m superstar, a number of German clubs have kept an eye on English youth stars in hope of finding the next Sancho.

One example of that is Bayern Munich looking at Everton gem Ellis Simms – as revealed by The Sun.

Mundle was recently named on the bench by Conte for the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in Premier League action, and has also been a regular in first-team training across the last 12 months.

So, it would seem he is not far away from making his senior debut, and the appointment of Glasner could see his career in north London take off.

How Glasner could use Mundle at Tottenham

If Glasner does end up working with Mundle this summer, we could see the teenager – who can operate as a winger on either flank – used more centrally, where he can make an impact as seen in the footage below.

Glasner deploys a 3-4-2-1 system at Eintracht Frankfurt, which involves two attackers playing just behind the striker in more of a narrow shape rather than touchline hugging wide men.

If not there, Mundle could also be trained as a wing-back in the 3-4-2-1 shape.

Wherever he is deployed, Mundle’s career could certainly take off under Glasner given his desire to bring the Tottenham academy graduate to Germany.

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68-year-old boss gives 2-word reaction about becoming the next Tottenham manager

By: Muhammad Saeed on April 01, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Sam Allardyce has responded after being quizzed about whether he intends to become the next Tottenham Hotspur manager.

While names such as Julian Nagelsmann and Vincent Kompany have been heavily linked with taking the job at N17, the former Crystal Palace boss has now given his honest verdict about the opportunity.

In an episode of the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Sam Allardyce gave his thoughts on becoming the next Tottenham Hotspur manager.

What did Allardyce say about becoming the new Tottenham manager?

It would be a surprising turn of events that after all the names speculated with taking the job at N17, including up-and-coming coaches like Arne Slot and Oliver Glasner as well that the 68-year-old eventually takes charge.

Allardyce is currently retired and is known for making headlines through what he says on his famous podcast rather than what he is renowned for doing best; saving teams from relegation.

When asked about whether he plans to becoming the next manager of Tottenham, Sam Allardyce said, “highly unlikely” and went on to chuckle.

It seems like that would be the best for all parties involved.

Tottenham must get their next hire bang on the money

While Sam Allardyce was only joking, it’s key to have a chat about how important it is for Tottenham to appoint the right manager.

Despite Vincent Kompany being rightly lauded for the work he has done at Burnley, it may be too soon for him to turn around the mess at Spurs.

However, names like Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, Oliver Glasner and Arne Slot could implement a new philosophy while causing an upturn in their fortunes.

Out of all those managers, it is understandable why Nagelsmann is the people’s choice, as his innovative tactical ideas and experience at RB Leipzig in particular could be what is needed at the club.

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Report: ‘Outstanding’ star now open to rejecting £35m Liverpool or Newcastle transfer

By: Muhammad Saeed on April 01, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Napoli star Piotr Zielinski is now open to rejecting a transfer to Liverpool or Newcastle United. He has instead set his stance on a possible deal to join Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

Reports by Rudy Galetti in January 2023 listed Zielinski as a transfer target of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. The Anfield boss sees the Napoli midfielder as a viable alternative to Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham. But the England international will be his top target.

Newcastle, too, are keen on a transfer with Napoli for Zielinski this summer, per reports by CalcioMercatoWeb in March 2023. The Toon have begun to explore a swoop and also have the financial clout to thwart Inter Milan’s pursuit. Yet the 28-year-old is looking elsewhere.

Napoli star Zielinski could now complicate Liverpool and Newcastle’s interest

That is according to Calciomercato, which now reports that Zielinski has suggested that he is interested in joining Lazio. The 80-cap Poland technician is facing an uncertain future at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona currently. He enters the final year of his contract in July.

So, Lazio boss Sarri has told Stadio Olimpico chiefs to monitor Zielinski as he would be the perfect replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian will, likewise, enter the final year of his contract in July. So, his agent is now looking to sound out bids of €40m (£35m).

Lazio are also already working to replace Milinkovic-Savic, thus Sarri suggested Zielinski as an ideal target. While the Napoli star has indicated he would be open to joining to reunite with the Biancocelesti manager. It would be the midfielder’s third time playing under Sarri.

Napoli have already set their stance on how much Zielinski’s transfer will cost

Sarri signed Zielinski on loan with Empoli in 2014 before reuniting at Napoli between 2016 and 2018. Now, their past connections could see Zielinski – who Inter Milan icon Giuseppe Bergomi has called ‘outstanding’ – reject a transfer from Napoli to Liverpool or Newcastle.

But Sarri would have to reinvest all of what the Biancocelesti make from selling Milinkovic-Savic. Calciomercato also reported earlier in March 2023 that Napoli have set their stance on Liverpool and Newcastle target Zielinski’s transfer being worth €40m (£35m) to them.

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Manager reported to be Tottenham's 'ideal' Conte replacement last year has penned new contract

By: Muhammad Saeed on March 31, 2023 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Tottenham Hotspur are looking for a new permanent manager after parting company with Antonio Conte last week.

The Italian left Spurs by mutual consent in wake of his explosive post-Southampton press conference.

Plenty of managers have been linked with the Tottenham reins, including Mauricio Pochettino and Julian Nagelsmann.

However, one coach hasn’t been linked with the Spurs job of late, despite links late last year.

In November, journalist Rudy Galetti claimed Spurs were eyeing Benfica’s Roger Schmidt in case Antonio Conte left.

As a contingency plan, Tottenham reportedly identified the 55-year-old as the ‘ideal profile’ in that case.

Speculation linking Schmidt and Spurs petered out soon enough and it never really resumed.

Now, the German has penned a new contract at Benfica until 2026, the Portuguese giants have confirmed.

Schmidt has worked wonders at Benfica, losing just one league game all season.

Second-placed Porto sit 10 points behind the 55-year-old’s side.

In addition, the table-toppers have scored a staggering 66 goals and conceded just 14.

Schmidt would’ve been a good shout for Tottenham due to his quality, style of football and ability to get results.

In September, Total Football Analysis wrote an in-depth article about Schmidt’s Benfica.

‘Benfica have been extremely entertaining to watch under Roger Schmidt,’ they wrote.

‘The German manager has introduced dominant tactics which ensure a controlled approach to all phases of possession.

‘When defending, they are extremely aggressive without allowing the opposition a lot of chances.

‘In addition to interesting tactics, they have an extremely talented and promising squad.

‘With the UEFA Champions League beginning this week, they are certainly a team to watch in the competition.’

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