'Easy': Jamie Carragher delivers Jadon Sancho verdict after Dortmund reach Champions League final

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 08, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Jadon Sancho has gone from zero at Manchester United to hero at Borussia Dortmund in a matter of months.

The Manchester United winger reached the Champions League final on Tuesday night after Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 over two legs.

It now means that the discarded Old Trafford star has the chance to win the European Cup at Wembley.

Not even Jadon Sancho himself can probably believe his current situation because, only a number of months ago, he couldn’t even get into a struggling Manchester United team.

The 24-year-old refused to apologise to his under-fire manager Erik ten Hag for his social media outburst and that road led him back to where he made a name for himself as a teenager.

Jamie Carragher stated that Sancho was ‘brilliant’ over the two legs in Germany and now in Paris, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (07/05/24 at 10:05 pm).

But the Liverpool legend stated it’s ‘easy’ for the player because he knows he is still Manchester United’s player, not Dortmund’s.

Regardless of what happens in the final – either Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid or Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich will earn that ticket – you feel Sancho will surely want to make his loan spell permanent.

This spell in Dortmund worked before and it’s more than working again, whilst he just hasn’t got to grips with the Premier League, although Thierry Henry had some advice of his own.

Carragher explained why the glove might fit perfectly at one club, but at the other, it’s just not meant to be.

Borussia Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain to reach Champions League final

“He was fantastic. He was brilliant,” said Carragher. “It would be easy now because he’s not Dortmund’s player. He is Manchester United’s player.

“Manchester United fans will be watching this game thinking ‘oh, we want that player. We haven’t seen that player for two years’. But that is the player they bought.

“Sometimes, you know this better than anyone, Thierry (Henry). I have only played for one club. Moving clubs, sometimes you just feel, it might just be the kit. The feeling. The stadium. The confidence you have got. It doesn’t feel the right fit at Manchester United and that’s not just for him. That’s for a lot of players.”

Does Jadon Sancho have a Manchester United future?

If the player himself wants nothing but a permanent return to Dortmund, then it will be difficult to change his mind.

If it depends on his manager – ten Hag – then you feel all of that is still in the open.

READ MORE: Exclusive: Manchester United make trip to France to check on summer targets, club expect to lose big name player

Manchester United were stuffed 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday night and now the team are at risk of missing out on European football altogether.

It’s the small matter of a Manchester derby – for the second season running – in the FA Cup final and that end result could have a huge say on whether ten Hag stays or goes in the summer. 

The post 'Easy': Jamie Carragher delivers Jadon Sancho verdict after Dortmund reach Champions League final appeared first on HITC.

Pundit says Arsenal star can do ‘everything’ and even play centre-forward for Mikel Arteta

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 07, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Arsenal are two games away from knowing their destiny in this season’s Premier League title race.

Compared to the previous campaign, Mikel Arteta is ensuring that his players are pushing Manchester City all the way.

Arsenal comfortably beat Bournemouth 3-0 on Saturday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive with goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice.

All three have been very important players, especially the club’s record transfer and the pressure that was on his shoulders when he first joined.

Rice has shown very little sign of pressure or the fact that he doesn’t have the quality to step up a level.

Instead, the 25-year-old has entered the Arsenal building, stuck his chest out and proceeded to be his team’s best player.

Leroy Rosenior was sure to give his flowers to the England star and how he is already ‘impossible to replace’, as he told Premier League Productions (06/05/24 at 5:50 pm).

Rice has been a regular in that midfield for Arteta, playing a much deeper number six role when required and then pushing forward when need be as an attack-minded number eight.

It was added that Rice is someone who is ‘good at everything’ and if he wanted to, he could play as a centre-forward for Arteta.

Declan Rice can play everywhere

“He’s impossible to replace when you look at these stats, the distance covered he is top, interceptions, he is top, tackles, top and passes into the final third, top,” said Rosenior.

“All these stats suggest that he is good at everything. £100 million has been an absolute bargain for him. You are thinking he is going to be a great number six. He started at centre-back. You look at him, he can play centre-forward if he wants to. He is that good of an all-round footballer. He has almost given the icing on the cake for Arsenal.”

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes

Luck is needed and a favour from others. Step forward Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham United.

These are Manchester City’s remaining three matches. Usually, they see this out and pick up maximum points.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher admits singing ‘catchy’ song about Arsenal player 

But trips to Craven Cottage and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium aren’t going to be easy. Ian Wright had a message for Spurs.

It would be a Netflix-esque script if Spurs, of all teams, help Arsenal out in the title race because there is a possibility it could happen.

The post Pundit says Arsenal star can do ‘everything’ and even play centre-forward for Mikel Arteta appeared first on HITC.

Tim Sherwood says Ange Postecoglou would pick £42m Tottenham star as his 'best player' this season

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 07, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Tottenham’s season is fading away and negatively slumping to the ground.

After ten Premier League matches, Tottenham were sitting top of the Premier League table on 26 points and dreaming of the unthinkable.

It was a remarkable start by Ange Postecoglou following his move from Celtic and it had lifted the dark clouds from the previous campaign.

But in typical fashion, it wasn’t long before things came crashing down and it all started with that 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea.

Tottenham have still produced many strong performances since then, including beating Aston Villa 4-0 away from home.

But in recent months, it has been far more difficult and the manager has called for ‘changes’ to be made via the transfer market.

Tim Sherwood thinks those players Postecoglou wants to bring in to suit his style of play ‘don’t exist’, as he told Premier League Productions (06/05/24 at 2:35 pm).

The former Blackburn captain added that two players at Hotspur Way – Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero – get through too much work.

Very few teams in Europe play with the bravery and attacking nature like Spurs, so you need some bottle to play in that system.

And with Postecoglou’s first season at Spurs drawing to a close, Sherwood thinks the Greek-born Australian would pick Romero, a £42 million signing, as his ‘best player’.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven

“I don’t think those players exist to play that way all of the time,” said Sherwood about Postecoglou wanting to bring in players to suit his style.

“I think his two best players are van de Ven, with the pace. But even van de Ven. If you are asking him to do 40-50 yard recovery runs 20 or 30 times a game, then you are going to do your hamstrings.

“If you asked him (Postecoglou) today, who is your best player of the season? He would say Romero, so he isn’t changing them two. That’s where the pressure comes. From the two centre-backs left on their own to defend.”

Daniel Levy needs to back Ange Postecoglou

Fans have been here many times before. Do they trust Daniel Levy to bring in the required players for their manager?

He has shown so much promise and lifted the mood around the club like never before.

READ MORE: Midfielder admits he was ‘lost’ before Tottenham exit & now he’s had his ‘best season’ at ‘huge club’

It looks likely that Spurs will miss out on a Champions League place, but at a minimum, they will be playing in Europe against next season.

That’s a positive step forward, in order to maintain that and then go again, the manager needs to be backed in the transfer market.

The post Tim Sherwood says Ange Postecoglou would pick £42m Tottenham star as his 'best player' this season appeared first on HITC.

Tim Sherwood says 'very weak' Tottenham star has been 'found out', fires shots at Postecoglou

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 06, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

It has been a week to forget for Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou.

When Tottenham were beaten at Newcastle United on April 13, they had 15 days to stew on it before they were in action again.

In the space of a week, Spurs have lost a north London derby, suffered another defeat at Stamford Bridge and were comfortably beaten by Liverpool on Sunday.

One constant theme that has proved to haunt the Champions League-chasing side is conceding from set-plays, especially corners.

Two of Arsenal’s three goals were from corners, whilst Chelsea also scored from dead-ball situations.

Many have questioned Ange Postecoglou on this and how he possibly needs a set-piece coach, but he has always shut it down.

That hasn’t impressed Tim Sherwood because he claimed that the former Celtic boss ‘talks too much to the press’ and is ’too honest’, as he told Premier League Productions (06/05/24 at 2:30 pm).

He also highlighted how goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, after making a strong start to the season, has now been ‘found out’ and is ‘very weak’ from corners.

Guglielmo Vicario and Tottenham’s issues from corners

“Ange, I love him, he looks like a guy you want to go out and have a pint with on a Sunday, but he talks too much to the press and he is too honest,” said Sherwood. 

“He is talking about the set-pieces. The high line and this is us. This is where we are going to play. I think they have been found out. It looks like they have a little bit. When he is talking there about the set-pieces is not important. It is important. He has no reason to say it isn’t important. Why would you say that?

“The goalkeeper has been found out. He has been a target and seems like he is very weak from crosses. People are highlighting that. This is the Premier League. This is the most competitive league in the world. You are going to get found out. It’s not Scotland, with respect. Or Japan. Or Australia.”

Ange Postecoglou doesn’t need a set-piece coach

Aston Villa have a set-piece coach – Austin MacPhee – who is highly rated and has done wonders for the club.

But, from a defensive aspect, Villa have been off it this season and conceded the same amount as Tottenham from set-plays (14).

READ MORE: GARY NEVILLE SAYS ONLY MANCHESTER CITY HAVE ‘BETTERED’ ONE THING DANIEL LEVY HAS DONE AT TOTTENHAM

So, calls for Postecoglou to bring in a set-piece coach are off the park. Tottenham just need to trust him. Give him time and let’s see what he cooks.

That won’t require just time and patience, but also the marmite-like figure Daniel Levy backing his manager in the transfer market. 

The post Tim Sherwood says 'very weak' Tottenham star has been 'found out', fires shots at Postecoglou appeared first on HITC.

'They shouldn't be at this club': Paul Scholes rages at Manchester United duo after defeat to Palace

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 06, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Manchester United suffered another low point after they were demolished 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday night at Selhurst Park.

There is already big pressure on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders amid doubts about his future at the club, but you feel this latest defeat was the worst of the lot.

Paul Scholes was left seething by what he saw and how Manchester United were ‘so easy to play against that it’s untrue’.

Yes, the European chasers had several key players missing, but it still shouldn’t account for the team producing such a shambolic display, especially from a defensive aspect.

Crystal Palace scored two goals in either half, with the home team having 18 efforts on goal. Ten of which were on target.

Given the injuries at centre-back, the experienced Casemiro was deployed at the heart of the defence, alongside another veteran, Jonny Evans.

The midfield consisted of teenager Kobbie Mainoo and playmaker Christian Eriksen playing a much deeper role.

But Scholes admitted that Casemiro was a ’tough watch’ and how he spent most of his time on his backside, with transfer target Michael Olise causing him many issues, as he told Premier League Productions (06/05/24 at 9:55 pm).

Another player he singled out was Eriksen and how he didn’t have the physicality to compete in the middle of the park.

But the Treble-winner under Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t pull any punches because he added that certain players just ‘shouldn’t be at the club’.

Casemiro horror show against Crystal Palace

“A very upsetting and sad performance,” said Scholes. “Even though there are a lot of players out who would probably start in the team. Five or six probably of the main ones. But it felt like one team had been coached and set up how to play. And one team that was so easy to play against that it’s untrue. 

“There are still some good players in that Man United team and playing out on that pitch. You think of the likes of Casemiro. He’s tough to have a go at. What a player he has been over the years, but that was tough to watch, he was on his backside most of the time. People like Christian Eriksen as well. That physicality in the middle of the pitch has gone.

“I reckon that could have happened four or five times where Casemiro sits down and somebody skips past him. The lads not a centre-halve. It’s tough to have a bit of a pop at him. He has done so much for the game. A fantastic footballer. It’s difficult watching a few of these actually because I do feel they are towards the end. They shouldn’t be at a club of this stature really.”

Manchester United need a summer clear-out

It remains to be seen if ten Hag will continue in his role beyond this season. The FA Cup final against Manchester City is going to be huge.

One thing is for sure, if Man United get thumped and beaten heavily at Wembley, then ten Hag will probably be packing his own bags.

READ MORE: ‘HE ENJOYS BEING ON THE PITCH…’ CASEMIRO LAUDS ‘EXCELLENT’ PLAYER AT MANCHESTER UNITED

Either way, the majority of the squad at Manchester United needs to head for the exit door and continue their careers elsewhere.

Far too many players have simply failed, failed and failed under several managers and there comes a point where you no longer look towards the dugout.

The post 'They shouldn't be at this club': Paul Scholes rages at Manchester United duo after defeat to Palace appeared first on HITC.

Exclusive: Manchester United make trip to France to check on summer targets

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 06, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

HITC understands that Manchester United were represented at Nice’s game in Strasbourg over the weekend.

United’s new footballing department – run by their new minority owners INEOS – are working hard on summer recruitment, and one avenue they are considering is the potential of raiding sister club Nice.

The advantage with looking at Nice, is that staff at INEOS already have very good knowledge of the potential players that could switch to Old Trafford.

Man Utd check on Jean-Clair Todibo, Melvin Bard and Khephren Thuram

HITC revealed in April that United had an interest in Nice trio Jean-Clair Todibo, Melvin Bard and Khephren Thuram, and they are seemingly continuing to do their work on them.

United are maintaining a watching brief and HITC understands that United had personnel in Strasbourg to see Nice claim a 3-1 win over the weekend.

All three, Todibo, Thuram and Bard played the full 90 minutes of the win against Strasbourg as Nice maintained their push for a top-four finish. The win on Sunday sees them remain in fifth place, four points off Lille.

HITC understands Nice are gearing up to lose at least one big name this summer, which many believe would be Thuram or Todibo.

In January, Nice’s sporting director Florent Ghisolfi emphasised their desire to keep them at the club.

“We want to have stability and stability is keeping

best players. They are definitely that. We absolutely want to keep them,” he told Get French News.

HITC understands that Chelsea were also represented at the game, but sources insist that they are regularly in attendance as they check on the progress of their sister club.

The post Exclusive: Manchester United make trip to France to check on summer targets appeared first on HITC.

Midfielder admits he was ‘lost’ before Tottenham exit & now he's had his 'best season' at 'huge club'

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 05, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

There have been cycles that have repeated themselves at Tottenham Hotspur over the years.

For large periods, when Mauricio Pochettino was at the club, there was stability, hope and togetherness like never before.

Tottenham were Champions League regulars, even challenging for the Premier League title at one point and also getting to a European Cup final.

Many players helped Spurs to that. From the free-scoring Harry Kane, the underrated Son Heung-min, rising star Dele Alli, the midfield technician Christian Eriksen, the academy product Harry Winks, the strong defensive duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, to name a few.

But in next to no time, all of that was wiped away and a number of those players have left.

In some cases, like Dele Alli, his career went backwards and now he is trying to pick himself up at Everton.

But one man who has gone under the radar is the popular midfielder, Winks.

The last few years of his career at Spurs just drifted away, with a failed loan spell in Italy, before he left last summer for then-relegated Leicester City.

Winks has since helped the Midlands club earn promotion back to the Premier League and admitted that it has been his ‘best’ and ‘most enjoyable’ season to date, as he told Football Focus.

The 28-year-old was a regular starter for the Foxes as they clinched the Championship title – he played over 4,000 minutes, scoring two goals and only missed one match.

But he did admit that his final years at Hotspur Way made him ‘lose faith’ and he felt like he was ‘lost’.

Harry Winks at Tottenham Hotspur

“It’s something you don’t want to do, if I am being totally honest with you,” said Winks about dropping down a division.

“You want to stay in the Premier League. That’s the holy grail. When I see a club like Leicester come in for me. I see the infrastructure and the history of this club, it’s such a big club and a huge and strong Premier League club. There was no doubt about the club, for me.

On his last few years at Tottenham: “A little bit of all of that really (lost and losing faith). I had such a strong and positive start to my career at Tottenham where things were great. Then I had a little bit of a spell where I didn’t really get the football I wanted to play. I didn’t really get enough game time to show anything. It’s tough. But you have to, somehow, stay resilient, keep confident and make a big decision. That was last year for me to leave and try something new. Sitting back and looking at it now, it’s probably been my most enjoyable and best season yet.”

Harry Winks returns to the Premier League with Leicester City

Well, Leicester will be gearing up for trips to Tottenham again after their promotion to the Premier League.

When that game comes about, it will prove to be a pretty emotional one for Winks because it would be the first time he comes up against his former club. 

READ MORE: Simon Jordan slams Tottenham star who plays ‘without a brain’ & also criticises James Maddison

But the England international’s call to move has now paid off because he is a better player for it.

Not only that, Winks’ experience in the Premier League is going to be vital as Leicester aim to re-establish themselves at the top table.

The post Midfielder admits he was ‘lost’ before Tottenham exit & now he's had his 'best season' at 'huge club' appeared first on HITC.