‘Vulnerable’ Man Utd player has made big improvement, pundit says it’s only fair he gets credit

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 25, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Manchester United are preparing to take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final which could be Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag guided the Red Devils to a third placed finish in his debut season at Manchester United but the Dutchman has struggled this campaign with United finishing in eighth place in the Premier League.

Injuries have been a massive issues for the Dutchman and rumours are swirling about his future at Old Trafford. One signing that has worked out for Ten Hag this campaign has been former Inter Milan and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The Cameroon international was brought into the club as a replacement for David De Gea, but Onana struggled to settle in the first half of the season. In the second half of the season, however, the 28-year-old has been one of the club’s most improved players.

Townsend on Onana

Speaking on talkSPORT, commentator Andy Townsend has given his verdict on the former Ajax goalkeeper, who certainly looked shaky during his first few months at Old Trafford.

“He has got better as the season has gone on, Townsend said. “At the start, he looked, I thought, very vulnerable. Remember the game against Wolves? There is no doubt, I think, that as the season has gone on, he has definitely got better, I think. It’s only fair that’s pointed out. At the start, he looked ordinary, I thought.”

A plethora of high profile mistakes, during the Red Devils’ Champions League campaign in particular, has led to criticism of Onana but the Cameroon international has fought back to be one of United’s best players.

Onana key in Manchester derby clash

Onana will be key when United take on Manchester City with the distribution of the goalkeeper set to be vital if United are to have any chances of causing an upset at Wembley.

A new goalkeeper was one of the priorities for the Red Devils with De Gea’s distribution becoming an issue. Onana has been one of the best signings made under Ten Hag.

It has been a tough season for the United goalkeeper but he has performed very well in the second half of the season and has adapted to the tough nature of English football.

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Tottenham and West Ham risk missing out on 28-goal striker as interested club push for £15m deal

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 25, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Borussia Dortmund are pushing to seal the signing of VFB Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy this summer, HITC understands.

This summer looks set to be a busy one with a host of top level strikers potentially on the market this summer with a plethora of top sides in need of a new centre-forward.

One of the forwards who could be available this summer is Stuttgart foward Serhou Guirassy, who has had a superb season in the Bundesliga.

As Borussia Dortmund are preparing for next week’s Champions League final, it seems the German side are also working on their transfer plans with a move for Guirassy a distinct possibility.

Guirassy interest

HITC understands that Dortmund are the side who have made the most progress when it comes to the signing of the forward this summer but a host of Premier League clubs are also interested.

West Ham United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are understood to be keen on Guirassy, but it seems the German side have stolen a march on these English clubs.

The Guinea forward is understood to be available for just £15 million this summer, which has naturally led to a host of sides, who are short of a striker, to be interested.

HITC has been told that West Ham, Newcastle, Tottenham and United – who have all shown an interest in recent months – have all been made aware that if they want the player, they will have to make their move sooner rather than later.

Dortmund’s transfer plans

The German side have had a brilliant season and it seems they are already working on their summer plans with HITC reporting that they are keen on signing Ian Maatsen from Chelsea and Jadon Sancho from United on permanent deals.

Both of these players have made a big impact in Dortmund and a new centre-forward could well complete the puzzle with Guirassy, who has netted 28 times in the Bundesliga this season, potentially being a good fit at the German giants.

Guirassy has had an extraordinary season in the Bundesliga and a move to Dortmund could continue his upward progress. If Sancho were to remain at Dortmund next season, which is understood to be his intention, a lethal linkup with Guirassy could be formed.

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Barcelona star's contract talks have stalled, several Premier League clubs are on alert to the situation

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 25, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Ronald Araujo’s contract talks with Barcelona have stalled, which has led to a host of clubs declaring their interest in the defender.

Barcelona are set for a summer rebuild with boss Xavi Hernandez potentially on his way out of the club following an interview which seemed to cause issues for the decisionmakers at the Spanish club.

Former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick, is set to be offered the top job at the Nou Camp with the future of the former Barcelona midfielder set to be called into question in the next few days.

As a result, a rebuild could well be expected but one of the players they are keen to hold on too is Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo.

Araujo interest

The 25-year-old defender is attracting interest from a host of top clubs if he does decide to leave Spain. HITC has been told that a host of Premier League clubs are understood to be interested, if a new contract is not agreed with Barcelona.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are understood to be watching the situation closely. Despite this, HITC has also been told that these clubs are under the assumption that the 25-year-old will commit his future to the Spanish club.

However, Araujo is understood to be frustrated with how these contract talks have gone with Barcelona and his representatives have alerted clubs to this and that means that the defender could be available for a transfer this summer.

After winning the league title with Barcelona in his debut season, Xavi has struggled hugely to get things right with the Spanish side suffering a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter final.

United’s need for a new defender

Despite the talk of Chelsea and Liverpool’s interest, United may well be the best placed side to sign the 25-year-old as their need for a centre-back may well be greater than the other two sides.

With Raphael Varane on his way out of Old Trafford, a new right footed centre-back will be needed at United. As well as this, the future of current United boss Erik ten Hag is unclear and a new centre-back could be targeted by the new boss, if the Dutchman is to be replaced.

Araujo would offer superb defensive solidity as well as an ability to play out of the back consistently, which United have not had this season due to Lisandro Martinez’s injury problems.

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'He's had a great season': Liverpool told controversial signing of Premier League star would ‘excite fans’

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 23, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

All eyes will be on Arne Slot to see who he signs for Liverpool this summer.

Jurgen Klopp had a knack for bringing in players you probably didn’t deem world-class when they first arrived or those who were on the edge, before transforming them into world-beaters.

From Andy Robertson to Sadio Mane, you can provide many examples of Liverpool making these players shine and become club legends.

Now it’s the turn of Arne Slot, who will officially begin work on Merseyside next month, and whether he has that Klopp magic in his locker remains to be seen. 

One thing the Dutchman will find is that Fenway Sports Group (FSG), in comparison to their rivals, don’t spend heavily, so he will have to think outside of the box.

Even though everyone has known for months now that Klopp was going to leave, it hasn’t stopped the transfer rumour mill from throwing up names that could move to Anfield, even crazy and controversial ones. 

One man who has recently been suggested is Newcastle United hitman, Anthony Gordon.

The Euro 2024 hopeful, who has been called up by Gareth Southgate for England’s training squad, moved to St James’ Park from Everton during the 2023 January transfer window. 

Glen Johnson stated that this is a signing that would ‘excite’ the Liverpool faithful if you ‘took away the Everton situation’, as he told Squawka.

But the former right-back warned that fans would ‘soon jump on his back’ if he signed for them and it didn’t work out.

Anthony Gordon to Liverpool?

“First of all, like anything in football, if he performs they won’t care where he’s come from, but if he doesn’t they’ll soon jump on his back,” said Johnson.

“So, for him, it’d definitely be a risky move, but not if he’s confident in what he can deliver. If he performs, he’d win the fans over.

“I think he’s a good player, he’s had a great season, I guess the concerns would be that Newcastle would probably want double what they paid for him. So whether he’s that good, I don’t know. But he’s certainly a player that I think would excite Liverpool fans if you took away the Everton situation.”

Anthony Gordon’s importance to Newcastle United

There has been a lot of talk about FFP and how Newcastle might need to sell. They haven’t been helped by Dougie Freedman’s decision to stay at Crystal Palace.

But you just couldn’t see the Magpies selling Gordon, especially when they have their own ambitions of getting back into the Champions League.

READ MORE: Liverpool tipped to sign London-based duo for ‘£120m’ & sell Mohamed Salah

Plus, would Liverpool be able to afford him? Probably not. You are talking about a hefty transfer fee here and you just can’t see it happening.

It’s just probably one of those crazy transfer rumours that you get now and again.

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‘I hope’… Gary Lineker says Arne Slot should permanently change Liverpool player’s position

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 23, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Gary Lineker believes that incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot has to follow Jurgen Klopp’s lead when it comes to one Liverpool player.

Former Feyenoord manager Arne Slot was confirmed to be the new Liverpool manager earlier this week with HITC Football reporting that the Dutch manager put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Anfield.

Slot will begin work at Anfield on the 1st of June and you’d expect the Dutchman will hold talks with the decision makers at the club about who to bring in and who to build his team around.

One player who will be hoping to make a big impression under Slot is Trent Alexander-Arnold. HITC reported a couple of days ago that Liverpool’s priority was to tie down the Englishman to a new long-term contract at Anfield.

Lineker’s advice for Slot

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp deployed Alexander-Arnold in midfield at times and, speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast, Gary Lineker believes that Slot should follow the German’s lead in where to play the Englishman.

“He’s still playing right-back for Liverpool. Occasionally he has played in midfield, but it’s kind of the inverted full-back role, he goes and does what he wants,” Lineker said.

“I hope the new manager when he comes in plays Trent in midfield at Liverpool. I think that’s his position, I really do, I always have. It would be lovely to see him play there regularly.”

Alexander-Arnold started two of his 37 games in midfield this season, but was most commonly seen coming inside when starting at right-back.

Alexander-Arnold’s midfield role

In the last couple of England squads, Gareth Southgate has named Alexander-Arnold in his squad but, crucially, as one of his midfielders.

With the emergence of 20-year-old right-back Conor Bradley for Liverpool, moving Alexander-Arnold in midfield seems like a logical move but it was Klopp’s assistant Pep Lijnders who made that decision.

“My idea constantly was the best No. 6 I had in the U16s was Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Lijnders told The Redmen TV. “It’s not to only have extra players inside, to have four here (in the midfield), to have the same as what Bobby Firmino did.

“‘We need the extra player, we need Trent there. I tell you it will work, it will work’.”

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‘This is wild’: European football expert stunned by Tottenham transfer rumour involving defender

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 22, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

The dust has settled on Tottenham Hotspur’s season.

It was a largely encouraging debut campaign for Ange Postecoglou and one that didn’t feature Harry Kane for the first time in a decade.

Despite Tottenham losing such a key figure, they still managed to improve their performances, results, style of play and end-of-season finish, with Europa League football returning next season.

Of course, there was the small matter of their post-season friendly with Newcastle United, which didn’t go down well with some.

But now Postecoglou can look forward to the summer ahead, the transfer window re-opening and bulking up his squad.

There is a lot of pressure on Daniel Levy to deliver in the transfer market because Spurs fans, for the first time in a long time, very much like the manager in their dugout.

But as per with someone like Levy, it’s not just about who the club brings in. It’s also about who they let go, in order to balance the books.

Tottenham have to trim their squad before they can start making the big moves and that’s where the club’s latest transfer rumour takes everyone down a road not many expected.

There are suggestions in the German media that Bayern Munich, who signed Kane and Eric Dier, want to bring in right-back Emerson Royal.

Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard described this rumour as ‘wild’ even though Bayern don’t need him, as he posted on Twitter.

Emerson isn’t a starter for Spurs, with Pedro Porro playing ahead of him. But the same applied to Dier, yet that didn’t stop the German club from bringing him in.

Emerson Royal and Bayern Munich

“This Emerson Royal to Bayern story is wild,” said Hatchard.

“He’s isn’t good enough, he’d be too expensive and they don’t need a right-back. Apart from all that, it makes perfect sense.”

Daniel Levy has to back Ange Postecoglou

Yes, the season perhaps ended disappointingly, even if the last game of the season was a win at already-relegated Sheffield United.

But there are positive vibes around the place. Some top-quality players at the club. From James Maddison to Micky van de Ven.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: TOTTENHAM COULD LAUNCH DOUBLE TRANSFER RAID OF CHELSEA, INCLUDING CONOR GALLAGHER

Spurs just need to go again and add another layer to their armoury. It wouldn’t take them to the end result, but it would increase their chances of a top-four finish next term.

This is where fans will really get to see how ambitious Levy is because he has a manager who is ticking many boxes since he arrived. 

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‘He has been as good as anyone’: Jason Cundy says Chelsea duo will now be sold after Pochettino's exit

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 22, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Mauricio Pochettino has departed Chelsea and the club now have to open up a new chapter.

As of this moment, the book Todd Boehly and Co. are writing is more horror than adventure or poetry.

In as many seasons, Chelsea have had three permanent managers of different styles and characters, yet none of them can seem to work with the club’s new ownership.

One thing that can’t be argued is that Mauricio Pochettino improved Chelsea from where he found them and that was in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

The style of play was improving, individuals were showing signs of life and they ended the campaign in a very strong fashion by winning five games on the bounce.

Yes, it’s not Champions League football that they have secured, but it’s still a sixth-placed finish and a return to Europe. All in all, it still couldn’t stop Pochettino’s exit.

But exactly why did he leave? Jason Cundy spoke about the recruitment side of things and how there could be a disagreement of some sort.

Conor Gallagher has been a very crucial player for Chelsea this season. Starting 50 out of 51 matches, but there has been talk of him going this summer and not being offered a new contract, as sources have previously told HITC.

Then there is Trevoh Chalobah, who was injured for most of the season, but another Chelsea player wanted by Tottenham and another who could depart.

Cundy thinks those two are heading for the exit door when the transfer window re-opens, even though someone like Chalobah has been ‘as good as anyone’ in that Chelsea dressing room, as he told talkSPORT. 

Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah to leave Chelsea after Mauricio Pochettino

“We saw Mase (Mount) go and it feels like it is playing out in a similar way, certainly with Conor (Gallagher),” said Cundy.

“Chalobah has been outstanding since he has come back. But he has been as good as anyone defensively. I know he has been back, I think it was February when he made his first appearance. He has been as solid and as reliable as anyone.

“If you are selling the players you want to play. I think Chalobah starts in our best XI. Conor starts. Certainly Pochettino’s best XI. If those players are being sold under your feet. We don’t know. We are speculating, but from what we know and are reading in the press, it feels like those players are up for sale. If the bids are good enough, then they are prepared to listen.”

Mauricio Pochettino is right to walk away

The club statement read ‘mutually agreed’. It’s pretty clear that Pochettino just wasn’t bowing down to the demands of the Chelsea boardroom and he clearly wanted more say.

There is no point in being a puppet, especially if the club are going to sell such key players.

READ MORE: Exclusive: Newcastle and Chelsea eye La Liga star with £86m release clause, club ready to sell

Regardless of whoever comes in, this now puts serious pressure on the Chelsea owners and John Terry has already fired his warning.

If they don’t start next season strongly, then you do fear for the owners and how the club’s fans will turn against them inside the stadium.

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