This is beginning to get really frustrating, isn’t it? Liverpool just won’t let up and Manchester City are having to work magnificently hard for their second successive Premier League title. Why can’t life supporting the Sky Blues be easy, right? 

Despite their form being impeccable since the turn of the year, City just can’t shake Liverpool as they remain the only side to have beaten them in the league this season.

Still, Man City obviously remain in with a chance at securing a domestic treble, something that would only further demonstrate how good Pep and his players are, so it’s not as if everything is a complete disaster.

Now focus is completely on that but this summer, with a big budget sure to be available, maybe the Citizens should first examine their youth prospects.

Attacking-midfielder Adrian Bernabe is someone that be of amazing use for City’s first team and Pep Guardiola should seriously consider giving him a chance during pre-season.

Bernabe is a youngster that has thrived in the development system, so much so, he could be of use to the first-team sooner than expected. Previously of Barcelona, his pedigree already shows why Adrian Bernabe is blessed with such excellence on the ball and it’s now only a matter of time before Pep Guardiola notices.

The 17-year-old managed to play in the EFL Cup this season but for the rest of the season, his time has been spent with the U23’s, where he has three goals and six assists.

Man City already have a number of seriously creative players in their team and Adrian Bernabe would only add to that, if given the chance to shine in pre-season.

Pep is clearly a fan of giving his youngsters the chance to show what they’re all about so why not give Adrian Bernabe that same opportunity this summer?

City fans, do you agree? Join the discussion and let us know down below!

[ad_pod ]

At the weekend, Luton Town became the first team outside of the Premier League to score 50 goals at home this season.

Only Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, have done likewise in 2018-19, with the record achieved in Luton’s 4-0 win over Doncaster.

But how exactly have the League One leaders gone about it?

Football FanCast breaks down the stats below!

Top goalscorers

James Collins has scored 12 goals at home this season and is, far and away, the club’s highest goalscorer at Kenilworth Road.

In second place, Danny Hylton has scored seven, while Elliot Lee has netted six.

A total of 14 separate goalscorers have found the net, with four of the strikes coming from the penalty spot.

Behind Hylton and Lee, Harry Cornick has scored four goals. Three players have scored three, four have scored two and two have scored one. There has also been one own goal, scored by Fleetwood Town’s Craig Morgan in a 2-0 defeat.

The breakdown

Luton’s home record is frightening.

They have scored in every game at Kenilworth Road bar one, a 0-0 draw with Barnsley. They are also unbeaten at home, only dropping points five times, in draws with Sunderland, Charlton Athletic, Barnsley, Coventry City and Gillingham.

They have scored three goals or more on nine occasions, and have won by a margin of four a total of four times.

Indeed, per footystats, Luton average 2.5 goals per match at home, compared with just 1.37 away from home.

Their home form has been key to their challenge for promotion – they last lost a match at home in March of 2018, when they fell to a 2-1 loss to Accrington Stanley. Stanley, of course, finished first in League Two last term while Luton ended the season second.

Interestingly, Luton often score late; footystats report that 24% of their home goals are scored between the 76th minute and the 90th, more than any other time.

Too good for League One

Luton are surely set for a second successive promotion.

They have not lost, home or away, in 26 matches and are five points clear of second-placed Barnsley in League One.

The statistics bear out the fact that they are, quite simply, too good for the division.

They have scored the most goals – unsurprisingly, given their seemingly bionic home form – and have the highest goal difference by a significant margin.

Mick Harford’s side have enjoyed a simply unstoppable season and, with seven games of the season remaining, it appears as though the run could go on for a little while yet.

With 83 points currently on the board, Luton could end the season with 104 points if they win out, which would set the record of the highest tally ever achieved in League One. The current holders are Wolves, who took 103 points en route to promotion in 2013-14.

[ad_pod ]

Southampton are edging closer towards securing their Premier League safety after opening up a five point gap on 18th-place Cardiff City.

With Ralph Hasenhuttl at the helm it seems like the Saints should have enough to remain in the division this season, but they cannot afford to spend another season treading water following two thoroughly underwhelming campaigns.

The summer transfer window will be key to providing Hasenhuttl with the tools he needs to transform Southampton into the top-ten side they once were.

A recent report from The Sun earlier this week suggests that the club have already identified a summer target in the shape of Birmingham City hitman Che Adams, although Everton, Burnley and Norwich City are also interested.

And the rumour has sparked plenty of debate at Football FanCast towers regarding Adams’ potential to thrive in the top-flight and whether he would actually represent an upgrade on Danny Ings.

Take a look at what our writers have said about Southampton’s link to the Championship goal-machine…

James Beavis

“He wouldn’t be an upgrade on Ings, but I would be interested to see him playing alongside Ings next season. Ralph Hasenhuttl has preferred a 4-2-2-2 system in his previous jobs, and the duo could form a strong partnership together. Ings is undoubtedly a penalty-box striker and given his consistent injury issues, he could do with someone alongside him to do the running for him. Step forward, Adams. The impressive striker is something of an all-round centre-forward given his pace, strength and work rate. In my opinion, they’d be Saints’ best striker partnership since Pelle and Mane.”

Matt Dawson

“Undoubtedly. Adams has been a revelation for Birmingham this season and definitely deserves a Premier League move. It’s unlikely there will be a shortage of suitors this summer and it would be extremely exciting to see how he’d fare under Ralph Hasenhuttl. He’s an extremely progressive coach and Adams would suit Southampton perfectly.”

Jack Saville

“I’m a huge fan of Adams and it could prove to be a stroke of genius if Southampton sign him for the £15 million which Birmingham are believed to be demanding for his signature. While Ings has the potential to be a fantastic top-flight striker, his torrid record with injuries proves that he cannot be relied upon for more than a few weeks never mind a full season. Bringing Adams in to the club would give the Saints a talisman for the fans to worship and he certainly has the potential to establish himself ahead of Ings in the pecking order.”

Harry Elnaugh

“I think he could be an upgrade on Ings. Southampton’s front line has been plagued by injuries this season and, while Ings is a fantastic finisher who could score 15 goals a season under Hasenhuttl, he isn’t guaranteed to stay fit, so relying on him so heavily for goals could be a mistake. Adams, meanwhile, has played 40 games in the league for Birmingham this season and epitomises the never-say-die attitude that Hasenhuttl has instilled at St Mary’s. He’s got raw pace, power and an incredible engine, all of which are attributes that make him the perfect man to lead a high-intensity front line.”

رفض مدرب فريق مانشستر سيتي بيب جوارديولا الإدلاء بتصريحات واضحة حول مستقبله في النادي الإنجليزي وإمكانية التوقيع على عقد جديد.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للمدرب الإسباني مع السكاي بلو، في عام 2021.

وذكرت تقارير صحفية، في اليومين الماضيين، أن هناك اتجاه لإجراء مناقشات قريبًا بين مسؤولي مانشستر سيتي وجوارديولا حول تجديد عقده (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وعندما سُئل عن ذلك الأمر، أجاب جوارديولا في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “لا”، وأضاف ضاحكًا: “عليك أن تسأل الصحفي!”.

وأضاف: “مستقبلي واضح! أذهب إلى لندن، ما هو أفضل من ذلك؟!”.

وردًا ما إذا كانت التكهنات حول مستقبله في ملعب الاتحاد قد تؤثر على اللاعبين، أجاب بيب: “لا بالتأكيد”.

وأوضح: “إنهم يريدون أن يلعبوا بشكل جيد في كل مباراة، عندما يكونون على أرض الملعب، فإنهم يفعلون كل شيء مع مدرب ما أو آخر لأنهم محترفون ويريدون القيام بذلك بشكل جيد، لذلك لا شيء يتغير”.

Claims that Rafa Benitez has demanded funds of £75 million to spend on strikers if he is to stay, appear to be how some people interpreted his post-match comments following the defeat to Arsenal on Monday.

But if you listen to what he actually said, it is not exactly the point he was making.

A report in the Daily Mirror yesterday suggested that it was some sort of ultimatum, which is not how it appeared to us.

They report Benitez said: “The final third, we have been speaking all season… the final third you have to spend £40m, £50m, £75m.”

He is quite right, too.

The point he was making is for a team to be able to compete week in, week out, and challenge the top six sides, they would need to spend those sums of money.

But Rafa has consistently maintained that he does not want, or expect, Newcastle to be transformed overnight into a title-chasing club, or even to be perennial Champion’s League contenders.

He wants to be given a budget that will see the club pull away from their annual relegation scrap, consolidate themselves as a top half team, and if results go better than expected, could push for a top seven or eight finish.

After two or three seasons as an established squad, maybe then they could increase the budget, due to higher prize payouts, and look to kick on towards Europa League places.

To suggest that he is demanding ridiculous amounts for the next transfer window is mischief-making.

It is misinformation like this that gives fans in other regions of the country the wrong impression that Newcastle fans expect success, when all they have ever wanted is a team they can be proud of, that wears the black and white stripes with pride, and makes them excited for Saturdays to arrive.

Do you expect Newcastle to entice Benitez to stay? Do you think it would take a huge budget to convince him? Let us know…

Arsenal are searching for bargains once again this summer, and Leicester ace Youri Tielemans would fit the bill perfectly, if they can fight off reported interest from Manchester United.

Indeed, the former Anderlecht ace was thought to have been a target for the Gunners over the course of the January transfer window, with El Gol Digital (via Sport Witness’ Naveen Ullal) claiming Unai Emery has requested the midfielder, though HLN recently reported of United’s interest.

The 21-year-old Monaco midfielder is on loan at The King Power Stadium, and – clearly – he’s has been a revelation since Brendan Rodgers took over. He’s notched two goals and three assists since the start of February and his long-range strike against Huddersfield certainly raised eyebrows.

Rodgers has made it clear in press conferences he wants to make the move permanent, but the Telegraph believe it would cost them a club record £40m. That may well be out of Leicester’s reach, but it could be a great long-term buy for Arsenal despite the initial cost.

He’s certainly not a bargain when you look at that figure, but he’s so young that he has the potential to play for the club for the next 10 years. In that case, he looks a bargain, so the Arsenal board need to get a move on.

It’ll be hard to find the cash unless the club let some players go, but they need to decide on who they’re selling quickly so they can start talks with potential summer signings like Tielemans. His high work rate is just what Unai Emery needs in his midfield for his style to work.

With Aaron Ramsey soon departing and Denis Suarez doing a whole lot of nothing since his arrival at the Emirates, moving for the man touted with a move back in January makes total sense.

Of course, Ramsey has impressed throughout his time at the Emirates but Tielemans offers that something special that fans have witnessed on too many occasions in North London.

It’s clear to see the direction this Arsenal team is moving in, and the Belgian would be a perfect fit and a bargain when you take into account the long-term investment. The Arsenal board need to work out a way to finance this move and claim his signature before their rivals do.

Arsenal fans, how much do you think Unai Emery will be able to spend this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Arsenal are searching for bargains once again this summer, and Leicester ace Youri Tielemans would fit the bill perfectly, if they can fight off reported interest from Manchester United.

Indeed, the former Anderlecht ace was thought to have been a target for the Gunners over the course of the January transfer window, with El Gol Digital (via Sport Witness’ Naveen Ullal) claiming Unai Emery has requested the midfielder, though HLN recently reported of United’s interest.

The 21-year-old Monaco midfielder is on loan at The King Power Stadium, and – clearly – he’s has been a revelation since Brendan Rodgers took over. He’s notched two goals and three assists since the start of February and his long-range strike against Huddersfield certainly raised eyebrows.

Rodgers has made it clear in press conferences he wants to make the move permanent, but the Telegraph believe it would cost them a club record £40m. That may well be out of Leicester’s reach, but it could be a great long-term buy for Arsenal despite the initial cost.

He’s certainly not a bargain when you look at that figure, but he’s so young that he has the potential to play for the club for the next 10 years. In that case, he looks a bargain, so the Arsenal board need to get a move on.

It’ll be hard to find the cash unless the club let some players go, but they need to decide on who they’re selling quickly so they can start talks with potential summer signings like Tielemans. His high work rate is just what Unai Emery needs in his midfield for his style to work.

With Aaron Ramsey soon departing and Denis Suarez doing a whole lot of nothing since his arrival at the Emirates, moving for the man touted with a move back in January makes total sense.

Of course, Ramsey has impressed throughout his time at the Emirates but Tielemans offers that something special that fans have witnessed on too many occasions in North London.

It’s clear to see the direction this Arsenal team is moving in, and the Belgian would be a perfect fit and a bargain when you take into account the long-term investment. The Arsenal board need to work out a way to finance this move and claim his signature before their rivals do.

Arsenal fans, how much do you think Unai Emery will be able to spend this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Liverpool surely won’t hesitate to improve their team despite possible successes they could enjoy come the end of the campaign. 

That at least is true judging by the constant reports linking them with new players over the summer period.

And to be fair, as proven with history, the more a team tries to improve, the more success they’re likely to enjoy.

For Liverpool, their spending spree last summer has put them in the favourable position they now find themselves in as they bid to win the Premier League. Yet they could form into an even greater team this summer, with the right players added.

Only quality squad improvements can be justified so to recruit a player like Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt is exactly what they need to do.

Interestingly, the attacker was signed for just £315k back in 2014.

Brandt, (who is valued at £40.5 million on Transfermarkt) would join the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri as another wide option but his creative is something the three don’t share with him.

Of course, a potential big fee won’t bother FSG as they’ve never been afraid to spend big in the past.

Seeing as the 22-year-old wing-wizard has been sensational for Leverkusen this season, it makes sense for Liverpool along with other top clubs (according to Sport Bild via the Mirror) to be enquiring for his signature.

With seven goals and 14 assists in all competitions, Brandt has taken his game to a whole new level this season and his contribution promotes him as a top signing for many teams this summer.

The German is more than capable of switching positions, whether that be on the wing, or playing in the middle of the park instead. He can do pretty much anything in the final third, whether’s it’s scoring goals, creating or dragging defenders out of position, which makes him such a dangerous player.

So therefore with age and quality on his side, what are you waiting for Liverpool?

Do you agree the Reds should try and move for Julian Brandt this summer… Let us know!

After experiencing a nightmare season this year, you wouldn’t blame any Huddersfield Town fan for being pessimistic ahead of their return to the Championship in August.

Having waited 45 years to see the Terriers play top-flight football, the club’s brief stay has been somewhat dampened by a campaign which has seen them win just three games.

With manager Jan Siewert desperately needing to overhaul his squad in the summer, there is surely expected to be a massive turn-around in terms of players at the John Smith’s Stadium.

However, whereas the likes of Steve Mounie and Laurent Depoitre are unexpected to extend their stay in West Yorkshire, one player who the 36-year-old should consider keeping is Elias Kachunga.

Despite only scoring once in the past two seasons, the DR Congo international was a force to be reckoned with in the second tier in the club’s promotion campaign in 2017 and so it may be worth giving him another opportunity to impress.

Although it is fair to say that the £2.75m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) has proved that he is nowhere near good enough to compete in England’s top flight, a drop down in divisions could see him thrive once again.

If Kachunga can rediscover the form that saw him score an impressive total of 12 goals two years ago, Siewert should consider building an entire team around the forward as it could lead the club to secure an instant return to the Premier League.

However, if the German decides that the 27-year-old is surplus to requirements, it may result in Huddersfield facing another season of immense struggle which is the last thing that anyone connected with the club wants to experience.

What do you think Terriers fans? Should Siewert keep Kachunga at the John Smith’s Stadium next season? Or is time for the forward to move on in the summer? Let us know below.

أجرى عمرو الجنايني رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم اتصالًا هاتفيًا مع أحمد أحمد رئيس الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”.

واطمأن الجنايني على حالة رئيس كاف الصحية عقب إصابته بفيروس كورونا في ظل تواجده حاليا بالقاهرة وتلقيه العلاج بأحد المستشفيات المصرية.

وكان أحمد أحمد قد أعلن إصابته بفيروس كورونا ودخوله الحجر الصحي وتلقيه العلاج.

وأكد الجنايني أن أحمد أحمد يتمتع بروح معنوية عالية وبحالة صحية مطمئنة.

يذكر أن أحمد أحمد، رئيس الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم أعلن ترشحة لفترة جديدة في رئاسة الكاف.