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According to L’Equipe, West Ham United are considering a summer swoop for Saint-Etienne midfielder Yann M’Vila.

M’Vila moved to Saint-Etienne from Rubin Kazan in January 2018 and has made 30 Ligue 1 appearances for the French club this term.

The 28-year-old has a contract with the Ligue 1 side until the summer of 2022, but L’Equipe have reported that West Ham are interested in a swoop.

The Frenchman has experience of the Premier League having turned out for Sunderland on loan during the 2015-16 campaign.

The West Ham fans have been on social media reacting to the transfer report and it would be fair to say that there are a lot of mixed opinions on the subject.

Indeed, whilst a number are against the Hammers moving for M’Vila, others feel that the midfielder could turn out to be a decent signing for the capital outfit ahead of the 2019-2020 season.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be viewed below:

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Granit Xhaka has claimed he is willing to forget winning the Europa League if it means Arsenal finish in the top four of the Premier League, per the London Evening Standard.

The Gunners are in the quarter-finals of the competition and face Napoli on Thursday, protecting a 2-0 lead, while they currently sit fourth in the league.

What’s the word?

Arsenal are currently fourth by virtue of goal difference, as they sit level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, but they do have a game in hand.

Unai Emery’s side are subsequently well-placed to qualify for the Champions League via a top-four finish but they can also achieve qualification by winning the Europa League.

Arsenal won the first leg 2-0 and must simply avoid defeat in Italy to qualify for the semi-finals. The Gunners will play either Villarreal or Valencia in the last four if they get there.

But Xhaka insists that the club’s focus should actually be on the top four instead of Europe.

He said: “I think we want to stay in the top four — we want to be back in the Champions League.

“For me, the Premier League is first and after if you can go to the final and take the Europa League, of course, it is nice as well, but for us it is the Premier League first.

“We are now in fourth place — two points over [Manchester] United, one game less than Chelsea and one point behind Tottenham — and they play against Manchester City this weekend. This can be a big weekend for us.”

Idiocy

Xhaka might not be an idiot but he’s doing a pretty good impression of one with this.

Arsenal do not have the luxury of picking and choosing how they qualify for the Champions League.

They have a difficult Premier League run-in, which includes away games against Wolves, Leicester City and Burnley. Arsenal’s record away from home this season, as has been well publicised, is woeful.

But in the Europa League, Arsenal have done remarkably well to reach the quarter-finals and are just four games away from qualification to the Champions League.

Picking one over the other – particularly when the choice Xhaka has made is as difficult as it can be – is nonsensical.

Arsenal fans had better hope, ahead of Thursday, that no other players have the same attitude as the Swiss.

Oh dear Liverpool: when Divock Origi is your backup for the Champions League you know it is time to invest.

Look away now Liverpool fans: Roberto Firmino is a doubt for the Champions League clash against Barcelona after suffering a small muscle tear in training last week.

The Belgium forward has been tipped to step in if Roberto Firmino misses Liverpool’s huge trip to Camp Nou to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

The Brazilian was rested during last week’s 5-0 battering of Huddersfield Town after suffering what manager Jurgen Klopp called a “small muscle tear”.

Understandably the Liverpool boss is hopeful that the star forward will be available to play in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in Catalonia, for what might be their best shot at European glory, despite reaching the final last year.

In the disastrous case of Firmino’s absence though, Origi has been nominated as the man to replace him, according to Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson.

“No Roberto Firmino would be a massive miss for Liverpool , he is the common denominator in the front three,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“He just dovetails brilliantly with the other two [Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah] and he’s such a clever player, too.

“…Origi gives Liverpool something different to what Firmino does. He has great pace does Divock and can play alongside that frontline. He can even drift off to the left if he’s asked too and we’ve seen that this season.

“I wouldn’t say missing Firmino ‘weakens’ Liverpool as Origi just offers something a bit different, but I’d like them to go to Barcelona with Roberto Firmino in the squad.”

Unfortunately, we would have to disagree with this hopeful statement. Missing Firmino seriously weakens the Liverpool attacking line-up, and it brings to light just how necessary it is for Klopp to invest in the summer to bring in a suitable replacement. Someone, maybe, more like-minded and with similar qualities as the Brazilian. Someone that isn’t Divock Origi.

It is not that Origi is a necessarily bad player. He is not particularly good, no – but he does a job off the bench. However, when you are asking him to start in a Champions League semi-final then you are setting yourself up for a fall.

Liverpool fans, do you think you need to sign a new striker in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

يشعر مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر يونايتد، ماركوس راشفورد، بالفخر بعد موافقة الحكومة البريطانية على خطته الجديدة لمساعدة الأطفال على محاربة فقر الغذاء.

وتحدث المهاجم مع رئيس الوزراء البريطاني، بوريس جونسون، يوم أمس السبت بعد فوز مانشستر يونايتد على إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، لمناقشة مساعدة الأسر الفقيرة في أشهر الشتاء.

يقود راشفورد حملة لتمديد مخطط الحكومة للوجبات المدرسية المجانية خلال العطلات لمساعدة العائلات المتعثرة، لا سيما تلك المتضررة من جائحة فيروس كورونا وإجراءات الإغلاق الأخيرة.

وكان راشفورد قد نجح في الضغط على الحكومة البريطانية في توسيع سياستها المتمثلة في توزيع وجبات مدرسية مجانية للأطفال خارج فترة الفصل الدراسي، ولكنه أطلق حملة في الشهر الماضي عبر شبكة الإنترنت مطالبًا فيها الحكومة بمد توزيع تلك الوجبات.

تمت الموافقة على الاقتراح في البرلمان البريطاني، ولكن هذا لم يحدث إلا بسبب الضغط المستمر من راشفورد، وخصص جونسون 170 مليون جنيه إسترليني لتوفير دعم إضافي للأطفال الذين يعانون خلال فترة أعياد الميلاد.

وأصدر راشفورد منشور عبر وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي جاء نصه كالتالي:

“أجريت محادثة جيدة مع رئيس الوزراء، لفهم الخطة المقترحة بشكل أفضل، أرحب بشدة بالخطوات التي تم اتخاذها لمكافحة فقر غذاء الأطفال في المملكة المتحدة.

لا يزال علينا الكثير للقيام به، وما يشغلني بشكل مباشر هو ما يقرب من 1.7 مليون طفل لا يحصلون على وجبات مدرسية مجانية، توفير العطلات والتأمين الصحي لأن دخل أسرهم ليس كافيًا، لكن الحكومة أظهرت نيتها الإيجابية اليوم.

فخور جدًا بحملتنا “US” كمجموعة من الشركات المحلية والعاملين في المجال الخيري والمتطوعين والمعلمين والأخصائيين الاجتماعيين، معًا استطعنا إظهار مدة قدرتنا على إظهار الرحمة والعطف على من يعانون من الأطفال.

ما حدث اليوم يجعلني فخورًا لما وصلنا إليه بعد الاتفاق مع الحكومة البريطانية، اعتبرها أعظم لحظة في حياتي لقد غمرني فيضًا من التعاطف والتفاهم خاصة وأننا لن نتخلى عن أطفالنا لن نتخلى عن مستقبل هذه البلد”.

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Everton’s official Twitter account, somewhat strangely, decided to post a random image of Michael Keane on Monday afternoon.

Social media can be a dangerous place when teams or players are not playing well, but Keane has been impressive for the Toffees in recent months.

And it was therefore probably a safe post.

That said, it was still a little bit strange.

As it transpired, nothing followed, despite some believing that a contract extension would be announced.

It did give a good indication of how the Everton fans are feeling about Keane at the moment, though, and the reaction was positive.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

It has been a strange season for the Toffees for a number of reasons, but they have won five of their last seven in the Premier League and will be looking to put another three points on the board when they head to Tottenham Hotspur on the final weekend.

A selection of the Twitter reaction, which saw a number debate what could follow before the end of the season, can be seen below:

Among those who will be shown the exit door this summer by Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United, Christian Atsu should top the list.

Despite his final effort in a bright performance against Liverpool, he’s just been too inconsistent or ineffective going forward to be considered for next season’s team. Finally, it looks as if the Toon Army are moving on from such limited players. We hope.

Atsu has always struggled to rise through in the Premier League, underperforming in both his seasons with the Magpies and failing to do a whole lot of anything at either Bournemouth and Everton. Still, while letting him go won’t be that difficult, gaining a proper replacement could be tricky, considering how tight Mike Ashley literally always is with his cash.

Eugh.

However, much to Newcastle’s good luck, they have an in-house talent ready to fill in his shoes.

Rolando Aarons (yes, him again) has actually looked brighter in his short loan with Sheffield Wednesday than Atsu did the whole season. The 23-year-old put on some bright performances, impressing fans so much they want him to stay beyond the loan. However, the Magpies can’t allow that as it’s time for them to unleash the sizzling winger in their own system.

Obviously, it’s been frustrating for Toon fans to watch the former Bristol City youngster fail to deliver in black and white after THAT breakthrough performance against Manchester City in the cup all those years ago, but there is certainly a talent in there somewhere.

Aarons might’ve only scored and assisted 1 apiece in nine Championship appearances, yet showed encouraging signs with his electric flashes on the wings. Indeed, the left-winger is full of energy on the pitch, swirling past defenders with ease to panic opposition in the final third.

As a back-up for the likes of Ayoze Perez and Miguel Almiron, he could be perfect, if he can sort his fitness issues out. All of this after he arrived on a free from the Robins as a youngster, too. Great, isn’t it? If the Mags can sort him out, that’ll look like a great swoop.

The 23-year-old needs to focus on his delivery and final product, something Benitez can help him improve. Unlike Atsu, time is on Aarons’ side to climb through Newcastle’s ranks.

Newcastle fans, do you think Aarons should get more chances next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

قال خالد الغندور قائد فريق الزمالك الأسبق ومقدم البرامج الرياضية الحالي إن مرتضى منصور لن يبقى في منصبه رئيسًا للنادي طوال الوقت، مشيرًا إلى أنه ستأتي لحظة لن يتواجد فيها.

وأضاف الغندور في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة نادي الزمالك”: “القناة ستظل تدافع عن النادي والكيان، وكل رئيسًا لمجلس الإدارة سنسانده”.

وأردف: “نقول لمجلس الإدارة الحالي ورئيسه استمروا الفترة المقبلة، طالما تسير بشكل صحيح والقانون يسري على الجميع، نعمل من أجل الكرة ولا نريد أكثر من حقنا في كل الألعاب”.

وتطرق للحديث عن صفقات الزمالك الجديدة، قائلا: “حمزة المثلوثي تواجد في مصر وسافر في غفلة من الزمن، وسيعود خلال الأيام المقبلة”.

واستكمل: “المؤكد أنه في الفترة الحالية مرتضى منصور وأمير مرتضى يعملان على جلب الصفقات الجديد”.

واختتم: “نادي الزمالك يعمل على تجديد التعاقد مع فرجاني ساسي وأشرف بن شرقي، وهناك محاولات لجلب نبيل عماد دونجا، وبدأ التحرك اليوم”.

For all the good Jurgen Klopp has done in turning Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold into two of the best fullbacks in Europe, the German manager has left himself short in terms of backup.

Look past Liverpool’s two starting fullbacks and you will find a club deprived of backup options if one of them gets injured, but this summer is likely to change with Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne both expected to leave, meaning Klopp can start looking at new options as well as looking towards the future, and the Reds boss is likely to take action.

According to Football Insider earlier this month, Liverpool are in contention with Southampton for the signing of Bristol City defender Lloyd Kelly, who has been one of the breakout stars in the Championship and has been targeted by the Reds before in the past.

The left-back has been a sensation for the play-off hopefuls this season, making 34 appearances for the club and establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in the England football pyramid and a target for many Premier League teams, and if Liverpool are able to acquire the defender, it could be a problem in the long-term for Robertson.

The Scottish international no doubt has the left-back position on lock for the next few seasons, but with niggling injuries affecting the defender this campaign, Kelly could be given a chance to shine in the first-team when offered the chance by Klopp.

Competition can be healthy for specific positions in football, and if Kelly is to join Liverpool, Robertson should be playing with extra urgency to impress Klopp that he is the man to take the starting position in the team.

Liverpool fans, would Kelly be a good signing? Let us know!

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have been left gutted by the news that Vincent Janssen is ineligible for the club’s Champions League semi-final against Ajax.

Janssen, of course, enjoyed an excellent scoring record when in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar, prior to his move to White Hart Lane.

He scored 32 goals in 49 outings for the club prior to a £17million transfer to Spurs, which has not quite gone as he would have hoped.

Prior to two substitute appearances, against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, Janssen last played for the club in 2017, when he made a minute-long cameo in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

But fans have been disappointed by the news that he will not be able to play against the Eredivisie giants this week, such is his experience of playing against such sides.

Fernando Llorente is instead poised to lead the line, with Harry Kane injured and Son Heung-Min suspended for the first leg.

Take a look at the best of the reaction to the 24-year-old’s absence below!

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Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves shone and scored a brilliant free-kick in his side’s 3-1 win against Arsenal at Molineux on Wednesday night, and his display didn’t go unnoticed by Tottenham Hotspur fans who are keen for their club to sign him.

The 22-year-old was one of Wolves’ biggest stars in the Championship last term and he has brought that form into the Premier League during the current campaign, scoring four goals and providing a further two assists in 32 top-flight outings.

His stunning set-piece against the Gunners was particularly impressive and proves the quality he has in his locker when it comes to taking free-kicks, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Spurs supporters who were clearly watching on as their arch-rivals suffered a defeat in the exciting race for a top-four finish.

Should Neves end up arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium he would likely be competing with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Christian Eriksen – if he stays – for a spot in the starting XI.

Speaking about the Portuguese’s latest performance, one Spurs fan said it’s “my dream” to see him play for his team, while another said “get him in a Spurs shirt”.

Relive all the drama of Man City v Spurs through the eyes Spurs’ fans in the video below…

Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy may well choose to make waves in the summer transfer window following two without any additions, but it remains to be seen whether they would be interested in Neves.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…