English Championship
Opinion: Swansea City playmaker not the answer for Leeds United
Media reports linking Leeds United with a move for Swansea City playmaker Yan Dhanda have certainly raised a few eyebrows around the Sportslens team this weekend. Various outlets have reported that the Whites are interested in signing the 22-year-old after he produced some impressive performances in the Championship over the past couple of months. His efforts have helped to fire Swansea into contention for promotion and sparked talk that a move to the Premier League could be on the cards. SL View – Yan Dhanda Dhanda spent five years in Liverpool’s academy before moving to Swansea in search of first-team opportunities in 2018. He initially struggled to force his way into the first team, but he has started to see more game time this season. His ability on the ball has been eye-catching, alth...
Report: Arsenal keeping tabs on 24-year-old striker, who has bagged 16 goals this season
Arsenal are monitoring the progress of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, a report from The Express claims. The 24-year-old joined the Bees from Peterborough United last summer after bagging 26 goals in the 2019/2020 League One season. He has proved the perfect replacement for Ollie Watkins, who left for Aston Villa and has already registered 16 goals from 22 Championship appearances. Toney has now caught the eye of some top clubs and it is reported that he has left a good impression on Gunners scouts with his performances. While the Gunners are not looking to sign a striker this month, it is suggested that they could look for one in the future with the uncertainty over Alexandre Lacazette’s future. Lacazette’s current deal expires in the summer of 2022 and the club have yet to negotiate a poss...
Derby County appoint Wayne Rooney as their new manager
Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Derby County’s new manager on a permanent basis, as confirmed by the club via their official website. The Manchester United legend agreed to join Derby in August 2019 on a player-coach role starting in January 2020. Since then, he has made 35 appearances for the Rams, scoring on seven occasions. From November 26 onwards, Rooney has been taking charge of Derby on an interim basis. This sparked an impressive turnaround, going unbeaten in their next six games having lost the previous four. Captain. Leader. The greatest.@WayneRooney: The Manager 🐏 — Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 15, 2021 And now the England national team’s all-time top goalscorer has been rewarded with the job permanently. The 35-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contra...
Four Championship clubs chasing QPR’s Ilias Chair
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ilias Chair is reportedly the subject of interest from four of the Championship’s current top six. QPR have not had the best of seasons so far, sitting just two points above the relegation zone. In spite of this, Chair has impressed, scoring five goals and creating the third most chances in the division. Chair celebrates after hitting a beauty against Millwall This form has attracted attention from some of the league’s most high-flying clubs, with the Sun on Sunday (via the72.co.uk) reporting that Bournemouth, Brentford, Reading and Watford are all hoping to land the Moroccan this January transfer window. All four teams make up the Championship’s play-off line-up as it stands, and they will all be looking for reinforcements to strengthen their claim for an au...
Report: Hammers plotting move for striker that destroyed Liverpool 11 months ago
According to The Sun, West Ham United want to sign Watford striker Ismaila Sarr before the end of this month and are ready to part with £30 million for his signature. Manager David Moyes needs attacking reinforcements after Ivory Coast international striker Sebastian Haller left for Ajax on Friday, and the Senegalese has been identified as one of his potential replacements. Sarr scored five goals and assisted four others in 28 Premier League games for Watford last term, but they weren’t enough to stop his side from going down. The 22-year-old was linked with Liverpool and Manchester United during the summer transfer window, and Crystal Palace also saw a £25 million bid plus extras rejected for him on the last day of the window. West Ham are now looking to test Watford’s resolve with an imp...
Report: Everton in talks to land striker who was close to sealing Man Utd move
According to The Sun, Everton and English Championship outfit Bournemouth are talking about a swap deal that will see Norwegian striker Joshua King move to Goodison Park before the end of the January transfer window. The Cherries want either young centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite or out-of-favour right-back Jonjoe Kenny in return, and are also hoping to get some cash from the deal as the 28-year-old enters the last six months of his contract. Everton are long-term admirers of King, who came very close to sealing a return to Manchester United last January, and are keen to strengthen their attack in the coming days. The Bournemouth star is also wanted by West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, and he is expected to be back in the top-flight this month or in the summer. Ever...
Report: Leeds and West Ham set to battle it out for Championship midfielder
Leeds United are thought to be interested in signing the Derby County midfielder Jason Knight. According to Football Insider, West Ham United are also interested in signing the 19-year-old. Knight is highly rated in the Championship and he has a big future ahead of him. Leeds will be hoping to sign him and develop him into a key first-team player in future. Marcelo Bielsa has done well to develop young midfielders like Kalvin Phillips in the recent seasons and he could have a similar impact on Knight’s game. Leeds could certainly use some depth in central midfield and Knight would be a quality addition to the side for a reasonable fee. Signing a talented player like him and developing him into a first-teamer could end up saving Leeds millions in the transfer market. Furthermore, the youngs...
Report: Queens Park Rangers in advanced talks to sign West Bromwich Albion star
Queens Park Rangers are in advanced negotiations to sign former striker Charlie Austin on loan from West Bromwich Albion for the season. Austin bagged 10 goals during the Baggies’ promotion from the Championship last season, but he has not been able to make his mark this term. The 31-year-old has been restricted to only five Premier League appearances, all of which have come from the substitutes’ bench. According to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam, Rangers are in advanced talks with the Baggies over a loan deal for Austin, who played for them between 2013 and 2016. Austin was a huge hit during his time at the west London side with 47 goals and 11 assists from just 89 appearances in all competitions. He is no longer at the prime of his career, but his return could bring about a change of fo...
Glenn Murray set for QPR loan move
Brighton and Hove Albion striker Glenn Murray is on the verge of a move to Queens Park Rangers, as reported by the Athletic. Murray has spent the season on loan at Watford, where he has found regular game time hard to come by. He has played just 110 minutes for the Hornets this campaign, starting once and failing to find the net. Glenn Murray making a rare appearance for Watford Watford, who are currently sixth in the Championship, are willing to cut Murray’s loan deal short as long as he does not go to another potential promotion rival. Brighton are also happy to sanction a deal on the condition that they receive the same financial agreement that they previously had with Watford. And now it seems as if an agreeable deal has come along, as the Athletic report that QPR are ready to take the...
VAR Once Again Under Scrutiny as Tottenham Defeat Brentford in Semi-Final
Tottenham Hotspur have reached the final of the Carabao Cup after defeating Brentford 2-0 in North London. It was a fairly straightforward first half for Jose Mourinho’s men, who went into the break leading without coming under much threat. The deadlock was broken by an unlikely source. Sergio Reguilon whipped in a beauty of a cross for Moussa Sissoko, who headed home unmarked from eight yards out in the 12th minute. Sissoko celebrates his first goal in over a year Spurs almost went two up shortly before half time, when Bees striker Ivan Toney almost turned the ball into his own net from Heung-min Son’s corner, only for goalkeeper David Raya to pull off a fine save. The second half was far more eventful. Spurs twice came close to doubling their lead, first when Serge Aurier fired over from...
Tottenham Hotspur vs Brentford Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford clash in the Carabao Cup tonight, with a final at Wembley at stake. For Tottenham, this is a big opportunity to end their notorious trophy drought, having not lifted a piece of silverware since this competition in 2008. Manager Jose Mourinho has a knack for winning trophies everywhere he’s been, and he will be hoping to continue that in North London. Mourinho will be eyeing up another trophy for his collection Spurs will go into this game as hot favourites. However, they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. Brentford have already beaten Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, Fulham, and Newcastle United to reach this stage. They will need to add another two Premier League clubs to their list of scalps to lift the trophy. For the Bees, they have an out...
Manchester United Join Race For Arsenal and Tottenham Target
Manchester United are ready to make a move for Norwich City defender Max Aarons, according to the Express. Despite Norwich’s relegation last season, Aarons emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the league, attracting the attention of some of the world’s biggest clubs. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal were among the clubs reportedly eyeing up the Englishman. Aarons has impressed at Norwich Nonetheless, Aarons stayed put at Carrow Road, as no one was willing to pay his alleged £30m asking price. He has since continued to impress, helping guide Norwich to the top of the Championship after 22 games. The Express claim that Manchester United have identified the 20-year-old as a target in the upcoming January transfer window to provide competition for former Cry...
