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According to reports in the Northern Echo, Sheffield United are looking to bolster their frontline by bringing in Britt Assombalonga.

The club this week revealed that no less than four strikers would be leaving Bramall Lane, with Ched Evans, Caolan Lavery, Conor Washington and Leon Clarke all headed out the door.

With Gary Madine headed back to Cardiff, the Blades may be left light up top, and the Boro man could be the perfect addition.

Proven goalscorer

The Congolese striker certainly knows where the net is. He has netted 43 goals in his last three seasons, including 14 this term despite being in a Tony Pulis coached side which creates very few chances.

He was also prolific during his spell at Nottingham Forest, despite injury problems hampering his progress. Those issues seem to be long gone though as he has played 118 Championship games since 2016.

It could be argued that he has been the most prolific Championship striker of the past few years yet to be given a chance in the Premier League.

Risk-free

The 26-year-old wouldn’t command a massive fee from Sheffield United, and he would likely make the step back down if the club were relegated next season.

With this deal, not only are the Blades preparing for life in the Premier League, but they have a failsafe for if they find themselves back in the Championship.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…

This signing would have low risk attached, but potentially a high reward. Bringing in the striker could prove to be a clever bit of business if he starts firing in the top flight.

The former Forest forward has all the attributes needed to be a top performer for Chris Wilder’s side next season.

The attacker possesses incredible physicality as well as fantastic striking instincts. With the number of chances United create, there is no reason Assombalonga can’t translate his goalscoring record over to the Premier League.

Once again it was another slow and steady campaign from Roy Hodgson and his men, a 12th-place finish isn’t far off what anyone expected from the Eagles, and it’s a position that they probably deserve given their overall performance. 

As each season goes on, Palace make themselves that little bit harder to play against, and once again they have delivered this term. Their only real worry has been the lack of consistency when Wilfried Zaha hasn’t been available. Luckily for them, though, the transfer window is now open, go out and buy another Zaha!

So, what were the defining moments that led to yet another steady Premier League campaign? Let’s have a look.

Huddersfield Town 0-1 Crystal Palace (Saturday 15th September 2018)

Despite being so early in the season, this was a game that quite easily could have deepened a then low on confidence Palace side. A loss and they would have suffered four straight defeats and been lurking in the depths of the relegation zone. A start like that and everyone knows how hard it is to bounce back… Ask Huddersfield fans.

But instead it was a win for the Eagles and they managed to soar their way up the table into a safer spot and that is where they were to remain for the most part of the season. Proving to be yet another inconsistent performer, it was as though 12th place had Palace’s name on it from day one.

Watford 2-1 Crystal Palace — FA Cup (Saturday 16th March 2019)

Indeed, reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup is no easy task, but once you’re there, it means being one win away from a trip to Wembley, dreamland for a club like Palace.

After beating Tottenham in one of the previous rounds, most of Palace’s fans would have thought a trip to Watford would be a walk in the park. It was quite the opposite.

With eventual finalists Watford ending all hopes of any silverware coming to Selhurst Park, it pretty much ended Palace’s season. It really took the wind out of their sails and left Palace looking a little bored throughout the rest of the season.

أفادت تقارير صحفية ألمانية أن هانزي فليك المدير الفني لنادي بايرن ميونخ يقاتل للحفاظ على الدولي النمساوي دافيد ألابا، الذي يقترب من الرحيل عن الفريق.

دافيد الابا صاحب الـ28 عامًا يخوض موسمه الأخير في بايرن ميونخ، خاصة وأن النادي أعلن قبل أسابيع سحب العرض الأخير المقدم له، بسبب مطالبه ومعاملة وكيل أعماله.

صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أفادت بأن هانزي فليك المدير الفني للفريق البافاري لا يريد رحيل ألابا، ويحاول إقناعه بالتجديد مع بايرن ميونخ، خاصة وأنه يعتمد عليه في أكثر من مركز.

صاحب الـ28 عامًا أصبح هدفًا للعديد من الأندية الأوروبية الكبرى، خاصة وأنه سيكون مجانًا في الصيف، وأبرز هذه الأندية برشلونة الإسباني ويوفنتوس الإيطالي.

هانزي فليك متردد في رفع راية الاستسلام مثل إدارة النادي، ويحاول إقناع الطرفين بتجديد العقد لرغبته في استمرار ألابا الذي يعتبر من قادة الفريق الألماني.

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Leeds United fans on Twitter are worried that Kemar Roofe is going to leave the club this summer after his message on social media.

The striker wrote a tweet which seemed like a goodbye to Leeds.

This sparked worry amongst the fanbase as many supporters believe that this message shows the striker’s intention to leave this summer.

The Englishman has been incredible for Leeds this season, netting 15 goals and finishing as the club’s top scorer. Due to his fantastic showings this year there isn’t a shortage of interest in his services with Burnley heavily linked.

The Whites’ failure to earn promotion to the Premier League may have been the final straw for the forward, and he may be looking to fulfil his top-flight ambitions elsewhere.

If the Yorkshire club do lose their top goalscorer then it would be a massive blow, and it could encourage other key men to leave Elland Road this summer.

Here’s what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter…

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According to Sky Sports, West Ham United have had a bid of £18m for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes rejected, with the La Liga champions looking for between £25m-£35m.

The Portugal international is very much in demand following an impressive season-long loan spell with Everton in 2018/19, and Sky Sports report that the Hammers won’t be dissuaded by the fact they have seen an offer turned down, and will do their utmost to bring him to the London Stadium.

The 25-year-old scored one goal and provided a further two assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this term, and generally impressed with his work both on and off the ball.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men clearly feel that the Barca man can strengthen their central midfield options, with Mark Noble getting no younger and Declan Rice potentially needing a new long-term partner.

Gomes certainly came up his fair share of opposition top flight midfielders during the campaign that ended earlier this month, and he showed that he has what it takes to go head-to-head with some of the best.

One of those is Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, who has quickly established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

The Portuguese star wasn’t fazed by coming up against players like the impressive Nigeria international, and he showed the strength and grit he has in his locker in the photo above by outmuscling the Foxes ace.

The fight to sign Gomes could be interesting over the next few weeks, but the image is a clear indication is why West Ham must raise their offer to get a deal for the 25-year-old over the line.

Vincent Janssen has been next-t0-useless for Tottenham Hotspur since being at the club!

The 24-year-old has failed to live up to any hype that surrounded him when he initially arrived in north London and quickly found himself frozen out of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.

Loan spells at Fenerbache did not help him rediscover the form he had during his time at AZ Alkmaar which had many of the White Hart Lane faithful excited.

After a season-long loan at Fenerbache did not go to plan, his time looked over at the New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the beginning of the campaign as he was not handed a squad number, although an injury put to bed any hopes Spurs may have had in trying to offload him.

But, it seems as though a club have taken an interest in him and are thought to be considering whether to make a move this summer.

Russian outlet Championat have claimed that Lokomotiv Moscow are interested in signing Janssen and are prepared to offer him a way out of north London.

Spurs are said to value their Dutch forward at €8million (£7m) and it remains to be seen if the Russian side will be prepared to play that for a striker that cannot seem to hit the barn door.

Janssen has looked a little on the ‘large side’ recently and looked well off the pace of being a top striker in the substitute appearances he made for the club in the final few games of the season.

Arguably, Tottenham would do pretty well to receive an offer in that region, however, they should be prepared to look at cashing in on him if an offer of a reasonable amount should come in.

Tottenham fans, do you think the club will receive £7m for Janssen? Or do you think his valuation would have to be lowered to attract a buyer? Let us know your thoughts by joining in with the discussion below!

انتقد مهاجم نادي أستون فيلا الأسبق، جابرييل أجبونلاهور، مهاجم وجناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم الحالي، محمود حسن تريزيجيه، بعد أدائه في مباراة برايتون الماضية ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسقط أستون فيلا في الهزيمة أمام برايتون بنتيجة 1-2 على ملعب “فيلا بارك”، ولكن يرى أجبونلاهور أن تريزيجيه لم يكن حاسمًا بالشكل الكافي من خلال تسديداته على مرمى المنافس وكان جزءًا من الخسارة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جريليش يسخر من الـvar بعد إلغاء ركلة جزاء تريزيجيه أمام برايتون

ووضح جابرييل وجهة نظره في أداء تريزيجيه في تصريحات مع شبكة “Football Insider” البريطانية وقال: “إذا نظر أي مشجع أو فرد في الطاقم التدريبي لأستون فيلا إلى تريزيجيه، هو يفعل كل شيء على أرض الملعب ولكن في النهاية لا يترجم مجهوده إلى أهداف وهو أمر مخيب للآمال بالنسبة لزملائه ولأستون فيلا”.

وتابع: “إنهاء للهجمات غير جيد، تنظر إلى الفرصة التي أضاعها بقدمه اليسرى، عليك كمهاجم أن تصوب نحو المرمى، عليك أن تسجل على الأقل هدف”.

وأضاف: “هذه هي مشكلة تريزيجيه، ربما يكون قادرًا على التواجد في أماكن مميزة في الملعب، لكن كرته الأخيرة غير حاسمة وعليه أن يعمل بجد حتى يطور مستواه في تسجيل الأهداف لأنه لاعب جيد”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على المهاجم استغلال الفرص التي تسنح له، إذا نجح في ذلك سنشاهد مباراة مختلفة من أستون فيلا”.

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According to The Times (subscription required) via HITC, Crystal Palace have come to a decision on the future of Alexander Sorloth, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Gent.

The 6 ft 4 hitman endured a dismal 2018 at Selhurst Park and struggled to make any kind of splash in the first team; now it seems that his career in red and blue will be brought to an abrupt end in the coming months.

What’s the word?

Well, The Times (subscription required) report via HITC that the Eagles will look to sell the former Midtjylland striker this summer having been less than impressed with his goalscoring exploits since signing in January.

The 23-year-old has notched just once in 20 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles and his spell in Belgium, where he scored five goals in 22, hasn’t gone much better.

With Christian Benteke also looking likely to be a casualty of Palace’s summer plans, Sorloth surely saw next term as the perfect opportunity to stake his claim in the starting XI, although he could be following his fellow behemoth out the door.

Is this admirable ruthlessness from Palace or just a lack of patience in the young forward, who has just 864 minutes under his belt since signing on deadline day just over a year ago?

Harsh from Hodgson?

Admittedly, the number 9 doesn’t quite look up to the pace of the Premier League when he’s afforded a chance to make an impact, although he’s hardly been on the pitch enough to acclimatise.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

With a surprising amount of pace to complement his size, Sorloth has all the physical attributes to be a success in England if he’s given time to adjust, although it looks like Roy Hodgson may have already cast his judgement.

Given that he is one of the younger players in Palace’s first team squad, you’d have thought there would be hope that in the next couple of years Sorloth could blossom into a shrewd singing for the Eagles; his departure would be particularly confusing given the recent decision to award sick-note striker Connor Wickham with a new deal.

Perhaps Hodgson and Co have put their eggs in the wrong basket here?

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As reported by The Sun, Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy has no chance of featuring in the FA Cup final against Watford tomorrow after his knee problems continue to trouble him.

Who will play?

Luckily for Pep Guardiola, this is a common occurrence and the young Oleksandr Zinchenko will continue to line up at left-back in place of the crocked French international.

Mendy managed to make just 10 Premier League appearances this term due to fitness issues, although the 22-year-old Zinchenko has deputised admirably for him and put in some wonderful performances.

Who would win out of Man Utd’s treble winners and Man City today? Fans discuss in the video below…

The Ukrainian will most likely start tomorrow’s showpiece event against the Hornets as a result of the former Monaco man’s absence, where he will have to keep a close eye on the dangerous Gerard Deulofeu.

City should revise their summer transfer plans

It was recently reported by Sky Sports that the Cityzens would be placing their faith in Mendy and will not dip into the market for another left-back this summer.

Whilst that show of trust is commendable, is it naive from City?

The 24-year-old has managed just 17 league appearances in two seasons since signing in a £52m deal from Monaco, which simply isn’t enough for a player brought in for such a sum.

Even when he is available, there are question marks over the full-back’s professionalism. He has risked Guardiola’s wrath by turning up late to physio sessions and going out partying in the early hours of the morning.

If Zinchenko were to suffer an injury, City would most likely turn to Fabian Delph to slot in at left-back, but he simply isn’t good enough to play that role in Guardiola’s system and doesn’t offer anywhere near the dynamism of Kyle Walker on the other side.

Mendy just can’t seem to stay fit, and the decision not to sign a new left-back should definitely be reconsidered after his latest bout of injury trouble.

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Sheffield United fans on Twitter have been getting emotional after a tribute video to Paul Coutts was posted on social media after his departure from the club was confirmed this week.

The Scotland international had been a key part of the Blades squad that was promoted in League One and was instrumental to the Yorkshire club’s excellent start last season.

Chris Wilder’s side were in contention for promotion with Coutts playing as a key man in midfield. However, the 30-year-old suffered a horror leg break against Burton Albion, and his form hasn’t recovered since.

He has made just one start for the Blades during their promotion campaign due to the fact Oliver Norwood took his spot in the starting XI. In the end, United decided not to renew his contract.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Pl>ymaker FC…

The midfielder will be remembered fondly at Bramall Lane, and certain sections of the fanbase are gutted to see him go.

Here’s what Sheffield United supporters have been saying on Twitter…