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After signing from PSV in the January transfer window, Steven Bergwijn had a mixed start to life in English football with Tottenham.

The Dutchman got his career off to the perfect start with a wonder strike against Manchester City on his Premier League debut, before netting a further two times in his next five games in the top-flight.

After that however, things slowed down considerably, with Bergwijn – earning a reported £25k-per-week – failing to score in his last eight games for the club, and managing only one assist.

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But with a few months to get adjusted to the differences of English football, Jose Mourinho must surely unleash the Netherlands international next season, and he could be the unsung hero in Spurs’ push for a Champions League spot.

When you look at the 22-year-old’s performance against City in particular, Bergwijn’s intelligent movement and directness caused Pep Guardiola’s side all sorts of issues – something Mourinho hailed in his post-match press conference.

He said: “It was a very solid performance against such a difficult opponent like Kyle Walker. He was also clever enough to appear in other zones and to try to create some problems for City.”

As per Sofascore, Walker lost possession on 11 separate occasions, whilst he also won just 50% of his duels and forced into making four clearances over the course of the game.

Despite only having 32 touches in the 70 minutes that he was on the pitch, Bergwijn made things count, and the fact his impressive display came up against the then reigning Premier League champions just proved the immense potential he has.

Amidst all this recent talk about Spurs potentially making a sensational move for Gareth Bale in this transfer window, the Lilywhites would be better off trusting those who they already have at the club. Bergwijn could step up to be the man.

Former Premier League side Bournemouth have made an approach to Coventry City for manager Mark Robins, according to TEAMtalk.

After suffering relegation to the Championship in the 2019/20 season, the Cherries opted to mutually release Eddie Howe from his contract and the hunt for a new manager is now starting to begin.

Howe successfully guided Bournemouth from League Two to become an established Premier League but their five-year stay in the top flight ended, dropping down to the second tier with Watford and Norwich City.

With the 2020/21 season now upon us and the transfer window in full swing, bringing in a new manager is top of the club’s priority.

And, a potential new manager could be Robins, who has guided Coventry from League One back to the Championship, winning the league title in the process.

TEAMtalk report that Robins has been approached, whilst also claiming that Jason Tindall, Howe’s former assistant and Aston Villa number two John Terry are amongst the bookies favourites to take over at the Vitality Stadium.

Robins looks unlikely to leave the Sky Blues given that he has already signed a total of five players this summer which include Gustavo Hamer, Callum O’Hare and Ryan Giles.

Coventry should simply not allow Robins to leave and he would be mad himself to depart them now.

Given that Bournemouth are in the same league as the Sky Blues next term, it would prove more of a managerial challenge for Robins to stay with Coventry and see if he can ensure they become a solid Championship side.

Do you think Robins would be tempted to join Bournemouth? Let us know in the comments section below…

Liverpool’s transfer speculation has plummeted from Timo Werner to the younger brother of current Reds teenager Sepp van den Berg.

According to Calciomercato (relayed via @AnfieldEdition), the Merseyside outfit are on the market for Rav van den Berg, the younger brother of their under-23 defender.

The oldest of the two joined Liverpool last summer from PEC Zwolle for a fee of £1.3m (via BBC Sport) but, at just 18, he has only been very sporadically used in Jurgen Klopp’s senior team. Now, the club could have two young Van den Bergs on their hands if they opt to sign Sepp’s brother Rav, who is just 15.

Many Reds fans are far from pleased with the link to the teenager, especially after suffering a surprise blow to their plans to sign Werner. Some Kopites have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations but there are some supporters who believe the 15-year-old would be a good addition to the Reds.

One fan has tweeted ‘it’s like deja vu’ as they reflect on signing Sepp just one year ago. Another fan is curious as to why people are complaining and thinks Klopp should ‘sign him up’.

Check out some of the feedback from the Anfield faithful below:

What do you think of the link to Sepp’s brother, Reds fans? Should the club sign him up? Have your say in the comments below!

Key information about Kassam Stadium

Kassam Stadium was finished and opened in 2001 and is now the home of League One’s Oxford United. The ground is located in the Blackbird Leys area of the city and is officially owned by one of Kassam’s Firoka Group companies.

Its current capacity stands at 12,500 and the pitch measures 102m by 71m. The surface of the field is covered by natural grass and it has no undersoil heating installed nor a running track surrounding it.

The highest attendance ever recorded at Kassam Stadium is 12,243, which occurred for Oxford’s final match of the 2005/06 League Two season, ending in a 3–2 defeat by Leyton Orient, sending the hosts into relegation.

A history of Kassam Stadium

Back in 1995, Oxford United decided it was time for them to finally vacate the old Manor Ground and replace it with a venue more fitting of their ambitions. Not even a full year later, the construction of a new 16,000-seat stadium situated in the Blackbird Leys area of the city commenced and would be finished by the time the new millennium rolled in.

However, the erection of their new home did not exactly go as smoothly as they had hoped since they were hit by various different issues along the way. Most of their problems stemmed right from the financial side of things and with the contractors not receiving their pay, the construction was postponed and wouldn’t be completed for the following four years.

In April 1999, the club was taken over by Firoz Kassam and after a long and unpleasant turmoil regarding money, relegations and subsequent promotions, Oxford United were back with their heads above water and the stadium, originally to be called Minchery Farm but changed to Kassam Stadium following the arrival of new ownership, was finally completed in 2001.

The first game ever played was actually a friendly clash against Crystal Palace on 4 August, with the hosts managing to scrap a win on penalties following a 1–1 draw. The first official competitive clash, however, was played on 11 August versus Rochdale in the Football League Third Division. This time, Oxford would lose 2–1 in front of a crowd of 7,842 supporters.

In March 2006, the stadium was unofficially renamed to the United Stadium by the Oxford United Supporters’ Trust, which was supposed to be a sign of protest against the owners that were taking the club in the wrong direction. Despite this, the ground is still largely known as Kassam Stadium.

Between 2012 and 2015, rugby union club London Welsh also called it home but they soon returned back to Old Deer Park following their relegation from the Premiership at the end of the 2014/15 season.

Originally, the stadium had been planned to have 15,000 seats, but in the end, only three out of four stands were erected with one short end remaining open, meaning the final tally sits at 12,500.

Tickets to watch Oxford United at Kassam Stadium

All tickets to watch Oxford United at Kassam Stadium can be found on the club’s official website. The price for an adult ticket ranges from £20 to £28, depending on the stand and the category you choose.

Oxford United also offer season tickets as well as memberships that can get you discounts on single games as well as over the course of the season. More information can be found on the aforementioned website.

Related Links

https://www.oufc.co.uk/ – Official website of Oxford United

https://www.oufc.co.uk/tickets/ – Oxford United Ticket Office

Gylfi Sigurdsson has opened up about Everton’s return to training and the effects of his recent positional shift.

Speaking to Sky Sports (via Liverpool ECHO), the Blues midfielder has given his take on returning to Premier League action and how long he thinks he needs back on the training pitch.

“I think it all depends on how long we’re going to train with three, four or five players at a time,” Sigurdsson said. “Until we’re training with the full squad. I’m guessing somewhere around four weeks maybe? But I think everyone is different.”

The Toffees, along with the rest of English football, have been waiting to return to action for more than two months. The Premier League was put on an abrupt hiatus back in March and the latest update predicts a return in June.

Sigurdsson also commented on the change in position to which he has adapted since the implementation of Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager. The 4-4-2 setup sees the 30-year-old without a prominent position in the middle of the park, operating from a flat, central role instead of further up the pitch (as per Transfermarkt).

“Of course I’ve played there for Iceland, but this is maybe a little bit different,” Sigurdsson said. “It’s not my natural position, but I’ve played most of the games and I think have got used to playing in that position under the manager.

“It doesn’t give me the chances to go forward as much as I’d like! But it’s something different and I enjoy it.”

This sudden change could be the reason why the Iceland international’s goal return has been scarce this season. During his final season with Swansea, Sigurdsson operated from a number of positions and dominated them all. Across 40 appearances in the 2016/17 season, he scored 10 goals and supplied 13 assists (via Transfermarkt).

These goal contributions came from either up front as a centre-forward, on the wing or in an attacking midfield role. Similarly, last season Sigurdsson tallied 14 goals and seven assists, with all bar two goals and two assists coming from the more pressing midfield position.

This could be the reason why the playmaker has struggled to find his shooting boots this season. A current return of two goal and two assists for the campaign is very out of character for Sigurdsson.

Adapting to a formation that helps feed Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison is something with which senior players must cooperate, even at the risk of their personal performances dipping.

Everton fans, do you think Gyfli Sigurdsson deserves more time at the club? Join the discussion in the comments below…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Sheffield Wednesday legend Mark Bright believes their local rivals could play a huge role in pushing the side to promotion this season, although their chances will ultimately come down to whether or not they receive a points deduction.

What’s he said?

The Owls currently sit in eighth place, three points behind a playoff berth, but are likely to head into the New Year with so much uncertainty hanging over their head.

An EFL charge could bring a potential punishment with a 12-point deduction being touted as the absolute minimum by one football finance expert.

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Provided Garry Monk’s side steer clear of that for the time being, then they could well be in the promotion hunt for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, arch-rivals Sheffield United occupy a top-five place in the Premier League – times have certainly changed since Wednesday’s leading goalscorer in the top-flight downed the Blades in the FA Cup semi-final many moons ago.

Speaking to The Star, Bright believes that the attention surrounding their Sheffield neighbours will provide added motivation, he said:

“Do you know what? I think they could be close.

“The thing is, to watch the other side of the city doing what they’re doing, getting up before Wednesday, that hurts but all credit to them, they’ve been great and they play some good stuff. It will hurt that bit more.

“This could be Wednesday’s year.

“I left in 1996 and I’m still Sheffield Wednesday’s leading scorer in the Premier League. That just should not be the case. We’re 20 years on, that club has spent too long out of the top flight.”

Motivation

There is no hiding that the Steel City derby is one of the fiercest outside the mainstream few. It has often led to crowd trouble in multiple previous meetings.

After the Owls were relegated from the Premier League back in 2000, the fixture had been a regular occurrence, but the Blades’ promotion last season means that the two won’t play each other in this campaign.

A bore draw was the outcome the last time they faced each other back in March.

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However, their quest to return to the promised land for the first time in over two decades won’t just be centred around what their rivals are doing – it has been the ambition regardless of the division the two play in.

The current paths of both teams are only going to be used as bragging rights for supporters in Sheffield.

اختارت شبكة “سكاي سبورتس” العالمية اللاعب المصري محمد النني رجل مباراة الأمس، بين فريقي تشيلسي وآرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة والثلاثين في ستامفورد بريدج، حيث فاز آرسنال بهدف دون رد.

وشارك المصري محمد النني في تلك المباراة كأساسي رفقة آرسنال، وخاضها بأكملها حيث أنقذ الفريق من هدف محقق لـ تشيلسي في الدقيقة 36. ملخص لمسات محمد النني أمام تشيلسي

وعقّب المباراة، قيمت شبكة “سكاي سبورتس” العالمية أداء كل لاعب في المباراة حيث حصل محمد النني على أعلى تقييم الذي بلغ 8/10.

وبناءً على ذلك، اختارت “سكاي سبورتس” محمد النني كرجل مباراة تشيلسي وآرسنال.

وكانت جماهير آرسنال قد أشادت بأداء محمد النني في لقاء الأمس (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Wolves return to Premier League action this weekend, having taken a short break for the Carabao Cup in midweek, and they now come face to face with a team in turmoil right now in Arsenal.

Nuno Santo’s side currently sit 12th in the table having lost just two of their ten matches, but it could have been so much better, especially in recent weeks.

Last Sunday’s match against Newcastle United epitomised that entirely as the west Midlands club went behind in the first half to a Jamaal Lascelles header before needing Jonny’s equaliser as the left-back was in the right place at the right time to secure a point at St James’ Park.

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Although Matty Longstaff’s red card left the Magpies in the lurch, Wolves still couldn’t capitalise.

Just like the Slovan Bratislava game, and just like the Southampton game too, Nuno set out his side originally in a 3-5-2 formation, only this time, he absurdly chose Matt Doherty at centre-back despite having Jesus Vallejo and Max Kilman at his disposal.

Both of their last two fixtures saw him quickly revert back to a 3-4-3 formation, and you guessed it the same happened last weekend.

It begs the question – why he doesn’t just set out his side like that initially?

The 3-5-2 has left them exposed and a goal down in three successive matches, leading to the Portuguese native changing it up by the second half.

Surely he wouldn’t have that problem if he ran the formation they’ve ended with from the beginning.

A sign of his stubbornness, perhaps.

All three games they have had to come from behind to salvage a result with Wolves only picking up a victory against Slovan.

Football FanCast have previously stated why a 3-4-3 can pay dividends for the side this season, so maybe it is time Nuno listened.

Now they have Diogo Jota back from injury and Matt Doherty closer to being 100%, this formation just seems most natural as it will allow a front three of the Portuguese winger, Raul Jimenez, and Adama Traore – the trio have scored six of their 13 Premier League goals this campaign.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Ben Davies was given the captain’s armband for Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Everton at the weekend.

That’s the Ben Davies who had made three Premier League appearances prior to the game, with two of those adding up to 16 minutes of action.

Of course, one can argue that Mauricio Pochettino’s hands were tied. Hugo Lloris is injured and ruled out until 2020 while Harry Kane suffered from a virus that ruled him out of the game at Goodison Park.

Nevertheless, Davies’ pick shines a rather unfortunate light on the depth at the club and the lack of alternative leaders.

Paulo Gazzaniga has only just come into the team; Serge Aurier would have been a disgrace of a selection due to his spate of Spurs calamities; Davinson Sanchez is perhaps too young while Toby Alderweireld’s contract expires in the summer and handing him the armband could have been seen as a message of acquiescence; Tanguy Ndombele is a new signing; Moussa Sissoko is excellent but perhaps too erratic; Christian Eriksen hasn’t been at the races this term with just one goal and one assist to his name in the Premier League.

That leaves Heung-Min Son, Dele Alli and Lucas Moura. Son is the captain of South Korea and even wore the armband as his country beat Germany in the 2018 World Cup. He has worn that armband on 16 occasions, most recently in the 0-0 draw with bitter rivals North Korea.

Alli is an excellent player and has a mature head on his shoulders so he could well have worn the armband; so too could Lucas, who is 27 and has won multiple trophies throughout a storied career.

To pick Davies, though, is almost a dereliction of Pochettino’s duty. The armband is symbolic, of course, and this is not to say that a different selection could have changed the result as Spurs again dropped points on the road. They haven’t won away from home since January.

But picking Davies, a player who has never once captained either Spurs or Wales, ahead of someone like Son, a leader, a player who is also a game-changer, corrodes the meaning of the captaincy by suggesting anyone within the squad can wear the armband.

That could be seen as a meritocratic message but really, Pochettino has given the responsibility to a player who was woefully unequipped for it and it is little surprise that, as soon as Son was sent off after that horrendous injury to Andre Gomes, Spurs wilted.

Per WhoScored, Davies had 60 touches of the ball, had a pass success rate of just 50%, failed to win a tackle and was dispossessed on three occasions.

Spurs simply didn’t have a leader on the pitch; least of all Davies.

While this is all well and good, actions speak louder than words.