With another dominant domestic display, Celtic have wrapped up all but the Scottish Cup, which is the next accolade on their agenda. With only two games to go in the best case scenario when it comes to that competition, you Bhoys must be living in absolute dreamland. 

Neil Lennon is the man tasked with achieving just that, with the potential for so much more than a trophy should he win.

Clearly, Celtic are desperate to reach the next level and whatever manager they deem fit to try and bring that to Paradise, fans will be right behind.

Success is second nature for this team but in order to continue that streak, importance will be on recruitment and who they deem will improve the team as a whole. It’s unknown as to whether Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke will be at Celtic Park after this season so the need for a striker yet again is of the utmost importance.

A player they once considered (as per the Chronicle back in January) before being beaten to his signature is Josh Maja and that is someone Peter Lawwell should contemplate moving for again.

Maja, (who is valued at £1.5 million on Transfermarkt) was regarded as one of the better League One strikers until he moved away from Sunderland in January. However, since his move to Bordeaux, the Englishman would have arguably hoped for a better transition into the team.

With only five appearances in Ligue 1 since January, it could be possible that Josh Maja will again be on the move this summer and Celtic could be one of many teams to appeal as a better option for him. Indeed, they should aim to rescue the youngster from his time in France, offering him the chance to develop like so many other young talents have in Glasgow.

A talent like this is too good to ignore. Perhaps he chose the wrong move at the wrong time but by making a quick move for the former Black Cat, the Hoops could hit a masterstroke.

His electric pace and incredible finishing ability would work wonders at Celtic, especially if he can rediscover the goalscoring form he displayed during his time at the Stadium of Light.

Maja was so impressive during his time in England so a loan move at least to Celtic could help him get back to his best and that can only a good thing for all involved.

Celtic fans, are you still keen on Josh Maja? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

[ad_pod ]

Real Madrid are set to give up on the potential signing of playmaker Christian Eriksen this summer, according to The Times.

The Spanish giants are instead set to focus on the signings of Paul Pogba from Manchester United and Eden Hazard from Chelsea.

What’s the word?

Real, the report claims, are wary of again negotiating with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Eriksen’s current contract expires at the end of next season and, if no transfer is arranged and no new deal is agreed this summer, Spurs run the risk of losing the Denmark international on a free transfer once the 2019-20 campaign concludes.

The Times state that Eriksen is valued at £60million, a fee Real could surely afford, given the calibre of their reported transfer targets.

But the club are said to be reluctant to deal with Levy, who extracted a then world record £85million fee from the Spanish club when they signed Gareth Bale in 2013. The Times claim that deal went through on transfer deadline day despite negotiations being opened many months prior.

Instead, Real are set to target both Pogba and Hazard in deals that could cost well over £200m.

With the possibility of Eriksen moving to Los Blancos seemingly fading, Spurs are set to reopen talks with the playmaker over a new contract.

He currently earns £70,000-per-week, less than Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko at the club.

Reputation precedes him

Levy’s reputation has always had its advantages to Tottenham.

Of course, his insistence on always receiving the highest possible fee for players leaving the club, and in driving a hard bargain when attempting to acquire signatures, has often led to frustration among the fanbase.

But Real’s apparent refusal to even enter into talks with Levy speaks to his fearsome legend.

Spurs fans will hope that this development leads to a new deal for the Dane but it may also have the opposite effect, with Eriksen potentially sitting out his deal and attempting to negotiate a Bosman exit next summer.

These are the highest of stakes for the club’s chairman.

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Celtic fans have been giving their verdict on who should take permanent charge in the dugout next season, and they’re fascinated by some analysis Andre Villas-Boas prepared on the Bhoys back in 2003.

Celtic fans are already getting excited over a potential move for Villas-Boas, despite the links to the 41 year-old being tenuous at best.

SkyBet slashed odds on the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss moving to Paradise to 17/1 on Monday, sending fans wild, and Tuesday saw those odds drop all the way down to 3/1.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Now, fans have unearthed a set of notes prepared by Villas-Boas back in 2003, when he was working as an assistant coach for Jose Mourinho at Porto.

The extensive analysis, which you can view here, was in preparation for the 2003 UEFA Cup final, in which Mourinho’s side beat the Bhoys 3-2 in extra time.

Of course, current boss Neil Lennon was a member of that Hoops squad and is included in Villas-Boas’ notes.

Fans are extremely impressed and intrigued by the charismatic young coach’s work, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Among his varied specialities, something Jurgen Klopp really excels at is deriving the absolute best from talented youngsters.

Indeed, he’s done as such with Trent Alexander-Arnold recently, asserting him as Liverpool’s prominent right-back. However, he has more options ahead to carve world-class players for the Reds.

Liverpool’s esteemed youth academy has produced some real gems recently, but Rafael Camacho’s a special player. Only 18, he’s done a fabulous job for their reserve team and put in some stunning performances in the UEFA Youth League. It’s no surprise Klopp wants to hand him a six-year deal as a reward, according to Record late last week.

Camacho possesses all the right ingredients to become a devastating attacking player. The Portuguese is an electric player, showcasing excellent skill on the ball to create some stunning moments. His impressive creativity’s also been shown with some sublime assists this season, while he can wander into the middle to score beautiful goals.

Racking up some impressive stats in Premier League 2 competition this season (as per Transfermarkt), 12 goals and 8 assists across all competitions is certainly good going.

The Portuguese is the complete package for Klopp. He’ll really relish managing such a multi-talented player, who can also operate as a right wing-back. If Alexander-Arnold’s inspired development under the German proved anything, Camacho’s devastating work can be taken to another level in the senior team.

Despite his age, Camacho possesses the talent to make his mark in the senior team. He can compete with Alexander-Arnold for the wing-back place, or just learn under Mohamed Salah and be his backup for now. Simply put, primed for a bright future and there’s no better road to achieving it than under Klopp’s guidance, which can take him to new heights very soon.

Liverpool fans, do you think Camacho can shine through at senior level? Join the discussion by commenting below…

“It was never my choice to leave Pompey because of the special relationship that I had with the supporters, with my team-mates and with the coach.”

Those were the words (as per the Guardian) of former Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari after he was sold to Manchester City in the remaining hours of the 2008 winter transfer window, a deal that was pushed to the final minutes after the striker missed two flights to Manchester after he fell asleep at the airport, but Premier League officials allowed the move to happen despite how late everything took place.

The deal was a shock to Pompey fans, as Benjani was a real fan favourite at Fratton Park.

Signed from Auxerre for a then club-record fee of £4.1 million in January 2006 after Arsene Wenger recommended the striker to Harry Redknapp, the Zimbabwe attacker didn’t get to the best of starts of life in the Premier League.

It took 14 games for the then 27-year-old to score his first goal for the club, but nevertheless, Benjani quickly became a supporter’s favourite at Portsmouth. His work rate and willingness to help his teammates warmed fans to fans, but on paper and to neutrals, the striker looked like a total dud of a signing.

That was until his final five months with the club in the 2007/08 season, where the striker finally found his scoring boots. From August to the end of January, Benjani scored 12 goals in the league, including a hat-trick in the famous 7-4 win against Reading and another one against newly promoted Derby County.

His impressive form is what led to Sven-Goran Eriksson shelling out £8 million for Benjani on transfer deadline day in dramatic fashion, a deal that was so last minute that it wasn’t even confirmed until the 5th of February.

His time in the North West was not a prosperous one, though, Injuries caught up with Benjani, and the striker joined City in the midst of their financial takeover that has made the Manchester club the football powerhouse they are today, and two years and 31 appearances later, the Zimbabwe international was one the move again.

A year in Blackburn was followed by a move back to Portsmouth, who were now in the Championship, as a free-agent at age 33, where Benjani failed to really make an impact, scoring once in 18 league appearances.

Benjani will be remembered at Portsmouth as the player who loved the club and didn’t want to leave even when City came in for him, and it proved to be a move that would finish his career.

Portsmouth fans, what is your favourite memory of Benjani? Let us know!

[ad_pod ]

Seemingly from nowhere Daniel James has electrified the Championship this season, scoring eye-catching goals and dazzling onlookers with his blistering pace.

The 21-year-old Swansea sensation put in a Man of the Match performance against Manchester City last month in the FA Cup which swiftly gained the attention of Pep Guardiola. Now WalesOnline are reporting that City have joined a long queue of admirers that includes Tottenham, Leicester and Bournemouth.

Is he all pace and no knickers though? Here’s what those in the know think.

Graham Potter – Swansea boss

After absorbing a stunning individual strike against Stoke last week James’ manager could contain himself no longer, saying via BBC:

“If you look at the performance, if you are being honest it’s above Championship level. I have run out of superlatives to be honest. His ability to run, his desire to run, his courage and then his quality – we are just lucky to witness it.”

This high praise followed Potter’s effusive thoughts after seeing his young winger torment England’s first choice full-back at the Liberty Stadium in mid-March, via BBC.

“Against Manchester City he matches the physicality of Kyle Walker, for example, and runs away from players at that level. That’s a direct comparison against Premier League players at the very top and you can see his quality.”

Ryan Giggs – Wales manager

In what proved to be an auspicious seven days for James, he immediately followed up his name-making display in the cup with a winning goal to down Slovakia while gaining his second cap for Wales. In Ryan Giggs the left-sided wide-man couldn’t hope for a better mentor and post-game the Manchester United legend – so often taciturn – was clearly chuffed to have a mini-me in his ranks, via BBC.

“Dan has taken his club football into international football, because he’s been on fire.

“I was delighted he scored the goal, he was a constant threat and in the first half, we will have given the defenders nightmares because of his speed and his directness.”

John Hartson – ex-player and pundit

The former Celtic and West Ham targetman would have loved a team-mate like James, causing havoc, creating space and dishing up chances galore. Speaking to talkSPORT recently Hartson was only too happy to lavish further praise on a boy wonder who is seeing his estimation grow each and every game.

“Dan James has got a bright future. He scored a goal in his second cap where he was starting on the left-hand side. He has ridiculous pace and played well against Manchester City in the FA Cup. He was almost out of the door and was up at Leeds signing for £10million. I think that will treble now with the market the way it is.”

Verdict

Rarely does a youngster explode onto the scene so dramatically and with his quick feet and pace to burn James is a valuable commodity. Top-flight defenders will be dreading the potential prospect of keeping up with him next term.

[ad_pod ]

West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Andriy Yarmolenko will not return to action before the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

What’s the story?

Sky Sports quotes Pellegrini as saying:

“Yarmolenko is working very well, he has no pain, he is running and kicking the ball, but maybe it will be too soon for him to play before we finish.

“The Achilles tendon is one of the worst injuries you can have because you cannot go faster, you must exercise the ligament and then wait. To play this season I don’t think would be good for him. It would be better to do a very good pre-season.”If you return after a long injury you get muscle injuries. He must be calm and wait for next season working hard, and we will see the player that we brought because he is a very good player.”

Yarmolenko has been on the sidelines since suffering a torn Achilles against Tottenham Hotspur in October, which required an operation.

It had been thought that the 29-year-old could return to action before the end of the season.

Pellegrini has provided a positive update on the 80-time Ukraine international, but has insisted that no risks will be taken with the attacker, meaning that he will not be seen in a West Ham shirt until pre-season.

How has Yarmolenko performed since arriving?

West Ham secured the services of Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund in July 2018.

He played in each of the London club’s first nine Premier League matches of the campaign, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Both of the attacker’s goals came in a 3-1 victory at Goodison Park in September and it did appear that the Ukrainian was just finding his feet before picking up the injury in the league against Spurs on October 20.

There is no question that the Hammers have missed his craft and knowhow in recent months, but having the 6 ft 2 ace fit and firing for the start of the 2019-2020 campaign will be like a new signing for the club.

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter to reveal that they want Dean Henderson to spend next season out on loan again, after achieving promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United this term.

The 22-year-old stopper has kept a league-high 20 clean sheets in the Championship for the Blades this campaign, conceding just 39 goals in 44 games; he has arguably been the best keeper outside of the top-flight.

Find out which stadiums fans have nominated for the worst atmosphere in football in the video below…

A World Cup winner with the England Under-20 side, Henderson is highly rated by United fans, with some even calling for him to be given a chance in goal ahead of David de Gea, who has performed woefully in recent weeks.

However, those with a more sensible head on their shoulders have now called for Henderson to be loaned out again, with Chris Wilder’s side interested in taking the glovesman back on a temporary deal.

Let’s see what the United supporters on Twitter have been saying…

قاد الويلزي جاريث بيل توتنهام لفوز صعب على فريق برايتون مساء اليوم في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب توتنهام مباراة الفريقين في الجولة السابعة، حيث فاز الديوك بهدفين مقابل هدف. أهداف مباراة توتنهام وبرايتون

وكان هاري كين قد سجل هدف توتنهام الأول في الدقيقة 13 من ركلة جزاء.

وفي الدقيقة 56 أحرز طارق لامبتي هدف التعادل، والذي أقرت بصحته تقنية الفيديو بعد عودة الحكم إليها بسبب وجود تدخل على لاعب توتنهام هويبيرغ قبل تسجيله.

وشارك جاريث بيل كبديل في الدقيقة 70، قبل أن يسجل هدف فوز كتيبة جوزيه مورينيو في الدقيقة 73.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد توتنهام إلى 14 نقطة في المركز الثاني بفارق نقطتين فقط خلف ليفربول، بينما تجمد رصيد برايتون عند 5 نقاط في المركز السادس عشر.

[ad_pod ]

International Liverpool fans on Twitter are not best pleased after a major announcement by the club regarding preparations for next season.

The Reds confirmed on Tuesday evening the destination for their pre-2019/2020 summer tour, heading to the USA for the second consecutive year after journeying to North Carolina, New Jersey and Michigan to encounter Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Manchester United in 2018.

This time around, Jurgen Klopp’s men will first clash with Borussia Dortmund at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana on 19 July, before facing off with Sevilla at Fenway Park in Boston two days later, and rounding off the trip against Sporting CP at the Yankee Stadium in New York on 24 July.

Chelsea fans were giving it large at Anfield on Sunday. Watch their afternoon get slowly ruined in the video below…

However, the exciting news has upset some unhappy Reds supporters from all four corners of the globe, complaining that the Premier League title contenders didn’t choose destinations such as South Africa, Singapore and Switzerland amongst others.

Check out the pick of their replies below…