All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

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Tottenham Hotspur have the perfect opportunity to embrace the pace against Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Harry Kane picked up a potentially serious ankle injury in the second half of the encounter before Son Heung-Min scored the winner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

On the chalkboard

Spurs, of course, have been forced to deal with a Kane layoff before this season.

The England captain tore his ankle ligaments in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Wembley and subsequently missed encounters against Fulham, Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City in the Premier League.

They won all four of those games, with Son scoring in each one, including the winner against the Magpies.

Kane was also absent from the Champions League last-16 first leg tie against Borussia Dortmund and Spurs won 3-0, with Son scoring the first goal.

In that game, Mauricio Pochettino lined up with Lucas Moura and Son as his forwards, with Christian Eriksen in behind.

Both players offer the one attribute that Kane lacks; pace.

There is also the possibility of moving Dele Alli into a more advanced role but one feels as though Tottenham need to embrace the fluidity offered by the more attacking duo further forward.

Flexible and fluid

Son and Lucas playing together may well bamboozle Pep Guardiola’s side.

Both are adept at featuring on the flank, but they each have the ability to play through the middle as well.

City do not have a great deal of pace in the centre of defence and there are myriad options afforded to Pochettino by playing the duo.

Each player could start on their respective flanks and drift inside, swapping with each other and a false nine – potentially Alli – to confuse the City defence.

One feels that Spurs need to score at the Etihad to progress, so difficult is it to keep a clean sheet against them when they are at home.

Playing both attackers together increases the chances of doing just that.

[ad_pod ]Leeds fans have been reacting to an Ezgjan Alioski’s bounty of crazy moments following an incident with Pontus Jansson during Saturday’s match against Sheffield Wednesday.A compilation was posted on social media of Alioski’s bizarre antics and it has a lot of fans talking.The latest in a long list of strange incidents involving Alioski was an encounter with his teammate on Saturday.The video shows Jansson seemingly whispering something in Aliosksi’s ear or kissing him on the cheek but the Macedonian didn’t take too kindly to the defender’s actions.The 27-year-old seems to swing a feint punch at the Swede but fortunately failed to land anything substantial on the centre back.It’s unsure what Jansson said or did to garner such a visceral reaction from the defender but Alioski clearly wasn’t happy.The video also shows other strange instances involving Alioski including shaking the entrance tunnel at Elland Road as well as screaming during training sessions.Alioski’s absurd behaviour has split the fanbase with some finding his antics endearing whilst others have been calling him crazy.Here’s what Leeds fans had to say on Twitter…How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

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Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk put in memorable displays in Brighton’s agonising 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.

The Seagulls were playing their game-in-hand over Cardiff, who sit 18th in the table and only three points behind them.

Dunk has enjoyed a good season for Brighton, having earned his first England call-up and cap under Gareth Southgate, and he’s kicked on this season despite Brighton’s dip in form.

Dunk’s partner Duffy made a wonderful clearance on the goal-line to deny Dele Alli in the first half – a chance he looked destined to score.

In the end it needed Christian Eriksen to conjure a beautiful left-footed effort into the near corner of the net to break down a resilient and stubborn Brighton defence who are fighting for their Premier League survival.

Despite Brighton not winning a Premier League game since their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the beginning of March, fans saw optimism in this performance, and many singled out the centre-back pairing for their contribution.

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According to The Times, Real Madrid have cooled their interest in Christian Eriksen as they are reluctant to do business with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy once again.

Levy, known as a very tough negotiator, is said to value Eriksen at around £60m, despite the fact that the Denmark international will see his contract with the London club expire at the end of next season.

Real Madrid have been consistently linked with a move, but according to The Times, Los Blancos are ready to drop their interest.

And the Tottenham fans have been on social media offering their reaction.

It remains to be seen whether Eriksen, who has scored nine times this season, pens a fresh deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a number of clubs would happily sign him.

If the European champions have dropped their interest that is excellent news for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, though, as they attempt to keep the playmaker in the English capital.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

After 46 games in which the club’s supporters have experienced a roller-coaster of emotions, Sheffield Wednesday’s season finally reached a crescendo on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Hillsborough.

Having started the campaign with Jos Luhukay in charge, any hopes of launching a bid for automatic promotion were decimated by December as a myriad of underwhelming performances threatened to drop the Owls into a relegation battle.

Following a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City, the Portuguese boss was given his marching orders by chairman Dejphon Chansiri who replaced him with Steve Bruce.

Tasked with steadying the ship at Wednesday, the 58-year-old has managed to exceed all expectations during his first four months at the club as a positive run of results saw the club finish in the top-half of the Championship table.

Whereas the likes of Michael Hector and Barry Bannan have clearly improved during Bruce’s tenureship, if the Owls are to launch a sustained bid for promotion next season, it is clear that they must convince Adam Reach to extend his stay in South Yorkshire.

Having enjoyed a superb year in the Championship in which he scored eight goals and provided seven assists for his team-mates, it would not be at all surprising if the 26-year-old attracts interest from elsewhere in the summer.

A tricky winger who possesses the skill needed to turn a game on its head in an instant, Reach has provided some stunning moments for the Owls since moving to the club in 2016 and is more than capable of driving them forwards over the coming years.

If Bruce does indeed receive offers for the former Middlesbrough ace, he must resist the temptation to sell him as by doing so, he will be giving his side the best opportunity of securing a return to the Premier League in 2020.

What do you think Owls fans? Should Bruce do everything he possibly can to keep Reach at the club next season? How impressed have you been with the midfielder’s development this year? Let us know below.

It has been a great year to be a Barnsley supporter, hasn’t it?

Following the disappointment of relegation last season, the Tykes have bounced back admirably under the guidance of Daniel Stendel who has completely transformed the club’s fortunes since being appointed manager in 2018.

The German’s faith in possession-based football has paid off massively as his side finally fought off the intense competition demonstrated by Portsmouth and Sunderland to secure automatic promotion in midweek.

Although Stendel will be focusing entirely on trying to secure a first third tier title for Barnsley in 64 years on Saturday, it would not be at all surprising if he is already making plans for the summer transfer window.

Despite the vast majority of his squad being more than good enough to make the step up to the Championship next season, it may be time for the Tykes to cut ties with Lloyd Isgrove.

Having initially impressed on loan for the Yorkshire-based outfit, the winger has failed to make any sort of impact since making a permanent move to Oakwell in 2017.

With the likes of Mamodou Thiam and Jacob Brown offering intense competition in Isgrove’s position this season, he only managed to make two appearances for Barnsley before joining Portsmouth on loan in January.

Whereas his time with the Tykes could be described as frustrating, his spell on the south-coast has been utterly disastrous. Despite Kenny Jackett’s side playing an expansive style of football, Isgrove has not made any impression at all for Pompey as he has been consigned to the substitutes bench at Fratton Park.

With it being overwhelmingly clear that the £225k-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) is nowhere near good enough to play in the second tier next season, Stendel should put the 26-year-old up for sale when the transfer window opens in July.

What do you think Barnsley fans? Should Stendel cut ties with Isgrove in the summer? Or is it worth giving the midfielder another chance to impress? Let us know below.

Frankly, Rangers need to upgrade nearly every position in their squad this summer. In an ideal world, they wouldn’t have had to touch Joe Worrall’s position though, but he looks like he’ll return to Nottingham Forest as it stands, so Timm Klose is the best option.

It’s not ideal for Gerrard to have to bring new players into positions he wouldn’t have wanted to alter. But that’s the situation.

Indeed, it’s looking like he’s got his eye on Swiss 30-year-old Klose from Norwich according to The Scotsman, having been linked with towards the back end of April. 

The centre-back’s contract is up in the summer so at least it won’t drain money from areas like centre-forward and the number 10 role where the club really do need to spend their money. To that end, he’s in his prime and Gerrard needs more experienced players to go with the young lads he’s brought in.

He’s played 31 times for Championship winners Norwich this season, even bagging four goals and an assist. All in all, he’s been a rock, and that’s exactly what Ibrox needs to allow the creative players to do their thing without the worry of leaking goals.

Next season is massive for the Gers. The fans are expecting improvement from this season and that means winning silverware. Having an experienced centre-back who has achieved success can lead them to victory.

He might not be as young or dynamic as Worrall, but he brings qualities that a young lad like him will only acquire with age.

Klose would be the perfect replacement if Gerrard can tempt him to Scotland.

Rangers fans, who would you sign if Joe Worrall doesn’t return next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Manchester United might find themselves having to look for a David De Gea (linked with PSG by the Express) replacement this summer, but they may have already found him in Ajax’s Andre Onana.

The 23-year-old was sold by Barcelona in 2015 for £135,000 (as per Transfermarkt), but this season he’s shone at Ajax. There’s no way his team would have been so impressive without him and it seems like United know that too, according to the Daily Record.

Indeed, such a low transfer fee speaks to what a gem he is and, while he’s obviously worth far more than that now, it’s hard to imagine the stopper attracting the sort of fee the likes of Matias De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong will command.

The aforementioned report believes United have made attempts to sign the Cameroon international, but Ajax have rejected their offer so far. That’d be a harsh blow for the club, but they could up their bid to secure the man who could be the next hero at Old Trafford.

De Gea has achieved almost god-like status during these tough times since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. In the future, Onana could reach the same heights but by bringing United back to the forefront of English football, a platform they are struggling to get back to. In fact, at this point, anyone who helps the Red Devils recover would be a hero for years.

He’s looked very promising in the Champions League this season, proving he can cope with the pressure of playing on the big stage. He was particularly impressive against Spurs in the semi-final, making some outstanding saves, despite the dramatic loss.

Trained at two of Europe’s most historic clubs, the African certainly has the kind of footballing pedigree to fit in at the Theatre of Dreams.

United need a clean sheet in more ways than one. A fresh start is needed for players right across the pitch, whether that be through transfers or a change in attitude. Bringing in Onana as a De Gea replacement would give United a new hero to get behind.

United fans, who do you want your club to sign if David De Gea leaves? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Arsenal supporters on Twitter have excitedly welcomed the news that Takuma Asano will return to the Emirates this summer after Hannover rejected their option to buy the forward.

Asano was signed by Arsene Wenger in the summer of 2016 but has yet to appear for the Gunners, instead spending three years on loan in the Bundesliga, two with Stuttgart and one with Hannover.

The Japanese international’s spell at Hannover never got off the ground as he made just 13 Bundesliga appearances without scoring a single goal.

Wenger described Asano as “a talented young striker and very much one for the future,” but he was never given an opportunity in England after his work permit was denied.

While it seems unlikely that the 24-year old will get a real chance under Unai Emery, the Gunners are in search of a replacement for Danny Welbeck and Arsenal fans on Twitter have claimed that Asano deserves a chance to establish himself in north London.

Check out the best of the reaction below!

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Phil Hay on Twitter immediately shut down any rumours that Leeds United would once again look for a move for Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez.

The forward proved his striking credentials in English football during his spell at Hull City where he netted 20 goals in the Championship in one season.

The 28-year-old has now been released by CSKA Moscow and is available on a free. Leeds were chasing him back in 2018, but it seems that they’re unwilling to go back in for him this time around.

Need a striker

Leeds are in desperate need for a forward this summer. Although Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford scored quite a few goals between them, the Whites’ conversion rate was the worst in the Championship last season.

The strikers at Elland Road have been squandering too many chances over the past 12 months, and if Leeds are to go up next year that has to stop.

Hernandez is a proven goalscorer at this level, and if he is available for free it doesn’t make any sense for Victor Orta to just ignore that.

29 goals in 52 Championship appearances tells you all you need to know about the Uruguayan’s proficiency up top.

Best option available

Leeds have been linked with loads of strikers since the season ended. Michael Frey and Dwight Gayle immediately spring to mind.

The Newcastle man would cost close to £20 million, whilst Frey is valued at £2.25 million by Transfermarkt.

Both of these fees would likely add up to more than Hernandez’s yearly wages if he is signed on a free transfer.

Frey has never been a prolific scorer in his career, and whilst Gayle has been a fantastic Championship striker, Hernandez may be better value for money.

Gayle has an unbelievable strike rate scoring 47 goals in 72 Championship appearances, but Hernandez is one of the only players in the world who can rival that in this division netting 29 in 52.

Leeds would be saving themselves a lot of cash if they opted for Hernandez rather than Gayle, and despite his marginally worse goalscoring record he would still be the better signing.