Not bothered: Sheffield Wednesday fans react to latest Onomah setback

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According to a report in The Sheffield Star, Sheffield Wednesday loanee Josh Onomah has suffered yet another injury setback after dislocating his elbow in training on Friday, but these Owls fans don’t really seem that bothered.

An England Under-21 international who did well in a similar temporary spell with Aston Villa last season, there would have been high hopes that the Tottenham youngster could make a big impact at Hillsborough this term, but it just hasn’t happened with no goals and three assists thus far.

The 21-year-old has only appeared in 12 Championship games and the Wednesday faithful clearly haven’t been impressed with what they have seen from the midfielder, with three of those that replied when Star journalist Dom Howson tweeted the story suggesting the latest blow should see the club look into terminating the deal.

It is a shame in many ways that he looks set to lose his big chance to work under Steve Bruce, who admitted, via The Sheffield Star last week, that he is a “big admirer” of Onomah.

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans – and who can blame them – clearly aren’t convinced though with one saying they “would hardly call it a blow”, and if he requires surgery on his elbow then he may potentially already have made his last appearance in a blue and white shirt.

Here is just a selection of the reaction to Howson’s Twitter post…

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The best: Liverpool fans have an incredibly high opinion of Luis Suarez

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Luis Suarez joined Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011.

The Uruguay international went on to make 133 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, finding the back of the net on 82 occasions and providing 47 assists.

The now 32-year-old eventually left Anfield to join Barcelona in 2014 and he has continued to enjoy success, scoring 173 times in 237 appearances.

Suarez’s scoring record across the board is absolutely fantastic.

In the grand scheme of things, the forward did not spend that long with Liverpool, but the Premier League club’s fans have an incredibly high opinion of the South American.

Indeed, in response to a video posted on social media, the Liverpool supporters were out in force to lavish praise on the 6 ft ace.

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Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino is not a bad front three, but Suarez was a cut above all three, certainly in the eyes of a number of the club’s fans.

Some have even called for Suarez to return to Anfield, but he is too busy winning trophy after trophy with Barcelona.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Stewart Donald says he rejected an offer for Sunderland over the international break

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Stewart Donald made a rather surprising admission in an interview this week, claiming he rejected an offer to buy Sunderland very recently.

The Black Cats have been on somewhat of a road to redemption since Donald took over last year, and while they haven’t run away with the league by any means, automatic promotion is still well on the cards.

Since the new boss’ arrival, the club have also shifted some of the deadwood like Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji, made a cup final and even redecorated at The Stadium of Light.

And now, he claims his efforts are being recognised by potential investors.

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What did he say?

“I had one (offer for the club), funnily enough, 10 days ago,” he told BBC Newcastle, as reported by Roker Report.

“Somebody said the first he had seen of us was in a bar in Mexico, in his hotel, where he had come down in the morning for breakfast and Sunderland ‘Til I Die was on.

“He liked the programme and he was interested in a football club, ‘any chance we’re for sale?’

“It’s a huge, huge club. So it’s always going to attract interest and then when you throw Netflix on the top of it and you show the passion of the place, then I think anybody that wants a football club would look at Sunderland.

“Then of course because we’re turning round and we’ve got some momentum, that makes us even more attractive.”

Music to the ears

Donald is pretty spot on with his analysis here. The Neftlix documentary showed off exactly how passionate the fans on Wearside are, and any potential investor with a true love of football will be able to relate to that.

The club are also in a good position financially for the first time in years, and of course have the riches of a cup final at Wembley and potential promotion to look forward to.

Even if the club does not secure promotion this season, there is no question they are back on the rise and headed in the right direction, and Donald knows it.

It would be very surprising to see him sell up for any amount, but this is certainly good news for fans in terms of attracting more investment in the future.

Classic Broony! Celtic fans love what Brown said about post-game brawl

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Loads of Celtic fans have been revelling in the aftermath of Sunday’s Old Firm, and they absolute adore Scott Brown’s post-game comments.

Odsonne Edouard was once again the hero on Sunday and Brown was once again the centre of attention.

Edouard, who now has four goals in five derbies against the Gers, buried a lovely finish to put his side in front before Alfredo Morelos was sent off for an incident involving Brown.

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The Colombian lashed out at the Hoops skipper and was promptly given his marching orders, and it was not until the 63rd minute that the visitors registered a shot on target, as Ryan Kent levelled the scores with their first effort on goal.

James Forrest then continued his excellent season, pouncing on a mistake from James Tavernier and making no mistake in front of goal.

There was then more controversy after the game, as Brown’s decision to celebrate near the Rangers fans sparked a small brawl.

Andy Halliday was sent off as a result, and Brown told Sky Sports after the game: “He came up to congratulate me.”

Those six words were followed by a cheeky little smile, and Celtic fans are absolutely loving it.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Would be bold: Manchester United fans split over Gary Neville appointment

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Manchester United fans on Twitter have been busy discussing the prospect of Gary Neville becoming the club’s sporting director, a topic which appears to have split the fanbase.

The conversation had been started after Eni Aluko tipped the former United right-back as the ‘perfect choice’ for the role.

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It is common knowledge that the Red Devils currently do not have a sporting director to assist Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with all things football, but most notably, transfers.

The 20-time Premier League champions seem to have lacked direction in the transfer market of late, with their botched deal to sign Alexis Sanchez more than concrete proof of that.

For a job of this size, it would be a hugely controversial move to appoint Neville as sporting director given the magnitude of the task ahead.

Neville does have a good knowledge of the club having spent his entire career at Old Trafford though, and has some business experience from his role as co-owner of Salford City.

However, that hasn’t been enough to convince all of the United fanbase on Twitter that he is the man for the job…

What is Virtual Football Betting?

Technology advancements in recent years have allowed games to become more realistic and immersive. This has been seen in betting sites which have introduced “virtual football betting. “These are football matches and leagues that are completely simulated. However, they offer an ultra-realistic experience which matches the excitement of the real football leagues. You can have a fantastic betting experience with virtual football. You can view a list of free bets to get yourself started. Each bookmaker offers a slightly different version of virtual football betting, and therefore it can be a good idea to compare. This will allow you to find the right experience that matches your requirements. In this article, we take a look at what virtual football betting is, and the way in which bookmakers have taken advantage of the technology.

How Does Virtual Football Betting Work?

In many ways, virtual football betting works in a similar manner to the real thing. Virtual betting can be a good way to get yourself acquainted with the rules of the games and try to understand the markets better. There are many markets and odds offered for virtual football games. You are also able to watch a simulation of the match, which can be highly entertaining. It allows you to experience all the thrills of a real-life football match. The difference is that it is purely simulated, and it is generally available at any time. There are kickoffs for virtual games every hour.

The outcomes are not prone to any bias, and they are picked through an accurate algorithm. This means that you can be sure that the odds reflect the real chances of an outcome. This differs from real-world betting, where there can be fluctuations in odds based on betting patterns. Virtual football betting provides ‘fake’ histories of the club’s results, and even detailed player profiles. In this sense, it does a good job in replicating the football betting experience.

Features of Football Betting

Virtual football betting involves a simulated match that you can follow. These are far shorter than usual football matches, which makes it far more convenient. You can ‘watch’ the match in real-time, and there are superb graphics. These innovative and advanced graphics provide a vivid experience that feels like the real thing. Additionally, virtual matches are based upon real-life stadiums which further adds to the authenticity. There is even live commentary and a highlights reel available with virtual football matches which adds to the realism.

Benefits of Football Betting

– Available 24/7 at a time to suit you

– Easy to play and understand

– High-quality video of virtual football matches

– Only have to deal with the limited information provided bookie which saves time researching

Conclusion

You should now have a better idea of what virtual football betting entails. It is a fantastic way to get closer to the action on any schedule. Its ultra-realistic and immersive interface means that it does a fantastic job of replicating the actual experience. We are excited to see where virtual football betting will go next, but it is obvious that virtual sports as a whole are primed for huge betting growth.

Jordan Veretout’s agent was in the stands at Arsenal on Thursday night

Arsenal must head into the transfer window this summer with a priority of adding creativity to their midfield. With Aaron Ramsey set to leave the club, his recent performances should have only highlighted Unai Emery’s need for a replacement.

And, it appears there could be some good news on the horizon for the Gunners as one of their rumoured target’s agent was spotted in attendance during their Europa League win against Napoli.

What’s the News?

Calciomercato are claiming that Jordan Veretout’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, was in the stands on Thursday night.

It is suggested that he could have been there to discuss the possibility of a deal for his client, who is currently excelling for Fiorentina after a rather nightmarish campaign with Aston Villa earlier in his career.

However, Arsenal do not seem to be the only side thought to be interested in the midfielder, with Napoli also believed to be keen on the 26-year-old.

The Verdict:

News that Guiffredi was in the stands on Thursday night when both clubs were in action against each other could easily appear to suggest that a move to either of the sides could be on the cards in the summer.

And, Emery and Arsenal must look to beat Napoli to his signature. Veretout has shown how good of a footballer he can be and his nightmare spell in England with Aston Villa should only be put down as a blip.

With Aaron Ramsey set to depart in the summer, the Frenchman, who is valued at £22.5million (Transfermarkt) could be an ideal replacement and could make life after the Wales international rather comfortable for the Gunners.

The 26-year-old has shown that he is more than capable in front of goal, with five strikes to his name, whilst he has also proved he has the vision and creativity that has been desperately lacking for Arsenal in the middle of the field as he has provided his team-mates with three assists in Serie A.

A threat from set-pieces, he is also hugely versatile and could offer Emery plenty of different options in the midfield, whether that be more defensively or in the attacking third of the pitch.

Arsenal fans, would you be happy to see Veretout at the Emirates Stadium next season? Do you think his agent being at the ground is a positive sign? Join in with the discussion below by sharing your thoughts with us.

The Verdict: Should Spurs keep Champions League hero Llorente?

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Fernando Llorente scored the goal to send Tottenham Hotspur into the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday evening.

The Spanish striker’s contract expires at the end of the season and he has been something of a bit-part player this season.

In total, he has started just six matches this season, though he has made a total of 28 appearances, scoring eight goals.

The 34-year-old’s goal on Wednesday perhaps characterised his Spurs career. He came off the bench to replace the injured Moussa Sissoko and scored a goal with his hip from a corner. Thanks to VAR, it was allowed, and, thanks to VAR, Raheem Sterling’s late goal was ruled out. Llorente, thus, was the hero of the piece.

Should he be kept on, then, and be handed a new contract? Football FanCast’s writers give their verdicts below!

Matt Dawson

“I don’t particularly rate Fernando Llorente at all but I think Spurs should definitely consider giving him a new contract. Many of the top sides need a cunning plan B and he is exactly that. His goals record isn’t exactly phenomenal but you’re not going to find anyone better who’s willing to sit on the bench and play second fiddle to Harry Kane. Tying him down for at least another year or two would make sense.”

Billy Meyers

“I don’t think the romantic moment at the Etihad should cloud any logical judgement over Fernando Llorente here. Yes, it was a magical moment, but if it hadn’t happened, Spurs would almost definitely have binned him at the end of the season. It was also noticeable just how weaker they looked going forward with him up top; he doesn’t suit the style of the team, and shouldn’t be kept on at his age.”

Ben Goodwin

“I would give Llorente another short-term deal, but only if he is going to be the third-choice centre forward next season, rather than the second. For years Spurs have been hunting for a capable deputy for Harry Kane, and with the talisman now showing a consistent knack of picking up ankle problems, a young, pacey option that will compete with Llorente is a must this summer. If that happens, signing the Spaniard to at least another year should be a no-brainer, as he offers something completely different to all of Mauricio Pochettino’s other options.”

Liverpool: Fairly insane demands for Marko Grujic may not be a good idea

Liverpool are enjoying such a prolific season that, not only their own players, but those on loan are also enjoying success.

Indeed, the Reds’ loanees have been impressive in different leagues, with midfielder Marko Grujic finding his form with Hertha Berlin.

The centre midfielder’s proved his talent in the Bundesliga with some impressive performances. The 23-year-old’s been an absolute rock in midfield, protecting Berlin from trouble time and again. As well as having scored four goals, the Serbian’s worked tirelessly on his defensive side, averaging 2.2 tackles, 2.5 clearances and 3.4 aerials won per game (stats via WhoScored).

He’s been a diligent figure, distributing possession proficiently and also helping cover for his defence. As a result, interest for him is mounting up. Indeed, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are seemingly especially keen. However, according to reports (via Independent), the Reds are demanding a fairly shocking £35 million for someone who is surplus to requirement.

Clearly, FSG are just trying to churn out profit and it’d clearly but a masterstroke but the required fee is way too inflated. So much so that it could even put interested parties off. Indeed, Grujic’s only made eight league appearances for Liverpool and is definitely not getting into their packed squad anymore. They should just decrease the fee by a few million to cash in.

Obviously, everyone involved with Liverpool would want as much money as possible and that’s both understandable and commendable in equal measure. However, why run the risk of putting anyone off? A more reasonable fee would surely be in order here, capitalising on any big interest from the Spanish capital.

Liverpool fans, do you think Grujic should be sold this summer? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Adrien Rabiot would be the biggest gamble of Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs career

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Tottenham Hotspur are hardly renowned for taking gambles in the transfer market but a recent report from Italian media outlet Calciomercato suggests they are ready to roll the dice on a maverick this summer.

What’s the word?

In an exclusive report, Calciomercato have claimed that Tottenham are set to go head-to-head with Juventus for the signature of Adrien Rabiot this summer.

Spurs held talks with the 24-year-old in the winter but they felt the player had his eyes on a move to Anfield instead.

However, the report reveals that the Champions League semi-finalists are now ready to break their wage structure in order to lure him to north London.

Traditionally Spurs have seldom been willing to break their wage structure, an approach which has been starkly criticised throughout the media, so it would be a massive statement from the club to compromise on their financial norms to accommodate the divisive playmaker.

Biggest gamble of Pochettino’s Spurs career

Rabiot was embroiled in controversy when he asked to be removed from the standby list from France’s World Cup winning squad in 2018.

It was a petulant act which underlined a potentially disruptive facet of his personality, lending plenty of reason for interested suitors to abandon a potential transfer pursuit.

Not only is Rabiot a known trouble maker, the fact Spurs could break their wage structure to facilitate a deal is one which threatens to unhinge the squad.

After all, the mercurial playmaker has hardly done anything groundbreaking in his career to justify that kind of special treatment, and that acknowledgement amongst Tottenham’s players could create a toxic feeling of resentment within the dressing room.

There’s no doubt those feelings would cease to exist if he proved to be a game-changing signing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but major question marks remain over the true extent of his ability.

Pochettino hasn’t taken a major risk in the transfer market since arriving at the club and his cautious approach has worked wonders so far.

But with a gifted player likely to be available on a free transfer this summer, it’s easy to see why Daniel Levy is tempted by this major gamble.

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