Sports
Newcastle Should Consider Hiring Andoni Iraola
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has to be under pressure at St James’ Park, and PIF should be doing everything they can to bring Andoni Iraola to the club.
Newcastle’s latest defeat saw them beaten at the hands of their North East rivals Sunderland, with Nick Woltemade heading into his own net to separate the sides. That means the Magpies sit in 12th position in the Premier League table, with their away form a particular concern, winning just once on the road this season.
Newcastle scraped Champions League qualification last term on the final day of the campaign, but they’ve taken a step back with their progress this season. Howe’s side invested significantly in the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad, so the pressure has to be mounting on the manager after a disappointing few months.
Newcastle Must Hire Andoni Iraola to Replace Eddie Howe
After significant investment, Newcastle have to be competing for European places. Although pressure on Howe might feel a little premature, there has been lots of media speculation surrounding the future of Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur, and the Danish manager has his side higher than Newcastle, despite finishing 17th last term.
The same pressure doesn’t appear to be on Howe, but if their form on the road continues, Newcastle will have to consider making a decision.
Iraola has done a superb job, turning Bournemouth from a struggling side to one that has a chance of competing in the top half. The Cherries finished ninth last season, and although they’ve dropped off this term, they sold three of their starting back four, and their recruitment is heavily focused on signing young talent, meaning it’s never going to be instant success.
Despite that, Iraola has made Bournemouth a competitive side, and his play style could be suited to the Magpies. The Mirror have tipped Iraola as a potential replacement for Howe, with his high-energy style and blending of young talent likely attractive to Newcastle.
Iraola Could be Keen on Newcastle Move
Although Iraola appears happy at Bournemouth, there could come a time when their transfer strategy frustrates him. Their recruitment policy is to sign young players, develop, and sell, and it becomes difficult for them to progress as they are constantly losing top-quality stars.
Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Illya Zabarnyi are recent examples, while Antoine Semenyo, who described Iraola as ‘unbelievable’, could be on his way out the door due to having a release clause. Newcastle are less inclined to sell their best players, excluding Alexander Isak after Liverpool‘s ridiculous offer, and that could be an attraction for Iraola.
Manchester United’s dream target for the summer transfer window could be available for £77m, with his club seriously considering selling him.
The Red Devils have already missed out on some key targets in the last few weeks, and they won’t want to see that happen again.
Mateus Fernandes made the move to Tottenham despite United showing a strong interest in the Portuguese midfielder, while Elliot Anderson moved to their rivals Manchester City.
United clearly didn’t want to pay the kind of fees that Tottenham and Manchester City were willing to pay, which is a fine strategy as long as you bring in alternatives.
Signing a new midfielder will remain United’s priority, and their dream target could now be available.
Man Utd’s ‘Dream’ Target Available
According to journalist Rodra, Real Madrid are now seriously considering selling Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer transfer window.
It’s claimed that the Spanish giants will consider selling him for a fee in the region of £77 million, which could be good news for Manchester United.
Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Tchouameni is United’s ‘dream’ target for the summer transfer window.
It will be interesting to see if this news prompts United to make a move to secure his signature, as they desperately need midfield reinforcements.
Missing out on both Anderson and Fernandes, United need to get a move on when it comes to midfield additions, and Tchouameni could be the ideal signing.
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Man Utd Need to Make a Statement
Manchester United now need to make a statement when it comes to bringing in a new midfielder during the summer transfer window.
Every United fan knows that Anderson and Fernandes were two priority targets for the Red Devils. They now need to ensure they make a statement move in order to get a top midfielder through the door.
Anderson and Fernandes would have both improved United significantly, and they could risk falling behind their rivals if they don’t make a strong midfield signing.
There is plenty of time remaining in the window, but United fans may be getting frustrated with the difficulties they are having at the moment.
Egypt prepared for their World Cup penalty shootout victory over Australia by watching a clip of a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
The African nation booked their place in the last 16 with a 4-2 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. The Aussies made a tactical change ahead of the shootout, opting to bring on former Arsenal goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.
That substitution made no difference as Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their spot-kicks. Ryan didn’t manage to save a single one of the Egyptians’, including Mohamed Salah, who produced a clever finish.
Egypt studied Ryan vs Mbappe
One of the Egyptians’ coaching team brought out a laptop and showed the players a clip of Mbappe scoring a penalty in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Levante in January. This had evidently been pre-planned and to ensure Hossam Hassan’s men weren’t distracted by Ryan.
The Australian goalkeeper had been in goal for Mbappe’s spot-kick and tried to put the French forward off by moving side to side along his goal line. He ended up getting sent the wrong way, and that was the case for most of the Round of 32 shootout.
There is a chance the African country expected their opponents to make the goalkeeping change and knew what to expect. Mbappe mocked Ryan after scoring his penalty, which will have undoubtedly irked the former Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper.
Being eliminated from the World Cup will have hurt even more, especially when given the opportunity to be your country’s hero. Instead, he and the Socceroos have bowed out of the competition while Egypt head into the last 16, where they will meet either Argentina or Cape Verde.
Australia penalty selection stirs up controversy
Ryan’s failure to save any of Egypt’s penalties wasn’t what ultimately cost Tony Popovic’s side. Misses from Souttar and Herrington meant they were knocked out in the first knockout round.
There has since been backlash over those selected to take penalties, as two centre-backs were among the four chosen. Leicester City’s Souttar is their captain and perhaps felt confident enough to step up and get his side off the mark.
Souttar failed, as did Herrington, with the deciding spot-kick with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Selecting the Colorado Rapids defender hasn’t gone down well given he’s only 18.
The others to take penalties included St Pauli midfielder Jackson Irvine and Kenyan-born winger Awer Mabil. They tucked their spot-kicks away, but one has to wonder why other attackers weren’t prioritised over Souttar and Herrington.
How England Players Feel About Expected World Cup Kick-Off Time Change vs Mexico
Local media are claiming the Round of 16 tie between England and Mexico has already been brought forward by six hours.
How England players really feel about the rumoured kick-off time change for their World Cup Round of 16 tie against Mexico has emerged as Thomas Tuchel’s side continue to have their preparations thrown into chaos ahead of Sunday’s clash.
FIFA are yet to confirm the switch, but local media expect the fixture to be brought forward by six hours, meaning the Three Lions would kick off at 7pm in the UK, rather than 1am on Monday morning. With altitude already set to be a major hurdle, preparations have hardly been plain sailing.
Concerns have been compounded by a potentially hostile atmosphere after Ecuador lodged official complaints against El Tri, as fans let off fireworks and banged drums in the early hours outside their team hotel ahead of the Round of 32.
How England Players Feel About Potential Kick-Off Change vs Mexico
The prospect of a kick-off change has now thrown another spanner in the works as England enter the final stages of their preparations, as Mexico City weather forecasts are currently suggesting temperatures could soar to 35 degrees during the midday sunshine.
Despite that, both Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford have downplayed the perception that the change has much of an impact on the team. The former said (watch below):
“I don’t think it really affects us. I think we’ll be ready, regardless of the time. It’s always the way, the build-up and that, you always just want to play the game. So if it’s earlier, then it’ll probably help us, just getting that adrenaline out there, getting going. So yeah, we’re looking forward to it, we’re ready whatever the time.”
Rashford has doubled down on his teammates’ judgement, claiming “It’s a game of football at the end of the day.” The Manchester United winger continued (watch below):
“It might be a small adjustment that we need to make. But, at the end of the day, it doesn’t change our outlook on the game and what we’re trying to do. Whatever happens, however the game plays out, we’re going to try to come out on top.”
England FA Reportedly Stunned After Being ‘Left in the Dark’ About Changes
According to the Mirror, the English FA hasn’t taken the same optimistic approach to the alleged changes. They are said to be stunned after being left in the dark over a FIFA plan to bring forward their World Cup last 16 clash.
Neither they nor the Mexican Football Federation have yet received confirmation of the change so far, despite widespread reports in Mexico City that the match has already been switched.
The FA are believed to be deeply concerned about the effect this will have on England fans and how they will get to the historic Azteca Stadium. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what will happen to the UK’s emergency law change that has allowed pubs to remain open until 5am.
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