West Ham urged to sign Abraham

Marlon Harewood has urged West Ham United to sign Tammy Abraham after the Daily Telegraph reported that they are interested in the Chelsea striker.

Speaking to Football FanCast, the former Hammers forward thinks that the England international should be given a chance at his old club:

“That’s where West Ham should be looking, and I think Moysie [David Moyes] is that sort of person that he will be looking for a striker of that calibre, young, he’s ready to go, he’s been in the Premier League quite a while now. 

“I think he needs a chance, just like (Jesse) Lingard coming from Manchester United obviously not playing coming into the club, got a lot to show, and Tammy is one of them, got a lot to show [too] and would complement Antonio very well.”

West Ham should sign Abraham

If Abraham becomes available for sale in the summer transfer window, then the London Stadium faithful should absolutely jump at the chance to sign him.

The 23-year-old still has a lot of potential, and has scored no fewer than 12 goals and made a further six assists in 30 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

It is not just this season that Abraham has proven himself to be a prolific goal scorer either, with a total of 91 strikes combined for both club and country at senior level.

With Michail Antonio currently being the only recognised senior striker at the East London club, he could definitely use some help up top, and Abraham could well be that man.

Currently valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, he certainly would not come cheap, but Abraham is most definitely a player that the Irons should seriously be looking at to sign should he be made available for transfer.

In other news, find out what big West Ham update has erupted fans here!

102 anos de Verdão, 30 anos de porco: relembre como mascote foi adotado

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras comemora nesta sexta-feira o seu 102º aniversário. Durante boa parte desta rica história, o periquito foi a única mascote do clube, mas há quase 30 anos veio um novo xodó da torcida: o porco.

Seja nos gritos da arquibancada, no túnel de entrada dos jogadores no Allianz Parque, ou no Air Pork One, o porco verde que sobrevoa a arena no intervalo dos jogos, o palmeirense sabe da relação afetiva com o animal. Mas o mascote, adorado pelo presidente Paulo Nobre, não foi sempre abraçado pela torcida. Criado como xingamento dos rivais, o animal foi adotado pelas arquibancadas só em 1986.

Antes disso, foram 17 anos ouvindo principalmente corintianos gritando “porco” de forma pejorativa. Até um leitão chegou a ser solto em um Dérbi, recorda o ex-meia Jorginho Putinatti, um dos responsáveis pela adoção do porco.

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– Soltaram e o leitãozinho ficava correndo nos cantos do Morumbi, demoraram para pegar. Era gozação das outras torcidas – conta, ao LANCE!.

João Roberto Gobbato, então diretor de marketing do Palmeiras, começou em 1983 a cogitar assumir o porco. Foi detonado pelos conselheiros mais conservadores, mas as torcidas uniformizadas passaram a ver com bons olhos o novo mascote.

A data do primeiro grito de “porco” pelos palmeirenses é desencontrada. Alguns dizem ter sido dia 27 de agosto de 1986, data que completa 30 anos neste sábado, na vitória por 3 a 0 sobre o Corinthians. Outros no 1 a 0 em cima do Santos, no fim de outubro do mesmo ano, e até no 0 a 0 com o São Paulo, em novembro. Foi neste mês que Putinatti, então camisa 10 do time, posou para a revista Placar na histórica capa com o porco no colo. Dali para frente o Palmeiras, enfim, assumiu o apelido. Desde então, a ofensa virou motivo de orgulho. Dá-lhe porco!

A ORIGEM

Os palmeirenses passaram a ser chamados de porcos em 1969. Naquele Paulista, Lidu e Eduardo, dois dos destaques do Corinthians, morreram em um acidente de carro. Quando ocorreu isto, as inscrições já estavam encerradas, mas a diretoria corintiana tentou inscrever dois atletas no lugar. Para isso, todos os clubes deveriam ser a favor. O único contra foi o Verdão, por meio do voto do diretor de futebol José Gimenez. Um jornalista o chamou de “porco” após isso e os rivais adotaram o apelido. Na época, o Palestra Itália era o ‘Pururucão’ ou ‘Torresmão’.

CONFIRA UM BATE-BOLA COM JORGINHO PUTINATTI:

Lembra como foi a decisão de assumir o porco como mascote?
Tinha a gozação, a diretoria perguntou o que a gente achava e na época eles escolheram a Placar, que era muito popular, para aderir, ver se a torcida aceitava e fizeram a matéria comigo segurando o porco. Eu achava bom, porque para nós jogadores não era uma preocupação. Quando saiu a matéria, no jogo seguinte mesmo a torcida gritou “dá-lhe porco”. Ficou legal, virou grito de guerra do time.

Como se sente por ter sido um dos responsáveis pela adoção?
Ficou legal, uma coisa que iniciou com cisma, que achavam que não daria certo e todo mundo abraçou. Fico feliz de estar no começo do “dá-lhe porco”, porque todos aderiram.

Por que foi escolhido para fazer a foto com o porco na Placar?
A Placar foi no Palmeiras e me convidou porque já tinha falado com a diretoria, para eu ir tirar fotos no estúdio. Fizemos várias fotos, o porquinho gritava, era difícil de segurar, mas ficou legal.

Como a torcida do Palmeiras quando era chamada de porco?
Antes era porco de um lado, aí eles respondiam com gambá de outro. Depois da matéria isso acabou. Para nós jogadores não atrapalhava, mas era uma coisa chata, porque a gente sabia que era briga de torcida.

Abraham could unleash Adams at Southampton

Southampton have been linked with a move for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham recently, and if he were to join the Saints, he could perhaps be the key to unlocking Che Adams’ potential under Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Whilst the former Birmingham City man has now found the net in each of his last three games, before that, he had endured a run of 16 games without a goal in all competitions, with a lack of consistency having been a key issue for the 24-year-old during his time on the South Coast.

Of course, you could argue that he has had to play second fiddle to Danny Ings for most of his time at Southampton and that his hard work in attack often goes unnoticed because of the former Burnley man’s proficiency in front of goal.

However, with the 28-year-old reportedly looking to join a Champions League club in the near future, whilst his contract is set to expire at the end of next season, it is looking increasingly likely that he could depart Southampton this summer, so it is no surprise to see them already being linked with potential replacements, such as Abraham.

Whilst the England international is a goalscorer in his own right, having regularly shown his ability to find the back of the net during loan spells with Aston Villa and Bristol City, before establishing himself as a first-team regular at Chelsea, his style of play could really improve Adams’ goalscoring potential.

Southampton lack any sort of target man in their side, with Ings and Adams being two very similar players, which can sometimes make them predictable and easy to defend against, which has, unfortunately, proven to be the case regularly during the recent terrible run of form for Hasenhuttl’s side.

Abraham is six foot three and averages 1.9 aerials won per game in the Premier League this season, with only centre-back pairing Jan Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard averaging more in terms of the current Southampton squad, which emphasises that they lack any sort of aerial threat in attack.

The 23-year-old, who reportedly earns £65k per week at Chelsea, could prove to be a focal point in Hasenhuttl’s side, with the £13.5 million-rated Adams making runs beyond him from flick-ons or playing off him if Southampton were to play the ball to his feet.

Rather than dropping deep, it could also allow Adams to use his pace more effectively and play on the shoulder of the last man, which would hopefully lead to more goalscoring opportunities for the Englishman.

Therefore, if Ings does leave in the summer, then Abraham could be a great replacement for Southampton to bring in, as it could really change the way they attack and help Adams evolve into a much more consistent goalscorer.

And, in other news… Semmens must avoid VVD repeat with £13.5m-rated “role model” who Ralph loves

Ntcham loan move could have bigger picture

Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham has been linked to a loan move to the Premier League as Newcastle show interest in his services. According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, the Magpies are looking to get a deal over the line to acquire the Frenchman before the January transfer window slams shut.

Steve Bruce is looking to bolster his options in midfield and out of favour Ntcham is seemingly one of his top targets.

Although they are only looking to sign him temporarily, it could foreshadow the 24-year-old’s future, which looks like it will be away from Celtic Park.

Olivier Ntcham’s Celtic days numbered

Ntcham currently has just 18 months left on his current contract with the Bhoys and heading out on loan this month could suggest that a permanent move is on the horizon.

The France youth international has slipped down the pecking order this season after Neil Lennon took a punt on promoting Ismaila Soro to the first team. Along with David Turnbull, the midfielder has seriously impressed since he was given his chance, even usurping Scott Brown on more than one occasion.

According to Transfermarkt, Ntcham has missed out on Celtic’s last eight Premiership fixtures. Although he missed two matches through self-isolation, Lennon has dropped him from his usual role in the team.

As a midfielder who can sit back but also contribute to the attack, he should be one of the first names on the team-sheet. However, his 2020/21 season has left a lot to be desired.

Ntcham has just one goal and two assists across competitions so far. Even in games where Lennon deployed him as a centre-forward, he has struggled to make an impact.

Should he move to Newcastle for the last half of the season, Ntcham will likely be gaining a lot more game time than he is right now.

As he continues to stay out favour under Lennon, a permanent transfer could become a priority for him. Although the boss has waxed lyrical about the midfield man – recently lauding him as one “hell of a player” – Ntcham’s lack of game time is a glaring hint that he could end up moving on from Celtic in the very near future.

In other news, Exclusive: Rob Lee dismisses idea of Frank Lampard to Celtic…

Pundit tips James Justin for England call-up

Since Brendan Rodgers took over at Leicester, the Midlands outfit has been flying in the Premier League. The Foxes arguably look the closest to securing a Premier League title since their underdog win back in 2015/16.

The former Liverpool and Celtic boss has reeled in blockbuster new recruits including Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana. But it’s not just the big money signings that Leicester can gloat about. Rodgers has enticed one of the country’s most exciting young talents to the King Power Stadium in the form of James Justin.

The England youth international has rapidly become one of Leicester’s most important players. He hasn’t missed a single minute of Premier League action this season and has contributed a goal and two assists as well as seven clean sheets, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Rob Lee has waxed lyrical about the 22-year-old defender and his promise of a very decorated future.

“Leicester sign a lot of good, younger players,” the pundit said. “James Justin, they got from Luton for £4million. He’ll be the next England left-back, or right-back because he can play either.”

Indeed, Justin boats extreme versatility and has already showcased this in his short time at Leicester. This season alone, the Luton-born defender has played on both defensive flanks and has also taken midfield positions in his stride as well.

England have the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James in their ranks after impressing at club level. According to premierleague.com, Justin is in the top ten players this season for most tackles made so far. His 51 tackles trumps the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker-Peters.

Rodgers recently praised his defender’s performances as of late and branded him an “outstanding” player to have on his books.

Already, the £35,000 per week talent is putting himself on a pedestal for Gareth Southgate and if Leicester continue to turn the gears in the Premier League, Justin could find himself following a similar path to his fellow young internationals.

In other news, Rob Lee says Danny Ings could be Vardy’s successor…

Ponte Preta decepciona torcida e fica no empate sem gols com o São Bento

MatériaMais Notícias

Na abertura da quinta rodada do Paulistão, quem se deu bem foi o Mogi Mirim, que venceu o Capivariano por 2 a 1. Roni e Léo Melo marcaram para os visitantes e Leandro Silva descontou. O Mogi Mirim é o segundo da chave D, com sete pontos. O Capivariano soma apenas um ponto em cinco partidas disputadas e amarga a lanterna do Estadual.

O São Bernardo empatou com o Linense em 1 a 1. William Pottker abriu o placar para o Linense e Marino igualou a partida. O Bernô tem seis pontos conquistados e divide a liderança com o Palmeiras no grupo B. A equipe perde no saldo de gols para o time alviverde. O Linense é o terceiro colocado no Grupo A, tendo somados sete pontos.

Jogando em casa, o XV de Piracicaba não decepcionou os torcedores e venceu o Red Bull Brasil por 2 a 1, de virada. O atacante Roger abriu o placar para o Toro Loko, mas o atacante Fabinho estava em noite inspirada e comandou a virada do Nhô Quim. O XV de Piracicaba é o terceiro colocado do Grupo C, com cinco pontos. Em contrapartida, o Red Bull Brasil é o quarto colocado do Grupo D, com quatro pontos.

Em Campinas, a Ponte Preta frustou a torcida e ficou no empate sem gols com o São Bento. O duelo desta noite marcou a estreia do uniforme amarelo da Macaca. O time campineiro é o quinto colocado do Grupo B, com três pontos. O São Bento divide a liderança com o Santos, ambos com nove pontos. Entretano, a equipe de Sorocaba ganha no número de saldos de gols (4 a 3).

Sem folga no Carnaval: Timão corre para fechar por 3 anos com Balbuena

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians trabalha para definir a contratação do zagueiro paraguaio Fabián Balbuena nos próximos dias. O próprio jogador também quer que o acerto o aconteça em breve para poder assinar vínculo por três anos com o Timão.

O elenco e a comissão técnica ganharam folga neste sábado e no domingo de Carnaval. A diretoria, porém, ainda negociará com o Libertad (PAR) os últimos detalhes para contratar Balbuena.

– Se tudo se concretizar até a segunda-feira, como eu falei, espero que no fim de semana ele já esteja aqui. Tem esse Carnaval que vai adormecer um pouco – afirmou o diretor adjunto de futebol, Eduardo Ferreira, ao Sportv.

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O Timão tem pressa por dois motivos: quer fechar o elenco para a disputa da Libertadores e evitar que outros clubes façam propostas por Balbuena. O São Paulo, inclusive, tentou atravessar o Corinthians.

O Libertad já aceitou a oferta de 1,5 milhão de dólares (cerca de R$ 6 milhões) por 100% dos direitos econômicos do jogador. Os clubes negociam apenas a forma de pagamento.

Aos 24 anos, Balbuena iniciou a carreira no Cerro de Franco e passou por Rubio Ñu e Nacional, todos do Paraguai, antes de chegar ao Libertad. O zagueiro tem 1,88m e 82kg.

Ross Wilson must cut his losses and sell Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos in January

Glasgow Rangers sit at the top of the Premiership despite suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup on Wednesday, and now Steven Gerrard needs to take time to reflect and learn from this big wake-up call for the club.

The Govan-based Glaswegian giants had won ten consecutive domestic games in a row, but a combination of complacency and arrogance from some of the players proved to be their undoing, as Conor McCarthy scored late to win the Betfred Cup tie for the Saints.

Gerrard has accepted full responsibility for his side’s shock defeat and he will want to to ensure that they avoid a repeat of the last-gasp goal that brought their unbeaten run to a devastating end.

While the likes of Brandon Barker, George Edmundson and Jordan Jones could find themselves on the chopping block, which wouldn’t be all that surprising, there may be a couple surprise exits in store for Rangers fans in January.

Ross Wilson will have the unenviable task of clearing out some of the deadwood when the winter transfer market opens in just under a few weeks’ time, but he may decide to cut his losses and cash in on star striker Alfredo Morelos as well.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Aston Villa and England striker Gabriel Agbonlahor believes the Colombia international could be heading for the Ibrox exit after his latest charge of violent conduct.

Morelos has been handed a two-match ban by the SFA having hit Dundee United defender Mark Connolly in the face with his forearm and Rangers have decided to accept the suspension.

This isn’t the first time El Bufalo has been banned for reckless behaviour, either, as he was banned for three matches after an appeal on his red card against Aberdeen was rejected in 2019.

It’s getting to the stage now where his performances have done little to make up for his lack of discipline, as he has failed to score in the Premiership since September, while the likes of Jermain Defoe, Kemar Roofe and even Cedric Itten have been in such fine form in recent weeks.

Former Rangers centre-forward Kris Boyd has previously voiced his displeasure for the Colombian’s “appalling” behaviour but Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart insists the problem lies elsewhere.

He said, as quoted by The Daily Record: “He’s not the player he was a year ago. Before he would be on his toes, the ball would drop to him and he’d smash it into the back of the net. You can see the frustration oozing out of him.

“As a striker you go through spells where you can’t score but the problem, I think, with Morelos and for Rangers as a whole he’s not the talisman that he was a year ago. I think Rangers as a team could comfortably have him out of the side and Roofe could play at the top. Aribo could come into the side in the area that Roofe is playing in.

“I think the team would actually improve. Morelos, he doesn’t show anything as a team player. Before he was such a goalscorer and a real threat. He isn’t the same.”

Morelos became Rangers’ all-time leading European goalscorer this season, beating the record set by club legend Ally McCoist with a simple tap-in against Benfica in the Europa League.

However, in many ways he doesn’t fit in with Gerrard’s ethos, as his attitude and ill-discipline have cost the Gers on several occasions over the past couple of years or so.

If the Gers are to regain the title for the first time since the 2010-11 season, they need to get rid of the 24-year-old and put their faith in a seasoned veteran like Defoe to try and get the best out of players like Ryan Kent and Steven Davis, so Wilson must rid the club of Morelos once and for all.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers can deal huge blow to Celtic by winning Bright Osayi-Samuel race…

Aston Villa need to desperately sell Frederic Guilbert before the transfer deadline

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has revealed that Frederic Guilbet is one of the players Aston Villa are looking to try and sell.

What’s the word?

Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed a stunning start to the new Premier League season, capping off a brilliant few weeks both on and off the pitch with a 7-2 thrashing of title holders Liverpool at Villa Park.

Having gotten a number of new signings already through the door, transfer deadline day for Villa may be more focused on outgoings, and Evans has suggested that Guilbert is someone who could be lined up for an exit.

In a Q&A for The Athletic, Evans responded: “I think players need to be moved on still because they will not feature so Villa aren’t getting any value for money. I expect the thinking behind trying to move on Guilbert is that, Elmohamady can cover any injuries at full-back, and also can’t really be moved on for any money, so Villa could get something back on Guilbert at least.

“I agree, there’s potential, but it seems like Smith has seen enough and favours others.”

Get Guilbert out

Earning around £40k-a-week at Villa, Guilbert is a player who the club could desperately do without. His wages are far too high for someone who has barely featured, making both of his appearances this season in the Carabao Cup, and not even being named in the match-day squad in the Premier League yet.

After arriving from French side Caens last summer, the right-back did play 25 times in the top-flight in his debut season at the club, but he badly fell out of favour following the Premier League’s restart – in fact, in the ten league games Villa played, Guilbet didn’t make the squad in eight of them, and played just 141 minutes.

Moving him on before the deadline on Monday night would free up big wages for Villa, and ensure that Johan Lange has enjoyed a successful transfer window both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Signing Llorente over Gvardiol was a masterstroke by Orta

Leeds United have been one of the most active teams in this transfer window, and this week their spending spree continued with the arrival of Diego Llorente from Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard’s arrival came from out of the blue earlier this week, as no sooner was he linked had he signed, fortunately bypassing any sort of long, boring saga.

However, he wasn’t United’s first-choice signing at centre-half, with the club’s pursuit of Josko Gvardiol being highly-publicised, but an inability to convince the player saw that deal collapse, with the Croatian now tipped to join RB Leipzig.

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As much as Gvardiol could have been a star, signing an 18-year-old with no experience in a top European league is never advisable for a newly-promoted side, especially when he is going to cost you the best part of £20m.

Victor Orta may have wanted Gvardiol over Llorente, but his failure to close out that deal may have inadvertently led to one of his best decisions yet.

Gvardiol’s inexperience is a huge red flag, especially for a club that has conceded seven goals in their opening two league games this season, so it’s clear that a 27-year-old Spain international with over 130 games in La Liga to his name was the safer option than signing an 18-year-old who could easily flop.

Time will tell whether or not Gvardiol turns out better than Llorente, but Leeds aren’t in the same position as a club such as RB Leipzig where they can wait for players to develop, they need results right now, and that’s exactly what Llorente should provide them.

Taking risks isn’t something you want to be doing straight after promotion, and while Orta wanted to take a punt on Gvardiol, he may end up taking a huge sigh of relief when he looks back on this one with hindsight.

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