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Sheffield United edged ever nearer a return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Leeds United this weekend.

The Blades took the spoils thanks to a goal from Chris Basham at Elland Road, and manager Chris Wilder will now be confident of seeing his team land a place in the top two come the end of what has been a superb campaign at Bramall Lane.

However, if they are promoted, they’ll need a healthy injection of new players into the squad, and one man we here in the Tavern think would be a shrewd signing is Brentford goal ace, Neal Maupay.

The Bees striker has been in fine form for the Griffin Park club this season, smashing in the goals to further enhance his reputation as one of the best goalscorers outside of the top flight.

And while United have the likes of Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick on the books, they can’t be expected to shoulder all the burden if the Blades do end up in the top flight, meaning Maupay would be a superb addition to the ranks at Bramall Lane.

The Frenchman’s movement, ability to finish, as well as his age and potential mark him out as someone who can improve further and do well in the Premier League.

The Blades have had previous dealings with the Bees with the likes of John Egan and Jack O’Connell, and they’d be confident of being able to strike a deal for Maupay with Premier League riches at their disposal.

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Stephan Lichtsteiner has made a desperate plea for more first-team football at Arsenal, via Neue Zurcher Zeitung.

The Gunners right-back has struggled for minutes under Unai Emery this season, playing just 12 times in the Premier League.

What’s the word?

Lichtsteiner has been absent from Arsenal’s last three matchday squads in the Premier League, failing to make Emery’s selection for games against Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The 35-year-old has more regularly featured in the Europa League, playing in all bar one of the group games, but he was again overlooked for both legs of the last-16 tie against Rennes.

He has now detailed his need to play regularly, insisting that he still hopes to feature for Switzerland at Euro 2020, despite his advanced age.

Asked if he had been offered a new contract – his current deal expires in the summer – he said, per NZZ: “There were talks. We have to see if it suits both sides. Arsenal is a big club, I feel very well.

“But I want to play regularly with regard to the European Championship. It was okay this year.

“But when the coach says that he no longer counts on me, I have to worry.”

Undeserved

Lichtsteiner does not deserve to play regularly for Arsenal.

Not only is he approaching the twilight years of his career, he is demonstrably worse than the likes of Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. He certainly does not fit into a back-three system and does not have the pace nor the tactical awareness to play as a wing-back.

That he hopes to play in order to boost his international prospects is perhaps admirable.

But the fact of the matter is that he may have to leave Arsenal to do it; he has given Emery no reason to pick him between now and May.

Liverpool are looking to repeat their success with Andrew Robertson and Georginjo Wijnaldum by plotting move for £10 million-rated Norwich City star.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on recruiting Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey this summer, with a club source revealing that Liverpool recruitment chief Michael Edwards has been keeping close tabs on the defender sending scouts on regular trips to Carrow Road this season.

The versatile player, who is valued at £3.15 million (by Transfermarkt), possesses all the characteristics of an accomplished modern defender and can operate in defensive midfield as well as central defence and left-back and has become a stalwart presence in the starting line-up since making his first league appearance in December.

It is likely that Norwich City will be incredibly keen on keeping the player as they look almost certain to make the jump into the Premier League at the end of the season, but their resolve will certainly be tested come summer with Premier League clubs circling.

We can understand why Liverpool are so keen on the player having already seen a number of their low-profile signings excel at the top level. Particularly Andrew Robertson, so FSG could pull off another masterstroke by bringing the Norwich City man to Anfield.

The flying Scotsman made his start at Dundee United before being recruited by Hull City, where he enjoyed an incredibly impressive three years – at least, in a personal sense – before being recruited by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to fill a gaping void at left-back.

Indeed, Robertson is the perfect example of why Premier League sides do not have to spend big to find a gem, and if Godfrey is anything close to hit touted quality, they have a star for the future.

Liverpool fans, would you prefer to see your club make big money signings, or take a punt on more potential hidden gems? Let us know in the comments

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Ryan Fraser has offered little assurance to Bournemouth fans who may be fearful that he will seek an exit in the summer amid transfer reports linking the Scotsman with a switch to Arsenal.

The 25-year-old was understandably flattered by the rumours, as he spoke to Sky Sports, and didn’t appear to rule out a move away from the Vitality Stadium, saying:

“I’m not going to lie, [being linked with Arsenal is] very nice . It means you are are doing something right.

“[Arsenal] are a huge club, a massive club. When you see your name thrown around you always think to yourself that you are a Bournemouth player and you try to do well.

“I will just keep doing what I am doing, try to enjoy myself and try to win the game for my team.

“What will be, will be.”

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

The diminutive speedster has been in sensational form for the south coast outfit this campaign as he has chalked up six goals and 10 assists in 32 league appearances – an output which has put him on the radar of one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Eddie Howe will be hoping to hang on to his biggest stars – Fraser, Nathan Ake and Callum Wilson included – this summer, but the lure of European football and a massive increase in wages could prove too good to resist.

Fraser’s final five words – “what will be, will be” – will surely leave a bad feeling in the pit of the Cherries fans’ stomachs, who must start preparing themselves for a difficult summer window.

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Manchester City fans on Twitter have been ripping into Pep Guardiola after his latest batch of post-match comments.

The Spaniard was speaking in his press conference following Tuesday evening’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in north London, and he proclaimed that City controlled the game.

However, sections of unhappy supporters disagreed profusely with one even questioning what match the legendary gaffer was watching.

The Citizens were bested fairly on the night by Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs, going down to a 78th-minute winner from Heung-min Son at the hosts’ new stadium.

Now the Cityzens are staring a second consecutive Champions League last-eight exit in the face and will have to overturn a one-goal deficit in the return leg.

Other fans focussed their criticism on Guardiola himself rather than his odd comments, accusing him of having “the worst tactical plan ever” and even going as far as sensationally calling for his sack.

Watch “Jurgen Klopp’s” hilarious masterplan for winning the title in the video below…

Those and the rest of the best angry Man City replies to the presser quotes can be found down below…

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Newcastle United and Crystal Palace will both be looking to edge nearer to the ‘magic 40-point mark’ when they meet at St James’ Park on Saturday, with Stuart Attwell being appointed to officiate the match on Tyneside earlier this week.

Both teams come into the clash having suffered defeats this week, with the Magpies losing 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, and the Eagles on the end of the same scoreline just a few miles down the road at Tottenham Hotspur’s brand new stadium on Wednesday night.

The south London outfit’s form in their previous six games in all competitions has certainly been up and down – mainly the latter in all truth – as they have been beaten four times and picked up all three points on two other occasions.

One of those was against already-relegated Huddersfield Town at Selhurst Park last weekend, where they really toiled before getting two goals later on in the proceedings.

The frustration with manager Roy Hodgson is there for all to see, especially at home where they have the 18th-best home record in the division.

Compare that to seventh-best away and it is clear to see where Palace are stronger, and the presence of Attwell in the middle of the park on Saturday may just be a lucky charm that hands Hodgson yet another reprieve.

The 36-year-old has officiated in 17 Premier League matches this term, with 41.2% of those ending with the away team winning, as per stats-based website WhoScored.

That is the fifth-highest percentage out of the 18 referees that have taken charge in the top flight during the current campaign.

When you combine that statistic with Palace’s record on the road, you would have to fancy Hodgson’s men to record another memorable away day – they’ve certainly had their fair share of those already this season.

A Crystal Palace fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Eagles in the video below…

The hosts will certainly have something to say about though and while they flatter to deceive on their travels, they have actually won their previous five fixtures at St James’ Park.

An interesting spectacle awaits, and Hodgson will hope that the gods are shining down on him against the Magpies to give him some more breathing space from an irritated and demanding set of supporters.

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to laugh at Manchester United’s flag display prior to kick-off in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona.

As we all know, the Reds supporters often hold their flags and scarves aloft before kick-off at Anfield for every home game, creating a visually aesthetic array of support across the entirety of the Kop.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

So, when the Merseysiders’ arch-rivals United decided to hold aloft a few flags of their own in a bid to raise the atmosphere around Old Trafford, Liverpool fans wasted no time in mocking them for just how inferior it looked compared to their own home displays.

United fans’ efforts consisted of just one corner of the ground holding up signs of support, whereas almost everyone in the Kop holds something up, hence Liverpool supporters feeling the need to laugh at the Red Devils’ display.

Let’s see what the Reds fans on Twitter have been saying about the whole thing…

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Leicester have enjoyed a period of rejuvenation under Brendan Rodgers since he replaced Claude Puel and although they lost to Newcastle, they’re now in with a real chance of securing Europa League football next season.

However, the kits they may potentially wear in Europe have caused a bit of a stir amongst Foxes supporters after designs were leaked on Twitter.

As you can see, the blue strip is very similar to the current shirt whilst the visually striking pink kit has been up for debate too.

One fan called it a generic template, with the pink shirt identical in design to an Adidas shirt that’s already on sale.

Another supporter called it a rip-off and a further individual said it was unbelievable that they couldn’t get something with a personal touch.

Kit unveils ahead of the new season is something that always excites football fans but this leak has left Leicester supporters feeling rather underwhelmed.

At the moment, the club currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League table but face a difficult end to the season with games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea to come.

Here’s what Leicester fans have been saying about their potential new kits.

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Leeds United fans on Twitter have agreed with Marcelo Bielsa after his synopsis on his squad’s prospects next season.

The Argentine has been quite critical of his squad’s abilities in Friday’s press conference saying:

“You won’t find a single player in our team who would be able to reproduce the same level of performance in another season because we’ve been very demanding with them.”

This could signify that Bielsa wants a significant squad overhaul next season whether or not the Whites are promoted to the Premier League.

The Leeds manager’s comments certainly have some credence as the team that he has taken up to third this season are mostly the same group of players who finished 13th under the management of Paul Heckingbottom and Thomas Christensen last season.

Bielsa has had his men playing out of their skin this season with the likes of Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez putting in the arguably the best campaigns of their entire careers in English football.

Fans aren’t optimistic for the future of this group as they expect their heroes of this season to revert back to the players who had their club dwindling in mid-table.

Here’s what Leeds supporters have been saying on Twitter…

[ad_pod ]It is being reported that Everton homegrown talent Tom Davies is to sign a contract extension at Goodison Park, hinting that he is a player firmly in the plans of manager Marco Silva in the long-term, but how could this rumour mean a new and more important role for the 20-year-old?

What’s the word?

Northern Football Correspondent for The Times, Paul Joyce, revealed on Twitter the news about Davies, announcing that the starlet will sign a one-year contract extension keeping him with the Toffees until 2023.

The new role

At the moment, despite being one of the prime examples of players being able to progress through the Everton academy and into the first team, the starlet is something of a fringe player.

In the Premier League, he’s made just 17 appearances and has struggled to put a consistent run of matches together in the starting Xl.

Under any normal circumstances, this would hint to the football world that Davies, despite only being 20, isn’t favoured by his gaffer but this contract speculation contradicts that suggestion.

With the future of Andre Gomes uncertain – as it stands he goes back to Barcelona in the summer – there will be a dearth of creative central midfielders to partner the likes of Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin in the blue half of Merseyside.

Have Premier League grounds become “lifeless tourist attractions”? Decide for yourself by watching the video below…

Up until now, Davies has only really played in the centre with a more holding style, without the freedom to get forward to create and score goals.

That could be about to change and would be a huge acid test of the youngster’s capabilities as he would have to adapt his game by bringing his creative instincts to the fore.

But we’ve seen him rise to similar challenges before – such as when he has accepted the captaincy – and he would also need to take this one in his stride if he’s to thrive under Silva next season.