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Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to an update on reported managerial target Lucien Favre on social media.

Reports from The Sun on Wednesday evening shared Palace’s interest in the former Borussia Dortmund manager, with Steve Parish widening the search for Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor.

The Guardian have now claimed that the Eagles have made contact with Favre’s representatives, with talks set to be held between the two in the coming days.

Parish reportedly likes Favre’s attacking style and blooding of young players; however, The Guardian do add that Burnley’s Sean Dyche is also still a contender for the Selhurst Park vacancy.

Favre has been out of work since December and is thought to be keen on managing in the Premier League.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared The Guardian’s story on social media on Thursday afternoon.

These Palace fans were quick to give their immediate reaction, with many not getting ahead of themselves just yet when it comes to Favre moving to London.

“Wow”Credit: @JoelGray_”Don’t get my hopes up… Don’t get my hopes up… Don’t get my hopes up…”Credit: @Wmcminn3″I think surely we’re looking at Favre or Dyche now. Try everything to get Favre, and if it doesn’t come off then pay the cash for Dyche. And get it sorted soon.”Credit: @bennagle17″Please”Credit: @WillR1991″Can we pls get something over the line…”Credit: @daifencheong”Is there anyone else left”Credit: @benn_phil

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz as ‘positive’ transfer news emerges, find out more here. 

Valerien Ismael is among the contenders for the vacant West Brom manager’s job, according to reports…

What’s the word?

That’s the latest claim from the Daily Mirror, who suggested that the Barnsley boss is high on the Baggies’ shortlist to replace Sam Allardyce at The Hawthorns this summer.

It’s also thought that the Midlands outfit would need to pay around £1.5m in compensation to land the 45-year-old coach after an impressive season in charge of the Tykes.

Former West Brom manager Roy Hodgson and Chris Wilder have also been mooted with the Albion job.

Baggies stars beware

After an abject and pathetic season on the pitch (just five league wins), culminating in relegation to the Championship after just one season back in the big time, a stern presence in the dugout could be exactly what West Brom need to spark the club back into life.

Former LASK Linz and Wolfsburg manager Ismael has completely transformed Barnsley from relegation favourites into play-off contenders in the second tier, before losing to Swansea City.

In his 44 games in charge of the club, he has registered a respectable 56.8% win rate, which is better than the other two candidates in their recent posts. Hodgson leaves Palace having won just 33% of matches, whilst Wilder only won 46.7% of games in charge of Sheffield United despite achieving promotion twice in three years.

Ismael has also been linked with the vacancy at Selhurst Park and, when speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa star Lee Hendrie waxed lyrical about the Barnsley boss.

“He wants that aggressive style. He’s got a very good, young squad at Barnsley and done absolutely brilliant this season with what he’s had at Barnsley. I’ve got to say that, for sure,” the 44-year-old claimed. “I say he likes that aggressive style, but he likes that energy and he plays football in the right way.”

These are all encouraging signs towards why West Brom sporting and technical director Luke Dowling would be wise to appoint someone like Ismael, who was hardly heard of before his stint in the Championship this season.

Some of West Brom’s squad have been around the club for several years, whilst an average age of 26.5 ranked them amongst the oldest in the top flight during 2020/21, as per Transfermarkt.

Albion have a fine academy setup, which means that Ismael would tick another box as his Barnsley side were by far the youngest in the Championship, with an average of just 23.5, as per Transfermarkt.

That would suit Dowling and his academy setup at The Hawthorns, so if he wants to get a reaction ahead of the new season, then the 45-year-old Frenchman must be considered as a serious candidate alongside the likes of Wilder and Hodgson.

AND in other news, Dowling may be on verge of landmark West Brom appointment amid surprise manager twist…

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has tipped Patrick Bamford to replicate Arsenal legend Ian Wright in the coming years.

The Lowdown: Bamford excels for Leeds

There were a number of standout figures for the Whites in their first season back in the Premier League, but none more so than Bamford.

The Englishman scored 17 goals and registered seven assists in the league, standing out as one of the best attacking players in the division.

It has been quite a turnaround for Bamford, who hasn’t always been rated so highly but has thrived with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, also being hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Jurgen Klopp.

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The Latest: Whelan makes big prediction

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who regularly comments on matters at Thorp Arch, used Wright as a perfect comparison for Bamford, in terms of remaining a top striker over a sustained period of time:

“When you take about strength of character, he’s definitely got it. He’s faced a lot of adversity in his career when he’s been at Palace, Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

“He’s always been one of those players where you want to see a bit more from, you think there’s more to come. There were always question marks there but he’s come back and proven himself.

“He has a strong character and a good mentality. He’s proved those doubters wrong with his goals.  He’s the second-top scoring Englishman in the Premier League, you can’t do any more than that.

“Next season is another big one. He’s 27 now and in his prime. This is when you get the best football out of yourself.

“After getting 17 last season he will be a marked man, the best players overcome that. Your Alan Shearers and Ian Wrights.

“They scored at least 20 every season in spite of being targeted by defenders, that’s Bamford’s challenge now and he can be the next Ian Wright, for sure.”

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The Verdict: Hitting his prime

At 27, Bamford is a player at his peak and there is no reason why that will change over the next four or five years.

Pace has never been a key aspect of the striker’s game, relying more on his intelligent movement, while more maturity could bring even more composure and belief in front of goal.

Bamford is a huge player for Leeds moving forward and he deserves immense praise for the strides he has made in recent years, silencing the doubters in the process.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to become a ‘god’ at the club eventually. Find out who it is here.

When Jeremie Frimpong unexpectedly left Celtic for German shores back in January, it left the Hoops in the lurch.

The Bhoys suddenly needed to fill a vacant hole at full-back and they didn’t have much time in order to do it.

The player that Peter Lawwell and Celtic’s recruitment team decided upon was Jonjoe Kenny.

On paper, this was an adequate piece of business from the top brass at Parkhead. They’d found a temporary resolution to their problem at barely any cost.

The Toffees defender arrived on loan and after being nominated for Rookie of the Year when playing for Schalke in the Bundesliga, it looked like he’d do well.

Unfortunately, like Celtic’s season, it has been a period to forget. Kenny is eye-catching going forward but truth be told, his defending leaves plenty to be desired.

The £15k-per-week earner has endured a dismal few months at Paradise and with his stay in Glasgow coming to an end, John Kennedy must focus on other options, players who may actually be here next season.

After all, if Celtic decide to bring Kenny back next term, it would be a questionable decision.

When the big games have fallen upon the Hoops, Kenny has never been one to stand up and take responsibility.

In all three Old Firm derbies now, he’s been particularly inconsistent. In February, the defender’s lapse back pass led to a corner from which Alfredo Morelos scored.

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There are no prizes for guessing the man who was supposed to be marking the bullish Colombian from that set-piece; Kenny.

His worst performance in a Celtic shirt arguably followed in the Scottish Cup fourth round.

He and Diego Laxalt had what Paul John Dykes described on A Celtic State of Mind during the half time interval as a “nightmare.”

The Everton youngster struggled with Ryan Kent and was at fault for both goals. He failed to get close enough to Steven Davis for the opener and then accidentally diverted the ball into his own net for the second after failing to track the run of Kent.

Unfortunately, he was poor again the last time Celtic took to the field.

The 24-year-old didn’t provide much support to James Forrest down the right-hand side and was given a rough afternoon defensively.

Kenny lost possession 21 times and only completed 72% of his passes as his side slipped to a devastating 4-1 defeat at Ibrox.

Scott Brown may have been at fault for Morelos’ fierce strike in the first half, but Kenny never looked comfortable during his time on the pitch. His afternoon was made worse by the fact he committed two fouls and was dribbled past on three occasions.

It doesn’t feel as though Kenny has been at the races for a while now. Like Celtic’s season, his performances have only continued to dwindle.

The interim manager needs to factor in other options when the Bhoys face St Johnstone on Wednesday evening.

AND in other news, McKay must wield the axe on 5ft9 Celtic dud, Sutton dubbed him the “new Ryan Christie”…

According to Football Insider, Glasgow Rangers are planning to make a bid for Lewis Ferguson after he handed in a transfer request at Aberdeen.

The Lowdown: Ferguson hands in transfer request

Ferguson, who currently plays for the Dons, handed in a transfer request to leave the club (BBC).

Aberdeen have since released a statement in regards to the situation, saying they have received an “insulting” offer for the 21-year-old’s services from a Premier League outfit (afc.co.uk).

The Latest: Gers interest

Following this update, the Gers are said to be interested in making a move for the £2.7m-valued U21 Scotland international (Transfermarkt).

Rangers are confident Ferguson is “desperate” to make the move to Ibrox if a deal can be agreed, Ibrox sources have told Football Insider.

The Verdict: Top talent

Ferguson has enjoyed his most lucrative season to date from a personal perspective. He has scored 10 goals in all competitions for Aberdeen to take his overall career tally to 21, while he also chipped in with five assists (Transfermarkt). It seems only natural that he will move on to bigger and better things.

Given he is the nephew of former Gers player Barry Ferguson and the son of Derek Ferguson, there will be some who are confident Lewis will choose Ibrox as his next step. However, the midfielder’s agent has said it is his dream to play in the Premier League (The Daily Mail via The Scottish Sun), something which Rangers likely can’t compete with. It therefore remains to be seen whether he can be convinced to move to the 55-time Scottish champions.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this article.

A number of Liverpool fans have been heaping praise on promising Reds youngster James Balagizi, following his hat-trick for the Under-18s.

It is always exciting to see a talented young player pulling up trees at the academy, with a view to them becoming the next big thing at Anfield.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones have done exactly that in recent years, jumping from youth team prospects to key first team squad members.

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Jurgen Klopp has always been a keen advocate of youth, which should give the current academy players even more hope of making the grade one day.

One of the most exciting current youngsters at Kirkby is Balagizi and he enhanced his reputation further on Friday night, bagging a hat-trick in the U18s’ 5-1 win away to Leicester City, securing a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup in the process.

Liverpool fans laud Balagizi

Some Liverpool fans took to Twitter to wax lyrical over the 17-year-old on Twitter, with supporters wondering if he could make an appearance on the first team bench, while others compared him to what Divock Origi should be capable of.

“Should he be on the bench now to add goals to the team?”

Credit: @lfcmaster33

“He does look special”

Credit: @pageyontour13

“The kid’s a baller”

Credit: @ReyaadM

“He plays like Origi should play”

Credit: @01mJulian

“Top top prospect”

Credit: @gavdabLFC

“He looks some player”

Credit: @graemewhammond

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a key update regarding the Reds’ famous front-three. Read more here.

Southampton will be looking to put their FA Cup semi-final disappointment behind them as they return to London to face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side produced a shocking display in the 1-0 defeat against Leicester City which saw them fail to register a single shot on target against the Foxes.

Whilst there is still a slim chance that Southampton could be relegated this season, it seems as if the Saints will have very little to play for on Wednesday evening against Spurs, and Hasenhuttl should perhaps be starting to plan his side for next season and work on amending some of the aspects of their game that has let them down at times this campaign.

Spurs may well be rejuvenated by the sacking of Jose Mourinho earlier this week, although whether the players will be fully focussed following The Super League announcement remains to be seen.

Here’s how we think Hasenhuttl will set his Southampton side up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with three changes from the side that started in the FA Cup…

Fraser Forster keeps his place in goal despite some awful passes out from the back at Wembley, as he couldn’t do anything about Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal.

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The defenders are perhaps fortunate that there is a serious lack of depth at the South Coast club this season, which means that the Austrian is likely to stick with the same back four.

There are two changes in midfield, as Takumi Minamino comes back in for Moussa Djenepo after being cup-tied at the weekend, whilst Jack Stephens replaces Ibrahima Diallo in midfield after the Frenchman produced one of his worst displays in a Southampton shirt in the semi-final.

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Finally, Che Adams is restored to the starting lineup in place of the “quality” Nathan Redmond, who was another who seriously underperformed at Wembley, and the Scottish international partners Danny Ings in attack.

And, in other news… Ralph blew it: Hasenhuttl’s tactical blunder cost Saints at Wembley, they were woeful

According to Football Insider, a Lilywhites source has lifted the lid on Daniel Levy’s plan for a ‘major summer rebuild’ at Tottenham as he makes a Jose Mourinho decision – with the chairman looking set to give him another year at the helm.

Mourinho, who has been under mounting pressure recently, with numerous managerial candidates linked to potentially succeeding him, will apparently be given another season at Spurs according to this report.

Tottenham source lifts lid on Levy plan

Indeed, a Tottenham source close to the club has apparently lifted the lid on Levy’s decision on Mourinho which doesn’t involve an untimely sacking as the chairman plots to give his pet project another chance to succeed next year.

It is said that only a ‘catastrophic’ end to the season would force Levy into changing his mind, but Football Insider are unclear as to what defines that sort of finish to 2020/2021.

Levy is reportedly prepared to back Mourinho in what is expected to be a ‘major summer rebuild’ – which would enable the Spurs boss to have more time to build his own team.

The alleged cost of sacking him, not to mention his track record of being able to ‘churn out results’, are apparently big factors in Levy’s call to stick with the under-fire manager.

Time will tell whether this stance changes, but as it stands, Levy looks set to back Mourinho.

In other news: Tottenham will make a move for this star, find out more here.

Leeds are facing Premier League competition in the race to sign Rangers star Glen Kamara in this upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are interested in signing the Finland international this summer, but it now appears that they will have to fend off some intense competition.

The Daily Mail claimed that the likes of Southampton, Brighton and Burnley are also keeping tabs on the midfielder, and that it’s understood Watford would also be interested if they earn promotion back to the Premier League.

The report added that “Kamara is understood to be relaxed over his position”, and that while he still has two years left on his contract at Ibrox and has a good relationship with manager Steven Gerrard, “that is unlikely to prevent Premier League sides testing Rangers’ resolve to hold onto him this summer”.

Orta facing transfer misery

Given that Leeds’ interest in Kamara first surfaced way back in October amid suggestions that a move could be made in the January transfer window, failing to strike a deal for the midfielder would now go down as a massive mistake by Victor Orta.

The Whites have clearly had their eye on the Finnish ace for quite some time now, and by failing to kick things into gear and sort out a deal as quickly as possible, they have allowed rival Premier League clubs to potentially come in at the last minute and swoop for the 25-year-old.

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Neil McCann, his former coach at Dundee, has raved about Kamara previously, and it’s the kind of review which will surely have Marcelo Bielsa very excited at the prospect of working with him at Elland Road.

McCann said of the midfielder: “He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect. He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

With the news that Leeds aren’t the only club interested in signing him, Orta’s task has just become more difficult – quite frankly, far more so than it actually should have been given they were keen on landing him late last year.

The dilly-dallying surely won’t have Bielsa happy at all.

Meanwhile, Leeds could sign their new Lewis Cook in this Championship starlet…

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to the shock news that Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped by England manager Gareth Southgate.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the Reds’ most exciting young players in years, becoming a key part of the Jurgen Klopp revolution at Anfield.

Having spent many years in Liverpool’s academy, Alexander-Arnold gradually emerged with Klopp at the helm and is now widely considered one of Europe’s best right-backs.

He is the youngest player in history to start back-to-back Champions League finals, further highlighting the incredible strides he has made.

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Alexander-Arnold has also become a fixture for England in recent years, winning 12 caps along the way and also scoring once for good measure.

Southgate has axed him from his Three Lions squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, however, with Kyle Walker and Kieran Tripper preferred at right-back.

The England boss claims Alexander-Arnold’s form has not been up to scratch this season, but his omission certainly feels harsh – the likes of Trippier, Walker and even Eric Dier haven’t exactly been setting the world alight.

From a Liverpool perspective, it is no bad thing, allowing the boyhood Reds supporter to recharge his batteries, but it will undoubtedly be a personal blow.

Liverpool fans react to Trent’s omission

These Liverpool supporters have been providing their thoughts on the matter on Twitter.

“Walker and Trippier haven’t been better than Trent this season. Ridiculous decision from Southgate, he’s out of his depth.”

Credit: @Declancarr96

“Good news for Liverpool but England is the only footballing nation in the world who wouldn’t recognise Trent as England’s first choice right back. If he was Spanish, Italian, French etc…”

Credit: @Irvine_1980

“Gutted for him but delighted at the same time. Just shows how out his depth Southgate really is”

Credit: @Macros0611

“Great news for us, but Southgate really is clueless. Dropping Trent despite his form being good recently but recalling Lingard for a few decent games after 2 years of rubbish and retaining Dier who is bang average”

Credit: @kat_lfc13

“My impression is that Trent is unorthodox good and lesser coaches like Southgate don’t know how to fit him in. Comfortably England’s best RB, but you won’t hear any Liverpool fan whine about his exclusion”

Credit: @NotoriousJOS

“Tells you all you need to know about Southgate. A hopeless manager at club level. A bog standard player. No Alf Ramsey”

Credit: @gedstamper

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been calling for the Reds to sign one specific player this summer. Read about him here.