With promotion back into the Championship looking likely, Jack Ross must begin to look at where he can strengthen his Sunderland side and really get back where they belong. It’s going to be a long process and, as every Black Cat reading this will know, long-term planning is something that’s been severely missing at the club. 

That needs to change.

After a few dismal years, the club have seemingly finally found the key formula that will help them climb back up the football leagues. Currently sitting in third with a game in hand, Jack Ross and his side truly look like a match made in heaven. Indeed, he has been the perfect man for one of the biggest re-builds in English football.

So, if the progress is to continue happening and promotion is achieved, Ross will have to make sure he has complete backing from the board, and go into the new Championship season with a squad capable of handling what would be a demanding season.

Here’s a couple of suggestions the Scot should make during the summer window.

Strengthen the goalkeeping position

There have been times this season where the Sunderland goalkeepers have been looking like the weakest link within what is otherwise a strong side. One of the biggest problems that the Black Cats had during their last Championship campaign was that there were goals flying in left right and centre.

Everyone knows in order to survive a drop, you HAVE to be strong at the back.

So, if the promotion is to be won, there will certainly be a new attraction to joining the Wearside club, making it easier to attract a higher calibre of goalkeeper than there already is at the club.

Get O’Nien to sign a new contract 

Luke O’Nien has been one of Sunderland’s stand out players this season. Contributing with five goals and four assists from the midfield, he has become one of Ross’ more reliable starters.

Only contracted until 2020, Ross will be eager to get the in-form 24-year-old to sign a new long term deal and take him into the following season as one of the main men in the Sunderland midfield.

Tottenham fans on Twitter absolutely adore their incredible manager, Mauricio Pochettino. However, in the next few years, the gaffer may have some competition to be the Lilywhites’ favourite Pochettino, as his son, Maurizio, is coming through the ranks. The Argentine scored for the U18s earlier today, and the supporters loved it.

The star of the show for Tottenham Hotspur at U18 level is undoubtedly Troy Parrott. The young Irishman grabbed another brace against Aston Villa today, but when the fans saw their first-team manager’s son on the scoresheet, it completely eclipsed the double from Parrott. One day, the fans may be lucky enough to see both Parrott and Poch firing in the senior side, and what a sight that would be.

It happens all too often that players who are prolific at youth level fail to make it and convert their goalscoring form into the senior game and Pochettino senior will be desperate to ensure that his son doesn’t fall down that path. Although it’s certainly still too early so stay whether or not we’ll ever see both Maurizio Pochettino playing for Tottenham under his old man.

You can read the Lilywhites’ verdict on Maurizio’s goal here:

The Lilywhites are desperate to see their gaffer give young Pochettino a game one day, and will hope they both stay at the club long enough for it to happen.

[ad_pod ]BBC broadcaster Adam Pope spoke to Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi this week and has issued an update on his future on Twitter, with the 30-year-old telling him that promotion is the priority over that right now.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Pope was responding to a message from a Whites fan on the social media platform having interviewed the Swiss player, who has just over a year remaining on his contract at Elland Road which is due to expire in June 2020, this week.

However the versatile star, who has only recently returned from a long injury lay-off, apparently doesn’t seem too concerned about that right now as he instead looks to help the Yorkshire outfit secure a long-awaited Premier League return.

Will he get a new contract?

It’s difficult to say and much could depend on what division Leeds find themselves in next season.

Should they stay in the Championship it would be no surprise to see him get a one or two-year extension given how clearly he loves the club and the effort he puts in when he is on the pitch, but it could be a different story if they do go up.

The 30-year-old is getting no younger and if his injury issues persist, Marcelo Bielsa may feel that he would be better off cashing in on the summer rather than letting his deal run down into a campaign where he may not feature too much at all anyway.

Manchester City fans will be praying that their side can get the job done in the Champions League at the Etihad, after a rather disappointing performance at Spurs’ new stadium.

Raheem Sterling failed to have much of an impact on the game which made it difficult for Manchester City to get things going in the final third, but that won’t bother supporters as he’s been sensational this season.

Interestingly, all of his hard work and world-class performances appear to have made his value skyrocket, as according to CIES (via Daily Mail), Raheem Sterling is valued at an incredible £161 million.

The Englishman has established himself as one of the best attackers in world football in the current campaign, so it makes perfect sense to see him valued at a whopping £161 million.

He’s managed to produce 19 goals and 16 assists in the current campaign and he’s already helped City secure the Carabao Cup, with silverware still up for grabs in the Champions League, Premier League and the FA Cup.

Sterling is well on his way to becoming a Manchester City legend and he’s already making great strides on the international stage with England, so Pep Guardiola really does have a special player on his hands.

Of course, keeping him in the summer transfer window must be the priority for the Manchester club if he attracts attention as he’s been nothing short of incredible, and they would find it impossible to replace him.

His value is a testament to how well he’s playing at this moment in time, and it will only rise from here on in.

Manchester City fans, do you think Raheem Sterling is worth £161 million? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

[ad_pod ]

According to Tutto Mercato, Everton are interested in a move for Roma forward Patrik Schick, who has reportedly been made available for just €24m by the Italian side.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Czech Republic international used to be one of the most highly-rated young forwards in Europe having slammed in 13 goals in 35 appearances for Sampdoria at a young age.

His form there earned him a huge €42m move to Roma, a club-record fee for them, although it is safe to say that things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the 23-year-old.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Since arriving in Rome, Schick has found the back of the net just eight times in 53 appearances, ultimately proving to be a big-money flop for the Serie A side and a player definitely not worth such a huge sum of money.

However, as aforesaid, he is just 23 years of age; with time on his side, he could still fulfil his huge potential.

Completely unfair on Dominic Calvert-Lewin

One man who has worked tirelessly for the Toffees this season, and is visibly improving with every passing game, is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Toffees academy graduate has scored six league goals this season – double that of Schick – whilst also recording an assist in just 13 starts.

His overall game is coming on nicely, although reports linking Everton with a move for Edin Dzeko, Jean-Kevin Augustin and now Schick suggest that they are attempting to push the England Under-21 star further down the pecking order – that is simply unfair given his obvious improvement and good work for the team this season.

At just 22 years of age, Calvert-Lewin should be being nurtured and focused on, and not looking to be replaced by a player in Schick who is just one year older than him and not even guaranteed to deliver better numbers.

أعلن المدافع الإيطالي جيانلوكا مانشيني، لاعب نادي اي سي روما، إصابته بـ فيروس كورونا المُستجد “كوفيد -19”, قبل قليل، وذلك قبل يومين من مباراة إي سي ميلان في السيري آ.

وكتب مانشيني عبر حسابه الرسمي بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إنستجرام”: “مرحبًا بالجميع، لقد أثبتت إصابتي بـ كوفيد – 19”.

وأضاف: “لقد دخلت الحجر الصحي، أشعر أنني بحالة جيدة، وأقوم بالفعل بالعد التنازلي للأيام حتى أعود للعب مرة أخرى، أراكم قريبًا، فورزا روما!”.

روما يحل ضيفًا على ميلان، مساء الاثنين القادم، على ملعب “سان سيرو”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإيطالي.

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal fans on Twitter are absolutely lapping up a video posted by the club’s official account on Monday, celebrating right-back Hector Bellerin on his 24th birthday.

In the eight-year-old video, a baby-faced Bellerin was talking after first moving to the Emirates Stadium from giants of his homeland, Barcelona.

The then-16-year-old discussed how he wanted to be the best right-back in the world in ten years’ time, 2021, two years away.

However, the bulk of the Gooners who replied to the popular post believe the Spanish international has already achieved that aim and is the best right-back in the world ahead of schedule.

Whilst one fan modestly commented about how Bellerin is already up there in terms of the top right-backs in world football, a wave of others flocked to Twitter to tell the La Masia product that he is indeed the best.

Check out our list of the best reactive Tweets from Gunners supporters to the eye-opening video, below…

[ad_pod ]

David McGoldrick was one of the Republic of Ireland’s key men to make a difference against Georgia in the nation’s 1-0 win on Tuesday night.

As such, he earned various plaudits from Sheffield United fans who were kept up to date with his progress via Twitter.

Also gaining praise was defender Enda Stevens who helped his country keep a clean sheet. The pair’s performance led one fan to exclaim he couldn’t believe his eyes that Sheffield United had both of them.

Another fan was quick to praise McGoldrick for what they thought was a man of the match performance.

The striker has been among the goals for his club side this term, netting 12 times with the Blades sitting in second in the Championship.

McGoldrick is a recent signing at Bramall Lane, arriving on a free last summer after being released by Ipswich.

Here’s what Sheffield United fans have been saying about the 31-year-old…

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to the latest on Ryan Kent, as it appears Liverpool are trying to price the Gers out of a permanent move.

According to The Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are seeking in excess of £12m for Kent this summer.

The young winger moved to Ibrox on loan last summer, and has made an excellent impact with five goals and nine assists during his debut campaign, including the winning assist in the Old Firm in December.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

The Daily Record have also claimed they know what Liverpool’s asking price is, stating a bid of around £8m to £10m could secure his services, and that Steven Gerrard would love to sign him.

Either way, that is an awful lot of money to invest in a position where the Gers will have Glenn Middleton, Eros Grezda, Jamie Murphy and Jordan Jones all competing for playing time next season.

Gerrard of course worked with Kent at Liverpool, so it would not be a huge surprise to see him pull the trigger if the Reds drop their price, but anything around the £10m mark feels excessive.

That’s exactly how fans feel too, and you can check out some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a move for ex-Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Veretout.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet Le Foot, as reported by TEAMTalk, Arsenal are eyeing Veretout as a possible replacement for the outgoing Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey of course will join Juventus at the end of this campaign, despite being one of the Gunners’ better performers for most of the season.

The north Londoners tried to sign Veretout way back in 2014, and the report claims they are now considering a €30m (£25.9m) move.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Simply not good enough

There is no doubt Veretout has improved since flopping at Aston Villa. The all-action Frenchman has become an important part of an improving Fiorentina side, scoring 15 times in 68 games from defensive midfield.

At 26, he is extremely intelligent, reads the game well and sprays the ball around wonderfully.

However, this is a player who has only ever played in England once, and he was truly awful, and for every Mohamed Salah that comes back to the Premier League and turns his career around, there are a hundred more who don’t.

In 25 Premier League showings for Villa, Veretout failed to find a goal and managed just 1.3 tackles per game, an extremely low rate considering his side were dominated in nearly every match that season, a season that ended in relegation.

He is versatile enough to play Granit Xhaka’s position or Ramsey’s, but despite his improvement he is nowhere near the quality of Ramsey, particularly in attacking areas.

Quite simply, Veretout will not budge Xhaka or Lucas Torreira from the base of midfield and he is just not good enough to walk into the starting XI and replace Ramsey.

Arsenal fans better hope this is a late April Fools joke, because if £25.9m on this deal is what the club sees as good business then it’s going to be a very long summer.