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When he has been handed a chance Gareth Bale has generally performed in the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur, but Marcus Bent, who made 215 Premier League appearances, has exclusively told Football FanCast that the winger could move to Everton.

With Spurs’ managerial situation still appearing unclear, so is Bale’s future with reports linking him with a move to Everton to work under former Los Blancos manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

The Toffees have not been shy in spending the money in recent years as they have splashed out a grand total of £266 million in the last three seasons on bringing in new players so Bale’s huge wages may not prove to be that big of a stumbling block.

Bales was pushed to one side at Real Madrid over the last few years as well as for large parts under Jose Mourinho, but Bent believes he could thrive at a club like Everton as the former Toffees striker spoke exclusively to FFC:

“I think that would be his kind of club. I think he’d be the headline player, which he needs to be for his confidence and he would play week in week out alongside some great players.

“As I’ve spoken about before, Everton is a family club, they would take him in and give him the love that he needs.”

Following his temporary arrival from Real Madrid last summer, the 31-year old has failed to live up to the high standards that he left White Hart Lane with back in 2013.

Tottenham as a collective have failed to impress this season as the most realistic expectation they have heading into the final game of the season is to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

The silence has been broken

Charlie Austin06-May-2001The silence has been broken. Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captainaccused of fixing matches by bookmaker Mukesh Gupta in the Central Bureau ofInvestigation (CBI) report, has lashed out at the recently dissolved cricketboard and Desmond Fernando, the chief investigator of the cricket boardinquiry, for taking the “patently ridiculous” allegations seriously.Ranatunga, who was questioned by Fernando and two detectives from the ICC’sAnti Corruption Unit (ACU) earlier this week, denies any involvementwhatsoever with bookmakers throughout his international career in a formalwritten response to Fernando, the contents of which were printed in full bythe Sunday Leader today.The former captain’s indignant letter claims that the allegations, “basedentirely on the wholly uncorroborated evidence of a self-confessed rogue”,represent an attempt to rubbish his name by the former cricket board, whohad sacked his brother, Dammika Ranatunga, as Chief Executive of the board.”The very fact that the recently dissolved Executive Committee of the BCCSLhas purported to take these allegations seriously makes evident the factthat the majority of the members have been actuated by `Mala Fides’ againstme,” he said.Ranatunga attacks Fernando for taking the allegations seriously. “I amamazed that you, Mr Desmond Fernando, President’s Counsel, who is said to bean experienced and eminent counsel, have evidently failed to advise the boardthat these allegations are so utterly and patently unsubstantiated andunworthy of credit that no other proceedings need to be taken on them.”He defends his reputation, stating: “I have always played cricket for andonly for the love of the game and have never sought to make cricket abusiness or a means of amassing personal wealth,” adding that he has neverappeared in a advertisement for his personal gain, and pointing out that bydoing so he has “passed up the opportunity of making a colossal amount oflegitimate money”.He goes on to reveal why he believes the allegations to be “so patentlyridiculous”, after denying that he knows Mukesh Gupta or has had any dealingwith a bookmaker.Responding to the allegation that he agreed to under-perform in a Test matchagainst India in 1994, he points out that Sri Lanka had lost two consecutiveseries to India and one to South Africa. Moreover, they had never won a Testmatch on Indian soil. In these circumstances he asks the question: “Is iteven scarcely conceivable that a bookmaker would offer bribes to any SriLankan cricketer to `under-perform’ in any match against India on Indiansoil?”He derides the logic of Gupta’s evidence, pointing out that: “I appear tohave agreed to have under-performed without any kind of negotiation withregard to the price of betrayal. Even Judas Iscariot agreed upon a price of30 pieces of silver before he betrayed Jesus Christ!”Further, according to Gupta, he had paid Aravinda a sum of US $15,000 tounder-perform but makes no mention of having made any payment to me. Itwould appear from his statement that I have betrayed my country, my peopleand my team just to oblige Gupta,” he says, before adding that “this is sofanciful that it defies belief”.The long letter goes on to question why Gupta would pay Manoj Prabhakar foran introduction with Aravinda in 1991, but not make use of this investment forthree years? Why did Prabhakar need Aravinda to introduce Martin Crowe toGupta when Crowe was well known to Prabhakar? Why, if they had agreed “to doother Tests”, as is alleged, did Gupta not make use of this in 1996 or afterwhen Sri Lanka were riding high in international cricket and the odds wheretherefore far more favourable?He signs off by demanding that the BCCSL do not harass and insult acricketer again in the future just because of “a scurrilous complaint by anunsavory character”, stating that “I believe that our cricketers deservebetter treatment than this”.Desmond Fernando is expected to submit an interim report on match-fixing tothe Sri Lankan board within two weeks. Vijaya Malalsekera, the Chairman ofthe Interim Committee, said recently that the contents of the report wouldbe revealed to the ICC before a decision on the correct course of action.

Tasmanian cricket today consummated its smash and grab raid on boom allrounder Shane Watson by signing the 19-year-old Queenslander to a three-year contract

Don Woolford16-May-2001Tasmanian cricket today consummated its smash and grab raid on boom allrounder Shane Watson by signing the 19-year-old Queenslander to a three-year contract.Watson’s signing completes a sequence of events unique in Australian cricket – though almost certain to be repeated under aliberalised structure which aims to spread talent more evenly around the country.The key to the capture of Watson – widely regarded as Australia’s brightest teenage talent and who aims to be an internationalallrounder in the mould of South African Jacques Kallis – was a rule change before the start of last season which the TasmaniaCricket Association was the first to exploit.While previously Australian Cricket Academy players had to return to their home state for a year, the change left them freeagents.Watson first came to Tasmanian attention when state coach Greg Shipperd saw him at a bowling clinic in Adelaide last spring.Shipperd’s interest deepened when Tasmania played the Academy in a pre-season game in Adelaide and was confirmed whenWatson came to Hobart to play against the Tasmanian seconds.TCA chief executive David Johnston then put a proposition to Watson: Come to Hobart and you’ll go straight into theTasmanian team – though how long you stay will depend on performance.It was sealed with a handshake, with no commitment from either side beyond the end of the season.Watson came and, by coincidence, made his debut against his home state which, has been less than gracious about the matter,although it has made no serious effort to lure its wayward son home.”It was really a ring of fire,” Watson said.”But it was the best thing I’ve ever done, playing good cricket against my home state, the best state in Australia.”Tasmania got walloped but Watson, batting at No.7, was undefeated in both innings.From there he went from strength to strength.By the last game, against South Australia, the TCA knew it wanted him long-term.It flew his parents to Hobart and Watson, now batting at No.4, hit his maiden first class century.He finished his abbreviated first class season with 309 runs from eight innings at 51.50 and, though used sparingly, took 11wickets at 26.27.With his considerable help, Tasmania enjoyed a late season renaissance, jumping from last to third on the Pura Cup table.Watson said coming to Tasmania, where he could bat at four or five and be a first or second change bowler, was the bestmove for his career.”And Tasmania has been so good to me,” he said.Johnston said he knew of no other state recruiting an Academy player from another state.But he had no doubt it would happen more.Johnston said it was part of a developing structure, which also involved transfer lists and greater freedom for players and statesto negotiate contracts.While it had none of the compulsions of the football draft, its effect was likely to be similar in spreading talent more evenlyaround the country.”There probably will be more player movement,” Johnston said.”For Australian cricket, it’s important to have the best 66 players playing first class cricket.”That’s an aim of the ACB, having the best players playing as much as possible.”Of course, greater freedom cuts both ways.The TCA, while rejoicing over Watson, is battling to keep its talented but inconsistent batsman Michael Di Venuto, who isbeing wooed by South Australia.Johnston said Di Venuto, who is playing for Derbyshire, has promised a decision tomorrow.

Celtic’s new manager will have to revamp the team’s defensive structure, according to Mark Wilson.

Wilson, a right-back, made over 100 appearances for the Hoops between 2006 and 2012.

Celtic have endured a dismal season -they trail champions Rangers by 23 points in the table and crashed out of the Europa League in the group stages while their arch-rivals progressed to the Round of 16, and a large part of their struggles has been down to their torrid defending.

How much have Celtic struggled defensively?

Celtic conceded 19 goals over their six continental fixtures, a joint-competition-high (alongside Dundalk and Ludogorets).

They’ve shipped 29 in the Scottish Premiership, and though that equates to fewer than one per game, their defensive record pales in comparison to Rangers, who have let in just 13.

For Wilson, it’s clear where the outstanding problems lie for Neil Lennon’s long-term successor.

‘Celtic must address weakness Gerrard exploited’

“Any manager who is looking at this Celtic side and has done their homework throughout the season, not just against Rangers, can clearly see the weaknesses,” he told Sky Sports, via Daily Record.

“Steven Gerrard played on that and said after the match he played on that weakness of the backline and goalkeeper.

“That is the priority for any manager coming in – a goalkeeper and two full-backs and a centre-half.

“If they can keep Kris Ajer it’s a good start, but it’s a tall order.”

Who would be getting replaced in Celtic revamp?

It was reported at the start of the season that £3.6million-rated Ajer wanted to leave Celtic, and he’s now about to enter the last year of his contract.

Scott Bain (£540,000) is currently the no. 1 ‘keeper at Parkhead, having started the last 11 matches.

Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny (£6.3million) occupies the right-back position, with AC Milan’s Diego Laxalt (£3.6million) predominantly the man stationed on the opposite flank.

That makes about £14m worth of talent that could need replacing and upgrading.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Celtic need an overhaul this summer, but they can’t focus all their attention on the defence – let’s not forget that while Sunday’s Old Firm turned into a goal-fest, the Hoops had mustered just one goal in the previous four clashes against the Gers this term.

Odsonne Edouard could leave, forcing the club to try and repeat the trick of identifying a diamond in the rough up front, just like they did with Moussa Dembele before him.

Indeed, his mooted £15million sale could be crucial for fundraising and one would hope it can stretch to more than just a couple of defenders – if the club were to upgrade at the back but lose Edouard without an adequate replacement, we can’t see them properly challenging Rangers for the throne next term regardless of how many clean sheets they keep.

In other news, Celtic have been warned about offloading this midfielder.

Jurgen Klopp has been handed a big injury boost at Liverpool as Nathaniel Phillips was set to make his return against Manchester United on Sunday before the game was called off due to protestors at Old Trafford.

The centre-back was forced to sit out recent games against Leeds United and Newcastle United due to a hamstring issue and was a doubt for Sunday’s game against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

However, Phillips was set to start alongside Ozan Kabak in central defence at Old Trafford, with Fabinho moving back into a midfield position.

Although the game was postponed, it is still great news for Klopp to have Phillips back available, especially after he and Kabak formed a formidable partnership earlier in the season.

The 24-year-old, who reportedly earns £64k per week at Liverpool, has proven himself to be an excellent option for the German manager to have this season, capitalising on the long-term injuries suffered by Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to establish himself as a first-team regular at Anfield.

After spending last season on loan at VFB Stuggart in the Bundesliga 2, it seemed as if the young defender had no real future with Liverpool, especially after Klopp confirmed earlier in the season that he was close to leaving last summer due to interest from Championship clubs.

However, he impressed on his Premier League debut against West Ham, with Klopp full of praise for his performance, saying:

“He’s a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything. He’s not easy on the eye, he’s not Messi but who cares? In the air, he’s a monster! He was incredible.”

Phillips hasn’t looked back since then and has gone on to make 12 appearances in the top-flight this season, averaging an impressive 7.09 rating for his performances, so it is definitely a boost that he is back fit for the remaining fixtures.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-moreozek-suarez-ward-correa-klopp-super-league-watkins” title=”Read the latest Liverpool news, transfer rumours and more…”]

In fact, the Bolton-born defender has achieved somewhat star status at Liverpool, with his old-school style of play making him somewhat of a cult-hero with the fans.

Furthermore, as explained by David Lynch, Liverpool have only won one of nine games since January with Fabinho at centre-back, whereas they’ve won four of six with him in midfield and had that trend continued in the next few games, Liverpool’s chances of Champions League qualification would have been dead,

So, Phillips’ return will allow Fabinho to return to his natural defensive midfield position, and if he and Kabak can pick up where they left off, then the Reds have a great chance of finishing strongly and earning a Champions League spot for next year.

It’s a perfect illustration of how The Reds’ campaign has gone so far that the return of a player who was very, very close to moving to the Championship is now being seen as a man who is needed to help salvage something from what has been a rotten season.

And, in other news… Liverpool handed huge Salah blow ahead of 2021/22, Klopp surely fuming

During West Ham United’s encounter with Newcastle United this afternoon, plenty of Hammers supporters were less than impressed with the performance of defender Craig Dawson – with the Englishman sent off following a string of bad challenges. 

Dawson, who is set to join the Irons on a permanent basis from Watford this summer, endured a torrid afternoon at St. James’ Park as the 30-year-old struggled to keep some composure.

According to SofaScore, Dawson attempted just one ground duel, made an error leading to a goal and accumulated a meagre 5.2 match rating over the 36 minutes he played before being given his marching orders.

For his first booking, the centre-back took out Joelinton and received an early caution – with another poor challenge then leading to an opening goal for Newcastle and his second card of the afternoon (football.london).

As a result, it’s safe to say many Irons supporters were not impressed with his performance at St. James’ Park.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans slam Dawson

“The worst we’ve played since the opening day! Unfortunately all frailties at once! Donkey Dawson, flapianski, Lack of pace, lack of creativity, lack of a striker…”

Credit: @gerard_finch

“Diop is heavily mistake prone but Dawson is useless under pressure it’s embarrassing”

Credit: @_ghzst

“Diop and Dawson just aren’t good enough, poor”

Credit: @lewis_wall

“Dawson has been poor for a while but been getting away with it because we have been winning lately”

Credit: @TomCass5

“Let’s be honest, Dawson has been really poor for weeks he won’t be a miss in the next game.”

Credit: @WesthamDan16

“Dawson has been a liability for about 3 games now”

Credit: @johnlewiscoyi

“Dawson’s been a liability recently.”

Credit: @SPKing1986

“Dawson been terrible for weeks”

Credit: @75_chicoIron

In other news: West Ham fans were excited by an ExWHUemployee claim, find out more here.

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Daniel Levy should consider Marcelo Bielsa as a potential replacement for Jose Mourinho.

With Tottenham out of Europe and likely to finish outside the top four, the Portuguese was sacked on Monday morning, meaning Levy’s search for a successor is well underway.

Former player Ryan Mason has been placed in temporary charge for the remainder of the season, with Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann the Spurs chairman’s number one target, although the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santo have also been mentioned.

But with Bielsa’s contract at Elland Road expiring this summer and no agreement for him to extend his stay in Yorkshire as things stand, Windass believes that he’s one Tottenham should be looking at.

Asked whether he thinks the Argentine could be tempted by the move to north London, Windass told Football FanCast:

“Good shout, good shout. Yeah, without a doubt. Who knows what Bielsa is thinking, but he would be one on the lips of Daniel Levy.

“We won’t have to worry about it until the end of the season because Ryan [Mason] has got it, so good luck to the kid.”

Noel Whelan has tipped Eddie Howe to make Josh King one of his first Celtic signings if he officially joins the Hoops.

The 43-year-old has verbally agreed to replace Neil Lennon at Parkhead following face-to-face talks with Dermot Desmond earlier this week.

The Hoops look set to be Howe’s third club of his managerial career, and Whelan believes a reunion with King in Glasgow could be on the cards.

Everton not expected to make King’s deal long-term

King, 29, was signed by Howe on the south coast back in 2015 on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers. The Norwegian went on to score 50 goals in 170 appearances under Howe.

The striker is now with Everton on a short-term deal, however, the Toffees aren’t expected to extend that in the summer, meaning he could be a free agent and thus an impeccably cheap deal for such a talented player, even if he demands big wages.

Whelan, talking to Football Insider about King, said:

“He would be fantastic for the Scottish game and Celtic. Maybe he’ll delve into the market for that one, he knows what’s happening in the summertime. The two of them know each other very well.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he delves into the market and takes people that he knows and trusts.

“That’s what managers generally do, using their own contacts and the relationships they have with players. That would only be a positive for Celtic.”

Transfer Tavern take

King, who picks up £45,000-a-week on Merseyside, could prove to be an excellent signing.

He’s capable of playing anywhere across the front line, has over 160 Premier League appearances under his belt and more than 50 appearances for his national side.

Still only 29 years of age, he could thrive under Howe at Parkhead, should a move materialise.

In other news: Former Hoops striker could join Howe at Celtic Park, find out more here.  

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer has reacted to comments made by Garry Monk regarding his decision to take the Sheffield Wednesday job back in 2019.

Speaking to The Athletic (via Sheffield Star) this month, Monk admitted signing up for the role in the Hillsborough dugout was a mistake.

After 14 months in charge, the 42-year-old was sacked as the Yorkshire club found themselves second from bottom in the Championship.

In his interview with The Athletic, Monk also claimed he knew that there were a lot of things wrong at Wednesday under the Dejphon Chansiri regime, something which Palmer felt he obviously had to know from the get-go and should have served as a warning sign.

Discussing Monk’s recent comments, the former Wednesday midfielder told FFC:

“Anybody who takes the Sheffield Wednesday job surely must have been doing their homework. There’s just too much of a managerial merry-go-round going on, so there’s something not right at the football club. But the problem that you’ve got is that it’s a massive club, it’s well supported and, you know, it’s a big job. So you believe, right, I can get in there, I can do a good job and this, that and the other.

“But there’s clearly issues there. I know there’s issues over the way Chansiri controls the playing side of things in terms of players coming and players going out. I’d be very shocked if Garry wasn’t aware of that when he went in there.”

With eight Championship games still to play, survival is not out of Wednesday’s reach yet. However, if the Owls do end up dropping down to League One, it will be interesting to see if Darren Moore is kept on or given the same treatment as the likes of Monk and Tony Pulis.

Sunderland fans are gutted after it was revealed on-loan forward Jordan Jones is a major doubt for the EFL Trophy final due to injury.

The Black Cats will travel to Wembley on Sunday to play Tranmere in the EFL Trophy final. They have defeated Carlisle United, Aston Villa U21, Oldham Athletic, Port Vale, Milton Keynes Dons and Lincoln City to get this far, and they will be hoping to pick up some silverware as they attempt to earn promotion to the Championship.

However, they may be without 26-year-old Jones for the clash. Since joining on a temporary basis from Rangers until the end of the season, he has scored twice and provided three assists in nine league matches (Transfermarkt) and has impressed. He will face a fitness ahead of the match.

The news was shared on Twitter by journalist James Hunter, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Sunderland supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Jones news below

“Jones will be a big miss but good news for Grant Leadbitter will be in the squad.”

Credit: @bamgboyeolu

“Typical. Just as it was all going so well…”

Credit: @joey_burton_

“Heartbroken ain’t the word”

Credit: @ChazUrwin

“Jones would be a miss. I’d bet on Hume on the bench”

Credit: @richy_choc

“Be a big blow if he does miss out. That said, we need him for the run in so I wouldn’t take any risks.”

Credit: @StewHellens

“I knew things were going a little too well n something like this was due”

Credit: @LiamKirby16

In other news, Sunderland fans slammed this man against Portsmouth.