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According to a report by Portuguese news outlet Correio da Manhã, via West Ham Fan Zone, the Irons are eyeing FC Porto manager Sergio Conceicao as a possible replacement for David Moyes, prompting bafflement from many supporters. 

Indeed, West Ham are apparently interested in appointing Conceicao despite Moyes’ fine job at the London Stadium this season.

The Hammers could qualify for the 2021/22 Europa League if they clinch a point from today’s encounter with Southampton, coming after West Ham finished a lowly 16th last term.

Correio de Manhã reported that the Liga NOS manager is attracting such interest from West Ham that GSB are promising a ‘millionaire’s investment’ to the 46-year-old this summer.

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It is said that they want a boss who has experience in competing at the highest level in Europe (Conceicao took Porto to the Champions League quarter-finals this year), which contradicts reports that Moyes is apparently close to signing a new deal at the London Stadium (Evening Standard).

As a result, these Irons supporters are baffled by the news about the purported managerial change – check out some of their verdicts below.

West Ham fans baffled by Conceicao claim

“That would be horrible on David Moyes, he’s the only reason we are where we are now”

Credit: @keirankeyse

“This can’t be true”

Credit: @AlexBicknell89

“This is 100 percent a Sullivan idea”

Credit: @AidanWHU

“Replacing Moyes for a fancy name. Didn’t go too well the first time”

Credit: @WHUJack_

“It’d be an absolute disgrace if David Moyes was to be shown the door again especially this time around considering the job he’s done this season and back end of last. Sullivan will forever be attracted to fancy names but with no real plan, just shows he is main problem.”

Credit: @AzamWHUFC

“Don’t believe it”

Credit: @HHickford

In other news: West Ham now leading race to bag potentially ‘perfect signing’, find out more here.

Chelsea earned themselves a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, which should give Thomas Tuchel’s side a great chance of progressing to the Champions League final when the two sides meet again at Stamford Bridge next week.

Christian Pulisic gave the Blues an early lead at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium as he latched on to Antonio Rudiger’s long ball before keeping his composure to round former Chelsea man Thibaut Courtois and fire into the net.

However, it wouldn’t take the hosts too long to level, as Karim Benzema showed the goalscoring instinct that Timo Werner lacked earlier in the game to fire home an emphatic volley after it broke to him in the box.

Unfortunately for the German international, it was another disappointing performance on Tuesday night as he struggled to get involved at all, whilst he also missed a great early chance as he inexplicably volleyed straight at Courtois when found by Pulisic inside the six-yard box.

As per SofaScore, the former RB Leipzig man would earn a disappointing 6.6/10 rating for his performance, which was the joint-worst rating, along with Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, of any outfield Chelsea player who started the game.

During his 66 minutes on the pitch, the 25-year-old striker had just 21 touches of the ball, which was the least of any player who started the game, including Chelsea shot-stopper Edouard Mendy, who had 24.

Werner also managed to complete just seven passes during the game, which is significantly worse than the 20.3 passes he has averaged per game in the Champions League this season, which emphasises just how little he was involved on Tuesday evening.

The summer signing, who was dubbed “frustrating” by Rio Ferdinand earlier in the season, also failed to contribute a single dribble or key pass during his time on the pitch, which again suggests that he needs to do more in Chelsea’s build-up play.

Considering the Blues’ impressive start to the game which could have seen them establish a more comfortable lead, you could definitely argue that Werner let Tuchel down because of his inability to finish and his general ineffectiveness in Madrid. If he had performed better, Chelsea would be taking more than one away goal back to the Bridge.

The Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore could return to the stadium for the Owls’ must-win Championship final day clash.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Moore’s assistant manager, Jamie Smith, who, speaking after the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, stated his belief that the 47-year-old has been recovering well from illness, and could feel well enough to make a return to the touchline this Saturday.

As cited by Yorkshire Live, Smith said: “He is good. He’s a lot better in himself. He could potentially be back in the stands for Derby.”

Big Boost

While Moore’s absence due to serious illness is in no way his own fault, the lack of the manager’s presence on the touchline will undoubtedly have had a negative impact on the Wednesday players at a crucial stage of the season.

However, with Smith picking up a rather impressive five points over the four games that Moore has missed, the Owls do still stand a chance of pulling off what would be a remarkable escape from the relegation places on the final day of the season.

In order to do so, Wednesday will be hoping that Rotherham United do not pick up any points in their game in hand on Tuesday evening, before the Owls head into what could essentially be a relegation play-off with Wayne Rooney’s Derby County side on Saturday, with the losing team more than likely being the outfit who will be playing their football in the third tier as of next season.

As such, the return of Moore for this seismic clash would be a huge boost for both the players and fans of Sheffield Wednesday alike, all of whom will be praying that the 47-year-old’s return can provide the spark that sees the Owls climb out of the bottom three come the final whistle of the Championship season this weekend.

In other news: Won 60% duels: Wednesday star who made three interceptions gives Moore final day hope – opinion

Sunderland had one task that stood tall above the others during the winter transfer market; find a left-back.

It was Kristjaan Speakman’s biggest priority as he embarked on his first window in charge of their recruitment.

Unfortunately, it didn’t really pay off. The Mackems were linked with a number of left-backs, including Wimbledon defender Paul Osew.

They ultimately ended up with Jake Vokins, landing the young full-back on a loan deal from Southampton.

On paper this looked like a wise move. Vokins had played against Arsenal in the Premier League just a matter of days before penning terms in the north-east.

Things haven’t worked out for the Saints defender since signing though, enduring a horrendous debut that was described as one of the worst in the club’s history. His game time has since been halted by the ongoing pandemic and a worrying heart problem.

Though, on the field of play, it’s Callum McFadzean who has been left to take the majority of criticism.

He has been the mainstay at left-back while Denver Hume recovers from injury and it’s safe to say he’s been well below par.

The 27-year-old has been caught out on a number of occasions this term and has been left stranded by a whole host of wingers and flying full-backs.

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McFadzean was given the run around by Otis Khan in the EFL Trophy final as the Tranmere defender completed four dribbles.

The Mackems full-back was led a “merry dance” by Olamide Shodipo against Oxford United and was again terrorised by Mallik Wilks in the draw with Hull City this week.

Wilks beat him on countless occasions, providing two assists for the Tigers’ goals. With that in mind, a left-back should be near the top of Sunderland’s agenda again this summer.

Back in January, the Black Cats were touted with a switch for young Hibernian talent Josh Doig.

The defender is just 18 but has caught the eye of not only the lower leagues but also the likes of Leeds and Manchester City.

Luring him to the Stadium of Light, therefore, would be quite the accomplishment but it’s something they have to do.

Doig is very adept going forward and has contributed to four goals in the Scottish Premiership this season. Crucial, though, are his defensive attributes.

The teenager is very strong in the tackle and has won 1.7 challenges per match. That tally significantly betters McFadzean who has made just one successful tackle a game in League One.

It might not mean much to Sunderland supporters but Doig comes with a glowing recommendation from a certain Jack Ross too: “He has been brilliant this season for a young man who has just turned 18,” the Hibs boss said.

With a high ceiling and plenty of potential, the Scottish defender definitely seems like a better option than McFadzean. The Black Cats must try their best to prise him away.

AND in other news, Forget Jones: SAFC gem with 36 key passes now stealing the show, he’s very “dangerous”…

Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League campaign came to an end on Wednesday evening at the hands of Real Madrid.

The Reds were not able to overturn their 3-1 deficit from the first-leg, eventually earning a stalemate against Los Blancos at Anfield.

We take a look at how Jurgen Klopp’s men rated:

Starting XI

Alisson – 7/10: Whilst not forced into too many saves by Zinedine Zidane’s men, the Brazilian performed at exactly the right time for Liverpool by denying both Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema in quick succession in the second-half.

Andrew Robertson  – 6/10: It was a solid if unspectacular night from the left-back. He coped well with the threats of Ferland Mendy and Marco Asensio down the Real Madrid right but his final product ended up disappointing on one too many occasions.

Ozan Kabak – 6/10: The Turk did not do all too much wrong having kept Los Blancos quiet in his time on the pitch. He was replaced somewhat out of consequence with Liverpool pushing for a couple of goals after a steady hour.

Nathaniel Phillips – 7/10: The 24-year-old produced what was arguably one of his most impressive performances in a Reds’ shirt by keeping the likes of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Vincius Jr. quiet. He was evaded late on by the French striker but in the end was not punished for that. Phillips eventually produced a team-high four interceptions.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8/10: By far the best of Liverpool’s defence, the Reds’ academy graduate was hugely impressive going forwards and in defence. According to WhoScored, he produced two tackles and three interceptions, whilst also contributing a huge six key passes. Alexander-Arnold will certainly have felt unfortunate to have not at least notched a couple of assists.

Fabinho – 6/10: Whilst the former Monaco man was an ever-solid presence in the Liverpool midfield, he did not stand out too much. His defensive awareness was probably not what the Reds needed.

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James Milner – 5/10: Retaining his spot in place of Thiago Alcantara, the veteran midfielder did not contribute all too much but for a booming effort from range that was well tipped over from range. He was the victim of a crunching challenge from Casemiro in the first-half and did not appear to regain his footing, eventually being replaced by Thiago.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10: Having previously starred against another Spanish club in the form of Barcelona a few seasons ago, the Dutchman could not replicate that performance against Real. Wijnaldum was tidy on the ball with his 87.9% pass accuracy but simply did not threaten enough going forwards.

Sadio Mane – 5/10: Another hugely quiet evening for the Senegalese as his inconsistent run in front of goal continues. Mane certainly looked off-colour again versus Real having had just one shot and lost the ball on five occasions with poor touches. The £90m-rated star was eventually replaced late on after his shocker.

Mo Salah – 6/10: His impressive Champions League record has finally come to an end. Having scored in each of his last four games in the competition, he looked the most likely to find the net having had three shots but he was not accurate enough. His evening was summed up with a second-half left-footed effort that drifted harmlessly over.

Roberto Firmino – 6/10: Another of the Liverpool attack to have an under-par evening, Firmino also did not seem to have his shooting boots on. He really should have scored midway through the second-half but was replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri.

Substitutes

Thiago Alcantara – 5/10: As has been seen in the past, the Spaniard really did not affect the game all too much against Real Madrid. He played some nice cross-field passes but that was the limit of his contribution after he replaced Milner.

Diogo Jota – 6/10: Initially looked a threat after his introduction with his pace and was somewhat unfortunate to maybe not have scored but faded towards the closing stages.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10: Despite not being on the pitch for long enough to really get a fair rating, the former Arsenal man turned one of his typical performances, being full of effort and endeavour.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 5/10: Did not have enough time on the pitch to have a contribution.

AND in more news, Liverpool made the wrong choice in signing Kostas Tsimikas last summer…

Rangers have been linked with a move for both Britt Assombalonga and Jonson Clarke-Harris in recent weeks, but who would be the better fit in Steven Gerrard’s side at Ibrox?

Britt Assombalonga:

According to GiveMeSport, Rangers are considering a move for the Middlesbrough forward this summer and could sign the 28-year-old on a free transfer after it was recently confirmed that he will depart the Teesside club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The powerful striker has enjoyed prolific spells at Peterborough United and Nottingham Forest in the past but has struggled to have the same impact with Middlesbrough following his £15m move in 2017.

Assombalonga has managed just 47 goals in 159 appearances during his time with Boro and has endured a particularly difficult season so far, with just five Championship goals in 29 appearances.

Jonson Clarke-Harris:

According to Football Insider, Rangers scouts were looking at Clarke-Harris in a recent 7-0 thrashing of Accrington Stanley, in which the Peterborough frontman scored a hat-trick.

The 26-year-old has been in electric form for the League One promotion hopefuls this season, with 26 goals to his name in 38 league appearances.

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The former Rotherham United man only joined the Posh from Bristol Rovers last summer but has stepped up brilliantly following the departure of Ivan Toney and could demand a hefty fee in the summer should Rangers come knocking, especially if Darren Ferguson’s side earn promotion to the Championship.

Who would be better for Rangers?

Whilst Assombalonga boasts more experience than Clarke-Harris and has shown that he can cut it in the Championship, his career is on the decline at the moment, whereas Peterborough’s star man is very much on the up.

The 26-year-old would cost a significant amount more than Assombalonga in terms of a transfer fee, but perhaps wouldn’t demand anywhere near as much in wages, with the Middlesbrough captain reportedly earning £35,000 per week on Teesside.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Therefore, we feel that, due to his “phenomenal” performances so far this season, Clarke-Harris is much more likely to be a success in Gerrard’s side next term, so Ross Wilson should forget about signing Assombalonga and go all-out for the Peterborough forward instead.

In other news… Gerrard could be set for huge Rangers blow with £4.05m-rated “class act” 

Manchester United have made a move for Crystal Palace recruitment specialist Jamahl Jarrett.

The Daily Mail shared the news on Friday, which led to numerous Eagles fans sharing their thoughts on the off-field development on social media.

According to the report, the Red Devils are set to bring in Jarrett, currently assistant head of academy recruitment at Selhurst Park, to be their lead southern scout.

Jarrett has been with Palace for 10 years, six of which have been in a full-time position.

But it now seems as if he will end his association at Selhurst Pak by making a move to the Old Trafford outfit.

The 32-year-old is highly thought of and was the co-founder of South London club Lambeth Tigers in 2010, where he has since helped more than 250 youngsters go on to join high-level youth set-ups around the country.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared the Daily Mail’s report on Twitter on Friday. This is what some Palace supporters had to say in reply to the proposed move, with one describing it as ‘hilarious’.

“Bit late for April Fools….”

Credit: @_YTCP_

“I’m not surprised he wants to leave, Roy hasn’t used any of the youngsters regularly (AWB excepted and injuries forced that on him). Our promising lads just move on as soon as they can.”

Credit: @Cpfc1905Dh

“We have a recruitment specialist?!!!! Hilarious.”

Credit: @audreysprayer

“Didn’t even know we had a recruitment specialist”

Credit: @CPFC_GH

“So basically he’s gonna be getting all the best players from South London and taking them to United?”

Credit: @joelcpfc_

“why would players move across the country at such a young age for a worse academy?”

Credit: @ElGaeito

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz at club’s summer plans, find out more here. 

After Aston Villa’s youngsters stole the show in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier this year, naturally, attentions have been firmly centred on which one of the club’s brightest academy talents could be set for a break through.

One of those whose star is burning brighter than most, is Carney Chukwuemeka.

The 17-year-old has yet to make his senior debut for Dean Smith’s side, but is already making waves behind the scenes.

One scout told The Athletic: “He’s the best player Villa have got coming through. He can do everything in the midfield area and there are a lot of clubs monitoring his situation at Villa.”

And just recently on the 1874 podcast, Gregg Evans spoke about just how highly thought of he is in and around the club, revealing that “he’s the one everybody’s talking about” – the journalist even went so far as to describe him as “the real deal”.

The crucial point of note for Smith is the considerable transfer interest that Chukwuemeka is generating from rival clubs, with reports just last month suggesting that the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, among some other European elites, are keen on making a move for the teenager.

The modern young player knows that they no longer have to stay put at their clubs and just wait patiently for a chance to play first-team football. The likes of Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund and more recently Jamal Musiala at Bayern Munich have shown talented English starlets that they can enjoy a far quicker path-way to senior football by moving abroad.

It’s exactly why Villa should seriously consider giving Chukwuemeka a chance to shine in the first-team, and prove to him that he doesn’t have to leave the club to be playing at a senior level.

Meanwhile, Villa could find a new Gareth Barry in this man…

Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Tottenham Hotspur can beat Dinamo Zagreb as long as Jose Mourinho unleashes the full force of his attack in the Europa League Round of 16.

Spurs have progressed to the last-16 after a series of thumping wins in the competition.

Mourinho’s side beat Wolfsberger 8-1 on aggregate in the last-16, and also beat Ludogorets 3-1 and 4-0 in the group stages, while beating LASK 3-0.

There were some poor results too; a 1-0 loss to Royal Antwerp marked perhaps the nadir of Mourinho’s reign, while a 3-3 draw with LASK was notable mainly for the lack of defensive organisation.

But Spurs have progressed to within spitting distance of the quarter final and the draw with Zagreb could be seen as favourable.

Indeed, Manchester United drew AC Milan, while the likes of Arsenal, Ajax, and Roma were all drawn elsewhere.

Mabbutt admits that the draw could have been tougher, but he thinks Zagreb are a fine team who will provide a stern test.

The Croatian outfit conceded just once in the group stages, coming through a group including Wolfsberger, Feyenoord, and CSKA Moscow.

Mabbutt told FFC: “Yes. I mean, of course, when we look at the teams who are involved in the draw, there are teams you think, oh, I’d like to avoid those. But yeah, any team to get to this stage in the Europa League, obviously, are fantastic teams. And certainly there are ones that you would prefer to avoid more than others.

“Zagreb, I think, if you look at their records in European competition, never got past the last 16 in the Europa League, so hoping the same thing happens this year.

“But yeah, in fact, last year, they actually set a European record for going nearly the whole of the group stage without conceding a goal. They conceded that going into the last 15 minutes of their sixth group stage match. So again, obviously, as a manager, you look at that, and you see that they may be quite strong defensively.”

And, as a result, Mabbutt believes Spurs need to top-load the team and bring in some of the strongest attacking players available to Mourinho in order to breach Zagreb’s defences.

Indeed, he has insisted that if Mourinho can get the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Gareth Bale all firing, no team in the world would want to come up against them.

He added: “Well, if I was a manager, I would make sure that I keep my defence strong and then throw everything I’ve got at them, and unleash Kane, Son, Bale. If you’ve got a team, you’ve got players like, Harry Kane, Son, Gareth Bale, Dele Alli, Lamela, Ndombele. If you’ve got all those players on top form, there’s not a team in the world would like to face those players now.”

According to a report by the Daily Express, Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy look likely to be offered Gareth Bale on a permanent deal this summer – with parent club Real Madrid eager to sell and wanting to get his £600,000-per-week wages off their books. 

Indeed, as per the outlet, Real want to clinch a permanent deal with Tottenham in order to bolster finances and potentially make a £135 million move for Paris-Saint Germain star Kylian Mbappe.

Tottenham could be offered permanent Bale deal

Shifting Bale would help greatly in their pursuit of the World Cup winner, with the Galacticos now looking likely to offer Tottenham a chance to sign the Welshman permanently at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho, branding the attacker ‘incredible’ at the start of this season, began to utilise Bale very rarely – possibly due to fitness problems as figures in the media questioned if Spurs supporters will ever see the real Gareth Bale again.

After what has been a mixed start to his loan spell at Tottenham, the 31-year-old has since entered a fine run of form under Mourinho – recently putting in a Man of the Match display and running riot against Burnley (BBC).

Transfer Tavern take

The Tottenham boss then waxed lyrical over Bale and called him ‘better than ever’ – but it remains to be seen whether Spurs will opt to sign him permanently from Real Madrid in the summer.

From this Daily Express report, Spurs seem very likely to at least be handed that chance at the end of the season, but it could all depend on Bale’s wage demands and the supposed transfer fee.

In other news: Tottenham price tag for ace has been revealed, find out more here.