All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

With the Premier League season just days away, it’s that time of year again to start gearing up and planning our Fantasy Football teams.

The routine is simple enough – the season ends, and you spend a few weeks in a bit of a lull, waiting for the best show on earth to return in the next few months. To ease the wait, you start building your fantasy team early, carefully constructing the perfect squad to win that illustrious prize of gloat between you and your friends.

However, what if it were possible for you to play for more than just a few hundred quid between yourself and your mates? What if it were possible to secure a lifechanging amount of money simply based on your FPL knowledge? Well, in comes FanTeam.com, who are revolutionising the landscape of fantasy football games in the UK and Europe.

With their engaging social media strategy and incredible fantasy football platform, FanTeam.com has managed to take the Fantasy Football formula and flip it on its head.

For a mere £20 stake, you can use your Premier League guile and knowhow in a prize pool of up to £1,000,000. The catch? There isn’t one. Simply enter the competition with your stake and tactically battle your way through the season, earning points for more than just goals, assists, and clean sheets like you do in other Fantasy Football games.

With FanTeam.com, you can earn points based on aspects such as shots on target and winning games, whilst also being able to lose points for giving away penalties, or freekicks that can lead to an opposing goal. As well as that, the pricing structure is almost identical to other Fantasy Football games, with £100m to spend on 15 players – it really is that simple.

Sure, you can just stick with the usual games such as FPL, Sky Fantasy, Sun Dream Team, the list goes on. However, wouldn’t it make more sense to use this year-long effort towards a potentially life-changing reward? Of course, not everyone can win the top prize of £200,000, but so long as you finish within the Top 5,000, you can guarantee to double your £20 stake. Finish in the Top 100? You can win a minimum of £1,000 come the end of the season.

So, what are you waiting for? Jump on FanTeam.com now to secure your place with just £20 and be in with the chance of winning that lifechanging sum of money!

How to join FanTeam’s Premier League 2021/22 Fantasy Football tournament:

To sign up, you need to be over 18, Gamble Aware and meet FanTeam’s terms and conditions. Otherwise, just follow these steps…

– Head to FanTeam and sign up – click here

– Join the ‘£1m Fantasy Premier League’ tournament and pay the £20 entry fee

– Create a team and click ‘Enter Tournament’

Some Wolves fans have been left to buzz as the Midlands club confirmed that John Ruddy has signed a new deal.

As per the official website of the Molineux faithful, the veteran goalkeeper has signed a new contract that will keep him there for another year.

They cite that Ruddy has been a vocal presence among the first-team squad in recent years, and of course helped them gain promotion from the EFL Championship up to the Premier League.

Nonetheless, to have a player of his experience and leadership in around the squad, especially under a new manager in Bruno Lage, will only benefit the Wanderers as they look to improve on what was a disappointing campaign ahead of the new 2021/22 season.

Wolves fans on Ruddy contract update

These WWFC supporters buzzed as the contract update on Ruddy was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘brilliant news’, while another described the Englishman as an ‘excellent’ pro:

“Yeaaaa Ruddy is staying”

Credit: @wendymillssmith

“This is actually great news”

Credit: @_brad_fisher_

“Great to see him sign a new deal. Top professional”

Credit: @DazzMatthews73

“Fantastic news! Key player and great guy!”

Credit: @KoenigSteve

“Brilliant news”

Credit: @wolvogirl75

“Good excellent pro. Cardiff away will live long in the memory!!”

Credit: @groomtings

In other news, find out what transfer update has left WWFC fans fuming here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder expects Marcel Sabitzer to play in central midfield at Tottenham if the north London club can get a deal over the line for the player.

Sabitzer has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, with Bild (via Sport Witness) reporting back in March that there is a 75% chance that the 27-year-old joins the Premier League outfit in the summer.

Valued at £37.8m by Transfermarkt, Sabitzer has played in multiple positions in his career. However, this season, the Austria international was mainly used as a central midfielder at RB Leipzig by manager Julian Nagelsmann, and has 94 goal contributions in 227 matches for the German club.

And Pinder, who is editor-in-chief at Get German Football News, expects Sabitzer to play in a similar role at Tottenham if he ends up joining the club, telling FFC:

“He’s versatile. He’s got plenty of experience as the No.10, but I do think he’s better as the No.8 in a double pivot in central midfield. His passing, his first touch, his shooting, I think it’s more suited to that role rather than being further forward.”

While it certainly looks like Sabitzer will be able to bring much to this Tottenham midfield, it will be interesting to see if he is still a primary target for the north London club following Jose Mourinho’s exit.

Bruno Lage has a big task on his hands this summer in order to revive Wolves after a mediocre campaign.

The trouble is that the Old Gold could lose a number of their most important players during the course of the window.

On the chalkboard

Ruben Neves and Adama Traore aren’t the only figures being linked with the exit door at Molineux.

Indeed, Joao Moutinho could also depart Wolves in the coming months. That’s because the Portuguese veteran has been touted with a move back to his former club, Porto.

This comes after Tim Spiers suggested earlier last season that 2020/21 could have been Moutinho’s final campaign as a regular in the starting XI.

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Steve Bull issued similar words when speaking exclusively to Football FanCast this week. The Wolves legend said: “I think he’s done now, I think Joao’s had his time here now and he’s done absolutely brilliantly for the club and there’s a lot of speculation and rumours that he’s going back to Porto.”

The midfielder is now 34 and although he still oozes class with his passing, it could be time for Lage to find a younger alternative.

The solution

One man who could arrive in the Midlands this summer is Tottenham’s Harry Winks.

That’s according to Football Insider pundit Danny Mills who revealed the midfielder could be house-hunting ahead of a potential move.

He commented: “He needs to get playing. I see him going to Wolves and Aston Villa. He was seen playing golf at The Belfry.  Let’s assume he was househunting. I can confirm he was there.”

Winks might not be the most eye-catching of players but like Moutinho, he is a safe pair of hands who can dictate the game from deep and keep things ticking over.

The 25-year-old is capped ten times by England but you sense he needs to move on to pastures new.

He only started on nine occasions in the Premier League last term but a new lease of life could be given to Winks if he moves to Wolves.

After all, with both Neves and Moutinho potentially leaving, he may find a home for himself in the middle of the park.

A measured passer of the ball, Winks completed 86.8% of his passes last term, a tally that falls ever so slightly behind Moutinho’s record of 88.4%.

When discussing the England selection a few years ago, Paul Robinson waxed lyrical about his abilities: “For me, I think Harry Winks is one of the best of the bunch,” he began. “He dominates the game, defensively and offensively he offers you both and his ball retention, the stats speak for themselves,” the ex-goalkeeper remarked.

Moutinho is fabulous at retaining possession and if he does leave, the Old Gold will need someone likeminded to take over.

They will also need somebody to bind together the defence and attack. Fortunately, the £91k-per-week Winks is capable of doing that.

Leon Osman commented previously: “For me Harry Winks is the first name on that team-sheet at the moment. He’s the guy who Italy had in Pirlo, I’m not saying he’s at that level yet, but he links everything up. He’s the guy who links the back and the front up.”

Winks has never really been able to take his game to the next level at Wolves but as those glowing appraisals tell you, there is a lot more to be extracted. Lage could be the man to give him a better platform for regular minutes.

AND in other news, Lage must complete Wolves swoop for “outstanding” 23 y/o colossus, he’s at EURO 2020…

The Athletic’s Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans is ‘sure’ the club will consider signing another centre-back this summer.

The Lowdown: Engels departure

Villa have just three senior centre-backs on the books going into the new season at this moment in time.

They did have four, however, Bjorn Engels returned to Belgium last month, joining Royal Antwerp on a permanent deal.

Engels made just 19 appearances for the club in his two-year Midlands stay, so Dean Smith now has Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause as central defensive options.

The Latest: Evans’ claim

Villa have already spent big this summer on Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City, and attacking reinforcements are still wanted ahead of the new campaign.

Evans posted on Twitter on Friday lunchtime, updating supporters in regards to the club’s summer business, with a number 10 still a priority.

He tweeted a link to an in-depth story, however, in his social media post, Evans ended it by informing supporters that he is sure a new centre-back will be considered soon.

“Had a closer look at AVFC plans in attack. This includes why No.10 is still a priority position; why a striker is not on the radar (yet); Villa’s attempt to keep Grealish. (For those asking, I’m sure another CB will also be considered soon)”

The Verdict: Positive news

Should Evans’ claim prove accurate and the club do indeed add to their defensive ranks, it’ll certainly be a wise decision.

Mings may well end up remaining on international duty with England until the middle of July, should England reach the final of the Euros, so he may return to Bodymoor Heath with just a few weeks to go before the new season.

Should one of the three get injured, Smith would be down to the bare bones at the back, so bringing in a fourth senior centre-back would be a shrewd decision.

It appears as if attacking additions are still the club’s priority, but at least Evans has reassured supporters in regards to looking at signings at the back.

In other news: ‘Absolute madness’ – Many AVFC fans erupt at ‘garbage’ transfer news, find out more here. 

Fenerbahce’s president has not ruled out the possibility of approaching Marcelo Bielsa this summer, admitting the Turkish giants are looking for a new boss in the Argentine’s mould.

The Lowdown: Bielsa transforms Leeds

Bielsa has done a phenomenal job in charge of Leeds United, guiding them back into the Premier League and playing some of the most entertaining football in the division.

The Argentine is yet to sign a new deal with the Whites though, leading to speculation surrounding his future this season, and not a fresh report has now emerged.

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The Latest: Fenerbahce eye up swoop

Despite not making official contact with Bielsa, Fenerbahce’s president, Ali Koc, has spoken to outlet Milliyet [via Sport Witness] about potentially wanting to bring him in, or someone of his ilk:

“We are being linked with a move for Bielsa. But we haven’t made any contact with him. But it’s true that we are looking for a manager of his calibre. We’ll see what happens. I hope we will be able to announce our new manager in three weeks.”

The Turkish giants have won a remarkable 19 top flight titles.

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The Verdict: New Leeds deal needed

It is imperative that Leeds keep hold of Bielsa for the foreseeable future, considering the manner in which he has transformed the club’s fortunes.

The 65-year-old’s standing in the game cannot be questioned – Paris Saint-German manager Mauricio Pochettino once described him as a ‘genius’ – and the Whites would find it extremely difficult to replace him.

Bielsa will hopefully sign an additional one-year deal at Leeds in the coming weeks, with nothing suggesting otherwise, but Koc’s comments are unlikely to endear him to Whites supporters, and are yet another timely reminder that plenty of teams around Europe would love to swoop in and snatch Bielsa away.

In other news, a pundit has offered a worrying take on the future of one influential Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

Derby County have been handed a huge financial blow following the EFL’s verdict regarding Richard Keogh’s compensation claim.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by The Guardian, Derby will have to pay their former defender £2.3 million after the 34-year-old won both of his appeals to the EFL’s Player Related Dispute Commission and the League Appeals’ Committee regarding his unfair dismissal by Derby for gross misconduct.

An EFL statement read: “The LAC has heard and dismissed an appeal under the regulations of the EFL by Derby against the decision of the PRDC in the case of Richard Keogh. The PDRC held that Mr Keogh had not committed gross misconduct, that he had not brought the club into serious disrepute and that he had been wrongly dismissed by the club.”

Morris disaster

The news regarding Keogh is the latest in a series of blows that fans of Derby have seen their side endure this season, with the club having a miserable Championship campaign on the pitch, seeing the proposed takeover by the Bin Zayed International group fall through and witnessing a second takeover attempt, this time by Spanish football agent Erik Alonso, appearing to also be on the brink of collapse.

Furthermore, it has also been reported that Mel Morris is personally paying the Derby County playing staff’s £1.2 million monthly wages as a result of the club’s dire financial situation.

As such, the fact that the club now owe Keogh a further £2.3 million due to his unfair dismissal is only going to cause more disruption to the running of the Rams – and is something that is likely to leave Wayne Rooney livid, as the money paid to the defender – which is due to a direct result of Morris’ error of judgement – could have been spent on improving the 35-year-old’s squad in the summer transfer window.

All in all, it really has been a miserable season for the Pride Park faithful, who will surely be hoping that their club can sort themselves out in the boardroom, which, in turn, could help the side get back on track on the pitch – although this seems a long way off as things currently stand.

In other news: Alan Nixon delivers encouraging Derby County update, fans will surely be buzzing – opinion

Southampton have been linked with Giorgos Giakoumakis recently and the Greek striker could add a completely new dimension to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s attack next season, should he make the move to St Mary’s this summer.

The Saints were linked with the VVV Venlo star recently, with TEAMtalk suggesting that the South Coast club, along with Norwich City and Brighton, were keen on bringing him to the Premier League this summer.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal season in the Eredivisie, contributing 26 goals in just 30 appearances in the Dutch top-flight, which has helped him average a superb 7.30 rating from WhoScored.

It is not just his goals that would make him an excellent fit at Southampton however.

While Giakoumakis may only be six foot tall, he has averaged four aerials won per game in the Eredivisie this season, which is more than any Southampton player has managed in the Premier League, with six foot six Jannik Vestergaard’s 3.4 aerials won per game the best of any player in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

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Danny Ings and Che Adams, Southampton’s main strike force this season, have managed 0.8 and 1.5 aerials won per game respectively, which suggests that going long isn’t really a viable option for Hasenhuttl at the moment. Meanwhile, Southampton have attempted the third-fewest crosses of any team in the Premier League this season, suggesting that they need a striker who can capitalise from crosses into the box.

Giakoumakis would certainly add that, as he is obviously a threat in the air as well as on the ground, and would surely capitalise from the quality of crosses that James Ward-Prowse can deliver from set-piece situations at Southampton.

Therefore, with recent reports suggesting that the “very special” striker could be prised away from VVV Venlo for less than £10m this summer, Martin Semmens should definitely be looking to bring him to St Mary’s, as he could offer something completely different in Hasenhuttl’s squad.

And, in other news… Southampton could sign their ideal Ings heir with swoop for “magnificent” 19-goal beast

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard must do all he can to try to entice his “very good” friend to Ibrox after one pundit’s recent transfer claim.

What’s the talk?

Former Premier League midfielder Dean Windass has urged Steven Gerrard to do everything he can to seal a deal for his “very good” friend Luis Suarez this summer. Windass believes that Suarez is an achievable target and has said that Rangers fans would be delighted with the deal.

The ex-Hull man has claimed that being in the Champions League could be enough to entice Suarez into making the switch. He told This is Futbol:

“Could Steven Gerrard entice Luis Suarez to go to Glasgow Rangers? I can see it. Who wouldn’t want to sign for Glasgow Rangers to be quite honest with you?

“That could entice him [being in the Champions League]. Steven is very good friends with him and quoted him as one of the best strikers that he’s played with.

“Rangers fans would be delighted if that happened. He would get you goals, and the affinity he’s got with Steven, I’m sure he’ll be asking the question.”

Gerrard must try

If there is even a 1% chance of Rangers being able to sign Suarez from Atletico Madrid this summer, Gerrard must try to get a deal done. Suarez proved that he is still a world-class striker by leading Atletico to the La Liga title with 21 goals in 32 games in the 2020/21 campaign. The Uruguayan forward joined Atletico last summer after leaving Barcelona with a wonderful record; scoring 195 and assisting 113 in 283 competitive games for the Spanish giants, proving himself to be one of the best forwards in the world over the past decade.

This highlights the standard of player Windass is urging Gerrard to bring in. With a record like that, Suarez could rip up the Scottish Premiership and give Rangers a brilliant chance of securing back-to-back titles to keep Celtic at bay next term. However, as previously mentioned, there may only be a 1% chance of this deal being possible. Windass mentions Champions League football as a way of enticing Suarez, but he already has that at Atletico whilst playing in a major European league.

Gerrard being, as Windass puts it, “very good friends” with Suarez might not be enough to convince him to join Rangers if he still has ambitions of playing at the very top level. Atletico could be competing to win the Champions League next season and that is not a realistic ambition for Rangers at this moment in time, which means that Suarez may not be interested in joining the club this summer.

You never know, though, in football, Gerrard may as well pose the question and see what happens…

AND in other news, Bye-bye Kamara: Rangers must seal swoop for £3.15m-rated ace, Gerrard would love him…

Talk of Roberto Martinez to Tottenham Hotspur has begun to ramp up, thanks to emerging reports this week…

What’s the word?

The Guardian’s Dave Hytner first reported on Monday that the 47-year-old, who has overseen the progress of the Belgium national team, has ‘admirers at Spurs.’

According to Belgian outlet Sport Voetbal Magazine, the groundwork now is being laid for him to return to the Premier League after this summer’s European Championship.

It’s reported that his agent Pini Zahavi is ‘close’ to Daniel Levy, having also brokered Jose Mourinho’s £15m-a-year contract back in November 2019. Martinez is said to have instructed his representative to sound out a potential switch to north London ahead of next season.

Uninspiring

The former Swansea, Wigan Athletic and Everton manager would be a far from inspiring appointment, and given recent developments over the course of the week, Levy would be dealing Spurs yet another blow by hiring him.

Mourinho was shown the exit door after 17 months and The Athletic have since revealed several underlying factors which put an end to his tenure, including claims that the Special One “sucked the culture out of the club and destroyed what Spurs have stood for for years.”

It is also suggested that the players were not only left bored by his training sessions but also his persistent criticism in the public eye.

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Spurs were then forced out of the European Super League thanks to pressure from supporters, but it didn’t stop there. Ahead of their kick-off with Southampton on Wednesday, swarms of fans were seen outside the ground protesting against ENIC and Levy, so he will be under immense pressure to get this appointment spot on.

Martinez’s experience in England is probably most memorable for his FA Cup win at the Latics in 2013, but his stint at the Toffees was hardly anything to brag about – after signing a five-year contract extension, Everton had won just one of ten games before March and were knocked out of the Europa League early. By May 2016, he was sacked with the team in 12th place.

Eurosport went on to dissect his tenure, suggesting that the Merseyside outfit were in decline under him. “The problems seem systemic: what went wrong at Wigan is going wrong at Everton and there’s no evidence Martinez is able to fix it,” explained Jonathan Wilson.

Richard Jolley added: “Martinez has imagination, but undermines his progressiveness with an enduring sniffiness about the fundamentals.”

The Spaniard’s ‘no-fear’ style of football would match a key philosophy desired by Levy but there are some doubts too, as the Belgium boss came under fire for excluding Radja Nainggolan, who dubbed him “pathetic” for how he dealt with things in a scathing interview with ESPN.

Once lauded as a “very smart person” and a “very good coach” by former Swansea defender Angel Rangel, it’s been an age since Martinez was in the Premier League, and even then he went out in disappointing fashion.

His overall record in the English top flight is just 81 wins in 265 matches, a win rate of 30.5%. By comparison, Mourinho was given the axe at Spurs having won 52.3% of his games in charge.

Appointing the 47-year-old would open Levy to further criticism from the club’s already-enraged fanbase, and ultimately it could prove to be another nail in the coffin towards his and Tottenham’s turgid reputation.

AND in other news, Big update emerges in Spurs’ pursuit of top Mourinho successor, Levy will be buzzing…