When Man United are looking to head off several other clubs in their chase for a player, you know that he must be good.

Hull City ace, Jaden Philogene, has certainly had the world of football talking recently after it was believed that Barcelona had come in for the 22-year-old Hull City star.

Though a potential move to Catalonia hasn’t come to fruition, TeamTalk note that the Red Devils have made their interest in the player clear, with Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich Town, Everton and Crystal Palace all circling.

Man United want Jaden Philogene

With 17 goals and seven assists in 80 English Championship games per transfermarkt, it’s obvious why Philogene is so much in demand.

Former England international, Chris Waddle, actually believes that the player’s ambitions will be better served by playing in Europe.

“He’s only twenty-two, so the potential is massive,” he said to Lord Ping.

“When I first saw him, I thought he looked like a player that was destined to reach the top of the game. I found it strange that Hull managed to get him because his potential was clear. He’ll obviously be sold for a lot more money than Hull paid for him, so it’s been a shrewd investment from them and a great bit of business.

“He’s one of those wingers who picks up the ball and takes people on. He’s an entertainer. He’s exciting.

“I’ll be honest, I think his game probably suits the continent rather than England. I think he’ll have more freedom to express himself playing in Europe where he can focus on the things he does well and not have to worry as much about the defensive side of the game.

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“For his development as a player, a move to Europe would also benefit him. Barcelona have been linked to him, which says it all about the type of player he is and could become.

“He’s going to have some wonderful options and he deserves them. If I was him, I’d go to a club in Spain or Germany.”

The post Man United head cluster of EPL sides in chase for player that Chris Waddle says should play on the continent appeared first on CaughtOffside.

England are preparing for their Euro 2024 quarter-final match with Switzerland on Saturday and ahead of the clash, Ed Sheeran has performed a private gig for Gareth Southgate’s squad in Germany.

The Three Lions have been very poor so far at the Euros and can count themselves lucky to still be in the tournament following a last-minute equaliser from Jude Bellingham in the previous round against Slovakia.

England will have to improve massively if they are to win Euro 2024 and that is what Southgate will certainly be working on.

With the game against the Swiss a few days away, the 53-year-old has allowed his squad some downtime and that included a private gig from four-time Grammy winner Ed Sheeran.

Footage has emerged from the England camp of the Englishman performing his hit single “The A Team” in front of the Three Lions and he will hope it helps them settle as everyone from the nation dreams of them going all the way in Germany.

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Watch: Ed Sheeran performs for England squad in Germany

Ed Sheeran visits the England camp to give them a private performance ?? pic.twitter.com/vp0vBD5SEc

— GRM Daily (@GRMDAILY) July 2, 2024

The post Video: Grammy-winning artist performs private gig for England squad appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham’s Ben Johnson has agreed to join newly promoted Ipswich Town when his contract expires at the end of the month according to The Times.

Johnson’s future has been a constant topic of conversation, and the 24-year-old reportedly turned down a new five year contract from the Hammers.

It now appears Ipswich are closing in on a deal for Johnson, having already agreed a club record deal worth up to £22.5m with Chelsea for Omari Hutchinson.

Johnson closes in on Ipswich move

According to The Times Johnson has agreed a four year deal with The Tractor Boys worth £60,000 per week, and will sign for the club when his West Ham contract expires at the end of the month.

Johnson is believed to have turned down a new contract at the London Stadium because he wants to pursues more regular first team football, despite Julen Lopetegui wanting to keep him.

The right back came through the ranks at West Ham and has made 109 appearances for the Hammers, scoring two goals and was part of the squad which won the Europa Conference League under David Moyes.

West Ham have been linked with bringing Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka in as a replacement, with United open to letting the former Crystal Palace man leave this summer.

The Hammers have already signed Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras for £25.5m with the 18-year-old signing a five year contract.

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Lopetegui will be looking to further strengthen his squad, with the club believed to be targeting defensive reinforcements.

West Ham have identified Wolves captain Max Kilman as a target, and saw an opening offer of £30m plus add-ons rejected with the Molineux outfit holding out for £45m, whilst they are reportedly interested in Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters as the Hammers look to strengthen in the full back areas.

The post West Ham ace agrees £60k-a-week deal with Premier League rivals appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ipswich Town have agreed a deal worth up to £22.5m with Chelsea for winger Omari Hutchinson.

The Tractor Boys are back in the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years, and with the future of manager Kieran McKenna sorted they are now setting about strengthening their squad.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Portman Road and was a key part of the side that won promotion, and he’s now on the brink of making his move permanent.

Ipswich agree deal with Chelsea for Hutchinson

Fabrizio Romano has taken to X.com to confirm the deal, which will be a club record transfer for Ipswich.

He said:

“Omari Hutchinson to Ipswich Town on permanent deal from Chelsea, here we go!

“Agreement in place for fee around £22m add-ons included, as expected.

“Chelsea will NOT have buy back clause but there will be sell-on clause. Exclusive story, confirmed.”

?? Omari Hutchinson to Ipswich Town on permanent deal from Chelsea, here we go!

Agreement in place for fee around £22m add-ons included, as expected.

Chelsea will NOT have buy back clause but there will be sell-on clause.

Exclusive story, confirmed. ?? pic.twitter.com/zNg23LCwgq

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2024

Chelsea signed Hutchinson on a free from rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2022,  and he started in the club’s academy where he impressed and eventually went on to make his debut under Graham Potter.

Hutchinson made two appearances for the first team in total and was sent on loan to Championship outfit Ipswich last season, where he initially started on the bench, before establishing himself as a key player.

The winger scored ten goals and provided six assists in 44 Championship appearances, and was named Ipswich’s Young Player of the Year at their end of season awards.

Hutchinson returned to Chelsea earlier this summer with just one year left on his deal, but the club exercised an option to extend it by a year.

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The youngster had been attracting interest from German side Stuttgart as well as Dutch giants Ajax and Feyenoord, but has decided to make Ipswich his next home.

As part of the deal Arsenal will receive some money as there was a sell on clause inserted into the deal when Hutchinson joined Chelsea.

The post Ipswich agree club record deal with Chelsea for youngster with one Premier League appearance appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newly promoted Ipswich Town are reportedly advancing in talks to sign West Ham United defender Ben Johnson.

The Hammers full-back is out of contract at the end of the month and with no signs of a renewal being offered, Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys are hopeful of capitalising on what could be a smart piece of business.

Originally reported by EXWHUEmployee (a club insider), and now backed up by Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth, Ipswich are closing in on signing Johnson — a player who has struggled to cement a place in the Hammers’ first team ever since his Premier League debut in 2019.

Ipswich in advanced talks with Ben Johnson’s representatives over signing defender on free transfer as per @ExWHUEmployee. Johnson’s West Ham contract up at end of month & club offered 5-year deal. Johnson wanted to assess all options before making final decision #ITFC #WHUFC

— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) June 25, 2024

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Although a final agreement has yet to be reached, Johnson’s proposed move to Portman Road Stadium would send a signal of intent from Ipswich.

Looking to retain their newly found top-flight status, McKenna will be tasked with keeping last season’s Championship runners-up in the Premier League beyond the 2024-25 season.

The Tractor Boys’ first league fixture is scheduled to be a home tie against Arne Slot’s Liverpool on 17th August.

The post Ipswich in ‘advanced talks’ to sign 24-year-old West Ham defender appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea have reportedly set an asking price of around £30million for the potential transfer of talented young attacking midfielder Omari Hutchinson as Ipswich Town eye up a move.

Ajax and Stuttgart have also shown an interest in Hutchinson in recent times, but it seems those links have cooled and Ipswich are now preparing to try offering around £20m for the player they had on loan last season, according to football.london.

Hutchinson looks an outstanding young talent, having shone in the Championship to help Ipswich get promotion last season, and it would be exciting to see what he’s capable of doing for the club now that they’re back in the Premier League.

Some Chelsea fans will surely want to see this exciting youngster stay at Stamford Bridge, but it seems the former Arsenal academy player can leave for the right price.

Hutchinson transfer: Is Chelsea starlet set for Ipswich return?

The report from football.london now suggests Ipswich are the favourites for the 20-year-old, even if there has also been interest from abroad.

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Chelsea will no doubt feel this is a good opportunity to make a healthy profit on a young player that might struggle to break into their first-team, but it’s also a bit of a puzzling move when you consider the profile of player they’ve been targeting in recent times.

The current Chelsea ownership have often looked for exciting young players, and it’s easy to imagine Hutchinson would be someone they’d be interested in if he had been contracted to another club.

Still, the Blues also need to blend youth and experience a bit more after a disappointing campaign last term, with fans of the club likely to be losing patience with this long-term project that is yet to bring the kind of performances and results they got so accustomed to during the success of the Roman Abramovich era.

The post Chelsea set £30m asking price for young attacker as Premier League club prepare bid appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Despite being a man down, Ecuador secured the opening goal in their Copa América match against Venezuela on Saturday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Ecuador’s captain, Enner Valencia, was sent off in the 22nd minute after a brutal chest kick led to a straight red card. However, La Tri would break the scoreless contest thanks to a goal from Brighton & Hove Albion winger Jeremy Sarmiento in the 40th minute for the 1-0 lead.

Sarmiento arrived with Brighton in 2021 and spent last season on loan to Ipswich Town.

?? JEREMY SARMIENTO SCORES IN COPA AMERICA FOR ECUADOR! #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/pYVoj30gdY

— Owen (@owen_bhafc) June 22, 2024

The post Video: Brighton winger on loan last season to Ipswich Town scores opening goal for Ecuador vs. Venezuela appeared first on CaughtOffside.

A new era at Liverpool begins on August 17 as Arne Slot takes over as the Reds’ head coach away at Ipswich Town and the Dutch coach has already made a comment about the 12:30 kick-off time. 

It is fair to say that his predecessor Jurgen Klopp did not like this timeslot and often complained about it for various and understandable reasons.

Liverpool were often chosen to play at this time after international breaks which gave their players very little time to prepare for games, especially those coming back from South America. Klopp could not understand why the Merseyside club were put in the timeslot so often and it eventually got to the German coach.

Klopp’s first game in charge of Liverpool was ironically a 12:30 kick-off against Tottenham at White Hart Lane back in October 2015 and Slot will now start his era at Anfield at the same time away at Ipswich.

The former Feyenoord boss has already made a comment about the timeslot and it is one that will go down well with fans of the Reds.

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Arne Slot comments on Liverpool’s 12:30 kick-off against Ipswich Town

During his final two seasons in the Premier League, Klopp saw his side claim all three points in only five of 12 early games.

It seems like some sort of joke that the minute the German leaves, Liverpool are back in that timeslot for Slot’s first game in charge of the Merseyside club.

The Dutch coach has alluded to this and has joked about Klopp’s dislike for this timeslot.

Speaking to Liverpool’s media, Slot has said via David Lynch: “They’ve told me it’s going to be 12.30… from what I know, Jurgen complained a lot about this so probably they thought, with Jurgen being out let’s put them at 12.30 again!”

The post Arne Slot already comments on Liverpool’s 12:30 Premier League opener appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The Premier League 2024/25 fixtures are officially confirmed this morning, with a big game to look forward to on the opening day of the season as Chelsea star with a difficult game at home to Manchester City.

That will see new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca up against his old boss Pep Guardiola for a real baptism of fire at Stamford Bridge, and it makes it two seasons in a row that the Blues start in an all-big-six encounter, having also hosted Liverpool on the opening day last year.

See below for the new fixtures in full, with Manchester United facing Fulham at home on Friday the 16th of August for the very first match of the new campaign, while Arne Slot’s first game as Liverpool manager will be away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town in an early kick-off on Saturday 17th August.

Title hopefuls Arsenal will begin at home to Wolves later that Saturday, while their north London neighbours Tottenham start their season away to newly-promoted Leicester City for the late Monday evening kick-off…

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All in all, it’s set to be an action-packed first round of fixtures to get the 2024/25 Premier League season underway, and it’s exciting to see these games being mapped out already even though the last season only just ended, and Euro 2024 has only just got going.

It’s not easy coping without Premier League football during the summer months, so fans can already start thinking ahead about next season’s key games and how the campaign might pan out.

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Liverpool FC fixtures 2024/25

Man Utd 2024/25 Premier League fixtures

Arsenal 2024/25 fixtures confirmed

Chelsea 2024/25 Premier League fixture list

The post Premier League 2024/25 fixtures: Chelsea host Man City on opening day, Man Utd kick off new campaign at home appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The emergence of VAR in English football was always going to be contentious, and it’s absolutely right to say that it hasn’t yet proved to be a hit with supporters or clubs.

Unlike the video reviews in rugby, cricket or tennis, the process isn’t seen by fans in the stadiums, and we’ve had the unedifying sight of thousands of supporters losing their minds at what was believed to be an important goal then being chalked off up to five minutes later.

It’s no wonder that Wolverhampton Wanderers put forward a motion to have VAR scrapped, and the vote is expected to happen later this week.

After years of VAR being around, it still isn’t streamlined enough to be considered as fit for purpose, though there has always seemed to be the argument that it’s the people that are using the technology that are the problem and not the technology itself.

VAR to stay despite Premier League vote

Premier League co-creator, Jon Smith, believes that despite pushback on the technology in certain quarters, it will remain and is likely to be updated.

“I don’t think VAR will be scrapped because I think there’s enough positive sentiment towards it,” he said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive column.

“I think the problem is all in the presentation, and the whole issue is the timeframe that it takes to make a decision.

“In the World Cup it was a lot faster, and that’s the system that should be followed. The officials absolutely need to present what is happening on screen in the grounds, so that the fans become part of it rather than just a waiting audience.

“They actually need to change it a bit where the lines that are drawn for the tightest decisions don’t determine whether the player is onside or offside.

“I like that expression ‘clear and obvious,’ which was the entire premise of VAR in the first place.”

It was believed that the technology used at the 2022 World Cup – Semi Automated Offside Technology – would come into effect in the Premier League from the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

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That appears to be quicker and more accurate than what the officials working for Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) are currently using.

The use of the same may be the only thing that ensures that the vote proposed by Wolves is defeated.

There certainly seems to be an argument that going back to the way things were done pre-VAR, mistakes and all, is a more natural way of officiating a game, but with most other sports having a variation on the same theme in terms of VAR, football can’t really afford to be left behind.

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