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Writing a message on Twitter, Czech Republic ambassador Libor Secka has proposed a charity match between West Ham United and Slavia Prague, with many Hammers fans in agreement and pleading for it to happen.

The two clubs have been enjoying a great relationship recently, arguably highlighted by the Hammers’ acquisitions of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal in the summer, and the ambassador to the Czech Republic in London has thought of a worthwhile initiative for a good cause.

This would be to raise money for Isla Caton and her treatment for a rare form of child cancer called Neuroblastoma, with further care needed in Barcelona as the fight continues (JustGiving).

After meeting with the child’s family recently, Secka has proposed a charity match between Slavia Prague and West Ham United, prompting many West Ham fans to support the idea on Twitter. He wrote: “Without addressing the Boards of both clubs is not possible to organise Charity match for Isla Caton between Slavia Prague and WHU. Do you support my effort to go ahead with the initiative?”.

As the prospective event could support an important cause, while giving the Irons and Slavia a chance to play each other, it’s little wonder that so many Hammers fans are in full support of the prospect.

Check out some of the verdicts from social media below.

West Ham fans adore Slavia charity match proposal

“I think it will be lovely to see all the teams play ! See how West Ham cope with Slavia and all for a good cause, Mr. Ambassador if you could use your power to help this it will be amazing! I’m in”

Credit: @Thehammerone1

“Libor this would be an amazing gesture. Isla’ s family and WHU supporters would flock to see this game and support this little girl. Make it happen please and GSB please”

Credit: @Roberto120916

“PLEASEEEEE”

Credit: @Shaneo_300

“Huge respect”

Credit: @SenorSoucek

“Yesssssssssss”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“An absolutely wonderful idea!”

Credit: @IronessWest

“100%”

Credit: @ScoutSoucek

“Ohhh yesss this would be amazing has to happen and for a great cause now too”

Credit: @CristianoCruzJ

In other news: West Ham are readying a swoop for this £18 million-rated ace, find out more here.

According to a report by journalist Sid Lowe in The Guardian, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is understood to be referencing Manchester City as the club not being ‘fully committed’ to the European Super League (ESL), which apparently played a heavy hand in the breakaway division’s eventual suspension. 

Indeed, as per this report, the Sky Blues are whom Perez is referencing when he opened up over one of the six Premier League founding clubs first getting cold feet over the project.

He explained that ‘one of the English clubs’ didn’t seem so interested and that doubt ‘spread to the rest’ of the teams (The Guardian), eventually resulting in many clubs announcing they’d be withdrawing from the ESL plans.

With Lowe explaining that this originally unnamed club is indeed City, many Sky Blues supporters erupted at this claim – with one fan calling it ‘massive’.

The proposed breakaway could have had untold consequences for English football, especially considering that UEFA threatened to ban involved sides from domestic competition and even warned that players may not be able to represent their national teams (Sam Cunningham on Twitter).

Given the huge ESL tipping point in which City allegedly played a heavy part, it’s little wonder this has grabbed plenty of attention from fans.  Lots of Sky Blues supporters protested over their club’s involvement in the controversial plans, with many now overjoyed their side eventually played a big role in its suspension.

Find some of their verdicts below.

Man City fans erupt over ESL claim

“We’re saving football”

Credit: @Prince_Ederson

“Massive”

Credit: @PelvisPoker

“We joined the ESL to bring it down. In the process, became friends with UEFA as well. And now lesser competition for Haaland.

Masterclass.”

Credit: @damned_reality

“Proud to be a blue now”

Credit: @FodenCTID

“THATS MY CLUB SAVING FOOTBALL”

Credit: @mxnciteh

“Well done Man City, good riddance Mr Perez!!”

Credit: @skyblue9320

“We’re massive”

Credit: @alexmcfc_1

“Joined just to dismantle them from inside, my owner”

Credit: @CityJoul

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to this ‘best news’, find out more here.

Rio Ferdinand believes that Erik ten Hag is living on borrowed time at Manchester United with Sir Jim Ratcliffe potentially ready to swing the axe.

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• Fulham defeat has put Ten Hag's future under the scanner
• Ratcliffe's arrival has further intensified pressure on the manager
• Must turn around the fortunes of the club to save his skin

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Following United's 2-1 defeat to Fulham, there have been growing concerns about the team's progress under Ten Hag. Ratcliffe's arrival and the ongoing restructuring at the club have cast further doubt on the coach's future at Old Trafford. Should United fail to finish strongly, Ferdinand believes that Ratcliffe and his team may not hesitate to make a change in management.

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• WHAT FERDINAND SAID

  Ferdinand speaking on FIVE said: "If he runs it close [to finishing in the top four], if they see an upturn in form and the environment at the training ground and can see something where 'we can see what it looks like going into next season if we add the right pieces to it'… a lot of moving parts have to fall into place for him to stay.

  "If they don't finish the season well, they're losing games and it looks like the dressing room isn't a harmonious place, one thing I would say is I don't think Jim Ratcliffe and his team are shy of making big decisions. It won't be a big thing for them if they had to [sack him]. I don't think they look at it and go 'We've got to work out the media and PR'. No, no. What's right for Man United now? We'll do."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also hit out at Ten Hag on Monday Night Football and questioned the manager's lack of tactical acumen during the Fulham defeat. Ferdinand echoed the thoughts of Carragher and said: "If you coach a team, you're not just coaching 11 – it's everyone in the squad. So when they come in, they should all have their roles and responsibilities to be able to implement a certain way of playing. Man United just don't have a style of play at the moment, where you go 'that is them'.

  "Look at all the best teams, you know how they play. [Manchester] City, [Ange] Postecoglou – you know how his team is going to play. [Mikel] Arteta – you know how his team is going to play."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Injuries have compounded the challenges for Ten Hag this season, with key players like Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, and Lisandro Martinez still unavailable. With only 12 league games left in the season, Ten Hag faces a critical period to demonstrate his capabilities to the club's new owners. The Red Devils will be back in action in the FA Cup fifth round against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday before they take on derby rivals Manchester City on Sunday in a blockbuster Premier League clash.

If you thought Olivier Ntcham had a future at Celtic then you are likely very much mistaken.

His season, very much like Celtic’s, has been utterly dreadful. The Frenchman has been tossed aside and is now on loan in his native country where he’s playing for Marseille.

The Hoops are now 18 points behind Rangers in the SPFL and if anything summed up their considerable slump, it would be Ntcham’s form.

Neil Lennon stopped picking him and you can hardly blame him based on his performances and attitude.

Ntcham started just seven games in the league for the Hoops this term, scoring a solitary goal in the process. For a player blessed with the ability to spring from box to box, his performances were lethargic and in January, they’d understandably had enough.

Newcastle were interested in his services but he ultimately went to Marseille.

Speaking about his displays in a Hoops shirt earlier this term, Alan Brazil told talkSPORT listeners: “Ntcham, he looks as if he’s tools down and not bothered.”

He was given a chance of turning around his season in France but it’s gone from bad to worse. Former Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas resigned after the club signed Ntcham because he didn’t agree with the move.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

Since signing, the central midfielder has been poor for the Ligue 1 side and his most recent game epitomises that. Ntcham was withdrawn at half-time in Marseille’s 2-0 defeat to Lille and was left to feel the wrath of French newspaper L’Equipe at full-time.

The outlet are known for being ruthless with their player ratings and dished out a 3/10 to the 25-year-old. It’s not hard to see why either; he completed just eight passes and won only 25% of his defensive duels.

Ntcham failed to make a single tackle while he offered very little in attack either. The Marseille enforcer didn’t manage to provide a key pass or shot on goal.

It was another rather forgettable night to add to a depressing campaign for the Celtic midfielder. Lennon is very quickly being proven right in his desire to move the £4.5m midfielder on.

His form hasn’t improved in France and with that in mind, they have to wield the axe on his Parkhead career once and for all in the summer.

AND in other news, Desmond may sway Edouard’s Celtic future by hiring 43 y/o with “a science to football”…

Casemiro was defended by an ex-Manchester United legend after the Brazilian was subbed off at half-time in Luton Town victory.

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• Casemiro picked up a first-half caution against Luton
• Ten Hag subbed him to avoid redcard
• Louis Saha hails him as a "terrific" player

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils churned out a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road, thanks to a well-taken brace from Rasmus Hojlund in the opening seven minutes. However, Casemiro was lucky to escape a second yellow for a late challenge on Ross Barkley, with the Hatters' appealing to referee David Coote to send the Brazilian off. This prompted Ten Hag to remove the Brazilian during the half-time break so that United did not go a man down in the second half.

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• WHAT LOUIS SAHA SAID

  Casemiro has come in for criticism this season, but Louis Saha believes talk is unfair and thinks that he still "has the legs" to shine at the top level.

  He told: "Casemiro is not too old for the Premier League. Journalists are really on his back, maybe because Manchester United’s style of play hasn’t been quite right. Since last season, he’s been asked to do too much, and he still managed to do it. He was getting more goals, and I don’t think he got many goals at Real Madrid, but he’s taken on a bit more responsibility at United.

  “He’s trying to press and win the ball higher up the pitch which has been difficult for him. People will talk about whether he has the legs for it, and yes, he’s older than he was three years ago but he's still a terrific player. When he recovers the ball, his first or second touch will always be into the strikers’ feet or to Bruno Fernandes to start the counterattack.

  “Those elements are crucial and especially when he’s playing with young boys alongside him, it’s very important. People tend to focus on Manchester United more than anyone else and it used to be Cristiano Ronaldo but now it’s Casemiro because he’s a top player who has won the Champions League. The attention is always more aggressive on these types of players, and I think that’s unfair.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Casemiro was sent off twice last season against Crystal Palace and Southampton and ended up being banned for eight games over two months in an otherwise excellent debut campaign at Old Trafford. However, he endured a sluggish start to this campaign at Old Trafford but is slowly regaining his form since his comeback in Janaury following a hamstring problem.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United's recent form has seen them win their last four Premier League matches, putting them in contention for a top-four finish alongside Tottenham and Aston Villa. Their next challenge will be to maintain this winning streak when they face Fulham at home on Saturday.

Charlie Adam has shared his delight after Glasgow Rangers confirmed that Steven Davis has signed a new one-year contract at Ibrox.

Adam delighted at Davis news

Davis was set to be out of contract at the end of the campaign but, despite being 36 years of age, the Gers have decided to keep him at the club for another 12 months.

The 55-time Scottish champions shared the news on their official Twitter account, and former Rangers midfielder Adam responded by saying this was “great news”.

Big news

Adam is far from a popular figure among many supporters, but surely Gers fans will have trouble disagreeing with him on this one. While Davis does not have long left in his career, he boasts plenty of experience; and with 40 appearances in all competitions so far this term (Transfermarkt), he has played a vital role in the Gers’ 2020/21 success.

With 45 goals and 94 assists throughout his time in the game, he can contribute directly to goals, but his importance to this Rangers side cannot be measured solely in that way. He is a cool, calming influence in the middle of the park, and he deserves all the accolades he continues to get. Who knows, he may even get himself another deal at the end of next season as well.

In other news, many Rangers fans are livid at this pundit’s comments.

Real Madrid have reportedly made their decision on Toni Kroos' future as his contract nears its expiry in the summer.

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• German midfielder nearing the end of his contract
• Madrid mulling to hand him a one-year extension
• Continues to be a cornerstone in their midfield

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With Carlo Ancelotti's contract already extended until 2026, the likelihood of Kroos staying for another year has increased, reports German media outlet . The Italian manager highly values Kroos for his strategic prowess at the centre of the park and is advocating his extension, especially with fellow midfielder Luka Modric's diminished importance at the club.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite the emergence of younger talents like Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, Kroos remains a key figure in Real Madrid's midfield as he continues to impress consistently in crunch matches for Los Blancos. His recent performances have convinced the Madrid hierarchy of his enduring quality and it has been reported that talks over his contract extension are expected to commence at the end of March, with both parties keen on reaching an agreement.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kroos has allegedly made it clear to his entourage that he intends to either continue with the Spanish giants or retire from professional football at the end of the current campaign. If he chooses to try his luck for more silverware beyond the summer, Madrid are ready to offer him a new one-year contract, similar to the arrangement in 2023.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It is believed that Kroos is also mulling over a return from international retirement and play a part for Julian Nagelsmann's Germany in the upcoming European Championship if he is indeed called up. Nonetheless, Madrid will remain a significant part of his life post-retirement as his family including his wife and children have found comfort in Spain.

According to a West Ham United source, speaking to Football Insider, star striker Michail Antonio looks set to make his decision on switching international allegiances to Jamaica at the end of the season – with the 30-year-old currently wanting to focus on the Premier League campaign.

Antonio, who has debatably been one of the Hammers’ most important players this season when available, has been at the centre of reports linking him with representing the Reggae Boyz at international level.

Fans have often expressed their concern that Antonio’s injury problems could be exacerbated by regular trips across the Atlantic for international breaks, feeling his final decision could have a big impact on his availability for the Irons.

Antonio looks set for end of season decision

A claim by the Telegraph last month emerged detailing that Antonio looked certain to turn out for Jamaica in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with the country’s Football Federation wanting him in the squad for qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico in September.

Football Insider have now provided this latest update as a Hammers source tells the outlet that Antonio is going to delay his call until the end of the campaign.

It is relayed by the outlet that Antonio is ‘passionate’ about turning out for Jamaica given he is yet to receive his first international cap for England.

Transfer Tavern take

Former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce has called him up to the squad before, as well as Gareth Southgate, but with no appearances to date.

Described as ‘frightening’ by Harry Redknapp on Sky Sports (via the Boot Room) earlier this season, one could argue that Antonio has been unfortunate to miss out on a first cap so far.

Time will tell exactly when this decision will be at the end of the campaign, but the reports could suggest he is more likely to opt for Jamaica.

In other news: West Ham are eyeing talks to sign this starlet, find out more here.

Cristiano Giaretta has been handed a boost in his bid to bring Siriki Dembele to Watford this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Peterborough Telegraph, who claim that Peterborough United are yet to enter into contract renewal talks with the 24-year-old centre-forward, who is heading into the final year of his deal at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The report goes on to state that if the forward does not new agree on terms with this summer, he will be placed on the transfer list, as is club policy.

This is sure to have piqued the interest of clubs such as Celtic, Rangers, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Watford, all of whom have been credited with an interest in the Posh star.

Giaretta will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive Dembele has been for Peterborough this season, if the forward does indeed go on to be placed on the transfer list this summer, Watford’s sporting director would undoubtedly be buzzing.

Over his 42 League One appearances for Darren Ferguson’s side this term, the 24-year-old has scored 11 goals, registered 10 assists and has created a whopping 17 big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game, culminating in an average Sofascore match rating of 7.06 – ranking him as the club’s joint seventh-best player in the third tier.

It was reported last year that Barry Fry would demand a fee of around £5m to part with the forward, however, with just one year left on his deal at the Weston Homes Stadium, and with Posh likely eager to sell in order to receive the largest fee possible, it is not difficult to imagine this figure being slightly lower in the upcoming transfer window.

As such, a move for the £2.6k-per-week man – whom Ferguson dubbed as “outstanding” – would seem to be extremely appealing for Giaretta both on and off the pitch, as Dembele appears to very much have the potential to prove a real threat within Xisco Munoz’s attacking arsenal, as well as being a transfer that would not break the bank for the newly-promoted side.

In other news: Watford dealt transfer blow over “excellent” £450k-rated gem, Giaretta will be gutted – opinion

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes the Whites should copy Liverpool and sign a proper left-back this summer, as they did with Andy Robertson.

The Lowdown: Alioski set to leave

Marcelo Bielsa will need to be on the lookout for a new left-back in the next transfer window, with Ezgjan Alioski almost certain to leave Elland Road.

The 28-year-old isn’t a natural in that position, however, filling in admirably but not always looking completely comfortably there.

Former Leeds midfielder James Milner played at left-back for Liverpool for a full season before Jurgen Klopp brought in Robertson from Hull City, making a huge difference to the Reds with his attacking prowess.

The Latest: Mills calls for established left-back to arrive

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills has called for Leeds to adopt the same approach, signing an out-and-out left-back who can help take the Whites up another level:

“He’s (Alioski) done incredibly well to fill in, I would say. He’s been fantastic for social media and he seems like a fantastic guy who’s done a very good job for Leeds.

“But if you’re looking to go to the next level…

“Go back to Liverpool, they tried it with James Milner, they tried it with other players at full-back and it didn’t work. They then get in Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Robertson and they go to a whole new level. It’s their position, it’s what they are used to doing.

“Players can only fill in for so long before they get found out. If it’s not natural, against the better teams you start to get found out and that’s where it becomes a bit of an issue.”

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The Verdict: Copy Liverpool’s approach

There is only so long that a player can thrive in an auxiliary role, and while Alioski has been a fantastic servant for Leeds, it would be nice to see a proper left-back come in at Elland Road.

Someone like Whites-linked Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico seems perfect, in that respect, possessing a wealth of experience at club and international level, winning 27 caps for Argentina and being valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.

Robertson showed the difference it can make, giving Liverpool more natural balance down the left flank, and a new signing in that role could do the same for Leeds.

In other news, a pundit has hinted at an attacking Leeds player leaving the club this summer. Find out who it is here.