Connect with us

Newsnow

Southampton would bag a massive coup by signing this 29-year-old to fix right-back woes

Published

on

Why Southampton signing Rafael da Silva would be a good coup

According to Sky Sports, Southampton have been offered the chance to sign former Manchester United man Rafael da Silva from Lyon.

The report suggests that the French outfit are willing to sell the right-back to any of the suitors – including Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Rafael, 29, came through the youth ranks of Fluminense before Sir Alex Ferguson signed him in 2008 in a double deal with his twin brother Fabio. He went on to make 170 appearances for the Red Devils before joining Lyon in 2015.

Rafael da Silva in action for Manchester United (Getty Images)
Rafael da Silva in action for Manchester United (Getty Images)

He is in his fourth season at the Groupama Stadium and has one year left on his contract with the club. A regular member in the squad for the last three seasons, Rafael has fallen behind Kenny Tete in the ongoing campaign.

Meanwhile, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are showing signs of progress with victories over Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa in recent weeks. Target man Danny Ings has become a crucial member, scoring at a decent rate along with the other attackers.

Despite staying in the relegation zone for a majority of this season, the Saints now find themselves 12th in the standings and five points clear of the bottom-three.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl (Getty Images)
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl (Getty Images)

However, the manager has to ensure that the squad has enough depth with a difficult phase of the season ahead. One area of concern for the Austrian tactician would be their defence, which has leaked in 38 goals in 21 league games. This clearly shows the need to make adjustments to their backline.

Cedric Soares has entered the last six months of his contract with the club. He has featured in 13 league games so far and Yan Valery has not been convincing. Therefore, the manager must arrange for immediate reinforcements to bring stability at the back.

In that regard, Rafael da Silva could be a good addition to the squad. He has immense experience under his belt, having plied his trade in the Premier League with Manchester United previously.

The 29-year-old still has gas left in his tank before reaching the twilight of his career. While at Old Trafford, Rafael was effective at both ends of the pitch.

Lyon right-back Rafael da Silva (Getty Images)
Lyon right-back Rafael da Silva (Getty Images)

The Brazil international is capable of playing on either side of the pitch and whenever required, he has been perfect in the midfield. This would bring a different dimension to Southampton’s game.

Read more

Verdict

With no proper back-up and Cedric’s contract set to expire soon, the Saints must move ahead of their rivals to sign Rafael. He would not only be a better back-up but can also start in crucial fixtures, given his abilities and experience.

Arsenal Dragon

Andriani Michael: Jack Wilshere Wife, net worth, career, kids, and family

Published

on

English footballer Jack Wilshere and his wife Andriani Michael

Andriani Michael is a housekeeper known for being the wife of one of the most underrated mid-fielders, Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere. In this article, we will discuss everything about this beautiful couple.

Michael comes from England, and she is known for being the partner of the youngest-ever debutant in the premier league Jack Wilshere. She has achieved many things at a young age. She is the proud wife of Jack Wilshere. There is no information when the duo started dating, but their engagement was done in 2016 and it was revealed to the media as well.

Andriani Michael and Jack Wilshere Families 

Andriani was born on May 22, 1991, in England, and she is the daughter of Michael, a barber who owns a barbershop in Cockfosters. Nothing much has been disclosed about the rest of her family. She doesn’t share about her family members and we don’t know if she has a brother or sister.

Andriani Michael with her husband Jack Wilshere. (Credits: Instagram)
Andriani Michael with her husband Jack Wilshere. (Credits: Instagram)

Jack Wilshere was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on January 1, 1992, to father Andrew Wilshere and mother, Kerry Wilshere. He captained The Priory School football team to Country Cup and District Cup glory from Year 7 to Year 10.

Andriani Michael’s husband, Jack Wilshere

Jack joined the Arsenal academy in October 2001 at the age of nine and rose through the ranks at the age of 15. He was then named captain of the U-16s and made a few appearances for the Under-18s. He has been a successful footballer over the years. Jack Wilshere is now a part of the team Luton Town as a manager.

Jack Wilshere of England during Soccer Aid for Unicef 2023 at Old Trafford on June 11, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Jack Wilshere of England during Soccer Aid for Unicef 2023 at Old Trafford on June 11, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Wilshere made his first-team debut in 2008 by becoming the youngest ever league debutant at 16 years, 256 days. He is without a club currently and is training with Arsenal’s first team to keep himself fit while looking for a new club. Wilshere has earned many accolades, including the PFA Young Player of the Year and Arsenal’s Player of the Season award.

Jack has played International football for England and has represented the country under-16, under-17, and under-18. And under-21 levels. He is also the 12th youngest debutant in England’s history at just the age of 18.

Andriani Michael and Jack Wilshere Kids

Jack was first in a relationship with Lauren Neal and has two kids with her, Archie and Delilah Wilshere, born in 2011 and 2013. He met Andriani in her father’s barbershop after breaking up with his former girlfriend, Lauren. 

Jack Wilshere with his family (Instagram)

Jack and Andriani fell in love with each other, and the couple tied the knot in 2017 in a three-day bash in Italy. They gave birth to their first baby Siena Wilshere, the second daughter of Jack, and In February 2020, they welcomed another boy, who has the same name as his father, Jack Wilshere.

Andriani Michael Profession, Career, Net Worth 

Andriani is a housekeeper and maintains a shallow profile on the internet, especially on social media. She does have an Instagram, but it is private. 

Jack Wilshire of England is seen prior to the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Wales at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 16, 2016 in Lens, France.  (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Jack Wilshire of England is seen prior to the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Wales at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 16, 2016 in Lens, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Nothing is disclosed about her professional life, but She and Jack have an estimated net worth of $60 million. Most of their net worth are from Jack Wilshere’s football earnings.

Read More on Football:

Continue Reading

Article

Report: Celtic dealt blow in pursuit of 19-year-old Serie A ace

Published

on

Aaron Hickey of Hearts holds off Karamoko Dembele of Celtic during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on May 19, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Getty Images)

Celtic dealt major blow in pursuit of Bologna star Aaron Hickey

According to La Nazione (h/t Daily Record), Fiorentina have intensified negotiations with fellow Serie A club Bologna for the signing of Celtic target Aaron Hickey, dealing a blow to the Hoops.

Hickey started out at the academy of Scottish club Heart of Midlothian FC and briefly spent time at Celtic as well before returning to Hearts, where he graduated to the first-team and went on to make 34 senior appearances.

The young left-back, who scored and assisted one goal apiece for his boyhood club, was snapped up by Serie A side Bologna in the summer of last year. Hickey did not feature regularly for the Serie A outfit due to injury problems. Indeed, the 19-year-old featured in just 12 games throughout the 2020/21 season.

Greg Stewart of Rangers vies with Aaron Hickey of Heart of Midlothian during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Hearts at Ibrox Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Getty Images)
Aaron Hickey (L) during his time at Hearts

But his stock remains high as ever, as Celtic are intent on bringing him back to Scotland this summer. The Hoops, embarking on a new journey under new manager Ange Postecoglou, are looking to bolster their defensive department.

Having decided not to sign Diego Laxalt permanently, Celtic have just Boli Bolingoli and Greg Taylor as options at left-back, with the former unsure of a future after returning from loan. So, signing someone like Hickey, who can make the spot his own for the coming years, would have been a good move.

However, Fiorentina seem to have thrown a spanner in the works for Celtic as the Serie A side have upped their efforts to land the youngster from Bologna. Indeed, it is reported that La Viola have intensified negotiations over a move, although they will have to offer at least €5m to stand a chance of signing the teenager.

Ange Postecoglou is the new Celtic manager (GETTY Images)
Ange Postecoglou is the new Celtic manager (GETTY Images)

Also read:

Bologna are in no hurry to sell Hickey and will wait for the highest bid as they look to maximise their profits. It is now up to Celtic to step up in their pursuit of the 19-year-old or risk missing out on him.

Continue Reading

Article

Transfer News: PL side enter race to sign 25-year-old Rangers star

Published

on

Glen Kamara in action for Rangers. (Getty Images)

Transfer News: Rangers star Glen Kamara wanted by Everton

According to transfer news from Eurosport (h/t Glasgow Live), Premier League club Everton have entered the race to sign Glen Kamara from Scottish champions Rangers this summer.

Kamara started out his youth football in his homeland, Finland, before switching to England in 2011 when he signed for the Southend United academy. A year later, he was snapped up by Premier League giants Arsenal, where he rose through the youth ranks but couldn’t break into the first-team.

Glen Kamara during his time at Dundee. (Getty Images)
Glen Kamara during his time at Dundee. (Getty Images)

After loan spells away at Southend United and Colchester United, Kamara left Arsenal permanently in the summer of 2017, signing for Scottish club Dundee FC. The 25-year-old Finnish midfielder rose to prominence with the club and was picked up by Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in the winter transfer window of 2019.

During his two-and-a-half-year stay at the Ibrox Stadium, Kamara has developed into one of the best midfielders on show in the Scottish Premiership. The Finland star played an integral role in the Gers’ title victory last season as he racked up over 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring and assisting a couple of goals apiece. (h/t Transfermarkt)

However, Kamara’s time at the Ibrox Stadium could be drawing towards a close, with Everton joining a number of other clubs in pursuit of the ex-Arsenal youngster. Indeed, the likes of Watford and Brentford have already shown an interest in the 25-year-old while an unnamed Russian club is also keen, with the Toffees also joining the bandwagon. (h/t Glasgow Live)

Glen Kamara in action for Rangers. (Getty Images)
Glen Kamara in action for Rangers. (Getty Images)

Also read:

Given how important Kamara has been for Rangers in his time at the club, his potential departure would come as a blow. However, with his contract expiring in two years and with so many teams interested, this also represents the Gers best chance of making good money from his sale, which they can reinvest in the squad.

With a transfer fee of £15m being mentioned, the Light Blues could stand to make a massive profit, having signed him for a measly £50k in 2019.

Continue Reading

Home » Teams » Southampton » Southampton would bag a massive coup by signing this 29-year-old to fix right-back woes

Trending