OptiNews - Friday 19 to Thursday 25 May 2017

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Which player earned your Premier League club the most points from goals?

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Which player earned your Premier League club the most points from goals?

Which player earned your club the most points from goals this season ?

Harry Kane scored 29 goals in the Premier League this season to pick up the Golden Boot, finishing ahead of Romelu Lukaku (25) and Alexis Sanchez (24) - but has he been the Premier League’s most decisive scorer in terms of match-winning or point-salvaging strikes?

We have worked out the player who has earned his team the most points at each Premier League club and placed all 20 players head to head against a fellow decisive scorer.

So can you guess which players were the more decisive from the pairs below? Try our quiz and discover your club’s top points winner…

Watch Brook vs Spence Jr, from Bramall Lane, Sheffield, May 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.

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Sourced from ESPN FC article

What does the future hold for Slaven Bilic, Craig Shakespeare, Marco Silva?

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The offseason can be dangerous territory for managers. Those who failed to hit their targets may find themselves with difficult questions to answer when meeting with club owners for a post-mortem, while others may be in demand from other clubs looking for a different approach from last season. There may be hirings and firings, changes of scenery or renewed commitment.

With that in mind, ESPN FC pinpoints five Premier League managers whose future is by no means certain.

West Ham’s manager had surgery on Wednesday for a long-required hip replacement but it looks as if he has avoided the axe. Having conducted end-of-season talks with Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan and vice-chairman Baroness Brady on Monday, it appears that Bilic has escaped the ultimate consequence of a hugely disappointing first season at the London Stadium.

Bilic’s team finished 11th but spent much of the season flirting with relegation. A summer transfer haul of 11 players was disastrous, with only Edimilson Fernandes anything like a success, while the January addition of experienced players Robert Snodgrass (from Hull) and Jose Fonte (from Southampton) almost as unconvincing.

Gold and Sullivan have a reputation, going back to their Birmingham City days, of being patient with managers but a poor start to next season may force them into a quick decision. Sullivan, who acts as a de facto director of football, needs to sharpen up the club’s transfer business if Bilic is to be able to emulate finishing seventh as he did in his first season in charge back in 2015-16.

Probable destination: Staying at West Ham, for now

On the face of it, Southampton had a decent enough season, having narrowly lost the EFL final 3-2 to Manchester United and finishing in eighth place. The picture beyond that was considerably less satisfactory. Should softly-spoken Puel depart the South Coast, as appears a high possibility, he will do so as someone who failed to win over fans, and, as widely reported, players with his attitude.

He might be painted as a victim of the success enjoyed by his predecessors Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman but Puel’s team struggled at home, winning just six matches. His team played a brand of football that did not entertain fans, which went against the reputation he gained at Lille, Lyon and Nice in Ligue 1.

Probable destination: A return to French football seems most likely

Silva’s work at Hull has him clearly touted for bigger clubs. But will he stay in England?

Silva almost pulled off a great escape with Hull City, having lifted the club from rock bottom on his Jan. 5 to fourth-bottom on May 6, but they then suffered a stunning 2-0 defeat to Sunderland before losing 4-0 the following week to Crystal Palace. That snatching of defeat from victory does not seem to have affected Silva’s employment prospects, though. Neither does losing 7-1 to Tottenham on Sunday.

Silva had been linked with the post vacated by Walter Mazzarri at Watford but there are stronger possibilities at Southampton (should Puel depart) and a return to Portugal with Porto, whose coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, stepped down on Monday.

With his Hull contract only running until the end of the season, the prospect of Silva managing in the Championship is highly remote for a young manager very much in demand.

Probable destination: A toss-up between Southampton and Porto, though the English club’s wealth may decide matters

Shakespeare’s revival of Leicester after March’s sacking of Claudio Ranieri seems likely to win the former assistant manager a long-term contract. Shakespeare had been viewed as a power behind the throne of last season’s title success and has grown close to the club’s Thai owners, the Srivaddhanaprabha family.

This week will see Shakespeare hold talks with the owners over converting his assistant manager contract to that of first-team boss. That he will be a guest of his paymasters at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix suggests he will be staying on, and a summer of refreshing City’s squad can soon begin.

Probable destination: Staying at the King Power Stadium as manager

On May 10 it was announced that Benitez, having led Newcastle back to the Premier League as winners of the Championship, would be staying on at St James’s Park, an announcement that met with even bigger celebrations than collecting their trophy.

As it stands, Benitez will be on Tyneside next season though with owner Mike Ashley at the controls, a summer of serenity cannot be guaranteed, especially when considering Benitez’s expectation of being handed serious money to make Newcastle a proper Premier League proposition. That may yet blend a heady formula for uncertainty. Benitez has the fans on his side but he also has other options to hand including West Ham, for whom he was Sullivan’s no. 1 choice ahead of Bilic in the summer of 2015.

John Brewin is a staff writer for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @JohnBrewinESPN.

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Sourced from The Independent article

Porto move ahead of Southampton in race for Hull’s Marco Silva

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FC Porto have moved into pole position to sign Hull City manager Marco Silva, who has flown out for an interview in Portugal this afternoon.

Silva is effectively out of contract after Hull’s relegation from the Premier League triggered a break clause in the 18-month deal he signed in January.

There has been interest from Premier League sides Watford and Southampton but Porto have pushed to the front of the queue this week. On Monday night they sacked Nuno Espírito Santo after a disappointing season and second placed finish in the Portuguese league.

Porto have admired Silva for years and considered appointing him in June 2015, after his dismissal by Sporting CP, only to be unable to due to the terms of his severance from Sporting. On Monday they spoke to Silva’s people and on Tuesday he flew out to Portugal to speak to them.

Southampton have spoken to Silva but he is now less likely to get that job than initially thought. Watford are also keen but have moved onto other targets including German coach Roger Schmidt.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/05/2017 16:16:30

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Højbjerg named Saints’ PFA Community Champion

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The Denmark international was chosen for the support he has shown to the organisation’s work in the city and surrounding areas.

Højbjerg has visited a number of the Foundation’s projects throughout the season, interacting with the participants and staff.

Head of Saints Foundation and Community Partnerships Greg Baker said: “Saints Foundation gets fantastic support from players and staff across the club, with visits untaken to many of our projects and partner schools each season.

"However, this year, Pierre has really embodied that support, visiting our SaintsAbility, Saints Fans in Training and Saints Kicks projects, showing genuine interest and actively engaging with participants each time.

"We are delighted to thank him for his outstanding support by awarding him as our PFA Community Champion for the 2016/17 season.”

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Marco Silva set for Porto manager’s job

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Porto are poised to make Marco Silva their new manager.

The Portuguese club have been looking for a new boss since parting with Nuno Espirito Santo and will turn to Silva to fill the void.

The 39-year-old will leave Hull this summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

Southampton and Watford had shown an interest in Silva but he has been swayed by the prospect of returning to his home country.

The former Sporting Lisbon chief has been in Portugal this weeks for talks and an agreement is believed to have been reached in principle.

Silva failed to keep Hull in the top flight, but enhanced his reputation by securing six wins in seven games at home going into April.

Chants of support for Silva rang loud throughout the KCOM Stadium in the final weeks of the campaign.

‘Of course it’s important as well, but it’s not only about that,’ said Silva when asked if the fans could persuade him to stay.

'It’s fantastic to me, but I need to think and decide what is the best way for my career.

'If I just looked at the connection between us and the fans, of course it’s impossible to say no, but I need to look at other things as well.

'Everything we did in the last four months - if you did something equal the five months before, it’s enough to keep the club in the Premier League.

‘When you look at the points and everything it’s enough. Because of that they came here again for the last game and they really didn’t deserve that.’

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Watch as @jackstephens_18 discusses his breakthrough season with #SaintsFC and his partnership with @MayaYoshida3:

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/05/2017 17:17:16

| | Arsenal In Talks To Sign 24-Goal Hitman Ahead Of Everton & Southampton | Football Talk | Premier League NewsFOOTBALLTALK |

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Marco Silva set to quit Hull but won’t stay in Premier League

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Marco Silva is quitting Hull to return home to Portugal to manage Porto.

Silva has flown to Portugal today and is believed to have agreed terms to take over as Porto’s new coach.

Porto sacked Nuno Espírito Santo last night after just one season in charge because he failed to win the title and believe Silva can make them champions again.

Porto have been tracking Silva since he led unfashionable Estoril into Europe for the first time and won the Portuguese Cup with Sporting Lisbon in 2015.

Silva, 39, is out of contract at Hull following the Tigers’ relegation from the Premier League and he had also attracted interest from Southampton and Watford.

The Portuguese, who led Olympiacos to the Greek title last season, was unsure about Watford, while Saints have identified other possible successors to Claude Puel.

Hull appointed Silva back in January to replace Mike Phelan and he breathed life into their moribund survival hopes, before ultimately coming up short.

Tigers’ owners, the Allams, were keen for him to continue, but he did not want to manage in the Championship.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/05/2017 18:17:28

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Do you agree with our Saints player ratings for last season?

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The fact he will almost certainly finish the season as Saints’ top scorer, despite being injured for more than half of it, sums things up in so many ways.

His untimely shoulder problem has been a major issue that, aside from one golden patch from Manolo Gabbiadini, Saints have never quite recovered from.

The club needs him to stay fit next season.

The left back can be pleased with his contribution to the team.

Whether he will still be at St Mary’s next season remains to be seen given his form and the fact some big clubs are in the market for a player just like him.

His quality is not in question, and this season has been a triumph in relative terms. Has offered a lot going forward and has been solid in defence.

That wonder goal against Sunderland aside it has been a very underwhelming first season for Boufal.

He is still young, playing in England for the first time and deserves the time to adapt and prove himself next time out.

However, when you are the club’s record signing at £16m and arrive to much fanfare, it doesn’t seem unfair to expect more than he has delivered.

There have been a few decent performances, but still too many that haven’t quite cut it.

To be brutal, Clasie has been a disappointing signing so far, just not quite able to deliver on what was promised by Ronald Koeman.

When Clasie signed Koeman was confident this second season would be the one where the Dutch midfielder stamped his mark on the team and on the division.

Instead, he has all but disappeared from sight.

You cannot help but feel that he has not been used in his best position, but yet again he has produced a phenomenal amount of work.

It might not be the glamorous option, but Saints have always looked better when Davis has played a more advanced role.

This season he has ended up settling into more of a holding position once the 4-2-3-1 returned.

He has done very well there, and, as always, given it his all, but his talents are constricted a little by his role.

This has been a difficult season for Forster.

He has got an awful lot of criticism, much directed his way from Saints fans, and it has seemed to lead to a bit of a lack of self-belief in pressure moments.

Some of that criticism has been unfair, but even so it hasn’t been the vintage campaign he might have hoped for.

There have been signs that his confidence has been returning in the final few weeks.

Suddenly they had a goalscorer – six goals in four matches – and somebody who was making fantastic runs up top too.

His record prior to arriving at Saints suggested he was a bit of a streaky player and so it has proved.

Gabbiadini has looked a shadow of that deadly striker since returning from a minor injury.

We have seen his potential but he needs greater consistency in performances and not just goalscoring.

Started with something of a bang as he got people talking with a few classy displays. However, since then he has struggled to get a regular run in the side and that has made it difficult for him to really shine when he has got an odd game here or there.

Hojbjerg is still one for the future and has done enough to deserve a bit of patience going into a second season in the Premier League.

You can see the frustration written all over his face pretty much every matchday. He has gone from being voted the Daily Echo Player of the Season after a fantastic second half of last season to a bit-part player this time around.

His goalscoring form has been below what he would have liked, but the rotation has never really suited his desire to get a rhythm of games going.

In reality he has dropped down to at best third choice for one striking position when everybody is fit, and that is something he clearly is unhappy with.

A regular in early season rotation for Europa League games and the like, but disappeared out of view after that.

In fairness to Martina, he only cost £1m and was only ever brought in to be a back-up and has ended up playing more games than most, probably himself included, would have expected.

However, he is out of contract at Saints and with Cedric Soares and the fit again Jeremy Pied ahead of him, there is very little prospect of him staying.

Just as it seemed McQueen was destined not to make the grade at Saints, he had a huge breakthrough.

Saints were in need of a left back to cover for Ryan Bertrand, and with Matt Targett out injured Puel converted McQueen from a winger into a defender.

McQueen put in some sterling displays in his new position to suggest he has a lot about him, but the challenge is now to turn that into regular games if all three are fit next season.

When Redmond reflects on his first season with the club he can certainly be pleased with his efforts and how it has gone.

It was never going to be easy to have to effectively step into the boots of Sadio Mane, but Redmond has given it his best shot.

It is fair to say that he hasn’t scored as many goals as you might have ideally liked – though his contribution isn’t too shabby – and going forward it will be a case of trying to produce even more consistent performances.

At the age of 22 you would be tempted to say that Reed really needs a breakthrough season and to go from fringe player to getting more game time.

But given Saints’ curious policy of handing out big contracts to some younger players that might not be true in at least one sense.

From a footballing perspective, one Premier League start – which saw Reed withdrawn at half time – and then a handful of cup appearances is not enough at an age when he needs to make progress.

Still searching for that missing piece of the jigsaw.

Your heart goes out to Rodriguez, whose terrible injury problems halted what looked to be a glorious future.

He has worked hard to fight back, but it just hasn’t quite been the same.

There are rumours that this summer could see him get a fresh start away from Saints, and given he is down the pecking order but clearly needs a run of games to have a chance of returning to his previous levels maybe that might not be a bad thing for him.

Whatever, as his recent goal at Middlesbrough proved, his class has not gone away.

The stand-out player of the Saints side this season.

When Claude Puel points to the positives of his management, then the development of Romeu is right up there. He has become a mainstay of the Saints midfield, and deservedly a landslide winner of the Player of the Season award.

His contribution has been key and he is a big player for the future too. Saints must fight to keep hold of this summer if there is interest from elsewhere.

Two notable contributions – a first start against Everton and the run on the break that provided Shane Long with the chance to secure Saints’ place at Wembley with a win at Liverpool – but unable to really capitalise beyond that.

Puel has shown some faith in Sims, and given him chances in an area of the team where he has more experienced players.

To take the next step forward will require more consistency than he has shown so far, which at 20-years-old should now be forthcoming.

On the back of his Euro 2016 win with Portugal it has been a steady if not spectacular season from Cedric Soares.

He has been without doubt the first choice right back for Claude Puel with Jeremy Pied out injured, and has done a decent enough job.

He has got forward well at times and added something to the Saints attack.

His defensive duties have been a little more hit and miss but he does look at ease playing in the Premier League and has clearly adapted to the physical demands now.

Has seized the opportunity handed to him by the sale of Jose Fonte and injury to Virgil van Dijk to make an impressive impact on the first team.

Saints will undoubtedly sign at least one central defender this summer, no matter what the future holds for van Dijk, but Stephens has done all he can to put himself into the reckoning going forward.

It’s been a mixture of inspiration and frustration for Tadic over the course of the season.

He has got a lot of starts, but his public complaint over his constant substitutions caused a bit of angst behind the scenes at Saints.

Tadic has worked hard during the campaign, but the flashes of inspiration Saints really need from him in an attacking sense have been a little inconsistent.

It certainly has not been a poor season from the Serbian, but not an exceptional one either.

He never got the chance to get a run of games to showcase his talents thanks to injury problems, which ultimately resulted in an extended spell on the sidelines.

The emergence of McQueen during his absence has given him plenty to ponder when it comes to his place in the left back pecking order.

Has made the transition from a player who would get some games but struggle for a consistent run to somebody who can bank on being in the reckoning for every match.

His form was rewarded with an England call-up, and he has certainly developed and matured nicely under Puel’s tutelage.

He does still need to add more goals, but he is clearly improving and the future looks bright for him.

Fair play to Yoshida for stepping up and proving what he can do in trying circumstances.

Up until this season his Saints career has always seen him cast in the role as first reserve for a centre back slot.

That lack of consistent matches has at times negatively affected him when he has got a game, and he has come in for a lot of stick for the odd mistake here and there.

The dearth of central defenders has led to him becoming a mainstay in the side and he has produced a long string of consistent displays.

It all seemed so easy to van Dijk that he was almost cruising through games and still putting in fantastic performances. It just seemed he was on a continual upward curve.

But then his injury struck, and the second half of the season has seen him undergo surgery and then rehab, forcing him out of the side.

He is the highest class player in the Saints squad, and clearly coveted by a number of Premier League guns.

Whether we will see him play for Saints again is certainly in the balance.

Players require a minimum of five first team starts in all competitions to get a rating

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/05/2017 19:17:39

| | Saints’ boss target in Porto talksCLUBCALL |
| | West Ham Eye Liverpool & Southampton Stars As Bilic Plans 4 New Signings | Football Talk | Premier League NewsFOOTBALLTALK |
| | Odds cut: Liverpool made new favourites to sign Manchester City defender ahead of SouthamptonHEREISTHECITY |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 23/05/2017 20:17:51

| | Southampton in 2016/17 - Statistical ReviewREADSOUTHAMPTON |

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Statement: Robbie Williams concert

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Southampton Football Club can confirm that, after discussions with Metropolis Music on behalf of Live Nation, the Robbie Williams concert at St Mary’s Stadium, scheduled for Tuesday 6th June will continue as planned.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Southampton Football Club are with all those affected by the horrific attack at the Manchester Arena.

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