Leicester City defender Harry Souttar seems to be heading for the exit door at the King Power after being left out of the squad for Friday’s pre-season friendly against Palermo.

It’s been a turbulent summer for the Foxes after winning the Championship title last season, and they have lost both manager Enzo Maresca and star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea.

The club have subsequently appointed former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as their new manager and have made some additions to the squad to ensure they have the best chance of survival.

Souttar set to leave Leicester

The Foxes have signed the likes of Caleb Okoli, Michael Golding and Bobby De Cordova-Reid, whilst winger Issahaku Fatawu has made his loan move from Sporting Lisbon permanent.

However, a number of players are also set to leave the King Power, and one of those is Australian international Souttar.

The defender was left out of the squad for the pre-season friendly against Palermo despite being involved in the first two games against Villarreal and Shrewsbury.

It’s been reported that the 25-year-old could be set to leave the club on loan, and a number of Championship clubs are said to be interested with Sheffield United and Souttar’s former club Stoke said to be leading the race.

The Australian joined Leicester from Stoke in January 2023 for £15m and made 12 appearances in the Premier League, but couldn’t help the club avoid relegation under Brendan Rodgers.

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Souttar wasn’t in favour under Maresca last season and made just four appearances in all  competitions under the Italian.

Despite the arrival of a new manager it would appear that Souttar’s future at least temporarily lies away from the King Power, and he will have likely dropped further down the pecking order following the arrival of Okoli.

The post Leicester ace appears to be heading for exit door after being left out of squad for pre-season game appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Stoke City are close to agree a short-term deal to sign free agent Ciaran Clark. 

Clark’s contract at Newcastle expired this summer after seven years at the club.

The veteran defender spent last season on loan at Sheffield United helping them to Premier League promotion.

Stoke are set to make a move for free agent defender Ciaran Clark.

(Via: @reluctantnicko)#SCFC pic.twitter.com/kCvADAfsJ5

— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) September 4, 2023

Reporter Alan Nixon on the 33-year-old’s move to Stoke said:

“Stoke City are ready to swoop for free agent centre half Ciaran Clark. The Potters have been major recruiters in the window but Alex Neil has space for an extra defender. Clark has been in talks with Stoke for a few days and is close to accepting terms to join the squad. Clark can also play left back, with Stoke selling Josh Tymon to Swansea in the final day business of the window.”

This is a low risk deal for Stoke, Clark is an experienced player who knows the Championship well. He could prove to be a very good signing for Alex Neil’s side.

The post Stoke City on verge of agreeing deal to sign experienced free agent appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Stock City striker Wilfried Bony has expressed his delight upon his sides first win of the season.

The Potters recorded a 2-0 victory over Sunderland last weekend moving them up to 18th place in the Premier League with eight points.

Bony is currently on a season long loan with Stoke City from Manchester City.

The Ivory Coast international shared a photo of himself along with the caption, “So happy with our first win of the season and we appreciate the fans support now we get ready for Saturday.”

So happy with our first win of the season and we appreciate the fans support now we get ready for Saturday #ThePotters

A photo posted by Bony Wilfried (@w.bony) on Oct 17, 2016 at 4:31am PDT

Stoke take on the newly promoted Hull City next weekend in the Premier League.

The post (Photo) Man City loanee delighted with first win of the season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

There weren’t many exciting moments in Arsenal’s stale goalless draw against Stoke City this past Sunday afternoon, but those that we saw came courtesy of Petr Cech and Jack Butland. We’ve been provided with video highlights from the game by our friends at All Arsenal, with a handful of great saves made by the two shot-stoppers.

http://www.allarsenal.com/2016/01/matchreports/video-highlights-report-stoke-0-0-arsenal-cech-vs-butland-ends-in-stalemate/

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We secured a point away at Stoke this past Sunday, which, given our record at the Britannia Stadium, may not actually be that bad. The draw meant we remained top of the table by goal difference, but missed our chance to extend our lead over Leicester and Manchester City to two and three points respectively.

Both teams looked happy to concede possession in their opponent’s half, with a real lack of pressure high up the pitch. We were also struggling to create anything of note with our slow build-up play though, so it wasn’t clear where the goals would come from.

The only really clear cut chance we created in the first half was for Olivier Giroud, with Joel Campbell leaving the Stoke defence static with a sublime pass. Giroud looked destined to score, but some quick thinking and superb goalkeeping from Jack Butland denied him.

There was very little else of note in the first half, with both keepers having a few decent saves to make, but nothing you wouldn’t have expected them to make.

We should have been ahead early on in the second half, with Olivier Giroud once again looking likely to score. He rose highest to head a corner goalwards, but again was denied by a Butland save. The English shot-stopper got down quickly to keep the ball out of the bottom corner, and you could see by Giroud’s expression of disbelief he thought he’d scored.

Stoke were benefiting from an extremely lenient referee, who was letting a lot of little niggling tackles slide. It wasn’t so much that Stoke committed any fouls worthy of yellow cards, but the cumulative effect of the constant fouls should have resulted in at least a few cards – especially for Erik Pieters.

We arguably should have had a penalty (or at least a free-kick at the edge of the area) when Theo Walcott was brought down by Philipp Wollscheid. First an arm came across the speedster at the edge of the area, then he took a kick to the heel as he attempted to force his way into the box.

Again though, we weren’t creating a huge amount of chances, and despite us dominating possession, Stoke were arguably looking the more threatening.

Petr Cech was called upon to make the save of the game so far, denying Stoke twice in a matter of seconds. Marko Arnautovic’s venomous shot was kept out acrobatically, but only palmed into the path of Joselu. Cech got back to his feet quickly though, denying the Spaniard from a tight angle.

It was a frustrating end to the game, with the time running down and nothing of note really being created. Indeed, it was Stoke who looked the most likely to snatch a win at the death, but again Cech was on hand.

The ball was cleared off the line by Aaron Ramsey during a corner, but again only fell to a Stoke player. Cech was able to get the shot away with his foot though, saving us from a last minute loss.

It was disappointing not to get the win – and our performance was arguably even more disappointing – but given our track record away against Stoke, it wasn’t all bad.

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We’re still top of the table, and still getting points without a number of our best players. The Premier League is still in our hands.

The post Video highlights: Stoke 0-0 Arsenal – Cech & Butland ensure spoils are shared appeared first on CaughtOffside.

A comical image of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is doing the rounds on Twitter following their 1-0 Capital One Cup win over Stoke City this past Tuesday night, with the Brazilian’s shorts getting a little tighter than he’d have liked.

The Reds’ talismanic midfielder has recently been linked with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona (via the Mirror), and based on the image below it would be a move he’d find extremely hard to turn down.

Naturally, as soon as the picture emerged the twitterverse took it and ran with it, tearing into the diminutive midfielder repeatedly. In all fairness, a move to Barcelona may be enough to turn any player on, although most of them probably wouldn’t be as open about it as the internet seems to think Coutinho was.

Coutinho thinking about that summer move to Barcelona… pic.twitter.com/Bv4EpgrPCM

— TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) January 5, 2016

Although the move seemed unlikely anyway, Coutinho may have scuppered any chance he may have had of a January transfer to Barcelona anyway. The 23-year-old was taken off early on with a hamstring injury (via The Telegraph), and the expression on his face suggested he was well aware he’d be missing a number of games.

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The important thing as far as Liverpool are concerned is getting the win over Stoke though, taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be confident of getting the win on home soil, or at the very least of managing a draw. The Potters will be forced to be a little more adventurous and push for the goal, which could play into the hands of Liverpool. But will they be without their star man? Either through injury or a transfer away?

The post Image: Hilarious X rated Coutinho pic sweeps Twitter after Liverpool win appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Joe Allen had a great game against Stoke this past Tuesday night, and played a key part in Liverpool’s one and only goal of the game. The internet seems convinced his role in the build-up was a no-look assist rather than an embarrassing mishit, and the Welsh midfielder has consequently been heavily praised on Twitter.

Allen looked sure to score when Adam Lallana cut the ball back from the byline, but whether it was a moment of genius or a humongous chunk of luck, he failed to find the back of the net – instead sidefooting the ball to Jordon Ibe in acres of space. The youngster controlled the ball smartly before smashing it towards the far post, leaving Jack Butland with absolutely no chance as it nestled into the back of the net.

The internet erupted celebrating Allen’s no-look assist, with many insisting he unquestionably meant to set up his young teammate, and others taking the chance to echo former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodger’s words regarding the Welsh Xavi.

Here are some of the best tweets of the evening:

Allen actually looks to his side before and after the ball goes to Ibe. I’m thinking its a genius assist https://t.co/riz50Akhrm

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) January 5, 2016

I intend to spend the rest of my life believing Joe Allen meant that sublime assist #LFC — Paul Austin (@PaulBigpaulie) January 5, 2016

Was Allen’s assist meant? Because if it was it was genius

— George (@GeorgeWoodEFC) January 5, 2016

Joe Allen with the assist? Any excuse to post this. https://t.co/xI4vPGoSm8 — Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) January 5, 2016

I’m actually a fan of Joe Allen’s – I always think he gets too much stick.

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) January 5, 2016

Who is the better Pirlo? RT for Joe Allen LIKE for Andrea Pirlo pic.twitter.com/Zim0M7ltQC — Football Battles (@FootbaIIBattIes) January 5, 2016

To think you all laughed when I called Joe Allen ‘The Welsh Xavi’ My ability to spot a player is second to none

— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) January 5, 2016

I can’t believe we suffered so many hamstring injuries tonight. I asked Joe Allen if he could believe it. He said No, I can’t believe it. — Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) January 5, 2016

Allen’s ‘assist’ provided Ibe with the chance to score the game’s one and only goal, a goal that gives Liverpoool a hugely important lead heading into the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final clash with Stoke. The second game is at Anfield, where Jurgen Klopp’s side will be confident of getting the win and sealing their place in the final against either Everton or Manchester City.

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This will arguably be Liverpool’s best chance of silverware this season, so Klopp will be hoping for more magic from the Welsh midfielder in the second leg.

The post Twitter reaction: Joe Allen’s Ibe assist, mishit or moment of genius? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jurgen Klopp’s trophy-winning ways at Borussia Dortmund were one of the many things fans loved most about him when he first became a candidate to be the Liverpool manager. And thanks to Jordon Ibe and a much-needed first-half goal in the Capital One Cup semi-finals against Stoke City, Klopp could be one step closer to earning his first trophy in England.

Liverpool let out a collective groan early in the match when star man Philippe Coutinho was forced off with an injury (via The Telegraph). However, Ibe went from afterthought to scoring genius by applying the finish to a fast-paced move that gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead over Stoke City in the first half.

A superb pass from James Milner picked out Adam Lallana – who managed to beat the offside trap far too easily – and the former Southampton star was able to race to the byline and cut it back for Joe Allen. The Welshman comically mishit it, but it rather fortunately fell to Ibe. The youngster took a decent first touch, before smashing it into the far corner to give the Reds the lead.

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The goal from Ibe was his first in any competition since Liverpool pulverized Southampton in a 6-1 romp during the League Cup quarter-finals last month.

The post Video: Ibe scores first goal in League Cup semi-finals to give Liverpool 1-0 lead over Stoke City appeared first on CaughtOffside.

With the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League campaign now over, plenty of reviews are in full flow and the best game of the season has been revealed after the people at SNAP.PA ranked all 380 games based on entertainment value.

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While there has not been too many standout games this season, we have been treated to flashes of quality from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, both Manchester clubs and Tottenham.

Take a look at what made the top five for best games of the season:

5)  Stoke City 3-2 Arsenal – December 6th 2014

Coming in at fifth place was the five-goal thriller between the Potters and the Gunners at the Britannia Stadium back in December.

Peter Crouch opened the scoring after barely a minute on the clock as the hosts raced into a 3-0 half-time lead. Goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey hinted at a fight-back but Stoke held firm to take the win.

The post Top five best 2014/15 Premier League games of the season, including Arsenal and Chelsea defeats appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool target Asmir Begovic will demand a move from Stoke City if a top six club attempts to sign him, reports ESPN.

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The 27-year-old has just over a year left on his contract and has been linked with a move away from the Potters over the last few weeks. Stoke boss Mark Hughes already has a great replacement for the Bosnian at the club in the shape of England international Jack Butland. The 22-year-old has played three of their last four games, perhaps giving a hint as to who Hughes thinks will be his number one next season.

Manchester United and Chelsea may be interested in the keeper as they both have goalies potentially leaving in the summer. At the Red Devils he could take over from David De Gea, while Petr Cech could leave a spot for him at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile Liverpool and Arsenal are both in need of new stoppers due to the form of their current men between the sticks. Simon Mignolet has been poor for the Reds, while Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina have both made mistakes throughout the Gunners’ campaign.

With all four clubs able to offer Begovic European football, anyone of them could get the ‘keeper to force a move if they announced their intentions.

The post Chelsea and Liverpool target will demand move in pursuit of European football appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Picking a best XI from this season’s Premier League but with just one player allowed from each club…who gets in from Chelsea’s superb title-winning squad, and which stars stood out at the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United?

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GK: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)

Helping Stoke to a 9th place finish, Asmir Begovic has shown himself to be one of the finest goalkeepers in England once again this season.

DR: Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United)

An impressive debut campaign from the Newcastle right-back, who looks a strong defender and good going forward despite the Magpies’ poor season overall.

DL: Leighton Baines (Everton)

Not the best season for Everton, but Leighton Baines has once again been excellent for Roberto Martinez’s side, registering two goals and nine assists in the league.

The post Premier League team of the season with just one player per club: Kane & Aguero up front, Liverpool & Arsenal stars in midfield appeared first on CaughtOffside.