All posts by h716a5.icu

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Jordan Pickford will not return to the Everton starting line-up against Manchester United, but faces some questions over his selections elsewhere on the pitch on Saturday.

Pickford was absent from the side that beat Leeds United 2-1 on Wednesday night with a rib injury and has failed to overcome the issue in time to travel to Old Trafford, where Robin Olsen will again start in goal.

Everton are also still yet to welcome back Allan or Jean-Philippe Gbamin for selection as the midfielders continue their recovery from hamstring and Achilles injuries, in an otherwise fully fit squad after Fabian Delph’s recent return from a hamstring issue.

So, as Ancelotti looks to build on victory over Leeds with a first win at Old Trafford since beating Manchester United in December 2013, here’s a potential line-up Everton could name…

Ancelotti could not refrain from admitting his surprise at how well Ben Godfrey is performing after a showcase display from the £20m summer signing against Leeds during the week, but may look to return the former Norwich City ace to a wide role in defence against Manchester United.

The Red Devils are one the Premier League’s form sides at the moment as they look to contend with Man City for the title, and will host Everton hot after trashing Southampton 9-0 last time out with eight different players getting on the scoresheet.

A move back to full-back for Godfrey would allow Michael Keane to return to central defence beside Yerry Mina after being rested at Elland Road, and may be partnered by the £8.5m-rated Seamus Coleman after Mason Holgate’s difficult night against Leeds.

Holgate’s failed clearance allowed for the Whites to strike early in the second half and discover a potential route back into the game, and would earn SofaScore’s joint-lowest match rating for any player that started for either side at 6.4 out of 10.

Everton enjoyed success with Godfrey at left-back and Lucas Digne in midfield against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City earlier in the year, while the Frenchman’s overlapping runs returned the assist for Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal against Leeds.

Richarlison briefly showed signs of promise on the left-wing at Elland Road but was still left searching for his best form in attack, which Ancelotti may look to rediscover with a return to a central role alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The biggest question marks facing Ancelotti ahead of travelling to Manchester United come in midfield with the Italian having to weigh up a potential recall for James Rodriguez and who would step aside for the Colombian, who played no role in the win over Leeds.

Ancelotti could persist without the former Real Madrid playmaker at Old Trafford and instead favour Sigurdsson beside Abdoulaye Doucoure in the engine room, after his imperious showing against Marcelo Bielsa’s men, which would see Andre Gomes fall to the bench after a Man of the Match performance in midweek.

Rodriguez is also an option for the right-wing spot after Alex Iwobi’s struggles on Wednesday night, yet Ancelotti will be expected to persist with the Nigerian for he can offer a higher level of endeavour, speed, fight and focus as Everton strive to avoid a third defeat to Manchester United this season alone.

AND in other news, a £65k-p/w Everton titan faces a fight at Everton after Carlo Ancelotti was left “really surprised” vs Leeds…

Celtic have been linked with a move to sign a player from direct Premiership rivals Hibernian as they monitor their teenaged defensive talent Josh Doig.

Sky Sports have reported that the Hoops are amongst the clubs interested in signing the 18-year-old. If they want to snap up the left-back though, they may need to fight off Arsenal and Chelsea, who are also lurking, ready to pounce.

The Hoops have struggled defensively this season as they have fallen into the shadow of neighbours and rivals Rangers. The men from the blue side of Glasgow hold a whopping 23-point lead over the reigning champions and Celtic’s most recent loss to St Mirren only further highlights how unimaginable a comeback is at this stage.

Neil Lennon also struggled to guide his team through the Europa League group stages. After banking just four points, the Bhoys finished bottom of their group, having conceded the joint-most goals in the competition.

Strengthening their defence is definitely something Celtic must prioritise. Doig could prove to be an ideal signing, as not only would he cost very little judging by his £450,000 Transfermarkt value, but he is very similar to Celtic’s on-loan left-back Diego Laxalt.

According to WhoScored, the two are alike in their defensive performances this season. The pair average a similar amount of aerial duels won per match, plus tackles won and clearances made too. This potentiallt bodes extremely well for Doig, who is nine years Laxalt’s senior and still has a lot to learn.

However, his reliable nature for Hibs will have definitely caught the eye of Lenno, Peter Lawwell and Celtic’s other decision-makers. His defensive awareness, for a teenager, is very solid and he even caused Celtic star David Turnbull some problems the last time they met.

According to Sofascore, Doig made a crucial four tackles in the first half of the match and stopped Turnbull having a sniff at goal. It was only when the teen was substituted off in the second half that Celtic found a way through. Funnily enough, it was Turnbull who found the back of the net too, getting the better of Doig’s replacement, Lewis Stevenson.

If Lawwell can snap up the rising talent before too many other clubs become aware of his ability, he could have a defender for the future in his ranks for, potentially, a very low price.

In other news, Lawwell has pulled off smart Celtic business with Ben Davies coup…

Writing on Twitter, reliable journalist Ben Jacobs has explained that American billionaire and Kapital Football Group chairman Joseph DaGrosa has made no new approach for Newcastle United – but insists that his 2019 interest was ‘genuine’ and that talks were ‘relatively advanced’. 

The Athletic recently claimed that Newcastle, among other clubs, are shortlisted as potential alternatives should KFG’s talks to buy Southampton fall through.

DaGrosa and Kapital allegedly want Saints majority shareholder Gao Jisheng to lower his asking price for the south coast club and are threatening to look elsewhere if he fails to lower his valuation.

Jacobs drops Newcastle takeover update

The Magpies, alongside West Ham United and Crystal Palace, are allegedly seen as other options should Jisheng and DaGrosa fail to agree terms on a takeover – but Jacobs insists that while Newcastle could indeed be on a shortlist, there has been no new direct approach.

“Told by GACP Sports that Joe DaGrosa has made no new approach to #NUFC,” explained the journalist on social media.

“His 2019 interest was genuine and talks relatively advanced. DaGrosa wants to build a network of partner clubs similar to Red Bull.

“But it doesn’t appear fresh or formal talks have started up again.

“Sources also tell me DaGrosa has a good relationship with Mike Ashley, but his historical valuation of #NUFC was “significantly below” MA’s.

Newcastle may well still be on a (pretty long) shortlist. DaGrosa clearly exploring a flagship club, but priority remains Saints for now.”

Transfer Tavern take

The fact Steve Bruce’s side could still be up for consideration is a slight hint of encouragement, but for now, it appears Newcastle have received no new talks according to this claim.

In other news: This finance guru dropped an enticing Newcastle claim, find out more here.

Many Liverpool fans have been left to fume at a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) leak ahead of their away trip to Sheffield United on Sunday evening.

As per a tweet from FPL Insider, Diogo Jota has transferred in his own teammate, Adrian, ahead of the game against Chris Wilder’s men.

This may give a hint that the former West Ham United man is in line for a start for the Anfield faithful, meaning that Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher may miss out.

A similar situation happened with Jack Grealish, as a lot of FPL players at Villa Park removed the Aston Villa star from their teams ahead of their game against Leicester City as it had been leaked that he had an injury.

Grealish was in fact injured just as the leak suggested, and therefore did not play in the match, as several Reds supporters are fearing that the same fate may mean that Adrian, their third-choice goalkeeper, will start in between the posts against the Blades.

Liverpool fan reaction to Adrian leak

These Kopites fumed upon learning that Jota had transferred in Adrian on Twitter:

“Our losing streak continues”

Credit: @ChrisC1001

“Yo @DiogoJota18, are you sure you wanna do this?”Credit: @mosia_fpl”No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no”Credit: @Oisin2020″Oh no”Credit: @eoinsmc”Sorry what”Credit: @lfcsed_”Oh dear god”Credit: @LFCJacobbIn other news, find out what transfer update involving one LFC target has been lauded by fans here!

Many Manchester United fans were left to slam the display of Mason Greenwood in their 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The Old Trafford faithful were left frustrated figures at the end of the game a they dropped two more points and may find themselves dragged into a battle to stay in the top four come the end of the 2020/21 term.

Greenwood especially did not have the best of games by his standards, losing no fewer than seven of his duels while also failing to record a single shot on target or key pass (Sofascore).

The England international also lost possession of the ball 15 times, as he achieved a very measly 6.3 overall rating on Sofascore, the lowest out of any player to have set foot on the pitch.

Manchester United fan reaction to Greenwood display

These Red Devils slammed his performance on Twitter, while one MUFC supporter even went as far as to say that the 19-year-old was ‘non-existent’:

“So Ole has put his faith in Martial and Greenwood in the last few weeks and both have let him down let’s see if Donny gets an extended run now !!!!! #mufc”

Credit: @topcatcrutch

“Why for the love of sanity doesn’t Solskjaer use subs? Greenwood wasn’t useful, AT ALL! Offensively or defensively! James should’ve been on in the 50th min! A wooden post would’ve been more useful than Rashford today. And what about counter-attacks @ManUtd? Remember them? #MUFC”

Credit: @ArmyOfTheRedz

“They #MUFC were all poor tonight, but Fred, my goodness. How Ole kept him on so long is crazy. Greenwood had zero urgency, and Rashford was not up for it at all. My touch was better than his tonight.”

Credit: @Buffer1976

“#Rashford, #Greenwood & #Fernandes were non-existent #MUFC”

Credit: @NeilRaithatha

“Zero tactics. Zero urgency. Zero inspiration. Zero plan B. Rashford utter garbage yet again. Greenwood garbage. Outcoached #mufc”

Credit: @scallop_101

“Mason Greenwood regressing under Mr. DNA isn’t talked about enough. #mufc”

Credit: @ProjectMUST

In other news, find out whose display was slammed in the Europa League here!

After an impressive 1-0 win over Leeds United last weekend, Aston Villa would no doubt have been expecting to make light work of the Premier League’s bottom side Sheffield United in midweek.

Instead, Dean Smith’s side put in a dismal performance as they slipped to defeat to the Blades, with David McGoldrick earning the home side all three points.

With European qualification for next season still within their sights, however, Villa will be hoping to get back to winning ways, starting with Saturday’s clash against Wolves.

The midweek defeat may prompt Smith to make a few changes, and, with that in mind, below is a look at how Villa might line up when Wolves come to town.

In goal, Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to keep another shutout after experiencing the rare feeling of having to pick the ball out of his own net against Sheffield United.

The back four should also remain unchanged, with Matty Cash still not recovered from his injury. The form of Matt Targett, meanwhile, has seen some shouts of a potential England call-up, and the left-back will surely be desperate to do well against Wolves to further stake his claim.

The midfield could see one key change, with John McGinn’s woeful performance in midweek surely warranting him to be dropped from the starting line-up, especially with the likes of Morgan Sanson and Douglas Luiz pushing for a start – Smith could opt for the latter after benching the £24.3m-rated star for the past couple of games.

That would certainly be a big call considering that McGinn has started every game this season in the Premier League bar one (when he was suspended).

Further ahead, Bertrand Traore has struggled in recent weeks to deliver an end product, with just one goal and one assist in his last eight Premier League games. That could see Trezeguet come in on the right-hand side, with Smith sticking with Anwar El Ghazi on the opposite flank having netted against Leeds last week.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Nakamba; Trezeguet, Ramsey, El Ghazi, Watkins.

Meanwhile, Villa could recreate a magic partnership by signing this £36m-rated star…

The wait for a new manager at Celtic is growing ever longer. For now, it seems as though the hierarchy are poised to wait patiently and give John Kennedy the reins until the end of the season.

Considering the Hoops no longer have anything to play for, it’s a smart tactic. That being said, however good the job that Kennedy does, they must find a more established name in the game to succeed Neil Lennon.

A number of managers have been linked in the last couple of months from Roberto Martinez, Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez.

That being said, there is one name who has been talked about more than any other – Eddie Howe.

The former Bournemouth boss was first linked with taking over in November but nothing has materialised greatly since. That was until recent days, when Football Insider revealed that contact had been made with the 43-year-old in a bid to bring him to Parkhead.

Considering his little experience at the top level, it would be somewhat of a gamble from the Celtic hierarchy. However, if they’re looking for fresh ideas and a modern approach on football, he’d be the ideal man.

Certainly, if you heed the words of Alex McLeish, it would be a very exciting move. He commented this week: “Maybe a kind of Brendan Rodgers type of manager. Is Eddie Howe is seen as that kind of coach? Yes, and I would say that’s the type of name they should be linked with.”

Howe achieved impressive things with Bournemouth, taking them from League Two to the Premier League and, despite the fact that he hasn’t won a major trophy, he’s definitely someone the likes of Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell should be considering.

[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!”]

Lennon’s coaching methods clearly didn’t go down well at Lennoxtown. He may have won the treble last season but this term has been a complete write-off. In fact, it was remarkable that he didn’t leave his post earlier.

They are 20 points behind Rangers and have surrendered their grasp on the Premiership title. You can understand, therefore, why they’d want to chase a manager of Rodgers’ ilk.

He won seven major honours at Parkhead, playing a pivotal part in their immense decade of success. It was his modern approach to training which undoubtedly benefited the Hoops. He was excellent on the training pitch, so much so that Lennon still used aspects of his approach.

Coincidentally, the training pitch is an area where Howe thrives too.

Speaking about the ex-Cherries manager in 2020, Brett Pitman remarked: “It wouldn’t just be ‘do you want to do a session’ and a coach would be there. He [Howe] would be the one taking it, with all his staff – that is special. People might think that is a norm in football but it really isn’t. It is what makes him different.”

The Celtic players need someone who is going to come in and grab them by the scruff of the neck and get them working harder in training. It could just prove game-changing, especially for a team who have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and have been lax defensively.

Howe’s record isn’t the best but his methods are meticulous. Celtic are right to step up their efforts to bring him to Glasgow.

AND in other news, Hammond could end Christie’s Celtic career by landing 20 y/o with “excellent” movement…

Celtic can sit back this weekend and breathe a huge sigh of relief that they don’t have a game to play. After all, they will need all the preparation time they can get ahead of the Old Firm in seven days time.

The SPFL title is gone, however, and no longer are they the dominant force in Scottish football.

On the chalkboard

This already feels like the beginning of a new era for the Hoops. Neil Lennon has resigned and Peter Lawwell is set to retire in a few months time.

They is also the risk of a mass exodus of the playing staff. Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard continue to be linked with exits, while some others will be out of contract.

One such player is midfield stalwart Scott Brown. The skipper has made countless appearances for the Bhoys but this could be his final season as a player.

The 35-year-old has put in some tired displays this term and has been linked with coaching vacancies across the country; namely at Aberdeen.

Ismaila Soro might well be the natural heir to his Celtic throne, certainly from an internal point of view. Though, the Glaswegians would be wise to bring another face to Paradise to replace Brown.

Brown’s successor

Celtic have been linked with a few midfielders in recent times. During the January transfer window, it was thought that they may make a move for former Stoke general Giannelli Imbula.

However, another name that’s been consistently linked with a move to Parkhead is Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy.

He was first touted with a switch to Glasgow last summer but rumours re-emerged back in January. The Irishman is out of contract in a few months time and thus, would represent a cut-price way of replacing Brown.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-transfer-news-onuachu-edouard-dembele-turnbull” title=”The latest Celtic news and views!”]

James McFadden recently discussed that fact, saying: “To come in, with the experience he has got, I think he’d be a really good signing for Celtic. You have to get that balance. Bringing in young players to the team to add value to them is great, but you need the experienced ones in there to help them as well.”

The former Scotland international also discussed how McCarthy could come in and replace Brown.

Indeed, by looking at their positions on the pitch and their statistics, it’s hard to argue against that claim.

The Palace midfielder may lack a bit of the bite and aggression that Brown possesses but he’s assured in possession of the ball and can do the dirty work astutely.

In the Premier League last season, McCarthy made a colossal 2.5 successful tackles per game on the way to earning himself nine yellow cards. For context, Celtic’s captain has managed just 1.4 challenges a match in 2020/21.

If you consider the £50k-per-week midfielder is only 30, and the fact he’s stronger in the tackle, Celtic may well land themselves an upgrade here.

That can only be good news in their quest to rediscover their dominance of Scottish football.

AND in other news, Forget Klimala: Celtic must unleash rarely-seen 19 y/o Rodgers dubbed “very talented”…

What forms a recipe for a transfer at Molineux? Well, first of all, you have to be a fine cheese, a player capable of maturing over time and developing as each year passes by.

Secondly, you quite often have to hail from Iberia. Add a light sprinkling of Gestifute, Jorge Mendes’ agency, into the equation and you have a classic culmination.

Of course, Wolves do explore other areas but they have no fewer than eight of their players on the books of the so-called super agent. It’s hard to forget that Nuno Santo is also a client of Mendes.

Close ties to an agent as powerful as him leads to a lot of transfer rumours and one of the freshest to emerge regards Goncalo Guedes.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Wolves were trying to beat West Ham to the attacking midfielder’s signature. Again, he is a player with all the ingredients Jeff Shi loves.

He is Portuguese, he is young enough to develop at 24, and he’s a client of Mendes.

With seven goal involvements to his name in 2020/21, he’d be a shrewd addition for Wolves and crucially could give them a bit of added spice in the final third. After all, it’s something they’ve lacked enormously this term.

Fabio Silva has netted just twice while Willian Jose is yet to score for the Old Gold, something Steve Bull attributes to a lack of service.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said last week: “I can relate to where he’s [Jose] coming from because I’d be as frustrated as he is, and I’d want to get the wingers and strangle them and say get that ball in the box.”

Guedes is someone who can bring a bit of extra creativity to this Wolves side, possessing the ability to play on the wing and in behind the striker.

Though, as well as aiding Wolves’ frontline, he could make up for the loss of a certain Pedro Goncalves. The Portuguese sensation played a matter of minutes for the Molineux outfit before being sold to Sporting Lisbon with very little fanfare.

However, his development has been meteoric, now being linked with high-brow moves to clubs like Liverpool after scoring 15 goals and claiming five assists this term.

Guedes might not be as prolific as that, but he certainly knows where the net is and he comes with a glowing recommendation from none other than Luis Figo; “Guedes is a fast, irreverent and unpredictable player, who himself builds actions for his teammates and is also able to finish well,” the former Ballon d’Or winner said.

Building chances for others and finishing adeptly bears great similarity to Goncalves, a player Wolves must now be cursing their luck over.

Guedes has scored 20 times during his time at current club Valencia and due to the positions he occupies on the field, could be their inadvertent replacement.

AND in other news, Wolves must swoop for £74k-p/w beast this summer, Spiers once dubbed him “superb”…

Speaking to FootballFanCast, former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie expects defender Craig Dawson to be the ‘biggest signing’ that he believes ‘will happen’ for the Hammers this year – coming after manager David Moyes hinted there is a ‘good chance’ his loan is made permanent.

Dawson has excelled in recent months under Moyes, keeping the likes of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop out of the starting eleven, with the Englishman continuing to be a mainstay after Angelo Ogbonna’s ankle injury.

This has prompted calls for the club to properly snap up the loanee from Watford, and the Irons boss spoke candidly over the situation earlier this month.

McAvennie expects ‘biggest signing’ for West Ham

Moyes hinted that West Ham are ‘very close’ to the amount of games needed to trigger a permanent deal clause whilst hinting there is a ‘good chance’ he becomes an official Hammer (football.london).

McAvennie, speaking to FootballFanCast, expects Dawson to be the ‘biggest signing’ he believes ‘will happen’ this year – urging GSB to get a deal done.

“The biggest thing for me with West Ham is the defence, it’s solid,” explained the 61-year-old.

“The biggest signing they will make is Dawson. They have got to get that boy’s name on the paper, he’s been outstanding.

“For £3million for a centre-half like that, he complements the other defenders because the other defenders want to play football and look good, and he just puts his body on the line, gets in front and it’s good balance for the team. That’s the biggest signing that I think will happen this year.”

Transfer Tavern take

Time will tell when he becomes a permanent West Ham man after Moyes’ admission to the press that it is ‘close’, but McAvennie believes it is a necessity and the biggest acquisition GSB will make.

Given how has impressed since coming into the side, it’s hard to argue with the pundit’s assessment.

In other news: Pundit questions West Ham target’s attitude, find out more here.