According to reports in The Telegraph, new Everton director of football Marcel Brands will be holding talks with winger Ademola Lookman’s representatives in an effort to convince him that his future lies at Goodison Park.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the speedy 20-year-old has found first-team starts hard to come by for the Merseyside outfit after joining them from Charlton Athletic in January 2017, and he found himself out of favour under Ronald Koeman and then Sam Allardyce this season.
The winger – against Allardyce’s advice – chose to join Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the campaign during the previous January transfer window following the signing of Theo Walcott, and he made a big impact when he was handed an opportunity to impress.
Lookman may well be tempted to look into a permanent move to Germany, but The Telegraph says that Brands, who can help take the club to the next level by completing another huge £70m deal, will do everything he can to ensure the two parties come to an agreement that would see the England U21 international stay where he is.
How did Lookman do this season?
It was a tough campaign for the attacker as he made just 16 appearances in all competitions from July through until the end of January, playing just 152 minutes of Premier League football across seven outings.
Despite impressing as a substitute in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat against arch-rivals Liverpool at the start of 2018, he didn’t play another minute for the Merseyside outfit for the rest of the month before joining RB Leipzig on deadline day.
The 20-year-old went on to score five goals and provide a further four assists in just 11 games for the German club, showing the quality and potential that he has.
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Is Brands right to convince him to stay?
He certainly is.
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Everton pulled off something of a coup by fighting off interest from other Premier League clubs for the young winger, and it would be wrong of them to sell the 20-year-old without giving him a proper chance – especially after seeing his form for Leipzig.
With Henry Onyekuru set for another loan spell away and Yannick Bolasie struggling to regain his form after returning from a long-term injury, the left wing spot appears to be up for grabs during the pre-season, and Lookman has the quality to fill the role.
If Brands does succeed in his mission it will impress Toffees fans, and show that he is far more capable of completing his role successfully than his predecessor Steve Walsh.
When Liverpool fans witnessed the mixed back of a Christmas cracker they pulled just before the big day when they traveled to Arsenal and came away with a point, the present they opened just days afterwards was just what they wanted.
Or at least just what they needed.
This year, just as last year, the Reds have one glaring problem that is clearly in dire need of sorting. And in the summer, the only addition to an already-creaky defence was Andy Robertson at full-back, who has been overlooked by Alberto Moreno when the Spaniard is fit. Moreno may have improved somewhat at times this season, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that this year is a step down from last year, even, when James Milner was filling in under duress.
That’s probably why the transfer fee for Virgil van Dijk is so high: a world-record fee for a defender. Liverpool simply had to pay it and sort out a problem that’s been plaguing them for so long. The Dutchman will provide leadership and competence to a backline with neither. He will bring out the best in Joel Matip, who can play his naturally elegant game safe in the knowledge that he’s not the main man at centre-back.
And he will also give a bit of respite to Dejan Lovren, who has gamely soldiered on despite a raft of terrible performances coupled with some horrendous personal problems and painkilling injections just to play for the club: it might be a stretch, but the transition to understudy might allow the Croatian to find a bit of form again. At the very least, he should find himself out of the line of fire for the most part.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Southampton vs Newcastle United – St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, Britain – October 15, 2017 Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk in action with Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie as Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand looks on REUTERS/Eddie Keogh EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/leag
There can be no doubt that Virgil van Dijk is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and there are serious reasons to believe that he can provide more for Liverpool than simply one better centre-back. There’s a school of thought which holds that adding a new centre-back to the Anfield outfit will add no benefit since the main defensive deficiencies stem from systematic problems such as marking from set-plays and shape. That might be true, but don’t underestimate the lift that the addition of a leader can have in the defence.
And yet, there is still one niggling doubt about Van Dijk, particularly this season: and one that is best described through comparison to his new teammate (though perhaps not for long), Philippe Coutinho.
In the summer, both men were in a strikingly similar position. Both were subject of interest from what most would agree were ‘bigger’ clubs in some way. Liverpool are undoubtedly a bigger club than Southampton and being attracted to that offer makes logical sense. Whilst for a South American like Coutinho, the chance to play with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona, a worldwide brand never mind a football club, is clearly just as tempting. Both were also subject to rather large bids, too. Liverpool turned down a number of bids, the largest of which was reported to be in the region of £114m. Southampton held out after bids, reportedly of £60m, in July.
Both players clearly wanted to leave, and neither player started the season – a situation which would have angered many onlookers, and perhaps even the Premier League itself, as some of their top clubs were missing recognisable stars thanks to petty transfer wrangling. But what happened next is interesting.
Instead of getting back in the saddle and performing to the same standard as he had done last season, Virgil van Dijk has played just 11 times for his side this season, finding himself in and out of the team to begin with before playing for most of November and the first half of December before his move. Worse still, aside from the three minutes he played against Crystal Palace in September, Van Dijk has only been involved in one clean sheet all season in a game he started – a home win over struggling West Brom in October.
Coutinho, meanwhile, has reintegrated himself into the Liverpool team and won over the fans with his performances. He has contributed greatly to one of the most feared attacks in world football not to mention one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League. He has pitched in with seven goals and six assists. Whatever you think about the way he handled his summer situation, you have to admire his attempts to let his football make amends, and if anyone can ever earn a move just months after signing a new long-term contract, it’s surely the Brazilian.
The situations are different. Coutinho has had Champions League football to pick himself up for, and there’s also perhaps an extra motivation to perform in order to make sure that Barcelona keep their interest in him. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has been asked to perform in a struggling team under a new manager who can’t seem to get it right.
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But they’re also quite similar. And yet the reactions of both players have seemed to be polar opposites.
There’s no doubt that Virgil van Dijk can and probably will improve Liverpool’s defence. He is a signing worth making because he’s a long-term target who plays in a position in dire need. And yet his attitude, especially in comparison to Coutinho should send alarm bells ringing just a little bit: just imagine what would have happened if the Brazilian had done the same thing this autumn.
Manchester United are certainly champions on the pitch, dominating the Premier League era. There have been plenty of world class names that have graced the famous Old Trafford pitch for 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon to be rewarded with silverware at the end of the season.
Is this where the winning mentality stops? Not quite. When all of us grew up wishing to be professional footballers we wanted all the glitz and glamour that came with it. There are those who like to keep a low profile and carry on about their business away from the media limelight – but you won’t be finding any of that here.
There will be plenty in the United changing rooms past and present who will have a lot more to show for themselves then a collection of medals or engravings on a trophy when their careers come to pass. Sir Alex Ferguson once complained how the modern footballer has often been far more difficult to handle. This may gave you an insight into why when they have so much to distract them off the field of play too.
Eric Cantona may have retired early to try and find his way on the red carpet in Cannes, but this list will show plenty who have something they can parade in Leicester Square for movie premieres that doesn’t involve acting skills.
To see the illustrious list of Man United beauties click on Gemma Atkinson
Leeds fans are fearing the worst over the future of Tom Pearce, despite reports the youngster will enter fresh contract talks this week.
It’s been a pretty long season for Leeds fans this season, but there has unquestionably been one silver lining – the rise of several young players.
Paul Heckingbottom replaced Thomas Christiansen in February and has come under plenty of criticism from fans, picking up just four wins since taking the helm.
If there’s one thing the ex-Barnsley man has got right it is his trust in youth, giving chances to impressive youngsters like Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Paudie O’Connor, Ryan Edmondson and Tom Pearce.
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Peacock-Farrell and Pearce have been particularly impressive, and the club are now desperate to tie Pearce down to a new contract.
The 20 year-old full back’s contract runs out this summer, but he will enter fresh contract talks this week.
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Pearce was an Everton academy player, and is reportedly attracting interest from his former club.
Fans have been reacting to the news on Twitter, and they don’t seem too confident they can hang on to the impressive youngster…
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed the sale of Filipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid, according to reports from the Daily Star.
Luis only arrived at Stamford Bridge from Atletico last summer via a £16million deal, but the left-back struggled for first-team football playing behind Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order.
This has seen the Brazil international constantly linked with a return to his former side, and the switch is finally taking place after the two clubs reportedly agreed on a £11million fee.
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Now Blues manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that the Premier League champions will be searching for a new left-back to replace the 29-year-old in this summer transfer market.
“In this moment we need a left-back, because I think we are selling Filipe Luis now or tomorrow,” he said.
“But I think we will sell Filipe Luis. We need to go the market, we need to find a club that accepts a bid until Aug. 31, and we are going for a left-back.”
Mourinho also went on to add that a left-back will be the only other major signing this summer, unless another player leaves Stamford Bridge before the end of the window.
“In other positions we have no space,” he added.
“We are a very happy group. The players feel it. We are a club in peace. We are a club where our future has to be bright.
“But imagine if somebody comes with a bid on Aug. 29 and we are happy with the bid, the player is happy to leave. We must be ready.
“If we speak about new players at the moment we speak about the balance of the squad, which is a balanced squad.”
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One of the players being linked with a move to Chelsea is Ausburg left-back Abdul Baba Rahman, who Mourinho sees as the perfect player to play as back-up to Azpilicueta.
Wouldn’t it just be the most appropriate way to enter this summer’s market: Manchester United rounding off the top clubs in the Premier League by landing a Spanish-based midfielder and addressing that problem once and for all; a problem that isn’t really a problem but one that we paint in that respect regardless.
Thiago Alcantara may make the move away from Barcelona this summer, and it won’t be because Manchester United are too big a club to turn down and he’ll be in a team where the trophies will continue pour in; any move in the near future will be completely about the player.
And that’s where clubs like United will benefit. Having played less than 60 per cent of Barcelona’s first-team games this past season, Thiago’s buy-out clause has been reduced to a figure in or around £15 million. I don’t think Barcelona have lost any of their belief that the Spanish U21 international will one day become a leading light among European-based midfielders, but the time for him to take over one of the spots in their midfield on a regular basis just isn’t now.
You also need to look to the idea that maybe Thiago wants to forge a career and a reputation away from Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Maybe he doesn’t want to go his whole career being compared to two players who he has been touted to replace in the future. Thiago plays the game as well as any midfielder in his age group and can become an elite player in a few short years. He can be deployed in the ‘pivot’ role or closer to the striker, obviously meaning that comparisons to either Xavi or Iniesta will never truly go away.
But Manchester United does tick all the right boxes. He’s far too good to not go to a club like United, and he’s far too good not to become their most vital midfield acquisition in many, many years. The ideal replacement for Paul Scholes? Well that just opens up the same problems to what’s currently on the table at Barcelona. No, Thiago will forge his own legacy as the focal point of Manchester United’s dominance over the next few years – provided he makes the switch.
The pieces are already in place for a player of his calibre at Old Trafford. Jurgen Klopp sounded bewildered and disappointed that Shinji Kagawa was reduced to a role on the flank of United’s attack. And who’s going to argue with the Dortmund manager? He brought Kagawa to Europe and allowed him to become with one of the Bundesliga’s finest attackers in those two title-winning seasons. Kagawa was so vital to Dortmund’s success that he kept Mario Goetze out on the right flank while he pulled the strings in the middle. If David Moyes opts to go down a similar path with one striker at United, Thiago and Kagawa could form an irresistible partnership in the midfield.
There is, of course, still some way to go before Thiago is the complete midfield player. As already mentioned, he doesn’t hold an integral role in the Barcelona squad, but has been preferred in the middle over Cesc Fabregas at times. He has plenty of tricks and flicks in his locker, many of which force a smile at the pure audacity. But taking on a lead role in a team like United will force greater discipline and the need to only use elaborate plays when necessary.
Thiago has won titles and he’s done it off the backs of others, with the senior Barcelona players taking him under their wing. That may still be the case even once those players move on through retirement. It shouldn’t simply be a matter a landing titles in his immediate future, rather it’s is about Thiago establishing himself as a full international and a leader in a team that doesn’t persist with recollections of the past, notably one that included him.
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So instead of asking whether Thiago is the ideal signing for Manchester United, it’s better to say that United offers the ideal destination for Thiago.
According to reports, Everton are interested in making Patrick Vieira their next manager, as the Toffees consider options to replace Sam Allardyce.
What’s the story?
It’s been a pretty difficult season for Sam Allardyce and Everton, as fans have been left frustrated by the performances regardless of what results they yield.
The Metro now claims Patrick Vieira is on the shortlist of candidates to replace Big Sam, despite the Frenchman being heavily linked with a return to Arsenal.
Marco Silva and Paulo Fonseca have both been linked with moves to Goodison, but the report claims Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is a “keen admirer” of Vieira.
The Frenchman is currently in charge of MLS side New York City FC, after spending four years as part of the youth setup at Manchester City.
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Good fit at Goodison?
There’s no question Everton need to replace Sam Allardyce this summer, as the relationship between the fans and the former England manager has simply become too toxic to salvage.
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca is a name lots of fans have loved the links to, and it’s clear fans share the same philosophy as the club in wanting a young, dynamic coach to replace Big Sam.
Vieira currently has a 45 per cent win rate as manager of New York City, a side which relies heavily on the goals of Spain legend David Villa.
Despite his relative success in the United States though, the jump to Goodison might just be too much for Vieira, who has absolutely zero senior managerial experience in Europe.
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Everton are right to seek a young, exciting manager to inspire the players and fans, but they would be much better served pursuing the likes of Fonseca and Silva than the former Arsenal superstar.
Another alternative for the Toffees could be to offer Arsene Wenger a short term deal, and give Vieira the job once he racks up some more experience.
So, Everton fans, would you like Vieira to replace Big Sam this summer? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
It may have come down to a bit of final day fortune but Mauricio Pochettino will be very pleased with a fifth-place finish during his first season as Tottenham manager.
The Lilywhites haven’t done better since the 2011/12 campaign, despite the Argentine finding himself obliged to turn to youth products amid the apathetic performances of the Lilywhites’ more recognised names.
But Pochettino has now set a standard that he’ll have to surpass next season – namely, breaking the glass ceiling between the north London club and the Premier League’s regular Champions League qualifiers.
That will take acquiring some top class quality in the transfer market this summer, however – which is no easy feat when you’re not plying your trade in Europe’s flagship tournament.
So just in case the White Hart Lane gaffer is short on a few ideas ahead of the coming transfer window, we’ve listed FIVE signings that would guarantee Spurs Champions League qualification next season.
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MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN
Central midfield has become arguably Tottenham’s weakest department this season, with inexperienced duo Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason stepping in for the lackadaisical likes of Moussa Dembele, Etienne Capoue and Paulinho – who are all widely expected to leave White Hart Lane this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino needs to add star quality that also pushes Spurs’ starting Xi further towards his own philosophy – and on both of those fronts, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin fits the bill perfectly.
Since the Saints’ top flight ascension in summer 2012, he’s emerged as one of the Premier League’s most formidable enforcers, this term averaging the second-most tackles per match, 3.7, of any player in the division.
That’s had an undoubted influence on Ronald Koeman’s side finishing the year with a goals conceded record of 33, only bettered by champions Chelsea.
After almost forcing his way out of St. Mary’s last summer, the 25 year-old is almost certain to leave in the coming transfer window. The France international’s £25million price-tag should be within the Lilywhites’ financial reach but Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked in recent weeks.
JAMES MILNER
Experience and depth are crucial components of any Champions League qualification bid and Manchester City’s James Milner offers both in abundance.
What’s not to like about this guy? He’s home-grown, two-footed, creative yet industrious, a consummate professional, extremely versatile and offers an ocean of experience, with 418 Premier League appearances and 53 England caps under his belt already.
Furthermore, the 29 year-old is set to leave the Eithad on a free transfer this summer despite enjoying arguably his most productive season to date for the Citizens, amassing five goals and seven assists in 32 Premier League appearances.
That will make the midfielder – who has been tested at right back and centre-forward over the last year – one of the best value-for-money signings in the coming transfer window.
Any club who can offer regular first team football stand a chance of attaining Milner’s signature. Currently, however, it seems to be a race between Arsenal and Liverpool.
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
Spurs need someone to share the goalscoring load with Harry Kane and few Premier League strikers have shown better form in 2015 than Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.
Just when the Belgian battering ram appeared to be on the verge of dropping into the abyss of mediocrity, he’s re-emerged as one of the English top flight’s most formidable target men, bagging twelve goals in his last twelve appearances for the Birmingham outfit.
Mauricio Pochettino favoured old-fashioned No.9s during his Southampton days, namely Rickie Lambert and Dani Osvaldo, and the 24 year-old firmly falls into that category as well, boasting a beastly 6 foot 3 frame that torments opposition backlines and brings others into the game.
Villa boss Tim Sherwood has admitted the Belgium international could force a move away from Villa Park this summer, with the tabloids valuing him at around £30million.
But with clubs like Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool reportedly interested, Spurs are facing an uphill battle.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD
Another Southampton-based suggestion, Toby Alderweireld excited many a Tottenham fan when he claimed he wanted to reunite with former Ajax centre-back partner Jan Vertonghen a few months ago.
The Belgium international has been in fantastic form for Southampton this season, averaging 1.7 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 5.7 clearances and 1.5 successful aerial duels per-match as part of a Saints backline boasting the second-healthiest goals conceded record in the Premier League.
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The south coast outfit want to sign him permanently from Atletico Madrid and they apparently have a £6.8million option to do so.
But Atletico could refuse Southampton’s bid at the cost of £1.5million – which would then allow them to sell the 26 year-old to the north Londoners for around £10million.
Pochettino is reportedly desperate to bolster his centre-back options this summer and Alderweireld would be the perfect candidate. Not only does he offer the starting Xi superior quality, but his arrival might also convince Vertonghen to pen his long-awaited contract extension.
PEDRO
Winger-forward Pedro has done it and won it all throughout his Barcelona and Spain careers, namely lifting five La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, whilst generating a return of 114 goals in 365 appearances.
At 27 years of age, he’s still firmly within his prime, but the La Liga star’s Nou Camp tenure could come to an abrupt end this summer after slumping behind £75million signing Luis Suarez in the pecking order. His contract is due to expire at the end of next season and without a new deal in sight, the Catalans are reportedly willing to sell for just £7million.
Of course, his likeliest suitors include Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United – the Premier League’s most renowned clubs.
But the tabloids believe Spurs have an outside chance of landing the Spain star too this summer. However unlikely that may seem, it’s an opportunity the Lilywhites just can’t afford to pass up.
As doubts surround the future of Roberto Mancini, Ajax boss Frank De Boer has admitted he wants to manage Manchester City.
Mancini could be facing the axe in the summer after falling well behind Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title, while an early exit from the Champions League also did not help matters.
De Boer has been mentioned as one possible successor should City decide to make a change at the end of the season and the Dutchman has admitted a move to City appeals.
“Manchester City are something I want to do, yes. But it is difficult for me to move my family abroad at the moment,” he revealed. “I have to consider others, not just myself.”
Meanwhile, Ajax director Marc Overmars also admits that they could face a battle to keep hold of De Boer with City in the hunt for his signature.
“Am I worried? Not for losing Frank now, but City will be a big competitor for his signature in the near future.” he said.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Federico Fazio suffered a nightmare night as AS Roma were beaten 5-2 by Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at Anfield on Tuesday night, and Spurs fans were quick to react to the £9m-rated centre-back’s display.
The 31-year-old lined up as part of a three-man defence against Jurgen Klopp’s in-form attacking trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, and the high line they tried to play proved to be a disaster as they found themselves 2-0 down at the break, and then 5-0 behind with more than 20 minutes still left to play.
Spurs signed the Argentina international from Sevilla in 2014, but he struggled and only made 32 appearances in all competitions for the club before re-joining the La Liga club on loan, and then eventually signing permanently with Roma last summer.
Tottenham supporters, who continue to heap praise on one of Fazio’s old centre-back partners Jan Vertonghen, took to social media to give their thoughts on his latest performance, and while one described him as “worse than Lovren”, another said “that’s why we got rid of Fazio”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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