All posts by h79snht.top

Earlier this week, Everton manager Ronald Koeman told Belgium newspaper HLN that striker Romelu Lukaku needs to leave the club in order to achieve his potential.

The 23-year-old has been in prolific form for the Toffees ever since initially joining them on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, and he made the move permanent for a fee of £28m the following year.

The Belgium international scored 25 times in all appearances for the Merseyside outfit last term and has netted seven of his side’s 15 Premier League goals so far this season.

Lukaku reportedly handed in a transfer request during the summer before later withdrawing it.

However, following his boss’ latest comments, a transfer away from the Toffees could be on the cards sooner rather than later.

Not all Everton fans are happy with Koeman, but here are three reasons why the Dutchman was right to say Lukaku should leave…

He might have ignited a bidding war

The Dutchman knows that there is already lots of interest in his striker, and following the Belgium international handing in a summer transfer request when Chelsea came calling, he will know that the 23-year-old will likely leave Goodison Park for pastures new in the not so distant future.

Saying that the attacker needs to leave to fulfil his potential will alert the biggest clubs across Europe, and potentially create a bidding war that could financially reward the club.

It could persuade players to move to Goodison Park

As teams like Koeman’s former club Southampton have accepted, the best plan for those at theirs and Everton’s level is to bring in players with potential for a relatively cheap fee, develop them and sell them on at a significant profit.

If Lukaku does leave for one of the European giants, other players could then see the Toffees as a stepping stone and will know that if they impress at Goodison Park, they will attract interest.

That may be a rather pragmatic view which won’t sit well with all Everton fans. But having future world-class stars for a couple of seasons is surely better than none at all?

It could motivate the striker

Koeman has sent out a message to his striker that if he continues scoring goals for Everton, he will be allowed to move on should the right club come calling.

That should motivate the Belgian to produce his best form in order to create interest among clubs, as he looks to become one of the best forwards in Europe.

Once again, a free-scoring Lukaku can only be a good thing for the Goodison outfit.

Manchester United (whisper it quietly) seem to have built a bit of momentum. Performances have been on a pleasing trajectory for the last couple of weeks and, despite disappointment against Everton, results could be about to turn around. Victory over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon kept Jose Mourinho’s side alive in the race for the top four, but that will be a shallow joy if they do not continue their form against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

[ffc_insert title=”Squad sizes since Ferguson departure points to United demise” image=”https://www.footballfancast.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-12-11T162043Z_124474843_MT1ACI14701659_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-MUN-TOT.jpg?admin” link=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/manchester-united/are-inflated-squads-holding-man-united-back” link_text=”Read more” ]

The trouble for Mourinho this season has been keeping standards high. Strong performances, particularly in the cup competitions, have given hope during a stuttering season. At times they have shown signs that this team are capable of more, but all too often those encouraging performances have been followed by abject displays or poor results. Every time they look to be breaking over the crest of the hill they have been climbing for years, they slide back down again.

Palace too have thrust themselves out of a rut. Six goals and four points in their last two games have brought an end to a dire string of defeats, probably saving Alan Pardew’s job in the process. A visit to a bouncing Selhurst Park on a midweek evening is not going to be a pleasant experience for Manchester United. Their defence will be tested by the power of Christian Benteke and the dazzling footwork of their former player, Wilfried Zaha. Football has a habit of throwing up stories like that

It is, in so many ways, the kind of fixture that will trouble Mourinho’s side. Manchester United’s full-back troubles will be tested by Zaha and Andros Townsend, but they can have faith that they will create chances of their own. Only three teams have conceded more goals in the league this season than the Eagles. Perhaps worryingly for Manchester United, they have also scored more than every other side outside the top four.

Their results and league position are representative of their season in part, but that does not undermine the threat that Palace pose. If Mourinho’s first season at Manchester United is to amount for anything, he simply must win games like this. It is an opportunity to build a good streak of results, something they have failed to do since the start of the campaign.

Results at the weekend reduced United’s top four deficit to six points. But that will be extinguished unless they can conquer their pattern of the season. Victories over Leicester City, Manchester City (in the EFL Cup), Swansea City and Feyenoord were all followed by disappointing league results: encouraging highs followed by devastating lows. League football gives no prizes for the individual performance and United have failed to compile any notable run of form since they won their opening four Premier League games.

Each game seems to present a critical moment for Manchester United since defeat to Manchester City in September. That is entirely of their own making. Allowing the gap from the top four to inflate over the last couple of months has increased the pressure on each and every match. With every point dropped, their chances of qualifying for the Champions League decrease. It is a problem they have brought upon themselves and a club of Manchester United’s stature cannot expect anything other than such expectations. The only way to calm the hysteria around each poor result, is to prove that they can maintain some form for a prolonged period of time.

[ad_pod id=’domino-survey’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Liverpool put on a post-Christmas extravaganza during their comprehensive 4-1 victory over Stoke in midweek, but this weekend they face a far greater challenge as they host title rivals Manchester City.

The game against Stoke saw the Reds keep pace with table-toppers Chelsea, and the Merseysiders will be hoping to keep their charge towards Premier League success on course against a somewhat underwhelming Pep Guardiola side.

City travel to Merseyside on the back of three successive victories – a feat they had not managed since September prior to beating Hull on Boxing Day – and more significantly welcome back Sergio Aguero following his four-game suspension.

In three games against the Citizens during his time on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp has not been beaten by them in normal time, with two victories and a penalty shoot-out loss in the Capital One Cup final to his name. In fact, the Reds won the reverse fixture 3-0 last season, but today’s game is more significant than all before – aside from the League Cup Final, perhaps.

Here is the starting XI Klopp must pick to overcome Guardiola’s City…

GK: Simon Mignolet

The Belgian goalkeeper is deserving of holding his place in the starting XI following some impressive displays since replacing Loris Karius.

In fact, the Reds have won three successive games with Mignolet between the sticks since the German’s poor showing vs. West Ham at the beginning of the month.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

Clyne’s performances in recent weeks have been sensational and once again he must be in the XI against Manchester City.

This evening’s opponents are likely to play with a very wide system, and Clyne must not neglect his defensive duties when he attempts to bomb forward and attack City’s shaky defence.

CB: Dejan Lovren

Lovren faces arguably his toughest task of the season as he must attempt to stop Aguero having any significant impact on the match at Anfield.

Aguero will be the focal point of City’s attack and preventing him from scoring will be no easy job.

A faultless performance must be produced by the Croatian defender to boost the Reds’ chances of success against City.

CB: Ragnar Klavan

With Joel Matip missing due to an ankle injury, Klavan should continue at the heart of the Liverpool back four.

Against Everton a fortnight ago the defender silenced Romelu Lukaku and ensured the Belgian forward had little impact on the contest.

Klavan has not put a foot wrong since moving tio England from Augsburg this summer and that must continue against this attack minded City side.

LB: James Milner

Klopp has the decision to make between Milner or Alberto Moreno at left-back.

The Spanish defender could attack City’s defence to a greater extent than Milner, but the former City player adds more defensive security.

Milner, who will almost certainly be picked, must prevent Raheem Sterling from stretching the Reds from wide areas, and this is one battle the team must win to guarantee victory.

CM: Jordan Henderson

The Liverpool skipper has previous against City as in 2015 he scored one of the goals of his career against the Reds’ North West rivals.

Henderson’s intensity and never say die attitude could be a significant factor for his team, but he must contain the energy and dynamism of City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and allow him no space on the ball.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

The Dutchman’s work often gets overlooked, but the way he has been threading the play together in recent weeks has been a joy to watch.

Maintaining pass completion stats in the upper 80% region, his composure and physicality will be needed against a Man City team that will want to control the tempo of the game.

CM: Adam Lallana

We may only be at the halfway stage of the Premier League season, but surely Lallana could be talked about as a potential player of the year nominee?

The England midfielder has been sensational this season, and if he can get the better of City duo Fernandinho and Yaya Toure, the Reds may overcome the Citizens.

RW: Sadio Mane

Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat is likely to come from forward Mane.

The Senegal player will depart the club for international duty soon, but against City he can leave a lasting memory that will live through his potential six-week absence.

Mane’s pace, directness and ability to score is everything City have struggled to contain this season.

LW: Roberto Firmino

Brazilian forward Firmino would have been forgiven for being sidetracked on Tuesday against Stoke due to some off-field issues, but instead, he managed to inspire Liverpool to victory at Anfield.

The Reds face a different animal when City come to town, but nonetheless, another Firmino goal could be the difference between the two sides.

ST: Divock Origi

With Philippe Coutinho missing due to injury, Origi has become the spearhead of Liverpool’s attack.

The Belgian forward has scored five goals in six games since Coutinho was sidelined against Sunderland, and against City, he must continue his good run.

2017 is here, folks. To be honest, we’re all glad to see the back of 2016 for a variety of reasons, but one part of the last 365 days that was truly enjoyable was the football.

Indeed, we had Leicester defying the odds to be named Premier League champions, a major tournament in the European Championship and many other thrills and spills along the way, but we at FootballFanCast think that 2017 will be just (or at least almost) as good!

‘How?’ we hear you scream. Well, we think there will be some very interesting narratives between now and the end of the Premier League season for starters, with the table now set up intriguingly for the latter half of the campaign.

With that in mind, we have our very own @RyanJayBailey on board for his weekly video, and he’s predicting big things for Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as much change at Arsenal…

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Tottenham Hotspur ace Erik Lamela is keen to leave the club at the end of the season and his preference is to return to Roma, Squawka reports.

What’s the word?

Out of action since October due to injury, Erik Lamela has been in Rome during his recovery and it seems the Argentine winger wants to make the Italian city his home once again, having never quite settled in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old arrived at White Hart Lane in 2013 as part of a vast spending spree that took place after the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid and Lamela now seems to be heading down the same route as Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, another two expensive signings that summer, by exiting North London without too much of a fanfare.

Lamela is said to be unsettled in London and wants to return to Roma, where he enjoyed success in his final season by scoring 15 goals in 30 games- a tally of strikes he’s yet to hit in 85 Premier League appearances.

The Bale curse?

Erik Lamela, signed for a fee reportedly rising up to as much as £30m, looks set to be the latest player signed amidst the flurry of activity that followed Bale’s switch to the Santiago Bernabeu that has failed to live up to expectations.

The Argentine is set to follow the likes of Paulinho, who was signed for around £17m but left after two years, Roberto Soldado, who cost £26m but couldn’t find the net regularly, and Vlad Chiriches out of White Hart Lane. Etienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli, two further arrivals that summer, also left without making a huge impression.

It would be unfair to say that all of Spurs’ signings that summer were a waste of money though because a certain Christian Eriksen also arrived in North London, going on to make over 100 Premier League appearances.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield, the club has announced.

What are the details?

The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on what Sky Sports claim is a five-year deal.

Manager Jurgen Klopp clearly sees the defender as one for the future, not only because of his age, but because he has been unable to really show his ability since moving to Charlton in 2015.

Gomez has made just nine appearances in all competitions for the Reds due to serious injury problems, which kept him on the sidelines for 15 months.

The England Under-21 international returned to the training pitch earlier this season and has had two outings, both in the FA Cup.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

Are Liverpool taking a risk with Gomez?

The teenager arrived on Merseyside with plenty of promise, and under the guidance of former manager Brendan Rodgers he impressed in the early games of the 2015-16 campaign.

He only had a handful of opportunities to shine before getting struck down with injury, but in that time he showed that he had no fear.

Being a young teen and moving to a top Premier League club can be daunting, but he demonstrated strength and composure on the ball.

The player is also very versatile, as he can play as a centre-back or a full-back on either side.

In some cases, lengthy injury spells can affect a player’s ability when they return, particularly young guns who are still developing.

However, Klopp clearly sees plenty of strong attributes in Gomez, who could turn out to be a regular starter under the German coach.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has decided to stay at the club next season, despite attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere, according to the Daily Star.

What’s the word?

The 25-year-old was a regular feature in the transfer gossip pages during the January window, but a move failed to materialise.

The Saints were always going to stand firm in the Van Dijk situation, particularly after his centre-back partner Jose Fonte left to join West Ham United.

Interest from rival clubs may have waned slightly when he suffered an ankle injury in a win over Leicester City on January 22, keeping him out of action for three months.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have been rumoured as potential suitors for the Dutchman, but the Daily Star reports that Van Dijk has decided to remain at St Mary’s for next season.

The publication claims that when the defender was handed the captain’s armband following Fonte’s exit, it was agreed that he would stay at the club until at least the end of next season.

Is this the right call from Van Dijk?

Being given the responsibility of captain is an honour for any footballer, but receiving offers from high-profile clubs would turn anyone’s head.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

According to this latest report, Van Dijk is committed to the Saints, but he could miss an opportunity to take a significant step in his career if he turns down a move this summer.

The defender, who is rumoured to be rated at around £50m, was one of the standout players of the league in his position before he was struck down with injury.

There is no guarantee that he will be as consistent in the 2017-18 campaign, and his chances of potentially playing in Europe have gone.

On the flip side, the former Celtic man is one of the Saints’ key men on the pitch and if Southampton manage to upset the odds in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United, it could kickstart a successful run.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Lorenzo Insigne have taken a hit as the Napoli attacker is due to sign a new contract,Âaccording to Il Mattino.

What’s the word?

The Gunners have been linked with the Italian for some time, but a transfer has never come to fruition.

Journalist Nicolo Schira tweeted earlier this week that Arsenal are due to open talks with Insigne after sending scouts to watch him play and score in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Chievo.

However,ÂIl Mattino claimsÂthat the 25-year-old will resume discussions with the Serie A club about penning a new deal.

It is believed that talks initially stalled due to the player’s £80,000-a-week wage demands, but now he is expected to sign a contract that will include a buyout clause.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

How big a blow for Arsenal is it?

There is no doubt about Insigne’s talent. He has scored nine goals in 33 appearances in all competitions and has provided six assists in Serie A alone.

With Alexis Sanchez being handed more of a central attacking role at Arsenal nowadays, Insigne would be given a chance to play wide if he were to sign.

The Italian has the ability to play on both sides, but he is predominantly placed on the left side of the attack.

As well as being able to score goals, Insigne has a football brain – he can find pockets of space and his pass accuracy is top notch.

Arsene Wenger has plenty of attack-minded players in his squad, but when the likes of Mesut Ozil are having an off day, Insigne could provide that extra zest they need.

[ad_pod id=’Shoot-Xmas-Survey’ align=’left’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

If you want to buy Alexandre Lacazette, you’re going to have to pay a fortune.

Perhaps that’s one reason why no one has done it yet. Olympique Lyonnais have been able to hold out for longer than many would have anticipated for a player who is surely on the radars of most of the Europe’s top clubs. He is one of the hottest properties on the continent.

Most of the clubs linked have money to burn, though. So what’s stopping them? Maybe it’s not just Lyon’s price tag, then. Maybe there’s something else.

Lacazette plays in a Lyon side who currently sit in fourth place in Ligue 1. They’re struggling, really: 16 points behind leaders Monaco and 19 points ahead of Dijon in the final relegation place. Not that Lyon are in any danger of relegation or even finishing outside the European places, in fairness. It’s just that, in a season where PSG are being challenged for the title by two teams, you’d expect one of them to be Lyon. Instead, it’s Monaco and Nice.

Struggling though his side might be, Lacazette has 22 goals in 22 Ligue 1 appearances this season. 27 goals in 31 games in all competitions, in fact. He is a goal machine. The very definition, almost.

That’s because, really, goals are all Lacazette does. A horrible start to last season saw him go the first month of the season without a goal. He rallied back and managed 23 in all competitions, recording a respectable total in the end, but his goal drought wasn’t the main reason he was left out of France’s Euro 2016 squad. His all-round link-up play has been questioned, as has his passing ability and his work off the ball.

The reality is that in modern football, strikers seem to need more than power, pace, and finishing ability. If Liverpool are an interested party, then you only need to look at Daniel Sturridge’s struggles on the bench to see that Lacazette would be a big risk. It’s a similar story with Arsenal. If there are questions over his ability to press high up the pitch, then the reported £60m price tag will surely make top clubs think twice.

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Manchester United face the rather unenviable task of travelling all the way to eastern Russia tomorrow night, representing a difficult task in more ways than one for Jose Mourinho. Clearly, the journey itself – coming just a few days before a crunch FA Cup clash with former club Chelsea – is far from ideal, though the competition itself offers up many pros and cons.

Though Mourinho has stated his side will only prioritise the Europa Leauge if they progress to the quarter-finals, winning the competition outright offers another route into the Champions League. With the race for the top four hotly contested in the Premier League, another chance of making it back into the European elite may well be essential.

Despite the fact the Portuguese boss has hinted this competition is on the back burner right now, he did field a very strong team in the last round against St Etienne, even when they were 3-0 up on aggregate, a game that saw the excellent Henrikh Mkhitaryan injured for the EFL Cup final. So, it’s a classic case of stick or twist for Mourinho, with Chelsea and Antonio Conte on the horizon.

With that in mind, do you think he should field a weakened team against FC Rostov tomorrow night or not?

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]