Everton fans will all agree that Marco Silva needs to make a number of changes in the summer transfer window, with a number of players getting on with age and consistency being an issue. 

The Toffees will still have their sights set on securing a European spot in the Premier League this season but their lack of consistency throughout the current campaign has meant that they’re now forced to chase the teams above.

It’s safe to say that one area that needs improving is at right-back as Seamus Coleman is getting on with age and Jonjo Kenny hasn’t exactly had much of an impact on proceedings.

Interestingly, the Toffees are reportedly (as per The Sun) lining up a £20 million bid for Kieran Trippier.

It’s believed that Spurs are willing to offload the Englishman this summer, which is perfect for the Toffees as they won’t have to look very far to find a potential replacement for Coleman.

Mauricio Pochettino has transformed Trippier into one of the best right-backs in the Premier League since he arrived from Burnley, but his performances have dropped slightly in the current campaign.

Although, he could be the perfect man to line up for Everton at right-back as he loves to get forward and whips in a very dangerous ball into the box. Also, he’s solid in defence and possesses the ability to snuff out attacks with ease, which is something that has let the Toffees down at times this season.

Indeed, Goodison Park would be delighted to see an attack-minded right-back who has the ability to influence the game in the final third, as they’ve adored Coleman’s bursts down the right-hand side over the years.

Marcel Brands shouldn’t face any great difficulties in getting a deal done for the 28-year-old and £20 million seems like a very reasonable price for an accomplished right-back.

Everton fans, could you see Trippier replacing Coleman? Join the discussion by commenting down below!

Liverpool fans will be feeling tense as the Premier League season starts to enter its final stages, especially with how Manchester City are currently performing. The Reds will know that they can ill-afford any defeats at this moment and will need to ensure they take maximum points from their remaining nine fixtures.

There is no denying that Jurgen Klopp has one of the best defences in the top-flight, however, there have been some doubts in recent games about their ability to find the back of the net and create enough opportunities for their forward line, which may have led to renewed speculation about a former transfer target.

What’s the News?

According to a report by Calciomercato, Liverpool are understood to remain interested in Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski and ‘insist’ on the player.

The Poland international midfielder is thought to remain on the Premier League outfit’s radar despite being believed to be edging closer to a new deal with the Serie A outfit.

The Anfield outfit’s interest in the 24-year-old is thought to have begun in 2016 following an impressive European Championship tournament with his country, however, they missed out on him with Napoli acquiring him.

The Verdict:

If one thing is for certain regarding the Poland international, it is that the links to the Premier League side do not appear to be going away any time soon and he is the type of player that could certainly bring something of value to Klopp’s side.

The 24-year-old is one of the hottest midfielders in European football, with his pace, vision and the ability to pick out a pass having impressed a number of onlookers, including former boss Maurizio Sarri, who once dubbed him as the next Kevin De Bruyne.

“He is an absolute talent, he also has great physical skills and if he grows in the level of personality, he can play in any area of the court, the new De Bruyne,” he told Tuttomercatoweb at the beginning of 2018.

With Zielinski understood to be closing in on a new deal at Napoli, it would seem incredibly unlikely for Liverpool to sign him, even if they do insist on him, making the claim a little hard to believe.

Liverpool fans, what do you make of the constant speculation surrounding a move for Zielinski and do you think a move will ever happen for him? Join in with the discussion below by letting us know what you think.

The long-awaited home debut of new signing Miguel Almiron on Saturday would certainly have left Newcastle United fans optimistic and excited about the potential heights the player can achieve under the watchful eye of Rafa Benitez.

Almiron started on the left wing against Huddersfield Town with Christian Atsu dropping to bench as Benitez opted for a four-man midfield, with Salomon Rondon leading the line.

But, the former MLS star soon showed why the Magpies broke the bank for his signature when he almost opened the scoring the 12th minute.

Almiron was put in on goal by a brilliant Isaac Hayden pass, leaving him one-on-one with goalkeeper Jonas Lossl after sprinting away from the Terriers’ defenders. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old hit the woodwork, but it was an early sign to the Newcastle faithful of what he is capable of.

Almiron came close again in the 30th minute of the match after silky footwork left him in space on the left edge of the box before he unleashed a shot which was cleared of the line by the visitors.

Overall, the Paraguayan proved just why he’s the type of player the Magpies have been longing for with his direct style of play and ability to drive forward with pace and skill.

He also showed on Saturday what a hardworking player he is on the field and the distance he covered both in attack and while tracking back should be really pleasing for Benitez.

Despite it being Huddersfield, the whole Newcastle team looked confident from the very first minute to the full-time whistle, because of the energy that Almiron brought to the team.

For the first time in years, Newcastle now have a player who can cause proper problems to opposition teams because of the threat he poses with his pace and acceleration.

Opponents will now constantly have to monitor his movement on the pitch by not giving him space to run into, otherwise he will punish you.

So, it appears as if Ashley’s summer splurge has provided Newcastle United with a potential St James’ Park hero, as the South American is already showing promising signs.

Is it going to be the year we finally see Sunderland climb up the leagues rather than fall down them? Well, no quite knows. Perhaps expecting the Black Cats to instantly turn around their form after so many years of disappointment was a bit much, but hope certainly remains. Indeed, SOME fans feel they need to prepare for playoffs, MOST, however, believe automatic promotion is theirs. 

With a game in hand, is it time to get excited once again for the Black Cats? Boss Jack Ross will certainly feel that the fate of the club is in their own hands. Isn’t that a nice feeling for everyone on Wearside? Clearly, it’s not been perfect, but there’s certainly an element of control at the Stadium of Light for the first time in years.

So, with an important home game against Walsall up next, we take a look at who should come in and boost the team to the next level.

Drop Lee Cattermole 

Cattermole is by far one of the Black Cats’ heroes of the modern day, being at the club for over nine years, he has faced the highs and the extreme lows of Sunderland Football Club.

This season, however, has seen the 30-year-old look his age, if not even older.

Looking slower, and short of ideas in the Black Cats’ 0-0 draw with Barnsley, it can be argued that it could be time for a change up in the midfield, giving the Englishman a break towards the latter stages of the season.

As the campaign enters its proverbial business end, they’ll need him fresh.

Start Dylan McGeouch 

Having struggled to get into the side in recent weeks, it may be time for McGeouch to step up and help push the team over the promotion line as the games come thick and fast. A player of immense quality on the ball, the Scottish international can help Sunderland exert their class later.

With his experience in the Scottish Premiership, there is no doubting that the 26-year-old knows how to control games. Needing to prove his worth at the club ahead of a potential promotion, McGeouch mus recapture his form.

يشعر مارشيلو ليبي بالفضول لمعرفة القرار الذي تم اتخاذه بشأن مباراة يوفنتوس ونابولي بالجولة الثالثة للدوري الإيطالي، والتي لم تُلعّب بعد عدم ذهاب لاعبي البارتينوبي لملعب “آليانز ستاديوم”.

ولم يذهب لاعبو نابولي لأن الرابطة الصحية المحلية أمرت الفريق بالعزل الذاتي بعد ظهور إصابتين بفيروس كورونا، لكن يوفنتوس ورابطة الدوري الإيطالي يصران على أنه يجب الحفاظ على البروتوكول الحالي.

لم يتوقع أحد هذه الزيادة في الحالات الإيجابية، وقال ليبي لشبكة “سكاي سبورت إيطاليا”: “الأمر صعب للغاية الآن، لكن إذا بدأنا الموسم ببروتوكول وافق عليه الجميع، فعلينا الاستمرار في ذلك”.

طالع.. يوفنتوس يعلن نتيجة مسحات اللاعبين بعد العزل الاحترازي

وأضاف مدرب إيطاليا ويوفنتوس الأسبق: “لدي فضول لمعرفة كيف تتعامل اللجنة التأديبية مع قضية يوفنتوس ونابولي، لأنهم لا يستطيعون خلق سابقة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماكيني يكشف كواليس تدريبات يوفنتوس مع رونالدو وبيرلو

ومن المفترض أن تحتسب نقاط المباراة الثلاثة ليوفنتوس، لكن مع قرار هيئة الصحة المحلية بمنع لاعبي نابولي من السفر، قد يتم إعادة المباراة.

ليبي قاد المنتخب الإيطالي للفوز بكأس العالم في عام 2006 وقد أعجب بفريق روبرتو مانشيني، الذي فاز في 12 من آخر 13 مباراة.

وأتم: “كان عمل مانشيني رائعًا، حيث بدأ بالاتصال ببعض اللاعبين الشباب قبل أن يكونوا قد ظهروا لأول مرة على مستوى النادي، لديه أسلوب كرة قدم هجومي وإيجابي وهذا أمر رائع”.

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Leeds United are currently on the verge of securing a return to the Premier League after a fifteen year absence. The Whites are in the automatic promotion places with just nine Championship fixtures still to go.

They could give their hopes a huge boost on Saturday when they take on fellow promotion-hopefuls Sheffield United at Elland Road.

It’s a potentially season-defining encounter for both clubs and the pressure is very much on. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is remaining calm in the build up to the game though and has given his views on how well equipped his side are to handle the occasion.

What he said

As quoted by the club on Twitter, Bielsa has asserted his opinion that Saturday’s match is not the be-all and end-all, saying: “No win is more important than any other at this stage.”

It is undeniable, however, that his team will be aware of the significance this match holds in the eyes of the fans.

Centre-back Pontus Jansson has already referred to the upcoming fixture with the Blades as “the biggest game of our lives”. It is vital that the Argentine coach doesn’t let the occasions overwhelm his squad.

He is confident that his team can rise to the challenge though, saying: “For me the emotion you get from big games is important, and our players have enough experience to manage this kind of situation.”

Are fans being priced out of the Championship as well as the Premier League? The angry Bolton fan in the video below certainly believes so…

Will they crumble?

Bielsa has only said what you’d expect a manager to say ahead of a big game. However, Leeds’ ability to cope with such pressure can legitimately be called into question.

Earlier in the campaign, when they faced a similarly pressurised match against title-chasing Norwich City, they crumbled. Leeds slumped to a 3-1 defeat against the Canaries at Elland Road which allowed Daniel Farke’s side to gain on them in the table. Norwich now hold top spot ahead of then-leaders Leeds.

There are certainly grounds for concern there, as pointed out by some fans in response to Jansson’s aforementioned tweet.

Leeds fans, are you feeling calm and confident like Bielsa ahead of Saturday’s clash? Have you got any fingernails left? Drop us your verdicts in the comments below…

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to a shock transfer rumour, as reports claim Real Madrid are eyeing a summer move for Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp is Real Madrid’s number one target to take over in the summer, according to The Independent.

The European champions were knocked out of the Champions League by a rip-roaring Ajax performance on Tuesday night, and sitting 12 points off Barcelona in the league it seems like only a matter of time before Santiago Solari is sacked, though the aforementioned report claims he could be kept on until the summer simply to steady the ship.

According to the report, Klopp is on a shortlist that also includes Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Juventus boss Max Allegri, but the Bernabeu outfit want someone to usher in a new, high-energy, exciting era for the club, so that probably rules the defensive-minded Allegri out.

Klopp has been at Liverpool since October 2015, and has reached three finals in that time, though all three ended in defeat.

The German has completely transformed the Anfield club into genuine title contenders once again, and the Twitter reactions down below say pretty much exactly what you’d expect them to…

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The pendulum has swung back towards Merseyside after an enthralling encounter at Anfield saw Liverpool score a last gasp winner to claim three points against Tottenham Hotspur.

It is moments such as Toby Alderweireld’s calamitous and desperately unfortunate own goal that naturally induce one thought across the psyche of the footballing world: lady luck is willing Liverpool to end their Premier League hoodoo.

To completely credit fortune for the victory would do Liverpool a major disservice, but it seemed otherworldly forces were at play as the ball somehow squirmed over Hugo Lloris’ line in the final minute of regulation time.

But the foundations of Liverpool’s victory were laid in the form of a handful of fine individual performances, most notably from Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson.

The latter provided an immaculate cross for Robert Firmino to gobble up and give the Reds the lead inside the first quarter of the game, and he continued to threaten all afternoon while simultaneously nullifying Tottenham’s endeavour to penetrate the right flank.

Robertson has established himself as a firm favourite amongst the Anfield faithful since he stepped into the first-team to replace Alberto Moreno, and that reputation seems to snowball with every passing fixture.

It was a performance which naturally drew gushing praise from the British media, so we’ve rounded up a handful of the best quotes from the weekend to summarise the Scotland international’s influence.

Phil McNulty – BBC’s Chief Football Writer

McNulty is not renowned for sensationalist superlatives or unnecessary hyperbole, so the extent of his gushing praise for Robertson speaks volumes about how highly he impressed on Sunday, via BBC.

‘At a time when Scotland’s international reputation is at a low ebb after a heavy defeat in Kazakhstan and a scrambled win in San Marino, the small consolation is that they possess a player who is a real jewel in Liverpool’s crown.

‘He was outstanding against Spurs, so good there was even a debate among experienced Liverpool watchers as to whether the modest 25-year-old is now on course to make himself one of the club’s finest left-backs.’

McNulty later went on to add: ‘Robertson is the epitome of Liverpool’s relentless optimism and self-belief, alongside the class and calm of Virgil van Dijk and those three celebrated forwards.’

As McNulty alludes to, Liverpool’s front-three often steal the limelight but there is certainly substantial evidence to suggest that it’s the defensive unit who are most deserving of the plaudits this season.

The former Hull City man has established a heroic reputation at Anfield in little more than eighteen months, and serious debate over his long-term credentials to enjoy legendary status on Merseyside is far from misplaced.

James Pearce – Liverpool Echo

The highly-respected Liverpool Echo journalist awarded Robertson an 8/10 for his performance, a rating which was only topped by Van Dijk, who was awarded a chart-topping 9/10.

Here’s what Pearce had to say about Robertson, via Liverpool Echo: ‘Made the most of the space Tottenham’s formation afforded him first half and put in a brilliant cross for the opener. Blocked a certain goal for Eriksen after the break.’

Just as Eriksen looked set to slam home into a gaping goal, the ever dependable Robertson was there to block a thundering effort that would surely have left Alisson statuesque.

Moments on which games so often hinge typically belong to Robertson.

Chris Shaw – Liverpoolfc.com

One of Liverpool’s club correspondents, Chris Shaw, was particularly eager to emphasise the brilliance of Robertson’s cross for the opening goal, via Liverpool’s official website.

It was a special ball worth mulling over and Shaw did exactly that.

‘Andy Robertson’s potential influence on the match was clear from the earliest stages as Liverpool switched possession to either flank as quickly as possible.

‘And the Scotland captain took full advantage of just such a cross-field pass to provide a sublime assist in the Reds’ opening goal for Firmino.

‘Robertson placed his delivery from the left channel in the perfect spot for his teammate to move between defenders and plant a firm header beyond Lloris.’

Intriguingly, it was also revealed that Robertson is now closing in on a Premier League record, with the full-back now just two assists short of Andy Hinchcliffe’s record of 11 (1994-95) provided by a defender.

Don’t bet against him surpassing that number in the final weeks of the campaign.

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Aaron Mooy should leave Huddersfield at the end of the season and Newcastle would be a good landing place, claims Australian football pundit Simon Hill.

What’s the word?

As reported by Chronicle Live, Hill expects Mooy to leave Huddersfield this summer if, or when, the Terriers get relegated.

The Yorkshire outfit currently sit 13 points from safety with just nine games left to play, so it seems likely that a few of their players will jump ship to stay in the top flight this summer.

And Hill, speaking on a Fox Sports podcast, sees a future in the top tier of English football for his compatriot.

“Maybe somewhere like a Newcastle. Let’s be honest, he’s not going to go to Man United or Man City or Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea etc. but I think that next tier down of club is a possibility.”

The aforementioned Chronicle report claims a deal would likely cost in the region of £20m, so should the Magpies make a move this summer?

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Is he worth it?

There’s no question Mooy is an incredibly talented player, as it has been clear both in Australia’s World Cup squad and in Huddersfield’s short stay in the Premier League that he is suffering for a lack of quality teammates.

That said, the midfielder is 28, and shelling out close to £20m for his services this summer would be a massive risk.

He has scored just twice and provided no assists in 21 Premier League appearances this season, and his performances have actually gotten worse from the last campaign.

Spending big money (in Mike Ashley terms at least) for a player who is regressing rather than improving, in a position where the Magpies actually have some decent depth, would be completely foolish and would force the club to neglect other positions in more urgent need of upgrades.

Newcastle should ignore Hill’s advice and focus on signing another winger and a left-back before they go about strengthening the midfield, where Rafael Benitez already has five decent options to choose from.

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Charlton might have been in sensational form in recent weeks – the Addicks are unbeaten in seven as of their stalemate with Bristol Rovers – but Lee Bowyer thinks that it could have been even better if they had retained the services of Karlan Grant in January.

The striker joined Huddersfield town having chalked up 14 goals and five assists in 28 appearances and is already making his mark in the Premier League – the speedster scored two lovely strikes in the Terriers’ loss to West Ham last week.

In light of the ex-Addick’s double, Bowyer has made a fascinating prediction about how Charlton’s 2018/19 season could have ended if Grant was still at The Valley:

“I know we’d be top two if he was still here. We were only a few points off second when he left. Since he has gone we have drawn a few games.

“If he’d played for us on Saturday [at Bristol Rovers] then we’d definitely have created more chances and he’d probably have taken one of them or set one up for Lyle [Taylor].

“He’s been a massive loss, you can’t deny that.

“The kid causes problems and scores goals. That’s what he does. He did that for us.”

Indeed, when the 21-year-old departed for the John Smith’s Stadium, Charlton were in a much better position than they are now. As it stands though, they could still seal promotion to the Championship via the playoffs.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Regardless of the form the Addicks are in and whether they can keep it up until the end of the campaign, the playoffs are highly unpredictable and they could still be playing third tier football next season even if they storm through their final games.

Has Grant cost Charlton automatic promotion? Let us know in the comments below, Charlton fans.