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Everton fans have blasted Jordan Pickford after he made a series of mistakes during the club’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City on Saturday.

The 6 foot 1 England goalkeeper conceded three times at Goodison Park, and a number of supporters were unhappy with the manner of the second goal.

Riyad Mahrez bent a free-kick into the bottom corner to give Pep Guardiola’s champions a 2-1 lead, but the shot was to Pickford’s side of the goal and crept into the bottom corner.

He then went on to let in a Raheem Sterling volley, before haring out of his goal in an attempt to tackle Bernardo Silva; he was unsuccessful, though City were unable to score from the chance – leading the Three Lions No.1 to visibly smirk about what could have been another goal for the visitors.

Fans, thus, were unhappy with the form of the stopper as the Toffees slipped to another defeat.

Indeed, Pickford has conceded 10 goals in his last four games, with Everton winning just one of those – a 3-2 triumph over Wolves.

During and after the match, Everton fans were quick to show on Twitter just how disgusted they were with Pickford’s performance…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Even though Real Madrid’s clash with Granada was a 4-2 win, it didn’t come without any costs.

Toni Kroos, their midfield general, had to be subbed off due to an injury, and while that is undoubtedly a huge loss for Los Blancos, they have someone who can shine in his absence.

On the chalkboard

Without exaggerating too much, Kroos has definitely been one of the few shining lights in Real Madrid’s squad.

Even when the squad was underperforming, the German was dropping masterclass performances left, right and centre. But now that he’s out injured, Zinedine Zidane will have to somehow replace his presence in the middle of the park.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The return of Luka Modric to the squad is good news, of course, but one other young star seems to be rising in form and with Kroos out, the spotlight just might be his to take.

A bet on the future

Real Madrid Castilla, while not as popular as some other footballing academies on the planet, is still full of talent.

And one such talent is already playing in the senior squad under Zidane – Federico Valverde.

The 21-year-old Uruguayan has been given a much bigger role in the 2019/20 season than ever before. The game against Granada was actually his 30th game for the Galacticos overall and the assist he made was his first in his career as a senior player.

Watch Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale answer the internet’s weirdest questions in the video below…

Before that, in 2018/19, he only managed 650 minutes in 16 games in La Liga while now, after only five, he’s already on 262.

This does suggest there might be a bigger role for him to play in the ongoing campaign and Kroos’ injury might have opened the door completely.

Valverde was one of the best players on the pitch against Granada, too.

He tallied one assist, three shots, one key pass and 61 touches on the night. Not to mention that he also recorded three tackles and one clearance.

By all standards, it was a brilliant display and with enough continuity and trust from the manager, he can only get better.

An injury to a key player is never a good thing but it just might have a silver lining for Los Blancos in the form of Valverde.

Only time will tell.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Tottenham are interested in Gremio’s Everton Soares, according to Sky Sports News.

What’s the word?

Spurs are seemingly keen to add to their attacking threat and have recently been linked with Bruno Fernandes, whilst keeping an eye on the Brazilian.

Chief scout Steve Hitchen has travelled to South America to watch the player in action in the Copa Libertadores semi-final, after he previosuly impressed in the Brazilian Serie A, and also for the national team.

He was part of Tite’s squad which lifted the Copa America during the summer, featuring in every match and even proving pivotal in the final against Peru, with a goal and an assist.

It is little surprise that he has attracted Spurs’ attention, but with Arsenal also reportedly interested it makes the likelihood of a transfer more complicated, particularly as his contract expires in 2023 – and therefore his club is not in a position where they have to consider a sale.

Bad news for Lucas Moura

The Gunners’ interest means Everton’s price could sky-rocket, and considering he is rated at £36m by Transfermarkt, it may not be a deal which makes much sense for Spurs, either from a financial perspective or otherwise.

Tottenham already have numerous forward options to choose from and although Christian Eriksen could depart in January, there is a chance that Everton would suffer from a lack of game time.

Check out a hilarious FIFA Forefiet Challenge with a Watford Ladies pro in the video below…

That is what is currently happening to his compatriot, Lucas Moura.

Pochettino doesn’t seem to favour the 27-year-old, starting him only three times in the league this term and dropping him for the Champions League final, yet the Gremio man seems to offer similar attributes.

Both possess pace and an ability to take on defenders, with Everton averaging 3.1 successful dribbles per game this campaign – and that came at a poorer standard, which means he would likely have a lot to do to win Pochettino’s trust.

Lucas, by comparison, has been poor this season. He has only one assist in seven games and averaged 0.7 key passes, which explains why Pochettino believes he doesn’t offer enough.

With Erik Lamela and Son Heung-min impressing on both flanks against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday also, there is no real need for Spurs to make another wide addition, and certainly not a player who has averaged just 0.2 successful crosses per game this year.

The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice that the 29-year-old is meant to be injured due to a hamstring injury he picked up playing against Newport County last month.

As much as we’d love a bit of controversy, it’s been recently reported by the club that he’s undergone surgery on the affected area and is now recovering, placing him in prime position to decimate his friend’s ear.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Ed Woodward’s latest claim about Manchester United’s transfer business shows beyond all reasonable doubt that he is completely out of touch with the fans’ ambitions for the club.

What’s he said?

After a summer of activity that left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with just three striking options, two of which are now injured, Woodward has now claimed the club are doing the right things in the market.

In part of a long statement insisting the club are on the right path with their long-term strategy, he said, via talkSPORT: “Much of the speculation on this type of role (director of football) focuses purely on recruitment – an area we’ve evolved in recent years.

“As already mentioned, we feel that the players we’ve signed this summer demonstrate that this approach is the right one.”

Is this a joke?

“This approach is the right one.” Seriously Ed?

The club’s approach, if you can even call it that, as that would imply there is actual strategy behind it, has left Solskjaer in a situation where he had no choice but to throw Jesse Lingard on up front against West Ham.

That’s the Lingard. You know, the one that hasn’t registered a goal or assist in the Premier League since December 2018. Yeah, that one.

With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford both injured, the gaffer has one recognised striker, and for all his undeniable potential, heaping the responsibility of one of the biggest football clubs in the world onto 17 year-old Mason Greenwood’s shoulders is a monumental risk and downright foolish.

The worst part? Romelu Lukaku – that bloke who has 113 Premier League goals at the tender age of 26 – is enjoying a great start at Inter, and for all his woes last season, would surely be getting plenty of playing time at Old Trafford right now given the current circumstances.

Is the Belgian any worse than Rashford? Probably not if the fans’ verdict on the Englishman is anything to go by.

“This approach is the right one.” Remember those six words next time Solskjaer is throwing teenagers on in the faint hope of claiming victory from the jaws of defeat.

For a fan base with ambitions of lifting trophies every single season, Woodward’s comments are a slap in the face, and show he is completely out of touch with reality. They have every right to be outraged.

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In his two years in charge at Ewood Park so far, Tony Mowbray has led Blackburn Rovers to promotion back to the Championship and he looks to have seen them clear of relegation trouble this time around too.

However, some pressure may be building on the 55-year-old, as his side are currently in poor form – Rovers have lost each of their last four league outings. Mowbray referenced these struggles, and the associated pressures, ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Birmingham City.

What he said

As quoted by the Lancashire Telegraph, Mowbray has urged his side “to make sure they stay focused, believe in each other, and work hard.”

Who do you want to see promoted this year? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked their 3 favoured teams in the video below…

He also referenced the scrutiny he is currently under, stating that “the outside noise, you can’t do anything about, so from my perspective I don’t listen to it.”

He admitted that he puts himself under this kind of pressure too: “I feel an internal noise in myself that we’ve lost four games in a row, and for two years we’ve been used to winning games, and plenty of them.” He still believes he’s the right man to lead Rovers forward though, and has urged everyone at the club to “keep believing in each other, doing what we do.”

External pressures

The reference to ‘outside noise’ is particularly interesting as it highlights the fact that Mowbray may be feeling some external pressure. He could be referring to discontentment amongst the fanbase, the media or even coming from Rovers’ owners – Venky’s Ltd – themselves.

If Mowbray does feel that his position is beginning to come under threat, then he must arrest his side’s slump soon. However, frankly, he ought not to be in any such trouble. He has done a fine job since taking over at Ewood Park, and letting him go at this stage would be a huge error on the part of the club.

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Leeds witnessed a rather big clear out on Monday as the transfer window closed for clubs around Europe and lower down in the Football League.

One of the names to depart Elland Road was Vurnon Anita, a man who rarely played after signing for the club in 2017.

The Dutchman joined from Newcastle but leaves a free agent after he and Leeds came to an agreement to mutually terminate his contract.

It’s a move that is unlikely to have any sort of impact on Marcelo Bielsa’s side and that was evident in the reaction from supporters on Twitter.

There appeared to be a sense of relief in some responses as one said it was a transfer that should never have happened in the first place. Another noted his exit had to occur.

A further individual claimed he came with so much expectation and it was a shame that things didn’t work out.

Anita played just 22 times for the Whites in all competitions but ultimately never really stamped down a place.

He spent last season on loan at Willem II.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Speaking to Give Me Sport, journalist Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail has made a Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie as the Lilywhites also reportedly close in on Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move…

The Ivory Coast international has been a transfer target for Spurs since the beginning of the January transfer window with reports suggesting manager Antonio Conte is ready to make a move.

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Indeed, according to ESPN, Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici was weighing a lucrative offer to sign Kessie earlier this month with The Telegraph since claiming that they are in fact weighing a move.

Conte is apparently a ‘huge fan’ of the San Siro ace with Mokbel sharing what he knows on the situation.

The Latest: Mokbel makes claim…

The Lilywhites are expected to come to an agreement with Wolves for Traore, say The Athletic, and speaking to GMS, the Mail reporter says that a deal to sign Kessie is also ‘doable’ before the January 31 deadline.

“I think that is certainly a deal that could be doable and I think that could be doable sooner rather than later,” he explained.

“I’m talking this window, if both clubs can come to an agreement.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Signing a midfielder is reportedly one of Conte’s four transfer priorities at Spurs and we believe they don’t come more accomplished than Kessie.

The 52-cap star, despite a being a natural defensive midfield player, has been utilised in a more advanced role at Milan under Stefano Pioli and has thrived – scoring 19 goals since the beginning of 2020/2021 and adding to his career total of 46 (Transfermarkt).

He’s even called ‘sumptuous’ by his manager, and if Tottenham could either land him on a free deal in the summer or this month for a cheaper fee, we believe he could provide a real injection of threat in Conte’s midfield alongside Traore.

In other news: Spurs ‘edging closer’ to signing ‘massive’ £15m defender, find out more here.

Along with hiring a new manager in the shape of Bruno Lage after Nuno Espirito Santo made his ultimately unsuccessful move to Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves also managed to bring in some new players throughout last summer’s transfer window.

Some new faces who came in during the summer, such as goalkeeper Jose Sa (eight clean sheets in 21 league games) and Hwang Hee-chan – who came in on loan from RB Leipzig and had his deal made permanent last month after scoring four goals in his first six league games – have been a success so far, but this hasn’t applied to all of Wolves’ 2021 recruits.

On the chalkboard

Wolves secured a loan deal for Barcelona winger Francisco Trincao last July. Since then, the 22-year-old has made 19 appearances for the Old Gold across all competitions, scoring just one goal in the process, which came in the 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup all the way back in August.

The £19.8m-rated attacker’s performances in the Premier League haven’t been much to shout about either, with WhoScored giving him an underwhelming overall season rating of 6.52/10, making him the third-lowest rated Wolves player to have started at least one league game this term.

Even though Trincao started two of Wolves’ three previous league games against Manchester United and Southampton, Lage should not continue playing him, as the 22-year-old seemingly hasn’t been able to adapt to the Premier League at all.

With Wolves having an option to make Trincao’s loan move a permanent one in the summer, it seems as though he hasn’t done enough on the pitch to warrant a full-time move to Molineux and may not be good enough to earn one.

Looking ahead to the summer transfer window, if Adama Traore ends up signing with Barcelona on a permanent basis when his current loan spell ends and Wolves don’t sign their current Barcelona loanee, the Old Gold would need to find another attacking wide player to come in and add some strength and depth to Lage’s squad instead. Either way, the manager would be wise to forget about Trincao, whose returns in the Black Country have frankly been shocking.

In other news – Forget Dendoncker: Lage could save Wolves millions by unleashing “outstanding” 19 y/o

A transfer update has emerged on Rangers and their plans to bring a new goalkeeper to Ibrox…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, the Gers have prepared a pre-contract offer for Dundee United shot-stopper Benjamin Siegrist.

He is out of contract at the end of the season and Rangers are hoping to swoop in to land him on a free transfer to bolster their squad.

Masterstroke

Gio van Bronckhorst could pull off a masterstroke this month by securing a deal for Siegrist to join upon the expiry of his deal at the end of June.

The club are in a difficult position heading into the summer as their two first-team goalkeepers, Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin, are both out of contract. This means that they could lose both of their shot-stoppers for nothing and be left without a first-choice or a back-up ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Therefore, bringing in a new number one without spending a penny on transfer fees would be a masterstroke from van Bronckhorst. They could then promote Robby McCrorie into a secondary role to replace McLaughlin and have Siegrist as the go-to option for the Dutch head coach, meaning that both outgoing veterans are not sorely missed and the Gers do not have to spend much in the market.

Micky Melon, who once dubbed Siegrist a “monster”, previously hailed his goalkeeper, saying:

“He’s a top drawer goalkeeper. At the end of the day, you have to be good enough to beat him and he’s made some terrific saves.

“To come to a place like Hibs and get a result, you need a good goalkeeper and he’s done that today.”

The 29-year-old has saved 73.1% of the shots against him this season after saving 78.2% in the Premiership last term. McGregor, meanwhile, has saved 74.2% of shots domestically and 66.3% in the Europa League, suggesting that Siegrist would come in and provide a similar level of quality to the experienced Scot.

Therefore, binging him in would be a masterstroke as it could be a seamless transition in the goalkeeping department heading into next season. He has the requisite Premiership experience to hit the ground running and his statistics suggest that he will be up to the task in terms of his individual quality, which is why this could be a fantastic deal for the club.

AND in other news, Deal considered: Rangers must seal swoop for 105 G/A predator who won’t cost a penny…