Everton fans have been discussing a possible shock move for Rafael Benitez, and they’re completely split on the Spaniard.
For many Everton fans, the interest in Rafael Benitez is a non-starter, as no former Liverpool manager should ever be allowed to take the helm at Goodison.
Benitez won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, and many Blues still haven’t forgiven him for branding them a “small club” back in 2007.
Marco Silva is odds on to be the new Everton boss, but a report from the Liverpool Echo on Tuesday claims the search is not over, and new sporting director Marcel Brands is considering other options.
The report from the Echo does not mention specific names, but Benitez has been linked with both the Everton and West Ham jobs in the last week or so, and only one of those is still available.
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Former Arsenal men Arsene Wenger and Mikel Arteta have both been linked with the job, but there is no other candidate with the CV that Benitez can boast.
The current Newcastle boss has done exceptionally well with limited resources on Tyneside, and has multiple league titles to his name, as well as that famous Champions League medal.
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Fans can’t decide on the tactical mastermind though, as some are yearning for a proven winner, but others are refusing to take a former Liverpool boss at Goodison.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
According to reports in the Daily Mail, Huddersfield Town have made an approach to sign Monaco defender Terence Kongolo during the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old only joined the Ligue 1 holders from Feyenoord in the summer, but he has found first-team opportunities hard to come by and is set to leave the club on loan, with the Daily Mail saying the Dutchman is open to a Premier League move.
Terriers boss David Wagner obviously feels that even though his team are in 11th position and currently lie six points above the relegation zone in the English top flight, the fact that they have conceded 32 goals in their 21 matches so far this term means they need strengthening at the back.
Meanwhile, Everton are two places and three points above Town following a positive start to life under Sam Allardyce – despite a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday – but they have let in the same number of goals as Huddersfield.
Defence may well be a position that Allardyce looks to strengthen in the New Year, and bringing Kongolo to Goodison Park could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Everton must hijack Huddersfield’s bid to sign Kongolo…
They need defensive reinforcements
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Despite a marked improvement at the back since Allardyce took charge in November, the former England manager will still likely see the defence as a priority area that potentially needs strengthening during the January transfer window.
With the likes of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams getting no younger, Cuco Martina unlikely to be a first-choice option in the long-term and Michael Keane struggling for form, the Toffees need to start looking to the future and the 23-year-old Kongolo could be the perfect addition to their backline.
His qualities
While he has only made six appearances in all competitions for Monaco this season, Kongolo showed his defensive qualities for Feyenoord last term.
According to WhoScored.com, Kongolo won 52 of the 59 tackles he attempted in 27 appearances in the Eredivisie and Europa League for the Dutch side, while he made 53 interceptions, 93 clearances and also won 61 of the 77 aerial duels he contested.
The fact that he is 6ft 2in tall also means that he is a decent height and is relatively strong, and those physical traits are something that will appeal to Sam Allardyce.
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His versatility
Kongolo often played at centre-back in his early Feyenoord days, but he has also shown that he can operate successfully as a left-back in recent seasons with the Dutch club, and in his rare outings for Monaco this term.
That versatility will certainly be an attractive trait to Allardyce, who will know that the 23-year-old can not only play at the heart of the defence as a left-sided centre-half, but he can also fill in at left-back when Leighton Baines isn’t fit, and provide cover when he is.
If you look closely enough, Gary Lineker can still replicate that expression.
Usually he reserves it for an uncomfortable spot of live television during the Olympics or even the sight of one of Mark Lawrenson’s adventurous dress shirts on the Match of the Day sofa, but it is impossible to forget where the former Leicester City and England striker first found that particular look.
It came nine minutes into extra-time of England’s World Cup semi-final against West Germany on a warm night in Turin in 1990. Lineker, like millions of captive eyes across the world, watched with mute horror as a young Paul Gascoigne- England’s 23 young tyro – produced a tired two-footed lunge on Thomas Berthold and deservedly received the booking that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Despite being a footnote on England’s penalty exit, the 23-year-old’s resultant tears made the papers the following morning, but it was Lineker’s grimace- often captured in the background of Gascoigne’s personal agony- that echoes with particular relevance today.
The news that Gascoigne- a million miles away from his footballing nadir in Turin- has been fined £1,000 after admitting to a drunken train station assault earlier this month, is no longer surprising nor, sadly, overly newsworthy.
The first decade of Gascoigne post-football, much like his final years as a professional, has been a sad parody of his tabloid persona. Tales of meat pies, cat droppings and late night takeaway brawls replaced those sporadic, iconic, moments of quality for once he was known. Where once he could balance these exploits with a glorious piece of skill on a Saturday afternoon, he now needs acclaim to be able to walk to the shops.
The truth, however you dress it, is that Gascoigne never recovered from that night in Turin.
Paul Merson- a disciple of the ‘Tuesday Club’ drinking culture at Arsenal in the late 80s and early 90s shares similar wild stories to those attributed to Gascoigne, however the key difference being that ‘Merse’ has managed to pull himself out of his funk and into gainful employment.
‘Gazza’ has pointedly failed to do either.
It is with some irony that Gascoigne’s latest downward spiral has coincided with ESPN’s decision to pull the plug on ESPN Classic- the broadcaster’s nostalgic TV mantelpiece. The channel- a common port of call for drunken students and insomniacs- acted as a constant time capsule where, in true Bill Murray- Andie MacDowell fashion, it was forever June 1996 and Gascoigne’s last great moments in an England shirt were relived in glorious sunshine.
Perhaps Gascoigne, now one of those drunken revellers, has himself sat in front of the screen at 3am reviewing that moment during Euro 1996 that his agonising slide failed to convert Alan Shearer’s pinpoint cross and catapult England into a first major final in 30 years. 17 years later, we’re still waiting.
It seems sad that a new generation will no longer be able to stumble across Gascoigne’s peculiar charms on a satellite backwater- even more so because they won’t be grabbed by his statistics in the record books.
You see, Paul Gascoigne’s enduring appeal was never about numbers. Players whose careers are cherished for their aesthetic qualities rarely are. Tottenham fans will talk about his free-kick against Arsenal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final rather than his career-threatening kamikaze tackling that followed in the final.
Rangers supporters speak about his creative renaissance that spelled domestic domination in the mid-1990s rather than his sectarian flute celebration that courted controversy and ire.
And England followers will forever remember that goal against Scotland in 1996 rather than his hotel room meltdown after failing to make Glenn Hoddle’s 1998 World Cup squad.
Perhaps wrongly, we have always chosen to remember the best of Gascoigne wherever possible. His heartfelt honesty and vulnerability as he staggered around the Stadio delle Alpi with his England shirt yanked up from his navel bought him that much.
However, with no new football memories to enjoy, the Dunston-born entertainer is well and truly out of credit.
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A group of celebrity friends and admirers paid for the cash-strapped Gascoigne to undergo a course of rehab in the US earlier this year, yet at no point was there any confidence that his personal torment was at an end.
For every George Best style story- and Gascoigne’s slippery slope continues to echoes that cautionary tale- there are unlikely stories of a substance-abusing phoenix emerging from the flames.
Yet, no one appears to see this as a remotely plausible end to the story.
When Lineker returns our screens with Match of the Day later this month, watch closely for that familiar fleeting grimace when he is forced to talk of young current players treading Gascoigne’s path. You’ll recognise it, whether ‘Gazza’ will too is a different story.
Dimitar Berbatov’s exit from Old Trafford could be cancelled following Wayne Rooney’s injury.
Manchester United have been trying to off-load the Bulgarian all summer, but may keep the 31 year old following Wayne Rooney’s nasty injury against Fulham.
Fiorentina according to The Independent are lining up a £5 million move for the striker, however with Rooney’s return to fitness unknown, the frontman may be kept as back up.
The emergence of Danny Welbeck last year saw the former Tottenham attacker relegated to a bit-part role, while Robin Van Persie’s arrival stands to further limit the Bulgarian international’s game time at United.
A collision between Rooney and Hugo Rodallega left a giant gash on the 26 year old’s leg and after an initial prognosis that the forward could be out for four weeks, it is still feared if there is muscle damage, that time could be doubled.
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This is the final year of Berbatov’s lucrative contract at Manchester and keeping him on board for a final season could cost the club £4 million in wages.
According to Mein Werder, Tottenham Hotspur have been informed that they will need to part with £17m if they wish to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Thomas Delaney this summer.
What’s the story?
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Delaney over the last month or so, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino believed to be a huge admirer of the Denmark international.
Brighton & Hove Albion are also said to be interested, although Tottenham would fancy their chances of winning any race that might occur between the two clubs.
According to Mein Werder, Spurs have been informed that Delaney will be available for £17m in this summer’s transfer window, which is not a fee that will discourage the English club.
There are bound to be other European clubs in the race for the midfielder at such a reasonable price, and Spurs are said to be keen to act fast in a bid to secure his services.
Would Delaney be a good signing?
The 26-year-old has been in impressive form for Werder Bremen this season – scoring three times and registering six assists in 35 appearances in all competitions.
The 25-time Denmark international actually only joined Werder Bremen from Copenhagen in January 2017, but it has not taken him long to make an impression in the Bundesliga.
Tottenham are in desperate need of reinforcements this summer, but they will not be able to splash the cash in the same manner as the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.
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Securing quality players at a reasonable price is the name of the game for Spurs in this summer’s transfer window, and there is no question that Delaney falls into that category.
Everton have also previously been linked with the midfielder and could yet reignite their interest, although Tottenham appear to be a strong position to complete the deal.
It’s been an interesting few weeks in the world of Sergio Ramos.
Last month, he was a happy as Larry Real Madrid player; now he apparently wants out of the Bernabeu after offering himself to El Clasico rivals Barcelona, and has resultantly become a prime target for Manchester United.
Louis van Gaal wants an experienced defender with quality on the ball, so the former World Cup and Champions League winner, famed for his ability to contribute going forward, fits the bill pretty much perfectly.
There’s only one hitch, however; Los Blancos are unsurprisingly reluctant to sell, and have therefore slapped the 29 year-old with a rather incredible £63million price tag – which would make him the joint-fourth most expensive footballer of all time alongside James Rodriguez.
Thus, it’s time for the Red Devils to consider some cheaper alternatives, which is where Football FanCast comes in. We’ve listed FIVE alternatives the Old Trafford outfit should run the rule over, before splashing out copious sums on an ageing defender.
LEONARDO BONUCCI
Real Madrid are reportedly lining up Leonardo Bonucci as a potential Sergio Ramos replacement, so he’s on this list as an alternative to the World Cup-winning Spaniard almost by default.
That may seem like a rather indolent approach but no doubt, the 28 year-old is a well-proven defender, boasting four consecutive Serie A titles and 47 caps for Italy – he also played a pivotal role as Juventus reached last season’s Champions League final.
He’s imperious in the air and an exceptional reader of the game in typical Azzurri style. But Bonucci’s defining gift remains his quality on the ball and long-range passing game, having begun his career as a midfielder, which should sit particularly well with Louis van Gaal.
With two years remaining on his current contract, Juve could decide the time is right to cash in on the 6ft. 3″ defender. Italians, however, have a knack of rarely venturing far from their nests.
JAN VERTONGHEN
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has never quite rekindled the form that saw him claim a place in the PFA Team of the Year during his debut campaign at White Hart Lane.
But nonetheless, the 28 year-old is still one of the best centre-backs in the division when in top form and he’s now a highly-experienced international, with 69 caps for Belgium and a series of appearances at last summer’s World Cup.
A product of the Ajax academy and a ball-playing centre-half with enough turn of pace to fill in at left back when required, something tells me former Amsterdam ArenA boss Louis van Gaal will be particularly fond of the multifunctional defender.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has made a habit of only selling the club’s leading stars to divisional rivals for incredibly lucrative sums – or barring them from leaving altogether, with Luka Modric’s non-move to Chelsea being the biggest example.
But with Vertonghen’s contract now into its final year, he might be left with little option other than to cash in this summer.
BENEDIKT HOWEDES
Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes is probably just outside the world’s centre-back elite and certainly some way shy of Sergio Ramos in terms of both ability and experience.
Yet, the 26 year-old has a lot to offer Manchester United’s squad, as a true defensive all-rounder famed for his ability to perform equally well at either full-back position, centre-half or defensive midfield.
Last summer, he was Germany’s left-back during their successful World Cup campaign – which is no easy feat when you measure in at 6ft. 2″ – whilst at club level he offers experience, leadership, with 53 outings in continental competitions, and status as being the Miners’ skipper since 2011.
The Red Devils have already missed the chance to snap up Howedes on the cheap through a now-expired release clause. But with his contract due to expire in 2017, he’s still a plausible target.
NICOLAS OTAMENDI
Manchester United are reluctant to meet Nicolas Otamendi’s rather overzealous £35million release clause, but with the pool of attainable centre-backs getting ever smaller, they might not have much of a choice.
Furthermore, the Argentina international was nothing short of sensational for Valencia last season, netting six times in 35 appearances whilst averaging 2.9 tackles, 3.1 interceptions, 7.3 clearances and 3.5 successful aerial duels per match. That’s almost 17 defensive actions per match!
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He’s a little on the short side at just 6ft. and hasn’t been exposed to the Champions League or international scene as much as some of the aforementioned names, but regardless, the 27 year-old is a phenomenal athlete with a fantastic reading of the game and is now verging upon his peak years.
Once again, however, £35million is rather steep to say the least.
RAPHAEL VARANE
If Real Madrid are refusing to part with Sergio Ramos, then why not their test resolve regarding Raphael Varane?
The 6ft. 3″ defender may only be 22 years of age but he’s already recorded a series of significant triumphs in his career, not least including winning the 2010/11 La Liga title, 2014 Champions League title and captaining the France national team.
Despite his limited experience, Varane seems destined for great things. Jose Mourinho has dubbed him the ‘best young defender in the world’ and indeed, he seems like the total package; formidable in the air, confident with the ball at his feet, an astute reader of the game and an incredible athlete, with pace and power in abundance.
He might not address the current dearth of leadership and experience at the heart of United’s defence, but Varane seems as safe a long-term investment as pretty much any player in Europe right now.
He’s been pushing for a guaranteed role in Los Blancos’ first-team for years, so Madrid’s hesitation to part with Ramos could well force the prodigious youngster to reconsider his options.
You have to give it to Pep Guardiola: he really knows how to make a player feel valued. If Bayern Munich get this deal done for Thiago – and the overdrive in the story this morning seems to indicate they will – it will signal another eye watering acquisition by a club who it was previously thought could get no stronger.
So would this represent a bad move for Thiago if he was to choose Bavaria over Manchester? Well not really. Guardiola wouldn’t buy him for the sake of it. Remember, it was Guardiola who coached him in the Barcelona B team, and it was Guardiola who brought him up into the senior team and offered him his first real steps in the big leagues.
There’s no doubt about the seat of power on offer for the player at Manchester United. The club have long been on the hunt/in need of a player of Thiago’s quality. He could run the club’s midfield well into the future and would have the platform to force his way into the Spanish national team, even though his talent merits a place in the future anyway.
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But how many players can turn down Bayern Munich, even more so with Guardiola as their manager? There wouldn’t be any worry from the player’s perspective as to where he’d fit in. The indication always seemed to be that Guardiola would push Javi Martinez into the centre-back position, addressing the problem of Holgar Badstuber’s absence through injury and also adding that ball-playing defender into the team. It’s no secret that Guardiola is an admirer of Martinez in the centre-back position. The manager was a fan of Marcelo Bielsa’s use of him there during Athletic Bilbao’s unforgettable run in the Europa League and Copa Del Rey, and the two managers’ friendship would also have played a part in Guardiola opting for this change at Bayern.
Moreover, there is the likelihood of Bayern switching to a three-man midfield, with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Thiago, and Mario Goetze playing the false nine. The depth in midfield and attack would make Bayern favourites to land another European Cup next season, while youngsters like Emre Can will also be pushing for a place in the team.
There’s clearly a plan in place from Guardiola’s point of view and Bayern won’t stand in his way if he wants to bring in his own ideas. If the Catalan is targeting Thiago, it’s with a clear purpose in mind. The midfielder is already said to have spoken with the new Bayern manager and Guardiola, per his most recent press conference, has made the Bayern board aware of his desire to bring Thiago to the Allianz.
Were it to be a case of Barcelona or Manchester United then there is only one choice for the midfielder. Even with Neymar on board at the Camp Nou, Thiago’s path to regular first-team football would be restricted. Remember, Thiago was allowed to play in the centre of midfield due to Andres Iniesta or Cesc Fabregas filling in on the left flank through David Villa’s absence. Neymar, like Lionel Messi, is not in the business of missing games, no matter how insignificant they are.
Manchester United are also, for now at least, not on the same plateau as Bayern. The Bundesliga outfit have dominated Europe in much the same way Guardiola’s Barcelona did, certainly with more power and an equal yet distinctly German characterisation to their aggression. Thiago would be foolish not to go and pair up with Guardiola once again. The player will certainly ask himself what United and the Premier League can offer that is as exciting as the growing reputation of the Bundesliga and the current best team in Europe.
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Would Thiago be making a mistake if he chose Bayern over Man United?
Liverpool fans have been rocked by widespread reports that Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man Zeljko Buvac has left the club.
The blow comes just two days before the Merseyside outfit try to secure a place in the Champions League final.
Buvac has a strong bond with Klopp having met the German at Mainz when both were players at the club.
Since the 50-year-old embarked on a coaching career, Buvac has been right alongside him, but now there are doubts over the pair’s working relationship.
According to the Daily Record, Buvac has left the Merseyside outfit following a dispute with his long-time friend, but there have been conflicting reports.
The Liverpool Echo states that the assistant manager, who is believed to be the brains behind Liverpool’s Gegenpresseng approach, has not quit his role but will not see out the rest of the season as he will take a leave of absence.
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With the Reds’ most important game of the season just around the corner, fans are concerned about the news of Buvac’s absence.
Liverpool, who had to settle for a goalless draw against Stoke City last weekend, head into the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Stadio Olimpico with a 5-2 advantage.
As far as transfers go, this is a big one. If reports are to believed, Arsenal have snapped up Petr Cech from bitter rivals Chelsea in a deal worth £11m, which could prove to be one of, if not the, wisest addition of the summer transfer window – which, lest we forget, is yet to officially open!
With the 33-year-old having been one of the Premier League’s best goalies since his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Rennes back in 2004, is it time we started taking Arsenal seriously as title contenders for next season? Yes, and here are FIVE reasons we’re not predicting the slow starts or late-season collapses that have plagued Arsene Wenger’s sides for some time in 2015/16…
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John Terry practically admitted he’s ‘the difference
“There’s talk of Arsenal signing Petr Cech and, if they do get him, he will strengthen them for sure. He will save them 12 or 15 points a season,
“He’s going to be sorely missed and will improve any side he goes to.”
A quick glance at the table (above) shows that a 12 point swing would have put Arsenal joint top with Chelsea, while the extra goals accrued from wins would almost certainly have bridged the six-goal gap between the two London sides. So, if John Terry, who has played alongside Cech for over ten years said it (he was speaking to talkSPORT), it has to be believed there’s some bulk to suggestions he could be the difference.
He’s won it before…
In a fantastic 11 years at Stamford Bridge – aside from the most recent one – Cech has won the Premier League title four times. Winning breeds a winning mentality, and having a player who knows what it takes to lift the top prize in the English game may just build a sense of belief in the Gunners’ dressing room. After all, back-to-back FA Cups have shown that Wenger’s current crop have what it takes to win silverware after a long drought. Maybe Cech’s influence could be the final piece of the Premier League puzzle…
One of the best goalkeepers on the planet
“Petr is one of my best players. I want my important players. Petr is one of my important players.”
Although Jose Mourinho’s words about a month ago mean very little now, they do show how highly-valued Cech is/was. The 33-year-old’ keeper would have surely been first choice at about 90% of the clubs in Europe’s biggest leagues, but he was just been a little unfortunate that Thibaut Courtois’ age and ability led to an early move to fast-track him into the team.
But Chelsea’s loss is now Arsenal’s gain, with the Gunners able to boast one of the best goalies in Europe. He’s certainly up there with David de Gea, Manuel Neuer and Courtois.
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Signal of intent!
Over the course of the past two summers Arsenal have added Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, and now Wenger has followed his trend of getting proven talent in with Cech’s addition. Signing an established Premier League star and one of the best players in his position on the planet sends out a real message, and tongues are sure to be wagging at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium after this. It’s time to take Arsenal seriously.
The fans are on board
Although fans cannot physically change a game, a positive mood in the support breeds a good vibe on the pitch. Arsenal supporters have been criticised for a perceived fickle nature in recent years, but if the current feeling of euphoria can be kept, the Gunners will have a solid base behind them…
Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns, other than Scott Sinclair who was admitted to hospital at the weekend to treat a blood clot on his shoulder. Carlos Tevez could start up front after being benched for the goalless draw at Swansea.
West Brom are likely to name an unchanged team to the one that lost at home to Wigan on Saturday. Captain Chris Brunt (knee) and Goran Popov (calf) are still out, while Marc-Antoine Fortune serves the second of a three-match ban.
Roberto Mancini pre-game…“But we need to play these games and for us it is important to win. It would be better to have one week (of unbroken preparation). But we play Wigan and it is the same for them. Then we have four days to prepare.” (Daily Mail)
Steve Clarke pre-game…“We’re determined to go and make up for the Wigan result. It’s a good game against the champions of last season. There is no pressure on us – people don’t expect us to get a good result there. The squad is a bit stretched but we’ll try to get a team to compete because they have a squad which is packed with internationals and quality.” (Mirror)
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Match Statistic: Shane Long’s goal in October’s reverse fixture is the only time West Brom have scored against City in five matches.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 West Bromwich Albion