Everton: The two biggest things Marco Silva needs from the club

There is no doubt that change is needed at Goodison Park next season. Indeed, if Marco Silva is to make a real stamp on Everton history in a positive way, he has to look towards the board for help. Clearly, a lot of money has been wasted over the last few years, but the investment cannot stop.

Fans have been on an emotional rollercoaster this season at Goodison, that’s for sure. With results going up and down, literally no one knows what the Toffees will do next. Perhaps that hints at a building process more than anything but it’s fair to say the team have been far from wholly convincing.

However, through all the unease, last weekend proved to be one hell of a performance from the squad, and after battering Chelsea 2-0, is it finally time to look onwards and upwards to what can be a successful spell for the Portuguese in charge?

We are going to look at a couple of requests that the 41-year-old should ask the board for, in order to truly begin a new era at Everton.

Make loan deals permanent 

After a busy summer of predominantly loan deals last year, Marco Silva should look to go one better this summer and push to make them permanent. Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma have been two of the most standout players within the Everton side this season, at times pulling the team through games where they have looked below par.

Should Silva manage to sign these two players on long term contracts, it would bring a sense of stability within the side, knowing that there isn’t a huge need to go out and look for new quality players in these positions.

It would be huge for the Toffees’ future if he were to secure two of their most consistent performers in the Premier League.

Address the striker issue 

Since joining from Besiktas, Cenk Tosun has not been the striker to replace the on fire Romelu Lukaku. With such high hopes, the Turkish attacker has struggled and, in turn, has left Silva struggling with who to pick up front.

It can be argued that Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t experienced enough just yet to hack a full Premier League season as the main hitman, as well as noting that Richarlison isn’t an out and out striker and can not be relied on when it comes down to scoring all the goals.

Silva must look to the market in order to find someone who can help Everton put the ball in the back of the net week in, week out and have the same effect that Lukaku did a few years ago.

Leeds United: The dream might be dying

Another big game, another loss for Leeds United in their quest for Premier League promotion. The Whites needed to put down a marker against challengers Sheffield United, but now they’re face to face with the play-offs.

They collapsed against top-of-the-table Norwich City during their 3-1 loss in February and they failed to show their true colours against the Blades on Saturday. If you can’t win your promotion six-pointers you don’t deserve to go up, and when the pressure’s on, Leeds have proved they can’t.

They now sit in third, five points behind Norwich, who also beat them early in the season, and one point behind Sheffield United. The gap to West Brom in fourth is six points and, despite them bizarrely sacking their manager earlier this month, they could catch them if they don’t regain some backbone soon.

Leeds notoriously falter at this stage of the season, but it seemed like this year would be different. They’ve played some really attractive football at times, and even scraped to victories in matches they would usually lose in, like Bristol City away a couple of weeks ago.

This loss though will have alarm bells ringing and rightly so.

It’ll be a blessing for Marcelo Bielsa to reach an international break because it’ll give the squad time to start afresh. Their next fixtures are Millwall and Birmingham, so they have the opportunity to get back on the horse. But that doesn’t change the fact Norwich and Sheffield now deserve automatic promotion much more than them.

Leeds fans, where do you think it went wrong against Sheffield United at the weekend? Join the discussion by commenting below…

تقارير | قائمة الوداد المغربي لمباراة الأهلي في إياب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

كشفت تقارير مغربية عن قائمة الوداد أمام الأهلي في مباراة الإياب بدور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الأهلي يلاقي الوداد يوم الجمعة المقبل على استاد القاهرة الدولي في تمام التاسعة مساء في إياب دور نصف نهائي البطولة القارية.

طالع أيضًا.. حلم الريمونتادا.. رئيس الوداد يحفز لاعبيه بـ مكافأة خاصة للتأهل أمام الأهلي

ووفقًا لموقع “le 360” المغربي فإن قائمة الوداد ستشهد غياب كل من صلاح الدين السعيدي الذي يخضع للحجر الصحي بسبب إصابته بفيروس كورونا، وأيوب العملود بسبب الإصابة.

وسيضطر الأرجنتيني ميجيل أنخيل جاموندي المدير الفني للفريق للبحث عن العناصر البديلة لتعويض الأسماء الغائبة.

وكان الأهلي نجح في الفوز على نظيره الوداد المغربي بهدفي علي معلول ومحمد مجدي أفشة في المباراة التي أقيمت على ملعب محمد الخامس بالمغرب في ذهاب دور نصف النهائي. قائمة الوداد لمباراة الأهلي:

رضا التكناوتي، وعيسى السيودي، عبد اللطيف نوصير، وإبراهيم نجم الدين ،والشيخ إبراهيما كومارا، هيثم البهجة، وإبراهيم النقاش, وحمزة أسرير، ووليد الكرتي، ويحيى عطية الله، وأيمن الحسوني، وإسماعيل الحداد، وبديع أووك، وزهير المترجي ثم يحيى جبران ، بدر كادرين، الايفواري جباجبو، كاسنغو كازادي

He did what?! Liverpool fans react after Raheem Sterling picks Harry Kane as his POTY

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react after discovering that Raheem Sterling had voted for Harry Kane as his choice for the PFA Player of the Year, whilst Virgil van Dijk voted for the Manchester City forward.

All three players have enjoyed excellent campaigns, but it is somewhat strange that Sterling has voted for a player who missed a chunk of the season through injury, and also hasn’t been involved in the title race like he and van Dijk have.

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Kane has still managed to notch 17 Premier League goals, whilst Sterling has 15 to his name, but it is van Dijk who has arguably had the biggest impact on proceedings – the Dutchman and Sterling are the two front-runners for the award.

As a result of that, some Liverpool fans have suggested that their former player and academy graduate has strategically voted for Kane so that he has a better chance of winning the award himself.

Let’s see what the Reds supporters have been saying about it all on Twitter…

Edwards could pull off masterstroke by selling Awoniyi for £12.9 million

Liverpool have developed a number of young talents over the years who have either gone on to break into the first-team or seek moves away to secure regular football. 

Of course, with success revolving around money nowadays in the football world it’s very difficult for younger players to work their way into the manager’s plans, especially in the Premier League.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have managed to do it in recent times at Anfield, but there’s an awful lot of players who have had to settle for loan moves instead.

One player who’s currently spending time out on loan is Taiwo Awoniyi.

Indeed, Liverpool signed the Nigerian for £990k (as per Transfermarkt) back in 2015 but he’s failed to work his way into the first-team fold, with five loan moves to his name. He’s currently plying his trade at Belgian side Mouscron.

Awoniyi has seven goals and two assists to his name in nine appearances after joining Mouscron on loan back in the January transfer window, which appears to have caught the attention of Schalke (as per Liverpool Echo). And, it’s believed that the Reds would ask for £12.9 million for the striker, which would provide them with a large profit.

Michael Edwards has worked wonders over the years at Anfield by getting the best possible fee out of the sale of a number of players, including the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Dominic Solanke. So, he could pull off another masterstroke by getting almost £13 million for a player who hasn’t even featured for the Reds first-team.

Liverpool fans, how pleased would you be with £12.9 million for the attacker? Join the discussion by commenting down below!

Injury News: Lee Bowyer gives update on Bielik, Forster-Caskey and Page

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Krystian Bielik’s blushes were (literally) saved on Saturday by teammate Dillon Phillips, who denied Plymouth’s Graham Carey from the spot after Charlton’s big Pole upended Ruben Lameiras, but his woes haven’t ended there unfortunately.

Lee Bowyer has reluctantly stated that the Arsenal loanee will spend some time on the sidelines due to an ankle injury and could miss more than Tuesday evening’s trip to Wycombe, while he gave an update on Jake Forster-Caskey and Lewis Page.

What did he say?

Well, speaking ahead of the upcoming clash, Bowyer said:

“We’ve lost Krsytian – he is out, his ankle was playing up.

“He did it when he was away with Poland [U21s]. We brought him in [to the side] on Saturday and he was in pain. We are going to try and repair that, get it as good as we can for the weekend.

“We don’t know, that might be too soon. He is definitely out for Tuesday.

“[Forster-Caskey and Page] are going to need a couple of games for our U23s and the first of those will probably be next week.

“I’m just trying to look after the lads as best I can. I want to have this headache, about who to play, for the rest of the season. We’ve got pretty much everyone available and hopefully we can keep it like that because this season we have been unlucky with injuries.”

Bowyer relishing selection problems

It is no wonder that Bowyer has been subject to speculation regarding his future considering the club are yet to offer him a contract; the likes of QPR are surely considering a swoop after the fantastic job he has done at The Valley since being appointed on a permanent basis in September despite limited resources and backing.

The Addicks lost then-top-scorer Karlan Grant to Huddersfield in January but have gone from strength to strength since with a small squad plagued by injuries – Bowyer, understandably, cannot wait to have a clean bill of health.

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Forster-Caskey has been out all season, while Page has struggled with a tendon problem in the past couple of months and Bielik’s recurring ankle issue doesn’t sound promising.

A selection headache is a wonderful problem to have but one Bowyer is yet to encounter – will he get his wish as we enter the final stretch of the season and the aforementioned players work their way back to full fitness? It would certainly be a huge boost to the Addicks’ promotion hopes.

Transfer Flashback: Billy Sharp to Sheffield United

He has been an unbelievable servant for Sheffield United, hasn’t he? When Billy Sharp started his professional career at Bramall Lane nearly 15 years ago, no one would have thought he would amount over 100 goals for the Blades in just 236 games across three different spells. That is remarkable.

Aged 33, Sharp continues to provide for United as he is currently the second top goalscorer in the Championship, with 22 goals in 33 games. He has stepped up to the plate year upon year since he began his third spell in Sheffield and currently holds the title of having scored the most goals in England’s top four League’s in the 21st century, reflecting his astounding career.

Moving back nearly four years now, in late July of 2015, Sharp signed from Leeds United on what was originally a two-year deal. The move certainly excited lots of Blades.

In contrast, some Leeds fans felt that Sharp was not given the opportunities he deserved and wished him all the best.

It is safe to say he has thoroughly excelled in his most recent spell at his boyhood club and the fans will surely be hoping that he can help fire the Blades to the Premier League where Sharp can continue to play a key role in the side.

Lee Bowyer says Karlan Grant could have fired Charlton to promotion

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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.

Rangers fans love Tavernier’s response to more fan trouble

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Loads of Rangers fans have been reflecting on the win at Motherwell, and they absolutely love James Tavernier’s cheeky dig at the Fir Park fans.

Rangers kept some pressure on Celtic this weekend, gaining two points on the Hoops as we approach the SPFL split.

Celtic drew 0-0 with Livingston on Saturday, and the Gers responded by thumping Motherwell 3-0 courtesy of a Scott Arfield hat trick.

Arfield scored twice before the break and grabbed his third at the hour mark, and the midfielder thanked Jermain Defoe after the game, who was superb alongside him and played a huge part in setting up his hat trick.

Back to the uglier side of Scottish football though, as fan trouble was once again the centre of attention on Sunday.

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Captain Tavernier appeared to have several objects thrown at him while taking a throw-in in front of the home fans, including lighters and at least one pie.

The skipper has now responded with a picture simply captioned “pied” on his official Twitter account.

Fans absolutely love the 27 year-old’s message, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

It begins: Liverpool fans dig up the Nabil Fekir rumours yet again after intriguing development

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Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy discussing a move for Nabil Fekir yet again, after the Frenchman’s agent – Juan-Pierre Barnes – donated £1,000 to Reds sporting director Michael Edwards’ GoFund Me page.

The transfer saga involving the Merseysiders and the Lyon playmaker dominated the entirety of last summer. Fekir had undergone a medical with Liverpool after the two sides agreed a fee of £53m, only for the Reds to find concerns with the Lyon No.18’s results.

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As a result, Liverpool pulled out of the deal, which disappointed the fanbase significantly having already set their hearts on seeing the attacker arrive at Anfield.

For whatever reason, Fekir’s agent has donated a fair amount of cash to Edwards’ charity page, which has sparked rumours that all is not lost in Liverpool’s pursuit to sign the 25-year-old.

Let’s see what the Reds supporters have been saying on Twitter about the latest development in this seemingly never ending saga…

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