[ad_pod ]

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is not expected to be first name on the teamsheet many times this season.

In fact, many would not have been surprised had the 29-year-old been sold over the summer.

The attacker was so far down the pecking order last season that he was sent to West Bromwich Albion on loan for the second half of the campaign.

However, injuries hampered his progress and he eventually returned to Anfield to knuckle down once again.

Jurgen Klopp was impressed by Sturridge in pre-season and now he finds himself ahead of Divock Origi and a regular squad member.

So far the striker, who according to sillyseason.com earns £120,000 per week, has been injury-free.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”302569″ player=”12034″ title=”The Last Time Man Utd Started A Season So Badly”]

In eight appearances in all competitions, Sturridge has scored four goals, one of which earned a point for the Reds against Chelsea last weekend.

On Sunday, Liverpool have the unenviable task of trying to stop Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, after after limping to a 1-0 loss at Napoli on Wednesday night, perhaps changes to the team should be made.

Collectively, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are not yet ticking, so should Klopp take a risk and start Sturridge at Anfield?

Let us know by voting below.

It is a sign that Kieran Tierney is such an important player for Celtic that he was recently released from his Scotland duties to avoid a mid-season burnout after making 22 appearances already so far during this campaign.

The 21-year-old left-back has made 19 appearances for Celtic in the league, cup and both European competitions. Celtic though have not had the best of starts to the season and currently sit in third in the Scottish Premier League after completing their famous double treble at the end of the last campaign.

Tierney though has been extremely impressive after being linked with a number of Premier League clubs in England in the summer, and should now be considered a £25m player.

He came through the youth system at Celtic and made his debut in 2015 under Ronny Deila against Dundee, but his quality and potential surely mean he will be on his way to the English top flight or elsewhere to a top European club sooner rather than later.

So, Celtic fans, how much do you think Tierney would be worth now? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal boss Unai Emery believes Mesut Ozil’s decision to retire from international duty with Germany will help his club form, as quoted by The Telegraph.

What’s the word?

Unfairly made the poster boy for Germany’s failings at the World Cup in Russia, Mesut Ozil quit the international scene in pre-season with a statement that accused German football of internal racism and sparked a fierce debate.

The 30-year-old has continued to face regular backlash from his home nation in the months that have followed, with Germany struggling to find form in their fixtures in recent months, but has earned the backing of Arsenal manager Emery.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the Spanish boss said he believes Ozil’s absence from the international scene will help him find his best form at club level as the Gunners aim to extend their nine-match winning streak across all competitions.

What was said?

“It is not easy as they are playing two matches. When the players stop for these games, maybe it can do the focus more for us, with training and improving on things. It could help him find our idea more quickly.”

A fair assessment?

A lot of headlines have been secured by Ozil this season, with Emery not afraid to make early substitutions if things are not performing to his standards, but the form of the former Real Madrid man has been rather good this term.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”305269″ player=”12034″ title=”Are Emery’s Arsenal Silently Gunning For The Title”]

In six Premier League matches this season, Ozil has already hit two goals, half the tally he secured last season, and has also found the net once in the Europa League – the same amount of goals he scored in seven European games last season.

Recently turning 30, Ozil has not completed 90 minutes since the 2-0 victory over Watford at the end of September, where he scored for the third time in four matches, but his reduced usage has proven to work well for all parties.

Emery’s decision to substitute Ozil early or exclude him from the squad altogether is not due to his failings this season but is instead helping to reduce the pressure on the World Cup winner, and it is already paying off for the Gunners.

At the age of 33 it is common for footballers, particularly outfield ones, to start winding down as they enter the latter stages of their career.

In most cases, they end up playing fewer games and making way for a new star to shine, but that has not been the case for Pablo Zabaleta at West Ham United.

Initially it looked as though the right-back would be playing more of a bit-part role at the London Stadium under Manuel Pellegrini this season.

Ryan Fredericks was recruited by the club and was picked for three of the Hammers’ opening four top-flight matches.

However, Zabaleta came back into the side for West Ham’s 3-1 win over Everton and he has not looked back.

The Argentine may not have much pace to work with, but he has the intelligence to read the game and be in the right place at the right time from a defensive standpoint.

As the infographic above shows, the right-back has been heavily involved during his six Premier League outings.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”310054″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Fake Madrid & Ross Barkley Emulates… David Ngog”]

As well as intercepting play and disrupting the opponents’ movements with well-timed tackles, Zabaleta has been strong in the air by winning 15 aerial duels.

The former Manchester City star has also kept West Ham out of trouble on numerous occasions by clearing the danger in his own half.

It is unsure how long Zabaleta will be able to continue at the highest level, but at the moment he is a key part of Pellegrini’s side who should not be overlooked.

While Liverpool’s current No.1 Alisson is thriving, a former one in Loris Karius is struggling.

Karius departed Anfield this summer to join Besiktas on loan following Alisson’s arrival on Merseyside, but things are not exactly going to plan for the German.

The Breakdown

According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Besiktas are looking to terminate Karius’ loan in January with the 25-year-old failing to make an impression in the Super Lig thus far, although the Evening Standard reports that Liverpool’s agreement with the Black Eagles contains no such early termination option.

Nevertheless, it is clear that Karius is not having the greatest of spells in Turkey, further displaying why Jurgen Klopp had to get rid of the former Mainz man and replace him with Alisson.

In fact, bringing in a superior shot-stopper to not just Karius but also Simon Mignolet is something Klopp should have done a while ago — the ex-Borussia Dortmund manager could have had a Champions League title to his name if he had acted earlier.

Not much needs to be said about Karius’ disastrous display in Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid back in May, while Mignolet has never looked convincing between the sticks since arriving from Sunderland in the summer of 2013.

What is most important now, though, is that the Reds look to finally have a No.1 who they can rely on and one who should help them challenge for the Premier League title this season among other honours both now and in the future.

[ad_pod ]

Andre Gomes is already a hit with Everton fans following his loan move to the club from Barcelona.

It took time for the midfielder to make his debut, but he finally did on October 21 when the Toffees took on Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

The Portugal international played 82 minutes of the 2-0 victory and he followed that up with another positive performance in Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

It is too early to say whether Gomes will be a crucial part of the club’s season given how long it has taken him to get up to speed.

However, a situation could arise in which the club may need to make a decision regarding their midfield options.

Gomes is currently on a loan arrangement and there are no indications that it will become permanent.

Plus, it has been widely speculated that Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be available on a free transfer come the end of the season.

According to the London Evening Standard, Arsenal will not be giving the 27-year-old a new contract, which means that he will come to the end of his current one next summer.

Ramsey is hugely experienced in the Premier League and his availability could spark a scramble for the Welshman’s signature.

From Everton’s point of view, who would be a better fit under Silva: Ramsey or Gomes?

Let us know by voting below.

[ad_pod ]

According to The Mirror, Chelsea are considering make a move to sign in-form Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

Wilson has begun the new Premier League season in scintillating form for the Cherries. Seven goals from just 13 appearances in all competitions this season sees him rank amongst the most potent forwards in the country at this time.

Wilson’s form is reflected in the south coast club’s lofty league positions, with Eddie Howe’s side currently flying high in sixth place.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”327140″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Leicester Trump Man City Chelsea & Liverpool”]

Of course, Wilson’s form was always going to attract admirers and it looks as though Bournemouth ought to be preparing themselves for a winter window spent warding off interest in the 26-year-old. 

Before Chelsea can move for the Englishman, though, Everton would be wise to swoop in for Wilson’s signature themselves.

The perfect candidate

Richarlison is currently doing a fine job of leading the line for the Toffees, but if Marco Silva could bring in a prolific centre-forward then the Brazilian could return to his favoured wide berth.

However, with £27 million flop Cenk Tosun the club’s senior striker, Silva has little choice but to persist with Richarlison rather than rely upon the out-of-form 27-year-old.

Everton should cut their losses on Tosun and focus upon bringing a new, proven striker to Goodison Park as soon as possible. Wilson would be the ideal candidate to take up this role on Merseyside.

What do you think, Everton fans – would you be excited to welcome Wilson to Goodison Park in January?

Rafael Benitez would be wise to target a new forward when the transfer window reopens in January.

Newcastle finally picked up their first win of the season last week with Ayoze Perez securing a valuable three points for the Magpies. The Tyneside club remain in the Premier League relegation zone, and plenty of work is still to be done if they are to turn their season around. Goals have been few and far between this season and Benitez should target a new forward to improve their fortunes in the New Year.

One man he should attempt to sign is Hoffenheim youngster – Joelinton.

Valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, the Brazilian joined the club back in 2015 but spent two seasons developing at Rapid Vienna in Austria. The 22-year-old returned to the Bundesliga side in the summer and has since evolved into a key player. Following in the footsteps of Roberto Firmino, Joelinton has netted eight goals and registered five assists already this season; Newcastle should aim to bring him to the Premier League.

The forward leads the line expertly making him ideal for Benitez’s 4-2-3-1 system at St. James Park. His eye for a goal would certainly help Newcastle improve their output this season and steer them away from danger. Joelinton also helps bring others into the game, averaging 1.6 key passes per game in the Bundesliga so far, which could help Perez rediscover his best form at the club.

A pacey forward with a fantastic engine, the youngster shares plenty of traits with Firmino that would make him a massive star in the Premier League. Standing at 6’ 1”, Joelinton would have no problem adapting to the physicality of the league.

Should his impressive performances continue, Europe’s elite will be circling like sharks; Newcastle need to secure his services as soon as possible.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

[ad_pod ] As reported by AS, Brahim Diaz, one of Manchester City’s most precocious young talents, is set to leave the club after becoming unhappy with his lack of first team opportunities under Pep Guardiola, with Real Madrid keen on signing him.The 19-year-old has made just three appearances this season, coming off the bench in the Community Shield match against Chelsea, whilst he has made two starts in the Carabao Cup.Impressively, the Citizens’ academy graduate scored two goals in one game against Fulham in the aforementioned cup competition to help City win the game by two goals to nil.Check out Playmaker FC’s Tom Skinner’s unfiltered take on Wayne Rooney’s England legacy in the video below…Of course, game time would be, and has been, hard to come by when you’re competing with David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and co, but the Premier League champions would rather not lose the starlet who they have high hopes for.Naturally, the Etihad faithful aren’t too happy with the news, and have taken to Twitter to voice their opinions…

[ad_pod ]

According to The Sun, Everton, as well as Premier League rivals West Ham United and Newcastle United, are interested in signing Miguel Almiron from MLS outfit Atlanta United.

What’s the story?

Almiron has caught the eye of many would-be suitors with his performances in the USA. His record of 13 goals and 13 assists in the 2018 MLS campaign has certainly raised the 24-year-old attacking midfielder’s profile and he has produced some truly scintillating displays for Atlanta.

The 13-cap Paraguay international looks ready for his big switch to a major European side now, and he appears to have the potential to have an impact in the Premier League – although any move would still be a risk given he has never played in a major league.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

However, Everton have no need for Almiron’s services, and in bringing him to the club, Toffees boss Marco Silva would be risking making the same mistake as previous Everton manager, Ronald Koeman. 

A repeat of past mistakes

The Dutchman’s tenure at Goodison Park was undermined by his errors in the transfer market. An influx of players all vying for the same positions, specifically the attacking-midfielder berth preferred by Almiron, left his squad unbalanced and with players unhappy and being deployed out of position. 

Ultimately, this was one of the factors that contributed towards Koeman’s position on Merseyside becoming untenable.

It took Wayne Rooney being sold and Nikola Vlasic being shipped off on loan for balance to be restored. Gylfi Sigurdsson was then handed the No. 10 role, and has since thrived for the Toffees. Silva retains options in this part of the pitch too, with Bernard and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also able to play the position.

With Vlasic set to return having impressed for CSKA Moscow, Everton don’t need any more attacking midfielders. Bringing Almiron to the club in spite of this risks giving rise to similar issues to those Koeman faced.