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Everton must look to offload Fabian Delph at the end of the season after Carlo Ancelotti admitted he is “frustrated” by the midfielder’s injuries.

What’s the word?

Via quotes by the Liverpool Echo, the Blues boss has vented his frustration at Delph’s string of issues that have kept the England international sidelined since the start of December.

Delph sustained a hamstring injury during the first-half of his side’s 1-1 draw with Burnley and missed Sunday’s meeting with Fulham due to fitness concerns, which had kept him from taking a place in the squad that beat Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

The £80,000-per-week midfielder had returned to Ancelotti’s matchday plans earlier this month when listed among the substitutes against Leeds United and Manchester United, and would have featured in some capacity against Spurs if included.

Ancelotti now hopes Delph will be fit to play a role in Wednesday’s Premier League clash with title-chasing Manchester City, as the former Sky Blues midfielder can help to ease the burden on those who have played frequently this season.

“He’s not injured again, but he has a little problem and is not fit 100%,” Ancelotti said. “The fact he had a problem in the past we want to be sure to put him in.

“He was on the bench the game before and during training he had a contraction of his muscle, not a big problem but he’s not available for the [Fulham] game. Maybe Wednesday he will be.

“Of course, we are frustrated because I think he’s an important player with a lot of experience. He could help us with the fact, in this moment, as in the game against Tottenham, I only had two midfielders.”

Time to get rid

Delph has now missed 19 of Everton’s 29 Premier League and cup games through injury, illness or fitness issues this season after sitting out the Fulham affair, while missing 21 of the Toffees’ 38 top-flight fixtures last term.

The 31-year-old has also only started four of his seven appearances across all competitions during the 2020/21 campaign, as the £10m ex-Man City midfielder brought his total outings to 27 since being signed to a three-year deal under Marco Silva in 2019.

Delph is bleeding Everton’s majority owner Farhad Moshiri dry on his £80k-p/w deal, that has seen the Blues pay out almost £11m in wages over his 135 weeks at Goodison Park so far.

Everton are seeing absolutely no value in his signing with Delph costing the club, including the fee paid to Man City, £770,500 a game. He is also yet to score or assist a single goal.

Ancelotti must now see that Delph does not play into the third and final year of his current deal, and should urge the Blues’ Director of Football Marcel Brands to spend the coming months shopping the 20-cap international on the transfer market.

Time simply has to be up for the perennially crocked dud.

AND in other news, Everton are monitoring an “exciting” teen prospect Carlo Ancelotti could sign for free…

Whilst Tottenham Hotspur struggled to take their chances in the 4-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers on Monday night until late on, the performance of Gareth Bale arguably shows why he needs to be starting more often in the Premier League.

The Welsh international played the full 90 minutes at Adams Park and looked dangerous throughout, as he regularly showed a good turn of pace to get past the opposition defenders.

The on-loan Real Madrid man scored the equalising goal with a deft finish in first-half stoppage time, which means he is now the only Spurs player to have scored in every competition so far this season.

The 31-year-old has struggled with fitness and injury issues since re-joining the North London club during the summer transfer window but will be glad to have got his first full 90 minutes back in a Spurs shirt under his belt on Monday, even if it was against Championship opposition.

If Bale can get back to full fitness, then Mourinho should consider making him his starting right-winger in future matches, as he showed against Wycombe that when he is on form, he can offer more of a goalscoring threat than Steven Bergwijn.

Despite playing significantly fewer matches than the Dutch winger this season, Bale has four goals in all competitions, compared to the former PSV man, who has failed to find the back of the net once this season.

The 23-year-old has struggled to put away big chances, most notably in the 2-1 defeat against Liverpool earlier in the season, when he missed a few golden opportunities.

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Although Bergwijn does a lot of the dirty work in Mourinho’s side with his excellent pressing and tracking back, the Portuguese manager must surely be considering handing the £18 million-rated Bale more game time in the Premier League to try and add to his side’s attacking threat, considering he has managed just four appearances in the top-flight since returning, three of which have come from the bench.

If Bale can replicate the performance he produced against Wycombe, where he completed 5/5 dribbles and earned an 8/10 rating from SofaScore, in the Premier League, then it is surely only a matter of time before he establishes himself as the first-choice right-winger with the Lilywhites.

And, in other news… Levy handed ideal opportunity to axe £42m liability dubbed “a mistake waiting to happen”

It must be a huge relief for everyone at Sunderland that they can finally focus on the football again.

Their festive period was ruined by a bout of Covid and thus, they had four consecutive games postponed by the authorities.

A 0-0 draw wasn’t exactly the most ideal way to return to action last weekend and they now face a tough encounter against Hull City.

It’s a clash we’ve seen in the Premier League and Championship in the last decade but they now meet in League One amid multiple years of plight.

It will be interesting to see how Lee Johnson decides to line-up with his squad nearly back to full health.

Denver Hume and Luke O’Nien are still a few weeks away from a return but Callum McFadzean is set to be back in the squad this weekend.

With that in mind, we’re tipping the Mackems to make three changes from the side that drew with Northampton.

Lynden Gooch returns to the starting XI for the first time since picking up an injury towards the latter stage of November. He’s made a few substitute appearances under Johnson but now should be his time to fully prove his worth to the new manager.

That means that McGeady is dropped from the starting XI, but on the opposite flank, we also think that Jack Diamond will be taken out of the firing line. Consequently, Chris Maguire – their top scorer in League One last term – comes into the XI.

The other change is at left-back where McFadzean is fit enough to play again. Dion Sanderson deputised in that third of the pitch against the Cobblers but unfortunately misses out on this occasion.

The midfield has a familiar look to it while Conor McLaughlin continues at right-back with O’Nien out and recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Grigg: Speakman can boost SAFC promotion bid by signing “terrific” 12-goal gem…

According to The Scotsman, Lille remain interested in a move for Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.

Lille monitoring Morelos

Lille, who are currently second in Ligue 1 on goal difference and are still in the Europa League, were heavily linked with a move for the Colombia international during last summer’s transfer window – they were said to have agreed personal terms with the £13.5m-valued 24-year-old (Transfermarkt), while they also had a £16m bid rejected.

The Scotsman has been discussing players who will attract interest this January, and while they admit it is unlikely Morelos will depart this month, Lille are still monitoring his situation north of the border.

May be worth selling

Given his impressive scoring record at Ibrox – he has 85 goals in 164 games for the 54-time Scottish champions – the Gers were eager to hold on to Morelos as they resisted the temptation to sell last summer. However, this campaign, the striker has just eight goals in 26 games despite the Gers losing only once in all competitions.

His temperament has got the better of him on occasion, as well. He has been involved in altercations with Scott Brown in both Old Firm derbies, while Steven Gerrard has spoken out against his attitude when being substituted. It is getting to the point where he is becoming far more trouble than he is worth – another £16m offer could well force Ross Wilson’s hand.

In other news, Rangers fans hammer this politician’s lack of respect.

The extent to which Sunderland have failed in the transfer market over the last few years can always be brought back to the 2019 window.

At first glance, it looked as though Josh Maja was going to stay at the Stadium of Light. However, his agent managed to tie up a deal with Bordeaux and he departed the Mackems.

Consequently, they were left needing a striker to fill the gap of the 15 goals he’d taken with him to France.

That, however, didn’t go well at all. Sunderland came into transfer deadline day still needing a centre-forward and consequently, opposing clubs could string them along.

That’s exactly what happened with Stewart Donald. He failed with several bids for Wigan attacker Will Grigg before eventually landing him for £4m.

Financially that was shocking business but they were at least signing someone with a proven track record in League One. He’d scored 19 for Wigan in the very same division only a year prior, firing the Latics to promotion.

To say things haven’t worked out since would be an understatement. He’s scored only eight times after arriving and is yet to find the back of the net in 2019/20.

At Wimbledon, though, another striker was banging in goals on a regular basis, one the Black Cats let slip through their net.

After leaving West Brom in the summer of 2018, Finnish striker Marcus Forss had a trial with Sunderland. They chose not to sign him and instead, he went and penned terms with Brentford.

A loan spell followed last season where Forss bagged 11 times in just 18 third-tier outings. Since heading back to the Bees, he has scored goals again – this time in the Championship. In 19 appearances this season, the 21-year-old beast has found the net seven times.

This is a young individual who knows where the goal is and appears to be a player that Lee Johnson is crying out for.

The criticism, therefore, should go to Donald and the Mackems’ talent spotters for failing to sign him.

Forss has now been linked with Borussia Dortmund and could make a move to one of the most prestigious clubs in European football.

Had he signed for Sunderland, who knows where they could be now? Unlike Grigg, the youngster could have won them promotion.

In other news, Johnson must unleash Sunderland talent with “magic feat”…

New West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has it all to do in January if he’s to turn around the sinking Baggies ship this season, though he may be about to resolve one of their biggest problems in one fell swoop…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, out-of-favour Manchester United defender Phil Jones is a target for the struggling Midlands outfit next month.

It’s claimed that the Red Devils are even willing to pay a ‘considerable portion’ of his whopping £120k-per-week wages in order to get him off the books at Old Trafford.

Albion manager Big Sam is targeting a new centre-back as his number one priority, as per the report, and knows Jones well from a stint at Blackburn Rovers in 2009/10.

Righting Bilic’s wrongs…

The Baggies’ summer activity was nothing short of a shambles as Slaven Bilic failed to secure experienced heads in the backline, and a move for the 28-year-old would certainly resolve that.

After Ahmed Hegazi was sold in October, the Croatian was left with players who have either never cut it or have never played in the top-flight. Indeed, the only centre-back they signed was Cedric Kipre from then-Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic.

Yes, they signed a 36-year-old Branislav Ivanovic, but it’s clear to see he’s done and dusted unlike Thiago Silva as his former club, Chelsea.

The Athletic claim he even rejected the chance to sign Shane Duffy, who has since gone to Celtic and already clinched a trophy. A decision that has proven to be a disaster already – the Midlands outfit rank second-worst for goals conceded so far this season.

Allardyce desperately needs a fresh figure in a defence that leaks two goals per game on average.

The United outcast has won a Premier League, Europa League and an FA Cup, and has also racked up 200 appearances in the English top-flight.

Big Sam once touted Jones to become England captain one day back in 2011, he said:

“I was never in doubt that he was going to make it. He is already growing into what I consider to be a leader. When he gets more experience he will be able to control his team-mates and eventually he will wear the armband for England. It’s a lot to ask of such a young man but he has the all-round outstanding ability to be a very top player.”

Whilst ex-United boss Louis van Gaal emphasised his versatile nature, after offering him a new contract, he claimed: “Phil is a talented footballer with great versatility.”

Even Jose Mourinho was a fan, dubbing the Englishman the ‘ideal’ defender, suggesting he’s “everything I like in a central defender.”

Yet he finds himself hugely out-of-favour under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer despite their defensive frailties, so a new start at the Hawthorns could be exactly what both Jones and Albion need.

AND in other news, Dowling heading for a familiar mistake as HUGE club eye Baggies sensation…

West Ham United must bite the bullet and look to sell Ryan Fredericks after reports emerged suggesting the right-back is facing an uncertain future following his omission from the matchday squad at Sheffield United.

What’s the word?

According to Claret & Hugh, Irons boss David Moyes opted to name young full-back Ben Johnson among his substitutes for last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Bramall Lane after Fredericks developed a slight knock that prevented his involvement.

Moyes has not called on Fredericks to play a single minute in any competition since September’s 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where the 28-year-old was forced to be replaced early in the second-half after sustaining a hamstring injury.

The blow swung the door wide open for summer signing Vladimir Coufal to start at Leicester City and Moyes has never looked back since, with the £5.4million man now considered the firm first-choice.

Fredericks is only expected to be offered a recall should Coufal sustain an injury, but may also be sold in January or the summer to avoid losing the former Fulham ace for free with his £40,000-per-week contract expiring in 2022.

Time to bite the bullet

With Fredericks’ future at the London Stadium far from certain as Moyes edges in favour of Coufal, who has started all six available Premier League games, it is time for West Ham to bite the bullet and look to offload the Manuel Pellegrini signing as soon as possible.

Pellegrini was full of hope for Fredericks when the Chilean unveiled the full-back as his first signing in 2018, claiming the free transfer would provide the Irons with great qualities that would only develop in claret and blue.

“I am very pleased to welcome Ryan to West Ham United as our first signing this summer,” Pellegrini said, via quotes by the club’s official website. “He joins having had a successful season with Fulham and is a player who will bring great qualities to our squad.

“He has good experience, with more than 150 senior appearances already but, at 25, he is still a young player with his best years ahead of him. Ryan has good character, is hungry to succeed, and has shown me that he has great desire to be a West Ham United player.”

But West Ham supporters have struggled to see the qualities Pellegrini lauded, as Fredericks has been relentlessly plagued by injuries with an ankle problem sidelining the 28-year-old for 77 days and 14 matches in his debut season, while hamstring and shoulder issues ruled him out for periods last term.

Added to Fredericks’ constant injuries, Moyes is seemingly confident Johnson is now ready to step up and take on more responsibilities in the senior fold having named the 20-year-old on the bench at Sheffield United.

It was the fourth time this season that Johnson has featured in an 18-man league squad, though failed to enter the action like against Wolves when replacing the injured Fredericks or in West Ham’s three Carabao Cup ties prior to elimination at Everton.

AND in other news, West Ham can ease David Moyes’ fear by signing an “exemplary” gem who may not cost David Sullivan anything.

Steven Gerrard is looking to bolster his Glasgow Rangers squad for the 2020/21 season, and this has seen him turn his attention to a midfielder currently plying his trade abroad.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gers are keeping tabs on Benfica midfielder Chris Willock. Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and AFC Bournemouth are also monitoring him.

However the only issue is that Huddersfield Town have agreed a £1m fee with the Portuguese giants and experienced Champions League side for the player. Indeed, he spent the second half of the 19/20 campaign on loan with the West Yorkshire outfit.

Last season Willock, who is only 22, featured 14 times for the Terriers in the Championship, picking up two goals and managing on average one shot, 1.4 successful dribbles, and 1.1 tackles a game, via WhoScored.

These aren’t the greatest stats for the player but show that he can provide support at both ends of the pitch and the fact that he is currently at Benfica highlights that he definitely has some potential to succeed and grow into a better player.

However it feels like if Gerrard was to add to his squad, it needs to be players performing at their best right now because he is currently looking to guide the club to their first title in ten years.

Therefore it would not be the biggest worry if they were to lose out on this signing, and there are other targets in midfield, like Daniel Johnson, who would be better options as he recorded 12 goals and seven assists in the Championship last season, managing on average 1.4 key passes, 1.3 shots and 1.7 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Glasgow Rangers fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!

Aston Villa appear to be closing in on their first signing of the summer transfer window and it’s sure to excite much of the fanbase in the west Midlands.

What’s the word?

According to Kosovan journalist Arlind Sadiku, Werder Bremen forward Milot Rashica will leave the Bundesliga outfit before the end of next week and Dean Smith’s side are front of the queue to land him.

Villa are set to beat off local rivals Wolves as well as AS Monaco for the 24-year-old’s signature.

Meanwhile, Weser Kurier have previously claimed that just €25m (£22.5m) will be enough to secure his transfer, so maybe that’s been met by Villa.

Ice-cold star

Smith would certainly be getting an upgrade to his attacking armoury if he does indeed manage to clinch the Kosovan international.

The 24-year-old has impressed in Bundesliga this season, providing 11 goals and five assists across all domestic competitions, via WhoScored. He’s predominantly been played on the left-wing but can also feature as a number nine.

This could mean that Villa skipper Jack Grealish is pushed back into central midfield, where his creativity would undoubtedly flourish.

Rashica has been likened to former Arsenal talisman Alexis Sanchez – of old rather than new – due to his ability to play across the front three and being an ice-cold finisher who can win games on his own.

Having averaged 2.6 shots, 2 dribbles and 1.4 key passes this season, it’s easy to see why he’s been compared to the Inter Milan star.

His teammate at Bremen, Theo Gebre Selassie, believes he’s “one of the best players in the Bundesliga” whilst head coach Florian Kohfeldt claims the 5 foot 10 magicians “makes scoring look so easy.”

Only six teams scored fewer goals than Villa last season, so it is certainly one area that needs improvements, so a swoop for Rashica at just £22.5m should absolutely be pushed through.

AND in other news, Villa could land perfect Jack Grealish partner in recently-relegated STAR…

According to recent reports, Leeds are interested in signing QPR starlet Eberechi Eze this summer.

What’s the word?

Eze has been in superb form for the Championship side this season, racking up 14 goals and eight assists in the league. That has prompted speculation he could be heading for the exit door, with reports now suggesting Leeds are keen on having him lead their Premier League return next season.

The Sun have claimed Marcelo Bielsa has identified the 22-year-old as someone who can bring a creative spark to Elland Road, and that the Whites are ready to outbid the likes of Tottenham and West Ham in the race to sign him.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…

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In fact, it’s further suggested that Leeds actually informed QPR of their intentions of placing a bid for the England youth international back in January if they achieved promotion this season.

Sterling 2.0

It’s fair to say that Eze has earned a lot of plaudits in his short career as a first-team football for QPR.

Mark Warburton hailed him as a “tremendous talent” who has “no limits” in just how far he can go, whilst the Hoops’ former assistant manager Mark Bircham said: “He goes past players easier than Raheem Sterling did. Sterling would beat players with pace or do a trick or a chop – it’s all dynamic movements, but Ebere Eze just glides past players.”

With Sterling also having come through the QPR academy, that may be a simple comparison to make. But if you dig beneath that, you can see just how comparable the two are.

As per Whoscored, he has averaged a stunning three dribbles per game in the Championship, whilst also attempting 2.2 shots per match too. And with his tally of 14 goals this season, he clearly has the goal-scoring knack that Sterling has developed, with the latter netting 19 in the Premier League for Manchester City.

Speaking about his dribbling ability, Danny Higginbotham remarked: “You would not want him one on one. He has that knack of gliding past players with ease. He has so many assists because he attracts so much attention which creates space for his teammates.”

If Leeds manage to sign him this summer, then they could very well have their own Sterling in their hands.