Cenk Tosun has shown in spells that he can be a positive asset to Everton, but his consistency has let him down.
The Turkish international failed to fill the gap left behind by Romelu Lukaku, and this season he has struggled to earn a regular spot under manager Marco Silva.
In fact, Tosun has not played a full 90 minutes for the Toffees since early October in an EFL Cup match against Southampton.
In total, the striker has netted only twice in 13 outings in all competitions, so perhaps it would not make much sense to throw him into the line-up for the Merseyside derby.
However, while speaking to Goal earlier this month, Tosun insisted that he will be motivated for the clash against Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp and his team are likely to be expecting Richarlison to be positioned up front at Anfield, so perhaps springing Tosun on them would be a surprise.
Is it worth the risk, though? Let us know by voting below.
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It’s a derby triple in the Premier League this weekend but Football FanCast’s attention is firmly fixed on the North London clash. Tottenham and Arsenal rarely disappoint for goals and drama and to make this particular encounter even juicier, the two rivals are currently separated by just three points in the Premier League table. We take a closer look at the tactical factors that will decide Sunday’s game…
The Key Battle – Shkodran Mustafi vs Harry Kane
It’s been an underwhelming start to the season for Harry Kane but the Tottenham striker produced something close to his best form against Chelsea last weekend. Granted, the audacious long-range strike contained an element of luck but the England skipper’s centre-forward play throughout the match was fantastic; recording either the most or the joint-most aerial duels won, fouls won and dribbles of any player on the pitch. Combine that with a phenomenal record against Arsenal – seven goals in eight appearances – and Gunners fan have every right to be concerned heading into the weekend.
Even more so considering, in terms of physicality, it will be up to Shkodran Mustafi to compete with Kane. The German international has his moments of brilliance but they’re always juxtaposed by cumbersome errors and poor positioning: he’s become a real source of frustration for Arsenal supporters over the last few seasons. If he’s to cancel out Kane this weekend, the former Valencia man will need to be at his absolute best.
The Key Dynamic – High Press vs Possession Football
Tottenham mauled Chelsea last time out in the Premier League and while there are obvious differences for Sunday’s game – home advantage is now in Arsenal’s favour and the Gunners don’t have a deep-lying Jorginho type figure they’re dependent on to orchestrate play – it’s likely Spurs will take a similar game-plan to the Emirates Stadium, one where they press high to try and keep the ball in the hosts’ own third as much as possible.
It’s a nightmare for a team like Arsenal who like to dominate possession, knowing Tottenham are set up to create turnovers in dangerous areas, but the Gunners are probably better equipped to handle it than they were under Arsene Wenger.
Emery has made the side a little more varied and direct, and the ability to change up will be instrumental in beating Tottenham’s press. In fact, if Arsenal can force Spurs to over-commit then they should find plenty of space to make a few problems at the other end.
The Deciding Factor – Can Tottenham capitalise on Arsenal’s stodgy starts?
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In light of Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the Premier League, which now spans eleven games, it’s quite incredible that they’re yet to lead a top flight game at half time under Emery. In many ways, it’s testament to how shrewd a tactician the Spaniard is, effectively using substitutes to change games in Arsenal’s favour.
At the same time though, it does leave Arsenal susceptible to an early onslaught, and the onus is really on Tottenham to take advantage of that. They scored twice within the first 16 minutes against Chelsea last weekend and have been good value in first halves this season, the opening 45 minutes responsible for 12 of their 23 Premier League goals. It’s imperative Spurs maintain the trend on Sunday, to put Arsenal on the back foot as quickly as possible.
That being said, Arsenal will have faith in coming back into the match, regardless of the scoreline, and ending it strongly. Tottenham will need to be wary of that as the final whistle approaches, especially when Emery begins to introduce substitutes.
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The Impact Subs – Aaron Ramsey vs Erik Lamela
Before this weekend’s action only Eden Hazard had assisted more substitute goals than Aaron Ramsey this season, whereas Erik Lamela’s goalscoring return from the bench was only surpassed by team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. With both expected to be substitutes again this weekend, they should be the first players Emery and Pochettino respectively turn to if they need an extra dose of attacking impetus in search of a late win.
Lamela’s overall form this term has probably been better than Ramsey’s; due to his expiring contract, it appears the Welshman’s cameo outings this season are an effort to phase him out of the team more than anything else. The Argentine, on the other hand, is Tottenham’s second-top scorer in the Premier League and has become an increasingly valuable member of Pochettino’s squad over the last year or so. He also gives Tottenham’s midfield something a little different – the ability to turn players in central areas.
According to the results of a recent Football FanCast poll, West Brom fans are divided on whether Darren Moore should make a January move for Blackpool defender Curtis Tilt.
The Baggies drew 1-1 with Brentford on Monday evening, and Moore continued to play four at the back in the absence of the injured Kyle Bartley.
The West Brom boss clearly prefers his side to play with a back three though and earlier in the season they found great success with that system. Bartley though was perhaps the weak link as the summer signing from Swansea struggled to adapt to playing in the left centre-back role.
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Tilt though has had a strong start to the season with Blackpool in League One after being heavily linked with a move to both Ipswich and Rangers in the summer transfer window, and his acquisition would allow Moore to go back to a 3-4-1-2 formation.
West Brom fans were clearly unsure about looking down the leagues in order to secure signings though, and the results of our poll were exactly 50/50 when asked if Tilt would be a good January signing. Check it out below.
[ad_pod ]Tottenham fans have taken to Twitter to react after they were drawn against Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League.Spurs overcame all the odds to pick up a magnificent point in the Nou Camp against Barcelona, and had PSV to thank for being able to hold Inter to a 1-1 draw which saw the side from north London amazingly navigate their way out of arguably the toughest group.However, the German side will be a very, very tough nut to crack. Lucian Favre’s side are nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, and have been blowing teams away with some phenomenal football spearheaded by the likes of Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho.Mauricio Pochettino has been working wonders so far this season for Spurs, but if he manages to somehow knock Dortmund out of the Champions League, that could be his best trick yet.Let’s take a look at some of the best tweets…
Manchester United’s season is an up and down one this term, with smatterings of being at their best being followed by some dismal displays.
Jose Mourinho’s men appear to be light years behind their rivals in the top four, and it would take a miracle of sorts for the Red Devils to even make a half decent run at securing a Champions League spot given their form so far in opening few months of the season.
It’s clear to us here at the Transfer Tavern that United need some new top end talent added to their squad, and with the January window just around the corner, we think that the club should be desperately trying to add some new central midfield players to the ranks, and midfield players who can come straight in and improve the first XI.
The likes of Paul Pogba are simply not doing it for United, and a club with the stature and history of the Red Devils should have no problem attracting new players if they do choose to splash come cash in the January window.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at TWO midfielders who Man United should be looking at going into the January window…
Thiago Alcantara
The Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder is well up there with the best in the world in the middle of the park, and he’d be a superb capture for the Red Devils.
Thiago has long been admired by coaches and managers around Europe, with Pep Guardiola a massive fan of the classy Munich maestro.
United need world class talent in the middle of the park, and Thiago fits the description. If they could indeed convince the Spaniard to move to Old Trafford, they would have quite the player on their hands, and crucially, a difference maker in the midfield.
Marco Verratti
Soccer Football – Coupe de la Ligue Final – Paris St Germain vs AS Monaco – Matmut Atlantique Stadium, Bordeaux, France – March 31, 2018 Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti gestures REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
The PSG midfield ace is a quality operator and someone who at first glance would appear to be ideally suited to life in the Premier League.
Tough tackling and tenacious but equally as good in possession, Verratti is a class act, and at 25, would have even more time to develop into a truly world class talent at Old Trafford.
Snapping up one of Europe’s top midfielders like Verratti would be a huge boost to United, who are desperate for quality in the middle of the park.
Rani Khedira should be a top Liverpool January target as Jurgen Klopp opens the door to fresh faces.
What’s the word?
Klopp has taken note of the Reds’ recent injuries, and admitted his club may be forced to strengthen in the winter market if they lose other key players.
Currently they are without the services of defensive duo Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, and will hand late fitness tests to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita before they host Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Due to the absence of the 20-year-old full-back, James Milner was required to fill in on the right of defence against Wolverhampton Wanders last Friday, having previously featured as a left-back under the German.
The natural midfielder has proven to be a versatile option for his coach, and Klopp would be wise to consider another adaptable player joining in January in order to cover multiple positions in the event of further injuries.
Augsburg ace Khedira would be a great addition to sign, as the 24-year-old has shown himself to be adept in both midfield and defence.
The VfB Stuttgart product moved from Keita’s previous club RB Leipzig to Augsburg in 2017 on a free, and has accumulated 54 appearances while growing his TransferMarkt valuation from £675,000 to £5.4million.
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What would he add?
Over the course of the current campaign, the 24-year-old has featured 19 times in all competitions, with six of those starts coming from a central defensive role.
Khedira’s impressive Bundesliga record is exemplified by him leading the German top tier for interceptions, with a total of 52 in 17 games.
The 6 foot 2 German has also completed 33 tackles, 56 clearances, and 705 passes – averaging an accurate short ball every 2.8 minutes.
His arrival on Merseyside would ensure Klopp has cover for the likes of Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum beyond the inconsistent Jordan Henderson, while gaining another option at the back for the same price.
There would be no doubt in his skill, either, as Khedira has shown his aerial talent and ability to retain possession, with 45 duels won and suffering just nine dispossessions.
According to The Sun, Fulham are interested in signing out of favour Chelsea defender Gary Cahill on loan until the end of the season.
The Cottagers currently sit in 19th place in the Premier League, and have conceded the most goals in the league this season by a considerable distance. The likes of Denis Odoi and Tim Ream have struggled to impress so far this season, and manager Claudio Ranieri will be desperate to inject some solidity into his club’s defence.
The Italian has historically been able to get the best out of fairly limited defences, and must do so at Craven Cottage. In his infamous title winning season with Leicester, he transformed Robert Huth and Wes Morgan into the strongest and most feared centre-back partnership in the league. With the likes of skilled operators such as Alfie Mawson already at the club, the manager will hope that Cahill will help shore up the defence.
With new manager Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge, Cahill’s appearances for Chelsea have been few and far between, as he is clearly not a favourite of the Italian’s. However, at the age of 33, he will still feel that he has a lot to give to whomever he plays for. Fulham will not be looking for longterm investments this January, they will be looking to quick fixes to avoid relegation. A two time Premier League winner and a member of Chelsea’s victorious Champions League team, Cahill will provide Fulham with an immeasurable wealth of experience, which is just what Ranieri needs in his unsure defence.
Southampton are set to lose Manolo Gabbiadini to Sampdoria with an official announcement pending, and now the club should look to bring Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi to St Mary’s on loan if reports are true that his temporary spell with Valencia is to be brought to an end early.
What’s the word, then?
Well, it seems clear that Saints need to offload some players before Ralph Hasenhuttl can bring any in this month, and they have already lost Gabbiadini and Steven Davis – two big earners – off of the wage bill with more likely to follow.
The loss of the Italian leaves the 51-year-old with Danny Ings, Michael Obafemi, Charlie Austin and Shane Long as his striker options, and he will surely want to add another new face to his squad before the January transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that Batshuayi is likely to have his loan with La Liga outfit Valencia cut short after he was substituted off at half-time during the team’s Copa del Rey defeat against Sporting Gijon on Tuesday, meaning he could soon be available.
Why should Southampton sign him?
Hasenhuttl has previously made no secret of the fact that he wants to add some pace to his attack, and while Batshuayi doesn’t have the speed that Obafemi or Long do he still is relatively quick, and would bring the added bonus of knowing where the goal is in the second-half of the 2018/19 campaign.
While he may have found form and goals hard to come by in Spain, he proved during a similar spell with Borussia Dortmund last term when he netted nine times in 14 appearances in total that he can be more than useful in the final third.
Having managed in Germany last year Hasenhuttl should be well aware of the 25-year-old and the impact he made, and he may feel that the Belgian can make the same one for his current team at St Mary’s if he can seal a loan move.
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In the end, Newcastle United were able to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup following their entertaining 4-2 third-round replay away at Blackburn Rovers yesterday.
Victory for the Magpies, however, did not come without consequences with Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles both picking up injuries to add to Rafael Benitez’s woes.
The Breakdown
Benitez was already without the likes of Kenedy, Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame for the game, leaving the Spaniard in a delicate situation which could be about to get much worse.
Benitez, however, does not believe Clarke’s injury is too serious, though he remains unsure over the extent of Lascelles’ hamstring problem.
“When it is a hamstring you never know,” the Newcastle boss was quoted saying by Press Association Sport (via BT Sport). “With Shelvey and Dummett we have to wait, and Diame. We have to assess the three of them maybe on Wednesday or Thursday,” he added after explaining a bizarre nail injury Kenedy had picked up.
Ultimately, with all the injuries that are plaguing Newcastle, it really should kick Mike Ashley into making some signings this month.
The Tyneside club were already in desperate need of some reinforcements before the Blackburn game and, simply put, now need them more than ever.