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With his contract set to expire next summer, there has been plenty of talk about Christian Eriksen’s future.

The 27-year-old, however, is only focusing on his football as he looks to help Tottenham win their first top-flight title since 1961.

The Breakdown

“Christian only wants to focus himself on football,” Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots recently told ESPN. “Besides his technical, tactical and athletic skills, also this attitude has contributed over the years to his impressive transformation from world class talent to world class player.”

With things extremely tight at the top of the Premier League table, Tottenham do not need any added distractions, especially at a time where they have been forced to pick up results without star duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Considering all of that, it is imperative for Eriksen to make sure the uncertainty surrounding his future does not affect his performances. And to the Denmark international’s credit, he has done just that.

Alongside Son Heung-min, Eriksen has helped to keep Tottenham’s title dream alive in the absence of Kane and Alli with his creativity on the pitch proving to be too much for opposition teams as ever.

If Tottenham are to go all the way this season, then they need Eriksen free of any distractions.

Everton will take on West Ham United when they return to action tomorrow afternoon in east London, and Frank Lampard will be hoping that his team can pick up where they left off in the Premier League after a big three points earned against Newcastle United.

West Ham are in inconsistent form, with just two wins from their last five league games, but they are still chasing their outside chance to secure a Champions League spot at the end of the season. There is no doubt that David Moyes’ side will feel they have everything to play for tomorrow at the London Stadium, and Lampard must do all he can to ruin their opportunity.

With that being said, being wise about team selection tomorrow is imperative to the 43-year-old securing points and raising momentum after crashing out of the FA Cup at Crystal Palace, so picking the right players to deliver in their roles in the team is a must.

The Everton boss must axe Andre Gomes from the side if he wants to impose a real threat on the Hammers on Sunday and should look to his other midfield options to better control the game.

This season, the 28-year-old has made 12 Premier League appearances, losing five out of the last six league games in which he has been involved, with only a two-minute performance in the win over Newcastle before the international break, and his defensive attributes in the centre of the pitch have been questionable.

According to SofaScore, Gomes – who was dubbed a “walking red card” by Greg O’Keeffe – only averages 29.9 touches per game, losing the ball once every three touches during his game-time in the league this season, with only 37% of his duels won and a 77% passing accuracy rate.

Although Lampard has had his midfield options limited due to Allan serving a three-match ban following a red card in his last league game, the 43-year-old still has plenty of options in his squad with Donny Van de Beek, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dele Alli available, while Fabian Delph could make an impact as he is predicted to return for selection next week.

With that in mind, it is high time that the ex-Chelsea boss axes the unreliable Gomes, given how high the stakes are over the remainder of Everton’s Premier League season.

In other news: Everton handed fresh lift as update emerges, Lampard will be buzzing

Celtic have been dealt a huge injury setback ahead of their upcoming Premiership fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments made on The Go Radio Football Show (via Vital Celtic), The Celtic Exchange podcaster known as Tino revealed that Callum McGregor will miss at least Saturday’s clash with Dundee United and Wednesday’s Old Firm derby as a result of the facial injury the 28-year-old picked up against Alloa Athletic.

Speaking about the condition of the central midfielder, the podcaster said: “I’ve heard that Callum McGregor picked up a concussion and I believe there’s a ruling in place that you need to wait something like 12 days [before being able to play again].

“So, I’m not sure exactly how that plays out, maybe someone can tell us on that. I think he numerically could be ruled out of [the Dundee United and Rangers fixtures]. I don’t think there’s any fracture to his jaw from what I’ve heard.”

Ange will be livid

Considering just how integral a part of the Celtic side McGregor is, the fact that the Scotland international looks set to miss out on both the Dundee United and Rangers games as a result of an injury picked up against League One Alloa Athletic is sure to have left Ange Postecoglou livid.

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Indeed, over his 18 Premiership appearances this season, the £6.75m-rated midfielder has been in impeccable form for the Bhoys, scoring one goal, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.9 key passes, 0.6 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 72.7 total passes and winning 53% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the £30k-per-week man average a SofaScore match rating of 7.31, ranking the 28-year-old as the seventh-best player in the entirety of the Scottish top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that being without McGregor for both the Dundee United and Rangers fixtures will severely reduce the Bhoys’ chances of picking up maximum points in the games – with anything but six points from the next two outings potentially having disastrous consequences in the Hoops’ bid to reclaim their Premiership crown this season.

In other news: Ange must now axe “arrogant” £15k-p/w Celtic flop by landing “incredible” £5k-p/w gem

Everton will travel to Carrow Road this afternoon as they seek to take their first three point win of the year in the Premier League, and Rafa Benitez’s side are looking like they’re in good shape to do so with the return of important players and three new signings.

Richarlison and Yerry Mina were spotted back in training this week, and Benitez took to his pre-match press conference to confirm that they would be available in terms of being fit enough to be picked for the travelling squad today.

The Spanish manager opened up about the returning players;

“All the others were training and now we have to treat them carefully. At the moment they are fine, then it is up to us to see who can be available for his game or the next games.”

It’s unclear as to whether Benitez will throw his newly returned back into the team, but with the side just six points off the relegation zone currently, the Toffees manager will surely be mindful in selecting his best available team to secure the wins and climb back into a more comfortable position in the league table as soon as possible.

With that being said, this is how Football Fancast expects Everton to set up against Norwich City today…

With five changes to the team that beat Hull City, we expect Jordan Pickford, Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mina and Abdoulaye Doucouré to be included in the team that will take on the challenge at Norwich City this afternoon.

Richarlison and Mina are back in our predicted line up, but Benitez will potentially use the opportunity of playing the bottom of the league Canaries, to use his substitutions throughout the game, with Mina unlikely to play a full 90 minutes after being out injured for a prolonged period this season.

It is likely that Andre Gomes will be axed from the team, with Doucoure returning to the starting line up, despite the £120k-p/w gem scoring against Hull in the FA Cup victory this week, Benitez clearly doesn’t favour the Portuguese midfielder, giving him only two Premier League starts this season so far.

We predicted that Vitaliy Mykolenko will be the only new signing in the starting line up after Lucas Digne was sold to Aston Villa this week, but again there could be an opportunity for youngster Nathan Patterson to gain his Premier League debut later in the game, replacing Coleman at right back, depending on how the game plays out.

Everton have the opportunity to snatch their second away win of the season against Norwich this afternoon, who have lost their last five games and lost 14 of their 20 games so far this season.

In other news: Benitez handed double injury boost ahead of Norwich trip

Roshane Thomas has dropped an update on West Ham United’s failed move for Duvan Zapata on transfer deadline day.

What’s the talk?

In a recent article for The Athletic, the West Ham correspondent shed further light on the Hammers’ late move for the Atalanta centre-forward, with it being said that David Moyes’ side had agreed to initially take the 30-year-old on loan – paying a £4m fee to do so – with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

However, Thomas went on to state that, despite the Serie A side agreeing to these demands and the Irons submitting a deal sheet to the Premier League, the move ultimately proved to be too late in the day to get the transfer over the line prior to Monday evening’s deadline.

West Ham must act this summer

With no new centre-forward arriving at the London Stadium in the January transfer window – despite a £58m bid for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez – West Ham are still desperately lacking any real strength in depth up top – with Michail Antonio currently being the East London side’s only recognised striker.

And, while this will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the Hammers’ chances of securing a top-four finish in the league this season, should Zapata once again be available next summer, it would very much appear as if Moyes must do all he can to get a deal over the line for the Colombia international – as the 30-year-old looks to be the perfect match for Antonio.

Indeed, the £29.7m-rated forward has been a revelation for Atalanta since joining the club from SSC Napoli back in 2018, scoring 78 goals and registering 38 assists over his 152 appearances for the Bergamo club.

This season, the £57k-per-week striker has once again been in breathtaking form for Gian Piero Gasperini’s outfit, having already bagged nine goals, registered four assists and created three big chances over his 16 Serie A appearances – returns which have seen him average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.98.

And, with finding the back of the net clearly not being an issue, the 6 foot 2 Colombian’s physical stature is also similar to that of West Ham’s main man in attack, with Papu Gomez previously stating of the centre-forward: “Zapata’s shorts look like underwear, he is so big.

“Sometimes I don’t even want to get close to him in a match because he’s a beast and it hurts. When he is feeling good he’s like a train – you throw the ball forward and ‘ciao!'”

As such, while it was certainly a huge blow to not land the 30-year-old this winter, should a move still be on the table come the end of the season, Moyes could finally find the answer to his centre-forward woes in a move for the Atalanta hitman.

In other news: Moyes can unearth WHU’s perfect DCC alternative with 21 y/o prodigy, he’s “gold dust”

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left buzzing after a fresh transfer update involving Arsenal left-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

David Moyes and new head of recruitment Rob Newman are set for their first transfer window working in tandem as both men try to identify and scour the market for winter signings.

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West Ham have been tipped to potentially add a new striker, emergency centre-half and Jesse Lingard next month as the Hammers aim to qualify for next season’s Champions League (The Evening Standard).

Far more recently, however, a left-back is now being considered, possibly due to Aaron Cresswell’s more serious back injury – with reliable insider ExWHUemployee sharing what he knows.

According to the club source, via his West Ham Way podcast, Moyes and Newman could now make a bid to sign Gunners defender Maitland-Niles on loan in January.

A potential target for the Irons, it is believed that he has emerged on to West Ham’s agenda amid their search for new defenders.

West Ham fans buzz…

Given the Englishman’s versatility and quality, with Arteta lauding his ‘huge talent’ recently, it’s little wonder some supporters believe he would be an ‘unreal signing’.

The 24-year-old can play on both flanks at right-back and left-back whilst also being able to push further up into midfield (WhoScored) – potentially reinforcing a number of positions in Moyes’ squad.

Here’s how supporters pleaded for his capture on social media:

“Yes please”

Credit: @joewhufc

“Would be an unreal signing”

Credit: @d_goodbarne

“Perfect player for a small squad”

Credit: @Joseph4109

“I’d love that oh man”

Credit: @alanrzepa

“I’d 100% take him on loan”

Credit: @Jacobcarter111

“This is the type of signing we need imo. Versatile”

Credit: @JoshHillsWhu

“Finally

been saying this one for years as well”

Credit: @DJTiale

“Would take him all day”

Credit: @jamwhufc

In other news: ‘Nooooo’, ‘Beyond a joke’, ‘Xmas ruined’…West Ham fans flock to ‘worrying’ player claim, find out more here.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke has made a Leeds United transfer claim involving Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley.

The Lowdown: Whites ‘best placed’ to sign Barkley…

As per recent claims, the 27-year-old is a Whites transfer target ahead of the January as Bielsa eyes more options in the advanced positions.

Barkley has actually managed to impress Thomas Tuchel when called upon this season, with the German holding special praise last month, but that still hasn’t been enough to earn him more playing time. The England international has only featured in a handful of matches so far over 2021/22, prompting him to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Backing Leeds’ interest, Fichajes reported that Bielsa and sporting director Victor Orta by extension are the ‘best placed’ side in the race to sign Barkley as they enter pole position for him.

The Latest: O’Rourke backs claim…

While he doesn’t say if Leeds are winning the race, O’Rourke has made an interesting transfer claim involving the former Everton star and Bielsa.

As per his information, speaking to GiveMeSport, Barkley is the Whites manager’s ‘immediate target’ ahead of the winter window. O’Rourke explained:

“”Barkley is Bielsa’s immediate target in the January transfer window if he can get one in.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

The £110,000-per-week midfielder could feasibly revive his career at Elland Road and regain favour with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate as the World Cup looms next year.

Leon Osman, Barkley’s former teammate at Goodison Park, has called the player an ‘exceptional talent’, and we believe he has the ability to become a success at Leeds.

Compiling his numbers from last season, the 27-year-old averaged a consistent 1.6 key passes per 90 during his temporary stint at Aston Villa, with only Leeds star Raphinha bettering that number among Bielsa’s squad over 2021/22 (WhoScored).

It’s clear that Barkley is capable of turning it on when he’s handed the chance, and Chelsea’s forgotten man could be an astute purchase for Leeds in January.

In other news: Journalist makes Leeds managerial claim as Orta now eyes ‘supernatural’ serial winner, find out more here.

Ryan Fraser has been a positive influence and mainstay under Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, which is why the hamstring injury he sustained against Wolves last week will come as a major blow to the Magpies faithful.

On the Scotsman’s injury, Howe said: “It looks like a hamstring issue. I don’t know how serious it is, but it was obviously enough to bring him off the pitch today, which is a huge blow with the form that he’s been in.”

Opportunity knocks for Almiron

Fortunately for the Magpies boss, he can now count upon Miguel Almiron, who came on in place of the injured Fraser and put in an impressive performance last Friday, having created the only key chance of the game in his 77 minutes on the pitch.

The 28-year-old – who has been described as “unbelievable” by sports writer Charlie Bennett – received even higher praise from his manager, who was encouraged by his efforts against the Old Gold.

On the Paraguayan’s performance, Howe said: “I thought Miggy did really well. Miggy has been away on international duty, then he was ill, so we haven’t seen a great deal of him. But never doubt him physically. Despite the fact that he hasn’t trained with us a great deal, I backed him physically to play that time, and the energy and pressing that Miggy gives you is a real weapon.”

High praise from the boss, but in fairness everything that Howe said is the truth. In terms of a pressing asset, Almiron has proven himself to be one of the best amongst positionally similar players in Europe’s top 5 leagues across the last 365 days. His average of 5.3 pressures in the attacking third per 90 place him in the 94th percentile, according to FBRef.

Perhaps even more impressively given his position on the pitch, his average of eight pressures in the defensive third places him in the 84th percentile, as he occupies an attacking position and tracks back tremendously. It demonstrates his versatility and ability to act as a team player, which is of course a welcome attribute for any coach.

The £74k-p/w Paraguayan’s 2.5 touches per game in the opponents’ penalty box once again sets him apart and further demonstrates his ability to fill the void left by Fraser.

The injury to the Scotland international is of course unfortunate, but Newcastle’s depth in that area of the pitch with the likes of Almiron to call upon has softened the blow. It’s now time for Howe to place his trust in the industrious 28-year-old.

In other news – Howe could land NUFC’s new Waddle as PIF plot bid for “unbelievable” 115-goal machine

Flocking to Twitter, a number of Everton fans are fuming with a claim from Fabrizio Romano about the potential appointment of Vitor Pereira as the club’s new manager.

According to a tweet from the reliable journalist, the 53-year-old will arrive in England today to meet with the Toffees’ board. The meeting will discuss his contract, staff and further details which will be needed for the club to arrive at a final decision.

Pereira was most recently manager at Turkish side Fenerbahce, but his spell in charge was short-lived as he lasted just six months and 25 matches at the Istanbul club.

He has achieved success at club level, though, having won a number of trophies during his time as a manager. Between 2011 and 2013 at Porto, he won the Primeira Liga and Portuguese Super Cup twice each, and more recently he won the league and Chinese Super Cup whilst in charge of Shanghai SIPG. A domestic double with Olympiakos in Greece is on his CV, too.

Many Everton fans fume at Pereira rumours

Toffees news page Everton Blue Army shared Romano’s claim on their Twitter feed, and the news was met with a strong reaction by the club’s supporters.

Many Everton fans flocked to the comments to share their disgust with the “frightening” potential appointment of Pereira, with some doubts possibly stemming from his abortive recent spell at Fenerbahce. Here’s what some Toffees supporters had to say:

“Another one sacked within 6 months. Great”

Credit: @Lawemannen

“Oh dear oh dear”

Credit: @prospartangamer

“Peterborough away, here we come”

Credit: @efc1978

“This club is run by people who have NO idea about football.”

Credit: @DoEfc

“Start worrying, sacked in the Turkish league, the hierarchy of this club is frightening, we are going down!”

Credit: @Joel_1878

“And there we have it….. confirmed relegation to the Championship.”

Credit: @DAH1878

In other news: ‘Absolutely cursed’, ‘Pain’ – Loads of Everton fans fume as club shares ‘depressing’ update

Dusan Vlahovic is among Tottenham Hotspur’s top targets for January and he is surely a player that Antonio Conte would love to sign…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s Matt Law, the Italian head coach will sit down with sporting director Fabio Paratici to discuss their plans for the winter transfer window, in which the Fiorentina striker is expected to feature in talks.

Spurs have regularly been linked with a move for the Serbia international and it seems he will once again be a hot topic of conversation next month.

La Viola are thought to be asking for a fee in the region of €60m (£51m) and €70m (£56.7m) but that could decrease by €10m (£8.5m) by the summer.

Conte’s dream signing

Vlahovic would be something of a dream for Conte as he seeks to bolster his thin-looking frontline. Indeed, he only has Harry Kane to call upon, meaning he is restricted in two ways.

The first is the fact that he does not have an alternative to his out-of-sorts striker, who has bagged just once in the Premier League all season and secondly, he does not have another option to go to his Inter Milan title-winning formation of 3-5-2.

Vlahovic is scoring for fun in the Serie A at the minute, so he would certainly be an intriguing option – the 6 foot 3 marksman bagged a brace at the weekend to make it 17 goals from 18 appearances this campaign, adding to his 21 goals last term.

The 21-year-old talisman has earned substantial praise as a result of his fine goalscoring form, ranging from Italian football expert Conor Clancy deeming him to be a “complete number nine” to football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him “the Serbian machine.”

Conte has had a history of having big physical goalscorers in his side, including Romelu Lukaku at Inter and Diego Costa at Chelsea, so it’s easy to see why he would be keen to sign Vlahovic this winter.

As such, Paratici could well land his manager a dream signing with a move for the £45m-rated forward next month. The club should do all they can to appease the head coach. On the above evidence, Conte needs a player like Vlahovic.

AND in other news, Conte and Paratici now gifted huge Spurs transfer boost amid Fabrizio Romano update…