Tag Futebol

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Everton duo Jordan Pickford and James Rodriguez are doubts ahead of tonight’s against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

Spurs visit Goodison Park looking to secure a place in the quarter-final in what will be the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides since 1995, a game which saw the Toffees run out 4-1 victors, thus sealing a place in that year’s Final.

Everton have not advanced through to the final of the competition since losing 2-1 to Chelsea at Wembley in 2009, but are currently enjoying their best run since reaching the semi-final of the 2015/16 edition.

Ancelotti accepts that tonight’s game comes at a crucial point in Everton’s season with a top-four Premier League finish a real possibility. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up the Italian could name against Jose Mourinho’s Spurs in the FA Cup…

Ancelotti has confirmed that Everton are facing a handful of injury concerns before welcoming Tottenham to Goodison Park, after Rodriguez was forced off the field with a tight calf in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Manchester United.

Pickford was not deemed fit to feature at Old Trafford as he continues to overcome an abdominal injury sustained against Newcastle, but he and Rodriguez may yet feature against Spurs.

“I have to wait for training this afternoon [Tuesday] to check on some situations. One is James and one is Jordan. They are going to train and after that we will see,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday.

“James had a tight calf [against Manchester United]. I took him off after 70 minutes to avoid risk. Now he will train today. If he’s ready to play tomorrow, he will play, and if the calf is still tight, he will play in the next game on Sunday.”

Ancelotti may play Pickford’s return carefully with the issue now having ruled the England international out of two games, and instead, look to save the goalkeeper for this weekend’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.

Doing so would allow Robin Olsen to retain the gloves despite his challenging performance at Old Trafford, where the AS Roma loanee should have done better to prevent Scott McTominay’s header, having slipped on his line.

Resting Rodriguez may also be considered as Everton already lost the Colombian for five games across all competitions in December with a calf injury, something that Ancelotti will be keen to avoid a repeat of.

Gylfi Sigurdsson would be expected to stand in for Rodriguez in the creative role of Everton’s midfield if needed, joining Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Abdoulaye Doucoure in the engine room after Ancelotti enjoyed what he saw from the Blues in a 4-3-1-2 against the Red Devils.

Richarlison was unable to end his scoring issues with one strike in nine games by partnering Dominic Calvert-Lewin at striker, but showed brief signs of promise.

Everton’s backline will be expected to stay much the same from the side that drew with Manchester United, after Ben Godfrey produced another impressive display in the centre beside Michael Keane.

Mason Holgate did not look comfortable at right-back at Old Trafford and committed the occasional error, something which Ancelotti may look to rectify with a recall for Seamus Coleman at the £16m-rated gem’s expense.

Coleman has not featured for the Toffees since captaining the side to defeat at home to Newcastle last month, while earning just his 11th start of the campaign in all competitions.

AND in other news, Everton have been tipped to sign a £2m-rated veteran this summer after a 2020 deal collapsed…

Fans of Crystal Palace have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Gary Cahill thanked supporters for voting him the Eagles’ Player of the Month for February.

According to a post by the Crystal Palace Twitter account, over Cahill’s four Premier League appearances in February, the centre-back scored one goal, made seven blocks, 15 clearances and won 11 aerial duels, with fans voting the 35-year-old as their Player of the Month.

In recognition of their votes, Cahill took to Twitter himself, thanking the Selhurst Park faithful for the award, to which, in response, many more Palace fans flocked to heap praise on the defender, both for his performances last month as well as for the club in general since joining from Chelsea back in August of 2019.

Cahill is one of a massive number of Eagles stars who are out of contract this summer, but one would have to assume his recent performances have moved him near the top of the list for a renewal.

So, what exactly did these Crystal Palace fans have to say in reaction to Gary Cahill’s post on Twitter?

“One of our best signings, well done Gazza!”

@apfarrington

“Been a monster of a human, well deserved.”

@TommyHaddon

“Brilliant player.”

@bpdeans74

“Quality from you Gazza.”

@chr1s_cpfc

“Immense from you in recent games.”

@jaycpfc68

“Please sign a contract Gazza.”

@benh199225

“Incredibly well deserved Gary Cahill. It’s a real pleasure to have you at the club. Dedicated, intelligent, experienced, professional and seemingly a very good guy. We’re very lucky to have you. Crystal Palace – new contract please!”

@atlasartists

“Well deserved. Hopefully, we’ll get to see you in red and blue next season as well.”

@steed13

In other news, many Palace fans reacted to these Hodgson comments – find out more here!

As Tottenham Hotspur gear up to face West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday, manager Jose Mourinho has dropped an enticing claim surrounding star front man Harry Kane – with the Portuguese believing he will be ‘OK and ready’ for the match. 

Kane missed Tottenham’s 4-1 victory away to Wolfsberger, with the likes of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura putting in noteworthy performances, and there was brief worries surrounding his fitness and another potential injury.

Reliable Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold then relayed ‘positive news for Spurs fans’ by sharing that Kane didn’t pick up a fresh injury – with Mourinho since claiming his absence was a precautionary measure.

Jose Mourinho drops enticing Tottenham claim

The Englishman opted out of the Europa League trip in order to not take a risk after coming back from his latest knock, and the Spurs boss has since dropped an enticing claim that he should be fit to take on the Hammers.

“His feelings were that to play this game could be a risk with the accumulation of minutes and the accumulation of minutes after the injury that he had,” he explained to the press (via football.london).

“Of course myself and the medical department, we agreed with him in giving him this opportunity to take care of his condition, but I believe on Sunday he will be OK and ready.”

Transfer Tavern take

Given Kane’s importance to this Tottenham team, this could come as a huge sigh of relief given he wasn’t left out due to another injury.

The precautionary measure could be a smart move as Mourinho will not want to take risks involving his star striker, and the notion he is likely to be available for West Ham is undoubtedly good news.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this £17.4 million-rated star, find out more here.

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، مساء اليوم الإثنين، قائمة المرشحين للحصول على جوائز “ذا بيست” الأفضل في العالم لعام 2021 في مختلف الفئات.

طالع | تقارير إنجليزية تزف نبأ سارًا بشأن تجديد ليفربول لـ محمد صلاح

وتُعد أبرز تلك الجوائز هي جائزة ذا بيست لأفضل لاعب في العالم، وهناك كذلك جائزة أفضل حارس وأفضل مدرب.

ويتنافس النجم المصري محمد صلاح، جناح ليفربول، على جائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2021 من فيفا مع 10 مرشحين آخرين.

وأوضح فيفا عبر موقعه الرسمي أنه يمكن للجمهور العام التصويت على تلك الجائزة، وذلك من الآن وحتى نهاية يوم 10 ديسمبر المقبل.

ويحصل اللاعب على 5 نقاط حال اختياره في المرتبة الأولى، و3 نقاط في المرتبة الثانية، ونقطة واحدة في المرتبة الثالثة.

وسيصوت كذلك في تلك الجوائز كل من قائدي ومدربي المنتخبات، إلى جانب مجموعة معينة من الإعلاميين والصحفيين من مختلف أنحاء العالم.

ويمكن التصويت للنجم المصري محمد صلاح في جائزة ذا بيست، أفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2021، من هنا.

وقد يعاني البعض من عدم تحميل صفحة الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم بشكل صحيح، بسبب الضغط المستمر منذ إعلان فتح باب التصويت.

Big things were expected of Wesley Hoedt when he joined Southampton in a £15 million deal back in 2017 but it is fair to say that things did not go to plan for the defender at the South Coast club.

However, it now seems as if there could be a way out for the Dutch centre-back, as Lazio, where he is currently on loan, are reportedly keen to make his stay permanent in the January transfer window, in a deal that would see them re-sign the 26-year-old.

In his three years with Southampton, Hoedt has managed just 45 appearances, in which he contributed one goal and one assist (per Transfermarkt).

The Dutch international has spent time on loan with Celta Vigo and Royal Antwerp in his time with the Saints but never looked likely to re-establish himself in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side when he returned in the summer and was sent back to Lazio on loan shortly before the transfer window shut.

In fact, the centre-back is yet to make a first-team appearance under Hasenhuttl, suggesting that he has no future with the South Coast club whilst the Austrian remains in charge.

Therefore, the club will surely be relieved that Lazio are reportedly considering making his move permanent in the January transfer window, although they will surely have to take a loss on the £15 million they spent on him in 2017, considering he is now valued at just £5.4 million.

Hoedt’s performances in Serie A this season have been less than impressive, as he has averaged a disappointing 6.41 rating for his performances, so really, Southampton will be lucky to receive any sort of fee for the 26-year-old.

However, with his Southampton contract set to expire in June 2022, they may be better accepting whatever Lazio might offer in January, rather than holding on to him and potentially seeing him leave on a free transfer in 2022.

Whilst things didn’t work out for Hoedt at Southampton, it seems as if it would be best for both parties if he just left the club for good in January, to bring an end to what has been a nightmare three-year spell with the Saints.

And, in other news… Southampton can sign 22 y/o beast likened to Frenkie De Jong in January…

MatériaMais Notícias

Veja a projeção do Fluminense para 2016

West Ham United risk repeating the errors made by Manuel Pellegrini in 2018 by adhering to Carlton Cole’s suggestions of signing Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil.

What’s the word?

Speaking on talkSPORT (22/10, 08:15), Cole suggested he would happily welcome Ozil to the London Stadium after the 32-year-old was omitted from Arsenal’s 25-man Premier League squad.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has conceded he feels guilty of failing the German after overlooking the 2014 World Cup winner for his confirmed squads in both the Premier League and Europa League, but stated that “it is just a football decision”.

Ozil has not featured for the Emirates Stadium natives since March 7 and has not been named in any of Arsenal’s matchday squads this term, with Arteta happy to persist without the £350,000-per-week midfielder the Gunners signed for a then club-record £42.4m in 2013.

But the situation is not one Ozil is willing to just walk away from, having stated that he will see out the final year of his contract.

“Things have been difficult but I love Arsenal,” he told The Athletic. “I’ll decide when I go, not other people.”

Ozil’s situation has not prevented Cole from suggesting the midfielder would suit the calibre of players West Ham have sought to sign in recent years.

“Of course, of course,” Cole told talkSPORT when asked if he’d sign Ozil. “West Ham have always liked those kind of players, those magician-like players. Arsenal would have benefitted from having him in their squad, but he clearly doesn’t fit in at the moment.”

Wilshere 2.0

Once upon a time, Ozil was one of the best attacking midfielders in the world and has enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Real Madrid and Arsenal, featuring glory in La Liga, the Spanish Cup and the FA Cup.

But the days where the 32-year-old flourished are well behind him, leading former Gunners boss Unai Emery to drop the German and Arteta to do likewise after Ozil earned a reprieve during Freddie Ljungberg’s spell as caretaker boss last season.

Altogether, Ozil managed to record just three assists across all competitions last term, adding to three in 2018/19 after 14 in 17/18, and would arrive at the London Stadium far from match fit if West Ham were able to fulfil Cole’s desires and reach an agreement with the FC Schalke 04 product.

Ozil would also stand to demand a lucrative contract given his career despite the events which have developed in north London, something West Ham would be wise to avoid or risk repeating the mistakes Pellegrini made in signing Jack Wilshere in 2018.

The Chilean went against the Irons board in acquiring the Englishman following his release by Arsenal and handing him a three-year, £100,000-per-week contract, with the Hammers hierarchy reluctant to lock themselves into paying vast sums to a player who boasted frequent injuries.

West Ham had hoped to sign Wilshere only to a one-year deal, and were proven right earlier this summer when they agreed to mutually terminate his contract 12-months early after just 19 games for the club thanks to a groin injury and multiple ankle issues.

If West Ham learnt anything from Wilshere’s time at the club, they would know better than swooping in to salvage the twilight years of Ozil’s career – no matter what the German once brought to the field.

AND in other news, West Ham frustrated a rival club with one of their summer deals and could spark greater anger by reviving efforts to sign a 6 ft 1 ace.

Plenty of Everton fans have welcomed an update from Carlo Ancelotti on the fitness of James Rodriguez ahead of their game against Southampton on Sunday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Italian said that the Colombia international trained today and may well be fit to play against the Saints.

This comes in contrast to Ancelotti saying that Rodriguez would not be available for the match, as it seems that the 29-year old may have made a miraculous recovery from the injury that he picked up from a tackle by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk last weekend.

Indeed, Rodriguez may be a key player for the Toffees if they want to return to winning ways in the Premier League, given that the former Real Madrid star has scored three goals and supplied a further four assists in six games in all competitions so far in 2020/21 (Transfermarkt).

Everton fan reaction to Rodriguez update

These Everton supporters lauded the news on Rodriguez via Twitter, with one Toffees fan even branding the Colombian as a ‘sweet prince’:

Evertonians, find out which pundit slammed Rodriguez’s display in the derby here, and don’t forget to comment below with your views!

According to Goal, Tottenham have asked about signing Juventus defender Merih Demiral before the end of the transfer window on Monday.

What’s the word?

With time running out for clubs to bring in the players that they want, Spurs are still looking to add a new centre-back before the window shuts.

Goal claim that Demiral was the subject of an enquiry by Spurs about his potential availability, but that Serie A heavyweights Juventus knocked it back.

The report adds that the Bianconeri view him as a key part of their plans, with the defender only just working his way back to full fitness recently.

Mourinho’s new John Terry

Whilst it appears Spurs’ chances of landing Demiral before the transfer window deadline are fading, there can always be a few twists and turns as clubs become more desperate and make quick decisions.

One thing is for certain though, is that Demiral would be a superb acquisition for Jose Mourinho’s side. The Spurs boss of course had John Terry as a key part of his early title-winning Chelsea reign, and when you look at the way people talk about Demiral now, you can see some very clear similarities between the two centre-backs.

Turkish football expert, Emre Sarigul, said: “He is the type of defender the fans love because he is brave and loves to tackle and when attacking players have a beast like Merih lunging at them they think twice about trying to dribble past him. He is very difficult to beat in the air. The kid is fearless but isn’t arrogant. A real warrior who never gives up. He managed to keep the likes of Mbappe, Griezmann and Giroud quiet just last month when Turkey beat World Champions France 2-0 in the 2020 Euro qualifiers.”

Demiral was also badly wanted by Brendan Rodgers earlier this year, with the Leicester boss not being shy in his praise of the Juventus defender. When asked about the possibility of a deal, he said: “There’s nothing to add, only that he’s a very good defender, and a very good player.” His comments came just a couple of weeks after he played it coy, and simply said that the 22-year-old is a “talented player”. Reports had even suggested that the Foxes saw two bids rejected for the Bianconeri star.

If Spurs can somehow convince Juventus to part ways with the centre-back before Monday, then it would be a massive coup.

And in other news, Daniel Levy may have missed a trick with this man.

Ever since Mousa Dembele left Tottenham back in January of 2019, the north London side have greatly missed their former midfield maestro.

Despite standing at 6 foot 1, the Belgian was fleet of foot, and glided past players with ease. Such was the incredible impression that he made in his time at Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino paid him one of the greatest compliments he could by comparing him to some of football’s greats.

He said: “I can only talk about him because I know very well him after nearly four years. And I told you and then some people use my words to describe him as a genius of the football. And for me he is this type of player, I think I told you in my book, I put him next to Ronaldinho, Maradona, Okocha – players that I was lucky to play with.”

Can you name every one of Spurs’ top goalscorers from the past 15 seasons? It’s a tricky one…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

But since Dembele’s exit to the Chinese Super League, Spurs haven’t had a midfielder in a similar mould to the Belgian; capable of starting from deep, carrying the ball forward, and being a threat with both his passing and strength further up the pitch.

However, if the latest reports from Foot Mercato are to be believed, then the Lilywhites could be finding Dembele’s perfect heir in Lazio powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

At 6 foot 3, the Serbia international is similarly tall and powerful, and whilst his physical attributes match up, he is equally as impressive with the ball at his feet too.

This season, the 25-year-old has been in imperious form for Lazio in Serie A, racking up five goals and four assists in 27 games across all competitions. Aside from being defensively sound, averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, he has been a monster when marauding forward.

He has averaged two shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per game, and that ability to go through the gears from the middle of the park is exactly what Spurs have been missing since Dembele’s departure.

It’s no surprise that his agent, Mateja Kezman, spoke highly of his abilities, saying: “He has remarkable attributes and you’ll not find another player in the world with that power, muscular structure and height combined with technique and tactical awareness.”

It’s a signing that could add a different dimension to Spurs’ midfield, and one that will surely have people reminiscing about the good old days of Dembele.