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James Tavernier once again underlined his importance to Glasgow Rangers as Steven Gerrard’s side routed Ross County to extend their lead over Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

A goal from Kemar Roofe gave the Gers the lead before the club captain finished from close range, Callum Morris diverted the ball into the back of the net, and Jermain Defoe added the icing with a lovely finish on the turn to mark his 800th senior appearance in his professional career with a goal.

Whilst Roofe opened the floodgates, Tavernier was the real standout, as the Bradford-born right-back has defied the critics to establish himself as an integral part of Gerrard’s side, which has coincided with their resurgence in form since the start of the season.

Once again, the club captain produced another near-perfect performance, having scored his ninth penalty of the season against Standard Liege in the Europa League at Ibrox on Thursday night.

As per SofaScore, the 29-year-old was given a high grade of nine out of ten for his efforts against Stuart Kettlewell’s side, as Rangers largely dominated proceedings from start to finish.

Tavernier’s penchant for scoring goals from right-back has led to some, including legendary Ibrox gaffer Walter Smith, describing him as one of the most impactful full-backs in the world, as he has bagged 10 times and 7 assists in 16 games in the Scottish Premiership so far this season.

But it is his defensive contribution that cannot be ignored as the Gers restricted the Staggies to just one shot on target in the entire game, as Harry Paton’s powerful strike was comfortably saved by wily goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Tavernier, who currently earns wages worth £14,000-per-week, played the full 90′ minutes and he did not disappoint, as he won three out of his six ground duels, won both of his aerial duels, and made one tackle, whilst he wasn’t dribbled past at all, which implies that he put in a defensive shift.

The free-scoring full-back looked comfortable in possession and confident on the ball, as he took 96 touches in total, made one key pass, produced 47 out of 62 passes (76%), created one big chance and took one shot on target, two shots off target and had one attempt blocked.

As is often the case, the Rangers skipper found himself on the scoresheet once again, as he took advantage of a deflection to register his 16th goal of the season. The monster defender then had a cross deflected in by Callum Morris to cap off an impressive performance.

It’s fair to say that if he can continue his current run of form, it’s hard to see his understudy Nathan Patterson getting a chance in the starting line-up anytime soon, as the captain has started every single game in the Premiership so far this season.

With both Borna Barisic and Tavernier bombing up and down the flanks, Gerrard’s side are looking like a force to be reckoned with at this moment in time.

AND in other news, Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield can fulfil the role Gerrard has wanted for so long…

Plenty of Everton fans have been flocking to a tweet from Dominic Calvert-Lewin reflecting on his goal for England against Wales.

The 23-year-old headed in from a cross by Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish after his first call-up to the senior Three Lions team by Gareth Southgate.

After sharing a highlight video of the goal on his Twitter profile, Calvert-Lewin captioned it as “the most incredible feeling” as he scored on his senior international debut.

The striker will now look to add to that goal if he is given the chance by Southgate in England’s UEFA Nations League games at home to Belgium and Denmark respectively, as he looks to maintain his excellent form in time for the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Nonetheless, it is a moment that Calvert-Lewin will remember forever and he will no doubt hope that there are many more goals to come both at international level and for the Toffees.

Everton fan reaction to Calvert-Lewin’s tweet

These Everton supporters flocked to the tweet from the 23-year-old to show their support, with one fan branding him as ‘class’:

Evertonians, will Calvert-Lewin score in the Nations League this week? Comment below with your views!

After missing out on Callum Wilson, Aston Villa are set to go back to Bournemouth to try and land one of their other attacking stars…

What’s the word?

According to the reliable John Percy at the Telegraph, Dean Smith’s side are set to make a £16m bid for Cherries forward Joshua King as he steps up his pursuit of a new striking option.

It’s claimed that Villa are keen to sign two strikers this summer and that they withdrew their offer for Wilson when it was made clear he was moving to Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

Brentford talisman Ollie Watkins is still a top priority but it appears King is another target for the club.

However, The Sun have previously suggested that the south coast side would want £25m to let him go.

Proven and versatile

If those reports are to be believed, then potentially adding someone like King alongside Watkins could be exactly what Villa need this summer.

Smith’s current striking duo of Wesley Moraes and Mbwana Samatta combined for a mere six goals last season, two fewer than Jack Grealish’s eight – they can’t rely on their skipper every single week.

This struggle for goals has been one of Smith’s biggest nightmares and one of the huge reasons why the club were embroiled in a relegation dogfight for most of the season.

The 28-year-old can play anywhere along the front three and has netted at least six goals in the last five Premier League campaigns with a career-best coming during the 2016/16 season where he bagged a whopping 16 times, via WhoScored.

He still did well in a struggling Cherries outfit, contributing directly to ten goals whilst averaging 2 dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game also.

It’s no wonder Eddie Howe once labelled him a “complete package” as he’s “outstanding physically, technically and mentally” and has also added that he’s “quite unique”.

If Villa are to avoid another relegation scrap, then adding proven PL players such as King is a smart way to go about business – though, they may have to increase that £16m bid if they are to secure him before next month.

AND in other news, £20m target  would be an instant upgrade on Douglas Luiz… 

Tottenham Hotspur are in the mood to do business this summer transfer window and next on the list of priorities is surely a striker, of which one target makes a ton of sense…

What’s the word?

According to the Guardian, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is keen to bring Frankfurt attacker Bas Dost to the Premier League before next month’s deadline.

They claim that the Bundesliga outfit value the 31-year-old veteran at just €5.5m (£5m), though the north Londoners would prefer a temporary loan agreement instead.

Mourinho views Dost as the perfect alternative to Harry Kane due to his imposing physical stature. Having failed to sign a back-up option in January, Daniel Levy must deliver this window.

Jose’s new Costa?

If Spurs wanted to find a carbon-copy of Fernando Llorente, then they’re staring right at him in Dost. The former Netherlands international stands 6 foot 5 inches tall and is an absolute powerhouse.

In the Bundesliga last season, the colossus won a career-high 5.4 aerials duels per game on average, via WhoScored. His aggression and strength also makes him hard to beat having only been dispossessed four times in 24 appearances.

He’s been likened to Edin Dzeko in the past but perhaps a better comparison could be Diego Costa, who Mourinho managed to a Premier League and League Cup double in 2015.

It is evident that this is the sort of striker profile he’s after – a mean brute who can bully teams into submission and that’s what Dost would bring say over someone like Joshua King or Villa’s new signing Ollie Watkins.

The Dutch forward has been described as a “top-level” talent who’d have no trouble adapting to the demands of an elite division whilst another one of Mourinho’s former players, the now-retired Andre Schurrle, believes Dost is “phenomenal” and “unbelievable”.

For just £5.5m, Levy should be all over this move.

AND in other news, Spurs could deliver upgrade on a Mourinho favourite with £45m swoop…

Despite having to undergo knee surgery at the start of the calendar year, Moussa Sissoko proved himself to be one of the first names on the team-sheet under both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho at Tottenham last season.

When fit, he played in every single game for the north London side barring the Carabao Cup defeat to Colchester United, eventually racking up a total of 35 appearances across all competitions.

Is it Mido or Pedro Mendes? This Spurs quiz will separate the loyal from the fake…

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But with the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton, Sissoko’s starting place is under threat, and after being given the opportunity to play from the off against Birmingham City in pre-season on Saturday, he didn’t seem to take his chance.

After seeing his performance, Spurs fans took to Twitter to criticise the midfielder for his display.

A couple of Spurs supporters suggested Sissoko isn’t good enough to be playing for the club, and that he should be sold, with one fan even saying that he should have gone a long time ago.

Another couple of fans even expressed their relief at seeing Sissoko being substituted for Hojbjerg during the game.

The versatile Sissoko is the kind of player arguably every team in the Premier League needs. He may not be the most flashy, or one to notch up plenty of goals and assists, but he can be relied upon to play anywhere where the manager needs him.

Last season even saw him fill in at right-back on occasion, and there is a lot of value to keeping him in the squad. He may not be the man to lead Spurs to a top-four finish, but he is the definition of a role player who can offer Jose Mourinho a lot of different uses.

Manchester United have entered an ‘advanced stage’ in negotiations to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund this summer, reports say. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, as per @utdreport, both clubs are yet to reach an agreement for Sancho but talks are still ongoing.

Personal terms will reportedly not be a problem and he will be offered a contract which will expire in 2025.

Recent reports revealed the Red Devils are increasingly confident of completing a deal for the 11-cap England international and progress seems to have been made.

Sancho, 20, was the Bundesliga club’s top scorer last season, having scored 20 goals and supplied 18 assists (via WhoScored).

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it clear that the right winger is the signing he needs to rebuild the Red Devils midfield before the start of the 2020/21 Premier League season.

As it stands, Man United have not made an official bid for the attacking playmaker, but the Englishman is willing to wait and see if the two sides can sort out a deal.

The Old Trafford club have been chasing Sancho for several years now but they seem to be one step closer to finally bringing him back to his homeland in the summer.

Unsurprisingly, many United fans waxed lyrical over Romano’s “fantastic” update on social media, with one supporter dubbing the club “gargantuan.”

Scroll through some of the glowing reactions so far…

United fans, do you think Woodward will sign Sancho this summer? Let us know down below!

Manchester United are growing “frustrated” by Borussia Dortmund’s demands for Jadon Sancho, reports say. 

Man United are not giving up on signing Sancho this summer, despite Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc insisting the deal is dead.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are fed up with the fact negotiations are taking so long, while United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and chief transfer negotiator Matt Judge are annoyed they have to work through third-party agent Marco Lichtsteiner.

Dortmund wanted to reach an agreement by August 10 to give them plenty of time to find a replacement but United failed to meet their deadline.

Sources also told ESPN that club bosses at Old Trafford are concerned by the quoted agent fees and wage demands from the player’s representatives.

Sancho, 20, was the club’s top scorer last term, finishing the season with a tally of 20 goals and 18 assists to his name (via WhoScored).

The Bundesliga giants have slapped a €120m (£100m) price tag on his head after his impressive performances, but the Red Devils are trying to drive down a deal in the summer.

Both clubs remain poles apart on their valuations for the 11-cap England international right winger, who reunited with his teammates in time for their pre-season training camp in Switzerland this week.

It seems as though nothing much has changed as they still have to agree a transfer fee, agent fees and personal terms with Sancho, although personal terms will not be a problem, according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

While it would be far easier if United could talk to Dortmund directly, rather than being forced to work with intermediaries, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has very little choice if he wants to sign his top target in the summer, unless he would really rather sign Barcelona flop Ousmane Dembele instead.

Contrary to some reports, talks are still ongoing between the two clubs, and the Red Devils are confident they can reach an amicable agreement.

United fans, do you think Ed Woodward will sign Sancho this summer? Let us know your views in the comments below!

Leeds United will be a Premier League side next season.

The Whites have been crowned Champions in England’s second-tier, and after a 16-year hiatus they’re finally set to return to the promised land.

As with most promoted sides, United will need to strengthen upon their ascension to the top-flight, and they’ve already been linked to some new additions with names such as Yan Couto and Branimir Kalaica already being floated around.

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However, with Bielsa making few changes to the side since his appointment in 2018, he may want to persevere with the players that have proved successful so far.

One man who has been a lynchpin in Bielsa’s side since day one is Mateusz Klich, with the Pole starting every single league game bar one since the Argentine’s arrival, and despite being out of favour under Paul Heckingbottom, he already looks like Premier League material.

Luckily, United have had a bit of experience playing against quality opposition, putting up a very impressive performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup that earnt them plenty of praise from pundits and supporters alike.

Klich took to playing against a team of the Gunners’ calibre like a duck to water, easily keeping up with the pace of the game, making three tackles and two interceptions, while also playing four key passes, showing that despite having less time on the ball when playing against top-flight opposition, he can still be a creative force.

United may be tempted to spend big upon promotion, especially if the long-rumoured QSI takeover finally comes to fruition, but even if they do bring in some big names, Klich should certainly have a spot in the squad, even if his streak of league starts has to come to an end.

It was only last month that Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson claimed that the writing was on the wall for Tottenham star Harry Kane.

Speaking after the Lilywhites’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United in their first game after the Premier League’s return, Merson insisted: “When Jose took the job I worried for Harry Kane. He played under Mauricio Pochettino and they had a go wherever they went. There were goals, crosses and shots. He’s going to be playing up front on his own and it’s going to be hard work.

“I think he’ll have a serious think at the end of the season, I don’t see him getting 25 or 30 goals next season the way Jose will want to play. He won’t want to play like he did when he first got in there, where it was 4-2s and 5-3s, no way. He’ll like games like 1-1.”

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

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But after notching a stunning brace against Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, Kane has now scored 13 goals in 18 games under Mourinho’s leadership – that’s a rate of 0.72 goals per game. Compare that to his slightly worse record of 0.69 goals per game under Pochettino (169 total goals in 242 games).

It certainly fits the whole narrative of Mourinho being a defensive specialist to suggest Kane will struggle in one of the Portuguese man’s teams. But instead, the England international, even despite suffering a serious hamstring injury earlier this year, has proven he can score goals at an incredible rate under different types of managers and systems.

And against Leicester on Sunday, he was at his absolute best. First, he made the lung-busting run to help Heung-min Son find the back of the net via a deflected strike; then he looked as clinical as ever with a left-footed strike; and then, he rounded off the perfect first-half performance with a vintage curling effort into the top corner.

It was no surprise that Mourinho reserved huge praise for his star man after the game. He said: “Everybody thinks – I think, you think – he’s a fantastic player, and Tottenham is so lucky to have him because he is the player and the person and the Tottenham boy. He’s really special for us and we want him to be happy. He wants victories and he wants to score goals.”

After claims that he wouldn’t able to achieve great success under Mourinho, Kane has proven that he absolutely can, and has made a mockery of what Merson said.

According to The Athletic, Manchester United missed out on RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner because of Paul Pogba. 

After an initial meeting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this year, Werner’s agent held talks with United and Chelsea when Liverpool pulled out of the race to sign the forward.

However, the Red Devils told Leipzig they would only be able to meet his £54m release clause if they managed to offload Pogba in the summer.

Chelsea have now made their move and have now agreed a deal in principle with Die Roten Bullen (Sky Sports).

As it stands, it seems Solskjaer will have to sell Pogba if he wants to splash the cash in the transfer market.

European giants Juventus and Real Madrid have been linked to the Frenchman in recent months but the club have been unable to find a suitor willing to meet their £150m valuation so far.

Although the board had been expected to sell the 27-year-old to fund moves for Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham, it is likely he will stay at Old Trafford for another season.

It is fair to say Werner would have been a huge upgrade on the attacking options available to Solskjaer at the moment.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has bagged 25 goals in 29 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, creating 7 assists and taking 3.8 shots per game.

In comparison, Anthony Martial has only managed 11 goals in 23 games in the Premier League at the time of writing, providing 3 assists and attempting 2.6 shots on average.

Furthermore, the German international has received a higher WhoScored rating than his French counterpart, as he has earned a statistical rating of 7.63 at the time of writing.

Sadly, it seems Ed Woodward has been usurped by Roman Abramovich, and fans will have to wait and see if the club will make any signings in the summer.

United fans, do you think the board will regret missing out on Timo Werner? Let us know down below!