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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Everton have struggled throughout this season and have been desperate for a star to pull them out of their current situation. The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have just six goals between them so far and the club have only 13 in the league.

As time goes on, it seems the under-pressure Marco Silva could benefit from a genuine breath of fresh air to push the Toffees on. Now, after another great performance this past week, it seems as if Anthony Gordon could be that man.

Against North Macedonia U19s for England U19s, the Toffees star scored an excellent goal as he cut inside to fire the ball home. It was a fabulous effort and one that puts further pressure on Silva to consider handing an opportunity to the young talent.

The Everton academy star has six goals in 10 games for the U23s this season and has constantly been a useful player for David Unsworth’s men.

Plus, with Everton’s goalscoring options not quite pulling their weight, the former Watford boss may not have a choice but to play him soon.

As this is the Premier League and not the U23s, a start for the 19-year-old might be one step too far right now. However, a substitute appearance could be within Gordon’s grasp after featuring on the bench against Southampton and following that up with a goal on international duty.

Up next for the Toffees is the visit of Norwich City before the hectic Christmas period where Silva is no doubt going to need all the firepower he can get to fire his side to another morale-boosting victory.

Plus, it would be a wise idea to bleed Gordon in just before Everton face off with a selection of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Now is the perfect time for him to come in.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Fabian Schar has been Newcastle’s best defender this season so it is testament to Steve Bruce’s abilities that his side picked up a win last week despite the Swiss’ absence through injury – he will also miss the clash with Bournemouth today.

On the chalkboard

The centre-back had been a regular performer in the Newcastle back five prior to sustaining a knee injury, and though the Magpies had to re-jig things with Ciaran Clark coming in, they looked comfortable last weekend.

The Irishman got on the scoresheet, too, but his one tackle meant he fell short of Schar, who has averaged two tackles per game in the 2019/20 Premier League.

In fact, his tackle success rate is one of the best for players outside of the top-six clubs, and he has only been dribbled past 11 times despite coming up against players Son Heung-min, Marcus Rashford and Willian, proving himself worthy of his £40,000-a-week salary.

No Newcastle defender has made more interceptions than the 28-year-old, either, so the defence would have been forgiven for struggling a little more against the Hammers, and the fact they looked as organised and resolute as always – except for the last minute – means Bruce should be commended.

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Strength in depth

Recent matches have shown that the work Bruce is implementing at Newcastle is beginning to pay off, and but for Robert Snodgrass’ last-gasp strike they would have only conceded three goals in the past four games.

That is an impressive return, even more so when you consider the fact that Bruce hasn’t added to his centre-back options, and is therefore making the most of the players brought to the club by Rafa Benitez.

The additions he has made in the full-back areas, Jetro Willems and Emil Krafth, have settled in well and added to the defence, with the former in particular impressing.

He deserves credit for the organisation of the team, and the manner in which they bounced back from the 5-0 defeat at Leicester, as players easily could have lost confidence and morale, but instead defeated Manchester United.

If the Magpies can maintain their resolute defence, with or without Schar in the side, then they have the foundations in place for a successful campaign, and if the front-three can find that extra bit of quality at the other end of the pitch they will have an effective balance in the team.

Arsenal and Unai Emery will be gutted not to have beaten Liverpool on Wednesday in the League Cup despite scoring five goals.

The Reds eventually won the fourth-round tie on penalties, but that was only after a 5-5 draw in normal time.

Such high-scoring games seem to be something of a running theme in this fixture. For example, many will remember the 4-4 draw in 2009 when former Russia international Andrey Arshavin scored all of the Emirates Stadium outfit’s goals.

Watch the moment Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal career may have come to an ugly end in the video below…

This time around, it was Gabriel Martinelli who stood out for Emery’s team. The Brazilian scored twice, taking his tally for the campaign to seven in all competitions. What makes that even more impressive is the fact he has started just four games.

Such has been his impressive form, the club’s supporters are now calling for the club to sell 16-time France international Alexandre Lacazette, who they signed for £46.5m from Lyon in July of 2017.

The 28-year-old has scored 38 goals in 94 appearances for the Gunners, but the fans feel 5 foot 9 Martinelli should already be ahead of him in the pecking order.

They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Expert Roundup feature, which provides three quotes from those in the know in order to illuminate fundamental strengths, weaknesses, quirks, stylistic comparisons and general observations of players, transfer targets and confirmed signings.

According to a report published by Italian media outlet Calciomercato last month Liverpool have stepped up an interest in Ajax’s widely-coveted winger, David Neres, with a possible big-money summer move in the offering.

The 22-year-old Brazilian made headlines across the continent last season with a series of stand-out performances that helped take de Godenzonen to a Champions League semi-final while his pace and trickery helped his club to clinch a domestic double.

Should Neres light up the Premier League next season he will surely entertain and fascinate too with a direct style of player, so perhaps it’s high time we found out more about a player so recently chased by Manchester United and Everton. They were never going to catch him. He’s too quick.

Here’s what those in the know have had to say about him…

Erik ten Hag, Ajax coach

In 2017/18 an eye-catching 14 goals and 13 assists in his first full Eredivisie campaign immediately had many sitting up and taking notice but it was his consistent tormenting of full-backs in the following campaign that really confirmed that here was an elite talent deserving of closer inspection.

Speaking at the tail-end of a successful twelve months for player, manager and club, Ten Hag assessed his budding superstar, concentrating on his versatility. As per Goal.com:

“He already took steps forward last year. He was Ajax’s top scorer with 14 goals, but this season he has developed further. Not only in his favourite position on the right, but also on the left and as No.10. He may have played his best matches on the left, against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, where he was actually untouchable.”

Lucas Fernandes, former team-mate

As already alluded to, however, Neres’ self-assertiveness is not confined solely to the pitch. When Ten Hag complained about the winger’s hair his response was hardly respectful – “I told him to take care of his own hair and I’ll take care of mine” – while in interviews he is anything but boring.

Yet one of his best friends within football, the Brazilian under 23 international Fernandes, insists that perception is skewed. As per Bleacher Report:

“He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known. It’s a shame most people don’t get to see this side of him. He’s a bit reserved, quieter, a man of few words when he’s around strangers. But he is the sort of person who values friendship and you can always count on.

“How can you say anything negative of a kid who used to sleep with a teddy bear on his bed? It’s impossible.”

Steve Nicol, ESPN pundit

Should Liverpool take the plunge it will reportedly be at the second time of asking because it was not only Everton and United who were keen last summer but the Reds too. At the time though former Anfield hero turned pundit Nicol was sceptical after putting himself in Neres’ boots. As per ESPN (via Daily Express):

“If I’m Neres, I’m looking at Liverpool’s front three and I’m asking myself ‘Am I going to this team to start? Or am I going to this team as back up to begin with?’

“He’s certainly at a level of his ability and what he’s producing that he has to go somewhere and play. I think that rules Liverpool out.”

Verdict

While Nicol has understandable misgivings from the player’s perspective for Liverpool, this is a no-brainer with Neres capable of wrecking havoc anywhere across the front three.

Despite grabbing a goal and putting in one of his finest performances to date, Marcus Rashford found himself on the wrong end of a Graeme Souness tirade after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against rivals Liverpool.

Souness’ main point of contention is that the 21-year-old, who made his way through United’s academy system, simply doesn’t cut it as a world-class no.9, which is probably a fair assessment given he’s recorded just two goals in open play so far this term.

Two of the four he’s scored in 2019/20 have come from the penalty spot.

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“He’s not the finished article right now,” the former Liverpool manager said. “He’s not scored enough goals in the Premier League to say Man United can hang their hat on him being the man who’s going to take them back. He needs help.”

Neville, on the other hand, is quick to point out the development of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as examples of what can happen if a club show some faith in their talent.

United made the decision to not recruit replacements for Inter Milan-bound Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window, opting instead to stick with Daniel James, Anthony Martial and our man in question, Rashford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have netted an average 0.72 goals per game in all competitions since they battered Chelsea on the opening day of the season.

Following Sunday’s game, Gary Neville and Souness got into a heated debate over Rashford’s future at Old Trafford…

Poor Solskjaer has to deal with this nightmare debate every time he goes to make a team selection.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Little by little he’s forcing his way back into the picture.

Tyler Roberts has sort of become the forgotten man at Elland Road this season.

There has been plenty of talk surrounding who should lead the line between Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah, meanwhile, Roberts has been coming back from a knee operation that he undertook during the summer.

As a result, his contributions from last season, and what he can offer in this campaign have been pushed aside. Speaking after the Birmingham City game, Roberts spoke about his recovery so far and how important it is for him to be getting back into the swing of things:

“Coming on in the second half and getting some minutes it was great, it’s been a long summer, so I’m glad to be back and helping the team get up the table.”

On the chalkboard

Roberts is the perfect man for a Marcelo Bielsa team, because whilst he has predominantly spent his career as a centre-forward, he can play in so many positions across the front line as well as an attacking midfielder.

Bielsa has spoken about his preferences to carry a small squad, so for him to be able to fill in multiple roles makes him crucial.

He’s also very effective on the pitch as well, if you take a look at his record from last season, even though it was only three goals and six assists, he spent large parts of the campaign either on the bench, not in the squad or forced out wide (where his assists came from).

Whilst Bielsa has stated that the team will be unchanged for the game against Preston North End, he really needs to consider using Roberts a lot more going forward.

Whilst the 20-year-old may be the perfect utility man to bring off the bench if there is an injury to anyone in the front-line, it shouldn’t necessarily rule him out to start games either, especially when supporters loved his cameo so much last weekend.

After all, he did start 20 games under Bielsa last season, so it’s not as if he hasn’t had the chance to prove himself. Although his numbers weren’t amazing, perhaps if he got a more consistent run in the side, he might be able to get those numbers up and help the team like he’s talked about.

Either way, he’s returning at just the right time if you consider Leeds’ struggles in front of goal. Bamford has failed to find the back of the net for seven games so they definitely need an added attacking threat.

عقد محمود الخطيب رئيس النادي الأهلي، اجتماعًا مع أشرف توفيق، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة السلة رجال بالأحمر، وعلي هاشم المدير الفني لكرة السلة سيدات.

تراجعت نتائج فريق سلة الأهلي، في الفترة الأخيرة وخاصة في بطولة سوبر الدوري المصري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | اتجاه في الأهلي لإقالة أشرف توفيق من تدريب فريق السلة

وعلم “بطولات” أن الاجتماع يأتي بسبب تراجع مستوى فرق السلة داخل النادي الأهلي، وخاصة فريق الرجال الذي يعاني خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

وكان الأهلي قد أبرم العديد من الصفقات خلال الفترة الأخيرة في فريق السلة، كلفت خزائن النادي ما يقارب 30 مليون جنيه، وهو أعلى رقم في تاريخ صفقات فرق الدوري المصري للسلة.

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Several Liverpool fans are suggesting Virgil van Dijk should win the Ballon d’Or after he received the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award on Thursday night.

The centre-back featured in every European fixture for his side last season as he helped guide the team to Liverpool’s sixth Champions League win, while marshalling a defence that kept the most Premier League clean sheets last campaign.

Van Dijk faced competition from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who between them have won the award five times since its inception in the 2010/11 season.

It is the first time a player based in England has won the award, and the Dutchman’s success may not end there, as many consider him a credible candidate to win the Ballon d’Or.

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In order to do so he will have to maintain his high level of performance until the end of 2019, when voting takes place, but many Liverpool fans already think he is a deserving candidate, judging by their reactions on Twitter.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Wolves’ Premier League season didn’t start in the best possible way last weekend as they were subjected to one of the first controversial VAR calls of the season.

Leander Dendoncker looked to have given Nuno Santo’s side the lead, only for the goal to be ruled out because of a new handball rule.

As a result, the game was drawn 0-0 as both teams held firm in defence.

The black and gold were excellent on the counter-attack last term, particularly against some of the best sides, achieving 16 points against top-six opposition.

However, it was their defence that stood out most as the new term started.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

On the chalkboard

As a result of their defensive display against the Foxes, Wolves may have to continue to leave Jesus Vallejo out.

Against Leicester he wasn’t included in the squad but it surely won’t be too long before the Real Madrid man features in the Premier League.

Arriving on loan from La Liga over the summer, it wouldn’t have been a great surprise to see him slot straight into the defence.

Ryan Bennett looked the most likely to drop out given Conor Coady is the skipper and Willy Boly’s resolute nature. Yet, the former was superb against Leicester which means Vallejo may have to suffer on the sidelines for a little longer.

There is no doubting the Spaniard’s pedigree. After all, he was one of the players win the European U21 Championships this summer.

However, the dogged and perhaps rather surprising performance of Bennett and the rest of the defence on week one of the Premier League makes it difficult to see how Vallejo starts against Manchester United on Monday evening.

If you don’t know the words to the Joao Moutinho chant in the video below, are you even a real Wolves fan?…

Bennett won two aerial duels last weekend whilst also making an impressive four interceptions. The central defender showed his no-nonsense approach with three clearances too.

It was a resilient performance against a Leicester team boasting numerous creative outlets and it showed he does indeed have the ability to step up.

On evidence this season, it could be a hard task for Vallejo to make an instant impact.

The positive for him, however, will be the fact that he’s far more likely to get game time as a result of Nuno’s preferred three-man defensive unit.

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[ad_pod ]Everything Gary Neville does nowadays comes under scrutiny.Now more than ever the former full-back is under the microscope of the public as his post-retirement ventures have seen him become one of the most famous pundits and football club owners in the country.It must’ve been a tough week for the former England international. He’s seen his beloved Manchester United pick up only one point from a possible six and he’s had to sit by as the fanbase he cares so deeply about hit a new low by racially abusing Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Luckily the Sky Sports pundit has been able to bookend this week by watching one of the greatest cricket matches of all time, and after the conclusion of the third Ashes test he took to Twitter to hit back at some of his critics.

Neville stated that Ben Stokes’ heroics provided a great finish to an otherwise hellish day as he’s been unfairly accused of multiple wrongdoings.

Fortunately, this hasn’t gotten to the pundit too much as the Manchester United legend sarcastically stated that it had been the best week of his life.

Realistically, it’s time for fans to get off of Gary Neville’s back. He may be a great pundit, and one of the highest-profile football club owners in the country, but he’s not a divine entity who can solve these issues, nor is he the root cause of any of these problems.