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Xherdan Shaqiri was linked with a move away from Liverpool throughout the summer transfer window and although no deal could be completed for the former Bayern Munich man, it looks as though he is still likely to depart in the near future, as he remains on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Unfortunately for the German manager, and sporting director Michael Edwards, the 29-year-old’s performance for Switzerland against Spain on Saturday night showed signs that he may no longer cut it at the top level.

Although 10-man Switzerland were only pegged back in the 89th minute after a Gerard Moreno goal, the Liverpool man’s disappointing display must be cause for concern for those at Anfield.

As per SofaScore, the winger picked up a disappointing 6.6 rating for his display, losing possession eight times in the 72 minutes he was on the pitch.

Perhaps most worryingly though, was that he was able to make just 12 successful passes during his time on the pitch, suggesting that he was unable to have any real impact on the game.

The 29-year-old also had just 25 touches of the ball and missed one big chance during the game, so it is perhaps no surprise that he was substituted by Vladimir Petković.

If any potential suitors took note of that display, they may well be put off trying to sign the Swiss international in January or next summer, which could cause a headache for Klopp and Michael Edwards.

Since joining from Stoke City in the summer of 2018, Shaqiri has gone on to make just 46 appearances for the Reds, contributing eight goals and six assists (per Transfermarkt).

This season has seen the winger make just two substitute appearances in the Premier League, although he was able to contribute an assist in one of those games (per WhoScored).

The £14.4 million rated man did earn the praise of Pep Lijnders earlier in the season for his performance in the League Cup against Lincoln, with the Dutch assistant manager saying:

“He had a superb game against Lincoln in a different position to he is used to playing so that makes it even more recognisable and great.”

“Also, for himself, to play [after a difficult spell with injuries] and play in this manner. If we expect one thing from Shaq it is that he tries to dictate the game and search for attacking solutions and be involved in the build-up and creating.” (per Liverpool Echo)

Whilst he has had his memorable moments at Anfield, including a brace against Manchester United in the 3-1 win in December 2018, you would imagine that with the summer signing of Diogo Jota, he perhaps does not have much time left with the Merseyside outfit but this international performance will have done his chances of earning a move away from the Reds no favours whatsoever.

At the moment, it does seem like Barcelona are willing to cut ties with the majority of their squad. The Catalans believe a rebuild is necessary and Ronald Koeman, the new head coach, will be given all the power to decide the fate of his players.

This means he says who stays, who goes and who gets transferred in. The way things currently stand, according to the latest report from SPORT, Rafinha is one of the players who’s been put on the chopping list.

The Catalan media are saying he is fully expected to leave Barcelona this summer and West Ham United, who were also interested before, could be set to battle both Arsenal and Everton for his signature.

We know that David Moyes doesn’t have a lot of money to spend in the ongoing summer transfer window but the same outlet mentions the Brazilian only has a year left on his contract and would probably command a fee in the region of €16m (£14.4m).

It has to be mentioned that Rafinha apparently has an offer from Lazio as well but at this point in time, a return to Italy is not exactly on the cards. This gives the Premier League sides a boost in the chase of his signature.

Of course, Koeman might end up finding a place for him at Barcelona but everything points towards that not happening and the Hammers have to use that to their advantage.

Verdict

Rafinha’s quality cannot be doubted. The only thing, however, that’s been holding the younger Alcantara brother back his whole career have been niggling injuries.

And looking at this whole package, with the price and the risks involved, that is essentially the only thing Moyes has to be aware of before bidding for the player.

If his physique can be counted on, Rafinha would be an incredible asset for the Hammers.

Many Aston Villa fans have reacted to some transfer gossip that claims former striker Christian Benteke is available for sale this summer for £10m.

Claret and Blue boss Dean Smith saw the likes of Mbwana Samatta, Keinan Davis and Wesley all struggle to find consistency last term.

Adding 26 goal striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford last week, Smith now has more firepower in his front line but further transfer gossip has emerged linking Lyon striker Bertrand Traore with a move to the club.

Further to that report linking the Burkina Faso striker with a Villa Park move, Birmingham LIVE have reported that Benteke is available for a small transfer fee of £10m.

The Belgian striker scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa, whilst also supplying 12 assists for his former teammates.

Reacting to the gossip, some Villa fans gave a response via Twitter account @AVFC_News. However, it seems the majority are not keen on a reunion with the big striker, suggesting it would be a backwards step for the club.

Indeed, Benteke has really struggled in recent years and has scored just three league goals in the last two seasons. Here is what some had to say…

Do you think a return move for Benteke would be a good idea? Let us know in the comments section below…

Key Information about Hayes Lane

Hayes Lane is the home stadium of Greater London located Bromley Football Club, and it is also used by Crystal Palace Women and Cray Wanderers who are the oldest association football club in London and the joint-second oldest in the world.

The stadium has a capacity of 5,000, including 1,300 seats, and it first opened in 1938 which was the same year the Lilywhites moved in. Hayes Lane is made up of four famous stands; the John Fiorini Stand (main), the Glyn Beverly Stand, the North Terrace, and the Cricket Club Side (away supporters).

A history of Hayes Lane

Bromley first moved into Hayes Lane in 1938 from their previous ground which was on the same road, and it originally features one 2,500 all-seater stand on one side of the pitch with the rest surrounded by banking. Famously, Hayes Lane was opened by former FIFA president Sir Stanley Rous on 3 September 1938, as Bromley hosted Walthamstow Avenue only for them to face a 6-1 thrashing. A record attendance was set and still stands from 1948, ten years after the ground first opened.

The record is 10,798, and it was set between Bromley and a Nigeria XI. Floodlights were introduced to the stadium for the first time in 1960, and were famously used during a game between Japan and Isthmian League XI later in the year. This now meant that Bromley could play night-time fixtures in darker conditions for the first time.

The other three stands were initially built as concrete terraces so that both ends of the pitch were covered, and the original stand burned down in October 1992 with it being replaced by a smaller 320-seat stand which was opened the following year.

In order to meet ground requirements and regulations after winning promotion to the National League for the first time in their history, they had to obtain seats from the London Aquatics Centre in order to install them behind one of the goals. It was not until April 2017 that Bromley announced that work would begin on a 1,450-seat stand at the sound end of Hayes Lane. In addition to this major redevelopment, the playing surface was converted from grass to 3G. The brand new stand had recently opened in the summer of 2019 and was named in honour of former club chairman Glyn Beverly.

Hayes Lane famously hosted five games at the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup which is an international football tournament for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA. The tournament was hosted by Barawa Football Association with all games held around London.

Tickets to Watch Bromley at Hayes Lane

Adult season tickets are priced at £200 which works out to be just £8.70 per game. Concession (over-65s and students over-21) season tickets cost £135, and under-16s and young student season tickets are priced at just £65. Adult matchday tickets cost £15 with concessions at £10, and students/children at £5.

Related Links

http://www.bromleyfc.tv/ – Official website of Bromley FC

Many Aston Villa fans have reacted to a transfer report that links Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard with a move to the club this summer.

Claret and Blue boss Dean Smith will look to address a number of areas within his squad that need improvement this summer ahead of the 2020/21 season.

One particular area that Villa are in desperate need to improve is in attack having seen the likes of Wesley, Mbwana Samatta and Keinan Davis all struggle to find regular goal-scoring form.

Having previously been linked with a move for Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, it is now emerging that the Midlands based club are keen on Celtic’s Edouard.

Daily Telegraph writer Mike McGrath reports that Villa would like to make a summer move for the £13.5m-valued striker who netted an impressive 21 goals in 27 games and gained 12 assists in the Scottish Premiership last term.

Reacting to the transfer claim, Villa fans gave varied opinions via Twitter account @villareport with many keen on the potential addition – one even suggested he would be a ‘great’ signing.

Do you think Edouard would make a good summer signing for Villa? Let us know in the comments section below…

According to Italian media outlet Tuttomercatoweb, if Everton appoint Carlo Ancelotti then it could increase their chances of bringing Steven Nzonzi to the club during the January transfer window, but they should avoid signing him at all costs.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 31-year-old may well be up for grabs in the New Year having walked out on loan club Galatasaray and been indefinitely suspended, with manager Fatih Terim branding the 2018 World Cup winner as “disrespectful”.

Tuttomercatoweb report that Lyon manager Rudi Garcia is a fan of the AS Roma midfielder, who cost £27m in 2018 and is likely to learn his future in the coming days and weeks when he returns to the Italian capital.

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The report adds that the potential appointment of Ancelotti, which could happen before the end of the week according to Sky Sports, at Goodison Park could boost the Merseyside outfit’s chances of signing the 6 foot 5 colossus. Everton also wanted to sign him in the summer before he chose Champions League football with the Turkish giants instead.

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Avoid at all costs

History suggests Ancelotti would be getting his Everton reign off to a bad start if he brought Frenchman in during the upcoming transfer window.

Not only has he walked out on his current loan side and refused to return – being labelled as “disrespectful” in the process – but it isn’t the first disciplinary or bad attitude issue he has had during his playing career.

The France international handed in two transfer requests in the space of 12 months during his time with Stoke City in the Premier League, while he handed in one during his spells with Blackburn Rovers and Sevilla, too.

Sam Allardyce was another to criticise the then 21-year-old during his tenure at Ewood Park, while he also reportedly went AWOL from Roma during the summer.

How much do you really know about the Farhad Moshiri era? Answer 25 simple questions below…

All of that adds up to Nzonzi not being a good egg, and is that what Everton really need right now in what has been a tumultuous season where they are very much fighting at the wrong end of the Premier League table? Certainly not.

There has been a real show of togetherness and unity among the players since Duncan Ferguson took caretaker charge, with committed performances on the pitch and everyone pulling in the same direction yielding four points from a possible six available.

Nzonzi is not the character the Toffees need right now then, and Ancelotti should avoid at all costs if he ends up taking the job.

In other Everton news, Moise Kean has reacted on Instagram to a post saying Carlo Ancelotti has agreed to become the club’s new manager…

The relationship between Jadon Sancho and Manchester United continues to provide new updates as a potential move could be on the cards.

By now it’s no secret the Red Devils are very keen on bringing Dortmund star Sancho to Old Trafford this summer. However, it seems it’s not just the club who are eager for a move.

According to a report from SportBild (via Sport Witness), the winger’s two ‘best buddies’ are already at United, and a move could benefit all three players in question.

Sancho has dominated the Bundesliga this season, scoring 17 goals and providing 17 assists, and has subsequently attracted a lot of interest from English clubs. Man United are very keen on his signature but Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea have also been named as potential suitors for the 20-year-old.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks like he means business as the football world creeps towards the summer transfer window. The Norwegian has been linked to big money names including Kai Havertz and Harry Kane. But there’s something about the persistent nature of this Sancho link that looks extremely promising.

Now, with reports revealing Sancho could link up with his best friends Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, it seems like there’s an even bigger incentive to make the deal happen.

There’s no denying Sancho’s ability is absolutely everything Man United need in order to re-establish themselves in the Premier League next season.

The Reds have some very strong names listed in their current midfield, however it seems Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have clashing playing styles as they are yet to play together on the big stage. Adding Sancho to United’s attack and using both Rashford and Lingard in the same squad could heavily multiply the team’s chemistry.

If these three ‘best buddies’ know each other inside out like any other best friends do, surely it will create a formula for success on the pitch. Lingard has struggled to bag game time this season, playing just 20 matches (via Transfermarkt). But if he proves to work well with Sancho and Rashford, the manager may opt to feature him a lot more. Especially as it looks more and more likely Solskjaer wants to experiment with the team.

Do you think Jadon Sancho will link up with his Old Trafford friends this summer, Reds? Have your say in the comments below!

Ben White’s progression at Leeds seems to be on an upward trajectory and shows no signs of slowing down after the defender was named in the EFL Team of the Week.

It was a test playing without captain Liam Cooper for the 22-year-old, but he marshalled the defence well alongside Gaetano Berardi for the majority of the match, restricting the home side to just the one goal.

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It was a typical performance from the loanee and one that is already familiar to the Leeds fanbase, many of whom adore the Brighton man just a few months into his spell at Elland Road.

He also picked up his first assist for the club against the Hatters after a marauding run forward allowed him to play in Patrick Bamford with a delightful pass, and the striker tucked the ball home at the near post to open the scoring.

It is his ability on the ball as well as his defensive qualities which make him so loved, and here are some of the reactions to his recognition from the EFL.

Meanwhile, another Leeds defender impressed on Saturday, and that could ease Marcelo Bielsa’s worries over a big concern.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has told Serge Aurier that he can become one of the best full-backs in the world, that is according to French news outlet Foot Mercato.

The report suggests that the Portuguese manager has held talks with the former PSG man behind the scenes and told him that he is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League and that he could go on to become one of the best in the world if he concentrates on and off the pitch.

Since Mourinho has replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the helm at Spurs, there has been a noticeable improvement in Aurier’s performances.

Indeed, the 26-year-old has scored one goal and provided two assists in his five appearances under the ex-Chelsea boss, helping the team to four wins (Transfermarkt).

The main issue with Aurier has always been his defensive capabilities. On average, he has won just 55% of duels per game this season (SofaScore).

Plenty of Spurs fans have been reacting to what Mourinho allegedly said to Aurier, with many of them sceptical that the Ivorian can become that good even under the Portuguese’s tutelage.

Here is how some reacted on Twitter…

Spurs fans, what are your opinions of Serge Aurier? And do you think he has a long-term future at the club? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

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

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat when they host Swansea City at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon.

It will be no easy feat considering the Welsh outfit are also in the running for promotion this campaign. They currently sit four points above the Owls amongst a trio of teams all on 28 points.

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Garry Monk’s side have only lost the two games under his stewardship, but a worrying trend has emerged in south Yorkshire as they have struggled to find the net – scoring just 11 goals in his nine matches in charge.

Prior to his arrival, under caretaker boss Lee Bullen, Wednesday bagged eight in just six games, so there has undoubtedly been some regression since September.

On the Chalkboard

Monk, a former centre-back, has quite clearly made improvements in defence which is no surprise given his playing career.

The Owls have kept four clean sheets in those nine games while no team in the division has conceded fewer goals at home – just three in seven games, two of which came in the Queens Park Rangers defeat.

Finding a solution to this problem outside of the transfer window is a hard task, but at Wednesday, they have the right personnel for there to be an easy solution.

And it won’t impact their defensive strength either.

It is clear to see that despite having a plethora of options in attack, Monk doesn’t quite think it is viable to run a 4-4-2 system often – only really when the presence of 6 foot 6 Atdhe Nuhiu is needed. Neither Sam Winnall or Jordan Rhodes can get much game time at all.

Then there’s the ‘special talent’ Fernando Forestieri, who is yet to start since returning from suspension, but he could hold the keys to potential success by playing in the number ten role – or if not him, Adam Reach.

A 4-3-3 formation can bear fruit for the 40-year-old as it is the formation that Bullen operated with to a reasonable level with Barry Bannan and Sam Hutchinson sitting as the midfield two.

That’s the perfect balance between creativity and muscle with the Scotsman ranking joint top for assists and his counterpart joint top for tackles per game – via WhoScored.

You only have to look at how West Brom are playing to know that a similar formation can pay serious dividends in the Championship.