England’s 2018 World Cup squad: Who made Southgate’s 23-man squad & what are shirt numbers?
Goal takes a look at each of the goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers named in Gareth Southgate's side
Goal takes a look at each of the goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers named in Gareth Southgate's side
Celtic’s pursuit of a new manager has been the saga which just keeps on going for the Bhoys.
The Hoops still have a temporary coach in charge in John Kennedy and it feels as though Dermot Desmond will have to wait a few more weeks before getting his man.
Eddie Howe has been front and centre of discussion over the last few weeks. The 43-year-old was in advanced talks with Celtic but, as far as an interview process goes, things have been quiet.
Howe is thought to have met with Desmond but a number of complications have stalled things. The former Bournemouth boss doesn’t want to return to management until the summer while both Crystal Palace and Brighton are monitoring his situation.
There is also a problem with Celtic’s director of football position. Howe wants Richard Hughes but the Hoops want Fergal Harkin.
Speaking about the current situation on the latest Record Celtic podcast, Michael Gannon had the following to say to Chris Sutton: “It’s more legalities and the finer points of contract details. I think that Eddie Howe will be at Celtic in the summer. I suspect that he might still be on the wage bill at Bournemouth and why pay £400,000 to get him out early when the season is done? He could be working away in the background.”
Gannon continued: “There is also Richard Hughes, that angle as well. Richard Hughes was a Premier League technical director on a good wedge as well. Would he get that at Parkhead? There’s wee things in the background going on like this that cost a lot of money but maybe in the longer term will get ironed out.
“The noises coming out of Celtic are positive this is close or they are optimistic. All these sort of warm, fuzzy phrases,” he concluded.
After all of the negative setbacks Celtic have been dealt in the last week or so, this is incredibly exciting news. The Hoops did identify an alternative in the form of Lucien Favre but that they’re refusing to panic is a good thing.
[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-edouard-desmond” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]
After all, this is a season where the Celtic hierarchy have come under intense scrutiny. The Green Brigade protested outside Parkhead a number of months ago against the leadership of Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell.
This poor season will have seen both men lose their jobs once it comes to a close but being calm and collected in this scenario is a good thing; they have to get things spot on.
Dermot Desmond has faced his own critics this term but he isn’t willing to sit back and take the easy way out.
Roy Keane would have been a simple appointment considering a lack of suitors from elsewhere but Howe is their top target, and they will stop at nothing in order to try and bring him to Glasgow.
You can understand why they want him, too. The former Premier League manager is a progressive coach, he is meticulous on the training ground and he has a decent CV; not many can say they’ve taken a team from the fourth tier to the top table of English football.
With Gannon claiming that Howe is still ‘close’ to Celtic, this should come as music to the ears of Hoops supporters.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has weighed in on the Trezeguet-El Ghazi debate in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, suggesting that the Dutch winger should be getting the nod at present.
It was Trezeguet who started in the recent 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, and the 26-year-old has since come in for criticism for putting in a subpar performance.
Ex-Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor was highly critical of his display and overall attacking contribution this season, stating Anwar El Ghazi should be in the team ahead of him, a sentiment shared by former team-mate Hendrie.
Speaking exclusively to FFC about the two attackers, Hendrie said:
“I agree with Gabby about that. El Ghazi’s more of a direct player and he’s got a bit more versatility than Trezeguet. He can go down the line or he can cut inside and he’s scored goals this season, so I totally agree.
“I feel that because they’re not scoring goals, you need something of that dimension to try and bring into the side. If I had to choose one, El Ghazi would be my first choice.”
This season, El Ghazi has managed to score six goals in the Premier League, a tally only top scorer Ollie Watkins can beat. Meanwhile, Trezeguet has failed to register at all, so it is not hard to see why some feel that El Ghazi should be getting the nod over the Egypt international.
In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 280 Premier League appearances, claims that the West Ham board now have faith in David Moyes after his signings have propelled the Hammers into Champions League contention.
In the last 12 months, signings such as Tomas Soucek, Craig Dawson, Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen have taken West Ham to the next level after fighting off relegation last season.
With numerous big-name signings falling to work out such as Sebastien Haller, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson, Moyes went for under the radar signings which would provide competition for places and be hard working.
Speaking on how some of Moyes’ signings have done since they joined the club and what the board now think of their manager, after letting him go in 2018, Lee told FFC:
“Jesse Lingard has been a great signing by David Moyes as well as Jarrod Bowen who came from the Championship, and seeing what he’s done has been great. I still think he doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done really.
“Bowen arrived from Hull and has continued to score goals. I think he’s done really well and David Moyes has proved he signs good players.
“I think the West Ham board have probably got a little bit of confidence in David Moyes now. They’ve allowed him to get the players he wants to sign for the club.”
West Ham let Moyes go at the end of the 2017/18 season despite him guiding the club to safety from a tough position in the table when he took over from Slaven Bilic.
After just 64 games in charge Manuel Pelligrini was sacked by West Ham, and the board decided to go against their previous judgement and hand Moyes another contract at the London Stadium.
Liverpool could be set to commit a huge transfer mistake with the club apparently not eyeing a striker in the summer window.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are currently happy with their forward line and have no ambitions to swoop for a big-money forward having previously been linked with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport, when asked if the Reds could be in the mix for Haaland this summer, Romano said: “I think Liverpool is complicated in this moment because they are happy with the team they have, so they’re not planning to do something like (sign) a central striker for this money.”
This could be a decision that comes back to bite the reigning Premier League champions.
The Reds have certainly not been at their prolific best throughout the 2020/21 league campaign. Jurgen Klopp’s troops have only scored 48 goals this season.
Whilst not the worst total, with only four sides in the entire top-flight having found the net with more regularity, it is a stark drop-off from the 66 that they had plundered at the same stage last season.
As a matter of fact, a huge reason behind the Reds’ dramatic poor form this season has been their inability to find the net. In their last 13 Premier League matches since the turn of the year, Liverpool have scored just 11 goals – failing to score in eight matches alone since mid-December.
That lack of goalscoring threat comes directly from their strikers.
Whilst the likes of Mo Salah and Diogo Jota have all found the net with ruthless efficiency, strikers Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi have only seven between them in all competitions.
For a side that harbours aspirations of challenging on all fronts under Jurgen Klopp, that is simply not good enough.
The arrival of a striker would go some way in rectifying those problems and it would be a huge mistake for Michael Edwards not to at least try to sign a clinical frontman in the summer despite Klopp being “happy” with his squad, according to Romano.
If you would like to see the full interview with Fabrizio Romano, click here.
AND in more news, take a look at which former Premier League midfielder the Reds should avoid signing in the summer…
Callum Wilson has revealed how long he will be out of action for as Newcastle United suffered a fresh injury blow that will impact them for most of, if not the rest of, the 2020/21 term.
Writing on his official Twitter page, the former AFC Bournemouth ace has confirmed that he will ‘miss the next few months’ due to an injury to his hamstring to which he said that he is ‘disappointed’ by.
The latest injury setback for Wilson will come as a big blow to Steve Bruce and the St. James’ Park faithful.
The England international was the Tyneside club’s main source of goals, with 10 strikes and a further five assists from just 21 games in the Premier League so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).
However, it looks likely that he may well miss the rest of the season, meaning that the Magpies will now have to look elsewhere for goals, which will be a worry at they have not been able to find many throughout the campaign.
The next highest goalscorer for the Toon is Miguel Almiron with five, and no other member of the squad has more than three so far (Transfermarkt), meaning that Newcastle’s players will all need to step up their game in front of goal.
The likes of Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll may get extended runs in the team now, as the onus is now very much on the other strikers at Newcastle to try and find the back of the net as often as Wilson was able to do. If they can’t, the Magpies could well find themselves getting dragged into a relegation battle.
In other news, find out what Liam Kennedy has been told may accelerate the potential takeover here!
Marcel Brands must not entertain Paris Saint-Germain targeting a second loan spell for Everton striker Moise Kean this summer.
According to ESPN, PSG Sporting Director Leonardo is expected to target free agents and loan deals during the next off-season with funds likely to be tight at Le Parc des Princes.
The Ligue 1 giants have been hit as hard as any other club by the coronavirus pandemic, and will pursue deals for soon-to-be free-agents such as Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, Olympique Lyonnais striker Memphis Depay and Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.
PSG also hope to strike a deal with Everton to retain Kean beyond his season-long loan, but could be forced to push for a second temporary spell which this time features an option to buy.
Kean moved to the French capital in October in a deal that does not include any purchase clauses, optional or obligatory, and Everton are expected to demand around £70m to part with the former Juventus forward at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
The striker endured a troubled debut year at Goodison Park having only managed to score two goals in 33 games across all competitions, while also being the subject of Marco Silva’s wrath after arriving late for a team meeting.
But he has turned things around in Paris, netting 15 times and providing one assist in 27 appearances, while Mauricio Pochettino has lauded the 20-year-old by noting: “We are very happy with everything he does.”
If Leonardo cannot afford to match Everton’s demands for the sale of Kean to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, Brands cannot entertain the Ligue 1 giants request for a second season on loan if the deal will only include an option to purchase in 2022.
Kean – who Silva described as a “clever boy” – is proving in France the threat that he can offer to Carlo Ancelotti back at Goodison Park next season, having hit goals against top and bottom tier opposition including FC Barcelona in the Champions League and OGC Nice in Ligue 1.
If those efforts still have not impressed Ancelotti, who oversaw both of Kean’s two Blues goals last season, then Everton must use his rejuvenated form to sell while the £53,000-per-week forward’s stock is at its highest and make profit on the £25m rising to £27.5m paid to Juventus.
The Toffees will likely need to reinvest any profit made from the Italy internationals’ departure to strengthen Ancelotti’s options in the off-season, with goals from centre-forwards other than top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin thin and far between this term.
Joshua King is yet to score in royal blue after four appearances following his deadline day arrival, and needs to impress if the Merseyside club are to take up their option to keep the summer free-agent on a longer-term deal.
Only two of Richarlison’s 10 goals in all competitions this term have come through the centre, as well, with the Brazilian most lethal when fielded on the wing and able to cut inside onto his favoured right-foot.
Cenk Tosun may have scored twice since re-joining Besiktas on loan last month, but only hit home once in seven outings for Everton this term following cruciate ligament surgery and is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
Ancelotti cannot rely on King or Tosun, in particular, providing Calvert-Lewin with competition next term. So, if Kean is not the answer, Everton must sell or guarantee funds for the forward this summer.
AND in other news, Everton are likely to sell a £6.5m-rated dud this summer after pricing him out of a January move…
Just when you think Sunderland are building ahead of steam, they are halted in their tracks.
The Mackems ended January with back to back League One victories but after yet another draw, they have now dropped out of the play-off places.
Drawing seems to be the order of the day for the Black Cats. Since dropping into England’s third tier, that result has occurred too regularly. They have dropped points in back to back matches now and despite having a new manager, the same old habits keep halting their progress.
Lee Johnson’s team are still yet to taste defeat on the road but after beating MK Dons 3-0 in the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek, you’d have been forgiven for thinking this would be another straightforward win.
However, it was anything but. Sunderland drew 2-2 with the Dons in a repeat of the fixture in the week. They were vibrant in attack last time out but on this occasion, they struggled to finish their chances.
Though, in forward areas, no player was arguably worse than Aiden O’Brien. It was Aiden McGeady who missed a late opportunity but at least he was actually getting in the right areas.
O’Brien struggled throughout the contest and despite a clever piece of play that produced an opening for McGeady in the first half, he was rarely involved.
The winger produced just 15 complete passes in the entire game, failing to put much pressure on the Dons defence. He attempted only one take-on and didn’t register a single key pass either.
Despite being on the pitch for just over 20 minutes and thus, having little time to make an impact, Jordan Jones was still more creative. He attempted the same number of dribbles as O’Brien and also provided a key pass.
With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a great surprise if he was in the XI from the off next time out. After all, the Rangers loanee started against Dons in midweek and caught the eye in their 3-0 win, completing a team-high four dribbles.
With Jack Diamond also starting among the subs, O’Brien has plenty of players trying to take his place in the team. If the latter keeps demonstrating the consistency he played with today, he will be out the side quickly.
O’Brien was a liability for the Mackems on Saturday, and Johnson should seriously consider dropping him.
Tottenham will be looking to continue their run in the Europa League with a positive result against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday evening, although Jose Mourinho may have one eye on Sunday’s North London derby when he selects his team for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs progressed comfortably past Wolfsberger in the last round, whilst Dinamo Zagreb made it through to the Round of 16 after beating Russian side Krasnodar 4-2 on aggregate.
Whilst it won’t be an easy game for Spurs, the Portuguese manager should make the most of his squad depth and make plenty of changes for the visit of the Croatian side, with the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son perhaps deserving a rest.
Here’s how Football FanCast expects Mourinho to set his side up against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, with 10 changes from the side that started against Crystal Palace on Sunday…
Joe Hart is likely to continue his role as the usual starter in the Europa League, coming in for Hugo Lloris.
There are three changes in defence, as Serge Aurier comes in for Matt Doherty at right-back, and Ben Davies replaces Sergio Reguilon on the left.
Toby Alderweireld is rested, with Eric Dier partnering Davinson Sanchez at centre-back, with the Colombian the only man to keep his place.
Mourinho has already confirmed that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be rested, and after sitting out against Palace, Tanguy Ndombele is likely to come back in, with Moussa Sissoko the man to partner him in midfield.
Dele Alli’s recent impressive form sees him come back in, whilst Erik Lamela and Steven Bergwijn start in place of Gareth Bale and Son, who reportedly earns £175k per week at Spurs, on the wings.
Finally, Carlos Vinicius will be looking to continue his decent record in the Europa League, with Kane rested, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Englishman feature if Spurs are struggling to make the breakthrough on Thursday.
And, in other news… Mourinho masterclass: Jose has revitalised £110k-p/w gem at Spurs with one simple change
Following Glasgow Rangers’ crunch Old Firm clash with Celtic on Saturday afternoon, Steven Gerrard’s side have been dealt a huge injury blow.
Despite gaining the upper hand over their arch rivals in the title race, Gerrard would have every right to be concerned after Kemar Roofe was substituted at half-time after appearing to pick up a knock.
The Ibrox boss then told Rangers TV, as quoted by The Daily Record: “It was on our minds to make a change in the first 45 because we weren’t happy with the front three.
“But a stroke of luck, not in terms of the injury because Kemar (Roofe) has got a niggle in his quad, we’ll have to assess that and hope he gets back fit, but it actually played into my hands in terms of getting Ianis on the pitch who I thought was outstanding in the second half.”
It was revealed shortly before the second Old Firm derby of the season that Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack had been ruled out of the clash with Celtic due to injury.
Roofe has been an ever-present in Gerrard’s side ever since he first arrived at Ibrox from Anderlecht in the summer, with the Jamaican striker having started 12 of his 15 appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season – he also scored a memorable goal from inside his own half against Standard Liege in the Europa League.
Speaking at the start of this season, former Dundee and Leeds United defender Barry Douglas was effusive in his praise for his former teammate, saying: “He’s a good guy to be around and a very humble lad too, which, going into a club that size, is a massive attribute.
“Roofe’s very grounded so all the ingredients are there for him to do well.
“He’s a great acquisition for Rangers, and I think he’ll be successful there because he knows where the back of the net is.”
Roofe has been in prolific form since the start of the season, providing 12 goals and 2 assists in 21 appearances across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.
With a trip to Aberdeen next on the agenda, there’s no doubt his presence will be sorely missed ahead of a huge game against their Premiership rivals, after he got himself on the scoresheet during the 4-0 win at home to the Dons last time out.
AND in other news, Ross Wilson must sanction Rangers move for Sheffield United star John Lundstram as a Davis alternative…