All posts by h79snht.top

It’s fair to say that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri wasn’t particularly popular among the Goodison Park faithful during Sam Allardyce’s spell in charge of the club, following on from a number of other failures stretching back to last summer.

Toffees supporters would have been excited when the 63-year-old businessman took charge and vowed to invest in the side, and he certainly followed through on that promise with some big-money additions in 2017.

While fans of Merseyside outfit can’t fault the money that has been spent on the playing squad, some of the Iranian’s decision-making – particularly in terms of recruitment and the managerial situation with David Unsworth and Allardyce – left a lot to be desired, and it would have caused those supporters to lose a little faith in him as they watched poor football under the leadership of the former England boss.

Moshiri has taken a step in the right direction by sacking the 63-year-old and director of football Steve Walsh and replacing them with potentially Marco Silva and Marcel Brands – who can become an instant Goodison hero by completing a £70m deal this summer – and he has a real opportunity in the coming weeks and months to bring in new players that can help them gatecrash the top-six party next term.

Here are three signings Moshiri can deliver for Silva to ensure he goes from Everton zero to hero…

With Leighton Baines turning 34 years of age this summer and with The Sun reporting that he could be interested in a move to the MLS, one of Moshiri’s transfer priorities will be to bring a new left-back to Goodison Park this summer.

Manchester United’s Shaw could be the ideal candidate even though things haven’t worked out for him under Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese boss publicly criticising him for his performances on more than one occasion.

However, the England international is only 22 and has the potential and plenty of time to get better, and he will also have a point to prove that he can still be a brilliant left-back at this level – his energy to get up and down the pitch would certainly help the Toffees in the final third next term.

With Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka not good enough to be starting and the future of Ramiro Funes Mori surely in doubt, it is clear to see that Moshiri needs to bring in at least one – and perhaps even two – new centre-backs this summer.

Step forward Nastasic, who helped Schalke record an impressive second-place finish in the Bundesliga this season as he starred in 24 German top flight appearances.

The 25-year-old quickly impressed and then fell out of favour after injury when he was in the Premier League with Manchester City previously, but he has clearly matured and improved in the last few seasons and could be a brilliant partner for Michael Keane at Goodison Park.

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Despite signing Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson last summer, Everton still don’t really seem to have found the solution to who will be a long-term success in the No.10 role for them yet.

With Sigurdsson often playing on the left rather than through the middle and the futures of both Rooney and Klaassen potentially in doubt, Moshiri may be looking for a new central attacking midfielder this summer, and Anderson Talisca should be a target.

The 24-year-old has just enjoyed a brilliant season on loan from Benfica at Besiktas – where he linked up with Toffees striker Cenk Tosun prior to his January move to England – scoring 20 goals and providing a further eight assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.

Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.

Bordeaux winger Malcom has been a regular feature in the transfer gossip columns.

The Brazilian has been linked to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Although, it seems that the race for his signature has got slimmer, with L’Equipe reporting that the Gunners have cooled their interest.

It is believed that after learning more about the 21-year-old’s character, the North London outfit are reassessing their options.

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There is pressure on new manager Unai Emery to make the right signings as it is his first transfer window since being appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor.

So far, the Spaniard, who was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last month, has recruited one new face in the form of right-sided defender Stephan Lichtsteiner, who joined on a free transfer from Juventus.

Malcom is certainly an impressive player having scored 12 goals and created eight assists in 38 appearances in all competitions, but it seems that plenty of Arsenal fans are satisfied with the club taking a step back.

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Up until Tunisia equalised after a moment of madness from Kyle Walker, England produced a display of dynamic, passing football unmatched by any nation on show at World Cup 2018. 

It’s a cliche, but the Three Lions should have been out of sight before the Manchester City gave away the penalty that Ferjani Sassi slotted home, with Jesse Lingard presented with the majority of the chances as he drove from midfield alongside Dele Alli.

The Tottenham midfielder was among the brightest performers in the opening stages before an injury noticeably slowed him down as England began to toil.

However, Alli showed the desire that all England fans want to see from their players, battling through whatever niggle was holding him back and carrying on attempting to influence proceedings from deep.

The struggles of Brazil, Argentina and Germany to break down massed ranks of inferior sides show just how difficult England’s task as they looked for a winner as Tunisia expertly ran down the clock in the humid conditions but Alli kept plugging away.

There is no doubting that the second half did not showcase his best work and the comparison with substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek is not favourable but his performance was certainly not a poor one.

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If Alli has any hangover from this injury lingering by Sunday, he should not be risked against Panama but on the evidence of this performance, he should be well in contention to be a key man for the Three Lions as the tournament progresses.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257236″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Five things we learned from England 21 Tunisia”]

The 2018/19 Premier League fixtures were announced on Thursday morning, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Reds fans would have been quick to scan through and see not only when they were facing arch-rivals Everton and Manchester United, but also when they have favourable and perhaps unfavourable runs on paper.

The German boss will surely be targeting a title push next term after they fell well short last term despite impressively reaching the Champions League final, and he will know that a strong start is imperative given how good the likes of Manchester City, Jose Mourinho’s men and Tottenham Hotspur might well be, with the former running away with it last season.

With the squad they currently have – and with a couple of more additions to add to Naby Keita and Fabinho – the Merseyside outfit, whose fans want the club to sign a £58.5m-rated attacker, certainly have the capabilities to push the Manchester duo all the way, but they will be well aware that they perhaps need to be stronger on the road against their nearest competitors, and pick up less draws against the smaller clubs at Anfield.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255848″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Liverpool’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

A look at the fixture list quickly highlights when Klopp’s men need to be on their game if they are to have a successful campaign and achieve their aims.

Here are the three months that will decide Liverpool’s 2018/19 season…

Liverpool took seven points from a possible nine from their opening three fixtures in August last season, but they look to have the perfect opportunity to take all nine this term – something they really need to do to get their title challenge off to the best possible start.

A home match against West Ham United is followed by a trip to Crystal Palace and then another game on their own patch against Brighton and Hove Albion, and with the firepower the Reds have as well as some extra defensively solidity if their summer transfer business goes to plan, they should be confident of winning all of those aforementioned encounters.

Following a decent looking August on paper, Liverpool have the chance to throw down a further marker and warning out to their main rivals in September.

The month begins with trips to Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur – who could well be a title or top-four rival – respectively, with the clash against the latter a chance to prove that they can pick up wins against their nearest competitors on the road.

A home match with Southampton is followed by another away game against Chelsea, and another opportunity to send out a message to the rest of the division that they can win their first-ever Premier League title.

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Whether Liverpool are well in the mix for the title or need to ensure they stay in the top four, there is no doubt that December is going to be crucial as they are hit with seven Premier League fixtures.

It is certainly a sequence of games that could make or break a season, and the matches seem to have fallen relatively well for the Reds on paper given they don’t have any of their main rivals on the road.

Home matches against Everton, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Arsenal are combined with trips to Burnley, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Klopp will surely fancy his team’s chances of picking up a healthy haul of points.

Do you agree, Liverpool fans? Let us know below.

After the departure of midfielder Stuart Armstrong to Southampton earlier this week, Celtic fans have voted in favour of replacing the Scotland international with Hibernian midfielder John McGinn.

Armstrong made the switch to Saints in a reported £7m deal, which is excellent business for a player who had just a year left on his contract at Celtic Park.

Despite already having the likes of Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, Olivier Ntcham and Tom Rogic at the club, the Hoops could do with added depth in Armstrong’s place, considering they will be competing for multiple trophies at home and abroad next season.

One player who could fit the bill is Hibs man John McGinn, who has excelled in the middle of the park for the Easter Road side in recent seasons. Still just 23 years of age, he has the potential to be a superb performer for the Scottish champions.

Opinion on that appears to differ in the Celtic support though. Although respondents to a poll we published earlier this week were generally in favour of the player replacing Armstrong, a sizeable 42% did not believe he could fill the Southampton man’s boots.

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You can see the full results below…

Newcastle fans have been through the wringer in recent seasons. Even the highs have been laced with a dissent towards owner Mike Ashley and Alan Pardew, with the ‘yes man’ antics of the manager and the boss’ frugality in the transfer market having been major issues.

The back end of last season, however, hit a real low point, with John Carver’s reign almost resulting in a second relegation since 2009, with the battle against the drop going down to the very last day of the campaign.

Change was needed, and former England manager Steve McClaren was quickly drafted in after impressing at Derby, with the task of bringing some positivity back to Tyneside. Although the opening two games of the Premier League campaign have yielded just one point, there is a genuine feel good factor at the moment, and here are FIVE things McClaren has already done to improve the mood…

Serious transfer business

Perhaps not entirely down to McClaren, with owner Mike Ashley having played his part, the transfer business at St James’ Park has been impressive this summer. Chancel Mbemba, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Georginio Wijnaldum and now Florian Thauvin are all exciting names and the club’s willingness to go out and get their targets is refreshing given that the end of the Alan Pardew regime was widely mocked for a lack of activity.

Ashley may have put the cash forward, but McClaren is likely to have insisted on major backing to head to St James’ Park.

Brought back some excitement

One point from an opening six is not exactly idea, but Newcastle have already looked a little more exciting. Wijnaldum’s header against Southampton was an example of what a McClaren side can do, with pace and sweeping movement on show as Gabriel Obertan’s delightful cross was guided into the net by the debut man.

When was the last time Magpies fans had a moment to truly cheers, aside from the relief of avoiding relegation?

Just being there

From the universally unpopular Pardew to the woefully out of his depth Carver, the dugout has been the subject of some abuse at St James’ Park for a while. McClaren, despite his England woes back in 2008, has merely had to walk out of the tunnel to raise the mood in the North East, with his proven record in both the Netherlands and Germany genuinely impressive.

Revived Gabriel Obertan

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Very much a fringe player under Carver and Pardew, the Frenchman looked to have talent, but a lack of application. Obertan is known to be a decent footballer, and McClaren appears to put his faith in him, starting the wide-man in both Premier League games so far this term. The risk was rewarded with a superb cross for Wijnaldum’s header against Southampton, and there were glimpses of his ability on the ball during the loss at Swansea.

Buy-in from the squad

From the unmotivated lows of earlier this year, Newcastle look like a new side. McClaren’s influence is sure to have been key in this, with a manager with a proven record and genuine tactical knowledge likely to get a greater buy-in from experienced professionals. There is still work to be done, but the opening months of the new era have been positive.

After a 1-1 draw against Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers has been relieved of his role as Liverpool’s manager.

The news ends a period of highs and lows for the Northern Irishman, who spent three colourful years and four months at Anfield but was unable to secure silverware for the historic club.

With odds shortening on Jurgen Klopp’s potential arrival in the former Swansea City manager’s place, it is certainly valid to examine just why Rodgers was given his marching orders.

To dismiss a manager after only eight games of the new season, with the side a mere three points adrift of the top four, could be seen as rash in some corners.

As such, here are three reasons why Rodgers was shown the Anfield exit door.

Recruitment during his tenure

Just how much of a role the Northern Irishman has played in signing new players over the space of his time at Liverpool remains to be seen, with a host of other figures having input on what new faces arrived at Anfield.

Regardless of this, Rodgers was charged with getting the best from the new men but more often than not has failed in this regard.

Taking the likes of Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge out of the equation, a host of players have worn the prestigious red shirt in recent seasons but not looked anywhere near up to the task – this botched recruitment process clearly has had a role in Rodgers being sacked, either directly or indirectly.

Failure to win the Premier League in 2013-14

Rodgers’ crowning period at the Anfield helm will be the second half of the 2013-14 campaign, where Liverpool looked for all money to be set for a memorable Premier League title success.

While Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling in unplayable mood, the Reds displayed some scintillating football but were pipped at the post by Manchester City after a draw at Crystal Palace and defeat at home to Chelsea.

Despite Rodgers deserving credit for being the tactician behind this run of form and the subsequent second-placed finish, had the Northern Irishman finished the job and lifted the title he would surely still be at the club today – despite the questionable form of the team since.

Last season’s capitulation and 6-1 hammering at Stoke

After a slow start to last season following the departure of Suarez and an influx of new faces, Liverpool started to get their act together and put forward a run of note that looked destined to end in Champions League qualification.

However, defeat in the FA Cup semi-finals against a modest Aston Villa, inconsistent league form in the last six weeks of the campaign and a last-day 6-1 humbling at the Britannia Stadium left a very sour taste in the collective mouth.

The players appeared to have stopped listening to Rodgers’ message and this capitulation was the beginning of the end for the former Reds boss, who could even have been sacked in the summer as a result.

It’s hard to remember a time when so much excitement and anticipation surrounded a Premier League appointment as it has Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp over the last few weeks.

The towering German comes with a preceding reputation from his time at Borussia Dortmund, winning consecutive Bundesliga titles and reaching the 2013 Champions League final with the Black-Yellows, and it’s not only Liverpool fans hoping his arrival will disrupt the established order at the Premier League’s summit.

In order to do that, however, Klopp will need to make a few astute investments in the transfer market whilst also getting the best out of the Liverpool crop currently at his disposal.

But Liverpool legend John Barnes has called for Reds fans to be patient with Klopp as he begins his Anfield revolution.

Barnes wrote in his latest Titan Bet column: “Before we get too carried away I want to stress that it will take time for Klopp to get his ideas across.

“It’s all about having a bit of perspective. It will take time for him to get the players he wants, for the players at the club to get used to his ways and for the whole set-up to gel together.”

With that in mind, Football FanCast have conjured up this ‘Dream XI’ of what Liverpool could one day look like under their new gaffer, combining the Reds’ top performers with rumoured transfer targets.

Would this ‘Dream XI’ break into the Premier League’s top four? Let us know by commenting below!

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GOALKEEPER – BERND LENO

Despite entering his fourth campaign between the Anfield sticks, the jury’s still out on whether Simon Mignolet has what it takes to be a long-term No.1 at a club as big as Liverpool. Most Reds fans would like to see an upgrade during the next two transfer windows.

One such goalkeeper mooted by the Italian press is Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno, a prodigious talent Jurgen Klopp will be well aware of from his Bundesliga days.

The 23 year-old recorded the second-most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in the German top flight last season, an impressive 16 after Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, and has bagged another three already this season.

Having also made 244 competitive appearances at club level, as well as picking up 28 caps for Germany’s youth teams, he’s already attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Rea Madrid.

With his contract not set to expire until 2018, however, Bayer will feel under no obligation to sell the 6 foot 3 shot stopper.

RIGHT-BACK – Nathaniel Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne’s enjoyed a decent if rather unspectacular start to his Liverpool career and something tells me Jurgen Klopp will be particularly fond of the England international.

The Anfield gaffer always favoured adventurous full-backs at Borussia Dortmund – the likes of Lukasz Piszczek and Marcel Schmeltzer – and the 24 year-old is of a similar mould, offering ideal balance between defence and attack.

CENTRE-BACK – NEVEN SUBOITC

Having brought Neven Subotic with him to Westfalenstadion from Mainz in 2008, the Serbian international has already been mooted as one of Klopp’s first potential signings as Liverpool boss.

The Reds could certainly do with an injection of Champions League quality at the heart of defence and the 6 foot 2 centre-half fits the bill nicely, famed for his turn of pace, astute reading of the game and defensive work on the deck.

Whether the 26 year-old is actually interested in joining Liverpool and whether Dortmund would be prepared to sell remains to be seen – especially after extending his contract until 2017 just a matter of months ago.

But fellow centre-backs Sokratis and Matthias Ginter have both excelled in Subotic’s absence through injury this season so if first team opportunities become increasingly harder to come by, an Anfield switch could appeal to him.

CENTRE-BACK – MARTIN SKRTEL

The only defender Brendan Rodgers could truly depend on throughout his Anfield reign, Martin Skrtel represents a beacon of consistency and longevity in an otherwise chaotic Liverpool backline.

The 30 year-old seems to be getting better with age and Jurgen Klopp will almost certainly place the same level of trust in Skrtel as his predecessor.

LEFT BACK – ALBERTO MORENO

Joe Gomez has certainly impressed since arriving on Merseyside from Charlton Athletic during the summer but in a similar vein of thought to Nathaniel Clyne, the progressive Alberto Moreno is more befitting of Jurgen Klopp’s expected tactics.

Likewise, the Spain international has really started to justify his £12million price-tag in recent weeks after a turbulent debut campaign at Anfield, particularly impressing against Norwich City and Everton.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – RUBEN NEVES

If we take the word of the tabloids at face value, then Liverpool’s interest in Porto prodigy Ruben Neves has only escalated since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp – who is reportedly a huge fan of the central midfielder.

The 18 year-old is still very much a developing talent but he’s already made 42 appearances for the Porto first team, recently starring in a shock 2-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League – a competition he’s averaged four tackles and 3.5 interceptions per match in this term.

Liverpool failed to replace Lucas Levia during the summer and eventually decided to hold onto the tough-tackling Brazilian but the Portugal U21 could well be the rightful successor they’ve continually craved.

Whether Neves has done enough to justify his £29million release clause just yet, however, remains open to debate.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – JORDAN HENDERSON

Not only is Jordan Henderson Liverpool captain but he’s also seemingly a natural suitor to Jurgen Klopp’s energetic style of play, famed for the box-to-box enthusiasm he brings to the engine room.

The Reds will be without the England international until the end of November due to injury, but upon returning he’s certain to reclaim a spot at the heart of Liverpool’s starting Xi.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – PHILIPPE COUTINHO

Along with Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho’s starting status seems virtually impenetrable to the change in management at Anfield.

He’s been Liverpool’s most dependable attacking threat this season, bagging one goal and two assists in seven Premier League appearances, and is one of the few Reds left seemingly capable of plying his trade at a higher level.

Inevitably, however, the Brazil international’s form has caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs – particularly Barcelona. So Klopp’s priority in regards to the 23 year-old is to keep potential suitors at bay.

RIGHT FORWARD – DOMENICO BERARDI

Another Klopp target according to the tabloids, the towering German was keen to sign Domenico Berardi as Borussia Dortmund boss but a complicated co-ownership agreement with Juventus stood in the way.

Indeed, the 21 year-old has already notched up 42 goals in 102 league appearances – reaching the 30 league goal milestone quicker than a certain Lionel Messi – and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents Italian football has to offer, which is Juve snapped him up in 2013 and loaned him back to Sassuolo for another two seasons.

The Italy U21, best described as a right forward, rejoined his former club this summer for €10million, making it considerably easier for one of Europe’s top clubs to inevitably poach him.

Juventus have a buy-back clause until next summer, however, and Sassuolo will expect a huge mark-up if they’re to part with Berardi so soon after signing him.

LEFT FORWARD – DANIEL STURRIDGE

The compromise Liverpool will be forced to make in certain games if they wish to get Daniel Sturridge and £32.5million summer arrival Christian Benteke on the pitch at the same time.

The England international is certainly the more prolific goalscorer, bagging 42 goals in 68 appearances for the Reds, but he’s also more adaptable, having spent a significant chunk of his early career playing on the wing for Manchester City and Chelsea.

Likewise, placing a striker out wide is a tactic Klopp has employed before. Marco Reus was essentially a front-man before turning up at Westfalenstadion in summer 2012, whilst Gabon poacher Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also spent his first Dortmund campaign on the right of the attack.

STRIKER – CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

New managers can often spell trouble for new signings but Jurgen Klopp is a known fan of Christian Benteke, having attempted to bring him to Dortmund in summer 2013.

Brendan Rodgers’ tactics didn’t get the best out of the beastly Belgian, however, so in order to produce the kind of form he demonstrated at Aston Villa, the Reds need a change of strategy – especially in regards to how quickly they can get the ball to the 6 foot 3 striker.

That being said, we all know Benteke’s capabilities – something his wonder goal against Manchester United proved in abundance – and I’m sure the vast majority of Liverpool fans would love to see him become a huge success at Anfield.

Under the notoriously long-term reign of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, Manchester United were a club very few could fail to respect in an honest manner. Fergie may have been given extra flexibility from English officials time and time again, his side were in-fact rather hate-worthy on the back of their aggressive approach – and much like a modern day Jose Mourinho perhaps – Sir Alex himself did somewhat prove a bit of a undignified loser in post-match interviews and the like.However, no one could admittedly question the overall class of the Red Devils during his truly impressive spell at the club, or the level of success they reached year after year, after year. Ferguson certainly had his shortcomings as a character – but as a manager first and foremost – he was almost flawless.Manchester United therefore developed themselves into arguably the greatest ever side of the Premier League era thanks to the efforts of their former boss. Yet now that both Louis van Gaal and the ill-fated David Moyes have tried their hand at steering the Old Trafford ship in recent seasons, the club have nonetheless drifted away from their once untouchable status among the English top-flight.[ffc-gal cat=”manchester-united” no=”5″]So then, in light of such a reputation damaging notion for the Red Devils this season, have Manchester United seemingly lost their wow factor in the modern era?Let’s face it, when Sir Alex left the Premier League back in 2013, his squad at Old Trafford did in-fact seem as if they were going to be in for a rough ride without their long-termÂboss in place.He may well have won the Premier League title with those very same players that season – which simply goes to show how good a man-manager heÂreally was – but the writing seemed on the wall for Manchester United, regardless of who took over in the dug-out.David Moyes subsequently had to carry out a vast squad overhaul in order for the Red Devils to maintain their lofty status without Ferguson on board. Yet as the Old Trafford hierarchy failed to give the former Everton tactician enough time to implement himself comfortably in the Man United hot-seat, Moyes ultimately wasn’t handed a fair crack at the whip with all things considered.Then – in the form of the eccentrically enigmatic Louis van Gaal – the Red Devils seemingly found themselves the next ‘perfect’ candidate to supposedly lead the team back to the top of the Premier League table. The club’s current Dutch boss had a massive task on his hands when he first moved to the English top-flight in the summer of 2014 – and even though truckloads of cash have routinely beenÂthrown his way – the word ‘transition’ still seems the most applicable when dealing with the Red Devils.However, despite wasting a great deal of resources on both Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao last term, Louis van Gaal now finds himself in almost exactly the same situation the club were experiencing in 2014/15. The former Barca, Ajax and Bayern Munich boss may have restored the team’s status back among the Premier League’s illustrious top-four – but very little improvement on the pitch has been carried out for the Old Trafford faithful to enjoy.Despite the odd strong performance here and there this term, Manchester United have been considerably boring to watch. Louis van Gaal’s glaringly obvious long-ball tactics up to Marouane Fellaini have been questionable to say the least, and very few of his most high profile signings look to have been implemented correctly.ÂMemphis Depay could well prove yet anotherÂcolossal waste of money, Anthony Martial is simply not a winger, and the Red Devils really didn’t need to sign both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin this summer.Manchester United therefore seem to have more money than sense going on behind the scenes these days. It remains hard to work out if Louis van Gaal is actually some kind of managerial genius in the dug-out, or simply an entertaining nut-job who doesn’t quite know what he’s doing.In the end, this current Red Devils outfit is but a mere shadow of the side developed under Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite all the money that has carelessly been spent at Old Trafford in recent years, the club have only taken backward steps without Fergie on board, and have subsequently lost their wow factor.Time now to see if Manchester United will restore their towering reputation among the English top-flight – or simply drift off further in light of the club’s distinctly poor decision making in the last few seasons.

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Due to Swansea City’s unforeseen slump towards the bottom of the Premier League table this season, the current January transfer window all of a sudden takes on a brand new meaning for the Liberty Stadium faithful, as they hope to watch their side quickly distance themselves from the impending threat of relegation sooner rather than later.

Alan Curtis’ side arguably still have enough about them to avoid the drop this season that said, but only if some genuine quality is sourced at the club throughout the winter transfer period.

So then, as several big name strikers have subsequently been linked with a move to South Wales this season, must Swansea City ultimately look to part ways with Bafetimbi Gomis in 2015/16, in order to free up space within the club’s struggling striking department across the remainder of the current season?

Well, even though the powerful French front-man initially impressed upon his early introduction down at the Liberty Stadium throughout the course of the 2014/15 campaign, the out of form centre-forward has certainly failed to produce the goods right in the here and now.

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When the Swans eventually saw the services of Wilfried Bony prized off of their hands by the financially backed Manchester City roughly this time last year, it was widely expected that Gomis could in-fact step up in the Ivorian’s absence – even if Swansea’s current first choice striker never quite seemed as good as Bony.

The likes of Jefferson Montero, Gylfi Sigurdsson and the recently acquired Andre Ayew, were believed to be worthy of helping ease the load for Gomis across the duration of the current campaign, which did in-fact seem like viable path to take at the beginning of the season.

Yet as Bafetimbi Gomis’ stark lack of form in front of goal seemingly played a crucial role in the decision to sack Garry Monk from his previous post down in the Liberty Stadium dug-out this term, perhaps the Swans have been left with no choice but to source themselves a shiny new centre-forward this January – as well as eventually looking to bring in a new permanent manager.

Because the former Lyon man isn’t the most technically gifted, and certainly can’t match the same level of striker’s instinct in and around the box as displayed by the aforementioned Wilfried Bony, it seems as if the writing may already be on the wall for Gomis as he looks to salvage what he can for Swansea this season.

If the big man isn’t proving able to score an adequate amount of goals at a decent enough rate, then his own individual inclusion within the Swans starting XI does indeed seem somewhat pointless from a sceptical point of view.

That doesn’t necessarily make the former Ligue 1 star a bad player overnight of course, but at the not so youthful age of 30, perhaps it’s fair to suggest Gomis no longer represents the right man for the job.

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However, should Swansea City ultimately look to part ways with the struggling no. 18 simply on the back of his poor form this season alone?

If the Swans hierarchy can in-fact land at least one of their reported transfer targets in the striking department this January – such as Manolo Gabbiadini, or perhaps even QPR’s Charlie Austin – then Bafetimbi Gomis could easily go back to playing second-fiddle at the Liberty Stadium, much like he did when Wilfried Bony was still at the club.

Unless the Swansea hierarchy are seemingly desperate to offload the towering Frenchman in order to free up some much needed wage resources this January, then why not keep the former Lyon man on board simply as a solid back-up option if ultimately nothing else?

The 30-year-old striker arguably still has it in him to do the business for the Swans this season, he’s just going to need a little help by the looks of it, and someone to readily take the spot-light away from his often isolated role up-top for Swansea.

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