Moise Kean has chance to salvage his Everton career with Roma move

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Everton’s Moise Kean is subject to interest from Roma as the Italian side look to boost their numbers up top, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

What’s the story?

The report states that Roma are after a backup to their main striker Edin Dzeko. Manager Paulo Fonseca is believed to be seeking a striker to ease the pressure on the Bosnian as Roma sit sixth in the Serie A table.

Gazzetta Dello Sport report that the Italian giants will reignite their interest in Kean just months after they missed out on him to Everton in the summer.

It is also noted that Roma are looking for an initial loan deal for the 19-year-old with an option to buy stamped in the deal.

Makes sense for everyone

Kean has endured a torrid start to life in England and has seemingly been unable to fully convince Marco Silva he is ready for a regular starting berth.

In fact, given he was dropped from the squad against Southampton for disciplinary reasons, the Italian is proving to be more of a hindrance than a help at this stage.

On the pitch, as well, is where Kean is really struggling to justify his £27.5m price tag.

So far, the forward has barely even looked like scoring, averaging just one shot per game in the league. To compound the misery, he has actually averaged more unsuccessful touches per game with 2.1 than he has shots on goal.

However, Kean did show last season that he can be a great addition to a team. The youngster scored six Serie A goals in 14 games for Juventus as he burst onto the scene with the Italian champions.

Under the present circumstances, a move back to his homeland may in the player’s best interests: it would place him in an environment where he has thrived before and allow him to play his football without the pressure of a price-tag looming over him.

Kean is clearly struggling on the pitch in England and his failure to report to training on time suggests that something is quite right behind-the-scenes.

Silva should seriously consider letting him return to more familiar Italian surroundings for a few months on loan so he can reignite his career.

Arsenal fans react after Aaron Ramsey scores twice for Wales

Scorer of the winning goal against Hull City in the FA Cup final back in 2014, Aaron Ramsey remains a cult hero at Arsenal for his role in ending the club’s long trophy drought under Arsene Wenger.

The midfielder then cemented his legacy by netting the decisive goal in the final against Chelsea in 2017, and so to see him depart him on a free transfer at the end of last season would have been a bitter blow to the club.

Now plying his trade for Serie A giants Juventus, it appears Ramsey has lost none of his magical goal-scoring touch. Whilst on international duty with Wales on Tuesday night, the 28-year-old stepped up to the big occasion once more, by bagging a brace to ensure his country’s automatic qualification for next summer’s EURO 2020.

And after seeing their former star deliver a typically virtuoso performance, Arsenal fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the midfielder.

Many supporters of the north London side admitted their regret at the club letting him go, and appeared to yearn for his return too.

Check out some of the reaction of Arsenal fans below:

Leeds aren’t using one of Kalvin Phillips’ biggest strengths to their advantage

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

Leeds United haven’t been scoring bucketloads of goals this season.

The Whites are underperforming their xG tally by more than nine goals, and this is at least partly down to their ineffectiveness from set-pieces.

The Yorkshire outfit have scored just three times from dead-ball situations this term, and recent stats that have emerged indicate that the Whites should really be doing better.

On the chalkboard

Stats recently came out that highlighted just how good Kalvin Phillips is at delivering these set-pieces.

Indeed, the Yorkshire Pirlo has delivered more successful corners than any other player in the Championship this term, yet Leeds have scored just three times from those scenarios, with two of those goals coming very early in the season.

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Ok, Phillips’ stats may be down to the fact Leeds take more corners than any other side in the division, but surely that is even more reason to want to improve on their strike rate from these situations?

Need to improve

When you’re delivering more successful corners than anyone else in the division but your assist tally stands at just one then you know something isn’t right.

The fact that Phillips is able to pick out his man in the box more often than anyone else in the league while playing in a team not blessed with height is a testament to how good his delivery has been.

Just six outfield players in Leeds’ squad stand at 6 foot or above and none are over 6 foot 2, so perhaps it’s time for Bielsa to look at improving that area.

Of course, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality for height, but having a great set-piece taker like Phillips is wasted if nobody is sticking the ball in the net.

This is a simple and effective way for Leeds to score more goals, and the Whites should be making the most of Phillips’ prowess from these situations, and to do that they may need to add some more height to their squad.

Leeds fans react to Phil Hay’s interview with Rob Price

Leeds United fans have been reacting to Phil Hay’s latest column where he has been in discussion with head of medicine and performance, Rob Price.

Price has to spend five days a week at Thorp Arch as he oversees the one aspect of the club that simply cannot shut down during these times.

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The interview goes onto reference exactly how the club prepared for this circumstance with news initially breaking from China as well as how the players are keeping fit given Marcelo Bielsa’s rigorous demands.

Price believes a mini-preseason will need to occur before any match action and claims that when football does indeed resume, Leeds will be 100 per cent ready to go, which could give them an advantage.

They’ll restart sitting top of the Championship standings after 37 games, seven points from the dreaded playoff positions with only nine left to play.

United are on the verge of ending a 16-year wait for top-flight football at Elland Road – of course, they’ll be ready.

Here’s how supporters have been reacting to the article…

AND in other news, Leeds fans react to what this “exceptional” star has done…

Everton fans blast links to Martin Braithwaite

Everton have been linked with a shock summer move this weekend, and it has left fans at Goodison Park absolutely reeling.

According to reports in Spain from Sport.es, the Toffees are interested in signing Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite and are considering a move for him at the end of the season.

The former Middlesborough forward was only signed by the La Liga giants last month, but they will not sell him for less than the £15m they paid Leganes for him.

Barcelona were granted a special exemption to land Braithwaite after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for the remainder of the season through serious injury.

It appears Carlo Ancelotti would be keen on bringing the 28-year-old back to England if such claims are to be believed, and this is how fans have been reacting to the news…

Clearly, there aren’t many at Goodison Park that would be keen on the Italian making a ploy for the Barcelona striker, blasting him for being a “joke player” who is at a “circus club” whilst one fan believed Braithwaite wasn’t even at the standard of the Championship.

The Danish international has played 30 times this season, scoring eight goals across La Liga and the Copa del Rey, but he is yet to find the net since joining the Catalan giants last month.

He’s actually only featured for a total of 128 minutes across three appearances, via Transfermarkt.

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Some have likened him to Sandro Ramirez, who has also played for the Spanish champions after coming through the famous La Masia academy before he moved onto Malaga, the side he would join Everton from in 2017 for £5.2m.

The 24-year-old has barely played for the Toffees, only 16 times in fact, and has gone out on loan back to his homeland, Spain, on three different occasions.

A couple of supporters in Merseyside couldn’t help but poke fun at Braithwaite, too, following his embarrassing unveiling at Barcelona – no fans showed up, and the striker struggled to showcase his skills as seen here. Quite pathetic really.

Did he really play for us?! No Everton fan has managed to name all of these obscure Toffees players….

AND in other news, swoop for £5.4m-rated man a major Steve Walsh disaster…

Everton: Fans respond to Carlo Ancelotti’s latest comments

Many Everton fans have responded to the latest comments made by boss Carlo Ancelotti, who has discussed his delight at moving to Goodison Park.

After a poor and inconsistent start to the 2019/2020 season, Everton made the decision to sack Marco Silva and search for a permanent replacement.

Former striker Duncan Ferguson took over on a caretaker basis for four games, whilst numerous names were linked to the Merseyside club. Arriving just before Christmas, Italian boss Ancelotti was quite a coup for Everton, agreeing a deal of four-and-a-half years.

Ancelotti’s arrival at Everton followed spells with some of European football’s top sides, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea, Milan and Juventus.

The Italian coach has an incredible managerial career behind him, including two Champions League honours with Milan and one with Real Madrid.

Taking over from Silva, Ancelotti has gradually improved Everton’s form and they now sit in 12th in the Premier League standings and only eight points off 5th place Manchester United (BBC Sport).

Speaking to the club’s official website, Ancelotti has revealed his happiness at the club, discussing his connection with the fans in the process.

Reacting to the 60-year-old’s comments, Toffees fans responded via the club’s official Twitter account. Here is what some had to say…

Everton fans, are you happy with Carlo Ancelotti? Let us know below…

Crystal Palace: Throwback victory against Stoke gets fans missing Dwight Gayle

A lot of Crystal Palace fans are missing former striker Dwight Gayle after the club tweeted out highlights from a victory against Stoke at Selhurst Park back in 2016.

Charlie Adam gave the Potters the lead in the first half, and the Eagles struggled to break down their defence until some lovely footwork in the second half from tricky winger Yannick Bolasie caused the ball the drop to Gayle in the box and the forward equalised for the home side, via The Mirror.

He would then double his tally in the game with a lovely free-kick, as the pace on the ball was too much for the Stoke goalkeeper, and the South London side would manage to hold on to the win and pick up the three points.

Gayle had a decent career in South London, scoring 25 goals in 74 appearances, and was crucial to the club staying in the division, via Transfermarkt.

Sadly Palace manager at the time Alan Pardew did not favour the player, and he moved on to Newcastle where he was vital to the Magpies being promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking as he scored 23 goals in 32 Championship appearances.

Here is what fans had to say following the post:

Palace fans, how good was Gayle at the club? Comment below!

Manchester City: Fans impressed with leaked away kit design for 2020/21

A number of Manchester City fans gave their approval to a rumoured new away shirt for next season which was leaked online.

Footy Headlines posted images of the proposed away kit for 2020/21 from Puma, with the design also shared on Twitter via @City_Xtra.

As per Footy Headlines [via Manchester Evening News], the shirt is predominantly navy blue and features architectural designs on the torso which are apparently a nod to the Castlefield area of the city of Manchester. The club crest and sponsors’ logos appear to be in a shade of pink.

The latest kit leak for the Premier League champions comes just a few short weeks after a rumoured home shirt for 2020/21 was published by Footy Headlines, who also shared images of a leaked third kit for next season which subsequently drew a negative reaction from many supporters.

Manchester City switched their kit designer to Puma from Nike last year and have a 10-year partnership with the German brand which is set to run until 2029 (as per Manchester Evening News).

These City fans on Twitter were impressed with the leaked away shirt, with one supporter believing it is the “best of the lot”:

Man City fans, would you be happy to have this as the club’s away kit next season? Share your views in the comments section below!

Everton: Fans laud Mason Holgate as Seamus Coleman comments on his qualities

Many Everton fans have been lauding Mason Holgate as comments emerged from Seamus Coleman on the Merseyside club’s official website.

As per the website, the 31-year old has been ‘very impressed’ with the central defender and added that he is ‘growing as a leader’ and ‘has shown great leadership qualities’.

Indeed, these are rather high plaudits from the club captain as he has suggested that Holgate could succeed him one day and gain the armband.

The 23-year old has stepped up in the 2019/20 season so far, averaging more tackles, dribbles and through balls than Michael Keane and Yerry Mina, according to Whoscored.

Holgate has enjoyed a breakthrough term at Goodison Park, as the Englishman has made a total of 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and making three assists (via Transfermarkt).

These EFC supporters lauded him on Twitter and seemed to agree with Coleman’s comments:

Evertonians, is Holgate a future captain? Comment below!

Profit Players: Newcastle could yield a hefty profit for Sean Longstaff

This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

Sean Longstaff made his debut under Spanish manager Rafael Benitez in the Carabao Cup second round tie against Championship team Nottingham Forest in August 2018 and has arguably not looked back since.

In the 2018/19 season under Rafa, he made 13 senior appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing one assist, according to Transfermarkt.

Longstaff’s relatively impressive performances throughout the campaign earned high praise from his coach, as he was likened to former Manchester United, Tottenham and England central midfield player Michael Carrick, as per The Guardian.

By March 2019, the academy product was already valued on the market at £2.25m (as per Transfermarkt), and this figure has increased ever since. By the end of that season, Longstaff’s market value rose to £6.3m (as per Transfermarkt) just in time for a new season, but this time he would be playing under Steve Bruce.

The 22-year old has played in 26 games in all competitions so far in the 2019/20 campaign, netting once and providing two assists (via Transfermarkt).

Longstaff’s market value reached a peak of £19.8m in December of last year and he is currently valued at £15.75m by Transfermarkt

Despite the fall in value, probably caused by the financial crisis that has affected the footballing world following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Magpies would be set to yield a rather hefty profit if they were to decide to sell the Englishman in any transfer window.

However, Longstaff may wish to stay given that the prospective takeover in the northeast by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-led consortium from current owner Mike Ashley could still be approved by the Premier League.

Geordies, should Newcastle consider selling Longstaff for a possibly hefty profit? Comment below!