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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…

Virgil van Dijk has cemented himself as one of, if not the best defender in the world in the past year or so.

The Netherlands international had a fantastic term last time out, helping Liverpool win the Champions League whilst also contributing to their second-place Premier League finish as the Reds pushed eventual champions Manchester City all the way. The Anfield outfit conceded just 22 goals in 38 games, the lowest in the division, and the 28-year-old was paramount to that success. As such, he as been recognised by Goal, who have awarded him top spot in their Goal 50 ranking.

However, he wasn’t the only player to impress for the European champions last season. Sadio Mane, along with Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, topped the Premier League’s goalscoring charts with 22 strikes. Not only that, but he bagged four goals in that European run, whilst also providing three assists.

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He also helped Senegal to the final of the African Cup of Nations, scoring three times before they eventually lost to Algeria. Van Dijk, too, helped his side to a showpiece, but the Netherlands were beaten 1-0 by Portugal in the final of the UEFA Nations League.

Had the award been given out just for last term, then van Dijk would have rightly pipped the former Southampton man to the top prize, albeit only just. However, it has been given for the entirety of the 2019 calendar year, and this term Mane has stolen a march on the 28-year-old.

Liverpool may be top of the Premier League, but they have not not always performed fantastically as the previous term, especially defensively. In the 17 games van Dijk has started, Jurgen Klopp’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 of them. He has had nowhere near the same influence on the side, and it has often been the attack that has won Liverpool matches rather than their sturdy backline.

£108m-rated Mane – as per Transfermarkt – though, has arguably hit new heights this campaign. In his first 16 matches of the season, he has 11 goals and has also contributed four assists. Such has been his form, Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in the game’s history, voted for him for FIFA’s The Best award recently.

No-one is suggesting that van Dijk is not a star player, but Mane can be a little underwhelmed by the fact he has not been ranked higher than not only him, but also Salah, who finished third.

Hopefully, he will soon receive the recognition he deserves.

Tottenham Hotspur loaned Jack Clarke to Leeds United in the summer.

Sources have suggested to Football FanCast that, having agreed a deal to sign the winger, Mauricio Pochettino changed his mind, informing chairman Daniel Levy that he did not see a way to implement Clarke into his first-team squad.

It appears that the same goes for Marcelo Bielsa.

Thus far this season, the 18-year-old has not played a single minute of Championship football.

Instead, he has been limited to two appearances in the Carabao Cup, playing 70 minutes in the 3-0 win over Salford City and then being substituted at half-time during the penalty shootout defeat to Stoke City.

It means that particular avenue of first-team football is now closed off to Clarke, and it feels more like a disastrous move with every passing weekend.

Of course, this is not to say that Clarke was a regular last season; he made 25 appearances in all competitions but just five of those were starts.

It was perhaps presumptuous then, for Spurs to think the teenager would gain even more minutes this time around. Pochettino decided against keeping him, but there may have been League One or League Two clubs who could have taken Clarke on and made him an integral part of their side.

Noel Whelan, the Football Insider pundit who played for Leeds during his career, has claimed that Bielsa and Pochettino are in regular contact over the winger.

He said: “From what I’ve heard about Bielsa, he will be in talks with Pochettino regularly about Clarke.

“Bielsa will be telling him what’s going on in training, Clarke’s attitude, performance and effort, and why he isn’t in the side.

“They know each other well and Pochettino will be getting the full picture of what’s going on.

“Tottenham sent him back to Leeds because they trust Bielsa’s ability to develop young players. Jack Clarke is now third or fourth in the pecking order for the right wing role behind the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Helder Costa.

“Is Jack going to get in ahead of those two? No, he’s not. He’s going to have to bide his time and win the manager over in training.”

Whelan is probably right but the fact that Leeds have two senior wingers ahead of Clarke is a damning indictment of Spurs’ decision to send him back in the first place.

It is all very well thinking that Bielsa will develop him, but surely he has to play to earn his stripes?

One has to believe that Spurs have erred here and if the reports suggesting he has a recall clause turn out to be true, then the Premier League club should be bringing him back as soon as possible before sending him out on loan again in January – this time to a club that will actually afford him minutes on the pitch.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Leeds United could very well be headed for the Premier League next season.

The Whites currently sit third in the Championship, but their domination of the xG league table shows that they’re primed for a promotion push.

If the Yorkshire outfit do make their long-awaited return to the top flight they have some huge things in the pipeline as Angus Kinnear revealed that there are plans to expand Elland Road to a 50,000 capacity stadium if the Whites go up.

One former Leeds man believes that this is a great idea.

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What’s been said?

Danny Mills spoke about Leeds’ proposed expansion on talkSPORT

“You can’t buy a ticket at Elland Road at the moment.

“It’s sold out every single week, 35,000-plus, and season tickets have all gone.

“If they got to the Premier League they’re talking about possibly extending the stadium and making it to 50,000.

“They would sell that out in the Premier League week-in week-out, without a shadow of a doubt.”

Can’t be so sure

Mills shouldn’t be so sure in his view that Leeds would sell out a 50,000 seater every week in the Premier League.

As much as Leeds have an incredibly passionate fanbase they’re quite fickle at times.

It wasn’t too long ago that the Whites were averaging crowds of less than 25,000 each week while they were in League One, so it’s rather short-sighted to say with absolute confidence that the Whites would fill a stadium that big on a weekly basis.

Of course, Premier League attendances will be bigger than the crowds they were drawing in League One, but 50,000 every week might be a little too ambitious.

To add to that, Leeds aren’t even averaging their maximum capacity in 2019/20. For a ground that hosts over 37,000 people, only a fraction over 35,000 attend. That would likely increase with the lure of the Premier League but an added 15,000 is quite the leap.

In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, Danny Mills has suggested that Carlo Ancelotti’s presence at Everton could help them secure the services of Napoli colossus Kalidou Koulibaly.

What’s the word?

Ancelotti’s arrival at Everton could be a game changer for the club both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

The Italian has worked with some of the most talented players in modern footballing history, including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paolo Maldini.

During his time at Napoli he worked with one of the most highly-rated central defenders on the planet, namely Koulibaly.

And according to journalist Fabio Santini, the Serie A star could be on his way out of the club in the not too distant future.

While speaking on Il Process (via Arena Napoli), Santini suggested that a handful of Napoli players don’t have futures at the club, with Koulibaly and Hirving Lozano two of the players name-checked by the journalist.

In response to these reports, Football Insider asked Mills whether the Senegal international could move to Goodison Park in the future and he suggested that Ancelotti’s presence would offer a big incentive.

“Yes. World class players that he has worked with and players that know him. It is a big incentive.

“Players know what they are getting into and players like familiarity. I think, Koulibaly, he is an absolute definite.

“If a manager like that comes knocking it does spark your interest more than normal, that is for sure.

“The only worry for Everton is that the transfer window could be very brief and very quick. It could be shortened – we do not know. Is the British transfer window going to coincide with the rest of Europe?

“Everton is a work in progress but most things are now in place. Recruitment of top quality players is now crucial.”

Cameo Clubs: Which obscure teams did these football legends play for?

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Ancelotti effect

There is little doubt that Ancelotti gives the Toffees a new dynamic in the transfer market.

He is one of the most revered and successful managers in the modern game having won three Champions Leagues and a multitude of domestic titles across Europe’s most prestigious divisions.

Not only will the 60-year-old manager play a role in bringing in players he’s previously worked with, such as Koulibaly, he will also be a major pulling factor for players who are looking to elevate their status in Premier League football.

If he can indeed help Everton pull off a major coup with a deal for Koulibaly, it could well convince other elite players to make the move to the blue half, rather than the red half, of Merseyside.

In other Everton news, Goodison Park has been mooted as a future destination for World Cup winning playmaker…

In these uncertain times everybody is desperate for Premier League football to return, including Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

For millions of people across the world football is an escape from reality, a passion that guides lifestyles and induces emotions ranging from bitter disappointment to unparalleled ecstasy.

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But the global pandemic has disrupted almost every sector of society and deprived football fans of the sport they are accustomed to watching on a weekly, or even daily basis.

Amid the current hardship, Klopp has delivered a passionate message to supporters regarding the situation everyone finds themselves in.

Within the video, Klopp commends the spirit of national health workers and speaks of his admiration for the critical work they are undertaking, urges everyone to mirror their level of compassion, and reiterates the need to follow government guidelines in order to accelerate the process of returning to society back to normal.

Regardless of your opinion on Klopp, when he speaks people generally listen.

He is a charismatic figure in the game and his message proves that he is a role model for society to emulate.

At times like these we need our role models to stand up and set an example for everyone to follow, and that’s exactly what the 52-year-old, evidently humbled by the selfless work of the thousands of healthcare professionals around the world, has done with his message.

Together, with everyone pulling together towards the same common goal, the human race can overcome the current challenge and return to normality.

In other Liverpool news, fans want the club to sign £121.5m-rated duo…

A lot of Celtic fans have been quick to react to a video of former player Didier Agathe after footage of one of his best assists for the Scottish club was posted on Twitter.

The video shows the right midfielder’s frightening pace as his opponent looked likely to claim a loose ball, but the Frenchman shot in front of the defender and assisted Celtic’s sixth goal of the game.

Even though he only managed 57 appearances for the Hoops, scoring twice and contributing with seven assists, per Transfermarkt, fans have been quick to talk about the quality of the player, with many saying he was underrated during his career in Glasgow.

It was arguably the peak of his career playing for Celtic, where he won the cup three times and well as the league three times, whilst also featuring six times in the UEFA Champions League, scoring twice. Clearly he was part of a great squad, and one fan felt this is why he wasn’t appreciated as much during his career at the club, as he said: “Loved Agathe. The road runner, underrated I reckon, was part of a great squad, often overlooked but big contribution.”

Agathe also graced the English Premier League, per Transfermarkt but only played six games whilst at Aston Villa.

Here is how fans reacted to footage of the player:

Celtic fans, should Agathe have been appreciated more for his performances for the club? Comment below!

Football.London journalist Alasdair Gold has revealed that Tottenham’s experience of playing at neutral venues before could give them a major advantage when the Premier League season restarts.

What did he say?

As part of the top-flight’s “Project Restart”, Premier League clubs may be expected to play their remaining fixtures of the season at eight to ten neutral venues – “that is believed to be the highest number of venues that would be granted safety certificates by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and police”.

Now, Gold has claimed that due to Spurs’ time spent playing games at Wembley and Stadium MK whilst they waited for their own new ground to be completed, that could give Jose Mourinho’s side a surprise advantage.

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He said: “Spurs have been prepared for this sort of plan perhaps without entirely realising it. Their nomadic existence in recent seasons, playing home games in the unfamiliar surroundings of Wembley Stadium and even the Stadium MK while they waited for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to be opened will stand many of the players in good stead for the challenge ahead.

“There was so much uncertainty last season with which games would be played at their new home and which had to remain at Wembley, Mauricio Pochettino had to prepare the players to be adaptable to whatever stadium they played in. Should the season resume and Tottenham have to adapt to yet more stadiums, those neutral venues might not prove as awkward a hurdle for many of Mourinho’s players and they will need to take any advantage they can get to claw back those points on their rivals.”

Advantage

Gold certainly makes a perceptive point about how Spurs could find it easier to hit the ground running than some of their other Premier League rivals.

Add to that the likelihood of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son. amongst others, finding themselves back at full fitness and recovered from their injuries, and Spurs have a great chance of really getting the first step on those around them.

And with the north London side still firmly in the race to secure European football for next season, any little advantage would be most welcomed.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have unleashed fury at their right-back Serge Aurier this afternoon after the star appeared to break lockdown for a third time.

The 27-year-old posted a picture of his new haircut to Instagram posing alongside his barber where he clearly wasn’t abiding by the 2m social distancing rules.

According to the BBC, the north London side are investigating Aurier – and the circumstances – and will deal with the incident appropriately.

Although this hasn’t stopped supporters from going in on their defender.

The Ivory Coast international has also posted a response to the criticism already where he seemingly takes a dig at the media for not following the regulations either.

What could’ve been… Can you name the clubs these football legends almost joined?

Aurier has been Jose Mourinho’s regular option at right-back this term, playing a total of 33 matches in all competitions but has frequently divided opinion amongst the Spurs faithful as seen here following their exit from the Champions League back in March.

Here’s what they have now been saying about him…

AND in other news, Spurs fans flock to Alasdair Gold transfer claim…

Victor Osimhen has the potential to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal after transfer news emerged from La Repubblica (via Sport Witness) that the north London club are ready to launch a bid for the LOSC Lille ace in the upcoming summer window.

According to the publication, the Gunners and Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli could go head-to-head for the player’s signature.

As per Sport Witness, La Repubblica’s report mainly focuses on how the Naples club are in a better financial situation than their Italian league rivals.

It is claimed that Aurelio De Laurentiis will be able to dictate the rules of summer transfers, both incoming and outgoings. Therefore, Napoli are not frightened about competition from the Gunners.

La Repubblica believe that the Emirates faithful will transform the negotiation for the forward into an auction as Mikel Arteta’s side are ready to launch for his signing.

Lille value the player around €55 million (roughly £49.3 million), and having lost Nicolas Pépé to AFC last summer, the outlet adds that the outcome may be different this time around.

Sport Witness added that there is every chance that Arsenal are being used to pressure Napoli.

Indeed, Arsenal may fancy themselves in a transfer war having persuaded Pépé to join, and they could raise funds by selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he wishes to leave having not signed a new contract as of yet.

Comparing their stats in their respective domestic leagues so far this season, Osimhen is not far behind the Gabonese international in the goal scoring department and has made more assists, whilst averaging more shots and dribbles per game (via Whoscored).

The Nigerian is also nine years younger than his African compatriot, giving plenty of time for himself to grow into Aubameyang’s shoes.

With money possibly raised from Auba’s sale, £49.3 million could potentially be a bargain in the long-term.

Gooners, do you think Osimhen would be a good signing at £49.3 million? Comment below!

Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen will not be short of suitors ahead of the transfer window, as another team have thrown their name into the mix. 

According to Fotomac, Galatasaray are targeting Vertonghen in the summer as they are looking for replacements for Christian Luyindama and Marcao.

The Tottenham defender will become a free agent in a matter of weeks, amid interest from Serie A sides Inter Milan and Fiorentina.

The Turkish newspaper, as relayed by Sport Witness, claims the Lions are scouting for alternatives.

Galatasaray are ready to offer Vertonghen’s representatives a two-year-contract, reportedly worth €2m per year, which roughly equates to £1.78m.

Although the Belgian was a favourite of former boss Mauricio Pochettino, featuring in over 200 games for the Argentine, his deal is set to expire at the end of June.

The Premier League announced last month that clubs are able to offer extensions to out-of-contract players as a result of the economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus crisis.

However, Mourinho decided to call off talks with Vertonghen’s agent, and it seems the Belgium international is ready to explore his options as a free agent.

After arriving at White Hart Lane from Ajax in 2012, the 33-year-old has formed a solid partnership with Toby Alderweireld, playing in more than 300 games for the Lilywhites, scoring fourteen goals and creating seven assists in all competitions.

The Evening Standard recently revealed he plans to remain loyal to Spurs and will at least finish this season as he will be unable to play for another club until next term.

As it stands, the Turkish side’s offer falls short of Vertonghen’s wage demands. The Times reported that Fiorentina have hit a stumbling block over his £3.5m-a-year wages.

Nevertheless, the veteran is in hot demand as the transfer window approaches.

Tottenham fans, do you think Daniel Levy should let Jan Vertonghen leave? Let us know down below!