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Everton have been linked with a triple raid on one of their Premier League rivals this week…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Merseyside outfit have set their sights on a trio of Spurs stars, who all find themselves down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.

One of which is surprising attacking midfield outcast, Dele Alli.

It is claimed that Everton will focus on potential loan or cheap additions with fellow Englishman Harry Winks and third-choice goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga the other two names mentioned.

Career comeback?

Alli’s career under the Special One is deteriorating at an alarming rate. It’s easy to forget that he’s still only 24 yet he’s no longer in Gareth Southgate’s plans ahead of Euro 2020, which is down to him not featuring regularly at Spurs.

This season, the midfield maestro has started just one game in the Premier League – their opener against the Toffees in which he was hauled off by the break. Since, Alli has been absent from the entire matchday squad on seven occasions, per Transfermarkt.

He is in desperate need of a fresh start or a new opportunity, and he may well get that under Carlo Ancelotti, who appears to be in the market for a new no.10 amid interest in Isco and Luis Alberto.

Perhaps the solution lies with someone tried and tested in the English top-flight instead.

It wasn’t too long ago that the £62.5m-rated (€70m) Alli clinched two Young PFA Player of the Year awards and drew comparisons to arch-nemesis, Steven Gerrard, as well as United’s Paul Scholes.

“I’ve got to say that I loved Stevie G as a player and Scholesy but Dele Alli for his age is just a freak of a talent. I love his arrogance on the pitch, how clever he is in finding the positions that he does and his willingness to try everything. He is a real joy to watch.”

Darren Anderton on Alli in 2017.

In his second full season at Spurs, Alli bagged 18 goals and seven assists from midfield, and has contributed to at least eight goals in every season in north London since he joined from MK Dons, via WhoScored.

It would be on Ancelotti to bring that back out of him, and there’s surely no one better, considering the Italian has managed some big-name playmakers over the course of his managerial career, ranging from James Rodriguez (Real Madrid & Everton), Kaka (AC Milan) and Thiago (Bayern Munich).

Forget about Isco, Alli and Everton could be a match made in heaven.

AND in other news, Everton must cash in on £85k-p/w Silva FAVE before it’s too late…

According to the Sunday Mirror (via HITC), Southampton and West Ham United are both taking an interest in Marseille winger Nemanja Radonjic ahead of the January transfer window, and he could potentially turn out to be the Saints’ next Sadio Mane.

According to the report, the 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Ligue 1 club and they have allegedly begun to make teams aware that he will be available in the upcoming transfer window.

Since joining Les Olympiens from Red Star Belgrade in 2018, he has struggled to live up to expectations with the French side, having made 55 appearances, contributing just six goals and three assists (per Transfermarkt).

However, his time with Red Star showed that Radonjic can be a threat in front of goal, considering he managed 11 goals and eight assists in just 47 appearances for the Serbian club.

He also has four goals in 20 appearances for his country and could prove to be a strong addition to the Southampton squad, if Ralph Hasenhuttl can unlock his potential.

During his time with Marseille, Villas-Boas dubbed the winger “explosive”, suggesting that he could potentially be a similar sort of player to former Saints man Sadio Mane, with his electric pace a big reason why he’s been so successful in the Premier League.

The Senegalese international joined Southampton from RB Salzburg in 2014 and went on to make 75 appearances for the South Coast club in which he contributed 25 goals and 14 assists before joining Liverpool, where he has established himself as one of the best wingers in world football.

If Southampton were to sign Radonjic in January then perhaps he could have a similar effect to Mane if he were able to establish himself as a key part of Hasenhuttl’s squad in the next few seasons.

Certainly, the form of both Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond so far this season suggests that there is an opening for a winger in the Austrian manager’s first-team and Radonjic could be the man to take up that mantle, should the Saints be able to make the most of his attacking ability if he moves to the South Coast club.

Considering he is valued at just £4.95 million and is seemingly surplus to requirements at Marseille, this could prove to be a bargain deal for the Saints, and therefore, it is a transfer risk that is worth taking.

And, in other news… 0% duels won, fewer touches than McCarthy: Theo Walcott badly let Hasenhuttl down vs Brighton

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to pick up their first win under Tony Pulis this afternoon as they welcome local rivals Barnsley to Hillsborough for a 3 pm kickoff.

The Owls come into this one on the back of another Yorkshire derby defeat, losing 2-0 to Huddersfield Town in midweek, meaning it’s three draws and three losses since the 62-year-old took the reins from Garry Monk.

But what sort of side will we see today? Here’s what we are predicting…

There could be as many as three changes from Tuesday night’s defeat as Pulis looks for a reaction.

He may be enforced into at least one change as Julian Borner shouldn’t be risked after taking a knock to the head last time out, meaning we may see Scotland international Liam Palmer return in a back four.

It means Dominic Iorfa shifts back into the middle to partner Tom Lees with Moses Odubajo taking up the other full-back position.

In midfield, skipper Barry Bannan is a shoo-in to start as is Adam Reach as the pair have been offered contract extensions by the new Owls boss, though we may see 26-year-old utility man, Callum Paterson, dropped in favour of Joey Pelupessy.

They’re joined by Kadeem Harris on the right flank and Josh Windass, who drops deeper to sit behind the striker,

Which is where the final alteration is made as misfit forward Jordan Rhodes is handed a start and an opportunity to impress under Pulis,

It means there still is no place for Izzy Brown, Elias Kachunga or Joost van Aken whilst Liam Shaw is available again after serving his suspension.

AND in other news, Exclusive: 30 y/o striker tipped to join Sheffield Wednesday in January… 

Marcel Brands can boost Everton’s push for Champions League qualification with a January swoop for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha amid links to AC Milan.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, the Rossoneri are chasing a winter deal for Zaha to move to the San Siro as they believe the Ivory Coast winger can help seal their first Serie A title in 10 years.

Milan sit a point clear of rivals Inter at the top of the Italian top-flight as the sole remaining undefeated side after 14 games, and feel Zaha is the missing piece of Stefano Pioli’s puzzle as he nears a career-best haul in front of goal.

Zaha is just two efforts shy of his career-high 10 goals penned in 2018/19 having scored eight times in just 14 matches, while providing two assists despite often being starved of service after switching to a more central role at Selhurst Park.

His adaptation to the position has impressed Milan chiefs, who believe the 28-year-old is entering into his prime years and would be able to contribute immediately should a deal be secured.

Manchester United and Chelsea were linked with a move for Zaha in the summer with Crystal Palace braced to lose the £130,000-per-week wizard in a cut-priced £30m deal, having rebuffed interest from Everton in 2019 after demanding at least £100m.

The Toffees were still said to be keen on signing Zaha in the off-season, too, with Carlo Ancelotti a big admirer of the 18-cap international Tony Cascarino describes as a “tremendous footballer”.

Should Everton rival Milan for Zaha?

Everton have rarely dabbled in the January window since appointing Brands as the club’s Director of Football, with the sum of less than £1m spent on Jarrad Branthwaite last January the only funds sanctioned on winter reinforcements since 2018.

But a change in approach to sign the Zaha in the New Year could see Brands help boost Ancelotti’s push to see Everton qualify for the Champions League, with the Toffees facing a huge dilemma over their mid-season dealings as they sit inside the top-four after 15 games.

“Will they smell something and think if we put a bit of money into this, we could actually do something really great this season for Everton,” Rio Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

“That is the conundrum they are in. ‘Do we go for it, do we spend a bit more money and invest or do we say we are going to go with what we’ve got’ because they are picking up injuries, that’s the problem. It’s not a squad with huge depth.”

Everton finally won a Premier League fixture while without Richarlison on Saturday with a nervy 1-0 win over Sheffield United, having previously failed to claim all three points when without the £50m winger since his arrival in 2018.

Ancelotti previously described his need for Richarlison alternatives as an “impossible” task from those already at the club, too, which Zaha would solve, while offering the Italian an option who can help ease the burden on top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The 23-year-old has scored 11 of Everton’s 26 Premier League goals this term and leads the way for shots taken (43) and on-target efforts (24), while Richarlison (13) and James Rodriguez (10) are the sole additional Toffees players to have found the mark more than four times, per WhoScored.

Zaha, meanwhile, is averaging 1.6 shots per game, has found the net eight times and missed three big chances to score, created three big chances for Palace to score from 1.0 key balls a game and wins 5.3 ground duels over his 14 top-flight outings this season, per SofaScore.

It remains to be seen how much the Eagles demand for Zaha in January should Milan or a rival suitor step forward, but there is no doubt in the impact he could bring to Goodison Park.

AND in other news, Everton have been dealt a huge blow, from which the long-term effects may hurt Carlo Ancelotti.

Premier League side Everton have been backed to sign Leicester City’s Demarai Gray in the summer transfer window.

As transcribed by Sport Witness, an unknown Premier League scout has backed Everton to move for Gray, describing him as a very good winger for the current generation.

Everton could move for Gray

The unknown scout was recently talking to French outlet Le Phocéen and he was asked about Gray and his abilities. The scout had praise for the Englishman, saying that Gray has an ‘excellent’ rating in England and that he is a quick winger who knows how to go past people.

The scout was sure that Everton will face competition for Gray and tipped Tottenham and Southampton to look at him as well.

He said (via Sport Witness):

“He is a very good player who keeps an excellent rating in England. He is still one of the very good wingers of his generation, even if his contractual situation at Leicester means that he is being ruled out by Rodgers and the managers.

“He is very quick and skilful at knocking out his opponent in the middle of the race, as well as against goalies with a tendency to open his foot to find the opposing side of the net. There will surely be competition, as I think good English clubs will move, like Everton, Tottenham or Southampton.”

Gray’s current contract at Leicester runs out at the end of the 2020/21 season, but the winger will be able to speak to some clubs to sign a pre-contract agreement this month. Benfica, Marseille and Monaco have also been linked with a move for the 24-year-old (As per the Sun).

Gray could be a good option for Everton

In the current campaign, Gray has made just one Premier League appearance and has played just as many times in the League Cup. In the 2019/20 league campaign, Gray contributed to five goals while playing only 609 minutes of Premier League football for The Fixes.

This suggests that Gray can contribute to goals for his team if given a chance to shine. Everton’s Bernard has been linked with a move to Roma and he is a left-winger by trade. Gray can also play on the left-wing and also on the right, so if Bernard goes, Gray could be a potential replacement for the Brazilian. In this scenario, a move for the 24-year-old would make sense.

In other news, Everton are leading the race to sign a Championship star – read more about it here.

One query that some Wolves fans could be asking right now is “why they we sufficiently replace Diogo Jota?”.

The now-Liverpool winger departed Molineux in the summer for a fee of £41m and as his successor, they brought in £35.6m striker Fabio Silva. Though, he has scored just once since arriving in the Midlands.

Clearly, up to this stage, he has simply not been good enough and there are no guarantees that he ever will be. Adama Traore has, at least, found form over the last few weeks, though. He scored a beautiful goal against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup but there are still fears that he could leave for Leeds United.

Fortunately, the Old Gold reportedly have a player in mind who could succeed him.

That happens to Middlesbrough winger Marcus Tavernier. Nuno Santo’s men have reportedly registered their interest in the 21-year-old this month, but getting any move over the line could be difficult.

That’s because Tavernier has no interest in even considering leaving Boro until a formal bid is made for his services.

Capable of playing out wide, through the middle or even at left-back he’d add a phenomenal layer of versatility to this Wolves side, but most importantly, he’d give them even more threat in the final third.

Tavernier has contributed to five goals in the Championship this term and you only need to assess his virtuoso display against Brentford in the FA Cup last weekend to understand what kind of a player he is.

Like Traore, Tavernier is a physical unit, exemplified by the eight duels he won in that game. Most impressively, though, he completed a mammoth six key passes.

That means that, in one game, he provided half a dozen goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. For context, that’s more key passes either than Traore or Pedro Neto have managed in a single game this season.

The former has managed a game-high three key passes this term while Neto has registered a match-high of four. It’s clear, therefore, that Tavernier could add even more creativity to Nuno’s team than what Traore currently offers and with Wolves having lost Raul Jimenez through injury, they don’t have the clinical striker they once had. Thus, they need to create more clear cut chances in order to score.

Given the way they struggled to break Everton down in their 2-1 defeat on Monday without Traore and Daniel Podence, Tavernier would be a fantastic addition to the squad.

If he could being his creative spark to Wolves, that would be a huge boost to Nuno and the other forward players at Molineux.

For a further glimpse of how the Boro attacker did on Saturday, he also performed two dribbles. Evidently, he is well-versed when it comes to beating a man. It’s no surprise, based on how he played at the weekend, to hear that Tony Pulis previously described him as “brilliant.”

AND in other news, Fewer passes than Patricio: Wolves flop who lost 87.5% of his duels betrayed Nuno…

According to Football Insider, a bid of around £500k could be enough for Celtic transfer target Siriki Dembele to be lured away from Peterborough.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested Neil Lennon’s side are one of a number of sides interested in making a move for the 24-year-old, with Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers also being touted as a potential destination.

Now, Football Insider claim that League One side Peterborough may be tempted to cash in on Dembele if they receive an offer in the region of £500k, and that the forward has actually been on a collision course with Posh’s chiefs about sealing a move away.

Bargain for Hammond

At just £500k, Dembele seems like an absolute no brainer for Celtic and Nick Hammond in this January transfer window.

With Odsonne Edouard’s long-term future uncertain – reports have even suggested the Hoops have slashed his asking price in order to potentially get bids coming in – there is a real need to bring in a new forward.

And despite starting off out wide, Dembele’s move in-field into a central striker has brought rich rewards. He’s bagged five goals in 19 games in League One, and provided a further seven assists too, and that’s a testament to the kind of selfless forward he is.

Alan Hutton remarked that Dembele is someone “even Scotland have looked at”, and given his performances in League One for Peterborough this season, it’s no surprise to see why.

It may not be the kind of ‘glamour’ or ‘marquee’ signing that Celtic fans may be hoping for, but Dembele seems like a shrewd buy in the modern market.

Meanwhile, Desmond can spark real change at Celtic by firing this man; it’s not Lennon…

Jose Mourinho’s side return to Premier League action later this evening as they welcome defending champions Liverpool to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was only on Monday night that we last saw Spurs in action as they made it into the FA Cup fifth round with a come-from-behind victory over Championship minnows Wycombe Wanderers.

Mourinho needed his substitutes to make an impact in the second half despite fielding a pretty strong XI.

Eventually, a trio of late goals sealed a 4-1 win at Adams Park, though the scoreline was certainly flattering given it took until the 86th minute to break the deadlock.

And one player who started that game ought to be axed when an elite-quality outfit travel to the capital tonight…

On the Chalkboard

With Liverpool in town, Mourinho needs to name his strongest lineup possible, and that simply doesn’t involve Davinson Sanchez.

The 24-year-old has endured quite a turbulent 2020/21 campaign so far.

He’s fallen heavily out-of-favour in the Premier League, starting only six of their 18 outings and since the shocking West Ham comeback in October, in which he scored an own goal, the one-time club-record signing has been snubbed from the travelling squad nine times, per Transfermarkt.

Though Sanchez has started two of their last four matches in the competition, Mourinho must resist the temptation to give him another run-out as Liverpool have the sort of quality that could punish his inconsistencies.

Indeed, he looked fine against Fulham, a team struggling in a relegation battle, while against Wolves, he was protected in a back three.

Mourinho already knows that the Colombian can be a liability. Indeed, his Manchester United actually targeted him at Ajax during the Europa League final in 2017. He revealed that they tried to block Matthijs de Ligt so Sanchez would have more of the ball, thus creating “trouble” for him.

While during Amazon’s ‘All or Nothing’ series, the Special One questioned his mentality.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-spurs-news-and-transfer-rumours” title= Read this week’s latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more…”]

Sanchez is alarmingly shaky at the back, and it is often his pace that can compensate for some lapses in concentration – former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood dubbed the centre-back “a mistake waiting to happen” in October.

That echoes similar comments from the Hotspur faithful, who as recently as their Carabao Cup semi-final were calling him a ‘liability’ and wanting him sold.

Of all of Spurs’ current central options, Sanchez is dribbled past most frequently, averaging once per 90 minutes.

By comparison, Man United’s Harry Maguire has been a rock, only being dribbled past 0.45 times per 90. Similarly, in the leakiest defence in the division, Semi Ajayi is only dribbled past 0.58 times per 90, via FBref.

That only goes to show why he cannot be trusted with the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in line to start in north London tonight.

Both Mane and Salah attempt 3.48 or more dribbles per 90, and successfully pull them off over 50% of the time – that spells a recipe for disaster, it truly does.

Valued at €40m (£36m) by CIES Football Observatory, the £75k-per-week enigma does have some good qualities such as his speed and the fact that he averages more tackles per game (2) than any other Spurs centre-back.

But the Reds are a side capable of exposing his weaknesses. They aren’t a Fulham.

Mourinho has Joe Rodon, Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld to choose from, so there is no need to risk the inconsistencies of Sanchez in this crucial crunch match.

AND in other news, Spurs’ “unplayable” monster must be unleashed on Liverpool tonight…

Some Rangers fans were left slamming Kemar Roofe after a bad tackle on Murray Davidson – which only resulted in a yellow card from the ref.

The challenge caused quite a stir on social media and a mass debate over whether 28-year-old should have been shown a red card instead, given that he went over the ball and stamped on Davidson’s leg, which forced the latter to go off with an injury.

Nonetheless, some members of the Ibrox faithful thought that Roofe, currently valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, did not cover himself in any glory whatsoever after the tackle and was eventually subbed off.

However, Steven Gerrard’s team still managed to get the three points in the end against St. Johnstone thanks to a single goal from Ianis Hagi in the opening few minutes of the second half, as the Gers edge one step closer to the Scottish Premiership title.

Rangers fan reaction to Roofe tackle

These RFC supporters slammed Roofe on Twitter after watching the striker’s challenge:

“Roofe’s tackle was so bad he managed to shrink the poor guys leg to half its size.”

Credit: @ShanksyRuns

“Roofe challenge was horrendous. It doesn’t make you any less of a Rangers fan for saying what it was. I’d be raging if that tackle was on one of our players. Roofe just had a bad night.”

Credit: @BMCRangersRants

“Just seen the Roofe tackle again oh dear that’s a shocker man. That could be another ban coming our way. I think even he was surprised he wasn’t sent off”

Credit: @WilliamRFC1

“Shocking tackle by #Roofe at least it didn’t lead to a goal”

Credit: @kingwoody45

“Kemar Roofe. Very lucky tonight. Terrible tackle I’m afraid.”

Credit: @garylgr1

“Not pretty or overly enjoyable to watch but another three points in the bag for @RangersFC. Awful tackle from #Roofe #RangersFC”

Credit: @psferrie

In other news, find out what news about one Rangers ace has delighted fans here!

David Moyes must place his trust in West Ham United academy product Ben Johnson living up to the challenge of facing Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s London derby.

The Irons graduate made his return to the starting line-up for Monday’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United, as Moyes reverted to a five-man defence following Angelo Ogbonna’s high ankle sprain.

Johnson had only played two minutes of Premier League football since earning his sole prior start this season, with the 21-year-old left an unused substitute of seven fixtures despite scoring his side’s first in a 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion in December.

Moyes could have continued Johnson’s run of appearances on the bench against the Blades but opted to move Aaron Cresswell into a centre-back role to partner Issa Diop and Craig Dawson, and was not let down by the £2m-rated youngster.

Johnson brought heaps of energy to the position with an endless will to push forward and support West Ham’s attacks, and rarely put a foot wrong when helping Cresswell at the back.

Only Declan Rice (252) and Jesse Lingard (247) actually covered more ground with the ball at their feet than Johnson (243), with the London-born full-back happy to make up the yards and with the third-best progressive distance (156) recorded by a West Ham player as he pushed the Blades back into their own territory, per FBref.

That intent went further, with Johnson also carrying possession into the final third twice – only Vladimir Coufal (3) registered more – and delivering a team-high three crosses, while no other West Ham player provided more than one in open play scenarios.

Crossing is usually an area where Cresswell excels the most, with the 31-year-old offering a team-high average of 1.7 accurate balls into the box from 5.8 deliveries during Premier League games, per WhoScored.

He also provides one successful tackle, one interception and 1.9 clearances a game in the top-flight this term, while Johnson recorded two successful tackles, two clearances and an interception against Chris Wilder’s relegation-threatened side to ensure West Ham were not lacking with him on the pitch.

Moyes must now unleash Johnson on Tottenham and trust the natural right-back to live up to the challenge of facing West Ham’s London rivals while turning in a performance of a similar or even greater standard to Monday.

Manuel Pellegrini always expected Johnson to have a “big future” at the London Stadium and now could be his time to make the future the present, having already enjoyed a taste of getting the best of a top-six opponent.

Johnson was named Sky Sports’ Man of the Match against Manchester United last July, silencing Marcus Rashford to a single shot while making five tackles and five clearances at Old Trafford.

Retaining Johnson at full-back this Sunday will also allow Moyes to keep Cresswell at centre-half and in a position where he felt the £6m-rated ace was playing his way into England contention earlier this term, such was the level the West Ham defender was performing at.

AND in other news, David Moyes has been sent an instant reminder by a £9m West Ham target…