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With James Rodriguez departing Everton last week, it has balanced the books somewhat and will allow the Toffees to be a bit more ambitious in the January window.

Rafa Benitez wasn’t too active throughout his first market at Goodison Park but their campaign has still been impressive.

What’s the word?

One player that Everton were rumoured with making a move for in the summer was Newcastle attacker Allan Saint-Maximin.

The winger was the subject of £60m interest but that fee seems completely out of the question at the moment.

The Frenchman is rated at £27m via Transfermarkt and if that’s the kind of price that would be involved, Everton must stump up the cash.

His name is being touted with Merseyside again but Benitez’s men aren’t the only ones that might find themselves in the race.

That’s according to Don Hutchinson who speaking this week tipped him with a move elsewhere.

He said this week: “I feel for Saint-Maximin. On a serious note, as a Newcastle fan, I am petrified we’re going to lose him.”

“He is far too good for us. Incredible player. He’s the type of player Tottenham should be looking at, or Everton. He’s better than us.”

Imagine him & DCL

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been injured over the last few weeks but on the field of play, the striker made an impressive start to the season.

He has scored three goals in three outings and has formed a vibrant partnership alongside the club’s new signings; Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.

The offensive duo have been outstanding since signing for Everton, contributing seven goals in the royal blue of Everton.

They are wily and tricky characters but Saint-Maximin would be an undoubted upgrade on the pair of them, someone who could also help take Calvert-Lewin to the next level.

The Englishman has already enjoyed an exciting relationship with Richarlison, a player who uses mesmerising dribbling and pace to exploit defenders.

Those two qualities are typified within Saint-Maximin as well.

The Newcastle forward is a real livewire, combining pace and close touch control to terrify defenders. In the words of Steve Bruce, he is “scary” but “wonderful.”

He has enjoyed a scintillating start to the new campaign as well. Playing in a central role up front, the 24-year-old has found the net on two occasions and registered three assists.

His tally of 4.2 dribbles per game is also the third-best among every player in Europe’s top five leagues. He is ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for that statistic.

With that in mind, just imagine the regularity at which he’d be able to open up space and fashion chances for Calvert-Lewin.

Naturally, Saint-Maximin drags players towards him, a quality that would undoubtedly help a striker as prolific as Everton’s star man.

Providing the price is right, this move feels like a no-brainer.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Gordon: Everton have a gem in rarely-seen 17 y/o with “great potential”…

Lots of Wolves fans have been left buzzing as some footage emerged involving Pedro Neto.

As shared by the official Twitter page of the Midlands club, the Portugal international can be seen walking with his teammates Ruben Neves and Romain Saiss, before having a laugh and a joke with the rest of the squad as he lined up for their team photo this week.

Neto has not played for the Molineux faithful since he was forced off in the first half of their away match at Fulham in the Premier League back in April through injury, and so several WWFC supporters took a delight to seeing him walk freely and having some banter with his teammates.

The winger has proven how important he is to the side, scoring five goals and supplying a further six assists in 31 games in the top flight last term (Transfermarkt), and will no doubt be eager to get back onto the pitch as soon as possible.

Wolves fans on Neto footage

These Wanderers buzzed as the footage was shared on Twitter, with one claiming that it was ‘great’ to see Neto back:

“This has made my entire week”

Credit: @laurennandoo

“Great to see Pedro again, hope it’s not too long before he’s back fully fit”

Credit: @TonyBel83049813

“This has made my day”

Credit: @xGJHP

“Yesssss”

Credit: @Laura02395618

“Defenders ain’t ready”

Credit: @Finsabu

“He’s on his way, the Premier League isn’t ready”

Credit: @cal_wolvesfc

In other news, find out what club news has Wanderers buzzing here!

Wolverhampton Wanderers are planning to make a bid for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey in January, according to Friday’s edition of Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Birmingham Mail). 

The lowdown

The 30-year-old has been limited to 97 minutes of Serie A action since the start of the season and finds himself behind Manuel Locatelli, Rodrigo Bentancur, Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie in the pecking order in Turin.

When he joined the Old Lady in 2019, it was reported that his contract was worth as much as £400,000 per week. That’s four times more than Wolves’ current top earner Joao Moutinho. With that deal not due to expire until June 2023, Ramsey is valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt.

The latest

As per Corriere dello Sport (via Birmingham Mail), Wolves apparently wanted to sign Ramsey during the summer transfer window and will revisit the potential deal when January rolls around.

They are readying an offer for the 30-year-old but could face competition from the likes of Everton and West Ham United.

The verdict

The centre of the Wolves midfield could do with investment – they’re a little light on depth and Moutinho has just turned 35 – but this would probably be too great a risk.

Even if he agrees to take a massive pay cut, you’d expect Ramsey to still be the highest earner at Molineux. Also, when you consider his unrelenting injuries, you can easily see how the deal might backfire.

If Wolves want to beef up their central midfield options, they should look elsewhere.

In other news, some Wolves fans don’t want this loanee to return

Rangers’ Joe Aribo is on Crystal Palace’s radar for 2022, according to a report from Football Insider.

Aribo’s situation at Ibrox will be ‘closely monitored’ as the Eagles weigh up a possible move.

The 25-year-old is into the final two years of his contract in Glasgow and is valued at £5.85million by Transfermarkt.

He moved to Rangers in 2019 from Palace’s London rivals, Charlton Athletic, and has gone on to make 106 appearances for the Gers, scoring 19 goals and providing 17 assists.

What would Aribo bring to Palace?

Aribo is a versatile player, having been used as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and a right winger so far this season.

According to WhoScored, his main strength is dribbling, while he also excels at creating chances, passing and tackling.

On the other hand, he apparently needs to work on his crossing and holding onto the ball.

Fan feed CPFC Transfers HQ relayed the rumour, and here’s what Palace fans made of it, as one supporter labelled it ‘interesting’…

These Palace fans keen on Aribo move

“South London baller FC incoming”

Credit: @crudfather

“This is interesting if true. I like this guy, even if he’s playing for Rangers.”

Credit: @Hibernaculum23

“This would be insane but he would have a very high price”

Credit: @JCSpitfire

“Haha purely for the Charlton tears in the quote tweets I’m begging for this to happen”

Credit: @erictwigs

“Masterclass move”

Credit: @TtimeSTL

“Yes please”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

In other news, fans flocked to this Eberechi Eze post.

Leeds Live’s Beren Cross has delivered his verdict on Leeds United’s set-piece “problem” under Marcelo Bielsa.

What’s the story?

While the Whites may not have conceded from a corner or free-kick at the weekend against Southampton, their defensive frailties from those situations were clear for all to see, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side going close a number of times.

And now, responding to a question from a fan about when Leeds’ struggles with set-pieces would finally get sorted out, Cross said: “Well, Bielsa’s been here three years and it’s a problem which still rears its head at times. Saturday certainly stood out for the wrong reasons. I’m amazed Southampton did not score in the first half from open play or from the danger they were creating at corners.

“We sound like broken records if we keep going on about it, but you’re right, it’s a problem which has never really gone away, though there have been some decent spells. The goal chalked off against Watford technically came from a set-piece too.”

Concern for Leeds

Last season saw Leeds finish rank-bottom in the entire Premier League for most goals conceded from a set-piece with 15, while they’ve conceded twice from those already this campaign.

As Cross says, it was quite incredible that Southampton didn’t actually manage to convert one of their many chances on goal from corners, such was the kind of chaos and confusion in the Leeds box.

Whether it’s a change in system, or a case of the personnel not being quite right, the Whites have had a long-standing problem under Bielsa when defending their own goal from set-pieces.

Given the kind of meticulous detail that Bielsa works towards, having something like set-pieces be an Achilles heel when you can be doing so much work on the training ground during the week, is certainly concerning.

With Wolves up next in the Premier League – a team currently seventh for most goals scored from set-pieces this season and tenth last year – that could once again be a defining issue.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has delivered a worrying verdict on Rodrigo…

Crystal Palace could create a formidable attacking duo after they were linked with a move for Manchester United striker Anthony Martial.

The controversial 25-year-old has often divided opinion during his time in English football, and it seems as though his days at Old Trafford are numbered.

And earlier in the week, he was linked with a shock move to Selhurst Park.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Palace are interested in securing Martial’s services over the coming months as new manager Patrick Vieira looks to complete the overhaul of his first-team squad.

It’s claimed that the Red Devils have placed a £40m price tag on the France international, but it could be a price worth paying to pair him with compatriot Odsonne Edouard in south London.

While his talent and natural ability has rarely been disputed, Martial’s work rate and consistency have often come into question since United splashed out a significant fee to prize him away from Monaco back in 2015.

It seemed as if the attacking talent was finally going to fulfil his potential after he enjoyed a fabulous 2019/20 campaign, bagging 23 goals and providing a further 12 assists in 48 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions.

His outstanding displays caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including former United title-winner Robin van Persie, who claimed that the Frenchman is a “world-class” player.

“Martial always have an eye for his teammates and that’s what sets him apart from the others. That’s why I think he’s a world-class player,” said the Dutchman.

However, he was unable to build on that standout campaign last term and has seen himself fall even further down the pecking order last United this time around.

The acquisitions of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo have limited Martial to just 247 minutes of action in the opening weeks of the current campaign, signalling that an imminent exit could be on the cards.

And the prospect of Martial linking up with his French compatriot Odsonne Edouard at Selhurst Park is surely a potentiality that the Palace supporters would love to see.

Both men are capable of playing either on the left-wing or through the middle, meaning intriguing rotations and exciting interchanges could become the norm at Palace, should he make the move.

It remains to be seen whether the capital club’s hierarchy follows up their reported interest up with a concrete offer, but it’s certainly a deal that chairman Steve Parish should be considering if he has the required funds available.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Olise: Parish must revive Palace interest in £18m-rated magician 

Kalvin Phillips should join Liverpool over Manchester United if he leaves Leeds United, according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.

The Lowdown: Phillips on the move?

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the past 12 months or so, maturing into one of the Premier League’s best midfielders and becoming a hero for England.

Phillips’ performances for club and country have been hugely influential – he was crowned the Three Lions’ player of the year – but the only downside of that is that it has led to interest from some of the country’s biggest clubs.

The £36million-rated Englishman’s current Leeds deal expires in the summer of 2024.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Pundit makes Liverpool claim

Writing for the Daily Star, former Arsenal hero Merson told Phillips to choose Liverpool over United if he leaves, given the hatred between Leeds and the latter:

“Kalvin Phillips should join Liverpool, not Manchester United. But I don’t think he takes either of those teams to another level. He’s a good player who would play every week whichever one he signs for. But not a gamechanger.

“If he goes to Anfield he will still be remembered as a Leeds United hero. But if he goes to Old Trafford that all goes out the window.

“And a Leeds United player going to Manchester United? Wow. Better start well. That’s pressure. At Leeds he will get burnt out. I think he’s virtually left on his own too much in midfield at Leeds and he has to do everything.”

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The Verdict: Tough to keep hold of

Unfortunately, the Whites are going to find it hard to keep hold of Phillips, considering there is a strong chance he would like to test himself in the Champions League.

Given the force Liverpool are under Jurgen Klopp – they have already scored a remarkable 42 goals this season – it would be hard to begrudge him a move to Anfield, especially as theiur energetic style of play could suit him down to the ground just like Marcelo Bielsa’s does.

A switch to United would be received far less well, however, and it is something Phillips surely wouldn’t do.

In other news, Leeds could have to break their transfer record to sign one player. Read more here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left extremely proud of their club thanks to some news that has emerged ahead of their game against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

As per the official website of the Light Blues, the club will mark Remembrance Day on Sunday at the match with a minute’s silence in honour of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The team will wear special commemorative poppy shirts in honour of the occasion, in what will be a fitting tribute from the club.

It is important that the day is treated with the utmost respect, and that is exactly what the Teddy Bears are doing ahead of November 11 next week, and the news has certainly left the supporters proud.

Steven Gerrard will also be hoping for a performance to match the one that he got from his side last time out in the Scottish Premiership, the 6-1 win away at Motherwell.

Rangers fans on Remembrance Day tribute

These Gers were left with nothing but pride as the ‘class’ news regarding the club’s tribute to Remembrance Day was shared on their official Twitter page:

“Class but expected”

Credit: @JT3106

“Love this club”

Credit: @stoofa2010

“Classy Rangers”

Credit: @bolton2021

“WATP”

Credit: @teddyh112

“Proud of my club”

Credit: @RangersRobbie83

“Lest We Forget”

Credit: @alangers82

In other news, find out what Ewan Murray claim has Gers fuming here!

After Southampton duo James Ward-Prowse and Valentino Livramento were forced to drop out of international duty earlier this week, it seems as though the south coast club have now been handed some good news regarding the fitness of one of their other key senior players.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Lapsi (via Sport Witness) that on-loan Saints striker Armando Broja’s apparent muscle injury that he picked up during the latter stages of Southampton’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa, where he came on as a substitute for Adam Armstrong, is not as serious as originally feared and that he will be available to play for Albania during the current international break.

After only just recovering from an ankle injury before making his return against Villa, this news will surely be a big relief to everyone at the club and have the Southampton fans buzzing.

After all, prior to their 1-0 win over Watford that Broja missed due to his ankle injury, the striker had managed to score two goals in his two previous league starts against Leeds United and Burnley, showing that the on-loan Chelsea man was starting to get into the swing of things in front of goal at St. Mary’s.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-southampton-news” title=”Check out the latest Southampton news!”]

Moving forward, with Albania set to take on England and Andorra in their next World Cup qualifying matches in the coming days, everyone at Southampton will undoubtedly be hoping that the 20-year-old, who is currently valued at £2.7m according to Transfermarkt, can get through these games unscathed.

They will be eager to see him get back to action in Saints colours when their next Premier League game against Norwich City comes around to see if he can get back to the goalscoring form he showed before his ankle injury.

However, with Armstrong managing to score the south coast side’s winning goal against Villa before making way for Broja, it seems as though Ralph Hasenhuttl could have a big decision to make over who he chooses to play up front against Norwich, with Che Adams also in the mix considering he managed to score their goal in the 1-0 win over Watford.

Either way, with Southampton having managed to win three of their four previous league games, Hasenhuttl will be hoping that his side will be able to continue this good run of form. The fact that Broja will likely be available, meanwhile, will only aid their cause as they bid to do just that. This’ll surely delight Saints fans no end.

In other news: £4.5m-rated Saints dud with 0.2 key passes PG has been Ralph’s weak link this season – opinion

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to some comments that have emerged from Rafa Benitez on Fabian Delph.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match away at Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, the Spaniard said (via Toffee TV) with regards to the player: “He has the right mentality, the right attitude. I have to stop him in the training sessions because he’s pushing very hard.”

The comments came as a bit of a surprise to some members of the Goodison Park faithful, given that he has not really lived up to the £8.55m price tag that they paid City to sign him for, missing a lot of games through injury and only managing to make a mere 33 appearances in total over all competitions across the last three seasons, scoring no goals and making no assists (Transfermarkt).

As such, some supporters of the Merseyside club have previously called for him to be sold, and so the comments about his mentality and attitude in training have come as a shock.

Everton fans on Delph comments

These Toffees gave their reactions to the comments as they were shared on Twitter:

“Are these the same training sessions where Iwobi is a world beater?”

Credit: @martinhughgreen

“Lol, he’s just trolling us now”

Credit: @melbourne1973

“Is this because his contract is up in the summer?”

Credit: @danblue1980

“That’s who’s injuring everyone then”

Credit: @Hawthorne_EFC

“He will have to be a one man hurricane THIS weekend. It’s the hope that…”

Credit: @Botony

“Here we go”

Credit: @Tommy_D_1878

In other news, find out what early team news has Blues raging here!