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Jurgen Klopp is being forced to consider playing a trump card this season amidst an injury crisis across his backline. Following on from Virgil van Dijk’s ACL surgery, the Dutchman can be expected to be out for most of, if not all of the season.

Joel Matip is also sidelined and stand-in defender Fabinho has picked up an injury as well. This leaves just Joe Gomez to man the fort as Klopp’s only senior centre-back. The German opted to deploy Nathaniel Phillips against West Ham, and 19-year-old Rhys Williams filled in for Fabinho against Midtjylland.

With options stretched dangerously thin, the manager is thinking outside the box for how he can solve his nightmare situation. After admitting he would consider playing Jordan Henderson across the backline, Klopp could also be making room for Curtis Jones in the midfield.

A big chance for Jones

Whilst Liverpool may not see an academy success story like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s again, fellow young Scouser Jones isn’t far behind. The attack-minded midfielder has seriously impressed following his breakthrough into the senior team and this injury dilemma could find a way to give him more game time.

The 19-year-old started against the Hammers, making his third Premier League appearance of the season and 20th senior appearance overall (via Transfermarkt).

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher has lauded the teen for his efforts so far. Speaking to Sky Sports in 2018, the ex-defender highlighted how much Jones impressed Steven Gerrard whilst he was coaching the Liverpool youth side (via Planet Football).

Similarly, Stephen Warnock recently waxed lyrical on BBC Radio 5 Live about how “outstanding” of a player Jones has been (via HITC).

If Henderson shifts into centre-back and Fabinho eventually returns to his usual spot as No.6, it leaves a space wide open for Jones to fill. Georginio Wijnaldum will likely be one of the first names on the team sheet this season, but he needs support. And with both Naby Keita and Thiago ruled out alongside the elusive Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, now could be the time for the Merseyside local to shine for his boyhood club.

In other news, Shock wage revelation could be Liverpool deal breaker in David Alaba interest…

Stoke City are among a string of clubs in the English Football League rivalling Sunderland in the transfer race for Scott Fraser, according to Daily Record.

Ahead of a third straight season in League One, Black Cats manager Phil Parkinson is seeking to assemble a squad that he feels is capable of gaining promotion to the Championship.

The 52-year-old coach has already added some new faces to his squad with the signings of Bailey Wright and Aiden O’Brien, whilst Tom Flanagan signed a new deal to remain at the club.

Sunderland’s interest in Fraser has also been reported in the last few weeks, although that has now been matched by a number of clubs.

Fraser, who had spent the last two seasons with Burton Albion, opted to turn down a new contract at the Pirelli Stadium this summer and move on to a new chapter in his career.

The 25-year-old, who boasted five goals 11 assists in 30 League One appearances in 2019/20, is not just wanted by Sunderland, though, with both Stoke City and Hull City also said to be keen on him.

The Daily Record reported that Stoke manager Michael O’Neill is keen on the Scot, whilst League One newcomers Hull City will be keen to add quality to their squad as they seek to bounce back following their relegation from the Championship last month.

The race to sign Fraser looks likely to come down to the winner having the most pulling power, both financially and in terms of league stature.

If that proves to be the case, then Championship outfit Stoke could have the edge over League One duo Sunderland and Hull, which would leave frustration for the Black Cats were they to miss out on a player that they have targeted for some time.

Do you think Fraser would be a good addition to the Sunderland squad? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Everton, just like every other club in the Premier League and the footballing world as a whole, are in the midst of a really difficult process of revamping for the upcoming 2020/21 season. And Carlo Ancelotti has an unforgiving task ahead of him to decide who stays and who goes as the Toffees sort out their squad.

Now, according to the latest report from the Italian outlet Tuttosport, Moise Kean could be set for a return back to Juventus, just a year after arriving from Turin to Goodison Park.

The youngster has had difficulties adapting to the English top-flight and Everton feel it might be for the best if he returned to Italy to gather some experience and a boost in confidence.

But no matter how you turn it, the 20-year-old joined the Toffees for a fee in the region of £27.5m, which makes him quite an expensive flop. Of course, for that same reason, Ancelotti is not exactly ready to part ways with the player permanently but still wants him to succeed at the club in the future.

Tuttosport also talk about Kean potentially playing for Juventus’ B team before then stepping up to the senior squad to provide competition and support for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.

It has been a rather stressful first year in England for the youngster but maybe going back to Italy for a year could restore some of that confidence in front of goal.

Or so Ancelotti would hope.

Verdict

It would be rather easy to label Kean a flop and cut the losses for Everton but there is no denying the 20-year-old still has the talent and the potential to grow into a successful player.

Of course, modern football doesn’t exactly give young players the time and the opportunity to fail and try again until they get it right but the decision by Ancelotti to ask for patience and give him a shot could still prove to be a great move.

Former Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has said that Ryan Kent must take his game to the next level for Glasgow Rangers during the 2020/21 campaign.

Johnson was Kent’s boss during his time at the Robins on loan from Liverpool in 2018, with him creating two goals in 11 matches for the Championship outfit. Since then, Kent has signed for the ‘Gers for a fee of £7m, but he is yet to set Ibrox alight with his displays, instead coming in for criticism at times.

Talking to the Daily Record, Johnson said:

“I’m certain that Ryan can get better and have a big season for Rangers this year. He’s still a young player, you have to remember that.

“Rangers are an unbelievable club, who are trying to close that gap on Celtic.

“And you can see signs of it at various different times. Ryan now has to take his game to the next level.

“He’s got a very good manager in Steven and one that really believes in him, which is important. Ryan will feel that belief.

“And I think it’ll be an interesting season up there.”

The Light Blues’ outlay on Kent was significant and, whilst he hasn’t been a flop, Steven Gerrard will have hoped for a better return than the eight goals and four assists the £3.15m-valued Liverpudlian managed in 32 matches last season.

This upcoming campaign is one of the utmost importance for Gerrard after two years without a trophy – the former Liverpool captain can surely not afford to go a third without silverware. As the ‘Gers look to close a 13-point gap to Celtic at the top of the Premiership table, a strong season from Kent would give them a huge boost and a stronger chance of doing so.

‘Gers fans, do you expect more from Kent next season? Let us know what you think by commenting below!

Victor Orta could land Leeds an absolute bargain this summer if latest reports are to be believed.

According to LancsLive, reported United target Bright Osayi-Samuel is available for just £5m amid interest from Burnley and fellow Premier League new boys West Brom.

Back in May, AllNigeriaSoccer claimed that the Championship winners were keen on the winger, also citing the likes of Everton and West Ham too.

On the face of it, a new wide option isn’t something the Yorkshire giants necessarily need, especially considering Jack Harrison’s extended loan deal and the recent emergence of former Man City starlet Ian Poveda.

But strength in depth in the top-flight shouldn’t be frowned upon, particularly in these sorts of positions and at just £5m, it would be a filthy robbery.

Just think, West Brom splashed £22m on Hull City talisman Jarrod Bowen in January whilst Neal Maupay cost Brighton £16m last summer.

This season, the 22-year-old has provided an inconsistent QPR side with six goals and nine assists and has also racked up better figures than Leeds’ mainstay right-winger Helder Costa.

He’s just a third of the price of the £15m Portuguese ace.

The young Nigerian starlet has averaged more dribbles (2.9) and key passes (1.2) per game as well as a better passing accuracy (83.9%) than Costa. In addition to that, he’s won his side more free-kicks as he’s fouled 1.9 times per appearance (via WhoScored).

Osayi-Samuel’s Rs boss Mark Warburton has regularly waxed lyrical about his exploits throughout the campaign, claiming that the winger is a “real handful,” is “outstanding” and has “sheer pace which terrifies defenders”.

You’re not going to get a better talent at a cheaper price, so even if he doesn’t hit the ground running, at just £5m, it’s such low-risk – Orta must land Bielsa the tricky speedster this summer.

AND in other news, Leeds could regret selling this STAR 12 months on…

Things are going from bad to worse for Sunderland as Aiden McGeady, just days after he was captured eating McDonald’s, has reportedly been told he can leave the club.

It is believed that there is not one particular incident which has led to this decision, but he has been told to train away from the first-team and is therefore no longer welcome at the Stadium of Light.

Supporters are rightly exhausted by the development as there seems to be no positive light at the end of the tunnel, with some believing it simply highlights the mess the club is in.

Best of the decade: Quickfire Quiz on the last 10 years of Premier League football

McGeady was one of the Black Cats’ best players last season with seven goals and five assists but he hasn’t performed under Phil Parkinson, and that led to him being dropped for the trip to Gillingham last weekend.

Despite that, some fans will be happy to see the back of him, perhaps because he is a negative influence on morale and team spirit, a factor which has likely contributed to the downturn in form.

While acknowledging that McGeady is perhaps not the right type of person to have in the dressing room, other fans have taken an alternative viewpoint, believing that it reflects badly on those in charge.

Phil Parkinson has been an unmitigated disaster so far with just two wins from 12 games, and now his lack of handling of McGeady is a worrying sign that he may be beginning to lose the dressing room.

Some supporters are also growing impatient with Chris Maguire, who was also guilty of a post-match McDonalds and has declined in terms of his performances of late.

Time must be running out for another individual at the club, too, and the longer he stays the worse Sunderland’s positon could decline.

Name: Yan Valery

Club: Southampton

Date of Birth: 22 February 1999

Position: Left-back/Left midfielder

Yan Valery – his career so far

Yan Valery was a bright and interesting prospect ever since he was a little boy, trying his hand at various different sports before deciding to give football a go. And good that he did because, as it turns out, he is quite good at it and is bound to develop even further. The now 21-year-old defender was born in France and has made his first footballing steps with Champigny-sur-Marne 94 before being picked up by Stade Rennais at the age of 14.

Of course, Rennes’ academy is revered for producing many gifted and now world-class football players and just the fact they were interested to invest time and resources into Valery was a big recognition for the youngster.

And after impressing for the French outfit, he was scouted in a tournament and then signed by Southampton shortly after, aged 16. Valery joined the Saints’ academy in 2015 and would have to leave his home country as a young kid but that decision would prove to be a wise one in the end.

Given his talent and potential, it didn’t really take long for the French defender to establish himself as a regular presence in Southampton’s development squads, tallying six games and a goal for their U18 team before being promoted into the U23 squad.

There, he would spend most of his youth development, registering 46 appearances under his belt and even providing four assists during that time as well. His big break, however, came in the 2018/19 season when he was handed a debut in a League Cup tie away to Leicester City.

But his admirable performance also meant that he would follow that up with a Premier League debut in a 2-2 home draw with Manchester United just a few days later. And before he knew it, he was already a fully-fledged senior team member and a regular in that right-back role.

Since then, he’s made 34 first-team appearances, scoring two goals and assisting one on the side as well. His first strike for the club was a sensational 25-yard shot against Manchester United. Sadly, the Saints still ended up losing the clash but Valery introduced himself with style.

Transfer latest

2019/20 was quite peculiar for Valery because he ended up missing a big part of it through illness and then the season was suddenly put on hold due to the recent outbreak and outside circumstances. But even with that in mind, there is no Southampton news suggesting the club may be thinking about moving him on.

Of course, why would they? He’s been a stand out performer ever since his promotion and there is certainly more where that came from further down the line. It’s also quite surprising not to see more transfer rumours or transfer news circulating the young full-back but the Saints can surely be happy about that themselves.

There have been, however, some reports stating Southampton could be trying to bring in some competition for the right-back spot so that could be transfer news that could end up having an impact on Valery further down the line.

Player profile

Valery is a highly athletic full-back capable of providing his team with marauding runs down the flank and causing danger for the opposition’s backline. He is really fast and can accelerate rapidly, often bursting past defenders, especially when in isolated 1v1 duels.

But it’s his technical ability that also makes him a complete package since he can successfully link up with his teammates further up the pitch and even progress the ball well through his passing and his runs.

With great positioning, concentration and work rate, Valery is also really effective in all of his defensive duties and is good at tackling the ball. Of course, since he is still very young, occasional slips and blunders are to be expected.

Still, he’s proven to be a consistent performer and is rightfully enjoying his stay at Southampton’s first team.

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

According to The Sun, David Moyes would only consider returning to manage West Ham United if he was given long-term assurances that he would be given time to build a successful side, which has made the decision of owner David Gold – a known admirer – much easier.

What’s the word, then?

Well, current Irons boss Manuel Pellegrini is coming under increased pressure following a poor run of form that has seen them take just two points from a possible 21 in the Premier League, slipping from fifth position down to 17th in the process.

A trip to high-flying Chelsea on Saturday means things don’t get any easier, and The Sun report that West Ham officials have been forced to start looking for a prospective new boss.

According to reliable Hammers inside ExWHUemployee on the latest episode of the ‘West Ham Way’ podcast (37:50), Gold is a big fan of Moyes and actually wanted to keep him over appointing Pellegrini back in 2018.

Easy decision for Gold

While he may well be a big fan of the Scot and would take him should the former Manchester City boss get the chop, this latest report should make him think again.

Moyes was only at the London Stadium for around six months in his previous spell in 2018, and while he saved the club from relegation to the Championship, he wasn’t a popular manager among the fans because of the style of play.

If he had that reaction in a short-term spell, then imagine how bad things could get if he demands a two or a three-year contract, in a bid to turn the club’s fortunes around.

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The 56-year-old coming in for another short-term spell until the end of the season wouldn’t be a disaster if Pellegrini is sacked, but he shouldn’t be given any longer and West Ham should instead focus their efforts on a younger, forward-thinking manager such as Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe.

In other West Ham news, Pellegrini should start two rarely-seen senior squad members vs Chelsea…

Marcelo Bielsa continues to prove why he is so respected in the game and thanks to his management Leeds sit second in the Championship, currently enjoying a five-match winning streak.

It is some feat given the departure of Kemar Roofe and Pontus Jansson in the summer, as well as injuries to first-team players like Luke Ayling and Adam Forshaw at various points this season.

He has been able to continue last season’s form, primarily, because of the defensive organisation he has put in place, and upon closer inspection, it is the man-marking system which is working so well.

It is a bold move for the Argentine to set his team up in such a way as all it takes is a couple of successful dribbles to pull players out of position and open up space, yet Leeds operate so effectively with it.

As such, they not only enjoy the best defensive record in the country with 10 goals conceded in 19 matches, but the best record in Europe’s top five leagues.

These fans certainly believe that Bielsa’s style has to be a good one due to the results it has produced, and considering Leeds have even improved since the change in defensive personnel, the manager deserves further credit.

He identified Ben White as having the attributes to slot into his system and the youngster hasn’t looked back, and in fact, has become pivotal for the Whites, winning 1.8 tackles per game and producing 2.6 interceptions each outing.

One fan has noted the contribution made by the loanee, while another has lavished praise on Bielsa for being steadfast in his belief, as it is now paying off big time.

The FA Cup fixture against Arsenal could provide a stern test of Bielsa’s style, and White’s capabilities, but could the youngster handle the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette?

One of the stars of Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, Hakim Ziyech perhaps rather surprisingly, stayed put in Amsterdam in the summer.

The Morocco international racked up an incredible 21 goals and 24 assists in 49 games across all competitions, whilst he contributed three goals and assists apiece in the Champions League proper.

However, whilst the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong made high-profile exits to Juventus and Barcelona respectively, Ziyech didn’t appear to have any takers.

The 26-year-old has been in blistering form to start the current season, providing a ridiculous 14 assists already. And on Tuesday night against Chelsea, the Moroccan got a hat-trick of assists in a barn-storming display at Stamford Bridge.

Recent reports have suggested Manchester United are on the look-out for a right-sided player, and after seeing his performance in the Champions League, fans of the Red Devils took to Twitter to urge the club to sign Ziyech – a player they were supposedly interested in at the back end of last season.

Many suggested that the winger could be a great addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with some even claiming that he would prove to be a better option than rumoured target Jadon Sancho.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below: