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Amid the era of Youtube highlight reels, FIFA ratings and ridiculous transfer fees, it’s incredibly easy for a player’s hype to spiral beyond all proportion, leaving reality in the rear-view mirror. And after a summer spending spree at West Ham, followed by notable improvement in performance, there’s an obvious danger in some of the stars at the London Stadium featuring a little too highly in our estimations.

So, Football FanCast’s writers have answered a curious question: Who is the most overrated player at West Ham? Check out their verdicts below…

James Beavis – Felipe Anderson

“It might be a controversial shout but he just doesn’t do enough for me given how much he cost West Ham in the summer. Yes, he has eight goals and four assists in 31 Premier League appearances in his debut season in England, but in his previous 12 top-flight outings he has produced just two assists. That simply isn’t good enough for a player of his quality given he started all of those games, and the fact he was taken off at half-time against Cardiff shows you all you need to know about how he is doing at the moment.”

Billy Meyers – Jack Wilshere

“Admittedly, the hype surrounding the England international has worn off over the years, but the fact that he is still as highly rated as he is – hence the Hammers’ decision to offer him a three-year contract – is baffling. Of course, he is a decent player, but his crippling injury problems should see his status reduced to that of merely a Premier League also-ran, unless he can prove his fitness.”

Jack Saville – Javier Hernandez

“He may not be the most widely praised or popular player at West Ham but the Little Pea has been stealing a living at the top level for years. The predatory instincts he offers are a useful weapon to have from the substitutes bench, but he doesn’t possess the complete skill set which strikers need to thrive in the Premier League. Pellegrini needs an upgrade to take the Hammers to the next level.”

Maddison? Wan-Bisakka? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name who they think were unfairly overlooked by Gareth Southgate for his latest England squad…

Christy Malyan – Mark Noble

“He’s not rated particularly highly but the point remains that if Mark Noble wasn’t West Ham through-and-through, he probably would be playing at a lower level. Relentless on his day and a clinical penalty taker, however those days have petered out somewhat in recent years and his passing has become increasingly passive. He’s great value and of course, every team needs players who embody the heart and sole of the club. But in terms of actual ability, sometimes it feels as though he’s being carried but those around him.”

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino served the first game of his two-match ban against Southampton at the weekend.

The Spurs boss watched on from the stands as his side lost 2-1 to the relegation-threatened Saints.

The FA handed Pochettino the ban, along with a £10,000 fine, after an altercation with referee Mike Dean following the club’s 2-1 loss to Burnley.

The Argentine and the official were involved in a heated confrontation at Turf Moor, with Pochettino seemingly reacting to something said by Dean.

The FA have now revealed the official reasons, via Daily Mail, for Pochettino’s ban, with Dean alleging in his report of the game that the Spurs boss said “you know what you are” repeatedly to him on the pitch, before saying it again in the tunnel.

However, supporters are not happy with the reasoning, insisting that they need to know what was said by Dean as well, with coaches Jesus Perez and Toni Jimenez also reacting adversely towards the man in the middle.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Well, the season now looks all but over for Steven Gerrard and his men, after what was an embarrassing defeat to Aberdeen in the cup, there isn’t much hope sitting within Ibrox. Clearly, every Ger reading this will know that the Gerrard project is only in its first phase, though this Rangers we’re talking about. 

The pressure is on.

This season seems to have just passed Gerrard by, and with his maiden campaign coming to end, he can look to next season full of excitement and knowledge of what is needed. Things will improve. They simply have to.

Rangers must step up next season, surely it’s time someone stops Celtic’s reign, both in the league and cup competition.

During the season, Gerrard has mentioned time and time again after games that there will need to be changes made throughout his time as Rangers’ boss. With that in mind, this upcoming summer is a huge chance for the Liverpool icon to make a few requests to the board and really begin to pile some pressure on bitter rivals Celtic.

So, here are a couple of demands we feel the Englishman should make:

Investment in youth 

So far during his time, Gerrard has preferred signing the older player for the experience ala Gareth McAuley, Steven Davis or Jermain Defoe, or loaning in youth prospects. So, with that in mind, in order to get the correct balance, it can be argued that Gerrard should look to invest in the youth academy at Rangers.

Loaning in a youth player only brings a temporary connection to the club, meaning players may not necessarily give all they can because after all, it isn’t their mother club.

However, creating a successful youth academy of their own will bring a new lease of life to the Gers’ development, as well as saving the club some money from having to make loan deals themselves.

Basically, the more talents like Glen Middleton to emerge, the better.

Increase the transfer budget 

If there were to be a further increase in the transfer budget, it would without a doubt be music to Gerrard’s ears. It would mean not having to make cheap signings on older players, or relying on contracts to end for a free transfer. Going forward, it would give the 38-year-old manager a chance to bring in some real talent on a permanent basis, giving him that foundation that he can begin to build a successful side on.

With this in mind, Gerrard must know that he needs to improve the squad, as he has mentioned before, it is time to bring in some magic to the side and begin to mount a serious title challenge for the seasons to come.

Liverpool should forget about the transfer market following Naby Kieta’s monumental flop and look no further than their own Marko Grujic.

Ah, yes – the £50m+ disappointment that is Naby Keita will surely have hurt fans who were expecting a small, agile creative wizard when he made the jump from Red Bull Leipzig last summer.

Indeed, what Liverpool fans have endured this season barely resembles the immense talent seen on YouTube highlight reels – but I guess that serves them right. Flop.

A little faith in youth prospects never hurt anybody and Liverpool could have done with placing a lot more of that on the lap of 22-year-old Serbia international Marko Grujic, who is valued at £16.2 million (by Transfermarkt).

The midfielder has spent the season on loan with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin after impressing with Cardiff City last year and has continued a strong run of form throughout the season, despite spending two months at the beginning of the campaign due to a significant ankle injury.

It seems just about everybody other than Jurgen Klopp sees the potential in Grujic, who has been good enough this season to be declared ‘by far the best midfielder’ Hertha boss Pal Dardai had seen in over two decades.

When asked about his time drawing to a close in the German capital, Grujic said to BILD (via Liverpool Echo): “I hope not! Because I feel very comfortable in Berlin.

“Hertha gave me the great opportunity to play in the Bundesliga.

“I’m still pretty young, for me this time at Hertha – with the exception of injuries – has been brilliant so far to show my qualities.

“Ultimately, it’s not up to me. But if I could choose myself, I would stay with Hertha for another year, or maybe even two years, to make a very good name for myself by improving all my qualities. And that’s only possible if you play in every game. “

“My self-confidence has increased due to so much match practice. My defensive behaviour has also improved a lot because of the games.”

“And if Liverpool ever wanted to sell me and I could decide, it would be great if Hertha made an offer.”

It’s hard not to interpret Grujic’s comments as anything other than a ‘come get me’ plea; they had faith in him when Liverpool did not, they gave a platform, and naturally he wants to give back. It makes sense.

Of course, if Klopp managed to exercise some of his world-renowned man management skills and gets the Serb to change his allegiances then there is every chance supporters will have one of the most exciting prospects in European football playing for their club for the foreseeable. This would obviously delight the club’s owners, FSG, as the midfielder could save them an awful lot of money if he slots into the middle of the park.

Liverpool fans, how do you feel about Grujic’s remarks and what does it mean for his future at the club? Let us know in the comments below…

Southampton fans have had it tough this season. The Saints don’t win many games and with just six wins out of 29 attempts in the Premier League games this season the fans will have been gutted not to have got their 7th against Manchester United yesterday despite the incredible level of performance that they put in.

Southampton fans who made the trip to Manchester would have been in dreamland when they saw Yan Valery step up with a cracking opener. It was a game that had five incredible goals in and the Southampton fans were absolutely gutted not to have been able to get any points from their trip, and after losing narrowly to Manchester United twice now this season, it seems they just have no luck.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side can put in another nine performances in their final nine games of the Premier League season that match the one they managed yesterday then there’s no reason why they can’t be a fair few points clear of the relegation zone. At the moment the Saints are stuck in a real battle near the bottom of the table, yet with games against Brighton, Newcastle and Huddersfield to come, it’s still all in their own hands.

You can read the Saints’ thoughts on their performance here:

The Saints were delighted with their performance despite the result and will be desperate to keep up their level of performance across their last nine games.

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Everton managed to keep hold of Idrissa Gueye in the January transfer window despite relentless speculation linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but those rumours haven’t ceased to exist since the window slammed shut.

What’s the word?

The combative, diligent and incredibly consistent midfield lynchpin has been one of the stars of the Toffees’ season so far, and interest from the Ligue 1 giants has certainly been well placed.

Gueye handed in a transfer request in January to force a move through and recent quotes from the player prove that he has was bitterly disappointed not to earn a mid-season transfer, per Canal + (via Sky Sports).

“I was disappointed not to join PSG because it’s a big club and all players dream of playing in the Champions League and winning trophies.

“I was ready to go. It did not happen.”

Running out of time for a major challenge

At 29-years-old it’s fair to say that Gueye is something of a late bloomer. The Senegal international has only recently established himself as a player boasting genuine credentials of joining a side of PSG’s stature, and with time running out in his career it’s easy to understand why he’s so desperate to complete a switch.

Despite Gueye’s comments, he has upheld the highest level of professional conduct on the pitch and maintained his excellent form with speculation rumbling on in the media, but when the season reaches its conclusion it’s fair to say that a transfer away from Goodison Park is inevitable.

Silva is, much to the dismay of the supporters, fighting a losing battle to keep a key man at the club. With Everton some way from challenging for a place in the Champions League, Gueye will be drawn towards any potential suitor offering a chance to play on the grand European stage, whether it be PSG or another top club.

Without the promise of genuine challenges for silverware and European evenings to remember turning his head, the Toffees faithful will be forced to say a rueful goodbye this summer.

يُحدد الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، مصير أحمد عبد القادر، لاعب الأحمر الشاب الذي كان مُحترفًا بنادي سبارتا براج التشيكي، من التصعيد للفريق الأول، بعدما عاد للنادي ووقع على عقود انضمامه لمدة 5 مواسم.

أعلن النادي الأهلي استعادة لاعبه الشاب أحمد عبد القادر، الذي كان مُحترفًا بنادي سبارتا براج التشيكي، بعدما فضل اللاعب العودة إلى ناديه بعد تجربة جيدة في النادي التشيكي. طالع التفاصيل

وعلم بطولات أن الأهلي وعد أحمد عبدالقادر بتصعيده في الفريق الأول خلال الموسم المقبل بعد عودته من سلافيا براج التشيكي.

وفي حالة عدم التمكن من تصعيده قد يتم إعارته لـمدة موسم واحد، إلا أن موسيماني هو من سيتخذ القرار بعد رؤيته على الطبيعة عقب بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا

عبد القادر سيتم قيده عند فتح باب الانتقالات تحت السن، فيما سيشارك بدءًا من الموسم الجديد، حيث إنه من مواليد فريق 99 ويلعب مع فريق الشباب.

Manchester United will be looking ahead to what is set to be a big summer at Old Trafford, with various faces set to leave the club.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, now in the permanent role as manager at the club, has some big calls to make on certain players, and it will no doubt shape who he goes looking to bring into the club in terms of new signings for United.

There are bound to be plenty of rumours and stories circling around the summer months, and we here in the Tavern expect there to be some significant action in the marke for the Red Devils this time around.

And with rumours this weekend coming to light that Real Madrid could be willing to part ways with both Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos, we feel United need to make their move now to seal the world class duo before other clubs begin to get involved.

Both Bale and Kroos are players who are at the top of the game in terms of quality, and United would also be getting ready made players, not players who are going to need time to adjust to life at such a club.

Integral players to the Madrid cause in their three successive Champions League campaigns, it would appear their time with the club is now coming now to an end.

Their careers however, are not, and United would be silly not to try and entice the duo to the Premier League.

With United playing catch up to the likes of City and Liverpool these days, world class players are the ones who are going to make a difference for the club, and both Bale and Kroos fall right into that mould.

Man City’s spending over the last year or so has been about evolution, rather than revolution, under Pep Guardiola. After spending big during his debut season in England, he’s since reigned it in, instead focusing on improving a select few areas at the Etihad.

For example, bringing in Rihad Mahrez has helped to improve the attacking depth without replacing any of the brilliant performers from last season. There’s no need for City to bring in 10 world class players because they’ve already got a great squad, but what they do continue to need is minor improvements.

Particularly, the centre of the midfield is an area needing attention. Fernandinho is 33-years-old, and the Brazilian can’t keep playing every week forever.

Fortunately, this is an area that City are apparently looking to improve, at least according to the Express. The English publication is reporting that Tanguy NDombele of Lyon is a target of the Citizens. A natural central midfielder, he’d certainly fit right into the team in place of Fernandinho, and his arrival could give City’s team a new lease on life heading into next season.

Whilst there’s a lot of football still to play at the Etihad this term, it’s important to think about next year, and what could City’s team look like, especially if Ndombele arrives?

In goal, it’s hard to look past Ederson. The Brazilian has been brilliant since moving to the Etihad, and his skill with the ball at his feet makes him vital to the way that this team works. City would struggle to find better than him, and he’ll keep his place for a long while yet.

In defence, there’s a lot of scope for change, but who could get the nod? Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker seem like obvious choices on the flanks, as whilst both have had their own issues this term – like fitness and form concerns – the reality is that they’re undeniably the best players in their respective roles at the club. In the heart of the defence, there are some decisions to make. Who should start out of Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi? It’s very tough, but Laporte’s very impressive form would make him a good choice, you’d think. Alongside him, Vincent Kompany makes sense – helping to build the young and old dynamic – but Stones or Otamendi would be good alongside either man too.

In midfield, Ndombele would fit as the number 6 in this time in place of Fernandihno. There’s he’d be charged with ensuring that the Man City defence is protected, whilst it’s also important that he drives forward with the ball and is positive in the midfield. He’ll be the bridge between the defence and the attack, and with his great range of passing, dribbling and tackling, he’d be a great fit. He’s a jack of all trades, and at 22-years-old, he’s only getting better.

Man City’s attack is filled with quality, and nothing that hasn’t already been said can be mentioned. Between Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero, City have five of the best and most deadly players in European football, and they’re all at the peak of their powers. There is unlikely to be much change here because there’s simply no need for it.

Ndombele would only be a single addition to this team, but he’d add some much-needed youth to the outfit, and though he’d likely trade places with Fernandinho during his first season, he’d be the long-term option at the Etihad.

Man City fans – is this where Ndombele would fit in? Would Kompany still play? Let us know below!

دخل بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي قائمة المرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب في الدوري الجنوب إفريقي خلال الموسم الماضي.

وكان الأهلي قد أعلن تعيين موسيماني مديرًا فنيًا للفريق الأول لكرة القدم مع بداية الشهر الحالي.

واختار الحساب الرسمي للدوري الجنوب إفريقي عبر موقع “تويتر” قائمة تضم 3 مدربين مرشحين، وهم موسيماني مدرب صن داونز السابق، وإيرنست ميدندورب المدير الفني لكايز تشيفز، وإيريك تنكلر المدير الفني لماريتزبرج يونايتد.

وقاد المدرب الجنوب إفريقي الأهلي للفوز بمباراتين والتعادل في واحدة ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة الوداد يوم السبت المُقبل في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

#PSLAwards20 #AbsaPrem Coach of the Season Nominees pic.twitter.com/zGYx8PMSHc

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) October 15, 2020