Potential Consequences: Everton selling Richarlison

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The Daily Star recently reported that Chelsea are considering a summer bid to sign Everton star Richarlison. However, the Toffees are thought to want £80million in return for the 21-year-old forward.

Considering the Merseyside club paid an initial £35million – which could rise to £50 million – to prise the Brazilian away from Watford only last summer, it is unsurprising that they’ve put such a huge price tag on him. 

The 5 foot 10 attacker is certainly a favourite of Marco Silva’s and is tied up in a long-term contract at Goodison Park. What’s more, he is also the club’s top scorer this season with ten Premier League goals, as per Transfermarkt’s statistics.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

If Everton were to sanction Richarlison’s sale in the summer it would have some huge knock-on effects. We take a look at the potential consequences below…

Big money to reinvest

If Everton were to receive a fee in the region of £80million for Richarlison, then they could reinvest those funds into the squad. Even with Richarlison, Everton still need to find some more firepower this summer. 

With that £80million though they would stand a great chance of finding a goalscorer capable of replacing Richarlison’s end product. The Toffees could perhaps even attempt a bold move to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Goodison Park. 

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Manchester United paid £75million to sign the Belgian in 2017, but he has struggled this season and has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford of late. With Marcus Rashford clearly preferred by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lukaku could be moved on at the end of this season if the Norwegian coach gets the United job on a permanent basis. 

Everton could then swoop to bring back their prolific former marksman, paying for the deal with the proceeds raised from Richarlison’s exit. Lukaku would not only provide a more reliable goal threat than Richarlison, he also represents a huge upgrade on struggling striker Cenk Tosun.

Massive chance for Lookman

With Richarlison out of the picture, there’d be a gap in the starting XI for 21-year-old winger Ademola Lookman to potentially fill.

Since impressing during a loan spell with RB Leipzig last season, the England under-21 international has struggled to sustain a run in the first team on Merseyside. However, without the Brazilian ahead of him in the pecking order, Lookman may finally get the chance to prove his worth to Silva that he craves.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another promising Everton youngster who may be afforded greater game time in the Brazilian’s absence.

All faith lost in Silva

Silva loves Richarlison. He first brought the forward to England during his time in charge at Vicarage Road, and was then instrumental in Everton acquiring his services a year later. Richarlison himself has stated that he sees the Portuguese coach “as a father”.

However, Silva is currently under pressure at Everton following a dismal run of results. He has admitted as much himself recently. Even if things improve before the end of the season, he will still have plenty of doubters amongst the Everton faithful heading into the new campaign. 

Should Silva lose Richarlison – a player clearly so central in his plans – this summer, then that could be the final straw. The inability of the manager to retain his prized asset could see all remaining belief in his abilities to lead the club forward disappear.

The exit of Richarlison could bring about the ousting of Silva too.

Davies voices his concerns as two potential penalties lead to Celtic injuries

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Chris Davies fears that desperate defending is costing Celtic.

Sunday’s 2-0 win away to St. Johnstone was achieved at some cost with Mikael Lustig, James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie joining the growing injury list.

After collecting the points Brendan Rodgers and his backroom team assessed the damage to their squad with one second-half incident particularly costly.

Celtic had two good penalty claims ignored as Edouard was stretchered off and Christie struggled for breath after taking a kick to the ribs.

Looking at the penalty claims, Davies said as quoted by The Evening Times: “I think we might have had a couple in our game. It’s almost as if the desperation of the defending if you like that sometimes the clarity can go from what is an actual foul.

“The key thing on the Ryan one is whether (Jason) Kerr actually touches the ball, which we don’t think he does. We could have had that one. The Odsonne one? The manager said after the game that he thought it might have been harsh on (Joe) Shaughnessy, but I certainly think we could have had one.”

Celtic were back in training on Monday preparing for the visit of manager-less Hibs, who defeated the Hoops in December at Easter Road.

Oliver Ntcham and Kieran Tierney were pictured in training but neither are expected to be involved against Hibs with next week’s Europa League tie against Valencia a more realistic target.

After Sunday’s match, Celtic had 14 players on the injured list. Any additions to that and Rodgers could be running out of bodies as Celtic chase a treble treble and look to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

Crystal Palace: Sporting Director confirms player had ‘already been sold’ to the Eagles

In the January transfer window, Crystal Palace made just two signings.

The south Londoners brought in Cenk Tosun on a loan deal from Everton, while also signing 18-year-old Scott Banks from Dundee United.

However, they almost had a third capture lined up.

Daniele Pradè – the Sporting Director of Serie A side Fiorentina – recently revealed that one of his January signings in Christian Kouame was effectively a Crystal Palace player before injury struck the striker down.

What did he say?

In regards to the negotiations which took the Ivorian to Fiorentina, Pradè said: “The conversation with Kouame comes from afar, he was at the Citadel, I was at Sampdoria. Against us, the first leg was devastating. Christian had already been sold to Crystal Palace, the injury stopped everything and we took the ball. A decision taken by mutual agreement with the president.”

One of many scuppered transfer moves for the Eagles

It goes without saying that Crystal Palace’s luck in the January transfer window was truly out.

In addition to Kouame’s serious knee injury wrecking his move to Selhurst Park, two more potential arrivals for Roy Hodgson’s side also saw injuries ruin their chances of joining the club.

Angers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri was a player who Crystal Palace had ‘hoped to secure’ according to The Athletic, although he suffered a double-fracture of his jaw which is expected to keep him out for months and no such move materialised.

“Throw in, too, Rayan Ait-Nouri whose progress has long been tracked at Angers and whom Palace had hoped to secure, only for the teenage left-back to suffer a double fracture of his jaw in a Ligue 1 fixture against Nice in mid-January. That is expected to keep him out for months.”

Furthermore, West Brom full-back Nathan Ferguson even underwent a medical with the Eagles, only to see the examinations identify a knee issue which eventually meant the deal collapsed and he remained at the Hawthorns.

Securing Ait-Nouri, Ferguson and Kouame would’ve been an excellent month’s business for the Eagles, with each player being 18, 19 and 22 years of age respectively – in terms of lowering the average age of the squad, something which Dominic Fifield revealed on the HLTCO podcast that Crystal Palace are aware is in need of doing, it would’ve been an excellent start to capture the trio.

Calling Premier League experts ONLY: Which year were these top flight clubs formed?

Unfortunately, injuries scuppered any chance of them becoming Crystal Palace players – how’s your luck, hey?

In other news, flashbacks of Crystal Palace’s 2015/16 campaign prove Steve Parish hasn’t learned anything…

West Ham fans react as club is fined £100,000 for crowd disturbances

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West Ham fans have taken to Twitter to share their views after the club was hit with a whopping £100,000 fine following crowd disturbances during last season’s 3-0 defeat at home to Burnley, as reported in detail by BBC Sport.

The Hammers have received the fine after a number of supporters invaded the pitch in protest at the club’s owners, with one fan even approaching captain Mark Noble only to end up thrown onto the grass.

Another ran into the centre of the pitch with the corner flag held aloft, whilst some children even had to be let onto the Clarets’ substitutes bench in order to avoid the escalating chaos inside the London Stadium.

Who should replace Marko Arnautovic if he leaves West Ham? FFC’s James Jones has the answer! Check out the video below to find out…

After the final whistle, a herd of supporters approached the directors’ box to voice their displeasure, which forced co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold to be escorted from the area for their own safety.

The club issued lifetime bans to a number of supporters, and Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady called it “one of the most painful days” in the club’s history.

Whilst it was in fact a very dark day, some fans are happy that it took place as they feel it made the board aware of the faults they were making in running the club, citing the arrival of Felipe Anderson and the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as signs of the club recognising the need for change.

Here’s a look at how West Ham fans reacted to the news on Twitter…

HYS: Should Lookman start ahead of Walcott in Everton’s clash against Manchester United?

Everton will be looking for their third consecutive win for the first time this season when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Marco Silva’s side recently picked up victories over Leicester City and Crystal Palace, but they face a tough task against the Red Devils.

Team selection could be key, and two players would have given the manager something to think about last weekend.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun both scored in the final few minutes of Everton’s clash against Palace.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Silva may want to take a look at the wide areas, particularly involving Theo Walcott and Ademola Lookman.

Walcott has started all nine of Everton’s Premier League matches, while his teammate has only featured in three.

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In fact, Lookman is yet to start a top-flight match this season, but should he be thrown into the first XI against United?

Let us know by voting below.

Tousart could easily slot into Manchester City’s talent-packed squad

Manchester City are aiming to become the first side since 2009 to retain the Premier League title.

The Citizens cruised to their fifth Premier League crown last season and also picked up the Carabao Cup in Pep Guardiola’s second season in England. Following their sensational performances, they have been rightly installed as favourites to lift the trophy again. They kick off their 2018/19 campaign with a tricky trip to North London against Arsenal.

Guardiola has made just one major signing this summer – the £60m capture of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester. With only one day remaining in the window, the ex-Barcelona boss is desperate to sign a defensive midfielder. City were expected to sign Jorginho from Napoli, but the Italian instead joined Chelsea.

To add competition for Fernandinho, City should attempt to sign Lyon lynchpin – Lucas Tousart. Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the Frenchman has emerged as one of the brightest talents in France after establishing himself as a first-team regular. He made 37 appearances in Ligue 1 as Lyon finished third to secure Champions League football.

The former Valenciennes man would slot seamlessly into the City midfield and add some much-needed protection for the backline. He made 2.9 tackles per game last season from defensive midfield – more than any other Manchester City player. The 21-year-old reads the game excellently and made 1.9 interceptions per game in the previous campaign – again, more than any other Manchester City player (WhoScored).

Tousart boasts a pass success rate of 85% which he will need to work on to fit into Guardiola’s system. However, the France U21 international is still young and would no doubt improve under the Spaniard’s tutelage.

Lyon will not want to lose their prized asset, but president Jean-Michel Aulas could be tempted into a deal if the price is right. Time is running out, and City must get this one over the line.

Manchester City fans, thoughts?

Three reasons Tottenham should steer clear of signing Cenk Tosun

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have sent scouts to watch Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun with a view to making a move for the Turkey international.

The Daily Mail says that the 26-year-old was the subject of offers from fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window, but a move to England failed to materialise.

Having already struggled to break down the likes of Burnley, Swansea City and Barnsley at their temporary Wembley home this season, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino may feel that he needs to add to his attacking options in the New Year, especially with Vincent Janssen joining Fenerbahce on loan for the entire campaign.

While the Besiktas star, who Transfermarkt value at £8.1million, has shown some good form in the last year or so, he may not be the right man to improve the north London outfit’s fortunes.

Here are three reasons Tottenham should steer clear of signing Cenk Tosun…

Vincent Janssen

Tottenham brought Janssen to north London last summer following a prolific season for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, but he ultimately flopped and Mauricio Pochettino signed Fernando Llorente during the summer to demote the Dutchman to third-choice striker.

The 23-year-old opted to join Fenerbahce on loan before the Turkish transfer window slammed shut earlier this month and he scored one and assisted another on his full debut for the club.

This may be a worry for Spurs and Pochettino because Janssen appears to have quickly found his feet in the league where Tosun has made his name.

He netted 20 goals in 33 Super Lig appearances last season and it would seem to be a bit of a risk for Tottenham considering the signings of Janssen and Roberto Soldado in the past.

They don’t really need him

With Harry Kane the undoubted first-choice striker, Fernando Llorente signing a two-year deal and Vincent Janssen potentially returning to the club next summer after being boosted during his loan move, do they really need Tosun in January?

The only reason they would really need to look at signing the 26-year-old in the New Year was if either Kane or Llorente suffered an injury, or if Pochettino wasn’t willing to take a risk on the duo not getting injured in the second half of the season.

That is all ifs and buts though, and surely he would have kept hold of Janssen if he was that concerned.

In this case perhaps Tottenham should just stick with what they have.

Crystal Palace/Newcastle United interest

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While the majority of Premier League sides believe they now have the pull and financial muscle to bring some of the best players across Europe to their club, Tottenham should perhaps be a little cautious on the fact that Crystal Palace and Newcastle United want Cenk Tosun, rather than the teams they are battling at the top of the table.

It would suggest that the 26-year-old perhaps isn’t considered good enough to perform regularly for a team wanting to win trophies, and he wouldn’t be an upgrade on what they already have in the squad.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.

In Focus: Chris Willock could be the perfect Roberts replacement at Celtic

As reported by The Daily Mirror, Celtic are eyeing a move for Arsenal attacker Chris Willock as a potential replacement for the outgoing Patrick Roberts.

What’s the story?

Roberts is due to return to his parent club Manchester City this summer and with a lack of personnel already having an impact on that area of the pitch, Celtic badly need reinforcements on the right flank.

The Mirror reckon that Brendan Rodgers and his scouting staff are eyeing a move for young Willock, a 19-year old talent that has already made his Arsenal first team debut.

Celtic believe that the promise of regular first-team football could be enough to convince the young attacker that a spell at the Hoops could be beneficial to all parties.

What does Willock offer?

It isn’t easy to break into the first team of any Premier League side, never mind Arsenal, so Willock’s two appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side this season are a credit to him. Both of them came in the EFL Cup, a competition that Wenger likes to expose the best and brightest of his academy hopefuls to.

He’s been star performer for the club’s U21 side scoring 6 goals in 19 matches last season. He regular trains with the first team which is likely improving his ability week upon week.

The only thing missing in his progression now is first team football and that’s why Celtic could be the perfect match. If Rodgers can nurture his talent in the way he’s done with players already in Glasgow, Willock’s undoubted potential could begin to flower at Celtic Park.

At the very least he provides competition to an area of the pitch that badly needs it and if the Hoops can complement his loan signing with another first team wide man signing, they’ll be in great shape.

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Chelsea star makes admission over poor Premier League form

England defender Gary Cahill has admitted that he was concerned that Chelsea’s poor season could well cost him his international spot.

The Blues have toiled this term and are set to finish in mid-table, with no silverware and no Champions League football next season.

Cahill has been in-and-out of the West London outfit’s starting XI this season and competes for a role in the team with Kurt Zouma and skipper John Terry.

The former Bolton Wanderers man has been given a consistent chance to play since Zouma’s injury and is set to lead England out against world champions Germany later today.

Cahill has confessed that it has been a tough campaign for everyone at Chelsea and that he was concerned about how it would impact his chances with Euro 2016 on the not-so distant horizon.

“It’s been a tough season, I’ll not lie. A tough season as everyone can see, with the changes and everything else,” The Mirror quote the defender as saying.

“I’m happy that I’m back in the team, especially leading up to an important tournament. That’s where I was so concerned when I was out of the team. That was a concern for me.

“My concern was that if I wasn’t playing for Chelsea then I wouldn’t be picked for England, and I wasn’t afraid to say that.

“No one wants to be satisfied sitting at a big club if you’re not playing every week. I’ve always been playing in my career.

“You’re not going to play every game of every season, so you have to work harder when you’re out. But it’s important to be playing going into a big tournament.

“But moving forward, I feel fit, I’m playing okay at Chelsea. The most important thing is I’m back out on the field and can show what I can do.”

Cahill will have an important role at Chelsea next season following the exit of Terry.

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USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso leaves camp with ankle injury ahead of proposed January move to La Liga side Real Betis

The U.S. men's national team announced Monday morning that the 22-year-old midfielder was removed from their November camp following an ankle injury.

Article continues below

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  • Johnny removed from USMNT camp
  • Diagnosed with right ankle injury
  • Linked with January La Liga move
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    In an announcement Monday, U.S. soccer said that no replacement will be added for the Internacional midfielder, despite him leaving camp due to injury.

    It's unknown how the injury occurred or what the severity of it is.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    That leaves the USMNT without both Tyler Adams and Johnny in the midfield – meaning – it will be a big window for Luca De La Torre on top of both Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah. The one to watch, though, will be Gio Reyna.

    With no Christian Pulisic or Tim Weah, the USMNT could alter their positioning on the pitch, utilizing the attacking midfield role even more than usual.

    Reyna is listed as a forward – not an attacker – on the roster.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Cardoso is linked with a January move to La Liga side Real Betis after some impressive performances on the international stage with the USMNT, as well as with his Brazilian club Internacional.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR JOHNNY AND THE USMNT?

    The young midfielder will have to miss out on November's matches against Trinidad and Tobago, as the USMNT look to book their spot in the 2024 Copa America.

    Gregg Berhalter's squad play November 16 and 20 against the Island nation.

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