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Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has weighed in on the Trezeguet-El Ghazi debate in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, suggesting that the Dutch winger should be getting the nod at present.

It was Trezeguet who started in the recent 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, and the 26-year-old has since come in for criticism for putting in a subpar performance.

Ex-Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor was highly critical of his display and overall attacking contribution this season, stating Anwar El Ghazi should be in the team ahead of him, a sentiment shared by former team-mate Hendrie.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the two attackers, Hendrie said:

“I agree with Gabby about that. El Ghazi’s more of a direct player and he’s got a bit more versatility than Trezeguet. He can go down the line or he can cut inside and he’s scored goals this season, so I totally agree.

“I feel that because they’re not scoring goals, you need something of that dimension to try and bring into the side. If I had to choose one, El Ghazi would be my first choice.”

This season, El Ghazi has managed to score six goals in the Premier League, a tally only top scorer Ollie Watkins can beat. Meanwhile, Trezeguet has failed to register at all, so it is not hard to see why some feel that El Ghazi should be getting the nod over the Egypt international.

Many Everton fans have been left to slam the display of Andre Gomes despite their 1-0 away win at West Brom in the Premier League on Thursday evening.

Richarlison ended up getting the only goal of the game midway through the second half to give the Goodison Park faithful all three points and thus help them climb up the table.

However, although there were some very good performances for the Merseyside club, Gomes flattered to deceive several members of the Toffees faithful.

The central midfield player lost out on nine of his duels in the match, the most lost out of any of his teammates, as he also lost possession of the ball no fewer than on 16 separate occasions, the joint-second highest of any Blues player (Sofascore). Losing your battles and giving the ball away relentlessly is hardly a good combination for a midfield player.

Everton fan reaction to Gomes display

These EFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to say that the former FC Barcelona man is ‘dreadful’:

“Why is Andre Gomes even here, he was literally one of our worst players today. Allan should have been the fourth scout for MOTM #efc. Up the Toffees as we march on to top 4 glory #everton”

Credit: @gersonselema

“Another solid if unspectacular victory for #EFC. Both achieved with fair few injuries. Thought Gomes and Iwobi very poor today. Defensively we are sound though. Bit of quality from Sigurdsson and into Top 4! #COYB”Credit: @D_Button”Another ugly win but we will take it. Siggy showed why he can’t be dropped at the moment, especially when James is out. Great finish from Richarlison. Negatives were an appalling first half and the performances of Gomes and Bernard in particular who shouldn’t play again. #efc”Credit: @sicurrie”Gomes has stunk the place out today, but we squeak the win #EFC”Credit: @ItsJohnThomson”Gomes, Bernard and Iwobi are dreadful FACT #EFC”Credit: @MrGriff1878″Gomes & Iwobi are doing my head in! #efc”Credit: @boycey1978In other news, find out what Carlo Ancelotti comments on one star’s future has left Everton fans buzzing here!

It’s not often that an Old Firm derby has little riding on it. However, when Celtic welcome their fiercest rivals to Parkhead on Sunday, that will be the unfortunate reality of the situation.

The Hoops have already relinquished their grasp on the SPFL, but they will be keen to exert their revenge at the very earliest opportunity.

On the chalkboard

At the end of the season, there could be plenty of change at Paradise. Neil Lennon has already walked and thus, a new manager will be coming to the club.

They could also see midfielder veteran Scott Brown depart.

The captain is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has already been tipped to hang up his boots and take up a coaching role.

Whether John Kennedy begins to faze him out between now and the end of the season remains to be seen. Brown has put in some very mixed displays recently. The midfielder scored a header and then delightfully assisted Albian Ajeti’s goal in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.

The 35-year-old impressed again a week later versus St Mirren. However, his performance have diminished again, something that was evident against Dundee United when Celtic’s midfield were made to look rather toothless.

On that occasion, he was hauled off with 12 minutes to go having completed just 77% of his passes, losing the ball 15 times.

The solution

Celtic will need to find a quick remedy if Brown departs. They have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy while Motherwell’s Allan Campbell is another to have been touted.

Though, by playing Ismaila Soro in the weeks to come, they could perhaps save themselves some cash.

Soro has been excellent when afforded a chance this term but the Hoops will surely be keen to know whether he’s up to the task of becoming Brown’s heir down the line.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-transfer-news-onuachu-edouard-dembele-turnbull” title=”The latest Celtic news and views!”]

Throwing him in this weekend in the Old Firm, therefore, would be useful. He is an eye-catching midfielder and despite his small stature, he isn’t afraid to get stuck into the tackle.

In fact, the £11k-per-week earner can be just as aggressive as Brown. Blessed with “explosive power” according to his former coach Ori Guttman, the Ivorian made as many as ten tackles against Lille in Europe earlier this season.

The 22-year-old won a further eight in the 2-0 win over Hamilton and in his last five matches, he has made 17 successful challenges. Thus, if anyone is well equipped to deal with the champions on Sunday, it is Soro.

This is the type of stage he needs to really thrive on to take his game to the next level. John Kennedy has only fielded him for 12 minutes during his stint as interim boss; that has to change.

AND in other news, Forget Laxalt: Celtic must unleash never-seen 19 y/o next term, he’s “very talented”…

In a rapid turn of events, Celtic find themselves linked to a new face at the hilt of the club. Despite being in desperate need of some new playing personnel, Peter Lawwell could well be looking to replace treble-winning Neil Lennon as his first port of call.

According to The Mirror, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez looks set to usurp the Irishman in Celtic’s hierarchy. The Spaniard has made the decision to close his chapter in China and return to the UK to embark on his next journey. He is heavily tipped to be the next Hoops boss and bringing him to Parkhead would be a stroke of genius from the board.

What can Benitez do for Celtic?

Celtic have endured a turbulent 2020/21 season due to battling injury issues, unexplained dips in form and their inability to keep up with their Glaswegian neighbours. Rangers have one hand on this campaign’s title after wedging a gargantuan 23-point gap between themselves and the reigning Premiership champions.

This will be the first season in ten years that Celtic will not lift the trophy. They have also bowed out of their Europa League run after being humiliated in the group stages. The Bhoys managed to accumulate just four points out of a possible 18 and they conceded the joint most goals of the competition at that stage (19).

Key players have also been linked to moves away from Celtic Park, which will only add to the club’s inconsistent form. Kristoffer Ajer is someone who is being heavily monitored by rival clubs and teammate Odsonne Edouard has also been identified by the likes of Arsenal and West Ham as a potential new signing, via the Express.

Should Celtic appoint Benitez, it could be enough to convince the prolific £19,000 per week striker to remain in Scotland. According to Transfermarkt, Edouard has scored just seven times in the league this season, heavily contrasting his unstoppable 21 goal, 12 assist run last term.

Lennon has made his feelings about the Frenchman clear – constantly waxing lyrical over his influential displays. He recently lauded him as a “special talent” after Edouard scored a hat-trick on the opening day of the season.

The passion may have gone from the 23-year-old’s performances, which would explain his recent goal drought. Knowing Celtic won’t be winning their tenth consecutive Premiership title will have dampened spirits and a player like Edouard will be hungry for silverware.

Benitez has found success at many clubs, from winning La Liga with Valencia, the Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool to his Championship and promotion-winning season with Newcastle. His natural flair for getting results could be enough for Edouard to at least give Celtic one more season before moving onto pastures new.

In other news, Hammond set for masterstroke sale of this forgotten Celtic player…

Former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan believes that Bongani Zungu will be “absolutely gone” from the club after betraying manager Steven Gerrard’s trust.

Zungu out?

Reports last week revealed that five Gers players, now known as the “party five” were in breach of coronavirus pandemic protocols after attending a house party in the early hours last Sunday.

Zungu, currently on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 side Amiens, was accompanied by Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and academy goalkeeper Brian Kinnear, to which the police attended the incident and handed each of them fixed penalty notices (via Goal).

Gerrard reacted by saying he felt “personally let-down” by the events and Zungu was dropped for their Europa League clash against Royal Antwerp during mid-week.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan is convinced that Zungu’s time will be dramatically cut short on the foundations of faith.

“He’s already gone, absolutely gone – there’s no way you’re going to be signing a player like that if you can’t trust them.

“The biggest word in everyone, in any manager, is can I trust my players on the pitch? Can I trust them off the pitch? Can I trust them to be the right character that needs to be embedded into this football club?

“The straight answer there is absolutely not.

“Whether these other four end up playing again for Rangers, that remains to be seen. I very much doubt it, because I think once you cross that line, it’s very difficult to come back from it.

“It brings shame on the club, onto the manager as well and the rest of the players. It shows a lack of respect and disrespect to them.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Gerrard has never sugarcoated his words to the press – nor has he not backed up what he has promised. This could indicate that Whelan might be right.

Zungu was hugely irresponsible – as were the other four players involved. While there have been similar incidents elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, there is still no excuse.

Time will tell whether Gerrard decides to take any further action, and if so, whether it could mean that Zungu will return to France or even have his loan cut short.

In other news, find out which Gers man is attracting Premier League interest here!

David Moyes must unleash Andriy Yarmolenko at striker when West Ham United visit non-league Stockport County for their FA Cup third round tie on Monday night.

Yarmolenko has rarely featured in any competition this term with the 31-year-old making just four starts so far, three of which came during the Hammers’ Carabao Cup campaign.

But the Irons are now down to only one recognised senior centre-forward in Michail Antonio ahead of their trip to Edgeley Park following Sebastien Haller’s £20m exit on Friday, and they can use their encounter with Jim Gannon’s side to discover potential alternatives.

Yarmolenko has struggled to find his role in Moyes’ Premier League plans this term and missed almost a month of action in the run-up to Christmas after testing positive for Coronavirus.

Yet the attacker had impressed when given a chance to display his talents in the EFL Cup, recording his entire five-goal contribution for the campaign to date with two goals and three assists against lower league opposition.

He also averaged 2.3 shots and 2.7 key passes a game across West Ham’s League Cup ties with Charlton Athletic, Hull City and Everton, won 4.3 duels and offered 1.3 successful tackles, per SofaScore.

Yarmolenko could now prove to be a lifesaver for West Ham in the January transfer market, and particularly to co-owner and Chairman David Sullivan, as an impressive showing at striker on Monday night may allow the London Stadium natives to save millions on signing a Haller replacement.

West Ham have been linked with moves for a host of options; including Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, Bournemouth’s Joshua King – who could cost £15m – RB Salzburg’s £25m-rated Patson Daka and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, who reports claim the Irons may bid £30m for.

Moyes has experimented with his attacking options already this season by fielding Yarmolenko at centre-forward during his cameo appearances at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in October, while starting Jarrod Bowen alongside Haller against Brighton & Hove Albion last month.

His decision to utilise Bowen up top at home to the Amex Stadium natives backfired horrifically, but Yarmolenko’s efforts left an impression on Moyes who was later tipped to put his faith behind the £7m-rated outcast to reap the rewards of his energy in the role.

Yarmolenko has also played centrally for Ukraine at times over the years, and an impressive showing against Stockport on Monday night could see Moyes save Sullivan millions in not having to splash out to land a back-up striker during the January transfer window.

AND in other news, David Sullivan can seal West Ham’s dream Sebastien Haller heir in an “extraordinary” gem.

For Wolves, it looks as though spending any money this window will be incredibly tough. Considering they are in dire need of improving their forward line, that isn’t news that supporters will want to hear.

What’s the word?

Reports early this week suggested that Wolves had been told to forget about signing the likes of Divock Origi and Olivier Giroud because of a lack of finances.

Despite that, there are still rumours swirling around about possible incomings. One player reportedly on their radar is Montpellier striker Andy Delort.

According to Le Buteur (via Sport Witness), Wolves have made a serious offer for the striker and want to sign him at ‘any price.’

Unfortunately, they are facing competition from Newcastle for his signature. It’s claimed that the Magpies have made him a priority this month.

Ideal for Wolves

Delort has come a long way in his football career and is the definition of a late bloomer. The Algerian has risen through the ranks of both English and French football and was coincidentally wanted by Kenny Jackett when he was at Wolves back in 2014.

The forward was at Tours in Ligue 2 at the time and before a move to Wigan materialised, Jackett said the following: “We put a bid in for Andy Delort but we haven’t been able to close that deal. Nothing has been agreed. But we did put a considerable bid in. I don’t know where it is but no deal has been done.”

It’s probably quite fortunate that happened because Delort ended up scoring a tally of zero goals during his time in the north of England.

However, since then, he has become a fearsome striker, one to be reckoned with at the top level. For Montpellier this season, the 29-year-old has netted eight goals – more than anyone in the Wolves side – and also has more assists than anyone at Molineux – six.

With that kind of record, he’d be a valuable asset for Nuno Santo to have. That being said, the £27k-per-week forward isn’t all about scoring goals.

Like the injured Raul Jimenez, he is adept in physical situations and has won a colossal 4.5 aerial duels per game. For context, that’s more than even Willy Boly has amassed (3.2) at the heart of Wolves’ defence.

Considering that, he’d be an important player in both penalty boxes. Jackett may have failed to sign Delort seven years ago but Wolves cannot afford to make the same mistak, especially with Jimenez out injured with a fractured skull.

With their man striker still absent, Wolves desperately need someone who can firstly score goals, and secondly, offer similar qualities to the Mexican. Delort, therefore, is their man. If Jeff Shi can find the finances to fund the deal, they must complete this move as soon as possible.

AND in other news, Worse than Silva: Wolves “liability” who lost possession 13x will have Nuno fuming…

Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell risks continuing the Hoops’ horror show by hiring former Everton boss Marco Silva to replace Neil Lennon at the Parkhead helm.

What’s the word?

According to The Scotsman, Silva is in the running to succeed Lennon at the Glasgow powerhouse, with the Northern Irishman’s sacking deemed inevitable amid a season of utter carnage for the nine-in-a-row title-holders.

Silva would be expected to demand a substantial salary to take charge at Parkhead in search of overturning Rangers’ 11-point Premiership lead, as Celtic strive to win a record 10th-straight top-flight title following their 13-point winning margin last term.

Silva has been out of work since being fired by Everton in 2019, where he oversaw a win rate of only 40% thanks to just 24 victories in 60 games across all competitions – losing more often than he won, with 25 defeats and 11 draws next to his name.

The Portuguese was further dismissed from his position in charge of Watford in 2018, feeling the 43-year-old’s head was turned by an approach from Everton, while walking out on Hull City in 2017 after failing to prevent relegation from the Premier League.

Lennon would not have been surprised if Celtic had opted to fire him following last weekend’s defeat to Ross County, with the Hoops eliminated from the League Cup to the fury of supporters who clashed with police whilst protesting for his sacking.

“Not in my heart of hearts [did I think it was over] but I could understand if that would have been the case, yes,” Lennon said, via quotes by Sky Sports. “I am very grateful [for Lawwell and the club’s backing]. They are not a board that sack managers for the sake of it.”

Continuing Celtic horror show

Should the feeling change in Celtic’s hierarchy and Lawwell along with majority owner Dermot Desmond decide to fire Lennon, replacing the Northern Irishman with Silva would be a grave error that would only serve to see the Hoops’ horror show continue.

Silva was hired to turn Everton’s fortunes around after fans bemoaned the tenure of former England manager Sam Allardyce, promising to bring a more exciting brand of football to Goodison Park.

Yet all the Portuguese offered was continual defensive woes, with no Premier League side conceding more often from set-pieces than Everton during his maiden term in charge, while turning the Toffees into one of the English top-flight’s most predictable outfits for favouring hopeful balls into the box without any real care or attention for where they will land.

Silva was well aware of his side’s defensive struggles, noting via Sky Sports: “No one is happy when you are conceding goals like we have conceded. They were the same [players as] last season with the fourth-best defence in [the] Premier League, the fourth team with the least goals conceded in the Premier League last season and we achieved that [by] working hard, improving, learning from the not so good things we did and learning from some mistakes.

“But suddenly we start to concede some goals and some of them [are] sloppy, but they are already done, and we work on that, we analysis and we are working to keep improving to become a solid team.”

Celtic can ill-afford to appoint Silva to replace Lennon and risk the Portuguese bringing his defensive struggles to Parkhead, where the Hoops have already allowed 68% of the total 19 goals shipped in the Premiership last term in 43% of the games played.

The Glasgow giants have allowed three or more goals to be scored in a single match on multiple occasions, too, with Paris Saint-Germain and twice Sparta Prague netting four, while Aberdeen and AC Milan have each struck three.

If Lawwell and Desmond have any lingering hopes of ten-in-a-row, Silva is not the man to answer their calls.

At the moment it feels like Sunderland’s players are dropping like flies.

Luke O’Nien is out until the New Year with a dislocated shoulder while Denver Hume is also missing through injury.

On top of that, Lynden Gooch is only just returning and as many as four players have tested positive for the dreaded pandemic.

Consequently, the Mackems have had their next three games stretching to Boxing Day postponed. They can count their lucky stars, particularly with Josh Scowen now also injured.

Lee Johnson revealed this week that the midfielder could miss around seven weeks of action with a shin injury. He told reporters: “The X-ray found a chip or a slight fracture to the shin, which is bad news. The best case scenario is that he will be out for three weeks, the worst case scenario is seven weeks.”

The good news, however, is that Sunderland have capable replacements.

Elliot Embleton started in his place during the 1-1 draw with Wimbledon but there was someone on the bench who could prosper amid the negative update on Scowen.

That happens to be Daniel Neill, a young midfield player who has played three times in the Papa John’s trophy this term.

In total, he has four senior appearances to his name for Sunderland but we’re yet to really see him emerge as a viable option. That could now change with players slim on the ground.

But why does he deserve an opportunity? Well, he’s incredibly highly-rated by some of his teammates.

That includes the injured O’Nien who only found positive words for Neill a few months ago. The 19-year-old impressed considerably in pre-season which leads us to believe he’s really on the radar of the club’s coaches.

O’Nien began: “Dan has been exceptional right throughout pre-season.”

The midfielder continued: “Every day in training, he’s like a dancer with those magic feet. He’s creating and scoring goals in training all the time.”

The fact he’s so creative should bode well. After all, Sunderland’s midfield is full of more defensive individuals like Grant Leadbitter, Max Power and George Dobson.

Neill hasn’t had the most productive of campaigns as far as his numbers go – providing one assist in six outings but he has emerged as a key player in an ever-improving U23 side.

It surely won’t be long before he gets regular opportunities at senior level. He certainly deserves a look in.

In other news, Bye-bye Grigg: SAFC can save thousands by unleashing starlet with “blistering pace”…

Southampton have made a name for themselves as the feeder club of Liverpool. Whilst the Saints put rising stars into the spotlight, the Merseysiders snap them up and complete the final steps towards greatness. Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane are now two of the most highly praised footballers on the planet, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also eventually ended up at Anfield following a detour to the Emirates.

One man who has failed to follow this narrative is forgotten Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne. The cast-off England international walked from the club this summer as a free agent, empty-handed despite his teammates’ historic success.

He is now all the way back where it started, at Crystal Palace – yet to play a single minute of football under Roy Hodgson.

A Rapid Declyne

After snapping up the exciting young right-back from the Eagles back in 2012, Southampton will have thought they’d bagged a real bargain. The south coast side paid just £2.8million for the then 22-year-old, who would go on to become a Saints centurion and contribute five goals and eight assists across his three years with the club.

When Brendan Rodgers came knocking in 2015, Southampton cashed in on a handsome £13million profit, after selling him to Liverpool for a reported £15.9million. Unfortunately for Clyne, the move wouldn’t be a dream one.

Jurgen Klopp took over at the hilt of Anfield just four months after the Englishman arrived and he had already started planning his changes. The 29-year-old went on to make a total of 103 appearances for Liverpool, but was gradually phased out of the team after the emergence of starlet Trent Alexander-Arnold. Once the youngster dipped his feet in the senior team, there was no going back for Klopp.

Clyne made just ten appearances across both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons before being shipped out on loan to Bournemouth. There, he also struggled for game time, earning only 15 chances to play across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

After being snubbed of his place by the now £99milli0n-valued Alexander-Arnold, the ageing full-back was not only left to leave as a free agent, but he was not given a Premier League winners’ medal for his troubles either. His long-term future at new club Crystal Palace is uncertain too, given he only signed a short-term contract with his former employers at the start of the month.

Southampton certainly cashed in at the right time and avoided dealing with the long-term effects of Clyne’s dip in form and his ongoing injury woes.

In other news, Danny Ings could cause big upset for Everton with impressive record…