Lucas Digne settled into the Premier League brilliantly following his summer arrival from Barcelona, turning in a number of excellent performances for the Toffees throughout the season and finishing his debut campaign with four goals and four assists from left-back.
The 25-year-old also scored some belters, with special mention going to his volley against Manchester United.
Sarah Halpin, who can be seen in the video above filling out her Panini Tabloid, stated that Digne was the best left-back in the league last season while she reminisced over Everton’s 4-0 victory over the Red Devils – their biggest win versus the Old Trafford outfit since 1984.
Check out Sarah’s thoughts on Digne and the Goodison Park romping in full in the video above.
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The Premier League Panini Tabloid is a special commemorative newspaper sticker collection celebrating the exciting new partnership between the greatest league in the world and the legendary name in football publishing, Panini. As the official collectable licensee to the Premier League, Panini are delighted to bring consumers a new era of collectables and the best collecting experience. See more here: http://bit.ly/PaniniFFCEditorial
Manchester United midfielder Fred struggled to make a positive impact during his side’s 3-0 Champions League quarter-final second leg defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, and Liverpool fans on Twitter were quick to have their say on the Brazilian’s display.
The Red Devils signed the 26-year-old in a £47m deal from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer, but he has only recently started to make an impact having visibly struggled to adapt to the English game in his first few months with the club.
While he was named on the team-sheet again by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his latest performance against the La Liga leaders was hardly one to write home about.
Barca talisman Lionel Messi nut-megged him brilliantly before curling into the far corner for the opening goal of the night in the 16th minute, and things didn’t get any better from that point.
Liverpool supporters couldn’t help but have their say via social media as two of their midfield summer additions in Fabinho and Naby Keita themselves are beginning to come good.
Check out the latest hilarious video by 442oons in the video below…
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While one said “Fred is a walking disaster”, another said “that Fred is absolute garbage”.
Arsenal are in a new era under Unai Emery, and at present, it doesn’t look like Mesut Ozil is directly involved in the Spaniard’s plans. The Gunners are moving forward at present, and despite their inconsistent form, it’s evident that Unai Emery is building something special.
Arsenal enjoyed one of their best performances of the season over the course of the weekend, with the Gunners demolishing Chelsea at the Emirates. The Blues are in a tough moment, but Arsenal deserves all the praise for limiting the Blues, given the quality at Maurizio Sarri’s disposal.
One notable absentee was, of course, Mesut Ozil. He was on the bench and didn’t feature, and that doesn’t bode well for his future. Emery has since indicated that the German is a part of his long-term plans, but his selection choices speak volumes.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Arsenal can utilise many of their main players whilst still giving Ozil a chance, and in truth, including Ozil in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation could allow the club to make the most of the talent that is currently at the club.
In goal, Bernd Leno is the only real choice. The German has looked pretty good between the sticks, and though it’s still unclear as to whether he’s the long-term option that Arsenal need, he’s certainly worth giving another six months to prove himself. He was great in Germany, and he’s had moments of brilliance already this term.
In defence, Sead Kolassinac continues to prove himself at left-back, whilst the duo of Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny were simply brilliant against Chelsea. Hector Bellerin, if possible, would start at right-back, but given the concerns over his current injury status, Ainsley Maitland-Niles could come in and make an immediate impact if required. This defence has the perfect balance of attack and control, and it impressed against Chelsea.
Sitting deeper than any other midfielder could be Lucas Torreira. He’s proven to be a bit of a bulldog in the midfield, regularly serving as the man tasked with clearing up everything that is thrown at him from the opposition attackers. He’s quick, he’s aggressive – he’s got it all.
Further forward, Mateo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka would serve as the key players in this midfield. They’ll be expected to contribute defensively and offensively, but that shouldn’t be a problem. They both work hard and are solid with the ball at their feet.
Mesut Ozil, then, could return to his classic number 10 position. The German is fantastic at pulling the strings, and he shouldn’t have to move out wide to accommodate other players. He wouldn’t need to in this role, and he could be the perfect number ten to help provide for the lethal players ahead of him.
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This formation would also allow both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to play together and in their preferred position – and that’s the perfect situation for Arsenal. Neither player deserves to be out of position or on the bench, and they’ve already built up a great partnership. Teams with two forwards are a bit archaic, but perhaps Emery could bring this back to the fore.
This team offers everything, whilst also retaining everyone in their rightful positions. Mesut Ozil could be back to his best, and this team would help him get back to that level.
Sadio Mane has become a crucial part of Liverpool’s attack, so much so that it would be a huge blow for Jurgen Klopp to lose him.
The Senegal international signed for the Merseyside outfit from Southampton in the summer of 2016 for a fee in the region of £34m.
Mane has gone on to make 86 appearances in all competitions, scoring 40 goals and racking up 18 assists.
The 26-year-old has teamed up with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to form a devastating attack under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Nowadays, Mane along with the rest of the trio are the first names on the teamsheet, but there is a slight concern amid reports from the Liverpool Echo that he is yet to sign a new contract.
The attack-minded star still has two years left to run on his current terms, so penning fresh ones is not a matter of urgency.
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This news led us to ask you how much you think Mane is worth in this current market, and most fans believe that he is worth more than double what he signed for.
Manchester City’s Premier League title defence got off to a good start after Pep Guardiola’s men defeated Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates last Sunday.
And, according to the Telegraph, it was an ex-Arsenal player who played a pivotal role in Manchester City leaving London with all three points.
Mikel Arteta, who is currently one of Guardiola’s assistant coaches at the Etihad and was heavily linked with the Arsenal job before Unai Emery was appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor, was instrumental in Manchester City’s second goal.
The Telegraph reports the former Arsenal man suggested a tactical tweak that allowed Bernardo to fire into the top corner to put the Premier League champions 2-0 in front.
It is still early days but, should Arteta continue to work under Guardiola and evolve as a coach capable of making decisive in-game adjustments like the one made in the Citizens’ triumph over Arsenal, then the Spaniard could one day find himself in the Etihad dugout.
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Have a look at what Manchester City supporters are saying about Arteta below…
Liverpool announced on Tuesday that they had completed the signing of highly-rated South American Anderson Arroyo from Fortaleza CEIF.
It was World Football Index that first broke the story towards the end of last month.
Arroyo, who is a Colombia Under-20 international, has previously spent time with the Reds on trial, and has now been confirmed as a new signing.
Arroyo is currently unavailable to represent Liverpool due to work permit issues, however, and he has been sent immediately on loan to Spanish outfit Real Mallorca.
The defender will spend 18 months with Mallorca ahead of returning to Anfield, where he will hope to fight for a first-team position.
Liverpool have struggled to find a consistent performer at left-back in recent years, and Arroyo could well develop into a future star for the Premier League club.
Liverpool’s fans have been reacting to the news, and whilst some are looking forward to Arroyo’s development, others are not sure whether they will see him again.
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A selection of the Twitter reaction to the signing can be seen below:
Since Abu Dhabi United Group’s famous takeover in 2008 Manchester City have become one of the biggest and wealthiest clubs in the world, attracting world-class players and having the money to buy them.
The club have become one of the world’s biggest spenders in the past couple of seasons and have already spent over £200million on five new players this summer. The ongoing summer saga, though, are the rumours of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez making the switch to the Etihad Stadium.
But for once, Pep Guardiola should put away the cheque book and abandon his Chilean chase.
The 28-year-old forward is currently being pursued by Europe’s elite as he has one year remaining on his Gunners contract and has shown no signs of agreeing a new one. Sanchez, who worked under Guardiola at Barcelona, is one of the Premier League’s best attackers – scoring 30 goals and assisting 19 in 51 total appearances last year – so it is no surprise that he is so highly coveted.
Arsene Wenger has said multiple times this summer that his best player is going nowhere but if he does leave, Manchester City shouldn’t be his destination.
The Sky Blues already have a wealth of talented attackers at their disposal and while Alexis certainly wouldn’t struggle to claim a starting place, Pep should stick with the stars already at his club.
Alexis excelled as a centre forward last season and that position is already taken up by Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus at City. The Chilean can also star as a winger, but Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sané and £43.5 million new-boy Bernardo Silva is a dangerous triumvirate as it is.
If Patrick Roberts stays with the club, he would add more firepower on City’s wings, all without having to spend big on Sanchez.
The Chilean also has gotten used to being the main man over the past three seasons at the Emirates, and he definitely wouldn’t have that role at the Etihad. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are the playmakers for the Sky Blues and Bernardo Silva also fits that bill, even though he will likely be on the wing most of this season.
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Although Sanchez’ talents certainly fit with the City squad, there is no clear role for him unless Pep surprisingly sells one of the aforementioned players.
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Alexis Sanchez is an appealing potential transfer for any club because of his sheer talent and drive to win, but Manchester City shouldn’t be trying to bring him in. His addition would create a cluster of extremely talented attackers who all want to play but have limited time on the pitch.
The 28-year old certainly isn’t a ‘must-have’ player for Pep’s squad and thus the club should be looking to spend its money elsewhere, or maybe just stick with the quality squad already there.
Wayne Rooney has decided to end his association with Manchester United and move to the lucrative Chinese Super League, according to The Sun.
What’s the story?
The England international’s club future has been a talking point throughout the season due to his failure to hold down a regular starting spot under manager Jose Mourinho.
The forward has started just eight Premier League games out of 22 and has had to settle for a bit-part role at Old Trafford.
The Sun reports that Rooney wanted to finish his career at United, but his lack of game time is a big reason why he is considering staggering offers of £1m-a-week salaries in the Far East.
The newspaper also states that after breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s 249-goal record to become United’s all-time leading scorer, Rooney is ready to walk away from the club where he has spent the last 13 years of his career.
The Chinese Super League seems to be the forward’s likely destination after reportedly not receiving any offers from MLS clubs in the United States.
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Would Rooney be making a mistake?
It is understandable for the ex-Everton star to want regular football, but at the age of 31 he is entering the final years of his playing career.
Most players at Rooney’s age can still perform consistently at the top level, but his physical build and early rise (he burst onto the scene at the age of 16) means that he is unlikely to play into his mid-to-late thirties.
The likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard played the final years of their careers in the United States, so it would not be a huge shock if Rooney opted to move across the pond.
The problem with signing for a Chinese club, though, is what it could do to the forward’s image and reputation.
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Of course, Rooney is already on a ridiculous salary at United, but the widespread feeling when a high-profile player joins a Chinese club is that they are purely going for the money.
As one of the most famous English footballers of his generation, Rooney will want to end his career on a high, so moving to the Far East would not fit that narrative.
Amid all the talk hyping Liverpool up as title contenders, the loss to Newcastle United seems to have put the brakes on the title parade and reminded us all that Jurgen Klopp has more of a project on his hands than we initially thought.
The Premier League crown may be a tad ambitious, but reaching the top four is certainly an achievable aim. There has clearly been progress since Klopp’s instillation at the helm in October, having beaten the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City with relative ease.
The Newcastle game was unlucky in the way Alberton Moreno’s screamer should have stood, and a fit Daniel Sturridge would have surely buried his chance when seemingly through on goal. However, the performance did not do a lot to deserve anything from the game and the loss to Crystal Palace was largely a similar story.
Perhaps it won’t be as easy as we all thought after the annihilation of Man City, and the squad could do with some rounding out.
The German will need time to impose his style on Merseyside and the addition of some players he truly believes will help him to do so.
With that in mind, here are FIVE BOLD January transfer targets to boost Liverpool’s top four hopes…
JACK BUTLAND
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Despite the public backing of Simon Mignolet, the Belgian ‘keeper has failed to convince fans and pundits alike that he is of the required standard to mind the net of a club like Liverpool.
In light of this, and especially after his Bordeaux blunder, Stoke City man Jack Butland has been linked with a move to Anfield. The 22-year-old has distanced himself from such rumours, but we all know that doesn’t mean an awful lot in the modern game.
The England international has been sensational this year, emerging as a genuine contender for Joe Hart’s previously undisputed Number 1 jersey for the Three Lions. While he’s likely to command a huge fee, the former Birmingham youngster is a long-term option and worthy of any excess that may arise from the premium placed on English players.
He would certainly be an improvement on what Klopp already has and could be the Anfield custodian for another 15 years.
NEVEN SUBOTIC
Neven Subotic was one of the stalwarts of Klopp’s impressive reign at Borussia Dortmund and has failed to rule out a move away in January.
The 26-year old Serbian international was a favourite during Klopp’s time in Germany and could help shore up a defence that is questionable on the odd occasion. Subotic would be a vast improvement on Dejan Lovren and his arrival would spark competition between Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho.
While he’s not Mats Hummels, the Serb is solid and would certainly take the defence up another level.
MAURO ICARDI
We did say BOLD transfer rumours. The 22-year-old is one of the most highly rated young players in world football thanks to his 31-goal form for the San Siro outfit last term.
With any young player, the Argentina international has suffered a slight dip in form this season under Roberto Mancini but has been linked with a £35m move to Anfield.
As Daniel Sturridge is always on the verge of another injury, the Argentine would be a huge statement of intent should he be secured. Money spent now will be money saved in the future as he is likely to become one of the top frontmen in the game later in his career.
LUCAS MOURA
Lucas Moura is perhaps ideal for Klopp at the present moment. While he has failed to live up to the hype in the French capital, the PSG man has been battling it out for places with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani for large parts of his time there.
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Ever since Raheem Sterling and Lazar Markovic left, the Reds have lacked out and out wide options. Jordon Ibe is proving to be an exciting prospect, but other than defender Alberto Moreno, he is the only natural wide option.
Moura is jet heeled and full of energy. The Brazilian has previously been linked with Manchester United, but reported Anfield interest is emerging. He would be an excellent signing, a player to truly drag them away from the mind numbingly ineffective possession based football imposed by Brendan Rodgers.
ANDRE AYEW
The least glamorous of the aforementioned names, but Swansea star Andre Ayew has been linked with a move to Anfield. The Reds lack a wide forward as the unbalanced squad contains a plethora of Number 10s, four natural strikers, but barely any wide options.
Though he only arrived at Swansea in the summer, the Ghanaian has been mightily impressive at the Liberty Stadium amid the Swans’ struggles. Should Klopp come in with an offer, it’s not hard to imagine the club accepting due to their current situation.
He would add goals from wide areas as well as a creative spark on either the right or left. Able to cut inside and support a central striker, the 25-year-old has qualities for the Merseyside giants are crying out for.
Swansea City are ready to give Sunderland loan star Ki Sung-Yueng another chance to shine at the Liberty Stadium, according to the Sunderland Echo.
Ki has been one of the most consistent performers for the Black Cats this season, and manager Gus Poyet has made no secret of his desire to keep him at the Stadium of Light.
But with time running out for Sunderland to save themselves from relegation, it seems unlikely Ki’s loan deal will be made permanent.
And that means Swansea are set to recall the South Korean international, who fell out of favour at the Liberty Stadium under Michael Laudrup, despite making 38 appearances during his debut season.
But with Laudrup now out of the picture, caretaker boss Garry Monk – who is looking increasingly likely to be appointed on a permanent basis – believes the 25-year-old has a future in South Wales.
Monk said: “Ki is a quality player. You can see the potential he has with what he has delivered for Sunderland this season.
“He has put in some great performances there and he’s been scoring goals, which has not been great for us.
“In a way it’s good to see, but in another way you don’t want to see it.
“I think Ki could potentially be a great player for Swansea, but of course we will have to see how he feels at the end of the season.
“I don’t know if other clubs will be interested in him come the summer – all that will come out.
“But he is a Swansea player and he is the type you want at the club.
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“We need to let players like Ki know how important they are going forward and I think he is.
“He might not have suited one manager, but it doesn’t mean he won’t suit the next manager. For me, I think he is a very good player who could play a key role for Swansea.”