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Machester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted he is struggling to find answers for his team's performances after their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

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• Pep says City must 'start winning games'
• Guardiola refused to blame Ederson for defeat
• City now four points adrift of Forest

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Callum Hudson-Odoi's 83rd minute winner consigned City to their ninth defeat in the Premier League this season. The winger beat Ederson at his near post, but Guardiola refused to blame the defeat on his goalkeeper.

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  The defeat leaves City four points adrift of Forest in third. This defeat raises questions of whether the reigning English champions will qualify for the Champions League next season.

• WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

  Pep Guardiola said: "We have to find a way to play better. We have to start winning games. We don't win enough games in a row. It is what it is. But we have to do something because it will not come from the sky."

  Pressed on Ederson's role in the goal, he said: "It is what it is. I never blame a player. I didn't see the action, but it happened. With 10 games left, Forest are in the position that they are because they are a good team."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  Guardiola also said the next "10 games are like finals" for his team as they look to secure Champions League football. Their next fixture in the league sees them host Brighton. After the international break, City travel to Bournemouth for an FA Cup quarter final tie.

Last season, Oliver Glasner took the reins at Crystal Palace halfway through the campaign, leading the Eagles to a brilliant tenth place finish in the Premier League.

However, so far this season, the loss of Michael Olise, some injury issues throughout the squad, and just a slow start overall has led Palace into 18th place, currently languishing in the relegation zone.

Palace averaged 41.6% possession last season, took 12 shots per match, and conceded just 12.1 shots per game. However, so far this term, the Eagles have averaged 44.6% of the ball, taken 14.3 shots per match, and allowed 13.7 shots per fixture.

The numbers tell us they haven’t actually been as bad as their league position suggests, and a few injured players returning, adding some extra quality, could start to see a shift in results and allow them to climb out of the relegation zone.

Crystal Palace team news before Newcastle

Glasner will remain without Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca, who are both out with long-term injuries, Franca suffering a rib fracture, and Riad suffering from a knee injury.

Adam Wharton is expected to remain out, as he is recovering from a groin injury which he had surgery to address. The Eagles are hoping to have the English midfielder back in the coming weeks.

Daichi Kamada also remains out through suspension, after his straight red card against Fulham. However, one man who’s capable of replacing Kamada in the team could return from injury for this game, as Eberechi Eze looks set to play a part against Newcastle for the first time in a month.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Fantastic Crystal Palace star must return to the lineup

Speaking in a recent press conference the manager confirmed that Eze is on the verge of returning to the match day squad, with last week’s clash against Aston Villa providing to be soon for the England international.

Despite injury, Eze has been the hub of creativity for Palace this season, a burden that was often shared between himself and Olise in the past. Scout Jacek Kulig described Eze as “fantastic” back in 2020, and the 26-year-old is now a consistent member of the national squad.

Kamada has often played in his advanced role this season, and Palace fans will be glad to see Eze back, adding more variation to their attacking play in those advanced zones.

The metrics above show how much more effective Eze has been in creation for the Eagles, averaging more key passes, more shot-creating actions, more progressive carries per 90, and better output in both goals and assists this season.

The summer signing only ranks ahead of the former QPR man in one metric analysed above, and that is progressive passes per 90. This is most likely due to the deeper midfield role the Japan star has played on several occasions in the absence of Wharton, giving him more build-up responsibility in their own half.

The return of Eze could be exactly what Palace needs to start converting their chances and find that extra creative edge in games. With the Englishman in tow, they stand a far better chance of climbing their way out of the relegation zone and saving Glasner’s job.

Exciting Crystal Palace academy star could be their next Zaha

This Crystal Palace academy star can finally replace Zaha.

By
Connor Holden

Nov 28, 2024

Colombian star James Rodriguez has rated himself above several Real Madrid legends including Zinedine Zidane, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

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• Rodriguez looks back on his career
• Feels he compared favourably with the greats
• Tips Bellingham to win Ballon d'Or

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rodriguez shot to fame at the 2014 World Cup when he scored a sensational goal against Uruguay and ended the tournament as the top scorer. The Colombia star earned a move to Real Madrid off the back of his heroics in Brazil and played under Zidane at the Santiago Bernabeu and alongside the likes of Modric and Kroos.

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  The 33-year-old has now been quizzed about his career at Real Madrid and which players he feels are the best in the world. He told Edu Aguirre on the program that his top three are “Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius.” Rodriguez also went on to rank himself above Modric, Kroos and even legendary Frenchman Zidane. He revealed: "Zidane was very good, he won the World Cup in his prime, but… James.”

• WHAT RODRIGUEZ SAID

  Rodriguez also tipped Bellingham to be named the best player on the planet in the future. He added: “I scored more than 14 goals and 15 assists, I think. It was a spectacular year, similar to the year Bellingham had in his first season. I really like the way he plays. I think he could win a Ballon d'Or. Of course, to win the Ballon d'Or, I had Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Xavi, Suárez, Neymar… in 2014, I finished eighth, with these greats ahead of me. Yes, I would have liked to win the Ballon d'Or; I came close, but it's true that I was more focused on winning titles like the Champions League.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RODRIGUEZ

  Rodriguez has enjoyed stints all over the world during his career and currently plays for Mexican side Leon after mutually terminating his contract with La Liga side Rayo Vallecano in January. Leon currently sit second in the table, just a point off leaders Club America.

Former Manchester United star Louis Saha has urged the club to bring back Paul Pogba for a third stint, hailing the midfielder as "one of a kind".

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• Saha hailed Pogba as a 'one of a kind'
• Wants Man Utd to re-sign Frenchman
• Pogba training in Miami

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pogba has been without a club since last November when he mutually terminated his Juventus contract. The Frenchman is now able to return to football after serving an 18-month doping ban. His initial suspension of four years was reduced on appeal. The World Cup-winning midfielder is currently training in Miami as he is gearing up to make a comeback to professional football. Pogba has been linked with moves to MLS and the Saudi Pro League, but has yet to receive any formal offers.

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  Amid speculation over his next destination, ex-United forward Saha has urged the Premier League giants to consider bringing back Pogba for a third stint at Old Trafford. Saha spoke highly of his compatriot's abilities, albeit while admitting the midfielder will carry "baggage" after so long away from the pitch.

• WHAT LOUIS SAHA SAID

  Speaking to , Saha said: "I think so. I think that he's still one of a kind. When you look at his quality, when you look at the squad we have in midfield, he's a better player in terms of unpredictability and technical ability. I think he's of a higher standard than the players that we have. Maybe physically, he's not as good, that's for sure. Because he hasn't played for quite a while.

  "Confidence-wide, he’ll be fine. Do we have guarantees about him? We don't, but I'm sure, mentally, he's refreshed. He's motivated because he has to prove a point to many. So this is something to play with and it could be an exciting project. Yes, there is baggage, but I think he has probably learned a lot during that time. I would think that's a good gamble."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim's United side will be back in action in the Premier League next week as they take on Nottingham Forest in a difficult away fixture.

Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid has seemingly come at a costly price, with Ibrahima Konate set to be out until 2025 alongside another absentee in a double blow for Arne Slot.

Liverpool injury news

Whilst some title rivals may be quick to mention Liverpool’s lack of injury struggles now that the quality of their opponents has become a worthless argument, the Reds are far from without their concerns. At various points in the current campaign, Slot has already been without Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott. Now, the Dutchman’s set to miss key man Konate for up to six weeks.

Now likely turning towards either the experienced Joe Gomez or the younger Jarell Quansah, Liverpool must hope to escape a hectic festive period unscathed and with their Premier League lead intact. But it’s not just that Frenchman that Slot will be without.

According to The Belfast Telegraph, Conor Bradley is also set to be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering an injury in his excellent display against Kylian Mabppe and Real Madrid.

Liverpool nearing first breakthrough in contract talks with £220k-p/w star

A major relief for Arne Slot.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 1, 2024

The Northern Irishman acts as the perfect cover for Alexander-Arnold – as highlighted against Real Madrid – but could now miss the next nine Liverpool games. His injury creates quite the dilemma for Slot too.

In usual circumstances, Gomez would be the man to provide cover for Alexander-Arnold in Bradley’s absence, but he’s now needed to provide cover in central defence amid Konate’s injury and potentially even at left-back until Tsimikas returns from his own injury. So, just who would step in if Alexander-Arnold also suffered an ill-timed knock remains to be seen.

Games that "outstanding" Bradley could miss for Liverpool

Liverpool’s injuries have piled up at the busiest time of the year in the Premier League. During December, alone, the Reds are set to play eight more games after already squaring off against Manchester City. It’s a period in which squad depth is key and squad depth that Liverpool currently have sidelined rather than sitting on the Anfield bench this month.

A cup quarter-final and games against two of the Premier League’s top six, Liverpool will undoubtedly miss the backup that Bradley provides for Alexander-Arnold amid so many fixtures.

Praised for his “outstanding attitude” by former manager Jurgen Klopp last season, Bradley must now fight back to full fitness alongside Konate if he wants to play a large part in a crucial second-half in the Premier League campaign.

Erling Haaland's former club Bryne FK handed out four trays of eggs to goalkeeper Jan de Boer for his brilliant performance against Bodo/Glimt.

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• Bryne rewarded their best player with trays of eggs
• Team went down 1-0 against Bodo/Glimt in season opener
• Returned to top division after 22 years

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bryne FK have come up with a unique method to reward their top performers as they handed goalkeeper Jan de Boer four trays of eggs to reward him for his magnificent performances in their season opener against Bodo/Glimt on Sunday. While the Europa League quarter-finalists won the clash 1-0, De Beor had a terrific outing as he made a series of saves, including stopping a second half penalty, to keep the scoreline respectable. After the game, the custodian was spotted holding egg trays.

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  Bryne FK returned to the Norwegian top division for the first time since 2003 after finishing second behind Valerenga in the Norwegian First Division 2024 season. Manchester City goal machine Haaland began his professional career at Bryne in 2016 before moving to Molde a year later.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The club's gesture to award eggs is a nod to their ties with local agriculture, which predominantly consists of meat and dairy production. The local people also associate with farming and the club's fans often chant "we are farmers and we are proud of it" in the stadium.

• WHAT NEXT FOR BRYNE FK?

  Bryne will next face Kristiansund on April 6, however, this time, the team's best performer will be handed cartons of local milk.

Newcastle United now want to sign a new forward for Eddie Howe in what could be a repeat of the Tino Livramento deal, according to a fresh report.

Newcastle strike gold with Livramento

Once on the books of Chelsea and clearly talented, Newcastle struck gold when they took a gamble on an injury-hit Livramento. Arriving from Southampton, he has gone on to nail down a place in Howe’s first XI this season, starting 13 times in the Premier League and ousting veteran Kieran Trippier from right-back.

His performances saw him called up to the England senior set up for the first time earlier in the campaign, and Howe has always been effusive in his praise of the defender, who he praised alongside Lewis Hall after their game against Chelsea earlier in the season.

“They are two outstanding players, and it would have been a big day for them, coming back to their former club”, he explained. “I thought they did themselves proud, both in and out of possession. Our full-backs are such a big part of what we do, and how we attack. I thought they used the ball really well.

“They were given tough examinations, they were up against very good opponents. But I was really pleased with both of their performances.”

Still just 22-years-old, Livramento is likely to be Newcastle’s first choice fullback for much of the next decade should he remain at St James’ Park, and could well go on to become a legend on Tyneside if his early performances are anything to go by. Now, Newcastle want to repeat that trick.

Newcastle want special Saints talent

That comes as Football Insider report that the Magpies are ready to fight it out with Manchester United to sign impressive young forward Tyler Dibling from Southampton.

Though the Saints have just a single win to their name so far this season, Dibling has been a sole bright spark for the club, with the teenager turning in a string of excellent performances.

Howe could revive Joelinton by unleashing Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson

Newcastle host Brentford in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 18, 2024

Speaking on Match of the Day, former Premier League ace Danny Murphy revealed he expects Dibling to become a star: “It is the quality he has got – the belief in himself and the physical power. He just goes past people with ease. He has got a lovely left foot. He is very brave on the ball and his decision-making is good.

“It is difficult to get too over the top with these young players, because he has just come on to the scene, but he is going to be something special.”

His form has caught the eye of other Premier League sides, while he is down to the final 18 months of his £5,000-a-week deal on the South coast and is yet to pen fresh terms, leaving clubs sniffing a potential opportunity.

Newcastle are one of those sides, with Howe’s side “keeping tabs on his progress”, while his additon would fit into their plan “to give young English talents a chance to shine” on Tyneside.

Though a deal in January is unlikely, Dibling could be available in the summer should Southampton get relegated, in the same way that Livramento moved away following their relegation in 2022.

Like two years ago, Newcastle could offer the perfect destination for a young talent to develop, while they would simultaneously solve their problematic right-wing position, which is believed to be their priority in the coming windows.

Former Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams has opened up on his life after being released by the Red Devils.

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• Williams opens up on life after United release
• Could face prison sentence
• Man Utd face Man City on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Williams graduated from United's youth system and made his senior debut for the club in 2019. He spent the next two years at Old Trafford, making 21 Premier League appearances, before being sent on loan to Norwich City in 2021. He then spent the 2023-24 season on a second loan spell at Ipswich Town, but last summer the club announced that the player had been released after his contract expired.

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  The 24-year-old defender was caught speeding at 99mph in August 2023 and pleaded guilty to the charge last month, admitting to driving without third-party insurance. Williams' Audi A3 collided with a Ford Fiesta before crashing into the central reservation. The player will learn his sentence at a hearing that has been scheduled for May 9. He could receive a prison sentence of up to two years, the maximum set for such a conviction.

• WHAT BRANDON WILLIAMS SAID

  Williams has shared his agony after leaving his boyhood club last summer as he spoke on . He said: "I was literally just staying in bed, he [unknown] used to turn up at like nine o'clock or something at my bedside. Trying to do something like 'let's go on a walk, let's go for a coffee'."

  When asked how bad it got, he replied: "Yeah, it's dark." The full-back continued: "It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. I miss being in a team, I miss being on the coach, I just think it's that thing where it gets too much for somebody sometimes. Maybe I needed that break, just take everything in to reset."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  After a frustrating defeat at the City Ground in midweek, Ruben Amorim's side will aim to get back to winning ways this Sunday when they face rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.

Despite having both Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran to call on, Aston Villa are now reportedly eyeing a move to sign a £25m striker who’s outscored both of Unai Emery’s star men so far this season.

Aston Villa transfer news

Sat seventh in the Premier League, Aston Villa’s season is yet to hit the heights of the last campaign but that’s not to say that they’ve endured a complete disaster this time around. Attempting to balance Champions League football for the first time in forever, the Villans have enjoyed victories against the likes of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig as well as a well-earned draw against Italian giants Juventus.

On the Premier League side of things though, there is room for improvement after a dramatic 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest last time out. A result of that manner just days after a Champions League victory suggests that the Villans need to return to the market for some much-needed squad depth in 2025. And that could see yet another talented forward arrive.

Aston Villa interested in signing £30m player with same agent as Barkley

Aston Villa are in the race to sign a player who is struggling for regular minutes.

By
Brett Worthington

Dec 19, 2024

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Aston Villa are now eyeing Manfred Ugalde from Spartak Moscow. The impressive 22-year-old reportedly has a release clause of just £25m and has attracted the interest of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest alongside Aston Villa as a result.

It shouldn’t come as too great a shock that Ugalde is beginning to steal the headlines, either. After all, the Spartak Moscow star has scored an incredible 15 goals in 18 Russian Premier League games so far this season in a record that not many can match throughout Europe.

"Relentless" Ugalde could hand Emery selection headache

Whilst Aston Villa remain one of the richest teams in the Premier League when it comes to star strikers, with both Watkins and Duran to choose from, a side gunning for the top four can arguably never have too many goalscorers. And that could yet open the door for one more option to emerge and hand Emery the ultimate selection headache.

If handing Watkins the starting role over Duran has been difficult enough, then the arrival of Ugalde would provide Emery with another task entirely. With all three to choose from, the Villans would undoubtedly have one of the best selection of strikers in the Premier League.

At the centre of praise as a result of his goalscoring exploits both at FC Twente and now at Spartak Moscow, analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed the forward “relentless” at the start of the year and he’s only maintained that level ever since.

Of course, there are other positions that Aston Villa must strengthen, but that may not stand in the way of one more goalscorer joining their ranks and combining with both Watkins and Duran.

One thing that Glasgow Rangers have lacked in recent years is a midfielder who can control games from deep and dictate play, especially during Old Firm clashes.

Far too often since the Light Blues’ last Premiership title win, the club have been overrun in the big games against Celtic, with Callum McGregor doing much of the heavy lifting in leading his team to victory more often than not.

It is no surprise that, since the 2020/21 campaign, the Ibrox side have managed to win just two Old Firm matches in the league and something needs to change in these games if Clement aims to finally get the better of the Parkhead side.

The current midfield, which tends to feature two of either Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande or Connor Barron, has shown glimpses of their talents throughout the 2024/25 season. The question is, can they now dominate a game against Celtic in the Premiership?

If only Clement could call upon the services of a player who enjoyed two wonderful spells at Rangers. One that had the guile and ability to control games against Celtic regularly – Steven Davis.

Steven Davis’ Rangers statistics

The Northern Irishman first made the move to Glasgow midway through the 2007/08 season, arriving on a six-month loan in a bid to help Walter Smith’s side challenge on four fronts.

He scored against Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup last-16 clash, which powered the Gers to an impressive 2-0 win over the Germans, and he ended up with League Cup and Scottish Cup winners’ medals by the end of the season.

Smith splashed out £3m to sign him permanently in August 2008, and it soon proved to be money well spent.

Over the next three seasons, the Light Blues would win three domestic titles, along with a handful of cups as Smith built another excellent Rangers side.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Davis made 143 appearances in all competitions between 2008/09 and 2010/11, becoming a key player in the heart of the midfield. Due to the club entering administration in 2012, he left to join Southampton and the fans would have to wait another seven years to see him again.

In a similar scenario to 2008, Steven Gerrard signed Davis on loan in January 2019 before his deal was made permanent that summer and the midfielder enjoyed an Indian summer at the club over the next couple of years.

He added another league title and Scottish Cup to his collection, while helping the Gers reach another European final, 14 years after first achieving the feat.

Across his two spells at the club, Davis won 17 of his 35 games against Celtic, tasting defeat just 12 times and during his second spell, he was a regular tormentor in the heart of the midfield.

The club haven’t quite had a midfielder like him since he was forced to retire in January 2024 after suffering a serious knee injury in December 2022.

Could Clement be targeting a move for a Northern Irish midfielder next month who could perhaps finally be the next Davis for the Light Blues?

Rangers transfer news

As reported by Belgian outlet Walfoot earlier this month, Rangers are showing interest in Standard Liege midfielder Isaac Price ahead of making a potential move for the player when the winter window opens in a few days.

He could cost around £3m if Clement is serious about bolstering his midfield, although he may have to sell a player or two to raise the funds required.

It is evident that the manager needs to add some quality to his team and get rid of the deadwood. A move for Price makes perfect sense in this regard. Aged just 21, he is only going to improve, and could form a wonderful partnership with Diomande in the midfield.

What Isaac Price could bring to Rangers

This season, Diomande has tended to operate either at the base of the midfield alongside Raskin or Barron, or in an advanced role just behind the striker.

It is in the latter position where the Ivorian has proved decisive in the final third. Indeed, two of his three goals scored this season have come while playing as a number ten.

Domestically, Diomande has created three big chances, averages one key pass per game and succeeds with 62% of his dribble attempts, suggesting that a more advanced role certainly suits his attributes.

This could see Price come into the team and operate at the heart of the midfield, allowing him to link up well with the Ivorian gem. Price has made 21 appearances for the Belgian side this season and has shone across a wide range of performance metrics.

Showcasing his attacking talents, Price has created four big chances, averaging 1.1 key passes per game and succeeds with 0.5 dribbles each match in the Belgian Pro League this season.

Defensively, the midfielder recovers 4.5 balls, makes two tackles per game and wins 4.9 of his total duels per game, indicating how effective he is when his side doesn’t have the ball.

Having started his career at Everton and going on to play for the club in the Premier League, Price shouldn’t be fazed by making the move to Rangers, that’s for sure.

Former Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic once heaped praise on the young midfielder, saying:

Moving abroad has allowed him to improve as a player and this could stand him in good stead over the next few years.

Davis was a wonderful player for the Light Blues. Could his compatriot Price follow in his footsteps?

Only time will tell.

Imagine him & Igamane: Rangers could already have their own Evan Ferguson

Rangers have a talented youngster ready to make his mark at Ibrox

By
Ross Kilvington

Dec 28, 2024