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In his time in the Premier League, Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has established himself as one of the best in the business in the top-flight.

The Mexico international has been banging in the goals, left, right and centre for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. In 88 total games for the club, he has racked up 39 goals and 18 assists across all competitions, including finding the back of the net 22 times this season alone.

His record quite simply makes him a must-have for a side like Tottenham. According to ESPN, both Spurs and Arsenal are interested in luring the forward away from Molineux, but he is far more necessary for the former.

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Jose Mourinho’s side have looked toothless up front without Harry Kane – they couldn’t manage a single goal over two legs against RB Leipzig for example in the Champions League for example.

Jimenez would prove to be more than just a valuable back-up for the Lilywhites, instead genuinely pushing Kane for that starting number nine role.

And based on how Mourinho himself has described the Wolves star, then this swoop becomes a no-brainer. After seeing Nuno’s team beat Spurs earlier this season, the north London side’s boss remarked: “They have Jimenez yes, fantastic player, and they have that incredible counter attack which is very difficult to stop, especially if you don’t have that mentality they showed.”

With a couple of seasons under his belt in the top-flight, Jimenez would be able to hot the ground running for Spurs. Signing someone from abroad would obviously take some adaptation time, whereas the Mexican wouldn’t.

It’s exactly why Mourinho’s side simply have to be at the the top of the conversation when it comes to clubs competing for the 6 foot 3 striker’s signature.

Meanwhile, this former Spurs ace proved Mauricio Pochettino wrong.

This Thursday we have a real treat in store as Liverpool will welcome Leicester City at Anfield for a real cracker of a game. And Virgil van Dijk, as is already usual, might hold the keys to their victory in his hands.

On the chalkboard

Brendan Rodgers’ team has been the revelation of the season over in the Premier League and just the fact that the Foxes are once again flying high and might even pose a threat to Liverpool’s march towards the title speaks enough volume of their success.

But going into this game, they will have a huge test and one that very well may determine how the rest of the campaign unfolds.

Of course, with Jamie Vardy in their ranks, Leicester’s attack looks as formidable as ever as the veteran gunman is literally firing on all cylinders.

For that reason, stopping him will be crucial for Jurgen Klopp’s success. And that, of course, is a job for a certain Ballon d’Or runner-up.

Attack vs defence

The clash between Van Dijk and Vardy on the pitch is practically unavoidable and the Premier League’s finest are bound to lock horns on Thursday evening at Anfield.

And neither of them actually needs a big introduction as their names already tell enough of a story.

Liverpool’s 6 ft 3 colossus, the 2019 Ballon d’Or runner-up, is a true rock in defence and has been lauded by legends in the past. The numbers also speak for themselves, even though they are not as inflated as one would expect.

No clues: Can you name the season these iconic Liverpool images belong to?

His 0.8 tackles, one interception and 0.2 times dribbled past stats per game are decent but not otherworldly figures. With Van Dijk, it’s mostly about snuffing out the danger before it even presents itself and tackling and intercepting becomes the very last weapon in his arsenal – this will be crucial to stopping the prolific Englishman.

For Vardy, however, it’s the exact opposite as the 32-year-old forward has already bagged 17 goals and three assists in the Premier League, averaging 2.7 shots and 0.7 key passes per game.

His numbers indicate he is as lethal as they come and for that very reason, this battle just might decide who exits the bout with all three points.

Let’s see who ends up coming out on top.

Meanwhile, many Liverpool fans were furious with FA’s incredible decision…

According to The Harrow Times, Everton are interested in signing Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré from Watford. 

It is a move that would see the Frenchman link up with former manager Marco Silva, who was with The Hornets up until last season.

The Toffees have been linked with a huge host of midfielders as of late, with rumours recently circulating that they are also interested in signing Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele. In addition to the fact that they want to make the André Gomes loan deal permanent, this seems like an area that Silva is desperately trying to address.

Now of course this will raise some eyebrows at Everton’s transfer policy, as they have not set their sights on recruiting a recognised striker, despite their apparent dearth of them. However, the thing that these transfer targets reveal is Everton’s opinion of their current crop of players, particularly Morgan Schneiderlin.

In the midfield at Goodison Park, alongside Gomes, Idrissa Gueye has been a consistently high performer. In addition to them, Tom Davies, who undoubtedly has a very bright future for The Blues, is very unlikely to leave. These three are held in high regard by Silva, but less can be said about Schneiderlin.

The Frenchman has made just four starts for Everton this season, as he has failed to win over his new manager. For a while the fans have been growing restless over his performances, and Everton’s plans in the upcoming transfer window is a clear indication of Schneiderlin’s future.

Even if the club fail to land Doucouré or Ndombele, they have made a clear enough statement, and don’t be surprised if Schneiderlin is shown the door.

All things considered, it’s been a difficult start to the season for Rafa Benitez and Newcastle. The Magpies have just one point from four Premier League games so far this term and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Nottingham Forest last week.

There have also been rumours of unrest during training sessions, with the Daily Mail reporting that captain Jamaal Lascelles and winger Matt Ritchie had to be separated by fellow players during a session and in the dressing room after Lascelles had expressed his disappointment over Benitez’s tactics for the Chelsea game.

It was these tactics that will have also irked Newcastle fans after they supported the Spanish boss so vocally during pre-season in his public battle with owner Mike Ashley. Benitez went with one up front, handing Salomon Rondon his first start, and replaced his usual number 10 with an extra central defender.

The Magpies lost 2-1 and had just 19 per cent possession at St. James’ Park, with Rondon’s lonely role posing the question of just who Benitez should be starting as either a pair or lone striker up top. Here at Football FanCast we’ve had a look at the options.

Salomon Rondon – Lone striker

The big Venezuelan joined Newcastle on loan from West Brom this summer, with Dwight Gayle heading the other way in a temporary swap deal. His first appearance came from the bench against Spurs on the first day of the season where he struck the crossbar late on.

The 28-year-old was then deployed from the start by Benitez as a target man against Chelsea and Manchester City, but he failed to hold the ball up and bring others into the games, despite seemingly being the best fit for the Spaniard’s system.

Rondon netted his first goal in the Carabao Cup against Forest but the Chelsea loss seemed to prove that he will need a strike partner to work with in the future.

Joselu – Lone striker

It’s unlikely that Benitez will ever start Joselu up front with Rondon, but the 28-year-old has certainly made his case to start ahead of the new signing recently.

After netting just four goals in 30 Premier League appearances last season, the former Spain U21 international now has two already in this campaign, both of which were headers that came against members of the top six.

Joselu + Ayoze Perez

This season will be Perez’s fifth in the North East and the Spaniard will be hoping that he is deployed in his favoured position just off a recognised striker. When Rondon plays though, it seems as though Perez has almost always been shifted out onto the left-hand side of the midfield.

During the first two games of the season against Spurs and Cardiff though, Perez was given the nod by Benitez to start alongside his compatriot Joselu and this could well be the Magpies’ best current combination based on their form at the beginning of this campaign.

Rondon + Yoshinori Muto

Japanese international Muto joined the club from Mainz this summer in one of the rare moments that Ashley allowed Benitez to spend money. His goalscoring record in the Bundesliga was certainly impressive, although like Perez he may be considered too lightweight to play as a lone striker by Benitez.

The 26-year-old is yet to score for his new side and may have to settle for substitute appearances alongside Rondon if the Spanish duo of Perez and Joselu keep up their form.

So, Newcastle fans, who would you like to see upfront against Arsenal after the international break? Let us know by voting in our poll below.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”289180″ player=”12034″ title=”A Futsal Player Walks Into A Denmark Squad…”]

Tottenham Hotspur will have to take on Juventus for the signature of Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, according to Mundo Deportivo.

What’s the word?

The North London outfit have been linked to the Portugal international before, and it is likely that his name will remerge in the gossip pages as we edge closer to the January transfer window.

Mundo Deportivo claims that Spurs may consider making a move for Gomes in the next few months, but Juventus are believed to be willing to sign the midfielder on loan with a view to a permanent move.

Reports have stated that Tottenham have enquired about a straight-cash deal, which could cost them in the region of €30m (£26.3m).

Can Spurs compete with Juve?

A lot will depend upon how Barcelona want to proceed with Gomes and if they still see him as a player that can thrive at the Camp Nou.

The 24-year-old signed from Valencia in 2016, but struggled for regular game time, starting 17 La Liga games.

This season, the midfielder has failed to impress head coach Ernesto Valverde as he has managed to make it in the first XI for just two league games.

If Gomes does not figure in Barcelona’s future plans, then they would arguably lean more towards a permanent deal, which is what Tottenham reportedly want.

However, if the Spanish giants feel that the Portuguese star can improve elsewhere and then return a better player, the club may look for a loan option.

Chelsea travel to Manchester United this weekend facing the biggest test in their run-in to title glory.

The Blues hit the Red Devils for four at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and beat them again in the FA Cup, but that will surely only serve as extra motivation for the home side on Sunday – with Mourinho undoubtedly determined to get one over the club he won three Premier League titles with.

The title race has proved a little beyond the Old Trafford outfit this season but Mourinho is slowly assembling a talented side that appears to be moving in the right direction after two underwhelming campaigns under Louis van Gaal.

Meanwhile, although Chelsea look set to be reigning champions for 2017/18, only ruthlessness in the summer will ensure them becoming the Premier League’s first successful title defenders since 2009.

Poaching players from rival clubs would not only strengthen Antonio Conte’s options but also weaken the squads of the clubs also involved in the title race next term. So, Chelsea fans, which Man United stars should Conte try to prise from Old Trafford this summer?

Let us know by voting below!

West Ham are currently showing the world how not to move in to a new stadium – poor performances, poor stewarding and trouble in the stands are just about all things you want to avoid when moving to an impressive new arena.

The beginning of 16/17 has been nothing short of a disaster for the Hammers, both on and off the pitch, and Slaven Bilic’s side look a far cry from the one that almost secured a shock top four finish last term.

Granted, they’ve had their injury problems; Aaron Cresswell, Aurthur Masuaku, Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew have all been sidelined long term, which has seriously affected Bilic’s plans thus far.

Having lost five of their opening six games of the new Premier League season, West Ham are in desperate need of a victory and especially in front of their own fans at the London Stadium.

And given recent performances, Slaven Bilic will need to make a few changes to have a better chance of victory against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

So, with three key changes in mind, here’s the XI Bilic should pick to face Aitor Karanka’s men…

Goalkeeper

Adrian was an impressive figure between the sticks for the Hammers last term but such form has not been on display so far this season.

Some would say he kept the score down to just 3-0 when Southampton came to London and ran riot last week, but you can’t hide the fact Adrian has still conceded 11 in the last three games – 16 in total already this term.

Darren Randolph is West Ham’s cup goalkeeper but has been impressive when called upon since signing on a free transfer last summer. Given Adrian’s recent form, it’s fair to say Randolph deserves the gloves moving forward.

Defenders

It was a surprise to see Sam Byram on the bench against Southampton, with defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit preferred at right-back.

That decision suggests Bilic doesn’t have full faith in Byram but he will have to rethink that against Middlesbrough, following his side’s poor defensive showing in recent weeks.

Alvaro Arbeloa didn’t play badly against Southampton and should continue at left-back this week, while Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna form West Ham’s strongest central defensive partnership.

Midfielders

There have been calls to drop captain Mark Noble this season, which is no surprise given the Hammers’ poor performances.

Some fans have questioned Noble’s ability to lead the team through difficult times, but his relationship with Bilic is strong and there’s just no way he’ll be demoted to the bench. Dropping the captain will do nothing to help improve squad morale and it could make things worse.

Question marks have also been raised over Cheikhou Kouyate. He hasn’t been as dominating in midfield this season but he should be given more licence to go forward against Middlesbrough, allowing Noble to sit and hold.

The three players behind the striker pick themselves. Michail Antonio is currently the Premier League’s highest scorer with five goals, while Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini’s partnership was a crucial part of the Hammers’ success last term.

Striker

Apart from the defence, West Ham’s biggest problem is up front.

Simone Zaza, on loan from Juventus, has done nothing to convince anyone that he is the 20-goal-a-season front man the club were publicly searching for during the summer. Jonathan Calleri is another on loan striker who has disappointed so far.

So while Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll remain sidelined through injury, youngster Ashley Fletcher should be given a chance up front.

The former Manchester United academy product started in the Hammers’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester City earlier this season and impressed, and he has also looked dangerous in his five other first team appearances.

It’s fair to say Fletcher has done enough to warrant a start against Middlesbrough and that decision might just be the one that turns the club’s season around.

The formation…

http://lineupbuilder.com/350×500/?p=11&a=1&t=&c=700137&1=GK_1%20Randolph_1_388_174&2=DL_5%20Arbeloa_5_317_64&3=DCL_2%20Reid_2_327_138&4=DC_21%20Ogbonna_21_326_212&5=DR_22%20Byram_22_317_284&6=AL_27%20Payet_27_117_74&7=MC_8%20Kouyate_8_226_138&8=MC_16%20Noble%20%28C%29_16_239_200&9=AR_30%20Antonio_30_120_273&10=FC_24%20Fletcher_24_71_173&11=AC_10%20Lanzini_10_140_174&c2=12c0cc&c3=ffffff&output=embed

Slaven Bilic prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation and he’ll no doubt opt to stick with it, even during hard times.

The key is in the personnel changes here. Two changes in what has been a leaky defence – including the ‘keeper – might help prevent the overflow of goals being conceded, while a new striker who is eager to impress could start to get them going in at the other end.

Slaven Bilic said in his pre-match press conference that one win could turn West Ham’s season around – this should be the XI to ensure that happens.

Without the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Al-Nassr lost to Al-Ettifaq on Monday, but other new arrivals enjoyed strong Pro League debuts

Following the influx of a number of global superstars over the past couple of months, the new Saudi Pro League season got under way this past weekend. Never has excitement been higher around a division that, while regularly competitive, has previously made little impact on fans globally, with supporters keen to see some of the new-look teams in action.

It was an opening round to forget, however, for Al-Nassr, who were beaten 2-1 by Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq on Monday. Without captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who suffered a minor injury in the final of the Arab Club Champions Cup just 48 hours earlier, Luis Castro's side saw their hopes of making a winning start to their title bid evaporate, despite taking an early lead through Sadio Mane.

The result leaves Al-Nassr towards the bottom of the early table, but the same can't be said for their presumed title rivals. Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli all made winning starts, with some of the recent foreign imports making immediate impacts for their new clubs.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the first round of Saudi Pro League action…

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Roberto Firmino

  Roberto Firmino was a free agent following his departure from Liverpool, and as such promises to be one of the bargain signings of the Saudi Pro League off-season, especially if he can maintain the heroics of his league debut for Al-Ahli.

  The Brazil international netted a hat-trick to secure a 3-1 win over Al-Hazm on Thursday, becoming just the second player in club history to net a treble on their debut, following in the footsteps of Omar Al Somah, who did so in 2014.

  The hat-trick wasn't the most stunning of Firmino's career as all three strikes came from within the six-yard box, but he won't have cared, and neither will Al-Ahli's boisterous supporters, who best get used to seeing their new captain's karate-kick celebration.

  A shout out to those fans, too, who created a superb atmosphere as they celebrated their return to the top-flight after promotion last season. Firmino spoke of the "goosebumps" they gave him ahead of kick-off, and the Al-Ahli fans did not let up throughout the whole game.

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• LOSER: Edouard Mendy

  It wasn't all good news for Al-Ahli, though, as new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy suffered a debut to forget after gifting Al-Hazm a way back into the match with a fatal error.

  With his side leading 2-0 following an early double from Firmino, the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper looked to play out from the back, only to fire a pass into the feet of opposition forward Vinicius Barbosa, who proceeded to lob the ball back over Mendy's head and into the net.

  It's not the first time we have seen the Senegal international make that kind of error over the past year o so, and perhaps illustrates why he lost the No.1 role at Stamford Bridge before his summer departure.

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Malcom

  Firmino wasn't the only Brazilian new arrival to walk away from their Pro League debut with the match ball, as ex-Barcelona forward Malcom also netted a treble to guide Al-Hilal to victory over Abha.

  Eyebrows were raised when Al-Hilal agreed to a fee of up to €60 million (£52m/$65.5m) to sign Malcom from Zenit St. Petersburg, but if Monday's performance is anything to go by, then the 26-year-old could yet emerge as a star of the 2023-24 campaign.

  Amid a number of disappointing displays from his team-mates, Malcom was electric, with his third goal the pick of the bunch as he smashed a bouncing ball across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

  With Neymar looking set to join him in the Al-Hilal ranks in the coming days, Jorge Jesus is building a Brazilian-based attack that will strike plenty of fear into opposition defenders.

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• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Steven Gerrard

  Steven Gerrard has arrived at Al-Ettifaq with a point to prove. After the disappointing end to his time in charge of Aston Villa, the ex-Liverpool midfielder needs to prove himself as a coach once more, and he made the perfect start on Monday.

  His team came from behind to beat Al-Nassr 2-1, picking up three points against one of the title favourites in a result that will have certainly caught the eye of the other members of the presumed top four.

  There will be those who point to the fact that the visitors were without a number of key players, including Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic and Alex Telles, but Gerrard will certainly relish the way his side showed resilience to recover from Sadio Mane's early strike and gain an opening-night victory.

Where to watch Premier League clash Chelsea vs Brighton – including team news, kick-off time, TV and live stream details.

Brighton will be looking to continue their impressive run of form since the turn of the year when they host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Seagulls have only lost twice in their last 16 matches in all competitions and are currently sitting in seventh place on the Premier League table. They will be confident of causing an upset against their opponents from London.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have had a disappointing season so far. They are 11th in the standings, without a win in their last five fixtures.

However, they have the quality to turn things around and will be keen to get back to winning ways under caretaker boss and club legend Frank Lampard.

GOAL tells you all you need to know about Chelsea vs Brighton below – including TV, streaming details, team news, squads and kick-off times.

GettyKick-off timeDate:April 15, 2023Kick-off time: 10am EDTVenue:Stamford Bridge

The Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton will be played at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, April 15. The game is scheduled to kick off at 10am EDT.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesHow to watch Chelsea vs Brighton online – TV channels & live streams

Country TV Channel Live stream

USN/APeacock

Viewers in the US can stream the game live on Peacock.

Getty ImagesTeam news & squadsChelsea team news & squad

Lampard has confirmed that centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly is out of contention for the game against Brighton due to injury.

With the fixture sandwiched between two Champions League legs against Real Madrid, the Blues are expected to rotate the lineup.

Carney Chukwuemeka and Armando Broja are also sidelined with injuries.

Chelsea predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Felix

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Mendy, Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, SloninaDefenders:Chalobah, Cucurella, Badiashile, Chilwell, James, Silva, Azpilicueta, FofanaMidfielders:Gallagher, Mudryk, Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Madueke, Ziyech, Zakaria, Kante, Kovacic, MountForwards:Sterling, Havertz, Felix, PulisicBrighton team news & squad

Ahead of Saturday's game, Roberto De Zerbi has stated that he will need to assess and take decisions regarding the availability of a few of his players.

Jeremy Sarmiento and Tariq Lamptey are not expected to feature against Chelsea whereas Adam Lallana is a long-term absentee. Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill is ineligible to take the field against his parent club.

Brighton predicted XI: Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Sanchez, SteeleDefenders:Webster, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, VeltmanMidfielders:Mac Allister, Caicedo, Gilmour, Grob, Ayari, March, Buonanotte, MitomaForwards:Enciso, Undav, FergusonHead-to-head record

Three of the last five head-to-head games between Chelsea and Brighton have ended as stalemates at the end of 90 minutes. In the last meeting between the two teams earlier this season, there were two own-goals as Brighton picked up an impressive 4-1 win.

Date Result Competition

October 2022Brighton 4-1 ChelseaPremier LeagueJanuary 2022Brighton 1-1 ChelseaPremier LeagueDecember 2021Chelsea 1-1 BrightonPremier LeagueApril 2021Chelsea 0-0 BrightonPremier LeagueSeptember 2020Brighton 1-3 ChelseaPremier LeagueENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyUseful links

Chelsea team page

Brighton team page

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

France Football have unveiled their top 50 best coaches in football history – who makes the grade?

In explaining their rankings, stated that they chose three main criteria – "club winners, track and inheritance left on the game, personality – in addition to a fourth: the duration and impact of the career".

Goal has rounded the full list below.

Getty50Jean-Claude SuaudeauSuaudeau is the ex-coach of Nantes, managing the senior side from 1982 to 1988. From 1991 to 1997, he won the championship twice with titles in 1983 and 1995.AdvertisementGetty Images49Antonio ConteWon three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus before taking charge of the Italian national team in 2014 until the Euro 2016 campaign. Conte also won the Premier League with Chelsea in his first season managing the club.Getty Images48Marcelo BielsaBielsa developed his career as coach of Newell's Old Boys in Argentina, leading that team to several trophies in the early 1990s. He then moved to Mexico in 1992, briefly coaching Club Atlas and Club America. He now manages Leeds.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GETTY47Raymond GoethalsLed Marseille to victory in the Champions League final in 1993, and in doing so, became the first manager to win European trophy with a French club.