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Jamie Carragher reckons that Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey are the ‘future’ for Everton in the centre-back position.

Carragher was speaking to one of the club’s fan channels, Toffee TV.

How have Keane and Godfrey performed this season?

Keane has played 90 minutes in all but three of Everton’s Premier League games this season. He has averaged 2.9 successful aerial duels, 1.4 interceptions and 4.6 clearances per 90 minutes (via WhoScored), but the 28-year-old was still overlooked for the latest England squad by Gareth Southgate.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti urged him to channel that disappointment into motivation, hailing his ‘really good’ performance levels.

£25m summer signing Godfrey, who was called-up by the England under-21s this month, has been almost an ever-present at Goodison Park as well.

Ancelotti has only left him on the bench twice since his arrival from Norwich City, and the defender been averaging 2.3 successful aerial duels, 4.3 clearances and 1.7 blocks per game (via WhoScored). The Everton manager has made use of the 23-year-old’s versatility by deploying him as a full-back on nine occasions.

Godfrey has earned plenty of plaudits this season, with Rio Ferdinand among his admirers. The ex- Manchester United defender labelled his performances ‘absolutely outstanding’.

Carragher says Everton don’t need to dip into market for centre-back

Carragher has followed Ferdinand’s lead in championing Godfrey’s credentials, as well as those of fellow Toffees defender Keane.

“I do look at Keane and Godfrey as the future for Everton at centre-back,” the Liverpool legend said. “I’m a big fan of both players.

“I really like Michael Keane. He’s a seven out of 10 man every game. His passing’s very good from the back.

“And in Godfrey, I think you’ve got a super player. It’s a great signing. I think he’s going to be a top centre-back.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

Both players have clearly done well this season, but is Keane and Godfrey a partnership which could sustain a top four challenge? Probably not, and that’s where Everton are aiming under this manager.

A serious offer for Kalidou Koulibaly has been mooted and would be an immense show of ambition from the Toffees.

In other news, Everton will listen to offers for another of their defenders.

Newcastle United have been urged to sign Kristoffer Ajer from Celtic by Lee Clark.

Speaking to the Daily Record, the former St. James’ Park faithful ace said:

“Kris is an outstanding player and I really feel for the Old Firm because it’s tough for them to compete with smaller clubs in bigger leagues.

“They have such a worldwide fan base and when I managed up there it really hit home how big the two clubs are but they can’t compete financially with the giants in Europe.

“I just hope they can get to the level where they can be competitive in the Champions League and keep a hold of the likes of Kris Ajer.

“Well, maybe not in Kris’s case specifically because he’s been linked with Newcastle United in some north east media outlets!

“So with my Newcastle United fans head on I hope that happens! My mates have all been asking me about him since he was mentioned and I told them if it comes off we’ll be getting a real top player.”

Newcastle should sign Ajer

Ajer should be on the list of transfer targets for the North East club when the summer window comes around, providing that they avoid relegation from the Premier League of course.

The central defender is a senior international for Norway and already has as many as eight trophies to his name, despite being just 22 years of age.

One could certainly question the quality of football in Scotland compared to England, but it shows that he possesses a winning mentality, an attribute that would certainly be useful on Tyneside.

Ajer has also performed very well in helping his team to those successes, winning no fewer than 5.8 of his duels per game in the Scottish Premiership so far in the 2020/21 term, as well as averaging 3.3 clearances, 1.4 interceptions and 1.3 tackles a game, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process (Sofascore).

With a six-foot-four frame as well, the towering centre-back should have no problems at all adapting to the physical nature of the English top flight.

Nonetheless, Ajer is certainly a player that Steve Bruce’s team should be keeping an eye on.

In other news, find out what inside claim on the potential takeover Liam Kennedy has dropped here!

Manchester United have been dealt another injury blow in attack, with Edinson Cavani being ruled out for the Red Devils’ trip to face AC Milan in the UEFA Europa League.

Despite having returned to training and initially being included in the Red Devils’ travelling squad, the Uruguayan has been forced to withdraw having suffered a “reaction”.

The striker’s latest problem is a huge blow to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he attempts to plot a route through to the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Uruguayan has had quite the impact at Old Trafford this season having scored seven goals and notched two assists in all competitions. As a matter of fact, only three players in the entire United squad, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have contributed more for the Red Devils throughout the campaign.

His manager has certainly been impressed with the former Paris Saint Germain man, praising how “meticulous” Cavani is.

However, with him now ruled out for the away leg in Milan, the Red Devils will, of course, be missing his nous, his guile and his experience of playing against Milan, with the 34-year-old having scored against the Rossoneri four times in his career.

Another damaging aspect of his injury will be the impact on the frontline. With Anthony Martial also out, this would suggest that Mason Greenwood and Daniel James will once again take their places in the Red Devils’ attack.

This is not all too inspiring considering that the young duo have only managed to get on the scoresheet once between them in the UEFA Europa League so far this season.

Considering United need to score at least one goal to have any hope of progressing to the quarter-finals, that is not a record that will breed much confidence in the club’s fans.

Cavani, rated at £10.8m, will, of course, be a huge miss for United then in more ways than one and Solskjaer will be gutted not to have the experienced ace available tonight.

AND in more news, read why the Manchester United captain could be key in the Red Devils’ clash with AC Milan…

Speaking to Il Napoli Online, via Sport Witness, Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari dropped a promising Tottenham transfer claim – going on to say that the Lilywhites and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy, are ‘ready’ to meet Serie A defender Nikola Maksimovic’s wage demands in a potential swoop.

Maksimovic, who has started just four Serie A matches for Napoli this season (WhoScored), is apparently still attracting Spurs’ interest regardless – with Levy seemingly prepared to match the Serbian’s salary in a move.

Levy ready to meet Maksimovic wage

Longari hints Spurs are showing a desire to sign the 6 foot 4 titan, while he believes Maksimovic ‘will’ move away from the Stadio San Paolo with an exit out of Napoli seemingly inevitable – especially considering he is out of contract in the summer.

The journalist claims that it is unlikely that he will put pen to paper on a new deal, with Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis allegedly working on a renewal, and that Tottenham are ‘ready’ to meet any ‘economic’ demand for his signature.

“About Hysaj, I have more hope, while I believe that Maksimovic will go away,” Longari explained (to Il Napoli Online via Sport Witness).

“On him, there are many teams ready to satisfy him even at an economic level, including Tottenham.

“Napoli has a great relationship with the agent of Hysaj, Mario Giuffredi, therefore, they are very optimistic about the renewal of the Albanian-back.”

Transfer Tavern take

Despite only playing a handful of games this season, Maksimovic appears to fit the profile of a defender Jose Mourinho would be keen on, judging by his past pursuit of 6 foot 2 colossus Milan Skriniar (Gianluca Di Marzio).

According to WhoScored, both Skriniar and Spurs’ latest alleged defensive target have comfortably averaged over 90% pass completion this campaign (Skriniar, 92.6%; Maksimovic, 95.3%) – while the two centre-backs are also towering in stature.

These numbers suggest that Mourinho is keen on a defender who can play out from the back whilst possessing physical prowess, and Maksimovic could also be a welcome addition in the summer given he could leave as a free agent.

Time will tell whether Spurs are the club to land him, but he could tick all the boxes for Mourinho.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham are also ‘ready’ to let this player leave, find out more here.

Man Utd could sign their next Marouane Fellaini in West Ham star Tomas Soucek.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are reported to be watching the 25-year-old midfielder ahead of a possible summer move as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to bolster his midfield.

Several Premier League clubs, as well as clubs across Europe, are also keen on landing the towering 6 ft 2 in Czech colossus.

And the report adds that while Solskjaer’s top priority is finding a new centre-back in the summer , the club legend is desperately searching for depth to his midfield, hence the reported interest in Soucek.

Shades of Marouane Fellaini

The 30-cap Czech Republic international has been in impressive form for West Ham so far this season, scoring eight goals in 26 appearances across all competitions, including a goal against Solskjaer’s side at the London Stadium last year.

Primarily a defensive-minded midfielder, Soucek has played a key part in the transformation that has taken West Ham to sixth in the Premier League this season, a point behind bitter rivals Chelsea.

Working in tandem with Declan Rice, the pair have formed a formidable partnership in the midfield, which has given the Czechian the license to roam further afield.

A return of eight goals ranks him joint-12th in the Premier League this season together with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, and those kind of numbers is something United fans became accustomed to when Marouane Fellaini was at his peak at Old Trafford.

Like Soucek, the big Belgian had a penchant for finding the back of the net from the deep-lying midfield. During the 2014/15 season, he scored seven goals in 31 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt – he memorably scored in the fifth round of the FA Cup against Preston.

And in the Hammers star, United could well find themselves their next Fellaini. Not only is he an indirect set-piece threat, but he also possesses some very similar physical attributes to the former Belgium international.

Described as “brilliant” by David Moyes when speaking to reporters after West Ham’s 1-0 win at Sheffield United, Soucek is very much in the mould of an old-school box-to-box midfielder. The hulking Czech behemoth offers his side a lot of defensive protection, much like Fellaini in his prime, as he averages more than 2 tackles per 90 and completes a remarkable 2.9 clearances on average in the Premier League.

If Ed Woodward is looking to add some much-needed size and strength to the engine room, it seems like Soucek – who is currently valued at £27m via Transfermarkt – has all the tools and tricks of the trade to do just the job.

AND in other news, Sevilla star Jules Kounde is perfect for Manchester United…

It’s been a great start to the season for Glasgow Rangers but perhaps they could do with just one more signing to add the icing on the cake.

Rangers right-back and club captain James Tavernier has established himself as an integral part of Steven Gerrard’s side this season thus far, providing 11 goals and 9 assists in 22 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, via Transfermarkt.

Should he succumb to injury, however, Rangers may be left feeling a little short changed as they could find themselves short of options on the right-hand side of the defence.

The Light Blues were heavily linked with a move for former Leicester City starlet Dennis Gyamfi in the summer but a move never materialised as they put their faith in homegrown right-back Nathan Patterson instead.

However, the academy graduate has struggled for game time at Ibrox this season, having been limited to just one start out of three appearances in total across all competitions so far.

Gyamfi, who is currently without a club since his contract with Brendan Rodgers’ side expired at the end of last season, could be a suitable understudy to deputise for the skipper, especially if Patterson ends up leaving the club on loan to continue his development.

Despite the current economic climate, the highly-rated 19-year-old is having a hard time trying to find a new home, and Ross Wilson should seize the chance to snap up the teenage free agent whilst he still can.

Just like legendary Rangers full-back Alan Hutton, the young defender is also right-footed. He made nine appearances in the U18 Premier League, picking up an assist against Southampton last season, showing a propensity for bombing up and down the flanks and causing havoc on the right-flank.

His former Leicester coach Ben Petty heaped praise on his “fantastic” young charge, saying:

“It’s about building all the time. I think we’ve seen some fine performances: Conor Tee’s been excellent, Dennis Gyamfi has been a real plus and so has Luke Thomas.

“Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been an excellent captain for us too so there’s a lot to be happy with over the week. The lads have done themselves proud and the Club proud.”

Gerrard’s Gers are 19 points clear of their arch-rivals after inflicting a second defeat on Neil Lennon’s Celtic in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox. Snapping up the young defender could be a solid stop-gap should Tavernier pick up an injury.

AND in other news, Rangers must rid themselves of George Edmundson in January…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former West Ham man Rob Lee outlined his concerns about the club’s reported pursuit of Hwang Hee-chan.

The Hammers have been in the market for a new striker ever since Sebastien Haller left for Ajax but with just days remaining in the window, they are yet to find a replacement.

One player linked with the club in recent days is RB Leipzig forward Hwang Hee-chan. Reputable Irons insider EXWHUEmployee revealed this week that he was someone on the club’s radar as they aim to end January with a bang.

Of course, David Moyes already has West Ham into the top four of the Premier League at the time of writing, so signing a striker could merely be the icing on the cake of what’s been a good month for the Hammers.

However, Lee labelled concerns about the possible move. He was quizzed about West Ham’s pursuit of Hwang this week and he didn’t appear to be a fan of the possible move. He told FFC:

“The problem for me is, if you’re going to be the main goal scorer for the team, I’d always go for someone who’s proven in the Premier League. I don’t care how well they’ve done in other leagues, how well are they going to do in the Premier League?”

Lee continued: “There’s pressure when you move to a new country and if he’s your main goal scorer and he’s not scoring goals, then you’re in trouble. So that’s why I would always go with somebody who’s proven and then if you’ve got a proven goalscorer up front – Danny Ings is a proven goalscorer you know, his contract’s up at Southampton – you know he can score, and then if you buy someone from abroad for a lot of money, the pressure’s not really on him to score loads of goals to start with, he can settle in.”

“We’ve seen it at Chelsea with Timo Werner – unbelievable goalscorer on the continent but can’t hit a barn door at the minute,” the pundit concluded. 

Indeed, it’s easy to see this one not working out for West Ham if they do push for a move. Hwang has scored 45 goals for Leipzig but only one of them was scored this term. With the player out of form, a move has the potential to be disastrous for the Hammers.

Fortunately, they may have had a lucky escape. Despite West Ham’s reported interest, Julian Nagelsmann admitted on Thursday afternoon that he wasn’t keen on letting the South Korean go unless they found replacements.

Nagelsmann shared that the 25-year-old had handed in a transfer request at the Bundesliga club but that he wanted to see more of him in training before making any decisions.

AND in other news, WHU could replicate Antonio move by swooping for “explosive” 17-goal ace…

Perhaps the time is really up for Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur…

What’s been said?

The 24-year-old continues to be snubbed by Jose Mourinho – for the ninth time in the Premier League this season, the two-time former PFA Young Player of the Year was completely omitted from their matchday squad as Spurs defeated arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Indeed, Alli has only played 66 minutes in the English top-flight this term, and just 333 minutes in all competitions. Even despite his two goals and one assist in the Europa League, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that he isn’t in their plans anymore.

Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer alluded to this during an exclusive interview with Football FanCast last week, he said:

“If [Mourinho] can’t get him to do what he wants him to do, he’ll let him go. He will let him go. He’s not afraid to do that.”

Time to go?

It’s strange to believe that even Tanguy Ndombele, who was frequently in and out of the side last season under the Portuguese, is actually ahead of Alli in the pecking order.

The £46.8m-rated dynamo, who earns around £150k-per-week in N17, has seen a meteoric drop in his career as he also finds himself out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the summer’s European Championships.

Once lauded as a “freak of a talent” who could one day eclipse the likes of Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes, it is really no surprise to see that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wants to keep hold of him at all costs.

But if the tough negotiator wants to make any money on him in the near future, then the January transfer window may be the only good opportunity to cash in on him, so he ought to consider a U-turn this month.

As each game passes by, it’s just becoming clearer and clearer that there is no future for Alli under Mourinho; it would certainly be a waste to continue to let him burn a hole in Levy’s own pocket.

The funds generated could well help bolster their backline having missed out on Milan Skriniar during the summer.

AND in other news, Spurs swoop for “extraordinary” £45m beast like Dembele could complete Mourinho’s midfield…

Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has revealed that he has been given a hint that that his former side could be set to sell two huge names in January.

Phillips reveals transfer information

The Black Cats duo of Aiden McGeady and Will Grigg were the two individuals that were named, with the Irish winger having just seven months to run on his contract, from which he is earning £19k-per-week at the Stadium of Light (Salary Sport).

His Northern Irish teammate’s current deal ends in 2022 and he is currently taking home £6k-per-week from the North East outfit (Salary Sport).

Both players have started just five games between them this season and speaking to Football Insider, Phillips said that he believes that both could be offloaded in January to cut the wage bill.

“It is tough for McGeady,” he said.

“I imagine a conversation has been had with McGeady. I think he has asked whether he still wants to play for the football club and he must have liked what he heard.

“Right now it is a case of, ‘Give me what you can and I will bring you off.’ It backfired last week because they did not get the result that they wanted but this week…

“McGeady is a tough one. You could cash in on him in January and bring in a younger player.

“I heard last week that the club is starting from scratch again. That could mean getting rid of a Grigg and a McGeady or bringing youth players in.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

It will be a big call for Johnson to make to let the duo go, but could turn out to be a sensible one from Sunderland.

High wage earners are no use to anybody if they are just keeping the bench warm, and their salaries are eating into the club’s budget and those funds could be used on other assets.

That being said, time will tell what Johnson ultimately decides to do. Having recently taken the hot seat, he will have time to imprint his identity to his squad and make his decisions about possible outgoings in January

In other news, Sunderland supporters criticise Lee Johnson for benching key asset vs Lincoln City.

In the end, Arsenal got the job done, but it wasn’t anywhere near plain sailing for Mikel Arteta’s side on Thursday night.

With the whole Mesut Ozil saga dominating the pre-match headlines, it would have been no surprise to see the Gunners go into the Europa League clash against Rapid Vienna with their attentions elsewhere.

And so it proved to be. A howler from Bernd Leno – who looked nervy all game with his distribution – saw the Austrian side take the lead, before goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got their European journey off to a winning start.

But whilst Leno may be the man to come in for some criticism after gifting a goal to the opposition with a poor pass from inside the penalty area, it’s Sead Kolasinac who boss Arteta should really be ruthless with.

The Bosnian looked all set to leave the Emirates in the summer transfer window, but a deal to join Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen collapsed in the final few days, with the left-back ending up staying.

On the basis of Thursday night’s performance, the Gunners really should have done everything to have gotten him out the door at the Emirates.

Playing once again on the left-hand side of a back-three, Kolasinac was tasked with dovetailing with Bukayo Saka, but was often caught in no-man’s land between giving him support and staying further back for protection.

More often than not, the duo just got in each other’s way, and it was so revealing that when Hector Bellerin came on in the second-half, most of Arsenal’s attacks came down the right-hand side – the winning goal of course coming via some neat build-up play involving the Spaniard.

As per Sofascore, Kolasinac lost possession 16 times over the course of the game, whilst he made just one interception and no tackles whatsoever.

Whenever he had the ball at his feet, the Bosnian looked uncomfortable, and often took too many touches to either play it down the line or come back inside with it.

When January comes around, Arteta and Arsenal must show the door to him.