After a pulsating Boxing Day Victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, the wheels came off for Celtic on Saturday against bitter rivals Rangers.

Steven Gerrard’s men came out the blocks firing and Celtic just could not cope with Rangers’ performance. It was always going to be a tough ask to play two of the league’s toughest teams in consecutive away matches in such a short succession, but manager Brendan Rodgers would have surely thought that his side would have been able to cope.

The Northern Irishman made changes throughout his squad in order to keep them fresh but one man who started both games was 33-year-old Scott Brown.

However, the Celtic legend just could not keep up with the pace at Ibrox on Saturday and it was perhaps the first time that the midfielder had been exposed this season. Brown’s age became very apparent and it surely signified what many people have speculated for a long time.

The veteran simply cannot play two big games in quick succession and Rodgers had to find that out the hard way. He must now be rested and rotated more regularly to get the best out of him.

However, that certainly does not mean that the 55-cap Scotland international’s  career at Celtic Park is coming to an end. He is still an instrumental figure at the club both on and off the pitch, who brings a huge amount of experience and grit to the side, but his age and physical condition must be taken into account.

Whether Rodgers sees it necessary to find a replacement for him to allow him to rotate his squad is yet to be seen,  but this will now be something that the manager is aware of.

According to a recent report from Marca, Everton are eyeing up a move for winger Malcom. The 21-year-old currently plays his football at Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and has done so since leaving French side Bordeaux back in the summer of 2018, although a lack of game time under Catalans manager Ernesto Valverde has called his future at the Nou Camp into question.

And reports suggest that Marco Silva’s Everton are eyeing up a move for the Brazil Under-23 international, whose arrival would no doubt be great news for Evertonians up and down the country, yet seriously bad news for current Toffees star Ademola Lookman, valued at £18 million by Transfermarkt.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Malcom earned a move to Barcelona during the summer as a result of his impressive form in Ligue 1 with Bordeaux in the previous few seasons, netting 12 times in all competitions for the French side in the 2017/18 campaign to help them to a sixth place finish in Ligue 1.

And with eight assists in that time as well, it was pretty clear that the 21-year-old had a massive future in the game and was destined for a big move sooner rather than later, only for that big move to Barca to fail to pay dividends with Malcom struggling for football under Valverde.

The Brazilian sensation has mustered just nine senior appearances for the La Liga champions so far this season and has just two goals to show for his endeavours, with a recent ankle problem only likely to further add to his misery.

Yet there is little doubting that there is a seriously talented player in Malcom just waiting to be fulfilled, and were Everton to seal a deal for his services this month, he’d certainly be near the top of the winger pecking order, which can only mean bad news for current Toffees ace Lookman.

The Englishman made the move to Goodison Park back in January 2017, and other than an impressive debut cameo in netting against Manchester City, the attacker simply hasn’t been able to regularly produce the goods for the Toffees, appearing just 36 times in the first team for the Merseysiders.

And while he did have a run in the team under Silva this time round between October and December, he has failed to make each of their last four matchday squads to underline his lowly position in the pecking order – he is presently out of the first team picture, let alone were Malcom to make the move to Goodison Park as well.

But with the Toffees somewhat stuck in a rut at present with only one win in their last eight Premier League games, Silva will surely be looking at reinforcements during January in a bid to get his team going again, and potentially keep his job amid some growing pressure following recent results.

And while Malcom hasn’t set the world alight since moving to Barcelona, he is clearly a supremely talented winger with bags of potential and ability – he’d be a statement signing from the Merseyside outfit.

And while it would no doubt be well received among Evertonians, it would be seriously bad news for Lookman in his quest to make a career at Goodison Park.

Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!

[ad_pod ]

According to Sky Sports, MLS duo DC United and Vancouver Whitecaps are both interested in signing Sheffield Wednesday forward Gary Hooper.

Hooper will see his current deal with Wednesday expire at the end of the season.

The striker has scored 30 times in 83 appearances for the Owls since joining the club from Norwich City.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

He found the back of the net on 11 occasions in 25 matches last term, but has not played a single game for the club during the 2018-19 campaign, in part due to injury.

According to Sky Sports, DC United and Vancouver Whitecaps are both closely monitoring developments with the view to signing the 30-year-old.

The Wednesday fans have been offering their views on the transfer speculation and the majority feel that it might be time for Hooper to move on.

That said, there are those who would like to keep the centre-forward.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]

Chelsea’s soon-to-be out of contract central defender Gary Cahill is reportedly having second thoughts about joining Premier League strugglers Fulham in January, and Ralph Hasenhuttl must jump at the chance to sign him.

What’s the latest?

The Daily Mail are reporting that former Southampton target Cahill is having second thoughts about linking up with Claudio Ranieri at Craven Cottage, after the South West London outfit appeared strong frontrunners to land his signature.

It was believed that Fulham would sign the 33-year-old on an initial six-month loan deal ahead of his Blues contract expiring in the summer, but the former England international is having reservations about the suitability of the move.

Chelsea, themselves, are open to the two-time Premier League winning defender leaving Stamford Bridge in the mid-season window, even if a replacement is not brought in, as a sign of gratitude for his years of service with the Pensioners, though a permanent deal remains their priority.

Despite making progress since replacing Mark Hughes, Hasenhuttl, meanwhile, should jump at the chance to land the Champions League winning defender as he would vastly improve the Saints backline.

The Pl>ymaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

A huge upgrade on Jack Stephens

Southampton’s improvements under Hasenhuttl cannot be ignored, but Cahill could make a key contribution on the south coast with his quality and leadership over the remainder of the season.

The former England international would certainly offer a huge upgrade on the likes of Jack Stephens, who has been thrust into the starting XI at times this season and will stay there following Maya Yoshida’s participation in the Asia Cup for Japan, but has only managed to record an average 1.8 tackles, 2.2 interceptions and 0.5 shots blocked per 90 minutes.

The 24-year-old also often struggles to cope with any aerial threats posed by the opposition, leaving Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek to cover for his obvious shortcomings.

As a result of the weaknesses displayed at St Mary’s, Southampton have only been able to record five clean sheets all season in the Premier League, four of which came under Hughes against Burnley, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle – Hasenhuttl’s only shut-out came against Chelsea when Angus Gunn recorded six saves from six shots on target.

According to Russian outlet Championat, Leeds have made a €12m bid for Cape Verde international Zé Luís from Spartak Moscow. 

The striker has scored seven goals in 14 Russian Premier League games this season and three Europa League goals in six appearances.

The 27-year-old would be an ambitious signing by The Whites, as he is not only still in his 20s, but has quite a reputation. In Russia, he has won a Russian Premier League and a Russian Cup, whilst in Portugal he won the Taça da Liga with Braga and the Segunda Liga with Gil Vicente. Having won a number of titles across Europe, he will bring the experience and skill set that Leeds will desperately want as they hunt promotion back to the Premier League.

A striker to support and rival Kemar Roofe is exactly what manager Marcelo Bielsa will be craving to push the team forward. The long-term injury to Patrick Bamford has left The Whites looking fairly thin on the ground in attack and Zé Luís could be the answer.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”367487″ player=”13308″ title=”Leeds United”]

From the fans’ perspective, this is just the signing that will get them excited at Elland Road. Sometimes a signing is more about boosting morale within a squad and amongst fans, and the striker ticks both of those boxes. What is more promising is the thought that this could be an effective striker for Leeds should they get into the Premier League next season. It’s forward thinking like this that would perhaps get the fans the most excited.

[ad_pod ]

Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter in panicked fashion after Rafa Benitez’s £6m ‘shackle’ clause at the club expired, meaning that he could leave the club with no consequences, as reported by The Daily Mail.

The Spaniard previously would have had to pay a £6m fee to the Magpies if he wanted to leave before the end of his contract, but now that clause has expired, fans are worried that the former Liverpool boss has had enough of Mike Ashley’s nonsense.

When quizzed on if he would walk if Newcastle failed to sign anyone before Thursday’s deadline, Benitez simply said, as quoted by The Daily Mail: “‘We will wait until Thursday and see what happens.”

Pretty ambiguous stuff, it must be said – although Newcastle are now closing in on a deal for Miguel Almiron, per BBC Sport.

The subject of Benitez’s future resurfaced in his press conference after the Magpies’ win over Manchester City, and while he seemed keen to quash rumours of an abrupt exit, he didn’t completely rule out the notion either. As quoted by The Chronicle (22:28), he said; “I didn’t say I will leave. I said I am a professional and I have my principles and I will do my job until the last minute.”

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

With the club from Tyneside already sat precariously above the drop zone, their survival hopes would be hanging by a thread if Benitez were to walk away from St James’ Park.

Understandably, fans of the club are petrified if their reactions on Twitter are anything to go by…

[ad_pod ]

Aston Villa are interested in signing Stoke City defender Moritz Bauer before the end of the week, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Bauer, 27, has already been linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.

The Austrian made 15 Premier League appearances for Stoke in the second half of last season, as per Transfermarkt.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The right-back was effectively frozen out by Gary Rowett in the first half of the 2018-19 campaign, but has been recalled to the starting XI under new boss Nathan Jones.

There remains huge uncertainty surrounding the defender’s future, however, and according to the Birmingham Mail, Villa want a deal this week.

The Villa Park faithful have been offering their views on the situation.

And it would be fair to say that the majority are struggling to agree whether it would be a good move by the club, who are still hoping to secure a top-six position this season.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Watford take on Everton in the Premier League at Vicarage Road this Saturday with a lot of bad blood between the sides off the pitch.

Meanwhile, on it, the two clubs are having very contrasting seasons when considering the context of things.

As things stand, Watford currently sit eighth in the table and are perceived to be having a good campaign under Javi Gracia while Everton, who are only one point below their upcoming opponents with Marco Silva at the helm, have come under heavy criticism.

A one-point gap between the two teams, yet so much different things being said about the two coaches.

Javi Gracia

Out of Gracia and Silva, the former has been the one winning the plaudits this season — and rightly so.

Under Gracia, who replaced Silva in the Vicarage Road dugout last January, Watford have become a well-rounded team.

In their 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 shape, the Hornets stay compact and remain well organised when defending without sacrificing their attacking threat.

In essence, Watford have become hard to breakdown thanks to the introduction of Gracia with the Spaniard ensuring they also remain capable of scoring goals.

In possession, the likes of Roberto Pereyra, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gerard Deulofeu all pose danger to the opposition, while Troy Deeney’s presence up front continues to cause problems for central defenders.

Considering all of that, with the budget he is working with, Gracia deserves all the acclaim coming his way.

TT Grade: B Marco Silva

Silva, in contrast, probably warrants the criticism he is coming in for when looking at the investment that has gone into the squad he is working with.

That, ultimately, is why the Portuguese coach is being spoken about in a very different way compared to his Watford counterpart.

Given Everton’s ambitions of playing in the Champions League and what Silva has at disposal, all things considered, the 41-year-old and his team are underachieving.

Farhad Moshiri would not have expected Silva to guide the Toffees into the top four after just one season but, for the club to find themselves miles behind sixth place with both Watford and Wolves ahead, it is not hard to understand why some supporters are starting to ask questions.

At Watford, Silva made the Everton job look like some sort of dream when the Merseyside club initially sought him out to be their next manager, yet it is quickly turning into a nightmare even if he has shown promise from the Goodison Park dugout with the football he is trying to implement.

TT Grade: C TT Verdict:

Is it too early to judge Silva’s time at Everton? Perhaps. But that will not stop the Goodison Park faithful from feeling frustrated with what they have seen so far, while Watford supporters no doubt will be taking pleasure in seeing their former manager, who has not been missed, struggle.

This season, in almost every department, tactically in particular, Gracia has been the superior coach, making Gino Pozzo’s decision to sack Silva and replace him with the 48-year-old look like a terrific one.

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal are set to travel to Belarus on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League knockout fixture against BATE Borisov, and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has had some tough words to say about the Gunners’ centre-backs.

What’s the word?

An unenviable midweek trip awaits the Gunners but Unai Emery’s success in the European competition suggests he knows how to deal with the physical strain these types of tests provide.

On paper it should be a routine victory for Arsenal and that’s exactly what Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has tipped them to achieve.

Ahead of the match, Nicholas predicted a 3-1 victory for the travelling side, but he did take the opportunity to criticise the north London outfit’s defence, singling out Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi for individual criticism, as per Sky Sports.

“Unai Emery has suffered more than anybody else. He knows his defence is a car crash, but there is not a lot he can do.

“Laurent Koscielny cannot do it, Shkodran Mustafi doesn’t get what he is being taught, as well as the full-backs.”

Defensive frailties need addressing

Emery’s defensive problems should not have a huge bearing on their chances of recording victory over BATE Borisov, but they certainly need addressing if the Spaniard is serious about Arsenal’s long-term ambitions.

Mustafi has consistently proven to be one of the most underwhelming Arsenal signings in recent memory, while Koscielny is simply past his brilliant best at 33years of age.

It’s verging on hyperbolic to describe Arsenal’s defence as a ‘car crash’, but there are certainly fundamental issues which need to be addressed in order to help the Gunners re-establish themselves as a genuine title-challenger.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Being a Leeds United fan must be horrible sometimes.

The Whites have had to endure almost 16 years of misery as they’ve failed to return to the top flight since their relegation in 2004, despite looking like they’re on track so many times.

This year there seems to be a sort of cautious pessimism around the club’s promotion chances, and it seems as if that has carried over to the players.

What’s been said then?

In the latest episode of The Phil Hay Show (13/12/19), the journalist relayed a conversation he had with Liam Cooper after Marcelo Bielsa’s press conference on Thursday.

Watch Leeds United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

“I’ve got a long piece with Liam Cooper coming up after Christmas, and I had a chat with him after the press conference today.” Hay said (5:20).

“He said ‘because we ballsed it up last season, it’s actually quite easy to go home and not think that we’ve got 11 points now and it’s pretty much in the can’”

“They all know from experience that it can all go wrong spectacularly, and they all do feel a long way out from the end of the season.”

Good or bad?

There are two ways to look at this depending on whether or not you’re an optimist or a pessimist.

One way to look at it is that it’s not good to see that some Leeds players are still troubled by the demons of last season and that they don’t believe in themselves to get the job done this time around.

However, you could also see it as the players staying on their toes and not becoming overconfident that the job is already done. If that is the case, it’s a refreshing sense of perspective from Bielsa’s players.

Whichever way you want to see it, it’s certainly interesting to get this type of insight into the dressing room.

Meanwhile, our writers have been questioning whether or not one of Leeds’ January targets would be a good signing.