This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

A fresh start.

That is what Nottingham Forest defender Yohan Benalouane will be hoping to get from boss Sabri Lamouchi when he eventually comes back from injury.

Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Lamouchi explained that although he has yet to play under him at the City Ground, he’s very aware of what the Tunisian can bring to the table.

He stated that he knows him from his time in Italy as well as during his stay at Leicester and that he “can be important” for the side. The manager also gave an update on his current injury, suggesting that the defender is nearly approaching full fitness.

So based on those words, it looks as if Benalouane is going to be given the chance to show what he can do under Lamouchi, as opposed to being allowed to leave like Alex Milosevic.

But just where does he stand in comparison to the rest of his Forest teammates and does he have a realistic chance of breaking into the first team?

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On the chalkboard

If you take a look at his statistics and compare them to his teammates (all from WhoScored), he certainly makes a case that he should be a regular starter.

He comes out on top in regards to tackles completed per game, with an average of 1.7 whilst his closest competitor is club captain Michael Dawson with 1.3.

He also beats them all out when it comes to interceptions, averaging 2.4 per game with Tobias Figueiredo coming the closest at 2.2.

So when it comes to players and the ball in and around the box, you can rely on Benalouane to stop either of them getting near the goal, at least in comparison to the rest of his teammates.

However, those are the only areas that he leads the team in, as the 6 foot 1 centre back falls flat in comparison to the rest of the team in other areas.

He ranks second last when it comes to aerial duels won with 1.8 per game and also ranks dead last when it comes to pass completion percentage with an average of 73.9%, which in the modern game when you want players passing out from the back is a bit of a worry.

So it’s clear to see that he does offer some benefit, but isn’t quite the complete package.

He’s unlikely to break up the tried and trusted partnership that has been developed since the start of the season between Joe Worrall and Dawson, but he could slot himself into that third centre-back slot on the bench as cover for either of them should an injury occur. However, as far as his chances of starting are concerned, they might be dead in the water.

With Figueiredo and Chema both fighting it out for that spot as well, he’s going to have to put in some effort in training to get ahead of them, especially because Lamouchi has seen what they can do in his system and what they can offer.

After a rather successful game against Galatasaray in the Champions League, the Galacticos are now turning their gaze back upon La Liga this coming weekend.

Zinedine Zidane’s troops must be flying high with confidence after a glorious 6-0 victory, but they are still playing catch-up with Barcelona in the domestic league.

Both teams, however, have a game in hand over the rest of the pack but are still in first and second respectively nonetheless.

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The line-up the gaffer chose for their midweek clash seemed to have worked extremely well, but now they are facing Eibar who are struggling a little and occupying 14th position in the table.

With that in mind, it could be a good idea to rotate the squad just a little bit and give some other players a chance while resting the key figures in the process as well.

Here’s what we think Zidane’s starting XI should look like come Saturday afternoon:

Thibaut Courtois is finally showing his true colours and starting to look like a man reformed and the fans have recognised it as well.

The big Belgian goalie should, therefore, definitely retain his spot between the sticks and look to extend his great run of form and tally his fifth successive clean sheet this weekend.

Real Madrid’s backline, however, should see some changes – Marcelo received a knock during the Galatasaray game and for that reason, Zidane should not risk him, especially considering Ferland Mendy is more than just a capable replacement for the Brazilian.

Watch Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale answer the internet’s weirdest questions in the video below…

A similar thing can be said for Eder Militao, who should be given a shot instead of Raphael Varane, who’s one of Los Blancos’ most-used players and could do with a rest.

Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal should and most likely will retain their positions in the starting XI.

Moving on to the midfield, another player who’s been used far too much this season is Casemiro. And sure, his importance to this team is almost second to none but with 1290 minutes under his belt for the Galacticos, the man is screaming for some rest.

Zidane should just slot Federico Valverde in the hole and play Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in front of him. After all, the Frenchman himself lauded the young Uruguayan for his ability to step up his defensive game when the situation calls for it.

Finally, the front three should mostly remain the same – Eden Hazard and the hat-trick boy, Rodrygo, should definitely start once again, the Belgian to find his feet and the young prodigy to continue his brilliant run of form.

Karim Benzema, however, could also do with a rest and Luka Jovic – who only has 319 minutes under his belt so far – should be given a shot in the starting line-up.

Recently, the 21-year-old Serbian bagged his first Real Madrid goal and Zidane should let him build on that this weekend.

With all of that being said, this would mean Zidane would make a total of four changes from the squad that faced Galatasaray on Wednesday but taking everything into account, the risks are not that great while the potential rewards very much are.

Let’s see what the Frenchman decides in the end.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

West Bromwich Albion will enter the festive period as the side topping the Championship table as they currently sit two points clear of the chasing pack during the final international break of the calendar year.

Slaven Bilic has guided the Baggies to just one defeat all season, and if they continue at this rate, promotion will be written the stars as a total of 92 points has been enough in four of the last four second-tier campaigns which they are well on course to achieving.

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Their squad depth will fully be put to the test when they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Hawthorns in over a week as they’ll be without both skipper Jake Livermore and midfield partner Romaine Sawyers.

It is probably the only area in which Bilic’s side are weak in numbers, which is why centre-back Dara O’Shea should be looking to force a loan move away from the club in January.

Currently, Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley have formed a stern partnership at the back, even if they have only kept four clean sheets together in 16 appearances – it’s clearly not affected their league standing.

The fact that Ahmed Hegazi, who played 40 times last term, can’t get in the side speaks volumes, and it means the Irishman is probably the fourth-choice centre-back at the club.

On Thursday afternoon, O’Shea featured for the Ireland U21 squad in Armenia, which only goes to show his potential – even if he was sent off in the match as he’s competing on the international stage but not for the Baggies’ first-team.

The 20-year-old played 33 games for League Two Exeter City last season but wasn’t sent out on loan again this time around.

This has been a potentially damaging move as the youngster needs game time to continue to progress, so he should soon knock on Bilic’s door and ask to go out and prove his worth to the Croatian.

The only way he may break into the side is if there’s a significant injury crisis, but by performing to a high-standard elsewhere, he can catch his manager’s eye.

If Sam Field and Jonathan Leko can clinch Championship moves, then so can he, which will only help his cause tenfold. Albion’s manager must make a simple call.

Manchester United fans can’t have been too happy with their showing against Bournemouth as they lost 1-0 to the Cherries in their meeting at the Vitality Stadium.

Indeed, the fanbase didn’t have too much to be pleased about, but despite the poor result, they were still willing to jump to the defence of one of their players.

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Victor Lindelof was chastised by some on social media, including the chief Manchester United writer for the Manchester Evening News who said that his position has to be in jeopardy as he believed that he was at fault for Bournemouth’s goal.

Fans were quick to point out that they didn’t agree with Samuel Luckhurst’s view as many stated that it was, in fact, Aaron Wan-Bissaka who was at fault for the only goal of the game.

Despite the negativity that will obviously come after this result, it’s good to see some fans having calm heads and not pointing the finger at every player at any given opportunity.

To be fair, it’s up for debate as to who was at fault for Joshua King’s goal, but these United fans clearly don’t want to blame Lindelof.

Here’s what the Old Trafford faithful have been saying on Twitter…

Mason Greenwood played a vital role in coming off the bench against Sheffield United on Sunday, and his contribution has earned him praise from Manchester United fans.

It was the first Premier League goal the 18-year-old has scored, and he did brilliantly to create space in the six-yard box to tap in from Marcus Rashford’s brilliant low cross.

The poaching instinct he displayed didn’t go unnoticed by supporters, and for the player himself it will feel like the next step in his progression as a United player.

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Greenwood has scored before in cup competition but making an impact from the bench so soon after coming on, and at such a crucial stage, should increase his likelihood of playing again.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could now consider him as the first option to turn to in order to change the game, as his movement and finishing quality means it is always possible he will get on the scoresheet.

Here are some of the reactions to the striker’s first Premier League goal.

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…

Phil Hay, a journalist with an esteemed history of covering Leeds United for both the Yorkshire Evening Post and now The Athletic, has shed light on the solidarity in the dressing room at Everton, with a number of players learning foreign languages for better communication amongst the team.

What did he say?

Everton, like most modern day football clubs, are a multinational outfit.

In the dressing room, languages range from Italian with Moise Kean, Spanish with Yerry Mina, to Icelandic from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Most players will naturally feel the urge to learn or fine-tune their English language skills after moving to a Premier League outfit, but it’s not only the foreign players who are taking time to learn a new language.

Hay wrote for The Athletic: “Everton and Silva want Richarlison to speak more English. The same goes for Yerry Mina, a Colombian who came from Barcelona last year with no great grasp of the language.”

Hay later went on to add: “What is interesting at Everton — and what underlines the value of being multilingual — is that a number of their British players are taking lessons in Spanish, to help the lines of communication on the pitch and away from it.

“One source spoken to by The Athletic described it as a ‘contra deal’ at Goodison Park, where footballers of different nationalities help each other to learn.”

A positive future

Everton are currently sat just two points above the relegation zone after a shocking start to this Premier League season. Plus, with Marco Silva under constant pressure right now, it all seems slightly doom and gloom on the blue side of Merseyside.

However, it does seem like there is a togetherness amongst the players, which is only going to benefit the club moving forward. It is a very smart touch from the players to agree to this “contra deal” because as times get tough at Goodison Park, positive communication will be more vital than ever.

The last thing Silva would want is animosity and a lack of understanding between his players, and the report from Hay can only be positive news for the Blues.

Right now, Everton need to rally together and this intriguing touch is one that should ultimately pay off in the long term.

انتقد رضا عبد العال مدرب فريق طنطا الأسبق، القيادة الفنية للأهلي تحت إدارة بيتسو موسيماني خلال الفترة الماضية.

وقال رضا عبد العال في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “القاهرة والناس”: “النادي الأهلي منظومة متكاملة تساعد على نجاح أي مدرب، تتويج الأهلي بدوري أبطال إفريقيا أمام الزمالك لا يحسب لموسيماني”.

وأكمل: “الأهلي فاز بضربة حظ، كانت النية خالصة في النادي الأهلي، وبعكس الزمالك، نية اللاعبين سيئة”.

وتابع: “انتصارات الأهلي لا تحسب لموسيماني، أنا أول واحد قلت إن موسيماني (معندوش فكرة وهجاص) وأخذ الميدالية البرونزية في كأس العالم للأندية بضربات الجزاء”.

طالع | اتحاد الكرة يعلن حكم مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في قمة الدوري

واستطرد: “مروان محسن أداؤه غير جيد في النادي الأهلي، وغير موفق في تسجيل الأهداف منذ 5 سنوات”.

واختتم: “أداء مروان محسن مع النادي الإسماعيلي يختلف عن الأهلي والزمالك، لسنا في مستشفى، إصاباته كثيرة، ومروان حمدي مهاجم الزمالك شبيه لمروان محسن”.

Leeds United fans on Twitter have been loving one aspect of Luke Ayling’s game after Graham Smyth highlighted it on Twitter.

The chief football writer at the Yorkshire Evening Post dubbed it the ‘Ayling flop’, and he gave a further explanation about what it actually is.

He’s seemingly not the only one who has picked up on this trait from the full-back as many fans replied saying just how much they love this part of Ayling’s game.

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You have to say that it is an effective strategy as it alleviates a lot of pressure on Leeds when they’re in a rather sticky situation.

Indeed, the 28-year-old’s stats show that he’s fouled twice per game, and with the full-back completing just 0.7 dribbles per match we can hazard a guess that a number of these fouls come via the ‘Ayling flop’.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying about it on Twitter…

Manchester City cult hero Micah Richards, speaking exclusively in an interview with Bwin, has detailed how former international compatriot Frank Lampard will one day become a top Premier League manager.

The Sky Blues legend amassed 246 appearances during his time at City, scoring nine goals and assisting 14 more, in a decade-long spell that saw him endear himself to the Etihad faithful with his powerful defensive displays and chirpy personality.

His love for the club was clear, staying and fighting for a place in the side despite an influx of new defenders arriving due to Sheikh Mansour’s takeover – consistently battling with fellow favourite Pablo Zabaleta to be City’s number one right-back during the Roberto Mancini era.

Now, after helping the Blues win copious silverware as a player, Richards has predicted that Lampard will become a top coach in the seasons to come.

Despite a shaky return to Stamford Bridge, at least during the very start of the campaign, ‘Lamps’ has managed to turn his club’s fortunes around after nearly gaining promotion with Derby County last season.

Chelsea have now climbed to third in the Premier League table, winning six games on the bounce since losing to Liverpool back in September and scoring 15 goals in that time – thanks in part to the sensational form of youngsters Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori.

“I think Frank Lampard will be a top manager,” explained Richards.

“Regardless of what money Frank would have had to spend, I think he would’ve brought youth through anyway. It’s becoming a young man’s game now.”

Understanding the importance of youth, Richards came through City’s academy and played an integral defensive role in the following years before moving to Aston Villa in 2015.

With Lampard adopting an ‘academy comes first’ approach to his first season with the Blues as manager, partly due to their current transfer ban preventing them from signing anyone in the summer, it appears to be paying off.

Abraham, who had a hugely prolific spell with Villa last season, scoring 26 goals in 40 appearances, is carrying on his blistering form in the top flight – having found the net 11 times already this season.

Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter in raging fashion after watching Patrick van Aanholt’s performance in the 2-0 loss to Leicester at Selhurst Park on Sunday.The 9-cap Netherlands international was making his 10th Premier League start of the season – he has played every minute of the league campaign so far – but failed to deliver a good enough showing.Van Aanholt was partly at fault for the Foxes’ opening goal, in which he could only flick James Maddison’s corner into the path of ÇaÄŸlar Söyüncü, who nodded home – a bit more positional awareness would’ve allowed the former Chelsea defender to cleanly head the ball clear.However, the 29-year-old did make five tackles – more than any of his teammates – as well as two interceptions and two clearances.One fan said that van Aanholt can’t defend to save his life, whereas another harshly suggested that it’ll be a fantastic day when the left-back leaves the club.Let’s take a look at some more tweets…