Carlo Ancelotti should overlook a potential recall for James Rodriguez against Manchester United on Saturday as the midfielder could hold Everton back at Old Trafford.

Rodriguez fell to the bench following a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United last weekend and played no part as the Toffees beat Leeds United 2-1 on Wednesday night.

It was the first occasion since the 29-year-old joined Everton from Real Madrid last summer that he failed to feature in a Premier League game outside of an injury, having started 13 of his 14 top-flight outings in royal blue.

Everton beat Leeds through goals from midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson and top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin, having dominated for large periods of the first half before digging in deep to see out the result after Raphinha pulled one back for the Whites early in the second period.

Sigurdsson was particularly effective during the first 45 minutes with his link-up play with Calvert-Lewin, Alex Iwobi and Richarlison impressive, while his drive into the box returned a gift to break the deadlock with the easiest of finishes.

Yet even after a somewhat slack showing in the second half from the Iceland international, Rodriguez watched on as Michael Keane, Joshua King and Tom Davies were introduced from the bench.

Everton ended the midweek affair with 10 shots registered from seven key passes, of which Abdoulaye Doucoure offered the most from the deep-lying box-to-box midfield role with two. Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Andre Gomes plus defenders Lucas Digne and Ben Godfrey provided the rest, per WhoScored.

Rodriguez may be considered for an immediate recall to inject an added level of creativity into the Everton starting line-up against Manchester United on Saturday, with no member of Ancelotti’s squad offering more key passes than the Colombian (28) in the Premier League this term.

Yet calling on the 29-year-old could see Ancelotti actually hold Everton back at Old Trafford, as Rodriguez endured one of his worst performances in royal blue when the two sides met back in November and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side emerged 3-1 victors at Goodison Park.

Only against Newcastle on January 30 and against West Ham United on New Year’s Day has he achieved a lower WhoScored match rating in a Premier League fixture than he did against the Red Devils, having earned a 6.31 compared to the 5.96 achieved against both the Toon and Irons.

The £31.5m-rated maestro further achieved his fourth-worst pass success rating (79.5%) and played his sixth-least passes (44) in a single game against Manchester United, while failing to attempt a single shot or key pass for one of only three occasions in each regard.

Ancelotti would not be able to guarantee Rodriguez avoiding a repeat performance this weekend, as Everton are facing a Red Devils side brimming with confidence after a 9-0 demolition of Southampton and are firing on all cylinders.

The Toffees will need to be alert defensively and have no passengers on board, and Rodriguez’s performance in the reverse fixture make for underwhelming reading. And, given that Ancelotti’s men picked up the win last time out, there is surely no reason for the Everton boss to make such a gamble in a big game.

AND in other news, a £65k-p/w Everton titan faces a fight at Everton after Carlo Ancelotti was left “really surprised” vs Leeds…

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Scott McTominay has suffered a fresh injury setback ahead of facing Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night.

What’s the word?

Solskjaer also revealed the Red Devils will be without Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba again for the return fixture against Imanol Alguacil’s side at Old Trafford tonight.

McTominay came off during the 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad in Turin, while both Cavani and Van de Beek have missed the past two games due to injury.

Pogba, on the other hand, is working his way back to fitness, but is not expected to be back until the beginning of March at the earliest before the Manchester derby later that week.

“No. They are still out,” Solskjaer said in his pre-match press conference.

“Still not trained enough or joined in, it will be more or less the same squad as Newcastle.”

Bad news for Solskjaer?

The update will come as a double-edged sword for Solskjaer, who faces the prospect of being without one of his star midfielders ahead of the trip to Manchester City in just over a week’s time.

On the one hand, it will allow McTominay to rest and recuperate to hopefully recover in time to face-off against Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.

On the other, however, he faces a race against time in order to prove his match fitness before potentially facing their arch rivals.

The Scotsman was forced to limp off in the second half after being replaced by Nemanja Matic which left a sour note on an otherwise outstanding evening for the Red Devils.

McTominay, 24, has scored four goals, recording a further assist, in 21 top-flight appearances in the Premier League this season. For context, that’s more than Fred and Matic have scored between them across all competitions this season, per Transfermarkt.

Given United’s busy schedule – three games in the past seven days – he may very well have sat out against Sociedad anyway, but potentially losing the player for even longer would come as a huge blow for Solskjaer, given his fine vein of form.

AND in other news, Man Utd plotting Jarrad Branthwaite transfer with an eye on the future…

Many Crystal Palace fans are reacting following reports linking the south London side with a move for Mostafa Mohamed.

According to haberturk, and tweeted out by @cpfc_xtra, Palace are weighing up a move for the Galatasaray striker ahead of the summer transfer window. Galatasaray reportedly may be open to cashing in on Mohamed already, and the media outlet are claiming that he has a price tag of £22m.

The Egyptian striker has had a brilliant start to the 2020/21 season in Turkey, playing three games (one of which was from the bench) and scoring three goals (WhoScored), and has managed three shots and 2.3 dribbles a game. It is also interesting to see that he has 45 in 126 appearances during his career so far (Transfermarkt).

The 23 year-old looks to be prolific, however he is an unknown striker to fans of the south London side and he is only valued at £2.25m on Transfermarkt so the reported price tag seems very steep.

Here is how Palace fans reacted to the news:

“WHO”

Credit: @MarkDre44138040

“Just what we need another striker , who cares about an ageing defence”

Credit: @Mikeyp1981

“Rather we tried out Omilabu. Don’t think we need him tbh.”

Credit: @cpfc_fpage_se25

“Yayyyy another player who can come and sit on a bench and watch Benteke.”

Credit: @MichaelBG1212

“We’re overdoing it with the Turkish league”

Credit: @Sumo08112

“No thanks”

Credit: @cpfccharlie0

“Shocking if true”

Credit: @letstalkpalace

In other news, O’Hara has linked a Premier League legend to the manager role at Palace!

Leeds United have been without Gaetano Berardi for several months due to injury and Phil Hay has discussed when he could be likely to return.

Phil Hay reveals potential Berardi return

The Athletic journalist was discussing Berardi’s first team return after he made his first start for the under-23s on Monday and said: “My mayhem radar is saying Berardi v Foden, April 10.”

Berardi could find it tricky to come back

It will be good to have the right-back available for selection again in the near future as Leeds have had multiple injury issues this season, and so it is a boost for another defender to be nearing availability for first team selection. However, you can see why Hay is perhaps a little tentative on the mooted return date as the 32-year-old has not played a professional game since July (Transfermarkt). Clearly Marcelo Bielsa does rate him, howerver, as he has previously said: “Berardi is a loyal player and he gives everything on the pitch.”

To come up against a rampant Manchester City is hard for any player, let alone one returning from long-term injury, so despite it being very unlikely that Bielsa will utilise him against the Premier League leaders, it is at least encouraging to hear a mid-April return date being hinted at by Hay.

With the right-back playing for Leeds’ under-23s, it would be good to use him in the academy side for a few weeks until he gets back to full fitness and Bielsa can reassess him then.

In other news, Phil Hay discussed one Leeds star and his current contract!

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Neilton causou apreensão durante o treino do Botafogo, na manhã desta quarta-feira. O atleta sentiu dores no tornozelo direito e deixou a atividade mancando. Após tirar a chuteira, ele saiu do gramado sem aparentar maiores problemas.

Neilton fez, contra o Boavista, no último domingo, a primeira partida como titular esse ano. Isso porque, ainda na pré-temporada, ele sofreu uma lesão na coxa esquerda que o afastou dos gramados.

A atividade em General Severiano foi tática. O técnico Ricardo Gomes dividiu o elenco em quatro times, que se enfrentaram de dois em dois. O foco era o trabalho defensivo.

O grupo treina também na parte da tarde, nesta quarta. A atividade também é em General Severiano.

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We are now 20 days into the transfer window and Jeff Shi is yet to bring any new faces to Wolves.

With the Molineux outfit failing to win eight of their last ten games, it doesn’t bode particularly well that they’ve not tried to strengthen.

What’s the word?

One way Wolves have looked at improving their ranks is by recalling Patrick Cutrone and Morgan Gibbs-White from their respective loan spells at Fiorentina and Swansea.

Cutrone, however, could exit the club again after just a matter of weeks of returning to the fray.

That’s according to journalist Gianluigi Longari on Twitter who claims that Parma have approached the Premier League side in a bid to bring him back to Italy.

They have other targets in mind but if all else fails they will supposedly pursue Cutrone.

Get rid

It was wise of Wolves to bring the striker back to England this month. After all, he wasn’t getting sufficient game time in Florence and Nuno Santo needed another forward with Raul Jimenez injured.

Cutrone hasn’t scored all season but added depth was vitally important for a side in such a big rut. That being said, it was unfathomable that he’d be the only arrival at Molineux this month. Such is their plight that they need to heavily invest in forward areas.

That, however, could be tough for Nuno after he was told to forget about spending a large sum of cash in January.

That being said, if a suitable offer for the Italy international does arrives this month, they must wield the axe on him and get rid once and for all. This might be ruthless given he’s only just returned but it could provide Wolves with the extra cash they need to bring in someone more qualified to play second fiddle to Jimenez.

Cutrone has scored just three goals in 27 appearances for Wolves, a tally that doesn’t even come close to replicating the exploits of Jimenez in recent years.

Since being signed by Fosun, the attacker has bled the owner dry for a sum of £62.9k-per-week. With just a trio of goals to his name in the Old Gold shirt, he hasn’t even come close to being worth the £16m they paid for him in the summer of 2019.

To brutally sum things up, the 23-year-old has cost the club £5.3m for every goal he’s scored during his time in the Midlands.

That simply isn’t good enough and with players like Olivier Giroud and Diego Costa being linked to the club – proven Premier League goalscorers – they need to sacrifice both Cutrone’s talents and his wage.

Providing a bid is received, Wolves need to forget about handing out a second chance and dismiss him from their plans.

AND in other news, Wolves can finally replace Jota by swooping for “ruthless” gem with “explosive pace”…

 تحدث محمد بركات لاعب الأهلي المعتزل عن تجربة البرتغالي كارلوس كيروش المدير الفني الحالي لمنتخب مصر، ووجه رسالة لأحمد مجاهد رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم.

ويستعد منتخب مصر مع مدربه كيروش لمواجهة قطر بعد غدٍ السبت في مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع ببطولة كأس العرب 2021.

وقال محمد بركات خلال حديثه ببرنامج “الريمونتادا” المذاع على قناة “المحور”: “لولا الحظ الذي وقف معنا خلال الشوط الأول في مباراة الأردن لكان منتخب مصر خسر هذه المباراة، وعلى كيروش الاستفادة من دعم أحمد مجاهد والعمل على التطور خلال الفترة المقبلة”.

وأضاف: “أوجه حديثي إلى أحمد مجاهد، لو كان المدرب مميز يجب أن يستمر حتى عام 2026 ولكن الأزمة في التوقيت، ويجب أن يتم تقييم تجربة كيروش من خلال كأس العرب ثم كأس أمم إفريقيا، ومن ثم العمل على تجديد عقده بعد ذلك”.

طالع | لاعب تونس: الفوز على مصر أمر لا يصدق.. والفرص في نهائي كأس العرب متساوية

وواصل مدير المنتخب السابق: “كيروش دائمًا يتحدث بعد المباريات عن أمور أخرى بخلاف أسباب المكسب أو الخسارة وهذا يعد أمرا غريبًا بالنسبة لي”.

واختتم: “الدوري الأردني يبدأ في فبراير وينتهي في نوفمبر المقبل، وعندما واجهنا الأردن واجهنا لاعبين انتهوا بدنيًا منذ فترة، ورغم ذلك لولا محمد الشناوي (أقل واجب) كنا سنخسر بثلاثة أهداف”.

This hasn’t exactly been an easy January for Leeds United to negotiate. Heading into their clash with Newcastle this week, they’d yet to score or win in 2021.

On top of that, they’ve also failed to strengthen in the January transfer window.

On the chalkboard

Fortunately, things are getting better for Leeds. They defeated the Magpies 2-1 on Tuesday and now it looks as though enigmatic left-back Gjanni Alioski is heading for the exit door.

A report from Fotosport (via Sport Witness) claim that with Alioski’s contract expiring in the summer, he has reached an agreement with Galatasaray in Turkey to move there in the next transfer window.

Players are free to discuss a pre-contract arrangement with foreign clubs from this month onwards if their deal expires in six months and thus, it appears the North Macedonian is set to bring his stay at Elland Road to an end.

This wouldn’t be a huge loss for Leeds, however, who are bound to be frustrated with some of his performances. He was torn apart by Manchester United and Daniel James last month while he put in another unconvincing performance against Newcastle this week.

Previously described as a “liability” by Noel Whelan, it’s unlikely he’ll be missed too much in Yorkshire.

The solution

Leeds have had a problem at left-back for a number of years now. Ever since Charlie Taylor departed for Burnley, they have been found wanting in that area of the pitch. Gaetano Berardi deputised there for a period but he has one of the worst disciplinary records in the club’s history, being red-carded on seven occasions.

Stuart Dallas has played there and so too has Alioski. Though, the fact of the matter is that neither are natural left-backs. The former is used to playing on the right while the latter is a winger by trade.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-leeds-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Leeds news!”]

It’s hard to suggest Barry Douglas’ time worked out either. He’s now at Blackburn on loan and failed to score for the Whites despite being a set-piece wizard for Wolves before arriving.

Thus, there is a pretty large problem to solve – one that can be fixed by signing a proper left-back.

In Josh Doig they could well find that. The Hibernian youngster has been linked with a move to Sunderland, Leeds, Manchester City and Celtic in recent days in a switch that could cost £1m.

Not only would this be a bargain for Victor Orta, but it would also help to replace Alioski perfectly. That’s because they possess similar qualities.

In Goal’s report about Doig this week, they wrote the following about the 18-year-old: “Scouts have noted Doig’s attacking output as a huge part of his game, with his crossing ability and tireless running two of his key attributes.”

That sounds an awful like Alioski, someone who loves to stride forward and provide goals and assists. Fortunately, however, Doig is also very capable defensively.

The teenager was only given his first taste of senior football this season but has since played on 17 occasions in the Scottish Premiership. He has become a regular under Jack Ross and is incredibly strong in the tackle.

Doig has won a colossal 2.1 tackles per game this season, a tally that not only usurps Alioski (1.8) but also a great deal of Leeds’ team. In fact, the Hibs defender would be placed fifth for that certain statistic out of United’s regular starters.

Leeds have lacked a defender with the ability to do the simple things right from a defensive point of view for a while and that’s exactly why they need to sign Doig. Add that to the fact he’d cost just £1m and this would be the perfect deal for Marcelo Bielsa.

AND in other news, 3 new signings, Bielsa favourite axed: How Leeds’ XI could look after deadline day…

Leeds United looked to have a squad fully prepared for Premier League survival. The additions of Robin Koch and Raphinha have been shrewd ones, and with the January window fast approaching the Whites have the chance to unleash Victor Orta on the transfer market once more.

However, despite some incredible results against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, their recent form is cause for concern, with the embarrassing 3-0 defeat to League Two side Crawley Town making it six defeats in ten in all competitions.

Marcelo Bielsa must now look long and hard at who really deserves the chance to try and keep his side afloat, and for all his favour with the Elland Road faithful, Pablo Hernandez is amongst those who is quite simply not playing well enough.

The Spaniard was indeed phenomenal last season – as per Transfermarkt, he managed nine goals and nine assists from midfield, finishing as Leeds’ second top scorer and cementing his name into legendary status.

This season however, it seems the physicality of the Premier League is taking a toll on the 35-year-old, with just two assists to his name. Bielsa has started the £23,500 per week midfielder only twice in the top flight, with younger replacement Rodrigo seemingly preferred in his position.

It may be tough to take for both Hernandez and the fans given what a popular figure he is – Phil Hay says he is an “unreal” player – but he simply hasn’t got what it takes at this level at this stage of his career.

The Spain international was shocking – like many others to be fair – against Crawley. According to Sofascore, he lost possession a whopping 32 times, and was generally wasteful throughout the match, failing to even register a shot on target against the FA Cup minnows.

Tough though it may be, it’s time the manager see his veteran playmaker as no more than a squad player moving forwards.

In other news, Bielsa must make ruthless call on Helder Costa…

Leeds United’s decision to sell Kasper Schmeichel to Leicester back in the summer of 2011 must surely go down as one of the biggest blunders in the club’s recent history.

Reports claimed that Leeds sold Schmeichel for less than £1m, with then boss Simon Grayson making it clear that the call to sell the Denmark international was one that was in the “best interests” of the Whites, and that it was the “right deal for the club”.

It was suggested by the manager himself that the goalkeeping position was an area he wanted to strengthen that summer, and wanted to sign another senior shot-stopper to follow in the footsteps of Paul Rachubka’s arrival from Blackpool.

Speaking after a move to the Foxes was confirmed, Schmeichel let it be known that the decision for him to leave Elland Road was taken out of his hands, and that it was well and truly against his wishes.

He said at the time: “I want to put on record that I have never asked to leave the Leeds United, nor did I reject an offer for a new contract, since one was never put to me. I was enjoying being a Leeds United player and was looking forward to winning promotion this season with the club.

“I have spoken to the manager Simon Grayson and he has made it clear to me, that, in spite of having played well for him, this is something he believes is a good deal for Leeds United. I have been put in a very difficult situation and will spend some time considering my options for my future.”

Since then, Schmeichel of course has developed into a Premier League stalwart, having earned promotion to the top-flight with Leicester and being part of that now historic side that clinched the title against all odds in 2016.

The big Dane has also picked up 60 senior caps for his country, while he was even named by FIFA as one of the three finalists for the world’s best goalkeeper award back in 2018.

Considering that Leeds pocketed less than a £1m – absolute peanuts both in today’s market and even back in 2011 – it’s surely a shocking call that the Whites must still regret even to this day given how Schmeichel has progressed at the King Power Stadium.

Leeds just weren’t able to see the kind of potential in Schmeichel that Leicester did, and it’s the Foxes who have benefitted the most.