Darron Gibson has backed Everton team-mate Seamus Coleman to stop Gareth Bale when the Blues travel to Spurs on Sunday.
Everton will hope to maintain their push for a top-four finish this season with a positive result at White Hart Lane this weekend.
However, they will again have to keep star man Bale quiet and Gibson says fellow Irishman Coleman knows how to combat the Welsh wizard after restricting him in the first fixture between the sides earlier in the campaign – and also last term.
“Seamus has dealt with him quite well the last two times he has played against him,” Gibson told the club’s website.
“I think he (Bale) has been unbelievable. He’s won games for Spurs on his own.”
He added: “It’s good for English football and it’s good for Spurs but hopefully he is not good on Sunday against us. I think he is up there with the best in Europe at the minute.”
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Manchester United have agreed a fee with Porto for Diego Dalot and arranged a medical for later on this week, according to Sky Sports.
What’s the latest, then?
Sky Sports report that an undisclosed fee has been agreed between the two clubs for the 19-year-old full-back, who is understood to have a £17.4m release clause in his contract with the Portuguese giants.
They go on to say that a medical is now set to take place later on in the week ahead of a move to Old Trafford for the teenager, who only made his first-team debut in February.
Dalot is a right-back by trade, making him an ideal replacement for Antonio Valencia next season but can also play at left-back if needed, which may also see him fill in for Ashley Young at times in 2018/19.
Dalot is an overdue Valencia replacement
For a side such as Manchester United, with their very reasonable title ambitions, to be going into yet another season with wingers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, left over from the Sir Alex Ferguson era converted into their first-choice full-backs would just not be acceptable.
Dalot is raw and his purchase is an uncharacteristic risk on a young player from Mourinho and the hope is that he actually plays him; either in his preferred right-back role or as the makeshift left-back he can be, and doesn’t hoard him as a another young player to sell on for a profit.
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If he can use his younger legs to scamper up and down the right for United, delivering quality from wide areas and enabling Mourinho to drag his defence higher up the pitch, then he will be worth every penny.
Tottenham fans have been discussing a possible swoop for Real Madrid playmaker Isco, and a whopping 90 per cent of fans want Levy and Pochettino to make their move.
Despite winning the Champions League just over a month ago, Real Madrid seem to be in a bit of turmoil at the moment.
Zinedine Zidane stunned the footballing world by announcing his departure, and Julen Lopetegui’s switch from the Spain job hasn’t exactly been a smooth transition.
Isco hasn’t expressed his desire to leave, but he has been linked with moves to North London on countless occasions ever since Pochettino heaped praise on the Spanish superstar.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”Three reasons we love to hate… Brazil and Argentina”]
The 26 year-old has been strutting his stuff at the World Cup, and his performance against Iran in particular drew huge praise.
Valued at £67.5m by Transfermarkt, Isco wouldn’t come cheap, but he would make the rest of the league sit up and take notice.
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There is a real feeling that Pochettino’s side is just one superstar signing away from really challenging Manchester City, and fans clearly agree, as the vast majority backed a big money move for Isco.
After a really positive end to 2012 it’s not been such a great start to the new year for Coventry City. A disappointing defeat at home to Shrewsbury followed promptly by David McGoldrick’s inevitable exit, topped off with a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in the FA Cup 3rd round.
The Shrewsbury defeat definitely sounds a lot worse than it was though. They raised their game and it was just one of those days in front of goal for us. If we continue to create that number of chances then we will carry on winning more games than we lose and that’s a fact.
The biggest worry I do have is whether or not we are going to be able to finish these chances that we are creating. Our main man in front of goal David McGoldrick has now completed his loan spell with the club and has decided against re-joining us.
I can’t hide my huge disappointment in this decision as he has been playing the best football of his career here at Coventry and it genuinely looked like he had found his home in football terms at least. He has been scoring goals for fun, terrorising defence’s and quickly became a firm fans favourite because of his quality and work rate. He finished his spell with the Skyblues with 17 goals from 25 games which is a sign of striker who knows where the back of the net is.
His decision however has surprised me. Not the fact he chose not to join back up with the skyblues but that he chose to join a club like Ipswich. Ipswich have been struggling this season and find themselves 19th only 5 points off of the bottom three with the worst goal difference in the league. They also are a club with a lot of good strikers on their books which include fellow new signing Aaron Mclean. He is therefore by no means guaranteed a first team place and he seemed in his time at Coventry like a player who wants to play.
I worry for him a little not only in the sense of the club he has chosen to play for who like Coventry have a reputation for ruining good players but the fact he is making the step up to the championship which he has so far failed to deliver in. He has spent a few seasons in the championship but has never been able to make a mark on it and has often been in and out of the team.
He is also going into a team where he is going to have to learn how they play. The way Coventry played suited his game perfectly and allowed him to be the main man of the team. If this changes which I’m sure it will at Ipswich I think he is going to struggle. We witnessed this in his last game for us when Mark Robin changed formation to 4-4-2. The team lost its balance a bit and McGoldrick seemed to lose his way and became unsure of where he should be with another striker up alongside him.
He has been a fantastic servant to the club in his short spell with us and for that I wish him all the best for the future and hope he makes a success of it at Ipswich. I don’t however believe that this will be the case and I’m worried his talents will once again be put into the background and become lost within the reserves and the subs bench.
McGoldrick is now the past for Coventry and Leon Clarke may be the future. Having seen him play both in these opening two fixtures for us and for his previous teams I am yet to be convinced of his talents. He is not the same sort of player as McGoldrick but I cannot stop myself from comparing them. My personal opinion is McGoldrick wins hands down on everything that a striker should offer. He is faster, has a better touch, holds the ball up better and from the goals I have seen clearly has a better finishing ability.
Another thing that worries me about Clarke is the number of clubs he has already been at despite only being 27 years old. Coventry will be his 15th club in his career with the majority of them being on loan. This worries me even more in that it seems almost as soon as a club signs Clarke they realise they have made a bad decision and loan him out. We are the 3rd club he has been loaned too since joining Charlton having only made 7 appearances for his parent club.
Whilst his overall goalscoring record is pretty appalling for a striker his goalscoring record in league one is something that could be promising for the rest of the season. He has scored 31 Goals in 40 appearances for four different League one clubs which is a prolific strike rate. If he continues this for us then we will have found a readymade replacement for McGoldrick and hopefully it will mean we won’t miss him too much.
Our first game without McGoldrick was the FA cup 3rd round tie against Tottenham Hotspur. We were all hoping for a repeat of the 1987 final but right from the start we could see this wasn’t going to be the case. Spurs came out 3-0 winners and it could of and probably should have been more. It was a disappointing day out for the club and the fans in the end which is a shame but it is time to get back to games which truly matter.
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Thursday’s Johnstone’s paint trophy tie at home to Preston is a huge game for the club. It is effectively the quarter final of the competition and I really feel it is a chance to bring some good times back to the club and get that winning mentality which we so dearly crave.
Sir Alex Ferguson became the first manager to win 100 Champions League games as Manchester United beat Galatasaray 1-0 at Old Trafford, Manchester Evening News reports.
The result could prove to be vital for United, who only managed two points from their opening two matches in last season’s competition- causing them to exit at the group stages.
Michael Carrick’s seventh-minute goal should have been the platform to a more convincing victory, but the Turkish champions continued to create numerous chances, with David de Gea forced to make some vital saves.
But Ferguson understandably did not reflect on his latest milestone and seemed to be more focused on the result.
He said: “After the experience of last season which was an unusual one for us, the result was the most important thing. Getting three points from the first game, is a bonus.
“For our club, it is more than that, it is about playing the brand of football we are recognised for and at times we did. The first 15 minutes we played very well and got the goal.
But the 70-year-old Scot will be worried by the Red Devils’ careless possession play and the way the Istanbul side cut through his team so easily.
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Although, what will be even more concerning for the United manager is the number of missed chances, particularly in the second-half, as Nani missed the team’s third penalty in a row and Javier Hernandez spurned several opportunities to score.
“Fortunately half time came at a good time for us because we were far more solid, they didn’t make any chances at all. We missed so many chances second half, that was the worrying part”, he added.
According to Mirror Football, Arsenal have been given a boost in their plans to sign Angel di Maria, with the Real Madrid admitting he’s unsure of his future at the Bernabeu.
The news comes as some surprise, considering the Argentine featured heavily for Los Blancos in a new-found central midfield role last season as the Spanish giants marched their way to a Champions League title.
The 26 year-old also lead La Liga’s set-up charts, with a stunning 17 assists in 34 league appearances.
Several Premier League clubs, including the Gunners, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have been eying the South American for some time, but it’s believed the Emirates are currently his most prevalent suitors.
But with Arsenal’s new sponsorship deal with Puma reportedly giving Arsene Wenger the largest transfer budget in Gunners history this summer, it’s unlikely Di Maria will be his only purchase in the coming transfer window.
With that in mind, here’s a list of SIX players who could follow the Argentina international to the Emirates – some inspired by his arrival, others more coincidental.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON ANGEL DI MARIA TO REVEAL ALL
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SAMI KHEDIRA
//www.youtube.com/embed/6GMNjPao7Ew?autoplay=1
Angel Di Maria could soon find himself joined at the Emirates by Real Madrid team-mate Sami Khedira, with the Daily Express claiming the Bernabeu star has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal and Manchester United…
Widely considered to be one of Europe’s top ball-winning midfielders with a powerful 6 foot 2 frame, the 27 year-old would certainly address the Gunners’ need for a more defensive element in the middle of the park.
Compatriots and former Los Blancos team-mates, having both earned their moves to the Spanish giants after the 2010 World Cup, the Germany international has a strong on-pitch understanding with Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, as demonstrated below…
Furthermore, the Spanish press have speculated that the former Bundesliga winner will be moved on this summer to make away for new recruits…
That could see him arrive in the Premier League for between £15million-£20million, but along with United and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have been strongly linked too.
KARIM BENZEMA
//www.youtube.com/embed/2LvJ2Z-owQ8?autoplay=1 Another Real Madrid star often mooted with an Arsenal switch is front-man Karim Benzema.
The France international has shown unbelievable form in the World Cup, with Whoscored.com ranking him the competition’s top performer thus far for his three goals and two assists in just two appearances…
That includes this tidy finish following an Emile-Heskey-esque clearance from Philip Senderos…
But unfortunately not this incredible strike, with the referee blowing the final whistle just before it left the 26 year-old’s boot…
Arsene Wenger will be keen to tap into the powerful striker’s ability to score and create – during his last season with Mesut Ozil at the Bernabeu, the attacking duo racked up 20 goals and 25 assists between them in La Liga.
Recent speculation suggests a summer switch involving Liverpool’s Luis Suarez could be on the cards…
MARIO BALOTELLI
Karim Benzema isn’t the only frontman Arsenal are reportedly targeting this summer, with the North London club also strongly linked to AC Milan’s mercurial star Mario Balotelli.
Just in case you’ve forgotten how disruptive an influence the former Manchester City badboy can be, here’s a video of the 50 Craziest things he’s done so far in his career…
//www.youtube.com/embed/BepDexjVfG0?autoplay=1
But there’s no doubt the Italy international has the quality and firepower to address Arsenal’s desperate need for a dependable goal scorer.
The 23 year-old contributed a vital twelve goals to the Citizens’ first Premier League title in 2012, and since joining AC Milan in January 2013 has netted 30 times in 54 outings, not to mention this dream-crushing header for Italy against England..
Here’s a shot clip of the Azzurri star’s top ten goals:
//www.youtube.com/embed/hZ2GEP2pPX8
The Metro believe a deal could be imminent…
But surprise interest from Napoli could prove a stumbling block:
Which brings us nicely onto…
GONZALO HIGUAIN
According to the Express, Arsenal are set to revive their interest in Angel Di Maria’s former Real Madrid team-mate and current Argentina ally, Gonzalo Higuain.
The Albiceleste forward is famed for his potency in front of goal, with an international record of 20 in 37 and a La Liga record of 107 in 190, subsequently firing Los Blancos to three Spanish titles.He’s a short vid of Higuain’s best goals for the European champions:
//www.youtube.com/embed/jtJXvedyY7Q
Arsenal were strongly linked with the 26 year-old last summer before his £34.5million move to Naples, where he’s since claimed 24 goals and eleven assists in 44 appearances, helping the Serie A side claim last season’s Coppa Italia.
And following news that he could again be made available this summer by Rafa Benitez, the Gunners are reportedly considering an offer.
But recent speculation from Italy suggests Barcelona are currently leading the race for the 6 foot 1 striker’s signature.
EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI
Another Argentine said to be on Arsenal’s radar this summer is PSG winger-forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.
The 29 year-old offers a blend of pace, creativity and firepower, as demonstrated in the below video:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Uz2G4u0RiEo
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He’s been in good form this season too as the Parisians marched their way to a second consecutive Ligue 1 title, finding twelve goals and ten assists across all competitions – including this strike against Chelsea in the Champions League…
The Daily Star believe the Albiceleste international, who provided an assist to Lionel Messi against Iran on Saturday, has emerged as one of Arsenal’s priority targets from the World Cup…
But long-term interest from Chelsea, as reported by the Metro, could prove to be an issue.
JUAN CUADRADO
Another winger option the North Londoners are believed to be strongly considering is Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado.
The Colombia international was in sensational form last season and is now transitioning his talismanic displays into the World Cup, as seen below…
In fact, only Daley Blind has matched the 26 year-old’s three assists at Brazil 2014, and he was unlucky not to mark his first World Cup goal with this effort against the Ivory Coast..
Arsene Wenger will be keen to tap into the South American’s versatility too, having featured in no less than eight different positions this season…
And his mixture of pace and trickery would certainly address Arsenal’s lack of natural penetration out wide. Here’s a short vid showing Cuadrado’s fancy footwork…
//www.youtube.com/embed/yWhmdK5YCA8
The Daily Star speculate the Gunners have already opened talks with the winger’s agent…
But they’ll face stiff competition from Juventus, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Monaco for his signature.
manager Andre Villas-Boas has told his players that they must avoid another costly slip up at home against Reading on New Year’s day in their quest for a top four finish.
AVB doesn’t want to see standards subside in a game against a Reading team who visit White Hart Lane off the back of a 1-0 win against West Ham at the Madejski Stadium.
Spurs have the chance to finish off a Christmas schedule of near perfection with a win against the Royals, making it seven points from a potential nine.
Talking to Sky Sports the Spurs boss commented that the New Year’s Day game will certainly be a tough one, noting that “The problem with that fixture is that we have done extremely well away from home, but we have to keep up the momentum.”
“We have to keep our home form going and it would be silly for us not to continue at this level, so it is a fixture in which we really want to get the three points to close finally the festive fixtures with three wins, hopefully, and one draw.
“[The players] have been excellent. The December that we [have] had shows exactly that.
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“We had big, big results against difficult teams and the Europa League in between.
“If we manage to take this form into January, it would be excellent.”
League leaders Chelsea welcome struggling Norwich City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The two teams have endured contrasting seasons, with Chelsea picking up three points at the Emirates last time out, before firing another four goals in midweek.
Norwich endured a miserable afternoon at home to Liverpool last time out, losing 2-5 and looking extremely vulnerable at the back.
The blues have no new injury concerns, with Daniel Sturridge still unavailable through a hamstring injury. This means Fernando Torres is set to continue leading the line, hoping to add to the brilliant finish he produced at the Emirates last weekend.
Norwich could have defender Sebastian Bassong and forward Anthony Pilkington available, despite both struggling with injuries.
Grant Holt is likely to start as the lone forward, after coming on to score a consolation against Liverpool last weekend.
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Midfielder Simon Lappin is out with an ankle problem, whilst full back Steven Whittaker is also unavailable.
Wales head coach Chris Coleman has stated that he would not swap key attacker Gareth Bale for any other player in Britain.
The Tottenham winger has been in fine form for the Celtic nation, and has scored six goals in his last seven internationals, including a brace against Scotland on Friday night.
With a tough trip to take on Croatia on Tuesday in the offing, Coleman has confessed that Bale is a talent unlike the nation has seen in some time.
“He’s scored all our goals so far, but that performance on Friday wasn’t just Baley,” said Coleman, published in The Telegraph.
“He got the goals but there were some terrific performances. I know people are talking about him. He’s a show-stopper. People pay money to come and watch him play. I know about that. But we have another 10 players who played their part.
“But when you have a player who can make the difference you have to use him. We’ve got options with Gareth. He can be devastating when he plays out wide and cuts inside his full-back, but it’s always an option to play him in the centre.
“Gareth knows where he can hurt the opposition. When you have good players you don’t want to pigeon hole him. Look where he got the winning goal from – yet he was playing on the right side for us. When he runs through the middle he can cause you problems.
“You’d be crazy to try and swap him. There’s a lot of good players in Britain. I don’t want to label Baley as the best but I will label him as a terrific, terrific player.
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“Anyone can see when he’s got the ball he’s devastating. He plays with passion and incredible ability,” he concluded.
Everton have been strongly linked with a move for Mexican winger Hirving Lozano, and the 22 year-old’s incredible World Cup has shown he could be the signing of the summer for the Toffees.
While there will be plenty of teams sniffing around Lozano after his incredible World Cup, the winger’s relationship with Marcel Brands could still push the scales in the Toffees’ favour.
Lozano was brought to PSV by Everton’s new director of football, and the player has commented on Brands’ desire to see him in blue.
Barcelona have also been linked with a move, but the prospect of being the star of the show at Goodison rather than a depth addition at the Camp Nou could push him towards Merseyside.
The young winger scored 17 and added eight assists in the Eredivisie last season, and has carried that form into some sensational performances in Russia.
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The 28-cap Mexican scored one of the most memorable goals of the tournament thus far, downing Germany in his side’s 1-0 win to kick off group F.
He has shown exactly why he’d be the perfect fit to get fans off their seats at Goodison though, as it’s not all about the goals he scores.
The youngster has completed ten dribbles across the three group games, and added five key passes. Everton have far too many players with poor end product, so a young winger who can not only beat his man but find the right pass afterwards would be a welcome addition.
His assist to Javier Hernandez in the 2-1 win over South Korea showed his composure when carrying the ball forward, and one can only imagine the amount of chances he could create for the likes of Cenk Tosun, chances that were sorely lacking for the big Turk last season.
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Aforementioned, it’s going to be quite the battle to win the race for Lozano, but if Brands can work his magic it could the signing of the summer.
So, Everton fans, do you think you can win the race for Lozano with Barcelona sniffing around? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…