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Everton should ignore Carlo Ancelotti’s concerns over Tariq Lamptey and seal a deal for him after Paddy Kenny urged the Brighton & Hove Albion defender be signed instead of Norwich City’s Max Aarons.

What’s the word?

While speaking with Football Insider, Kenny suggested Everton would be making a mistake by signing Aarons fresh off a Premier League promotion-clinching campaign.

The Toffees are reportedly exploring a deal to sign the Canaries product, who is keen on a move to Merseyside, but are reluctant to pay the £30m fee needed.

Everton chiefs are working to lower Norwich’s valuation but may struggle to drive a hard bargain after Daniel Farke’s side secured their return to the top-flight, and will rival Watford for the Championship title over the final games.

Lamptey has also been linked with a potential summer switch to Goodison Park with the Blues undeterred by the 20-year-old signing a new £40,000-per-week contract in January, although Ancelotti is thought to have concerns over his height at 5 ft 5.

Yet Kenny insists the Chelsea product would be the better option as Seamus Coleman’s long-term successor, as Aarons could be another miss rather than hit in the transfer market.

“They could be making a mistake,” the former Ireland international said. “He [Aarons] is a Championship player, he’s not Premier League at the moment. It is a lot of money to pay for a player who has just been promoted but has only played one season in the Premier League.

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“Lamptey could be the one, he’s a very good player. Everton are hit-and-miss – you don’t know what you’re going to get from them each week. They need to start getting a little bit more consistent. A right-back, you’d think, would be part of that.”

Should Everton sign Lamptey over Aarons?

Aarons would appear to be the favourite to occupy a place in Ancelotti’s plans next season with Everton rating the 21-year-old highly, and believing he can deliver a similar impact to that seen from Ben Godfrey since his arrival from Norwich in October.

That’s not to say Lamptey is out of the running entirely, as the Toffees also consider the electric Brighton full-back to be a ‘great talent’, but he most likely is second on the shortlist at best given Ancelotti’s supposed concerns and a similar £30m asking price.

A season-ending hamstring injury has also kept Lamptey out of action since December, to see that his sample size for the 2020/21 campaign is far less than Aarons’ having only played 11 games to the Canaries dynamo’s 44 appearances across all competitions so far.

Yet having more than four times the minutes on the pitch has only resulted in Aarons (3,898 minutes) offering one more assist than Lamptey (890) – who Neal Maupay claims “doesn’t have limits” – while being matched for goals scored with one each.

Lamptey also won 0.5 of his 1.5 aerial duels per Premier League appearance before being consigned to the treatment room, just shy of 5 ft 9 Coleman’s 0.6 from 1.5 over 11 outings, while 5 ft 10 Aarons has won 0.9 of 2.2 in the Championship after winning 0.6 of two in the top-flight last term, per WhoScored.

If Lamptey’s height is the only prevailing concern Ancelotti has, then Everton should ignore his concern and launch a pursuit with Brighton likely to demand as much to sell as Norwich are for Aarons, who Kenny seemingly fears is only a second-tier talent.

AND in other news, Everton have been told to pay £34.5m for a 23-year-old that Carlo Ancelotti would welcome at Goodison Park…

Charly Musonda was such a valuable signing to Celtic that the Bhoys tried to bring him to Parkhead twice.

In the summer of 2017, he nearly joined the Hoops on loan before his parent club decided to keep him at the club instead.

He became part of Chelsea’s Premier League squad and played nine times in all competitions for the Blues that term. In the process, he picked up an assist in Europe and also in the top-flight.

Though, after a lack of first-team opportunities Celtic ultimately got their man in January 2018.

After penning temporary terms, Musonda said: “I feel really good. Massive club, really looking forward to it. I’m very lucky to be here and I’m very happy to be here. It’s going to be unreal to play at Celtic Park. Hopefully I can do well for the team.”

Unfortunately, despite Brendan Rodgers’ desire to see him thrive, it was an unsuccessful stint in Glasgow for the Belgian.

Upon signing for an initial 18 months, the former Celtic boss cited Musonda’s “wonderful ability.”

Rodgers added: “I’ve known him for a few years. A big thank you must go to Chelsea. He’s a shining light in their academy.”

Musonda would eventually play just eight times for the Bhoys, being recalled in May after Chelsea lost their patience. He failed to score during his time in Scotland and it was unsurprising they recalled him; he wasn’t even in the squad during the end of his stay.

Since he departed Paradise, his career has fallen off the wagon in one of the worst ways possible.

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The attacking midfielder headed to Vitesse in the Netherlands but after making four appearances early in the 2018/19 season on loan, he’s not been seen on the field of play since.

Musonda has been through his very own version of hell and he’s not in the clear yet either. He picked a cruciate ligament injury in his knee and hasn’t played for the best part of 19 months.

Speaking in December he said: “It’s been four years since I played back to back professional games, three years since I last played for my club, two of those last four years, I’ve been injured with the post cruciate ligament of my knee.”

The midfielder continued: “Doctors told me going through surgery after being out for so long would be the end, an impossible mountain to climb, were the exact words. This is my story and how I keep training and staying ready, despite the odds, one day I’ll be back.”

Now 24, Musonda has returned to light training with Chelsea and has hired his own personal fitness and conditioning strength. He is still yet to appear for the Blues since resuming light ball work in what has been a nightmare two years.

Is the end in sight for the midfielder? Time will tell. Described as a “big talent” by Rodgers, the £42k-per-week earner once had the world at his feet.

Another prodigy off the Chelsea production line, his lack of opportunities has been through complete misfortune, rather than some of the other reasons academy graduates have been handed throughout the years.

Just as his career was beginning to take off, it was effectively ripped away from him. Musonda undoubtedly deserves a second chance.

AND in other news, Big U-turn emerges in Celtic manager search, it’s great news for supporters…

Leeds must keep Illan Meslier at all costs in this upcoming summer transfer window, amid reports of interest from PSG.

What’s the story?

The goalkeeper only signed for Marcelo Bielsa’s side on a permanent deal last summer but has enjoyed an impressive first season at Premier League level, keeping nine clean sheets in the top-flight alone.

That form has seen clubs across Europe sit up and take notice, with the latest rumours indicating that Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG are keen on luring the £26m-rated titan back to his native France.

According to The National, the French giants have identified Meslier as a more attainable option than the likes of Hugo Lloris and David de Gea, and are considering making a bid for the Leeds man this summer – it’s added that a switch to Paris could well tempt the 21-year-old.

Bielsa would be fuming

Since ousting former first-choice goalkeeper Kiko Casilla in between the sticks at Elland Road, Meslier has developed into a very impressive young player – in fact, after his shut-out against Southampton last month, he broke Joe Hart’s 14-year record of keeping the most clean sheets in a single season for a shot-stopper before the age of 21.

The Frenchman has already earned rave reviews from across the board, with former Whites striker Jermaine Beckford hailing: “The kid is incredible. I was watching the game (against Everton) and there were a couple of moments, (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and James (Rodriguez) had chances, but Meslier stood in their way. His distribution is one of the best in the Premier League.”

Meslier’s willingness to come for crosses has also been praised by former England shot-stopper David James, who said earlier this year: “Meslier – I love him. I went on social media, I was watching a game and he went for about 10 crosses (v Burnley), he carried on coming for crosses.

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“The commentators were battering him. I was thinking ‘the guy is still coming’, and as soon as the whistle went, the camera was panning but you could see all the defenders going up to him. That is quality.”

Make no mistake about it, if Leeds were to cash in on their number one goalkeeper this summer, it would leave Bielsa absolutely fuming as he tries to plot success for the Whites’ in their second season in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano delivers a major Leeds United transfer update…

Speaking to the press, via football.london, West Ham United manager David Moyes has reacted to Jesse Lingard’s absence for the Manchester United clash, with the Scotsman describing it as a ‘big loss’ as the January signing is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Lingard has starred for the Hammers since signing on loan at the London Stadium, scoring four goals and providing one assist in just six Premier League starts (WhoScored), but he will not feature against the Red Devils this evening as the 28-year-old is ineligible for the clash.

Moyes reacts to Lingard absence

Moyes has described it as a ‘big loss’ for West Ham as they aim to mount a late assault for a top four finish, coming as the Irons boss also explained there are some ‘slight doubts’ behind the scenes for a couple of players (West Ham United official website).

“A big loss because he has had a big impact on the team and how we have played,” said Moyes to reporters (via football.london).

“He has been a positive signing for us since coming in in January so it is a loss to us but we have got other people.

“What we wanted was competition for places, sort of around the number 11 and number ten roles, we wanted good competition and Jesse has given us that but we have other people who can do that so hopefully we can go there and who them what we can do.”

Transfer Tavern take

Lingard’s fine start to his Hammers stint has been emphasised recently by former Premier League striker Ian Wright, who told Premier League Productions (via HITC) how ‘devastating’ he can be.

Time will tell who Moyes will have at this disposal for the Old Trafford clash, but who he chooses to replace Lingard in the team will be interesting to see.

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this 19-goal ‘phenomenon’, find out more here.

Carlo Ancelotti must stop Marcel Brands from wasting millions of pounds with a summer swoop for Everton to sign AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, Mancini is earning widespread admirers with his performance at the Stadio Olimpico, to see that Everton are not the only side keen.

Ancelotti’s Toffees are said to be big admirers of the Giallorossi enforcer, but face having to contend with Chelsea for his signature as they eye a potential heir for Thiago Silva.

Ligue 1 and Bundesliga giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are on the scene, as well, with the Parc des Princes natives long-term admirers and approached Roma for further information on his availability during the recent winter market.

Scouts from Italian powerhouse duo Inter Milan and Juventus are also keeping an eye on developments, with the latter aware of the need to reinforce the guard currently occupied by 36-year-old Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, who turns 34 in May.

But the number of admirers Mancini has gained has also seen Roma up their valuation of the £33,000-per-week talent they paid a combined €24m (£20.5m) for, between a loan spell and his purchase, with the defender now worth at least €10-€15m (£8.5-£13m) more.

An asking price of between €34m (£29m) and €39m (£33.5m) is not expected to scare off the Premier League sides said to be interested, while Mancini intends to evaluate his options in the summer.

Mancini’s former side, Atalanta BC, would also be owed 10% of any fee Roma receive for the 24-year-old, who has started all 23 of his Serie A appearances this season after missing two games with a muscular injury and one through an accumulation of yellow cards.

Should Everton sign Mancini?

Qualification for next season’s edition of the Champions League is expected to be crucial for any side wishing to land Mancini’s services in the off-season, as the four-cap Italy international is anticipated to put the sporting project above a potential pay rise.

Everton are in the mix for a top-four finish to the Premier League season, with a four-point gap but a game in hand all that separates them from Chelsea in the last of the qualifying spots.

Yet Ancelotti must block Brands from using a UEFA campaign as a reason to spend a vast sum to sign Mancini, as it would be questionable of the 6 ft 3 enforcer establishing himself as an upgrade on those already at Goodison Park.

Ancelotti already considers Ben Godfrey to be the best of his current centre-halves, despite Mason Holgate offering a unit-high 2.5 successful tackles from 3.2 duels per game when fielded in the heart of the Everton backline for Premier League fixtures, per WhoScored.

Mancini offers Roma 1.7 successful tackles from 2.2 attempts per game in the Serie A this season, along with winning possession back for Paulo Fonseca’s side with 2.1 clearances.

Holgate currently offers the fewest clearances by one of the Toffees’ centre-halves with 3.5 a game, while Mancini would rank last on Merseyside for aerial duels won with 1.8 from three – Holgate offers the least with two from 2.7 at present.

If Brands is to spend a significant sum – more than Everton paid for Allan (£21m), Abdoulaye Doucoure (£20m) or Godfrey (£20m) last summer – on a new centre-back, he will surely have to be a distinct upgrade.

AND in other news, Everton will listen to offers for a £16m-rated ace who has failed to live up to his price tag…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Dean Windass said that he doesn’t believe Paul Lambert will be the next Celtic manager.

Lambert is currently without a job following his dismissal from Ipswich last Sunday, but given his previous affiliations with the Hoops, it doesn’t come as a surprise to see him being mentioned as a potential replacement for Neil Lennon.

The former Scotland international spent eight years at Celtic Park, winning no fewer than eight major honours, including a domestic treble during a highly-successful period for the club.

Less than 24 hours after leaving Ipswich, the 51-year-old was heavily linked with a move back to the Scottish champions, but Windass doesn’t see a move materialising.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I can’t see Lambert getting it. I played against Paul at Celtic and he’s a great footballer in himself and has obviously gone on to be a very good manager. But even after losing his job at Ipswich I can’t see that appointment. He wouldn’t have been on my list, even if he would have still been manager at Ipswich.

“Because Steven Gerrard is at Rangers, maybe a John Terry, Frank Lampard or someone like that.

“I think that they have got time because Rangers are going to win the league. It’s not about rushing to get a manager, they’re not going to catch Rangers, so they can take their time a little bit and try winning the league next year.”

Following a difficult few campaigns with Ipswich, which came soon after a miserable period as Stoke manager, the Celtic job might be a case of wrong place, wrong time for Lambert.

Whether or not Sunderland are promoted this season, they already have plans in mind for how they’ll attack the transfer market.

What’s the word?

According to The Daily Mail, Sunderland will explore the possibility of signing Dion Sanderson on a permanent transfer in the summer.

The £7k-per-week earner is currently on loan from Wolves and has had to wait patiently until the New Year to really be given a chance of regular football at the Stadium of Light.

However, the club have clearly been impressed with what they’ve seen from the defender.

It’s understood that Sanderson is open to a move away in the summer so that he can continue his progression. Competition for places at Wolves are steep so joining Sunderland permanently would probably be a wise idea.

Clever planning

After the youngster’s first few months at the club, it didn’t look as though he’d have what it takes to sufficiently play for the Mackems.

Though, since Lee Johnson’s arrival he’s been thoroughly impressive, mainly earning chances through circumstance. He got a rare chance at left-back with injuries to Denver Hume and Callum McFadzean before a trio of issues to Bailey Wright, Jordan Willis and Tom Flanagan saw him operated at centre-back.

Sanderson is a full-back by trade but he’s stood out in the middle, stepping in for Wright admirably. In fact, he’s been outstanding in the last few months, demonstrating a supreme ability to win aerial duels. The 21-year-old has won 24 battles in the air in his last ten outings alone.

Consider his versatility and his ability to perform consistently, Kristjaan Speakman simply has to build the future of the club around him.

Sunderland’s other centre backs have struggled for fitness, as too have the club’s full-backs. Sanderson, on the other hand, has been fully fit since October.

He’s a player that’s also earned rave reviews from Stephen Elliot. He took to Twitter after the Black Cats’ win over Fleetwood to say: “Dion Sanderson has a huge future in the game. Best on loan player I’ve seen at the club since Johnny Evans. Wise beyond his years on the pitch.”

That’s quite the statement to make, but if anything sums up why Sunderland must build their future around him, that is it.

Sanderson has pace, power and elegance, possessing the ability to play out from the back too. With that in mind, he could fit a variety of styles and systems. He is a manager’s dream.

Speakman must bring him back next summer.

AND in other news, Dreyfus could begin his reign with a bang by tying down “outstanding” SAFC gem…

Wolves’ win over Arsenal on Tuesday evening was crucial. Going into the game, the Molineux outfit hadn’t tasted victory in the Premier League this year so it was a welcome return to form.

That being said, it cannot paper over the cracks of what has been a dismal few months.

On the chalkboard

Since Raul Jimenez suffered a horrendous fractured skull, Wolves have been in diabolical shape. They have won just four times in all competitions following on from that, but alarm bells started to ring well before his injury in November.

The Old Gold have kept only a solitary clean sheet in the league since October and with Nuno tinkering between his formations, it has led to inconsistency.

That has clearly been the case in central midfield – an area you’d traditionally associate with class and vigour.

However, in Joao Moutinho, they have a player who is struggling this season. The Portuguese returned to form against Arsenal by scoring a thunderbolt from long-range but before that, the veteran had failed to score this term.

He is usually the man to set the tempo and pick the locks of Premier League defences. Yet, he has been way off the boil this season and has failed to register a single assist.

It’s led to Wolves reporter Tim Spiers claiming this could be the midfielder’s final campaign as a regular in Nuno’s starting XI. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if that conclusion was reached.

Unleash Otasowie

Moutinho’s passionate display against the Gunners can’t afford to gloss over what has been a timid and tired campaign for the 34-year-old.

You can hardly blame his weary legs due to the amount of football being played on a regular basis but that’s exactly why Owen Otasowie deserves more minutes.

The American has only appeared five times for the senior side and was handed a surprising Premier League debut against Chelsea. He started behind the striker on that occasion but usually, he plays in a more holding or box to box midfield role.

He has boundless amounts of energy and for Wolves’ central area that could be game-changing. It’s hard to suggest that Leander Dendoncker, Ruben Neves and Moutinho are too mobile so the 20-year-old may add something new.

Speaking about the £1.3m-rated talent earlier this year, Scott Sellars summed up his qualities perfectly: “He’s versatile. His physicality is his biggest strength. He’s really good at protecting the ball and at one-v-ones, with and without the ball. A lot of his development has been done in cages in London and you can see that with him. He’s got a lot going for him.”

His growth in the game has been very different from the more cultured progression of Moutinho. Though, his personality is no different. Like the Portugal international, he has an infectious persona and a positive outlook on football.

Sellars added: “He’s bright, he challenges the norm, which I like about him. He won’t just say, ‘Yeah, that’s OK, I’ll do what you say’. He’s got personality. I’ve had some interesting and very honest conversations with him about where he’s at, which he appreciates.”

We’re yet to see Otasowie truly burst onto the first-team scene but it surely won’t be long before we see him making a bigger impression.

After all, the way he gallops forward is unlike many others in the Wolves team. Nuno simply has to consider the youngster over the next few months.

AND in other news, Nuno must unleash rarely-seen Wolves flop next term, Jota called him a “good signing”…

To put things bluntly, Leeds were terrible when they faced Crawley last Sunday.

Having been so free-flowing and full of spark in the Premier League, you’d have expected them to win at a canter. However, they lost 3-0 and suffered one of their most embarrassing defeats in recent history.

On the chalkboard

Marcelo Bielsa’s team selection last Sunday was an intriguing one. It combined youthful exuberance with a host of their experienced stars. Kalvin Phillips, Helder Costa, Pablo Hernandez and Kiko Casilla all started while club-record signing Rodrigo was also in the team.

The Spaniard was given a rare chance to play in a central striking role but struggled considerably.

He was brought off at half time after a pretty hopeless performance leading the line. Rodrigo made just seven passes and touched the ball on only 11 occasions. Furthermore, the 29-year-old sent both of his shots off target.

For someone who cost £30m, you’d expect him to score plentiful against Crawley. His performance, though, was ineffectual.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t for the first time this year. Against Tottenham, the Spain international struggled as well. Bielsa clearly wasn’t best pleased with him because he was brought off after 65 minutes.

Rodrigo provided two key passes and managed only one dribble, being bullied by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the middle of the park. The Spurs midfielder won five tackles and a colossal 11 ground duels.

The solution

Bielsa hasn’t been afraid to leave Rodrigo out of his starting XI this season – appearing as a substitute six times – so, he must take him out the firing line again on Saturday.

Brighton are likely to sit back more than Tottenham did so Rodrigo could enjoy plenty of possession but after his last two performances, he deserves a rest and an opportunity to rediscover his focus.

The 29-year-old has been poor and thus, the manager needs to bring in someone like Pablo Hernandez. In completing a woeful 66% of his passes, a number that was down 12% from his season average, he didn’t have the best of afternoons v Crawley.

That being said, he did create three goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. That’s a tally seldom replicated by Rodrigo this term, someone who has managed more than two key passes in a match just twice.

Of course, it was League Two opposition, but at least Hernandez did his best to create chances, something very few players managed against Crawley.

He deserves a chance to prove himself in the top-flight. It might be ruthless given Rodrigo scored three games ago, but he hasn’t been good enough in 2021 so far.

Costa came into this game as the prime candidate to be ousted judging by his lacklustre display last weekend, but Rodrigo must end on the bench beside him.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Casilla: Leeds must swoop for “outstanding” 26 y/o, he could be game-changing…

Liverpool’s defensive woes increased on Thursday night despite their win against Tottenham Hotspur, as Fabinho was ruled out of the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium through injury.

The Brazilian has been one of the Reds’ most important players so far this season, as he has stepped up in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez by taking on the role of centre-back.

In his 17 appearances in the top-flight so far this season, the 27-year-old has averaged a solid 6.92 rating and has been the only centre-back in Klopp’s squad to feature more than ten times in the Premier League, due to Joel Matip’s inconsistent fitness and the German manager’s rotation of Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams.

Whilst the former Monaco man, who reportedly earns £100k per week at Liverpool, was exposed somewhat in recent fixtures against Burnley and Manchester United, he is still an incredibly important part of this Liverpool side at the moment and looks much more comfortable at centre-back than fellow defensive-midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has also featured in defence in recent fixtures.

Therefore, whilst the length of Fabinho’s injury is currently unknown, his setback must be the catalyst for the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to act in the remaining days of the January transfer window, as it seems clear that Klopp is desperate for a centre-back.

Following the game with Spurs, the former Borussia Dortmund boss provided an update on Fabinho, saying:

“It was nothing really. He just felt something and we had to take him out. And now he’s out.

“It was not a challenge or whatever, it was not intense situations. It was just how things happen.”

He also suggested in his post-match conference that Liverpool were looking for ‘the right player’ to bring in before next Monday’s deadline, so it seems as the Reds could well dip into the transfer market after all, although they are running out of time to complete a deal.

Earlier this week, the makeshift centre-back was praised by Thiago, who dubbed him an “amazing player”, whether he’s playing in defence or in midfield.

Certainly, if Fabinho’s injury does prove to be a long-term one, then the Liverpool board must surely see sense and bring in a defender, otherwise, they run the risk of falling a long way short of retaining the Premier League title.

And, in other news… Forget Trent: LFC “machine” who made four key passes was Klopp’s star vs Spurs