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Carlo Ancelotti is putting Jonjoe Kenny’s Everton future in doubt with a rumoured pursuit of Middlesbrough’s in-demand defender Djed Spence.

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, Boro are facing an increasing battle to retain Spence’s services beyond the January market, with the attacking right-back’s form under Neil Warnock said to have impressed an array of Premier League sides.

Warnock has called on the former Fulham trainee – who departed Craven Cottage for the Riverside in 2018 – to start six of his nine Championship appearances this season, in which the 20-year-old has struck one goal and provided an average 0.4 accurate crosses a game.

Former Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate awarded the London-born defender his first-team breakthrough mid-way through last season, making his second-tier debut in a 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic and ending the campaign as the North East outfit’s prefered option.

Spence’s progress since Warnock’s appointment earlier in the year has seen Everton, along with Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers begin carrying out regular checks on his development ahead of a potential England Under 21s call-up.

Warnock is often full of praise for the £1.8m-rated talent, claiming in July that he considers Spence to be of the same type as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace – they are all the same type as Djed,” he said, via quotes by The Northern Echo.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.

“He has quite a few things to brush up on at the minute, and I’m sure he will try. He’s a very good trainer and works hard.”

With Spence’s stock increasingly on the rise and Middlesbrough seemingly becoming progressively more accepting of a January transfer, it remains to be seen if Everton step in to win the emerging race.

Kenny’s future in doubt

Any move by Everton to sign Spence could come at the expense of Toffees product Kenny, who made his Premier League season debut against Newcastle on Sunday in place of the injured Seamus Coleman.

Ancelotti has previously stated that he has a lot of confidence in the former England U21 international, but moving for Spence would go against those claims as the 23-year-old would find himself with greater competition for the role of eventually succeeding Coleman.

Kenny, 23, has long been seen as the one to take over the right-back spot at Goodison Park once the Blues captain hangs up his boots, with Sam Allardyce noting in 2017 that the Liverpool-born ace belongs in the Premier League.

“He’s been a huge bonus for filling in that position,” said Allardyce, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “He proved that before I came, and he’s proven that to me in my short time because he doesn’t look out of place.”

Spence, meanwhile, has shown his attacking nature in the Championship this season with a heavy number of his 36.2 touches per game coming in the opponent’s half, where he plays 9.2 of his 12.1 accurate passes, while winning 3.4 total duels, recording 1.1 tackles and offering 0.4 key balls plus 0.3 shots, per SofaScore.

Kenny managed to register 61 touches against Newcastle before being replaced in the 76th-minute, but could only deliver one accurate cross from six attempts, lost possession 13 times, made two tackles and one clearance while recording most of his time in Toon territory.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands can build Everton’s dream unit with a gem who Carlo Ancelotti calls “one of the best”.

Marcel Brands faces a fraught challenge to sign Carlo Ancelotti’s “very talented” transfer target, SSC Napoli’s highly sought-after midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

What’s the word?

According to TodoFichajes, Ancelotti intends to rediscover Everton’s early season form with a January raid on Napoli in hopes of reuniting with another of his former players in Fabian, after witnessing the successful adaptations of Allan and James Rodriguez to the Premier League.

Ancelotti was awash with praise for Fabian during his time at the San Paolo Stadium and has even reportedly contacted the Spaniard to discuss a potential move to Goodison Park, which the 24-year-old is not thought to have been opposed to.

Fabian is considered an untouchable aspect of Gennaro Gattuso’s plans in Naples, yet he remains a winter target for Everton after rejecting offers to renew his contract as the 8-cap international considers exploring a new challenge just two-and-a-half-years on from leaving Real Betis.

Everton could face a strong line of competition for his signature, however, as La Liga giants FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all hold a strong interest in Fabian, who the Express claimed was also an option for Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich this summer, but they all faced a staggering £74million asking price.

Jurgen Klopp had been keen to pip the growing swarm of interested parties before ultimately signing Thiago Alcantara, with Fabian’s Napoli future becoming increasingly uncertain after his agent Alvaro Torres confirmed that the Betis product was reluctant to discuss a new contract after a muddled campaign which saw Gattuso replace Ancelotti at the helm.

Fabian enjoyed the best days of his career so far under Ancelotti, scoring eight goals and penning five assists in 59 appearances across all competitions. He has since netted three and assisted five in 36 games under Gattuso, who has relied on the 6 ft 2 maestro to start all six possible Serie A fixtures thus far this term.

Brands’ fraught challenge

The level of interest in Fabian’s services and Napoli’s expected asking price would make any move by Everton this January a fraught challenge for their Director of Football Brands to overcome, especially as the Italian outfit have no urgent need to sell.

Fabian is under contract at the San Paolo through to the summer of 2023 and Napoli will be well-aware that the clutch of clubs keen on his services will ensure that their valuation remains high far into his current deal.

But in a boost for Everton, TodoFichajes do claim that the Toffees are the most likely destination for the 24-year-old, as the Merseyside outfit can improve his current salary and present an ambitious sporting project as they strive to secure European football.

Ancelotti’s past relationship with the central midfielder can also play a key role in advancing the Blues’ standing, with the Italian a keen admirer having noted in 2019 via Napoli’s official website: “Fabian can play various roles and must certainly grow in many aspects. He is young and very talented.

“He must have fewer breaks and must gradually be inserted into the heart of the team. Compared to Marek [Hamsik], he has a different vision of the game but certainly greater penetration.”

Fabian responded to Ancelotti’s comments by recording his most creative Serie A campaign last season with six assists in 33 games, and he is currently averaging 1.5 key balls and 1.5 shots per match this term as he registers 86.2 touches, 67.2 accurate passes, 4.5 duels won and 0.8 successful dribbles (83%), per SofaScore.

With Ancelotti keen and Fabian seemingly open to a move to Goodison Park, it only remains to be seen if Brands can unearth the funds needed to complete a raid on Napoli this winter.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti is urging Everton to sign a “magnificent player” this winter.

A number of Manchester City fans have been reacting to the latest report that Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was ‘quite certain’ that he would move to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

City had been consistently linked with a potential move for Koulibaly throughout the summer transfer window, but Pep Guardiola’s side were unable to meet Napoli’s asking price for the 29-year-old, so the centre-back ended up remaining with the Italian club, as per Sky Sports.

City had already brought in Nathan Ake in a £40 million deal from Bournemouth, and they opted to move for Benfica’s Ruben Dias instead of Koulibaly, signing the 23-year-old in a deal worth around £65 million, with Nicolas Otamendi moving in the opposite direction.

However, according to the latest report from Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Koulibaly was confident of making a move to City during the transfer window. That was before Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis set an €80 million (£72.2 million) price tag, which seemingly put City off the move.

Some City fans have been saying that the blame for the transfer failing to get over the line should be directed at De Laurentiis, while others pointed out that Dias was a better option anyway due to the difference in age between the pair.

City fans react to emerging reports over Koulibaly

City fans, would Koulibaly have been a better signing than Dias? Let us know your thoughts below!

Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer has heaped praise on Brighton and Hove Albion’s teenage wing-back Tariq Lamptey after his impressive start to the season.

The England under-21 international has burst on to the scene in recent months, starting in the opening day defeat to Chelsea before being included against Newcastle United at the weekend.

The defender originally began his career with Chelsea before moving to Brighton, for whom he signed back in January.

Shearer, who scored a record total of 260 goals in the division for Newcastle and Blackburn, regularly selects his Team of the Week for the Premier League’s official website.

Picking Lamptey in his XI for Premier League matchday 2, Shearer gave a brief comment on the youngster’s performances to justify his inclusion.

“The teenager only played for an hour but that hour was outstanding. He was a constant threat with his pace and nearly scored a deserved goal. A brilliant future lies ahead.”

The 19-year-old impressed as he played a part in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Shearer’s former club Newcastle United at the weekend, winning five duels, making four interceptions and winning the penalty which led to Neal Maupay’s opening goal at St James’ Park.

Brighton were defeated on the opening day of the season but a superb victory over Newcastle United has got them up and running; and in Lamptey they have seemingly found a real gem.

The youngster has bags of potential, and with the benefit of regular first team action with the Seagulls since the restart of football in June, the future could hold something special for him.

Do you think Lamptey can go and become a big player in the Premier League? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Ezgjan Alioski is in talks for a new Leeds contract, according to Football Insider.

The Macedonian started his second league game of the season against Aston Villa on Friday as Leeds had to rejig their backline in order to deal with a litany of injury problems, and while Alioski didn’t do much wrong against the Villans, there was another player on the bench that we’d rather have seen playing at left-back.

Of course, we’re talking about Leif Davis.

Davis has been touted as a future star at Leeds for some time now with Bielsa reportedly a big fan of the 19-year-old, but if he is going to fulfil his potential, he needs to get some more game time.

Alioski seems to have nailed down the backup left-back spot at the moment, but we can’t help but feel that this situation needs to change in the near future.

We all know what Alioski is about, he’s a high-energy player who will put everything on the line for the team, but he’s nothing special, with Noel Whelan recently describing him as “ineffective”, and it’s hard to make a case that he’s the long-term solution at left-back.

Stuart Dallas is clearly the man to start there week in, week out, but when he is unavailable, or having to play in another role, it should be Davis getting a chance. Even more so after the departure of Barry Douglas.

The young left-back will only improve with more experience while Alioski is already close to his peak and he isn’t likely to rip up any trees in the Premier League anytime soon.

Davis, on the other hand, has the dynamism to be an exciting attacking modern full-back, he’s previously been compared to Gareth Bale, and the fact that Liverpool were scouting him last year is an absolute testament to how highly he is rated.

United need to stop wasting time with Alioski at left-back and fast-track Davis to a more key role in the squad.

AND in other news, Leeds should regret not signing £80M monster back in 2014…

How do you solve a problem like Celtic’s?

For the first time in the last ten years, they are in real strife. The Hoops have become accustomed to dominating Scottish football but this season they are not having it all their own way.

11 points off the pace in the league and out of Europe, it has been a bitterly frustrating campaign for Neil Lennon and his team.

Equally, it has fuelled a burning worry in the minds of Celtic supporters. They marched to Parkhead after the defeat against Ross County to protest against what was currently happening in Glasgow.

Another bad result against AC Milan, therefore, could mean curtains for Lennon.

Of course, the clash has nothing riding on it given Celtic can’t qualify but if the manager does want to save his job then a victory will win back a fraction of confidence.

Though, he has to start someone he’s previously described as “fantastic” if the Bhoys are to have any chance of snatching all three points – Olivier Ntcham.

The Frenchman has been linked with an exit in recent months but has been his usual battering ram self for Celtic, so much so that he poses a frightening threat to Milan’s defence.

He hasn’t scored in the Europa League this term but his dynamism has been far more effective in that competition.

Ntcham has predominantly been playing in a number 10 position and has looked incredibly lively, performing 2.3 successful dribbles per match. Proving a handful for defenders, he’s also been fouled 1.3 times a game. It’s incredible to think that he didn’t start in Celtic’s 4-1 defeat to Sparta Prague in Glasgow a matter of weeks ago.

When the Hoops last played Milan in October – a 3-1 loss – Ntcham was the star for the Bhoys, registering two key passes and completing three dribbles. On top of that, the 24-year-old won six ground duels.

The Italian giants were evidently troubled by the Celtic midfielder so he simply has to start when they meet again this week.

Similarly, if Lennon wants to bide more time, he needs to play his energetic Frenchman.

In other news, check out how Celtic can FINALLY solve their Scott Brown problem…

After enduring a disappointing debut campaign with Tottenham, this summer feels like a potentially huge one for Ryan Sessegnon.

The 20-year-old featured just 12 times for Spurs last season, and there were even suggestions that clubs were keen to lure him away. But following a report from The Athletic that Jose Mourinho had rejected a loan offer from Barcelona, and that he is ready to unleash him this year, Sessegnon took to the field against Ipswich on Saturday and showcased just what he can do.

Is it Mido or Pedro Mendes? This Spurs quiz will separate the loyal from the fake…

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The Lilywhites ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against the League One side, and it was Sessegnon who got Spurs off and running, collecting a fine ball from Dele Alli, before cutting on to his weaker right foot and firing past the Ipswich goalkeeper.

And after the game, Spurs fans took to Twitter to share their reactions about Sessegnon’s performance.

A couple of supporters simply insisted that there is a lot more to come from the former Fulham youngster, and that the “sky is the limit”.

One Spurs fan even suggested that if Mourinho has a brain, Sessegnon will actually be starting for the side come the start of the new campaign next month.

At just 20, it’s difficult to expect Sessegnon to just hit the ground running and start showing world-class potential.

Having been one of the breakout prospects in recent years at Fulham, the starlet arrived at Tottenham as a much smaller fish, in a much bigger pond.

But with a season now under his belt, this could be the year for him to really kick on and show why Spurs spent big-money to bring him in last summer.

The SFA have confirmed that the Scottish transfer window will be open from July 14 to October 5, giving Glasgow Rangers both a boost and a blow in equal measure.

The pandemic has thrown the football calendar into chaos, with leagues either ending prematurely, as in Scotland, or being suspended and subsequently extended until the end of July, as is the case with the Premier League.

It had been unclear as to how long the transfer window would be open but now the SPFL have confirmed that it will be open from July 14 until October 5, which equates to 12 weeks or three months.

This is both a boost and a blow to the Ibrox outfit. From a positive point of view, this means that the ‘Gers have plenty of time to complete the deals they need to strengthen their squad, with some deals needing plenty of time to be completed, especially in this current climate.

On the other hand, though, it could damage their hopes of holding onto a certain Alfredo Morelos. The striker has been linked with a move away from the blue side of Glasgow over the past few weeks and months, with Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and, more recently, Everton said to be interested. With a Transfermarkt value of £10.8m, he would likely bring in a substantial fee, but Steven Gerrard will want to keep his top scorer from 2019/20 as he plans for the next campaign.

Either way, it promises to be an important window for the ‘Gers. It is up to Ross Wilson and co to give Gerrard the best possible chance of success.

‘Gers fans, are you happy with the dates for the Scottish transfer window? Let us know what you think by commenting below!

The Daily Record has suggested that Glasgow Rangers’ Steven Gerrard could make a move for out-of-contract winger Jordon Ibe.

The 24-year-old recently left Bournemouth after his deal at Dean Court ran out, and he would now be available on a free transfer. The newspaper has acknowledged that Ibe has been linked with a move to Celtic (The Sunday Mirror, 28/06, p74) but has suggested that, given his previous associations with Liverpool, he could be a player that Gerrard could have his eye on.

Ibe’s time with the Cherries was far from successful. The south-coast side spent £15m on his services, despite him scoring just four times in 58 matches with the Reds. And that record didn’t exactly get better with Bournemouth, with him scoring just four times in 95 matches for the Premier League side.

There must be something to his game, though, if he is able to play almost 60 matches for one of England’s biggest clubs, and a further 95 for a side also in the country’s top flight. It is clear that he is yet to match his potential, but at the age of just 24 he has the time to rejuvenate himself.

Before he left the Cherries, he was on £38,000 a week, and so the Gers would likely need to negotiate a smaller salary. Still, the lack of a transfer fee would make it a more interesting deal, and Gerrard could certainly do with a new right-winger after the departure of Sheyi Ojo, who has returned to Liverpool after his loan spell.

As such, this is indeed a deal that the 54-time Scottish champions should consider if the opportunity arises.

Let us know what you think below!

Despite arriving from Spanish side Valencia back in 2013, Pedro Chirivella has struggled to make a real impression on the Liverpool first-team in the years since.

The midfielder has made just 11 appearances in total for the senior side at Anfield, spending the majority of his time with the youth teams or out on loan to the likes of Willem II and Go Ahead Eagles.

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Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Nantes were poised to finally end his stay on Merseyside this summer, but now, it appears Jurgen Klopp’s side have had second thoughts about allowing him to go.

According to Goal, the Reds have offered Chirivella a new five-year deal after having “been by his performances and application this season” – his current contract is set to expire at the end of June.

After hearing about the update on the 22-year-old, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

One Liverpool fan however seemed to be a big fan of Chirivella’s talents, even suggesting that they saw the “next Xabi Alonso in him”.

At 22, Chirivella can no longer be seen as an up-and-coming prospect, and if anything, should have shown by now that he is ready to make the grade.

Giving a new five-year contract to someone who has barely played at all in his time at Anfield, simply blocks the path of a more promising academy product trying to make their way through into the senior set-up.

It certainly seems a strange decision.