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Everton have struggled to score goals throughout their latest Premier League campaign in comparison to other teams in the bottom half of the table.

With 30 league games under their belt, the Toffees have only been able to find the net 33 times.

One figure who hasn’t been particularly helpful in terms of scoring goals for Frank Lampard’s team is Salomon Rondon. Having made 15 appearances in the league, the Venezuelan has scored just once, which came during their 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace back in December.

Looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window, it seems as though the Toffees are looking at bringing in another attacking player who could push the 32-year-old out the door.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Merseyside club are eyeing up a summer move for Benfica attacker Everton Soares.

With a total of 272 appearances under his belt for Benfica and his previous club Gremio, the Brazilian has scored 62 goals and provided 35 assists in the process. This shows just how capable the 26-year-old is of scoring and setting up goals, something that Lampard’s side have often lacked this season.

To highlight what a deadly attacking figure he has been for his side in the Portuguese league this term, only three other Benfica players have racked up more shots at goal than Everton (34), who also has the third-highest number of crosses in the squad (58).

The Brazil international has also shown how useful he can be off the ball for his team by making 20 tackles in total throughout the campaign.

Labelled an “exceptional” player by Marcelo Paz, the £37k-per-week talent could be just what the Merseyside club needs in order to become a deadlier attacking team than they have been this season.

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Despite predominantly being a wide player, adding the Benfica star to Lampard’s squad could give the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin the chance to play up front together, which could then push Rondon out of the club.

Having been described as being “desperate” to score goals for the Toffees by Noel Whelan, the Venezuelan should not be in Lampard’s plans for next season given his lack of goals during a difficult campaign for him and the club.

In other news: Everton must launch move for “outstanding” 25-year-old “Wolverine” as insider claim emerges

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is a priority target for Crystal Palace during the January transfer window.

That’s according to reliable reporter Alan Nixon, and, as to be expected, the update has had a number of Eagles fans talking on social media.

Palace currently have four strikers on the books at Selhurst Park, one of which is Odsonne Edouard, who was brought to the club over the summer.

Another is loanee Jean-Philippe Mateta, but it seems as if Patrick Vieira and Dougie Freedman are still keen on Nketiah following links in the summer.

The 22-year-old is into the final six months of his Emirates deal and has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season. Nketiah has scored five times in three EFL Cup appearances, though.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Nixon’s claim on social media on Monday afternoon.

This is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply, with many not keen to see a move go through and one labelling it as ‘strange’.

“Vieira is down bad for this bloke”

Credit: @CPFCAlfie

“STOP @CPFC @CEO4TAG (Steve Parish)”

Credit: @Djamel__1997

“This made sense before but seems strange now. Can’t see him getting in ahead of Eduoard, Benteke or even Mateta, unless he is (a). going to be played wide (again, we have options there) (b). He is one for the future (Benteke is 31)”

Credit: @PWhickman

“Pointless we don’t need any more strikers”

Credit: @palacecarl

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“Not even lying when I say he’s worse than Mateta”

Credit: @palace__dylan

“Went on a run and came back to this, I can’t win”

Credit: @MuratajLuka

In other news: Palace source reveals ‘target man’ is attracting plenty of interest; he could leave this month. 

Crystal Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam says he would be stunned if Patrick Vieira selected Odsonne Edouard on the flanks against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday night, tipping the summer signing to potentially start in a front two instead. 

The lowdown

Edouard has yet to start a game for the Eagles following his Deadline Day move from Celtic.

He made his first appearance as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month and scored twice in the final 10 minutes.

The Frenchman became the first player to bag a brace off the bench on their Premier League debut since Sergio Aguero in August 2011 (via Opta Joe).

But Patrick Vieira stuck with Christian Benteke up top for the visit to Liverpool the following week, turning to Edouard after 65 minutes.

Palace face rivals Brighton on Monday night as they look to climb to 12th in the early Premier League table. Edouard will be hopeful of making a full debut for his new club.

The latest

A Palace supporter suggested that Vieira might consider swapping out Jordan Ayew for Edouard, who would then line up at right wing with Wilfried Zaha on the left and Benteke through the middle.

“I’d be amazed,” Woosnam replied in The Athletic’s discussion board, “to see Edouard on the right or left for a game like this.”

If Edouard and Benteke are to play together, he thinks it will be as part of a front two.

The verdict

Brighton’s big back three seem like they would be comfortable dealing with the aerial threat posed by Benteke, but Edouard would ask altogether different questions with his movement, so there’s a strong case for him starting on Monday night.

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Vieira may be exercising patience, but you can understand why many Palace fans might be clamouring for Edouard after that spectacular debut.

And, if the manager does go for broke and start both of his main goalscorers, one would have to assume Woosnam’s front two prediction is more likely than playing the big summer arrival out of his natural position.

In other news, read this pundit’s verdict on a potential attacking signing for Palace.

Everton youngster Thierry Small is reported to be increasingly interested in joining Aston Villa this summer, as uncertainty over his future intensifies [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Dean Smith’s men gear up for 2021/22

Moving towards 2021/22, Dean Smith will be looking for the perfect blend of youth and experience if he is to improve on his side’s 11th placed finish last term.

Acquiring ready-made first-team starters will be crucial to this prospective success, however being able to spot the stars of the future will ensure long-term progression for the football club.

One man who could fit the bill for the latter is 16-year-old Small, who has put the cat amongst the pigeons following latest developments.

The Latest: Small ‘very keen’ on the idea of an Aston Villa switch

The Toffees youth product is said to be ‘very keen’ on a move to Villa Park this window, as reported by a Football Insider recruitment source.

Small is a boyhood Aston Villa fan, whilst his uncle Bryan Small was a player for the Premier League outfit between 1990 and 1996.

Notably, the wonderkid has strong connections with the Midlands and surrounding area, which is cited as one of his main motivations behind his interest in the prospective switch.

The Verdict: Small would be an astute piece of business by the Villa Park hierarchy

Capable of posing a considerable forward threat from the left-back position, Small would be an excellent signing for Villa who could develop into an established player in years to come.

In 2020/21, the Solihull-born man enjoyed a very profitable campaign featuring in different spells for Everton’s youth sides.

Combined across senior and academy football, Small registered seven goal contributions in 30 appearances – six goals and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Unbelievably, the prospect became Everton’s youngest ever player to feature in a senior match, coming on as a record-breaking substitute in a 3-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday in January [Daily Mail].

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Once labelled as ‘quality’ by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, Villa should look to secure Small’s signature before it is too late [Football London].

In other news, Aston Villa fans react to links with a Bundesliga ace.

Football.london writer Alasdair Gold has revealed Tottenham are not looking at Marcelo Gallardo to become their new boss despite him being similar to Mauricio Pochettino.

The Lowdown: Spurs still in manager hunt

Although Ryan Mason is currently in charge at Spurs, it feels unlikely he will be given the job on a full-time basis due to his inexperience. As such, the search for a new boss goes on.

A number of names have previously been mentioned, such as Julian Nagelsmann (The Daily Mail) and Hansi Flick (Sport 1), but Daniel Levy appears to be no closer to getting a deal confirmed.

The Latest: Gold discusses Gallardo

During a Q&A with football.london, Gold was asked whether Gallardo or Julen Lopetegui had been considered for the role. He said:

“Gallardo is certainly growing his reputation and some people believe he’s similar to Pochettino in style and Lopetegui has plenty of experience now but as far as I’m aware they’re not in the mix.”

The Verdict: Plenty of experience

Gallardo may not be a household name as a manager in Europe – many European football fans will know him from his time with Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco as a player – but he is one of South America’s best coaches.

He has won the Copa Libertadores on two occasions with River Plate, adding to the one he won as a player, and has picked up 13 trophies throughout his managerial career despite only being 45.

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As Gold went on to mention with his answer, a move from River to Tottenham would be a big culture shock, so it is unlikely he would be considered for the role at this point. In the future, though, he may be one to keep an eye on if he proves himself elsewhere in Europe.

In other news, Alasdair Gold drops this Mauricio Pochettino claim.

Many Crystal Palace fans are reacting to a big update at Selhurst Park which could suggest big changes are on the way in the imminent future.

According to the Evening Standard, and tweeted out by @cpfc_xtra, US-based investor Robert Franco has injected funds into the £20million redevelopment of Palace’s academy and has been listed as a person with “significant interest” in the club alongside chairman Steve Parish and American owners Joshua Harris and David Blitzer. One fan called this update ‘pretty big news’.

Looking to youth is something that the club need to start doing, as they had the second oldest squad on average in the league last season, (101 Great Goals). Palace do have a strong history when it comes to developing young players, with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Moses and Nathaniel Clyne all previously coming through their academy.

If this report is true, then the club could be set to have a very exciting future and it is understandable to see why this news is receiving a lot of reaction.

Here is how Palace fans reacted to the update:

“Another yank? Oh great! Coz we’ve done so well since the others have got involved haven’t we…”

Credit: @85Gilds

“Should never underestimate the importance of a good academy. We are a selling club and always will be and this is important for survival, regardless of what division we are in.”

Credit: @audreysprayer

“We have had our longest stretch in this top flight under various incarnations of this key owner (SP) and US investors. I’d say we have done quite well. Yes, I’d like to be polishing my passport but it’s Palace.”

Credit: @martinbrowni

“This seems like pretty big news”

Credit: @erictwigs

“20m injection into the academy? Huge if true”

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Credit: @jaseiles

“Hello Mr Franco please buy the Sainsbury’s land”

Credit: @liamb0117

In other news, Palace fans reacted to this Zaha update!

After promising Manchester City striker Liam Delap bagged a screamer for the Elite Development Squad on Saturday in a 4-1 win at home to Arsenal, many Sky Blues have implored manager Pep Guardiola to restore him to the first team squad. 

Delap, who got on the scoresheet with a stunning finish as the EDS ran riot against Arsenal, scoring in the 84th minute with a sumptuous curling shot from just outside the area, wasn’t included in the first team squad for City’s away trip to West Ham.

The youngster had been turning Guardiola’s head for his performances in the academy setup, prompting a few squad inclusions and even a start in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth last month.

Delap scored the opener in that game with a brilliant effort past Cherries keeper Mark Travers and many Citizens now want him back in Guardiola’s squad to make up for another injury to star striker Sergio Aguero.

These Man City fans have backed the youngster, with one even saying that he is “better than Sterling”, who has nonetheless scored four goals in eight games so far this term.

Man City fans plead for Delap to get senior call-up

In other news: City fans are desperate for another Sky Blue figure to return, find out who here and don’t forget to comment below. 

During the break in football, our Total Duds feature looks at transfer investments made across the two windows to have taken place this season that are yet to work out. 

Last summer, Tottenham Hotspur smashed their transfer record as Tanguy Ndombele made his way to north London. It was a move that seemed to shock fans of rivals club especially as the player was linked with Manchester United.

However, Spurs may be wishing they didn’t fork out €60m (roughly £55m) especially with the Frenchman’s lacklustre performances so far this season. Following the draw away to Burnley, Jose Mourinho publically lambasted his own central midfielder, claiming he needed to do more due to his ability.

The record signing had no shots on goal, played no key passes and was dispossessed twice in the offensive side of his game. He wasn’t much better when attempted to shield the Lilywhites’ back-four, making just one solitary clearance during his 45 minutes on the pitch, as per WhoScored.

Tottenham currently sit in eighth-place in the Premier League, a place which would make them just under £25m in merit payments, according to last season’s figures. However, more importantly, they would be missing out on next season’s Champions League campaign, which would see them earn a guaranteed £13.2m just for competing in the group stages. And having been knocked out early in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, prize money from there may not be forthcoming. In total, should the season finish as it stands, the north London outfit would make just over £25m, factoring in all competitions.

Whilst Ndombele hasn’t been the sole reason why the club have flopped this season, he is one player, who highlights just how bad they’ve been. His performances this season have shown that he is nowhere near worth €60m that was paid for him and has so far been a shocking addition.

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Spurs fans, do you think the former Lyon man has flopped? Let us know your thoughts!

There may not be a more spoken about player at Leeds United than Kalvin Phillips.

In recent months he’s been labelled as the best player in the Championship, and in the past he’s been linked with moves to clubs like Manchester United.

The Daily Mail stated last month that his price tag could rise to as much as £40m and if a deal of that magnitude went through, it would almost be unheard of for the Championship.

However, on Monday Leeds got their first chance of playing against Premier League opposition since Marcelo Bielsa’s appointment, and unsurprisingly Phillips dominated the game.

Just take a look at his stats and you’ll see how good he was against Arsenal.

The defensive midfielder made a massive nine tackles as he perfectly embodied the pressing game that Bielsa tries to implement into his squad.

Despite coming up against one of the most technically proficient midfielders in England in the shape of Mesut Ozil, the 24-year-old wasn’t letting anybody get past him.

Unbelievably, it wasn’t just at that end of the pitch where Phillips was impressive as he completed four key passes, a tally just as high as Ozil.

Phillips didn’t see all that much of the ball as he completed just 37 passes at the Emirates, while players around him such as Luke Ayling, Barry Douglas and Gaetano Berardi played over 70.

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Four key passes and a success rate of just over 83% shows that the Yorkshire Pirlo was always positive and trying to play forward whenever possible rather than simply playing it safe and short.

If Phillips could reproduce this performance on a weekly basis in the Premier League then £40m would be a bargain for his services.

In other news, one pre-match decision from Marcelo Bielsa worried a number of Leeds fans.

Everton fans are praying that Djibril Sidibe remains in the starting XI over Seamus Coleman after the Frenchman put in an impressive display against West Ham United.

Sidibe was part of an Everton defence which managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time since the second game of the season. Against the Hammers, he made four tackles and had 63 touches on the ball – only Lucas Digne had more with 75, per SofaScore.

The Monaco loanee has had to settle for Carabao Cup appearances thus far, playing twice in the competition. His start over the weekend was his first in the Premier League, and fans are hoping it won’t be his last.

Some supporters have stated it’s “not even a debate”, whilst others are begging that Marco Silva does not change the winning team at all.

Sidibe’s opportunity came as a result of Coleman’s sending off against Burnley. To add to the Irishman’s woes, he was sent off again 10 days later after a blatant handball for his country against Switzerland.

Coleman will be available for Silva this weekend, though, should he wish to start the 31-year-old.

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However, fans have the opposite in mind and believe now is the time for the Monaco loanee to make the spot his own.

Here’s what some of them had to say…