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Manchester City were reportedly willing to break their transfer record to sign Benfica defender Ruben Dias until the outbreak of coronavirus forced a rethink.

The print edition of Portuguese newspaper Record claimed [via Sport Witness] that the Premier League champions were prepared to spend €100m (£89.57m) on the 23-year-old to trigger his release clause, with Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira declaring that he could have sold two of the club’s players for that amount this summer before the impact of COVID-19 on football clubs’ finances.

Had Manchester City signed him for that amount, it would have been the most expensive acquisition for a player in their history, trumping the current record of £62.6m for Rodri from last summer.

Dias has been ever-present in a Benfica side with the best defensive record in the Portuguese top flight this season, conceding just 14 goals in 24 league matches. He has also chipped in with three goals for the Eagles so far in 2019/20.

The Portugal defender is often composed in possession, with an 88.8% passing accuracy rate, while he averages 2.1 successful headers, 1.3 successful tackles and 2.8 clearances per game (via WhoScored) – beating most of Manchester City’s current centre-back options for those metrics.

The centre of defence is a position where Pep Guardiola has had difficulties this season. Aymeric Laporte has been injured for most of the campaign while both Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones have faced criticism from pundits and supporters respectively over their performances. Indeed, veteran midfielder Fernandinho has been shunted into a centre-back role throughout the season to fill the void.

Manchester City also have the option of teenager Eric Garcia in that position, although the 19-year-old has been the subject of transfer enquiries from Barcelona, as claimed by ESPN.

Considering Dias’ fine record this season and Manchester City’s central defensive woes, the Benfica man would have seemed the perfect addition for the Etihad Stadium outfit this summer were it not for the impact of coronavirus on the transfer market.

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Now that the Portugal defender seems out of reach, it has become increasingly important to hold on to Garcia, who has been lauded by many City supporters for his performances so far and who has posted some impressive statistics whenever he has played in the Premier League this season.

Man City fans, how big a blow it is to miss out on Dias? Does that make it all the more vital that they keep Garcia this summer? Share your views in the comments section below!

The Athletic’s West Ham United correspondent Roshane Thomas has revealed a potential sticking point in the club’s bid to sign Hull City attacker Jarrod Bowen before the deadline at 11pm tonight, via their transfer deadline Q&A blog.

David Ornstein had reported earlier on Friday that the Irons had agreed a deal that could eventually be worth £22m for the Championship star, but Thomas’ latest update suggests that personal terms are an issue.

He says that the 23-year-old wants around £60,000-a-week wages, and with the journalist saying they are quite far apart it appears as though the east London outfit are offering him a lot less.

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Thomas adds that Hull are concerned that a deal could stall at this late stage of the window.

Hammers manager David Moyes will certainly be hoping the deal goes through as he looks to add some firepower to his squad, with his side only scoring 27 goals in their 24 Premier League matches to date this term.

Premier League experts will get full marks: The ultimate quiz on top flight transfer flops…

Bowen himself has netted 17 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions for Hull during the current campaign, despite the fact that the majority of his outings have come from the right wing, as per Transfermarkt.

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Should he join today he will be competing with the likes of Michail Antonio and Andriy Yarmonlenko – when they are fit – for a spot in Moyes’ starting XI.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former West Ham United players Phil Parkes and James Collins have shown their backing for Manuel Pellegrini while speaking with Claret & Hugh and talkSPORT respectively.

What did they say?

There has been debate about whether Pellegrini should be sacked as West Ham manager, with the team on a run of seven games without a win in all competitions.

The West Ham board have backed the manager, as reported by BBC Sport, and the pair of former Hammers have shown they believe this is the correct decision.

Speaking with Claret & Hugh, Parkes said: “I agreed with the appointment and one run of bad games does not justify some of the maulings I’ve seen him getting on social media and elsewhere. He’s a top manager and there’s no doubts in my mind that he will sort it out so long as the players get their acts together.

“Too often the manager takes the stick when things go wrong – the screams of ‘sack him’ start, panic sets in and the truth is it’s not down to him but the players.”

While Collins accepted Pellegrini’s status could come under pressure at some point, he echoed Parke’s sentiment that it’s the wrong time to dismiss the Chilean while speaking on talkSPORT (8:48, Wednesday 13th November): “I think they’ve got to give him time, obviously his pedigree speaks for itself, look what he did at Man City, you don’t just turn bad in seven games, he’s got the squad there and their next two games are huge.”

A matter of timing

The pair are right that Pellegrini should be given time, especially when the current circumstances at the club are considered.

Having Lukasz Fabianski out injured has been such a huge blow, and it’s no surprise it’s coincided with the winless run. Pellegrini at least deserves the opportunity to fix things when the Poland international is back between the sticks.

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The six-game run without a loss in all competitions, that came before the current hapless succession of games, highlights that Pellegrini can get the team playing when he has his key players on the pitch.

In addition to that point, if Pellegrini was to be sacked, these conditions would not help out any incoming manager at all, due to the fact he would be using Roberto, David Martin or potentially Joseph Anang in goal.

Regardless of whether Pellegrini will be able to instantly turn things around after the international break, the Hammers are better off sticking with him for the time being.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Poland just about remained top of Group G in Euro 2020 qualification following their 0-0 draw against Austria on Monday, and West Ham fans will surely be loving 2019 Hammer of the Year Lukasz Fabianski’s contribution to the goalless result.

His nation’s run of four wins on the bounce came to an end following the 2-0 defeat against Slovenia on Friday, meaning defeat against Austria in Warsaw would have some seen them relinquish their spot at the summit.

The visitors were certainly motivated to take advantage and boost their own hopes of reaching the tournament spread out across a host of European cities next summer, but they simply couldn’t find a way past the goalkeeper despite dominating the encounter and having 22 efforts at goal throughout the match, as per SofaScore.

Most pleasing of all for Irons supporters is the fact that Marko Arnautovic, who it’s fair to say was thoroughly unpopular among the London Stadium faithful by the time he left for China during the summer transfer window, couldn’t get on the score-sheet despite trying his hardest to.

The 30-year-old hit the woodwork with the only one of his four shots not to be on target, with his former teammate saving the other three – including two big chances as per SofaScore.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Now, with just four qualifiers remaining Austria find themselves in third position, one point behind Slovenia and three behind Fabianski’s Poland.

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They could now face an uphill task to qualify for 2020, and Arnautovic missing out on the competition would surely be something that brings a smile to the face of West Ham supporters unhappy with the way he conducted himself when he was with them.

Well done, Lukasz.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a number of potential signings this summer.

Lyon’s elite central midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has been touted as a potential midfield acquisition, along with playmaker Giovani Lo Celso of Real Betis.

Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon is also seen as a target and it is likely that, if Spurs are to sign any of those players, they will have to table offers higher than the £42m they paid to acquire Davinson Sanchez from Ajax.

Bringing in a new record signing is always fraught with risk but how have the last club’s last five record signings fared?

Football FanCast takes a look…

Davinson Sanchez – £42m

Signed from Ajax, Sanchez was secured as reinforcement to the club’s central defensive ranks.

A Colombia international with an excellent turn of pace and brilliant positional awareness, the centre-back can be prone to mistakes and has yet to truly dislodge both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.

His time will come, though, and an initial investment of £42m could yet pay off.

Moussa Sissoko – £30m

A flop to start with, the Frenchman is now, amazingly, Spurs’ best midfielder.

A genuinely exceptional ball carrier who carries both the physicality and the tactical awareness to wear down his opposition, he is now the poster boy of Pochettino’s coaching work.

He has improved no end and £30m now looks like a snip. Everton will be kicking themselves that Spurs pipped them to the post.

Roberto Soldado – £26m

Perhaps the worst Spurs signing of the modern era, Soldado was a genuinely phenomenal goalscorer at Valencia.

Having scored 82 goals in 141 outings in Spain, he was touted as the answer to Spurs’ striker woes.

But in north London, he netted just 16 times in 76 games and was a player bereft of confidence.

He was still taken into the hearts of fans – one goal against Everton saw him cry in celebration, such was the vociferous reception his strike received – but this was a titanic misfire.

Erik Lamela – £25.7m

The Argentine has not managed to live up to his clear potential.

Signed in the aftermath of Gareth Bale’s departure to Real Madrid, Lamela was meant to bring skill, guile and explosiveness to the right flank.

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Instead, he’s been almost permanently injured and is too lightweight to really make any sort of impact in the Premier League.

Chalk this one up as a flop.

Lucas Moura – £23m

His hat-trick against Ajax makes this move worth every penny.

Had Lucas not managed to net that treble in Amsterdam, with the last goal coming in injury time, Spurs would not have had the chance to win the Champions League.

They didn’t, of course, as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool with Lucas on the bench.

If he’d been on the pitch, perhaps it would’ve been different. We’ll never know.

Danish Striker Martin Braithwaite, who is currently on loan at Leganes in Spain, has blasted Boro’ manager Tony Pulis, claiming his “kick and rush” tactics are “strange” and said he won’t return to the Riverside.

Teesside Live report (via Ekstra Bladet [in Danish]) the player said it was the “negative” style of Pulis that saw his form dip, and added that the move was not what he had been told it would be prior to joining.

He said: “I’m not coming back to Middlesbrough, I can’t imagine that.

“The project I was presented with at Middlesbrough changed completely when Pulis arrived. He has a strange way to play football. The team plays defensively with long balls. It’s really kick and rush. It doesn’t look so good to me.

“It’s the reason I didn’t play much at Middlesbrough but I never complained.”

He went on to say how happy he is in Spain, but does not believe Leganes have the money to make the deal permanent, but wants a move to a club that he can stay at for a while, where his family can settle down.

“Leganes have no purchase option on me. I’m very happy to be at the club, but I don’t think it’s a place I’m going to continue because they probably can’t pay the transfer fee for me.

“I want a little more stability with regards to my football future. (I want to) find a club where I can play for a long time, not least for my family’s sake. I have three children of nine, eight and three.”

While he may not appreciate the tactics of the manager, and prefer a different style of football, as a player, he is not there to make decisions about how the team play.

He is there to put the ball in the back of the net, which he failed to do after the summer transfer window closed and he did not get his move away that he was angling after.

Seeing his form dip so sharply from September suggests more of a player that was sulking as opposed to one that “never complained”.

As with any player, if they don’t want to be at the club, then good riddance to them.

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Fans that pay good money to watch their team, deserve to see players for whom the shirt means everything.

Anything less is insulting to those fans and their teammates, and getting players like that out of the club is the right thing to do.

What do you think of Braithwaite’s comments Boro’ fans? Does he have a point about the tactics? Are you glad to be rid of him? Let us know your thoughts…

Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the Premier League came to an end last week at the hands of reigning champions Manchester City last week.

The Reds were looking to avenge last season’s crushing defeat at the Etihad and should have taken the lead through Sadio Mane, whose shot hit the post and narrowly avoided crossing the line. City took full advantage, Sergio Aguero turning expertly and firing past Alisson just before half-time. Roberto Firmino equalised before a brilliant goal by Leroy Sane ensured the Citizens closed the gap at the top of the table to just four points.

Dejan Lovren’s performance, in particular, will be concerning for Jurgen Klopp. Once again the Croatian failed to perform in a big game, allowing Aguero to ghost in front of him for City’s third while keeping Sterling on side for the second. Lovren’s sloppy passing almost cost the Reds another goal late on and Klopp should be looking to sign another defender now the January transfer window is open.

The perfect addition to the squad would be Borussia Monchengladbach defender – Nico Elvedi. Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the Swiss international has developed into a crucial player for his side since joining from FC Zurich back in 2015. Elvedi has been ever-present for his team this season, making 14 Bundesliga appearances so far.

The 22-year-old is a fantastic tackler and reads the game expertly allowing him to make numerous interceptions. Elvedi’s presence has contributed greatly to Monchengladbach’s brilliant defensive record this season. The majority of his appearances have come in the centre of defence but the youngster is extremely versatile and could cover both right and left back – making him ideal for Klopp following Nathaniel Clyne’s move to Bournemouth and the imminent departure of Alberto Moreno.

Elvedi is going from strength-to-strength – partnering him with Virgil van Dijk would take his game to a whole new level.

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Liverpool fans, thoughts?

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Christian Eriksen may be near a return to action for Tottenham Hotspur despite fears the injury picked up against Brighton and Hove Albion could sideline the Danish star for a lengthy part of the season.

Denmark’s boss had revealed Eriksen’s abdominal injury might be “chronic” as Age Hareide addressed the media ahead of the UEFA Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland on October 13.

“Such an injury can be chronic, and it is true that Tottenham also fears that,” Hareide told Denmark’s Canal 9.

“It is doubtful whether we will lure him to Dublin and make him play. I do not think that Tottenham is particularly interested in that.”

The Spurs star’s agent, however, responded to dismiss Hareide’s comments, stating that despite missing the club’s last four matches he was simply being rested through fatigue and he would be back as soon as possible.

Ever present Eriksen

Last season, Christian Eriksen missed just a single game for Spurs over the entire campaign and is already back carrying out light solo drills at the club’s Enfield training centre.

An ever-present in the Tottenham side under Mauricio Pochettino, the 26-year-old’s involvement is as key as anyone’s with his playmaking amongst the best in the Premier League.

Playing without the set-piece master has seen an instant impact on the side. His absence has been felt with a significant decrease in clear chances made, despite results still falling in the Lilywhites’ favour.

Bringing consistency back

Recent games and recent injuries led Mauricio Pochettino to dabble with new formations in a bid to overcome the unplanned obstacles he faced.

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Choosing between three and four at the back has become a regular decision for the Argentine manager to deliberate over, but with Eriksen’s return imminent as Premier Injuries predict him to be back at the end of the international break on October 20, Tottenham can return to 4-2-3-1 with the Dane sitting in behind the talisman striker Harry Kane.

A consistent formation will also help overcome the longer loss of centre-back Jan Vertonghen, with the Belgian defender ruled out till the end of November.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”305269″ player=”12034″ title=”Are Emery’s Arsenal Silently Gunning For The Title”]

Once Arsene Wenger announced his decision to resign from his post as Arsenal manager, attention swiftly turned to potential replacements.

Numerous names have flooded the the gossip columns, and fans have debated on social media who the best option is.

Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique emerged as an early candidate, but reports have suggested that salary could be an issue.

A recent report in The Mirror claimed that the Spaniard is demanding wages worth up to £15m after tax.

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Enrique does not have the biggest portfolio in terms of clubs managed, but he has had huge success at Barcelona.

During a three-year spell, the 48-year-old won nine trophies, including two La Liga titles and the Champions League.

Enrique left the Catalan giants last year and has been out of work since.

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Despite the reported concerns over money, former Arsenal defender Lauren believes that the former Celta Vigo boss would embrace the club’s philosophy.

He told Sky Sports:

“I would go for Luis Enrique because of a few facts. The style of play, there are some parallels with Barcelona, the way they play is the ‘Arsenal way’. He’s got that killer instinct that you need to manage a big team. You need a manager that has that big personality and the animal instincts to control everything.”

Kick-off is rapidly approaching for Sunday’s Merseyside Derby as Liverpool and Everton go head-to-head at Anfield for three English Premier League points and the local bragging rights.

The Reds have every reason to be confident for today’s match. The Toffees haven’t beaten them since way back in 2010, a streak that stretches back 14 matches.

At Anfield, Everton’s record is even more grim. They haven’t won in the Premier League there since 1999, losing nine of the 17 league matches since their last victory at the home of their rivals.

However, that’s all on paper and today’s match is expected to be competitive with Sam Allardyce’s pragmatic set-up more than capable of frustrating Jurgen Klopp’s free-flowing attacking football.

Liverpool supporters are, for that reason, expecting a very tough encounter this afternoon and while confident of a victory, aren’t expecting a repeat of the 3-1 and 4-0 victories of the last two meetings between the sides at Anfield.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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