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Many Everton fans have been left delighted at a potential position change for Ben Godfrey ahead of their FA Cup tie at home to Manchester City.
The Liverpool Echo have suggested that the former Norwich City man can play in midfield if needed, as Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he needs to be more creative following the long-term injury to Abdoulaye Doucoure, and he could well experiment with Godfrey in midfield against Pep Guardiola’s men.The 23-year-old has played in either a defensive or central midfield role for a combined total 0f 59 games over the course of his whole club career so far, and so is certainly more than capable of playing there if Ancelotti wanted to use that option.Whether Godfrey ends up playing in midfield against MCFC is another question – he hasn’t played there since arriving on Merseyside so it would certainly be a surprise – but it is seemingly a move that should not be ruled out.

Everton fan reaction to Godfrey in midfield

These Toffees supporters lauded the idea of Godfrey playing in midfield on Twitter:

“I like this solution do it”

Credit: @PhYozza72
“100%”

Credit: @heskeyefc
“No brainer. Play him and Allan in the centre of a four, with Richarlison on the right and James/Bernard on the left. With King and DCL up front in a two”

Credit: @ChrisPitchy
“I like that idea, Mina and Keane behind him Allan and Davies.”

Credit: @howardjamiee
“100% try this what do we have to lose!”

Credit: @TabbyEfc1991

“Said this the other day, it’s the only logical solution to fill the gap left by Doucoure”

Credit: @Owens_EFC
In other news, find out what early team news before City has left Blues fuming here!

Several Crystal Palace fans have been having their say on James Ward-Prowse after the Southampton midfielder commented on a 2019 clash with Wilfried Zaha.

The Saints star went past 300 appearances for the club earlier this season and was shown some of his best bits in a video shared on the club’s official YouTube account.

Numerous goals and free-kicks were on show, but one heated moment included was between Ward-Prowse and Zaha in January 2019 during a 1-1 draw – a game in which both players were on the scoresheet.

Zaha was sent off after two quick yellow cards following an altercation with Ward-Prowse, who celebrated with the Saints fans after the Palace star was dismissed.

Ward-Prowse simply said ‘oops, second yellow’ when he watched the footage back, which seems to have irritated plenty of Eagles supporters.

The clip was shared on Twitter by Southampton fan @JoshW_SFC on Tuesday evening and has been viewed over 29,000 times as of Wednesday lunchtime.

This is what these Palace fans had to say, with many hitting out at the England international…

“Same club who lost 9-0 twice, irrelevant and always in Pompey’s shadow”

Credit: @joe_cpfc_01

“Never seen a club milk something so much, really weird behaviour”

Credit: @paIaceawayy

“This is incredibly embarrassing omg”

Credit: @cpfcpaddy0

“This is up there with the very most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen…”

Credit: @unknownbald

“Please tell me this is fake, he’s reacted to a moment in a meaningless 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace?”

Credit: @CiaranCPFC

“Celebrating a 1-1 home draw against a Roy Hodgson managed side tells you all you need to know. Wilfried Zaha is gargantuan and lives in their heads rent free.”

Credit: @SomePalaceGuy

“Memorable game, you drew 1-1 at home to ten man Roy Hodgson palace. We are massive”

Credit: @TalkCPFC 

Manchester United have been hit with a serious hammer blow in their pursuit of the UEFA Europa League this season with the potential formation of The Super League.

News broke on Sunday evening that the Red Devils had become one of the six Premier League teams to become founding members of the new competition – a prospect that has earned considerable backlash.

Supporters, and in fact governing bodies, have been staunch in their criticism of The Super League, with sanctions such as a ban from all European competition and domestic tournaments being mooted by Fabrizio Romano.

Furthermore, United have stood down from the European Club Association (ECA), which likely means that they cannot compete in UEFA competitions.

That consequence would simply be disastrous for the Red Devils and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they may not be able to compete in the competition that they find themselves in the semi-finals of.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-from-old-trafford-lingard-de-gea-pogba-bailly-johnstone” title=”The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

Solskjaer’s troops are currently in the race to finish in the top-four in the Premier League, whilst they have also managed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

With the Norwegian having not yet lifted a trophy in his time at Old Trafford yet, the opportunity in which to do that has seemingly been cruelly snatched away.

So with United’s co-chairman Joel Glazer set to be appointed vice-chairman of the apparent Super League, he has seemingly done more damage to his club than good.

AND in more news, take a look Mason Greenwood’s exhilarating performance against Burnley this weekend…

Wrexham were held to a draw at MK Dons after throwing away a one-goal lead in a dramatic game that saw two red cards.

• Wrexham take lead through James McClean
• MK Dons hit back five minutes later
• Both teams finish game with 10 men

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  TELL ME MORE

  Wrexham had early sights of goal through Jack Marriott and Sam Dalby before opening the scoring midway through the first half. Luke Young swung in a superb corner and found James McClean to nod home at the near post. The lead was short-lived, however, with Dan Kemp firing past Arthur Okonkwo just five minutes later to make it 1-1.

  The visitors were bright at the start of the second half but almost conceded when Okonkwo dropped a straightforward catch but just managed to grab it back on the line. MK Dons felt the ball had dropped in with Dean Lewington ultimately sent off for taking his protests too far.

  Phil Parkinson reacted quickly to the dismissal with a triple substitution, calling for strikers Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher, but his team couldn't take their chances. The visitors were then reduced to ten men late on when Will Boyle picked up a second yellow card. MK Dons did have the chance to win it at the death, but Okonkwo made a point-blank save in the eighth minute of stoppage-time to preserve a point.

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• THE MVP

  Luke Young was back in the starting XI and making his 250th appearance for Wrexham on Tuesday night. It was a memorable occasion for the 30-year-old who crowned it with a fine assist for the opening goal. Credit must also go to Okonkwo who, aside from one wobble, came up with some vital saves to preserve a point.

• THE BIG LOSER

  Wrexham had a man advantage and were looking dangerous when Will Boylecynically brought down Dennis to earn his second booking of the match with just 13 minutes of normal time remaining. The red card proved costly as it saw both teams play out the remainder of the game with 10 apiece and really hurt Wrexham's chance of securing the win

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Wrexham are back in action and will hope to get back to winning ways on Saturday in League Two when they take on Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium.

The Egyptian scored and assisted in west London, but Jurgen Klopp was left sweating after key players were forced off early

Mohamed Salah scored and assisted on his return to action as Liverpool absolutely obliterated Brentford in their Premier League matchup on Saturday, running out 4-1 winners despite both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota being forced off with first-half injuries.

The Bees looked to make things difficult for the visitors with a dominant first half-hour, but a defensive error changed the course of the match completely – and set the tone for the rest of game

Sergio Reguilon misjudged the flight of a long ball and Jota capitalised, expertly heading into the path of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan showed rare composure in front of goal and chipped delightfully over goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

But that would be Jota's last contribution as he and Jones were forced off in quick succession with worrying-looking issues, adding to Jurgen Klopp's woes in the treatment room. On the positive side, those issues did allow Salah to be introduced after a lengthy injury lay-off of his own – and it was as if the Egyptian had never been away.

Salah's pinpoint pass set up Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool's second, with the Argentine showing intricate skill to finish coolly. Salah then got in on the action himself with a fine mazy run after Brentford switched off again at the back.

Ivan Toney got a consolation for the hosts before the rout was completed, as a complete miscue by Nathan Collins allowed Luis Diaz in, and he duly set up Cody Gakpo for Liverpool's fourth. Over to you, Manchester City…

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from the Gtech Community Stadium…

• Goalkeeper & Defence

  Caoimhin Kelleher (7/10):

  Undoubtedly a last-minute selection after Alisson's latest injury setback, but played well here. He made an unbelievable save only to see Toney knock in the rebound, before keeping the England strike out late on with another great stop.

  Conor Bradley (7/10):

  Showed great feet in advanced areas and was Liverpool's most threatening defender going forward. Drifted centrally at times and came close from long range at one point.

  Ibrahima Konate (5/10):

  Guilty of affording Maupay too much space early on when Brentford looked more dangerous. Positioning questionable at times but unthreatened as Liverpool took control of the game.

  Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

  Again struggled early on but warmed into the game. Turned into a fairly solid display, and nearly scored with a bullet header late on.

  Andrew Robertson (7/10):

  Perhaps a basic observation but his passing ability is fantastic. Posed a real threat from crosses and linked up play so well, and like Bradley got himself well forward.

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  Midfield

  Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

  Endo's inclusion again gave him more creative license and he thrived in a more offensive role. Deft touch matched a pinpoint assist from Salah for a sublime Liverpool second.

  Wataru Endo (7/10):

  Liverpool's lynchpin in midfield. Showed ridiculous work rate and was constantly battling. Could temper his aggression, though, after picking up a needless yellow.

  Curtis Jones (5/10):

  Barely lasted half an hour before being forced off after an awkward-looking landing. Replaced by Gravenberch.

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  Attack

  Diogo Jota (7/10):

  Arguably Liverpool's best player before being stretchered off just before half-time. Superb awareness set up Nunez for his first-half chip. Klopp will be left sweating as his knee injury looked serious.

  Darwin Nunez (7/10):

  Pace a constant outlet for Liverpool and that he utilised that for his goal. Reguilon defended poorly and Jota assisted expertly, but it was a sublime chipped finish from Nunez. Hooked at half-time, presumably as a precautionary measure.

  Luis Diaz (7/10):

  Came central too often early in the match, clogging up Liverpool's attack. But grew into the game and was his typical tricky self when staying out wide. Showed some mazy footwork and assisted Gakpo for the fourth.

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  Subs & Manager

  Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):

  Brought on for the injured Jones after 34 minutes. Slotted right into midfield and put in a solid performance, both defensively and offensively.

  Mohamed Salah (8/10):

  What an introduction. Wouldn't have expected such an early return from injury but that certainly didn't show. Played a sublime pass for Mac Allister's goal and showed incredible strength and finesse for his own strike. His return is set to be huge given Jota's woes.

  Cody Gakpo (7/10):

  Brought on for Nunez at half-time and, like Gravenberch, slotted right in. Played in by Diaz and finished expertly to complete the rout.

  Harvey Elliott (N/A):

  Brought on for Mac Allister, too late to make an impact.

  Joe Gomez (N/A):

  Brought on for Bradley, too late to make an impact.

  Jurgen Klopp (8/10):

  Near-perfect performance from his side, sending a clear message to City ahead of their match against Chelsea later on Saturday. Huge downside will obviously be the double injury blow, especially to Jota, but the return of Salah couldn't have come at a better time. Five points clear at the top…

adidas' FUSSBALLLIEBE Euro 2024 match ball will help VAR make offside calls and also reduce time to make a decision.

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• Adidas unveiled the FUSSBALLLIEBE
• Ball to have a chip to assist VAR offside decisions
• Same technology was used in World Cup 2022

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Adidas introduced the FUSSBALLLIEBE match ball for Euro 2024, equipped with a chip to enhance semi-automated VAR offside decisions. Notably, this tech settled a debate around Cristiano Ronaldo's claimed goal in the World Cup during Portugal's 2-0 win over Uruguay and the strike was awarded to Bruno Fernandes after it was analysed through the 'Connected Ball Technology' data.

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• Adidas
  

  THE EXPLANATION

  This technology, previously used in the Adidas Al Rihla ball at the World Cup, employs a sensor recording data 500 times a second, synchronised with stadium cameras for 3D offside graphics. There is a sensor at the centre of the ball which can record data 500 times a second whenever it is in contact with a player during live action. Adidas claim that the time needed to make a VAR offside decision will also see a significant reduction as it should now take just 25 seconds to make a call since there will be no need to manually draw lines.

• BIGGER PICTURE

  Champions League balls lack the chip, as they rely on AI for offside calls. Fans both in stadiums and watching on TV will have visual access to offside graphics. Adidas claim that decision-making efficiency and accuracy will mark a pivotal shift in football with the help of this technology.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Premier League clubs plan a March vote on adopting automated offside tech, anticipating improved decision-making. It is already prevalent in the Serie A with a Puma matchball but it does not contain the chip.

Old Trafford was silenced on Sunday when Marc Skinner's side were beaten by Man City, a result which highlighted several of the Red Devils' issues

Sunday was a huge day for Manchester United’s women’s team. The Red Devils welcomed bitter rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford and a club-record crowd of 43,615 fans streamed in to watch. Most of them were hoping to see a home win, one that would move United to within a point of Arsenal in second place in the Women's Super League, and four behind leaders Chelsea, while also leaving City nine points off the pace with only seven games played. But although it was an historic day at the 'Theatre of Dreams', the match was a nightmare for the hosts.

Despite home advantage, despite going 1-0 up after 21 minutes and despite playing against 10 players for almost half an hour, United came away empty-handed. They were sloppy, wasteful and uncomfortable in what turned into a 3-1 win for City.

Marc Skinner admitted after the match that his United team probably now need to go unbeaten for the rest of the season to stand any chance of winning the title. But based on what we saw on Sunday, that looks highly unlikely.

The 2022-23 campaign was an incredible one for Skinner's side. They were the only team to battle Chelsea for the WSL title until the final day, they secured a spot in the Women’s Champions League for the first time and they reached a maiden Women’s FA Cup final, too.

But the outlook is quite different with almost a third of this 2023-24 season gone. United couldn’t reach the UWCL group stages after landing a very tough tie in qualifying with Paris Saint-Germain, they’re seven points behind league leaders Chelsea and a defeat at Old Trafford to City has only intensified dissatisfaction among the fans. So, what is going wrong?

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  Key exits

  As well as losing highly-rated assistant manager Martin Ho, who has since guided Norwegian side Brann into the Women’s Champions League group stages, there were 13 first-team departures during the summer, two of which were hugely significant: Ona Batlle and Alessia Russo.

  Batlle is the best right-back in the women’s game and her return to Barcelona, the club she came through as a youngster, felt inevitable for some time. She was always going to be extremely difficult to replace as there is no one quite like the Spaniard, who excelled as an inverted full-back during her time in Manchester.

  Russo didn’t light the league up in her final season with United, scoring just 10 goals, but her move to Arsenal was an issue because of the way Skinner opted to tackle the task of replacing her. A flurry of new attackers have arrived, none of whom are providing the same kind of focal point as Russo.

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  Life after Russo

  Geyse – a tricky, direct and energetic forward who joined from reigning European champions Barcelona this past summer – is now playing the No.9 role on a regular basis. She is a wonderful talent and has shown flashes of her brilliance already. She is also a very different player to Russo.

  On her Man Utd debut in October, in a dramatically late win at Aston Villa, Geyse was a constant nuisance for the opposition but she drifted out wide so often that it left no one in the box to put chances away. That has been the case for most of her time in United red, too.

  "If the forward goes into the wide channel, then the other one has to come in and we have to flood the box because of the way that we play. That will come, I've no doubt about that," Skinner said after that win on the WSL’s opening weekend.

  “Geyse is different to Alessia. Alessia is a pin player and spins and switches. Geyse can hold it and turn you and go. That's a different type of forward. I think when we watch it back, we can be more positionally ruthless and I think that will come.”

  It was Rachel Williams who saved the day at Villa Park, the experienced forward coming off the bench to win the game in stoppage time. As a classic No.9, it was she who brought that penalty-box presence United had been lacking – and it wasn’t the only instance of that happening this season. The 35-year-old, the team’s top goal-scorer in the WSL this season, also came to the rescue away at Brighton earlier this month.

  It's fantastic when you have players on the bench who can make a difference but Williams’ goals have often shown that United simply lack a starter who can be in the right place at the right time to get on the end of the chances being created – and finish them ruthlessly.

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  The right combination

  Why is that the case? Well, Geyse has a lot of talent but her final product and decision-making aren't always convincing. She’s also not that orthodox centre-forward that will lurk in the box, waiting to sniff out a goal. Melvine Malard, however, appears to be a little more like that.

  The France international joined Man Utd on loan from Lyon this past summer but has largely operated in a wide role despite it feeling like a switch of positions between her and Geyse would be beneficial. When she gets in the box, she is deadly, as her four goals for the club already have shown. Yet, she is often stuck on the wing struggling to make an impact. Even Nikita Parris, who excelled in a central role against Everton, appears to be a better option as a starting No.9 than Geyse, whose talents could be maximised out wide.

  Skinner has tinkered a little with that front three this season but has yet to really nail down those killer combinations that can make United a more clinical side. He’s also stressed that the players are still adapting to life in England and learning the language to communicate with their new team-mates.

  “There are still barriers,” he said on Sunday, speaking about the glimpses of that relationship between Geyse and Malard. “It’s just the little details. For example, if we're going to play more direct, then we can play underneath, so maybe Geyse is the highest player but then Melvine drops underneath so if Man City see get the first contact, we're in the second space and once we're in that second space, I don't think Man City would live with us. But we end up being in a flat line because they can't quite communicate quickly as the ball is travelling. There are all those little details that they don't yet have the language skill to do.”

  But until Geyse and Malard are able to work in tandem in their current roles, can Skinner change things so that their abilities can be fully exploited while the relationship is still growing? After all, those partnerships take time to grow and there just isn’t a lot to spare in the WSL.

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  Issues aplenty

  There are only 12 teams in the WSL. Each side only plays 22 games in the division. So, when you’re seven points off the top of the table after as many matches, it’s quite a lot of ground to make up if you want to be a factor in the title race.

  Skinner has spoken about time, about how these players will gel and they will work together beautifully on the pitch, but nearly a third of the league season is now gone and he is still speaking about it. How long will it take?

  Let’s also not forget that Malard is a loan player. You don’t want to be waiting four months for someone on a temporary deal to make an impact. You need to make the most of their presence as soon as possible, especially if Skinner wants Man Utd to compete for the title and to have another go in Europe next season.

  The problems don’t just surround the forward areas and how this attack looks without Russo, either. Batlle’s departure has made United weaker at the back both in and out of possession. Errors when playing out from the defence are creeping in more and more frequently, with captain Katie Zelem caught on the ball in her own half in the build-up to City’s second goal on Sunday and Maya Le Tissier playing a short backpass to Mary Earps that proved costly for the third.

  There are also questions around the midfield, namely why so much of United’s play seems to completely bypass it, and why the balance does not seem right a lot of the time in the combinations of three that Skinner picks. Rectifying the latter could go a long way to putting a stop to Ella Toone’s poor form in 2023, too.

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he isn’t surprised that “luxury” Manuel Lanzini wants to quit West Ham this summer.

The Argentine is currently in his sixth season with the Hammers, but hasn’t been the same player since suffering an ACL injury in training ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Lanzini has been fit for the entire campaign, but has been restricted to just three Premier League starts, the latest of those coming against Sheffield United last month, and has been an unused substitute in seven of West Ham’s previous nine league fixtures.

He still has more than two years remaining on his deal with the Hammers, but recent reports suggest that Lanzini wants to leave the London Stadium in the summer, which came after French champions PSG, who are managed but his his fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino, made a failed last-ditch attempt to sign him in January.

And McAvennie believes that part of Lanzini’s struggles have been down to the upturn in fortunes of Said Benrahma.

He told Football FanCast:

“The boy’s not getting a game, so if he’s not getting a game then he’s got to go. As a player, if you’re not getting a game then you’ve got to go. Sometimes you have just got to play. Lanzini has been out of the team for so long. He’s a luxury player.

“Benrahma when he came in, and David Moyes said ‘you’re losing the ball too much’. Lanzini is a little bit like that. He’s probably spoken to both of them, but Benrahma seems to have bought into what David Moyes is telling them. Great player, but Lanzini is a luxury.

“I’m not surprised he wants to quit. Benrahma has bought into West Ham, and that’s why Lanzini is not getting a game.”

Lanzini has been a great servant to West Ham over the years, but he’s some way down the pecking order under Moyes, which makes a summer exit extremely likely.

Folarin Balogun was among those to pay the price for Monaco’s sloppy start against Lille, with the United States international hooked at half-time.

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• Striker included from the off
• Failed to make an impact
• Unable to add to goal tally

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 22-year-old frontman was included from the off by Monaco boss Adi Hutter, but saw his afternoon cut short after just 45 minutes. That is because a forgettable performance saw the USMNT star struggle to make any kind of impact.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Monaco trailed by two goals at the break and the decision was taken to mix things up during the interval. Balogun was replaced by Myron Boadu, while former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino made way for Maghnes Akliouche.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Hutter saw his side dominate for long periods against Lille, with 16 efforts on goal fired in compared to seven from the hosts. Monaco were unable to find the back of the net, though, with Balogun drawing a blank alongside his attacking colleagues.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Balogun has registered two goals through seven appearances for Monaco following his summer transfer from Arsenal, but faces fierce competition for places when it comes to starting berths and will need to raise his game in order to nail down a place in Hutter’s plans.

Gerard Precheur has left his role as head coach of the Paris Saint-Germain women's team and has been replaced by his son.

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• Precheur criticised club last season
• Has stepped down after one game in 2023-24
• Replaced by his son

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Precheur was appointed PSG coach last summer but endured a disappointing season at the helm as they finished second in Division 1 Feminine, six points behind winners Lyon, and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  PSG confirmed on Thursday that Precheur has stepped down, citing "personal reasons" in their statement.

  The remainder of his background staff will remain in charge and his son Jocelyn, who worked as his assistant last term, has taken over as head coach.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  The veteran manager's exit comes after he criticised the club at the end of last season, sparking reports of a likely departure.

  "PSG must provide guarantees to build a great club. Being competitive is not enough. I want to finish my career with a desire to win," he said.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  PSG won their first league game of the season before his exit and they will hope to make it two wins from two when they meet Lyon this weekend.