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Everton owner Farhad Moshiri insists under-fire manager Rafa Benitez will not be sacked by the Premier League outfit as he ‘needs more time’ to turn their poor form around.

What’s the story?

The British-Iranian businessman responded to talkSPORT host Jim White’s text message asking for an update on the 61-year-old tactician’s future following their 4-1 thrashing in the Merseyside Derby on Tuesday night.

“This was my message to Farhad”, said White live on air. “‘Can you text me a message to the fans? Do you still back Rafa?’

“He replied: ‘Yes. Football is about crisis one day and glory the following day. Rafa is a good manager and underperformance is largely due to the injuries.

“’Next two weeks, we will get to a full squad and, in the meantime, results will improve. Rafa needs time to have his mark on the squad. He will be supported to add depth to the squad. Managers need time. I have no doubt that we will have a strong second-half to the season’.”

The Athletic’s Everton reporter Patrick Boyland then relayed the update online, tweeting: “Farhad Moshiri tells Talksport that Rafa Benitez “needs more time” and will not be sacked”.

Everton fans will be gutted

News that Benitez is set to stay in the Everton dugout for the foreseeable future may leave large sections of the Everton fanbase feeling gutted, given his recent struggles.

The Blues are currently enduring an eight-game winless run, have scored just one goal in their last four fixtures and are now hovering only five points above the relegation zone.

Benitez was already an unpopular choice with the club’s supporters upon his arrival due to his previous connections with fierce rivals Liverpool, and his inability to produce quality results has failed to endear him further.

With key players such as Yerry Mina and Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected to return to action soon, the next few weeks could be crucial in Benitez’s Everton tenure. For now, however, he feels like the wrong man for the job.

And, in other news…Everton line up “leader of the year” to succeed Benitez, Toffees fans will be ecstatic

Many Sunderland fans have been left buzzing over some transfer news that has emerged on Jermain Defoe.

As per The Chronicle journalist James Hunter, Lee Johnson has ‘not ruled out’ a move for the striker in the January transfer window.

They are ‘aware’ of his situation, after Defoe departed Glasgow Rangers earlier this week, but ‘a million and one things’ would have to happen for a move to go through.

Nonetheless, what an exciting deal it would be. Yes, Defoe is 39 years of age now, but Black Cats have fond memories of him during his previous spell at the Stadium of Light, especially the memorable goal that he scored against rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League back in 2015 to give them a 1-0 win.

Defoe scored a total of 37 times in 93 games in all competitions over three seasons (Transfermarkt), and so bringing back as a squad option would be a dream.

Sunderland fans on Defoe transfer news

These SAFC supporters buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter:

“So there’s a chance”

Credit: @kieranwiIson

“Don’t tease me”

Credit: @flaptingss

“So we’re trying, omds”

Credit: @SunlunnWill

“Bring him home”

Credit: @danstewart1234

“Please @LeeJohnsonCoach I’m on my knees”

Credit: @conorsafc_

“Offer him £1,000,001 a week”

Credit: @WearsideRoar

In other news, find out what other transfer update has Black Cats fuming here!

Many Wolves fans have been left to laud a transfer update on Carlos Vinicius as TVI24 have reported that they want to sign him.

As per the news outlet, the Midlands club want to approach him again after submitting a proposal before the pandemic struck, but it is likely now that they would be able to get him for around half of the original price at around €30m (£26.1m).

Assuming that Tottenham Hotspur do not take up the option of signing him on a permanent deal, Vinicius would be a shrewd buy for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, as he can be a very useful back-up striker to Raul Jimenez and now has the added experience of playing in the Premier League with Spurs.

Wolves fans on Vinicius transfer update

These Wanderers supporters lauded the transfer update on Vinicius on Twitter, with one member of the Molineux faithful even going as far as to claim that the Benfica ace would be a ‘superb signing’:

“He’d be a decent signing. If Jimenez isn’t ready for August, this boy could step in. Knows the league, big, strong, & has a decent turn of pace. Ticks the boxes to me!!”

Credit: @SteveWiles20

“Jose back to Spain and bring Vinicius. He’s class”

Credit: @pcaseiro

“Yeah definitely a superb signing for us – gets goals in limited time he has had a Spurs”

Credit: @paulmincher1

“Bring him in, always thought he was wasted at Spurs tbh he’ll get game time at abundance for us.”

Credit: @LeeHowe96699667

“Get him down to Compton.”

Credit: @Darkowl1rush

“Tears in my actual eyes”

Credit: @nakedguyonvespa

In other news, find out what big Nuno update WWFC fans have flocked to here!

Celtic have reportedly had a bid rejected for Caen striker Alexandre Mendy, according to a reputable French outlet L’Equipe. 

The lowdown: Career so far

The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in France so far, becoming somewhat of an eternal loanee, racking up 54 senior goals in 207 appearances across numerous spells out on loan as well as permanent stints at Bordeaux, Nice and Guingamp.

Mendy arrived at his current club Caen from Bordeaux in 2020 on a free transfer and has since shone for the Normandy based Ligue 2 outfit.

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Now the Guinea-Bissau international could be set to leave for domestic action elsewhere for the first time…

The latest: Bid made

As per reputable French source L’Equipe, Celtic have seen an initial offer of €3million (£1.5million) rejected by Caen.

The report claims that a number of other clubs are vying for the seven-cap ace’s signature but it’s the Hoops who have made the first move ahead of the summer transfer window.

It’s stated that the side currently sitting eighth in the French second tier would negotiate ‘in the event of a higher offer’ for their talismanic frontman, who was hailed as ‘very strong’ by former Bordeaux manager Jocelynn Gourvennec.

The verdict: Ange not messing around

This season, Mendy, who can also operate as an attacking midfielder and out wide, has scored 16 times and provided one assist in 30 Ligue 2 outings, all while earning an impressive 7.04 average rating and winning an outstanding 4.7 aerial duels on average per game (Sofascore). To put that in perspective, that’s more goals and headers won than Giorgos Giakoumakis.

However, unproven outside of the lower reaches of French football and already 28, upping the current offer would enter the realm of taking a risk with a portion of Ange Postecoglou’s summer budget.

Whilst the Bhoys must find suitable recognised centre-forward backup for Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi, the Greek-Australian boss has already proven to be a shrewd operator in the transfer market, so upping the bid on a player with plenty of unknowns could be a questionable decision.

Either way, to see the boss and club chiefs acting so decisively with summer targets is a positive, giving supporters hope that whatever the result of these talks, plans for the transfer window are already in action.

In other news, Frank McAvennie is in awe of one Celtic player’s development. Find out who it is here.

Gone are the days of Phil Parkinson’s timid football and Stewart Donald’s tired ownership at Sunderland and under Lee Johnson, the Mackems look a completely different outfit.

They are reinvigorated and are playing with a swagger rarely seen at the Stadium of Light over the last couple of years. For once, there are reasons to be positive.

On the chalkboard

Sunderland currently sit fourth in League One and now stand a real chance of achieving promotion back to the Championship.

A large factor has been the attacking football that Johnson has been intent on having his players play with.

Aiden McGeady has come back into the fray after being alienated by Parkinson and has been game-changing. No player has recorded more than his 11 assists in the division this term, a tally he’s accomplished in just 17 outings.

He has been different gravy and alongside Charlie Wyke, Johnson has conjured up one of the most feared partnerships in League One.

Wyke has racked up 25 strikes in all competitions and a large portion of them have been supplied by McGeady; the Irishman assisted all four of his goals against Doncaster for instance.

Though, what if another mouth-watering partnership is on the horizon?

Defoe heading back?

The name on the lips of Sunderland supporters over the last few days has been that of Jermain Defoe. The striker is out of contract at Rangers in the summer and he’s now widely expected to leave on a free transfer.

Kevin Phillips isn’t convinced a move could happen but speaking to Football Insider, Kevin Campbell was a little more hopeful. For the deal to happen, however, Sunderland need to achieve one thing.

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Campbell commented: “The key is Sunderland getting promoted. That’s the spanner in the works. But if that is the case, I’m sure it’s an offer Jermaine will entertain.”

Defoe might be 38 years of age but in the words of David Moyes, he is a “priceless” entity. The fact of the matter is that the striker scores goals wherever he goes and even if he didn’t play a major part in Rangers’ title win this season, he was still finding the back of the net.

The former England international has scored 29 times for the Gers during his two seasons at the club, a tally that demonstrates he’s still got what it takes.

Indeed, if he features alongside a player like McGeady, it could be phenomenal. The Irish winger has been a revelation this term and has been laying balls on a plate for Wyke with great regularity.

Add a first-class poacher like Defoe into the equation and his assist tally may get even greater.

The duo are both in the twilight of their careers but this partnership has the potential to be devastating. McGeady has a wand of a left foot while Defoe’s finishing ability is second to very few.

For those reasons alone, they must try and tempt him back to the Stadium of Light.

AND in other news, Forget O’Brien: Sunderland gem who made just 16 passes fast becoming a “joy to watch”…

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is ‘willing to talk’ to Everton about the vacant managerial post at Goodison Park, according to Patrick Boyland and Greg O’Keeffe.

The lowdown

Everton are looking to secure a new manager ahead of the summer transfer window after Carlo Ancelotti left to return to Real Madrid last week.

Benitez has been out of work since January after leaving Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang. The Spaniard led Liverpool to the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in 2005, as well as the FA Cup a year later.

Benitez is a decorated coach, having also won a pair of La Liga titles at Valencia early in the millennium and a Europa League crown with Chelsea, with the 61-year-old having 12 trophies to his name during his career in management.

The latest

It seems as if Benitez would entertain interest from Everton despite his association with Liverpool. However, Boyland and O’Keeffe noted for The Athletic that those links with the Anfield club continue to ‘make him a tough sell’ to some members of the board.

Meanwhile, there is said to be a willingness to bring back current Belgium boss Roberto Martinez in some quarters. Another former manager in David Moyes has also been considered, but there are ‘question marks’ over whether he would consider leaving Europa League-bound West Ham United and returning to Everton.

The Scot was ‘swiftly un-offered’ the job in 2019 when the club were presented with the opportunity to hire Ancelotti instead.

The verdict

Benitez is one of the most successful managers of his generation but you’d never want a manager to take a job under an immediate cloud, as Everton fans would probably be very quick to turn on him during a tricky run of form given his previous alliances with Liverpool.

It’s a good sign that a figure of his calibre is open to negotiations, but the Toffees hierarchy should look for a separate project given how fragile this one could be.

In other news, Eddie Howe’s chances of taking the job have also been rated. 

It’s fair to say that Scotland fans were absolutely buzzing ahead of Euro 2020 and yesterday’s 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic would have put a bit of a dampener on things. The tournament marks the long awaited return of fans in stadiums cheering on their home nation and former Scotland international and icon Ally McCoist sat down with Joe Cole, James Collins and Instagram sensation Munya Chawawa for Just Eat’s Home Advantage video series.

Just Eat’s Home Advantage  looks to bring the best of food and football together, as Munya orders a takeaway with some of the UK’s favourites footballers each week throughout the tournament.

The significance of Scotland’s participation is certainly not lost on former Rangers man, McCoist. Before the tournament McCoist did however voice some concern over the attacking output of the team. “Our lack of goals might be a problem. And I wouldn’t see us playing two up front in many games.”

When asked who we might expect to see some top performances from, McCoist praised Chelsea and Aston Villa youngsters, Billy Gilmore and John McGin. “I would like to see Billy Gilmore get a run. Hopefully John McGinn will be key for us and has a great campaign. If he does, we will be alright.“

Regardless of what happens, McCoist knows how special the tournament can be, recalling some of his favourite moments, the former Scotland international remarked, “As a wee boy, I can remember the original Penenka penalty. I remember him scoring it against Sepp Maier of West Germany. It was unbelievable. And I can also remember Van Basten’s volley against Russia, which was just an absolutely incredible goal. “

It certainly was and we’re sure Ally will be hoping for more of the same. Catch each week’s full episode of Just Eat’s Home Advantage below…

It may be five years since Aston Villa sold Adama Traore to Middlesbrough, but there can surely be no questioning that the Midlands club got the wrong end of the bargain.

It was Roberto Di Matteo who was in charge at Villa Park when the decision was made to let Traore go, with Albert Adomah arriving in the opposition direction instead.

At the time, Di Matteo seemed to be thrilled with the club’s business, saying: “Albert is a player I’m really happy to have brought to the club and like others he knows what is required to win promotion from the Championship. He is an attacking player who creates goals and I’m confident he will be an impressive addition to the group.”

But since then, it’s Traore who’s really had the last laugh.

Now, a five-cap Spain international, the 25-year-old has firmly established himself as a Premier League star, and has kept that X-factor that really made him stand out as a youngster.

As per Whoscored, his average of 4.2 dribbles per game in the top-flight this season ranks him as the most prolific dribbler in the division, while he also ranks in the top six for earning the most fouls per match too (2.2).

Dubbed as “unplayable” by Jurgen Klopp following an impressive display against his Liverpool side, Traore also has a fan in Graeme Souness, with the Sky Sports pundit saying: “He is now not only a winger anymore, he keeps the ball, holds the ball and sets up goals, obviously. That makes it so difficult, each ball you lose is 100 per cent a counter-attack and half a goal.”

CIES now value him at a whopping £35m, and that’s a testament to just how much he has grown since leaving Villa Park, with the Spaniard now very much a key part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at Wolves – he’s now played well over 100 times for the Molineux based club.

Given how much he has progressed over the years since his departure, Villa must surely look back at Traore’s exit back in 2016 as one they got completely wrong.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa played a blinder in signing this star… 

Former Everton defender Michael Ball has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Real Betis right-back Emerson is the sort of player he can see his old side and Marcel Brands targeting this summer.

The 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at the Benito Villamarin from Barcelona, was heavily linked with the Merseyside club last year.

Max Aarons was thought to be high on Everton’s list in their search for a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman, but it was recently reported by Fabrizio Romano that they have pulled out of the race to sign the Norwich City player.

It leaves manager Carlo Ancelotti and director of football Brands needing to look elsewhere. For Ball, that could mean turning to Emerson, who he believes fits the necessary criteria for the latter.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the Brazilian full-back, the ex-Everton player said:

“Emerson, for Real Betis, a Brazilian. Everton have got a lot of Brazilians at the football club. Whether that’s a link, I’m not too sure. It’s a position I think would be a priority for the club.

“Moving forward for the next couple of years, we need to sort of filter Seamus out and bring the next generation through.

“[Emerson’s] got the potential and it’s the right fit for a Marcel Brands type of signing. Young, got resale value in the future, but also got the quality to make an impact straight away.”

Coleman has been a great servant for Everton over the years, but turning 33 this year, the Toffees probably do need to start thinking about a succession plan – which could come in the form of Emerson.

This Wolves team are yet to record a single point in the Premier League under Bruno Lage but importantly, they are playing well.

The football from an offensive point of view has been pleasing on the eye as the Old Gold look to forget about Nuno Santo and move on to a new era.

What’s the word?

Wolves haven’t been able to spend too much money in the ongoing window but there is hope that the cheque book is opened in the remaining days of the market.

They are targeting another central defender in the form of Sven Botman at Lille and Duje Caleta-Car at Marseille.

Yet, there is still hope that they’ll sign one or two forwards. Kieffer Moore of Cardiff City has been mooted with a switch but we think Lage should look at acquiring Lucas Ocampos.

The £36m-rated winger was linked with Wolves several months ago but there is now renewed interest in the Argentine from the Premier League.

According to reports in Spain (via Daily Star), Liverpool are now plotting a move for Ocampos.

Must sign

If Lage can finalise a deal for a central defender and then bring Ocampos to the club on top of that, it would end the summer with a bang and conclude their business perfectly.

Capable of playing on either side of an offensive line, the Argentina international has proven to be one of the most dangerous characters in La Liga over the last few years.

For Sevilla last season, the 27-year-old scored eight goals – more than anybody at Wolves – and also picked up four assists for his troubles.

Furthermore, he was dazzling in possession of the ball. Previously described as “electric” during his time in Argentina by Fede Prami, a journalist and River Plate fan, he completed two successful dribbles per match.

That would have ranked him third in the Wolves squad, only behind Adama Traore and Pedro Neto.

Vitally, Ocampos is also well-disciplined, especially defensively. He is in the 97th percentile among players in the same position across Europe’s top five leagues in the past year for aerial duels won.

The attacker is also in the 95th percentile for successful pressures which proves he has the energy and work rate to suit Lage’s system.

Although he’s worth a fairly sizable sum of money, Wolves need to lure him to Molineux, especially with the idea of Adama Traore leaving still lingering in the atmosphere.

AND in other news, Sky Sports reporter drops exciting Wolves transfer update, fans should be buzzing…