Everton’s Richarlison has been showing glimpses this season of the potential he possesses and the ability he has to become one of the big names in world football. An excellent start to his career at the Toffees has been pleasing on the eye and has definitely raised a sense of optimism from an Everton perspective.

But this coming Sunday the Brazilian has the opportunity to really stamp his authority down on the Premier League and make a proper statement when Marco Silva’s charges travel to Old Trafford for a clash with the struggling Manchester United. Four goals in sevens league appearances so far this season is an encouraging sight for the Merseyside club with the 21-year-old set to have a vital role to play if Everton were to pick up any points at the Theatre of Dreams.

If ever there was a time for a lower-ranked team to play United, with the hope of upsetting them at their home-ground, then it would be now after their poor run of results, and will Richarlison have a golden chance to do that on Everton’s behalf. His pace and control has been his outright strong points, not to mention his ruthlessness in front of goal.

Usually operating on the wing, the former Watford man has played as a centre-forward in Everton’s previous two Premier League matches against Leicester City and Crystal Palace due to how threatening he is when given the opportunity to attack.

Although United have been playing a conservative and defensive brand of football under manager José Mourinho of late, Everton could have to opportunity to play with more freedom than they usually have against a bigger club. Almost similar to their first-half performance against Arsenal at the Emirates last month where they squandered a couple of brilliant chances, Silva’s men should set up Richarlison for a spectacle on Sunday.

The manager’s decision to start Bernard on the wing in their previous two matches has definitely made the side more attacking, given that Richarlison is making runs in front of him. That partnership could terrorise the United defence and could provide him with the platform to take the next step in his already exciting young career.

Following the news that Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling has been ruled out for two months because of injury, manager Marcelo Bielsa should give fringe loanee Lewis Baker a chance to shine in that position.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the popular Ayling suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend that could keep him on the sidelines until 2019, and it gives Bielsa another defensive headache.

The Argentine boss has already had to deal with the absence of the injured Barry Douglas in recent weeks, with Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski among those that have filled in at left-back despite naturally being more attacking players.

Meanwhile, hopes would have been high that Chelsea loan man Baker would have been an important player for the Yorkshire outfit this term, but it hasn’t quite worked out that way just yet with him only featuring for 121 minutes in the Championship.

Could he play at right-back?

He certainly has the right attributes to do a job there.

Bielsa showed by dropping Alioski to left-back that he isn’t afraid to make bold selection decisions, and Baker has the pace, height and technical ability to be a success at right-back in the coming months.

The 23-year-old seems unlikely to get an opportunity ahead of the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Adam Forshaw, Mateusz Klich and Samu Saiz in the middle of the park right now, and he would finally have the chance to contribute to the team with a spell at full-back.

It could prove to be an inspired decision by Bielsa given the Chelsea man’s quality on the ball, and he could prove to be an extra useful weapon in the final third for them.

Chelsea have been doing well this season, there’s no way around it. Maurizio Sarri deserves lots of credit for the way in which he’s been able to turn the team around – and at present, they’re only going from strength to strength.

From front to back, so many of the Chelsea players have turned their form around after the struggles of last season, and for that, the Blues faithful must be pleased.

However, it’s not been all plain sailing, at least for a few individuals.

Indeed, there are a handful of players within the Chelsea squad that, simply put, have not been good enough as of late. It’s never too early to start talking about transfers, and with the January transfer window just under two months away, there are a few players at Stamford Bridge that should be fearing for their futures.

With that said, these 2 Chelsea men will surely be axed in January unless they improve – agreed?

Victor Moses

Maurizio Sarri has already spoken of Victor Moses’ need to improve, and with every passing week, that only become clearer.

At present, he’s in a very difficult position. He’s not exactly a winger, but he’s not exactly a full-back either. So, he’s kind of in a spot in which he doesn’t fit into a Sarri team.

He could be of real use in a system that utilises wing-backs, or he could perhaps work for a smaller side playing at right-wing.

However, barring a miracle, the Nigerian’s time in London could be running out.

Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill hasn’t had much of a chance this season, but even when he has played, he hasn’t looked particularly good.

The Englishman has been a regular at Stamford Bridge since he moved to London, but under Maurizio Sarri, his game time has reduced exponentially.

That’s proving to be the correct decision from the boss, owing to his poor display against Derby County last week.

In truth, Cahill simply looks to be past his best, and in that state, he’s just not going to break in ahead of Antonio Rudiger or David Luiz.

A strong showing in the next two months could change that, but it’s looking unlikely.

According to the Spanish outlet El Pais, Tottenham are entering a race with Borussia Dortmund for the signature of Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez. 

The 22-year-old Uruguayan has been in wonderful form for the La Liga outfit so far this term, scoring six goals and four assists in 10 appearances, and would be the perfect player to complement star man Harry Kane.

Spurs have tried very hard to find a deputy to Kane over the past few seasons, with not a great amount of success. Vincent Janssen came and struggled, Fernando Llorente came, and while he has done better than the Dutchman, he hasn’t quite won over Mauricio Pochettino.

The club have tried to play Son Heung-min up front when the England captain has been injured, and have tried Lucas Moura this season with Kane sitting just behind. While these two have done decent jobs, they are not strikers, and that will cost Tottenham eventually.

Gomez is a natural striker, built physically in a similar mould to Kane. Pochettino then has the option of playing the two together, with Kane behind him, or playing Gomez from the bench. Llorente has proven in the past that he can work alongside Tottenham’s number 10, and is a presence in the box to provide for the clinical finisher. Gomez would be a younger improvement to Llorente.

With players like Kieran Trippier at the club, his delivery into the box and crossing is wasted with a diminutive player like Moura in the box. On the other hand, Gomez is a player that would suit Tottenham’s style.

Then again, in Janssen and Llorente, Spurs have gone for strikers that are similar to Kane, and it hasn’t paid off. There is no guarantee that Gomez would be any different to those two, but The Lilywhites need to find someone fast. Not least to allow Pochettino to rest Kane. This may be the best way to get the best from the England skipper.

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Loads of Rangers fans have been giving their verdict on the interest in Martin Skrtel, and a huge majority of fans want to sign the feisty Slovakian international.

According to CNN in Turkey, Steven Gerrard has not given up on Skrtel, who he wanted to sign this summer.

The report claims the ex-Liverpool star was Gerrard’s number one target in the summer window, a window which saw a complete overhaul of the defence.

Skrtel will be out of contract at the end of this season, meaning the Gers could swoop in for a bargain in January or agree a pre-contract deal to sign him for free next summer.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”331843″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch The Fantasy Football Show The Ranieri Effect and other FPL players to watch”]

The 33-year-old, who has racked up an incredible 101 caps for Slovakia, is best known for his bullet headers and shirt-grabbing, only one of which Gerrard will want to see at Ibrox.

The boss signed four central defenders this summer, but after a positive start particularly for Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic they have all lost their way a bit in recent weeks.

A move for Skrtel would probably be the end of Joe Worrall as a regular starter, but it could be good news for Katic, who would learn a thing or two from the experienced Fenerbahce man.

You can view the full poll results down below, where 84 per cent of fans are backing a move…

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Tammy Abraham scored his sixth Championship goal of the 2018-19 campaign in Aston Villa’s 4-2 win over Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon.

Abraham, who joined Villa on loan from Chelsea during the summer, registered from the penalty spot early in the second period to send his team 3-1 ahead.

Dean Smith’s side ultimately ran out 4-2 victors to earn the bragging rights in the derby, and the result moved Villa to within four points of the top six.

Things were not terrific under Steve Bruce earlier this season, but Villa have now won each of their last three in the Championship, and certainly have the squad to make a strong push for promotion this season.

Villa beat a number of clubs to Abraham’s signature during the summer, and the England international has been impressive since arriving at Villa Park.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Playmaker FC…

Following the striker’s goal against Birmingham, the Villa fans were keen to lavish praise on the 21-year-old.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Newcastle United secured their third consecutive Premier League win of the season with a hard-fought win against Burnley on Monday night.

The Magpies were handed the lead after just four minutes when Federico Fernandez’s strike deflected off Ben Mee and left Joe Hart with no chance. Just 20 minutes later, Ciaran Clark doubled their lead before Sam Vokes got one back for the hosts. Matt Ritchie blasted wide from only two yards out, but ultimately he wasn’t made to pay.

The January transfer window is now less than two months away, and manager Rafa Benitez should be searching for recruits to keep their excellent form going.

And one man the Spaniard should target is Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi.

Valued at £10.8 million by Transfermarkt, the La Masia graduate was once considered one of the most promising prospects at the club after becoming the club’s third youngest goal-scorer behind Lionel Messi and Bojan, netting on his debut. Following the arrival of Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp, Munir’s chances in the first team were limited, and he was sent on loan to both Valencia and Alaves.

Munir was extremely impressive during his temporary spell away from the club last season, netting ten league goals as well as notching six assists. However, he has made just one start in La Liga this season, and his contract is set to expire in the summer. Despite wanting to stay at the club, Barca are unwilling to meet his demands, which could allow Benitez’s Newcastle to swoop in and bring him to the Premier League.

The Spain international can play as the central striker or on either wing, making him a useful option for Benitez to have in his attack. Munir has thrived in a tough division, meaning adapting to life in the Premier League shouldn’t be an issue. His added creativity would also help the Magpies score the goals to steer them away from danger.

Potentially available at a great price in January, this would surely be a masterstroke of a signing.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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Southampton are reportedly set to bring Ralph Hasenhuttl to St Mary’s following the departure of Mark Hughes on Monday morning, and it’s fair to say that life under the Austrian will be very different.

The Welshman used a number of different formations during his 14 Premier League matches this season before he was sacked following the 2-2 draw with Manchester United at St Mary’s on Saturday, and it was often difficult to tell what his plan, identity or style of play really is.

The same certainly can’t be said of Hasenhuttl, who has a distinctive way of playing that helped him to great success at former clubs FC Ingolstadt and RB Leipzig.

On the chalkboard

The 51-year-old became renowned for playing an attacking, energetic, high-intensity pressing game during his tenure with the two German clubs.

The Austrian coach wants his team to show big levels of fitness and that must come from the front, meaning the two strikers in his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation will be expected to run into the channels to stretch sides and put opposition defenders under pressure.

It is a similar style to the one Mauricio Pochettino looked to integrate when he first arrived at St Mary’s in 2013, and it could have big consequences for some current players.

What does it mean for Shane Long?

In short, the 31-year-old won’t be able to believe his luck.

Despite only scoring 27 goals – 13 of which came in one season – in 162 appearances in all competitions for Southampton since signing for them in 2014, the 5ft 11in Republic of Ireland international may have hit the jackpot with Hasenhuttl.

Most Saints fans will no longer want the striker anywhere near the starting XI because of his dire goalscoring record – he has three in his previous 56 outings for the south coast outfit – but his style of play should suit the Austrian manager down to a tee.

Long is willing to press, chase and harry defenders, and Hasenhuttl may feel that he is the ideal strike partner for Danny Ings when he recovers from his ankle injury.

Haven’t seen Paul Pogba’s latest strange photoshoot? You need to check out the video below…

Over the past few weeks, a number of clubs have been linked with a loan move for Burnley’s Tom Heaton. 

Aston Villa and Leeds appeared to be the frontrunners at first, but fellow Championship outfit Preston North End have also thrown their hat into the ring. However, there is one club that should also try and make a swoop for the 32-year-old and that is Birmingham.

Garry Monk has relied on summer signing Lee Camp this season, and it has not really paid off. It was a bizarre signing in the summer, and it is increasingly looking like a bad decision. A move for Heaton could be the best solution for the club, given his lack of time at the Premier League club behind Joe Hart and Nick Pope (when he returns).

The only problem is that Birmingham currently have a transfer embargo where they can only make one more signing. Some fans would say that it is a waste to use the final signing up on another goalkeeper given the fact that they have already addressed that area- they believed.

But it is undeniable that this is one of the major areas in which The Blues need to improve this season, and, while they are still doing a good job in the Championship, if they want to push up the table, they may need someone more reliable between the sticks.

Of course, this speculation may be academic given their bitter rival Aston Villa’s pursuit for the ‘keeper, but there is still no harm in showing an interest.

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The Sun recently reported that both Aston Villa and Leeds United hold an interest in signing outcast Newcastle United goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, on a £4 million deal in the upcoming January transfer window. 

Darlow has dropped down the pecking order at St James’ Park since the arrival of new shot-stopper Martin Dubravka. Realistically, the usurped 28-year-old must now drop down to Championship level if he wants to return to playing regular football.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Playmaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

Dean Smith apparently wants to bring Darlow to Villa Park in order to provide competition for current No. 1, Orjan Nyland. A price tag of £4m also makes the Tyneside ‘keeper an affordable target for the Villans.

However, with the likes of Tom Heaton and Fraser Forster also finding themselves surplus to requirements with top flight clubs, there are some far more attractive names on the market than Darlow.

Many Villa fans agree that they should set their sights higher than the Newcastle man. Of those who took part in our poll, 61% voted against signing Darlow. See the full results below.