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Fresh from leading West Ham United into an unlikely spot in the Europa League, a year on from staring relegation in the face, manager David Moyes has a tricky task on his hands to repeat such a feat.

The 58-year-old has often been a mark of consistency in the Premier League, regularly recording top-eight finishes during his time at Everton, but this season looks tougher than ever.

A lot of teams around them, including the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who finished lower in the table, have strengthened their playing squad considerably, whilst the Irons have only made the one senior addition, a back-up loan goalkeeper in Alphonse Areola.

The likes of Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek will need to step up and perform at a similar output to last term, especially in the absence of Jesse Lingard, who arguably changed the Hammers’ fortunes for the better.

After joining on loan in January, the Manchester United outcast provided nine goals and five assists to end the year as their second-highest rated player, as per WhoScored, which only emphasises just how crucial he was to Moyes and their impressive sixth-place finish.

He seems rather unlikely to return to the London Stadium and that’s a big blow. It means that other players will have to step up – perhaps it’s Said Benrahma’s time to shine?

The nine-cap Algerian winger, signed in a £30m deal from Brentford, didn’t have the best debut campaign in the big time, registering only one goal and six assists but that’s warranted. It’s the first time he’s competed at such a level. And he only started 14 times in the Premier League.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-the-latest-gossip-and-much-more-3” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

If Moyes needs someone to provide that extra spark in midfield, then Benrahma must step forward. He could turn out to be the Hammers’ perfect Lingard replacement.

The 26-year-old has looked electric throughout pre-season, having scored against Celtic and Brentford, and provided two assists against Atalanta. He appears to be playing with a lot more confidence and his creativity could be utilised through the middle, to get the best out of him.

At the Bees, where he was described as someone who “could nutmeg a mermaid”, he delivered a direct goal contribution every 119.5 minutes, as per Transfermarkt, so it’s on Moyes to get that back out of him.

Also dubbed a “true magician” by former OGC Nice teammate Lorenzo Vinci, Benrahma can provide Moyes and West Ham with excitement by plugging the void left behind by Lingard.

The squad undoubtedly needs more additions to put up a fight across all competitions but the £18m-rated dynamo is someone who could be in line for a massive boost heading into the new campaign.

Moyes must look to unleash Benrahma in a free role in the absence of their former loan sensation.

AND in other news, Moyes risks West Ham transfer nightmare with a swoop for “ungrateful” £105k-p/w flop…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Gabriel Jesus will remain an ‘incredibly important’ player for the Sky Blues in 2021/22 whilst citing his ability to play in either centre-forward or wide positions [City Xtra].

Putting up respectable numbers last campaign, the Brazilian attacker managed to notch 18 goal contributions in 42 appearances; 14 goals and four assists [Transfermarkt].

Now, he looks set to shoulder added responsibility at the Eithad Stadium this campaign, owing to his managers’ recent comments.

In a recent interview, Guardiola stated: “Gabriel is an incredibly important player for us, he can play a striker or wider. He had an incredibly key role in these many years of success in every season.” [City Xtra].

Frequently contributing for City during his time at the club, he may be a key player for his current employers in forthcoming months should they miss out on reported target Harry Kane.

In light of these comments, loads of Manchester City diehards took to social media to discuss the striker, who has been linked with an exit this summer.

Manchester City FC fans react:

Replying to popular Manchester City fan outlet City Xtra on Twitter, here is what some supporters had to say about the update:

“I really wanna see him tried on the wing or just wanna see him be a bit more confident again”

Credit: @SxrgioSZN

“Music to my ears if we sold him he would become a star this season for whoever he’s playing for and be a 150 mill player and we would be gutted, let’s keep the faith in him he hasn’t been great in recent times but he hasn’t been bad, I’m happy he’s staying and pep values him”

Credit:@MrkGmn1

 “unpopular opinion, but in a conventional system as a striker (no help defensively) position, gabby would bag 15+ goals a season in the prem. He is so skillful could beat a defender in a beat.”

Credit: @karthik_mcfc

“The mans work-rate is fantastic and I really hope he can rake in the goals this season! Not enough of those have come through him.”

Credit: @_JDHart

“That’s what I like to hear, I hope he has a great season and stay here”

Credit: @Mysterio__01

“Keep gabi”

Credit: @Basseysamuel998

In other news, an ex Premier League player has his say on the 2021/22 title race.

Leeds United have suffered a major injury blow before their Premier League clash against Manchester United.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay confirmed that Diego Llorente is set to be missing from the trip to Old Trafford this afternoon, revealing that Whites manager Marcelo Bielsa believes the 27-year-old will be out for another one or two weeks.

The Spaniard arrived from La Liga club Real Sociedad for £18m last September, and BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope raved about the ability and quality the defender would bring to Elland Road.

He said: “Marcelo Bielsa loves versatility so Llorente’s ball-playing qualities and ability to do a job in front of the back four if required, like Brighton loanee Ben White did on occasion last season, will be a major plus.”

Llorente emerged as a cornerstone of Leeds’ defence in the final few weeks of last season, starting 13 of the last 14 games in the Premier League and coming up with some big performances – not least netting a late equaliser against Liverpool.

He earned a seasonal WhoScored rating of 6.90, marking him as the Whites’ second-best centre-back after Liam Cooper, who was also the only player at the club to win more headers per game than Llorente’s 2.2.

The Spaniard’s form even raised arguments he should be partnering Sergio Ramos at international level for Euro 2020 during the summer, and that’s a real testament to how much he has grown at Elland Road over the campaign.

To be without such a crucial figure in the back-line, in the first game of the season away at fierce rivals Manchester United – who will be buoyed by the signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane – is a bitter blow for Bielsa.

The Leeds manager must be gutted to be without Llorente today.

Meanwhile, Leeds could form an exciting partnership by signing this star…

David Norris has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern he thinks Leeds’ chances of signing Lewis O’Brien are slim.

Marcelo Bielsa has been quiet up to now in the transfer window, making just two significant additions in Jack Harrison, following three loan spells, and left-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona.

Exciting youngster Lewis Bate also joined from Chelsea, and the Leeds boss has been trying his luck with another young player in O’Brien, who’s been chased by several Premier League clubs after his impressive form for Huddersfield in the Championship.

Despite the speculation surrounding his future, O’Brien started Huddersfield’s win over Sheffield United on Saturday, and scored three times and assisted as many more in 42 Championship appearances last season.

But whilst the Telegraph believe that Leeds are closing in on a £7m deal for the 22-year-old, Norris believes that the deal has gone on too long for the two Yorkshire rivals to reach an agreement.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“I think once it goes too far, there’s obviously an issue, so I can’t see that one happening now. I can’t see them paying £8m-£10m.

“Some teams attract players for a long period of time and eventually get a deal done, but this one seems like it’s not going to happen, it’s gone on too long.”

Former professional footballer Nigel Jemson believes that Nottingham Forest will have somebody in mind to replace Joe Worrall should he depart the City Ground this summer.

Worrall is a target for Premier League side Southampton, according to Hampshire Live, with the Saints looking to strengthen their defence. This comes after Jannik Vestergaard left to join Leicester City earlier in the transfer window.

Nottinghamshire Live also reported that Burnley, West Ham United, Norwich City and Crystal Palace have also been interested in the defender at times but interest from them has cooled recently.

The 24-year-old has featured 137 times for Forest, scoring three goals and creating a further five, with Jemson believing that if Forest are going to sell him, they will have someone in place to replace him, although they will be sorry to see him leave the club.

Jemson exclusively told Football FanCast: “I don’t know what’s going off at the moment with Joe, if his head’s been turned by interest from Burnley, Brentford but like I said everyone’s got a price and if we are going to sell him then I’m sure the club have got someone in mind to take over in his place.

“Will I be sorry to see him go, course I will be because he’s a great lad and a great professional and a great role model for the people at the football club, but you know, if he wants to progress and he sees his future elsewhere and if its right for both parties then I’m sure he will go.”

All things considered, though, manager Chris Hughton will be desperate to keep hold of him, especially with Forest’s dreadful start to the season.

According to Roker Report, Sunderland are in talks to sign Leon Dajaku from Bayern Munich.

The Lowdown: Busy summer for Sunderland

The Black Cats have been busy so far this summer, bringing in seven new players either on a temporary basis or permanently (Transfermarkt).

However, it seems that their transfer business might not be done just yet.

The Latest: Dajaku talks

As per Roker Report, Sunderland are interested in signing Dajaku from six-time European champions Bayern.

Dajaku is currently with Union Berlin on a temporary basis, but has made just two Bundesliga appearances for the capital club.

The Verdict: A talent

While £1.62m-valued Dajaku has not yet made the transition to the elite, his record at youth level suggests that he has plenty of talent and ability. In 60 games for VfB Stuttgart’s development sides, he scored 41 goals, showing that he can be prolific. Also, Bayern clearly saw enough in him to give him three appearances for their first team.

At the age of 20, it is now time for him to make his mark and start to develop. It remains to be seen whether Sunderland can get a deal done before tonight’s transfer deadline.

In other news, Sunderland fans were livid with this former player’s comments.

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited to see Trent Alexander-Arnold in a rare central midfield role for England against Andorra.

The 22-year-old has already achieved so much in his blossoming career, leaping from youth team prospect at Anfield to arguably the best right-back in world football.

Alexander-Arnold is already a Premier League and Champions League winner and he looks highly likely to be a future Liverpool captain given his current trajectory.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

While the youngster has matured into a stunning right-back under Jurgen Klopp, he also used to play in midfield during his youth team days.

According to The Telegraph [via journalist Mike McGrath on Twitter], Alexander-Arnold will line-up in that role in England’s 2022 World Cup qualifier at home to Andorra on Sunday.

It will give Liverpool fans a chance to watch their hero in a different position, potentially seeing whether or not it will work further on in his career.

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Liverpool fans react to Alexander-Arnold claim

These Reds supporters on Twitter reacted to the news of the 22-year-old possibly lining out at midfield this evening for England.

“Oh Trent in midfield? Can’t wait!“

Credit: @unbearablemo

“Don’t watch England but I’m 100% watching this tomorrow”

Credit: @_EliteElliott_

“Interesting…”

Credit: @jj__lfc

“Oh man it’s happening!”

Credit: @JDsJustTalking

“Will be very interesting to see”

Credit: @LFC_James

“First time I’ve been excited to watch England in years”

Credit: @kat_lfc13

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy at a fresh transfer claim. Read more here.

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to some transfer news on Kyle Walker-Peters.

As per a report from earlier on in the week by The Daily Telegraph, which has since been shared by Mike McGrath on his Twitter page, the Goodison Park faithful made an enquiry to try and sign the Southampton ace in the final days of the summer window, but they did not entertain any deal.

Walker-Peters has plenty of experience of playing in the Premier League for both Tottenham Hotspur in addition to the Saints (Transfermarkt), and has recently shown that he can fill in at left-back as well as on the right.

However, one could question whether he is an upgrade on Seamus Coleman, who got more assists than him in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, while also averaging more key passes, crosses and long balls per game (Whoscored).

Everton fans on Walker-Peters enquiry

These supporters of the Merseyside club gave some fairly mixed reactions as the news was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that Walker-Peters is an ‘excellent’ player:

“Think Walker-Peters is a decent player tbf but now it’s about keeping an eye on a number of RB options we could possibly have in the future”

Credit: @AidyDews

“I think he did well personally. They have to sort that in January”

Credit: @MatthewKneale1

“Shame. Walker-Peters is an excellent player.”

Credit: @the_staveros

“Thank god for that”

Credit: @GraemeMcV

“Someone tell Marcel Brands that players exist outside of England”

Credit: @efcdoyley

“We should’ve got the right-back KWP was replaced by but that’s too clever for Everton”

Credit: @james_gavo3

In other news, find out what transfer revelation has Blues fuming here!

Some Liverpool supporters absolutely love Jurgen Klopp’s comments regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield in the future, as the manager spoke in theÂbuild-up to Sunday’s clash with Leeds.

The 22-year-old has blossomed into one of the most exciting young players in Europe, having jumped from academy prospect to superstar at Anfield in recent years.

Alexander-Arnold has made the right-back spot his own under Klopp – although he is not first-choice for England – registering 45 assists for the Reds and showcasing outrageous technical ability at times.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326â€]

The youngster occasionally played in midfield during his academy days and Gareth Southgate decided to play him in that role in England’s win over Andorra during the international break.

Speaking on Friday [via Paul Joyce on Twitter], Klopp made it clear where he will playing Alexander-Arnold, saying it makes no sense to move him from right-back.

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Liverpool fans love Klopp’s comments on Alexander-Arnold

These Liverpool fans loved what they heard from the Reds boss, taking to Twitter in response to Joyce’s post.

“Shots fired”

Credit: @WEBBZJAY

“Facts lol”

Credit: @_mehussain

“That’s a brilliant quote!”

Credit: @only_lars

“Sometimes I just love this man”

Credit: @bondz1e

“BOOM…”

Credit: @dctwittwoo

“I love this”

Credit: @THIAGOLFC6

“Amen!”

Credit: @aldic2

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy about one player potentially starting against Leeds. Read more here.

Liverpool will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2021/22 when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Reds came from behind to defeat AC Milan in midweek to make it four wins in five games in all competitions in the opening weeks of the new season.

It’s a result which will have been particularly pleasing for manager Jurgen Klopp after he rotated his side for the Champions League fixture, and it should mean he has plenty of fresh legs to call upon for Palace’s visit.

However, one player who won’t be available is Roberto Firmino. The striker picked up a hamstring injury against Chelsea, and Klopp confirmed that the 29-year-old is still #unavailable.

“He’s not ready. Bobby won’t start training with the team until some time next week. Then we will have to wait and see,” the German said in yesterday’s press conference.

Teenager Harvey Elliott joined the Brazil international on the treatment table after suffering a dislocated ankle against Leeds United, but the duo are currently the absentees for 19-time English champions.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line up at Anfield, with four changes from the side which saw off Milan on Wednesday…

In goal, the virtually ever-present Alisson Becker will keep his place between the sticks after keeping three clean sheets already this campaign.

Ahead of the South American shot-stopper may well be a much-changed back four from last time out. While full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to start in their usual slots, a new centre-back partnership could be formed.

Klopp started Joel Matip and the £27m-rated Joe Gomez against Milan, but the pair could make way for Virgil van Dijk and summer signing Ibrahima Konate, allowing the 22-year-old to make his Liverpool debut alongside the assured Dutchman.

The engine room is likely to see Naby Keita make way for Thiago after the Guinean’s underwhelming showing in midweek, with Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson completing the midfield.

In attack, Sadio Mane should return to the starting line-up alongside Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah, while Origi drops back to the bench following a rare start on Wednesday.

In other news… Signed for free, sold for £19m: Edwards sealed a big Liverpool masterclass in 24y/o flop