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Everton have been made to deal with their relegation battles over the past two seasons with Dominic Calvert-Lewin facing regular spells on the sidelines, and as the season approaches the business end the fight to preserve top-flight status might feature the towering talisman on the periphery once again.

Last season, a late burst of form propelled the relegation candidates away from the danger zone, concluding the term four points and two places above relegated Burnley.

But with the bottom three looming once again, manager Sean Dyche will be hoping that the recent purple patch that followed his January arrival will be maintained and the two-point gap to 18th-place West Ham United can be stretched further still.

Calvert-Lewin has scored just once from 11 league outings this season to complement a similarly uninspiring preceding year that landed just five strikes from 17 appearances, and with the 26-year-old missing the past seven matches in the Premier League, Dyche has been forced to utilise Demarai Gray in a dynamic striking role.

Gray has held his own, but against Chelsea in the club's last encounter, it was 22-year-old forward Ellis Simms, recalled from his loan spell at Championship outfit Sunderland, who burst past the hapless Kalidou Koulibaly in the dying embers of the contest to fire the ball home and restore parity, earning an invaluable point to maintain distance above the depths of the division.

How good is Ellis Simms?

Simms' goal at Stamford Bridge was his first for the Toffees since rising from the club's youth ranks and spending a string of spells out on loan.

For the Black Cats this term, the ace plundered seven goals and two assists from 14 starts, impressing the newly-appointed Dyche and earning a recall to aid his parent outfit in the fight to preserve top-flight status.

Simms has made just one starting appearance since his return to the fold, but he could indeed start to see opportunities increase after demonstrating his clinical edge against Chelsea, hailed for his "superb" maiden strike for his Premier League outfit by writer Peter Guy.

Also praised for being an "absolute nuisance" by Phil Smith, the £7k-per-week star ranks among the top 15% of forwards across Men's 'Next 8' divisions – the leagues preceding the established big five – for rate of goals and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, illustrating a growing prowess as a lethal force and as a transitional cog to whir Everton into life.

Calvert-Lewin, in retrospect, is mired in woe and ranks only among the top 84% of forwards across Europe's major leagues for rate of goals and the top 78% for progressive carries per 90, highlighting the stark plummet from prominence that saw him bag 21 goals across all competitions during the 2020/21 campaign.

Simms is raw but he is a brute in his powerful and imposing offensive play, and this level of gritty tenacity is exactly what Dyche needs to bully opposition into submission and secure yet another Premier League year for this proud Merseyside club.

Should the youngster achieve that for his outfit, then the former Clarets boss may well discover that he can finally cash in on Calvert-Lewin, a beleaguered striker who is now a shadow of his former self.

Leeds United moved up to 13th in the Premier League table after picking up a vital three points against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

Goals from Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra were enough for the win at Elland Road, with Javi Gracia's side holding their nerve to come from behind and ensure they wouldn't finish the day inside the relegation places.

While there were a number of monumental performances on a tense night in Yorkshire, Patrick Bamford seemed to let the occasion get the better of him, as he continued to struggle in front of goal.

How did Patrick Bamford play against Forest?

As per Sofascore, the former Chelsea striker would earn a disappointing 6.3/10 rating for his performance, which ranked him as the worst Leeds player on the pitch.

The 29-year-old, who earns £70k-per-week, would register five shots in the game but failed to test Keylor Navas with any of them, as he put two off-target and saw three efforts blocked.

Bamford was presented with an excellent opportunity to extend the home side's lead late on after a mix-up at the back by Forest, but he shot way wide when under very little pressure, which is perhaps a microcosm of his underwhelming season thus far.

The injury-prone forward also failed with three of his four dribble attempts, lost possession on 14 occasions and completed just 14 of his 19 attempted passes, with a disappointing success rate of 74%.

Considering he had an expected goal tally of 0.68, you would have hoped that Tuesday was the night for Bamford to add to his woeful goal tally of just two in the Premier League so far this season, but it wasn't to be.

Manchester Evening News journalist Connor McGilligan suggested during the game that the former England international "needs to be better" and that is reinforced by the fact that he has now scored 4.94 fewer goals than expected this season, which is comfortably the worst return of his career.

There is no doubt that Bamford played his part in the victory and held the ball up well, but his main job as a striker is to put the ball in the back of the net, which he is consistently failing to do for Leeds in the Premier League.

On such an important night, the striker's deficiencies in front of goal could easily have cost Leeds three points, as only a mistake from Navas and a piece of brilliance by Luis Sinisterra would unlock Forest's defence.

With Rodrigo left on the bench again last night despite his 11 top-flight goals this season, you wonder how much longer Gracia will stick with Bamford during the relegation run-in, given his barren goalscoring form.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to beat some of their Premier League rivals to the potential signing of James Maddison in the summer transfer window.

Could Maddison leave Leicester in the summer?

Leicester City find themselves in a seriously worrying position in the Premier League table with the prospect of relegation a real concern for the Foxes.

And this comes ahead of a summer window where Leicester are expected to receive a lot of interest in some of their players such as Maddison.

Last summer, the Foxes were able to battle off interest from the likes of Newcastle United for Maddison but the England international will go into the summer with one year left on his current deal.

There have been reports suggesting the Toon could potentially pursue him again over the coming months alongside the likes of Manchester City.

However, there have been claims that it is Tottenham who actually lead the race for the £110k-per-week midfielder ahead of the summer window.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, insider Jacque Talbot has suggested the north London club are certainly one of the sides who are most interested in the 26-year-old:

(2:15) "Maddison is liked a lot by Spurs and stuff and at the moment Leicester are just being a bit heavy with the price tag and so if that drops and there is a deal to be done then they'll [Newcastle United] look into doing it."

Do Spurs need a player like Maddison?

For a number of years now, Spurs have been playing without a creative midfielder with the likes of Antonio Conte looking for creativity from his wide players.

Since Christian Eriksen's exit, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele have both come and go on loan but have failed to make a real impact on the side.

However, there has been little to shout about in north London in recent months and it seems as if the reset after sacking Conte could include the signing of a creative midfielder over the summer.

It is believed the Italian was not keen on the idea of signing Maddison during his time at the helm in north London.

But this is certainly a decision which will leave some fans confused given the seriously impressive form the 26-year-old has shown for a struggling Leicester side this season.

In the Premier League, Maddison has returned nine goals and six assists which dwarfs the return of the current batch of Spurs midfielders.

The Leicester midfielder has been hailed as a "magician" this season by Statman Dave and it is clear to see why when the £60m-rated star has offered over 4.5 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (via Fbref).

At a time when the likes of Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski are both struggling to provide and score goals, someone of Maddison's creativity could certainly offer a welcome addition in behind Harry Kane.

Manchester United are prepared to sell defender Eric Bailly this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Man United news involving Bailly?

Bailly has been on the books at Old Trafford since 2016 after joining from Villarreal. Since then, the centre-back has made 113 appearances for the Red Devils, picking up £31.2m in wages across his seven-year stay.

The Ivory Coast international was sent out on loan to Ligue 1 side Marseille over the summer, where he has featured 19 times in all competitions. The 29-year-old has missed parts of the season through injury and suspension, and it looks as if a return to Carrington is on the cards this summer, however, it could be a short stay.

Romano took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share an update on Bailly’s future. He said that Marseille are not planning to make the player’s loan move permanent, with the Red Devils set to be ‘available on the market’.

“Understand Olympique Marseille will not trigger the buy option to sign Eric Bailly on permanent deal — he will return to Manchester United.

“Been told Bailly will be available on the market as Man United are prepared to let him go.”

It could be a summer clear-out at Man United…

Bailly doesn’t appear to be in Erik ten Hag’s long-term plans, so selling the defender with a year remaining on his Old Trafford deal appears to make sense for all involved.

The centre-back’s Transfermarkt valuation has dropped from a career-high €35m in 2018 to just €8m, showing that he appears to be past his prime, and his loan spell in France hasn’t exactly been a success either as he has started just four Ligue 1 fixtures.

Bailly may not be the only defender to depart, though, with Ten Hag also approving possible sales for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. That would leave United fairly short of centre-back options, so Old Trafford chiefs will seemingly need to bring in a new defender. One player who has been heavily linked with a move is AS Monaco’s Axel Disasi.

The Red Devils are reportedly in pole position to sign the 25-year-old ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City and could cost £40m. Doing just that may well see the France international rival the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane heading into the 2023/24 season, with long servants Bailly, Maguire and Lindelof all possibly moving on.

حسم الجهاز الفني لنادي الزمالك بقيادة معتمد جمال موقفه من بقاء أو رحيل قلب دفاع الفريق المخضرم محمود علاء.

وعلم “بطولات” أن الجهاز الفني للزمالك يرفض رحيل محمود علاء ويتمسك باستمرار اللاعب حتى نهاية الموسم الجاري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. طارق السيد: زيزو رفض عرضًا للرحيل عن الزمالك بقيمة 5 ملايين دولار

واستبعد الجهاز الفني للزمالك فكرة رحيل محمود علاء في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية بيناير الجاري في ظل تلاحم المباريات المحلية والإفريقية وحاجة الفريق لخدمات اللاعب.

وينتظر أن يعمل الجهاز الفني لنادي الزمالك في معسكر الإمارات على تجهيز محمود علاء بعد فترة طويلة من الغياب بسبب الإصابة.

وكان محمود علاء عاد لصفوف الزمالك في الصيف الماضي وذلك عقب رحلة إعارة في صفوف الاتحاد السكندري شهدت ظهور اللاعب بشكل جيد مع زعيم الثغر.

وكان الزمالك قد أعلن اعتذاره عن عدم المشاركة في بطولة كأس الرابطة بسبب ارتباطه بخوض معسكر خارجي خلال توقف الدوري المصري.

When asked to reel off the star names at Parkhead this season, Celtic supporters would be quick to put forward the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers, with that trio having yet again been integral to the club's title charge.

One man who is perhaps a more unsung hero, however, is first-choice left-back, Greg Taylor, with the Scotland international having been something of an everpresent for Ange Postecoglou's side this term.

Despite the Old Firm outfit splashing out £3.75m to sign a direct rival to the £8.2k-per-week menace in the form of Alexandro Bernabei, the former Kilmarnock man has more than risen to the challenge, having started 35 games across all fronts this term.

That consistent run of form – which has seen the 25-year-old provide three goals and three assists in all competitions – has followed the full-back's "wonderful" performances in last year's glorious campaign, as per pundit Frank McAvennie, having been an obvious beneficiary of Postecoglou's arrival in the dugout.

As McAvennie also noted last year, the ten-cap rock has "improved so much" since the Greek-Aussie took charge in the summer of 2021, with that resurgence having been evident amid the defender's soaring valuation.

How much is Greg Taylor worth now?

Plucked from Rubgy Park by then-Hoops boss Neil Lennon for an undisclosed fee just under four years ago, Taylor initially endured a difficult time of it at the club, with ex-Bhoys playmaker Kris Commons noting that supporters had been "slaughtering his performances" in those early days.

The diminutive asset had been dealt a "raw deal" – according to Commons – after being forced to fill the void of Kieran Tierney on the left side of the defence, with the latter man having made the move to Arsenal for £25m in 2019.

As Commons has since stated, however, it looks as if Taylor has now "stepped out of Tierney's shadow", emerging as a real "leader" in Postecoglou's starting lineup, according to pundit Mark Wilson.

That change in fortunes is showcased by the fact that back in February 2020, during the 5 foot 7 man's first season at Celtic Park, he was valued at as little as £1m, according to Transfermarkt, albeit with that valuation now soaring to £5m – representing an increase of 400% in the last three years.

As the aforementioned Wilson stated earlier in the campaign, the Greenock-born ace has enjoyed a "tremendous season" for the rampant league leaders, having been "playing some of the best football of his career" in recent times.

Encouragingly, however, it does not appear that Taylor is the finished article just yet, as – in the words of Postecoglou – "there is more to come from him"…

أكد لاعب مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، فيل فودين، أن فريقه قدم مباراة جيدة للغاية، وذلك عقب الفوز على هدرسفيلد تاون، مشيراً في حديثه إلى أن المكسب لم يأتي بسهولة.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات دور الـ64 من بطولة الكأس، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بخمسة أهداف دون رد، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا بعد خماسية مانشستر سيتي أمام هدرسفيلد: لا نريد الضغط على دي بروين

وقال فيل فودين في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “أستمتع بكرة القدم حالياً، أتواجد بين الخطوط وهذا هو المكان الذي أريد أن أكون فيه”.

وأضاف فودين: “أحتاج إلى مواصلة مساعدة الفريق بالأهداف والتمريرات الحاسمة وأن أكون لاعب الفريق الحاسم، سأحاول أن أفعل ذلك في كل مباراة”.

وأكد: “أنا سعيد بالنتيجة، لم يكن الأمر سهلاً، بذلوا كل ما في وسعهم، لكن لم ينفذ صبرنا، واصلنا لعب كرة القدم، نحن سعداء بالنتيجة”.

عن عودة دي بروين: “من الرائع أن يعود كيفن دي بروين، إذا أردنا الفوز بأي شيء فنحن بحاجة إليه، إنه أحد أفضل اللاعبين في العالم”.

وعن هدفه الأول في مرمى هدرسفيلد، أوضح فودين: “التقطت الكرة في منطقة ضيقة واعتقدت أنني قد مررت للتو، وكنت سعيداً برؤيتها تصطدم بالشباك”.

وتابع: “الفريق يتعامل بشكل جيد مع الأمر، نحتاج فقط للتحلي بالصبر والاستمرار، لقد هاجمنا في الوقت المناسب وبقوة لذا كانت نتيجة رائعة”.

كشف مصدر بنادي الزمالك عن حدوث تطورات جديدة في ملف تولي المدير الفني الأجنبي مسؤولية تدريب فريق الكرة خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ويتولى معتمد جمال منصب المدير الفني للزمالك منذ رحيل أوسوريو عن الفريق بسبب تراجع الأداء والنتائج محليًا وقارياً.

طالع.. خاص | الزمالك يتوصل لاتفاق مع أشيمبونج بشأن مستحقاته المتأخرة

وعلم بطولات، أن الألماني فرانك فودا مدرب كايزر سلاوترن الالماني وزيورخ السويسري السابق مرشح لتولي مهمة القيادة الفنية للزمالك في الفترة المقبلة.

وحدث تواصل بين إدارة النادي وفرانك في الأيام القليلة الماضية وتم التفاوض حول توليه تدريب الزمالك والجهاز المعاون له كما تم مناقشة التفاصيل المالية الخاصة براتبه.

وتدرس إدارة الزمالك في الوقت الحالي حسم التعاقد مع فرانك فودا بعد أن لاقى قبول المسئولين وسيرته الذاتية القوية.

Manchester United let slip a two-goal lead last night, as the fatigue finally started to set in following their penalty-shootout victory on Sunday.

Going into the break 2-0 up, having comfortably swept aside Tottenham Hotspur, through their tiredness and some inspiration from Ryan Mason’s men, they would creep back into the game, eventually salvaging a point as it ended 2-2.

Whilst it changes little in their race for the top four, it did allow Newcastle United to leapfrog the Red Devils after their thumping win elsewhere.

With injuries piling up as they travelled to north London, the big talking point was surrounding Bruno Fernandes, as Erik ten Hag had previously suggested he would be a doubt for the clash.

The Portugal international had never previously missed a club match through injury, so all the attention focused on whether the 28-year-old could at least make the bench to uphold his impossible record.

However, he did more than that, starting in midfield against all the odds and shining for 90 minutes.

How did Bruno Fernandes play vs Spurs?

Whilst his inclusion alone marked a mini-miracle, to dominate the game in the way the former Sporting CP maestro did further emphasises not only his importance to this team, but his truly top-end quality with regard to the rest of the Premier League.

As a creative and goalscoring influence, there are few who can compare with this polarising superstar.

Starting just in front of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the engine room, the platform was well-built for him to thrive. Fernandes would take this opportunity with both hands, recording 73 touches and maintaining a 7.6 rating throughout. Only goalscorer Marcus Rashford earned higher on his team.

However, it was his magical through-ball that set the speedster free to score their second goal of the night, adding another special assist to his ever-growing collection. It could have been so much more, though, as he forged three key passes and created two big chances. He would even miss one himself, fashioning a golden opportunity all on his own, only to hammer his close-range effort against the bar (via Sofascore).

Such a dominating midfield display led one United writer to take to Twitter, unapologetic in his claim that: “Bruno Fernandes is the best in the world, man, I don’t even care.”

Having been branded a “creative monster” by Statman Dave earlier this month, it seems that with each passing game, the magician only serves to further support this claim.

The £240k-per-week midfielder may not have been on the winning side last night, but his immeasurable play certainly merited it.

Arsenal's starting XI is arguably one of the strongest in the whole Premier League. There is a reason why they have fought alongside the great Manchester City for so long.

However, it is that lack of depth that has left them frustratingly short as the run-in culminates, as key areas still lack quality alternatives.

This summer might not require huge purchases from Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gasper, but it will almost definitely need quite a few to ensure players like Rob Holding are no longer relied upon when someone like William Saliba is out.

Youth could be the way forward, to nurture the next generation of fine talent to compete with their stars, and that could therefore explain their reported pursuit of Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach as his contract is set to expire this summer.

Set to battle with some true European heavyweights, the progression of youth throughout the Gunners' squad should prove a key factor in potentially tempting him to north London.

With the 19-year-old having still predominantly featured for their 'B' team, three senior appearances suggest a degree of faith in potential that could only now be realised away from Spain. As a fellow graduate of the infamous La Masia academy, Arteta will know all too well how to nurture this teenage sensation into a true star.

Who is Ilias Akhomach?

The greatest compliment that can be paid to Akhomach came from his former academy director Patrick Kluivert, The legendary Dutch striker claimed, in an interview with Cadena SER (via GOAL), that he had: "found the new [Lionel] Messi".

This came due to his immeasurable ability to take on defenders, ghosting past them with ease and shifting the ball onto his left foot.

Such comparisons with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner are sure to command attention, and realising a potential anywhere near the level of the Argentine would surely make him viable competition for Bukayo Saka on that right flank.

The English trickster boasts 13 goals and 11 assists in the league this season but was given years of steady integration to morph into this top-quality star.

The Spanish youngster, who was born to Moroccan parents, may not have an as impressive goal tally yet but his technical assets that have drawn particular interest. Five goals across 51 youth appearances underplays his talent; in this modern world where statistics mean so much.

But should Arteta invest the time and resources into this Catalonian export, it could just be the stroke of genius needed to forge a new talent akin to Messi, so he must convince Edu to part ways with a sizeable fee this summer.

If so, their current 21-year-old winger would have a genuine rival to his spot over the coming years, which ultimately would only benefit Arsenal on the pitch.