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Middlesbrough fans have been voting to decide if Tony Pulis should lure Bernardo away from Brighton and Hove Albion in January.

The Brazilian full-back only joined the south coast side in the summer from RB Leipzig, but has struggled for minutes in the Premier League.

Boro are in desperate need of cover at left-back with George Friend the only real option, while Ryan Shotton’s injury on the right-hand side also presents an opening. So far, Pulis has only had central defenders or midfielders to call on as his replacement.

As for Bernardo, the Sao Paulo-star has been praised for his ability to play across the back line. Football Whispers describe the 6 foot 1 defender as an all-rounder, noting that he set the fourth-highest rate of forward passes per 90 minutes for full-backs in the Bundesliga last year.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Should Pulis make a move for the Brazilian, his WhoScored averages of 5.6 attempted tackles and 2.4 interceptions per 90 minutes this season would allow for him to slot into the best defensive unit in the Championship thus far.

A recent Football FanCast poll found a clear division amongst Middlesbrough fans, however, with 60% in favour of pursuing Bernardo, while 40% rejected the idea…

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The Mirror recently reported that Wolves are lining up a £20 million bid for out-of-favour Liverpool striker Divock Origi. ESPN have also claimed that Galatasaray want the 25-cap Belgium international to join them on loan in January. 

If both stories are true, then the Reds have a decision to make between offloading the 23-year-old on a permanent or temporary basis. 

If you haven’t seen Patrice Evra’s bizarre new Instagram post then you need to check out the video below…

Allowing the striker only to leave on loan would suggest that Jurgen Klopp retains some faith in Origi. However, given that the forward is yet to appear for Liverpool this season, it is clear that he is currently deemed surplus to requirements.

A permanent switch away from Anfield and a complete fresh start would probably be the best course of action for the Belgian forward at this stage in his career.

Liverpool fans certainly doubt that Origi can offer them anything by remaining in the squad. In our recent poll, 94% of Reds supporters stated that they believe the striker to have no future at the club under Klopp. See the full results below.

Ahead of their huge North London Derby game against Tottenham. Arsenal face a tough away tie in the Europa League against Vorskla Poltava. 

A win for The Gunners tomorrow night would see them confirmed as group winners. Before a ball has even been kicked there has been a lot of controversy as the game was moved from Poltava to Kiev due to safety concerns following the declaration of martial law in the country.

With their huge match on Sunday coming up, Emery will likely rest most of the first-team and instead use the youth side.

Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe and Julio Pelguezuelo will all likely be used tomorrow night.

While it does seem wise for Emery to rest the team with such a huge game coming up, using so many young players away from home could be a potential banana skin for the side and could have ramifications on whether Arsenal finish top of the group.

The Breakdown

With such a huge game coming up this weekend, it’s completely logical that Emery should rest the first-team. On paper, Vorskla should prove to be easy opposition and Arsenal should be looking to beat the Ukrainian side handsomely.

However, with Stephan Lichsteiner, Danny Welbeck and Nacho Monreal out, Emery won’t have some key squad players that have played during the Europa League campaign this year.

Eddie Nketiah will likely be used as the starting striker and despite his talent, he still remains incredibly inexperienced in first-team football.

Arsenal are three points ahead of Sporting as it stands but if they slip up tomorrow night, it could open the door for the Portuguese side.

Thoughts Arsenal fans? 

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Everton manager Marco Silva is being linked with a sensational transfer for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, as the Portuguese coach looks to bolster his Toffees squad, according to The Mirror.

What’s the word?

Silva has already been linked with one mega-money move for a French midfielder, with reports suggesting Lyon ace Tanguy Ndombele is a key target for the Goodison Park outfit.

The 21-year-old has been in scintillating form in Ligue 1 and his performances have caught the eye of numerous sides, including Everton.

Should the Toffees push for the four-cap international, they could be forced to pay more than £50million.

Another option under discussion is Watford’s Doucoure. The 25-year-old played under Silva before the Portuguese coach was sacked in January, but the Everton manager is still said to be a huge admirer of his.

The defensive midfielder has featured in 14 games under Javi Gracia this season and has contributed to his side’s strong start with four assists.

Like Lyon with Ndombele, Watford will demand a high fee for Doucoure despite his TransferMarkt value of £13.5million. Any such move would represent the second time in a year that Everton would have signed a large cheque to the Hertfordshire club, after signing Richarlison for £40million in the summer.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Doucoure would the next Richarlison in more than fee

When Silva brought Richarlison to Everton, the Toffees were in need of someone to take the club to the next level, and boy did he.

The Brazilian has starred at Goodison Park, scoring six league goals and taking to the striker position with ease. The 21-year-old has proven himself to be something special.

As for Doucoure, the Frenchman would give Everton a unit in the heart of midfield to compliment the skilful Andre Gomes and all-rounder Idrissa Gueye.

So far this season, Doucoure has recorded 42 tackles, 12 interceptions and 18 clearances, while linking the play 708 times, making the 25-year-old a perfect addition should he be favoured over Ndombele.

The former French youth international has already proven himself on the Premier League stage and would have the understanding of his manager, having worked together at Watford – one of the key reasons why Richarlison was able to shine so soon at Everton.

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According to a report from TEAMtalk, Burnley, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and West Brom are all keen on signing PAOK striker Aleksandar Prijovic in the January transfer window, but it is the Baggies who should look to win the race.

What’s the story?

The recent report states that, thanks to a release clause in his current contract, Prijovic is now being targeted by a whole host of Premier League and Championship clubs who are on the lookout for a striker in January.

Valued at just £5.4m by Transfermarkt, the 28-year-old has had somewhat of a journeyman career after coming through the ranks at Parma, but he does have some experience of English football having spent loan spells with Yeovil and Northampton while being under contract at Derby, although he never managed a senior appearance for the Rams.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

He has impressed in Greece though since his move to PAOK from Polish side Legia Warsaw, and has now scored 50 goals in 83 games throughout all competitions.

Another dimension

If there was one aspect of his team that fans would argue Darren Moore probably doesn’t need to improve it would surely be his strike-force, given that his side have netted an incredible 44 goals in just 21 Championship games so far this year, putting them right at the top of the scoring charts.

However, a move for Prijovic would provide Moore’s side with a different dimension going forward. The 6ft 3in front man is in a more similar mould to Salomon Rondon, whose current loan with Newcastle has left the Baggies without a target man in their current squad, and Hal Robson-Kanu is the only man who comes anywhere close to filling the role.

A Serbian international, Prijovic has two goals in 12 caps at international level and he would certainly be able to contribute to the promotion push at the Hawthorns.

So, West Brom fans, would you like to see Moore make a move for Prijovic in January? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

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Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that Yaya Toure, after being released by mutual consent from Olympiakos, is keen to return to the English top flight – the 35-year-old’s ‘pay-as-you-play’ agreement with the Greek club proved to be unsustainable as the club came under financial restrictions.

The former Ivorian international made 230 appearances for Premier League champions Manchester City, scoring 59 goals and winning the title three times, before being released in the summer, after which he was promptly snapped up by the Red and Whites. However, he only made four appearances for the Karaiskakis Stadium outfit before heading out the door.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are one of the clubs being linked with a move for the midfielder as Roy Hodgson and colook forward to the January transfer window in hope of getting some much-needed fresh blood – the Eagles currently sit 16th in the standings, just two points above the trapdoor.

Here’s how Palace fans reacted to rumours that Toure could be on his way to Selhurst Park – it’s safe to say they’re not that happy…

No one is safe from the Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan. Check out what happened when he watched West Ham v Crystal Palace on Saturday in the video below…

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In-form West Ham United host Watford at the London Stadium on Saturday, looking to extend their winning streak to five consecutive Premier League matches.

The Hammers will have to be at their best to overcome the Hornets though, and Manuel Pellegrini will need his attacking contingent to be at the top of their game.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below...

It is a rare occasion for the Chilean coach heading into this match, as he has all four of his senior strikers available for selection. Whilst this is a good thing though, it does present the former Manchester City boss with something of dilemma.

Marko Arnautovic began the campaign as first choice and it wouldn’t be surprising if he returned to the starting XI this weekend. However, the form of Javier Hernandez in the 77-cap Austria international’s absence means that the 30-year-old former Manchester United forward deserves to retain his place. 

The Irons’ No. 9, Andy Carroll, may be fit again, but like summer signing Lucas Perez, he doesn’t seem to be in Pellegrini’s immediate plans.

West Ham fans certainly seem to agree that the 105-cap Mexican veteran ought to retain his place. Of those who took part in our recent poll, 57% voted for Hernandez to start, whilst 29-year-old Arnautovic amassed just 24%. See the full results below.

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Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to express their disbelief at the vision and creativity that Mesut Ozil displayed in the build up to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opening goal against Burnley.

The German, who was restored to the starting line-up after being left out of the midweek loss against Tottenham due to ‘tactical reasons’, clipped an exquisite curling ball to the far post for the onrushing Sead Kolasinac to latch on to, before squaring for the Gabonese forward to finish.

Ozil’s pass managed to completely cut through a solid Burnley defence like a hot knife through butter, and eased any early nerves from the Emirates faithful who have seen their side lose their last two games against Southampton and Spurs.

If only the Gunners’ supporters could see more of these types of moments, then perhaps Unai Emery wouldn’t leave the no.10 out of the side so much.

Let’s take a look at some of the best tweets…

Goals from Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil secured a massive victory for Burnley at the expense of West Ham at the weekend.

After losing their opening four fixtures, a place in Europe seemed out of West Ham’s reach before an excellent run of form in December had them on the verge of the top seven in the Premier League. However, the Hammers were unable to replicate their recent performances with Tom Heaton remaining relatively untroubled in the Burnley goal. Despite the return of Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Pellegrini’s side were unable to get going in front of goal.

Felipe Anderson had a rare bad day in front of goal with Lucas Perez and Robert Snodgrass being withdrawn at half-time following a poor performance. With the January transfer window now open, Pellegrini should look to bolster his attacking options. Andy Carroll faces an uncertain future the London Stadium, so landing a new forward could be a wise move.

One man who should be on Pellegrini’s shortlist is Braga striker – Dyego Sousa. Valued at £3.6m by Transfermarkt, the Brazilian joined his current employers for a minimal fee in January 2017 with his contract set to expire. After a decent debut season with his club, Sousa has been tearing up Liga NOS in the current campaign, helping Braga to fourth in the standings.

Sousa leads the goalscoring charts with an impressive 11 goals in just 14 appearances as well as registering three assists for his team-mates. Although the 29-year-old is a powerful target man, he possesses excellent technical ability which helps bring his team-mates in the game. His overall game combined with his brilliant finishing ability makes him the ideal forward to lead the Hammers attack.

While Carroll has failed to make an impact at the club, Sousa could be their new hero.

West Ham fans, thoughts?

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a whole host of central midfield players in recent months who are reportedly being lined up to replace Mousa Dembele, but a recent report hints that one of their key targets has already joined Arsenal. 

After six and a half years in north London it seems that the departure of Dembele is looming on the imminent horizon. The twinkle-toed, deep-lying and powerful midfield lynchpin has been a delight to watch for the Lilywhites faithful down the years, but with his contract set to expire this summer and interest intensifying from China the end of his days at Spurs seem numbered.

Mauricio Pochettino, Daniel Levy and chief scout Steve Hitchen will have been acutely aware of the need to replace Dembele for a number of years, and a recent report from Sky Sports suggests that they have thoroughly analysed the market in their hunt for a new maestro.

Florian Grillitsch, Denis Zakaria, Tanguy N’Dombele and Sander Berge are all reportedly on Tottenham’s radar, but the same report suggests they were interested in Matteo Guendouzi before he made the switch to Arsenal.

Indeed, both Guendouzi and Geoffrey Kondogbia have been cited as players who Spurs admire but missed out on as they agreed to join Arsenal and Valencia respectively.

Guendouzi’s impact at the Emirates Stadium has been somewhat overshadowed by the exceptional performances of Lucas Torreira, but the 19-year-old has also showcased a level of promise which hints he is destined to thrive at the top level.

Signs of inexperience do manifest themselves in his performances from time to time in the shape of rushed passes and poor decision making. But the signs of promise significantly outweigh his weaknesses at this stage and it’s clear Arsenal have signed a true gem in a bargain deal.

Guendouzi is a player who tends to oscillate across the midfield in search of the ball before delivering incisive forward passes into his most dangerous teammates, while defensively he covers plenty of ground in his endeavour to recover possession.

He’s far from a ready made replacement for Dembele, but in the current climate he would have been a dream signing for Levy at just £8 million. 

Tottenham’s search for their Dembele replacement will continue this month and the fans may need to wait until the summer before a significant agreement is reached, but they may yet live to regret their failure to pip their bitter local-rivals to Guendouzi’s signature as his career develops down the road.

Tottenham fans – thoughts? Let us know below!