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Everton are reportedly chasing Benfica starlet Andrija Zivkovic, and the 22 year-old has bags of potential just waiting to be unleashed.

What’s the story?

According to Dominic King, Everton are chasing Zivkovic, who would cost the Toffees upwards of £20m.

King claims Marco Silva is a long-term admirer of the young Serbian, who was tipped to be an international superstar when he was a teenager at Partizan Belgrade.

His move to Benfica hasn’t quite panned out, but the versatile 22 year-old would add yet another versatile, skilful weapon to Silva’s attacking arsenal.

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Walcott’s replacement?

Silva has transformed Everton’s attack this season, and the star power of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison means the Toffees always have a chance at creating something out of nothing.

Zivkovic is quite similar in that the 22 year-old has had an inconsistent career to this point, but he has the raw ability to create something special at any moment.

The youngster has played just five times in the league for Benfica this season, with all five of those appearances coming from the bench.

While his goalscoring will need to improve as he gets older, he is a major creative influence on the pitch, able to draw defenders in with his close control and agilty before finding a clinical, incisive pass.

He is an excellent crosser of the ball from either wing, and he also has the work rate required to play in Silva’s high-tempo system.

The 13-cap Serbian international can play quite literally anywhere across the attack, but he probably best on the right wing, which could be bad news for Theo Walcott.

So, Everton fans, would you back a move for the skilful youngster? Is he worth more than £20m? Let us know your thought by voting in the poll below…

Football Manager 2019 was released on November 2nd this year, and here at Football FanCast we’ve delved into the depths of the most detailed version of the game ever to find some of the best wonderkids available on your West Ham save.

FM19 comes with a host of new features. On this latest instalment of the long-running and beloved franchise, you’ll be able to enjoy a fully-licensed Bundesliga for the first time, and see your fate decided at the mercy of the newly-introduced VAR system. There’s also a brand new training system that allows you to take a hands-on approach to developing exciting young stars.

Whether those youngsters are already described by the media as wonderkids, or if they need a helping hand to reach their potential, bringing a player from the youth team and moulding him into a first-team star has to be one of the most satisfying achievements in FM.

West Ham is a club with a fine tradition of producing top class talents, with likes of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick – to name but a few – all having come through their youth academy. Now it’s your turn to see if you can guide the latest crop of Hammers youngsters to glory.

So, who are the young players you should be carefully tracking in the Irons’ squad? Click through our gallery to find out.

Ajibola Alese signed his first professional contract at the London Stadium this summer, having impressed the club over the course of the previous year. In the last 12 months, the young defender has made his West Ham under-23s debut and also represented England at the under-17 European Championships.

Age: 17

Value: £275k

Wage: £500 p/w until 30/06/2021

Nationality: English

Best position: Defender (Centre)

Anouar El Mhassani joined the east London outfit from Ajax in the summer of 2017 having spent eight years with the Amsterdam giants. The winger already boasts some strong physical stats for his age and shows plenty of potential with his technical attributes too.

Age: 17

Value: £50k

Wage: £1k p/w until 30/06/2020

Nationality: Dutch

Best position: Attacking Midfielder (Left)

Outside of FM – in the ‘real world’ – Declan Rice has been a revelation in Manuel Pellegrini’s first team so far this season.

Since his introduction to the starting XI, after the Hammers had endured a torrid start to the campaign, West Ham have looked transformed with the teenager in the middle of the park. As his stats show, Rice is ready for your first team straightaway.

The best thing about Rice, though, is the fact he is capable of playing as a holding midfielder and a centre-back, with the later arguably being where he excels at most. Having a player of such potential capable of playing in more than one position is priceless.

Age: 19

Value: £17.75m

Wage: £3k p/w until 30/06/2019

Nationality: Irish

Best position: Defensive Midfielder

Another who has had an impact in the Premier League in real life this season, Diangana has made five league outings so far. He is a raw talent, but confident and always willing to take on his opponents.

In the game, he’ll probably take a while before he demonstrates any consistency, but Diangana is certainly a talent worth persisting with in your save.

Age: 20

Value: £4.5m

Wage: £2k p/w until 30/06/2020

Nationality: English

Best position: Attacking Midfielder (Right)

Since joining the club after a successful trial in 2016, Trott has regularly impressed between the sticks at youth level. Now the established first-choice stopper for the club’s Premier League 2 side, Trott also represents the Three Lions at under-20 level. 

Age: 19

Value: £225k

Wage: £550 p/w until 30/06/2020

Nationality: English

Best position: Goalkeeper

Since becoming the Irons’ youngest ever first team player as a 16-year-old in 2015, the promising defender’s expected rise to the top from that point has so far failed to materialise.

Unsuccessful loan spells with Reading and Borussia Monchengladbach haven’t managed to spark his career back into life but time and talent are still on Oxford’s side.

On FM, he has the potential to be reliable pillar of rock at the back for your team for years to come. However, to get there, you’ll have to prove yourself to be the manager capable of turning Oxford’s current slump around.

Age: 19

Value: £5.5m

Wage: £20k p/w until 30/06/2021

Nationality: English

Best position: Defender (Centre)

Currently on loan at Malaga in the second tier of Spanish football, and already a senior Montenegro international, Haksabanovic is a player with a vast wealth of potential. He made his one and only first team appearance for the Hammers to date in an EFL Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers last season. 

His stats are impressive across the board, and with the right cultivation and guidance the 19-year-old could grow into a star for your West Ham team.

Age: 19

Value: £950k

Wage: £5k p/w until 30/06/2022

Nationality: Montenegrin

Best position: Midfielder (Left)

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West Brom ground out a 2-1 win away at Swansea on Wednesday thanks to goals from centre-backs Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi, but boss Darren Moore should think about restoring Gareth Barry to the starting line-up for the clash with Brentford on Monday evening.

The Baggies fell behind after just 10 minutes at the Liberty Stadium through an Oliver McBurnie strike, but Dawson and Hegazi both scored headers from corners to put the away side in front before half-time.

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Barry replaced Hal Robson-Kanu in the 95th minute of the game, but his presence in midfield against Brentford could be key for the Baggies. 37-year-old Barry would provide an experienced head in the centre of the park to help West Brom get control of the ball against the technical Brentford side.

The 6ft star’s midweek rest will also mean his legs are fresh come Monday night, and rotation will be important for Moore if the Baggies are to navigate the busy winter schedule in the Championship and remain injury free.

So, West Brom fans, would you like to see Barry start against Brentford or do you have better options? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

Arsenal have had an incredibly surprising season so far this year and have risen to fourth in the table after demolishing Tottenham at the weekend.

Under Unai Emery, the Gunners have become a much more intense, aggressive pressing side. While there is still some work to be done by the Spaniard, the early signs are certainly incredibly positive.

With January fast approaching, Arsenal need to reinvest in the squad and give Emery some more recruits who are capable of maintaining Arsenal’s incredible run of form.

Considering the future of Aaron Ramsey at the club and Mesut Ozil’s absence from the squad of late, Arsenal need to look into bringing in an attacking midfielder to help bolster the side at the position.

As reported by The Sun, Arsenal are looking at bringing in Hoffenheim’s attacking midfielder, Nadiem Amiri.

The Breakdown

The German youth international is yet to feature for Hoffenheim this season due to injury but he is still regarded as one of the better young players in the Bundesliga and was a huge reason in the club’s rise to the Champions League places last season.

He played 28 games for the German side, scoring two goals while also grabbing three assists. The midfielder, who can play in a host of positions, would be an ideal replacement for Aaron Ramsey who could well leave the club in January if he isn’t handed a new deal.

At 22, he fits the bill of Arsenal’s new transfer strategy of young, high potential players who can be bought at a cut price.

What do you think Arsenal fans? 

West Ham have progressed under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini this season and achieved a tremendous result on Saturday against Newcastle United, winning 3-0 at St. James’ Park.

That win presents the Hammers with a platform to build upon heading into a busy festive season, which follows what was a difficult run of fixtures for the East London side during the first few months of the campaign.

Fortunately, there have been many positives to take from West Ham this season, including the continued impressive displays from Marko Arnautovic, along with the revitalisation of Javier Hernandez in front of goal.

The Mexican striker scored twice in the victory over the Magpies, extending his tally this season to three goals in the Premier League, but he showed he is just as effective with his hands recently when playing crazy snooker alongside some of his teammates.

Arnautovic and Hammers captain Mark Noble teamed up with six-time world snooker champion Steve Davis to tackle Hernandez, Robert Snodgrass and snooker legend John Parrott in an epic battle that featured trick shots and hilarious misses.

You can watch the full video above to catch all the highlights and find out who emerged victorious.

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According to the results of a recent Football FanCast poll, the majority of Charlton fans would support Lee Bowyer in making a move for Bolton left-back Andrew Taylor.

A report from the Bolton News last week revealed that Trotters boss Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff had not been paid their bonuses for keeping the club in the Championship at the end of last season, as well as players and staff having to wait for their November wages.

The financial problems all lead back to owner Ken Anderson, and the Daily Mail has reported that several first-team players have asked their agents to find them moves away from the University of Bolton Stadium in January.

Charlton fans are clearly keen for Bowyer to capitalise on this situation, with 63 per cent saying they would back a move for Taylor to solve the current left-back issue at The Valley.

The 32-year-old has played 12 times in the Championship so far this season for Bolton, and he could represent a bargain if he is willing to drop down to League One in January to help with Charlton’s promotion push.

Check out the full results of our poll below.

According to a recent report from L’Equipe (via The Daily Star), Tottenham are one of a few Premier League sides eyeing up a move for forward Nicolas Pepe. The 23-year-old currently plays his football at French outfit Lille and has done so since leaving Angers back in 2017, with his excellent form in front of goal for the Ligue 1 club seemingly attracting interest from the Premier League.

And that’s because reports suggest that Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs, as well as Arsenal and Chelsea, are interested in a move for the Ivory Coast international, and with £45 million reportedly the figure needed to convince Lille of a possible sale, Tottenham simply must beat their London rivals to the 23-year-old, in what would represent a huge statement of intent.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Pochettino embarked upon a testing summer transfer window at the North London outfit in failing to sign any new players, with the cost of the new stadium likely playing a key part in the lack of money available for the Argentine.

And while the Spurs chief deserves an enormous amount of credit for steering his side towards third place in the Premier League table, just six points behind leaders Liverpool, one still senses that the North Londoners will come up short in pursuit of major honours this term, be it the Premier League or indeed the Champions League.

And for Tottenham to take that extra step towards regularly competing for the biggest trophies on offer, chairman Daniel Levy is going to have to spend big money in the coming transfer windows – and Lille’s Pepe is one man they must seek to land.

The 23-year-old has been one of the most in-form forwards in European football since his move to the French side back in 2017, netting 14 times in all competitions last term as they just about staved off relegation – ultimately, it was his goals that kept them up.

And the Ivorian has taken it up another level this season with a staggering 12 goals and seven assists in just 18 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, helping them to second place in the division, and helping himself to the top of the goal-scoring charts alongside Kylian Mbappe and Emiliano Sala.

And at the tender age of 23, it’s clear that Pepe has an extremely bright future in the game but is also a signing for the present – add in his ability to play in a more advanced central role, an area Spurs have trouble in outside of Harry Kane, and he’d be absolutely ideal for Spurs.

Significantly though, with both Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly keen on the 23-year-old, winning the race for his signature would be a huge statement of intent from the North Londoners as they seek to take that extra step towards the biggest titles – Pepe is a player that can help them do that presently, and indeed for many years to come.

As such, while it has been reported that Unai Emery’s Gunners are in pole position for Pepe’s signature, it’s a deal Tottenham chairman Levy absolutely must strike, in what would send out a huge statement of intent to their Premier League rivals.

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

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Dean Smith has completed his first purchase as Aston Villa boss, with The Telegraph reporting a £7million deal has been reached for Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic.

What’s the word?

The Telegraph had reported that Smith and Villa executives were scouting a new number one following doubts in summer signing Orjan Nyland, and believe the Gent shot-stopper will provide the quality between the sticks to aid the Claret and Blue Army’s promotion push.

The Belgian club were said to be seeking between £5-10million for the 28-year-old’s services, with a deal now struck at £6m.

Kalinic flew into Birmingham on Wednesday as he prepared for his Villans medical, with the final touches made to the deal on Thursday.

The Croatian international won’t be eligible to play until the transfer window opens on January 1, meaning Smith will have to make do with Nyland for fixtures against Leeds United, Swansea City and Ipswich Town.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…

The end for Moreira

With a new goalkeeper arriving at Bodymoor Heath, the Birmingham outfit may decide to terminate the loan deal of Atletico Madrid’s Andre Moreira.

The 23-year-old is currently with the Championship side on loan from his Spanish parent side, but has featured just twice for the Lions – taking to the field against Yeovil and Burton in the EFL Cup.

Both matches came prior to Smith’s appointment as Steve Bruce’s successor, and the 47-year-old is yet to call on any goalkeeper bar Nyland – Jed Steer, before his Charlton move, and Mark Bunn both registered a single league start under Bruce.

Kalinic’s arrival could now spell the end to Moreira’s English stint as the Portuguese goalie will likely be the third-choice should he stay at the club.

Kalinic has been targeted after the Croatian registered five clean sheets in 18 games this season, a greater hit rate than Nyland’s five in 20.

Following Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for Marcus Rashford, who has excelled in a centre-forward role during the Red Devils legend’s interim stint in charge of Old Trafford.

The England international indirectly set up the first goal, scored by Romelu Lukaku, with a dipping free kick that Martin Dubravka spilled into the substitute’s path, before putting the three points beyond doubt by finishing off a sweeping counter attack with an incredibly composed finish.

Solskjaer told reporters after the match; “He gets kicked, and he gets tackled, he goes for headers, he wins, he challenges, he runs. That means he is going to be a top, top number nine, definitely.”

Ten words Romelu Lukaku didn’t want to hear

“He is going to be a top, top number nine.”

Solskjaer was quick to insist Lukaku remained in his thoughts as well, adding that Rashford will spend some games playing out wide to facilitate the Belgian. But nonetheless, his faith in the 21-year-old seems to be growing by the game, and that can only be bad news for an older, more experienced striker who has struggled to justify his price-tag since being brought to Old Trafford for £75million.

Although Jose Mourinho nearly always sought to involve Rashford in his matchday squads, the young forward made just 17 Premier League starts as a central striker during the Portuguese’s two-and-a-half seasons at the helm, with Lukaku clearly the first-choice since his arrival from Everton. In dramatic contrast, all four of Solskjaer’s  Premier League starting XIs thus far have included Rashford as the front-man, producing a return of three goals and one assist.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Rashford will start every game there under Solskjaer, as the Norwegian himself has stated, and this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Reading will likely give Lukaku the chance to stake his claim for a starting berth after scoring twice from the bench in subsequent games.

But it does appear that Solskjaer views Rashford as a key part of not only United’s present but also their future, and one of his key remits in this interim role is to get the squad in order for whoever the club’s next permanent manager will be. It seems Rashford is being given the chances to establish himself as United’s next great number nine, at Lukaku’s expense.

Formation change?

One potential solution to get both into the team, without pushing Rashford out wide, would be to change systems. Solskjaer has only used 4-3-3 or subtle variations of the formation during his four games thus far, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that he was part of one of the greatest 4-4-2 sides of all time – few managers in the Premier League will have a greater admiration for that old-fashioned setup than himself.

It’s something Mourinho never really experimented with, instead feeling that a front two also required a back three. And during the three occasions this season in which the Portuguese did field two out-and-out central strikers in the Premier League, United actually failed to win a game – drawing two and losing one.

That being said, if there has ever been a time for experimentation at Old Trafford, it’s undoubtedly now during this interim period.

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

It’s one of the worst-kept secrets of the season that Leeds will try to sign a goalkeeper in January, so should they make an ambitious move for Petr Cech?

What’s the word?

Leeds fans were delighted when Phil Hay said the Whites would move quickly for a goalkeeper in January, and all eyes are currently on Newcastle shot-stopper Karl Darlow.

However, with Cech’s Arsenal contract due to run out at the end of the season and the 36 year-old starting just seven league games this season, could he actually be a viable option?

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

Why do they need him?

Well, Jamal Blackman has returned to Chelsea for treatment on a broken leg, after the 25 year-old failed to make a single Championship appearance at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Bailey Peacock-Farrell has certainly played his part in forming the league’s second-best defence, but the youngster is very error-prone, and his lapses of judgement and weak hands have cost goals already this season.

Cech would obviously need to take a pay-cut from what he is making at Arsenal, but at 36 he may just jump at the chance to play in front of a passionate fan base as part of a team that is well and truly in the chase for a league title – a final hurrah in English football.

Is he still good enough?

Cech is definitely not the goalkeeper he once was, as his reflexes have slowed and his ball-playing ability has been sorely exposed under Unai Emery.

Still, you don’t rack up the most Premier League sheets ever by luck, and he also has a frankly ridiculous 124 caps for the Czech Republic.

The veteran stopper will not make any of the youthful mistakes that Peacock-Farrell is prone to, and he could just be the difference in securing automatic promotion for the Whites.

So, Leeds fans, would you like to see a move for Cech? Or do you think this idea is utterly insane? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…