West Ham will look to follow their terrific London derby win over Tottenham with a win at home to Southampton. It most certainly has the feeling of an end of season game, however, with neither team now having much to play for.

There will be an interesting battle on show, however. Both Declan Rice and James Ward-Prowse are fighting for an England place ahead of the Nations League finals in June, to varying success.

While Rice perhaps looks more of a certainty to take a place on the plane, Ward-Prowse is also surely in with a shout. But who is the better player of the two?

Let’s analyse it further below.

James Ward-Prowse

With the number of games the midfielder has played, it’s easy to forget that Ward-Prowse is only 24-years-old. He has 191 Premier League appearances to his name. To put that into perspective, 25-year-old Harry Kane has played only 181 games.

Although only due to late injuries to Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ward-Prowse was included in recent Euro 2020 qualifications against the Czech Republic and Montenegro. He was an unused sub in the former, but made a late cameo against Montenegro.

It remains to be seen whether the midfielder will get the call-up, but his excellent form this season must give him a chance. Ward-Prowse will certainly be looking forward to another season in the Premier League and will hope to continue his recent form.

TT Grade: B Declan Rice

The West Ham youngster has this season emerged as one of England’s biggest prospects and it would certainly be a shock should he not make the plane for the Nations League.

Obviously, the 20-year-old has enjoyed a hugely successful season. He has locked down a permanent role in the West Ham midfield, scored his first senior goal and made his England debut. To cap it off, he was nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, although it was eventually awarded to Raheem Sterling.

The future certainly looks bright for Rice, who will most likely receive interest from a number of clubs. He is now valued at £31.5m by TransferMarkt, but it would likely take more than that to prise him away from West Ham.

TT Grade: A+

There we have it, Declan Rice takes the victory here.

The West Ham prospect has been sensational this season and will be looking forward to both this summer and next season.

West Ham and Southampton fans, what do you think? Will Ward-Prouse make the plane this summer? Will Rice be an England starter for years to come? Comment below. 

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to defend Mohamed Salah after he came in for criticism after going down softly under pressure from Sean Morrison, which led to Martin Atkinson awarding a penalty on Sunday.

The Cardiff centre-back had his hands all over the Egypt international, and held on long enough for Salah to hit the deck – the only thing that has led to some calling it a ‘dive’ is the fact that he appeared to fall unnaturally.

Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…

However, Morrison was naive and foolish to grab hold of such a dangerous player for so long, and should have been more clever in dealing with the 26-year-old; you simply can’t manhandle a player in the box like that in the Premier League and give the referee a decision to make.

It is not the first time that Salah has come under fire for going down easily this season and his tendency to fall to ground has become a major talking point for football supporters.

The Liverpool fans on Twitter, though, have been quick to defend their star man…

Clearly, Tottenham need to find a replacement for Mousa Dembele and they might just have found that man in Andre Gomes. If he signs, they’ll be sure to step up their title challenge next season.

The Everton midfielder has been a shining light in a hit-and-miss season for the Toffees since arriving on loan from Barcelona. They’re now proving they’re very capable of beating the top six sides, and Gomes has certainly influenced their ability to go toe-to-toe with the big boys.

Spurs need a Dembele replacement and the likes of Eric Dier and Harry Winks just aren’t the same class as Gomes, who is just 25-years-old. He could fill the gap in midfield quality and stop Spurs from being so open to counter attacks.

He’s a well-rounded central midfielder that has all the qualities to break up play but then start the team’s attacks too. He’s got great vision and that’s exactly what Pochettino will be searching for as they look to turn defence into attack as quickly as possible.

The Portuguese will return to Spain in the summer, but Football Insider believe there are fears on Merseyside that Spurs will blow Everton out of the water and bring him to London rather than back to Merseyside. It’d be a step up that Gomes would surely welcome as he looks to establish himself as one of Europe’s best.

He’s now rated at £25.2m on Transfermarkt and that’d be a bargain if Daniel Levy can secure his signature. His 26 games for Everton should have been enough to convince him the ex-Valencia man is worth way more than that.

Spurs fans, who do you want to see come in as a Mousa Dembele replacement? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Liverpool fans will be feeling rather nervous ahead of their crunch clash with Chelsea this weekend, as a disappointing loss could hand Manchester City the upper-hand in the race for the title. 

The Reds were dominant last time out against FC Porto in the Champions League but they could have been caught out against a better opposition, so Jurgen Klopp will be looking to iron things over.

Another thing he’ll be looking at is possible additions in the summer transfer window.

According to Mercato (via Daily Mail), Liverpool are interested in signing Ajax wing-wizard David Neres.

Indeed, the electric winger has established himself as one of the most exciting attackers in European football in the current campaign, having produced an incredible 12 goals and 15 assists.

Indeed, signing Memphis Depay, who has been linked (as per Daily Mirror) with a move to Anfield, would be a huge gamble. The Dutchman has already failed to impress in the Premier League and he’s not exactly proven himself on the European stage against tough opposition, so Neres is a much better fit.

Neres has all the ingredients to become a future superstar at the age of 22 and Jurgen Klopp is the perfect man to help him develop as he’s turned the likes of Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold into stars.

Of course, Liverpool already have the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino making great strides in all competitions, but Neres is the type of player who could make the Reds’ attack unstoppable and he has the ability to create as much excitement as Philippe Coutinho once did at Anfield.

Anfield could erupt if the Merseyside club manage to sign him in the summer transfer window as he has the pace and skill that can excite supporters, and adding one of Europe’s hottest attacking topics would take Reds’ attack to the next level. Of course, having Firmino, Salah and Mane is exciting enough, but adding Neres would be incredible.

He could be the man to ensure a consistent flow of silverware at the club.

Liverpool  fans, would you like to see Neres at Anfield? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

اعترف جناح نادي مانشستر سيتي السابق، تريفور سينكلر، بأن ليفربول يمتلك حلول هجومية أفضل من السيتزن قبل مباراة، الأحد المقبل، في الجولة الثامنة بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويلتقي ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي على ملعب الأخير “الاتحاد” بعد 3 أيام في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف مساءًا بتوقيت “القاهرة” بقيادة الحكم، كريج باوسون.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أليسون يشيد بمدافع ليفربول الشاب: تمسك بالفرصة جيدًا

ووضح تريفور وجهة نظره في حواره مع شبكة “TalkSPORT” الإنجليزية، وقال: “لم أكن أتوقع هذا المستوى الرائع من قبل (دييجو) جوتا)”.

وتابع: “لقد انتقل إلى ليفربول وقدم أداءً رائعًا، حركته رائعة، يبلغ من العمر 23 عامًا وقد سجل 7 أهداف بالفعل، هدفان فقط خلف محمد صلاح أفضل هدافي ليفربول”.

وأضاف: “شاهدته على الهواء مباشرة في مباراة وست هام، كان تأثيره على الفريق رائعًا، مفعمًا بالحيوية ونجح في تسجيل هدف الفوز”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “اعتقد أن جوتا يتسبب في صداع برأس كلوب بالوقت الحالي، إذا سألتني أرى أن قدوم جوتا كان لإضافة المزيد من الحيوية بخط الهجوم ويكون بديلًا لمحمد صلاح وماني لكن يبدو وأن سيتم اختياره قبل فيرمينو في التشكيل الأساسي”.

وعن قوة هجوم ليفربول مقارنة بمانشستر سيتي قبل مواجهة الأحد: “اعتقد أنهم في هذه اللحظة أقوى، على الرغم من عودة (جابريل جيسوس) لكنه ليس لائقًا بنسبة 100%”.

واستمر: “أجويرو لن يعود إلا بعد التوقف الدولي، لذلك في الوقت الحالي أود أن أقول إن خيارات ليفربول الهجومية أفضل من خيارات مانشستر سيتي”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “إذا كان جميع المهاجمين جاهزين، فمن الصعب وقتها اختيار الأفضل لأن هجوم ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي قوي للغاية وبارع في تسجيل الأهداف وصناعتها ولكن حاليًا الريدز له اليد العليا”.

أحرز الدولي الأرجنتيني، ليونيل ميسي، نجم هجوم برشلونة، الهدف الرابع للنادي الكتالوني والثاني له في مرمى ريال بيتيس، بالدوري الإسباني.

برشلونة يواجه ريال بيتيس، على ملعب “كامب نو”، ضمن لقاءت الجولة التاسعة من الليجا، وتشير النتيجة إلى تقدم البلوجرانا بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدفين (طالع المباراة مباشرةٍ لحظة بلحظة).

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | طرد لـ عيسي ماندي وميسي يسجل هدف برشلونة الثالث أمام ريال بيتيس

 وجاء الهدف في الدقيقة 82، بطريقة رائعة، بعد تمريرة بالكعب رائعة من سيرجي روبرتو، حصل عليها ميسي، وانطلق في منطقة الجزاء تجاه المرمى، ثم سدد الكرة بطريقة رائعة في مرمى كلاوديو برافو. شاهد هدف ميسي الثاني في مرمي ريال بيتيس

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Charlton emerged 2-0 victors over Gillingham at the weekend despite the notable absence of top-scorer Lyle Taylor, who has been on a sensational run of form in 2019, through injury.

With the number 9 sidelined, Josh Cullen and Joe Aribo stepped up to score for the Addicks. The former, whose strike was his first for the club, oozed confidence after the win as he looked forward to the promotion play-offs.

What did he say?

Well, speaking ahead of the highly-anticipated League One play-offs, in which Charlton do not yet know who they will be facing, the 23-year-old ace said:

“Whoever we get, we’re confident home and away that we can go and win games and we’ll be confident going into it. We’re looking forward to it.

“There’s no preference for who we play. When it comes to play-offs, it’s two games and whoever is the best team over those two games. We’re confident we will be the best team, whoever we play against, so whoever we get, bring them on.”

Confident Cullen

The West Ham loanee has been a fixture in the starting XI since signing for the SE7 outfit in the summer and has impressed with his industry and attitude, so much so that some fans are keen to keep him beyond the current campaign. After these comments, his popularity amongst The Valley faithful will only soar.

Check out what happened when two of Charlton’s best players faced-off in a game of ‘Splat’ in the video below…

Do not mistake the 5 ft 9 midfielder’s words as being cocky – Charlton have had to fight for every win this season amid difficult circumstances off the pitch and fully deserve to be where they are. Indeed, if they can carry this kind of form into the two most crucial games of their season then there is little doubt that they will be the team to beat.

As for the Addicks’ potential opponents, Cullen’s message should prove that they’ve got a real fight on their hands if they are to be promoted to the Championship.

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West Ham United targeted Marcelo Bielsa in 2015, prior to appointing Slaven Bilic, according to reliable source Ex-West Ham United Employee.

Bielsa is now Leeds United manager, with the Hammers choosing to replace Sam Allardyce with their former defender instead of the then-Marseille manager.

On the chalkboard

It is fair to say that West Ham’s squad might have looked different had Bielsa taken over.

In the 2015/16 summer transfer window, the Hammers signed Dimitri Payet, ironically from Marseille, with Bielsa having transformed him into a star in France. Had he moved to Upton Park, he may well have brought the playmaker with him.

Manuel Lanzini also arrived – a player Bielsa would surely have admired – but the likes of Pedro Obiang, Carl Jenkinson and, in January, Alex Song may not have been trusted to adapt to Bielsa’s high-intensity way of playing.

The eccentric boss prides hard running and high pressing over anything else and works his players to the bone.

Song and Obiang are statuesque midfielders, while Jenkinson is not blessed with any sort of pace.

Nikica Jelavic, a £3 million addition from Hull City, would never have been scouted, let alone signed, though a deal for Michail Antonio may well have been struck – he is a player with pace and energy to burn and may well have worked well under Bielsa.

Mauro Zarate was sold in January and he is exactly the kind of full-throttle forward the Argentine loves.

He could have been gifted another chance under Bielsa’s stewardship, while, conversely, it is difficult to imagine the likes of Andy Carroll, Mark Noble and James Collins getting much of a look in.

A formation change

Leeds tend to line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation in the Championship.

Under Bilic, the Hammers played mostly with a 4-2-3-1 system that allowed Dimitri Payet to thrive.

Bielsa tends to partner attacking thrust with defensive solidity and there may well have been an alteration to the way the Irons played.

There would, naturally, have been many changes to the playing staff too, as well as the coaching team.

One can be absolutely sure that West Ham will have run that little bit harder and pressed that little bit higher had Bielsa been on the touchline.

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s breakout season at Crystal Palace has been a joy to behold but his outstanding form has not earned him a place on the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist, much to the frustration of Guardian journalist Ben Fisher.

What’s the word, then?

The emerging star affectionately nicknamed the spider has been a revelation for the Eagles this season, impressing with his ability to stretch out one of his eight legs to dispossess some of the Premier League’s most dazzling wingers.

But he has been omitted from the six-man shortlist for the PFA award and his performance against the Gunners on Sunday added an extra weight of legitimacy to the claims of those who believe his exclusion is grossly unjust.

That sentiment is one which was echoed by Fisher in his post-match talking points, per Guardian.

‘To be eligible for the award, players must be 23 or under at the beginning of the season, at which point Aaron Wan-Bissaka was 20.

‘His name, however, is missing from the six-man shortlist. Assured, athletic and colossal in the challenge, the manner in which the Crystal Palace full-back tormented – and nullified – Sead Kolasinac during an impressive win at Arsenal has been a familiar sight in the Premier League.’

Fisher concluded by stating: ‘Wan-Bissaka should at least be in the conversation.’

Fisher is absolutely spot on – he deserves his place on shortlist

That Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva have both manged to sneak onto the list by virtue of a dubious technicality has worked against Palace’s full-back.

Both of Man City’s phenomenally gifted players have been shortlisted for both the senior and young player awards and that brings two particularly contentious issue into light.

The first concerns whether a 23-year-old player – particularly the likes of Silva and Sterling who were already well established professionals with a multitude of rich experience at both club and international level when the season started – should be eligible for the award.

And there is also an argument to be made against players being shortlisted for both awards; if they are in the running for the Player of the Year award – the most coveted individual accolade – then surely they should be discounted from the Young Player of the Year award.

Justly or unjustly the rules have conspired against affording Wan-Bissaka a place on the shortlist and Fisher is absolutely right to suggest that he should be in with a shout.

Even discounting the controversy over Silva and Sterling’s inclusion, it seems harsh that both David Brooks and Marcus Rashford beat him onto the list.

It’s symptomatic of the essence of the game that attacking-minded players generally stand a greater chance of scooping an individual award, and the aforementioned pairing certainly deserve rich acclaim.

However, unlike Wan-Bissaka, this is not the first full season in senior football for either player and the manner in which the Palace man has rapidly made the transition into the starting XI is seldom seen at this level.

The shortlist will leave a bitter taste in the mouth for the growing Wan-Bissaka fan club and Fisher is absolutely right to allude to the injustice surrounding his omission.

For Nathan Redmond and Southampton, things at St. Mary’s have been troublesome for well over a year.

That being said, of late, it has not been all doom and gloom with Ralph Hasenhuttl bringing some much-needed positivity to the south coast with his style of football, a style of football that is starting to get the best out of a player like Redmond.

The Breakdown

Under Hasenhuttl, Redmond has been finding the back of the net with the 25-year-old grabbing a brace in the recent win versus Wolves, and his Austrian manager has since spoken about how much he expects from the talented winger.

“We have a special relationship I think and he knows I demand a lot from him, not only if he has the ball but also if he works against the ball,” Hasenhuttl was quoted as saying by the Daily Echo when talking up Redmond.

“He shows in every game he is learning and he’s getting better,” the former RB Leipzig boss finished off saying.

By no means is Redmond alone, but the England international had simply not been doing enough in this Southampton team.

For a player with his ability, one goal throughout the entire of last season is not good enough, and Hasenhuttl is spot on to be demanding a lot more than that.

With his pace and dribbling, Redmond, who is valued at £16.2 million (by Transfermarkt), certainly has it in him to get into more goalscoring positions before firing home, something he is starting to do under Hasenhuttl.

The way the Southampton boss wants to play at St. Mary’s looks ideal for Redmond, with it now just being about the former Norwich City man needing to do the above more often, while maintaining the current level he is playing at.

Southampton fans, how impressed have you been with Redmond since Hasenhuttl took over? Join the discussion by commenting below.