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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Tottenham Hotspur have a problem on their hands.

Well, they have several when one considers their league form, but one that has gone unnoticed is the puzzle handed to manager Mauricio Pochettino by Ryan Sessegnon.

Signed for £25m in the summer from Fulham, he simply hasn’t had a chance to show his worth.

That has mostly been down to a hamstring injury that unfortunately ruled him out of the first 10 games of the Premier League season and he has since played twice – coming on as a substitute in injury time versus Everton and then playing 15 minutes against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.

That latter appearance is instructive too. He replaced Son Heung-Min in that game, meaning he was deployed as a left winger, and he subsequently registered an assist, laying on the pass from which Christian Eriksen scored his side’s fourth goal.

But is he likely to get much playing time on the left wing?

Son is the starter in that position, playing there eight times already this season and 18 times last season. When he was shifted into a centre-forward role, Spurs adapted their formation to regularly utilise a narrow 4-4-2 diamond, as seen against Barcelona and Ajax in the Champions League.

There is an obvious problem with that: Sessegnon can’t play central midfield or centre-forward.

Now, the argument could be made that he could play at left-back and that is certainly true, but it is one area of the squad where Spurs actually have decent depth.

Not only is Danny Rose still trusted by his manager, but Ben Davies is also an international calibre full-back, too, having won 48 caps for Wales.

It is difficult, thus, to see where Sessegnon’s opportunity is going to come from.

Spurs are currently in poor form and haven’t won in the Premier League since September. They last won on the road against Fulham, in January, in a game in which Sessegnon came on as a substitute for the hosts.

Mauricio Pochettino, then, has to continue to pick his best team as he looks to arrest this slump.

At this point, that means Son plays on the left wing and one of Rose or Davies plays at full-back.

Sessegnon, it must be said, is young and he has time on his side but at this point, he may well be left waiting for the FA Cup to roll around – or for a player to pick up an injury – before he actually gets 90 minutes under his belt.

That cannot be good for his development, nor for his chances of staking a claim to start on a regular basis.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Declan Rice started for England against Kosovo on Sunday evening.

The midfielder hasn’t been brilliant this term, averaging just a 6.83 rating on WhoScored this term, and in the build-up to the Three Lions’ match against the eastern European outfit Roy Keane didn’t hold back when giving his thoughts on the midfielder.

What’s been said then?

Keane was asked where he thinks Declan Rice needs to improve in order to secure his spot in Southgate’s team.

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“Where he needs to improve, where do you want me to start?” Roy Keane said on ITV’s coverage of the England game (17/11).

“His positional play, I don’t think he’s been consistent enough, he doesn’t stay with runners, he’s sloppy in possession, I can go on.

“He’s one of these players, a couple of months ago everyone was loving him, but he’s almost played his way out of the team because he’s been inconsistent at West Ham.”

Classic Keane

This is just classic Keane isn’t it?

The former Manchester United man was as cynical as ever when ripping into the England international, but to be fair to him, he’s absolutely right about where Rice is lacking at the moment.

The West Ham man has under performed for the Hammers this term, and that has contributed to the London Club’s current poor league position.

Hopefully, he takes Keane’s criticism on board and gets to work on fixing some of these issues.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Dele Alli could be about to benefit immensely from Jose Mourinho’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur manager.

The attacking midfielder had been drifting for quite some time under Mauricio Pochettino, scoring just five Premier League goals last season.

But he has the ability to thrive. In 2016/17, he scored 18 times in the top-flight, while also providing nine assists, having scored 10 the season prior.

Pochettino didn’t truly give Alli – who Transfermarkt value at £81m – the opportunity to play as a classic No.10, in that sort of role where he can float between attack and midfield and look to cut defences apart. Instead, he was part of a well-drilled defensive unit and that started in attack, as Pochettino obliged his side to press from the front.

But Mourinho has a history of bringing the best out of No.10s.

At Inter Milan, he transformed Wesley Sneijder into one of the very best players in world football.

As the Italian side won the treble, the ex-Netherlands international scored eight goals in all competitions but also provided 15 assists, including one in the final against Bayern Munich.

He was so good, that Sneijder finished fourth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or, behind Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

At Real Madrid, too, Mourinho brought the best out of Mesut Ozil, a player who has proved to be an enigmatic presence at Arsenal.

In 157 games under the Portuguese’s tutelage, the ex-Germany international registered 80 assists and scored 27 goals. In La Liga alone, in 2010/11 and 2011/12, he laid on no fewer than 38 assists.

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This is a player that, at Arsenal, managed 19 in 15/16 but in the league has managed just 21 in the three seasons since.

Mourinho, though, found a way to unlock his potential and one has to feel that he could do the same for Alli.

Go back even further, and Frank Lampard – albeit more as a late runner from a deeper position – finished up as Chelsea’s top scorer while Mourinho masterminded back-to-back Premier League titles for the Blues.

The England international is in a prime position; Christian Eriksen’s contract situation – his deal expires this summer – could well see him pushed to the peripheries and Alli has the ability to step in and become a hub of goals and assists from midfield.

That may require Mourinho using Alli in more of a 4-4-1-1 system than a 4-2-3-1, allowing him the freedom to play off the shoulder of Kane and at times form almost a flat pairing strike force, as the Spurs star did to great effect while Pochettino employed a 3-4-3 with Alli drifting in from the left.

But fundamentally, the role is the same – one of freedom of movement and the rest of the team being shaped around a single attacking midfielder’s qualities.

If history is anything to go by, Alli will thrive under Mourinho’s direction.

Lots of Rangers fans have been reacting to the latest transfer rumour, as reports claim the Ibrox outfit are weighing up a summer move for Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne.

According to Football Insider, Rangers are “assessing the viability” of bringing Clyne to Glasgow this summer. The Reds right-back will become a free agent once this season is concluded, as they have opted not to extend his deal after a spree of injuries.

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The report claims Steven Gerrard is eyeing a move for the former England international, who would be willing to take a big pay cut on his current £70,000-a-week deal after being thrown to the curb due to the incredible emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Clyne has not played a single minute of first-team action in the 2019/20 campaign and only started one Premier League game for Liverpool in the previous season.

That said, it seems Gers fans are delighted with the links due to their disdain for James Tavernier, who has angered fans with his lack of leadership, drawing particular criticism when Andy Halliday was the lone player to face the press after the defeat to Hamilton, rather than the skipper.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where one fan said Clyne is “way way way better than Tavernier”…

Rangers fans, what did you make of Ianis Hagi’s message to supporters this weekend? Check it out here!

Having taken over from Manuel Pellegrini mid-way through the Premier League season, David Moyes will enter his first summer transfer window as West Ham boss.

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Moyes is intent on bringing in some more British talent to the club, and now The Daily Star (back page, 12/04 edition) suggest the Hammers are eyeing a potential swoop for Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier.

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The England international has been in and out of the Spurs side this season, making just 25 appearances across all competitions, with only 14 of them coming in the Premier League.

After hearing about their links to the £18m-rated ace, West Ham fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their latest transfer target.

A couple of Hammers fans even went to the lengths of saying they would rather have Carlos Sanchez in their team than Dier.

With Declan Rice’s future still in question, it’s no surprise the Hammers are targeting Dier as a potential option for this summer.

But judging by the reaction of many West Ham fans, it appears the Englishman isn’t the kind of signing they are looking for.

But with his ability to play as a holding midfielder and as a centre-back, if Moyes can get him on the cheap, then he could certainly prove himself to be a useful addition to the squad.

Paul Scholes has made a surprising admission about former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, and his latest comments have resulted in loads of reactions from the Red Devils fan base.Â

Speaking on the official UTD Podcast, the club legend revealed his old teammate used to sulk if Arsenal striker Thierry Henry had scored, as the Dutchman was hellbent on becoming the best striker in the world.

Scholes said “I played No.10 with Ruud van Nistelrooy for a season and I loved it. “He’s just a ruthless, ruthless goalscorer. He just lived for scoring goals.”

“Whenever he did score or didn’t score, the first thing he would do when we got on the team bus after the game was see if Thierry Henry scored.”

He concluded “if Thierry Henry had scored he wouldn’t talk to anybody for the full trip home because he was so engrossed in being the leading goalscorer, not just at United but in the league, in the world, everywhere.”

After arriving at Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2001 for £25.65m, Van Nistelrooy went on to make over 200 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, scoring 150 goals, providing 22 assists, as well as winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, before departing for La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2006 (Transfermarkt).

The ex-Dutch international is currently in charge of the U-19 youth team at his old Eredivisie club, and some United fans will be hoping the iconic goal machine will return to Manchester in some capacity in the future.

As expected, a large number of supporters responded to Scholes’ revelation on Twitter, with one dubbing the “ruthless” striker as an “absolute legend,” and another recognising the “elite mentality.”

Take a look at some of the best reactions down below…

United fans, do you think Ruud van Nistelrooy is the best striker in the history of United? Join the discussion in the comments!

Speaking to Football Insider, Alan Hutton has claimed Rangers would “seriously think” about selling Glen Kamara this summer if they received a big-money bid for him.

What did he say?

The Finland international has been a virtual ever-present for Steven Gerrard’s side this season, making 39 appearances across all competitions. The 24-year-old has proven himself to be great value for money for the club, after initially arriving for a measly £50k.

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Ligue 1 side Marseille are lining up a swoop for the midfielder this summer, and that Kamara is now being valued at around €10m (£8.8m).

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After hearing about the French outfit’s interest, Hutton claimed that Rangers could potentially cash in on their ace, and make some big profit. He said: “It’s unbelievable. Really, from a financial point of view at Rangers, that’s what you’re looking to do. Unearth a gem, get him in, get him playing well and then kind of move him on for a decent sum of money. It would be amazing value if they were to sell him.

“He’s come in and he’s done unbelievably well. From Dundee, to make that step up to a massive team and play week in, week out, especially in Europe and stuff, I think he’s done excellent. He’s still got plenty of time on his hands but ultimately I think everybody’s got a price on your head no matter who you are. If somebody was to come in with a concrete offer at the figures we’re talking, I’m sure Rangers would seriously think about taking it.”

Decision

Whilst Gerrard’s side could make a potentially tasty profit on their midfielder, the real question is whether Rangers would benefit more from actually keeping him, rather than selling him and trying to find an adequate replacement.

That will be the key decision that the club will have to make if Marseille or any other side put in an offer for Kamara, but it’s a testament to their recruitment team that a player they bought for absolute pittance, is being talked about as someone who could fetch almost £10m.

A lot of credit goes to those involved behind the scenes at the club.

Moise Kean’s agent is reportedly looking to secure a loan move for the Everton forward this summer.

According to Calciomercato (via Bleacher Report), Mino Raiola is still trying to push for a return to Serie A for his client, more specifically, a deal with a club in the capital. Allegedly, Roma could be looking to pay an ‘expensive’ loan fee to bring Kean back to Italy with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the one- or two-year spell.

Kean has struggled to find his feet so far with Everton, being an inconsistent starter in Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The 20-year-old has made 26 appearances for the Merseyside outfit in his debut season and has contributed just one goal and two assists in that time (via Transfermarkt).

The Italy youth international linked up with the Blues in an initial £25.1m move, penning a five-year deal (via BBC Sport). Now, less than 12 months into his time at Goodison Park, Kean could be looking for a way back to his home country.

According to the report, the striker is open to a move to Roma and wants to link up with best friend Nicolo Zaniolo. If the Serie A champions want to sign Kean on a permanent deal, they will be looking at paying €20m-€22m (£18m-£20m) for his services.

Everton will more than likely take a loss if they decide to cash in on the forward but, after his underwhelming first season and off-pitch controversies (he recently defied lockdown rules by hosting a party at his residence), the club may just cut their losses and move him on.

Do you think Everton should sell Kean in the summer or is he deserving of another chance at Goodison? Join the conversation in the comments below…

Kevin Phillips has made a claim about Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll after The Athletic revealed that the representatives of himself, Javier Manquillo and Matty Longstaff have been contacted by Lee Charnley with regards to the possibility of extending their current contracts.

The former Sunderland ace told Football Insider that he expects Carroll to take a big pay cut if he wants to remain in the northeast after it was revealed that the Tyneside club want to extend the centre-forward’s deal.

However, Phillips insisted that Carroll can still be an asset to the team and also claimed that he has shown that in glimpses in this season so far. The 31-year old has been limited to just 14 games in all competitions, providing four assists, but us yet to get on the scoresheet himself, as per Transfermarkt.

Discussions are apparently underway despite the prospective £300m takeover of the Magpies still awaiting the final approval from the Premier League. All three players, including Carroll, are out of contract on the 30 June, but Phillips admitted that it is a gamble to hand him a new contract given his injury record down the years.

“There is a player there that loves the football club,” the ex-England international told Football Insider.

“The contract will not be near what he was on and he is a useful tool when you can keep him fit.

“He has showed in glimpses this season that he is a handful but you always run the risk of losing him for a period through injury. It is a slight gamble but one that I would be willing to take because he loves the football club.

“He does not mean to get injured and off the bench he is a useful player.”

Indeed, this is not the first spell that Carroll has had at St. James’ Park. The English international had played in 91 games previous to this campaign, where he scored 33 goals and made 21 assists in all competitions across five consecutive seasons, as per Transfermarkt.

Perhaps it is a “slight gamble” to sign Carroll up once again as Phillips suggests but, due to his associations with the Toon, it might be one that Newcastle indeed decide to take.

Geordies, does Carroll deserve a new deal at St James’ Park? Comment below with your views!

Tottenham Hotspur play host to Everton in North London on Monday in a crucial fixture for both sides as they chase the final few European qualification spots.

Spurs suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United on Thursday and will be keen to return to winning ways, with Jose Mourinho’s side now ninth in the table, 10 points adrift of the top four.

Everton have been much improved since the restart and continued their good form on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Everton are now up to 11th in the table and could move ahead of their opponents with a win.

Form

Spurs have won just once in their last six Premier League matches, picking up just five points from a possible 18.

At home, things have been slightly better, with Mourinho’s team winning three of their last five and being unbeaten since the resumption of football last month.

Everton on the other hand are unbeaten since the return of the Premier League, picking up seven points from a possible nine, despite facing Liverpool and Leicester.

Away from Goodison Park they have struggled, winning just two from their last six, although they did win their last away day against Norwich City, with Michael Keane sealing a 1-0 victory at Carrow Road.

Team news

Juan Foyth and Japhet Tanganga are both being assessed following injuries but are set to miss out, while Troy Parrott could be available after returning to training last month.

After starting on the bench against Sheffield United Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Winks and Erik Lamela could all be in line for recalls.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph are both long-term absentees who will not return this season, while there are doubts over Djibril Sidibe and Theo Walcott.

Richarlison is also a doubt with an ankle injury and will be assessed ahead of the match.

How to watch

Tottenham vs Everton kicks off at 20:00 UTC at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and will be broadcast live Sky Sports, while fans can also live stream football online.