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

Nottingham Forest earned further bragging rights over Derby on Tuesday evening by defeating them 3-0 in the Carabao Cup.

The victory sees them progress into the third round of the competition when the Premier League’s elite, those competing in Europe this season, enter with the Reds also retaining the Brian Clough Trophy.

On the scoresheet was Albert Adomah, Joe Lolley and the returning Joao Carvalho, who fans were more than delighted to see back in training during the build-up to the match.

Forest are unbeaten in the Championship since losing their season opener against Midlands rivals West Brom, so the timely addition of the 22-year-old can only further boost their playoff-chasing ambitions this season.

On the Chalkboard

The 5 foot 8 Portuguese midfielder is the club’s record signing after he joined in a £13.2m deal from Benfica last summer.

He soon turned out to be one of their most influential players on the pitch as he racked up eight assists, only bettered by Lolley’s 11, and four goals – per WhoScored throughout 2018/19.

Carvalho also had the second-highest passing success rate in the team of any player who featured in 30 games or more at 78.4% – on top of averaging 1.2 key passes per match.

His return is even more impressive when you consider that he started just 28 Championship matches – only four of which were after the turn of the year.

Former boss Martin O’Neill seemed to favour other options, something that was somewhat bizarre considering the goal contributions he had been managing.

Carvalho has missed the opening weeks of the new campaign after picking up an ankle problem in Forest’s first pre-season encounter so as proceedings ramp up, his return could inspire the side onto greater things.

Under Sabri Lamouchi this season, he could play a big part, especially if you considering his impact in 33 minutes against Derby and his record last season.

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Wesley Moraes had a tough Premier League debut for Aston Villa at the weekend as the Brazilian struggled to make his mark in the 3-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 22-year-old spent 74 minutes on the field at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, according to WhoScored, Wesley only had one shot and won just one aerial duel during a difficult start to his career in the English game.

It was always going to be a hard first match for the centre-forward but a lot is expected of the South American when considering that he cost the club in the region of £22m.

The Villa fans, though, are confident that the attacker will come good this term.

Indeed, the club’s supporters were fairly vocal in the summer arrival’s defence when the topic of Wesley was raised on Twitter earlier this week.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A selection of the reaction on social media is available to view below:

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Celtic have turned down the latest offer from Arsenal for Kieran Tierney, according to BBC Sport.

What’s the story?

Tierney has been the subject of two bids from Unai Emery’s side now with both offers rejected. The 22-year-old could be the subject of a third bid as Arsenal prepare to change the original package.

The left-back has been linked to the Gunners all summer but we are still no clearer as to knowing where his future lies. Tierney won’t push for a move but it looks as if the figure Arsenal are offering is slowly but surely getting closer to the desired fee.

And yet, Celtic have already begun their competitive season and the confusion surrounding Tierney can’t be helpful for Neil Lennon’s side. The Bhoys have played the away leg of the first qualifying round of the Champions League, beating FK Sarajevo 3-1.

With Tierney injured, regardless of the speculation, and only Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo coming in, there’s a chance for someone else to stake their claim at left-back.

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

Hayes’ time to shine

After Tierney’s injury (and potential sale) along with the release of Emilio Izaguirre, new-boy Bolingoli-Mbombo is Lennon’s only available natural left-back. Youngster Calvin Miller and the versatile Jonny Hayes are the other two players in the current squad that could play that role.

And with Miller failing to pull up trees in loan spells with Dundee and Ayr United, Hayes is well-placed to provide competition in a position he was surprisingly good in last season.

Hayes deputised at left-back in the second half of the campaign, making four of his 12 starts on the left side of defence.

The 32 year-old may have found himself moved on this summer given how far down the pecking order he is on the wing, yet thanks to the confusion surrounding Tierney he could now really capitalise and solidify his squad role.

Hayes may well be hoping the Tierney saga rumbles on right through the summer window, which would give him as long as possible to cement his place in Lennon’s squad.

أعلن نادي جالطة سراي المُنافس في مسابقة الدوري التركي الممتاز، في بيان رسمي، إتمام التعاقد مع مُهاجم منتخب مصر الأول ونادي الزمالك مصطفى محمد، خلال نافذة الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية.

وقال جالطة سراي في بيانه: “لقد حصلنا بشكل رسمي على توقيع لاعب الزمالك مصطفى محمد أحمد لنادينا”.

وأضاف: “مصطفى محمد سينضم إلى نادينا على سبيل الإعارة مع خيار الشراء”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بعد انتقال مصطفى محمد من جالطة سراي.. رئيس وادي دجلة يحذر من الأندية التركية

ولم يكشف جالطة سراي عن القيمة المالية للصفقة، ولكن الزمالك ذكر أن النادي التركي دفع مليوني دولار مقابل الإعارة.

يُذكر أن مصطفى محمد هذا الموسم مع الزمالك، لعب 4 مباريات في مسابقة الدوري المصري، وسجّل هدفين.

Profesyonel futbolcu Mostafa Mohamed Ahmed Abdalla’nın kulübümüze satın alma opsiyonlu geçici transferi konusunda futbolcu ve kulübü Zamalek Sports Club ile resmi görüşmelere başlanmıştır. pic.twitter.com/wix3I0AQdM — Galatasaray Spor Kulübü (@GalatasaraySK) January 28, 2021

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Tottenham Hotspur fans continue to sweat over the fitness of Harry Kane.

The England striker has reportedly confirmed that he is fit to play in the Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday in Madrid.

There remains genuine intrigue over manager Mauricio Pochettino’s selection, however, with Lucas Moura having scored a hat-trick against Ajax in the semi-final; will he be dropped?

The fact of the matter, though, is this: It is Winks who is the most important Harry for Spurs this weekend, not Kane.

Winks is an exceptional midfield player and he too is a fitness doubt. He hasn’t played for the club since April, missing the second leg against Manchester City in the quarter-finals and both legs of the encounter with Ajax, and has recently undergone groin surgery.

Without him, Spurs have lacked control in midfield. Victor Wanyama started all of the three games that Winks missed and has, quite frankly, looked out of his depth.

That is perhaps not his fault but Ajax ran rings around him in the semi-finals and, in Amsterdam, he was substituted and replaced by Fernando Llorente at half-time.

Having the England international in the centre of the pitch, though, has a two-pronged effect on the club’s midfield. Firstly, Spurs have a greater opportunity to dominate possession and dictate proceedings. And secondly, Moussa Sissoko is freed up and allowed to drive forward, influencing the game in the final third.

Per WhoScored, across nine Champions League games, Winks averages one key pass per game, along with a 90.7% pass completion rate.

He makes 1.8 tackles per game, 0.8 interceptions and plays 2.6 long balls. This is a player who does really well whenever he’s on the pitch and while he doesn’t have one particularly standout skill, he is remarkably efficient at pretty much everything.

Wanyama, by comparison, is slow and ponderous on the turn, while Eric Dier is essentially worse than the Kenyan in every single area, bar free-kicks.

Winks’ return to fitness, then, could be the key to Spurs winning the midfield battle, dominating possession and creating chances.

If Kane is out, it is expected that one of Lucas, Son Heung-Min, Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli will step up. Without Winks, Spurs’ hopes rest on Wanyama and Dier.

He is quite clearly the most important returnee this weekend.

The relationship between Crystal Palace and Wilfried Zaha might be starting to take an ugly turn.

The man lauded as their saviour for recent years is seemingly angling (as per Sky Sports) for a move away from the club. However, one can’t really blame him for displaying ambition, right?

Granted that Palace saved him from despair when his career almost sunk at Manchester  United, but he’s repaid their faith and then some. It’s due to the sizzling winger’s work that they’re still in the Premier League, after all. Indeed, he acted as creator, goal-scorer and also provided entertainment with his unmatched trickery.

It’s time for the Eagles to let him go enjoy himself a little. However, the major stumbling block in his sale is the unrealistic price tag put up for him. Steve Parish doesn’t want to lose him cheap, so he’s reportedly (as per the Daily Mail) slapped a huge £100 million fee for him. Surely, this is aggravating both Zaha (who the Telegraph said feared he could be priced out of a move) and interested parties.

Maybe Parish should listen to former chairman Simon Jordan’s advice, stating the asking fee to be lowered down to around £60 million. Zaha might’ve scored 10 goals last season, more than many top stars, yet he’s not the elite talent for which clubs will pay unreasonable amounts.

To disable the situation from getting worse, Parish needs to think reasonably. It’s not like Palace won’t be able to find a successor for anything less than the asked fee. It’s time for the Eagles to stop playing hardball and repay Zaha’s impeccable contribution for letting him go for an adequate price.

Palace fans, do you think Zaha’s asked fee should be lowered? Join the discussion by commenting below…

أعلن المدرب الإسباني، بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لنادي مانشستر سيتي، قائمة فريقه لمباراة أولمبياكوس اليوناني في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

مانشستر سيتي يحل ضيفًا على أولمبياكوس، مساء غدًا الأربعاء، على ملعب “كارايسكاكيس”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الرابعة من دور المجموعات بدوري الأبطال.

ولم يتواجد في قائمة السكاي بلو، الدولي البلجيكي كيفين دي بروين صانع ألعاب الفريق، وكاييل ووكر ظهير الفريق، وليس من المعروف حتى الآن ما إذا كان سبب غيابهما الإصابة أو وجهة نظر فنية.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يكشف سبب تجديد عقده مع مانشستر سيتي.. ويصرح: نريد نسيان دوري الأبطال حتى فبراير!

كما استمر غياب النجم الهولندي ناثان آكي، مدافع الفريق الذي لم يتعاف من الإصابة التي تعرض لها رفقة الطواحين الهولندية في فترة التوقف الدولية بدوري الأمم الأوروبية. قائمة مانشستر سيتي لمباراة أولمبياكوس فى دورى أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: إيدرسون، ستيفين، كارسون.

خط الدفاع: دياس، ستونز، لابورت، جارسيا، زينشينكو، كانسيلو، بنجامين ميندي.

خط الوسط: جوندوجان، رودريجو، فرناندينيو، برناردو سيلفا، فيل فودين، فليكس نميتشا، دويل، كول بالمر.

خط الهجوم: رحيم ستيرلينج، جيسوس، سيرجيو أجويرو، رياض محرز.

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West Ham United are exploring the possibility of signing Aleksandar Mitrovic from Fulham this summer, sources have told Football FanCast.

Manuel Pellegrini is keen to revamp his striking options this summer as the Hammers prepare for something of a squad overhaul.

And the Serbia international has emerged as a major target, with the summer transfer window due to open later this week.

Fulham endured a difficult season in the Premier League and were relegated to the Championship in April.

The 24-year-old, though, scored 11 goals in the top-flight and has experience in the league, having previously played for Newcastle United.

The Hammers, who last summer signed Lukasz Fabianski from Swansea City after their relegation, are now attempting to find out if Mitrovic’s contract, which runs until 2023, contains a release clause.

Of course, if it does, the Hammers would be able to trigger it and enter into negotiations with the striker, who appeared for Serbia at last summer’s World Cup.

West Ham also remain interested in Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez, who first emerged as a target when Marko Arnautovic appeared set to leave for China in January.

He has scored 13 goals this term and his contract does contain a release clause, of £45million, though that drops to £22.5m if Celta are relegated.With one game of the Liga season to go, they are three points clear of the drop zone with a far superior goal difference to 18th-placed Girona.

It remains to be seen if the club would countenance the prospect of making Gomez their record signing this summer if, as appears likely, the Spanish side retain their top-flight status.

Elsewhere, sources have confirmed that Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll remain likely to leave the club this summer, while Javier Hernandez will also be allowed to depart if an acceptable bid is tabled.

The Mexico international scored seven goals in the Premier League in 2018-19 but completed the full 90 minutes just once. He was on the bench for the final three games of the campaign, against Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Watford; West Ham won every game.

He is valued at £10m and it is unclear if any interested parties have registered an interest in signing him.

As well as up front, Crystal Palace could also probably do with strengthening their squad out wide. 

Away from Wilfried Zaha, who continues to be linked with a move away from Selhurst Park (Sky Sports), and Andros Townsend, the south London club do not have too many other options.

And according to TEAMtalk, they could look to do just that after watching Brentford’s Said Benrahma closely in recent weeks.

The 23-year-old has impressed for Thomas Frank’s side this season, scoring 10 goals in the Championship while setting up another 14 along the way (WhoScored).

Looking at Roy Hodgson’s current options, that sort of goal threat is exactly what the Crystal Palace boss needs heading into the next campaign, especially if he ends up losing Zaha.

With Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham also said to be interested in Benrahma’s services (also per TEAMtalk), it will not be an easy transfer to pull off.

But when looking at what the Algeria international can do on the flank with his pace and trickery, Crystal Palace would be crazy not to go all out for him or a player of a similar profile in the summer.

Whether Zaha remains at Selhurst Park or not, the Eagles need attacking reinforcements. And Benrahma could be the man to get the ball rolling.

Crystal Palace fans, would you like to see your club sign Benrahma? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Huddersfield fans are split as to whether or not Frazier Campbell would be a good signing as the club prepares for life in the Championship next season.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, the Terriers have made Campbell one of their summer targets.

The former Manchester United striker has been plying his trade for Hull City this term and has netted a respectable 12 goals in 36 appearances for the Tigers as well as providing six assists.

Despite Campbell’s solid return in the second tier, Huddersfield fans have been split as to whether or not he would be worth bringing in to the John Smith’s Stadium.

The striker is enjoying a good campaign but Terrier’s fans may have doubts over his abilities due to his poor goalscoring record in seasons gone by.

Campbell is originally from Huddersfield so he may be tempted to move to his local team and aid them in their quest to return to the Premier League.

Here’s what Huddersfield fans have been saying on Twitter…

Who has been the Premier League’s most disappointing performer this season? The Pl>maker FC have their say in the video below…