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As Everton took to the field to prepare for their clash with Aston Villa on Saturday evening, there were some glaring absences in the Toffees line-up.

Rafa Benitez already knew before the weekend that he would be missing star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin but he will now have to make do with a number of other key faces too.

Seamus Coleman has suffered a hamstring problem while Jordan Pickford is also set to spend two to three weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder issue.

However, the biggest blow relates to Richarlison. He was on the end of a meaty and controversial tackle by James Tarkowski against Burnley a week ago which went unpunished.

The Brazilian was complaining about his knee in the days afterwards and then didn’t make the clash against Villa at the weekend. Sadly, he will also miss the next fortnight of action.

Speaking about the injury after the 24-year-old missed out on the squad for Everton’s defeat in the Midlands, Benitez commented: “I think that the only thing we can do is what we did, to say we’re not happy with that, that’s it.

“I think that they know. Maybe not on the day of the game, but afterwards it was obvious for everyone.

“It’s something that we have to be very careful about, the kind of physical contact we allow this year. It’s clear for everyone and hopefully we will not see more players injured for these kind of things.”

The Everton boss is understandably seething with the situation, especially with Calvert-Lewin already out, and now the Toffees will have to make do without the two players they’d usually rely on for goals.

Richarlison has only scored once this season but found the net on 13 occasions last term, adding to the 21 goals that his English team-mate produced.

Considering that Everton are also missing their chief creator from last season in James Rodriguez, it doesn’t bode well for their fortunes over the next few weeks.

Cenk Tosun has returned to training so he could be utilised, but for now you sense that Salomon Rondon will lead the line.

The issue with that is that the 32-year-old struggled on his first start for the club last weekend. The powerful Venezuelan forward was taken off in the 63rd minute having completed just five passes at a success rate of 38%. He also lost the ball every 1.6 touches in a dismal showing.

After their first defeat of the season, Benitez will need to pick his players back up, but that will be a challenge without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin in their ranks for the next few weeks.

AND in other news, Worse than Digne: Everton lightweight who won just 14.2% duels cost Benitez badly…

Queens Park Rangers are reportedly interested in making a late summer move for Watford striker Andre Gray as transfer deadline day approaches.

The Lowdown: QPR make strong start

The Rs have made an impressive start to their Championship campaign, picking up 11 points from five games and sitting third in the table.

The hope is that Mark Warburton’s side mount a genuine promotion push this season, and new signings late in the transfer window could boost those chances.

The Latest: Gray linked with QPR move

According to The Daily Express’ Ryan Taylor on Twitter, QPR are locking horns with Middlesbrough to sign Gray before the window closes.

Both clubs are believed to be ‘keen’ on sealing a loan move for the 30-year-old, who has scored 21 goals in 125 appearances for Watford.

The journalist tweeted: “#Birmingham & West Brom going head-to-head for Troy Deeney. He’s already in talks with Blues, who are frontrunners. Andre Gray could also leave before deadline as reported in last week’s column, #QPR & #Boro among those keen on loan.”

The Verdict: Exciting potential signing

Gray has a huge amount of Championship experience, netting 46 times in 118 matches in the division, so he could be a shrewd signing for the Rs.

The £70,000-a-week forward could add the firepower that is needed to keep up a promotion tilt, improving the squad depth at Warburton’s disposal in the process.

Former Luton teammate Cameron McGeehan once hailed Gray as a ‘top player’, and the twice-capped Jamaica international could lift those around him given his standing in the game.

After Tottenham Hotspur failed to sign Adama Traore over the summer, talks have ‘resumed over a new deal’ between the winger and his current club Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

The Lowdown: Long-term target 

Ever since catching the eye during the 2019/20 season, when he contributed to 13 goals in 37 Premier League appearances to help Wolves qualify for the Europa League, the 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from Molineux. 

Last season was a tougher campaign for the Spain international, with the absence of Raul Jimenez and a lack of quality in the Wolves squad under Nuno Espirito Santo. Traore scored only three goals and grabbed three assists during a disappointing season for him and the team.

Despite his astonishing pace and strength, he has lacked a real cutting edge, with only 10 goals in 142 appearances for club and country since joining Wolves in 2018. 

Traore was a target for Spurs over the summer and his opening three appearances of the campaign have seem him rack up an xG tally of 1.53, with only eight Premier League players having a higher number. 

The Latest: New deal at Wolves 

According to The Athletic’s Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers, Traore has ‘resumed talks over a new deal’ with senior figures at the West Midlands club.  

After Spurs lodged a £30m bid for him late in the transfer window, the winger could finally agree to a longer stay at Molineux after previously stalling on talks. 

The Athletic stated that the process has gone on since the end of last year after Traore believed he should be among the top earners along with Jimenez and Joao Moutinho. After a deadlock in talks, the deal came close again and stalled again when Nuno departed for Tottenham. 

Under Bruno Lage, Traore has impressed in the first three games and has had two golden opportunities to earn the Wanderers their first points of the season, sliding the ball wide against Leicester City before being denied by Hugo Lloris a week later. 

The Verdict: Missed opportunity for Spurs

In August, Spiers also reported that Wolves would need to sell in order to buy during the summer. They did so with Owen Otasowie and Rafa Mir departing for Club Brugge and Sevilla respectively, but the rumours linking Traore and Ruben Neves with moves elsewhere never came to fruition. 

The ‘unplayable’ right-winger, in the words of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, would add something different to the wide men Nuno currently possesses at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With Son Heung-Min consistently providing the goods, an effective winger on the other side is something that Spurs could do with if they are to return to the top four. 

After working well with Nuno at Wolves previously, a relationship between the pair could have blossomed. However, with Spurs failing to meet the £50m valuation and rumours of a new deal in the offing, the north Londoners may have missed their chance to sign the 25-year-old.

In other news, Fabio Paratici wants to sign this player in the next transfer window- find out more here.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been showing their delight after Virgil van Dijk signed a new long-term contract at Anfield.

The Reds begin their Premier League on Saturday evening, with newly-promoted Norwich City awaiting at Carrow Road.

The hope is that Jurgen Klopp’s side improve on their third-place finish last time around with key players fit again and other individuals refreshed.

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Van Dijk’s return to fitness is arguably the biggest positive, with the Dutchman overcoming the cruciate ligament damage he suffered last October.

The 30-year-old is in contention to face the Canaries, but more importantly, he has also signed a new deal with Liverpool which runs to 2025, as confirmed by the club on Friday.

It is a huge boost for the Reds, with the centre-back such a colossal performer since arriving from Southampton in January 2018.

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Liverpool fans react to huge Van Dijk news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their delight at the news.

“The best CB in the world signing until 2025? What could be better than that?”

Credit: @AnfieldEdition

“The season could not have started on a better note”

Credit: @menaceandmonk

“BIG VIRG! You absolutely love to see it!”

Credit: @ReeganXRS

“That’s now the best centre back, goalkeeper, right back & defensive midfielder signed to long term contracts. Amazing news. Next up, get Mo done…..”

Credit: @JamieHolme

“Oh my good God someone hold me I’m weak”

Credit: @itsmeg_statham

“Outstanding news! All the top players committing to the club is fantastic news! There must be serious hope now that @VirgilvDijk can not only come back the same player, but even better! What a Friday! “

Credit: @SearlyC82

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a Reds injury. Find out who the player in question is here.

David Norris admits Leeds United regret not signing Ben White on a permanent basis last summer, with his proposed big-money move hard to stomach.

White, 23, played a key role as the Yorkshire club ended their 16-year wait to return to the Premier League, with the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee making 49 appearances in the 2019/20 season.

Leeds attempted to secure White’s services on a permanent basis last year but failed with three bids, with the latest totalling £25million.

Director of football Victor Orta opted against returning to Brighton with another offer and he will be ruing that decision now as it appears the England international defender is set to join Arsenal in a deal worth £50million.

The proposed move to the Emirates Stadium comes after White’s impressive campaign with Brighton saw him earn a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to withdraw through injury.

Former Leeds midfielder Norris feels Leeds missed out on a golden opportunity by refusing to increase their final White bid.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think they had to draw a line somewhere. But they’ll be disappointed because they [Brighton] are asking for massive dough for him now.”

Aston Villa are expected to land Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe on a season-long loan, according to Sky Sports.

Well-known Villa page @villareport shared the news on the defender, which left many Villa supporters delighted.

Sky Sports claimed live on Wednesday that Tuanzebe is set to sign a one-year contract extension at Old Trafford before moving to the Midlands for a third loan spell.

The 23-year-old spent the second half of the 2017/18 season at Villa Park and the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign, helping the club earn promotion to the Premier League.

He’s made a total of 35 appearances for Villa and it appears as if he will link up with Dean Smith once again on a temporary basis.

Tuanzebe looks set to become Villa’s fifth summer signing and will more than likely provide cover to Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, while also having the ability to play at right-back if required.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Sky Sports’ claim regarding Tuanzebe on Wednesday afternoon. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with one ‘buzzing’.

“And the transfers are flowing in now”Credit: @will_avfc”Get in!”Credit: @Schlippertysch1″Yessss”Credit: @Shy_Rhy”Buzzing for this one”Credit: @CozzaAVFC”All over this”Credit: @Shans_louisee”Class backup! Good move for everyone”Credit: @VillaJaake

In other news: ‘All happening’, ‘Alongside JWP?’ – Many Aston Villa fans react as ‘great’ news is confirmed. 

An update has emerged on Celtic’s pursuit of Manchester City defender Yan Couto…

What’s the talk?

According to Sky Sports, the Hoops have failed to convince the 19-year-old to come at Parkhead on loan from the Etihad Stadium this month.

The report claims that Couto was a prime target for the club and is now poised for a move to Braga in Portugal, whilst Celtic are now looking to complete a deal for Legia Warsaw right-back Josip Juranovic after missing out on the Brazilian teenager.

Fans will be gutted

Celtic fans will be gutted by this update from Sky Sports as it suggests that the club have missed out on their primary right-back target. Whilst supporters must be glad that a deal for Jurnaovic is progressing well, it is still a blow that Couto has rejected the chance to come to Scotland as Ange Postecoglou seemingly wanted him ahead of the Croatian.

Couto spent last season on loan to Girona and made 22 appearances for the Spanish club, averaging a SofaScore rating of 6.69. He did not make any errors leading to goals or give away any penalties during his time in Spain, suggesting that he is a competent defender who is not prone to costly mistakes in and around his own penalty area.

The defender also created 0.7 chances per game from right-back and provided four assists for Girona. This shows that he has attacking quality to mix in with his stout defending, making him an ideal modern full-back as he is able to get up and down the flank effectively.

The teenager has previously been dubbed the new Dani Alves, having arrived at Manchester City from Brazil in a £5m deal last year. Alves has been named in the FIFPro World XI eight times during his career, playing for the likes of Barcelona and PSG, which shows the high ceiling Couto has been given.

Therefore, Celtic fans must be frustrated that the 19-year-old has decided that he would rather join Braga in Portugal. Not only are they missing out on what could potentially be a good signing, but it also suggests that Parkhead is not an attractive place to come for young players.

This is something the club can strive to improve so that they do not face a similar problem in the future when trying to bring in young talent.

AND in other news, Worrying update emerges on “incredibly fast” gem that’ll leave Celtic fans frustrated…

A number of Liverpool supporters have picked out an angry moment from Mohamed Salah in training, outlining his mentality as a footballer.

The Egyptian has become a modern-day Reds great, scoring 125 goals in just 203 appearances, in what is a remarkable record for a wide player.

Salah dragged Liverpool over the line last season, netting 31 times and carrying an attack that struggled, often due to the poor form of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

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The 29-year-old was rightly named the Premier League PFA Fans’ Player of the Year and he will continue to be an enormous player moving forward for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Salah possesses a winning mentality that shines through on the pitch, but it also seemingly belongs on the training ground, as a new video has highlighted.

The footage, shared by Anfield Watch on Twitter, shows Joel Matip scoring in a small-sided training match, with a furious Salah in the foreground unhappy with his team’s defending.

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Liverpool fans react to Salah’s angry moment

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react to the video, praising Salah’s attitude.

“The way Mo is fuming, gotta love that”

Credit: @BurgessMing

“Look at Salah reaction. Train as you plan to fight!”

Credit: @Tony_toner

“Regardless of Matip, look at Salah he doesn’t like to lose even in training”

Credit: @CastleoftheKopp

“Look at Salah though haha he hates losing”

Credit: @AnfieldAn

“Love how competitive Mo is. Even in training”

Credit: @_MarkL33

“Check how upset Salah gets. What a competitor”

Credit: @Kethamz

“Love Salah reaction!”

Credit: @RAB360

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has provided a Liverpool transfer update. Read more here.

Paul Stewart believes Oliver Skipp has the ability to make an impact for Tottenham Hotspur next season, although he has concerns over the injury he sustained at the end of his loan spell with Norwich City.

Skipp enjoyed a fabulous spell on loan with the Canaries, as they earned promotion back to the Premier League by winning the Championship.

Skipp made 45 Championship appearances in defensive midfield, and becoming a key figure under manager Daniel Farke.

Spurs confirmed in May, though, that he had undergone surgery to repair a metatarsal fracture, although he is expected to return in time for pre-season training.

It is not clear if the new manager at the club – whomever they may be – will decide to keep Skipp at the club and give him a chance following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, but Stewart thinks the 20-year-old can be a key player in north London despite his injury.

He has had chances in the first-team, making a total of 23 appearances for the first-team, having made his debut under the management of Mauricio Pochettino.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Stewart said: “It’s not done him any harm being loaned out. It’s just a shame that he broke his foot at Norwich.

“Skipp looks like he could come back into that midfield and do really well but he got a bad injury towards the end of the season.”

Flocking to Twitter, these West Ham United fans have had their say after the club confirmed a ‘good bit of news’ in regards to their head of recruitment position.

The Hammers made a club staff announcement yesterday in revealing manager David Moyes’ entire backroom team for the upcoming 2021/2022 campaign.

In what will be a very interesting season ahead for West Ham, where they will even be competing in the Europa League group stages, Moyes will be backed by his first team coaching staff with Billy McKinlay now returning to the club.

He will be joined by the existing team of assistants in Kevin Nolan, Paul Nevin, Stuart Pearce and Xavi Valero – with the Irons confirming more seemingly good news as well.

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As per the official announcement, West Ham say they are also close to appointing a Head of Recruitment.

In what could be a big potential call in terms of overseeing transfer activity, these supporters believe this is positive news for the club as they drop their takes on social media.

Find all of their best ones down below.

West Ham fans flock to Head of Recruitment news…

“This is a good bit of news!! Despite the negative stuff over the last two days, we are getting someone in recruitment. It’s a step forward for sure”

Credit: @FromTheAnvilWHU

“Head of recruitment close to being appointed which is a huge positive towards transfers”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“Might actually get somewhere now”

Credit: @WHUsamzini

“This is positive”

Credit: @westham_hub

“Should help deals move forward too.”

Credit: @samizgould

“Ooooh !!”

Credit: @shanyloublog

In other news: ‘Exciting’, ‘Here we go’, ‘Thank you’ – West Ham fans also flocked to this club announcement, find out more here.