Southampton sacked manager Mauricio Pellegrino on Monday night following a run of just one win in 17 Premier League matches and huge calls from the fans for him to go, and those fans have picked former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti as the man they want to replace the Argentine.
The south coast outfit may look to bring someone in on a short-term basis until the end of the season as they look to secure their top flight status in the final eight matches of the campaign, with Stoke City’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester City on Monday night meaning they stayed one point above the relegation zone.
Ancelotti has been out of work since he was sacked by Bayern Munich in September, while he has managed the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus and AC Milan previously, but that hasn’t stopped the St Mary’s faithful hoping that their club can offer him a lucrative short-term deal to try and keep them up.
Southampton supporters have been discussing the 58-year-old via social media, and while one said “Les, go and get CARLO ANCELOTTI”, another said ‘Ancelotti please and offer him a massive bonus if he keeps us up’.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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England’s upcoming friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy give Gareth Southgate a vital chance to experiment before he draws up his World Cup squad for the tournament in Russia, and the Three Lions gaffer must take that opportunity with both hands.
Indeed, he’s clearly picked an experimental squad with the likes of James Tarkowski and Alfie Mawson involved for the very first time, and Oranje and Azzurri represent decent enough opposition to really test Southgate’s various potential game-plans against.
But how can Southgate take full advantage of this opportunity? What various forms should this England squad take on the pitch to adequately prepare for the tournament in Russia? Which setups require further testing before they’re used at the World Cup?
While the players picked remain largely interchangeable, Football FanCast lay out four formations Southgate must attempt at some point during the current international break – and then give you the chance to tell us your favourite.
England’s attempts to adopt 4-2-3-1 at the last World Cup failed spectacularly, but it feels much less a case of square pegs being shoved into round holes this time around with conventional options in every position.
Most pivotal of those are the front four, with the formation allowing all of England’s most potent goalscoring entities on the pitch at the same time; Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling and Jamie Vardy – the latter being replaced by Harry Kane when the tournament in Russia comes around.
And in comparison to the last World Cup when Steven Gerrard looked a little lost in deep midfield, Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson offer adequate defensive protection behind that flying front four.
Southgate appears determined to use a three-man defence at least once during the World Cup and 3-4-3 appears the likeliest setup, with Alli and Sterling either side of the central striker.
England certainly have the wide men for it in the likes of Kyle Walker, Ashley Young, Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose, all of whom offer fantastic dynamism and attacking threat and have lined up in this system on at least a handful of occasions since Euro 2016.
The real concerns, however, are in the more defensive-minded positions. Southgate is yet to settle on his perfect back three, but Joe Gomez could proved an inspired solution alongside Harry Maguire and John Stones. He’s quick and versatile enough to defend one-on-one situations and shares their ability to play out of the back.
Perhaps the key though is the two men in front of them. Henderson and Dier are practically interchangeable as midfield enforcers, but the question for Southgate is whether England can afford a more creative player like Jack Wilshere alongside them without leaving the engine room too open.
Two of the Premier League’s top three sides have stuck with 4-3-3 almost religiously this season – Manchester City and Liverpool – and while England may lack creative players at the level of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, they do have a few likeminded midfielders who fill the gap between No.10s and No.8s.
In fact, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both filled those offensive-minded central midfield berths in front of Henderson at Liverpool this season and the familiarity in the engine room would give Southgate a starting point to build the rest of the system around.
England are luxury to the crucial pace and positional flexibility in attack too, not to mention the attacking full-backs to provide the width when the forwards tuck inside.
But of course, City and Liverpool’s success using this system has hinged on their ability to press high and win the ball back. International football probably doesn’t allow enough time on the training pitch for Southgate to really drill his team on a similar approach.
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While England do boast pace and goal threat in wide departments, depth in that area isn’t the strongest and the most creative members of this Three Lions squad seemingly prefers more central positions, namely the likes of Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dele Alli and Jack Wilshere.
So why not try and get as many of those on the pitch as possible in a bid to play to England’s strengths? A diamond would be an interesting option, one that Hodgson used briefly with good success in Euro 2016 qualifying, and the Three Lions still have the players for it – in addition to the aforementioned midfielders, all of the full-backs are more than capable of bombing forward to provide the width.
Likewise, it will allow for two central strikers which, especially when Kane is fit again, could give England a distinct advantage through their ability to play direct at the World Cup. How many countries at the tournament will boast a front two as potent and physical as Kane and Vardy?
So, England fans, which formation would you like to see used most against the Netherlands and Italy? Let us know by voting below!
Even though Arsene Wenger is still under contract at Arsenal for another year, speculation has been rife about who will eventually take over from the Frenchman.
Many fans are keen for the experienced Frenchman to step down after two decades at the helm.
In recent seasons, the North London outfit have failed to launch a genuine challenge for the Premier League title.
In fact, the club are likely to miss out on a top-four finish for the second season running as they are 13 points adrift with seven games left to play.
Over the last few months, numerous figures within the world of football have emerged as potential successors to Wenger.
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel was one of them, but according to ESPN, the 44-year-old will take over from Unai Emery at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The move has come out of left-field considering that Tuchel was heavily linked to Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
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Since the news broke, Arsenal fans have been tweeting their reactions.
Newcastle United are one step closer towards English Premier League safety after a late Ayoze Perez goal was enough to secure a victory at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The Magpies deserved their victory but having missed a number of chances, fans feared they might have to settle for a point before Perez converted Kenedy’s classy cross just 10 minutes from the end.
Kenedy was a bright spark throughout for Rafa Benitez’s side, his assist coming after he scored a double last time out against Southampton.
Fans are loving the impact he’s made since signing on loan from Chelsea in January and they’re now calling on the club to do the business necessary to sign him permanently this summer.
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With first team opportunities at the Blues hard to come by, a move to St James’ Park could be perfect for both the player and the Magpies, giving them something unique in attack.
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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the situation after Saturday’s match…
Leeds fans are calling for their club to sign Ollie McBurnie as the Swansea striker continues to impress on loan at Barnsley.
There will certainly be a few eyes on Ollie McBurnie this weekend, as the youngster travels with Barnsley to Elland Road.
McBurnie was one of several strikers that were available on loan in January, along with the red hot Aleksandar Mitrovic and the impressive Lewis Grabban.
Barnsley, Fulham and Aston Villa are all delighted with the form of their loan additions, and it has left Leeds fans wondering why they didn’t do more to add to their ranks in January.
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McBurnie won the Championship player of the month award in February, and now boasts some impressive stats from his time at relegation battling Barnsley.
The Leeds-born youngster was shipped off from Leeds for being too small in 2010, and now has eight goals in 12 starts, has created 18 chances, won 32 aerial duels, and has an impressive 33% chance conversion rate.
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Fans are of course fed up with the lack of goals from the likes of Caleb Ekuban and Pierre-Michel Lasogga, and they’re calling for their club to sign McBurnie this summer.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
West Ham fans have been discussing their goalscoring woes, and plenty have come to the same conclusion – sign the charismatic, fantastically bizarre enigma that is Mario Balotelli.
At this point, it’s pretty clear that Javier Hernandez probably does not have a future at West Ham.
The Mexican striker certainly knows where the goal is, but so long as David Moyes is in charge he is clearly not the first choice.
With that in mind, fans have been debating who should play up front next season, hoping a new signing can fire the Hammers back up the table next year.
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Marko Arnautovic has excelled as a central striker, but the thought of the Austrian superstar and Manuel Lanzini playing off a truly top striker is an exciting prospect.
Nice’s Alassane Pléa is one name that has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, but his teammate Mario Balotelli could be available on a free transfer this summer, and fans seem rather confident the Italian could find form in London.
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Other fans are focusing their attention within the Premier League, looking at players that could be seeking new homes this summer, like Liverpool outcast Divock Origi.
Still, there is a remarkable amount of fans that seem to think signing Balotelli would be a good idea, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Manchester United ensured there would be no fairytale final victory for Arsene Wenger at Old Trafford on Sunday with a 2-1 over the departing manager’s Arsenal in the English Premier League.
Taking the lead through Paul Pogba, Man United looked like dropping points after former player Henrikh Mkhitraryan equalised shortly after half-time, however substitute Marouane Fellaini saved the day with a stoppage time winner.
The three points strengthen United’s grip on second place in the table after Liverpool could only draw on Saturday.
Fellaini’s header has now re-ignited the debate on whether the Red Devils should tie him down to a new contract, with the player’s current deal due to expire at the end of the season.
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While many fans are against such a deal, plenty of supporters have taken to social media in the wake of his winner to plead that the club get a new contract over the line, believing he’s an excellent plan B when things aren’t going well for Mourinho’s side.
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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the situation…
Liverpool have explored the idea of signing Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira as a replacement for Emre Can, according to The Sun.
What’s the story?
Plenty of supporters seem to have come to terms with the idea of Can leaving the club this summer.
The Germany international is yet to sign a new contract, and given that he comes to the end of his current one in the next few months, it seems likely that the midfielder is heading for the exit door.
The Sun reports that Juventus have been in talks with Can for months regarding a free transfer, and now discussions have been held about Khedira moving in the other direction.
The former Real Madrid player, who has won four league titles during his career, has been at Juventus since 2015.
This season, the midfielder has started 34 matches in all competitions, contributing with nine goals and five assist.
Is this a good deal for Liverpool?
Losing Can is a blow, but Jurgen Klopp’s side have coped without him, particularly in recent weeks while the midfielder has been on the treatment table with a back injury.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star has shown numerous times that he is capable of influencing a game.
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However, there have also been many occasions when the midfielder has gone missing.
If Can is to leave for Juventus, then getting Khedira can only be seen as a positive.
The German has plenty of experience at the top level, but the only downside is that he does not have age on his side being 31.
Arsenal fans haven’t had a lot to get excited about this year.
In Arsene Wenger’s last season at the club Arsenal got hammered 3-0 in the League Cup final, were knocked out of the semi-finals of the Europa League, and until yesterday’s 1-0 win at Huddersfield the North London club hadn’t even picked up a single Premier League point away from home in the whole of 2018.
However the one saving grace of the Gunner’s miserable season has been the form of January signing, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international was signed from Borrusia Dortmund for a club record fee – reportedly £60 million – on the deadline day of the January window.
The 28-year-old came to Arsenal with an excellent scoring record and a big reputation.
At Dortmund, he scored 98 league goals in 144 appearances and won last season’s Bundesliga golden boot award with 31 goals.
Despite Arsenal’s inconsistent form, Aubameyang has been a reliable performer for the North London outfit and Gunner’s fans can take solace from a disappointing campaign in the marksman’s scintillating form since moving to England.
Even though Aubameyang made his first Premier League appearance in February, the former Dortmund man was only 1 league goal behind Alvaro Morata and boasted the same amount of league assists as Eden Hazard.
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Arsenal supporters are understandably excited to see what the £58.5 million rated player can do when he has the entire season. Here’s a selection of what’s been said on social media…
Arsenal attacker Alex Iwobi has come under heavy criticism from some of his own fans on Twitter this season for his performances, but the potential appointment of Mikel Arteta as Arsene Wenger’s successor could help to change that.
The Spaniard has been working as a coach with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and the Premier League-winning boss has previously said that the former Gunners midfielder has spent a lot of time working with wingers Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane on the training pitch.
The Emirates Stadium faithful would certainly like to see Iwobi make the positive progress those two have from next season, in order to ensure that he makes more of an impact for the north London outfit when he is on the pitch.
We asked Arsenal fans to vote on our poll as to whether they thought the Nigeria international, who will be representing his country at the World Cup next month, would improve under Arteta’s tutelage, and a majority 63% said that he would.
The 22-year-old scored three goals and provided a further seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season, and he will know that he needs to do much better next term if he is to stay in and around the starting XI.
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