Arsene Wenger’s departure from the Emirates dugout at the end of the season is not the only high-profile shift around the Arsenal hierarchy in the last couple of months.

A new manager will come in and face levels of scrutiny not seen since David Moyes’ arrival at Manchester United in 2013, and which may not be seen ever again. Before all that, though, the Gunners have also appointed two men who will be part of the revolution the end of the season will bring.

Raul Sanllehi and Sven Mislintat were brought into the Arsenal set-up at the start of the season and oversaw a club record signing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as well as the renewal of Mesut Ozil’s contract. It appeared not only as if the Gunners were serious about kicking on, but that they were also building a certain type of team.

To then go and bring in Henrikh Mkhitaryan made it seem as though Mislintat, the former Borussia Dortmund scout, was signing players he knew were good from his time in Germany. It wasn’t illogical, then, to think that the Gunners might be eyeing up another man known for his work at the Westfalenstadion – Thomas Tuchel, the coach who brought it all together.

There was a clear problem with that line of thought, though. Tuchel might, on paper, seem like the obvious choice for Mislintat if he were indeed planning to get the band back together again, but the pair fell out before the end of the manager’s reign in Dortmund.

Does that mean that Tuchel won’t join the Gunners this summer?

If he doesn’t join, it might be the reason, though we’ll probably never know. On the other hand, the fact the two fell out may well be a complete red herring.

For one thing, grown-ups fall out all the time before making up and having a proper working relationship in the months and years after.

More to the point, however, Tuchel is a manager. That makes his role all about the club he’s in charge of: he looks after the players and the tactics, and while he has to think about the opposition, his main focus is his own team. Mislintat is a scout. In fact, as a scout for Arsenal, there is only one team in the world it’s not in his remit to watch: Arsenal.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It’s not quite as simple as that, of course. The two men fell out despite their similar arrangement at Dortmund, after all. But just because Mislintat and Tuchel had a tiff during their time in Germany shouldn’t rule the well thought-of manager out of a role at Arsenal by itself.

The Gunners may decide to appoint someone else, but Tuchel is one of the brightest young managers in Europe who seems to fit so perfectly with what Mislintat wants to do at the Emirates. It would be silly to rule him out because of a past fight – but that doesn’t mean Arsenal won’t do it.

[ad_pod ]

As reported by The Mirror this weekend, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has said yes to taking over as permanent manager of Rangers next season.

The move to Ibrox would mean he leaves his current role of U18s manager at the Reds.

Aside from a brief stint at LA Galaxy, Gerrard has been with Liverpool as a player and coach for close to 28 years, having joined the Liverpool academy at the age of nine.

Tipped by supporters to be a future manager of the club, many are not happy he’s chosen to make the move to Rangers.

Reasons for that include the sheer scale of the job at Ibrox in the face of Celtic domination and the fact he would no longer be working within the set-up under Jurgen Klopp.

The work ahead of him was put into sharp focus this afternoon after Rangers were humiliated by Celtic in a 5-0 defeat, with the Hoops becoming league champions in the process.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liverpool fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his potential move to Scotland…

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United starlet Timothy Fosu-Mensah has returned to the club following the end of a mixed season-long loan spell with the Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, and Red Devils fans have been discussing the 20-year-old’s first-team chances next term.

The Netherlands international started the campaign in the side under previous Eagles boss Frank de Boer – playing as a centre-back in a three-man defence – but he struggled to make an impression with current manager Roy Hodgson in the remainder of the season.

The Dutchman found himself behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order over the course of the last couple of months, and he failed to make the matchday squad for their final five top flight fixtures – although that doesn’t seem to have deterred some of the Old Trafford faithful who reacted to a suggestive tweet from the 20-year-old earlier this week.

[ad_pod ]

Man United supporters have taken to social media to give their thoughts on what the future holds for the versatile youngster, and while one said “watch Mourinho rot him on bench next season”, another said “he’s so perfect for RB, yet Jose doesn’t seem to rate him”.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Manchester United were unable to challenge Manchester City for the 2017-18 Premier League title, but the Red Devils did secure a runners-up position.

Second represented progress from the 2016-17 season, but United ended the campaign without a trophy after losing 1-0 Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Jose Mourinho’s style of football has not won him too many admirers with the United fans this season, but the Portuguese has delivered trophies wherever he has been.

There would surely have been a different undercurrent if United had beaten Chelsea to land the FA Cup last weekend, but it seems that the English club’s supporters now want change.

[ad_pod ]

On Wednesday, United’s official Twitter account posted a story which detailed the club’s players that will be present at the 2018 World Cup this summer.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

But the United fans were simply not interested in hearing about it, with the response section full of those asking for Mourinho to be sacked ahead of the 2018-19 season.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini has been named in the Argentina squad for the 2018 World Cup.

The 25-year-old made his Argentina debut last June, and has since appeared on two more occasions for his national team – scoring once in the process.

A number of talented players were left out of the Argentina squad for this summer’s tournament in Russia, but Lanzini was included.

The attacker, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, will enter the match off the back of scoring five times and registering nine assists in 29 appearances for West Ham during the 2017-18 campaign.

And he was outstanding in West Ham’s 3-1 win over Everton on the final weekend of the season.

[ad_pod ]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liverpool continue to be linked with a player who will see his West Ham contract expire at the end of the 2019-2020 campaign, and the West Ham fans are concerned that a strong World Cup could see the former Al-Jazira attacker move on this summer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

As reported by The Yorkshire Post, Newcastle United are interested in signing Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore this summer.

What’s the story?

After securing a top ten finish in their first season back in the English Premier League, Rafa Benitez and Newcastle will be looking to strengthen the first team squad at St James’ Park further this summer.

That won’t be easy given their comparative lack of resources with other clubs, but Benitez has shown he can work magic with unpolished talent so far in his time as Magpies boss.

One player on their radar is Adama Traore of Middlesbrough, according to The Yorkshire Post.

The paper say he could be available for a £15m fee in the upcoming transfer window after they failed to gain promotion back into the Premier League, and Newcastle are the latest side to show interest.

[ad_pod ]

Would he be a good signing?

Traore had a fantastic 2017/18 season in the Championship, scoring five goals and assisting 12 more in all competitions, helping Boro reach the play-offs where they ultimately fell short against Aston Villa.

Still just 22 years of age, there’s no doubting the player has significant talent and ability, but if he’s to be a hit at St James’ Park, he will need to find an end product in the Premier League.

In 2016/17, he managed just one assist in 27 top-flight appearances for Middlesbrough, not the kind of contribution that would be useful at the Magpies.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The former Barcelona man could be a bargain at the reported £15m fee though and if he’s available, this is the kind of signing that Newcastle should be making.

Do you think Newcastle should sign him?

You can have your say in our poll below…

It may seem almost preposterous for a club of Manchester United’s stature and lavish spending to take such a frugal approach to their summer budget, but according to The Independent Jose Mourinho is unlikely to sign a new left-back this summer because he’s prioritising a backup striker to Romelu Lukaku.

In fairness, Ashley Young made the role his own last season and there’s always the option of Luke Shaw. But the former turns 33 next month and the latter’s Old Trafford career has spiralled into relative anonymity amid a spate of spats with Mourinho.

Likewise, left-back has been a problem position for much of the Portuguese’s tenure; in addition to Young and Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind have all been fielded there with mixed results.

And the impact heavy spending on full-backs last summer had on Manchester City’s season shows how important defensive flankers are in the modern game. So with that in mind, Football FanCast have outlined five potential solutions – cut-price strikers who will add depth at centre-forward while leaving enough in the bank to sign a new top-class No.3.

Solution A – Bas Dost

Another four players have terminated their contracts with Sporting Lisbon following the infamous training ground assault from radical fans, including star striker Bas Dost. While the Dutchman may be just short of the top-class bracket, his scoring record has been strong at every club he’s played for – his career return at club level stands at 194 goals in 370 games, including 70 in 90 for the Portuguese outfit.

Also measuring in at a lofty 6 foot 5, he offers the physical presence Mourinho commands from his central strikers and should be able to bring the likes of Paul Pogba into the game in dangerous areas. Now available on a free transfer, he could prove to be an absolute steal for the Red Devils.

Solution B – Salomon Rondon

Salomon Rondon’s scoring record in the Premier League may seem a little underwhelming, managing just 24 in 108 outings, but being the centre-forward for a Tony Pulis side is one of the hardest jobs in English football.

The Venezuelan certainly has the talent to be far more prolific than that – in fact, his club career strike rate before moving to the Hawthorns was better than one-in-three – and in terms of style, he’s exactly what Mourinho will likely be looking for too, powerful and physical enough to hold up the ball in key areas. The fact he’s already experienced in the Premier League is a major plus as well, especially when combined with a relegation release clause of just £16.5million.

Solution C – Mario Balotelli

Considering Mario Balotelli has already plied his trade with Manchester City and Liverpool, joining the Old Trafford ranks this summer would mark an incredibly controversial move. But controversy is Mario’s middle name and after a few years in the wilderness, the Italy international has really got his career back on track with Nice, notching up 43 goals over the last two campaigns to muscle his way back into the Azzurri picture.

Mourinho worked with Balotelli at Inter and may therefore have a better chance than most in mentoring a talent he once described as ‘unmanageable’. Most appealingly though, the enigmatic 27-year-old is currently available on a free transfer.

Solution D – Danny Welbeck

Mourinho told reporters last year that he’d never have allowed Danny Welbeck to leave for Arsenal and it’s not hard to see why; versatile, physical, industrious and incredibly functional, he’s pretty much the perfect Mourinho player.

The England international hasn’t exactly flourished since joining the Gunners, a spell that has been surprisingly thwarted with injury problems, but with his contract due to expire next summer and Unai Emery taking the reigns from Arsene Wenger, now is the time to try and bring him back to his boyhood club in a cut-price deal – Transfermarkt value him at just £13.5million.

The question though, bearing Mourinho’s opinions on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in mind, is whether United really need another forward who is part-winger and part-striker.

Solution E – Andy Carroll

Chelsea were considering a swoop for Andy Carroll in January before eventually landing Olivier Giroud and although he’s an incredibly agricultural kind of player, there’s no doubt the England international is one of the most effective strikers in the Premier League when fit enough to be involved. Few can counteract his power in the air or his strength on the ground, and in some ways he’d be an ideal replacement for Marouane Fellaini whose height was often utilised as Mourinho’s Plan B when United struggled to get themselves over the line.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

His West Ham contract only has a year left and because of Carroll’s injury problems, a half-decent bid will likely convince them to part with the oft-crocked centre-forward this summer.

So, Manchester United fans, which cut-price striker would you sign to ensure Mourinho can afford a top-class left-back this summer? Let us know by voting below…

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”211755″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Man United’ last UCL KO win where are they now”]

Ever since the end of the season, fans across the country have been eagerly anticipating the start of the next and the club rumour-mill is in full swing.

We ‘re lucky to have the World Cup this summer to keep us occupied during the normally barren summer months but fans are still jumping on anything which points towards their club’s plans for the season ahead.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been going into overdrive on social media about a potential leak of their home and away kits for the 2018/19 season in the Premier League.

The kits in the photographs are being modelled by Wolves pair Conor Coady and Helder Costa and shows the new shirt manufacturer Adidas that replaced Puma who made the club’s kits for the past five seasons.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Some fans are dubious that the photos are genuine but others are very keen on the slick and simple new designs.

The importance of England’s final World Cup Group G clash, and how Gareth Southgate should accordingly handle the situation, remains open to interpretation. On the one hand, finishing top of the group will give real recognition to the hugely positive way England have started the tournament; on the other, the permutations of finishing second, within the context of the knockout rounds, appear far more beneficial than claiming top spot.

Likewise, while there is an obvious argument to maintaining momentum by beating one of the World Cup’s better fancied side after facing two countries who were never expected to advance from the group stage, there’s also an inevitable counter-argument – whether it’s really worth risking injury to key players if England have already qualified.

With that in mind, Football FanCast have one simple question for our experts – how many changes should Southgate make for England’s final Group G clash with Belgium on Thursday night?

Ben Goodwin

“You’ll only ever hear me say this once so enjoy it – Roy Keane is spot on. The ITV pundit complained people are overcomplicating things and just to focus on winning the next match, and he’s absolutely right. Momentum is crucial in these tournaments, so making loads of changes and hoping for an easier path to the final would be truly bizarre. The exception to this of course being any players carrying a knock are not worth the risk now qualification is secured, but they should be focused on beating Belgium and nothing else.”

Sam Preston

“Southgate must keep changes to a minimum – Roy Hodgson made five for the final group game of Euro 2016 and it stunted the feel-good factor from the last-gasp Wales win – so I’d make just the one, bringing in Danny Rose for the disappointing Ashley Young. Circumstances will dictate the feel of the match; how many changes Belgium make, where Brazil and Germany have finished in their groups, how Group H ends up – but much of that will only become clear very close to kick-off.

“I have no problem with England not winning the game and coming second in the group if that lines up a theoretically ‘easier’ knockout route, but Southgate can’t plan for that days in advance while so much is still up in the air.”

Is this the best World Cup ever? Give us your thoughts here and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.

James Beavis

“While Southgate could be tempted to rest most of his starting XI with qualification to the last 16 already guaranteed, I’m a firm believer that multiple changes and rotation are not a good thing – whether it be in club football or at international tournaments. England need to continue the momentum they are building and that means Harry Kane starts, Jesse Lingard starts and Kieran Trippier starts.

“That said, I would make three changes to the team that beat Panama so comfortably, with Dele Alli coming in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in order to ensure he is ready for the knockout stages, Danny Rose in for the disappointing Ashley Young on the left, as well as an opportunity for Marcus Rashford to impress in place of Raheem Sterling alongside Kane.”

Chris McMullan

“We don’t know how Brazil – who have played well for a grand total of 20 minutes at this World Cup – will fare against a Serbia side who could relegate Brazil into second place. We don’t know how Germany will do in their final group game: they could still top their group, too.

“Imagine resting players in the hope of losing and avoiding Brazil and Germany only for results to surprise us, and for Brazil to come second in their group and Germany top theirs. In that scenario, Southgate would have halted his side’s momentum, ruined whatever confidence they’ve built up over the last week, and deprived his key players of competitive football for over a week in the build-up to a last 16 game which, in itself, certainly won’t be a cake walk.

“Trying to game the system by coming second is where things could yet go horribly, horribly wrong for this England side.”

Jack Newman

“Even though both teams have secured qualification to the knockout rounds, Belgium will always be a very physical contest for England, particularly with the high number of individual Premier League battles. The risk of injury runs high, but I would still keep changes to a minimum as we have seen before what happens when a manager tinkers with his team during a tournament.

“This is England’s first real test and I would like to see how a strong line-up will fare against good opposition. That being said, I would give Rashford the nod instead of Sterling as we are too reliant on Kane’s goals and could well need another in-form striker further down the line, and Sterling has disappointed so far in the tournament.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

New Everton manager Marco Silva is yet to make a single summer signing since taking charge of the club at the start of the month, has yet to be too active in the summer transfer window, which is perhaps no surprise given the size of the Merseyside outfit’s squad.

The 40-year-old needs to sell before he buys before the window slams shut on August 9 as he looks to take the Toffees into European contention this term, and he will certainly be hoping that their business ramps up in the coming days and weeks.

The Portuguese boss, who has been urged by the fans not to sign a 26-year-old World Cup star with one labelling him as “awful”,  will be working in tandem with director of football Marcel Brands to identify the targets that will help the club improve upon the eighth-place finish they achieved in 2017/18, following a disastrous beginning to the campaign that saw Ronald Koeman sacked in October.

While the former Hull City and Watford chief will have the stars he wants to bring to Goodison Park in mind, perhaps he should also be considering bringing some familiar faces back to Merseyside too, as there are ex-Blues out there that would make a big difference for them on the pitch now.

Here are three former Everton players Silva must look to re-sign this summer…

While the 24-year-old is currently starring for England at the 2018 World Cup having scored a brace in the 6-1 win against Panama on Sunday, the same can’t be said of his 2017/18 campaign with Manchester City.

Injury and the arrival of Aymeric Laporte during the January transfer window restricted him to just 18 Premier League appearances, and his future at the Etihad Stadium could well be in doubt – especially if Pep Guardiola signs another centre-back this summer.

Meanwhile, Everton are in desperate need of a new centre-back themselves to partner Michael Keane, and the ball-playing Stones could be the perfect option for them if they are willing to pay the fee needed to bring him back to Goodison.

The Republic of Ireland centre-back only made 10 appearances in all competitions for Everton before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2014, and he has gone on to make a big impression for the Lancashire outfit and Brighton and Hove Albion since.

We mentioned previously that the Toffees need a new central defender this summer and while the 26-year-old Seagulls man may not be an attractive proposition in many ways, his performances for the south coast outfit last term suggest he could be a decent back-up for them.

According to WhoScored.com, the Irishman won 200 of the 294 aerial duels he faced in 37 Premier League outings, while he also made 71 blocks and 327 clearances.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Having only left Goodison Park for Chelsea in slightly controversial circumstances during the January transfer window, it would certainly be a turn up for the books if the 24-year-old returned to Merseyside this summer.

However, he has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Stamford Bridge because of injury and being yet to find his form, which could mean that he is sent out on loan by the west London outfit.

A move back to Everton seems unlikely, but there is no doubt that he could add something for them in the final third, as he did on many occasions previously.

Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.