January 2023 – Page 18

Frank Lampard has thanked Everton fans and hailed a “special club with a huge heart” after his sacking earlier this week.

Lampard was dismissed on Monday following a 2-0 defeat at West Ham, which left Everton in 19th place and level on points with Southampton below them.

Chelsea’s record goalscorer Lampard joined Everton in January of last year, replacing Rafael Benitez – an unpopular and divisive figure with the Toffees’ fanbase.

Lampard formed a connection with Everton’s fanbase but could not avoid a relegation scrap. However, a run of three wins from Everton’s final six games of the season ensured their survival, with a 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park guaranteeing their long run in the top tier continued.

The sale of talisman Richarlison in June, and the continued injury issues of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, hindered Everton this season. They have won just three times in the league, and Lampard paid the price, becoming the sixth manager to be dismissed by Farhad Moshiri since he invested in the club in 2016.

On Thursday, Lampard posted a goodbye message on his official Instagram account, with the statement also shared by the League Managers Association (LMA).

“Coming into Everton last year I knew we were in a tough moment and I will always be proud of the incredible work and support from everyone involved to keep the team in the Premier League last season,” Lampard wrote.

“Thanks to everybody that played their part as the whole club came together. I will never forget the incredible night against Palace that we shared.

“I want to thank all Evertonians for the welcome that you gave to myself, my staff, and my family. It truly is a special club with a huge heart, and an incredible history.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t achieve more together and wish all the players and everyone at Everton FC the very best for the future.”

Lampard, who spent just under a year in charge, won only nine of his 38 Premier League matches, meaning his win percentage (23.7) is better than only that of Mike Walker (19.4) when it comes to Everton managers to have overseen at least 10 games in the competition. He won a further three cup matches.

It has been a whirlwind week at Everton. Following Lampard’s dismissal, they had expected to announce the signing of Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal.

Yet Danjuma failed to complete the formalities of the transfer and instead joined Tottenham.

Owner Moshiri has denied reports that the club is up for sale, though acknowledged he is looking for investment. MSP Sports Capital, an investment firm with stakes in several European teams as well as Formula One’s McLaren Racing, are reportedly interested.

Meanwhile, Everton’s search for Lampard’s replacement is gathering pace. Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa flew into London on Thursday for talks with the club’s hierarchy and is said to be Moshiri’s first choice.

Ex-Burnley boss Sean Dyche is reportedly a reserve candidate, while Ralph Hasenhuttl, West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and Davide Ancelotti, assistant to his father Carlo at Real Madrid, have also been linked.

Stats Perform understands that academy graduate Anthony Gordon has not attended training this week, with Newcastle United reportedly hoping to sign the winger.

Malo Gusto will remain at Lyon despite interest from Chelsea, with club president Jean-Michel Aulas claiming the right-back will stay in Ligue 1.

The youngster has been linked with a switch to the Premier League heavyweights, who have presided over a high-spending January transfer window.

France youth international Gusto is the latest to be touted for a move, and has reportedly already agreed personal terms on a six-and-a-half-year deal.

But reports also said Lyon knocked back a £17.6million (€20m) offer from the Blues on Wednesday, and Aulas has claimed the 19-year-old will not be going anywhere this month.

“I have the pleasure to explain that Malo Gusto, one of Lyon’s big talents, will continue to play for Lyon until at least June 30,” he wrote on Twitter.

Gusto is out of contract at the end of next season with the Ligue 1 outfit, who currently ninth with just one win from their last five top-flight matches.

The club reportedly value him closer to £35m (€40m) and may well be playing hardball in order to convince Chelsea to either up their offer or wait for the end of the campaign.

With 47 appearances for his hometown club, Gusto is already knocking at the door of the France senior team under Didier Deschamps.

If he was to move to Chelsea, he would become their seventh arrival of the transfer window, and second from Ligue 1 after Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile.

David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke are the other permanent arrivals at Stamford Bridge, while Joao Felix also joined on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Kolo Toure has been sacked by Wigan Athletic less than two months after taking charge of the Championship club.

Toure, the former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender, was appointed Wigan manager on November 29. It was his first job in management.

However, the 41-year-old was sacked on Thursday after just 59 days having failed to win any of his nine games in charge.

Toure’s Wigan lost six of those fixtures and sit bottom of the Championship with 25 points from 28 matches.

The Latics’ chief executive Malachy Brannigan said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Kolo [for his] efforts during [his] time at the football club.

“Unfortunately, the results on the field have not been as we would have liked and as tough a decision as this was, the Board felt it necessary to give us the best possible chance of remaining a Championship club next season.”

There is a very clear theme running through our five goalscorers to watch this weekend as some familiar names to Premier League fans seek redemption elsewhere.

Despite being discarded after struggles in England, they are all bang in form and getting a surprising amount of goals.

Back Alexandre Lacazette to score at anytime @ 6/5

Alexandre Lacazette was the most consistent goalscorer in French league football before his move to Arsenal, rattling in a remarkable 76 goals in 95 games across his last three seasons with Lyon.

Now back in ‘The Gastronomic Capital of the World’, the 31-year-old has been cooking on gas again with an impressive personal tally of seven goals in his last nine Ligue 1 matches.

After hitting the back of the net four times in his last two outings, Lacazette goes up against a defence that conceded seven against Monaco in their last league game when Ajaccio plays host to Lyon on Sunday afternoon.

Back Ademola Lookman to score anytime @ 21/20

As Everton desperately try to sign a goalscorer in the January transfer window, they must be thinking how on earth they let Ademola Lookman slip through their fingers.

The Nigerian is among the hottest strikers in Europe’s top five leagues at the moment after producing 10 goals in his last 12 Serie A appearances for Atalanta.

Lookman has hit braces in three consecutive games since mid-January during a run in which Atalanta have scored 16 goals.

The Bergamo club entertain second-bottom Sampdoria, who have the third-worst defensive record in Serie A, this weekend and can expect to continue their extraordinary goalscoring sequence.

Back Felipe Anderson to score anytime @ 23/10

Now plying his trade straight through the middle, ex-West Ham winger Felipe Anderson is enjoying the best goalscoring run of his career at Lazio.

The Brazilian has bagged six Serie A goals in 19 appearances this season, including three in six starts as Maurizio Sarri’s chosen centre forward.

His confidence will be sky high when Lazio host mid-table Fiorentina after making it four goals in his last four games in all competitions during I Biancocelesti’s 4-0 hammering of AC Milan in midweek.

Back Timo Werner to score anytime @ 6/5

Chelsea fans would cringe at these odds, but not RB Leipzig backers that have seen Timo Werner score 83 goals in 138 Bundesliga appearances across two spells with the club.

The 26-year-old scored his fifth league goal of the campaign in Leipzig’s 6-1 away demolition of Schalke on Tuesday to make it four strikes in his last six in all competitions.

And if you believe in the law of the ex-player scoring against his old team then Stuttgart, who are just above the relegation zone, could be in trouble from the striker they sold on in 2016.

Back Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to score anytime @ 5/4

The career of former Stoke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has blossomed since he left the Potteries and he is now firmly established as the first-choice option up front for Bayern Munich.

The Cameroonian has bagged an impressive 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for the Bundesliga champions, adding to his tally with a goal at RB Leipzig last weekend.

He has scored in nine of his last 11 club appearances, netting 11 goals in this period and assisting two more.

Liverpool’s teenager midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The 18-year-old arrived from Celta Vigo in late 2020 and has worked his way through to the first-team picture at Anfield.

Having trained with the senior team ahead of the 2022-23 season, Bajcetic has 10 appearances to his name this term.

His breakthrough performances have seen him earn a fresh deal with Jurgen Klopp’s men, and Bajcetic acknowledges he is enjoying a campaign that has outperformed his expectations.

“It’s crazy [how quickly things have happened],” he told the club’s official website. “A year ago I was playing Under-18s football, and now I’ve started some games [and] made my debut.

“[I have] even scored a goal. That was something I never expected to happen this year. It’s amazing to see how fast it went.

Bajcetic made his senior debut in late August during the Reds’ 9-0 rout over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

He has gone on to make several more appearances in the top flight for Liverpool, while he was also a goalscorer in their Boxing Day win over Aston Villa.

His renewal marks the latest piece of business for Klopp’s side, who signed Cody Gakpo from PSV in their only major transfer of the mid-season window.

Liverpool will be in FA Cup action this weekend with a fourth-round trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has admitted that his career in East London could be coming to a close in the final days of the January transfer window.

Recent reports have suggested that the Jamaica international, 32, will be allowed to leave the Hammers following the arrival of Danny Ings from Aston Villa.

Antonio is the Irons’ all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League, leading the charts having scored 58 top-flight goals in claret and blue.

Speaking on The Footballer’s Football Podcast, he revealed: “Nothing has been ruled out. There are talks, so whatever happens, happens.

“I’ve been here for eight-and-a-half years now, become top goalscorer for the club and I’ve loved every moment of it.

“Every single moment is somewhere close to my heart. I love the fans, I’ve loved my time at West Ham.

“It’s just one of those things. I’m not saying goodbye, I’m saying basically if it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Antonio has been linked with Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves as he searches for regular minutes in England’s top flight.

Despite featuring in all but two of the Hammers’ league matches this season, he has only completed 90 minutes twice.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest frontman has not found the net in the Premier League since a 3-1 win for David Moyes’ men against Fulham last October.

Antonio went on to say: “I won’t be upset about staying and I’ll definitely be upset if I leave because obviously I’ve enjoyed my time here, but football is football.

“I’ve still got a year and a half here. I can’t say I’m going because I’ve still got a year and a half left at the club.

“Players move and eight-and-a-half years at one club, I would never have thought of it because before I came to West Ham the most I stayed at a club was two years.”

Gareth Southgate described the England manager job as “the greatest privilege” of his life and said he wanted to make sure he was “fresh and hungry” before committing to remain in the role after the Three Lions’ World Cup exit.

A year-and-a-half on from reaching the Euro 2020 final on home turf, England were edged out 2-1 in the quarter-finals of Qatar 2022 by France.

The tournament nevertheless marked a turnaround in form for the Three Lions after a dismal Nations League campaign, underlining Southgate’s record in his role.

But the former Middlesbrough boss acknowledged he needed time to ensure he made the right call in choosing to remain on board.

“I never want to be in a position where my presence is affecting the team in a negative way,” he told BBC Sport.

“I didn’t believe that was the case, but I just wanted a period after the World Cup to reflect and make sure that was still how it felt.”

“Is it the right thing to keep taking this project on? I wanted to make sure I’m still fresh and hungry for that challenge. [It is] the greatest privilege of my life.

“The quality of performances and the progress that we’re making [shows] the team [is] still improving. We’re all gaining belief in what we’re doing.”

England face a banana-skin qualification pathway for Euro 2024, with defending champions Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta in their group.

The Three Lions will play the former two sides in March as they begin their campaign working towards next year’s tournament in Germany.

Mohamed Salah’s lack of form is a concerning trend for all involved at Liverpool.

The Egyptian international has been a prolific scorer since joining the Reds from Roma in 2017 but has only found the net seven times in the Premier League this season.

Having topped the goalscoring charts alongside Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son last term, he signed a new three-year contract over the summer worth a reported £350,000 per week.

Ahead of Liverpool’s tough FA Cup fourth-round tie at Brighton on Sunday, we take a look at the reasons behind Salah’s dry spell.

AFCON agony

Salah scored 23 Premier League goals in 35 games in the 2021-22 campaign, earning his third Golden Boot in five seasons at Liverpool. He also topped the assist charts with 13.

The forward’s numbers were far superior in the first half of the campaign. In his opening 20 matches, before representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, he scored 16 league goals and recorded 10 assists.

After suffering the disappointment of losing the AFCON final on penalties to Senegal, Salah was not nearly so prolific, netting seven times in his remaining 15 Premier League games.

A combination of both mental and physical fatigue seemed a reasonable enough explanation. Much was therefore expected of the 30-year-old this season, having had a summer of rest and then another period to rejuvenate during the World Cup.

Instead, Salah’s poor form has continued, with Liverpool now off the pace in the Premier League and facing a daunting Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid next month.

Injury issues

One of the reasons for the Merseysiders’ struggles has been their injury problems in attack.

Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino are all sidelined. Summer signing Darwin Nunez has yet to convince, or even secure a regular role, while Cody Gakpo has only just arrived from PSV Eindhoven.

The likes of Harvey Elliott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have had to be drafted into the frontline meaning Salah is playing with different players in attack on a game-to-game basis.

That might not be such an issue if the rest of the team were performing. Instead, the midfield needs major surgery and the defence looks a shadow of what it once was with Virgil van Dijk currently out with a hamstring problem.

Some of Jurgen Klopp’s selection issues will be resolved as players become fit but there is also a clear need to bring in new midfielders, which does not look likely to happen until the summer.

Mane move

Numerous absent forward options has compounded the expected drop-off from the departure of Sadio Mane.

The Senegalese attacker’s summer move to Bayern Munich is often cited as a reason for Salah’s decline. While it has not helped, it does not explain why the winger’s numbers were down in the second half of last season.

A combination of factors may have contributed. Fatigue, the departure of Mane, a constantly revolving roster of attacking partners and Liverpool’s general malaise, could all be part of the mix.

There is the possibility of age being a factor for the Reds No11’s slump but it does not seem likely considering how well he was playing just a year ago.

It is not just Salah’s standards that have slipped. Liverpool have only won eight of their 19 Premier League matches this season, leaving them ninth in the table.

Context is key

The reduction in Salah’s goalscoring numbers is more understandable when you look at them in context.

He is Liverpool’s penalty taker but they have not been awarded a Premier League spot-kick since April. Salah scored five penalties in the top flight last season and six the season before.

Though his top-flight tally has been disappointing, in all competitions he has 17 goals in 29 games. This includes seven in the Champions League, where he is the joint-top scorer alongside Kylian Mbappe.

The return of familiar faces in attack will likely help the frontman increase his output but overall it does not seem likely to be a memorable campaign for him.

Liverpool are in a period of transition and it is hard to see an easy fix that will solve their problems before next season. If Salah’s form has still not returned by then, that could be the time to really worry about him.

Real Madrid have called on authorities to hold those responsible for the abuse of Vinicius Junior to account.

Madrid host rivals Atletico Madrid in a Copa del Rey encounter on Thursday.

In the build-up to the match, pictures were shared on social media showing a mannequin, wearing a Vinicius shirt, hung by the neck from a bridge in the Spanish capital.

This was condemned by Atleti, who released a statement saying: “Such acts are absolutely repugnant and inadmissible and shame society. Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.”

Madrid have now joined their neighbours in condemning what they label as a “repugnant act of racism, xenophobia and hatred”.

A statement read: “Real Madrid would like to thank you for the support and expressions of affection received after the regrettable and repugnant act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our player Vinicius.

“We would like to express our strongest condemnation of these acts which are an attack on fundamental rights and the dignity of people, and which have nothing to do with the values that football and sport represent.

“Attacks such as those suffered by our player, or those suffered by any sportsperson, have no place in a society such as ours

“Real Madrid trust that those who have participated in such a despicable act will be held accountable.”

The Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) also joined in the condemnation.

“The CBF vehemently repudiates the racist acts suffered once again by Vinicius,” a statement read.

“Intolerance and discrimination are not part of sport and must be eliminated from society. We hope that those responsible are identified and punished under the law.”

LaLiga called for a full investigation to be launched and criminal sanctions issued against guilty parties.

Ademola Lookman has been a standout player for Atalanta in Serie A this season.

The Nigeria international is thriving in Bergamo following his departure from RB Leipzig last summer and his contributions have been essential in helping Gian Piero Gasperini’s side push for a spot in Europe next season.

With 11 strikes and three assists in 18 Serie A appearances, Lookman has had a hand in 14 of Atalanta’s 37 goals in the 2022-23 campaign.

Ahead of the match against Sampdoria on Saturday, we take a deep dive into the attacker’s rise in blue and black.

Turning the tide

Lookman racked up 18 goal contributions in 98 Premier League appearances for Everton, Fulham and Leicester.

Last season, he managed six strikes in 26 top-flight games for the Foxes to earn himself a move to Atalanta.

His most noteworthy strike was the winner in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, but he made fewer appearances for the East Midlands club in the second half of the campaign and it was rare for the Charlton academy graduate to complete 90 minutes.

Much of the concern surrounding the South Londoner was his lack of effort and defensive diligence but there have been few critics of his performances since his switch to Italy.

Bigger and better

Lookman’s brace in last Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Juventus showcased his improved form in front of goal.

Only Nigerian team-mate Victor Osimhen has scored more Serie A goals than the former Toffees attacker this season and La Dea’s No11 has already equalled his tally from five seasons in the Premier League.

The four-cap international has netted six goals in his last three games in all competitions, as the Nerazzurri hunt European qualification and Coppa Italia glory.

His movement and decision-making have improved greatly and this has been reflected in his statistics for the free-scoring side.

Averaging 2.72 shots per 90 minutes and 1.98 chances created per game, Lookman provides a cutting edge and creative spark that was exemplified by a guided header past Wojciech Szczesny for his second against the Old Lady.

Although the header was special, it was his movement that caught the eye after he managed to position himself in front of the experienced Alex Sandro.

Home is where the heart is

Lookman is one of many players who had aspirations to play for England but did not make the cut despite earning 31 youth caps at three age groups from the Under-19s to U-21s.

The Wandsworth native was born to Nigerian parents and eligible to represent the African nation if he wished.

After turning down multiple approaches from the national team, Lookman finally decided to represent Nigeria and his decision was approved in February 2022.

Since then, the diminutive forward was handed his debut in the World Cup play-off against Ghana and netted his first goal in a 10-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Sao Tome and Principe.

If he can carry his prolific domestic form on to the international stage, Lookman is certain to be one to watch at next year’s AFCON tournament in the Ivory Coast.

Hailed by the boss

Gasperini has had nothing but positive words to say about Lookman following his inspirational performance against Juventus.

The 64-year-old Italian coach even went so far as to credit the new director of football Lee Congerton for managing to bring the Englishman to Italy.

He said: “This new director, who is responsible for scouting, Lee Congerton spotted these players, he knew him [Lookman] because they were together at Leicester.

“He was also quick for [Rasmus] Hojlund, the club made an important investment in this lad. The club bought these two players who have been helping me work well.”

On Lookman’s display against the Bianconeri, he added: “Lookman had an extraordinary performance. We conceded two goals in the first half by losing the ball pretty cheaply, and those are situations where we should’ve been more careful.

“We always had character and quality, even in games where the results were a bit like tonight. I saw a definite growth from the start of the season, partly because of the freshness and personality of these lads who arrived.”

Atalanta sit sixth in the table, only two points away from the Champions League places and could climb as high as second should results go their way this weekend with AC Milan floundering and Juve plummeting out of contention following their 15-point deduction.

Should Lookman continue his exhilarating form in front of goal, do not discount Gasperini’s young stars from seizing their moment to shine.